revolution saint

I agree - from what I've heard the plan is to unveil him one limb at a time.

He'll be off to African Cup of Nations with Mali won't he? Shame but I guess we'll at least get an early look at him.

I'm not sure the age demographic quite works like that - you're basing that on the assumption that people won't change their mind as they get older. To illustrate - JFK was elected largely by his popularity among younger voters and those same voters are now OAPS and voting for Trump. I've no figures and stats to back this up by the way so it's just my muddled thinking. Everyone has been saying the same about the Tory party for ages as well - they'll be wiped out within a generation and it never happens. I think a lot of people naturally become more conservative as they get older. Interesting stuff though.

From where I was it looked like Hooiveld handled the ball and instead of a freekick to Millwall the ref gave us a pen. Good day that was.

I'd rather play the mascot than him. Has no redeeming qualities at all.

Always makes me laugh how people can get so worked up over what is a subjective opinion. Let's face it, neither is/was very good so there's not much difference between them - it's not like we're comparing MLT and Paul Moody. Personally think Danny Fox was slightly better but that might be just because it'll annoy the hell out of you and leave you seething for the rest of the day....

It's a subjective opinion - there's no right or wrong. I think I'd enjoy football far more if the top four sod off and I wouldn't miss them either. Neither do I cheer or follow bank statements so income falling wouldn't bother me particularly. Of course the quality of player may dip but that would be compensated by games (and seasons) being significantly more competitive. That might not float your boat but I like it (and it seems so do a lot of other people). Have to say that none of our seasons in the prem have matched the excitement of our L1 and Championship promotion seasons but it's all opinions.....

To be honest I thought Austin had a shedload of chances once Hughes took over and didn't take them. Maybe Ings will? Personally I was hoping we'd have gone for a battering ram of a striker. Ings obviously isn't that but he does give industry and a decent record in front of goal when fit... as everyone says, it's a risk. Can't afford to lose either Gabbiadini or Gallagher though. As an aside what's Mick Harford up to these days? Surely worth getting in just to show Gallagher how to make the most of his ability.

Footballers as role models? No. Strange to think why anyone would think so. In fact the very idea of role models is strange to me - everyone is a human being with faults and putting anyone up on a pedestal shows a lack of critical thinking. Having a tattoo of a gun on your leg precisely because you want to honour someone who was killed by a gun? Bit stupid really and there are more relevant things he could have done if that was his intention. Having said that Christians wear crosses so I suppose there's a bit of a precedent.... Anyway, it's his own choice and up to him.

Playing devils advocate, I'm not sure whether being local would really affect his motivation - does it really matter? Sure, if you're a fan of the club but he's a Liverpool fan apparently. Anyway, I'd say there would certainly be considerations about how "hungry" he is - we'd be a step down without doubt and he wouldn't be coming here to win trophies. You could argue that we would be a big payday for a player coming to the end of his career who has got used to sitting on the bench (at best). Anyway, there's pros and cons to signing older players from big clubs and motivation would have to be considered. Same goes for Sturridge. Obviously it depends on the player but it's a very West Ham type of signing and never appears to do them much good.

That's not earth - you have three moons in the background. Bloody gloryhunters! Doesn't your planet have any decent teams?

Never really got the hype over JWP - guess some of it is because he came out of the academy when we were producing some good ones and he caught some of the reflected praise. I'm sure he's probably got a decent attitude in training etc and has some decent technique when crossing or taking a set piece but that's about it. Every time I see him he looks scared to play anything other than sideways and seems petrified when given a shot at goal. He's certainly not dynamic and neither does he tackle well. I suppose he may eventually be as good as Davis but I really don't see that happening and I think his natural level is more championship than premier league. Nothing against the lad but if he had something then it would have been clear by now - don't expect massive improvement from him. What's really sad is how close he is to the England squad - should never ever be near it.

Is he really that good or what we need though? From the little I've seen he's pretty similar to Juanmi and scored less last season as well. Had one good season back in Argentina and then failed to live up to that. In addition we've already got quite a few of those second striker / play in the three behind the front man types. Personally I'm not that worried if we don't sign anyone. Assuming VVD comes back into the fold I think that will free up a lot of space for the midfield to link up with attack much better than they have recently. Granted most of our players need about fifty shots in order to score but I'm hoping that at least some of that will be a confidence issue and besides which MP should be good enough to coach them rather than just buy solutions. Have to be honest, if I were looking at a striker it would be a big man. We've not replaced Pelle, we miss his goals and link up play and it gives us an outlet we don't currently have. Gabbiadini can play off him without any problems and would probably prefer that. All about options innit? Anyway, good luck to Vietto if we do get him but seems to be flavour of the month rather than what we actually need.....

Interesting stats but they're probably best used as a measure of the individuals general fitness and improvement over a period of time rather than a comparison between players. There's so much you can't tell from these stats. Harder to judge anticipation, decision making, reactions etc etc and these are the things that make a player good or bad - not fitness, although obviously they do need to have that as well.

Or alternatively you can just ignore them. To be honest I find posts like this far more irritating than the offending post.

You could substitute both Carragher and Redknapp with the average articulate man on the street and it wouldn't make the slightest bit of difference. They offer no insight and no real opinion save what they've read on the internet or back pages - frankly anyone can do that. Least with Gary Neville he offered something different and was interesting. Even Pardew was good the other night giving the perspective of a manager.

I'm not a massive country music fan but I like Glen Campbell - some great songs and clearly a very talented man. I watched "I'll be me" a while ago and it was a good watch - moving but also quite funny as well. I think there was one point where a doctor was asking him who the president was and after struggling for a few moments he turned round and said he didn't need to remember stuff like that.

Do we get to choose which clubs? Can we have a squad better than Liverpool, Spurs and West Ham please? I don't like those clubs.

It does look that kind of way. Have to say I've not been massively impressed with Roberts on the few bits I've seen and it's not really an area we need strengthening either. Certainly won't be Barkley - any option to buy would be worthless as he'd be out of contract at the end of the season anyway.

He's got a great deal of potential so I'd expect him to ply his trade in the lower leagues and make an immediate impact on the big European stage. I'd say he's one for the future but with a wealth of experience.

I've been raving about this kid for decades! Top, top signing and a real statement of intent. Does the simple things well, has a goal for an eye and a football for a brain, has a cultured left foot and a hammer of a right foot. Sharp turn of pace, great dribbling skill, intelligent on and off the pitch, good in the air for a small bloke and has a fantastic touch for a big man. He's got a lot in his locker and won't be afraid on the big stage, a real no-nonsense marquee type of signing this. I know for a fact we beat off competition from the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid to complete this deal so well done Les! Early doors I'd expect him to play a free role on the left side of the middle three in the centre of midfield, dropping deep into an old fashioned libero role before cutting in on his favoured foot (between the lines) and then linking play as a false number 9. I'm totally excited for the new season now!

Les holds all the cards here and can play them any way he wants. The fact that Liverpool came out and apologised is pretty much admitting culpability and the premier league only dropped it (as far as I'm aware) after we indicated that we were happy with the apology. If we want VVD to stay then all we need to do is threaten Liverpool and say we'll go back to the premier league unless they tell VVD that they will not be submitting a bid this summer. If we want to cash in we threaten again unless they come up with a bid we find acceptable and so they'll pay through the nose for him. The apology itself shows how scared they are of further sanctions against them so it's a big stick to repeatedly hit them with. As for Van Dijk? Who gives a toss if he's unhappy - he'll get over it and comes to terms with the situation however it pans out - what he needs is certainty and to know exactly where he'll be playing next season.

Even if any transfer were to happen the club need to make sure they can get all their incoming transfer business done beforehand. Make the dippers wait until then and that's obviously only if they meet the 70-75M pricetag. If that doesn't happen then VVD stays. Personally I'd keep him anyway - he'll get over his little strop, come out with some PR friendly guff to get the fans back on side and everything will be fine again.

Thoughts go to Bradley's family. Glad I sent a christmas card to the little fella even though he never replied. Personally don't believe there should be honours list anyway - far too subjective and open to abuse (I'm talking to you, Lloyd George!). Besides which the acts for which people are being "rewarded for" should be enough in themselves. Neither do I like the deference that goes with a title - I'm quite capable of choosing who I give respect to without being told. Anyway, Bradley seemed to be a smashing kid and glad he had the joy being mascot and making friends with his heroes.

I think it's good people have a bit of optimism and enthusiasm for the new manager but you really extrapolated a lot from a pretty predictable and bland interview. The only real question in there was about what the fans could expect in terms of playing style and he dodged it - I think he mentioned something about a middle part but no idea what he meant. As for having the right ideas? What on earth do you mean by that? There was no detail at all aside from playing as a team which every manager is going to say. Don't get me wrong - I'm not knocking Pellegrino. I'm just amazed you can come up with all of that praise from a ten minute interview in which very little of substance was actually said.