The Kraken

They relentlessly bored everyone to death with factless inaccuracies.

So will Saints and Sunderland, so we're both safe.

Never mind next season, I'd have Benteke right now.

Don't get upset, dear. Just pointing out the flaw in the meaningless stat. Record or not we're not going down so its entirely irrelevant.

Wigan have got 4 games left to play.

According to Sky.... "No side in Premier League history has been relegated when 5 points clear with 3 games to play". Of course, Wigan have 4 games left to play, so its an entirely irrelevant statistic.

Imagine Belgium now. They're comfortably top of their WC group with the likes of Mignolet, van Buyten, Kompany, Vertonghen, Vermaelen, Dembele, Fellaini, Hazard, de Bruyne, Benteke, Mirallas and Lukaku in their side, amongst others. They're really on the up and could be a really genuine shout for the WC if their players stay fit and on form next summer.

Benteke really is a very good player. £7M very well spent Villa.

Looks like the di Canio bubble is bursting early. Good.

And breathe...

Played against the mighty Albania in a qualifier in March. Didn't do too well though, Norway lost that one 1-0 at home...

Alternatively, you could look at it this way: Pochettino has had 13 games in charge, and scored 17 points. Adkins last 13 games up to his depature yielded 18 points.

Not being obtuse, Diggers; but if he's ready for physical demands of international football, why not the Premier League? Even Fonte got a 5 minute meaningless cameo ahead of him on Saturday.

And their clubs didn't have to break the bank to get any of them (Lukaku obviously on loan). 15, 14 and 17 league goals each so far. That's a good instant return.

Add in a spare left back and that would be a very productive summer. Can't see us spending big on a CM though. The other 3 positions are the priorities IMO; have to wait and see on Forren for the CB but I'd still be inclined to go get one more. Forren is only a shade over 6 foot, alongside Yoshida that would be a (relatively) tiny CB pairing. Could do with someone Jos's size (but much better, clearly). Lambert has had a great season but his limitations have shone through in the last 2 or 3 games; and Lukaku showed what a top PL striker looks like on Saturday, he was absolutely superb.

Far better? Leaving aside for now he's hardly played in either position; against Swansea he was on the pitch for about 5 minutes but only denied a goal by a great reflex save by Vorm. And against WBA his closing down and block should have resulted in a goal but Lambert f*cked it up. And he's not a winger.

Sounds reasonable enough. Although I'd say the way we got JRod shows that if you target a particular player and prioritise his signing as an absolute must, then it's more likely you'll get the deal done quickly. Albeit, the deal may cost more. Don't do that and the risk increases that it won't happen overnight; but the deal may be better for the club.

He's been something of a flat track bully. Looked really good against Reading when he came on, and in sporadic games has looked real class. But for the most part, as you say he gets too easily bullied out of it and his skill on the ball hasn't shone through anywhere near as much as it did in the lower leagues. In any case, I think our team is crying out for a properly pacy wide player, our wide midfield options are currently too similar.

I'm not even sure what his best position is any more. I don't think it's playing out wide; his lack of pace seems to get more exposed at this level. And our team isn't really set up to have a "number 10", which would seem ideal, as we also have JRod and Ramirez to contend with.

His wages will be though.

Check out superfan! :lol:

Wouldn't mind seeing us rest Lambert for a game or two. He's not been at it anyway in the past 2 or 3 games and we don't have a plan B without him just yet. Perhaps a a more mobile front two of Rodriguez and Mayuka is worth a try. Yesterday we pretty much failed to get in behind their defence all game, all our play was in front of their defenders. Rodriguez clearly has pace, Mayuka is quick too.

Loic Remy would be good but far too expensive. Taraabt is a goo dplayer but we've already got Lallana and Ramirez. For first choice players, no.

Fair play to you and your lot, Liam. And we'll get our revenge next year......!

Clyne was £2.5M. Still a bargain, though.