gazza ladra

'Avowed Pacifist' ?? Reminds me of the old saying ;'If you're not a Socialist at 18 you've got no heart - if you're still one at 28, you've got no brain.....'' You will die like a pig when the revolucion comes.

God, I'm f****** old. When somebody says "Spike Jones" I'm thinking of somebody else entirely. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spike_Jones No, I'm not that old. But still, I'm old enough to associate the name with someone who lived in the pre-MTV age. Anyway, Elvis Costello named his rather lame Spike album after this chap.

Murdoch needs a bullet in the head. And I say that as avowed pacifist. I'd line him, Bush, and Cheney up against a wall within hours of the beginning of my regime.

One of Robson big mistakes.... selling Solano. Hope Solano is added to the Copa America squad. Important for him I think. What are the chances that Viduka ran the Asian Cup by Allardyce before signing? Hope the Aussies do well. Joining the AFC was a good move for them and for the game. he had retired, so zero in my book I'm not certain. He was retired, yes. But I'm not about to assume that Viduka hid his desire to play for his country from Allardyce until after the ink was dry. Don't think it would've made a difference either way. I'd happy to have him and I assume that Allardyce and most fans are delighted regardless of whether he's retired from internationals or not.

First off, that list--the spine of our club*--is a big given. IMO. But given the list, Taylor comes in at the top of the NUFCCW scale. * I'd question the inclusion of Solano and Emre and the omission of Butt, Dyer, and Martins. A lot of assuming at this point. The only players that are certain are Given, Taylor, Barton, and Viduka. Milner is underappreciated and who knows if Owen will be around.

One of Robson big mistakes.... selling Solano. Hope Solano is added to the Copa America squad. Important for him I think. What are the chances that Viduka ran the Asian Cup by Allardyce before signing? Hope the Aussies do well. Joining the AFC was a good move for them and for the game.

Actually, you ought to proud of Lubbock, Texas. Home town of Buddy Holly, Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and a lot of damn f****** great music. I just picked a place in Texas where I'd imagine that the vast majority of folks couldn't give a rat's ass about Thierry Henry. Wow, had no idea the place had such a culture, or any sort of history of any type. I'm your typical "Texas is for neanderthals" North Americans. Shame, coz when I did visit the rural south a few years back I had a great time. I'm sure I'll like it when I do go down, but will be hell of a lot quieter than here (Toronto). Well....I don't know... just take the place on its own terms. Like your signature btw. Herzog pisses all over Godard IMO.

What's the joke? I suppose it could be taken to be ironic to say that anyone is scouting a Newcastle defender, but Taylor is no joke. Also, Barzagli is a catch. Palermo has had a lot of quality young players.... Toni left, now Barzagli, Zaccardo ...

Actually, you ought to proud of Lubbock, Texas. Home town of Buddy Holly, Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and a lot of damn f****** great music. I just picked a place in Texas where I'd imagine that the vast majority of folks couldn't give a rat's ass about Thierry Henry. That's not meant to be a strike against them. Personally, I don't take following football to be a sign of high culture. Edit: Also, I understand that Spike Lee is supposed to be an Arsenal fan himself.

Same difference. Anywhere in the United States--- in the world really. Henry is not going to go unrecognized in an arena full of sports fans. Even in OHIO. OHIO. Have you been to the "Flyover" states? Outside of the major metropolitan areas you'd be hard pressed to find a more provincial unworldly non-cosmopolitan group of people anywhere in the developed world. Since when is the ability to identify Thierry Henry a sign of cosmopolitianism? He's a f****** footballer for Christsakes. In any case, we're not talking about a shopping mall in Lubbock, Texas or Akron, Ohio. It is a sports arena in the post season.

Didn't we already do this? Solano-Butt. Co-captains.

Same difference. Anywhere in the United States--- in the world really. Henry is not going to go unrecognized in an arena full of sports fans. Even in OHIO. OHIO.

You exaggerate me thinks. I'd say the opposite, 0% that he could go unidentified. Arena filled with sports fans at a postseason game--- don't care if you are deep in the heart of Texas or wherever, this is Henry we are talking about.... That said, the odds of a Spurs striker going unnoticed would be pretty decent actually.

Baines, Campbell, and Brown. Like to start with some player that have shown they can be decent in England. Don't know anything about Rozenthal, or anyone else playing in France. I'm sure there are some Chimbonda's out there that are available on the cheap, but I can't say I would be "satisified" with the signing anyone who has performed in England. I mean look at Del Horno or Bouhlarouz --going back to Germany? (Actually, come to think of it, either might be worth a shot at LB-- better than Baba.

Flamengo. We'll there are only so many designs that are actually really good. Steal from the best. I like it. Spurs. Disgraceful. Can't see wearing your rival's colors-- even if they are good and Spurs are nothing special.

Essien probably played half a season at centreback for Chelsea. We should move for Bouhlarouz to meet our annual Chelsea-reject quota, who is never a right back anyway. How much do you think they'd sell him for?

Think we were 10th or there about at the time of the AZ debacle. Took 3 points after that.

No because he was a s**** manager, in Allerdyce we've got probably the best English manager in the country who given time will get us higher than 7th place so 7th next season or he's sacked is ridiculous. Who cares if we finish 7th or 10th next season so long as we are improving? we're aiming higher than that and it will take years to build, should Man u have sacked Fergie back in the eighties? How are you going to measure improvement if not by looking at the table? I find it difficult to see how the club could show improvement and finish no higher than 10th. That's a 10 point improvement (by last season's table) from where the club is now. Fuck, Fulham, fucking Fulham did the double over us. Blackburn too. I think we will improve and we will show improvement which is why I think 10th will not be good enough. I can't see club showing improvement and finishing 10th.

Yes, Everton dissolved in match fixing scandal. Expansion of Prem to 24 teams in 2011/12 (Rangers and Celtic both relegated with Sunderland) Now you know.

Prepare to be underwhelmed. If he doesn't he'll be sacked. Great idea, lets sack the manager every year that always works. How the hell will we improve if we don't give the manager time to build a f****** team. Surely, you don't think that Roeder should have stayed on. Did you want to give him a chance to build a team? More than a year? No, I didn't think so. Neither Roeder or Souness showed progress and they were rightfully dismissed. To be satisifed with a top 10 finish-- with the talent this club has at its disposal-- is a disgrace. Behind Reading, Blackburn, Boro, Portsmouth? I'm not setting a litmus test---Top 7 or fire the manager. But if Allardyce can't finish in the top 7 with the players he's got at his disposal, he might not be the person to build a team. If Viduka and Barton both bomb, if Rosenthal etal. turn out to be donkeys, do you want to keep him around? The team needs to show progress. Surely, progress with Owen, Martins, Barton, Duff, Milner, Emre, Dyer, etc. at your disposal means finishing ahead of Reading, Blackburn, Boro, Bolton, and Portsmouth?

In place of ? Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, or Manchester United. Which one of them though clever s****. Premier League Table - 2011/12 ------- 1. Manchester United 2. Liverpool 3. Newcastle United 4. Chelsea 5. Arsenal 6. Stoke City 7. Tottenham ... 24. Sunderland

In place of ? Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, or Manchester United.

Yes. But like the man says. We're not talking about top 3. We're talking about top 7 here.

Look, a lot went wrong over the past couple of seasons. Can't be that bad again. Can't be. Surely. But even if everything goes wrong again, I mean EVERYTHING.... we are better off now. Allardyce is a better manager than Roeder/Souness. He will do better. I'm positive. And the competition we're talking about here (Not the top four)... Spurs, Villa, Everton, West Ham, Blackburn. They'd kill to have talent like Owen, Martins, Barton, Duff, Milner, Dyer, Emre, Taylor, and Given. We have a lot of talented players. It is time for those players to deliver.

I hope your joking. Why? We're way behind the top 4, we're behind Spurs & Everton but with 3 signings in the areas we're very weak, we can bridge that gap. We're in the group with Bolton, Blackburn, Villa, etc. at the minute. Allardyce alone imo will add 10 points to our tally (no way would we have lost some of those sh*te home games last season with him in charge), so as we stand, I'm considering us as a 50-55 points a season team. With more signings, that should become 60-65. But if you think if he doesnt finish at least 7th he's failed then your an idiot. After everything that has gone on at this club, and after the past two seasons we have just had, a bit of stability and signs of improvement will be a great start. You cant go from a rotten club playing terrible football to finishing in the top 6-7 within 1 close season. Be realistic man! Where were Everton the season before they pipped Liverpool for 4th?