*Official* English Football Season 2005-06

[Scaly piscine]

Carlos is a winger who's a full-back on the teamsheet alone, he plays like a winger, he's positionally like a winger, he is a winger. Ashley Cole is merely a winger who actually bothers to play positionally as a full back (most of the time), as a player he's still a winger tho. Just like if you stick Rooney on the left side of midfield as a player he's still a forward.

 

[Craig]

how many players could you buy for 13m who are of vieiras standard ? none thats how many, no need to buy young players who will potentially be that good either due to cesc and flamini.

as for right wingers arsenal arent exactly short, hleb played all most of stuttgarts bundeliga games on the right so hes hardly a novice at that role, lauren could also deputise there seeing as he has years of experience playing on the right wing for cameroon and mallorca before wenger converted him to a right back, and also kolo toure played a year on the right of midfield and did a sound job so its hardly a crisis. Not to mention the fact that gilberto also played on the right in several games last year and also did a fine job.

Even if you don't buy a player of Vieria's standard, I'm sure there are plenty of experienced holding midfielders who will offfer good back-up with the formation you guys players (Cristiano Zanetti might be one), because if Cesc or Flamini or Gilberto get injured, you could have problems.

After all Wenger has found some bargin bin buys in the past and have worked (Henry and Vieria stand out) so I'm sure there is somebody out there who would offer back up, has experience and would go on the cheap.

Or even Daniele De Rossi from Roma, if the price is right and with Roma's documented finicial woes they would sell. He has experience and is already in the Italian national team and from what I have seen from him, he looks something special and has been known to score a cracking goal or two.

 

[Craig]

Oh dear, boy are you supporting the wrong team.

As in the case of Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry (even time I read something from it is about how great life is at Arsenal).

 

[Craig]

Indeed it is not.

He is a defender who is good going forward.

In fact I'd say he's a better defender than Carlos (as he did show at Euro 2004 when many pundits called him the best left back in the world - something I find it hard to disagree with)

That maybe so, but nobody cracks a free kick (in terms of speed and how hard he boots it) like Roberto Carlos (probably not really relevant I know but just felt like saying it).

 

[Scaly piscine]

That maybe so, but nobody cracks a free kick (in terms of speed and how hard he boots it) like Roberto Carlos (probably not really relevant I know but just felt like saying it).

That's probably because everyone else wants to actually score the odd free kick rather than one a season. Although a Shearer piledriver (makes you think what a daft looking word that is when you type it out) is hit with some force.

 

[marc71178]

The only problem with Carlos is he doesn't actually score that many free kicks in spite of his reputation!

 

[twctopcat]

Another damp squib of a game there for United. The beeb say that Liverpool dominated but i don't think it was that extreme. Ronaldo played well and Crouch troubled Rio a bit but Scholes is now a shadow of his former self and Smith was pretty ineffective. I hope the rumours about Ballack hold some substance.

 

[Jamee999]

What was the score Tom?

 

[twctopcat]

I thought "damp squib" was a bit of a give away!! A riveting 0-0.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Did Park play at all? Even a minute on the pitch would do for my fantasy team.

I see David James has backed calls for Rooney to seek help in order to curb his temper, James said: "Of course a sports psychologist can help - it's certainly helped me."

Wow, what a ringing endorsement.

 

[twctopcat]

He must be in Fergusons team too, because he did exactly that, played 90 seconds. Now keane is out for two months so its time for Smith to step up now, if he can that is.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Hurrah, Shearer finally scores for my fantasy teams.

 

[twctopcat]

And Owen scores. All Geordies to think they can win the league in 5,4,3,2.........

 

[roseboy64]

Another damp squib of a game there for United. The beeb say that Liverpool dominated but i don't think it was that extreme. Ronaldo played well and Crouch troubled Rio a bit but Scholes is now a shadow of his former self and Smith was pretty ineffective. I hope the rumours about Ballack hold some substance.

It seems to me that Scholes has been playing more defensively this season on a whole. Ballack's good but I'd prefer someone a bit younger who in a few seasons will put Man Utd in the position they are now with Ballack in for Keane instead.

 

[sledger]

Carlos is a winger who's a full-back on the teamsheet alone, he plays like a winger, he's positionally like a winger, he is a winger. Ashley Cole is merely a winger who actually bothers to play positionally as a full back (most of the time), as a player he's still a winger tho. Just like if you stick Rooney on the left side of midfield as a player he's still a forward.

intresting how carlos has never actually played on the wing then isnt it.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Now keane is out for two months so its time for Smith to step up now, if he can that is.

I'd bet money on him not being able to. When was the last time a striker converted to defensive midfield with any success? Ermmm.....never.

Although having said that, Alan Smith does possess the uncanny ability to look out of position no matter where he plays.

 

[sledger]

I'd bet money on him not being able to. When was the last time a striker converted to defensive midfield with any success? Ermmm.....never.

Although having said that, Alan Smith does possess the uncanny ability to look out of position no matter where he plays.

yeah, if only they hadnt bought duffers like djemba djemba and sold him, as cover for keane, i have doubts about alan smith playing that role as well. 2 bad injuries to 2 of their key players is very good news for arsenal indeed and hopefully should put the pressure off their push for 2nd spot, hopefully getting past a incredibly out of form everton shouldnt be much of a problem 2mo night as the toffees usually put up pretty weak resistance against arsenal. A good game for Hleb would help my fantasy team a great deal as they are badly underperforming at the moment.

 

[sledger]

It seems to me that Scholes has been playing more defensively this season on a whole. Ballack's good but I'd prefer someone a bit younger who in a few seasons will put Man Utd in the position they are now with Ballack in for Keane instead.

and who might that be ?

as for scholes, just because he hasnt scored any goals yet doesnt mean hes playing more defensively, i myself havent really noticed much difference in his play apart from in the game today which due to its nature is understandable.

 

[twctopcat]

It seems to me that Scholes has been playing more defensively this season on a whole. Ballack's good but I'd prefer someone a bit younger who in a few seasons will put Man Utd in the position they are now with Ballack in for Keane instead.

There doesn't appear to be any zip in scholesy play this season. Almost as if he isn't fit. He got caught in possession a lot today and wasn't pinging about like the old Scholes, it must just be age catching up with him. As for Ballack he would come on a free i think and would be a great coup. He has been wasted in Germany too long as is one of the best around IMO, a great midfielder who scores with a winning attitude.

 

[twctopcat]

I'd bet money on him not being able to. When was the last time a striker converted to defensive midfield with any success? Ermmm.....never.

Although having said that, Alan Smith does possess the uncanny ability to look out of position no matter where he plays.

Most probably, though i don't like jumping on the "Smiths **** in any position" bandwagon. He has talent and works very hard and is willing to apply himself like a lot of moaners around. Will have to see where he goes from here.