KegCity

Does it? Looks as it does every year to me: competitive. I completely understand the context of Pearson’s time here and fully appreciate the progress we’ve made off the field but it’s not a massive ask to finish above 14 sides given we’re now into his third season at the club. The squad is perfectly capable of finishing in the top ten and I can’t really think of an excuse for us not to. Happy to be convinced otherwise though.

Anything below 10th would be failure, Pearson has had plenty of time and we look more than capable of being in the mix.

We're in a better position as a club if we have that money, bring in the last few players we need and then have a solid, balanced squad to take on the season. Means we can then spend money for the next few transfer windows too. If we just sit on the money and go into the new season as we are then I agree.

They wouldn’t be bidding for him if he wasn’t willing to go.

Judging anyone other than a forward by goals and assists is moronic. Makes me cringe whenever someone makes a judgement on Scott or any other centre mid by their goal contributions. Matty James has scored once for City. Nobody sensible is using that to form a judgement around his ability.

If he has to play for any length of time in midfield we’re then very light at Right back. He can cover matches but can’t be a long term option.

Well obviously they will if they’re actually bidding for him whilst West Ham are penny pinching over a quality player who’s done it in the Premier League for years. Each to their own. I don’t see how he isn’t.

If King starts more than 5 games in the league we’ve had a nightmare with injuries. Benarous is an unknown quantity due to his his knees being made of rich teas. Personally not happy with Williams, James, Naismith and Knight fighting for the three starting spots when Williams and Naismith can’t be relied upon over the course of a season.

West Ham need a Rice replacement and JWP is obviously the better choice for what they need. No doubting Scott’s potential but potential won’t keep them in the league. Ward Prowse is a Premier League midfielder who’ll hit the ground running. If they won’t go over 30 million for him they’re not spending 25 on Scott.

Both Roberts and McCrorie are predominantly full backs/centre backs and I don’t particularly want to see square pegs in round holes. Benarous may be a bonus but until he is back playing first team football can’t be relied upon. We were a player light in midfield when HNM went out on loan last season, we’ll be in the same position when Scott goes now Knight has arrived. I don’t expect us to go out and spend big but we need one more in there.

Newman is down the gate a lot for a variety of reasons. Scott and Semenyo were both on their radar since January. If they won't pay over 30 for JWP, who has bags of Premier League experience I'd be very surprised if they pay similar for a player who doesn't. West Ham's priority will be players to keep them in the Premier League over potential.

Surely we will? Lacking numbers in centre mid and the numbers we have got aren't the most reliable. We need 30+ games from James and Williams each, that's assuming Naismith is playing in midfield. All it takes is Williams' hamstring to go again and we're seeing Andy King play every week.

Quite happy with 25 million, just hope we bring in another midfielder otherwise I think we're lacking some depth.

It might be nostalgia but I always liked the Puma kits. I think Adidas made ok kits as well but their supply issues were awful.

That’s the problem though, it is essentially the same as several other clubs. It’s bland and not particularly unique. If we’d just used the robin from the design I think it would be a lot better.

Tanner is a great player, seems to go under the radar a little bit with our other young players. Great to have competition for places but was looking forward to watching him again this season.

Scott is low down the list for West Ham. He won’t be going there.

Having read that HMM is a waste of space for the last 12 months I really am shocked that Burnley offered him a deal. Must be more to playing centre midfield than scoring goals!

It's off topic but I really liked Taylor Moore when he first arrived, looked competent and keen to take responsibility which is a great trait in a young centre back. Didn't he ask to be captain after wearing the armband in a cup match? Agree about confidence, became scapegoat for a lot of defensive errors that were really those of other players (he was a victim of Kalas's defensive leadership). Not sure if he'd have made it here but like many of the young players we signed in that era, such as HNM, he certainly wasn't helped by the people around him.

Had plenty of time to go on holiday before pre season started, it’s unprofessional.

Agree. There’s been a lot of talk about player commitment and “being on the bus” since Pearson’s arrival and Kalas clearly isn’t fully committed to the club. Completely understand why he wants to assess his options but he’s missing out on preseason because he’s looking for a better deal.

That’s what’ll happen, whether it’s wolves or Bournemouth that break first. Think it was worth holding on to see who else would get involved.

It’s off topic but Semenyo wasn’t really carrying us while he was here was he? Had brilliant moments but was up and down.

Comments like this, his idea that the fans thought he only played because his dad operated on Gary Johnson, and him not being arsed enough to write a goodbye message when he left, shows he doesn’t hold City in the same regard as the fans do him. Thanks for the goals against the Gas and Swindon, hope he gets a bit of stick when he comes back (as any opposition player should).