Well yes, obviously couldn't be further apart in terms of ability but poles apart in terms of attitude as well. Shearer always left everything out on the pitch and put in a performance every week. Gallagher never puts in a performance. When was the last time you watched a game and thought "Gallagher was magnificent today" or even " he was a bit of a handful" Almost never.

You mean he isn't likely to score 10+.

As I've said a number of times over the years with Gallagher there's putting in a genuine shift then there's just doing one or two bits and pieces to create the impression he's putting in a shift. Might run for one or two lost causes to make it look as though he's doing something but when it comes to what really matters like bullying the opposition, winning a header, busting a gut to get on the end of a cross or into a dangerous goalscoring position or putting his head/body in where it hurts there's none of that.

Yes, but as far as I'm aware Fulham/Arsenal haven't had any high profile transfer embarrassments of the sort we've had recently nor I presume will they have had charlatans like Waggott and Broughton conducting matters so it's not unreasonable to feel slightly nervous in the absence of definite confirmation imo.

So would you rate a centre half who couldn't defend to save their life but popped up in the opposition box four or five times a season to score from a corner?

He's got no work ethic about him whatsoever. Doesn't physically impose himself on the opposition, 6 ft 5 and jumps about 5 ft 7, can't be bothered getting himself into positions from where he'd be likely to score and that's before you even get onto his technical limitations. Was a willing runner of the channels and half decent during his first loan spell (albeit not worth anywhere near £5m) but has been absolutely stealing a living since he came permanently. Good riddance to bad rubbish. If he goes that is. Please God.

I thought he was absolutely terrible when he was here on loan. Looked like he simply couldn't be bothered.

Stoke are perfectly entitled to ask whatever they want for him. You're just annoyed that the potential swap deal with Gallagher which was mooted by nicko is never and was never going to go ahead.

Agreed. He puts most of the rest of the team to shame in that respect.

I was wondering why Stoke were suddenly kindly taking a lot of our unwanted garbage off our hands. Has anyone moved from the backroom staff here to Stoke at all?

There was a supercomputer that ran a simulation a few weeks back and from memory it had us going down in 22nd 6 points adrift of safety with Plymouth being the team above us that survived. This will get Mr Ottershaw on my case if he hasn't already stuck me on ignore but right now 22nd seems quite optimistic.

I was trying to work out earlier, as things stand and assuming Szmodics and Gallagher leave,are we nine players down on the squad that only stayed up on the final day of last season? Wharton injured. Then 27 goal Szmodics, Gallagher, Telalovic, Wahlstead, Fleck, McFadzean/Hill, Ayari, Chrisene. Now you could argue that Szmodics apart we won't miss any of those that are no longer here and if you were looking for a silver lining I would say either the Coach or Park have quickly identified our worst three players in Telalovic Wahlstedt and Gallagher and got them out of the door. Also with the return of Travis and Buckley we're probably "only" seven players down. Given we probably originally needed four or five quality net additions in the right areas though it leaves us with an unbelievable amount to do to be competitive imo

Mental if he does, then we'll be complaining about being unlucky if he gets sidelined all season again as soon as he gets a knock.

So let me get this right - "WATR" - (a slogan shamefully nicked off another individual who previously tried to engage with the Club BTW) who purport to represent the views of the fanbase as a whole, actually have a paid up membership of sub 500?

I'll take it that's a "no" then. Have you anything constructive to add to the debate about how we'll do next season or did you decide to grace us with your presence simply to have a pop at me?

No. If we do have a "decent season" I'll be the first to hold my hands up. Will you do the same if we go down?

Deary me, you're up there with Chaddy in terms of delusion.

We've been "hopeful" of at least four or five NET incomings since the end of last season! It's not like there's any rush though -I mean there's still 12 whole days to go to the start of the season.

Top statement completely disagree. Been stealing a wage for years in true Corry Evans/Jason Lowe fashion. If he goes it'll be a rare bit of positive news. 2nd statement completely agree irrespective of what happens with point one.

Surely the greatest player for our Club ever. In the first half of 92 when he scored 16 goals by December and before his first serious injury he was lightning quick and quite simply unstoppable. Never quite the same after that imo but successfully adapted his game after that and also after a further serious injury to become an all time great. Without the injuries there'd be no debate about the greatest Premier League player imo, it'd be a different debate.

The Japanese guy?

Not particularly wishing to defend the Club on anything at the moment but in this instance what do you expect? Buy or don't buy a season ticket, that's your prerogative entirely but once bought you're locked in. Out of interest what are the exceptional circumstances alluded to in the terms and conditions that DO allow you to cancel?

Start the car............

We can but dream.........

We wouldn't be so lucky. I think Philip was being facetious because his name wasn't on the team sheet for this afternoon?.