Anyone remember Pennant

[captainfog]

5 man midfield means no Kirk or Crouch

so?

Neither are good enough to warrent building a team around them

[dww]

Sorry 2 - but Pennant is not good enough yet.

Pennant is a really interesting case. If he keeps improving then we will be fine but the things he needs to improve - decision making, composure and goal scoring - are all hard to teach and learn. I would really like him to do well but I think that both flanks need strengthening in our squad if we are to challenge next season.

[nebbers]

But we cant have everyone!! Xabi and Masch will play the important games in the middle. Stevie has to play and I think Rafa wants 2 up front. That only leaves room for a lefty with Pennant and Kewell as options. That is balance, not doing a Chelski and signing everyone!!

Utd this year!

[est1980]

I'm mainly worried that Masch wouldnt get games and might end up leaving. I think that 2 DM is the right way to go in most matches with the front 4 being allowed to express themselves. I think we have 3 of those 4 already

[Snigger]

5 man midfield means no Kirk or Crouch

I get the feeling you have a problem comprehending what rotation and formation changes mean. Would you prefer we had a squad of 15 players?

[est1980]

not at all. But rotation in a successful club does not involve world class internationals sitting on the bench regularly. They quickly become unhappy and leave.

[Jack D Rips]

??????????

Pennant was gash in the final mate

Pennant was probably our best player in the final. i you cant see that then you are blinkered. Having said that it didnt take much to be our best.

Regarding Morrissey and the Smiths

[Snigger]

not at all. But rotation in a successful club does not involve world class internationals sitting on the bench regularly. They quickly become unhappy and leave.

So how do Manu, Chelsea, Barca, Madrid, Juve, Inter etc... manage it? It's the modern game, very few players play every game of a season.

Barca currently have Messi, Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Henry, Kaka, Xavi, Deco, Iniesta, Gudjonson, Giuly, Bojan, Crosas, Dos Santos, Toure, Edmilson in midfield and attack next season - do you think they will all play every game?

or should we not try and compete with teams like that? and how many world class players do you think we have?

[captainfog]

So how do Manu, Chelsea, Barca, Madrid, Juve, Inter etc... manage it? It's the modern game, very few players play every game of a season.

Barca currently have Messi, Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Henry, Kaka, Xavi, Deco, Iniesta, Gudjonson, Giuly, Bojan, Crosas, Dos Santos, Toure, Edmilson in midfield and attack next season - do you think they will all play every game?

yes, they will experiment with a new formation that has 20 players on the pitch at any one time

[Alpha]

So how do Manu, Chelsea, Barca, Madrid, Juve, Inter etc... manage it? It's the modern game, very few players play every game of a season.

Barca currently have Messi, Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Henry, Kaka, Xavi, Deco, Iniesta, Gudjonson, Giuly, Bojan, Crosas, Dos Santos, Toure, Edmilson in midfield and attack next season - do you think they will all play every game?

or should we not try and compete with teams like that? and how many world class players do you think we have?

[Maestro]

Ok 2 wingers mean that perminantly we will have two of 4 sitting out

Stevie
Xabi
Masch
Momo

They arent going to be happy are they

Look at it another way - this is a test of Rafa's man-management skills. Ferguson has proved to be a master at this....you only have to look at the fact that that Ole Gunnar bloke is still at United after 93 years as a substitute.

[Snigger]

[tomasjj]

He likes to keep us on our toes... ready and idle.

[est1980]

well in my opinion, an its there to be shiot at, we will sign 1 first choice left winger and 1 yossiu type player for all back up. We will not sign 2 first choice wingers for large money, NO WAY

[rage]

Everyone is getting a bit too carried away with this winger(s) thing. We IMO will sign a high profile left winger and then a versatile, cheap midfielder (Yossi) to fit in when needed. Stevie and Pennant have the right covered between them. You have to remember Stevie wont play much is the Centre due to Masch, Xabi, Momo so he will be on the right a fair amount.

Plus can everyone not remember Pennant being about our best player in the CL final?

Pennant was NOT our best playere in the champions league final. Go and wantch the game again, when it came to it he bottled it, he should have easily played Gerrard in and consistantly cut inside too much. He his a good player to have in a squad but that is all.