I read in a couple of papers, and also heard, that Curbishley wanted to sell Ashton, and that was one of his differences with the board - dunno if there's any truth in that?

Put in perspective, maybe it's not as outrageous/Curbishley is a cunt, as it sounds?

- Given the priority was reducing wage bill , Curbs was prepared to sell Ashton cos he didn't rate his fitness and if it meant not having to make other cuts to the squad?

- Curbs would have prefered to have kept Zamora and to have brouht in another striker.

- But the board would not contemplate selling Ashton cos not only did they rate him much higher than Curbishley, they believed he was the fans favourite and selling him would be disasterous PR, especially regarding season ticket sales. So, Ashton was given the new contract he was demanding and a big pay-rise (thus significantly increasing the very wage bill which they were supposed to be reducing).

Would selling Ashton have meant keeping Zamora, Ferdinand and McCartney?

If so, I make Curbs right (if stories true).

Monk - not sure why your digging me?

I've said all along, right from Duxbury's comments at fan forum last season, that the board are nuts if they think they can finish in top 8 without buying another quality striker.

I've probably bored people by constantly pointing out that Ashton's never been fit in his life - he always had weight and fitness problems at Crewe - maybe why bigger clubs never came in for him? - and this mythical Ashton figure of the Cup run that people have invented in their minds, never existed! - he was slow and couldn't last 90 mins during that period - and I remember clearly the general concensus of opinion on here was wait till he has a good pre- season under Pardew and adds fitness to his obvious ability.

(I guess it's cos I couldn't see the permanent limp, and I did say a couple of his performances towards end of last season were encouraging, which they were - but he should never be a player we are depending on . A handy Duncan Ferguson-type to have on the bench when not injured perhaps?

But as site medic, monk - falling and twisting an ankle in training (just from running with no physical contact apparently) is a sign of general awkwardness and lack of mobility? Or just bad luck as he claims?

Last Edited By: Clack Sep 19 08 6:44 AM. Edited 4 times.