thewellander

This. I'm reasonably ok with what happened out there. There were few bigger tests for our first game back.

I grew a mustache for charity last year and it ended up looking just like Barton's. Had to wear it for a whole month, which was really awkward at work meetings, etc. I have sympathy for them. Hopefully we get a win so they can stop looking so ridiculous.

Sorry if this has been posted, but the Guardian is claiming that we've inquired about Victor Anichebe. As the article says, this certainly fits the profile of the type of player we're signing. Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/15/steve-harper-newcastle-top-flight

The club stated that they would put clauses in the offers to players that said that there had to be a press blackout on the negotiations and Hughton denied that there was any contact. To me, this suggests that all this talk by the agent is just that. It's talk. If we were in negotiations with the player or the club, nobody would be allowed to talk to the press about it. It's more likely that Ben Arfa wants to leave and the agent is trying to force a move, but necessarily to us. I'd be surprised if we actually sign Ben Arfa at this point. Don't get me wrong, though, I hope we do. He seems a promising player in a position we need to strengthen.

Arsenal. Because they play attractive football and I think it would be good to have someone who is not Manchester United or Chelsea win this year.

To anyone who bought the shirt, what is the size like compared to Adidas? I'm thinking about ordering online but don't know if I should stick with the same size from previous Adidas shirts.

I expect nothing from Xisco, so if he can contribute even in the smallest sense, I'll feel good about it. Would be hilarious if he ended up being a great player, though.

This is a good signing. Hopefully he can stay fit and contribute to our team while we rebuild. I do worry about whether or not he can maintain his fitness through a long season where he's sure to be called on quite a bit, but I'm optimistic.

I love that man. Would be gutted if he left us.

No, Toronto FC. I have a soft sport for Toronto seeing as they are the closest MLS team to me now! Not to mention the seeing Carver and Robert out there briefly. They are terrifically supported by MLS standards, closest thing to back home. However I will shamelessly be dropping them infavour of Vancouver next year! Going to try and drive three days to watch them! I'll be shamelessly dropping them for Montreal in two seasons, so you're not alone. I've never felt a love for the team and only supported them because of lack of options and I'm planning to move close to Montreal next year to go back to school. Plus Montreal is a way better city than Toronto.

Montreal Impact. One more season in the USL after this one and then off to the MLS. You can all get in on the ground floor of what should be a wonderfully supported club.

Err, in my lifetime Non European teams have won the WC 6 times. You missed "SA" in the thread title? South African? When did a South African team win it? Sure it means South American.

Without personal experience or knowledge of the team's personal dynamic, it's impossible for us to say who the best captain would be. Based strictly on sentimentality, I'd like it to be Jose Enrique, but Hughton will really know best who the right man is.

If not England, then Argentina. But I'm really only cheering for Jonas, not the whole team. Otherwise, I couldn't care less who wins.

Can't wait for this game after having to miss most of this past one at work. Wish it wasn't on at 10am over here, though. I think this game is hard to call. If England play the way they've been playing, Germany will win. But England are capable of playing so much better and, who knows, maybe they'll hit their stride when it counts.

I love that design.

I seem to remember them being vocal about paying for players in installments prior to this announcement. It was one of the things that Ashley attacked the previous regime for. I don't think this is as sinister as it seems. It could even be argued that the sentence prior to the 'capital outlay' bit suggested that they wouldn't sell players. Actually, let's all just agree that Ashley is a f***** idiot and even when he's trying to clarify the situation he manages to make it more complicated. What we should get out of this is that he has absolutely no intention of letting anyone in on his plans, so we really won't know until it happens or until it's too late for it to happen.

That's your own interpretation, and a very optimistic one at that. Funny how virtually nobody else, including people on other websites and all of the media has understood it that way. Hope you're right of course but I highly doubt it. It's clearly what's written there. Capital outlay means paying over time. Later on in the statement they say that they will make agents sign confidentiality agreements when negotiating. So there will be transfers. Just not those we can't pay for with money at hand. It might be having to sell or it might mean that he provides a transfer kitty, but it doesn't mean that he has ruled out new players.

Actually, upon reading this again, it's clear that there's been a huge amount of overreaction to what's written in this statement. The main points: - Hughton is manager for the season and they're not looking for anyone else. - Only Hughton and his coaching staff will be available for interviews, and this should only relate to footballing matters. - The board will not comment on transfers and will make agents sign privacy clauses to not discuss possible transfers with the media, so anything in the press about our transfers is a load of B.S. - There will be transfers, but only those that can be paid up front. - Our finances are not yet turned around, and our overdraft is maxed, meaning that anything over and above our operating costs is coming out of Ashley's pocket until that can be paid down, if ever. - Ashley expects to see some return from investment in our youth program and wants Hughton to give some of the youth players a chance I don't see what's so controversial about any of that.

I think the club were simply trying to say that they have no intention of sacking him or looking for another manager while Hughton's under contract, so the press shouldn't speculate about it. If he's successful this year, I'm sure they'll offer him a new contract. They're not the best communicators at the best of times, but this was clearly intended to be a positive statement.

Yeah, just looked it up and that's exactly what capital outlay means. They're simply saying that they will only pay what they can afford at the time for players and won't use credit or payment plans. Fair enough, I suppose.

If Ashley truly isn't going to invest in transfers this summer then it proves that he's learned nothing from being relegated. Let's hope this gamble pays off and we stay up next year.

Thoughts? He seems to age two years for every one year that a regular person ages. That might be a deterrent.

40 points would be a decent haul in our first year back. That should be the target and go from there.

Also, one entire season with the same manager. Shocking (and delightful) for us.