Super Duper Branko Strupar

Totally agree. It was the likes of being lumbered with what was left from earlier managers Smith, Geremi, etc that we couldn't/struggled to shift in the Championship who had no value and were on ridiculous wages but it didn't take a rocket scientist to tell us not to buy s*** players. wouldn't disagree with either of these, I think once Mort had overseen the in-depth review of the finances they realised that the 'competitive wages' Allardyce had requested in order to attract these 'established' players were unsustainable. Throw in the fact that they weren't even doing it on the pitch and the football was the very definition of dull (Man City away IIRC?) and the new strategy was being swiftly put into place. Think they also looked at player turnover and the costs involved in selling/buying such a high % of the first team squad whenever a new manager had been brought in. Remember thinking at the time of Wise's appointment that they were trying to go down the route of a 'coach' to train and pick the players that the 'DoF' figure identified for transfer. Might have been a half-decent strategy but only if they didn't balls up the personnel involved that then led to the 12months of freebies and loans while they sorted out the wage structure and identified suitable targets. Like Disco said, buying players that aren't s*** isn't rocket science and the strategy of having a lower wage bill and lower costs due to turnover is Ashley's wet dream. I think we've been very lucky in the improvement we've seen and the main priority was saving money for Ashley, hardly makes him a good person for the club. The players that are established in the team and are pushing us forward were nothing to do with his transfer policy and were the result of scouting he had nowt to do with and it could quite have easily gone a different way for us and the new players in these few games, we wouldn't have this thread if that was the case. I still think the comparison in those '2 halves' is ridiculous, the time scale difference is beyond f***ing massive. Even if it all works out at the end of the season it's hardly that black and white (no pun). It's the guy's f***ing mindset and intentions that are the bone of contention and ultimately all that matters as long as he is our owner.

I think he means its yet another story on information that has been bled dry

...apart from the FA Cup they won last season. Aye, in my eagerness to have a go I discarded that. Seriously though, he's a right fucking pleb. He has no control or authority over his players, the majority obviously can't communicate with each other, his subs are horrific, Aguero blatantly needs a rest yet he subs Dzecko, there is no obvious leader on the pitch, no plan or tactic, no fucking idea.

Mancini is fucking useless. Either that or he gets orders from above. Shambolic manager throughout his time there. City can spend whatever they want, they'll win nowt with him.

So glad I watched this game tonight. :lol: Honestly man. Does Bruce have any idea at all?! Fucking Larsson, proper gutted we decided to get a better player instead. Fucks sake

What on earth was that from Hutton?

bugger

GET THE FUCK IN!!!

GET IN!!!

Get on Plymouth. 1-0

Ba looks keen

Will Hernandez start?

Is this guy just being a massive WUM?

Marveaux on the right, man

I think this kid is going to be quality. But then again I thought Viana was going to be a world beater so...

This And this. Obertan played well from what I've seen/heard last night but he should still make way for Marveaux I reckon. Krul Simmo Colo Saylo Raylo Marv Tiote Cabs Me Gutierrez Best Ba/Ameobi

Despite their ridiculous win at the weekend, this lot are turgid. I just hope the annoying cunt Roberts doesn't come off the bench if we're a goal ahead. In fact, does that annoying cunt even get in the squad anymore?

I think we have something special in Marveuax like. He seems so direct and his close control fantastic.

classic

Aye but Elliot was cheap. Durrrr

The fuck is going on here. I go away for an hour and it kicks right off

He's the future of football. Looks like he could be such an accomplished footballer.

He'll boss it tonight

Have to play Ba, no? He needs games. Marveaux will be an absolute beast this game. I reckon if Ba starts Marveauxs play will get him a goal. That can only be a good thing. I'd quite like to see Ginger top strat too.

He was poor yesterday. He's quick but he doesn't have great acceleration, Spuds exploited this. A couple of times they would trot up to him with the ball while he set him self to stop them running past him, only for them to push the ball past him and run on to it. he wasn't able to turn quick enough to stop them. Defoe nailed him for his goal as well