Theregulars

I think in reality Rafa will be very content with a point. As usual we will set up to contain, but I see Brighton scoring because we look porous. I'd really like to twat them into submission for those consecutive cup defeats; although I view those as defeats of Pardew rather than the team.

I think a lot of people are looking at this with a tainted view because it looks like he's rejecting us. For his first year, he was arguably our player of the season, looked very useful (more so as an attacking full-back, admittedly) and appeared to be spirited, committed and up for it. His performances have declined as the realisation set in for him that he was playing for a club with no ambition and that he was largely surrounded by dross/people not trying/shit management. That does not excuse the fact that he allowed the malaise to set in, but let's not pretend that he's a worse player than he is. I would definitely prefer to have Janmaat at RB this season over Anita or Yedlin. Gamez may well be better, I have not seen anywhere near enough of him. I suspect that playing for a team that actually tries to win games/competitions might show him off in a better light.

Hopefully he can help bail us out of this league.

His niece works for sky so he gives them a lot of soundbytes/access to players/for interviews etc. Their higher-ups are very clear about not criticising him. Really ? So pundits go against what they believe because of that (if they really think he's rubbish of course). That's just ridiculous if true. Any of them who give them access and stories get an easy ride. Note the lack of criticism for Allardyce, for example. Their production team is full of family members/friends of players/managers/ex-players. You are told in production meetings who can't be criticised/about whom criticism cannot be aired. They don't mind letting people question Wenger on air because, amongst other reasons, they think he never does anything for them above the bare contractual minimum. It's the same across so many of their departments - there are children of former England Cricket players in the Cricket production team, for example, because in return daddy tells the ECB to grant them first-rate access and first option on everything. It's a really despicable organisation to be frank.

His niece works for sky so he gives them a lot of soundbytes/access to players/for interviews etc. Their higher-ups are very clear about not criticising him.

Win's a win but that sounded dogshit from here. Unless we deliberately didn't get out of second gear because we didn't feel the need to, we were just mopping up pressure all game.

He's been told he won't be given the game time he needs. The move makes perfect sense for him and the club. This. Not this. Read Tron's post above. Rafa has invited him to battle for a place and prove himself.

Honestly, I know there's no concept of loyalty, but show some spine and repay some of the wages that you hoovered while contributing barely anything. It's just a bit lame.

Ask them; for only they have the answer.

But he's shit tho Rafa out boooo no number 9 my knee has hit my face

Lets also try get Shola and Obertan back on loans for cover Careful now.

15th or 5th it is then The sound of fear emanates from your keyboard.

I can only do sat 22nd; super keen to participate in one of these as I've been living in Asia for 3 years and I'll have moved home by then. The other two dates I'm abroad. MAKE IT HAPPEN NEESY

When you are playing footy and someone on your team misses a sitter/makes the wrong pass/tries a skill and fails/somehow cocks up; but you think "be the bigger man" and say "unlucky" or just don't say anything. The moment you then make a mistake or don't pass to him in space and he audibly moans/hurls abuse at you. Boils my piss. Playing this evening, some absolute schmuck misses an open goal from 5 yards. I pat him on the back and say "unlucky mate, you'll get the next one". Not 5 minutes later I shoot (on target, saved) instead of passing to him (he's marked), and he yells "for fuck's sake, you cunt!" Like I know I'm a cunt, but the principle.

Surprised he could pronounce tiki taka. "Wot's that 5-a-side stuff that lot from Barseloner play? tic-tac-toe isn't it? Just like the king can steal your lunch, he'll also nick your playing style".

Literally bought a Muangthong jersey in Bangkok last weekend. Getting the shit numbered out of that.

Can't wait to order my TBC - DIAME shirt.

Honestly, fuck him. What an absolute scrotum.

You can play attacking football with a DM in place. Learn to tactics mate. I can literally imagine Pardew sitting Ben Arfa down on the bench and saying "learn to tactics, Hattam".

I think if you gave me the choice I'd genuinely take Gayle.

Hopefully he's diametrically opposite to sissoko in terms of effort put in.

In the same way that some posters say Mitrovic should be given a chance because he played in a shit team/under shit management last year, perhaps Clark has played a significant portion of his young career in a shit team/under shit management. Perhaps Rafa - a notoriously arduous scout and student of the game - sees attributes to Clark's game that make him a valuable addition for a promotion push and consolidation thereafter.

Twossa Sissoko.

He's not as good as Sissoko - that's why we can buy him when we're in the Championship and it is likely that Sissoko will go to a club in a superior league. I don't think the difference between them is astronomical, but bear in mind during his entire time with us bar 10 games at the end of last year Sissoko worked under a shit manager.

Fits into the description I'd use for all our signings made this summer: "astute".