I know he’s a scummy little scrote, but I thinkNewcastlehave made a massive blunder in releasing Joey Barton. This comes on the back of them also letting Kevin Nolan go. What are they thinking? These two players (along with Carroll before he got injured, then sold) were the standout performers atNewcastlelast season. It seemed Barton was maturing on the field, too, and there were few if any reports of off-field shenanigans.

 

I think Barton would be a strong addition on the field to most teams (what Arsenal need?) – the only question is if he’d be disruptive in the dressing room.

I will be amazed if 'Arry doesn't make an offer. Barton is an 'Arry type signing. Besides, Sandro is out for a while so we need cover in that area of midfield. Diarra is apparently flying in today too, so that should give Spurs even more bite.

Hopefully we can get Samba as well (assuming the southern Scum go for Cahill).

Any side with Barton, Diarra and Samba in it is going to put the fear of God into some sides, given the expectations they'll have lumps kicked out of them.

Believe it or not, Barton has been sent off only three times in his career

Which brings me to Liverpool. I think one of Liverpool's big problems this season is going to be its powder puff midfield. Adam, Henderson et al are decent enough players, but there's no toughness there in the shape of a Sandro etc. I suppose Lucas might fit the bill, but that would just about be it.

Which brings me to Liverpool. I think one of Liverpool's big problems this season is going to be its powder puff midfield. Adam, Henderson et al are decent enough players, but there's no toughness there in the shape of a Sandro etc. I suppose Lucas might fit the bill, but that would just about be it.

Glad you said "one of" cos I think Liverpool have some bigger flaws than just a soft midfield. JW Henry's given a subtle hint that Dalglish needs to qualify for the ECL this season.

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I know he’s a scummy little scrote, but I thinkNewcastlehave made a massive blunder in releasing Joey Barton. This comes on the back of them also letting Kevin Nolan go. What are they thinking? These two players (along with Carroll before he got injured, then sold) were the standout performers atNewcastlelast season. It seemed Barton was maturing on the field, too, and there were few if any reports of off-field shenanigans.

 

I think Barton would be a strong addition on the field to most teams (what Arsenal need?) – the only question is if he’d be disruptive in the dressing room.

As a Sunderland fan I am delighted these two have gone, they were huge against us and made Cattermole and Henderson look like school kids.

Big loss for Newcastle

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I know he’s a scummy little scrote, but I thinkNewcastlehave made a massive blunder in releasing Joey Barton. This comes on the back of them also letting Kevin Nolan go. What are they thinking? These two players (along with Carroll before he got injured, then sold) were the standout performers atNewcastlelast season. It seemed Barton was maturing on the field, too, and there were few if any reports of off-field shenanigans.

 

I think Barton would be a strong addition on the field to most teams (what Arsenal need?) – the only question is if he’d be disruptive in the dressing room.

As a Sunderland fan I am delighted these two have gone, they were huge against us and made Cattermole and Henderson look like school kids.

Big loss for Newcastle

Newcastle may well struggle next season... big names have left and others are muted to be leaving. Replacements have been bargain basement buys...i guess the owner is more interested in his chav retail empire.

Which brings me to Liverpool. I think one of Liverpool's big problems this season is going to be its powder puff midfield. Adam, Henderson et al are decent enough players, but there's no toughness there in the shape of a Sandro etc. I suppose Lucas might fit the bill, but that would just about be it.

Glad you said "one of" cos I think Liverpool have some bigger flaws than just a soft midfield. JW Henry's given a subtle hint that Dalglish needs to qualify for the ECL this season.

Er, yes, I forgot to add about Liverpool's defence. I read that Dogleash has spent £107m since he took over. Not sure if that's net or not. Anyway, I still don't reckon he's done enough to meet Henry's target.

Which brings me to Liverpool. I think one of Liverpool's big problems this season is going to be its powder puff midfield. Adam, Henderson et al are decent enough players, but there's no toughness there in the shape of a Sandro etc. I suppose Lucas might fit the bill, but that would just about be it.

Glad you said "one of" cos I think Liverpool have some bigger flaws than just a soft midfield. JW Henry's given a subtle hint that Dalglish needs to qualify for the ECL this season.

Er, yes, I forgot to add about Liverpool's defence. I read that Dogleash has spent £107m since he took over. Not sure if that's net or not. Anyway, I still don't reckon he's done enough to meet Henry's target.

I think Liverpool, more than any other of the top sides, will have their season defined by their opening 6 games. If they get off to a good start, the 'King Kenny' momentum wil take them a long way and they could well be challenging for top 5 (5th being most likely). But you can also see a scenario where sme results don't go their way early on, the Kenny bubble bursts, signings are questioned and the owner starts to make noises. If that happens I can see them being 6th or 7th this year.

 

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I think Liverpool, more than any other of the top sides, will have their season defined by their opening 6 games. If they get off to a good start, the 'King Kenny' momentum wil take them a long way  

Good point

I don't think any Liverpool fan would be happy with 5th. After all, we've no European distractions this season 

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Nurse.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/dalglish-says-owner-is-wrong-liverpool-can-win-the-title-2331252.html

Nurse.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/dalglish-says-owner-is-wrong-liverpool-can-win-the-title-2331252.html

I guess saying it notches up his status further with that proportion of fans that idolise him anyway. But I wonder if he really believes that when he is sat in his easy chair at night watching the news.

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Nurse.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/dalglish-says-owner-is-wrong-liverpool-can-win-the-title-2331252.html

I guess saying it notches up his status further with that proportion of fans that idolise him anyway. But I wonder if he really believes that when he is sat in his easy chair at night watching the news.

Of course he doesn't. The sad truth though is there are fans out there who believe he believes.

Henry is far more realistic in his aims.

In the absence of a European Football thread, I'll post in here my chuckle that Spurs have drawn Hearts in the Loser's League qualification.

Sorry, Merc.... I don't think your chaps could lose that even if they wanted to.

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In the absence of a European Football thread, I'll post in here my chuckle that Spurs have drawn Hearts in the Loser's League qualification.

Sorry, Merc.... I don't think your chaps could lose that even if they wanted to.

Yep, it would be pretty dire if we did.

Meanwhile, Arsenal being drawn against Udinese in the CL has brightened my day. More so as Van Persie and Nasri are banned for the first leg.

Almost as amusing would be Wanger playing Fibreglass, thereby denying Barca the opportunity to play him in the competition.

But the funniest thing of all would be for us to finally offload Dos Santos to Udinese - Dos Santos then going on to bang in a couple of goals on the way to knocking Arsenal out.

VDV think Wesley is 'a perfect fit for United'

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,20876_7089274,00.html

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Any real fans on here ! The ones that have ST's
Fingers crossed we stay up this Season , it will be a hard slog IMO

Yep, it will be tough, but I honestly don't see you staying up. You and Swansea both have Championship standard squads, and what adds another nail in your coffin is Warnock's iffy relationship with the QPR board. I'm doubting he'll last the season unfortunately.

So yeah, you and Swansea, plus Wigan or Newcastle to go down, Norwich staying up just about I reckon.

Tottenham - Everton game postponed. The other 9 fixtures look ok for now.

Tottenham - Everton game postponed. The other 9 fixtures look ok for now.

 

At least it's only one of the weekend's minor fixtures, involving no team of any consequence.

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Tottenham - Everton game postponed. The other 9 fixtures look ok for now.

 

At least it's only one of the weekend's minor fixtures, involving no team of any consequence.

..sit back and watch  the Spurs this seasonand il give you a slice of the old humble pie come next may

Tottenham - Everton game postponed. The other 9 fixtures look ok for now.

IMO Ridiculous !! Football 0 Rioters 1

Tottenham - Everton game postponed. The other 9 fixtures look ok for now.

 

At least it's only one of the weekend's minor fixtures, involving no team of any consequence.

..sit back and watch  the Spurs this seasonand il give you a slice of the old humble pie come next may

Your season may depend on how quickly Benayoun settles in.

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