[Archived] Other Premier League Happenings

[Rovermatt]

Hilarious. Pompey's fans will burn 'Arry's house down.

[JAL]

Looks like the Director of Football idea has been booted out by Harry and he has cleared Poyet out who only recently received a Spurs pledge when he turned Newcastle down (he will be feeling very sore about that one- or maybe not!).

The January window is going to be interesting for certain- there is bound to be some clearing out and buying in at Spurs. Harry is not one to do an Ince and leave a transfer budget unspent.

I wonder if Harry still has such a high regard for Nelsen?

I have to say I am nervous this morning- both Newcastle and Spurs now have managers who are proven relegation scrappers and survivors; if those two pull out of their crises, who is going to get caught? Bolton and Fulham scrapped their way out last season and could do again, Wigan are significantly better than they were last season and the three promoted clubs are putting up a much better fight than most expected with Hull already close to safe having collected 20 points from 9 games.

I am afraid to say that Rovers profile badly having a clear weakness (no effective width) and a manager on whom the jury is still out. I can see us having a bad transfer window (it will be a minor miracle if RSC doesn't get bought) and could easily buy the wrong players- the scenario is worrying.

Its a critical time for the club and Paul Ince come the january window, Ince has to understand that Andrews and Fowler are not the standard required and that as a club we arent strong enough to carry these sub standard guys.

Should be interesting how his hand unfolds over january.

[American]

Now the Gaydamaks are so short they have probably driven him to White Hart Lane so they can save on his wages and collect the compensation.

They can't afford the petrol.

[Shaddy]

How can you bet on managerial appointments?

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

COME ON BOLTON!.....make the weekend a little more brighter.

[imy9]

Its a critical time for the club and Paul Ince come the january window, Ince has to understand that Andrews and Fowler are not the standard required and that as a club we arent strong enough to carry these sub standard guys.

Should be interesting how his hand unfolds over january.

I would also add that most of the sub standard players at our club are not Ince players; Reid, Derbyshire, Roberts, MGP, the jury is out on Andrews but he HAS looked decent when he plays, Fowler is on a short term deal anyway!

[Blue blood]

I would also add that most of the sub standard players at our club are not Ince players; Reid, Derbyshire, Roberts, MGP, the jury is out on Andrews but he HAS looked decent when he plays, Fowler is on a short term deal anyway!

Another classic quote from Ince's PR company.

Derbyshire - sub standard? What makes you say that? Ok he can't play on the wings, but then quite a few players struggle when you play them in an unfamiliar setting. As a striker he's looked good and will be even better as he gets more upper body strength. He's got pace, a cracking shot on him, and gets goals. How is he substandard?

Jury out on Andrews - agreed we haven't seen enough - but if we're going on past performances/history Reid's pedegree is miles better. Peds is woeful at the moment, but has been class in the past and likewise Roberts has proved useful in the past too. However to rank any of these players behind Fowler and Andrews is stupid.

As for Redknapp I doubt he's got the nous to make Spurs a top 4 (or even top 6) side, but am rather afraid that he knows how to get a club avoiding relegation.

[leftfooter]

I would also add that most of the sub standard players at our club are not Ince players; Reid, Derbyshire, Roberts, MGP, the jury is out on Andrews but he HAS looked decent when he plays, Fowler is on a short term deal anyway!

Without wishing to enter into a debate about the relative merits of the players that you mention, you overlook a couple of basic facts.

Reid and MGP were Souness era signings, whilst Derbs came via the Academy.

I fail to see therefore how they support your argument regarding the succes or otherwise of the signings of the current or previous incumbents.

[thenodrog]

Just heard the reason for Rooney's new haircut. Apparently Playboy has offered Colleen big money to shave her c***.

[RoverRich]

Back to some chat about Redknapp to Tottenham, wouldn't it be funny if we saw Sol Campbell back at Tottenham in January! Anyone reckon this could happen? And would the yids let it happen? I would LOVE it if Redknapp tries to offload Bentley in Jan.

I can't help feel this is a step down for Redknapp especially at the moment and he was building a decent team at Pompey. He says this is his last chance to manage a big club before he retires! Tottenham? A big club? Has he seen the table? And surely that will annoy some Pompey fans. Hope he enjoys his time at the shambles and hopefully this is one season where he does not pull off an escape.

[thenodrog]

I can't help feel this is a step down for Redknapp especially at the moment and he was building a decent team at Pompey. He says this is his last chance to manage a big club before he retires!

Can anybody please provide the entire following of English football with a definitive definition of what constitutes a 'big club' exactly? I'm sure Ray Mathias for example would describe even lil old BRFC as a big club.

[Amo]

I must say this has come completely out of the blue! Apparently Redknapp is on record saying that he left for Portsmouth's sake, since they couldn't sell players to balance the books they had to sell the manager.

So Tottenham have spent over £20m just to change manager? Then again, it's worth its weight in gold if he saves them from relegation.

[thenodrog]

I must say this has come completely out of the blue! Apparently Redknapp is on record saying that he left for Portsmouth's sake, since they couldn't sell players to balance the books they had to sell the manager.

So Tottenham have spent over £20m just to change manager? Then again, it's worth its weight in gold if he saves them from relegation.

And if it doesn't it's a sizeable chunck of any parachute payment.

[leftfooter]

I must say this has come completely out of the blue! Apparently Redknapp is on record saying that he left for Portsmouth's sake, since they couldn't sell players to balance the books they had to sell the manager.

So Tottenham have spent over £20m just to change manager? Then again, it's worth its weight in gold if he saves them from relegation.

And as he leaveth them, so they (the players) shall follow....

[philipl]

Sam Allardyce is odds on favourite to take over at Pompey which suggests they are nowhere near finding a buyer and need someone to manage them and balance the books.

Of course it is easy to forget that Redknapp managed to get a fairly good Southampton side relegated before he did his houdini at Pompey.

I am glad we are not at White Hart Lane this afternoon and there is a bit of time for the Redknapp homeymoon to wear off. Bolton are going to be looking at this afternoon's game as a desperately must not lose fixture. As we saw last week, Notlob are big lads and I am sure that Megson will have them in the faces of Spurs and not letting their smaller opponents settle.

[Bobby G]

Sam Allardyce is in Dubai right now, and is supposed to be in the studio for coverage of todays games. Unfortunately Im at work and wont see his reaction to the questions by Rob McCaffrey.

[JAL]

I would also add that most of the sub standard players at our club are not Ince players; Reid, Derbyshire, Roberts, MGP, the jury is out on Andrews but he HAS looked decent when he plays, Fowler is on a short term deal anyway!

The four you mention above imy9 have all made great contributions to our club in various games whilst Fowler and Andrews have yet to.

All four could be seen as being currently out of form (Reid injured) which does beg the question, is the current management team responsible for this i.e not getting the best out of them?

[den]

Can anybody please provide the entire following of English football with a definitive definition of what constitutes a 'big club' exactly? I'm sure Ray Mathias for example would describe even lil old BRFC as a big club.

OK, I'll have a go.

A "big club" is a club who will be expected to be in the running for major trophies, for the forseeable future.

A club with "massive potential", is a club who could join that group.

How's that sound Gord?

[gumboots]

Looks like the Director of Football idea has been booted out by Harry and he has cleared Poyet out who only recently received a Spurs pledge when he turned Newcastle down (he will be feeling very sore about that one- or maybe not!).

The January window is going to be interesting for certain- there is bound to be some clearing out and buying in at Spurs. Harry is not one to do an Ince and leave a transfer budget unspent.

I wonder if Harry still has such a high regard for Nelsen?

I have to say I am nervous this morning- both Newcastle and Spurs now have managers who are proven relegation scrappers and survivors; if those two pull out of their crises, who is going to get caught? Bolton and Fulham scrapped their way out last season and could do again, Wigan are significantly better than they were last season and the three promoted clubs are putting up a much better fight than most expected with Hull already close to safe having collected 20 points from 9 games.

I am afraid to say that Rovers profile badly having a clear weakness (no effective width) and a manager on whom the jury is still out. I can see us having a bad transfer window (it will be a minor miracle if RSC doesn't get bought) and could easily buy the wrong players- the scenario is worrying.

Can I just point out that our boss knows how to scrap in a relegation dogfight too. ask Macclesfield

[imy9]

The four you mention above imy9 have all made great contributions to our club in various games whilst Fowler and Andrews have yet to.

All four could be seen as being currently out of form (Reid injured) which does beg the question, is the current management team responsible for this i.e not getting the best out of them?

Surely Fowler and Andrews should be given an opportunity to show whether they can make an impact or not?

Roberts, MGP, Derbyshire, Reid were poor for a few seasons, the management was beginning to get the best out of Dunn but we cannot make a real judgement until a large portion of the season is out because we are obviously looking retrospectively at Hughes' reign so not really a fair comparison.

[Al]

Surely Fowler and Andrews should be given an opportunity to show whether they can make an impact or not?

Roberts, MGP, Derbyshire, Reid were poor for a few seasons, the management was beginning to get the best out of Dunn but we cannot make a real judgement until a large portion of the season is out because we are obviously looking retrospectively at Hughes' reign so not really a fair comparison.

Go wash your mouth out with soap. I'd rather have Roberts on one leg than Fowler.

As for Andrews, I never wanted him but as he is here we may as well use him until Dunny is fit again so that we can move Warnock back to his proper position.

My main observation from this season is that in Grella we may have found the defensive midfielder we need but if we are giving up on Pederson we now need TWO pacy wingers in January and hopefully a proper partner for Santa. Although he scored Benni still didn't convince me that he is prepared to make a full contribution to the workrate of the team.

[LeChuck]

Surely Fowler and Andrews should be given an opportunity to show whether they can make an impact or not?

Urgh. Fowler has shown repeatedly for the best part of a decade that he can't make an impact in the Premier League.

I don't understand what game you are watching sometimes.

[imy9]

Go wash your mouth out with soap. I'd rather have Roberts on one leg than Fowler.

As for Andrews, I never wanted him but as he is here we may as well use him until Dunny is fit again so that we can move Warnock back to his proper position.

My main observation from this season is that in Grella we may have found the defensive midfielder we need but if we are giving up on Pederson we now need TWO pacy wingers in January and hopefully a proper partner for Santa. Although he scored Benni still didn't convince me that he is prepared to make a full contribution to the workrate of the team.

We have seen what Roberts can do in a Rovers shirt, would it not be sensible to give Fowler a chance in a Rovers shirt before we condemn him? I have seen him contribute an assist against Everton in the cup, which is a decent enough start.

Grella does look a good player, but I do recall a number of posters condemning him after 45 minutes! I do agree 2 pacy wingers are needed.

[imy9]

Urgh. Fowler has shown repeatedly for the best part of a decade that he can't make an impact in the Premier League.

I don't understand what game you are watching sometimes.

I give up, why dont you judge players on their performances for Rovers rather than other clubs? Big Brad was rubbish at Liverpool, Tugay at Rangers, etc but this prejudice against Fowler is pathetic, check out his stats (I have shown them a number of times), he can score goals in the league and HAS scored goals in PL in the last THREE years forget ten. Roberts and Derbyshire have inferior records so what are you left with RSC and Benni, great depth assembled by Hughes

Fowler will be a stop gap until Ince can judge the strength of each position, I will be concerned if he is given a three year deal, on £70K a week until then he is on a pay as you play, find me a better striker for the money and short term deal, I am all ears

[LeChuck]

find me a better striker for the money

I can't, you're right.

Hardly a reason for signing him though, is it? Generally, you get what you pay for.

If he was in his twenties I'd be more than happy to give him the benefit of the doubt. It's just incredibly naive to think he'll turn round a decade of inept displays and turn in to a Premiership player with us.