Raj

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I used to f***ing hate it when he had that s***ty grin, after he had got away with a mistake. Did my head in.

Agreed. A good player with potential. But he is not in the same league as Alonso or Gerrard. Charlie Nicholas is a c***, pure and simple.

Maybe he needs an extended rest after his World Cup efforts?

Read this thread and you'll see a dozen worse footballers than Peter Crouch. In fact, there are a dozen worse footballers still at Liverpool now.

And they have about 3 weeks to purchase their replacements and other signings. I would be surprised if they received value for money, based on the amount of time remaining within the transfer window.

Its difficult to tell how Arsenal will do. I believe that they will finish Top 4 (not exactly a bold statement, I know), but they have a weaker squad, on paper, than last year. Lauren, Senderos and Djorou are out at least until Oct and they may well lose Ashley Cole too. The quality of the manager does not disguise that they have some fundamental flaws within their squad. They are lacking options at the back and that could prove costly.

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For me it has to be Heskey, for a couple of reasons. 1) He would hold the ball up outside the penalty area, lay it off to our wingers and then amble into the penalty area when the ball was crossed. No wonder he really scored in the last couple of seasons that he was with us. 2) When he was used to limp around the pitch, looking forlornly at the bench for some sympathy. If he had a bigger heart, he could have been...........

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Just to take this point up. If they sell Walcott tmrw, then they are not liable for the balance of the fee. That's why its dependant on appearances and success. For example Carrick has been signed for £14million. The balance of £4.6 million is reportedly based on a £2.6 million fee if Utd win the title and £2 million if Carrick signs a new contract. Obviously, they won't be liable for either, if, neither happens. Surely, that's why the deals are structured in this way? I think Arsenal will be Top 4, but I don't believe they have enough to compete for the title, based on my previous reasoning. They are strong, but not strong enough imo.

Apparently, its because we don't have very good stamina, and our parents want us to be doctors and dentists.

Forgot about Diaby. Hleb was £10 million, my mistake. Walcotts fee was a £5 million downpayment, the rest was based on appearances and success. So, there is no guarantee that the full £12 million will be paid. My point is that they don't have a significant cash reserve, other than that, I believe that they will be in Top 4. But Wenger must be praying that they don't have 2 key injuries to Toure or Henry, or they are up s*** creek. They do not enough squad depth to compete for the title.

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Ok. So in the last 12 months they have bought. Adebayor - £7million Rosicky - £6.8million Walcott - £5miilion (downpayment - may rise to £12million) Hleb - £8million Sold - Vieria - £13.7million They have spent approx £13.1 million over this time period. That's not really that much money in the context of others within the Top 4. I'm sure that Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool have larger net spends. If i've missed someone, let me know, as this is all I can recall.

Not that unusual. Develop footballing links with a country that has a market with huge economic potential. I think its a sensible move and one that should be actively encouraged.

They may well sign Cole for tons of money, but the fact they have just bought a £300 million stadium may mean that they have to put that money to other uses. I certainly don't think they have a cash reserve, which they can dip into, to buy the players that they need to enhance their squad.

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He saved all his best moments for Southend. It was always a step down after that.

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Always enjoyed the Friday night games. I recall that they always used to show the goals on Saint & Greavsie. Always though it was a bit odd, until I realised that Danny Greaves (Jimmy's son), was on the coaching staff. Seems like they are doing well for themselves again, and they may well be moving to a new stadium as well.

Exactly. Rafa is looking to build a squad for the variety of games we will face, both in the league and the cup competitions. There is no definitive 1st team, but there are a core of 6-7 players that will be the main focus. We already have at least 15 players who are used to playing on a regular basis, with each other, and this should carry through and in some circumstances, improve over the coming season. My only concern with the squad, is the lack of a dominant strong player in the Kuyt mould. We definitely need 4 top quality strikers, with the likes of Pongolle as back-up.

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