Whitey

Now I know it's not over until the Fat lady sings. And also that there may be conversations going on in the background over various periods of time. But why oh why does it happen that virtually every window we try for optimistic last minute deals? Roy's been out saying that he wants a striker, and Ngog is also injured which makes it more of a need. Can someone explain why anyone in their right mind would leave themselves such a shoprt period of time to agree any deal that runs into millions?

Telegraph's Deputy Football correspondent on Twitter > http://twitter.com/jasonburt_tele #lfc have offered £9m to #whufc for carlton cole 3 minutes ago via web Reply Retweet #thfc have offered #lfc £10m for ryan babel 6 minutes ago via web Reply Retweet Big probs with babel/ carlton cole swapping clubs though..cole medical would be a problem for #lfc and really not sure babel wants #whufc about 1 hour ago via web Reply Retweet Finally some movement! #lfc have made bid for carlton cole + #whufc willing to do deal if they can get ryan babel. Not sure he wants it... I'd bite Spurs hands off for 10M.... ....Oops sorry just saw earlier post with some of same...

Hmmm...just read a bunch of sh*te on Twitter about Babel, Cole, Pavlyunchenko etc etc. Saying spurs, West Ham & Liverpool all in talks. Then it struck me... work with me on this.....Woy Hodgson, 'Arry Redknapp, Avram Grant.....sounds like a game of poker to me, who has the most chips?

Is Konchesky really that bad? At least he's a specialist left back, rather than a stopgap. And he's been playing since he was 16 (until Shelvey was the youngest ever Charlton 1st team player) so might be OK by now.... I think he'll do a job.

I'm ignoring all the rest of the hilarious talk in this thread, and only focusing on this one happening ..... IMHO this would be the deal of the window if it's a straight swap. Pavlyuchenko has pace, good in the air, and used to playing on his own, or with 2nd striker. He's been under-utilized at Spurs since 'Arry brought in his boys Defoe and Crouchy.

Gomez is just awful. God only knows why they made him the most expensive player in the Bundesliga. I was trying to remember the horrible miss he made, and found this > http://vodpod.com/watch/2042880-mario-gomez-miss-v-austria

Post of the year. Nice....

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For one crazy moment, I thought this was the transfer thread - looged in for an update on Maxi - 4 pages later...ugh....

Time of the month I'm guessing - and one of the reasons I've not been coming back - the knee jerk responses to individuals. I couldn't be arsed to go back over 96 pages - was looking for feedback as of now, not 2 or 3 months ago when he was not even playing! Either way, interesting to see the rrst of feedback. Jury is still out - does make you question why Rafa got him as an injured/risk /long term player when we had such a short term need.

Just interested is all. And no I don't expect there to be a concensus, but interested to hear opinions as looking for some hope...this is still a Forum right?

Been a while since I've been on here, and not seen much of Aquilani in play as yet (over in Canada) - but read a lot of guff in the press..... Seems like there's a split on here too. I'd expect as with most new 'imports' a good while before he really settles in, specifically. - Language issues, Italian game speed versus Prem speed, getting to know team + players + strategy, confidence after injury, match fitness etc. These days it seems like everyone is expected to fit in and play 100% effectively immediately. So what's the overall feeling? Does he look like he's got what it takes? Is he 'Rafa quality'? And any clue how he'll fit into our best side?

Just got in to work (Canada) and seen the Ashley Young stuff. Can't see that happening in this decade - anyone remember we don't have a great track record of dealing with Villa? It's not that long ago??

The market right now/this window is just plain stupid. Real (in the main part) & City have created a rod for their own backs. But we have been here before with United and Chelski in the past no? On the Xabi situation, personally I think that 35M (even if that's Euros) is an unbelievable price for him, and one that we are unlikely to ever get wind of again. Again personally, I think this is the apex of his value, and he wants to go (so we hear from the Echo now) so we have a small window of opportunity to get the best price. It's a shame, but it's also the game today, more of a business.

Welcome back Mr. Lurker Can't say I'm totally surprised at your insights, but not happy about it. But thanks anyway....appreciate your position as the YNWA "ITK" (which is far too many acronyms!!). If we do get 35M (Euros I'm guessing) for Xabi then that's a good profit and a good amount to spend some of on a worthy replacement. Maybe with a little more pace (One of Xabi's few weaknesses these days). Need to make it happen soon though or we'll end up in the same boat we are each window....last minute signings. Babel's market value is probably not even near what we paid for him, so likely got to give him a go, and he might blossom (fingers crossed). Voronin...well that's just disappointing. I figure we should have got what we could from Hertha or wherever he played (after all we did get him on a free) but seems like we got greedy and we're stuck with him now. The only consolation would be to get him to do a public shearing of the pony tail - then maybe it will work out the opposite of Samson losing his hair and he'll suddenly be good.

Maybe not two in 'each' position, but definitely two to cover each. With Rafa's comments in the past two days, IMHO seems very unlikely now we'll be signing a Silva type - my reading that Johnson was big money suggests that is the bar (18M quid). If we manage to hang on to Alonso (I read this as 60/40 chance in our favour) and Masch (80/20) then if you look at the squad from last year I think we probably have cover with a couple of the youngsters coming in too. GK - Pepe + Cavalieri RB - Johnson + Arbeloa (if he stays) + Darby + Deggen (remember him?) + (Carra/Skrtel as options) CB - Carra + Agger + Skrtel + Arbeloa (if he stays) + Johnson (as a last choice) LB - Insua + Dossena (if he stays) + Aurelio (if he gets back) + Mavinga RM - Dirk + Yossi + El Zhar CM - Masch + Alonso (if we keep him, otherwise will need another option) + Lucas + Spearing + Plessis LM - Riera + Babel + Yossi Up front/link - Torres + Gerrard + Babel + Ngog + Pacheco + Nemeth IMHO that's a pretty good squad, so long as some of the kids are coming through. Only areas I'd see a need would be a backup CB (not a BiG nAme) - not sure if any of the youngsters are quite there (but correct me if I'm wrong?) and another TRUE left sided (as in left footed) player for the mid/up front. If we could get a left sided player who could cover the up front option as well as the LM would be great - if they exist! Not sure who those players would be - but given the current craziness of the market, and our obvious lack of big money - think we're still pretty close with a couple of squad additions and it's not worth overpaying in this window. There - I've done my Fantasy Rafa for the month...await my reprimands!!!!!

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F*ck me.....On the 3rd official day of this transfer window we've been linked with another twelvety hundred players. It's comical, but at some stage it would be interesting to see the whole list. It gets worse every window - I guess that's related to the way the 'media' has gone down in quality, and up in quantity. On all the Xabi, Masch rumours - I'm in the no smoke without fire camp, although I do think Xabi more likely to go (after the July 18 date where Sociedad don't get the 20% of the fee). Prefer we keep both, but am hopeful Rafa has his new Xabi/Gareth Barry lined up. On Owen - very mixed emotions there. Hate that he might go to the Mancs, although can't see him lasting physically. Interesting to read the coverage on the potential deal though, where he'd have to accept lower base and upside based on appearance/performance/results. How times change vs. his Newcastle contract. Roll on August 31.

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Bullet header by Lucio there. 3-2. I am watching with the sound down now, the horns are doing my head in...

What's with Alves and Cesar wearing black polo neck sweaters (for want of a better description) under their shirts?? Fashion statement, or bad case of love bites?

Brazil showing why they are famous over the years for their defence....

2-0 to USA....great break away goal!!