Davvo

Anyone would think Earl has horses on his mind.

He does, but in the circumstances of playing the Mancs, it's a risky option. Think if it had been Norwich at home today, he'd have started.

I thought we'd had quite a young average age this year You don't think that set up 2nd half today worked well ?

Yeah, there were some bells going off seeing that 2nd half set up, following on from his interview the other week and that best XI you mentioned. It's not like it's revolutionary I guess, the Mancs have played similary for years. The way our midfield's been lately, you do worry about a 2 centrally, they have to be on their game 100%, but it might actually improve things. Might also explain the willingness to allow Sahin to go (and Henderson back in the Summer), and the gossip about Milner, who's a bit of a hybrid wide mid/forward, and a workaholic.

Tracking back's not about being a good or bad player though is it? It's about a combination of fitness and application, his head's not always there for me. It's not an excuse for the lad, because I think not doing it out of a lack of application is far worse to be honest. There are times you can see what it is people have seen him, great touch, awareness, and very, very quick, but by christ he makes you want to light a rocket up his a***. Like I said, I'd swap him for Ince, Milner or countless others.

Sturridge Skrtel Gerrard For me too. Johnson's biggest failing was exposed there, not for the first time. One of my favourite players, but he does sometimes seem slow to react in situations like that.

Actually I think it is. Big stage, and he's lost, completely devoid of confidence. As a result, he hides a bit. I wondered at some point in the 2nd half, if he'd been told to sit a little deeper and help out midfield, what with Suarez playing in behind Sturridge, and Borini pushing right up too. I then realised he was just hiding.

Being mentally weak isn't the same as not trying. I think he's more the former to be honest, which can look a lot like the latter. Agree I'd take Ince, Milner, or probably any number of other players in exchange this month.

The game just came at a bad time really. Had we not had Borini and Sturridge available at all, then the line up wouldn't be attracting anywhere near the attention it has done. Rodgers and the back room staff are far more aware of how much those two might have had in the tank, and to be honest I'm more of the opinion they sit on the bench and get used if/when you can, rather than start them and risk not having options in the 2nd half through injuries and forced subs. The one thing I liked about today's lineup, was seeing the attacking options sat on the bench, which we just haven't had the last 3 or 4 months. One week more training under their belt and Sturridge might be ready to start, maybe both of them. It's a f*****, but had we lost a couple of players through injury in the first half, or had to reshuffle due to a red card or something, then having two players run out of gas on 60, with no chance to replace them (or no choice on who with), would have been a bigger problem. and no doubt BR would have been slaughtered for it. edit * on your point quoted, which I seem to have deviated from ( ), no they don't, and half decent performances from Downing and Sterling, their pace could have caused real problems. Add to that Allen/Gerrard not getting close enough to Luis often enough, or indeed offering much at all final 3rd, and yes it's an opportunity missed. Rectified well in the 2nd half though.

He was in mine today. Couldn't pass up the opportunity of getting an extra Liverpool player in the squad, so used a transfer for him just before we officially got him. He'll start every week if fit I should think. That should change with Sturridge and Borini now available, and maybe one more forward coming in. Hopefully he can be used more sparingly, with the emphasis on development.

No, he said natural, some kind of off-cutting clone perhaps ? Ingenius if the Italians have perfected this.

I agree, he looks like he could develop into a great player. Be good to see if he can start to build an understanding with Luis and Sturridge.

Agree re Johnson, but I've actually got a little more confidence in Wisdom than Robinson. Wisdom made a couple of errors today, but like most he improved greatly 2nd half I thought.

Be interesting to see if he goes that way, with 3 CM's, or with the set up we started the 2nd half with today, 2 CM's with Suarez in a free role, Borini(in place of Downing) and Sterling either side of Sturridge. I thought it worked, getting more people into the box, and Saurez had someone centrally to work with up there instead of being isolated, although potentially puts a big strain on the 2 CM's.

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Well I'm not his brother, and so have no idea where he gets his info from, or whether he actually knows or not. I posted something that maybe added further proof of what he said, seeing as it hadn't been commented on for a while, and that interview was on the radio yesterday. Your post was a bit like 'why are you still even discussing who it is, it's not a secret anymore, cjmcdonald told you' which just came across a bit t***tish to me.

Compared to the savings on loan repayments, more than half a million pound per week off the wage bill, massive increases in sponsorship revenue, that which you mention is all still swallowed up by the cost cutting. We're massively better off financially, and it reamins to be seen where the benefit of that will lie. I hope it's ploughed back into the club, stadium and playing staff, thus far it hasn't been.

Did I ? I think you need reading lessons Mooks.

But hadn't given the slightest bit of evidence. Don't be a t***.

I don't see how you come to the conclusion BR is more comfortable with the press, perhaps you should wait til he's mentioned it in his autobiography, seeing as that's the only evidence of KD not being comfortable in them. As for Sangria, he could probably benefit from being less patronising about huge swathes of the forum's posters. FFS

How much, and where? I've only seen cost cutting and increased revenue's so far to be honest. They've done a great job with the balance sheet, putting us in a great position to kick on, can't deny that.

Remember to post a link in the gif garden

Aye, I've seen enough to suggest that if he's backed in the market over the next 2 windows, we can be back where we should be by this next time year. 3 or 4 more quality players to complement the promising young players and the squad will look massively better.

That's feasible too. I think the point is, every outcome is still as likely as another with FSG. It would be good to see some evidence of moving forward on the stadium in 2013, and investing in a squad of players to challenge for the league, unlikely in this window, but essential in the next.

Anyone recognise his voice ? Southern fella at least, so Kevin Davies finally ruled out. Kitson makes sense, Coppell, Strachan and Pulis definitely fit with his comments on manager's, particulary when coupled with his relative success/failure under each. Secret Footballer Interview The bit about Terry in particular is enlightening, in terms of hearing a pro pretty much confirm that his reputation in the game is the same as we fans perceive it to be.