Tooj

I think the whole learning off other defenders at times is a bit of a cop out. Take someone like Woodgate for example, I don't think it was the fact he was playing alongside someone experienced like Radebe that he made his England debut at 19, that would have happened regardless.

If Deco does get a whack he'll be straight on the floor, hopefully Geremi can take advantage of the situation with his dead ball ability. Deco's got even better dead ball ability don't forget.

Lets go. IP ban OT I think Duff had favor as you say based purely on reputation and not performance. Much why several other underprerformers kept their positions in the team under Roeder. But Zog's peformances were awful as well.

It's a bit of a trademark that megging the keeper like. Saw him deliver that a few times. I wonder if he called it?

Him and C. Ronaldo are equally good IMO. Both got the same drive when they get the ball. I've said it all along and will continue to say it. He's better than Cristiano, without a shadow of doubt in my mind. If Messi's development continues it is frightening what he can achieve, Cristiano at the same age was not in the same league as Messi. Messi at this age is the best player I've seen since Ronaldo at 19 as well.

Beatles songs?

They're putting too much pressure on the lad already.

say what you want about Daminen Duff, he's a two time premiership winner who was more than happy to cover at LB on more than one occassion 20 year old Charles N'zogbia (who when started last season was abysmal) refused to sit on the bench we should get rid of Duff because of his attitude problem??? No, i think we should flog him because we don't need him, we never did, and i reckon he's on the downfall. so you'd have total confidence in keeping N'zogbia as our main LW? I'd rather Allardyce tried to sort N'Zogbia out, than try to sort Duff out. Well then let's hope our new manager doesn't appear to have some form of a grudge over players and use that against them, instead of perhaps actually being professional about things.

N'Zogbia and Roeder were in proportion to a seven-year old kid and a single chav mother on the game. Aye, N'Zogbia had problems, but they all sparked from Roeder and there was no way Roeder would be able to sort him out. Well how come Milner's attitude was never questioned despite him having more of a reason than Zoggy to kick up a fuss?

Why? Because he's now overtook Steven Carr/Scott Parker as the man we have to knock at every opportunity.

Despite being poor last season, Zoggy performed even poorer in my opinion.

For N'Zogbia's so called attitude problems, see one Jamie Milner. *Expects barrage of abuse for that comment.* Well done as well Shak lad, you never once had your usual pop at Damien Duff.

Christ I love Messi. By far the most promising talent in the world. He's on another level to all of those around his age.

Not a fan of Malouda really, can't say he's ever overly impressed me.

I've never seen a player who could run with the ball at such pace, yet with such close control.

He's been terribly off form mind, this is coming from someone who is a huge fan of him as well. Mexico could have a canny team in the next few years with the likes of Vela and Dos Santos coming through. There's never been an issue with the technical side of the game, the country has always had issues developing players physically and with their conditioning. But now more and more are playing abroad this aspect now seems to be slowly creeping away.

Cristiano is still better at the same age though right HTT?

No because despite him being the greatest player of my lifetime we'll never see him like he was back from '96-'99. Not because he's not playing brilliantly for Milan, but simply because he was that good back then.

Would actually suite Milan's formation seeing as Ancelotti never plays with any sort of width.

He's already much better than Gillespie ever was. Great news. Gillespie was unplayable at times before he got injured.

You see I don't get it. Season tickets are now available, I'm on the so-called 'list' yet have heard nothing at all.

People wanting better than we've got shouldn't be seen as a problem, I'm sure Allardyce wants the same, I'm sure he'll want better but he's getting the best that he can for now and will probably get better player as and when they become available. That’s what the fans want and I’m sure you’re the same. I don’t see wanting better as being a problem, it’s the only way to move forward. Which is what I've been saying. blueyes.gif

Things have changed so much since last season, we don't look as if anything will be the same so a lot of the changes will or should have an immediate impact. I expect that the crowd will be more positive and will make more noise and by doing so will lift the players more than we did last season, that's got to be worth something during home games. The manager has changed for the better, Allardyce should be worth some points. We have a better forward line just by having Owen fit and we have Viduka who I expect will score more than the often used Sibierski, again, more points. Parker has been replaced with Barton, I didn't think Parker was shite like some people but I didn't think he really fitted in very well for a lot of games, Barton will probably have more of a positive influence on the team, I expect he will drive us forwards more than Parker did, more points. Our defence will not include Bramble, and we'll not be relying on an unfit Moore. I hope we have a settled back 4, if that's the system we use, a settled back 4 should do better than the one we had last season which changed as often as the weather, we just need them playing week in and week out. I'd still like to see a leader drafted into our defence because we've been missing that type of player for a long time. Sort a settled back 4 out and give them a leader to organise them and again, more points. That's without anything which might be improved away from the team that's picked. That's without the current players possibly having more stamina during a game, being prepared better and actually working with tactics and a plan. That's without the players who didn't appear to be working for Roeder starting to work for Allardyce, that's without our current players playing better than they did last season because they are trained better, I'm assuming that they will be trained better because I'm assuming that Allardyce has better training methods than Roeder even though a lot of our training staff are still the same, I expect they'll be given different orders under a different manager, one who actually knows what he's doing. I do agree with all of those sentiments Mick but you know what our fans are like as soon as expectations are raised and we don't fulfill then, fickle as fuck. I hope all those that booed us against Wolves in 2004 are fucking happy that's all I'm saying.

Wanna bet? Sheffield Utd, Wimbledon of old, Watford...these are just a couple of teams that come to mind that wouldn't have entertained the thought of a Djorkieff or Okocha in their line up, let alone how to utilise them. Just out of interest, are you looking forward to Little Sammy Lee introducing more cultured, passing football or do you want him to try and follow Big Sam's footsteps? The conudrum with Big Sam is that he buys decent players but then seems incapable of allowing them to play. Okocha was a shadow of the player he was in his first season with us. It's common knowledge that he was asked to play a more disciplined role and to stop showboating. I can't imagine Harry Redknapp for example giving him instructions like that! Anelka also suffered under Big Sam. Why buy a player who likes to play on the shoulder of the last defender and then hoof long balls half the length of the pitch to him? Our playing style didn't change to accomodate him. Sammy Lee has already signalled his intent to switch to a more cultured, passing game and for most BWFC supporters it will be a blessed relief! True, Big Sam's tactics were effective but last season in particular it was truly dreadful to watch. How do you think Simon Weston will do as your manager out of interest?

I really do not see what our league position last season, has got to do with anything!! Things have changed SO much since then. It is fairly irrelevant, don't you think? No not really no. Sam is doing the things that we have needed for so long, building a squad. Yet everyone is having a go at him and his signings already. Best fans in the world my f****** arse. bit over the top don't you think ? Not really no. I've read a lot of people going oh these aren't the such and such players and aren't really capturing our imaginations. These have been the sort of players we have been crying out for. Build upon solid foundations man for christ sake.