Football

Probably wants to make sure he gets into the French euro 2016 squad, with benzema out of the picture for the foreseeable, starting place is up for grabs, and he won't get it by being stuck behind Costa on the Chelsea bench. Goes to villa, he'll be guaranteed starts and put himself back in the window so he can get out of Chelsea at seasons end..

Stones is definitely off to barca? I'm dubious: a) that they actually need him b) they would pay that much for him, and c) that he would go if a and b are incorrect..

Makes sense to me. They don't have a striker and he's not playing at Chelsea. Knows Garde from the early part of his career. He's a 20+ goals per season player, just on big wages.

Ronaldo just hoofed a penalty over - LOL

That's twice today that I've agreed with things you've written in this thread.

Moyes bought Mirallas, just for pedantry's sake. Disappointed if we lost him and Nais. Mirallas never seems to have won the fans back after missing that penalty he shouldn't have taken against west brom last season, even though when he actually gets played he's generally very good for us and was our best forward before lukaku hit form. Naismith is a far better player than anyone gives him credit for. Slow and ageing, but intelligent and a surprisingly good finisher. Would gladly keep him over Kone.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 First person I've ever heard say 'Naismith is an intelligent footballer'

He's masqueraded as a footballer 'cos he 'has an engine' and runs around like a headless chicken offering not a lot. £8m for him is daylight robbery, just hope we can give them McGeady too as part of the deal

I heard we were in for Naismith. Glad that's not happened. Would be very happy if Remi can pull the Remy deal off.
Waaaaaaaaay too late though.

Why would Loic Remy want to leave one relegation battle to join another? Surely his sights should be on bigger sides like Watford or Stoke

bigger sides like Watford or Stoke

Excellent trolling

I'll say it again when he scores against us for Norwich which he's nailed on to do. If you play Naismith on the wing, you'll get running and effort and that's to his credit as he's plainly not a winger. But as a number 10, he's actually a very good footballer. If we'd played him in the last six game instead of Kone, we'd have a good 5-6 more points than we do.

I like Remy as player and has scored goals wherever he has played even grabbing a few with sub appearances at chelsea. Good luck to him if gets the move.

So what does Kone provide that Naismith doesn't, more tactical flexibility? I'm assuming you play lukaku up front by himself so your other strikers need to be able to do a similar job.

I really don't know. He's faster and stronger and when he initially played he was up front and took the pressure off Lukaku who was getting bullied by centre halves. I don't dislike Kone at all, he just lacks composure in front of goal and doesn't create a great deal.

Anyway, fuck Naismith and Kone...this fella's joinin the firm:

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/30/everton-switzerland-under-21-striker-shani-tarashaj

No, me neither

Wonder how tonight's game will pan out in the windy, wet north. We seem unable to put two wins together in the league so I don't expect 3 points.
We have to keep fighting as I think there is still a place in the top 4 up for grabs

Well done Mike. They're doomed now.

Quick, Sid Lowe is on University Challenge.

I can't see stones going to barca. Unless it's a buy and then loan back deal. Pique definitely tapped him up by naming him in his team.

All this agreement between Dan and corndog makes me think of Paul McCartney....

Mull of Kintyre?

We have Lovren and Sakho as cb's. I don't think they need my help in fucking it up!

Quick, Sid Lowe is on University Challenge.

Has he contributed much this time? He didn't really contribute much to yesterday's match (against Aberdeen) at all...

What I particularly like about our defence is how they make the simplest things look so difficult.

The only time you heard his voice was to announce his name at the beginning.

beating fat sam no better way to see out the footballing year
see you all in 2016