So: Cahill, McCarthy, Ayew, Kouyate, Guaita, and Meyer came in for a combined transfer outlay of around 20m. As of the last few weeks they are all starting.

Clearly, none of them want to be at the club.

Seriously, we are in the longest period of success in the entire history of the club and you think he’s done a bad job. I don’t agree with everything he’s done, and not everything he’s touched has turned to gold, but the above kind of f***wittery from people is disturbing. Yes, of course, you are entitled to an opinion, but don’t come back and whine when the sheer stupidity of it is commented on.

If you come to a fork in the road, take it.

That's your opinion which I respect but I clearly disagree with it, they are many more players in the recent past who have been linked with us and deals, supposedly nearly done, they then consistently fall down as soon as Parish is involved, as for the ''pure stupidity of it all'' I would also say that about your comments! so I guess we have to agree to disagree

As with a lot of posts, there will be people who won't agree with/like what I'm about to say. I'm prepared for the flak, so here goes:

1. For most of our history we have been a little club playing either non-league football or in the lower leagues (1905-4until the 1960s apart from a season in the old second division nearly 100 years ago.
2. Since the 1960s and our meteoric rise from Division 4 to Division 1, our longest period in the top division until this spell has been 4 years.
3. We have amongst the poorest (if not the poorest) facilities in the Premier league - those in the Arthur stand will know exactly what I mean (fortunately for me I'm not).
4. Teams like Wet Spam, Newcastle, Everton etc have far more tradition and past success than we have (all three of these have won both domestic and European trophies). Consequently, given the chance, most good players will want to go to one of them rather than to us.
5. It's only my opinion - I have no proof/evidence to back it up - but I believe our board leave attempted signings till as late as possible so as to reduce the risk of being gazumped by the Wet Spams etc of this world. As we seem to be seeing with the Bowen attempt, we will be gazumped once again.
6. We can't afford to pay silly money/ wages to get players to come to us instead of to one of the more recognized premier league teams.

All-in-all we are punching well above our weight and our future will be determined by how good an academy we can establish because we are going to need the future Wilfs and AWBs if we are to maintain any chance of remaining (or returning, if it comes to that) to the Premier league.

May I finish by encouraging all posters/readers to enjoy what we have. As I've said before, we have the privilege of watching many of the world's best footballers (admittedly playing for other teams)
6. Quite simply

I agree with much of this.

I think we are in a place where we are trying to find value in an inflated market, especially as we have overpaid in terms of fees and wages for a couple of players who have either not played much or have not performed. That is unsustainable. However, the club has brought in a number of good cheap buys over the last couple of years, and they are clearly trying to bring in younger players. That is surely the right way to do it for a club our size.

If you come to a fork in the road, take it.

...still a few hours to go! Would not be surprised if all we end up is an injured Tosun. Just an other window in the wonderful life of our roller coaster club.

Lets be honest,we dont really need anyone.If the players play to there potential more often then there is no way we should be anywhere near the bottom three.Problem is we rarely play to our potential

stuck up here with a load of northern monkeys!