AyeDubbleYoo

I get jealous of not being able to watch all the 3pm games in the UK as well, but at the same time I wouldn't want people to stop going to the games in person - the sellout crowds are so essential to the whole sport.

Well I know what you mean in a way. All I would say is that we have to remember how our previous 'success' was attained (reckless with the finances, big risks with players, a lot of expensive flops) and how fragile it was (witness the terminal decline since SBR). We must deal with the situation as we find it, which IMO means a few more sensible seasons of signings of the quality of Jonas/Colo/Guthrie at reasonable prices. Hopefully in 5 years or so we will be back to a position where we are attracting the players everyone else wants. Until then I think we're doing a pretty good job so far.

They've made some decent buys, will be more difficult than it would have been. Still think we can edge it though.

I think Gerrard actually suffers from being a one-man team for Liverpool (with Torres now obviously). He has to take on so much for his club I wonder whether it hinders him fitting into a team environment where he needs to be less of a focal point, as well as building his ego.

I want one of those

Spurs aren't 'better' than us but they have been more successful over the last couple of seasons, they're based in London and they have a well-known continental manager. IMO you've got it the wrong way round with Guthrie, we shouldn't be disappointed that we're 'content with him in the starting 11', we should be amazed with what a good signing he is and how well he fits in. Same with Colo and Jonas, yes they might not be the 'big names', but where have they got us in the past? What we need now are 100% quality, solid signings to help us build back to where we should be. I'd love a 'wow signing' (sorry) but not at the expense of good, sensible, sustainable progress.

I think he's ageing backwards as well, which might help. When he came back I thought he looked a bit old and tired, but now he's got started he looks about 10 years younger!

It does depend on how facist the particular member of staff is as well. I've had a nice woman at Oxford change my ticket for me on the day of travel when I realised I'd bought it for the following day by mistake - she should have refused and/or charged me. But then I've had a Hitler youth woman on a train from Kings X make me buy a whole new single to Newcastle after missing my original train by 30 seconds. It's in the lap of the gods whether they apply the rules or not.

Still only 22 as well. He mustn't keep up with English football if he wants to join City at this point.

Aye, I've saved 100s of quid since I went to University and then when I moved down south. I just got my last one the day before my 26th birthday in April. Might have to stop getting the train when it expires!

Thing is, KKs strength is day-to-day, motivation and team building etc. Not sure how much he'd fit into a DOF role, unless it was purely symbolic.

To be fair to Glenn, I'm glad we didn't get Kuyt now. The transfer window is always horrible, but I've got faith we'll bring in quality unless it's totally impossible. Even if we fail I won't be blaming the club. The signings so far have been excellent, so can't complain really...

I'd go along with that as the best option.

Home made I'm afraid, from "I believe in Harvey Dent" poster from the Dark Knight.

So he'll be here for a few years yet...

At least we know tactics aren't going to be an issue this season.

I'd like to see him in charge as long as he doesn't do something mad like get us relegated. All I hope is that he's a bit more resilient and robust now... the only question mark are past doubts over his motivation when things go wrong. There's no other man that commands the respect of the fans and will be given so much time and space to get things right.

Aye getting paid a boat load to play for your hometown team in the Champions League & be abored by the St. Petersburg public is really going to grate on him. Well not as much as working in Tesco, but by the sounds of it he'll be annoyed not be playing at Barca/Real/Chelsea/Milan.

I would chuckle a bit if Arshavin is stuck at Zenit after all.

A lot of good thoughts knocking about on here. I had big hopes for the Capello reign, I thought he would finally see that the star names shouldn't be automatic choices and that some of the big players need to be left out to create a team that operates as a unit. But it seems he too is falling prey to the reputations of some of these players. A bit soon to judge, but the signs aren't good. On the Lampard/Gerrard thing, I don't think it matters which one gets in, as long as we choose one.

hasnt stopped raining for past few days. well, on and off anyway. Maybe a tea then...

You can get a free hot/soft drink instead like, I'm leaning towards a tea at the moment. What's the weather like up there?

Surely 10k empty seats for a league game would be unheard of? Especially after the Man Utd performance... madness.

Not exactly filling their ranks with pillars of society are they?

Does that include trotters fans? I bloody hope not! Joking