And yet the simple fact that no planning was in place. What if Bent was injured in January and out for 4 months say? Do you think SAF, Wenger or Ancelotti dont have contingency plans in place. Good managers have players watched and checked out months and months ahead of bids going in. With Bent wanting off in August its no use looking crestfallen 6 months later when he does go. Either the club comes clean and admits theres no money or we should have brought a replacement. However, with season ticket sales on the horizon, they wouldnt do that would they. Perhaps its why Quinny decided to throw a smokescreen up over the missing fans. It stopped us all talking about where the money is from Bents sale and why no replacements were sought. Perhaps there is much more to this whole affair than at first meets the eye? At last, cestria, like the rest of us you and we are unaware of the facts. All that happens is we try to make stats and gossip fit our prejudices, ignore the blinding obvious and pretend that anyone with an opposite view is either blind of a traitor to the cause. Funny old world! Bruce has to be given time and, I believe, will come good.
I'm sure too that Quinny has a life outside of SAFC, and as much as he loves the Club and people he must be under a lot of stress too. Let's appreciate him while we still have him.
Believe? Or hope? And where have I actually said at any time that opposing views are from 'traitors' or blind to the cause'? I'm stating my case. You're very welcome to yours (even if you are wrong). I suggest you lay off the Eastenders and Coronation street soaps as you're sounding more and more dramatic with each breath ya big Jesse.
Interesting article and a good frank and honest assessment of your season! From speaking to my mackem mates and work colleagues, they seem to be split pretty much 50/50 on the bruce in/out debate. I certainly think you missed the boat this season! At the beginning of the season i thought you were starting off streets ahead of us! It now seems we are back on a par!! and without bias, I think we look in a stronger position moving forward!
Both Hughton and Pardew have performed equally well with nothing to spend and it highlights further how miserably Bruce has performed IMO. I don't rate Pardew either and he will be found out next season but he has done okay since he came in and better than Bruce over the same period. However, if Barton and Enrique leave as seems certain, I think you will be considerably weakened and I'm not convinced Pardew could attract flies with a bucket of ****, let alone quality replacements.
I am personally quite confident in Pardew! I do think this summer and next season will be a big test of him and the club as a whole (second season syndrome etc...) But i actually think he is quite tactically astute! You never know what a season will bring... certainly not in the north east!! so for me its just a case of fingers crossed and look forward with a nervous excitement and hope! Barton looks set to stay!! we will defo be losing Jose tho!!! replacing him is a massive task.
Pardew has suprised me, both with how well he's done, and with how he's handled himself. Inevitably he will bonk one of your players wives and cause a **** storm though, that's how it works.
I wouldn't exactly use the words inevitable or "thats how it works" but he is a very smooth cockney fella and its been rumoured before at other clubs!!
And your the Toon, and you've been crisis free for a few months. I'm sticking with inevitable. Bartons lass is smoking hot like, i reckon Pardew is plotting his way as we speak. I might start a book on who's bird gets the Pardew beef injection first like...
Pardew's biggest asset (for himself that is) is his ability to do what ever he is told to do and say by Ashley. Yes men will satisfy the owner but ultimately, he will disappoint the fans. The 2 cannot never be mutually compatible. The benchmark for him will be how much of the ã35 Caroll money he gets after making lots of noise about it in January. However, I remember in December when asked, he said that there is no way he'd sell one of the clubs best players at any cost? I reckon Ashley will give him no more than ã10m to ã15m max for new players.
You couldnt write a better joke lead kidda Maybe thats why Mrs Barton may be tempted with Pardews much longer cable though? Lol
