the Owen becomes Real

I've no probs with him doing so; I just wish there was some flaming honesty.

The plan was to sell Owen, get Morientes/eto'o and use the money to buy Xabi Alonso, and it was a great plan if it worked. But now, Vieira isn't moving to Madrid, There isn't a hope in hell of Liverpool signing Xabi Alonso ahead of Real, and all the money they got for Owen is going on Luis Garcia.

So instead of swapping Owen for Two of the brightest young talents in La Liga, (or Morientes, who is also pretty handy) they have swapped Owen for the fourth choice barcelona winger. Ooh that's got to hurt.

Someone has retorted that Benitez has made a career out of making 4th choice wingers into 1st rate players.

Also says he's taken a pay cut !!! and he hasn't even got his coping stones on his gates wall yet. (Workmen there this morning hopefully to finish the job !)

Offered even more money to stay at Anfield, lost personal image rights etc..... either he's in love with Beck's or wants to win something.

Who's my kid gonna play with now after school !

I, for one, refuse to believe money played any part in his change of heart. I believe that, as he was standing in the queue in the departure lounge waiting for the flight to Madrid to finalise negotiations, a small, applecheeked cockney boy in a well-worn O2 shirt came up to him, tugged at his jacket and, with tearful eyes pleaded, "Siy it ine't so, Mister Vieira!" Whereupon, he too misted over as he was suddenly overwhelmed by memories of the North Bank singing his praises. He rushed out of the airport, taxi'd straight over to Arsenal's training ground and trotted out onto the pitch with that familiar, elegant gait shouting to a broody Arsene Wenger, "Captain Vieira reporting for duty, sir!" to thunderous and spontaneous applause from his teammates. Then, they all sang the Arsenal Fight Song; "La-de-da-de-da, la-de-da-dee-dee - all good pals and jolly good company. Hoorah!" with Thierry Henry singing louder than anyone.

That's how it went down and I won't hear a word to the contrary.

Consider the cockles of my heart duly warmed.

anyone rate Nunez btw?

I like what Alba said, about the pie.

I have said before that Owen is greedy and disloyal. I think that I have been proved, or proven, right.

He would risk getting a difficult time from the fans, maybe that's why he wasn't honest.

I think Liverpool also did want to sell Owen pf: one year to run on his contract plus his value on the transfer market was decreasing.

Is Luis Garcia the guy with the freaky died hair? If so, he is an astute purchase.

I've never heard of Nunez. On the other hand, Madrid produce a lot of good players through the ranks. I don't think they produce any bad ones. I've seen the youth team and you're be surprised how 'adult' they are when it comes to feigning injuries, hobbling, having water poured over thier shin pads, etc.

Also says he's taken a pay cut !!! and he hasn't even got his coping stones on his gates wall yet. (Workmen there this morning hopefully to finish the job !)

If Liverpool fans didn't exist we'd have to invent them

I wonder if the builder who ended up topping himself after getting swindled by Owen could say maybe he feels some modicum of pity for the Liverpool fans!