JawD

A few points are considered imo. Is the squad stronger than last year? We got rid of 7 players but Id say only 3 impact the first team. Guthrie, Lovenkrands and Best. We brought in 4 players and it seems at the moment 3 will impact the first team. Anita, Bigi and Amalfitano. On that you might say 3 in 3 out with some deadwood shifted so we are about the same. What was crucial for me though was that we needed a FB last season. Williamson proved shaky at times as well. So while not bringing these positions in hasnt weakened us, we havent pushed on when we should have. This then runs the risk of those around us improving and us standing still which in effect means you move backwards. A big thing for me though was getting rid of two forwards and not bringing another in. I can only imagine they are looking at Shola and thinking 3 is enough. So on that, the squad is maybe about the same though tbf Anita seems to give more cover than Guthrie so we are slightly better. Very slightly. Looking at money. We spent a net of £3M. It's been said look at what West Ham or Southampton spent. More crucial is what our immediate competition spent imo. That is : Liverpool - £20M NUFC - £3M Arsenal - £300K Everton - (£4.8M) Spurs - (£5.8M) Out of those we were 2nd top spenders. Strange but true. Though I am one of those that think spending the highest doesnt really mean a lot if you dont spend well. The most annoying thing for me was Debuchy. A player that we were crying out for and by the sounds of it needed only a small amount more to get him. Id not be surprised to see a deal pushed through in Jan. Or Im hoping anyway. All in all, we're taking a massive risk (as can be seen by the injuries recently) but the level of spending doesnt really stand out from what those around us are spending one way or another. I also keep thinking of MA saying he was fucked off with the stick he was getting any why should he put his own money in. From then on he wanted the club to generate its own funds and I still think that is the case (I may be wrong but Ive seen nothing to show otherwise). Approval? My approval went up massively last season when I felt I'd been proved wrong. While it hasnt dropped massively and while Im still fucked off about the whole SJP thing, its certainly on a downward slope again and Ill need to see how we are fairing come Jan and if we invest for it to change. There is no "I told you so" not really as its too soon to judge.

Brilliant film The Green Mile. Also often really enjoyed the roles he has played. Shame.

Stop posting that pic man, Im getting me tea soon

Bloody hell man, mackems on Twitter still going on thinking that the tracksuit thing had reference to them I may be wrong, but Im sure the chant "over the wall" started after his FK v them but continued from that each time he gets one like the recent Euro game? We even signed him because he kept getting them against us when he played for wigan

Done

I think getting top 8 this year while playing through the Europa League will be a good season like all things considered.

I didnt get that. Its the sort of thing you do when you want to run the clock down. I remember SBR when he wanted to change the game used to bring 3 subs on at once.

Really puzzles me how some people lack such self awareness and social ability.

They actually think Raylor has only scored one "over the wall" so it must be about them? Self centred fucktards

In a way its good we have this short break now. They have had a couple of games and can see whats wrong and have a bit of time to work on it.

Welcome aboard I agree to a point. I'd quite like to see 4-3-3 as I think most would. Either Ba-Cisse-HBA or Marv-Cisse-HBA. Ive yet to be convinced Ba and Cisse work as a front two.

In September?

Obertan just played the best game of his nufc career on the wing. Haris tbf to him has been riddled with injury but a player I think could be canny.

2-0 Cisse, HBA

He's only played a handful of games, you have to give him a chance man. Perch?

Good article that like.

Without a doubt. We would never do it though. Against everything we do.

Yet a win tomorrow will everyone chill the fuck out

2-2 Mackems now but Swansea down to 10. Everton getting beat at West Brom as well and Norwich just equalised at Spurs. Canny if that stayed as is.

Aye its easy to get stuck in a rut. Need to break that mould. Takes some doing like, it aint easy but well worth it. Even stuff like stacking shelves in Asda is the first step to making huge changes. Just getting out of the house is a big step. As said, if you cant find work then volunteer. Local shelter or something. Then as said meeting people helps and you never know what opportunities may present themselves.

6th. Man Utd, City, Arsenal, Spurs & Chelsea are the only teams I see possibly finishing above us. Everton will be close though. Arsenal and Spurs need to settle as well but as do we. This is assuming we add one player in Jan.

So thats it, the window is closed and after perhaps some bitter disappointment it now time to reflect, be glad we didn't "sell our best players" and take stock of what we have. We know we have a good first team and I think we are gambling, perhaps with odds poorly stacked, that we wont have crucial injuries or players going off to the ACoN. Having already lost R Taylor who picked up vital goals last season and having not replaced out back up forwards we will be turning more to the young blood, also perhaps pushing wide players into a forward role. More concern is perhaps at the back where choices are more limited. The loss of Colo or S Taylor would be a huge blow and the full backs are "ok" at best. But, we done well last season and Pardew had stated that our priority will be the league. Perhaps we don't all agree with this as I know I would love to see us win a cup but being realistic, the league is where the money is and cups are where dreams are. So if we keep our players fit for the league, play fringe players in the cups, where do you expect we can finish? I look at who I think will finish above us. Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea are nailed on. I honestly then think we are in a group of Spurs and Arsenal. Everton look strong but I remain unconvinced with Liverpool. I do think the squad will be stretched. I blindly think we will add a player in January. So Im going 6th but we really need to start finding our feet sharpish after an average start performance wise.