Heron

That prick only moves his top lip when he's talking, he looks like a pig eating peanut butter. LMAO.

I think the opposite. Theyve actually proven that money is all you need to be a big club. 4 years ago they had Bernado Corradi and Samaras upfront and Barton was their only decent player as they struggled to stay up. They WILL win trophies. Lots of them. Its only a matter of time. I would actually stick my neck out and say they WILL win one this season. They finished 8th a few seasons back, and £250M spent since then has got them to 5th. I would call that a failure.

:lol: Are they expecting him to go to Sunderland International Airport like?

Sorry, I should have made it clearer- What I was getting at was Nolan does have an end product and the other two don't.

Also - just to sound biased, out of Jonas, Routledge and Nolan, who has an end product? While we have a striker who will happily cover at CB if needs be, and can get around the pitch quick, is it that vital that Nolan is a 'box to box' midfielder? Again, going back to what I've posted on numerous occassions - Ben Arfa needs to earn his right in this squad for now, despite his obvious quality. If anything, Ben Arfa might be replacing Caroll anyway - when his court case comes up...

How come? Genuine question I don't think he's the best of players - but he epitimises what we now have at this club. How many times do you hear people say "I'd rather see a team of people who give 200% than can play with 50% but have more ability"? Now is the time when people who believe that can admire Nolan and co, and others are busy jizzing voer Hatem. (That isn't a criticism ftr, obviously the signing of HBA is positive and could take us to the next level). He, and others currently at the club are rumoured to have been the ones to initialise this whole "if you're in-you stay, if you're not f*** off" mentality. Along with that his leadership on the pitch is brilliant, he elads by example - by scoring goals and going in where it hurts. As well as by his mouth which is constantly going. He stays fit for a lot of the season and shows a constant desire to play for us, the fans, and the club itself. He is a breath of fresh air in modern day football, as are many of our players, but Nolan is our sheppard and not one of our sheep, and I thoroughly admire that. Anyhoo, José is my other favourite, simply because he is hard as f*** and our best player with regards to quality. There are not many players who I believe when they say how proud they are and how much they love being at this club, but with these two I genuinely believe it.

Our defence is quality and that in itself is partially down to Harper and his communication. They have confidence in him and vice versa. The goals conceded thus far haven't been Harpers fault at all (except for Wolves which I can't comment on because I haven't seen it). Like I have said in other threads, no-one should be dropped until they clearly under-perform.

Where from?

As good as Ben Arfa and Tiote are/may be no-one should be dropped until they actually under-perform. It wouldn't send the right message to anyone wanting a first team spot, to simply put them straight in. The lads are doing well as they are, and the lads who are pushing for a place beat Accrington and confidence and morale is high throughout. This is through the belief that if you play well in the 2nd string you will be put in the 1st team as soon as an opportunity arises. Hughton has done excellent to obtain this belief, and I can't see him being stupid enough t wreck it. Ideally, I'd like to see Tiote and Ben Arfa get their first starts first Chelsea in the cup. It's a perfect opportunity. Nolan is probably my 2nd favourite player at the club, after José, so I am likely to defend him, but I think he is far more integral than people make out.

Nolan when away. Ben Arfa when at home?

Ben Arfa will be used when we A) are defeated and B) when someone doesn't perform. Same with all of the team imo.

Can still get injured playing for the U21s. Good point - I take it he is in that squad is he?

Good if Caroll isn't in it. He can't get injured.

Fame at last.

Nolan is key to a lot of our success imo.

Maybe he's reading the forum. Hughton is Dave. I imagine Dave to look more like Llambias.

Maybe he's reading the forum. No because then he'd think Shearer was a wanker, Nolan and Smith are no good and that Harper was a pub goalie. Most of all he'd be whinging every time we win about something.

Yes.

I think he contributes to the play, just not in the most obvious of ways. He isn't brilliant by any means, but he communicates well and by having the knack of being in the right place at the right time he either scores or creates space for others to press on. He scores fairly frequently for us too, may I add.

I'm surprised about the amount of stick Nolan gets tbh.

He was needlessly sent off. And that was his fault? Dresden is absolutely right, Shearer was inept and farcical. The tackle was his fault. It was very dangerous tbf. Gerrard or Lampard would have got away with that foul tbh. (without getting sent off) It was down to the fact that he's Barton. Well that in itself is Joey Bartons fault.

He was needlessly sent off. And that was his fault? Dresden is absolutely right, Shearer was inept and farcical. The tackle was his fault. It was very dangerous tbf.

So he failed to mange the squad effectively. In some respects but not all. I reckon we would have went down with quite a few managers.

I reckon Shearers time in charge wasn't as inept as people think. Personally, I reckon he gave them a much needed kick up the arse and that didn't suit certain players.