londonkopite

Hicks can't push that without Gillet's consent. If Gillett ever wanted Hicks out now was the time but it looks like the twant bottled it.

Those players are experienced because the manager gives them a chance, last season they played a novice at the back for long periods.

Didn't we just spend £2m on a "Sami" replacement?

The team that finished above us have lost their best player, one of the best players in the world and have spent sod all to replace him. We on the other hand have lost a midfield player but have bought one who has a big reputation, we have also improved massively at full back. As I said I'd understand the moaning if other top 4 teams were spending big but they aren't.

I'd understand the moaning if Arsenal, United and Chelsea were ripping now holes in their bank accounts - but only Man City are. Why can't we just get on with it without crying about money all the time? We finished 2nd, and since then we have only lost Alonso but added a great full back and a top class midfield player. United have added nobody of note, neither have Arsenal or Chelsea so the bar hasn't been lifted so much has it?

He has played 2 games. I think he is class but these threads are a little premature.

He had a superb debut and is wonderful going forward and more than makes up for any deficiences in his defending - it's a good match those two. Our defender is better at attacking than the attacker and the attacker is better at defending! However, it is early days and it wasw only Stoke so we shouldn't get carried away but I can see Glen being fantastic in home games whatever the opposition.

Thats not true... Peter Beardsley?

Why is nobody asking why not a single player from the two Youth Cup wins have come through into the first team or given many chances? Surely one out of 22 deserves a few games?

Why are we playing this game? How about you answer why we let go of Warnock and later bought in Dosenna? The manager is human by the way, he makes mistakes sometimes like we all do. It isn't a slight on him if people discuss it on forums.

He didn't think he would make it, we release quite a few in each age group every year, smaller clubs don't. Add that to the poor record of bringing players through despite two youth cup wins these past 5 years and you get the picture.

The issue I have is that there is only a negligible difference in quality - but one player cost us money and more in wages and the other was a trainee on peanuts with no fee. Which one makes more financial sense? Which is the better example to young lads who we try and sign as kids? My mates lad chose Tranmere over Liverpool last summer, is that what we want?

Alonso in 2007? Later to be touted around Europe in 2008.

We could say that not a single young and unknown youth player Rafa has signed has come through to be a regular in the first team. We released Warnock, Blackburn now value him at £12m according to their manager so thats one for player who came through, released and turned out ok right there. No left back since Warnock left has looked that much better than him, not least £8m Dosenna. Its just not black and white. On Hammil though, I don't think he is better right now than Kuyt, Babel, Benayoun or Rieira but I think he is better than El Zhar. I have no problem, with him being released either.

There have been players who gone to lower leagues and come back mate, its not all black and white. Who do you think would buy El Zhar if we sold him?

I think its a shame that he was let go but is he really better than Kuyt, Riera and Babel? He had all the tricks but so did Mark Walters. You have to trust Rafa on this one. I do wonder though much better El Zar is than Adam, not much is my guess.

I am not sure. Park and Fletcher have been squad players for the past few years and with Scholes and Giggs on their way out they find themselves in the team. United look awful, the only thing going for them is the belief their manager intils in them. They also have no Ronaldo to get them out of the sh*t every game. This year is a massive chance for us.

Just how s*** does that look? It's a mid table midfield.

I think that we were far more adventerious from the Real Madrid game onwards is true... you can see it by the intent, goals scored and conceded.

The NET spend argument is teduious... United just got £80m for a player so we are well behind on NET spend compared to United in Rafa's 5 years here aren't he especially when you factor that in? We started off a far worse base than them in 2004 too.

Meant to say the league.... sorry. Compare the 19 years since Carlsberg and the 19 years pre Calsberg and you get the picture.

Villa have signed well this summer for their level.

Given we have won owt since they joined we shoud flush them down the toilet and get someone else in.

Unfortunately football isn't played on paper. In 2006 United won the league with one of the worst Championship winning teams in history. This season is going to be about who wants it the most, who is most positive.

It will be interesting to see how he writes once he stops working for the clubs mouth piece. He is a good bloke and a true red the times I have met him, good luck Tony.