pete harry

Thought McCann was awful today, as did everyone around me judging by the shouts of "Get him off" every time he cocked up. I would rather see Guthrie in centre midfield as I think he would be more effective there. He is wasted out wide. Midfield three of Campo, Guthrie and Nolan or Speed, with Stelios and Andranik wide - not Alonso after his no show in Munich. Of course all this changes when Diiouf and Anelka return.

That is so true it bears repreating!

I think the only reason we are playing the reserves is because of injuries, not because we have already thrown the towel in.

First? Did they score more than one, then? Yes, he cocked up, but how many times has he saved us or kept us in a match? Ffs, surely you don't advocate giving a keeper his first team debut in the biggest match in the clubs history?

To be fair, MOTD were pretty positive about us. Pointed out how well Guthrie and Nolan played. After the Chelsea game they had a feature on how good Davies was too, so it's not all bad. Agree about Poll, though. Gave the ref 7 out of 10. Arrogant prat. That's a damn site more than he would ever have rated.

I'll get me coat!

I've been away for a couple of weeks. Anything happened? How's that Sammy Lee doing? Any improvement?

I know he didn't. I didn't say he did.

We didn't "somehow" finish 8th. You don't finish that high four years in a row by accident. We did so because we were well managed and bought well. When you buy the likes of Youri, Okocha, Campo, Ben Haim, Hierro, Bobic, Speed, Faye, Diouf, Anelka etc you are more likely to succeed than if you buy the likes of Helguson, McCann, Samuel, O'Brien, Cid etc. Simple really. I am not saying that these are bad players, they are just not of the same quality as those of previous years.

Yep, unless Butlins come calling.

How many clean sheets have we kept in the last six months?! It's only one this season, I think.

Michalik, Alan Shearer and Fidel Castro. So thats a central defender, a centre forward and a left winger!

Said in the Independant this morning that Fat Freddie Shepherd were after buying Leeds and has already discussed it with Bates.

I take it you mean the 4-5-1 "drivel" that got us a top eight finish four years in a row and two euro tours.

What utter b*llocks! If Campo were in the side we wouldn't be shipping three goals a match and we may even have someone who can put the ball where Anelka wants it - at his feet and not a yard over his head. I'd rather have Campo than the "slow liability" that is Nolan, who after, quite rightly being substituted spits his dummy out and complains that he doesn't know where he is supposed to be playing! At least that puts him on a par with the fans who for the last year havn't known WHY he has been playing.

True, but the fact that the name "laughing gravy" comes from an excellent Laurel and Hardy film gives me hope.

Yet another positive. At least we don't have Steve McLaren as our manager.

Thanks no balls and exiledwhite. That was the most enjoyable exchange of views we've had on here in a long time. Great fun.

Well said! Get the t-shirts printed.

I'd be very happy with Hyppia. I'd be happy with Jaidi at the moment. Apparently, Bardsley - Man U right back - is available for seasons loan. Is he any good?

I'm sorry, but what exactly have you seen that is very encouraging?

Pros: We still have Anelka, Diouf, jussi, Campo and Faye on the books. Cons: Probably not for much longer.

I couldn't agree more. A friend of mine saw him in a pre season match - against Espanyol I think - and said he was superb, especially his long passing. I thought Lee wanted to play a passing game, so why is he leaving out the best passer of the ball we've got?

This is true, but the previous cast offs were of the quality of Youri. Okocha, Campo, Diouf, Laville, Hierro, Bobic and Speed. I don't think Helguson, McCann and O'Brien are in quite the same league.

The boy in the striped pyjamas. Very good.