Diablo

Doesn't matter if you can launch the nut like an ICBM, if you're a running half-back flanker its all about accuracy. If you're turning it over with indiscriminant kicks, you get caught out of position, and your opponent cuts you up on the rebound. We have enough blokes who can thump it, but totally miss the target.

Peake is 26, with only solid-good legspeed and a propensity for torching it, primarily because he can't kick that well on the run. Fair to say that for a 'running' player, this is a considerable handicap. I can think of players I'd like at the club less, but lets hope this doesn't manifest itself in trade week.

I take it 'Nana' is your mother in law

Does anyone else liken this to two parents fighting obsessively whilst their neglected child watches on? The only problem is, rather than looking at the child and seeing sense, the 'parents' will look at us and think what an ugly duckling we are, with no obvious signs of blossoming into the proverbial swan. We can be fairly confident that there are those in the AFL that would like to see us boned, but I doubt the MCC is any better. They will most likely come through for us this time around, but if things haven't improved dramatically in the next 12 months, and we are in a similar position next year, the situation will be a very hairy one for this club. Which is not to be taken lightly, given that the position we are currently in isn't particularly savoury. Was surprised when Schwabb said that thus far we haven't had a business plan to make us financially viable. I hope he is speaking in relative terms, otherwise previous administrations should be fustigated. And I'm not talking about your standard, bread and butter, 'win footy games and you'll build membership and make money' strategy - that is a given. I'm talking about a proper business model to support the club's 'football business'.

Gourdis was Richmond's first pick in the pre-season draft last year. He was delisted at the end of the season if I'm not mistaken. Unless they are planning on redrafting him (seems unlikely) it won't be Gourdis.

Can't believe it. I watched Arsenal do their best Liverpool impersonation at 'borough. Didn't think much of the result because I can't see Arsenal doing anything more than sneaking into the top 4 at this stage. Still, Wenger will probably get another roasting this week, just in time for him to get the best out of his side and pull our pants down next weekend. In theory we should have too much for them in the middle, but up front we (still) don't have anything to trouble them, and Adebayor has too much height for Carragher, and too much pace for Hyypia. Also, props to Chelsea and Man Utd for having the good graces to draw after our pants effort at Anfield on Saturday. Hull aren't a bad side, and they have some dangerous players, but after equalising what did irritated me no end was how our cutting edge evapourated. When we were trailing, it looked as though we could easily score 5. But we got level, and we probably had two genuinely close efforts for the remaining 60 minutes of the match. Bollocks!

Will be denied I would have thought, though the political implications and outrage from the Cousins sympathisers (ie. 75% of the football public) may be a factor. Why do they need two picks? Who the hell are they so set on with the first one that they can't just pick him up with that?

Your avatar is almost as huge as your guns Wise.

I can't believe it went on this long. Must be a slow week for us all. Anyway I didn't mean to suggest you were a negative poster 45. As you say the truth is quite the opposite.

It did sound a smidgeon negative mate. You were probably just countering the overly optimistic hypothesis about the photos with the obvious reverse, but still...

I agree, in that people are drawing an extremely long bow if they think that photos give away anything about his footballing ability. He looks fit, and thats about all you can say. You don't need to take the negative side though either 45. God you really are a Spurs fan.

I had to laugh. He complained of stiffness in his back and it isn't back-related?

Of course not. In his last two years he tarnished his reputation somewhat, but he remains a champion of this club. Nobody will boo him, but it is a shame that some sportsmen can't just retire gracefully, before they fall so spectacularly from grace.

I think there is a proviso or two involved, but don't the new rookie rules enable us to have one of our rookies (at any given time) playing senior footy without actually elevating them?

Normal service resumed then at the top, after a few weird and not-so-wonderful weeks with some unexpected and lacklustre results. Watched Liverpool struggle at Blackburn in the first 60 minutes, and thought we about to cough up more easy points. Blackburn crumbled big time in the final quarter of the match though, and after having the lion's share of possession for the entire match, we got the win we probably just deserved, thanks in no small way to the drive of Stevie G from midfield. The biggest concern remains the lack of genuine goal threat. Kuyt is a smart player who works his backside off, but he doesn't have any real x-factor, and can't play off the shoulder ala Torres due to lack of pace. No Nando till January is going to be painful. Elsewhere, the chavs did a classic smash n grab job at Bolton, scoring 2 early goals and then playing on the counter for the rest of the match, whilst Bolton ineptly peppered their goal. Mancs out of jail thanks to Vidic at the death. Arsenal do their thang and get an early goal before making their fans sweat for 70-odd minutes. Bless. West Ham v Totty looks like points for your boys 45, but West Ham have some blokes who can definitely catch you napping.