Bloody Football!

[Stavros]

Dismal performance from Arsena, where was the motivation, any sense of team work? A few talented players who might get lucky can't win at this level. Wenger did amazing things at Arsenal who used to be the most boring team to watch; I don't know how much the obsession in the board room with money determines things but he has let great players go and not replaced them with equivalent talent -he will last to the end of this season and maybe still be in the top four, but I think even he now feels his career in London is in its twilight. Unless Bayern get complacent and sloppy, and Walcott wrecks their dream in the next match...Sagna was useless last night, every move predictable and unproductive.

[robertlouis]

Dismal performance from Arsena, where was the motivation, any sense of team work? A few talented players who might get lucky can't win at this level. Wenger did amazing things at Arsenal who used to be the most boring team to watch; I don't know how much the obsession in the board room with money determines things but he has let great players go and not replaced them with equivalent talent -he will last to the end of this season and maybe still be in the top four, but I think even he now feels his career in London is in its twilight. Unless Bayern get complacent and sloppy, and Walcott wrecks their dream in the next match...Sagna was useless last night, every move predictable and unproductive.

Unless Tottenham's bubble bursts, and with Benitez' meltdown last night in mind, I'd say Spurs are strong candidates for 3rd place or perhaps one higher. Chelsea and Arsenal will be scrapping for the final CL place, but both, despite their attractive build play, look to be in inexorable decline.

It won't happen this season, but there could be a two-pronged challenge from Merseyside next season. Interesting to see what happens with Swansea too. Let's hope that Laudrup stays.

[Stavros]

Yes, and no. Spurs have a habit of losing form towards the end of the season, Arsenal ought to be a safer bet but there seem to be weaknesses in the team that they have either not had in recent years, or been able to deal with as other clubs failed -Chelsea seem strong enough for 3rd but who knows with the poisoned atmosphere if form will also fall? Normally, the usual four would be safe, with Spurs and Everton failing to get their feet in Europe. What Benitez could have said is that every manager in Chelsea is an interim manager, and that has been their problem -though it hasn't stopped them winnning things...and if Spurs sell Bale, where do they go after that? And where does Bale want to go -Madrid? The shopkeeper up the road from thinks he may go to Arsenal!!

[robertlouis]

Yes, and no. Spurs have a habit of losing form towards the end of the season, Arsenal ought to be a safer bet but there seem to be weaknesses in the team that they have either not had in recent years, or been able to deal with as other clubs failed -Chelsea seem strong enough for 3rd but who knows with the poisoned atmosphere if form will also fall? Normally, the usual four would be safe, with Spurs and Everton failing to get their feet in Europe. What Benitez could have said is that every manager in Chelsea is an interim manager, and that has been their problem -though it hasn't stopped them winnning things...and if Spurs sell Bale, where do they go after that? And where does Bale want to go -Madrid? The shopkeeper up the road from thinks he may go to Arsenal!!

Does your shopkeeper look like this?

[Stavros]

You will be pleased to know that I will not be sharing my kebabs with you...and wass all that Nani about being sent off in the big game on the telly, peeps? That ref don't get my kebabs either.

[robertlouis]

You will be pleased to know that I will not be sharing my kebabs with you...and wass all that Nani about being sent off in the big game on the telly, peeps? That ref don't get my kebabs either.

Never a red card. The referee ruined what had been up till then an intriguing and thoroughly enthralling game of football.

Mourinho, to his credit, told Ferguson that it wasn't.

[Stavros]

The word in the press today is that not selecting Rooney from the start was Ferguson's way of showing him the door. Van Persie is the key vehicle up front, and while Ferguson had a point about the role he assigned to Welbeck and Giggs, I think it was a mistake as MU needed two clear goals to be safe. The red card was, technically correct as the rules do not mention intent as a factor, but most referees seeing the incident would give a yellow -the same referee last season sent off John Terry in the semi-final although he deserved that one. The Red Card changed the balance of the teams, MU can get away with 10-men against Reading or a minor side, but not Real. But maybe they would have won anyway, who knows?

[SammiValentine]

Never a red card. The referee ruined what had been up till then an intriguing and thoroughly enthralling game of football.

Mourinho, to his credit, told Ferguson that it wasn't.

What about the perfectly legal madrid away goal he disallowed?? People need to get over it, theyre out Ha!!

Red card was harsh but they have had more than their fair share of luck and decisions going their way ........

hahahahhaahah

[SammiValentine]

p.s imagine the media witch hunt if Rafa behaved in the manner of Fergsuon did, again, for the umpteenth time.... hahaha.

The media has been licking Fergusons old wrinkley hoop for far to long..........

[SammiValentine]

The word in the press today is that not selecting Rooney from the start was Ferguson's way of showing him the door. Van Persie is the key vehicle up front, and while Ferguson had a point about the role he assigned to Welbeck and Giggs, I think it was a mistake as MU needed two clear goals to be safe. The red card was, technically correct as the rules do not mention intent as a factor, but most referees seeing the incident would give a yellow -the same referee last season sent off John Terry in the semi-final although he deserved that one. The Red Card changed the balance of the teams, MU can get away with 10-men against Reading or a minor side, but not Real. But maybe they would have won anyway, who knows?

Most refs wouldnt even give a yellow at Old trafford for that, or even book arbeola for diving.... Infact they would then add on a few extra minutes for some bonus squeeky bum time, then giggs would chase the ref for an hour or so moaning like the whiney welsh tw... he is, (he could possibly be after the refs wifes phone number though, shrug) Anyway he would moan like an old woman till arbeola gets a 2nd yellow , which would be probably for touching rios bum / licking vidics nipple at a corner or having not adddresed fergsuon with proper title "Sir" - in the tunnel before kick off.

Its a funny old game.