Wurzel

That could be the case now thanks to FFP rules , nothing to do with transfer fees. Fonte is probably one of our biggest earners. It may be under the current rules we need to offload him and his wages before we can pay a similar or bigger amount to an incoming replacement. That may not have applied this time last year when Austin joined.

Depends how you define "better". I've been watching since late 60s. There have always been the odd stand out exceptions but talking in general ....Players are now more technically skillful. Definitely faster. Definitely physically stronger. But because all teams have progressed equally the effects of those improvements cancel each other out. Is the entertainment aspect of the game "better"? The excitement? The unpredictability? Definitely not.

You, Sir, have a way with words. Couldn't have but it better myself. 100% in agreement (except for the fantasy football bit, that's the only thing tat makes MotD bearable nowadays)

Didn't he get rid of Jimmy Case on his first day in charge? A sort of pre-emptive strike from which he (Branfoot) never recovered

I'm 9 years younger than you, it wasn't till 73/74 season that I was "trusted" to go to games without my Dad. Aftermatch ritual was to hang around the Milton Rd/Hill Lane crossroads to get a glimpse of and "excitement" going on, but still young enough at 11/12 years old to justify running like buggary if anything kicked off Like mrhafaji's Dad, I knew "Dougal was our leader" without having the foggiest who he - or any of the other recognisable names above - actually was (or even really existed such was his fabled reputation) I don't recall the white builders helmet but there was always a guy in the middle of the Milton, longish straight hair in a white warehousemans/ice cream mans coat. Was that him? Also remember - probably a few years later - a huge guy curly hair and facial birthmark(?), often wearing just dungarees, hanging around outside away fans exit in Archers Rd after games always seemingly on his own. Again no idea who we was but didn't look like the sort to be messed with.

You are linking to and quoting from a league table from 2 years ago not last year. Try this one for last year http://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/eng-premier-league-2015-2016-spieltag/16/ Same as this year, 5-6-5 , admittedly with more goals scored (and conceded) but were lying in 12th place

Easy solution - let them sit where they like but ban their team from scoring.

That wasn't cringeworthy. Round the wrist was the way to go.(also made swinging it around in the air to Que Sera easier) Cringeworthy was the "tucked into waistband at hip so scarf hangs vertically down side of leg" look.

I'm not one for singling out players normally but that BIB sums up last night's performance perfectly. He seems to have the technical ability, but generally. and particularly last, doesn't seem to have the mental ability needed to be a good team player. Last night he slowed it down when a quick pass was needed, went on runs when a short pass was required, tried to shoot when others were better positioned and fails to spot the obvious attacking pass until at least2 or 3 seconds after the opposition defenders have not only spotted it but run into positions to prevent it. Time for an early Xmas break for him I think.

Could never happen today. After 53 minutes nowadays Liverpool would be trying to sign him.

I've never bought a football shirt I don't like. Last one I bought was the sash, think the one before that was the blue flame ZDS final one. I'd put in my paid order right now if this was available next season

Think much of that hesitancy came from not knowing where Martina was going to be, sometimes he'd overlap him, sometimes he'd was nowhere to be seen. Would be great to see him forming a great understanding with a RB, those that can remember the Bridge/Marsden "combo" will remember their was never any hesitancy there, they both instinctively knew where the other would be at any given moment. As for the joke lino, he set out his stall early in first half when McQueen took a throw in. Lino (correctly) held his ground at the spot the throw was to be taken from then simply watched as SMcQ edged further and further along the touchline (probably not believing his luck that he was not called back) till he was a good 15 yards or more up the pitch when he took it. Lino actually shrugged his shoulders to himself as he took the throw in before trotting along the touchline as play continued. After that he never signaled for anything, even fouls right in front of him, and at least twice I saw him wait for ref to give a throw in before he raised his flag. Seemed out of his depth at that level of the game (as did the ref to be fair)

Defining moment for me was JWP's yellow card for what was effectively 3 rugby tackles to ensure they didn't get a break going in the 90th minute. We've been accused of being soft/gentle/naive in the past against some of the more "experienced" teams. That one incident said to me that we have finally learned to play it "their" way, win at any cost. Great night, great atmosphere, we are really starting to look like we belong in such elite company

Time and time again we see posts claiming that football is not like any other business as we, the fans, are part of the club. As such we should be doing our best to influence results whether that be through encouragement of the team, influencing the referee or scaring the **** out of the opposition (preferably all 3). "Atmosphere" doesn't have to be by way of a song, several thousand people getting off their arses and roaring encouragement or derision in unison can be just as effective. Your post above demotes the fans to the role of paying customers who will (might) react when given something to react to. Customers or part of the club?. Can't have it both ways.

Maybe they should try breathalysers at the turnstiles. Anyone passing should be sent back down the pub and not come back till they fail.

They're signing Jake-The-Peg? No Graham Rix / Rolf Harris jokes, keep it classy

Good to see penny-pinching by ignoring Health & Safety is no longer an option and they kept the required lights on to highlight the exits. Although they could have saved money by turning them off and issuing everyone with their own candle.

Pedantic note re the title of the post. List only includes teams from England, Ital, Spain, Germany and France not the whole world. Having said that are any teams from outside those 5 likely to be included. A few Russian Chinese and USA teams seem to be signing some big names, but mostly near-end-of-career players with low or no fee but big wages. South Americans? Don't think there's a lot of cash splashing about in there leagues, that's why they all come to Europe. The title could well be correct, but it's not what the survey says. Good to see we're a huge 13 places above Bournemouth, wonder where our nearer neighbours would rank on such a list

Yep, if I had to form an opinion based on that programme alone it would be that yes, he did it, but not in the way and/or place that the Police presented as prosecution, so he's hoping that the lack of evidence to what really happened is going to get him off. Wouldn't want to be sat on a jury deciding someone's fate on such evidence, or lack of, though Was thinking the same thing. That's my one and only objection to capital punishment - you can't correct a mistake.

Did anyone else watch the 2 parter Conviction:Death at the Station that concluded on Wednesday. Covered the Inside Justice organisation gathering evidence in order to decide whether to appeal for a fresh appeal on Kearney's behalf . Strange programme, seemed to leave more unanswered questions than it solved (maybe that was the point) , and a strange (if not to say concerning under the circumstances) "twist" at the end (being vague so as no to reveal spoilers for anyone still intending to watch it). Hard to make up my mind about it watching that, after all the organisation's role was to try and prove an unsafe conviction, not that he was innocent or find out who done it if that was the case. So much of what was revealed in court never got a mention. But what was shown seemed to be a case of the evidence being made to fit the suspect, not the other way round.

Hummus, yuk!. Latkes sound quite tasty and easy to make. Cup of red wine I could manage if I can't find the right beers, have to be a big cup though. Menorah is definitely out, Mrs Wurzel has just had new net curtains, 7 naked flames is just asking for trouble.

Unfortunately, being a sad plastic fan nowadays I'll be traveling no further than my own living room for the away EL ties. But at least I can try and join in with the fun by eating/drinking local away style food and (alcoholic) drink whilst watching the game. Milan and Prague leave no end of possibilities for the latter, but what should I be buying down the Offy for tonight's game?

What's the blue oblongs in the flat area between the tiers? Swimming Pools?

I didn't realise Big Lump (appropriate name ) was the one involved further up. I must have missed his "attack", it was a bit like watching tennis at that stage, head turn left to watch our attacks, back to the right to see what they were up to. Very strange group, far more comical than intimidating. What was going or near the end with the giant with the weird haircut seemingly consoling what looked like an old couple with weird hats? I was only in block 3 but my eyesight is **** nowadays

There were at least 3 occasions when they seemed to be fighting among themselves which took a bit of sorting out. A very small "hardcore group" - about 5 of them lol - in black t-shirts (with the leader being signified by an additional black baseball cap) spent the whole game staring into the Itchen North, flexing muscles and making gestures. They looked like a rough gay club version of a Full Monty type dance troupe (but conversely weren't among the ones that took their shirts off). They were well watched but never seemed to be involved in the incidents that kicked off.