Move for Colback in the summer?

Not convinced how good he is but could be an alright squad player I guess.

Never rated him. Then again, he would be free so very low risk, and if Bobby rates him, I'll give him a chance!

I really don't like this guy's attitude.

Let's all laugh at David Moyes...

Couldn't happen to a better person!

Viva Martinez

He would be a good acquisition for the blues. Good back up for Barry and McCarthy.

Freebies are always good! Go get him RM!

I've always thought he looked a very good player. For free, why not.

Come on a ton in the last 12 months. Handy lad to have around.

no thanks

Save the wages for someone else, free contract or not - he is not good enough

I was just wondering, do you think RM consults his team or highly skilled football scout's or do you think RM logs onto TW, takes on board our views regarding out of contract players and then proceeds accordingly. Not sure if it's just me, but I'm betting he don't give fuck what we think.

Pretty sure the scouts mainly. Not sure the TW part (I read Hughes did that at Stoke) but you never know. However, if he only watches the online videos to form an opinion, I'll be greatly disturbed! I would trust he uses more of tapes and scout reports. If I were to read TW or any other site, I might be more inclined to read tactics related stuff than transfer targets.

He actually looked good against us on Boxing Day, tidy and kept possession well, Free transfer so worth a punt.

Dennis. His recruitment staff will be all over the place eyeing up available talent. If the reports are extra special he will take a look for himself. I believe he spent many a cold afternoon watching McCarthy up in Kilmarnock and he takes the odd trip to watch McGeady play for The Republic. This week he has been in Scotland to have another look at the Dundee lads but I've yet to hear of him visiting Blackpool to weigh up Ince or visiting Sunderland to have a closer look at Colback.

With such a tight budget he can't afford to bring in people who might do a job. He has to be 100% sure that they have the character, personality and ability to fit in perfectly. No stone will be left unturned.

According to these newspaper "sources" Martinez is an admirer of a vast number of players. Maybe he is but, from what we've seen so far, he's not likely to blab about it. He'll have his targets but he won't be pinning them up on the notice board.

Harold, the great season we have so far makes this transfer season particularly exciting. How much can he do with so little in hand? It's a bit like watching something grow and reach a next stage of maturity.

Our players themselves can challenge top teams any day, but our depth always hinder us as we try to pry open tougher opponents with a airtight game plan or when we're hit with suspensions and injuries. So far, the later 2 seemed less of an issue, though we have proven short again on the first, e.g. Sunderland & Stoke.

It is annoying to mix this excitement and anticipation with all the rumors going around, but hey, at least this year, we're least worried about "do we have to sell player x y and z?" I guess McGeady and the Dundee boys are pretty much a lock then. Both Ince and Colback are probably reuse rumors then. The sad part is, we still don't have the habit to get business done early...

Dennis - do the business early? Where's the fun in that?

Wasn't he the fucker who scored against us on the 26th, bastard - our recent ginger record is not great ......

David, the fun comes....wait for it....when we can add more players for the rest of the window.

Never mind... It's my habit more than anything. Eager to get things started... Or in this case continuing.

#437 Paul. How dare you criticise Mark Pembridge!

Dennis. Like you I'm permanently perched on the edge of my seat. Whether McGeady and the Dundee lads are mortal locks I really couldn't say but they are certainly getting the McCarthy treatment.

As you so rightly pointed out, we are very short in several areas of the pitch. Martinez is well ahead of us because he will have had offers for players and must have a fair idea of who is likely to depart. These holes have to be filled by players who will improve the squad. It all sounds easy but I'll bet it isn't. Especially in the Winter window.

As for Ince and Colback. Who knows? The former is being chased by half the country but might have his heart set on Everton. It's another case of certain people knowing more than we do.

We seem to be getting linked with every player out of contract in the summer now.

When I watch Sunderland (on TV), Colback always seems to be the player at the heart of things. He's definitely useful, whether he's suitable I don't know.

With Roberto's Spanish/Barcelona ties I'm surprised we haven't been linked to Cristian Tello yet or maybe even the media linking Baines in a swap deal for Mata.

The month is still young!