Bailey

Not good news that Thomas is injured so close to the start of the new season, especially when we've only got Perry and Lancashire as our other defensive options. I know Pardew is looking to sign a defender or two, and hopefully we'll have someone in before Millwall. Have just posted on another thread that Zak Whitbread is worth looking at. He's been on the transfer list at his own request and could be tempted to leave our League One rivals to join Saints. Was set to move to Peterborough a week or so ago but the move fell through due to his wage demands, but I can't see this being a problem for us. We'd be able to match the terms he's on at Millwall at the very least, and we're pretty desperate for defensive reinforcements so he'd be a worthwhile signing.

Have said it before and will say it again. Zak Whitbread is on the transfer list at Millwall by his own request and wants to leave. I know that ideally he's after a move to a Championship side but maybe Pardew could convince him that a move to St. Mary's would be good for his career now we have new found ambition. He was set to move to Peterborough a week or so ago, but that fell through due to his wage demands. I don't see this being a problem for us however, as we'd surely be able to equal the terms that he's currently on at Millwall, if not improve them. I can't see him costing too much either, and we're desperate for defensive reinforcements so we do need to spend a little bit of money in this area.

Pretty sure Coles is still at P*mpey. I think Arry wanted him at Spurs but it didn't happen for whatever reason.

He's still training with Saints and is set to feature for us tomorrow at QPR. I think he will end up signing for us, especially considering he's been playing in almost all of our pre-season fixtures, suggesting that he is in Pardew's plans.

Good, honest interview from Pardew. He's impressed me so far and continues to say the right things. I just hope it's not long before he can get us playing the way he wants and winning football matches! Fingers crossed for some new signings over the coming days also.

I'm one of the few that believe Smith could actually be a half-decent player under the right management. He's very quick and isn't afraid to run at defenders, but his final ball and lack of upper body strength really let him down. Anyway, I do find it quite odd that he's on trial at Palace, and I'd be very surprised if Warnock offered him a contract. He's everything Warnock doesn't like in a footballer. As I've said, he's pretty lightweight and his work rate leaves a lot to be desired. NW generally goes for big, physical players who never shy away from a 50/50 tackle. Time will tell, but I don't think people will be seeing Smith in a Palace shirt next season!

Have a feeling it might be the other Ifil that is available on a free, but if Phil is out-of-contract, then I would consider snapping him up as well as Murty. If we did that, then Lloyd James would be available to play in his favoured position in midfield! He could do just as good a job as Wotton does alongside Gillett, if not better.

Paulo Sousa has today confirmed in an interview for the BBC that he has held talks with both Rasiak and Saga, but he is yet to decide whether or not he will make an official bid for the duo. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/8177165.stm If we could keep hold of one of them, then that would be great, but we really are light in numbers up-front, and could certainly do with a couple of additions. Hopefully Pardew is well aware of this and is doing his utmost to sign a forward or two!

Great news! Mills has a lot of talent and could prove to be a key player for us this season. He looked very useful in midfield against Hearts last weekend, and with Harding and Holmes down the left too, we have a good bit of competition on that side. Now all we need is a right-back, a centre-back, a right-midfielder and a couple of strikers.

Good to see things taking shape off the pitch. Now all we need is a few players and we'll be sorted!

****. With Saga and Rasiak likely to follow, we are looking very lightweight in attack. I can only hope that Pardew has got some replacements lined up!

If he goes then I'll be a bit disappointed but it won't change my opinion of him. Niemi is arguably the best keeper ever to wear a Saints shirt and fans should never forget his contribution to our club. If he joins P*mpey, then so be it. It's possible that David Coles has had a word with him and tempted him out of retirement, and maybe Niemi likes the idea of getting one last pay-cheque before hanging up his boots for good? Whatever happens, the guy was first-class for us and he should be remembered for the fantastic performances he produced during his time here, not for sitting on the bench at P*mpey for a season, picking up a nice pay-cheque in the process.

Would explain why we haven't heard anything about Stern signing a new deal yet. If we do lose John, Rasiak and Saga, which is quite possible in my opinion, then we really will be short of numbers in attack. I don't think White and Paterson are ready yet, and neither player is capable of scoring 20+ goals in this division. Would love to be proved wrong though. Also, isn't the silence coming out of the club deafening at the minute? There has been no news on Pardew's backroom staff, nothing on new signings and we haven't heard anything about those who are signing contract extensions. With the start of the season less than two weeks away, we really do need to get a move on, otherwise we really will be playing catch-up.

With the current squad, I can't see us getting near the top six. With a few additions, I'd say it's a possibility. I know we beat Hearts 3-0, but lets not get too ahead of ourselves.

Had Wotte stayed then I'm pretty sure Saeijs would have signed. With Pardew now at the helm, I think you'll find he's looking at other targets.

Would be more than happy if Rasiak stayed but I just can't see it. I wouldn't be surprised if we lost him towards the end of the transfer window as clubs may make a late move for him after failing to secure their preferred transfer targets.

I'd be surprised and a tad disappointed if Mills joined Wolves. He's only played a handful of games for us and I can't see him getting anywhere near their first-team should he leave. I'm of the opinion that he'd be better off signing a new deal with us, playing regularly and improving his all round game in the lower leagues. I just can't see the point in going to a Premiership team to sit in the Reserves. Not sure how we'd be able to get 750K either, unless Wolves have agreed to pay that amount to avoid the hassle of going to a tribunal. I'm under the impression that we'd be due compensation for the players development as Mills has come through our Academy. Anyone know otherwise? Anyway, I'm hoping that this is just a rumour, as I think Mills could be a very useful player for us this season. It would be a shame if he left, but if he does go then so be it. I think he may end up regretting it in a few years time should he leave though.

He looked OK, a little rusty but to be expected. Great delivery for Rasiak's first goal. Should be a decent enough signing for us.

Thomas should be good for us in League One, and to be fair, he owes us a decent season. After missing the whole of the last campaign through injury, whilst getting a big wage each week despite all our financial troubles, he really needs to pull his finger out and work hard for the team this term. Having said that, I think he'll do a good job for us over the coming season, but I still think we could do with another defender. Thomas, Perry and Lancashire isn't strong enough in depth or quality IMO.

He might be old but he's got experience and he's totally committed. Based on his performance yesterday, I'd say he is definitely worth signing up. Could be a very useful player for us in League One.

Matt Holland to sign and take the number 7 shirt. Also, confirmation that John has signed a new 2-year contract. Oh and I'm just speculating. Not ITK at all on this one.

Good signing. Have always rated this lad and suggested we take a look at him in the past. He's still realtively young, got a point to prove and looking to kickstart his career. Slightly surprised to see him drop to League One in all honesty. Lets hope he turns out to be the first of many new signings!

Would have liked Euell to stay and play in midfield alongside Gillett, but not going to lose any sleep now that he has left. He turned out to be a costly signing, and his high wages meant it was almost inevitable that he'd leave. I don't hold anything against him however, and although things didn't work out for him here as well as we'd originally hoped, I wish him all the very best for the future. I'm sure he'll do a decent job for Holloway at Blackpool.

I'm not a fan of Paterson, but I hope he proves me wrong this season. I just don't think he's good enough from what I've seen but I'll happily eat my words should he score 10+ goals this season.

If Ronaldo is worth £80m then Le Tiss would be worth at least £50m.