Maybe that's part of our problem. Most top sides have someone who's able to "look after himself" to a slightly OTT degree. Who do we have who fits in that bracket? Fern? Maybe, but he's coming to the end of his career now, he'll hardly be first choice this season. We need someone who's (at times) a bit nasty. Danny Murphy will back me up on that!He had a nasty reputation in Germany for snide challenges. He’s done it a few times here but somehow seems to have this butter wouldn’t melt reputation, possibly helped by the fact he plays for a media favourite.
edit - I’d still have him anyway. Class player.