Henry14 - Q1 if you were Wenger would you buy Baptista for $20m for what he has done this season?

Q2 -  What do you make of Southgate playing a week side because personally l never fancy them at Old Trafford and they are not safe from Charlton

Q3 - l see Bendtner going ahead of Adebayor in the ranks because he is by far a better player than Adebayor. He has been likened to Ibrahimovic but my question to you is Ibrahimovic probably the best player in Serie A.

Q 4 - What do you think about Alessandro Rossina of Torino?

Bobby – Q1 – I would not. Even though I believe players need time to settle down I don't think Baptista hasn’t shown enough to be worth that kind of money.

Q2 – I think Southgate did the right thing. Charlton will not catch them and even if they did three clubs will still finish below Boro. They have been playing well and they have to play West Ham, Watford, Villa, Wigan and Fulham out of the 8 games left. They only have to get two more wins and they will be safe. There are a lot of potential six pointers between teams in the bottom half and they will take points off each other.

Q3 – How many goals to you think Adebayor would have scored in the Championship this season? More than Bendtner I would wager. Adebayor has proven himself in the Premiership; something that Bendtner has yet to do. I wouldn’t consider Ibrahimovic the best player in Serie A until he manages to play consistently well two seasons in a row.

Q4 – In the Torino games I have watched this season (only a couple) he has not stood out.

Verbal97 - Rafa Benitez thinks that the larger teams should be able to have a reserve team play competitvely in the Championship so that the younger players can get first team experience (like they do in Spain). Do you think this is a good idea? Do you think there is any chance that this will ever be implemented?

Bobby – It would require a major shift of opinion in England and I don’t think it has a hope in hell of happening. You can look to the continent but it is not a fair comparison. No other second flight league on the continent attracts the size of crowds that we see in the Championship. Such a move would complete devalue the Championship – which of course might be what the Premiership is interested in doing!

Venti_Vidi_Vici - I find the refereeing in England to be very inconsistent. As this particular incident clearly illustrates, if a defender makes a sliding tackle in the penalty area, he absolutely has to get the ball. If he misses, which Woodgate and Carvalho both did yesterday, it’s going to be a penalty whether there is much contact or not, because the striker is going to go down – it is just how football is played. I don’t understand why neither was booked for taking down a player who was through on goal.
I make a distinction between diving and accentuating. Ronaldo basically accentuated minor contact; in other words, took advantage of a mistimed amateurish tackle by Woodgate. I don’t blame Ronaldo; he did what any other striker should do in that situation. In both cases IMO penalties were correctly awarded.

Buffytvs - Why is it that suddenly every penalty call is labeled 'controversial'? Woodgate fouled Ronaldo in the area -- penalty. Tevez was brought down in the area -- penalty. Boateng handled in the area -- penalty. What the *&%$ is controversial about any of these decisions? I've seen far more clear penalties NOT called this season than soft ones given (although no-one seems to be calling the call against Vidic on Saturday 'controversial', I still don't know what he's supposed to have done).

MasMaz - I love Ronaldo, but he starts and stops in his run-up taking penalties and more takers are doing it, unfair for keepers and they should crack down on this, and they will when some minnow does it against one of the big four.

Venti_Vidi_Vici - The rule of the law with regards to taking a penalty is once the ref blows the whistle, and the player starts his run to the ball, he may not stop. Some try to stutter step or slow down, to try and get the goal to commit one way. I've only ever seen a ref order a retake once, but I really did think the Ronaldo penalty should've been retaken because he did stop and start.

Gongatore - I find all this nonsense about "the rule of law" quite amusing. Keepers aren't supposed to do jumping jacks on the goal line whilst awaiting a PK yet a lot of them do including PC yesterday. CR does what many PK takers do. Enough with the rule of law rubbish. What I believe this is ultimately all about is what several posters already stated, a hatred of CR and perhaps even Manu and just sour grapes. And for all you whinging England fans Wayne Rooney alone is responsible for his red card in WC 2006.

In the end, hate is such a powerful and useless word and emotion. Reserve it for really evil things in life or people that truly deserve it not athletes of any creed or color. Let's stick to respectful debate with humor and reason.

Bobby – As you can see a ton of comments on penalty kicks this week. I agree with Buffytvs – anytime a penalty is given  it seems to become a controversial decision. Both penalties on Monday were dead certs as was the one given against Boateng a week past Saturday. I thought the only element of controversy was the fact that Ricardo Carvalho was not sent off.

As for the stutter step – it is completely legal from what I understand. I cannot see anything in the rules that outlaws it - or stopping for that matter. Goalkeepers are entitled to do anything on and along their goal line as long as they are facing the kicker – so mooning is definitely illegal.

As a final note on Ronaldo - Rooney situation. As Jeremy pointed out on Monday who was the first player over to confront Morrison after he whacked Ronaldo on Monday? It was Wayne Rooney.

Henry14 - You get the feeling that the new date for Chelsea and Man Utd on May 9 there is a high chance that Chelsea will start with a guard of honour against Man. U. because if the gape is still six points and the goal difference then United can afford to play a second string. Chelsea will need to go to the Emirates on a Saturday and if they do not win united are already popping the champagne. Do you think this is a physiological blow for Chelsea since Mourinho is always saying it’s a pity they do not play now?

Bobby – A potentially killer blow I would say. Chelsea wants to get at United ASAP in the hope that they can beat them, reduce the gap to three (really four because of goal difference) and hope that United folds.

Henry14 - What do you make of David Navarro 7 month ban from all football? l feel it a ridiculous ban, because there is no parity. You look at the Betis and Seville fight and it was not given such a harsh ban, Kolo 's fight , the Schalke guy who punched Schneider, do you think that UEFA and FIFA run some weird dictatorship on the way they had bans because it is unnecessary.

Bobby – Navarro is lucky that he will be allowed to play before 2009. I can’t see how the Navarro incident can be compared to the others. He was a substitute who didn’t even play. Of course that doesn’t mean that UEFA and FIFA are not some weird dictatorship!

realmadridccfan - Q1. Out of all the big European teams in Euro 2008 qualifying that are in trouble (Italy, Spain, England, Portugal), which do you think will be under the gun to get results as well as which do you see gaining/losing the most in this round of qualifiers?

Q2. While I like Inter Milan's incredible form in the Italian Serie A, as they will likely win the title, when they eventually win the title, how legitimate of a title win will this be for Inter? Would you but a big asterisk beside this one considering the match fixing scandal from last season affected this season's play?

Q3. What do you think needs to be done to fix the constant "crises" at Real Madrid? Is it time that Real Madrid stopped the idea of buying a "galaticos" per season and focused on their youth academy to build their team?

Bobby – Q1 – All are under great pressure. It would say Spain is in the worst position. I still see Italy qualifying as well as England and Portugal.
Q2 – Inter’s forthcoming scudetto will be well earned. Even after accounting for points deducted they will finish comfortably ahead of anyone else.
Q3 – The era of buying "galaticos" was gone the moment that Capello took over. The plan this season was to shore up the side with signings such as Cannavaro, Emerson and Van Nistelrooy – the short term plan. The longer term plan you can see with the likes of Gago and Higuain. The mess that Perez created is not going to fixed in a season or perhaps even two.

Gongatore - Do you think it's time that FIFA really starts to assess the amount of matches clubs play as I believe the sport is suffering (primarily in Europe) as a result of too many competitions? Or will FIFA just run to the bank and disregard the integrity of the game?

Bobby – I think you have to consider that it has been Sepp Blatter and FIFA that have been pushing for 16 team leagues – although on the other hand they have also “created” the FIFA Club World Cup. If the ruling bodies and the clubs were serious about reducing the number of games then I think it could be easily done. Sixteen team leagues, a straight knock out format for the Champions League/UEFA Cup along with smaller European and World Cup qualifying groups could knock 12-15 games a season off the schedule for top teams. Unfortunately both sides (FIFA/UEFA on one side – the clubs on the other) have insatiable appetites for cash and they expect the other side to reduce the games under their control. Bottom line is don’t expect changes anytime soon. 

djnima - Was wondering if you have any lesser known young talent that you see making an impact next season. Are there any South American or European young players you see making a big impact on FSC?

Also, though there has been speculation that Henry would leave Arsenal soon, you have stated that you don't see Henry leaving anytime soon. With the amount of money Arsenal are shelling out for his contract, when do you see him finally leaving Arsenal?

Bobby – I’m looking forward to the Under-20 World Championship in Canada this summer. The last edition gave us our first good look at Lionel Messi and it has over the years provided a stage for some great players to emerge. As far as the EPL is concerned there is a player called Giles Barnes at Derby County (they have a great chance to move up from the Championship) who has been garnering rave reviews. I have seen very little of him but I have heard from a mate in the UK that he is going to be a star.

If Henry is to leave Arsenal it will be with a year left on his existing deal which is up I believe in 2010.

LosAngelesChelseaFan - I can see why seeding wouldn't work. For logistics reasons alone the draw has to be made before the replays are resolved. I can remember when second replays occurred just days before the next round.

Bobby – And as someone else pointed out there is a form of seeding that goes on given that the Championship and Premiership teams don’t enter the competition until the 3rd round. It should also be remembered that the Manchester United – Liverpool final of 1996 and the Arsenal – United final in 2005 were awful matches to watch. 

Bigdavedisaster - Do you think we will begin to see lower level teams like a Leeds being bought by foreign investors? It seems almost a better investment to buy a team for 25 mil as opposed to 100 mil and use the 75 you saved to bring the club up.

Bobby – I don’t think “foreign” investors are sophisticated enough to understand that the bargains may lie with teams like Leeds and Sunderland. When I say foreign I am referring to buyers who have not been involved in the game previously or don’t come from a football culture.

But you notice that with Mandaric’s move to Leicester (new stadium, decent base of support) and to an extent Bates’ purchase of Leeds that some people are searching for bargains. The problem with Leeds is that they have nearly really escaped the financial mess that Risdale and his living the dream era got them into to.

When you consider that the bottom club next season in the Premiership is going to pocket close to $60M there is a definite incentive to do what you are suggesting.

Henry14- Q1. l have had my reservation on Walcott, because l feel that for all his pace and glorified talent l feel that he is very poor technically. when l look at the type of player he will compete with next season like Carlos Vela and Bendtner who have decent pace but are right up there technically l do not see him making the grade. How do you rate him regarding that he is called the biggest thing since Wayne Rooney?

Q2 Do you think Bellamy and Pennant really have a future at Liverpool given that they have both been linked with booze this week?

Q3.What is your opinion on negative support for football in the UK like the glorification of having 10 men behind the ball. l have seen that a draw is glorified. l was just looking at how pundits glorify such performances do you feel it is these kinds of performances that cause the gulf between big and small clubs increase. Do you think negative tactics are good for the game?

Q4. How do you rate managers and what do you think are the components required to be the best coach in the world? Who do you rate as the best?

Bobby – A1 - Consider the following - Walcott is 17; Arsene Wenger thought highly enough of him to pay Southampton a lot of money; Wenger is giving him a decent amount of time; Wenger has a “fairly good” nose for talent. Based on that I don’t see how you could write him off. I have seen very little of Carlos Vela so I not sure I can comment intelligently except to point out that his playing in the Spanish Second Division not the Premiership.

Bendtner is two years older and also playing at a level below the Premiership. When Walcott played in the Championship he had a strike rate of something like 5 goals in 12 games and Harry Rednapp was playing him through the middle. So with all that said I think when you compare Walcott to Vela and Bendtner you are not comparing like to like so it is an unfair comparison.

I’m not sure who has said he is the next biggest thing to Wayne Rooney – labels like that are hung on lots of players – but I don’t see how that impacts how good Walcott is or will be. When you use that label you are pre-judging a player based on whether or not he is as good as Wayne Rooney as opposed posing the question to is he a good player which is different matter.

Walcott’s style reminds me of Marc Overmars so it will be interesting if Wenger continues to play him wide or moves him to a more central position.

A2 – If every player in England who was linked with booze and misbehavior was dumped there would be even fewer English players in the Premiership than there is now. At the end of the day players can get away with a significant level of repeated bad behavior as long as they are doing the job on the park.

Only occasionally do you see managers move players because of discipline problems – far more players are moved because of poor performances. People remember that Ferguson and Wenger moved McGrath and Merson but they sometimes forget that they held on to Robson and Adams.

A3 – I don’t think draws are glorified (in the UK) but when a team with less skill and talent finds a way to get a point or three of a better team I think they deserve credit for it – no matter how it achieved. The alternative is to go and attack with abandon and get stuffed – that is not going to keep the team’s fans very happy. The job of a coach is to provide his team with the best possible chance to win the game. You have a much better chance of winning the game if the game is scoreless or you are only down by a goal than if you 3-0 down after 20 minutes because you started four up front at Old Trafford. The manager’s obligation to his team and its fans – he is not obliged to send out a sacrificial lamb that provides highlight reel goals for the opposition.

A4 – Rating a manager – 1. Player development  2. Winning trophies  3. Success in the transfer market 4. The team being greater than the sum of the pieces 5. Tactically astute and flexible. 6. Lucky.

For the last few years I have considered Capello to be one of the best if not the best but Real Madrid looks to have proved to be too much for even him.

Luiz Felipe Scolari would certainly be close to the top. Lippi and Ferguson are there as well. 

Blueblades - Having witnessed Ronaldo score two goals and provide an assist for Milan in their thrilling 4-3 victory over Siena at the weekend I couldn’t help but wonder why Real Madrid were so eager to sell him, especially considering their lack o####oal threat in recent games.

Do you think that Ronaldo's sale could result in Real finishing 3rd or 4th rather than 1st or even 2nd since the rest of the challenging teams all seem to have consistent goal scorers?

Also which sale of a player in recent years do you think proved most detrimental to the success of the selling side's post sale success?

Bobby – I think it might be one of those situations that Ronaldo will make a big difference to Milan but if he had stayed at Real Madrid he wouldn’t have.

As for a player that moved on – good question. I might go for Fernando Hierro when he left Real Madrid. He may have been nearing the end of his career but he represented something that was very different than the Galacaticos syndrome that was fully embraced post-Fernando.