Rayvin

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.

How did Shola get 35 appearances... that has to be a personal best for him?

Yep, I put that caveat in there - I suspect you're right and it'll become Tier 2 containing the original 3 plus Liverpool; and Everton fighting it out with us and Swansea (?) for top of the new Tier 3. I appreciate that I may now have massively overcomplicated this. I'm also going to re-brand Tier 1 as the Premier Tier.

Who knows... seriously. Why don't we try and win a domestic cup, they seem to be giving them away. I'm a bit switched off the league to be honest - if even Liverpool are being squeezed out of European spots with the team they've got, what chance do we stand of competing there. I mean, we should be at the top of the chasing pack, but... the way I see it the league is split like this: Tier 1 - Man Utd and Man City Tier 2 - Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs Tier 3 - Liverpool and Everton Tier 4 - Everyone else save the bottom 3 Tier 5 - Relegation We're in Tier 4 and I frankly don't see how we can get into even Tier 3 let alone 2. We'd require heavy investment to achieve Tier 3 status, and it would rely on the current Tier 3 teams not doing anything. Everton, yeah maybe they'll sink down and Tier 3 will be merged with Tier 2 - but I still don't see how we'd fit in there. I guess we'll aim to win Tier 4.

That's true, but we should also have more resources available to us than most other clubs. Many teams were spending heavily this season in order to ensure that they were part of the windfall for next year (see Stoke and Sunderland - QPR obviously as well, although they won't be there). All three newly promoted teams will be heavily disadvantaged. We should really be spunking a good £20-30mill this summer even before the probable departures of Cabaye and Tiote (both of whom, currently, I wouldn't miss). If we don't then it's going to be more of this small time mentality bollocks from the board.

That's the thing, that's only a bit worse than we all expected last season. It's just been a bloody weird season.

This is my big fear - Some people seem to think our board are savvy enough to bring in someone like Deschamps and I just don't see it...

I reckon the recovery starts here. Assuming that all that was wrong was confidence and pressure - I think this is the game where Pardew proves he should stay or not. If it's not him next year, I hope they choose wisely (for a change).

Yeah - bloody intense that. Penalty survived and then game won!

Interesting...not surprising though. Aside from that Stoke are beating Spurs. I think this is probably good for us - if Arsenal win and Spurs lose then Arsenal don't need to hammer us next weekend.

That is staggering...

Seems Scholes has retired again... Surprised Giggs hasn't given the circumstances. Poor Swansea, Man Utd are going to destroy them this weekend. Last home game for Fergie and Scholes...