Raconteur

Hard to argue with a lot of the Di Canio press conference - obviously you want quality players, but professionalism has to be high in order to get the most out of that quality. Ferguson's teams are the best example of this: you don't see them mortal on casino floors (and I know there are examples of poor behaviour, but the first thing Ferguson did was crush the drinking culture at Man U, and impose a high level of professionalism) In a sense the fact that they are shit is an advantage in that replacing like-for-like quality-wise won't be an issue, but they should be able to upgrade professionalism fairly cheaply you would think. As for Bardsley's dozy bint: if he wasn't going to get sold beforehand he sure as hell is now! Seriously, when has a WAG's tweet ever improved a situation? I'm all for female expression but, love, you're biting the hand that feeds your husband (and you and your children...)

Is that for real? Gus Poyet got fired (suspended, whatever) for writing an email complaining of s*** behaviour? The article says the poo incident is nothing to do with his suspension. What the article says is "There is no suggestion any of the trio is responsible for the dressing-room incident. Or that it is the reason for them being barred from Amex pending an investigation. But Albion execs...are said to be furious with the email." That quote tells me that it probably has played some part in his being on BHA management's shit list. But in a sense you're right - it's more likely the point #2 that is the real problem: his criticism of a marketing gimmick.

Beckham is so hard to judge because he has been manufactured into this marketing behemoth that doesn't equate with his ability. That's not to deride his ability; Leo Armando Pele wouldn't be as good as the British media have made Beckham out to be at times. Early on, I felt that Beckham had built a whole career out of one goal (the 60-yarder v Wimbledon) and hooking one of the biggest pop stars of the day. Even after the free kicks started flowing, I thought that yeah, it's a neat trick but Zola does it better. It wasn't until much later that things like determination, dedication and especially work ethic really impressed me, the way he took what talents he had and constructed something wonderful. He might well have been the slowest winger to ever play the game, but damned if he didn't create a bazillion goals over many years. And it's all very well to say that Real and Milan and Paris signed him to sell shirts, but good teams don't give serious game time to players in order to sell shirts. As dcmk says, Real were starting him ahead of Figo who was one of the best right wingers of the last twenty years. I think going to LA was a poor sporting decision, but what are you going to do when a dump truck full of cash is unloaded at your house and you've got a horrible woman who wants to live somewhere trendy?

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/stoke-players-egg-michael-owens-1884378 I bet deep-down he's really pissed off at that. I bet it's not so deep at all - the little cunt will be fuming!

Is that for real? Gus Poyet got fired (suspended, whatever) for writing an email complaining of shit behaviour?

One never wants their team to lose, nor to see a long-serving player depart on a real downer (like, I dunno, being a keeper who concedes double figures) but I certainly understand the sentiment. Defeat won't do it, but a real touching up in the final match might just leave Mike with a bitter taste in his mouth over summer...

Look at me, look at me: I know Greek philosophy. Pathos Brilliant

Look at me, look at me: I know Greek philosophy. Pathetic...

Isn't that just another Pardew myth, like the one about him being good at PR?

That's him sacked, then...

Hughes and Bellamy reunion at Cardiff if Mackay goes to Everton?

I remember when some people thought he'd make a good Toon manager. I'm saddened to think he'd be an upgrade on the current Toon manager...

Zaha: signed by Sir Alex Ferguson Plays under David Moyes

Again this is the long and short of it. And we are also dull as dishwater just to add insult to injury. This is what's bothered me this season: we are so ridiculously turgid. It's hard work watching a match that kicks off at 2am when the fare being offered is almost guarenteed to put you to sleep!

True! Not that I rate Victoria Beckham, but the analogy is pretty damned good!

Unfortunately I agree. Yup, I think Dave's Christmas call is a good shout. Maybe a little earlier to allow the new man to get his feet under the table in time for the January sales.

Moyes does seem to be the choice of the collective journalistic wisdom, which is why he's odds on while Solksjaer is probably at longer odds than Pardew. It's always fascinating watching clubs go through this process, and so much more interesting when it's Man Utd...

Didn't say Solksjaer had done more. Just that I see him as a more realistic option. Ex Man Utd player and so knows the club and its culture, one of Ferguson's favourite players (if I recall correctly), has carved out a decent career (in an admittedly lower standard league), is of an age where he is amenable to advice yet still have authority. For me, it seems to tick a lot of boxes. Moyes is Scottish. Has done well in trying circumstances. And...? Doesn't tick enough boxes for me. I just can't see them hand the whole kit and caboodle to an "outsider". They are abundantly aware how important this transition is, and they'll do it their way. In fact, maybe they'll let Phelan run things for a season or two. They're doing brilliant, Molde. http://www.altomfotball.no/element.do?cmd=tournamentTable&tournamentId=1 Now that's a comeback

Wind-up? Whatever. Time will tell.

Didn't say Solksjaer had done more. Just that I see him as a more realistic option. Ex Man Utd player and so knows the club and its culture, one of Ferguson's favourite players (if I recall correctly), has carved out a decent career (in an admittedly lower standard league), is of an age where he is amenable to advice yet still have authority. For me, it seems to tick a lot of boxes. Moyes is Scottish. Has done well in trying circumstances. And...? Doesn't tick enough boxes for me. I just can't see them hand the whole kit and caboodle to an "outsider". They are abundantly aware how important this transition is, and they'll do it their way. In fact, maybe they'll let Phelan run things for a season or two.

Why is everyone jumping on Moyes but dismissing Solksjaer? I can dig the whole "no PL experience" thing, but with Phelan holding his hand and Ferguson upstairs, it works for me. The favourites seem to be Moyes, Mourinho and Klopp, but I just don't see any of them happening - Moyes hasn't done enough, Mourinho doesn't have the right personality and Klopp (just a vibe) might be too hard to prise away. I really think Solksjaer is a decent bet.

No surprise that one of the greediest professions on the planet leads legal action aimed at addressing the greediness in the sport. He'll probably win, too...

Is it revisionism to say that "Pardew's 5th place" was ridiculously lucky? My memory isn't what it used to be, but my biggest memories of last year are watching games or reading match reports and match threads that were all about how lucky we were or about how poorly we played but still collectes the point/s? The only reason luck sticks in my memory is because in all of my time as a Toon supporter I simply cannot remember any form of luck smiling upon us. In fact, it seems to be shit luck followed by more shit luck - kinda like our ridiculously constant injury crises... His doubters have pointed to his record of initial success followed by complete failure; it seems he is at least consistent...

Scary that this article is considered funny or entertaining. It is pretentious and self-important - and I say that thinking that the club has its head up its own ass with the statement denying the original Telegraph piece. I always considered the British to be good at satire, but that was woeful

So why not take advantage of Luke Edwards' banning and have him ask these tough questions (via Twitter). If he's already on the outside, then he might find himself selling papers (or getting hits) from crticising Pardew or even spearheading a "Pardew Out" campaign. The southern media will jump on board once a lead has been made...