NJS

Probaly mountain biking in Turkey in September or October - had intended to go to Spain next month as well but annual bonus was lacking.

I was actually feeling quite ambivalent about them winning until that utter, utter cunt popped up on my screen.

I'm sure that will be great comfort to them when they realise the negative approach they took pre-xmas cost them any chance of a title challenge.

Lad I know has a smaller version of that on his calf but with South Shields - like a stamp on a machine - it actually doesn't look too bad.

I'd really like to ask them which of the people at the meeting told them about its contents. Who would have anything to gain by telling them any of that? (I know, I know)

While I think its a big positive that we are debt free, I also think LM has a point in saying that there was nothing fundamentally wrong in the way FS had no problem speculating to accumulate by going into debt (though I think now its obvious he went too far). Again what Mort has said about not doing a Leeds is correct but in the absence of Ashley playing the billionaire card we all hoped he would I still think money should be spent. Many have mentioned the new TV money and I see that as a starting point which either provides a good base or reduces the money Ashley himself has to spend depending on how you look at it.

I was just thinking as I went out a while ago to get my dinner that there is an annual occasion almost when you first realise that the summer is here and take great delight in how good the women look which in my case was today. I think the day that first "hit" of the year doesn't happen will be my time to give up and die.

Fair enough but to what level? Theres nothing wrong with his words as long as the long term is combined with a short term bootstrap approach to get us to a level where we can sign Modric et al. That would need a large initial investment which he seems to be shying away from. If the suggestion is that he wants to use an Arsenal approach to success in combining moderate outlay with youngster recruitment/development then again I don;t see anything wrong with that - I would however question the appointment of Keegan in that context.

I don't mind a step by step approach but that's not what Mort is hinting at - I'm also worried by Kev's "not in my time" quote but I put that down to the Chelsea loss disappointment.

I'm realistic enough to agree with Keegan but I don't like Mort's underlying attitude of "why bother?". As I said I expect a challenge at some point - whether thats 1 year, 3 years or 5 years - if it's never and the league is "pointless" then why should fans bother?

I'm not usually one for highbrow films but I thought he was excellent in Quills.

I agree and fear that's not enough - Villa, City etc will be spending that imo. that's no investment tho is it , its just using the tv money like every other club will be . lets face it , we were the only team tobe beaten by derby . if everyone else spends 50 mill , and we spend 50 mill , there is little chance of us moving forward . That's my reading as well - so far Ashley seems reluctant to live up to the fantasy billionaire owner which debt clearing aside is disappointing. I do however think that this squad we have now is better than 13th so the bootstrap investment needed might not be as much as it appears on the surface - in terms of quality I don't think theres much bewteen us and Villa, Pompey etc which means similar investment would only bring a scrap whereas I want to be "clearly" fifth.

I agree and fear that's not enough - Villa, City etc will be spending that imo.

You are thinking of the last crusade. There is quite a lot of evidence to suggest the Ark of the covenant was an actual relic. ALthough what it contained is well up for debate. The National Geographic TV channel tends to get a bit schizophrenic in this area. They'll have an excellent show on the history of the earth condensed into 24 hours then have a "serious" exploration of whether the ark of the covenant had a fusion generator or other such bollocks in it. Theres other channels for nonsense like that. (I don't mind anything in the context of a movie)

I work with a Blackburn fan and we were talking about this when the managers job was up for grabs in the context of level of ambition - this meant who we went for and how much we need to spend. We agreed that the next level should be as Keegan says 5th - probably at around £50m imo. The next level of consistent top 4 would take another £50m and title winning another £50-100m after that. Obviously as Keegan rightly says our problem is who we can attract so that increases the money needed (though no guarantees). I assume this simplistic target setting/costing is something Ashley needs to do first of all with himself to think about his committment and then with Wise/Keegan. I think this would be better than this "player by player" basis which has been mooted.

On re-reading his comments I'm disappointed that he did say "in my time here" meaning in the 3 years. Next year fair enough but I'd be diappointed if we weren't getting closer to doing it after 3 years. I agree he's trying to nudge Ashley as well though.

It's also only 4 years since a win at Anfield on the last day would have seen us 4th. As I said and as Bombadil mentioned it only takes one off year to give someone a chance - for example it would be interesting to see what would happen at Man U if Fergie quits after the CL final.

I've just watched the BBC interview and its nothing to worry about (until the fat tramp and his mates get a hold of it). I think he's saying that even if Ashley let him spend the money on 4 or 5 Modrics it still wouldn't make us as strong as Chelsea and he's right. However I think if we do spend at that level this summer and then follow it up in the next two I think we could - and I think once Kev gets out of his post loss depression he'll probably think that as well.

Bennet was his usual corrupt self - how come the two late lunges by Drogbha and Carvalho weren't cards but Faye's and Enriques harmless fouls were? Because he knew booking those two so early would mean reds later - unless he bottled it as he did with Terry.

Bit like Arsenal in the FA cup - gave them a game first half, outclassed in the second. Didn't really learn anything I didn't know - we need a new midfield basically.

First couple of times I watched it I convinced myself that the island at the end was in the pacific for some reason - just didn't think of the med.

But Santa Cruz proves such gambles can work - see Martins himself as another.

so 16 years and 10s of millions spent and Liverpool are still suffering from Souness - utter, utter shite. Where's McCarthy? Where's John Barnes?

As long as we spend that money on someone who is better than Martins. He does have a lot of flaws in his game but he also has a lot of plus points, I think we will need to sign at least one more striker anyway so I wouldn't want to have to sign 2 who are guaranteed to fit in straight away. We know Martins is a decent (sometimes very good) player in this league so it would be a huge gamble replacing him especially with Viduka and Owen being injury prone and Carroll not being ready. IMO he is our only reliable striker going into next season. I am not convinced Owen will keep this run of fitness up. I was assuming a better replacement - don't get me wrong I quite like mavericks like Martins but I'd rather have a more consistent footballer given the chance.