Tomo

Everton actually one of Citys bogey sides, and at Goodison, City have only won twice in the last decade.

We didn't even start perfectly in 10-11, not in terms of performances anyway, those two 6-0s were the two most misleading 'big' wins I've ever seen.Also I very much doubt Mou threw the game, you do realise match fixing is illegal? Which would be pretty much what he done if he did what you suggested.

So are Barca fans who aren't bothered about Yaya Tours or Ibrahimovic Guardiola sheep? Or Sanchez and Cesc Luis Enrique sheep?

They should have waited especially after the musical numbers game we played last summer.

There's still time for more change yet.

A few years back people didn't want Neymar because of Kakuta. Bamford drifted in and out of games in the Championship, just think if Bamford was a Boro owned player and someone here suggested signing him? He would have been laughed out of the room.

If you look back at Rooneys two years as a Everton first teamer he spend a fair wack of it as a sub while Radzinski was playing. Sometimes talent is just too obvious.

He could take another number and wait until Juan leaves then take 11. Although given the musical numbers game of last summer wouldn't surprise me if he convinces Baba to give 17 up.

The reason Barca have that much possession (under Pep especially) is because of how they press and Pedro was a key a part to that as anyone.

@polo and didier, fair shout, although I personally think politics will keep Busquets in theside Barca born and bred and that, but on merit defiantly Matic ahead of him.

Because whether we like it or not, Barca and Madrid are the top bracket, we can build as good a team as them in a unit, but they will always have first dibs on 90% of the superstars.

Sorry what? The problem before Jose came back was too much long term planning, apart from Cech we didn't have one single player in the squad that was top bracket or even just under in their prime, we either had potential or expuerenced players past their prime, or rubbish. Long term is such an overrated cliche in football, if we didn't sign Eto'o for a year we would have probably struggled for top 4, Drogba came back as a squad player because of his dressing room impact, helped the mentality of the squad turned them into winner's and has now left a hero again, just because you sign some expierence at times doesn't mean you are short sighted, far from it. Although Falcao is looking pointless I'll agree there. As for no plans to play attractive football, I take it you missed the first 6 months of last season?

Hazard and Tibo aside, none of our players will get into Barca side.

Absolutely not.

Even if he doesn't I think he can take another number then have 11if Cuadrado goes after he signs.I vaguely remember Lucas Neil had a weird number at West Ham then took number 2 when the occupant of that number left a few weeks later, also Benayoun started 11/12 with #10 but then we changed his number for Mata, I know he went to Arsenal but if he stayed he would have had his new number, but the main point is Pedro can take a random number then change it when or if Cuadrado leaves.

Maybe the top ten including the likes of Swansea, Stoke, Saints but there is some complete dross at the bottom. I mean take Sunderland for example, Dick Advocàat is a top class highly experienced coach yet couldn't prevent a 1-3 home defeat to Norwich. No team with a coach of his quality should be getting thrashed at home to anyone, let alone a side just recently promoted via the play offs. A lot of the bottom half teams can to a point organize off the ball, but going forward the lack of quality is painful to watch.

Tbh a manger being completely in charge and the players 'submitting' so to speak is more of a romantic notion due to Fergies no nonsense approach and even then some players tried to take him on, ala RVN.Ultimately players will always speak up and have their say if they think things are wrong, and it may not have been right per se, but lets be honest when the players revolted against Scolari and AVB it did us a favour as a club.

He may have certain flaws but thst doesn't make him dispendable. Even Fergie had his blind spots, not naming any names Valencia.

Let's not exaggarate.

Better late than never, yesterday was the lowest I've felt as a fan since we lost at home to QPR if not the last days off AVB, I even made peace with the fact we are going to have an awful season, if this is true it will be a real lift and hopefully all the drama will blow over and we can properly start our bid for back to back titles. Also if this teaches us not to stand still in future summer's, this summer could serve as a good thing in the long run.

I know, but yesterday was the lowest I've felt as a supporter since we lost at home to QPR if not the last days of AVB, I'm clinging on to anything atm.

Tbh I defended Ivan last two seasons because I believe that his bad displays were quite exagarated, first half of last season he was back to the player we saw under Ancelotti. However recently he has been absolutely terrible, Iddon't think its his fault I think he is just naturally declining but he needs to be phased out.

If that happens and in future summer's we learn from this one and not stand still, this summer's dramas could be a good thing in the long run. How hilarious would it be if by the end of September we hit the top of the league after all this? I think all our haters will have a breakdown

Imagine if we pull of Stones, Witsel and Pedro now? The whole mood of the place will change.We should reap the benefits off an extended break sooner rather than later, probably about the end of September, let's hope we can put a decent run of results on the board to keep us there or there abouts till then. 1-0 at WBA with a last minute goal of Azpis backside will be a good start.

I would add Costa to that list, I've explained my reason for that in his thread.