Big Phil

[Ted Hughes]

I'd actually be quite happy to see him in our 25.
There are one or two aspects of his game that definitely need working on but he does have a few important attributes :

He's prepared to graft.
He has a thunderous shot.
He knows where the net is (the goal posts don't move and all that stuff).

I am with you on this - I think he is just 'smidgins' in a number of key areas to being a top player

now - I do not want to get carried away, but I genuinely believe that he could make it - and if he did - his style could make him much sought after

I would rather give him a whirl in our squad - bring in on when games are safe and see what he can do in a good team - if he fails - well he fails

A lot of the players from Ecuador seem to have the same rough edges & flaws that Phil does but they have talent too. It could be worth opening an academy there.

[Dubaimancityfan]

There's space for him in reality isn't there?

The definites in the 25 look to be

Homegrown x 8
Hart
Richards
Lescott
Bridge
A Johnson
Barry
Milner
SWP

Imports x 12

Given
Kolarov
Kompany
K Toure
Boateng
Zabaleta
Silva
Y Toure
De Jong
Vieira
Adebayor
Tevez
(Balotelli) - don't think he counts as is under 21


That leaves the following players who are on the books and not still under 21

Taylor
Caicedo
Robinho
Santa Cruz
Jo

and then the following lads who are all under 21 so can be included in our squad outside the "25"

(Balotelli)
Boyata
Nimely
Ibrahim
Cunningham
Guidetti

If its true that Ballotelli will not count and we have to presume that Taylor will be in the list and as it looks also Jo, this brings the number to 22 (I hope I'm counting correctly).
This leaves 3 spots and we still have 3 players that can fill them: Phil, Robbie and Santa .

BTW what about MJ. Is there any chance he will be included ? and Etuhu ? he's still on the books.

[ant london]

see above re MJ

Etuhu is ineligible by virtue of him being shit

[DoomMerchant]

25 Could be Caicedo but what about Michael Johnson?

well, by his own admission, October is the earliest he will even start to be "back" for. That's without setbacks.

I'd say that we have the potential to include Michael in the CC/FA Cup squads maybe pre-xmas....otherwise....let him find his feet (and knees) in the EDS and look whether he merits a place in the PL 25 at the January reshuffle

this is going to sound like a joke or a wind-up, but wtf has Johnson done to himself again that he's been crocked for the last 3 years? i remember the groin or stomach issues, plus all the boozing (allegedly) and gambling (probably)...but why can't he play football again?

thanks.

[BmoreBlue]

michael johnson tore his acl in training last fall.

shaleum logan and kelvin etuhu are both currently on the books as well - i'd expect them to not make the 25, but they're still there for now.

[Florida Blue]

I'd rather Big Phil in the 25 than Jo

how about big phil at right back? ;-)

Illogical, he is left foot dominant. Just saying.

[DoomMerchant]

I'd rather Big Phil in the 25 than Jo

how about big phil at right back? ;-)

Illogical, he is left foot dominant. Just saying.

Pearcian? Hughesish? Mancinilicious?

what's foot matter? it's only football.

cheers

[BobKowalski]

Big Phil has gone to Levante apparently

[french_tony]

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/2010/August/Caicedo-joins-Levante

This came out of nowhere. Big Phil is certainly racking up the air miles.

[Beeks]

Big Phil has gone to Levante apparently

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/20 ... ns-Levante

[Ted Hughes]

Glad he's going to get games somewhere. He looks like he's going to give someone a smack in the face in that picture on the OS though.

[Beeks]

Forgot how young he is..only 21!

[Moonchesteri]

Prediction game! How many goals will he score during his loan? I'm gonna be optimistic and say three!

Edit: good luck big Phil. Hope you get some matchtime and you can prove me wrong

[Dubaimancityfan]

Prediction game! How many goals will he score during his loan? I'm gonna be optimistic and say three!

Edit: good luck big Phil. Hope you get some matchtime and you can prove me wrong

4 but one will be disallowed !!

[Grob]

Caicedo isnt going to be good enough for us. Even during his 'purple' patch in during the 2nd half of the 08/09 season he didnt show the ability or produce enough goals which will fire us to the top 4.

I guess the club is hoping he'll hit a bit of form on loan at some point and we can recoup some cash for him?