DJS

http://halftime-oranges.blogspot.com/2010/08/skys-limit-but-their-punditry-is.html Superb stuff.

Sorry if it's been mentioned since Elisha posted, but i havent read all 169 pages - any more word on the Crouch thing? Is it definitely done and if so, when is it likely to be announced? Cheers.

For sure. As a non ST holder who has been fortunate enough to use one last season and this season, it's nothing bad. But even though it's useful for people in my situation (or indeed those who dont have a ST either in their own name or on loan), i still dont think it's fair on 'normal' ST holders. Especially as the majority of away allocations are gonna be about 2k-3k. It'd be hard enough for the 25k or so ST holders to get them, statistically speaking (notwithstanding that a far smaller number of ST holders will actually meet the criteria) without the mass of FC holders also being allowed to try. But meh.

Oh certainly, the opportunity is there to build it up over the years. But in terms of this game, being the first that they're doing it with - and needing 15 and then 10 aways, in order to qualify - it's just utterly pointless even mentioning fancard holders who arent ST holders, in this case because nobody in that situation is going to have 10 or 15 aways from last season. In one respect, it's not a bad idea. And of course, you'd have to build up from nothing, which is fair enough. I suppose they had to start it somewhere and this is the first away of the season, so fair enough. But the criteria in this case are there in name alone and would be ultimately meaningless to a non ST holder who has a fancard. And furthermore, i'm not sure it's fair to ST holders that non ST holders get the same opportunities to get the away tickets, without stumping up the same kind of wedge in one lump sum.

They're now letting fancard holders/members buy away tickets, it seems (as opposed to just ST holders). However, the away games recorded on your fancard levels are the same - which non ST holder is likely to have 10 or 15 away credits from last season recorded on their fancard? Seems utterly impossible and therefore, a pointless exercise.

Was already wondering if i'd do this one, as it's been switched to the Monday night, which means a day off work - as i live in that London... If it's £63, they've made the decision for me.

I know it's only the Mail but worrying quotes: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1292004/Fernando-Torres-set-Liverpool-exit-agent-admits-Premier-League-big-boys-interested.html Fernando Torres set for Liverpool exit as agent admits Premier League big boys are interested By Simon Cass Last updated at 10:27 PM on 4th July 2010 Fernando Torres appeared on the verge of leaving Liverpool on Sunday night after his agent indicated the striker is bound for another Premier League club. Chelsea are at the front of the queue to sign the Spaniard and Manchester City also showed interest before moving on to other targets when they got little encouragement from the 26-year-old. Agent Jose Antonio Martin said: ‘It is very likely that Fernando Torres will stay in the Premier League, but I cannot say that it will be with Liverpool. We are working on his future but right now you cannot guarantee that he will stay with the English club.’ Barcelona have been linked with a move for Torres, but Martin made it clear they will not challenge Chelsea for Torres’ signature. ‘It is ruled out,’ said Martin. ‘Barcelona have signed David Villa and now they want to invest the money they have in other players.’ Sportsmail revealed in May that Torres was a £70million target for Chelsea and, despite Roy Hodgson insisting he would do all he could to keep the Spaniard and Steven Gerrard, the new Liverpool manager could offer no guarantees. Having already sold Yossi Benayoun to Chelsea, Hodgson would prefer to raise funds for his squad rebuilding by selling the likes of Javier Mascherano and Albert Riera. But Hodgson knows such is the state of Liverpool’s finances — their debt is £472.5m — a big offer from either Chelsea or City for Torres will be almost impossible to turn down. Torres says talk about his future must wait until Spain’s World Cup campaign is over.

Just saying how difficult this is gonna be for arsenal to find a breakthrough, under the circumstances. Keep your y-fronts on

They're not crap though, are they? They're just missing about 7 first teamers.

Spurs defending with about 8 men spread across the edge of their own box. At home.

Torres was being ineffective while he was on, although i'd question the level of service he had. That said, i dont think he's the type of player you take off when you need a winner. Even ineffective and quiet, he can still pop up and win you the points. Villa away anyone?

There should be a points deduction for such an inept display. 0-4 now.

Dont think we'd need defenders, in all honesty.

You could pick 11 posters at random off this site, and they'd beat Burnley.

Tevez scores, 0-3. Burnley fans leaving.

Burnley are the sh*test team in PL history. 5 mins gone, 0-2 down already. Fecking sh*te.

I'm pretty sure the Arsenal-Spurs game has been shifted to a later date now, cos of Spurs in the FA Cup semi finals. So it wouldnt need to be three defeats in a row

Indeed.

So Johnson starts AND is also on the bench too?

"Everton were so outraged by Rafael Benitez's claim a few years ago that they were a "small club" that they issued a public denial"

My thoughts exactly. It's becoming quite difficult to imagine these days.

We go to City 3 days after this, in a far more important game. I'd be gutted to see key players risked for Unirea.

The way City have been 'performing', i see no reason why we couldnt win there. They have two games against Stoke before we play them, so hopefully they'll kick them off the park for 3 hours too.

City looking decidedly mediocre tonight at home to Bolton, who've been the better side. Idiotic tackle from the LB on Adam Johnson gave City a peno and Tevez saw his low central effort hit the keeper's body and squirm into the right hand side of the net. If City carry on playing like this and we keep up our level of performance, a win at Eastlands is definitely not beyond us.