Parky

That doesn't sound good.

Its the defenders that piss me off mostly. Surely theyll have learnt by now that Gerrard always plays for the foul, and hence it might actually be better letting him potentially squander the chance rather than giving a stonewall penalty away, giving a far easier chance to score? Its quite possible that Gerrard is totally uncomfortable in that type of 1v1 situation against a keeper where hes running at pace with someone closing him down, and he has to slot it past the keeper. Hes a midfielder after all, not a striker, so maybe that kind of chance isnt natural for him to finish off, as opposed to shooting from 15-20 yards. So I cant understand what defenders think they have to gain by giving a penalty away, as well as a red card too. Just senseless defending. To be fair to him there was ZERO contact whatsoever, still should know not to dive in with cheating fuckers like Gerrard about. The refereeing is suspect in a CL game yet again.

How the fuck does Gerrard get away with lecturing refs continually?

I havent seen the game... .what was the score when he took him off ? losing 3 one with 20mins left Whaaaaaaaat ? Love to hear the pool fans' opinion of that one Benny: "You have to save your big players". I'm beginning to feel a bit sorry for him it's getting like he's following my script. Have to say, I think he made the right decision. Minimise risk of injury, etc. The proof will be in the pudding by about 9.30pm tonight. I'm trying to work out if a draw is enough for them. Depends on the other result but a draw could be enough. The top team has to lose, then they go through in second on goals with a draw. Porto will win at home.

I havent seen the game... .what was the score when he took him off ? losing 3 one with 20mins left Whaaaaaaaat ? Love to hear the pool fans' opinion of that one Benny: "You have to save your big players". I'm beginning to feel a bit sorry for him it's getting like he's following my script. Have to say, I think he made the right decision. Minimise risk of injury, etc. The proof will be in the pudding by about 9.30pm tonight. Swiftly followed by Man Utd at the weekend... A big few days for Rafa. blueyes.gif I rub my hands with glee Middy baby.

I havent seen the game... .what was the score when he took him off ? losing 3 one with 20mins left Whaaaaaaaat ? Love to hear the pool fans' opinion of that one Benny: "You have to save your big players". I'm beginning to feel a bit sorry for him it's getting like he's following my script. Have to say, I think he made the right decision. Minimise risk of injury, etc. The proof will be in the pudding by about 9.30pm tonight. I'm trying to work out if a draw is enough for them.

I concur.

Bent should be in the Spurs one.

Signs as many quality players as soon as you can - when you can....It's not rocket science ffs!!

I'd like to think that as well. But the signs aren't that good unless it is a smokescreen. He could have said what you just said ie "If quality becomes available we will look at it seriously"...Or words to that effect. But he doesn't he almost says the opposite ie looking primarily at young players. I also hope to god SA isn't looking at yet more defensive players. The thing is Dave the quicker we get into Euro the easier it will be to attract quality and faster the momentum will build. Long term development is all well and good.....But our competitiors are doing that anyway. This isn't a dig at Mort at all, I like him and he is a winner. But sometimes I look at him and would llke to put a rocket up his arse.

Well for me the baseline would be we close in on the Russian bloke (if the media are to be believed that is). Anything on top of that would be a bonus. I'm mindful it is the Jan window as you say and so not asking for the earth.

God knows what bollocks fat Sam is feeding him. The current squad as you say isn't quite good enough and with Villa, Man C and Blackburn still showing weakness I feel with a couple of good Jan swoops we could still fight for Euro. Long termism is good but should be continuing in the background as a foundation. First team matters are infinetely more sensitive and have an immediate impact on a clubs fortunes. Mort's quite clearly stated he thinks this squad is only going to get better in time and that a lot of our problems so far have been due to the fact that the squad isn't settled/hasn't gelled yet - which he has a lot of supporting evidence for, particularly when you look at most of the goals we've conceded. We almost brought in half a first team squad over the summer, most of them being foreign and some not even being able to speak the language. As always with these sorts of interviews, we never know what his real intentions are, but if he is speaking the truth about our plans then I can see why we'd be adopting that approach. Unless someone of genuine quality becomes available that Allardyce/Ashley/Mort all want to bring here, it's fair enough that we'd be sticking with what we have and planning for the long-term. Meanwhile Pompey and Man City will spend on the first team (or have indicated they will). As someone said earlier we need a right sided attacking option of good quality. I wonder if Mort really understands how toothless we really are in reality. They have 5th and 6th sewn up imo. Mort understands though, all those years sitting on the terraces have given him a great insight into team performance issues. Howay man, you can't use that as a stick to beat him with! Gaydamak and Shinawatra aren't even from this country. I'd be willing to bet they've seen less English football than the he has I was just making mischief but i've not seen Shinawatra or Gaydamak saying the same things. And it is a good point Chez and a valid one. If SA wants a player I wouldn't like to think Mort thinks he already knows enough to make a debate out of it.

God knows what bollocks fat Sam is feeding him. The current squad as you say isn't quite good enough and with Villa, Man C and Blackburn still showing weakness I feel with a couple of good Jan swoops we could still fight for Euro. Long termism is good but should be continuing in the background as a foundation. First team matters are infinetely more sensitive and have an immediate impact on a clubs fortunes. Mort's quite clearly stated he thinks this squad is only going to get better in time and that a lot of our problems so far have been due to the fact that the squad isn't settled/hasn't gelled yet - which he has a lot of supporting evidence for, particularly when you look at most of the goals we've conceded. We almost brought in half a first team squad over the summer, most of them being foreign and some not even being able to speak the language. As always with these sorts of interviews, we never know what his real intentions are, but if he is speaking the truth about our plans then I can see why we'd be adopting that approach. Unless someone of genuine quality becomes available that Allardyce/Ashley/Mort all want to bring here, it's fair enough that we'd be sticking with what we have and planning for the long-term. Meanwhile Pompey and Man City will spend on the first team (or have indicated they will). As someone said earlier we need a right sided attacking option of good quality. I wonder if Mort really understands how toothless we really are in reality.

God knows what bollocks fat Sam is feeding him. The current squad as you say isn't quite good enough and with Villa, Man C and Blackburn still showing weakness I feel with a couple of good Jan swoops we could still fight for Euro. Long termism is good but should be continuing in the background as a foundation. First team matters are infinetely more sensitive and have an immediate impact on a clubs fortunes.

Got this down as a win.

Mort is talking sense, but as I've suspected for some time he is of a very conservative nature. It's all very well saying we want to be like Arsenal etc...And thinking long term...But we're only half way through the season and some of the top 6/7 are still losing games and will continue to each other...I feel one or two good senior signing in Jan would make a big differeance.

Like? ?If I made any signings in January, they?d be young guys who I could see staying for a very long time, not immediate first-team regulars.? As opposed to? IMO we need a couple of first team players in Jan if poss...Or we should be looking for some anyway although it isn't the ideal time I realise.

Like? “If I made any signings in January, they’d be young guys who I could see staying for a very long time, not immediate first-team regulars.”

Some rather worrying comments about the Jan window.

I havent seen the game... .what was the score when he took him off ? losing 3 one with 20mins left Whaaaaaaaat ? Love to hear the pool fans' opinion of that one Benny: "You have to save your big players". I'm beginning to feel a bit sorry for him it's getting like he's following my script.

Tricky fella this Kapo.

Two very Owen snaffling type chances there... SA making a change after 30min..Good to see.

I wonder if Harry has thought of that.

Interchanging 5 man midfield is as much the key as the def. They move the ball around confidently and take turns in breaking. Villa should have had at least one - 3/4 good chances (Lauresen/Carew).