UpweySaint

But the decision cannot be simply taken out of context. Hiring MP may be a very good decision but the timing and nature may not. I think we can all agree it left a very bitter taste in the mouth. Either way I stand by what I said in that we cant really evaluate the decision so soon in a fair way. Personally I hope MP goes on to prove a lot of the sceptics, including myself, very wrong!

Honestly people being smug about Poch doing well, get over it. Most of the critics, myself included, acknowledged Poch may well be a talented manager but it was the way things were done that so many of us disagreed with. Honestly glad to see Poch building on NA's solid foundations but I honestly dont think we can effectively judge him one way or the other until he's had longer in the job and the ability to shape the side how he see's fit. He has made a promising start and that is great though!

Seemed to be a lot of mutual respect between two ambitious sides both playing very good football. They were certainly nice sparring partners and I honestly think they'l find their way to the premier league one day.

Nonsense. If you read my post you'd see that I look forward to the days we are sustainable, something we are actively pushing for, and did not actually comment at all on the source of either teams money. I do not think it is easy. I swear you'r reading my posts and ignoring the actual content. It was a big ask, he did WELL. That is not my dispute. I firmly believe that they did not have a logner term vision under Big Sam and this has cost them. Name the players who have came through Bolton's acamdemy or even young players who's careers have been developed at Bolton. Not many for sure. We are a long way behind where bolton were so I dont think comparisons, at this time, are helpful. We were League one teo seasons ago! One player does not an academy make. Hunt, the rb? He did ok and came through under Big Sam but who else...? Either way why do you have such a bee in your bonnet over this? I rate Allardyce but maintain he was flawed, you disagree, whats the major issue?

Walsall, they were a class bunch. Never met a Newcastle fan I dont like but have not met too many to be fair.

Not really a fan of any of those but the silver one isnt too bad. If it happens it happens but I just dont see any reason for it.

£140 million in debt. Thats simply not sustainable. He got results no question but he did NOT build a club. They had no foundations. You'r right him leaving was a catylyst for their decline but do you not think he shoulders any responsiblity for not trying to develop a youth strategy or keeping wages down? Remind you? Dont think i've ever actually told you "mate". I dont expect anything. I hope we continue to build the club around the academy and long term become a sustainable side playing good football and producing talented players (hopefully in the premier league!). I did not belittle anything and in fact said he deserved credit. He did a good job and has some v strong attributes but im crystal clear I believe he also has flaws. Think you've made assumptions based on god knows what about how I might react to us had we been in Bolton's position.

Yeah hold on calm it down. Dont think to presume my opinions on Pochetino in future scenarios. What happened when Big Sam left Bolton? A few season and they went down with a mass of debt, an aging side, no real youth prospects to speak of ... He did a good job at Bolton YES. But was it longterm? no, just look what happened when he left. Management is about more then just where the team is this season despite the short termism of many in the game. How about getting of your high horse and kindly shoving your condescending reply somewhere creative.

Fair but he gets more right then wrong. Utd have been so consistant for a reason. Wellbeck may, or may not, come good but Ferguson is one of the better judges of footballing talent around.

Allardyce clearly has his strengths and it would be foolish to argue otherwise but, for me, he's not a man for the long term. Deserves real credit for keeping Bolton and Blackburn up but never really progressed them as clubs (debatable Bolton did well but for me it was stopgap after stopgap with decent, but aging, pros) or brought through young talent. The man for a job certainly and perhaps with a strong backroom to help his shortfalls he could manage higher up, for sure he is a good motivator, has an eye for the occassional bargain and knows how to set out sides to pick up points. All this being said, even if wham finish above us, i'd rather have our lot then theirs. Longterm, even with the dodgy deal around the Olympic stadium, I'd fancy our prospects more.

Allardyce clearly has his strengths and it would be foolish to argue otherwise but, for me, he's not a man for the long term. Deserves real credit for keeping Bolton and Blackburn up but never really progressed them as clubs (debatable Bolton did well but for me it was stopgap after stopgap with decent, but aging, pros) or brought through young talent. The man for a job certainly and perhaps with a strong backroom to help his shortfalls he could manage higher up, for sure he is a good motivator, has an eye for the occassional bargain and knows how to set out sides to pick up points. All this being said, even if wham finish above us, i'd rather have our lot then theirs. Longterm, even with the dodgy deal around the Olympic stadium, I'd fancy our prospects more.

Fair play you'r only going on IFs but god I hope not! I honestly don't see the issue with proper red and white stripes. Quite liked some of the examples posted above, the retro adidas and strangely the nike in particular, and I feel that if pishing around is to be done it'd be best done with the away kit. That and when we have our triumphant march on Europe we could always have a "third" kit again. The red and white back about eight or ten years (im sure somebody will correct me!) was alrite for me.

I like it. The silver looks more "cutting edge" for the front of the programme etc and the original is spot on for the club's heritage. It is recognisable and, frankly, looks better then most! If it's not broke ...

Ferguson doesn't get too many wrong and Wellbeck has shown potential imo. Maybe he'l fulfill it, maybe he wont, not sure he's ready for england duty as is though.

Wellbeck has barely scored, Oscar has been v patchy, Hazard has been good but outshone by Mata by some way. Theo, Bale, Benteke and Morgan the candidates surely? Two ex saints, a saint and the beast that is Benteke.

True he has been impressive, actually took a villa fan to our home tie against them and he was the only positive for them. Strikers do tend to do well in awards but Morgan's stats dont lie If he doesnt win oh well, less media attention on our star player!

The quota is "under 23" and I should have included Benteke and Bale. I'd fancy Bale for the top gong and honestly think Morgan SHOULD get the young player award, unlikely though it may be!

Ok can anybody think of a young player in the league who has had a better season then Morgan? Any genuine competition for the grand young player award? I can only muster Walker and Wilshere though as past winners though neither have had great seasons ... Any of the Villa lot? If Sterling wins somebody needs to be shot!

Kind of summed it up really in the assumption that only those directly affected by the folding of the mining industry should care. Thats her legacy, the atomised individual with the "no such thing as society" rhetoric. Is it feeble to dislike the woman for supporting a brutal dictator or the continuation of apartheid in South Africa or her shoot to kill policy in NI? I'd suggest otherwise ...

Fair point politics isnt exactly black and white but I think plenty of people have called for Blair to face a war crimes tribunal and plenty of others having publically condemned Israel. Thatchers death is a focal point for her critics as it's recieved widespread media attention and, inevtiably, plenty of people had good reason to hate her. I think it has to be accepted that people are going to be passionate about this and her death, no matter how unfortunate, does not change what she did in her life. I'm all for letting her family have their peace and not going on a public jolly to celebrate her death but when people talk about state funerals, sliences and how people should show respect for her achievements I dont see a need to keep quiet.

She supported Pinochet, aprtheid South Africa and put millions of British people out of work for political and idealogical gain. This thread could probably do with being elsewhere or closed though I agree but I dont think you should try and whitewash what she did.

Errr she didn't exactly show respect to the many lives she ruined at home or abroad. Supporting a brutal dictator anyone? Nobody here is taunting her family or stomping on her flowers just expressing a wish to perhaps not be told we should be rather sad about such a person dying.

Nobody is advocating crashing her funeral with a marching band but plenty might not want to be seen to be happy to nod along paying respects to her after what she did.

What is the cut off for young player of the year age-wise? Either way im with the general sentiment, morgan and shaw, special mention for cork and srl.

Ok sarcasm hour is clearly in session but on a serious note a certain player has came out of retirement ... would cortese let him dajfu?