Fitzhugh Fella

No I meant arrived

Andy as someone else has commented elsewhere don't beat yourself about passing on the fact the club is for sale. I think you will find most clubs are "available" if the right price could be found but some owners are in no particular rush. I am just about to move into a new house so selling it is the last thing on my mind, but if someone rang me up and offered me a £1m for it, I would bite their hand off. Ever since Cortese arrived I have heard we are up for sale so the rumour you heard was just another regurgitation probably. The positive news for me is that KL seems to have found a genuine affection for the club, judging by the nos of away matches she attends and the fact that her director box enthusiasm is there for all to see.

Hooiveld came to us on loan with a clause to buy at the end but we brought him before his loan was up

People doing the banner must be under 30?

Incidentally I was talking to Bert Shelley's son today who himself is 83, what a story he told me about his father's enlistment in the 1st World War.

And why no Terry Paine? Whoever organises the banner has no idea of our heritage. To be frank Shilton and Keegan should be nowhere near it. Big players on the national stage, yes but hardly massive servants of the club. Bill Ellerington, Eric Day, Tommy Traynor, John Sydenham, Nick Holmes are just a few post war players while pre war players have to include Bill Rawlings, Arthur Dominy and Bert Shelley.

Big Ron should be there without a doubt

Blimey some intelligent debate

One of the best posts ever made on this forum - showing concern does not equate to spreading negativity.

I gave you plenty of time to accept my bet but had given up and not come back to this thread. No one has been proved right or wrong yet incidentally. The Board has delivered (I said all summer I trusted them) and the chances are if the players gel we should be fairly comfortable, but your gloating and subsequent name calling do not enhance your argument. However as it is for charity, my offer of a bet still stands on the original terms ie - if we finish in the top half I will gladly pay a charity of your choice £50, likewise if we don't you pay the charity of my choice.

Considering the meltdown that we found ourselves in in May I think Koeman and Reed have picked up the pieces well. Chambers fee was way too low but all things considering I think we can be confident we are in good hands. I am intrigued how these options to buy work though, does the player have a say in it? I only ask because if for instance Bertrand has a cracking season and Liverpool come in for him, do we exercise our option to buy and then negotiate with Liverpool or do Chelsea?

When does his contract expire?

A bit presumptious - I would hate to go fishing with you.

Yes his contract is up so this is virtually a goodbye move

I think a deal has been struck and he will stay until next summer. Anyone know when his contract runs out?

One of those "if Carling did Saturdays" moments. Slapping Fat Sam is a good feeling but the icing on the cake is the dashed hope along the M27.

Mayuka on the bench is a sign of a threadbare squad

If no striker comes in it will have been a poor window imo

Be nice to have some sort of official word on this from the club. Dare I mention transparency?

I don't like saying this and I hope I am wrong but I am so reminded how we let Shearer go and got in Dixon and Speedie, neither of whom wanted to be here. It ended in tears very quickly. I remain to be convinced by Les Reed, as I type we have 72 hours left in the market place and we are less strong than we were at the season's end.

Still "weighing up moves"? Hopefully we are a little more focused than that at this stage.

I think one of our mistakes (for want of a better word) this season in attempting to sign players is we have probably aimed a little too high and we are contending with the top 6 and losing out. Admirable ambition but unrealistic in the cold light of day and it wastes time when other avenues could be explored. Cortese obviously thought we could compete but he was in a fool's paradise brought on by having unrestricted access to funds which made him into a having a kid in a sweet shop mentality. Perhaps Les needs to lower his horizons and let's target realistic signings. Just a thought.

Sounds like someone has dropped one

I'd go back on the sauce mate and wait until we actually sign one or two of these players