Quinn31

So he is surely only a few weeks off assuming no setbacks.

Swansea are 1-0 at half - not what we need.

Why don't you start the debate on Akinfenwa vs Lukaku in the Lukaku forum - don't think we've discussed that angle yet

No thanks.

Southampton sacking him looks more of a head scratcher every day. He had a great record in France as well.

Been awhile since we've gotten a weather update

They should absolutely batter us - they are quite a good side. Puel is clearly a good manager and Mahrez and Vardy still have it.

http://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/espn-fc-united/68/post/2991946/istanbul-basaksehir-take-turkish-football-by-storm-without-many-fans This has been a great story to follow - top of the Super Lig. There have been a few more recent articles, but I enjoyed this one the most " But now that very lack of support is actually one of the main reasons behind Basaksehir's rise, because it allows the club to be patient and gradually implement superb long-term plans without any pressure. Millions of fans and constant media attention are nice if things are going smoothly, but they bring a harsh spotlight if something goes wrong. In the Turkish league, where the fans are among the most passionate in the world, a defeat is a treated as a tragedy, leading to talks about crisis. The big three of Istanbul -- Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Besiktas -- spend most of their time solving all types of real and imaginary crises. Coaches are fired and resign all the time. Newspapers and TV channels are always looking for the next big crisis. It is absolutely impossible to do any sort of planning in those circumstances. But Basaksehir coach Abdullah Avci has been patient." Doesn't sound too unfamiliar ^.

As much as I don't think we should be moving on players that have only been here six months and not gotten a real crack at things, I certainly don't think being fourth choice behind DCL, Niasse, and Tosun is what will help him adapt. Only downside is that his confidence is not likely to be improved at Newcastle given their position in the table and how they play/don't create many chances. Give Eddie Howe a ring, maybe Bournemouth would take him on loan.

A bigger let down would be for him to start and to be worse than Martina. I don't know how he could be, but it's Everton and anything is possible

Let him go if he wants - only reason to keep him is if we think Vlasic and Lookman are suited for a loan move to get experience.

Same as usual: Commander ENTJ-A

I think Burnley and Leicester will certainly finish above Bournemouth given their point total and the way they are playing (Though Burnley are on a bad run of form) That leaves Bournemouth needing to finish above 2 of us, West Ham, and Palace, all of which are either playing better than Bournemouth or have more talented squads

If I wasn't mistaken, it would almost seem as if you attach a premium to the potential achievement of any side that plays attacking football

Would definitely not think any of the bottom three are locked cuz there are some other sides really struggling, but I can't see any way in hell that those three squads at the bottom will outperform us by 7+ points for the remainder of the season. The 6 pointers against West Brom, Stoke, and Swansea will be huge though just to get some distance. Drawing those games won't be a great result, but losing would be absolutely terrible and a quick way to drag ourselves back into the shit. Carvalho is a shit appointment with a shit squad, Stoke has some good and parts to its squad... I'm guessing its aged a bit and Hughes ran out of ideas, not sure Lambert's the guy to turn things around but maybe they have enough. WBA know how to play one way right now and that's the Pulis way. Pardew needs a few creative signings and to hope they gel quickly or go on a huge run in March-May. Regardless, Brighton are slowly hitting a wall and seem to struggle in the final third while Rafa has a job on his hands at Newcastle and will no doubt continue to struggle because of the lack of support. Huddy seem to go on runs of 2-3 great results and then get battered for 2-3 times, so we will see. Bournemouth can beat anyone by three and lose to anyone by three. I think they'll get enough wins to remain above some of the utter dross below them but next summer will be crucial for them to recruit right and improve. Southampton are absolute shite and are probably the team down there that needed to sack the manager most but haven't... If that clown remains in charge, I very much see them joining two others in the Championship next year. Palace, us, West Ham, Watford should stay up, in my opinion. If I had to guess: Swansea go down, one of WBA and Stoke save themselves while the other goes down, Southampton or Brighton get pulled down. Gun to my head bottom three: Swansea, Stoke, Southampton.

Swansea appointing Carvalho and Stoke appointing Lambert certainly makes me feel a bit more comfortable about our position in the league.

I highly doubt he'd accept a loan spell at a Championship club. A player can refuse that sort of move.

We've added a striker who can supposedly finish (Tosun) and one with pace (Walcott)

Last year's highlight for me was 2.5 weeks in Japan - I'd highly recommend Asia for anyone truly wanting to experience something different. This year, it's looking like the big trip might be going to BVI (Tortola, Virgin Gorda) with a bunch of mates - I would love to get back to Asia or the center of the universe (Europe), but we will see

Currently have a deposit on Everton USA's trip to Goodison for the Derby and also City in the prior weekend, but I may have to cancel. I have a few other vacation opportunities, so this may not be the right year.

Could be returning to Millwall, believe it or not.

Excellent post. We could have as big or larger of a problem in terms of personnel working together than plain incompetence. We could have good people who just don't know how to work together. Confusion between Walsh and the manager on who signs the players and is in charge of recruitment - it used to be all Moyes or Martinez - even Bill seems to get involved here Bill and Moshiri now share the decisionmaking where as it used to be all Bill - now Bill is chairman and knows the club better but Moshiri has the real say because he's the money The teams that seem to work well with the DoF model seem to have a set football philosophy, and a Director and Scouting team that knows what they need and can plug and play to whoever is the manager, someone always familiar with the philosophy that the club have.

A Must A new manager. Give Schneiderlin a literal kick up the bum - maybe force him to divorce his new wife or whatever has his head elsewhere Needs 1. Move on Funes Mori and Williams and bring in a 23-26 year old centerback who is in the prime of his career. 2. A new leftback (Ryan Sessegnon, Kieran Tierney, Luke Shaw if deemed surplus - I'm sure you can find fullbacks good enough in Germany, France, Spain as well) 3. Move on Aaron Lennon if the numbers work - make a decision on whether Vlasic and Lookman are good enough or if they should be loaned out - Interesting to see if Walcott comes in or not. 4. Move on a central player or two: Pick who is excess of Klaassen, Besic, McCarthy Luxuries 1. Allow Joel to leave if he wants first team football - he should... Sign a veteran keeper on the cheap - ideally one who could help Pickford with the mental aspects of the game 2. Another forward, especially if we move Sandro and/or Niasse on. Make sure he offers something different from the existing lot 3. A big, strong, pacey central mid (Doucoure?)

As much as I think fans should have a voice, I hope our fans don't start behaving like Newcastle fans and fluctuate only between extreme anger and extreme elation.

My word you are bearish.