bob fleming

Superb Sox! I agree with most of that apart from Neill who was virtually anonymous so far as I could tell... Actually, you're right, Neilll = 9/10.

But we were 4th at the start of the day, bob ! Yeah well - we're now 8th in the league!! I don't know what they've been doing down there today but it's got to stop. I'm now going to cut myself off from the world of football until tomorrow morning, the way this seasons shaping up I fully expect to open the morning paper and see that we're in the bottom half. No infact worse than that, in The Championship. Woe is me etc etc etc.... Good post Speeeeedie. I foolishly posted last night, full of ale and my knee jerking like a fully paid up mentalist. Sure it wasn't the start we were looking for - but it's certainly far too early to be "going off on one" in the manner that I did last night. Let's take a look where we are after 8 games. That should tell us what this seasons all about. Although I do appreciate that it's mighty hard for us to do that on here! (it would be a bit quiet really). I notice we're above Manchester United this evening - which is nice.

After my previous post, which I regret, I'd just like to address the balance and point out that at this moment in time we're sixth!. Back in Europe! It's early doors but you never know!

Bryan - you're better than that middle paragraph.

Welcome back Paul. OK - I've had a few - and no review of the game here. This is how I see it... There was one or two who thought it was a good idea to try players out of position this pre-season. There were one or two who thought it would be a good idea to try different formations in pre-season. Bollards. Same old same old - welcome to the last game of last season. Play Four Four fecking Two and be done with it. (come on bob - next thing you'll be talking about stuff like "building an understanding" between the players - it's madness) If the manager can't decide on his best 11 or isn't brave enough to pick his first 11 or isn't prepared to pizz people off for the sake of the team - then we may well struggle. And this poster might just change his mind and decide that it's time for a change at the top. And I really don't want that. Sorry but that's the way I feel right now.

BUT what do you mean etc ???

Great preview SuperStella. Bit harsh on Enks & Derek Pedro but other than that that's pretty much how I see it.

He went on a run, well buggar me, thats it Souness screwed up. This fella was only on 50K a week and he ran from the half way line to the edge of the area, brilliant. And he was not even offside? Funny not long ago playing for us he hit the woodwork twice and was deemed dross. Now a run makes him a world class player. Give me 50 Grand a week and I'll run from the halfway line to the area several times in 90 minutes I can most likely lose possesion at the end of it too, if I'm not offside that is. Very good USA!! Reminds me of a Peter Kaye sketch, although slightly different. Mrs Cole to their children, Year 2035..... "Of course it wasn't like this when we were young and your Dad was a footballer - none of this new fangled stuff. I remember one time your Dad had to run! - all the way from the half way line! - by foot!! With a football! He even had to pass it, by foot!!, but it was cut out. All that and he was only on £50,000 a week!! I tell you you don't know your born you lot." Anyway - Andy who?

You're right Tango. I can only presume that I was wrong and Tom actually was guessing where everyone will finish this season. Which really is ridiculous. I mean there's just no way Arsenal are going to win it.

Tom. I'm gonna take a guess here. I think the idea is to take a guess where everyone will finish at the end of the season rather than at the very start. Granted, as things stand right now, you're spot on.

For what it's worth, IMO: - This little lot trying to win it... 1. Chelsea 2. Arsenal 3. Manchester United Then this lot trying to get 4th spot... 4. Liverpool 5. Newcastle United 6. Middlesbrough 7. Birmingham City Then finally this lot all trying to get to 40 points which will allow them to try and get to 40 points the season after... 8. Charlton Athletic 9. Aston Villa 10. Tottenham Hotspur 11. Manchester City 12. Blackburn Rovers 13. Everton 14. Fulham 15. Norwich City 16. Bolton Wanderers 17. Portsmouth 18. Southampton 19. West Bromich Albion 20. Crystal Palace

That's just ridiculous Tom. No way will there be four own goals. We will of course win this 2-1 in front of a massive 23,000 crowd. Johnny Stead and Derek Pedro for us and Canoe for them.

No. That would be wrong.

Tell you what Glenn - that's a cracking interview. So few words and yet such an in-depth insight into the mind of a Premier League manager. The pressure that these guys are under is immense as that interview amply illustrates. The "pause" says it all. He may as well have shouted "Look I can't stand the fella, I'd get rid of him tomorrow for free but he's got me over a barrel with those photographs of me and that ost..." - "Come on Bray!" Similarly the one word curt response says a lot as well. Normally Souness would stand and shout for hours at fans - he's prepared to put himself out like that. Not this time though the one word sentence tells it's own story. He's a manager with a lot on his mind and no mistake. Nice one Glenn. If you could just track down Sven now and ask "Tell you what Sven you're putting it around a bit aren't you?" (but perhaps in a cockernee accent for effect) that'll be two exclusives in a week.

Just got back. Good to see we won 4-0. Also good to see a lot from this messageboard again. Also good to see Manchester Blue again and get his name totally wrong In my defence, I was, after all, very, very drunk.

Superb.

Thank you Alan. Hughesy - whilst I don't like Manchester United I find that song, which I'm sure most are familiar with already, to be nothing short of a bloody disgrace. Don't lower yourself or our football club to those levels. We've never sung it, even when our rivalry was at it's highest (like that would be an excuse?) and I hope we never will do.

Dickov, Dickov - Dickov, Dickov, Dickov, he get's the ball scores a goal, Dickov, Dickov, Dickov.

I was on the list?!? Actually I heard rumours from a bloke in a pub in Mellor that Lee was lining up a bid of 7p and a couple of polo mints before the transfer window shuts. They're being bank rolled big time by Fred Walker or something. I know you lot would snap their hands off. I just can't see it happening 'cause of my dodgy knees.

Do it Den. Perhaps you could invite people to write a couple of paragraphs by way of a nomination? (Similar to the Match Previews thing?)

While I was queuing (Ha Ha) up on Saturday for my Sporting Lisbon ticket I asked. They reckon about 12,500.

Exactly SG - totally agree. Let's at least wait until we lose our first few games and then get on a downer. No point doing it now. Although I admit some of us can't wait that long.

Capt - it was definitely just a pre-season game. Trust me. The season doesn't start until the 14th. Dickov did OK if you ask me - the only time Ward ever moved that quickly was to sign his contract. Still I'd better not praise him too much as it's not the done thing. Similarly Matteo looks a good player - "Oh no! he's playing defensive midfield! He's not quick enough. Look what happened to Leeds. Everyone panic! Woe is me!" Pass the razor blades. Reid isn't a full back. We've Sporting Lisbon, The Mighty Bray Wanderers and probably a behind closed doors friendly type thing to come I'd imagine, but I agree with you I'd rather see some sort of semblance of a settled team, even at this stage of the pre-season (and I'm well aware of the arguments about testing different formations out). This Yorke "in the hole" thing doesn't work (choose your own selection of jokes at this point) for me. Last season showed that we need some width down the left - if Del Pedalo is injured play Gresko out there (he did OK on the left the other week by all accounts). Surely it would be better to try that than accomodating The Yorkemeister. What I will say is that for all this pessimism we are unbeaten and we've hardly conceded and goals. What more does anyone want? Eh???? (BTW Capt - some of the set pieces were sublime. You'll love it next season. Makes you wonder what they do in training.)

Aye alright GAV. See you two weeks tomorrow on the BBE. I've heard rumours they've installed a new DeanoShelf for the new season.