BlueLion.

Well I can't speak as to how Scolari's regime will work, but Mourinho began his pre-seasons always in early July. Last year our first game in the US was against Club America on July 14, I think the players went out on July 9. Its therefore obvious from how late our programme starts this year that the players won't go out until late July.

Having seen very little of Bosingwa prior to Euro 2008, I was somewhat skeptical about the amount of money forked out for him. But since watching him for Portugal in their warm up matches and now the tournament proper, I've been very, very impressed. He is a very disciplined defender, who has plenty of speed and a good reading of the game. Going forward he is also very sensible, dropping back to provide defensive cover but he is also very clever on the overlap. I know this is too little to judge him by, but if he continues in this vein, I feel we have signed a very good defender and possibly solved our right back problem.

But I'm not solely judging him one two matches. What I was saying is that he has been magnificent over the tournament so far, there is no implication there I am judging him on those two games alone. He plays consistently well for the Netherlands in the centre and on the right. He's made the likes of Camorenesi, Ribery, Henry, Malouda, Grosso and the like look very ordinary over these two games and is by far the best defender in the Dutch team. Plus he's a monster going forward. Let's not forget that 06/07 was really his 'settling in' period at the Bridge, selling him basically one year on would be very stupid. If both Belletti and Ferreira move on, who plays right back? Granted that Bosingwa looks very good from what little I've seen of him, but who offers cover? Ivanovic hasn't even played competitive football for 6 months let alone Premier League football, and Boulahrouz deserves a second shot IMO.

I think at this time Holland are the best team, but the best team doesn't necessarilly win tournaments. *Cough* Liverpool *Cough* I still fancy the Czechs

Is this really the same player who played for us in 06/07? Absolutely magnificent again for the Dutch, on evidence of his performances thus far it would be stupid to sell him on. Thoughts?

By buying those players would ensure a load of plastics join.

One word to describe the Dutch. Wow.

I was checking to see if people were awake and alert

Someone who would fit that bracket is Joao Moutinho.

Keep Ferreira. Very useful, and he is unfairly maligned IMO. He tries, which is more than can be said of the likes of Belletti. TBH should leave, I think Malouda should stay but its time for Sidders, Pizarro and Shaun to move on. I'd like to see Ribery or Quaresma, but I don't want Gomez. Heavily overrated IMO. A young midfielder in Joao Moutinho would be great but Lamps isn't leaving so it would be pointless.

Yes. I think the Euros are overblown. Yes, the players can get tired, but they come into pre-season match fit, and its not as if they won't have time to recover. Scolari is strict to his regime and I doubt they will be given extra holiday longer than a couple more days. They are professionals and they should be able to cope with the demands of playing football all of the time.

I don't think he'd be brought in just to get loaned out, I think he will feature next year.

A team along these lines: Cech Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Cole Essien, Lampard Ribery, Joe Cole Drogba Would be insane

Besides, Joe Cole can swap to the left side, he's comfortable on either wing.

And there is the possibility of players being selected for the Olympics as well.

That's a good point actually, our squad, especially the midfield, is getting on a bit now. Some youth, such as Moutinho and Quaresma, is better than ageing veterans IMO.

I agree with what you're saying, but we have experienced players in Ballack, Lampard and Makelele, and young-yet-still-experienced stars in Essien in Mikel that can occupy the midfield positions, plus Ivanovic and Ferreira can provide emergency cover if its needed. Do we need more CMs?

I'm not sure about either of them. Deco was great for Portugal the other night and Ronaldinho seems to want to get his career back on track... we might land both of them for cut prices. Although Deco would signal Frank to move I think...

I remember us getting a penalty against Blackburn in 2006 when JT was pulled down by Ooijer in the box, almost the same as the incident last night. Defo a penalty then and defo one last night.

To be honest, no-one would get in a side ahead of Ronaldo. But I see your point regardless. Would still be a great acquisition, he may want to join us because of Porto being banned from the UCL.

We've had plenty of threads about which signings tickle your fancy, but which players linked with the Bridge are the ones you wouldn't piss on if they were on fire?

I can't really imagine against which teams we will wear the yellow shirt, to be honest, not many teams have a black and blue home kit.

David told me about that team from the Sun. I really don't think either Lampard or Ballack should be in the team ahead of Essien. Both of them are top class and were brilliant last season but Essien's consistency, drive and brilliance are key to our play regardless of what system we play.

Good luck mate, I look forward to seeing you in the manager's chair at the Bridge when I bring my Milan team for a European Cup semi final Hah, I can dream

Its not a proper Derbyshire accent, just a bit of a twang on certain words