Matterz

I think that is just it, he is solid. He is not going to be barging forward in the attacking sense, like some other LB's, but he is very good defensively and very consistent, which is exactly what is needed to win a league in my opinion.

He said 'different qualities' not 'no qualities'

Tiago Stats Tournament Apps Tackle Int Fouls Off Won Clr Was Dribbled Blk Shots OG Rating La Liga* 21(2) 3.4 2.6 1.4 - 2.5 1 0.2 - 7.43 Mikel Stats Tournament Apps Tackle Int Fouls Off Won Clr Was Dribbled Blk Shots OG Rating Premier League* 11(13) 1.3 1 0.8 - 1.4 0.8 0.3 - 6.65 So to me Tiago makes more sense based on your argument of the more defensive midfield option. Plus his wages will probably be less and we could get a fee from Mikel sale. Most importantly though, Mikel is just pure shit and frustrating to watch, and after 8 odd years of watching him pass sideways and backwards, I cant wait to see the back of him.

Sell Mikel and sign Tiago on a free, then we good to go... Matic Fabregas Ramires Van Ginkel Tiago More than enough for two positions.

Does Pogba qualify as Home Grown? I'm all for this, think he is fantastic and im pretty sure Mikel will leave before the end of August. Big physical midfielder, would add a lot to what we already have.

Really really hope West Ham at home on 26th of December is a late game...flying in to London on the 26th arriving at 13:00, hope there is enough time to get to the Bridge...

The world is a wash with attention seeking morons and liars im afraid... ...wouldn't look too far into it. Still think he will come though, I always maintain with all these rumours that where there is smoke, there is fire. Just don't think it will be today, Mourinho said no signings until after world cup, so that's more concrete than any rumour and I will stick with that.

In fairness, she gave birth to an Arsenal fan so she probably wont be missed much.

To its looks like 6 out and 4 in hopefully, and two returning from loan: Out: Cole, Luiz, Eto'o, Lampard, and probably BA and Mikel (Please God). In: Costa, Fabregas, Tiago/Pogba/Koke, Luis/Shaw and Lukaku and Courtois to return from loan. Still leaves Torres around, but hey, on the bright-side, at least he is another season closer to the end of his contract...

Greetings to Canada. I agree his price is too high, but if we could get him for around 15 million pounds, I think that's a good deal, he reminds me of Millito when he was at Inter under Mourinho.

For the right price I think he would be fantastic for us as a back up striker. Would add versatility and another dimension to our attack in my opinion.

No Van Ginkel?

At least its not ligaments or tendons that seem to be the problem, I honestly think he just needs it to be properly rested and then strengthening. Our physios are definitely some of the best in the business so im sure they will have in tip top condition. I found this article on sportsinjurybulletin.com regarding hamstring rehabilitation and by the sounds of it, Atletico just kept rushing him back too soon: Hamstring injuries can be one of the most debilitating and frustrating of all muscle injuries for athletes involved in sports requiring top-end speed. The difficulty with managing hamstrings is particularly evident in minor ‘Grade 1’-type strains. Is it true muscle pathology or is it a ‘neural hamstring’ mimicking muscle pathology? Differentiating the cause of posterior thigh pain can be an overwhelming clinical challenge. Furthermore, there is a wide practical gap between clinical treatment and a full return of the athlete to sport. In short, therapists must ask themselves, first, are they treating the right thing, and second, are they letting the athletes come back too early? To put this into perspective, recent statistical studies in Australia on injury types and injury frequencies have shown that 25% of hamstring injuries will recur in the first four weeks. To the optimist, this means that 75% of hamstrings you think are right to return to sport will do well. To the pessimist, this means that there is a 25% chance of re-injury and going back to square one.

I agree on Costa, but I do feel when he is fit, he is the perfect fit for us. And I like the idea of Costa, Mandzukic and Lukaku. My dream trio would be Costa, Lavezzi and Lukaku. Always been a fan of Lavezzi, been great every time he plays against us (which is no mean feat) and is very versatile and would also offer different skill sets. i again agree on Pogba, my only concern (bear in mind he isnt someone I watch week in and out, so I do stand to be corrected), he seems like an awesome dribbler and great at making runs from midfielder (not unlike Ramires), but im not sure he has the passing ability of say Alonso, Modric or Kroos. (Bit harsh to compare a 21 year to those three, but then again we are looking for an elite midfielder.) But again, if anyone has seen him play week in week out, they will know a lot more about his passing abilities than me and I could be very wrong.

Im just a bit grumpy this morning, my bad...I was just making the point that Gil really is pretty insignificant in all this. i think it would difficult to persuade Costa to stay at Atletico, we can obviously offer him more financially. So yes, it really is just a question of whether he wants to come here or not, I don't really see why he wouldn't.

No no, thank you for your ignorant statement regarding the irrelevant opinion of Angel Gil.

Are you sure you are reading it attentively? Let me try again. It does not matter how Gil feels. He has a buy-out clause. We activate that and its up to Costa as to what he wants to do. That was always the case. Atletico don't really have a say in the matter so whether they don't want to sell or not its up to Gil.

It was always up to Costa anyway, he has a buy-out clause, we meet that and there is fuck all Angel Gil, Diego Simeone or anyone else at Atletico can do if Costa wants to leave.

That only leaves us with 7 defenders in the whole squad for 8 positions, unless you recall Van Aanholt as cover for LB.

Thorgan ain't half bad either.

Got to be Costa up front, id agree with you fully, think RR and Pogba are awesome players and young. id maybe say we need a CB as well, Mangala or Varane. Who would you want up front? And what alternatives would you have if we couldn't get Pogba or RR?

I think we need 8 defenders in our squad, with Luiz gone that leaves us with; Ivanovic Cahill Terry Azpilicueta Kalas Zouma ? ? So I can see why the press would suggest that we are looking for a CB as well as a LB. Varane makes sense, Mourinho loves him, and he could transition into Terry's place over a season. Luke Shaw makes a lot of sense too, He is young and could transition into the LB spot gradually and in the meantime Azpilicueta is doing a fine job and later can move back to RB. That would be a very nice mix of versatile players and youth and experience.

Hahahaha...I agree with you, but I think what everyone really believes that it would move us to another level if we had someone of the passing ability of Pirlo/Alonso/Modric in our midfield, spraying around silky passes and through balls for all our attacking talent. Instead we have been subjected to more industrious type midfielders in recent times, Mikel/Ramires, they get the job done, just don't do with nearly as much style.

Well they can jog on if they want £50m for him...

Don't all players in Spain have to have a buy-out clause in their contract? If so, what is Koke's?