Jarg Armani

Maybe the Americans did to Rafa what Mike and Knox would have done to keep Sami... I never wanted to sell Skrtel by the way, but he still has the most to learn. If we're looking for Carragheresque players it's because the manager is concerned that he doesn't yet have the attributes a big dominant centre half should have, and doesn't look like learning them in order to one day replace him, if that is indeed the plan. He's too quiet and gets bullied (occasionally) despite his size. Also there is room for a centre half who scores headers from corners. On the other hand maybe the plan was to Have a Carra/Turner type player playing alongside Agger for certain games (home ones) and Skrtel for others (sticky aways).

he's a s*** wind up merchant you know. it riles me how much people fall for it. totally sober and wearing smart shoes, i still hope he dies.

I'm loudly confident. We'll definitely be brilliant for large swathes of the season, I think we'll get 90 points and that might be enough.

I just can't understand what Nicholas is thinking here Jeff. Incidentally, I'm going to be cynical and say this is just another way for Sky to needle Benitez... "I predicted Liverpool for the league but their manager is ruining their chances single handedly with these selections/substitutions/rants/rotations/marking techniques/facial expressions/gestures"

My main reason for thinking (hoping) it's option A is that Rafa loves timing his attacks well, leaving no doubts as to his position. It strikes me that briefing these journos about a lack of funds is a bit lily livered from the man who gave us the newcastle press conference. Either that or he knew he was getting no money and is not arsed. Equally unlikely.

Agree with this, it would be a good answer to Owen. Psychological signings are all the rage these days. Another good reason for Ruud.

Thank goodness for that, I thought you were going to damn him with faint praise for a minute.

Hahahaha! Are you fishing?? Give me f***ing strength.

I've been thinking about changing my username to Shackles. Then, everytime someone uses this tedious Sky Sports "shackles off" argument I'll be able to pretend they're talking about me.

Hahaha

Lee Cattermole is the wooliest name I've ever heard. I'd definitely be more enthusiastic if his name was leon cattamoliani.

Is this the sort of groin injury that will allow him to miss the England game and recover for Sunday. Hope not, that would make him extremely unpatriotic.

I'll give you a shout when I've finished building this time machine.

Have you seen that clip of Merson where his tooth falls out on Soccer Saturday? I know how that tooth felt, if i was that close to such a load of horse s*** i'd be doing the high dive too.

haha exactly!

it's interesting actually, because i've always seen the xabi sale as a way of, eventually, getting better players further up the field. it's like a 2 for 1 deal, xabi brings in x amount, we get a great attacking player and a midfielder who is less good than xabi to play with the other midfielders we already have. The attack is considerably strengthened while the midfield gets weaker, hopefully by as little an amount as possible. I don't know who the great attacker is yet, it's a gamble that might not have paid off because at the minute we don't look like getting anyone. However I still believe this was Rafa's idea, he's realised that simply controlling games from midfield isn't enough if you're playing teams who don't want the ball. You need an attack good enough to blow them away. If i'm right then why on earth is moving Ste Gerrard 15 yards further back helping this? This is why I can't accept that it's in the manager's mind except as a plan B or C. He's got faith in Masch and Lucas, they'll start as the first choice midfield 2 and stay there. Gerrard moving back is plan B, and i've got no problem with that. But his first option (his best 11) will always involve having his 2 most dangerous players in their most dangerous positions.

And neither, crucially, can the manager. Making this the mootest argument of the summer.

[Andy Gray]Well...[/Andy Gray]

Gerrard behind Torres isn't going to stop being plan A, because it is the system that scored us all those goals, and a big reason why previously bit part players like yossi and dirk suddenly look like world beaters. Gerrard in centre mid is OK as a plan B. It will probably happen a few times, it will probably not be as good.

Disagree with all of that. The idea that we've been spending for the sake of it, or look like doing so is quite funny though.

He can play there but it's a waste of our best player. Really can't get my head around the idea, especially coming from matchgoers like you and DH. He'll play there at some point this season and it will make us less good. What is this about? Yossi? David Villa? What's your plan?

Their owners back the manager, and have invested in the team as they promised they would. They also don't plan to mow down villa park and built a vanity stadium. I am envious.

Which was a lot of money back then.

Who's sitting and who's bombing on in the Lucas Gerrard midfield? Neither of them are very good at being a holding player, without even going into how much it blunts the attack.

Yes, a gaggle of one eyed crazies and yahoos that happens to include the manager and the player himself. But that's not for here. Insua looks great, he's come on so much, gives me hope for the other youngsters to see someone make the step up. This thread has made me think about how much better we are post Riise.