Erik T

I haven't heard that version before, but it may be true, of course. The version I heard is that the English cut off the two fingers of French archers taken prisoners, and that later, when these prisoners were exchanged for English soldiers, the English gave the two-fingered salute as soon as the prisoner swapping was finished, shouting "shoot at as now, wankers/frogs" or something like that. Anyway, it's a cool story (except for the French archers, of course).

Fact #1: Ice hockey is an Canadian sport, not American. Fact #2: Ice hockey is the only sport worth watching, except for football, of course. Fact #3: Ice hockey is so fast, aggressive and sometimes violent that the players need the protection they're wearing. The puck will kill you if it hits you in the head and you're not wearing a helmet (a spectator was actually killed about a year ago at an NHL match when hit by the puck from a deflected shot that went through the safety net). Fact #4: Ice hockey and the hockey played by British girls have very little in common except for the name and the use of sticks. Fact #5: Your other opinions/facts are correct. Best ice hockey story: At the U-18 (or something) World Cup final in ice hockey, think it was Canada vs. the Soviet Union, the lights in the hall had to be turned off to stop a "mass fight" that had broken out! All players were on the ice, kicking each others' head in.

I thought Mourinho had adapted to the English standard of showing TWO fingers as the "fuck you"-salute? (you know, the two fingers that English soldiers cut off the hands of French archers taken as prisoners during the 100-year war or something) Anyway, I agree that Galas would be an excellent buy; proven quality in the Premiership.

I think your English is better than Arnold Schwarzenegger's! I do like the Beatles but I hope our new stadium will be named "Anfield" and not "The Beatles Stadium" or "The John Lennon Stadium" or something like that. Just read on the official site that Hamann is warning LFC fans against thinking that beating Grazer will be a walk in the park. They only lost to Ajax on penalties in last year's qualification! Maybe all their players turned in once-in-a-lifetime performances, but I certainly wouldn't fancy playing Ajax in the qualification!

I agree with UTM. Finnan is useless. He can't defend (remember Charlton's winner last season) and I can only remember ONE game in which he contributed offensively (vs. Newcastle in the FA cup). I'd sell Finnan now that we have Josemi, and besides I think that both Otsemoboor and Vignal are better options. As for the starting 11 (without further signings) I'd go for Dudek Josemi Hyypia Henchoz Riise Murphy Hamann Gerrard Kewell Owen Cissé I hate leaving Baros out, but I think he usually plays better when he comes on as a sub (maybe a bit unfair to him as under GH he almost never started!). Playing 4-3-1-2 is also an option with Kewell as the man behind the strikers. I know Murphy was terrible vs Roma (illustrating that we desperately need a good right midfielder) but for the time being I would not replace him with flavour-of-the-month Biscan who has yet to prove that he can play consistently well in competitive games.

Yes, I remember that, but every dog has its day. MLB has a good point that we should not get too carried away at Biscan's performances this summer as they have been in friendlies. I watched the Roma game on TV and it was such a slow game most of the time. Biscan did well. though, and I hope he continues that way. But I'd rather have him shot than playing him in central defence. As for Traore, I think that he - just like Biscan - has suffered under being used in the wrong position. When he's played central defence I think he's been OK. Sure he looks clumsy, but he has as far as I remember never made any big mistakes as a central defender. When he's been playing left back, though, he's made lots of mistakes by drifting off into the middle all the time, e.g. against Manchester United last season (I think it was the 2nd goal that was a direct consequence of this - Traore ran into no man's land instead of marking Giggs). Now that we have Josemi I do however agree with Stu Monty that we'd better sell Traore. Especially as also Carra can be used in that position.

Don't worry. Any decent shop manager will give you your money back, or at least a new item as a swap. I mean, who in their right mind would like to be associated with anything that has to do with Everton?

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/index.php?page_id=3938 The largest brewery group in Thailand, Chang Beverages, has become the Blueshite's new main sponsor. Chang Beverages was one of names mentioned as possible members of the Thai consortium that should invest in LFC together with the Thai PM. I guess this investment says it all about Thai "club loyalty"? Interestingly, Carlsberg recently broke out of an Asian joint venture with Chang Beverages, and is now being sued by Chang for breach of contract etc. Carlsberg is threatening to sue Chang in return. So now, not only do the Reds and the Bluenoses dislike each other, but their main sponsors do too!