Micky

True, but it's not just the pitch that has to be 'playable' - its the whole stadium and surrounding areas that have to be safe for fans as well.

I take it you are really Sir Allan 'Hamster' Sugar, and that the job pays 100k?

Very sad to go out so young. Even sadder if this is true though: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1338852/Rushden-Diamonds-goalkeeper-Dale-Roberts-hung-fiances-affair.html The Terry family seem to court tragedy on a fairly regular basis.

Errr becuase that was the overiding aim of the season, to achieve promotion. Irrespective of the fact that we started on -10, the aim was promotion, and we failed to achieve that. Fonte dropped a league to play for us, probably thinking that he would not have to spend too long in L3, and of course the pay rise would have helped. Therefore, if he is now being offered a 'fast track' route to the premiership, probably at least doubling his wages, then he would be a fool to pass it up. Our current position and form does nothing to give anybody confidence that we will be promoted this season - how long do you think he really wants to spend in L3. It's a dog eat dog world.

It may only be the sun - but could be legs in it. AP ain't going to get a bottomless pot from MA for his Jan transfer budget - so looking for lower league players could well be his only real option. Fonte probably thought that he would be playing at least one league higher by now, so getting into the prem would be a christmas bonus for him.

Personally I would like to see the return of standing areas, as others have said it works well here in Germany and definitely adds to the atmosphere at the games. If you look at the two most 'famous' incidents which bought about the all seater stadiums, it is interesting to note that one of the major causes in one (Heysel) was the delapidated state of the stadium (should never have been used as a final venue) and at another, Hillsborough, was again the poor state of the ground and the volume of fans that were allowed access into the Leppings Lane End. In todays modern stadium, crowd and access control are a lot better monitored and the days of 'caging' fans in has gone. Yes we need to learn from such disasters and yes we need to err on the side of caution - but to simply say that standing will (or should) never return is, in my view, somewhat short-sighted. Without wishing to denegrate any of those that lost thier life or were injured in the incidents quoted, it is a fact of life that people die, in all manner of ways - aeroplanes unfortunately crash, yet millions fly daily. So long as saftey was paramount - then I am all in favour of the return to standing. As an aside - I also think that the consequence of Heysel (banning of English clubs from European competition) also actually cost us a place in 85.

So, just to be clear then, the Nicola Cortese that some on here were labelling as 'friend of the devil' not so very long ago, whilst others felt the need to boo at Wembley, actually has the clubs very best interest at heart. Well I never. It would appear that we are in very good hands, we can look forward with optimism but above all, feel proud of our club. Many thanks to the 'reporters' - about time we had threads reporting what came from the 'horses mouth' as opposed to speculative guesswork. Onwards and upwards.

T'would appear that our fishy friends are now trying to wind up the Toon Army, without too much success I might add: http://boards.footymad.net/forum.php?tno=386&fid=185&sty=2&act=1&mid=2119242043

Some fool skate trying to wind them up as well, getting a good slagging off though: http://boards.footymad.net/forum.php?tno=386&fid=185&sty=2&act=1&mid=2119242043

Agreed, which is not NC's style. It will take more than a few '1 liners' in the comic press to rattle his cage - he may have had his run in with the press and media lately, but rarely does he get into slagging matches with them - and rightly so. Two days ago it was all doom and gloom over 10 words in the sun, now the record has been set straight and everything is rosy again.

Decent draw, hope to lose in a 4-3 thriller to a goal that is blantently 5 yards offside, we can then hold our heads high having lost at home to a prem side and then continue to concentrate on the important issue of promotion.

8/10 from me. I said somewhere on here during pre-season that I didn't expect us to get promoted this year, but we are in there with a good shot at it. Yes, we are 7th currently, but the points between teams are so minimal that everybody has a chance. If Rickie finds his form during the second half of the season, my earlier prediction could leave me with egg all over me phizog...!

If it happened, can't see it being a problem - we managed to get nigh on 50 thousand up to Wembley for the JPT, we'd all just do the same again. As for their lot - they'd just need two coaches and a mini bus at most probably. No problem...!

Personally I like Alpines opening gambit on this one - it was an iconic commentary about an iconic aircraft at a very important time in recent history. Whose to say that another 'Falklands conflict' will not happen again? I don't know, but if it did we would be very stretched to respond in the way we did back in the 80's. As for the 'old bird' herself - absolutely stunning aircraft, VTOL capability also afforded it combat manouvres (VIFFing) that gave it the edge in dog fights too. Probably too old and too dated now - but in it's time, a real force to be reckoned with. I'm with Alpine on this one - sad to see them retired. Edit: the commentary and more information here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/correspondents/newsid_2626000/2626477.stm

Doooh, see comment above (post #60)....!

Yikes...! Which one was it fellas, or were you at different games....!

I think that Hull and NP will be in the box seat for this one, but would be a great aquisition if we could pull it off.

We need RL to start finding his form, would appear that we are creating but not finishing. When did Rickie last stick a free kick in the bag - seems ages to me. While we are in touch, I would keep him in - if he finds his form we will be well up there come the reckoning.

Stanley knife anyone - new blade installed, never been used...!

Is it time to start wooting yet - this is doing my head in....

Not that I'm greedy - but a RL hattrick right now would go down a storm...

Goal difference is taking us up the table at the moment so the more the merrier.

Which is...??

Good luck to him, not blessed with football talent - but testiment to what you can achieve with hard work and determination - hope he does well at OUFC.

If only we hadn't of drawn bloody Tranmere....