James

Accounts I have heard of Pardew (eg that West Ham PA book) is that he has a vey narrow view of the world and believes in things like positive energy and other daft things. You can see things like Bigirama's religious requests, Ben Arfa nearly joining that sect, and even Jonas cancer being things that would have freaked out this described version of Pardew, creating negative energies he would have wanted to avoid. Also from accounts e.g Crumpy of Bigirama's pushing of his Christian mission was very much at odds with a predominantly Muslim or non-religious first team. So I can see how he may have got wrongly ostracised. Football is a narrow minded business, and individual differences are not widely celebrated.

There is no love-in, just regret that the club weren't able to progress a player who looked like he could have grown into a handy layer.

Only us and Arsenal will be happy with that draw.

May as well try to second guess Rafa. We played midweek so there will be a few changes especially those who have played a fair bit regularly Sels Anita Hanley Mbemba Gamez Atsu Colback Hayden Perez Diame Gayle

If he breaks the curse then more proof of his brilliance. 666

I'm not happy with Rafa as manager tbh. 6 months in charge 6 straight wins 6-0 win 666. Clearly sold himself to the devil. Rafa out.

Interested to see how we line up. Is Derby or QPR considered more challenging?

We should just remember the good times and move on

I thought LFEE had sewn up most morbid post of the year about Harper but he actually has competition

This is why retrospective action against clubs and players needs to be minimised because it adds a layer of weakness for corruption or plain and simple bias. Obviously assaults etc should be punished retrospectively but for everything else I'd rather just accept that officials seeing incidents once in real time and not always at the best angle are going to miss stuff from time to time. You can still have goal line technology with sensors though as that would be more difficult to manipulate.

Not arsed at all about England for 2018. Our best bet would be for Allardyce to be sacked by the halfway point of qualifying and then for Pardew to come in and do even worse. Then build for Europe 2020.

Needs a beard

Used to do it every window but it's been years since we've had a summer window and every year we've all been in to bad a mood for me to even dare

It's been a few years since we have had this popular post-window thread, but with 12 new incomings I think it is again time to decide who the best players are to look at this season. For me: 5. Ayoze Perez 4. Jamaal Lascelles 3. Achraf Lazaar 2. Isaac Hayden 1. Jesus Gamez Do you agree with this list?

Just read that Everton laid on a private jet that Sissoko then refused to board and wouldn't even answer the phone to Koeman. What a cunt.

Good riddance.

I am delighted with our business. We got £62m for three Cunts that would never have performed well in this league because they don't have the heart. We kept all our good players. Signing Ritchie and Gayle in this division is the equivalent of if we were in the Prem and had signed exciting players from Juventus or Dortmund. Clark, Hanley and Murphy are not exciting but they are here as backup when they would be a starter for clubs elsewhere in the division. Then we have the most important signing of all, Rafa Benitez. One disappointment, I personally would have preferred if Krul had stayed.

I think it's a good move for everyone. As a comparison Harry Kane was a lot older when he started scoring, and have several mediocre at best Championship loans in his early 20s

Is his time away from the club being reimbursed or do we need to think about fining him his wages f he keeps doing this.

Didn't he set up a darts league at Newcastle, and then end up paying Phil Taylor to give James Milner a game.

I hate it when people say we haven't brought in a striker that can assure us goals. We signed Gayle who is clearly our goal scorer. We also have Mitrovic and Perez who will score plenty. Then if all else fails, as a last resort we have unglamorous backup who can score in this division as a 4th choice.

Maybe he does it all for a free holiday. Gets time off work during the season, gets to visit some lovely parts of the world with premium flights, hotels, food and all expenses paid for.

I know, but the three of them are all intelligent cultured men.

I feel for John Stones, all he has known as a manager are Martinez, Hodgson and Guardiola. Now he has Allardyce.

Maybe it is because we are preparing to keep Sissoko by telling him to play well for us or else train separately with only McManaman for company.