Deacs

We don't need to sell McCarthy, we would like Lennon who is worth £5m max with him being available for nothing next year.
 
He would likely love to come to us.
 
McCarthy is invaluable. £20m??? Nah. He's definitely worth £15m more than what we paid for him. Starting bid is £28m.

You're forgetting that we'll let him go for the good of his career, so we'll take what anyone will offer .

Exactly, just a shame they're the wrong side of 30 and, in Pienaars case, constantly injured.

I think the reason osman works surprisingly well despite having none of the attributes you would associate with a wide player is the same as pienaar - they have the balance and equal footing to go either side with both feet. It opens up the pitch as J said above.
 
Pace. skill and ability to carry the ball either foot = ££££

Width, exactly. Thats not necessarily a winger though. I'll rephase a bit... We don't need that pacy, tricksy little hobbit to play out wide, we need someone comfortable on the ball to link up play.
 
Exactly.
 
The better teams put the FB under pressure, but since our wingers don't track back most of the time anyway thats always going to be the case, regardless of the oppositions ability.

I understand what you're saying.
 
Better for us (if emphasis truly is on our over-lapping fullbacks) is to have 3 truly interchangeable attacking midfielders.
 
Creates more freedom for the attackers and also allows players to 'float' more.
 
They keep the ball moving anyway, so it's up to them to draw the opposition fullback inside, to allow room on the overlap. If that's the case, you're right, we don't need traditional wingers, but we definitely need people who can play that way.
 
Also gives Rom more service on the floor, limits crossing to pretty much the fullbacks.
 
The only time this DOESN't work. Is against better opposition, where the full back is on the backfoot and unable to aid the attack. Leaving the guy up to with NO service from the air. (and what Haf said to a degree).

we need wide players Matt - no two ways about it call them wingers, wide men or whatever. Our lack of width meant the opposition were able to press on Baines and Coleman - we need players who are comfortable receiving a ball near the touchline and can operate with chalk on their boots, not just staying out there and looking to move inwards.
 
If we get players who can give us that width it generates a greater space between the opponents back 4 which we need with one striker.
 
Martinez was slated for stating he wanted mcgeady to occupy himself in the opponents half where the fullback should be and I agree - it puts doubt in their mind, when you have a wide threat defences think twice. The same as Rooney not dropping deep for united - he was stopping the centre halves from pushing out, he seen less of the ball but helped the team.

Martinez is our manager, he would definitely let Howard go for humanitarian reasons.
 
I'd let him go because he's a bit poo.

I would love us to have a sheikh or Abramovic, absolutely love it.

Once you've planned your pre season maybe you can help Roberto out with ours.

Once you've planned your pre season maybe you can help Roberto out with ours.

I know you're being a smart arse but just in case your Mum allows you for your room you send the mesurements of the walll and he makes it to size it then goes up in sections like wall paper.

We're ordering this mural next week for the boys bedroom, how fucking cool is that.
 
Gonna get them a grass green carpet and have the wall newly plastered then this put on.
 
I'm more excited than them

With the way I finished I'll need the summer to recharge! My pre-season will need to be top notch .

He did, eventually, change exactly what I was criticizing him for; he stepped up and lead. Not just with important goals, but he seemed more animated and going back to his usual self of last ditch tackles etc.
 
I've maintained my stance that he shouldn't be captain but he has proven me wrong, again. Hope he continues to do so.

BOOM!! (For Ten)

That's the point . It's a playful dig at those (mentioning no haf names) who use analogies.

And he assisted the equaliser. He offers nothing though and is useless.

The few times we've attempted a back three have made me scared shitless...

Yeah, it should be nothing but Plan B. The league is not set up to play it and would give our opponents massive advantages.
 
It won't work (back 3).
 
99% teams start with 2 wingers, at least a striker and a number 10. Which is all ready an overload on just 3 CB's. At least with 4 at the back, the worst you can do is man mark.

Yes he has.
In a thread earlier in the season (weak links, I think) I said that I thought our slow start might have been planned.
In that RM was prepared for the demands of Europe and was planning on building into the season with a strong finish.
I was completely wrong he had no idea.
Team selections the last few weeks have proved that.
The season was gone, there were no relegation worries and nothing to play for.
He could have played more of the youngsters and heaven forbid a team with balance, and players playing in their correct positions.
The fact the team put a decent run together and got out of trouble should not take the focus away from a poor season.
I believe we are a better team than this season shows and the manager has to take responsibility for them under performing.
Roll on next season and a fresh start.

You guys have obviously never played. Sticky grass syndrome is well known amonst professionals

I can see I'm going to have to tighten up the rules next time around.

Although I accept your apology I do feel that the stress caused by your neglect probably warrants some sort of compensation.
15 bonus points should help ease my worries.

Which would correct another mistake. Which is playing Barry week in week out.