LiquidAK

From everything I've read he sounds like the perfect signing. The technical side to his game mentioned by Pardew could make him ideal as the link between the destroyer in Cheick and the creator in Cabaye. Holding position with Tiote in a defensive role, as well as using his passing to dictate the tempo of the game from deep. Only 23 as well, not to mention being a full Dutch international. Plus emergency fullback cover. Optimistic.

Thought him and Lampard did really well actually, Carrick sitting deep and giving Lampard licence to get forward and get shots on goal. Looked a good partnership, shame about Lampard's age. Wilshere's role for 2014? Early days yet, but if he comes back from this seemingly eternal injury I think he'd slot in nicely there.

He's just not good enough in terms of build-up. It was a great finish, but it was more down to a quick counter-attack and a quality finish than any great play from Defoe. He got the chance because the defender wasn't close enough to him. Just my opinion, but for me I think you need someone a bit more creative rather than a finisher with little else to his game upfront in an international game. Even Gomez who gets stick for being just a finisher has incredible movement which opens space for other players.

Good to see us actually look relatively comfortable on the ball tonight. This is just the beginning of a two year build-up, from what we've seen tonight I feel a bit more optimistic. I like the way we're going, promising signs.

Brighty?

He's been nowhere in this game until it was put on a plate for him. He's a finisher and nothing else. He'll score the occasional sweet finish but other than that he's done at the top level. Put on a plate. In the sense that he was put through by Milner. It's not like he crafted that chance himself. Turned and finished, that's the extent of what he did there. Not good enough at international level in my opinion. I don't disagree that he's not top level on a consistent basis. But you're using an example where he cut inside, made the space for the shot from 20 yards and smashed it in the top corner. Really don't think it was all that impressive tbh. The finish was great, but the defender could have done a lot better there. I don't feel like it was his skill that got him that space.

He's been nowhere in this game until it was put on a plate for him. He's a finisher and nothing else. He'll score the occasional sweet finish but other than that he's done at the top level. Put on a plate. In the sense that he was put through by Milner. It's not like he crafted that chance himself. Turned and finished, that's the extent of what he did there. Not good enough at international level in my opinion.

He's been nowhere in this game until it was put on a plate for him. He's a finisher and nothing else. He'll score the occasional sweet finish but other than that he's done at the top level.

Defoe coming on, fingers crossed for an injury.

Yup, calling themselves a 'giant' ffs. They're no more a giant still than we are title contenders. That time has passed.

:lol:

In before some clever bastard photoshops Giggs' face into this.

Escape to Victory on ITV now!

Little twat not giving the ball back in the City goal. Ridiculously unsporting behaviour.

Not directed at you personally but it's classic football fan. WE NEED TO MAKE A SIGNING WE NEED TO MAKE A SIGNING. we've made a signing! WE NEED TO MAKE MORE SIGNINGS WE NEED TO MAKE MORE SIGNINGS!! Well, in fairness, we do need to make more signings. This would be a great addition, but we do still need another forward and a fullback.

Haha, "WANKER, WANKER, WANKER" oh so clear on ITV.

They just said he's nursing an injury.

It's baaaaaack

Awful move for Rodwell, just can't see him getting enough games there to ever really progress. Like Neil said, he's struggled to hold down a place in the Everton side, can't see him being given much chance at Man "oh you're having a few bad games? Let's replace you" City.

Big Ad.

Joe Hart. Clearly the best English player in his position by a country mile, so he's going to be a mainstay in the team for the foreseeable future. Plus he oozes confidence, the will to win etc. The best choice for me.

First looks pretty good imo, but their backup is woeful.

We could beat them, theirs a reason why with even all those players they finished away from the top of their division. The thing is though you can't deny that they have some very dangerous players who we would want to keep away from. Oh of course it'd be tougher than some of the ties we could get, but I wouldn't be particularly worried either. I'd still feel pretty confident of going through over two legs. Like you say, they only finished 5th last year which given the money they've spent is really quite unimpressive.

One of the few things we can say for certain in this window, Ashley isn't going to be giving out ludicrous contracts.

Think we could beat them Anzhi to be honest. It would be far from a forgone conclusion anyway, spunking loads of money on decent players doesn't make a good team.