The Prophet

http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/feb2009/0/3/Simon_Bird_Image_1_601777207.jpg

Just to even the thread out a bit: http://www.footballitaliano.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Marco-Materazzi-246x300.jpg http://laelastica.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/lucio-inter.jpg http://www.streetblogger.fr/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/site_1_rand_41177311_mario_balotelli_intermilan_2104_b_aap.jpg

I don't agree with this it evens its self out shite. Putting aside all of Chelsea's bitching and moaning only I can only recall one of their penalty decisions being a legit call. Tonight Barca could of easily had two penalties and there was the disallowed goal. The fact is luck doesn't even it's self out (not in relation to tonight but) bigger teams get the bulk of the decisions and certian teams always have and always will carry more luck than others. Then I'm biased, as much as I apprecaite they got their game plan spot on I hate the complete anti-football both Inter and Chelsea 'played'.

I don't how anyone who watches the Premiership can think that was thuggery, or think that the Italians or any more physical than England's top teams. They only did what Chelsea tried to do last year. Barca were robbed by the ref though.

So the incentive of a Champions League final obviously wasn't enough for Lyon tonight, spineless display.

Perhaps Hughton will spend the majority of his budget on a couple of quality players and use loans/bargain buys to fill any other positions we need cover.

Looking at it objectively, yes we want quality but we can't afford to be too picky. We're at the bottom of the Premier League ladder, we need to get a foot hold before anything and although a midfielder like Reo-Coker wouldn't be my first choice he'd certianly be an improvement with what we've got. If we're planning to play Nolan or Guthrie in the middle next year we're going to need someone with legs to make up for their lack of engine. Actually anyone who can run faster than an old woman and pass a ball more than five yeards would be ideal.

Would be happy with a point, will be a a bit harsh if we don't get the ton.

Looking forward to our trip to Stamford Bridge next year.

Boateng Eagles Fletcher

BOLLOCKS!!! He did okay in the lower level & his last season of La Liga was not that good. He did well in a 1 week spell where he scored 5 goals in two games. I watch a fair amount of La Liga I cant recall seeing him or him being talked up on the midweek show admittingly SKY coverage is mainly Barca & R.Madrid led. http://en.worldsoccerstats.com/player/1542 Fair enough, I can only comment on the games I've watched. Admittedly you've probably watched more. Also Cajun I wasn't aware he wasn't putting the effort in for the reserves. Guess I should do my research before I go sticking up for him.

Yeah f*** working hard and earning a place in the team I agree considering the wage the lad is on he was out of order but look at it from his perspective. He's adapting to a new country, he's adapting to a new league, he's not getting picked (obviously we don't have the insight of what went on in the training ground so it's difficult to tell if that was justified), he's being labelled as the reason his manager has walked and consequenly the club is a shambles, you can see his motive behind wanting out. The lad was quality in Spain, looked like a natural goal scorer. I buy into the argument he wasn't really given a chance but at the same time can you afford to give him a regular run of games when your in a relegation battle? It's diffiucult. Just look at Carroll, it just took one goal and the floodgates opened, confidence is such a massive part of the game.

Can't help but feel sorry for him really, out of order for feigning injury but can't say I blame him.

I think Hughton has learned a lot since his last spell in charge though. If we're going to play Nolan off the striker he might be worth holding on to, he'd get destroyed playing in the middle though.

Martins was one of the most frustrating footballers I've ever watched. He had all the attributes to be a top striker but didn't have a footballing brain to put them to any use. Provided us with as many regrettable moments as memorable. Having said that I did feel sorry for him at times during the previous campaign.

The Keegan formation with Martins and Viduka up top and Owen playing in 'the hole' would of ripped the current lot a new one.

Everton -1 Mallorca Napoli

Cheers lads.

Newcastle Forest Norwich Milwall Southampton

Got some spare time on my hands so here's some players I'd be looking at over the next couple of windows. I've only covered the English leagues and I can't help but feel we'd have to look abroad for a decent right back/goal scoring striker that fits the Ashley model (under 26 etc): Lee Camp - Excellent young prospect, can see him competing for the England number one spot one day. Provided Forest don't get promoted I doubt they'd demand a silly fee although in this up and coming summer window a keeper probably isn't top of our priorities. James Tompkins - Can cover centre back and right back, looks to be a decent prospect. Although he's young and English so West Ham would probably deamnd a daft price. Philippe Senderos - Never been his greatest fan but we could do a hell of a lot worse. Out of contract too I think. Alan Hutton - Looks like he's off to the mackems but worth a punt. Great going forward but still worry about him defensively, a definate improvement on Simpson. Ben Watson - I've been impressed whenever I've seen this lad play, admittedly that's only a handful of times. Looks like a decent, energetic box-to-box midfielder. Jack Collison - Probably one of the more unrealistic transfers on the list, decent young centre mid, would probably need someone more expereinced playing alongside him given he's looked very inexperienced. Loads of potential but we probably need someone who's learnt the game a bit longer than this lad. Jamie O'Hara - Frequently linked. Looks like a decent young prospect in the middle of the park, would certianly give us some more energy in the middle amoungst other things. Jack Wilshire (loan) - With returning players and the potential for new signings Wilshire's chances of first team football could be limited. Could be a very good short term signing. Kevin-Prince Boateng - Linked with us a fair bit, predominantly plays on the right wing but can play in the centre too. Would provide cover/a replacement for Routledge who is unproven in the top flight. Again though I'm not sure a winger would be top of the priority list in the summer. Chris Eagles - An alternative to Boateng. Frequently the stand out player in a Burnley side destined for relegation. Should be available for a sensible fee too. Valon Behrami - Another right winger, can also cover right back. Jordi Gomez After an impressive season in the Championship last year he's very much had an inconsistant season. His potential is evident, I particularly remember the game against Villa on the opening day of the season, he absolutely ran the show. Would certianly be a risk and a player I'd be more confident playing at home, perhaps in place of Nolan who could be more helpful on the road. Obviously being a risk I wouldn't pay a massive fee but certianly worth a look. Nened Milijas - Like Gomez inconsistant play maker. Wolves would probably deamnd a sizeable fee for him too. Has still looked quality in parts this season, worth a look. Vladimir Weiss (loan) - Currently on loan at Bolton, can play as an attacking mid or a right winger. Could be a decent short term aquisition. Steven Fletcher - Another Burnely player I've been impressed with. Although his goal tally isn't great (who's would be in the side he's playing in) he frequently troubles defenders and certainly looks to be a decent prospect. Admittedly if he I was buying him I'd be looking at another more prolific striker to play along side him. Kevin Doyle - Has proved with Reading and Wolves he can score goals at the highest level, couldn't see Wolves letting him go on the cheap given they've more or less secured promotion. James Vaughn (loan) - Doubt Everton would sell him but could be a decent loan. He appaears to made of glass but when he is fit look as though he could bang a few in. Carlos Vela (loan) - Never really had a regular run of games in the Premier League but remember a couple of years ago when he was scoring for fun at Osasuna.

Aye, Barca's squad is shite like.

On loan perhaps.

Well done Andy: 'I told you, if the keeper dives the right way he has a chance of saving it'. Congratulations your a genius.

Interesting season of betting, here's my personal list of teams that I have found reliable or that have f***ed me over on a regular basis: The Good Obviosuly our lot have been consistant but I for some odd reason I don't like betting on them. Also Notts County have rarely let me down but the final three are: 3. Forest - Very, very reliable at home. Safe bet partiuclarly during mid-season. 2. Swindon - Don't think they've let me down all season. Inconsistant away but home bankers for large parts of the season. 1. Norwich - Home or away very, very reliable team to stick a large wager on. I owe Grant Holt a pint or two. The Bad Honourable mentions go to both Stockport and Rochdale, both had consistant seasons for different reasons but rarely gave me peace of mind on the betting front. However they're know competition for the fucknuts in the final three: 3. Walsall - A strange selection you might think but often went through spells of form, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Unfortunately those runs seemed to come to an end when I placed them in my accy. Haven't touched them for months, bastards. 2. Cardiff - Ruined a couple of bets by dropping points against sides in and around the relegation zone, a boxing day defeat to Plymouth still annoys me to this day. 1. Peterborough Absolute s**** but often played like Real Madrid when I wagerd against them. I also remember having a daft bet on them and a couple of other outsiders, they were ahead for ages during the game but conceded late on to ruin proceedings. c***s of the highest order.