John

Toshack hits back at Savage criticism Slight dig at Hughes Wales record as well I think.....

Full Savage blast here! Well said Rob.

I think if Bentley was a Spurs player he would have come on....

Get a grip Maclaren you ######.

Interesting to hear how nice Karen Brady was to Dunny! What is the problem with the Big Club and us - they seem to have a massive chip on their shoulder - jealously maybe? Just listened to all of it, excellent interview, worth a listen.

Not sure I want him to sign, he was so frustrating to watch at times last season. Don't think I can handle that again - also can he ever stay fit for long enough these days....

England footballers are over-rated and over-hyped. Scholes is class. Players like Terry, Lampard have never performed on the world stage.

England fans have got to accept Beckham is one of the (very) few English 'world class' players about. Technically he is right up there.

Remember Nonda should be with us as well next season.

So far in this close season, I have the same feeling as this time last year. I do not particularly enjoy seeing our (good) players linked with other clubs for whatever reason. However, as Hughes has pointed out, we had no choice but to let Bellamy go because of his release clause. The only thing in this episode I would comment on is that Hughes will be annoyed after he made comments dismissing Benni's claims after they originally came out.

Unfair to judge Roberts until he starts a few games. He has come on as a sub recently in difficult conditions.

Bentley's influence got the hosts back in the game. "He's like our mini-Zidane - a class act," was how he was described in the matchday programme notes by Nigel Reo-Coker, who became the first England skipper to lead a team out at the stadium. Former Arsenal midfielder Bentley also received praise from one of the finest playmakers to have graced the English game. "He was outstanding," said Gianfranco Zola, a hero for Chelsea at the old Wembley and now technical consultant to the Azzurri's U21s.

I am pretty such Hughes will ask the board to hold onto Bentley at all costs. He is only going to get better.

Bentley was playing fairly central today. He is much stronger physically this season. In a couple of years he will be an excellent central midfielder in my view. He moves well off the ball, a bit like Tugay.

When they were talking about Bentley prior to the Man City match on Sky, Savage said 'not bad for £500k'.

Steve Mclaren was at our Bolton and Arsenal matches recently. In both those games, Bentley did not play well at all. I would say Warnock has an outside chance as he has been playing really well (as well as in those matches Mclaren was at!).

I would go for Bellamy. Just his sheer pace makes other teams scared. There is not much in it though, as they are different types of players and have different qualities. Overall, the departure of Bellamy has not really affected us because Benni has done so well. On injuries, it has been more our inability to play a settled side which has disrupted us (particularly in the first half of the season). Whilst we have had injuries in 2007, they are long-term ones so we have been able to have some continuity.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Nonda. Hughes raves about him showing quality everyday in training and says he just needs more confidence to replicate this in matches. He has not fully convinced me yet but a lot of foreign players do not settle properly until their second season. He also annoys me when it appears like he is not trying, by this I mean running around. However, that is just his natural demeanour. I am sure another Prem league team will take him if we don't.

I actually win £1,000 if the McCarthy bet comes off. A friend came in on the bet with me, so £500 each. Still a long way to go though.....

Really feeling for Lucas tonight. We have really suffered since his departure and Warnock does not seem half the player that Neill is. NOT

Manchester United are set for a summer clearout with Kieron Richardson, John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher heading out of the club. Owen Hargreaves and David Bentley are expected to join.

West Ham fan said to me, have you just lost your best defender? I said no, we we have replaced him with someone much better............ and we have Hughes.

Really good news. And as I was saying yesterday Steve Bruce is an idiot!!

Reid's injury gives the Axe an opportunity to make that central midfield spot his own. :ph34r:

You can tell he is saying it in a snide way. I just don't like the man or the club he manages.