Skeletor

It was Paul Walsh. Probably blinded by his terrible hair.

Only if you're a Man U or Barca supporter. Nobody else cares.

Looks like it.

Kinda like Paul McShane until it was ruled out.

He'd be my choice. We already know he works well with Keegan.

I gave him a 10. Was easily our best player tbf.

i just think we have to accept he's a bloke who won't give anything away, and sits on the fence, he's media trained to death. he'll sign no doubt i reckon Like he did for Liverpool? Bit of a difference in the situation, as I doubt Real Madrid will be coming in for him. That's tempting at any time, to play for a club with the reputation of Real Madrid, and even more tempting when the new manager for your current club makes it fairly clear you're not important in his plans for the club. Benitez had a 45 minute meeting with Carragher, an hour or so with Gerrard, and ten minutes with Owen that summer (that's what the word is amongst Liverpool fans, at least). Benitez wanted to break up the "Mersey Mafia" -- Gerrard, Carragher, Murphy, Owen, & Hamann -- and within the summer sold both Owen & Murphy (respectively the best mates of Carra & Gerrard) and the following summer sold Hamann. Benitez didn't get another undroppable striker in for three full seasons -- he wanted to rotate his players, and Owen was virtually undroppable, and especially not for the likes of Kuyt, etc. The Liverpool situation, if you ask a reasonable Liverpool fan (finding one can be tricky, I admit) was at least as much Benitez's fault as Owen's. Does it look like Keegan wants rid of Michael Owen? Also, there's the whole "I'm very enthused" etc. statements which I wouldn't consider particularly edgy or intended to dodge the question. What more does the lad have to do to convince people he wants to stay? He can't LIE and say he's signed or whatever, and personally I wouldn't want him to LIE and say "we're in talks, I'll sign next week" or whatever because he has had a talk with the manager but not the people who sign his paycheck and he doesn't know what's on offer or even if there will be an offer for certain. Owen's being honest, not "edgy", imo -- there's nothing for him to consider, as of yet, but he's looking forward to next season, very enthused, etc. All that said, part of me agrees with the "media trained to death" comment. The lad's been brought up on the receiving end of extensive media coverage, and he rarely puts a foot wrong because he's usually so cautious in what he says. He's honest, but not overly so -- very diplomatic, I'd say. Personally, I find it a bit refreshing that we're not hearing about every detail in the papers. It's much more professional of him, imo, to be cautiously optimistic rather than promise things he might not be able to deliver on. After all, he said he wanted to re-sign with Liverpool, then the Madrid offer came in and Benitez came in, and now a portion of Liverpool fans hate him for a perceived "betrayal". Lad's probably learned the hard way to be very careful what he says. I believe nothing from him until he's signed on the dotted line.

If we'd not dropped 5 points to Derby we'd be above West Ham No we wouldn't because we wouldn't have sacked FSA. He might have just died from too much winning.

If we'd not dropped 5 points to Derby we'd be above West Ham

Who else loved McShane's hillarious own goal that was ruled out? What a div Quality result, quality day!

i just think we have to accept he's a bloke who won't give anything away, and sits on the fence, he's media trained to death. he'll sign no doubt i reckon Like he did for Liverpool?

Ian Wright's the only entertaining one. Now it will be a total snooze fest to watch England.

Even the Norwich fans on their forum think he's complete shit.

Pattison - Probably the most hyped young player to have no ability whatsoever.

Alonso, Finnan, maybe Crouch but I want someone more with power and pace to replace Viduka with.

"I didn't want the job...but if you're asking me how it SHOULD be done..."

Only through sheer luck though.

They had an ounce of ability, and in the case of Luque & Boumsong had been a success before they joined so there was always the hope they could turn it around here. Smith on the otherhand, has been average all his career, 80% knew when he signed he was a poor player, and has done naff all to prove us wrong. Even still you'd think there'd be one person who would stick up for him but I've obviously missed that if it's happened.

Really?

I can't really think of a more unpopular player in recent memory than Smith. Even Luque, Boumsong, Dyer, Bowyer et al had people who defended them. Nobody likes Alan Smith.

He's quite accurate a lot of the time. That sounds like bollocks though.

Absolute must win game...simply because not winning it would be letting evil prevail. 2-1 win I think.

What do goals smell like?

No wonder you wanted Duff on. Crowd: Oooooooooh

I think he'll become the world's best player if he stays with Fergie. If he leaves he'll probably lose his way as he won't be given the same level of discipline.