Mowen

I voted no, but to be honest I'd throw a few quid in every year if it's going to be a worthwhile thing. I figured if I'm only going to be throwing in a small amount it wouldn't be worth it if it wasn't a popular feature.

I love the Zog when he's on form, but his attitude seems to have stunk the last year or so. Also, I'm pretty sure I've read Andy Hunter on here saying he's always seeing Zog out on the town absolutely hammered. Don't know how reliable the poker bandit is mind.

Liverpool and Arsenal finished on the same points last season, why get close to Arsenal and not Liverpool? Have a look at this summer's transfer dealings so far. I think it's a fairly good logical step to make to assume we'll have a better chance of catching Arsenal than Liverpool next year. Personally I don't think we'll push either, but that's beside the point.

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_2542830,00.html The international media has been tricked by a group of football fans in a scheme cooked up on an internet messageboard. In scenes reminiscent of 2005's 'Kris Musampa' hoax - which made its way onto the pages of the Daily Mirror, and was even discussed on Match Of The Day - journalists have been caught out by an apparently entirely fictional story. A blog claiming to be run by and on behalf of Boca Juniors fans began by reporting that the Gunners were interested in Argentinian Rodrigo Palacio, a striker who has scored 39 goals in 79 appearances for Boca and has won five caps for his country. Various Arsenal forums were also spammed with the rumours. It didn't take long for the national press to jump on the bandwagon. 'Palacio, 25, will fly into London tomorrow after Boca accepted the Gunners' offer' announced the Daily Telegraph, who along with The Independent published the story on Tuesday. They were far from alone - the BBC, the Daily Mirror and Daily Mail all ran the news. The Sun were amongst the hardest stung within the British media, announcing on Monday that 'all obstacles have been removed after Arsenal came in with a record-breaking offer', while Sky Sports News announced it as a done deal. By Tuesday morning, the story had been repeated in newspapers as far afield as Argentina, Japan and Spain. --------------------- Similar things have been done before I think, but just shows you the calibre of football journalism in this country. I know it's not the best paper, but I can't believe the Sun went that far!

Thanks

They won't do the same as last season because they're in a different league.

I agree with the order of the poll: Bridge followed by Heinze followed by Baines. I would imagine only the 3rd is realistic though, given Bridge's injury and Chelsea's lack of backup for that position, and the fact the Heinze is supposedly wanted by bigger and currently better clubs than us (Madrid, Liverpool). Would like to be wrong about it mind.

Some people would say that 6 starts and 9 sub appearances spread over a couple of seasons was not enough to judge a player on. Some people would argue that he hadn't been given a decent run of games with which to gain consistency and prove himself. Some people might even go as far as to complain that despite only poor to average performances, his lack of games was reason to believe he had been unfairly treat by a manager who discriminated against him. I guess you're not one of those people.

I'd heard that Everton had no real money to spend this summer? If, and it's a big if, £17m is spent as indicated there it'll be a real shame for them. Bought very well last summer, a couple of class players and they would be up there with Spurs. Maybe we can have one of Yobo/Lescott/Arteta to get earn them some money back

That's what he did in his last season with Chelsea iirc.

I presume the continued (alleged) interest in Beye would indicate Sam has bought Geremi predominantly for the midfield. Interesting one, given the positions he can play it's conceivable that he could be Dyer's replacement, especially if we get Eider in.....

I thought Duff was very good the two seasons before we signed him though, so it's as long since Duff was good as it is Zog. Also, Duff at his best has been a lot better than Zog at his best, so you can see where I'm coming from. I wouldn't say I disagree with you as such, as maybe Duff is finished, but Duff in full flow would be better for us than Zog in full flow, imo.

What exactly was it that he said, Mowen? I presume you meant to quote me? Look in Crumpy's 'Meeting Sam' (or whatever it's called) thread, pretty sure he confirms Sam said he wanted two lbs, a cb and a rb. Sounds promising.

Depending on how much Beye and a left back cost I'd quite hapily pay up to £10m for Yobo He's a quality player, but I'm not sure I'd go that high. Really rate Lescott as well, but he's only been there a year so there's no way they'd let him leave, especially after winning player of the season.

Depending on cost, I reckon Yobo could be a very good signing for us next season. It seems that Everton don't have much cash, so maybe we could get him in the £6-8m bracket, looks a very good player to me. I'm quite a fan of Wes Brown as well. Bridge would be class.

I'd imagine that those 4 are Beye, 2 Left Backs and a Centre Back. Would be class.

We'd make a lot more than that I'd imagine.

If Geremi relly is free, that would be an excellent signing - still would be pleased with £2m mind. Bridge and Beye would really sort out the full back berths were they to sign.

G. Nev is better than Finnan, but I'm not too sure about the other 3 you've listed. I think P. Nev mainly plays holding midfield for Everton now, I never really rated him that highly as a full back anyway. Chimbonda and Eboue are both very good, but I don't think they're consistant enough to be as good as Finnan yet.

They weren't blinders by any stretch, but his finishes against Spurs at home and Arse away this season were very classy.

Rather we tried to sort Zog out than Duff. rather we tried to sort both out. Who's the alternative, Luque? If we're talking 4-3-3 then there's several options. I wouldn't be against him sorting both out, just if an offer came in around the £5m mark i'd take it without a second thought. Duff has been: absolutely shite whenever he has played. Looked a scratch of his former self. Seemingly can't beat a man or cross a ball. Is a diving bastard. Is a total and utter crock. Is someone else we're paying absolutely boatloads to do fuck all but sit on a table and/or play football badly. Is someone we don't and never needed. The talent's obviously there so if Sam wants to work with him and utilise it, then i won't complain overly much - but i'd rather someone just came in and bought him. Not that they would now, like. You're sure to rebound that with anti-Zog stuff, but N'Zogbia has shown far more promise than Damien Duff ever did, and is someone far more worth working on what with the raw talent, performing exceptionally the season before last, and at such a young age. I can see your generall point, but to say Zog has shown more promise than Duff seems a bit much. Duff over his career has shown much more ability than Zog has, and they were equally shite last season. Zog may have shown more for us that Duffer ever has, but if one of them could be returned to top form I reckon Duff would do us more good.

Carr. More cover for him than Baba, and he'll be on higher wages than Ramage. Might as well keep Luque, see if he can turn in a decent performance and drive his price tag up a little. Would get the square root of fuck all for him now.

Given for me. The armband is fairly symbolic, imo, and should therefore be given to someone who's an automatic starter. If someone else is a leader on the pitch then they will lead with or without the armband, just look at Speed under Shearer for that. Also, having the captaincy might encourage Shay to speak more.

If Martins leaves I wouldn't be surprised at all to be see Viduka and Owen start together in a 442 formation on a regular basis next season.

Whats funny?? Who is better?? Cech Van Der Saar Jussi Given is an excellent shot stopper, probably the best in the league but overall he's nowhere near the level of someone like Cech. VDS was utter, utter shit at the end of last season. Would be surprised if he's first choice next season.