Lotus

A quality ball-playing rb (in a narrow midfield line of three) like Debuchy would given us true midfield width, the ability to spread possession from left-to-right. In a narrow 433 the wingbacks provide that width, and without two book-end FBs (as ball-players, who can anchor themselves around the halfway line & competantly re-direct play) possession retention suffers when opposition presses aggressively through the middle. The strategy to blunt the attacking potency of our 433, is to aggressively press it through the middle it. Smash it, as Wigan did. With only Santon, as a wide outlet (when the inside three are pressured), we're a lop-sided team in terms of being able to retain possession across the pitch. Wigan best exploited this weakness, with midfield numbers & aggression, when the 433 was in peak form. The inclusion of Debuchy would've ammended the team's achilles heel. 8m (or Lille's asking price) maybe too much for some. I'm referring to those who may be looking at the deal through Ashley-tinted goggles, strictly from the resale value angle. In terms of benefitting the team, and his arrival would be a massive upgrade to one flank. In this case 8m, or the going-rate, is a no-brainer. Debuchy, Bigi & Amalfitano (as development projects), with no major departures, would amount to a good transfer window. I like reading your football analysis. Cheers for taking the time to post it.

Wow! Where have YOU been? You disappeared for an age!!! Glad you're back!

I'm guessing he would be entitled to some form of loyalty bonus (á la Barton at City) and by handing in a written transfer request he would forego that thereby providing Lille with yet further financial incentive. I also think it makes a very, very certain statement of intent. I know it doesn't always work but I'm surprised he hasn't.

Well, i would imagine he's going to have to if he really does want to leave. Quite surprised he hasn't already, actually.

Has he put in an official transfer request?

Indeed. Keeping possession very nicely but it's going nowhere. Surely a personnel issue though? put Hatem and Cabaye in this system instead of Vuckic and Obertan and i don't see it being a problem. It would improve the team, but a different formation would improve the team more imo. Agreed 4-3-3 is the way to go, but Pardew seems against it for some reason. It can't just be because of Ba can it?

Pardew's lack of enthusiam for a 4-3-3 is a bit strange, like. Back 4 .............Tiote.............. ....Jonas...........Vuckic... Ba.....................Obertan ............Cisse................ Front 3 swapping positions a bit would be a lot more fluid i think going forward. Might actually get Haris into the game too!

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/60285000/jpg/_60285145_kennydalglishstill.jpg Well, apart from him!

For the kind of money that Liverpool are reportedly wanting, it can't be far off what you could get Llorente for. There can't be a manager out there who would choose Carroll over Llorente!

Prolly thinks he's on for a game of Lacrosse...

Lees ook ! Lees ook at yous new bid, man! Howay, lees ook!

Thought he looked a very good prospect. The game never looked like it was going too fast for him. Injuries and attitude permitting, i think he'll do well.

Wonder if we're monitoring Rondon.

Seems like a lot of talk and posturing from Twente, if nobody makes a bigger bid then we'll see if they stick to their words. thing is they don't need to sell so can take the risk of his playing well for another season, helping them do well, increasing his reputation and clubs offering even more next year. Or he's had his head turned, feel the club are pricing him out of a move and has an ok season without pulling up any trees and he's a year closer to the end of his contract and not attracting interest for anything near the price they want. Or you're right !

http://swimwearandlingerie.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/shocked_will.jpg?w=394&h=393

When i think of Celtic 'hard lads' kicking off at groups of Toon fans who were with their kids i can't help but wish the same fate for the hoops tbh.

The same, but jizz. You'll cry a river of jizz? Aye, that's some plumbing Ian's got there, man!

Why do we the British have Gibraltar still? Just trying to cling to last of our Empire..... Probably similar reasons to Spain wanting to keep Ceuta...

The biggest change in football style (i think) for him will be the pressing he will have to do when we don't have the ball.

Matt Phillips - Blackpool. Plays wide in a front 3. Quick, tricky, strong, young, stuck in the CCC for another year.

I not sure i should put this question in the 'Realistic' thread but what's happened to Ross Barkley from Everton? I thought he looked like a superb player in the making. Excellent athlete, tall, strong and quick, great technique. Just needs game time to learn the game. Thought he looked a sure bet tbh! Hasn't been featuring for Everton and i can't see that he's injured. Needless to say, would love him at NUFC / pipe dream...

Tbh, given the money they allowed him to spend and the fact they were in Europe for next season, they really should have stuck with him. It's not like they were bottom half of the table. Managers get so little time in these days. Not saying he would have got it right (obviously hoping he relegated them..) but, he should have been given longer to turn it around.

Me too!

Ba is great when he has another forward to do the donkey work. See performances alongside Cole/Best/Shola (against Manu anyway). Cisse isn't that kind of player.