TRon

Like others have said, he must have a pretty good idea of what we are offering. I wouldn't talk too soon. Remember Barnetta's "agent" rubbishing our offer as being less than he was on in Germany?

Are you riled? He's a total shit. Fucking thick player with no actual footballing ability and no actual position. Just as well he's heading for Fulham then.

Didn't the earlier report say he was considering our offer? I would think he'd have a good idea of what we're going to pay him if he's flying over.

Flight numbers as well. Now that's some serious ITK shit. Seat 13F. He specifically requested a window seat. So he could wave goodbye to the Sicilian motherland

Flight numbers as well. Now that's some serious ITK shit.

Read that article someone linked earlier. Can't believe how highly rated Santon was not too long ago. Put Cronaldo in his pocket in a CL game by all accounts. Would be a real coup if it happens. Edit: this is the one. http://blogs.thescore.com/footyblog/2011/04/05/bandini-davide-santons-fall-from-stardom/

Cabaye has class coming out of every pore, on the pitch and off it. How the hell did we land him?

It might be a bit risky but with Santon and Ferguson in tandem it would be kind of cool to have two Boy Wonder full backs. Unless they started shipping goals and started to be called Boy Blunder full backs instead.

For a full back positioning is just as important as being big and strong. It's not often wingers barge defenders to get past them after all.

I don't think he stated it clearly at all.

The daft thing is we could probably still do this deal if we wanted to. It was supposedly the agent's fee which stopped the deal going through originally so I'm pretty sure a compromise could be reached with time running out.

We'll probably concede six next time Tiote has a mars bar then.

Probably just given up on the striker and spending it on other areas instead after Besty's double yesterday.

I suppose the good thing if he's right footed is if Ferguson does hit it off at left back then we can just move Santon across to right back. Voila two cush full backs for the price of one. I can see Ashley loving that.

Yep, looks way off the pace. Gets caught in possession repeatedly, which is in stark contrast to last year when you couldn't get the ball off him. Hopefully it's been spotted and they're working on it, I think we're past the point where we can blame his naff pre-season. He's such an important player for us that we need him on form in the games he's available. I know this is getting chucked about every other post regarding Cheik, but isn't he fasting for Ramadan? Certainly isn't his usual self and I don't get how he can go from being so class to so naff. I think the lack of pre season plus Ramadan is the reason. Plus he might need to adapt to his new team mates so I am fairly confident he'll be back to his awesome best soon. EDIT: basically a repeat of what ausiemag said above. I'm not that concerned though. A player that good doesn't become shit overnight.

It says we are keeping a few options in the air so we have alternatives if our primary target doesn't come off. So if the Santon deal goes through then this will be dead IMO. I am pretty sure we won't sign two full backs permanently, best we can hope for is a loan bid for left back. It says that we had officials in France over the weekend so guess it's a bit more than keeping a few options open. How I read it is we we flew over there hoping to tie up a deal but it didn't go through. I'm guessing we've moved on to Santon since then but obviously I'll be chuffed if we are still in for both.

Llambias is from Lahndan innit?

It says we are keeping a few options in the air so we have alternatives if our primary target doesn't come off. So if the Santon deal goes through then this will be dead IMO. I am pretty sure we won't sign two full backs permanently, best we can hope for is a loan bid for left back.

I am about to put him in a 4- 2-1-1 formation with several wank smileys but I'm waiting to see if Inochi is online first.

Aye, not a bad shout in theory. My concern would be whether we're guaranteeing Bridge anything, if he's coming here prepared to try and win a spot on merit that'd be alright with me. Wouldn't want us making any guarantees to him, but I'd have him in to compete for a spot for the youngsters. If he kicks up any fuss, we'll set Pardew on his lass... http://i.imgur.com/bcxRe.png I doubt we'll get anybody else in if we do sign Santon tbh. It just seems a bit strange to buy a 20 year old right footed player to play at left back. Think I would have preferred Pieters or Cissokho if I'm honest.

Steady on there

If we get him in it's about the only circumstance I'd be happy to see Wayne Bridge arrive on a loan. Santon RB and Bridge LB - sorted. I like the idea of Ferguson there as well but I don't want to have only one LB, that too an untested youngster.

There are plenty of clueless ST holders at St James. That's why I check a few comments on here about players performances rather than take someone's word as gospel that such and such player was garbage.

If he's a headless chicken in the Dyer mode I'll take that for now. I know lots of our knowledgeable fans hated Dyer for his extreme pace and supposed brainless running but I sort of agreed with that clueless old buffoon SBR in that he was a key player for us in his heyday.

Eh? Care to expand on that point? It seems Santon is right footed and can play on either side so right back would probably be his more natural position. Just going by what people are saying in this thread.