midds

Can't understand the vitriol tbh. He's done nothing wrong imo and certainly doesn't deserve the slagging he's getting. Just because he supports Spurs doesn't mean he should have to put up with this.

Who sings the version of the Blaydon Races that's played over the tannoy just before kick off by the way?

Ddin't realise you were into that kind of action Skirge. You little minx.

Adidas obviously knew what they were doing....

I'm sure they've made the draw for the next round before all of the ties in the current round have been played in previous years.

Never seen the point in clubs 'rejecting' transfer requests from unhappy players. What did they do, stick their fingers in their ears and go "la, la, la, la, can't hear you, la, la, la"? If he wants away then they should do the sensible thing and try to get the best deal they can for him. Rejecting it just seems petty and futile. It's a difficult one. Obviously, Everton must be pissed off. They offer him a better deal and extension about a year ago and then he does this. What's the point in a contract? Couldn't agree more but at least Lescott has had the decency to ask for a transfer which means he probably forgoes any loyalty bonuses written into his contract. He's being open about it and he wants a transfer where he'll undoubtedly sign an even better contract at City than the improved one he's currently on. If I wanted to move to a different company on a much better wage, I'd resign and start work at the new place without any problems at all. Can't see how Everton, or any club, can possibly refuse a player a move if they've put a formal transfer request in.

Never seen the point in clubs 'rejecting' transfer requests from unhappy players. What did they do, stick their fingers in their ears and go "la, la, la, la, can't hear you, la, la, la"? If he wants away then they should do the sensible thing and try to get the best deal they can for him. Rejecting it just seems petty and futile. Get more money? Surely a player they are resigned to losing would cost less than one they expect to keep! Once a player formally says he wants away it's a bit daft, imo, to keep him. I'm assuming they've tried to convince him to stay but they've obviously failed. His head's been turned and he's going. Best thing they can do is to strike the best deal they possibly can. Everton should tell City they can speak to him this afternoon if they cough up £20m. That gives Everton plenty of time to replace him before the window closes. The more they refuse to accept the situation the less time it leaves to replace him.

Never seen the point in clubs 'rejecting' transfer requests from unhappy players. What did they do, stick their fingers in their ears and go "la, la, la, la, can't hear you, la, la, la"? If he wants away then they should do the sensible thing and try to get the best deal they can for him. Rejecting it just seems petty and futile.

Still have a great deal of difficulty believing Ashley is so obtuse that he thinks the value of the club is going to rise the longer he holds out. It's just bizarre. How can it be so obvious to so may people yet still he thinks he can broker a better deal for himself while the club falls a little bit further behind each day that he holds out?

Ah the media's good old, 'Newcastle-foreign-defender-signed-for-big-money-so-he-must-be-shit' syndrome. To be fair he has looked dodgy but every mistake has been pounced on. The bloke was thrown into a relegation battle in his first season in a new league and no allowances whatsoever were made for him.

1-0. Shola.

Needs to seriously adapt his game for this league. Keep it simple and don't fuck about. He's obviously got ability but needs to get his head around what's needed this season and it's not playing his way out of trouble.

September 6th. The harsh reality of the situation might just start to hit home a few days after the window shuts.

On to my third bin liner full of shirts now. I'll do a full list when I can be arsed.

All depends what time the paperwork was completed. We all saw him posing in the shirt but if the paperwork didn't actually go through until after 7pm on Saturday night then I can't see the problem. However, if they had the paperwork done then surely it's Bassong who's suspended for the game, regardless of who he plays for? All pretty irrelevant as far as we're concerned though, nothing much to get too worked up at.

Just before we play them. Champion.

He's an absolute twat of a human being but we're a better team with him in the middle of the park. At the end of the day, I want what's best for the team. If he's doing the business lots of fans can put up with him being a twat.

The point is that he's only going to get better if he's actually playing. Getting splinters on his arse waiting for someone to have the bollocks to drop Harper isn't going to improve him. He needs time on the park.

Pretty much every game he played at the back end of last season? Absolute garbage Good old Stevie. He's dead loyal you know.

Played very well I thought. He seemed a bit twitchy but I think that will pass after a few games. He's young, ambitious and he'll get even better whereas Harper is very much on the way down (but still a decent keeper though). It's a no-brainer tbh.

2-2.

I'm guessing the other managers have got a good handle on who is worth buying from us and who is shite. Hence, the players we all liked last season have been snapped up and the dross is still here - it's not a co-incidence.

What did you expect? Other clubs to take the shite of our hands for massive money? The likes of Butt, Smith and Geremi to attract interest from loads of clubs? Unfortunately, the managers of other clubs have eyes.

Interviewed at a FIFA 10 press event I think, it's not like he's come out looking for this. Didn't realise. Still think he'd have been better of keeping things like that to himself though tbh. Doesn't really inspire confidence in the spirit of the camp when you hear this sort of stuff even if it is understandable. Which is why I think he shouldn't have said it. The fans will read it, his colleagues will read it and I'm struggling to see what it's achieved. Just confirming that it's been a fucking shambles for a while, which we all knew anyway.