Agreed, Berbatov is pure class. Ruiz had his best game of the season i think. He is the leader, the one everyone looks up to. Love the encouragement he gives the younger players.
I've only seen him in two games Bidley, so I'm probably being harsh but his feet seemed to be responding about 10 seconds after his brain and he didn't appear very robust. I think I said at the time that he resembled Etuhu without the stature (or something like that). You're right about him coming in because Diarra was expected to be out for a while but I'm with Bandit in wondering why ? Panic buy ? Still we are going to struggle to put out a midfield against Sunderland so maybe Jol has a crystal ball.
Panic buy, maybe. But so was Diarra last season - essentially a no-lose signing. If he's good (like Diarra), we have managed to pick up a good player for free. If he isn't up to code, then we have lost out on some wages on his short term contract.
Yes but Diarra is an international who has vast experience at world class teams such as Real Madrid, am I right in saying Tavares is a Middlesbrough reject?
Well there's no reason to be too cut up about it, he was brought in as cover on a short term deal, he hasn't played and it doesn't look as if we really need him. It really doesn't matter. Bandy, according to Wikipedia he went there on loan the season before last, not sure that qualifies him as a Boro 'reject'. He's a Senegal international too. What do you mean by struggling to put a midfield out, C58? Who isn't available apart from Lister and Diarra?
I'd forgotten that Baird was suspended, but if he was available I would have kept him in midfield. I just included him as the other option for a new centre back because I know how some people react to the idea of playing the much maligned Senderos. With Baird out, I'd go for Karagounis (how's that Bidley?) rather than Sidwell to partner Diarra, assuming the latter is fit, although Jol may well opt to keep faith with the ginger Iniesta.
Ah I see, that does make things interesting. How on Earth is he suspended and Sidders isn't?! It seems like he gets a yellow every game.
Did anyone see the interview when Wenger was reminded that Berbatov was available for Arsenal to sign. How arrogant was it when he said 'we didn't even know Berbatov was available'...
It's so disrespectful to a club like ours but I think we are just used to it now. I seem to remember a few games last season when Dempsey/Dembele had great game and the interviewer would ask the opposing manager 'That Dempsey/Dembele, he's a good player isn't he?' It's basically touting our players to the other teams. They should have asked Berbatov after the game 'If there were other PL clubs in for you, would you have gone?' I could only imagine him responding in true deadpan fashion with a 'No.'
Aye, it's thoroughly annoying and disrespectful to us when they do that. Like today in The Times. Bloody Tony Cascarino. "Berbatov should be playing for a top 4 team." Well, he isn't, so let's move on, shall we Mr Cascarino?
Sidders was indeed a lucky boy on Saturday. Still good fortune seems to follow him - if you recall, he even had a red card rescinded after tackling the ref : http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=7b9_1348400984 PS Mr Probert is the ref for our game against Sunderland on Sunday.
Well, I suppose he could. In theory I could play for Barcelona. Reality says I never will. Although I do actually agree - he could. He would fit in with their style and he has the touch of genius that Barcelona's players seem to posses.
In my view it was an inane question from the interviewer. What was Venger expected to say ? He paused for quite a while and I think gave a diplomatic reply - I was wishing him to give Roy Keane one ! Anyway do they really think Sir Alex would have sold Berbatov to Venger ? As for all the others, it's "green cheese". There's quite a good article in the Guardian today and I especially liked the last two paragraphs (notwithstanding Jol's consistent "hopefully") : Here is the full article - http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/nov/13/fulham-dimitar-berbatov-style-adventure
Well, probably not, but you are talking about at least two of the best players in the world there, but he could very likely replace Rodriguez or Cuenca, who are the two lesser known forwards, and he would be a decent sub for Sanchez or Villa. Messi is a class apart from anyone.
