Slugger

Randolph is an excellent keeper and would be great cover for Forster but not quite sure why he would want to be cover here any more than at WH. Arguably he is more likely to oust Adrian than he is Forster. But if we get him then great. The fact we are not certain to add another attacker is bizarre though. We have lost Mane, our best attacking player, plus Pelle and Juanmi. We have more games this season and some players with fitness doubts. Would be foolish to think we have enough. The likes of Gallagher, Isgrove, McQueen, Hesketh etc won't cut it at PL level.

Another overpriced move: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/07/21/everton-line-up-a-25-million-bid-for-gylfi-sigurdsson/

Like Batshuayi was off to Palace I suspect.

Apparently so?

Good deal. Can only be Tadic left that is a pressing one for this summer. Definitely getting sharper on contracts than a couple of years ago which is great.

Everton want £75m for Lukaku according to the Telegraph. No way he is worth over double what Mane cost but guess they hope to scare suitors off with the price tag, fair enough. Might be different if he says publically wants to go to Chelsea.

http://www.wdsport.co.uk/2016/07/watford-edge-closer-to-deal-for-sofiane-boufal/

Would we want Boufal considering: - He is injured and out til about September - Wouldn't have a pre season - Will likely then go to the ACON with Morocco in January

Not like Liverpool to brief the media about what they want to do before they have done it.

West Ham onto their 63rd striker target of the summer: http://goo.gl/CMZEXT

You can't really once the top bracket clubs get keen. As a mitigation they should look to: 1. Give new signings longer contracts. This seems to be happening as recently signings have been given 5 year deals. We got into difficulty with Clyne, Wanyama and Mane as after two years of their four they won't sign new ones. Same would have happened with Jay Rod but for the injury. 2. Try and extend the contracts quickly if players are doing well. We did this with VVD. One year into a 5yr contract he signed a new 6 year one on increased pay, benefits him and enables us to get a bigger fee when he does go. Spurs have Alli a new deal after about 3 months when it was clear he was quality - it shows faith and a recognition that performance deserves reward. 3. Manage exits so they are relatively staggered position wise. This summer Mane and Pelle have gone so you keep yhe other attackers no matter what. Similar to what we did with Wanyama the summer Morgan left. Would be madness to have lost both. 4. Continue to scout well and invest cleverly in new players around the £10-£15m mark.

Agree. He is the only genuine creative player we have left without Mane. Had a great end to last season and will be key this time. We need to try and improve the squad - as it stands we are one of few PL teams that are currently weaker than when the season ended.

@GFFN: Marseille winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou's move to Tottenham Hotspur is 99% done. More to follow. Spurs having (another) good window.

Noticeable in many of the player interviews that they are saying the new style is very different to before, both in terms of the training and how the Manager wants to play and they need time to adapt. Will be intriguing to see if there are noticeable changes to fans after the first couple of PL games in terms of style. Initially looks like the full backs will play very high which should suit Bertrand and Cedric.

No idea. Was the strangest T20 game I have been to. Sussex were cruising and then just slowed down way too much. Some great bowling from Afridi and especially Wheal. Big Champ game versus Surrey starting tomorrow . No Dawson which is a massive miss. Looks like we will only have 5 real batters too.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/07/16/leicester-city-resigned-to-losing-head-of-recruitment-steve-wals/

Not a criticism, there isn't much he can do about it. But he certainly isn't as refined a player as Lambert or Pelle. They didn't have pace but did have attributes Austin doesn't. As said, create chances and he will score. But he might not do a lot else.

Not sure Austin has the hold up ability or overall technique of those two. He is first and foremost a goalscorer. Get him in the box and create chances and he will score, but he might not do much link up wise.

Austin is a penalty area poacher. Not sure he is an idea lone striker as doesn't have any pace.

Swansea have some kind of link up with DC United I think.

DC United U23s. Strong Saints lineup.

I think your approach is better even if theirs may have better initial results. All your signings are good players and they will improve under Howe. They also are on the up and will be grateful for regular PL football. For a player like Negredo or Subotic the move is a downward step. They will never achieve more than they already have. The Bournemouth approach is admirable and sensible.

Game today is 4pm BST apparently.

No, and it never will.

From the U21 games I have seen Hesketh is too lightweight and drifts in and out of games too much. He has a lot of ability and might get there eventually but not this season hence why we need another attacker.