AyeDubbleYoo

Wouldnt he be signing a contract if he wanted to stay? Or the very minimum actually giving the club the merest hint of encouragement rather than nothing? Yeah, probably, or maybe he's just keeping his options open. All I meant was that unless he's actually 100% set on leaving this summer we should be trying everything to retain him. I think it would be too easy just to say "he hasn't signed yet, let's sell him ASAP." Obviously I don't know the situation or Jose's thinking. I didnt say sell him asap but that decision will have to be made at some stage. As romantic as keeping him for a season sounds we all know Ashley wont agree, can see this develop very quickly after Monday when he is back to training. Yeah, I didn't mean you were personally saying that. Just hope it gets resolved soon TBH. Slightly encouraged by how quiet things have gone around him, there's obviously not massive clubs beating his door down yet.

It's ludicrous to claim we would have "comfortably finished 8th" if we hadn't sold Carroll as well. The lad hardly played after January. There are infinite ifs and buts about this game or player and that, but the fact is that we didn't finish there and to do so this season would represent steady progress.

Wouldnt he be signing a contract if he wanted to stay? Or the very minimum actually giving the club the merest hint of encouragement rather than nothing? Yeah, probably, or maybe he's just keeping his options open. All I meant was that unless he's actually 100% set on leaving this summer we should be trying everything to retain him. I think it would be too easy just to say "he hasn't signed yet, let's sell him ASAP." Obviously I don't know the situation or Jose's thinking.

Never bought into this view TBH, I'm really surprised how people have gone from praising Simpson's improvement to saying he should be replaced. He's a solid enough RB for where we are at the moment IMO, it would also disrupt the back four to replace him. He's young and has enough time to improve more and correct his weaknesses.

8th would be very respectable this season IMO, don't know why you dismiss it so easily Wullie.

We were never going to get him if he was only interested in the biggest wage. We'll see.

I thought he was on the verge of being forced out anyway, because of his casual racism. Obviously not.

Frings can only get better

I guess it depends on your definition of a major signing (personally I don't think finance comes into it) , but signing a current French International, who has just been a key part of a team that has done a domestic double in France and has a great reputation is a pretty major signing on paper in my opinion. Fair enough, as I said I don't know the player so I can't judge. What I do know is what Nolan contributed, and he's gone. If Cabaye provides the same then I'm sure everyone will think he's better. The first thing that comes to mind about the whole Cabaye debate thing here is that Afonso Alves who went to Boro a couple of years ago. Dutch top scorer, runner up in the European golden boot etc, went to Boro for £12m, labelled a master stroke and all that shit and was by and large, in the end, a total heap of shite I suppose. Got a good feeling about Cabaye though, be interesting to see his stats at the end of the season Why choose that example though? There are loads of players who have come in and done well - how is Cabaye anything like Alves?

That's how it used to be, but I'd hate the idea of every week up until the end of March again players being linked away and coming in, etc. At least here it's more settled. Yeah, at least now the endless speculation and total bollocks is concentrated into a couple of months.

If we could get Sturridge and Odemwingie for £15m combined they would already be holding up the shirt at SJP and droning on to NUFCTV.

I rate Young highly, but Zog is probably as good.

A temporary dip in form is nothing IMO, he's still one of the best LBs I've seen in recent years. Obviously if we know he wants out I can't blame the club for cashing in, but otherwise keep keep keep.

Totally agree, if there was such an issue with restraint of trade or freedom of movement there wouldn't be a transfer window at all. If there's going to be one, it should shut before the season starts. (IMO)

Think I agree, there's just something about Saylor that appeals to me, probably his psychopathy.

For me Marveaux is very much an unknown quantity in terms of quality and fitness. I would definitely put Jonas in my provisional lineup until I've seen more of him.

Pleased to see someone preferring Williamson, still don't know whether him or Taylor is the better option TBH.

Big ask for him to play and score regularly in the Premier League so soon. Could be a great signing, but could go terribly wrong.

I would be pretty much ecstatic. Like you I think it's still possible Sturridge will leave Chelsea, though it might be next summer. Whether we get him or not is another matter like, obviously.

Nobody's arguing that every bit of income immediately disappears into debt repayments. If that was the case we wouldn't be able to spend anything until we were making a regular profit - obviously not how any business works.

Guthrie looks disturbing.

I still think Milner was a decent sale, he's still overrated.

were not done yet I hope you're right, I'm just worried about more outgoings. Eh? You complain at people left, right and centre for expressing these concerns. Slightly unfair, I don't think every player rumoured to go will be leaving, but I'm worried about a couple (mainly Enrique). I've never denied that people might go, I just think sometimes the idea that we're actively looking to sell all our best players is overblown on here. In the context of this thread, I'd be happy to start the season with the lineup suggested, that's why I made the post about the transfer window closing now.

were not done yet I hope you're right, I'm just worried about more outgoings.