8pints

At the moment I only see Holman & El Ahmadi as absolute mainstays in midfield.

I think it may depend on what formation/tactics Lambert plays in a specific match.

To be fair, I'm not even sure Ireland will be a main stay, actually.

He's just coming in to his prime, it may be worth taking a slight gamble, we could get our money back if he didn't work out.

Although that depends on how badly it didn't work out.

I imagine El Ahmadi and Ireland as midfield main stays, with Bannan, Herd, Gardner, Johnson, N'Zogbia, Albrighton and all the other midfielders fighting it out for a place.

Healthy competition in the midfield that will showcase how good or bad our players are.

Is he likey to play at Peterborough or more likely Forest ?

Here's a link to an article from the mail for you -

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/07/31/aston-villa-ron-vlaar-could-face-peterborough-97319-31513214/

I wonder where Collins would fit in better, Sunderland or West Ham?

To be fair, he'd fit in well at both, old club or old manager, but Sunderland may be the more successful of the two clubs. Both will play tactics to his strengths but Sunderland arguably have the better quality squad.

would Fletcher fit the marquee signing?

I suppose with Lamberts' signings he would, he'd probably be the most well known

He scored a goal against Harkemase Boys from 65.62 yards, so even when he hoofs it, it's effective.

Liverpool FC has confirmed today that a mole within the corporate communications division has been discovered, located and eliminated. Over the last 24 hours the club has released two bogus news stories indicating that they had accepted bids for two players (Andy Carroll and Alberto Aquilani) and that deals to sell those players were imminent.

In order to locate the errant staff member the club had to portray an act of almost complete fabrication knowing that the source of previous leaks would give away his/her position. The club has become known for its secrecy in transfer dealings and absolutely insists on continuing in this manner. It was therefore essential that the club deceived other staff, fans and press journalists alike to ensure the lie was kept completely confidential.

Jen Chang, Liverpool’s Director of Communications was unavailable for comment, but quickly released a short statement through junior LFC staff – “We apologise to all our fans around the world for the recent confusion surrounding players and transfers. Complete secrecy was required for a successful mole hunt, and we are now happy to confirm normal service resuming. We can categorically say that no deals have been agreed for Andy Carroll or Alberto Aquilani”.

Stumbled across this from: http://www.lfcts.com/liverpool-make-up-transfers-to-discover-mole/

However soon after the article was removed lol ! **** scousers !

Haha madness!

Yeah but I think there's a special exception to the rule when the injury is a result of one of your own players' actions

So the clubs agreed a fee but Carroll has rejected it personally?

I'd welcome them both but would rather have Defoe than Fletcher (Not on the bench but starting) But I think we're more likely to sign Fletcher.

We should have kept hold of Heskey only to swap him with Cresswell

Still not worth keeping Heskey for that.

:winkold: True.

TrentVilla

Fletcher really isn't a target man.

Not in a traditional sense but he does do a lot of target man work. Wins the ball in the air, holds up play, lynchpin of attack, distributes the ball. Similar in the sense to the role Keane played last season.

CI

I don't see how he would work with Bent at all

He's a centre forward who likes to do a lot of work just outside the box, part target man, part deep lying playmaker. He has an eye for a pass and seems quite sharp. He's quite a selfless player in some respects and will do the work around the box to look for someone to be in the right position to knock it in, which bent will be. It'll be a partnership of two players working to each others strengths. Fletcher would win the ball and look to put it in a dangerous area and Bent will consistently offer him an option.

I think he's a great player and would link up with Bent very well but at 10m or more there could be better options available.

Quote:

Maybe Roncrete will be the first of a new era of great Dutch defenders.

Zatman

he is not exactly an emerging talent

Maybe he's a late bloomer?

BOF

He suits MON's style. And I don't mean that as a back-handed compliment. Collins is good at certain things and bad at others. He doesn't suit a side who now plan on passing it out from the back. He does suit a fast counter-attacking side who are not in the least bothered by possession stats and who have to do more than their fair share of desperation-defending. He is blood and guts. He is all heart and you know what you get. They're buying all of that. Whereas we're selling a hoofer who has a tendency to over-commit and who has the touch of a struggle-snuggler.

A fantastic way to look at it and I think it's bang on.

I think we could do with one more player in each category.

doesn't Delfouneso have a thing about 14 because it's Thierry Henrys' number and he idolizes him?

Interesting he hasn't been wearing that in pre-season.

Shine on you crazy diamond Great idea.

I'd rather have his cousin and he seems like a poor mans' Heskey...imagine that.

We should have kept hold of Heskey only to swap him with Cresswell

I still think the arm band will be worn by a few players on the pitch throughout the season. Lambert seems to want a fair few leaders on the pitch and the armband will be a symbol for now.

Is there any truth in Fulham being after him?

He looks to be forging a great partnership with Ireland.