penguin

Echos my feelings on the situation. Judging from this thread you'd be forgiven to assume that he is simultaneously one of the most over and under rated players in the team.

A bit off-topic but I've wondered for a while with buy back clauses whether the player has any say. For instance, if Madrid were to use the buy back clause for Morata what happens if he doesn't want to leave Juve can he just refuse personal terms with Real? Not that I can really see Traore refusing Barca to stay with us if they came calling.

I don't see a huge rush in terms of shifting players on, although it would be better to than not of course. Aside from Nzogbia, who is probably close to earning a week what the rest of those do combined. Of course there is a rush, we have a limited period in which to shift them or we are stuck with them and their wages. Some players if we don't shift them are not even going to make our squad. So the sooner we can get rid the better. Although Bennett isn't one we are trying to shift. There are still three weeks left. I guess I didn't really articulate myself very well as I do think we should be moving players, especially the unwanted big earners like Nzogbia which I would class a a priority. But for the few others in the £10-20k bracket, by no huge rush I mean I wouldn't want to have more priority on moving them on than bringing players in as there is still plenty of time. Even if we are left with some it wouldn't break the bank until Janurary or what not, especially as we've already moved on a number of high earners and got replacements on what I would assume are substantially reduced wages.

I don't see a huge rush in terms of shifting players on, although it would be better to than not of course. Aside from Nzogbia, who is probably close to earning a week what the rest of those do combined.

With the quality of players we've bought in and the seemingly good value for money we've got on the most part, there is no chance I can see Sherwood spunking £15M up the wall on Andros **** Townsend.

Yeah, because second string Barca is of the same quality as Chelsea's reserves from years ago. Or not. I think he makes a good point. Chelsea are know for hoarding promising youth players, as they have for many years, having one of the best reserve sides in the world (won the UEFA Youth league this year). Not seeing how Barca's reserves are clearly of a superiority quality tbh.

It's a release clause in his contract I believe, so out of their hands. If there is a release clause, does that mean there would not be a buy back clause. I wouldn't have thought the one necessarily excludes the other, it all depends on what is written into his contract I guess.

Is the midfield really any more competitive? Let alone much more, we've lost two first team central midfielders and signed two central midfielders unless I'm forgetting someone.

It's a release clause in his contract I believe, so out of their hands.

I wasn't aware of the number of assists, can't remember where I'd read he wasn't too good last season but it was clearly too much of a generalisation based on the poor performance of the team as a whole as 14 assists is clearly very impressive.

£15M for Townsend

Yeah for sure. Didn't have the best season last season by all accounts, but it does appear almost none of the Barca B players did as they finished rock bottom. From that ESPN piece the opinion seems to be he has the raw tools there to be a great player but his decision making, end product, consistency etc need improvement but at only 19 this is to be expected.

May have already been shared but there's a decent write up of him on the ESPN website, stuck it in spoiler tags as its quite long.

The early goal kinda ruined Pulis's strategy of parking every player in their box, it was all down hill from there really.

That Yacob has to be one of the most idiotic and dirtiest players in league, horrible bastard.

Careful, dangerously close to setting off the net spend police.

Can see them being a bit like Blackpool in 10/11; Will score a lot but concede a lot. I thought they played some great stuff at times against us but really need to take their chances, I'd much rather a side like them that plays positive football stay up then your Sunderlands and West Broms etc, good luck to them.

I think he'll do really well, he seems built for the Prem. Hopefully he'll be shite though.

What a ridiculous question.

Had a pretty poor one so far but still got Sterling to play and he's my captain so hopefully he bags a couple against the Tesco bags.

Incredible strike by Coutinho, harsh result on Stoke on the balance of play though IMO.

Hopefully this will be the season the turd will flush, always seem to look certain for relegation to go on a bit of a run at the end of season and save themselves.

Obviously an awesome athlete and thus can use his strength and pace to get himself out of tricky situations. Jury is still out on the more defensive intelligence based side of his game i.e positioning and decision making but only time will tell. This one game certainly hasn't alleviated all concerns for me about him raised from preseason games as it appears it has for some, but he certainly has the raw tools to be a very good player.

Great result, Rudy doing what we paid the money for. Fair play to Bournemouth though they play some really nice football.

Clark is immense great defending.