Coppell wants British players (for now)... From the EP

[Hoop Blah]

As long as Zamora has not become a fully fledged member of the West Ham, lazy Bling-bling club he would be a good buy.

I hear he's a founder member

That appears to be be the general consensus of West Ham fans.

[One Beer is never enough.]

Do we just forget the ball-boy thing?

No. W@nker. And no better than we have.

[Huntley & Palmer]

The bling bling crowd at WHU are Reo-Coker, Mullins, Konchesky and Harewood according to the ST holder here in my office. Zamora would be decent business and a combination of him and Doyle or Lita should work well. He has a good ability to hold the ball up and does well with the ball at his feet.

[Yorkshire Royal]

Zamora would be decent business and a combination of him and Doyle or Lita should work well. He has a good ability to hold the ball up and does well with the ball at his feet.

Exactly. Selection from Doyle, Lita, Kitson and Zamora, with Cox and Long for the future. I thought Mullins might be a good purchase, but they seem to absolutely hate him in the East End (sorry Essex).

We of course do need another centre back and probably another midfielder. Apparently Colchester want 4 million for Halford, who is unproven at this level. Would love upson to sign, but WCBAP...

[Finchley Royal]

Upson: ignoring the wages point, he's too injury prone and the self-satisfied laugh he gave in an interview at the end of his loan spell when asked if he wanted to stay at Reading should discourage us from a move now.

[Matt de K]

Wasn't Zamora scoring some (really) good goals at the beginning of this season??

[ScottishRoyal]

Zamora would be decent business and a combination of him and Doyle or Lita should work well. He has a good ability to hold the ball up and does well with the ball at his feet.

I thought Mullins might be a good purchase, but they seem to absolutely hate him in the East End (sorry Essex).

A move he'd welcome then, he is local and started in our youth setup. That saisd I don't think a midfielder is needed as much as defenders.

[Maguire]

The bling bling crowd at WHU are Reo-Coker, Mullins, Konchesky and Harewood according to the ST holder here in my office.

Konchesky the token white boy, included in the crew just to stave of accusations of racism.

[Northern Git]

Sheff United web sites now say that Col U have turned down a bid of £2.5 million from the Blades for Greg Halford

Cannot see us stumping up that much for him - unless he is very special.

[RoyalBlue]

Agreed. It would appear they want silly money for someone unproven. Can't see us topping (probably not even matching) what has already been offered.

However, the public discussion of bids for him must be unsettling and they may find their hand is somewhat forced.

[RoyalBlue]

As I've said before, Zamora has made it clear in the past how much he respects Coppell and how much he would like to play under him again. I would suggest if Coppell is in for him that the respect is a two way street and that there would be no attitude problems.

Also I think a few are assuming that he is one of the West Ham players with an attitude problem without any real proof to back that up.

To be honest I can't see someone like Sidwell being really friendly with anyone who has a bad attitude towards the game and his responsibilities as a pro. Regardless of the contract issue, Sidwell is too much of a model pro for that.

Also, I felt Zamora was one of the few West Ham players who continued to battle throughout on Saturday.

[Platypuss]

Well, probably.

Overseas bids
Nick affirmed that there is very little chance of anybody joining the Club from overseas at this stage, citing the necessarily adjustment time for any foreign player.

"It's almost guaranteed there'll be no signings from abroad. There's a time of adjustment when players come in from overseas.

"If you sign a player now and want them to affect the first team then they need to be up and running. So it's more likely to be players from over here.

"That remains the case unless someone becomes available that we're well aware of. It's unlikely but you never know."

[The whole year inn]

I am not at all easy with Reading paying 2.5 million for a player with limited 2nd tier experience, let alone Premiership.

But what do I know?

[total_biscuit]

I am not at all easy with Reading paying 2.5 million for a player with limited 2nd tier experience, let alone Premiership.

But what do I know?

Exactly. Before we get too carried away with spending the kitty, let's just remember that £2.5m is nearly double our previous record.

I know we're in a bigger league now and are expected to pay more but that sort of price tag also puts a burden on the shoulders of the player involved. It takes a certain mentality not to let it affect you especially if you're still inexperienced. I know nothing about Halfords personality and he may be as chilled out as Doyle seems to be, in which case it is unlikely to be a problem. However, it requires good scouting and intelligence-gathering to answer that question.

TB

[The whole year inn]

I don't buy all this England U20 business either. Some incredibly ordinary players have turned out for the U20's in recent times, it means next to nothing IMO.

[Dirk Gently]

I don't buy all this England U20 business either. Some incredibly ordinary players have turned out for the U20's in recent times, it means next to nothing IMO.

You're right - they usually make sure they have someone who plays at the ground hosting the game, to help the attendence - a la Nathan Tyson at the MadStad.

Yes he did very well, but that was his only game for them - which happened to be when it was played here.....

[exileinleeds]

I think one thing that Steve has to be looking for, is a possible replacement for Sidders if he is not going to renew....his will not be easy boots to fill.

[royaldownunder]

I am not at all easy with Reading paying 2.5 million for a player with limited 2nd tier experience, let alone Premiership.

But what do I know?

They obviously aren't keen to see him go - being as we are now in the premiership, it means paying inflated prices for players we would have bought for half the price had we been a championship side...

Lucky for us, Sir Coppell's a scouse miser and will only part with the cash if it's absolutely worth it!

[royaldownunder]

I think one thing that Steve has to be looking for, is a possible replacement for Sidders if he is not going to renew....his will not be easy boots to fill.

Reckon Sidders'll stay - reports in the media and from RFC website are looking promising...

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hli ... ding+talks

[The whole year inn]

I am not at all easy with Reading paying 2.5 million for a player with limited 2nd tier experience, let alone Premiership.

But what do I know?

They obviously aren't keen to see him go - being as we are now in the premiership, it means paying inflated prices for players we would have bought for half the price had we been a championship side...

Lucky for us, Sir Coppell's a scouse miser and will only part with the cash if it's absolutely worth it!

True. Having seen so many big money transfers flop it is natural for caution.

Either way, if the transfer happens, I see it happening sooner rather than later giving Geraint Williams time to find a replacement/spend some of the transfer money