Alex

That pretty much sums up the view by most. Who'd seen enough of the likes of Mitrovic to really comment on him as a player? At the same time it was a positive statement of intent so there was some muted optimism against the backdrop of the end of last season.

He didn't specify they had to be English and neither did I. Robert Huth would be a decent example of someone who would've bolstered the squad. Can't believe we're unable to pay £3m for him or match Leicester's wages but he doesn't fit the profile. Not saying he's great but he'd easily get a game for us (his poor injury record notwithstanding). He's a significant upgrade on the likes of Williamson and Taylor. Do you agree with the point about the policy still being about buying players you can sell on at a profit and that being a factor that almost overrides everything else? Because I'm yet to see evidence otherwise.

I think it was clearly illustrated with Austin v Mitrovic (who genuinely believes we were ever going to sign both of them?). It might turn out to be a good decision (I hope it does) and there's a risk Austin wouldn't have been able to repeat his form again, obviously. But Mitrovic was definitely a riskier buy set against the greater potential sell-on value further down the road. If he'd really changed the way he was going about things you'd perhaps have seen an experienced centre-half coming in, given the need there.

The one thing I would say about it is that the buying policy remains essentially the same, i.e. we may have spent more money this time round after the fright he got (with the caveat there was a canny bit extra TV money too) but a major consideration in all the signings still seems to be potential sell on value. I don't mind it as a general rule but I think you need to occasionally buy the finished article, which isn't necessarily a top player, just a steady pro you know can do a job but might be around 30 year old so isn't going to make a big profit. The policy leads to further problems, like not necessarily strengthening where you need to and, furthermore a high turnover of players means you're never that far away from players getting pissed off because they haven't got a move away and ones who couldn't give a fuck because the club's seen as just a stepping stone. I think this buying of potential carries an inherent risk (all signings do but it's increased when that seems to be the policy behind virtually every signing).

You'd expect one of the hallmarks of a good coach to be flexibility in terms of tactics.

Aye, that's exactly what'll happen. Small change to them though and Mourinho will still go round letting everyone know he was right without incurring any financial loss himself. She's been treated very shoddily in all this by a wanker and a bully

I'd love to know which games she saw where he excelled in centre-mid for Argentina as well.

I could accept giving him a one year extension but two years (with the possibility of a further year iirc) was pretty negative I thought.

Yep. Especially as the latter looks past his sell-by date.

Haven't read the book but caught a bit on the Beeb's site, which is fucking ridiculous given his relationship with the BBC, but the gist was lots of great players including the likes of Beckham but only those four mentioned 'rose about that level' or words to that effect. Schmeichel was undoubtedly world class though. Probably one of the top two or three goalkeepers of all time.

Five eighths of what?

Jaap Stam too. Probably the most complete centre-half I've seen. Not that Ferguson would admit it.

The mention of Robson reminds of that time him and Mourinho had that argument during a match on the touchline. Think it was when Robson was manager of West Brom. What struck at the time was that if all the TV cameras and so on weren't there he'd have shit his pants. Bryan Robson would've killed him without breaking sweat.

Aye

I was going to put that but thought I bet someone else does if I put the Giant one

5' 6" Giant

Just another day in the life of the Boldon James Dean.

Knock-knock Who's there? Sutton Sutton Who? You can have that one for your next meeting, CT

There was a clause whereby they had to pay more if he played for them and they were fucked financially so didn't. Point still stands though.

There's some great boxing docs on The Wiffle channel. No idea what a fucking wiffle is like. He's basically taken docs like HBO's Legendary Nights and taken out a few boring bits so they're mostly in nice, short 15-20 minute chunks.

Where's all that optimism gone?

Another bizarre and short-lived hobby

I can barely remember a time when I didn't think the club needed a centre-half (i,e, at least one). Seems like we've been crying out for one for fucking years.

Doubt it measures up to Special Brew

McClaren seems like a nice bloke and loads of people who have worked with rate him highly as a coach but the main issue I have with him is that he hasn't got a very good track record as a manager. I'm not advocating his sacking btw