I thought Tomkins was alright at DM, Iain. He broke up the play nicely and got comfortable in positional awareness after a while. And it freed up Noble to roam. Not a bad Plan B I think

Good at the back but Ilunga sloppy and we need a new LB. Midfield as good as you'd expect with Taylor also good but Sears and Piq wasteful and a bit careless. Early days and nerves to the fore but we need a bit more quality up front

7m has got to be the minimum - which might mean ruling out a sale. I think he is much maligned. remember the goal v Spurs? Grant played him on his own without anyone to play off him most of last season. Zola got his confidence up and so will BFS. He was on the fringe of the England squad last season and he has the quality to really shine in the Championship. We'd be mad to sell him for a pittance. I'd like to see him stay and succeed.

I really hope you and your dad enjoy it. i will try to as well. Of course I will. But everyone who has been there has said - even if they have tried to be polite about bollocks like "sightlines" (if you need to make up a word like that it HAS to be a lie!) they have also said that the seats are a million miles away from the pitch. Why would you deny it?

There isn't a team in Europe who has started with an athletic track around their pitch who hasn't tried to change it. Some have moved mile as a result of it. Let's not get blinkered, to use your words, to the fact that our "owners" have sacrificed football for their own pockets.

Please Iain, can you make sure this site is not the last refuge of the bumlickers to Gold and Sullivan. So what if Mr McNulty has been a West London West ham supporting bloke for years - would he have got a line in this site if he hadn't been semi-famous? His west London sentimentality seems prepared to overlook the binocular-bending view of the pitch in the "OS". As does the ridiculous herd mentality which says it wants big crowds and success but will actually get a wasteland and further demotion in the MFI hell of the place that only Alan Partridge could love. Please can we all get real - and for goodness' sake please can we stop letting minor politicians (God forbid) or even more minor celebrities pretend that the truth of the "OS" is ..... it hasn't been designed for football

Now that would be a team! I'd fly from Singapore to watch that! I'd be fine with Konchesky back in the Championship, can't think of a RB though. But it won't happen!

Good post. I think he's worth getting behind, though I never thought I'd say it!

Yes, terrific. I spend too much time on them, though!

Couldn't have said it better

I think we should give him a chance, Iain! It's not as if, apart from a few games under Zola, and a few inspired moments from Tevez, we've played much beautiful football over the last few years. I must admit, I've always thought Fat Sam has a face you'd never tire of punching, but his record with under performing and poorly resourced teams has been remarkable. Our defence has been made out of icing sugar the last few years and he'll bring some spirit to the team at least. I have a feeling he will do us proud, and anyway I'm going to give I'm a chance! I have to say I'm looking forward to the next phase, clearing out the underachievers and starting again with a bit of passion.

Are you returning via Singapopre, Iain?