On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[david_carnell]

Well he's not gone... yet. I've got mixed feelings. He scores goals - of that there is no doubt - but I have two reservations. He goes missing in certain games especially if the team isn't playing well. Second, I think he'd struggle in the Championship. He's quick but not much finesse and defenders at that level would be too good for him.

Hopefully we get good money for him and use it to bring in two quality players for next year.

Keep Blackwell if you can - he's very good - but needs board support.

[lard]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> Radio 5 Live - Some pundit (can't identify him

> yet) has just said that a lot of English fans

> would like to see Thierry Henry win a Champions

> League medal.

> He then said because TH is the best player ever to

> have played in the Champions League

>

>

> I have heard the pundits name mentioned - Sean

> Custis???/ from the Sun???

>

> I expect only Arsenal fans could have the blind

> loyalty to think Tierry Henry is the best player

> ever to have played in the Champions League -

> surely he has been a bit part player in the

> competition.

Everyone knows that Djimi is the best player ever of all time, ever.

[SimonM]

I hope Blackwell stays....he's only had about a season and a third so far....and it's too easy dumping the manager at the first sign of stress. But there's already fans wanting rid - and some of them have attended three play-off finals and not yet seen United score a goal in any of them! McCabe extended KB's contract a matter of months ago, and it's easy to forget that for a good chunk of last season we were struggling to make even the top 6. I am hoping Blackwell's initial gloomy and pessimistic reaction is short-lived.

I think you may be right about Beckford...a bit like Billy Sharp in some ways, who got 30-odd goals in the first division but was out of his depth in the Championship. I think Sharp will be on his way now, as Jamie Ward fills that role so much better.

[Mick Mac]

The first stabbing has taken place - a 52 year old outside his Rome hotel.

[snorky]

Rome is a dump

[matthew123]

Yes they laid the stones to build this country

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Back on line at last. Awaits gallons of usquebaugh from the lovely Mick Mac.

Thanks for your condolences Quids!

[snorky]

matthew123 Wrote:

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> Yes they laid the stones to build this country

using other nations labour

anywhere that allows the Nazi pope to live in LUXURY is nver going to rank highly in my book

but...relicas and ruins aside, its a terrible place to spend any time, only Venice & the truly apalling Naples keep it at #3 in the most rubbish places to go list

[????]

I heard a 55 year old had been stabbed 23 times in the Forum....but I'm a bit behind on these thing

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Infamy?

[snorky]

ha

Not sure who I want to go for this one ? Not a great manure supporter and Barca do seem to attract the johnny come lately bandwagon jumpers of football ( this season anyway, seeing as Real bottled the title / beckham left/ there is no world cup for these facile fans to hang their out Brazil & Italy flags/ etc )

I just want football to win

[matthew123]

United would be fools to play open football tonight - they must put everyone behind the ball, suffocate the space and take it in turns to kick lumps out of Lionel Messi. The key for United will be swift counter attacks led by Ronaldo.

On the other hand, Barcelona need to play Yaya Toure in central midfield and use him to combat fire with fire and be used as a battering ram when they fail to break down United's doubly fortified defence. Henry needs to stick the boot in where it hurts as he is the only one with physical presence in their front 5.

Prediction for tonight. If Eto'o is on form then Barcelona will win - otherwise it will all depend on how lenient the Referee is with how United combat Messi.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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

> I expect only Arsenal fans could have the blind

> loyalty to think Tierry Henry is the best player

> ever to have played in the Champions League -

> surely he has been a bit part player in the

> competition.

It's good to see you're totally objective though, and have no prejudice at all. Give me strength.

[Ladygooner]

If anyone fancies meeting Eric Cantona in the flesh, he will be at the Ritzy, Brixton on 4th June

LOACH & CANTONA AT THE RITZY

Preview of LOOKING FOR ERIC (15) plus a Live Q&A with Director Ken Loach and Eric Cantona

Thursday 4 June, 8.00

We are delighted to welcome Ken Loach and Eric Cantona to The Ritzy.

Director: Ken Loach. Starring: Eric Cantona, Steve Evets, John Henshaw, Stephanie Bishop. UK/France/Italy/Belgium 2009. 116 mins.

The latest film from the legendary Ken Loach is a magical, social-realist work about a football fanatic postman on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Salvation comes in the form of a very special life coach in the guise of his hero, Manchester United legend, Eric Cantona.

With Cantona nicely sending up his footballer-as-philosopher persona, this is an engaging and accessible work that boasts a characteristically fine script from Paul Laverty, whose collaborations with Loach include SWEET SIXTEEN, AE FOND KISS and Palme d?Or winner THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY.

LOOKING FOR ERIC is of course also infused with Loach?s trademark humanism, humour and compassion.

Book on 0871 704 2065

[Mikecg]

Nah! your alright, thanks though.

[ratty]

Have met Mr Cantona before. Great bloke.

Exciting times ahead for Pompey. :)

[matthew123]

Come on Mike I'm sure the French Gentleman would be gracious in meeting you - perhaps you could demonstrate your kung fu

[matthew123]

United line-up suggests everyone behind the ball. Very surprised to see Park, Anderson, Giggs all in midfield. I guess Rooney on the left and Park on the right flank. Toure will play central midfield having taken a quick look at the Barca line-up. My gut reaction is that United are not starting with their strongest line-up which is no bad thing if the game is still to be won late on but based on Barcelona every now and again burying games by the 15 minute mark it might be a major blunder by Ferguson.

[Keef]

Is there a reason there is no clock or score in the top left corner?

[Keef]

Hmmm, popped up briefly then went again. Barca looking better this half, but just feel united will get the goals and win it.

[Mikecg]

matthew123 Wrote:

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> Come on Mike I'm sure the French Gentleman would

> be gracious in meeting you - perhaps you could

> demonstrate your kung fu

Sorry! I don't know any Kung Fu?.

He was a great player and a little piece of me withered when I couldn't see him play anymore, a great character an even better footballer and a fly kick that even Bruce Lee would have been proud of especially the one from the french league.

[Mikecg]

The Score bar looks a bit makeshift.

[matthew123]

Rooney and Henry have not been involved in the first half... surely that will change 2nd half.

Bright opening by United, but since Eto'o broke the deadlock United have been limited to over the top to Ronaldo. United need to bring on Berbatov immediately for Giggs or Anderson.

Messi looks like he is in the zone and I don't think United will be able to stop him in the second half.

United will inevitably get their free kicks and the heart does skip a beat within 30 yards but it's been a good game so far and the atmosphere sounds excellent. I thought the Singer before kick off was immense.

[Ladygooner]

Score bar is fine on Sky sports and better commentary

[Mikecg]

They must have bought the right to it.