Regi

Nasri would be a helluva signing. Can't see us getting him though, unless we somehow get preference as part of Cisse' move there...very unlikely. Maddock's piece is full of some strange stuff...8 mill for Valencia and 9 mill for Xabi? That's total rubbish...laughable. I think, and hope, Valencia's agent is behind that story...although I probably haven't seen enough of the lad to make a truly fair judgement. Don't see Alves coming either unfortunately. While Spurs get in quick and clinch the likes of Modric, we'll be left trying to sift through the embers of boardroom bulls*** to sign any first choices...unless there is dramatic progress at the top. Just hoping that the end of May brings some sort of good news...if we have Barry and another top signing by that stage I'd be happy

Don't rate Abidal TBH....but then I didn't rate Evra before he went to United either. Thought Abidal was poor for France in WC 2006 and he hasn't done much since to change that view. Fact the Barca are willing to let him go so soon would only seem to back that up. He looks clumsy and uncomfortable going forward. Would love to be proved wrong but he wouldn't be high on my list of potential left-backs. I certainly wouldn't have him on ahead of a fit Fabio

Fair enough. But my point still stands. Gerrard acted too late in the situation. He should have had a word with Masch earlier, especially given the fact that the ref and the player weren't speaking on the same wavelength. And while Masch was foolish, I know I'd rather have him in the heat of a battle at Old Trafford instead of Redknapp

You miss the point completely. Gerrard's role as captain was to calm Masch down. Basic leadership qualities. The decisions were getting increasingly worse...no one else was willing to point this out...Masch tried to do so in a light hearted manner. Gerrard was a bit late trying to sort it when the damage was done. Maybe if he had taken to the field with the same conviction as Masch we would have done better. It's certainly not Stevie's fault we lost but he didn't exactly do much in terms of us ever winning either

Rarely has anyone ever gone down in my estimation like that weed. He is one of the worst pundits I've ever seen on TV. Not only are his opinions to bland and predictable, he continually looks for the support of whoever is beside him. During last Wednesday night's game between United and Chelsea, he turned to Ray Wilkins to say "Isn't that right Ray?" so often that I thought it was only a matter of time before he was going to stick his tongue in the man's ear. At least Roy Keane had the wit to tell him he was full of it when he had the chance.

I think that's a fair point. They understand the frustration Masch was feeling. While Masch was undoubtedly naive and headstrong to get involved with Bennett, the referee's pomposity and arrogance in showing the red card was inexcusable. He didn't offer any explanation and didn't even have the manners to listen to what Masch was saying. The booking for Torres was a joke and it's hardly surprising our most passionate player on the day thought it was taking the pi$. Whather he ran 2 yards or 200 isn't the point. Someone had to point out to the ref that his decisions were a disgrace. If we had had 11 players with the passion of masch, we wouldn't have been in such a dire situation. It says a lot when one of our most recent signings is the one willing to go to Old Trafford and try to take the game by the scruff, unlike many of the seasoned lads. Unacceptable. I loved Masch anyway...just more so now. He'll learn and be better for it