revolution saint

I've read some utter pony in my time but that's the biggest load of pony ever. I wouldn't be surprised to see it win a world record in pony. It'll probably be serialised in that pony-peddling Daily Heil and dished out to the masses of pony eating illiterates that make up it's readership. They'll lap it up and have more of that pony for afters. Oh, and Universities don't have half term either so that puts a big pony sized hole in your pony plan!

I was really impressed with Jarrod Bowen from the bits I saw last season. Not sure that position is a priority but would definitely add to the squad and also think this type of signing is much less of a risk than going foreign. Also far better than Harry Wilson from what I saw as well.

Spent time with both Red Bull Salzburg and New York Red Bulls so is well known by the Red Bull "family" and I guess by tenuous extension might also be known to Ralph as well.

Turnbull's agent is Liam O'Donnell (well, officially it's the the prolegal group but he heads it up)- same as Armstrong so he's used to dealing with us.

Does that mean JRM is 200 years old?

Alban Lafont

My sources tell me it's because of a swap deal for Lemina. Actually I just made it up but it's plausible - weren't PSG sniffing around last season? Rabiot story is obvs total rubbish and it's the kind of thing West Ham would try (and fail) to do.

I dunno, I tend to over analyse things like this but I have a sneaking suspicion that Ralph simply wants another striker as well as Ings.

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.