DJ Barry Hammond

I imagine we would have known about his availability and would have had some brief discussions about viability.

Pretty sure Spurs negotiated an first option on another Betis player as part of that deal - so there may be some “offsetting” within that quoted fee.

Makes more sense than Ipswich.

Yeah, I think the criticism of him and the signing has been very overdone on here. He’s still young and learning the game and this is his first move abroad, so he may need some bedding in time - especially with a position like centre back where it’s as much about the partnership you make with your other defensive players as it is with your own play. He’s got some pretty solid defenders to learn from too, so the potential for him to develop and improve on what we’ve seen so far is obvious.

It’s very similar to the “why don’t we loan out our young players” being switched to “no, don’t loan them to that club.”

That’s a very late move by Ipswich - can’t imagine Boro really want to entertain this.

Or are we holding back some of the transfer kitty for January - perhaps with the consideration someone else might be in charge at that point?

One very obvious obstacle in trying to get this done in a day is the distance - it’s at least a 4 hour flight away. I also expect the Panathinaikos front office won’t be in any fit shape to take early morning phone calls either after tonight’s result. So… probably not for us tomorrow.

Down with this sort of thing!

Awwwww - we seem to have missed out 😢 Weghorst to join Ajax is the last rumour in BBC’s gossip column this morning. Absolutely devastated ☹️

Did we sign Yaya Toure?

Wait - it’s 5-0 to Stoke at Boro?!? What’s going on in Teesside!

He’s not that bad in defence - and he wouldn’t be that good in midfield. It would be a pointless experiment that would only take you back to understanding his position is a central defender.

Why?

£8 million well spent

Might be more embarrassing for Faes - he’s wanted out, but no one’s put a firm bid in. Maybe he’s trying to flush out a bid now in a desperate attempt to escape.

Come on Rudders, it’s not a bank holiday today so there’s no excuse not to get this one over the line.

I’ve always thought Billing a handy sort of player - nothing exceptional at Prem level, but better than average.

Do you not look at that and think 🤔 centre half’s, we need centre half’s (as well)!

Really? They’re a team that could be as shit as us! We want as many zero pointers for as long as possible… sorry @The Bear

Maybe it was a late celebration of 50 years since that iconic Zaire defending of a Brazil freekick at the 1974 World Cup?

Interesting thoughts @StriderHiryu One thing I’m surprised you didn’t pick up on with the first goal… where exactly was Faes to begin with - because in theory, he should have been in the spot Vestagaard was. Now I can tell you - if you watch the ball into Traore that came from Fulham’s right back position, you’ll spot that Faes is quite a way inside Fulham’s half. That is not where you want your centre half going?!? Yet strangely, someone on Twitter posted some Faes highlights from the game and it seemed he was doing this sort of thing regularly? Strange!?! Anyway, it’s something you may want to keep an eye on to see if that’s something he continue to does - and whether it’s intentional! The second goal is also interesting because your still image shows quite a high line. Finally - a key reason we’re struggling to play out from the back is because we lack any credible threat going long. If teams don’t think you can beat them over the top - it makes it a lot easier to go all in on the press. Good stuff though, always interesting analysis 👍

We hold an interest in Victor Meldrew apparently - personally I don’t believe it!

You’re essentially reacting to this aren’t you 😂