JB

On its day, The Simpsons beats every TV show ever made, hands down. It's just a shame it's been so shit for the last few years. Can't believe you missed South Park out of that list, which runs it a pretty close second.

Scorpio Rising - Death In Vegas

only smokers create an atmosphere? :? or because there are less peoeple in the pub there will be less of an atmosphere? TBH, if those that smoked stayed away and were replaced by the same amount of non smokers in the same pub, i can't see why there would be less of an atmosphere. Once the ban comes into effect, smokers are quite welcome to stay away if they wish to. they can drink at home if they wish to, it's all about personal choice. What i do/did object to was smokers polluting my immediate atmosphere with my only option of getting way from said atmosphere to leave the establishment. So in order to socialize i had to "grin & bear" this faily disgusting aroma/pullatant. That was my choice i suppose. Thankfully, the choice is now being played out the other way around, which IMO is as it should be. Brilliantly put, by the way.

I’m living in Wales at the moment where the smoking ban has been in effect since April. Whilst it’s been great to enjoy a smoke-free atmosphere in pubs, bars and clubs, and not have clothes stinking in the morning, there has been one significant downside. Outdoor areas are now completely monopolised by smokers. Whenever I want to sit outside it’s virtually impossible to find a space and if I do, it stinks, making it very unpleasant. I really, really hate the smell of smoke! Despite this, on the whole, it’s been a very good thing.

Didn't realise Finnan was so old. A class and under-rated, if unspectacular player. Whilst I'd welcome him with open arms, i have a natural aversion to us signing players from Liverpool. I'm sick of the arrogant Scousers going on about us taking their cast offs!

Broken record Cyber. We all know you hate Barry, but he's clearly better than Taylor. Give it a rest will you. Let's get back on topic and not ruin another thread.

Although i think that Bent is a very good player, i really don't see quite why most people bum him so much. He's not THAT good.

Pure guess work on my part, but I think MON may not want to sign a "top class" striker i.e. a big name who would expect to start every game. I think that both Gabby and Luke have the ability to be fairly prolific and MON will know this. However, relying on them to partner Carew is obviously risky, so i think he'll look to back them up with a "second-tier" striker, who could prove to be excellent yet not complain if he was not first choice(e.g. Marlon King?), or someone of stature who is coming to the end of his career (e.g. Viduka?). As i said, just a theory and I'd be happy to be proved wrong when we sign Huntelaar ! For what it's worth, i think both Gabby and Luke are better than each of the strikers we've been strongly linked with.

Didnt think that was MON's style? Looking back over the players he has signed at previous clubs, with a lot less money at hand ofc, it seems he prefers solid, hard working, team players above those tricky "jesus what was that" signings. But he's never had this level of expectation from such an ambitious board before. I would echo the sentiments on Fernandes - he's class.

Brilliant article. It's great to hear a designer's perspective on it, and although i don't speak from a position of similar authority, I agree with every word. Picked up on a few things i hadn't noticed to, such as the corporate nonsense-speak explanation of the design. However, a poorly designed crest is a small price to pay for all the other positives that this board are driving through.

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That's lovely, thank you. You're right though, I am an awesome player.

We should go for Nani from Sporting Lisbon. Before I get shot down by people saying "He's out of league" etc, who knows? There's certainly something going on behind the scenes that's convincing other parties of our prospects i.e. Nike, Carew and Young. We should certainly be able to compete with Tottenham, who have been linked with him.

:shock: Seriously though, I think we've slightly missed the boat on Keane. I'd need to see him demonstrate some kind of form for Spurs. I know he's been unfit recently but he has looked really slow - even against San Marino. I agree with this. I think Keane is past his best and that there are better options. We may be underestimating the level of player that we'll be able to attract in the summer. As has been widely discussed, there's obviously a lot going on behind the scenes at VP that we don't know about that will make us a very attractive option.

I remember reading an article on the BBC website recently (within the last few months) that suggested that scientists had found a link between homosexuality and the amount of elder male siblings. Apparently, the female body sees the a male foetus as a something of a "foreign object" and subsequently builds up some sort of resistance to it which enhances feminine characteristics (very vague, apologies). This builds up with each subsequent male child, apparently increasing the likelihood of producing homosexual male. Personally, I don't think that a person has any choice over their true sexual orientation, although I believe that external forces can be a very strong influence.

Personally, I don't think it's through lack of trying. Just like the General said, the right players just weren't available at the moment. I expect a top class DM to be a priority in the summer.

Strongly disagree there. Young and particularly Carew are players fit for the European stage and are the first phase of our push to the next level. I love the signing of Young, but what does he seriously give us this season? What do you really know of him other than seeing him perhaps four times? It's not like United, Arsenal and Liverpool were head over heels to sign him? He has been good this season, and will become a very good player, but as of now he is rather unproven. Carew has always been good due to playing with good players. Now the level of ability has sunk immensely, and he is not a goal-poacher, leaving us with NO real goalscorers. I am sorry to say so, but Carew will not give us many goals. How do you know I've only seen Young "perhaps four times"? To say that Carew has only "been good due to playing with good players" is, quite frankly, nonsense. It didn't look as though he needed their help when he destroyed Madrid and Cannavaro. Anyway, back on topic...

As much as I love McCann for his attitude and effort, sadly I just don't think he's good enough for where we want to be going. He's currently irreplaceable within our squad, but we need a DM who is more adept with the ball at his feet.

Strongly disagree there. Young and particularly Carew are players fit for the European stage and are the first phase of our push to the next level.

What a fantastic article. Sums up exactly how I feel about him, too. On his day, an amazing player and a real natural talent. Sadly, those days became all too infrequent. Good luck, Lee.

Agreed. Pathetic nonsense.

TRL obviously just posts to piss people off. Grow up champ.

I think we should carry out some sort of elaborate spying operation to find out which unknowns Arsene Wenger has lined up this time and go for them.

Ridiculously, almost comically, harsh.

Only in some people's wishful thinking I've been suggesting him for a while. Not an unrealistic target. Certainly not a target we're going to get. Don't be so pessimistic! He's been linked with Newcastle and Celtic for crying out loud! We're easily a more attractive option than them.