AyeDubbleYoo

The best thing about our defence is that it is no longer a set of comedy performers who are just waiting to be torn apart and/or make a horrible error that leads to a goal. I don't think we can underestimate how much more seriosuly we will be taken in seasons to come because MOTD and the like aren't showing a horror display by the toon back four every saturday night. We do need to strengthen at RB, but other than that I'd say we're good to go 'til January and beyond.

Pleased he'll be away before he's due a testamonial, that would just be embarrassing

The "quality of the finishing" was the difference? Does he mean N'Zogbia's fluke free kick or Martins' deflected grasscutter?

Yep, Villa's defence in particular should struggle against Milner, Martins and the rest... let's just hope Young doesn't run rings round Carr and set up a couple of goals. All the games are potential wins, but allowing for hiccups 9 points would be a good achievement.

Do we think Enrique will be involved then? He's one of my subs in my fantasy team and I don't know whether to pick him or not!

Chuffed for everyone today, it's been so long since we had a decent start to the season. Nice to have a full week break to work on tactics, fitness and signings.

Torres looks exactly the same as well.

Written by Alan Oliver, need we say more?

If he wants to only do one and get paid half, we can talk about it! Let's hope Sam has the ability and the team around him to handle both at once.

Did everyone spot the 'wide of the mark' stock phrase? Gave me a chuckle

Why is anyone interested in what happened to him? It's pathetic to wish he gets injured because he went to another club, have a word.

I just hope Albert doesn't chase him around the training ground in a silk outfit and skewer him with a load of spears. Don't think the physios could cope with that one at the moment.

People at work are still trying to wind me up saying Zog is off to Fulham and Martins is leaving When will they learn eh? I know.. i had some West Ham retard trying to tell me that Martins was going to make money for transfers. Really gets on my tits as he talks utter shite all the time, he also said we shouldnt have got rid of Sibierski and Tes Bramble. See he hasnt got a fcking clue, people like that really get on my nerves.. utter shit is the only thing coming out his mouth I quite enjoy it though, the more things start looking up for us the more they try to take the piss. At least we won't be a laughing stock this year, which is a big improvement on the last couple of years.

Give him the job Sam!

I am, and happy to say so. That's why Sam's a top manager and I'm :-[ Especially considering the often-questionable fitness of Viduka and Owen (and the former's age), looks a shrewd buy. Oh, and the Southgate quotes, unbelievable... don't think he will get the fans on his side with that sort of stuff.

I thought all Spaniards just signed for Liverpool automatically? This is strange...

People at work are still trying to wind me up saying Zog is off to Fulham and Martins is leaving When will they learn eh? Pour Vodka on their seat or jacket then stash the bottle in their draw and send your boss an email that the drunk was hassling you yesterday and was clearly pissed. I'll consider it! Somehow ended up working in Berkshire but with a Mackem for a boss Will be enjoyable for the rest pf the season though by the looks of it!

Would like to see a RB in so Geremi is more likely to play the majority of games in CM, but I agree Carr has looked better and should possibly be given another chance. It doesn't make any sense to condemn him on last season's evidence when the team and regime are so different now.

People at work are still trying to wind me up saying Zog is off to Fulham and Martins is leaving When will they learn eh?

I can't explain how good it feels to have signed at least one, likely two, quality players who can play LB. Well done Sam, maybe we good do with a RB too, just so Geremi is free to play more games in midfield.

In some ways yes, but both Enrique and Dragutinovic sound quite versatile, so more than the LB position is covered. And we've signed midfielders and a striker as well, so it's not that lopsided.

Fucking insane how I he just tagged the Oba thing on the end at random! "In addition, it appears Oba Martins’ agents have been told to find him a new club – but Owen's injury problems could put a stop to that." What a load of unmitigated bollocks, we can only hope that it stops sometime.

I think Sam has shown he understands the importance of a squad of equally-talented players. Look at the signing of Smith to add to Viduka, Martins, Owen, Ameobi and Carroll.

we needed one, and our manages is Fat 'is that on a free?' Sam what does he want, a fucking Pullitzer? Nope. Just the same as everyone else. You to fuck off. I'm afriad to say Vic has a point here. Unusual I know...

Not sure we're likely to get Brown, Man Utd haven't bought any defenders so far have they? If not I would think they's be reluctant to let him go, he did make a view appearances last season. The two LBs would be pretty much the best we could hope for in terms of solving that problem. One young and developing the other an experienced campaigner. Would really like to see these two in, although the Everton thing is a potential reason that it might not happen.