Whoever did the scouting and signed off the deal needs to take a long hard look in the mirror. Perhaps it was a favour owed to the agent. I note how many mediocre players make it through and wonder whether or not this is some kind of base line. I knew a careers advisor once who told me that many boys wanted to become footballers, despite not playing for any sort of team. It's the money and easy life style that attracts them.

Better bring Butland back from Man U double quick if Johnstones out all season, last thing we need is Guaita to get injured. Anyone know if we have a left back on loan we can recall to cover Mitchell?

Better bring Butland back from Man U double quick if Johnstones out all season, last thing we need is Guaita to get injured. Anyone know if we have a left back on loan we can recall to cover Mitchell?

Well, Adaramola and Hannam seemed to be destined for the first team squad but I don’t know what’s happened to their progress. I know Hannam’s loan with Bromley is finished and Adaramola was recalled from Coventry due to a lack of involvement.

Every year since we returned to this league we have this same debate. I imagine almost every club outside the top six also do this. "We will go down if X isn't sacked/sold/moved on/retired". "We need a new squad/manager/coaching staff/scouts/board". "The owner needs to move on and let [insert imaginary billionaire] move us to the next level". "Most of our first team are past it, we need to try the youth." etc&etc...

However, we are still in this league after being "definitely" relegated many times. In 12th place. "We have no goalscorers, we won't get any more points, the teams below us are better/improving" has all proved wrong in the past. Try not to think we are a top six/Europe capable side, and enjoy the excess of funds that the PL does give us. The Championship may have had better kick-off times on Saturdays, but midweek evening games away weren't much fun in places like Sheffield, Wigan or Preston when I had to get to work in the morning. And there were just as many as now.

We won't go down this season. And if we give Vieira enough time to bring his style of football through, we'll be a far better watch. Arteta was much maligned by many Arse fans in his first 2/3 seasons. Not so much now. Patience is needed to transition.

Every year since we returned to this league we have this same debate. I imagine almost every club outside the top six also do this. "We will go down if X isn't sacked/sold/moved on/retired". "We need a new squad/manager/coaching staff/scouts/board". "The owner needs to move on and let [insert imaginary billionaire] move us to the next level". "Most of our first team are past it, we need to try the youth." etc&etc...

However, we are still in this league after being "definitely" relegated many times. In 12th place. "We have no goalscorers, we won't get any more points, the teams below us are better/improving" has all proved wrong in the past. Try not to think we are a top six/Europe capable side, and enjoy the excess of funds that the PL does give us. The Championship may have had better kick-off times on Saturdays, but midweek evening games away weren't much fun in places like Sheffield, Wigan or Preston when I had to get to work in the morning. And there were just as many as now.

We won't go down this season. And if we give Vieira enough time to bring his style of football through, we'll be a far better watch. Arteta was much maligned by many Arse fans in his first 2/3 seasons. Not so much now. Patience is needed to transition.