Hughesy

Jonathan Wilson and Harry Pearson are good for separate reasons but apart from that I'm struggling to think of any journalist on the Grauniad I like. Jimbo maybe? Classic example of what I'm talking about regarding pomposity - in their "five things we learned at the weekend" column on Monday they had a go at us for reminding the country how thick football fans are. Our crime? We booed some of our ex-players. True - the 'five things we learned at the weekend' column was weak. I suppose I generally like their sports coverage as a whole - far more comprehensive than other newspapers I think - and the fact that they actually do regular pieces on European football, however boring Sid Lowe's articles might be! Paul Wilson and David Conn often write some pretty good articles, Conn especially.

Can't agree with that - Guardian got some of the more deep thinking and intelligent writers when it comes to football. Jonathan Wilson being a good example. Certainly delve far further into tactics than any other paper.

Wasn't really my point that Shevchenko was rubbish - just that the one match I saw him live, he was rubbish.

every time I watched him before he went to Chelsea I wasn't particularly impressed. Might have just picked a bizarre selection of games to watch like. Saw him play for Milan vs Venezia at the peak of his powers and he was terrible.

Agree with you there. If we play a 3 man midfield of Tiote, Cabaye and someone else, Jonas is a very good candidate for that role. His ball carrying and forward drive would make a huge difference. Without Tiote, Cabaye and Guthrie in the midfield 3, you definitely miss out on that.

Love him. That's all.

Although it is against the general consensus on here, I did feel a bit sorry for Carroll yesterday. Glad he was booed when on the pitch to put him off his game (have to say I thought he actually looked very good for the first 15-20 mins, regardless of the dive) and I did find the booing as he came off a bit much to be honest. I would much rather give a hostile reception to Enrique and Bellamy who have slagged the club off on a number of occasions since their departure and, in Bellamy's case, the fans as well. Let's not forget that Enrique also strung us along and Bellamy refused to play (admittedly under Souness, but still..). Carroll, on the other hand, got us £35 million.

Enrique always struggled to cope with pacey, tricky wingers (who doesn't?). I am sure I remember him having a few tough matches against Walcott?

Oh yeah - I think he can be a useful squad player but I would be very worried if he was any more than 4th/5th choice central midfielder.

Out of interest, what is it about him that you like?

Don't think I've seen anything from Gosling yet that indicates he is Premiership standard.

It is pretty pathetic.

I don't think they are funny either.

Possibly more a reference to the France team. Which whilst it had some great players in it, also had Stephane Guivarch in it.

Brilliant in central midfield. His ball carrying ability is so so effective there. Really adds energy and forward drive.

He just glides past people. Love it. Want to see him score a George Weah style goal from our box one day. It will happen..

Well done Pards.

I've had no joy with this argument, good luck! Because using this logic Pardew could never be wrong, no matter what. HBA doesn't play = obviously a waster in training/not motivated/not good enough. HBA plays and is crap = See! Pardew was right all along! All you fanboys were deluded. HBA plays and is good = managed perfectly by Pardew! Or one could perhaps see that Ben Arfa has become a more all round player who is aware of his defensive responsibilities whilst still being amazing going forward?

I'd agree with that - a balletic majesty... Although his legacy was pretty amazing without that - 3 FIFA World Player of the Years, a World Cup and European Championship ain't bad. And of course he didn't have the advantage of playing the best club side of the last 20 years.

Fair enough - I suppose I just think he was almost the ultimate big game player of recent times. 98, 2000 - exceptional. 2006 - pretty much dragged that French team to the final. Anyway - we can leave it.

I already said they played different roles! Let's see if Xavi keeps it up. He's got a lot of goalscoring ground to make up.

Didn't say that, did I? Zidane - 1 in 5 record at club level and 1 in 3 at international level. Xavi - 1 in 9 at club level and 1 in 11 at international level. Bit different.

Have a look at their career stats and you'll see that's not true.

Score goals?

They play different roles so I am not sure they can be compared.