Big Onion

Nah they just wing it and leave it to the leprechaun, the daft buggers.

If we'd used the Villa model (i.e. backed the manager's judgement), we'd have got what we got plus a left-back in, used the Milner money for a creative cm/playmaker, left Nacho and Xisco where they were, kept KK and Given (even, possibly, Charlie), strengtened a bit in January and conceivably be contending for a UEFA spot. We'd have still been cattled a bit by the injuries obviously but it's a wide open league and I don't think that's too far fetched a scenario. It wouldn't have required massive spending and it's not even that hard. Fuck's sake

I genuinely feel sorry for Xisco. The way Kinnear has repeatedly discussed our striker situation as though the kid simply doesn't exist is quite incredible. I see Llambias is now saying he was bought as 'one for the future' in a lame attempt to explain it all away. If they saw him as a player to be brought on, why hasn't he played in the reserves? I'd not be surprised if he only got a game last night because they realised how stupid Llambias's comments on this sound.

Just looking at that again: Did he really say that? Can anyone imagine a more simple-minded analysis? The more Llambias says the more I think his previous reticence was down to him not wanting to reveal what a fucking divvy he is.

'We think he’s a good fit for us' = he's desperate, so he does what he's told.

Perhaps he thinks a more suitable punishment for a violent misdemeanour would be for the offender to accept a 50% pay cut. As moral pennance, obviously

I dont think he was asleep, he pretended to shake his hand before breaking his jaw. Classy behaviour from our DOF there! Really? In that case I have no idea where I got that story from

You forgot the bit about him fracturing Calum Davidson's jaw while he was asleep.

He hasn't. He hasn't done a lot as DoF either Rather mixed as far as first-teamers go isn't it? It's a frustrating thought that the players Keegan was happy with (Jonas, Colo, Guthrie, Bassong) have on the whole done well, while the players that led to him leaving (Gonzales, Xisco) have done fuck all. What a waste. Jury's still out on Taylor, Nolan and the young 'uns. And a relegation battle is obviously not in his favour.

No doubt money would have been part of it and I can't remember anything direct from him about wanting to be based down south - it was just what was being reported at the time. Anyway that bit was just embellishment: my main point was that he's done nowt as a manager.

Wise has done nothing as a manager. Six months with Swindon, then left to relegate Leeds. A good start in the third division till Poyet left, after which their form dropped. Then he jumped ship for Ashley, reportedly because he didn't like being based up north. Plus he's a complete twat of a man. The Leeds fans hated him by the end. He's only where he is because he's Ashley's pal, probably the only one who knows anything about football. The only reason my head hasn't exploded at the thought of him taking over is that I'm fairly confident he won't. Incidentally, I wonder how it would sit with Hughton if Poyet came in, since it was GP who Hughton was sacked for.

I can't see Wise taking it but then again he's such a horrible, spiteful, vindictive little cunt he might do it to get us back. I still reckon Poyet will be next permanent manager. If it's Wise I'll spontaneously combust with rage.

I hated Tommy Smith. He was nothing more than a dirty bastard who revelled in his reputation as a 'hard man'. He was a shite footballer. Leeds had Norman Hunter, Paul Madeley, Jackie Charlton and Paul Reaney who were all better players than him, and at least two of them would have knocked his lights out I reckon. All that wank the scousers talk about him crocking Macdonald and 'you'll never score against Ratpool again if I'm on the pitch' or something. '...and he never did', they like to say. He still got the hat-trick against the cunts first though

Scoring for fun for the bairns like and cult hero in the making, but I haven't seen him play. I've seen Kadar a couple of times and he looks tidy (looked better at full-back than cb), but he's knacked. Most of these kids we've brought in are miles away from the first team anyway, and if it turns out Wise's judgement on young players is poor, this five-year plan is right up the swanee. I wonder what happened with Zamblera. Got a couple of run-outs for the reserves, then was playing for the kids, then shunted out of the back door. The stuff coming out of Italy when we got him suggested he was very highly thought of. Strange one.

I can't see Owen staying under any circumstances myself like. At a guess I'd reckon Oba is 50/50 (although certain to leave if we go down obviously). Depends if there's interest I suppose. Shola's a dog's breakfast of a footballer, utter gash. His odd decent game consists of him actually winning a few high balls and maybe fluking one in off one of his pointy bits. Then he reverts to type: shite in the air, woeful on the deck, needlessly offside/conceding stupid free-kicks, and so slow and ponderous in his movement and decision-making that by the time he gets a shot or a pass off the ball's either gone or gets blocked. He's absolutely wank, and has recently added laziness and sulking to his repertoire. Carroll's probably a division higher than the level he'll end up at but he's still been much better in the 'targetman' role than Shola - he's stronger, better in the air, has better movement and is a bit better on the deck. As for Smith, I think the lad's gone - it's a long time since he looked like a decent striker, and he's never a midfielder. Maybe the injuries have took their toll. I know Gomez had a stinker at the Euros but ther'll still be plenty of interest in him, and I can't see us getting him. How depressing. Nile Ranger's going to have to be fucking Pele.

Whatever anyone's take on Owen is he's gone in the summer. No-one in their right mind would keep Viduka on, Xisco's sure to be moved out (poor fucker) and I wouldn't bet money on Oba stopping. Could be Smith (unless someone's daft enough to take him off our hands), Carroll and Ameobi left. That's not even good enough for fizzy pop football. I hope somewhere in the grand plan they've got some ideas on this.

Never had anything against Roeder till he failed to take Ameobi off our hands when he had the chance. I can't bring myself to forgive him for that. Anyway, it'll be Poyet, if not now then come summer, knocking bet.

Steve Stone.

I hope Keegan does win the case. The thought of this bunch of tricky, unscrupulous lying fucks being several million out of pocket to KK pleases me immensely. (I realise some will object to that sentiment on account of the cash coming out of club coffers. But a.) I don't see any reason to believe Ashley will invest significantly in the first team whatever happens, b.) I suspect Keegan is in the right, and c.) I hate Ashley.)

I think we'll be getting Wise by proxy - i.e. Poyet. I'd guess he was always going to get it come summer barring a miraculous performance by Kinnear. JFK's health problems might mean it happens sooner. Wish I could get a bet on it. Not that I want it like.