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1,000% Rather blood Krul. Would be utterly insane not to. If we don't now, when will we?

I think that's the idea, would probably be a mistake otherwise.

Keegan's times here are what still see people like Ben Arfa talking about our club, its fans, reputation and history like it means something. Given how little he achieved in terms of silverware, as well as all the bollocks we've endured since 1997, that's impressive.

That is quite cool. This one I'll give him.

Must have been, he has been with her since he was about 14 and I am fairly sure he wasn't knocking off old grannies at that point Am I not right that they got together after he made his first team debut for Everton? Seem to remember papers laughing about him being into some girl (i.e. her) but her not being so up for it... until he became famous, at least. Edit - looks like I'm right, 2002 aged 16/17. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Rooney http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coleen_Rooney So yeah, always held that against her, as even if she isn't naturally great, by her own choice she'd be obviously out of his league if he couldn't kick a ball.

Funny he should be mentioned just after I referred to him. As I said at the time, don't really know for sure, but if all parties are satisfied then I'd be happy for him to come back.

He was better than Terry ever has been, not even a debate to be had if he'd played consistently.

Any preference who do you want in, Brummie? To be entirely honest, I find it hard to choose who I'd prefer, it changes every day as new names are mentioned. The betting market on this has been insane. However, I know who I don't want: Curbishley, Southgate, Bradley, McDonald. There are some I'd accept: Svennis, Houllier. Interesting to see you wouldn't mind Sven. I remember when he was linked with the Newcastle job and I thought noooooooooooooo! I thought the same (and still do), but the reason I think he might also be a decent move for Villa is all about context. Given who their other choices are at this time, and given who their choices might be at the end of the season, bringing Sven in doesn't seem such a bad move - he's got some qualities as a manager and he's a total mercenary. I'm sure it can be arranged so that he won't have a huge long contract and he isn't the kind of guy to try and set up a 'system' at the club and seriously demand three seasons before success comes. Basically, he can be an impact signing. Willing to turn up and do a decent job but not too hard to fuck off once you want a better long term appointment. I have similar (though a bit less hostile) feelings about Houllier.

Not a fan of his, but all things considered, a good move (depending on how all this is intended to work, of course).

To one degree or another I think this situation with extra kids on top of squads was thought and about planned for - Arsenal are being rewarded for developing/stealing youth. Well done them - better than Man City just flopping out wads for 30 year olds, no? This will encourage a better England team and/or weaken the other leagues of the world if we think we have enough strength as a league to take their kids. It's ok if you disagree with the actual reasons behind this new rule, but stuff like Arsenal being well off is no accident.

Wouldn't be surprised if he made a handy foil for Carroll. Was made to think of saying this last night when Dave listed him as a 'Striker' and not a 'Second Forward' in his squad thread. Arguably his single biggest problem is putting the ball in the net, but we know he's able and willing to run around, has skill and at least some awareness of his other team mates. I admit I haven't seen that much of him compared to reserve watchers etc. but he seems to get unwarranted stick to me (on field - no comment on off field). Plenty of grounds for optimism in my view.

Not ideal, but Lua Lua speaks French and Vukic might be Muslim given his Bosnian background... hopefully they can learn a few skills in time to come. That Swedish-Bosnian Goalie we're apparently due to sign, too. I've got some vague idea that Sol Campbell knows French actually - seem to remember it being given as evidence for him being gay.

Teamwork required. Will be very happy if Barton knows to let someone else have the pleasure for him. If he did too good a job, we could be looking at a 9 game ban or something, headlines for months.

Somehow or other our backroom (Hughton? Nolan? Smith?) seem to have done a remarkable job on getting things in line. One reason why I'm not as sure as others that I want the latter two to leave. Anyway, I'm optimistic that this could end up being a good move for Ben Arfa himself, the moment some big changes take place in his career - going on that good write up about his historic lack of effort, concentration on tactics etc. We seem to marry up pretty well given our new comradely approach (which still has momentum in it, I think - I don't think Ben Arfa is going to detract from the way we now work, he'll either be improved or we'll go our separate ways but I feel our recent gains are secure overall at the moment). I think even Barton could be a big help - found that little rebuttal Ben Arfa gave in response to French criticism of him interesting, yet another opportunity for the whole club to unite in adversity. Still can't feel totally confident in Barton insofar as it's when it goes quiet that awful things have happened in the past - just time that's gonna prove that one, but I'd say the odds are better than ever before, and he's always been able to speak well - so even if he can't follow his own advice, maybe Ben Arfa can. This is something that could maybe be spoken about at greater length elsewhere, but seeing as there's been a lot of talk in this thread about Nolan's position in the team and as captain, I don't think we have to fear the likely ramifications too much. Going on what has been said by and about him and Smith, they in particular seem to have taken on the club as a project - one of restoring the position of everyone associated with NUFC. Nolan pretty much said it himself mid-way through last season, they didn't just think fuck the press, they even said fuck the Board - that they were on the pitch and could and would do their bit regardless of what idiocy was taking place in the upper echelons. That they're taking personal pride and responsibility in the club as a whole, that they'll sacrifice their selves for the good of the cause, and receive personal gratification from the resultant success and their part in it. The result is absolutely fantastic for the club, we've got a self-regulating squad - something we've not had for a long time and that, if well-cultivated, could literally set this club up for generations to come (in footballing terms). We may able to move up the quality scale while retaining the psychological ethos we have now by having it pass through new signings, and this lot can be considered the founders of that. Big if, of course - requires good and stable governance from the manager, players and club administrators in general. Given how entrenched the guy seems to be as leader, I think Nolan can be a credible, successful club captain even if he's far from being a regular starter. Smith, meanwhile... again, he virtually said it himself a while back, given his physical state, he has to look at his career in a different way to the average player. He's a tea-totaller who doesn't seem obsessed with money and likes to be part of a team, - I wouldn't be totally surprised if he took significant personal wage/play cuts to remain part of this project of his. I imagine it might more satisfying to him than ambling through a few extra games in his dotage and making a fairly ephemeral contribution to Rangers or Leeds or someone. I don't wanna go over the top with what I'm saying here, Nolan especially may feel he's got a career to take care of - his stamina's deceptive but he really isn't that old... - but if everything's handled the right way I could see them both staying here for a long time to come in some capacity and making very valuable contributions.

End of thread. Unquestionably HTT's most concise ever. ...the ingredients are there for us. Have been for some time. It's the unfailingly astounding capacity of llambias (I'm blaming him) to snatch ignominious defeat from the jaws of victory that has had us on the down.

Most refreshing of all he understands how he wants his team to work and hasn't been daunted at any point with regard to fianancial constraints and a million other challenges at the club. Yep, especially regarding your first point. He seems to see all players within the context of the greater picture - what a new signing will allow an old squad member to do differently etc. Very nice. Not had that since... Well, keegan, actually. Robson, prior to that.

All things considered I'd say I'm very content with his recruitment efforts. Not perfect but which clubs' are? i like the reasoning behind probably all the transfers that I can think of.Sometimes things don't work out, other times they go unexpectedly well, c'est la vie - the aim is to maximise your chances of success. The only thing I'd be fascinated to know is exactly how or scouting and negotiating works. If I found out wise was still involved in some way or other I wouldn't be all that surprised in all honesty (or jeff vetere - I'd probably be pleased to hear that actually as I'm under the impression he was alright, a cockney lamb that shouldn't have been sacrificed). That said most indications seem to suggest hughton has a hefty say in things, at least with regards assessing priority squad areas and to a lesser extent identifying particular players.

If my post set this off, it's the first time I've ever mentioned it. I just meant that there aren't many black or mixed race managers succeeding at the top level. I would like to see him do it. I know he doesn't represent or speak for all people of his racial background... but it's always good for people to have role models. It did but only insofar as I haven't said anything when more overt references have been made in the past.that's why I made a remark about it always seeming slightly harsh to go in off any one particular post. It's the overall situation that's the issue, and it's journalists who first put it on the agenda and keep it there. Fao thespence, I appreciated that post

Seriously, what the fuck is the obsession with the bloke's ancestry. Keep thinking of saying this but always seems somewhat harsh to focus it on any one poster after some reference is made. I'm mainly thinking of stuff in the media. Numerous references to how the inevitably awful experience of growing up mixed race will have given him an inner strength which belies his outer demeanour. If I was him I'd be pretty well pissed off by it.

Most impressed by the attitude shown tonight, especially by those who you might anticipate not putting a shift in in such testing circumstances (facing combative opposition often out of position). Not everything shown was ideal, but it generally bodes well for the futures of both individuals and the overall production line alike.

They did break the Tiote deal, mind.

Can see posts like this being regretted in a few months... We'll have to see. Hope not, obviously...

I like his quality being recognised, I think it can only be a good thing if we're going to go anywhere as a club. All hinges upon the fact I think he genuinely does mean what he says about loving the place and wanting to take us up with him.

After an extremely positive opening day result...

Seeing as there's this paranoia about him not getting praise for good results, thought I'd put myself on record - I like him. Got a lot of time for him as a manager. Don't really have a clue where all this is going to end up, mind... But actually, that's quite a positive thing to say, when I think about it - I'm not putting any limits on my expectations of him.