Welcome Roberto Di Matteo and Steve Clarke

[Witton Warrior]

Going back to the issue of us thinking Culverhouse and Karsa would be a good backroom team, I re-read an old article which made a big deal of Gabby and others not liking their training methods. Now, I'd find it hard to believe they got sacked for asking him to do a bit of training and cut down on the pies, as I suspect they would have gone to a tribunal (or whatever recourse they had). However, it makes you realise there may have been a bit more of two sides to the story than we thought. As far as I'm aware, it's never really been disclosed what went on.

the fact they were suspended then fired without compensation is a clue though.

Which is sort of what I said in my original post. But, to mangle the relevance of a quotation, history is written by the victors. I'm sure they did something 'wrong', but how much was it all exacerbated by working with a bunch of lazy, arrogant twats. Or maybe Gabby was the good guy in all of this.

Wasn't there a widely discussed bust-up (with no official confirmation of course) between Culverhouse/Karva on one side and Gabby/Sid on the other when K&C started bullying U-21's saying they were shit when the first team was dismal?

[Stirchley Villain]

"filho/filha do/da puta" is a general expletive in the Portuguese language, a bit like FFS or son of a bitch is in ours. I don't think she was wrong to take offence though.

A 'general' expletive? Calling one's mother a whore? Really?

I will let Rudy comment on the Portuguese but in French calling someone a 'fils/fille de pute" is almost as bad as calling someone  a 'c***' in English.

Yes really. You can stub your toe alone and say filho da puta. It doesn't necessarily have to be directed at a person..

True but when it is you can hardly complain if you get punched in the face. It really depends how it's said. Even said jokingly amongst friends you're on wobbly ground. It's far more offensive than 'son of a bitch', as BE said, it's more 'son of a prostitute/whore'. As the Portuguese love their mothers so much, it's pretty much the most offensive thing you can say to somebody.

disagree a bit with this. It's the British way to greet friends or close acquantancies offensively. I used to work in hackney at the council and there was a lad there, villa fan from Northampton, who used to cheerily greet me of a morning: alright you c***? Here in aus, the locals don't get it so much, but the poms are very forthcoming with 'friendly' insults. It doesn't bother me and never will. Can see how some may be offended though.

Interestingly a Brazilian mainstream TV programme about refs has just been released called Filhos da Puta. Kinda shoots down the argument that it's the most offensive phrase you can use in the Portuguese language. It's on C4 Walter if anyone's interested.

[Mister E]

"filho/filha do/da puta" is a general expletive in the Portuguese language, a bit like FFS or son of a bitch is in ours. I don't think she was wrong to take offence though.

A 'general' expletive? Calling one's mother a whore? Really?

I will let Rudy comment on the Portuguese but in French calling someone a 'fils/fille de pute" is almost as bad as calling someone  a 'c***' in English.

Yes really. You can stub your toe alone and say filho da puta. It doesn't necessarily have to be directed at a person..

True but when it is you can hardly complain if you get punched in the face. It really depends how it's said. Even said jokingly amongst friends you're on wobbly ground. It's far more offensive than 'son of a bitch', as BE said, it's more 'son of a prostitute/whore'. As the Portuguese love their mothers so much, it's pretty much the most offensive thing you can say to somebody.

disagree a bit with this. It's the British way to greet friends or close acquantancies offensively. I used to work in hackney at the council and there was a lad there, villa fan from Northampton, who used to cheerily greet me of a morning: alright you c***? Here in aus, the locals don't get it so much, but the poms are very forthcoming with 'friendly' insults. It doesn't bother me and never will. Can see how some may be offended though.

Interestingly a Brazilian mainstream TV programme about refs has just been released called Filhos da Puta. Kinda shoots down the argument that it's the most offensive phrase you can use in the Portuguese language. It's on C4 Walter if anyone's interested.

Who's Walter?

[ChicagoLion]

Laters innit

[mr underhill]

Walter Presents is what I think SV is referring to. I have just watched an amazing Spanish TV series called Locked In on More 4 ( one of Walter's hand picked shows) and it was brilliantly compulsive TV with some  language the chosen one would be proud of. Set in a women's prison, in Spain it's title was 'Conjugal Visits'.

[eamonn]

Naranja es la Nueva Negra ?

[mr underhill]

no, it's narrative explored different themes with a particularly interesting depiction of the heroine's seemingly conventional middle class family, who proved to be anything but  when faced with adversity and extreme violence.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Starting pre season a bit earlier than planned (his demand according to his AVTV interview). Happy with that!

[Steve67]

I guess he wants to assess quickly so he can start getting rid/bringing players in. Not hanging around, good on him.

[Toronto Villa]

Di Matteo brings a very quiet intelligence and confidence about him and it's good to know he has a reputable coach (if not manager) working with him.

[OCD]

I guess he wants to assess quickly so he can start getting rid/bringing players in. Not hanging around, good on him.

He's meant to have already spoken to the players that he wants to keep and has identified who he wants to bring in. It sounds like he's already past assessing players.

[footyskillz]

Di Matteo brings a very quiet intelligence and confidence about him and it's good to know he has a reputable coach (if not manager) working with him.

Exactly this. Hear hear.

[tomd2103]

Di Matteo brings a very quiet intelligence and confidence about him and it's good to know he has a reputable coach (if not manager) working with him.

Also brings a good playing career and managerial honours with him, which although might not mean anything in the long run, should earn him initial respect.

[The Laughing Policeman]

Watching the Portugal v Austria game last night, in the first half there was a brief shot of the dignitaries and RDM was there. I wonder if he was there just to see the game or if he was looking at some one for us.
As a lad in the pub said at the end of the game, if he was looking at players for us he hopes it isn't that Ronaldo bloke because he couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo.

[Chris87]

We could probably get him for a knock down price after last night. A season tearing up the Championship could be just what he needs!