thorin

any reason for thinking that ? I just feel it's still unclear whether or not Fat Mike would want to stay and stabilize this club. Very much will depend on this summer window and how it is handled - going forward. But I mean, say we go into CL, he receive a great bid for the club, obv. sell or? Basically the same with say, Ba, clause or no clause. So nothing is carved in stone

Didn't we wish that every other year we'd go to someone other than Adidas? Now we're wishing to go back? I can't help but get the feeling that whoever we get will give us a s*** kit tbh. People might have, I didn't. I just don't see what Puma can contribute with... ah well, we got no say in this shit anyway

God, I wish we'd get sponsored by Nike or go back to Adidas, I just hate Puma. Actually I think Puma should just keep to making shoes... that's basically what they can. That black/white gold kit was so epic, althou I miss more lines. Also, after this season RED wouldn't be appropriate coloring for the number, GOLD however, would WIN!

Even with CL, unf. I don't think we'll be able to attract the big, big names. Atleast not until another couple of seasons has gone and we've been persistent in the PL and Top 4-6. What worries me at this moment is also whether we will be or not or if we'll see a big ass jackpot garage sale as now is the time to sell hot players.

Yeah, what I'm talking about isn't necessarily Championship, but I would prefer him being in a league or team that has the physical presence that PL do. He's not too big of a guy and he seems a little weak (not that that is a bad thing, i.e Silva), but if so he needs to learn how to cope with it. I've liked alot of what he has contributed with, but he's definitively raw material and he needs to play consistantly or close to, more so than we can offer him atm. as I do not think he's "that" ready to be in the first team. I guess I'd also have to point out that I do not see him as LB material, more like midfield (winger) in a regular 442 as he can contribute both ways. I had hoped he could be a LB, but I don't think that's for him... unf. It's really great having people come through the youth ranks.

Clauses are really common in most of the big Euro leagues besides in PL. I also think he could be well worth the 15-20 mill EUROs they're requesting, it'll equal to about £15 mill or something? I mean, having paid 10 for Cisse and he's 26 - Belhandas' potential is way bigger. Although I do believe this is basically a dream come true if it happens, as I'm not too sure if they're seeing what we're seeing. I just think him being able to cover all midfield positions is basically ideal for the way Pardew thinks/plays.

I haven't seen anything (really) off Martin, but for a midfield 3 - I seriously believe Belhanda is the best fit, as he can cover all positions. Expensive? I have no idea, hopefully they've found a clause or whatnot so we can get him in. The way he finds his teammates is just amazing...

I think we should discuss the look of Belhanda and how he can most likely cover all midfield positions and also play as the #10. He got epic skillz.

We need more than this win to get into CL. It'll also be interesting to see the line up as Stoke is all physical and long balls.

I'm still unsure of this lad, but we'll see how the recruits will be this summer, maybe he can get a spell in the Championship through a loan or whatnot. I only feel he's running around like a chicken with no head most of the time he's on the pitch...

I don't really think it'll come down to goal difference, but if it does, train has left the station after the 5-0 match against Spurs imo. As long as they get a win and preferably keep a clean sheet, I'm more than satisfied.

I think they should all get behind this guy: http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=292017.msg10136790#msg10136790 LOL, Downing > HBA, that's an April Fools joke

As Pards stated; looked really flat today, lot of misplaced passes and whatnot. Lack of energy. Hope he turns in a goal or two on Monday, he deffo needs it - it seems.

I'm thinking we still haven't seen the best of him... lucky us! And he wants to stay...forever!

Pure class!

It doesn't matter, we need to replace him. He might hold the level of the bottom 10 teams' games, but we'll certainly see him struggle in the next game against Pool and Suarez I'm still bemused we didn't get a CB cover in the January window...

Interesting list, but I see 2 missing links here: Verthongen Douglas We need quality and not alot of those players, maybe with m'Biwa being the exception, would contribute to that.

Williamsons at fault for the 2nd goal, he was in no-where land when the ball was struck by Saha, ridicolous. Anyway, the match is over and I always thought we'd lose this match, however I was optimistic about a decent line-up since AP claimed we would "go" for it. We just couldn't make a pass, could we? And I was waiting for him to bring HBA on to atleast try to keep the ball moving and maybe open up some room for Cisse to run in, but nothing. Oh wait, Ferguson & Lovenkrands , the only missing link is Ameobi.

It's kind of funny how we yesterday discussed this topic and today I see this ridiculous "outburst" from AP on how HBA doesn't grasp the PL. LOL! It's also kinda funny how people seem to think AP is right, comparing HBA to Obertan and how Obertan make some runs and he's suddenly better. His end product blows, he simply can not finish a decent pass, nor does he offer anything special in the final third besides the hit n run pace of his. I mean, was Ronaldo or Nani really that defensive minded when they arrived at United? I think not, and what happened? They BECAME a couple of the best ones in the league after a while. How can AP think that HBA will adapt to what he wants from him, without playing him? It makes absolutely no sense at all. And I'm not saying our team should stay in a circle around HBA, no player is bigger than the team spirit we have here, but instead of making up excuses maybe we would be better off actually trying to get HBA to adapt to how we want to play? Tell him to look for the key pass instead of another dribble or whatnot, I don't really care, but what I do care about is the fact that players that don't really give us anything - still is looked upon as 'KEY' players in our line-up when we obviously have one sitting on the bench?!

I agree Shak, and that's what I feel is missing here. A long run of games for HBA on the wing (if that's where Pardew feels he's fitting) to use with 2 strikers. Didn't Obertan play almost half of the first campaign on the wing and produced close to 0? I'm not really sure what AP thinks of HBA really, it seems like whatever he says and HBA responds, AP benches him.... makes no sense, so as I said earlier, I think he's off, unfortunately.

But to be frank, how many times has HBA really had the chance to show his work ethic? Over a period of time, obviously he hasn't. And I agree with what has been said above, Jonas loses the ball just as much as he basically only has 1 dribble, but he covers for it in his madass Kuyt runs up and down the line. Without Cabaye, we don't have any midfielder with vision basically and I for one, think we need it. Jonas was actually at fault for his ball drop at the AV goal yesterday... Although I do think HBA will leave in the summer, which is kinda sad, because if he leaves we got no player with flair left and with the way Pardew thinks and buys we wount get one either.

There's a difference as Ameobi's physical presence locks opponents defensive line, whilst HBA doesn't. Although, I didn't really think he was THAT bad in the first half, a couple of bad touches etc., but Ameobi is all bad touch so then again? I really hope that we can try to change the long ball passing style into something more... interesting. If we only could get some passers into the team again...

Hopes he goes on to become a Given/Harper protege, staying at the club until he retires. (Given would have... if things hadn't gone down the drain)

Yeah, how much are we losing?

It's good that we know where David Craig is, but where is Craig David?