shurlock

Jos is definitely off then...

Looks like a mongboarder.

Bless you, sweet child.

You're missing the point - nobody has said that its impossible to get called up; rather they have a greater chance of a call-up with a bigger club, all other things being equal. And dare I say it, we're no longer the fashionable, aspiring club in the media's eyes that we were last season that may have an effect on a player's chances of a call-up at the margins.

So, you don't think moving to a bigger club maximises your chances of a call-up? Might even argue that if we had kept most of last season's squad together along with the media perception of the club -right or wrong- as one on the up, Clyne would have stood a better chance of a call-up.

edit

Agree he's out of his depth, though as a factual statement it's simply wrong to say he wasn't involved in us staying up. He's always good for an error but mistakes are often due to rushes of blood to the head rather than persistent poor play. It didn't help that for long stretches that he and Fox played on the same side; unsurprisingly, he was much more confident when Shaw was around (his performance last season at the Emirates was pretty decent IIRC).

Was about to say the same thing. Schoolboy error(s) by Mr Wrong.

Long is a bigger indictment. Didn't stop us, though.

Disagree totally - Wanyama was very good against West Brom and more than OK last night. Cork played well when he came on but the HT turnaround was as much due to the change in tactics -Long and Pelle in a virtual 4-4-2 should never be tried again or at least they need to be closer together- and our superior quality and match fitness. Needless to say, you're pointing fingers at the wrong players: why drop Wanyama? Surely it's the responsibility of Davis/JWP who have more creative licence to make something happen. Are both really needed against lower or more defensive opposition?

Just wish the rest of his play was deliberate. Has a terrible touch and control for a top flight footballer.

Perform like that Saturday and we'll get smashed. Even with the second half performance, too much sloppy and disjointed play. Happy for Pelle and his desire to keep going. If Shane Long was named Sandros Longhino and had chiselled, rogueish looks, he would be the one getting the flak. What a criminal first touch. Our poorest player tonight by some distance.

What game were you watching - was a willing runner without having that truly electric turn of pace. Had a poor game on the whole, terrible touch.

Point is that the relationship is fundamentally different -knowing that I can be let go relatively easily induces a different mindset and level of commitment towards my employer and alternative opportunities. If an employer offered the same protections that a football club offers players, would I act differently if something better came along? Who knows. Possibly but there's plenty of evidence that people reciprocate in those circumstances rather than pursuing straightforward self-interest.

Many people have standard notice clauses in their employment contracts.

So you continue to fight the good fight. Or the long defeat as Tolkien would put it. There's a current period of detente between CB Fry and myself - would liken it to the Sino-US relationship following Nixon's famous visit to Beijing in 1972; as a product of pragmatism, it could unravel at any time; but for now its held in place by a united front against Wes Tender who, like Russia, whitewashes the past and loses the plot.

Another classic mongboardism. The contractual relationship clubs and players enter into is fundamentally different from that which you or I have with our employers. When was the last time you were given a 4-5 year contract?

He's certainly been more ITK than you this summer.

Redmond's a very direct runner and can stay outside and come inside.

Best news of the summer.

Put JWP on the right, switch Taider to the left and play Tadic behind Pelle and Long.

Lambo scored for us on his club and league debut.

Though the fact that we didn't "GET STUCK IN/BREAK HIS F**KING LEGS" aka our pressing game riled those around me in Block 3. There wasn't even a token wotsit to abuse.

Assuming the stats are correct which, after all, are an art, not a science. The high overall number of headers won + the low percentage of headers won/passes completed is perfectly reconcilable. It just suggests we're hoofing it a lot more.