KaKa

Ryan Taylor is an awful player. Complete lack of composure, which sucks for a defender!

Fantastic by Routledge. Man off for Leicester!

Williamson is the freakin' man!

This Williamson guy looks a very sound player. Gets in good positions to deal with any danger. Smart player.

We look like were set up really well. Nolan more active just behind Carroll than he has been in a while. Getting on the ball.

How bad was the pass from R. Taylor just then? Crazy!

Enrique getting some love

How crap are Tottenham ...

Nolan out of midfield and further up front - good

 

Butt into midfield in his place - not good

 

Jonas doesn't seem to be fit though. Should have played Moses wide instead and put Guthrie in the middle with Smith.

 

Can I just remind everyone that Moses plays for Crystal Palace.  Why don't we play Fabregas instead of Butt while we're at it?

Nolan out of midfield and further up front - good

Butt into midfield in his place - not good

Jonas doesn't seem to be fit though. Should have played Moses wide instead and put Guthrie in the middle with Smith.

WBA 3 Sheff United 1

 

Thomas

Sheff United come on!

seven gillion 

Come on! What a week this is turning out to be.

His agent confirms interest. And his contract is out after this season.

Backup option to Beckford and Harewood? Perhaps. I'm very suspicious especially since his contract is set to be up. Seems to be something MA likes to take advantage of.

Don't get too excited with Ashley showing some common sense, he's just doing the minimum to make sure he gets a maximum return on his investment when we go up.

 

credit where credit is due, he is backing his manager clearly. clearly it is to make sure we go back up, whatever his reasons for doing so, im  not overally bothered as long as we get there.

Amen. Besides, if he was only doing the minimum we would have only gone after loan signings , of which there are plenty good ones from the prem. MA's done well to bring in and go after some actual permanent signings for the long term.

He should be just fine as 4th choice. All our other centre backs look really good, and so if he's filling in alongside any of them I wouldn't be too worried. Nice that he's another very tall player also.

Sammy Lee's stint at Bolton was one of the scariest managerial tenures I have ever witnessed. I'm pretty sure he could relegate Manchester United.

It was unbelievably entertaining. Just so hilarious.

back on subject this is what the times is saying in their window watch

Newcastle United offered £1.5 million up front for Victor Moses, the Crystal Palace forward, last night, matching the bid made by West Bromwich Albion.

 

Palace, who are in administration, are hoping to raise more for the 19-year-old, who has attracted interest from Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Manchester City. West Ham United have offered an initial £500,000 rising to about £2 million, but the deal is less attractive to Palace because they require significant funds this month.

The key part in that is the upfront bit. Think someone already mentioned it, but MA did go on a bit about paying fro transfers upfront and not staggering payments anymore. Could actually work out to our advantage in the transfer market, as it will certainly appeal to the selling clubs who will always want as much money as they can get in straight away.

I have to say it also seems Hughton might very well be the first manager who really has MAs respect.

 

 

Or maybe a case of Ashley simply doing what he should have been doing all along...2 years too late.

If we just managed to stay up in the prem and MA brought in the likes of Wayne Routledge, Williamson and Moses how do you think it would have been received?

It's easier for him to go after these sorts given our current position, as most feel that they are at least good enough for this level.

In my eyes they all have potential for greater things though. MA wants to gamble on younger more obscure talent that is cheap essentially. Putting a huge amount of faith in scouting etc.

Very tough to do when in the prem and pushing for Europe though. People want to see big price tags. The irony is of course that if we end up with Williamson, Routledge and Moses they will most likely go on to outdo the likes of £8 million Boumsong, £15 million Owen and £9 million Luque.

Moyes has made a living off doing this all of his time at Everton. Look at the names ... Cahill, Lescott, Jagielka, Pienaar - none cost up to £5 million I don't think.

Imagine if missing out on Beckford means we end up getting Moses instead.

Not so bad then eh? Much higher ceiling of potential with the youngster.

See what happens when everyone just gives the sensitive fat guy a bit of space and lets him follow his blueprint?

 

 

Moses completely fits the profile of what Ashley has always claimed he wanted to go after, and this really is a great opportunity. It looks like prem clubs have opted out, likely due to his age and lack of experience, as most January shoppers are looking for immediate impact players.

 

He will get regular football with us now, with the opportunity to cement a place in the team, hopefully then going into the prem next season.

 

Make the right choice kiddo! 

 

we haven't signed him yet, and it is a lot easier to spend small sums in the championship than it is to spend real money for top flight players. it is definitely positive that we are investing now, but there's a bloody long way for ashley to go just to get us back and established in the premiership, ie, back to square one.

I think MA would have wanted to make these exact same signings even if we were in the prem. Lower league talent with potential to make the step up. He needed a low key manager to do it though, which he didn't have in fat Sam, Kinnear or Keegan.

I have to say it also seems Hughton might very well be the first manager who really has MAs respect.

Lads let this be a lesson to you. It's like going after a pretty young thing, cool, calm, collected and almost passive always win the race. Be a challenge fellas.

Don't be all needy and stuff. Squealing for Henrys and Lampards!

See what happens when everyone just gives the sensitive fat guy a bit of space and lets him follow his blueprint?

Moses completely fits the profile of what Ashley has always claimed he wanted to go after, and this really is a great opportunity. It looks like prem clubs have opted out, likely due to his age and lack of experience, as most January shoppers are looking for immediate impact players.

He will get regular football with us now, with the opportunity to cement a place in the team, hopefully then going into the prem next season.

Make the right choice kiddo!