The College Dropout

When he decides to switch on the invisible mode he appears lazy. He always seemed very hard-working to me. Always on the last shoulder or looking for the through ball.

John Terry had to fight the great Marcel Desailly for his place in the first team. I'm sure he learnt alot from experienced defenders such as Desailly and Gallas. The year Abramovich took over he was still fighting for his place. He wasn't stuck with through thick or thin as you are suggesting Carragher played at fullback for a long time before he came the CB we all know. He's what 29? How long has he been the first choice centreback at Liverpool? 4 or so years ago it was Henzhoz and Hyppia. Neither of these players where first team regulars at 21.

A rock.

This is some of the over-rating bollocks I was talking about. Talk about huge expectations. Which is why i said "in a few years". I'm not saying he is an international defender now. I'm saying he has the potential to be one and i think he will reach his potential now that he is hopefully gonna be playing alongside some quality defenders every week. Fair enough.

3. Enough considering one is injury-prone? Does Dyer count? Ameobi, Carroll, Owen, Viduka, Martins Makeshifts: Luque, Dyer and maybe Duff. But we have 3 established strikers. Let's not mention Luque and the other 2 makeshifts are also very injury prone. Unless the management have high hopes for Carroll (like Hughes had for that lad whose name escapes me) I suggest we invest in another striker... **realizes he forgot someone** No it's alright, we have Shola.

Taylor as captain is not exactly outlandish not when we aren't exactly full to the top with captain material. We could atleast start with players that have proved themselves consistently at Premiership level. He hasn't done anything to say that he's much better than Bramble. Now you're being daft, he has made a few mistakes and had a few wobbly games true, but he's only 21 so that's to be expected. Overall though he's looked a decent prospect given he's been playing in a Newcastle United back-four which would probably give even the likes of Jon Terry sleepless nights. In my opinion of course. True but that doesn't take away from the fact that he is not a proven EPL player. I agree he looks a prospect but he's nowhere near the finished article & could well go the Bramble route. Captain my arse, he needs to show that he can cut the mustard at this level. He does, I agree. However I think such a responsibility could really be good for his development myself. As far as I can see there are no outstanding candidates and I personally don't think experience is an issue regarding the captaincy, so am open minded to the suggestion. Why not. Because he may not prove himself to be deserving of a first XI place. He'll probably think he's a big time Charlie if he's given it. Once he proves that he is a good defender then we can talk about captaincy. Why not give it to the Zog? He's shown as much promise as Taylor, why hasn't he been mentioned? Is it home grown Geordie lad bias? how can you not rate him as an out and out defender. some aspects of his game are lacking and he can look a little shaky at times but he as a good defender. I've said that I think he's a prospect but he hasn't shown himself to be a good defender on anywhere near a consistent basis. Why would you make an unproven young defender captain? i've never said he should be captain, not yet anyway. hes 21 and has been playing first team football for 3 seasons. i think that makes him proven at least, and imo a proven good defender Aye normally it would but he's been in a much maligned defence for most of it. Also he hasn't been a regular for 3 years. Due to injuries and shitty signings he's been in and out of the starting XI.

This is some of the over-rating bollocks I was talking about. Talk about huge expectations.

Taylor as captain is not exactly outlandish not when we aren't exactly full to the top with captain material. We could atleast start with players that have proved themselves consistently at Premiership level. He hasn't done anything to say that he's much better than Bramble. Now you're being daft, he has made a few mistakes and had a few wobbly games true, but he's only 21 so that's to be expected. Overall though he's looked a decent prospect given he's been playing in a Newcastle United back-four which would probably give even the likes of Jon Terry sleepless nights. In my opinion of course. True but that doesn't take away from the fact that he is not a proven EPL player. I agree he looks a prospect but he's nowhere near the finished article & could well go the Bramble route. Captain my arse, he needs to show that he can cut the mustard at this level. He does, I agree. However I think such a responsibility could really be good for his development myself. As far as I can see there are no outstanding candidates and I personally don't think experience is an issue regarding the captaincy, so am open minded to the suggestion. Why not. Because he may not prove himself to be deserving of a first XI place. He'll probably think he's a big time Charlie if he's given it. Once he proves that he is a good defender then we can talk about captaincy. Why not give it to the Zog? He's shown as much promise as Taylor, why hasn't he been mentioned? Is it home grown Geordie lad bias? Or the added responsibility and prestige of captaining your hometown club could inject a massive vote of confidence into the player who then takes it upon himself to pay his manager's faith in him back ten fold and galvanize him to get his priorities right? Could be the making of him or it could just be a waste of a good armband... I'd be willing to take the small risk. Small risk of becoming the next JJ or Parker? Every mistake will be highlighted and scrutinized as captain. I wouldn't be surprised if he was dropped at some point in the season... captains should be the first name on the sheet ro atleast the automatic starter. Taylor is not this. He should concentrate on fighting to be in the first team.

Taylor as captain is not exactly outlandish not when we aren't exactly full to the top with captain material. We could atleast start with players that have proved themselves consistently at Premiership level. He hasn't done anything to say that he's much better than Bramble. Now you're being daft, he has made a few mistakes and had a few wobbly games true, but he's only 21 so that's to be expected. Overall though he's looked a decent prospect given he's been playing in a Newcastle United back-four which would probably give even the likes of Jon Terry sleepless nights. In my opinion of course. True but that doesn't take away from the fact that he is not a proven EPL player. I agree he looks a prospect but he's nowhere near the finished article & could well go the Bramble route. Captain my arse, he needs to show that he can cut the mustard at this level. He does, I agree. However I think such a responsibility could really be good for his development myself. As far as I can see there are no outstanding candidates and I personally don't think experience is an issue regarding the captaincy, so am open minded to the suggestion. Why not. Because he may not prove himself to be deserving of a first XI place. He'll probably think he's a big time Charlie if he's given it. Once he proves that he is a good defender then we can talk about captaincy. Why not give it to the Zog? He's shown as much promise as Taylor, why hasn't he been mentioned? Is it home grown Geordie lad bias? how can you not rate him as an out and out defender. some aspects of his game are lacking and he can look a little shaky at times but he as a good defender. I've said that I think he's a prospect but he hasn't shown himself to be a good defender on anywhere near a consistent basis. Why would you make an unproven young defender captain?

Taylor as captain is not exactly outlandish not when we aren't exactly full to the top with captain material. We could atleast start with players that have proved themselves consistently at Premiership level. He hasn't done anything to say that he's much better than Bramble. Now you're being daft, he has made a few mistakes and had a few wobbly games true, but he's only 21 so that's to be expected. Overall though he's looked a decent prospect given he's been playing in a Newcastle United back-four which would probably give even the likes of Jon Terry sleepless nights. In my opinion of course. True but that doesn't take away from the fact that he is not a proven EPL player. I agree he looks a prospect but he's nowhere near the finished article & could well go the Bramble route. Captain my arse, he needs to show that he can cut the mustard at this level. He does, I agree. However I think such a responsibility could really be good for his development myself. As far as I can see there are no outstanding candidates and I personally don't think experience is an issue regarding the captaincy, so am open minded to the suggestion. Why not. Because he may not prove himself to be deserving of a first XI place. He'll probably think he's a big time Charlie if he's given it. Once he proves that he is a good defender then we can talk about captaincy. Why not give it to the Zog? He's shown as much promise as Taylor, why hasn't he been mentioned? Is it home grown Geordie lad bias? Give it to Le Strop? No thanks. I wasn't being serious. Just pointing out the ludacrisy of calling for young Bruce Willis to become captain.

Taylor as captain is not exactly outlandish not when we aren't exactly full to the top with captain material. We could atleast start with players that have proved themselves consistently at Premiership level. He hasn't done anything to say that he's much better than Bramble. Now you're being daft, he has made a few mistakes and had a few wobbly games true, but he's only 21 so that's to be expected. Overall though he's looked a decent prospect given he's been playing in a Newcastle United back-four which would probably give even the likes of Jon Terry sleepless nights. In my opinion of course. True but that doesn't take away from the fact that he is not a proven EPL player. I agree he looks a prospect but he's nowhere near the finished article & could well go the Bramble route. Captain my arse, he needs to show that he can cut the mustard at this level. Taylor has held the defence together this season. Bramble is far more accident prone and when both are at their best Taylor is still the better player. If he can play like he is with crap around him imagine what he could be like with an established back 4 Held the defence together? Taylor better than Bramble at his best? Your talking bollocks mate.

Taylor as captain is not exactly outlandish not when we aren't exactly full to the top with captain material. We could atleast start with players that have proved themselves consistently at Premiership level. He hasn't done anything to say that he's much better than Bramble. Now you're being daft, he has made a few mistakes and had a few wobbly games true, but he's only 21 so that's to be expected. Overall though he's looked a decent prospect given he's been playing in a Newcastle United back-four which would probably give even the likes of Jon Terry sleepless nights. In my opinion of course. True but that doesn't take away from the fact that he is not a proven EPL player. I agree he looks a prospect but he's nowhere near the finished article & could well go the Bramble route. Captain my arse, he needs to show that he can cut the mustard at this level. He does, I agree. However I think such a responsibility could really be good for his development myself. As far as I can see there are no outstanding candidates and I personally don't think experience is an issue regarding the captaincy, so am open minded to the suggestion. Why not. Because he may not prove himself to be deserving of a first XI place. He'll probably think he's a big time Charlie if he's given it. Once he proves that he is a good defender then we can talk about captaincy. Why not give it to the Zog? He's shown as much promise as Taylor, why hasn't he been mentioned? Is it home grown Geordie lad bias?

3. Enough considering one is injury-prone? Does Dyer count?

Taylor as captain is not exactly outlandish not when we aren't exactly full to the top with captain material. We could atleast start with players that have proved themselves consistently at Premiership level. He hasn't done anything to say that he's much better than Bramble. Now you're being daft, he has made a few mistakes and had a few wobbly games true, but he's only 21 so that's to be expected. Overall though he's looked a decent prospect given he's been playing in a Newcastle United back-four which would probably give even the likes of Jon Terry sleepless nights. In my opinion of course. True but that doesn't take away from the fact that he is not a proven EPL player. I agree he looks a prospect but he's nowhere near the finished article & could well go the Bramble route. Captain my arse, he needs to show that he can cut the mustard at this level.

He hasn't regressed it's just at Blackburn he was the star player, where he gained alot of confidence. He was involved with everything, he was the first player the others looked for. Blackburns passing style of football also suits Bellamy much more than Liverpool's often direct approach. Not too mention starting poorly and drifting in & out of the side.

Taylor as captain is not exactly outlandish not when we aren't exactly full to the top with captain material. We could atleast start with players that have proved themselves consistently at Premiership level. He hasn't done anything to say that he's much better than Bramble.

Craig Bellamy A much better footballer when he left compared to when he signed. Movement, composure and build-up play where much better and he went on to play the best football of his career at Blackburn. Not to mention we sorted out his knees. He improved through sheer hardwork and determination. I'm always banging on about Taylor but that's just because I think he's tremoundsley over-rated by some here (captain ffs), i think hes a promising player who needs to develop.

Maybe so but I think it's fair to say that he doesn't want to stay. Unless he signs a new contract he must be pushed. In January he'll be worth less and in the summer we'll be looking at £6,000,000. the thing about owens value is that its his release clause not ability thats keeping his value down, and that will stay at 9million. i think his value won't decrease until he's 30. even at 30 a striker of owens calibour will be worth something. I was lead to believe that the release clause gets cheaper as the years go by.

I just posted this in the 'Giuly' thread, since the Owen discussion spread over there as well... My worry is though, that he stays through this transfer window, and by some miracle or other plays through to January without injury (or at least serious injury), and scores a few goals for us. If todays rumours are correct, he will then still be eligible to leave under a min. release clause, but that clause figure will have dropped by 25% (circa £2.2m, down to £6.8m ish). One of the big four may then decide he's worth the risk at that price, and snap hm up - leaving us with a hole to fill up front mid-season. If he isn't gonna come out and commit himself for the full forthcoming season (at least), I would rather just get shot of him now, for £9m - at least we have time to buy another striker who would wnat to be here, in time to prepare for the whole season. And, in a round-about kind of way, I think that is what Sam is trying to do today - putting the onus back onto Owen, by stating he can't stop him leaving, and hoping that it may push Owen one way or another. Similar to what Shepherd tried to do (demanding statement of commitment), just in a better, more subtle way. Wonder if Sam could get him to agree to stay the full season if a £9m bid doesn't come in by a certain date (say 1st July) - so we wouldn't be left in the lurch on 31st August. If Owen gets a good run until christmas without injuries we can be sure he will pick up an injurie in january. Perfect time to sell... ;-) Then £9M is no longer the asking price but down to £6. something

We don't want to be strong-armed in January. Either he commits or he pisses off. Sadly I reckon we'll fuck about till August 31st and we sell him without a replacement or get dictated too in January/next summer.

Maybe so but I think it's fair to say that he doesn't want to stay. Unless he signs a new contract he must be pushed. In January he'll be worth less and in the summer we'll be looking at £6,000,000.

Aye I have believed this to be the case for awhile now which shows FS decision to be more understandeable. He's not as easy to shift as he'd like. Chelsea and Liverpool play quite directly and prefer to play a 433, a formation not suited to Michael Owen. Arsenal may become a viable option if Henry leaves. Manure have already spent a fortune, do they have room for the £14 million or so that Owen would cost in a year? He's obviously been trying to move to one of these clubs. Our best bet is him going abroad again. Atleast know the fans know the situation and I for one hope he leaves. As an asset he's unreliable and wants a move and value is depreciating by the second. SELL. SELL. SELL.

Aye, that's actually £50,000,000.00... it makes you wince knowing it was all wasted. £50M doesn't do it justice. If it were not for the takeover we'd still be suffering the repercussions of his time here. Big fees and big wages.

Pazzini is a beast in all the FM games. Lovely for my long ball game. I missed the Wembley match but he's looked pretty good when I've seen him

Indeed. £50M in less than 2 years and he spunked nearly every penny. the only player he signed that we can all agree is a success is Nobby and he cost a pittance when compared to most of his other shit.