KelvinsRightGlove

If they were looking to avoid negative tactics, Moyes was never going to satisfy.

Errm, again. This is opinion, not evidence. Even the comments are not unanimous.

Checking out the new(est) Mogwai album. Really liking it. Hoping to catch them at Glasto, never managed to actually see them.

You're grasp on evidence and opinion clearly isn't very good. You're opinion is that he isn't very good. The evidence over a sustained period is to the contrary.

Fair point, but I still don't think we would see Moyes thrusting Chambers into the team over Clyne or using JWP as regularly. Especially not starting all 3 (including Shaw) at the same time, with as much regularity. I've used this example before, but against Arsenal with Rickie injured and Ossie suspended, I don't think Moyes would have put faith in Gallagher. Granted he hardly set the world alight, but he did ok. I can't help but Moyes would have just stuck an extra man in midfield and tried to shut up shop. That's fine, but that isn't going to make you a good fit for Saints, who are clearly geared (for better or worse) towards developing the young guys from the academy.

That's absolute crap. He took over a team often battling relegation, and turned them into a team regularly finishing 5-7th. Martinez is most likely going to get them finishing 5th - yet he is a genius that has transformed the club? Explain that one to me. He did all this whilst having no money to spend, to bring in any players, he would have to sell his best players. He did this every year. He regularly bought players, improved them and sold them at a big profit. One poor season does not make him a poor manager. Yes, he doesn't play the most exciting of football. But how exactly do you think "all the evidence points" to him being a bad manager?

He didn't buy a single one of them. Hard to not play Rooney really, he was that good. Osman was sent out on loan a few times, didn't start playing til he was 23/24. He really didn't progress Rodwell as much as could have been done, they ended up feeling they robbed City. Ok, Coleman & Januzaj. 2 Players in 12 years. He also messed about with Dan Gosling, who was well thought of and forgot to give him a new contract. I don't buy this stuff about him being a bad manager, or he did a bad job at Everton. Both are untrue, but he would not be a good fit for Saints. It's clear that any manager coming to Saints is going to have a mandate to focus on the academy and bring those players through. That simply is not Moyes. I'm sure he will go somewhere else and do just fine, but I'd be beyond surprised if that was at Saints. His record with youth is not good at all.

Where can I get some of this? It's, erm, for a friend.

Fair enough, that's your opinion. Personally, I wouldn't be so sure. There was a reason the club went for him. The aim of the club has always been to look at a very well established academy. I cannot imagine the club would not spell out the expectation to look to the academy, given it's success and the investment that has gone into it. It seems a good fit, club with history of developing talented young players hires manager with record of using young players. I would also expect an improved contract - MP deserves it imo. He has done a good job in developing most of the players in the squad, both young and established. We clearly differ in our approach to the academy. You have been critical both here in and in the past, on the other hand I am fully in support of this approach. I really enjoy seeing the conveyor belt of young (mostly English, not that that massively matters) players being developed at the club and making it into the first team. I do agree there does need to be a balance, and that can be tricky to get right. Maybe, with the shedding of a few 'legacy' players in the summer (Guly, Jos etc) it may be easier to address that balance to prem quality. Not that the squad you could be lead to believe is awful by some on here are doing all that bad. I'd have taken 8th before kick-off in August.

My mates and I have a 5-a-side team down the local Goals. I swear nearly every week the oppo's sub will be blazing a spliff on the sidelines, before passing it on to their team mate when they come on. Never seems to slow them down, then again, I an make a snail look fast in a straight line.

Do you not think when discussing the job he was told of the clubs approach to the academy? Also the record of investing in young players, and plans to overhaul training ground/academy facilities. MP clearly is not a stupid man, anyone can see that taking the Saints job is going to come with the expectation of using the young players. I'm sure his record of bringing through young players in his previous job was also part of what attracted the club to him.

Maybe he genuinely believes in the philosophy of using young players? Some managers do. Clearly you don't, but I'm not entirely sure this is something MP is being chained to, imo.

Why do people assume that because we havn't heard anything, that means that nothing is happening? Do people honestly think like this?

Having been impressed by his ability to ensure Manchester United won't be in Europe for the foreseeable future, Nigel Farage is said to be desperate for David Moyes to join UKIP. Sorry

Not too sure how I feel about this. I recently made the leap, and became a mac guy. Transferred over my Derby file and cracked on. Had a decent summer after a 3rd place finish, with some good acquisitions and came flying out the traps. Looked set to have a real go at the title. Theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen, I had my bag stolen and the beautiful brand new mac book was gone (along with iPad & headphones - the latter of which were a very nice xmas present). After a period of mourning (yes I became one of those guys very quickly, back on my knackered old dell now and I positively hate it), I decided to boot up the file from where I was. Miraculously had a storming end to the previous season, and won the league (also thanks to Arsenal unexpectedly losing to an already relegated Sunderland on the final day). Gone an an epic spending spree, though squad looks pretty similar as it did prior to the loss of the macbook. Does this consist as cheating?

Anyone else seen this? http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/palcohol-us-government-reveals-it-has-approved-powdered-alcohol-9273019.html Sounds pretty weird. For some reason, I just don't really want to be snorting my tequilas.

Interesting book that. Not ordinarily my thing, but i really loved it. Whereas some friends of mine hated it. Thought the film was trash. Looks interesting that one, let us know how you get on, please.

Didn't Agassi say recently he took crack or crystal meth with a trainer or manager or something whilst he was playing? Clearly this is going back a few years, so may not be totally relevant now - though I'm completely ignorant as to the drug testing standards in tennis both then and now.

This fits very well with info I was told. Basically, post-game (Saturday night) they go out and get on it. Sunday off, call in sick Monday. Then it's out their system.

Heard that. I also seem to recall hearing a very similar rumour about Jack Wilshire. Can't see it personally.

Well yes, obviously not all. That certainly isn't what I was trying to say. Though they certainly made it sound like it was more widespread than one may think. Also, on second reading of the article it sounds more like staff than players.

A relative of mine is a journo (not sports related though, it should be said) and she has told me that footballers will quite regularly get on it after a match. This was maybe 4-5 years ago, so if it's changed since then I really don't know. There were a few names she gave, of international and premiership players, who were well known for it. But I don't think it would be wise to make allegations on here.

Funny how this comes about as a result of him being nominated as a candidate for player of the season, isn't it? Nope, never gets recognition though.

Agree, though would prefer a new first choice GK. Boruc is good, but unreliable. Misses too many games for a keeper, and is never far from some sort of howler. Has cost us goals this season. Though granted has made some point winning saves. We could do with a keeper that can actually pick out a player too.