Memphis

Harper is better than Pattison.

13 min left

Pattison did just execute a 5 yard pass without giving the ball away, so that's a plus.

We are looking Sounesstastic at the moment.

McGeady given far too much time and space, Brown made an intelligent run and a nice finish.

Rozehnal off...2 minutes later, Celtic score. 

Rozehnal off, replaced by Edgar.  Rozehnal has looked to be the genuine article tonight.  We had heard that he has ability on the ball, and that is true, but his reading of the play has been excellent throughout. 

Attendance said to be "just over 30,000" by the TV commentators.

Oba off for Troisi...good showing for Martins.

Pattison looks fatter and even less talented than I would have thought.

Hard to believe, but Carr does look a lot better than I remember him in some time.  Seems to be loads sharper and is making good runs...

I reckon Solano could play until he's 45 if he played in the SPL.

He has been fantastic.  Great crosses, incisive passing, good vision - and the tactics emphasizing Solano and Geremi in the midfield are working a treat against a very, very poor Celtic.

Another great move...and Nicky Butt nearly made it 4 after another swerving cross by Nobby.

We're looking quite sharp in the passing game.

Cracking, cracking cross from Solano after being sent away by Martins.  Good movement from Luque and a calm finish.

Whats the pitch like, just been freshly laid for this match

Pitch looks brilliant to me, but I've got a somewhat dodgy internet connection, so the video is a little pixelated and choppy.

Luque definitely doesn't look convincing despite a very assured finish on his goal - although to be fair Milner's ball was simply superb. 

I echo the sentiments about Geremi.  He is running the show in the middle of the park, and it must be said that Solano has had some sublime touches and flicks so far.  Milner is dominant at the moment on the left, and Martins has looked lively.

Encouraging thus far.

Doesn't he also play DM or am I imagining that?

If I remember, he began his career as a DM for Sao Paulo, but Sevilla converted him to a forward with devastating results.

I think he'd fit in with Big Sam's plans well.  He's got skill, but certainly is more suited to a direct style.

Can't see it being Mertesacker.  I suspect it might be Barzagli, but he'd probably cost a few million more, so unless this is an introductory offer, it's not him.  Bridge is crocked, so it won't be him.  Isn't Baines a bit short for Sam?  Don't think it's him or Shorey - 7 million is way too much for Shorey or Baines in any regard.  Taiwo would be a good shout and a great signing - although I can't see him coming here in all honesty.

Seems like Heinze then.  Would be a class signing.

For whatever it's worth, I think a large part of the lack of success for football here in the States is the inability to quantify exactly what is going on.  We have an extraordinary obsession with stats over here - in American football, it's about rushing yards, passing yards, touchdowns, interceptions, quarterback ratings, etc.  In baseball, it's batting average, on-base percentage, home runs, RBIs, etc.  All of those "team" sports have easy ways for fans and presenters alike to break down a player's contribution statistically.  Thus, most of our television/radio coverage relies on statistics and numbers. 

We are inundated with highlights shows about all the major sports here, but presenters haven't a clue about how to present a football highlights package.  And since it can't be distilled into a highlights package or a brief article in a paper, it is easily ignored.

Obviously it is far more difficult to quantify an individual's performance in football.  Michael Essien is a phenomenal footballer, but how many goals has he scored?  How many assists does he have?  What is his ACTIM player rating?  Does any of that matter in his evaluation as a key player for Chelsea?  There is far more subtext in football than the typical American fan wants to see.  They are willing to sit through a 1-0 baseball game, which I find horribly boring, because they take note of all the "little plays" in the game.  For whatever reason, be it statistical or xenophobic, they simply don't want to do that same thing for football.  A 1-0 or 0-0 football match is always "boring" to them, no matter how much may have happened in the 90 minutes.  Those of us who try to explain otherwise are largely ignored.

Just bear in mind Bolton didn't win a single friendly last season (losses to Recreativo, AZ Alkmaar, Sevilla, Derby, Burnley; draw with Rangers) and they did just fine.  Sam tends to use friendlies in a much more experimental way than many managers.

If we draw or somehow lose this match, there shouldn't be any panic.

Don't know if anyone read Football 365's Mediawatch today, but it included this little tidbit:

'Younis Mahmoud has turned down a move to Premier League new boys Sunderland because his family would rather live in Iraq' - The Metro.

Just about sums it up really.

I wouldn't mind but Sheffield Utd have even been re-instated and there's still no room for us!

I corrected it later in the thread - but here it is again:

1. ManUtd

2. Chelsea

3. Liverpool

4. Arsenal

5. Newcastle

6. Tottenham

7. Everton

8. Aston Villa

9. West Ham

10. Portsmouth

11. Blackburn

12. Fulham

13. Bolton

14. Birmingham

15. Man City

16. Derby

17. Reading

18. smoggies

19. Wigan

20. Sheffield United

21. mackems

Hopefully it's sorted now.  Apologies for the oversight.  Although in fairness knocking off the James Brown would be nice.

Well, judging by the quotes, it's clearly Babayaro.

For whatever it's worth, the datestamp on the video indicates the interview was taped 27 June, so whatever the reason for the long delay, the signing did indeed take place on Wednesday.

1. ManUtd

2. Chelsea

3. Liverpool

4. Arsenal

5. Newcastle

6. Tottenham

7. Everton

8. Aston Villa

9. West Ham

10. Portsmouth

11. Blackburn

12. Fulham

13. Reading

14. Birmingham

15. Man City

16. Derby

17. Reading

18. smoggies

19. Wigan

20. Sheffield United

21. mackems

 

No Bolton either?

 

Too devastated by the loss of Big Sam to even compete, I'm afraid.

1. ManUtd

2. Chelsea

3. Liverpool

4. Arsenal

5. Newcastle

6. Tottenham

7. Everton

8. Aston Villa

9. West Ham

10. Portsmouth

11. Blackburn

12. Fulham

13. Bolton

14. Birmingham

15. Man City

16. Derby

17. Reading

18. smoggies

19. Wigan

20. Sheffield United

21. mackems

There we go.

1. ManUtd

2. Chelsea

3. Liverpool

4. Arsenal

5. Newcastle

6. Tottenham

7. Everton

8. Aston Villa

9. West Ham

10. Portsmouth

11. Blackburn

12. Fulham

13. Reading

14. Birmingham

15. Man City

16. Derby

17. Reading

18. smoggies

19. Wigan

20. Sheffield United

21. mackems