ratio_decidendi

Pelle does worry me as well - there's always that doubt that he'll be a Van Wolfswinkel or Altidore than a Van Persie - but I think it's slightly unfair to say that he only won one ball in the air yesterday. He was a productive player that managed to lay down some great balls for teammates. He didn't really get any shots off but that will take time. I guess, as you rightly imply, we will have to wait until we make any kind of proper judgement.

Belhanda would be an immense signing. It seems likely that he'd want out of Ukraine too.

Completely agree with this. Despite having pace, Isgrove seemed to get muscled off the ball too easily too many times. Maybe it's a case of him not being physically ready for this level yet, but I would be concerned if we started with him most games. It's probably down to my own personal opinion, but I'm still not convinced by Ramirez on the wing (though with that said, he looked miles better yesterday evening). Isn't Gaston's natural position more central? It might be worth the club investing in someone like Redmond who is dedicated to that position.

I guess after reading everyone's comments, I suppose I was originally a bit heavy handed. There are grey areas when it comes to terms like this, and it's clearly a sensitive debate. Call me fickle, but there's been some good points raised. To some extent, I take back what I originally posted. My opinion now is that for many people, owing to previous conflict, the term Argie can be deemed as offensive (and even racist in some cases), yet the degree of 'offensiveness' is unlikely to ever be as strong as the word Paki in our current British context.

Whether or not your friends use it, it's a term of racial disparagement. Would you call a Pakistani person a 'Paki' regardless of the fact of whether or not they identified with the term? Let's put it into context: "I have no prove but i think the Paki ***** upset a few of our players last season Spud players should heed the warning The Paki ***** is not all he appears to be" So, is that racist or not?

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jeremain-lens/profil/spieler/38497 Market value: £7.9m (that's what Kiev paid for him) I imagine the unrest in Kiev and his desire to move brings down any potential price.

Now Lens would be a good acquisition - versatile and quick, he'd be able to play both on the wings and second fiddle to Pelle. Would be an exciting transfer!

Being xenophobic and racist aren't mutually exclusive. You can be both at the same time, just like Viking was in his original post. And just being flippant? I suggest you stop apologising for what most of us can see as particularly offensive and backward in this 'day and age'.

Yeah, this seems like it's going to happen. The mods should sticky the thread just in case no one knows.

The operative word there is people so I'm not so sure

Here are Cork and Wanyama's statistical profiles - compare and contrast. Wanyama: http://www.whoscored.com/Players/71714/ Cork: http://www.whoscored.com/Players/22847/ Take note of the defensive comparisons. I think Big Vic comes out trumps here. More interceptions, more tackles and more clearances. They're about the same offensively, but Cork is a slightly more accurate passer. I think Wanyama is more than marginally better overall for the past season. In my opinion he has more potential considering his age so is also a more valuable player. Months ago I remember thinking that Cork was the better player, but I'm not sure the facts really back that up.

I suggest we put this pedantry to rest and remain positive instead Whitey

Well of course. Describing our squad as an "illegal European immigrant team" is as racist as describing them as an illegal African or Pakistani immigrant team. It's abhorrent to substantially criticise something on the basis of their race.

As per my last post, I wouldn't be surprised if Koeman is weighing Cork up against Taider over the next few months. Whoever comes out on top will earn a full time contract should they want to stay.

For me, it seems like £4.5m is a decent bid for Byram and that Leeds are playing hard ball. They know how much money Saints have in the bank. But that's just speculation. Would be a fantastic signing should we acquire his services. Great immediate backup for Clyne and likely to progress over the coming seasons.

A race can be defined as "a group of people united or classified together on the basis of common history, nationality, or geographic distribution". Not sure why you're calling me out on this by the way.

Agreed, and it's disappointing in a way because Cork is such a likeable player with high work ethic. He helped Southampton up to the PL and has shown utter professionalism throughout his time here meaning it's a shame to see him be surpassed by others. But that's life in the Premier League. In my opinion, the club might be playing it well here. Offer him the incentive of a new contract, see if he performs and pushes into the first team between now and January, and if he doesn't sell him. Edit: I mean, the club might even be playing him off against Taider for a permanent spot come January.

Nice bit of casual racism there...

I get your point, but I'm just not convinced yet that the two players are held in the same regard by Celtic.

It would be an extremely disproportionate sanction, but we've seen stranger things when it comes to the governing bodies of football.

Oh, is Bertrand just looking around?

Definitely! I'd totally prefer to hang out with the weird guy on the bench than chilling on a pavement surrounded by cans of Stella with some of the trolls on this site!

He's like that crazy guy in the park muttering inane nothings to himself. Just walk on by. Avoid eye contact.

Agreed. In terms of professionalism, both are outstanding role models for their teammates. I think Fonte has the edge (will probably start more games than Davis) and I'd be more than happy with that decision. The only other person I can envisage as having a shot is Wanyama but it might be too early for him at this stage and it depends on how he sees his long term future at the club developing. Morgan: absolutely not. He won't be gone this summer but his Twitter reaction can never be regarded as captain-like behaviour. If it wasn't for that, he might be seen as a shoe-in.

My money's on Ings (whose absence from the Burnley match is particularly conspicuous) or Schelotto.