Frazzle

I think there's a little evidence that Barton's potshots at the club were a bit like Jose's in that it would help his departure by bringing down his fee, in Barton's case nowt! But now it seems he was desperate to stay. In that case he's a complete idiot. He jeopardised his future by coming out with crap on twitter that revealed nothing. He didn't tell us a single thing we didn't know. At least Jose gave us the fact about his contract. Barton's tweets were a waste of time and pretty much sealed his exit. Regardless his relationship with the owners, that is idiotic.

Sounds like Barton was waiting for a last minute contract offer from us judging by his interview.

Looks full strength with what they've got available. As predicted.

Do what Barcelona do, stick Tiote or Gosling in there.

Sure I read ages ago that Arteta was on 70k or something, may be completely wrong though.

Ameobi is ahead of Best in the pecking order going by Pardew's selections.

I don't think Obertan replaced Barton directly but he's in the mix. If have have money/wages spare after Barton's gone (which I doubt), we'd be better off signing a RB of Pieters reputation/standard to give a bit of balance to the team. We were fairly well stocked for midfielders anyway (assuming Pardew is happy with Jonas or Marveaux on the right.

No way we'll get both. Would be mental anyway having Cissokho and Pieters as left backs and Simpson and Perch on the other side.

Why? We have not got the players to break down what will be a very defensive minded Fulham team. Why will they be very defensive-minded? Because of there poor away record, plus they set up to play ahainst Wolves, and where well beaten, no chance they will come out at us. Let's be honest anyway, without Barton, Ben Arfa and our awful strike force, we are not exactly bursting with creative force and goals. Barton was never that creative to be honest. Good delivery from cross and dead balls sometimes but not the type of player to unlock a defence. Don't see why Cabaye or Marveax can't do it though.

I haven't got any insider knowledge but yeah, I think they'll definitely play their strongest team available.

And Wolves do?

Why?

Do we? We have done well so far this season We've also shipped out the spine of a very decent team. The best of which left citing a certain 'lack of ambition'. But yeah, we've drawn one and won one so far. Reach for the stars. We've got a decent spine to build on now haven't we? Although there is no guarantee we will. The results against Arsenal and Sunderland were better than last season as well, when we had a very decent team.

Aye, if they'd signed him for say £4m and you take that off what their supposed wage package is you get to around £55k... as he was on here. He's benefitted massively from us giving him away, and so has his agent. There's little difference to QPR. Wonder whether QPR would still be interested in signing him if he cost £4m? As you say the money overall is about the same, but it seems like a much bigger gamble when you're paying a fee. If Barton plays well QPR can sell him to make a great profit since the wages unpaid are saved. On the other hand, if he's s***, they could still offload him, say, for free behind his contract ends. So in the end it's us who suffer most. How are they going to make a great profit? No-one wanted him this summer, why are more people going to want him next summer?

Agreed Tooj

Not a lot else to say really. Didn't Marveaux, Cabaye and Ba say the exact same thing?

Ryan Tay...Giggs?

I'd like to see either offer a contract to tempt Tiote.

Why? All the same people will just brush it off, like they did with Keegan, Shearer, Nolan, Carroll, Enrique and Barton himself. Barton hasn't revealed anything has he? All he moaned about was that he wished everyone knew what really went on. He didn't tell us anything we didn't know, we know the owners are dodgy Joey ffs. He pissed off the board with cryptic messages, why couldn't he just come out as say it as it is? Would have the same outcome - i.e. forced out of the club. --- As for Barton's contract offer, wasn't it said that he agreed in principle, then backed out, then the club refused to offer another one. Isn't that pretty similar to what happened to Nolan but the other way around?

Simpson was worse in open play last night, definitely.

Don't think he's that bad! Much more mobile than Shola and Best and that.

Who the hell is Greg Halford? £3m?

I don't watch much of Bolton to be honest but I've seen a few articles recently showing Coyle plays as much long ball football at Bolton as his predecessors. Don't think he'd fit in at Arsenal at all. Wenger has already recommended his successor I think, some Serbian(?) bloke whose managing in Japan. Stoijkovic was it? Yeah, that sounds right? At Grampus or something?

I don't watch much of Bolton to be honest but I've seen a few articles recently showing Coyle plays as much long ball football at Bolton as his predecessors. Don't think he'd fit in at Arsenal at all. Wenger has already recommended his successor I think, some Serbian(?) bloke whose managing in Japan.

McEachran has only ever played as part of the midfield three hasn't he? Surely Mata will be part of the front three? Wilshere's on crack yo.