Jul 02
Striker Ratings: Who Should We Buy?
I know this has been done and dusted a lot of times before, and a lot of posts on many fan sites are an evidence to this, but I thought lets discuss all the contenders/pretenders one more time.
Let me first put down the qualities expected out of the striker we get, such that he fits seamlessly into the current flowing, attacking one-touch football that United are playing so effectively.
1. Aerial threat
The team could greatly do with a fella who is a threat in the air, since neither Rooney, Ole or Giggsy can provide that.
2. Creativity
United don’t need another RVN, since having a poacher would stifle the flowing football they have started playing after his departure. The need is for someone who creates chances for himself rather than feed on created ones.
3. Consistency
Since it’s United, we can be sure the selling club will charge much more than what it would charge if it were some other club it was dealing with. So, it must be made sure that the player is consistent in his performance, and not some 5 minutes of fame guy.
4. Unselfishness
I am not saying being selfish is bad, just that too much of it is. United already has Ronaldo, and Nani is also supposed to be a guy who likes to carry the ball himself. So, the team doesn’t need a 30 goal/season striker, but someone who scores around 15-20 and creates as many for others.
5. Age
The need is to make a long term buy, to build on the youth talent present in the team right now. A striker in early or mid-20s would fit the bill perfectly.
6. Discipline
United need someone who is ready to adopt to Sir Alex’s style of management, and not become bigger than the team a la Henry.
7. Stability
I feel Sir Alex also doesn’t want to have someone like Anelka, who in spite of being an outrageous talent could never capitalize on it due to fickleness of the mind and bad advice.
8. Proven
The player should not be from some Banana league, where scoring 60 goals in 30 games would still not mean anything, and should adapt well to the rigours of the EPL.
9. Adaptability and fitness
The EPL is considered to be the toughest and most physically demanding league in the world. So no nansy pansy please!
10. Possibility of a shift to OT
The player must be ready for an OT move (if he is not, to hell with him!), and the cost should not be prohibitive (I am assuming it to be a maximum of 30M pounds for a good striker).
Now, let me rate the probable strikers on these parameters. I consider here not only Fergie’s potential targets (as rumored), but all the strikers who could fit the bill and have at least some realistic chance of making it to OT this season.
Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham Hotspur)
Aerial Threat : 6 ft 2 in – 8/10; Creativity – 9/10; Consistency – 7/10; Unselfishness – 8/10; Age : 26 – 6/10; Discipline – 8/10; Stability – 8/10; Proven – 8/10; Adaptability – 9/10; Possibility : 27 M Pounds – 5/10; Total – 74/100.
Eidur Gudjohnsen (Barcelona FC)
Aerial Threat : 6 ft 1 in – 4/10; Creativity – 6/10; Consistency – 5/10; Unselfishness – 7/10; Age : 28 – 4/10; Discipline – 7/10; Stability – 8/10; Proven – 7/10; Adaptability – 8/10; Possibility : 10 M Pounds – 9/10; Total – 65/100.
Carlos Tevez (West Ham United FC)
Aerial Threat : 5 ft 7 in – 4/10; Creativity – 8/10; Consistency – 5/10; Unselfishness – 7/10; Age : 23 – 9/10; Discipline – 6/10; Stability – 6/10; Proven – 5/10; Adaptability – 8/10; Possibility : 22 M Pounds – 5/10; Total – 68/100.
Nicolas Anelka (Bolton Wanderers)
Aerial Threat : 6 ft 1 in – 4/10; Creativity – 7/10; Consistency – 4/10; Unselfishness – 7/10; Age : 28 – 4/10; Discipline – 3/10; Stability – 3/10; Proven – 6/10; Adaptability – 8/10; Possibility : 10 M Pounds – 9/10; Total – 55/100.
Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid)
Aerial Threat : 6 ft 1 in – 9/10; Creativity – 9/10; Consistency – 7/10; Unselfishness – 8/10; Age : 23 – 9/10; Discipline – 8/10; Stability – 8/10; Proven – 8/10; Adaptability – 7/10; Possibility : 27 M Pounds , news of Liverpool swoop – 4/10; Total – 77/100.
Obafemi Martins (Newcastle United)
Aerial Threat : 5 ft 7 in – 5/10; Creativity – 7/10; Consistency – 6/10; Unselfishness – 6/10; Age : 22 – 9/10; Discipline – 6/10; Stability – 6/10; Proven – 7/10; Adaptability – 8/10; Possibility : 13 M Pounds – 7/10; Total – 67/100.
Michael Owen (Newcastle United)
Aerial Threat : 5 ft 8 in – 6/10; Creativity – 7/10; Consistency – 5/10; Unselfishness – 7/10; Age : 27 – 5/10; Discipline – 8/10; Stability – 7/10; Proven – 8/10; Adaptability – 5/10; Possibility : 9 M Pounds – 8/10; Total – 66/100.
Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese/Sampdoria)
Aerial Threat : 5 ft 11 in – 4/10; Creativity – 7/10; Consistency – 5/10; Unselfishness – 7/10; Age : 23 – 9/10; Discipline – 7/10; Stability – 7/10; Proven – 5/10; Adaptability – 6/10; Possibility : 15 M Pounds – 8/10; Total – 65/100.
Giuseppe Rossi (Manchester United)
Aerial Threat : 5 ft 8 in – 5/10; Creativity – 7/10; Consistency – 6/10; Unselfishness – 7/10; Age : 20 – 10/10; Discipline – 7/10; Stability – 8/10; Proven – 6/10; Adaptability – 6/10; Possibility : 27 M Pounds – 10/10; Total – 72/100.
Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Ajax)
Aerial Threat : 6 ft 0 in – 7/10; Creativity – 8/10; Consistency – 7/10; Unselfishness – 7/10; Age : 23 – 9/10; Discipline – 8/10; Stability – 8/10; Proven – 4/10; Adaptability – 4/10; Possibility : 12 M Pounds – 7/10; Total – 69/100.
Afonso Alves (SC Heerenveen)
Aerial Threat : 6 ft 1 in – 6/10; Creativity – 7/10; Consistency – 5/10; Unselfishness – 7/10; Age : 26 – 6/10; Discipline – 7/10; Stability – 7/10; Proven – 3/10; Adaptability – 4/10; Possibility : 9 M Pounds – 7/10; Total – 59/100.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan)
Aerial Threat : 6 ft 4 in – 8/10; Creativity – 8/10; Consistency – 5/10; Unselfishness – 6/10; Age : 25 – 7/10; Discipline – 5/10; Stability – 6/10; Proven – 7/10; Adaptability – 6/10; Possibility : 24 M Pounds – 5/10; Total – 63/100.
David Villa (Valencia FC)
Aerial Threat : 5 ft 9 in – 5/10; Creativity – 8/10; Consistency – 7/10; Unselfishness – 7/10; Age : 25 – 7/10; Discipline – 8/10; Stability – 8/10; Proven – 7/10; Adaptability – 4/10; Possibility : 35 M Pounds – 4/10; Total – 65/100.
Javier Saviola (Barcelona FC)
Aerial Threat : 5 ft 7 in – 5/10; Creativity – 7/10; Consistency – 6/10; Unselfishness – 7/10; Age : 25 – 7/10; Discipline – 8/10; Stability – 8/10; Proven – 7/10; Adaptability – 5/10; Possibility : 12 M Pounds – 7/10; Total – 67/100.
Samuel Eto’o (Barcelona FC)
Aerial Threat : 5 ft 11 in – 8/10; Creativity – 9/10; Consistency – 9/10; Unselfishness – 8/10; Age : 26 – 6/10; Discipline – 5/10; Stability – 7/10; Proven – 9/10; Adaptability – 8/10; Possibility : 45 M Pounds – 2/10; Total – 71/100.
Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur)
Aerial Threat : 5 ft 7 in – 6/10; Creativity – 7/10; Consistency – 5/10; Unselfishness – 7/10; Age : 24 – 8/10; Discipline – 6/10; Stability – 6/10; Proven – 7/10; Adaptability – 8/10; Possibility : 12 M Pounds – 7/10; Total – 67/100.
So, this leads us to the following ordering based on the points:
77 – Fernando Torres
72 – Giuseppe Rossi
71 – Samuel Eto’o
74 – Dimitar Berbatov
69 – Klaas Jan Huntelaar
68 – Carlos Tevez
67 – Javier Saviola, Obafemi Martins, Jermain Defoe
66 – Michael Owen
65 – David Villa
63 – Zlatan Ibrahimovic
65 – Fabio Quagliarella, Eidur Gudjohnsen
59 – Afonso Alves
55 – Nicolas Anelka
Torres can be ruled out as his move to Liverpool is almost complete, and Rossi was never for buying consideration, as United already have him. So thats leaves us with Eto’o, Berbatov, Huntelaar, Tevez and Javier Saviola as significant names, and I like the look of this.
Though Eto’o would be very tough to get, if United do manage it, nothing like it!! Else United need to swoop in for Berbatov, as he will be the last piece of the jigsaw.
Huntelaar maybe brought in next season as he himself has said he needs one more season before moving to a big club, and this suits United well too, since it can be seen if his form is a flash in pan, or he is here to stay.
Saviola can be brought in if United get him for a bargain if Saha and Ole are not going to recover soon enough, and if Sir Alex doesn’t have enough faith in Rossi to believe he will start performing soon enough.
United seem to be on the right path with the summer signings and the type of football they are playing right now. If all goes right, bigger glory and more nights to remember awaits the team.
Glory, Glory, Man Utd!!
—————————————————————————————————————————————————–
I remember the first time I saw him. He was 13 and just floated over the ground like a cocker spaniel chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind [on Ryan Giggs] – Sir Alex Ferguson
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- Manchester United Half Time Report: The Attack
- The Hargreaves Situation
- Manchester United Player Ratings: The Midfield
- The need for a right-back and a forward | Title race blown open
- Manchester United Player Ratings: The Defence
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (89)
Craig Mc (26)
Ian (18)
Shreyas, I want to congratulate you for being such a good Red Devil fan. You have taken the time to write a very good article, that probably took a lot of your time. Therefore, I will grant you passage to the VIP rooms in Heaven – where every good United Fan watch every game with beautiful women and endless beer.
My Comments will come soon…
GOD BLESS YOU MY CHILDREN!…and for those who wonder, Judas is a Chelsea Fan.
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Great post I don’t really think that SAF is going to bring somebody, but you never know. I would think that tall and creative stricker will be the best option…but on the other hand we already have three new people to put in the team so let’s wait.
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For sure if there has been any enlightening post, then this is the one. You were so spot on that even those with no knowledge of football would start craving for it. Is there any way that SAF would read this piece of analysis?
God bless you my dear….we have to crash all those scousers…..even with their Silvas!
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The more I think about this, the less I believe we will sign a striker. For a start, SAF has already splashed out (possibly) over 50million in transfer fees on four players and if you consider our roster of strikers, he may not feel it’s necessary to bring in a fresh set of legs, maybe til January or next summer. Rooney and Saha will be the first pick pairing and behind those you have Giggs (who is almost certain to be on the bench more often than off it at the start of a game next year) Rossi, Solskjaer and Dong. Admittedly Ole is likely to get injured again and be out for a couple months at a time, but Rossi has served his time on loan and is chomping at the bit for a go in the United squad. The same with Dong, who is a bit raw at the moment but anyone who saw his work in Belgium will be aware that he’s a raw talent aching to be polished up.
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Good post. Love the way you give score (out of 10) on the important attributes for each striker.
Well Torres is out and Berbatov is too expensive….. guess we’ll just reuse our Rossi
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hmmm
excellent effort mate – I disagree with one thing (your assessment of RVN) but apart from that great article.
Just added it to the best posts section.
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Excellent article, Shreyas. But just a few things:
1. Your Anelka ratings are too low to be realistic.
2. Your Defoe ratings are too high. Especially in terms of aerial threat and selfishness…
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Great article. Very nicely/profesionally laid out.
I just have one disagreement wrt the “age factor”.
Should SAF decide to go for a striker, then I think:
IF we were to sell Rossi, he would want someone young.
IF Rossi stays, he will mostl likely go for someone older, experienced, cheap.
Why’s Benni not listed?
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WOW,
That’s what we call having red blood. Well according to your analysis dude a
I think we already have the solution-Guissepe Rossi. I do feel that we do not need to buy any striker as Rossi can fit in. Maybe we should think of a cheap solution like we did with Larsson to be here in case of injuries.
So even Anelka will do or Gudjohnsen.
Too many new players may unsettle the beautiful united game so we have to be careful…
Glory Glory Man Utd..
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Anelka goes down in the ratings mainly due to Age : 28 – 4/10; Discipline – 3/10; Stability – 3/10. The way that the transfer to Real was handled, and the way he never seems to stay at a club for more than a year, is the reason for the low ratings in Discipline and Stability. We dont need the ‘Incredible Sulk’. Even if we got him, SAF would kick him out even before he thinks of the next switch.
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Maybe the Deofe rating was a bit on the higher side though! Agree with Keith on that.
And wrt Benni, he doesnt seem to be consistent, and may not fit well with the united scheme of things. What do you think?
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Wonderful post.
However I think your rating of Gudjohnsen as a creative player and aerial threat are low.
I actually think that out of all the players listed the one I think would make the greatest contribution to the team is Gudjohnsen as he can play as a striker but is also a great linking player. I never really understood why Chelsea sold him. Plus I also think he would jump at the chance to play at OT and would be reasonably priced.
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Yea i would have to agree with Peter. Gudjohnsen was underated there i feel. Whilst the analysis was a cracking effort i honestly dont see fergie spending any more than 15 or so mil on a striker. Reason being, if we were willing to spend that kind of money then we would be the ones bringing in Torres! (shame… spitefully hope he flops!) Tevez is only possible on a loan which i think is unlikely – Berba/Eto etc. all to expensive. I think Anelka is a great player who i genuinly also think fergie might be able to sort out, he seems to have matured and realised he hasnt got all that long left in the game. so for me its Gud or Anelka or (one that wasnt mentioned) i think Owen is a real possibility, Fergie has always liked him its just a case of whether he’d be willing to stich up the toon???
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Great post!
I agree with a couple of the guys previously, re Gudjohnsen beeing scored a little low, but still it’s your opinion and we’re all entitled to one! It doesn’t diminish from the quality of the report, which is excellent!
I think what will happen though is that SAF will wait until near the end of the Transfer Window, then a few days prior to the close ask about Gudjohnsen. I think the view will be that if we get him then great, but if we don’t we can pull Rossi & Dong back in.
Leaving it that late may lower his price even further. Although it pains me to say it, money is important these days,
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Not sure about Anelka but Owen have a sneaky suspicion that it could work.
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Now that Torres i set for Liverpool i hope Man Utd goes for David Villa, Zlatan ore Etoo.. Im still pretty pissed off do, because we let Liverpool grab Torres that easy.. If united buy huntelaar, anelka ore any other of thoose b-strikers thats mentioned then my summer is wrecked..
Manchester United always in my heart..
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Rossi no 2? slightly odd.
Eto’o obviously would be fantastic for any club, but he isnt coming to England. Anelka, Berbativ etc – all good but know surprises, you know what you would be getting.
tevez is the man. ready to explode. but he’s off to Arsenal.
torres would have been good. but Liverpool got him.
noonr that exciting left. oh well.
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Great post dude … the completeness of your analysis is mind boggling
Assuming that Rossi/Rooney/Saha are not enough I wouldn’t go for someone who is b-choice … we need someone who is starting 11 quality
Assuming torres goes to pool, we are left to berbatov, tevez and possibly saviola
berba looks the most difficult of them and am not sure if he is worth 25+ mill … if thats his price
tevez in the 20_25 mill range would be better buy both in terms of goals scored and created. Plus he will bring a dynamism that has been raved and ranted in this forum for long
last is saviola … he is starting 11 material but just enough, I think and the last choice of the lot … the good thing of course is that his will be a free transfer
so unless it is tevez (around 20 mill), berba (around 17-18 or max 20) or saviola with a reasonable wage structure I don’t think we should take the risk of getting a new striker
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Great post!
BUT Saviola would be on a bosman not 12 mil. Also mistake over Rossi price (27 mil lol).
Also interested to know why Huntelaar is only rated 4/10 for adaptability.
Lastly what exactly was taken into account regarding stability and does creativity mean able to create chances for himself or is it based on assist records???
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What concerns me with the need for a new striker is that at the moment we only have one a-striker on the books in Rooney and even he isn’t an out and out striker.
There were quite a few games last season where we created so many chances but failed to take most of them (Reading away, West Ham away, City away, Celtic away to name a few) even if we did end up winning some of the games that I saw a need for an out and out striker.
What we need is someone with a nose for goal who will either add to the flow of the team or not get in the way of that flow as RvN did.
I don’t think SAF is going to be able to pay 20M for a striker after the outlay he has already made this off season. So I believe the best options are either Owen or Gudjohnsen (who I see as a similar type of player to Sheringham)
But at the end of the day I believe unlike Dash that we need another striker to add to the pool we already have.
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gr8 post mate .. Wud also like to see your ratings for our CURRENT strikers … if u cud add that ..
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I think Rossi fits the bill of a lethal finisher.
Rather give him a chance and if need be, get a striker in January.
(Unless of course we can get Tevez now).
If there are now striker sales, then I think our pool is fine.
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I think there is one more, and for me, is better than all
Adriano ,
and let’s see what SAF will decide during the amical match
So let’s wait for the 01/08 and after that will see
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i think if man u really need a striker there should buy podolski or there can try for anelka. man u already have a player that can drible and high creativity such as rooney, ronaldo, anderson, nani and giggs so the striker that there really need is a striker that can score in front of goal that have 9/10 accuracy.besides that if SAF really need a striker he will bought it belives me. for example if he really want torres he will bid it but man u dont want a striker like torres.man u really need a striker like berbatov or klose.
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I have a disagreement on one part of the assessment. Aerial threat is not directly proportional to the height of the guy while its just the leap he can take…eg:-Roberto Ayala s just 5’7″ or something but have scored far too many goals using his head. Even Gaby is not that tall..Rest seem to be okay…Sad to see Torres wearing the L’pool shirt…that was one player whom i would like to see at OT..alongside Rooney,Ronaldo…Down the line say a year or two(settle down) from here it would have been the world threatening attack force….just like Barca has now Eto’o,Ronaldinho,Henry and Messi….a team to watch dudes!!
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GOD DAY MY CHILDREN….This is GOD…again!
Our brother Shreyas has share some of his light and knowledge with us, and for that, we are greatfull. Once again, thank you Shreyas.
Some of you have made very interesting comments, specially those of you who said we wont be getting a new striker, at least until January. This is probably right. Unless we start selling people, we wont be buying any new players.
Therefore, we should shift our attention to who will be leaving instead of who will be arriving.
Thank you my children
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Hmm, there seem to some obvious errors crept into the post like the 27 mil for rossi since had copied the format from berbatov
. anyways, coming on the discussion:
1. the height comment from shyam: the height has been given as a reference, if u notice there no direct correlation b/w height and the points given for aerial threat.
2. SAF’s comments. Huntelaar is 4/10 on adaptability since he is not known to be physically strong, though he is improving on it and his heading ability under Van Basten. Creativity would reflect more on having the ability to create chances for himself, and little bit of for others. Unselfishness would reflect more on creating chances for others, since even if you are unselfish only if you have the skills can you use that to create goals for others!
3. kohtao’s comments on Rossi being no. 2 in the list. You must realize that it is not about rating the best striker in the world but about who would fit into Man U’s scheme of things. And for this I see Rossi to be quite good, and we already have him!
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should but tevez
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sos should buy tevez oops
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I think u underrate Fabio Quagliarella, David Villa & Carlos Tevez
and overrate Eidur Gudjohnsen, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Obafemi Martins & Fernando Torres
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i would like to congratulate the author on writing a piece of absolute wanking tosh. reading such articles makes me wonder how old people writing this are. i think you should lighten your daily dosage of football manager and grow up. the fact that it appears on newsnow irritates the shit out of me even more, it’s not a news item, so why is it there?. i could go on a lifetime without reading this childish nonsense.
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(TO JADE)
JADE, my son…you dissapoint me.
The Torres transfer is done, and you dared to insult me by contradicting my predictions on my previews post. Therefore, you must now pay by going to Hell and watch Chelsea games only!…with the likes of Judas, Hitler and probably Paris Hilton. Also, your wish of becoming Queen Elisabeth will be granted as well.
However, I do agree with you on Shreyas underrating Fabio Quagliarella, David Villa & Carlos Tevez….and that might save your soul. Although, I think none of them will be joining us this season.
Let’s pray Tevez does.
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Pray that Tevez joins us?… I mean you are god, right? Can’t you just make it happen?
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Can’t see us buying a striker this yr.
Berbatov for me would be the best option, probably next yr.
I like the sound of giving Huntelaar another yr (or maybe half a yr) to see how he does.
I think the type of striker Fergie will be looking for if he is looking would be in the young Larsson mould. Good heading ability, good target man, can link up the play without slowing the breaks down. A natural finisher. Berbatov from what I’ve seem fits the bill maybe Villa.
We should have got Teddy back, too late now, dam ! ; )
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i think saf should get ADRIANO !!!! who is the best man for the job !!! him and rooney up front mmmmmm… waiting for the 1st august
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Defoe 7/10 for unselfihgness?? Ha ha ha ha
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