matthew123

The European ban was not solely based on Heysel it was a culmination of violence carried out by various English clubs in the years that preceded Heyel - Heysel was quite rightly the straw that broke the camels back. For instance Man United were banned by UEFA from playing at Old Trafford hence why they had to play at Anfield. Similarly, such was the violence in English football during the 70s that both Man United and Chelsea were banned from having domestic Away support for one season.

Alonso wants to stay at Liverpool and based on his renaissance this season I'd say it would take a lot more than ?18m to prize him away with 3 years left on his contract. I hear that the rumour has eminated from Spain and has no foundation.. at least according to Guillem Balague. David Silva is a fine player but looks too lightweight for the PL, I might be wrong but I'd prefer the money went on Antonio Valencia of Wigan for a few more million. Also would like to see Tevez at Anfield, who'd be a useful addition. I just hope Rafa does not spread his money too thinly - and end up with junk like Gareth Barry and Stewart Downing because he signs new full backs (again). Time for Rafa to show trust in the kids rather than spending good money on crap, like Dossena, to beef up the squad. Rather save the money for players who can improve first XI.

There were some great European teams during the 90s, such as Milan and Cruyff's Barcelona. But what is not often mentioned is the Red Star Belgrade team that toppled Milan but was quickly broken up due to the Balkans war. Ferguson and SP can gripe all they want.. but spare a thought to Ajax! If it were not for the Bosman ruling I think Ajax would have totally dominated European football for the next 10 years - remember the likes of Jari Litmannen, Edgar Davids, Seedoff, De Boer brothers, Kanu, Overmars, Van Der Saar... yes they all played for Ajax and won the Champions League as kids and that team would only have got better if they stayed together at Ajax. Was Peter Schmeichal not playing playing at the Nou Camp and other places, really the difference between the 'great' Manchester United losing 4-0 at the Nou Camp and conquering Europe? That is the reason why Ferguson is being arrogant with his claims about United with total disrespect for other clubs. Fergie may have not been shouting his head off about it but he doesn't need to when he knows full well large chunks of the media put it straight into print as fact. Hilarious! Yes Liverpool were a little lucky to come from 3-0 down to win the Champions League in 2005 but they were unlucky 2 years later when the boot was on the other foot in Athens against Milan. Keef is right no English club suffered more from the European ban than Liverpool and when you consider the 86 Double team or the Barnes, Beardsley, Aldridge team never played in Europe.

That's jogged my memory, think I stayed at the Best Western Citadel, it was a 3 star and plushly furnished. If I remember correctly it had a roof top terrace for breakfast. Also had a Hotel lift which maybe useful in July.

"I have said so many times and I repeat it, we should have won more trophies in Europe," said Ferguson. I find that quite an arrogant statement even from Ferguson, for me it shows disrespect to other clubs who could equally shout the odds. As an example closer to home, Chelsea have been in 5 Champions League semi finals in the last 6 years, but even they have enough class to remain silent. What years does Ferguson actually think United should have won more European trophies? If anything, Ferguson should show some humility and admit they were lucky in both 99 and last year to win the Final after being outplayed by both Bayern and Chelsea.

Cannot remember Hotel names I have stayed in Istanbul, but I'd say go for a hotel in the "Sultanahmet" district (the old part of Istanbul) where you have most of the tourist sites and which is well stocked with Hotels.

If statues could talk then maybe Oliver Cromwell would once again say to Parliament, ?You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately ... Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!? From wikipedia: "[Cromwell] commanded the Speaker to leave the Chair, and told them they had sat long enough, unless they had done more good, crying out 'You are no longer a Parliament, I say you are no Parliament'. He told Sir Henry Vane he was a Jugler [sic]; Henry Martin and Sir Peter Wentworth, that they were Whoremasters; Thomas Chaloner, he was a Drunkard; and Allen the Goldsmith that he cheated the Publick: Then he bid one of his Soldiers take away that Fool's Bauble the mace and Thomas Harrison pulled the Speaker of the Chair; and in short Cromwell having turned them all out of the House, lock'd up the Doors and returned to Whitehall."

But why would anyone pretending to be posh - do it in Cafe Nero? I suspect it was members of the Royal family carrying out their duties by visiting the peasants of East Dulwich who can't afford a kettle to make a cuppa in their own homes

If there was any honour in Parliament we'd already have MPs resigning from office to fight by-elections - but not a single MP from a single party has stepped forward. Instead they have forced the Speaker out in an attempt to deflect blame. The Prime Minister should call a General Election and thus make all 646 MPs stand for re-election.

Think Wenger has floated the Madrid idea as a bargaining chip to win more funds for team building this summer

You sure he wasn't talking to the beer pump?

I was in this pub when I overheard this guy saying to a stunning young philly, "Do you fancy a visit to the Palace?" ... she replied "Hell no!".. he then said "How about an afternoon in St James's Park" ... "NO thank you!" ... there was a brief pause before he said "Look sweetheart Anfield is sold out"

Yup I think the whole Fergie / Rafa feud is quite funny. As usual it's the media who seem to think it's significant. I suppose everyone is biased but for me Fergie surpassed everything, by a country mile, with his pent up remarks on Rafa's disrespect for Big Sam. LOL. "Life Is Beautiful" was a great movie and it did have some lighter moments... As for those comedies not really seen more than an episode due to it being crap TV so cannot really comment. Talking of War & Football, a movie I'd recommend to everyone is the German film "The Miracle of Bern" based on the true story of the eventual 1954 World Champions.

Yes SP I know you were only joking, hence why I said 'tongue in cheek'... but IMO some subjects should not be joked about. I'm sorry if you're upset that we aren't bending over backwards congratulating United on winning the Title, and all this hiss about Rafa not sending a congratulatory letter to Fergie is beyond the pale when you consider the Scotsman sour reaction to Liverpool winning CL in 2005 or reaching the 2007 final.

Yes you're both right. Although would you say this argument stands in the NBA?

Although what you said was tongue in cheek I do think you crossed the line with your remark about the War. Anyway... I don't think any club can count honours won during the War simply because a system of guest players existed that could change from game to game - it's a bit like winning trophies today with players that belong to someone else rather than your own club... it tarnishes the gloss of winning. Don't you agree?

Yes on both counts! Starting with you bringing it to our attention.. especially since the article was from last year!

Horsebox Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Matthew123, It remains 11 a side. My theory is > that although the punishment is directed toward > the player rather than the team, it will effect > the team dynamic, especially if the disqualified > player is seem as core to certain plays or is > particularly hard to replace. Surely this is open to abuse where you can put on a reserve for one play to rough up and put out of the game a star player on the opposition, thus gaining an unfair advantage?

Yawn times 3

Liverpool have about 60 pros - but at least half of those are teenagers who haven't a chance in hell of playing Premiership football for anyone, anytime quick. Anyway, lack of squad depth this season, was just a smokescreen to cautious tactics. Ultimately it was Liverpool who blew the Title. We shall see what happens next season, but I'd say over the summer Arsenal, Man U and Chelsea will become significantly stronger. So hopefully not only do Liverpool bring in a few more quality players but they also cut loose next term against the lesser teams to make more draws into wins at Anfield.

Very sad to see Jamie Carragher turning on one of his own team mates at the end, simply not the Liverpool way. Not sure the background to the incident but I'd guess it's been pent up over time, either way inexcusable behaviour. I'd much rather that kind of brutal passion was reserved by Carragher for taking on the Drog or Rooney. Sad to see West Brom relegated, they've stuck to their guns about playing good football but it didn't work out for them so all the best to them for next season getting back into the Premiership.

Talking of Scottish football, did you know that in theory the team that comes 6th in the SPL can actually have less points than the teams relegated... how weird is that!? Secondly following my above post would that mean the team finishing 6th is better than the team that was relegated?

I don't know what you're on about Sandperson. I've talked about this season not the last 19 years!? As for money, when did I say it was because of money!? If you think people are going to fall into line and claim United are the best just because it's the easy thing to say you're wrong. It's not a case of being gracious in defeat it's a case of backing up what I said - if you really had any argument about any points I mentioned you'd have put in a counter argument rather than going for the old sour grapes / total rubbish reply.. Just for the record, as if it's not clear, United have been the best over the last 19 years closely followed by Arsenal..

Who said the best won it this season? Liverpool were the best Premiership team this season.. less defeats, more goals, best goal difference and also did the home & away double over both United and Chelsea, which was cemented with a 4-1 thumping at Old Trafford. They also hit the woodwork about 40 times which is a new Premiership record. Rafa blew the title with his unnecessary cautious tactics at Anfield against the might of Fulham, Hull, West Ham, Man City, Stoke at Anfield. Liverpool failing to win Title was not really to do with money (as we can't complain too much when the money we do have is blown on crap like Dossena)... that is clear from the United team containing such illustrious regulars as O'Shea, Fletcher and JS Park. Since Liverpool won at Old Trafford 2 months ago, teams have been having a real good go at United and there have been some extremely close encounters when on another occasion points would have been dropped, e.g. Villa, Spurs, Wigan, Arsenal. Prior to that we had likes of Fulham, Everton et al going up to Old Trafford and conserving their energies as a lost cause. Add on the fact of various dubious penalties given to United by Referees unfit to blow a whistle and it all adds up to United winning Title but far from being the best (I'd put both Liverpool and Chelsea ahead). Congratulations to United for winning Title even if it does have alongside it an asterisk.

But does that reduce the team by a player, or can they bring on a replacement - as in Football both the player and the team are punished by being sent off?