I like the formation, though I don’t share your view on Barry v/s Xabi – although, to be fair, it’s only our financial position that’s got Rafa having to sell one to get the other: they are not straight swaps!

Goalie – 4 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 1 would be a change from Rafa’s preferred formation would it not? So I wonder whether Rafa will actually go with it. For sure Keane provides sufficient flexibility/variety for Rafa – as does Kuyt, Babel, Benayoun, Aberloa etc. – but his role is to find a perfect blend with Torres and Stevie G in my book and occasionally with Kuyt.

Keane offers that unpredicatability that we so lack – apart from Babel, in my view. Just hope his legs last the 3/4 years so that we can make a few pounds back off him……hopefully after we’ve ran United/Chelsea close for the league (if not won it).

Now to see what happens with Voronin and Pennant, I think, and then what Rafa does with the funds….winger or Barry? I suspect Barry……..although doesn’t he only have a year left on his contract? How can he be worth more than Crouch if that’s the case???