Wasnt Tom finney a plumber? And Stuart Pearce was an electrician so don't knock qualified tradesmen. Klinsmann was a qualified baker too. Nowt wrong with him

Insider knowledge unleaded or a personal suggestion?

Do they coordinate outfits off the pitch as well as on it?

I think he probably got the message the first time!

I almost said that too but decided Messi might be a better choice.

Messi

It's not just at the back though that big strong players are good. I listened to players talking about how scary the Arsenal team were. They could all play but they were massive. Remember watching Viera warm up at Highbury when we went for the FA cup match. Obviously I'm not suggesting all your team have to be tall and strong. There is room in most teams for small players too but a mix is good

I think we need some bigger players. One thing that always strikes me is that other teams have guys who look scary. We dont

Funnily enough your ad hominem came up in a general knowledge crossword I was doing the other day. Impressed my husband with the speed with which I got it.

It's exactly what most people have been saying on here though. There's a chance if everything goes your way you could bounce through but it's unlikely and would surely be too quick a change. Progression is what we need

Yes but that's the top end of the championship. They're getting ready for the prem. Most teams struggled with them this year as most teams in our league struggled with us and Wigan. We're probably not going to get there next year or probably not the year after either. We have to build. Rome was not built in a day. We're on our way back, not were back. We didn't do a Sunderland. We sat in the championship gradually losing talent. It will take a while to build it back up

That's the point. We may need to consolidate a Championship place before we can look at moving up. Nobody wants to stay there for any length of time but we may have to accept moving up ten places from this year next year. That's still progress. It doesn't mean we accept or forgive the owners or are satisfied with our position but better than this year is progress, provided we keep clear of the relegation zone

Why doesn't this come with a health warning? I'm scrolling down reading and nearly choked on my cuppa at that picture

I don't think we'd get any of the above mentioned players but atm this IS fantasy football as we don't even know who's staying or going so how can we speculate on what we need other than writing our wish lists. Personally I'd never suggest players but it's harmless fun for some. Once the window actually opens well start to be a bit more grounded I think

You may not have said he'll definitely gone but then you insist that there's a very definite possibility he will be. Well, we all know that it's a possibility given that venkys track record in making decisions that are good for the club isn't good, and we all have our own fears as to what might happen. But as I say whilst i don't share Chaddy's blind optimism, I do think your need to come on here and state things as fact based on a possibility is out of place atm.

Whilst I don't share Chaddy's optimism that Dack will definitely not be sold, I do find it somewhat distasteful that, whilst most of us are still basking in a promotion achieved without recourse to the playoffs, Mercer returns to tell us he will be. Surely we can let the dust settle on this season and allow Mowbray and his players a week or 2 respite before the players who are leaving thread starts. Talk about deliberately trying to rain on our parade!

Don't think I would. The problems run deep at Sunderland and although potentially debt free they have a lot of clearing out and restructuring to do. Oh and if Dack going just let it be soon enough to sort out the rest of the squad. We can't afford to be selling him after the season starts

I thought I'd seen that somewhere too

Hopefully. I really needed to get away from Rovers but still felt the emotion and belonging when I was there on Saturday. My little grandson loved being there wearing the same shirt as mummy and nanna and grandad

The problem here is priorities. If you really really want a season ticket then £50 increase over a year is achievable for most though not all. So you and Chaddy are correct. However, if you're trying to decide whether you want a season ticket or not,, the higher price might, if money is tight, make you wonder. The people were trying to get over the line are those who might buy if the price is right but might not if it's a bit of a squeeze. So the £50 increase may just put them off.

She's not his wife yet Rev. Don't forget the proposal is coming shortly. I won't mention the date in case she's reading?

Even in the affluent Ribble Valley we have significant numbers using our food banks. Donations are high here but there is surprisingly little wasted and that shows how much use the service gets.

Oh I did get the reference right!

Chaddy we didn't have much cash either when our kids were little. 4 kids and one teachers salary don't add up to much, and we couldn't afford to buy a season ticket for each child. Our kids had to share one junior one. I'm not saying you can't afford it, just that for some people it's hard to commit to season tickets and price is a factor in that. I worked out I'd be here and available for 10 games. Even at 35 pounds a ticket it's not worth my buying a season ticket. Will be cheaper from next season when I get to be 65!