theredfella

Down to 8/13 from what though? I know the bookies do the "slashing thing" to generate business from mug punters but these odds are only really attractive to the big stakers and even then it's still a lot of money to get any sort of decent return. Unless you've got it in a multiple bet but even then you wouldn't want any combination riding on that. EDIT: just read Sion's post above. It must have been some serious dough to come down like that plus it's not one of those bets that's on every punter's lips in the same way that Silva to us would be. Definitely a strange one.

The point made was that both of them floated crosses in regularly, never whipped in with any pace to give a header of the ball any chance of putting his neck through it. Finnan may have been slightly better but that doesn't say much really. I'd be interested to see how many goals came directly from his crosses.

Heggsactly. See Jermaine Pennant for additional reading on this subject.

It's a game of opinions, mate. Personally, Gerrard aside, I think our delivery from the flanks has been piss poor for a long, long time as the emphasis seemed to be on long punts from deep rather than attacking the flank and whipping the ball in. This still hasn't really been remedied which is why the signing of Johnson really will give us a new dimension on the right. Now if we could sort the left as well...

Run along, there's a good girl.

Different players in different teams. I don't think that Finnan was s**** or anything, just not the all singing all dancing right back that some made him out to be.

McAteer had two or three very good seasons where his delivery from the right was excellent. A good lad who whilst not world class or anything didn't look out of place for us.

Well said. I've never gone in for the hero worship of him myself. I think in fairness though that his lack of pace meant that Rafa shackled him slightly in terms of bombing on but when he did, his crossing was never the greatest. Good Prem defender but not top class.

You are either thick or doing a very good impression. If you want to get into semantics though, it would seem that Xabi is below the requisite level of happiness required to feel totally comfortable at his place of work. Based on that, if the situation was beyond repair then a compromise may be a solution, just as it would in any place of work where a contract forms the basis of the role You seem obsessed with comparing Xabi to Ronaldo so I'll ask you this, why did Ferguie let Ronaldo go when he was under contract for many years and had just helped them win the league? By your logic, they should have forced him to stay. One final time though in case your mittens are covering your eyes, I don't want us to sell Xabi and hope we can keep him for another twelve months. Should Xabi continue on his present course, I reckon that's the outcome.

Of course we're happy to keep him. The point I made was that if the situation became irrevocable in terms of him wanting to leave then I think we should look for a compromise. I don't see the logic of keeping an unhappy player, no matter how good he is. You could say that we'll win the league but show me the guarantee of that. If you read what I actually posted though, I didn't say we should take the first offer. There's little or no point comparing the situation to Villa or United, they have different scenarios to us.

Continue with what rubbish? That Xabi isn't 100% happy at Anfield? I'll carry on just as I am, thanks. Now run along and play with the worms or something.

That's a belting post, mate.

Inter Milan away.

I don't think he's got a downer on us per se, more a case of the likes of Keys and Gray find it easy to put words in his mouth. Saying that though, he put Keys straight a few times last season after our CL games.

Not intended at all.

Hehehe...quality. It's something my old man says,

There's a real danger that if he does force the hand of the club with a request and the move to Madrid doesn't come off then he'll be in a very sticky situation. A bit of fence sitting from his end covers all bases. However I think his relationship with the fans is such that if the clubs can't come to an agreement then he's happy to sit tight for another twelve or so months.

To be honest, the only name other than the usual suspects was Santi Cazorla but I think his ankle's knackered at the mo? He'd be a great signing as well.

If you want to split hairs then Toni & Guy in town are looking for apprentices. You know perfectly well what I meant.

As I said, he doesn't want to lose face with the fans and if the move doesn't transpire then he's up slack alley - with both the club and the fans. That's my understanding anyway. Don't see where I've had a dig at Rafa?

I'm perfectly cheery, thanks, just passing on a bit of gossip, that's all. Who is "we" by the way? Are you a Royal or have you appointed yourself as some sort of forum spokesman?

It isn't a conspiracy theory, they're cold, hard facts from someone who I'm sure a fair few people on here will know, one or two posters in particular. However, I can't be arsed arguing as there's an old hula hoop in the street I can use if I want to go round in circles.

I heard a belting story years ago that the then Tranmere manager, Johnny King, came home one day to find both his daughters in bed with Walshy. Unimpressed, he booted and chased him out of the house. I've no idea how true it is but it makes me chuckle. As an aside, I remember going to watch us beat Luton 6-0 when Rushie scored five but for some reason, on MOTD or wherever, the player that was being talked about was Walsh. Twasn't long after that that we signed him as well.

Well, he works for the same company they do so maybe he could.

Or more pointedly because he doesn't want to lose one of his best players.