Far be it from me to interrupt this interesting discussion with a completely unconnected question but does anybody know if tomorrow's game is a proper 90-minute match or another of these 50-minute workouts ? Ta

I'll throw myself into the "upset if he leaves" side of the argument, but only from the point of view that it leaves us incredibly lightweight up front. There is no way of convincing me that we have the firepower, minus Cole, to stay in the Premiership. This is the only reason that I would be upset, because we cannot afford to have disruptive influences around the first team (and I know that some of you will say that the biggest disruptive influence is in charge). As has been said already, everybody has to pull the same way and, like it or not, Souness is in charge and if players do not like the way he runs things they, and we, are better off without them here. I suppose I naiively thought that everybody would behave like grown-ups and return to pre-season prepared to start with a clean slate ! The LET report suggested that the decision to make Cole available for transfer was made at a board meeting. Therefore is it not likely that, once the decision was made discussion turned to freeing up more cash than originally intended to tempt some kind of replacement. I like the idea of one last hurrah with Shearer if he becomes available. It's written in the stars - the legend returns to win us the FA Cup with his last contributions as a Premiership player !!! Back in the real world I cannot offer any suitable replacement names, if indeed the club would look to replace Cole. Presumably, if Cole ends up at Fulham, we'll end up with Radzinski.

Isn't this Marcio Amoroso, recently released by Dortmund ? He's reported to be having talks with Liverpool.

Well, there's still a way to go before the end of August - any of these players could be on their way by then. And we could be adding Steven Reid to that list if recent rumours prove to be true. Matteo's an excellent addition in my view, given the market we are shopping in currently. Another leader on the pitch can only be a good thing.