CWD

Well that's an unnecessary response. I don't think anyone was staring at the lights. Sometimes in football the ball goes quite high, and I found it dazzled me when the ball crossed the light. That's all. Glad to hear that they will dim over time.

Koeman rates Isgrove, I'm pretty sure he'll start. Ideally I'd like to see the same team as yesterday but with Cork and Ramirez in for JWP and Isgrove, but think it's likely to be the same team. I'd also move Davis out to the right and play Ramirez in the hole to start with. My team: Boruc, Clyne, Maya, Fonte, Bertrand, Wanyama, Cork, Tadic, Ramirez, Davis, Pelle. Forster, Targett, Hooiveld, Taider, JWP, Isgrove, Gallagher. This is all assuming Schneiderlin is unavailable of course.

We did ok yesterday. My big concern is the complete lack of chances created from open play. Apart from Ramirez's shot we really created nothing that didn't stem from a set play which highlights the need for a couple more attackers. In the end Clyne was our biggest attacking threat (what a player he is - consistently superb). Would love to be proved wrong but I don't think Isgrove is going to make the grade. We really need a winger to fill that hole while Jay is injured. Redmond would be a good signing. Still, we look very strong in the middle of the park with Davis and Wanyama their usual commanding selves, although I thought Ward-Prowse struggled a bit and would rather see Cork start against Liverpool. Taider looked impressive too, and if Morgan can sort himself out then we look great for that midfield 3. Fonte was excellent and clearly thrived off the extra crowd love he was getting, although Yoshida looked shakey. Not bad, just shakey. Going forward is where I worry. Tadic looks a good player but I'd like to see him try to beat his man more. If our wide players are always cutting inside then it means Pelle spends most of his time with his back to goal, which he did a lot yesterday. Pelle will do well but he needs people running ahead of him, otherwise he looks a bit lost. I was pleased that RK saw this and brought on Mayuka to play with him, but obviously Mayuka is rubbish so was never going to be a lot of help. I would break the bank for Hernandez. Him and Pelle would be like having Crouch and Phillips again!

Very annoying, i can still see them!

Just requoted for those asking where the medical rumour sprang from

Absolutely. I'm still surprised at how many people leave him out of their preferred starting 11.

That would be decent business. I still think we'll get Redmond as well.

Samaras signing as back up for Pelle is fine. We need extra cover until Jay is back fit anyway.

We have to believe him. The club aren't stupid - it would be a massive, massive PR guff if either of them leave now. I think it's fantastic news. Now get Morgan in that banner for christ's sake!

Hahaha superb

I don't agree with this. I just don't see Pelle and Tadic as replacements. Our squad was too short on quality last year, and had we sold nobody we would still have needed a new striker and a new AM. The squad is so, so thin right now.

Really? I think he's an outstanding player, playing in one of the hardest positions in the hardest league in the world - and still only 19!

I don't really know what to say. I'm just very sad about what's happening. We deserve some honesty now, otherwise things may well be very nasty when the season starts. The Leverkusen friendly is going to be a very strange atmosphere.

Whatever you think of Reed, it's clear that the two times he has come out to address fans have been I'll advised. The press conference talking about Pochettino and then the interview stating players wouldn't be sold... They were lies. He must have known this was going to happen? Or had enough of an idea to know that it was probably unwise to say otherwise so categorically. I don't dislike Reed and agree with his youth policies but it was wrong to say these things.

I feel very disenchanted with football at the moment. Almost wish we were back in the lower leagues. A team of young, predominantly English, predominantly homegrown talent. That was the dream. I thought we would do something special. But no, the powers that be have spoken. I fully expect Morgan to follow suit now. Call it knee jerk, but I am very, very disappointed.

When was the last time we signed a player from another club in the same division? Fox maybe? Certainly doesn't happen very often. Just doesn't seem to be our style anymore.

I find the obsession with Clyne playing LB very odd. There is no way we can rely on him as first choice in what's a secondary position for him. I am sure we'll sign another LB.

Fonte and Lovren were in the dream team for much of the first part of the season iirc. Chambers, Ward-Prowse and Cork look good value to me at 4.5. I do usually have my quota of saints.

Him and Morgan get extra holiday because they stayed in the WC longer.

The board should be doing everything they can to sign Xavi, Younes Kaboul, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Crazy that this wasn't sorted weeks ago IMO.

Isn't Lovren the one talking to Jos at the back of the picture where they're queuing at check in?

I think it's really good mate. I'm the same as Pete - grew up in Gosport and then went to secondary school in Portsmouth so I too know the feeling of being the (very) odd one out!

Apologies

Even on the most positive of threads - someone always has to have a dig at other posters... Who cares - everyone's had a chance to research and are happy he's signed!

Excellent! We all believe in the Pelle Goal machine, the Pelle Goal Machine, the Pelle goal machine...