On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[matthew123]

Well I got one for you, "the table never lies"

[Atila Reincarnate]

Just I've made a concerted effort to tone down my responses to postings and be decidely less agressive, I see others have taken it upon themselves to slate each others teams. As I said before, I thought it was just me. Like Le Boss once said, we all think we have the best wife at home.

[matthew123]

Totally agree Atila that shouldn't slate other teams off and that is the rule I also follow, however there is always a natural urge to put United back in their box ;-)

Just ordered my United v Liverpool ticket - if there are any Mancs driving up I will be on best behaviour if I can have a lift!?

[Sandperson]

A table.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Arsenal 2 v Fulham 0

Chelsea 2 v Wigan 1

Everton 2 v West Brom 0

Middlesbrough 1 v Liverpool 1

Man u 2 v Spurs 1 (really depends on how high man u have got this on list of priorities, and what team they put out)

[red devil]

Arsenal 1 v Fulham 0

Chelsea 1 v Wigan 2 (Euro hangover)

Everton 3 v West Brom 1

Middlesbrough 0 v Liverpool 1 (Boro actually wining a game hangover)

Man Utd 3 v Spurs 1 (Rooney and Tevez should be playing)

[Mick Mac]

matthew123 Wrote:

>

> Just ordered my United v Liverpool ticket - if

> there are any Mancs driving up I will be on best

> behaviour if I can have a lift!?

Matt - if you stand outside your local Chinese restaurant, you will probably get a lift to Old Trafford from there.

[matthew123]

It's the League Cup Final on Sunday, and it reminded me of a time when the League Cup was similar in prestige to the FA Cup. Of course both Cups have fallen somewhat in the public imagination as the Champions League and Premiership have both got stronger and stronger.

So, what is everyone's favourite / most memorable League Cup Final?

For me it's a close call between 1982 (Spurs) and 1983 (Man Utd) when both times I listened on the Radio as Liverpool came from behind to win in extra time. If I'm to plump for one it'd be 1982 versus Spurs, who believe it or not had a fantastic team, and were Liverpool's closest rivals for silverware. That was a game when young bucks Ronnie Whelan and Ian Rush really made their mark with their Wembley goals.

[Atila Reincarnate]

2005 FA Cup final against Man U, we were rubbish but Paddy Vieira scored a pen with his last kick as an Arsenal player and the faces of the Man U supporters behind the goal was a picture to behold.

The Charlie George Final and THAT celebration

The Final against Chelsea, and the goal that ONLY Ray Parlour scored

The 5 minute final against Man U.................so many memories

[Keef]

Liverpool Man U a few years ago, maybe 2002 or 03. Can't remember much, only being sat next to a real arse of a Man U fan in the pub who got a bit nasty towards my mate. Oh how we laughed.

[Jah Lush]

Too many finals to remember. My first league cup final against Aston Villa at the old Wembley in '71 was pretty good although we didn't play that well but Martin Chivers scored two fantastic goals and that made it pretty special. 2-1 against Chelsea in '67 in the FA Cup and last year's 2-1 win against Chelsea again was great.

81' and 82' were brilliant. We had a fantastic team then, Hoddle, Ardiles, Villa, Perryman, Archibald and Crooks. Great times.

I'm going to Wembley on Sunday and of course if we beat Man Utd it will be right up there with the best of them.

[????]

I haven't time for the full predictions this week so shall just go for the 'Reserve cup'

.........*drum roll*

Man United 8 Spurs 0

B)

[Jah Lush]

I'll give you wave at Wembley Quids although I suspect you'll be shopping at Home Base or mowing the lawn.

[Jah Lush]

Arsenal 1 v Fulham 2 (No, really).

Chelsea 2 v Wigan 0

Everton 2 v West Brom 0

Middlesbrough 1 v Liverpool 2

Man Utd 1 v Spurs 2 (fingers crossed).

[Mick Mac]

MU 3 - Spurs 1 (although would be good to see Spurs win)

[red devil]

Don't really enjoy finals, far too nerve racking, but as a Utd fan it would have to be winning against Palace in '90. Fergies' first trophy and the rest is history as they say.

As a neutral I thought last years final was good value with Spurs coming from behind to beat Chavski 2-1.

I seem to remember a few really unfashionable teams getting their mitts on the trophy - Leicester, Oxford? Where are they now?

I think the prestige of the trophy suffers with the dubious sponsorship, I mean what is going on with the Rumbelows Cup?!

[matthew123]

I think by the time Leicester won it, it was on it's way down. It used to be right up there with the FA Cup until Arsenal and United starting undermining it with reserve teams. When Oxford won it, in I think 1985, that was a pretty big deal but not anymore! Although I'm sure Spurs will have an open top bus around North London if they win it ;-)

[Jah Lush]

Spurs didn't celebrate last year's win against Chelsea with an open top bus parade. It seemed a little premature at the time as we were still in the UEFA Cup though our season when to pot after that game.

[Sandperson]

matthew123 Wrote:

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

> I think by the time Leicester won it, it was on

> it's way down. It used to be right up there with

> the FA Cup until Arsenal and United starting

> undermining it with reserve teams.

It's amazing how everything can be blamed on United!

[Jah Lush]

Yeah that's right and if Tottenham lose on Sunday I'll blame Man Utd.

[Mikecg]

Don't blame United blame Ferguson, I am definitely not a fan of that bloke he never has anything good to say about any other team, especially when he looses.

[Sandperson]

Ah, you're here already! Can I introduce you to Atila and Matthew123. I think you'll get on like a house on fire.

So, who do you follow again?

[Keef]

Aw, poor victimised SP. ;-)

[Mick Mac]

I'm with SP - he follows the best team in England, who have consistently delivered the most entertaining attacking football year on year - who would want to support anyone else.

[Mick Mac]

Frank Sinclair?