Arazel

Yes, but he spent an extreme amount of money to get to those finals. So whatever way you want to look at it, we dont suit him.

My disgust was aimed more at his media exploits than his sacking at City. I dont think anyone would want Sven. And McClaren was woeful at Boro, so unfortunately not. Plus he has that horrible accent.

Sven? The same Sven sacked by City and a known media hog? No thanks. Blanc wouldnt come near us, Rijkaard would be an absolute disaster, and Laudrup is at a Russian club ergo probably unaffordable.

No, not yet.

So who is top tier and afforable?

At last some sense has prevailed. If only someone else could recognise that we will have limited funds for a) securing a new manager and b) transfers, then perhaps the idea of Roy would seem far more logical.

Ageism at its finest. What age is Ferguson?

Conversely I wouldnt say hes any worse. Definitely has a lot more experience around europe than Benitez and is having a better season than Benitez. Not that that is enough of a reason in itself to want him but it is definitely a factor. Add in that a) he wont be too expensive to free from Fulham, and b) He prefers a far more entertaining style than Rafa, and I dont see why its a bad move at all.

I dont see why this would be a bad idea. -He has an average Fulham side playing very well -Has a lot of experience in different leagues around europe. -Has big team management experience from Italy. -He wouldnt be the most expensive manager to buy out. I vote Roy. Convince me otherwise.

Left Back Wingers x2

Because no matter how intellectually stupid the majority of players are, I wouldnt have thought physical punishment was an known form of action.

Perhaps Im slighlty naive....but all this talk of Riera punching Pacheco simply because he didnt listen - is that a normal thing in pro football?

All those Utd players have made the grade in the premiership. Richardson even has England caps Watched Hobbs in a preseason a few seasons back and he was dire. Anderson was a mis-buy for us, and Hammill was rubbish on FM so he cant be any good.

All a bit childish, if im honest.

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Yeah? I dont doubt that either. But one club players are usually elevated above most others.

Well you missed an epic post.

Well this thread has certainly raised some strange opinions. Here is what I would like to see happen: Until the end of the season: Play Babel and Aquilani and attack like Kevin Keegan. Theres really no excuse not to. Id like to point out that this is not just the Utd game being a marker. Ive thought this approach was needed a while back, especially against smaller teams when it was clear we were getting nothing. I think its about time Rafa swallowed some pride too, and realises that his way is not the best approach all the time. Its a blinkered attitude that stinks, and is on of my worries for next season, as I dont think he has enough humility to realise that a defensive approach wont work, despite all that has went on. With regards to players im left slightly bemused with the Maxi hate. Hes done nothing wrong up to now - he probably just needs time to settle into a new club, and im rather confident we'll see a more inspired player next season. I think its a narrow minded view to think of him as simply a work horse as he offers a lot more than that. Hes not exactly slow, hes a good passer and has a decent shot on him. Hes the sort of player that would benefit from a pacey winger on the opposite flank though, which is why I think its imperative we play him and Babel together for the rest of the season. Kuyt has been in piss poor form all season and touching on an earlier point, its about time Rafa swallowed his pride with regards to Kuyt and dropped him. Similarly to above, im bemused with the hate over the central midfield positions. I think the post important thing to remember is that the players we see on a weekly basis are reigned in, and definitely not playing their natural game. Lucas was a successful box-to-box midfielder at Gremio. It is Rafa who orders him to sit tight as part of a two with Mascherano. You only have to look at the first half of the Lille game to see that a Lucas who can push on a bit is a very able player. He is definitely worthy of a squad place. The same can be said for Mascherano. Watch enough Argentina games and you will see a player who plays a more progressive game. His passing is actually pretty good, even if he cant spray it around like Alonso. He does have the ability to play a more attacking game but once again is reigned in by Rafa. All this has to be taken into consideration. Aquilani just needs more time, thats all. Players I'd move on: Benayoun Riera Degen Kuyt In: Kjaer Turan We dont need another striker as we'll have Torres, Jovanovic and Ngog. Thats plenty. Carragher to be dropped as well, I must say. He's aged too much and the difference between now, and his games full of "passion" back in the day are long gone. He's a lumbering liabilty who should be no more than backup at this club.

Well, I have to beg to differ. As you mention, end product wise he was possibly the best, but Messi was at the same level he is today in general play.

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A very subjective thing when comparing Zidane and Messi. Firstly, Id like to point out that i feel, whilst it is a good call to make for thinking of a player as great because he carried a team, its not fair to assume the opposite and rule out the acheivements of some players simply because they didnt single handedly carry a team. After all, it is not Messi's nor Zidanes fault that they have both been surrounded by other world class players. Secondly, Messi has been playing at a similar level for at least two years now, and always has exhibited this unique talent to walk round defenders. Its quite amusing that it takes goals for a lot of "fans" of him to crawl out and attempt to crown him as the best in the world. He was undoubtedly still the best in the world two years ago, even when Cronaldo scored a hatful of goals. This just shows the naivety of a lot of football fans - goals alone do not highlight nor differentiate a good player from a great player. And Zidane was a genius and the best in the world for his generation. Messi will also be the best in the world for his generation. Both are/were amog the world greats, but comparing them is futile as they are two different styles of players, although I personally feel that Messi will acheieve a greater status in world football. Its hard to explain why i think that but i do think he will just become more iconic than Zidane ever did, partially because he will probably never leave Barcelona and partially because he is argentinian and has the inevitable link and comparison to Maradona.

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He's not there to play a role that involves those attributes though. Kuyt's role throughout his stint on the right wing has been to act defensively and close people down. It works, and when we are at our best, he is key to putting people under pressure to help retrieve the ball. That plus his goal tally make him quite invaluable, even if he has hit a dip in form recently.