carrafan

Andy's on form today.

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I've always been interested to see how Agger would do at left back. Skrtel is supposed to be back before Christmas and even if it takes a month to be match fit we are looking at either Martin or Dan sitting on the bench in most games which would be a shame. Centrebacks neednt necessarily make good fullbacks as a lot of things are different in those positions but if push comes to shove it wouldnt be the worst idea in the world. We could then look at a Pennant replacement if we manage to sell him. I'm sad about Pennant, i thought he'd provide us good width and a great option on the wing when we signed him. Has anyone seen him that boy Kuba play? I saw two Dortmund games this season and this bloke is seriously direct and quick but is more of a kick and run player than a dribbler. But to be fair to him, he was coming back from an injury and hence might not have done well when i saw him.

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Dossena must be under tremendous pressure at the moment. Every mistake he makes will get the fans on his back. Some people revel under such pressure, i think he is one of those who doesnt. Maybe what he needs is a pat on the back and some confidence and as someone pointed out, it was great for the fans to applaud him when he made a crunching tackle a few minutes after he was on and Gerrard to clap his effort later. He's come in from a lower league team, to a midtable side to a good Italian side to one of the world biggest clubs with very few people who share his language. Must be tough for him and i hope he improves as after a long time i missed a heartbeat everytime their right winger had a go at him, a Traore-esque feeling.

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I cant quite believe how even a Manc can possibly defend that classless comment from Ferguson about Pires. There was absolutely no reason to bring him into the equation.

Actually a lot of guys do. I know Arsenal and Chelsea fans who say the same as well. Is falling down with minimal contact better than diving where there is none?

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Yeah, a lot of people rate him very highly. Is he a local lad?

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Every title winning side do lose/draw the odd game and win unconvincingly in others. I dont believe for one moment that they dont. We're well on our way to achieving the most number of points we ever have, even if we dont win the league. We've also been unlucky with injuries: Gerrard and Torres have had more than one run of games which they couldnt play. Mascherano and Lucas have been unavailable early season because of the Olympics and then again because of friendlies and WC qualifying games for which they've had to fly half way round the world twice in a week. Our in form centreback pairing was disrupted because of a long term injury to Skrtel. For me, the title winning credentials are shown by a team which wins a lot of games with its first team getting games together... that is when the points just add up week after week. Arsenal and United from last season for example. I think we've done very well to have reached where we have with the injuries and suspensions we've got. A run of games where no player is injured or suspended should (and imo WILL) lead to a lot of wins and we have shown capable of doing so in previous season with weaker squads.

Out of Kuyt's 7 goals in all comps this year, 4 have been Keane assists. Plus, why would anyone want to change something which is working by bringing Kuyt up top. I think Gerrard instead of Keane in the next game would be perfect.

So are United out of it? They knew that with a win they'd close down on the top 4 but still couldnt. Not the sign of a title winning team who would pounce at the sight of an opportunity.

What people forget was that his Spurs career was spread over 6 years. He had a lot of time to be in tune with their systems and players. He's been here for 15 games and has had to play as a foil for Torres and also had to lead the line in some games, he had Gerrard in some but not in others. I think one should definitely give him time as he has shown what he can do in so many years in the league. Of course, those had nothing to do with his missed chances in the last two games but maybe he just needs a couple of lucky goals to get himself going. Every player goes through a drought sometime, especially when the confidence isnt there.

The Mancs paid thrice that amount for Anderson. Anderson is about the same age, strong on the ball and keeps it really well. He isnt a pure defensive midfielder either and isnt good enough yet to play in the opposition third and link up the midfield with attack. I think midfield is a position where players become better with age and the likes of Lucas/Anderson/Denilson are too young to be judged as definite hits or flops. There are very few midfield freaks who're really good at a young age like Masch or Fabregas.

Neither do we. They missed an equal chance to overtake us. So did Arsenal to close the gap.

I think he reads the game better than both of them and even though he makes only a few runs forward, he's makes them correctly and gets away from the midfielder with his movement. I dont know if he will be a success for sure or not because he doesnt seem to have the physicality that is sometimes needed in this league but i'm quite certain that his passing and reading of the game will only improve with time. Doesnt seem to get pushed over as easily as he did last season, when he has the ball. IMO, i think he's this years favourite scapegoat. Him and Benayoun. Babel and Keane next if/when Lucas is sold.

Thought he was good enough defensively today. Won headers and some tackles. Lost the ball quite a few time in the first half though. He will never be as physical as Gerrard, have a passing range like Xabi or tackling skills like Mascherano but he can be a partner for all kinds of players in midfield while not being a liability. He's only 21 btw, younger than El Zhar and only a year elder than Plessis and Spearing and hell of a lot better than them. He isnt the player to who we should be looking for to grab the game by the scruff of the neck when things arent going well. Btw, i'd say that he's at the same level as Denilson for Arsenal and Anderson for the Mancs.