BlueLion.

Fair point and I respect your opinion. I guess the only reason I'm so confident he can shine is because I saw how well he can play for Lyon.

Well, to be honest, this is just yet another case of a player having a poor first season and people declaring him shit for that reason. Boula was an absolute animal for Hamburg, I remember watching a LigaPokal game a few years back and he was brilliant. I would say give him time, but I don't think he is as good as Alex, Terry or Carvalho are. Still, what happens when one of them get injured? Who will provide the cover? The inexperienced Mancienne, Ivanovic - who hasn't played club football for months? Or even Essien? Would be wise to have him as experienced cover IMO.

O, ye of little faith. Let me cast your mind back 8 months ago to a player called Michael Ballack.

I haven't seen that much of Mancienne to be honest with you, people think he is better than Boulahrouz?

A story on Sky Sports says that the Portuguese Football Association have confirmed we have made an approach for Scolari.

Top goal.

Its possible, we have a lot of Brazilian connections with the amount of Brazilian and Portuguese players we have at the club. Not my ideal candidate, but he is certainly an experienced chap.

I like Boulahrouz, but if he comes back here, all he'll ever be is cover. But a little extra cover is always welcome.

Seems rather likely.

Speaking about whoever may be in charge, Mancini has left Inter, according to his agent. Could be a load of rubbish.

I think that option is the case, Grant planned about playing exciting football and Bosingwa is certainly a player who enjoys marauding forward.

I would like to keep him, because I feel he will be excellent next season. However he is only 27 and the best days of his career are yet to come, so if it came down to a swap deal with another player, I think it would be wise to let him go - for the best of the club and the player.

As I say, defensive football suits the squad. Make the right changes, ie. introduce the likes of Ribery, Kaka, Van der Vaart, and the mentality of the squad changes drastically.

I'm with you, it is a very reasonable thing to say. The jump up from the reserves to the first team is a huge one, very few players make it without earning first team experience at another club in another league. I strongly suspect Sinclair will become first team next season - if Rijkaard comes in, there is a good chance of many of the young players making the jump up.

I know what you're saying. Maybe its a case of Abramovich chosing the signings, and eventually the team? If we ever go that way... dark thoughts indeed.

Its luck. You guess the right way and you save it. You can study psychology like Cech has done, you can watch the player's movements, and it all counts for nothing. The best penalty takers in the world use reverse psychology; they change their run-up, they hit the ball differently. To a certain amount, yes it is reflexes. But saving a penalty is exactly the same as scoring one. Guess a side to go, and stick with it. And no way is Buffon the complete goalkeeper. He is possibly the least commanding goalkeeper in the area of his generation. Great shotstopper, but no communication. And I have seen much better penalty savers. And that's why its down to luck. Jose Reina and Joao Ricardo are incredible penalty savers, but overall they are average goalkeepers, whereas the best in the business, ie. Cech and Casillas, can struggle with penalties.

I see your point, but we were in urgent need of a right back.

Lippi is very defence minded, but that suits our squad. RA has to face up to the fact that if we want to win things, we have to play 'boring football.'

As mentioned previously, it is highly likely he will be sent on loan to the Championship.

I think its a case of Roman's advisors scouting for talent and recommending them to him, more than the manager.

Completely agree. However I think its very rare for managers to stay at a club for more than three or four years, Wenger and Ferguson are really the only exceptions to the rule. We have an interesting decision as you say - do we go for the more experienced manager who may only wish to stay for two or three seasons, or do we go someone like Hughes or Deschamps who have played for Chelsea and allow them to plan for the long term?

Welcome

I replied to this post without properly reading it, I remember you now You were Kezza 9, weren't you?

With age, comes experience. He's won everything except the Premier League, moreorless.