AyeDubbleYoo

You don't think the club should fine him for needlessly getting himself sent off to the detriment of the team in that and the next three games? Not really, have a word by all means... but he's had his punishment. We need to be building a siege mentality for the relegation battle, not piling further pain on our own players. He knows he's done wrong anyway, it wouldn't achieve anything.

I don't think there are any PR games being played here. He is their man and they will stick with him. Ashley employs people in Sports Direct who are not considered to be up to the job, but he sticks with them because he likes them and trusts them. Such loyalty is admirable in some ways but retaining JFK as manager will be the biggest obstacle Ashley has got if he is going to get the fans onside. I don't think many people think Kinnear is a credible manager who can move the club forward in the long term, and retaining him just adds fuel to the argument that Ashley is not in it for the long term or is extremely naive (or both). tragically i think you've nailed it there, all bases covered...and we're in deep, deep trouble if so Can't really argue, as you know I'm not anti-Ashley at this stage but if he doesn't bring in a top class manager it will be a major error.

Bad tackle, he got the red card and the ban, no need for any extra fines or going on about it.

They can't say anything else at the moment, but if this is still the case at the end of the season it will be worrying. Also, I hope they won't be selecting the next manager by the 'we like him' criteria!

I've defended Shola in the past, and I agree that often views can be too extreme, but I've never seen such a horrible performance from a premiership footballer as in the Everton game. True, he didn't have much support, but he really was shocking.

Quoted for absolute truth, I'm also sick to death of the whole thing. Whinge, whinge without any constructive suggestions. Even the complaints are based on assumption and speculation, it's embarrassing.

Was very disappointed to see a massive 'Ashley + Wise Out' banner when I passed the rally, especially since they had insisted it wasn't a protest. There is a lot to admire about that speech, but a lot of it is also overly critical, personal and aggressive towards Wise and Ashley... also a huge number of assumptions based on speculation along with completely unreasonable requests for detailed information that the club would never share publicly.

I saw Xisco walking through town with a couple of mates just before the Everton game. Why he's not there at least watching I've no idea, but it doesn't bode well for his future IMO... whether it's out of choice or he chose to stay away.

Looks like a decent decision in hindsight, but I'm not going to say I'm happy Bullard is out for the season.

I quite like Tiger Tiger, always have a good time when I go.

sums up the lop sided view of too many people. I don't have a defence for all of us lop sided people, all I can say is that (like it or not) a football club is a business. Just as money coming in from merchandise doesn't have to be spent on making new merchandise (i.e. it could be spent on staff/players/stadium), money brought in from player sales doesn't automatically have to go straight back on players. You'd have thought it would be when there's no cover whatsoever in several positions though, no? Well possibly, and I see what you mean, but it would all still need to be done within the wider context of the club's financial situation.

I understand that, you're completely correct. All I'm saying is that the fact you point out means that people with other views are unlikely to join. (Thanks for the patronising dig though Parky!)

sums up the lop sided view of too many people. I don't have a defence for all of us lop sided people, all I can say is that (like it or not) a football club is a business. Just as money coming in from merchandise doesn't have to be spent on making new merchandise (i.e. it could be spent on staff/players/stadium), money brought in from player sales doesn't automatically have to go straight back on players.

Completely agree. If there were a significant number of people who attended the meetings and made their feelings known then their position wouldn't be a minority would it. NUSC have gone with what most attendees feel; I can't see how on earth they can be criticised for that. I don't get that, at all. So they shouldn't be criticised by outsiders? If people are bothered enough by the NUSC, and feel that their voice might hold some weight and could influence things (perhaps along with similar minds), then yes if they can logistically get to a meeting or whatever then they perhaps should. I didn't say they shouldn't be criticised at all. I'm saying I can't understand how they can be criticised for going with what the vast majority of the people who turn(ed) up think. 40% of people on this poll reckon they are totally opposed to the NUSC's views. Do you believe that the NUSC would ignore 40% of a 500-strong crowd? Would they fuck. That's completely true Dave, but it's also part of the problem. The reason that the NUSC don't have those 40% is because they started out (and are still suffering the reputation) as an Ashley-out protest group and most people who hold another view would see joining as pointless. We can argue for ever on the rights and wrongs of that but I think it's the current reality.

Not exclusively!

The lack of signings under Bobby when we only got Bowyer was criminal as well. We could have really made a world-class team then, but I guess we had already overspent on flops.

I'm back home at the weekend, might go to this one. I'm feeling a bit more confident we won't get murdered for some reason. Still tempted to whack Jo in my fantasy football team like.

Supermac is a nob.

Graham Fenton

I know this is nothing to do with the original thread, but I can't see how anyone can argue with selling Milner for £12m. Classic case of a player seeming better now he plays for another club. It was a brilliant deal IMO, and it's stupid to say the money was never spent - it all goes onto the balance sheet at the end of the day.

I know what you're saying, but they can't get rid of everyone, we need some players!

Useful player when fit and hungry (), but too injury-prone and expensive. No complaints here if he's shown the door.

And to keep up the "NUFC fans are mongs" sentiments in the papers/on the tv - wouldn't want to let those get away. Can you link me to the most recent example of that please? You can't be serious.

Clever thinking ! Surely if you were looking for an England No. 2 you would want someone who's used to playing every week, not someone who is a specialist at sitting on the bench?! His point was that someone that's playing every week isn't used to being called on at the last minute, and so doesn't perform. Harper would be used to that and would be more able to play at his best on short notice. But they're used to playing, so they'll be able to play!

Clever thinking ! Surely if you were looking for an England No. 2 you would want someone who's used to playing every week, not someone who is a specialist at sitting on the bench?!