Leo No.8

Exciting news eh Fig? I think the lad could be an absolute revelation for us on the right wing. Nice to see how much he wants to come here as well, very nice. Also good to see that he seems to have conducted himself very well overall despite his desire for the move - rather than kicking up a fuss at the delays he's been patient, and tried to leave on as good terms as possible, but then pressed now behind the scenes when they've got a good offer on the table.

Capeling is a bitter, absolutely. That article is almost objective compared to his usual blue propeganda. One point though - 127 goals in 300 games during Bellamy's career; that is an excellent scoring ratio by anyone's standards not being far off 1 in 2, much better than I thought in all honesty. Nice one for drawing that pleasing fact to me attention Len.

I can't for the life of me understand why Holland persist in playing Kuyt out wide, he's totally unsuited to the position. All his attributes are geared into playing up front - finishing, strength, work rate. He isn't that quick, nor really skilful, so in other words everything you are looking for in a wide man, he lacks. It's like making the worst use possible of a player. It looks to me like the Dutch coach wants to fit Kuyt in somewhere because he's so highly rated in Holland, but his system only allows for one out-and-out striker with two pacey forward / wide-men alongside him, so Kuyt is played out of position to accomodate RVN. I was impressed by just how hard he was willing to work last night myself, he tracked back above and beyond the call of duty at times. And despite the criticism of his touch some have offered, I still think he had some nice lay-offs and linked well when he moved into a more central position. All this coupled with Kuyt's phenomenal scoring record leads me to feel that despite his performance last night being a bit of a let down, I still feel strongly he's the right man for us. I actually hoped he wouldn't play too much part in the World Cup as it probably would have resulted in Feyenoord playing silly buggers over the fee. Really hope he comes in.

Just a semi unfortunately... You are a miserable git though Sniffer, don't tell me you don't know it yourself. You make Kev look thoroughly optimistic...

Poor Jerzy - what a horrible thing to happen, complete b*stards they are. Surely any idiot would know they couldn't sell that stuff, it's done out of spite. I guarantee you this is the work of criminals associated with our blue neighbours. PS that title is horrible; 'Dudek has his s*** burgled' sounds like he's had some sort of homosexual encounter...

Morientes - I'd agree with you on that one. However, the slowest footballer I have ever seen in my entire life is without a shadow of doubt the long pork sausage himself. Pellegrino. He moved more slowly than an actual pork sausage, which is of course dead pig meat and resultantly cannot move at all.

If there's a player people want to see signed, Sniffer takes any spurious rumous about them going elsewhere and reports them as gospel, and completely ridicules any rumours of equal stature to the effect that they might come to us. His whole raison d'etre of posting is to bring misery to all and sundry. Why? Who knows, perhaps it gives him a stiffy...

Absolutely - I fully expect to see them back to 4-2-2 with Gerrard completely wasted as the holding midfielder and Lampard given free rein to take pot shots from every angle and distance imagineable, but you've got to try at least. As you said, I think three at the back would enable us to keep possession far more effectively, which is something we've struggled to do so far. I'd see Ferdinand on the right of the three as he has the pace to get over and cover if Beckham finds himself too far forward, with the others moving round one and Cole slotting in at left back. Anyway, like we all know deep down, we'll see the same old crap against Ecuador but we'll edge through, then we'll play better in the Quarter Finals but bow out valiantly against better opposition. This squad of players merits better than that story again, but Sven means they won't realise their full potential...

I'd certainly wish him all the best in his recovery; I was disappointed by the way Owen left, but still wouldn't harbour any ill will to him. I do find it interesting though, that every team Owen plays in looks to have a lack of movement in the final third. I don't think Owen does a great deal of unselfish running, which holds the team as a whole back. I'm not at all sorry Michael didn't return; it seems that everywhere he goes he scores goals but the team underperform and labour. Coincidence? Possibly, but it does make you think...

Stevie has proved himself the man for the biggest ocassions - those comparable to World Cup matches, in Istanbul and the FA Cup final this year. The more pressure and responsibility, the better he plays. He needs a holding midfielder to allow him to be that player. He needs to be the central driving force for this England team, and unless Eriksson works that out before the quarter finals, England will be going home. I'd go with 3 at the back and leave Crouchy on the bench as someone who can change the game; I'd favour this formation which makes the best use of the players we have, and means our best players can play the way they want to... --------------------------------------Robinson--------------------------------------- ------------------Ferdinand----------Terry-----------Carragher-------------------- -------------------------------------Hargreaves------------------------------------- -Beckham--------------------------------------------------------------------A.Cole ---------------------------Lampard-------------Gerrard---------------------------- ----------------------------------------J.Cole---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------Rooney-------------------------------------- In fairness, even though Lampard or Gerrard making way is a 'no brainer', you'd prefer to keep both. The way I see it is Beckham has been ineffective as an attacking force on the right, but you want to keep his delivery and set-pieces - this way you can. Also Joe Cole looks to be in great form, and I think could be really dangerous in the hole if supported by Lampard and Gerrard. Carra also hasn't looked comfortable at right-back, and would be happier in a more central defensive role.

I think he'd say 'big' and 'strong'... Seriously though, there's not a f*cking bat in hell's chance Fergie would help us back onto our perch by selling us Van Nistelrooy, absolutely no chance whatsoever. I'd welcome him with open arms, but there's more chance of us signing Pope Benedict to play up front than being allowed to pinch RVN...

Always thought when Bellamy was at Newcastle, they just didn't look the same team when he was injured. The lad really is a nightmare for defenders - very exciting running with the ball at pace, and just what we need for one of the two vacancies we have in attack. I said at the end of the season we needed a pacey ball-carrier and a strong all-rounder; Bellamy and Kuyt would be perfect IMO. If he stays fit £6m will prove to be one hell of a bargain...

Alright, alright I'll...

Well done mate - Joe Louis is the correct answer! Arguably the best pound for pound fighter in the history of boxing once signed for Liverpool Football Club!

Apparently we're still in for Kuyt, so Rafa disagrees with you Huyton...

My mate said before it was in the paper today we are definitely negotiating with Feyenoord for Kuyt, but there is still a difference on the fee or something. Not sure where it's being reported though, someone may be able to enlighten me...

Don't know about that, but the majority on here definitely see you as a budding w*nker...

All his attributes are those of a winger you plant pot, is it really that hard to grasp. He's fast, skilful, has bags of stamina and hasn't got a clue how to defend. He's not an ideal Benitez full-back in all honesty, Rafa has never had carefree defenders in his sides. Add to that the fact that we've already got a right-back who Benitez himself described as '8/10 every week', and it's hardly rocket science to work out where he's looking to play Alves with or without the help of any journalists. As for Finnan not being good going forward - well he's the best crosser of the ball with either foot at our club and came up with about as many assists as any full-back in the Premier League last season, so yet again that's complete crap. Also worth considering regarding Alves' position at Sevilla is the fact that one of the most exciting young players in Spain Jesus Navas plays right-wing which is why Alves plays in behind him. You probably didn't know that though. Arsene Wenger bought left-winger Thierry Henry for £11m to play him up front - that didn't turn out too bad did it? He had all the right attributes, just as Alves has. I'd say just wait and see for next season, but you'll probably have scurried off to some other forum to annoy people by then. Fingers crossed anyway...

I'd rather gain popularity by some other means myself; I'm sure he's popular enough already being as good as he is...

I honestly don't care whether she's done coke or not, who the f*cking hell cares? It makes me laugh the way these tabloid stories come out and everyone leaps on their moral high horses. It's because people react to it the tabloid rags do so well. I'd imagine there's probably a good percentage of the people writing the stories doing it themselves. They've been chasing Kate Moss in outraged clamour for years now because she snorts coke, when the truly evil people, murderers, paedophiles etc are shoved back into a little column on page 24. If she wants to do that it's totally up to her, she's hardly abusing children is she? Crouch has pulled himself a nice looking young girl, he's probably having a bit of fun, so more power to him. If he decides she's not the right person for him then so be it, but I hope he isn't influenced by a load of sensationalist toss like this. Why on earth people can't just ignore stuff like this I don't know, it's a total non-story...

Fair enough. I just think they put so much effort into singing they can't possibly be paying that much attention to the game! I mean we're loud when we want to be, but we stop to have a bit of a chat and take it all in when players go down injured etc...

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The Korean fans are ace - not sure they know much about what's going on, but they more than make up for it with their decibel level. I find how co-ordinated and regimented they are slightly scary though...

I don't think I can even begin to imagine why anyone would be bothered by something so crap. It's like Carra stitching 'Henchoz handball 2001' onto his boots when we played Arsenal. Messi is a great footballer, but he's clearly a sad little turd who wouldn't know humour if it came up to him and slapped him in the face...

Ah crap knew there was one I was missing - sorry guys you are absolutely right, but there is one more far more interesting signing we made from the USA...