TRon

Yeah I'd be happy enough with either tbf. I've not got on the anti-Ashley wagon to this point as I still believe that we will make those two signings, but if we don't there's nowhere to hide.

There's still every chance we'll sign him I reckon. It just depends which club cracks first wrt lowering the asking price. Can't say I'm thrilled about our approach. I'd much rather we decided who we really want and pay what it takes but it seems to be how we work.

Exactly, I've said it before but Shepherd's appointments seemed very reactionary. Keegan's too cavalier, recruit the more pragmatic Dalglish. Dalglish has taken the fun out of it, recruit the sexy football merchant Gullit. Gullit has no idea what NUFC means to the city, recruit the local legend Bobby Robson. Robson's too soft, get that arsehole Souness in to smash some skulls. He kind of stumbled across Roeder and Allardyce being our manager always seemed to be on the cards for some reason, but the Souness appointment in particular was an example of bowing to public perception of how the club was being run and just getting a radgee in for the sake of it. Pretty much 100% spot on. Shepherd was just a fat oaf who lacked football knowledge. Like a lot of chairmen really, but the smarter ones hire someone to do the thinking for them.

Hope City win this. Bolton out-muscled us last season and this game will be a vindication of our move away from Nolanesque football to a passing style.

Yep, also agree that Vukic needs to be considered more if we continue to struggle for goals.

I got the impression that Erdinc didn't want to leave PSG, and said as much - so not sure that is the clubs fault, other than maybe pursuing it a bit too long. He's signing for Rennes isn't he? In which case he is prepared to leave PSG. What I heard was that we couldn't agree terms with his agent and he's now going to Rennes who didn't have that problem. Or, like Gameiro, would not leave the French league for anywhere other than Spain. Maybe. Was it Luke Edwards who said we could have signed some of our targets including Erdinc if we'd been prepared to pay a million or two more?

We've not lodged a bid or even started negotiations have we? That's as good a reason as any to not get your hopes up.

Best should be ahead of Shola in my book.

I got the impression that Erdinc didn't want to leave PSG, and said as much - so not sure that is the clubs fault, other than maybe pursuing it a bit too long. He's signing for Rennes isn't he? In which case he is prepared to leave PSG. What I heard was that we couldn't agree terms with his agent and he's now going to Rennes who didn't have that problem.

he won't because we'll make no attempt to sign him.

I'm not going to get my hopes up yet. There's every chance our (non) negotiating team will fuck this up like they did with Erdinc.

I think he's made some valid points, plus at least he's come back on here when he k nows he's going to get a tirade of abuse. I agree with this. Don't honestly know why he shows up here though unless he's a WUM in which case he's not very good at it.

Cabaye needs to be encouraged to play further forward and do what Silva does for Man City. I'm hoping once we get him understanding Barton and Tiote's game that is what he will do because he looks capable.

Bollocks. By all means criticise but if you just throw in aimless insults it's meaningless. You mean through in aimless shots like Shola. Oh sorry, forgot he didn't have a single shot at goal in either the Arsenal or Sunderland games. Pathetic. Well that would be a valid criticism but it's got nothing to do with work rate, it's just lack of a striker's instinct.

Bollocks. By all means criticise but if you just throw in aimless insults it's meaningless. He's always been a lazy fucker. Exactly. Just shows you have that view regardless and will chuck it into every post about him.

We could have signed him but couldn't agree terms. Obviously Rennes were prepared to go the extra to get the player they really wanted. A good policy I feel.

Bollocks. By all means criticise but if you just throw in aimless insults it's meaningless.

Fulham will be tough IMO. They won't be easy to break down and we need to step up a gear if we are going to win the game. Defensively we've looked good but going forward is another story.

I'll let you know on Aug 31

We need to find a way of playing which utilises Ba's strengths. Shola for all he played well yesterday never looks like scoring and Ba's record suggests he will.

I don't know if he was played as a striker yesterday but if he was then he shouldn't be considered for that role again in a hurry. He was nowhere near Shola all game. I like some of his passing when he's out wide though.

Yeah it never gets old.

Didn't even know Nolan was playing, he's been so anonymous. Parker's been good though.

I don't really care what sort of team we put out as long as Vukic, Ba and Marveaux play at least 45 mins.

Fairly low I'd say. With only one goal scored in two games, and that from a set piece scored by a defender, it's fairly obvious we need a striker in. I don't think the club could be that stupid as to ignore the reality. That said I wouldn't put any money on it either.