JawD

Damn.....

Im much much happier than this time last season. Then we had a depleted squad which was only beefed up by the arrival of Le Sib and Bernard at the last minute though was keen to see what Martins was about. This time I reckon we are starting to show depth up front and in midfield and we have started adding quality and some depth to the defence. I think we're looking stronger and will be harder to beat. I also think we have more "winners" in the side now. Too many times last season when things were tough, players would disappear. I reckon the likes of Smith & Geremi would grab the game by the scruff of the neck when needed. I also have alot more faith in Sam than I ever did in anyone since Bobby. The club structure is changing on and off the field and this can only be good moving forward. To get into the top 6, Id see us invest in the academy to add more quality, signing some more young players as well as developing our own local kids. But Owen's fitness needs to be addressed and toughened up to get him on the pitch more than he is off. A new right back and maybe 2 if we eventually ship Carr on, a centre half to add more competition there as well as another LB. It seems Enrique is young and we'd need another LB to challenge for that spot. On the comments above: are you happier than you were this time last season? - Yup is the squad big enough? - Almost, its getting there. Id like to see a couple more options at the back. do you expect us to challenge for more with the new players and the new manager than we did under roeder and souness? - Yes how many players short are we from challenging the top 4-6? - Need a year of playing together as a team, then re-evaluate when we see what effect the new players have had. Id expect maybe needing a new forward, creative midfielder, centre half, left back and right back. However, its very possible with a bit of luck our current squad could make 6th. do you expect any more arrivals before the window closes? - Maybe one centre half? if you could sign one player or type of player who or what would it be? - Without knowing much about Enrique, Id say a RB unless he really wasnt ready yet then a LB.

always look sad though ...... (you know Im not even gonna finish that ) But welcome.

Also Moore, Bernard

Not telling you. Its confidential

Have a good one Jimbo.. er Birthday that is. Well, and a birthday wank if you must

Coped well with the added responsibility yesterday and was seen to communicate on the pitch to the others. Who knows what he is like elsewhere. Im open minded about this and wouldnt be strongly opposed.

thats not dire financially, thats just astute business sense. Why sell something for £6M if you know you can get £8? We certainly dont want clubs to think we are push overs. I agree it doesnt put us in the best light, then again, who gives a fuck.

Hmm, I though at LB he was poor and when he was pushed up to LM he was ok. Made some ok runs but lost the ball too much for me. He aint a LB thats for sure. Also his dead balls were poor. Maybe Sam is trying to pick him up after his moral has been down. What he says in public doesnt necessarily mean he says the same in private I suppose.

and those calling Ashley for being unprofessional, suddenly applauding him for pulling a master stroke ( [c] jimbo )

Id rather he stayed. Once he is fit he "could" be invaluable to the team. Suppose Sam needs to get him into his own regime to build up his strength. Once he has done that (I dunno, 6 months?) will be interesting to see how he does.

They're allowed opinions. They'll just be opinions based on very little evidence whatsoever. That's the point being made. It'd be like me saying 'I think New Hampshire is an incredible place to live' just because I've seen it once on a holiday show. Very little evidence? Do I have to be an Old Trafford season ticket holder to have enough 'evidence'? Man U are probably on TV as much as any other English team, there is plenty of opportunity to see them play and form a valid opinion on certain players. And your comparison between a football player and a place to live is complete bollocks btw. Stick to business and leave the thinking to people who can. You're very wrong. The example was completely irrelvent. I could have chosen any number of examples; the basic fact remains the same- you can't judge somewhere or something or somebody with very limited experience of it. Pipe down, kiddo. More worth comment is your admission that your opinion of Smith has come from watching the odd Man Utd. game on TV, proving my point nicely. Actually, you can. You can judge anything you like, based on what information / experience you have. You can see a player play once only and have an opinion, though that opinion may change over time when you have seen the player more. For example, I have only seen Geremi now play 3 times for NUFC and I can pass comment on how I think he will perform / fit in. My opinion based only on what I have seen so far.

Though my first reaction was more like "Are they fucking joking?" when I think about it I guess Sam does kinda make sense here.

Judging by your use of the words Beast and Animal Im suspecting it may have been a Manticore? Did it have a lions head by anychance?

Sounds plausible to me given it seems its the player that wants a move not us shipping him out. I think so anyway?

we could finish as high as 6th or as low as 16th in my opinion. i think we're probably too good to go down but a way away still from challenging the big boys. You've committed yourself there like if i'm honest i don't expect us to finish that much higher than last season. a top half finish should be the least we're expecting given the size of the club but we finished too close to the relegation zone for comfort last season so i wouldn't rule out another scrap at thw wrong end of the table either. a lot will depend on how the relatively unknown foreign signings sam has made bed in. hopefully cacapa will be the next gallas instead of the next boumsong. I think the potential problem you mention is more applicable to Man City than us. Many of our signings have good Premiership experience. However, I take your point on perhaps the back line where it seems they wont. Though from what Ive seen Rozenhal looks a good steady player albeit in friendlies. With these new signings, Id be disappointed if we didnt get top 8.

You can understand it happening in frustration and personally it doesn't bother me. But, it shouldn't happen. Imagine if it started happening in other sports as regularly. Part of footballs problem is the lack of player discipline (some would argue due to their perceived elevated status). But, in a friendly when so many parents take their kids, its not really what you'd want or more so want your kids to see.

I think there is more to it than any of us know, judging from the various comments.

After being at the game yesterday, Im quite liking the idea of having Geremi and Smith in the centre of midfield. As for opinions, you can only base your opinion on what you have seen (obviously) but doesn't negate your opinion no matter how little you have seen, for it is just that "your" opinion. If that is the same opinion as someone else is another matter. If one person has seen more of something else it doesn't render an opinion invalid, again as opinion is individual. Doesn't mean the person who has had more evidence is right only more material to base "their" opinion. Pretty friggin obvious really

I thought Martins was busy and gave it 100% bit unlucky at times like. Shola seemed to get off on the right foot, winning alot in the air then 10mins in he looked knackered and went back to his usual self. Preferred Smith in midfield compared to upfront and was good with him and Geremi. Agree that Rozenhal looks nice and composed, tidy player. Any idea why given went off though?

Falling Down (HMV for a few quid)

Prob total recall for me, though predator was good. Can barely remember commando. There is Twins as well.

With the current squad and options we have up front, Im not as concerned but of course will be good to get him back.