Maybe you can make a bid for Andy Carroll when he gets out of jail.

Or Stevie G at Liverpool a few seasons ago, before a number of words were had in his ear.

Thought the court deal was that Carroll stayed at Barton's gaff if guilty or at Nolan's if innocent?

I haven't written anybody off- but after 8 games having seen enough of Manchester United and Arsenal, City and Spurs I am confident in my ability to predict a 4 way race for 3 Champions League spots.

Manchester United lack fire power in the absence of an onform Rooney and the injury proneness of Van Persie and Walcott undermines Arsenal's challenge- the replacements are not good enough. City seem to be improving all the time and I do not think there is a squad in the Premiership with better midfield depth and strength than Spurs at the moment.

Chamakh looks promising, and a Wilshere-Fabregas central midfield would allow players like Nasri to get forward as well.

Tottenham's midfield didn't do so well for them last night, did it?

Tottenham were beaten by the best team in Europe by a goal. Bale scored a hat-trick if memory serves from the midfield. The midfield worked tirelessly with only one forward to bring the game from 4-0 back to 4-3. If you think that's not doing well then I suggest you watch the game again.

Wilshere- Fabregas may make a good midfield in time if Fabregas stays. Chamakh is not of the same class as a Van Persie or a Drogba.

The player at Arsenal who has impressed me this time out is Alex Song- I think he has the potential to be an Essien/Viera type player.

I was winding you up. I agree that Chamakh isn't the same class as Van Persie or Drogba, and Alex Song is a much-improved player these days.

Well done Bale. I guess he'll be once more touted as the end to England's problems.

I know, I know

I'm not sure about Jack Wilshere he's already had bad press. He may join Caroll and Rooney in the bin.

Song & Fabregas have the potential.

I just felt watching Arsenal against Chelsea that with Chamakh and Vela they weren't going to have much impact in the final third against top draw defenders.

If Van Persie and Walcott remained fit then I think Arsenal would be a different proposition.

Against Inter it highlighted Spurs defensive frailties. Woodgate is probably done, King is nearly done and Gallas is old. Kaboul, Dawson and Bassong are reasonable centre halves but we really need to bin of the first three mentioned and buy a top draw centre half. We too also need a top class forward- Pavlychenko and Robbie Keane do not "do" it for me.

Bale's Welsh.

Rooney stays

Takes £70k a week pay cut, signs five year contract

Must of been those nice people knocking on his door last night!

Oh, my heart bleeds...I wonder if Rooney's agent will be around much longer...sagas like this make me get more and more cynical as time goes on.

Having an angry bunch of chavs on your doorstep in Prestbury could have quite the effect on Rooney, especially as I gather Colleen has the upper hand in many family decisions these days.

I think you meant 70K pay raise!

Don't worry, the FA have a plan to fix that!

Give that man a cigar... or some karma at least.

Who knew Rooney (or most likely his agent) was such a genius at manupulating Man U to where he wanted them. I wonder is there more to this manoeuvre than meets the eye because it was clearly genius to threaten to leave not over money but prospects, but to never actually say he wanted to go, while praising SAF and panning the Glazers... Was Fergie in on it? Didnt look like it to be honest, I dont think he's that good an actor.