Ant1979

Pelegrini is very classy. Sherwood is honest but he's full of himself, I'm not a fan of his at all. But as they say, opinions are like arseholes haha

They're a small team, but fair play to them they've made it to the second tier of the French leagues so they're there on merit. Apparently it's a very small squad she has to work with too, and will have to use some youth players to make up the numbers. So suffice it to say that even just maintaining their Ligue 2 status for any length of time, she'll have done an exceptional job

Seems to be well qualified from what I've read. Good luck to her

I like Holloway's honesty in interviews, and of course there's the entertainment factor from him too. Steve Bruce is pretty fair and honest too, and Tony Pulis

Definitely, I agree with you. I think he was setting out his reasoning and justifications for taking as many of the old guard as possible. Lampard for example, I don't think he should go but I bet he will

He's repeatedly said that he's known his squad for ages and is looking over a 2 year period rather than a late surge. Although it's been a good few months now that Stones has been awesome, and Roy's hand may be forced to be a bit more adventurous if the injuries keep piling up. I hope he does take Stones

I agree.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27285223 Looks like Caulker and Medel do have relegation release clauses, however no specific trigger value, clubs would just have to meet Cardiff's valuation. Seems a bit of a pointless clause, considering Cardiff could just keep saying their valuation hasn't been met if they don't want to sell.

Welcome! Hope you enjoy the forum

Got to admit I've slagged him off in the England thread a few times. That's because I see him as a jack of all trades and master of none. If he was out of contract then yeah he'd be a good squad player, although I think after (hopefully) winning his second league title in 3 years he might want assurances about being a first choice player. Can't see this happening

Someone should tell numb nuts that 'shooing' away a camera man is likely to have the exact opposite of the desired effect.... (Cue producer in his earpiece: 'zoom in!! The toothy bastard is having a breakdown!)

Yeah pretty much thought so even as I was typing it. I guess when someone is potentially on a free it always makes me consider it more easily and rationalise it being a better idea than it really is. Worst case scenario being it doesn't quite work out and could get a couple of million back in 12 months time (Beckford)

Nugent is out of contract in a few weeks. Back up striker / squad rotation? He's an Everton fan apparently. Wasn't given a consistent run out in the PL for Portsmouth, but perhaps he's found his level in the Championship and wouldn't cut it at the higher level?

Haha! Love it. Couldn't happen to a nicer pair

I'm quoting myself because I've just seen where I read the 'inhumane' comment about the early kick offs. It was Nikica that already posted it in the World Cup thread. Sorry! Haha

Dixon is a Manc (blue half) so I'm not sure if that would have any effect on what he might say, or rather 'not' say. But based on what you've said it just sounds more like a Sky / British media agenda

I would guess it will be tested out in pre-season, it will be interesting to see how it goes! Roberto must feel it's a goer or he wouldn't have mentioned it to the press. I suppose Bryan as first choice LB and Baines in midfield would explain us being linked with Robertson, firstly as Oviedo's back up then see who claims the position as their own long term?

That was another thread and it was Patto who said it (Sorry Patto)

I think I read that Germany especially have it the worst of the European teams with the early kick offs at the more northerly venues? It's been described as 'inhumane' to play at the earlier kick off times in those cities, might really have an effect on one of the tournament favourites. Then again it could just be journalists looking to write about every possible angle and permutation (sp?), as usual!

Although it could be a blessing in a way I guess, get a full pre-season with the first team squad and be better prepared when the time comes? Or do people think that's still premature and he'll mostly stay with the youngsters next season?

Yeah I can't see Roy starting him in any games at all, unless Rooney picked up an injury mid-tournament for example, then maybe he would

That's a very good point

Hull 1 - 3 Everton Lukaku

I wonder if spurs put any buy back clause in caulker's sale, or if he has a relegation release clause at a certain fee. I suppose we would have heard about it by now, the way agents leak things and the press speculate about everything! If Stones hadn't exploded onto the scene I would say move for Caulker all day long, but as it is I think he would be expensive and the money should be used up front

I only joined in January so I only got chance to make a prediction when we were already doing well. If I'd predicted in August I would probably have said 6th or 7th with a new manager / new system. So it's better than I expected, but at the same time I'm not at all surprised because Roberto is a real football scholar - everyone who's ever played for him, with him, coached under him, been a pundit with him, all say the same thing. He lives and breathes football and is vastly knowledgeable, not to mention a fucking Jedi of positivity! Haha