Iamryanstover

Hey thanks a lot Steve. Thats exactly what I was looking for. Benteke looks like he has some real skill. I was really surprised when Standard sold Defour and Witsel, and I had a feeling there was more to the story because the prices were so low. Also I have long wondered what happened to Vanden Borre. While I have your attention what do you think of Anderlecht players Lucas Biglia, who I heard is an Arsenal target, and US national player Sasha Kljesten?

Good to hear he has performed when called upon. Hopefully he develops into a quality player. Its true Osman and Hibbo are both tiny, but can get the job done.

Mirallas sorry about the off the meds comment it was offensive, and uncalled for. I apologize because I didnt intend to be so offensive. It was definitely a "foot in mouth" type moment. Also thanks to Avinalaff for helping me realize I was being a dick.

My apologies. I have no intention to offend. I guess a better way of expressing Barton is that he lacks compassion and respect for others. It really doesn't make how that works out. It definitely sends the wrong message to the kids.

Perfect example of a pay as you play type of player. He wont play for the 1st ten matches so I voted for 11-15 although thats still to soon. He will be on perfect behavior for a while when he comes back. Well he is a fucking psycho nut who doesnt always take his bipolar medication. Seriously though every sport has his type and they almost all end poorly. In basketball Ron Artest, Steven Jackson, Allen Iverson. In American football Terrell Owens. There are plenty of others. But the point is these athletes are millionaires, and role models, and if they cannot fulfill their obligations to represent their sport on the field and off then they don't belong on the field. Barton is a top 10 MID for England, and doesn't get a sniff of the national team. Its not people hating on him. Craig Bellamy has been a cunt in his career, and was in team GB, but Bellamy has cleaned up his act. Barton has not nor will he ever.

Has anyone caught any reserve matches since he joined? How does he look? I had never heard of him before he signed, and to be honest I still havent heard much about him.

Yeah I knew all that. I was more curious what happened to Vanden Borre's career, and why were the transfer fees so low for Witsel and Defour.

Welcome Welcome aboard. Your English seems fine. It is probably better than a fair share of Americans.

Welcome aboard

What do you think of West Broms signing Yassine El Ghanassy? What happened to Anthony Vanden Borre? What do you think of Christian Benteke? He seems to have a great goal return and is really young. Also what is his current value? What happened last summer with Standard Selling Axel Witsel (€8 million).and Steven Defour(€6 million)? Both players transfer fees combined were less than Fellaini (£15 million). I have been wondering about this for a year, but I do not know anyone from Belgium.

I like Seamus Coleman a lot, but I wouldnt have the audacity to say he is Leighton Baines equal. Any player can replace any other, but they cannot replace the production, or value to the team as a whole.

Are these serious statements? Only someone off their meds would think Johnson is equally as good as Silva. Silva is World Class, and in a one on one situation can beat anyone off the dribble. "A whole level better than Mirallas" Johnson has accomplished so much in his career hasnt he. Are you wearing your beer goggles when you are watching matches?

Agreed, He is built like a heavyweight fighter, and when he uses his skills to the best of his ability that is what you get. If he ever leaves (which I hope doesn't happen) It will be for Madrid. They could use his toughness and would pay his 40 or 50 mil price. Perhaps Chelsea would pay the asking price, but I guess in this situation its awesome that our star player is a MID as very few if any teams can afford to meet his VALUE TO US.

Hopefully QPR's cash will run dry. I remember last season hoping Blackburn and QPR would get relegated, and Wolves would stay up. I'm not really a Wolves fan, but I respect the way the run themselves, avoid debt, and dont mortgage their clubs future so the owner can cash in. I also liked McCarthy and the heavy Irish presence.

He was doing us a favor. I havent gotten sp excited by a single match since the US beat Spain in the 2009 Confedations Cup. It's hard to believe it was only a few ago ehen DM said we could be in s relegation battle. Today it feels like a lifetime ago.

LOL, I would assume its that way he is always rooting for a winner. In this country we call them "Fair Weather Fans".

I will never stop dissing city. They are the worst thing that can happen to the game. They have done nothing but show they can BUY not build a great team. Notice since they started their ridiculous spending that United, Liverpool, and Chelsea have as well to try to keep pace. As a whole all City will do for football is raise the costs for everyone else.

Fellani was dominant in the air all match, and had no problem out muscling anyone who ManU put on him. Steve McManaman said he looked like an old fashioned striker out there. He even compared him to Big Dunc. For a guy who played for Liverpool Ian Dark told McManaman he looked like he wanted to be out there. It was a weird awkward moment.

It was great to see Phil on form hopefully he is taking his criticism to be the best he can. Yeah and Jelli looked just as happy for him. De Gea was fantastic. Maybe the best match I have seen him play.

I'll not argue with that. Adu is a perfect example of what can happen if people get caught up in a players potential. I get a bit antsy because I want us to add players with who are dangerous in the final 3rd. What I really want is an attacking CM with set piece skills, pace and dribbling ability( a younger, cheaper Arteta), but as we all know they're not giving those kinds of players away.

Yeah I was a bit surprised he was coming on trial. He is supposedly one of the hottest prospects in the world, and hasnt had a summer of trails at various clubs. One thing that could work in our favor is that French Ligue players tend to sell for cheap and Caen were relegated so they could really be hurting for cash. I think we should offer 2m plus a year of one or two of our young players on loan.

I think we are fine at CM. For me we have 2 starters, Ossie and Fellini, 1 rotation guy to get 15-20 starts, Barlkley, and several other option. We are not in Europe so we are only looking at 40-45 matches

I think the biggest problem with football isnt the lack of a salary cap( although i think it is a problem). The biggest problem is the lack of a players union to handle negotiations with the league to split the profits between the players, and the teams. The NFL is the most profitable league in the world for its teams, and the owners have a 60/40 split with players. The salary cap changes each year based off league revenue. Also the power of agents is incomprehensible. American agents get 5% of all negotiated contracts for their clients, and the 5% is paid by their clients. In football agents get huge bonuses for players signing often often an additional 20-30%, and its paid by the club. FIFA and their "fair play" plans need to better represent both sides for the long term surival of this great sport. Then there is that other argument that there are to many clubs, and not enough fans, but I am not foolish enough to be drawn in to that debate.

I think with their squad they would be heavily favored to go right back up. Combined with the differences in club payouts between EPL and Championship I dont blame them.

I think the market we are in is getting the best player for the best price. Do I think Mirallas is a perfect player? No, but when you consider the going rates for unestablished young players I think its a great buy. Not to mention if this goes through we would have beaten a top 4 club for a 1st team player.