Elm0

Good to see, but bad in a way. Means hes under too much pressure if hes had enough action for us to discern whether hes been good or not.

PFK back to normal

he lasted 5 minutes.

I wouldnt be so sure just yet as to potential budgets. Everything NESV have said so far points to prudency in the transfer market, so taking the viewpoint that money will be limited to a certain pot Id rather have a balanced squad with good cover in each position rather than a big player in one area and a dearth of talent in another. If, of course, we do get enough money to buy both type of player, I wholly agree with what you are saying.

Erm, better players that would cost a lot more money,and thats more than likely money we dont have. The squad is too light to be spending money on one player at the minute, so personally Id rather see the money split and spent on perhaps slightly lesser players but who would both contribute well to the squad. Thats with the idea that we have limited money of course, if we have unliimited, of course we should splash out on the best possible. Theres more to say that those players would adapt to the team than those other players would adapt to the league as well.

A very football manager response. Theres notihng to say those three would adapt to the league.

Ha, you kidding? Who then? Bear in mind theyve already settled to the Prem as well.

Only problem with N'Zogbia is that hes always wanted to move onto a bigger club. Rightly so, imo, hes well worthy of being at least a squad player at a top four club. If we get back to that standard I cant see him doing anything else but contributing well, especially given that any fee is likely to be sub £10M.

Whats moneyball?

What the f*** is this all about? disgusting, Absolutely disgusting.

NOTW :*) Do they expect these players just to hang around without a nice pay packet? Its almost like they believe footballers grow in a field and you can pick a basket full for a tuppence.

Mediocre players. We're being strongly linked with Cassano now, as he seemingly had his contract ripped up this afternoon.

Obviously you know the secrets then. Please do share with the group.

European owners and he'd be gone by now. i just get the feeling that these guys dont quite "get" things just yet. Not that im against their ownership of course, but i think its something that is holding up the sacking of our pal Woy.

As I mentioned above any mobility issue can easily be covered due to a disciplined defensive midfielder and Dirk Kuyt. *When Kuyt pushes forward CM1 needs to act as the central sitting midfielder.

What? Like Carragher then? All i heard when Carragher played there recently was that he was useless at the position, but hes definitely a more conservative full back.That didnt work out. Funny that, eh? Anyway, its a moot point because with the normal defensive midfielder and Kuyt covering theres enough cover around to stifle any "lack of mobility".

Good grief what? How does whether Johnson plays RW or RB effect out lack of mobility at centre back? Please share, as im genuinely baffled. Hes injured, and has been for a while. Maxi has been equally rubbish anyway, and (ridiculous Johnson suggestion aside) noone else can play there. I wouldnt call it "glossing over and ignoring the poor form either" - Id call it not sticking to tunnel vision and realising that the vast majority has been turd aside from half a game against blackburn and that that is likely to make the vast majority of players appear to be in bad form.

Yeah when youre weighing up which player will contribute the most to the team as a whole. Johnson playing at RW rather RB is going to have little effect, if any (and if i was pushed id say it would cost us more points than earn them), and will have bugger all effect on the lack of mobility at centre half. So as you can see, "the whole picture" doesnt really apply here. Stop being silly.

This was a discussion about Johnson that grew to include Kuyt. Where did i mention centre backs?

Wow Such a backlash. I'll retract my general badoomtish then.

Ive seen a lot of your posts, you seem like a funny guy. So consider it a general thing.

Where to start :*) As i have said on no less than two occassions thus far, Dirk Kuyt is now (whether you like it or not) one of our big game players - cart horse he most certainly is not. Ridiculous claim really, as he brings a lot to the team. With regards to your Liverpool of old example I can only assume youve got some vCJD. How is a winger being moved back to cover an injured full back in anyway comparable to a discussion involving moving a full back to the wing? Polar opposites You then proceed to give silly examples. The difference with Giggs and Ronaldo in particular are that they arent defensive at all, and this dont behave like defenders and nor would they if they were shoehorned into a defensive positions. Again, a ridiculous claim really. Not really sure what to make of your Bale comment - it wont be the first time a young player has been moved position and it has greatly increased their playing level.The difference there is Bale is still young and developing whereas Johnson has been established as a top level international right back for a few years now. Do you appreciate the difference? Finally, I can do no more than vehemently disagree with your evaluation that Johnson would be much better suited forward on the pitch. Johnsons strength lies in his pace and ability to run at defenders with said pace at opportune moments. If he is moved further forward: a) his ability to get up to pace before the byline is greatly reduced b) hes more likely to get the ball with his back to goal, or not much room to maneouvre on the touchline. And lets face it - he doesnt have the skill to beat defenders one on one. c) he wont be able to pick "opportune moments" as hed have to involve himself in more attacks. I think it would be a pretty good idea for you to look closely at the players we've got at the minute, realise that this shape and setup works well given those players, and that playing Johnson at RW would greatly reduce the efficacy of the right side of the pitch as a whole. Rank and file. Rank. And. File.

Yes sorry,was writing that in a rush. CM i would say as the two holding midfielders (regardless of whether you consider them defensive midfielders or not) and AMC would be the attacking one / person in the hole behind the striker. Not trying to be specific, just give some nomenclature to simplify my idea. Thats why I said Kuyt isnt *solely* responsible. I cant see a team order banning Kuyt from passing to Johnson And Maxi may be better at the triangles, but Dirk is also adequate and adds a lot more than Maxi to the team shape and defensive set up. Youve got to think of the whole picture.

Kuyt isnt there to provide the ball for johnson on the overlap. CM/AMC have a much better angle to play the ball in behind/ round the corner so i wouldnt expect Johnson to be relying solely on Kuyt for his service. Hence the use of passing triangles my friend. Kuyt to AMC to Johnson on the overlap is the best way to move the ball quickly into areas that will hurt the defence. Maxi is all about the passing and the movement so i am happy to agree with those points, but nonetheless he should still be playing second fiddle to Kuyt.