Dr Venkman

Yep.

Depends who you are though doesn't it.

Aye, we've been here ourselves. Didn't work out too badly. Or, it did. I'm not sure anymore. Indeed, you would often hear 'Cabaye, never heard of him' from that lot when we were making signings. Means absolutely nothing.

Signing unknowns means nowt, they could well be good players.

I think he wants out and it's a convenient excuse.

Has Di Canio appointed the DOF?

He'll have to play him when Saylor's injured.

Ooh, Colo and Mapou as a partnership, that's actually something to look forward to for next season.

Not sure what all the fuss is about - people citing that the club should be getting games and dates publicised so fans can make their holiday arrangements....is that really the point of pre-season? Nut has it spot on, the club can't make arrangements until they know what season they're preparing for. They've seemingly had an iron or two in the fire, which haven't come to fruition due to other clubs/sponsorship and they're going ahead with alternative arrangements. Or, we can use the lack of concrete info to bash the club, slag off Pardew and write off the season. Who is lowering expectations now? As for the Man Utd comparison - they're going on a promotional tour to increase brand awareness/merchandising revenues. Of course they're going to be advertising it early, the sponsors want to use their brand as much as possible! The key players may not even travel if they've been on international duty.

Replacements. We are allowed to sign replacements, we haven't got a transfer embargo on us last time I checked. We don't 'replace' anyone though do we? We buy bargains.

Fuck that, seems a bit pointless building up a good squad only to sell it again so we can build up again and again. We have some quality players in this squad that have needed time to settle in. Exactly, the only thing a sale like that will improve is our bank balance.

Exactly, I don't know how anybody could believe Pardew is on anything other than his last warning. Guess it gives people another reason to have a go at Ashley for not sacking him already. Recent posts in here have implied that if you don't rate Pardew then you automatically must bum Ashley. They're both complete pests.

Ok Ian, I'm interested in your opinion of how much you think we'll improve next season. I don't really know, depends on the start we make. Better than this season, not as good as the one before. I just find it a bit tedious to spend time discussing how shit we're going to be. Don't discuss it then. I wasn't discussing it, I was saying it wasn't a cheerful line of discussion. Then you asked me a question about my opinion. But I asked you about improving Anyway I just wanted to know what people thought, cheerful or not. Fwiw I think it would have to be as bad as in the drop zone for the whole time.

Ok Ian, I'm interested in your opinion of how much you think we'll improve next season. I don't really know, depends on the start we make. Better than this season, not as good as the one before. I just find it a bit tedious to spend time discussing how shit we're going to be. Don't discuss it then.

Ok Ian, I'm interested in your opinion of how much you think we'll improve next season.

I'm interested in people's opinion's on what it'll take to see him sacked next season. In the drop zone until christmas?

He'd still be a great manager now imo, no doubt. He connected with players on a personal level through inspiration and you don't lose that. Football's changed but you could have said that when he took over the first time. It's always changing.

I wouldn't call not getting Carroll 'missing out' TBH. Blessing in disguise IMO. People whinge about the brand of football Pardew plays and then worry we might miss out on a striker who, if anything, will encourage him to adopt a more turgid style. Will this line of argument ever go away? I don't mean to pick on you in particular DI but it just doesn't make any sense to me, surely the positions are only contradictory if they're attributed to the same poster? Can a whole forum by accused of contradicting itself?

I agree that we've got the squad to finish top 10 right now, and we know that's the extent of the boards ambition (in practice I think they're just happy to stay up). For that reason I'm not holding out much hope for more players, I think replacements for any we sell is the best we can hope for. Just want Ashley to fuck off tbh.

Very good shout actually. Michu isn't that quick but he times his runs well. That position seems to be becoming more common as well. He does have good control on him like and seems good in tight situations so possibly. I just don't think he'd work in midfield as he's dead easy to get away from due to lack of pace.

I absolutely loved both Keegan's spells in charge, you always just felt so positive about watching your team. For a club of our size you can't really ask for much more.

Las Vegas Dave?

Cisse's link up play was great when he first came, I was surprised at how good it was and said so. I'm not entirely sure what's changed, perhaps he's stopped dropping deep for it like he seemed to do at the start.

He does look a bit on the slow side to me for this league.

I'd prefer no shrift.