toontownman

Ha, was just about to post it too.. Seems like Shola, Ober has found his level.

OBERTAN you bald beauty.

Because Marv is the sex.

Strolla... tearing up the field so far.

Wait a sec, are we playing three at the back and wing backs? or is the teamsheet wrong? http://lockerz.com/s/232208165 Harper Tav Saylor Willow Simpson Bigi Perch Amalfitano Gosling Marveaux Shola or Simpson playing on the wing?

STROLLA

Midfielder isn't he? Yeah the fact that he can play LB as well as CM is really attractive. Can't understand why some people think CM isn't a real need, we only have 2 at the moment. I'd feel more confident starting Williamson at CB than I would depending on any of the youngsters or playing the likes of Raylor in CM. With Guthrie gone we could certainly do with another central mid. If anything happens to Tiote or Cabs you'll be relying on kids. Aye, Jonas can do a very good job there as part of a three in the middle but I wouldn't fancy him alongside Cabaye or Tiote in a 4-4-2. Centre-mid's far from a priority imo, but i won't be annoyed if we do sign one. Especially someone who can specialise in a couple of positions, like Anita. Agreed, A fullback and a striker are more pressing. Anita and a CB would be great additions but we certainly need the other two first.

That was from pass backs though, right?

You can't be serious man. They never call that s***. Not saying they shouldn't, just that they don't. This tbf. They usually just stop play and book the goalie then move on. Don't remember the last time I saw an indirect freekick in the area given for it, if ever. Picking up a pass back yes, but never time wasting. Officials had a complete nightmare though. The penalty was harsh, certainly less blatant than the one at the other end 5 minutes earlier. Non fouls were given as fouls, blatant fouls were ignored and even balls in touch were waved to play on. Regardless of the result this level of incompetence in officiating makes a farce of a good game. I'd hope after re-watching the game the officials send out an apology.

Agreed, it's close and if we hadn't sold Best I would definitely say centre back. Does also depend on the formation we play though. With the amount of games we can possibly have I would like us to be able to rest both Cisse and Ba. Shola as a starter wasn't good enough three years ago, certainly isn't adequate now. Beyond that Samuel does not look like an out and out Striker. Truthishly as far as I am concerned we really need to sign two decent strikers. Provided we get one in this window we should have enough until January, when we will know if Ba and Cisse are off to ACN or we lose Tiote instead. For me, while looking to bring AC back would be ok we should put it on the backburner until Jan and sign a winger/striker that can fit into several systems from now until the window opens.

Easily the worst refereeing I have ever witnessed. Bloody yanks. Beaten by the slightly better team all round but encouraging for the Canadians. Sinclair is pure class.

I would let her ride the millennium falcon.

Good god, never a penalty, still no idea why a indirect freekick was given before it, corners given when the ball is over the line. Absolute gong show! Then a much more blatant pen ignored at the opposite end. Is the ref american?

Sturridge was fucking shocking like, don't know why they let him take that free kick in the last minute of stoppage. Especially after he lashed a shot out for a throw in when in front of goal a minute earlier. Some good penalties in there though, Giggs and his 100m run up included.

Bardsley would have had that covered tbh.

Cracking goal, but utter bs. Taylor was barged off the ball when it should of been a foul, no advantage gained and they score. Terrible.

Brighton embarrass a pretty full strength Chelsea side 3-1, and that was without Wayne Bridge or their main striker Mackail-Smith.

"There is no denying we mad a bid for the lad, and by all accounts he wanted to come here. He is someone we thought could have added to the quality that we already have here at the club. The difference this year to the last is that we are in no dire need for reconstruction. While missing out on him (Debuchy) is a disspointment to us and the fans, we have more than enough quality to see us through with Danny, Ryan and Tavs. This time of year is tough on fans but we hope to have some more positive news on other targets soon."

Like a new striker signing...

Now we have mini tiotes we can spare Cheick for a few training sessions to go over to France and get the deal finalized right?.

Are we dreadfully short at RB? Honest question. Simpson hasn't been sold yet. Debuchy would be an improvement, no question. But we also have another year before Simpson goes (most likely) and we have a number of players who can fill in there. I expect they realize this and so aren't going crazy throwing cash at lille trying to force this through immediately. It is a luxury signing. We have enough to cope without Debuchy, which is the basis of our lax attitude to signing him and playing the waiting game to get him cheaper, imo. Simpson "might" be sold if/when Debuchy comes in but Pardew had mentioned keeping Simpson either way.

Laughable 4m bid coming up? He was linked with Man City a few days ago. Been linked to Barcelona too,

Snidey article here too.. claiming he is mentally unstable. Tbh I hadn't heard most of this, hopefully he is out the other side of depression.

On our side, the management we have believe we are not in desperate need for any of those player. Although they would add a lot to the squad if we can get them, we can survive without them. Gives us a touch of bargaining power but also dangerous arrogance.

If we'd offered 7m Euro's first time around they'd probably be holding out for 10m right now. It seems like our low ball offers have brought the price down if the French press are to be believed, it is frustrating though. Yeah, I am not criticizing our approach, we get business done eventually and have saved enough from doing this under Ashley to basically fund this entire deal. Patience is at a premium this time of year though.