Durka Durkastan

Kelly was played mostly at RB during the pre-sesason. Ayala played more at CB. Presume that's why Rafa opted for Ayala ahead of Kelly. It's good to see a few of the young lads a run out. Hopefully we see more of jay, kelly, nemeth and patches this year.

You can only play 3 at the back if Agger is playing. You can't afford to have three people sitting back and at least with Agger there, he can bring the ball out of defence - a bit like a sweeper kind of system - build from the back and all that. As for Pacheco, he defo seemed to have more about him when he was playing CM the other week (against Lyn?). He isn't the fastest of players but has good 'game intelligence' as Rafa likes to say. He has promise as does nemeth, so hopefully Rafa puts them on the bench a good bit this season and gives them a few minutes to show what they can do at the top level. El zhar got a lot of time last year and to be perfectly honest, he did fuck all

Too right Macca is right up there, definitely ahead of Owen. Like most others, it is hard to dexcribe Xabi as a traitor. At least with Xabi he left on our terms. Don't forget Rafa was shopping him around last summer. After all that he had a fantastic season and probably was our best player. At least none of these are as bad as that traitor Chimbonda at Wigan. Glad to see he has done fuck all since leaving them.

I seem to remember that he was very homsick last summer and was itching for a move back to Spain then. I imagine Rafa was just doing what he could to hold onto him. He started the season well, but has severe issues with his hammies, was out injured for a good bit over the crimbo. Johnson is better than him, but not that much, so if Johnson is worth 18m, then surely Bob is worth 10m+. I'll be disappointed to lose him. Very few wingers got the better of him...didn't he shut down Messi in his first start...classic

Didn't we only sign Johnson on a 3 year deal too?

Would be fine with good quality knock offs - if there was a good price on the stitched ones, i'd be interested. Looking for Colts and Vikings - Saturday/Freeney and Petersen

Lads, anyone know of any site selling NFL jerseys?

We bought the lad for £18m and since being with us he has proved that he can perform at the top level. There is no doubt that Masch is the most effective defensive midfielder in world footballer. He has his faults though, he is an incredibly bad passer of the ball so not too good in open play. On top of that, as was previously said, Masch is most effective against the bigger teams, but Rafa feels obliged to throw him in against some of the less footballing sides where he doesn't add anything to Liverpool. If Barca came in with an outrageouse offer of, say £40m, then it would make sense to sell. Who we could buy - I don't know. You are not going to get a carbon copy of Masch, and to be honest, you don't want a carbon copy, you need someone who is better on the deck. Bottom line - if he is to go, he should leave on our terms

How could you forget Francis Jeffers...

Good point Carra. Confidence is a word Rafa uses a lot. There was another thread somewhere talking about Rafa building a team of captains - a team of leaders - people he can rely on. If you were looking at players to fit into this category, then you would mention; Mash, Kuyt, Stevie, Nando, Carra and Xabi...I don't think the name Ryan Babel would come into the equation. He is undoubtedly a guy with talent, but if he can't produce it regularly then I wouldnt' say no to an early exit - if we had the cash, you would say a loan move would be good.

Fair play Xabi - great season. He really held the midfield together well this season especially when Stevie was out. I wonder what the win ratio has been this year without Stevie versus other years? Anyone know?

Too right...there's no point having skill and potential if you don't have work ethic and attitude. Saying that, the left wing position doesn't really suit him. Kuyt has been absolutely fantastic this season, for a guy who doesn't have a great shot, isn't fast, tall or that skillfull (he has a nice touch every now and then), he exceeds his abilities week in week out.

Which centre back? Antwi?

Very true. Many people make it cos they are given an opportunity due to regulars being injured. On the other hand, if Insua opted out of the U-21 thing, the could v. well have affected his chances of being promoted to the senior side...e.g. Bentley pulling out of the U-21 thing a few years...questions about whether he should be called up to the senior side...