Shak

That as close as you'll ever see Rich come to getting confrontational, making sure to apologise for it along the way.

Gudjohnsen will never be a truly top-end goalscorer, obviously, but the amount more that he contributes apart from goalscoring makes him the better option for me. When he's not scoring goals Oba isn't really up to much at all, is he? There's always the threat of his pace, but as teams get used to him they'll know they can funnell him into wide areas, knowing he hasn't got the skills to beat a man or put in an effective cross to be of any danger in wide areas.

He is lightyears ahead of Martins technically, that's true. Much better creatively with more vision as well. But Martins is way ahead of him in goalscoring, pace, strength, shooting, dribbling, and last but not least he's much younger. Bottom line is, Martins will get you far more goals and force defenders to sit back due to his pace, but he'll lose the ball and frustrate you as well. Gudjohnsen will sit deep and ensure more possession and will create more goals, but won't score as much. All depends what we need more. I'm a big Gudjohnsen fan, but he doesn't score nearly enough goals and I think Mourinho had the right idea when he played him in attacking midfield where he can use his touch, vision and creativity to set up others. I'd be happy enough playing him there ourselves, but I wouldn't want to lose Martins to get him. I think in a 4-3-3 both could play in the same team. I reckon Mourinho playing him in midfield was much more to do with the fact that he likes a big powerhouse (ala Drogba) up front with two fast winger types either side of him, and a generally direct style of play in the final third. Gudjohnsen is completely unsuited to either of those roles so midfield was the only place he figured to get a game. Played in the same position I reckon there'd be little difference in their goal return tbh. Gudjohnsen is a far better finisher than Oba, who still suffers from mass panic every so often in front of goal and is just as likely to hit the corner flag as the back of the net sometimes, while Gudjohnsen is a composed player. Dunno where this myth that Martins is a good dribbler has come from either, I've not seen it. With his pace though, there are a lot of defenders he can just knock the ball twenty yards past and go after it and there'll be no stopping him. The fact that he at no point figured that out last season does concern me a bit, as it doesn't say a lot about his footballing brain. I can recall a number of times I saw Oba with the ball in counter-attacks last year when he was one on one with the last man and it was just begging to be knocked into space and then thrashed at goal, only for Oba to try something fancy with the outside of the boot or something. Still, with so many areas where it should be theoretically easy for him to improve, I hope we keep hold of him.

A big step up in name or quality? Quality, particularly in the case of Shorey. I'm not sure that's the case mate, as I've said Heinze has been poor since he came back from injury and we'd be signing him in the hope that he's going to become the player he once was again, that's exactly what we done with Carr and look how that turned out. I'm not sure of Shorey as a player, he was excellent last season but at his age it could well be a one off, on the other hand he could be like Chimbonda and be a top player who took a while to develop and get noticed. Fully expect Shorey to be a one-season wonder myself. Reckon I'd take Bridge ahead of any of them, least question marks over him. I expect Heinze to do well if he gets a change of scenery and a gauranteed first team spot again, as losing his place to Evra while injured seems to have unsettled him.

In the short term Gudjohnsen would be a lot more use to us. Really hope we keep Oba though because I feel that in a few years he could be absolutely quality. He'll never work that occasional wild first touch out of his game IMO, but with his pace and power you can still be a top player with an occasionally dreadful first touch, as Etoo' for one has proved. We really do need a Gudjohnsen type player though, someone to get on the ball and pull the strings in the attacking third. Tough choice.

It's cast in stone he'll score against us in one of the derbies, don't see what people are so happy about.

A big step up in name or quality? Quality, particularly in the case of Shorey.

We'd be absolutely signing with either of those two, both a big step up from what Baines or Shorey would bring if we went for them. I'd just prefer Heinze myself, better defensively and would add some much needed bite to the team.

That's the spirit.

like Stevieintoon vs. Sima? Dunno, when did that happen? I'll be pulling for you when the time comes Vic, God knows why mind you.

Keep him until the inevitable Porridge-Vic flame wars begin at least. We then have a forum decathalon between the two with the loser banished forever.

Nah, just some s**** piece about his future in general... I was alluding to something else mate. Don't worry about it (s*** in-joke tbh). I know what you meant. And i stand by my comments.

Nah, just some shite piece about his future in general...

Because they've signed Henry.

No, not at all. Building a team around someone means you have the team play to their strengths, and generally try and design a team system that allows the player to shine. Accomodating a player would be finding a spot in the line-up for a player, despite the fact that it may not be for the best of the team as whole. So no, not the same thing at all. I think if you need to build a whole team round someone it is accomodating him and that is the problem...you don't do that with a 30yr old un tried (in EPL) player costing £20m (£10m approx transfer+£10m wages approx). For that sort of money you want someone who can fit straight into a team not needing to sign others to make him shine...that is my definition of having to accomodate someone. P.S. I can't start threads yet but just to let you know BBC are reporting Liverpool have bid £10m for Babel Guess our definitions of building a team around someone is different then. Think we'll ultimately see something along the lines of ------------Barton ---- Butt/DM ------------------- Deco Owen --------------------------------- Milner ------------------ Viduka Obviously Owen won't play as a winger, but you can't leave him out really. Why I wouldn't have minded him leaving tbh, as two really pacey fellas either side of Viduka would have been mouth-watering IMO.

He was clearly an employee of Shepherd who was only here to spread propoganda anyway.

No, not at all. Building a team around someone means you have the team play to their strengths, and generally try and design a team system that allows the player to shine. Accomodating a player would be finding a spot in the line-up for a player, despite the fact that it may not be for the best of the team as whole. So no, not the same thing at all.

I asked that, nobody answered. Thought we were getting Lampard? Be surprised if Barca want Lampard at all tbh, he'd really struggle in their general build up play in my opinion. They'll also need 2 CM's that will play with discipline and protect the back 4 well, allowing the attacking 4 a free reign. Think Iniesta/Xavi and Toure will end up being their CM, and I think that'll work. If they want another signing I'd go for a full-back.

Sorry to rain on the parade but... I think your definition of fantastic is different to mine. I'd say he was a good footballer. Way overated IMO. Especially in this thread. Underrated imo, Deco has been the player that has made Barcelona "tick" as it were over the last few years, obviously the players scoring the goals (Ronaldinho,Messi,Eto'o) take most of the credit. He's easily portugal's best AM at his peak, not that underrated is he? Probably a slow developer like carrick, maybe souness was right at that point of time. I would say Ronaldo is Portugal's best AM and he has yet to reach his peak. I just feel with Deco you would have the same problem we have with Dyer and Emre and that is finding a postion for them in the team that works for everybody....Unless he is competing with Dyer for the right back spot this season Difference being Deco is a class above those two and you can build a team around him, rather than simply try to accomodate him.

Thanks, will have a look in a bit. Blatantly gonna post with my account.

http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=16694 To be fair to the Spurs fans, there are some good ones who know what they're talking about. However, Shearer wasn't among the best strikers in the world during his career, let alone of all time. Is it necessary to mention better strikers who played during his time? What about Ronaldo, Romario, Stoichkov, Baggio, Rivaldo, Batistuta, Weah. Was he better than Suker and Mijatovic, Inzaghi and Vieri? I'm not that sure about it. And how could you know how great Berbatov's potential is? The very fact he bears comparison with the most perfect center forward of all time should reveal you something about his potential. Maybe Cascarino who played against Van Basten doesn't know what he is talking about... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: I'd have had Shearer over Inzaghi and Suker myself, just about though. Username is Shak and password is kingdawson if anyone fancies reading the thread, please don't post with my account though. Not that I'll ever use it again, but still.

Barca might actually miss Deco next year. While the 4 of Etoo', Henry, Messi and Ronaldinho is obviously loaded with talent, there is a chance they might not gel all that well. You need at least one of the four to be willing to play deep, to link midfield to attack. Messi and Ronaldinho, for me, are a shade wasted in that role as they're best in and around the box creating and scoring goals. With that attacking 4 they'll need 2 CM's that are able to get the defensive side of things done, so you wonder who the playmaker is going to be. Suppose Iniesta or Xavi (whoever gets the start) will be expected to do it all. Just think things might not be as smooth for Barca next year as some people think. Personally don't see why they don't just keep Deco and rotate the 5 in the 4 attacking positions.

Je suis pas un plongeur or je suis pas une tricheur or Quelque fois, je plonge? So, in France, a diver is a plonger? (which would be pronounced much like plunger?)