RedNik

They wouldn't even be going up against each other, as both players sit pretty deep.

What on earth is the logic of stopping him from reffing a game next week? Same with the linesman in the fulham boro game. So what by giving them a week off, the association is taking the necessary steps to ensure errors like this dont happen again? Now I'm against the idea of fining refs who dont make nearly as much as others in the game, but surely there is a better way to go about disciplining and correcting them.

affective?

Finnan looks like a little kid throwing a tantrum.

Zenden starting in the final last year didn't worry you even the slightest bit?

Yup we should try all 3 out against Sunderland. Stick Crouchie up there, with Torres playing just off of him. Babel wide left, with Gerrard, xabi and mascher in midfield. I think we'll also see Xabi play better then too.

I thought his reading and positional play was poor, allowing him to make those last ditch clearances and tackles. Thing his with his pace and strength, he can afford to be out of position. Gonna be a damn good defender mind.

Im not convinced that Arbeloa is right now our first choice left back. IMO, he should be, but its entirely possible that he is playing there because Rafa doesnt want to start Babel at left mid just yet.

Looking forward to getting some definitive news on this today - although knowing those muppet officials, they'll probably just drag it on until september.

Don't know where it came from, but the 'we got the best midfield in the world...' was pretty loud yesterday.

His first choice position. For me he probably isn't strong enough to play there consistently for us, but definitely as a back.

Let the team who had posession resume from the touchline.

Stop with the legend stuff - remember Kewell?

Hyypia IS experienced defensive cover. That being said, if arbeloa is our first choice left back, we probably need another back up right back, who could preferably play centre too (seeing that Paletta is gone).

I don't know who exactly wanted Tevez more over Torres - my guess it was because people had seen more of him (being in the premiership), and he was flavour of the month due to the end of season heroics.

How many did didi get when we were touting him as the best defensive mid around? What about Vieira? Makelele? Hardly prolific. People need to realize the role he needs to play when next to Gerrard.

He was better today. Even got into some wide positions and put the ball in a couple of times. Problem is his body balance isn't good enough to beat a man, and he doesn't have a quick change of pace. Shoots too much probably, but then again if he doesn't then how is he contributing.

I certainly don't want to start a thread on Owen. You're entitled to your opinion, as I am mine. I just happen to have less bitter memories about him, for better or for worse.

And to think the pre match build up here to touted Styles as a lucky ref for us.

Because assistants will rarely rule against the decision in the middle. Think about the linesman - he's some 30 yards from the incident while styles is right there. Obviously he isn't going to overrule styles (if it were allowed), because there is no certainty and proximity rules.

Exactly that mate. It was a foul by Ben Haim on Torres. He blatantly blocked him, and it was he who was mouthing off and lifting his arms etc. When I saw the card coming out I was delighted because I thought it was ben haim getting sent off, as he should've been.

So according to you there are only 2 things an attacking player can do, assist and score? - I take it then that Torres was awful at Villa, as was Stevie G, prior to his free kick? Heck in fact apart from Gerrard and Torres, all other non defenders in our team today were s***. What about defensive players, by what 2 measure do you judge them - last ditch tackles and off the line clearances?

Oh ffs thats exactly what im saying. Whether the damn question was rhetorical or not is irrelevant. The point is you are judging his game based on his shots at goal. Jesus fsafdklsnmd'lksd i give up.

No. of shots on/ at goal would be on yes?