ArteSuave

What did Barton say anyway? "I'm a word removed" -- Joey Barton

This a hint... That last bit better not be a hint.

Yeah a free role like that would be good for Luiz but I don't think he's up to having that kind of defensive responsibility atm. Maybe though.

TV deals happened. Millions of people don't want to watch Chris Morgan's disfigured face headbutt someone's shoe off, they want to see David Luiz try and skin 3 people when he's last man. I certainly do anyway. I bet you he ends up as a midfielder. He may well do but it'll be less entertaining if he does. I'd like to see more attacking CB playmakers but if they're ever going to catch on then they probably should have a bit more positional sense than DL does.

Also Cazorla, AOC and Wilshere. Dang.

TV deals happened. Millions of people don't want to watch Chris Morgan's disfigured face headbutt someone's shoe off, they want to see David Luiz try and skin 3 people when he's last man. I certainly do anyway.

He can defend in a well organised system (ie. not Fat Phil's attempt at a team) but he's obviously primarily an attacking full back. Luis is better at defending but defending is boring. Ashley Coles opinion (not that it particularly strengthens my argument): Sorry for OT, this is about another good footballer who couldn't mark a bingo card and has invented the non defending CB role for our entertainment.

Ashley Cole has been deemed surplus to requirements at club and international level. He isn't the best left back in the world. Seriously. Also, I can't even remember the last time Lahm played LB. 3 years ago maybe? Either way if we're counting players who used to play LB but haven't for years and are now better players in other positions then Bale would be my pick. If we're only picking players who've played LB in the last 1000 days then Marcelo.

gold to porno thing?

God bless them.

T. Silva and Marcelo would be in the XI, Neymar would get close. Marcelo would be ahead of Roberto Carlos? Sorry I thought the idea was that they'd get in the current world XI. Carlos > Marcelo

What, not ever? Have any of our players scored higher than a 5/10 in the last year?

T. Silva and Marcelo would be in the XI, Neymar would get close.

Hand on heart you genuinely believe Vlaar is average (poor in your words) at best and by extension (seeing as that was him at his best) was poor last night?

I only wanted some clarity as to what exactly average was referring to. It seems it was poor. I have my answer. Thank you. Edit - I don't recall stating that he was "the best" either, unless you're just referring to that game. There are positions between average (poor) at best and "the best" IMO.

Not sure if you respect Van Gaal's opinion but I just read that he rated him as the best player on the pitch. In a world cup semi final. Oh, and think about who else was on the pitch. Not much if he comes out with rubbish like that. https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/486997381683376128 The stats seems to correlate with the successful manager's opinion: Ron Vlaar By Numbers: 100% tackles won 100% aerial duels 11 clearances 6 interceptions 92% pass accuracy #Roncrete Average AT BEST though, yeah? Edit - I know his stats are warped by playing against jokers like Messi, Aguero, Lavezzi and Higuain but even if he was playing against someone half decent he'd have done better than AVERAGE IMHO.

Average of what though?

Average out of what? TRS called it - Perfect signature.

Transfermarkt used to have all the stats like that if you google "Vlaar Transfermarkt Penalty" but since their facelift they all seem to 404.

A very good GK is an interesting one. I thought they already had one.

Sanchez and Debuchy (and possibly Balotelli) look likely. Anyone else?

"When he fancied it he was superb. When he didn't we might as well have been playing with 10 men." That quote is Bendtner all over. We're bad enough without having to risk our ST becoming a passenger mid game every week.

It seems like we're raking it in until you compare it to Citeh's £40m "sponsorship". Edit - Your table has City at £20m, and that table seems more reliable than my memory.

Dafabet pay £5m a year IIRC. Genting was nearly double that I think.

Shroud of Mystery, Blighted Future.