leffe186

Spurs man ... always over price their players, and then want to buy other people's for nothing. Scumbags of the highest altitude. They should fork out for a more proven striker and all if they are really looking to keep Bale and push on. Dirty cheapskates. Yeah, the evil bastards.

Love how they make signing players look so easy. You'd think it was impossible the way our lot go on. I'd think that part of it, a big part, is that they're signing players in competition largely with other teams of Norwich's level, which makes it easier for them. The transfer market is becoming even more stratified. It's one reason why I'm still astonished that we got Paulinho, and before him, Lloris. It's also the reason why you guys picked up all those kids last year. I agree with you on Benteke. For me, the only conceivable scenario where we'd get him would be if there are a couple of fringe players on our books that Lambert fancies, who could sweeten the deal. I don't think he'd be interested in Defoe, sadly. We just don't have the spare cash available to spend the amount you seem to be asking for. I'm not sure what would constitute a "derisory" offer, mind you. We just spent "rising to" 17M on one of Brazil's better players (at 24), so Levy would no doubt argue that Benteke shouldn't cost as much. That's meaningless of course, as Benteke is contracted to you, and what matters is how much he's worth to you. Like us with Berba, and Modric. 25M is nuts to anyone except the fantasy football clubs.

Fucking what? I feel like I'm very rarely shocked by anything nowadays, but Jesus.

Aye, you can see that the quality is still all there, but since that horrific injury his fitness has taken a nasty dive. Still ahead of Torres for me, though. Yeah, can't pretend I'd be unhappy if we snag Villa and Paulinho from that game.

I can confirm. His brother, Ronnie I beleive?, used to play football in a five and six a side league my dad ran. He played for a team oddly called Archies Pork Rangers iiirc I used to watch them a fair bit and he was incredible. First touch and control of a god. Was a rotund chap even then (early 80s and mid 80s): His control of the ball was joy to watch. Another couple of lads i went on to work with also played in that league. One had trials with Spurs iirc, got p*ssed, wrought havoc upon london and was sent packing. later played in the same team as him (5 a side): Guy was awesome: but no discipline. I guess many will have similar tales. Andy Sinton was in my year and had the discipline and dedication to succeed. There were far more "skilful" players at the time, but you just knew Andy was gonna make it. Dedication, its what you need......a la Roy Castle.... I really liked that bit in Fever Pitch where Nick Hornby watched the infamous Cambridge United losing run in the mid-80s (wonder who ended the run? ). He talked about the huge number of players they used - including loads of kids - most of whom were never heard of again. Andy Sinton was a kid just starting out in that team, and Hornby said he always had added respect for him because of it - he had to have extraordinary character to come into that team as a kid and still make it as a pro.

I've deliberately avoided posting anything because it's not really been my place, but really, fuck me. The one saving grace is that there are still two months until the season starts, which means almost anything can happen. Even something good. Surely you're one (drunken, crazy) step nearer to a sale?

I really think so, for the first time in a while . I felt that Klinsmann was going to be a mistake, but this is beginning to look like a decent team. For the longest time (i mean, for years) they seemed to rely upon defending in numbers and hoping that Donovan and Dempsey would make something happen, but there's some good structure to the play. They're still crying out for a classy, creative midfielder/winger, mind.

I can't work out the US defence. They look extremely well-organized and in control for the most part, and then someone makes a naive error out of the blue. I can't quite bring myself to be totally confident in them.

Another nice move. I know Honduras haven't been great, but it can be really tough to break teams down in these games, and the US have been patient. Bradley brings so much to the team because his style and composure seems to rub off on those around him.

I love those finishes. I mean, because it's Jozy you know that there's an element of luck, but he just tucked it away, no fuss. Just placed it in at the perfect angle.

What a fucking classy goal that was.

Bollocks. Should have buried that.

Goalkeeper claims he injured his right shoulder. How does he clear the ball into touch? Throws it with his right arm. How very Kinnear. Pen would have been nice.

Someone has to be systematically trolling you guys this summer.

These signings could easily all flop, and I am still worried that we need more experience, so it could just as well turn into another season of toil. I genuinely think, though, that the McLeish year was like a kick in the arse to us - to remind us just how miserable football can be. I remember the Graham Turner dismantling of the European Cup side, the awful Billy McNeill season, 86-87 where we actually did get relegated, and I can honestly say, the McLeish year was more depressing than either of them. After that, it's much easier to enjoy things. And with that, we finally see Lerner's genius thinking behind the McLeish decision . It's the only reasonable explanation. (or that he's completely clueless).

There is someone who parks two cars down from me at work, who has the license plate "MACKEM 1". Now I hasten to add, I live in a relatively obscure city in Ohio. My accent (English with a hint of Strine) is considered wildly exotic, so it is distinctly possible this has nothing to do with Sunderland. I am tempted to leave a note on his/her car to enquire about it's provenance - what would you like me to put?

I presume it's Adam Smith. He's one of ours, been on loan for a couple of years in the lower divisions. Good going forward, still got something to learn defensively. Shock horror. He played a friendly for us a few years back when he was 16 or so, and was amazing. We didn't have a clue who he was!

Just had a look, Colombia are in 6th and Croatia 4th Brazil are in 19th. Friendlies are worth less ranking points than competitive games, even if you win them. Hence why at the last 3 tournaments we've had this rhetoric about 'the hosts being the worst side' going into it. At least I think that was the case with Poland, South Africa and Austria. Basically once a team wins the right to host a competition they inevitably slide right down the rankings. While that's true about the rankings, I'm not sure Poland, South Africa and Austria are the best examples to use .

That third goal was ace. That fourth goal...dodgy keeper. Ecuador are just being completely outclassed.

No, but they would still be in the Spanish Segunda B without Udinese's players. And of course their fans are over the moon about it, but it's cheating against other modest clubs that don't spend and don't have half their squad given for free from Italy. This is the Segunda B that's filled with self-sufficient, modest-spending clubs like Mallorca B, Espanol B, Real Sociedad B etc etc? And kept out of the next division up by Real Madrid B, Barca B etc etc.? I've always been proud of the way the English leagues have avoided letting, say, Spurs B play - even though that runs counter to my own interests. Watford are corrupting that, in a slightly obscure way. And I say that as someone who almost certainly has more of an interest in Watford doing well than anyone on here bar GG - my Dad goes regularly with a mate, and I've been to dozens of games at Vicarage Rd. It just feels wrong to me, in the same way as the loan system (as currently practiced) feels wrong.

Rafeal is a great player, its time to stop the fixed opinions and realise players can improve. ( not aimed at you btw just a sweeping statement) Spurs are a lot more than 2 players away from a title challenge, you don't go from 5th to 1st with 2 players. Depends if those two players are Thiago Silva and Messi I was thinking of realistic signings This is what i was talking about they are far away from a title challenge.... half their defence isn't even top 4 level matter about champions level. Their midfield without Dembele and Sandro is mid table level, they have no quality 10s, Lennon is injury prone and he needs some competition anyway plus the obvious striker. Even if they bought a quality CF, kept Bale and got a quality partner for Vertonghen and none of the contenders bought anyone they still wouldn't finish above the Mancs. I think a lot of you are underestimating how much is needed to go from a top 4 contender to a title contender. Same goes for Chelsea and Arsenal. I have to think you're the one doing the underestimating here. They probably have the most depth in the backline than anyone else in the league. Kaboul is easily a top centerback if he's able to return to form after being out all season. As a group they're very solid and capable of challenging for a title. A quality striker, competition for Lennon, and one or two centermids to replace Parker and give Dembele a backup would probably put them in a shot of the title. I think the truth is between you two. Mole, we were only three points off third and six points off second, although obviously that ignores GD. I think a title push is hugely unlikely because of the financial advantage the other clubs have, but it wouldn't take too much to improve us. Some good luck with injuries would help. Isn't the interesting point that you've said our defence, midfield and attack were all so unimpressive, yet we still did so well? Surely that means that we have loads of opportunities to get better? I worry that Kaboul is becoming a perma-crock, but if he does come back then we're laughing. We have plenty of players we can sell for decent money to generate cash. Man U have shown what you can achieve with a mix of fantastic players and some really quite limited ones, as long as the team play and tactics are good. Of course it would be nice to upgrade players like Walker, but I don't see that as a priority. He's limited, but adequate in a good team. We need to get in a couple of clever, fast, and creative players - up front, wide forward and probably in the midfield. There are a couple of young players in a position to move up, with a few others in the pipeline. Keeping Bale is key - (a) he's shit-hot (b) there's a possibility that he will help us attract one or two players. I'd like to think so, anyway. Let's say we shift on Parker, Defoe, Huddlestone, and a few fringe players (Gomes, Naughton, Dempsey, Gallas, Bentley). Carroll, Townsend and Rose come into the side, and kids like Luongo, Kane, Falque, Pritchard and Archer get another year on loan. The matchday squad looks like this: GK: Lloris, Friedel, one of the kids RB: Walker, Smith LB: Rose, BAE CB: Vertonghen, Kaboul, Dawson, Caulker CM: Carroll, Sandro, Dembele, Holtby Attacking mids: Sigurdsson, Bale Wide forwards: Lennon, Townsend CF: Adebayor That's 20 - so you've got plenty of room to add in three properly good players, then have younger players like Livermore as emergency cover. So, one forward, one wide forward, one attacking mid. That's what we needed all year anyway. Get that and I think we're a better team than this year, and like I say, we didn't do too badly.

Kinda glad that's over. Can't honestly say we deserved fourth - too many ordinary players and crucial injuries, and that we got so many points is essentially down to Bale having an unbelievable season. Hope AVB gets to bring in some of the players that he wants, rather than the committee. I will say that that reffing performance raised a few eyebrows. That's a grand total of zero penalties this year, and the three or four shouts today were, well, penalties. I generally hate those kind of conspiracy theories, though, and luckily it didn't actually matter in the end. See you next year!

What in the name of Christ do we have to do to get a penalty? This is ludicrous now.

Oi! . How very Pardew of you. In other news, Spurs are never ever going to get a penalty. I hate it when referees just guess. You'll be glad to hear that Webb is giving Arsenal every decision then. Tell me something I don't know .

Oi! . How very Pardew of you. In other news, Spurs are never ever going to get a penalty. I hate it when referees just guess.