RedHarvest

Me too, serious lividity. I hope Rafa sticks to his guns on the 16million evaluation, many on here are seriously undervaluing Xabi based on one indifferent season, something I doubt Rafa is doing given that his pursuit of Barry is a (commendably) ruthless tactical sacrifice based on just that - Xabis worth and saleability. Voro, Pennant and Benayoon all together wouldn't rase what Alonso is worth.

Adaptability seems to be the key to Rafas football philosophy. There's few better in the game when it comes to being effective and intelligent in many key positions than Steven Gerrard. I have really noticed a maturity and a lack of restlessness from him since Torres' arrival at the club, I reckon he must be at ease in his mind that Rafa is the man to win us the league. I think it needs restating he's been a magnificent player and captain for Liverpool and by far the best English player of his generation.

1. Chelsea will win the league 2. Placcy will be a Real Madrid player by January 3. Spurs will finish in the top 4 4. We'll win no.6 (Vs Internazionale) 5. Fernando Torres will be European footballer of the year ....lets have them

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That's my thinking too. If this goes through at 19mill including Finnan it's a result for Villa. Barry better be worth it.

He's Red He's hot He says "begorrah" a lot Robbie Keane...etc

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I feel much the same way except I totally trust Rafas judgement against my own. Xabis sale is a sacrifice because of his worth. I've resigned myself to losing him for weeks now and all this pissing around from all parties is amazingly frustrating.

Too late now. The fact it rhymes and is vaguely witty trumps any of the dialectical innacuracies

wonder what it was about the jug eared millionaire that attracted her to him??

I think Barry was always Rafas no.1 target and the Keane deal went through much smoother than expected. This is going to happen, and for the full asking price including Finnan.

I reckon last season was a freak season for Placcy in terms of goals scored, if he stays he wont repeat anything like it. Actually I dont think united would be affected so much by his loss as much as Quieroz.

I have a feeling it's been Rafas plan all along to get in the kind of personnel that will enable Gerrard to have a relatively free role. He's a maverick kind of player who's stated preference for CM is just his desire to be in the thick of the play. Barry is a Gerrard-lite who can take some of the positional onus off his shoulders. That said, I've no idea how we're going to line up next season - I'm sure Rafa will mix it up but I wouldn't be surprised (pending Barrys purchase) to see Stevie starting a good few games on the right again.

It's nailed on for a Holland-Argentina final now

Great news, this is a signing that just seems right. No pissing around on this one either like the Barry debacle - maybe even because of the Barry debacle - great that he immidiately handed in a transfer request,,good lad..I'm sure he's champing at the bit to play with Torres and Gerrard Welcome Robbie.

Todays Irish Star has the mancs going for Henry

That's not good news, I didn't know Degan was so injury prone - another Aurelio?? These reports of Arbeloa going back to Spain,,is there any truth in them at all?? The full back positions are still very precarious IMO, especially with all this talk about formations to accommodate Cafu-like attacking play. We're ok in the central positions with Carra, Agger and Skirtl but it remains to be seen how Dossena will bear up - Italians are not famed for travelling well and thriving in other leagues - and Degan is very much an unknown quantity. Also many on here are prepared to jettison Finnan who I think still has a lot to give. I'd be surprised if Rafa was prepared to lose such experience and reliability in that position in any other case than Finnan being a makeweight to secure much coveted target.

Agree, we really need some more/better creativity in the attack - a better Benayou - whether Silva is that player I dont know, haven't seen him play enough, but if Rafa is actually trying to sign this sort of player I'll be happier about our squad and our chances next season.

I agree, our man is clearly better, but it still remains to be seen whether he's "Bentiez'd" O'Neill...if it turns out that we find a buyer for Xabi and the Barry deal goes through with us paying 16M or over - a scenario I find very likely - will Rafa then have been O'Neill'd? Of course he's been overly vocal in this whole affair, drawing the approbium of Liverpool fans but I believe that this is his only tactic from a position of weakness. Villa are a relatively small club and he's publicly fighting tooth and nail for them against one of the giants of the game. Now I dont give a f*** about this as long as Rafa gets his man but all this childish namecalling of a good and a passionate football manager is uncalled for. Maybe it's just the usual pre-season boredom.

Here's hoping we end up forking out the whole 20million.

The most sensible assessment on the situation that has been posted so far. O'Neill is doing what he has to do to get his asking price and doesen't give a f*** what Liverpool fans think. I reckon this deal will happen and we will pay the 18M one way or the other.

His European championship winners medal.

That's impossible to say - we all learned that the hard way with Morientes.

Agree,,also Barry is being recruited in Xabis place as much for his compatability in the middle with Gerrard as for his positional adaptability..as usual it's all about the possibilities with Rafa. While Barry is not IMO worth 18M Keane definitely is, he's proven goalscoring quality and premiership pedigree.

QUOTE(psl @ Jul 21 2008, 23:12) * King and Keane are from the same mould. Or rather Keane appeared to be but apparently appearances can be deceptive. What a shame. He was set to become an icon at the Lane - taking a deserved seat alongside Gary Mabbutt, Steve Perryman, Graham Roberts and Glenn Hoddle in the relatively modern era." Instead he's taking a chance to take a seat alongside Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard...it's a no brainer.