shurlock

For some reason, Mackie reminds me of a poor man's Millner.

Agree - the article is a shower of p*ss. Admits that the loss of interest has nothing to do with disregard for tradition or any other pseudo-existential meanings. Dull if blown up story of a person who fell out of the routine and woke one day to realise that his heart was no longer in it (all of which, incidentally enough, happened during our wilderness years). Other than that, I'm none the wiser.

Almost tempting to go with the original tracklisting - start with the promise and optimism of the early noughties (movin on up), culminating in the high of the 2003 season followed by the comedown and crash and then the revival.

White Stripes

Ultimately, family/advisors ruled the day -and nobody whether Ferguson or Wenger is powerful to stop that kind of influence. But placing Lowe's behaviour in the proper context of his overall transfer activity -rather than picking isolated examples- the difference is night and day. Under Lowe, its more than likely that Lallana would have been sold or indeed that Oxo would have been sold earlier (and for less money). Its also unlikely Lowe would have sanctioned the purchase of a player like Rodriguez for his preference, if he did stretch the budget, was for low-risk, proven players. Not blaming the guy - his hands were tied largely by the structure and finances of the club. But the club, even if it remains at the mercy of the bigger clubs, is now in a very different position and its amazing to deny that.

NC and the club were genuinely disappointed to see Oxo go in a way that Lowe never was over sales. It was rarely a case of take or leave it with Lowe and there is no way the sale of Oxo would have been protracted as long under him because his instinct would have been to sell rather than fight to keep a player. You're missing something if you can't see that cultural difference, even if I accept that Lowe fought the club's corner and got a decent price for several transfers.

Disagree- the whole way we dealt with the sale of AOC and pushed Arsenal to the brink, extracting a decent price for him speaks volumes to our commitment to keep hold of our best youngsters. There is no way Lowe would have or been able to play the same game because the first instinct would have been to sell and let Arsenal call our bluff. While we ultimately lost the fight the keep to AOC, you're wrong if you dont think there has been some change -and that bodes well for future as we negotiate from an increasing position of strength (prem league status etc).

Totally agree, though you can also find examples of players who commanded eye-watering fees but have gone on to exceed their potential -Bale, Ronaldo etc. I have no doubt that Shaw's value will jump again (quite irrationally) as soon as he plays a competitive game or two (regardless of his performance) and I guess Chelsea are (rationally) trying to preempt that.

Thats not how markets work, though. Prices reflect not just what somebody is currently worth but also what they will be worth in the future (and that's alot with a youngster even after you adjust for the risk they dont go off the rails).

Yes and no. Yes English players are overvalued but if Butland is worth £6m, £4m is sensible - indeed, Shaw is probably worth more. Its about potential upside -and the market clearly values defenders/fullbacks more than GKs, so assuming Shaw and Butland both realise their potential, Shaw would ultimately attract a higher fee, a point missed by some fo dins and bulbs on here, but one any smart chairman would factor in...

Doubt it would demonstrate much. FWIW my money's on Shaw staying if simply because we're not going to do City and there is no evidence as yet of huge ambition. . As long as we are in the Prem, the less ambitious we are, the more -rather than less, likely players like Shaw will stay. After all, the lad knows he's never played a competitive game and realises there are more opportunities to break into the first team with us. Whether he stays or not will depend not on our ambition but our ability to assure and offer him chances to shine.

What happens if you can't afford the petrol? Perhaps hitchhiking to Mumbai is a better metaphor

Or perhaps we're intending to rid of Dickson and Harding and/or NA wants the flexibility to use AL in a different role.

Can't see him going -and I guess people are talking in the abstract for they surely they cant believe a single, quoteless paragraph, right> And if he does stay, it will have absolutely nothing to do with our ambition (as some waywardly suggest). Comparisons with Walcott, Bale and Oxo are off the mark -they all played competitive games and were closer to the first team, whether ours or potential suitors (Chelsea have one of the best LBs in the world). Shaw is not at that level- if he's lucky he might feature in the league cup this season. But even that's not certain. In other words, Shaw will stay with us until he thinks he's ready to jump ship -ironically our lack of ambition might be an incentive to stay in the short-term for as long as we're not doing to a city and buying would class players in every position, there will still be decent opportunities to play and progress with us.

MLG still thinks oxo plays for us. After all, we were told he wouldn't be leaving. And sh*t never happens and words are always meant literally.

Why? They didn't anything too grand for rodriguez.

The leftback who played ahead of him in Euros had a 'mare. Doesn't seem the Dutch are too blessed in that position.

Forest have never played in all red, so don't know where the comparisons come from.

I'm thinking more head-and-shoulders craig johnston.

What a difference a year makes

Looks a nice red- an orangey red, not the darker red used on the current shirt.

Always funny seeing people buying the new kit while wearing the old one.

Darwin would be rolling in his grave.

Worth a look - no real risk involved.

Definitely punched above his weight. But the qualities Chaplow brings -the ability to make runs from deep into the box and press high up the pitch- were sorely missed at times last season. We need upgrade on Chaplow, even if the original is not up to it.