Sheik Up

[El Jefecito]

Yep I have seen him play a few times on tv and don't get me wrong he is an outstanding player going forward and decent at defending but IMO Finnan is a better 'defender'.

As I said though IMO if we had Alves, Rafa would use him as a winger with maybe him and SF over lapping each other. Don't forget also that SF is one of the best crossers of the ball in our squad

Alves looks like the perfect wing-back though, so I wouldn't be suprised if Finnans role tapered off. Don't forget Rafa has tried to offload him a couple of times as well.

Anyways, I guess it's academic seeing as how Alves is signing a new contract.

AND I'm more than happy w/Stevie in that case

[IrishPaul]

Alves looks like the perfect wing-back though, so I wouldn't be suprised if Finnans role tapered off. Don't forget Rafa has tried to offload him a couple of times as well.

When??? I must have missed that

The only thing Stevie F has against him is age (he's 30 now I think)


And I agree Alves is a brilliant wing back

[El Jefecito]

When??? I must have missed that

The only thing Stevie F has against him is age (he's 30 now I think)


And I agree Alves is a brilliant wing back

When Rafa first arrived he was definitely trying to unload him. I don't remember the details but I'm sure someone on here does.

[IrishPaul]

When Rafa first arrived he was definitely trying to unload him. I don't remember the details but I'm sure someone on here does.

Aah I see what you mean now but my recollection of it is that Stevie F showed Rafa what a quality player he is and changed the managers mind.

That doesn't make it a 'couple of times' though does it

[El Jefecito]

Aah I see what you mean now but my recollection of it is that Stevie F showed Rafa what a quality player he is and changed the managers mind.

That doesn't make it a 'couple of times' though does it

Yeah I may have stretched that a bit. And you are right he has convinced all of us of his quality. I've no complaints about him at all.

[IrishPaul]

Yeah I may have stretched that a bit. And you are right he has convinced all of us of his quality. I've no complaints about him at all.

[kopdan]

So we covered the usual angle "Who are going to buy?"

But I was thinking about who is this the end of? What players will be out? What players will be relegated to bit-part players?

Here's what I reckon:

Finnan
He just doesn't have the attacking flair for a rafa team. Bye Bye.
I saw a good attacking performance from Steve yesterday. Its just Dirk keeps heading wide

Crouch
He's a great mismatch but Kuyt looks like he can hold it up. And finish! Bit part player.
Was scoring for fun and was unlucky to be dropped. Crouch is great and will only get better. Why sell him?

Sami
Already getting less and less games. Unless we start playing a lot of 352 he'll become a bit part player.
I agree. But its clear Agger is the future now

Kewell
I debated this as there are so few good wingers out there. Bye Bye.
injury free, great. If not, for his sake, he needs support. Can we afford to keep him?

Realistic?

I would add Pennant to bit part if Rafa is allowed to spend.