nufc4eva

They spent 153 million on transfers in the past five years, or nearly 50 mill net, putting them 8th in the nett spend table. His decision making is there to be questioned, but they cannot complain they haven't been royally backed by their owner. We were heavily backed financially by Shepherd and the board over many years, during and after SBR era. Throwing money at the problem alone, clearly is not the way to go, especially for clubs spending well above their means. And we challenged for top honours and got into the Champions League. Whilst mindlessly throwing money at a problem will not solve it, neither will stopping to spend money. As I said, the can have no complaints about the way Short has backed them, and every managerial appointment they have done has been greeted with a nod of approval, even their DoF/Udinese model was. Their problem is they are just a nothing club with a culture of failure deeply ingrained in them, and long may it continue. The day Short has had enough is the day the will slump down the leagues never to be heard of again. backing alone isn't in any way to judge someone its decision making and shorts decision making has been mighty rubbish If you think that I wonder how you rate Fat Mike's..? all over the place. Some ideas and theorys I can get and understand but they're followed up with awful execution. Others are just plain bad ideas. Examples, having a director of football to focus on the transfer negotiation and strategy and also be a backer of the manager with an experienced football man giving advise to the suits and ashley-good idea thinking Denis Wise or JFK is that man-horrible execution. Having the club financially stable and be able to support itself without large amounts of cash injected to cover losses-good idea, doing so soley by focusing on keeping costs down instead of trying to grow commercial income (the one area of income that is solely the boards responsibility) -horrible execution. Overall then, who do you reckon has been the better owner? Them as he appears willing to bring players in tbf, he has backed all his managers to some degree, although maybe our consistency approach of keeping people in place may help long term

I keep trying to look if we are better throughout the club in that time. Things that appear to have changed: - We use the loan system more now (Dummet, Sammy, Tav, Vuckic, Newton) - A number of young players closer to first team (Sammy, Dummet) - Squad on paper is a lot stronger - There is a togetherness there and we appear to have good spirits Downsides - He really hasn't adopted a style to be used throughout the team never mind club - Youth and Reserve teams still appear to not be producing many players

I think that's the key to make sure we are safe or around the 33 - 35 point mark and then just let the shackles off and go for it, worst thing that could happen is we end up finishing around 12/13th - would rather have a go for 5 or 6 games and that happen rather than just trying to get through the season in top 10

I have just had a flash back of Nicky Butt and Alan Smith in same team after his name was mentioned. If you compare those 2 nuggets to Tiote and Cabaye with Anita and Sissoko our strength is twice what we had in the 2 seasons before we went down in that department (Would like a bit more up front)

Honestly think we will win, probably 2-1, Remy and Sissoko to score. If we want to be around 7th come end of the season we have to beat these

Dublin I think

Paolo Di canio doesn't like this

There will be 52000 people ringing the police about the rape of 11 men from Southampton come 5pm

Looking at Southampton's next 5 games they could drop a fair bit, hope we can beat them and Palace leading into home games against Stoke and Arsenal. Or at least get 4 points from them two and 3 from next 2. Would put us in good shape if we have 33 points on Jan 1st and probably put us around 7th

Oh, but we have... it is called "sunderland". I thought that was the "no way out" thread

I think we need a battle for 4th bottom thread

Btw, We look a hell of a lot fitter this season also, still seem like we have it in us come final whistle so the fitness work must be paying off.

I think we will finish 7th to 9th unless we invest in January in right areas and go for it. Can see us ending up above all teams currently outside top 10 but below all the teams currently above plus maybe Man Utd

He's a good manager, but that is a massive job following SAF. Have always said it would be impossible for the first manager to follow him because they were never going to have that immediate success after having one man as manager for so long. They may go through 3 or 4 before they get back to Winning league (Which they will do)

Ah yes of course so guaranteed a start, Him, Tiote and Ben Arfa just in front maybe or Pards may revert to Shola up top with just Anita and Tiote centre. May limit us not having that Cabaye creativity in the middle which Anita is not really that type so may need Ben Arfa to start.

Outstanding since back in the team, ever since that Everton match he has been playing well above his natural/perceived level and is hoofing the ball a lot less. Playing with Debuchy/Mbiwa on right as opposed to Simpson seems to help mask some of his issues. The defence complement each other well at the moment. Can't say any way back for Taylor as long as players stay fit as Mbiwa is coming on great as well.

I would play him against Southampton next week alongside Tiote and Cabaye again, helps us tick. The only problem is that it potentially reduces our attacking game, but helps us keep possession so much better.

And not making really rash challenges, seems controlled with his aggression and it's fantastic to watch

It won't happen but I would just give Bigi a starting spot now (if Cabaye leaves), he may be a rough diamond but he will offer as much as Tiote and is more likely to improve because he seems to have a brain. I would actually be quite excited tbh. http://i41.tinypic.com/359kcae.png Tiote, you have been very bloody good this season. Just shows how short term we are as football fans, we all do it, maybe we should be more patient and take the rough with the smooth. I think it gets so frustrating sometimes to see players not make the most of their talent and making stupid mistakes. I wanted him sold at end of season we finished 5th mind and my mates were saying you can't sell your best players. I said this season he is maybe but we can get £25 mil for him and I doubt he will ever reach that value again.

He has been fantastic at least the last 6 or 7 games, total difference to last season. Keeping the ball better, playing it short and defensively superb again

His first touch and passing are shocking at times. He is fantastic when running from deep and just being a nuisance. Would like to see him back centre again eventually. Still appears a snip for what we paid for him. He is such a threat when he get's going and I want to see him use his pace and power through the middle.

Fair point, Mike would probably call us the Sports Direct Avengers or some bullshit. Sports Direct Avengers Assemble - could see Willo or Pards shouting this out when off the ball, class name

If they are booing Moyes just because he went for their players then boo hoo, what about Wigan and Martinez grabbing their players. That's football, if you have good players and move to another club of course you are going to try and sign the best ones. They should think of the 10 years he got them to Europe and Champs League with very little investment

Looking at their team yesterday, only Vidic, Van Persie and De Gea have real quality, the rest are fairly average

Will know more after next weekend but I think they are fucked, they have struggled against all the teams around them and lost to 2 teams just above them that now have new managers. Cardiff and West Ham will be in it for long haul but scum have to get above Palace and Fulham and both could be 5 points ahead of them with better gd. They have to win 2-3 games with 3/4 teams not getting a point and think it will be a struggle