alpal78

He is thrid behind Shearer and Given tbf. Sorry Given is a great player but I would not put him ahead of Solano. Despite our fans raving bout him every week, he never really got a better offer from a bigger club whereas Nobby could have easily stuck his middle finger at us after the way Robson sold him to Villa (for what to develop Ambrose!). Plus Given whines and complains whenever he is not in the first team even in cup games against second rate opponents, whereas I can't remember Nobby saying anything negative regardless of what position he is asked to play in and even when he is on the bench.

I will be sad if Nobby leaves, still one of the best technically gifted player we have, and has brought so many good memories for us. I'm also sure has a positive influence in the dressing room and is a leader in his own quiet way. But if he wants to leave for family reasons (and I believe him unlike Dyer), then I hope he gets the fans' blessings and will be warmly applauded when he returns. Nobby was second to only Shearer as the most loyal servant NUFC had for the last 10 years. Even when he was sold off to Villa, you could sense that his heart was with us.

I'm with this, Del Horno played reasonably well, Bridge was better but not streets ahead. That doesn't say much, coz to me Bridge played better than even Cole who many consider to be amongst the top 3 LB around. Del Horno had an awful game against Messi and then everyone got on his back and said that he was no good. Bandwagon pundits tbh.

Not very sure/happy over the Smith for Dyer swap. First, If we're paying as much as we're getting, then don't think we are getting our money worth. If the argument is that Dyer is injury prone, then it can be counter argued that Smith just recovered from a horrible injury himself and we don't know for sure if he has recovered fully. Second I see Smith as a grafter, hardworking but limited midfielder/striker. Against a defensive team, he won't bring anything extra that can open up their defence, not the way Dyer can. Third, I've always believe that pace is crucial for any team. Doubt Owen is that fast anymore, which means the only pace we have left is Oba and maybe Zoggy (though the latter is probably not in the first 11). Replacing Dyer with Smith means we have lost an outlet for pace which to me at least is bad. Having said all that, if we are still gonna replace Dyer with a pacey dribbling midfielder (provided we get a LB and one more CB too), then I guess Smith is ok, only wish we had not paid 6 Mil, we are selling Dyer at a discount to market price and buying Smith at a premium.

worse than Carr? are you insane Yes he is

Think you guys are reading too much into the fact that he is missing teh Chelsea game. Although he might not be up to the standards of some of Chelsea's players, if he plays the way he did in the last 5-10 games for Madrid, don't think he is going to look awfully out of place either. True, Galaxy might (most probably will) get a thumping but if he did play, that will be in spite of Beckham not because of him. Don't think he is the type of player who bottles under pressure, quite the contrary Beckham thrives in adverse circumstances and rise to the challeneges he faces, which is why he was able to make a 'come back' even after being dumped by both the club and national coaches.

I don't see how you can make a distinction between Roman and Chelsea. He is affectively the owner of the club and can inject as much cash he wants into the club. Like I said investors and private equity firms do it all the time. Being 100M in debt is nothing compared to some of the other takeovers that has occured in recent times (Marriot for example).

Correct, two VERY different things. Manchester's (hate-em!!) is an enviable achievement as a result of good management, the other is virtually 'fraud' on our great game. To illustrate this, Chelsea and Leeds were in exactly the same position (the figures were almost identical) at exactly the same time - one went the 'natural' way as a result (deservedly) of their own incompetence - the other . . . . ? There is no comparison, at all, between the Manchester United and Chelsea spending situations - it amazes me (constantly) how some people cannot (refuse to?) see this at all. The only difference is that Chelsea got a load of cash in a flash whereas Manure have been developing their business model over a longer period. I do not however find Chelsea's method more objectionable than Manure's. What Abramovich did is exactly what most private equity firms does these days (i.e take over a company heavily in debt, inject a load of cash and turn them profitable over a number of years) which is perfectly legal and is happening in other sectors anyway. To me at least, if you buy a trophy, then you buy a trophy regardless of the means that you obtain the money. If Chelsea is guilty of it, then so are Manure.

Exactly, somehow it's only Mourinho that buys trophies. Forget the fact that Manure has bought the likes of Rooney, RVN, Ronaldo, Ferdinand and maybe now Tevez....etc over the years at prices that were beyond the reach of the top 4.

And Dave gets a 20--0 thrashing! (at this point at least). The problem with the Gudjohnsen and Smith combo is that there just won't be enough goals. What's the point of all the hard work and close control if nobody is gonna score. I dare say though that a combo of Gudjohnsen + either Owen or Martins would be better then the latter two, Smith I just don't rate as a striker. Give me some drugs and I'll work as hard as he does for 90 minutes.

There ain't any difference between the two if you consider Roman as an investor and his investment as part of Chelsea's business operations. Why should you separate the two? many investors, private equity firms, hedge funds do take over companies who are doing poorly (in debt), invest significantly, turn the company around and make the priofit later either by way of divident or by selling off the shares. Doubt Manchester could have spent so much this year (and they're not done yet) if Glazier did not open up his wallet too.

Surpise really that so many went for Butt, still doubt where his heart really lies and don't want him a guaranteed spot in midfield. I'd go for Solano or possibly our new CB (provided he has the stature of a captain)

Emre could do the job for us as long as he is played as the attacking midfielder. Roeder's bumming of Parker meant that Emre was always playing behind Parker which severely reduces his impact. Not saying that Emre is close to Kaka, but try playing Kaka in the DM role (which was affectively the role Emre was playing in under Roeder) and see how useless even Kaka will be.

Aaahh, the boy thinks he's being abused. Well what a shame. You said.. Now I hope Milan tonk Liverpool (break Bellamy and Gerrad's leg in the process) and get their fair reward for an outstanding campaign, screw English patriotism. Telling you to f*** off is more than justified and doesn't constitute abuse imo. Aaah I see it's never abuse when it comes from you...don't care really. Out of curiosity, which part of my "Now I hope Milan tonk Liverpool (break Bellamy and Gerrad's leg in the process) and get their fair reward for an outstanding campaign, screw English patriotism" do you find objectionable? Do you support Liverppool or are you the geisha boy for Bellamy/Gerrard?

I realise that if someone is English and shows any patriotism in 2007 they're branded a racist, but really why don't you f*** off and screw yourself? Just so that you understand, the "screw English patriotism" was in reference to myself usually supporting English teams in Europe because I feel patriotic to the nation. I'm making exceptions for Man Utd and Liverpool this season though . In any case you should splash some cold water in your face and wipe off the foam in your mouth How apt that you should post the link for "Gemmil and Alex abusing members" at the bottom of your posts

I never thought I could get so much joy watching an Italian team play, the fact that Milan were massacring Man Utd was obviously a contributing factor and was sweet! Playing 4-5-1 was the wrong choice for Fergie, he wanted to flood the midfield to reduce Kaka's influence but with no real DM and with Gatusso and Pirlo dominating Scholes, Carrick and Fletcher, Kaka still had a field day (it helped that his first touch and control was Zidanesque). Ronaldo showed that he can be found wanting against better defenders, his 1st minute back heel that never worked said it all. He tried to be an arrogant showboating prick from the word go but that didn’t work against Milan's rock solid defence. His poor backtracking (almost zero) gave Jankulovski empty space to run into. Ronaldo losing his temper at his own hopelessness towards the end was just the icing on the cake. Best player in the world my ass, the whole Milan team played better than him last night and Kaka was a few cuts above him. Now I hope Milan tonk Liverpool (break Bellamy and Gerrad's leg in the process) and get their fair reward for an outstanding campaign, screw English patriotism.

Its true though. TBH whou would you rather play alongside? Owen or Shola. I think Shola is a good player and doesn't deserve the stick he gets but it doesn't take a genius to know he is not as good as Owen really. What I was annoyed about wasn't so much the comparison between Shola and Owen, as Martins making this assumption in public that Shola, and not him, would be third choice. With Owen and Shola coming back, he should be thinking that he needs to improve if he's going to keep his place. Oba suggesting that we'll challenge for the title is similiar to you suggesting that Shola should start ahead of Oba. Either both of you are WUMs or are off your tits

Selective reading, of all Mourinho tactical changes mentioned in the article (away in Velancia, both legs against Porto, Carling Cup final...etc), Vic harps on the Watford game. Boring but unexpected.

A good article from Soccernet that sums some of the key points that makes Mourinho special

SGE has his problems but people who are saying no are dreaming. Do you realize the sort of crap that we are getting at the moment? When FS sacks Roeder, it will be difficult for us to get anyone with even some remote Premiership experience, never mind someone who has international experience, managed teams successfully in Europe and a foreign league (cash abundance notwithstanding). We are more likely to get the likes of Bruce than Allardyce and if knowing that, you'd still advocate turning down SGE, then you're a certified nut

nothing like an unbiased opinion is there

My dear, all opinions are biased based on your view of things

There is no doubt in my mind that not only is the EPL right at the top in terms of the quality of teams, but also in terms of top notch managers. Fergie, Mourinho, Benitez and Wenger are amongst the world's best. Rate them from 1 to 10 (10 being awesome and 1 being 'doing a Roeder') on the following attribute of the four respective managers. Tactics Psychology/Mind Games Developing Players Transfer Dealings (it's true that the scouts are usually the one who makes the recommendations, but the manager still makes the final call) My ratings are as below Fergie Tactics - 7 Psychology/Mind Games - 9 Developing players - 9 Transfer Dealings - 6 Mourinho Tactics - 9 Psychology/Mind Games - 10 Developing players - 6 Transfer Dealings - 7 Benitez Tactics - 8 Psychology/Mind Games - 5 Developing players - 7 Transfer Dealings - 8 Wenger Tactics - 8 Psychology/Mind Games - 7 Developing players - 10 Transfer Dealings - 9 Just for fun Roeder Tactics - mackems.gif Psychology/Mind Games - Developing players - 7 Transfer Dealings -

Agree that Ronaldo is awesome but Zidane still has the best ball control ever. Ronaldo uses a combination of skill and speed to dribble whereas Zidane could dribble and beat oponents even in his 30s (i.e. without using speed) and for that he's still my fav player of all time.

can't resist reviving this thread after yesterday's game. So he can't make decisions and is only Mr Motivator huh. Doesn't get much harder than coming from one goal behind against Valencia in the Mestella. Mourinho's switch to a 4-3-3 in the second half and putting Essien in RB was instrumental in their come from behind win. They dominated the game and won quite deservingly. Chelsea might not win CL (I fancy Bayern), but if they do go down, by God they'll go down fighting. The Man Utd players play for the club, but the Chelsea players play for Mourinho, would not surprise me if we see an exodus of key players from Chelsea should Mourinho leave.