Frazzle

We dont have to man because you have told us the information is not out there that is why you "WOULD LOVE TO KNOW". What was it about the phrase "from available evidence" that you didn't understand? What are you after articles by Louise Taylor? Lee Ryder? Go search google to quench your thirst. Me and at least two others have expressed the opinion that the reasonable assumption is that Shearer's masterplan involved heavy spending. You have so far tried to bawl me down on this by insisting that we do not know the answer. Well of course we don't know the answer. We are dealing in assumptions. If you disagree with mine, try making a case for a different assumption. Or admit that you can't. You haven't made a case for there being big demands though. This is your argument: "And after the whole Keegan thing, I don't blame Ashley at all for not wanting to appoint another Toon icon with big spending demands. " "That would be my assumption, too. Still wish we knew the details, though." Not much of an argument. A similar counter-argument would be 'I assume there weren't big demands.'

If Hughton didn't rate Simpson at all he wouldn't have signed him. He could see how good/bad he was during his loan spell. Perch has been signed for his versatility (especially his ability to play LB) hence why we didn't sign a back up for Jose, it just so happens that Simpson is injured at the moment and Perch is in at RB.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jYOHMsQVsQ1R-z20yVlt8jfWeK9Q

Well, Italy haven't surrendered, and Brazil or Argentina might win, so no. And there's loads of people happy and singing and that which never happened in the war.

A shambles? In what way? Too much money?

We get to avoid top teams like Algeria and the USA.

Both going for it. Cracking game so far.

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/hs623.ash1/27530_125075174198951_189_n.jpg Certainly one way of getting round it.

If they had drawn their game? Edit- I see what you mean, if they drew they'd both have the same amount of goals.

He's an embarrassment. Scary to think that there was a chance he could have captained the team at the tournament.

How is he a coward?

Prefer Bielsa to be honest.

Merelsh?

VI, how do you think A.Madrid will do next season? I hear they are close to signing Filipe Luis, which would be a big coup. Add him to Aguero, Forlan, Reyes etc. and it's going to be a canny team. As long as there's no off the field strife do you think 3rd place is theirs?

Did you not watch the first 80 mins? Brazil were the worst cheaters I've seen so far. Handball for the goal, rolling around after every challenge etc.

HOWAY DIDIER!

Ask someone in 2000 if Wayne Rooney would be in the Euro 2004 squad and they'd say 'who?' Let's just wait until 2014 before panicking eh?

Beckham player-manager to prepare us for Euro 2010. IMO, of course.

Too injury prone.

You could watch Argentina on Tuesday and see how a player comes deep for ball but still manages to influence a game.

A lot of it is down to luck (maybe not exactly the right word) as well. England are still within the 6-8 teams who have a realistic chance of winning the WC. Comparing France and England since 1990: 1990: England (SF), France (DNQ) 1994: England (DNQ), France (DNQ) 1998: England (Round of 16), France (Winner) 2002: England (QF), France (Groups) 2006: England (QF), France (Final) 2010: England (?), France (?) With a bit of luck we would've win in 1990 maybe even 2002, these things happen. All it takes is one bad game and there's another 4 years to wait. We should still be glad we are one of 8(?) countries to win the WC.

Argentina don't have a centre of excellence like Holland, Italy or France do and yet have managed to produce Higuain, Messi, Aguero, Tevez etc. all in the same generation. Same with Brazil and Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. I don't think a centre of excellence is the biggest problem.

They weren't even pre-tournament favourites as well to an extent. Most pundits wrote them off, not realising that South American qualification is the hardest qualification group by a mile.

The funniest thing is how after England games everybody becomes a tactical expert. Not directed that at you, just posters in general.