Search found 112 matches

by Claret53
Sun Jul 13, 2025 1:55 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Infantino. . . .
Replies: 32
Views: 2429

Re: Infantino. . . .

It’s hard to see this as anything other than a power ploy by the leader of an organisation which has become a byword for corruption. But the money men who control most of Europe’s leading clubs will be happy to have their noses in the trough and for their clubs to take an ever larger percentage of t...
by Claret53
Sat Jul 05, 2025 9:53 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: A year ago today
Replies: 41
Views: 2800

Re: A year ago today

What a refreshing change to see such a positive thread. I always thought that SP was an elegant player. He obviously kept his head when the wheels appeared to be falling off when there was a big exodus of players and set about rebuilding from a base of a solid defence. If it seemed unexciting at tim...
by Claret53
Sat Jun 07, 2025 11:10 am
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Premier league
Replies: 27
Views: 2854

Re: Premier league

Constant cheating Institutional bias Saturday 3pm Badge kissing players who walk when relegated Sky bulls**t Losing most games Not cheering when we’ve scored (var) When the only benefit is money, which all goes to the players, agents & owners there seems little point in it. What a little ray of suns...
by Claret53
Thu Jun 05, 2025 12:05 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Summer transfer window
Replies: 5306
Views: 629427

Re: Summer transfer window

According to The Times today, Newcastle want Trafford as competition for Pope. I’m not sure that I can see that being a particularly attractive option for him (or Pope!).
by Claret53
Sun Jun 01, 2025 10:16 am
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Transfers: the reality
Replies: 33
Views: 4123

Transfers: the reality

Fascinating article by Martin Samuel in the Sunday Times today, reviewing Ian Graham’s book, “How to win the Premier League.” It examines the rather poor returns, in terms of success, of a significant majority of transfers and shows how a large turnover is usually a route to failure, rather than suc...
by Claret53
Wed May 21, 2025 10:41 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: ARTICLE: Humphreys permanent signing confirmed
Replies: 74
Views: 4992

Re: ARTICLE: Humphreys permanent signing confirmed

Great interview on the club website. Articulate and charming. Focussed. I spy a future captain.
by Claret53
Sun May 04, 2025 9:15 am
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Josh Brownhill mad stat
Replies: 17
Views: 3342

Re: Josh Brownhill mad stat

That stat is truly extraordinary and shows what an exceptional performance this season has been. Records broken. Fantastic team spirit. And this all arose out of the ashes of a disastrous previous season and a huge turnover of players. To create such an efficient football machine out of the chaos ha...
by Claret53
Fri May 02, 2025 9:00 am
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: The Edward’s Effect….
Replies: 51
Views: 4023

Re: The Edward’s Effect….

The fact that he is often double marked frees up space for others.
by Claret53
Sat Apr 26, 2025 10:11 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Brownhill today
Replies: 15
Views: 3101

Re: Brownhill today

I simply can’t understand the doubters. The cross for Flemming today was a thing of beauty.
by Claret53
Tue Apr 22, 2025 8:08 am
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Hannibal
Replies: 60
Views: 7883

Re: Hannibal

Now that he has got his temper under control, he is a real asset. He has very fast feet and boundless energy. Moves the ball quickly. He definitely improves us as a side.
Not sure, however, that putting him out on the right wing when Edward’s comes off is the right move.
by Claret53
Fri Apr 18, 2025 5:54 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Today's football
Replies: 84
Views: 6101

Re: Today's football

Sheffield don’t look very good at the moment.
by Claret53
Wed Apr 16, 2025 7:13 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Good article on the Championship
Replies: 7
Views: 2277

Good article on the Championship

Interesting article on the Championship: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ckg1y7ddrpxo Highest attendance in Europe after the Premier League. Very few teams with no chance of playoffs or relegation at this stage of the season - although some percentage chances are very low. Sadly, whils...
by Claret53
Wed Mar 26, 2025 5:47 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Joey Barton
Replies: 177
Views: 10976

Re: Joey Barton

Why is it that someone giving a genuine view on this post is subjected to nasty insults? is it not possible to have an intelligent conversation on this topic (and others)? Actually thinking WHAT may have caused JB's personality to be what it is is not the same as excusing it. Violence in any situati...
by Claret53
Sat Mar 15, 2025 10:47 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Huge win
Replies: 65
Views: 5706

Re: Huge win

Let's not forget Josh Brownhill. Played in a more forward position, his goalscoring record is excellent. Yet again, in the right place at the right time today. It doesn't happen by accident.
by Claret53
Fri Mar 07, 2025 1:12 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Team for the run in?
Replies: 76
Views: 4698

Re: Team for the run in?

Dear oh dear. The value of Josh Brownhill to the side should be obvious even to folks who are full of opinions but don’t really understand football. For example, his last two goals have shown a high level of technical skill in the finish and put him well ahead of any other player in the league playi...
by Claret53
Fri Mar 07, 2025 12:58 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Ashley Barnes on Radio Lancs
Replies: 20
Views: 2862

Re: Ashley Barnes on Radio Lancs

What a great man for the club. Some memorable goals and a promoter of the club ethos. Who wouldn’t warm to him?
by Claret53
Wed Feb 05, 2025 10:12 am
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Most clean sheets in a row...
Replies: 28
Views: 3988

Re: Most clean sheets in a row...

Just think of how many teams park the bus and still concede goals. This record is a testament to very good players and very good organisation and the level of achievement should never be underestimated.
(Although it regularly is!).
by Claret53
Wed Feb 05, 2025 10:02 am
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Papering over the cracks
Replies: 135
Views: 7354

Re: Papering over the cracks

It's amazing how people can watch the same game and have such differing views. I thought that the football was much more adventurous and that we should have gone in 4-0 up at half time. The balance between defensive solidity and attack was much better. For me, Cullen played exceptionally well. He br...
by Claret53
Wed Feb 05, 2025 9:53 am
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Esteve
Replies: 61
Views: 5975

Re: Esteve

He has a fantastic ability to read danger and be in the right place at the right time. It's almost uncanny.
by Claret53
Mon Feb 03, 2025 12:42 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Oxford is NOT a must Win
Replies: 49
Views: 3033

Re: Oxford is NOT a must Win

Oxford is clearly not a must win game. However... Whilst definitely NOT undervaluing the utterly brilliant defensive organisation which has been instilled in the team, we do need signs of more dynamic football going forward. The ball is played between the back players rather too often, which gives o...
by Claret53
Sat Jan 18, 2025 11:24 am
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Sunderland's first pen
Replies: 41
Views: 4089

Re: Sunderland's first pen

Seeing it live my immediate thought was that he had tripped himself and then dived. Seeing it again in slo-mo that still seems to be the most likely scenario, so he thoroughly deserved his fate in missing the pens. The performance of the linesman was every bit as bad as the ref throughout the game. ...
by Claret53
Wed Jan 08, 2025 2:02 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Parker - In or Out
Replies: 593
Views: 43008

Re: Parker - In or Out

For those who are underrating SP's achievements this season - and there seem to be quite a number of them on UTC - just consider the Arsenal v Newcastle cup tie. Newcastle had, when out of possession, one man up and showed just how difficult it can be to break down a team playing a lowish block and ...
by Claret53
Wed Jan 08, 2025 1:51 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Ashley Barnes
Replies: 327
Views: 25826

Re: Ashley Barnes

Those who seem to think that Ash is some sort of dinosaur who can only offer shithousery cannot have seen him in the VK promotion season. In the early games he was like a fish out of water, but he obviously got his head down, learnt the system, and had a super second half of the season. He's an inte...
by Claret53
Tue Jan 07, 2025 5:02 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Dyche
Replies: 395
Views: 30951

Re: Dyche

The job of a manager is a hard one. The job of a manager not backed by decent funds is particularly hard.
Anyone who does not recognise that Sean Dyche did an exceptional job at Burnley demonstrates a significant lack of understanding of the realities of football.
by Claret53
Sat Dec 21, 2024 8:04 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: A joy to watch today
Replies: 48
Views: 4899

Re: A joy to watch today

Perhaps, with Josh Brownhill having scored yet again the Anti-Brownhill moaners might just concede that they don’t know everything about football.
He’s a really important player for us and wholehearted in his commitment to the cause.
by Claret53
Fri Dec 20, 2024 11:30 am
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Ange Postecoglou “it’s the hardest job in the world”
Replies: 5
Views: 1076

Re: Ange Postecoglou “it’s the hardest job in the world”

I think he was just pitching for a role in The Fast Show revival.
by Claret53
Mon Dec 02, 2024 1:47 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Anti Parker Agenda
Replies: 238
Views: 19210

Re: Anti Parker Agenda

Having followed the Clarets for over 60 years, and having seen over 25 managers in that time, perhaps I can offer a few thoughts on Scott Parker and this thread? I hope not from an antediluvian viewpoint. 1. When he came to the club, he was facing a chaotic situation. When you looked at the squad li...
by Claret53
Sat Oct 26, 2024 3:54 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Match Thread vs QPR (Home)
Replies: 250
Views: 14807

Re: Match Thread vs QPR (Home)

What use is the club streaming when it only comes on until well into the game? Whoever runs the website needs to be defenestrated at speed. Had to watch on another stream, so why bother paying the club? As to the performance: there have been some impressive passages of play, where they have injected...
by Claret53
Mon Oct 21, 2024 6:03 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Scotty's Refinement Of Our Starting 11
Replies: 39
Views: 4243

Re: Scotty's Refinement Of Our Starting 11

How about a shout out for Josh Brownhill. He has come in for some unmerited stick on this website and often seems to be under appreciated in comparison to other midfielders.
Yet here he is, top of the goals scored by miles. Consistent, enthusiastic and clearly a leader.
by Claret53
Thu Sep 26, 2024 10:49 am
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: A Snippet from The Oxford Board
Replies: 35
Views: 5354

Re: A Snippet from The Oxford Board

Link to highlights. It looks almost like a different sport from the modern game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTtzjk3dK0g
by Claret53
Thu Sep 26, 2024 12:24 am
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: A Snippet from The Oxford Board
Replies: 35
Views: 5354

Re: A Snippet from The Oxford Board

I was at the 2000 game at Oxford. Ian Wright energised the side and we scored two goals in the last few minutes. Cue delirium!
by Claret53
Sun Sep 22, 2024 11:07 am
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Post match interviews v Pompey
Replies: 23
Views: 3115

Re: Post match interviews v Pompey

Why is Josh Brownhill the target for complaints from some dedicated whingers? He always puts in a shift. He scores and creates goals. He’s an obvious leader. The ability of some posters to find something to moan about never ceases to amaze. We have a new team playing in a difficult league. Not every...
by Claret53
Mon Sep 16, 2024 7:44 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Bring it on Scotty
Replies: 103
Views: 9647

Re: Bring it on Scotty

SP looks like the best signing we made this summer. He was always a player with good vision and a cool temperament and it looks as if he has brought the same attributes to management. He will have expected that a number of first team players would be sold. He would not, I suspect, have anticipated t...
by Claret53
Thu Sep 12, 2024 2:41 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: 54 Years a Claret.
Replies: 65
Views: 4395

Re: 54 Years a Claret.

My first game was Boxing Day, 1961, when we tonked Sheffield Wednesday. My grandfather took me and we stood on the Beehole end. Ron Springett, who was England's keeper at the time, was in goals for Wednesday and, sad to relate, that was what primarily interested me. I remember great swathes of cigar...
by Claret53
Sun Sep 01, 2024 5:16 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Benson ?
Replies: 70
Views: 6894

Re: Benson ?

He scored some belters in the promotion season but yesterday he was completely ineffective.
He must drive managers mad.
by Claret53
Sat Aug 31, 2024 12:39 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Notes from the Chairman
Replies: 9
Views: 2257

Re: Notes from the Chairman

Let’s hope that all the “fans” who have been so vituperative about AP and the board read this and give it a fair consideration. Some mistakes have been made, as in every area of life. You may dislike the way in which the purchase of the club was financed, but anyone who doubts AP’s commitment to the...
by Claret53
Sat Aug 31, 2024 12:03 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Notes from the Chairman
Replies: 9
Views: 2257

Re: Notes from the Chairman

Let’s hope that all the “fans” who have been so vituperative about AP and the board read this and give it a fair consideration. Some mistakes have been made, as in every area of life. You may dislike the way in which the purchase of the club was financed, but anyone who doubts AP’s commitment to the...
by Claret53
Fri Aug 30, 2024 4:58 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Summer 2024 Transfer Window Discussion - Rumours and Links welcome
Replies: 12275
Views: 1053624

Re: Summer 2024 Transfer Window Discussion - Rumours and Links welcome

Jay Rod is an absolute professional. He has never let us down and will not do this season. It’s easy to be glib and dismissive, but not a good start for a sensible analysis. He will be a leader in the dressing room and, with the churn of players we have had, that is very valuable.
by Claret53
Thu Aug 22, 2024 4:26 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: ARTICLE: Defender Humphreys joins on loan
Replies: 54
Views: 6052

Re: ARTICLE: Defender Humphreys joins on loan

What an articulate man. Looks like he has leadership potential.
by Claret53
Tue Aug 20, 2024 3:06 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Who can stop the Clarets machine
Replies: 30
Views: 3920

Re: Who can stop the Clarets machine

From what I have seen so far, I think that we will be scoring lots of goals in the last 20 minutes. The effort expended in trying to close us down is not sustainable over 90 plus minutes. If you look at the best teams, they often score late goals for that very reason.
by Claret53
Tue Aug 20, 2024 1:13 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Summer 2024 Transfer Window Discussion - Rumours and Links welcome
Replies: 12275
Views: 1053624

Re: Summer 2024 Transfer Window Discussion - Rumours and Links welcome

In the short term, I believe that there is more than enough strength in the squad to give us a good season. Not long ago, the main concern was the bloated size of the squad: which still remains large. I understand the apparent model of identifying and bringing in talent, with a view to selling on at...
by Claret53
Sat Dec 16, 2023 10:29 am
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Is this true?
Replies: 83
Views: 15422

Re: Is this true?

There is a clear link between deprivation and obesity. It’s not the cost of fresh vegetables etc. I have followed people through the checkouts who have trolleys full of processed food, mountains of crisps etc. Do I think that they don’t care about their children’s health? Not at all, but there seems...
by Claret53
Mon Dec 11, 2023 3:09 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Brownhill
Replies: 47
Views: 10632

Re: Brownhill

He’s a valuable player for us and a good leader and anyone who thinks that he may not be fully committed on the pitch must be watching someone else!
by Claret53
Sat Oct 07, 2023 3:24 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Clarets v Chelsea Match Thread
Replies: 402
Views: 26641

Re: Clarets v Chelsea Match Thread

The commentary on clarets+ is dreadful. Sounds more like a tv commentary.
by Claret53
Wed Sep 27, 2023 12:12 am
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: HST2
Replies: 184
Views: 18241

Re: HST2

Speaking as someone who now lives in the SE, the difference between the availability and efficiency of the trains going into London and those going into Manchester or Liverpool is huge. The costs overrun on HS2 is obscene, but it is a result of our sclerotic planning system and mismanagement on a ho...
by Claret53
Wed Aug 23, 2023 1:10 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Ben Mee- Peter Crouch podcast
Replies: 3
Views: 1359

Re: Ben Mee- Peter Crouch podcast

When you get past all the irritating preliminary banter, there's quite a lot of encouraging stuff in the podcast - not least from Peter Crouch who speaks very highly of the club and the those of the changing room. He says that the players were much better technically that their reputation suggested ...
by Claret53
Tue Aug 22, 2023 2:03 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Summer transfer window 2023 - rumours, links and discussion.
Replies: 15428
Views: 1922495

Re: Summer transfer window 2023 - rumours, links and discussion.

Cannon:
We aren't prepared to shell out for him because his is merely a large bore. He tends to go off without warning and his signing would cause fans to recoil.
That's it: I'm shot.
by Claret53
Thu Aug 17, 2023 12:08 pm
Forum: The Bee Hole End
Topic: Michael Parkinson RIP
Replies: 46
Views: 4199

Re: Michael Parkinson RIP

He was also a great journo and writer. His books Cricket Mad and Football Daft are well worth getting hold of if you can run them down. A good northern wry sense of humour.