Ant1979

Man Utd Liverpool Arsenal Everton Aston Villa Chelsea Spurs Man City Newcastle Leeds Difficult one that. Found the top 5 quite easy, then the rest a bit more tricky. Almost put Forest instead of Leeds, it was a close one but despite 2 EC's they only have 1 league title. Put Newcastle in there because although they haven't won anything in years and years, they've got history of trophies, a big fan base and have been close to winning trophies a few times in the last 20 years. Honourable mentions for Shef Weds, Sunderland, wolves, Blackburn, PNE, Derby, etc...

This is just my opinion now and don't mean to offend anyone. But I honestly think that not wanting Europa is a small club mentality, Roberto certainly wouldn't agree. That's his whole philosophy that Everton are a sleeping giant, photos around the place of the 9 league titles, etc. Do people think United would feel the same, let's settle for 7th so we can concentrate on league form next year? They'll be desperate to win their last 3 games and hope us or Spurs slip up. Then they would try to win it if they did qualify. Before anyone says it, I know they'll blow £100m or more in the summer, and have a bigger squad, but I do think it's doing a disservice to the size of Everton as a club to settle for 7th rather than 5th. Again, just opinions and totally understand not wanting the shite to win the league, they will be insufferable

I do get what you're saying and I think that's why so many people are divided on the subject. I honestly think though that it will help more than it will hinder, but it's all just opinions I guess! I'm looking at it as though we'd be in it to win it not just making up the numbers. And it shows you're knocking on the door of the CL which I do think would help attract players. Anyway there's already been a thread for this, we'll never get everyone to agree haha, but diversity of opinion makes good debate

You want to lose at Hull too? Can't understand that at all, Europa League is part of a progression. We're not talking about a small-ish club like Swansea, I don't buy into this argument that league form would suffer too much

He wood be a sap if he didn't twig that this is a good career move (Sorry, pretty shit)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27258633 Mourinho has fallen out with Hazard now. He'll be off to PSG I bet. Although perhaps not with their FFP issues!

I didn't think so either (about Cork I mean), but it's £3m that's been quoted somewhere on here in a link. I think he has 12 months left on his contract, and they've paid a shit load for Wanyama last year so maybe that's why he hasn't signed a new one as yet? Feels like he'll become second fiddle?

Forget everything I've been saying. I keep forgetting about the African cup of nations, not what we need at all when competing in 3 domestic and 1 European competition. Get Jack Cork for the same money

Although I have to admit, if this 3.5 mil release clause is true, and Martinez DOESN'T bid for him, then that might also effectively answer the questions about his attitude? Because I remember Roberto rated him very, very highly at Wigan, and 3.5m is nothing for a player of his quality

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtics-james-forrest-could-bound-3485175 Robertson is also mentioned again in this article about James Forrest

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtics-james-forrest-could-bound-3485175 £7m bid rumoured by Scottish press

Fuck me

Big Sam's a wanker though. Martinez had him at Wigan, so if there's any truth in the rumour he'll know all about his character so I wouldn't be too worried

That's not far off the team I would want. If Wilshire had been injury free all season and on form, then I might have put him in for Henderson, but as things are I agree with all your picks. But I bet Roy plays Milner in every single game... Edit - I would play Lallana instead of the Ox too, probably

I do get your point. But as much as local councils have been guilty of poor financial management for years, they are cutting jobs at present and the money just isn't there. If they could guarantee to all the non-football fans (who would be in uproar), that everybody would see a long term financial benefit from doing this, perhaps lower council tax due to surpluses from stadium income, then it might be a goer. But the in the UK I just can't see this ever happening.

Ok. First I'm only replying from a UK point of view, like I said I don't know US economics. So a stadium achieves a return on investment in only 10 years? That's great. But if it had been forward planned and future proofed properly, it would have still achieved that return, whilst also still being viable for the next 30 or more years. So all that extra time is pure profit yes, without the need to blow an extra billion? That money being spent comes from our taxes, etc; in this hypothetical, if it was in the UK. So a billion saved and the 20 year old stadium still fit for purpose, with proper infrastructure, including public transport, from the start. Last thing I'll say on it, I do like a good debate haha, but you're a good guy so I don't want it to seem like an argument

I don't know the state of the 'old' one (term used very loosely haha). My issue is with the money wasted 20 years ago, that's where the poor forward planning was

It should be! I don't know enough about US economics to comment about the rest really. Like I said I agreed with a lot of your points I just have an issue with something costing hundreds of millions only lasting 20 years. I used to work at the Reebok Stadium (BWFC) when I lived over that way, it's 17 years old and would still be considered fairly modern and certainly fit for purpose for a long while yet

I agree with a lot of your points there Steve. Just one thing I had to say, if the city is building 2 new stadiums replacing both that are only 20 years old, that's some pretty appalling management and forward planning! If one of our local councils jizzed that kind of money up the wall there would be a revolution

Rumours were it would only be Jones, can't remember where I read it though

He'll probably pull a masterstroke of good judgement and call up both Smalling and Jones...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27235851 Martinez speaks about not doing liverpool any favours. Edit - meaning that he wants to win for Everton, no other reason.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27235000 "I want to thank the mothers of these players because they gave birth to them with balls this big," said Simeone, gesturing as if holding a football. Haha! Quality quote from Simeone

We're going in the bickering thread haha. But seriously though Brett, there's no need?

Stop being a cunt? Edit - unless you're joking that is? I don't know you so I've no idea, my apologies if you are. But if you're serious, then please refer to the above statement