Shak

OMG Skirge you've ruined da entire season now!!!

Agree, we'd be hardy as fuck and would have terrific balance in the middle of the field to boot.

It was a slag-fest. And I don't mean there were loose women posting in it. Hadn't really read the whole thing, was mostly responding to the OP. Yeah, the thread started well with my opening post, but then people just took the opportunity to have a go at me for no reason. I'm pretty much a martyr for my cause. You do bring it on yourself somewhat to be fair. And, as I've outlined above, your opening post was flawed.

It was a slag-fest. And I don't mean there were loose women posting in it. Hadn't really read the whole thing, was mostly responding to the OP.

Not sure why Verlaine's thread was deleted tbh, raised a good point. Anyway, depends on how we plan to use Geremi. All the signs seem to be pointing towards us predominantly using a 4-3-3. With Geremi AND a DM in the middle we're going to be solid against pretty much anyone, we'll certainly be no pushovers. With a proper DM in there I think it allows Geremi to dictate the play when we have the ball, floating around and getting in possesion without having to worry about playing cautiously to protect the back 4. A deep lying playmaker basically. It's a role I previously expected we'd see Emre play if fit, but from what we've seen so far Geremi seems to be perfect for it. Also Geremi plus a good DM in there makes us very good defensively. So I'd still like to see us get a DM in tbh, though with Smith, N'Zogbia, Emre and Barton in there we're not exactly short of guys who can get stuck in, so it's not an urgent need by any means.

Comparing the relationship of a footballer with his employer to the relationship of your average worker with his isn't really feasible IMO. They're fundamentally different in the extreme. Anyway, glad we've called the little wanker's bluff.

You're serious? Yeah. I think the left-back and centre-back spots really needed sorting out and right-back less so. Still welcome a better replacement, obviously. Woops. Thought you were having a go at me for starting a new thread on something that had already been discussed. I had a sanctimonious rant planned out against you and everything just in case.

You're serious?

If, as expected, the signings of Enrique and Dragutinovic go through in the next few days then it could be argued that we're pretty much set for next season in terms of squad depth. At the LB position we'd generally be looking for Jose Enrique to be our regular starter and LB for years to come. We have Dragutinovic then who can play there when Enrique is out or we need a more physical presence there. With us being unlikely to be able to shift Babayaro this year, he'll suffice as 3rd choice and is worth keeping in my opinion, in case Enrique doesn't adjust to the PL straight away. Even if we do sell Baba, we can play N'Zogbia or ultimately even Duff there in case of emergency. At CB we have Taylor, Rozenhal and Cacapa who will most likely compete for the two spots. I'd expect Taylor and Rozenhal will be given the first chance to prove they're a good tandem, as Cacapa is not expected to be match fit for the season opener at Bolton. After that, we have Dragutinovic who can play at CB as well. So that's 4 solid options with Ramage/Huntington/Edgar being sufficient 5th choice. The RB spot is somewhat of a question mark though. In theory, we have 4 players who can play there. Carr, Geremi, Solano and Taylor. Personally I would be strongly against Taylor playing there. His future is as a CB for us, and I think he'll play there when fit to start the season anyway, with Rozenhal and Cacapa expected to fight to partner him. Carr is a big question mark for us this season. Seems the type of player who'll respond well to Allardyce's style, but on the other hand it's been years since he was a good Premiership RB. Solano will always be a risk defensively in that position, while judging by what we've seen from Geremi so far we're better off having him as an option in midfield. So, if we've got the money and Allardyce feels there is a quality right-back that he can attract to the club then I'd really love to see us go for him. We've then got this new RB to start, being backed up by Carr. There are then the aforementioned options to back them up even further. Not only does this give us a top quality RB, which we've not had for some time, but it also strengthens the squad in general quite significantly. Solano and Geremi become free to compete for spots in midfield, while Taylor can play exclusively as a CB (something that will become easier with proper quality full-backs) and we aren't relying on Carr to get his act together. Getting a bit greedy, perhaps, as it's not as much of a concern as LB was (assuming we get the players in we're expected to) but the more I think about it the more I think we'd benefit massively from getting in the best RB we can attract.

Yes. Really?

Assumed this whole thing would die off with us after Enrique. Strange, but I'm not complaining at all.

More of a Cafu in all honesty, a real box-to-box player from what I've seen.

That's cos you're a chunky fucker. Got a bit of pace for a fatty tbf Downhill only I assume?

"Stay out of my way... or you'll pay. Listen to what I say" "Or how about I just go lay by the bay and make things out of clay. I just may. Whadd'ya say?"

Honestly can't say I know a fantastic amount about Drago. John Terry was considered quite error prone not too long ago, but I'll bet Chelsea don't regret sticking with him at CB even when he was. If the defence is playing well in general and Taylor is still making a lot of mistakes in a few months then I'd reiew his postion in the first team. But he deserves a go there with better players around him first, as he looks to have all the tools needed to be a world class CB eventually. I think trying to compare Taylors situation to that of Terry's is going to the extreme, for starters Terry only moved up to the next level when Chelsea spent big to put excellent players around him, you're talking about still playing Stephen Carr to the right of him. I just don't agree he should be automatic first choice at the expense of better players, some people are making out (not you btw) he was some sort of World beater last season which is far from the truth. I'd never advocate anyone being an automatic starter, just that I feel it's Taylor's job to lose at this point. Skeletor, I believe in ruling out Curtis Davies Sam said he wouldn't want two young, inexperienced CB's starting. This makes sense, but to me says that Allardyce expects Taylor to start more often than not, which is why he'll always need an experienced head beside him. Time will tell, I suppose.

That's cos you're a chunky fucker.

He has a lot to learn, I'd agree. This is why we'be brought in Cacapa (vastly experienced) and Rozenhal (noted for his calmness on the field) to aid his development. With one of thse two organising the defence it will leave Taylor to be the all-action defender he seems destined to be. We've got a fantastic young CB prospect on our hands, and a hometown boy to boot, I just don't see how he won't be made the centerpiece of our defence. Can'tt seee Taylor learning a great deal as a CB by being stranded at full-back. Rozehnal and Cacapa were not brought in solely to aid Taylors development. They've been brought in to play out right as first choice players. Like anyone could possibly know that Skeletor. There'll be competition for the spot I'm sure, and if Cacapa and Rozenhal prove in training that they're the partnership for the job then more power to them. But I don't believe for one second that Taylor won't be given the chance to prove he's worthy of being a regular first. No-one said he won't, but you talk as though Taylor is first choice by default and these defenders are only being brought in to teach him rather than compete with him. Unless he struggles I do see him being the first CB name on the teamsheet tbh.

He has a lot to learn, I'd agree. This is why we'be brought in Cacapa (vastly experienced) and Rozenhal (noted for his calmness on the field) to aid his development. With one of thse two organising the defence it will leave Taylor to be the all-action defender he seems destined to be. We've got a fantastic young CB prospect on our hands, and a hometown boy to boot, I just don't see how he won't be made the centerpiece of our defence. Can'tt seee Taylor learning a great deal as a CB by being stranded at full-back. Rozehnal and Cacapa were not brought in solely to aid Taylors development. They've been brought in to play out right as first choice players. Like anyone could possibly know that Skeletor. There'll be competition for the spot I'm sure, and if Cacapa and Rozenhal prove in training that they're the partnership for the job then more power to them. But I don't believe for one second that Taylor won't be given the chance to prove he's worthy of being a regular first.

Honestly can't say I know a fantastic amount about Drago. John Terry was considered quite error prone not too long ago, but I'll bet Chelsea don't regret sticking with him at CB even when he was. If the defence is playing well in general and Taylor is still making a lot of mistakes in a few months then I'd reiew his postion in the first team. But he deserves a go there with better players around him first, as he looks to have all the tools needed to be a world class CB eventually.

He has a lot to learn, I'd agree. This is why we'be brought in Cacapa (vastly experienced) and Rozenhal (noted for his calmness on the field) to aid his development. With one of thse two organising the defence it will leave Taylor to be the all-action defender he seems destined to be. We've got a fantastic young CB prospect on our hands, and a hometown boy to boot, I just don't see how he won't be made the centerpiece of our defence. Can'tt seee Taylor learning a great deal as a CB by being stranded at full-back.

Golf > Jonny2J Also those of us living in Ireland get a 3Pm kick-off game live as well every Saturday, staring with Bolton v Newcastle next weekend.

Better than the bench which is where he would be if we signed Dragutinovic. Taylor will be our first choice CB when fit, IMO. More likely Drago will find himself on the bench tbh.

Will you shoot big sam when he does it? No, because he won't. Barring severe injury problems of course.

When I was subscribing I got through to the most unhelpful fella ever. Me : How can I actually get coonected? Him : You can do it online or over the phone Me: Oh right, can I do it over the phone then? Him: Yes *Awkward Silence* Me: ... is that not what you're here for then? Ended up hanging up not long afterwards, then off to my computer to try and do it online.

Anyone putting Taylor at RB needs to be shot, like.