He's quite clearly a confidence player. When he started the season well at West Ham, he continued his form pretty much all season, and he was the centre of their attack. He's physical, and for a side like Hull, you know you can play direct upto him and there's a fair chance it'll stick so he'd go pretty well. If they got some legs off him, like Campbell, you'd have to think it could be a decent partnership.

At the right price, he'd be an excellent signing for Hull. He never got a chance at Villa but at West Ham, he proved himself at this level, he's decent, just capabale of the odd blooper.

[urlhttp://msn.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_5378522,00.html[/url

Riots come to mind.

I know del Bosque was in charge back then, but this is a side already known for their big ego's in the dressing room, and now they've added Kaka and Ronaldo, with more signings imminent.

I just think a coach like Hiddink, or a Capello, can build the foundations for Madrid, Capello done it in his last time at the club and made it a lot easier for the disastrous Schuster. I just think somebody like Pellegrini may struggle to gain the respect of all of the dressing room, we all know how influential Raul is at the club, and with even more ego's coming in, I feel they may struggle.

If Pellegrini fails, and I were Real, I'd be doing my best to get either Hiddink or Mourinho in charge for the next year.

Words fail me. Silly season is well underway.

Ferguson should be making moves towards Torres. He should be suggesting massive bids and massive wages to possibly get him, bit more likely to force Liverpool to pay him more.

And Chelsea and Man City should be throwing bids in as well just to make it a bit more interesting.

Torres has recently signed a new £110,000 a week deal, so he won't be getting more money or moving to a new club anytime soon.

Now Ronaldo has gone, the two best players in the Premier League both play for Liverpool.

as i pointed out a few days ago -

he hasn't signed it, agreed it yes, signed it no.

big difference, Sparky left United in similar circumstances.

'Torres follows Benítez, Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger in agreeing new contracts at Liverpool over the past two months, although several of the deals are as yet unsigned, including those of Torres and Gerrard. The agreement, however, emphatically confirms Torres' commitment to Liverpool and ensures Benítez has long-term assurances over his major assets and the spine of the team.'


from [url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/may/28/fernando-torres-liverpool-rafael-benitezhere[/url (not the sun)

apologies if it has been signed since then, but i can't see any reports that suggest it has -

Got a feeling this is going to be a really bad close season for us mate.

[url=http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=sir-alex-ferguson-to-snap-up-david-silva%26method=full%26objectid=21439392%26siteid=93463-name_page.htmlWasn't Rafa interested in him?[/url

Us and Madrid.

Pretty sure you were after him last summer as well.


As for our summer, I have bad feelings too, I don't think any top players will leave, maybe Xabi if something irresistable is offered, but I'm more worried about who's coming in. Seems that with the early spending, everything will be inflated, I hope we act quick and tie our deals up early, but for some reason I can see things dragging on and us having a fairly average summer.


Just a quick one for the City fans on here; what's happened to Michael Johnson? Will he be playing next year? I mean, I look at your midfield players and struggle to see where he'd start, I can't remember seeing him this season, either.

Don't remember that.


Liverpool went so close last year and look like keeping hold of their most important players.
I really don't think Ancelotti will have the same effect on Chelsea as Hiddink and United have lost arguably their best player.
Think there's a fair bit of false modesty coming out from Liverpool fans.


Wasn't Martin O'Neill after him at one point last year?
I remember seeing a photo of him in the paper and he'd ballooned out!
Shame cos the lad's a great talent.

Masha unhappy well his bird is anyway not good I don't know even who we could bring in with what magic beans we have without selling someone defo need a class goalscorer and a winger.

I read that, I didn't really take any notice of it, Masch has said he's happy and so's Rafa, surely Masch would have told Rafa he'd like to leave due to family problems?

I'm never sure whether to believe them things, I remember last year they were saying Arbeloa just couldn't settle in England and was signing for Atletico, but nothing came of it and it was all denied.

As for United and Silva, I read it [url=http://www.guillembalague.com/rumores_desp.php?id=51here[/url, and I'm sure it was in a few of the rags as well.

As for next season, Chelsea look likely to splash a bit of money this summer, apparent bids for Kaka, Zhirkov and Villa show their intent, Ancelotti might not have the same effect as Hiddink, but if they invest even more, it's hard to believe they'll be worse. United have lost Ronaldo, but you're close to signing Valencia, and other names have been touted, you'll probably be weaker, but not by much.

I just think we needed to invest big this summer, a top creative player was needed, David Silva was my personal choice but it looks unlikely with all of the apparent interest from other teams. It looks likely if we're to compete for any top players, that we'll have to sell a top player like Alonso to raise the funds, I don't think there are many better than Alonso at doing what he does, especially available players, if we lose him, it's hard to believe we'll be better next year.

Hopefully [url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164742090614-1327.htmthis[/url clears things up with regards to Alonso and Mascherano.

We can't afford to lose either.

No football club has ever come out with a statement like that and ever sold a player, so I think everything is totally cleared up.

Hence the reason I said 'hopefully'.

Still holds the 400m world record, and is an outspoken athletics commentator for the BBC at major championships. Didn't know he was a Citeh fan.

Watching the confederations cup on the Beeb via the red button, I hope they are going to ban those fecking horns for the World Cup.

Not sure on his future at City, but he was injured for the majority of last season.

How's the game so far?
I'll be able to watch all the Spain games, but that's it.

I gave up on it about a minute after my post, not much happening really.

real madrid should have gone to primark a big girls blouse is only £4 there.

i assume everyone got this txt? either way its funny

My initial thoughts from the 20 minutes or so I watched...

The pitch looks crap, the only atmosphere is the sound of thousands of people blowing airhorns, even though the stadium itself is pretty full.