alias75

I really hope if Rafa feels we need 2 new strikers he'll be supported fully to get the players he wants. Other clubs that dont have regular CL football seem to speculate on transfers, Rafa is a proven manager and he should be trusted fully, and supported by the board to bring in the players he thinks will get us the PL.

Id like to think if Rafa really wants 2 new strikers he'll get them irrelevant of whats happened to Cisse. Yes im sure they were relying on the money from any sale to fund some of the transfers but other teams in worse financial positions to us seem to speculate much more than us in the transfer market. If Rafa thinks we need 2 new strikers id hope he'll be trusted and given what he needs. (within reason of course)

Get well soon Djibril - yes the guys on Eurosport say a broken shin. Not sure if thats better or worse.

Dont think Schevchenko is 6ft 7 , what i meant was theres not many strikers in Europe of his size, his hold up and link up play has looked very good in the last few games for England and if he continues to finish in the way he has been then theres not many players with all those attributes.

Stevie never got out of 1st gear, think after the last world cup he was being very careful not to get injured. Crouch linked up very well with Owen and took his goals really well, great assist by Carra for the 2nd. If he has a good world cup how much would Crouch be worth? lots of criticism when he was signed for £7million but i cant think of any other player that offers what he does.

Yeah distribution will be a problem but im sure Carra will keep it very simple and give the ball to players that can pass it better. One thing is for sure we know he'll be very disciplined in that positiion and at least it allows Stevie to play further forward. Hope he does well, there wont be anyone trying any harder thats for sure.

Just another illustration to how ruthless he is as a manager, thats 3 of his signings gone within 2 years. As a supporter thats really encouraging as under Houllier we all knew he had his favourites and he was pretty stubborn in admitting when he made mistakes to a point where some of his mistakes are still at the club. Rafa has shown with Nunez, Josemi and now morientas that hes prepared to admit when he makes a mistake or a player doesnt adapt as well as he thinks. Seemed a really nice guy and you could tell he was working so hard to make an impression but it never happened and he just wasnt cut out for this league. Guess this means that 2 strikers will be brought in, think Kujt would be an excellent replacement for Morientas.

Speedy had run half the pitch by the time he got to Dunne mind...

Gonzalez is down!!!!!!!! watch that knee speedie (think hes ok but he was caught off the ball)

reminds me of a younger Giggs

Its been the same at Sociedad in the games ive seen hes been starved of the ball but still managed to produce the goods. He likes to play a quick give and go and spin his full back and he has the pace to leave him for dead every time, with guys like Alonso and Gerrard in the side you feel he will be used a lot better than he has been in Spain. Dont want to get over excited about the kid because hes still only young but every time ive seen him hes done something to create or score a goal, as i said earlier hes one of those players that will always be a threat because of his pace, but unlike some players you see like that (Cisse) he seems to have the technical ability to go with that pace.

Its hard not to get too excited by Gonzalez but every time ive seen him play hes looked superb, even though every time hes been playing in a team that are the underdogs and his posession has been limited hes always done half a dozen things in the games that make you sit up, he certainly gets you on the edge of your seat when he has the ball Really cant wait to see him play for us, in a team that will be dominating posession most weeks he should be even more of a threat, and he looks one of those players that will produce something even if hes not having the best of games, his pace is always a threat and he puts in a good final ball and has a wicked left foot!

think its a copy but one thats very close in style to the real shirt.

number 8

Well ive watched the French games and he looks a real classy player very composed and good on the ball, he seems to read the game very well. I know we have a glut of central defenders but i think it'd be a mistake to let him go without him having a year at Melwood, from what ive seen he certainly looks as good or better than Hobbs or Antwi even though hes a different type of centre half and if hes 21 then hes a few years older. At the moment hes playing right side in a back 3

it probabaly has something to do with WHEN you turn 21, not sure if there was a qualifying tournament but he may have been u20 during those games.

didnt know he was 21 but hes playing

Captaining France U20 in the semis against China. Watched him in this tournament and he looks a class player. Have no idea if Rafa wants to keep him but hes still very young and id like to see him have a year with Rafa and the reserves. Very composed on the ball would be an excellent compliment to someone like Antwi or Hobbs.

? not sure about that Sissoko plays that role perfectly

For some games id like to see Gerrard and Sissoko in the middle too

they'll probabaly just sell Belletti hope we get this kid, he is a very exciting player and will get people "on the edge of their seats"

what about the £50 million transfer fee?

Tonight 7.15 on BBC2 Wales (if you have digital TV) no reds involved Xabi would have been but hes with Spain, but his brother should figure as well as Xabi Prieto who we've been linked with before.

Cos in a few years time he wants to play for us!

think there'll be more rotation and resting players but Rafa hasnt been confident to do that because some of his squad players arent good enough at the moment. For certain home games against weaker teams someone like Alves is an option at right back because of the less defending the team will need to do, similarly for certain games Gerrard and Alonso in the middle may work. For other games we'll need Finnan at right back and Sissoko in the midfield, then theres the option of playing Gerrard wide right or off the striker. Rafa has always been a coach that likes to change his players, more often than most coaches, its part of the reason why Valencia usually finished the season very strongly because he kept his players fresher, but its taken time to get his ideas accross to the players and any new signing is on a sharp learnign curve. I think some of the fringe players havent been good enough which is why maybe towards the end of the season the team didnt change much. Any new players brought in will strengthen the squad and give Rafa many option and chances to rest players at certain times without weakening the team.