RedHarvest

More than likely an attempt to drive down the price - they'll be straight in for Masch soon as they've got shot of Balotelli

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How we start will make or break it for us IMO. A few good wins, bit of momentum, luck with injuries and the advent of new and stable ownership with possible funds for January and we could be borne on a wave of optimism all the way to 3rd or 4th - which would surely represent amazing success given our position at the moment. Lot of ifs there I know but...im choosing to be positive today.

....sorry, just clocked s*n source

I'd take that situation in a second. Despite the riches it could mean, the thought of us being a page in a huge national investment fund portfolio makes me feel queasy.

After 127 pages of muddy water, here's what I think based on no analytical thought, just instinct (and wishful thinking): Huang/Ganis are credible and have a basic understanding of the club There's a particularly vicious PR war in progress as H&Gs position becomes increasingly desperate This will happen within the next few weeks

Loving this lads attitude. And Roy did well to nip any encouragement to his suitors in the bud by playing him against Rabotnicki. may I suggest: Danni Pacheco He's better than Deco He came from Barca To Bring us joy Number forty seven He's football heaven Please dont take our Danni away

Definitely a mistake not to realise his value in leadership and backbone even as his game was slowing down dramatically. But in fairness how were we to know the club would endure such a fall and miss him so badly.

Cole Gerrard Jovanovic

Looked sharp first half, faded second. My feeling is that he was trying a little too hard - not a bad sign, shows good passion and ambition, he's desperate to get in the first 11 and it's a critical time for him. I think he's gonna be a top player.

Cole, Jova, Pacheco looking really good

Xabi Alonso

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I agree and I found his comments very interesting in that despite the bitterness and lack of political nous Yossi touches on what many players just could not deal with in Rafas management style, but would have the sense not to tell the press - not clever at all, and definitely not classy.

I read it about 15 years ago so dont remember too well, but it seemed to read like 60s/70s London. "Jesus f***ing Christ Binky!!"

Great quote from Puyol before the game when asked about Pauls prediction that Spain would prevail. He looked puzzled and said "well...he's an octopus" Happy for Spain, although I reckon Holland lost it with negativity, lack of belief and sheer brutality. Couldn't help thinking what an amazing final Spain vs Brazil would've been. Was also feeling some sympathies for Webb but it was making me uncomfortable so I happily reverted to shouting his incompetence at the telly.

It's s***licker 5pounds? Actually Tommy is alright apart from having the temerity to be tremendously unfunny and irritating while at the same time making a decent career as a comedian - only in Ireland.

Re: Masch, it's really very simple. He's a brilliant player who should be in our starting 11 every time, but he wants to go (and will go) so flog him off for no less than 25mill - replace him with as good a holding/screening/possession winning player as we can afford.

Insua should really be kept as back up but no way should he remain first choice at LB, he was a constant liability there last season and only marginally effective going forward. Maybe Rafa establishing him as our first choice has pushed up his worth and the 5mill is too good for Roy to refuse - but he'd want to have a better replacement and decent cover in mind before this is a good deal for us.

We couldn't afford him...how about Bellamy?

Both Stevie and Torres were never truly fit last season. This form has inevitably carried through to the WC. Anyone who thinks it might be a good idea to cash in on them is mad. It makes exactly no football sense to sell two of the most gifted players of their generation at this delicate point in the clubs history. Even if we reinvested the money on class players (unlikely anyway) there are risks and unknowns to factor in. If they both want to go we'll be forced into taking much bigger risks anyway. Keep Torres. Keep Gerrard. Give Hodgson a chance to prove his knows his football.

In a funny way Nandos poor WC form might contribute to him staying.

Agree, Stevie owes us nothing. With the club in tatters and the England captaincy fallout who'd blame him for leaving. If he stays it will be a massive leap of faith for him.

Lahm has been amazing too....and Khedeira, and Muller - they're a great team

Podolski = JA Riise great shot on him, scores the odd goal, useless in every other department.