Football Focus

[mockney piers]

It would be wrong of me to gloat what, with the self-confessed Stoke hating one's enforced absence, but* as an ex resident of said town with a soft spot for the team, andone who spent ?150 quid treating an arsenal friend of mine to join me in Watching his team dump us out the cup in the last round...

HA Ha Ha, in YER FACE ;-)

*everything before the but in a sentence is bullshit.

[kpc]

Interesting article by Ron Liddle. The early days of the new regime at West Ham are very similar to when they took over at Birmingham, albeit with a different starting point. There were talks of the disastrous and parlous state of the club naming rights, new stadium, bringing in star players (Papin at ?20k per week - Maradona was mentioned once) and a nice guy manager (Terry Cooper). Next few months are going to be very interesting but I fear for Zola. One thing Sully sneaked into interviews is that he will decide on players coming in (i.e. his agent mates will decide).

[mockney piers]

I fear for our club too. I couldn't believe their ridiculous pronouncements and sure as hell the fans won't be fooled.

Anyway, back to the match; bugger!!!

[SeanMacGabhann]

Piers.. what was it Rod Liddle said in that article?

oh yeah

[Ladygooner]

We are obviously saving ourselves for Europe and the premiership title!

[Sandperson]

Chelsea must be favourites for the cup now, no?

[kpc]

You would think. Plus Villa, Spurs and Man City (providing...). Depends what draw(s) throws up but could be the year for an outsider to at least make the final.

[matthew123]

I think they were favourites even before other big guns were dumped out.. they are very strong and seemed to have avoided the injuries that cost them trophies in previous seasons.

Be interesting to see where Rooney ends up next season - he has been a good servant to United and I don't think anyone would begrudge him a move to Real Madrid.

[mockney piers]

no schadenfreude, I'm actually happy for Stoke.

I have no particular gripe againt Arsenal truth be told. I've been to Highbury a good dozen times with arsenal mates. I do like Stoke though, they've usualy had a torrid time in the top flight, and they're demonstrating good old fashioned values like hard work and gumption and physicality, and atila knocks them at very opportunity. An arsenal fan. I'll allow the irony to speak for itself.

[????]

Betfair

Birmingham/Stoke look the best value to me

Chelsea 2.94

Man City 5.3

Tottenham 8

Aston Villa 7.4

Fulham 20

Birmingham 17

Wigan 38

Stoke 26

Portsmouth 48

Bolton 27

Wolves 80

Leeds 65

West Brom 65

Reading 120

Cardiff 140

Derby 150

[Narnia]

I doubt he will end up at Madrid or leave OT. He has become the main man now that Ronnie has left. Also it takes a particular type of Englishman to be able to cope with the change of lifestyle/language etc. I doubt he is that type. He's not very good at speaking English is he? How is he going to speak Spanish?

[ruffers]

Get a few quid on Fulham to do well I reckon.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I know, I was just teasing

I thought Stoke were great today - they did fight well as expected but they were clever as well and played some decent balls

Arsenal were far form Carling-Cup-Weak as well, just didn't have it...

[kpc]

???? Wrote:

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> Betfair

>

> Birmingham/Stoke look the best value to me

>

We have an unblemished record in the FA Cup and will uphold the tradition of the competition.

[matthew123]

mockney piers Wrote:

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..and they're demonstrating good old fashioned values

What I saw was Rory Delap launching the ball into the box like a missile from a throw after he'd been allowed to time to dry the ball with a towel. That seemed at the heart of their tactics. However it was enjoyable seeing the mighty Arsenal tumble out of the Cup but I couldn't watch that every week... and neither could their own fans based on the empty seats on display.

Spot on there Declan - he wasn't exactly a good English tutor for Tevez was he!

[????]

Saints v Pompey!

[david_carnell]

Away against Premiership opposition AGAIN.....

....should we overcome the return leg against Spurs.

Marching On Together!

[kpc]

???? Wrote:

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> Saints v Pompey!

Given current circumstances, most interesting tie. Somebody mention schadenfreude earlier?

Blues away to Derby - vaguely confident of quarter-final place.

[????]

I have not so fond memories of a Quarter Final at StAndrews ;-)

[Bluerevolution]

City/Villa v Chelsea

[????]

Nope, I fancy Spuds...

...I don't fancy them, I can't stand them but you know what I mean.

[Mick Mac]

Glad Arsenal lost - don't want them distracted from their main priority - winning the premiership and making me some money.

[kpc]

???? Wrote:

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> I have not so fond memories of a Quarter Final at

> StAndrews ;-)

5th round in 1984 involving a number of pitch invasions I suspect.

[????]

Sorry was the 5th. Not a good day on or off the pitch.

[????]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> Glad Arsenal lost - don't want them distracted

> from their main priority - winning the premiership

> and making me some money.

Wot Mic said