Originally Posted by Pogue Mahone

For someone who has a reputation for being a bit of a stubborn cnut you've got to give props to the Chief for softening his stance on Carrick.

As for Hargreaves, I have no doubt his performances in midfield would have improved at the same rate as his performances at full-back. It's all about getting a run of games under his belt, not about the position he's been asked to play. Has everybody already forgotten about his underwhelming debut as a full-back?

To sum up:

A new signing, in first season at a new club, in a new league, attracts initial critcism before improving as the season goes on, once he gets over a series of niggling injuries and has a decent run in the side.

Who'd have thunk it, eh?

Here's another blindingly obvious factoid. He's gonna be even better next season. Which pleases me.