david in sweden

...and I suppose the Birmingham manager will make the Guinness Book of Records if he manages to keep his job , especially after a 0-8 home thrashing by " an upstart Southern side...".

......and so that's what it was ......just another rumour. But if we get close enough to be in contention for a Euro competition next season, players of his calibre would certainly give us an edge against REALLY big European teams.

One thought came to mind, that after the fantastic start to the season....and last week's blitz on Sunderland ....if we can't fill SMS on Saturday, we might as well forget the long-term aim of stadium expansion. This is surely the best form we've shown in decades, but if there aren't enough interested fans to fill all the seats ---what's the point?.

There are no "easy fixtures in the Prem." whilst it's true that top teams win most and the bottom sides struggle for points, last season our best 8th spot...still meant that we didn't fare so well against the top sides; Man.City 1 point, Chelsea 0 points, Arsenal 1 point, Liverpool 3 points, Everton 3 points, Man Utd 2 points and Spuds 0 points. (even a retrospective assessment would show we weren't worth many more)... ......in all - against the top 7 sides we gained only 10 points of a possible 42. OK we say ..they were the best in the League......HOWEVER; against some teams near last seasons bottom end; we didn't fare much better. we beat Cardiff away, but lost at home.(total 3 pts.) Lost away to Norwich, though won well at home (3). Sunderland two draws (2), Draw at home with WHam, but lost away (1). Lost at home to Villa, drew away (1). thats only 10 points out of a possible 30. A real lack of consistancy that I hope we can overcome this season.....because only another 15-18 points ....would have put us in Europe this season. Easy games?....not many. Surely the annihilation of Sunderland last Saturday will be regarded as the easiest game this season, but last Friday everyone (even Koeman) was talikng about a tough game and many of us would have been fairly content with one point from that fixture......

Of course - if you go back (far enough) you'd probably find that Terry Paine had a good record of assists) HOWEVER, answer to the question.....I'd think that Brett Ormerod must have clocked up a few, he certainly helped make James Beattie become the success he was. BUT I won't compare any of them with the titled player Tadic...who does seem to be the complete player, and we're only 8 games in.. so what will his tally be, I wonder ....after 38? Aside from his truly excellent form, he does seem very humble about everything and always says " the team " and seldom (in interviews) has talked much about himself).

I've always had mindset that " big Prem. clubs " don't need my spritual support, as they all have billionaire owners, very big stadiums and a clan of worldwide supporters, and that's enough for anyone. (I tend to relax that rule a little when any of them are playing in Euro tournaments - except if it's Spuds), however I was interested to see how L'pool would go up against Real, and to watch a whole game with Cristiano Ronaldo.... well I got 75 mins. anyway) but by then he could relax and I was sold. I thought he was ... what he is...." one of the best in the World". Looking at their facial expressions, Real players seemed to think it was just a training match, and the result was predictable. They'd won by HT. and knew how to preserve their lead. Liverpool woke up in the second half, (coincidentally when Lallana came on).... but it was too little, too late and Real could afford to take their foot off the gas a bit. As for our former favourites...I might almost give AL the award for 'pools best player, but Lovren did his famous missing the vital interception trick, that allowed CR the very brief amount of time he needed for the first goal... after which the result looked fairly predictable. Liverpool were static and looked like rabbits trapped in the headlights, proof enough when two totally unmarked Real players stood alone at the far post prior to their third goal, they didn't get in each others' way, and only one of them (Benzema) was needed to score. A lot of work needed there, Brendan.... Our " former " employees must be looking UP the Prem. table with some degree of envy round about now, consoled only by their rather large salaries, paid out for yet another disappointing game.

and of course, this is a thread started in late June...... when a lot of panicky people were uncertain of the future.... ............a lot has happened since then. IMO ... at the present time..... selling the club, must surely be the last thing on her mind.

anyway..as this thread is headed Katharina. .....did anyone else spot her in the corridor congratulating the players after the game, (near the end of)... the club's behind the scenes video on the Sunderland game?.......

AGREE !

I agree I think he showed up well on Saturday (well didn't everyone ?)....but the journo' probably means.......Shane hasn't scored any goals yet...just give him time.

Of course careers started much later in those days. Although Paine and Sydenham were still teenagers when they debuted, it was a daring manager who'd give a start to a 20 year old nowadays players like Shaw and JWP can knotch up 50-60 games by the time they get to that age. When Adam Lallana suddenly upped and went in the summer, I was a bit shocked to realise he'd been at the club for 14 years. Years ago .....14 years sounded like a very long footballing career.

nice reminiscence Professor, we would seem to be in the same generation....but I think you mean DEREK Reeves (not to be confused with my favourite "hot shot " of that period) GEORGE O'Brien. (Don't worry... My memory isn't infallible either..my daughter says it's only Alzheimer's kicking in a bit early)

of course, that would be an extra plus-wouldn't it

well.... http://www.insidefutbol.com has apparantly posted a " rumour " that Ronald K. is looking to sign Dirk Kuyt (no less) from Fenerbache... when his contract goes out at end of season. Kuyt, who is already 34 looked pretty good in Holland's World Cup matches, but aren't we all asking ourselves .....WHY would he sign him in the first place? Seems strange to say, but having signed three former " Koeman-type players "... none of them are actually Dutch!...and although Liverpool thought Kuyt wasn't Prem. class any longer, he still manages to put in a useful shift for the Turkish outfit where he has scored 18 goals in 64 starts...and goodness knows how many assists, he retired himself from the Dutch national squad with 104 caps after the World Cup. His career in Holland with Utrecht and Feyernoord (there's that name again) ..made him an instant hit when he moved to Liverpool, and we surely all recall his great performances. IF THIS RUMOUR IS ANYWHERE TRUE...How about this for a theory?..... Of course, we wouldn't give a 35 year old a four year contract, but Kuyt seems to be a sort of a Dutch Peter Pan figure, (where he is almost as legendary as RK was) can still put himself about. If he still has a good fitness level (as Beckham had towards the end of his career) then a return to the Prem. might seem very appealing, although I certainly wouldn't expect to see him play 38 games a season, but he'd certainly be an asset in big games ...PLUS could this be some sort of insurance (on RK's part) - just in case we do qualify for Europe....and need some real Euro experience. The more I think about it the dafter it sounds, but it's football and who knows what will happen next. Those of us who are a bit longer on the tooth will recall Lawrie McMenemy recruiting lorryloads of ex-internationals who still had quality and looked the part in those teams in the early 1980's. plus.... putting the budding young talents of that era alongside top internationals improved their game by leaps and bounds.

oh yes, I'd certainly agree with that one. Playing badly but still getting the points. How many times have we seen " top teams " get a " penalty " in the last few minutes, or are saved by " Fergie time ". Older fans will tell you that every game we played at the old Highbury stadium seemed to last..... at least 95 minutes.. .and we'd end up losing in that " magical " added time.

Exactly my thoughts when looking at those " marathons spenders" at Liverpool and Man.Utd. Lots of expensive " individuals ", but not much sign of real team-work, hence THEIR results, so far.

.........GOOD ! I was wondering what YOUR reaction would be " Whitey" (from the refereeing viewpoint). But whilst nearly everyone seemed to be " shouting penalty", I noticed that Fletcher had already played the ball ......before the collision with Forster....(as seen in replays). ..and what person (running at speed)... wouldn't fall over when colliding with a 6' 8" giant. Interestingly, I didn't see Fletcher appeal himself, but it was his team-mates making all the noise, and screaming at the ref..

This upcoming (Stoke) game and those against mid-table sides that follow in the next month are the best test of whether we are to be a " real top side " or not. It's not so much about " the title", but top four. Of course games v. Man city, Chelsea and Arsenal may decide who finishes 3rd, 4th ...or lower, but picking up 3 points week-in and out against mid-table / struggling sides is what real success is all about. The top teams regularly " knock-over " each other, but that rarely makes a big difference (except like Liverpool / Chelsea last season,). Perhaps many of us (even Koeman himself) thought that Sunderland would be just such a test, but looked what happened. ...... It maybe another generation before we see eight goals again, but convincing wins against such sides will make the difference between Champions League, Europa League and ... finishing 8th. I sometimes think that these "xxxx build-up" threads become more like the "xxxx wind-up" threads for panicky fans, so it's good to see players talking about..."one match at a time, and the next game". I wonder how many fans are already dreading the Nov/Dec./January fixtures; :uhoh:Man.City...Man.Utd...(twice)... Arsenal (twice)...Chelsea....but as the players are saying . one game at a time.

I'd go with that assessment, too.

The Glory Boys ?....all they talk about is ....the TEAM......and the next game. What great response.

forecast for 2nd half subs. Assuming no injuries .....Wanyama on for Cork, and Mane for Long, and (poss. Mayuka for Tadic)......

it's just a trial period...... until we decide to give him a long term contract

always turns in a good shift - even if not often MOM. A good, honest professional who will steady the ship in all eventualities. Good decision.

yes indeed ..a mistake. Think you and CB Fry ought to join the nit-pickers club.

that's his 6th goal in 5 starts this season.....glad he's back in the team.