Kanji

that bit at the end made me laugh, so true. Cisse just wants a little puppet version of him in the commericals.

Well said Inochi - but I also want to add to that. I think this also has to do with the mindset that has now been drilled into many of our supporters heads in regards to our current ambition. People's expectations are lowering, and any sign of speculation people just assume player wants out, so get rid and sell; Carr will find a replacement and we'll move on. The board has no doubt everyone on edge, and that is a bi-product of the Andy Carroll deal, every window we brace ourselves for a big transfer, and we've also been fearing a fire-sale of all of our top players every single window as well: See Ben Arfa, Tiote, Ba, Cisse, Krul, and Cabaye rumors from last season. But more than likely, the Carroll transfer seems more like a one-off and the rumors of a fire-sale are all classic press speculation. I'm by no means justifying any of the comments or reactions above about selling our players; personally there are a few players I'd lose my shit over if we sold and one of those is Yohan, but I also refuse to fall into this lowered expectation crap that the board are peddling on us.

Like 5 pages of HBA look a likes man, this board sometimes

I'd happilly take Jozy Altidore in our squad competing for the striking role - he's actually a good all around footballer with strength, pace, and link-up play ability. Not sure he's a first 11 player b/c hes not nearly as lethal a finisher as Cisse, but If he were to come in and compete that would be excellent.

We look a side now with a genuine striker up front in Jozy. I've been so critical of him as he's all the tools to be a really good player for our national side. He sometimes looks unplayable (Confeds Cup) and then looks clueless. He looks a man reborn and the side looks transformed with him playing the striking role with Dempsey in and around doing his thing.

Same, I really did rate him and wanted him here when he left Chelsea as well.

The USA tour was the best one we've had in years in terms of fitness. It was also the best for leaving behind one of our most important players whilst he had to bounce to and from Africa to sort out his Visa issues. It also resulted in our best start for 14 years. This.

Sissoko - Cabaye ------Marv-------- That's our best imposing midfield we can offer. You don't have to have a man sitting if you actually coach them to time their forward runs, etc. At home we should absolutely be looking to dominate and attack. If that means you play Debuchy at RB and Mapou at LB and tell him he must act as another CB when Debuchy is up, so be it. Away from home, different story I guess. But that midfield trio above is the perfect mix of pass, dribble, creativity, strength and pace.

Payet? Sweet lord that would be amazing: (HBA - Cisse - Payet) On the topic of Douglas; I'll welcome any top strong CB - be it Sakho or Douglas. If that means we have a real competition for the role next to Colo then that would be fantastic. If Colo was to leave then I'd say Mapou would have to step up into that roll for Colo and Sakho/Douglas/Taylor would need to be the strength next to Mapou. Personally, Taylor, and I really do like the guy - seems like the junior yet he's actually 27 now. Shame some of the mistakes he makes and the lack of discipline he shows at times given he should be entering the better part of his career as a CB. Hopefully our issue we end up having is Willo is sold and we have a real battle between Sakho/Douglas, Taylor, Yanga Mbiwa, and Colo. Be a great problem to have and we'd easily have a strength at CB.

Sissoko is far from a holding midfielder. Go back and watch him play when we are defending - he doesn't really even go in for a tackle, just shadows the player and covers an area. When we signed him, it was said multiple times by a few on here and some French football scouts/analysts that he had to have a DM behind him to do that work for him as he was quite lazy defensively. He's a fantastic talent, he's strong & pacy and has a few things he needs to realize about his own skillset which is release the ball a bit quicker etc. If we sign some wide players, our man behind Cisse should be HBA, free to drift about - if we don't, then I'd play Marv there as he's the only player we've got besides Hatem with real talent in tight spaces and has proven he has the killer pass in him.

Shearer had the armband and no doubt commanded respect but everyone who's said anything has always pointed at Gary Speed being the glue that kept everyone together and was the true leader in the changing room. Its Colos captaincy until someone else steps up to be that person for us as far as I'm concerned. I do however, see someone like Mapou (who was captain of Montpellier) possibly growing into that role. His quotes from when he signed showed a very, very mature young man with tremendous self confidence and leadership.

Deuce man, Monty the Magpie! Don't "f***ing yanks" me man, I knew very well we had one Monty's twitter account if hilarious (if real) b/c he randomly posts pics of the Mackem cat and talks s*** about him.

I love mascots man, they all are fucking hilarious

Remy would be excellent signing, and yes I'd still go for him. He made some quick cash with QPR; now join our project. He's the pace, the movement and ability on the ball to fit exactly well wide on a front 3 or up top on his own in the middle.

Pav is absolutely killing us right now with his interviews. Saying the same many of us on here have for quite some time and most importantly, last week or so. Had we held off Man Utd and won the title, KK would have never walked and the landscape of our club could have very well been completely different. I hate what-if discussions like this when it involves something as coveted like a PL trophy, but my goodness Pav - way to kick us while we are down!

Agree with all this. Debuchy Mapou Colo Santon is easily our best back 4 on paper. mapou should be our first chocie cb of all our options imo. If Colo stays it's him hands down IMO. We would need someone better in the air and stronger shoulder to shoulder to complement either of them imo. As a pair they'd be awesome against Shane Long. Mapou would be awesome against Shane Long - Colo seems to have issues with the most random of strikers. Shane Long and that Swedish bloke who played at Bolton.

Harry would have leaked it

Would be quite the turn around if a group of random investors and money men somehow cough up 7-10M. I really think its on the verge of collapse and he'll be back with the armband ready to lead our back line.

Its been reported in the local papers that he does not have a release clause mate. Not that it confirms its 100% true or not, but just thought it should be noted.

You're right. If we didn't sign anyone else to play CB and Colo stays; I'd like to see him develop next to Colo and hopefully learn how to handle some of the bigger strikers by using some of his technique and reading of the game to snuff things out before they happen.

Back to topic, I really don't see anyone offering +20M for Cabaye. I really rate him as a player, he's one of our best and one of my favorites - I just don't think he's going to command a fee that is going to make our board want to sell him ala Big Andy. Personally, I hope he gets a really good time off with his family on holiday and comes back reenergized, fit, and ready to show the player he was. He hasn't been himself for quite some time.

I honestly couldn't imagine we'd sign Sakho if Colo stays, unless we flog Willo/Saylor. Which I really don't see both going. Personally, would love Sakho here, he's ACTUALLY a beast of a CB in terms of his strength vs what people said about Mapou. Mapou is your Colo style smooth ball player and Sakho is a your all around monster in the backline. Not sure how we'd have Mapou, Sakho, Colo, Saylor competing for 2 CB roles; I'd love that selection headache mind you. I'd actually drool over Debuchy - Sakho - Colo - Mapou (sorry Santon) But essentially you could play the best out of Debuchy/Santon/Haidara/Mapou at the back position and Mapou would be fighting for a position with Sakho/Colo.

France love a hoof ball too.

Had he never resigned....oh fuck, I'm not even going to go there for the sheer sake of going into an unnecessary depression.