109_ultra

Good take on the Lucas treatment, and what it means for Rafa. Calling for Alonso so early, booing the substitution and the general pessimism about the place undermined Rafa more than any player. I laugh when you go to the likes of newcastle and the home crowd are singing 'you dont know what your doing' to their manager. Ok, some of our crowd didnt go that far but it was fucking embarrasing. Just glad it wasnt on the telly for all to see.

"Clearly they have a lot more in depth than we do." Cant argue with that, which is a sad state of affairs. I cant believe how many are actually surprised at how shit the squad actually is beyond the first 13/14 players. The performance last night spoke volumes about club policy beyond the first team. Rafa must learn from it.

Defensively he is nowhere near Skrtel and has been at fault for a few goals since he came in. His flair going forward papers over the cracks. The thing is that he was error prone prior to the injury (remember Newcastle away when Martins robbed him). I'd offer him a contract but its obvious he's 3rd choice so he might want a move.

Just seen Drogba on SSN lashing a coin at the Burnley fans. He'll get a lengthy ban for that. Anyone remember what Carra got for doing the same at Highbury?

Kaka's ok as well :whistle:

I thought Babel was the only one out there who looked like he actually give a shit and tried to make something happen.

Be interesting to see if Rafa persists with him. Someone like Houllier for example would cling onto false hope that the dross he signed would come good. Fortunately I dont think Rafa is that way inclined but we shall see.

So do I but its not going to happen. Local press upset the club at their peril. Its a fucking shame though, at least you get effort from the local lads. On another note, what an absolute prick that interviewer on sky was, Rafa should have chinned the cunt!

If there is some sort of early repayment charge on the loan as well the yanks might not want to repay it until expiry, being the mingebags they are and all that.

I cant see what they're waiting for to be honest, its plain to see that the offer isnt going to change and market conditions are only going to get worse. Its like putting your house up for sale, getting a really good offer from someone wanting to buy it only to turn them down knowing that your fixed rate mortgage is going to end soon and you might get reposessed....madness.

I think the criticism he gets is a bit harsh, i think he'll score more goals as well because he's actually quite good at ghosting into the box and getting on the end of crosses. Had Philis Neville not handballed his shot on the line in the derby last season I think a lot of people's perceptions of him would have been different.

Has to be Gerrard, but cant say im surprised by the way the votes have gone. He's lucky if he gets a chant nowadays, and even then its nowehere near as loud as the masch/torres ones. He's the best player we've ever had in my opinion.

All these symbolic gestures like padlocking the gates and sticking spades in the ground means nothing unless we take direct action. Unless we hit them in the pocket, things like this dont count for jack shit.

Just looking at that poll winds me up. But i'd go for Le Tallec or Kewell before Ciise and Diouf, who were just not very good, the previous 2 muppets having talent before they came to us then turning into mercenaries. Wheres Charles by the way, a clown amongst goalkepers?

They have no midfield and no GREAT players, only good ones. Crumbs from the kings table club. 5th at best.

When he took them over in 1998 they did win their league for the next 2 years, but that suggests he had inherited a successful team. Since then they have not finished above second bottom, attendances have dropped and they are considered one of the worst teams in the MLB. Yep, a perfect model of success i'd say.

Dont see why we should accept anything less than 8m. He's contracted for another 3 seasons so if we keep getting the reported 2m a season for him to go out on loan we might be better sticking with that.

They deserve it coz they won it - simple as that. I can take solice in seeing their euphoria, being safe in the knowledge that we have had it twice more. Its nights like this that make the good times all the more sweeter when they do come around.

Great news. Well done to all those involved in driving this initiative forward. At a time when the hierarchy of the club is split its nice to see solidarity amongst the supporters coming together to get behind the team. Its been a great year in terms of improving the atmosphere and getting a buzz going the game again and promises to be even better next year!

If we do not sign a player on the level of torres or gerrard were not gonna get anywhere near chelski or utd agian - fact. We need a world class player to play in the 3 pronged attack behind torres alla Villa, Silve, Mancini, Ribery.

JP started really well, and i think he was MOM more than once in the early part of the season. Was unlucky with the injury as he never rediscovered his early season promise. Would have to go for Yossi overall though as his end product is better.

Hicks will sell to a business partner Gillett brings on board and it wont be DIC. He's a desperate man, resorting to shithouse tactics now. The longer Gillett take his shit, the more untenable his (Hicks) position becomes.

Lawrenson is just the latest in a long line of ex-players to slag the board. People need to distinguish the board from the club. Its about time the players who earnt their livelihood from wearing the red shirt stated what we've all been saying for months in the papers. Hansen broke the silence sunday and many such as St John and now Lawrenson have followed suit....the floodgates have opened.

I hope we dont stoop to their level by even responding to this drivel. The fact theyre gettin wound up by headlines, and thats alls it is since rafa didnt actually say anything derogatory, shows them up as the small time outfit they have become. We've got the small matter of a european cup to win now so they can try and cling to the limelight that little bit longer all they want, fuck em. As has already been pointed out they play the small club card when trying to help their argument of over achievement and spouting about Moyes credentials in terms of no money and then try and turn around and lay claim to being one of world sports proudest institutions - mixed up to fuck.

Give Xabi the ball and you see a decent spell of posession follows. He can play short, long and defence splitting passes, he can shoot from distance, isnt scared to put his foot in and can control the pace of games with his choice of pass and vision. Xabi is worldclass. One criticism - he lacks mobility but with Masch alongside him its hardly going to be our achilles heel is it.