SuperMikey

[sarcasm]Something we can all look forward to, i'm sure![/sarcasm]

Scotland is quite quick tbf, he just hasn't got the acceleration to be able to show it over short distances like most pacy players do. Saw him at St Johnstone a few times and always impressed me, has done well at this level in the past and I would be happy if he signed, although I wouldn't pay over the odds for him because there are certainly better options out there. I hope you all realise that this Owen rumour is complete BS as well. Obviously made up by somebody who had a bit of spare time at work and couldn't figure out how to do Sudoku, so decided to start a rumour instead.

I'm sure Tommy will be back at Saints someday, whatever capacity it is in. Thought it was a bit odd that Saafend employed Sturrock when his mental and physical condition are deteriorating due to the Parkinsons. Not a long-term appointment!

Read on 606 earlier that we have 2 trialists in the squad for the XI games against Farnborough, Basingstoke and Eastleigh/Winchester (I can't remember which one it is). One is apparently contracted to a club but has been given permission to go on trial with us and the other is apparently a free agent. Interesting note: there is only one recognised striker in the 18 players named by the Saints coaches for the games, so we could expect to see 2 strikers being put through their paces.

I believe David Moyles has done a few 'guest spots', namely in England's warm-up games. Aside from that, I agree, some of the things the pundits come out with are just shocking.

Christ, is this thread still going!? --------------------------------- Direct

What bets has everyone got left then? Of the 18 or so bets i've placed on this WC, i've only got Germany to win @ 9/1 and Miroslav Klose for Golden Boot at 11/1 left. Still, could net £44 off that, so COME ON GERMANY!

Schweinsteiger has been the best player by a mile, closely followed by Ozil and Muller. Germany have dominated so far.

Agree with Steve, while they may have looked good on the TV playing their slower songs, the 100,000 people that turned out to watch them left in droves after the first few songs. There were probably 70,000 left for Clint Eastwood, that's testimony to how they went down tbh. If you're making a session album in a studio, you can play the stuff that is more crafted and eloquent, as people will have all the time in the world to listen to it and appreciate it. If you're playing in front of a baying crowd of festival revellers, you have to play stuff to amuse them. I was really looking forward to Gorillaz, i'm a massive fan of their work, but I was bitterly disappointed by their set, and walking around the festival talking to people, that was also the general consensus.

Germany have been by far and away the best team in the tournament, they will win it imo. However, it depends what team wins the other QF today, if Paraguay go through then Germany will cruise through, but if Spain win and decide to turn on the style, then it could be a tricky one.

2-1 to Germany.

Chelsea Nottm Forest Southampton Gillingham Luton Rangers 4410.45/1 Worth a quid that!

Stu, have you ever thought about writing for The Daily Mail?

I don't see what the fuss is about. Suarez handballed, it IS a natural reaction to do that in that situation, and as punishment for it he got sent off and Ghana were given a penalty. Ghana missed the chance they had to go through, then they had the penalty shoot-out as well, which they also c*cked up. Much ado about nothing really. Suarez will probably be banned until the end of the tournament to satisfy the frothing masses (Alpine et al) and Uruguay will probably get knocked out by Holland in the next round anyway. I'll use the godawful phrase which every football fan hears from his wife/mother/sister whenever something provoking happens in football; "Oh, for goodness sakes! It's only a game!".

For once, I agree with Stu.

It's her niece now?

Yes, but he's a right back! I am quite excited about the state of our academy though, we've got some good players emerging and if rumours are to be believed, the best is yet to come!

Quick update, just got the job so expect a call from me sometime soon!

No, drummer in Biffy is ginger and has a beard, although there is a resemblance..

Nobody in the reserves, but we've got a few bright sparks in the academy like Tony Garrod, he's meant to be quite highly rated.

I think I saw him with either The Lightning Seeds or Billy Bragg. Looks like a drummer, ugly ferker!

Good post SSA, nice to get another viewpoint on the NC situation (is there a situation?). FWIW, I think Cortese is doing a fantastic job. While some of his decisions and timings have been a little iffy, don't forget that this is his first time running a football club, and it's a big business to do basically on your own! I'm sure as time goes on and he adapts more and more to the task in hand and the needs of the supporters, the rapport will raise. I have no doubts that NC will approach this job with anything but utter professionalism and commitment and be the best chairman we've had in a long, long time. We finally have somebody who knows what they're doing in charge of the club and all people can do is moan because their press statements are released in the evening and there's a £3 booking charge for tickets. More than a fair price to pay for a sturdy hand at the rudder imo.

The plot thickens...

Current Ukraine international...very active imagination you've got there Arizona! Lee Trundle sounds good, god knows how many years i've been touting him on this thread as a good signing. Would be decent on a free as rotation/backup for Rickie.

Odd timing definitely to release the fixtures. Reckon you'll see me down at the XI games against Basingstoke and Farnborough. Maybe we'll have a few trial players on show if the first team are off training in Switzerland...