Summer transfer, gossip, speculation thread

[Gareth]

not bothered about a keeper given the quality of our defense - another forward is essential though

There’s no point in buying lots of good defenders and sticking an average keeper behind them, for me all 3 we have are v average so it is totally essential for me that we improve that position.

Would like another striker but if someone said either/or it would be a keeper for me all day long

[cheltenhamlion]

Goalie and forward to come and then we are done.

Butland/Maupay is my guess. Stoke will blink. Butland has made it abundantly clear he needs PL football.

My thoughts as well

We will get them as well. What was it the Seattle bloke used to say? Hold on to your seat!

[KRS]

not bothered about a keeper given the quality of our defense - another forward is essential though

Sorry but I don't understand how anyone can't be bothered about bringing in another keeper...it's one of the most important positions on the pitch and a key component of any defensive unit. A good keeper can be the difference between a win and a draw, and a draw and a defeat, and can easily earn at least 10pts particularly in the Premier League. Steer earned his contract extension after helping us gain promotion but unfortunately neither Steer, Kalinic or Nyland provide the reassurance and confidence that we need behind the back four.

[manic-road]

not bothered about a keeper given the quality of our defense - another forward is essential though

Sorry but I don't understand how anyone can't be bothered about bringing in another keeper...it's one of the most important positions on the pitch and a key component of any defensive unit. A good keeper can be the difference between a win and a draw, and a draw and a defeat, and can easily earn at least 10pts particularly in the Premier League. Steer earned his contract extension after helping us gain promotion but unfortunately neither Steer, Kalinic or Nyland provide the reassurance and confidence that we need behind the back four.

Absolutely, a top keeper is a must. Neither of the three mentioned above are top level and a top keeper such as Heaton or Butland would also give confidence to the back four

[darren woolley]

A Keeper and another striker would be brilliant if we can get them.

[Clark W Griswold]

I think Butland would be the icing on top of what has been a fantastic window.  At 26, he might cost us a bit more than we'd want to pay but we could get 10 years out of him.  I think better value than Heaton.  Other than the keeper, the starting 11 below are all now signed and ours.


                      Butland
Guilbert   Engels     Mings   Targett
                      Douglas
            Grealish       McGinn
Trezeguet         Wesley       El Ghazi

Subs, from:  Steer, Maupay, Hause, Konsa, Marvellous,  Jota,  Hourihane,  Elmo,  Kodjia,

That would be my team as well except maybe Maupay for El Ghazi.
Subs; Steer, Elmo, Hause, Marvellous, El Ghazi, Jota, Kodjia.

I think that bench would cover all positions, it would leave a few unlucky ones out completely though like Chester and Hourahane.

[RussellC]

Would be good to try to offload some of our fringe-players as part of the last couple of signings, too. Surely we could do a deal with Brentford to take Hogan and Bree as part of a deal for Maupay, and I'm sure Lansbury and Bjarnason would get into Stoke's match-day 18?

[Dazvillain]

Let's hope they deliver and worth the money the club have spent

Be interesting to see a list of our new signings ages with length of contract next to them

[itmustbe_it is!]

Would be good to try to offload some of our fringe-players as part of the last couple of signings, too. Surely we could do a deal with Brentford to take Hogan and Bree as part of a deal for Maupay, and I'm sure Lansbury and Bjarnason would get into Stoke's match-day 18?

I think Dean has plans for Lansbury . I think he rates him higher than most of us do.

[Hookeysmith]

"Don't forget your history nor your destiny" — Bob Marley.

the past
Aston Villa 0-6 Liverpool (our lowest point?)

the future

Björn Engels   
Mahmoud Hassan   
Kortney Hause   
Jota   
Tyrone Mings   
Ezri Konsa
Wesley Moraes
Matt Targett
Douglas Luiz
Marvelous Nakamba

There have been so few good moments to enjoy over the last ten years Let's not live in the past, or worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but let's live in the present...and enjoy this moment.

Come on you Lions

Well said

[LeeB]

Would be good to try to offload some of our fringe-players as part of the last couple of signings, too. Surely we could do a deal with Brentford to take Hogan and Bree as part of a deal for Maupay, and I'm sure Lansbury and Bjarnason would get into Stoke's match-day 18?

I think Dean has plans for Lansbury . I think he rates him higher than most of us do.

I think so too. I have a feeling Lansbury will turn out to be a decent player for us under this manager, and may well push himself in front of Hourihane.

[Risso]

Would be good to try to offload some of our fringe-players as part of the last couple of signings, too. Surely we could do a deal with Brentford to take Hogan and Bree as part of a deal for Maupay, and I'm sure Lansbury and Bjarnason would get into Stoke's match-day 18?

I think Dean has plans for Lansbury . I think he rates him higher than most of us do.

Yes, I think of all the also-rans like Hogan and Bree etc, he'd be the only one that gets a shot this season possibly.  Even so, hard to see him getting much time with the like of Grealish, McGinn. Marvellous, Luiz and even Hourihane ahead of him though.

[LeeB]

Would be good to try to offload some of our fringe-players as part of the last couple of signings, too. Surely we could do a deal with Brentford to take Hogan and Bree as part of a deal for Maupay, and I'm sure Lansbury and Bjarnason would get into Stoke's match-day 18?

I think Dean has plans for Lansbury . I think he rates him higher than most of us do.

Yes, I think of all the also-rans like Hogan and Bree etc, he'd be the only one that gets a shot this season possibly.  Even so, hard to see him getting much time with the like of Grealish, McGinn. Marvellous, Luiz and even Hourihane ahead of him though.

I think fully fit and focused he's a better player than Hourihane. His passing is very good, and I don't mean 40 yeard Hollywood balls, just clean and crisp and well weighted.

[Brend'Watkins]

Would be good to try to offload some of our fringe-players as part of the last couple of signings, too. Surely we could do a deal with Brentford to take Hogan and Bree as part of a deal for Maupay, and I'm sure Lansbury and Bjarnason would get into Stoke's match-day 18?

I think Dean has plans for Lansbury . I think he rates him higher than most of us do.

I think so too. I have a feeling Lansbury will turn out to be a decent player for us under this manager, and may well push himself in front of Hourihane.

I hope these plans include making him run a bit faster and stop him making ridiculous lunging mistimed attempts at winning the ball.  He's been a disaster for us so far but if Dean  & Co can improve him that would be something.

[brian green]

Has Angela got rid of the Samurai topknot?  Not ignorance on my part just bad eyesight.