alpine_saint

Of course, but the excuses and time are running thin. Really thin. We are not getting the flying start we were all hoping for. I reckon AP doesnt completely know his first XI yet, or how to play them.

So, what will you identify as the problem when we start the 2010-11 season as badly as the 2009-10 season ? You wont even be able to blame -10points.

Benji's ? Do me a favour. More excuse-making hand-wringing limp-wristed b*ll*cks...

Checkmate.....

Apparently our players are just supposed to suddenly throw a switch in their head at the first whistle at the start of the season and go from playing mediocre sh*t, to devastating league-winning form. Bizarre.

Yep. This team is maintaining a fine tradition.... Really done a good job of setting our stall out early.

Wow, 1-1 to the almighty Sutton Utd. We will walk this league....

That Spitfire is Griffon powered. Nevertheless, they sound similar. Always thought of the sound of the Merlin being "The Sound of Freedom"

Whats this for then ? EDIT Just checked the BBMF website, forgot about Farnborough.

Surprised at the negativity and voting for "status quo" of your post. If the Navy keeps that up it will cease to exist. I reckon that 30 modern frigates and destroyers can cover the work of the 50 we had post-Falklands, simply because the ships are better quality, and go much, much longer between refit intervals now. Also because crew size has significantly reduced, they can stay at sea longer. However, one point I will conceed is that I do not know how many are required for the ASW side of protecting the new carriers. If you say it is 20 each (meaning 40) than I will take your word for it. I want to keep the new carriers out of prestige more than practicality I must admit, since carriers are more about offense rather than defence, imo. The only overseas territory we will ever be called upon to defend again is the Falklands, and with all due respect Mount Pleasant airfield is more effective than 3 or 4 Queen Elizabeths. As for Middle East nuclear terrorisim, 6 Tornado GR4s with gravity bombs permanently based at Akrotiri is enough. As for your comments on "enhanced Astutes". If it were anyone but you I would have described them as total b*ll*cks, but I am surprised at your negativity. The last block of Los Angeles subs was updated in exactly the way proposed. I am talking about using cruise missiles here, not about trying to put Tridents in a SS(G)N.

The US named its first operational SSBN after George Washington.

For some reason, I only really give a sh*t about the Navy. I would up the destroyer/frigate fleet to 30, keep the type 26 programme the same, but order less of them. They should take over from the 22s/23s on a one-for-one basis, and I would put the Type 45 order back to 12. That is a capable boat. Like the "enhanced Astute" proposal. Dont like the carrier proposal - I would like to see both in service, but with decent names like Eagle or Hermes. Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales were battleships, not carriers.I would also keep Ark Royal, remove her Ski jump and have her rotate operation with Ocean.

Indeed, cant believe we've topped 100 posts. From the same people that brought you "Paul Allen is buying our club"

I dont believe it either. I cannot believe we would fork out so much wages to a PL has-been whilst restricting our expense on a much more cirtical CM requirement. If this happens, I think many will wonder about AP losing the plot.

You say that navalisation of the Typhoon is too expensive, but there IS a plan for it already. A few years back when the US were playing their usual tricks that our F35s would have to be serviced (at great cost) by US technicians because they would not give us access to the avionics software, the Defence Minister of the time told BAE to investigate it. Eventually the US backed down when the UK government threatened to withold Rolls Royce's vertical take off engine and technology for the F35B

Yep, you've got the measure of him too. I dont bother replying to his smarty-pants garbage anymore.

Ridiculous.

I accept the argument that it does a lot (of destruction and killing) for the money, but the sort of nations or groups we need to be deterring in these times do not have sophisticated air defence networks, or counterforce ability. FFS, a pair of Tornados with bombs or cruise missiles is enough of a deterrent for us.

Christ, if he said "we wont get promoted" people like you will be trying to spin it positive.

Greatest hope for this season?- Promotion Biggest fear?- Mid table mediocrity, manager change, lost players Most important player?- On the strength of last season and lack of cover, has to be Schneiderlin Terrace favourite?- Lambert Keep an eye out for...- Barnard Player you'd happily drive to his next club?- No-one, down to bare bones One change you'd make at your club? - New CM, Have we got the right manager?- Not sure What advice would you give him?- Go hell for broke, this is it. Which team do you most want to beat this season?- Colchester or Swindon Opposition player you despise?- Steve Howard Opposition player you secretly admire?- None Where will we finish?- 3rd

Yep. From me. Well read !

Its a reasonable theory, and I am willing to tolerate a couple of weeks more nervousness if it gets our man. The only problem with it, is why then announce that we are looking for another forward ? Wont that do something to his transfer value ? The more I think about it, the more his comment about not knowing how to play the team looks the bigger concern. He is right, we have a top-notch first XI for this level, but if you dont know what to do with them.....

I think his comments are worrying. He doesnt appear to see there is an issue in CM. He wants to bring another forward in first. Also worried he doesnt seem to know how to play the team yet.

Grow up.

I find US outrage about this, even if it was admitted that there was a deal between Libya and the UK govt, hypocritical to put it mildly.When I think of the sorts of people they are willing to get into bed with in pursuit of a good oil or arms deal. If this had been a BA flight over Maine or somewhere like that, with 270-odd UK citizens on board, they had the person in prision, and that persons nation offered the US a juicy oil or arms deal, they'd jump without a moment's second thought...