FamousHolteUnion

I think I would spend 7, maybe 8.. no... probably 9, straight days crying like a little girl if we signed Rose for any length of time, permanent or temporary. He is **** awful, as I am sure the Olympics tournament will show, has done nothing apart from *that* goal and even that would have been forgotten about by now had it not been in the derby. A shambles of a player and frankly its a joke he's in the Olympic squad. No, no no no no no no no no no NO.

No chance Carroll will go to West Ham, I very much doubt they actually have the money to bid the reported 17-18m for him, as somebody said in the other thread it really seems like a Doug-type bid to draw in season tickets

The game vs Ajax at Villapark Gardner absolutely bossed it, think he was captain for that game and he put in a true captains performance. He was everywhere and scored a hatrick. Ajax are probably the 2nd best Academy in the world *imo*. The England game where he scored twice in a minute aswell, one goal was an inch-perfect freekick and the second took a bit of luck from poor keeping but he was calling for the ball on the edge of the area for a while before he got it and hit it pretty well, he reads the game well. One thing we'll gain from him is a midfielder who makes late runs into the box, think he scored a header for Coventry from doing just this (and had a few other chances there doing the same), its been a while since we had a midfielder who does that, Ireland links between midfield and upfront but Gardner will actively try and get into the box if he see's that there is an opportunity. Ireland and Bannan dont really do that and it's not really in the job description for El-Ahmadi, Delph and Makoun. (not seen Holman so cant comment)

I imagine my questions are answered by the fact I've had to rescue this from Page 9 but: Has Gary been given much of a chance in pre-season?* (been on holiday/asleep during the US tour/Burton game) If so, how has he been performing? I really rate this kid, didnt have the best season last year but I imagine thats down to McLeish, honestly believe he will be our Lampard/Gerrard type in the years to come, our next Milner I guess. Really hope he can make a big impact this season. *Or is he injured?

I think when we see a midfield of -----El Ahmadi --Gardner-Bannan Marc will flourish, as him and GG+BB have a great understanding, I remember GG looking a lot better in a game last season (cant remember which) when BB came on, and also BB's pass vs Fulham last season, I just think once we get the academy guys in a cohesive team, playing in the right way we'll start to flourish. Also MA, like Bannan, is a player that needs confidence to play and I have no doubt Lambert will give him that. I honestly believe we'll see a return of the pinpoint crossing we saw in 10/11 this season.

He's lieing.

^ We dont really have circa £23m to spend on two defensive minded midfielders though.

Rhodes would be a much better option than Carroll. Would cost what? £5m-£7m? Think he'll be just as good as Carroll if not better aswell. ------------Given Lowton-Vlaar-Clark-Cresswell ---------El Ahmadi ------Gardner-Bannan -----------Ireland -------Rhodes-Bent has potential?

Martin Olsson would be a good buy

I wouldnt be normally either but considering how crap we know our back four to be i am more than happy to see them all leave

Not sure we'll sign a wide player as we dont seem to be using them very often in preseason

CSKA have bought a new striker, paving the way for us to sign Seydou Doumbia

Could also be one of our youngsters on loan? If they want another forward, Delfouneso could do well down there or sending one of Johnson, Carruthers, Graham or Grealish down maybe? All could do with the game time, although I would hope to see Carruthers getting some first team time this season. Also could be a bit early for Graham or Grealish but I also wouldnt mind seeing them in the first team in 13/14 so a loan could be good for them now.

@GoDeanGoGo on twitter, saying they are the quotes from the Ipswich Star that the journos were talking about last night.

Bizarre. So now we need another keeper?

Not possible that he could be worse than SW.

Mirror saying Ipswich have signed George Friend, their new leftback.

It'll leak at midnight im sure

Even if we bid 10m + 8m from whats left over from Downing, he would still be costing us £18m. He isnt worth that. He's worth about 7-10m but his ridiculously over inflated fee to Liverpool would mean we are paying an over-inflated fee for him. People moan that we could have gotten more for our £24m than Bent. We can CERTAINLY get more for 18m than Carroll. Cisse and Ba came in at a combined £10m for Newcastle, I personally dont think Lambert will move for Carroll. If we're going to overspend on an English striker it may as well be Sturridge who has proven he can score goals for more than 5 months in the PL.

Chelsea sign Oscar. Meaning they have Oscar, E. Hazard, T. Hazard, Mata, Marin, de Bruyne, Sturridge, who can play in one or more of the 3 positions behind/around the striker. Can we sign Sturridge now?

We need a sign of a tree we can shine into the nightsky of the Birmingham airspace when we need him. Like Batman. Only better.

Id take Baines over Cole.