The College Dropout

Twas a really great player for 3 or 4 seasons but he's had alot of injuries and played poor for a long time now. Although I'd have Lauren hear in a shot.

Bent is strong, good at holding holding up the ball and is good aerially.

He's a decent DM and is a poor AM, if he's going to play (which he will) then he should play the former role.

To be fair Aaron could run.

Given never comes out for anything. So the only things he has to worry is shot stopping and his kicking. Lehmann often relieves the defence when he collects the ball, Given doesn't tend to do this so he can't be critcized for fumbling. When the last minute penalty was given to Villareal Lehmann did his crazy German act but when it came down to business you could tell he was going to save the penalty.....well that and the scared shitless look on Riquelme's face. And that's another thing, the crazy German has probably saved more penalties in his 3 years at Arsenal than Shay has with us (And Shays had alot of practice) Shay often lets the ball bounce in and around the 6 yard area whilst not a blatant mistake it does cost us goals. I consider Lehmann the less error-prone version of David James, who is a magnificent 'keeper as well. I can't say how much of Cech's game relies on Terry & Co. but I can say how much Terry & Co.'s game relies on Cech. I cite the 'Boro game as an example, the defence looked nervous and uncertain with the same players who played with Cech. Cech consistantly relieves pressure from the defence by coming and collecting crosses thus escaping the scrappy clearences that woulf follow if he did a Shay Given. Back to Shay- He is consistantly a great shot stopper but there is more to being a goalkeeper than that.

Wasn't that Harper? Who had the crap kick which led to the Spurs goal? I dont know.Im talking about the game before Bolton when Pav came as a sub and the first 3 goal kicks he take were hilarious Oh yeah, that was funny (in a worrying way). People are right, it does put a smile on your face seeing Pav in goal.

Everybody has weaknesses. The likes of Henry and Ronaldinho would be in the so called 'elite' group of footballers. But they have weaknesses. Its just that their strenghts overshadow their weaknesses most of the time. True. Buffon drifts in games, Casillas is shockingly inconsistent, Cech's kicking is poor, Van Der Sar is total dog shit for top corner shots, Lehman is a total cock and vastly over-rated anyway, Reina is pathetic in the air and Given's distribution is poor. All the worldclass keepers have their faults, i've just picked the glaringly obvious with each one. Ask a level-headed fan of each keeper and they'd point out even more. Kicking apart Cech is a pretty flawless keeper. My problem with Shay is that he doesn't command his area enough, he rarely comes out and catches/punches the ball. On top form I'd have 3 or 4 Premiership goalies over Shay. As much as it sounds I'm not having a pop at Shay whose been a fantastic player for us but he isn't/never was the best goalie in the Premiership. I can remember Cech making at least 3 major blunders last season. So I wouldnt say he's flawless. Given has been the best keeper in the league for the last two seasons, no doubt about it. And I'm sure Given made 3 goal costing mistakes as well. And when I say flawless I mean in his attributes. They've missed his presence and his command of his area, he instills confidence in the defenders. They wouldn't have lost against Boro if Cech was in goal. IMO Lehmann was by FAR the best goalkeeper in the league last year. Given maybe the best shot stopper but altogether Lehmann is a better goalkeeper. Given is a very cautious GK.

Wasn't that Harper? Who had the crap kick which led to the Spurs goal?

Man U - VDS, Polish, Foster, Howard - All better than Pavel Arsenal - Lehnman, Basque, Poom. Last 2 at the same level as Pavel. Chelsea - Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Swedish. Last 2 at the same level as Pavel. Liverpool - Reina, Carson, Dudek. Dudek same level with Pavel. Spurs - Robsinson. Same level as Pavel Villa - Sorensen, Taylor, Kiraly. Kiraly same level with Pavel Bolton - Finnish, Omani. Omani same level with Pavel West Ham - Green, Carroll. Carroll the same level with Pavel Charlton - Carson, ?? No comment. Watford - Foster, Lee All better than Pavel Fulham - Niemi, Crossley, someone. The someone is worse than Pavel Boro - Aussie, Jones, Turnbull. Turnbull is better than Pavel but Jones is not. Sheffield - Kenny, ?? No comment. Porstmouth - James, Kiely. All better than Pavel. Blackburn - Friedel, ?? No comment City - Weaer, Swiss. All better than Pavel Everton - Howard, Wright. All better than Pavel Reading - American. ?? No comment. Pavel isn't too bad as a 4th choice keeper. One has to remember tha at the point we brought in Pavel, keepers like Kiely and Crossley have already been taken up by Championship clubs. Pavel not only brought his keeper ability to us, he has brought smiles, passions and hopes to us as well. I bet players like Taylor and Ramage were pleased to see Pavel again and his influence in the dressing room should only be possitive. We lost to Bolton because we didn't play well. It is easy to blame the keeper but the first goal is Ramage's fault and the second goal Hutington's, not that I am trying to blame Ramage or Hutington for our defeat. You are having a laugh with that mate. Kiraly,Poom,Dudek and Robinson are all better than Pav. A simple "Mine" would've stopped the first goal. Ramage scored due to a lack of communication with Pav so they both should shoulder the blame. And for some reason I also blame Pav for the 2nd goal although I forgot how it came about.

Everybody has weaknesses. The likes of Henry and Ronaldinho would be in the so called 'elite' group of footballers. But they have weaknesses. Its just that their strenghts overshadow their weaknesses most of the time. True. Buffon drifts in games, Casillas is shockingly inconsistent, Cech's kicking is poor, Van Der Sar is total dog shit for top corner shots, Lehman is a total cock and vastly over-rated anyway, Reina is pathetic in the air and Given's distribution is poor. All the worldclass keepers have their faults, i've just picked the glaringly obvious with each one. Ask a level-headed fan of each keeper and they'd point out even more. Kicking apart Cech is a pretty flawless keeper. My problem with Shay is that he doesn't command his area enough, he rarely comes out and catches/punches the ball. On top form I'd have 3 or 4 Premiership goalies over Shay. As much as it sounds I'm not having a pop at Shay whose been a fantastic player for us but he isn't/never was the best goalie in the Premiership.

Oba has been great recently and long may it continue. I don't think the comparison to Bellamy is as ludicrous as people make it. For many years he was a second striker alongisde Big Al and for Celtic and Blackburn he was the main man. Although I'd say at Blackburn, their style of play brought the very best out of Bells whilst I still think we play as if Obafemi was a 36 year old balding Geordie. Bellamy got something like 17 goals at Blackburn and although some of that can be attributed to his improvement as a finisher, I'd say Blackburns slick-ground passing is the more important factor. At Liverpool where he isn't the main man, the style doesn't suit him and him moving to a club with more pressure has affected his performance. I'd say the last 2 could be said for Oba. If the coaches do their thing and Oba works very hard he could be one of the best strikers in the league.

Lampturd isn't bad actually.

But I get what he's saying. If Chelski ever get infront they'll run away with it.

OH-BAH-FEM-EEEE

Man United Atleast they deserve to be where they are plus I don't see them dominating the league with Chelski's billions around.

Been saying he's over-rated since we bought him. A bad player, no. Automatic in the first XI like Roeder insists, HELL NO!!!

Those where the good (old) days. Every year I watch us lose 1-0 or draw at the Arse.

His flips seem more controlled than Lua Lua's. Lomano does this 360 thingy with his legs tucked in, he did that when he got injured. It's the one where you land with one leg.

Shearer is far to neutral for my liking, you wouldn't catch any of the Liverpool contingent doing that.

No

he's shit. He's the Spanish Stephen Carr. Since when has Carr been an integral part of a Champions League winning side?

Oh-Bah-Fem-Eee!!!

If I saw Pattison in the street I'd cross the road. Tough looking Ginger men scare me deeply.

He still gives me nightmares **shivers**

One thing's for sure, if he can't adapt at Chelsea he's got no chance here. We're hardly renowned for helping players realise their potential. I have to disagree with you there because Shevchenko feeds on service yet chelsea don't even play with wingers, he's having to create the chances himself ( it isn't his style of play) Where as we.. we'll we smash crosses into the box even when no-one is there, so In my opinion I believe he'd score more for us than at chelsea at this current moment in time because we will provide him with a more chances to score. I actually agree with this. Our players seem to see Alan's ghost when they are in wide position.