Collymore

If you imagine a big computer game style energy bar that a manager has at a club in relation to fan backing, you get some managers that have that knack of extending it and some that will just instantly drain it. Pearson had the knack of losing a game or two, being stubborn and even calling out the fans, but he had this way of managing his bar to not move far. Rodgers I always thought, even when things were going well, that his personality and style would mean his bar would empty very quickly when things got tough, which it did. All the frauds we've had recently that have come in and played the same horrible players and style to the previous managers - your bar instantly drained. I worry for Martin if things go wrong and he's there doubling down post match refusing to take ownership for things... His bar will be going into some unknown negative territory we've never witnessed before... quickly!

Since Rowett?

Well I haven't judged him, I've said that I'll wait to Christmas then make a judgement personally and have called out posters making out he's the second coming of Alex Ferguson on the back of a few friendlies. I can say that he isn't going to change his style of play as fact because he's said in the past that's what he'll never do. Maybe I was a little hash on him "gloating" about the wins because what else is he meant to say? Maybe acknowledge that when the league starts it'll be completely different and at least let the fans and players know he understands that? I know from previous pre-seasons that how we play now doesn't really impact on the season as I remember some absolutly horrific pre-seasons where you're thinking "jesus, we're doomed" but have gone on to have relatively successful seasons.

Ings had a worse goal scoring record than Daka and I doubt he could press as well as Patson so this looks a blessing.

What's all this "learning our lesson" nonsense? We don't really have a track record of signing crocked players, but it seems someone posts it and some how influences loads of other posters Derren Brown style to believe we have. In fact, the only player I can ever remember us knowingly sign injured was Tom Cannon who ironically was probably our best bit of business in recent history the way we managed to rehabilitate him and shift him on for a profit.

I did forget to mention that I also thought Ryan Smith and Zolt Lakso were going to win the ballon d'or!

Classic Foxestalk this! How anyone can make a judgement on Martin from preseason friendlies is mind boggling. Some of our worst seasons have had decent pre-seasons and vice versa. Teams won't bother setting up against us to nullify us like they will in the league and most won't be bothered about the score. If anything I think Martin has been a little naive gloating a little about the results in his post match interview as he always mentions "another win" as if he believes the win is solely coming down to his tactics and the opposition are powerless to stop us. I still feel we need to be clever this season and choose our times to play Russell ball (there will be times) but also there'll be times when we need to change our approach and I'm pretty sure Martin won't do this. We'll have a good indication at Christmas and I'll be the first to congratulate him if he somehow is successful.

I'm normally pretty good at making instant snap decisions on a player after seeing them for the first time. For example, I remember thinking Mahrez and Vardy were special seeing them for the first time - Vardy especially as kept thinking "Jesus, if that guy could finish he'd be a hell of a player" When I saw Bilal for the first time, Everton I think it was IIRC, my sixth sense told me he wasn't that special as the hype had suggested and I still stand by that.

Looks like heat is building in the week to perhaps 40oc and we're playing at 6pm which will be baking still. Interesting to see if we can keep a good tempo going.

Alves sums up the difficulty, patience and resilience needed to make it in the game and shows how non-linear the pathway is. At 15/16 I had high hopes for him similar to Monga. He has had injury set backs, confidence knocks with squad selection and has had to go out and graft it out on loan but he's always seemed to overcome adversity. Feels this season is going to be his right of passage and he fully deserves his chance. He has given the blood sweat and tears to play for the team and is the exact opposite of some of the fraudulent personalities we've had to put up with over the last few years. I'm so glad he is getting his opportunity and really hope Will nails it this season.

Ahhh thought someone had sent me one then!

Can some one DM me a link please

Otchere above Hutchinson do we think in the pecking order now?

Thomas captain? Probably too hungover to get his armband on!

Yeah I'd be interested to know if there's a few that think the same as you. I feel deep down I shouldn't care but it really irritated me for some reason. Probably just magnifed my hatred for the players, like subconsciously thinking "why should these crooks be getting any rewards" - even if it's just choosing a song.