AlanSkÃrare

He's a rarity because he doesn't have exceptional physical/technical attributes but has all the qualities that you would normally expect a young player to lack: first touch, positional sense, vision etc. He's also not being stifled by our admittedly rather unexceptional youth system and is being given European training from an early age. These two factors give me some hope that he could become something truly exceptional. Heck, he's playing first-team football in the Bundesliga at age 18. Barring a career-ending injury that alone probably makes him a lock for 100+ South Korea caps. I should also mention that there's another young Korean striker who plays for Ajax, "Suk" who's also looking very promising. He's huge and fast, Martin Jol (the real one, not the ITK one) used to call him the "next Adebayor." Been mostly stuck in the reserves but until very recently he was getting a lot more press than Son was. Already has an international cap too. I was at Hamburg-Leverkusen the other week and when he came on he was terrible. Lost the ball five or six times and looked incredibly nervous. Heard good things about him from other HSV-fans though. They're struggling bad atm so maybe not the best of times to force your way into the team. I think Armin Veh is on the brink...

Team of the Year: Spain Player of the Year: Andres Iniesta Young Player of the Year: Thomas Müller Goalkeeper of the Year: Manuel Neuer Defender of the Year: Gerard Pique Midfielder of the Year: Andres Iniesta Forward of the Year: Lionel Messi Most Improved Player of the Year: Andy Carroll Year to Forget: Liverpool Player to look out for in 2011: Nile Ranger, Ivo Pekalski Manager of the Year: Mourinho Best League: Premier League Worst League: Allsvenskan (Sweden) Most Improved League: Bundesliga Favourite Football Moment of the Year: José Enriques goal v Nottingham Biggest Football Disappointment of the Year: Qatar and Russia hosting WC Most Shocking Moment of the Year: Sacking of Chris Hughton

I agree on the money, but I don't want Keane or Crouch in exchange. We know their limitations, and they're realtively old. Carroll has the world at his feet and he is local. There is very little that could replace that.

Horrible decision and a fantastic challenge and then Ameobi scored the worst goal ever scored with his knee or whatever it was, to cancel it out.

I've never seen anything about that... I think he usually says he's a Milan fan in interviews.

Hart - Baines, Vidic, Kompany, Sagna - Nani, van der Vaart, Nasri - Malouda, Carroll, Tevez

He's on fire at Bayern and they're a much bigger club than all of those. Would be the ideal signing for Spurs though.

Since it's player of the year and not "good samaritan" of the year I don't see why Carroll shouldn't get it. Bale plays for a much better side as well. Carroll with some sort of service other than Barton would probably be considered to be a given for that award.

I think is a serial liar.

Ivo Pekalski at Malmö FF. Just been selected for Swedens january squad to play South Africa, just turned 20. Looks very tidy and is constantly praised by senior players who say he's the best they've ever seen at that age. Dominated the league over here towards the end of the season and Malmö won the title. Otherwise there seems to be 2-3 very promising players at Dinamo in Croatia,Vrsaljko and Kovacic are both supposed to be impresseive. Haven't seen any of them. Connor Wickham looked like he was a superstar in the making when we played Ipswich last year.

Of all the out and out midfielders in this league I reckon Cahill and maybe Lampard are the only ones that are better finishers than he is. So composed in front of goal it's scary.

One of the best football related blogs around. Great read.

I'd play Coloccini for Sol, Ranger for Shola and Krul in goal. Otherwise same team. Like someone said, I think Carroll might struggle against Johnson and Dann. Ranger's pace could draw them out of position and allow Nolan to push forward into space a bit. Ameobi would just make things virtually impossible by standing around in the middle.

Was Alan Murray Souness's assistant? Hated everything about him.

Probably been mentioned but did anyone see the replay of Bartons goal on MOTD? Carroll is the closest man to the camera, so funny when he makes the exact move that Barton does as if he was the one to poach it home. Looks like a karate move..

Just seen that Hughton is the bookies favourite. Anyone reckon they'll go for him?

I think Taylors strength is needed in some games, but otherwise Colo-Willi should be first choice. They know eachother inside out and have managed well against every team we've played apart from Bolton (where Taylor should've dealt with Davies instead).

Why wouldn't they? Remember Given saying he was "underwhelmed" when Kinnear was appointed. Would expect something similar this time around.

Just seen the press conference. Already had enough of him. Dodged the questions that needed to be answered - especially about his relationship to Llambias - and the fact that he hasn't met the players doesn't bode well for Saturday. Think we're in for a hammering.

Don't Ashley will ever have the balls to attend a game again. Almost as if I'm looking forward to see what happens on Saturday, think it will turn ugly.

What the fuck is Craig on about?

This. Really worrying.

Why isn't the media highlighting the fact that Pardew had a hand in getting Hughton sacked? Needs to be said.

Mike Ashley. Ashley selling up in 2016. I'm 100% convinced of this.

Still can't believe this has happend. Have we not suffered enough?