Yorkie

He was great on the right-wing against Liverpool, though, Nobby, so i wouldn't be against having him start there in the return leg. I still believe that his delivery and passing ability is second to none - and i just want to see goals in the second leg. We really could destroy these mugs if we wanted to. I want to see another Ventspils (H) mentality, where we absolutely peppered their goal from start to finish, as we should do against shite part-timers. Only, score, this time...

Harper Solano --- Edgar --- Bramble --- Huntington Duff --- Parker --- Butt --- O'Brien Martins --- Luque Subs: Srnicek, Taylor, Babayaro, Milner, Pattison, Lua Lua, Carroll Why not? Just go for it. We're through.

I wanted to see Alan O'Brien... but Duff's got to play now. Would be stupid to not allow him to kick on from here.

I hope we start a couple of youngsters next week and go fucking hell for leather. And obliterate them.

Aye, Glenn not looking convinced tbh.

Nice change for a dive to be going our way.

No wonder they flogged him for £5m then. If Duff plays like that every single game, i'll be a very, very happy man.

SO insanely comfortable. We could have absolutely obliterated them if we wanted to. But that was the thing - we didn't want to. It was frustrating. Martins and Milner were shite. Special mentions to Duff and Bramble. Bramble was superb at the back and Duff was the winger we saw at Chelsea/Blackburn. For the first time all season, i was optimistic when he was on the ball. Harper - 6. Solano - 7. Taylor - 7. Bramble - 9. Babayaro - 6. Milner - 5. Butt - 6. Dyer - 6. Duff - 7. Martins - 6. Sibierski - 6.

I'll stick with 2-0.

Why? Name me a more in-form English right winger at this present time.

I thought he had a decent game against West Ham.

It was Keane that got sent off... Shearer's been sent off against Villa and against Charlton.

Ref elbowing Savage and Shearer sending consequently him off. If anyone has a video of that... would gladly appreciate it.

Is that Juninho in your avatar?

Ideally, i'd have liked us to beat Sporting Lisbon in the final. Or Partizan Belgrade. Or... I just want us to win it. I crave us to win this competition after the last two debarcles. Think i want it more than any other competition at the moment...

Of the three times we've been in the UEFA Cup in recent years (03/04, 04/05, 06/07), this is the one where we've got the least chance. The teams taking part are far, far better and widespread. If we beat Alkmaar, though...

No. No no no. I like Beckham - but he was DROSS in the World Cup and the games preceeding it. He could not beat his man and he was too slow for a winger - he was a liability. What do you think he will be like after a horror season this season, with his mind in turmoil at Madrid and him not playing games. Would be a step backward if we brought him back.

Very good post, Shaman. Agree wholeheartedly. That's about it really! Oh and... i'm so excited to see what him and Owen will be like.

The Martins goal/celebration in the Tottenham away game is just one of my favourite all-time 'bits'. Crazy, i know, it's nothing too special, but i just love the whole moment. 2-1 down going nowhere. Striker running away from goal and belts that rocket in. Celebration of true grit and determination. Just loved it.

Rediculous. Cautioned and banned for celebrating. It really is absolute tosh. There's players out there every game kicking the shit out of each other, diving, constant racism that never seems to go away, problems in the stands, spitting, etc etc etc..... and FIFA have 'Goal Celebrations' as one of their priorities. Fucking stupid.

Adebayor had him in his back pocket. Ben Haim's still a very good player and i'd gladly have him here. Especially on a free. It would be just crazy for the likes of us not to be sniffing around the likes of him and Distin in the summer, considering they're available on frees. I'd take either to be quite honest, and i think Gooch, one of them and a left-back would be our defense significantly improved. Probably not for a great deal of money, either. I'd like a right-back, but i don't think we crave one.

What a game.

Come on Bolton.

Ben Haim off.