RedHarvest

Total let off for us there. They'll be a lot stronger when they get Carvalho and Essien back.

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Bit conflicted about this if it's true. I've always liked Heskey, he holds it up well and provides an ariel threat we sometimes lack, but he's slow and doesn't score enough. Most likely Rafa will be looking at him for several positions and he'll be a squad player. I'd be tempted to see how much we could get Kevin Doyle for, he's a real worker, good attitude, scores goals and could really prosper in a good team.

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I think Alonso is the most obvious future manager material in the current team.

If he ends up scoring 20 this season I'd say his little mannerisms will seem endearing

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also known as "pulling a Bogarde". Considering his pace and ability to beat a player I'm very surprised Rafa doesn't utilise him more than he has this season. I can only assume his attitude in training leaves something to be desired.

I reckon Rafa dodged a bullet there with Alonso, although there are some who believe it was all a cunning plan on his part to give Xabi the proverbial kick-up-the-a*** and miraculously recover his form.

Im sure the fat fool would see it as an opportunity to stick it to the barcodes.

Very good points about Owen and Benayoon. Ribery is exactly the kind of player we need but it's just not gonna happen. I'm sure it'll be another out-of-nowhere signing we make, not a marquee name. And anyone who thinks we're gonna offload Keane in Jan is mad.

He wouldn't be here now if Juve had met our asking price last summer. I dont think Rafa can take credit for Alonsos form, it's purely down to the mans application and intelligence. My one problem with him has been his goal return, something he's putting right this season.

Xabi - again Reina - save of the season Hyypia - legend

he's going to score today (if he plays )

good point , you just cant deny there's tension around the whole club - players, staff and fans - when it comes to the league. It's the weight of history.

For all his faults it still remains a fact that Michael Owen scores goals. Scoring goals without Torres in the team is our current problem. Heskey has many fine qualities but regular goal getting isn't one of them.

Watched it on TV - enjoyed watching some of Xabis space making touches, Hyypias cool defending and corner attempts, Carras late high forays into the oppo half, Kuyts workrate as usual...didnt enjoy the inevitability of not scoring (if SG wasnt at the races who was going to score? Only Hyypia from a corner and it agonisingly didnt happen), the lack of real inspirational creativity in our team and Keanes continuing underperforming. You have to take the philosophical view though..Rafa's not going to change his ways in terms of subs and systems so you're either with him - and we're top of the league - or you're not.

I blame Alonso for that one. He clearly should have fired a clay pigeon into the West Ham nets as a sighter for Stevie - a missed opportunity

For the money it's a logical choice, he'll always score goals if he's fit - that's my worry though, he could be "Aurelio'd" more often than not.

What we'll miss more than just Gerrard is the local heart of the team represented by him and Carra - even a replacement the quality of Zidane wouldn't make up for that passion which drove us in Istanbul - and (I believe) will get us no.19 before they retire.

True enough - Keane just needs to start scoring whatever way you look at it. He has a much better chance of doing that with Gerrard back in the team.

Spot on. Negativity at the games is unforgivable, it's what Carra was referring to last week, the players and staff feel it.

It'd be a total kick in the teeth for a fit Keane if Rafa played Babel up front, cant see it happening.

There's mild forum pessimism borne of frustration when the team/individual players underperform or anxiety about the future of the club - and then there's it's hateful cousin: the unreasonable and hasty dumping of anger and frustration in the form of scapegoating players, Sky generation style short termism, vendettas and axe grinding among forum members etc... same as it ever was, it provides colour and shouldn't be taken too seriously. The forum would be boring if it was just a cheerleading platform.