goodrobotusses

Barton is football's Charlie Sheen, expect I found Sheen's media 'rebellion' quite amusing for a week.

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Pleat came across as a complete luddite on that show.

I don't, no. I just pitched the piece via the site to Jeff, the editor. He seems like a nice guy though. By the way everyone, I didn't write the head and sell – I don't believe that Bielsa is Chilean. Someone pointed that out yesterday on Twitter. Pretty embarrassing.

Jeez, hope this isn't true. If so, I'm guessing this is as a consequence of his style of play over the years. Would be a massive shame – he's only 31.

I wrote something over at In Bed With Maradona on 'El Loco' going to Athletic Bilbao. Dead excited having him in La Liga. http://inbedwithmaradona.com/journal/2011/8/2/marcelo-bielsa-the-new-raynald-denoueix.html

I lasted three tweets. Some things never change. God forbid Kaizer ever show up on Twitter.

First half was a 4-3-1-2 but with a winger instead of a no.10. Spearing sat, Henderson and Adam took turns making forward runs and Downing played high and wide on the right, but with licence to switch over to the left. Second half was more of a 4-5-1/4-3-3, with Kuyt on the right and Downing on the left.

Me.

Genuinely laughed out loud. England = football kryptonite.

Think Spearing was one of our better players towards the end of the season, and that's to his credit. I think he surprised everyone with his performances (see Comolli's comments from the time he signed his contract extension), and as such properly earned a place in the squad, rather than the token place wishful thinkers felt he deserved due to being local. I don't see him ever being anywhere near the quality required to consistently play at the level to which we aspire, but if he's happy to stick around and play 5-15 games a season then we should keep him. Well, he is the only player in the squad who looks like a testicle.

Probably jumping up and down in a darkened room somewhere.

Players run further and more consistently at high intensity than they did back in those days. As pointed out before me, famous luddite Martin O'Neill's Villa team always collapsed in the second half of the season – without European football – because he played the same XI week in, week out whenever possible.

I bet you're really looking forward to the American live action remake of Akira too.

Given Henry is a pretty smart guy who tends to choose his words carefully, I think it's safe to say he wouldn't say anything that would go over Kenny or Comolli's heads. His (and FSG's) ACTIONS so far have been to hire good professionals, leave them to their jobs and back them financially. The fact there's a three page debate about one tweet is more indicative of the lasting scars from the Hicks/Gillett debacle. I'm all for caution, but it can be hard to escape the feeling that we're one rough patch or mistake away from some people getting up in arms about the owners. People need to get out of that mindset because it's not going to help anyone. Vigilant yes, over-sensitive no. Personally, I'm a big fan of JWH as a result of the combination of his words and actions. Call me naive, but each to their own and all that.

Didn't know he was an ex-Marine. Don't mess with Ayre.

One thing on Aquilani. The argument can be made to the effect of "he's only added an effect against weak side", but we've lacked flat track bullies and in particular players who can unlock stubborn lower-table defensive sides through creativity, so I don't see the problem with that.

Played mostly as a solo striker for Newcastle, with Nolan behind him. Hoping for a big season from AC. We've made very definite moves to provide him specifically with service, so here's hoping his fitness and form make for a successful season.

Yep. Same as Elm0 did.

Yep. Had a much more natural understanding than Suarez-Carroll appeared to (which will hopefully come with time). We played our best football last season with Kuyt and Suarez up front, moving into the channels and allowing the likes of Maxi and Meireles to cut inside into forward positions. Completely bamboozled opposition teams because they didn't know where the threat was coming from – great movement all round.

Wish the blocking function could some way exclude posters being quoted also.

I see your Vieira goal and raise you a... EDIT: Just noticed watching back that Didi does an Arbeloa and launches himself on top of his celebrating team mates. I love Didi. And Alf for that matter.

4-2-3-2 or 4-3-4. Play two wingers, a playmaker (or three in CM) AND two strikers. Doesn't make any sense really. Certainly not if you're against a team that plays a single central striker (and given the opposition is outnumbered, it's pretty likely that they'll be trying to contain and counter). Why not play an extra midfielder and be done with it?