Even Aston Villa are playing for the title, it is the nature of the competition. Its why we all start off with zero points. Chels etc don't get a head start depending on how much money they spend.

Throwing a random name out there as a possible addition in January .. Loic Remy ?

While he might not get the game time he would probably want as backup to Kane, he's proven at premiership level.

Obviously also wouldn't generally fit in with the template we've currently got of looking at the lower end of the age bracket either, but what about a loan move until the end of the season?

Could argue that it's unlikely we'd be able to make any permanent signings of any real quality as backup for H next month, so could it be the next best option maybe ?

Just a random thought, a "musing" if you will

Linked to Villa... Surprising that he seems to be becoming a journeyman prem player as seems to do a job at each club, when given a chance

The Villa story is what made me think about him actually, but you're right. He's scored goals wherever he's gone. I do think there's an element of the mercenary about him though - he's generally seemed to follow the money rather than actually want to go somewhere to establish himself as the first choice striker.

Only 28 as well.

Reading between several media lines - and even Lawro has hinted a deal is done somewhere - you can get the sense will get a striker early. My best Sherlock Holmes guess is Saido Berahino, who looks half way out the door and is somewhat placated by knowing that. It has gone very, very quiet.

Presumably Andros is leaving. Another of those buy-em-but-leave-em-there, Deli Alli type deals would be interesting otherwise in might be quiet #famouslastwords

Yeah, which is no age in striker terms really - he could have another solid two or three years at this level and be successful if he really wanted it.


I suppose Berahino is probably the most obvious arrival after what nearly happened in the summer and how his form has been for West Brom since. I'm open minded really, i've personally never really rated him but he ticks all the boxes for the sort of player we tend to go for nowadays so West Brom certainly may well want to get rid if he's not performing for them and wants to go.

I agree about Townsend as well. I can see a loan with an option to buy more than a permanent deal though, but I really don't think he'll be at the club come Feb the 1st.

We've got plenty of players who can play in his position and who are far less selfish than he is, so he really won't be missed.

Dead excited about Trippy now. Those crosses seem to just hang in the box. Jesus, I hope he can defend

He can't be any worse than Walker in defence!

I get the feeling that Berahino's ship has sailed with us. I doubt we would meet WBA's valuation, especially on this season's showing.

Funnily enough I was thinking 'what if' re. Loic Remy the other day but I think Chelsea need him as a backup striking option themselves following their poor season to date.

Townsend's days are numbered so I agree that he will probably be sent out on loan.

I'm thinking that we will look abroad for a striking option as we can get better value for our money.

tbh, I think pretty much the opposite - now isn't the time to take a chance on a Premiership unproven and that it will almost certainly be Berahino, but I guess we'll know quite soon ..

Yeah I think that's a fair point about Berahino. I suppose there's the possibility we could potentially include Townsend and/or Fazio in a swap deal to make the valuation more do-able, but i think ultimately it probably will be less likely to happen.

I do think we need a backup striker whatever happens though, because if H does get crocked for any length of time I think we'll be in big trouble - Sonny is fine as a number 10 or creative midfielder in general, but he's not a striker.

A few sites have said we're looking at Fulham's Moussa Dembele, which could make the team-sheets quite interesting

Sandro Ramierz from Barca is getting strongly linked with us now

A signing with the potential for me to reuse an old shirt - bonus

There's a money saving tip right there

I don't understand what I just looked at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_HQPLUoOdI

Sometimes we're a very strange club

Happy New Year, everyone.

Oh dear ... Everton away tomorrow - without Dembele.

On what I've seen, which is a whole lot less than Poch, I might look around for someone other than Tom Carroll for this job. Ryan Mason?

Agreed - or Bentaleb?

I was thinking about the Watford game and wonder if Kevin Wimmer might be a tad upset at not being selected as the third centre back? That would have allowed us to retain Dier in midfield and made us really strong. About the only reason I can think of is that this would have tipped Watford off about how we were going to line up.

And a happy new year as well . And filled with trophies it will be as well, just you wait!

As much as I actually don't mind Tom Carroll (or "Thomas" as he seems to prefer nowadays), I do agree that I think we need someone stronger in that role so I'd certainly be looking towards Bentaleb.

Mason could work as he does like to get forward, but I think being an away game, i'd rather have the protection Bentaleb could afford.

But then Everton's home form this season isn't great. For their last 10 games at home, it's P10, W3, D3, L4 and our away form in all competitions for 10 games is P10, W5, D5, L0.

So while over-confidence can obviously backfire, I do think we can be confident of a result in this game, based on current form.

I'm quite hoping Wimmer's big chance to impress is coming up shortly vs. Vardy and co in the Saturday Cup.

I'm very wary indeed of Everton coming, as they do, off a loss, though they do seem weak atm at the back. We may be catching them at a good time. Maybe not.

Tough crowd, tough manager.

If you believe what you read in the Mirror ..


http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...-front-7100359

An £8.8 million buy-out clause is peanuts in the realms of the sort of transfer money that does the rounds from the Premier League, so if he's deemed suitable, it could certainly be more likely.

Well, with Fulham's Dembele that's three shirts you can recycle.

Wet Sham have no legs so happy at halftime to see them giving Liverpool a kick in the nuts.

Today is one of those days when I'd take two points.

Fwiw, my favourite shot of the season so far - celebrating Sonny's goal vs. Watford