Parky

Very defensive minded all the same though.

My middle name chap.

Silly remark.

We have proof that this actually happend in Boltons training? Awaiting satellite telemetry.

....Ok this is a sneaky way of me starting a topic I'm perhaps wary of addressing directly. Players fined for dribbling. A list of things a player could do/couldn't do in ANY given area of the park. No shooting from range and a fine on match days for doing so. The quickest route to get the ball into the so called danger areas. Choreographed set plays repeated over and over. Defensive mindsets taking priority over open thinking. Creativity discouraged if it meant losing the ball. Over obsession with fitness to the enth degree. etc....

Fair point, but we actually do have a five year plan to be playing in the CL (I think they're de rigeur for all new owners these days - I know West Ham have one, for instance). Admittedly, we're further into it, but that's probably the measure of how large the gulf is between the top four and the rest. Obviously, as you said, it depends what the five year plan is to achieve. What is going to be interesting is that there are the current top four, then there are quite a large group of second tier (and a few third tier - West Ham, Blackburn for example) clubs who all have money and all want the same thing, the problem being, they can't all have the same thing. I don't think how much money you spend is necessarily going to be the crucial factor in the same way it was in the past, but that's probably another argument. Sven has taken the bit of paper with 5 year plan written on it screwed it up and thrown it in the bin. They will compete for CL next year. Not necessarily. We had a poor season and finished midtable after coming 4th the season before. Spurs have just finished 5th two seasons in a row and have spent the first half of this season near the relegation zone. With all due respect Sven is in another league to the respective managers you mention.

But the media only pick on us for that kind of thing. Do you think so? I don't. It is just that, at the moment, you're the best example of managerial turmoil. That's the kind of shit they love, they use it to fill the time between GrandSlamSuperFuckoffSundays and in periods where there's nothing to say about the big four. Have to say, we do get a lot of crap directed our way off the media, far more than most clubs. We doin't help ourselves at times mind but they just love to twist it into us. Mind, a darling of theirs, Spurs, had it pretty bad under Jol so I can see where you're coming from. However we get it whenever we lose 3 games in a row. ...and the world isn't really interested in Pompey or Villa basically. You'll be interested when you're handing over those 50 sheets at the end of the season, Parky-san.

But the media only pick on us for that kind of thing. Do you think so? I don't. It is just that, at the moment, you're the best example of managerial turmoil. That's the kind of shit they love, they use it to fill the time between GrandSlamSuperFuckoffSundays and in periods where there's nothing to say about the big four. Have to say, we do get a lot of crap directed our way off the media, far more than most clubs. We doin't help ourselves at times mind but they just love to twist it into us. Mind, a darling of theirs, Spurs, had it pretty bad under Jol so I can see where you're coming from. However we get it whenever we lose 3 games in a row. ...and the world isn't really interested in Pompey or Villa basically.

Chelsea as a club are vile. On so many levels. The other current running story I'm aware of is the Benitez one.

What kind of spend and when are you expecting coach? I was expecting nothing really this season. I wrote it off the moment we hired Big Sam. Although that's not to say I'm happy we're losing games and not performing well but I did expect it so therefore I'm not too worried about these in reality fickle aspects of football on the pitch. Next season I expect better performances, more consistency and better management decisions on the pitch. I expect improvements in all areas of the team from defence to attack and with it league standing. I don't expect us to finish in the top 6 next season though. The season after that I do and the season after that one, I'd expect us to be challenging for a top 4 spot and looking to win a trophy. The spend? I think we could attain all that or look towards that on current budget levels. However we could cut out a good few years by spending good money and starting now which is the only way to progress at a quicker rate, the only way. This goes for any manager. If we appointed Ramos and gave him only 10m net spend a year, we'd struggle to break into the top 6 so soon too, where as the CL would be an impossibility to a large degree. No, Big Sam needs backed heavily in the transfer market. It's time to look for quality not quantity. I feel a certain resistance to a big spend coming from Mort.

What kind of spend and when are you expecting coach?

Our hopes lie with Ashley then.

He's said repeatedly he wants to honour his tv contract iirc.

Fair point, but we actually do have a five year plan to be playing in the CL (I think they're de rigeur for all new owners these days - I know West Ham have one, for instance). Admittedly, we're further into it, but that's probably the measure of how large the gulf is between the top four and the rest. Obviously, as you said, it depends what the five year plan is to achieve. What is going to be interesting is that there are the current top four, then there are quite a large group of second tier (and a few third tier - West Ham, Blackburn for example) clubs who all have money and all want the same thing, the problem being, they can't all have the same thing. I don't think how much money you spend is necessarily going to be the crucial factor in the same way it was in the past, but that's probably another argument. Sven has taken the bit of paper with 5 year plan written on it screwed it up and thrown it in the bin. They will compete for CL next year. That remains to be seen. Man City have a somewhat short term look to them (see above post). There's also a long time left in this season, let's see how they do in the remainder. Their youth system is already producing players - 3 are playing in the first team. You have the same problem as us MON and SA are good managers in their own right, but IMO lack something at the highest levels..We'll both need a change for the final assault on the summit. Look out for Spurs next year btw. Ramos is looking serious. Of course, but thats due to the previous regime. What will be interesting to see, is if Sven's buying policy has an adverse affect on the kids currently being brought through the system. Of course it will. But to compete for a CL place you need to buy top tier players. Viscious circle isnt it. Makes you wonder whether you can produce great kids whilst being a champions league club. Even Man U dont seem to bringing any through now. Cant think of any at Chelsea, Liverpool... not sure. Only Arsenal are bringing "kids" through but none of these are english They are buying the best kids from around the world. The whole youth system philosophy is for clubs who don't and never will have a massive spend. The premium clubs will still produce the odd good player throught thier ranks but they don't rely on it anymore. iirc Chelsea of the top 4 have the worst home grown record...Something Mourinho used to continually moan about.

This is my worry with SA he is failing at the business end of management for whatever reason. It might be the players don't really support his ideas or we have the wrong players, whatever the case it needs fixing and fast. All the infrastructure stuff shouldn't be a counter weight to a failing first team and Sam shouldn't be allowed to continually point to what is being developed in the background as an excuse. These things are mutually exclusive. A strong infastructure will deliver a strong base over a decade and we can already see improvements to fitness and inj levels...Means virtually nothing if the first team is playing crap football and we're not qualifying for Europe.

Fair point, but we actually do have a five year plan to be playing in the CL (I think they're de rigeur for all new owners these days - I know West Ham have one, for instance). Admittedly, we're further into it, but that's probably the measure of how large the gulf is between the top four and the rest. Obviously, as you said, it depends what the five year plan is to achieve. What is going to be interesting is that there are the current top four, then there are quite a large group of second tier (and a few third tier - West Ham, Blackburn for example) clubs who all have money and all want the same thing, the problem being, they can't all have the same thing. I don't think how much money you spend is necessarily going to be the crucial factor in the same way it was in the past, but that's probably another argument. Sven has taken the bit of paper with 5 year plan written on it screwed it up and thrown it in the bin. They will compete for CL next year. That remains to be seen. Man City have a somewhat short term look to them (see above post). There's also a long time left in this season, let's see how they do in the remainder. Their youth system is already producing players - 3 are playing in the first team. You have the same problem as us MON and SA are good managers in their own right, but IMO lack something at the highest levels..We'll both need a change for the final assault on the summit. Look out for Spurs next year btw. Ramos is looking serious. Of course, but thats due to the previous regime. What will be interesting to see, is if Sven's buying policy has an adverse affect on the kids currently being brought through the system. Of course it will. But to compete for a CL place you need to buy top tier players.

I agree, and do those who are happy to wait 5 years(for what, incidentally ? Top 4, Europe, WHAT ?), do you really think clubs like Villa, City & Everton are going to sit around waiting for NUFC to fulfill their 5 year plan and take their places in the Top 5(or whatever it is by then)? Absolutely NOT... We are already behind schedule in any sensible person's judgment because we are losing games to relegation-threatened teams - by any stretch, we should be able to beat these sides and at least give the Top 4 a real battle at SJP, even if we lose.. By year 2 we should be able to reasonably expect a Top 7 finish(KK got us to 3rd in his first Prem season of 93/94 WITHOUT too much spending..) By Year 3, a challenge for Top 5, and a good run in the FA Cup By Year 4, European Football AND a challenge for top 4 By Year 5, Top 4/5 status and a realistic shot at the CL... So come on - WHAT exactly does everyone else view as progress for a club with the support of NUFC with a billionaire as owner..? As Jaehyun said, Stalin also had 5 Year plans - I suppose the Moskvitch was the result of one of these..! The basics of the scenario are that we need to qualify for Euro next year as a base line.

Fair point, but we actually do have a five year plan to be playing in the CL (I think they're de rigeur for all new owners these days - I know West Ham have one, for instance). Admittedly, we're further into it, but that's probably the measure of how large the gulf is between the top four and the rest. Obviously, as you said, it depends what the five year plan is to achieve. What is going to be interesting is that there are the current top four, then there are quite a large group of second tier (and a few third tier - West Ham, Blackburn for example) clubs who all have money and all want the same thing, the problem being, they can't all have the same thing. I don't think how much money you spend is necessarily going to be the crucial factor in the same way it was in the past, but that's probably another argument. Sven has taken the bit of paper with 5 year plan written on it screwed it up and thrown it in the bin. They will compete for CL next year. That remains to be seen. Man City have a somewhat short term look to them (see above post). There's also a long time left in this season, let's see how they do in the remainder. Their youth system is already producing players - 3 are playing in the first team. You have the same problem as us MON and SA are good managers in their own right, but IMO lack something at the highest levels..We'll both need a change for the final assault on the summit. Look out for Spurs next year btw. Ramos is looking serious.

Fair point, but we actually do have a five year plan to be playing in the CL (I think they're de rigeur for all new owners these days - I know West Ham have one, for instance). Admittedly, we're further into it, but that's probably the measure of how large the gulf is between the top four and the rest. Obviously, as you said, it depends what the five year plan is to achieve. What is going to be interesting is that there are the current top four, then there are quite a large group of second tier (and a few third tier - West Ham, Blackburn for example) clubs who all have money and all want the same thing, the problem being, they can't all have the same thing. I don't think how much money you spend is necessarily going to be the crucial factor in the same way it was in the past, but that's probably another argument. Sven has taken the bit of paper with 5 year plan written on it screwed it up and thrown it in the bin. They will compete for CL next year.

I would say before long we need to start matching the spend of the top 5/6 sides if we are going to compete. Organisation and sports science (all of which I'm in favour of) can only get you so far.

all are old enough to already be world class players and WILL make it Rubbish.

Make it to what? Fulfill the early promise. A lot of that list have already played Champions League football, without looking into if fully some are defiantly full internationals already. Nice to see The Sun has filtered down the World Soccer List of "50 Most Exciting Teenagers On The Planet". Means nowt mate. Let's see where they are in 5 years. Aguero looks a little too light to succeed in Europe. Bojan looks like he has a good chance.

Make it to what? Fulfill the early promise.

Only two or three of them will actually make it.

Wasn't he the one who got fucked up by playing too much playstation when at Liverpool?