James

I rate Nolan, but I still think Dyer was better. The general negative perception of Dyer is because people have a grudge against him (for understandable reason) rather than the fact that he wasn't good enough. He was never one to get assists or goals but a lot of build up play went through him and he'd often be the one to create the stress for the opposition that others could then exploit. Arsenal and Feyenoord are good examples. Where we dropped off under Robson was often linked with Dyer being injured or not in his favoured position. Dyer also showed that he needs to be surrounded by quality players to get the best from him. If we look back over the past ten years we haven't had a better attacking central midfielder.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-12623183 Do we have a suspect?

Unless we sign someone genuinely amazing (not Martins standard), the number 9 is up for grabs for next season. Nolan has earned the shirt in my opinion.

What happens if Brum get relegated?

and Pardew should have tried to sign Sturridge in January. The more I think about it the more I realise Sturridge was there for the taking. We just had to tell Liverpool that we would only sell them Carroll if we got Sturridge permanently. Liverpool could have then pressured Chelsea and we'd have got our man or at very least scuppered all the other moves. Whether you point the finger though at Pardew or someone else is another debate.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRO7iEv4MFHVaM9i-ErvWMOimB2JqBy41fagcCaSShC2FZDXK29&t=1

While we are talking in this general area. In case you missed it, Patrick Kluivert had signed a contract with NEC Nijmegen (Dutch top-league football team) as an assistant coach for the period august 2010 - august 2011. One of his main tasks at NEC is to train the strkers. In his free time he keeps low-profile and you rarely read things about him in Dutch shownews (except e.g. some photos of his holidays). Although those things are never in the news, I know he does a lot of charity work. For example, Rossana and Patrick saved little puppy's in the past and they cooperate to give these dogs a better future. Also, I was contacted by dream4kids one day, a foundation who wants to cheer up seriously sick children by giving them a dreamday. One of the kids was Kluivert-fan and Kluivert agreed to help with the dreamday and made some time for the boy, to kick some ball and make a foto-shoot... And also for other kids he helps raising funds and 'make their day' by simply being there Example: http://i55.tinypic.com/vaxwm.jpg with Jacky http://i52.tinypic.com/wbf2mv.jpg with Rishi Kluivert might not have charity foundation, like Messi, Cruijff etc. rather; Patrick Kluivert does charity himself. http://www.patrick-kluivert.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2203

Eh? I know you haven't been in Europe enough to see the crippling despair of losing a diamond earing in Bnei Sachnin's away changing room. It has an effect.

I think we'll spend the rest of the season looking up but not quite able to reach. However we should be proud of this season and I think we may fare better next season if we aren't having to play as many games involving long distance travel and rubbish pitches.

Lee Bowyer next. I have respect for Lee Bowyer so he is safe.

That just makes him even more of a cunt. Those throw ins.

Still is and always will be a disgrace.

Still is and always will be a disgrace.

Martins and Carr

Could have had the guys eye out. When I was in the first year of my undergraduate a girl was hit in the face with an airgun fired from about 100m and she was quite badly hurt.

Horrible stuff did they ever find out what was wrong and did he know it was coming?

Out of interest, if the best ladies player in the world played in the men's game, who would she be playing for?

we don't have a thread about women's football yet we have a thread about many other football divisions. So what is going on at the moment? Any good matches coming up?

We are all incredibly sexist when it comes to the idea of women in certain footballing positions though. I will provide a case study shortly.

I think it is fair to say that there definitely has been a lot of short termism, not just with the fans but with the management and the ownership. However I think the relegation and this season has made many realise the complexity of the game and made people take a better approach. For example I think we learnt from our error of writing off Carroll. Examples of short-termism would be fans wanting Nolan taken out of the team to accomodate Ben Arfa/Ireland, fans expecting Krul to be perfect when he got his spell in goal, and fans wanting youngsters to be brought into the team with the expectation that they'll be better than the current lot. I think the problem is endemic at all top level clubs. The fans have FIFA, Football Manager, watch every live game including La Liga, Serie A, even the Dutch League and they expect their own clubs to do things instantly, failing to grasp concepts such as team spirit, team blending, player development, confidence and the whole psychology of the game.

Don't think Cisse would be a good fit for this club.

He looks different to how I remembered.

Pleased for him, he seems a grounded player who has turned out for us with an injury whereas other players would stay on the touchlines for weeks.

Birmingham have only lost 5 times at home since being promoted.

He is spot on in terms of ability, mentality, and consistency.