carrafan

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Anyone but Bayern or Inter would be good. Bayern because they have the knack of scoring against any defense even away from home and even though we beat them last season, i'd prefer playing some other team than Inter.

Defensively, Arbeloa has been spot on for all of this season. He's had his good games and average ones while going forward but he looks like a player who is learning and improving all the time. So that is good. Its a shame that Riera and Dossena like to get into similar positions when were going forward. Maybe thats why Riera playing a bit centrally when Dossena is on, recently. I have no problems with Dossena, he's an attacking fullback. They usually have problems when put under presssure defensively. Everyone raves about Bosingwa but he's struggled at defending as well. I dont think he'll ever be a top class 'defender' but even if he gets his basics right and isnt a liablity defensively we'll have a good attacking fullback in our hands. He can definitely cross a ball though.

Am i the only one who thinks that Rafa will never manage Real unless they change their ways? He likes to be the one in power and thats not the case in Spain but even less so in Madrid. They have no respect for and dont trust their managers, sacking them at an instant. I cant see him considering Madrid if they come in Jan/next year/ the year after that etc.

You're actually paying them a compliment there.

Babel has everything you want in a world class player.. pace, height, strength and a bit of vision but not in the pass. If he gets his mind right we could still have a pretty good player in our hands. Remember Rafa mentioning something about Ryan not being able to do what he does when he comes on as an impact sub for the whole of 90 minutes. Maybe his stamina levels are a bit of a problem.

What a joke of a club Real are.

In that case I hope we atleast have a look at Angel Lafita. He can play upfront or on the right (mainly on the right in a front 3) and is brilliant. He's quite tall and also has some pace, trickery and a good finish in him. I've been watching him for a couple of seasons when he was on loan at Deportivo and he's a good player. He did sign a permanent deal with Depor this season and i dont know if we could get him in Jan. Next year maybe. He's 24 and at the right time of his career to ge a move on in terms of clubs.

He almost fell to the other side as well. Gonna break his neck some day.

Ha! I know a few Arsenal fans who think he's gash and rate Almunia above him. They also think Almunia should play for England and is by far England's best option. It was a classy save though and in the last few years Reina's kept us in the game atleast as many times as Stevie has done. Fantastic find from Rafa. Compare that with Robinson's efforts today. Comedy.

Jammy c****. f***ing huge result for them.

Good points, alias.

Egos the size of Texas with these kids.. moaning at the ref and his assistant if a half decision goes against them, Spearing and Brouwer with their arms in the air showing derision at a misplaced pass and whatnot. Nemeth and Pacheco had an argument on who'd take a freekick right at the death as well. Thought their right winger had the better of Mendy all throughout the game and i was really impressed with Steve Irwin. He reads the game really well. Plessis' long passing was well off and he was looking for throughballs which only lost us possession time and again. Nemeth was never in the game but i never realised what good close control he has.

A bit like Luis Garcia, Babel or Torres, then?

WTF indeed.

Good man, Heggem.

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Sure. But they could use some honest workrate in a team with Robinho, Elano, SWP, Jo etc.

He works his ass off and brings others into play well without being a pure targetman.

Same reason why Kuyt does.

Hopefully Mellor would get to play against us, always have liked him. Boss goal against Arsenal too.

Well then he'd have to be content not playing many games a year because of the competition ahead of him, wouldnt he? Interestingly, Benayoun specialises in that role but hasnt been played in that role at all...even when Gerrard has been missing. Is Rafa looking for others things for a player in that position?

Wrong thread.

Kader Keita's a good player. Pacy, direct, tricky can play on both wings and still very strong on the ball. But he's not very consistent which i'd expect from an experienced player and doesnt score too many goals either. Maybe its the nature of the position itself that most players playing in it arent too consistent? Babel, Quaresma, Keita, Guardado, Jesus Navas, Nani etc? Actually, the one player who IS consistent and tricky and can take a good set piece is Simao. I'd still love him at this club, quality player. Also, if we had to stump BIG money on one player next season, i wouldnt mind spending 20 million plus on Ashley Young at all. He will go to a big club for even bigger money sometime in his future and i hope its us.