thewellander

Most honest I've seen Pardew since he's arrived. He's correct, of course. Depressingly correct.

When he first arrived at Old Trafford, he was a decent enough player but he just couldn't break into the team and get consistent game time in. This could be a good signing. I'm happy enough.

This was bound to happen. I'm just glad that he's gone now and not on the last day of the window so that we can reinvest in a new LB....oh wait...never mind.

Being fair to him, you'd struggle to find a man alive who wouldn't like a pop at Pedersen And yet so many other players seem to resist the urge...

"Barton may have manfully battled both his addictions and his anger, and even his most venomous critics have to note a more than passing attempt to build on the wreckage of a shockingly violent past, but there is not much point in dismissing the possibility of fresh examples of recidivism." I would have said that before he punched someone in the middle of a match last season.

Neither Ashley nor Barton have ever done anything to make me believe anything either of them say, so this is just a frustrating little saga that I wish would come to a quick end. I don't doubt for a minute that Barton is a disruptive influence and I also don't doubt that the team are frustrated with Ashley and the board. Ashley is a demonstrated fool and Barton is a sociopath. I wish they would both leave.

Legend.

If I were to guess, I would imagine that the bit about Joey becoming disruptive is true. If he was willing to slag off his employers on twitter, just imagine what he was saying to the other players privately.

I really don't see the problem with letting Barton leave on a free. It's pretty obvious that no club would pay a transfer fee for him and he was set to leave at the end of the year on a free anyhow. It's also pretty obvious that he's a toxic asset for the club. This doesn't make me an "Ashley apologist" (whatever that means) btw. But in this case, I'll be glad to see the arse end of Barton. Should be interesting to see what club actually goes in for him and if Ashley actually seeks to replace him and Routledge.

I'm very optimistic about Gosling. I think he could end up being a great signing for us.

Yeah, I didn't recognize him the first time I saw a pic of him from this preseason. It wasn't until I saw one with his number that I realized it was him.

If I thought for a second that the money we were paying Smith would have been reinvested in another player, it would bother me that we're paying him such high wages. I don't think that, though, so I couldn't care less if he stays on our accounts, as long as he isn't playing.

He's the managerial signing equivalent to all our recent player signings, though. We didn't have to pay compensation to another club and he likely is on a smaller wage than other managers in the EPL because of the position he was in.

I'm delighted for him. I hope he gets them back up this year and gets the chance he deserved here.

Looks nice. Are they not going to release a long sleeve version of the third top, btw? I want to get it, but I would prefer LS. Not sure if I should wait a bit to see if one comes out.

Bingo.

I'll forever have a soft spot for Nolan for the way he conducted himself at the club. I hope he finds success at West Ham.

I'm very pleased that we're getting decent signings in early in the transfer window. Cabaye and Ba + Ben Arfa and Gosling fit (hopefully) will be very welcome additions next year. I have this strange feeling of optimism.

Harper or Colo are the only players who could be captain and will be guaranteed starts next season. So one of them surely.

One good performance by Cabaye and Ben Arfa next season and nobody will ever think about Kevin Nolan again. Having good performances and results will bring the lads together with or without Nolan.

Joey should remember that it wasn't that long ago that he was rotting away in jail and NUFC (and Ashley) were the ones who supported him when nobody else would. He was even made captain for a spell this year. He owes a lot to this club for giving him the opportunity to have a good season last year after all his injuries and troubles off the pitch. I like him as a player, but his attitude is poor.

It's sad to see him go, but at the end of the day, we're cashing in on an aging player who is likely on a big wage. NUFC is bigger than our captain. I'm not too worried about it.

I'm looking for one two, but with no luck. If you're an XL, I'm willing to get rid of mine, since it doesn't fit anymore. I have tons of XL toon shirts from recent years, actually.

That blue and black number we had a few years back when we were in Europe due to the Intertoto was the nicest kit we've had in ages (and also the last time it made any sense to have a 3rd kit). I've recently lost a lot of weight and so I've shrunk out of all my shirts. I've considered getting fat again just to be able to wear it. lol

I agree with this. I'm not worried at all if we lose Barton. On the whole, his time with us has been disappointing and at times very embarrassing to our club. Even this season, where he has been a key player for us, he's shown flashes of his mental instability. If we do get somebody younger, cheaper, and better, then that's good news. He may be right to be frustrated with Ashley and co., but he should remember that the club has stuck with him through tough times and have shown him a lot of patience and support. The fact that he can't see that and has chosen to publicly call management out is just a sign of his continued immaturity, imo.