OhForAGreavsie

Even in these terms the deal seems to make no sense. Indeed these arguments make it seem less sensible than ever. For all we know they may not be, but for argument's sake let's take all of the speculations you picked up on as accurate. Let's also accept the point about Bertie having not yet shown his quality. That would mean we needed a backup who was ready to contribute immediately. We are told however that Pato was nowhere near ready, that he was weeks and weeks away from fitness. If our needs were as urgent as the speculation suggests, then Pato could never have been the man we needed. Even though the the media speculation you mention would be entirely sensible if true, I still think it would be unwise to accept it all. I also think that Guus cannot have been unaware of Bertie's qualities and limitations. Whichever way we see all this, it's tough to make sense of the Pato deal.

Agreed, it must be true that Pato would not have been signed had we known that he would not be used. The question remains however, why didn't we know? I had an exchange in the transfer thread with @rmpr who, reacting to a very negative post I made about Pato, told me that Pato was fit and back to his best. @rmpr went on to say that he was fed up with people (he meant me) posting when they didn't know what they were talking about. Well what I was talking about is the opinion that, regardless of the state of his health or his form, Pato is not a good enough. He's the type of player who looks too good but achieves too little; the type for whom injuries are helpful because they provide an excuse behind which the truth can be hidden. This clearly is an opinion but the people who make our squad decisions are paid for opinions so theirs need to live up to their pay grade. Before it's possible to believe that Pato's loan could only be a win, it would first be necessary to believe he might show that he is able to make a contribution to our team. I never had that belief and, if the tweets copied above are true, our decision makers no longer do either.

I saw nothing from him that I did not feel many, many other players could do equally well, if not better. There were a couple of nice pieces of defensive work where he put his long stride to good effect but I remember no attacking contribution, not even the goal, that looked out of the ordinary. I'm not saying he looked a poor player, but he didn't look a special one to me.

Once again last night I was left unimpressed after watching Pogba.

1) How do you know what you'd need to know in order to substantiate the statement that our players can't stand each other? 2) This thing is overrated. We've all seen the way team spirit is thought to be high when a side believes it is doing well, and low when it believes it isn't. United are nine points ahead of Bournemouth but the Cherries are outperforming their expectations while LVG's mob are not. Consequently, we read that spirits are high on the south coast and low at Carrington. It's just the way it goes. 3) There is also PR component. If members of our squad were pictured larking about, having fun and enjoying each other's company, the media and this forum would be ablaze with comments like how dare they, they don't care enough, and Roy Keane would be coming in off his long run about the attitudes of the modern footballer. I'd be very surprised if players are not advised to keep a serious face toward the public when things are going badly on the pitch.

It's clear that Kennedy is not born to the position but I like him at LB. I think running from deep makes the most of his attributes. When circumstances allow, playing Kennedy at left back is a satisfyingly attacking choice.

How can people treat this light-heartedly? If Leicester need the win to pip Spurs to the title I'm buying their shirt, learning their songs and eating Walker's crisps.

Jed's goal vs Lyon: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3xksx1_2-2-jeremie-boga-goal-hd-rennes-v-lyon-13-03-2016_sport

Because he is talented but not effective enough. He is no better a player today than he was three years ago and that's an issue. I'm a long standing defender of the academy and the work they do but if I had the opportunity I'd have questions for them about Jed's development.

Pace, great technique on the dribble, great passing and amazing body control. Just 18 and way better than Boga. That said Jed has just netted to bring the scores level after Rennes had trailed 2-0. Lyon should have wrapped this up a long time ago but may rue the chances they've wasted.

Tune in to BT Sport 2 right now or find a stream and watch. You will quickly be convinced. Bonus, Jed came on at half time so you'll catch a glimpse of him too.

I remain unconvinced by Pogba but Dybala is a great player. If we got him it would be a fantastic statement, not only of our intent but also of our ability to deal with our problems. As good as he is however he is only number three on my summer wish list. 2. Leonardo Bonucci 1. Ousmane Dembele It's fantasy stuff of the highest order but if we got all three then we'd only need three more players to get ourselves back into top four contention. That's how good those three are.

You are not the only one.

Firstly apologies for having added extra content to my post after you quoted it. I was typing the addition as you were typing your reply. This is perhaps progress though. You seem to have accepted that it hasn't happened in the past and are now aiming to criticise them for something you say they are doing currently and going forward. Let's see but what profits are you claiming they are keeping? Why would Roman let them keep his money when he'd rather it was spent on the team or at least on the stadium?

Again, how do you know in what manner Chelsea is run? You are making an accusation against the board and imputing their motives without any knowledge of the situation. There are many things about which the board might face criticism, we don't need to make any up. In any case we've made two profits in the last goodness knows how many years stretching back to pre-Roman days. If there is a bonus structure for the board, and if it is based on profits, then they ain't doing so well out of it. In any case there is little logic in the accusation. Look at the amount of money Roman has pumped into the club. If it was profits he was after he'd have done better to just put the money in the bank, even in an ordinary account attracting a tiny interest rate. Roman is patently not in it for the money. That being so, why would he incentivise the board to chase profits when doing so could very well be to the detriment of the success he craves? Makes little sense. Is it not more likely that if there is a bonus structure it would better reflect his goals for the club? A guess of my own about what one of these might look like: A board member is likely to have been deputed to pilot the construction of the new stadium from gaining planning permission through to completion. That person may well earn a bonus if the stadium is allowed, and then built on time and within budget. As I say that's just a guess but it seems likely to be far closer to the sort of thing Roman would pay bonuses for. Other guess are available of course.

I thought Oliver was brilliant throughout. One of the best refereeing performances for some time. He was calm and replays suggested that almost all of his decisions were correct. Nothing there for us, or Everton, to complain about.

Neither of us has the first clue about the remuneration packages of board members. I don't know whether or not they are paid bonuses and, if so, what triggers those payments. You don't either.

We have only one shareholder and we don't pay dividends.

Thank you for bolstering my faith. So many on here scream and shout at Guus, and shouted at Jose, because those two seasoned professionals, who have proved their credentials over and over again, had the temerity to disagree with the genius opinions posted here.

All 100% correct of course but I'd still like to see Pato. Out of curiosity if nothing else. I haven't seen him since he was in Europe when I formed the opinion that he was another in the long, long line of players who, while clearly talented, were not at all effective; a player who was more hype than substance. When I said so in the transfer thread before Pato joined, someone came along and railed about being fed up with people like me posting when they didn't know what they are talking about. He went on to explain that Pato was now fully fit and playing really well. Tough to see how it could have been possible for me not to know what I was talking about when I was talking about was my own opinion formed when I had watched the player. Still, it'd be good to see Pato in blue once or twice. We have nothing to loose.

Had to quote because 1 like just isn't enough for this post. He's going to play against Ajax on Tuesday but he's too old for the Youth Cup game on Friday so he'll be available if Guus wants him.

Let's see what the mega reviews reveal but I fear this may be worse than Suarez in one way. My view, not widely accepted I know, is that Suarez just looses it and can't help himself. It looks to me like something that's been with him since childhood. I'm not sure Diego has that excuse. Anyway... Given the opportunity I'd have signed Suarez even after the bite at Anfield but I don't believe Diego offers enough to offset the hassle, bad publicity and extra motivation he provides to opponents. If he stays, he stays but if he leaves I'm fine with it. Only, please Chelsea, if we are to replace Costa, buy a striker whose first asset is his technical ability. Thirteen years Roman has been here, not one such striker signed.

I'm ambivalent about retaining him. Away from home, he motivates opposing fans too much and, home or away, his technique often fails him when he has the ball at his feet. If we get a sensible offer from Atleti I'd take it.

In 1955/56 the reigning champions finished 16th out of 22 so it has happened before.

Thank you. We do it too but not as shamelessly as Manchester City who do it absolutely routinely. Their wide men are not wide at all, barring Nevas who wasn't starting when KDB was fit, so they push their full backs high for width. This frequently leaves them with the foul as their only choice when an opponent threatens to break against them. In our semi-final at Wembley in 2013 Ya-ya should already have been sent off for two cynical challenges before he was eventually booked for a third one. Referees have to up their game on this issue.