PaulC

Ok we shall see. I'll remind you at the end of next season when he has scored 10 goals and has created plenty of assists.

Yes but he was just 18/19 at Leeds. Once he adds that bit of composure to his game the assists and goals will come.

Yes comparisons have been made with Lambert and Saunders so after a season fighting against relegation we shall finish 4th next season just like we did under saunders lol

Does anybody remember the Gaumont? biggest screen in Europe

Funnily enough I was thinking about how Lambert and Saunders compare. While there are absolutely fundamental differences between the make up of the squads in terms of age and experience then and now, Saunders always advocated the importance of "the team". He didn't tolerate Prima Donnas well, expected the players to work hard and press constantly. The style of play now is very different but the notion of building a "team" reminds me of Saunders approach. Like Lamberts, Saunders team were high scoring but he also had a much stronger defence. Lambert's challenge is clearly to shore up the defence. Sort that out and next year could be very interesting. I think the gap between us and the top clubs is too great now (and maybe forver) to challenge for league honours or even a CL place but I am definitely excited by the development of "the team" and with the addition of a couple of solid defenders and maybe a couple of midfielders I think we could give more that a few teams the run around next season. We can but dream! Yes both managed Norwich before as well. Totally different characters though as Saunders was old school and tough. Andy Gray blames him for shortening his career. The team of 76/77 was the most exciting team in my living memory and the 80/81 team the best one.

Yes the only poor game he's had recently was the one at Norwich

Totally agree, don't know why Lambert would rather bring on Bowery than him, he's got such ability, we just haven't seen the best of him. He's not one that we should be selling for cheap, he's a player Lambert should be trying to get the best out of.

I think theres a number of clubs outside the top 5 that might go for Bent. He's a proven goal scorer so why wouldn't they.

With Bale and Benteke they could win the league but I don't think they will have either next season.

I don't agree, he's in the side for much more than his defensive qualities. The assists and goals will come. He just needs to have a little more belief in himself.

Guess Spurs and Man City are going to struggle next season then.

There's always been a handful of clubs we couldn't financially compete with. That doesn't really explain why where we were wasn't good enough and now aiming to get back there is praised. yeah but was a lot different back then money wise. between about 95-2003 Villa, Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea, Leeds and maybe even Spurs were arguable competing for same level of players are and we could never get the better bracket of players under Doug. We did get some big name players when Doug was chairman but they rarely paid off. Dean Saunders was the exception. Stan Collymore Was Brian Little's big signing!

Yes I pretty much agree with you except for Swansea who I think may come a bit further down the table

Well at least he gives us some coverage

When you think about it we have made nothing on the Milner sale.

12 months i believe Yes just checked. Hope we can offload him this summer

Yes I like Townsend but only if we buy him. I don't think we should be looking at loan signings myself

How long has Ireland got left on his contract?

Sorry I see him more as an attacking midfield player myself

Good News

Sure but I think its slightly unfair to point the blame at Lerner for our lowly finishes.

Yes the previous chairman took us down to the 2nd division twice.

You can sometimes get too carried away with assists and other stats. It is what you see with your own eyes that's more important and Delph is looking a very good midfield player. The way he drives forward with the ball is something we haven't had for some time.

Yes another one I remember was Alan McNally against Millwall in the league cup. Similar to Dalian Atkinson's but not quite as good.

For a short while Dalian Atkinson was amazing. He could have been anything!