Robert Pires

[damon loves JT]

Pires looks a bit like Dogtanian. Or maybe the Shit TV thread is killing my brain

[Merv]

He does, he's been based over there for years and is a bit of an authority on Spanish football. If you want to know the inside track on La Liga from a journalistic point of view, you go to Guillem Balague, Sid Lowe, or Graham Hunter.

Look, let's be truthful: there's no way Houllier would have moved for Pires if the guy was puffing and wheezing after 20 minutes - his fitness will have been assessed to very high and stringent standards. He's probably more than capable of playing 90 minutes, although I doubt very much we'll use him in anything other than cameo roles. But, as others have said: 20 mins to go, would you rather see Sidwell running on to hack someone down, or Pires, to add a bit of craft?

If this was August 2011, and Pires was our only incoming signing, I'd be furious. But it isn't, it's a short term deal for a once world-class footballer at a time when the squad needs bolstering.

[Villa'Zawg]

I wouldn't usually post a picture of a celebrating Arsenal team but this is what his teammates thought of him when they won the FA Cup...

le

Why not post a picture of Stanley Matthews with the FA Cup - it's just as relevant.

In what way would a Stanley Matthews picture be just as relevant as a Robert Pires picture in a Robert Pires thread?

[Dave]

glad everyone knows someone who hasnt got a contract till november is a decent signing at 37. no wonder we had ellis for so many years.

You've come out with some idiocy in your brief time with us but this is the best. What would you do if you were manager now? And what the fuck has this got to do with Doug Ellis?

Ban him.

No, he might be talking squarely out of his fundement but if that were a bannable offence then I think we all would have been banned at one point or another.

[richard moore]

He does, he's been based over there for years and is a bit of an authority on Spanish football. If you want to know the inside track on La Liga from a journalistic point of view, you go to Guillem Balague, Sid Lowe, or Graham Hunter.

Look, let's be truthful: there's no way Houllier would have moved for Pires if the guy was puffing and wheezing after 20 minutes - his fitness will have been assessed to very high and stringent standards. He's probably more than capable of playing 90 minutes, although I doubt very much we'll use him in anything other than cameo roles. But, as others have said: 20 mins to go, would you rather see Sidwell running on to hack someone down, or Pires, to add a bit of craft?

If this was August 2011, and Pires was our only incoming signing, I'd be furious. But it isn't, it's a short term deal for a once world-class footballer at a time when the squad needs bolstering.

All that really needs to be said on the matter in one completely to the point post....

[Drummond]

I like this.

[Drummond]

****Correction****

I like zis.

[Phil from the upper holte]

glad everyone knows someone who hasnt got a contract till november is a decent signing at 37. no wonder we had ellis for so many years.

You've come out with some idiocy in your brief time with us but this is the best. What would you do if you were manager now? And what the fuck has this got to do with Doug Ellis?

Ban him.

Banish him

[VillaAlways]

This guy likes to win things.I hope this mentality rubs off on the rest of the team

[JJ-AV]

On the OS it states he will wear the No 8 shirt, I thought there was a ruling that it could only be worn by one player during a season hence Ireland getting the No 9 shirt, surely our worst ever player to wear our No 9 shirt, yes i know he is not a centre forward but I have seen little to be impressed about so far.

I was gonna say the same, not the bit about him being the worst ever because I rate him and I'm sure he'll come good. But why on earth was he given number 9 in the first place?

[JUAN PABLO]

Pires will probably be fitter than half the team and infact is at the moment...  Dunne gets a game and he looks as fit as Susan Boyle ...

[K3Villa]

glad everyone knows someone who hasnt got a contract till november is a decent signing at 37. no wonder we had ellis for so many years.

You've come out with some idiocy in your brief time with us but this is the best. What would you do if you were manager now? And what the fuck has this got to do with Doug Ellis?

Ban him.

No, he might be talking squarely out of his fundement but if that were a bannable offence then I think we all would have been banned at one point or another.

I know. Just wishful thinking. ; - )

[Reality]

****Correction****

I like zis.

Oh dear.

[alanclare]

Does this mean that we have to learn how to use the French graves accent as in Robert Pirès as well as the acute one as in Gérard?

I am a pedant (there's an opening for a comment if anyone wants one).

[FatSam]

He managed to be involved in 37 games for Villarreal last season which is encouraging on the fitness front - definitely worth a 6 month contract.