Phil

It's a pity they didn't put the JJB logo on the back of the flyers. Now that would put pressure on Ashley at sports direct.

We got them flowers and an engraved pocket mirror. Also let them keep the dress and shoes, but don't think that counts. :-D

That's kind of my point. The squad fillers like Williamson are performing at their level. Every team needs low earners who know their place. Its the higher earners that aren't up to scratch.

Spurs have a massively squad of slightly above average players. Two or three players and we are easily on par with Everton. Baines and Pienaar are on the slide.

You appear to be suggesting we get rid of the weaker players. Williamson etc... are more than good enough for 8th - 17th. They are squad players who's pay reflects it. Top half isnt really a dividing line - after Spurs/Everton the rest are much of a muchness. All you need is a decent spine of a team to help the weaker players. Krul, (a younger) Colochini, Cabaye, Ba - finished 5th, with Simpson et al, who are as bad as the current squad fillers. The best possible spine these days is Krul, (a slow) Colochini, Tiote, De Jong.... All we need to do is fix the spine with someone like Grenier and replacement for Colochini and we'll be in the same bracket as Everton and Spurs.

Pardew said he was happy with the players he had. It's his job to demand better. He didnt. Every knows QPR took Remy ahead of us. So we have had viable targets highlighted, which is all a scout should do.

The only reasons I can think of is Ashley's budget constraints are the real problem. Also, there are factors like having loads of good players sold, so his job can't be easy. And dont forget he did win manager of the season recently, only to get shafted in the following three transfer windows. Oh and he's had to put up with Joe Kinnear. All that being said, I'm sick of looking at his face. If he chooses to peddle the clubs patter about us having a full rosta, then allow Ben Arfa and Mbwia to leave without demanding a back fills, he can do one. So I voted sack, but fully accept things won't improve. It's not like I'm asking for much, just a manager who's face doesn't irritate me.

Well that escalated quickly from the inner working of renewable energy

There isnt a lot to choose from in the realistic pool. Who would you go for?

I don't think Pulis would work with Ashley. From the realistic pool, I'd take Arry, Shearer or hoddle

That was my initial reaction, however it gives him a plausible excuse for losing. He may have waxed lyrical about having a full rosta, but I doubt he said that internally. I wouldnt be surprised if it was to cover his ass. i.e. the squad is full is clearly something the board would say. A lot of hope rests on Cisse.... we are goosed. thanks **** for Burnley, Leicester and a January transfer window.

I bet Obertan wishes Shola was still around

That's got Pardew written all over it

Aarons must be ahead of Melon head.

I think he was always ear marked for the wing, but with the de Jong injury and Aarons looking like our best player, I think the formation will picks itself (Cabella as no10 and Aarons on the wing) The only question for me would be around where is Aarons best position, as all this Sterling comparisons might get Aarons playing No10 as that seems to be Sterling's best position. I think its worth a punt swapping them in a game to see how they get on in both positions.

You mention Ben Arfa not being a team player. I think that term is banded around for anyone who has flair. In modern English football they train "pass and move", "pass and move forward", and two touch limit. I hate it and feel it's killing the game. It's become so boring and pedestrian, it's almost painful to watch at time. Ginola, Robert, Ben Arfa all have flair. That ability to beat a man 2 out of 4 times. The fact we only have one senior flair player is a joke. I don't care if a player loses the ball having a go. Some of these crab players like Anita are just plain boring to watch. Sure they do job, but that job is make the game boring. I'd rather watch a frustrating Ben Arfa and lose than some of the dull crap we've endured recently.

Fair point that he ended up at Hull, so he clearly didn't get the offers a lot of us expected. You can't call him shite though.

Yeah Ken, three games is far too soon to voice an opinion on a message forum!

You're an odd person.

I posted earlier that we might as well keep Pardew as sacking him doesn't fix the issue (Ashley's budget). The only joy of getting rid of him would be sort lived as the reality Ashley might stay longer would creep in. On reflection. Shearer would good pick for me. He'll call the club out on the shut it does and bring back a big if dignity. We are at bare bones so a rebuild could be funded. Which I believe was why they parted.

Yes, he is shit. But there are worse. Much worse. I'd put Pardew in the middle camp with Bruce and Hughes Poor managers 1. Alan Irvine -West Brom 2. Sean Dyche - Burnley 3. Neil Warnock - Crystal Palace 4. Nigel Pearson - Leicester City 5. Garry Monk - Swansea City Play awful football 1. Sam Allardyce - West Ham United 2. Paul Lambert - Aston Villa Unknown 1. Ronald Koeman - Southampton 2. Gus Poyet - Sunderland Mid table dross 2. Mark Hughes - Stoke City 3. Steve Bruce - Hull City Better Manager 1. Harry Redknapp - QPR 2. Louis Van Gaal - Manchester United 3. Manuel Pellegrini - Manchester City 4. Brendan Rodgers - Liverpool 5. Jose Mourinho - Chelsea 6. Mauricio Pochettino - Tottenham Hotspur 7. Roberto Martinez - Everton 8. Arsene Wenger - Arsenal

The point about Pardew is valid. He might be limited, but he's still a top half prem manager. Sacking him wont improve us. Here's the key issue most people have. Pardew is part of the nufc panto, so we dont care where the blame lies (its Ashley) were just sick of looking at him and know while he's at the club the lies will continue.

Well that never happened. In fact that's the issue Ashley doesn't pay the going rate for anyone, so we never the sign players we need. Remy easily could have been wrapped up after Liverpool pulled out, as there was a release clause. Which we clearly didn't match. Lyon are in financial meltdown, so I'm not buying we offered anything over 10m. Which is pointless as it was never going to be accepted.

Do you think there comes a point where we could do so badly between now and January that Ashley has no option but to sack Pardew and panic buy? Even then it doesnt really fix the root of our problem. The only way to get Ashley out of our club is to generate negative publicity for Sports Direct every time were on TV. It shouldnt be too hard. Someone suggested waiving JD sports bags when we score.