TRon

I didn't slate them for handing out contracts to fatcat players. Care to point out where I did that? Right here: That's me slating them is it? So what is your point then?

I remember saying precisely that when you signed him. He's got a gigantic confidence issue at the highest level. Yes you did. You were right.

I didn't slate them for handing out contracts to fatcat players. Care to point out where I did that? Right here:

I wasn't a fan of Nolan and I'm not trying to make out that I am or have been, I think the way the club have handled his contract is shocking. Can I not take that stance? As for the Barton signing, Mort and Ashley had to agree to it and that's a fact. Why do you want to use a verbal agreement to vilify Ashley when it comes to not handing out daft contracts to fatcat players, then slate the same regime for doing the same earlier on a technicality? Where are you coming from?

Barton was signed under Ashley in as much as he had to agree to the transfer. You were implying that a hand shake should be enough in the Nolan thread ( a player you hated btw) and now you are using a technicality to make Barton's wage an Ashley deal when you know fine well it was a Shepherd one in all but name. At least show some consistency if you want to use the moral standpoint Mick. I fail to see how they are mutually exclusive tbh. Isn't that what I said?

Barton was signed under Ashley in as much as he had to agree to the transfer. You were implying that a hand shake should be enough in the Nolan thread ( a player you hated btw) and now you are using a technicality to make Barton's wage an Ashley deal when you know fine well it was a Shepherd one in all but name. At least show some consistency if you want to use the moral standpoint Mick.

If anything it'd be the other way around surely? Can't see the likes of Tiote, Ben Arfa, Cabaye, etc. being on anywhere near Barton's wages. That's what I'm saying. If those guys are coming in for less it undermines the big earners claims to new bumper contracts.

It does seem the players on the biggest wages are kicking up the biggest stink publicly about contract terms, both in terms of length and size of salary. The different versions of squad solidarity might be down to the big earners resenting the new guys coming in and undermining their positions reading between the lines. We have to get rid of the malcontents asap if this is the case. Barton's claims to give 100% this season are clearly bullshit.

I agree with that. I'm not convinced we are serous about our efforts at this point but I'll bite my tongue and see what happens.

Let's not forget either that Nolan was talking about staying here for life but when Carroll needed advice on whether he should talk to Liverpool Nolan begged him to go for it, for the money, the glory and fuck the local hero status.

Alan Smith isn't pretending he's bothered about anything except his money though. He's made no secret of the fact he won't move unless he gets a comparable pay package. Nolan is whining about his treatment here while signing a 5 year mega deal at West Ham.

You're right, that midfield trio would have a bit of everything, although I think Barton would start ahead of Gosling to begin with. The Gosling goals aspect would give us food for thought though.

We've had the same bullshit leading up to every Sunday really, and it always ends up being inane drivel.

I'm worried tbh. Any premiership striker who we would agree to buy would have to be fairly mediocre or coming to the end of their contract.

We'd best be planing on creating him a f*** load of chances then No we'd be intending on creating as few as possible for him I'm sure Har Har Har. Some people are just too funny... Fine, it takes Shane Long far to many chances to put the ball in the net... He's not a good finisher then? I take it you've seen a fair bit of him? Watched a fair bit of Championship stuff aye. He might not be as bad as he looks, be he seems to need a lot of clear cut chances to stick one away, imo anyway It would explain why his YT videos don't have a lot of goals featured.

We'd best be planing on creating him a f*** load of chances then No we'd be intending on creating as few as possible for him I'm sure Har Har Har. Some people are just too funny... Fine, it takes Shane Long far to many chances to put the ball in the net... He's not a good finisher then? I take it you've seen a fair bit of him?

Wouldn't read to much into all that. Pardew is in a constant state of "waiting hopefully". The positive noises were just about a striker coming in. It doesn't necessarily mean it's Erdinc. More than likely Shane Long IMO. Although... I hope it is Erdinc tbh. I like the look of Long but Erdinc just looks more powerful.

Nolan has a real finishers instinct though - not sure we can say the same of Gosling. He does look real box to box now he is fit though. The kind of midfielder that Roeder erroneously tried to make Scott parker into. I wouldn't argue with that, Nolan was class in the penalty area. But Gosling might be better at the actual midfield stuff which bypassed Nolan mostly.

Wouldn't read to much into all that. Pardew is in a constant state of "waiting hopefully". The positive noises were just about a striker coming in. It doesn't necessarily mean it's Erdinc. More than likely Shane Long IMO.

Just think... "Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No...it's Prickboy!!"

I like it

He'd be decent in the Championship I reckon. He tends to score against the weaker teams in the prem.

How funny. Ho ho.

Gosling got into a few goal scoring opportunities against Crew. Looks like he might be able to replicate Nolan's goals without the fatness.

I've only seen the YT videos of Long and he looks very lively, but from that it's hard to tell on his finishing ability which is pretty crucial for a striker. If you've seen him and think he can put them away then he'd do for me. I think there's a good chance he'll end up here if Erdinc dithers too long.