desperado

I do not like what Sam Allardyce has become. BUT I know if I was in the same position as him I would have probably answered in exactly the same way. He doesn't want to sit on his ?4m payout he wants to get back into the game. Therefore he will bleat on about how good he thinks he is and talk about what he did well. If asked a question about his old club he will answer with exactly what he thinks - here he has never changed. He would no doubt disagree with all who question he didn't leave the club in a good state; Training methods, coaching staff, backroom systems second to none (with personnel that can be replaced) and a squad which finished 7th in what was a turbulent year. Not saying all that is necessarily true, but if you were in the same position would you not be saying the same thing?

You're right there (coming from the one who started this off on Monday by posting his comments from the Talk Sport Interview!). On the said radio station they were even touting him for the City job!

What was it then?

Both good points and points I questioned in yesterdays debate; Did he leave things in a good state? Open to debate, yes he did take the backroom staff, but surely these processes are sustainable by replacing like with like - Sam was always able to do this. Off course his ego has "ballooned", but again part of this high opinion of oneself exists in all great managers. Which brings us to Zico's point of being confused! I am really not sure whether I would want him back or not

I suppose this is a case of the media making this into something its not in my opinion. The article has just scripted the interview on talk sport (which there was healthy debate about yesterday, but has now disappeared!). The Bolton News are leading with this also on their website and the Sun are stirring it up also Yes he has been on a media/ego trip for 18 months, but surely all he was doing was answering a question with a certain amount of sincerity about his disappointment as to how things have declined - something surely we all feel regardless of hopefully escaping relegation? Yes the timings bad - but he is always going to be asked questions about BWFC, yes its a shame he didn't talk about our recent run hopefully steering clear of relegation.

I liked it too! Putting aside his diminshing contribution all things football (I await one final fantastic contribution to keep us up!?), all things said and done he truly is a legend!

"I only consumed one drug, cocaine, but not while I was playing. I only took it during vacations." Well he had one big fcuk off vacation when he was with us

Anybody else hear it? Can't decide whether there was a genuine concern over BWFC or whether it was part of his extended weekend ego trip on the media trail. Nothing greatly new or exclusive, but interesting nevertheless. He said the usual stuff about his last 4 seasons being the most consistent outside the top 4 and how there wasn't the financial backing to take us on. He talked about leaving BWFC in "great shape", How sad he is at the demise and how he blames mis-management since he left. Shame he never spoke positively about our recent run and whether he thinks we can escape.

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/wanderers/w..._to_stay_up.php Both Mcmanaman and Ferdinand tip us to stay up

Can't help but agree. I am just fcuking depressed with the situation. While I didn't agree with Megson's appointment I was pleasantly surprised with how well he did and thought that he deserved his chance, but all his faults are coming home to roost now. I just don't see where it ends.

Part in jest, but part serious. At least we haven't got this guy. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle3653929.ece This guy is an absolute tvvat. A self publicity stunt with no thought or concerns whatsover about Mansfield - Harchester United For all Gartsides faults, I do honestly believe he is a passionate fan of the club and his decisions are with the clubs best interests at heart.

I agree. Don't know where I stand on this one. How much blame do you give the manager for individual mistakes? Do you just dismiss it and say its not the managers fault the players make some crazy decisions, as did Campo, Steinsson and Cahill - he has been let down by his players? Or is it part of his man-management, tactics and useless communication that these players are putting themselves under pressure when what was really needed on Saturday was some calm and composure in that 2nd half?

What a tvvat. Meanwhile I was in a deep depression watching the full re-run on football first like some fcuking druggie knowing I shouldn't be doing this and its only going to end in tears, but I just couldn't stop.

3 way allegiance for me! Started off at Bradshaw, then Eagley. Now the joys of spectating (while drinking magners and looking after my 2 young uns) at Heaton - can't wait. May even have a turn out for the taverners if the invite comes my way again?!

You really have got it in for Davies haven't you? All right as per usual it wasn't the best effort on goal, but a one on one?

I was torn between Andy O B and Anelka! Went for Andy O B - hasn't done much wrong this year and out of that bunch is the most consistent performer. It's actually quite startling looking down that list how nobody has really had a great season

You have both missed Yatesy's reference stating we have played part of a match as 4-4-2, but I can't can't recall lining up at the start like that? In both games you're mentioning, Reading and Man U, he changed to a 4-4-2 Still think you're getting too hung up on formations

Come on Yatesy you've known since Megson arrived he has adopted an 8-1-1 formation for every game Cue samhater...........................

As it happens I am not against going 4-4-2. But as previously suggested it is more to do with the players than the formations. Regardless of the formation it is about having a bit of luck, putting an early chance away, a bit of individual ability, plenty of balls into the box (yes against Arsenal - it may be our best chance) increasing our percentage of something falling for us in the box, decent delivery on set pieces, overlapping full backs (our best chance of getting behind teams).... Or any combination of the above to get us just one early goal please

I am thinking I should probably just leave this one......................... but just in case you really need it explaining; the 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation are one of the same thing. When your confident, attacking, supporting the front man its 4-3-3 (as it should be more often - and if this is the point you are trying to make then I agree, but there's a whole host of reasons this isn't happening at the moment). The formation is also meant to be fluid enough to change to 4-5-1 when defending, but is the shape we are reverting to more often as we lack the confidence, pace and ability to challenge sides when attacking.

Not got any stats at hand - but that is absolute bollox Take Portsmouth for example where we had a ridiculous number of chances with Taylor and Diouff playing wide off Davies

He won't blow hard enough to complete his goal

Leave him be! Yes the chances of his predictions are undoubtebly long odds. And I think if we all think about it rationally and realistically it looks gloomy - I think he understand this with his reference to him being on crack. For any positive thinkers I think he makes some good points If we do get out of it, it may be that a lot of his thoughts may have to come to bare. Jonathan for the time being I am with you! Surely this is what we are all hoping (yes hoping, not expecting) come Saturday?

2 players, McCann and J O Brien, play this role better than Campo now IMO

Agree with all of that. The confidence issue is an absolute massive factor IMO, if we are going to get sufficient points it doesn't take Einstein to work out we will have to score goals. It seems the only way we are going to score is by scrapping for something because the team are now not confident enough to play any other way than long ball in the box and getting a bit of luck. If this can happen early in a game and we can hold onto something then confidence might just come back. People I am sure will disagree and may say we can't play any other way, but the performances against Reading and Portsmouth (and to a limited degree Blackburn) suggest IMO these players can mix it, pass it and vary it more than they are doing at the moment - but the viscious circle suggests this will only happen when confidence comes back to the side and this will only happen after goals, victories and points. May be blind faith - but I still believe we can get out of this.