raynaldo

I was invited for a facility tour about 8 weeks ago before the place opened. The chap that showed us round said that they had a UEFA inspection just a few days earlier and they thought the place was execellent. One of these best he had seen. I asked whether AFC had showed any interest in using the facility. He, the tour guide, said that JC had said 'thanks but no thanks, those plastic pitched just cause injuries'. He never even made an effort to go and have a look at the place. He was sacked before it was finished, so beneift of the doubt I suppose. At the time I was their the first team were still in Austria and the tour guide also said that MM had indicated that he would be coming to inspect the facility before he made any judgements. I guess he has visited and is happy to use it now! I can't imagine it would be too difficult for AFC to use it during the day. Who else would be queuing up to use it at the times you'd expect AFC first team to be training.

Christ, you would think that AFC would have the sense to give all their playing and coaching staff the flu vaccine. Surely a vaccine at £10 each (guessing costs here) would pay for itself if the whole squad were free off the bug right through the season. My work give employees the option of the vaccine, which I take up every year. I guess the costs invloved are minimal if they can reduce the amount of sick leave due to the flu. Only problem is I can't take a sneaky week off with the 'flu' now.

One thing that annoyed me about the article was the comment at the end about the quality of the Championship compared with the SPL. He is quoted as saying that Did he never think that by spenidng more time in the gym before now might have improved his game? Was Paul Lambert right when he said that teams/players in the SPL don't traing hard enough and long enough? If this is true whay are the Aberdeen plaerys not in the gym everyday?

I don't really buy my season ticket on the basis I save myself money over the season, although I accept that there may be others that do. I like my season ticket for getting the same seat every week in an area of the stadium I want to sit, close to friends who I like to sit beside. This is my insentive on purchasing a season ticket rather than playing Russian Roullette every week and ending up sitting next to the missing link with Tourettes. My main gripe in the original email was the new rules on discount at the club shop. I just don't see why they have even bothered keeping it at all, even for those with over 250 shares. How many share holders have over 250 and how many will actually take up the discount offer, ever?

Once upon a time season ticket holders all got discount. The it was only share holders that got discount. Now you have to be a share holder with over 250 shares to get discount. So how many share holders with over 250 shares will actually go into the shop and purchase anything? It would be interesting to know how many of the share holders actually fall into the catagory to receive the discount. Why reward the loyalty of season ticket holders? Why reward those daft enough to buy shares and give their money to the club at a time were they were desperate, knowing full well that they would never ever get a divided payment for that share. Then the club announces and insentive scheme to get fathers and sons back to the games with a competition for them all to enter. What about something similar for those that have been going for years with out any insentive other than seeing the team they support? Don't get me wrong on that one, I applaud anything to get fans back through the gate, but they should still remember those that have been there through think and thin, and when / if the sh*t hits the fan will still be there putting their hands in their pockets long after the deserters have gone again!

What is on the wall above the bed? Is it built in micro wave or a flat screen telly? If it is a telly, how the hell to you watch it while lying in bed?

Do you think Rangers and Celtic will try the same trick with away tickets for the Eurpoean games, assuming Rangers get past their next game. 'I, OK Barac, Man U, Chelsea, Real Madrid.... we will sell these 3,500 tickets for you but we will charge you a 5% handling fee for the pleasure of us sending 3,500 Neds to your wonderful city and stadium.' Tossers!

Before I start I should explain I am as disappointed as the next man on the delays getting new players in. Now having said that I don't see how the club can win this one! The identify targets weeks/months ago. They go for the ones top of the list. Those drag on so what do they do? Do the drop the interest and move down the list to the next man and so the delays start again, OR, do they hold fire in the hope that the first, ideal target eventually comes round and accepts a deal? The players know the game now and they all hold out to the last minute waiting for the best deal. They know they have options on the table so have a fall back. They know those options will stay as long as they don't offically turn them down. The clubs hang on for their initial targets because the next option is probably second, third of fourth choice. The club sign the second, third of fourth choice to get a plyer in the door. Are the supporters happy with a new, rushed signing? Are they hell because he is second rate and every one knows it, even the club. The club could blow the bank and get the man they want at the first attempt, but we all know where that goes and we don't want to see the club go down that road again. Much how we would all like to see new faces long before the first game of the season, these signings are for 2-3 years, not the first three weeks in August. If the club think they still have a chance of getting their first choices then they will keep that door open for as long as possible. Rather have the right man in, a little late, but here for 3 years over a fill in who we have to pay out of his contract after 18 months. The club can't win really!

It would not surprise me if AFC don't start using the new fcaility at Chris Anderson Stadium. There will be a full size indoor pitch, where the old hockey pitch used to be. It is supposed to be a football surface so should be better for the players trainging on. Lets face it, if half the English premiership can train on these why not AFC. The new facility will also have weights and conditioning rooms as well as an indoor altheltics area where the players can do all the fitness they need without getting wet. Then there will be the existing football pitch in the middle of the track if they really need to be outside. Why should the club spend millions building something when they have something built right next door which will most likely never be used during the day when they do all their training any way. Plus the council get money in when the club use it at times when nobody else will.