Why, you'd be running away too fast?

Same for the Leicester City match last season and the Villa match the season before. Part of the problem is that most of the players with something to prove (Bothroyd, MGP/DePedro, Todd, Gallagher) aren't on the pitch.

I'd certainly recomend REM's new album. I fell in love with it on the first listen - which hasn't happened with the last 3 albums. I guess because it is probably what you'd expect from them this time, whereas the last few albums have always been a bit different to what they have done previously. There are still a couple of surprises on the album though. Beautiful music and beautiful lyrics. Good call. Spent all yesterday listening to it over and over while playing the FM Gold Demo. Unlike albums in the past, this one seems to lack that one annoying song that you wanted to skip past immediately.

Won my first match 0-3, against the guy who finished one spot above me last season. Midfield is strong, just need to get another winger, and get a couple more players back from injury. Need a good youth pull first, to raise some funds.

Did you not see the Charlton game (away, season before last) where Todd played that role? Unfortunately, he was v.bad - hopefully Hughes saw it and isn't ever tempted to repeat it! That was also before Todd went to dingledom and improved his game.

Arsenal were not fighting for the top flight future of their club at the time. Big difference. I think most of us would like to see him given a chance, but not with the club in the position we currently are. Then again, he can't be worse than those that have been tried there so far. I'd rather see DePedro given a shot, though, as he has top flight experience.

I'd go with: Brad Neill - Short - Amo - Gray Todd Emerton - Ferguson - MGP (no better choice) Djorkaeff Bothroyd or Gallagher with Dickov as a sub or vice versa. I think this is a match that could be won ugly, and Todd in a deep defensive midfield role could help us do that.

I'm sure we'll hear that we weren't at the match, and don't understand Tugay's genius. I blame the squirrel.

Colin, just show us the proof that standing in areas with seats gets people hurt and put a drain on society... All of the problems that have happened have been because there was nothing to stop people from pushing into the people in front of them. When you go to a concert, do you sit in your seat the whole time? At sporting events and concerts here in the states all the time, people stand at their seats with no problems or injuries. Show me the proof that it is dangerous to stand in front of your seat. You can't. Spoken like a true liberal. Lots of bluster with no facts to back up your arguement.

I do appreciate the first hand recollections of some of the older members on this board. Al puts forward lots of good cases about the best players of the past, especially. I won't say any more on the topic, though I am tempted after reading that last post.

Spent the last of my cash on an excellent playmaker with solid stamina. After selling a few of my lesser players, if I get no higher bids by tonight, I'll be $9 in the black. Playing the guy who finished one spot in front of me last season, and if our cup matches are any indication, I should run over him in midfield, especially with my new guy. Have a few injuries, but should still be in good shape to make a run at it this season. Just afraid that the second place from last season is too good for the rest of us. His for/against was something like 76-18.

Anyone get the new REM yet? Thinking of downloading it tonight from ITunes.

Just what I am doing, thanks!

Needed a better keeper for the season and I have a bunch of extra money left from my 2 youth pulls. I've been going on whenever I'm home and just seeing if there are any good players available. Found lots of good ones, but I'm pretty firm in my budget for each, so have only bought a few in the offseason, all solid and under $200,000 US.

None to my knowledge - you could easily argue that the reason for that is because standing in seating areas isnt allowed. If it were allowed you may find there are more accidents. Happens in the states all the time, at sporting events and concerts. The only time incidents have happened is because there were no seats, it was "festival" style standing (essentially the same as terrace). If there are no seats to stop you from moving forward, it's a lot easier to crush someone. How many people have died from the scenerio Paul originally brought up, being pushed into the seat in front of you? The same number that have died from being hit in the eye by the guy next to them clapping.

Got my cup match tonight. Opponent is really strong in the middle, but VERY weak on the wings (defensively, too). He plays a 4-4-2, so I'm probably going to go with a 3-5-2, with one midfielder playing defensively. Was thinking of attack on the wings, but worried it will open me up too much to his middle players. Thinking about changing my training to keepers after my strikers have gone up. Was trying to buy a solid keeper last night (think it took me about 6 trys to finally get one at a decent price), and they seem to be selling pretty well. This would also give me some flexibility to change my formation to what the "experts" say would work best against my opponents tactics. How did everyone else do in the first round of the cup?

It was pointless ages ago, when people said they wouldn't vote for players they hadn't seen.

Read back a couple pages.

Oh, but I thought his lack of games was due to Souness and him having a bust up.... He should be coming off the bench to give us a good burst of energy late, like he did last season.

Both articles downplay the link, as well.

John Nicholson's take

I just thought it was a funny joke.

I'm missing a bunch here. Someone want to PM me what was said and by whom? Booing the neighbor's national anthem? What are they, Canadian?

You've found my weakness Sam, my strikers are crap. Hopefully the training will help. Got my first cup match next week. Guy is strong in the middle, but very weak on the wings. Out there right now checking for solid players whenever I'm online at home. Probably will sell a bunch of my guys when the season starts, and people need second teamers more. There are some decent bargains out there, found a couple so far. I've been looking at recent matches to see how many stars the players are getting. Some solids who only get 2 stars.

From F365: Rumour Of The Day 'Ron Atkinson is to be approached about becoming Spain's assistant manager' - Madeup365.com