Baird of the land

If spends the next 15 years as England's first choice left back as I expect then the fee will be a bargain. He's fantastic defensively and has so much potential as an attacking force. Given the vast swathes of money now in prem anything other than record fee would be sign of incompetence.

Disappointed if we've sold the extremely talented 18 yr old academy graduate so soon. Can't afford to sell anymore of first 11 if we are to have any sense of ambition. Worried about domino effect with lallana, lovren, Morgan and lack of new contracts yet for key players like fonte and cork. Still hoping decision to appoint Koeman was one of ambition and that stable doors will be slammed closed and players and other clubs told that no further sales will be happening this summer

Very disappointing if true. Not even a particularly good fee IMO. Bet he'll end up going for an absolute fortune in a couple of years if his attacking play improves. Really wanted us to keep hold of academy players for a couple of years rather than selling them the instant they have a good season.

Disagree on the 2nd. Excellent finish but Keeper has to stay big in that situation for me. Far more blame on centre backs of course.

Once again for me playing both Rooney and Sturridge looked idiotic. Rooney scored when moved up front but then while he was involved in the goal moving sturridge out wide made him far less effective. At some point england needs to learn to pick players for positions based on their suitability for that position rather than forcing big names into same lineup. Still they would have got at least a drawer with any kind of defence or keeper other than those that played last night. Next euros are perfect time to rebuild for world cup, don't pick anyone over 30 immediately.

I'd be disappointed if Barkley gets the nod again over lallana as first sub again.

Mccarthy's the one I'd like to see us sign.

Agree completely if someone offers a completely crazy high bid then sure it's understandable to deal. That to me seems the approach of an ambitious club. Selling at reasonable prices will likely lead to more bids and more unsettled players trying to force their way out. That way is the way of a feeder club with little ambition.

Still of view that we can't let players force a mass exodus from the club. Koeman's appointment is a good statement of intent and hopefully it will bring the playing staff back in line. After the loss of Lambert i really don't want to see the loss of any more than one other.

Drop Rooney and bring in ads. Then Rooney can be a good impact sub if needed off the bench rather than being artificially forced into lineup in a position that doesn't suit and stopping who suits that position from being on pitch.

Seems a good ambitious appointment. Now crossing my fingers hoping it works out as well as it seems it could.

2 weeks since he officially left. Krueger happily admitted the deal to let Potchettino go to spurs was done well before that and delay was getting legalities out of the way. Cortese learnt from Pardew situation and had a target lined up to replace Adkins beforehand. If it's sorted in the next few days i'll happily apologise for frustrated criticism but won't apologise for being unhappy that it is dragging on.

They've had bags of time since he left and by their own admission knew he'd left in reality weeks before(with just compo to be hammered out). Getting it released before media is solely interested in world cup would have been ideal. I just think it should have been sorted by now. The longer it goes the more it eats into our ability to pursue potential transfer targets & provides time for more of our star players to be unsettled enough to hand in transfer requests.

Well Lovren's broken cover. A race between Morgan and Wanyama for the next. Meanwhile Saints board are looking likely to be too incompetent to appoint a manager before world cup.

Glad to see sidwell stuff was likely agent inspired to aid his discussions with Stoke.

Think Italy are there for the taking, whether England will take advantage i'm less sure of. I'd like to see Lallana start in the central 10 role rather than out wide. Put rooney out wide with sterling or wellbeck.

Thought it was a reasonable display by England. Sturridge should have taken one of his 3 glaring chances. Lallana put in another solid display and hopefully he's nailed his place in the opener now.

Hmm that Sidwell rumour is bizarre. Love our 4 centre mid options and we certainly don't need a mediocre aged centre mid addition. Really hope its just his agent trying to drum up interest by name dropping Saints.

Fab news. Morgan's a class act and fully deserving of international recognition.

Koeman or Yakin would still be my preference. Unlike others it seems the notion of Sherwood doesn't repulse me. He seems a decent fit and i'd far prefer him to the likes of Magath etc that have been linked of late.

Indeed, very much my thoughts on him. Can't see him breaking into starting 11 of this evidence. Ox looking more likely.

2nd string defence looked weak. Shaw gave a hospital pass, then Milner didn't deal with attack properly, cross not dealt with by smelling and Luke dozing at back post.

Disagree completely. If we don't get the fee we want then we should keep them. It's perfectly possible for players to come back from publically uttering they want to move. Come on Tevez came back from being on strike to help Man City win the league. Maybe Lallana won't be the adored local boy he once was if Liverpool don't pay what's needed to get him, but there's zero reason he can't knuckle down and show them what they are missing next season.

We're in strong position as selling club because we neither desire, or financial need to sell or are in a contractually weak position. Fellaini maybe wasn't worth 27.5m but that's what Man United had to pay if they wanted to get Everton to part with him. For Lallana approaching the peak of his career, english, looking like a regular international starter there's no way in a million years 20/22 is an acceptable price for us to sell at. Bournemouth thing is no doubt concentrating minds that getting our valuation of 30m is essential.

Assume threat to walk away is all part of Liverpool's tactics to try and get Lallana for well under his market value of 30m. Guessing after World Cup Lallana will request Transfer request, Liverpool won't increase their cheap bid of 20ish million(plus silly joke clauses of an extra 5m). Hopefully Saints will stick to their guns and Lallana will knuckle down and impress in hopes that top 4 club will come back in and make a sensible bid.