Logic

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It would become a bit lopsided. Could also be a 4-3-3. And we could even (maybe depending on signings) go for an old-school Brazilian 4-2-2-2 similar to what Manuel Pellegrini uses frequently (used it to great effect with Villareal but he's gotten more flexible recently).

Where? Suarez Coutinho Mata Sterling/Egyptian-Messi/Sturridge Lucas/Hendo Stevie Back 5 4-2-3-1

Wikipedia says he's 1.68m. So he's obviously the monster/beast we've been looking for in midfield.

Ah OK. For some reason I thought he was on the thing as well. Would have explained his sacking a bit as well.

Are you sure? Wouldn't the head of youth development or whatever title he had be on the committee? Anyway, was just a guess/theory about the whole thing.

Is it possible Aspas and Alberto were Borrell's picks on the transfer committee? Which then led to his dismissal as they are presumed to be not good enough for our team?

We're also likely to drop more points against the easier teams away from home. The only question is will we gain more points at home against the bigger teams than we'll lose away from home against the "lesser" teams. I'm not so sure about that... (I hope that makes sense )

I'm not disputing the fact that what Anelka did wasn't the wisest thing he could have done. Just wondering if, like some article implied, that a "anti-Zionism" gesture/symbol etc warrants a ban as racism. But these discussions (anti-zionism: racism or not?) usually go nowhere so I'll just leave it at that. :)/>

I'd never heard of him before today. I'm just wondering if it's correct to ban Anelka based on a racism charge if the symbolism he used was "just" about anti-Zionism. As that would IMO be stretching the racism-label one step too far. That is all.

So a Jew who does not support Zionism (and might even disagree with it...) Is he racist against himself?

Does anti-Zionism = racism? :runs for cover:

Kelly has been terrible since his return from injury and IMO it would be better to give someone who's been outstanding at the youth/reserve level a chance rather than play centrebacks in the fullback positions.

There was a time during his earlier stint there where around 20min into the game a player went to the sideline to get a note and I'm not joking but I'm sure I saw the player eat the paper rather than just throw it onto the ground. And pretty much every time a few minutes later Essien would make a horrendous but "fair" tackle on a player who had been playing really well or played a part in controlling the game. Might just have been a coincidence but I wouldn't be surprised if they had instructions of "taking out" the most influential opponent. Might also just be my paranoia...

Great article. Might try to translate it later and post here if I get the time to do that.

Our win against Tottenham will mean nothing if we f*ck up this game. Same team with early subs if the game is won - e.g. if we're 2-0 up in the first half (or early in the second) look to get our key players some rest early in the second half based on the recovery data the club should have to measure their fitness levels. Let's say early subs for three of Lucas, Johnson, Coutinho, Suarez and Sterling as a priority. Basically best team possible for every game until it's won. No more "These are sh*t so lets play the players who aren't good enough to start other games". A win against Cardiff gives the same amount of points as a win against other teams in the league. So put our best available team on the pitch.

Kaka got one sub-appearance in 2002. A whole 15min or so after Brazil was 5-2 up while already qualified from their group. He's a great player with a great career. But I'm not sure the World Cup should be counted as an important part of his achievements.

Go for it. Mignolet Johnson Skrtel Sakho Flanno Lucas Allen Coutinho Sterling Luis Alberto If Hendo is fit put him in where Coutinho is and move Coutinho up instead of Alberto.

But they're the closest thing we have to that. Our midfield is s*** - unbelievably s***. Partly because of the players we have on our books but also because the setup has been wrong for too long. At the moment it's almost as if we play 2 midfielders (Hendo is usually much further forward doing his Forrest Gump impression) with the rest of the team either in attack or defence. And one of those two midfielders can't run anymore...

I was thinking that at first but I think it's worth giving Aly another chance rather than play a player out of position. And then I'd be very "aggressive" with the subs. If you aren't performing (no matter what your name is) you'll get subbed early on.

AC Milan type 4-1-2-1-2: Mignolet Johnson - Toure - Sakho - Cissokho Stevie Lucas - Allen Coutinho Aspas - Suarez Stevie in the Pirlo role which he needs to learn if he's going to stay in the team for longer than this season. Lucas and Allen running around tackling people and giving it to the playmakers (Coutinho as Kaka, Stevie as Pirlo).

Were Borrell & McParland on the committee?

Indeed. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x17pqd3_shakhtar-donetsk-3-0-real-sociedad-goal-douglas-costa_sport

Douglas Costa with an amazing goal against Real Sociedad.