Ashley17

What you're saying is, Rafa has found us a buyer. What a guy!

I know he dived but had it been Rooney or whoever flavour of the month is right now he would have been "trying to get out the way of a tackle" or some other bollocks

Sky always have their hands tied at this time of year. They can't put any Champions League club in the Sunday or Monday slot as they pick the TV games before the Champions League draw, so it's quota fillers all round

Colback to Harry on loan, apparently

Colback's off at least

Nah we're after Jorge Campos, Goalkeeper/Striker

Jovetic linked again. Would be nice Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We were miles better in the second half when Diame and Saivet switched. Saivet and Barlaser offered no protection at all but Diame was pretty good when they switched, but he missed two decent headed chances. Darlow - Awful for the second goal, they had an identical chance about 5 minutes earlier that he just about got away with. Made a few decent saves in the first half Sterry - Looked well off the pace, couldn't complain at being subbed. Gamez - He's alright, a very average full back. Good communicator on the pitch Hanley - Shite. Even when he did something right he then took it out of Darlow's hands for some awful reason. Likes a 70 yard ping into the stands Mbemba - Better than Hanley but pretty unremarkable Barlaser - Too timid first half, actually tried to tackle players in the second half but pretty ineffective. Saivet - Better second half playing in the 10 role but nothing to get excited about Diame - Drove us forward second half but unfortunately can't head a football. Tried to lob the keeper from about 45 yards Aarons - Great goal, a box of tricks and he did well to get to the byline a few times. Far less effective on the right before being subbed, though he tired badly before going off anyway. Murphy - Glides past players when he's at full speed but showed a lack of composure on 2 or 3 occasions. Promising though. Mitrovic - Took his goal well, was a nuisance but a few times there were great balls served on a plate where you'd expect your striker to be. Lazaar - He's definitely not a left back as he can't tackle for shit. Won't be missed. Ritchie - Inventive as ever but nobody ever seems to be on his wavelength. Hayden - Meh, didn't really have an impact Disappointed with the team we played, if we win on Saturday it'll be forgotten but if we lose then it's a disaster. On the other hand, if this is the second eleven then at least now everybody knows how poor the squad is. Yes we deserved to win in 90 minutes but there's just no cutting edge in this squad, and that's always going to be a problem.

Thought Merino was very handy when he came on, spraying the ball about. By that point Spurs had dropped off and I'm not sure he'll get anywhere like as much time in normal circumstances. Probably also helped we'd switched to 3-5-1 by that point. Atsu looked to have picked up where he left off at the end of last season. He's a much better player now than he was when we first loaned him, hopefully he continues to improve. By contrast I thought Perez was awful in the number 10 role first half but was surprisingly combative when he dropped in for Shelvey. Not convinced by him at this level at all.

Wanted to play football at this stage of his career, also Pulis wouldn't offer him the deal he wanted. We were in for him but his family are still in Manchester and he wanted to be closer to them

Injured, but due to play for the U23s in midweek

Been meaning to post this for a while as it's the worst piece of football tat I own. I think it came from a Prague market, NUFC Russian doll from around the 2005/6 season. Shearer is obviously the big one, but it's Steve Carr inside him...

Incidentally, does anybody know why some of our players have no arms? [insert "they're 'armless" joke here]

It's an absolutely horrific likeness

Found my collection of Corinthian figures the other week, made a display for Keegan's 95/96 squad. Then I realised you could get a Keegan, so I ordered one off eBay. No idea how he passed me by as a child. He's with Rafa now

Nobby was at right back, Pattison left wing

We have three games in 8 days, it's all about getting minutes in legs rather than playing our strongest team. Rafa said as much on Thursday night.

That run of goals he went on was ridiculous. Ended up more than Mackems top goalscorer that season. I think the real thing that killed us in 96/97 was the injuries to Shearer and Ferdinand in November and December. Shrearer's goal record that season was excellent considering the number of games he missed. Was watching some VHS back of clips from that season the other night. The fact we played our best 11 in the UEFA Cup every warmed my heart. Keegan was questioning the desire of the squad after a couple of the early defeats, could tell it really rankled with him. Particularly the loss at Halmstads, even though it was irrelevant

Rafa was really good value, not just with his insight but he's actually a really funny bloke too. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He's going to Derby afterall

Have to say I'm a bit happier about the situation reading those quotes. If we have a budget then Rafa himself probably doesn't want us to pay over the odds knowing it will impact other deals. Unfortunately I'm sure Keegan probably made very similar noises and we all know how that ended.

Who the fuck cares? It's a two hour flight Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No doubt he's a useful player to have when he's not injured but *holds microphone to crowd* He's always injured!

If anyone has an urge to re-live the 1995/96 season and all the misery that goes with I was a guest on Alive & Kicking 90s podcast this week discussing it:

Concrete links? This Lejeune character has been set to sign for about a month according to just about everyone. Even his current club aren't expecting him back