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The sixth one appears to have a number 8 included at the end?

I'd take Europe via winning this cup, to be fair For clubs not competing in Europe the extra fixtures aren't too onerous and I think Martinez will rotate the squad a bit more.

Leicester have just signed Arsenal defender Ignasi Miguel so I wonder if that means they're not interested in Duffy any more, or if he turned it down.

<br />To be fair, I don't think that's his game. He's more the 'assist the assister' glue of the midfield who breaks up play and redistributes the ball to the attacking players. His stats for interceptions and completed passes were way up there last season.<br />

It's the same as previous years. We played Leyton Orient at the end of August last year.

I agree and I just had to check when he's contracted to. I'm relieved to see it's June 2017!

He's a 22-year-old who could be our midfield glue for the next ten years so I'd be comfortable with us paying £10-12m (preferably less, of course!) , which would leave the same again for 1-2 other additions.

Could be. It's definitely a golden opportunity for the manager to give some game time to the younger and fringe players.

If any club is prepared to give him his one last payday and take him off our payroll, and pay a decent transfer fee too, I'm all for that

I think the biggest obstacle would be Johnny's wages as Ajax won't pay the sort of money he's on here. Even if we made up the difference for the final year of his contract, it would depend on Heitinga being willing to drop to a lower wage at Ajax.

I really wasn't sure either way when I first saw it, but it's growing on me. It will be helpful to see it 'in the flesh'. I think.

No. I think we and he had gone stale and we were overdue a change.

Looks like they're ready to move Downing on at a potental loss of £15m after two years. If only we had that sort of money to waste.... http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/05/liverpool-stewart-downing-newcastle

Interesting interview with him in the Echo. I didn't realise Roberto had tried to sign him previously, and it's good to read that he's feeling fitter this pre-season and that the team's setup this year suits him much better: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/exclusive-steven-naismith-says-hell-5666727

If the above is true, I think this is the right way to proceed. Either move him on in this window while his value is at its peak, or sign him up for the rest of his career and stop the six-monthly speculation. Although I suppose if he has a storming World Cup next year then there's every chance there might be one more flurry of interest this time next year... :shaking fist:

He's playing for Wigan now so you're probably right Ricky van Wolfswinkel on the other hand is supposedly quite rapid.

Yes there are regular bus services up to the ground - some details here on the official site: http://www.evertonfc.com/tickets/by-bus-or-train.html

Loic Remy has joined Newcastle on a season long loan from QPR: http://tyneandwear.sky.com/newcastleunited/article/76377/newcastle-united-sign-loic-remy-on-season-long-loan-deal-from

The Echo's Greg O'Keefe has tweeted this evening "#EFC will unveil their new away kit tomorrow and can assure you it looks great."

There are two including ours on Tuesday, then the 3rd-place play-off and the final on Wednesday.

I will try. I've enjoyed what I've seen in the previous two games and I think we'll be more evenly matched in this one and therefore get a better idea of how we might set up once the season is under way. Also looking forward to seeing more of the new and younger players.

Told ya! :-)

Someone like Stones, with a bit of pace and very comfortable on the ball, but also 6ft 2ins tall already, will be ideal in either CB or RB role.

He's clearly resting ahead of a starring cameo appearance this evening

Great passing and creativity. Yes, please! A quick search shows recent links with the likes of Chelsea and Man City in this country alone, so it would be a massive coup if we could get him here.