KaKa

Redknapp is so ridiculous. He's been playing Bouba Diop on the right wing since he went to 4-4-2 after the arrival of Defoe. Probably looking to put a stop to that mess and play Thomas there instead. Why he won't just give Utakja a run there is beyond me. Yes, he's inconsistent but Diop? Nuts.

Dave, you say he only missed 9 games, which is fair enough, but like Tooj said (holla back Tooj!), he wasn't great in a lot of those games. This is because after all these continuous injury lay offs it takes him a while to get going again so he might as well not be out there for half of the games anyway. This was especially irritating when after injury he was thrown straight back into the team ahead of a fitter Martins, because of the Martins is such a "poor finisher" and owen never misses sitters bollocks. Well Owen missed a hell of a lot last season and part of it was due to him being so off form with all the starting and stopping.

You didn't read it then. Maybe I didn't get the figures right, but you were basically saying how he made a number of appearances despite the operations right? The issue is however that he can't stay the heck out of the operating theatre! We need another hero guys. This one is clearly broken.

I think it would be crazy to offer him a new deal at this point. He has already started the season off injured and will be missing the very first game of the new season, which just sets things off on a bad note really. This despite the fact he hasn't been involved all pre-season! It's absolutely tragic. If it isn't a serious injury it's little things that keep him out for a good amount of games anyway. Dave, you talk about him making 24 appearances despite the operations, but the fact is that he missed a hell of a lot of the season due to injuries yet again. He did well when he returned but we can't get blinded by that. The fact is he is unreliable and as a key member of the team he is costing us a hell of a lot of games. It's just the same thing all over again and he will soon be turning 29, so why exactly should we be making him a new offer? I think we ought to just agree to have him one more year and let him leave on a free next summer. We can start to plan for a top class replacement next summer, starting from right now, so we aren't caught out unaware.

Don't sleep on my hunches peeps. I can feel it!

I think we might have just signed both Valero and Trejo! Watch this space ... Both young and promising. Very affordable prices. Both played all season in the 4-3-1-2 last year and familiar with Jonas. I think West Brom are only in for their defender Nunes.

Apparently the price for Burdisso was only 5 million Euros so maybe he is the replacement. Maybe Keegan just wants some centre backs with a bit more about them. Who Knows? If we sign Burdisso he is able to play accross the back four, while Colo can do so also, as well as fill in at DM. Let's be patient. I'm sure there will be some more positive news shortly. Wish Faye all the best. He was really good for us. Stoke are going to be one of the most intimidating sides in prem history. Goodness. Do they even have a player under 6 ft 2 anymore?

Something oddly exciting about this. Surely something pretty substantial must be on the horizon now? Burdisso coming in? Or perhaps some other centre back? At the very least this is a sure sign that Coloccini will play this weekend right? Maybe Keegan really wants to give Taylor a good go at this thing and pair him up with Coloccini this season, with Bassong and Cacapa as back up.

Apparently he played a whole season as a defensive midfielder for Depor previously, and still plays there occassionally. Can't wait to see how things pan out. All very confusing at the moment. When?? Where did you hear that? He's certainly played a number of games there, but not for a full season. Played at DM in 2006-2007 apparently. Yes under Joaquin Caparros; they started playing him there after having man-marked Riquelme very effectively in the position, Caparros and Coloccini in the end fell out over this role. During last season when Depor played Barca he played left back to man-mark Messi; Coloccini will be adding alot of versatility to the back line but he won't be playing as a defensive midfielder I wouldnt of thought. Cool. Well maybe it was an idea KK was thinking of if we were unable to land other targets for DM. Personally, I think Colo and Faye could be immense at CB. If we stick with the 4-3-1-2 we could then have more of a deep playmaker in the defensive midfielder role, as Faye and Colo would be so strong at centre back. I would prefer Tiago as a deeper playmaker in the 4-3-1-2 like Pirlo does for AC Milan. Hopefully we could then get a really special attacking midfielder to play behind Oba and Owen.

Apparently he played a whole season as a defensive midfielder for Depor previously, and still plays there occassionally. Can't wait to see how things pan out. All very confusing at the moment. When?? Where did you hear that? He's certainly played a number of games there, but not for a full season. Played at DM in 2006-2007 apparently.

Apparently he played a whole season as a defensive midfielder for Depor previously, and still plays there occassionally. Can't wait to see how things pan out. All very confusing at the moment.

Disclaimer: I am not ITK! However a bit of juicy gossip nonetheless ... I've heard (just from a friend in the Newcastle area so not too exciting!) that Coloccini in midfield is a very big possibility as an upgrade on Butt in the defensive midfield position. Other than doing a good job of regaining posession, he apparently distributes the ball very well from there also. Likely that another experienced centre back will be coming in to play alongside Faye/Taylor. The 4-3-1-2 (diamond) formation will be staying, but rather than have Owen in the "hole" it will be Owen and Martins upfront with a brand new attacking midfielder to play in the "hole", one who can direct the attack and thread balls through to Owen and Martins. Modric was supposed to be the guy apparently but Aimar, Baptista and now Tiago have all been considered since, amongst others. Jonas will be on the left of a midfield three, and apparently he played in this position and formation for Mallorca last season and did well there. So there ... Had a good conversation about all this yesterday and just thought I'd share, as it didn't sound too far-fetched. With everything in place and everyone available our midfield and attack should look something like this allegedly ... ---------Martins---------Owen---------- -------------------Tiago------------------- --------Jonas---------------Barton------ -----------------Coloccini-----------------

English bid has been made and is speculated to have come from Liverpool or Tottenham. However, considering what Oliver said about another Mallorca coming in, it might be him. Borja Valero is another player in the Xavi Alonso, Tiago Mendes mould so it might make sense if we are not following up interest in Tiago. http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/futbol-club-ingles-hace-oferta/dasftb/20080813dasdaiftb_32/Tes

Why? Sounds like he enjoyed Chelsea and only left for first-team football. He'd be as good as guaranteed it here, knows he can play in the Premier League and by all accounts is having a shitter at Juve. I can see the logic in it tbh. Add to that the fact we've managed to agree a loan deal with Juve and our chances are really good. He can come in this season and if he really doesn't fancy it and things don't go well, he can be allowed to return to Juve, who can then find him another club.

Probably to address the rumours. Already said today that he's not leaving. Hmmm ... I don't know. Seems a bit much for just addressing some rumours.

So he misses out on the training session? Weird. Yeah, but is this a real training session or just a bit of fun with the fans to be topped of with the intro of Colo? When will you guys understand that they are waiting for this thread to reach 150 pages before they confirm the signing? I agree. By the way how do you think your team will do this year with Megson? Bolton is not my team, my name is actually Johan and my avatar has more to do with the fact that I am from Sweden than me being a Bolton supporter. But to answer your question anyway, Johan Elmander is a good player playing as a lone striker or behind one. If he gets on a run he can score quite a few. Bit prone to injury and it will be interesting to see how he does in the EPL. Dont know anything about the rest of Bolton, they will be boring but still manage to stay up I guess? I was only messing with you. Cheers for the info though.

Lets not get too excited now! I would wait till Oliver confirms it before printing his name on your shirt.

Aston Villa will be after Zigic I reckon.

Stop thinking then. http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/article.html?in_article_id=263346&in_page_id=43 OMG it must be true! Not yet, but it is becoming truer and truer.

Stop thinking then. http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/article.html?in_article_id=263346&in_page_id=43

Tomorrow afternoon. Besides owen is playing in that too.

If he signs, he's best Midfielder I've ever seen, far better than Zidane Are you on drugs??? Better than Zidane??? Mohammed Zidan is what he meant. Calm down. No I didn't. Ssshhhhh ... don't ruin it.

So he misses out on the training session? Weird. Yeah, but is this a real training session or just a bit of fun with the fans to be topped of with the intro of Colo? When will you guys understand that they are waiting for this thread to reach 150 pages before they confirm the signing? I agree. By the way how do you think your team will do this year with Megson?

If he signs, he's best Midfielder I've ever seen, far better than Zidane Are you on drugs??? Better than Zidane??? Mohammed Zidan is what he meant. Calm down.

So he misses out on the training session? Weird. Yeah, but is this a real training session or just a bit of fun with the fans to be topped of with the intro of Colo?