Worrying

I'm not quite as concerned. Freeman is a good player but that is where it stops. Good player. He isn't indispensable. Personally I feel he can blow hot and cold, can be a bit greedy and a lot of his assists come from corners and due to Smith's ability in the air.

We should be looking for top dollar for any of our players and I'd want more for Freeman but we have to start to acknowledge that this (improving players then selling them) is going to happen time and time again. It has to for the club to survive.

We bought Freeman for £250,000 and could sell him for £3 million 18 months later. That is still good business even if we all think the fee is ridiculous.

We need to be like Southampton were a few years ago - selling our best players but finding another player to come in to replace them, help them progress and sell them for a bigger fee too down the line.

If Freeman does leave we have Wheeler, Smyth, Chair, Manning and Cousins who could replace him out wide or in the middle.

It is all well and good Tony saying that but he is for sale at the right price. Like every player is.

It will make Tony look stupid now if somebody comes along with £6 million and we do sell him! He should just stay quiet sometimes, let the rumours blow over.

Exactly my thoughts! I would not be unhappy if we sold him for £5m - £6m, even though some other transfers are attracting higher rates in the Championship, because he is replaceable. The midfield is the one area we have good alternatives waiting for their chance...

What about the number 5 shirt? This still needs to be filled, doesn't it?

It would seem more likely for players out on loan from top Premier sides to go to a lower Premier side, purely because they are the only ones getting enough from Sky to pay the inflated wages. Having said that, perhaps we will get a lower Premier League defender and/or striker; or another 'problem child' like Ravel Morrison? 

Are you reading these blog posts Sir Less.....? [If so, see above good suggestion.]