The Fish

Off the top of my head, McClen, Brady, Bassedas, Geremi, Dumas, Faye, Hamilton, Pancrate, Georgiadis, Ireland... does Muto count?

I'd 100% get rid of Barnes if the fee was what we paid for him or more. He's a great option from the bench, as has been mentioned, but only in games where the opponent is stretched. If they're happy to cede ground and possession, only really putting us under any pressure when we get 25yds from their goal, well I don't think he can play round an entrenched back line, I don't think he has the alacrity of thought. His trick is unbelievable. Phenomenal finisher, good pace. But it's one trick. Gordon and Murphy (to a lesser degree) have more variety to their game. Shove Barnes and Almiron into a Transmogrification Device and we'd have a helluva a player.

He lists a few things that he think disproves the notion they're a small club; Young talent - plenty of smaller clubs have young talent on the pitch, plenty of big clubs don't. One of their players walking through their shit tip town centre - has no bearing on the 'size' or tinpot-ness of the club 40k league crowds - would be impressive and would point to a bigger club, but they don't get that, now do they? Big signings for the Championship - small(er) clubs can make impressive, surprising deals. Le Fee (I assume they're talking about him) could be an amazing signing, or he could be Aphonso Alves-esque

If Wood scored a particularly pleasing one off his bonce, you could call it a "work of Arteta" Work of art header geddit?

First teams don't win titles, squads do. And we're a long way off having a title winning squad.

To be fair, Hooley13 makes a really good point. I guess it's unfortunate for Sunderland that they're the only football fanbase impacted by the celebration of Christmas.

Tell you what, for Google to refer to him as an Electrician, he must be fucking good at it.

There's the other side of things. The players who can't get a chance in the PL need competitive matches. The case is obvious for players like Osula or Kelly. But players like Targett need to almost remind the world they exist.

Exactly. Well, aye, that's why I said a happy Bruno could be protected with a massive demand, but if we wanted to sell or he wanted to go, then c£80m is more realistic.

A left back is less likely than centre mid to be on the end of a heavy challenge. And as good as he's been, I don't think Hall is as pivotal as Bruno is.

But in the age of PSR we can stick a price tag on them that dissuades suitors. Like Bruno, Yes, we could realistically sell him for c£80m if we wanted to (or he wanted to go). But if Man Utd came in with a bid like that now we could, with all legitimacy, say "Give us £140m or fuck off" to end the speculation. We can make a case that selling a happy Bruno is only worthwhile if the money is ridiculous. Unless you're saying that Isak's actual value is £150m?

Same is probably true of our other blue chip players.

Hall><Targett, Willock><Bruno

Too right. Haven't been to the GP half as much as we did for the first though. so... there's growth I guess.

@Gemmill How does this impact the Everton Drop Indeterminacy?

What's the percentage chance of that team ending up in that position. E.g. 90.3% chance Liverpool finish 1st, 15.8% chance Brentford finish 13th, 92.7% chance Southampton finish bottom.

That was from the 3rd of Jan, before winning away at Spurs. Most up to date version; They now reckon there's about a 66% chance of top 5, just shy of 95% of top 7.

Don't tempt me.

Depends how it ends at Arsenal. If he delivers them consistent Champions League I don't see there being much appetite to get shot. If he has them failing to get into Europe, his attitude and expectation will take a hit. Just look at Mourinho.

Re: GPs I think it's hit and miss. I can get appointments no problem but sometimes the Doctor I get is fucking useless. The littlest one was shuddering when she was feeding, so we took her to make sure it wasn't anything serious. Doctor's honest-to-god reaction was a dismissive "Well, what do you want?" How about a little expert opinion, some guidance and some reassurance? I went in later with an ear infection, same doctor, same incompetence. Sends me off with some ibuprofen. Finally see someone capable and I get antibiotics and industrial grade pain relief. Wife has a thyroid issue, and has a consultant she's been with for years. She went to the GP to discuss blood test results and re-up her meds. Doctor at that point asked what contraception we're using because the meds she's taking could be very dangerous to a foetus and "That'll be another problem that just ends up at our door". I was raging, called to complain, written formal complaint, and I'm shifting to the other GP surgery in the village asap.

Sure. He'll get picked up by West Ham, Everton, or the like.