RafaShanks

True, but down to Rafa I'm afraid.

Worst part about it that he got the ball before Henry after the sprint (gotta be a first by the way ) and then lost his composure.

Carra should have put that in row Z. Dudek was feckin s**** again!!!

We just haven't been at the races. Gooners have been more hungrier, showed more determination (sometimes overstepping the mark). No movement at all. Bring Bellamy on and take Crouchy off.

Our set pieces drive me feckin insane?!?!? Why knock the ball to the side when the wall is gonna feckin charge. Ah, b******s. 0-2 Absolute s**** so far.

The downfalls of Riise yet again...

You might be right, but they haven't mentioned £16m with any reports regarding us. Anyone know how much the Hammers paid for him and Tevez? TBH, it might be best just fecking this one off. He's a very classey midfielder, but it seems just more trouble than it's worth, especially with the MSI involvement.

For anyone who hasn't seen that much of Javier, this pretty much sums him up: I love watching this feckin goal:

I know it's only Maddock and the Mirror, but an update nonetheless: REDS RAGE OVER FIFA RULING By David Maddock FURIOUS Liverpool are ready to challenge the might of FIFA in a bid to win clearance for Javier Mascherano to join them. The Anfield club agreed a loan deal to bring the Argentina international to Merseyside, but were stunned to learn that football's ruling body is ready to block the move. The rules state that a player cannot play for more than two clubs in any period from July 1 to June 30, and Mascherano has already appeared for Corinthians and West Ham. FIFA say there is no way around the rule, but Liverpool will argue that it has already been flouted, with some players appearing for three clubs in a season. If that fails, they will argue that FIFA are going against an EU directive which prevents restraint of trade. But a FIFA spokesman said yesterday: "We have taken advice and the rule is binding. There is no way around it." http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html From the Telegraph: Benitez upbeat over Mascherano By Tim Rich Last Updated: 1:05am GMT 06/01/2007 Liverpool are confident there are precedents to overcome any restrictions on signing Javier Mascherano on loan from West Ham. Fifa's rules state that a footballer can only play for two clubs in any period from July 1–June 30, and the Argentine has already taken the field for both Corinthians and West Ham. However, both Liverpool and Mascherano's representatives are prepared to argue that this is effectively restraint of trade. The Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, is aware that the Argentina captain, Juan Pablo Sorin, was signed by no fewer than four clubs –Barcelona, Paris St Germain, Cruzeiro and Villarreal – in 2003/04. Benitez feels that because the South American season runs from January to January, the rule is not directly applicable. Meanwhile, Benitez yesterday laughed off suggestions that he would be prepared to let Peter Crouch appear in a black-and-white shirt, whether for Newcastle or, more improbably, Juventus. News that Charlton's Darren Bent would be available did not appeal to Benitez, who is likely to concentrate his limited funds on securing Blackburn's captain, Lucas Neill. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtm...06/sfnliv06.xml

Doubt it. We had other priorities like right midfielder and a striker. Think that rule is pretty new as well (season or two at most), but others (Aliadiere on loan at various clubs) have seemingly got round it.

Watford have just signed Rotherham duo Will Hoskins & Lee Willamson. Could there be any truth in this then?

Bascombe's view today seemed very odd as he didn't even touch upon the FIFA aspect, which is the most important factor regarding the deal.

Parry harrasing them every hour until they cave in?

They've also lost a sh1tload more when he hasn't been in the team.

Young plays on the right. I read somewhere that Rafa showed some interest before Pennants display against Bolton. It's the Express, so probably bullsh1t. Had a look on YouTube and there wasn't that much on there apart from this.

Wrong thread.

Yep. He's ability to play anywhere across the back line makes that an easy decision.

CROUCH IN JUVENTUS LINK By Nadia Carminati - Created on 4 Jan 2007 Juventus are thought to be targeting a move for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch, according to reports in Italy. Reports suggest Juventus have lined up Crouch as a possible replacement for David Trezeguet. Trezeguet's long-term future at Juve is shrouded in doubt with the player thought to be considering his options. Juventus are now believed to be drawing up a list of targets to replace Trezeguet should the Frenchman leave Turin. Crouch is thought to come under the gaze of Juve officials as doubts continue to grow over his Liverpool future. It has even been suggested that Liverpool and Juventus might do a straight swap between Crouch and Trezeguet. The England international has struggled to hold down a regular place in Rafa Benitez's side this season with Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy keeping him out of the side. Newcastle have been credited with an interest in the player, but Crouch insists he has no plans to quit Anfield. Juventus are also thought to have targeted Ajax ace Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Werder Bremen star Miroslav Klose as possible striking reinforcements. http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=4...N+JUVENTUS+LINK

Elisha, I have a non-Henry question. Do you know if we are one of the clubs that have submitted a bid for Neill?

Not really when you consider that he's playing at Anfield in a few days.

50 pages by midnight I reckon.

Feck, I didn't realise it's current value. Looks like I'm gonna have to declare myself bankrupt then. Feckin s**** rumours.

That reaction has brought a worthwhile purpose of this thread. I've stuck one million Turkish Lira on Henry coming, as I'm so certain it's happening.

Rafa always gets his man....well....apart from Alves, Figo, Milito etc ahem.

David Platt on SSN reckons we need cover for Bellamy (striker with pace) in the window. It must be nailed on surely...