buzza

For a statement sigi¡ning I would go for Nonzi who is now at Seville, he has matured into a very fine holding midfielder who rarely misspasses and cleans and blocks everything. He gives the impression of a mix of yaya Toure and Patrick viera... Would cost a fair bit tho...

Why in that order? The reason I reckon that order is because we simply won't be one of the strongest attacking teams in the division after one window and not only that we're a young and naive team playing up against world cup and European cup winners. A steady head at the back who reads the game and can play the ball about will bring confidence to the keeper, defence and midfield and will allow them all to do their jobs better. It also would take the weight of the captaincy from Lascelles (we should sign someone captain material) so that both he and Clark are focusing solely on their own game and improving. If we tighten up the back and then midfield then we have a solid platform to build upon and if we just consolidate our position in the league we can kick on from there. We're more than capable of retaining possession so chances will always come albeit maybe not as many as if we went all out attack. But 38 draws virtually provides you with safety so keeping goals out is more important than chancing it on a few occasional wins at the level we are at. Not entertaining or very positive I know. I just think it's steady and solid and probably more like what Rafa would do. Aye, good point! Although the team would have a lot more balance if we had a really good nº10

Two supposed reasons why Rafa wasn´t playing him: lack of english and not following instructions. For some people a language can really be hard going, Mbemba should be integrated by now. Benitez would have seen this as a lack of interest and took the appropriate decision. He has pace and can play the ball out well, I think it might have been a blip and Rafa is giving him another go. Would really like to see him and clark playing together, is Mbemba left footed? this could be a problem or perhaps why he hasn´t played as much??

This is it! The goal against bolton; watching it at st james with my son, left him marked for life (in a positive way). Still asks about him and where he is playing...

He actually reminds me of pardew, a slightly more eloquent version (slightly!).

He has been here two years and has done nothing to justify the money spent. Let´s just admit he was a mistake, he had a golden year before signing for us and has regressed to the level he is... at best a championship striker!

I would reverse that order.. 10, 9, CM & CB

I would take either, have liked both of them this season, age is decent so will probably improve also... The alternative is mccarthy from everton who I am underwhelmed by!

Kodjia, best attacker against us this season. Would like him!

What is crystal clear is that we aren´t that confident in Lascelles, neither Gayle for the prem, who we all wish will prove us wrong. Gouff will no longer be here and we need more than atsu and ritchie for the whole season. Add to that we need another central midfielder to replace Cack Colback: CB Nº10 Striker Winger Centre midfield I would go for big spend on CB & Nº10, then secondary spend on other three.

We need a threat on the wing and he could do that...

Thought one of the most threatening players against us this season was that kodjia bloke at villa, really looked a threat every time he had the ball. Worth a cheeky bid??

I think with a Nº10 and winger, this team would stay up. We need more matchwinners than ritchie and shelvey that´s for sure. I like Gayle, just wonder if he can repeat it in the prem, really hope he does...

From what is in the press, I would say Rafa understands he won´t realistically be challenging next season, but his strategical plan would certainly be looking for top half and perhaps europe the season after...

Danny simpson won the prem league last year! aaargh! Always hated his backing off players and allowing them the tme to do what they liked... Anita is decent enough back up, we need him to challenge Yedlin.

I would definitely sell him. Yes, he is still young at 22, but he lacks pace, doesn´t do enough off the ball and has a dodgy temperament. If we got 12M for him it would be worth it. Spend it on a decent nº10...

I think thred starters would make us much better: 1st priority would be a right central defender who can bring ball out to accompany clark. 2nd priority a number 10 who can score 15 goals and who workz hard. 3rd priority is a winger to replace gouff/atsu, as both are not prem stNdard. Other needs are striker and a central midielder. With these five we would be more balanced.

Oh dear, promotion one day, demotion the next....couldn´t happen to anyone but us!

Rafa supposedly quoted in Spanish media as having 80M euros to spend (roughly 70M quid). AS newspaper, not really the most reliable but... for daydreaming´s sake...

Get rid of: Jack, Gouff, Gamez & haidara Buy: Ben Arfa (LOL... or other winger), Cairney, Gibson, Siggurdson & DM

Forget Torres, he has done very little for Atletico since his return. He`s only capable of playing 60 mins tops, and is now slower than a snail on temazepam.

As madras says; a new spine with prem class is desperately needed. My shouts in priority order: - Feisty Nº10 - Defensive midfielder who can play as well - Centre forward - Left back - Ball playing centre back

Would like a centre back who is experienced and also good on the ball, just feel that we are a little bit brittle when put under pressure at the back. Lascelles has been dreadful of late on the ground and his anticipation, anything in the air brilliant tho´.

More than good eneough for the championship, but honestly hope we will be looking to upgrade for the prem with hayden as cover...

Sorry, but I think we all have very selective memories; de jong was pretty poor for us and never ever got a run of games to get match fitness either because he wasn´t played or he was injured or had a niggle. His play isn´t suited to us basically because we do not have enough movement off the ball. His major plus point is his calmness on the ball and ability to read the game, can remember a few inch perfect balls from him in his good (ish) games. We just don´t have the movement around him and he doesn´t move enough to offer Rafa the defensive part of the game he wants from every player on the park. Get rid as soon as possible for whatever fee and liberate a bit more salary space!