Jaehyun

Now I know it seems like I'm just arguing for the sake of it but please, please, please don't tell me that you are trying to classify Van Basten, Pievert and Van Nistlehorse as targetmen, no way! I think this is where the definition is letting you down, just because a striker is "big" doesn't make them a targetman - actually to be exact a targetman is more about a style of play, the lump it long and hope that the big striker gets the flick/touch on for another team mate. Shearer played this role at the end of his career because his legs had gone and it was successful with Bellamy beside him, the moment he started games without Bellamy beside him he was all but a passenger. Newcastle tried to get Kluivert to play this way but everyone knows that it wasn't a success because he's not a targetman! As for watching the asian cup, yeah I saw most of it, there isn't much else to watch in Sydney if you're a football fan. To you I say Jan Koller. Mmm definately, the names mentioned were not target men, I always thought of Nistelrooy as a poacher?

Why would I have my arguments mixed up?? Because they are different to yours??? Viduka is not a targetman, a targetman is someone who likes the ball hit long at them for them to knock it on to another. Ask Viduka if that's how he likes to play football? Ask him if that is his strength? Viduka is a skillful, ball playing forward not a targetman. He wants the ball played to him on the deck and to his feet or within a radius of four feet from him. Even as a bairn when I first saw him play for Melbourne Knights in 1993, when he was quicker than he is now, he always wanted the ball played into his feet. Please learn the difference. It is true that Viduka likes to have to ball played to his feet, but I think he'd still play well in a target-man role.

What the **** is that?

Haha exilim now you're really taking the piss outta me.

42 caps 11 goals for Viduka. But yeah, perhaps not this tournament, but in previous matches Cho has been a leading light for Korea.

Hmm yeah, perhaps later in the season like you said Luc, when Owen starts scoring regularly.

I think Owen should take them. I think penalties need to be taken by someone who scores week in week out, who are used to scoring and do not get over-excited infront of goal. Players who score often grow more and more confident in taking shots, and this kind of confidence can be crucial in a tense, high-presure, match-deciding penalty situation.

So only 4 teams left now, Japan-Saudi Arabia, South Korea-Iraq. I really hope Korea starts performing now. I think Korea are a lot more tactically sound under Verbeek than under Dick Advocaat. Many Koreans (media and the whole population) are blaming Verbeek's tactics of using backpasses (which has backfired) but when I look at it, the tactics were good, the execution was bad. I've seen examples of this before in Korea, but goes to show just how clueless the Korean Commentators, football analysts and the population is about football. One example I wish to recall. Korea was playing against Syria around a year ago. The score was 1-1. The Syrians, after scoring their equalising goal, decided to put their whole team in their own half, and not attack at all. So after battering the Syrians for a period of time, the Korean team started to pass along the backline, to draw the Syrians out, to create room for attacks. The korean crowd starts booing their team for not attacking, the korean fullback responds to the crowd and sends a totally pointless longball into the box, Korea's attack ends. This happens a lot in Korean football. Even in this tournament, the whole Korean nation is blaming Verbeek for his 'backpass tactics' and one comment I heard from a fan was that, "we need to always attack and play pressure soccer, we have to do no back pass." (reminds me of a time, when I was watching football with my aussie friend, and he said, "man asian players don't know how to pass back") Korea traditionally had a very pacey attacking game where they'd run and run and attack and attack, but with no end result, it is because their attacks were one-dimensional and though they'd run hard, and run alot, their attacks would generally have no real direction, Verbeek tries to get his team to control the pace of the game, to hold the ball, pass along the backline, the inept korean backline flops, and the whole clueless nation blames Verbeek, disgusting in my opinion. But I really hope that the Korean team starts gelling together in Verbeeks tactics, then we should have 2 very exciting semi-finals, if korea doesn't, then we'll have another frustating, boring game. As for Oldtype, Viduka hardly ever scores for Australia, nor does he get many assists ( though he's scored and assisted a couple this tournament) yet he is crucial to Australia's overall play.

Nakamura I'd sign, i havent seen Takahara, and Aloisi is no where near good enough for us. My only memory of Takahara is watching him miss an open goal against Croatia in the world cup. Takahara is prolly better than all the Korean strikers tbh. Cho Jae Jin is the best/only target-man in Asia tbh,(bar Australia) but in terms of a 'striker' perhaps. But I doubt you've seen many korean strikers. That's biased judgement because you are a Korean, and i am not a Japanese. So if I say all chinese players are crap, then it's not biased because I'm not Chinese? You haven't even seen Cho Jae Jin play, and while it is true that there are many strikers who are more lethal than Cho Jae Jin, it is also true that most Asian strikers are shadow strikers, not target men. I'm just appalled how if I judge a striker from my own country, then it's biased, yet you can judge and write off a whole nation without even watching their players and not be considered bias. Yes you are right, all chinese players are crap. What about lethal Man U striker Dong Fangzhou? To be fair, it doesn't take a lot to be better than all the Korean strikers. Striking quality in this country is at a shameful all time low. Cho Jae-Jin is one of those Inzahgi-style poachers who doesn't influence the game at all until he scores. Problem being he couldn't finish to save his life either. Totally incorrect. Cho Jae Jin is NOT a poacher, have you even watched him play? He's a target-man, he's Korea's version of Viduka for Australia. He totally influences Korea's play, winning headers, holding the ball up, and Korea's formation would break down without him. The Korean media slates him but why do you think he has almost a guaranteed start in the Korean line-up? It's because he's the only target man the team has. He's the only player in the Korean squad who can mark the defence and win headers. Calling Cho Jae Jin a poacher is seriously far-fetched. He doesn't score many goals and often flops many of his shots because he is under too much pressure by himself (you honestly think a target-man who plays for a crap team can score?). It's one of the reasons why Shearer had so much trouble finding the back of the net in his last two seasons, he changed his game into a target-man, but we weren't controlling play, and he no-longer had the ablility to be a 'complete' striker and score out of nothing. In the 06 world cup, cho was horrible against Togo, but he put in two stunning performances against France and Switzerland, notably against Switzerland he was the only Korean player who I thought could hold his head in pride. He won almost every header against the physically bigger Swiss defence. The problem was that, when he won the headers, there was never anyone playing off him to collect the headers that he won. He is a class target man in a crap team, that's why he looks bad. A target man can't impress in a crap team like a shadow striker or a winger can. EDIT: And NO Exilim, you were being full of s*** so I decided to join in . Any attempt to use him as a link-up style target man role has failed miserably. He was utterly exposed at the World Cup in my opinion. Got completely handled by the likes of Thuram, Gallas, Senderos, and the nameless Togolese dudes. He rarely got to send up flick-ons, and when they did, they usually flew aimlessly into opposing defenders. (To be fair, I think it was a flick-on from him that lead to the Park goal against France though) At the end of the day, he can't jump, he's not THAT tall, and his upper body strength is good but pales in comparison to that of European center halfs. He will never be an effective target man outside of the J-League. (In which he wouldn't be playing if he knew what was good for his career) I beg to differ, I've already mentioned that he was horrid against Togo, but he was immense against the Swiss, he won most aerial challenges, but he was exposed with the lack of support from the team.

Really? Because the 4-5 matches that I watched when I was in Japan, there was hardly a physical challenge. By the way, Viduka aint injured. Graham Arnold commenting on Viduka being subbed off. http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Viduka-said-nasty-stuff-says-Nakazawa/2007/07/22/1185042933307.html

Kawaguchi's usually very good with penalties but I don't think he's Japan's best keeper. There are several better in J1. Of course I didnt say that he is Japan's best keeper,I was saying that he did a good job during the shoot out thats all. I was just making a comment - he's nowt flash but has good reflexes. Some Japanese players are good enough for us in my opinion. Nakazawa, Shunsuke and an injured defender called Tulio (half Brazilian / Japanese) could all cut it in England. I agree.We need to look at the Asian market more because there are some great talents here waiting to play in the big leagues.I think we should go for Takahara. I think J1 is a very entertaining league to watch, with a highly-technical level of football. Though the finishing is sometimes frustrating. I however think many J1 players might be technically good enough for England, but still not cut it there. Because J1 football is a gentle-man's game, it's nice flowy, technical football, no where near as brute as the English-League.

So Duke's isn't injured?

I'm quite neutral in this game, I live in Australia but I'm Asian so I'd be happy if either team won.

Nakamura I'd sign, i havent seen Takahara, and Aloisi is no where near good enough for us. My only memory of Takahara is watching him miss an open goal against Croatia in the world cup. Takahara is prolly better than all the Korean strikers tbh. Cho Jae Jin is the best/only target-man in Asia tbh,(bar Australia) but in terms of a 'striker' perhaps. But I doubt you've seen many korean strikers. That's biased judgement because you are a Korean, and i am not a Japanese. So if I say all chinese players are crap, then it's not biased because I'm not Chinese? You haven't even seen Cho Jae Jin play, and while it is true that there are many strikers who are more lethal than Cho Jae Jin, it is also true that most Asian strikers are shadow strikers, not target men. I'm just appalled how if I judge a striker from my own country, then it's biased, yet you can judge and write off a whole nation without even watching their players and not be considered bias. Yes you are right, all chinese players are crap. What about lethal Man U striker Dong Fangzhou? To be fair, it doesn't take a lot to be better than all the Korean strikers. Striking quality in this country is at a shameful all time low. Cho Jae-Jin is one of those Inzahgi-style poachers who doesn't influence the game at all until he scores. Problem being he couldn't finish to save his life either. Totally incorrect. Cho Jae Jin is NOT a poacher, have you even watched him play? He's a target-man, he's Korea's version of Viduka for Australia. He totally influences Korea's play, winning headers, holding the ball up, and Korea's formation would break down without him. The Korean media slates him but why do you think he has almost a guaranteed start in the Korean line-up? It's because he's the only target man the team has. He's the only player in the Korean squad who can mark the defence and win headers. Calling Cho Jae Jin a poacher is seriously far-fetched. He doesn't score many goals and often flops many of his shots because he is under too much pressure by himself (you honestly think a target-man who plays for a crap team can score?). It's one of the reasons why Shearer had so much trouble finding the back of the net in his last two seasons, he changed his game into a target-man, but we weren't controlling play, and he no-longer had the ablility to be a 'complete' striker and score out of nothing. In the 06 world cup, cho was horrible against Togo, but he put in two stunning performances against France and Switzerland, notably against Switzerland he was the only Korean player who I thought could hold his head in pride. He won almost every header against the physically bigger Swiss defence. The problem was that, when he won the headers, there was never anyone playing off him to collect the headers that he won. He is a class target man in a crap team, that's why he looks bad. A target man can't impress in a crap team like a shadow striker or a winger can. EDIT: And NO Exilim, you were being full of s*** so I decided to join in . Okay i am full of s***. Cho jae jin is the best target man in Asia. Now you're making me look like I'm full of s*** haha. EDIT: But anyways, in terms of goal-scoring I do agree that Takahara is superior to Korea's strikers, ( though hot prospect Park Chu Young is one to consider in 3-4 years).

Nakamura I'd sign, i havent seen Takahara, and Aloisi is no where near good enough for us. My only memory of Takahara is watching him miss an open goal against Croatia in the world cup. Takahara is prolly better than all the Korean strikers tbh. Cho Jae Jin is the best/only target-man in Asia tbh,(bar Australia) but in terms of a 'striker' perhaps. But I doubt you've seen many korean strikers. That's biased judgement because you are a Korean, and i am not a Japanese. So if I say all chinese players are crap, then it's not biased because I'm not Chinese? You haven't even seen Cho Jae Jin play, and while it is true that there are many strikers who are more lethal than Cho Jae Jin, it is also true that most Asian strikers are shadow strikers, not target men. I'm just appalled how if I judge a striker from my own country, then it's biased, yet you can judge and write off a whole nation without even watching their players and not be considered bias. Yes you are right, all chinese players are crap. What about lethal Man U striker Dong Fangzhou? To be fair, it doesn't take a lot to be better than all the Korean strikers. Striking quality in this country is at a shameful all time low. Cho Jae-Jin is one of those Inzahgi-style poachers who doesn't influence the game at all until he scores. Problem being he couldn't finish to save his life either. Totally incorrect. Cho Jae Jin is NOT a poacher, have you even watched him play? He's a target-man, he's Korea's version of Viduka for Australia. He totally influences Korea's play, winning headers, holding the ball up, and Korea's formation would break down without him. The Korean media slates him but why do you think he has almost a guaranteed start in the Korean line-up? It's because he's the only target man the team has. He's the only player in the Korean squad who can mark the defence and win headers. Calling Cho Jae Jin a poacher is seriously far-fetched. He doesn't score many goals and often flops many of his shots because he is under too much pressure by himself (you honestly think a target-man who plays for a crap team can score?). It's one of the reasons why Shearer had so much trouble finding the back of the net in his last two seasons, he changed his game into a target-man, but we weren't controlling play, and he no-longer had the ablility to be a 'complete' striker and score out of nothing. In the 06 world cup, cho was horrible against Togo, but he put in two stunning performances against France and Switzerland, notably against Switzerland he was the only Korean player who I thought could hold his head in pride. He won almost every header against the physically bigger Swiss defence. The problem was that, when he won the headers, there was never anyone playing off him to collect the headers that he won. He is a class target man in a crap team, that's why he looks bad. A target man can't impress in a crap team like a shadow striker or a winger can. EDIT: And NO Exilim, you were being full of shit so I decided to join in .

Nakamura I'd sign, i havent seen Takahara, and Aloisi is no where near good enough for us. My only memory of Takahara is watching him miss an open goal against Croatia in the world cup. Takahara is prolly better than all the Korean strikers tbh. Cho Jae Jin is the best/only target-man in Asia tbh,(bar Australia) but in terms of a 'striker' perhaps. But I doubt you've seen many korean strikers. That's biased judgement because you are a Korean, and i am not a Japanese. So if I say all chinese players are crap, then it's not biased because I'm not Chinese? You haven't even seen Cho Jae Jin play, and while it is true that there are many strikers who are more lethal than Cho Jae Jin, it is also true that most Asian strikers are shadow strikers, not target men. I'm just appalled how if I judge a striker from my own country, then it's biased, yet you can judge and write off a whole nation without even watching their players and not be considered bias. Yes you are right, all chinese players are crap. What about lethal Man U striker Dong Fangzhou?

Nakamura I'd sign, i havent seen Takahara, and Aloisi is no where near good enough for us. My only memory of Takahara is watching him miss an open goal against Croatia in the world cup. Takahara is prolly better than all the Korean strikers tbh. Cho Jae Jin is the best/only target-man in Asia tbh,(bar Australia) but in terms of a 'striker' perhaps. But I doubt you've seen many korean strikers. That's biased judgement because you are a Korean, and i am not a Japanese. So if I say all chinese players are crap, then it's not biased because I'm not Chinese? You haven't even seen Cho Jae Jin play, and while it is true that there are many strikers who are more lethal than Cho Jae Jin, it is also true that most Asian strikers are shadow strikers, not target men. I'm just appalled how if I judge a striker from my own country, then it's biased, yet you can judge and write off a whole nation without even watching their players and not be considered bias.

Nakamura I'd sign, i havent seen Takahara, and Aloisi is no where near good enough for us. My only memory of Takahara is watching him miss an open goal against Croatia in the world cup. Takahara is prolly better than all the Korean strikers tbh. Cho Jae Jin is the best/only target-man in Asia tbh,(bar Australia) but in terms of a 'striker' perhaps. But I doubt you've seen many korean strikers.

Nakamura I'd sign, i havent seen Takahara, and Aloisi is no where near good enough for us. My only memory of Takahara is watching him miss an open goal against Croatia in the world cup.

Big man, big number.

Why in the world would Martins go to Shimizu?

I hear he wants to club to fail. Fat Ashley out tbh!

This. Only i see him warming up from an angle, rather than right in front of me. He is in front me; running up & down at between say a 45 to 90 degree angle to the front of me, depending upon his running position on the cinder track. OK? ......and no matter what angle I see him from he looks like he couldn't give a sh*t. If Sam can make a decent PL player out of him he will deserve a medal. Confidence will not give him pace & I really don't think it will give him courage either. The 30 minutes or so he played against Manure on his debut was deeply disappointing; he clearly wasn't a winger & ducked out of every challenge. Well remember we were desperately short of a striker, we bought Luque and he was thrown into a game against MANCHESTER UNITED, without ever having time to settle into our own team, yet alone a new country, yet alone a new league. After that, a number of times, like in Roeder's pre-season, he showed that he was eager to win a place, but Roeder just scape-goated him, and didn't reward Luque's goals with appearances, when the manager doesn't give a sh*t about you, would you give a sh*t about the matches where he puts you on for the last 5 minutes?

It doesn't matter that our net spending has been the lowest of the league. Allardyce's signings have made our squad significantly stronger, why pay a lot just because we have money when there are quality players available for cheap? We need to get out of our habit of just signing trophy players tbh.

"Owen in possession as Stephen Carr looks on." All he ever does tbh.