Offshore

What he does in the transfer window will probably define if he's still here for the start of next season. Unless of course he goes against his grain and aims to win matches first instead of setting the team out with the intention of not losing.

If we persist in playing the percentage (hoof and hope) game then he'd may as well be on the bench, but if we actually want to try to put our foot on the ball and play football then he's our best (only) player that can make it happen. He's no Alonso or whoever but i'd rather we tried to win first than playing it safe with 3 defense minded midfielders on the field, then bringing him on with 15 minutes to go when plan A isn't working.

How about Messi, a left footed player who is supposed to be better on the right? Another example, Pires. Exceptions to the rule, otherwise every player would play on the 'wrong' side of the pitch. Ronaldihno manages Ronaldihno, Lahm, Messi, Maldini and Milner...................anyone care to spot the odd one out?

No thanks.

Exactly, we're not making the best use of our players.

Fair point, but as he's 99/100 prone to check back on himself to get the ball on his right side to cross he's lost any space that he had as by then he's been closed down, he then tries to check left, then right etc to shake hime off but by this time the plays all slowed down and we've lost most of the advantage we might have had in the first place. If he was on the right to start with he wouldn't have to check back as he should be able to cross the ball 1st time before he's allowed the defender to get tight on him. Someone, I think, said that as he's got no real pace he's better off on the left, I'd say this lack of genuine pace makes it even more essential that he's able to have the opportunity to cross 1st time by coming onto the ball using his right peg. Also, as he can occasionally cross with his left, then that could be as equal an option on the right as on the left.

Never been overly impressed with Green, but tbh this season hasn't really had any stand-out keepers, so aye, why not.

How about Messi, a left footed player who is supposed to be better on the right? Another example, Pires. Exceptions to the rule, otherwise every player would play on the 'wrong' side of the pitch.

I still don't get how a right footed player is supposed to be better on the left.

Can't come quick enough..... Given Beye Taylor Capaca Enrique Butt Emre Milner Zog Viduka Martins if Enrique still not ready(?) then Zog LB & Duff LW

Smith isn't a shit player, but he's generally been given a shit role that doesn't suit him or us. He isn't a midfielder but gets played there. He isn't a support striker (in a 4-3-3) as shown today, he's a centre forward and should be played there or not at all. I don't think its any coincidence that his best game for us was against Arsenal when he was the target man, he won just about every ball thrown up to him in the air and did lay it off well during that game. I know Coach HTT has given excellent reasons why we should be playing 4-3-3, but to me, we've only got the players for a 4-4-2 at best so until the playing staff either learn or are changed we should go 4-4-2. Viduka or Smith, with Martins or Owen.

Just watched MOTD and for Liverpools 1st, Torres hung a leg out to try and 'win' a pen then threw himself girlie fashion to the deck when he was tackled.........wonder if there'll be a press release from Crouch on this, nah thought not.

If he was really serious about football he'd have bought or at least attempted to buy a big club....Everton or even try to see if the owners of Liverpool fancied cashing in, Birmingham would have been a better buy than QPR.

Thought it was an alledged rape at the 'hotel' the party was taking place, not a rape at/during the party. edit - ah they hired the whole hotel for the party.

to get his first on Sunday.

Sam has a preference for 4-3-3 but has the players that are more suited (limited?) to 4-4-2. He does try to make them play 4-3-3 but to me they look uncomfortable trying to play that way. So 4-4-2 for me please.

if 433 Beye Faye Roz/Capaca Zog/Enrique Barton Emre Butt Zog/Milner Smith Martins Zog has to play for me, so if not LB then gets Milners place (to start with anyway) if 442 Beye Faye Roz/Capaca Enrique Milner Barton Butt Zog Smith Martins

Man City play it from defence. Can quite believe that they do, they've got a canny midfield. As someone else pointed out, it looks like we try to play more of a passing game when Emre's on the pitch, while he's no Kaka he's the best we've got. It comes down to what you've got/play I suppose, when we play with Geremi/Butt/Barton as our middle 3 we're not doing our defence or attack any favours, not saying they can't pass a ball between them but they don't fill me with confidence.

Stats only for Brum game though. The only team i'd def say doesn't use the long ball route on a regular'ish basis is Arsenal, then (guessing) followed more than likely by Man U, then the teams in 3rd, 4th.........possibly has something to do with the teams at the top having better midfielders so their defenders are more confident in giving it to them knowing it'll probably not come straight back.

While i hate Man Utd myself, i can't help thinking your views are magnified because you happen to follow their Derby rivals. If Man city played in Rome most of your lot would want to go. Each travelling fan must accept they go at their own risk, but they can't be criticised for following their team. As for the Man U fans going looking for trouble, you may be right, but you can't know that. No ground in Europe should be a no-go area. Trouble finds those looking for it, simple as. There were a few thousand other Mancs that managed not to get shanked. I'm with Specky on this one. Eh? Do you also mean that a granny who gets mugged on the street 'must' have deserved it as a few other thousand granny's didn't get robbed? Nothing like taking something completely out of context and adding it's irrelevance to an argument. I'm assuming those stabbed weren't using a f****** cane to get to the match. Anyways, it's a shame it happened, but I've read owt that says this was a random attack completely unprovoked. Words were exchanged and those Hooligans looking for trouble, found it. and you've not read owt that says it was a provoked (and in your eyes justifiable) attack either, unless you're taking Dr S's posts as gospel The fact remains they were at the bridge, apparently a well renowned spot for Ultras clashes so it looks very much like they were up for a scrap and lost. Either way stabbings over football are never justifiable and i dont think the bonk made out they are in any way... The only 'facts' are that they were in the bridge area and got stabbed, not that they were up for a scrap which was what he and Dr Sp are assuming as a fact and coming across as saying they got what they deserved. I don't have a problem with either poster, they usually have canny input on here, but for this topic i'll have to disagree with them.

While i hate Man Utd myself, i can't help thinking your views are magnified because you happen to follow their Derby rivals. If Man city played in Rome most of your lot would want to go. Each travelling fan must accept they go at their own risk, but they can't be criticised for following their team. As for the Man U fans going looking for trouble, you may be right, but you can't know that. No ground in Europe should be a no-go area. Trouble finds those looking for it, simple as. There were a few thousand other Mancs that managed not to get shanked. I'm with Specky on this one. Eh? Do you also mean that a granny who gets mugged on the street 'must' have deserved it as a few other thousand granny's didn't get robbed? Nothing like taking something completely out of context and adding it's irrelevance to an argument. I'm assuming those stabbed weren't using a f****** cane to get to the match. Anyways, it's a shame it happened, but I've read owt that says this was a random attack completely unprovoked. Words were exchanged and those Hooligans looking for trouble, found it. and you've not read owt that says it was a provoked (and in your eyes justifiable) attack either, unless you're taking Dr S's posts as gospel

While i hate Man Utd myself, i can't help thinking your views are magnified because you happen to follow their Derby rivals. If Man city played in Rome most of your lot would want to go. Each travelling fan must accept they go at their own risk, but they can't be criticised for following their team. As for the Man U fans going looking for trouble, you may be right, but you can't know that. No ground in Europe should be a no-go area. Trouble finds those looking for it, simple as. There were a few thousand other Mancs that managed not to get shanked. I'm with Specky on this one. Eh? Do you also mean that a granny who gets mugged on the street 'must' have deserved it as a few other thousand granny's didn't get robbed? Well how come all the other ones managed to avoid it? Maybe she was wearing a t-shirt that said 'Are You looking at me, c***' the provocative silver haired heating allowance grabbing coffin dodger!!

While i hate Man Utd myself, i can't help thinking your views are magnified because you happen to follow their Derby rivals. If Man city played in Rome most of your lot would want to go. Each travelling fan must accept they go at their own risk, but they can't be criticised for following their team. As for the Man U fans going looking for trouble, you may be right, but you can't know that. No ground in Europe should be a no-go area. Trouble finds those looking for it, simple as. There were a few thousand other Mancs that managed not to get shanked. I'm with Specky on this one. Eh? Do you also mean that a granny who gets mugged on the street 'must' have deserved it as a few other thousand granny's didn't get robbed?

fairs fair, they did win us the world cup (apparantely)

Nope, Roker. well Blyth actually, just didn't want everyone to take the piss