Do you think LFC would be top of the league without Sammy Lee?

[slimbimjim]

I wish he was fluent in football!

Fluent in Pie.

[Van Halen]

To be fair Capello did that when he took over as England manager despite his good english. It is as far as I'm concerned a sensible thing to do early on to prevent misinterpretation (obviously the combination of individual confidence in your linguistic ability and the profile of your role will affect how willing you are to talk without one).

It does seem reasonable to believe that even if he has strong English he may well not be fluent and may still find aspects of everyday language, the pace of talking eyc difficult to deal with. I know plenty of people in the academic profession that I work in suffer from these problems initially. There is a danger that people think just because someone can speak English to decent level that they will have no problems. Equally I remember the rumours from both side re: Sissoko's level of English. Sometimes you just have to accept that we really don't know enough to judge and wait and see how things turn out.

I agree DWW, I hope Dossena shows his worth when we need him, hopefully in the Champions League Final!

[Jayesh87]

No, I think Chelsea would be on goal difference

[dww]

On a general note I was thinking about how this season there have been significant changes of character in all of the top four. Arsenal lost Flamini which last season gave their team a less frenzied attacking look, Chelsea have a new manager with a fresh approach, we have Sammy Lee and a squad Rafa finally seems happy with and United don't have Queiroz.

It is interesting that we have adopted a more attacking mentality, especially with substitutions this year and are turning wins into draws. How much this is Sammy's influence and how much the addition of Riera and Keane is difficult to tell. However at United the loss of Queiroz as assistant has had a seemingly huge tactical effect Fergie now seems to line his team up on the old assumption that any two CMs will do and he will gamble on the fact that his team is better than anyone elses - no holding midfielder and less of a rigid midfield/defensive shape. So far it hasn't been as effective.

I think it does show that assistants can have a significant effect on a team.

[Snigger]

The form of Colonel Kuyt has had a big say in our season so far.

[Van Halen]

The form of Colonel Kuyt has had a big say in our season so far.

Kuyt has surprised a lot of fans, unfortunately when his father passed away he was naturally not himself. He seems much happier about things, seems to have improved on his control and finishing.

[pondus]

On a general note I was thinking about how this season there have been significant changes of character in all of the top four. Arsenal lost Flamini which last season gave their team a less frenzied attacking look, Chelsea have a new manager with a fresh approach, we have Sammy Lee and a squad Rafa finally seems happy with and United don't have Queiroz.

It is interesting that we have adopted a more attacking mentality, especially with substitutions this year and are turning wins into draws. How much this is Sammy's influence and how much the addition of Riera and Keane is difficult to tell. However at United the loss of Queiroz as assistant has had a seemingly huge tactical effect Fergie now seems to line his team up on the old assumption that any two CMs will do and he will gamble on the fact that his team is better than anyone elses - no holding midfielder and less of a rigid midfield/defensive shape. So far it hasn't been as effective.

I think it does show that assistants can have a significant effect on a team.

Yes, our subs have been ****e this year