Newty82

Damn...could have won a few quid!!!

You'll see that for years to come!!!

Someone for Swansea will get sent off. They're in a mood!!!!

Not sure. But he's only 41. A young manager with plenty of top level games to come

Again, a good starting 11 and a solid bench. Should be an entertaining game of good flowing passing football.

Indeed. They sure like to look after themselves. Just reading a book about this sort of thing, 'The Establishment'. About how those in power take more power and wealth from right under our noses. How they protect themselves. Should be quite interesting.

It's a shame. I hope he gets back because I am sure he can bring an extra dimension to the team. Although, if come January he still isn't ready, surely it's time to call it a day? What would that be, 16 months???

I'm glad he has such a clause in his current contract. Makes sense. He can and will bring a lot to our club. He won't play to the level he did against Burnley every week, buy he'll always bring something to the table.

Looking forward to him coming back. A good quality cover/starter for that left side. Put some pressure on Baines for a start.

Aaaaah...see that makes sense. Hardly going to turn the screw is he? Shareholder and consultant. Nah. Not for me.

I agree with what you say in principle. The bit that almost turned me off from reading the rest of the article was when it said he was a shareholder. I think in terms of a 'tight ship' (which he refers to a couple of times), the club is run well and uses what money it gets wisely. No doubt that Elstone deserves credit there. Where Elstone deserves to take digs is in terms of our commercial deals. As I've pointed out, if you look at the commercial side of the accounts, we have slipped overall. The deals set up are poor and bring in poor revenue compared to others. The official numbers are there and available for all to see, they don't lie. To be honest, after this bumper TV deal, if any club released accounts showing anything less than a profit and/or reduced debt, I'd be a worried fan of that club.

Just glanced at the accounts, I'm no expert to be honest. While I'm happy that we have made a 'profit' and paid off some 'debt'...A deeper look at the numbers makes you think that Bill and Elstone are blowing smoke up their own arseholes without valid reason. And I'm not an open critic of these guys but they have peeved me a bit with their press talk. Let me explain... Firstly, I'm not concerned by the previous points about Fellaini/Lukaku/double whammy next year. This is because 'Operating Profit', excluding player transfers, was£23.7mill. This is mainly because of a significant increase in TV revenue. And that's my gripe with Bill and Bob patting themselves on the back. Our income went from £86.4mill to £120.5mill (+£34.1mill). Of which, £32.8mill is TV money (every club will see a sizeable increase in TV money. We benefited a bit more due to an increase in live games through attractive football). That means that the powers at our club and their commercial buddies managed to raise an extra £1.3mill through their activities. Or did they? Gate receipts were up £1.9mill (more season tickets sold and higher attendances due to extra optimism amongst fans). Sponsorship, Advertising and Merchandising was up by just £800, 000 while bizarrely Catering dropped by £200,000 and 'other commercial' fell by £1mill! So beyond the extra TV money, and the extra Gate Receipts from you lot...the bits I would closely associate to the 'behind the scenes people' (that being Commercial, Sponsorship, Advertising, Catering etc) actually fell by £400,000! Feel free to correct me if I have that wrong. I don't find that acceptable at all. We are a club that regularly finishes in the top 6. A well recognised traditional club. We have a long running deal with Chang which is supposed to expose us to the Eastern market and therefore, you would think, increase our commercial income. Yet clearly it isn't as our commercial revenues are poor. The accounts also potentially reveal that we were paying way to much for Finch Farm rental. As we know, the Council bought Finch Farm and rented it back to us. This has helped our 'Land and Properties' rental go from £1.4mill to £550,000. So thanks to the council for that! The only other real standout is the increase of the much debated and mysterious 'Other Operating Costs' from £21.5mill to £26mill...although I read a note about some sort of youth/community development thing that was £4.5mill...I think this is the first time some of the other operating costs have ever been elaborated on...so what's the other £21million??? Like I say, correct me if I have anything wrong here!!!

Exactly. We are finding our way. Keeping it tighter at the back. Starting to score some. Players coming back from injury. Europa looking good so far. Momentum is building. Steadily.

Haha! Fair shout. Now it looks like they'll have Mike Ashley running the club. Oh dear.

And if he does get 9+ goals what a signing. It'll mean we've had a good season because I don't see him playing as regular as we'd like. But a bit dangerous looking too far ahead....!!!

Still worth reposting. It's a good one.

Yes yes!!!

Just been reading this thread from the first post. Laughed at how many thought it would be a bad idea and the names he was being called. I think only a few liked the idea of him coming....the rest were strictly no! But best of all was this from Romey, are we on 3 goals now?.....

Ai. I get that. It's just that I heard MikeO, Romey and Matt talking while I was in the tuck shop and they were saying that they are going to give us Gold Stars because we've been quite good this past week. I just want my Gold Star so if we can just keep the peace a little longer....

Release the hounds!!!

I was made up when we signed him. And am still made up now. If he's fit enough, he'll play. That's up to RM and what he see's day in day out on the training ground. His contribution off the pitch, to the likes of Barkley and Lukaku, will also be vital.

It was done in humour???

You do see it differently live I guess. See more of what's going on off the ball. McCarthy was very good, as we're a few pkayers, but Eto'o just seemed to be right on it today.

I think what Haf said there was taken a bit out of context! Blimey.

What...are...you...up...to...now...????