7392craig

If it was anywhere near the ball I'd forgive it, but I think that's absolutely indefensible. Yes - but its only a booking surely ? I thought he was great today, but that was a straight red for me

Mark, I just about agree on nearly everything you write, because your arguments are rounded and balanced and this one is no exception. I have no enjoyment in making a case against gabby....I am just not as convinced as you are in his overall game. He has scored a good haul of goals for the club, but sheer numbers is only part of the story.....match winning goals are rarely recorded like shearer and dalglish mustered, or even our own Andy Gray.....they get one when you need one....Dwight was a bit like that too...match winners. Gabby has scored as many goals as previous players of the club who I don't think he was as good as. He works hard in games and equally I have seen him not work so hard....albeit, could be said about many players I guess. I do see what the pro camp see....just like him, not mad about him, I guess he is just not my cup of tea like Gray, little, Shaw, platt was. TRO I can fully appreciate he is not everyone’s cup of tea and can totally understand why. He often frustrates the hell out of me as whilst I am one of those that values his worth way beyond his goal scoring record I feel he lacks consistency. I do have to take a little exception to your statement above that he rarely scores match winning goals. Off the top of my head I can recall a couple of match winners against Sha, a match winner for our first win at Old Trafford in donkeys years, a match winner when we were in relegation mire under Houllier against West Ham, a brace against Norwich in a 2-1 win when we were in deep shit in 2013 and the winner at Reading a couple of weeks before, the winner away at Sunderland last season. The ones listed were all massive goals for us either in big games or in recent years games where we have been clinging on to our Premier League status. I actually always feel that when the chips are really down or in the big games Gabby is one of the few players we have who can, as he has often shown, pull out a big performance and either score or create a goal for us. It is perhaps that which contributes to many being frustrated that he doesn't do it more often but I guess that is what separates him from being a good player and not a great one. .....you have a better memory than me. Clearly he does

Well, the players seem to want him there and praise him so that's enough for me

I always thought the same, he just didn't seem the type, but I've heard a few players say now that he's quite the big character in the dressing room, and I remember Lambert saying it last season too. Apparently he's a bit of a practical joker, and always good for keeping the lads spirits up.

We used to cross the ball, and had good crossers of the ball at that too

It's not ignorance, yes there are ins and outs, I know you're parents have to be a citizen and I'm not suggesting that if my misses has a baby in Cyprus next summer while were on holiday that my child is Cypriat. But you're nitpicking now. What we're talking about is the general rule that if you're born and raised in a country then that's your nationality, agree with it or not.

You can't choose what country you're from xD If you were born in Ireland then you're Irish, if you were born in England then you're English, it's not an argument, you can't 'raise them Irish' lol I know the Irish fans feel hard done by after losing him after all the time he's spent wit the Irish team, but the lad wants to play for HIS country, not his dad's. You can choose your nationality though. I was born in England, my first language was Polish, I attended a weekend Polish school where I got a GCSE, I went/served at Polish mass, went to Polish Scouts and eat Polish food in a family with Polish on both sides. I didn't even know the word for 'dressing gown' till I was 16, it was always a szlafrok to me. So what am I? English because I was born here or Polish because it was my culture and heritage? Whatever he chooses I think it's fair enough, if it's Ireland he probably feels a connection or perhaps wan't to be a big fish in a small pond, if it's England he feels more English with a desire to try and win a tournament. I just hope he signs a contract with us asap; Call yourself Spartan for all I care mate, you're English, love it or hate it

Why has he played for Ireland 18 times?I don't know really. It's a stupid rule I think. I agree he shouldn't have played for Ireland, but even though he has, he should still play for England as he's English. So if I have kids here in London. They're now English? You know just because someone is born somewhere doesn't make them from that country. Being morn in Ireland doesn't get you an Irish passport. Being English or being Irish or whatever is about identity, even more so in the era of European Union where we can go and work wherever. If he'd never represented Ireland at underage level or even if he had at U16 and U18 then England at U21 I'd have no problem at all. It's the switching, of nationalities of any kind that is wrong. It's pretty much just that issue that grates here. What's worse is he hasn't just declared for England either. He's doing a horrible wait and see so he can play both sides and decide whats best for him. Essentially he wants to see if Ireland are going to be good enough to get him to an international tournament, if so he'll declare for us. If we look rubbish by next summer and he's broken through on the Premiership then he'll declare for England. I'd say it's that simple tbh. He has ties to both Ireland and England so for him he feels he can represent either. He probably feels more Irish but has to weigh that against the futility of playing for a rubbish international team like Ireland. Being born somewhere doesn't make you from there? Are you a moron? If you're born in Ireland, but you're parents were born in Spain, and their patents in the Czech rep, then what nationality are you if what you say is true and it's based on genetics?...... Nationality is NOT based on genetics If it was then every single one of us is from one of the African nations. What a crap world cup that would be. I don't think CVByrne is getting it. I think he thinks on his birth certificate, under nationality the doctor just wrote 'will be decided at the age of 19 after person has 'found themself'

Come on, now you're just guessing and you know it. How many people have ever switched nations between under age levels? Not many. Not to mention he made his debut for the U21s when he was still a minor. Don't worry, this fella also thinks that nationality is about 'identity' rather than where you were born, I play a lot of skyrim, I'm beginning to think I'm Argonian as I feel it's my 'identity' (nerd joke)

Why has he played for Ireland 18 times? I don't know really. It's a stupid rule I think. I agree he shouldn't have played for Ireland, but even though he has, he should still play for England as he's English. So if I have kids here in London. They're now English? You know just because someone is born somewhere doesn't make them from that country. Being morn in Ireland doesn't get you an Irish passport. Being English or being Irish or whatever is about identity, even more so in the era of European Union where we can go and work wherever. If he'd never represented Ireland at underage level or even if he had at U16 and U18 then England at U21 I'd have no problem at all. It's the switching, of nationalities of any kind that is wrong. It's pretty much just that issue that grates here. What's worse is he hasn't just declared for England either. He's doing a horrible wait and see so he can play both sides and decide whats best for him. Essentially he wants to see if Ireland are going to be good enough to get him to an international tournament, if so he'll declare for us. If we look rubbish by next summer and he's broken through on the Premiership then he'll declare for England. I'd say it's that simple tbh. He has ties to both Ireland and England so for him he feels he can represent either. He probably feels more Irish but has to weigh that against the futility of playing for a rubbish international team like Ireland. Being born somewhere doesn't make you from there? Are you a moron? If you're born in Ireland, but you're parents were born in Spain, and their patents in the Czech rep, then what nationality are you if what you say is true and it's based on genetics?...... Nationality is NOT based on genetics

Exactly, if my wife is Irish and we've moved abroad for work like millions of Irish people had to do. He'd be brought up knowing he was Irish. We are a country of emigrants, but retain our identity abroad. Just look at America! This is what has happened with Grealish and his parents. From what I've heard on Second Captains podcast Grealish has lots of family and all of them who've represented at any international level have played for Ireland. Essentially he'll be the first person from his family to ever play for England. The only motivation I can see is money and the prospect of playing for a much better team in world Cups etc. It's his choice of course he should do what he wants. But he will have to accept the ill will that comes with playing 18 times for Ireland and then turning his back on that to represent England. Simple fact of life and football. Footballers get derided from changing clubs to rivals in the same city after all !!. You can't choose what country you're from xD If you were born in Ireland then you're Irish, if you were born in England then you're English, it's not an argument, you can't 'raise them Irish' lol I know the Irish fans feel hard done by after losing him after all the time he's spent wit the Irish team, but the lad wants to play for HIS country, not his dad's.

Why has he played for Ireland 18 times? To get some game time? Are you seriously trying to push the argument that he's not English? Get a grip mate.

A perfectly understandable statement. If his father is Irish (I'm pretty sure he's not though) he would want his son to play for Ireland. But as Jack is English, his is more than likely going to want to play for England.

It's got nothing to do with personal gain, money or who's playing better. Have you ever thought for one teeny, tiny second that maybe, just maybe, he wants to play for England, because he is English?

Damn straight it's enough

Q1) I think under the serious restrictions, he's done rather well, I'd like to see how he'd get on with a decent transfer fund as he's pulled a couple gems out of nowhere on a shoestring. I think now that he has more of a squad to play with, a plan B would be nice. Q2) Very good, the defence looks solid, the midfield are finally working together and the strikers are making the defenders work for a change, rather than lurking on the wings or trying to help the midfield out. Q3) I'd like a decent cup run, but honestly I'd rather us concentrate on the league and let some of the subs and youth go as far as they can in the cup. I think with no serious injuries we can push for 10th/11th this season which would be a great improvement on recent seasons. Q4) I think we had a great transfer window, I've been impressed by all of them that have played so far, Ally especially. It would have been nice to have seen a good AM come in as we've really struggled to break teams down when they sit behind the ball. Q5) Simple, Jack. Grealish. Q6) When I was younger my favorite player was Dwight Yorke. I loved how amazing his dribbling ability was, the way he used to turn defenders inside out and his finishing was his top attribute. Given that we've struggled for goals recently, I'd have to go with him. Q7) I'd have to go with Sturridge, he's absolutely top draw, you can have Clarke, I don't think I've seen a worse defender for us. Q8) I think Balotelli is an absolute coup, I think Moreno looks really promising and Lovren was definitely the defensive leader you have been missing. Good stuff. Q9) I think the midfield battle will be the decider, if we can smother Gerrard as we did last year and stop him passing the ball through to the strikers and make him go backwards/sideways then we give ourselves a chance. We've always struggled against Balotelli, if we can keep him quiet somehow and use our pace and counter attacking threat to hit you with a bit of surprise, we may get something out of the game. Q10) Our recent travels to Anfield have been quite good, we seem to take it up a gear against high level opposition. That being said I think your firepower and passing ability will be too much for us this time around, 2-1 Liverpool.

You could ask his agent, he seems to think someone did, maybe he was stoned though, let me know how you get on

Fastest PL hat-trick ever I think was said at the timeFowler Wasn't it more remarkable because it was the perfect hattrick? Right leg, left leg, head? Indeed, can't remember which one it was, but his first touch for the one that came out the sky was amazing

Fastest PL hat-trick ever I think was said at the timeFowler My apologies, I don't know what I was thinking. Must have been 'one of the fastest hat-tricks' lol

Oh James, I hope those Premier League medals and your bulging bank balance are worth your lack of minutes for club and country. Fabian, don't end up like this waster! Sign a new contract and enjoy playing some football! (... without the league titles... or extra millions) If Delph is serious about his football and his international career then he should stay. Being at a top team doesn't make you a top footballer, playing every week makes you a top footballer. Even if Citeh, Arsenal, Chelsea etc can offer him 80k a week and we can only offer him 40k, what can he really buy with 80k that he can't afford with 40k? A bigger boat you moron. Ah yes, of course. You know what they say about guys with big boats...

People banging on about this being a bad thing, he's scored a lot of great goals for us, works hard every game and is someone who is well respected in our dressing room. There have been A LOT of players over the last 2 or 3 seasons that have been a lot worse than him. Once upon a time good teams wanted to sign him when he really was on form for us and he said himself he had no interest. I'd be quite disheartened by my great club if they hadn't shown the loyalty to one of our own in the manner that he did for us. Keep it up Gabby, can't wait for your testimonial.

Fastest PL hat-trick ever I think was said at the time

Oh James, I hope those Premier League medals and your bulging bank balance are worth your lack of minutes for club and country. Fabian, don't end up like this waster! Sign a new contract and enjoy playing some football! (... without the league titles... or extra millions) If Delph is serious about his football and his international career then he should stay. Being at a top team doesn't make you a top footballer, playing every week makes you a top footballer. Even if Citeh, Arsenal, Chelsea etc can offer him 80k a week and we can only offer him 40k, what can he really buy with 80k that he can't afford with 40k?

Definitely the second team. I also agree with Trent, I can't see Cleverly being dropped in straight away, maybe a late sub? Personally I think Lambo will go with CNZ behind the strikers.

If we keep the pace and have good luck with injuries then 11th/12th, if we start falling away or have more players out with torn ligaments and broken legs then I think we could end up like last season