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koppper

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  3. Momo has Boccoli for breakfast.
  4. His official website says: PLayer of: Liverpool FC Kuyt Official Website
  5. Yeah - apparently he's gonna go there because the shirt suits his red locks and ours clashes.
  6. No, no, no, no...... Charlie has vanished from Sky's list of experts: Experts Technically, this is 100% correct but it deprives us of hours of fun, as well as valuable anti-mokering. Shall we try to get him back?
  7. So did Rafa and Moaningio shake hands? What happened?
  8. Just a thought - given their lack of match fitness, Rafa is going to tire them out with two speedy wingers, no doubt the last thing they were expecting. Twenty minutes into the second half, bring on Stevie and Bellamy and watch them wilt?
  9. He fears losing to us because, given Chelski's many millions, it shows that Rafa must therefore be a better manager than the special one.
  10. David James on the move? Looking good for Jerzy...hopefully another one off the books.
  11. 3 new guys, 3 excellent performances, I could not ask for more. If we get an extra striker...
  12. Rafa - counter their Broccoli with our Asparagus.
  13. More of a roadster or a GT methinks.
  14. Dalglish' ass, always between the defender and the ball.
  15. Back up for Pennant? How much do you think he would go for and how do you rate him? I remember reading last October that Rafa was after him and he was quoted as having turned us down.
  16. I've missed this - I see this as a practice match for the new season Charlie's (some people think I know f*ck nothing - in fact I know f*ck all) Premiership Picks Charlie Nicholas has previewed a massive 139 live Premiership matches for us here on skysports.com this season, so who better to pick a side of top performers over the last 10 months? The Soccer Saturday regular, fresh from predicting a Thierry Henry hat-trick, 4-2 win for Arsenal and a 4-0 win from United on the final day, has scoured all 20 sides for his outstanding players from the 2005-06 campaign and of course a manager to lead them. Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs and Wigan are all represented, while plenty of clubs get an honourable mention after a season that saw the Blues win back-to-back titles, the Gunners pip Spurs for the Champions League, Blackburn reach Europe and Wigan and West Ham surprise us all. Here are the men who Charlie thinks have been the best in their position all season - and why... Goalkeeper - PAUL ROBINSON (Tottenham Hotspur) When I look at goalkeepers I look to see how many points they save their teams and although Robinson is the England number one and has a higher profile, for me he fits the bill. Spurs are an attractive side and I like the way they play, but they are vulnerable defensively and when their defenders cannot get there, Robinson usually does. His reaction saves are out of this world at times, but what has impressed me most is the way he is dictating his defence, telling them where to go, pulling them into position. Spurs have had a great season but for me he has been their most consistent performer. Not only has he established himself as England's number one, he has done so very comfortably. Honourable mentions: I was shot down in flames by Jeff Stelling when I suggested he had been Arsenal's most consistent player this season, but Jens Lehmann has. He has played behind an ever-changing back four, but he is fitter than I have seen him and far better at dealing with crosses. Right-back - PASCAL CHIMBONDA (Wigan Athletic) There are plenty of Steady Eddies for this position, but they have not quite done it for the whole season. Chimbonda was bang out of order handing in his transfer request when he did, because there is a time and a place for everything and there is also the small matter of respect. It was just ridiculous on the back of a fine Highbury performance, but on the field he has been fantastic. He is brilliant going forward and has given them some great goals and an extra dimension that has helped keep teams on the back foot. I can't work out whether he wants to be a full-back or a winger, but here's a man who wears gloves when it's 75 degrees, so how the hell are we supposed to work him out? Honourable mention: Steve Finnan at Liverpool has been in the team more times than not, a team that has been superb in defence. He has always been decent going forward, but he has got it sorted defensively as well. Emmanuel Eboue also did wonderfully when he came in and could be one of the most exciting full-backs we've seen. Left-back WILLIAM GALLAS (Chelsea) This guy can play anywhere in the back four, and the funny thing is he doesn't even want to be a left-back - and because of that I am not sure he will be at Stamford Bridge next season. He's not the most aggressive, but sometimes does get caught up in the heat of the battle, but then show me a defender who doesn't? He does his job defensively, is decent in the air and this season he has shown what he can do at the other end of the pitch. His goal against Spurs when he cut in from the left and hit it with his right was an absolute belter. He has also been consistent and although he might not like it, he has done far more than his rivals this season. Honourable mention: I saw a bit of Michael Gray at Celtic, but he didn't look comfortable, almost as if he didn't want to be a left-back at times. But since joining Blackburn, it's almost as if Mark Hughes has picked the bones out of it and turned him back into a real defender. Centre-back - JAMIE CARRAGHER (Liverpool) For three or four years people weren't convinced he was a right-back or although it seemed easier to him, a left-back, because his distribution is not the best. But now he's playing in the middle, he looks really, really comfortable and has adapted to that position alongside Sami Hyypia. For me, he and John Terry have been the best there all season and if I were Sven Goran Eriksson, they would start together in the World Cup. Carragher is better in the air than he gets credit for and although he's not lightning, he is quick enough. But he reads the game exceptionally well and what I like about him is, he produces those big tackles that matter and the way he does it always seems to give the Liverpool fans a huge lift at vital moments. Centre-back JOHN TERRY (Chelsea) In my opinion, this lad is the best centre-back in the world right now. It is hard to add to anything that has not already been said about his performances for Chelsea, but I really do think he is ahead of anyone else in that position right now. There have been times when he has not had to move out of second gear in the Premiership, but when he has to, he can step up the pace of his game and even when he's playing within himself, he is still a huge influence. His standards are so high, his teammates cannot fail to try and match them and of course, we all know what a threat he is at set-pieces. One of the easiest picks for me, or any of his real managers. Honourable mention: Kolo Toure has been the one constant in an Arsenal back four that has chopped and changed as a result has become more of a leader this season. Arjan de Zeeuw at Wigan has been as solid as a rock, and Ryan Nelsen at Blackburn has to be up there. What a find from Mark Hughes! Centre midfield - CESC FABREGAS (Arsenal) A great all-round player. People say he has no pace and doesn't get in the box enough, but I disagree. He has added that to his game and now he is very good at creating space for others, even if he is not as prolific as the likes of Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard. He could play alongside one of those attacking midfielders or, as he does, alongside someone like Gilberto Silva and just fit in to the system. We all talk about Wayne Rooney making an impact, but this lad can be every bit as good. He is the whole package: quick feet, he can pass, he can tackle and he can keep the ball when you need to, or pick out a pass when he has to. He is never frightened to get on the ball and lose it or express himself. Andy Gray called him a footballing genius the other day, and he is certainly on his way to becoming that. Centre midfield - FRANK LAMPARD (Chelsea) First of all I have got to say I was amazed at the flak Lampard was getting three quarters of the way through the season for 'tailing off'. I have never known a player who can go full tilt all season long and the thing with Frank is even when he is not at 100 per cent, he usually contributes a goal or something to the cause. There is far more to his game than just finding the net though and he always puts a decent shift in defensively, which is one area he has improved this season. He does get forward of course and at times is halfway to being a striker, but he can also come deeper, take the ball off the back four and start attacks. He is one of the first names on the Chelsea team-sheet, which speaks volumes in itself. Left midfield - JOE COLE (Chelsea) He's had a great season. I know Jose Mourinho gets annoyed and agitated with him and others do as well and maybe two or three seasons ago, I would have said the same thing. But in this past season he has developed into the complete all-round player down that left-hand side. He can cut in and support the front players and get goals, but he can also stay out wide, keep the team's shape and even if Jose might need some convincing at times, still do his defensive work. He seems to have toughened up mentally and he can also take a kick now. Chelsea are a stronger side when he is named down that left-hand side, and to say he is now one of their better players shows just how far he has come on this year. And remember, this is also a lad that is good enough to be considered as a back-up striker at the World Cup! Right midfield - AARON LENNON (Tottenham Hotspur) People will argue he has not had had a full season and he has been a bit in and out, but I love players who can take on full-backs and who have pace. There have been a few surprises in the England squad, but I was not that shocked to see this lad make it given the past couple of months. He has been devastating and the one thing that has been instilled into him is a belief - and that is something all wingers need to take people on and supply the strikers. But it's not just about pace and Lennon has great technical ability and great balance. But it is that mental breakthrough that sets him aside and now he knows he is good enough to play at this level and take people on. Others might have had slightly better seasons over the duration, but the way this lad has kicked on gets my vote. Honourable mention: There have been some excellent performances from midfielders everywhere. Steven Gerrard speaks for himself, but for me Xabi Alonso has been outstanding. He is similar to Fabregas but a better passer, long and short range, he just doesn't have the quick feet or the attacking thrust. Tugay has been crucial to the transformation at Blackburn, Morten Gamst Pedersen has scored some great goals out on the left, while both Jimmy Bullard and Nigel Reo-Coker have both excelled where no-one thought they would. Forward - THIERRY HENRY (Arsenal) I'm not going to win any prizes for originality, but then again I am not going to leave the best player in the world out of a Premiership select side either! To end up top scorer by some way, despite having been left on the bench for 10 or so games, speaks for itself. He is one of the finest in the world - just ask the Portsmouth and Sunderland fans who applauded him! This guy is very, very special indeed. We talk about Eric Cantona, Gianfranco Zola and Dennis Bergkamp making an impact in the Premiership, but Henry has surpassed them all. I did think when things weren't going well for them at the start of the season and he was captain it was affecting his game and he was trying to make too many sacrifices. We even wondered whether he should hand the armband over to someone else, but for the latter half of the season, he has really enjoyed the role - and grown into it. He leads this young side by example, he creates goals, he works for the team and boy can he score goals. He has got better and better with each season and his performances this year leave me with no doubt: Thierry Henry is the best player I have seen come to Britain in my lifetime. Forward - WAYNE ROONEY (Manchester United) If Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho are the best two in the world then this lad is right on their shoulders. We all watched him at Everton, but since he has come to Manchester United he has got even better. He is playing with bigger players on a bigger stage and he has matured, this season in particular. His tally of 16 Premiership goals shows he is scoring more, but he is also creating more and has become the driving force for United. Physically he has just grown and although he will always have that little bit of edge to his temperament - and needs it - he is learning how to keep it in check. I know no-one is going to bat an eyelid when they see I've gone for the front two that I have, but the standing they have in football and the seasons they've just completed, who is going to argue? They both want to win and they both want to, and do, score goals. What more could anyone ask? Honourable mention: Marlon Harewood has to be the most improved striker in the Premiership. I had my doubts thet he would score goals but he has, and although there is still improvement to be made, his touch and his subtlety have really surprised me - and Premiership defences alike, so much so that he will be the first striker on either teamsheet at the FA Cup final. I also think Jason Roberts and Henri Camara at Wigan have surprised a few people and really formed a decent partnership. And Craig Bellamy may not be what we would term a natural finisher but he has got better and better with Blackburn. Manager - JOSE MOURINHO (Chelsea) For a guy that has won back-to-back titles he doesn't get many compliments, does he? Last week when I suggested that was enough for Manager of the Year, Jeff and the rest of the Soccer Saturday boys laughed it off, but just remember: only Manchester United have done it. We all applauded David Moyes last season when he got Everton into the Champions League and if he had done it again fair enough, but to win the title two years in a row? That really is something special, especially when you consider that Arsene Wenger, Alex Ferguson and the rest will have been doing their utmost to prevent that from happening. A lot of people said the money bought the title first time round, but for me, that hasn't been the case this year. I know he has agitated and upset people at times, but when things like Didier Drogba's antics needing sorting out, he got a response from the player. The only criticism I have is that he was miles and miles better than the rest of his Premiership rivals, and killed the title race off by Christmas! Still, sometimes in this country we are too quick to knock people who are successful and I really do think his achievements deserve every accolade. Honourable mention: Paul Jewell and Alan Pardew have both been sensational. Not only have they kept their clubs up - and with some ease - but they have also reached a cup final. And more importantly they have both done so playing football, showing that you can achieve success the right way. Pardew has kept the West Ham philosophy and Wigan, well you know they are going to attack you, home or away. I would also put Mark Hughes in the top bracket, because he has turned Blackburn from a bunch of vagabonds into an attractive, entertaining side that finished fifth.
  17. I know nothing, I am from Barcelona.
  18. a*** pitch size "The new pitch measures 113m by 76m, compared to the constrictive 105m by 70m at Highbury." So it's 17% larger - quite a difference. I think I remember reading that clubs with small pitches as theirs was (and as ours is) have to get special permission to play on them, as they are smaller than the minimum allowed. Therefore, they cannot just redraw the lines to make it the same as before.
  19. Arsenal will be in a new stadium with a far bigger pitch - this will force them to play very differently and they may struggle. It'll be interesting to see how they adapt to this as I think it will be a major issue for them.
  20. He only has one foot so he'd be closed down far too easily.
  21. Two lads spoke well, Bellamy loves Liverpool and Gonzalez speaks excellent English. Reporter: Liverpool have a very strong squad, do you think you will get to play? Gonzalez: Well that's up to me. Rafa: No - that's up to me You gotta love him...
  22. On now..
  23. Rafa doing a Q&A with Gonzalez and Bellamy on Sky Sports in 10 minutes at 3pm (subject to Sky Sports' normal timing accuracy).
  24. Alaves, Pennant and Bent - I'd be well made up.
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