Hughesy

Intelligent run there from the thick Ameobi...

What's so ridiculous about him not playing earlier in the season is that he actually closes the opposition down a lot and goes in for quite a few tackles.

As if people were slagging Cabella off. Idiots.

Absolute disgrace.

You and me both… I think he is a better option than Garde anyway. I would love to see us pay up whatever Mainz want and just get him in now. maximum 6 months left on any 'contract' agreement he had with Mainz, how f***ing much could that possibly be worth in compo, 250,000 Euro or something? it's a shame we can't spend anything at all ever due to the cast iron certainty of doing a leeds or portsmouth Think he was thought to be on about EUR 1 million - so I'd imagine something between EUR 250,000 - 500,000. About what we spent on Rob Elliot. I would really want us to get him in now - let him get a feel of the place and what he has to work with.

Sorry for the worrying bump - but appears to be close to signing for WBA.

You and me both… I think he is a better option than Garde anyway. I would love to see us pay up whatever Mainz want and just get him in now.

Bollocks.

He suggested they are all here now. All seemed a bit odd but he had a load of pictures of him with referees and refereeing matches so I assumed he was genuine. Could be a load of crap though.

Just had a taxi ride in London and the driver was, bizarrely, a Colombian referee who referees in I think the Championship and League 1 now. He spent last night playing pool in Elephant and Castle with Asprilla, Rodellega and Valencia. Apparently Asprilla has brought 4 Colombian players over for trials for us. Make of that what you will...

If stories are to be believed, was on target to break Pardew's jaw before Shola stepped in. That's not true. He was mouthing off and refusing to speak to other players but he never went for Pardew. I don't know who's been telling you fibs but at no point did Hatem physically go for Pardew. Who told you what happened?

Not necessarily suggesting he is the right man for the job (although he is my preference), I find it genuinely annoying that having received £3.5 million for Pardew, we are reluctant to pay whatever paltry sum it would take to allow Tuchel to take over. I think he was on EUR 1 million at Mainz and half the season has gone.

Show Garde the borehole and he'll sign immediately.

Would prefer Tuchel myself but Garde is so much better than I thought we'd get, I'd still be delighted with him.

Bailey absolutely loves Ashley.

Not sure what Hoddle's credentials are? Never recall him being particularly successful anywhere.

I'd be fascinated to understand why anyone would back McClaren over Tuchel, Garde or Galtier. I actually don't dislike McClaren as he seems to be a fairly innovative coach as English coaches go, but this prerequisite for Premier League experience is absolute bollocks as an argument.

Tuchel was believed to be on Eur 1 million at Mainz (ie about the same as Pardew). So we should (haha) be able offer him more than he was on. I think one of our concerns is that the new Red Bull team in Germany want him (Leipzig). I did send a twitter message to Rafa Honigstein re Tuchel and he thought Tuchel might have his sights set a bit higher than us - so might be hard to be persuade him.

Never really saw a lack of workrate from HBA anyway. Always seems to be a bit of a myth to fall back on. Do any of the people who don't rate HBA recall any/many goals that were a direct result of him neglecting his defensive duties?

I enjoyed him tearing Enrique a new one in that match at SJP.

Shouldn't be a problem if it is true..

His stats already show he is our most productive midfielder. What more evidence do you need? Show me a player we've had in the last 5 years who was consistently excellent game after game? Even Cabaye wasn't.

I wish people could actually give detailed specifics about what HBA ever did wrong rather than relying on vague generalisations about his behaviour. No-one seems to be able to give any though.

Can't see any reason for not bringing him back to be honest. Stupid not to try one last time to harness his talent, regardless of what you think of him.

Would definitely be worth waiting 6 months for Tuchel if we could get him.