midds

Sharp as a dart, wor Al.

I heard someone talking about this on the radio on the way home from the match, and found it hard to disagree. They were saying that, whilst Barton had a point with a lot of the things he said - in fact, it was hard to disagree with him - there was never going to be any positive outcome for him from saying them when he did. For all the talk - which is true - that these comments get far more adverse attention because he's Joey Barton, he himself more than anyone should be acutely aware of that, and therefore of the wisdom of making comments like this. I'd go along with that. He's clearly not a thick bloke and has enough between the ears to guage the reaction of Joe Public to what he says. If he wants to give interviews and raise his profile in the media then that's his prerogative and I'd always back him 100% on speaking his mind. Doesn't always make it the right decision though. I'd be telling him to treat the media with the contempt they deserve.

He's fair game. His past will never be forgotten and used against him as and when they see fit. Personally, as much as I agree with a lot of what he comes out with, I'd be tempted to keep as low a profile as possible if I were him.

Keep our best players and add 2 or 3 more of the quality of Tiote, Enrique, Barton, Colo. Get that right and the results will look after themselves.

Don't like it. Didn't like the one before either, nor the one before that, the one before that and the one before that. Spotting a pattern tbh.

Nolan mops that shit up all day.

http://nuke.akkussamondra.com/Portals/0/stig4.jpg http://www.dr.dk/NR/rdonlyres/F75D655C-1548-4A85-B4AE-9EEAFEB430CD/159824/408.jpg Stig Tofting. 100% radgee.

3 game ban would be a bonus. Won't happen like.

Still think it's an April Fools.

Got to shortlist it down to Colo, Enrique, Tiote, Barton, Nolan or Carroll*. I think I'd go for Enrique but wouldn't be too disappointed to see Colo, Barton or Tiote get it. Nolan's gone awol too much in games but 12 goals is superb. *I know he plays for those cunts but it still seems a bit churlish to ignore how fucking good he was for us until he was sold.

I think he could cause mayhem played in a free role behind a mobile striker. Problem is we haven't bought this striker yet. He could do well on either wing too but the biggest impact/upgrade for the XI atm would be to start him up front in the place of Lovenkrands.

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.