AyeDubbleYoo

This was always massively unlikely though, wasn't it? So none of these developments that seem to cast doubt on it are actually a surprise, or a sign that the club has fucked anything up.

They can get goals at the top level though, well Bent and Jones can anyway. Campbell might turn out to be good, dunno Jones is overated imo, I was one of the people who thought when he first joined them that he looked a player similar to drogba, my god how wrong was I Possibly, still too early to say though I reckon. I think if he could stay fit for a whole season he would be top quality.

They can get goals at the top level though, well Bent and Jones can anyway. Campbell might turn out to be good, dunno

70 is the new 60 though.

Arsenal would be best, just because of the way they play and the bullshit criticism they get for it. Wouldn't mind Liverpool TBH, I like Hodgson and Joe Cole and Torres is class. Will never happen, but would certainly be better than Man City winning it.

They're an average squad with good forwards, that will ensure they finish above us. We're an average squad with average forwards.

I would jizz. Don't believe it's possible though.

If you sell your soul you have to be prepared for the consequences... no sympathy for any of them.

Er, nobody has said he wasn't brilliant. The question was about his behaviour, not his ability. Obviously no doubt he was class for us while here.

We need a symbol to shine into the sky when we want Baba's opinion... like the bat signal.

He couldn't honestly expect them to turn down £30m for Milner, surely? (If that's the reason for this). Ah well, something to talk about until Ben Arfa signs!

He can be a moaning little fucker at times, his ego is obviously pretty sizeable. He should have waited until the end of our season before jumping ship really, but at the same time the club should never have little him go for such an insanely low price. I voted Judas, but it was a close one. I wouldn't want him back now unless it was for significantly less than we sold him.

There's one know factor that suggests a holding midfielder is required though - the fact that our defence will be horribly exposed through the middle and torn to shreds by most competent attacking sides.

Just to say again, will be class if this comes off. Can't remember last time we actually made an exciting signing.

I know everyone usually hates a new kit, but this one is awful. I was looking forward to Puma, but the quality is absolutely terrible.

Yep, 25 more pages for your reading enjoyment.

Well sort of, you're trying to prevent your defenders from being exposed to 1-on-1 situations too often, and having to make hero tackles to prevent chances. I think to accommodate a totally defensive midfielder, you need other midfielders who are very mobile so as not to deprive attacks of the numbers they need to work. If the rest of the team is static and unable to attack effectively, then I think you're right about it turning into a five-man defence.

Just out of interest, why is he so bad? I haven't seen much of him, but I always thought he was decent.

Totally, he changes the whole feel of a game, teams have to dedicate a load of thought and manpower to stopping him. If he was a better crosser he'd be amazing, as he is he's very useful.

Jonas will be very much needed, even if Ben Arfa comes in we would only have three players who are competent in wide positions. Jonas might well be asked to fill in at RW when Routledge is unavailable.

What you say should be correct, but I fear there is a delusion at work of players getting games and even contracts on past reputation rather than form. What you say should be correct, but I fear there is a delusion at work of players getting games and even contracts on past reputation rather than form. I'd say this is one of the areas we've improved on. Only Campbell is a slight doubt on this score, and you can see why a newly-promoted and skint team would take a gamble in him.

Have they?

We're a better unit than before, but as people have said it will be a test when we start getting beaten more and more regularly. Should just about stay up though, even our worst season in recent times only just got us relegated last time.

I agree, but this happens very rarely. Diving is a much, much bigger problem.