TRon

I think Ranger will be busting a gut to prove himself after disappointing on his debut. I think he's gonna notch one tonight.

He has his flaws but we didn't look too clever without him against Huddersfield. Without him we look pretty slow and ponderous. Today should be a pretty good indicator whether we can play effectively without wingers.

It's strange how some papers are just completely ignoring this US story. For all we know the US story could turn out to be a load of bollocks. It wouldn't be a surprise if Moat doesn't pull out as well now that the sale has dragged on after the transfer deadline, then Ashley can go and stick his £100m price tag up his arse.

Even with Modric fubared? Bentley could do a job for Tottenham now. Bids are in for Krancjar and Petrov, nothing agreed yet. Another bid for Muntari, straight cash, Mourinho wants JJ included, Osman Chavez said to be joining on loan. If that lot is true, and it's not being said by just one person, then Arry really has got his wheeling and dealing hat on. Oh, also being said Gio is going back to Ipswich. No official statement but the OS is listing him as gone for a second spell for 09/10 season. Stop. right. there. You must be the worlds biggest fucking dunce if for ONE MINUTE you actually buy the medias bullshit claims about Arry being a "real ducker and diver in the transfer market who can wheel and deal some bargains". He's spaffed a fucking mountain of cash up the wall at Spurs and no-one ever seems to notice it. I mean, the likes of Bassong £10m, Palacios £12m, Defoe £8m(?), Keane £14m, Chimbonda £2m, Crouch £11m must have involved some real ducking and diving. But he's a real wheeler dealer, gets some cheap bargains in does Arry. He's spaffed stupid amounts of money up the wall on shit players for a while now, he does make some good buys but this whole wheeler dealer image is a load of cobblers. Let's also not forget the purchase of Utaka for £6m whilst at Pompey who was, and still is, fucking clueless. Redknapp's spending pretty much sunk Portsmouth as well, look at where they are now after his big signing spree down there.

I wonder if Hughton will still be scouting Lovenkrands 2 months after he signs for Birmingham?

Nice one Ashley, you fat piece of shit.

Lovenkrands is only going to come here if he doesn't get an offer from a Prem club so he's not exactly snapping our hands off to sign. We need other alternatives because he doesn't seem in any hurry and if he's a free agent he can hang around after the deadline.

Swap Barton for Butt and I'd back that side to get the job done against most Championship sides. Of course Guthrie and Nolan aren't strikers but they both know how to score goals and Nolan is decent enough in the air - not ideal but it could work. As others have said there's always Smith up front as an option. They need to be careful with Nile and not throw too much at him too soon, he's still young and getting used to the idea of being a first team squad member. He has talent but his appearances so far suggest he hasn't taken to first team football like a duck to water imo. I don't think that side would work at all. It's hard enough playing with one striker, never mind none. I would prefer to see Smith partner Ranger up front as they know how to play the positon and it will come more naturally to them. We have plenty of cover in midfield and if we keep things tight then we have every chance of scoring a goal or two with players like barton or Nolan in the midfield. A Ranger or Smith goal would be a bonus.

Wonder where all this talk of interest in Taylor has come from seeing as neither Aston Villa or Everton made a move?

Just get some fucking players in you time wasting cunts.

I know people want us out of the cup so we can concentrate on the league but I fancy a spot of giant killing by dumping a premier team out. It'll be nice to be the under dogs knocking the big boys out. Imagine dumping Phil Brown and Hull out of the cup

The Chronicle's main story is that Hughton is struggling to sign anyone and that there's very little money being made available by Ashley. If the new owners haven't tied this deal up by now I think it's fair to assume that we aren't going to invest in the squad by the transfer deadline so I don't really give a flying fuck how long it takes to sell the club after that.

Bale can play LM. Would be awesome in the CCC Him and Enrique down the left...

I'm not sure it is coming to an end. It seems just as likely that the deal has been left too late to push through in time to make an impact on the transfer window which will mean this could just as easily drag on afterwards, or just fall through altogether.

Kinnear froze him out of the side by all accounts, wouldn't even speak to him let alone include him in reserve games. He did get a few games in the reserves when Kinnear was in hospital, even scored a few goals, but managed to get injured just before Shearer came in and wasn't really fit for the end of the season. If his attitude is a bit shit it might have a lot to do with that, knowing that no matter what he did he wasn't going to be picked is hardly an incentive to put much effort in. There's a good chance that the reason he looks like he has hardly played with his team mates is because he's hardly been given the opportunity to play alongside them. It doesn't help his cause that every time there's an opening for a starting place he gets injured.

Should be an interesting line up for this one. Nile Ranger looks like being the only fit striker so he's nailed on to start.

ITK of the Year!

Why is Xisco out? Is he injured or is it because he's gay?

Seems to be a good spirit in the camp and for that Hughton deserves some credit. His real test will be when we get beat though.

If you read the rest of the article it's actually an interview with Danny Simpson on how much he's enjoying life up here. Getting rid of the dead wood and mixing some youth and hunger with the right experienced pros will go a long way to having a good season IMO. Smith over Butt for me any day.

That must have taken some doing seeing as they are in such close proximity.

Looks like Butt's options are in reality being told to fuck off and find another club. It's come a season too late but better late than never.

Don't see Geremi getting picked ahead of Butt in all honesty. Ryan Taylor more likely with simpson dropping to RB.

Jonas' injury is potentially mor damaging as he's our only winger. Despite all the flak he's been getting we looked pretty lethargic when he was rested, and I don't want to see Geremi. Butt and Nolan in the same midfield again if it can be helped. Hughton and his fat twat of a boss need to get some players in fast.

I didn't even bother checking this thread yesterday, all this stuff is now getting stale with talk of the club sale possibly dragging on until next year. Who gives a shit who the owner is if that's the case?