RedHarvest

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Litmanen was a bigger disappointment than Morientes in terms of the excitement generated by his signing. A real classy player, I thought he was going to make the difference for us. Shame.

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Having been anti Crouchy for his first season Im turned around on him now. He does seem to be improving in the air,,it was outrageous how innefectual his heading was for his obvious hieght advantage, but he scored a few decent headers last season - seems to have worked on it. Ironically it seems his biggest strength is his attitude borne of putting up with prejudices and assumptions about him and his determination to constantly prove himself. Nutshell: he's an asset to the squad and I wouldn't sell him for anyone ...except Kaka or Messi

Superb.

So long Luis. The bad was annoying but the good was amazing! (Chelsea,Juve etc..) Good luck

I think Riise must go,, now's the time. We need to step up a level and despite capable seasons on our left flank he's proved not good enough as either LB or winger. We need someone of the quality of Lahm at LB and a proper ball carrying winger.

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This is what I think Rafa will do Riena Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa Gerrard Masch Xabi Riise Kuyt Bellamy Probably a high intensity opening from us. Milan will be prepared for aerial long ball stuff, not waspish pace behind thier lines.

Essien and Drogba and, though I hate to say it,Robben...bad attitude but very talented from the Mancs - Rooney and Vidic

Dont think we're gonna man mark Kaka, just let the defence take care of him...better off keeping close tabs on Seedorf and Pirlo, jobs for Masch and Xabi. These are good times however the final turns out,,,it's sweet to know we can and will improve a good squad under the stewardship of a great manager

I dont think they really fancy themselves...if anything the talk is defensive pre-game psychology. Thier downfall, hopefully will be the self doubt in their (Italian teams) dna

Between Bellamy and Tevez it's a no brainer in terms of attitude, skill,dead ball prowess and commitment...the little Argie every time.

Xabis season has been slightly below par by his standards,, as was SGs until recently IMO. I very much doubt if Rafa would consider selling the best passer and thinker in our squad, even in exchange for Eto'o. His qualities are essential to us progressing as a team and achieving number 19.

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I reckon Etoo is a possibility

What Momo does well he does better than anyone I can think of...Gattuso maybe,,,so he's absolutely essential for Rafa. Now if he just keeps it simple once the ball is won he'll be a legend for us.

Old Chippy's lost it too,,,that Waldorf and Statler pic is unnervingly and hilariously accurate for him and the Dunph

I'm aware that the ideal is hardly possible, it's all about balance. My point refers only to Momo and Riise - IMO they are too deficient in vital aspects of their games while excelling in others. As for Barcelona, I think we've proved to be the more balanced team overall - therefore better.

Id rather we retain it and go nowhere than give it to the opposition so they can score goals with it. No one disputes Rafas tactics trumped Riijkards

Ideally we want players who can do everything very well. Momo and Riise are players who specialise in one aspect and are inferior in others. Momo is still boss and will improve in his distribution. I think Riise will not survive the summer.

2 observations: We made about a dozen scoring chances over the last 2 games and took none of them - some were down to luck, some were bad finishing - luck will change, and we need a top class goalscorer. Out of four halves of football against the champions of Europe we won three hands down.

Dunphy is beyond a parody, increasingly desperate to feed his public persona as an iconoclast - total joke and should never be taken seriously,,,Giles is the only one worth listening to on RTE and he seemed to get caught up in the Dunph/Brady pissyness, but IMO his main criticism, our ball retention and the lack of belief to hold it and play Barca into submission was valid. All that guff about moral courage was laughable - let them keep underestimating us...I was bricking it before the game when all three old c**** tipped us to win

I think you'll find that the correct terminology for that area is the "barse"