NJS

Couldn't get into that - probably because of being too much of a fan of the film. I don't mind philosophical Sci-Fi including some of the old school stuff but that left me uninterested.

So if the turnover doesn't cover wages and anything beyond a modest transfer outlay what should he do? And speaking personally he hasn't brainwashed me into getting a season ticket.

points made with hindsight, you mean ? I'm not talking about "hindsight", especially when its only done to avoid admitting you were wrong, like this. I answer people questions [when they obsess about it] yet it is claimed I don't. I've made my point on skunkers, they all said "anybody but Fred would do better than this", but won't admit it. They all enjoyed all those european nights etc, yet said "anybody but Fred", and they know it. What does Man City being bought by a bunch of Arabs [which NOBODY knew was going to happen when they were advocating "anybody but Fred" got to do with NUFC becoming a selling club again ? Is ANYBODY on skunkers going to answer this question ? Because to date, nobody has. You always attempt to deflect good posts by posting the same thing - if you read the thread where TT posted that you will find plenty acknoelwdgement that what we saw under the previous regime was great but you won't read that as it doesn't fit your agenda. The simple fact that someone can say it was great but was doomed (as recognised by their decision to sell) is beyond you. As is recognising that if it was as simple as Man City being bought there wouldn't be a problem. Why don't you actually read the post about wages and turnover? The post is about how football is now and what it would take to match those achievments. There is no criticsim of the previous regime - only the point that what they did wouldn't work now - that isn't hindsight its just a well backed up opinion based on the current finances in football. Your problem is you think any assesment of how things are in 2011 automatically means a rejection of the good times - it doesn't - it just acknowledges the changes in the game and looks at how things could be improved which is what we all want.

Any response to Toontoons point's or are they too much like "facts" for you?

What you're forgetting is that it's Toontoon's fault that Ashley is now running down the club. He once inadvertently (though of course there's no proof) used the phrase "anyone but Fred" and the universe decided to unleash divine retribution on him and all the other doubters and force the Halls to sell to Ashley. Toontoon then forgets that it worked 15 years ago so there's no reason it won't work now. Arsenal didn't build the Emirates, Man Utd and Liverpool aren't underwritten by yanks and several lesser clubs aren't underwritten by millionaires, including "the likes of Bolton and Blackburn" as only Chelsea and Man City have been bought. There has also not been a credit crunch or recession so there's no reason the turnover of a North East business should fall or finance secured. On top of that the current owner won't do the obvious - invest his own money to benefit the club in the attempt to get that investment back unlike the previous owners who put vast pennies of their own wealth into the club. Enough fuel for a phrase bot meltdown?

My brother used to live in Stratford in the 90s. My God, what a shithole. It's now a shithole with an olympic stadium and a shopping centre though.

Could you not add one of those Maplin solar panel chargers to do the electrics somehow? (I take it for granted there would be enough sunshine in sunny Shields.)

I think .COM briefly had a link to the old board before the split and as I was already posting on cult tv boards, being able to do the same about football made sense. Probably about 03 I think.

I mentioned in the Nolan thread that West Ham got into deep shit paying stupid wages - add in Allardyce to that and I think you hopefully have a recipe for disaster. I don't get the idea that bringing in players on daft contracts automatically proves "ambition" - in their case signing him and Faye smack of desperation if anything. (though I thought Faye was decent for us, 3 years on its not such a good move imo)

I think its the idea that Nolan went there because they are a bigger club that underlines the stupidity. Modern footballer goes somewhere just for money shock. Fat tramp.

How many miles do you do a day CT? I currently use my car for driving to the station and back and a bit on weekends and have been thinking an electric car would be ideal.

16 years ago Sustrans who are a charity that promotes cycling and builds cycle paths did a John O Groats to Lands End ride over the course of about 3 weeks to publicise the launch of their national cycle network. I decided to join the ride for two days from Carlisle to Alston and Alston to Durham. To meet up with them I did what Stevie did (though a bit longer as gong from S. Shields instead of the town) and rode to Carlisle on my own. The days riding over the pennines were fantastic though probably the hardest part was riding home from Durham as it was almost an anti-climax after being part of something worthwhile. Of course I was a lot fitter then though I hope to get somewhere approaching that level this year though allowing for age as well.

Because if you're less than 56 then you're automatically wrong on all counts. he is incorrect, definitely, and going around in circles because he has no understanding of football. I wonder if he is a new version of skidders, although less abusive, so far ? Proberbly [as he likes to spell it]. Why can't he answer the question, I answered him, and told him how clubs get into the top positions of the premiership, but it appears the poor little dear doesn't like the [correct] response and still thinks we are no bigger than the Boltons and Blackburns of this world. So how much do you think it would cost to break the top 4? Or the top 6?

Because if you're less than 56 then you're automatically wrong on all counts.

I'd try the promoted teams or maybe Wigan as a make-weight for N'Zogbia. No loss subject to replacement.

A foreigner (even if he has been here a while) would have a colder view though Stevie - he'd see Everton's stability as a plus - I think you're right by the way but could see it being true anyway.

Should and can are two different things. Most clubs now are ran in such a way that almost all the turnover goes on running costs and transfer funds either come from spare cash left over or from owners pockets. In the past when we had a decent wages ratio that gave us good spending power. That margin has been eroded both by increased wages and reduced turnover mainly imo due to the recession though there is scope at both ends for improvement. Unfortunately even an extra 20m would only improve us by a place or two. That's why gradual improvement is the best we can hope for unless Ashley changes his mind or sells. Of course his inevitable fuck-ups won't help and may stop that happening anyway.

Everyone wants to see us compete no matter what LM may have you think. I've said before I think Ashley should speculate to accumulate as that's his quickest route to a financial return and/or enjoyment of a good team. For whatever reason he's decided not to do that which is a pisser. However "promotion" to even a top 6 challenge would take a good 100m in my honest opinion which I accept would be almost reckless no matter how much my heart would like it. Villa and Sunderland have both tried that recently and failed. That doesn't mean we shouldn't try but its not guaranteed. If anyone honestly thinks there's enough money in the pot which when costs are deducted, leaves enough for a decent push on which is how we financed transfers in the past, I think they are wrong. This is just acceptance of the situation and doesn't mean I "support" it - it's just a realistic view imo.

Of course he would. And Barton and every single player we've got and the extra 6 or 7 that Pardew wants to bring in to improve us. Fuck the wage bill, that will just materialise out of somewhere. Its like classic opposition politics. "We wont do the bad things, we'll only do the nice things"........Never any need to explain how it will be done, where the money will come from etc etc. Its quite frightening when you see that West Ham have just spent £16 million over 5 years on one player. I am sure someone will know the facts but I find it hard to believe the earnings p ercentage ratio today is anywhere near what it was in Sir Johns day. This is where Leazes always falls down. He can never explain how financially it can be done in todays climate. Great if you have a sheik but otherwise books need to be balanced. Yet again you come up with stuff thats totally irrelevant to the discussion. LM isnt arguing that we should buy them all and keep our existing players hes talking about strengthening the squad, not merely gambling on new "talent" while binning the known capable players. Team irrelevant strikes again How is it irrelevant that LM demands unlimited spending with no source? I think it's more ambition he's after tbh Something we're not getting Ambition costs money - he thinks we should be competing with Liverpool and Spurs which means 20m players and £80k wages. If turnover doesn't cover that where does the shortfall come from?

Of course he would. And Barton and every single player we've got and the extra 6 or 7 that Pardew wants to bring in to improve us. Fuck the wage bill, that will just materialise out of somewhere. Its like classic opposition politics. "We wont do the bad things, we'll only do the nice things"........Never any need to explain how it will be done, where the money will come from etc etc. Its quite frightening when you see that West Ham have just spent £16 million over 5 years on one player. I am sure someone will know the facts but I find it hard to believe the earnings p ercentage ratio today is anywhere near what it was in Sir Johns day. This is where Leazes always falls down. He can never explain how financially it can be done in todays climate. Great if you have a sheik but otherwise books need to be balanced. Yet again you come up with stuff thats totally irrelevant to the discussion. LM isnt arguing that we should buy them all and keep our existing players hes talking about strengthening the squad, not merely gambling on new "talent" while binning the known capable players. Team irrelevant strikes again How is it irrelevant that LM demands unlimited spending with no source?

Snap - plus Oliver Fucking Twist. I enjoyed the Shakespeare we did (Julius Caesar) so I'm not a complete philistine.

Fuck knows where we'll all be in 5 years time but I'd be astonished if Nolan is still getting a game for West Ham (or anyone else for that matter) - that's why I can understand the policy while still feeling they've underestimated the team spirit factors.

If they don't get promoted this coming season it'll be interesting to see if he'll stay or if they can afford him. They got into trouble by deals like this for Lundberg (and maybe Dyer) so it's nice to see them learning their lesson.

That's because there isn't one. WHY would you go there, like honest, question? Why would you go to Hull by the same measure? People come here for many reasons. It has some fantastic architecture, a world renowned maritime history, a vibrancy that has always been there, a long standing cultural legacy, a fantastic war history, we even have places linked to the American civil war. The most famous race in the world watched by 10 billion, plus two football teams who between them have made it in to the most successful footballing city in England with 27 league titles between them. One of the most well known water fronts in the world, you'd be surprised how many people come just because they like the water front. There is so much more and that's without touching on the music, merseybeat and such. As much, if not more, than most cities outside of London. 10 billion So there's 4 billion more people watch it than who are actually alive, must be fuckin massive mate! Aye due to a boat that sank. Why did it have Liverpool on the side when it was built in Belfast by the way? Not forgetting a maritime history built on the slave trade - interesting historically but being proud of where the city's wealth came from is a bit iffy.

Would be interesting to see tourist figures that removed people only going to Liverpool because of the shit boy band - can't see any other reason to go there for foreigners.