matthew123

Every Manager makes mistakes in transfer market and Alex Ferguson is no exception, and neither is Wenger immune. Rafa does like to wheel and deal. I've not got a problem splashing the cash on likes of Robbie Keane, Babel, Lucas and Aquilani as they all have (had) potential to improve first team. The pocket money players are in general a mistake for that money adds up eventually to missed big money purchases and secondly it stunts the development of youngsters. Not sure how many kids Rafa has signed from overseas but it's a shame that someone like Nemeth with his scoring record (and now capped at international level for Hungry) cannot get a look in because we have Voronin and N'gog on our books. With our options upfront looking weak that sadness is compounded with us letting Nemeth go on loan to AEK Athens as a sweetner for a Greek defender who is not match fit and is highly unlikely to ever start a PL match for Liverpool. I still think that when Liverpool are on top form, under Rafa, they have no equal. But like last season it's going to take a while before we are back at full power, performance wise, so just hope we are still in touch at the top.

Not got much to say on Liverpool - except I am tired of all these excuses. Read into that what you want.

Chelsea look formidable. In many ways it's good to see Man City, Arsenal and Spurs all get off to good start as it makes the Title a lot more exciting than for just the Big 3. Out of the 3 mentioned I think Man City will sustain their challenge right through to the end - they simply have too many good players with experience not to make an impression. I don't think Arsenal are physically strong enough to come through the long winter unscathed both in terms of their traditional graveyards in the North and the fact smaller, frailer players (which Arsenal seem to have packed in their squad) tend to pick up continual injuries. In the meantime, I expect Arsenal to visit Old Trafford on Saturday and rattle a good healthy win and keep their momentum going for another few months.

United played some good football, knocking it around the park. I lost interest at 3-0 and turned to the Cricket screen but I believe Owen scored the 4th or 5th based on the pathetic chants in the Vale of "You Scouse B'stard" Arsenal 10 goals in 2 games... all set up for a mouth watering clash next weekend when they face United

Anyone fancy watching the Wigan v United, Live in the Vale at 3 p.m. today ? Meeting a friend down there for kick off.

Arsenal 2 Portsmouth 1 Birmingham 1 Stoke 1 Hull 1 Bolton 2 Man City 4 Wolves 0 Sunderland 2 Blackburn 1 Wigan 2 Man Utd 0 Burnley 1 Everton 3 Fulham 1 Chelsea 3 West Ham 1 Tottenham 3

18 year old Ayala continued to show promise last night and it's bit of a shame Rafa has had to dive into transfer for cover with Skrtel and Agger having niggling injuries - but maybe at ?2m it makes sense. I'm certainly relieved we did not sign Michael Turner from Hull - regardless of whether that was because of lack of funds (they wanted ?12m) or because Rafa worked out his was useless.

Crap first half performance by Liverpool but came on strong second half with some nimble football led by Yossi. It's incredible how much he has improved this year - he looked real confident in front of the Kop last night.

Well BBW - I can tell you that at least 8 of those in your list were at the last drinks

Easier said than done keeping a firm hold if their hands have been fondling a lunchtime bag of chicken nuggets

I've not heard that expression before but why should we castigate those that were dropped on their head as a baby.

Celtic were unlucky with the goals, and were quite competitive. It certainly never looked like the walk over I predicted. It's probably too much for Celtic to come back now but maybe with better team selection for 2nd leg they can still cause problems at the Emirates.

Very funny BBW - it did make me laugh I think a lot of ppl who ain't got a clue feel more comfortable asking such questions to similarly blessed individuals.. although many people on the EDF are of course intellectual super stars it still represents a cross section of society so is thus a better way of asking dimwit questions than say on the pompous Bathroom Forum.. Having done a quick check on Google for "What's the quickest way to run a bath?" (btw, I *think* I know the answer doh) you'll find out on page 1 it does not really cater for the mentally challenged hence why these kind of mind boggling threads exist..

M'Boro and Cardiff top of the pile in the Championship - I still firmly believe these 2 will dominate the Championship automatic spots through the season but obviously as with any team wheels can fall off due to unforseen circumstances.

Following Sunday's defeat at Spurs, Rafa could be in trouble with the FA after his post match press conference when he "had theatrically taken a glasses case out of his inside pocket, taken out the glasses and looked through them before putting them away again." Apparently this gesture, no doubt following on from crossing his arms in front of Big Sam, has been interpreted as an insult to the Ref for not awarding Liverpool two late penalties.

I'll do a straight bet with you Mick that Arsenal will have scored within first 30 minutes (I actually think they'll have scored 3 times by that point but might be too painful for you to payout on those terms)

No PL games live on UK tv tonight

LOL red devil that's fine - but you'll find the balloon is actually the core of wisdom! :)) lol Mick Mac took exception to my 4 or 5 goal win prediction for Arsenal tonight... but he knows deep down I'm probably right!

It's a sad reflection on any sport when more merit appears to be gained from breaking records than the actual achievement of winning the Cup or a Gold medal. In a few years time when the record has been smashed a few more times what are people going to applaud from yesterday, an old record or an old gold medal? If World Records didn't seem to be the be all and end all of anything less than 400m then improvement in running track would be no big deal - which is the reverse in Football as no one puts more glory on scoring a 40 yard free kick over actually winning a match.

You know what Red Devil, and I'm not the first one to mention it, you seem to resort to personal insults when ever you don't like the point being made - there seems to be a strong correlation between you having a weak argument and using foul and abusive language. I've made a mild criticism of United - whereas I've criticised Liverpool most of the last week - and you respond with offensive material. If you look back at my posts, and most other ppls for that matter, I have never verbally assualted any formurites but you seem to think you can get away with it without censure. I'd usually let this pass under the bridge but a response was needed on this occasion.

Every World Championships, Olympics has a new state of the art finely tuned running track to aid new World Records.. What the Athletics authorities should also look at is a standard track through the ages as just because someone get's a new record (whatever distance) does not necessarily make them the better athlete than the previous record holder.

Having a loyal fanbase does not mean everything is viewed through rose tinted glasses. Besides, fans who cannot criticise their own team with constructive criticism probably don't know much about football. The squad did look thin on Sunday but that will soon be rectified by players returning from short term injuries. The problem for Liverpool is to start playing football - I always thought the tactics from last season was mainly to accomodate Gerrard, Mascherano and Alonso. Now that Alonso has departed the formation has to change - it was not flawless even with Alonso, so I'd say revert to Gerrard in central midfield. Liverpool have Mascherano and Gerrard, two of the finest midfielders in world football who'd walk into any team in Europe bar none. If anything, the team whose success depends on one player, above and beyond the damage any other club would suffer, is if Rooney goes down with an injury as after him United 's attacking play looks very weak. So red devil I think you should be more concerned about the wheels coming off that wagon!

Yossi has been quite effective playing in a more central role this last 6 months - but when tied to the flank during his first 18 months he disappointed. I think with likes of Yossi and Babel they need to be played in their best position or not at all, as not everyone is as durable at Steven Gerrard. I don't even think we saw the best of Alonso during his time at Anfield - for me his natural game is to press much higher up the pitch but he used to play so deep I think over last 2 seasons he'd only assisted something like 4 league goals. Rafa might have got lucky in Istanbul but it evened itself out 2 years later in Athens with Milan getting the luck. As for Cardiff yes lot's of luck as you're 3 goals were all from major Liverpool blunders but you probably deserved those goals on superior football for large chunks of the game.

What about the Nag's Head at bottom of Rye Lane (been in there once)

No Anna, it was Nikhil and his brother - in a group huddle with Rafa