junkhead

He'd have to find some form quickly if he is to replace Ayoze or Mitrovic. He doesn't look like the player he was for us. Still would be pleased to sign him like.

Is Tiote in the squad for this one?

No sign of it like

He really hides while we're in possession. Not so much in defence, he usually throws himself about and occasionally makes some important blocks. Perhaps watching on TV, I'm missing on his organisation skillz or something but it's very visible how he jogs casually right next to an unsuspecting opposition player after making a pass. That should be a major weakness for a deep-lying playmaker, water-carrier or whatever the fuck his role on the pitch is.. Hopefully Saivet has enough footballing intelligence and ability to simply step in and make the position his. Can't see it though.

I like Berahino a lot. He's a very technical finisher and has demonstrated a good diversity in his goalscoring. He used to play with a lot of confidence and determination when I've seen him. Not sure if he's in the same state of mind nowadays though. If indeed there's genuine interest from other top clubs in the league, we'll have to overpay. And I doubt "the football board" would sanction a fee > £20M and a highest earner wage. Imo, rightly so, as Berahino's short record isn't that impressive. Don't agree with those who don't care about the fees and even more so - the potential wages. There's very little credible info either way but we all know wages can be key in terms of team management in any organisation. I imagine it's even more prominent in the agent-driven world of top football. Also as Happy Face presented so well in another thread, the club (surprisingly, at least for me) has a very strict limit on it's expenses, in terms of transfers and wages. On paper, each expensive flop reduces our budget exponentially and we have a few in the squad already.

I can see why we've targeted him. He has good vision and brilliant passing/shooting technique. Something we've lacked since Cabaye left. But at the state that we're in, ability is not enough. New players must have the character and drive to lift the team from the perennial circle of failure. From what's in the public domain, it's much more likely that he'll sulk like the others, once he "settles". Another concern is that it's extremely unlikely that he'll replace Colback in the starting 11. And a midfield duo of Colback and Shelvey will be by far the most immobile and slowest in the PL, also the ugliest.. not to mention their other limitations. Anyway, fuck it, at least he has some exciting playmaking skillz...

My only impression of Saivet is as a brainless head-down winger. Can't imagine his transition to CM being that successful.

Unlucky. Great game otherwise. Well done lads

Merry Christmas lads. Love you all

We were predictably complacent. Well fucking done lads fuck ofd

So we're relying on Cisse once again.. After a week talking about desire and commitment he picks Pap fucking Cisse to 'lead the line'. If nothing else, this indicates that we'll look to play on the counter, which is not a bad thing against Pardew. It will all backfire of course.

Very worrying that our 'full strength' team can look so afraid of the ball. Seems like the derby defeat has destroyed whatever positivity there was left since the arrival of the new staff. Too little actual football in what we're playing lately and we all know what happens when the players' start to lose confidence - It will only get worse. We must sign some more quality players with strong mentalities. But what is equally as important is we must get rid off the core of underachieving players (too many to name). Their confidence is destroyed by all those years of failure and anti-football and they drag the new players down.

Righto

I stopped watching after their second but I'm not angry with the team or McClaren. The lads were focused and played with courage before the ref made that absurd call. There was no getting back after that disgraceful decision. The fucking mackems won't be able to escape this year though. They were pathetic. Allardyce doesn't give a fuck, the alcocholics, masked as players certainly don't. Good fucking luck in the football league, WANKERS.

fucking disgusting decision. what a fucking robbery

Such a genius! Love you FOREVA Hatem!!

Chelsea have signed fucking Kenedy? He's very Rivaldo-like from what I've seen.

Great effort and determination from the players again. I doubt we can hold on though. What a fucking cowardly decision by the ref. Wanker

How is his tracking back?

Hopefully he's in the right state of mind. A good performance today would give him (and the team) confidence that they can have a good season. Mitro certainly has the physical advantage over Blind, we must exploit that. Come on Sandeeeee!

Delighted with this. Thauvin is already one of my fav players. He'll be a success here ayeahh

https://twitter.com/philousports/status/633017033182027777

Did they say extra time? (lol) Thought that's the first leg. Come on Birkinkanarananana!

Second team ffs

Guy seems strangely thoughtful and intelligent in interviews. A bit like Demba Ba did. Hopefully he has the intelligence to quickly develop a good partnership with whoever is our other first-choice CB.