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It was a strong team out there. We played alright too. They should look at the lousy refereeing and curse at Brown not seeing red after 30 mins. That would have given us a massive upper hand.

For the first leg perhaps it would have been better for Gonzalez to be played than Zenden. We could have used his pace to good effect, and also the fact that Stevie kept coming infield meant nobody provided genuine threat wide on either flank. Mind you Bolo still skinned Ferreira a couple of times... For the second leg however, we had Pennant on one side to stretch the play so someone who is a better footballer (tactically) was the right choice for the match. We had a good shape about us in the 2nd leg because of Zenden's ability to pass the ball decently with both feet, keep it and most importantly, tuck in when necessary to make up the numbers while Riise would forward. I would suspect he also allowed Stevie to play with a little more freedom knowing that there was someone there who could cover for him in the middle.

This nonsense about playing for one trophy came out from Mourinho and everyone's picked up on it. We got a horrible fixture list at the start of the season, but still at one point in January looked like we could stage a comeback being something like 3 or 5 points behind Chelsea, and about 10 or so behind United. IMO the derby match at home wrecked any dreams we had of a late surge. And the Newcastle away match just put it all to bed. I'm glad someone pointed out that Mourinho rested important players for the Bolton match. And even more so that it made no difference in the CL. But still, it reeks that Man Utd are gonna win the league this season, much as I dislike Mourinho...

We'd wear yellow anyway since Milan wear white shorts too, is that not the case? But they'll be wearing their white kit anyway I'd imagine. Which works a treat for us... =)

I thought Milan needed a third to be comfortable to be honest. Teams that don't turn up for the first half usually shape up and play better in the 2nd. This Man Utd team is well capable of nicking two. Let's hope Ancelotti has learnt his lesson...actually you'd hope the whole Milan team will have learnt from Istanbul...and then forget about it in Athens!

I turned around to my mate and looked at him and said "there's your Dudek/Gudjohnsen moment". From that point on, I knew we were gonna win, especially when it went to penalties.

Groin strain apparently...

What's the status on Carvalho? I suspect it was a precautionary sub rather than a forced one... He's just said knee injury, haven't really seen anyone reporting details on it (though I haven't really looked around, just read match reports). Points to him playing games, and that Carvalho will start, or at least play some part.

I used to (maybe still) believe that the high from Istanbul would never be matched - if we do Chelsea the same way we did Olympiacos, I suspect it will... But, for the sake of my heart (and many others'), why I think we need to play in a very controlled manner, like that first half against Barca - the best tactical football I've seen us play. We controlled the game with and without the ball. Anyway, score too early and Chelsea will come out all guns blazing, and we'll feel like we have something to lose. If we can get one with 15-20 mins to go, it's a good position to be in. They'll come out of their shell a bit, but the momentum will still be with us because they'll have been defending and chasing the ball for 70 odd minutes. And in then in the 5th minute of injury time, Stevie smashes in a 25 yard screamer at the Kop end.

A mate might be going, and he might be able to get me a ticket too. But it's apparently around Chelsea season ticket holders. As big as a game it is, I'm very 50-50 about it - it would be a dream to watch such a big game, but at the same time, it will be hell as I get vocal and won't be able to get behind the team. Still, would be great to have the option of going... All the best!

Gotta be magic for me. 2005 was just unreal. There was a certain intangible force (plus all the stars being aligned) which some like your good self felt from very early on. I fear a bloody Manc treble. I'll go on record and say that I'd prefer a Chelsea quadruple over the Mancs winning one of the league or CL. They can have the FA Cup though. Then again everyone on here would as well I suppose...

Is there more chance of Rob Jones coming out of retirement to pop one in the Kop end?

Agree with what you said... Everyone knows that next summer will be pivotal. Rafa's signings will define the direction the club will go under him. And by the sounds of it, he KNOWS he needs the two or three world class players in midfield and up front to take the club to the next level. I'd say a wide midfielder, a no.10, and a no.9. Or maybe two wide players who are genuine threats running with the ball at pace, and a Samuel Eto'o style dynamic goalscorer. I am VERY confident that he will go out and get the proven top class players that will make the difference in our first team - talk of buying quantity over quality is unfounded.

Maybe if this thread read Left MIDFIELD problem sorted, that might be a better possibility.

Worked hard too IIRC. I seem to recall a home match against Villa...97/98 season...lost the ball at the edge of the box on the right attacking the Anfield Road end, and just chased for the ball all the way back to the left back position. He/the team won the ball back because of that.

Chelsea semi it is then! (CL and FA Cup) And then back for the final, but limps off... (both cup finals) There's a trend isn't there?

I hope you're right. Cause right now the Man Utd treble feeling is strong. I know it's heresy but... Someone cleanse me please.

He might turn out to be our Garcia this season in terms of scoring goals on the way to a successful European cup run...

True there's a lot of knee jerking going around. BUT, if you look at the way Mascherano's been playing, he's showing us what he's got to his game. And that's being reasonably good on the ball, and very good off it. Momo on the other hand, is excellent without the ball, and only decent a decent passer at best. IF we need to let one of our midfielders go, Momo would be the prime candidate for me. That said, I doubt we'll be making any additions or sales to central midfield in the off season though.

One name pops to mind: Emile Heskey

Jared Leto?

which is only half as funny as those who put Gonzalez in their first XI for this season after only seeing 5 minute of highlights clips of him playing...

Gotta be Crouchy and Bellamy or Gerrard for me.

Birmingham away - spilled a shot for their 2nd...Pandiani? O'Shea??? Come on, that's harsh. It was a very well worked free kick; the ball bouncing right in front of him with Saha running across him right as he was coming to him. For me, Johnson's doesn't really count as I believe he would have played it safe (palmed the ball into touch) and not done what he did if we were in a position to win/save a match. He was looking unsure in the early part of the season though, but has been back to his best since recovering his form.

F*cking TIGER!!! If he continues to display this grit and tenacity at a high level next season, as consistently as Momo did last season ( andin particular Barca away this one), we might have the perfect solution to Momo's lack of quality on the ball.