Shak

Isegrim, I think much of it is down to the fact that Martins is one of those players who's capable of producing something from nothing at any given time, so at least with Martins on the pitch there's always a degree of hope. People can see the potential for greatness if only he can find some level of consistency in his game, cut out the basic frustrasting errors he's prone to make. A lot of it is our other players as well. How many players do we have capable of producing a moment of individual brilliance? His contributions off the ball are quite under-rated IMO as well. Works very hard pressing the opposition and his mere presence alone forces defences to play deeper for fear of his pace in behind. I reckon his unpredictability unsettles defenders too, how does one prepare for Martins exactly? Very hard to take him out of the game, no matter how good a defender you may be.

Well if Man City are genuinely in the hunt then there's absolutely no reason whatsoever we shouldn't be, quite frankly. That said, when push comes to shove this summer I fully expect one of the really, really big clubs in Europe to take a chance on him and that'll rule us out, ultimately. Gotta think he'd be mega here, especially under KK who you know would let him just go out and play.

I've been slated several times from both my mates and people online for saying time after time I'd much rather have Iniesta in my team than Fabregas, it's just my personal opinion, I know he's got a few years on Cesc, but I think he's phenomenal. Iniesta is a better dribbler but he has suffered a bit from being shunted around in so many positions. before this season he was better presenting a goal threat and Fabregas was better at dictating the play. But now Fabregas is scoring more than Iniesta ever has (13 in 38 in league + champion's league as opposed to 4 in 38 in same for iniesta) you have to say Fabregas is the better player. Perhaps, but Fabregas is allowed to be the central point of the Arsenal team whereas Iniesta never really has, being moved around by Barca so much as he was, and often not getting a start at all. This year Iniesta has been given a much better run as Barca's midfield playmaker, and for me he's the best in the world right now at what he does. Fabregas is a fantastic talent as well of course, and a far better player at the same age than Iniesta was, but right now Iniesta is the better player, IMO. Can't for the life of me understand how he's still so pale living in Barcelona his whole life though.

Tough choice. I don't think Bentley will ever be the same class of player Deco was a couple of years back, but he figures to give us more over a longer period of time. We're at least 2 or 3 years away from being able to really challenge the big boys, unless we go on a Chelsea-esque spending spree. So I think I'd rather get Bentley and hopefully have a player who is peaking at a time when we as a team are ready to compete. Deco's not been great this season when I've watched him either, it must be said, by his own high standards at least. I'd take a 28 year-old Deco every day of the week, but now I'm not sure. How about we just sign Iniesta instead eh, fucking phenomenal player. No chance Barca would sell sadly.

I wanted rid of him last summer tbh, mainly based on the facts that he was totally unsuited to Allardyce's football, and that I didn't think there was any chance that he was here for the long-term anyway. My first issue is no more, and it does look very encouraging regarding the second since KK came in. That said, been so impressed with how well he's played in his new position. More and more it looks to be the way forward for him. Good times.

I wonder if there's a guy on the Barcelona forums who thinks Etoo' isn't good enough due to the fact that he's not the best technically. Not saying Martins is as good as Etoo' btw, just that you don't necessarily need a great first touch and understanding of the game to be a very effective player at the very top level.

They're very useful squad players I reckon. I'd buy a young DM to groom to replace Butt, and indeed compete with him for that spot next year. Now that we're actually creating stuff going forward, we're seeing that Nicky Butt is actually a good player at the end of the day when he can just do HIS job. Namely protecting the back 4. Geremi is a great squad option, can play anywhere in midfield and back up Beye at RB as well. If we're going for 4-3-3 long term, I'd expect Keegan will look to bring in another box-to-box type like Barton to play the left side role of the 3-man midfield. N'Zogbia would be ideal for it if we can convince him to stay.

Much depends on what system Keegan wants to play I reckon. If he wants a traditional 4-4-2 then both are absolutely fine, no problems whatsoever. If we're going to persist with the 4-3-3 we've seen recently then I think our full-backs become more of an issue, as with a narrow 3-man midfield it's imperative that your full-backs can get up and down the flanks and give you that bit of width. Neither are that type of player, IYAM. Not been sure what to make of Enrique most of his time here, but I reckon he's got the makings of an extremely good left-back. Most of his problems at the moment seem to stem from taking too long to pass/clear the ball. I think that once he gets used to the pace of the Premiership, he could be very useful.

Horrid game that.

Amazingly, I think James is spot on. Fat wanker was a joke, in all honesty. Great to see Owen performing, really bodes well for his future as he needs to change his game to be a top striker again and he's showing signs that he might be able to do it. Keegan has been a god-send for him tbh.

And on that farm he had a chick, the swinginest chick I know!! ;D

You bitter, bitter man.

Martins went down the wing, skinned O'Hara and cut inside. Played it to Viduka who deftly flicked it on for Owen who arrived and sidefooted it first time into the corner. Beautiful goal tbh.

KEVIN FUCKIN KEEGAN!!! Three strikers all doing what they do best there.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Makes you realise just how shit Allardyce was that it seems like such a big deal that we've gone behind and not then crumbled completely. There's actually a bit of pride in watching us again. We're not there yet, but at least we're trying to actually play football again.

He on fire, So hot on fire.... Nicky BUTT BUTT BUTT!!!!!

What was the point of the post then? Just a tidbit for us all to mull over?

Messi knows full well how good he is, otherwise he wouldn't try some of the things he does. The guys you mention were just more visibly arrogant.

I think Messi has that aura about him tbh, so rarely loses the ball and almost always does something positive with it. Some of those Barcelona games early in the season were awe inspiring, such a buzz every time he got the ball. He's only 20 as well and figures to improve a lot, which is easy to overlook. I maintain that if he could stay fit he'd be the better player than Ronaldo, but sadly he does look injury prone. With that in mind, I'd give the nod to Ronaldo. Ability wise he does, but does he have that aura around his character or being? It's too early to tell. I think that ultimately it's your ability that gives you that aura, nothing really to do with personality. He's got the bottle for it anyway. I hope he stays injury free, it'd be a joy to see him and Cristiano go head to head for the next decade as both have the potential to be among the best ever, easily.

I think Messi has that aura about him tbh, so rarely loses the ball and almost always does something positive with it. Some of those Barcelona games early in the season were awe inspiring, such a buzz every time he got the ball. He's only 20 as well and figures to improve a lot, which is easy to overlook. I maintain that if he could stay fit he'd be the better player than Ronaldo, but sadly he does look injury prone. With that in mind, I'd give the nod to Ronaldo.

Or score.. Nah, fucking awful effort tbh.

What a jammy goal.