Doctoroncall

... did I miss a smiley?

He had 6 months to impress Pardew here and he didn't do enough. An average player for league one, good going forward with plenty of pace but defensively lacking (positioning, tackling and concentration).

From my days of playing hockey, there are two sorts of 'plastic' pitch the base is on - sand or water. Water is far better as it doesn't shred the skin!

Nearly ran over Brucie when working at Wentworth. The older bugger had a bit more zip in him than I thought. Fortunately, the top of the golf buggy was up so he couldn't recognise me.

Thanks for that, most enjoyable while waiting for my flight to SF in the BA lounge! As a frequent traveller, it's always nice to travel on a reputable airline.

Top bloke for putting in his own cash like that. Glad he's back to see a promotion chasing season.

I wonder what sort of medical set up European (ie. continental) clubs have? It seems NC is more influenced on what these clubs are doing than Bristish ones so far in his remodelling of Saints. I don't understand all this NC bashing when not all the facts have been presented. I'm not saying there are critical points which the club seemed to have ignored (ST payment plan) in their lack of communication/dialog with the fans but some of the comments are over the top (sacking people FOR FUN AGAIN) and not based on fact. Let's not forget the club has tightened up on any leaks and any speculation could be half baked or ill-informed. To paraphrase NC: Various posters have been quick to voice their opinions, which they are entitled to do so of course. However, it must be remembered that running a major football club is a rather different matter from writing about doing so. Our fans and staff should be reassured that any decisions affecting Saints will be based on sound football and business thinking. Perhaps when all the facts are known we can then judge NC, but why string him up before then?

When the road gets dark And you can no longer see Just let my love throw a spark, baby Have a little faith in me When the tears you cry Are all you can believe Just give these loving arms a try, baby Have a little faith in me Have a little faith in me Have a little faith in me Have a little faith in me Have a little faith in me When your secret heart Cannot speak so *easily* Come here darlin' From a whisper start To have a little faith in me When your back's against the wall Just turn around, you will see I will catch ya, I will catch your fall Just have a little faith in me Have a little faith in me Have a little faith in me Have a little faith in me Have a little faith in me Well, I've been loving you for such a long, long time baby Expecting nothing in return Just for you to have a little faith in me You see time, time is our friend *for you and me* Cause for us there is no end All you gotta do is have a little faith in me I said I will hold you up, I will hold you up Your strength gives me enough So have a little faith in me Hey baby, oh, baby All ya gotta do is have a little faith in me All ya gotta do is have a little faith in me A little faith in me

He's the best a man could get so I'm waiting for a top side to sign him. Meanwhile, James has been on trial with Colchester.

Out of interest, if one of the other friendlies were adopted to play for the trophy you'd be happy?

If they get that amount, that's impressive for such a talent with huge wages.

I'll join you in the hope. It's the only way to go to survive without splashing the cash on international stars. I would like to know why Arsenal scourer the globe for talent rather than staying local - what is it about English kids they don't like or are they going for a blend of UK and overseas?

Not sure it was a result of England not being there but it was good to watch. England would only spoil three matches anyway if they manage to qualify.

Well if Ponty brings a different perspective on things in the discussion, I hope he stays as a Mod.

He was lucky to get his license back clean as a ban would be treated in the same was as points to be cleared from the license.

It would be interesting to see the distribution of English players through the PL teams. I suspect more would be in those teams that are focused in staying in PL, whose tactics are to stiffle the opposition and counter attack or play the long ball upfront while playing at top speed. If perhaps there was less fear of failure, players could play more of a passing game but that brings up another problem, especially with the game being played at such pace - the players lack the ability to pass accurately and have close control of the ball. Since the 1950's when Hungary showed how to play the passing game, the FA/clubs have never been keen on innovation. Think of how many great coaches from these shores have gone abroad to ply their trade while the English took pride in physical prowess. Chapman was probably the last innovator with his WM formation in the English game and that was over 70 years ago.

But Phil, the players still wouldn't get it.

Well, comedians do tend to have a higher IQ.

Thanks for that, something I didn't know. I read his blueprint on development a few years ago and it looked good with some ideas from the continent and on how to improve coaching (masterclasses etc). It doesn't seem right for 11 year olds to be playing on big pitches, surely the focus at that age is on fun and technical skills rather than competition and physical development.

But when he picks Heskey over any other Englsih striker, SWP who has been replaced in the Citeh side by Johnson, "only last 45 mins" King, "Liverpool over England anyday" Carragher, what does that tell you? Can he not pick a team based on form, ability AND composite as a TEAM? Did he only see this as one last payday?

I agree in part, our footballers have the skill but it seems not the capacity to utilise it, certainly not in the national team. Also, if they don't agree with the manager then they don't give 100% - why they don't have trust in the manager I don't know, however some of the decisions Capello has made have baffled me. Capello had toured the country in search of talent and found none. Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor and even Theo Walcott were discarded. The manager was surely right to conclude that English football's "nursery" is not producing. National coaching programmes and strategic planning are not the English way (Burton anyone?). Feeding the Premier League monster shows what the priority is in England. The FA, where a vast power void now prevails, throw money at 44 years of frustration by importing first Swedish then Italian expertise and locking themselves into expensive long contracts. It's time for a clear out of the old guard at the FA and for Brooking to be taken seriously, but if there is one guarantee, it won't happend and the FA will not change from it's course.

It's funny that the FA have got caught up with the Premier League issues but they don't run it and have no power over it. There is no continuity in the game having the FA, PL and FL. Having said that when it was just the FA and FL there was no vision and thought for future development only an old boys network creaming off the money. Brooking has been banging on for at least 5 years regarding youth development (not only technical but educational requirements) all of which has fallen on deaf ears. Since the 70's all the innovation (formations, tactical advances and diets etc) has come from abroad. The time when we would/could rely on physical strength and never say die attitude to see us advance in competitions are dead and gone, as you say SS, we'll soon be dropping down the rankings.

Abramovic has converted his loan to liquidity in the club, probably to make sure Chelsea can comply with UEFA regs for entry into the CL but that says a lot to write off so much money. The only issue they have now is meeting the running costs. Also they have been submitting accounts on time. Something Gaydamak didn't do on both counts or 'gift' the club money like Lerner has to Villa. Why wait for rival fans to start asking questions about Gaydamak? Surely, it would be in your own interest to do so from the start.

So AA wrong again, I wonder why Matt Slater also said the 1st was likely. Rob Lloyd is still sniffing around... http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/23/portsmouth-meeting-potential-buyers although it states Tal Ben Haim is likely to join West Ham.

He seems to be a reasonable manager for league one. I'm not sure what state the pilgrims are in as a club - will they be able to back him in the player market? What is their current squad like?