thomas

Because Azpilicueta and James were ahead of him in the pecking order and even a very good 17-18 year old wasn't going to get a sniff? It's a wonder there's a hefty sell-on if they didn't think much of him.

it's class.

Only 32C with 50% humidity. Every journo tweet makes it sound like they're in danger of melting

I've seen the universe where the club is still grimly trying to hold on to top flight status under Ashley and we're all still here posting more frequent+disturbing "ironic" posts involving self harm over football.

I also hope a thing which has no danger of happening continues to not happen. Minimum 3 more players in or we riot, though.

kind of crazy Emery looks so composed when howards tongue is wedged 43.7m up his arse.

Take away their 2 goals and villa are comfortably losing this.

Finally someone brave enough to say it

Absolutely. I believe in our FFP constraints and have never opposed the sale. I was just thinking the "we can sell ASM to buy 3 more players because of bookkeeping wizardry" lines usually neglected the need to make up the rest of those transfer fees at some point anyway. If it helps bring Barnes+1 more in I'd be happy. If the 35m is spread across 4 players I think things get tight/scarier next season without some Eales & co magic.

it helps a little bit but, if spread over 2 or 3 more players, it really only covers a year or so's worth of amortization, no? the rest of it will still need to be made up somehow. we still need massive, massive improvements on the commercial side to continue growing.

I'm simultaneously relieved and a little disappointed (as I'd love to see the reaction of other clubs' fans ) that we didn't try some snide 150m transfer

call me an unsentimental prick but i'm completely fine with this

wonder if dyer v bowyer's him in a friendly

weird chant but still better than most in here.

Ready made replacement for De Gea now that they've let him go on a free. Already spent time at the club, seasoned pro. Reckon a cut rate price of £25m for our good friends in the north west should do.

"take away his goals he's crap" is definitely a take

Aye. Been running full tilt for 20 years and the last 2 years it's really caught up. Would have been Geremi 2.0.

100% Very Bond villain approach, similar to dealing with captured spies Place a bid in a room, then leave, come back in 4 weeks assuming everything went to plan.

never forget

What did Pardew ever do to you except provide exciting front foot football

Tbh I was just saying ridiculous shit to get a rise as the thread had veered stupidly off topic.

Potentially unpopular opinion but it was Ben Arfa who failed Pardew, not the other way around.

Nice to see Stephen Merchant staying busy