midds

Tbf, the figures are not important when you've got a bottomless pit to spend. They won't give a toss how much they paid for them.

Good comparison with Viana. I'm a bit old fashioned in as much as I'd like to see our CM's grab hold of the game by the scruff of the neck and dictate things in there. Control the middle of the park and let the strikers and wingers do the damage. Don't recall Emre doing this more than a few times in his time here.

Emre was all fart and no shite. Clearly talented but seldom showed it. His goal against the mackems was his own personal get out of jail free card.

and 'Ashley's back pocket'.

Quite looking forward to them tbh. I like knowing either how bad/good it's been. FACTS ftw.

To encourage your best player to submit a transfer request, whoever told him to, looks pretty bad. It certainly doesn't look like we put up much of a fight to keep him and the contract situation could have been discussed and a compromise reached (small basic rise + increased bonuses or whatever). We obviously don't know the true events of the end of Jan but something doesn't ring true.

May not be the main motivation but I bet that particular ticky box is pretty high up on the list. The deal needs to be right and the player needs games if he's going to be sold on/flogged for a lot of money. Signing a cheap player and letting them sit on the bench won't benefit anyone. They need to do the business a la Carroll/Tiote/Enrique if we're going to turn a decent profit on them. Signing knackers because they're cheap won't fill the coffers.

I do think we're targeting players who, for a variety of reasons, may be seen as 'going cheap'. The contract may be winding down, they may be walking on a Bosman, they may have fallen out with the manager, carrying an injury...whatever. Sign 'em low, sell 'em high.

Great goal tbf. Awful from Lescott (again) like it has it be said

Dreadful attempt.

Fuck him. He's just another player now.

I hope they kick the living shit out of each other.

Rio Ferdinand got it spot on when he told/motioned to Taylor that he was playing up to the crowd deliberately. He nailed Ronaldo late near the touchline and got away with it iirc. Generally comes across as a fucking prick.

Nobodys getting on a high horse, just a discussion. Can you see any long term benefits in employing this approach? Not really, but then again it depends if we use it as a springboard to greater success. Like Spurs have done. Yep. All depends what percentage of the 'profits' we make on these players is pumped back into the team. If Ashley wants to make a success of NUFC then consistent investment in the playing side of things is essential.

Tidied up a bit.

Is Alan there? Is he still driving that Renault Megane?

Shabani Honda.

Nice to hear a bit of positivity in the press for us. Wishful thinking but if it's true then it may help to persuade the likes of Gervinho. Can't do any harm anyway.

Today? 10.

Pleased Doyle knackered his knee. Nothing personal, I hope he makes a full recovery. Just not before the end of this season please Kev - take your time.

Dunne looks like he's been dragged out of the Dog & Duck to play tonight.

What a goal to concede. Fucking hell, bang on HT. They need fucking shooting for that.

Fucked his knee. Got subbed straight away and he's already been ruled out of your game on Tuesday and is having a scan on it tomorrow. Doesn't sound very positive but you never know.

Sounds very much like Doyle could be out for our game at the weekend.

That's fucking dreadful keeping. Straight out of the Harper textbook.