alias75

Speedy had run half the pitch by the time he got to Dunne mind...

Gonzalez is down!!!!!!!! watch that knee speedie (think hes ok but he was caught off the ball)

reminds me of a younger Giggs

Its been the same at Sociedad in the games ive seen hes been starved of the ball but still managed to produce the goods. He likes to play a quick give and go and spin his full back and he has the pace to leave him for dead every time, with guys like Alonso and Gerrard in the side you feel he will be used a lot better than he has been in Spain. Dont want to get over excited about the kid because hes still only young but every time ive seen him hes done something to create or score a goal, as i said earlier hes one of those players that will always be a threat because of his pace, but unlike some players you see like that (Cisse) he seems to have the technical ability to go with that pace.

Its hard not to get too excited by Gonzalez but every time ive seen him play hes looked superb, even though every time hes been playing in a team that are the underdogs and his posession has been limited hes always done half a dozen things in the games that make you sit up, he certainly gets you on the edge of your seat when he has the ball Really cant wait to see him play for us, in a team that will be dominating posession most weeks he should be even more of a threat, and he looks one of those players that will produce something even if hes not having the best of games, his pace is always a threat and he puts in a good final ball and has a wicked left foot!

think its a copy but one thats very close in style to the real shirt.

number 8

Well ive watched the French games and he looks a real classy player very composed and good on the ball, he seems to read the game very well. I know we have a glut of central defenders but i think it'd be a mistake to let him go without him having a year at Melwood, from what ive seen he certainly looks as good or better than Hobbs or Antwi even though hes a different type of centre half and if hes 21 then hes a few years older. At the moment hes playing right side in a back 3

it probabaly has something to do with WHEN you turn 21, not sure if there was a qualifying tournament but he may have been u20 during those games.

didnt know he was 21 but hes playing

Captaining France U20 in the semis against China. Watched him in this tournament and he looks a class player. Have no idea if Rafa wants to keep him but hes still very young and id like to see him have a year with Rafa and the reserves. Very composed on the ball would be an excellent compliment to someone like Antwi or Hobbs.

? not sure about that Sissoko plays that role perfectly

For some games id like to see Gerrard and Sissoko in the middle too

they'll probabaly just sell Belletti hope we get this kid, he is a very exciting player and will get people "on the edge of their seats"

what about the £50 million transfer fee?

Tonight 7.15 on BBC2 Wales (if you have digital TV) no reds involved Xabi would have been but hes with Spain, but his brother should figure as well as Xabi Prieto who we've been linked with before.

Cos in a few years time he wants to play for us!

think there'll be more rotation and resting players but Rafa hasnt been confident to do that because some of his squad players arent good enough at the moment. For certain home games against weaker teams someone like Alves is an option at right back because of the less defending the team will need to do, similarly for certain games Gerrard and Alonso in the middle may work. For other games we'll need Finnan at right back and Sissoko in the midfield, then theres the option of playing Gerrard wide right or off the striker. Rafa has always been a coach that likes to change his players, more often than most coaches, its part of the reason why Valencia usually finished the season very strongly because he kept his players fresher, but its taken time to get his ideas accross to the players and any new signing is on a sharp learnign curve. I think some of the fringe players havent been good enough which is why maybe towards the end of the season the team didnt change much. Any new players brought in will strengthen the squad and give Rafa many option and chances to rest players at certain times without weakening the team.

think it says more about Henry than anything else, great player he is its all very well scoring 2 and 3 at home to Charlton or Boro but away from home when its tough going he hasnt stepped up this year.

how many right wingers have out scored him?

Cisse has scored more goals away from home than Henry this season...

Elisha has said on the transfer rumours thread thats hes heard that Alves wants to play for us. I guess the key is does the player want a new challenge in a new country and new league, if he does we're in the driving seat and if that isnt a factor you'd have to think Barcelona would be favourites.

I think Carra plays the way we all think we would if we were lucky enough to pull on the red shirt. He'll go down as a genuine legend and its fully deserved, his consistency in the first team has been amazing. Really nice guy as well, we're lucky to have him.

Well this season we played over 60 games so im sure they'll all play their fair share. Some games Finnan may be rested and Alves could play right back, some weeks he may want to rest Momo, or Alonso or Gerrard and he could play right mid. Some games he may want to play Gerrard supporting the front man and so he could play wide right, and some games he may be reted himself and Stevie could play wide right. Of course thats not taking injuries and suspensions into acount. The point is you need a big squad and you need quality in every position Alves IF he signs is another top quality young player that gives Rafa more options.

How could you possibly know where Rafa intends to play him? Seems pretty logical to me signing Alves (if it happens) kills 2 birds with one stone. 1. It gives us a much needed option on the right side of midfield 2. It gives us quality backup for Finnan (assuming the news about Krongkamp is accurate) Lets also not forget that Finnan is in his early 30's and Alves his early 20's...