Colos Short and Curlies

So this season was always going to be one of struggle? Under Rafa we'd be top 6 in this league so the only reason it was going to be a struggle is Bruce.

I like Pete. Weather you want to believe it or not he provided information no need to slag him off. In many ways Ashely made lots of sad stuff but turning us on each other is top of the list. I used to go to school with Pete, can't remember a thing about him, although he was a couple of years younger. He'd no doubt say the same about me but he probably fancied my sister

If the crowd turn do you reckon he's got the cajones to stick it out or would quit at the end of the season?

Bruce ringing the changes. Schar and Miggy dropped. Muto right ring and Gayle up front 0-2

Surely somebody at the club has realised that the more time the players spend with Bruce, the further from Rafa's levels they get and they will have locked the gates today to prevent the extra session

From today's line up the back 3 + Dubs were Rafa players. Of the 'attacking' 7, 5 are Bruce buys. Another reason the argument that the players are too well drilled in Rafa's methods to be more expansive falls down

The bacon

Perfect

It'll have to be one for VAR you'd think And the lower leagues without VAR? That's why VAR should be scrapped - consistent rules and application across all leagues

Whilst you can argue about how many of these would get into a top 4/6 team, its actually quite a feat to have such poor attacking stats with: Yedlin and Willems at wingback (both better going forward than defending) Schar and Lejeune available at centre back Almiron and ASM who are very attacking and can hold onto the ball pretty well I'm not saying we should be the Entertainers reborn, but not rock bottom for attacking play

See he's taken us to an overall negative goal difference for our time in the Premier League. Although to be fair this should probably be in the Ashley thread seeing as its a cumulative issue over the last decade and not just this season

Wanchope / Wanchopay remains my favourite

Retain those in bold, and release / sell the others. I was going to suggest upgrading on the likes of Shelvey and Ritchie, but we know that's never going to happen, therefore we may as well retain those as well and spend elsewhere. Agree on the 2020 ones, depending on how the 2 loanee fullbacks go Manquillo may need to be kept on. Not bothered at this stage on the 2021 list. We either get taken over and can release them all or we don't and get to next Feb with Bruce being sacked and a new manager in charge who they may or may not want to sign up to play for. The 2 I'd really push to keep (Schar and Woodman) won't stay unless there are changes

He's on Talksport again this morning. Talking about the Premier League and the too many games argument. Is against reducing the premier league to 18 teams as it has a negative impact on the Championship by adding games but is happy for Rangers and Celtic to come down in the Championship - adding more games. Would love to say his mouth works faster than his brain, but thats giving him too much credit

SD have a pile em high sell em cheap mentality, they were sat on just shy of £1billion of stock at their year end, 169 days worth of stock so they can whether a month or two's disruption. A lot of that will be Lonsdale tat that is a secondary choice for customers and therefore slower moving. If your core stock lines are short then the likelihood of these secondary lines being sold increases - reduce your stock, increase your cash without impacting your margin. Winner Winner

Or SD may actually benefit as people buy down existing stocks as newer lines aren't as available - increasing the cash in the company. Long term yes there will be a negative as stock runs out, but if this lasts 2-3 months don't be surprised to see him come out smelling of roses

The logic was pretty simple to understand and sensible. It was to stop the season starting whilst players were refusing to play to get moves or feigning injury etc. Clubs have months to buy who they want. Personally think there should be no January transfer window and the manager you start the season with you retain until season ends. Iirc the Jan window was a compromise in the Bosman ruling so that players weren't free to move at any time of the year and/or act as normal employees who give a month's notice etc

Its about 250 miles, you should get 300+ from a private helicopter

I'd let the guy off tbh, he's obviously just letting everyone know that Ashley's chopper has been to see the Saudi's

5th Round of the FA Cup - get it added to the brochure

Did he do the Degen. X chop as his celebration there?

Kinnear was a better manager than Bruce full stop. Yes he was a bit mental and out of touch when he managed us, but prior to that his career was better.

So who's going to miss penalty number 2 and number 3 that sends us out? I'm going Longstaff and Atsu

Yeah, that’s bullshit. Could be 2-1 to us maybe OK, 2-2 then but the double chance with Darlows save and then the chance that deflected over could easily have snuck in. Didn't say we would deserved it, but they were great chances

Weird game As professional a performance as you could hope for under Bruce, we could be 4 up yet could easily be 3-2 down. Good goal by Joelinton, the sort we saw on Dennis Wise Tube. Miggy made both goals with his endeavour