lawrie

bmibaby fly to Bordeaux from Manchester on 18th returning on the 19th October for around £80 return (go Tuesday, its cheaper) - shame I can't get time off work

Weren't we in the second pot for the 2004/5 draw?

For me 1. Agger 2. Crouch (wish he hadn't tried running with the ball quite so much) 3. Gonzalez

His work rate is spot but he does have a tendency to foul the attacking player when he's tracking back - in fairness can't remember him giving a dangerous free kick away last night

Luis again showed why we all just love him and then don't in equal measure

nope, I move on tomorrow, today I'm still miserable

yet, what do you mean yet???????

That's so funny. I do miss the mad fecker.

It most certainly was

It isnt just ability which wins the league, luck plays a large part too. Lump of lard has had a bad run of it lately, so I aint counting my chickens just yet.

I don't think Alonso and Momo as a partnership works too well unless Gerrard is driving on from the right. I personally prefer Gerrard in the middle playing with both Alonso and Momo as a three, but then I don't really like us playing with just one up front. I quite like Gerrard and Alonso playing as a central parnership, but don't really fancy the idea of dropping Momo. Really I'm so glad I'm not the manager.

OK I'll admit it, I thought we'd be f***** within the first 20 minutes. Rafa's a genius

I thought he looked completely at ease

Well at least he cant be villified for being the England captain-its probably a godsend that he didn't get the poisoned chalice

Agreed, but I still wish it was being serialised elsewhere

I think Beckham has been dropped for two reasons. Firstly as a statement of intent from McClaren that he WILL do the job his own way. Secondly as a means of ridding the team of the perceived Beckham circus. Neither of these are really football related and in my eyes merely highlight McClaren's weakness in his inablitiy to control the Beckham phenomenon rather than his strength in being able to utilise it for the good of the team - P Neville ffs

If he has indeed sanctioned this, I really wish he hadnt purely because its another stick to beat him with from some groups of fans

can't disagree with a lot of that tbh except the bit about the buzzing chavs

deary me

there's always North Sea Ferries

No, don't worry the ticket office is very efficient in posting out PTS tickets - no really

just can't take to Crouch no matter how hard I try

My feelings towards Carson are pretty similar to those I have had for Kirkland over the last few years. It is very dificult for 'keepers to be second choice given they have such limited opportunities to gain experience. An older keeper with experience elsewhere(IMO) would be a much better choice for the no 2 'keeper slot.

I don't take too much notice of pre season but I'm strangely deflated this morning. As regards this being Rafa's first proper pre-season - nah don't concur - the World Cup put paid to that.

To be fair he's a talented plastic show-pony and I think people forget he's still only 20ish