STM

Watching Hughton position his players on the touchline was very Rafa-esq. Funny I can't ever remember Pardew moving his players about like pieces on a chessboard.

Rafa wouldn't let that happen.

Good shout.

Seen a Bas Dost link last week.

He won't refine his craft but he shouldn't play as many games. This good run won't last forever, not at his age. We need someone who can compete for that spot with him.

Run Rafa, run and don't look back.

Yeah I think Liverpool will tear them apart. Could be a high scoring game.

Rafa will make changes and we can play on the break against Watford. 0-2

:lol: Rafa would love a Carroll type but he won't touch a hot headed, injury prone player, on high wages. Carroll might as well retire, he barely gets a game anymore.

It's a 3 game ban like. I'd have been shocked if they hadn't charged him.

He needs more games. When he was in the side earlier on in the season he had some very good moments and contributed to the team. When he comes off the bench for 10 minutes he looks nervous.

I don't know if I will have the same hatred if big Mick is there.

Rafa needs to sign a new deal and be given assurances before I can enjoy/hate transfer speculation. If Rafa is given what he wants, we should get some early business done.

He is shocking like.

Souness is such a twat.

When I watch our strikers, i just imagine how good we would be with Ba or Remy instead That's the standard we are after. Of course, I'm aware it's not easy to get them but we shouldnt settle for someone half decent.

Bellerin is all fart no shit.

Spot on. Really good stuff.

Debt may be cleared but this doesn’t solve the problem of the likes of Cattermole and Rodwell still there on huge wages. They are still in the shit and it will take a while to sort that out. Absolutely. I'm sure the new owners have a plan but they have to hire and buy a team before they can compete. There's also two better teams joining them.

I don't see what basis this is on? They simply don't have the players as things stand, they also have a crippling wage bill which will stop them recruiting. They also need to hire a manager. They could easily get it wrong.

This is effectively Sunderland stopping the rot. It might take a new owner again to get them moving forward. I'm interested to see who will get the job.

Sunderland have been taken over by the owner of Eastleigh? The only thing I know about them is that they are a small club, with a small stadium and ideas above their station. Can anyone tell me about Eastleigh?

They will have to get a decent manager and a load of players but it's become more possible now. Keith Curle

Why is the match thread locked? Because Crumpy entered the discussion?

Having watched it back, Dawson does step on him but I'm not sure it's deliberate.