Super_Ally

Egg >>>>>>>>> Face. Still no daft talk from me about us not winning the title. No knee jerk reactions. Still 12 points from 24 guarantees the title.

Excellent record. There can't be another choice surely!

Hoping to say it will be down to just 3 wins or 9 points after tonight. :spl:

Prior to ending his ill fated reign with Celtic this week Tony Mowbray had taken so much on the chin that only Jimmy Hill or Buzz Lightyear could have withstood so many blows to the jaw. From the moment he entered Celtic Park as the new manager Mowbray was struggling to make himself understood and often left listeners and observers questioning his intentions and meaning. It is undeniable that the media hold a large amount of sway over the general public and if you are not able to keep the devious and conniving journalists happy or provide them with good copy then you are facing an uphill battle undertaking such a high profile role in managing one half of the Old Firm. Admittedly the press cannot argue that black is white or up is down. However, if you end up on the wrong side of the tabloid press perhaps they can influence mass opinion and shorten your stay in Glasgow? By manipulating popular opinion a manager may find his time is up sooner (or later) than it should be. Walter Smithââ?¬â?¢s predecessor Paul Le Guen struggled with the language barrier and a fairly diffident approach to speaking to the press as part of official club duties. As with Tony the Fourth, Le Guenââ?¬â?¢s results were atrocious and ultimately led to his downfall; however, had Le Guen enjoyed a more genial relationship with Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s hacks perhaps they might have been able to engender greater good will to the Frenchmanââ?¬â?¢s vision for the future of Rangers. Alas, PLG delivered neither the results not cultivated the media relationships to extend his stay into a second season. Now, those two examples; PLG and Mowbray, it could be argued had to leave as results ensured their position had become untenable. That would not explain the departure of Gordon Strachan. After 3 successful seasons in the East End Walter Smith returned to Ibrox to wrest back control over Scottish football to Govan. Three consecutive successful seasons followed by one poor year would normally give the manager enough credit to have a shot at a re-exerting their dominance. Strachan, though, has always been a prickly character when dealing with the press. Whilst his quips and barbed replies provide amusement to fans across the country, the journalists are less amused at his cutting remarks. Strachan was never accepted by the Celtic ââ?¬Å?faithfulââ?¬Â as he wasnââ?¬â?¢t Celtic minded (an Irish RC bigot) but again a national press normally ever willing to talk up their Celtic friends did nothing to assuage fan opinion even in spite of his success. The previous incumbents of the managerial hot-seats; Alex McLeish and Martin Oââ?¬â?¢Neill were afforded plenty of good will by the journalistic brotherhood. McLeish epitomised everything a Rangers manager should in much the same way as Walter Smith does now. Gracious in victory, dignified in defeat. A Scotland legend and a well spoken and amenable man in dealing with the press. Oââ?¬â?¢Neill, by contrast is much the opposite, the typical Celtic man. He led the club through some undignified stunts (using his opposite manââ?¬â?¢s name in celebratory t-shirt slogans) and is the poster boy for sore losers. He helped fan the flames of bigotry, making a mountain out of a molehill and then some. A softly spoken man who talks intelligently to the assembled media, yet a distinctly dislikeable person. We have seen with Gordon Strachan how Celtic fans will claim not to be able to put aside their footballing philosophy in the pursuit of success. Yet they only turned on Strachan once he failed to deliver the SPL trophy and never complained about the ugly, agricultural brand of football that Oââ?¬â?¢Neill delivered as he tried and ultimately failed to compete with Alex McLeish. Thanks to a fawning media Oââ?¬â?¢Neillââ?¬â?¢s inability to produce a brand of football that was anything close to resembling the total football they profess is their trademark was completely ignored. He had the support of our press, delivered some success (though not as successful as Strachan) and so his faults were ignored. Walter Smith will most likely choose his own time to depart from Rangers for the second time. An ability to pick his own retirement date will primarily be earned through continued years of domestic dominance. It will also owe a lot to his control of the West Coast Sports Writers. A man of immense respect within the game and unparalleled dignity, the journalists know better than to pick a fight with the Don of Scottish Football. Some have tried before and as Chic Young among them will testify have come off a very poor second best.

Discriminated agaisnt because I didn't log on early enough today! :fish:

Don't worry guys, soon no one will be quoting Speirs as no one will pay to go on his newspapers website.

Do we need another keeper atm?

Hope Advocaat spanks the bigot!

To be honest, I am fully aware that I have no clue what is going on and will just have to wait and see what happens.

How, then, do you know it's not just someone else's opinion in more flowery language? :fish: :devil:

Caldwell over Boogie. A man who played the same position but better than caldwell. McGeady for a wee turn v Aberdeen and naff all else. Maloney getting both YPOTY and POTY awards despite not playing regularly til half way through the season. Nakamura for a free kick v Man U. Ricksen having to share with Hartson because he scored a few goals even though the fact Boyd never gets nominated despite being top scorer and the fact that no one mentioned Hartson as a key performer for Celtic that year 'til he suddenly got an award from nowhere. Strachan over Smith despite losing the league. Reid over Smith despite our quadruple attempt. Both the players and football writers awards for player and manager of the year are farcical and have been for years.

http://www.smallheathalliance.com/read.php?1,148350 egneg 19:37, Saturday 27 March 2010 At what point are we allowed to say 'he is the best player Ive seen playing for Blues in the last 20 years' and not be accused of over-reacting? The day is getting close surely? Options Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List Robbie Savage 19:37, Saturday 27 March 2010 he's finally replaced mark ward. Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List Kwacky 19:43, Saturday 27 March 2010 when he slots the 8th past the vilers. Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List SLAMMER 19:44, Saturday 27 March 2010 Bowyer was better than him today for me. Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List egneg 19:47, Saturday 27 March 2010 mark ward didnt play for us in the prem though. No comparison. Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List BIG 19:54, Saturday 27 March 2010 Quote egneg At what point are we allowed to say 'he is the best player Ive seen playing for Blues in the last 20 years' and not be accused of over-reacting? The day is getting close surely? about 6 weeks agothumbs up Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List big rich 20:39, Saturday 27 March 2010 the man is awesome....been watching blues 35 years and he is up there with the best of em..(i know there hasnt been many ha) Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List Kristoff Mk2 20:44, Saturday 27 March 2010 He will be the one in 10 years that we're saying "we need a Barry ferguson in there". *See who bites. Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List dublinbrummie 20:46, Saturday 27 March 2010 he could of done better for the goal as he was the only spare man and didnt even try and go for nasri Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List big rich 20:47, Saturday 27 March 2010 thats the celtic in you saying that Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List Lee 20:48, Saturday 27 March 2010 Quote Kristoff Mk2 He will be the one in 10 years that we're saying "we need a Barry ferguson in there". thumbs up Can't believe how true this is going to be Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List Kristoff Mk2 20:48, Saturday 27 March 2010 It was Faheys man. He was stood about 3 yards away from Ridgewell. Thing is, we were sitting way too deep for the goal and before hand. *See who bites. Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List dublinbrummie 20:49, Saturday 27 March 2010 i got barry to sign the irish flag.hate scottish footie hun or tim Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List dublinbrummie 20:49, Saturday 27 March 2010 they just showed it on irish motd barry at fault Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List Kristoff Mk2 20:51, Saturday 27 March 2010 Came from the left. Where Keith shouldve been. Can't blame anyone when they were all deep and inviting pressure. *See who bites. Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List SLAMMER 20:51, Saturday 27 March 2010 was barry that great today? He seemed to turn to much towards our goal and play a lot of very dodgey passes. Not criticising, just didn't think he was all that today. Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List newblue 20:53, Saturday 27 March 2010 Ferguson was brilliant in the first half today. Class player. Always unruffled and uses the ball well. I thought Fahey had a good first half, that was an excellent performance from the team in the first 45. Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List the ferret 20:53, Saturday 27 March 2010 arguably the best midfielder we have had since howard kendall in the 70's. not at his best today but remember the opposition. that fabregas bloke looks a decent propsect at arsenal! Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List dublinbrummie 20:54, Saturday 27 March 2010 well our fans over here have nothing against barry he only missed out on our irish player of the year award by a couple of votes.hes my player of the season Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List SLAMMER 20:55, Saturday 27 March 2010 fabregas was shit. Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List Kwacky 21:15, Saturday 27 March 2010 You're in a bad mood. Go to bed and come back tomorrow. Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List Hanging the Blue Lantern 21:29, Saturday 27 March 2010 Peter Shearer was the best, he could of sat in his armchair and bossed the show, such was his talent. Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List Tam McBishop 21:33, Saturday 27 March 2010 I don' think that's the point though. Ferguson - and there's no question about it - is Blues' player of the season. Maybe (just maybe) other players might have impressed more, but this player dictates the way that Blues play. Without him, we're not a football team. I would genuinely think that anyone that voted for a player OTHER than Barry Ferguson is insane and should be sectioned immediately. Mr X. Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List number8 21:34, Saturday 27 March 2010 Without him, we're not a football team. spot on. I think it woudl be hard to single anyone out today though. But Barry makes us tick, end of story. Inaugural Charcy's Champ 2009 Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List SLAMMER 21:35, Saturday 27 March 2010 or just doesn't agree with you? There's been plenty of others. Carr looked 17 today and apart from a blip at the turn of the year has been immense and a great boon going forward. its all about opinion saint. Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List Tam McBishop 21:37, Saturday 27 March 2010 No, that's not it. No other player influences the side like Ferguson does. Carr - marvellous, Johnson - marvellous. There may be players that have played better individually. than Barry Ferguson. Everyone else - marvellous. But Ferguson shapes the side that we are, and that's why there can't, sensibly, be any question about it. Mr X. Options Go to top Reply Quote Re: ferguson Message List SLAMMER 21:40, Saturday 27 March 2010 its a fair point. (i'm still blind, if i wasn't i'd have either agreed or disagreed due to the poster).

Thinking about it more I can't actually fathom this piece at all. The only reason they absolutely obliterated their wage structure was to get back into the title race. They fucked that with the very next game. They're further behind in the title race than they were before he came. He didn't score against Rangers. He was part of the 0-4 St Mirren team that got Mowbray the sack and for about the millionth time this year finally confirmed they'd thrown away any chance of getting back in the title race. He only scores against diddy teams, same as Boyd that no one rates. Half of his goals have come against Kilmarnock in 3 games. I think Esplin has been asked to write (or chosen to write) something to stir debate and controversy and get peopel talking about his paper and his article. I guess that's pretty obvious though. That's all journo's do these days. No decent reporting anymore.

Forgot to do this at the weekend. 4 wins from the title now after a resounding win at Tynecastle. I think the team leading the chasing pack might have won, but like the rest of the dross towards the bottom of the table, their results are so inconsequential I don't always take an interest.

We're waiting.

Genuine World Class defender versus over-hyped potato!

Did he not play in that Killie game right after he signed, where hilariously they went from saying he was going to guarantee them the title to despair in 24 hours. They spent outwith their means to get him in a desperate bid to get back into the title race and their plan was left in tatters in the very next game; leaving them with a very expensive signing for a lot of friendlies.

Lennoxtown?

It's laughable after the antics of the start of last season and right throughout the previous season.

Maloney wasn't getting a regular game til about half way through the season, nor was McGeady performing til about the half way point when he won it. As a Celtic player you have to only show a brief period of quality or a fancy trick here to sweep the board of this pointless awards. If we're going to pick players who haven't played enough then he's not streets ahead of Bougherra is he? McGregor Weir Davis McCulloch Miller Boyd And possibly more (e.g. Stokes) would be more deserving. Esplin is a Rangers fan my arse.

Bit confused by this part (well more than the rest of it): If the SFA shouldn't decide what happens in Scottish football, who should? Celtic? Is it not normal for the national football association (and league organisations such as the SPL, SFL, EPL) to govern what happens in their national game and their competitions?

Welcome Bandit.

Didn't know that, perhaps why he doesn't manage to be as bitter as your normal tim.

Good news.

Pretty much sums it up. Though it relies on someone (our impartial media) to peddle the myths. Even their own (MacLeod) see the attractive football for the sham it is.