Altamullan

That fella should have been a goalie. Unnaturally large hands.

Here we go. Bring on the wisdom...

The Lads was as much associated with us as with them. Recall a whole Haway vs Howay debate (way back) too.

Not only that but if she did happen to walk out we'd take her back home on the bus instead of a taxi. Or as she thinks she's about to walk home I follow her from distance, monitoring her wetness for an hour, pondering to walk up to her to talk. Then I finally do it, she sounds excited and interested and offers to split a cab to go home with her but I hesitate and start haggling with me only willing to pay for the starting fee. Then a couple of Turkish guys comes up and she goes with them to Fenerbache. Back streets of Instanbul is probably the safest place for her, you mad stalking deviant, you!

I read this as there are a couple of irons in the fire but there has been no coming together on prices/deals so we are looking elsewhere. Or less optimistically, we can't shift people to make space for permanent signings so lookiing for loans.

More like Steven Seagal!

Fucking hell! Nee wonder Ritchie looks a bit slower this season; you've let yourself go Matt.

Nice to know Colback has got mates; must be depressing getting so much stick. Canny goal anarl; should use his right foot more often.

Can't find an image but my first pair of brand new football boots with screw-in studs (black and white boot with dark orange studs, probably Winfield looked like Adidas) from Woolworths in Felling. I loved those boots so much. I can still re-experience the smell of them new. Had previously had hand me down moulded soles from cousins. Felt like Paolo Rossi. Unfortunately still played like me!

Canny sweeper. http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/16/33/320x160/landscape-1471415022-mary-poppins-dick-van-dyke-cockney-chimneysweep-dance.gif

In about 1000 posts time (31st Aug).

Steady on. Comments like this in transfer fallow periods are likely to lead to a new poll! [edit: warned you...]

In terms of finding a way of getting our best players on the pitch, from what I have seen so far Aarons left, Atsu right and Ritchie in the middle (behind Gayle) might be a solution. Not ideal to give Ritchie a new position, to which he might not be suited, or at least would have to learn, but it leave Murphy and Perez to add to the mix, cover for and keep pressure on all three.

Imagine his pseudo Scottish accent!

Shelvey was first class today; some truly beautiful short and long passes. Atsu played his best game, on the left, imo. Some lovely little triangles (passing) around their box. Ritchie looked a bit off key still to me, not quite as sharp, passes a little off but ok game. Lejeune was confident though not really tested. Really liked the look of Merino got stuck in at one time, tidy player with good positional sense and plenty of communication/hand signals directing others. I thought Aarons looked dangerous personally. Like shit off a stick at times, great chop inside in the box and seemed good leap for header he didn't manage to get on target. Murphy had a poor game (unforced errors) as did Lascelles. Perez had good game and de Jong was decent: good movement, one good shot. Aarons left, Murphy right and Ritchie no 10 was an interesting experiment, not sure Hayden at right back was a good idea. Have I missed some news re Gayle? Was concerned not to see him feature in the squad. Also think Hellas Verona weren't as bad as others are saying. They were quite tidy/good at keeping possession at times. Really liked their no4 and no10 looked tricky/effective at times. Enjoyed the game personally. Add a couple of players (Striker and no10) and I would be quite hopeful of a good season.

Not sure height makes any odds, just thought that he sounded like a Rafa type for that role. Plus cover for Gayle.

Don't see Derby as a strong play-off contender and whilst I guessed they'd draw, that guess was based on a mid table team's performance. You'd really want to win home games against the likes of Derby.

No 10? "Joselu plays as a striker and has been described by his Stoke manager Mark Hughes as a "technically adept forward...He's a good technical player, he's got good ability and I like his movement. His link-up play is very good and with the finishing we've done so far in training I've been very pleased. You can see technically he's very adept, getting his body in the right position to take chances."

Really looking forward to tomorrow and seeing Merino play for the first time. I'm sure he'll get a half or so.

(AWOL) Zaki

How many seasons have we had now where we've all been waiting until the last minute to sign players? It just never happens. It's not being pessimistic when we have plenty of evidence to back it up. Nothing's changed, other than we have a world class manager. Nothing's changed? You mention the presence of a world class manager (who has forgotten more than most will ever know about professional football off as well as in the pitch) we can add to this changes in his realm of responsibility and the degree of hands-on involvement (supposedly) from Ashley. So I think there have been some significant positive changes. On the negative side, the transfer market has also changed; the prices quoted (if accurate) seem mental. We might fall at the last hurdle even if we are serious about some 11th hour offers. I'd be just as gutted if we let what looks like a decent run of games at the start of the season go to waste with a wait and see/'there's always January' mentality.

Not sure if euphemism. had same thought. Can slow a man down...

Most of the talk in here seems to revolve around we can't buy before we sell, and based on this, offering financial advice about how we could Does anyone know that the former is definitely the case? And anyone really think the club aren't savvy when it comes to finance arrangements? Surely it boils down to whether they (LC/DoF-type Gadgie/Rafa) have the will to pursue and stretch to get the right players. We all believe Rafa does and most mistrust (understandably) everyone else. I prefer to believe that they are holding out until close to the window closing to go a couple or three big signings who are overpriced/aren't affordable at the moment. Don't have much evidence for this (other than D.Murphy being let go and GK rumours), but why let evidence get in the way of a good speculate? Striker, AM/no10, GK and maybe a left sided WB/FB. Ok, 4 so I am having an optimism-rush, probs equally unlikely, but a reaction to some of the pessimism in here.

Wizard of Oz is not a bad reference, think you need a diploma to have brains (you already have), think you need a medal to be brave (when you already have it in you) etc etc. Perhaps we need a bit more self belief? Oh, and three top drawer players

Forgot all about this! Sounds like some positives to take from this game. However poor Wolfsburg looked today, they did beat Fulham a few days ago (0-3 at Craven Cotrage) something we failed to do home or away last season.