pipnasty

How?

And the bit in bold is a pretty good reason why we didn't buy him no matter what anybody thinks of him as a player. Anybody else we can't afford who we think should have signed for us?

We play better when Aquilani is in the team. So, I'm looking forward to him getting back in it.

There is simply no thrust - nothing to change the angle of play, nothing to commit the oppositions defenders or midfielders. Just........meh.

Get a room! Gerrard has always looked better when he has freedom to roam - whether that be dropping back a little, playing wide or getting into the box. I'm not sure CM allows him to do that. Any position that allows him to do this is good with me. I would ideally like to see both Gerrard and Aquilani ahead of Masch and using their 'game intelligence' to swap and change where necessary. I'm sure it was mentioned that when Alonso was here, there was this idea that all of the other players based their position on the pitch on where he was thus he was able to dictate not only the pace of the game but the shape of it too. I would like to think that this could also happen with Aquilani but obviously higher up the pitch. I think Jarg mentioned it earlier today, but we have a much better shape and look more fluid with him in the team than without and maybe this is one of the reasons why. He, like Alonso, becomes the focus of the team. Never want to see Masch and Lucas playing in the same team when we are at home and ideally, never want to see them away either come to think of it.

I think some people had written him off before he had even kicked a ball for us.

Phil Neal comes across appallingly badly - a real idiotic sycophant. It's well worth watching if you can.

He points a lot - but in a good way.

He's had his chance - rotate him back to Roma, please Rafa. And bring Riise home with you.

In his mind, the ball was Rafa's head.

And here's another one. FFS.

Rafa can't f***ing win, can he?

They've got to have some fun before it all comes crashing down

Anything credence left in these s*** stirring rumours that we had bought a dud? Nah, didn't think so. He looks a quality player and, like others before me, can't wait to see him fully fit.

Ha

Like a dagger through my black heart

What's the truth?

Brilliant

3 players who aren't fit will certainly do that

Not sure if you have missed it or not but Aurelio, Yossi and Aquilani all seem to have been injured for the vast majority of the season. But, don't let that stop you.

'Why doesn't that c*** Rafa ever play Torres?'

I think that just about sums it up perfectly.

I'm desperate to see him but you are absolutely right. Rafa and his team see him every day and have deemed that, for whatever reason, he is not ready yet. It's unfortunate, but what can we do? It was a calculated risk when we bought him and a risk that needs managing properly. It is hardly, as some have suggested, that Rafa is being stubborn.