harpoon

definitely not out of it by a mile. The players who don't quite look sharp are (mostly) the WC players. Xabi, Stevie G, Carra, Luis, etc. We haven't even looked too bad, at times we've looked excellent in an attacking sense (today apart) and if not for a wondergoal today we'd be looking at a couple clean sheets. The players might be knackered partially due to Pako's training and our management pacing our players' conditioning for a long hard season, perhaps? Might be reaching but we don't end games as strong as we're starting them right now... Looking at Rafa's record in Valencia as well as last season, it usually takes a month or three for his teams to find form. Both times Valencia won the Liga they were written off by November/December to only go on a huge winning streak. That said, we simply MUST win on Wednesday to start getting some points on the board.

I hit mute, I can't bear that Tommy Smyth...today I forgot until he called Zenden 'Sissoko' about 10 minutes in. And I can guarantee neither of them even noticed Agger's amazing defending either, simply because the camera didn't cut to a close up of him.

Edison Mendes looking good for PSV, as he did for Ecuador in the WC...

Robben's a no-passing ballhog. Team's better without the diving twunt.

This content is not viewable to guests.

look how low his ears are, poor b*****d probably can't wear glasses. And those nostrils...frightening. We'll have signed a no-neck and a low-eared troll if all goes according to plan, bring on the new season!

bloody hell, Speedy's only four foot seven too!

Riise is one of those players who supporters of other clubs really admire. Think it's because he scores some real screamers with that left peg of his that look great in highlights. Off the highlight reels you won't see much of him being caught out of position, or being unable to use his other bloody foot! Wouldn't want to sell Riise as he loves the club and has improved quite a bit, and is a versatile option on the left if Aurelio really is the first choice LB. Think the writing is on the wall for JAR to be a squad player nowadays, but would love him to stay all the same.

thanks for the great performances against Chel$ki, goal-line clearances in Istanbul, and the 100% effort without complaining about being out of position or whatever. YNWA, Djimi. funniest line in this: "he may be sh*te but he was our sh*te".

"Come on Rafa, show me some of that tactical stuff you do so well" (couldn't resist the craption)

missed the most important comparison: Rafa vs Arsene. Don't even need to say who the winner there is. Plus, they forgot to mention Momo, Fowler, Gonzalez, Agger...shows our depth vs theirs at the moment.

...or how about Gonzo?

it's a tier below the Euro tournaments for the reason that there's less fodder. Euro 2000 is probably the best international tourney there's been imo.

Agreed on the crosses, the pace of attack died down when the fullbacks were dwelling. Torres was doing his Robben impression today too...everytime he had the ball he tried to beat his man whether he had an open man or not. Drove me mental.

thought playing Raul, Torres and Villa didn't work, one of the 3 with someone to hold it up would've been ideal. Someone like El Moro.....

next season, Blackburn at home: 'Lucas, Lucas, give us a pen'

what a tactical mess. Would be the funniest thing ever if Ecuador pull this off.

agreed. I think what the US showed in this WC is as good as they are. There's no football culture inherent, no upper tier of players. We here in Canada have the same problem, our best hope is to get players doing really well in Europe and hope to gel them into a team when they play for their country. Or send Canada's hottest women to seduce some Spanish and Italian guys. I should see if Alves is single, I might have a cousin... But yeah, Arena's a bad coach but his players aren't honestly much better.

karma on the Koreans after the disallowed goals of 4 years ago?!?

if Spain are going to pens in games to come, they simply HAVE to bring Pepe on. Surely the coach can see that Pepe is the pen king...

...and if he's ready to be on the bench as backup for Alves? I can't see us buying them both although I rate both of them. Unless it's Alves at RB and Pennant ahead of him? But like you said, depends on who we get rid of. Particularly Kromkamp.

I'm wondering what the status is on Pennant, sounded nailed on a few weeks ago.

me too. That keeper made the Angola keeper look like Reina. Can't remember seeing such a bad keeper at this level, added to the entertainment.

funniest thing I've seen in ages. Poll's such an idiot...3 yellows!

YES! GET IN!