Tiresias

Because some agent told arry that there's a £5m release clause so he thought he'd tell everyone and see if Ba responds by saying he wants to go or gets unsettled and then launchs a hostile bid himself

No, we shouldn't sink to his level.

Pardew just should say "shame there won't be any release clauses from the jail cell you're headed to"

Redknapp is the worst human being in the league not currently employed by liverpool isn't he?

Barca's form last season was always going to be hard to match, they're still absolutely brilliant but it's not realistic to expect them to keep it up permanenty. With their performances probably would be winning any other league too. Reckon they'll win champions league again but Real will win the league, but having lost both Classicos.

Seems a little extreme, I mean beating Wigan's second string is hardly the upset to end all upsets

My mind just combined two thread titles into "demba ba wins premier league sack race"

I'd love Cabaye ahead of 2 holding midfielders with Ben Arfa out wide while Ba is gone and have bit of a striking crisis. Guthrie and Abeid could come out wide on occaision to cover for HBA's lack of defensiveness and it puts Cabaye in position to set up and score goals more often. Guthrie Abeid (while Tiote is gone) HBA Cabaye Jonas Best / Shola (whichever considered in form, holding up to feed in Cabaye and HBA) The problem is if the team shape goes into a 4-5-1 and we let the midfield detach from the striker, we could end up like the Liverpool game. The idea would be pushing high up.

Took some of Kia Joorabchian's 'advice' left fulham in the lurch expecting to walk straight into Aston Villa wasn't it? Was pretty funny but didn't speak highly of his integrity.

More likely we'll loan Owen back from Utd

I agree, the closing down we did against Man United was exceptional and may be tough to get Ben Arfa to get involved in that too much. Having said that also think you're always allowed one exception, and I hope he can keep finding the net. We really need finishers while Ba is gone.

Of all the promoted clubs look least convincing, surprising considering they were pretty strong in championship weren't they? Taarabt not being as good has hurt them surely. I hear Mark Hughes ready for post, not sure if that'll work.

I know I should want us to play the better team but it would be nice to be able to not risk some of the bigger names and get through anyway. I know this kind of arrogance dooms clubs but we should be able to get the better of them.

It not THAT unlikely surely...aaah admins at work :| bit mean that...

Seb Larsson is a bit good at free kicks to his credit.

Yeah they look much better organised, not entirely convinced attacking wise, but they have some goal threat from their midfield. Probably need a striker who can hold it up.

Utd knew how to punish 10 men for most the first half, not unimpressive goals from rooney and welbeck either, credit to them. What they were doing second half is beyond me.

Hard to avoid the conclusion that 11 man city would have spanked them with a performance like that. Good for the competition though since City may have romped it otherwise.

I'd be surprised if he knew his arse from his elbow to be honest let alone understand whats going on around him

Scholes is on the bench, that's how you know Man United are on the wane. Dunno who would have won this game, man u got a goal but city were all over them, of course can't write them off this season but in the longer term this is a team in need of a rebuild and without the money to do so.

What gets me is that valencia didn't appeal for a card at all, thought it was fair. See that shouldn't matter if there's an injury but thought it was timed perfectly

as a sub to bring some pace can see him, but in that role would he develop? If they think he'll come good would rather he spent the time somewhere else doing that.

I think it's the stamina, he's still going strong when his opposing defenders are tiring and thus starts gaining pace on them as game progresses

I wonder if he's faster than he looks actually, except he's hardly tearing defences up normally. Sound like I don't like him, I do, just frustratingly recently, glad he got his mojo back today by teh sounds of things