Philby

It's not so much which games Robbie will start, the key thing here is which games will fowler come off the bench for. Robbie is no longer a 90-minute player. He can't give it all for 90 minutes but there's few more dangerous players you could call on for a big last 20 minutes when chances are floating around. He still has a role to play but won't start many games for us in the league imho

I'll be Salou from 21st to 28th August and was hoping to travel up to catch a Barca game if at all possible. I've noticed that they have an away game to Celta on 27th August which doesn't bode well. Does anyone have any idea if Barca have a pre-season game between 21st Aug and then? (Highly unlikely I know) Fixtures - http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/results?id=83&cc=5739 Cheers.

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Fair enough mate, I'm not going to twist your arm. Only passing on what I've been told by a very reliable source.

What country is a person who has info regarding Duff likely to be from?

I'm not saying that at all mate. I think we all agree that we are going to chart a far great course under Rafa than we would've if Houllier had stayed on (although I think the disrespect shown to Houllier in his final hours and since was distinctly lacking in class given his contribution to the club). Having said that different managers have different styles and Houllier's charm would perhaps have worked better in this situation than Benitez's focused, tactics-based approach. Everyone is different, some players respond to having their egos caressed and some will respond to speaking to a focused manager with a detailed plan (and a stong idea of where you'd fit in as a player). Perhaps after a few years under Mourinho's regime it's likely that he'd respond better to a manager who is waxing lyrical about how special a player he is rather than one who saw him as another cog in his machine? Fees - I didn't get any info on any diff. in transfer fees being sought from Liverpool Vs Newcastle. I'm not even sure that Liverpool contacted Chelsea for permission to speak to the player.

For those of you disappointed by John Barnes' autobiography I'd recommend reading a book called "Out of his skin" which has quite a bit about Barnes but more from the angle of the history of racism in english football (and in particular who Barnes' bravely dealt with it). Great read. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0954013...ce&n=266239

Having spoken to someone close to Duff I can confirm that we were indeed interesting in signing him but, as reported, we made our move quite late which may partly explain why we didn't make the deal happen. The night before he signed for Newcastle (after he had agreed terms with them) Duff received 2 calls during dinner, one from Rafa and one from Martin Jol. Duff was never keen on Spurs as he was keen to get out of London and, having built up a bond with the Chelsea fans over the past few years, couldn't see himself playing for another London-based side in any event. Rafa's conversation with Duff centered around tactics, his long-term plan and how Duff might fit into it. Rafa mentioned that he was keen to play Duff mainly on the right but that his place in the side was far from guaranteed week-in week-out. Benitez didn't make much of an impression on Duff and as a result he didn't contemplate turning back on the deal he had verbally agreed with Newcastle. Perhaps Houllier's more persuasive, ego-flattering style would've paid dividends here? Rafa is a fine manager but is so focused on making us great again I think he may lack the nous to lick ass from time to time. In his mind a player must be mustard keen to sign for Liverpool or he's no good to him. Maybe he's right. Having picked up a lot of niggling injuries over the past few years & also being a victim of Chelsea's squad rotation system Duff was simply keen just to get back playing regularly. He is so keen on playing that he regularly plays in 5-a-sides when back visiting friends & family in Dublin. As an aside Man Utd were his top choice but they never came in for him. Apparently Duff was close to moving to them a few years back (from Blackburn) but the deal broke down when Fergie lost the head at Duff's representative being too greedy around his cut (surprising I know given Fergie's tendancy to spray money in every direction when agents are involved).

What's your source boys?

No need for the abuse lad. It's his career, it's his life. If he wants to join Newcastle then fine. It's his call, it's the wrong call but it's still his call. I've heard through a friend of his that he was simply dying to head back up north (which would explain why he turned down spurs) - if we weren't in fact in for him at all that would leave Newcastle as the only obvious choice.

Andrea Pirlo, strikes the ball very well with either foot and is quite innovative in his passing (e.g. he often dinks it over the head of a forward & midfielder straight onto the chest of Toni/Gilardinho).

I always find it odd that pundits always measure speed in yards - like what exactly does "a yard of pace" actually mean? F*ck all, that's what.

I couldn't resist having a speculative £10 on little Luis popping up with the first goal. If he's given licence to roam I wouldn't put it past the little scamp

Looks like the feeling is mutual :-) check out this http://64.194.251.36/imd/prop060513-81-fa_...2HdcZxowAAAAAAA

Ha Ha, I met him too. He interviewed a few of us for One Night in May but unfortunately our scenes were cut at the last minute by the powers that be. Absolutely gutted like.

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What about Hleb? He was quite pricey, also the fee for Reyes was spread across the length of his contract and was linked to Arsenal's success in the league & champions league (which have been largely non-existent since he signed). Having said that I don't think they wil sign him in the january window and esp not for £10m. Theo will decide where he wants to go. If its chelsea then soton get a massive pay day, if its Liverpool or Arsenal the proposed bumper bid from Chelsea won't matter as he won't be willing to sign for them. If he leaves between now and the start of next season I don't expect to see any team paying more than £5m up front and only approaching £10m when this kid has actually acheived something in the game.

"Ties to be played on the weekend of the 28/29 January" Any idea when the powers that be decide which day the games are on?

Quite similar to the time he scored that thunderbolt at the Pit a few years back and wheeled away with his finger up to his ear (taunting the blues****). quality stuff.

Surely they will if we draw Juve in the CL?