VillaChris

Seen this name before. Turns out Manasse dealt a lot with South American players coming to England, he represented De La Cruz  while he was with us and spookily Chucho Benitez aswell. Sad stuff whatever the opinion of the profession.

To me it makes more sense to get a foreign guy in charge of the under 21s rather than the main side. Would've liked to have seen the dutch coach who used to be at Man. United get it.

Should be getting 10 league goals this season ,that would be my target for him.

Could've got that last year but think not scoring until the middle of November scuppered him, he'll score in the next couple of league games as he won't be facing keepers of the quality of Cech all the time.

Gardner is an o.k premier league mid table midfielder, weak on passing but decent on set pieces and penalties. Steven Davis is the same. Time will tell if Gary can reach those standards but it's hardly Mata/Gerrard benchmark.

We're quite well stocked in central midfield, playing three there and Syllla and Bacuna on the bench as back up.

Think a loan to the championship until xmas with him getting some match fitness would be the sensible thing here.

Yes Steer is number two but who comes in on the bench if there's an injury to either of them like Andy Marshall used to?

Given is still here, the Donny link was just that.

He's been with us a few years now hasn't he? Seems highly rated for Swiss as he made their Olympic squad last year.

You'd think we'd loaned him out just to see how he does as I don't think we've done that with him.

Who's our number 3 keeper currently, him or Given?

Being semi serious, at what point in time will we get a female manager in charge of a league club? Not sure within 10 years but there's a few female chief execs about like Brady and I think at Wigan and Sunderland. Obviously there were publicity stunts like in Italy and I think a team in Conference South appointed a female for one game for some reason a few years ago.

Powell was far from useless, the Olympics was a great success for women's football and she got them to the quarters and a euro final I think. Just a case of staying in a job a little bit too long.

Lloris

Walker- Kaboul-Vertonghen-Contraeo

Sandro- Dembele/Capoue

Lennon/Lamela-Paulinho-Chadli/William

Soldado

Looks good to me that. AVB should be sacked if he can't manage that into the champions league.

It could simply be the case of him picking up an injury, out for a few weeks and Okore comes in and plays well.

Fair point on the Holland thing, he is part of their squad so I can see a scenario where he could go out on loan in January if he's on the bench and we get another CB in.

 

Man. United bid for Baines in July.

 

Although anyone is most welcome to explain the logic of bidding the same amount for him 6 weeks later.

Everton are skint

 

Yes but Everton rejected the first bid in July so I don't understand why Man. United are just coming back with the same bid again.

That's what I like about La Liga, below the big two the other two spots are always open. Given the size, history and tradition Valencia and Atletico Madrid should always be 3rd and 4th and it doesn't work like that.

Since 2000 Depor, Celta Vigo, Malaga, Villareal, Betis, Sevilla, Real Soceidad have all represented La Liga in the champions league (Osasuna lost in the pre qualifiers one year aswell) and you've had a load of other teams in the Europa league, remember Alaves.

A lot of those clubs have had really good runs aswell in the two competitions.

Now compare that to Premier league, Leeds,Newcastle, Everton losing in the pre qualifers, Spurs and Man. City since they've got rich are all it can muster/

Pity the poor idiot who thought he was being clever calling him Toni Eclipse!

Levante nearly finished in the top 4 the other year didn't they?

Man. United bid for Baines in July.

Although anyone is most welcome to explain the logic of bidding the same amount for him 6 weeks later.

The Baines bid is laughable...they bid 12m for him in July which was rejected out of hand so they've come back 6 weeks later and bid......exactly the same.

I think both players will be good pick ups for them in the premier league (Evra has been in decline for years now imo and Fellani would stand up to Yaya Toure) but can't see them doing much in the champions league.

I get the feeling the really big hitters from around the world are watching on and waiting to see if Moyes can actually win anything this season. If he does I think they'll sign a big player or two next summer.

Cool, should be no 8-0 again then.

It's not just Hodgson, hopefully England will appoint a decent under 21 manager (I'd actually go for a foreign option here rather than for the main team). Pearce had this ridiculous agenda of always picking workhorses in central midfield, couldn't believe Westwood wasn't picked for the under 21 tournament. I believe Lowton was too old for that.

Love ya Toni.

x

Looking back I wonder if Gabby flying through the air and being on the ground blocking a part of the goal put him off. He should've got it on target though.

Probably fair to say he'll get more time and space to pass the ball in Holland. Anticipation of where the pass is going might not be as high from the opposition aswell.

Anyway, played well yesterday. We played him as the most advanced midfielder of the three which rather than attacking he was the first to press and tackle the Arsenal player who was on the ball. He did that well.

What a random transfer link, up there with Cuellar to Real Madrid a few years ago!

I'd put Delph as contender for captain if Vlaar is axed. Much more mature displays these days, pretty vocal on the pitch and in the dressing room and actually one of our longest serving players. Gabby would be the obvious candidate but think he plays better without the responsibility.

What I still like about La Liga is at least below the top 2 there's always different teams challenging to finish in the other two positions rather than the closed shop that is the prem. You certainly can't predict a top 6 that is set in stone.

That said just looked at the Valencia-Malaga line ups and said to see two of the teams you'd expect to be fighting for top 6 really having mediocre line ups this season.

Malaga obviously have big financial trouble so I think Pellegrini did brilliant to keep them as competitive as they did. With Santa Cruz leading the line I think they'll struggle this season. Valencia signed Postiga to be their leading striker this season so can't see them doing a huge amount this year either.

They have a very good squad and I think they'll win the league. That said, if Mourinho doesn't fully trust Lukaku yet they need to get Rooney in and also maybe a centre half.