The Prophet

Blackpool are nailed on, after that it'll be too of us, West Brom and Wigan.

Textbook Ashley: *Phone rings* Dassier: Hello Mike: Alright we've got Ben Afra here but we don't want to speak to him until we agree a deal. Dassier: OK, OK, we'll accept the £700,000 loan offer. Ashley: While he's here let's make it £300,000. *Dassier hangs up*

Did he have a fishing rod, a dressing gown and bucket of chicken on him? I think I know who put him up to this.

Blatently the transfer saga of the summer.

What the f*** is he doing out having drinks when there are f***ing transfers to be f***ing NEGOTIATED!!!! Its alright, he's sent him a new bike and a basket of onions to sweeten the deal.

what? About five posts up.

The Journal. Straws. Grasping.

Holding player? That's not his role at all unless he has a natural defensive player in 4-2-3-1 next to him. He has no defensive qualities. If these rumours of Onuoha going to Sunderland are true, then I am quite incensed. If it really is a loan, we should have been grovelling at Man City's feet to complete the deal. Aye Ramos used to play him there on his own. He might be better with a defensive player next to him but to get the best out of him surely he needs to be somewhere in that attacking three? Agreed, but Hughton was never going to be look for a righ back after we brought Perch in.

Also hasn't Modric pretty much tried and failed as a holding player?

Just out of exeprience with the recent signings of Emre, Luque, Colo and the Ben Arfa speculation it seems a theme is emergining in terms of the way buisness is done on the continent. Is it common for a side to alter the agreement or to initiate a bidding war at the last moment to try and raise the price? Of course it happens over here it just seems more common and very blantent when dealing with European clubs.

But we were told that a fee had been agreed and that he was on his way! That s*** aint fair. I can live with ITK bollocks and paper talk, but when it's something as tangible as a quote from their chairman saying that it was pretty much a done deal it just stings that little bit more. Perhaps that boils down to Marseille's change of plans as a pose to our incompetence.

Can't see Defoe being dropped.

I'm going to stick with Wigan, West Brom and Balckpool as my relegation choices. Think we might just have enough with our home advantage.

It's not over until its over, but the fat lady is warming up. It was a long shot to begin with so I'm unsure why people got their hopes raised so highly. Before I start bashing Ashley before we fail to sign him I'd consider Marseille's role in the saga. Reading into the speculation you could conclude it is them who have moved the goal posts, if that's the case then Ashley and Co may be justified in taking the stance they have. Of course that could of been avoided but then we knew there was never going to be such an amount spent on one player. Of course if we do fail to sign him I'll be disappointed but we have to move on. Perhaps people shouldn't put so much energy into speculating over a player who was always unlikely to join from the off.

Do we actually have the money available to buy him? Is Ashley's penny pinching a choice or a necessity?

Apparently our lot are growing their facial hair until they win a game.

Would have Roberts here in a heart beat. Better than the majority of options we currently have up front.

Putting it in context he also spoke of the need to strengthen. He spoke about reaslism in terms of our aims for the season.

Completely off topic but regarding Hughton's interview. I was very impressed with how he responded to the questions and the fact he is aware of the expectations and the fact we do need to strengthen.

No major complaints about our weekly sessions although there is the odd minor thing: It's nice that it's competative but it is taken far too seriously sometimes i.e. fouls being called for people falling over or ball to hand situations. When people whinge at the end of the game when people don't fly back to help the defence. People are starting to tire man we're not athletes. Also there's one lad who frequently gets moaned at, and yes while his general build up play is frustrating he's a one man army in front of goal so it evens itself out. I feel a bit sorry for him.

Some people really need to get a grip.

Yet again we go into the opening day of the season failing to strengthen where we need to, despressing stuff.

It's alright lads we don't need Onuoha, we've got James.

Doesn't look like we're have anyone new in for this. We'll probably go: --------------------------------Harper------------------------------- Perch-----------Williamson--------------Colo-----------Enrique Routledge-----------Guthrie-----------Barton-----------Jonas --------------------------------Nolan------------------------------- --------------------------------Carroll------------------------------ ...which looks pretty toothless in all honesty. Our best hope is they mis-fire in front of goal and/or Harper has the game of his life. 2-0 to the Mancs, Rooney inevitabley on the score sheet.