Full-time: Lincoln 3 Telford 2

“I know what you mean with radio commentary a game always sounds much more exciting than it actually is.

And yes I shall be going to the game on Saturday and indeed Monday, not sure wifey will be too pleased but hey :)”

“Let's

No I can't make it sadly. Will be in Lincoln listening on the radio which I find much more tense than being there as rely solely on the tone and volume of the voice, although T**** never really changes. You going?”

“The first comment I made regarding Jordan was after the Southport game I believe. Anyway lets agree to disagree and flipping move on :)

You going to Alfreton on Saturday? I feel if we can get 3 points from the game we won't be too far away from safety.”

“There is no back tracking, you knew what I meant and didn't pick out any other examples I used which highlighted the point. You just tried to be clever. Fair enough, I do the same. The French lower league is below the championship I would say. Same goes for Jordan you had judged him before he even kicked a ball because of his level. Then gave him 90 minutes and baited ever since.

Agree with you last point though :-)”

“Flipping heck eatmygoal you really are taking the biscuit mate!

Lets clear a few things up here shall we.

Firstly, If my memory serves me correctly, I first commented on Jordan, after the Southport game, of which I was in attendance, and if I am correct, which I think I am,means that I was commenting on his performance, after I saw him "kick a ball" in a Lincoln shirt. Think it was his first game. So it would appear that you possibly have your facts wrong again!

Secondly, you are now back tracking where Drogba is concerned. Initially you were clearly trying to imply that Drogba came from obscurity, giving the impression to people who may not know his history, that he came from amateur football, thus successfully making the transition to become a world class player, with the aim of supporting your argument. I pointed out that he was actually playing in the "second tier" of French football at the age of 18, which is pretty much the equivalent of playing in the lower reaches of our Championship.

Are you aware of the issues surrounding him at that time? These issues were probably instrumental as to why he didn't get a "pro contract" until he was 21.

Now you say you were meaning he came from a "lower level" which is quite different to what you were implying, and a little vague too.

Muddying the waters again Eatmygoal!

When you think about it, all professional footballers have played at a "lower level" at some stage in their lives.

Thirdly, I never compared Mourinho to GS. What I was trying to say was this. IMO if a Mourinho, or a manager of his type, with his man management skills, coaching ability, and tactical astuteness was to take over at Lincoln, he would not need to delve into the transfer market, as IMO the squad was, at that time, plenty good enough to change our fortunes without any additions. In other words get us out of the danger zone to safety.

Remember the 11 game unbeaten run,the FA cup victory at League 1 Walsall, culminating in Holdsworth receiving a "manager of the month award", proving they were and are good enough as a group.

You then went on one, asking me to name a team where he didn't have "lots of money to spend" bla, bla, bla, and I, stupidly, allowed myself to get drawn into your argument.

"Yawn" this is getting boring now.”

“Sigh, the point on Drogba was that a player from a lower level who did not sign a pro contract until they were 21 went on to be world class. The point that just because you come from a lower level does not mean you cannot play at a higher level. It really was that simple. I have you other examples and could have said others. But rather than tackle that issue you went into one specific. Do you or do you not agree that Drogba playing in the lower tier of French football on a semi pro basis did not hint at the time he would be winning the Champions league? All I am saying is that because a player is at one level does not mean they will be there forever. This is like pulling teeth.

That is why it is frustrating, you pick on a small point but miss the bigger point. As with Morniho, you missed the larger point that like GS he has had to use the transfer market and went back to which clubs he managed and presumed they didn't have money or use players. I fully understand you but I don't think you do with me. And if anything, you comparing Morniho to Simspon is hardly as far a departure from reality of me with Drogba. I chose not to be all smirky and say you were genuinely comparing the two man for man.

I am quite happy to take others views, you however have shown that with Jordan, GS and Farman that once you have set your view that is it. You won't move from it and will tell people they lack football knowledge and talk about your coaching.”

“Eatmygoal, By making a reference to Drogba as you did in your argument, was implying/giving the impression that he "slipped through the net" and that he came from a low level of football by stating that he signed a "pro deal" at 21. Otherwise, why did you use him as an example?

I pointed out that he was actually playing at "pro football" level in France's second tier of football at the age of 18. So you were wrong to use him as an example to support your argument. Not me twisting things, quite the contrary. You either didn't know he was playing at that level, or if you did, chose to use it in your argument anyway, in the hope you wouldn't be "tripped up".

Like you say it is pointless engaging in a debate with you, as you seem to be incapable of understanding what it is I'm saying, as was highlighted in another story recently, when you started banging on about how Mourhino spent "lots" of money wherever he has been, totally missing my point, even when I pointed out more clearly for you try and understand, you still didn't grasp it.”

“The difference with others being critical is that Smith and Farman play regularly. Jordan had not even kicked a football.

My point is that you jumped on his back because you think that level is football is too low. I illustrated that there are footballers, extreme examples, that have come from lower levels so it is unfair to be critical of a player just because they come from a certain level without having first seen them. I have seen the said player score and play well for Lincoln.

Lincoln are a team who have done well taking players from lower down the leagues and is a model that will help them if used well.

Drogba signed pro when he was 21, that is not wrong as you state.

It seems pointless debating with you because you twist everything the wrong way (or misunderstanding a simple methaphor on getting the wrong end of the stick) and as Spilsby says you can't take it. You have your view any departure from this unacceptable.”

“Hi Spilsby, I totally agree with your point regarding picking your best team.

Not sure what you mean by personal involvement clouding my thinking, as I have already said, my eldest son, although talent wise, was deemed to be good enough, he lacked the mentality and dedication to carry it through, and is now playing, and has been for a number of seasons, at the level Jordan was playing just a few weeks ago. Just a passing comment here for you Eatmygoal, I go and watch my son play quite a lot when I can, so please stop making your assumptions, as to assume makes "an-ass-out of -u-and-me".

If you look back through my posts, I have criticised one or two other players, not just Jordan. Bit like many others on here, who were heavily and constantly criticising the likes of Farman, and Smith recently,but I don't recall you Eatmygoal accusing these people of "baiting" the player involved.

Your first paragraph Eatmygoal makes no sense to me at all, what do you mean I was"6 miles away"?

It was you that trotted out the "well look at Drogba, Wright, Klose" which you used as examples to support your claim that there are "gems" out there playing "Pub football". I then corrected you on Drogba, using my knowledge of his career, which clearly wrangles you when someone corrects you on stats. as you always retort by coming out with lines like "wiki must be smoking". You got it wrong mate.

As for Ian Wright, you have to remember that he was playing in the Isthmian League for Dulwich Hamlet when he was "spotted", the best part of thirty years ago, at a time when the structure of seeking talent at youth level, was very different to today, whereby talent was easily missed. As for Klose, I don't know.

I make comments using my "knowledge" of the game, (and by that,I don't mean who won what a trillion years ago) which has come from many years of involvement in different capacities. I also comment on what I see, and do not criticise for the sake of it. We all have our favourites, and players we don't rate, we are all entitled to our opinions. When I express my opinions, I don't dress it up, and I don't muddy the waters, I'm very much a black and white person, and if that upsets one or two of you,sorry but that's the way I am.

We had a good win last night, (against probably the poorest team I have seen at the Bank this season), which is step closer to safety, although for me, we still have a long way to go, and must look to pick up all three points on Saturday at Alfreton. Another passing comment for you Eatmygoal, Alfreton were playing in the Northern Counties East League some 10 or so years ago, so there is hope for Jordan yet!”

“Nigel. I think EMG made some good points. I think the one thing you miss when talking players & tactics is 'team'.
I know in theory you pick your best XI. But a good manager will get a team playing for each other.
People would maybe listen to you more if you did not come accross as I know it all you lot don't know nothing attitude. Your points about Todd may be correct. But why not look at what he does bring and offer a balanced view. The more I read, the more I think maybe your personal involvement clouds your thinking.

Good win last night by the way!”