BottledDog

Whey that just sounds like a load of negative bollocks to me, sorry. They'd need the club to be a damn sight better than stumbling around the lower reaches of the table if Ashley were ever to sell the club and get any sort of decent money for it. But even if that was the plan, why would they need to take the risk and replace Hughton so as to keep things sweet with the supporters/media while keeping the club up on a shoestring? That is ultimately exactly what Hughton was doing for them.

They'd have been right spazz's if they thought things would work out quite as well as they have to date though to be fair.

I'm not pulling out this quote to pick on Dave or anything; it just highlights what a low ebb we thought his appointment was - summarises perfectly the negative feeling towards the change. I didn't think any differently to this. Absolutely astonishing how it has all panned out. And as much as i love Pardew, i'd still maintain that his appointment is a fluke. I just can't get my head around this idea. Hughtons departure you felt was inevitable after Calderwood wasn't replaced and they were clearly planning for a change and a manager they felt they could work with and take us forward within their particular framework. I'd say they used the same principle they now use in the player recruitment. Forget the name, check the background, see the worth in someone with maybe something to prove, and after meeting face to face, Pardew seemed the right fit. Of course he's doing particularly well, they were planning top ten for his first full season, then top eight the following year, but I still don't get how you think a planned jettisoning of Hughton, and a process you'd imagine they'd be just as careful over as signing a player (if not more so) ending up with Pardew is particullary flukey?

Maybe if this season is repeated next, but until then I still think they could take our players with the right money and wages offered. I think we're close, and for me it rests purely on CL qualification. If we did make it, I'd be stunned if any of our players used the excuse of the prestige of playing for the bigger club and the opportunity to win something if they moved there. Just can't see it. Beyond that though, sure, even the shittest of clubs are welcome to our players if they offered enough money and wages.

The lowest we can finish is sixth. Fuck me lightly.

Holy shit. :lol: Do a search on youtube. The vid that just keeps repeating it with the lads laughing in the background is still absolute gold.

"Ask me for 25% of my money and you've got no chance. I don't care how good your idea is." Fair enough.

Probably a massive Giggs but just seen this on another forum... The player Pardew claimed was 'absolutely raped' by Essien? Ched Evans.

Says he's been working really hard with Demba in the last couple of weeks and his second was the result of that. Well done Ba. Scored by proxy!

Good result for us I reckon. They'll hopefully be taking out their frustrations on Chelsea.

Think they'll nick a draw.

Yawn.

:lol:

That popup that we are assuming says 'Thank you for your vote' in Polish. That wouldn't happen to actually translate as 'Your vote doesn't count as you're a damn dirty foreigner' would it?

Based on the votes in this thread and the percentage increase of 0.6228, we only need 461074 more vote's to move into the lead. We can DO THIS!

If he wins any manager of the year awards, he'll get all Billy big bollocks again, and next season we'll have a shitter. Voted for Wenger.

Done, but still only 40.1% at the mo. Get voting!

Great to hear. Love the idea of him and Pardew just sitting down watching Barca matches together to show what we're wanting from him as well.

Love this about Hatem too for some reason, "We always had to work that little bit harder to accommodate Laurent, but, thankfully, the penny’s dropped with Ben Arfa, who has really upped his work-rate. Alan keeps showing him Barcelona videos, for him to learn all about their work off the ball."

Seems a decent interview to me. As for repeatedly saying the fans aren't happy, this is from an interview in a trade magazine, so he's not aiming that comment at us particularly, but just look at the very first comment on the article at the Journal site - it's from a fan who is certainly not 'happy with what we're spending'.

Can't blame him. Surprised he ever took a shine to them in the first place.

How, he's not young enough is he?

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1ifbnJ7eL1rr3rbto1_500.jpg

Makes no sense yes he made some rickets but he was adjusting everyone does besides he made Arsenal alot stronger defensively whether people want to accept it or not..... How many goals have Arsenal conceded from set pieces this season and goals in general for that matter compared to before he was signed? Also Arsenal wont get rid of Mertesacker in any case its all complete b*llocks, the Vertonghen to Arsenal story is like Giroud to us its just the media bringing up old stories for money. Also i dont want Vertonghen...... why? because there needs to be a balance in the defence we cant have two relatively slow defenders passing it out from the back and get raped in behind like we have been this season on occasion. We need a fast, strong, athletic defender who is a beast in the air. Give me Douglas any day over Vertonghen not because he's better but because he is better suited to being a Colo partner. Plus he will cheaper. Agreed. Also, Vertonghen will not want to come here, so this transfer saga is a non starter anyway. He fkn will like if Pardew sits him down with our welcome bag and video package. He won't have a choice.