The College Dropout

Coleman is not British Sorry. British and Irish.

The Chelsea side of the late 90's got by with Wise & Le Saux, with Jody Morris, John Harley and Terry in the squad, getting games. The most successful period of that Chelsea had a real balance of British and foreigners. They won 3 trophies in '97 with Wise, Hughes, Minto, Duberry, Newton, Granville etc. How many trophies have they won since they bought a s*** load of foreigners? They still had a English captain, a England vice-captain, Ashley Cole and some other British options. Now, they have an all-star team but they still fielded two British players. Arsenal peaked when they had a few remnants of the old British based side remaining and a few newer English recruits. When they went super foreign, they dipped. You began questioning their heart and battle.

That's true, but the question is whether there's any causation. Are the British players actually adding anything because they're British, and if so is it worth the extra money they cost? Of course they are. Ferguson didn't make sure his sides had a British core because he's xenophobic.

The Chelsea side of the late 90's got by with Wise & Le Saux, with Jody Morris, John Harley and Terry in the squad, getting games. The most successful period of that Chelsea had a real balance of British and foreigners. They won 3 trophies in '97 with Wise, Hughes, Minto, Duberry, Newton, Granville etc.

Everton? They have a British core and a lot of PL experience. Jagielka, Baines, Coleman, Osman and even Anichebe. They've added foreigners obviously but they have a strong British foundation. Nobody is saying "no foreigners". But you need 2-3 British players in the first team at the very least. There's not a good side in the league without that. At the moment, the closest is probably Chelsea but they've got an All-Star line-up.

If Pardew stops his mental block of having to play Tiote and puts Sissoko there instead, it would be a start. I don't believe Sissoko/Cabaye would work very well. But I do believe a midfield 3 with them all would be great (or a proper Tiote replacement).

They also signed Shelvey too.

Okay... but they have 5 at the moment and they are a good team.. now.

I agree with this. I know where people are coming from when they say they want a core of English players, but we shouldn't just be buying English for the sake of it, it has to be with the view to improving the team. There's no point in spending millions on young British players then getting spanked off Swansea because they've recruited some international striker from Slovakia who scores a hatrick against us. Swansea? Off teh top of my head they have 5 first team British players. The big CB, Taylor at FB, Brittain, N. Dyer & Routledge

What British players are around at the moment (that are realistic, ie we aren't getting Wilshere any time soon)? I'd bring in a LW - Ince, Sinclair, McManaman, Hoilett (brought up in English football

Just because you're black it doesn't you can make racist comments like

I would take real Rolls Royce signings like a Berbatov over that age limit. But generally, i'd stay away. I want us to sign players who will get better.

I want more British players fro footballing reasons. the only great/trophy winning sides to play with barely any English players is The Invincibles" Arsenal side. They had two starters at the back - Campbell and Cole. Keown was a presence off the bench. And even then Vieira had joined Arsenal at 20, Ljungberg & Toure since 21. With the first two in their 6th/7th PL campaigns.

Michael Owen even managed to make 400 appearances. Which is not a bad total tbh.

Woodgate is still playing. Though that barely alters the point you're making. Doubt he'll make it to 330 like Dyer. Not including the 30 odd England appearances Dyer made.

Sissoko was terrible at AM apart from 3 tremendous games early doors. He's more a wide man than an AM.

Oh and that lad that tried to break Haidara's leg.

Really need to invest properly in our own youth academy. If there's one position there's a number of decent options coming through the ranks in Britain, it's on the wings. I'd take Ince, Sinclair and Hoillett. Hoilett's Canadian I know but he's HG.

Do we though? I find this line of thought quite disturbing because I think there's a large undertone of xenophobia/racism attached to it. No there's not.

Woodgate never managed 300 appearances

He has quality no doubt and I think he could be very good for us. He was pretty poor though let's be honest.

Not getting purposefully sent off because he's in a bad mood would be a start. he did that one time! And it's all some people remember for some sad reason. What? Danny "heart of a pea" Simpson got that reputation for less!

Aye rock solid against Chelsea and S'hampton

Typing on an iPhone.

IMO CB is the most part partnership orientated area of the pitch. In CM or attack different partnerships work for different scenarios but not with CB. It's because organisation, regiment and understanding is So important at the back. I remember last season Wenger brought Vermaelen back at CB for one game as the opposition had a lot of pace. Arsenal looked a mess. We get brought Mertesacker Back in with Koscielny against every opponent and they where much better. The strength of the partnership was stronger than any individual weaknesses. No coincidence out best run at the back happened when we put the and Back 5 out consistently.