Saint_clark

:lol: Oh right, so we can't gauge how successful our academy is until we sell them for high fees?

You really need to decide what side you're arguing for, it wasn't that long ago you were telling us how we COULD compete with those at the top...

Who were the heroes between 04 and 06? What if we're heading for that again?

Due to his heart condition perhaps, we stood by him knowing full well he could only ever play 60 minutes at 100% or 90 minutes at 50%.

What about the £150+million we're getting from last season and next season, will that cover the transfer debt? I'd wager that's already been paid off for gods sake and yet people still bang on about it.

Oh joy, lets get rid of this young, home grown team we've steadily built up for 5 years and become just another prem team of mercenaries.

Exactly. People are getting very complacent, thinking that we churn out player after player who can be top class - we don't. Look at how many are released. Targett is far more likely to do nothing and be let go than actually perform well for us.

I thought this as well,some clubs seem to have Uni-amount levels of students in each year group.

If you're working on that pattern then isn't there 5-6 years between each players debut? That means Targett won't be the next big thing. We'll have to wait till 2020.

Just show them their contracts and say "If you don't want to perform because we're holding you to the contracts you signed, then fine. You can sit in the reserves for the remaining four years and find a new club then".

Vintage! I only managed to get the smaller amount version after we negotiated an advance payment.

I was being sarcastic and making the point that in 10 years time the money we get from this transfer will mean absolutely nothing, and we'll all wish we'd kept Shaw.

What a load of rubbish. If he was that good he'd have been used when Shaw was out last season.

I'm looking forward to the testimonial for this £30million in 10 years time when it's proven itself to be one of the best left backs the Premier League has seen.

Sacrificing individual quality for surplus mediocrity, lead up to 04/05 anyone? There's no reason in my mind we can't keep the quality and STILL have strength in depth. Over than short sightedness, of course.

What's that saying about things becoming a parody of themselves or something...?

I was happy for him to stay but if that's the standard he's setting then please, please get rid. Was there a single Englishman cheering the performance or result day? Other than Hodgson, obviously.

Yep, 6 month global ban makes the most sense whichever way you look at it.

He's ALREADY a great left back! You do realise he was in the Premier League team of the year last season?

Guarantee our team of "fringe", "lesser" players goes out and destroys Costa Rica now playing with passion, flair and attacking intent.

Guaranteed we will see Gerrard and Lampard start, IMO.

Hmmm, something fishy here.

No, I don't want him back at all. But to dismiss his quality is ludicrous.

But it didn't? You can say exactly that about every single great goal ever scored. Cahills last night could have ended up in row Z.

If he's looking at systems that suit our current players, why would he play a 5-3-2 when by your own admission we'd need another CB?