Jack Flash

A small squad is a major part of the problem. Other managers are doing better with less. And we've used about 30 players so far.

I really hope the board aren't just believing Pardew's nonsense about injuries and a small squad. That's only a small part of the problem.

It doesn't matter if Ben Arfa is playing or on the bench most of the time. Defensive, "play for the draw" manager + exciting attacking player = 2 goals this season including 1 penalty.

Sticking £100 on Nolan either first goal (8/1) or any time (3/1). I'll decide at 3:55 via a coin toss.

£5 anytimez Barry & Shelvey - £255 Nolan & Vertonghen - £240 Gibson & Young - £270 http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVwpgP3jACs/TbACgAfI4MI/AAAAAAAAAC4/hLnOE1xrqgU/s1600/Jose-Mourinho-001.jpg

On that subject, probably the most unforgivable things Ashley and Llambo have done is force out 2 managers who were doing well and who we loved just to appoint their friends. There's not an argument in the world which could convince me Kinnear and Pardew were appointed based on talent or track record.

We only need one versatile forward who can play across a front 3. 3 players capable of playing in one position is sufficient. That's if we intend on playing a front 3, of course. We definitely need 2 at present. Ranger and Xisco hadn't/hasn't played a game for the first team in god knows how long (and nothing suggests they'll be playing going forward) and Shola is often injured. With Cisse so off form it only leaves Ba, who some wouldn't mind selling. Pardew has just said in his press conference there's no contract talks with Ba.

Shola, Ranger and Xisco are our backup. 2 players we actively don't want and one who hasn't scored in the league since March and is adequate at very, very best.

£5 anytimez Lukaku & Huth - £368.33 Arteta & Mata - £102 Crouch & Luiz - £570 (11/1 and 17/2 ) Huth is 16/1 too. http://i.imgur.com/S0W6N.gif

We need 2 strikers now and we'd need 3 if he went. We wont get 3 new capable strikers for £3.5million (inc. total wages, signing on fees etc).

Saying that is like saying without RVP ManYoo would be f*cked because he scores all the goals..... same people that said Man Yoo would be f*cked when Ronaldo left for Madrid.... when Arsenal lost Henry, Vieira etc etc.... Someone always steps up no matter who it is, let's not get over dramatic. When Arsenal lost Van Persie... Arsenal in general are a bad example of this. A very good manager is keeping them afloat despite selling their best players. Keeping your best players is very important, especially if they're leaving for far less than they're worth. Just assuming we'd replace a 1 in 2 striker is mental considering there's very few of them and we're owned by Mike Ashley.

Obviously. It's not that obvious. A player being rewarded with a much better contract after scoring 26 in 49 starts is perfectly realistic. Other contracts should have no bearing at all. Theo Walcott is kicking up much more of a fuss than Ba and he's praised for it. I don't know what he's demanding, but if the reported figures are right, it's not realistic at all. Never mind just the actual salary. A whinging(/through advisors) player with injury worries should not be on the same money as our brilliant, in all aspects, captain. 80k a week for a proven 1 in 2 striker is definitely realistic. How many of those are there and what would they be getting paid? The cost of replacing Ba would far outweigh the cost of keeping him. I don't think he has missed a game through injury once since he joined while Colo is missing more and more btw. Plus his "attitude" isn't bad at all compared to some players.

Obviously. It's not that obvious. A player being rewarded with a much better contract after scoring 26 in 49 starts is perfectly realistic. Other contracts should have no bearing at all. Theo Walcott is kicking up much more of a fuss than Ba and he's praised for it. Is he? The media are firmly on his side. Especially about the playing as a striker and not a winger "demand" which is ironic...

Obviously. It's not that obvious. A player being rewarded with a much better contract after scoring 26 in 49 starts is perfectly realistic. Other contracts should have no bearing at all. Theo Walcott is kicking up much more of a fuss than Ba and he's praised for it.

I read the Colo part as meaning Ba would then be the highest earner at the club, which is significant. Or Colo could have taken a lower weekly wage for more years.

They've added his total wages into the fee An Ashley inspired pet hate of mine.

Probably as spineless a performance as I've seen us deliver at a match. Cannot wait till the smug fraudster gets the boot.

He'll just be filling a place, risk free. We'd certainly still accept the next offer that came in.

If only you knew. If only you knew...

David28 has already lost the money he won on Monday. It's Wednesday. :|:(02) .. CLIFF RICHARD AND THE SHADOWS SUMMER HOLIDAY

AKA "having a 6 month holiday".

Not many available players missing then. Didn't particularly want to have paid a few hundred pound to see the under 19's so far better than expected.

Squad announced at 3pm.

The current holders would probably disagree vehemently with this. Who and what? Atleti aren't in the CL this year and they weren't the year after they won the last time either. They keep qualifying for the Uefa Cup through the league which means the prize/reward doesn't mean anything to them. It means more to a team who finish lower than them if anything.

The current holders would probably disagree vehemently with this. Who and what?