On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[SimonM]

I'm really not too bothered about going out of the Carling - especially as the 2nd round draw would have meant a somewhat incongruous Sheffield derby. Blackwell of course was spitting feathers at the team's performance - I just hope the team reacts to this positively against Watford on Saturday! Paddy Kenny's FA hearing is now on Tuesday apparently. I see a player just got a 3 month suspension (backdated) for being in possession of recreational drugs, which I am hoping is viewed by the FA as being rather more serious than taking an over the counter cold remedy....

But yes, let it go for goodness sake!

[Atila Reincarnate]

Ah yes the Carling Cup, otherwise known as the couldn'tcareless cup

[Jah Lush]

Good to see Jermain Defoe in top scoring form last night. He's gonna get you Reds on Saturday.

Jermain Defoe's 1st goal against Holland last night.

I agree Glen Johnson was very poor last night, who made too many wrong decisions with his passing. The same goes for Rio Ferdinand who seemed to have slipped back into his old habit of switching off and Gareth Barry in particular I thought was very poor. I can see a way in for Michael Carrick here in the long term who is by far a much better player. Ashley Young also failed to impress.

On the plus side Carlton Cole, Defoe and a very good performance from James Milner were the icing on the cake of a good second half performance.

[SimonM]

Indeed, right from its beginnings as the Football League Cup, and even when winning it got you an automatic place in Europe...

[matthew123]

Not until Wenger started treating the League Cup with disdain did it start to go downhill - although it also struggled in it's first years back in the sixties. Now of course no one really cares about it til the semi final stage.

[Mick Mac]

Sandperson Wrote:

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> 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. :'(

She does not seem to be coming back to you on that one SP. Keeping you keen I think.

[Jah Lush]

The Arsenal couldn't even win it when they took it seriously, seen here losing to what was then Third Division Swindon Town. Atila will blame it on the pitch though.

[Annasfield]

I only fancy Northerners.

[Sandperson]

Ouch. Midlanders are more north than some. :))

[SimonM]

You really cannot blame Wenger for the low esteem in which the Carling is held. It has never been popular with anyone in all its various incarnations, as the pitifully low attendances in almost every round bear out. It's never had the glamour or appeal of the FA Cup, which in theory at least any club - including non-league clubs - in the country might win. The really big clubs ensured they'd not have to take part until the last possible moment. In fact I would argue Wenger has, if anything, made the competition more interesting not less, and I write as one who saw his team thrashed 6-0 by "Arsenal Juniors" last season and 3-0 by Eduardo & Co the season before.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> The Arsenal couldn't even win it when they took it

> seriously, seen here losing to what was then Third

> Division Swindon Town. Atila will blame it on the

> pitch though.

>

> Don Rogers destroys the Arsenal

Thta's right Jah, we've set our sights a little higher like Prem Titles and 1st Division title and numerous FA cups, unlike Spurs who have rested on their laurels since, well........................1961.

[Jah Lush]

Been a while since you won anything though isn't it. Four years and counting.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> Been a while since you won anything though isn't

> it. Four years and counting.

Could be worse, & in your case in respect of the title it's............................48 years and counting.

[Jah Lush]

*Yawns*

Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> *Yawns*

>

> Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the

> same time.

Truth hurts

[Sharon_H]

Annasfield Wrote:

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> I only fancy Northerners.

Hmm, anyone in particular? ;-)

I'll be up that way on Saturday. Are you going the match ?

[Annasfield]

No one at present Sharon. Life is dull :(

Yeah, got a ticket sorted yesterday so happy days. Trip to Anfield next Wednesday - can't bloody wait. You just up for the weekend?

[Sharon_H]

Seeing as are up on Wednesday I'll see if I can stay a bit longer, was planning on coming home on Tuesday.

[Annasfield]

There were tickets available on the exchange this morning for the Stoke game.

Go on, go on, go on..............

http://www.sitcom.co.uk/father_ted/graphics/char_doyle.jpg

Would be good to see you up there for a bevy :)-D

[Sharon_H]

Will see what I can do, will let you know. Are you staying the night?

[Mick Mac]

Jeez - girls and football - whatever next.

[Annasfield]

No, there and back on the day. Work the next morning and have to be up early for Burnley tickets. Pft

Sandperson - as my housemate from Coventry keeps telling me, the midlands ain't North.

[Keef]

Quite right. Scotland is North, and maybe Newcastle. Everything colo that is pretty much Birmingham, until you get to London, which is South. Midlanders the lot of ya!

[red devil]

(6)...

[ratty]

Keef Wrote:

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> Quite right. Scotland is North, and maybe

> Newcastle. Everything colo that is pretty much

> Birmingham, until you get to London, which is

> South. Midlanders the lot of ya!

London's north for me! anything above the Isle of Wight tbh