gbandit

Nothing wrong with brinkmanship? What happens if we end up with only Anita because of brinkmanship? Is it still fine then? I think Anita looks excellent and perfectly suited to the PL, great piece of business. If we don't end up with Debuchy/other RB then I'll be really disappointed. The point I'm making is, we really don't know what's going on behind the scenes. Your points about Tottenham are all good, they're incredibly well run but then I think they're run better than pretty much the whole league so it's tough competition. Levy is a brilliant businessman who is constantly looking at loads of different ideas on how to bring in money/ensure they get the best deals. Look at that last season though, Defoe and Adebayor (on one of the last days of the window? Last in fact?). Not exactly an amazing strikeforce was it, certainly not until the last day. They do similar things to us, we're just not as sensitive to it as we don't give a shit about them

I personally think the squad is stronger than last year but the problem is we have to play more games. I'm expecting our squad players to come through more in those. I do want an RB like you Eric and everyone else on here but I'm sure Pardew/Carr and everyone at the club is trying to get one in, nothing wrong with brinkmanship

It's not as simple as that. For long-term success, I think clubs need to be balanced (unless of course you're a Man City/PSG). I really hope the financial restrictions come in and football becomes more economically sound. We have gotten where we are since the relegation season by following this model, if we continue with it, we can go further. But that means, sometimes you have to compromise on not getting a deal through because it's more than you're willing to pay. I believe MA wants to make NUFC successful but only his way. I still think we're getting someone in before the end of the window If we continue with it, we're going to flal behind the clubs investing, it's the complete opposite of having a long term plan, for a long term plan you have lots of short term plans that are continually evaluated, this is the complete opposite of what you're talking about. We had an unexpected head-start on some sides last season, we're wasting this opportunity and it wouldn't cost an awful lot of money. Our head-start on other teams came from this type of doing business, we're just carrying it on. Of course, Spurs/Chelsea/Liverpool have spent more money on us, but they can. They have a lot more money coming in than us. I still think they're operating in a stupid manner though. We quite obviously do have a long-term plan, it can be risky but it worked out last season, I have no reason to believe it won't work out this season

I don't know about getting shit but it's just a general debate that will crop up every window about how we should deal financially. I remember getting a load of shit in the 2011/12 window for saying that our buying frugally was great, where people said we should have been pumping more money in but it worked out fine. I do think people forget that Football is a business (the money side of things has ruined parts of the game over the last 20 years) and that you need to make sure you're not losing money year on year if you want to push on long-term

Eric, we've gotten where we are over the past couple of years by getting the best deals possible. Who's to say what will happen now or in January? High Five is completely right about us not knowing what's going on at all. We all would like to see a RB/FW come in, we have no idea whether it'll happen or not and can't talk about complex deals with any accuracy at all

It's not as simple as that. For long-term success, I think clubs need to be balanced (unless of course you're a Man City/PSG). I really hope the financial restrictions come in and football becomes more economically sound. We have gotten where we are since the relegation season by following this model, if we continue with it, we can go further. But that means, sometimes you have to compromise on not getting a deal through because it's more than you're willing to pay. I believe MA wants to make NUFC successful but only his way. I still think we're getting someone in before the end of the window

Don't ever see Ajax play but his goalscoring record is pretty poor, especially for that league. Is he technically gifted, fast, mainly a link-up player?

This, we're in a fine position. Of course we need to strengthen like everyone does but not going to lose my head before the end of the window

Think that's in doubt, Perch is a much better footballer. He hasn't played there much for a long time so obviously he'll be rusty in some respects but the difference in quality is enough to make me want him to go there for a few games and show what he's made of there

Hope he never comes back

Think people really underestimate Perch's calmness on the ball and his ability to pick and deliver a decent pass. I would play him at RB without a doubt in a game we were expected to win and see how he does

I think he will, I agree with you though. I think he's a very talented player but not deployed as best he can be in our set-up. If he gets pushed forward a bit, he can control the play a bit more but while he can play incredible passes, he doesn't have anywhere near the metronomic control of someone like Modric

no chance of us selling for anything below £18m

Prefer Brinksmanship to spending £14m on Fletcher.

As per Brummie's briefing

Not a bad idea actually, he's 31 now and probably has two more seasons in him. I'd take him for 4 mill, nothing more

AP: FYP

Actually think we'd do them going forwards but the defence is painful

Someone said this the other day but I can't stand football compilations on certain websites which show the same goal or trick 4 times or more, sped up and slowed down from every angle. Just show it twice max and put some decent music on in the background. I've not once seen a compilation with decent music

Always wanted Affelay to come good as when I saw him earlier in his career he showed flashes of real quality. Would love him here

Nah, think we'll get one in and lose no one

Much sought after Mbaye Niang joins Milan. Shame really

Don't think there's a problem with spending at all. I just think they're incredibly particular about who they want to bring in and they have set fees in mind for them. If this criteria doesn't match up they're not willing to budge at all. Makes perfect business sense and in the long run will definitely benefit NUFC even if it's frustrating in the short-term. I have always disliked Ashley and Dekka but equally, I've said over the past two years and a bit that they've operated perfectly in financial terms.

Would enjoy that actually, would be a lovely full circle for him to join them and get relegated

I'm chilled about where we are. I really like Anita, I think our youngsters will play a big role in our cup competitions. Would be gutted if we lost any first teamer (barring Simpson as long as we had a replacement sorted). Think we've done just fine in this window. Can't stand seeing clubs make ridiculous deals for players, much prefer our cautious dont-try-and-rip-us-off-you-dicks attitude