jdckelly

Graeme Bailey ‏@GraemeBailey 54s We understand Celtic turn down bid from Benfica for Fraser Forster.

oh good I'm going to miss all the pre match buildup on how doomed we are tonight

well Llambias had an office at the training ground too, seems to be where we do most of our business regardless

your assuming JFK is smart enough to keep to himself, I don't make such assumptions

Even after their current spending spree, I'd be interested to see how those teams stacked up against ours man for man. West Ham are the team I'd be least confident of facing because Sam is building his team for an effective long ball game. We do need a couple more signings but the main difference between the teams in the middle of the pack will be the management, and that's where the rest have an advantage. Also, you would have to think we would 'step up our game' almost by default. No Europe, a few less injuries, a couple of players actually performing to their ability and we'd be there even if Pardew stays exactly the same. If you accept Pardew's excuses then yes. Personally I would put a lot of the problems of last season down to him not knowing how to set out his team. Once we'd decided passing was the way to go, he didn't know how to get that to work either. I don't really disagree, Pardew was largely to blame. Or at least he was unable to solve the problems, which is effectively the same thing. But I do think last season was also well below average for other reasons, some of which won't exist this time around. yeah we have one very big cursing reason things might not go well in the form of JFK instead. No doubt it's a bad appointment, but once the season starts I doubt he'll have much effect. just wait til he decides he wants to go out on the training ground

Surely Fellaini would be a better option beside Carrick than anyone else you have atm

I'm pretending this is a preseason game

which is why I don't get the point of them, he knows they'll be rejected so why make the offers? Unsettle the players maybe and that might work on Fellaini but Baines seems a level headed guy who wouldn't throw the toys out of the pram like other players would about missing out on their "dream move" I think you're spot on with the unsettling mate, bang on. Champions League pull. I know it goes on and everyone does it but seems like a bit of a shit way to treat Everton by Moyes

daft the idea of Thauvin even moving before he plays for them

which is why I don't get the point of them, he knows they'll be rejected so why make the offers? Unsettle the players maybe and that might work on Fellaini but Baines seems a level headed guy who wouldn't throw the toys out of the pram like other players would about missing out on their "dream move"

Wengers clearly a good manager or at least was but he seems so indecisive on transfers, seems to dilly dally over deciding whether or not to go for someone or not

Even after their current spending spree, I'd be interested to see how those teams stacked up against ours man for man. West Ham are the team I'd be least confident of facing because Sam is building his team for an effective long ball game. We do need a couple more signings but the main difference between the teams in the middle of the pack will be the management, and that's where the rest have an advantage. Also, you would have to think we would 'step up our game' almost by default. No Europe, a few less injuries, a couple of players actually performing to their ability and we'd be there even if Pardew stays exactly the same. If you accept Pardew's excuses then yes. Personally I would put a lot of the problems of last season down to him not knowing how to set out his team. Once we'd decided passing was the way to go, he didn't know how to get that to work either. I don't really disagree, Pardew was largely to blame. Or at least he was unable to solve the problems, which is effectively the same thing. But I do think last season was also well below average for other reasons, some of which won't exist this time around. yeah we have one very big cursing reason things might not go well in the form of JFK instead.

they haven't been following the youngsters plan for a couple of seasons with purchases like Arteta and Mertesacker they've just not being going for the top players when they can very evidently afford it now

apparently the offer for Fellaini was only 16m when the release clause was 22m a few weeks ago, and that means the offer for baines was the exact same as the original one which was rejected. Thats just insulting seriously wtf is up with Man Utd and transfers this summer the new chief exec can't be that bad at it surely

christ I forgot how much the media adores Mourinhio

but they haven't praised super franky lampard best player in the world now that bales off to Madrid enough yet

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-star-oxlade-chamberlains-knee-injury-2183784 well that would leave them up the creek and thats before Wilshire inevitably picks up some injury and Rosicky breaks in half

forgot that clause of the prems own FFP rules, not sure how true or not it is or if anyone else is paying attention to it but worth nothing

Goal and a assist. 30 million looks like a bargain, I wonder why Man United weren't in for him. they don't appear to be actually going for anyone, at least not realistic attempts. Fabregas wasn't going to leave Barca yet, and their attempt at Baines Moyes of all people surely knew that low a stating bid would be laughed away As good as Baines is I don't think he'd be a good buy on the basis i feel Evra still has a couple more good years in him. It seems like Man U have missed out on their primary targets i just fear a bid for a Cabaye from them. hasn't been as good defensively in recent seasons and I'd expect a few lowish bids for Fellaini to go in and be laughed at

Goal and a assist. 30 million looks like a bargain, I wonder why Man United weren't in for him. they don't appear to be actually going for anyone, at least not realistic attempts. Fabregas wasn't going to leave Barca yet, and their attempt at Baines Moyes of all people surely knew that low a stating bid would be laughed away

Aye and JFK will come in No he won't. don't delude yourself, everything he's ever said since he left has indicated he wanted to come back and Ashley for some strange reason trusts the guy above all others so what the hell reason wouldn't he take over? (Remember he's "fit as a fiddle" in his own words) Pardew will get sacked the moment we go on any kind of dip in form regardless of our position in the table and JFK will take over and I'd only be half surprised if it happens Tuesday morning

Just read on Times football site, they've spent £70m in 2 seasons with next to nothing going out. plus the wages to match that spend, good to see financial fair play is working......... FFP is stupid anyways. All it does is maintain the status quo. Unless you are lucky enough to get a crop of players like Fergie had (Beckham, Scholes etc) You have no chance of progressing. while the current status quo has some club hitting the jackpot because some random sheikh or russian oligarch got bored and suddenly go from non entity to european powerhouse. FFP has problems the most glaring of which is the champions league cash but its better than the current system

Just read on Times football site, they've spent £70m in 2 seasons with next to nothing going out. plus the wages to match that spend, good to see financial fair play is working.........