midds

Would this knowledge come from someone who has Ranger directly in front of him in the pecking order by any chance?

This. Nice to see he's got a bit of bottle, he'll need it. Can't understand anyone expecting us to go on like choirboys. Bonkers.

Shola doesn't seem to improve with games and that's why I thought it was pointless. Granted, and he never will tbh. Shola's Shola. He can score goals against shite though which was precisely the job that needed doing tonight. Him playing, and scoring, gave Carroll the night off etc. We're going to play him this season so we may as well try to keep him 'sharp'. Well, as 'sharp' as Shola gets...

What makes you think ST will agree to go now just because the club have put him on the transfer list? Got a feeling that Ashley is the type of person who'll let him sit and not play for the whole of the season if he doesn't sign or leave. No evidence to back it up, just a hunch.

I thought that Shola playing was pointless, other than that I agree. I'd give all of the kids games in both cups but possibly add a few more experienced players next to them to help bring them on. It's 90 mins under his belt and it also gets him off the mark though. Ditto for Lovenkrands I suppose.

Hughton got this one spot on and the kids didn't let anyone down. The entire first XI are nicely rested for Saturday (as opposed to Wolves who played for 2 hours last night) and Hughton got to see 90 mins of some of the squad who he'll undoubtedly have to call on at some point this season. Accrington were competitive and had a pop but the lads dealt with them admirably. Hope Hughton gives some of them another run out regardless of who we draw in the next round.

Lescott on loan for a year. Well he's got to go somewhere!!

We'd be into extra time now had Harper been playing.

The main bugbear for me is the fact it'll look shit and won't benefit us financially. If some other company was pumping £5m a year into the club to have the name plastered all over the shop I wouldn't really mind. It's the fact we'll have the advertising with none/little(?) of the cash coming in. All based on the assumption that Ashley won't be digging too deep to make this happen obviously.

He's a gangsta, he uses knives not guns Guns for show, knives for a pro.

Genuine mate, no doubt. Christ...

This legit or a wind-up?

Should be game over now. Let's just see it out chaps.

Fantastic strike. Credit to Ranger who took the full back another 10 yards towards his goal to allow Taylor to get within range.

If the reports of the club offering him £40k a week are true then that's a fair offer. It would appear to be a decent increase on his current one and would have had a relegation clause in it which the board got slammed for not including in previous contracts dished out. If Taylor was asking for £60k then that is totally unrealistic and Ashley was/is never going to agree to that. I don't blame him for starting high in the haggling process but £60k and reusing to budge (if these reports are true) is taking the piss. Reading between the lines it would appear that the club have called his bluff and made sure the public know that it was Taylor trying to be a greedy twat that has forced the situation. Taylor's position is basically untenable now, he's painted himself into a corner. The only slight criticism that could be levelled at the club is that they've listed him with only 6 days of the window to go rather than with a month or two left to drum up a bit of interest and force his price up a bit. Other than that the club have played this one well.

Arsenal are short of CH's... Wouldn't be surprised if he ends up there for about £3m.

Not got a problem with this at all. If he doesn't want to sign the contract then it's best that he leaves. No idea how much he wanted or how much we offered but the 2 numbers obviously weren't close enough.

How many times have you watched him? How is ths relevant? Do I have to watch a player a certain number of times before I can say he's a good like?

How exactly? Am I wrong in remebering that Marseille pulled out of the agreement? Depends on who and what you believe. I believe there was a deal to be done weeks ago before it generated into a saga and we fudged it because we were tight c***s. That's my belief and I've got no way of proving or disproving it btw. Wasn't that deal dependant on us buying him if we stayed up or he played 25 league games. Would you have agreed to that if it was your decision? Yes - in a heartbeat. Why? That presents numerous problems, just look at Dindane's loan to Pompey for one example. It's a heck of a gamble. If it didn't work out we'd still sell him on for a small profit or loss. He's a quality player and clubs are always looking for good players and most are prepared to pay for them. Not exactly rocket science tbh. That's just risible nonsense, man. No one wants to fork out anything for him right now, despite his obvious talent and Marseille being desperate to get rid. Yet you'd expect us to make a profit on this obvious loon and trouble-maker after a season that "didn't work out"? I didn't say I'd expect to make a small profit on him. I suggested we'd roughly get back what we paid for him give or take a million or so either way (similar to Martins). Hence small loss or small profit. Someone's going to get hold of this lad and get the best out of him, I'd like it to be us and I think he's worth the gamble is all I'm saying.

He's quality. He'll always be in demand from clubs who have a manager who can handle his type of character. He'll always have offers.

How exactly? Am I wrong in remebering that Marseille pulled out of the agreement? Depends on who and what you believe. I believe there was a deal to be done weeks ago before it generated into a saga and we fudged it because we were tight c***s. That's my belief and I've got no way of proving or disproving it btw. Wasn't that deal dependant on us buying him if we stayed up or he played 25 league games. Would you have agreed to that if it was your decision? Yes - in a heartbeat. Why? That presents numerous problems, just look at Dindane's loan to Pompey for one example. It's a heck of a gamble. If it didn't work out we'd still sell him on for a small profit or loss. He's a quality player and clubs are always looking for good players and most are prepared to pay for them. Not exactly rocket science tbh.

How exactly? Am I wrong in remebering that Marseille pulled out of the agreement? Depends on who and what you believe. I believe there was a deal to be done weeks ago before it generated into a saga and we fudged it because we were tight c***s. That's my belief and I've got no way of proving or disproving it btw. Wasn't that deal dependant on us buying him if we stayed up or he played 25 league games. Would you have agreed to that if it was your decision? Yes - in a heartbeat.

How exactly? Am I wrong in remebering that Marseille pulled out of the agreement? Depends on who and what you believe. I believe there was a deal to be done weeks ago before it generated into a saga and we fudged it because we were tight cunts. That's my belief and I've got no way of proving or disproving it btw.

...then sack the useless twat a month later.

A loan deal (with or without an option to buy) could and should have been sewn up weeks ago for the lad. Squabbling over a few hundred grand is going to cost us. Good players cost good money.