Many of us have long-running weight problems but I reckon 30 grand a week might just be enough motivaation to lose the excess for most of us. Maybe modern players take this level of remuneration for granted.........but the prospect of becoming a national hero at my country's World Cup in the twilight of my career would definitely do it. Benni should be grateful that someone like Sam is bending over backwards to help him reach the level of performance that could make that dream a realistic possibility. It's obvious that the guy hasn't got the willpower to do it on his own.

Michael Gray has a blog on the BBC website..............this week he talks about the best players he has played with. Lucash, Brad and Tugay (the best of the best) all get a mention. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/michaelgray/2009/10/gray.html

It seems that "Our Robbie" is a big hit over here! This is an extract from the following article: ''Mate, he's been fantastic. A lot of people reckoned he was always injured, wouldn't be interested or would struggle to cope with the heat. He's not just a great player, he is a leader and he has really helped lift our profile locally and also in the rest of the country. Look at the crowd Sydney got the other night - a lot of people wanted to come to see him.'' http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/football...2780313792.html

Yes, Joe was one of the first players to sign little my autograph book................. Mike Harrison was one of my heroes too -took a mean penalty.

Good one Philipl

Hasta...your last couple of lines made me burst out laughing........which takes some doing after that performance. Friedel is unbelievable. I can't bring myself to watch the goal replay......but if he was at fault, I forgive him totally. We played some absolute crap against mediocre teams last season but this takes some beating. I agree with most on here but here is my perspective anyway: .....Pederson is lightweight I NEVER get excited when he gets the ball. Nonda was worse than anyone we played up front last year and although I like Benni - he was rubbish too. This is really worrying we looked totally impotent up front..............ohhh for a Duff or a Bellamy, sigh! Neill is a liability - not just the penalty claim but he gave the ball away.......ran forward to try to win it back and charlton bypassed him for another dangerous attack, Savage was anonymous - I am a fan but he was disappointing today, Bentley was poor - apparently he was good in the tugay role last weekend but today we saw the reality. When Tugay came on, he was brilliant....he actually passed to our own players - shame about that atrocious back-pass but fortunately super Brad was on hand to clear up. Gallagher is not a Premiership player on this season's showing. I think Hughes was as brassed off as anyone........let's hope he can sort it out before the weekend!

The Lucas Neill bit was the bit that made me laugh out loud.

That makes good reading Scotty - much appreciated.

Yes, much appreciated........loved the Nonda bit best.

Thanks bob - spot on.

Keep posting those match reports Scotty and the more detail the better. Many of us have been hanging around this board for weeks - lapping up rumours and fanciful speculation. It makes a welcome change to hear something real at last. As someone else said, it is particularly appreciated by those of us a long way from home.

Excellent and entertaining as usual Bob.......hope they sign you up for next season!

I only just got the nerve to read the april review........somehow it didnt seem so bad the way you put it! Then again, we have qualified for Europe heh heh!

Brilliant............I've already forgotten the poor stuff we played when Tugay was out. How much better we look when he is orchestrating the midfield. I'm particularly pleased for all the guys and gals who pay out their hard-earned cash week in, week out to support the lads. I'm sure you enjoyed the atmosphere on Tuesday night...it looked amazing on TV. I envy you! Keep the pot boiling for the Man City game.....it would be great to finish on a real high......4-0 will do! What a difference to have a manager who's aspirations match those of the fans.........Well done Mark Hughes and a very special mention to his support staff........I'm sure they too played a crucial role in this success. I'm off to watch a replay right now..........YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH!

It may be so, I don't know what they said........but the problem is that they keep getting booked for it and one day it will prove costly.

Wowee....just seen that we get the Chelsea game live too......that's SIX live games on the trot!

Agree with Flopsy. Pedersen, Savage and Bellamy should be fined a week's wages...............they deserved their bookings............especially Savage and Bellamy...........won't they ever learn???

Charlton must be the worst team we have faced this season? On their website it said that bolton gave them a football lesson.......well i can see why........they were very poor..........we completely dominated the second half. All credit to Mr Curbishley I reckon...........he had to let the Charlton fans know that he was leaving because this was his last home game............not the best preparation for the match! Great result nonetheless.

Tugay has made a fantastic difference...........we look to have some venom again going forward. Pongolle is looking good value too. Is it just me, or is MGP a yard off the pace? Great throw-in though! Lucas.....leave the long balls to Tugay.

Bellamy is the player most responsible for the turn around in fortunes this season. He has added the killer touch that we have been missing for so long. It's just a pity that he has been receiving such pathetic support recently. He is a class act and everyone dreads the news when he is injured. He's the man for me.

Well done Joey. I appreciate the time and effort you put into the preview......very enjoyable.

Been able to see the last 4 games live.........big, big disappointment. There was absolutely no excitement at all watching this last game. It was so frustrating to see the lack of ideas when we ventured into their territory. Even Bellamy looked out of sorts....but he gets no quality support at all. It is sad that the introduction of Kuqi (who has been lambasted by just about everybody on here) was the catalyst for an improvement in attack. Reid has some fine qualities...but i groaned every time He received the ball in midfield as he takes a couple of seconds to decide what to do - and then passes the ball sideways....we lost all momentum every time. Every build up is painfully slow and predictable....where is the quick slick passing we saw when we were storming up the table. I'm sorry guys but this stuff is crap to watch.......I feel sorry for the people who are paying to watch it.

true.............but we are watching crap