Leo No.8

I'd be interested to hear the resident United fans view on this, but I'd find the whole 'The Theatre of Dreams' thing a bit embarassing. It's seriously cheesy - imagine Glazer had decided to call it that, wonder what the reaction would be... Can't say I could bring myself to dislike Charlton myself. He's always come across as a fairly nice bloke, and was a true great as a footballer. Of course he represents the enemy, but some opposing generals should be respected and I'd say he is one who merits falling into that category.

I know his football knowledge is far more limited than he'd have you believe, but I just can't bring myself to hate him as much as many do that's all. Pleat is more creepy than a recipiant of my hate as well. It's frightening how little he knows about football, but there are a few commentators like that, in particular Ron Atkinson. I genuinly think I would have proved to be a better football manager than Ron Atkinson.

Morientes' general game was excellent last night. His movement, work rate and link play were top class. What baffles me though, is his inability to stick simple chances away. Of all the things you'd think a player couldn't lose it'd be his finishing ability, but Morientes has probably missed as many easy chances as any player I've ever seen play for Liverpool on a regular basis. It really is that serious. He has transformed from one of the finest finishers in European football, to a nervous wreck in front of goal. I've seen some People say he isn't getting the service - I think that's selective memory being quite honest. How many times have you seen him rise for one of those trademark headers of his and miss the way he did in the second half last night since he arrived here. Countless times - the run and leap are great, but over and again he either heads it weakly at the keeper or directs the ball wide. Also, how many times have you seen him fluff what could be only be described as an absolute sitter? Again, you have to say when you think back he must have missed 10 chances you'd mark down as the type you take 100 times out of 100. The chance towards the end when the ball was crossed perfectly to him 3 yards out, he only had to get a thigh, shin, whatever on, and he couldn't even manage it. It gets forgotten in the light of our late goal, but another day its the difference between 3 points and 1 point. He is desperately, desperately short on confidence in front of goal. His overall performance last night actually got me to thinking he could still have a future here, but he needs a goal, and when he gets it, he needs a few more unlike when he got a couple against Boro then didn't go on from there. Genuinely, I think Rafa needs to sit Morientes down and make him watch some videos of himself at Madrid, to remember how good he used to be in front of goal. Otherwise he'll be out come the summer.

Garcia's instinct is second to none - you often find him first to rebounds in the area even when he isn't playing up front, as with last night. Remember Everton at home last season as well, first in to nod the ball home after Morientes' volley had been saved? A midfielder who can score goals regularly in big games is priceless. Long live King Luis!

The area for him to work on is certainly his distribution, but I thought he kept it simple last night, which is what he should do. For me he was MOM. He was an absolute colossus IMO, single-handedly stopped Arsenal from playing at times, pressing the ball from one side of the pitch to the other - I've never seen an engine like his, maybe Gattuso but that's about it. He has massive potential, absolutely massive. He can run with the ball at pace, and actually has a few tricks, turns and skills which surprise opponents. Wenger must have been reminded of a certain individual he let go in the summer...

After a fairly slow start, he was just starting to really impress when he got injured. Wonder what the odds are for him to score a penalty in the CL final shootout...

Was that the season he scored a hat-trick against Newcastle? What a player choccy was...

Aye, I certainly understand the logic behind it Elisha - if you were to rate the players every week Gerrard would almost certainly have more points than anyone; but I don't think Finnan would be that far behind. Gerrard has been magnificent this season, no-one can argue with that; I suppose it's just Finnan never gets a song, is vastly under-rated in the media in general, and I'd love to see him get some recognition for how consistantly well he has performed both this season and last, with so little fuss.

He's quite clearly a complete c*nt, I can't stand him, but would I have him at Anfield? Absolutely - add him to the list with Cantona...

Can't stand the way RVN behaves when he's on the pitch, but apparently is a very nice guy off the pitch, very down to earth. This goes some way to backing that up. Our strikers have the wrong shin pads thats all - too many angles on them...

I'd favour two destroyers in the centre personally. Out of interest - would people not question Alonso's effectiveness at times as this season has gone on? He started off fantastic, but I think at times he has struggled to have a real impact, despite his ever superb passing.

Likewise after the 2001 final we had good experiences with the Arsenal fans. In all honesty little Mikey snatched that cup for us from the worthy winners, they battered us that day - it must have been a horrible way to lose, but their fans took it really well. I'd probably say out of every set of English fans I've found them to be the most likeable.

Kev used to be a striker in school - scored absolutely loads of goals, and I still think he has that goalscoring instinct. You saw the way he took his goal against Arsenal, and his overhead earlier this season was pure class. He has spent time playing off the lone man up front for Bolton, and would probably actually get more goals than any of our current strikers in that role.

Absolutely s**** - I hope he stays in their first team as long as possible; the longer Arsenal play him the more often we get to see a particularly unpleasant man make a fool of himself...

He's been embarrassing himself all season with his ridiculous, biased ramblings. Funny how much he's starting to sound like Ged did when things started to go irreversibly wrong here - pointing out small things which had gone against us and ignoring the fact we weren't performing well enough to win games. Must be a French thing...

You are David Bellamy and I claim my £5...

Steady on there Kev - if someone is crap, you've got to say he's crap. I'd say if they do perform well, give them the credit they deserve. That much I can do, but the whole 'get behind the lads' regardless bit on an internet forum seems a bit daft to me. Places like this are here for open discussion - match day is the time for unconditional support...

He is a sound lad - one of the most down to earth footballers you'll meet. Kev is a massive red as well - he was on the same coach as my cousin when they went to Istabul and he'd be ecstatic to come to us. When we were linked with him in the summer I asked him if it was true and he said all he knew about it was what was in the papers, so I don't think we ever actually made an official approach.

so BIG Stuff and BIG Wayne don't want him? Hmm, I'm sensing a pattern here...

It's not embarrassing we're going on about Robben - players who get other players sent off are f*cking despicable. I'm not even being biased in saying it - I find it hugely embarrassing and equally annoying when our players do it, Sissoko and Kromkamp in particular this season. They want to start acting like men, not crying little girls.

Defoe and Wright-Phillips would have fit right into last seasons reserve team, the smallest team in history. Every time I went to the game I was waiting for them to break out into a spontanious rendition of 'follow the yellow brick road'...

I do like Yakubu Fred - he's a real handful and has scored consistantly for the last few seasons over here. Suppose Boro could actually go down as well, in which case we could pick him up cheap as well, so definitely one I should have included.

We really need one goalscorer and one who can run with the ball at speed, stretch defences. A la the Rooney / RVN combination at United. My recommendations would be: Goalscorer: Owen, Kuyt, Toni, Berbatov Pacey Runner: Bojinov, Tevez, Baptista, Saviola From the goalscorers, Owen is obvious, Kuyt isn't all that pretty as a footballer (or as a human being come to mention it) but is hugely effective and would be well suited to English football. Toni is probably unrealistic because they'd want a massive fee and he's pushing 30 but again he'd be ideal for English football, as would Berbatov who admittedly misses chances, but gets into a lot of goalscoring positions and has a great touch for a man his size. Of the runners I really like Bojinov - he reminds me of Rooney a bit, as does Tevez. Both are stocky, powerful but really quick as well. Tevez needs a move to Europe, and he'd be very welcome if the fee was right and he didn't put that f*cking dummy in his mouth. Baptista has been a flop at Real but things can go wrong for good players there; I still think his pace and power would be ideal for England. Saviola isn't as strong as the others and I feel would be more of a risk, but he is immensely talented.

I really wanted to sign Morientes having followed him at Real. Turns out I was completely wrong, and anyone who can't see he hasn't adapted to England and probably never will is deluding themselves. He's nowhere near as strong as I thought he'd be, and even slower.

I rate him very highly Stuff...