KaKa

Torres has all the tools, but there's something off about him. His finishing can be so great at times, but can also be poor at times too. He can look strong and direct at times, but then so soft at times too. If we had got him when we bid for him under Souness, about two years ago, it would have been a disaster. He would have been awful in that team and under that management. Probably would have ended up as another Luque.

I have to say Liverpool have played some shocking football the majority of this game, especially when you consider they're playing Sunderland. Punt-tastic stuff. You'll never hear anyone bring it up though!

Fair enough. Can't say I've ever paid too much attention to Pog so I wouldn't know. I do know he has a tendency to break his nose every couple of months. Is Huth still alive by the way? His injury record has been worse than Woodgates!

I heard that too i hope not Ditto. If they get him, when fully fit, they'll have a good side IMO. Schwarzer Young Woodgate Pogatetz Taylor Tuncay Riquelme Boateng Downing Mido Aliadiere Top half team. Shame their back line is never fit. You forgot Robert Huth. Pogatez would probably play at left-back with Huth and Woody in the centre.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/euro_2008/article2317558.ece So ... doesn't look like Owen is even being open minded about this at all. It's either play him up top as a striker or forget about it. Interesting that he mentions being played as a lone striker though, anyone think Sam might try the 4-3-3 with Owen as the middle/main striker? It would mean no long balls and much more intricate passing, which would be good, but could we pull this off? I wouldn't mind seeing us try it. Alternatively, if we played the 4-3-3 with Owen as the main striker and Alan Smith as one of the wide forwards, we could probably rely on Smith to provide us with a physical presence from that position when we need it. This would mean going diagonal to Smith, should we need to play the long ball. What do people think about these latest developments? OMG! You're a genius. Die. Please. Another pointless individual, with no opinion, trying to be quirky, controversial and "different". Don't be mad because you lack the intelligence, ability or capacity to say anything worthwhile that goes further than a one line put down. I would love to rip into you, but out of respect for Dave (those damn private messages!) I'll hold back. You've been warned though ... ask Verlame about me. I could feast on punks like you all day.

See that's the interesting thing though, he doesn't mention the 4-4-2 and neither does he solely mention playing alongside another striker. He just talks about being played as an out and out striker even if it means being a lone striker. This is why I started talking about him being the out and out striker in the 4-3-3. I'm just interested to know if people think this might work. Taking into account the other players we have. Dont think it would work, because we dont have the players to afford him as the lone forward. If we were Barcelona, and Owen were to be playing the same role as Eto'o for example, hed probably excel because the rest of the team is great at keeping possession, building up play, and creating chances, whilst Owen could concentrate on making his runs and getting on the end of chances. This team under Allardyce's system, however, will most likely need that lone striker to be doing the much of the possession and build up work. We'll be playing it up to the lone striker first, and then things go from there. Some great points here. What if we played Alan Smith as one of the wide forwards, from where he could occassionally provide a physical presence upfront, and we had Geremi, Barton and Emre in midfield? That might have a better chance of working. I swear Sam played the 4-3-3 with Anelka up top and Kevin Davies out wide at times last season, and in these instances when they played it long it went diagonally to Davies. Maybe Alan Smith could be used in a similar fashion.

See that's the interesting thing though, he doesn't mention the 4-4-2 and neither does he solely mention playing alongside another striker. He just talks about being played as an out and out striker even if it means being a lone striker. This is why I started talking about him being the out and out striker in the 4-3-3. I'm just interested to know if people think this might work. Taking into account the other players we have.

Bit of a tongue in cheek headline, just go with it okay boss?

Well ... maybe rant is a bit strong but some interesting comments none the less! http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/euro_2008/article2317558.ece So ... doesn't look like Owen is even being open minded about this at all. It's either play him up top as a striker or forget about it. Interesting that he mentions being played as a lone striker though, anyone think Sam might try the 4-3-3 with Owen as the middle/main striker? It would mean no long balls and much more intricate passing, which would be good, but could we pull this off? I wouldn't mind seeing us try it. Alternatively, if we played the 4-3-3 with Owen as the main striker and Alan Smith as one of the wide forwards, we could probably rely on Smith to provide us with a physical presence from that position when we need it. This would mean going diagonal to Smith, should we need to play the long ball. What do people think about these latest developments?

Would anyone have Ferreira? Not sure how much he would he cost though ...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/134/328080058_9d4a23081a.jpg?v=0

We're sigining Riquelme don't ya know!

Ooooops!

http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1097737,00.html

Another quality player I'm glad we'll get to see in the Prem this year. Got robbed of a second league last weekend. Third I think.

Love it

If they get Alves and Beletti then we should go for Ferreira. I know he does struggle at times for Chelsea but he is far better than Carr.

I agree with you. The new contract offer makes no sense if he wants rid. Then again the claim of contract talks taking place might have been a falsehood intended to hurry up potential bidders. In all reality who is going to pay £13m for Obafemi Mitty? Even Yak who I consider as good if not better has gone for £12 according to latest reports. The thing is though, we paid £10 million for him so we can't really accept anything less than £12 million at the least. When you consider he came in and proved he could score goals in the premiership and is only 22 in Nigerian years.

I agree with you. The new contract offer makes no sense if he wants rid. Then again the claim of contract talks taking place might have been a falsehood intended to hurry up potential bidders.

I just hope we don't sell him for anything less than the release clause. Those quotes just don't fill me with confidence. then again I might just be reading too much into them. Just don't want to lose the little fella.

Looks like Martins is being made available for the right price. Dontcha think?

You get the feeling he's begging for someone to activate the clause when you read it Well I'll be ... looks like Oliver was right! Talk about making someone available! Looks like there have been enquiries but no one wants to pay the £13 million which activates his clause. We'll probably end up flogging him for £11 million! Whatever ... we'd better have someone lined up to come in. I get the feeling there might be plans push Alan Smith further forward in a 4-3-3 if Oba goes.

Nugent has looked woeful. The hype around him was insane. I remember people wanting him instead of Martins! I had never seen too much of him until the under 21 tournament and he was completely shown up by Lita who looked a far better player. Nugent didn't convince me at all. Chopra and Keane must be having a right old giggle.

It's Roeder giving his half time team talk at AZ Alkmaar last season.

Osman is doing well on the left, but they could even play Arteta there and slot Pienaar in on the right. When Baines and Jagielka are fit they will have a back four of Jagielka, Yobo, Lescott and Baines. I think they are ahead of us at the moment for sure. Hats off to Moyes. The man persevered and he is finally getting some money out of the owners.