Minhosa

The interesting element here is now 'Player Power'. Now that he knows we're in for him, he's not going to want to go anywhere else. If, and I suspect this is the case, we've turned his head I just can't see him accepting going anywhere else and it's already clear Brendan Rodgers wants rid, he ain't gonna stay around there whatever happens. Pardew and Llambias have always been extremely complimentary about him in public, literally from the minute he left to the programme note from DL about our fans slagging the lanky haired gypo off, they've never been anything other than fullsome in their praise of him. He's coming back folks, the question is merely what the terms are.

Agree with this. He'll be back before his Liverpool contract is up for less than £10m. We knew Taxfree, we knew...................

Is no one else getting disproportionately angry at the word 'Newco' yet? Yep. Gets right on my tits.

Not to mention the possible arrival of Clyne and the fact they looked a better side than Reading last season. I'll be interested to see how Rodriguez does. Big fee but if he scores goals to keep them up you could justify it. Steven Davis might be good too. I think both will end up doing well. With the momentum of last season and the new additions I think they'll stay up.

Not to mention the possible arrival of Clyne and the fact they looked a better side than Reading last season.

Swansea tapered off quite comfortably as the season progressed, possibly because they got (partly) found out. How much did they finish with, 44 points? Brendan gone ( even if he isnt the messiah bin dips make him out to be) and gylfi gone + possibly others - a slight regress can quickly get them into the mud. Not only that Archie, but nobody knows how the current squad will take to Laudrup (he's fond of falling out with people) and how well he will adapt to the Premiership in general, so you'd have to say there are at serious risk.

If FSA is sacked, it'll be Redknapp back there.

Have signed Rodallega, Riether and are rumoured to be in a for a few more. I would also imagine Fayed would throw money at any potential relegation problems come Jan if required. Petric is a decent signing too. Missed that one. Yeah - I'd imagine there would be 3 worse teams than them next year.

Jesus. Cheap as. Very surprised nobody else took a punt if that is the fee. Actually surprised we didn't use some of the development squad budget for him at that fee.

Have signed Rodallega, Riether and are rumoured to be in a for a few more. I would also imagine Fayed would throw money at any potential relegation problems come Jan if required.

Wouldn't that be fantastic. You'd imagine their policy of 'sign'em old, pay em high and lob balls upto Peter Crouch' has a very short lifespan but I'd be surprised to see them go this year.

Surprised by the volume of Fulham shouts. Phil - you'd get cracking odds on the above. Haven't Fulham already signed a few players?

Good shout. Will be interesting to see how much ££ CH gets to spend.

Agree Tooj. I see them staying up relatively comfortably.

Having given this some thought over the last couple of weeks (for antepost betting purposes mainly), next season could be a real eye opener when you consider the sheer volume of managerial change across the Premiership, the additional spending power of some of the teams who you would expect to see in and around the bottom 3rd of the table; Reading, QPR, Southampton etc. Considering each of the obvious contenders on their merits, it promises to be a really interesting season next year I reckon;- QPR - New owner, spending money, typical Hughes (aka Martin 'Neill Lite) side; hard to beat, grafting, well drilled etc. You'd expect them to make a serious go at survival. Swansea - New Manager, difficult second season syndrome potentially, new/slightly different style of players. Rumours of key departures (Allen) and already some interesting acquisitions. Norwich - As above, without the rumoured departures. Again, some interesting signings (Butterfield) and a steady, unflappable manager in Hughton. How will they cope with the departure of the superb Lambert? But, then again, Hughton has proved to be adept at creating/maintaining togetherness and in getting players to play for him. Southampton - New boys who you would imagine would be seriously at risk but then they seem to be investing heavily, indeed buying very well and arrive on the back of a superb season last year. Reading - Yet another team arriving fresh from a very good year last season and investing heavily in fairly solid performers. New owner seemingly looking to make an impact. Rumours of even more cash to spend. West Ham - Allardyce sides don't require too much discussion. Effective, efficient, all about survival and likely to get it. Will also invest cash. West Brom - yet another new manager/head coach with a first shot at the big time as a permanent gaffer. Having served under Mourinho and others he starts with plenty of experience and inherits a fairly solid side from Hodgson. Without investment though and on the back of the other sides around them spending heavily, it could put WBA at risk. Wigan - Always attacked by vultures every summer, always have a shit start and middle yet always seem to survive. I, for one, am hoping that this is the year but you can't doubt their seemingly unrivalled ability to avoid the drop year after year. Thats 8 potential relegation candidates even without considering Lambert may not be a success at Villa, O'Neill may spit his dummy out at Sunderland, Stoke may continue to regress southbound or David Moyes may be hit by a bus leaving Everton helpless and hopeless. It's going to be a very interesting season and my money, although very early in the day, is on the following: - West Brom - Wigan - Swansea Thoughts/early predictions?

In financial terms, absolutely pointless I would imagine. Take an average of €3.1m in revenue and then take out the impact of P.L finishing position (clubs playing in the Europe must finish on average at least 2 or 3 places below than the previous season costing 0.5k per position) travel costs, admin costs, ticket admin costs, additional squad players to offset the impact on the players and it probably ends up costing money to play. I suppose the only intangibles are the heightened profile of being in Europe (additional sales, new fans, attracting better players etc) and the chance we have of actually winning a cup and what that would do for morale for everyone associated with NUFC. Edit - forgot about the gate receipts. Obviously a big factor in terms of income.

Can see Bellamy and Barton getting along like a house on fire. Just a matter of time until they fall out..........

That bastard steamed it.

Ran like a cunt. Cheers Neil. Your fault.

The 2nd Fav (Green to Gold) has been backed in from 12/1 to 3's. Uh Oh.

Agree but surely we shouldn't be requiring that?

Dead man walking in about 38 minutes. Be afraid.

FFS Neil. Did you have to?

I backed it that time too, the way it was finishing gave me enough reason to have another go on it. Same here. I'm going with Ahern as a single today. If it wins I'll probably re-invest a bit onto Red Cadeaux, Ed Dunlop was on ATR earlier talking it up. Got a tip from a very reliable source within the betting industry for Big Time Billy (7.40 Folkestone) tonight. The owners have already been smashing the price this morning so there isn't as much value now but still around 9/4. EDIT: Just double checked again and Big Time Billy is now 15/8 from 6/1! I've already backed it at 9/4 but going to go back in again for more. Followed you in on Big Time Billy @ 15/8. Fingers crossed............

Apart from the obvious (£££££) for Hoilett, I should imagine he knows Hughes well from his Blackburn days, so there may be slightly more to it.