thenige

Probably has more chance of starting at Swansea assuming that Llorente will end up leaving. Was always going to be signed a squad rotation type for us realistically.

Moving to Celtic for him would be stupid in the extreme, especially if they get knocked out of the CL before the group stages again. Hasn't been too bad a move for Moussa Dembele.

The biggest hurdle is the rule that they are not allowed to broadcast a live game on TV at 3pm on a Saturday. They've been doing their best over the years to move games around the weekend to get around this rule but the clubs will start kicking back if their matchday income is affected. In the US where all major sports are aired live most of the time, they have blackout rules which mean that should the game not sell out, it will not be aired on live TV in the local market, that could be something they implement but it would be difficult for some clubs to accept. Thing is with this, it's always been stopped due to lower levels of the game potentially taking the hit. Who's going to go and watch say Bury if Man Utd are on the TV etc. However given the Premier League has typically shown a fair bit of contempt to the FA, let alone the lower leagues there is scope for this to no longer be the case. As someone else has rightly said, the fact they make such a killing on their current market means there's little incentive to change anything currently.

Is that you, Dharmesh? Nope.

If you're going to use computer game ratings at least use Football Manager so it'd be vaguely accurate.

I've not sen a single article which has actually stated when Donnarumma's current contract expires? Surely you'd include that information? I'd imagine the assumption is it expires this summer if that's the case?

Think Wikipedia editing has overtaken sarcasm as the lowest form of wit these days.

Completely forgot about Saivet. What a truly bizarre signing that turned out to be.

So Puel's still not been sacked right?

Doesn't actually look that bad. December could be quite tough but aside from that think the tougher games are fairly well spread out.

Just seems all people in general rich enough to buy football clubs are absolute bellends. Selling our soul off again to the highest bidder. The joys of modern day football. /old man rant.

Don't worry Sammy, you'll always have this showreel to keep you going: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiKRBSUybJM

Joey Barton was highly thought of at Marseille.

Shakespeare appointed manager at Leicester - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/08/leicester-craig-shakespeare-manager-three-year-contract First to go next season?

Evening Standard is an absolute pile of crap. Wouldn't believe anything printed in that rag.

Where's Pard's for this one talking about getting 'em over the line? Only thing I miss.

Read an article on Facebook saying that Besiktas are after him. Also read on Facebook that the Earth is flat, so I wouldn't believe everything posted there.

The BBC journalists tweet has been deleted now it seems?

Yeah thing with Gibbs is he doesn't strike me as the kind of player who would come here looking for a pay cheque and do nowt. However some players weaknesses are hidden at top clubs who retain possession like Arsenal, so you're not quite sure how he'd adapt to a club who would be on the back foot in a number of matches a season. Wasn't as bad as Andre Santos mind, so you'd be hopeful he'd still be an improvement to our starting XI.

Always think Kroenke looks uncannily like Burt Lancaster's character in Local Hero. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2fXbxNDuOTs/VCYJDp9uK5I/AAAAAAAARjw/NQn5ahta8JM/s1600/Burt%2BLancaster%2BLocal%2BHero.PNG

Pistone mkii.

Would be delighted with Mangala for the price they're talking about (£12m). Especially when Sakho is being talked about for free three times that.

He's no worse than countless other full backs we've had in recent memory. Danny 'Premier League Winner' Simpson and his hopeless diagonal crosses into no-one and positional naivety for one. At least with Dummett generally he sticks to what he's good at which is defending and giving the ball to better players around him. If Tiote had remembered that he'd be playing for Arsenal now rather than Beijing Enterprises.

Don't think it's that (pathetic/lack of ambition) at all. Imagine he's a bit miffed about being constantly called up and never actually used. It's obviously Coleman doesn't rate him (two caps in three years) so why waste the time travelling and never getting a game? Clearly has been told he's third choice behind Davies and Taylor so would rather stay and train with the club. It's a bit s*** yeah, but not wanting to 'push on' under the tactical masterclass of someone like Coleman? I'd probably pass too. Storm in a teacup stuff.

Seems a bit odd that he's only completed 90 minutes twice this season. You would think with those types of clubs sniffing around he'd be a consistent first choice at Angers by now.