Jonas

We caused Leeds to "do a Leeds" even more than Ridsdale truth be told. Even with their awful signings they bludgeon finishing 4th but for our super season.

Had heard he was ill but just assumed he'd pull through, despite extremely first hand personal experience to the contrary in such matters. Gutting stuff as he seemed and was impossible to dislike as a player or manager even taking the Samp/Italy bias out of it. Have a Sampdoria shirt from his era in my drawer in my bedroom even now (with a few others) probably down to my first Italian match - Inter v Sampdoria 90/91 critical title game, was the most engrossing match I'd seen up to that point. The commentary on Vialli's goal said it all "grown men, hardended football watchers are scarcely able to turn their eyes to this, and surely its two this time, it is! the sommersault of celebration from Gianluca Vialli". RIP Luca, Grazie mio amico

I'm not discomforted by Spurs (I don't think they're better than us) or Chelsea (likewise but in transition) so its Liverpool really, if were accepting Man United have turned the corner, that's the threat to us for top 4. And all the refereeing the goes along with that. Story usually goes in their favour and against us so would be surprised if we made it. Its a lot easier though when you know its coming at some point.

Only one I can think of is perhaps the other way - Gillespie + £6m for Cole. Hindsight may judge it differently but Cole was a joke his first couple years there, Gillespie was on fire for us for a year and the £6m paid for Les.

Groundsharing with Brutal Deluxe

Frank's the real deal and smart enough to know that if someone like Spurs had the sense to come in for him, he wouldn't get time to be fairly judged and would turn them down.

Bruce was more obsequious (total in fact) towards Ashley than Pardew. Had the impression Pardew begrudgingly went along with it at times, said on the radio that we had 'difficult owners' and has tried his hand in smaller leagues overseas - Not in a million years could I see Bruce doing anything like that. He'd rather blame fans expectations and see 'his club' rot than do that and he's far too lazy to work overseas. Also probably thinks he's too good for it.

True. The big ground has not yet been invented where you feel as involved at the back as you do near the front. Towards the back of Wembley (Olympic gallery and literally the back row of the original bit), the Nou Camp and I'll bet the extra tier at Old Trafford for the semi-finals felt just the same. Its either that or have a small ground.

Like the old chant, but with all the banter and malice stripped of it, he's literally so shit its unbelievable. There cant ever have been three drastic turn arounds like this in a row after sacking the same manager before.

Shola gave us 14years of service. That's why its a no from me

Nearly everything in the highlights is Trippier created chances. Cabaye dined out on a lot less.

We had more than enough half chances on the end of his deliveries today. There was a lot of them and many weren't great and that would be the case even if one of the chances had gone in, but had one of the chances gone in, he'd have more than done his job too.

Could easily make a case for Man City beating them twice and then you're down to a few slip ups which at title level could mean nothing more than losing at Man U, Liverpool and dropping two points at Spurs.

He had to be better for Burnley and Leeds (albeit not in the PL) than he's been for us right? Even allowing for expecting only really aerial threat/presence he doesn't seem to fit this level. Think its an area we have to look at given the likely injury problems of Isak/Wilson even if just a loan. Something more dynamic.

Was reminiscent of the Cambridge game. Dominated and lots of opportunities, if not 'chances' to score but no sucker punch. We totally dominated but lost at Norwich under KK on New Years Eve. Its frustrating but it happens and would likely be more frustrating if it didn't and everything went to form all the time. That ended a great year as does this, similar positions. All the team/coach can do is be the best team. The rest is down to luck and individual., I'm amazed we are where we are with what we have and that's what's cost us, but they'll be replaced in time.

Not dominating every game. How dare.

Actually what Marsch is saying was us when Abramovich arrived but we never said as much. Building a team with young players. Cleverly picking the bones of clubs that shot their bolt (Woodgate from Leeds, linked with Terry from Chelsea), benefitting from the second biggest crowds in the country, went from 4th to 3rd, Champions League football on merit (pushing out over spending Leeds ironically)- all the right things, and it got blown out the water. Turn around is fair play as they say over there.

I make them probably the best away fans since I've been going. Apart from them only Man United and the mackems have always filled their allocation and perhaps only Man United competitive for noise consistently. Makes a game of it. Bit of edge or something that just isn't there with the other Yorkshire clubs or the clubs you mention. Even though there's no beef (personally anyway).

Managed clubs owned by Red Bull, including a regional division one in Germany, that got where they got ENTIRELY because of money, Complains about others clubs having more money.

All things considered......except losing eight times more games at a lower level.

There's a photo of Pele post match after playing a friendly against us somewhere is there not? The Strawberry had it up in a frame as I recall a mate keep saying he was going to nick it. Forget the scenario and our player involved so can't find it, keep thinking the Kirin cup but can't have been

West Brom currently 1point outside the playoffs. Just like happened at Villa when Smith replaced Bruce. As we've seen with Smith it doesn't even mean that he or Corboran are any good, just that they're a million times better than Bruce but so would not having a manager be

The Don Bradman theory perhaps. Where the players/teams that were poor in older times are a lot better now and the players/teams that were good then are better than anything around now. So it levels out into a middlingness in contemporary times.

He's always been a legend to me anyway, he's done more than pass into legendhood now. Someone well before my time but a name on the wind, images amd mythology. When he was on Match of the Day during the Umbro Cup in 1995, the esteem the presenter (Tony Gubba) and analyst (I think it was Lineker) held him in was vivid, it was like Jesus (or an alternative) was sitting there - which to people who love football he practically is. I'll always have Studio Pele on Eurosport during the 94 World Cup and backing Colombia based on Pele's recommendation. This is perhaps best for him, but selfishly, I feel saddened. Thank You sir.

So they've altered the 'big club' parameters to suit again. As ever European and 3rd Division football don't count, but strangely most recent trophy (heavily featured with regards to ourselves) also doesn't count this time whilst attendances (ignored with regards to ourselves) is a key factor now. I'd rather just admit I was average and get on with life.