Paul B

Seems pretty accurate to me though. This is a guy who specialises in duping people according to the Sunday Times, so he can find out what they are really thinking. And it was an elaborate set up. Apparently they hired a huge yacht and flew him out there (Dubai I believe) and fed him the best food and champers to loosen his tongue. This isn't a cheap tabloid stunt by any means. But yes, I take your point, it was a newspaper thing meant to sell papers but it has the ring of truth about it. And anyway, the FA are sufficiently convinced to ask Erickson to come and explain his comments. Doesn't that ^ look untidy? Soz!

Anyone seen the papers today and that "sting" operation on Sven Goran Erickson? Apparently, he was duped into believing he was talking to a real Sheik and revealed certain "facts" to him such as Aston Villa were up for sale and if the "Sheik" bought them, Erickson would be happy to manage them (on £5 million a year) and he'd bring Beckham back. Anyway, the relevance to Owen is that Erickson asked him if he was happy with his move back t oEngland and claims Owen said, "Not happy with the club but I've never earned money like that in my life." Not having a go at anyone for earning as much as he can while the going's good but isn't this Mikey putting cash before club? If so, isn't this indicative of what he's always done? I'd take 20 Jamie Carraghers over mercenaries like this any day of the week.

My thoughts exactly. Kewell was going so fast, even the slightest touch was going to bring him down.

Okey dokey mate. I'm just back from the game and I thought it was a well deserved, hard fought victory over a tough, well organised side. This was Fazakerly the kind of opposition that were always going to be a huge test and I think we came through that test with flying colours. The defence, Keane's early chance in the second half apart, stood up well and though there were few midfield heros, that was because of the opposition and not a decline in our player's performance. Gerrard and Alonso were not their usual imperious selves and what I wouldn't give for a striker who can create a chance or a goal from nothing. It seems you have to hand gilt-edged opportunities to the three that were on today on a platter. Still, Cisse was fast and dangerous when he came on and for me, did more in the time he had than Moro and Crouch did for the time they were on. But at long last, the team is playing like a team and are better than the sum total of its parts. If I was to give ratings, I would give them like this. Reina 7 (not much to do) Carragher 8 Hyypia 8 Finnan 7 Riise 7 Gerrard 7 Alonso 7 Kewell 7 Sissoko 7 Crouch 6 Morientes 6 Subs Cisse 7 Team performance 8.

What's that then? That big shiny thing?

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Huh, Ida gorn 'ome if Ida been there.

Come on lads, let's see if we can drag this out to nnnn nineteen pages, shall we?

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..makes you a braver man than I. I was once coming out of Woodison after a night match and I was with an Evertonian hard lad who is a boxer. Even he refused my suggestion to take a short-cut through that park as he was scared.

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Didn't sound to me where I was that it was the racist version from them but our lot were singing "you manc b*****d" at, go on, have a guess! Let's not cast nasturtiums, eh?

Now that's good. Well done!

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And is it just me or is it true that we play better against the 11 men the oposition normally have than we ever do against only 10/9 of them? Why is this? It doesn't seem much of a punishment nowadays when a team goes a man down.

I thought your comments upon entering that architectural shrine last night were particularly hurtful. "Sh itty ground"? I'll have you know that Woodis..erm, Goodison Park is as fine an example of craftsmanship as exists in the football world today.

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Soz, mate. I don't drink much but last night was a bit of an exception and, well, you know when you see a red light and know you should stop but somehow just pretend it's a green one? Well, there you go!