STM

Excellent point. I find it funny when people say he scored his goal against Palermo because it was put on his head, or that he scored two against Celtic because they were excellent crosses. I've seen Van Nistelrooy (no I'm not comparing the two, calm down people) score loads like that and people spunk everywhere over his movement and anticipation to create an easy chance for himself. Those two goals against Celtic, if we were talking about someone like Ruud everyone would be going on about his movement, yet cos it's Luque they make out like Solano and Milner made him score. I've just seen both goals and they show very good movement, anticipation and composure, real poachers goals. I'd be surprised to see Ameobi or even Martins scoring those types of goals and it shows Luque does have something in his locker. He might have done nowt else for the 45 minutes, but he scored two goals in the first half against a decent team and people are trying to knock him for it. At the end of the day it's difficult to judge a player objectively when you really don't like him (eg Luque), just as it is when you love a player (eg Shearer when his legs were going). Luque deserves a fair bit of criticism but he also deserves credit where it's due. I also tend to think that somebody with his pedigree deserves a chance to show it with a run in the team. I think he's lost serious pace because of that injury and it's sad to see, but I remember him raping Cafu as they put Milan out of the Champions League and I think a player who had that ability is worth a bit of patience, espescially when noone is bashing down the door to sign him up. I'm glad Sam sees this because he's paid handsomely to get as much as he can out of every player in the squad and isn't looking to wash his hands of players who will require hard work. i think both were excelent finishes, very well times volleys, but at the same time you have to recognise that luque and V.N are very different types of players. its ok that V.N (or Owen) have limited skill on the ball, and can be absent for 89 mins of a game, because they are 25 a season strikers, there to score goals, and natural predators. Luque is none of these things, he scored 2 vs celtic, but won't score 20 in a season, even if he starts every game, because he's not a natural finisher. He took both his goals well, and very good movement for the second, but his skill on the ball was woeful, and if he plays with limited on the ball skill, and won't score 20 a season, then what does he offer? he needs more confidence on the ball. The best bit of him at the moment is funnily his end product. He has good crosses, and has shown good shooting technique. If the other parts improve to PL standard (off the ball and on the ball skills) then he will be a good player for us. TBF Luque does have skill on the ball. He just hasn't shown us much of it yet. Like you say he needs confidence and with a but more fitness and man management and there is a CHANCE he could become a good player for us.

Thats a canny formation. Doubt it would ever work but it could tell us alot about certain players in different positions. TBH i love the idea of N'Zogbia as a left back. Would be great if Sam converted him into a left back. Just to mess with your formation a wee bit: Given Ramage Rozenhal Hunty Nobby Geremi N'Zogbia Milner Luque Martins Owen

As much as i like to think he's going to come good, i do agree with the strength thing. However, when it comes to fitness and attributes i wouldn't look further than sam to sort him out.

I didn't really want to vote because i think he's a fantastic player on both flanks. When we have injuries (which we always do) he's very valuable to us. I voted right just because it will be more natural to him in the long run.

Excellent point. I find it funny when people say he scored his goal against Palermo because it was put on his head, or that he scored two against Celtic because they were excellent crosses. I've seen Van Nistelrooy (no I'm not comparing the two, calm down people) score loads like that and people spunk everywhere over his movement and anticipation to create an easy chance for himself. Those two goals against Celtic, if we were talking about someone like Ruud everyone would be going on about his movement, yet cos it's Luque they make out like Solano and Milner made him score. At the end of the day it's difficult to judge a player objectively when someone really don't like him (eg Luque), just as it is when they love a player (eg Shearer when his legs were going). Luque deserves a fair bit of criticism but he also deserves credit where it's due. I also tend to think that somebody with his pedigree deserves a chance on that alone, because he does have natural ability. I think he's lost serious pace because of that injury and it's sad to see, but I remember him raping Cafu as they put Milan out of the Champions League and I think a player who had that ability is worth a bit of patience, espescially when noone is bashing down the door to sign him up. One of the best posts in a long time. Some people have agendas on here and it annoys the f*** out of me. The lads scored three in two games against celtic now. If he listens to Sam he will become a good player for us. I'd be suprised if he is good enough to come back to his best but if he can become a good squad player i will be delighted after everything thats happened.

Aye, just read the thread. I've been away for a month so my knowledge isn't up to scratch with the transfers.

Normally i'd be at the cacking your pants stage under any other manager but i'm not so worried this time. Sam's already said that he will get the right number in, he just said he wasn't sure on the quality simply because the further into the window you get the less likley it is a club will be willing to let their top players go. I'm not really speculating how many we will be getting but more the quality. I'd put money on that hangland being our next signing. Wouldn't be shocked if Sam started on loans soon.

Right now we need numbers and quick. Campbell is still a better centre half than anything we have got, so i won't complain if we sign him. Even if it is only for a season.

Given Nobby Rozenhal Hunty N'Zogbia Butt Geremi Milner Luque Martins Owen Since its a friendly i would give Luque a run out on the left. Since Duff's injured and it looks as though Zoggys been converted to left back. Assuming Owens fit i'd give him and Martins another look up front. P.S Stephen Carr should be nowhere near our football club.

Absolutely. Momentum is a great motivator. It makes managers jobs alot easier when your coming off the back of a couple of big (important) signings or a few wins. Still along way to go on the staff side of things but the place is positive at the moment. P.S is that the san siro?

Main difference is that Terry at that age was learning/playing alongside the likes of Lebouf, Desailly and Gallas. Aye, i'm a firm believer in experiance alongside young talent. Thing is though despite all the pressure, as a 21 year old he is handling it very well. Needs a Hyypia along side him though.

Butt if hes in the first team, if not Barton. Have a feeling with all the media attention it may well go to Taylor.

This guy is fooking ruthless. I love it!

Sheppard will either have to perform or go. Ashley certainly is not looking like someone who is going to accept below par performances by anyone at the club. If Sheppard stays it will be under the scrutiny of Ashley, almost like punishment for his years off shite. Wouldn't suprise me if Sheppard ends up quiting because of "ill health".

ouch! Haha. I'm pretty sure when Rozehnal plays in front of our crowd he will change his tune. TBH, i would rather people said he's too good for us than not good enough.

I agree. Although, i do rate Scolari higher. The guys a genious on the international scene.

Gudjohnsen is a class act. His footwork and technique are so elegant, simliar to that of Dennis Bergkamp. If we secure some more defenders and we lose one of Martins or Owen, this guy would top my list.

He was born in London so he may have a little in him Aye your right. The force is strong with that one. Although, i will now refer to him as judice.

I've always had a soft spot for Citeh as at the COMS was my first away game. It's like the first lass you lose your virginity to. You don't want to see them do to well but quite happy for them to sort their mess out. I'm one of those who think Sven is a great manager, despite his stupid attitude sometimes. His reputation before becoming England manager was first class and for some reason despite being one of the most successfull england managers post war, he's come out worse. Suppose it was down to his off the field antics but the pressure at Man City will be alot different and i can see them making Europe in two seasons time.

He's arguabley got as much potential as the likes of Terry when they were his age. The difference is that he doesn't have the cockney factor to help him.

Didn't some ITK say that Saviola would end up at boro? Greening and Smith doesn't suprise me in the slightest though, not bothered about Smith. 6m sounds about right for him.

Van Buyten and Lucio. FM dream TBH.

People seem to be struggling with this. and the size of the club is down to their fan base. Half of the teams people have posted are way off. Man Utd Liverpool Newcastle Arsenal Chelsea West Ham Spurs Everton Villa Man City Sunderland Blackburn Fulham Boro Bolton Portsmouth Birmingham Derby Reading Wigan That's a complete guess of the clubs fan bases. So Everton get bigger home crowds and have WAY more away numbers than West Ham because...? West Ham should be below Sunderland on your list Huge difference between fan base and crowds. I believe West Ham have quite a following. My table isn't on stats though. I guessed at it. For me Leeds and forest are far bigger clubs than that of wigan and bolton. Not because of history but because of how many fans they have and that is in relation to past success.

People seem to be struggling with this. and the size of the club is down to their fan base. Half of the teams people have posted are way off. Man Utd Liverpool Newcastle Arsenal Chelsea West Ham Spurs Everton Villa Man City Sunderland Blackburn Fulham Boro Bolton Portsmouth Birmingham Derby Reading Wigan That's a complete guess of the clubs fan bases.

I wouldn't sign Bent for 13m even if we were desperate for a striker. He's a good player but 17m is stupid, i hope to god spurs sign him for that much. Epecially considering for an extra 10 you could buy Berbatov from spurs, who is on a different plateau TBH.