Spudulike

Just seen Zero Dark Thirty, on DVD. It was a sober account of the search for Usama Bin Laden; not gung ho as I feared it might be. The film does get a bit 'techy' about the search and so won't be to everyone's taste. An intelligent espionage film and one that I'll defo re-watch.

The whole thing, today, was a bit stilted. JM seemed, to me, tense. That said, a press conference can't be the most relaxing of things.

There were eligible players, who've played for the full England team, who didn't show. That's got to be a factor. The FA should make it clear to such players that the U21 team is an apprenticeship - players should expect to work up to the full team via the U21s in most cases. The second issue is still that we flunk internationals. Whether from poor preparation, too much pressure, or playing a different style from that players are used to, I don't know. I seriously almost can't watch England now; we just aren't capable at international level.

88. When JM holds up a CFC shirt, it looks as if he could fit into it, and look good.

Interesting as far as it went (from a neutralish perspective) but - as mentioned above - press questions were bland - there was a lot more to learn. Frustrating cos you're thinking, 'stop wasting his time'. Twats. I've got this picture of Beerqueen watching it again and again on YouTube...'he's sooooo handsome'...

I think a lot of people are fed up with Liverpool FC and that that dislike then attaches itself to the place. I spent three weeks in Liverpool last year and the city was beautiful. One night, I walked from the ferry terminal, up through the business district to Lime St, then up to the RC Cathedral and then along the street that links that Cathedral to the Anglican one. I liked Gibberd's Cathedral but the Anglican one was amazing - it seems to rise from the park, as if it's part of the earth. And it's huge - inspiringly so. There was a huge civic building near to Lime St and a war memorial in front that brought home the sacrifice made by Liverpudlians in both World Wars. I think the inscription said 'From the North - a great company, a mighty army'. All the banter about scousers to one side, the city is amazing, imo. I still can't stand LFC though :-)

72. There'll be an extra level of interest for away fans at the bridge. It's an away match (CFC -v- a.n.other) you wouldn't want to miss.

Fifty two was inspired but, also, deeply disturbing...

I'd like to 'like' this but, I'm a chap so you'll understand that I can't...

48. CFC fans won't be wondering 'is our manager in the employ of a Chinese, spot-fixing syndicate, who've bribed him to substitute the best player on the pitch at 78.2 minutes?'

Cheers for that post Huttsey. Nice to know that there isn't completely bad blood between our teams. :-) I think you were at a game in early 2010. It was Crouch and Krancjar if I've got the right game - a routine win but, a few weeks later, Pompey reversed the score and knocked us out of the FA cup... I've posted this a few times but, for Spuds, Arsenal are the old enemy. Us aside, who do Chelsea dislike? QPR, Palace?

45. He won't force Shedenders to have 'manager out' avatars.

42. We won't see any more of Rafa's 'I've just had a really satisfying poo' weird smile thing.

39. He won't spend 80 out of every 90 minutes scribbling in his bloody notebook.

The whole issue of why UK players are often stupidly expensive is beyond my understanding. In all seriousness, does anyone know why this is?

Good point. I think, last season, he scored 7 league goals in 20-odd matches (sorry not exact) and - for Newcastle, 33 in 90 matches (again, not exact - at work so can't check). Your calculations are very serious money, from a less well off club, for a player whose form is up and down. Hard to understand.

Well, cool is cool...?(the kit, not the team...:-) )Soz for sullying the JM thread with a Gooner-shot.

It could be a pretty random reason. The look of the Spurs kit was defo one of the reasons I ended up supporting them as a kid: it looked very cool. It pains me to say this but the Gooners have always looked cool too...

Very interesting post Lofty. It opened up an aspect of football that I had no idea existed, tbh.Thanks for posting.

sh*t. I was....how the eff did I get that mixed up...

There's also the issue of Swansea, with and after Martinez. Despite the end of season plateau-ing under Laudrup, he added an end product to the Martinez 'passing Circus'. Martinez was lauded for the attractiveness of Swansea's play but there must be more to a team than that. You've got to cut your cloth and put practicality before footballing ideals.

Yep. The attractive football argument is also, imo, irrelevant when you're relegated. Martinez had a job and that was, basically, to keep Wigan up. He failed. It was an interesting and entertaining failure but, still, a failure. Same with Hughes - it will end badly. I like both men, but the problems with both managers are v clear.

For what it's worth, I've got doubts about both appointments. Your reply (and Forever Carefree's) make sense but I've just got that feeling. Re. Hughes, people tend to bring up Blackburn but that was some time ago and you can make a case that his performance as a manager has been patchy, since.

Good point re. the spend. I'm interested by situations when a good manager is confronted by a problem they can't address: Martinez and the Wigan defence and Hughes and QPR's infamous v poor run of form. I think that these were two huge problems and, without having an in-depth knowledge of either club, Martinez and Hughes never solved them. In that context, how do you assess a Manager's skills?

Anyone else surprised by Martinez to Everton? For all the 'nice bloke, attractive football' stuff, he still took Wigan down. I'm concerned for Everton - attractive football is one thing but teams like Everton are workmanlike and energetic and focus on doing what they can, given the resources to hand. Martinez wants CL football and Hughes wants Stoke playing less direct, more attractive football. Reality check needed? Edit - being Everton or Stoke needn't mean that you are condemned to miss CL football or to playing unattractive football. However, Everton and Stoke play(ed) their football in a certain way because it worked for them.