midds

Another release clause jobby?

They're trying to improve their squad by investing money into it. I don't think they've bought particularly well but they're trying to be better than they currently are. If the new owner is sticking his hand in his pocket and backing his managers judgement then good on him. At least they're having a go. No idea if it will work out or not for them like.

Course you do, you're a miserable bastard.

Better than he has been so far but desperately needs a goal. I think he'll come good but it'll take time.

Flat as a fart both on and off the park. That block of away fans was only about 3/4 full too... Not quite sure how we've managed to muster 7 points from our 3 games so far. There's no discernible tactic or pattern of play other than to just throw it up front and see what happens. We do look good on set pieces though. We've rode our luck a bit but we've got 7 points out of 9 and are into the next round of the Cup. The frustrating thing is that the cash is there to improve the glaring gaps in the XI but I'm not convinced we've got the ambition to fill them and have a real go at doing well this season. It's there, does Ashley want it as much as we do?

11pm. or 4am if you're Spurs.

Bit out of the blue, that one.

You're absolutely right but even then I don't think he gives a fuck about our reaction anyway regardless of the timing. He simply doesn't care.

Exactly. It's mental to write him off as of yet, although people are just giving honest assessments of what they've seen from him so far. Not sure why Jon's getting so defensive. He'll take time to bed in but I still think he'll get us about a dozen this season. Not sure if Pardew knows how to get the best out of him yet but it'll click. Just a matter of being patient and finding the best partner for him.

He's looked poor so far but he's got to get better. Hasn't he?

We've not beaten Fulham for a while but I think we'll win today but it'll be tight. I'll go 2-1. Ba needs a goal to get him going.

New rule: the only players who are allowed to instigate a conversation with the referee are the captains. Punishment = immediate yellow card. Problem stops within a month. Yup. I agree with this, but the first couple of weekends would be a complete farce. We'd have players being sent off in every match and the FA and the refs in general would take an insane amount of criticism. If they were resolute then I agree that it would stop within a month, but the FA haven't shown leadership in any key areas so far so this will never happen, and if it does, they would probably give up on it after the first few red cards. Exactly. It would need a few weeks of farce to bed in. Teams finishing with 7 men and conceding 6 or 7 etc. If there's a grievance it goes through the captain. The players complain to their captain who takes it to the ref. The stupid 'come on ref' is eliminated and the game flows without the officials being sworn at/abused/hassled. Players need to show respect.

New rule: the only players who are allowed to instigate a conversation with the referee are the captains. Punishment = immediate yellow card. Problem stops within a month. Grey area, though, what's deemed 'instigating a conversation'? A player might instictively say "ah, come on ref" or "I never touched him" or whatever and that's a booking? That's too excessive imo. I agree that the crowding round refs needs to stop etc, and that the only players involved should be the player the ref wishes to speak to and the captain - but a rule like that would stomp the life out of a game. You should be allowed to appeal for a decision respectfully - often if you don't ask, you don't get. That's a yellow under my rules. You keep your mouth shut. 'Instinctively' doesn't come into it. It'll take a month.

Can't be far away tbh. Not exactly the picture of health, is he? Bet his heart's got some fucking strain on it? Does he smoke?

Almost certain that Warnock will play Barton in the middle of the park. I reckon he'll crash and burn by November.

Never knew that.

Extra European cash? Not that much. I'm sure it's only worth about £8m if you get to the final and they've only just qualified. Where is their cash coming from?

Where are Stoke getting £20m from?

New rule: the only players who are allowed to instigate a conversation with the referee are the captains. Punishment = immediate yellow card. Problem stops within a month.

Good man, cheers mate.

The bloke who works in the room opposite me?

It's a very good cause.

Wonder what he'll come out with if Chelsea put 3 or 4 past them in their next game... Pressure's building.

Fucking hate Liverpool.

It's Bruce's email to the fans. I changed the 'Dear mackem' bit but the rest is as verbatim.