Why can't we defend our trophies!!!

[desertscouser]

DS - if Rafa refuses to get rid of Bellamy, Fowler and Crouch at the end of teh season, what would you opinion be then - just as a matter of interest?

Thing is I'd like to think Bellamy will come good and stay for more than just one season. I know you disagree...

Fowler..unfortunately a no brainer. He's one of my all time favourites but he's a shadow of his former self and there's no doubt in my mind that Rafa won't be offering him a new contract. If he did then I would question his sanity.

Crouch is a tricky one. He's done a job for us but it's painfully obvious that he's not the level of player we need. If someone came in with a 12 million pound bid and Rafa rejected then it would be even more insane than offering Fowler another contract. But I also think it would be foolish to let him go on the cheap. The summer should be interesting...

[Kopite_Colin]

So assuming Crouch & Fowler leave - and Bellamy stays - who would be ytour preference for the 2 incoming strikers? And who would be your first choice pairing?

[Red Chilli]

Thing is I'd like to think Bellamy will come good and stay for more than just one season. I know you disagree...

Fowler..unfortunately a no brainer. He's one of my all time favourites but he's a shadow of his former self and there's no doubt in my mind that Rafa won't be offering him a new contract. If he did then I would question his sanity.

Crouch is a tricky one. He's done a job for us but it's painfully obvious that he's not the level of player we need. If someone came in with a 12 million pound bid and Rafa rejected then it would be even more insane than offering Fowler another contract. But I also think it would be foolish to let him go on the cheap. The summer should be interesting...

Fair enough a 12 million pound offer is a good one, but you need a replacement before you let him go especially as we are probably letting Fowler go too.
If it's 12 million and play the season with 2 strikers, I'd question his sanity.

[desertscouser]

Fair enough a 12 million pound offer is a good one, but you need a replacement before you let him go especially as we are probably letting Fowler go too.
If it's 12 million and play the season with 2 strikers, I'd question his sanity.

12 million + 8 million from selling Cisse + x amount from summer kitty.

Rafa could have up to 25 - 30 million to spend on 2 strikers.

[Parm]

12 million + 8 million from selling Cisse + x amount from summer kitty.

Rafa could have up to 25 - 30 million to spend on 2 strikers.

who would you go for? for as much as David Villa has been hyped, I can't help but think he'll be a Morientes mark 2.

I'd like us to go for someone like Klose or even Podolski (though not sure how much Bayern would want) if we were to stay English then Bent would do me fine.

[bazza76]

every trophy we've won over the past 16/17 years we just have not been able to successfully defend and retain. We were knocked out by a pathetically poor Benfica side for the Cl last year and an so so Arsenal team last night. It just makes all the effort we out into winning the trophy seem to go to waste. We never seem to have that swagger that says "you want this, over our dead bodis are you gonna get it"

where's the fight gone?

Its hard enough to win them in the first place, In an ideal world I'd love us to retain trophies season after season, but in the face of such stiff competition and change, I wouldnt start complaining about the fact that we havn't defended our trophies.

[desertscouser]

who would you go for? for as much as David Villa has been hyped, I can't help but think he'll be a Morientes mark 2.

I'd like us to go for someone like Klose or even Podolski (though not sure how much Bayern would want) if we were to stay English then Bent would do me fine.

I'm not convinced about Bent but that's probably because I haven't seen him play as often as some seem to have on here.

Podolski and Klose would make it no problems in the premiership as would in my opinion Villa.

[Parm]

might just be me, but I just get the feeling that Villa would struggle in the EPL.
Defo think Klose and Podolski would be better suited, the Germans do tend to travel better than the Spanish players.
Bent would be interesting, seems to have found his touch again and is not looking like a one season wonder.

[Parm]

Its hard enough to win them in the first place, In an ideal world I'd love us to retain trophies season after season, but in the face of such stiff competition and change, I wouldnt start complaining about the fact that we havn't defended our trophies.

not complaining, just seems that we dont have that swagger that say the Chavs/Arsenal.Mancs have when they win a trophey.

[bazza76]

not complaining, just seems that we dont have that swagger that say the Chavs/Arsenal.Mancs have when they win a trophey.

I know mate.
I just think the swagger of a league champion is a bit different to the attitude of a cup winner, as they know they are and are recognised as the best in the country.

[Parm]

I know mate.
I just think the swagger of a league champion is a bit different to the attitude of a cup winner, as they know they are and are recognised as the best in the country.

fair point, but saw something about Arsenal in the cup and how they have been right up there every year since 1998 ish, they usually get to the semis at least every year, also in the league cup their kids seem to be able to swan into the Semi's without much effort (but hopefully not tomorrow)

[bazza76]

fair point, but saw something about Arsenal in the cup and how they have been right up there every year since 1998 ish, they usually get to the semis at least every year, also in the league cup their kids seem to be able to swan into the Semi's without much effort (but hopefully not tomorrow)

Yeah, a tricky one this fixture, especially after the weekend, will Rafa take this cup more seriously now and play the youngsters that he most likely has been telling that they will be getting a game. Im sure Rafa would like atleast one piece of silverware, even if it is the league cup.