The College Dropout

Loved Ballack. I agree the CB and main strikers aren't the best. They have lots of depth at CB of good-very good CB's. Random question: Who would people have as the top 5ish CB's in the world?

regarding internal PL loans. I actually think the answer is simply allowing the player to play against his parent club. The player should belong to the loaned club for the season. It removes a level of the advantage the loan-owner clubs have. Lukaku would love to smash one in against Chelsea.

Also I don't think this would really affect the likes of Chelsea. They sign players that can play in the top flights across Europe at 19. Even that Kalas lad had a season in the Dutch top flight. Lukaku and co. wouldn't be in this although it might've helped the progression of McEachren and the like. I think it could benefit a team like us far more than the oil clubs. Man U, Arsenal, Spurs - that actually sign young players or produce academy players with a chance of the first team.

Disagree. They would still hoard the youths, they just wouldn't play em or loan them abroad. Most likely just rot.

For the sake of the youth, I think it's worked well in Spain. The youngsters play some good opposition at a young age. I think it's a decent move to limit it to L1 as the Championship is too important to have other teams messing it up. The big difference is that our lower leagues are better supported. There's some big clubs in L1. That's not the case in Spain.

I do believe we are up shits creek for as long as Ashley is here. I don't expect us to improve drastically while he's here. But I would be delighted if we played like Southampton and tried to win the cups. Even if we ended up finishing 9th and getting knocked out the cups regardless. That would give me some hope. I just want to hope again.

He wouldn't move here but I would have Redknapp.

The nonce?

Think the La Decima has made Madrid lose concentration in the league. Nobody will care in Madrid as long as they win the CL anyway. The last time they won the league, Casillas spent most of the time talking about doing better in the CL. Really hope Atleti win the league. Think they will. That game where the team catipulated and scored 2 own goals and conceded another when 2-0 looked significant prior because of Tito as I think that inspired that comeback but now it could be a huge moment. I'm personally hoping Barca draw against Elche. If Atleti go to Camp Nou needing a result and end up winning it, it would be amazing. I saw Valencia win at the Nou Camp earlier this year with a second half performance I can see Atletico top. Barca have consistently been that bad as well.

Winning the CL and finishing 3rd is classic Ancelotti

I mean more in terms of holding the ball-up, bringing others into play rather than assists. Have you watched Liverpool at all this season, man? I get what you're saying, I just don't think it's accurate in the slightest. Nothing in the way Suarez plays suggests he couldn't combine well with Bale and Ronaldo. Maybe we'll see. Don't see 3 dribblers working well. Benzema's style and strengths are so dissimilar to the other 2 that I think it's the key to the tandem.

I mean more in terms of holding the ball-up, bringing others into play rather than assists.

That's what they said about the Galacticos with Ronaldo in for Morientes. Also think the Madrid fans would rather Jese be given more opportunities when he's back from injury. Suarez would be a better fit for Barca imo

Tbf Bale's gone into the CRonaldo-junior role very easily. He hasn't come in looking to be top dog at all which has helped. I dunno, I just think Benzema's link-up play is brilliant and natural. The type of forward that would compliment any other top forward brilliantly. Whether that's Ibra, Cronaldo or Messi. I don't see that with Suarez.

I think Suarez would score less goals at Madrid than he does at Liverpool. With the likes of Ronaldo and Bale averaging 10 shots per game combined, I don't think he could take his chance as much as he does now. Benzema could simply be lethal as the main striker in a other club, out of their shadows. Thanks for actually talking about the football. IMO Benzema's never been the most natural of finishers. In a team that creates a lot of chances and the pressure is not on him specifically to score - he still goes on barren runs. I'm a big Benzema fan but unless something changes I don't think he'll ever be an elite striker. I think Bezema is the key to making that Bale-Benzema-Bale frontline work. He's naturally an incredibly selfless team mate with the ability to play with his back to goal or running at people.

He's easily one of the most positive and gung-ho managers I have ever seen. He actually gets a lot of flak for going to places like the Bernabéu and Camp Nou and attacking form the get-go, meaning Rayo gets stuffed often. He's amazingly upbeat, though, and makes a strong point of *never* changing his ways even in the face of relegation danger or to play for a draw in a tough game. He always plays to win. And it's worked for Rayo so far. Rayo's the only team that has won the possession stat against Barça since 2008 IIRC. I've been very impressed. Tbh he could do better than us, even in La Liga. Surely one of the sides with a chance for 4th next season will take a punt?

Now i've only gathered this from the 1 cup run. But knowing the fans well, i'm certain Steve Bruce would take the Cups seriously. He knows if he could get us a Cup, he'd be a living legend for us. Just that little bit of ambition mixed in with ability is probably the best we can get under Ashley.

Aye? Benzema's a very good footballer but he's never been the most prolific. He's a perfect fit for this Madrid. I'm certain he would score less for Chelsea than he does for Madrid and they don't have anyone to make it up. Suarez in this Madrid side would almost certainly be overkill and they don't need a flat-track bully. Would be a bad move for both parties.

Paco Jemez, although I think he'll end up at a bigger club.

They definitely thought if they could get maybe one or two more at Palace at 0-3. If they played their best they know they could do us by 9. Definitely on their mind. Even a crap L'pool side takes us apart at Anfield.

Had Bobby seen out that year we would've been in a decent position. No doubt we would have finished top 6 again, qualified for Europe again. No doubt.

Me too, much better than City winning it. Not that them falling apart isn't slightly amusing mind. If we're ever going to win the league, it'll be the City way. What Liverpool & Ath Madrid have done this season is monumental, but they're exceptions rather than the rule. I relate to City fans pre 2010 far more than Liverpool fans so I'm happy with the (likely) outcome. Can't compare Atletico to Liverpool. History is very different. Squad built for FAR FAR less. No investment in the last few years. The entire Atleti starting XI away at Chelsea cost the same as Sakho & Sturridge.

Played in a forward 3 at Milan IIRC at times. An energetic #10 type thing.

I've only ever met 1 City fan. Them winning the league has zero bearing on my life. Neither would L'pool winning it in the grand scheme of things. But the media crap I would love to not have to endure.

This result has been coming for L'pool against a weaker side.