matthew123

Lots of good teams left in the CL. Up until a few weeks ago I'd have said Barcelona were head and shoulders above everyone else but now it could be anyone from Liverpool, Chelsea, Bayern, Barca and United that wins the CL title. The most crucial part of who will reach the Final will once again be who is drawn at Home for the 2nd leg of the Semi finals. FA Cup will go to Arsenal, Man U or Chelsea, although Everton might have a say in the SF with their dirty ball tactics.

Missed the first 30 minutes, but lots of good football especially from Spurs. I guess on the positive side for Spurs they won't all be getting drunk tonight so should be fresh for 'Boro in midweek ;-)

Jimmy Hill?

It reads a lot worse in that Sunday Mirror story. It says to me that as a minimum Rafa has prioritised his own future ahead of Dirk Kuyt (and possibly other players). Surely it is in the best interests of Liverpool that if the Manager rates Kuyt, then the Manager gets him signed up without delay. Rafa's own contract cannot be used as a bottleneck. We cannot have people walking just because the Manager walks or is put in a taxi. No one is bigger than the Club. Various people have been fanning the flames in the media over the last 5 years - and you're right it's not the 'Liverpool Way', but Rafa Benitez is far from innocent in all this carry-on. It's getting to the stage where it would make even Mourinho blush :-$

>> Judging by what I heard while watching the Real game on TV, the 'pool fans are still right behind Rafa Yes, the Rafa Benitez song was aired quite strongly at the Bernabeu.. but interestingly it's been barely heard during recent months at Anfield. At Anfield, I think it is a good barometer of Kop sentiment the gusto at which the Manager's name is sang/chanted during games. Houllier got equally good vocals during his time, then suddenly it came to a crashing halt during the final months. Liverpool fans look at their Big 4 record this season, the stellar results against Europe's top teams and wonder why are Liverpool haemorrhaging points against PL minnows... The majority point at the cautious football. That unbreakable philosophy is what, I think, will cost Rafa his job this summer.

What do people make of this quote from one of the Liverpool players!? ?The manager told me he wants to give me a new contract, but because of his own contract he wanted to sort that out first and see what?s happening."

Most people are entertained by England being ruthlessly destoyed by the pundits. Besides that most viewers are English for a BBC broadcast - the same happens on BBC Wales where the Welsh are only interested in the talk about Wales win or lose.

The Glazers have offered to put up half the money for Rafa's new contract - as a goodwill gesture to Tom and George

France were rampant, powerful and hungry for the win... it would have been a hollow victory if Wales had got that late try when camped on the French line.

What about Terry Butcher... didn't Bobby Robson say he should have got the V.C.!! But you know 3 Lions on a shirt... England cricket team as well (although only in name)

British Lions would have been short hand for British Isles Lions. I think most people in the UK of Scottish, English or Welsh descent will still refer to them as the British Lions even if Lions are synonymous with England. To answer the question of what they should otherwise have been called, I'd say, HSBC Lions... or whoever is willing to sponsor ;-)

I think by the time Leicester won it, it was on it's way down. It used to be right up there with the FA Cup until Arsenal and United starting undermining it with reserve teams. When Oxford won it, in I think 1985, that was a pretty big deal but not anymore! Although I'm sure Spurs will have an open top bus around North London if they win it ;-)

Well unlike previous winters it snowed this time - so if there has been a change in the winter, then maybe same to come this summer with roaring hot balmy conditions :)

The Herne is too far for me - so going to the EDT once again, that's where Wales beat England so same again tonight (hopefully :)

It's the League Cup Final on Sunday, and it reminded me of a time when the League Cup was similar in prestige to the FA Cup. Of course both Cups have fallen somewhat in the public imagination as the Champions League and Premiership have both got stronger and stronger. So, what is everyone's favourite / most memorable League Cup Final? For me it's a close call between 1982 (Spurs) and 1983 (Man Utd) when both times I listened on the Radio as Liverpool came from behind to win in extra time. If I'm to plump for one it'd be 1982 versus Spurs, who believe it or not had a fantastic team, and were Liverpool's closest rivals for silverware. That was a game when young bucks Ronnie Whelan and Ian Rush really made their mark with their Wembley goals.

Cassius Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > So does this mean that the Lordship Lane Lothario > doesn't exist? Goodness that's a relief, I'll be > able to look men in the eye again (tu) It does cast a dark shadow over that whole story doesn't it!

Totally agree Atila that shouldn't slate other teams off and that is the rule I also follow, however there is always a natural urge to put United back in their box ;-) Just ordered my United v Liverpool ticket - if there are any Mancs driving up I will be on best behaviour if I can have a lift!?

Have to admit I've no idea where Hoopers or the Herne is, never even heard of them til I started reading this forum! But I do know where Goose Green roundabout is ;-)

Well I got one for you, "the table never lies"

LIVERPOOL are officially the top ranked club in Europe UEFA's latest rankings (over last 5 years): 1 Liverpool FC (114.077) 2 Chelsea FC (110.077) 3 Barcelona (109.403) 4 AC Milan (109.306) 5 Arsenal (101.077) 6 Sevilla (100.403) 7 Man Utd (99.077) 8 Bayern Munich (93.664) 9 Lyon (90.576) 10 Inter Milan (87.306) http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2009/02/27/liverpool-are-officially-the-top-ranked-club-in-europe-100252-23026354/

From Wikipedia "The team historically used the name British Isles before the use of the term "British" became increasingly controversial. On their 1950 tour of New Zealand and Australia they also adopted the nickname British Lions after the lion emblem on their jerseys. Since the 2001 tour of Australia they have used the name British and Irish Lions."

Have to admit I've never even heard of Denmark Hill Village... where is it?

Sandperson Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > matthew123 Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > > The team most likely to struggle from the PL > > quartet is United. > > You think that? What a suprise. I'm sure you're > right, we are shit after all, we couldn't boss a > game like Liverpool. United are the top team in Europe - but it is arrogant to think you will steamroller anyone in your path; Inter Milan are a good team, very dangerous. They will pose a significant challenge in the 2nd leg, more so than any of the other teams playing PL sides so I will stand by my sober judgement.

The Administrator should lock this thread and stick it to the top of the list - as a reminder that inmates of the Maudsley now have internet access.

Not sure that Wales are clear favourites; it's in France in front of a partizan crowd, and the French are quite capable of pulling something out of the bag against anyone. Add on top of that, Wales sub-par performance against England 2 weeks ago and it could be a very tense occasion. Thank god I'll be watching it in the EDT to calm my nerves! :-o