Rimbeux

I think it's like many 'normal' contracts ending, the people involved come to some kind of compromise, and sign an agreement to end the thing. Also, I think keeping the liability down is a reason why so many contracts are structured with 'loyalty' payments for each year the player stays. I'm probably being too general, but I think alot of time, any compromise is usually enough to compensate the player for any reduced wages.

As you've started saying, you could pull apart near any players goal stats, and start adding caveats

Doesn't van Basten have an issue with the 'ghetto blaster' clique as a whole, and makes no bones about it

That's underestimating Bent, severely. I've watched Charlton in the ground a good few games, and he's too good for them, he's got a lot more than he's able to show much of the time, playing to those tactics. I think if you have Owen (unfit, needs games), Defoe, Lennon, Walcott and Downing as impact players from the bench, (Rooney wont make it), it's not insanity. It's just there is no cover/alternative for Crouch. First blow to Arsenal for the new Chelsea manager?

Did Kev not start this rolling last week?

Drogba

The Nixon article didn't even mention him, Gonzalez, just that the club were looking to offload him to pay for new signings, because the club is skint, but that he didn't know about it.

I agree with Maldini, last season all the teams were trying to double team Gerrard, now it's Alonso, but we've coped pretty well as a side, Xabi has coped pretty well himself.

The price he pays for looking around at other options it seems

Fantastic league season, with room to get better.

£6m for a back up full back. Dont think so

but just may not know it yet?

Not necessary imo, it's the other side of the pitch.

It was Alan Nixon, the man obsessed with us being skint

It's more the way the Starts stat comes into it's own than a slight on using it. It just amuses me that Cisse's 17 goals are viewed through different eyes than Bellamy's on here. I know what you mean about Bellamy's style, and I think it's something we've had with Baros to a large extent, not sure if it's what we need week in week out.

'The Starts Stat'. I'm not ignoring that he's had a good season, others have too, some better, I just don't rate him as a finisher over time. I don't think he's as good a finisher as Robbie Keane for example, who himself can be very hit and miss. It completely depends on what we want/need from a front player. If it's someone to stretch defences, make room and chances for a finisher, and chip in withan ok goals haul fair enough, if it's someone to finish off our moves, putting away vital chances with regular consistent finishing, I have my doubts.

Don't for a second believe it's £2m basic

Good player, but not a goalscorer in the top tree, never been prolific.

I'm sure he could Taylor the situation it to his own needs, finding his own Solutions.

Agree, it wont make or break the season, but it would be nice to finish with 12 on the bounce, confirming some other's worst fears, and lifting another pot.

Fully understand the timing arguent, but the extra cash is big, as big as the pay-off for moving stadiums, the only qualifying bit being that it's the same for all, so bring on the 150-200k per week player.

Henry McBride?

2nd time, Barca made £2m between the two I think

Gerrard in the hole is a real stretch, it's not his position, back to goal, short cute passing, turning on a six-pence, not for me, he needs to come from deep with space to run into. what he seems to be suggesting, Gerrard ahead of a midfield diamond, would be odd. Play a diamond sure, but give the role off the front man to Joe Cole, and let the two goalscoring midfielders do what they do naturally. Also Crouch scored V Uraguay I think.

I think it's a game we could have drawn without certain illnesses, and less mistakes, which could be down to squad balance etc, i still don't think it was a 4-1 game, just as us putting a few past Fuloham wasn't a fair reflection.