KaKa

Classic Dawson there ... as previously tortured by Oba Martins.

Bales pace when he's going is amazing, haven't seen anything like it personally.

Reminds me of the basketball player Jason Kidd. Arguably quicker with the ball than without it.

How is this the same player we had this time last season? How is he this good?

 

It's like he's been having transfusions of Shearer's life-force. Eventually Alan will be unable to walk and Andy will start scoring regular hat-tricks.

Belief and confidence. Too many youngsters and given either of these enough.

I admire this man for his effort and courage. Would feel the same even if he wasn't scoring goals. Keep putting in the effort and keep flying.

Had the decency to head straight down the tunnel afterwards and not make to much of a fuss over the victory. Smart move.

Really needed a good result today to fend off the media vultures more than anything, as they would have gladly hyped up the bad feelings and looked on in glee as the team plummeted. Thank you God.

Huge credit to the players and fans today. Didn't let bad decisions off the pitch get them down. Brilliant, brilliant stuff from the players and fans. Awesome.

Brilliant strike. Just beautiful technique. Got over the ball so well and smash. Paying homage to Ben Arfa with that one.

Add £20 million ...

Ranger puts his all in, and with his pace and energy good things will always happen. Shola is just a pathetic human being. No life in his body, no desire, no effort, nothing.

I hope Pardew's notepad reads. Don't play Shola ever again a million times over. The difference Rangers urgency has made is telling. Shola just always sets the tone for poor performances with is constant offsides and lacklustre effort. It just slowly sucks the life out of everyone else. Ranger's effort has just caused Skrtel to miss that ball, which has led to the goal.

NO MORE SHOLA!

- I like Tiote and Barton over Lucas and Meireles.

- Jonas will give Johnson problems because he isn't that great a defender.

- Routledge should hopefully start because he should be able to get at Konchesky with some success.

- Carroll should be able to get some opportunities against Kyrigakosand Skrtel.

Should be a good matchup. Think we have a good chance as long as the players are ready to go and not still in mourning. The major problem for us will be Torres running at Campbell and Taylor. It won't be a pretty sight if it happens too often. Hopefully his new born has been keeping him up and he's totally out of it.

Burnley 2 Leeds 0

Yaya Toure has really been looking more and more impressive in that attacking midfield role lately.

Leeds Losing :yes:

Better get those boys some gloves and snoods asap.

Hope Pardew doesn't play shola

Would go a good way to gaining my respect if he didn't that's for sure.

Mark Hughes sucking the life out of Fulham. Horrific manager.

Leeds manager bans gloves and snoods? 

 

Seriously what the hell is the point of that move. Is that rally what is costing you games? Bet they lose today.

 

Maybe not but it stops your players looking like a bunch of fags.

Sorry, but that is absolute rubbish. Typical neanderthal, overly old school, wanna be hard man manager mentality. I guess they aren't "proper" players if they wear snoods and gloves right? Get real man! Completely focusing on the wrong things as usual. How about making sure he has his team setup right and focusing on his tactics. It's pathetic. So if you have a South American or African player on the team who isn't used to the climate you would be happy enforcing that? I saw Tevez wearing both a pair of gloves and a snood last week, and he is still outworked and played better than everyone else on the pitch.

Leeds manager bans gloves and snoods? 

Seriously what the hell is the point of that move. Is that rally what is costing you games? Bet they lose today.

With Tevez out Man City bring in Jo and leave Milner on the bench. Already going downhill for Milner I see. Not surprised at all.

Linked with Valeri Bojinov. Interestingly, Graham Carr was head scout at Man City for Sven when Bojinov joined City.

If James Milner is worth 24 mill then I'd want at least 10 mill for Barton,knock half off for past misdemeanours and length of contract-take 5-6 mill.

James Milner isn't and has never been worth £24 million, unfortunately.

I suspect there will be a turnover of players in Jan, so some will come in if we sell. I won't be surprised if this is part of the reason they've brought Pardew in at this stage of the season, as they are hoping some new players will help to calm things down after what has been an unpopular appointment.

He clearly isn't going to get another contract at Newcastle, and so with just the 18 months left now, other clubs will be putting in pretty low bids.

Newcastle willing to sell Barton

December 10, 2010

 

By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent

 

ESPNsoccernet understands Newcastle United would be willing to let Joey Barton go in the transfer window because of his high wages.

 

West Ham are keen to sign the player and Newcastle have asked for £5 million, but the Hammers would offer only £1.25 million. The offer could increase to £2 million, but only on condition that Barton, 28, takes a massive drop in his £67,000-a-week salary.

 

A source close to the negotiations said: "It is clear that Newcastle need to balance their books and offload some players on big wages.

 

"Asking £5 million is fine, but West Ham won't pay anywhere near that amount, and would want the player to take a big drop in wages before anything can happen in the January transfer window."

 

It has been suggested that Barton, who has just 18 months left on his contact, would like a five-and-a-half-year deal at Upton Park. West Ham would prefer a three-and-a-half-year deal.

 

A Hammers insider told ESPNsoccernet: "It's Joey Barton's salary that kills any deal."

 

The impasse suggests that, if he does move on, East London is unlikely to be his destination and several other Premier League clubs are said to be interested.

 

Even if a move to West Ham were to be completed, the Hammers remain keen to retain Scott Parker.

 

Parker, 30, has attracted interest from both Tottenham and Liverpool but his £20 million valuation is almost certain to prove prohibitive. Tottenham, who offered £7 million in the summer, are as yet only willing to up that bid by £1 million.

 

Manager Avram Grant certainly expects to keep the key midfielder. He said: "I am confident Scott will stay. He is a good player for us. West Ham is a good club for him too. He has developed this season. Before everyone was saying 'it's not good that he's at West Ham', but this season has been his best so far so it's good for him to stay and he is good for the club."