YNWA12

Oh, I'm sure he made my brain bleed. Why didn't he realise it once he noticed that it wasn't a cup game, but a league game? And he thinks they're simply taking the piss when they're trying to explain it to him? Comedy. He deserves some type of internet award.

A bit of strange reasoning that from Rafa. We've hardly improved because Lucas and Masch suddenly started clicking. We've mainly improved in defense first because of the introduction of the no-nonsense game of Kyrgiakos and second because of Carra (and Masch) playing right back instead of the more adventurous Johnson. Attack has mainly improved because of the return of Torres and Yossi and Babel playing a bit better. I think Wigan could be a good game to start Aquilani, they've just relayed the pitch and they're not really a physical team.

Don't respond this time, Rafa. Just ignore the twat.

Good news! Also haven't heard a sniff from Barcelona about Masch in a while. I suspect he was just a priority for them last season because Touré/Keita were going to be at the ACN. Don't think they really need him anymore.

Johnson was there as well. I was sad when he left, one of my favourite players. I wish him well.

More info... Jon Venables 'returned to Liverpool for drug-fuelled nights out' - Telegraph Not surprising he's gone off the rails. How can you ever live with yourself after doing something like that?

Terrible, rest in peace.

Torres comments: FIFA.com - Torres relishing French challenge

hahahaha

What should Everton's rightful league position have been in those seasons they finished fourth/fifth according to the net spend/wages theory? I suspect they have been overachieving these past couple of seasons as well and maybe Moyes is a better manager than we think?

I voted yes, because to finish fourth and with a trophy after our first half of a season is a really big accomplishment. It would give us enough buzz to go into the next season with an optimistic feeling. I do think if we achieve this that Rafa will quite possibly see it as a chance to leave on a high note and take the Juventus job.

I like him, injuries have hindered him this season. I don't think Rafa really cares for him anymore and he will leave this summer.

It was almost predictable before the game. That's just the way things go. It's weird, but Rafa's right when he says that winning the CL in his first season heightened the expectations too much. If instead he'd won it first in 2007 I think some of our fans would be a lot more patient with him now. If Man U won the CL last season they would have won it by beating the easiest teams still left in the competion. Chelsea these last few seasons have mostly played lower league opposition in the run-ups to their domestic cups. It's not always about luck during matches, it's also the luck of the draw. Not that we've had that with any of our recent cup wins.

I don't think it's fair to compare us or Arsenal with Man U this season, because it's a totally different starting point for them. Do you think if they finish fourth this season anyone involved with that club will find it acceptable? Even though they lost Ronaldo and Tevez and hardly spend money? I doubt it. That alone almost explains the difference in attitudes during matches between our players and theirs. They would feel ashamed to finish fourth, some people at our club now think that fourth is actually an overachievement. We really shouldn't be surprised at the lack of our effort at times from our team this season, they know they can get away with it. Even the fans don't demand anymore from them... I always accept fourth from Rafa, because this league is the toughest in the world and to be the fourth best team in it is no embarassment. It's just the way we achieve it that determines my opinion on him. Ideally we would still challenge each season until around January/February, if by then our lack of depth/cover costs us, then ok. Just getting fourth by default because the teams challenging us for it have similar depth problems/bottle it and getting it by playing crap football would be difficult to swallow.

Aquilani will only shine in a team with good movement. I'm glad we won, I think we'll get through now.

I can't wait to see Messi tracking back Bolton's left winger on a sunday afternoon!

It's not like finishing fourth even guarantees you CL football, you still have to play a qualifier against another fourth/third placed team like Lyon, Valencia or Juventus to get in the CL and the 20m.

No, never in a million years. The Sven puppet from I Am On Setanta Sports can have a shot though.

Jason McAteer?

YouTube - Real Madrid - Real Valladolid Xabi Alonso highlights What would you rather have?

I hate that feeling I get when we lose, but when someone after the game tries to convince me we played well... that makes me weep.

So, Lucas now is a good player and Alonso 2007 is a bad player? I can see how you can think one or the other, but both?

Hope Gerrard will be on the right. Will be a good game I think.

They should have given it to Lampard, he's a consistent player and he'll be fit. Stevie can do without the burden.

I have a fear that Masch will get send off.