The Prophet

Again I'm asking because I don't know if it was sepculation or actually stated at the time, but did Barton's contract talks not break down over length rather than wage?

People are jumping the gun a bit here. Nolan has not suggest he is leaving, nor is there any suggestion the club won't propose another offer. It's completely different to the Barton situation where it is the club who didn't offer him a contract. On top of that Nolan still has two years left on his contract. I think any talk of replacing him in the short term at least is a bit premature. While I agree with a lot of what Wullie has said in recent posts I also think an over-looked aspect of this is what these two players owe the club and the fans. They've performed at the top level for a year, this is after a year/half a year in Nolan's case of piss poor performances leading to relegation. Any debate about the terms of the contract themselves are speculation, but it's something Nolan and partiuclarly Barton need to bear in mind when talking of their futures.

Appreciate what they do, give them the contract, and have faith that the manager will persuade them to move on if they are no longer wanted. Trouble is the board are scared of another Nicky Butt scenario, where despite being uncertainties over relegation or whether we even wanted him, Butt announced to them all that he was taking an option out to extend his own £50k a week contract, while taking out loads of bonuses. Eh? Hope the manager can persuade them to move on from their 50k plus a week 4 year deal?? How? I know Pards is a silver tongued charmer, but I think you are overestimating his charm. I don't think any sensible business model in the world is built around people being persuaded to leave their highly paid jobs. I trust Barton and Nolan to leave the club if they are no longer wanted.

Also it's Nolan that's knocked back the contract, nothing to say negotiations aren't ongoing.

Do people realise Nolan hasn't left/hasn't suggested he is leaving in the forseeable future?

Out of curiosity, have you seen him play much?

For me it was my morning dump, put me in great stead for the rest of the day.

If Arsenal are in for him it's curtains. He's exactly what they don't need like.

I thought Barton was on record as saying that he would accept a wage cut? He was, did Barton's contract not break down over length?

I'm unsure who's accused Barton/Nolan of being greedy. I can see the reasoning, both would be significantly the wrong side of thirty at the end of their deals. The thing is both have been so integral on and off the pitch this season. We're in real danger of destroying the harmony we've built up over the last two years.

I need a 'chomp' smiley

Why would his price go up following a match with Benin?

Or more likely, we don't need Llambias present to conclude any form of deal. One look at the slimy twat and I'd think twice about signing.

Apart from being a pest on occasion, coming on as a sub he's shown little in the way of genuine quality.

I'd have no qualms about shipping him.

I think it's a good appointment.

I knew I'd get stick, but it's only my opinion. I think people read way too far into statement's from knackers such as Cwarr/anyone who writes from the News of the World. It's not like it's news either, it's the same old recycled boring shite. Ah well that's my incoherent rant for the night.

As I said I understand it's the nature of the beast. Twitter is the worst thing that has happened since the creation of the News of the World.

ah when I was a lad thats the way it was. no endless rumours infact the back page of the chronicle used to carry cricket and horse racing through june and early july and even then we'd only find out when someone actually signed.....simpler times dudes, happier times. :bng: Happy days. I don't mind a good rumour like, but there's a difference between shiting and riving your arse

Still a bit bitter about that then?

I realised I would get some stick for that but it's just my opinion like. Has Cabaye/his manager/the Chairman of Lille not confirmed the deal by the way?

The over-analysis people are giving unsubstantiated rumours from the News of the World, The Mirror and the local gobshite on Twitter is beyond ridiculous. I realise it's the nature of the beast but instead of pouring over these notoriously unreliable sources, analysing their sentance structure and every word for meaning, why not just accept we'll know fuck all until it comes from the horses mouth. I'd love this lad to sign but for fucks sake, get a grip.