AyeDubbleYoo

Fair enough we should look long term and if everything is progressing nicely then great, but it's completely unrealistic to expect fans not to get down about losing a game that seemed a complete banker. If we didn't react to these things we wouldn't have many discussions on here. And I'm all for giving Sam time and space to do things right, it's just that sometimes it seems as if the destination isn't going to be as nice as we thought.

To be honest I think it is a reality check, firstly that although we've progressed a lot there is still a lot of work to do. Secondly, the type of managed SA is, he will always go for the grafters and seasoned pros and we will have to accept that we will probably never play attractive football while he is manager... and this negativity will sometimes be found out when we don't nick a goal and end up losing to sides like Derby.

Think I've seen some reasonably balanced comments, and some mental obviously. You must admit that getting beat by Derby like we did knocks expectations, right Jon? If we win the next three it will be forgotten, but that's always the case... if we didn't talk about it these boards would be very quiet.

It might actually be a positive it it tells Sam that he doesn't always need to put out such a negative side, sometimes we can go out and play attacking football. If we had done that we would have obliterated Derby.

Surely Owen is 100% certain with the form he's in? He needs to keep his run going, no sense is leaving him out now just because it's Derby.

No, it isn't worth displaying: 1) No one is in the slightest bit bothered 2) Even if we were, can you see us reading back through that mountain of quotes?

I bloody hope not, one of the most annoying songs ever!

It must return, can't believe when I come back up to SJP next it won't be on. Sad

To think how close we came to doing irreparable damage to our relationship with Zog and losing him in the window is pretty scary. Just as well we got rid of Roeder when we did and Sam arrived in time to salvage the situation.

Sweet

it is an "old custom" of football that the player fouled shouldn't take the penalty. guess it is because he is too worked up or something.... Did RVP just not take it because he missed last week?

If we could get him it would be class, but he seems a Londoner through and through, and this will probably blow over anyway... we've only got a few days.

People, came in late so I know I'm a bit behind the thread, but just had to say some people (those who aren't joking) need to take a serious look at themselves for taking pleasure in Dyer's injury. I was happy when we managed to sell him for a decent price as well, but it is sickening to hear some people laughing about what could be a career-threatening injury for a young man. Anyway, carry on

The first bit I agree with, the second bit not so much!

Jesus. If this isn't a wind-up, kindly fuck off.

What about Tevez's miss against City at the death? That was a mistake that shouldn't have been made and changed the outcome of the game, but he won't get anything like as much stick for it. I'm not against criticising referee's when they make a mistake, but the extent to which it happens is stupid imo. It amazes me that people criticise referees for wanting to be famous: they're going to be the main talking point after many a match. It's a job that makes you famous, and that's fuelled by the people who supposedly don't want these 'attention-seeking' referees. Something needs to be done about the respect shown to referees in football, and it needs to be done soon. Completely agree, the refs are entitled to make mistakes as much as any player or manager. Will Tevez be dropped because of the sitter he missed? Clearly not, and I don't think Styles should be either. Refs could help themselves by applying the dissent laws more thoroughly though, but for that they would need the support of the authorities.

I still don't think it's over for Duff yet either, when he gets back fit he'll be a useful creative outlet. I'm not sold on the 433 either, but it seems as though Sam is set on it.

Well aye he's got some maturing to do, he's 19 ffs. I haven't heard him in person so can't comment on his attitude, but from where I'm standing it seems he's 100% committed on the pitch and got City out of a hell of a lot of sticky siuations yesterday. Can't see any evidence to suggest he's a playboy/wannabe/whatever at all.

Yep, that's what I said.

I don't think you have much to worry about, at Reading they have had the cards for a couple of years and it seems to work fine. The only problem is that they don't actually have your seat number on, so if you buy tickets for one-off games you have to write it down and take it in with you. There'll be a steward with a palmtop computer for every couple of entrances, in case of cards not working or people wanting to check the details of their seats. Don't sweat lads.

No. OK. Think Sam's going to try to get him to do so though? Either way, that's what he is worth, regardless of clauses. Look I hate to sound argumentative, actually no I don't but until he signs a contract without the release clause he is worth 13m maximum and if you can't understand that you need to slap yourself across the face because there is no hope for you. I think what danswan isn trying to get across is that a release clause isn't the same as the 'market value', it is more like the minimum amount that would allow someone to talk to the player. It doesn't mean that at this moment, Martins is actually worth 13m, he could be more or less.

Saw Shola on Northumberland St, just walking about. Darren Ambrose in the Metrocentre with some teenage girls, the guy's a midget. Dyer in HMV Urban section, shares my love of hip hop! Beardo at Central Station a couple of times, and at Maiden Castle when at Durham Uni. Shay Given paying his TV licence in Whickham, was a while ago though. Other teams, I've seen Leroy Lita in the Oracle Shopping Centre in Reading. I saw Carol Malia from Look North in the Baltic the other day, not football related but was still incredible!

It won't be that cheap, but hopefully 15ish for adults is more realistic.

He slipped 50p each to the awards panel for this prestigious prize.

The combined fee we've received for Dyer and Parker is amazing. Two players that weren't really performing sold for £14m... great business.