DISQUS

True.. Liverpool made a blunder here and it could cost them the title charge.. But I think there was a lot going under the shirt at Liverpool and Keane was allowed to go only because it was an unworkable situation. If u ask me, I would have let Keane go early enough to have enough time to buy a capable replacement.

Ha ha.. that was a good one..

though it might be a good move to try that, it may be reserved for the second half for a final attack. It cannot be used as a starting option cause Liverpool's midfield 4 will overrun Man Utd's middle 3.

@Dave..

sorry for the error.. I accept my license has been revoked and wont use the word in my blogs ever again.

I bit my tongue when I read your comment.. :)

Well.. as long as we are just speculating.. I think England should learn to keep the ball a lot more and attack.. I dont think this has been tried before.. but its worth a shot..
James

Warnock Ferdinand Terry Cole

Bentley Gerrard Barry Lampard Cole

Rooney/Agbonlahor
Bench
Heskey, Defoe, Noble, Young(Ashley), Woodgate, Downing, Hart

The pace of Bentley and Cole can be used to complement Agbonlahor's own pace with Gerrard, Lampard and Barry together minding the middle and throwing in attacks and getting those long range volley shots

its his money.. he can spend it how he wants.. if ur really sick to your bones.. dont watch him play.. if more of you think that way.. maybe stadium attendances will fall and liverpool may not be able to pay him those astronomical wages..

Its not right to blame the footballer for the money he is making.. the average football fan has become football crazy in terms of spending money.. u cant have the best of both worlds my friend..

If United cannot buy Berbatov, they should try to bring back their on loan striker Manucho. He has an immense presence in the area and he was very good in the African Nations cup. He could play second fiddle to Rooney and Tevez.

Though Portsmouth were outplayed, I have to say their defense looked impressive. The back 4 maintained shape well and Distin was especially impressive. On another day if Ronaldo and Rooney had played the result might have been very different.

That said, Portsmouth have some serious problems with creativity. They seem to rely too much on Kranjcar for creativity a more creative replacement for Muntari seems to be a priority. There was a time when Defoe actually dropped down to midfield and collected a pass and made quite a run. If Pompey cant find an attacking mid who can supply the Crouch-Defoe partnership it might deny them the serious chance they seem to have to kick the big ones off the ladder.

Spurs have never played as a sum of their parts. If Modric picks up an injury a very real danger in the prem league for someone of his stature, out goes Ramos's plan.

I would like to see Lennon operating in a hole behind 2 strikers. He cuts in from the wing anyways. It might not be the most ideal formation but it would be a good way to change it up between games to make the spurs unpredictable.

Jenas and Huddlestone are expendable. bringing in someone like Veloso for their money and making Boateng and Taarabt deputise for him over there would be a good move too. Something to think about for the January Market??

@Chris O - I ve seen him play on youtube.. from what I saw, he looked really good but also the opposition he played against wasnt quite prem standard.

There is no doubt he is good, he may not be as pacy as Dos Santos or Walcott but he seems to have a keen football acumen.. Like I said before, I think he will struggle a bit initially.. but with some coaching from MGP he will come really good towards the end. He will also score a few from free kicks.

In fact I think he is much more of a "finished article" than Dos Santos and Walcott.. he has the ability to be better than both of them.

I think in the end they are gonna keep "the Berbabot" and wont need Arshavin.. in that case, welcome Veloso..

Man City wont sell Corluka.. All these players seem good but where is the money coming from?? and also they need to sell one of Jenas, Zokora or Huddlestone..

Arshavin - 20 million
Veloso - 15 million
Corluka - 7-8 million
-----------------------------
42-43 million pounds

really??

No personally I think it was a great article. I thought Michael did a good job identifying some key problems that the toon have. I think u might have had an easier life if you dint talk so much about the fans :). But hey, thats what we are all here for right? we write our opinions and if Michael feels he wants to compliment the fans of Newcastle and also talk about some of the tough times the fans are having now, he is entitled to do so.

Also, right now, the way Newcastle is being run, the fans seem to play an important part in how the club is run - starting from the appointment of Keegan.. So no preview about Newcastle would be justified without a comment about its fantastic fans..

I knew Vela was out on loan at Osasuna but he is like a new signing this season and I think the stint with Osasuna did him a world of good.. And are spurs going for Veloso?? really?? another midfielder and not a forward?? hmm.. dont really know what to think about that..

I have reason to believe that the Moutinho chase is to relieve pressure on Cahill for the attacking mid spot..

I dont think Moyes ever plays a 4-4-2 before 60 minutes into the game or 2 goals down and even in that case, the defensive mid is sacrificed. I believe the ideal starting line will be a 4-4-1-1. Moutinho offers a long term solution to the perenially crocked Cahill. Also I believe it will be Neville and not Jagielka who will be sacrificed in the event of a choice.

Anichbe will have to do bench service but might find more starting chances this season if Johnson is sold. But if the Johnson transfer does not go thrrough, I think Moyes will alternate between a 4-4-1-1 and a 4-4-2. Johnson will not be a bad player to retain.

What everton do need though is strength in depth.. a couple of loan signings here and there would ensure a smooth season worryingly similar to the previous one. I was expecting Everton to show much more ambition in the transfer market this season though.

But.. they also need 2 Holding mid's to bail out their ridiculous defense.. Getting Coloccini must be a priority..

yeah I read that one.. There was also the mention of Chris Gunter coming up the ranks in defence.. I am not sure of Corluka is the answer.. In my opinion, they should go for Coloccini who newcastle are trying to get..

I think they would be better off with a 4-4-2.. its been too many times that the toon have been outplayed in midfield.. your formation of 3 midfielders with 3 holding mids will leave the forward line isolated.. especially I dont trust Viduka and Owen are very good coming deep to get the ball..

Newcastle desperately need some width.. Geremi and Butt can add some steel in the midfield, but they are not too creative going forward.. They really need their creative wingers to play.. Milner/Gutierrez and Duff/N'Zogbia must play. Otherwise I see a complete lack of creativity in there..

The toon also need a creative attacking midfielder for home games where they can try to play with just one holding midfielder

I thought they could have nicked Podolski.. he would have come cheaper.. he is younger and more powerful than Arshavin and Keane. During the Euros he showed that he is versatile by playing out on the left. He is a little unsettled at Bayern..

I have not seen Pekhart play.. but if spurs need to mount a serious challenge on the top 4, they need a superstar, not a burgeoning talent..

The reason I thought Spurs were kinda sufficient in attack now was because spurs have enough midfield options to play a 4-5-1 if its needed.. this is a perfect ploy for away games in the UEFA cup. with Bentley and Lennon playing in advanced positions on both flanks supporting a striker.. let us see if they can sign one or more superstars..

ha ha.. come now my friend.. I saw the Arsenal vs Madrid game too.. one goal from a penalty.. that wilshire kid is showing some serious promise.. looks like u guys dont need walcott after all..

The difference I see between the spurs and the gunners as a neutral here is that the spurs are going through an upheaval.. Arsenal are not.. believe me.. I will be the first person to write about it if Samir Nasri scores a killer goal..

Yiddo?? :) anyways.. Bent, Santos, Arshavin?? and from what I ve seen, Berbatov is not moving anywhere yet, though the speculation is rife that he is on the move..

I think they have enough cover over there.. one more defensive signing is what they need.. if and its not a very unlikely if, King and Woodgate are both sidelined.. their defense will stutter like last season.. There is no point in scoring so many goals if u are going to concede the same amount..