Walrus

Reina has taken the responsibility for the cup final goal before. I think Stevie G also commented about it in some piece. This Saturday it was similar: a combination of incredible luck from the crosser and poor positioning/adjustment from Reina. You can bet your life that Rafa for instance sees both goals as mistakes from Pepe on top of the bad luck that was involved. Just because Pepe is a magnificient 'keeper doesn't mean we should pretend mistakes don't happen. It's been said before, but the salient issue with Pepe IMO, is that he's a confident lad, who doesn't let these things get to him.

Unlucky you're not Argentinian then, as you'd have been playing in the WC quarter finals this summer.

It was Reina's goal no question, just like the one in the cup final. Both flukes, but Reina should have got to them anyway. Regardless, he's still one of the best in the business IMO.

That's a bit harsh IMO

Read that many times now. Any ideas as to what happened?

A good strike by Campo yeah, but I don't think Robinson looks exactly sharp. Anyhow, it's nice to see that the other 'contenders' are not finding the start of the season too easy either. Chelsea and ManU will both win 12-0 tomorrow though.

Reading - Boro 2-2 now, Kitson and Sidwell with the goals.

How much do they pay fans these days? And where can I apply?

Sami has picked up a small knock in Finland's international. Just came off 10 mins before the end. The commentators said that it's a dead leg, so maybe Daniel will get a start on Saturday...?

Djimi chooses Charlton Charlton's new defender Djimi Traore is looking forward to meeting his new teammates after joining a club with a 'big future'. The Mali international, who signed a three-year deal with the Addicks on Tuesday following a £2m switch from Liverpool, is expected to join up with the squad as they train in The Netherlands ahead of Friday night's friendly against FC Utrecht - when Traore could make his Charlton debut. There's been a lot of talk about new starts at The Valley recently, and Traore explained to the official Charlton website that the lure of a fresh challenge with the Addicks was enough to turn his back on Anfield, where he earned a Champions League winners' medal in 2005. "I think it was the right time for me to move," said the France-born defender. "I enjoyed my seven years at Liverpool but I want to play more regular football. "It's a good move for me because when you've been at a club for a long while you get into a routine. Especially in the situation that I was in where sometimes I played and sometimes I didn't, which caused some frustration. "And that's one of the reasons why I decided to move." The 26-year-old continued: "I'm very proud of what I achieved at Liverpool, especially winning the Champions League, but it wasn't difficult for me to leave that behind. "I'd prefer to go somewhere where I can play football rather than be in the Champions League with Liverpool and sit on the bench. "And I hope that one day with Charlton we will qualify for European football. "I think it's possible, but it's not easy. To finish in the top six you need to work very hard. You need to be very solid and I think that's what the Charlton team needs, more consistency, to be able to achieve that." Traore's signing was simultaneous to that of former Newcastle United midfielder Amady Faye, who is also expected to link up with the squad. And head coach Iain Dowie brought his summer shopping list to six new recruits with the loan signing of Costa Rica winger Christian Bolanos, who impressed during a trial period with the Addicks. But it was the club's success in securing its duo of England internationals on long-term deals this summer that attracted Traore to The Valley. "I don't really know any of the Charlton players but I've played against them a lot and I know they are a good team," he said. "Games against them have always been tough, especially away from home. "They've kept hold of Darren Bent and Luke Young - and that's one of the reasons why I've signed for Charlton. "When you can keep that kind of player - internationals and two top English players - on long contracts it shows the club has some ambition. "From the outside it looks like a young team and one with a big future." Of fellow new boy Faye, he added: "I've played against him in France and in England and he's an experienced player. "He's a tough lad and he works hard on the pitch. "I think it's good for everybody to bring some fresh blood into the club and I think Charlton have made the right choice with their new manager. I think he can do a great job for the club and I'm looking forward to working with him." Traore was brought to England by former Reds boss Gerard Houllier for £500,000 from French outfit Laval in February 1999, when he was target of AC Milan, Lazio and Paris St Germain. But, following a season-long loan with Lens, he eventually fell out of favour with the French boss and the arrival of Rafael Benitez rejuvenated his career at left-back, although his preferred position is in the centre of defence. Under Dowie it would seem likely that Traore will again be required to play full-back, with the new boss showing his intention to play Hermann Hreidarsson in the centre throughout pre-season despite the departure of Chris Powell to Watford. "My natural position is centre-back, but at Liverpool I played more times as a left-back so I can play in both," said Djimi, who scored once for his former club. "My ambition at Charlton is to give my best, to perform well and to help the team do well. "For me my first job is to defend; I prefer to keep a clean sheet for the team than to score." He added: "I'm supposed to go to Holland on Thursday to meet my new teammates and to play a part in the game on Friday night. I'm looking forward to meeting everybody. "I'm not 100 per cent sure that I will play but I'm ready, I'm fit. I've played a full pre-season for Liverpool so my fitness isn't a problem." CAFC

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Is that in 2010?

Let's hope Jerzy joins up with Didi at City and we get the money to finally bring Kuyt here. City would be a good choice for Dudek IMO.

Surely that only re-inforces what Kev was trying to say.

Has this not been mentioned on the offal at all?

His accent his horrible, to be fair.

f***ing hell, you'll never walk alone indeed Always kinda liked Djimi, even if he wasn't one of the best performers on the pitch. Can't fault him for effort at all. Good luck Djimi, I genuinely wish him all the best down there.

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Not doubting that in any way, but I'm just genuinely puzzled as to who in their right mind would want to go throught the trouble of dreaming this kind of a thing up?

Carra on CL qualification: "All we've got to focus on is making sure we get through, because it means so much to us, not only in terms of playing in the Champions League, but financially." Quite an obvious comment really, but if put into context, it could belong in this thread as well...

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