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Danny Guthrie and Kevin Nolan, were about as mobile for Neville Southall and Neil Ruddock.  Yet we won the league easily, with that centre midfield pairing for a large chunk of the season.

 

His lack of mobility and athleticism, won't be such a problem a league down.  He'll get the time on the ball that he needs, as well.  It's why the likes of Barton look brilliant in the Champ and then average as a centre mid, in the prem. 

 

It sounds cocky and arrogant, but I still think people are overestimating this league.  Hull and Burnley have just bounced straight back and I'd argue we're sitting in a better position than they were this time last year. 

Very good point to be fair.

However, I'd like to see us use him in a way that we would if we were still in the prem, so that he can develop in such a role, which would be better for his and our future.

So thankful he's not our manager anymore. Still brings me immeasurable joy.

Now it's official, and after seeing that picture, I actually feel really sorry for him

Also, Rafa's comments are class.  Clearly knows Gayle inside out

Loved the bit about him having energy and pace. Rafa knows!

We have lacked this upfront for ages.

Think it's so unfair how Shearer gets tainted with having taken us down. We were so far gone already man. Had no chance really.

Just read that article...Couldn't resist.

 

Not for the faint hearted.......

 

 

When I went to Newcastle we were starting on the wrong foot. I wasn't the popular choice and whenever there was a wobble, the fans reverted to that position

 

My 'end game' at Newcastle was when we beat Manchester United 3-0 at home. We had a fast mixture of manoeuvring the ball quickly, dangerous set-plays, discipline and power. Now you can say, of course, there wasn't enough of that, but that was what we were aiming for.

 

It makes my blood boil when pundits on TV, such as Alan Shearer, say 'I'll do it'. He was a top, top striker but he has no coaching qualifications and his only experience as a manager was very brief — when he took Newcastle down into the Championship.

 

What experience does he have of putting on a session, of building an identity, when every session needs to be about building, creating that identity and taking the players with you?

 

Oh my goodness ...

Carr is just a head scout man. He'll stil be useful to have around and use his contacts too, and bounce ideas off of. As long as he's not making the final call what is the palava? Rafa obviously didn't feel he was completely worthless, and so didn't bin him off.

I noticed in the last couple of games when he came on Rafa played him behind the front man. If Rafa could get him to master that position it would be ideal. It's where he originally played when he came through at Charlton, he's got a great shot and can really play a through ball, and so if he can settle into that spot it would help the balance of the team. Really don't think he works in a midfield two, if we are playing the 4-2-3-1 Rafa prefers.

Although he's decent, the world has gone mad when a player of Matt Ritchie's calibre, in the Championship, can command a wage of just under 60k a week.

I think it's showing intent. The message is that we are a prem club, and we fully intend on returning straight back up. We will be looking at these guys as players we intend to continue to use when we hopefully return to the prem, so from that point of view it makes sense.

Also, the reality is that doubling his wages and bringing him in is still cheaper than keeping most of th elot we have and continuing to pay them what we already do.

Townsend was on £70,000 right? Think I read that somewhere. If so, it's knocking the wage bill down, so Mike will be ecstatic.

Fair play to the lad. Knew he had it.

Never trust Nani.

Seems he's unnecessarily worried about Graham Carr still signing players. People need to let go of the Carr thing already, Rafa is clearly in charge of things, and if Carr has any input it's because Rafa is happy to use it.

Rafa has talked extensively not just about his database of players, but his contacts across numerous countries. He's managed in this country for years prior to going abroad, and so would still have loads of knowledge about the players here, especially as he always wanted to come back over, and so would have kept up on his stuff in England. Very short sighted to think he had no clue about these players.

Yeah ... Ritchie is such a similar player it was always likely he was the replacement. Ties in with the Ritchie timeline being Friday, once Townsend has been confirmed with Palace.

Would be pretty sweet to have him play in that number 10 role, but I doubt Rafa would want him, as his work rate defensively doesn't gel with Rafa's philosophy.

Wow! Got to admire Southampton man. They take some interesting risks with their managerial appointments.

According to L'Equipe Liverpool are keeping tabs on Sissoko

This is shocking to me. Doesn't seem a Klopp player. Would actually be fascinating to see how he would be used under him, and how he would fare.

Crazy stuff.

Southgate has rejected the chance to become England manager, even in the interim! I'm sorry but what a spineless thing. Why take the under 21 gig if you wouldn't have the guts to step into the main gig if called upon? Terribly cowardly stuff.

A couple of Chronicle articles say next up after Gayle and Ritchie s a centre back.

Yeah, it will be tough to do that again. Crazy numbers.

He will probably think Blob is the chef or something

Wonder if Sissoko could manage 15 goals and 17 assists :lol: ...nope!

Even in the Championship I honestly don't think he gives us those numbers. Not even close.

I thought the idea was to buy good championship players with championship experience not good premier league players with championship experience ?

 

The latter is better though surely?

 

Of course it's just I'm not used to this ambition

Yeah. It's pretty awesome.

I thought the idea was to buy good championship players with championship experience not good premier league players with championship experience ?

The latter is better though surely?