Happy Face

If it's such a different game now, then a comparison is only really apt in terms of how they performed amongst their peers. Hall/Shepherd came into a game that was run by millionaires using bank loans secured on assetts. They played that game better than 99% of other owners. They also realised when that jig was up and were able to sell the club to an owner more suited to the modern game - billionaires who secure spending on their own wealth. Whatever the argument about the state of the finances at the time, the club was sold for much much more than they paid in '92 and for more than other clubs were selling, outside the very top. The club was in a much better position, and a much more attractive prospect than most. Compared to their peers, the previous owners outperformed the majority. Having got into the billionaires owners game with his eyes wide open, Mike Ashley hasn't....as yet.

I'm not disagreeing it's harder to finish 4th now. I'm laughing that finishing 4th is being used as an argument to big up ashley...who's not finished top half.

Yeah Leazes. You're wrong because if we managed to finish 4th in an alternate reality then it would exceed previous achievements. You don't have to disagree just because It's Leazes you know e everyone.

As he always bangs on about champions league, challenging the top etc then 7th would have been poor, 14th the previous season? 7th and 14th were poor for Shepherd. For Ashley that's about the peak. Still not sure how you think you're making a point that hurts Leazes' argument.

Why does 7th signify the rot setting in for Shepherd, but the best we can hope for now?

You think we'll spend more than Ashley's spent in any window of his ownership? More than 3 times as much as he's spent in any window since his first?

When did you last do that

Wasn't it stated by a Liverpool exec that it was the other way round (basically still the same thing), whatever we wanted for Carrol, Chelsea were going to pay £15m more for Torres? Effectively (given that they'd paid £20m for Torres 4 years earlier), that £15m rule meant that whatever the final amounts agreed in from Chelsea and out to Newcastle, the true cost to them was about £5m. An excellent deal. Really? Paying out five million to swap a world class striker with a relatively unproven player? Seems like madness to me. I know neither of them have been pulling up trees since their respective moves but Torres is certainly worth more that Carroll + £5m. I know, he's worth Carroll + £15m Pay £20m for Torres Get £50m back Spend £35m on Carroll Total outlay for 4 years of Torres at the peak of his career and taking on one of the best prospects in England - £5m. There are clearly better players available for £35m than Carroll...Suarez for a start....but his value was dictated by Newcastle and Chelsea.

Wasn't it stated by a Liverpool exec that it was the other way round (basically still the same thing), whatever we wanted for Carrol, Chelsea were going to pay £15m more for Torres? Effectively (given that they'd paid £20m for Torres 4 years earlier), that £15m rule meant that whatever the final amounts agreed in from Chelsea and out to Newcastle, the true cost to them was about £5m. An excellent deal.

Can't you answer the first 2 yourself?

That's why it's similar but not the same...and our best opportunity in a decade. Those 8 points...make us a much better prospect, but we'd already visited Man U, Man City and Arsenal after 12 games last season. We've only visited one of the top teams so far.

Yeah but football doesn't work like that, does it? We drew with Arsenal at home last year and beat them away but they came 4th and we came 12th. Well if thats the case the original point doesnt stand either What original point? Happys, that they beat Arsenal and Liverpool so must be brilliant. Which was where my comparison came in. I thought his point was in response to your assertion that Redknapp's comments were borne out of 'one good game' tbh. Whatever they were borne out of, surely the same reasoning applies? No...YOU argued that it was one good performance against a poor villa that got 'Arry talking them up. I pointed out they've beaten other better sides. I'm not using any individual results as a reason for my view. But on the whole, when you look at the third of a season they've had, they look very strong, whoever they've played outside the top 4.

We were 5th... http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/2010-2011/table/2010-11-10

We were in a similar position after 12 games of last season, so I'm not comfortable assuming Ashley won't sack/sell/annoy someone pivotal and allow things to spiral badly. Looks our best opportunity in a decade for now though.

Exactly, one good game against a woeful Villa and Arry is talking about winning the league. Trounced Liverpool and beat Arsenal too.

Skidoosh. Is THAT what he was saying? i thought it was a Jay (& Silent Bob) type thing...Snooch to the nooch.

Itunes Match now available in the US...not expected here until 2012. £15 a year limited to 25,000 tracks apparently. All played as 256k AAC...even if you have a shitty sounding 128k mp3 in your library. Unfortunately can't be used on any non-apple mobile device. Twaarts!

Kung Fu Panda 2 - didn't like the first one and this one was worse.

That's a MILF? Broken Britain tbh.

Reginald D Hunter tickets Coldplay tickets

I've got a tenner on them going down at 16s

100% record against teams outside the top 3. Look set up well.....despite CTs prediction of relegation

Usually it's the most inspiring people that are fighting losing battles in their own time. Discarding principles and perpetuating the status quo is the easy option and majority position.

Carlos Slim is more than twice as wealthy as Scrooge McDuck