BoroBlue

Seem to remember seeing N'Zog play at left back quite a few times at Newcastle and being pretty decent there so would be good cover for Baines too.

I always liked Jose Mourinhos theory of having a squad with 2 players who could play in each position and relying on youth academy products beyond that. This is how our squad looks at the moment using that theory.

Gk: Howard, Mucha

RB: Neville, Hibbert

RCB: Jagielka, Heitinga

LCB: Distin, Yobo

LB: Baines

RM: Arteta, Coleman

DCM: Felliani, Rodwell

ACM: Cahill, Osman

LM: Bilyaletdinov, Gueye

ST: Saha, Beckford

ST: Yakubu, Anichebe

I realise that most of these players can play in several positions and we won't be playing 4-4-2 in everygame but I think it is usefull writing it down like this to show where the squad needs stengthening.

From this I would say we definately need cover for Baines as other people have mentioned don't know how we would cope with an Injury to him.

Also the players I have put wide midfield are not natural wide men, and looking at the squad we do not really have any natural wide midfielders.

Most importantly in my opinion though is the need for a new striker. Beckford and Anichebe just aren't good enough, Yakubus face just doesnt seem to fit anymore and Saha isn't getting any younger.

I think the extra time spent training young players and the idea of a competetive under-21 league will make a big difference to the quality of young players coming through. Whatever this training model Ajax and Barcelona use is, hopefully we can adopt a similar one when the changes come in. Don't like the idea of filling our acadamy with foreign talent though I think we should be trying to bring through the next generation of homegrown players, for the sake of the national team aswell.

Link

Sounds Interesting, heard alot of good things about him at the Euros but never heard much about him before then. Anyone have anymore info?

Good shout on Luke Chambers. Seen him play a few times this season and he looks a top player to me. I thought he had another year on his contract though but could be wrong. Would like to see this happen, especially if we see Yobo and/or Heitinga leave.

Two goals today, according to Duffy he is gonna be class.... Here's hoping

When has Duffy said this? From what I have seen I think he will be class but may be a late bloomer like Ossie, didn't really break into the first team untill he was 22.

Good, young, english player who can play in a variety of positions available on a free transfer, no thanks

That wouldn't help with Garbutt's development, another young LB we have and who we pissed Leeds off because we wanted him so much.

I had completely forgotten about Garbutt to be honest, haven't heard anything about him since Ken Bates mouthing off. Then I read the match report for the youth team derby where it seems he tore them apart down the left with 3 assists. Hopefully this pre-season will be his time to step-up.

Joe Bennett from Middlesbrough, England U-21 Left Back, would be a great understudy to Baines, would probably cost no more than 1mil due to the shocking financial position Strachan left them in.

My link

Found this article on the official websites a couple of weeks ago quite interesting reading, particularly the bit about the young players he trains with everyday. I think everyone is aware of Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman and what they can do but found it quite interesting that he would mention Ross Barkley and Jose Baxter.

Ross Barkley was also commented on by Moyes in an interview recently saying he was the next big thing from the academy, anyone know anymore about him or seen him play to back this up?

Jose Baxter alot of fans seem to have written him off as ever making it, but he must be highly regarded by the players to be mentioned like that, and as someone pointed out after the Bolton game for arteta to float that corner over to him to try a volley from outside the box, he must be highly rated in the dressing room. Are there many out there who believe he will soon be turning out for the first team?

Your thoughts please? and apologies if you think this is better suited to the academy section.

Coleman subbed off after 14mins, that doesn't sound good. Anyone know anymore?

I didn't say he looked as good as Rodwell but certainly didn't look out of place when playing in the same team, and like I said, in my opinion.

Gutted if this is true. Don't agree with the comments about him not being good enough, Gosling and Rodwell look class when playing together imo. After giving him his big break and paying his wages through injury would like to see him show abit of loyalty to the club and sign a new contract.

I personally don't see Jags and Heitinga working as a CB partnership as they are too similar. I think this guy sounds like the perfect foil for Jags at centre back leaving Heitinga free to play wherever he is needed (RB,CB or DMC) and Distin as cover.

I also would be quite happy to see Yobo and Senderos leave the club and see Duffy eventually replaceing Distin.

I might be getting abit ahead of myself here but does can anyone explain european qualification in england? My understanding of it is:

The top 2 teams qualify automatically for the champions league

3rd and 4th place qualify for the champions league qualifiers.

5th place qualifies for uefa cup.

6th place qualifies for the eufa cup if either the carling or fa cup are won by one of the top 5 teams

7th place qualifies for the uefa cup if both the carling and fa cup are won by one of the top 5 teams.

and finally the highest place team that applies for the inter-toto cup.

or in regards to the 6th and 7th spots do runners up to the cups get the place if they are not top 5?

Great minds think alike Mikeo!

Notice no ban against Shearer, bit of favouritism there me thinks!

Thought they played very well together, complemented each other well, must be worth giving these 2 a few games upfront together.

IF we get knocked out 2nite we will go into the first round of the uefa cup (after the qualifying rounds) where we will probably play some excuse for a team from latvia or somewhere, if we get through that we will go on to the group stage where by the looks of it any english top flight team will walk through, then i think we would move on to the final 32 which is where we would start playing tougher opposition, if we got knocked out we would not meet a team half as tough as villareal untill the last 32 at least, although it will be a blow financially if we get knocked out tonight we will be in a cup where we will be much more competetive, and maybe even stand a chance of winning, its a win win situation.

not 2moro, possibly the wkend, hopefully at left back, if its true of course, could be a fantastic signing

There is also an article on icliverpool and they are quotes from DM, Im guessing he means releasing this statement is to show they are still interested rather than bidding for these players is just for show.