Globetrotter

Nolan and Barton left Newcastle as Ashley would not match their Prem wage demands and his stated intention is to trim the wage bill ... I love watching Davies, I also think he is way ahead of Guthrie (who I also rate). We know his weaknesses but he is one of just a few English born players who can and will run with the ball from mid. Way down the pecking order for England though as I am sure Rooney and 'Stevie G'are going to be the main creative forces for the Euros and a while beyond. But, I reckon if he keeps developing he will get the nod at some point in the future.

John Barnes' view expressed recently is no different than I have heard him saying for 20 odd years - nothing to do with him being a former Liverpool player. He is consistent in saying that using racist language is no worse than having racist thinking that is not expressed verbally but in a more subtle way - cue the debate about lack of black football managers. It's about 15 years ago when somebody was called a 'Black Bastard' by another player (I think Ian Wright was the target) and Barnes' view was that the player should be more offended by the use of the word 'Bastard' and proud of the use of the word 'Black'. It is complicated in that he was brought up as a middle class boy in Jamaica with plenty of priveledges so when he arrived in England and was the vistim of racist abuse he was more saddened than angry. His education and upbringing meant that he never felt inferior and he could take the view that those throwing the bananas where the ones who 'we' should feel sorry for due to their ignorance. However, he accepts that other players who are black (brought under different circumstances) will react differently because they still feel the word black conjures up an image of inferior, due to 400 years or so of oppression. On both sides, the black players subject to abuse and the the players who are throwing the insults he feels education is the key and in any case what is happening in football is just an extension of society as a whole. There are going to be many who disagree with him and some who may feel he has let down 'the cause' but on this issue I personally can't find any fault in his arguments whatsover and I think he is better placed than most to have a fair view on this.

Possibly, but that's not been my personal view. I think some time ago I questioned where this nice guy image comes from because it has struck me for some time that whilst he may be loyal to SKD his treatment of other players has not been 'nice' and regarding the press he has always been quick to congratulate himself and condemn others. TBH, like I said on another thread I dont think he himself knows what he thinks (but it's positive). When he starts talking I am reminded of the description of ex player being 'an out of control speedboat'. the fella just sets off and I am convinced he doesn't know himself where he will end up.

His gripe with Wheater was not that he hadn't picked up his man (he had) but that he needs to 'do better'. I think we can all agree with that but it does leave Coyle more open to criticism. So, not only does it break the taboo of singling out individuals for their errors but it also makes him look even more stupid and out of control. My point was regarding whether the reason Muamba was dropped was this turning up late thing. I am sure he would have been daft enough to give that reason (under intense questioning conditions ..) if it were the case.

Amazing. Great to see that contrary to popular belief the Fourth Estate is alive and kicking ...

It has been pointed out many times that 4-5-1 with two attacking wingers and an attacking CM is not a negative formation. They key to our recent (relative) success being two holding midfielders.

From where I was sat yesterday he seemed to be barking his touchline nonsense to no one in particular. The only flicker of recognition seemed to be coming from NRC who seemed to be telling him to calm down (saw the same against Arsenal). Hard to say for certain that this is the case but it does look like he's lost a lot of the players.

I'm pretty confident that none of us know what he thinks. I'm fairly sure he doesn't either. It's increasingly looking like Keegan in charge of England, a battle of positive and wishful thinking versus any kind of thought out tactics.

I thought the same about the JD interview, disappointing. Also, Coyle appears to be getting quicker and quicker at pointing the finger at individuals to deflect pressure away from himself. I can't help thinking that if the real reason that Muamba was dropped was because he was late I reckon Coyle may well have alluded to it.

That's the only thing that I've read in the last 24hrs that has given me any hope ...

Agreed. I was just responding to the question. It's the fact that he believes we deserved something from the game that I find so unbelievable. Plus there were poor performances all over the pitch today, I'm not that comfortable with him putting the loss down to individual player error when we all know that the biggest problem is the one he created with his selection. I have basically lost absolutely all confidence in the man. He shows absolutely no signs of learning from his mistakes and his post match bullshit is now really pissing me off.

He has. Wheater for the first goal and pretty much everyone else for the second. Apparently Tuncay had a great game and he felt we deserved something from the game. I actually think he is beyond help. Unbelievable.

Didn't know about Keen. Cheers mate ..

Seems like a good progressive move to me. Out of interest, does anyone know why Liverpool let him go in the summer?(apart from Dalglish being a twat)

I'm afraid that I spent much of the early 80's alternating home games between Anfield and BP as my dad was a Liverpool fan. I still think that Anfield is the best atmosphere in the country and for many years I had a soft spot for them. I didn't go back to Anfield until Feb '93 when we knocked them out of the cup and having spent 5 hrs getting to the match (I lived in Dorset at the time) I spent all of 2 minutues in the stand before SJM converted Lee's pin point cross. I then spent the next 30 seconds on the pitch and the next 45 mins in a cell under the stand. I was then kicked out at half time. Anyway, my dislike for Utd is genetic and won't ever go away but I have felt much more hatred over the years for Tranmere & Wolves. I am indifferent to Liverpool as a team but I am getting increasingly annoyed with Dalglish. I can't recall many occassions where his famous biting wit has shone through and he just appears to be a confused, tetchy and bitter old bloke. He actually doesn't look well to me. I couldn't care less about their fans other than being amused from time to time at their sense of injustice about something or other.

a good knowledge of the English game is necessary if you want to wint the Premier League. A good knowledge of international football would make you better qualified for the England job I reckon.

I think Hiddink's experience at WCs and relative success counts for more. Plus he previous for making a short term impact.

they have just stated that it is their 'preference' to have an English manager but the decision will be based on the best man for the job.

i don't think there has been a time when team spirirt has been more difficult to build in an England squad. There are splits all over the place. It used to be just Utd v Liverpool in the England team now you have the Terry scenario, some players who are sore over Capello going, some who are delighted he has gone. I actually have a feeling that he may not be interested in it anyway for the Euros. The team is not good enough to win it, there is the issue of whether or not to take Terry to deal with, the players emerging may be a better bet for the next tournament. If I was him I would be tempted to say cheers but see ya in September ..

yes, picking the players is there and simple - we can all do that on the BBC website. I would like to think that building a squad is a little more complicated than that. Establishing a pettern of play, building the team spirit, confidence etc. If not hen lets not bother with a manager and do it by referendum

All the arguments for Redknapp are the same as they were for Keegan. A popular cheerleader who at club football level has built teams to play attractive football. Keegan failed because his personality was not big enough to overcome his failings as a tactician. How do we know Redknapp would be any different? Bobby Robson grew as an international manager as he gained tournament experience (and he had better players in '90 than ever previously). The shame of it for me is that we can spend 12 mil on a coach building a team for this tournament, learning from his mistakes, and then not even bat an eyelid when he walks weeks before. Its a fooking mess and I still maintain that the FA could have avoided all this if they had done what they said they would at the the start and investigate the Terry case independently of the police. There is only Hiddink that I think ticks all the boxes to take over for the Euros. No probs with Redknapp taking it if he has 2 years to build his squad but if he get the job for the Euros I don't feel any more confident than I would have done with Doubtfire in charge ...

A better example may be Hiddink. Experienced international manager. As has been said, club and international football management are very different. Got to get the best qualified or say fuck it for the Euros and develop a homegrown coach (Pearce, Southgate whoever for long term). Lets face it though, its a bit of a lottery and there is no magic formula. No matter who we get they still wont be able to polish the turd

The constant analysis by tv is defo the biggest factor for me. It is obvious that some refs have this at the back of their mind when they are in the heat of the moment. The rules are clear enough and good enough to protect the players (loss of control etc) but refs are bound to make mistakes and the weaker ones will knowingly take the easy option. I watched the egg chasing and boxing yesterday and as is always the case with extensive replays of key points even the so called experts could not agree on whether a try was going to be given or if the ref stopped the fight prematurely .... I'm am less and less sure about more and more technology being used in sport. I still don't know whether M Davies dived or was tripped against Swansea last week but that didn't stop me jumping up and down like a maniac at the time convinced it was a pen .. Maybe a good thing for my ego that we are not deemed important enough to warrant a replay.

I absolutely agree. Whether we play 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 is not as relevant as having these two on the park to hold the midfield. If M Davies is having a bad day (he will of course as he is still developing) or if the opposing Centre backs are in a bit of a mess (and it looks as though K Davies can cause some damage) then go 4-4-2 but you still have to compete in the middle and protect the back 4.

I'm not sure thats true. That Neville woman herself said that there is nothing in the law to prevent a private disciplinary carrying on in advance of the court case, in fact in some cases it is encouraged by the courts if it is in the public interest. Others (possibly in the Terry camp) claim it would prejudice the case.