I imagine this guys wages are far more palatable for our wage structure too. Even though there is a fee it makes far more financial sense than bringing in a top earner on a free.

Probably a good thing. We never win it anyway. Might as well get one of the big boys out the way

Any chance of resetting the poll now that we have had the chance to watch him for a full season

The attacking ability of full backs was less important then. Obviously those 3 brought a threat going forwards because they were world class. But one of the main reason wingers playing on the 'opposite' side works is because its balanced out by having a full back who can whip in a cross with their stronger foot. Most obvious modern day example being liverpool with salah/trent and mane/Robertson. Which is very similar to what Mowbray has been trying to do tactically since Dacks injury. Imagine how much more potent our left side would be if Armstrong who fits the mould well, had a full back to knock the ball back too when he hits a dead end, and said full back could whip a quality delivery in first time.

Transfer thread. A few people getting a bit caught up on Danny Graham being called a legend. He's been a great player for the club. A bit of integrity and honesty about him. I don't think being a legend is always measured purely by success. I feel a real affection for Graham, Mowbray, Mulgrew and Dack. Mowbray and Mulgrew haven't always been spectacular. Graham is aging. But between them (and others obviously) they halted the slide at least for a while. And made me actually cheer the club again which had become increasingly difficult in the Kean, Coyle era. Getting caught up on the definition of a 'legend' is a bit silly. But I think Danny Graham has been a bloody good player for us and I'm quite sad to see him go, whether it be his time or not.

A few people saying Carter looked decent last night. I'm not writing him off by any means. But he certainly didn't look remotely ready on last nights showing.

We live in a world where Joao Felix went for something like £126 million off the back of one good season in Portugal. Different ends of the spectrum yes but accrued time at a certain level doesn't really translate to worth. It is all about potential. £8million is small change these days. There are often bargains to be had. A £4.5million bargain doesn't detract from another players value.

Not sure what planet you and a few others are living on. I'd be disappointed to see Travis leave for less than say 8 - 12 million with add ons. Arma similar range. Dack maybe a touch more if he shows the same form post injury. Lenihan around 8 million. Sometimes I think people love to just be pessimistic for the sake of it.

I think giving him a boot up the arse with a public bollocking and a fine is exactly what he needs. As the impression I've had of him his entire time here is he likes a laugh, is desperate to fit in with the boys and I don't think he's massively focused on what he is actually here to do. Improve as a footballer. Hopefully the fact he's had a bit of a telling off will make him knuckle down. If he could focus on getting himself into the gym a little more and gain an actual athletic physique it would improve his game no end. I actually think Mowbray has jumped at the chance to give him a public bollocking as he thinks that's exactly what he needs in general. Not just for one petulant challenge.

Ahhh. No that's the next game ? This is another tough unexpected one

I don't think we will win. But given that Cardiff are currently behind against Fulham and Swansea face Leeds tomorrow a win could very well see us 2 points off the playoffs again. Crazy considering we've done all we could to throw it all away recently. There is a real incentive there

I'd say he's exactly that. A league 1 MGP. His technique looks ok. Not the worst crosser, or long shots. I just think he's too one dimensional to make the step up. Jamal Lowe was the better of the two Pompey wingers. And this season he has 4 goals and 2 assists to his name at Wigan.

I live in Pompey. I think a lot of people would be disappointed quite quickly with Curtis. Not a lot of pace, dribbling technique, nor is he particularly direct. Yes he has chipped in with a few goals at league one level but he would do a lot of passing it sideways and turning back against better opposition. Also he is very, very mouthy. Not saying it's a bad thing. But it's not a Mowbray thing

I would like 1 Jamal Lowe. And I would like to pay pretty much nothing for him

For me Buckley looks incredibly fragile and not massively ready yet. But he's improving and he does have a habit of showing the off flash here or there. You can tell there is a player in there. And once he fills out a little could be a great player

Agreed. I think a few others took me saying that he doesn't look like he has a natural position nailed as me saying he wasnt very good. He seems technically decent. But just needs to begin to specialize in a certain area

I've certainly seen limited creativity from him this far. Doesn't look like he can play between the lines like Buckley. Doesn't look like he can run at people like Butterworth. I think that is a pretty fair analogy. I'm not saying he's rubbish. Just that his stand out attributes arent that obvious yet and I'm not sure he knows his best position. Rather seems a Jack of all right now

Thing is with JRC I'm not sure anyone really knows what his natural position is. He seems technically decent and pretty tall. Still too small in frame for centre mid, not enough creativity for attacking mid and not enough pace for the wing. Sounds damming. He looks alright. But just no idea where he fits in

If we did as the OP said and manage to bring back Walton, Cunningham and Tosin in a combination of loans and signings we would still need 2 more. One more centre back for depth and a right winger. Maybe that polish fella. Then I would be confident. 5 signings is a lot though. But that is what the squad requires. With proper service i wouldn't bet against Armstrong hitting 20 next season.

I agree. I thought Bell was woeful last night. He has improved a lot defensively. But he didnt have much defending to do. Going forward he was just abysmal. Poor crossing, constantly turning back or hitting the first man. The only time he didnt hit the first man there was no whip on the ball. Just a soft dink across which was easy to clear. I really think considering the lack of attack from stoke we should have shifted downing to left back and put Buckley into midfield

Eh? Just what in the world? I dont know what sport or game you were watching. Madness

I could see a Lenihan goal. Get those inswinging corners going to the flapper. Lenihan to prod another home

I don't watch it and won't watch it. Its "gone to boring for me" Thank you for making me laugh chadster

It's no exaggeration to say his save at the end was world class. Raya who is applauded for his shot stopping wouldn't have had the reach. I would say Waltons main weakness now is shots which are close to him. Especially low down. See mitrovic's goal. Personally I'm swaying very much into the yea camp in terms of signing him. Even his biggest critics can clearly see he is showing real signs of improvement.

Superb result. Since a couple of people are talking about Gallagher. Big difference between him and Samuel is the ball seemed to stick to Dom today. It seems like a relatively simple thing but surely with Gallaghers physical attributes he could be coached to shield and hold up. Rather than going for these crazy blood and thunder flick ons. It's a huge hindrance. Back to the game. Jolly good. And amazing to see some of our lesser players stepping up. Walton (save at the end was a worldy), Bell (consistent for a month now), Johnson showing physicality, Buckley showing he can handle this league and the previously mentioned Samuel. Biggest thing is though we look like a unit at the back. Keep on plodding.