George Costanza

Lance Armstrong is an inspiration to us all and his casue is one particularly close to me.

To do what he's done takes some fucking guts & will power. Arguably the greatest sports person in 'recent' years.

If it wasn't for Monaco's high valuation I'm fairly sure Patrice Evra would be a Liverpool player by now. I don't think its any coincidence we haven't had a settled left full back under Rafa.

Kewell will have at least another year to show his worth. Not sure if it applies with Rafa but Kewell is very highly rated in Spain mainly due to his good performances for Leeds against Spanish opposition in the Champions League.

"but our other choices aren't any better"

 

Yes they are, Djimi.

While he was much improved last season I still remained unconvinced by Traore at left back. I would probably agree though at the current time he is probably our best option there.

Wouldn't suprise me if Josemi was sold either before the deadline or in January.

Riise never has looked good at Left back in my opinion but our other choices aren't any better. I've give Warnock a few games on the trot and see how he performs.

As i said, Hyypia will have his uses this season but if we're to significantly close the gap with the top 3, a more mobile central defender needs to be brought in. Preferably one who is comfortable on the ball as well.

While I'm certain the centre back position will be sorted (one way or another) this season I think we'll have to wait till next summer for the Left back one to be resolved. If only we could combine the attributes of Warnock, Traore & Riise into one we'd have a fucking good full back.

Sami will still have a job to do against certain teams BUT he seems to be getting slower & slower each season (particularly in turning) I don't think having Riise outside him is helping either though.

I try not to judge individuals on pre season form but Hyypia does have me slightly concerned. He hasn't looked at all steady in most games I've seen.

Whoever it might be... we do desperatly need a top quality centre back IMO.

The only one I can think of is Ibanez but price is again a major problem.

exactamente

 

http://www.marca.com/edicion/noticia/0,2458,657382,00.html

 

Andrade here we come.

Don't rate Andrade at all and i wouldn't want him after his preferring United comments.

Who else is there?

Titus Bramble anyone :D

He's signed a new deal with Zaragoza according to both AS & Marca.

Morientes will be 1st choice. Cisse & crouch will battle it out for 2nd. Assuming crouch will play quite a few away games given Rafa's comments.

Defensively yes. My cousin goes to most United home games & he often says keane's lost it & only really turns up in the big games. Who else do they have for that position? Phil Neville?

Saying that though, if they got Ballack they would have one hell of a side.

I think those writing off the Mancs as a spent force are in for a big shock, they will be the team challenging Chelsea.

agree. As much as I hate to say it. Rooney & Ronaldo looked fucking awesome towards the end of last season. If horseface reamins fit they'll have the srtiker to put the ball in the back of the net which they missed last year. Still think their centre midfield might be found wanting at times.

I think its to be taken with a pinch of salt unlike what Gerrard said before Olympiakos (that pissed me off). Taking it literally though, realtiscally 4th is our most likely finishing position next season BUT if we can significantly improve our away form (which i'm confident we will), keep our key players fit for the majority of the season and get a few more breaks/luck in games there's certainly no reason why we can't finish higher. Even the unthinkable of winning the thing is not beyond the realms of possibilty if we can get off to a great start and get on a roll.

If Rafa can bring in who he wants before the start our squad should be able to cope with the long season and fight on four fronts. I'm confident we will win at least another major trophy next season.

So have we figured out if Rafa's playing it cool or are we actually being stubborn sods. I'll be pretty dissapointed if we didn't stump up the miserly fee for a potential quality signing.

Rafa didnt sound very hopefull at all.

 

said at this moment it will be really difficult

mind games maybe :dunno:

Real don't go on tour till wednesday. A deal can easily be completed before then. I'll be pissed off if this one doesn't go through

Doesn't seem the kind of striker Rafa's wants.

Felt really sorry for Parry seeing him look like that. He looked pretty devastated but put on a brave face.

Never a truer word spoken about no individual being bigger than the club. We will bounce back from this setback and we will be a better team for it IMO.

Class.

 

 

"I've got Lampard. 10 million in cash or he and the jellied eels get it"

 

Kenyon: OK, we'll give you 18 million.

:D

fucking quality.

If the latter is the case then a) Figo's a fool &/or b) it would reaffirm that he's just looking for a final pay day & not necessarily playing at the highest level.

For a complete random name for right midfield how about Luis Gonzalez. Granted I've only seen him a couple of times but I was very impressed with him when Argentina played Brazil recently. And if he can keep Javier Zanetti out of the starting line up he can't be bad. Think he plays for River Plate.

i'm sure if the asking price was lowered their would be a few interested parties. I still believe he'll stay at Betis for another season and have a crack at the Champions League with them. Betis could be a potential banana skin for us the 3rd qualifier.

Any news about Figo? Guilem Ballague seems to think we turned down the opportunity to sign him. If we can't afford to sign the likes of SWP and Joaquin I do think Figo could do a good job for us for a couple of years.

IF this is true then its a blow becasue I would have loved SWP at Anfield but £18m is massively over priced. Joaquin will stay at Betis another year I think. Especially now there in the Champions League (i never thought we could have afforded him anyway)

Maybe Rafa believes he can get a 'johnny unknown' for much less who will do just a good a job for the team next season? We have to trust his judgement.

Also anyone thought where Garcia's going to fit in next year? Rafa's continually said he likes playing with wingers.... Luis is certainly not a natural wide player, which leaves him playing centrally but we have Nando, Cisse and possibly Kuyt. Possibilties I guess 8)

individually Baros is a far superior player to Crouch but at the end of that day its about what rafa thinks they can add to the team/squad.