TheLeftSide

Maybe we have been sold? It's been mooted on TBAR, I know this site has distanced itself from that but....

I don't get all this tradition over buying success. To me it's as if fans have heard this philosophy and believe by saying it and sticking to it will make up for the lack of success and will somehow make them feel superior or on a par with fans of successful clubs. My meaning behind this is look back through the years and it's always been a case of the more money spent equals more success, with some exceptions that can still happen now, granted the exceptions though only seem to win a cup or gain/challenge top 6 and not win the league (although look across to Spain....) As long as I can remember (and I'm only mid thirties) there have been transfer fees for players. These fees have not been flat rate for goalie, flat rate for defender and so on, they have been dynamic rates based in ability etc. so taking this into account it has always been (since eighties at least) a case of if you can afford the better individuals you'll have more chance. The skill though is in developing a team, and this counts just as much if you are buying a first 11, as you need to ensure you buy the relevant strengths and mesh them together. You can of course buy 11 individuals that just won't mix. Spend the money I say, just don't spend it on an ego, make sure the player is grounded but ambitious and competitive and not a lazy arse who is more interested in his personal life and surely the 'soul' remains but you have bought the best players available to build a team??

Apparently only 50 left, that was the conversation before we snapped our 5 up tonight.

This could be a very good idea Or moving Westwood to his rightful place would do it, but then you'd have to do the same for Bennet and currently 24 & 25 so that would scupper it.

We will be fine this season and will tick most of the boxes that most of us wanted when PL was appointed. In terms of signings we are a couple short (well 4-5) but I don't buy and never have, the notion that you have to spend big. Terms such as 'significant investment' 'marquee signing' ' flex our financial muscle' get used a lot and fans are getting frustrated we are not buying big, but personally I'd rather us find the players at minimal cost, hell most of the players that have large price tags attached to them are media darlings rather than terrific players anyhow. We should enjoy the football this season, enjoy the thrill of taking it to teams that last season we didn't even turn up against. It's a team game so I am more concerened about the 'value' of the team at the end of the season than the value of an individual player on the day of signing. If you look at teams like Arsenal and Man U, it's always seemed to me that if they play a weakened team by taking out 4 or so stars they still perform to win and play the same style, this is down to the coaching, winning mentality etc and proves that's where the value is and not necessarily in the individual's. Get behind the team lads today like I know you will, put your concerns to one side and enjoy the ride - I'm buzzing now, roll on cheering that team across the line at 15:00 and roaring them on for 90 minutes. I've got karaoke lined up for later, but sod it I'll lose my voice down villa park instead ????

I love my club, just wish half the fans were normal and not in need of a check up from the neck up. Positivity is what's needed, if fans are positive and urging them on they'll believe they can win - I'm a massive believer in this. I was so gutted yesterday, but now I've woke up am feeling more positive, yes the attacking intent was worrying, but at least we can keep the ball this season where as last we couldn't make a 10 yard pass. I've woke up feeling that perhaps lambert is waiting to see how we start for real before closing a couple of deals that he may be thinking are nice but not essential, hopefully he now sees they are essential. Would love to see this thread locked, burnt and never resurrected ????.

Couldn't agree more with Richards post!! Likewise why do we all question why player x y z is or isn't playing on the basis of us seeing them play once every 1-2 weeks, we need to start trusting the coaching staff and manager as they see them play everyday in all sorts of scenarios. We're still light but I think there will be another 3 come in even before Warnock and Hutton are gone? Surely to drop them and leave them in the wilderness requires some knowledge from agents etc that someone will have them off us :-0

I wish people would leave the R word alone. One thing I thought would see us good this year is the positive vibe being back, it transmits to the players (I know it works both ways). I always thought half the reason for Newcastles success last year was having 50000 passionate fans at home every game, all believing and urging their team on. Similarly there were times in O'Neils years where I thought the team weren't too good and we were only battling high due to the fans urging the team on. Let's not discuss it, and certainly don't run polls on it - that's a great confidence boost to players who get to hear these things. Back on topic, think its strange how bennet rumours started so looked like he was the chosen one, then suddenly the cresswell rumours start again, got a feeling it's a 2 horse race but wouldn't be surprised if they are using them as cover for someone else they're after??

Queen we will rock - ahh the good old days, remember that being the theme for years growing up. Future idea of Ashes by Embrace, every time I hear it I think it would make great song to come out to.

I took 5 seperate people last year with me on a few occasions, none of who are football fans but wanted to come and experience the match with me as they know I'm a passionate ST holder. They all love to come soak up the atmosphere (not last season ????) take photos of the ground etc and go back to their cities they live in and tell their friends there about the experience etc. The ground is important on this basis, imagine if we all took 5 friends along for the same reason from time to time, couldn't do this if it was a shithole and not a famous ground. Also I believe your best to improve while crowds are lower as you don't have to turf out fans that you've tried to attract whilst you knock one end down. Finally the way I look at it is that it's property and is worth money. For Randy to improve it would be like you or I spending 30k on a home extension, add a bedroom add value to the property. On this basis I see no reason why Randy shouldn't invest, he would just be investing some if his money in bricks and mortar where it would be relatively safe. And none of this is to mention what they might do on the commercial side of things which they have grown so well in the trinity since doing that up.

If he signs and plays anything like in that video, it will be a refreshing change to have a player who passes then immediately moves into space and makes himself available for a pass!! Like what I see so far.

Not sure if I've forgotten history or Taylor has but didn't o'neil take a 16th place side to 6th in his 1st season when he wasn't greatly backed financially? I may be forgetting but wasn't that season built on freebies like agathe etc. Not meaning to praise o'neil but point out that mcleish has failed to get anywhere near the 1st season with same restrictions and previous poor season by the team the year before. 1st post so go easy on me ????