DYC.

Exactly. We're seriously lacking up front, really struggling to break down defences and creating chances and we've hardly conceded goals so I guess the most logic thing to do would be to get a defender.

That's weird. Luiz always struck me as a ''Puyol'' type of defender, but with a huge bonus of being excellent in build-up play and very comfortable with the ball (being able to make runs forward). A defender that uses his pace, strength and 'never say die' attitude to great effect. Not the highly intelligent, super tackler and excellent reader of the game Carvalho type of defender. That being said, I wouldn't mind us signing him. But a new partner for Terry has to be the last thing on our 'requirement list'. And oh yeah, I hate how Terry's distribution from the back is such an underrated part of his game. He's great in build-up play, being equally comfortable passing (short and long passes) with both feet, and he goes forward at times joining the attack. He's a lot more than just a stopper.

Totally disagree with you but if that's your opinion, okay . The thing that's annoying about Ivan on the right and Alex in the centre is the fact that you have to make two changes in the line-up (Ivanovic to the middle and Bos on the right). And we lack a good right winger and Bosingwa offers us more in an attacking sense. And I read Ivanovic doesn't like playing at right back and that could effect him signing a new contract since there are enough teams out there looking for a great CB.

I appreciate Alex, trust me I do. He was better than Terry in the second half of last season, he was fantastic. But Ivanovic is better. Terry and Alex are both (very) slow, although Alex' speed over distance isn't that bad, and lack agility, that scares me bit when we face a striker with pace. Ivanovic isn't the fastest but he's much faster than both Terry and Alex (over short and long distance). Ivanovic and Alex are both great tacklers but Ivanovic beats him the air and Ivanovic has that 'never say die' attitude like Terry. Ivanovic is also a lot more comfortable with the ball and is the better passer. Alex lacks in that department. Alex is also very injury-prone.

Terry and Ivanovic form a superb CB duo, the club should focus on getting a right attacker and a creative midfielder.

I remember someone here said we could get Sanchez for 15 mil pounds . €30 mil is crazy money for someone who, even though very talented and exactly what we need right now, hasn't proven a thing on the big(gest) stage. I would pay €25 mil max. And the likes of Hamsik and Luiz will cost at least as much. The market has gone mad. But then again, Sanchez really does the potential to grow out into that 'special player'. That something special that Ronaldinho, Kaká, Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi have. Those who had a huge influence in bringing in the Champions League. It's a risk but since our scouts aren't doing anything (CA wouldn't play a young player with potential anyway), it's one we will (eventually) have to take. Get Sanchez and a pure midfielder, one with the ability to spot and play that killer pass, and I think we could actually win the CL this year (and finish in the top four with ease). But it's all a dream, don't see it happening.

Xabi Alonso, by no coincidence also a intelligent and 'laidback and relaxed' type, was always Liverpool's best player and so incredibly underrated. He was world-class himself and made his team-mates look like better players. He left and what happened? Liverpool have become horrible side and Gerrard and Torres have been poor ever since. Xabi Alonso was the true genius in Liverpool's team.

I stopped taking you seriously in this matter when I read that, i'm sorry.

Gerrard better than Lampard? Never have I seen a player get so much hype. Well Cristiano Ronaldo maybe even more but still. Lampard is better than Gerrard in every skill in football, only Gerrard's first touch is slightly better. Gerrard only beats him in physicality.

And this is why: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8aXO_QTKf0&feature=player_embedded#! It's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, b*tch .

If you said that, I would make use of that ignore list thingy for the first time.

Couldn't disagree with you more. Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso, especially Xabi, were immense that season. It was the only season I really rated Gerrard as a true world-class player. Pepe Reina was fantastic too and even Torres scored a lot (!) even though he didn't play a lot. But I agree about Benayoun being a decent player and not as bad as some label him.

Pienaar a playmaker? That's not true. The creativity he brings is the fact that he can get past a man and keep the ball with him while under pressure. His short passing and vision is decent at best. But I agree with you that if he comes, it's a good buy.

Huh?

Yeah but the previous generation had a crazy amount of absolute brilliant footballers. Even the smaller clubs had world-class players in their teams. True. Weird to see Totti not being a regular starter anymore, he even talked about the posibility of leaving.

Villa starts on the left. Messi plays in the centre in some kind of half '10'/half '9' in and it's incredible how me manages the two roles to such a devistating effect. He's really starting to grow on me in that role. Agree with the rest. But about Roma, Totti really did turn into/played as a true striker for a few years. He really did stay up front.

Yup.

I couldn't make a list even if I tried, too many greats and everybody's personal takes on what makes a player a great striker, but that's not a bad list. Raúl wasn't a pure striker though. More a supporting striker like Bergkamp, Cantona, Baggio, Del Piero, Totti etc. Love how you added Eto'o in your list, very underrated striker. The same goes for the Great Alan Shearer, how I loved that man as a kid. But like I said, there are so many greats like Ruud van Nistelrooy (still one of the best finishers around, i would even say the best, Gabriel Batistuta, Pippo Inzaghi, Robbie Fowler, David Trezeguet, George Weah, Jürgen Klinsmann, (young) Michael Owen, (young) Patrick Kluivert, Christian Vieri, Roy Makaay and the list goes on and on. This generation lacks a great great striker although Dzeko has the goods to become one. But that's because like the 'number 10', the pure striker is becoming a lot less important in football and they are starting to fade.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZtXnffz1p8&feature=player_embedded What a goal by the great Cani, love that guy. Villarreal .

He said that? Way too early to make statements like that. It only gives fans/Abramovich false hope and gives the media more ammo if we fail to win our next game (just look at the 'we will win tomorrow' comment, referring to Wolves game).

Might as well post my ratings Cech: 6 (Superb save in the first half but didn't have much to do) Bosingwa: 6.5 (Energetic performance and because of him always a man on the right wing and some danger, poor crossing though) Ivanovic: 7 (Didn't have much to do at the back but was the matchwinner with a goal and assist) Terry: 6.5 (Loved how he came forward to help out and made a crucial tackle in the first half. Great assist too) Cole 6 (Solid performance, got forward well but nothing special) Essien 6.5 (Solid performance, made some great interceptions and worked well with the defenders and midfielders) Ramires 7.5 (Great and energetic performance, brought pace in our play and got forward well. But pretty quiet in the second half, unlucky not score) Lampard 8 (Lampard was fantastic, his passing game together with his vision was spot on and was the main reason our midfield worked so well today. His off the ball movement was great too, best man on the pitch). Anelka 6.5 (Solid performance with good movement, still taking too long on the ball at times) Drogba 3.5 (Terrible performance) Malouda 6 (Okay performance, linked up well with Ash but hardly got past his man and wasn't really threatning. Played better after the 1-0)

Agree. I think he got very excited hearing those things.

Pretty much a solid performance although our play still too slow. CA and the boys will need to work on that. Best player on the pitch: Frank Lampard (special mentions to Ramires, Essien and Terry) Worst player on the pitch: Didier Drogba Feel sorry for: Daniel Sturridge