Micky

I think you probably mis-read something - I didn't say that at all - in fact quite the opposite. I will cede that fact that those that should be taking responsibility for this are the parents. However - I remain unconvinced that this was anything other than a young lad getting caught up in the emotion and drama of the game, and nothing more sinister. The photos look great and I would have loved to of been there to witness it first hand.

Yeah - this is great stuff. Lot of 'red tape' in there though - so why not circumnavigate the whole official thing and, tell you what - lets just shoot the boy and his non caring guardian(s) - job done...!

Exactly - the PL is pretty shocking this season, you would have thought that they would have been cut adrift by now - but they are still clinging on to others coat tails. If they put a couple of decent results togeather they could still get out of it. 15 Everton 16 17 16 Hull City 17 17 17 Bolton Wanderers 16 16 18 Wolverhampton Wanderers 17 16 19 West Ham United 17 14 20 Portsmouth 16 11

Hardly last minute (79th) - still had time to get something out of the game. But they didn't... shame....

It is a bit of a strange one - but perhaps with only one arm tied behind his back PH might be able to do something with Rangers. His treatment down the road was shocking - I wish him well at QPR.

Got to be one of the funniest threads ever. If the young lad, or 25 of his close friends invade the pitch at the next match, or sometime soon in the future - then I will chastise them and want them publically hung. Until then, I wish him good fortune, happy memories of supporting his team - he probably now has the present that all 5 - 7 year olds wanted for christmas. It is the season of goodwill to all men, technically he was in the wrong, but personally I think that his over-enthusiasm should be overlooked as the moment added to the night. Any right minded adult should be able to distingquish between a malicious act and pure high jinks - I'm pretty sure I know what this was. Merry Christmas to you all.

Strange - in more ways than one...!

Wasn't at the game but gotta laugh at the pitch invasion comments. A five year old, probably seeing one of the best games he's ever witnessed gets a little over excited and transgresses onto the playing area. A player, seeing his predicament, uses a little common sence and sorts the situation out in a more than festive manner. I'm pretty sure that the stewards could have probably quelled this pitch invasion and fairly certain that no nasty precedences have been set for a gang load of thuggish 5 year olds to follow at the next home game. It was a great night - just think of the stories that that young lad will be able to cite come 30 - 40 years from now - it's what we all dream about, so let it be.

Normally those people who leave early wouldn't bother me in the slightest - it's their choice. But I really cannot understand how anybody would leave when we are only one goal down, at home and knowing that the game could well go to penalties. Sorry but I find that bizarre to say the least...!

So, about this penalty coach for England then - any ideas...???

My take on it too. TBH, pretty basic coaching practice for any forward players. Timing is the issue here, not the skill element.

I know. Blind faith or just pure stupidity, what do you think...?

Whilst obviously not the answer I wanted to hear - many thanks.

Does anyone know if a company can make a permanant employee redundant and hand their duties to a contractor who may be better geographically located to undertake them?

Exactly as I see it. Markus would have agreed a set operating budget and we continue to work within it. It is all part of the 5 year plan, we (Markus) could lose money for the first couple of years, but he is investing for the future and will re-coup his initial outlays so long as the plan bears fruits. Remember - these are business people who have proved their crudentials over a long period of time, they are seeing the bigger picture, in for the long term and gearing this business (SFC) for success.

I'm actually in Germany as I type (I come here every month due to my work), unfortunately nowhere near Munich though. Irrespective it is a great place to be around Xmas time and the beer is good anytime, although I tend to drink it in rather smaller glasses than the steins used in Munich - a man could drown in one of those..! For three hundred notes plus beer money - I'd go for it, chance to check out some good old German culture...

Anybody...?

Sounds to me it was more a speculative comment rather than fact, it would have been splashed all over SSN by now if there was firm substance behind it, surely.

But who one R2 said it? Was it a casual comment from a guest or was it part of a news bulletin?

No, this is true. What he omitted though, was that it was being redeveloped as a car park...!

You'll probably find that every club in the PL is in debt to some extent, I think that Man Utd are in to about 600 million. But this is termed 'manageable debt' - i.e. it can be covered by thier presence in the top flight - creditors are confident that it can be repayed over the terms of the agreement - so long as they maintain current performance. For the big four - this probably is true (although Liverpool will suffer from the early European exit), however the smaller clubs, Hull, Pompey etc are feeling the pinch and are struggling to 'manage' their debt. The system is all wrong - when a 'big' club folds (don't know that Pompey qualify there) the PL will probably take steps to act to try to avoid it becoming a trend. The problem is that they will not wish to change the model too much - don't forget, the men at the PL do 'very nicely thank you' due to the world wide brand that they market. Clubs in debt are here to stay for some time - ain't you just glad that we aren't one of them eh?

I don't think that the situation at Pompey is that bad, surely if it were, this section of their forum would be chokka - but not a single entry: http://thepompeychimes.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=13412 Obviously the Blue Few have faith in their owners.

In club football I'm not sure, but in a major International Competition when 9 or 10 players might be involved in taking penalties, it's got to be an area where expert coaching would be nothing but a benefit.

I think it was Dave Whealan who predicted as much a couple of years ago - saying that it could happen to a PL club, and he is as good a judge as any I guess. As for the other sentiments - I agree.

Very good question - the PL's dillema..!