Comments on: 3 Points Please

By: Toonrobbybobson

Toonrobbybobson — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:19:22 +0000

He does seem keen on some of the Scottish players. I think Hutton was a gr8 prospect but unfortunately he went to Spurs. To add to that list above what about Crouch or Alonso?

By: Simo

Simo — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:03:08 +0000

I think our existing youngsters will get their chance if they prove they have the ability. Keegan has attended most of the reserve games from what I can tell so is obviously interested in the younger players. I think he sees the current situation as being a bad time to throw in your inexperienced players, probably quite rightly. If we reach safety before the end of the season I’m hoping to see Edgar and Carroll given a couple of halves here and there to see what they can do. As Toon mentioned too, most of them also simply won’t make it to the top level. I think we all agree that the holes in our current squad won’t be patched simply by the youth set up, or at least not yet.

In terms of names, any of the ones Toonbobbyrobson mentioned sound good to me, although I doubt we’ll get the likes of Arteta, Cahill or Johnson. Not entirely sure about Bridge in a way, would he see it as a step down and relax a little too much? I’d like to see us sign someone like Bentley was when he was at Arsenal - obvious talent but failing to break through… We will probably see some foreign lads come in and it sounds like we’ll see more than one lad from Scotland, although I don’t follow the SPL so couldn’t guess at names.

By: Toonrobbybobson

Toonrobbybobson — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:07:04 +0000

BTW some other good names. Doyle, Bullard, Barnes (i know crocked atm), Ashton, Arteta, Cahill (last 2 very hard to get maybe not poss), Shorey, Bridge, Johnsen (Glen).. many more plus theres other leagues and countries. Biggest problem i see if a good central defender.

By: Toonrobbybobson

Toonrobbybobson — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:03:22 +0000

Some great points guys. I think referees being mic’d could be a good move. It will make them clearly explain their decisions as well knowing they being monitored and broadcast. Plus the flipside players wont swear. I agree with the youth players but that youth is still a season or 2 away at least and not all come through. 1 maybe 2 if you lucky. We still need 5 out probably 10 in. Strength our squad depth get rid of the deadwood and get players that are ready and available for selection instead of ready for a treatment and picking up their pay check. Plus youth need to be introduced into a performing team. If they into a struggling team they get destroyed. They need players around them who can carry them and help them on. Then a mistake aint as costly and they grow from their and learn. Im all for ditching last pay day players and focusing on the future where we can get 5-10 years out of players and make a profit. I still say our policy can do well in the new signings if we sign young players hungry and with talent. Players such as the Bentleys, Carricks, Youngs, Lennons, and many more. They are available out there. Maybe not those names but there are players at there hungry and will be willing to play for the team. Thats what we want.. A team not individuals. Lose as a team win as a team and that includes the crowd. If we play as a team you can beat anyone. Its just not very often we see it these days.

By: Penti

Penti — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:31:43 +0000

The problem with finding a few “diamonds in the rough” is that with every increasing demand for instant success, would these guys ever get a chance to shine? What about our youngsters? Will the likes of Carroll, Troisi and Godsmark ever get a decent crack at the 1st team if we keep bringing in players from outside? If they wont then we might as well cash in now, ditch the academy and do a Chelsea. Is that what any of us want?

By: Simo

Simo — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:21:55 +0000

PS I notice the article I linked to above has now been changed. Makes the article seem somewhat unfounded now, which essentially it is.

By: Simo

Simo — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:20:13 +0000

I agree about the mic’s. I probably wouldn’t broadcast the audio live straight away, although once things improve you can do as currently happens in rugby. After that the players will know that if they’re found swearing live on daytime TV they’ll be crucified. As for the captains only talking to the referee, simple - if they start swearing and moaning at the referee, they’ll be sent off. Like you say, clamp down hard and the managers will get their players in line as soon as you can blink.

I know what you mean about bringing players in, but my view is that if we’ve a decent enough scouting network we’ll find a few gems who’ll jump at the chance to play in the Premiership for a club like ours. I’m happy with one or two rough diamonds if it means we can slowly mould them into a strong team given time. I just don’t want any more has-beens looking for that one last pay-off…

As for the apprentice, when was that? I’ve only ever seen a couple of episodes. I’m sure he knows that the chequebook needs to be unleashed…

By: Penti

Penti — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:52:28 +0000

Am I allowed to post here without it being a moan for a change? j/k

Decent performance, much needed result, springboard for some more points hopefully.

Transfers……… I think our biggest problem is not going to be who to offload, but how to attract better!!! Lets be honest we havent had the greatest of press lately, and thats gonna “warp” the perception of a lot of players. This will probably mean throwing money at people, which is never a good “recruitment” policy.

Refs………. lets not pussy foot around. You want the problem resolved? Its easy. Make the referees apply the full letter of the law. It wouldnt take too many games with Man U, Chelsea etc ending the game with 8-9 players before the clubs management start taking responsibility for their employees. There must be an introduction of technology as well, micing the refs, goaline cameras etc. But, there is one fundamental aspect that must be in place first……….. EVERYONE involved in the game must have the will to make these changes. You get so many “experts” berating the use of technology and how it will ruin the game, and in the next breath almost they are moaning about how some referee’s decision was wrong and changed the result.

YOU CANT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS MATEY !!!!

Oh and the whole “only captains can speak to the ref” thing. Its bollox tbh. Watch footage of many of the top teams and its the captains that are doing the moaning, swearing etc. Micing the refs and having the rules enforced rigidly is the only way forward.

By: Toonrobbybobson

Toonrobbybobson — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:23:21 +0000

Id look at it this way. 5 players out 10 players in. Im sure Mr. Ashley can buy us a few players. He paid £100k for 3 tickets on The Apprentice.

By: Simo

Simo — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:02:36 +0000

We definitely need pace in the team… Milner’s not slow, although I’d be happy to see some competition for the right wing spot. A new left winger is needed too as N’Zogbia is off and Duff needs competition/is a bit slow. We need a new young defensive midfielder and someone that can attack with pace (although Barton might fill this spot). So, a whole new midfield I guess… Plus a big defender and a big striker - the defence is slowly coming together and there’s enough cover with the likes of Edgar and Ramage.

Going to be expensive for Mike Ashley… Then again we should make a bit of money from sales:
Ameobi - £2m to a team promoted to the Premiership
Emre - £3.5m abroad
Cacapa - £1.5m abroad
Rozenhal - £2m to Lazio
Carr - £1m to the likes of QPR/Celtic
N’Zogbia - £6-7m to a London club (because he, a family man, NEEDS to be down there)
Martins?! I hope not, but if he goes we’ll want a big return on top of the £10m we paid for him…

I think the likes of Smith, Viduka, Barton and Duff will be kept as they’ll add experience and might play well in a team with some youth and pace injected into it. Plus as I say you can only move on so much of your squad…