Isegrim

He should have thought of that when he signed Duff the thick prick. And if he wanted to sign Huth he probably should have make attempts before his target had already committed himself to the Smoggies...

I agree that some of the criticism might be a bit over the top. But I am not sure, if Roeder really deserves praise for the likes of Butt and Sibierski. Butt is playing more to his usual standard (although I would still say he is miles away from the form he had a couple of years ago), so I don't think the manager worked wonders here. The same applies for Sibierski. Roeder got a couple of decent performances out of him, nothing less, but certainly also nothing more. Maybe Roeder deserves kind of praise for Dyer's short spell of good performances, which faded away quite quickly though. Of course a manager deserves as much praise for good performances from players as deserving criticism for poor performances. I still think the performances of Butt, Dyer, Sibierski are just in between. Maybe better than expected, still worse than they should be. If they were good, Roeder deserved praise. But they weren't. Why does he deserve no praise for Butt? He could have just gone with the fans and let him leave but he gave him a chance and let him know he was behind him and this has been repaid with performances that will probably make Butt player of the season. I am not claiming Roeder has made Butt the player he is but I thought the whole debate was Roeders handling of players? Player of the season in a team where most other players have played well below their standard. Butt hasn't excelled. All Roeder got out of him were "normal" performances. But anything less wouldn't have been acceptable. So all Roeder deserves, is not getting criticized for it, but praise? I do praise people for doing good things, not for doing average things. Any excuse not to give him any praise. Ok, you've got convinced me. Fair play to Roeder. He got decent performances out of an ex-England international. That was a hell of a job. Maybe even a miracle. Top bombing. HE IS DA MAN. ROEDER FOR ENGLAND! I am serious about the last bit by the way... If you can't give credit then fair enough but its plain for most to see Butt had lost his way a bit since leaving ManU but Roeder gave him the chance that many of us wouldn't and he has performed. I am sure if Rafa had got Fowler back to anything near his previous best you would acknowledge this achievement and not be spouting the "well done getting a former England international to his best" crap but then Rafa isn't our underfire manager is he? But he isn't getting him to his "best". If that was the case, I would consider giving Roeder credit. As I said above. Butt's performances were decent, but not really anything special. He was better - or better: more consistent - than his team mates. That's all, and I don't see why this deserves praise, neither for the player nor for the manager, because that is the minimum of standard I would expect from any player - and in this regard the manager - anyway. EDIT: If I were to give praise it would be along the lines: Congratulations to Nicky Butt, he wasn't as crap as other players. Well done Roeder, for this achievement, too.

I agree that some of the criticism might be a bit over the top. But I am not sure, if Roeder really deserves praise for the likes of Butt and Sibierski. Butt is playing more to his usual standard (although I would still say he is miles away from the form he had a couple of years ago), so I don't think the manager worked wonders here. The same applies for Sibierski. Roeder got a couple of decent performances out of him, nothing less, but certainly also nothing more. Maybe Roeder deserves kind of praise for Dyer's short spell of good performances, which faded away quite quickly though. Of course a manager deserves as much praise for good performances from players as deserving criticism for poor performances. I still think the performances of Butt, Dyer, Sibierski are just in between. Maybe better than expected, still worse than they should be. If they were good, Roeder deserved praise. But they weren't. Why does he deserve no praise for Butt? He could have just gone with the fans and let him leave but he gave him a chance and let him know he was behind him and this has been repaid with performances that will probably make Butt player of the season. I am not claiming Roeder has made Butt the player he is but I thought the whole debate was Roeders handling of players? Player of the season in a team where most other players have played well below their standard. Butt hasn't excelled. All Roeder got out of him were "normal" performances. But anything less wouldn't have been acceptable. So all Roeder deserves, is not getting criticized for it, but praise? I do praise people for doing good things, not for doing average things. Any excuse not to give him any praise. Ok, you've got convinced me. Fair play to Roeder. He got decent performances out of an ex-England international. That was a hell of a job. Maybe even a miracle. Top bombing. HE IS DA MAN. ROEDER FOR ENGLAND! I am serious about the last bit by the way...

From Arsenal's website: David Dein leaves Arsenal Football Club Arsenal today announces that vice-chairman, David Dein has left Arsenal Football Club and ceases to be a director of the Club with immediate effect. Arsenal Chairman Peter Hill-Wood said: “On behalf of the Board I would like to express our gratitude to David Dein for the many years of loyal service he has given to the Club. We sincerely regret that irreconcilable differences between Mr. Dein and the rest of the board have necessitated a parting of the ways.” In light of recent speculation with regards to the ownership of the Club, the remaining Board members, who together own 45.45% of the issued share capital of the Company, would like to reassure the supporters, shareholders and employees of Arsenal Football Club that they remain long-term holders of their interests in the Club. To this effect, they have entered into an agreement not to dispose of their shares for at least one year and have confirmed that they intend to retain their interests on the expiration of this period.

I agree that some of the criticism might be a bit over the top. But I am not sure, if Roeder really deserves praise for the likes of Butt and Sibierski. Butt is playing more to his usual standard (although I would still say he is miles away from the form he had a couple of years ago), so I don't think the manager worked wonders here. The same applies for Sibierski. Roeder got a couple of decent performances out of him, nothing less, but certainly also nothing more. Maybe Roeder deserves kind of praise for Dyer's short spell of good performances, which faded away quite quickly though. Of course a manager deserves as much praise for good performances from players as deserving criticism for poor performances. I still think the performances of Butt, Dyer, Sibierski are just in between. Maybe better than expected, still worse than they should be. If they were good, Roeder deserved praise. But they weren't. Why does he deserve no praise for Butt? He could have just gone with the fans and let him leave but he gave him a chance and let him know he was behind him and this has been repaid with performances that will probably make Butt player of the season. I am not claiming Roeder has made Butt the player he is but I thought the whole debate was Roeders handling of players? Player of the season in a team where most other players have played well below their standard. Butt hasn't excelled. All Roeder got out of him were "normal" performances. But anything less wouldn't have been acceptable. So all Roeder deserves, is not getting criticized for it, but praise? I do praise people for doing good things, not for doing average things.

I agree that some of the criticism might be a bit over the top. But I am not sure, if Roeder really deserves praise for the likes of Butt and Sibierski. Butt is playing more to his usual standard (although I would still say he is miles away from the form he had a couple of years ago), so I don't think the manager worked wonders here. The same applies for Sibierski. Roeder got a couple of decent performances out of him, nothing less, but certainly also nothing more. Maybe Roeder deserves kind of praise for Dyer's short spell of good performances, which faded away quite quickly though. Of course a manager deserves as much praise for good performances from players as deserving criticism for poor performances. I still think the performances of Butt, Dyer, Sibierski are just in between. Maybe better than expected, still worse than they should be. If they were good, Roeder deserved praise. But they weren't.

No, he has signed a one-year contract extension.

Oh dear, they will playing crap music like John Miles after goals next....

No, he wasn't. He was a decent player, but as far away from being "world class" as Roeder from being a manager of Premierleague standard...

No wonder Real have to call themselves Galacticos if this is the standard nowadays...

It depends on what you consider as cheap when you look at today's transfer fees, but saying a player like Diego wasn't/isn't needed is quite a bit absurd imho. He is a fantastic and influential playmaker who creates shitloads of chances for strikers. For Werder he was an absolute steal for 6m Euro. They wanted to groom him for replacing Micoud next season but were forced to directly put him into the team as Micoud left a year earlier than expected. He is a revelation.

I rate him very, very highly. A very talented player who can play in any role on the left, but recently said he wants to establish himself as a left back. Had a very good game against the Czechs recently. He would be a great signing and I think I said so on here in the past (I remember naming him as the best German prospect ahead of the U20 WC in 2005 on here). I can't see him moving abroad yet though. It looks likely that Gladbach will get relegated and Jansen will move on, but there have already a couple of clubs expressed their interest, most notably Bayern and Bremen.

I've only seen him in few games. Didn't he play in a midfield role recently (and quite well). I just remember that he had some right shockers at right back last season. It was when he came back from injury though.

Well, at least it demonstrates that there are decent players for decent prices available if you want to strengthen the squad and to get the necessary depth. You don't have to spend 10m quid all the time...

We blew it. Pretty sure Ferdinand only scored about 5 goals after the New Year. Games like the Man City 3-3, Forest 1-1 & Spurs 1-1...games against crap/average sides we blew 6 points against, and that's before we even mention the Liverpool, Blackburn & Man U games. Bit of both imo. Few key players like Ferdinand and Lee lost their form a bit. Man Utd went on an amazing run too though. IIRC ManU wan something like 40 from 50 possible points after New Year.

Ah, I was just wondering. They do have a huge tradition, but I couldn't think of a reason how a foreigner could get attracted by them nowadays. They are doing well this season though, might even get into Europe.

How come?

Good old Murdo, nearly brought the "glory days" back to Dumbarton lol He was something like a "cult hero" for Dortmund and helped them winning their first trophy for over two decades.

Ah, the credibility of the Times. I am glad the reported take over went through earlier this year so that the new owners can provide Eriksson with cash for players. Wait, hang on....

Hessen Kassel

Murdo Macleod, wow that brings back memories...

You only can do good things when opportunities arise. What should he have done else? Act "normal" and let the fans get themselves out of the mess? Unless Quinn and Keane weren't throwing bricks themselves, I can't see any problem with what they have done. Fair play to them...

Why did he have to pass medical examination if the club has absolutely no intention to sign him? If his only job was to make Emre happy, did he need an AIDS-test, or what?

He said that he only would move to an absolute top club in England but not to a club like Tottenham for example... http://syke.mzv.net/news/stories/werder/?id=85018 Make out of it what you want...

To be fair, if you look at his transfer record he was either not good enough in any league or fell out with nearly every manager. But it's good to see that we aren't looking at players who are past their sell-by dates...