Gabriel Obertan signs for Anzhi

[Cajun]

Tbf I would guess Neil would be happy with any signing, let alone 5. No offence Neil x x

[Sifu]

Not sure I've ever seen a player divide opinion so much btw, and I don't mean amongst us lot. Could be absolute s***, could be a revelation. Looking at the supposed fee in this context, I bet Ashley is jizzing his pants at the thought of him tripling in value and it's perhaps no surprise we're in for him.

 

I guess so.

[Mike]

In fairness, Youtube is full of complete morons.

 

YouTube comments are the biggest mong magnet on the internet.

 

*Loads up football compilation*

 

*Comments section involves wild racist abuse*

 

It's like a circle of life.

 

I like how you can go to a video about something like...birds or some s***, scroll down and see an argument about WWII.

 

Birds you say...

 

 

Alright, it was a titty video. I was trying to be classy.

[Skeletor]

Not sure I've ever seen a player divide opinion so much btw, and I don't mean amongst us lot. Could be absolute s***, could be a revelation. Looking at the supposed fee in this context, I bet Ashley is jizzing his pants at the thought of him tripling in value and it's perhaps no surprise we're in for him.

 

http://www.empireofsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/albertluque.jpg

[ponsaelius]

Not sure I've ever seen a player divide opinion so much btw, and I don't mean amongst us lot. Could be absolute shit, could be a revelation. Looking at the supposed fee in this context, I bet Ashley is jizzing his pants at the thought of him tripling in value and it's perhaps no surprise we're in for him.

 

Man United opinion seems to be either 'Absolutely the worst player ever to have existed...apart from Bebe' or "He's the next Cronaldo so long as he gets a run of games". 

[TRon]

Honestly, I am not kidding - some of the cunts on this board make it so unrepresentative of the support it's untrue.

 

And tbf, Elephant In The Room time, some of the foreign lads get it and they understand and they're part of what makes this place mint, but a lot of the foreign kids on here do not have a fucking clue what they're talking about.  It's embarrassing reading this shit at times, absolutely fucking awful.

 

I like the diversity on these boards, you get to hear a broader range of views. There are plenty of other boards where you can get the "Joey is a legend" mantra which you might feel is more representative.

[Neil]

Can't believe literally 95% think he's shit

 

I sense a few are saying that because you had your hopes set on N'Zogbia, and Obertan doesn't appear to be as good as him.

 

He's another body in and for all anyone knows, he could flourish a bit more if he's given more of a chance than he was at Man Utd, which he surely would be. People are free to air their opinions about him as a player but you'd think you were buying an inanimate object if you look at some of the comments on here.

 

Come off it man Neil - it's the fact that we seemed to have money to spend this summer which we could have used to progress, and we've signed cheapies and non-entities.

 

Even Everton shelled out on a few fees after getting the Rooney money.

 

It's not what I was getting at, though.

 

My opinion is that negatives have been overblown and positives swept under the carpet. I can see that this will have been an incredibly frustrating summer. Would I be raging about where this Carroll money has gone? Yes, of course I would. Would I be pissed off about what's going on with Barton, Enrique, Nolan etc? Of course. Has it been a Summer From Hell? Well, I'm not fully qualified to say but from what I've seen, no. I really think people have swept the signings of Marveaux, Ba, Ben Arfa and Cabaye under the carpet somewhat. You have Gosling coming back who barely played last year (if at all?) and it looks like he's beefed the fuck up, so he could really develop this year.

 

Now you look like signing someone who yes, hasn't hit it off at Man Utd, but also hasn't been given that much of a chance. After a troublesome few days, news comes that you're signing someone who could bolster your midfield and offer some pace on the wing and who knows, with some faith placed in him, could start to really establish himself in this league. Instead, it's "he's shit". That is what I find bamboozling.

 

Before someone says this, no, I'm not sticking up for Ashley. I am however sticking up for some of the very good business you've done so far this summer which has escaped the limelight due to the Enrique/Barton etc shenanigans. Potentially disruptive? I would certainly imagine so. Fucking shit? I don't agree.

 

As it stands we have a worse squad than this time last year imo, and I've no idea where the goals are going to come from.

 

With all due respect to you Neil, I don't think you'd be this casual if Everton had just came up the season before last and had made similar boardroom decisions after a season of relative success.  I know you're on our side but it's easy from where you're standing to be perfectly honest.

 

Right at the moment, I'd say you have a better squad. Tiote, Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Marveaux, Jonas... see how Gosling and Obertan develop... dare I say Barton as well? That's a good midfield. Your strikeforce isn't great but Ba will help a lot providing he stays fit.

 

Yes, perhaps I can see the positives more easily but that doesn't make them any less tangible. You have a collection of good players and, understandably, the potential on the pitch is being dominated by off-the-field histrionics. From the outside (well, semi-outside), you have a good squad. The question, of course, is can Pardew retain a sense of team spirit and resilience about the squad, come a) the start of the season and b) September 1st?

[KaKa]

This just reminds me of Leon Best tbh.

 

Got absolutely slaughtered prior to last season, and before he got a run of games.

 

I had seen him a handful of times, and it was blatantly obvious he wasn't as bad as people were making out, and I said so. I even stated that he was better than Shola a number of times.

 

I was then asked to produce a dossier on the number of times I had seen him play by our resident oracle the Dave.

 

Then the West Ham game came and he went on to prove he was actually pretty decent. It was very satisfying.

 

Now, is Obertan a world beater? No. But suggestions he is utter shit, and a pointless purchase ahead of Ferguson and Vuckic, are quite frankly unbelievable to me.

 

Again, only seen him a few times, but it was enough to know that this is clearly untrue. If he does sign I am really looking forward to him playing for the team, and showing a bit of what he can do.

 

We shall see. It's inly a matter of time afterall.

[The Prophet]

In fairness, Youtube is full of complete morons.

 

YouTube comments are the biggest mong magnet on the internet.

 

*Loads up football compilation*

 

*Comments section involves wild racist abuse*

 

It's like a circle of life.

 

I like how you can go to a video about something like...birds or some s***, scroll down and see an argument about WWII.

 

Birds you say...

 

 

Alright, it was a titty video. I was trying to be classy.

 

WWII theme by any chance? Does it involve some bloke from the US showing up late to receive a minor handjob while a British bloke nails her, then claiming it was him that got her off?

[ponsaelius]

I get the feeling he's been one on our radars from his Bordeaux days rather than just a 'top four favour' in the same way Brucey gets his Man U gifts.

[Mike]

In fairness, Youtube is full of complete morons.

 

YouTube comments are the biggest mong magnet on the internet.

 

*Loads up football compilation*

 

*Comments section involves wild racist abuse*

 

It's like a circle of life.

 

I like how you can go to a video about something like...birds or some s***, scroll down and see an argument about WWII.

 

Birds you say...

 

 

Alright, it was a titty video. I was trying to be classy.

 

WWII theme by any chance? Does it involve some bloke from the US showing up late to receive a minor handjob while a British bloke nails her, then claiming it was him that got her off?

 

I can't mess with theme porn, I end up looking for anachronisms.

[KaKa]

Can't believe literally 95% think he's s***

 

I sense a few are saying that because you had your hopes set on N'Zogbia, and Obertan doesn't appear to be as good as him.

 

He's another body in and for all anyone knows, he could flourish a bit more if he's given more of a chance than he was at Man Utd, which he surely would be. People are free to air their opinions about him as a player but you'd think you were buying an inanimate object if you look at some of the comments on here.

 

Come off it man Neil - it's the fact that we seemed to have money to spend this summer which we could have used to progress, and we've signed cheapies and non-entities.

 

Even Everton shelled out on a few fees after getting the Rooney money.

 

It's not what I was getting at, though.

 

My opinion is that negatives have been overblown and positives swept under the carpet. I can see that this will have been an incredibly frustrating summer. Would I be raging about where this Carroll money has gone? Yes, of course I would. Would I be p*ssed off about what's going on with Barton, Enrique, Nolan etc? Of course. Has it been a Summer From Hell? Well, I'm not fully qualified to say but from what I've seen, no. I really think people have swept the signings of Marveaux, Ba, Ben Arfa and Cabaye under the carpet somewhat. You have Gosling coming back who barely played last year (if at all?) and it looks like he's beefed the f*** up, so he could really develop this year.

 

Now you look like signing someone who yes, hasn't hit it off at Man Utd, but also hasn't been given that much of a chance. After a troublesome few days, news comes that you're signing someone who could bolster your midfield and offer some pace on the wing and who knows, with some faith placed in him, could start to really establish himself in this league. Instead, it's "he's s***". That is what I find bamboozling.

 

Before someone says this, no, I'm not sticking up for Ashley. I am however sticking up for some of the very good business you've done so far this summer which has escaped the limelight due to the Enrique/Barton etc shenanigans. Potentially disruptive? I would certainly imagine so. f***ing s***? I don't agree.

 

Some fucking reason, so refreshing.

 

Not dancing on the rooftops. Not overly emotionally charged negatice bollocks.

 

Just some fucking reason. Awesome.

 

[The Prophet]

In fairness, Youtube is full of complete morons.

 

YouTube comments are the biggest mong magnet on the internet.

 

*Loads up football compilation*

 

*Comments section involves wild racist abuse*

 

It's like a circle of life.

 

I like how you can go to a video about something like...birds or some s***, scroll down and see an argument about WWII.

 

Birds you say...

 

 

Alright, it was a titty video. I was trying to be classy.

 

WWII theme by any chance? Does it involve some bloke from the US showing up late to receive a minor handjob while a British bloke nails her, then claiming it was him that got her off?

 

I can't mess with theme porn, I end up looking for anachronisms.

 

[TRon]

I get the feeling he's been one on our radars from his Bordeaux days rather than just a 'top four favour' in the same way Brucey gets his Man U gifts.

 

I was wondering who would have pushed for this deal? Is it a Carr one or did Pardew fancy him? You'd like to think we've done our homework if he hasn't shown much at Man U?

[Cajun]

Neil spot on again, It's a breath of fresh air if I'm honest.

[Guest H09]

Spent the last month complaining about the lack of spending so I feel dirty saying that £3m is a rip off. That is what Man Utd bought him for 2 years ago, we're giving them their money back? Beggars can't be choosers I guess.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Can't believe literally 95% think he's s***

 

I sense a few are saying that because you had your hopes set on N'Zogbia, and Obertan doesn't appear to be as good as him.

 

He's another body in and for all anyone knows, he could flourish a bit more if he's given more of a chance than he was at Man Utd, which he surely would be. People are free to air their opinions about him as a player but you'd think you were buying an inanimate object if you look at some of the comments on here.

 

Come off it man Neil - it's the fact that we seemed to have money to spend this summer which we could have used to progress, and we've signed cheapies and non-entities.

 

Even Everton shelled out on a few fees after getting the Rooney money.

 

It's not what I was getting at, though.

 

My opinion is that negatives have been overblown and positives swept under the carpet. I can see that this will have been an incredibly frustrating summer. Would I be raging about where this Carroll money has gone? Yes, of course I would. Would I be p*ssed off about what's going on with Barton, Enrique, Nolan etc? Of course. Has it been a Summer From Hell? Well, I'm not fully qualified to say but from what I've seen, no. I really think people have swept the signings of Marveaux, Ba, Ben Arfa and Cabaye under the carpet somewhat. You have Gosling coming back who barely played last year (if at all?) and it looks like he's beefed the f*** up, so he could really develop this year.

 

Now you look like signing someone who yes, hasn't hit it off at Man Utd, but also hasn't been given that much of a chance. After a troublesome few days, news comes that you're signing someone who could bolster your midfield and offer some pace on the wing and who knows, with some faith placed in him, could start to really establish himself in this league. Instead, it's "he's s***". That is what I find bamboozling.

 

Before someone says this, no, I'm not sticking up for Ashley. I am however sticking up for some of the very good business you've done so far this summer which has escaped the limelight due to the Enrique/Barton etc shenanigans. Potentially disruptive? I would certainly imagine so. f***ing s***? I don't agree.

 

Some fucking reason, so refreshing.

 

Not dancing on the rooftops. Not overly emotionally charged negatice bollocks.

 

Just some fucking reason. Awesome.

 

 

[Interpolic]

Can't believe literally 95% think he's shit

 

I sense a few are saying that because you had your hopes set on N'Zogbia, and Obertan doesn't appear to be as good as him.

 

He's another body in and for all anyone knows, he could flourish a bit more if he's given more of a chance than he was at Man Utd, which he surely would be. People are free to air their opinions about him as a player but you'd think you were buying an inanimate object if you look at some of the comments on here.

 

Come off it man Neil - it's the fact that we seemed to have money to spend this summer which we could have used to progress, and we've signed cheapies and non-entities.

 

Even Everton shelled out on a few fees after getting the Rooney money.

 

It's not what I was getting at, though.

 

My opinion is that negatives have been overblown and positives swept under the carpet. I can see that this will have been an incredibly frustrating summer. Would I be raging about where this Carroll money has gone? Yes, of course I would. Would I be pissed off about what's going on with Barton, Enrique, Nolan etc? Of course. Has it been a Summer From Hell? Well, I'm not fully qualified to say but from what I've seen, no. I really think people have swept the signings of Marveaux, Ba, Ben Arfa and Cabaye under the carpet somewhat. You have Gosling coming back who barely played last year (if at all?) and it looks like he's beefed the fuck up, so he could really develop this year.

 

Now you look like signing someone who yes, hasn't hit it off at Man Utd, but also hasn't been given that much of a chance. After a troublesome few days, news comes that you're signing someone who could bolster your midfield and offer some pace on the wing and who knows, with some faith placed in him, could start to really establish himself in this league. Instead, it's "he's shit". That is what I find bamboozling.

 

Before someone says this, no, I'm not sticking up for Ashley. I am however sticking up for some of the very good business you've done so far this summer which has escaped the limelight due to the Enrique/Barton etc shenanigans. Potentially disruptive? I would certainly imagine so. Fucking shit? I don't agree.

 

As it stands we have a worse squad than this time last year imo, and I've no idea where the goals are going to come from.

 

With all due respect to you Neil, I don't think you'd be this casual if Everton had just came up the season before last and had made similar boardroom decisions after a season of relative success.  I know you're on our side but it's easy from where you're standing to be perfectly honest.

 

Right at the moment, I'd say you have a better squad. Tiote, Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Marveaux, Jonas... see how Gosling and Obertan develop... dare I say Barton as well? That's a good midfield. Your strikeforce isn't great but Ba will help a lot providing he stays fit.

 

Yes, perhaps I can see the positives more easily but that doesn't make them any less tangible. You have a collection of good players and, understandably, the potential on the pitch is being dominated by off-the-field histrionics. From the outside (well, semi-outside), you have a good squad. The question, of course, is can Pardew retain a sense of team spirit and resilience about the squad, come a) the start of the season and b) September 1st?

 

IMO on paper we're about on the same level now to what we were this time last year, but at that point we were on the crest of a wave.  We have to hope that players like Tiote, Colo and even the likes of Jonas and Simpson take responsibility next year or we're knackered.

 

I stick by my earlier point tbh - if you'd sold the likes of Cahill, Jagielka and Arteta this summer and replaced them with injury-prone but promising players (and had replaced Moyes with someone as useless as Pardew) then I think you'd be worried.

[alexf]

This just reminds me of Leon Best tbh.

 

Got absolutely slaughtered prior to last season, and before he got a run of games.

 

I had seen him a handful of times, and it was blatantly obvious he wasn't as bad as people were making out, and I said so. I even stated that he was better than Shola a number of times.

 

I was then asked to produce a dossier on the number of times I had seen him play by our resident oracle the Dave.

 

Then the West Ham game came and he went on to prove he was actually pretty decent. It was very satisfying.

 

Now, is Obertan a world beater? No. But suggestions he is utter s***, and a pointless purchase ahead of Ferguson and Vuckic, are quite frankly unbelievable to me.

 

Again, only seen him a few times, but it was enough to know that this is clearly untrue. If he does sign I am really looking forward to him playing for the team, and showing a bit of what he can do.

 

We shall see. It's inly a matter of time afterall.

 

Agree with this. If we do sign him i think give him time, he's one of those flair types who try things that don't always come off but they had the confidence in their own skills to try it and he maybe one of those who needs a run of games to florish.

 

Or he might be shit. But who knows, dnt like people going "OMGZZZZ he's turbo shit!!!!"

[ponsaelius]

I'm generally disappointed with the summer but I'm not going to go into suicide mode until the team is doing shit. Proof in the pudding and all that.

[The Prophet]

IP, a bit of topic but what makes you think Pardew is useless? This season will be the real test of how good a manager he is for me.

[JH]

Can't believe literally 95% think he's s***

 

I sense a few are saying that because you had your hopes set on N'Zogbia, and Obertan doesn't appear to be as good as him.

 

He's another body in and for all anyone knows, he could flourish a bit more if he's given more of a chance than he was at Man Utd, which he surely would be. People are free to air their opinions about him as a player but you'd think you were buying an inanimate object if you look at some of the comments on here.

 

Come off it man Neil - it's the fact that we seemed to have money to spend this summer which we could have used to progress, and we've signed cheapies and non-entities.

 

Even Everton shelled out on a few fees after getting the Rooney money.

 

It's not what I was getting at, though.

 

My opinion is that negatives have been overblown and positives swept under the carpet. I can see that this will have been an incredibly frustrating summer. Would I be raging about where this Carroll money has gone? Yes, of course I would. Would I be p*ssed off about what's going on with Barton, Enrique, Nolan etc? Of course. Has it been a Summer From Hell? Well, I'm not fully qualified to say but from what I've seen, no. I really think people have swept the signings of Marveaux, Ba, Ben Arfa and Cabaye under the carpet somewhat. You have Gosling coming back who barely played last year (if at all?) and it looks like he's beefed the f*** up, so he could really develop this year.

 

Now you look like signing someone who yes, hasn't hit it off at Man Utd, but also hasn't been given that much of a chance. After a troublesome few days, news comes that you're signing someone who could bolster your midfield and offer some pace on the wing and who knows, with some faith placed in him, could start to really establish himself in this league. Instead, it's "he's s***". That is what I find bamboozling.

 

Before someone says this, no, I'm not sticking up for Ashley. I am however sticking up for some of the very good business you've done so far this summer which has escaped the limelight due to the Enrique/Barton etc shenanigans. Potentially disruptive? I would certainly imagine so. f***ing s***? I don't agree.

 

Whilst I agree that we've done some good business this window and there are some people overreacting at this time, you can't really blame people for being let down after the expectations that were placed between the sale of Carroll and the end of the season.

 

People were promised big things, expectations were raised and to end up being linked with the likes of Obertan (no offence to the lad, I'm sure he's areet) is quite frankly a let down.

 

Assuming he comes and Enrique goes, we're still two left backs, a centre back and a striker from having a squad capable of bettering what we achieved last season (IMO of course).

 

So yes, people are doom mongering in some ways but it applies just as much at the other end of the scale with a couple of eternal optimists, some of the positivity is justified and some of the negativity is justified too.

[Cajun]

Spent the last month complaining about the lack of spending so I feel dirty saying that £3m is a rip off. That is what Man Utd bought him for 2 years ago, we're giving them their money back? Beggars can't be choosers I guess.

 

Where inflation apparently makes Jordan Henderson worth £20m the bore hole probably cost £22m.

 

If we put a clause in to sell his forehead to medical science we are eventually quids in.

[Neil]

I'm generally disappointed with the summer but I'm not going to go into suicide mode until the team is doing shit. Proof in the pudding and all that.

 

I think Pardew really needs to earn his money in the next week. Transfer dealings, potential transfer dealings, boardroom antics and fan opinion aside, he needs to do one thing - unite the team for the start of their Premier League campaign in 1 week's time in front of 50,000+ of their own. If he can do that and get you something against Arsenal after what has been a seemingly very trying few days for one reason or another, then he deserves some credit.

 

Equally, for your sake, I hope fans don't turn on him completely if you don't do well in the first 2 games. It could get messy if you're on 0 points after the derby.

[JH]

I think the first team* is pretty decent btw, but the squad itself is woefully thin in terms of quality.

 

 

 

*                        Krul

Simpson      Tayls  Colo  Enrique

Marveaux  Cabaye  Tiote  Jonas

                          HBA

                            Ba