BG

IIRC the actual rate is more like 750-800/1000...so it kind of is a radical idea. If, assuming all 1000 were on target, a professional goalkeeper was only saving 1/1000 it would be somewhat disappointing too.

I'd like to see him get a few games where Carra wasn't just drifting balls a yard above his head from 40 yards ten times a game. At least then we'd see how he got on with it more into his feet. That said the whole situation reminds me a bit of Guardiola's purchase of Ibrahimovic (not that he's anywhere near that level or we are anywhere near Barca's then level) but you can see the thinking of he's a beast, he's strong, he'll give us another option etc etc. Unfortunately getting the best out of him requires playing in a totally different way and hence when he comes on he either tends to look a bit lost in a quick, short passing game (his movement's not really up to it at the moment) or we just start lumping it long to him which isn't playing to others' strengths. Difficult situation at the moment as hard to see we'll get a fee that's in any way acceptable in a month's time.

Reminds me a bit of Lucas in his early days in the sense that when you watch him you can see that the basics of his game are already good or very good but he's not somehow putting it all together yet and seems to be playing within himself a bit. Let's hope he goes the same way as Lucas rather than, for instance, Jenas (another who has the basics of a good game but has never really managed to kick on).

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He's a worry defensively, especially in a two and in the second half.

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Clearly he's not been that great thus far but I also think he's not had a great run of the ball. His contribution would look better and he'd probably be feeling more confident if, for instance, Carroll had stuck away the chance he laid on for him today (was him wasn't it?), Kuyt had buried the one against United and he'd scored on the opening day rather than hitting the bar...

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It's a nice touch that he's revealed other managers' heart problems. Bet they're pleased.

All 202 goals for Barca. He's scored 105 of them since the start of 2010 which really is ridiculous. Striking how good the finishing is - there's barely more than a handful where it's saved and then he scores from a rebound or where you could really say he got lucky as it wasn't a good finish. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od7eaa5p4Xk

Agree on the seats at the ground being small - in fact I'd say the seats at Anfield are smaller than at most other big PL grounds and a lot smaller than some of the other stadiums I've been to in Europe.

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Properly tall starts at 6 ft 4 (my brother's height) in my book (I'm 6 ft 6) as that's about the height when people start asking you how tall you are all the time.

Think the post pretty much was ask the audience...

All a bit odd. Seems I was wrong and he actually does have a full-on cast on which seems very strange. Anyone know if it's the same leg as the groin op and infection?

Having looked at it again I'm pretty convinced it's a compression bandage which are usually used to help manage venous ulcers but are sometimes used for wound care too.

Interesting pic that. The cannula in his hand is probably for antibiotics as had it been for surgery only they'd have taken it out when he left. Not really sure why he's got a cast for an infection but I'm no orthopaedics expert. Can only imagine the cast relates to minor surgery or it is a pressure bandage and not a plastercast. Gout isn't an infection, nor does it present in the groin.

When I first read this yesterday I was a bit sceptical that he actually had an ankle infection and thought that somewhere along the line inflammation and infection had got mixed up etc. The first infection would probably not have been related to the surgical wound as it was far too late. It could potentially have been related to, for instance, a mesh if that was used in repairing the groin but I'd have thought not that likely. IIRC he was hospitalized for that infection which implies he needed IV antimicrobials and/or close monitoring. To then get an ankle infection 8 weeks or so on is certainly odd. Suggests either the problem didn't adequately resolve or some sort of underlying abnormality. Could be anything infected really (bone, muscle, joint capsule, skin). Be very odd IMHO if he was wearing a cast for an infection as would be potentially dangerous.

Hope its the same back four in the next game.

Think I'd put Bellers on for Suarez to give him a rest.

Pretty odd one. Suspect he actually hasn't got an infected ankle (i.e. septic arthritis) which is rare and serious. Probably got an inflamed ankle from a kick or something and something got lost along the way.

Unbelievable ball from Lucas to Suarez on the 2nd goal.

We need a 2nd here given that it'll be hard for them to play as poorly as this in the second half. That said we look like we're coming along nicely as a side. Good movement and some very good interchanges.