egg

He's hooked him now, but agreed, Grealish had looked dangerous.

But there is no takeover talk?! I'm not what the issue is about discussing the city in which the club is based. If people were discussing Lincoln or some other random place you'd have a point though.

Resting him so that we can unleash him on Leeds. Very kind of him I say

Absolutely. I can just see the King of Jordan's yacht moored alongside Jim Davidson's. That city of culture honour is all but in the bag.

Airport links for players, owners, sponsors etc, has to be a consideration.

Thanks for that bit of enlightenment. Anyways, some people think the city is relevant to a possible takeover, and no harm in a discussion about that. You know what to do if you're not interested.

Veysey or Ralph?

It was only available to me yesterday as well...I assume Lighthouse could see as he's a mod...very odd if some users could and some couldn't.

Free

Ooh, that is an interesting feature. Amazing how many lurkers react but don't post.

First

The

I think the mental part can come from the expectation of where there career is going, and the comedown when reality bites. Take N'lundulu. He's 22, no lower league loans, been getting PL mins, gets a 3 year contract. In his head he's a PL player, but on the pitch he's a league 1 or 2 player. Where must his head be at when he rocks up at Lincoln aged 22, sees lads his age who've played loads of football, and he struggles to make the team at first? I know from the mouth of the horse that Les Reed thought Sims was destined for big things and told him so. Sure, he got loans, but iirc, one or two were last minute and he struggled to get games as he wasn't at clubs for pre season or friendlies. Personally, I think we handled his development and career appallingly, and his head must be all over the place.

The club thought that Sims was going to be massive. Les Reed was a huge fan but he seemed to struggle to win over managers. That run and ball against Liverpool shows the lads talent, and with encouragement and regular games, you have to wander where his career could have gone. I hope he gets a club. The one that shocks me is Hesketh. From PL to Eastleigh's subs bench. My take on this fwiw is that we keep hold of lads that won't make it in the PL longer than is good for them or us. Consequently, they don't get a chance develop at the level they'll eventually play at, and when they get there other players have far more experience. N'lundulu getting a move to Lincoln at 22 is a case in point. He's at his level (at best), what good has it been doing him getting 5 mins at the end of a PL game and the odd u23 game? Crazy. He should have been getting 75-100 league games at lower level over the last 3 years and learned his trade.

Err...

I'm also keen to see how we do with Diallo rather than JWP. I've said for ages that he slows and blunts our play. Him and S Armstrong could make a difference, and hopefully create more.

I'm saying what Gao has done. Other than being unable (for whatever reason) to put cash in he's done absolutely nothing wrong as an owner. Each to their own Duck. Personally, I wouldn't want him.

The question was whether we'd take Ashley over Gao. Of the two, I'm OK with Gao - Ashley is an odious man. Re the appointments - no owners of a reasonable sized business personally hires and fires. Whether it's Gao or his advisors making the decision, who cares - Semmens and Crocker are her and they're good news. Expecting anything else, and criticizing Gao for hiring people to help make crucial decisions, misunderstands how things are done. The positives of Gao's reign are obvious - he's not raped or pillaged the club financially, and he's offered stability. the only real negative is a lack of financial input but if what we're told is correct, he's either skint but can't find as buyer, or the directives laid down by his government mean that he can't put cash in. Give me Gao over Ashley.

Smash

Danny for me, just, if only for that overhead kick and the brilliant video that always got played on Foley's coach (if you know, you know). Rod was brilliant though - was a toss up between them for my team, and almost had them both.

Yep, we've produced some great left backs, and Tatgett deserved his break and is doing well. As for right backs, Dodd was tidy, ditto Kenna, but then there's shockers like Ray Wallace - I remember him at Liverpool in about 87/88 when we were getting battered and he shouted "don't give me the fucking ball" before leathering it! Cart horse. Golac is one player of like to have seen but having not, Clyne is the best I can dredge up. I'll stay calm over Livramento, although he looks pretty bloody special.

Now that's a question! Personally, I'm OK with Gao. He keeps out of the way, doesn't take money out of the club, and has appointed some decent people (Semmens, Crocker). Just a shame he's potless. I'm not sure what Ashley would bring to the party.

Power

I go back further, but adding Gerry Forrest, Dodd, Ray Wallace, Kenna, Cherednik etc to the list doesn't compare with the Bale, Shw, Bridge etc om the other side.

Absolutely. My girls came with me even at a young age, reserve team games especially. They enjoyed the unhealthy snacks, and I enjoyed telling them that the teams swapped shirts (rather than ends) at half time so that they both wore both colours. Bright girls, but both believed me until our reserves played crystal palace reserves and the physical attributes of the players rumbled me.