What on earth has he done to warrant that value?

Because we only have one?

I would also reckon that Chapman can play anywhere across the front 3 (including the number 10 role). He played there against Stoke in a cup game during his first loan spell with us if I recall correctly.

If we could bring in the croation lad at cb, a full back and a winger on loan then it would be a very good window. Very open league this year. On paper, August looks a stinker but the first month is usually a good time to play the relegated sides, whilst they adjust to the Championship. 9 to 10 points from August and we should be looking at a decent season.

Pre season friendlies are never a massive puller. Even the Barcelona game (2001)was no where near selling out on the back of a great season. Holidays and other things take precedent and I expect there's a fee involved to the bigger club. No reason why we couldn't tour Holland or Germany though - especially given our scouting 'links'!

Anelka brothers were notoriously difficult to deal with - family involvement can be an issue. For me, if the kid has any issues about coming in on loan, we should drop the deal like a stone.

?

We can 'man it up' with the F word whilst retaining the relevant innuendo with the word 'tackle'? "He's got a tackle that won't let you get Anywhere near, our f'kin net... Its Lennihan, hallelujah

I watched the game where they played Rangers last year. I thought at the time that both the CBs for Osijek looked decent. No nonsense, physical 'kick your granny' types. Would be happy with Skoric. Experienced but a few years left in the tank. Cant imagine he will cost anywhere near £2 million either.

To be fair mulgrew and Rodwell certainly didn't do it last season on a cold Tuesday night in Wigan.

Butterworth played up front and he looked the better of the 2 on the day. Buckley seemed nervous for first part but improved as the game went on.

So you advocate, as we approach the end of the window, that we raise the price of our players. Seems logical. Yet , as a club, we are expecting prices to drop for the players we want to sign. ..

I was thinking the same.

Agree. Puts us in with a a shout in a topsy turvy division. Without the defensive additions, we won't threaten the top 10

Barring cb, we do have players better than those for the first 11. Not sure they would get us promoted though. Nor will the manager play them. We aren't far off though and that's the frustrating thing.

Hang on. So they aren't good enough for the first 11 but good squad players? Surely a club would want its highest earners making the biggest impact on the pitch. Would you be happy with a bench of: Leutwiler Mulgrew Evans Williams Bennett Downing Brereton (That's dropping Smallwood altogether)

Stoke announced 5 in one go.

Fair point about Williams. Upto Waggott to earn his corn and shift them.

They are all players that no longer warrant a place in the side - if we play our strongest side and sign a cb of any quality. I expect they are amongst the highest earners at the club and would be infinitely replaceable in my eyes. * I accept there is an argument to keep William's as cover for cb. If they are here, they won't be on the bench though Mani.

When are we going to get rid of the dead wood in the squad (Smallwood, Evans, Williams, Mulgrew)? It is they that are blocking the youngsters' path, not potential new signings.

We've got some shit defenders already. We don't need another soiled one ?

Not a chance. Perfect opportunity for the tinkerman to put Downing there.

Because at home we set out to negate the away team. Often the away team will also try to negate us as well - Hence the number of 0-0 HT scores. Away we take the same approach but the home team will generally attack our porous defence and we find ourselves conceding and chasing a game. All ironic really because we are more likely to outscore a team with our attacking strength, than trying to nick a 1-0 through our defence.

I think any fan would support him on the day and everyone hopes he will do well. Many people are just of the opinion (on what he has shown to date) that he will not live up to his price tag. What forums are for.

Cant argue with points there but I'm referring to the end of last season -Swansea.