Europa League 2011/12

[cannotmakeit]

But Carroll is really good at falling over, you can't coach that really.

[Phoenix07]

We should do whatever it takes to sign Llorente. He's ****ing amazing.

We tried and they said no at £30m. Then we went for Carroll for £5m more.

That's the problem I have. I look at Carroll and instantly think of Llorente. He's always had those assets, it's the just the calibre of player around him which has improved over the years, finally allowing him to come out and express himself.

Also, we could easily squeeze 6 years out of him even though he's 27 years old because of his assets. Strength, awareness, getting into the right areas, hold-up play, technique.

[McDermotX]

He looked nailed on for Real there a year or so ago in the Spanish media, but it never happened.............will surely be moving on in the summer.

Makes Torres look like ****e, although he does a good job of doing that himself.

[badpiggy]

Only saw the second half of the match but ****in hell I haven't enjoyed 45 mins of football so much in ages (leaving out Istanbul and other CL games under Rafa)... Totally felt like a kid watching European football in the 80s - loads of excitement, class goals, otherworldly really loud chanting from the fans, dodgy patchy-looking pitch, 2 very unslick but passionate coaches - deadly! That guy Bielsa is going to spontaneously combust at some stage.

Llorente

Muniain

[Reece]

I know Bielsa hasn't really won anything, but if Kenny were to move on, I think I'd get him in because it would make football so much fun again

[Shaggy]

Yeah man. It would be a slightly wild appointment but a part of me would love it ....to hell with everything else, let's go mental

[Reece]

And you'd imagine those Bilbao players love playing for him, so it would increase our chances of the likes of Martinez, Muniain etc joining


Wouldn't surprise me if Madrid were to go for him in the summer if Cuntychops does indeed leave.

[Phoenix07]

Bielsa's been widely tipped as the next Barcelona manager when Pep Guardiola decides to leave.

Similar philosophy, one of Pep's role models, understands how to play the Barcelona way and use youth players.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Bielsa's been widely tipped as the next Barcelona manager when Pep Guardiola decides to leave.

Similar philosophy, one of Pep's role models, understands how to play the Barcelona way and use youth players.

So what you're saying is.. We need to strike now!?

[Phoenix07]

So what you're saying is.. We need to strike now!?

And get some petrol whilst we're at it.

I think Bilbao are more focused on the Europa League than La Liga this year, but the benefit for them is that they have an excellent spine, but they need squad depth since they've been unable to rotate effectively this season.

[baitman]

maybe another bilbao master class in how to take the game to the opponents tonight

the price of their star players is shooting up on a weekly basis, and maybe out of our modest budget.

[Shanks]

I know Bielsa hasn't really won anything, but if Kenny were to move on, I think I'd get him in because it would make football so much fun again

There's a reason why they are 11th in La Liga..

We'd need a squad overhaul if Bielsa came in.
Add to the fact he doesn't speak English. I'm not sure he'd get the time to stamp his mark.


Carroll would do well under his tactics.

[Phoenix07]

On top of my Pep crush, I'm developing a little tingle for Bielsa.

They lack strength in depth which is why they're 11th. They've prioritised and it's come at a cost, but their style of play and progression is what makes them attractive before anyone else says there are similarities to us.

[Phoenix07]

Raul's just scored for Schalke.

Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Schalke.

Javi Martinez booked and misses the first leg of the next round.

[danperkins]

Raul is such a great finisher