Rich

People should know who to listen to by now.

What a fucking disgrace this has been. Can't believe my eyes.

Pardew said he's slotted Shola in for Ba directly, as that's the way we'd been preparing for the game up until end of training yesterday (with Cisse right again).

I'm anticipating a sort of siege mentality around SJP tonight, which should help. Not saying we're going to be outstanding, but it's set up to be an enthralling game.

There's something almost surreal about such a great player and consistent goalscorer's exit being met by many fans with a mixture of relief and excitement. Part of it, for me at least, is the desire to keep the relative harmony and stability we've had at the club since the beginning of last season. It's been relatively smooth sailing, enormously smooth compared to some seasons in our recent history. While I'm loathe to see Ba go having been a big advocate of his from day one, I think a lot of people simply understand that he appears keen to move on and feel that the team may benefit if he's allowed to leave and is then sufficiently replaced. There's a lot to be upset with, losing almost guaranteed goals first and foremost, but there's a lot of his leaving that people can find peace with when they think about it rationally. NUFC has made him what I assume is a fair contract offer and he's decided the time is right to move and that he can probably do better elsewhere - it's fair enough really.

Would be odd to bid for Carroll when he couldn't play for us until August.

I thought Llambias has publicly stated that he does not do (or maybe like to do) bonuses in contracts? Just checked... Mmmm, interesting. Remember quite clearly them coming out with statements how they likes to incentivise contracts..? I don't, though you may be confusing it with the way MA runs Sports Direct as there have been a few articles in the past couple of years focusing on how regular SD staff were to benefit due to increased profits across the board. Or I may just be remembering wrong myself.

I thought Llambias has publicly stated that he does not do (or maybe like to do) bonuses in contracts? Just checked...

I thought Llambias has publicly stated that he does not do (or maybe like to do) bonuses in contracts?

I personally think we'll see this btw: Krul Perch Williamson Coloccini Santon Bigirimana Tiote Anita Marveaux Obertan Cisse If Everton are full-strength down the left, at least.

QPR, Man U and Arsenal is the first time I've seen him look decent in a run of games. He (and Shola) changed the QPR game for us, he got a very good assist at Old Trafford and another at the Emirates, as well as his general ball retention looking way above what it normally is. If there was ever a time to start him it's now. I thought he'd been alright in that position in the earlier part of the season too, although it was in Europe and the opposition was generally pap.

It was only ever billed as his representatives speaking to Chelsea and there was never an official source for it. Since then there's been rebuttals from Pardew saying the agents in question weren't actually representing Ba and that Ba himself had stated this to be the case. For whatever reason - even if it's simply that Chelsea have now actually made an official offer and are speaking to whoever Ba considers to be his actual agent/s plus Ba himself - it's now more solid.

Also: who the fuck else is there?

Obertan's been alright recently man, I actually quite like him on the left in a 4-2-3-1 thing.

It's a bit different when it's posted on the official website and when he gets withdrawn from the squad like. http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20130102/club-statement-demba-ba_2281670_3024928

Aye. Mainly just trying to balance the negativity based on the same, personally.

Ba is gone. Can't see it not happening anymore. He's not gone until Chelsea have his registration. I know what you mean, but it's obviously not totally a done deal yet - personal terms/medical/etc.

Honestly think he'll be in sharpish if Ba goes.

swonzy plz

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FgpshdZIdPQ/TzfQUsWtM6I/AAAAAAAAAuU/rhNfLt9mQ88/s200/jack-nicholson-nodding.gif

How can this be? I've heard from numerous reputable sources that he is overweight, unfit and does nothing but score goals.

Are you going to question me with a personal agenda, post sarcastic replies with emoticons when I make a mistake and shut up and disappear when I prove myself right for every single one of my posts? Thought there was a general consensus here that there is infact a wage limit in place as reported in a lot of papers even though the board has been willing to bend that rule for certain players. He did that one, Jaehyun.

Was it not £55k?

Never heard of that £40k limit either.

Man City/Tottenham/Swansea/Leicester/Swindon @ 4/1. Crappy "home favourites" bet, but I need a win to get my pot up again and there's still enough reward there. Bound to not come off regardless.