OTF

Against Man City I think he will crowd thr midfield. Only one striker - that being Riviere who will be expected to drop back. Gouffran will be in there, and rightfully so. Hopefully we at least have some decent width as we'll need to.attack down the channels. I'd toss a coin between Williamson and Taylor for the other CB alongside Coloccini. If they only had to defend I'd choose Williamson, but in a game where it's likely that we'll have few chances I would not want to waste them by having Williamson involved. Haidara and Janmaat in the fullback positions, though I'm a little worried that Janmaat has seen no pre-season game time. If he's not ready I'd consider Anita there depending on who they're expected to play. Tiote and Colback anchoring the midfield. Colback has to prove himself and as such he should put the effort in. We'll need Tiote to be on top of his game. I think I'd start with Cabella on the right, De Jong in the middle, Gouffran on the left but I would give them licence to switch it up after 10. Cabella and Haidara could combine well down the left. Riviere to start up top.

Sorry, I want no part in this. Also, this was the first I'd seen about Stevie. Glad everything has gone pretty well since you found out. Hope your operation goes smoothly. I can't offer any advice or anecdotes.

Took Ferreyra to get that much needed striker across the line.

I have a Roku3 and a chromecast. The Roku 3 is much better for Netflix.

Feckin' knew we got screwed over when we sold im to those blue caths /Ashley

Who wanted him to play at right back?

Nice entertaining match, played at a faster pace than the preceding Sydney FC vs West Ham match. We were wasteful with a few chances and they took the game to us on occasion. It was was good to see Abeid get some time on the pitch.

Yeah first one in the flesh.

Don't worry lads, I'll give a good account of the next match for all those out of towners watching on the telly at home.

Another strip where I briefly feel it's outrageously crap and then realise it doesn't really matter and that a few weeks into the season I won't even think about it.

It's only Tuesday so you may be right yet.

Was its wider use a response to metaphoric language? Literally in such cases being used to confirm the sincerity of a statement? Now people are using literally figuratively in which case it is flat out wrong and not redundant?

It is a valid question though.

I need to see what happens next.

One Cabella SHEESH keep up kitman

Probably naivety, but I didn't foresee Ben Arfa's time here ending like this. There must have been words said several times to end up in an untenable situation like this. Playing devil's advocate here but I don't think he'll be worried about not going to a notoriously windy city in NZ in the thick of winter to play some lower league sides.

I very seldom listen to live radio, oddly enough today in the sports report on a local commercial station they had a random bit or transfer news regarding this fellow. Something along the lines of "Newcastle boosted their threadbare striking options by signing Emmanuel Riviere from French side Monaco."

This doesn't really belong here... Apparently the useless bastards are sending a young/understrength side to New Zealand for the couple of pre-season games next week. Thanks a lot you fuckers. West Ham are apparently sending their full team.

A good signing from all accounts.

The six years has little to do with how long they'll be at the club. I'm almost certain that all such signings have effective buy-out clauses that allow them to leave to champions league sides. Anyway, looking forward to him playing for us.

See you in NZ hopefully Remy.

The state of this thread...

In every way it's a shame that I've had the enthusiasm and positivity strangled out of me under the ownership of Ashley or else I'd be embracing these signings with optimism. I will hopefully at least get to see some of them play in the club's Wellington trial match.

Guthrie did have some very good games, and was capable of some great strikes. Lacked pace and often conditioning as well. I thought he would do better than he has at Reading, but then I've not really followed his progress there closely. Had off field problems first season there seems to have played more last year. I'm looking forward to see what Colback can offer. I'm hoping he's somewhat similar to Barton minus the douche baggery (both on.and.off the field).

Can you imagine the quality of that conversation... (no offense Ryan).