Minhosa

Gejon, Weren't they Coaches? Seem to recall (might be wrong mind!) the appointment of those two was quickly followed by Tommy Craig's unfortunate departure on the coaching side.

He was on performance enhancing drugs at Leeds.

I half expected this to be a picture of a Ryanair flight.

Forgot to say I'd like more cover for full backs too. I reckon we need to sign three full backs this window. A very strong left back, a good number two right back and a young, up-coming left back to deputise for Baines or someone. In terms of sales, Carr, Baba, Parker, Moore and Bramble (release) would make up my main ones. Nobody would pay them what we are though, hence they'll be a bastard to shift.

All good buys. Would play Emre instead of Butt and get Sidwell to hold, using your buys. Would imagine Baines might cost a little more than £5m as Wigan are not after the money and would be in no position to sell, assuming Wigan stay up. I would imagine Jewell would be a cock about it. There is something a bit embarrassing about trying to re-sign both Distin and Woodgate imo like. Having had them both at the club before and letting them go. I can't imagine many decent clubs letting good players go and then re-signing them a couple of years later. Same with Nobby. Thats my main concern with Gooch. I reckon we'd let him go back to Belgium and he'd return, with another club, and be an absolute player. Anyway, probs for another thread. For sure, all of your suggested buys would improve the side. Wage bill wise we'd need to sell either a couple of big earners and loads of the shite to accomodate all those freebies though, cos they'll all be after big dollar.

Agree. Though if he had an injury record like Lampard he'd of been away to one of the top four a long time ago tbh.

Think Brown is a quality centre half, his injury record does worry me though. Also, if he signs I hope its on the basis of him being a centre half and not a jack of all trades defender that is considered as cover for Carr. Roeder's argument that he won't take risks on signing players (See Woodgate and Campbell) is blown out of the water with this though. If it happens, of course.

Using that logic, Mr Wind-Up, the first 80 minutes of the most important game of the season is what Scott Parker does.

I agree. There will always be one who wants to run the show. You would have to have two characters that complimented each others personality very well. Also, it would totally undermine the current Managers reputation with the players. He'd get even less respect than he does now.

I can't think of many who Wenger has sold that've gone on to improve themselves? Sidwell, Bentley?, Upson? There aren't too many.

Think you could be right Optimistic. Sidwell looks a done deal and none of the big clubs would want Barton. Hate to think our choice for central midfield would be between them two and Parker. Jesus, away games maybe but how bad would that be for home matches? Barton is the only one that looks like he's got a goal in him.

You're serious, aren't you?? For "what did he do for the team", see the games when he was injured and couldn't play, and it became all too apparent how much we were going to miss him when he was gone. See the current team and the way every time the ball goes down field, we immediately relinquish possession and suffer another wave of attacks. Shearer was massive for us, I can't believe you're trying to suggest he contributed nothing but goals and knockdowns. Wouldn't criticise the big man but the reason we relinquish possession now is because we still play like he is up top. When teams like Arsenal, Man Utd & Chelsea were playing great football we were lumping the ball to a less than mobile Shearer. We haven't stopped doing it - even now. The distribution from the centre halves and the midfield (without Emre) is shocking. It begs for a big man up front to get lumped in the air and win us a free kick. We didn't need to do that in the early Shearer days but when he lost his pace our style of playing was reminiscent of Wimbledon on occasions. That is also a factor is Martins not scoring as much. He doesn't know where to expect the ball to be able to choose/time his runs. Inevitably its over his head to run on to.

Hows this for a conspiracy? Martins signed for big money, does well in his first season, is a mid-season target for Chelsea (it was widely reported they wanted to do a deal of some sort involving Martins/SWP). Fat Fred is keen to sell but doesn't want the fans disgruntled so tips Anal the wink to slate Martins at any given opportunity to try to influence the fans opinion of him. Freddie flogs him in the summer for £15m-£20m and that money funds our transfer activity for 2007/08 season.

Skirge man, Martins was f****** crap regardless of the performance of the midfield. They didn't give him the touch of a dyspractic rapist. Or advise him to track his marker when we had the ball. I'm pretty sure that there are PLENTY strikers in the world who could have had a better game, service or no service. You may very well be right, but are you telling me that total shite performace was all down to Martins ? Anal just loves the chance to knock him, every single player out there was pure shite not just Oba. Thats what boils my piss with Anal, once he gets it in for a player he will slate them as offten as he can. He is a pathetic bitter little prick. Martins' shite performance was down to Martins, yes. As were the performances of the rest of them. None have come in for the sustained criticism Martins has from Oliver. If Martins patchy form is our biggest concern then we're laughing. Personally, I'm more worried about having an inept Manager, perma-crock Left Back on silly money with no intention of playing/moving on, the fat Irish cock at right back, the overated midfielder who should be dizzy with the all the circles he does, our woeful centre back options and the fact that we're thinking of giving Sibierski a new contract. Not to mention our Chairman, financial situation or the fact we've got a Sunday League backroom staff. After we've sorted those problems out, I'll happily buy Olivers paper and agree with him for the young kid up front throwing his hands up in disapointment and having a few off games. Fucks Sakes. Aye, they're all problems, and no one's suggesting they aren't, and I've said that I think Oliver is out of order having a go at Martins regularly, but at the same time you can't really argue with a lot of what he says. Which I think is annoying Martins fans more than the fact that Oliver's saying it - the fact that he's right in what he's saying. Don't get me wrong Gemmill, I don't think he's anywhere near the finished article. There is loads about his game that needs to be improved. What fucks me off more than anything though is the constant sniping, clearly with some sort of Agenda from Anal. In terms of raw talent though, he's one of the most exciting kids we've had in a black and white shirt for a long time.

Skirge man, Martins was f****** crap regardless of the performance of the midfield. They didn't give him the touch of a dyspractic rapist. Or advise him to track his marker when we had the ball. I'm pretty sure that there are PLENTY strikers in the world who could have had a better game, service or no service. You may very well be right, but are you telling me that total shite performace was all down to Martins ? Anal just loves the chance to knock him, every single player out there was pure shite not just Oba. Thats what boils my piss with Anal, once he gets it in for a player he will slate them as offten as he can. He is a pathetic bitter little prick. Martins' shite performance was down to Martins, yes. As were the performances of the rest of them. None have come in for the sustained criticism Martins has from Oliver. If Martins patchy form is our biggest concern then we're laughing. Personally, I'm more worried about having an inept Manager, perma-crock Left Back on silly money with no intention of playing/moving on, the fat Irish cock at right back, the overated midfielder who should be dizzy with the all the circles he does, our woeful centre back options and the fact that we're thinking of giving Sibierski a new contract. Not to mention our Chairman, financial situation or the fact we've got a Sunday League backroom staff. After we've sorted those problems out, I'll happily buy Olivers paper and agree with him for the young kid up front throwing his hands up in disapointment and having a few off games. Fucks Sakes.

At the end of the day defenders are judged on how many goals a side concedes, midfielders on making and breaking play and forwards on goals. In a new country, new league and with new players (including not having a regular strike partner) his first season has been a resounding success. Theres loads of room for improvement but he's proved he can score goals at our club. Why doesn't Anal ever criticise Shola? Simple, he gives him all the quotes he wants. He's had it in for Martins from day one.

He might have a point about Martins recent performances but his criticism has been constant, all season. He's willing the lad to fail and by slating him every week in his two-bit paper he's trying to turn the masses on him. If Martins gave him a fucking interview every week his writing style would change. Stevie Taylor anyone?

The Strachan sweepstakes? WTF? Jesus, what is it with Celtics Managers? They win the daft SPL and all of a sudden their great Managers? I didn't want O'Neill and sure as hell wouldn't want that Ginger Gimp.

if you watched our shower of shit all season you wouldnt be saying that .oh your crap too sorry :-[ Cheers Dr. Nice to read a sensible view from an opposing teams fan. You're views are a welcome break from daft twats like KingDawson. Good on you for not gloating.

Ok, I've tried to put the sensible head on, not the kneejerk approach and have posted my predictions for the remaining games this season:- Sheff Utd (a) Draw Arsenal (h) Loss Portsmouth (a) Loss Chelsea (h) Loss Reading (a) Draw Blackburn (h) Win Watford (a) Win Anyone know whether 8 points would be enough to make us safe? After Alkmaar they gave up, considered the season over and went into 'couldn't give a fuck' mode. Their lack of professionalism is about to bite them on the arse. Watch Owen get rushed back to save us. Fucking tragic this.

New Bond aint he? Fuck off! You serious?

Did anyone ever find out why Tommy Craig left?

Legend. mackems.gif

In that case, fair enough, just basing my opinion on what I saw of him first time around TBH. Regardless, for free he would be a good buy IMO. Him and Gooch would work well together.

There are some options out there: Distin - Not a leader imo nor an organiser, but a solid centre half. Mellberg - More an organiser than a leader, but wouldn't let us down. Woodgate - All of the above but will his injury record hold up? Doubt it. There is also some Spanish Centre Halves (typical no-nonsense, hard fuckers) playing in La Liga but whether they could adapt and then lead a back four in the EPL is the million dollar question.