Rimbeux

There have been a few matches since Jan where Gerrard and Sissoko have swapped right and central for at least a half, that's what I call freedom

with the capacity we have being the ringing note here. There is the crossroads, debt for the sake of buying power, or debt for the sake of the long term and a bigger arena. That is where they do amount to a similar pot.

Years difference, positional difference for a start. Yes there are always great players who turn out to be a bargain, and poor players who turn out to be way over-priced, but in general, you get what you pay for, and that's not just in football.

Probably am a bit, but it's more of a reaction to why he was signed

He's a frustrated man. You can't try and bluff the market if your aim is to be the top side, £6m just doesn't get you top quality. His only double figure choice is his best buy in terms of quality. You don't have to spend Chelsea cash, but to be up there, you need to spend double figures on players who can and will deliver top level performances 8/9 times out of 10.

Michael Owen if the clause is real, Defoe otherwise, and a strong man who coould play with Crouch or one of the above, Yakubu or Kuyt, then roll Fowler out for special occassions

Absolutely, but it's instinct, and thought and confidence in his ability that govern how often that will happen, and how often it comes off.

Oh no doubt they could play together, but if you have the choice, as Eriksson does, and Benitez is moving to with his signings, you'd play Carra alongside a ball player. Terry is in a similar role at his club. It's about being able to be more than solid at the back, it's about being able to control the game from the back as well.

One for the real defending, one to at least have the ability to bring the ball through and into midfield, especially with the midfield England have. Seems a natural balance. Carra is actually competing with Terry, Rio with Woodgate.

Well he was, and wasn't straight back in the side the moment Ghana went out. As for Lampard, he has hardly ever missed a game for England, and like Gerrard, probably wants to play them all, as well as every club game. If a player is willing to not turn up for friendlies on his club manager's say so, like a certain left winger, then there is some legs in something like this, but neither of these two players will duck out like that. No doubt, if this was a world cup game, Lampard would take the risk.

Off the top of my head, I think it's only Henry who has outscored in the PL him since he's been over here.

That was a top quality finish, no question

I remember them being so cleaned out they could only afford frees the summer after, Larsson and Van Bommel

Slightly more creative, slightly less mobile are my first impressions, can put his foot in, but seems more intent on 'playing'

Perhaps, but if Chelsea is/was not an option, as has been played out as the party line, then you have to wonder why Arsenal's done deal was turned down in public, when I would have thought they would keep talking till it was settled, if that's what the lad wants. I did initially think it was Soton playing silly buggers, but who knows, yet.

Robinson and Given both see a lot more work, and don't have to worry about concentration so much, but when they do.... Also one is very slow off his line, and the other is suspect on crosses and physical battles under the high ball, maybe due to his stature. I like Reina, I think he's got balls and strength of body and purpose, he fits us very well indeed.

You do have to ask, why the delay?

agree, don't think there's anything in it but some putting the record straight, and not appearing to dis the player, definately a better idea than letting the idea drift that he didn't want him.

He's lost fitness and confidence in the last two seasons, before that he was excellent. Both him and their keeper seem to have gone backwards under the current manager

15 minutes of fame

Even so, there is still a disadvantage. If there are wingers to mark, the system effectively becomes as you say, with a spare man or two in central defence, depending how many strikers they line up with. The consequence is a lack of numbers to hold the ball in the oppo half, and a complete lack of width. I think it's fine if the oppo line up with 3 at the back or with a diamond midfield/man in the hole behind two strikers, just not against wingers. Just what I think of it like

3 at the back against wingers?

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He'd be an employee, not a shareholder or owner, I certainly wouldn't in his shoes.