Oh You Beauty match preview: As with most of his stuff, a thorough and in-depth preview for tomorrow by nate, who is apparently allergic to starting proper nouns with a capital letter.

Torres Yes? Torres No?: Of course he’s tired, but at this point he’s our best option up top. Unless the Robbie Keane thing was a big hoax. You know how funny Rafa is and the British media always makes everything so dramatic…who’s with me?

Jilted former attacker #1 watch: The accountant, likely stressed for the upcoming tax season, takes the time to single out Crouch as the one to stop. So hopefully he’ll shut him down before he files his P50.

Jilted former attacker (that’s not so former considering he’s on loan but still has the stones to speak freely) #2 watch: Oldish link but still fun to read considering it ends with “They can’t say anything to me really.” Any bets on his sneaking into the baggage compartment for the return trip to Liverpool?

Jilted former attacker #3 watch: Okay we get it, he wasn’t exactly the apple of Rafa’s eye, Harry liked him all along, shock and surprise for all, blah blah blah. Good luck, hope you find your goal-scoring touch the rest of the year except 24 May.

Irrelevant link for the day: At this point you’ve probably seen this, but some classic lines from this poor kid. Reveling in the misery of a stoned 7 year-old, what a life I lead.

And finally, my hopes for the squad tomorrow?
Reina
Arbeloa-Carragher-Hyypia-Aurelio
Benayoun-Alonso-Mascherano-Riera
Babel
Torres

Largely normal back line, Hyypia to deal with Crouch, wouldn’t mind seeing Babel in support of Torres to create some space and see what he’s got. Will this happen? No. But what a wild idea. I need to calm down.

Lastly, congrats to our Utes’ squad, who beat Chelsea 1-0 last night and booked their place in the quarterfinals of the FA Youth Cup, where they’ll meet Bolton.

Be back later today or tomorrow, maybe a live blog for a game that probably doesn’t deserve it.

1) Was he a pawn in a power struggle between Rafa, Parry & the Owners?
2) He wasn’t performing well enough to fit his 20-million-pound price tag?
3) Insert your own ridiculous reason here

It is a known fact that Rafa’s 1st choice target during the summer was Barry. That boy will probably be counting his lucky stars it’s not him being pushed around like an unwanted baby.

Regardless of all the conspiracy theories, I am beginning to have certain concerns.

1) With Robbo gone, we have only Kuyt as a proper striker in the event that El Nino gets injured/suspended/overworked. Egg Nog just don’t cut it. Even then, Kuyt will never be as prolific as Nando, I feel.
2) We just lost about £5m on this deal.
3) What’s with Benitez saying things to the effect of Keane’s value will drop to about £10m at the end of the season when he just signed Keane for £20m at the start of the season? Doesn’t seem exactly like a great deal to have your purchase depreciate by half after just a year! (Someone please enlighten me on this!) Is this just some excuse cooked up when he was taking a crap that morning?
4) Benching Robbo after he scored 2 in a match just isn’t giving the boy a sporting chance, I feel.

All things said and done, somehow I feel relieved that Keane has moved back to a club where he is treated as he deserves. A class act and a hero. I haven’t heard any whining or complaints about the way he was treated by the Club. A true professional.

I trust I speak for most of us when we wish Robbie all the best in White Hart Lane.

Cheers, mate!

* If you thought the transfer window was closing without a bang, you’d be sorely mistaken as the rumor of the day has former Arsenal and current Real Madrid player Julio Baptista coming to us for £13.5m. The Brazilian international, also known as ‘The Beast’, did not fair too well in league play for the Gunners last season, but did score nearly half his all-competitions total in one match at Anfield when he tallied four netters in a less-than-memorable League Cup tie. I hope this goes through for a couple of reasons. First, I’m praying this means Crouch will be sold immediately, and second, if Voronin and Torres have showed us anything, it’s that strong strikers strike more fear in the heart of the defenders than tall, weak ones. You have to respect Torres and Voronin where ever they are on the pitch, while you only have to pay attention to Crouch when he’s in and around the box. Other than then, Crouch is almost always an easy takeaway.

* If that wasn’t enough, several reports have Harry Kewell going to Real Sociedad for roughly £2.5m. The more I think about this though, the more it sounds like rubbish. Even if they doubled that offer, we still won’t be getting back all we’ve invested in King Harry over the last couple of years in medical attention. If it does happen, at any cost, I’m going to be pissed. We need Kewell’s experience and energy if we plan on winning on multiple fronts this season. Plus Sociedad is in Segunda División, which I’m sure is a place the Australian International does not want to be.

* Finally, Robbie Fowler looks to make his debut tonight for Cardiff City in their Carling Cup tie with Leyton Orient. He’ll line-up beside fellow new signing and geriatric club member, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, as they take on the O’s, who are currently undefeated in all comps. Cheers.