Toon Saint

This move has been rumoured for a while so wouldn’t surprise me. I think Duncan also mentioned Tadic wanted out. If true, it would confirm the board’s obsession with resale value once a player hits his peak years. £15m is definitely below his market value but Les and the little fella will see it as a bonus for someone they might struggle to flog in a couple of years. As with Lambert, Fonte and Pelle, there is no thought as to the departing player’s influence in the dressing room or their connection with fans, but in their eyes it will be a smart move making a small profit on a player not far from turning 30. Also Les will be keen to get this one done ASAP and all other transfer activity will be suspended until the cash register is ringing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Our recent track record is pretty appalling at getting players signed before pre-season starts. Lemina and Hoedt were both bought in August last year IIRC. Even in Jan when we had the VvD money to play with before the window started we bought Carrillo in late, despite having no competition for his signature and paying over the odds anyway. Doesn’t help that our entire executive board appear to treat themselves to a holiday after the season finishes, meaning we are slow off the mark. The Daily Echo article published last week referred to us only starting to look at players. Fair enough with the manager, as he won’t get any opportunity for a holiday during the season, but why do Les and Ross need to swan off? Surely more appropriate that they get things in order at the club, and then take a break when the season starts. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good player IMO. The missus’ family are Boro fans so seen him play live a fair few times in the Championship and PL. Strong in the air, good organisational skills, reads the game very well, and a natural leader. Should add a bit of grit to our back line which is much needed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If we have both agreed fees then the player could be having a medical at both clubs before terms are agreed. Seem to remember Cedric having a medical at Stoke before we signed him, so I wouldn’t say that necessarily shows a preference towards Leicester. Could be clutching at straws, however!

If he goes to Leicester, Les will chalk it up as a ‘lifestyle choice’ like when Theo went to Everton. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Would be a cracking signing if we get it done. A great talent who will bring some much needed creativity - scored several absolute belters last season. If the article is designed to flush out any other bidders then hopefully the Puel factor will work in our favour - boring any prospective signing to death. There is also a bit of uncertainty about him atm with links to Fenerbahce. Everton currently have 3 senior no. 10’s on their books - though you’d think Rooney and maybe Klassen will be off this summer. Either way, they probably need to sell before they buy. Hopefully the timing is just right and we can get our man. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Big transfer activity for Ross to get stuck into later today. Will it be Alex and Samira, or Hayley and Charlie leaving Love Island? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not saying that West Ham are a model club by any stretch of the imagination, but their owners at least appear to be attempting to engage with the frustration of their fans. Maybe if our fanbase presented their grievances with a little more anger and a little less apathy, Les might feel obliged to come out from his ivory tower. Judging by the sluggish start to this transfer window, that’s not happening any time soon. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I see Ross has been getting stuck into Love Island as well. The black box is great for wide-screen viewings. Ralphy brings the popcorn. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think it’s just based on the fact that odds for him moving to Saints have fallen to 2/1 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I laughed [emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looks like the protests may actually have had an effect on their owners, and they are finally pulling their fingers out. By contrast Les & Ross have gotten off relatively scott-free in terms of any sustained pressure from fans. How they could both do with a rocket up their collective arses. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Because the idea we have nothing to spend runs contrary to everything written about us since January - and not just by Jeremy Wilson. It was clear we were willing to spend money last January when looking at the names we were linked with, we just weren’t proactive or organised enough to attack the market - though the competency of Reed and Wilson is another issue entirely... If we don’t bring anyone this summer and sell players, then I too will start fretting about the intentions of Gao. His silence obviously doesn’t help the sense of distrust but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt until I see any deviation from our normal way of operating. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jeremy Wilson’s DT article, published shortly after Ralph’s end of season interview, made reference to us bringing 3 players in, with Boufal a probable exit. There will likely be more coming in if we sell Bertrand, Cedric, or both. The silence from Gao is unhelpful but the conspiracy theories about us now having no money to spend are pretty daft especially when considering the most recent published accounts. People also hang too much on what Ralph says or doesn’t say about player recruitment. It’s not his domain.

Adam Blackmore and Simon Peach both indicated a deal had been agreed but was delayed until the summer as CSKA needed time to find a replacement. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The deal we supposedly had will get hijacked and he’ll end up at Everton. We all know it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

June 23 - Christopher Jullien for £15.6m Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’m pretty sure the club aren’t arsed about deadlines, so just renew whenever you fancy. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Les is said to calm and relaxed about the situation - his default mode. In all seriousness, isn’t Hughes meant to be on holiday until Saturday? I’m guessing the delay in announcing is to get all the inevitable media content ready before doing so. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Les has been found asleep in the black box, again. To be fair to him, it is dark in there.

Just noted the Sam Wallace article about Hughes is already laying down the PR assault and playing up the boards ‘sure-footedness’ in the transfer market, laying out very precise figures we paid for Bednarek, McCarthy, Hoedt and Hojbjerg. No mention of Carrillo though, strangely enough, and that must be the first time I’ve heard the name Hoedt and mention of ‘sure-footedness’ in the same breath. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I still find it amazing that in the midst of such a sh*t shower of a season, he found the time to push those two articles about Liverpool dancing to his tune and his 'dazzling' transfer successes in January. Definitely a good time for the ol' boy to step aside.

Great achievement by Hughes to keep heads up after some cruel results against the likes of Chelsea and Everton - he showed proper leadership, which has been sorely lacking at the club for the last two seasons. Think I broke my hand celebrating that Gabbiadini goal! Can't believe we've gotten away with it. All the fans that journeyed up to Swansea, I salute you - absolutely fantastic atmosphere!

We have the better form and the better players. Swansea are gripped by the fear. We win 2-0 with goals from Tadic and Austin. COYS Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think we would be. Some will say we were a point off the drop when the gump was finally sacked, but the general trajectory was blindingly obvious from around late October, bar the very occasional fillip. Of course Les and Wilson pushed hard down on the accelerator in January by selling our best player and spending £19m on a lamppost. If we had appointed Hughes even 4-5 games sooner we would be safe by now. I’m warming to the idea of keeping him on next season whatever the outcome on Tuesday. I think a bit of continuity will be key in what is likely to be a very disruptive summer at boardroom level. But not much point worrying about that until the dust settles on Wednesday morning! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk