alias75

think it says more about Henry than anything else, great player he is its all very well scoring 2 and 3 at home to Charlton or Boro but away from home when its tough going he hasnt stepped up this year.

how many right wingers have out scored him?

Cisse has scored more goals away from home than Henry this season...

Elisha has said on the transfer rumours thread thats hes heard that Alves wants to play for us. I guess the key is does the player want a new challenge in a new country and new league, if he does we're in the driving seat and if that isnt a factor you'd have to think Barcelona would be favourites.

I think Carra plays the way we all think we would if we were lucky enough to pull on the red shirt. He'll go down as a genuine legend and its fully deserved, his consistency in the first team has been amazing. Really nice guy as well, we're lucky to have him.

Well this season we played over 60 games so im sure they'll all play their fair share. Some games Finnan may be rested and Alves could play right back, some weeks he may want to rest Momo, or Alonso or Gerrard and he could play right mid. Some games he may want to play Gerrard supporting the front man and so he could play wide right, and some games he may be reted himself and Stevie could play wide right. Of course thats not taking injuries and suspensions into acount. The point is you need a big squad and you need quality in every position Alves IF he signs is another top quality young player that gives Rafa more options.

How could you possibly know where Rafa intends to play him? Seems pretty logical to me signing Alves (if it happens) kills 2 birds with one stone. 1. It gives us a much needed option on the right side of midfield 2. It gives us quality backup for Finnan (assuming the news about Krongkamp is accurate) Lets also not forget that Finnan is in his early 30's and Alves his early 20's...

I guess the one advantage we may have is that if the player wants a change then obviously moving to England as opposed to staying in Spain with a different club is a bigger change. Think this would be a great signing though, really likethis guys attitude he seems to love playing football and is one of those high energy players that we really need. With him on the right, Gonzalez on the left and Stevie bombing forward we'd be a hell of a threat on the counter attack and our team would be transformed from one with very little pace to one of the quickest attacking teams in the world.

both, but a very attacking player whereever he plays...

he may be replacing Mido's position in the team but will they have to sell a player to help fund this transfer?

Cisse i agree hasnt been treated well but with him just when you start to think he could do a job for the team he puts in one of those performances that makes you pull your hair out, i think hes too much of a loose cannon for someone like Rafa that is so specific about what he wants his players to do for the TEAM. I have no doubts in a different PL team with a less tactical manager Cisse would score plenty of goals but he'd also drive the fans nuts when he throws a strop and refuses to chase balls into the corner etc.. From what ive seen of Defoe he has all of Cisse's positive attributes without the negative ones, he does work hard, and his first touch is better.

Think of all the British strikers we could sign Defoe is the best option. This season hes been in and out of the team but recently hes been playing very well and hes shown me things in his game i didnt think he had, his link up play with Keane has been very good. He will always score goals because hes one of those stirkers that is very selfish in front of goal, you get the imrpession if the team wins 3-0 and he doesnt score he isnt 100% satisfied and thats the type of attitude that makes a 20 goal a season striker. Of course as yet he hasnt really lived up to his early potential but if he does sign he'll be playing with better players in a team that will be dominating more games, he should get more opportunities. Rafa has improved almost every player at the club, if Defoe kicks on another 10% we have a very good player.

Wouldnt be too upset about this he has simialr attributes to Cisse but has a better first touch and is a better link up player. But hes quick has very good movement and is one of those strikers that can make chances for themselves. Above all he reminds me of someone like Robbie in that he really loves scoring goals and its that kind of single minded attitude we need up front.

Rafa isnt the typeof manager to sign a player based on 1 performance. IF we are interested in him (which is debatable) it will be based on him being watched plenty of times.

Im surprised Carras "school uniform" attire didnt get a mention!

Quickest player at the club? Carra: "We're all pretty slow arent we" (just wait until Gonzalez shows up in the summer)

Havent seen it posted here, some good stuff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_jmH3ZFl_E

Zambrotta is quality but i reckon hed stay in Italy, maybe Trezaguet he is the selfish type of finisher we need but dont think he does enough for the team for Rafa.

Diao could be the new Sissoko!

that Reo Coker looks a real prospect and very mature for a 21 year old. Agree though that we could do with 1 player for central midfield its almost come to the point where Stevie wont be classed as a central midfield player as hes so effective wide right where he can drift or in a free role behind the strikers. What happened to that Argentinian midfielder we were linked with? Any truth in that? Plus we've been linked with another central midfielder from La Liga (can't remember his name) so it looks like Rafa is looking at strengthening here too.

played very well again especially going forward, the guys engine is fantastic in inury time Sevilla were defending and broke and he was the quickest player forward in attack. Think hed be a perfect wing back if we played 3 at the back or as a right sided midfielder than can fill in at right back for certain games. Of course im sure after his performance in the UEFA Cup a few more teams will be interested and his fee will have gone up.

the point has now been made that when Kewell came off no subtitutions had been made. Did they expect us to play with an injured player when we had subs ready to come on? Some people are just waiting for an excuse to have a go...

He is now a bona fide legend (if he wasnt already) although football is a team game and this season more than most has been a huge team effort today he was immense. Now we need 1 or 2 players like him to take the burden off him.

Top quality, had it been us against another of the so called big teams it probably would have been a very cagey and dull game, West Hams positive approach made sure it was a classic game. Still not quite sure how the players managed to win this one after a very long season a lot of credit must go to the coaching staff. Hope their fans get many more days out in the not so distant future

Is he the typeof right sided player we need though? Hes no better than Stevie there and is more of a Garcia type of player someone that will drift inside. As an alternative to Gerrard i think we need a wide player that will hug the touchline and give the team width like Pennant or SWP. Malbranque is a top player but im not sure hes what we need, hes too similar to Garcia and ability wise i dont see much difference betweent them.