AyeDubbleYoo

Guthrie's never 'fit', not sure whether he's available for selection though.

Put it this way, if we start next season without signing a quality striker I will be shitting it.

I don't actually care about standing at the match TBH, the issue is more ticket prices stopping certain sections of society from attending games. If it would be used to bring down ticket prices it would be a good thing, but I don't have a strong preference to stand at the match.

I would have mixed emotions if a bet I lost a lot of money based on NUFC doing well, or vice versa. It might make me a shit fan but I have to admit it.

"no matter how safe standing can be made, seating is always safer." Well yes, but strapping everyone in or having individual supporter pods would be even safer than seating, that's not really the point.

But that is in your control, and its pyhsical tortue to an animal. Football is not in your control and is a game. It's a comparison to what you basically are doing, you're saying it's alright to watch something you love get smashed up as long as you get money for watching it happen. It's just not right. Not really, what you decided to bet on won't affect the relegation, whereas you're actively choosing to have your pet tortured. It's quite different.

He's not available for either.

But do you believe he's actually a good Premiership-level midfielder? I don't think he's a liability. Fair play, I probably don't either, at the moment he is offering enough to offset his faults. If I was a Premier League midfielder I would love to play against him though. I think I'd be fairly pissed off after owning him all match then have him score the winning goal off his arse from a set piece. True, you've got to watch him on corners.

But do you believe he's actually a good Premiership-level midfielder? I don't think he's a liability. Fair play, I probably don't either, at the moment he is offering enough to offset his faults. If I was a Premier League midfielder I would love to play against him though.

But do you believe he's actually a good Premiership-level midfielder?

IMO fitness and athleticism is more important than experience in football, as long as you also have confidence. Look at the players who have continued to play well into their late 30s... they are the ones who have kept themselves most physically fit, flexible and athletic. Those comments about his knees hardly fill me with confidence. If he knows they're bad it would be no surprise if they're affecting him already.

The Nolan conversation is well worn... goals and leadership vs general contribution and lack of mobility. Personally I would be looking to move him out of the first team when we have all our midfielders available.

Hell of a precaution in such an important game. Guess it's sensible though.

I've tried this, it doesn't work.

Fair point, if the manager has faith in him I wouldn't mind him as backup either.

Signing 2 new first-team defenders would be a total waste of money IMO. We need backup for Enrique if he stays, maybe a decent cheap CB if nobody is ready from the youth/reserves and the rest should go on strengthening the midfield and getting us someone who can score goals.

Dunno, I'm pretty sure if we played out the end of the season 20 times we would get relegated more like 4 or 5. Not that I would ever back NUFC to go down, it's immoral!

I agree with this team, although I imagine we'll get some sort of weird fudge involving loads of players out of position. Unless Pards has learned his lesson.

I've always favoured playing Jonas right and Fergie in the team with our current injuries/suspensions. I doubt Ireland will be fit to start though, may as well hoy the apple muncher in if he isn't.

Is this Groundhog Day?

The answer to your first two questions is "it depends how big the payout will be".

Was he eating an apple?

Who? Jose will be on £45k at the very least. I love random speculation on wages. I reckon £60k! But it's not random speculation. Quite well known he is on £40k+ wages. Hmm, I doubt any journalist has seen his pay slip or his contract. Anyway, it's just a pet hate of mine. As if it even matters whether it's 30, 40 or 60. They're all mental.

Who? Jose will be on £45k at the very least. I love random speculation on wages. I reckon £60k!

There are only so many Ashley Coles and Leighton Baineses in the world - most fullbacks aren't brilliant going forward.