Rayvin

Really??? Or is that tongue in cheek? That has to be tongue in cheek right? We could be top of the league at Christmas and I'd still think he was a buffoon.

Maybe that's his plan longer term, keep taking money out of the club until the amount he'd want for it is low enough that someone might actually pay for it, and subsequently he'll get the fuck out like he's wanted to for years. Would explain why he doesn't care about how well we do, seemingly only about bringing in players to sell at a profit. I guess the sooner this all happens, the sooner he's gone.

£18mil for Aubameyang seems pretty high... unless we're talking Euros. The kind of bid we'd put in if we were getting all that and more from the sale of someone else.

Had become my preferred choice to Tiote as well. Hope we're not banking on Tiote being awesome again...

Plan is apparently to then get Aubameyang and Zouma. And Bent probably. I dunno about Cabaye, he was poor last season and I think the argument is strong for getting rid. Whether you think he's poor because of Pardew or because he was depressed/whatever, the fact is that he's unlikely to be any better next year under the same people. Maybe other players would be.

The Guardian seems to think we're heading for £20m.

Yeah maybe but it's still something of a commitment isn't it. Even if they (as seems highly probable) don't do it, they've floated around the concept that we have £25mill to spend on a striker. That concept isn't going away.

What in the damn hell.... it's like the old days!

Why is it that we have to be involved in the one of the only two remaining games of any meaning x.x

If we somehow prevented Arsenal from getting into the Champs League, it would mean Wigan were relegated for nothing. I could get behind that.

100% behind that sentiment.

Yeah they're going to beat us next week. Hopefully just 0-1.

On the positive, we were nowhere near as close to relegation as it looked a couple of weeks ago.

Arsenal just destroying them now...

Wow... Wigan finally fall.

Ah... if they come back from that, I'll be impressed.

Wigan are more passionate than most teams, and have more self belief. I don't think they're really any 'better' or they wouldn't be in the position they're in. It looks like they're playing well cos the try hard.

The only evidence of a release clause that I can see, was back when he signed a contract extension for Lille. It was 75 million Euros according to (the doubtless inaccurate) wikipedia. Unless that's a typo and it was meant to be 7.5million.

Dunno about Mancini...he may only thrive with considerable resources. Doesn't seem like a 'making the best out of limited means' manager.

Oh good God, what is the point of this country if we vote out. Which we will. Because we're a collective mass of idiocy. What's the great vision then Dave? We lead the world in crooked banking? All this just to keep the Romanians out...

Winds me up a bit to be honest, possibly stained my impression of him towards the end of his season up here, but he always seemed to be whinging about something and generally having a go when anyone was listening. Would prefer Watford.

I guess in truth, so would I. But the realist in me says that it isn't going to happen, and that our best chance to improve probably involves cashing in.

If we aren't capable of using him, what do we do? Keep him just cos he's supposed to be such a good player? Unless you're suggesting that we ship the manager and then spend heavily to bring other players in who complement his style. Do you see it happening? Also, is he really good enough to justify that (having now had a think on that point).

Either would be good - should get at least £15mill and he's playing like he's worth £3.60 at the moment.

Just as an aside, wtf does writing a dossier to the club entail? Also, I saw absolutely no one on N-O there who looked in any way, shape, or form committed to doing anything. It was educational however. As for Pardew, if we can get Rafa - we should get Rafa. Otherwise not arsed, he'll do better next season with proper backing from the board.