Kanj

I try really hard to not lash this guy - but he was fucking awful, and I'd rather have seen someone play out of position there.

Best mates with Cabaye so entirely possible, plus he's not exactly the massive high profile player who would demand to start every game like Sakho would for example. While on the discussion of Lille players, i like Payet as well personally. If we're on the topic of French players, whats your take on Etienne Capoue, Mole?

The fact our manager has decided he'd rather play Jonas or Obertan over someone who can actually produce something of an attacking threat is my issue with this whole thing. He's really not been given the chance when other players who offer some huff and puff running are given more time to play. I'm not saying its not Marv's fault at all, he definitely has himself to blame for this some-bit but our manager continues to play poor players in positions based on their graft rather than what they can actually produce.

I have so many random stupid jokes that I'll keep to myself on this one. Fucking love Papisto man. He's like living his own dream I bet.

He'll have been studying these lot for some time now

The ridiculous that is our season can be summed up in beating Chelsea 3-2 at home and then losing to Wigan 2-1 away. I haven't a clue what kind of performance we'll put out but our recent cup performances have shown a pretty solid back-line and we've somehow scored the important goals to get this far. Also, we haven't won shit for ages, hope you have 2 terrible legs and we nick 2 goals and get through man

The more I think about it - the more you've made a good case for it. Just hope you're right man, not at all trying to deflate your very good deductive reasoning for it at all I don't despise the s*** Puma has made for us, but I have been itching for Nike since we had adidas!

Will be a tough tie from both perspectives to be honest. But don't for one second think anything is done and dusted from Benfica's view man. Its business time in the cup, and honestly anything could happen in these 2 matches. Very much looking forward to it.

Can't see us going back to Adidas, the deal we had with them last time was pretty weak financially iirc. Obviously were already with puma, so that leaves just one. Please be f***ing Nike! The Adidas deals were decent when we first signed them in the end though as performances and league places started slipping they just gave us the generic templates. No doubt in my mind if we went back to them we would just get Sunderland shirt with black instead of white. If I'm not mistaken Ashley sold his stake in Umbro when they were taken over by Nike. I wouldn't be against Nike, they made some s*** over the last few years but it seems the majority of designers from Umbro have been taken on by Nike. The new deal almost certainly has to be a new shirt deal, there just isn't anything else we can do commercially that would be the biggest deal for us ever. Would absolutely love that to happen - esp if it was with Nike. But honestly, just can't see it being a new deal. Have this feeling it'll be something totally out of left-field and we'll be terribly underwhelmed. But heres to hoping though! If its kit related, just assuming it will be a big Puma extension but hey, hope I'm fucking wrong!

Solidify our PL status for next year and hopefully we replace him as shrewdly as we do our transfer business. Our coaching staff is the only thing holding this club back as far as I'm concerned now. I'm really done with this man and his staff, all likeable blokes but are letting us down massively in the results department. Which is the only thing that counts.

Shocked this happen at this time. They are spiraling now. New manager in before the derby I'm sure but our home crowd will be seeing blood, hope Pards and the players do to - would be magical to just destroy them and send them further down.

This match.

With Donovan back in training for LA, hopefully he'll be recalled to the national team soon there-after. He should, he's still one of our best players whether you like him or not. Altidore Dempsey Donovan Zusi Bradley Jones F. Johnson Chandler Besler Gonzalez Guzan Using Deuce's formation above you have Tim Howard, Danny Williams and Mo Edu who can play GK and DM for the latter 2 in place of Jones. Regardless, Landon makes everything look much, much better.

Inter kit looking lush as usual.

This saga is such a damn tease.

Hold up - who considers Mario and Joey a hero or legend? Good post though, other than that Mario and Joey reference...I know what you're trying to say though!

That collar man

De Jong crocked Hatem and crocked Stu. I have nothing but pure hatred for the man. Stu was class above man, I feel like people would be talking about him like they do Michael Bradley in that they bring a level of class and culture to their play that very few of our players have had in recent times.

Ah yeah the club's transfer fee + wages total number thing. Forgot about that.

Fucking De Jong. Stu should be out there as our ACM man.

Could hypothetically field 10 outfield French players when you consider we'll prob add a few more in the summer too

Seriously, if we somehow signed Sakho too I'd be as shocked as I was when Mapou came through the door. Two top French international CB's who are both 23 years old? Ridiculous. Funny that if Colo goes, you'd consider Saylor the "senior" more experienced player based on age but the poor looney bastard has had a torrid time with injuries. Sakho and Yanga-Mbiwa as our CB partnership for the future? Jesus that would be perfect mix of power, pace, and ball-playing CBs.

Can't really tell someone what they can and can't be proud of man. I'm proud of the financial footing we have gotten ourselves in after years of money being wasted and thrown about and 0 future planning or vision in mind. I'm also a finance person so those type of stupid things to some are things I personally like. I read this as a board doing good business and I see an overall vision taking shape in the form of our scouting and such. Yes, results aren't there but there is a decent vision and some excellent execution in the recruitment department. But fair enough and totally not a problem if the financial position of our club doesn't excite or fill someone with pride, I can totally understand if someone doesn't give a crap about it.

Current ownership would use the fact that we aren't making any money as reason to not spend more. We all know that. This at least gives them comfort that the money they have spent has been made back through ticket sales, commercial, etc. Just my take.