bigfatjoe1

God, we've all been there. I don't know which is worst sometimes, stress or work or going home to your 'refuge' only to find even more stress!! Still, there always BP to ...I'm off.

Keep him. He isn't as good as when he first joined us, but his injuries (and confidence) may have taken their toll. I actually think that sometimes it looks like it's his fault but he has been exposed by the lack of cover from midfield. The defense hasn't been that bad this season and he would still be useful cover.

Yes, he is joking!!! The clue was in the...well the whole thing.

First to late as usual!!!

With Neville past his best and Brown on his way out, it certainly makes sense. How much would they get?

You are right Robinson, but am I the only one who feels it can be very frustrating. It gives me the feeling that we're constantly patching and never building. A postmodern nightmare of fragmentation and displacement! That's it! The loan system is a postmodern solution to the postmodern game. Right, I'm off for a lie down.

Goalie, left-back, centre back (replace Thompson - he makes me very nervous), left wing, centre midfield and centre forward. We're all more or less in agreement, BUT please limit the loanees. If we have to have any then they should be talented Premier youngsters who will stay for the season. We have a very young squad as it is and we have had a revolving door on the front for too long. I can clearly see the benefit of bringing in the odd one for the season providing they're really good quality, as quality counts and is hard to come by in this division in any other form. But, no more than one or two, PLEASEEEEEEEE.

Indeed!

How about none of the above but trying one of those imaginative schemes at Bradford, Port Vale and Huddersfield?

I wasn't thinking of bp but life/football in general and the fact that it effects every club. I even hear United fans moan on a regular basis and some Arsenal fans down at the library. It's an unfortunate fact of life and football reflects life. I'm not condoning it, but it will always be a part of the experience. I remember the abuse that one group used to give to Ron Futcher. The usual crap. If he gave away a foul they use to shout 'Off, off.' It really wound me up. But then you realize it's everywhere and all the time, no matter how successful a team happens to be. Perhaps we should have a moaners paddock - a bit like the old family paddock but for moaners and groaners!! That way we could achieve the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number without interfering with the natural laws of supply and demand!!!

You can be a prickly one cj but you are quite right. The fact is that fans have and will always moan whatever the situation. It's a fact of football. It happens at every club, always has and always will. And why not? What did Hobbes say - life is short, sharp and brutish, or something like that. Football is a release for some people. Indeed, it may well be a part of the inner defense system for the oppressive capitalist system or it may simply stop someone from completely cracking up because they work long hours and then go home to a nagging wife and kids. The 'moaner' is a part of the rich fabric of football. stop moaning about it.

I watched us struggle for years in the old second division. The first few years under Royle were relegation struggles. But the manner in which we played was not dull. There werealways some cracking matches. It's not a case of 'this is the third division, accept it' or the usual rubbish about the Premiership. You can still play exciting football whatever the level. This has been very boring by any standards. I think you're getting too used to watching crap.

There have been many constructive arguments, but they're ignored. Mids has made more sense than most. You happy clappers think 'well there doesn't seem to be an alternative therefore stick with crap.' Very logical and constructive. The problem has always been in this debate that the Sheridan lovers make vacuous statements about how good he's been over the last twelve months but produce no evidence. Player turnover, lack of clear organization, amount of boring football, inability to attract players (for very long). He may have potential as a coach but as a manager he has clearly demonstrated a complete lack of ability. Many have been 'constructive' and suggested he needs a senior figure, but he wouldn't want that. As for alternatives, we can all reel names off but you have to actually know people from the inside to determine their ability and nobody on this site has that knowledge so making alternative suggestions does not demonstrate an inability to be constructive but a simple honesty. When Royle and Dowie git the job I was surprised - never saw it coming. But then why should i, i didn't know them or their abilities. Not putting forward alternatives (though many have) is not an argument for not saying criticism is not valid and should be followed by a torrent of abuse in a wolf-pack mentality.

Last season doesn't count. The cup apart, it's been very dull, especially at home. What crap are you used to watching???NEVER DULL. Well, that's reflected in the home crowds then isn't it!!! It's been that exciting the season ticket sales will go through the roof.

That's a fair point. I'm not disputing the debate is justified from both angles. It's just that a group of members don't just defend the manager they embark on rants which often become not only passionate but personal. IMO Sheridan has the makings of a good coach, trying to play football, but management skills are different. Royle was not a great coach, but he was good at the management side, the politics, the wheeling and dealing, the organization and the man management. I can't help thinking Sheridan would've been better off under an experienced wing.

Agreed. I starting think there is something strange about the passionate defense of Sheridan on the Board. Critics get hammered and even insulted in such a way as to make it bizarre, but why? I'm beginning to suspect some kind of homo-erotic connection!!!

Agreed. This division is tedious. painfully DULL.

Perhaps a slightly diffefrent structure would help and may have helped Sheridan. Royle as Director of Football, but give the job a proper clear definition - he's in charge of all aspects. His experience is now huge. He knows the politics of the game inside out. Ignoring his stint here, he has won things at City and Everton and he kept Ipswich afloat at a very difficult time. He also has enormous affection and passion for the club, including all us miserable gits. Allow him to manage young coaches. Sheridan would've been perfect under his tutelage. Other possible coaches under his control might include Philiskirk or Bunn. Rithcie's track record leaves a question mark, but he did a great job initially at Barnsley and he kept us up in very difficult circumstances. Two other points. The idea that criticism of Sheridan has not and could not be constructive is ignorant. It has and is. You may want him to stay, but he is far from protection from what has generally been justified criticism. To put up a blanket defense without recognizing the many flaws is plain ignorant if not arrogant. Second, the idea of Brian Horton is one of the most wonderfully outrageous suggestions I've come across.

They're a cracking idea. Three for the price of one. One in each draw and one on the bed. Only in Yorkshire...

Do social services know that you keep your kids in a cupboard?? Mind you, I must admit it's tempting...

We need consistency. Stop chopping and changing. Bring back Royle!!!! He was here 12 years. He could over see his kingdom, placing day to day coaching into the hands of Willie and even Ritchie. In all seroiousness though, criticizing the owners is a bit ridiculous. It's simple -without them we would not exist.

I'm only guessing here (so please correct if i'm way off the mark), but haven't they pumped in around £6-7 million (debts, ground, annual losses)?

Everton will go down as one of those great moments. Worst? So many poor home performances, but i was really frustrated with the Huddersfield cup game. Expectation was high and Hudders were quite poor, but we we were worse.

I made the same point a few weeks ago. TTA are in it for the property investment/profit, which is fine because we both gain. I also think they don't want promotion yet because it would be far too expensive. Develop the ground, bring on extra streams of income, then build from the bottom. Also, i repeat, they see Sheridan as the man to keep them in this division.

Yes, and that's a much more accurate test of opinion.