ponsaelius

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1094219-stoke-city-the-saviours-of-english-football

Think you're picking the wrong fight there, Brynn. I'm sure Wullie is right behind you re your posts/thoughts on Ben Arfa.

:lol:

Like weighing up the merits and demerits of different STDs.

Completely agree mate. The one argument that Pardew seems to have for Taylor/Obertan ahead of Ben Arfa is that they apparently work hard and 'keep the shape' of our mystical 4-4-2. It's utter hoop. Even when you completely ignore their limited ability they certainly don't offer anything more positionally, Obertan drifts all over the place with no real idea where to be and Taylor tucks inside ALL the time. When Ben Arfa has been given a shot on the right he's both gone wide and came inside to recieve it at the right times. It's natural to him because - shock horror - he's a quality footballer

For me, there are 2 types of versatile players. There are ones that are genuinely natural footballers who's influence doesn't change that much if they're moved about to different areas on the pitch. Their intelligence in terms of the game and ability on and with the ball makes it easy for them to play different positions. These players genuinely don't move around the pitch but if you were to do it they'd do a pretty good job. For an extreme example I reckon Rooney could make a pretty good shift of any position on the pitch. Secondly there are people like James Perch, and afaic Ryan Taylor is of the same ilk. Players who get this tag as being versatile utility men because they're simply not good enough to hold down one position. These players are simply not very good wherever they play, but get by on 'doing a job' and 'filling in' when generally they're not performing any of the functions that position requires and actually are a hindrance to the general shape of a side. When Ryan Taylor plays left back, he needs another left back infront of him because in reality he can't actually defend. When he plays RM he drifts centrally and offers very little to the team whatsoever in terms of general play. I'm sorry but I simply don't rate him at all. He can't dribble, is uncomfortable in possession, doesn't have any real vision or intelligence on the pitch, is shocking positionally, can't defend and has pretty rubbish physical attributes. Apart from his ball-striking abilities and general commitment to the cause he is a nothing footballer. I feel harsh putting it like that, because he really is a nice guy and gives his all for the club but that's just how I see it. I'd rather have a squad of players who are all competent physically and technically and then you wouldn't need people like Ryan Taylor to 'do a job' in a position. You would never see Arsenal or Tottenham playing somebody like Ryan Taylor because their game is built around possession of the ball, every player being comfortable with it at their feet and being able to up the tempo of their game when they want to.

He's not a fantastic footballer.

Looking forward to the trophy presentation.

A bit ambivalent in all honesty. If he's squad/backup and happy to be that then fair enough, if he's seen as a key player going forward then it's a very worrying blindspot with Pardew.

"It is important to get our best players signed up" Pardew.

Meh.

Pele was fucking shite.

Could feasibly be Basel vs APOEL in the quarters. Platini must be loving it.

What's he on? 3 in all comps? FFS. I predicted he'd have a productive season too.

APOEL down to 10. Squeaky bum time for the Cypriots.

Especially from a club with a hardline right wing ideology.

http://thetuesdayclub.libsyn.com/webpage/the-tuesday-club-set-him-on-fire Arsenal podcast - from 57 minutes on talking about Tyne-Wear derby, Hughton, Pardew, Carr's scouting and Shola. Quite funny hearing fans of another other club talk about NUFC and Shola's song.

Won't be able to play in Europe next season, missed the accounts deadline according to the Administrators. Motherwell fans doing backflips in their living rooms.

One of those "I was there" games to tell the grandkids about. One of those "I was there" games to tell the grandkids about. One of those "I was there" games to tell the grandkids about. One of those "I was there" games to tell the grandkids about.

I can't believe that's not a parody.

:lol:

Had a shocker last neet. Mexes was bailing him out all owa the shop. I agree though.

Besides, you'd think they're finally gonna wake up to the fact that getting a new CB on board is priority.

Zlatan said as much in his autobiography that Messi demanded the central striker position halfway through that season. His productivity is at an insane level there, so who is to argue and why the hell would you risk moving him to accomodate somebody else? van Persie is great but he's 29, injury prone and would cost a fortune. The only reason Barca would consider signing him is mindless posturing and chest-beating towards the capital. I can't see it, they've had their fingers burnt with Ibra already and that was BEFORE Messi became the focal point of the attack.

Messi plays as the #9 now, he isn't moving position for the rest of his career - at least not for a good few years. That's why Ibra went and that's why Villa has been playing wide.