Zen

Don't rise to it. Seriously, we're talking about someone who had a signature using Down's Syndrome to describe his opinions of Dean Brill, despite being told numerous times that it was offensive and unsuitable. It didn't bother me, even though I work with a young man with Down's Syndrome, because I know that the lad I work with probably has more sense than he does, so just try to ignore him.

Brilliant, cheers. I have to say I'm liking the whole 1 year extension option we're putting in a few deals now. Gives us flexability and some control over squad stability.

Delighted with this news. Him and Furman are two very hard working players who both take responsibility for things in the middle. Also delighted it's a 2 year deal, it seems he's quite well liked around the club by his team mates etc so hopefully this could persuade another couple to stay too, and maybe Furman extend beyond this next season too, providing we do ok this time round.

Where'd you hear that mate? I don't remember it being in the article when we signed him. Not having a dig or anything! Just asking as I'd be delighted if it's true, puts us in a lot stronger position regarding a decent fee for him, if the clause is ours to activate, rather than Cisak's choice.

How in the name of god is someone who's just turned 22 a failure? In his first season he was doing ok then went 17 games or so without a goal due to being burnt out, which would have happened with a lot of players who'd played such a high octane game in their first full season of professional football. Yes your midfielders and wingers are there to create chances but nowadays your forwards do too, how many teams do you find who have 2 strikers who both hit 20+ goals? Not very many, because you often have a striker who gets 20ish and another who chips in with 10-12 and a few assists. As I said, Warne got what, 10 in both his seasons here? But he created a boatload of chances for others by chasing lost causes and harrying defenders into mistakes etc, so are we gonna sit here and slag Warne off for not being prolific enough? In our side last season we couldn't create chances to save our lives, so if I got offered a striker who could create chances simply through working hard, I'd accept that offer, on the grounds that the more players we have who can create chances (whether through technical ability on the ball, or movement/pressure off it), the better. Kuqi wasn't just slated for the chances he missed, he was slated for his attitude and decision making. Yes Tounkara misses chances and makes the wrong decision at times, but the difference is he's just turned 22 whereas Kuqi is approaching 36. I don't get what the problem is with us taking a chance on him, I don't think he'll be asking that much £ wise, he seems to have his head screwed on, and will work hard for the team. He is rough around the edges but I think there's potential in him. No one is saying he'll be a week in, week out starter for us, but on a 12 month deal with the option of another year he's worth a shot. If it doesn't work out, he goes in 12 months. If he fires in 12 and gets a few assists, we can take out the option of the second year. If he does even better, we can take up the safety option of the second year and maybe get a few grand for him. I see what you're saying with regards to strikers being there to score goals, but to write a 22 year old off as a 'failure' because his strike rate isn't madly impressive is ludicrous, time is still on his side.

People saying Tounkara can't finish/didn't score enough etc etc. He works his rocks off and would create chances for a decent strike partner simply due to his work rate. Warney didn't score boat loads, but worked his socks off and was loved, what's so different to Tounkara? (Not slating Warne, one of my favorite players I've seen play for Latics) Warne created a lot of Porter's goals by dragging defenders out of position, and chasing down lost causes, and pressuring defenders etc, so Tounkara's work rate will create chances for others. Granted Tounkara is missing chances that Warne didn't neccessarily get, but it's encouraging that he's getting in positions to get these chances. If Tonks improves on his decision making, composure and finishing, he'll be devastating in this league. Finishing can be coached, and composure and decision making come with experience, so I wouldn't write him off just yet. Alongside the right partner he could be a very, very good player at this level.

Precisely. At the end of the day it doesn't matter how much of the picture the documentary showed, the fact is it showed more than the odd scuffle here and there, it doesn't matter that it didn't show both sides of the coin, the one side it showed was horrific and for that reason alone it should never have been given to them. Their violence is bloody organized to the point they have training camps! How can UEFA possibly consider a country which hosts footballing violence to the point fans use pincer movements to block their targets from escaping?! I am all for tournaments being hosted around the world, so as many countries as possible can reap the benefits for it, but as has been mentioned you must EARN that right. Why in God's name should any ethnic players be abused when playing for their country? A footballer should be able to travel to a tournament in the knowledge that he and his family will be safe, and respected, if not for his footballing ability but for the fact that he is a human being. International tournaments are meant to be something for players and fans to come home from with proud memories that will stay with them until the day they die, not memories of having monkey sounds directed at them. UEFA are an absolute disgrace. To award the tournament partially to a nation who's police force denies the fact that there was Nazi salutes being used, when it couldn't be more clearer, is a shambles. The guy KNEW what it was, his whole body language was one of 'oh s**t make an excuse'... Ukraine and Polish police KNOW this is going on but nothing is done to stop it. As has been said by so many, the privilege should be earnt. As it is, Ukrainian and Polish police have shown they will stand idly by whilst violence and racism is rife, and it's a disgrace. They are so far behind it's nigh on barbaric. In fact it is. Fans moving to other sections of the ground to attack a group of Asian fans of their own team?!?! Shocking, absolutely shocking. UEFA should be ashamed of themselves. Polish and Ukrainian police and government should be ashamed of themselves, as it's clear not enough has been done to stop this. Say what you like about our countries problems, how often do you see 'Welcome to Hell' spraypainted on the walls of a train station platform? But none of them will be ashamed, because UEFA are too naive, and the Polish and Ukrainian police have proven that they are not prepared or brave enough to fight this problem. But as has been mentioned, no doubt anyone who sticks up for themselves if attacked will be made to be the scapegoat, simply so UEFA and Ukraine/Poland can blame someone else for their own bad decisions, mistakes and shortcomings.

Think he's talking about ticket office lady...

Just as moaning can have a negative effect, so can blind positivity when we're not pulling our weight. I'm not one who condones booing or personally abusing players at all, but coming on a message board and having a moan is probably what gets people going back next game, sometimes it's better to get something off your chest than be angry at something to the point you avoid it in future. Also if some of the players read some of the stuff on here, it should be taken note of. They're professionals, we're fans. They should be mentally strong enough to accept someone mouthing off about how poor they've been of late etc, providing it doesn't cross the border into personal abuse, or a flat out 'you're absolute s***e' attitude (which I do admit does occur on here). Also I do think the vast majority of our squad/staff are strong enough to take it on the chin, if it's not a personal attack like I said.

Hit the nail on the head. It's difficult in any position being given 10 minutes and being expected to change a game, and the worst position to play in a situation is as a striker. You need time to get used to the tempo of the match, and the style of defender you're up against (before anyone says, it's not always that obvious). He needs to be given a chance because he's not gonna progress by playing 10 minutes every week or so, hense his loan. As many others have said, he's bagged 3 goals, hit the bar a couple of times and been inches away from reaching quite a few low crosses into the box. Look at Chesterfield away, we rested Kuqi and put Smith in, what happened? He scored. Given time I think he can definately come good. Good point. Didn't Steve Morison say that he only became as good as he is today because Jackett told him in his time at Millwall that he needs to be more aggressive and not worry about knocking opposition centre backs about? I think if Smith adapted the same way he'd be a nightmare for certain defenders to deal with. Just needs to be a bit more assertive with his build.