andyfm

So we should never sign a Manc player ever? Beardsley was on their books, as was current reserve striker Calliste. I am sure people with more time can add a few more.

Right, I must have imagined the England fans singing "I'd rather be a Paki than a Turk" when I was at Euro 2000 then. And "No surrender to the IRA". And Dambusters. And Colonel Bogey. They are not a relic of the past at all. Try travelling with the England fans at the World Cup and I am sure you will see what I mean.

He's defo a cunt.

Work permit rules "Football Clubs July 2004 Criteria for the forthcoming season (2004/5) have been published and confirm that A player must have played for his country in at least 75% of its competitive ‘A’ team matches that he was available for selection during the two years preceding the application; The national team of the player must be ranked at 70th place or higher in the FIFA rankings when averaged over the two years preceding the date of the application. Provided a player meets these criteria then the player will be issued with a work permit for the period of the contract up to a maximum of five years. If a player does not meet the above criteria then it is open to the club to apply for a review panel hearing. The club needs to convince the panel that the player is of the highest calibre and able to contribute significantly to the development of the game at the top level in the UK."

We already had a poll on this. Where were all you England fans then eh? Just turn up for the World Cup, do you? Bloody part timers. Do you support England?

Garcia threw an elbow at the guy's back. It looked like a deliberate swing to me, just like he did against the bluenoses. Don't kid yourself that he was purely trying to break free of the grappling. I defended the same thing to my blue mates because it was them, and I always give the benefit first time, even though it looked like he did it deliberately then too. He went down like a big tart.

Luis does it often too. He also threw the elbow against the bluenoses (fair enough) and waves that fucking irritating imaginary card around. In terms of embarrassing behaviour on the pitch, along with Cisse, he is the player I have most trouble defending to others. Sissoko and Kromkamp started out like that but have quickly learnt. Why can't Luis? Love the rest of him though, but the diving, elbows and card waving need to stop or we have no way to complain about the likes of Robben.

Good to see all the law-abiding citizens. Well done chaps! For the record, it's not a good idea. Friend of mine learnt to drive, bought a fancy new car, got pulled paralytic and had to sell the car at a loss because of the one year ban. Idiot. And you can ruin a family's lives, for those sensitive souls out there. And no, it wasn't me, before anyone asks.

For quite a time after 1989, until 2001 in fact, I used to burn any part of that newspaper I came across. Bad habit really but I quite like fire. "Hi Pepe, I'm from the Sun..." click, click, whoosh, roar, crackle, pop, crackle "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!"

IIRC (and I doubt that quite a bit) he had a few cans then drove to the chippy. Who amongst us can say we've never done that?

Possibly true. But if you get dropped for refusing to play out of position for the good of the team and the manager chooses to feign injury on your behalf to avoid disruption to the team that is playing, then you really shouldn't call him out on it and expect there not to be serious repercussions. I don't rate Souness and despise him as a person, but you are an employee of the club, being paid by the club. Respect for that, and the fans who pay your wages, should be a given. Unfortunately it is anything but these days.

1. Bobby Robson called him the gobbiest player he had ever worked with. Quite a feat. 2. He was caught on camera mouthing obscenities at the bench when substituted by Souness. 3. He then feigned injury to avoid being played out of position. And was so popular with his teammates they ratted on him. 4. Then called his manager a liar live on Sky about it. He also refers to himself in the third person. A sign of a real ego problem.

I was thinking more along the lines of starting a public feud with his employers during the season. Which at the very least shows a lack of respect for his teammates and fans.

I can honestly say I would have refused to support him. Like I refused to support that twat Ince. I stopped going to the game after Loverpool because not being able to support the manager affected my ability to support the whole team. But you are right, most fans would accept it and support the player. Their choice. They would support Adolf Hitler if he came back wearing a red shirt though.

Wasn't it the big guns like Brazil and Germany (who always assume they will qualify) who got the rule changed for the competitive games reason?

I disagree. England having 5 teams in prevents some tiny country somewhere the romance of a CL qualifier. UEFA wants a maximum of 4 teams from any country in and I think that is too many already. Spain didn't have a whinge when it happened to them, only the English FA with their famous sense of fair play would try and dodge that.

Football has become a luxury pastime (uh oh, I'm turning into tactics truck). How many people would bother with Sky without the football?

Bellamy's okay but a bit of a cock. I reckon we can do better. But I agree with Paul that Rafa has the right to be trusted on whoever he brings in. Even if the striker disappoints like Morientes, because all managers make transfer mistakes and Rafa has got most of them right, some spectacularly so.

It used to be that you only got to watch the FA Cup final live. Then it was only the odd live LFC game on the box. Until just a few years ago, if you didn't go to the game, you didn't get to see the game. Stop crying about not being able to watch every game. Spoilt brats. ;)

Reina is one of the best keepers I have seen anywhere in ages. He has been a fundamental part of the way we have been able to play this year by allowing a slowing Hyypia to play higher up the pitch. In turn allowing the midfield to support the attack better and contributing to the greater number of chances we have created. All while conceding a very low number of chances and goals. He is great in one-on-ones, an excellent shot stopper, has great distribution, great mental strength and makes his mind up fast. And almost always gets it right. The golden age of 'perfect' goalkeepers is way past. The game is different now with the increased pace of the game, the removal of the backpass, the disappearing stopper, and most of all the very unusual movement of the lighter ball. No goalkeeper can go years without seeming to make a significant mistake. No wonder they punch more if the ball can move in the air at any moment, sometimes 2 or 3 times in one shot! Reina is a star in my opinion. I finally feel confident in the keeper. The only time I have come close to being as confident was Dudek's first season, but even then you knew the rooted to the line approach was a big worry.

I live in southern California just south of LA, so I very much doubt that. ;)

Hey, fuck right off! I have supported Norway since I was a kid and saw them beating my rubbish local team (England) on the telly. A friend of mines been to Norway and said the fjords are nice. I've never been myself but I really do feel Norwegian. I've even got a Viking hat. It's got bells on it an all.

As far as I am aware, Pennant has been done twice for drink driving. How many times has he done it and not got done?

Leave it out will ye. Rude words in a frosty alien language are still rude words. And it means c*ntface? Bad Norwegian!

You don't approve of foreign players then?