betterman

Let's hope he doesn't end up in Pennant's 'Men not Machines' support group so!

Neither. They were trying to sell lots of papers, that is always the number one agenda of any newspaper. Link to Liverpool FC is what 'makes' the story from their point of view.

Fair shot on him and good finishes off both feet. Does he take any/many dead balls?

The support the club needs right now is financial (yes I know it's another thread). Manchester United are on this run because of the depth of their squad and the number of outstanding players they have acquired at great expense. Two teams of internationals? No bother. Invest absolutely huge money in young players from abroad. No bother. We want to sign Gareth Barry.... Look at Arsenal this year. Is Wenger now a terrible manager? The people calling for his head on Saturday were proclaiming him a genius not so long ago. You could argue about his signings (or Rafa's), but they have been really unlucky with injuries and have a thin squad, Villa are running out of steam now too, for the same reason. Basically, I don't think our manager is the issue at all. He's doing well to have us where we are in reality IMHO.

While I agree with what you're saying, it's so depressing to think that we would be aiming to do next summer what we should have done this summer.

It would be great if they'd stay away forever in protest. The worst thing about that reading that is that I've come to expect that sort of thing now, it's not the least bit surprising. (P.S. I don't mean Celtic in particular, or even football, I'm just despairing in general!)

He's right about Sky. But they are also the company giving him huge amounts of money to spend on s*** players. Seems to me Roy Keane is more intent on getting headlines for his 'this is the way I see it' press conferences than he is for stringing some decent results together.

Casillas for me, then Senna.

Nonsense. I reckon most will watch it. Not saying they will enjoy it.

I will definitely be watching it. Why I can understand everyone here no wanting to see either side win the Champions League, fact is one of them will now. Not watching the biggest club game of the year won't change that. I couldn't imagine finding something else to do just not to see the Champions League final - whoever was in it.

I agree, of course there's room for both. Xabi is a class act and we should be holding on to him. Don't know if Barry is under-rated, but he would be a good signing I'm sure. Two things we are in desperate need of are more goals from midfield and decent deadball deliveries.

I think we need a second quality striker, who can/will score the guts of 20 goals. Someone who can partner and fill in for Torres when needs be. That will require a significant outlay though, I don't know if it's money we have, given all the other positions that need addressing. I can see why you would use the stats alone for Kuyt, Voronin and Crouch, after all a striker's job is to score goals. Still, you're not giving Dirk credit for a lot of good performances and having a fantastic attitude. He's definitely worth keeping ahead of Voronin IMHO. As for Crouch, I don't know what happened there and why he wasn't used more. I'm sure he'll go on and do well as the focal point for one of the mid-table bunch, prob as part of an old fashioned two up front, he's a lot better with someone playing off him. Crouch is off though and Voronin should go too. I'd keep Kuyt and (ideally) love to see us get another top forward.

Would agree with all of that, hard to see us getting two quality full backs and the wide men with genuine pace, creativity and who will score some goals. The names mentioned so far would hardly fill you with hope, but it's a matter of money more than anything. He can't spend what he doesn't have. I wouldn't mind a quality partner/alternative (for rest and possible injury purposes) for Torres too, if we lost him for a few months we'd be in serious bother. We are already behind United and Chelsea and they are going to spend as big as they always do this summer. On the bright side, like you said, the spine of the team is strong now, but earlier today I just got this feeling that it will be a case of third or fourth again next year.. You have to be able to compete off the field to compete for the title on it - no matter how good the manager.

Just made my bold transfer decision in a bid to capture the (YWNA) title on the last day...

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Could be true. He's definitely not the keeper he was. I thought he was pretty close to being the best in the world, if not the best actually. Though you couldn't say that now. Still those clangers don't make him a bad keeper either, they ALL go through periods like this. He's young (especially in 'keeper terms) and will be back on top again I hope. I also don't want Pepe labeled with the best in the world tag, even if it's true.. It brings nothing only bad fortune I reckon!! Let's just appreciate our good fortune without mounting a campaign!

It is. Agger has been deservedly mentioned too, you only truly appreciate them when they're gone! He's already irreplaceable. Torres doesn't get it, cos he'll get it next year and probably every year for as long as he stays. Steven Gerrard also deserves to be in the running and should at least get the terribly named, 'most unfairly criticised for not being brilliant enough often enough, while still head and shoulders above the rest of them' award.

True! He has so many great attributes, but personally I think his balance is just unreal. It's not even the power and pace (and buckets of ability), plenty of players have power and pace, but are very easy to read and defend against. Torres can break in any direction or change direction so quickly and effortlessly, he must be a complete nightmare to mark. Get too close and you're f***ed, stand off and you're f***ed.. Oh well!

Agreed. Shame he can play a bit.

He's the best left winger in the league right now (on form at least), but we didn't sign him so what are the chances of it happening now - for loads more money too now he's shown himself to be effective in 'the best league in the world'. I don't think his speed relative to Torres' is of any relevance really. Personally, I think Fernando would leave Brian Habana and his cheetah eating dust.

Obviously signing him is not an option. And I don't like him either. But... he's a very good player. Even if you're right (which you're not) and his only ability is to score goals then isn't that enough? Unfortunately they're a different team since he came back.

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Good signing that. They're better fixed upfront than most of their counterparts outside the top four now, with Spurs one of the obvious exceptions.

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