MGLCFC

We can't afford to sack him.

I honestly thought we'd have 0 points after 3 matches. However, apart from a decent 15 minutes against Spurs, we look like a team well out of our depth. Is it the tactics that make us look poor or the quality of players or perhaps both. Not playing arguably our best and proven Premier League player, Ricardo, is baffling.

We haven't got one on the bench have we?

Said no new injuries

Hopeful, rather than confident of more signings next week. Not going to get my hopes up.

A lot of if's there, which I could turn around to that if he helps keep us up. This is not a purchase for a specific position, but more to fit a piece of a jigsaw. There will be games where his experience, ability to hold the ball up, win fouls and press from the front that will be a valuable asset IMO

It's £5m - it's only £8m if we stay up and if we do it will be a good investment. I hope fans give him a chance, before him being this year's scapegoat.

Yes, this is very true. They were 10 a penny in the 80's though

What's the answer then Ric? Even your recommendation (Tete) was far from uplifting.

I'll say it again, we've wasted far more money on so called elite signings, Silva, Musa, Slimani, Soumare, Daka and others. I see Ayew as a player that has been bought to do a specific role. Of course he wouldn't have been an Enzo signing, as he's so set in his ways and not pragmatic enough to realise playing differently is required sometimes. Yes, the club is in a financial straight jacket at present and we need to acquire players who can help us stay up, not necessarily those who are elite signings who we can't move on should they fail. Look at Chelsea, a squad of elite footballers costing billions, but are they a team? I'm not enthused by the signing of Ayew, but he may turn out to be a vital cog in our survival hopes. I wouldn't be surprised if Cooper has identified Ayew as someone who has enough versatility to do a job across the front line. Just my thoughts.

Wow - they're spending the Wonga. Could end up like us if it all goes wrong.

I do concur regarding a decent forward and we may have to pay £30m, but it may well have to be a loan, with obligation to buy if we stay up, so that we stay within the rules this year.

Hamer would be a very good signing, however I think we'd require some cash in return. Hamer's release clause is around £16m, which is roughly what we paid for Souttar. Who knows maybe your suggestion would work. Personally I'd rather sell Souttar and loan them Cannon, to see what he could do. It may mean we'd only have to pay about £5m for Hamer.

I understand your points, but there seems to be an opinion that he'll fail here before he's even pulled the shirt on. From what I can gather, Palace fans really rate him, particularly his work ethic. I don't see him as a journeyman really, I think he's only played for Swansea and Palace (I maybe wrong). I'm not sure £5m is a huge chunk of our budget, unlike Skipp who cost £20m. Sometimes older journeyman players come here and do well - Huth, Simpson, Fuchs, Cottee, Solano et al. I've never analysed his performances for Palace, but yes he's not a goal scorer, but maybe his role will be akin to that of Okazaki. Sometimes it's completing the jigsaw that is required.

It's not a play on words - skint means we have no money. I'm suggesting we have money, but just can't spend it.

Just to clarify - If he didn't score goals, that would be a Pro?

I don't suppose Danny Simpson was the most inspiring transfer, but he was bought in to do a job and he did it effectively. It all depends what job Ayew is being asked to do. If it's a goal scorer then it's a poor decision, however I think it'll be like Shinji, hard working, effective at what he does and provides the occasional goal and with some assists.

There seems to be many posters a) Writing Ayew off before he's even kicked a ball b) Unaware that the initial fee is £5m, not £8m c) Unaware of his likely role in the team I'm not saying he'll be amazing, but at least make an opinion when you've watched him a dozen or so times in a Leicester shirt.

Are we skint though, or just restricted in what we can spend due to financial mismanagement.

I think signing Skipp, Okoli, Holding and Fatawu shows we are signing quite a few young players.

Didn't seem to be taking any on Monday, but who knows?

So we're half way there, free kicks in good positions - unfortunately there is no one who can take set pieces well.

Exactly, so Ayew may be one of those players who continues to do ok. I'm not saying I'm a massive fan of this deal, but let's see if he makes a difference, before writing him off.

Tell that to Vardy and Albrighton

For those saying £8m, it's £5m according to Percy, with £3m in bonuses if we stay up, which will be worth it if we manage to avoid relegation. Sometimes it's about players who fit the jigsaw best. We've spent millions in the past on players who are expected to play in a different way to their strengths - Kramaric, Daka, Mendy, Silva to name a few - some have been poor buys, I agree, but too often we buy players who don't fit our style of play. I hope the Ayew purchase is because he is seen as a player that will help us gain points, when we have our backs to the wall. There were lots of average footballers in the title winning team, but they all grafted together to make it work.