mercury

This is really incredible! What a close shave we have!

Why don't we burn Cisse?

not when it is more or less the average sum that is spent each season. I do not think many Clubs afford to do it on a regularly basis. Everton spent big in the past year or two because of the Rooney money and subsequently the "expected" CL money. Their own fans' analysis on their annual report is quite educational really.

This is fair.

timely return must say.

no question about it!! look forward to seeing unfurl next week.

Mori played more like a midfield yesterday! Worked hard to track back and his distribution was delightful. However inside the penalty box there is not a shred of confidence!! It's really a shame.

One of the good impressions Kronkamp made yesterday was his strength, the ability to hold depsite bumps and rumps from two or three opposite players around him. Touches are neat. Agger fared well, a couple of oddies aside. Both looks like good biz and if Kronkamp can settle in fast, even better. Talking about corners, please don't let Gerrard take corners any more......once in a while is ok.... if Kronkamp is good at it give him the job!!

Didi my MOTM so good to see him on the pitch

I'll settle for a draw. Both teams will raise their form for this game but it's at their place. Won't mind a win of course

Agreed. We had flashes of our passing game but most were off and was not helped by our trouble in keeping possession for sustained periods, especiallybin the 1st. This remains a major weaknesses In fact, over the last three or four games, I feel only Finnan, Kewell (keep improving) and perhaps Sami, played up to their usual level.

Fair comment, Leo. Hopefully Mori would be able to prove his worth in the remaining of the season and save us some hazrad and money!! If not, we'll have to move on in summer. Fair do to our Spanish contingent here who did warn us that he would have difficulty adapting.

spot on. Having said that his first half was really bad, getting knocked off the ball too easily. The second was a vast improvement though.

f*** off

sort of expected this and the other thread on Parry after the ref blew the whistle yesterday. and unlike another set-piece goal at stoppage time it doesn't disappoint.... for record, never expecetd an easy game at OT. us and the Mancs, unless either one or both of us drop the level substantially, it'll never be a flowing / dominating sort of game and a slim margin will always decide the match result.

He and Xabi for me are in top three men yesterday.

absolutely hate people making these sorts of "no ambition" comment . How do we feel when the media using the same argument to urge Gerrard moving last season? Those players playing at the clubs they love should be admired. Back to Reina. So far very good. Next season will be the real test, when he completely settles and expectation, and pressure, will be much higher.

feel very uneasy with the sort of money talking for a 16 year old, just at that critical stage of development in body and temperament, and even for a structured deal with only ( ) 5m up front. To put it in context, Agger, who is 21, has played top division (albeit not a strong league) and international football and been hailed as the same talent as Laudrup, we are paying 5.8 mil max and only 2-3 mil upfront. It's a big risk for someone who cannot even be put into the first team and comes at a cost to the strengthening of the 1st team. And if we do bid and win, then don't be surprised (or more likely throw a tantrum) when we do not sign big budget players or indeed anyone else.

Agreed. Part of it also down to teams are now putting players on him also, aka Spurs. Another learning curve which I'm confident that he'll overcome.

I have issues with everything Chelsea stands for, their ill founded arrogance and that they take cyhnical, slimey, despicable behaviour on and off pitch to a new level (and this is when I consider the allegation that they buy players for sabotage's sake yet to be substantiated.) Enemy of football they are.

Perhaps that's for the benefit of the Spaniards - the chef and his friends - there? Just speculate. He does speak good English.

It is. Something like this really goes way beyond in money terms.

did they really made a bid? did they really offer a winger straight back to Benfica? I do not think it's beyond them but it is a serious allegation, just the word of Bascombe is not enough.

very weary about the claim that Chelsea is buying players especially Liverpool targets as a sabotage purely. it needs a lot more to substantiate.

There was contact and as the last man he had to go. Should Kewell stay up? There was half a pitch to run and Kewell is quick no more, so I don't really mind either way. The red card took the steam out of their sail.