TRon

Not fussed about losing Routledge tbh, he's been a let down mostly. The only issue would be whether Boothroyd is good enough to bother with.

Kranjcar is the sort of signing we should be making. Available and quality. Far rather we signed players who will take us to the next level than a bunch of bargain basement wasters.

It would surprise me if Ashley sanctioned a big money move but yes I'd take it in a shot.

He's got the talent but there's a question mark about his desire. This is a big club and he would be under the same sort of pressure as he was playing for England. He strikes me as being a bit like Routledge and Guthrie, better at clubs with a lower profile. Worth a punt though because he is definitely quality.

Where are the apologists who were having a go at people for questioning his desire? Once again, Larsson please take your money and fuck off to the shithole known as Blackburn.

I've never seen him so no idea what to make of it. As Pardew knows where we are short in this squad he will assume full responsibility for signings like these and it should tell us a lot about him as a manager. What I would say however is that we don't need more bodies in the striker department we need quality and pace. If Boothroyd fits either of those criteria then it makes sense.

Stevenage are shit but Alan Smith managed to make them look good. Let's get some perspective here. Reo-Coker would be a massive upgrade on on him.

The sad bastards have even got a thread on whether Carroll is going to play. Give me strength.

You would think after watching us attempt to play football without the Jonas/Enrique axis at Stevenage people would lay off for a while. Jonas end product is shit without a doubt but without him there we struggle to get it out of our own half without booting it upfield in desperation. When HBA is ready I want to see him on the left wing, until then be thankful for small mercies.

Give tmonkey the manager's job. He clearly knows far more about football than Pardew tbh.

My concern as well. Would have Barton over him hands down. Wouldn't mind seeing Barton in the middle with Ziani out wide. Barton could still pull wide at times.

fast midget who can't cross or shoot. I've only seen the Youtube clip and while it doesn't prove much he does look like quite a clever player and fairly tough for his size. Reading what Colocho who's seen a fair bit of him said on the previous page I wouldn't be unhappy if we signed him. Might turn out to be a real star in the prem.

because everyone is cheik tiote. You're right. How could I forget that every other signing we've made from abroad has failed miserably. Like those flops Enrique and Coloccini? Actually frustrating as hell though he is even Jonas didn't look so bad after watching us attempt to play football without him against Stevenage.

Shame Kenny's had such a bad start, I was really hoping he would settle in long time and drag them into long term mediocrity.

I think we might still end up with Larsson. If no one else goes in with a better he will probably climb down and come here. This one just doesn't seem convincing. Ziani looks a quick and skilful player but then Routledge is that. I'd like to have seen some footage of him actually making or taking goals.

since he won't be signing he fits in quite well.

Yep. The only issue would be whether it should be Guthrie or Routledge on the right. Both are equally weak mentally but I'd probably go with Routledge to start as at least he has a go.

or just using this link to push Larsson into a decision.

Seems like he's trying to spend it on EPL players but they are pricing themselves out and he's looking abroad for better value instead. Value doesn't necessarily mean cheaper btw, case in point HBA.

I only thought that Bobby made 2 or 3 bad buys, 1 was Cort and that was down to injuries and the other was Viana who didn't work out, a third would probably be Bassedas but I didn't think he was that bad. The others were probably at least value for money at that time. Bobby's buys were good when he had more control over who came in, like Bellamy, Jenas, Robert, Milner and Ambrose. When Fat Fred allegedly started dictating which players could stay and go the blueprint changed. Suddenly players past their sell-by started appearing like Butt, Bowyer and Kluivert. This is where Keegan probably proved less of a soft touch as he wouldn't be dictated to on principle. I would rate Bobby higher for the fact he probably was forced to work within a budget and still produced the results. Keegan was going head to head with Man U for signings at the time.

you forgot Routledge and i don't think there's much between him and Jonas either. There's a fair bit between him and Jonas, tbh. imo is much more suitable than tbh on this occasion. You're wrong. He's not, tbf. he is tbh.

The good managers you can count on one hand and it makes no difference if they are knobs. Mourinho and Fergie can just point to the trophy cabinet. The rest like Pardew, Strachan, Souness etc can talk a good game but it's just that at the moment. not too sure about that. i'd doubt fergie or morinho could take a mediocre side at the moment and turn them into anything special without strong financial backing. as for pardew talking too much, he says about as much as other managers just we aren't used to it after having hughton for a while. my own take on it is that if i were a manager i'd be fined every week for not talking to the press. Fergie and Mourinho teams have tremendous team spirit aside from the trophies. Players believe in their manager. There's a fine line between arrogance and being a prick. I take the point raised by quayside that Pardew could probably take a lot credit for the Best hatrick and he was winning me over. The Stevenage game was a hard landing though. While it's not fair to judge too harshly on one game it's pretty difficult to make that many mistakes in one game and still look like a bloke who knows what you're doing.

The good managers you can count on one hand and it makes no difference if they are knobs. Mourinho and Fergie can just point to the trophy cabinet. The rest like Pardew, Strachan, Souness etc can talk a good game but it's just that at the moment.