Chez

If you just take yesterdays game in isolation, you'd say that the skates pass it on the deck and Plymouth hoof up to the big man. All that matters is though is who wins and if Plymouth can bully their back four a little more I can see them getting the goals they need. The skates new loan keeper had a bit of mare in the first half but went untested in the second.

It really is amazing how long it takes to get out of the ground if you sit near the back. You'd think there would need to be some sort of maximum evacuation time required in case of some sort of safety incident. I can't see how we possibly comply to that.

The skates are the better footballing side, no doubt about it, but if Plymouth can just put in a few more crosses at home park, that looks a real weakness for the fish ****ers.

Season ticket prices halved? Ok, so I'm in a dream world with that one, but IMO renegotiated contracts are for the players and agents to celebrate, not the fans. VVD has had a great first season, but I don't see a contract renegotiated after just one year as something to shout about. It says more about the strength of the agent than the club IMO. Did we not pay a large transfer fee and contract him to do exactly what he did this season? Let me ask you, when Payet renegotiated his deal less than a year after signing did you not think to yourself that his agent had perhaps just held a gun to the head of the west ham chairman? The way I see it is they had Payet on a long enough contract to dictate his movement, but they were forced to pay him a shed load more, plus some extra years, or his agent would have forced a summer move. Payet got paid. And like you suggest, why not, the money was there. Celebrations though? Equally, what do you think happened with VVD? was it saints that initiated new contract talks or his agent? There is no need to answer that question by the way. Having said all that, paying players top top money (maybe more than they can get at a bigger club) is perhaps the only way to keep them. Let's see if it works with Virgil.

Let's return to the very dark blue shorts of yesteryear. And no I won't apologise for adding this same request to every single 'new kit' thread.

You answered your own question. Glad the news is that he is staying and not leaving, but for now it's just a case of VVD getting paid more. If Bertrand signs a new deal in the next week or two then we may be on to something.

He had four years left, so we were already in relative charge of any transfer, so all this means is that his agent has managed to get some of the new TV deal into his clients pocket. I can't imagine SFC instigated the talks. I guess that's the only way to keep top players...pay them top dollar. Is that really great news?

Considering his confidence was totally shot two years ago I guess that sounds like a slight improvement, but it still makes me wonder why he ever got that second four year deal. I wonder too if Skek will settle for a reserve keeper slot now that Fraser is fully fit?

he has accepted the charge so will be banned.

I like Nike's simple unfussy designs of the last few years, but there is no design here at all.

Yes it does. Now if you had said this: doesn't look like this: I'd be with you.

I'm interested to know from those that have seen a fair bit of him this season whether Gazzaniga looks anywhere near ready to step up to number 2 goalkeeper?

Not a chance in hell that those units could be bought using a CP for the purpose of knocking them down to create a new club car park, nor might I add, would the skates ever have any intention of doing so. Whoever is talking about it is talking ********. The fact is, there is ample parking facilities around **** park that could be rented for the 20 odd games a season should it be needed for the players and HNW individuals. There certainly is room to build a new North stand and perhaps the ground could be shuffled north to enable a larger South stand to be built, but the footprints the Fratton and Milton ends have are static and can't be expanded now. The idea that a CP might be used to buy properties on Alverstone Road (behind Milton end) is utter fantasy. In all fairness to the skates they are simply starting a discussion about long term ground plans along with their discussion about future club funding. However, unless they square the circle of getting substantial new funding without diluting the trust shareholding, that discussion leads nowhere.

This. He has tried hard, but by and large almost nothing has come off for him leading to a poor season overall. Other clubs will still be interested in him, but will they be those that can afford what we'd want for him and also in a position to give him the increase in wage that would turn his head?

There doesn't seem to be much direct involvement by Cortese in terms of identifying the man. Although Cortese may have responsible for putting the manager scouting system in place. He will also have been involved in the selection process from that `potentials' list. As with the transfer committee, several people will have had input.

Defends from the front brilliantly and keeps the ball tremendously well though. What we perhaps need is a complimentary player that offers a little more flair and can help unlock defences - what Juanmi was bought to do.

I was thinking the same thing. How much did Sunderland pay for him? Very good player. Keeps it simple, good in the air and always seems to be where the ball is. I like their left back too, not that I think we would have the budget for a player like to compete with Bartrand. But if you want to seriously challenge having strength at fullback is critical.

The skates beat them at their place at the start of the season and although Plymouth won at **** park, it was a real smash and grab affair. They have a good record against the top 6 sides as well.

He is studying law and hopes to be able to "help those that don't have the money to afford a solicitor". I wonder if PFC will ever be a client?

I hear a skate has been stealing money again, but this time it's from PFC ladies. They don't half pick their people in positions of power down there.

We played very well. One of our better performances all season I'd say. Dominated totally. On another day we'd have taken the three points. No complaints at all from me other than wondering why long didn't shoot. We've played a hell of a lot worse and got a result. Those dark early season days feel such a long way away now. Could VVD be any more commanding?

I'd argue strongly against your evaluation that he looked good at the start of the season. I thought he was poor. He was weak and made us vulnerable. I agree that we need to nurture our young players though.

Like Michael Smith, who's loan only runs until the end of April?

IMO he is too slow and not physically strong enough to shine at fullback in the Premiership right at the moment. He's young and hopefully he will sharpen his elbows, bulk out a little and become much more of a force. He's a little too nice too. Obviously he can do a job as cover, which I guess is his role right now, but he's nowhere near pushing Bertrand for the shirt. Mind you if he gets there it will mean he's a decent player. The lack of pace worries me. Zaha made him look a mug earlier in the season, simply cruising past him. For many years we had slow fullbacks and surprise, surprise we conceded plenty of goals. When we started to add some pace in that position in the form of Clyne, Shaw and Bertrand the goals against dried up. Players without pace need to be tough and make great decisions all the time. Fullbacks with pace can get you out of jail as Clyne often did. When it comes to playing at left midfield/wing back, he again can do `a job'. He has a lovely first touch, a very calm head and a decent cross on him. However, at both left back and midfield he is just `steady'. No more, no less. For me a left midfielder needs to do a lot more in games. They need to impose themselves on the opposition, otherwise you allow them to do the same to you. We carry him rather than he carry others. If we want to get better you have to have players that are perceivably too good for you not `not quite good enough'. I've slated him in the past because I've seen a weak player out jumped and out muscled by everyone, but having said that I also see that he has the first touch, which is critical. A great touch is what allows a player to play at the top level. The physical stuff can be added. He needs to be given time, but we must see continued development. Hopefully we will.

yes, very interesting debate. ...like when we took United apart yet they still won the league at a canter? Title winning teams don't always run the rest ragged. They sometimes win well (like Leicester did at Man City), they sometimes do just enough. For a few weeks now Leicester have been hanging on a bit, but earlier they were tearing some teams apart. They are obviously a counter attacking team because they have players of lessor ability than some other teams, which shows how important team work and tactics can be (so long as you have some genuine quality in the side). It also shows how poor the tactics have been from teams facing them. Kante, Drinkwater, Vardey and Mahrez please. Kante has been amazing and I really have been impressed with Drinkwater. Not yesterday but in other games. He is very progressive, always looking forward for a pass. I'd have him in my England squad. Vardey (has) and Kante and Marhrez will be linked to moves. You have a point though. You'd expect more players to be desirable. Wonder how many of Leeds and Blackburn teams Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal wanted the summer after they won titles? very good question and one every single owner/chairman should and will be asking their manager. Raneiri has made it very difficult for other managers to hide behind the available funds argument.