AyeDubbleYoo

One potential factor is that we are set to lose a lot less player-days through injury this season (fingers crossed), if Sam's record at Bolton is anything to go on.

I can see it happenning in a 5-3-2/3-5-2 type setup, but not sure if it could work in a normal 4-4-2. Dyer might not be a monster tackler, but he can certainly track back with pace and hassle his opposing winger. If he's committed to trying it out I would say go for it - whether or not he's on 80K a week is beside the point. Better paying 80K a week and using him than not. I would still rather see us bring in a quality specialist RB though, obviously.

To be fair though, we nearly scored on a number of occaisions against Germany and might well have got past them.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6703431.stm Estonia goalkeeper Mart Poom has suggested England's difficulties at international level could be caused by the Premier League's competitiveness. Estonia face England in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier on 6 June, with Steve McClaren's side desperate to win to boost their qualification hopes. ..... "It's very hard to have the best and the biggest league and also the best national team," Poom told BBC Sport All those players will be involved in the Champions League as well as the two domestic English cups. "That type of schedule is very demanding and by the time an international game comes around players often seem drained - they aren't robots. I think Poom has a point here, and it made me think - would it be better to take a different approach to selecting the national team, picking fresh and hungry players from the lesser Premierleage sides and even the Championship? Would we get better performances at international level?

a six-pack is a very easy thing to achieve if you exercise more than twice a week That's assuming your diet is right of course.

Could be our Stelios?

Noted

Don't see the problem with having this stuff in here, there's no actual football to discuss at the minute...

You do anyway - thats the old kit!!!! Give a lad a break, I only had a few minutes to choose a body that matched Viduka's stocky frame... it's Titus Bramble by the way!

More post appreciation here Stevie! Spot on...

I think Baines (or another quality fullback) is absolutely essential for us at this point. We can't start the season with the jokers we have at the moment, although all could potentially stay as back-up. If we don't get Viduka I'll need to rethink the avatar!

They are both done deals for Manchester United. what about Owen Hagreaves? mackems.gif That Scholesy's a decent player...

Aye he definately stopped "poaching" on arrival here These days he restricts himself to screamers.

I'd love to see Sissoko, might be an outside chance with them having quite a lot of competition for central midfield positions.

I suppose it is... fair play. Let's hope he turns it into some concrete developments now he's back, and that the boardroom stuff doesn't get in the way of his plans.

Has he made any progress? Sorry if this is a stupid question, I just don't know!

Yep, Reading away would be good for me - a 25 minute walk to the Mad Stad! Other than that I'm not too bothered... Arsenal at home is always one we do well in, and a big club to boot.

I can remember seeing a mini documentary about Bolton's back room staff once (maybe on Football Focus?), but I was really impressed by Big and Little Sam and their modern approach - something we are in dire need of

I'd say staying silent on this speculation and press nonsense is the right way to go - and I wouldn't be convinced by another 'quality article' from the Journal.

Hmm, I think the football authorities have to take the blame for allowing anyone into the ground with a forged ticket - it is their responsibilty to check and verify everyone who goes in, and I don't see how they managed not to do that. If they had proper processes for checking and admitting fans this wouldn't have happened - disgraceful.

Olivier Bernard looked amazing when I first saw him, came on as a sub in a European game I think - looked quick and strong. Don't know if it actually was his debut though.

if we got Shorey it would be amazing, sure Reading would fight to keep him though.

In God's name no!

A hot dog for £4 and tea for £1.50 isn't far away from what a lot of clubs charge.

Thing is, as well as doing the best on the football side of decisions, Freddy's job is also to sell as many season tickets as possible and generate revenue. Like it or not, season tickets are a product and the club's job is to sell as many as they can. So even if he has done it for that reason, I can understand it in a way.