Football Focus

[Keef]

Yeah I was looking forward to Villa Man U, but ended up just chatting all the way through it as it totally failed to captivate.

I agree about the team selections, and hope Liverpool field a reasonably strong side, if not the first 11. Lets not forget uton were 3-1 up against us last year!

[applejck]

The Predictability of the beautiful game is so simplistic that i've lost my sense of vehemence towards the sport. However, yesterday was quite astonishing in terms of amount of giant-killings that took place, with four teams from the top-flight division being the victims of an unlikely defeat by lower-league opposition. Is this a pivotal sign of things to come?, hopefully yes as it'll be a radical change for the sport and therefore, will create more opportunities for the inadequate sides who will feel blessed at the prospect of finally making a name for themselves.

[SeanMacGabhann]

that Burnley game, huh?

cracking stuff - I almost wished they would score and win. A proper game a proper cup tie and miles more entertaining than any other game I've seen of late (then again I missed the Spurs - Reading goalfest despite being outside the ground haggling with touts)

[Keef]

Thankfully I didn't see the Liverpool match yesterday, but a fan I was talking to last night said we were woeful... Good on Luton, the replay will be good for them financially, but come on!!!

[Ladygooner]

Roll on the draw today at 1.30

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Go Havant. That's what it's all about. Ah, this sceptered isle.

[Ladygooner]

Looking forward to playing Stoke and I am sure Jah is pleased to be playing Man U!

[atila the gooner]

The Arse V Stoke or Toon. I'm happy with that.

[Keef]

Full draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup

Arsenal v Stoke City/Newcastle

Coventry v Walsall/Millwall

Oldham v Huddersfield Town

Swindon/ Barnet v Fulham/ Bristol Rovers

Wigan v Chelsea

Luton/Liverpool v Swansea/Havant & Waterlooville

Southend v Barnsley

Southampton v Norwich/Bury

Man Utd v Tottenham/Reading

Portsmouth v Plymouth

Derby/Sheff Wed v Preston

Watford vWolves

Peterboroughv Charlton/West Brom

Sheff Utdv West Ham/Man City

Mansfield v Middlesbrough

Tranmere/Hereford v Cardiff

We have to be happy with that assuming we can see off Luton... I guess Arsenal Vs Stoke/Newcastle, and Man U Vs Spurs/Reading are the ones that stick out, but nothing there looks particularly tastey...

That said, there is a possibility of Shef U Vs West Ham, and that could be a tastey one... They definitely have the recent history!

[Jah Lush]

Yes, I'm over the proverbial moon about our away trip to Man Utd, but we've got to beat Reading away first in the replay...and if our defence continue to make stupid schoolboy errors and Paul Robinson continues to make silly cock-ups gifting the opposition goals then we haven't got a hope in hell.

[SimonM]

I am sure Sheffield United v West Ham would be quite a spicy encounter - but suspect it will be Man City. That is another attractive prospect though and, having seen off the mighty Wanderers of Bolton, I feel sure Sven will be shaking in his hand-tooled boots at the propsect of visiting BDTBL*. I just hope it is televised live...

SimonM

*"Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane"

[atila the gooner]

According to the BBC sports website, Jermaine Defoe has been told he can leave. I thought he had or was about to sign a new contract. What's going on?

[mockney piers]

worthless egomaniacal little sh1t, I hope he ends up at Dagenham & Redbridge.

[atila the gooner]

mockney piers Wrote:

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> worthless egomaniacal little sh1t, I hope he ends

> up at Dagenham & Redbridge.

I agree with you 100%, but I just wondered what was going on. I think he and Cashley Hole are from the same mould.

[Jah Lush]

That is utter contemptous bollocks. OK, I understand where you're coming from Mockney because of what he did on his last day at West Ham when they were relegated and he immediately asked for a transfer but he's matured since he's been at Spurs and he hasn't once complained about not being regular in the starting line-up, he's said on many occasions he doesn't want to leave and indeed wants to sign a new five year contract that was recently put on the table for him rather than go somewhere else. He loves Tottenham and doesn't want to leave and the fans love him too but unfortunately Juande Ramos has said he can go if he wants to. I think he's a reformed character and a model professional who would get into most Premier League sides starting line-up on a more regular basis than he does at Spurs. I want him to stay.

Martin O'Neill is a pretty good judge of character and must feel he'd be a very good addition to Aston Villa's squad. He's a natural goalscorer, which is what Villa need at the moment and five goals in his last seven games is a very good return from someone who spends most of the time benchwarming.

Jermain Defoe, he's a yiddo, Jermain Defoe, he's a yiddo.

[Keef]

In other news, the scum that is Robbie Savage looks like he's on his way to Derby, which I have to say is a good signing for them.

Chelsea have confirmed they've put in a bid for Anelka, which Bolton have turned down... An improved bid is expected.

[Jah Lush]

Hmmmmm....Drogba is moaning for a move (again) and if Chelsea get Anelka which is highly likely they'll be replacing one Le Sulk for another.

[Ladygooner]

Can't understand why Chelsea would want Anelka - with all their money surely they could get someone really decent?

[atila the gooner]

Ladygooner Wrote:

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> Can't understand why Chelsea would want Anelka -

> with all their money surely they could get someone

> really decent?

Le Boss says that he is the best natural talent he's signed, and he's signed a few during his time with us. Shame about the crap attitude and his greedy brother/agent.

[Jah Lush]

There's no doubt he's a top quality player but as you say his attitude in the past and his constant chopping and changing of clubs leaves a very big question mark about him.

[rifleman harris]

Jah; well said. I can't add much more to what you're saying about Defoe. he does want to battle for his place and has stated that. I fear though that once a manager says that a player can leave if he wants it means "You're surplus to requirements".

[Keef]

RE: Anelka, I think it was his brother really that got him in to the situation that saw him leave Arsenal, and since then he has had a bad reputation, but I don't think he's as bad as all that.

[Ladygooner]

I believe his brother is his agent so I guess he is keen for him to move round every couple of years to earn his 10%

[Jah Lush]

That's right. His brother is Mr Ten Per-cent.

[Keef]

I thought they parted company after Arsenal, but could be wrong.