Football Focus

[red devil]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> Barcelona face Celtic on Tuesday night and Lionel

> Messi and co are just 13/10 to be the highest

Betting wise, Barca are twice as likely to win than Frankel was.

What are the odds on Celtic to score a goal, regardless of final score?

[Alan Medic]

Barca conceded 4 at the week-end.

[Mick Mac]

The Hooperman will not fail us. We will defo score one.

[Mick Mac]

red devil Wrote:

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> Everybody relax, Fergie and Rio have kissed and

> made up...

"It really has been just a communication problem. Obviously as the manager of a club, when you lay down policy you don't want to see it ignored and that's where my anger came from on Saturday. "But we have resolved the situation and there are no lingering problems and we move on. That's the end of the matter."

But rested him now against Braga. Just to make sure he understands or to be ready for Chelsea..

[????]

If this was about anything other than racism Ferdinand would be cold shouldered by AF and probably on the way out but he (Ferguson) knows he has to be very careful on this

[Mick Mac]

(Mail) Rio Ferdinand is planning to revolutionise English football with the launch of a breakaway union to protect the interests of black footballers? The union ? which has a working name of The Federation of Black Players but will be open to players from all ethnic backgrounds who share a desire to combat racism in English football ? will be self-funded by professionals at every level.

[StraferJack]

(Guardian)

Rio Ferdinand has quickly moved to downplay reports that he is working on the formation of a new footballers' union - specifically, but not uniquely for black players. "Don't believe all u read", he advised his almost three-and-a-half million Twitter followers, before reverting to matters more commonly discussed in his feed - on this occasion, shaving methods and products.

[red devil]

???? Wrote:

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> If this was about anything other than racism

> Ferdinand would be cold shouldered by AF and

> probably on the way out but he (Ferguson) knows he

> has to be very careful on this

Maybe, but credit where credit's due, he has always been vocal in support of such campaigns.

Yesterday on a 5Live phone-in, Phil Brown was a guest on a debate about t-shirtgate.

His first contribution was to ask what do we now consider to be racist. Perplexed, the presenter asked for clarification, and Brown went on to cite that he gets called suntan and tango...scary

[Jah Lush]

That's a stupid comparison by Phil Brown.

Anyway, I think Ferdinand's injury problems over the years have caught up with him and when the time comes for him leave Man Utd it will be for that reason and that reason only that SAF will let him go. He can no longer play two or three games a week and that's why he's rested for the game against Braga.

[????]

red devil Wrote:

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> ???? Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > If this was about anything other than racism

> > Ferdinand would be cold shouldered by AF and

> > probably on the way out but he (Ferguson) knows

> he

> > has to be very careful on this

>

> Maybe, but credit where credit's due, he has

> always been vocal in support of such campaigns.

>

> Oh I know and I am not a ferguson hater, his commitment to this is heartfelt and genuine which is why I feel the Rio situation has been defused quickly and perhaps not in his normal MO on disagreements with players

[Otta]

I used to be a Ferguson hater, I thought he was a nasty piece of work, but he seems to have mellowed, and realised that there is more to life than winning at football. The last couple of seasons I have found myself respecting and agreeing with a lot of things he is saying.

[Mick Mac]

Ferguson is a very intelligent bloke. He is smarter than his players and smarter than most in the media, so few are brave enough to challenge him without risking having egg on their face.

Those who do challenge his rule tend to be the losers in the end.

But I agree with Otta, he is less abrasive now and more communicative, hence we see the best of him more regularly. But he still has a huge ego and cross him at your peril.

[????]

You dancing round the room Mick?

[????]

Terrible start for Man U too

[Mick Mac]

???? Wrote:

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> You dancing round the room Mick?

I hoped we would score and we did. Great for the fans who travelled. But Barca giving their usual masterclass.

[Jah Lush]

Love him or loathe him Sir Alex Fergurson is arguably the greatest manager our islands have ever seen. I've enormous respect for him. He's a winner. Oh! And here's a perfect example tonight. Down 2nil and and playing shit to come back 3-2 winners.

[Mick Mac]

Very disappointing for Celtic conceding in the 4th minute of 4 added minutes. Grrrr.

[Mick Mac]

My Rangers friend texted me. "That's funkin no fair".

I'll see him again.

[SCSB79]

He's right. Should have been 6 or 7 to Barca. Should read Barcelona 2 - Forster 1 as he alone kept you from a mauling.

Having watched the whole game, that was justice served in the last minute. We got slaughtered by the press for parking the bus against Barcelona and you did exactly the same. At any one time tonight for long periods in the game there were 21 players inside the Celtic half of the pitch.

[Mick Mac]

That's normal for most teams visiting the nou camp. Most people thought it was a great performance nonetheless. Suspect Celtic will be lauded by the media and not slaughtered, so there must have been a difference in approach.

[SCSB79]

Did you watch the game MM?

[Otta]

"I hoped we would score and we did"

Now that's not strictly true though is it? ;-)

[Mick Mac]

Well strictly it is....UEFA.com :

Barcelona

Iniesta 45

Jordi Alba 90+4

2-1

Celtic

Samaras 18

[Otta]

Fair enough, I thought BBC said it was an OG last night.

Either way, very annoying to lose it at the death, but equally it could have been worse.

[Parkdrive]

Both the Chavski and Celtic scores flatter them, bothe were comprehensively outplayed.