Mick

If this deal goes through soon and Shepherd is still chairman, will it be the last time he pays for Fanni while on club business?

Bernard signed after the transfer window had closed.

You still haven't answered, yes or no?

You're not going to panic, are you? What if I reminded you that at this time next week we'll be looking at week 4, are the palms sweating? Do you have perspiration developing on your top lip?

Yes but tomorrow is the start of the third. Monday tbh. Start a poll. Tomorrow is the 15th and we normally get 7 days in a week, I win so panic.

Yes but tomorrow is the start of the third.

Why answer a question with a question? The normal chain of events is for an answer to follow a question, that goes out of the window whenever a question is directed towards you. You said: (NE5 quote) "my stance is the same as it was with Shepherd, I'm only concerned with what happens on the pitch." Using your criteria, was Shepherd a success as chairman?

A simple yes or no answer will do. Was Shepherd a success as chairman?

Ashley or Mort may come out and say something when they have a better idea about the state of the club and what needs to be done to move us forwards.

Shepherd isn't in control, relax.

What a difference a year makes, this time last year I was worried about our lack of activity and the noises coming from inside the club. This year I could hardly be more relaxed about what is happening, I think a few others need to calm down and let things take shape.

I doubt too many fans will make a call after a couple of bad games.

I think some people have seen the billionaire tag and have got carried away. We should know as well as any set of fans that throwing money about gets you nowhere, we've wasted so much money that it's refreshing to be doing things right for a change.

Agreed, Crist, did I just type that?

I understand what you’re saying about us not knowing what Ashley has planned for the club but he's going about things in the right way. He's got rid of most of the shite that was running the club and Shepherd is noting more than an ornament. Ashley has brought in somebody who appears to be very professional and he seems to be going about his review of the club before moving forwards, again, another good move. Mort had an opportunity to give out more information but he hasn't been here long enough to go into any sort of detail as he could find out that things are totally different to what he expected, he'd look like an arse if he said one thing and did another. I can't understand why so many people are questioning the intentions of our new owner before he's had a chance to get his feet under the table.

I've moaned about our transfer activity over the past 3 or so years but so far this window I think we've done well. At least three of the 4 players who have come in are better than the ones who have left the club and I think most people feel that we should have done better last season with the players we had anyway. If we spend then we need to get value for money, something which I think we've done quite well at so far. I still think we could do with another 5 players and we have plenty of time to do that, Allardyce is probably still having a look at what he's inherited and where he needs to strengthen, he'd be mad just to but for the sake of it and bring in players who we either don't need or will not fit in.

It's good to see that you haven't changed.

He made me smile when he left and picked up an injury straight away.

Get a grip, he's entitled to his opinion and I think a lot will agree with some of what he's said.

Giving Barton the arm band would be a sick joke, it's bad enough that we've imported another known thug without rewarding him with that. Barton would be last on my list because of his baggage, if he plays and keeps his head down then that could change but as far as I'm concerned he has a lot to prove.

I thought Cole was £1.75million? Anyway, some great players mentioned in this thread, we may have been shit for a while but we've had some cracking players.

It still sounds good.

Sorry, I never thought about that, I'll delete my post.

4-4-3?

Agreed, one of those two Centre Halves should have loads of experience and a big mouth to organise the back 4.