The Woolster

I actually think he has a bit of Rush about him, works hard closing down the oppo defenders, and is predatory in the box,

I know its only the Mail, but they linked us with Roger Johnson. Dunno if he is much of a ball playing CB, but I think he is decent enough. Not as good as say Cahill, but good in the air, and will be a lot cheaper if he has 1 year left on his contract. Liverpool considering move for Birmingham defender Roger Johnson | Mail Online Roger Johnson has emerged as a target for Liverpool after director of football Damien Comolli ran the rule over Birmingham City's centre back. Kenny Dalglish is in the market for a defender this summer and Johnson, who was recently called up to the provisional England squad, is nearing the end of a second impressive season at St Andrew's. The 27-year-old, who has only one year remaining on his contract after signing from Cardiff for £5million in 2009, is refusing to talk about contracts until Birmingham's Barclays Premier League future is secured.

Hard to say. Whenever I have tried to read his stuff (Not sure if I have ever actually finished), he has tried painfully hard to be ironic and funny, whilst being painfully unfunny at the same time. But this is one the club site, so I'm not sure

TB has pointed it out his error in this thread already though

They did develop at slightly different speeds, with Giggs ahead of the rest as he was exceptional, but they were all about the same age and came through more or less within a season or 3 of each other. Giggs, Beckham, Neville and Butt all won the Youth cup together, Scholes and Phil Neville got to the final the following year. I would expect the same progression to happen with us as they will develop at different speeds too, especially as the age gap is a bit wider with players like Kelly being 20 down to Sterling at 16. but we've got a group of kids who will hopefully come through about 2 to 3 years apart who could well be good enough to be part of the squad, and that will mean that we can concentrate our signings to spend bigger money on first XI players that could win us things. The issue could be that they aren't quite good enough for regular first team appearances and decide to leave to get that though, bit like Keith Gillespie if comparing to the group from Utd. Still early days, and it is probably unlikely that they will be as good or succesful as the Utd lot, but things are looking promising, and as a group of kids coming through at more or less the same time, there aren't many comparables (apart from the lads at Villa I mentioned).

I've said the same myself, think we have the best group of youngsters coming through all at the same time since the Utd lot. Although I am really impressed by the group that Villa have got coming through, all about 20ish (Albrighton, Clark, Bannan, Delph, Delfuenso), so ours may end up being the best to come thhrough since them!

Didn't Kevin Davies have to ask his Twitter followers how to make a pop tart...?

Has a weekly coloumn with the London Evening Standard, so I guess he is into doing something like that, but not sure he would be doing 2 a week and for differenet papers

Number 6 and 22 are men surely. The cheats!

Come to think of it, what's happend to Catch22, there hasn't been a circular discussion about wages, net spend and league position for ages! Actually, didn't he have an unhealthy knowledge of European managers? You don't think.... Has anyone actually ever seen Catch22 and WrongIslander in the same room?

Mongs tend not to have problems with other mongs...

Just found this artical, which is old, but shows how crazy they are about it over there and its growth potential. All you need is a tiny slice of the pie, but when that pie is a country with 1.3 billion people, the numbers become massive. Lebron James Wants to Make $1 Billion in China– Expat Corner | eChinacities.com Lebron James Wants to Make $1 Billion in China May*26,*2009By Fred Dintenfass, http://www.eChinacities.com** Yesterday’s article WHAM! The First Western Band in China covered Wham!’s efforts to become the first western band to play in China. Wham! came to China because they wanted to become the biggest band in the world, in just 2 years. In the early years of an incredible career, basketball superstar Lebron James has declared a similar wish: to become the world’s first “billionaire athlete.” In the same way Wham! used China to catapult their already burgeoning career James hopes to use the Chinese market to propel him to even greater heights. Just like Wham!, almost 25 years before, James’ efforts haven’t always met with success. At the same time China’s opening up has made it easier for foreign companies and products to succeed in China, China’s greater influence as an international market and political force has made the consequences of upsetting Chinese officials or consumers much greater. This week, a Chinese investment group is proposing to become minority owners of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jian Huahuang, a Chinese businessman who has been involved with brokering deals with the New York Yankees and other American sports franchises, is leading an effort to purchase up to 15% of the management company that owns and runs the team and their arena. Every report of the deal talks about the effect this might have on James’ decision when he becomes a free agent in 2010. Many speculate that James – one of the hottest players in the NBA, and a Ohio native – will strike out for a larger market and a more winning team. However, most recent estimations regard the deal as a good way to keep James in Cleveland. If the deal goes through the team will be able to offer him a higher salary and the Chinese connection will grant him better access to the world’s largest emerging market for basketball. Over 300 million people in China play basketball, almost as many as the entire US population, and Kobe and Lebron were ubiquitous even before the summer Olympics. Despite the success of homegrown Yao Ming and the lesser success of Yi Jianlian, the most popular basketball player in China – and by extension perhaps, the world – is Kobe Bryant. Last year, I polished subtitles for a short video that. though written by a college aged man, sounded like a love letter to Kobe written by a 14 year old girl, complimenting him repeatedly on his handsomeness, hoping Kobe bears a son this year, and pleading for Kobe to return to China. James is hoping to supplant Kobe as China’s favorite b-baller and parlay his Nike sponsorships into bigger endorsement deals that will lead to billions. James claims to have been learning Mandarin so he could do interviews by 2008 (it’s not clear whether or not that ever occurred or if he is continuing the lessons) and has already made four trips to China. There are rumors he is buying a house in Beijing. “You have to think globally,” James has said, “I have a lot of fans in China, and they’re important to me.” Chinese fans return the love, “I want to shout and shout for him and watch his game,” said a Chinese teenager named Guo, with James’ initials painted on to his arm, “I’m proud of watching him play. I’m mad about him.” For some, James is more than just a basketball player, he’s a symbol of a way of life “I think he is more than an individual. He has started a new craze around the world,” Guo continues, “I will support him like I’ll cry for China at the Olympics.” Huang Risheng, writer for China’s Titan sports newspaper says, “The Chinese are looking for individual heroes,” he says, explaining James’ reception by Chinese fans, “We are not open enough, not extroverted enough. We like the individual effort, just one man saving the whole team like James.” Revenue from basketball in China has grown 10 times in the last five years to a projected 1 billion USD this year. James, who currently makes 23 million a year, is looking to surpass Tiger Woods (with whom he shares a birthday), who’s yearly income is now around 73 million US Dollars. James has a massive 7 year, 90 million dollar endorsement deal with Nike which he signed right out of high school and the deal has played a major part in his popularity in China, as well as caused him some problems with Chinese fans.

On point one, the news is global already by the sound of it. But it will be the joint marketing that will really increase peoples awareness, so doing promotional stuff together in Asia etc. But let's say that only 0.001% of basketball fans in China decide to support us on the back of this, that is still 300k people, all they need to do is spend just over £3 per person on average to give us a £1m a year extra. Then there is the extra we will be able to charge sponsors for sponsorship as we have an extra 300k fans on top of that.

It may be a stereo type, but East Asians are known for their fanaticism, as well as an increasing level of disposable income, and lets say a kid is a big basektball fan, and is getting into footy but doesn't have a team yet, seeing one of their favourite basketball players wearing a Liverpool shirt may well be a factor in who they end up supporting, and influence what football merchandise they end up buying. The population of China is really starting to get exposure to the West and its sports, basketball is massive over there and is its fastest growing sport (I think I read there are a couple of hundred million people who play basketball in China!!) in part because they have a Chinese guy in the NBA (who is massive!). There is over 1.3 billion people in China alone, is it really that hard to believe that we might be able to get a shit load of fans on the back of this and they go on to buy a load of merchandise

Its not that he owns a stake that will get them buying our stakes, that is just part of the agreement they have come to, it is the joint marketing opportunites, seeing him promote us, mentioning us, wearing our shirt etc that will get them buying the shirts.

As has been said, its a win win. LeBron no doubt has some spare cash that he is wanting to invest anyway, and this way he will increase his exposure a bit in the UK. I'm sure that there will be quite a few Liverpool fans who like Basketball will go out and buy his top etc. And it will give us a load of exposure in the States. Imagine if Beckham bought a minority stake in the Lakers, it would be all over the news over here for a short while, but ongoing I would say at least a quarter of any articles on him in the press would say something like "Beckham, also shareholder of US basketball team LA Lakers,..." giving them continued exposure. I'd imagine it'd be the same for us, and whilst I can see it being mentioned less, but it will reach a much wider audience. But the main place we will both gain is in Asia. I'm sure there will be joint marketing pushes out there, so next time we are doing a pre season tour I would not be surprised to see LeBron out there, maybe go out onto the ptich before one of the games wearing a Liverpool shirt with his name on the back, and I'm sure they do signing events, press conferences etc where you will see say Gerrard and LeBron together. We may not see much of it over here, but I reckon it would be massive over there.

A Belgian club would probably pay something for Jovanavic, if not a Russian club probably would too. The problem would be his wage demands. I reckon a Greek team would pay a nominal fee for Kyrgiakos. You are right on Cole, can only see Spurs, West Ham or Newcastle being interested. But I think we should give him another season anyway

Out: Konchesky (£2m), Jovanovic (£2m), Kyrgiakos (£1m), N'Gog (£3m), Aqualani (£13m), Skrtel (£8m), Poulsen (£1m), Maxi (£3m), Eccleston & Other fringe players (£2m) I make that £65m for signings In: Sanchez or Hazard (£20m), Adam (£7m), Hangeland (£8m), Adam Johnson or N'Zogbia (£12m), Baines (£12m), and the remaining £6m or so on a CDM and an out and out winger to fill squad places.

I've said it before but I think Hangeland is the perfect signing for us. I think one of only 2 or 3 strikers capable of beating him in the air we already own, is capable on the ground, and is experienced. I actually think he is the right age for us as well, as we have got 3 or 4 youngsters who could go on to play CB, but aren't ready yet, so he would be the perfect transistion player until they are ready in 3 or 4 years. If we were to pay big money for Cahill for instance, it would be very difficult for more than one of Kelly, Wilson, Ayala or Wisdom to break through at CB, and would probably end up having to sell 1 or 2 of them for relatively cheap as they would want to get playing time. If we go for Hangeland, he would be cheaper now, and gives 2 of those 4 the chance to make the position their own as Carra will be gone, Agger will be in a wheel chair, and Skrtl will have brain damage from mistiming headers, and would probably increase all of their values as well as they would all be more likely to have playing time to show their worth. So rather than his age going against the 'Moneyball' principles that I 've seen people say when he's been mentioned, he is actually a perfect Moneyball signing due to the talented young players that we have coming up through the ranks. EDIT: See some people have mentioned similar points whilst I was in a meeting between starting and finishing my post, but I'm posting any way.

Great interview I thought. I miss him and his goal celebration. This bit made me chuckle "White and in a bottle, as we say. It was obvious." If only he had pulled out the priest on a mountain of sugar, would have made my day! That article also links to this one, which I thought was a good little read, would have been funny to see them in their Enlgand shirts. Alvaro Arbeloa hopes to keep firm grip on Tottenham's Peter Crouch | Football | The Guardian Alvaro Arbeloa hopes to keep firm grip on Tottenham's Peter CrouchThe Real Madrid defender's PlayStation alter ego is the Spurs striker, but now he has to face him for real in the Champions League quarter-finals When Alvaro Arbeloa, takes on his Spain team-mates on PlayStation he always plays as England and always sticks the Tottenham Hotspur striker Peter Crouch on up front. When the final whistle blows on Tottenham Hotspur's visit to the Bernabéu on Tuesday night, Alvaro Arbeloa will head straight for Peter Crouch and ask his former Liverpool team-mate to swap shirts. When the final whistle blows on Real Madrid's visit to White Hart Lane eight nights later, he will do the same. One Crouch shirt is not enough: Arbeloa is after two. It is not because they are friends – Arbeloa describes Crouch as a "fenómeno" but he says that he has not spoken to him since the Champions League quarter-final draw – it is because he needs it. And because Raúl Albiol does too. When the world champions meet, it is not unusual to find two white England shirts among Spanish red and blue, cheering on Inglaterra. Who says England played no part in South Africa? "During the World Cup we were on the PlayStation constantly," Arbeloa smiles. "It was always el Chori [Raúl Albiol] and me against Sergio Ramos and Jesús Navas. They were Spain, we were England and it got pretty intense. We always put Crouch up front – and he scored loads. We bought ourselves England shirts. You'd be there in the Spain hotel and there were two guys in white, "Gerrard" and "Crouch" on the back. "Spurs might not be as famous as Chelsea or Manchester United but they will be very dangerous," he continues. "I wasn't pleased with the draw because it was easy but because I wanted to play in England. And when I saw Spurs, I said to el Chori: 'We're going to get Crouch shirts, so we can play in them – real ones, this time.' It'll be a bit big on me, but still ..." First, though, Arbeloa's side must stop his alter ego. The Tottenham striker has scored only two league goals this season but it is different in Europe, where he has seven in nine games. In total, he has scored 28 in 55 European games. He also has 22 in 42 England matches. Then there's the ability to bring others into the game: he has provided three Champions League assists. "Maybe in England they're more used to players like Crouch," Arbeloa says. "Players who are tall, strong, good in the air. England is much tougher, physically. They know how to deal with players like Crouch. In Europe, it is harder to face him. Centre-backs don't like it – that could be an explanation for the difference. "We believe we're ready for that because we have players who are strong in the air and Ricardo Carvalho has played in England but we can't play to Crouch's strengths. We have to push the defensive line as high as possible, to keep him away from the area. He's tall but not that quick. We can risk giving him space in behind but we can't risk him receiving in our penalty area: that's where he causes problems, with knockdowns, second balls and headers. "Spurs suit him. They are a side who are characterised by the width and speed, and deliveries into him – [Aaron] Lennon and [Gareth] Bale are the key, although I also admire [Luka] Modric and [Rafael] Van der Vaart, who I think would have played a big part if he had stayed here. And yet, they have alternatives too. You think about Crouch and then they go and play [Jermain] Defoe, which completely changes their approach. Spurs are a team with many faces." They are a team who Van der Vaart famously said play with freedom because Harry Redknapp does not "bore" players with "tactics". Arbeloa, who worked with the ultimate tactician in Rafa Benítez, laughs. "Well, it's not good to bore anyone with anything. If a coach is pesado [heavy going] a player can tie himself up and doesn't have the freedom to play. What I see is a Spurs team that's open, happy, exciting – that will play and let play." "But," Arbeloa adds, "I think that's been exaggerated. I'm sure they work on tactics. Besides, I heard Harry say they will be more defensive against us here. They know, like we do, that the order of the matches conditions everything. With the second game away, we're the ones obliged to go for it. "Against Lyon we protected ourselves in the first leg; now, we have to get a lead. We don't want to have to go to White Hart Lane needing to rescue the tie."

Exactly what I think. I reckon we will generally be lining up in a 433 type formation next season with a marquee signing alongside Carroll and Suarez, but with Carroll in the team I think Kenny will also want the option to 442 with proper wingers, who are more squad players then first XI. Jarvis fits that bill perfectly, and it seems Marveaux could be the one on the left. I would still like N'Zogbia personally (as the squad player, not the marquee signing), could play as both the 3rd player in the 3 or as an out an out winger. We need a great squad with options to have a chance of winning things, not just a First XI, and not everyone in that squad needs to be world class.

April 25th, Norwich Vs Derby and Patches up against Ayala. Should be interesting, I'm sure they'll both want to get one up over the other one.

Another positive is with them being in a good position, if they can get promoted then I would have thought there would be a real good chance of a season long loan next season if he impresses, and he will then get the chance to play week in week out in the Prem for a season before coming back to us the following year a much improved player. And even if we decide he is not good enough for us after that, it would put him in the shop window and increase his value.

I thought that strong and fast players are just told to run up and down the wing ;)

This thread is about the lack of black managers in professional football, there are only 2 black managers in the whole football league of 92 clubs. There is no reason to expect to see black managers at the top clubs, just the best managers whatever colour. But one would expect to see a more than 2 black managers, whether they are infact good or bad, in the whole of the football league due to the amount of black players in football over the last 30 years at all levels. It is clearly not representative, and that is what the issue is. Why are you going on about top managers when that is not the issue? So now we know you have been having a different conversation from everyone else, perhaps you could answer why you think there are a lack of black managers in the whole football league? Is it still because they tend to be fast and so don't think about the game as much? Perhaps because average players have to start lower down as they aren't given the opportunity that the great players are given to manage their first club. So from the modern game these players are still working their way up. But there are loads of average players who could become great over time and given the right chances, Martinez at Wigan, Owen Coyle, Moyes, Di Matteo, Gus Poyet, Lee Clark, Simon Grayson, Eddie Howe, Karl Robinson etc. Many of the great managers now were players from the pre modern game, but many were average players, so from the "younger" ones you are talking, Benitiez, Ancelotti, Mourinho, and from the older ones you have Ferguson, Wenger, and Capello, who were all average players by all accounts. I am not suggesting it would not give him a good footing, where have I done that? I am saying that it doesn't mean he will be a good manager. I think he doesn't have the personality to be a good manager in my opinion as he is quite shy and reserved, does not like to be in the public light etc, he lacks the mental side of it that is required. Carra could make a good manager as he eat, sleeps, drinks football and seems to have the drive to do it. It does not mean he will be a good manager though, as there is a hell of a lot more to it than type of player.