KelvinsRightGlove

Fair play, that made me lol.

I disagree if I'm honest. Maybe it's having played as a keeper a fair bit (I was never particularly great at it), but there's very little you can do when a ball moving at that pace changes direction so drastically so close to you. Don't think many keepers would have stopped that one if I'm honest. Hard to pick a winner of the two, both absolute stunners in their own right. I'm going to go Pellè, athleticism like that in a man of his stature just tips it for me.

Yeah I know. Had commitments I couldn't get out of. Still pretty gutted about this. It will be used as leverage for the rest of ever.

Interesting to see Kat there post #11. Same old people, same old crap.Tis funny.

They never did it for me to be honest. Few of my mates adore them though. Said they were really great at Ally Pally last week. Saw Honeyblood at Sebright Arms last week, they were very enjoyable. They've got a good sound for just the two of them. had a brief chat with them after, v nice girls. Got v last minute tickets to The Libs on Sat. Have to say they were really good. Taking the gf to see Jessie Ware on thursday (to be fair I do quite like her too), then Karen O on Saturday. I can't afford all these gigs. Also had to turn down a Kate Bush ticket (for free) last week. I'm still not over this.

Latest round of rumours is that Fleetwood Mac (I think this is nailed on), Muse & AC/DC are to headline next year. I'd take that.

In spite of? Really? I can't help but feel that is re-writing history. He is a good manager that did a good job here. Could someone else have got us 8th, or possibly better? Yeah, potentially. Could there have been managers that would have done worse? Without doubt. Let's not act like Poch was holding us back in some way, which "in spite of" suggests.

I think you make some interesting points. I agree with what someone said above, head injuries should be judged by an impartial doctor. If they say the player is unfit to continue, then they don't. No ifs, no buts. If the team has subs left, they can use one they do. If not they make do, same as any other injury. The heading issue I find interesting. I really think serious discussion needs to be had around banning heading from the game at junior level. I know a lot of people won't like that, but at that age and that stage of their development it can't be good for them long term. Heck, it might even get teams trying to lay the ball on the floor at junior level - which can't be a bad things. As I've said before, yes it is a contact sport, and I wouldn't want the game completely sanitised. But, at the same time, serious consideration does need to be given to the long term health and well-being of all the players.

Dammit, beat me to the same point!

I think it can go both ways. Not saying this would necessarily be the case of Fonte, but it seems perfectly plausible that if a player had serious ambitions to play in the national squad then if they aren't getting in the squad at Saints, they may well seek pastures new to improve their chances of doing so.

This is pretty much my take on it. If you get an injury and you've used your subs, you make do. Should be the same for head injuries. As far as I understand it, there is no time limit for an injured player to return to the pitch if they are receiving treatment (may be incorrect on that of course), so if this happens after all three subs have been made the player could in theory take a few minutes on the side and if he feels ok and is given the green-light by the doctor should be able to return to the game. Obviously, this wouldn't have been a big help to 'Arry on Saturday. But, it was early on and he could still make his subs. Injuries and knocks are part of the game, and it's one of the reasons why you have subs. FWIW I think giving the decision to doctors in the case of head injuries is the right thing to do. I know it's a contact sport, but allowing players that have just taken a massive blow to the head to decide whether they are ok to play on seems silly. The case that sticks out was Lloris last season when he took a a knee to the head (Lukaku was it?) and was clearly not all there.

Ah, yes people looking for things that aren't there. And then putting words in my mouth. Very good. I never said don't let the kids wear them, but there's plenty of easy solutions - isn't there. Let them pick, then just change round a little after. "Here, let's all swap outfits", it looks slightly better then. Show the same kids in different outifts, problem solved. Is it ideal, no? Is the climate at the minute one where people may be a bit miffed about this, well yes. Like it or not, you have to think about these things when you are putting catalogues and the like together. I don't think there was any racist intent whatsoever. I just think, it's an incident that could have been avoided. Dressing up two black kids in ape suits and two white kids as bunnies is going to cause trouble, intentionally or not (I've said several times I don't at all think it's deliberate).

Ah, pre-emptive outrage. Always good. Pap wasn't accusing anyone of anything really, just that maybe the people should have been a little more alert. Perhaps it was just a coincidence that those two kids were the only two that chose to wear ape suits. But still, you would think someone on the shoot or when putting the catalogue together would have been switched on enough to spot that this might cause a problem. As Pap said, it's an unnecessary own goal. No doubt no one at Matalan has deliberately plotted to portray the kids in this way, or gone out to upset people. But it could have easily been avoided.

On the abuse of this, one thing I thought when reading the article was penalties. A unscrupulous coach may instruct their GK to stay down after any challenge, in case a penalty is given away. This may allow for situations akin to Holland in the WC where a 'specialist' penalty GK is subbed in for the spot kick, and then goes off after. Unlikely? Yes. But, I wouldn't put it past somebody like Mourinho, who will do anything to gain an advantage (no blame on him, it's his job to get results and he is very good at doing this). Edit, maybe even get to the point of specialist kick takers doing the same also. People coming on to take free-kicks/corners/penalties then sodding off again after the act.

Probably just a bit unfortunate I'd imagine. Can see how it would be perceived that way, but don't think there was any malice in it (not that that necessarily makes it ok). I also think it's worse for having two black kids in ape suits, perhaps if there was both a black kid and a white kid in the ape suits it may not be perceived in quite the same manner.

So, heard this on 6music and thought it was rather nice. Was taking a break at work and decided to look her up a bit, turns out she's 15, and still at school. Which is thoroughly depressing. Talented young lady.

I still lol at the Lallana left because no one answered/returned his calls

If only a certain someone was still here to tell us he has no place anywhere near a football club.

You could take it further and say 3 WC 2014 players (including Morgan). We were bottom end, but it was like 2/3 games in.

Did he give AVB any of the Bale money, or did it all go to Baldini? Sounds like it was mostly FB that shot all that money up the wall.

To be honest I was surprised it was that high too, though when factoring the Cabaye deal it's about break even. As SG said above, Ashley has pumped a lot of his own money into the club taking on a lot of debt that just hasn't really been talked about - and their fans just seem to forget about when they moan about him. Granted he's made some odd decisions, and hasn't pushed them forward as they would like - but I think they could really have much worse owners than they do.

Ok ta. So clearly hard to judge, with so many 'undisclosed' fees. But I can't imagine they raked in a killing off Tavernier, Amalfitano & Debuchy. They clearly spent a lot more than they bought in - they it's true they didn't spend a great deal of the Cabaye money in January. Still, I doubt Ashley is taking home a huge wedge from all that.

What was their spend in the summer? Did they sell many people? I know they bought in a few, but can't really remember? Sincere questions btw, I'm not trying to be facetious I genuinely can't remember

Apart from possibly the Glazers at United, are there really that many people making "fortunes" off clubs? I thought they were generally considered a blackhole for money.

No, he's on loan.