Welcome to the house of Glum...

[DoomMerchant]

Walmai, what are your thoughts on getting McLaren if Franco gets the old tin tack?

I think he'd be a good choice, he appears to have worked the impossible at Twente and got them playing decent footie as well, could do worse?

I would take him, but I doubt he's interested.
In truth, its 'House of Glum' time because I doubt most decent coaches would want to work under The Goblins.

hughes has worked under worse so i'd suggest that if neither Celtic nor Scouse come in for him then you are his best bet. Fingers crossed for you that it happens tbh...i think he'd do really really well there with the fans and build a nice squad that you would be proud of.

cheers

[Slim]

I've heard that Parker isn't massively bothered about another club coming in for him. I imagine he'd take a call from Arsenal, but he'll hopefully stay at the club.

Behrami is different. He's definitely on his way on to another club. I am a little dubious about some of the names being touted (apparently, Rafa's been watching closely) but I am sure his hard-working loudmouth of an agent is lining up deals as I type. The player's value may be linked to how well he does in the WC. If we swapped him for a wide player with some pace, I'd not be bothered tbh.

This is the other thing, I frequent a Villa board among a few others and obviously with the story about Milner and Young floating about they were looking at what they would accept for either of them and 99% of the posts had a swap deal for Ireland, Richards, Onuoha and SWP....sometimes all four. If we sign anyone this summer, I cannot see any 1st team player(although Ireland's status there is in serious jeopardy) being used as 'makeweight' so we can sign a player. It's not like we need to reduce the price by offloading, swap deals are the myth fans believe in whilst playing Football Manager and think they really happen on a regular basis.

[walmai]

I almost cannot be arsed to go and watch us get beat this afternoon. Last day of the season is ordinarily something of a carnival atmosphere, but very few of us has the stomach to cheer the players on their newly named Lap of Appreciation after the game.

Add to that it being the last time a few players will be pulling on our shirt.
So, Smile and wave:

Rob Green
Matthew Upson
Valon Behrami
Carlton Cole
Luis Boa Morte.

Good points though are:

1. Carlos' return will raise a cheer (until he starts scoring)
2. The crowd will treat Bellamy like a pantomine villain (even before starts scoring)
3. The paper has your centre midfield as Vieira and De Jong (and, if you ever wanted to identify the archetypal panto villain at The Boleyn, Pat the Spat is your man)
4. We get to see Johnson in the flesh - as he shreds the fullback (is he likely to start on left or right?)
5. After 1800 today, I can forget about West Ham for the summer. And probably be a happier person because of it.

As I said before, I expect a whooping today. Might be a few goals either side, but you're destined to win.

If you're coming - hope you enjoy it.
(I'd swerve The Queens and head for the Duke - a quick left out of Upton Park tube and cross the road).

[ant london]

I think we will all be quite happy to close the book on this season (...albeit for slightly different reasons) today Walmai mate.

Rebuilding/development will be happening at Upton Park and Eastlands to a certain extent and I would like to think that both incumbent managers will be the ones in charge of the process (...although if I were Franco Zola I have to say I would think long and hard before subjecting myself to another season of David Sullivan's "management style"??!....do you think there is any chance he would actually want to stay and work for them or do you think he and Clarke will be off to pastures new?)

I think all of us Blues can empathise with the feelings you have gone through this season....it's been a script I've seen acted out too many times in my City life (although the avoiding relegation part was a twist in the plot i rarely saw!!)

Hope that it's a good game today, we should win but you never know with good old City!

[Wooders]

I don't think you have that bad a squad, bit of fine tuning this summer and you'll be fine.

[walmai]

Its 'back me or sack me' time at The Boleyn, Ant.

Zola won't walk until his contract is paid up (or paid in the large part) and he signed a new one only 10 or so months ago.

This is why they have set the dogs on him in the press, to try to force him out.

Not good for us, really. It seems that a few players are genuinely loyal to him; moreso than they appear to be towards the owners, or even the club.

[Ted Hughes]

It does seem as if they're trying to get Zola to resign. I don't remember them making comments about Bruce etc every week when they were at Brum. Perhaps they'll calm down once they get their own man in.

Don't know what to expect today. City's players may want to finish with a bang or may have a cigar on & one foot on the beach. Be disappointing if ist's the 2nd option.

[brite blu sky]

It does seem as if they're trying to get Zola to resign. I don't remember them making comments about Bruce etc every week when they were at Brum. Perhaps they'll calm down once they get their own man in.

Don't know what to expect today. City's players may want to finish with a bang or may have a cigar on & one foot on the beach. Be disappointing if ist's the 2nd option.

Disappointing would not be the word.. there is a great need to turn up and perform today imo for many many reasons.
That is what i am expecting and will be very disappointed if we dont.

Bob has said he will make 2 or 3 changes due to some players being quiet tired.. but that in itself should not be any reason for a difference in performance.. on the contrary

[walmai]

If you play Tev/Ade supplied by Bellamy and Johnson, you'll score three at least.

We remember SWP too; a pair of beauts against us in our 'Great Escape'.