Lenny

Havent looked what everyone else has put yet but I would go: Given Geremi Taylor Rozehnal Babayaro Milner Barton Emre Duff Owen Viduka Reluctant playing Baba, and reluctant not fitting Dyer or Martins in the team but I think that team would offer the most balance. Assuming everyone is fit as well.

If he came I doubt Martins would leave.

Id rather he stayed tbh.

I think Bent is much more of a team player than Defoe and will score as many goals as him. Id choose Bent over Defoe but the fee Spurs are paying is rediculous, especially considering they really dont need another striker.

Less and less people take .com seriously nowadays. TBH I only read it for the "on this day" bit. Thats the only reason I read it now as well! up their own arses now!

Not least the boys at nufc.com was thinkin that!

Iv never really seen Edmilson play, is he any good? DM aint he?

is this still not bloody official yet!!

Id find it so weird watching Lita play for Newcastle, I used to play for Margate youth with him.

Really suprised I havent seen anyone even mention Mr Beardsley's name!

Before anyone starts thinking this means 'unless a bigger club comes in', it simply means unless something happens in the medical Good to hear. He says it was his dream to play in Spain so him coming here is a decent coup especially with Sevilla interested Must admit thats how I read it, glad we are gettin a CB in, although I havent actually got a clue what he's like!

Pains me to say but the side with the most realistic chance is Spurs. If we come out of this transfer window well then we may possibly be in a position to challenge for 4th!

Definitely - Luque was apparently always most effective in a 4-3-3 and as that's Sam's preferred formation then it makes sense to try and keep him. Like the look of the forward 3 with Viduka and Dyer in it as well, and you could probably also include Milner in your list of forward options for this formation - back it up with a midfield trio of Butt, Barton and Emre and you have a pretty solid looking line-up. Now, about that defence you mention...... Yeah stuck on that part! If you're including Milner in there then you could probably throw Duff in there (Another player Allardyce will hopefully work on) so we do potentially have plenty of options. Im not a fan of Butt for the first 11, if we could get a more mobile DM, and sit them behind Emre and Barton I would be happy.

In all honesty if Allardyce can get players like Nzogbia, Luque, and even the likes of Dyer and Emre performing, then I think we will have quite a few more options in our side than we realise. If we end up playing 4-3-3, and Allardyce can get the best out of them we could potentially have a choice between Owen/Viduka/Martins/Ameobi/Dyer/Luque, and possibly N'Zogbia for the attacking positions, which in my opinion would be very very strong. I personally think that an on form forward 3 of Luque Viduka Dyer could cause problems, and thats a strike force without our 2 big guns! I would be suprised however if Luque has it in him to want to succeed here. Now for a defence.....

Bit of a grower I think. That Keeper top is Lairy! its alright though.

Havent read through this thread but I wouldnt like Butt to be our captain, I dont think he's good enough to be an automatic first choice. From that list I would go for either Taylor or Given. Taylor isn't really ready to be captain, and although I rate him he still makes silly mistakes and the added pressure could ruin him. Given is probably the obvious choice but I don't really like the idea of a GK being captain. Best bet imo would be for Allardyce to bring a leader in, that way the new player will be regarded as a captain and role model first then a team mate as initially no one will know them personally.

I don't think that £5m is too much for a player that is among the top performers in the Premier league for their position.

I'd be very happy if we signed Shorey, he looks very confident on the ball, does the simple thing and is willing to overlap the winger to support. I thought he was one of our best players against Brazil. I don't think £5m is particularly expensive for his quality. I haven't seen much of Baines so can't really comment on who I'd prefer out of the 2 however.

Im extremely happy with the way things seem to be going, but its kinda what I expected from him, must say I was delighted when we appointed him. I'll say again, Iv never been so happy with a managerial appointment we've made, including SBR. Really optimistic, it feels good!!!

forgot his cigars just finished the cigar, going back to put it out on Sam's eye!

i bet he forgot his phone or wallet or something, had to go back and get them!

It seems to be quite generally accepted on here that Barton is a better player than Parker, whereas I cant really comment as I havent seen much of Barton. But while I'm not disappointed that he is signing for us (other than a little concerned about his attitude) I am disappointed that Parker has decided he wants to leave. I think he was a fantastic player in his first season for us and gave 100% every game, but he was played out of position last season. I think with a new manager coming in that is likely to use him to good effect as a DM, he should have stayed. If Curbishley uses him correctly (which he most likely will since he had him at Charlton) then West Ham have signed a very good player.

Did Bywater just say get your rat out on live tv? haha

Agreed, although it wont ever beat Ginola against Ferencvaros for me. Emre vs reading 3rd. I remember i used to try and practice that goal in my conservatory, loved that goal!

he'll be what, 31 by then though wont he??