chicagoblue

That table still hasn't been updated for this week (as of Monday morning Chicago time) and hasn't been audited for last week. I think Fulham might do better then some expect. They at least have stability going through the summer and if they made it in, they have enough money to bring in a bit of quality. Who knows what city will look like come August. Interesting to watch it develop anyways.

I think the last several weeks have really proven that Manny's performances earlier were simply a matter of fitness and these last few weeks he's proven that he both is the player we thought and that he wants to play for us. I have a suspicion that if Moyes gets into Kenwright's pocket Manny will be on his way over along with a few others. We still haven't seen him play a full season but I think even if we don't get a real deal done we might have him on loan again next year and this time from the start of the season.

That's what I want to know. Get in there Fulham.

Had a game to play myself this morning (USA) got to the field. Torrential downpour. Game canelled. Drive an hour back. God bless the Yak. Hopefully I can catch a replay sometime. Hey hey hey, COYB.

Hard to be surprised no matter what happens now. Since Davey's asked him to step up and play properly in the press he has, but we haven't heard any congratulations from Davey either. Whether or not he'll be staying here, or even wants to, he needs to play well if he wants to get in at Valencia or anywhere else, so I think we'll see him continue to improve. This weekend will be a real test. Also, even if Arteta is back I'd rather see Manny keep taking the free kicks.

Well. Not much we can do about the situation at the moment. Let's hope he plays well for us through the next three games and we can go from there.

Really I'd just be happy to see us put in a cross or two. How many did we have in against, 3, 4? A joke. Villa are on a good little run, but I still think we're at least an even match and I think it will be down to one or two players deciding to take the thing on. Draw seems likely, but I'll stay positive and give us the edge with a 2-1.

You speak the truth. No idea what I was thinking. Though on the other hand if Koeman was out I'd imagine whoever came in would want the loan players back and who knows what ability Manny has to get out of Valencia if no buyer steps up.

I suppose I understand what he's trying to do, but I'd really rather have seen Baines on the left of midfield with Neville at RB so we could get Manny and Cars across the midfield. I know it'd be a bit of a risk, but without an attacking midfielder I just don't see how we're going to link up with the strikers tonight. Prove me wrong please Moyes

Well Valencia just wont the Copa Del Rey which leaves Koeman in with a fighting chance if they can just survive relegation. Coupled with Manny's lackluster performances this season I think he might be on the block in the 6 - 8 millions pound range. At that price I think we'd have to take a serious look at him. I for one will be keeping my fingers crossed that he comes good tonight against Chelsea and that Valencia can just win a few league games to stay in it.

They're likely without Drogs and Lampard. We're likely without Osman and Arteta. Unfortunately for us they have a little more depth in the squad. By all accounts there will be some clearout at Chelsea over the summer and you just get the feeling that one or two of their players aren't fully committed. On the other side of the coin we are looking to build on from our team and we've got a couple of boys with a point or two to prove. If we can get out there and put it to them for the first 25 I think we might just be able to break them down a bit. The midfield is going to be a battle ground and we'll need Cars and Manny to battle and grind. Would really like to see Baines on the left for this one, maybe lock up on J. Cole and push him back. 2-1 Us.

Also, this game wasn't televised in the US which makes it hard to vote on the MOTM. I managed to get up a feed and camped in my bedroom and what a joy it was...

Well I know Baines isn't an ideal winger but at least he can put a cross in from the left. Let's just put in Rodwell and stick Pienaar on the right. This really is getting silly though.

Yeah I think I'm ok with that.

Zenit and Leverkusen play the return leg today if anyone wants to watch you can grab a stream from the TVU program (www.tvunetworks.com). Channel is 21500 (soccer)

------------Howard------------- --Hibbo--Yobo--Jags--Lescott-- -Manny--Neville--Cars--Baines- -------------Osman------------- ---------------Yak------------- I don't think it's McFadden that we'll have to worry about, even if he does make back from injury. Maura Zarate on the other hand seems to be coming to grips with the Premier League and is a bit of a handful. I could also imagine Moyes changing that line up slightly by going with two up front and Neville at right back. Naturally this line-up assumes that Arteta and Pienaar are both no go. I'm going to keep with my thoughts from last week and I think we're going to see Fernandes have a bit of a resurgence. Of anyone in the team he and Baines should really be fresh and looking to make an impact now and if we can get him on the ball I think we'll see a good performance. I'll also be very happy to see Manny and Baines taking the free kicks. 3-2 us. Yak, Ossie and Baines - Larrson and Zarate for them.

Some thoughts, We do need a bigger squad of first team capable players. The fans and the club are going to want to be better next year, and at this stage that means at least a cup final if not 4th or higher. Liverpool may well, fingers crossed, but mired in their ownership mess which may hinder them over the summer and I think if we somehow got our shit organized we could put together a very solid squad for next season. I think we can assume AVM and Gravo are already packed and just waiting for the bus. Think we might keep Valente around a bit longer for cover though. Arshavin - Probably a better option than Bentley if for nothing else than he's not the heir apparent to Beckham and so won't come with that premium on his fee. He'll also have been playing now in the Russian league and so will be fit and sharp come August. I would be well please if we got him for anything less than 12. Lennon - Do think he could leave in the Summer, not giving Ramos what he wants and there is a genuine issue with his crossing and finishing. No doubt the pace would be a welcome change, but I don't think he'd be worth more than 5, and I don't think Spurs will let him go for less than 9. Adam Johnson - Seems like a good prospect, maybe a bit lighweight? We need some size and strength in the midfield. Manny - For 6 - 8 million we should take him, which I think might be his price if Koeman keeps the job, keep your fingers crossed they (Vallencia) win the Copa Del Rey. He hasn't had the best season but, as I've said elsewhere, but he's been hampered by injury. I think we'll see him shine over the run in. Hope I don't eat my words on that one. Pienaar - Should be done by now, unless what Stevie is saying in the papers is somehow for show. We're being made to look like muppets on this one. He's had a hand in most of our great plays this season and has only made a few errors which have more or less stopped as the season's gone on. Huddlestone - Like the kid. Can't understand why Ramos doesn't play him game in game out as Spurs seem to suffer without him in the side. He's perfect for picking out Berbatov and Keane for them, and I'm sure he'd pick out the Yak with aplomb. However, as a straight swap for Cars I'm not sure he's ideal. Similar issues to Manny in that respect. They can both do the defensive job but it's not ingrained into their bones as it is with Cars. I just don't see Huddlestone nipping in and taking balls away from opposing strikers. Also I'm not sure he's learned how to use his size to maximum effect. Still I'd like him, but think we'd need another enforcer in the middle. 6 million would do for me. Bradley - Don't think we could go wrong here. This is the player that can replace Carsley and I also reckon he's got a better sight for goal. Neat passer, keeps it on the ground and to teammates and wins challenges in the middle. 5 -7 million would be a steal. Derbyshire - We need an extra striker or two. None of you need to be told why. Is Matt ideal, no. If he was available for 3 million would that be worth it? I'll wager yes. Hoyte - We've got the left and center of defense well enough covered but we need someone like Baines for the right so that we can spread the field and threaten from both flanks. I've not seen Hoyte play enough to say we should go straight in for him. A loan seems prudent here. Josy Altidore - At the Red Bulls in NY, he's the great hope of the American national team at all of 18. He's got size, pace, strength, good in the air, and can finish. I shudder to think about the Yak and him together. The MLS is a real bitch with the way their contracts work and if they don't like the offer they can just turn it down (it's not really up to the team/player, but the league) Taylor Twellman, who I despise, for New England is nearly 30 now but the MLS wouldn't let him go abroad b/c they didn't like the deal, and it was for a couple of million. Anyway, I think Altidore will be coming to Europe soon, probably for this next season. I'd be surprised if we had the resources to really go in for this, but I think he'll really excel in the Premiership. Probably looking at at least 8 maybe more like 12 million.

Even if Arsenal and Valencia aren't interested at 2.2 Million I'm sure there are a heap of Premiership sides that would jump at this. I'd be absolutely amazed and disappointed if we don't conclude this. No reason not to have a player of this quality in the side for that kind of money.

I'm going to continue to reserve judgment through the end of the season. I do think we need to consider that he's been struggling with a couple of rather hindering injuries and has only just started to get into the side. He's got the ability and talent that we need. Now we just need to find out if his under performance this term is due to lack of desire or if it is more related to his setbacks. I'm still hopeful and would like to see him really settle into the side. In any case I don't think we'll be paying more than 8 for him, and I think he may be available for that as long as Koeman stays in the job at Vallencia.

Well, as for entertainment it was a huge disappointment, but as for value in the run up, probably a priceless win today. I missed the first half but I imagine if the Yak had put in his chance we would have seen a different game. I got a feeling the boys were a little uptight and unsure after this poor run. Next week will be a crucial game and another must win, I for one can't wait for the Chelsea game, and if we get the win away at Birmingham then I think we might well go on to beat Chelsea. Manny finally looked the part, and I thought it strange Moyes took him out as he didn't look tired and was the only one giving us any possession. Would have liked to have seen Carsley get a rest today with Manny in his position (as GMorrison suggested). I think that might be his best spot and with his passing range and shooting from distance I think that sort of formation would give us a good new look. Surely worth a shout against a team like Derby at home, no? Oh well. With Pienaar back (presumably) next week it'll be interesting to see what Moyes does in midfield. I'd be heavily tempted to leave out Arteta as he's been more or less invisible since Fiorentina. Set out Pienaar and Manny on the wings with Ossie and Cars in the middle. On the plus side it's April and in Chicago I can wear my kit about properly. COYB

He was playing off on the right. I just think we need to look for someone to replace the Carsley/Neville duo in the middle of the park, but I do agree, I'd do a swap with him for Arteta. Not sure Mikky would be terribly keen on Petersburg though and I'm sure his agent would spontaneously combust if it were even mentioned.

I watched the first half and the end of the second. Arshavin looks class and worked for the team all game. Only negative he did get caught in possession when Leverkusen scored. His type of player probably isn't our top top need right now but I think he would be a real success in the team and league.

4 or 5 nill, Fernandes to boss the show

Not a foul on Yak for the goal, just a bad decision to try and turn in front of our goal. A shocking dive by the Yak looking for the PK, really should have been booked for that. We won't be winning any pks for some time with ref's looking at those tapes.

I think we might finally be starting to see the old Manny back, which would make a huge difference to our midfield. If we can play a four across the middle of Arteta, Manny, Cars, and Pienaar I think we'll be much stronger. If AJ gets fit again I think we should look to go 4-4-2 for the rest of the season as we don't really have anyone else who can fill the Cahill role. Have to say though I was very disappointed with Lescott going forward yesterday. It didn't seem he could get a cross in at all, and if he's going to play at LB then he'll certainly need to improve in that department.