SKD

As I've said previously, I believe his reluctance to leave his home / the London area would put him off a move to City or Liverpool, however money talks so who knows!

Why would West Brom want to swap a player they have only just signed (and part with some cash in the process) for a player who has put in 1 or 2 performances in 3 years? Also, how much do you value JRod at?? West Brom paid £10mil for Livermore 2 months ago IMO we will get c£9mil for him (and that's only because of the English premium). The above statement just proves how little many on here know about football.

If the above is true, it has eased any concerns I had of these taking over. At the end of the day, I very much doubt Kat makes many footballing decision. Unfortunately, the way the PL is with FFP there is very little (in terms of money) a rich investor can bring to the table (other than really invest in infrastructure) I have said on a number of occasions that if Kat can't afford / doesn't want to take us forward then it is best for her to sell. Thanks for the memories, all very much appreciated and you and your father will go down in the history of the club (i'd love to see a Markus Statue).

Can't work out if I want this to happen for them or not. Whilst I enjoy laughing at them struggling in L2, it would be nice to have an opportunity to play them again. Don't really see what anyone would see in them however. Yes, they may be cheap to buy with a decent fan base (PL/championship fans base, generally no different to ours) which will generate a steady income, however it will take a sh!t load of money for him to make a real return. At a minimum they need a new stadium and to own their training facilities, that's without considering the amount they would need to spend on players to get them to the PL.

Great news... A fair few released so can't see this selling out.

DM sent

So saying our back 4 had a bad game today (first half specifically, little to do in second half) is based on a previous opinion...? I don't think Jack played perticicually well, but then neither did Yoshida, Cedric, Bertrand & Romeu (first half, much improved in the second from them 2) and Davis. He certainly wasn't any worse, in fact probably better, than Yoshida, who's been one of our players of the season. CB is still a week area for us without VVD and we need a partner for him as well next year.

Wasn't especially referring to Stephens, meant as a back 4. Second half much better, but had little to do really. Agree 4th choice next year for Stephens

The defending for both goals was a joke. Bertrand for the first just allowing that much space and the less said about the penalty the better. That's without mentioning all the other chances they had in the first half. Second half was much better, I suspect that was down to Romeu coming out a different player. Maybe it's just because I expect better standards than you, but then again you are Mr happy clap.

As a team we were all over the place at the back today

Been much better second half

Anywhere between 2-6 weeks I'd guess

So if he had missed, you wouldn't have thought it was an absolute sitter?

Groin strain according to Sky.

Really? I must be watching a different game to you. I would expect any professional / semi professional (apart from tadic perhaps) to put that away.

What because he scored a tap in from 4 yards. He's done absolutely nothing else all game.

Difficult for Marriner to see, however the linesman (who made a howler earlier when tadic blazed over) had a clear view of the whole incident. I think the ref has had a good game, his official on the other hand....

I'm after 1 as well if anyone can help.

Do you believe that Torino are paying anywhere near £100k+ for him this season? My guess would be that if we were to get him it'd be a loan paying c£70/80k (city subsiding the rest) with an option to buy at the end of the season. Also, the cost of purchasing hart would be considerably less than the sell of Forster (I would imagine), therefore a combination of the profit and loss of Forsters wages would mean we could easily afford £100k+ for him. What you'd also have to consider is realistically, who would be in for him? I very much doubt any of the top 6 (other than possibly Liverpool) or any major clubs in Europe would want him. Which would leave the likes of us, West Brom, Stoke any any other similar sized European clubs to battle it out for him. In which case, he'd have little option other than to accept a pay cut. I'd say that a combination of the above and (assuming he got along with him) the fact we have Dave Watson as GK coach, we'd have a fanstic chance of getting him. If this is true, I'd be over the moon. IMO hart is better keeper on a more consistent basis than Forster, and would also be a massive character in the dressing room. Get it done Les.

I believe there is some concern around the club, that we don't have anything coming through the younger age groups. In all fairness it's unrealistic to expect a Bale, AOC, Lallana ect to come through every year. At the moment it looks a little bare, however i'm sure the next big thing is just around the corner.

This. After how he acted this season, he had no choice but to leave us and the only choices he had were West Ham, Palace and Everton (it is true he chose West Ham for family reasons). There was talk of United coming in over the summer which promoted him to act like he has to try and force a move (hence why he didn't play in EL) when he finally realised that united weren't coming in for him he had no choice but to pick from one of the 3 above as from what I have been told, he had lost the dressing room.

We would have had a bigger chance of winning the cup if we had Bourc instead of Forster, it's all what if's. FWIW I don't agree as Ibra was all over Fonte when we played united at the start of the season and Fonte's been a bit of a liability for us and west ham this year. Actions speak louder than words, and the way he conducted himself behind the scenes (some of which I have been told about, some of which is speculation) has left a bitter taste in my mouth. A good servant, who was very lucky to play next to 3 top class CB's who brought the best out of him.

I have no agenda and it's certainly not because he's left us. I've been saying all season that he needs to go. He's become to big for his boots (always had an ego before the EC win anyway, but it's only got worse).

Posted this in reply to someone saying (as quoted), on the Build up thread, might be best placed for here. Under Adkins, Poch & Koeman he's started the season in the first team and then gradually made his way to the bench, so I'd argue that actually they didn't rate him that highly. In fact he was never picked by Hodgson, so he couldn't have rated him that highly and that bloke is clueless. If JWP was that highly rated a top 5 team would have already come in for him. I'm not his biggest fan, but no one can deny that he has improved this season (well last couple of weeks). He is obviously a very good 'technical' player, who has the ability to keep the ball well (I can see why he would impress in training), however I think the problem that he faces is that no one is aware of his best position. IMO, he is not strong enough (yet) to play in one of the 2 CM roles, not creative enough to play as a no10 and not quick enough to play on the wing. He does keep the ball well and have an alright set piece (not as good as some make out though). He deserves his place in the team based on current form, however unless he 'bulks' up or starts getting more goals, I can see him eventually ending up in the championship in a couple of season.

Ignoring U21's (championship level football IMO), he's only ever had a consistent run of games under Puel. Under Adkins, Poch & Koeman he's started the season in the first team and then gradually made his way to the bench, so I'd argue that actually they didn't rate him that highly. In fact he was never picked by Hodgson, so he couldn't have rated him that highly and that bloke is clueless. If JWP was that highly rated a top 5 team would have already come in for him. I'm not his biggest fan, but no one can deny that he has improved this season (well last couple of weeks). He is obviously a very good 'technical' player, who has the ability to keep the ball well (I can see why he would impress in training), however I think the problem that he faces is that no one is aware of his best position. IMO, he is not strong enough (yet) to play in one of the 2 CM roles, not creative enough to play as a no10 and not quick enough to play on the wing. He does keep the ball well and have an alright set piece (not as good as some make out though). He deserves his place in the team based on current form, however unless he 'bulks' up or starts getting more goals, I can see him eventually ending up in the championship in a couple of season.