James

Did you actually go? Mellor perked up Preston no end when he came on and they actually started to look a bit dangerous. Forte on the other hand was absolute garbage and definitely didn't win any headers.

This. We don't have anyone to fit into the Lambo mould should he get an injury.

Perhaps you are right...but I'd rather him than Forte as the back up striker. I meant he could provide back up FOR Lambert as we don't have anyone like him (Guly maybe but not really) should he get an injury. Last season showed that the LB and DC combo didn't really click.

Agree about Mellor - he did look good. I thought he was a good option when we were linked in the summer. Could certainly provide back up for Rickie if needed.

He was ok, fairly solid and got forward a bit. A few wayward passes though and he did get caught out of position a few times. Not better than Harding or Fox I'm afraid.

Just got back from the game. Was a fairly solid, comfortable performance against a pretty average Preston team. The one thing I thought was really encouraging was the way that the second string players seemed to adjust into playing the exact same brand of exciting, passing football being served up by the first team. I love the whole ethos which seems to be running through the whole club. The one negative for me is that Forte's performance shows us that we simply do not have the cover available up front with LB injured. He was terrible, always waiting for the ball and never really looked a credible goal threat. We do need another striker I feel even with LB coming back as I fear that DC won't last the whole season.

I wouldn't. Cork is our best midfielder so why wouldn't we play him in his best position?

Lads, lets get this back on topic now. It doesn't really matter that I would prefer Kilgallon and hypo would prefer Gorkss its all a matter of opinion.

I'd only want Baldock if I was convinced he is better than Barnard. I really don't think he is and therefore would look elsewhere. Regardless of how good Barny is at the moment, the question is whether Baldock is better even when Barnard is on form. Of this I am not convinced and would therefore spend more on a proven player like Maynard (not at silly money 5-6 million plus, but perhaps at 4-4.5 it would be viable)

Well he has more Premiership appearances under his belt than Gorkss who is being sold as not deemed good enough. I agree with you that he seems to have gone off the boil recently but as we all know form is temporary, class is permanent. If we could get Killgallon performing to the level he is capable (when Newcastle etc were interested) then we have a bargain on our hands who is young, and could potentially develop a partnership with Fonte which could last into the Premiership. Admittedly its a gamble but as I said I think he is a more long term option than Gorkss who may need replacing should we make the step up.

Agree with you there. Wasn't getting ahead of myself just saying that I reckon Kilgallon might be a better investment long term as he has proved himself to a certain extent in the Prem.

Why? Killgallon is younger, and has played a number of games in the Premier League. He was at one time attracting the attention of some bigger clubs than Sunderland. You don't lose that kind of quality and he seems to have been unlucky to have fallen out of favour with Bruce. Gorkss is now way down the pecking order at a side which is going to struggle next season and seems to me to be a bit of a stop gap who won't make the step up next season if the past is anything to go by.

This is the question we have to ask ourselves. I for one am not convinced that he is any better than Barnard - he has got youth on his side but so has Barny to a certain extent. If we are buying someone to replace Connolly/Barnard then they need to have proven pedigree but that will come at a cost. Better to spend more an improve the side than take the cheap option. I would rather Jay Rod or Maynard over Baldock if the deal was viable, even at much greater cost.

Not convinced Gorkss is the answer to be honest, would have preferred to see someone younger with a bit more pace who could have made the step up to the Premiership. Nothing against Gorkss and he sounds like he'll be good this season, but a bit ominous that QPR don't see him as cutting it in the big league which may mean he needs replacing should we get there. Would have preferred Killgallon if I'm honest.

He is woeful. Let's hope not. A Pompey supporting mate says he is the worst player he's seen play for them! Not to mention he was on 14k a week!

I didn't think it was as many as 43 but the websites I've checked have differing information. But even if you are right, a striker who scores roughly one in two on a free wouldn't be bad. I don't disagree that we could do better but if he is free then why not? If Rickie were to get injured tomorrow and be out for a while then we could do a lot worse.

Mellor scored 20 goals last season for Wednesday last season despite not playing that often and them being sh*te. If he is free then I reckon its a good addition.

Hope he's not on his way. We can do much better than him. Moved on wherever he's been. Must be a reason for that.

The thing with Mac is that if it goes wrong then you can take it to the Apple Store in West Quay and they fix for you in the store. I had a Toshiba before my Mac which overheated and melted the motherboard. It had to be sent away and after 6 weeks they told me it couldn't be fixed and gave me a refund. Remember, with Mac you pay for a quality service as well as a quality product.

Jones was really good that season. Also, if we are going on how good they were at the time, then I'd potentially have Saga in over Lambert. I know Saga was crap in our second Championship season (once he'd signed permanently) but he was quality during our run to 6th.

Gutted for Bournemouth to be honest, they deserved it on the night I thought. I never knew Hudds were such a dirty team! I'm rooting for the winners of Peterborough/MK in the final. I know they came 3rd but Hudds will be more of a threat next season and let's face it - who wants a trip to the Galpharm..its a long old trek and we always lose up there!

Exactly. Pearce should have gone, but so should Kilbane and Naysmith. As they said on TV its about consistency and he hasn't shown it tonight.

This game is why I hate the playoffs. A bad ref can make all the difference. This one has had a shocker. Hudds should be down to 9 men!

I remember a move for Nigel Martyn fell through.

He was a fantastic keeper. Easily good enough for United or Arsenal during his peak with us. One of, if not my favourite, Saints player in recent memory.