Calico

erm... how about if the team stopped playing with the fear that has gripped them recently following that wonderful run of games when we were actually playing decent football? I personally think it is less to do with Arteta personally and the rest of the team not taking his lead from last year.

Jesus Christ, this is just another thread that typifies the ignorant approach to football by most people in this country... Zidane was worth £46million AFTER he achieved so much in football, an then arguably went on to continue to achieve. So how is this kid worth only £6million less when he's barely out of puberty!!! Ridiculous. Also, after seeing him choke against Milan last year it is clear that he isn't ready to be a truly world class player. The sooner that kind of pressure is off him, the better, as the kid CAN be THAT good. Instead, look in the direction of Kaka and see someone who has hit top gear and has an all round game to be in awe of... AND he's not even at his prime yet! Seriously... what happened to level heads?

And yet, there aren't too many people who can claim they've seen much of Routledge for a year or so since he hasn't been playing any first team football. I think Routledge would be a waste of time and certainly isn't the step up in quality we need that everyone on here has been talking about.

Gotta agree about Gerrards passing, to some extent. Just comparing it to the players mentioned makes me realise how much of that part of his game seems to have become poorer than it once was. And if there was one player? Kaka Can't believe nobody has mentioned him.

Genius, Louis!

Born Mill Road, lived in Huyton, Knowsley for my whole life before moving into student living nearly two years ago. Happy to be in the heart of the city to be honest, but after two years me and the missus are gonna be moving just outside of the city in about 5 months so we can afford some more space.

Welcome to TT mate. Got to say the Aussies I speak to via the internet are all top people.

Welcome to the forum.

So untrue...he was a fan favourite season before last. All fans are fickle, including our own. Anyways, Hibbo looks like he may be getting his form back which can only be good for us. And welcome to the board, Sam.

Alrighty fella, welcome to the board.

Hey, welcome to the board. Good to see an Italian here. Oh and good luck in your match against Rosenborg - strange how we're both facing Norwegians eh - and hopefully we'll meet each other in the next round.

Hello there, friendo.

Dare we say Timmy is bringing in the Oz support? Hello hello to all the Aussies.

Welcome Kirstie.

Good idea btw.

Good to see it from the other side there, Hasta As for the game... I think we'll knick it 2-1. Also, I believe Pienaar is injured and so definitely won't play, not sure about Cahill though.

Since we're playing 4-5-1 when at full strength then I've got to agree. Actually it'd be nice if Manny or Osman (whichever one plays) could chip in also. However, when we play 4-4-2 - which we kinda have to at the minute - then I don't think it should be as expected of them personally.

Well we have Gardner now, so hopefully he can do as cover at least until Yobo comes back because in case anybody here forgot, when Joey is here Jags NEVER gets into the team (and rightly so), which means that Jags is always on the bench or cover for various positions. Add the more mobile Gardner to that and we've got four back up CBs who I think should do us until the end of the season. I say good luck to Stubbsy - he always played his heart out for us.

Also, when Pienaar gets back from injury and both Yak and Yobo come back from Ghana, it'll be like three new signings. Also, when Manny, Ossie and Baines all get fit it'll be like three extra signings on top so it's not all bad. I think we just need to scrape through until then, which I believe we not only have the ability to do, but the right mentality also.

Yeah, that is a bit harsh. I do wonder if the Yanks will keep Jewell there, though.

Dodge and his love for Man Utd. aside, I think it would be safe to say that they have one of the strongest squads in Europe but are still frail in certain areas, in particular their back four. To be honest, I think the squad strength of them, Chelsea and Arsenal far outweighs the rest of the Prem. Edit: Also, after Ferguson admitted that a lot of their young players needed to go out on load before they even played early round cup games that we can safely say their reserves are lacking compared to Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as the other European giants.

An... interesting squad there. A bit mystified as to how Robert Green isn't in and how Curtis Davies did get in, but other than that it looks okay. I just hope Ashton gets, and stays fit, so that Crouch can get lost.

HAHAHAHA! We'd need a Russian to be able to buy Higuain.

Shame we couldn't get another attacking player, especially with Pienaar missing.

Well... yeah... I suppose it was too good to be true