Colocho

The 'direct line' between Oliver and Shepherd (that Ryder told me personally about) now exists between the communications (PR) team at the club and Douglas/Ryder. Ryder's own views are limited to his blog and webchats. NCJ cannot afford to bite the hand that feeds - and instead works as a sounding board for the club's agenda. As you may have already guessed, every press statement (including Llambias') from the club is written by Wendy Taylor and co. approved at boardroom level, and distributed to the press. I've been advised by a national tabloid sports journalist that they couldn't report such a story without some form of recording.

Would hate it. What do you think of Maiga?

Boardroom level. ok, who? Wouldn't want to say anything else. Fairly sure that staff at the club and journalists/researchers within the regional press visit these boards. Have you got a direct line to Derek? The target is to make a 300% profit within 36 months of the player signing for the club. £20m presents a 478% profit - they may wish to maximise that figure by waiting until the summer. Tough one to call - but the 300% 'rule' is in place. Are you serious? Yes. Which is why I am critical about us becoming a 'development (not selling) club'.

A nobody.

Of course the club released the information! His party (or even Sochaux for that matter) wouldn't want him to appear to be damaged goods.

Boardroom level.

Have you got a direct line to Derek? The target is to make a 300% profit within 36 months of the player signing for the club. £20m presents a 478% profit - they may wish to maximise that figure by waiting until the summer. Tough one to call - but the 300% 'rule' is in place.

Can't see us signing anyone older than the age of 27.

Think you've just answered your own question, free transfer on 30-40k/week is always going to be less of a risk than £6m initial fee plus 30-40k/week Although you saying Ashley is a gambler means he would surely of gone for Maiga & not Ba/Marv, he's not a gambler with any of businesses. He's a gambler, but an astute one. A free transfer (£2m) after fees + £35,000 a week (only £20,000 when not playing) presents less risk than a £6m player on say £30,000 a week... I'm suggesting that Ashley and Del Boy may have seen Marveaux as less of a risk in financial terms - obviously they didn't see that he is a 25 year-old who has started 54 league games in his career.

If £20m comes in they'll sell. The target is to make at least 300% profit per player.

Whilst at Lyon and Marseille, how much did he play behind the striker(s) as a number 10, compared to how much he played on the left? Do you see him as a wide player (in a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3) or an attacking midfielder behind the striker?

Correct...

Strange one this, especially when you compare Maiga's injury record to Marveaux's. Ashley is a gambler, and perhaps he considers a 'free' transfer with a highly-incentivised contract to be less of a risk than a £6m player with a supposed injury problems? Saying that Maiga isn't a player known for difficulties with injuries, and has started more league games in the last two years or so than Marveaux has in his entire career.

Lee Cattermole.

Sorry, but I've always considered Shola to be a very limited footballer that should not be anywhere near the pitch for a top seven club. I don't care that he's a local, I don't care that he's always conducted himself in a professional manner - he's simply not a good enough to be playing in a side with the aspirations that we supposedly have. He's a 'loveable' comedy character, and little more. As for Sammy, unfortunately, he looks just as limited. Yes, he's raw, only 19 years-old, but what does he currently have to offer us? The element of surprise? No thanks. We shouldn't have to play undeveloped strikers on the wing. He's at a stage of his career where he should be playing week in week out for a League One/Championship side - not being brought on in an attempt to win games - or starting against the best side in the league! I'd hate to write him off at such an early stage, but does anyone honestly see him as a regular in the England squad in five, six or seven years time? I don't...

Stories like this only perpetuate the belief the local press is controlled by the club.

Which is why we should pay him £70k a week for another two years at the very least. For once I agree with you. Hes worth 100k a week if thats whats going to keep him here. It's an issue I was trying to discuss last week. Apparently the club want him to take a £30k wage cut, which in principle is fair enough. The inevitable departure of Smith will free up £60k a week - half of which would be equivalent to said pay cut. I don't see where else we could find a player of Coloccini's quality and importance with an outlay of less than £15m over four years.

Fan favourites... Shola a fan favourite. Local lads, always give their all, represent themselves well in the community. Model pros, the pair of them. Shame they're s****. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JnxY36Ynyj8/TdYHh4mYbKI/AAAAAAAACpU/4MsRfRoEgXk/s1600/Alan+Shearer+wallpapers4.jpg You've got this many chances left. Chances to do what?

He beats the full back quite well and does well to get a few yards, but he hesitates when he wants to put a cross, as if he's trying too hard to look up and pick someone out. Most of the time, you can just launch in it into 'the danger area' between defender and keeper and Ba or Best will have at least a chance of getting to it. Spot on.

Which is why we should pay him £70k a week for another two years at the very least.

Fan favourites... Shola a fan favourite. Local lads, always give their all, represent themselves well in the community. Model pros, the pair of them. Shame they're shite.

Fan favourites...

Should start at the expense of Best. Understand that Pardew sees him as a number 10, but he is more than capable of playing on the wing. Would still like to see Jonas on the right covering Simpson (I don't feel Santon needs as much protection as Simpson) with Ben Arfa on the left - if Pards want to play 4-4-2.

Neither are good enough for a top seven team in this league. Jonas impotent against good defences - and a spare part when not convering the full-back. Obertan is just well... one-dimensional. Not a fan at all. Would rather we still had Barton, tbh.

A few people on twitter saying he refused to warm up...