Cooger

Not good enough? Good enough for what, starting place or for the squad. I feel he has improved and is contributing to the team. He is a good option as I feel Gerrard is the first choice on the right. We don't need 'world class' player to sit on the bench. He is a good member of the squad. I also don't agree with comparisons between him and Gonzalez. Pennant unlike Gonzalez has set up goals, kept the ball better and been a threat.

Indeed. Rafa has shown to be cut throat by selling players quickly if they haven't made the grade. Will be interesting to see what he does with Gonzalez.

I know this thread is mainly about Owen and personally I wouldn't be disappointed if he came back. If fit he does score goals, always has always will. Problem is cost and fitness. But I'm more concerned with the title of the thread... 'needing a World Class striker'. I'm not sure this is essential. If we get a Villa or Eto then great and obviously they will help us improve as they are top players. However I don't think we should be fooled that it will solve all our problems:- We would still have a lack of creation and spark at times, especially against the smaller teams. We would still lack goals from midfield, which is a big problem. If you look at Man U this season they do not have a striker getting 20+ goals. Nor did Chelsea last season, when they won the league. The whole team was contributing is terms of scoring a setting up of goals. This is what Rafa had at Valencia. If we get a World Class striker, it could help, but it could make us reliant on one individual rather than the team. We can debate about whether we like Owen back or not. But to be honest the bigger issue is do we need to contribute more as a team in general?

Was he? Or was he bought to be an option. I think Rafa has made it very clear where he likes to see Gerrard play.

He is back up for Gerrard and a very able one at that.

I don't see how Pennant cannot be winning people over. Since the Bolton game especially, he has been playing really well. Looking far more confident, getting assists and giving the team good width. He has been getting criticism for not running at defenders enough (even though this isn't really his main asset) and he has been doing this recently. He has had some harsh criticism. Think some fans wanted him to fail right from the start. But give the guy some credit he has been doing really well for quite a few months now.

Lennon Ashton Eto

I agree with this. I see the players coming in will either be ones to improve an already impressive first team, adding some class. Or youngsters for the future.

I think it showed - a) We won't et messed around by other clubs. b) Maybe he wasn't worth that much.

I think it is both with Rafa. Didn't we see this with Simao?

Maybe. Ashton is very good in my opinion. Would be an upgrade on Crouch. Stronger, better in the air, quicker and a good finisher. Gave Carragher problems in the FA Cup final and impresses me everytime I watch him. Also think he would suit our play with balls coming into the box. Not to say he isn't good on the ground. Generally a good all round player. Anelka for me is wasted at Bolton. He doesn't suit their style of play and should be at a top club. People can have question marks over his attitude, but that didn't stop Rafa regarding Pennant, Bellamy or even Neill. He is quick, strong and proven, would score goals and has shown us that in the past. He also said he loved the club. I wouldn't be unhappy if we got him. Owen is class. People might not like the way he left, but I have no problem really. We didn't look like challenging for the title, never hid the fact he wanted to play abroad and it seemed the right time. It has back fired for him, but I don't see why bitterness would get in the way of him coming back. The only doubt is his fitness and injury history. But I would welcome him back, as would Gerrard, Carragher, Moores and Parry. All three would add some class to a front line filled with hard work, rather than an abilty to put the ball in the net. I feel we have this option with Kuyt, Gerrard, Garcia, Vornin even Kewell if he stays who can play this role. They are all very different and Rafa has all the options he has for this role, in my opinion. I'd rather a creative player on the left. Someone who can run at teams, create space and chances for others. The left mid position has been extremely weak all season. Kewell would walk into the team now, mainly because the other options are pretty poor. I think the summer might be the best time to get rid of Kewell and get someone younger, quicker and more reliable fitness-wise. He's on big wages, his contract runs out at the end of next season and could be the best time to cash in.

Did we pay over the odds for Pennant? He's young, English and a talent. He has set up many goals this season and has played really well since the Bolton game. Started the season slowly, but so did the whole squad pretty much. I agree he had a budget and spent in accordingly. For example if he bought Alves it would have meant no Kuyt. But I don't think he will pay over the odds, which is what he would have to do for Alves.

Rafa has shown that he wants to attack down the wings. He did this at Valencia and he has said this here. I'm not sure 3-5-2 is the best way to do this. One of our problems this season is having cutting edge down the flanks. Pennant struggled at the beginning of the season with this. Plus no one has offered anything down the left all season in the league. With Houiller everything was narrow going down the centre. 3-5-2 would appear to make the team more narrow than 4-4-2 or even 4-5-1 / 4-2-3-1. I just feel Rafa wants his teams to have wingers, which isn't really 3-5-2.

Don't get me wrong Knoxy it is a very good team. However I have my doubts over 3-5-2. Not too many teams have won titles playing that formation regularly. I like it as an option, but not the first or main one.

Well we all know he is going no where. But regarding Real Madrid. Who would want to go there? The team really is in a mess. Defensively poor, midfield nothing special and take away Horseface they would look weak going forward. Think that team needs loads of work.

Agree with this. Reminds me of Heggem in that respect.

Eto and Villa would be great. However I don't feel they are essential. I do feel the squad could improve with a player such as Ashton. He could be an upgrade on Crouch for example. Quicker, stringer and a better finisher. He is also Sheringham Esq. at times playing the game in his head. I feel we should be looking at Ashton, especially with West Ham going down. Also wouldn't be unhappy with Bent or Anelka. Players who could offer something extra to what we have.

Fewer positions to fill? Maybe. But if you look round the boards people want few changes. However they also feel we need back up for centre back, a left back, left wing, right wing and a striker. I personally agree we don't need too many changes, but others won't agree. I'd rather 2 or 3 right moves rather than 6 or 7 that could upset the balance and hinder our season start just like this season and the last. I can't see Rafa going in for Alves. I feel he will move on to another target, plenty of players around. For starters Alves is a right back, big difference playing right mid to right back. You have the luxury of more time and space on the ball at right back. You can overlap and pick the right times to attack. At right mid you get the ball and are expected to beat a player, I haven't seen Alves play right mid, so I think this is a risk. I also don't feel Rafa will change his transfer policy, just because he has more money. I can't see him over spending and paying over the odds. I feel he will offer reasonable fees, what he feels a player is worth. With Sevilla not needing to sell I don't see us getting Alves for a reasonable fee. Especially with Barca and Chelsea interested.

Great news. Think Pepe is the best keeper we have had since 'Mighty Bruce'. This is backed up with his record, gaining numerous clean sheets. The way we play our midfield and defense don't give the keeper too much to do, but Pepe still excels. When the team pushes up the field Reina acts as 'the sweeper keeper' and very effectively. His distribution is excellent and I think with the modern ball he is right to punch more often than not in the air. Top player and young for a keeper. Could be our keeper for 10-15 years, which is good news for us but bad news for Carson.

I think it will be mainly 4-4-2 next season. He likes having options and we have seen 4-5-1, 3-5-2 this season but mainly 4-4-2. I like Woodgate and Rafa has made a bid for him in the past and might do again. When fit not too many players around better. He could offer top competition for Agger and Carragher. With maybe Paletta going on loan to get some experience. The good thing about the 3-5-2 system is it could get the best out of Gerrard as he would almost have a free role. But for the system to really work and to justify playing it over other formations 'week in', 'week out' you do have to have two 'special' wingbacks. Alves would be one, but I can't see him joining. If Rafa wasn't willing to pay over the odds last summer why would he do it now? Alves would cost more than last summer. Plus Sevilla don't need to sell unless they get a ridiculous bid as they have got big money over the seasons from Ramos, Baptista and Reyes.

No. Rafa does not really pay over the odds for a player. With other options around I hope we don't pay a ridiculous fee like that.

Balague talks out of his a***. He wrote a good book on Rafa, but don't read too much into his brief sentences on Sky. He said Rafa would get 120 million to spend next summer, before the takeover was completed. He just spouts crap. Remember him saying Henry was definately going to Barca last summer also.

Well if you go by that logic everything is pointless. Rafa chooses the formation, players, signings etc no matter what we say but then again this wouldn't be such a good forum without discussion. If Rafa did listen then wouldn't have looked at Crouch, Bellamy and Neill.

Kewell can't be relied on fitness-wise. Now compare all the others to Giggs and Robben, the two wings of the teams above us, Sorry but Gonzalez, Aurelio and Zenden are not in the same league. It has been our most troubled position all season.