The Prophet

I know the Euro is worth nothing these days but that's taking the piss a bit.

Eh? Marseille said they'd more or less sell at the right price. Chelsea are very much chasing Azpilicueta in the same fashion we're chasing Debuchy, bid low, unsettle the player, you know the rest...

Ramires should walk there, deliciously cynical.

My thoughts too.

There you go, you can have Simpson. All your problems are solved.

Without Sandro/Parker they're there to be bullied in midfield.

Everton really need to strengthen right back. Hibbert and Neville, that is all.

a) He'll only miss three games b) They're in a very public pursuit of Azpilicueta c) Calm the fuck down.

So how do we think the other lot will line up? Freidel Walker Vertonghen Gallas BAE Parker Sandro Lennon Sigurdsson/Van der Vaart Bale Defoe Perhaps.

Can't get my head round the fact folk don't understand that what happens in the Anita deal has no impact in our search for a right back.

Been watching it have you? Do you think it sounds as though we are playing well like? I don't know, haven't been watching. There is a large gap inbetween playing well and playing 'absolutely awful' though. We are 3-0 down after half an hour against a championship team. You could know nothing about football and realise we must have been awful. I've watched us play sides off the park and get beat, so no. On an realted note, we were awful for large parts of pre-season last year in an absolutely farcical tour of the USA but it didn't effect us one bit. Don't panic just yet.

Been watching it have you? Do you think it sounds as though we are playing well like? I don't know, haven't been watching. There is a large gap inbetween playing well and playing 'absolutely awful' though.

Been watching it have you?

'So far Neymar hasn't really done a lot with his international career.' Well Mark, he is only 20.

Are Xisco and Ranger still kicking about?

Not necessarily. Who plays up front if Ba and Cisse go instead? I honestly can't see Senegal progressing at the expense of Ivory Coast over two legs. Even if the very unlikely happens the point still stands, we need more depth in the middle of the park. I think we'll sign another forward even if this deal goes through.

I really don't think this had anything to do with our pursuit of a right back or a forward.

Given the fact I believe we operate on a 'if he's worth it sign him basis' as opposed to a 'this is our budget we can only spend this much money' basis I'm quite happy to add another player of quality to the squad. While central midfield isn't a priority we're still well short in that position. Tiote travels to the ACON in January and the back up is comprised of Gosling and several untested youngsters. From what I've seen of the lad (and admittedly it isn't a huge amount) he's a cracking footballer who posses a lot of ability on the ball. Against the less dangerous sides we could probably drop Tiote to the bench. As for those worrying about upsetting squad memebers, who cares? Competition is the sign of a healthy squad, you can never ever have too many quality players. Do you think Chelsea worried about unsettling Lampard, Essien or Ramires wen they signed Oscar? It stops players from becoming complacent and even more so allows us to compete on more than one front which is surely the aim this season?

Manager in giving player confidence boost shocker. Sounds like something Pardew would say.

Break out year: Sandro Will have a think about t'others.

Bottom line: Allen is a good signing.

They have overpaid a wee bit for Allen but he is a class act.

Herpes isn't as bad as HIV, can't say I'd want either though.