James

Our former chairman Denis Cassidy is releasing a book. In it he claims that he was the one who told Shepherd and Doug to leave after Toongate. Cassidy later became non-executive chairman but was forced out soon afterwards by the return of Shepherd and Doug. A few years later, Cassidy claims he was approached by Sir Bobby Robson who in a six hour meeting intimated that Shepherd and the Halls wanted rid. Keegan's departure happenned at a time Cassidy was in Australia, and he found out about it on the news. He expected the resignation to be John Major. Shepherd has the following to say: The book ends with an open letter to Mike Ashley.

Very unfinished

Lawro on 5Live last night: "Rooney was 4/1 First Scorer. If he had a spare £1200 he could have put a bet on it."

This club needs a competitive culture where no-one is guaranteed a place, but if you are in form, you play. Nolan is in form, he plays. It is destructive to team morale to drop one of the best performers because it sends a message that good performances don't get rewarded, and this will mean an increase in complacency. Nolan has so far this season, and last season shown himself to be a very penetrative player who moves very well in andaround the penalty area with good technique and can find team mates in narrow spaces or put a good effort on goal himself. His movement will drag away players that would otherwise be doubling up on Carroll. These attributes make him a good partner for Carroll, plus he can fill up the midfield in defensive situations. Meanwhile I don't think Ben Arfa fits the creative midfielder tag that people are giving him. His career at two league winning clubs is not littered with goals and assists. He seems moreof an explosive player, and while these types of players can benefit our team much like Dyer did at his prime, we are still going to have to rely on Carroll, Nolan and Barton to do the stuff that is important for us to get results. Therefore I think that if he is committed, his explosiveness on the wings in a slightly free role will get the best out of his more penetrative team mates. I would say Ben Arfa for Jonas would eventually be the most effective and balanced swap.

The treatment the in-form Nolan is getting on this forum is quite sad to be honest.

Wouldn't say they had really. I'd say Ramos, Xavi, Iniesta and Villa are examples of much more physically adept players than Spain would have seen in past years, and this was crucial to their success.

Spain had been technique based for years without success, but how did they suddenly start improving their physique?

Thanks Chris, well explained

Or if it didn't actually happen, and you match the description of the family in question people are going to talk. He really deserves a banning for this.

It seems we're both called Chris, and frankly I honestly can't. One has Chris in his name, the other names himself after an erection.

Not being funny, but I've always wondered what technique represents in the FM games given that there are seperate attributes for first touch, dribbling, finishing, heading etc. Can you explain please Chris?

So they are letting you teach English AND coach football? Fuck me. Just so long as he doesn't teach music!

They arranged for the ref to give two penalties, the first to Liverpool which Owen was supposed to take, but the fans were booing him so Carragher took the penalty instead. Then in the second half, when Everton got their penalty, Carragher put an Everton shirt on and scored that one

WTF Dave, I thought you had standards!

They should probably get that scene from Goal where our German manager teaches Munez that passing the ball is more effective than running with it. Then get Hughton to recreate it.

He's already left Sheffield United In that case I'd give him a 12 month ban or something.

I'd sack Blackwell for that to be honest.

Je suis interdit

ha ha, i'd much rather he got caught shagging a waitress or doing coke than repeatdely beating people up. ha ha, i'd much rather he got caught shagging a waitress or doing coke than repeatdely beating people up. But we don't realy know the full story behind the Dabo and Liverpool night out incidents, it's sort of a 1 way thing if you cheat on your missis with an £800 prostetute or are sniffing lines off a toilet seat, there's no real grey area of "we'll he had his reasons". I'm not condoning it but it is likely he was provoked and never just randomly assaulted Dabo or that kid, and I'm pretty sure about 90% of the people who boo him have been in a few fights before in there time, many of them do it outside of the ground right after the game. I presume you never saw the CCTV footage? He deserved prison, you can't defend that. Though I think we should have sacked him at the time, we stuck with him, and anyone out of prison has served their time and should get a second chance. I'd agree that referees are biased against him.

On the topic of goalkeepers, you can appreciate why Capello is looking at young keepers when injury strikes, but is there any justification for selecting Loach and Fielding when another keeper in Forster is in a much more prominent position and with a season of decent matchday experience.

Because you can do the strongest 11 'on paper'. For example Hatem Ben Arfa is technically the best player in the squad and possesses more natural talent in his little finger than the competition for his position, Kevin Nolan, therefore he should be in the strongest 11. Talent is one thing, but it is more important how you are applying the talent you've got. On that basis, Nolan currently gets to keep his AMC role, and Jonas, Routledge and Ben Arfa should be battling for the final two attacking midfield places.

How long before we see Adam Campbell in the U18s?

No offence to Arsenal, but the only player that might get into the Man Utd or Chelsea sides is Fabregas, with a particular emphasis on the word might. You need to improve all over, not just in goal.

This three match suspension will be welcomed by Hughton, as Xisco will have to play in less games to make up the 10% that is required to prevent Xisco leaving on a free(+nominal compensation)

There are 25 in that list but not all of them need to be registered. Can we leave off Gosling (in favour of Kadar, Vuckic or Tavernier) and then alter the squad of 25 (we register with the FA) in January? U21s don't count.