AlanSkÃrare

Sammy_Ameobi Samuel Ameobi I can see myself in your future #nufc¨ Signing a new contract?

Spurs have spent an absolute s***-ton of money getting to where they are in terms of their recent good spell, so I'm not sure there's much of a comparison to be made. Whether you look at it over the last 5 years or the last 8 years they're fourth in the league of big spenders in terms of net outlay, and if it hadn't been for Liverpool's recent spending spree I'd imagine they'd be third, only behind Man City and Chelsea in the spunking stakes. There seems to be an impression that they've become top four contenders through frugal dealing in the transfer market and a club like us could learn something from them, when really I don't see how we can learn anything about how to run an Ashley model club from Spurs. I don't think my comparison is down to that aspect, it's a fact that they've spent themselves to death. Should be nothed that they brought in a fair amount from Carrick and Berbatov as well, but of course, Joe Lewis and his money is another thing. Anyway, that wasn't my point as I don't think we'll reach fourth with this policy. They've said in recent years that they won't buy players without any resale value, but they're not looking to move every good player on as soon as a decent bid comes in. Just hope that's the case here as well.

I think "buying players with a resale value" isn't necessarily what people make it out to be. Look at a club like Tottenham. It's been Daniel Levy's way of doing things for many years now, and they've had some steady progression since they started doing it (i.e. after Bentley, Bent etc.) . In their case - and hopefully in ours - buying players with a resale value is more about not paying premium price than trying make an actual profit. In the cases of Berbatov and Carrick, they would have been daft not to sell, and you can safely say they've managed to replace them. In our case, looking at things as they stand now, we can only compare those player sales with Carroll, which at the moment looks a good piece of business, of course with the emotional and iconic reasons being overlooked. Our scouting network seems to be improving every transfer window, and I'm struggling to recall a signing that hasn't worked out for us in recent seasons (Perch aside). The board have hopefully put faith in the right people in terms of player recruitment, which is key for this model to work. Now I might be completley wrong and it might be Ashley's plan to sell all of his bargains as soon as he get's a decent offer, but if it's not, then we might have a good system on our hands that I think can bring relative success to the club.

Sounds more like the Wigan model of "Come, play in the premier league, play at Old Trafford, share a pitch with superstars like Dzeko and Bale, get your face on telly and know that if any decent clubs spot you you can be straight out the door." Don't think Wigan attract any good players. Valencia and Palacios are both decent aquisitions but that's what you'd expect during a five year stay in the league. Rodallega, Figueroa and the likes - nah. We might be taking a role of a stepping stone, but I don't think that means we'll be flirting with relegation every time someone leaves.

Our model looks like it's got influences not only from Arsenal, but from Udinese and maybe even Valencia. I think it's forward thinking, sane and pretty successful. We won't challenge for any major honours, but we'll stay competitive and attract good players. A lot better than the past five or six seasons.

Aye, unreal stat anyway.

What was it exactly? 32% win in 98 games, 75% with him in 67..?

Cabaye type of player. Not sure he is physical enough. Never seems to get stuck in. Intelligent and tidy as fuck though.

Villa are awful.

while I'm not advocating he's our number 9, I still think he's a vastly superior option to Lovenkrands and can still get 5-10 goals for us this season. Also, he's a great role model for younger players (see: Sammi) and how to conduct themselves off the pitch (and by all accounts, at training). For whatever reason, the consistency isn't there, but he's still a good enough squad player for the next couple of seasons - along with Guthrie. Being a role model off the pitch isn't enough to be a Premier Leauge player, not for me. Shouldn't have been offered the contract, shouldn't be on the pitch.

FFS Rooney vs Ben Arfa. This is like a discussion on RTG.

Would be fantastic if we extend his contract two or three years. Doubt it's going to happen as Colo and Jonas are both part of the "old wage structure" and probably players that Ashley don't want on the wage bill.

Nice to see Liverpool's "new pass and move football". 49% possession vs Wolves.

Almost as strange as Chris Samba hugging Demba Ba when he went off. I'd be a bit annoyed if I was a Rovers fan.

Back up to 2nd. Ramires saved me today.

The football we're trying to play now has more potential than the one we played last season. We were all fond of that team, much down to its desire to do well and it's fighting spirit. If we can keep that spirit within this squad, where the football isn't as limited, we're on to something. The football I witnessed today and at Villa was magnificent. A joy to watch, and it has now started to win us games. Sure there will be times when we struggle more against physical teams, but still; we lost 6 pts to Stoke and only took one against these with our more robust side last season. Well done to Pardew for employing and implementing this new formation and for improving the side. We now look capable of winning against lesser sides and threaten the good ones. Really, really looking forward to this season now that the team is starting to gel. I think Ben Arfa and Santon might provide us with additional dimensions going forward as well.

On again 8:30 in the morning here. Definite watch.

Let the hubris begin. I'm way too excited now.

19-4 in attempts. Telling, should've been more.

Seriously, even though Ba's got a hattrick, man of the match for me. Bossed everything and involved in goal.

Have I waited for this.... Fantastic.

Get Hatem on now, perfect opportunity.

Ba hattrick, GET IN

Wake up now.

Unecessary and undeserved