Ronaldo

Who fucking knows what the idea behind the appointment was? There's a laundry list of Ashley decisions that don't even make common sense, let alone constitute financial or footballing shrewdness. Maybe he saw a manager who'd likely be able to keep us away from relegation battles every season, and made Liverpool large profits (before the days of PL fee insanity) on the likes of Torres and Alonso.

Whether that's true or not it's not relevant to the point being made. The issue with Rafa from Ashley's perspective is that he expects to be able to spend in accordance with his naturally high ambitions. In the summer that issue was able to be bypassed due it being vaguely acceptable for us to lose our best players of PL quality for large sums and spend enough to construct a Championship squad good enough to get promoted. That absolutely won't be the case next summer (should we go up) and everything points to Rafa being extremely disappointed about the non-investment in January.

Allowed to get on with making a £32m profit. He knows that can't feasibly happen again with Rafa.

Assume we'll find out in the next hour.

I'm guessing you're not kidding either. Last time I noticed you on here was when you said he was a better option for midfield than Shelvey.

I like how half of them have already managed in the league. And failed pretty spectacularly in some cases.

Would any of us put money on Rafa staying past the summer? I wouldn't, the odds would be shit.

He would be, given that Lowes never once took him to task, even after utterly indefensible consecutive displays. He was harsher on McClaren after a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal than Pardew after Liverpool dicked us 6-0 at home. Pardew knew exactly how to placate and manipulate the mongish elements of the local media. That's partially why he was hired.

Absolutely worth his weight in gold. Happy to say that even though it's an old Gray Fifa quote.

There's nothing I'd rather have in my side player-for-player than a striker who routinely scores from half chances, like. Someone like Ba. It's basically a shortcut to more points.

Arsene Wenger.

What did Shelvey cost, £12m? At that rate Tiote's probably worth about £8.50.

Ancelotti was my first thought for them, like and they've got him at no.1. Perfect choice in pretty much every way.

When you're on a yellow for most of your career - a career based almost exclusively on tackling - I'd say that's a red card waiting to happen, like.

Maldini.

I'm quite surprised any professional club would want him, tbh.

I think he will too, but it won't be here.

He's had 2 good games in the last week, to be fair.

It truly was and you've gotta respect Ian in a way, actually. He defended Pardew relentlessly against all comers but the second he suggested Hatem should drop a few pounds.....well Ian wasn't tolerating abuse like that.

I agree with most of the post but he genuinely doesn't lack pace, like. Far from it.

10 points from our last 4 league games, like.

Yeah, Brighton win their home games and usually nick something away.

It was December they sacked Hughton.

Murphy better suited to any game than Gayle. You don't half talk some shit, man.

The bad games he's had have pretty much all all come in the Championship.