James

Another thing worth noting is that the 7 subs rule for next season means that there is a place for a full back on the bench, whereas before having 1xGK, 1xCB, 1xDM, 1xAM and 1xCF was normally the best option if there wasn't much versatility in the first XI.

I simply don't think it's necassary. Enrique could very well be excellent if we just stick with him. The team's hardly going to drastically improve if we sign a better left-back. Everything he needs to improve, he needs to learn in my opinion. Grosso is someone he could learn from, or otherwise, he should compete with someone like Taiwo, so that when one turns out better than the other, we can have no qualms about letting the other go, by which point Kadar might be ready.

No, like I said, we shouldn't put sentimentality ahead of having better players. Only assessment needed would be an estimated comparison of quality both when the player joins, and when the player reaches the end of his contract. Those are the only two important things.

Better players in other leagues that would come here for less money I reckon.

Although I like Enrique, if we can get a better left back who would expect to play most games, I wouldn't complain. Football is dog eat dog. Niceness and sentimentality costs league places.

Or maybe Grosso fancies a stab at the Premier League?

Taiwo

It is 'orthopaedic' Dave

Interesting stuff from Keegan in today's Chronicle: Enrique is good in some areas but needs to improve in other areas, and although he's still young he'll have to improve, as Keegan intends to buy a left back in the summer.

Apparently he's on the verge of getting the most lucrative boot deal ever given to an African.

The main problem I had with Bramble was that he'd actually look half decent towards the end of every season, but then he'd get the chance to hang around with his (and Dyer's) dodgy Ipswich mates, you'd hear stories about his summer frolics (ie crashing his car into a house) and then he'd come back to us two stone heavier and shite again. Very much a case of wasted talent rather than being naturally shite.

Are people sure that this interview is real? It really does look like a pisstake from a rival fan. EDIT: Oh, ok.

I could easily see him getting chinned over those comments actually. Yeah, chinned, but only because no-one can reach his nose.

I'm not actually sure if that interview is real or fake.

http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1294556,00.html This guy needs to be in the team ahead of Alan Smith.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_3454730,00.html

Very much a case of Sunderland players making it difficult for us to pick out our passes I thought, which is what you can expect from a Derby game.

What did you get banned for the other week btw? tbf, devices such as irony and sarcasm often aren't very clear on a computer screen.

I'm kidding RM.

They looked too young to be Douglas Hall, I'm sure he's a little bit older than them. DH Mk2, you know what I mean

These children that Ashley dances with could be future chairmen/board executives at NUFC if he stays long term. Let's hope they aren't Douglas Hall.

What should happen is that all the players should go to the centre circle, and the PA reads out every name, and the players are split into two groups depending on whether we cheer or boo. The booed players then do their lap, and the fans get to hurl abuse/rotten tomatoes etc. Then the cheered lot get a standing ovation while Smith, Carr and N'Zogbia go back to the dressing room alone to wash off the egg.

I'm just being careful.

Well The Guardian says that Keegan said that Mike Ashley said after the game that he'd get £250m to spend this summer.

I think Spurs will need to lose twice (or not win) for us to overtake them, and I think that is a little over-optimistic now.