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He'll probably have interest from the PL, but Carl Jenkinson on loan would be worth a punt, possibly even with a view to a permanent.

While I do agree that getting 5 million for Clark is decent value, I'd be cautious to sell (although if he has a clause, it doesn't really matter).

We already know quite a few players will leave due to interest from PL teams (ex: Ayew, possibly Gana) and then there are some we likely want to push out (Lescott, Gabby, Micah, Brad). Point being, like we saw last summer, when you try to complete a massive overhaul of the squad, it is something that must be done very carefully and it can take quite alot of time for all the new players to click. It's been stated before that Clark is seen as a bit of a role model/leader for the youngsters and I believe that is something we will need next season with more of them coming into the fold. He seems to be someone with a bit of good character in a group that largely lacks that trait. I'd quite like him and Baker as part of our CB corps for next season with two new additions, but at the same time if we receive 5m, we can probably use that to replace him. 

What about Danny Ward of Liverpool as GK. Was on loan with Aberdeen last year. Highly thought of and has stated he wants to leave to progress. 

As a Hearts supporter, I've seen him a couple of times and always thought he was a decent player. I certainly wouldn't be opposed to the move.

That Daniel Bentley from Southend, as many others have mentioned, should also be on the club's radar.

What are current odds on Roberto Martinez?

Ashley Young's Webcam Photobooth

Just mentioned in the US match that there are two premiership sides looking at Brad and that he is also open to a move back to MLS this summer, so if it was in doubt, it appears he is definitely off.

Goalscoring midfielders must be a priority. For too long we have relied far too heavily on our strikers for goals and Benteke aside, it has clearly not worked out.

If he does not get a Premiership move, I'd be in for Alan Judge (be a bit like signing Downing since his leg is currently broken).

2 hours ago, Daweii said:

Sell the stadium name to one of his companies for £300 million. We're allowed two sponsors in the Championship he could get another one of his companies to sponsor us for a further £100 million. There are lots of ways for a seriously rich guy to get serious amounts of money into the club, it's how all the big names have been doing it for years. Emirates Stadium isn't just to advertise the home country of it's owner after all. 

I mentioned this in another thread, but I'd hope we are potentially considering a deal with the Recon Group or one of it companies similar to what Man City did with Etihad to develop some of the area around VP.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jul/08/manchester-city-deal-etihad-airways

1 hour ago, terrytini said:

?

You'd prefer someone who was only looking to keep things as they are ?

In regards to developing VP and the surrounding area as an additional revenue stream, I'd refer to the deal struck between Etihad and Man City for 400mil as a way this could be positive. Something similar to the Etihad campus perhaps funded by one of the arms of the Recon Group? Interestingly enough, Gary Cook, who a few have speculated as being involved due to the name Cook in the shirt pic with the Dr., was part of structuring the deal for Man City. 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jul/08/manchester-city-deal-etihad-airways

2 hours ago, Holtern8 said:

The Chinese are heavily investing in their own football structure so doubt they'll be Man City owner types if they are Chinese.

What would be interesting is if the potential Chinese consortium involved some parties that are also currently investing within the Chinese game. I imagine this would be reported already if it was the case, but it would not be the craziest idea. You have a club like Man City already doing this with NYFC and Melbourne City...so who knows, maybe someone like the Alibaba group wants further exposure abroad and would invest in the club. 

I was going to suggest that Riley still not having been sacked had something to do with a connection to Comolli from the Liverpool days, but it appears that their time there had no overlap. 

Looking at Comolli's track record, I definitely don't think he is a complete dud and he has definitely signed some good players for his clubs, bu what really worries me is that he has quite a few unfavorable departures from each club that he has been involved with (Spurs, St. Etienne, Liverpool). At the moment we need stability in all aspects of the club, most certainly the top, and I am just need sure he would bring that to the table. 

11 hours ago, Michael118 said:

Gabby lacks discipline and motivation. It doesn’t surprise me that his best form was under a disciplined manager in Martin O’Neil.

If he ends up at West Brom under Tony Pulis and got himself back into playing shape I could see him being a success there.

Right now he’s a Villa player and we are in a relegation battle. I think that's enough reason to get him motivated. Would like to see him involved more in the 2nd half of the season.  

I'd have to disagree with this.

As far as I am aware, MON was not anything close to a disciplined manager and was said to be incredibly hands off. I believe it may be quite the opposite and Gabby is not a fan of discipline/structured/being pushed too hard. He seemed to have a problem with Robert Duverne the first time around under Houllier and I do not think it is any coincidence that Duverne has come back to the club under Garde, and Gabby is out of the team. Duverne is said to have a very disciplined style when it comes to training and fitness, and I think that points to the issue lying with Gabby and his work rate, or lack thereof. 

7 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said:

Interesting again, because when Round came and spoke to Garde, he didn't accept a coaching role and said that Garde already had his assistant and staff and didn't want the more junior role he was offered - he did say that he liked what Garde was trying to do. 

Who has been acting as assistant manager and what was the name of the guy that Garde wanted to bring with him from France but we couldn't get?

 

I believe it's been Reginald Ray standing in as Asst Mgr. Can't remember the others' names, but it was two of them from Lyon. 

I could be very wrong, but my thought is that due to a lack of a major TV deal for the Championship, the club might potentially be free to broadcast their own matches from the likes of AVTV. I've meant to research if current championship clubs are doing this, but I think it would be possible.

Give this a go to see the goal...

Santos said in his post match today that he has a 300,000 euro release clause, so I imagine he will be in this week.

On December 16, 2015 at 18:02, deadlydion said:

Back for Saturday and will replace Sanchez as the physical presence in midfield.

IMO

I think it's actually be a decent idea to have Richards play as CDM today. Lescott and Okore have done well enough and earlier in the season Richards has looked good bringing the ball out of defense and going on runs forward, also showing an eye for s decent pass. Don't think Garde will do it, but I'd be curious to see it at least once.

We got the wrong brother...lol

Naismith is an upgrade on Sinclair, so I am good with that. If the Toulalan link is real, he'd be an upgrade over Sanchez, so that's also a big plus, assuming he could deal with the pace of the league. Depoitre, I know so little about, so who knows...

If we are still after an attacking midfielder, a player it would be hard to look past and who should be somewhere near the club's range would be Hakim Ziyech. Still quite young and has been doing quite well in the Dutch league for the past few seasons.

https://audioboom.com/boos/3960001-tom-fox-talks-about-remi-garde-relegation-fears-new-chairman-and-more

My goodness, some absolute crackers from that photo at the Sty

The good news is I remember Gabby barely played under Houllier. Hopefully his pal Garde is of the same mindset and we are nearly done watching his half-arsed displays this season. 

Get him out now, clueless and naive tactics. Rowett or Allardyce for me. 

If the West/US decided to change it's tune a bit and went down the path of partnering with Putin and company does this run the risk of hugely alienating/radicalizing the various "moderate" factions in Syria opposed to Assad and ISIS?