PSF: Weymouth v Torquay United : 7:45pm. - 29 July 2014

Let's not forget the type of Internet user who is fortunate enough to straddle the even Higher Horse, from on which a "balanced" view can always be reached after carefully examining "both sides" of any argument. 

These people are truly blessed and wonderful human beings.

Ah the football season fast aproaches !
How refreshing some differing opinions at last...

Good point. I agree with you.

No great irritation caused, Jon. I'm only an occasional visitor to TFF, but we're into August now and it's only a short while till the season kicks off. 

Tbh, it's hard to think of a greater waste of time than getting involved in a massive bunfight over the relative merits of a manger/player/board at a poorly resourced fourth or fifth tier football club. I enjoyed a few years of it, but life has a habit of intruding unexpectedly and priorities change. 

As a general rule, I believe that strong opinions and debate, whatever the subject, make for a more interesting browsing experience. Getting involved tests ones opinions and has always, for me anyway, been fun to participate in and read.  

For those who wish to discuss the number of Welsh football players with a mole on their right cheek and a surname beginning with D who've turned out for TUFC, the TFF is the place to visit. Other sites are available for those with wider interests

Yes, Felix, keep your comradely brood under control or else we'll strip you of that Best Poster of the Month crown you seem to have held on to for an eternity now. We don't want the little bleeder sprouting his anarcho-syndicalist horticultural foliage all over this site. Not unless, of course, he can name his all-time Revolutionary XI to take on the Counter-Revolutionaries. Can you for that matter? Or a team of players who played for Dinamo clubs?

Ha! That's got you thinking.

Am liking the debate. Mansell is the interesting one in this. It wasn't until Pompey away, when he wasn't selected, that I got sucked into this myself. I felt relieved. An odd feeling at a non-selection of a Torquay player, but something borne out of a much decreasing effectiveness of his play.

It was never much more than passion and hard work that made him popular, with one very good season, but the advancing years haven't been good. Certainly in the last two seasons. I'm sure his move to Bristol Rovers is good for player and TUFC alike. I don't begrudge him that as he has given us long service which I'll happily blindingly credit any TUFC player for.

I'll come clean. And Chris H will give me pelters for this. Years ago I exchanged emails Mike Bateson to say I would chip in to a signing on fee for Danny Hollands - whatever happened to him? ;-) - if we could get him. When he gave me the bad news, but told me 'Ian has got someone in who he thinks can do an even better job' I got fleeced after the event for a few bob, but I'd had a good year. I thought he was alright back then and pleased when he became skipper. Just goes to show how things can change. And his season with Eunan and Lathrope was a belter.

Anyway - all that said, I reserve the right to call him a Judas for going to Rovers. It's a simple pleasure, but one I may not be able to resist over the festive period. Perhaps with a smile and a thumbs up to the man.

I reckon Downes could have an alright season at this level, although I'd prefer to see Angus partner Pearce, rather than him being at right back. Like may, left back is what's worrying me most. Hargreaves, for me, was an appointment I wouldn't have minded to have happened after relegation rather than before.

My own pro-Lingism has been an overly long hang-up, but I have not seen any reason to dissuade me that Hargreaves can't get performances and his period in the youth department at Exeter and Bournemouth convinces me he must have something already about him when it comes to getting the best out of younger players. His inherited playing staff was shot to bits when he took over. I didn't understand why the two formations at Pompey and Wimbledon were never tried again, but I expect a new Manager such as him has learned much from his own mistakes and experience already. Benefit of the doubt for me.

I'll end on a balanced note, though. I like the sound of all the new signings. Hawley looked quite poor whenever I saw him and Benyon is plop.