micmij

That sums it up

I think it's meant to be "Tommy Smyth with a wHyyyyyyyy?"

I think Kuyt might turn out to be up there with those two, as well. Alonso's a damn fine footballer all round. I'm impressed by the fact you'll find him tracking back to make a vital interception in our box and, generally, he's a much harder worker than people give him credit for.

Probably true for other sports but they hardly ever comment on football matters here, do they? When they do, though, it's pretty much on the money. Kewell to LFC was being reported over here prior to the UK media getting a hold of it. Also, the rumours are coming from somewhere and it's being reported as pretty much a done deal here in Australia, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's been leaked by his management. The other thing that I have heard is that he has been insisting in his transfer dealings that he wants to play in the centre of defence (where he has had so much success for Australia in the past 12 months). Doesn't really make sense with Carra, Sami, Agger & Paletta already here. Can Paletta play on the right?

Is it certain that it was mis-diagnosed? I know one of the Aussie players (Viduka?) said it was gout, but how do we know that he knew exactly what was going on?

What kind of advice is that?

That's what I meant - I'm talking TV jargon because my wife works in that industry....

Depends how they use him.... Hopefully, he'll anchor all their Premier League broadcasts and do some commentary for the A-League - Neil Evans has his heart in the right place but doesn't really have a clue.

Actually, I was pleasantly surprised by the commentators we got this morning.... Tommy Smyth is an IDIOT of the highest order and how he can be ESPN's chief analyst is beyond belief! During the Maccabi Haifa game Luis Garcia made a run just after he came on & the other commentator mentioned how it was disappointing when Spain were knocked out of the World Cup as they were playing such attractive football. Smyth then says how Baraja had such a great tournament.... Baraja!!!! I couldn't believe it! He wasn't even picked in the Spanish squad for the World Cup! So if Tommy Smyth (with a WAYEEEEYYYYYEEE!!!!????!!!! ) isn't there I'm generally happy. That said, I did finally get the point when one of the commentators this morning repeated ad nauseum that Chelsea would win the Premiership.

I was just thinking, everybody keeps saying that Garcia or Kewell might be pushed up to support the striker, but if we don't get Kuyt in what are the chances that the player Rafa is looking at pushing further forward is Gerrard? I think it was tried the season before last, when Cisse was out, without much success, but I think Stevie matured a hell of a lot last season in front of goal and maybe Rafa will see it as a viable option again. It would be a way of accomodating Xabi, Momo and Stevie in the same side....

So where was he? Switzerland?

Yeah, but that includes 1000 of those 1 yard passes where he drops out of midfield to accept the ball from the centre halves and then lays it back to them - before trotting upfield looking like a prat!

Mark me down for a shirt!

After the second goal, where he should have covered the ball up, there were at least 2 other similar occasions in the match where the ball was belted at him and he did what he should have done the first time. For me, that is the most impressive thing about him, he understands that he still has a job to do for his team despite anything that has happened before. It would have been easy for him to lose control of any of those other shots - and a lesser keeper would have. Also, in the post match interviews Pepe was saying that he got 'lucky' in the shoot-out, but from what I saw luck had nothing to do with it. Many keepers do just gamble for penalties (i.e. just pick one side and dive that way), he seems to trust his reflexes and shot stopping ability to such an extent that he waits to see where the shot is going first. We didn't really have many penalties against us during the season, but I remember Pepe also going the right way for one and the ball squirming under his body (Chelsea at home, maybe?) He was livid with himself afterwards, as he thought he should have saved it. The other thing I remember from after the match on Saturday is the celebrations between Pepe, Jerzy & Scott Carson. It's great to such a team spirit between guys who are competing for the same spot.

What injury forced Harry off against Chelsea? It was a groin, too, wasn't it? I have a feeling that if it wasn't for the Cup final Harry wouldn't have played again this season after the injury in the semi-final. Hopefully the tear isn't too bad and he'll be fully fit for the World Cup and then get a nice break before the start of next season. BTW, who's the guy in the middle of the shot? Pepe's brother???

Awesome news!!!!

Yeah, the lino would had to have had bionic eyesight to see the handball. I think he gave it for the 'offside', too.

On the coverage that was shown here in Australia replays showed that it may have been pulled up for handball and not offside. I can't remember who they were, but the commentators initially reacted the same as the rest of us by saying that the linesman didn't know his rules. They then they saw another angle where the ball appeared to bounce up on to Robbie's forearm and they changed their tune, saying that it was probably a very good decision. Despite that, it would have been difficult for the linesman to see the handball from his position on the other side of the pitch, as he would have been mostly obscured from the ball by Robbie. Does anybody know how he flagged? Did he shake the flag for an infringement? Or was it a straight flag up for offside?

I remember Gerrard scoring a great near post header at The Kop end when Gary Mac was still playing. I don't have a problem with him taking set pieces but it does take away one of our better aerial threats, as you say, so I'd prefer him to try to get on to the end of the set pieces, too.

I remember thinking the same about Carra.... Warnock has ability, is tough and is a local lad. I'd love to see him do a Carra and make it at the club long-term.

Yeah, his minute on the pitch was good!

But one game ago we were averaging 5.

My initial reaction from watching on TV was that he was looking for Crouch. Great, great goal!

LOL!

Spot on! Despite what some people may say, Newcastle at St James is always a tricky assignment. However. we won that game without breaking a sweat, against a team that has been getting some good results recently. Strange selection by Rafa, but it worked well - and that's the main thing.