Ant1979

It's a strange one. Maybe we weren't able to terminate the loan early unless he was out for the season? It's done now, so like Romey I just hope he manages to make a valuable contribution to the run in...

It was more the fee of more than 3 times their previous transfer record I meant. I think even with big spending (by their standards) like that, they still won't go crazy splashing the cash. At the end of the day they're probably nearly paid up on the cost of the Emirates now, 8 years of trophy-less football versus getting a world class stadium without a sugar daddy, and then getting back into the black eventually. Frustration for the fans in being the nearly men for 8 years, but they've said all along they've got a stadium to pay for. That's why I think Wenger has done such an amazing job, always surprised when some sections of their fans call for his head

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26433208 Liverpool post £50m loss. Would be hilarious if they had a collapse this season and didn't make top 4

They spent over £40m on one player, quite a change in strategy from recent times. Like I said I only see one big signing per year though, with summer being the most likely window for obvious reasons

You could be right, we'll see soon enough I guess. I think the Ozil and Suarez bids are more to do with a change in Aresnal's strategy, considering the transfer record was smashed by about 300%. But I can see only one big signing per season for them, they won't suddenly splash the cash all over the place they're too well run financially for that. Their priority is a striker surely, especially with Jenkinson they already have to play right back. I suppose they could test the waters with a cheeky £10m bid, and they would be told where to go

And £40m bid for Bugs Bunny, who it turns out DID have a release clause after all

John was using that as an example of when things were even worse, no challenge needed there you both agree fully on that point

To be fair to Barnes he's already come out and said it was very unlikely race related in Campbell's case. If I was black I would be furious with Campbell right now, to trivialise what previous generations have been through in terms of genuine racism (Barnes included)

I usually agree with you Matt but on this one we differ a little bit. In Rugby League it would be a 10 minute sin bin for swearing at the ref, you have 18 stone hard men calling the referee 'Sir', respect is taught from an early age. But at the same time the referee would never swear at a player of course, so I agree with you that respect is earned. The refs wear microphones, so all these silly stories that run and run (like Lallana being 'insulted' by Clattenberg) would just never happen. Having just said all that, I swear like a docker at times so frankly I'm just talking bollocks haha

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26419665 Darren Ferguson complaining that a ref told one of his players to 'eff off' during a game. Now I do agree the ref shouldn't swear at a player, but Ferguson's argument that if his player had done the same he would be sent off is a bit of double standards. We don't need lip readers to see the level of bad language aimed at almost every decision against their team by so many players, week in week out. They really do need to start enforcing the 'foul and abusive language' punishment within games, it's hardly ever punished.

Think it's going to be 5th. Will be disappointed if we don't get 9 points from the next three games, and I think every away game until the end of the season is winnable. Got three huge home games to factor in, which will probably decide how things end up. If we manage to beat any two of City, Arsenal or United at home then we should be good for 5th. Regarding net spend, as Haf says it's a huge consideration when judging the relative success of a football club or particular season. I can't believe it even needs defending or backing up as an argument, it's plain as day how big a factor it is.

Could only listen on the radio as I was driving cross country to visit family, it sounded like the best period was the first 15 minutes of the second half, Pienaar seemed to be involved in everything at that point too. But not seeing it live it's hard to contribute properly to the debate. Annoyingly I lost radio reception from bbc merseyside at around 80 minutes! Didn't know it was a win until I got there and checked my phone. Would have liked a less stressful drive, but happy with the win!

Last minute addition of Sol Campbell, been installed as captain. This was following a phone call to Hodgson from Peter Herbert of the Society for Black Lawyers

Have to agree with Matt. Barring huge injury problems I think both players will miss out, this friendly was the time to give them a chance if he had any intention to do so

Doumbia linked with Chelsea now http://www.caughtoffside.com/2014/03/02/exclusive-chelsea-prepare-swoop-for-highly-rated-cska-moscow-duo/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26411295 Pulis set to fine 2 of his players for diving. One was booked but the Chamakh had got away with it. Not a fan of his footballing style, but a decent honest bloke and this is a good step in the right direction - that diving might actually be stamped out at one club at least pretty soon

I obviously don't have any inside knowledge or sources, so this is just my opinion. But I agree with Haf that Myers went out of his way to praise and thank Roberto, so I can't see that he had anything to do with this. He's a genuinely nice guy Martinez, no act there at all. This is all such a shame, both guys only joined in the summer and both had contributed hugely to the feel good factor around the club. Hope the next appointee carries on Myers' good work

Yeah definitely. A lot of similarities in general storyline between Harry Brown and Gran Torino. But whereas Harry Brown was more just shock value for the sake of it, Gran Torino was a real character study too. A really excellent film in my opinion

It's a fair point, but he wasn't playing at all (Jelly), and when he did play earlier in the season he couldn't score. The injury Traore singed with was very minor, we've been unlucky if he's now picked up a serious one. Regarding him being shite, I think that's been discussed to death by now haha! I think we'll never know now what he could have done in this league once match fit. He scored 1 in 1 so not a bad return if it does turn out to be his only game

He's on loan until the end of the season only. So if he's injured there's no point paying part of his wages for no reason? We would send him back early and terminate the loan. Kone replaced Anichebe and Traore was supposed to replace Jelly until a permanent solution was made in the summer. Lukaku was also brought in which was quite a coup. There's no conspiracy to get rid of every striker, just bad luck with injuries.

Yeah I like both of those too. The Shield is probably my favourite of all time, just above The Wire and Deadwood. I might put Deadwood first had they not left the story unfinished

Roberto! Degree in physiotherapy and a post graduate qualification in business or something like that. David Unsworth was pretty intelligent too wasn't he?

I'm sure it's been said before (I haven't read the whole thread), but auto correct on my iPad is a bastard! Have to edit posts sometimes because I failed to notice it's decided to change random words on a whim

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26385653 Players showing messages on t-shirts could soon be punished. Good! I'm sick of this annoying trend, just celebrate the goal and stop trying to create the next morning paper's headline photo! I wonder how many of these t-shirts we haven't even got to see, as the player in question didn't score during the game they wore it

Association Football was invented in England. Several sports are derivative of others, many countries had variations of ball-based games. China played a game where a net was strung up 30 feet off the ground between 2 poles, and you had to try and get the ball into the net. By that description you could say they also invented basketball but allowed the use of feet? It's commonly agreed worldwide (apart from a relatively recent Blatter comment, and a few US bloggers subsequently jumping on the bandwagon), that Association Football was invented in England.