kop205

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Thought Gerard looked like a fantastic prospect a few years ago - was it Barca he played for? Seems to have disappeared of the radar a bit though - suppose the like of Xavi came through, they bought Deco etc. Where is he now? Shouldn't this be in the general football forum?

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He was a bit before my time really, but I I must admit I did wonder whether his lack of ability was exaggerated a bit - not delieberately, but just because his other footballing attributes were more obvious. Even hansen I think now overstatets his lack of aerial ability for comic effect a little bit - though I know there were some players (the likes of Joe Jordan and later Fashanu and his ilk) who did cause him some problems. Back on Agger, he had a decent goal scoring record in Denmark which I wouldm imagine includes a few headers and suggests he can attack and win a ball in the air.

That is a massive claim to be honest. I think it is far too early to be saying anything of the sort, especially with regards to Agger. Don't get me wrong, I think he is the real deal, a proper player - but those two you mention are all-time greats. And I suppose we dealt with the aerial threat back them by so rarely giving the ball away and, when we did, having such a hard-working midfield to win it back, that they weren't overly exposed.

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Champions League matches are generally better for atmopshere - though in the case of the group games this is partly because the atmosphere at most League games is pretty non-existent these days. The atmopshere at the Gala game was ok but even in the Champions League the really good atmospheres are reserved for the knock out or must-win games.

Haven't really looked at this poll, but the name of it suggests that it isn't just about choosing the 100 best players and ranking them in order, but looking at the overall impact that they made on people, excitement they generated, stuff like that. On that kind of crieteria, Fowler will inevitably rank quite highly because of the way in which he burst onto the scene - for a couple of years, he was a phenomenon and a combination of his youth and sheer brilliance means that he made people sit up and take notice in a way that few others have, even those who have won more medals and contributed over a much longer period of time. With Carra, I suppose it is his folk-hero status rather than just his qualities as a player that get him so high (fine player that he is) - the way people identify with him. And anyway, these polls always heavily favour the more modern players.

Now I have Poolfrog on ignore it actually makes it much moree fun - trying to guess what variation on a theme he has posted this time instead of simply having it there in front of you is far better. Until people spoil it by quoting him.

At best utterly speculative, at worst utter drivel. Please please please close this thread.

I agree with much of what you say, but my basic point is that the only other people who seem to have the kind of chip on their shoulders about their rivals/general inferiority complex are clubs who have never amounted to anything and never will. Strange as it may sound, I'm suggesting that maybe Everton are a bit better than that, which is why I'm surprised more of you aren't embarrassed when you hear about stuff like that in the Observer (note also Anny Road's comments about the Sheff Utd fan - strange company to be keeping).

Ok then fine, you missed no point - even though you inadvertently prove what I was trying to say by admitting that you haven't been on here to celebrate your own team's performances or derby win, but have jumped on the chance to celebrate our defeat in a game that you weren't involved in. And you simply avoid the question of whether the prick in the Observer is small time by saying you haven't read his stuff. Well, I've told you what he said. Does it sound small time? Does his preview of the Newcastle match - something along the lines of 'The red s**** beat these 2-0 somehow so we'll score 5' - sound a bit smalltime? When pretty much every other fan's review predicted the usual s**** to go down and forgot about their rivals, isn't a bit obsessive to predict us? I read the fans stuff on every team as I am generally interested in what fans have to say. Your rep stands out for his (and I know you hate the word, and I know we aren't allowed to call you it because you have oh-so ironically it next to your user name) - bitterness. There is every point denying that 'it is as bad with liverpool' fans when we aren't the ones making clowns of ourselves in the national media. I'll have banter with my mates, but I honestly can't think of any paralells with s**** like that tool in the Observer. Doesn't bother me any mkre than it bothers you. It is just laughable to try and make a comparison.

6 pages in response to this? Really?! What the f*** is that about?

Think you've missed my point slightly, but never mind. I probably shouldn't take it out on you, you are generally ok - but serious question, do you not find the obsessive need to mention to get a dig in at every opportunity that some of your fans have just a tiny bit embarrssing and small time? Like the fans thing in the Observer - predicting us to be relegated at the start of the season and then mentioning us every week in what is meant to be a one paragraph review or preview of a game in which we are not involved. Does it not seem a bit like something that Norwich fans would write about Ipswich or something? It is a serious question and I would be interested to hear what you think. Like I said, for all that I had a go earlier you do generally come across ok.

No he wasn't.

Myth. At least 6 people in this thread have posted fairly unqualified criticism of Carragher's form this season - in fact make it at least 7 because I think he has been poor as well. Others who have had said he has been poor have just tried looking for reasons like his return from injury, new partner at the back etc. What is so wrong with that? Isn't it entirely natural when someone who has been superb for the last 3 - 5 years suddenly has a dip in form? Very few, if any, have refused to acknowledge any fault with him. Don't know why people try to pick fights over stuff like this or try to find hidden agendas where none exist. It is like those people who took exception to Alonso being criticised and said it was only because he is foreign, ignoring the fact that the vast majority where saying nothing more controversial than he is a class player who isn't playing well at the moment. When it is said about Alonso, people jump on you for being too critical. When you say it about Carra, people jump on you being too defensive. Some people just seem to have a desperate need to be noticed/be 'controversial'.