TRon

I heard that Baines interest has cooled because his club conceded a lot of goals from set pieces and Sam prefers full backs who are good in the air. I'm in 100% agreement. Give me a solid defender over a John Beresford-type any day of the week.

Don't know anything about Rozenhal, Beyes or Sagna. Would like to think that Sam has spotted more potential Haims wih these. Hyypia and Campbell could do a job if there is no fee involved, Wes Brown is always crocked.

As far as I know, he isn't looking for a move and Liverpool aren't looking to sell, which means we'd pretty much have to pay over the odds to make a deal happen. Not something I'd want to do for a player with his best days behind him.

Well Distin is a pretty good defender. Mid-table ranking aside, would he make a better right back than Carr or Solano? It's hard to imagine that the answer to that is no somehow.

Was about to mention almost the same thing... but was gonna say Hyypia. I'd rather have Campbell but wouldn't sniff at Hyypia in any way whatsoever! Don't think Hyypia wants to move from Liverpool tbh

So he's a right back then. Good, we definitely need better options at full back and I'm happy to see this is a position we are trying to strengthen. Will keep an eye on this one, and if he's strong enough to play as a CB then he will add phsical presence as well. I don't like having small full backs personally.

He's gone. Move on.

Anyone know much about this guy? Just working my way down Sam's supposed list of defenders and this is the one I've heard least about and I've never seen him play.

I think Drogba would run Hyypia ragged most days of the week, whether he had flu or not. He can still do a job in the EPL but there are some players who he just can't cope with physically any more. I think he's happy to stay at Liverpool in any case, and I'm not really too fussed about signing him.

Always thought it would be a miracle if he came here ahead of Chelsea. Mourinho obviously rates him and has been tapping him since last year. Would have been a great coup for Sam let's not pretend otherwise. Can't say any of the other alternatives mentioned so far have caught the imagination much but Ben Haim probably didn't when Allardyce first signed him either.

it will have no effect whatsoever Of course it will. It's had an effect just in this thread if you hadn't noticed. i thought you were trying to make out that his present situation would make him look worse in court ? Well it depends on who is present and judging in court. If it's a Dell PC or a Dalek then it won't have any effect. If there are people involved with unknown allegiances/loyalties/medical conditions etc.. then who knows?

it will have no effect whatsoever Of course it will. It's had an effect just in this thread if you hadn't noticed.

Looks like Joey might still end up in the slammer once the dust is settled. His past misdemeanours will be held in a new light if he insists on being a bonehead about this one.

Great at his peak. So if he isn't in Liverpool's current 1st team he's probably past it.

"If" doesn't usually translate to a long term contract, except at desperate clubs prepared to sign a player at any cost. He's at a good age though. If he has another season like he had last season, then he will have proven he is over his injury's.

I think it's a question of confidence in yourself and, more importantly, in the manager and his game plan. If you have an idiot at the helm, that permeates through the team. Allardyce has a fantastic track record for getting the best out of his players, even the most unstable nutters, and he has a very clear idea of what is expected. You'll be a completely different proposition this season. Obviously, you need players with mental strength, too (compare Gerrard and Henry's records in big games), but that doesn't help one iota if the players have little confidence in the manager. The thought of Barton playing under the wobbly stewardship of Roeder chills the blood tbh. I would be hoping more for a Ferguson/Keane scenario developing at Newcastle with some proper leadership.

Truth is, no big club was likely to stump up £5m for a talented player with a poor injury record. "Living the dream" probably refers to being guaranteed a a big wage on a long contract - no questions asked.

Its not like they'd need both, Ben Haim would have to accept he'd be 4th choice, possibly 5th, he's be crazy to choose the money over that. We should be offering him £40kpw, and if that isn't good enough we should certainly look elsewhere, but i hope we do get him and SA is the deciding factor. Chelsea will be competing on 4 fronts next season. Haim might reckon he'll play more than enough games to make a fatter pay cheque for a top side quite an attractive option.

Another Souness signing clinched on the back of having a 2 min. phone conversation with one of his pals. We paid £10m for Luqe after Mike Robinson told Souness (over the phone) that he would "put his hand in the fire for you". What a coup it was giving the legendary Souness the manager's job. But then no one accuse Freddie of not backing his managers as Oliver would say.

Even if he doesn't get better - and at 22 there's no reason why he shouldn't - why do we need to sell him when li'l Mikey is looking to jump ship? What would be the point?

I could understand selling Martins IF Owens was definitely staying, or IF we had another striker lined up to come in and get 17 goals next season. One that could play alongside Viduka which rules out Ashton IMO. As it is, I think Martins or Owen will link very well with Viduka so it's madness to look to sell at this time. Who, apart from Alan oliver would even contemplate it?

Seconded. Bellend's £9m valuation for flopping at 'pool seems like a crafty effort to match him for Owen in a possible swap deal.

Haggling over this money which heclearly doesn't deserve, doesn't exactly point to a player trying to turn over a new leaf. Sounds like the same snotty bastard he's always been at City.

To who? The Big Four will bide their time for two reasons. 1. 6 months will test Owen's fitness over a longer period of time. 2. His value will drop further making a bargain buy even more appealing. Tried, tested and cheaper! He isn't going anywhere till Xmas I'd say, or more likely next season for about £6m.

I wish it wasn't but I think Zoggy's career at this club is all but over; I seriously doubt we'll see him here at the start of next season, and if we do, I don't think there'll be a place for him in Allardyce's team agree, if he shows Allardyce half the attitude that he shows when he's out on the town (and blatantly showed to Roeder) he's out N'Zogbia is a player with real ability, Allardyce would probably relish the chance to put another wayward player on the right path the same as Barton, Djiouff, Anelka etc. Frankly Roeder didn't deserve or command any respect. I would like to see Zog under a proper manager if he can be persuaded he still has a future here.