joey_big_nose

I think that is a bit unfair. As football generates more and more money you have to say that the players deserve their share. If they didn't get it then the chairmen or the TV companies would take it, and it really is the players and manager the people come to watch. Players wages are driven so high because there only is a tiny 1% (if not less) of footballers who are world class. Short supply, high demand is always going to result in massive prices. In the long run more top players need to be produced to bring the wages down, or teams need to work out how to get more out of average players. The market finds its level.

What I dont understand is how Bruce is managing it with much more quality in his squad. Much as we like to do Birmingham down they have alot of players who are better than ours: Pennant, Pandiani, Heskey, Forsell, Dunn, Melchiot and (to a lesser extent), Izzet and Upson. Indeed apart from the super quadrate of of Pedersen, Savage, Bellamy and Nelsen they are better equipped, Friedel and Taylor have been much of a muchness in the last couple of seasons. So the issue, for me, lies in the fact that Bruce cannot get the best out of them while Hughes seems to be getting alot out of lesser players. If they do go down we should be first in the que for Pennant and Dunn!

The obvious place to look is at Spurs where they are over loaded with midfielders. Carrick would be ideal, but may be too highly rated by the club to be allowed to leave. Apart from him both Sean Davis and Mendes are more than decent players and should both be allowed to leave if a good bid come in. I would imagine 2 million at the very most. Those two are plausible targets who can pass and perform at premiership level. In fact, apart from Graveson (must be on mega money, surely?) and Dunn (too injury prone), I cannot think of anyone we could realistically get with a comparable level of raw talent. And they have experience at this level, which is invaluable. However the gaffer has shown his stuff in getting in Axe, Nelsen and Zurab so maybe he can do it with more creative players who are relatively unkown on these shores. ps. We must be in a position where we have to offload. We have TEN midfielders at the moment. Flitcroft and Douglas need to go at the very least with Thompson, presumably, the next in line if he does not show some good form.

We have so many decent reserve players it will be worth putting them out. Bellamy should only come off the bench- We cannot afford to have him, Pedersen or Savage injured. Bentley should be tried in the centre (either in midfield or up front) just to see what he can do, although I am not holding my breath Subs: Bellamy, Enckleman, Matteo, Gresko/Dickov, Savage We are going to need out players to work their socks off against Chelsea so maybe even Gray should be swapped for Matteo depending how fit Sparky thinks he is. 2-1 AET. Home advantage should see us through.

My point being that neither do Tugay, Pedersen or Bentley. I think Gallagher could offer something going forward, especially in a 451 where Axe and Savage would take most of the defensive duties. Discouragingly I have been reading on the Stoke board that he has been a bit on the lazy side down there, something which he showed up here last season. The best option would be to get someone in, but gallagher has played some defence splitting balls. Just a thought

Player for player I would say that Charlton have a better side than us, just. Man City look slightly worse (Andy Cole seems to make all the difference. Hurrmph) but Pierce seems to galvanise. By the time we face Arsenal they could well be back to full strength. Chelsea have an unbelievably good side, the best in every department at the moment. Six points would be an excellent return, four points would be acceptable.

I would agree with that except I would play beelamy from the start on the right. Both Emerton and Bentley have been dissappointing on the right hand side and Bellamy is our major threat. Kuqi Pedesen Bellamy Savage ***** Axe Gray Nelsen Zurab Niell Friedel ***** is one out of Tugay, Reid and Bentley I think we will lose by the odd goal. Maybe 2-1. ps. Our bench is looking strong these days. Potentially Dickov, Todd, Matteo, Bentley, Thompson, Reid, Emerton all available.

The first game I have seen this season, and i have to sa that Savage looked our best player by a way. Did the most in the side in terms of attacking and defending. The whole defence was excellen and the strikers good too. The question mark for me is Bentley and, to a lesser extent, Tugay. I will be suprised if Emo does not take Bentley's place (shocking.... one shot and absolutely nothing else) and the top priority in January (presuming we have any money) needs to be a long term replacement for Tugay. All in all a very good result, especially as the next four will be real testers. Bellamy is a class above! ps. I advocated this a while ago, but who thinks Gallagher when he returns can be made into a midfielder? I still havn't seen anybody play for Rovers in the last two or three years who can pass as well as him bar Tugay and Ferguson. I know I will get slated for this, but if we don't have any cash then it may be our best option.

Oh AESF, why are your posts so long and uniformly dull? Is it a penance for us all, did we do something wrong?

I lived in Edinburgh for 3 years and I was only ever treated nicely! Whats your personal experience of this 'racism' and how does it compare to how you talk about, say, the Germans, the French and the Argentians.

I would not say that is true. Scotland probably has a more defined and celebrated heritage than England. They do not define themselves in opposition to us but rather try to protect their identity being swallowed by Britain, I am sure you would have a similar attitude about English culture if we joined a United States of European for a (hypothetical!) example. What the major complaint seems to be is that the English are overbearing and obnoxious, and you have to say that seems to be borne out by this thread. You could substitute 'England' for 'Manchester United', and 'Blackburn Rovers' for 'Scotland' in some of these posts and you would have the exact replica of the arrogance we detest in Scum fans. And as for all this 'little bitter country' stuff, it is true that smaller countries/teams feel threatened. Examine the relationship of England and the US or Blackburn and Man U for example. Scotland have a bad team at the moment, but it is a cracking country and hopefully things will sort themselves out. They are very much my second team (I like Wales to do well too), and Scottish troops go out and spill blood not just for Scotland but for the Uk, as do English troops. For all the bickering, Scotland and Wales are our closest allies and friends in this world. To think anything other is ridiculous.

I would not say that is true. Scotland probably has a more defined and celebrated heritage than England. They do not define themselves in opposition to us but rather try to protect their identity being swallowed by Britain, I am sure you would have a similar attitude about English culture if we joined a United States of European for a (hypothetical!) example. What the major complaint seems to be is that the English are overbearing and obnoxious, and you have to say that seems to be borne out by this thread. You could substitute 'England' for 'Manchester United', and 'Blackburn Rovers' for 'Scotland' in some of these posts and you would have the exact replica of the arrogance we detest in Scum fans. And as for all this 'little bitter country' stuff, it is true that smaller countries/teams feel threatened. Examine the relationship of England and the US or Blackburn and Man U for example. Scotland have a bad team at the moment, but it is a cracking country and hopefully things will sort themselves out. They are very much my second team (I like Wales to do well too), and Scottish troops go out and spill blood not just for Scotland but for the Uk, as do English troops. For all the bickering, Scotland and Wales are our closest allies and friends in this world. To think anything other is ridiculous.

Can I add my name to the petition to lose that signature. Or at least stop it flashing!

Im going for Friedel Niell Nelsen Zurab Gray Bentley Axe Tugay Pedersen Dickov Bellamy 2-1 Roveras

Lets not forget that he was farmed out to Leeds on loan and would of been sold if anyone who wanted to buy him could afford his wages. He did really well yesterday and he will start next game bu I get the impression that it will take a bit to impress Hughes in the long term.

Well I would say that it is not so much that Americans do not know how to be imperialists but rather that they are not allowed to be them. If America aggressively directed government in Iraq thry would be taken apart by everybody rom Paris to Tokyo. This is the problem- In Japan and Germany it was recognised that the US needed to be given some latitude to impose a free democratc and economically active state, in Iraq the world views the US as an aggressor and any strong moves as deplorable. This is perhaps now highlighting why UN support would have been so essential. If the UN had been in control then a tough stance could have been adopted without the undermining criticism, which works heavily for the subversive elements within Iraq, being so widely employed. The US is increasingly in a worse and worse position, and there is no defined exit strategy. And I dont get people who gloat about it, Iraqis British and US alike are dying there.

I'm anti bush in many ways, but that has to be the most moronic post I have ever seen on this messageboard. You consider the American administration ignorant, manipulative and vindictive. Stop for a second and consider your own post- it displays all those characteristics in abundance. Pitiful.

You are completely mental. I have nothing against the Australians but the only player who would get a sniff of the England team would be Kewell as he is left footed. He is however playing substantially worse than either SWP or Joe Cole at the moment. Viduka might just make the squad as a target man ( but is he really better than Crouch?). Cahill is nowhere near the quality of player Scholes is however, though I would agree that he is on par with the likes of Jenas at the moment. Schwazer would be 2nd choice after Robinson. So maybe four players out of 22 would be Australian and none would start. How you can suggest Viduka, Cahill, Moore, Kalac are more worthy of sub spots than Beckham, SWP, Rio Ferdinand, Carragher, Joe Cole and Defoe is beyond me. Cloud cukoo land...

As Todd shouldnt be banned I am a little more confident about this game. Rovers should line up: Kuqi Pedersen Emerton Savage Reid Tugay Matteo Todd Nelsen Taylor/Axe Freidel Subs: Encks (Lee?), Axe, Gresko, Gallagher, Johnson Personally I would still like to see Gallagher given a shot in place of Emerton. It is not so much that I think young Paul will be a massive addition but just a bit of an improvement over the woeful Australian. Gallagher lacks pace to be a good wide player but as Brett cannot beat a player himself it hardly seems a problem. Gally can at least cross and is more of a goal threat too. Even sticking Reid out on the right and bringing Moko in is a better option that having Emo out there. He needs a kick up the backside and dropping him is the way to do it. We can always bring him on in the second half. ps. I am a fan of the Nelsen for captain campaign too. He is one of our three best players (MGP, Bellamy I would say are the others at the moment) and a level headed chap.

Signing owen would turn Newcastle into an outfit of real quality. They have spent a massive amount of money but they would have an excellent team with strength in depth (well, in midfield anyway) only really lacking a decent left winger. Its a bit depressing really, a whole raft of teams we are trying to compete with are buying exceedingly well (Charlton, Spurs, Newcastle, Birmingham, Middlesborough). It will be an up hill struggle to break into the top half of the table, but you know what, I back Hughes to manage it. ps. I feel for Everton- an excellent performance last season and it all goes to waste because no one want to sign for them. Doesnt bode well for us if we manage their feat, unlikely as it is.

Imagine what Hughes could manage with a squad like Brum's! I love the rovers but in terms of playing talent only Pedersen, Nelsen, Bellamy and possibly niell would get in their side. Friedel and Savage would be a close run thing on last seasons form against Taylor and Butt/Jarosik. Delighted to see them come up short with a 3-0 (!) loss today.

I just found out the full name of the lead character in the movie "Unbreakable", who also happens to be completely invincible, is David Dunn. Oh the irony. ps. As an aside, as much as I hate them, Birmingham look like they will be half decent once everyone is fit (Dunn's due back at the end of september, Heskey for their next game I think). There's a lot of talent in their team (Forsell, Dunn, Upson, Melchiot, Maik Taylor, Pandiani, Heskey, Pennant are all very good players. Butt might refind his form too....) they just need to bring them together. Our game against them could be very tough. Forgot that they have just got Jarosik too! One player I wouldnto of minded turning out for us!

I reckon this is the team Hughes will plump for if Bellamy is out but the Axe is back. Emerton has to be dropped: Bench: Encks, Emerton, Flitcroft, Gallagher, Gresko/Johnson Personally I would be tempted to just do a straight swap on the right for Gallagher, but I think Hughes is more likely to go for the above. I think Spurs have an excellent team this season which is better or equal to our side in every position except left midfield and Nelsen's half of the centrebacks. Anyway, I would be happy with a point but a win is not out of the question as Spurs have a habit of self destructing.

Well in many ways having Nelsen fit is more important than having Bellamy who dosnt look like he will make it. My Team: I would put Tugay in for Gallagher but I think he would be more effective coming on in the second half. The rather random inclusion of Gallagher comes from the fact that he is, apart from an on form Tugay, the best passer in the team in my opinion. Playing him in the middle should not present any defensive problems as the Axe is effective there and Tugay himself in almost invisible so it is no downgrading. Emerton is left out so that he can think about how bad he has been and hopefully respond as he did by getting (at least a bit) better last season. (In actuality I realise that Hughes is about as likely to castrate himself as put Gallagher in central midfield, but I think it is an interesting idea).