FernandoNelson

I'm not so sure. Prior to Gareth Barry moving into centre midfield i would have agreed with you. But having seen all is performances in the centre since half time againest Everton & with the emergence of the excellent Craig Gardner over the last 7 games, i've never been more convinced that we don't need to strengthen the middle of the pitch as much as we do up front & at the back. I watched the Sheffield United game again last night & apart from Barry's tremendous performance, two things stood out for me: 1. Craig Gardner's all round performance as a box to box midfielder. 2. Phil Jagielka's performance at right-back for Sheffield United. I didn't notice him at the time but he was by far & away their best player & at 24 would be perfect for us.

Totally agree & generally the same posters to.

And a tremendous attitude. Was very suprised to see he's only 24 years old. Can play right-back, centre-back & defensive midfielder. Hughes, Ridgewell & McCann's replacement all in one.

This is quite simply the funniest thread i've ever had the misfortune to stumble across.

I would say we will probably sign (or attempt to sign) one of either Bellamy, Bent or Defoe. If i were a betting man, i'd be putting my money on Bellamy & not just because he is the only one of the three i've actually heard MON commenting on positively in recent times.

Don't forget he was the best player BY FAR in last year's championship aswell.

I went to the Albion game with a friend on tuesday night & to be fair a weakened Albion team played a full strength Boro off the park for 60 minutes with as good a display of attacking football as i've seen from any team this season. The main reasons were the performance of Koumas playing just behind a lone striker & to a slightly lesser extent, Gera on the right. I wouldn't say no to either of them.

You've hit the nail on the head there.

In other words, the type of deal that generally goes through at 11.59pm.

Well Radio 5 live made a big deal about him not being in Derby's 16 man squad last night. Saw him play live for Derby againest West Brom at the Hawthorns recently & he looked really sharp. Actually played wide on the left that day.

If Hendrie really has gone or is about to go (whether it's a loan or otherwise), MON must surely have a replacement lined up. He specifically said earlier in the week that Hendrie's possible departure depended on somebody coming in. MON has certainly seen Albion enough times this season & Koumas has been far & away their best player. You never know.

Exactly.

Young is a forward player who can play in a number of attacking positions. I'm sure Youngs versatility is one of the reasons MON brought him to the club. He'll probably play right midfield/right winger most of the time, but depending on who the opposition are, not always. For example, in last seasons play off final, he played just behind Marlon King through the middle whilst Darius Henderson, who normally played alongside King, played on the right. Againest Villa earlier this season, he played on the right side of midfield in the first half but was pushed up front for the second, a half which Watford dominated.

Gattuso's wife is Scottish so i suppose a move to the premiership can never be ruled out at some stage.

To be fair, you'e failed to mention Gabbidon (last year;s player of the year) & Paul Konchesky, two of last years 1st choice back 4.

Lucas Neill is a good player but calling him world class is a tad bit over the top.

His uncle obviously doesen't think much of himself then.

If £10M is the price & MON wants the player, that's the price he's got to pay. United paid way over the odds for Carrick, but i'm sure you won't hear many United fans complaining about the price if he helps them win the league this season.

I agree, although we were compensated for the loss by getting Southgate, Draper & Milsosevic with the money earmarked for Ferdinand.

Surely this is an important point. If everything was in place, why not make the bid this week?

To be fair, that's a response to an attack of sorts.

Was just throwing that into the mix. Don't actually believe it for a moment.

If Lerner's PR from the very start is as good as PB suggests it is, is there any possibility that these unattributed noises are actually coming from Lerner's camp to discredit AV06 in the eyes's of the fans. The quotes just seem to have to many holes in them for my liking.

Agreed. Was at Elland Road when O'Leary went back with Villa & the reception he got from the home crowd was excellent. For all his faults at Villa (& there were many), it's to easy to forget that his 20 year career as a player & his first 3 years as a manager were faultless. Leeds were top of the league in his 4th season when Woodgate & Bowyer went out that sunday night. Leeds & O'Leary have never really recovered from the fallout.

Well, it's 8.52am US east coast time. What time does Randy get into the office at? Can we expect a formal bid at 9.00am?