Got to remember that Dickov played a lot of matches with a groin injury and you could tell by watching him that it affected his play. With our lack of options up front and the severity of the situation we were in, we had to play him. I think he is an excellent player to have in the squad. His contribution to us last season was enormous and you cannot forget that.

I think that is very interesting news - while JW role may not change that much, there have obviously been discussions about stream-lining the club at board level for a reason. Note the link between turnover and the money we will be spending in the transfer market.

How long is Sparky's contract as manager?

JW on season tickets

Chelsea at home, payback after the last game was marred by the 'thugs' jibe. Kuqi versus Terry to be the main battle on the pitch for me.

Jackson: Stead does not fit into Hughes more defensive system

That's the point I have been trying to make all along Scotty.

Ingore this thread!

Some people really are ridiculous on here- what the hell do you expect out of this club- it's easy to look back and say 'why did he not do this etc etc' but there really is no point.

I got my pack sent to my Edinburgh address (even though I am in London currently) as well. To be honest, it was very tempting to take up the offer. However, I am in the same boat the person above in that it will be away matches I will be going to most of all....

Loves getting fined doesn't he!

Lot of debate over the drummer, however without him we would lack much noise at all IMO. I can understand it giving people a headache but without him yesterday (for example) it would not have been anywhere near the same sort of atmosphere/noise level. I do understand people's annoyance with the drummer- but I enjoyed the occasion yesterday afternoon. Seeing the home fans sit like lemons for most of the match, while their expensively assembled team could not create much or give them much to cheer about.

Thought yesterday was a good laugh! Our fans were very vocal and I am looking forward to next season. We play some nice football on the grond at times but need more options up front. Hughes knows that and so does anyone who has watched us over the last few months. Nelsen yet again impressed me- considering all the attacking players Spurs have they did not cause that much threat to us.

Looking forward to it! Hopefully we do not just lie down but I doubt it. Any suggestions for pre match beer. Probably be in Tottenham area around 12 or so....

Intially, I was annoyed with this result. However, on reflection my attitude to the game was maybe similar to that of the players. It never really felt that we had a match yesterday... It must be remembered the fantastic efforts Hughes has got out of the players for a long period of time now. I am not sure if concerned is the word, but it is interesting to find out from David Tommo about Hughes tactics. He said he has curbed his attacking freedom since he came in, and they are a lot of occasions when he is restricted in his attacking play- the challenge for Hughes will be to make us a more attack minded team without upsetting the balance of our side. We do have a good defence, one of the main reasons is the side is much more compact and tighter under Hughes. This of course reduces the chances and attacking impetus of any side. One thing you can guarantee next season. There will be at least 3 new faces in the side next season. I am excited at the prospect.....

Sorry guys- just came in straight to the mb! Could not see it... now I do though!

Dont know if its on this thread but you know Todd has been charged by the FA. Got until 6pm tomorrow to reply- sorry if its on here already!!

Blue blood- excellent piece, which sums up what I am thinking.

A couple of weeks back, the semi final controlled my mind. Some would say it was controlling my life. All I could think about was the game coming up, what a day out in Sparky's homeland. What an opportunity which I may not witness ever again. It maybe against Arsenal but something weird has been going on in the cup this year, and I am becoming a believer. However reading this thread makes you depressed- ok its a sh*t time/day etc etc... but its time to get on with it and live with it. Really folks it can be quite depressing reading this board at times but the realisation we are in the later stages of Jack's favourite cup spurs me on. 'Bring on the Arsenal'

As the row rumbles on- from the times Toshack resisted the invitation to respond to Bowen’s accusations at his pre-match press conference yesterday, yet there was a characteristic look of mischief on his face when he told the interpreter that he “might have to explain to the Austrian press who Mark Bowen is”.

The reason Hughes employed 'neagtive' tactics is quite obvious. Look at their centre backs! Gabbidon is prone to Amo mistakes eventhough he looks potentially a fine defender. They are weak at the back, they need protection. The games I have seen Wales they are not international standard at the back. Its all very well Tosh saying he wants to get the ball down and play but they are a few players short to do that. He really is a kn*b, everytime he talks he refers back to Hughes era as being problematic in terms of the issues he faces now. He did a lot of good Hughes there, and the fact he left when he did, he realised he needed a change and most probably Wales needed a change as well. Long ball criticism and all that guff, but you would get most managers doing the same if they were in charge of Wales.

Cheers guys... Reading all the negative posts has got me thinking again. My worst nightmare- get taken apart by a rampant Arsenal team in the semis and get involved in a relegation battle until the bitter end- mind you Hughes said last week we wont be out of it until the end of the season. Just when I thought things were looking rosy in the garden again...

His first touch is awful these days- just saying it is a concern. I am just benchmarking against his previous high standards.

What concerns me is that we are not seeing the best of of David Thompson yet. He has shown glimpes of the form he once had where he quite rightly was in the England squad- I was willing to give him time but he has enough time on pitch now to get his fitness back. Maybe in the future we will see his ability shine through again. On other issues- I have been impressed with some of Neil's defence splitting passes of late. He can play a decent ball and also has been doing some powerful runs. Generally from the team too many blind alley passing going on- bit like hit and hope... seems pointless at times.

Going to leave work on Friday night from London- train to Cardiff. Go out on the sauce. Really cant wait- mind you I may have got the sack by then as I cant concentrate on my work. One Jack Walker