KaKa

Was just about to say the same. I think it is very likely it is Bresciano who does have Italian heritage but is really Australian. Let's give Joe some credit perhaps he thought it would be too obvious if he said he was Australian. If we land Burdisso and Bresciano in the next 48 hrs I will be grinning from ear to ear. Two very experienced players who would definitely add quality to our side. Have faith brothers!

I would expect Burdisso to be one of them for definite. We were linked with him quite a lot towards the end of the summer and again this window. He has played alongside Coloccini a fair bit too. He is also versatile, playing at both left back and centre back. Hasn't featured much for Inter I don't think. The Italian though ... I have no idea, but I'm hoping it's a midfielder.

Shame it won't happen. O ye of little faith. Where there is "the system" there is a way. I think we'll do alright in this window when all is said and done.

Zoggy out for a decent fee - Sign Lovenkrands on a free and spend Zoggy's fee on Tom De Mul (right winger) and Meireles (Box to Box dynamo). Left footed wingers - Duff and Lovenkrands Right footed wingers - Gutierrez and Tom De Mul Central midfielders - Barton, Meireles, Butt and Guthrie Midfield instantly sorted.

Hows about the moody Fred. One moody git for another. Fair deal I say.

Nah ... don't think so.

I'd rather we signed players like this than give JK any real money to spend. What a crazy way of thinking. What's to say JK won't get quality players in? Don't be daft.

West Ham turned down a £10 million bid for Bellamy and are holding out for £15 million! Won't be surprised if they come in for Owen instead. If they offer the same £10 million I think we should take it.

At least make an effort to find out what position he plays before flying off the handle. I think you'll find he is played on the wing.

I watched Valencia recently and I'm not sure if I was seeing things but Miguel looked as if he had grown another belly. Looked to have put on some serious weight.

Or in the meantime play Coloccini at right back where he can play also.

Looks like a lefty, took free kicks and penalty's with his left? Really?! That would mean three left wingers and one right footed one who is better on the left. Hopefully he is really comfortable on the right side if he is left footed then.

Out of interest is Loverkrands right or left footed? We could do with another right footer who can play out wide. TBH it's a nice cheap way of getting another quick guy who can play upfront too as whenever Martins is out we have no pacy options whatsoever upfront.

Maybe 2-3 purchases and then 2 loans and 1 freebie? I'm gunning for most optimistic poster 2009 so just roll with me on this one.

Yup, and with the way the results have gone this weekend, after Rafas statement, Rafas come out lookigng pretty goofy and the pressure has certainly been cranked up on Liverpool.

Bannsong?!

Although this is correct, have you not noticed the trend that Ashley is setting? which is to spend as little as possible? - Your theory of bringing in a better manager than Steve Bruce hinges on money yet our current agenda seems to be cut costs and spend little, so wouldn't this mean we can't get a better manager? Who would you say is obtainable and better than Bruce by the way? There are many managers actually. It's very hard but I think it's not impossible: get Martin O'Neil. He's a very good manager, he knows what he's doing and is under-rated. Personally I think Ashley should instead throw in more money rather than cut costs. He'd need to spend more if he'd expect to get top-class players. Rarely do they go on the cheap. I can't even begin to comprehend how you can seriously believe that is currently possible. Unreal ...

If a club offers the £6.5 million for Barton I think he will be sold and maybe we would then bring in Meireles. It's looking like Portsmouth will be pushing hard for Barton.

I love the fact he isn't scared of buying directly from South America. Palacios and Figueroa have been brilliant and cost panuts pretty much. The little I have seen of the striker they're bringing in has been good too. Valencia is also class but was brought in by Jewell I think. Nice little South American flava they have going there now.

It was funny watching Defoe dissapear into thin air now he's back at Tottenham. No more Crouch to hold the ball up for you, no more brillinat midfield play from the likes of Diarrra, Krancjar, Bouba Diop, no more width from the likes of Glen Johnson and Belhadj. Welcome home son back to chasing lost causes from a shocking midfield.

Jenas is such a pansy it is untrue.

Player profile: Raul Meireles Full name: Raul Jose Trindade Meireles Position: Midfielder Date of Birth: 17 March 1983 Birthplace: Porto, Portugal Some players are filled with immense potential and never realize it throughout their entire careers. Some are late bloomers and do not get noticed or make a name for themselves until several years in the game. Then there are those who have certain, special qualities that enable them to win a mountain of silverware early in their careers. Thus is the case with Raul Meireles. The young FC Porto midfielder plays for one of Portugal’s biggest clubs and can already boast an impressive trophy cabinet. His neat and intelligent play adorned with accurate passing, tough tackling and a powerful shot, has made him an undisputed starter at Portugal’s most successful club despite his young age. The left-back turned defensive midfielder was a member of Portugal’s youth squad that won the under-16 European Championships with Portugal in 2000 and four years later helped his country finished third in the under-21 European Championships. With a host of achievements as a youth, Meireles was playing regularly at the age of 18. A product of Boavista’s youth academy, he got his first taste of professional football at neighbouring club, Desportivo das Aves, where he spent two seasons on loan. Cross-city move Meireles played a total of 45 matches, scoring one goal for Aves before Boavista decided to take him back in 2003. The defensive midfielder played just one season with Boavista, making 29 appearances for the club, and impressed so much that he was snapped up by cross-town rivals, FC Porto. Porto had recently lost Jose Mourinho to Chelsea and sold the likes of Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira. Much pressure was placed on his shoulders as he had very big shoes to fill in a team where winning is the only option. Meireles was left in limbo in his first year as Porto went through three coaches. As the central midfield places were occupied by Portugal internationals, Maniche and Costinha, the player was used on the left side of defence for the majority of the season, which ended with the Dragons relinquishing the championship to bitter rivals Benfica. The following year would see Meireles flourish as Porto completed the double. The 2006/07 season started with a Portuguese SuperCup triumph as Meireles continued to compile a healthy set of winners’ medals, all at the age of 24. International breakthrough Things got even better for the young Portuguese midfielder as he broke into the senior Portugal national team in November 2006, playing in the Euro 2008 qualifier against Kazakhstan in Coimbra. Meireles produced an assured performance in a 3-0 victory, and the player certainly has a solid foundation on which to build his international career with one of the world’s best footballing nations. by Marco Pereira

A bit harsh on Carlton Cole. He is very physical and strong striker and on his good days can cause problems for certain. Coloccini at the moment tends to pick up the best strikers on the teams we face. I think its a big ask for him at the moment. Colo reminde me a bit of Carvalho, with a Terry type beside him i.e. bigger stronger experienced guy, he would be a lot better off. Colo will struggle against the Carlton Coles and Drogbas otherwise. I think it was an absolute tragedy we didn't keep Faye too partner Colo really.