Unbelievable

Bingo. We're talking about a multi-millionaire who's been paid thousands of pounds every week for the last 10 years. He's not skint, he's not struggling for cash, he's been paid circa £14m from NUFC alone since he signed for us. If he's still putting money before playing football then he's a greedy c***. He values earning money above actually playing football. He's scum. Remember Assou-Ekotto coming out a year ago or so saying he had lost the love for the game and was only in it for the money. Oh, how everybody though the honesty was refreshing. Can't remember anybody calling him money grabbing scum.

Not saying it's right, but a lot of professional football players get in financial trouble later in their career. They've earned a lot of money early in their life, but they've also grown used to this income and have a spending habit to match. Then, their income drops substantially and they have the rest of their lives to live on whatever remains. This requires a lot of financial discipline, which most football players lack if you ask me, which is not even taking into account all the leaches that surround them and take money off them. Not sure if this applies to Alan Smith in particular, and certainly not meant to read as justification for the extreme wages footballers earn nowadays, but to simply state they earn a more in a year than most of us do in our lifetime so what's a few 10k/week more or less to them is, quite frankly, ridiculous.

That's a bit harsh. You can say what you like about Smith on the pitch but off it he's conducted himself well. You can't blame him for the obscene amount of cash we've thrown at him. I'd much rather he was away getting games than rotting on our bench. Like I say "fine" if he wants to see out the last few months or so. But harsh? If the lad wanted to conduct himself well he would have left for football ages ago. But he's chosen to play f*** all (and knowing this is the case) so f*** em. If he's such a model pro he would have went where the games are. He didn't...he chose to sit on the sidelines. He's not paid to be just a diplomat. He's paid to be a footballer...which he's failed at. And by his own choice. f*** em. Would you leave your job of £60k a week if you'd struggle to get half of that elsewhere? Joking, right? I'd be expected to do my f***ing job. I know that much. Love the fact you think 30k a week would be a sacrifice How about in the real world: Would you leave your job of £30k a year if you'd struggle to get half of that elsewhere?

That's a bit harsh on wor Lee. He's a crap journalist, but come on!

Kaizero

Poor effort by the goalie

If it means they get to the final with one of the other top 7, it certanly does. Howay Spurs! We're still in the competition too you know! As if we would reach a cup final..

If it means they get to the final with one of the other top 7, it certanly does. Howay Spurs!

So presumably our chances to get into Europe are served better by a Spurs win tonight?

His wife sounds properly gutted at the prospect of a move to Sunlun..

FC Twente.

He'd better come up with a better defense strategy if he wants to avoid doing time like..

Maybe he shouldn't have mouthed off about the release clause he "read" in Demba's contract..

A much better option. Cheaper too.. Do you think he'd be a better compliment to Coloccini than Vertonghen? Am I right in thinking Douglas plays as the right sided CB? Yep. Vertonghen is much too similar to Colo, He's a better player on the ball than Douglas, who is a more clinical defender and would compliment Colo better. If Colo does not renew his contract and we have to sell up Vertonghen would be the better option, but if he stays (fingers crossed), I'd much rather we go for Douglas. Edit: you are correct: Vertonghen is left footed and plays in Colo's position, Douglas is right footed and plays the Taylor/Williamson position.

A much better option. Cheaper too..

2-0 Valencia..

That, and oddly enough, he is not very good either. Not rated at all by most @j@x fans I know. I remember some Ajax fans saying Vermaelen wasn't all that... FWIW they think he's a big game player, who is only up for it in the CL type matches and becomes a liability against the so-called lesser sides due to a lack of concentration.

Valencia 1-0 up

Too late for your half time speech..

That, and oddly enough, he is not very good either. Not rated at all by most @j@x fans I know.

Looks like he meant it too..

What an own goal! Excellent header..

Tiote booked

Goal!

So that's a minimum of fifth, or is it sixth..? My head hurts... All in all it seem quite unlikely unless we manage to finish 5th, even if Liverpool win the League Cup. There always tends to be a dark horse in the cup final(s).