El Rojo

And a reminder that every now and then we succeed in getting a world class player for vastly less than they're worth. We could do with a bit of that this summer. Or we could just get in a bidding war with Spurs for Charlie Austin.

At least we didn't waste the money we got for him. That would have been a double blow.

Brilliant take and finish from Martinez. 3-1 Porto.

Quaresma \0/

And don't tell me you're not stoked by the thought of Benzema latching onto a Colback through ball.

Yep. Don't be afraid of innovation.

This team plus Rafa/Klopp. You're welcome. I'm already printing the No 19 t-shirts. Mignolet Sakho Skrtel Can Montoya Moreno Colback Henderson Coutinho Sterling Benzema

Assistant to Rafa maybe?

Joe Allen asking for the match ball.

He could be the English Nicky Butt.

Interesting that he helped Lucas up after fouling him a minute ago. Maybe they know something we don't. Lucas: C u nx yr m8 Colback: n1ce 1 m8

Watch him. He's a quiet leader and has a bit of everything in his unassuming locker. I'll root up some YouTube clips later if anyone's interested. We could do worse.

If his name was Jorge Colbackio he'd probably still have red hair. He's really made that midfield tick this season, but £15 seems a bit of a gamble.

On tonight's evidence, I'm not sure why we're being linked with a £15m move for Collback. English tax in evidence right there.

There are mentality issues with missing chances too, though, particulary in relation to those two players.

So did just about all of the starting XI today.

He won plenty of must wins after Christmas last season and for three months this season. The problem is with playing big teams who aren't Manchester City. We generally capitulate at Arsenal and home/away against Chelsea. We beat United both times when Moyes was managing them but we were well beaten both times this season. I'm not sure is that down to tactics, character or the fact that those three sides have better players. Probably a mixture of all three, though we've looked absolutely inept tactically in the United and Arsenal games. Spending £65m (the bullk of the Suarez money) on Lallana, Lovren and Markovic clearly hasn't helped much either.

We make Arsenal look like title contenders. That speaks volumes.

Can should have stayed on the ground so the ref couldn't book him. Could have crawled around for the rest of the game.

Reina, Suarez and now seemingly Sterling the latest to want out to a club in the same division that doesn't have much more of a chance of winning titles than us. I get less bothered all the time, but as a profession they generally are as thick as pigshit with zero concept of loyalty or appreciation.

Any and all Coors Light ads. Every one has the same proto-hipster goobers mugging around in the snow before they imbibe that horrible piss.

Every kid dreams of an opportunity to win the Emirates Cup.

I'd keep him regardless. I think he's an excellent motivator and generally a quality tactician. However, on the available evidence, I wouldn't leave him anywhere near transfers.

With that head, surely Easter Island missed a trick in not securing Harry Kane's allegiance.

Fair point. I must say I enjoyed Costa's antics against Real and Chelsea last season. I also reckon that I wouldn't have a huge problem with them, or indeed him, if he played for us.