Ant1979

Never seen him play in Russia but those who do we'll in the Russian league tend to flop here. You with me?

Can't beat a good generalisation. Let's hope McGeady is the exception to your well-informed 'rule' then

I think it'd totally disrespect the paying fans if we qualify and then just play the kids. I'll be paying a full price to see the full team, not the U21's. If I wanted to watch them play I'd go and watch the U21's.

I agree. As I said I would want to go all out to win. But on other threads people have said they would rather finish 8th than 5th because of the strains on the squad, so just playing devil's advocate really by using an extreme example

I remember watching Samba's debut for Blackburn, I had never seen such an inept donkey, absolutely woeful. It wasn't long before he was a first pick, then always linked to bigger clubs including Arsenal, before moving to Russia for £100k a week. Not saying he's the best defender in the world, but if we only gave players one game before condemning them, there would be a fair few that would come back to bite you in the ass

I'm with Patto. If you choose to watch a certain player at a game you can. You don't just follow the ball like on TV it makes a huge difference.

You pay all that money for your ticket then just watch one player run around do you? Not following the action unless they have the ball? Hmmm...

Personally, as has already been stated by others, it is beneficial to watch live and also watch the footage to get the full perspective on a player's performance. As TonkaRoost has said, that's what the scouts are paid for and I won't claim to be a better judge than them or the coaches

I'm not saying I would advocate this, but it is entirely possible to play U21's and subs in the Europa and therefore cause no strain to the squad in terms of the extra games. Just throwing it out there to counter people using that argument as a worry. Personally though I'd rather have a real go at winning the thing, a European trophy would be great

Having said that I'm still hoping for 3 wins to end the season and arsenal to drop points...

I didn't even know he was in the USA so that's got nothing to do with it,yes I'm privileged to be able to go every other week, but the fact I can is down to my working hard over the years.

No one was questioning your hard work, well done on being able to afford a season ticket

But you insinuated you know more about spotting a good player because you go to the games live. Was just a bit patronising is all, I'm sure you didn't mean it that way

you know T I could be wrong but I've been watching everton for a long time, I don't watch on a lap top or go the pub I go the game so I think I have a good idea when I see a player.

If you think we had been scouting traore why was he signing for west ham ?

I thin he was a panic loan because we messed up selling jelavic before we had a replacement.

Plenty of people who have season tickets still talk bullshit. Going to the match live doesn't mean you automatically know more about football / can spot a good player more than somebody who doesn't.

Mr. tones is a bit spiky. Got to be a WUM surely...

£3m spend to get both Cork and Colback, yes please. Both good squad players and both have potential to kick on a level. If they don't then no harm done and can recoup far more than was spent on them

....McGeady and Gerry and more than capable of filling his void.

Ooh Matron!

Southampton 1 - 2 Everton

Alcaraz

I think it's perfectly understandable that Everton fans aren't particularly fond of people behaving like this:

 

I remember reading that quote at the time with my mouth wide open, literally couldn't believe how much of a patronising cunt he was with that statement

He's in his mid 20's and still doesn't have a definitive position to actually see if he can cut it or not. Seem to remember a couple of games in the Olympics where him, Ramsey and Allen linked up well, pretty sure after that he was being touted as a number 10. Then at other times he's been touted as the new Scholes. For £8m I'm dubious to say the least! If it's true he has one year left on his contract, then somewhere between 2 and 4 mil and I'll trust Roberto's judgment.

This is all assuming of course that these stories are actually true. It might be made up bollocks simply because he praised him / rated him when he was on loan at Wigan.

He's a very very good player. Definitely a level below Iniesta for example though, amongst others.

Regarding the 'proving it at world level' argument, which applies to other examples given of Messi, C. Ronaldo, etc. Personally I think that the business end of the champions league is unquestionably a world class stage to prove yourself on. The World Cup isn't the only bench mark of a true great, some are stuck (George Best) playing for a shit team with no hope of international glory

Really hope McCarthy is just being rested and hasn't picked up a knock at the last minute. Loving the attacking line up!! Plenty of goals please boys!

The club might pass a message on perhaps, worth a shot

Have you ever seen this ?

 

That's really interesting actually, I'd never seen that before. Not much has changed then in 25 years! I think Ellerey had the patience of a saint in that clip.

I've said this before, but I really do think the language and aggression towards the ref should be stamped out of the game.

Welcome!

Backdraft

Another cool story

Welcome!

I'm paraphrasing here, but Martinez has been quoted saying that Bill wasn't supposed to blab his champions league promise on day one, he was going to discuss it with the players first. He said he hasn't said anything before now because he's the chairman and he respects him, etc

Edit - I see the quotes have already been posted in the champions league thread, sorry

Not sure. We're staying in Backpool. Guessing that doesn't help answer your question. Maybe something near our hotel? Rugby is picking up over here. More and more high schools are putting teams together. This is good for growing the game.

I would guess it's probably Rugby Union that's growing in the US, but Rugby League is much bigger in the North of England where you're staying (Union much bigger in the South). I'm biased, but League is more exciting, faster, more athletic and more skillful

Welcome to the forum, enjoy the match!

His defence is one of the most ridiculous I've ever heard.

Hear a noise in the bathroom, it must be an intruder! Grab your gun, at no point check your girlfriend is still lying next to you in bed. Walk over to the bathroom and fire 4 shots through the door, again not checking where your girlfriend actually is. Not even shouting anything to the 'intruder', for example 'I have a gun, the police have been called'. At which point his girlfriend could have identified herself.

They were having an argument, she locked herself in the bathroom because she feared for her life, then he murdered her. Hope he gets what's coming to him...

In short, no. If 81 points wins the league this year I will put my cock in a bun with mustard and let Suarez go to town on it. No way on this planet that 3 teams all implode to that extent! The shite's goal difference means they only need 4 draws to finish above us, or 1 win and 1 draw.

There's no way United will take half what they paid after just one season, especially after paying £4m more than they needed to! The fact that not one club came in for him at the £23.5m buy out clause says a lot too. To answer the title of the thread, yes he COULD fit into the team theoretically, but he wouldn't improve it as it currently stands (just my opinion of course). Barry and McCarthy are both better midfield options. If Barry signs elsewhere this summer, then I still wouldn't want Fellaini back. I would take a chance on M'Vila if he's available (if we don't have Barry), his attitude issues are something I think Roberto would excel at dealing with