STM

At least he's not proven to be bad at prem level, unlike most of our current players. Proven to be bad at Championship level according to the people who watch him. Milner was bad at premiership level according to the people who watched him.

His talent will always be a question mark, until we have seen him play. The good news is that we have filled a problem position, with someone who has a seemingly good attitude, for very little money. I can say quite confidently that i don't how good he is, although i wouldn't believe a word of what forest fans think. At least we are moving in the transfer window.

Leon Best aside, Chris Hughton has been pretty good in the transfer market. If he has targeted a back up for Enrique, which is what i presume this is, then i trust his judgement on the matter. Ok i've never considered Samuel a great left back but i've never seen him as a particularly poor one either. In all seriousness i doubt we will sign him anyway, Hughton will have plenty of targets.

Argentina and Germany pose similar problems. They both have excellent fluidity going forward but if you can stop them for long enough periods there are plenty of holes in their respective defences. If we can beat Germany, which i think we will, we'd have every chance against the Argies. Spain and Brazil will worry me more, if we get that far.

Germany are playing at full flow at the moment, where as England are moving up through the gears. I can't wait for this, i'm convinced we will beat them. Gerrard's nearly playing at his best, which is what we need if we are to win the big games.

Samaras not looking too bad

It's been menthioned about 8 pages back.. by me He was at a Newcastle friendly a couple of seasons ago and rumours went around that he was signing for us.

I was going to suggest that he'd suit Arsenal's style but perhaps Arsenal need more variety.

Where's Joe Cole going then? My guess is Man Utd or Madrid.

Hodgson...

My guess is that Liverpool have agreed to get rid of Gerrard to Madrid, so Benitez aint happy.

To be fair we could sell all of our strikers to Championship clubs and Carroll might even attract a Premiership club. For me it's about squad building not deconstruction. If we sign Boyd then we can sell Shola or Best and dare i say make a profit out of it. I agree, but who the hell is gonna sign Shola or Best. I'd take a stab and say most of the Championship teams, not for much money mind. Shola would be a good striker in that division, if fit for a full season.

On that note, i'd prefer Fletcher.

To be fair we could sell all of our strikers to Championship clubs and Carroll might even attract a Premiership club. For me it's about squad building not deconstruction. If we sign Boyd then we can sell Shola or Best and dare i say make a profit out of it.

If this Celtic team was in the premiership they would be battling relegation IMO, in fact that goes for every Celtic team since Martin O'Neill.

The fact that he has scored 50 goals in Scotland in the last two years, is little indication of how he would perform in the Premiership but neither is his poor record in Europe and against Celtic. Larsson wasn't bad outside Scotland and Ameobi has a pretty good record in Europe IIRC. Lies, damned lies and statistics.

I think the point is that Hughton is trying to build a good squad of players who have a good attitude and something to offer on the pitch. OK, Boyd isn't my type of player but the deal is financially sound (if it happens) and he'll be chomping at the bit to prove himself. He's not "the answer" but he'd be a sound addition to a growing squad.

Wasn't he at the stadium a couple of years ago because he's a Newcastle fan? If so, it wouldn't suprise me if this was true. And Alan Smith is a Rangers fan IIRC.

Alot of that statement looked to me as if they were trying to have a dig at the national media about something. When i first read it, i thought they were denying the existance of a rumoured salary cap. Bloody bizzare statement.

I'd rather have Milner at full back.

Nobby I hope he gets a goal.

Aye what a nice guy Harps is, his (and others) attitude was important part of our season. I liked the fact that Given came and said hello to the lads before the Sheffield (away) game too.

Have Cahill and Shawcross been overlooked too, or did i miss something?

I agree, Carrick can find a good pass from a deeper role, he's certainly a better passer than Barry.

I've always thought Carrick is the better player anyway. Mind you i'd still have Scholes going to the world cup.