Taylor Swift

A bit ambitious, Jun I think Portsmouth will still be the favourites for the game on Saturday because they match up with us very well. I'd be pretty happy if we came away with a point.

Not really vocal but leads by example I guess. Much like Shearer imo. I think his experiences at Barca might have also humbled him (being a substitute for an 18 yr old for example) and Keegan seems like a manager who knows how to control his players so the odds of him thinking he's above everyone else and being a dressing room cancer must be pretty low. The only possible negatives would be the transfer fee, wages and how long he's signed for. But because of what he can offer on the pitch and the 'intangibles', I think he'd be a quality signing.

His intensity would also be a real positive for us I feel. You can never underestimate the impact of a player who sets such high expectations for himself and the team. At least he'll be a good presence and give a real example to the players (especially the younger ones) about the attitude you need to succeed at the highest level. We also haven't had a real leader on the pitch since Shearer retired and Henry might revel in this role here.

What a great thread

Would be a quality player and be a real leader for the team; someone who's been there, done that at all levels and of course will sell loads of shirts and help bring in other top players.

Is this Jimenez the one playing for Inter right now? If he is, he's a bit fragile and quite selfish imo. Not sure he'd be a success here.

If we want to be better than other teams we'll have to get players that are better than what they've got. I'm not sure Bentley is that player (better than Arteta? better than Ashley Young?). Even though he might develop into one, why not buy someone who'll instantly push us up there? It's not like waiting will help. Every team will be spending money in the summer; the top 4 will be trying to separate themselves further and the next group will be trying to improve as well. Signing someone like Deco will mean we have a player who's on par with the players that the top 4 have got. That's worth spending £15m for. Top class players costs top dollars. We need to spend serious money if we're looking to challenge the top 4 in a few seasons. Indi's also mentioned the other effects of signing a world-class player like him such as the merchandising and I'd say many foreign players will take note of us right away, which will obviously help. I think people seriously underestimate how awesome he is and underestimate the difference between 'good' (which the likes of Bentley are) and 'great'.

£15m is really not too much for someone who is proven and will transform the side. He'll easily be the difference between us and other teams like Villa, Everton and Spurs because he's better than anything they've got. I've said it already but I'll say it again, he can start for any team in the Premiership right now. And 30 isn't that old for a player like him who'll still have 3-5 years left in him. And, you can never really overpay for quality. And he's absolute quality. But anyway, if we're looking at a new RW, I'd rather not overpay for Bentley (because he's English) and go for someone like Jesus Navas who's already up there in terms of effectiveness and actually has potential to become quite a bit better. I've heard about his homesickness and all that, but if you never shoot, you never score, right?

he's shit now... maybe he can't manage the pressure of the hype Reminds me of Seb Deisler and Lars Ricken in a way. All the attributes physically but lacking stuff up there.

Bentley or Deco. Fuck me. Different class.

Luis Fabiano scores his 23rd goal of the season for Sevilla. It was poor defending but also a quality finish (if you know what I mean). Sevilla one up against Villareal.

An average player? You being ignorant of foreign football again? Of course man.

..by a lot. But of course, many of them will be snapped up by foreign clubs who are in Europe. Just skimming the list you can see names like Magnin (quality LB), Crespo, Solari, Seb Kehl, Assuncao, Dacourt and Ewerthon.

I don't think the pic is appropriate. Bad joke, Gypsy.

Something like a 4 year deal, £12m and we'd be laughing all the way to the bank when he fires us into the top 6 next season. Put it this way, I think he'd start for almost every team in the Premiership right now. Ignoring Fergie's rotation policy, he'd get a start at Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. So if we do sign him, it'll be one of the biggest and most important signings in recent history.

Too one dimensional? Ignoring that fact that you cannot really be 'too' or 'not really' one dimensional, wtf?! He might be on the way down but his game has never depended on pace/power. He's one of those playmakers who will excel for 5+ years because he can always keep the ball and is a damn good passer - one of the best in the world in fact - which is why he's been successful in so many competitions/leagues (including internationally). He's also a highly talented set piece taker and I don't think you need much pace/strength to be good at those. I think an apt comparison for someone who's been a success in this way in the Premiership would be Tugay - has always been fucking old but his skill set was always something else to begin with and therefore never really suffered from a physical decline. I'm not sure if he's worth £15m and £100k/week but 'too dimensional', seriously, wtf?

I wouldn't mind it if Keegan took a good look at Antonio Cassano. Highly doubtful that he'd want to leave Sampdoria but iirc he's only on loan there, but anyway, he's been in good form, looks happy and has lost the excess weight, so I think he'd be awesome for us. He reminds me of Bellamy (though Cassano >>> Bellamy in footballing ability) in that he's always in trouble off the field but he's got so much quality on the pitch that he'll be worth it. It would also be a signing that really signals our intention because when this boy's on form, he's up there with the very best in the world.

He's not saying that. He's saying that if KK had stuck to the 4-4-2 and left Owen up top and pretty much not involved in our attack, we would probably not have scored against Birmingham, won against Spurs or won today. That's quite a few points gone, no?

Nice flowing move for the goal as well. All of Villa's goals today seemed nice (except the Barry deflection). Well worked/good movement helped. But of course, Bolton are really shit so you'd kinda expect a result like that anyway.

Could the improvement in his form be down to the fact that he's lost his place for England? (Just joking btw, before anyone jumps on my back)

With Carr being as shit as he is, I hope Keegan decides to invest some money on a young RB to back up and hopefully learn from Beye next season. Investment for the future and beefing up the squad as well, even though I rate Beye and think he's been one of the bright sparks this season.

Evra and Clichy are both leftbacks. Get your bearings straight man!

Jose's shot

There's Barton doing what I'd really like to see him do more often.

The excitement has fizzled out. The pace of the game has also been significantly slowed. Seems like both teams are just playing this one out.