gazza ladra

well, bernard hasn't exactly panned out. They brought back Bernard to placate the fans. This season's Lee Clark.

I'm not sure any one is defending the "planning". I am defending the end result, which has not been nearly as bad as some claim. I thought it was an absolute disaster at the time. I've revised my opinion. * I'm happy we did not sign Huth or Knight. Or spend stupid money for some SPL player. * Martins is a great buy. * Trust that Duff will prove to be a great signing. * Delighted and surprised with Sibierski. I can't speak for others, but I think the argument that we really don't know all the facts and we can't put everything down to poor planning is valid. Money could well have been a key issue. I think that Roeder expected to buy Bridge. Maybe he had no backup plan, I don't know. But I'm glad he didn't spend stupid money to bring in Knight or Huth.

I hope he does aswell. Ok he didn't spend money stupidly but that doesn't make his poor planning any better. Agreed. Some poor planning. (Should not relied on the Cole deal going through). Should've bought Campbell. But he brought some speed to the team-- which we desperately needed and need. And that has benefitted the entire team-- Emre's better. Le Sib brings some height. I'll bet Roeder brings in some more height in the transfer.

I'm disappointed that the club didn't pick up Bridge... and, in retrospect, not trying to sign Campbell is an obvious blunder. However, I am also happy about the deals Roeder DID NOT make -- the type of deal that Souness made when he bought Boumsong. He could of got desperate and thrown money away. Roeder should have picked up a defender or two. But the money he did spend, he spent wisely. Think he'll do well in January as well.

Would've, should've.... the club should've picked up Campbell and a few others... true. Neill and Bridge would've been nice. We do need defenders. But without Martins and Sibierski we'd be out of Europe and in the relegation zone right now. Solid acquisitions. Duff has not be spectacular, but for 5m is a steal. There isn't a club that wouldn't take him for that... if we can ever get Dyer, Martins, and Duff together on the pitch...

Boro and Sheffield United will both make it. Fulham, Charlton, and Watford go down.

Roeder has spent pretty wisely imo. Martins: £10m (the future-- brings speed to the team) Duff:£5m (cheap-- more speed) Sibierski: Free (no one is laughing now) He didn't get the defender that was needed,but my understanding is that he was after Bridge and Neil. Good choices.

Pasta Puttanesca = Hooker's Pasta

Duff starts. Left wing or right wing. Or forward. (and maybe left back until January, but no later) We need to get Dyer, Martins, and Duff on the pitch at the same time. N'Zogbia fills in at left wing and AM.

What the hell is going on with the Feyenoord match? what it abandoned or no. Rather avoid them... errr... avoid their fans. Only club I wouldn't want to draw is Sevilla, but they ought to win their group. A German or French club would be nice....

Mostly just hate the fans. Here in California there are a lot of Manchester United and (surprise surprise) Chelsea fans. Glory hunters all of them. Feel contempt for Everton and Sunderland. Not sure if that is really the same thing as "disliking" them.

The choice of categories is rather odd. A distinct "Israeli" group? Lumping all South Americans together? One overlooked nation-- is Mexico. Their game seems as unsuited to the Premier League as you can get.

Dyer's presence is making everyone better. Martins and Emre especially. When Duff and Parker return they'll reap the rewards as well. (By then we'll have added a couple of quality defenders too)

Gareth Barry, Aston Villa Cristian Zaccardo, Palermo Mirsolav Klose, Werder Bremen Alex, PSV Eindoven Wayne Bridge, Chelsea Sorry, missed the Prem only Barry Bridge Scharner Distin King

ESPN Soccernet Has Shay Given on their team of the week and names Glenn Roeder the manager of the week. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=392249&root=england&cc=5739

Are Chelsea still willing to let Bridge go? Matthew Taylor and Paul Scharner

yes, he can.

Visted Sicily a couple of years back and had a great time. Wonderful people and great food (especially in Palermo and Trapani). I liked Palermo, but if you have the time... I'd recommend a visit or stay in Cefalù, which is fairly close. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cefal%C3%B9

Who????

Positive. He should get 0 minutes in midfield.

Viduka is the type of player that we need right now. But he's not worth any thing close to 6M and, sorry, he's not as a good a player as Ruud.

I agree. This is more the standard i expect Roeder to be after. Arsenal must be offering more than 6M. And would he even come? Who has the #13 jersey anyway?

Happy to see Danish Toon fans. My wife is Danish and we plan to move there in the next couple of years to raise our son. Sadly, her entire family seem to be Liverpool supporters. The Scandinavian breakdown of fans by club seems pretty constitent with my impressions of American preferences: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs, and then Newcastle United ... Anyway, that would be my guess.