BOF

An unfortunate metaphor when discussions involve aeroplanes.

I give up. Your first sentence is incorrect. The changes would mean that there isn't the same number of places available. I don't know whether people are trying not to understand or whether I got you all on a bad day Let's move back on topic to Spurs, the Europa League side.

You divide the places so that the winner is always separate i.e. if the winner of the competition ALSO qualifies through the league then their spot drops down one. That way it becomes completely immaterial where the CL winner came in their league and no-one ever loses out. Sure, the way it is currently done is messed up (or unworkable) if the winner finishes outside their CL spots, but that's precisely my point. It would require a small change to the way one spot is allocated, but once it was done, it would never ever **** anyone over again. At the moment, they've taken an extremely exclusive competition and actually unnecessarily made it even more exclusive albeit by one spot.

Plying his trade at St. Johnstone.

It makes it very easy to spot those who don't know what they're talking about and to ignore them at your leisure.

And the chicken has the same number of Premier League medals as Steven Gerrard.

Smelly bastard.

Limpid is right. But of course now that we know it annoys some people ...

My feeling is that it'll probably be early next week. I think it's much less likely to be this week. If it is OGS then the June 1st thing makes sense and I've seen it suggested elsewhere.

But but where will we get our animated gifs from? Congrats. All together now ... "You don't know what you're doing ..."

Prompted by Mike in the religion thread. The origin of the phrase 'by and large' which also mentions 'taken aback'. I've also realised the 'problem phrases' thread has been pruned :cry:

Do you not tell the kids that thunder is just Richard Dawkins moving the furniture?

It definitely has. Next season is a 'free pass' for any manager. Once we see progress on the pitch, the avoidance of a serious relegation battle and an approach to the game that isn't an offence to the eye, the next manager will be very welcome and be given time and patience. Liverpool will always have the weight of history and expectation on their shoulders far more than we do here.

He's dreadful. Up there with some of the worst keepers I've seen in the prem over the past 5-10 years; the Paddy Kennys, Brian Jensens and Roy Carrolls. Hyperbole is fun. But to the original question, by all accounts he is gone from July 1st. If anything, he's too good to waste away on our bench any longer.

While I think Richard's post is slightly tongue in cheek (I think he might naughtily be referring to Stephen Ireland for example), I don't actually think they will be selling anyone while managerless. The problem is, other clubs have managers and we can't stop them from looking. So the speculation might very well continue. I'd say the squad will be the same by the time a manager is hired. I wouldn't be hugely gutted if we lost Given. His age, his contract and his ability on corners are things we could do without as a club going forward. Yes he's good, but he's far from irreplaceable.

But that's my point. The winner should be a separate spot, independent of nationality. So every country gets it's allocation AND there's the winner. You draw the line, but you draw it just beyond the point where the winner gets to retain the trophy without making a balls of 2 other teams who have qualified.

If they decide they need him and they go after him then I think Spurs will have a job on their hands.

I'm not superstitious. Touch wood I've never had any bad luck after walking under ladders etc.

Placebos are very effective Stevo

That's my take too. I think Bale's future depends on how aggressively Barcelona (or Real) go after him in the summer. Barça's fans will want a big summer after losing their manager. Bale might be just the tonic to make them happy again. If no-one really goes for him I doubt he'll push for a move.

I still think it's basically wrong that there isn't a place in the CL set aside for the winner without denying clubs who have qualified for it the 'right' way. Yes I know Spurs only came 4th, but it's supposed to be the top 4 so they can legitimately feel hard done by. No European trophy ever did it that way and the EL doesn't do it now either.

You've got to assume they're talking to people this week. So nothing happening in public.

I didn't expect the poll to be quite so lopsided though :shock:

I can't decide. Head says Lambert. Heart says Ole. I will happily take either of them.

Done.