We need a midfielder who knows when to go on a run or when to hold, a player who always wants the ball even when the team is struggling and hates giving up possession. we also need a player who is a bastard to play against because they have a presence on the pitch.

All of our midfielders have some of these qualities but none of them are outstanding. If you look at the top 4 of recent years, Viera, Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes cunts the lot of ‘em but top quality midfielders.

These types of players don’t come along all the time. Maybe we have one in the squad already?

just makes me thankful that we’ve got ‘Arry for now - building something along the lines of stability at our club. Even if he may not stay for that long, it’s clear even now that he’ll leave a legacy and pass on as much experience to young ‘uns like Sherwood, Sir Les (poss Teddy) etc as he can..

on the subject of a DM - it’s a red herring! Every player has a defensive responsibility beginning with the front men to close down space and prevent an attack build up when we don’t have the ball. Since Makelele, it seems we all talk about an out-n-out defensive midfielder, but this surely would do Make a dis-service as well. Zokora is not a bad player. He has proved he can do a job across the defence and has strong close control and isn’t afraid to snap into a tackle. He’s not a long-range passer like Hudd but he has quick acceleration (like vs Arse) and is a skillful intelligent player. Don’t forget, we are in 4 competitions and have a small squad. Zokora must be a key man along the way for us. Also - he’s been a major, valued part of ‘Les Elephants’ for years now which aint nothing to be sniffed at.

now, where is that Bagel at these days? any updates anyone? I looked at that Harry Hotspur - not much cop

A few weeks back Levy was quite clear that there wasn’t going to be loads of money for shopping in January. I’m sure he was playing down any transfer speculation to avoid us getting shafted but I can’t see us doing too much business.

LWY, I hear you about a defensive mid but only if it was a top draw player. Diarra by all acounts would fit the bill. No point signing an average player as we have a few of those already. If the right player came up at centre back then we should get in there as soon as possible. How long can Ledley continue? Upson might be available as West Ham might be forced to sell. We certainly do need another striker as Fraser will be off at the end of the season and that leaves us with only 2. I’m not sure about left wing? Bentley, Lennon, Dos Santos (when fit again) can all do a job. Although, could Arshavin still be on the cards? Doubt it. Howabout Krancjar from Pompey. Does he play wide left?

We still have KPB, Taarabt, Ghaly, Bostock, who might get a look at some point.

I reckon there are more than 3 teams in the league that are worse than us but all of those bastard teams keep on picking up points. We need some daylight between us and them otherwise it will be a scary new year.

I’m not looking forward to Monday nights game. For those pikeys it’s their cup final and they always up their game. We need ‘Arry to be at his sweet talking best to get our boys up and fighting for that one. Hudd has to come in for Zok. If Modric is fit play him behind Pav. I’d be tempted to bring in Bentley as he must be raring to go and leave out O’Hara bit with Jamie in the side we get to play Lennon on the right and he is on fire at the moment. So, start with O’Hara with a view to Bentley coming on if needed.

Where should we strengthen in the January sales?

He’s much maligned too, but our midfield is so much improved when Jenas plays. JJ, Hudd & Modric should all start when fit, with Pav or Bent the lone striker (I don’t think our squad is equipped to play 4-4-2).
Bentley is a big concern for me - £17m?? You’ve got to be kidding. Lucky for us that Azza is in form.

The other concern is Bale’s form, but I wont dwell on it because he’s 19 and is really still learning his trade.

Will be great when GdS is fit again - I would love to see a midfield of dos Santos, Jenas, Hudd & Lennon with Modric playing in the hole.

As far as the league goes, (which ‘Arry quite rightly is prioritising) I think there are definitely 3 worse teams than us, so I don’t think we’ll be going down. Blackburn, West Brom and Sunderland all look poor, and Newcastle will always be in the mix for going down. We will do just enough to stay up and if we can win the CC I don’t care where we finish in the league as long as it’s 17th & above.

I’ll settle for Derby in the Semis and then humiliate the Mancs (or is it Yanks) at Wembley.

On the game last night Zokora was poor. My heart sank when the team sheet had him paired with Jenas. The 2 don’t deem to work well together. Maybe Hudd was getting a rest but for all Zokora’s industry he really had a poor game. Back 4 looked OK although Dawson seems to be still struggling a little. Pav is looking like a quality player. He has his own languid style but he seems to me as a player who “sees” the game. As the pundits might say, “he has a picture in his head”. Who needs pace when you can anticipate the play. Good old Bent. Whenever he gets the ball in the box on the angle I he nearly always gets a shot on target. A slight fluff last night but who cares.

The draw is at 12 noon on saturday. Sky Sports News i think.

Are we about to be distracted from the more important relegation scrap?

COYS

Excellent site you have here by the way, would you be able to drop me an email when you get the chance?

Thanks

Thomas