David Kelly

I think this might be a fair point. I don't necessarily think it would mean Gayle would be on his way but it could certainly mean he won't be first choice. That being said, Rafa could be certain that he will score goals. As Howay says though, it's very interesting if this how the players (especially our top players) are thinking.

Which players was this? I could imagine the likes on Hanley and Murphy as well as some of the younger ones who have been here for years without making it (Vukic and Sammy spring to mind) but it would be interesting if there's some of the ones who played more regularly.

I think that's the key point. If Rafa is happy enough with it then he must think it's enough to make us competitive.

I wouldn't bother. We're going to have to spend our money wisely and although £6m isn't a massive amount, it's money that could go towards a player who could keep Gouffran out of the team in the premier league. Something that Atsu couldn't manage in the Championship. And if Atsu was our first choice I'd be very concerned.

Aye I talked myself into keeping him as backup as I was typing that and thinking about the other options, none of which have impressed. But he'll get more players who are capable of ripping him to shreds in the premier league and his lack of ability on the ball hinders our attacking and ultimately would put him under more pressure. For me leftback along with left wing and a number 10 are the three positions in which I have absolutely no confidence in the ability of any of our squad to play there in the premier league (assuming Ritchie plays right wing). There are certainly the questions that Fish raises but there's a reasonable chance that Gayle, Lascelles, Mbemba and Clark can cut it in this league. From what we've seen of the players in the positions I've noted, there's virtually zero chance these players can.

I'm going to see Alien Covenant at the Imax on Friday. I do expect to be disappointed even though I thought Prometheus was ok.

I'm still one of those who want shot of him. He's done ok defensively against championship players yet still looks like he's lacking in quality. And we've all seen how good he is in the premier league. He's not improved at all this season, he's just played against worse players. That being said Lazaar and Haidara have shown nothing to suggest they're even worth a place as backup. There's a lot of players who haven't contributed at all this season that you could move on without weakening us one bit (Thauvin, De Jong, Saivet, Riviere, Sammy, Toney, Armstrong, Good, Krul). There should be £20m in that lot alone. Then add the likes of Gamez, Lazaar, Murphy, Hanley and Selz and there's another £10m. £30m could be used to replace what we lose with better players. I think Anita will probably stay but at his age I think Gouffran will probably move on despite the number of games he's played.

Noelie this has to be aimed at you.

Tbf I think that's what our ticket office does.

Guardians was really good. The two of them are probably the best comic book films there's been in ages.

New series of Twin Peaks starts in a couple of weeks. Just finished rewatching the original two and the film. Can't wait for it. Just a shame there's no Bob or Harry Trueman (or Annie Blackburn who seems to have been mysteriously erased from the whole thing) but most of the rest of the original cast are there and there's some good additions too.

Think it's safe to say Ashley wouldn't be signing off on that one.

Going to see Durham play Leicestershire at gosforth today. Jennings, Cook and Richardson have all hit tons in the last week so I'm expecting single figures today.

I'm glad to see that most of the money is going to decent cause than all being wasted on something totally small time but generally can't see the logic in it at all. Even without the pathetic ending to the article, it does seem like nothing more than pathetic points scoring.

He is the gift that just keeps giving isn't he.

It's the struggle to come out that's lead him to this allegedly.

Watching the SPL isn't much different to watching the north east sunday league so it's no surprise people turned their noses up at Virgil.

Way too late for this also.

Way too late for this.

Love the comment on there about how Bournemouth didn't relegate them.

The fielding has been poor in the main. Been good entertainment though.

It's the Ashley message isn't?

I don't believe the conversation every really happened (not seriously at least) even though there are some right bellends that used to phone into the three legends. But he's right that without serious money we've got next to no chance of breaking into the top four. Yes if some of the top six have an absolute nightmare there's a chance another team can take advantage for a year but the gap is widening. Bellamy is a cunt either way and Keys is even worse the patronising cunt.

Always worth another viewing.

Or better depending on your point of view.