LeBenali

Official Twitter account just uploaded a video of somebody signing a contract - they tower over Reed, so either McCarthy or possibly Fonte?? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Odd considering we had another gk as an unused sub, surely we'd have played him, especially considering it was a friendly?! (Not that I'm doubting your logic, just seems strange) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can't imagine Guan is telling us to relax if the signings are indeed just McCarthy plus a second choice right back...lets see what the next 12 days bring! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agree that it doesn't fill me with excitement, but at the same time it's hard to get excited about reserve goalies! Dave Watson would have seen McCarthy briefly when he was called up to the England squad in the summer of 2013, perhaps he saw something then & feels he can unlock his potential? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

From a selfish perspective, if it helps the club by allowing our youngsters to experience competitive action then so be it. Yes it might not be ideal for some of the smaller clubs, but we didn't receive any favours from those above us when we were in League One, although I do accept our financial power was much stronger than nearly all the Football League clubs taking part. There's an interesting piece from a FL chairman (probably found earlier in this thread) that details why they think Prem teams entering will benefit their club. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's a little further up in the thread...however we still need to know if we're in pot 3 or 4, as when one is at home the other is away etc. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Arda Turan? Barca are open to him leaving, and the only reported solid interest is a loan deal to Besitkas... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cracking deal! I'm a ST holder with no aways on my account, so really not sure on my chance of tickets.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bompey are charging £20 for their game vs Valencia, so compared to that this is a good deal. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Although the Echo article seemingly only mentions a right back, it also mentions the addition of new 'faces' (plural). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Would have to disagree - at the very least Shaw was spoken about a couple of years before his debut. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Despite speaking the language, I recall Koeman having to take extra English lessons when he first joined - no biggie at this stage. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Point taken, but I'd still prefer to have him and take the risk that he'll spend time suspended than not have him at all. In the 31 games he wasn't suspended, I don't think anyone can argue his impact was greater than what Clasie achieved in 22 games for example (who incidentally got 5 yellows in this time, compared to Victor's 6 in 31). And yes 3 red cards is silly, but in context the Bmouth one was on 78 mins with us 2 up & the West Ham one is still controversial - I can't defend the Norwich one, however we were so poor that day even 11 vs 11 I don t think we'd have come away with anything. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

But then you could also argue he changed the game dramatically to help get us 3 points at home to Liverpool.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We've had at least a year to source a replacement, which is the only comfort I can find as he'll be a big loss. Glad to see from the article we've rejected a part exchange with Mason or Bentaleb, although the latter wouldn't have been a huge disaster. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This Paco Jemez screams of a Pepe Mel type of appointment....I wonder if Rafa has any release clauses that would let him talk to a top 6 club? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Aitor Karanka? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We'll move on. I agree that there's no way we should have attempted to match the Everton wages. Say we offered him 4 years at £6mill per season, and we go on another 1 win in 10 run before Christmas - could we afford to sack him with 3 1/2 years left?? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He's publicly praised our academy in the past. If our 'new direction' involves utilising the academy players more into the first team, then it would seem a logical fit. I wouldn't be blown away by the appointment, but would rather him to someone like Moyes. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Need a centre back to help cover the number of games we'll have next year / when we play three centre backs, who is better than Yoshida (I'd be happy to sell him)with the potential to replace Fonte. Bartra would be the ideal but may need assurances about being a starter. I can't think of anybody in England who fits that bill, so would likely be somebody from abroad. Other than that I feel we need another right back (ideally to replace Martina but more likely Cedric), a back up gk (Stek would be ideal), and then replacements for whoever leaves. Generally the squad size is ok, it's just a case of upgrading or replacing where required. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A friend of mine has complimentary tickets in Block 5, which according to a Google image search of St Mary's is 'hospitality' - anybody else on here sit in that block? Will this likely be anything rather than premium seating i.e. no freebies or thrills included?

With Mane & Mayuka reporting back late I imagine he's been training with the first team today.

Wonder if the players will put a hand in their pockets? They could well have done already, but if they all donated even a day's wages it would go some way towards reaching his target.

Arsenal still get the train to some away games - Wenger infamously fell over outside a train station in Liverpool for instance.

Cameron would be better at CB than Jos and provide cover for Clyne at right back (albeit he's nowhere near as good as an attacking full back).