ponsaelius

That will suck. Maybe the squad will improve on the whole though.

Last point is a key one. We seem to improve on our squad only when there are departures. I'm firmly in the camp that I'd like to see Danny Simpson go because I reckon his replacement - whoever he is - is aslmost certainly going to be better than him. For me it's the same with Taylor, if he stays it's another squad position filled with a less than mediocre player.

Why settle for that level? We've proven we can replace and improve on infinitely better players than Taylor seemlessly and on the cheap. Maybe some of the motivation for this is continuity in the personalities in and around the squad. That would make more sense, because as a footballer I can think of few players in the entire league that are easier to upgrade on.

He's played nearly every game this season and is currently seen as first choice right winger ahead of Ben Arfa. The manager has called him an 'icon' and a 'key player' fairly frequently. Maybe it's just ego massaging for a squad player, but I'd say it's just as likely that he'll play a lot next season.

It's not nonsense. But there are plenty of people who can't look past he's a very limited player, because he has apparently "put in a shift" and "given 100%" in all the games he's played this season. On top of that he's seen as a nice guy who would sit on the bench and like it if the manager ACTUALLY played the better player. I'm not so sure. At fullback he's a train wreck (not his fault he's had to play there of course). He does more than just put in a shift, doesn't he? Perch puts in a shift, Ryan Taylor also creates and scores goals, can cover the full back positions (where we don't currently have much cover) and deputise across the midfield. He's no world beater, but the simple fact is, he is the kind of player you need in a squad, in the same way that Aaron Hughes used to be for us. He's not on massive wages, doesn't cost a transfer fee to keep on a bit longer, is apparently a good player to have in the dressing room, doesn't complain when he's kept out of the first team. I really don't see the problem here.. We've transitioned out Nolan and Barton from the Championship winning side. People like Lovenkrands, Guthrie, Harper and Simpson are likely to follow. I just don't understand the necessity of handing him an extended contract, we should be phasing players like him out and replacing them. I'd like to think we're trying to compete with Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool over the next few years. None of those sides would ever field a player like Ryan Taylor. You say he covers the fullback positions and in midfield but for me I don't think he does any of those positions to an acceptable level and certainly not if we want to progress our level and style of football over the next couple of years.

Fuck ugly signs like.

He's spoke a lot of sense in this thread. Have you brought him along from one of the other hundreds of forums you visit? No. But he made a top post about Ben Arfa a few pages ago that was anything but nonsense. Jus saying like. I agree with his views on Ben Arfa. I fail to see how they are particularly relevant in the context of discussing the merits of giving Ryan Taylor an extension to his contract. He's also managed to somehow get Muntari involved, called Shane Long a promising youngster and wondered why we cannot compete for the likes of Wickham at 8 million a pop for completely unproven "potential", all in some strange rage to discredit a dependable squad player who has had a more than average contribution to this year's results so far getting an extended contract. The lad is clueless plain and simple. Fair enough. I still think he's spot on about both Ben Arfa and Ryan Taylor though. Ryan Taylor couldn't get a regular game for Wigan and then couldn't in our Championship winning side either. I think it's a bit worrying that we're trying to secure players like him long term, especially when the manager is describing him as an 'idol' and one of our 'best players'.

He's spoke a lot of sense in this thread. Have you brought him along from one of the other hundreds of forums you visit? No. But he made a top post about Ben Arfa a few pages ago that was anything but nonsense. Jus saying like.

Don't be daft, far too much to ask to want to phase out the footballers in our squad who shit their pants in possession of the round thing.

He's spoke a lot of sense in this thread.

Sporting's centre half scored a great backheel, deserved score line. Athletic absolutely took the piss out of Man U at OT. One of the best games all season.

Why? They're pretty glaring.

Cabaye's cross, Williamson's flick on.

Cool story bro. He's still crap.

He's a crap player.

Should never have sold Big Z. Would have been an ideal plan b this season with things not going their way. True. Could have done with somebody to bully the shit teams and nail the penalties. Was never gonna happen though, his form dropped off once the relationship with Guardiola became fractious post-January time.

Can't get over how good Athletic were there like. Was like watching Barca but with a big fuck off centre forward.

Got to say, that was one of the most enjoyable games I've seen this season. Fantastic display from Bielsa's Athletic. Hopefully they can get in the CL and keep hold of those players.

What a fun game this has been so far. Beeelsaaah always sets his teams up to gan for it.

they're about to do the double owa us man. FTM. NETD.

I aint there, just going off updates.

http://i.imgur.com/yaFo8.jpg

1-1.

Tounkara scored for them.

Basically a reverse of the other fixture where we had a load of kids and they had an experienced side. 1-1.