On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[matthew123]

Some injury relief at Anfield as Martin Skrtel played in a behind closed doors friendly this afternoon

He looks ready for his 'friend' Peter Crouch

[Mick Mac]

Barca seek to buy Cesc by next Tuesday

[matthew123]

Would he walk out on Arsenal to return to his boyhood club... hmmmm... damn right he would!

But Cesc or no Cesc, I still have to tip Arsenal to wipe floor with Celtic at Parkhead - maybe by 4 or 5 goals

[Mick Mac]

That's so extreme it doesn't function well as either a joke or a wind up, Matt.

[Sandperson]

Damn MM that's a great line. :))

[Mick Mac]

The 4/5 goals did make me laugh - I thought I needed to respond somehow.

[matthew123]

Wenger's Arsenal have a history of going to tough European grounds and scoring lots of goals against teams who'd previously been rock solid at home. I don't believe it'll be a scrappy 1-0 game - I think if Arsenal cut loose it'll be a demolition job. I really do fear for Celtic next Tuesday.

5-1 (Inter Milan (a) 2003- CL)

4-0 (PSV Eindhoven (a) 2002 - CL)

5-2 (Fenerbahce (a) 2008 - CL)

[Mick Mac]

Matt - I have heard of Inter Milan (think we beat them in the '67 final) - I have not heard of the other two.

There is really no need for you to worry.....I hope.

[matthew123]

Ahhhh now that probably explains why you think Celtic is at the centre of the footballing universe :))

[Annasfield]

Anyone need a ticket in the Spurs end for Sunday?

[matthew123]

Babel looked impressive tonight for Holland, a real menace. He glided past the full back on countless occasions... my only concern is that it was ?17m Glen Johnson who he made to look out of his depth. Dirk Kuyt looked like a man who knows his way around the penalty box the way he scored the opening goal - so that was good and hopefully bodes well for Liverpool this season.

[Annasfield]

West Ham v Milwall 2nd round Carling Cup. Tasty

[Mick Mac]

matthew123 Wrote:

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

> Would he walk out on Arsenal to return to his

> boyhood club... hmmmm... damn right he would!

>

> But Cesc or no Cesc, I still have to tip Arsenal

> to wipe floor with Celtic at Parkhead - maybe by 4

> or 5 goals

Matt - I feel a wager coming on for Tuesday's game - You think Arsenal will sweep Celtic aside. If you offer to set the spread at a 2 goal win for Arsenal you have a spreadbet. If Arsenal win by 5 goals I owe you 3 units (at whatever stake you agree) and a 1 goal win for Celtic wins me 3 units....

Any takers?

[Mick Mac]

Anyone intereted in watching the Celtic Arsenal game Tuesday night in the EDT? - Arsenal fans welcome. I feel I should stand up and be counted.

[matthew123]

Might be up for that Mick - I got Liverpool the next night so will have fitness test on day of match to whether I have the stamina to rip roar with laughter as I take your money off your hands and still be fit for Anfield :))

Btw, I'm gonna have to check the Betfair odds to see whether that offer needs to be amended ;-)

[Annasfield]

oh dear......

[Ladygooner]

Thanks Anna - I missed it last night - what was he thinking?!

[matthew123]

After seeing Glen Johnson last night I have to say I am still not convinced it is money well spent. He looks flat footed, and his positioning is suspect. Apart from having a good fitness record he seems a carbon copy of Philip Deggen, another right back, who Liverpool signed last summer on a free transfer. To sum it all up, last night he made Babel look like the second coming of John Barnes [which at least is promising!].

I have the same reservations about Johnson as I did when Liverpool signed Nigel Clough and Morientes - when you cut through all the media hype, is he a world beater? He might be an England international.. but for ?17m it makes Gareth Barry look like a major steal at ?12m.

Most importantly though he is not in my FFL team ;-)

2 Days to go!

So far 14 teams have joined the "EDF Super Liga" on

the Barclays Premiership League fantasy football

web site

To create your fantasy team go to:

http://fantasy.premierleague.com/

Once created join the "EDF Super Liga"

The code to join League is 224056-57537

[ Suggest for identification you put your First Name and Last Name as EDF username & "edf" ]

[kpc]

Just hope Ferdinand's thinking the same thing at Old Trafford on Sunday...

[Sandperson]

Shame for Rio as he is usually solid. Still, it was only a meaninless friendly. I'm suprised you even noticed it was on Anna, I also notice you didn't put a video of Gareth Barry's screw up on the forum. Hmm, could this be a bias against United players?

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

Sheffield Utd 1-2 Port Vale

lovely

Irons.

[mockney piers]

Let it go RC ;-)

we're bigger than that ... And them obviously!

[Annasfield]

I didn't watch it but was sent the high(low)lights. To be honest I didn't even realise it was Rio until I watched it again after I posted it on here. I just thought Dirk did a good job from that angle.

Trust me, I am not that arsed about you or Manchester united that I will come on here at every opportunity to have a pop. So get over yourself. ;-)

[Keef]

Fight fight fight fight!

[Sandperson]

I'm hurt Anna. I thought we had something going on...you know one of those love/hate/lust things. Forbidden love between Scouse and Manc. :'(