Well Mustafi is doubtful. So there's hope.

Surely in this tragic situation UEFA or FIFA should step in and cover whatever costs have been incurred to the clubs. Both organisations awash with money so they could any arguments about monies owing/owed to bed immediately and saves the families of the victims additional grief.

Cardiff will have insurance anyway. It’s all irrelevant and classless by Cardiff.

I don't get that at all. Why should they, whether UEFA & FIFA are awash with money or not?

Listening to Emery reminds me of the old sketch where Eric Morecambe says “I am playing all the right notes. But not necessarily in the right order”.

I recognise each of Unai’s words but at the end of each sentence I’m left thinking “what did he just say?”.

His latest interview on Sky Sports is a great example of this.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... y-day-woes

Gesture of goodwill? Show that UEFA and FIFA have a heart after years of stories of corruption and lies?

Just my opinion Bernard.

Cardiff city are contractually obliged to pay Nantes 15 million quid. It has nothing to do with fifa or anyone else.

Try telling your mortgage company things were tight over Christmas so you will be missing this months payment and see how far you get.

Fair enough. I stand corrected.

Mind you I might try that line with HSBC and see what the response is.

He seems a decent enough bloke, and I suppose should be judged on his football management abilities, but it has to be said he is a communications disaster area. When you think of the loquacity of Bertie Mee and Terry Neill; the dour clarity of Don Howe and George Graham; and the humour of Arsene Wenger, poor old Dick is way behind. I think even Ossie Ardiles was more understandable.

The clubs should be able to sort it out themselves, but in a desperate time for both families, a bit of button-lip from them both wouldn't hurt. After all, there will still be a thing called money in a few weeks time - it won't go out of fashion.

I'm with you Old Man. It's all about timing and this is just crass from both of them at this moment in time.

It's really poor behaviour from Cardiff to use the circumstances of the man's death as an excuse for delaying making the payment.

That is spot-on, ltg.

No wonder the players haven't got a clue what they are doing. Imagine the team talks.

How much difference would it really make to a team where my guess is English is only a fairly small minority of their first language?

With Emery's English not being that wide at the time of his appointment, I don't think it's that bad. I can understand him anyway. How long was it before Pochetinno started giving interviews without inperpreters, and he didn't do and hasn't done too badly?

I don't always know precisely what Emery is saying in his television interviews, but I would be amazed if the players really struggled to understand him on the training ground. Quite simply you don't hire a £4million year head coach, responsible for the fortunes of a billion pound football team if no one will can understand him. I would hope its not beyond the wit of all those in charge to have a permanent translator on hand if this were the case. I know a few English/Spanish speakers who would happily do the job for £250 a day!

So we are criticising Emery’s English now. That’s where we are

He’s so finished

How can there be wholesale changes if Kroenke only authorises around £40m plus wages in transfer fees? So I make you right. People can drone on all they like about replacing various players and no doubt there will be some ins and outs. But 'wholesale changes'? Expectng that is somewhat fanciful in my view.

I think some people are just trying to come up with reasons why the team is not progressing as they had hoped. Personally, I think his communication skills is pretty low down the list of reasons why the teams evolution is not living up to supporters expectations. As long as the players can understand him and I'm sure they can, whether we can fully understand him is not really relevant.

Brexit Britain.

I was expecting no more in his first season than top six and a decent run in the cups, so generally speaking on the playing side Dick is par for my course. Objectively we are rightly behind five better teams in the League, and went out to two of them in the cups. So in my book he is no disaster, yet. I yet because I see no signs of improvements defensively or organisationally than under Arsene. I also can't fathom the Özil business. As for his communication skills, they are just amusing. And as Arsenal fans, if the Tiny Totts aren't available as a target, we have to laugh at something. Perhaps Dick needs to buy an unzippable puffa jacket to divert attention from his chaotic English? Any old how, a European trophy would not be lost in translation.

Perhaps if Mrs May sent Dick over to meet Barnier, Tusk et al, he might confuse them enough to say yes to deal changes?

I love the idea that Wenger and his zip issues were just a clever ruse to deflect attention away from his teams deficiencies.

Shock News From The Emirates.

'Silent' Stan Kroenke, stung by the criticism that he is a bit tight around the pound note, made a move that has sent tremors through English football. At 4.30 today Arsenal F.C. issued the following press release:

'Unai Emery has been replaced as manager with immediate effect by former fan favourite Giovanni Van Broker. This is the first part of a strategy to get the club back where it belongs, at the pinnacle of the game. Owner Stan Kroenke has taken stock of the team's current position and shares the concerns and disappointment of the Emirates faithful with the below average performances. The owner has decided to build a new team in line with his own values. This will involve a radical shake up of personnel and an unashamed attempt to lure some of The Premiership biggest names to Islington. Vast salaries will be on offer to players with the right names. More will be revealed early next week.'

Our sources tell us Mr. Kroenke's dream team is a combination of a few seasoned men and dynamic younger ones. A handwritten list seen on Mr. Kroenke's desk has led to much speculation. His dream team consists of:

Yens Lehmann

Luke Offshore
Kieran Asset Strippier
Vincent Kompany

Samir NASDAQ
Ian Sell-Off
Bernardo Silver
Dealer Alli

Raheem Sterling
Mohamed Seller
Sadio Money

To assist manager Van Broker, and also to keep some control over costs, Kroenke is strongly rumored to be ready to offer Danny Drinkwater the number two job.

It was just a biit of light-hearted banter Bernard, I don't really think his english is an issue. Several of the squad speak spanish anyway so I'm sure he can get his messages across.

Don’t get me started on this one Darren.

Not sure about that, Soc. Apparently, after listening to one of Emery's team talks , Sokratis was heard to mutter "It's all Greek to me."

Thanks for you esplayynn Socrates

Poor Emery. While speaking and explaining to players in English, the wheels of the mind are turning in Español.

How about Santander Cazorla and Ross Barclay?

Guendouzi is only going to get better. He needs to improve his game but that's no knock or a surprise. He has to improve and help the team at the same time. He doesn't have the luxury at learning at his own pace. So, I think there needs to be some balance in criticism of him. He has natural talent but has to improve his game while taking on the responsibility of the midfield. It's a huge ask for a 19 year old.

https://metro.co.uk/2019/02/08/arsenal- ... s-8479302/

Fulham off to a good start. Not that they're going to win though ....

Yes, we are getting quite a team together. The title could be ours.

Fulham missed at least 2 gilded edged chances and then Pogba scores a very fine goal from a tight angle. It goes to show you what the little bit of quality means. A technically better player would have scored one of those goals for Fulham. Also, it also goes to show that you must not waste chances against the better sides. This all goes without saying but Fulham started playing well out the gate and now have nothing to show for it.

2-0, game over. Just like that. Man Utd are playing very confident under OGS. Not sure if it will last but a Man Utd fan I know is talking top 4 a certainty. Not sure about that. This won't last forever.

Fulhams GK could be doing better ...

Man Utd are in a tough position. If OGS gets top 4 and continues doing a great job, will they keep him as manager?

If they look elsewhere, I wonder if Wenger would be considered? Not a crazy thought since Ferguson was interested in bringing Wenger aboard when he retired and Wenger wasn't doing so great at the time either.

Will fans revolt if OGS is replaced by a big name?

It will be interesting.

Fulham's GK could have been better positioned but it was a great strike. Shoddy defending prior to Man Utd's 2nd goal as well.