So Cal Red

constructive dismissal. Rafa would win too. this club is at a major crossroads in its long rich history, on thin ice, & in hopes that the refinance move by Hick/Gillett fails. i know mate. the tides have really turned. i just want to wake up already! isn't that what the due diligence is for?!?! ...& no one would blame him. if Hicks/Gillett were to succeed in their bid for more time, it would be one hell of a long & windy road to win back the supporters' trust. its a brilliant Shankly quote... too bad the ignorant owner's could care less! i don't think he'll walk either... too much pride & work he's poured into the club. Rafa's a winner. calculating & patient. he won't just throw in the towel & let these scumbags win. at the very least, Rafa will stay on till the summer when the direction of the club (ownership - sell or stay) will be determined. i agree.

why sell Alonso? has there been a confirmed link where he states he wants to leave?

he will... but not publicly. its like a game of chess. Rafa's pretty good at that. definitely a possibility. or perhaps one of the Italian clubs (Milan?). i agree.

good article by Times Online that about sums it all up: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle3185370.ece

agreed. although i hope we sell Carson, Riise, Sissoko, Crouch, etc long before we have to sell Alonso!

should HALF! i don't like Riise playing left-mid. Xabi & Aurelio have played well. corner.

Torres looks dangerous every time he gets the ball. he was just through on goal but the defender made a good last-ditch tackle. Babel w/ a volley just over the bar. he looks likely to score today.

Momo slips up at the worst possible moment

Babel has looked very good running at & taking on players tonight

Hobbs gave the ball away in a bad position. Lampard through on goal but Charlie saves.

freekick. dangerous area. edge of the seat.

wow. Babel totally skinned the defender there!

10 mins to go. i am officially bricking it!

HA! Pieboy missed an absolute sitter! objects thrown but failed to hit their target. we have holes at the back. Aurelio on. Riise off.

oh snap! that was almost BABEL TIME! great strike though.

wow. Tevez w/ a handball in the box. we should have had a penalty.

Placcy dive. Alex crying for his bottle of gin. Kuyt w/ a weak shot.

BABEL TIME! (another delay)

defenders! they just looked around at each other, searching in vain, for some sort of explanation as to WTF just happened! hehe absolutely loved it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGdjpd1StXY

i like a 4-2-3-1 formation w/ those players. just hoping Rafa doesn't field an overly-cautious side. we need to take the fight to them!

i'm pretty sure he aggravated an injury recently.

hehe, i felt a compulsion to recap the various stances made in this thread! (is it a record for merged replies though?)

if Mascherano can't play then Lucas needs to play. he has shown his quality, he can handle the pressure, & he will be ready for this match. we'd need his stabilizing effect if we want a good result this Saturday. i would play Benayoun as well. he can turn a game w/ one moment of magic. Kewell on the left & Gerrard playing ahead of Mascherano/Lucas. Torres partnered w/ Kuyt upfront - although a case can be made to play Crouch for his aerial ability. Riise out (even though he loves to defend, apparently) & Aurelio in. but if Finnan is fit, then he should play at RB w/ Arbeloa at LB.

i know the law is somewhat different in England & the US i.e. right to bear arms, what comprises self-defense, etc... but i thought this recent unfortunate event highlights the seriousness of safety & security in the home... NFL star Sean Taylor slain an intruder's intent can be to burglarize by any means possible (including the use of force & violence). therefore, the homeowner/resident should have a right to protect himself, his family, & his property - arguably, not at any means possible - but at times, its a matter of life & death as the Sean Taylor incident illustrates. i hope that the club can do a better job in halting this disturbing trend of burglary. as someone mentioned earlier in this thread, we need to be proactive, not reactive.