I think we can all agree, whatever McBurnie is costing us he is worth every penny. Even if it means we then can’t afford to pay £300 for some balloons.
I was really critical of Giles last season and even disliked him as I thought he had a certain arrogance about him and lack of commitment to the club, especially with him wanting to go to Boro. It’s obvious he’s passionate. He enjoys interacting with the East Stand especially to fire the supporters up. Now I just think he’s a player who takes both negative and positive reactions by supporters to heart. My opinion of him has changed quite a bit and I’ve warmed to him more.
He got a lot of undeserved criticism. He was ****, obviously, but all the comments that he didn’t care and never tried were just baseless bollocks. Same with Kamara.
I don’t think they were entirely baseless. He did want to go to Boro and did join them on loan for the second half of the season. It was pretty obvious Kamara would’ve rather joined Pompey too if they could’ve afforded him. That being said, I don’t think it was as nefarious as them not giving a **** about City entirely. I just don’t think they settled and they obviously had preferences other than City. Giles got his move to Boro and realised the grass isn’t always greener. Apparently, he’s well-liked at City by the rest of the squad so I don’t think they held it against him as abandoning a sinking ship either. He’s playing his best football since his first loan at Boro from Wolves so credit to him and to Jakirović for getting the best out of him.
When Giles came in, he played 6 months in a team that never crossed the ball and consequently was called out as crap, last year he didn't click with that absolute moron of a manager and was then shipped out on loan to Boro. This season is the first time he's played in a team that suits his strengths and it shows
Thing with Giles is it was us (the club) that created the problem with him. We signed him and immediately wanted rid, we drained his confidence and put him through that summer where it was an open secret that we'd signed him as an obligation and were planning to sell him on again, then we didn't sell him because the optics were so bad when we were struggling to sign anyone else, and he ended up staying until January, and unsurprisingly struggling under a manager who didn't want or like him. Until all that his performances were fine - maybe not as thrilling as we'd hoped and not getting as many assists as he is now, but he wasn't a liability and he was showing promise. The way we handled him last season was piss poor.
Seen someone mentioned saints in Walton St social club. I presume it was these. ↑ Just had a **** in an exceptionally clean services toilet. One of the highlights of the day. Fair play for holding on since the social club. For those who didn't attend that place was straight out of Phoenix nights. Rough and ready Northern venue. Highlight of the day that it was just over £9 a round. Today at 7:06 PM
Re Giles he strikes me as a player who thrives in having a manager that has confidence in him and allows him to play to his strengths. Serj seems to have a wonderful relationship with this group brought together in difficult circumstances and definitely seems to be getting a lot out of them, they seem to enjoy his style of play and management so kudos to the bloke.
Perhaps picking Belloumi in those conditions at this stage of his comeback wasn't the best idea in hindsight. Only complaint though. Otherwise outstanding.
He was always likely to pick up an injury after being so long out. Just an inevitable part of coming back.
I know we haven’t seen much of him to fully form an opinion yet but it does look to me as if Destan has been brought in because he is a similar type of forward to McBurnie and will hopefully, be decent cover for whenever he’s not available.
I liked the look of Destan. Also thought Darko grew into the game 2nd half. Soooooo much to enjoy about today's performance; Belloumi's skill (hope his injury isn't too serious) Joseph scoring at home, Brilliant team goal finished off by Lunny and what a cross from Giles for the Mcburnie header! Even Palmer looked up for it when he came on. We look a real threat going forward -long may it continue. Thought Southampton were disappointing - I expected more from them. They reminded me of how we used to play in recent seasons - a lot of sideways passing but going nowhere.
One of the reasons, along with a better view, why I'll always go at least halfway up! Didn't make any difference by time I'd walked back mind you.
I thought they were really good, kept the ball well. Just lacked that cutting edge and defence caught at sea once or twice. They will sort both of those out.
Really enjoyed today - smashing to see Geovanni's reception, great performance by City, met up with an old teammate after 30+ years and got thoroughly soaked.
