SaintBobby

Worse than that, they firmly asserted that the Summer wld not be a problem. Didn't even try to gloss it over!

It's a bloody farce. With all the time and money that goes into a bid no one seems to have asked "Is the temperature in this country okay-ish or will footballers risk dropping dead like flies on the pitch?" The criteria for selecting a host nation should be something like this: 1. Is there (or will there be) a sufficent infrastructure and a good enough natural environment to host such a major competition? 2. Is the legal framework basically acceptable for players and fans of all competing nations, including those in the qualifiers? (Israeli fans/players, Muslim fans/players, gay fans/players etc must all be welcome. The World Cup shouldn't be held in a war zone or in, say, North Korea) 3. Consistent with 1 and 2, is the competition being rotated globally on about the same ratio of the number of qualifying slots for each confederation (So, Europe about 50% of the time, N/S America about 30%, RoW 20%). Qatar only barely qualifies on point 3.

Yep he's now the longest odds to be next manager to be sacked. Still around 80/1

Nah. They would panic may before May 2015 if things were going off the rails. I think he has to get them CL football this season or he's in real trouble. In their games against their rivals at the top, they have so far been woeful.

Geees. Did people actually take my "sack MP" thread, seriously? PMSL. Hahahahaha.

Man Utd's midfield was woeful (again) today. They are better than our midfield overall, but not by miles.

How is it that Sky is to blame for the PL becoming predictable and boring at the top? The cash each club gets from Sky in the top flight is pretty even (more so than gate receipts or merchandising) It's the riches of CL that distorts domestic competition so badly.

Not a prayer. He must be on two or three times the wages of any of the Saints players, quite apart from everything else.

Maybe even at half time. Shake it up a bit?

A 0-0 draw would be unacceptable to many. I guess 1-1 or 2-2 might just stay the execution. But a defeat, and he should go, agreed?

Sunderland and West Brom looking like early candidates for the drop...

Matt Le Tissier on a free from Vale Rec is probably our best signign ever. But Lambert has definitely been one of the best.

I've read it. Agree it's a really good read - but something doesn't quite ring true. I feel sure that the stories told are based on a pastiche of things rather than being directly true. Otherwise, some of the tales are so specific and involve so many people that I feel sure the Secret Footballer would have been "outed" by now.

Hodgson has also said he's not adding anyone else to the squad (making it more likely Lambert plays the full 90 mins...but is a dumb decision IMHO)

Sturridge has just been ruled out. So Lambert is sure to start, right?

PMSL...they have only won one game in League 2. Tee hee.

I'm going to the match - on a corporate jolly. Sweet.

100% this.

Crazy inconsistent, I guess. But I think there does need to be a cut off for youngster in the family stand. if not at 18, when? 20? 30? 40?

Playing golf?

Trust me, as a Londoner, the real estate value of Craven Cottage is truly enormous. Selhurst Park....hmmm...not so much (nor St Mary's tbh)

Telfer and Wright???? Blimey. If a thread like this is started again in five years time, I'm assuming Ramirez and Guly do Prado may finally discover their secret fan clubs.....

Aaron Martin - always looked good to me, but I seem to be in a tiny minority (no one has picked him up) Rudi Skacel - ok, he was popular to begin with.... Paul Jones - not sure how popular/unpopular he was, I thought he was great Tandanari Lee - what happened there?

Blimey. I watched the game with half an eye and he finished it, right? Didn't seem injured. Oh well, boosts Rickie Lambert's chances, I guess.

Did Sturridge get injured training with England? How badly? (he's in my fantasy team!)