Mascherano is a Red and he can play for us!

[Chiccada]

This time last year, we were looking good in the 0Di's, had some good youngsters coming through and Chappell was cutting out the players their on reputation. But since then we've gone from bad to worse. Away from home in 0Di's we've been poor, the Champions trophy was nothing but a disaster and from thinking we'd be the only ones to challenge the Aussies, I think we'll be doing well to get to the Semi's. But you never know, we could be galvanised by it all and stun the world!

As for the India-Pak matches, fcuk me, they maybe the old enemy but they are the best matches, really tense and firey.

[Pacman]

I've just been told Sky Sports have said we will announce him signing tomorrow.

[Jayesh87]

I've just been told Sky Sports have said we will announce him signing tomorrow.

according to the papers....

they were just going through all the paper stories...

[Pacman]

according to the papers....

they were just going through all the paper stories...

Ahh cheers buddy

[Red_Al_77]

It's in the Evening Standard that he has signed and it will be announced tomorrow.

[Bob]

AND THE DEFOE NIBBLE !!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KugSqtQW9E

Look at that ****... He hardly touched him and javier's rolling around... more of this to come i suspect.

Someone better knock that to **** out of them. I've a strong feeling i'll not be able to take to this lad.

[Shaggy]

Talk about giving the lad a chance!

[Bob]

Talk about giving the lad a chance!

**** him... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzXBSvngRR0 I hate **** like this. I've every faith in carra to knock the living **** out of him if he gets up to this.

[Shaggy]

No different to Garcia at West Ham last season.

Obviously I hate it too, but I can't say it's bothering me at the minute as we're on the brink of signing a fixture in one of the world's top international sides.

When was the last time we signed somebody like that?

[Bob]

No different to Garcia at West Ham last season.

Obviously I hate it too, but I can't say it's bothering me at the minute as we're on the brink of signing a fixture in one of the world's top international sides.

When was the last time we signed somebody like that?

He'll not walk into the team... he's not match fit nor premiership proven.

And if he does eventually get into the team (and he has the quality to do that) then it'll be at the expense of Momo/Xabi... with Gerrard being a permanent fixture on the right. This has disharmony written all over it.

[Shaggy]

He'll not walk into the team... he's not match fit nor premiership proven.

And if he does eventually get into the team (and he has the quality to do that) then it'll be at the expense of Momo/Xabi... with Gerrard being a permanent fixture on the right. This has disharmony written all over it.

I disagree, but we'll see eh?

He doesn't have to be arriving at the expense of anybody. If we're gonna be as successful as we want to be, then we'll be playing **** loads of games - more than enough games to accomodate four top notch central midfielders, especially since Gerrard on the right is an option. We could easily have three of the four in the side together, and also the 4-2-3-1 that Rafa likes would become a much more real possibility for us.

I think it's a great signing.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Don't get me wrong I think he's a good player.

But some of the hype on this thread about him is more than just a bit ridiculous. He's unproven in our league for starters. Just because he's good for Argentina doesn't automatically mean he'll be right for us.

And he's got three quality players ahead of him in his position if he joins. If signing him means that Stevie G plays wide right, or god forbid wide left more often then I'd rather he stayed where he is.

It begs the question; should we have a international class player as our 4th choice midfielder?, look what it's done for Chelsea. Surely we'd be better off with a savvy veteran like Hamann or a talented youngster.

[Bob]

I disagree, but we'll see eh?

He doesn't have to be arriving at the expense of anybody. If we're gonna be as successful as we want to be, then we'll be playing **** loads of games - more than enough games to accomodate four top notch central midfielders, especially since Gerrard on the right is an option. We could easily have three of the four in the side together, and also the 4-2-3-1 that Rafa likes would become a much more real possibility for us.

I think it's a great signing.

Only time will tell, but i'm certainly uneasy about it.

A system that worked in Spain, may or may not be suited to the Premiership. And who's to say Rafa reckons that system will work in the prem i.e. wants it.

I also strongly disagree with SG on the right. We've been on the whole a lot more formidable with him providing the driving force in the centre, we know he prefers that position and as far as i'm concerned he should be in there 90% of all games (dependent on opposition).

Baring injuries look at the amount of games Lamps/Fabregas/Scholes get in the squad... all this talk of rest is wwwaaaayyyy over-rated.

[Shaggy]

Don't get me wrong I think he's a good player.

But some of the hype on this thread about him is more than just a bit ridiculous. He's unproven in our league for starters. Just because he's good for Argentina doesn't automatically mean he'll be right for us.

And he's got three quality players ahead of him in his position if he joins. If signing him means that Stevie G plays wide right, or god forbid wide left more often then I'd rather he stayed where he is.

It begs the question; should we have a international class player as our 4th choice midfielder?, look what it's done for Chelsea. Surely we'd be better off with a savvy veteran like Hamann or a talented youngster.

I find it a touch unbelievable that some people are complaining about having an international class midfielder added to the ranks. I don't think the Chelsea situation is remotely relevant either.

Savvy veterans like Hamann aren't ten a penny, and Mascherano IS a talented youngster. 22 is young to me.

Like I said, there'll be no out and out 4th choice, provided JM settles in okay, and it'll give us a scenario in midfield similar to the one we have up front - no clear 2nd or 3rd choice....just a very good set of players to choose from and alternate between.

[Bob]

Don't get me wrong I think he's a good player.

But some of the hype on this thread about him is more than just a bit ridiculous. He's unproven in our league for starters. Just because he's good for Argentina doesn't automatically mean he'll be right for us.

And he's got three quality players ahead of him in his position if he joins. If signing him means that Stevie G plays wide right, or god forbid wide left more often then I'd rather he stayed where he is.

It begs the question; should we have a international class player as our 4th choice midfielder?, look what it's done for Chelsea. Surely we'd be better off with a savvy veteran like Hamann or a talented youngster.

Can not agree more.