Hughesy

You would like to think that even the thickest person would have clicked that the more he talks about a player to the press then the more likely something happening becomes more likely. Waffle, waffle, waffle - Gone. Waffle, waffle, waffle - Gone. Waffle, waffle, waffle - Doh. Priceless. You actually believe that??

How can we be lovers if we cant be friends? How can we start over when the fighting never ends ? Baby, how can we make love if we can't make amends?

When making reference to a player we received a bid for on the day of a game? Yes, there is every chance this word could be used at some point. Why that'd be laughed at, other than it being Pardew, I'm not sure. Surely you know the rules by now? We don't like Pardew. Therefore, he can't use excuses that other managers use. In fact, there can be no excuses. Ever.

I still want Bielsa. I was looking wistfully at his wikipedia entry earlier today.

Managers with small squads who play in Europe use Europe as an excuse. Shocking revelation. I can't actually believe people needed to have that pointed out.

Better than scouting Kuyt I reckon..

I love it when we start talking about accounts. WHAT ABOUT PLAYER AMORTISATION? SOMEONE THINK ABOUT THE AMORTISATION!!!

I thought he took some money out of the club to pay the 'extra' loan he made us when we went down?

I do wish we actually had a list of strikers to buy that went beyond Gomis and Bent. That in itself seems a bit strange. One would hope that if we are asked to pay 10 million for Gomis and we don't think this is acceptable and we don't think 6 million for Bent is acceptable... there must be some other options?

:thup: A local lad who knew what it meant to play for this great football club, when we could have played for any other team in the world. The injury at Goodison meant we didn't get enough of him at his absolute best (last 2 seasons at Blackburn when only Ronaldo was a better striker in the world around those years up to 97) but still the greatest English striker ever produced and watching him play for us for 10 years was an absolute privilege, and to still manage 206 goals was phenomenal. I don't care about the he should have retired a year or 2 earlier argument, seeing him get the record and watch him score his last goal for us while we thrashed those lot on their own manor was worth it. A perfect ending for an absolute legend. Don't buy in to this he stopped some amazing Kluivert/Bellamy partnership either. Other than Palace, can anyone name a couple of games where they looked the business together? Still scored more than Bellamy ever did for us in a season when he was 35. Even tried to step up and take charge to stop us from going down, knowing the risk of failure, that's how much he cares about this club. Growing up an absolute hero to me and many others. Happy birthday Al. Spot on.

Not really sure how annoyed I would be if Cabaye left. I am not yet convinced he is as good as people think he is and, whilst the bumbling idiot in charge has contributed to this, I just don't think he would ever excel in the English game. If he doesn't want to be here and we get £25 million for him, then I am not sure I will be devastated.

Interesting to see that JJ Hooper has moved onto Northampton. Some ITK Northampton fan appears to be saying that Hooper was highly rated when he was with us within the club but was somewhat led astray by Ranger.

Didn't West Ham spend 10 million on Jarvis? Aren't they both left wingers?

As a lawyer, I never understand why players don't just use law firms to act for them instead of agents. I suppose sometimes it is helpful for a player to have a shady character who is more than happy to agitate for moves on your behalf in a way that a lawyer would be dutybound not to act.

Which part of the ferret? This could potentially make a big difference.

Sir Alex Ferguson won trophies. This prat struggles to win games. That's why I said successful and unsuccessful managers make excuses. It seems a bit strange that only successful managers are allowed to make ridiculous excuses. Anyway, as I said, it all seems a bit pointless to me. But as long as you all enjoy yourselves and get it off your respective chests.

I am in two minds about this. I think Pardew is incompetent and would much rather we had replaced him with someone else over the summer. But... some of the reactions to the innocuous stuff he says is just a bit strange. So yes - some of his excuses are ridiculous. But I really doubt they are much different from any other manager. I am sure you could come up with a list of pathetic excuses from other managers (both successful and unsuccessful) and have a giggle at those - see Ferguson and the shirts that blurred into the crowd when twatted 5-2 at Southampton. It just seems a bit pointless picking up on everything Pardew says and analysing it to death.

I don't really get what is bad about talking about the Notting Hill Carnival if you actually read the context. He has mentioned it as a reason why the game couldn't be moved. It seems pretty clear to anyone with eyes.

6.2m? Sack that. He's definitely not kept his value. Anyway, no way we'll offer even half his current wage. Unless he's a surprisingly honourable footballer (lol) then he'll keep his wage and sit in the reserves, the w*****. Don't see why honour is relevant?

Suarez has got strange ears. That's all.

There was some journalist actually arguing on twitter that Arsenal should have bid £41,000,000 as that was a classier thing to do than bid £40,000,001. Mental.

I think Sol had the pace and physical dominance that Rio has never had. That set him apart for me.

I meant England... should have been clear. I think he was better than Rio and Terry.

Not sure if this is an unpopular opinion or not, but I think that Sol Campbell at his peak was the best centre half England have had for a while.