Dinho lad

Eh? All I was saying is that talent alone is, most of the time, not enough to accomplish your achievements. I was simply linking the most two "dominating" factors in general, which are talent and the mental attributes that I mentioned. I fully realise that there are other variables that would prevent someone reaching their potential, but did you really expect me to name all of them??! If anything, it's the HBA fanboys/cryboys club members that always go on about the one thing, his talent, but rarely mention about the other factors that fucked up his career here. (Apart from Pardew, of course.)

If talent alone was the most decisive factor in football, then we wouldn't have cloggers like Cattermole and Colback. Clearly talent mean fuck all (unless, when you retire, play beach football or something like that) if you're not smart when working hard on honing your attributes. Great achievements or great ability is mostly down to determination, hard and smart work, knowledge, persistence, etc. I'd say talent is only about 10-20%. Hence why someone like HBA failed in realising his potential. Because he certainly didn't come across as hard working, smart or determined.

What's wrong with showing recognition to someone who entertains you? weird thing to complain about tbh. He's certainly is a rare breed, yes. But I'm pissed off at at throwing his NUFC career away. (He's to blame as much as Pardew) 100% wrong Errrrmmm..... ....nah.

Fucking new page wanker at least three times today!!

What's wrong with showing recognition to someone who entertains you? weird thing to complain about tbh. He's certainly is a rare breed, yes. But I'm pissed off at at throwing his NUFC career away. (He's to blame as much as Pardew)

Fucking hell, Rafa. Good read, that.

Not willing to carry the rest of the team on it? or it could be the effect of Mitro's own fitness staff's training? (Not that I necessarily believe those recent whispers.)

Oh well, at least reading people crying about him is quite entertaining.

It would be great seeing him play to his potential, but it certainly wouldn't be great when his fanboys bump up this thread everytime he does.

And what good would that "PR move" do?

Not exactly random, is it? Also, for the trio of midfield combination, maybe he was trying to see how they complement each other as a pair/trio in a run of games? Rafa takes in a lot of data, whether it's from his coaching staff, fitness staff, match and training analysis or whatever else, therefore his decision making is bound to be a little bit mysterious, particularly as us, the fans, just don't see a lot of the data. But, certainly, sometimes relying on this numerous sources of data can over complicate the decision making process. Anyway, I'd say 70% of it is down to the players being shit. (and therefore 90 per cent is down to Mike Ashley.)

It's always the same. Even if the takeover happens and Rafa gets a decent amount to spend, not many quality players, I think, would want to join us at the moment. (Or at least are available.) It would be a transition window, rather than a window of wonderful transfer signings. I hope I'm wrong! I think with a new ownership there'll be some excitement around the club so we should be able to attract players. If we can't it's more likely to be because January's usually a difficult window anyway, money or no money. Pretty sure though that Rafa will pull out all the stops and the new owners will back him, so I don't think we'll be disappointed. Well, I think you're contradicting yourself there, fella.

It's always the same. Even if the takeover happens and Rafa gets a decent amount to spend, not many quality players, I think, would want to join us at the moment. (Or at least are available.) It would be a transition window, rather than a window of wonderful transfer signings. I hope I'm wrong!

So many people are going to be disappointed come the end of January.

Well played.

How the fuck can you get a competent striker for £5m?

It's way too much for those kind of bets, imo.

Thanks. However, in reality, I'm only £71 up as I was on minus £176 before that bet. Nonetheless, delighted with it! My biggest ever win. Also, it's a shame this bet didn't come off for me 2 bets ago (of the same kind of bet), as my stake was £10 and would have won me £2.5k. But oh well, not bothered, I'm just happy to be in front at the moment as since the international break, I accumulated losses of nearly £700. I thought, with £900 left to play around with, that this would be a long uphill task for me to win those losses back, and couldn't bare the thought of being "out of the game". Thankfully, game is still very much on!

GET IN!!!!!!!!!!!!11111

Still not confirmed! Thauvin taken off!

2-1 Rennes. I might see it out. Come on, Thuavin!