Football Focus

[matthew123]

This will only be the 2nd time that two of Europe's greatest clubs have met in competition, the previous time being 1981 in Paris. With a combined 14 European Cup / Champions Leagues between them (9 to Real, 5 to Liverpool) this is the biggest Roll of Honour fixture in Champions League history since Milan beat Liverpool two years ago in Athens.

It would have been fitting for this to have been the final in Rome, but I've always thought that on the 25th anniversary of Liverpool beating Roma in their own backyard in 1984 that it will be a repeat final. Obviously the Italians have got the easier passage to the quarter finals but with a good referee and Dirk Kuyt swapping his clogs for a pair of football boots then Liverpool should join them in the last 8.

I think United have a chance of joining the big boys in the last 8, but I think Mourinho will have the upper hand with his Inter Milan team who will have learnt a lot about English football when they were kicked out by Liverpool last season. Chelsea will find it tough going over to Turin for the 2nd leg, but much will depend on Drogba. As already suggested it's bye-bye Arsenal.

[Annasfield]

I would hope that by the end of February his hamstring will well and truly sorted. Still, we beat United and Chelsea without him this season.

Would be a fantastic tie if Spurs did meet Villa in the next round.

[Jah Lush]

Yes it would Anna but only if we win.

[matthew123]

Hmmmmm.... unfortunately Spain play England 2 weeks beforehand in a meaningless friendly... so what odds Torres again returns with a dodgy hamstring problem?

[Annasfield]

I did wonder about that. Would be f****** typical (6)

[Annasfield]

Gary Mac has been sacked then. No patience these days.

[david_carnell]

*sighs heavily*

I'm sad to see him go. He was a legend as a player with Leeds but even last season I began to wonder if he was up to the task. He's brought in a lot of players of which only a couple have shone. Our defence has been porous all season and nothing has been done to fix it. Attractive football is wonderful but at our level only one thing matters....results.

I would have liked to have given him more time but after January a new manager can't bring in any players to rectify the situation and this year we simply MUST go up. No excuses.

God knows who we'll get next though. Ince and Keane are being touted, and I'd be happy with either, but a LOT of Leeds fans will go loopy if am ex scummer were given the job.

Twickenham on boxing day anyone?!

[matthew123]

Gary Mac will be welcomed back with open arms by Sky Sports to sit alongside fellow managerial luminaries Gullit and Souness on the Champions League panel. It's a shame; but he also failed at Coventry so it's going to be a long way back for McAllister.

I think Paul Ince would be prefect for Leeds United - tried and tested at that level. I think Ken Bates really would have to be bonkers to take on Roy Keane whose stock is falling sharply now that rudderless Sunderland are playing like world beaters. What odds Poyet and Wise return to Elland Road. Although maybe the wheels started coming off in the final weeks of Dennis Wise reign after their tremendous start last season.

[SimonM]

So predictable that the Leeds board would fire McAllister. Looks like Mark Hughes may soon be available too. I really do not know who they could appoint who could turn the side around quickly enough to get to the play-offs. The usual "names" tend only to be interested in Premier League clubs. This might not actually be a bad thing for Leeds. They could do worse actually than give Gary Speed a go - he's about to retire and go into coaching/management, and of course is another one with a Leeds history!

[david_carnell]

I'd love to see Gary Speed back at Elland Rd but I fear that it would be the same story as with Gary Mac. Now isn't the time to be taking risks. John Sheridan is an ex-White who is doing well at Oldham with no money and who would be popular, even amongst the boo-boys.

Hughes wouldn't drop down two leagues and as ex-Man Utd and ex-Chelsea he'd be as welcome at Leeds as a fart in submarine.

Poyet would be good but not Wise. EVER! Cnut. But I have a feeling Poyet would merely hang around till a better offer came along, much as before.

Christ, with the amount of Championship Manager time I've logged taking Leeds to the Champions League glory I know they deserve (heehee) I could bloody manage them. I like to see myself in the Brian Clough mould of managers only with a better taste in jumpers.

Bah....I said I wasn't going to care anymore! Curse you Bates!

[matthew123]

Very disappointing approach by Liverpool today when a very weak Arsenal went down to 10 men. I thought the game was there for the taking in the 2nd half - but when Adebayor got sent off it looked like only the Gunners wanted to win. It was not until 5 minutes from the end that the Reds re-applied any pressure but it was too little too late.

Good to see Newcastle get a late winner against Spurs. Joe Kinnear has made steady progress at Newcastle since Keegan threw his dummy out of the pram, and I hope the media are now willing to chock on that stick they beat him with when he first arrived in the North East.

Finally, congratulations to the new "World Champions" Manchester United, who won the prestigious Mickey Mouse trophy in Japan this morning. Stan Collymore said that in a few years time [once everyone has been brainwashed], it will be more important than winning the Champions League. Stan might be articulate but...

[SimonM]

>>I like to see myself in the Brian Clough mould of managers only with a better taste in jumpers. <<

Of course not even the amazing Brian could sort things out at Elland Road.....:))

[Sandperson]

World Champions! Doesn't it sound good though Matthew. It seems to me you might be alittle jealous.

It wasn't so Mickey Mouse that your lot didn't travel to Japan to take part three years ago....and you lost.

[mockney piers]

It is a bit rubbish though, go on admit it.

But no seriously, well done for topping 3 teams noone's ever head of ;-P

Frustrating game for the Hammers, better side throughout, but even with Bellamy playing well you just don't feel goals coming. We'll be in a relegation fight for sure.

On the plus side for Martin O'Neill, playing badly and winning is a mark of champions; Villa to break the stranglehold on the premiership of the big 4? I doubt, but it's a nice thought.

[SimonM]

I have an idea that the clubs involved are compelled to attend this ludicrous "competition"...

[Keef]

Liverpool did go an play in it, and it was a rubbish then as it is now.

[Sandperson]

Ok, fine, it's shit. But we are still World Champions. I've got a feeling it might impact badly on our Christmas games though.

[matthew123]

I doubt it, World Champions Manchester United (after beating the cream of Japan and Ecuador) have two local fixtures over Christmas that should comfortably yield 6 points, Stoke away and then M'Boro at home. I hear Steve Bennett might be wheeled out to referee one of those fixtures (or maybe both) so that United don't feel they are being persecuted after the Patrice Evra Pitchfolk injustice.

[Sandperson]

Excellent news Matthew. I see you are getting behind the proper reds. Thanks for the vote of confidence and I look forward to seeing you in your World Champions celebration shirt!

[Annasfield]

*exhalesloudly*

I find this so tiresome. Scousers hate United and vice-versa.

A question to all United supporters. If anyone else had won that trophy, would you hold it in such esteem?

Well done, you won it.

Champions of England - 17 times

Champions of Europe - 3 times

Champions of the World - Who really gives a toss?

Good luck in the league. We all fucked up this weekend. I'm sure you'll go on and win it now.

[Keef]

Nice of Everton and John Terry to throw us a bone last night!

[matthew123]

Just papers over the cracks at Anfield I'm afraid thinking that Chelsea are going to win league under Scolari.

Liverpool need to buckle down and start thinking Goals not Pepe Reina winning a 4th golden glove

[Sandperson]

*inhalesdeeply*

I'm sure we'd have had it shoved down our throats if the Scousers had won it in 2005.

In the interests of fairness i.e. not trying to start a row just wanting to talk about football, as I am not sure about Berba, I am not sure about Keane either. If Torres continues to have an injury wrecked season and Rooney, Berba and Ronaldo continue to be goal shy it's on a plate for Chelsea, right? I can't see Keane going on a goal spree in the New Year (in fact I am still puzzled as to the thinking behind him being good enough for Liverpool, but that's another discussion), and it's going to take a while for Torres (as you know my father-in-law is Scouse through and through and even he admitted his disappointment in Torres even beyond his injuries) to slot back in, even Gerrard hasn't looked like the match saver he has been in the past. Both United and Liverpool need goals but will they start to get them?

[matthew123]

I was always puzzled by the Berbatov signing as sooner or later he will sulk and sink into depression.

As for Robbie Keane, I think he can deliver but Rafa must try and remember to put round plugs into round holes... easier said that done.

Chelsea have the personal to sweep the board this season (based on Rafa continuing to pick weakened line-ups) but Scolari isn't up to the task.

Liverpool XI that should be played each week with everyone fit (no Carragher and no Alonso).

Reina

Arbeola

Skrtel

Agger

Insua

Babel

Gerrard

Mascherano

Riera

Keane

Torres

[Sandperson]

Surely Carragher is one of your most consistent and valuable players? Is Skrtel going to be good enough quick enough after his injury? I'm still undecided about Babel and Agger too. Just call me Rafa. ;-)

By the way, that is not to say I am totally convinced about all of the united side either, or the Chelsea team. Balance and all that.