I agree. A move to WBA would be a massive admission of failure for him. I wouldnt be at all surprised to see Morgan go to Everton and then James McCarthy go to WBA. (unless he is crocked, but I know he was out of favour) Take that to the bookies! 
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Stoke reportedly in for Gabbiadini - one of our reported targets (I know, I know…)
Originally posted by @Optimus-trousers
Sourced from talkSPORT article
Transfer ALERT! Stoke ‘preparing’ £24m bid for Napoli striker Manolo Gabbiadini
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Stoke City are ready to splash £24million on Napoli striker Manolo Gabbiadini, according to reports in Italy.
The 25-year-old is wanted by several clubs during the transfer window and is expected to be on the move.
Everton, Southampton and Wolfsburg have all been linked with making offers and interest in the Italian is high.
But, according to La Repubblica, Stoke are ready to blow the competition out of the water by lodging a big-money bid.
Potters boss Mark Hughes is keen to bolster his attacking options this January and reportedly views Gabbiadini as an ideal addition.
Napoli blocked the departure of Gabbiadini during the summer, but they could be willing to let him go now after completing the signing of Genoa striker Leonardo Pavoletti for £15m.
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…heroically cast by Optimus trousers…beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!
I guess that this is probably aimed at my comments! To be honest I have never felt comfortable with him. There are plenty of players who have changed my opinion of them in the past yet my my views on him remain the same. I’m open minded and objective enough to change my tune but I just havent on this occasion. I just don’t trust him. He has lapses in concentration that either result in goals or at least chances. Sometimes that may simply be being poorly positioned or a yard too far away from his man. That was the cause of the penalty yesterday, he was trying to get close and make up ground and his momentum essentially bundled through the back of him. Maybe his reading of the game is what I find is lacking? The thing is, in the Premier League, games are won and lost on small margins and moments of brilliance/quality and lapses in concentration. Fonte and VVD are generally very good at reading situations. I accept that you can’t have 4 CBs of Fonte or VVD’s quality at a club of our size because they’d get fucked off at a lack of game time. And to his credit, he hasn’t moaned once to my knowledge.
You’re right though, he did do well in the Europa. However, I would argue that we didnt really face any particularly decent attacking teams in that group. I cant recall any opposition player of particular note (other than Icardi or whatever his name was) from those games. We just faced very organised and committed teams, but not ones with an abundance of quality players. We dominated pretty much every single game and that was the biggest travesty of not qualifying.
As I say, I’m not looking to slag the guy off just pointing out that in my opinion he isnt that good. Opinions are like nipples, everybody has them. For instance some people are of the opinion that John Stones is a good player and worth £50 million. I for one do not share that opinion!
My view is that I know what I am going to get from Maya and it makes me nervous. With that in mind, perhaps it is worth blooding Jack Stephens a little more, alongside Fonte for guidance?
Why would Defoe come here, absolute class player, past his best but brilliant squad player, is he better than what we have? Yes.
Not you specifically Simon - I’ve heard lots of people complain about Yosh - but you were the latest one so it sparked my comments. I just get the impression that fans (not you) are much less willing to give Yosh a fair crack of the whip than they are someone like Fonte - I don’t know why.
Fonte was garbage for a few game when he came back into the team, giving away two or three pens if I remember rightly, but not many fans were saying he should be dropped. But then Yosh makes one mistake and everyone’s on his back. Again, I’m not having a go at you personally, I’m just saying what I see. Because Yosh was shit at RB for a few games, people seem to think he’s just plain shit, no matter what position he plays in. But he’s captain of Japan and was pretty damn good in Europe when partnered with VVD. He’s not that old for a CB either.
I don’t know, maybe I have rose-tinted specs or something, but I think when he has a run in the team he’s never really let us down (when at CB).
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I think, @TheAwesomeFlightlessOne, that it is called the boo boy syndrome.
I like Yosh and have always said that given a run in the team at his proper position he comes good.
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BBC Tees Sport @ bbcteessport 2m2 minutes ago
SIGNING: Rudy Gestede has joined @ Boro from @ AVFCOfficial . The fee hasn’t been disclosed but we understand it’s between £6m and £7m.
Been scanning NewsNow and twitter and no hints of rumours regarding incoming players.
Okay fair enough, I respect your view and don’t worry, I’m not basing my opinion on games played at right back. He was played there out of necessity and that was why Koeman signed Martina on a short term deal. He didnt let anybody down when he played there but was certainly targeted by the opposition (I recall the Chelsea game around Christmas a couple of years ago (1-1 I think) where Hazard stuck out on the left religiously and they kept giving him the ball over and over again. It was very deliberate and not just because Hazard was their best player in my opinion.)
So long as people can justify or substantiate their opinions (or at least attempt to) without resorting to calling players or each other cunts then great. That’s why I like this place and bother posting.
I moved away from Southampton many years ago and consequently have zero Saints supporting mates! 
So I have to discuss and whinge to somebody!
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Gallagher being recalled.
edit: according to SkyNews on twitter.
edit again: tis fake.
Originally posted by @Goatboy
Gallagher being recalled.
That could be our only involvement this January
Barry Sanchez, your opinion is needed here.
Simon you are like a missionary when you move from Southampton
You have to convert the locals who will therefore be your Saints supporting mates.
We have Phil continuing my work in the UAE, me here, somebody going to Canada soon allegedly.
Carry a copy of your 1976 FA Cup matchday magazine and get converting.
you know it makes sense.
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I would say the opposite as far as Gibson is concerned especially as his dad owns the club.
Defoe would be a great signing for us, but do you think Sunderland are going to let a player who could keep them up go anywhere? I think not!
I have no idea who we should sign though.
Apparently they have just rejected a £6m bid from West Ham!!
They will not let him go, if they do, they will go down.
West Ham determined to sign Jermain Defoe. Will pay what it takes to get deal done. Have told Sunderland to name their price
#WHUFC
Considering that do you think Defoe would want to stay at Sunderland knowing he could write his own contract with West Ham??
#WHUFC ???
More like #WTF
They are talking £9m - not bad for a 34 year old
Don’t know why, but as I skimmed this I instinctively read it to the tune of Bohemian Rhapsody.
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