Douglas Luiz - back home on loan

[Smithy]

I'd be keeping hoim too.  We know theres a terrific footballer in there once his confidence is back.  Perfect squad player for us imo.

The other, perhaps important point, is that he's been there and had a look at the grass on the other side.  He knows what he's got here.  So at 27 we're likely to get 3 or 4 of his peak years, without worrying if he's going to have his head turned.

If the finances are right, and his wages aren't too much of a problem, I'd definitely take him.  We know he's good enough for a team chasing champions league places, and if we evolve further in the next 2 or 3 years so that he's only a bit-part player - so be it!

[Garyth]

it's the drop-off between first-pick players and the back-up that is the current problem.

Yeah. Playing in the CL requires those back-ups to be top tier, whereas in the Europa we've been able to get away with it.

I think Bogarde has it in him to become a solid PL midfielder, but at the level we're playing at that may not be enough - a little bit sad given he's from the academy, but the pool of talent that improves our first team is becoming smaller as we have improved... If he'd come through while we were in Championship or in lower regions of the Premier League, he'd be a starter and we'd be talking up his quality.

[LeeB]

I dont think we'll commit what is still for us a sizeable transfer fee on someone who's going to be a back up to all intents and purposes, more likely to see us look at a free or a Barkley style bargain in that area, any money will go on further up the pitch.