DJS

Yeah i get the point, but you seem to imply that you can win 'at will', depending on what's at stake - there's always something at stake, because invariably, you've been chasing the title...or, as was the case last season, you were chasing Spurs who humourously spent most of the season in 4th place, causing your lot to crap yourselves at the prospect of finishing 5th...until the last days when Spurs quite literally were crapping themselves after 'lasagne-gate'... So there's always a need to win, whether it's a one-off cuptie or whether it's 3 league points, because when you're chasing titles or top-four places, it's tight and 3 points are valuable in virtually every game. As for the cup ties last year, sure you won both and did so comfortably. This time though, our keeper will have hands

Chelsea got a home clean sheet both times against us in the semis - they still ended up watching both finals on the telly As for Keira...god bless her, you'd probably snap her in half... I'll take the bottom half ta

Yeah but they approached the other 13 as preseason friendlies, apparently...

You cant seriously suggest that you've EVER come to Anfield thinking "Oh dont worry lads, we dont 'need' to win this, so just relax and whatever happens can happen"... You (not just you personally, i mean anyone) virtually always 'need' to win matches, regardless of if you're in the title race or not. Especially games between the top four - you're either chasing the title or trying to cement 3rd/4th place, so you do arguably 'need' to win those games more or less all the time.

Obviously you performed very well at Milan and no one would deny that. So yes, the San Siro says different. Recent league performances tell a different story, mind. But as John Terry & co will tell you, anfield is a different kettle of fish on a CL night... Chelsea had players who had 'seen it all' in their careers and they werent going to be phased by it...or so they thought. It never ceases to amaze (or please) me how so many people underestimate Anfield on nights like that. Long may it continue

Not so sure that you'd be fecked by conceding an away goal - obviously it depends on how many you score yourselves, but in terms of creating chances and scoring at Anfield goes, you should be as confident of doing so as anyone. Your style of play and the ability you have to carve teams open usually equates to chances. Then it's just down to whether Samson can convert it

Arteta probably. Yobo...ahead of who? Not for me. Lescott, although a centre half, has played LB a lot for them and to be fair, he's had a terrific season. Very solid and 8 goals to boot. I'd take him any day of the week, compared to JAR and Aurelio. Cahill would be a decent reserve for when Gerrard needs a rest, likewise Yakubu for when Torres is left out of a Carling Cup side.

And you get the impression that mentally speaking, Arsenal arent the strongest. It could have an affect on several of their younger players. That's why it's utterly imperative that we hold our own at the Emirates. Shame Fabregas scored that winner for them at Bolton, as their confidence and morale would've been shot to pieces had they not won. Now they're going to be well up for Wednesday night. Still, we have the experience and mentality for two-leg European ties, so it's there for the taking.

I think you're right and normally, that irritates me when we go to your place with such a defensive mentality. In my view, if you invite Arsenal to control the game and try to sit back, they'll inevitably create chances...and probably convert a couple. You're too good not to. However, in the context of a 2-leg CL tie, it's different. Having said that, maybe something in between the usual Emirates style of 'sit back and keep them out' and 'all guns blazing' would do nicely. Obviously keep it tight, but there'll be moments in the game where we'll get a chance to pose a threat. We will need to believe in our ability to score there and realise that a fair part of keeping you at bay will involve giving you something to deal with at the other end. As is so often the case, the outcome will depend hugely on our mentality. If we go there thinking we can trouble you on the break and actually put some effort into doing that, i'm confident we can score and keep the tie well balanced going into the 2nd leg. The usual 2-0 or 3-0 Emirates capitulation, and naturally, our european campaign will be over before YNWA blares out on the 8th...

After the 2 Chelsea semi-finals, i'm not sure my heart would last until full time... Cant we win 2-0 in the 2nd leg? Just so i dont die, like...

Meanwhile back in the real world...

Indeed i do remember it. What an embarrassing episode it was. We need to get our english players to exploit this 'rule' too. Although it's conceivable that Carra couldnt, because he's stuck two fingers upto the FA and England already.

I wouldnt argue with that. The FA dont have the balls to enforce things properly, because it means their England golden boys would be on a disrepute charge on a fortnightly basis. So our only solution is to do what they do and learn how to play the system.

The most similar incident to yesterday's one, that the mancs were involved in, was when Rooney got a 2nd yellow for that sarcastic hand clap in the ref's face. Kim Milton Nielson sent him off and the mancs were up in arms. Unfortunately, hardly any english refs stand upto Rooney's gob. If they started to, he'd either have to change, or miss about 20 games a season through suspension. It's not the 'hardline' approach that annoys me, nor is it the fact that Mascherano was sent off. It's the fact that in a week or two, the hardline approach will be buried in the ground and we'll go back to normal. Rooney will continue to scream abuse at the ref from 2 inches away and Chelsea will continue to surround the ref en-masse. And neither will be reprimanded for it.

That's been the perfect solution for over a decade, but the problem is still not solved. The refs havent been able to 'man up' for whatever reason and continue failing to do so.

Totally agree. We're far too nice. Fergie rips referees to shreds when he needs an advantage and it's worked for him for donkeys. He ripped Martin Atkinson the other week and feck all was done to him. It was the same with Mourinho, like him or not, he knew how to play the psychological game and was able to use it to his advantage. Rafa needs to plant a few more seeds into minds and if he does it on a regular basis, it'll start to have an impact over time. Much as i hate ferguson, he does this superbly and regularly reaps the rewards.

Spot on post.

That basically sums up the whole thing with regards to Steve Bennett and the FA. "We have the power" is the whole message they wanted to put across. Real masters of the universe stuff. I'm so impressed...

It got lost in the gap between a good, sensible ref and an attention seeking twunt.

There's a case for saying that. I dont think he should've been sent off for asking the ref what happened, as this implies you're no longer entitled to ask the ref a question, without being booked. I'd also agree that Mascherano gave the referee the option to be over zealous and produce the second yellow. After all, if JM hadnt actively approached the ref, then there was no opportunity for Bennett to send him off. However, i still maintain that if this refereeing approach is the way it is, and is going to be applied consistently, Rooney and Terry should have got into double figures by now, when it comes to red cards.

I'm objective even when it's LFC involved, but the fact of the matter is, if Mascherano's behaviour today warrants a yellow card, and there was actual applied consistency, then Rooney and John Terry would never complete 90 minutes.

Naturally there's others who'll no doubt pose a threat. Ronaldo's the only one who's been doing it all season for them though. A Rooney or Tevez off-day wouldnt really surprise you much, whereas Ronaldo barely has one.

I bet the Portugese princess is bricking it To be fair to JAR though, he HAS had a decent amount of success with keeping Ronaldo quiet in the past. Fingers crossed for more of the same.

Agree about Ronaldo, but every team that plays them would be aware of the likely success of such a plan - hardly anyone's been able to do it though.

Our away kit should just be an inverted version of the home kit. And the third should be in the same design, but black with red trim. Never liked yellow kits.