Wigan

[Craig_H]

I'd take Arbeloa because I actually think he gave quite a bit going forward

Not as much as Johnson but not as little as some are suggesting

As i've said, i'd have kept Arbeloa AND signed Johnson.

[Craig_H]

As regards Johnson/Arbeloa etc i'm of the impression that a defender must be able to defend first and foremost, everything else is a bonus. Johnson struggles in that aspect and has done throughout his career. In saying that i hope he improves as we have spent a ridiculous amount of money on this guy and apart from his first 7 games in which he was superb he has been a pretty dodgy signing thus far IMO.

Thats my philosophy as well

Well Lec, that's killed your argument

[Lecter]

As i've said, i'd have kept Arbeloa AND signed Johnson.

I'd have kept Arbeloa and brought through Kelly

Spent the Johnson money elsewhere

That said Arbeloa wanted to return home and only had 12 months left on his contract...

[Lecter]

Well Lec, that's killed your argument

Yep agreeing with either you or DP does tend to weaken a position during an argument

[danperkins]

Carra at right back then?

I'd be happy with Carra or Kelly there. Wonder would it be worth looking into a RB in January after other areas are prioritized? Although we prob don't have funds for that

[danperkins]

Well Lec, that's killed your argument

Seems your rep isn't exactly flying high either craigy, lucky you've been on here for awhile or you could be battling relegation too like me

[Craig_H]

Seems your rep isn't exactly flying high either craigy

Not that i really give a **** about a 'rep', i'd bet everything i own that my so-called 'rep' on here would probably **** on yours from a great height. And then take a piss on it too, to soften the blow. Followed by a peaceful offering of some stickle bricks for your troubles.

[elrichio86]

I'd have kept Arbeloa and brought through Kelly

Spent the Johnson money elsewhere

That said Arbeloa wanted to return home and only had 12 months left on his contract...

Aren't Arbeloa and Kelly too similar in style though? i.e. they're both defensive full backs

You're lacking an attacking option for those teams who park the bus.

Obviously this assumes you'd keep Kelly at fullback in the long term, rather than moving to the centre.

[Muddled]

Is Johnson even in contention for a game this week, or is he still on the road back from injury?

Whilst it's been quite an entertaining thread to read with my lunchtime sarnies, I did question why a thread about 'Wigan' was already at three pages.

Anyhoo, same team as Chelsea for me.

Kelly deserves to retain his place, Carragher is better at Centre Back and Deadly Dirka Dirka linked up well with Torres, as did Lucas with Gerrard. Meirelesish (as per *every* commentator), should maybe continue his transformation into a right midfielder, with width provided by Kelly and support from Kuyt, with my only concern about Roy's away form - and whilst we were lucky against Bolton, Wigan away always seems to throw a spanner in the works.

[Lecter]

Aren't Arbeloa and Kelly too similar in style though? i.e. they're both defensive full backs

You're lacking an attacking option for those teams who park the bus.

Obviously this assumes you'd keep Kelly at fullback in the long term, rather than moving to the centre.

I'd have used the Johnson money to maybe buy an attacking player rather than an attacking fullback

Oh and for the record I think Kelly's long term future will be at rightback

Hes so like Babbel to me and although Babbel was a very good centrehalf he was an absolutely world class rightback

[RichC]

Back to the thread!

I fancy us to continue the good run we've been on as of late and win by a couple - although Nando still not looking back to his best he's not a million miles off and I think having a mid-week game might help us continue the momentum from beating the rent boys on Sunday.

(openly backing Roys side probably means the kiss of death and a 7-0 whalloping at the hands of the mighty wigan!!)

[RichC]

Same team for me as well, would be crazy to change things at the moment.

We've actually got some momentum going for us (best run of results since the run of Aug to end of Sept 09 when we managed 6 wins in a row!)

[Craig_H]

If we adopt the same mentality as we had in the first half against chelsea and for the first 60 mins against blackburn, we'll win.

But we all know Roy's problems with away games.

[Muddled]

Same team for me as well, would be crazy to change things at the moment.

We've actually got some momentum going for us (best run of results since the run of Aug to end of Sept 09 when we managed 6 wins in a row!)

I think it would send out the right signals if Kelly was to keep his place too.

You are rewarded with keeping your spot if you get a chance and you take it.

[RichC]

I think it would send out the right signals if Kelly was to keep his place too.

You are rewarded with keeping your spot if you get a chance and you take it.

Big time - Kelly had a decent game for his first ever PL game, should certainly keep his position for the Wigan game.