StanBalaban

The caveat to all that is that the grass is not always greener. For every Barry and van Persie-esque success, there's a Downing and Carroll type disaster.

Well yes as it happens. But with the exception of probably Barcelona and Real Madrid, this is the case for all clubs: Ronaldo to Real RvP to Man U Fabregas and Henry to Barca There's always a bigger club out there, and with Popov we are potentially that bigger club (if we've bid).

Shit Abbas is a fantastic name!!! Shit Abbas, hahahahahahahaha

Some guff on Twitter suggesting it's very busy at Bodymoor Heath right now. No idea how true or what it would even be suggesting mind you....

That's really what I was getting at. The money he subsequently spent should've been sufficient for QPR to at least attempt to stay in the PL, but they went down without a whimper. The meejah will always blame Hughes and not ball bag face for their demise, despite 'Arry being in charge for a good chunk of the season. Utter word removed!

You can say that again... Eh? I don't see any repeat posts on my screen. Eh? I don't see any repeat posts on my screen. Eh? I don't see any repeat posts on my screen. Eh? I don't see any repeat posts on my screen. Eh? I don't see any repeat posts on my screen.

I think it is a matter of price more than anything else. The lure of the Premier League is a huge calling that many clubs would be powerless to prevent. Just like the call of Man Utd for Ashley Young and, previously, Dwight Yorke - when they come knocking it's all about getting the best deal for the club, else you'll have a very resentful player on your books.

Looks like we've taken another youngster on. Kodi Lyons-Foster Ex-Arsenal and Spurs schoolboy.

Tempted to go for an outside bet, as timing the lap could be critical. Someone like Sutil or Maldonado for instance...

Pussies! Bring back the good old days

I heard that it could be a wet qualifying session. Always good fun

In such a state largely due to himself...

Ah that makes sense, with Alexander "Kneller" somehow being a translation of Tonev. I thin he's head's been turned good n proper, and if we want him badly enough he'll come. Stan will sort it out again...

If it's on religious grounds, then surely it must be an absolute principle meaning he should've refused to wear the Virgin Money sponsored shirt. I'm no fan of Wonga, but it does seem it's on selective religious ground.

I don't think reputation or club matter a jot to Lambert. I think he's looking for the kind of hunger he showed as player himself going from Motherwell to winning the Champions League with Dortmund. Hitzfield gave Lambert the opportunity when his career was admittedy at a crossroads, and he took it with both hands (or feet I should say). Now he's manager, I'm sure he's looking to give that kind of opportunity to players like this lad here. If any of his signings can emulate that level of desire then I'm all for it! I wonder if Dortmund fans were asking who the **** this unknown from a shit league was when he signed. The same unknown that marked Zidane out of the CL final.

That bit in bold is interesting though.

Perhaps a reminder that Lambert was right when he said Benteke still needs to develop?

The quotes do not mirror the conversation broadcast on the air at all in terms of context. Lambert was merely saying that people forget how young Benteke is because he has the physical stature of an older professional. The emphasis was on looking older than he is, rather than acting younger than he looks and that he is still developing both as a person and within is career. Im more concerned about the whole situation rather than that single interview. I see what your saying but I think over the last couple of weeks its become a bit of a shambles. Up until then Lambert was just saying 'he is going nowhere'. That seems to have been swapped for waffle. I get that too but, head turned or not, I suppose it's all moot until someone lodges a bid - let alone a sufficient bid that satisfies the club. Be interesting to see who actually comes in for him, as opposed to media suppositions putting 2+2 together. The links have come from either Bale or Falcao money = Benteke bid, or an old quote about Arsenal. Nothing more.

I agree Coda, but if you listen back to the show on Talkshite, it really was more of a conversation rather than a structured interview. The sentiment, which cannot be conveyed in print, was definitely more of a caring manager with a good relationship with his player. I'm sure, as The Rev alluded to earlier, that PL and CB know how they regard each other and if there's any doubts then PL simply needs to have a word or play back the interview.

The quotes do not mirror the conversation broadcast on the air at all in terms of context. Lambert was merely saying that people forget how young Benteke is because he has the physical stature of an older professional. The emphasis was on looking older than he is, rather than acting younger than he looks and that he is still developing both as a person and within is career.

Much as I'd love to blame them, I don't think Talkshite are at fault here. How the Express got from Lambert's coversation with the show's hosts to a headline of "Grow Up Benteke" shows the sensationalism of sports journalism - especially on slow news days where every non-story needs to be turned into a story. None of the big teams are hugely active at the moment, so what better way to fill-up blank spaces than to whip up a story on an easy target. As Rev says, Lambert would no doubt have spoken to CB since the interview and, by all accounts, they have a really good relationship so hopefully Benteke will take this with a pinch of salt.

+2

So Bolton play at the Reebok stadium wearing an Adidas kit?

Whoa.... One of the side effects of Googling is that it turns you black?