The College Dropout

We spent £16m on two players after finishing 11th with no obvious cash injection. Shephard was an ambitious Chairmen. When we got into the CL/battling it out in Europe. That's where he wanted the club to be and he tried to do what was necessary to get us there in the first place. Souness was the worst move ever. But he genuinely tried to make it work by getting Souness big name signings to try and get us back in that top echelon. He tried. He wanted us to succeed.

Absolutely. I've said this many times and it's true.

Robson got him most of those. He is the sole reason for our success under him. Dalgleish's was lucky with inheriting a great team before royally f***ing it up. Bobby was backed very well with transfer funds with the exception of one summer. We showed a lot of ambition back then. Bobby had a fair few flunks in the transfer market and Shephard kept backing him. Carl Cort ffs.

I don't know anyone who still believes that best league in the world tripe.

It nearly worked to be fair, it just wasn't sustainable if it didn't. he was too trigger happy and involved to make it sustainable. Even the good times. He always thought he knew best but at the same time, really cared what the fans thought. Hence all the 'big name' signings.

Shephard tried to make Newcastle United a success. He was shit at it but he tried. Which is a million times better than what Ashley is doing.

This I would agree with. Almost certain it won't happen. Diego Simeone winning the Champions League as a manager with Atletico Madrid will give the likes of Alan Pardew many a orgasm. He'll see em grinding out a 2-1 QF over Barcelona, train 4 days on shape. Then get battered 0-3 at home to Stoke on Saturday.

A team is never more than 2 players away from massive improvement in results and performances. Just look at the difference Robert/Bellamy made or even Cabaye/Remy going out.

Feeling smug about Atleti. Tipped them to win narrowly and they did just that. Really hope they draw Chelsea. I'm confident Atleti would beat them. For some reason I'm almost certain they'll draw Real and lose. That Real voodoo has been broken in name but I just don't see them holding nerve in the most nervous match of them all.

They do 'stand a chance' though. With some good defending and incisive counter attacks they have that chance. That chance increases with the level to which the opposition want to play on the front foot.

Don't think they stand a chance in the next round. They shouldn't have gone through, Blanc gave them the match and PSG relies heavily on Zlatans ability offensively. Also, their 2nd goal was pure luck that came as a result of inviting the pressure. I don't think they will go through fwiw. But they have a better chance if they can sit back and counter all day.

Chelsea's team are built to counter attack. They'll be better against Bayern, Barcelona, Madrid than Atletico who have a more aggressive approach.

Demba received some stick for his attitude on here but he showed he was a real character by his goal and his words in the interview. Defiant against some of Mourinho's wordsin recent weeks without being disrespectful. Shows a good level of professionalism without just spouting cliches and platitudes. I think we miss him in the dressing room. Doesn't seem aloof or passive like wor Cisse.

He's really not THAT bad. He's not a great player, but he's not the worst defender around either. Has had some mares no doubt, but has had decent games as well. His only issue is pace and City often play with a very high-line. He's taken the fall in the press for at least 2 Kompany mistakes. When he gets to defend nice and deep he looks to be a good leader. Considering he was signed for free and was meant to be a back-up he's done okay. Not his fault Nastasic has a mystery knee injury.

For once I agree with Knaka. Pardew's a shit Mourinho student.

He doesn't get much credit for that unless he scores.

Dortmund were every bit as good as Real were in the 1st leg. Deserved to at least get to extra-time.

Just seen the Demba goal. Such a classic Demba goal!

Ancelotti sides aren't the best when 3 up are they?

He's lucky that PSG have Ligue 1 pretty much wrapped up. Should have done a lot better than what he conjured up as "tactics" tonight. Blanc's terrible man.

Was not impressed with PSG in the first leg and I said after that result that I fancied Chelsea to go through. Chelsea have a better chance of winning the whole thing if they come up against teams that will attempt to play on the front foot. Have a better chance against Madrid or Barca than Atletico imo.

Needed to let Cisse shine init. Not sure if this is tongue in cheek, but some thought Cisse was the better player. I love Ba me. Top striker. I was one of the few that were genuinely happy to have him ahead of Cisse at that time.

Needed to let Cisse shine init.

Fucking Bale man.

Real Madrid forgot how to launch a proper counter attack or something?