GeordieVillan

Big game for him and Clark tonight. If they do well, I think it will set them up for a very good season.

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I don't mind Balague - I think he's a very watchable pundit who usually has a decent insight into the game I also don't think his comments are probably far off - we've bought potentially a fantastic player, but one that isn't the finished article by any means. Sherwood's words were carefully chosen I think - when he said has come here to continue his development and we are committed to put time on the training ground to help him improve. I suspect Balague is trying to explain why Barca have let him go and why he hasn't gone to e.g. another team in the Champions League. Thats not to say that I'm not excited and also that I'm not expecting him to have an impact - he's another signing to get bums on seats and I for one like players who are a bit selfish and a bit cocky - we need some more of these types of guys!

Sherwood, Fox, Reilly - the club has always been there - back room staff is what is new. Sadly its probably just a reflection of how far my (our) expectations have fallen that up until this summer I thought we would never be able to attract these types of players.

Incredibly excited about our business this summer, even though to be totally honest I don't really know much about any of the players have signed - other than they seem to be very highly rated. My main question is - how the hell has this happened? What has changed at the club to firstly make us go in this direction, and secondly to make us so much more attractive a proposition to the these young players who previously might not have considered us??

I feel that under the current manager we won't sign players unless they are the right ones. There won't be any panic buying and settling for second best - I think he would rather give the young players a chance. For that reason, its entirely plausible that we won't sign anyone else this window. I would say that we've already done alot more business in this window than anyone would have expected, and we seem to have done some bloody good business aswell. Regardless of net spend. Some people are never happy though. However, I suspect we still have £15-20m to spend, and we would probably then use this money in January.

Interested to see how we line up for this and what approach we take i.e. will we sit tight and try to contain and hit them on the break, or will we try to take the game to them. Looking at it, they are not invincible by any stretch and I think we should just go for it. We have a young fast paced team full of athletes now, so I think we can go into this thinking we have a chance at least, unlike previous years when we have just rolled over. Man Utd don't have the psychological edge in the way they did under Fergie, so I don't think we'll be afraid of this. Saying that, I'm not optimistic. I reckon we will lose, but think we will give a decent account of ourselves. Wouldn't be shocked if win by the odd goal though!

I thought he did ok on Saturday, like the rest of the team. I think he is going to play a big part this season, and if he wasn't then he wouldn't have been made Club Captain. He might not start every game, but I reckon he will start at least half, probably closer to 75%. I expect us to play two up front in some games and I think him and Gestede might form a very decent partnership, like he had with Carew a few years ago. Bad news for the Gabby haters, he's here to stay, for this season at least.

The comparison to Benteke and whether he would have attacked the corner like that is a difficult one. In the whole time Benteke was with us, I can't remember Westwood ever driving a corner in like that - thats exactly the kind of delivery we need from corners. However, I'm sure I read something while back that said the reason all of our corners used to be floated in was because this was what Benteke wanted - maybe someone can confirm this? Either way, I don't think there's any doubt that Gestede has aerial ability and physical prowess to replace Benteke. The test will be whether he can show himself to be as mobile as Benteke and link up play in the same way by holding up the ball - the signs were good on Saturday! As someone else said, he's probably got more of the John Carew about his style than Benteke, which is fine by me!

Fantastic result. Just what we needed to settle the new boys in. The game against Man Utd now has much less pressure on it and is a "free hit". The back 4 were excellent, Guzan was good other than his kicking. Richards/Clark looks a good partnership and the fullbacks looked great. Midfield was decent, Westwood was solid, Veretout and Gueye will improve. Sinclair and Gabby were decent, but looked better second half with Gestede giving them an option. Ayew did ok, nothing memorable. I have a feeling our front 3 against Man Utd will be Sinclair, Gestede and Gabby. Well done Tim.

Come on fellas - its early doors! I think Tim has sent them out and told them to keep it tight first half and just make sure we are in the game. Bournemouth are another Swansea (loads of possession without always having an end product). We're lucky to go in 0-0 half time, but I expect a different approach in the second half.

I'm really **** nervous. We need a win I think, as defeat here and defeat against Utd would set the tone for tough season. Especially considering our poor form at the back end of last season. Come on lads - lets turn on the style and make statement of intent!

If he can add 2-3 more goals and 2-3 more assists this season then I think he'll do well. I really hope he takes different set pieces now that we don't have Benteke. I hate those floating corners.

Got to be honest - if we wanted an experienced striker to tide us over until Gestede has settled in, I would have much rather gone for Rickie Lambert instead of Adebayor. At least you know what you will get with Lambert, he will probably score the same amount of goals, and he wanted to leave Liverpool for the right reasons i.e. to play football. I don't care if he turned us down in January. Why would he come to us if he though he still had a chance at Liverpool, he's got no affinity with our club and back then we were still managed by Lambert. Too late now anyway! I reckon he'll score 10-15 goals for WBA.

I reckon he will score at least 10 league goals this season. I think he's got something to prove and Tim will give him the chance. It may be at the expense of Grealish starting games though...

Pretty much This! Only Sanchez for Veretout and Guzan for Bunn. Once Okore is fit probably bring him into central defense for Hutton and push Richards to RB. Would be tempted to play Gabby (if he is is fit) ahead of Ayew also as I think Ayew and Veretout need more time to settle (hence Sanchez in for Veretout). Its not a good idea to play too many new players at the start of the season as we need good TEAM first and foremost, a bunch of good individuals that haven't gelled is not smart even Bournemouth could beat us then! Funny enough, since my post - I've changed my mind! Now I think - Bunn Crespo Richards Clark Amavi Westwood Gueye Sinclair Veretout Ayew Gestede Even if we sign Adebayor, I don't think he will go straight in to the first 11, I think he will play from the bench. Not sure Gil and Grealish will be ready either. I've got a feeling he is going to play Crespo from day 1, and I still think he might go with Bunn over Guzan for the first game at least....

If we sign Berbatov instead of Adebayor, then does he replace Adebayor in most people's teams?!

I can only assume that we've given up on Adebayor and are going Berbatov instead. Signing both would be madness Shirley....

I think a draw would be good result here.... If we lose and then go into the Man Utd game with confidence fragile we could find ourselves down at the bottom before we even get started in our bright new era! A win would be great, but I think we need to avoid defeat.. Having said that though, I fancy us to win 4-1 or 4-2, we've got goals in us now and I think the new boys will all want to make an impression.

If its not announced today then I'm going to assume its not happening.... Part of me thinks maybe Sherwood has looked at Kozak in pre-season and thought if I keep him then I don't need Adebayor....and then that saves some money to go buy a winger!

Right, enough is enough - I want these player signings confirmed in the next 10 minutes or I'm sticking with Nzogbia and Richardson. I can't take this anymore.

I'd take Lescott for 1m....he's a like-for-like replacement for Vlaar as far as I can see....

I havn't forgotten....I just don't think he will be first choice.... Well Sherwood does and he is in charge. Haha...pick him in your team then! I shouldn't have said I don't think he will be first choice....I just think he won't play the first game because he has been away....

I havn't forgotten....I just don't think he will be first choice....

Assuming we sign Gestede, Veretout and Adebayor, how does everyone see us lining up on the first day of season?? Not the team you would pick, the team that you think will start the match, and no hedging your bets, just pick 11 players and a formation.... I think as follows - Bunn Hutton Richards Clark Amavi Gueye Veretout Sinclair Grealish Ayew Adebayor