carrafan

Out to get you.

Not as insane as calling Porto one of Europe's elite just because you like Quaresma.

Kuyt, yes. But he's not going to be a starter in our current strongest forward lineup of Keane Gerrard Babel ---Torres To fit Quaresma in there someone else needs to be dropped. Babel needs the games to improve and Keane has just been signed for 20 million.

So if we buy him, who would you drop in our setup? And would you change our core players in Gerrard and Torres and base our game on him?

Neither would Eboue but both teams still managed to score a lot of goals in all competitions over the course of the season. The thing with Kuyt on the right is that he provides balance and the ability to fit with any kind of partner on the other wing. (same for Eboue) He maintains width when need be and also makes himself available in the opposition area, something which Pennant couldnt do well. I agree that Kuyt shouldn't be a starter but he not that bad a player. But he's always a good option to have in the team and will definitely get a heavy share of games this season. My problem with Quaresma is that if he was that good, he would have been gobbled up by a quality team by now, after he went to Porto. Secondly, he plays best when the whole setup is played round him as the core. We, now have Gerrard and Torres as ours and i'm not sure thats playing to Quaresma's strengths. Finally, i saw him in Euro 08 and he couldnt even get into a side ahead of Simao/Joao Moutinho and Nani. This, IMO though is the smallest of my problems with him as i dont believe too much in national setups. What he does provide is flair and another goal threat but who will you drop to play him in our 4231? Babel, who can be as good as or even better than Ricardo (who prefers the left wing over the right) if given the games? Or Keane?

Would have helped a bit to fund the Barry deal if we're short of funds. Hyypia's quite valuable to our side even when he doesnt play though.

Pellegrino?

This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.

Finally, an Olympics joke.

Thats actually a very common Sikh surname.

I think, Rafa has to play youngsters who are the closest to a first team place. If he thinks that El Zhar (whose a Morrocan international) is that player then fair enough. Its usually easier bringing an attacking player than a defender. People might say why Insua hasnt still got a look in, its because a mistake by a defender will hurt a team more than a mistake by an attacking player. Maybe we just have better options in Dossena and Aurelio, maybe his defensive game isnt what it should be. Similarly with Nemeth.. If N' gog's just a better youngster than him why pick Nemeth as well, as both are strikers? N'Gog's actually younger than Krisztian.

How do you define 'good' though? Are the impacts made by Gerrard or Owen the only level every youngster should promise to reach, without being branded as s****? I think we'd do well with players even if they turn out to be of O Shea, Fletcher, Phil Neville, Stevie Warnock's level. Players who one can expect to do a job when they play but not expect much more from them. That way, they can be sold for good profits if we decide to let them go or else help us save transfer funds by not investing in squad players. I like El Zhar, he has a good turn of pace about him and he worked hard yesterday. If he develops his game a little more i see no reason why he couldnt be a part time player for us... like what Pennant is expected to be but for lower wages and no transfer fees.

Yes, in each of the 38 games.

Boro 2-0 up. Spurs were rubbish.. Boro were decent going forward though.

This content is not viewable to guests.

Carra

This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.

Who are the owners to put a value on Barry? If Rafa believes he's worth 18 million or whatever, they should either go with him completely or just sack him and get a puppet in. This isnt Spain, its the manager who makes transfer decisions and the owners shouldnt have much to do with it except state a budget.

Of course, if we lose points in that game people would want Parry and Rafa's heads chopped off for not finishing the Barry deal quick enough.

This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.

Liege!