BigWalrus

Ah yes, my misunderstanding - I've just read back up the thread. I originally read it as if you were suggesting he'd make a deal with the French tax authorities so his endorsement income wouldn't be touched.

He says in the interview that he thought we needed to strengthen - hence the bids for De Jong and Debuchy. He admits that they fucked up in not sealing the deal. I think you're looking for something to argue with but he honestly hasn't said anything controversial.

I love the mock outrage. What are you going to do about it? Start an "Ashley out" chant? Throw your season ticket on the pitch? Boycott home games?

I feel like I'm in the fucking twilight zone.

Adebayour is yet to return home, apparently.

To be fair, that's pretty much what he says.

Llambias has admitted they got it wrong in the summer and should have strengthened. No argument from me. The signings in January look like they're of real quality. I'm not going to dispute his comments about holding on to the big names. It seemed to be a certainty that Tiote was going to Chelsea, Ba to Liverpool and Cabaye to Spurs / Man Utd, but none of those transfers happened. Not sure the phrase "worked hard" is the right one, but I was surprised that we managed to hold on to everyone.

Is he worth £30m? I'm not sure we'd get that much for him.

Yep, agreed. Next game is a "free game". I hope Pardew isn't approaching it like a free game, and is heading out there to win, but the home game against Southampton remains a six pointer and is a more important match in my eyes.

Bale is nailed on to score against us.

Nah, I'm at work.

Why would the French government agree to that? They'd go from getting 50% of his wages to getting nothing whatsoever.

Winnet lipped twat. Immense. I might have to use that at some point.

Well, this has become an abortion of a thread.

Very true. I haven't seen replays of either, just what I saw live.

Gouffran reminded me of Bellamy. Very hard working and seems to have an understanding of where his team mates are. He made a couple of cracking decoy runs that opened Chelsea's defence wide open. Got through his fair share of defensive work too, working the lines. I don't think he's technically the most gifted player we'll ever see, but he appears to have a footballing brain, which puts him ahead of Obertan in my eyes.

The FA would refuse to look at Ramires' two-footer as he was given a yellow at the time. The rule stinks, but that's a separate issue.

Outside of football, I mean. I know a couple of people who have had the "pleasure" of spending some time with him and I'm yet to hear anything nice. Footballing wise, he has always given the impression that he gives 100%. However, he's anything but a team player. He'd happily leave a team mate in the shit to avoid the risk of him making a mistake. He's quite a cowardly player and is ridiculously quick to point the finger elsewhere when a goal has been conceded. It's never his fault, in his eyes. He lived off the back of a few goal line clearances, when in reality there would never have been a need for a goal line clearance if he had picked up his man instead of standing behind the keeper on the line. As you say, he thinks he's a lot better than he actually is.

I doubt it'll teach him anything. He will brush it off, pretend it was nothing and carry on with his fake celebrity lifestyle. Danny Simpson is a prized tool. I'd happily drive him to QPR when he finally leaves (although he will have to sit in the back with the child locks on)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21319807

Tiote is a class act. Like it's been said, he's at his best when he can focus on the defensive side, leaving Cabaye and Sissoko to drive it forwards. Perch is an able backup, but when Tiote is fit, he should start every time.

Cisse's movement and off the ball work was staggeringly good. He worked his knackers off. I wouldn't expect Sissoko to score so regularly - he managed one goal in his last 38 games for Toulouse.

Tiote, Cabaye and Sissoko would be brilliant. Tiote has to come in for Perch.

I hope that is the case. However Sissoko's ability as a footballer doesn't suddenly make Fellaini shit.

Fellaini is ridiculously strong in the air, has a brilliant finish on him, can pass with the best of them, has immense stamina and puts himself about. He's everything you want in a midfielder.