Jamie-H

Apparently Seb was close to extending his deal but I was always sceptical the longer into the summer it went without him resigning. The lad has a choice, he can go join the chicken brigade at Blackburn and probably sit 4th choice CB or stay with his hometown club where everybody supports him no matter how he plays. I hope he stays and I hope we get that contract signed as soon as possible, wasn't a big fan of his until last season the lad seriously won me over. Not enjoying the speculation around our homegrown lads, there's no way we should be looking to cash in on Seb/Joe in my opini

Let us know how the couple of midfield lads do anyone thats nipping down (you probably will anyway) I think Abeid was formerly of Fulham but have no clue on him other than that.

Also - on Souni - I doubt his move would be a loan as someone posted earlier, his contract with Sion has been mutually terminated because he couldn't settle and there really isn't a place for him in their lineup. So the trial story might have some fuel to it but like I say I wouldn't be 100% on that. Like I said with Arnaud it would be a mighty random false rumour to say this lads on trial with us and he isn't. But just to clarify his situation it wouldn't be a loan it would be a free transfer since Sion have let him go.

Interesting on Souni, his name was thrown up with us around the 6th of July then out of nowhere last night in France it was reported he passed a medical with us last night for a loan move from FC Sion. Might be one to keep an eye on, but this is the same French press that said we'd sign Arnaud so I'll hold off on saying it's a done thing. Anyone around the training ground this week by any chance? Supposedly he's been on trial with us for a week but I've not heard anything about a midfield trialist but maybe that is the point...

Not sure I buy the Bennett story. I imagine he's one of our players the club will certainly want to keep, if Lowton's worth 4 million pounds then in my opinion you can at least add 3 million that to get the value of Bennett. Warnock's there anyway and they have young Baker, I don't see it myself.

Sectarianism would be cut in Spain if you relegated Madrid to the bottom tier, it doesn't mean it's the right thing to do for Spanish Football. Making Rangers go away wont help stop the sectarian divide in Ireland or Glasgow, it's rooted into both clubs unless big steps are taken by both to sort their own houses out that will not change. Don't think it's a good thing locking away Scotlands sectarian problems for a few years then let them reappear in a few years with nothing happening in between to bridge the gap.

Let's not forget Sky dictates the SPL's viewership in America through the Fox Sports distribution, Sky basically control all of the SPL coverage across the pond where most foreign SPL fans are based. There is no positive from this just negative, Hearts were already struggling to meet weekly payments to creditors and most SPL teams will absolutely struggle from this. The TV revenue and marketing income is a pittance as it is, it's all very well for chairmen to play down the consequences but realistically I can see at least 2/3 of the SPL clubs going into liquidation in the next 12 months.

Even with Rangers the SPL brand was weak, without it it will be unbelievably weak. Hard to imagine a time where the SPL will bring through the likes of Arteta/Gattuso/Larsson again. Problem with Scottish Football is the desire for cohesive restructuring is never there, the desire to give more even shares of TV revenue isn't there. People are saying Rangers will be back in the SPL in 3 years no problem, I can't see there being an SPL to go back to. If we thought Scottish Football was on it's knees with Rangers in the top flight, god knows where it's at now. Principled stances are all

On Bristol Rovers I'm getting the impression they're wanting to cash in on Carayol, he has 1 year left on his contract and they have this kid coming through called Shaquille Hunter who seems to be an extremely promising winger at just 16 years old. Might be some movement on where Caryol will end up, Hunter's rated a*** their fans/management and the kids been stellar so far into their pre season. Also Swindon have come out and flat out denied attempting or planning to sign Kewell today, might still have legs in that story. I'd rather we filled out Ogbeche void with a free agent 'chanc

I think QPR have wrapped up Junior Hoilett, great signing for Hughes now it makes sense why they let AB go.

Maccarone talks more than Di Canio ever did, if he had half of Di Canio's talent to back up his mouth he would be playing for a big team. I don't think Massimo ever heard of the words 'no comment'. Amougou line is mentioned again as being in the pipeline and Boro are 'hopeful' of getting their man. I want that one tied up with a bow on it as soon as possible, it's the one transfer a little sweat develops on my brow the further it drags on. Maccarone replacing Bednar I presume, I seriously hope he's not one of the strikers Mogga's looking at I'd much rather we just resigned Ogbeche.

Thought there would be a pre season warm weather tour sorted and today it's been confirmed. 6 day training camp in Portugal after the Falkirk game, no official matches but I'd be worried if we didn't get any warm weather training in at all so glad we are making the trip. Still baffled by the BBC ALBA showing of our friendly I've never watched it in my life only scan past it on my sky bit bizarre but at least we get to watch 90 mins of our friendly on the tv.

I kind of sit on the side of the fence to give Main a shot like Burnley stuck with Rodriguez, the kid will come good but whether we rely on him if Scott goes down I'm not sure. I like Mains energy and tenacity, I'm convincing myself we don't need another striker but otherwise we'll just have the same strikeforce as last season minus Ogbeche. I think the supply will be better than Robson chucking in 30 yard crosses, the balance in the midfield will be there.. I kind of think all of our strikers will do better, bizarrely optimistic but I have a feeling they might. I'd still want Cox though

We all want Cox apart from NB, he's not too keen on Cox I hear.

Don't understand why Blackburn want or need Cox if I'm honest, they have Slew/Rochina/Goodwillie/Best/Gomes... Not a chance Cox would be near first choice for them and wouldn't that be the point of him dropping a level?

The ECA is bigger than UEFA in my opinion, they will dictate how FFP works in it's implementation. I think we're heading for an era where UEFA will be challenged increasingly by the ECA, both on the International fixture schedule and matters like FFP. UEFA needs ECA a hell of alot more than the ECA needs UEFA, the way the ECA views football is why let UEFA pocket all the revenues when they could create a superleague in Europe and increase the top 20 clubs in Europes revenues by up to 40-60%. Already being muted in some ECA circles, UEFA with FFP know they can not push it too far onto

If you want to know how FFP works and how City's finances look. http://jhaldenfootball.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/uefa-financial-fair-play-regulation-analysis-breaking-even/ http://jhaldenfootball.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/analyzing-manchester-citys-finances/ If you're interested of course, piece is a year old but it outlines what is and is not allowed to be included in the FFP equations. UEFA basically assess fair market value on stadium sponsorship in relation to clubs of similar size. So if Real Madrid get a 500 million stadium deal, City would not be allowed to go over that bec

I doubt there is huge money there, there's certainly not enough for us to be in the ''2.5 million pound chase'' for Ross McCormack. Think it's a case of 'Boro need a striker lets link him with this guy'. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/blackburn-and-wolves-have-joined-the-25million-chase-1142350

I found it interesting Mowbray said ''we are in discussions with clubs at the moment''. We presume Carayol and possibly Cox, wonder who else he's looking at. Most of the deals we've touted have been free agents but clearly the markets out there for Mogga this summer to try and buy a few from clubs or loan a few. Deal for Amougou must be reaching some kind of conclusion I imagine, either in the door or out of the conversation he must be one Mogga's looking at concluding either way in the next week.

Interesting because ***tu would take up 4 spaces in the Dressing Room! Think that was a hint myself... :rolleyes: Not even a whisper about a player leaving yet which is interesting, hope anyone we do offload we get it done as quickly as possible and don't let it linger when our season kicks off.

Bit of a difference between the Al Hasawi family and the regime at City for me. Big difference between someone with an unbelievably rich family off the back of oil and the Al Hasawi's who made their money primarily in retail. Can't see them being in the MCFC bracket of spending, they will be wealthy owners don't get me wrong but I don't expect City style signings. Interesting they've said they want an 'iconic' manager, Hoddle/Keane are in the frame with the bookies. I think it might just be someone different to those 2, Maradona's been muted but I don't see that. Also reported they

Just saw Mowbray is hoping to make at least one more signing by the pre season game vs Falkirk a week tomorrow. Hoping for Amougou, at worst case it's Ashdown so not a bad worse/best case prospect! On the striker with int caps Powlay teased, managed to rule out 2 strikers David Clarkson (on trial with BRFC) and Andy Gray at Leeds. 2 ruled out, there's only 20+ possibilities left. :sleepy:

Around 27th July I believe, could be wrong.

Goulon was probably the most disappointing signing I've ever seen us make, I thought we had a real coup on our hands then I just don't know what happened with him. One thing that is quite surprising to note, doesn't look like many people are putting Tarmo in their worst XI! The guy we all loved to hate, maybe there's more love there for Tarmo than hate...

Just noticed a line in the Gazette piece from earlier today that's quite interesting, Cox mentioned again. Seems Mowbray is chasing Cox after all, quite surprising. ''And Mowbray is chasing defender Andre Amougou, winger Mustapha Carayol and striker Simon Cox.'' We all know the links with Bikey and Carayol were pretty strong, seems Cox is more than a article filler after all. I know alot of people are not too sure about Cox but I like Cox, think the energy up front along with a bit of unpredictability is something very useful for us.