TravellingWanderer

Doubt it is ?3 million up front, probably some is appearance related which if he isn't any good will not be paid

City and Chelsea fans don't rate him and not sure if Sam will take him to Blackburn as he didn't agree with all the support staff that Allardyce tried to use on the players, not the medical side but all the psychological stuff. I imagine that Megson will also go back in for Gelson Fernandes as a deal was virtually agreed before City were taken over.

2 defeats over Christmas and he will be gone by the time the transfer window opens. They are claiming to be signing all these top players, but how many will want to come when they look at the league table. One of the rumours on BBC yesterday was that David Villa has turned them down so they have moved onto their second choice Craig Bellamy

We said we had made an offer, Reading said we didn't, though I understand it was a joint offer for him and Kitson

If Steinsson is out then Samuel will probably move to Right back and Gardner drop to left back. As for the question of keeping Hunt or O'Brien as squad players to come off the bench O'Brien has the benefit of being more versatile, though with 7 subs I suppose it is less important now.

And we offered ?5 million in January for him.

Fojut is coming back injury and probably isn't quite ready for the first team.

I'm there Played 2 Drawn 2

That was what we were led to believe a couple of months ago but I think the latest signs have been of funds being limited. May depend on how many points we get between now and mid January.

Before the Southampton game Tic Tacs were being handed out which were then used to throw at people on the coach back, which allegedly broke into a big fight with the driver calling the police. After this incident Shearings refused to do it any longer. They used to have four pick up points - went on a few from the old B & Q car park in Astley Bridge, but as they could never get the numbers right so virtually always ended up going to the Reebok on the coach to pick people up before heading to the game.

Apparently Sunderland have called a press conference for midday tomorrow

Looks like last weeks result has increased the number of people going to Sunderland as there were only 9 coaches last week

Sunderland Away 3 points Chelsea Home 0 points Villa Away 1 point Pompey Home 3 points Liverpool Away 0 points

Thought they could have pushed this a bit yesterday, but no mention over the tannoy at any point that I heard. Bought my ticket for both at about half 12 yesterday and we had only sold 320 for Boro' and 360 for Sunderland. I would expect Sunderland to be more popular as people will have done Boro' last season. About 1000 is probably a good estimate.

Still find it funny they put their fans singing through the loudspeakers at Wembley to make the noise more equal.

Probably as two ended up being arrested before the game at Middlesboro' last season

The stand held 6000, we were given the top part which holds apporximately 4500. Most of those in the lower tier were people who turned up without a ticket. Not sure why when there were a few of the 4500 original tickets unsold. But then our ever useful ticket office probably told people they were sold out. Was a great little trip much more enjoyable than Marseille, running through the streets with bricks flying past my ears wasn't my best football experience.

The boats on the Thames gave more entertainment yesterday. First half the midfield didn't seem to know where each of them should be playing. Looked a bit better second half when we had our usual shape but I think most of that was because Fulham eased off. Cahill will improve the defence but he can't do it on his own. Elmander can't score goals if he isn't given any service. I's expecting the same starting 11 next week which is not a good sign. McCann is a championship player now. I don't see a problem with O'Brien, but alongside the other mifielders it doesn't work. I can see why we tried to bring in a more attacking midfielder.

The way I see it we may have lost 10 players, but league wise four of them never had a look in under Megson, so effectively we have lost 6 and gained 5 with the comparisions below and I feel that overall the quality is improved. Elmander - Raziak Need I explain why on this one Smollarek - Stelios Time will tell, but Stelios rarely played under Megson Riga - Diouf Again time will tell, but looks promising Muamba - Guthrie I think we have the better player but would have liked to have kept Guthrie and sign Muamba Shittu - Meite On ability would prefer Meite, but Shittu wants to play for us. Would have preferred to keep Michalik though. - Campo May have been a season too far, but would have been useful with the current injury situation We also signed 5 players in January of which 4 are still here so since Megson started we definitely have better squad. We also have Fojut who Megson has high hopes for. Whether the back room team proves to be as good is another question, under Allardyce we used to lose the least number of match days to injury, so could work with a smaller squad, judging on this season so far, then this may not be the case.

Sky say serious foul play, which will mean a 3 match ban

The tipster in the Metro has tipped us to have the most red cards - basing it on the old Allardyce style and Megson's return to it. When did we ever top the Red Card League and if that was the case why did we have none last season?

22547

I think there may be more than one new player arriving, but the way I interpret it Megson expects to wrap up another deal over the next few days. Sounds like talks must be at an advanced stage.

Aren't you getting confused with West Ham about the divine right to be in the top division.

Well my ticket has been lost in the post and I have to collect a replacement at Middlesboro' on arrival - that could be fun. The ticket office didn't think it would be a problem travelling on the coach without a match ticket, but they would give me something to prove I had bought one.