James

Which experts would those be? Anyway, it's rubbish. We have never had a squad with this many young, technical football players. In fact, I'd say the weak link in our attacking play is Van Nistelrooij, and we would be better off playing with Huntelaar, as he is more technical as well. Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Robben, Van Persie and Huntelaar and one controlling midfield player and we would be unplayable for most defenses in this competition. Our attackers in the 70's weren't that great; it was the midfielders who stood out, especially Cruyff and Van Hanegem. The 80's were poor by all accounts, except for '88 and Van Basten, but you may be surprised Van Basten wasn't considered to be a first team player at the start of the competition. The 90's were good, mainly because of Bergkamp, Van Basten (first half of the decade) and Kluivert (second half of the decade), but I do think we have some exceptional players at this point in time. Shame some are so injury prone, especially Robben and Van Persie.. Numerous elder statesmen in the Dutch game. Was in FourFourTwo.

Even the attack. Late 00s < Late 90s < Late 80s < Late 70s Or at least that is what the Dutch experts are saying. Many blaming van Basten for destroying long established youth development systems. Undoubtedly there are some good players, van der Vaart and an experienced van Nistelrooy would have made the 98 team a complete team for example, but the likes of Robben and van Persie are extremely overrated when compared to past Dutch greats.

The current Dutch team is the worst there has been for years and will go out in the first round.

Kazim-Kazim > Colin Kazim-Richards FACT

There is pretty much a straight swap available fortunately.

Two clean sheets for me, good start, although I wish I had gone for Pepe.

Based on the only 45 minutes I've seen on him, Chelsea have wasted more money on a shocking full back. Like the look of Pepe

Shite opener. MOTM either Galasek or Rozehnal

djmattis and mcdonald36, you have managed to make a complete mockery of a thread about two kids dying. Not good.

Two hours left to enter both of these competitions on an even footing.....

Shola is 26.

Our only 25 year old is already in jail.

RIP kids. If guilty, I hope the player is locked up for a long time.

45 in 69 for Besiktas gives a goal ratio of 0.652 goals a game. That is better than the 14 in 24 Les Ferdinand scored for them at a goal ratio of 0.583 per game. Snap him up.

PS the Prediction League is still fairly empty. It takes less than 5 minutes to enter if you all ready have a Fantasy Football team.

My team: Cech Lahm Bosingwa Abidal Zambrotta Ribery Kranjcar Xavi Torres Gomez Pogrebnyak Sub: Sebastian Larsson

To be honest, it would be a bit of a hoot if that is the best deal Hicks will sanction.

Today people.

Our defence was OK when we took the pressure off them and allowed them a chance to settle. Don't think it will be if we go back to 442 to be honest. There are numerous ways probably to deal with this that don't involve Shearer or Bellamy, but it is an issue that will need sorting. how does 443 mean our defense plays really well and 442 means that they fall into a disorginised rubble exactly? beye, faye, taylor and enrique is a good defence. not brilliant but solid, and as long as we can keep the ball next season they should perform alright. a lot of teams play 442 in this league and i'm sure they are not blaming that on any defensive frailties that they face. i'm equally sure that there is nothing in beye, feye, taylor and enrique which makes them very good at defending in a 433 formation but shite in a 442 formation. Defending is not just about the back four but the protection in front of it. I don't think we have a combination of players in a 4 man midfield who can provide the protection needed.

I thought Shepherd became chairman in all but name after getting Shearer here due to SJH's ill health?

Do your history. You're blaming Shepherd when he wasn't the chairman. Sort of proves my point that someone (Dave?) has just questioned. Thanks. Fact is, he didn't want to leave us and play for his boyhood team. Think about it. Shepherd's chairmanship: 1996-1998, 1999-2007 Ferdinand was sold in 1997. Think about it.

Our defence was OK when we took the pressure off them and allowed them a chance to settle. Don't think it will be if we go back to 442 to be honest. There are numerous ways probably to deal with this that don't involve Shearer or Bellamy, but it is an issue that will need sorting.

For years though we've not had a solid base to rely on. I'm not disputing that attacking from the front is effective, but I feel we achieved under Robson despite the defence, not thanks to it. With Enrique, Faye, Taylor, Beye and Harper in the defence I think we have as solid a look as we have for a long time; it's a complete defence, with no outstanding weak links. Got to thank Allardyce for three of those too. This summer we need to make sure we are as formidable going forward, and that means targetting and bringing in players who can create and score goals. 100% agree. It was literally the defense that needed sorting - it was such a strange situation - i could and will never understand why not a sinslge manager chose to really bulk up the defence and add real quality - we easily had one of the best attacking units in the prem. Really frustrating in hindsight. I would have thought it had something to do with not agreeing reasonable fees for Miguel and Seitaridis because a certain individual had his eyes on a cheaper car in another lot.

I thought everyone except Freddy Shepherd didn't want Ferdinand to go to Spurs for £6m?

For years though we've not had a solid base to rely on. I'm not disputing that attacking from the front is effective, but I feel we achieved under Robson despite the defence, not thanks to it. With Enrique, Faye, Taylor, Beye and Harper in the defence I think we have as solid a look as we have for a long time; it's a complete defence, with no outstanding weak links. Got to thank Allardyce for three of those too. This summer we need to make sure we are as formidable going forward, and that means targetting and bringing in players who can create and score goals. We showed last season that better defenders doesn't equal a better defence. Yes, we need players who can attack and score and create, but we need these players to do a defensive shift as well, as that is the best way to stop our opponents performing when they have the ball. For example, Tevez has been integral to Ronaldo's form this season.