OTF

Isn't that the joke?

He did look unprepared, that's for sure. Knew the bottom line of what he wanted to say - that he wasn't going to sell, the rest was made up on the spot, typical cheap words to placate the masses. He's had ample opportunity to speak with his actions. For every forwards steps there's been there has been a subsequent leap backwards. Dont mistake movement over the summer as a change in his modus operandi, the only thing he's out to win is more money for his empire.

I'd say it's more in response to the media who have turned on him, and more specifically how the club has been run into the ground. Where the articles were once concerned with stereotypical delusional supporters they're now rightfully of a soulless club. Ashley was basically going through the motions in terms of content. At the same time it afforded him the ability to make a less than subtle jibe directed at the protests to get him out of the club. He'll only go on him terms. Sadly there is such direct avenue for a retort. In terms of structure he should have finished with the biggest punchline; the one where the club is not for sale at ANY price.

He wasn't sacked to be fair. There shall be no Casa de Boleyn name plates popping up in Spain.

Effectively that was an 85 million pound game. With Carver at the helm.

Top dogs. AKA..... Tallest dwarves in the circus.

Riviere obviously upset over his own performance and surely amazed that he was kept out there for 90.

More of this next year. Stay of execution for the fish.

Too daft to get Jonas a standing ovation.

He'll surely make a few more subs in the added time.

Assist, goal, man of the match.

Jonas!

Fucking he'll how did they blow that?

Love Jonas.

"Sam Allardyce - A victim of his own success." The Toad will nick that from the commentator for his autobiography.

What the hell was that from Krul.

Steady on Nolan.

Loved Sammy's face there. Great drive and determination from Sissoko to get to the ball and head it with such power it must be said.

A Gutierrez cross nets a goal! Deserved.

Fucking Riviere

To me it looks like they've lifted their effort but are nervous. Some of the little passes have been off and the final touches in particular have been poor. Effort wise Jonas unsurprisingly looks the busiest, his touch is still a little rusty and his shooting as always is horrid. Sissoko has been haphazard, his passing in particular is ad though he's just returned from a month out. Janmaat looks the most composed. A Williamson error is on the cards.

They're queuing up to outdo each other in the ineffectual crossing stakes.

Looping gif of Mike Ashley asking to be made from that footage.

Riviere didn't miss kick that quite so badly enough enough to score. To be fair it was a difficult one.

That was an easy ball for Sissoko to Cisse there. Or at least should have been.