He also did a more recent version of when we only strengthened by buying Anita when we brought in Murphy - people forget this peach but batter Pardew with it.
I still think making Lascelles captain and selling the far superior Mbemba was the stupidest thing he did. We could be sat with Mbemba, Mbabu, Merino, Armstrong, Toney in our squad without any effort. He could have done more to persuade Gibson too. They'd be making a big difference right now. Instead he flogged them for a grand total of about 22m. Mbemba even stuck around like Mitro when we went down.
They'd have been useful to us right now. Both have contributed to their respective clubs this season. Would have been good back up for Wilson. Both only 24/25 and probably still improving after someone stagnated their development. Instead we have Gayle... I don't think either are world beaters mind, and we will be looking for better in days ahead, but right now in our situation, the 2-3m we picked up was pointless.
They weren't but how many kids aren't? Armstrong got a limited amount of appearances but never looked like living up to the billing a lot of our kids which puts needless pressure on them. Same can be said for a list longer than my arm - Harris Vukic, Tamas Kadar, Elias Sorenson etc.etc. It's like Sean Longstaff - Far too many started making out he was this centuries Gazza - Give me a ****ing break. That **** in his best game wouldn't be fit to open a mars bar wrapper for Gazza in his worst game.
Exactly mate. I was on another football forum the other day and they were talking about how they had high hopes for Toney but he hasn't lived up to expectation. For me they are in a long line of players who are exceptional in the championship, but can't make the step up.
I think I remember Mbabu admitting he had a crap attitude and during his time here was more interested in the night life than he should have been
You're forgetting the fact that he was buying his 5th or 6th choice players most of the time. The guy had lined up deals for the likes of Bruno Fernandes for gods sake, but was hamstrung by Ashley. The likes of Gayle, Hanley etc were brought in to get us out of the Championship and they did their job.
He wouldn't have played Shelvey and Diame ahead of him if that was the case. Neither are anywhere close to Merinos level
He's totally overawed by this job. Not the right man. Al Rumayyan must be raging, wouldn't be surprised if he's sacked in the warm weather training camp week tbh.
