On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[Narnia]

If that was a penalty then I'd suggest that at most corner kicks there is a reason to award a penalty. For the life of me I don't know why football can't introduce the TMO (television match official). What exactly did the referee see when not awarding MU a goal yesterday? Has anyone said or seen what it was? Why not allow both teams X numbers of appeals to the TMO per game. It doesn't take anything away from rugby which I follow avidly.

[Keef]

Fine idea IMO. Also agree that every team gets decisions for and against them over a season, but for me Man U did get lucky yesterday, what with Ron kicking out a minute before his dive. However, after the final whistle a result a result, and as Red Devil says, the chasing pack have failed to take their chances so far, so it will take a big fuck up for Man U not to win the league. Like I say, I'm a realist.

[matthew123]

Firstly, let's talk about United. The goal Evans scored was disallowed by a push from Ronaldo on Nelson, that looked pretty clear to me on my TV. Secondly, it was not even a corner kick in the first place which led to the disallowed goal. Why does it always take a neutral spectator to point out these things to you guys wearing your beer goggles in the EDT!? As for the Penalty - why would the Blackburn player hit the ground when he is one on one with the keeper!? Answers on a postcard..

As for Liverpool - Rafa *** ****** ** **! I like El Zhar, the only times he has been brought on a substitute this season (about 7 or 8 games) for Liverpool has been when the Reds have been losing - not once have Liverpool not failed to at least get a draw from the match because of the energy and enthusiasm he brings. Just cause the kid plays for Morocco and he ain't a big money signing does not mean he does not have talent..

[Mick Mac]

There has been one bad decision made this season that's more important than any other and that's rafa's decision to play it cautious when leading the league. He did not and has not gone for the wins that could have had Liverpool out of sight by now. Liverpool fans will probably feel at the end of this season that this was "opportunity missed".

All talk of individual refereeing decisions is futile in the overall scheme of things, imo. (although its still fun to argue decisions of course).

[Annasfield]

Can't really be arsed to get in to the whys are wherefores of whether or not it was a penalty etc, etc. Didn't see it and I imagine this is a debate that will make the new football focus get to 200 pages too.

Surprised about slating El Zhar though as I think he's a smashing little player. Unfortunatley Liverpool FC doesn't have the bank balance of some the other premiership clubs, so we have to rely on finding little gems like him.

Think we might have blown it today though. Still it's not over until its mathematically impossible.

[Sandperson]

So now Liverpool are too poor to win the league and Matthew123 is a neutral fan. We seem to have left the real football behind and entered the realms of fantasy football. :))

[matthew123]

Champions League predictions 1st leg

Inter 2 - 1 United

Arsenal 2 - 2 Roma

Chelsea 3 - 1 Juventus

Real 4 - 1 Liverpool

[Mick Mac]

Inter 2 - 2 United (should be a great game)

Arsenal 1 - 1 Roma (should not be a great game)

Chelsea 2 - 1 Juventus (should be good to see Chelsea back on track)

Real 1 - 2 Liverpool (rafa knows how to win away from home, but nowhere else)

[red devil]

All four games are tough to call, but here goes...

Inter 1 - Utd 1 (depends on who lines up with Rio against Adriano and Ibrahimovic, there's talk of Evra, if so we'll get stuffed!)

L'Arse 2 - Roma 1 (despite losing ground in EPL, L'Arse are on an unbeaten run and seem to do well at home in Europe)

Chelski 0 - Juventus 0 (Italians will park the bus)

Real 1 - 'pool 1 (Real have improved of late, and Rafa will want to impress his new paymasters)

[Atila Reincarnate]

Inter 2 - 0 United

Arsenal 2 - 0 Roma

Chavski 0 - 1 Juventus

Real 3 - 0 Liverpool

[Mick Mac]

Well Atila - Arsenal are the only team to win - that seems to be the opposite of a normal premiership saturday...

[Atila Reincarnate]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> Well Atila - Arsenal are the only team to win -

> that seems to be the opposite of a normal

> premiership saturday...

Except when we play Chavski or Man U.

[Mick Mac]

With Jose crossing swords with Sir Alex again tomorrow night, it reminds me of the time when Porto first shocked Utd at Old Trafford, and they scored a late winner to go through at Utd's expense.

That year I had a ?10 punt on Porto to win the Ch League at 40/1 from the start of the tournament - don't want to boast too much ????, but that was a good call, and what a run to the final they had, although nothing quite matched the excitement of that late goal at old trafford, and Jose's celebrations running down the touchline. Apparently he was annoyed because Alex did not shake his hand after the first leg, due to, guess what, Alex being annoyed at the referee not punishing Deco et al for diving all over he pitch at the slightest push. Not like Sir Alex to complain about things like that. Jose wanted to rub Sir Alex up the wrong way after winning, and they have not been best mates ever since, but Jose's probably the only manager to get the better of furguson in recent years so I'm really looking forward to their histrionics tomorrow night....

[red devil]

Jose keeps dropping hints about returning to the EPL, but where is he likely to end up? No disrespect to the other clubs but let's presume it's one of the 'big four', + new rich kid on the block Man Citeh and outside bet Newcastle...

There's supposedly a vacancy at Chelski this summer, the fans would certainly welcome the Messiah back with open arms but could he kiss and make up with Roman? If Hiddink does well, will he be persuaded to sign a long term contract?

Everyone knows about Rafa's current contract dispute with the owners, is he stalling to see what happens this summer when the Madrid presidential elections kick off? Would 'pool fans welcome Jose wih such open arms? Probably if it meant winning the EPL.

Wenger's contract is up in 18 months time. Has he taken L'Arse as far as he can? Some people think that one day he will take the French national job, his last post before retiring. He's always said he won't leave mid-contract unless the club push him out, so there could be a vacancy next summer.

Fergie will retire at the end of a season, which one no one knows, could be this summer. Jose is certainly a big enough personality to take over the OT hot seat and many believe it's the job he's waiting for, but would Utd's fans accept his pragmetic approach to winning games over their traditional expansive style?

Hughes is a dead man walking, so expect a change this summer. Money is no problem now for Citeh. Jose has already proved he can handle big budgets and big money signings. Would Jose becoming manager then tempt big names like Kaka? If Jose went to Citeh, or indeed 'pool, it would almost certainly rule him out of the Utd job in the future, would he be prepared to take the risk?

Outside bet, would be Newcastle, the perrenial sleeping giant. Due to health problems Joe Kinnear may have to step down, but he was only asked to fire fight whilst Ashley tried to sell the club in the first place. Is Newcastle a big enough job for the 'Special One'?...

[matthew123]

I think Mourinho would probably feel insulted if he was offered the Newcastle job.

Ferguson will probably still be Manager of United until he gets the sack. What is he going to do if he retires?

Liverpool or Chelsea jobs will become available sooner rather than later, but I'd put my money on him being the new Liverpool Manager.. perhaps this summer. The Kop would welcome Mourinho with open arms and I think Mourinho would jump at the challenge of bringing the title back to Anfield. Anfield would be the perfect platform for him to further boost his inflated ego.

[Annasfield]

The Kop would welcome Mourinho with open arms

You reckon?!?

[red devil]

That's interesting coming from a 'pool supporter. Do you think Rafa would have already got the spanish fiddle if you hadn't won the Champs League?..

[matthew123]

Not at all, during the last 5 seasons, no other Manager or Club has been as successful in the Champions League as Rafa and Liverpool, even if you discount winning in Istanbul.

If there was a vacancy at Anfield, should Rafa depart, then of course the Kop would give their full backing to whoever was the new Manager. The day the Kop fail to welcome a new Manager with open arms is when you know they're just another club.

[red devil]

Obviously not judging by Annasfield response. Doesn't the Annie Rd end have a say in these things?..

[matthew123]

I'm not sure anyone has a say in these matters unless you happen to be one of the owners..

Rumour has it then during the mid-nineties Liverpool tried to poach Alex Ferguson from United to become their new manager - now whether that is true or not, what a bitter pill that would have been to swallow!

The number of United players that Liverpool had first call on but decided not to pursue any further... Ronaldo, Cantona and Vidic... although I only think Vidic would have been a success at Anfield.

[Mick Mac]

What would have happened to Ronaldo and Cantona at Liverpool, Matt?

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

Middlesbrough fans have been told to sit down and be quiet during matches at their team's Riverside Stadium by a club official.

Safety officer Sue Watson had letters handed out to fans during Saturday's 0-0 home draw with Wigan Athletic asking them keep the noise down as they had received complaints from some supporters.

Nice.

[red devil]

Obviously sleeping...

Rhinestone Cowboy Wrote:

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...keep the noise down as they

had received complaints from some supporters.

[matthew123]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> What would have happened to Ronaldo and Cantona at

> Liverpool, Matt?

FOR SOME REASON I ORIGINALLY SENT THIS AS A PM - SO IGNORE

Well Cantona was offered to Souness by Platini after the famous 1991 Auxerre comeback game - "we've got a troubled but talented player back in France that needs a fresh start".

I just think they'd have been too much friction between the pair and he'd have been quickly bombed out before he had a chance to get in ahead of Saunders or Rush.

As for Ronaldo, I don't think Houllier or Rafa would have indulged his step overs for the first season or two never mind a couple of games... knowing Rafa he'd have given him the odd 15 minute run out now and again before his confidence broke and then ship him back to Portugal.

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

InterMilan 1-0 Man Utd 6-1 odds It's great being a west ham fan get to enjoy champs league and no worries on how crap were are going to be.

Very much looking fwd to seeing Jose smash the mighty red army.

Don't say it often but well done to spurs last night Character and all that coming through.