Altamullan

There was a time we could have had Evans (Cisse gobbing incident probably didn't endear us to him/vice versa) and van Dijk from Celtic. What a difference those two could have made (though we probably would not have got Rafa as doubt we would have been relegated).

Had/having similar thoughts myself, colourful way to capture it, not pointless at all. Though we are, obviously. Howay, shall we just lob a decent 4 star all inclusive on the credit card?

That pic looks more like Riviere. Maybe he's going to Bordeaux... through the lens of my wishful thinking. He could toddle of there too, for me).

I love how this is the same day that we signed a striker for £5m funny. Oh well, Didier Deschamps, Ray Wilkins and David Batty had very good careers... (Sideways 'passers', in case you're wondering).

here's to Joselu being a giant!

Are they all told to use the term Big Club when they do their press release?

He talking about Merino who he has seen quite a bit and rates highly and I think he said that he could be NUFC's Martinez. thanks.

Anybody hear Don Hutchison on Talk Sport? Did he say something about seeking to get a Martinez (Javi?) on loan? Apols if bollocks. Half-heard the comment (maybe wishful thinking/clutching at straws affecting my hearing!)

still nowt happening...

Kin hell! Sigmund Fraud... Wheeling him out is equivalent in footy terms to considering how the laces in the leather balls influence spin in free kicks.

This is the key thing for me. Rafa won't bring in people that he knows nothing about, just because he is told to do so a la Pardew etc. Some may not be his first choices, but they will still be players he sees something in, and are valuable pieces. Yep, but need a queen and a bishop, not just pawns... Oh, not sure about how that metaphor is going to come over now. Make that a knight and a bishop; a castle would be good too.

Not sure I care (no offence) but enjoyed the read and agree with your points. Also dawned on me, week 1 shit loads of difficulties signing players and three first choice defenders crocked!

Sometimes feels like if it wasn't for bad luck, we'd have no luck at all...

Swansea 0-2 Man Utd Bournemouth 1-0 Watford Burnley 0-0 West Brom Leicester 2-1 Brighton Liverpool 3-1 Crystal Palace Southampton 2-2 West Ham Stoke 1-2 Arsenal Huddersfield 2-2 Newcastle Tottenham 1-1 Chelsea Manchester City 2-0 Everton

I wonder if he has signed up to a Chelsea forum, contually posting get Atsu back from Newcastle?

Enjoyed it personally. He was never going to catch him/retrieve the ball and was obviously trying to take him down before he released the ball. Didn't manage it, but 50% success rate.

Stupid and petty action to take but if anybody hasn't seen the whole game (or Shelvey's 47 mins of it...) it wasn't an isolated incident. Dele was (as he does) niggling at a few players throughout. When Lascelle's clattered him (firm but fair challenge) Shelvey got in between them and said something which led Dele to say 'you and me' with a smirk on his face. I assumed at the time Shelvey has said something like 'if you want to pick a fight, pick one with me' (though I'm sure Lascelles wouldn't need his help!). Not certain of course, but it was this bickering context of veiled aggression and Dele's wailing petulance at handball given against him that triggered the ' Shelvey step.'

Go get 'em Don Benetiz!

Second half really liked Merino again. Creating angles, always wanting the ball, vocal, can tackle. Atsu, Clark, Manquillo, Lascelles, Mbemba all had a good second half, imo.

Recorded the match and just watched first half. Thought Manquillo, Atsu and Perez played well plus Hayden made a decent contribution. Our 'big hitters' Ritchie, Shelvey and Gayle seemed to struggle/looked well marshalled. Didn't realise we'd lost Dummet and Lejeune to injury. Really limited Rafa's options to mix it up (not to mention forthcoming sending off). Even though Spurs are a very good side, so clear we need more quality.

Full interview apparently on Super Sunday, if you can stomach it.

Was at Fluminense like Kenedy (who's a year older I think) and along with Gabriel Jesus they were touted as among the best half a dozen young Brazilians a couple of years ago.

He looks like a really class act.

Rolando Aarons. Third time lucky! (Oh or Hayden, again, as he was eventual pick last season).

They own Girona too. They own Melbourne City also . So how many clubs do they own. There's one in New York also.