Ken

I agree with Gemmil. Thanks to you I've saved myself from typing a load of words. P A T I E N C E ! ...and don't expect a miracle. An above average result maybe...but not a miracle.

Abramovich earns much more per year as opposed to Ashley, despite the worth of his assets. Abramovich earns a shitload more to be fair. In saying that, I'm not making out that Ashley will be a Scrooge about things. Ashley IS more business orientated than Abramovich. Abramovich can afford to lose 250 million a year and have a chuckle about it, Ashley can't. As BS has said, Mort and Ashley know nothing about football. Let them understand, and let them work out a way to deal with our current financial position which is not crash hot.

Spot on! The transfer window isn't closed yet, BS has said we'll get one maybe two defenders on top of the four players the club has brought in already. This season is about consolidation. I agree 100%. There are no European fixtures to contend with so the squad can fully focus on the league as well as the cups. We shouldn't have to worry too much about a quagmire of fixtures. The players will be better rested and better prepared for games. If injuries are kind to us we can challenge for 6th spot. It's a big if though. The club also has a massive debt, so I presume the majority of the TV money will go to wiping some of it off. We are in a much better position this time now, than this time last year imo. The club still has a bit of deadwood in it, but not nearly as much as a year ago. Hopefully this time next year, they will be gone and we are in a position to attract higher quality players to the club and aim for a top four position.

Apology accepted.

Can't be there, but so long as the thing is not a love-in, I'd be interested in what occurs there.

Couldn't give a toss.

The market determines their wages. Combine that with sillyness. Dyer as 12th highest earner is a prime example of that.

Wigan. But them aside I have no idea either.

I would like to see him loaned out. He has the ingredients for being a great player. He just needs to play. He won't do that if he stays. Great prospect indeed!!!

Exactly Stevie. Better said this time round. Don't blame the American people for what's happening around in the world. Politics and Beckham don't mix. Victoria Beckham is a poor lady's Paris Hilton. She can break a leg and get caught up in a scandal that makes her look shitter than what she does already for all I care. Money and fame do not add up to class. She should shut up, and enjoy her lifestyle. David Beckham does not speak for his wife. It's better if it stays that way. And blame the media for all the rubbish being bandied about. Our media is pathetic. I would stand by that 'till the day I die.

You remember that game against Barcelona a few years ago when he was the best player on the pitch? Also remember that Drogba didn't start banging in goals in a far inferior league until he was Ameobi's age, he had a poor goalscoring record before he was 25/6. If he get's his chances this season then I expect him to take them and good luck to the lad. Seems like one of the decent ones. Aye I remember. Do you have any more fond memories though? I am not trying to play Shola down, don't get me wrong, but Viduka is in a class above mate. Drogba is a completely different player, and that's before I start with how each player plays and the class level. If you think otherwise please elaborate. Shola is backup for me. He may get a chance first up to allow Viduka to recuperate, but class will shine through in the end. Viduka will have twice as many starts than Shola by season's end...minimum, and rightly so.

Aye...we're heading in the right direction. We have professionals running the club now. Anal can make up all the shite he wants...oh wait...he's been doing it all along though.

Sam is being coy, and so he should. I'm sick of the rumours and innuendo. Although it has kept my summer somewhat lively. In Sam I trust...

Viduka is class. He'll need time to rest up after his venture in Asia though. As with Ameobi, if it aint this year, it will be never. I don't care if Ameobi runs 5 kms more than Viduka in a game. If it isn't effective, it means bugger all. Viduka on his day is a world beater. Ameobi thus far, on his day, is nothing more than decent.

I wouldn't say no to Butt. I love Butt. But will he be at the club any longer than one season? And is he vocal with leadership qualities??? I'd still give it to Owen, at least if we go well and has the captaincy and pride at what he's doing, it would give him an extra reason to stay.

Can Oba not speak through an interpreter then? If he really feels part of the team, and his English is not up to scratch then surely to goodness he can make an effort through other avenues, and not his "advisers".

So Taylor and Solano are both more vocal and more leaders on the pitch than Owen then??? I would suggest no, and I would suggest there isn't a player in the squad that fits that description ahead of Michael Owen.

So Shearer should never have been captain then??? Michael Owen is old enough and good enough to know what is expected as a captain, and what is expected as a goal scorer. 2 separate things I know, and I'm sure he knows as well, just like Shearer knew.

Quotes from Oba please!...oh wait...there are none!

I don't care what Michael Owen's clause says. It is not his fault he has it. He is at the right age to be captain, and him sticking his hand up for it suggests to me he does care about this club. Give it to him.

Yep. I agree. Sam is being canny. Good on him!!!

Yeah very true. SA has missed out on a few of his top preferances. He also has to factor in that the real good players want to play in a European competition and also a lot prefer to live in London. Having said that though, this is a new era for the club. I'm sure there a a few out there who know the club is going up. Time will tell, but now the club is officially under the full and total control of MA, things should hot up a little now, transfer wise.

Says the man who can't keep his word Says the man who hates players from his own country.

We haven't, you are right. But the players we've got in so far have been very good. They are not trophy signings like there has been in the past. Injuries have to be kind to us this season. Judging by what's happened in the past, those are long odds of happening. But Sam is an astute manager, he'll bring in another couple of players hopefully. Never say never! That's what the optimistic side of me says anyway.

This season will be one of the closest I reckon. If Man City get the players that Sven wants. Obviously Manu will favourites and Chelsea and Liverpool will be chasing them hard but any number of teams can take positions 3-6, including us!!!