Yes you are correct, Steve Davis of Crewe made history as the most successful English manager of recent times then... JPT?Realistically though Abigail, if Big Sam had managed a big club for a long time, he'd have won at least 1 cup IMO. Came pretty close in 2004 at notlob and if you think he did sod all in his last two jobs... Well then it's pointless discussing anything with you. Is it this simple black and white debate again, a striker scores goals or he's @#/?, a manager wins trophies or his @#/? etc etc etc Crazy.See, as a season ticket holder at the time I seem to remember Pedersen having a cracking assist rate from set pieces and corner... Sorry if I'm remembering things a bit too fondly, I'd take Big Sam and where we where a million times over recent times. Steve Mclaren. The main who's proved that having a good agent is better than tactics. Irony that you'd select him as an example- what was his most recent attempt? Failed promotion with arguably the best team in the division.Oh and Spurr - I'd use it because it's another chance to get the pressure on in the box. Whether it's useful or not depends more on other teams preparing for it and our prowess with it. I would like to see us mix it up if I'm honest. When teams expect the long throw, it's great to throw a short one now and then.

Big Sam is a professional football manager who decided to use that strategy. Do I think; A) my recollections of the havoc it caused in the box must be imagined and BS had no idea what he was doing. Or I remember it perfectly and some stay away fan who's still probably convinced sacking Sam was a good idea knows sod all?

Showing your naïveté and lack of experience of football here Shaun. The reason why Big Sam is probably one the best English managers of recent time is because the methods he uses are effective, not pointless.

Relegation thread after 1 league game and a predictable early cup exit? Surely give it 5 league games before the gallows are out? As I've said, a group of 4/5 losses in a row will indicate to me that the manager has lost the dressing room and that would be time for me to discuss relegation as a possibility. That's LL so far. If this has come around from selling players from the last two seasons of finishing top ten, maybe we should let their replacements get a few games in the league before we write them completely off eh lads. It's not time for me to discuss this further. If Hudds spank us on Saturday I might open the thread again. Adios

You mean like the forest away game? or Taylor and Conway changing the Fulham away game? Tunnicliffe coming off the bench and grabbing the game by the neck in the reading home game? Granted - this is not consistent in every game, but its plain to see he is not "clueless" He doesn't always get it right. I think that is one of his weakest areas but to take the u21s discussion into another different little reason to moan - gah its practically mind rotting. I'm only posting because i'm specifically trying to take my mind off something and this is my last reply to this argument thats spewed from the GB discussion thread.

Forgetting two years of indifferent form, which would suggest that GB is tactically inconsistent rather than clueless... Not throwing the kids in is now the definition of "clueless"? The u21s is an avenue for us to set a style of play that matches the first team (did anyone see the winger setup btw) and to push players into contention for first team places. The first team is a big step up for many, in some peoples opinion too big for a few of our current first teamers namely our captain. Jake Kean is an example of mishandling(ahem) of youth players. If these players are ready, they will be chosen. Do I think GB will consistently get the decision on whether it is the right time or not? I doubt it. But I also have faith that he knows better than throwing in Edinho Jr esq "Greenhorns". As I said, the time has probably come for a few of this current batch but there can only be 11 players on the pitch at one time. I personally would stick Raya in the net for the last few games and let Eastwood and Steele go get ready to fight out for No1 spot next season.

I don't agree with you Mustard. To bring this back to the true topic, The u21s and academy has improved tenfold in the past year and that is down to the changing tide behind the doors at ewood. No more "new Stevie Gee's", no more Agents sons, no more 10k a week for sheffield reserve players.

I was impressed by maidana, flits absorbed lots of body shots early on and dodged a lot. I've not seen a boxer counter like Mayweather, even is the guy is morally bankrupt. It's mesmeric.

Looks fairly good... basically means we are going to have a "real fooking season"

R.I.P