dl2009

Rodgers for manager of the season?

Young? Yes English? No Next...

Maybe not. He had a better than a 1 in 2 strike rate for an unfashionable side in one of the strongest leagues in Europe (22 in the league last year) and scored all sorts of goals. I'm stunned Newcastle managed to snag him for only £9m and was expecting Arsenal to be in for him.

P'raps we should've appointed a French DoF?

Adler will be available on a Bosman this summer.

I'm not sure if we'll be a consideration for him, but Hoilett on a free would solve a massive problem without spending anything up front. Should free up the serious money for a serious CM, striker and a specialist hole player.

Yup, another very promising right back in the Reserves is developing nicely as well. I reckon he could be a lot better than Flanno and even Kelly in a year or so.

The (first choice) back five are probably the biggest positive to take away from this season. Leave it be, make Coates first choice backup, see of Robinson can stay fit to provide competition for Jose and if not, bring in a freebie (Figueroa). Bulk up the squad with a couple of good old Bosmans and spend big money on 2-3 genuine top talents.

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That would be fine, if Kelly was fit...

A lot of them on that list would go to any half decent club in a top league who offered them a massive wedge (£80k and over). Henry claimed that far form trying to lower the wage bill, they want to increase it. Once the likes of Cole and Aquilani are permanently off the wage bill, we should be able to offer those types of wages for around 2-3 players. Furry muff. There's a rationale behind your opinion.

I know mate, but he was excellent even at 23/24.

And Llorente.

- - - - - - - - - - Doni Johnson - Skrtel - Coates - Enrique - - - - - Spearing - Aurelio* - - - Shelvey - Gerrard - Bellamy - - - - - - - - -Suarez *then after 25mins, move Gerrard back and replace the injured Aurelio with Maxi

And beat the first defender with the cross, ensuring that we don't overhit it either...

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If my eyes do not deceive me, you talk of Lavezzi, Marin and James Rodriguez all supporting Luis Suarez? The premier league will not have known carnage like that since the halcyon days of Lord Frodsham.

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That's exactly it. His technique has improved a bit sine joining Barca (I'd sack him if he couldn;t improve this particular attribute while training day in, day out with the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Messie et al), but it's his decision making that has really improved. Of course, it helps that the Nou Camp is a massive pitch and their players know exactly where to move and when; always creating space for a pass.

Perhaps Huntelaar? Luis to do all the fancy stuff in beating 3 people all ends up and Klaas to tap the ball in about 30 times over the course of a season.

He has developed a lot since leaving us - I was approaching this discussion under the premise of how they performed for us. It's also a bit easier playing as a CB in that team; they play such a high line and keep the ball so well, that he's often playing in the same area of the pitch as a traditional holder.

Well, he is a very good player and we did get him for an excellent price. I'm not saying it was rocket surgery or anything, but it was a very good bit of business. Sometimes, the best signings are the most obvious ones. As I mentioned before though, my concern is in 'unearthing' talent and getting them in before their star has risen. I don't think we've done that for a while.

Two contrasting approaches to performing the same function: Masch: Energetic, effervescent, very aggressive, played higher up the pitch. Didi: Far more positionally aware, played a calmer game, didn't need to make last ditch tackles as he knew exactly where to be and when, always available for a pass, had more authority when driving forward. Both were exceptional for us, but I'd opt for Didi as he was consistently capable of playing lots of incisive passes when he won possession of the ball, whereas Masch's passing could be erratic and he'd lay the ball of to Xabi to make things tick (who wouldn't, frankly?). And the clincher? The Did crumple.

Which is of course true. The concern I have is about his overall record in unearthing 'hidden' talent and finding value in the market. Enrique is a great example of finding a very good player for an excellent price, but the other purchases are really worrying if they become the general trend.

I'm pretty sure Modric himself said something about Juande Ramos being the one who told Levy/DC to sign him and Berbatov (as well as Jol) said that he was a 'Jol' signing.