In the Net

Rather strange then that Newcastle, Liverpool, Everton, Stoke, and Cardiff have been happy to entrust some of their talented young players to be developed under JB. ?

We were discussing the merits and financial practicalities of developing your own players. Wael never stated that he was a billionaire, I think the EP ran a typically inaccurate article about him being the 5th wealthiest owner, or something ridiculous, and our more naive fans lapped it up. Similarly it was the EP who managed to write a whole article about the watch Wael wears. This says more about the local rag that it does our owner. On the stadium front, of course Lansdown has turned AG into a very good venue - I've seen it for myself when attending a concert. At the moment Wael has delivered a training ground, whereas we have previously rented. I wonder how many of those who criticise it have been shown around the facilities there? There is further work planned, hence you can find photographs which show the unfinished bits, and try and portray it as an accurate portrayal of what is there, if that makes you feel superior. Comparing Lansdown and Wael is like comparing apples and pears, with regards to their personal wealth. Fair play that Lansdown has backed the club for so many years, shame that his enthusiasm doesn't seem to have filtered down the gene pool. It's a big ask for him to find an investor who will be as committed as he is.

Loanees usually have a large chunk of their wages paid for by the parent club. As I said, I would prefer developing youth players, however, the majority of League One and Two clubs do rely on having half a dozen players from the loan market - that's the way the finances are managed these days. Gold star for the club South of the river, who's enormous losses are bankrolled by their billionaire owner - you are not comparing like for like.

Ten years is a long time in football, things have changed on the financial front. You won't find many League One and Two clubs who don't have several loanees on the matchday teamsheet. Sad, as I much preferred the days of more local players in teams.

Plymouth have been playing 5 players loaned from higher league clubs this season, a lot of clubs in League One and Two have a similar number of loanees, apart from Ipswich. This quote from the Plymouth manager explains very clearly why clubs do it:- Schumacher said: "I think it's important we do try and use the loan market. Sometimes it's not possible to bring in the players you want to bring in permanently because we haven't got the spending power the same as the other teams in this division.

Ah, I hadn't thought of the Swedish contingent - lovely of them to chip in.

Absolutely love this - a top lad you have there. ?

Hopefully this Link works. Thank you for asking.

Thanks to your generosity and kind heartedness today, the amount raised was £1593.75 plus 21 Euros. Absolutely brilliant effor by yourselves, and all very cordial.

Thanks to your generosity and kind heartedness the amount raised was £1593.75 plus 21 Euros. Absolutely brilliant effor by yourselves, and all very cordial. ??

I know this this was mentioned on the "Nick Anderton" thread, but, just in case anybody missed it .... City have very kindly invited some Rovers' fans to sell yellow ribbons at Ashton Gate this Saturday. I believe that they will be selling in the Fan Village and the concourses. It is cash only, a minimum of £1 is suggested, but every little helps. All money raised will go to Nick Anderton and his family - I think you all know how Nick's life was turned upside down, following a cancer diagnosis in July. This is a very big gesture by your club, and I hope that fans will support it, and remember to take a bit of cash in their pockets to purchase a ribbon. THANK YOU.

Glad to hear that you have offers of help for Ann while you are away - it is amazing how people rally round when needed. I think that Dollymarie's suggestion of a shorter time away from home is the one which I would go with.

A bit strange for you to assume that you know everything about what's happening at Rovers.? Barton mentioned it in an after match interview a few weeks ago, as he was not happy with the pitch. It doesn't take a genius to see that something's wrong, as the condition is nowhere near as good we've had for the past few seasons.

Well done - have a gold star. The answer to your question is that there is a problem with the drainage under the pitch, which has affected the surface recently..

I'm sure that Vince has some sort of special Eco powers to sort things out! ?

All these matches have now been called off.

Newport game is off, I presume Cardiff have under pitch heating as they are an ex-Premiership club. As for FGR - there's always plenty of hot air up there!

I hear that City are going to be selling yellow ribbons on Saturday, to raise money for Nick Anderton - that's an amazing thing to do. ?

He's a Brentford player.

I'm sure you are aware that that isn't the hospitality suite, so, still wrong picture! ?

Wow - you have the ability to read minds! ?

That has no relevance to your original post. Rather ironic that you're the one who brought 1982 into the conversation - why on earth would that have an impact on everyday of my existence. ?

Not really. What happened 40 years ago isn't being compared to anything - no idea why you decided to bring it up.

What's the point of using an old photograph when trying make a comparison, at least compare it to the current room if you're going to make a point.

The barber had 16 on the back of his City shirt (Nick's squad number) - touch of class.