MickeyDocs

It's not just about pace. Robbie is fast enough. He has a good eye for goal and can score from nothing. He may have been the wrong signing as I believe we needed an attacking right midfielder. but he is a good player and this will show once he settles. Agbonlohor (?) looks a very good prospect and I'm sure Arsenal will eventually sign him. Owen at 4 million is perfect as long as he's willing to sit on the bench and drop his wage demands.

There are some excellent Ryan Babel clips on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL218iv6qC4 And he scores some great goals

Isn't Lotts that tiny pub on the corner... will scoose need a back up pub in case Lotts is full? Does Fitzsimons/the quays in temple bar show football games?

Of course it does and Darren Bent is the best striker in the world.

Yes he is.

Dossena has played with Benayoun in front of him to date, which I'm sure wasn't Rafa's plan. I can see him settling down once the world's best defensive midfielder is back in the team and able to cover when he goes roaming forward. What I like about Dossena is his willingness to go forward, and the positions he takes up. He is a great crosser of the ball, and doesn't give up when things go wrong. His work rate is good, but he does need someone to cover for him.

I remember Evra being absolute cack in his first few games for the scum. He was substituted early in those games. He's turned out to be a very good buy for them.

LOL

Totally agree that we are a 'C' at best in the wide positions. Kuyt was good, and Babel has great potential. Benayoun is also a very good quality squad player. When you compare this to Ronaldo, Nani, Giggs it is clear we are behind in this area of the pitch.

I watched a game in which he scored a hat-trick against Forest on LFC TV recently. He was just 18 years old and long before his problems with his hamstrings. What a player he was at that age. Fearless, and with a huge work rate.

Mickey Owen on his day is world class. He shafted us but I wouldn't mind to see him return as back up for Torres.

Totally agreed. Alonso and Barry are roughly the same age. Three seasons ago there would be no doubt that Alonso was by far the better player, and he still is a better footballer, but no longer the better player. Barry has improved season after season, and he improves because of his will. Rafa talks about signing players with the right mentality. Xabi on his day is world class. That day comes around infrequently. It will be a shame to see him go as the move will probably inspire him to leave his comfort zone. Barry and Masch have the makings of a very good combination on paper, let's hope the reality is just as good.

Possibilities... if we get Villa we'll have a third player capable of 15-20 goals a season (Torres & Gerrard), and endless formation possibilities - Gerrard CM/AM/RM; Kuyt RM/Str; Barry CM/LM/LB; Aurelio LB/LM; Arbeloa RB/LB. Most of all we'll be able to switch from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 during a game if required.

It sounds from various sources that Barry wants to leave and we want to sign. We are therefore in a very strong bargaining position as long as Barry is absolutely committed to the move. It could be similar (but the shoe on the other foot) in relation to Crouch and Pompey. O'Neil surely has been told by Barry that he is on his way. MON needs to show that he is acting in the club's interests and fighting tooth and nail. It would seem that he does not have a large transfer budget, so needs to maximise the Barry deal (because he will have to find a replacement), but if Barry is strong in his desire to move, then Villa will have to negotiate.

I guess not. Does this transfer have anything to do with the fact Xabi chose to attend the birth of his child rather than play in a CL Quarter Final?