Gribz

From Compo's question - One to Eleven world class players Ive seen live. This was tough. Ive used competitive games for all except for Cech who I saw in the Asian Cup last summer and has to go in. I had to leave out Scholes because I remember how good Mendieta and that Valencia team was at Ibrox. If I recall, Lothar Matthaus played midfield at Ibrox in the CL 1999 but he did play centre half later in his career. Cech Lizarazu Matthaus Stam Numan Laudrup Gascoigne Keane Mendieta Giggs Van Nistelrooy

What a turnaround West Ham are by moving to a bigger stadium with a bigger pitch. Teams like Arsenal and City will rip them apart every time they go there with that type of open pitch. West Ham were 3 bad decisions away from the Champions League last season. Leicester away last minute penalty that never should have been, Chelsea away penalty that was outside the box. I cant remember one more game but then there was Arsenal at home with a perfectly good goal chopped off. How they can then drop so poorly is beyond me. But the signings have been terrible and selling Tomkins was an error, they haven't fitted into the new ground for all sorts of reasons. The manager has went from 4 at the back to 3 at the back - why fix what isn't broken!! And moving Kouyate who is IMO the best midfielder at the club to defence is shocking. This has obviously had an effect on Adrian in goal who was outstanding last season to looking like he has never been in goal before. Every team has injuries but they haven't had a striker who has played more than 2 games on the bounce - Carroll, Sakho, Ayew have all been injured, Zaza was a shocking addition. Young Fletcher from Man Utd is a good player but not ready to lead the line. Then of course Payet isn't showing up like he did, a club that got him back on track and gave him a bumper deal then he wants to be at a CL club all of a sudden. Bilic has to be careful at the moment. I like him and he deserves to continue but something is very wrong.

Just thinking if The Goalie got a mention (and I think he was a world class keeper) then Der Goalie should also be mentioned. Klos was a world class keeper.

Looking at that again The real Ronaldo and Ronaldinho could easily go in for Henry and Cristiano on their day. I couldn't drop Bobby Baggio as a number 10 though, one of my all time favourite players.

They would have been a force that's for sure. When Serbia and Montenegro were together they were starting to be good, throw in Croatia and you'd a have a team right there. Czechoslovakia were another who had a good side once upon a time. the Czech Rep did carry on for a while.

But the other side of the coin is loan players can leave early rather than signing risky average players on 3 year contracts who don't work out.

Not a chance. West Ham are looking for a short term buy as cover for Carroll, Sakho and Ayew hence Defoe or a marquee signing better than them.

From my time from watching football TV Id go with this....I need to have a think about players I have actually seen. Buffon Cafu Desailly Cannavaro Maldini Messi Maradona Zidane Ronaldo Henry Baggio

A no brainer for both, especially when its earned. A season only lasts 8 or 9 months they cant go down hill in that short period of time. Hill is starting to look the part - I hope Senderos can follow his lead.

I think there should be a term could be International class - yet the argument to that is Luxemborg, Malta, San Marino (and Scotland) have players who play international. I remember there was a PC game years ago where a player was rated - Average, Good, Excellent, World Class, Exceptional etc....

I think they are very key in our current situation until we build again. As you say 2nd place then qualifying for the Europa will be a step.

I think Chelseas run will be difficult for them to repeat and will drop a few points. They have some tough fixtures coming up. But with them and Liverpool not having Europe by the time the CL comes around again they will benefit. If Tottenham play like they have in the last 3 games they will go close.

Was Richard Gough a world class defender? At his peak he has to be close. Arthur Numan another who could have played for any team in Europe. There is different levels of world class, Messi, Zidane, Maradona etc are on another level.

What about Pep and his interview? And he tried to gear up the Man City fans and didn't get a response. I don't think his arrogance is liked there. He probably should have went to Man Utd.

Mertesacker is a world cup winner, doesn't make him world class. Gerrard consistently scored 15 goals a season from midfield, easily a better player than Ozil IMO.

Man Utd 6 wins in a row and they still aren't in the top 4. Liverpool dropping points against Sunderland give Chelsea the perfect chance now.

Not sure...he wasn't doing that good at Anfield when I came to this conclusions.

Girouds was better than Mkitaryan (sp). Bergkamps was just sublime and a different level.

Im not one to dislike people but I really dont like Brenda Rodgers.

Got to agree with your previous post, it shows we are just getting closer. As for finding a goalscorer thats not easy - Does Dodoo deserve a run to try be that player?

Bergkamps was still better though eh....

I'll give you Larsson, to do what he did after two leg breaks and at Barca and Man Utd - I think every Rangers fan respects his quality. Laudrup and Gascoigne on another level for me though. Just thinking about players in England, Ryan Giggs world class all day long. Thierry Henry for sure, Steven Gerrard....Ozil cant be put in the same bracket as them. The one that always eluded me was Scholes, yet he is spoken about by a lot.

Only 40 Happy birthday Frankie boy. Have a good day.

Selection will be interesting. Id personally go 4-1-4-1 with Miller and Waghorn in the side. Forrester and McKay creating with Holt box to box.

And a good festive one to you to old man.... I am the creator of previews back in the old days....sorry I haven't done one for a long time but will do so in the new year. Cant wait for this game, I think we will turn up for the occasion and win this one. Miller for me is a must and with Waghorn upfront we can put a few past them.