On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[Mick Mac]

Atila - I have to accept that Henry has equalised and scored an away goal when his team really needed it tonight, when trailing to Lyon. Well done him.

[red devil]

A neutral's opinion...

Top 50 Post-War Managers*

*Does not include last seasons League and Champions League double, or this seasons World Championship...(to be continued)

Personally, I would place Shankley above Paisley any day; he built a great team not merely inherited one, and of course he managed to win the FA Cup, fact...selective extracts from record books don't tell the whole story Matthew...

[matthew123]

I guess United and Arsenal would have settled for those results before kick off.

United though will probably be disappointed after they got off to a whirlwind start when they could have scored an opening goal on numerous occasions in the first half hour. I was thinking this Inter Milan team were a lot worse than last season when they got kicked out by Liverpool but in the 2nd half they showed their quality and could have scored themselves. All to play for in the 2nd leg.

[Mick Mac]

50 top managers

Wenger ahead of Stein - you must be joking. Stein was recognised by his peers as the best, although some later surpassed his achievements. How many people will remember Wenger in 40 years. This list is all about the top managers in England, not objective, in my view Wenger would not even make the top 50 european managers of all time.

[Sandperson]

Well, a fantastic first half and a nervy second. I think the away goal rule is going to do for us at OT but who knows? With Vidic back and a fully exercised Rooney etc it might be ok. I'm really looking forward to the Liverpool Real game tonight and it's going to be interesting to see if Ranieri can do a number on Chelsea.

[red devil]

Think positive Sandy, Utd perform better when they have to go for a win. Hopefully won't be as nail biting as last years Barca game though!..also looking forward to tonights Real v 'pool match as a 'neutral'...;-)

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

Great to see Jose back on the tv, I'm sorry but it was not a penalty but great the way he went on about Man Utd and refs. We need more like him in the premiership to shake things up. Man utd better team with lots of energy.

[Atila Reincarnate]

While the role of the manager is important, the performance of a team is down to the 11 men out on the pitch. Once they are on the pitch and the whistle has been blown the manager can do precious little to determine or influence the outcome of a game. A club is always far more important than any manager or player. Who cares if Ferguson, or Wenger, or anyone else for that matter is remembered in years to come as long as our clubs are still around for us to follow with passion, to debate over, moan about, and to revel in their success as and when it happens. Football is dissected far too clinically these days, especailly for a game which is so simple to play, watch and enjoy.

[red devil]

Agree with your sentiment Atila, but history is important, it defines and shapes a clubs' ethos...well done on last night's result, although on paper it doesn't look convincing, I'm sure L'Arse are capable of scoring in Rome and going through...if you or anyone you know goes to Rome don't try the half-time pizzas, shocking...

[Atila Reincarnate]

We were very wasteful last night, nobody more so than Bendtner. Realistically it should have been at least 3 nil. For some one who shouts the odds about how good he is and how he should be in the side week in week out, he should perform a lot better. Eboue was good last night until he missed the sitter that he made for himself, so at least he has an excuse.

[Ladygooner]

We will have Adebayor, Eduardo and hopefully Walcott back for the return leg. We were all over Rome - I am sure we will go through

[red devil]

Yeah, not convinced by Bendtner myself, his style of play jars with the silky smooth pass and move, good for a plan b though, crikey this is turning into a love-in, come back Matthew all is forgiven...

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

HICKS DENIES BENITEZ WILL QUIT

Sources close to the Liverpool co-owner have dismissed rumours that Rafael Benitez is on the brink of leaving the club. The Spaniard's future appeared uncertain this morning as leading bookmakers suspended all bets on the prospects of him staying at Anfield. However the Hicks camp claims that despite the antagonism between the owners and manager, they will not allow Benitez to walk away.

Guess Rafa on his way to Real Madrid then.

[Keef]

I think Bendtner is simply not good enough for Arsenal, sack him off!

[Atila Reincarnate]

The thing is with Bendtner every now and then he scores an important goal for us, I would have shipped him out last season but there you go. I felt for Eboue last night because he grafted and ran his socks off, then he makes him self a great chance with a lot of hard work and misses the target. But at least he sweated blood for the cause. Something sadly lacking in most modern players, who are paid huge sums of money and as a result have no real hunger for the game.

[Jah Lush]

So Atila would you rather have Bendtner or Adebayor up front when fit?

[Atila Reincarnate]

Adebayor no question, on his day he is to qoute Andy Gray "Unplayable", his ability to win aerial battles is terrific, yet Bendtner with his height seems to get out muscled most of the time. And as for the pink booted ones first touch, well let's just say I've seen wardrobes that are more deft.

[Jah Lush]

Yeah his first touch is appalling and his finishing is only slightly better than Harry Redknapp's missus. So, probably makes him better than Darren Bent then.

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

He will be Arse top scorer next year. Henry was out of sorts Drogba was pony I know he already has 2yrs so it takes him a little longer.

[Atila Reincarnate]

I think his price tag has weighed heavily on him. His situation & performance reminds me very much of Clinton Morrison. Clinton was great in the Championship and rubbish in the Prem, different scenario I'll grant you but the level of performance when they made a step up is very, very similar.

[Jah Lush]

Rhinestone Cowboy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> He will be Arse top scorer next year. Henry was

> out of sorts Drogba was pony I know he already

> has 2yrs so it takes him a little longer.

I can't see it myself. I'd go for Eduardo to be top scorer next season. The boy is a natural finisher.

[Mick Mac]

Clinton Morrison has been rubbish for years....for someone like him to get any international caps is outrageous.

SKY BET SLASH ODDS FROM 10/1 TO 3/1 ON DALGLISH TO TAKE OVER FROM RAFA - SOMETHING IS UUUP...

[????]

Now where's that cricket thread....:(

[Mick Mac]

Bad luck quids - concentrating on winning the premiership I guess. You don't want to do too well otherwise Chelski will come sniffing round your management team, so every cloud has a silver lining.

[mockney piers]

"concentrating on winning the premiership I guess"

Err, shouldn't that be "winning in the premiership", I don't think we've had even a whiff of a title shot since 85/6 (should have done it, damned frozen pitch).

Nice thought though mm :)