Condimentalist

Not bowled over by the WHU kit either but it's smarter than ours. I'm really not a fan of Castore, all just looks basic, cheap and nasty.

Diaby would be super exciting. He was always the more rated between him and Bailey but there's also probably no harm that they've played together before either. Of course there is an adjustment period for playing at a higher level but he's got decent UCL and UEL experience and it's probably the right time in his career for him to move somewhere. If the links are real it's a big thumbs up from me.

Neither - I thought the Luke kit was OK but preferred the Kappa shirts generally.

Bollocks. He's going to be a key man this year. But he'll come back OK. Further emphasises the need for attacking reinforcements though.

Yeah he's going to be a key player for us this season, really don't need him injured.

I hope that is right. I think Unai would like to achieve a few things here before perhaps moving on in future, and that would be to the very elite clubs ala Real Madrid. The club are giving him a full set up here to push us on - it's working well for us but it's a good arrangement for him too and I don't think he would give it up too readily, particularly not before he has achieved a few goals e.g. silverware and a decent standard of European competition.

Have to say I'm surprised given how well our CBs performed last season, but equally by all accounts he's an excellent player at what seems like a good price. I can't see Mings not starting (and it would be a mistake not to) so can only imagine we play with two left footed CBs.

Like the badge but the kit is toilet

I wonder if the Coutinho deal also contributed to the end of Purslow

He signed a new contract in February. I don't think it matters. Neither Mings nor Konsa should be dropped, and Carlos can cover both sides as we know. So I just don't see the case for splurging on an expensive CB who may not even start. If we are going to spend decent money in defence the obvious player type is someone who can play RB and also CB, to compete with Cash and provide cover across the back.

Have said it elsewhere but we're not spending big money replacing Mings, and nor should we.

I don't think we were ever in for him, nor should we have been.

Partly I think JJ being bigger but also because we were a poorer side / easier to get into. It's harder for youngsters to play now than it was a couple of years back. That said - JJ has really taken his chance. Powerful runner and a really good finisher, he's going to be one of our key players next season and for years to come.

Please not a newly promoted team away. Always seems to happen and it's a dreadful draw vs playing them at any other point.

Can't really judge this until we know what the replacement plan (or circumstances around departure) but overall he was very good IMO and easily the most competent football administrator we've had for decades. If he's paying the price for Gerrard I think that's harsh in the context of his other achievements.

Ollie proved last season that he can be our number 9. We're not at a level where we need to be upgrading Ollie Watkins, it would be very expensive and risky. If we somehow get Champions League over the next few seasons I think we might need a more ruthless finisher but who knows - he's still improving IMO and his finishing especially.

Brilliant pick up on a free transfer. Smart business by the club. If we can get him back to his best, and I am sure Unai can, he's a CL standard player.

And if we're not seeded it just effects the play off? Or also the groups?

Exactly, it wasn't unfair - but last season he cut it out.

I don't mind Gregg but agree he isn't usually there with inside knowledge and really most of us could have written that piece - it's just a compilation of major rumours. Only interesting shout is Adams, who I guess would be an alternative to Tielemans.

I just don't see us spending big to replace Mings from the first XI, and nor should we.

We've got a better crop of youth players to help pad the squad than West Ham. That said, we still need 5 or 6 signings IMO, including at least 3 for the first choice 14/15, assuming the anticipated departures happen. Back up GK RB/CB (elite) CM AM / Wing (elite) Second Striker / wing (elite)

Very much in the camp that if Emery wants him that's good enough for me. I've not watched enough of Leicester to judge his performances of late, but if we can get the player of the couple of seasons before this one, on a free transfer, that's great business. I think the other side of this is that our midfield first team is already strong. Hard to drop any of Ramsey, Luiz, Kamara and McGinn from the first XI, so are we really going to spend big £ on another CM? If doing this rather that Guendouzi - who I am not convinced is even a better player - means we can spend more to land our top targets in the forward positions, then I'm all for it.

We have these every summer. I strongly suspect he'll go to PSG and agents have been using our name in the market. But who knows. Would be a very exciting signing, but more of a bonus than an expectation.

Would be good for football and for Villa IMO