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Jacobs seems to make lots of predictions and then quote himself on the ones that come off - seems like he could be a chancer to me. anyone can put 2 and 2 together here, with them getting a big wedge and then bidding for Benteke.

He's almost 24 - you can't improve your dribbling or passing THAT much if the talent isn't there.

Truth being told, I'd rather get Adebayor than Balotelli. Sherwood has a very good working relationship with the former and got a lot out of him - Balotelli continues to be an enigma.

Yeah, looks that way - Praet can track back and hassle too as needed though. Both of them look able to play as a traditional do-it-all CM but with slightly different strengths/tendencies.

'And here's Gueye, flaming up the pitch..'

Looks like Darder is plan B after Praet fell through. Looks to be a CM who can do most things, sits deep to tackle/win headers, can dribble up the pitch comfortably, can play an array of passes and is partial to the odd thunderbastard. Basically, a massive upgrade on Westwood. Makes me think that Sherwood wants a flat 3 of midfielders, who have great stamina and can do just about everything.

Don't you like goals? He's scored a few goals and got a few assists but it doesn't make up for his negative sides IMO. He's worth about 3 million quid, tops. I'd sell him. What is the point of selling him really? 3m's hardly going to make a major difference to our budget and he shows quality at times ans can still improve further, Sherwood reckons anyway. He's got more long term value to the club than Alan Hutton I'd say so of the two I'd let Hutton go. I don't think he's a short or long term answer, so I'd sell him now. I'd go with Hutton for the time being and look to spend a larger amount on a good wing back in the future, dependant on what our budget is looking like at the moment.

I'm delighted - it's about time he came to his senses RE: Brad.

Fair enough, yeah - in terms of minutes to assists, he's done reasonably well there. He can take set pieces and cross well, I'm not going to dispute that but I think that if we played him regularly at RB, he'd make mistakes that cost us at least as many goals as he'd provide. I don't trust him defensively at all.

Over the years we've had some great defenders - standards are high for that here.

His definitive position is right back surely? He's played there consistently for 2 seasons. I wouldn't be surprised to hear he has more assists/goals over that time period than anyone else but named Benteke. He's an attacking full back. He doesn't have to start every game to be useful to the squad surely? He's not a good right back though, defensively he just doesn't have what it takes. I think you're overselling his goals and assists somewhat. From what I can make out, he's had 6 of each in two seasons - so averaging out to 3 of each per season, it's not exactly immense, is it?

As in all 3 cost a combined £15m. I agree. He's the worst combination in terms of over-valuation. He's English. (Somehow) a current international, plays in London and of all clubs he plays for Spurs. You couldn't make up a more over-valued tick list than that. I wouldn't mind if he was actually any good. That's what I meant, yeah. I obviously agree with you here - just definitely isn't worth the dough. I think it's a lazy journo link. Certainly hoping it is anyway.

What? He's a player who still hasn't carved out a definitive position for himself at the age of 23 because he doesn't have all of the right attributes to be a success anywhere. He has some qualities but just break it down for a minute: Winger: he can cross well, he's pretty athletic but his passing isn't great and neither is his dribbling. Fullback: Crossing and athleticism, yes. Positioning, nope. Tackling, so-so. CM: Got the athleticism, not enough of a range of passing, technique isn't good enough.

I think we could get 3 people better than Townsend for 15mil.

So about 4mil of the transfer then. That's not that much of a hit for us really.

Don't you like goals? He's scored a few goals and got a few assists but it doesn't make up for his negative sides IMO. He's worth about 3 million quid, tops. I'd sell him.

I'm not getting the love for him, I'm afraid.

My wording would be: on the opposite side of the spectrum to 'effective'.

He has a hell of a lot of enthusiasm and seems to score goals despite his lack of a defining quality. I've got a lot of time for him and think the abuse he's getting now is completely and utterly unwarranted. Doesn't surprise me, mind.

Just type [ youtube ] [ /youtube ] - around the URL without the gaps in the brackets and you're golden.

Not sure why they would get rid of dzeko and replace with Benteke. I rate Benteke, but starting regularly dzeko is a much better player Dzeko in England - 71 in 185. He's 29. Benteke - 49 in 100. He's 24 and in a squad where he gets worse service than Dzeko. I know which player I'd prefer and his name rhymes with Denteke.

There weren't any quotes though, she just kept schtum - it's not her fault the gutter press were releasing stuff daily. Her agent is a wrong'un though.

I'm sure you wouldn't JV but he'll have better offers than us, I'm sure.

Full stop.

Who was briefed and by whom? It's kind of important if we're to assess whether the journalists were acting reasonably. Also wtf does "due ro join" mean? That's new - the furthest any journo took the story was he was going for a medical. I think they talked to Doris. Doris told them what her friend read on twitter. Doris out. She still makes a great cuppa tea though I personally can't stand the revisionism about Doris. If anything, she's one of the reasons he's staying.