Swagger

Well, it would certainly be useful to have someone with his dead ball skills. It would add another dimension to our game, something that we desperately lack. Possibilities.

Portsmouth away is a bit tricky, but if we want to be genuine challengers we should collect maximum points from all five games. Just think what it would do to the team's confidence.

Starting to feel the excitement. Its only three points, but a win will really boost the team's confidence, and if we can get a nice run going, who knows ... Mourinho is a smug fecker, would love for him to leave Anfield empty handed for the third time in a row.

That would be my pick too.

Shame that. Great player, but clearly not worth 20m pounds.

He does. Shame that. No wonder Rafa was very interested.

Kewell is injured?

Not necessarily. Alonso was not up to his usual level yesterday, but he will be very important in dictating the play against the Chavs. I expect him to start, along with Benayoun on the right.

Pennant is a good player, but a very frustrating one. He will never be much of a goal threat, and he will never be world class, but then you cannot have a squad of world class players. What he is, though, is a very able squad player, and perhaps the competition with Babel and Benayoun will give him a kick up the back side. Regarding Babel, I agreed that it looks as if he will become quite the player. He still needs some polishing, but thats expected of his age. I doubt Rafa would have spent so much on such a young player who is not quite ready for the first team if he didn't think that he could be top draw.

Really don't understand why Rafa keeps persisting with Riise at left wing, especially with Kewell, Babel and Benayoun all available for selection. Pennant has some good moves, but is a really frustrating player, and I doubt he will ever offer us a goal threat.

Sticking to the facts is no fun ...

I'm off to the bookies.

Not necessarily that we are not interested, rather that Rafa's valuation is nowhere near Del Nido's. And rightly so.

I go first: Reina Finnan Carra Agger Riise Benayoun Gerrard Alonso Kewell Torres Kuyt

I agree, but Rafa probably thinks that Insua is not ready just yet, and that he wants someone more solid and with Premiership experience, and Heinze seems to fit the bill. Well, pre-injury Heinze that is.

Wrong thread?

Anyone seen him in action? Is he any good?

Agreed. Also, keepers seem to be a hot commodity at the moment, so fees are at a premium. Competition for places is essential, but considering Reina's age, unless he implodes there is very little chance of Carson taking over as no. 1.

Drenthe is a fantastic talent, I would love for Rafa to sign him, don't care how much of pratt he is. Very fast, goes past defenders with ease, and can score too.

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I reckon he will take some time to settle in and develop that little bit extra, but that in a year or two he will become a very good player.

Fantastic goal. Hope he continues to do well.

Something wrong with my browser. Keep clicking on the Trasfer Speculation thread, only to be directed to a thread dedicated to the enigma that is Jermaine Pennant ...

Not an easy draw, but if all the players are focused - and I am sure Rafa will make sure they are - then it shouldn't be too hard an obstable. We expect to be playing - and beating - much better teams in the CL proper.