Mikey

Is it relevant to now list all the fullbacks that aren't still playing at the top level after 30 odd?

I wouldn't replace Arbeloa in the squad, I'm actually delighted with what he's shown so far mate! The point I'm trying to make, as well as cook Sunday carvery for 100 people mind, is that Richards could be the best defender of his generation, and we should be interested in players like that!

You'd rather have Arbeloa over Richards? And as a CB, which is where I see his career going long term he's FAR better than Carra was even 3 or 4 years ago. He could easily turn out to be a truly outstanding footballer in a few years and we need to be signing players like him up now rather than try to find £30M for him in 5 years time.

Todays NOTW has a quote from him saying that he's had contact from 4 premiership clubs about next season. I know its a rag.

Richards is under 20, Carra is 30 next birthday I think, Finnan is 31 now, Sami is about 100, and we all agree Palletta(sp?) is no where near ready so as we stand our defensive cover at RB and CB is Arbeloa, who is currently suffering a slight dip in form.

Totally agree - a F****** monster of a man as well. Could easily be a fixture in the side for the next 10 years at either RB, CB or CM.

I've got the same hope about Aurelio as well, most if not all of his injuries are calf/ankle related and finally getting his Achilles done might help fix this long term!

FFS, and what are these reports?

Quite possibly in the same position.

Not enough goal threat from midfield, the wide areas especially; not enough attacking support from the fullbacks without Finnan and Aurelio playing - nothing new here and I'm sure Rafa will be looking to address this in the Summer. We were away to Chelsea, who are 15 odd points in front of us in the league and NEVER lose at home, and played for 0-0 or 1-1, we almost got it albeit more by luck than judgement. The team will be different at home and we will press them more, but little can be done about the deficencies of our players until the window opens. I'd like to see us shoot more from anywhere within 30 yards, we're due one to be deflected into the opposite corner, and get at their fullbacks more, but apart from that we need a little bit of luck and hopefully an early goal. We were generally crap and got away with it. Is this really worth a new thread?

My closing quote to a couple of rowdy 'new' Chelsea fans last night was "If you do go on and win it, it will be £500M well spent and you will deserve to be classed along with the other European giants that have won it once like PSV and Villa, maybe you'll actually sell all of your ticket allocation this time as well, big club my@rse" Sometimes its great being the landlord!

We were p1ss poor and only lost 1-0, thats the positive from last night for me. If we play well at home we can still do this but if half our team don't turn up like last night it won't matter anyway.

Villa's a great player, but I would want Torres and Eto'o in front of him. And I'm gonna cut my tongue out but I think the best 2 attacking players in the world were at Old Trafford last night, Ronaldo and Kaka. And Rooney wasn't too shabby either.

It also adds Chelsea's goals up wrongly they have 60 according to those figures.

4-5-1 -------Reina------- Finnan - Carra - Agger - Arbeloa Gerrard - Alonso - Momo - Masch - Riise ---------Crouch/Kuyt/Bellamy------- Can't see past it being Crouch up front. They have got to play Makelele, Lampard, Mikel and one other and I expect us to work them to death, Masch and Alonso sitting slightly deeper, Momo getting into Makelele all game and SG and Riise harrying and getting forward to support probably Crouchy. Could be Makelele's last big game for Chelsea.

I admit I'm tired but what would be the point?????

Carvalho is a great defender, dirtiest player in the PL, but a great defender for Chelsea.

I've got a terrible feeling that it's what he'll be doing here next season as well!

Even with our new resources would we pay £15M for a 30 year old Henry after the injury ravaged season he's just had? Don't get me wrong I think he's brilliant, but how long are we likely to get out of him for all that money plus £5M a year on wages?

No, but occasionally we should take a chance and sign young talent from lower leagues at a reasonable price and take a chance on them. How long did we 'take a look at' Dean Ashton and baulked at paying a million or so for him, yet now he's one of our alleged targets for £10M and all because he's had one decent season at West Ham! There's no point looking at Spurs enviously because they got Lennon and Huddlestone for F*** all if we're not prepared to take a chance is there? Don't sign Sharp now because £2M is a lot for a player from league one and wait to see if he does it in the Championship, where we will still be taking a chance but paying many times more to do it???????

And then taking into account the increase in his price to £6 or 7M?

I'd pay to have it, not getting to many games it would be a way of seeing more of us.

It will be on in my pub at least!

I still remember Joaquin a few years back for Spain against England, tore Ashley Cole a new bumhole all game, and contrary to forum lore Cole was then the best LB in Europe if not the world. I've been hammered on here for prefering Torres to Villa but I still think he could be more what we need. Also tried to watch Huntelaar whenever he's on Sky(or at least make sure George watches), very impressive he is! Just like to say that I'm glad its not me with all the money to spend this summer!

RE Pennant I think its obvious that he's got better since Xmas, whether he is good enough to be our 1st choice RW remains to be seen but I think he's shown enough already to say that he will be a good back up player if we do sign the elusive world class RW in the Summer. As for his pace and bottle, against Arsenal he knocked the ball 20 yards past Clichy on the half way line and got a yard in front of him while he turned, Clichy never closed the gap and he's as quick as they come. I agree we need to see his pace used in more destructive areas but he does have it in there. He also got stuck in as I've never seen him do before; against PSV at home in the group game, my Lad said for 15 minutes before he went off that he was looking to get subbed because the fullback was giving him a kicking and he was getting no protection from the ref. Ever since then I've tried to watch him a bit more closeley, suspecting that he was to coin a phrase 'A sh1thouse', he seems to be more confident about getting involved now. Anyway, if Pennant isn't good enough for the right then its bye bye Speedy and Zenden from the left because Pennant has shown far more than either of them have.