teuchterblue

I wonder if East Asia or somewhere isn't the place for cheap untapped football talent. I think Africa is filled to the brim with scouts and dodgy agents. The same goes for all the other 'next big thing' places in football - sub Saharan Africa, North Africa, Balkans etc. Every country(it seems apart from the UK) is on the merry-go-round of the latest 'in thing' in developing wunderkids and golden generations of footballers. If anywhere is currently overlooked its probably Asia.

Yup, I agree with this. I keep banging on about it but it was always gonna take us at least 3 transfer Windows before we are anywhere near where we should be. I would have a scouting team scout the Balkans this entire season for a few young midfielders and strikers.

I have little interest in what he says publicly after a game like today. It's what he says to the team in private, and the conclusions he personally draws from today's performance that is important.

Someone on ff says he's passed a fitness test, make of that what you will. Still, I'm hopeful he starts tomorrow more than I'm expecting him to start.

He only played 45 mins yesterday. That probably makes him a starter on Sunday.

What they did to break up play was frustrating but also admirable. It's what I'd want us to do when up against it in an away leg. McGregor alone wasting time is a thing of beauty to watch.

He was expected to be out for a week but turns out he's out for two weeks instead. Hardly anything shocking.

An excellent post. I hope you are correct. I'm still sceptical but hope to have my remaining doubts overcome. At this rate they will be after another one or two transfer windows. I know not every signing will be a success but Allen and his team have to continue recruiting value for money players at a higher success rate than in previous years.

Thanks for this. I always mistrust what any 'behind the scenes' guy says. They always talk a good game and all talk a good project. Whatever Allen has done this season is excellent. I'm not sure why he was so shite last season. A couple more years(transfer windows) like the past few months and I'll overcome any doubts over what Allen brings to the club.

I'm encouraged he brought an entire backroom team with him. You don't demand half a dozen guys all upsticks if you suspect you'll be away yourself in 6 - 12 months.

He won't be eligible until the group stages if we qualify.

You may be correct about the similarities between Tav and Barasic. But it must be remembered Osijek were a goal down. They had to attack and Barasic was their main threat.

Still a few weak links imo, but it was always going to take time to overcome the pish Gerrard inherited.

I'm not sure what a respectable gap is. It largely depends on if us or them get into the group stages of European competitions. I think clear blue water between us and second is the most we can reasonably hope for. Anything more is a bonus. It takes time to overcome the dross Gerrard inherited(unless Gerrard really is the second coming of Bill Shankly or Brian Clough - and the odds are he is not). Edit: I meant clear water between us and 3rd.

Yes, the very best young players are usually kept by their clubs. I'm of the opinion that clubs loan out players as a way to judge if they will make it as professionals. It's virtually impossible to tell if, say, an average 18 year old on the books at Chelsea will make the grade; some are late developers, some regress, some can't handle the pressure. Clubs loan out players as a way to keep them on the books on the off chance they will become stars. It would be embarrassing releasing an 18 year old if he somehow turned into a £50 million player as few years later. We know that most of these 18 year olds will at best turn out to be journeyman pros, but NO-ONE can really tell which 18 year old will turn out to be the next Messi and which ones will turn out to be the next Nicky Law.