STM

Reading winning though. Could have been a belter week, results wise. Not that Reading are much of a threat.

Is Gerrard on drugs? Surely someone better than MK Dons would take a punt on him. I should say fair play to him, if he's prepared to go there and earn his stripes but it all seems a bit odd.

He also said that they didn't need to worry about relegation because of all the talent they had. No one questioned their league position or the manager.

Paul Merson says the reason palace have been so awful is because they have been too attacking and that Pardew needs to go more defensive.

Wasn't it Nolan hounded out by Pardew?

Aye Lazaar is next in line, you would feel. Haidara needs to prove he can stay fit and get into the squad.

Captain chest-shorts ruled out for four months.

He even has #PardewOUT

The only thing that annoys me is that he gets away with it. One of the media's darlings. Same as Allardyce, Redknapp etc.

Ah here's Pardew on SSN to comment on the Rooney incident. A bastion of morals himself.

As opposed to the people of Sunderland who are the selection pool for the Kyle show. Fucking dafties.

Apparently he was being wound up about his Alopecia. If so, it should offer him a chance of getting off.

I think people harping on about it is much worse, personally. If people want to clap, let them. If they don't, that's fine also. It's the ones telling people what to do that want to fuck off IMO.

Sturridge can fuck off. Bad injury problems. Bad attitude. No thanks. I reserve the right to change my opinion if Rafa wants him.

Some Nigerian lad from genk.

It would help if they didn't all play boring defensive football.

Spot on. If Lukaku wants to move in the summer then fine. Everton name their fee and reinvest it in their squad but they shouldn't tout him about during the season. Very Pardew-esqe. Thought more of Koeman.

Alreet Donald.

Trouble ahead.

He's a better footballer than Lascelles and has arguably been one of our best players. You could say that about most though. Really like him, I hope he keeps improving.

I think the key is not ruling out player X because of reason Y. Players should be judged on their own merit. Would you have turned your nose up at Bony, for example?

Kadar seemed alreet in the euros. Rest are shite.

I know it's not a rumour but I wonder if we could try and sign Delph from Man City in the summer. Would be perfect for us IMO. That's if we get promoted mind. I'd start a premiership planning thread but I'd get killed for it.

Let's make no bones, Benitez is a defensive minded coach, his first thought is to stop the opposition but that's fine, because he's good at it. He still encourages his players to retain possession, play on the deck and dominate games, it's just based on a solid foundation.

We are crying out for a quality number 10. Perez and Diame don't do enough for me, certainly not premiership standard. Needs addressed if/when we get promoted. A premiership striker is a must, Gayle and Mitrovic can battle with whoever we sign. A quality left sided player to replace Gouffran. An experienced defensive midfilder and someone to compete with Shelvey. Not much to ask.