STM

Sounds like there could be something in that story because it isn't one that has been vomitted by the rags. I'd love to see Woody back here and i'm convinced he would love to come back.

Especially at the weekend. We could have done with that debutant spark.

As in edgar? He looks a right pussy.

woo hoo, shame kazengas injured

I've got my fingers firmly crossed that Chelsea win everton and then spuds.

Getting bored.

I just think people over rate tactics. Set-pieces, defending or otherwise, aren't tactics except in as much as zonal or man marking. They're set-pieces which are trained or drilled. Tactics are things a team does to fit in with a strategy when defending or attacking in open play. The tactic that we don't give the ball away by hopefully booting it upfield as opposed to keeping possession until we can create a scoring opportunity fits in with the strategy of attacking football a la Keegan, pretty much as it does a la Wenger. Incidentally, what Wenger the genius does in defence is pick two sublimely gifted centre-backs and gives them responsibility for what they do, nothing more. Wenger isn't a tactical genius, he is a genius at grasping what someone is capable of and playing them accordingly. Aye but surely attacking is then "a tactic" which makes Fergy a tactical genious, if that makes sense. It's a strange one but id do agree with what your saying. Tactics can be over used and in actually fact confusing to everyone in football.

Lets not take the piss though tactics are still canny important. More in ste pieces and setting up defences more than anything.

You need all of it in todays game. Fergy and Wenger are massive examples. Fergy on the one hand uses a combination of huge potential signings and a pretty simple but massively effective 442 system. His main priority is having quality players that are highley motivated and this shows on the pitch. Wenger is different. He motivates players, sure but there motivation comes from the fact that most of their players know they are playing for an experianced manager who has won almost everything in a beautiful way. Mainly uses tactics and style of player, i.e signing players that can pass and run and then incoporates that into his football. Both can be very successful but a lack of either will get most managers caught out. On the one hand you can have an Allardyce on the other dare i say you could have a Keegan.

Impressed by Geremi crossing TBH. Could do with a few of those on saturday.

I dont think there are many footballers in the world who stand half a chance against those three.

Thats nothing we didn't really know anyway. Keegans never been great on the tactical front. I think Burridge is actually complimenting him in the interview but who ever has published it has put a bad slant on it.

I reckon Scholes would be a canny scrappy fighter.

Lee Carsley Micheal Ballack Steve Howard

Dont forget to add anthrax in the envelope.

Passing, dribbling, vision, attitude and outrageous finshing. Beardo

No thank you. Would cost a ridculas amount to get him here, even more to pay his wages. Why not just sign Bentley whos got a future in the game, if we are that good at "luring" stars.

If Riise is still only 27 then he's still got plenty left in him. He's not a poor player by any stretch, seems like he's gone a bit stale at Liverpool TBH. I thought someone saying playing him as a DM is quite a good idea but not before buying an actually one.

Argueable, not obvious. He also just joined Chelsea.

Why would we move Faye from his best position to accomadate other players? Should leave Faye and Taylor at CB and not mess about. I believe Faye to be not only our best CB but also our best DM, therefore it wouldn't be accomodating but playing.

Hes definately not worth that money. Id pay 10 for him, not more. For 17 mil we could just aswell go for some real star quality like Van der Vaart or Diego Yup. I've got a feeling we will be fleeced by every premiership club for prices though. Due to the fact we are loaded and it's January.

If we fail to sign a concrete DM i could see the advantage of signing Van Buyten as we could then switch Faye into DM and play Van Buyten and Taylor at centre half.

I agree, the difference in the passing range was incredible. We got the ball on the floor and made an attempt to play football, it was like a Keegan era in its infancy. We got all the basics right, we just severely lack any cutting edge.

we need a dominant CB True. If he comes through the door it needs to be followed closley by a couple of midfield passers.

I always have used 6. Papers often use 5 for their average, due to the negative approach most papers take.