Segun Oluwaniyi

Hughton really does seem like a canny bloke. Makes me more accepting of his faults as a manager. Glenn Roeder seemed a nice man as well, but he was turned on as soon as things began to go badly.

I'm not a big follower of the Nigerian league these days, but I didn't know of any Zambians on Enyimba. They were eliminated by a Zambian team today. Maybe you have confused the teams?

I think the French papers are pushing the Newcastle angle because HBA being the saviour of one of English football's most interesting clubs makes for a better story than him going to Hoffenheim or Werder which would be a similar situation to his current one.

Any sensible person would rather have Balotelli because he is not yet 20. This is just basic business sense. I do not think Kuyt is that bad techically and while he is not quick, he is a physically strong player who moves well with the ball and holds off other players. He will do well for you when surrounded by other talented attacking players as he does not often lose the ball and pops up in goal scoring positions as defenders do not focus on him. He also has a strong winner's mentality. Mario is a loose cannon with mental issues.

Dirk Kuyt is a damn fine footballer. All of this criticism and vitriol directed towards him is unfounded and a result of the herd mentality that has followed after the media condemned his signing. In the current, he is a far better player Balotelli, and will remain so unless Mario can sort his life out.

Ah, you are right about Obi I think. I forgot the year or so he spent in limbo. Still, Sewelly is right. The trafficking of young South Americans, Africans, and Europeans from lesser countries into top footballing nations is quite disturbing. The whole homegrown thing is a joke, anyway. English players benefit from foreign competition, if anything. Football is a free market and overbearing authrorities shouldn't be acting to stifle it.

Wouldn't the likes of Kakuta and Mikel Obi count as home-grown players? It seems like it wouldn't be a massive issue for them.

He the little fella that was at Nice or is that a different one? Same one. He's a very decent player. Quick and rather skillful. He doesn't always make the best decisions, but really he's fairly productive. Would have loved him here. He's off in Qatar or UAE picking up ridculous wages, though. Arouna Kone is poor. I' have him here though.

Know nothing of the new player, but Papa Waigo is insanely poor at his job and managed to be an effective player in that league.

Kevin Nolan corollary. A player with superior techical abilities and quickly diminshing/diminished physical attributes will succeed in the Championship where everything is much slower and there is more space.

Fast with inconsistent end product. Like a lot of African players really. Like a lot of players from every single region of the world. But seriously, the Nigerian team is a great example. Think Oba Martins epitomises it really. Yes Kanu, Mikel Obi, Yakubu, and all the other African players with differing styles all fit this ridiculous sterotype and epitomise your nonsensical point as well. It is an unnecessary and stupid comment. You really should stop trying to take the piss out of me and shut your mouth/fingers.

They're likely to have Kanu as well. I think he would be brilliant in the Championship.

Fast with inconsistent end product. Like a lot of African players really. Like a lot of players from every single region of the world.

Marseille need the money. The team is looking to add a big name striker this close season (the likes of Gignac, Gilardino, etc.) and they need to celar space on the age bill. Ben Arfa is easily expendable as he divides fan opinion and is not liked by Deschamps who it seems will be manager for some time to come. Seeing as your a Marseille fan; whats Ben Arfas primary postion? Is it through the middle or out wide? He can play both positions. I think his best position is the left side. Like most players of his ilk he often uses his pace, trickery, and skill to cut inside threaten the goal. Definitely not the typical winger in the English system. If he comes the only way he will play in the middle is if we play 4-5-1 and give him free reign as he lacks the requisite physicality otherwise.

Marseille need the money. The team is looking to add a big name striker this close season (the likes of Gignac, Gilardino, etc.) and they need to clear space on the age bill. Ben Arfa is easily expendable as he divides fan opinion and is not liked by Deschamps who it seems will be manager for some time to come.

One of our top earners?! From what I could guess, the only players earning more would be Barton, Coloccini, Smith, and Xisco. Barton and Smith are mistakes froma bygone era, Xisco will probaly be sold to the highest bidder (or any bidder), and only Colo has been a productive part of the club. From my estimation he would be the fifth highest earning player, which would make him one of our top earners. He would also be the highest paid signing under by Hughton by far. He would also be a 36 year old who managed to play 13 or so matches last year, which is not exactly a test of his durability.

Even if the club had the finances of a Chelsea-Man City-Real Madrid coalition , making an average 36 year old centreback one of your topp earners is insanity.

France football linking Marseille to Adebayor (Togolese player at Manchester City). :lol:I'm ure they'll add a top striker before the end of August, but I would be stunned if he came. The search for a top forward is probaly the main reason Ben Arfa is being aucitoned off. We need to clear wages.

I don't see the relevance when a club hat is short on funds has just decided to dispense 35,000 a week on a 36 year old who will at best be an adequate Premiership player. Preferably both. However, I wonder if we can afford it......

Jonas will get into the squad just because of his hard work and versartility. Colo's time may have been coming to and end regardless. He deserved to be sakced after the World Cup , anyway. That is how int'l football runs itself.

I am genuinely confounded and disgusted by this signing. I know he hacd a nice little run last season with the London club, but for all intents and purposes, the man is finished as a top level footballer. I saw him in his last days at Portsmouth and it wasn't a good sight. I suppose he's really improved in the time between his 34th and 36th years on Earth. I know we need cover for Taylor, but couldn't we just have signed someone on loan instead of handicapping our wage bill ?

I hope the U.S. is prepared to be comprehensively defeated by Nigeria's Super Falconets. I look forward to savouring this. I watched a disturbingly high amount of the first group matches on Supersport 3 last week. It's significantly more watchable than woman's basketball or men's baseball and golf anyway. It's still football. Charlyn Corral of Mexico has been my favourite player to this point. I feel like she is carrying far too much weight to be a top level player, but she is a little midfield maestro. The Yankee girls were senselessly beaten by the rampant Nigerians. On to the semi-final!!

He's young and has potential/sell on value. He is nothing like what we would have signed towards the end of the old board's time.

I really enjoyed this massive generalisation. It is a bit of a stretch to say Marseille have no money to spend either. In all likelihood the team is going to buy a big money striker this window, and want to get people like Ben Arfa off the wage bill more than anything.

He generally plays on the left or throught the centre and is comfortable at both positions. I think he's more skillfil and quicker the Jonas, but has a much lower work rate. Even if he doesn't start every match, you'd figure he'd come off the bench as the first option.