Football Focus

[Keef]

Surely Carragher is one of your most consistent and valuable players? Is Skrtel going to be good enough quick enough after his injury? I'm still undecided about Babel and Agger too.

Think I'm with you on this one SP. Babel looks a good player, but not sure he's world class. I like Agger though.

[Sandperson]

Simon Grayson for Dirty Leeds, eh?

How do we think he'll do?

[SimonM]

Grayson? 6-12 months, unless Leeds are rid of Bates

[david_carnell]

I'm happy. Very happy in fact. For once Bates doesn't seem to have appointed someone with nostalgia (either Chelsea or Leeds based) in mind. I was sad to see Mac go and wonder whether a couple of good signings in Jan would have solved things.

BUT, Grayson is in and he's got an impressive record with Blackpool on miniscule resources. If we get promoted he'll keep the job - it's that simple. If we don't, he won't. And Bates will sell up.

Championship look out. The mighty, mighty Whites are on the move (up, before some scally gets in a cheap joke).

Marching On Together!

[SimonM]

I wonder what "resources" are in fact available to Grayson in January? Which areas of the team need strengthening as a priority?

No cheap jokes from me on this occasion you will notice - partly because of seasonal good will, partly because my lot's season is now in something of a wobbly phase (1 point from 12 in the last 4 home games!) .....and away to Wolves on Boxing Day does not fill me with good cheer...

[ruffers]

Wa-hey! Resources available in January.

As a City fan at the start of the season I thought, if we did well, we could be looking at top top players. Kaka? Messi?

As a City fan at the end of October I thought we could be looking at OK upper mid Premiership players. Santa Cruz? Owen?

As a City fan approaching the transfer window I'm dreaming of West Ham's Centre Half. Upson?

It's a laugh innit....

[????]

I'm dreaming of 17th..:-$

[mark_bowen]

Morning all,

Once again I have some spare tickets for the Arsenal. It's the game against Pompey on the 28th and I've got 3 available. Drop me a PM, or better still give me a call on 07979 6948949 if you're interested. ?45 a pop.

Merry Christams all....

[Sandperson]

I'd just like to wish you all, except the Scousers and the Dirty Leeds ;-), a Happy Christmas and New Year.

[Keef]

And a merry crimbo to you SP... despite your club being scummers!

Intersting facts ahead of Liverpool Vs Bolton, not that history counts for a lot.

Liverpool are chasing a fifth successive Premier League victory over Bolton to ensure they will complete the first half of this Premier League campaign at the top of the table.

The Merseysiders celebrated Christmas at the top of the tree for the first time in 12 years and a record equalling 16th time all told. Liverpool have gone on to win the title on 10 of the 15 occasions they previously were on pole position on 25 December, but the most recent of these was the 1987-88 season.

Should they avoid defeat here, Rafa Benitez' club will have gone through the calendar year with an unbeaten home league record.

[SimonM]

Right so that's a Bolton win for sure then? ♠:))

[Keef]

More than likely!

[Annasfield]

Bah Humbug.

[david_carnell]

SimonM Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I wonder what "resources" are in fact available to

> Grayson in January? Which areas of the team need

> strengthening as a priority?

>

> No cheap jokes from me on this occasion you will

> notice - partly because of seasonal good will,

> partly because my lot's season is now in something

> of a wobbly phase (1 point from 12 in the last 4

> home games!) .....and away to Wolves on Boxing Day

> does not fill me with good cheer...

Well in the spirit of the season, no jokes from me either!

As for resources (i.e. cash) I reckon Bates will give him between ?500k and a ?1m to spend on new players with the possibility of one or two leaving. Beckford has attracted interest from Championship clubs and Delph has caught the eye of a couple of Premiership outfits. We'll do well to hold onto both of them but I hoping we do.

As for what area of the team needs strengthening? Pick a number between 1 and 11 and we could do better. Even the two listed above have too many off days or are injury prone. But essential is either someone to teach our defence how to defend set-pieces or to buy some defenders who already know. Considering Marques and Michalik are internationals it beggars belief sometimes. Some pace down the flanks wouldn't go amiss and if Messi fancies a brief soujourn in West Yorkshire he's more than welcome.

[SimonM]

Even if it's ?1 million it's not a lot is it, evem for Division 1? So he'll be looking at loans I guess?

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

Did West Ham really just thump Pompey 4-1 nice present for Christmas

[Annasfield]

Liverpool, top of the league, Liverpool, Liverpool, top of the league!!

I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas, except for Sandperson. ;-)

[????]

Where's that Ratty? :))

[ratty]

Pompey are in sh1t street. You should read some of the pompey forums. Fans are very angry! Oh well, Arsenal next. Fook!

Looks like Defoe and Campbell will be hounded out the club.

[Ladygooner]

Taking my Dad to the Emirates today - we never lose when he is in the stadium!

[ratty]

Well you aint going to lose today m'lady!

Enjoy the game!

[Keef]

And that will do very nicely.

[????]

Top 10!!!!!!

[Annasfield]

Am absolutely chuffed to bits. What a fantastic start to the New Year.

Next up Stoke!

[Sandperson]

It's not the New Year yet. Don't get too previous.