Andy

I've never won a single penny from football gambling in my life, so I'm pretty sure if I just back Spurs to win and lay Newcastle we'll be in the CL next season.

We don't have the userbase to win this, but it's nice to see two Newcastle forums in second and third.

Not sure why people would want Real in the final fighting our cause instead of a Bayern team who've outplayed Real over both legs and who will be playing on their own pitch.

Seem to remember it being mentioned last week that Bayern had a few players on the verge of missing the second leg if they were booked in that match.

Have to admit that today is the first time I've genuinely thought we look like a team capable of playing in the Champions League, just in terms of our fluidity and control of the game. Hard not to get your hopes up but I still think we'll finish just short of it this time around.

That's good to hear. Seems we're getting quite a decent profile in France thanks to our french boys and the manner in which we've performed our business. Can only be good going forward and I hope we can develop a similar reputation in some other european countries too. Think Holland could be next if we get Pieters and Douglas.

Fucking love Rich me like.

No idea what you're talking about.

It would be sheet magic to qualify, I totally agree. Sheet class. I agree. Poor spelling by you in that post there though.

I don't get the "it's a season too soon" bollocks. We might not have this opportunity this time next year. I'd fucking love to see us in Europe (via 5th place, especially) just for the sheer sense of accomplishment. It would be the perfect reward for an unbelievable season. Worry about the potential downfalls later.

Rules are rules, doesn't matter who you support. Our libel rule is there for a reason.

That has never been the case.

Having Jonas and Tiote behind him to do most of the leg work is definitely going to bring out the best in him, especially in games that are less physically demanding on the front-players than chasing Swansea's sideways passes all game. He's a competent defensive midfielder in that he knows where to position himself and works tirelessly, but yesterday highlighted how much he's wasted in that position.

Strange game. Similar kind of feeling to watching a pre-season friendly.

Rich - Lee Cattermole. Raging dickhead.

Torres to Chelsea makes Carroll look a shrewd bit of business I'd back Torres to find his best form for Chelsea before I'd back Carroll to find his best form for Liverpool.

Aye, when I was reading it I assumed that would give it away for everyone. Guess not.

This is true. I'm gonna put us back to normal in about 10mins. But yeah, say that if you like.

We were following your twitter with much amusement.

The last few hours have been the most enjoyable spent using this forum in years for me.

Ben Arfa will give Enrique cause for concern simply because of how often he cuts inside. Try to take Enrique down the touchline and he'll generally eat you alive - come inside him and he struggles a lot more.

Is there a more terrifying sight in football than Ben Arfa having possesion of the ball in his own box?

Please don't post videos of the incident. If people want to see it they know where to look. I don't see any need for it and don't want to see it on the forum.

It's an awful thing to hear but he's just saying what everyone else is thinking tbh; it's clearly very serious and if they were still trying to resuscitate him in the ambulance I'd say that outlook is grim enough to acknowledge the fact that he might not make it and compare it to similar incidents...

Dortmund are the best team in Germany and OM beat them twice in the group stage with an aggregate score of 6-2. No team in Germany should intimidate them. People underestimate Om because the team in rubbish. Dortmund are top of the league on consistency but an in-form Bayern are far more devastating and could beat any team in Europe on their day. 1. Dortmund were completely out of form the time they met Marsaille. They would probably beat them now. 2. Bayern couldn't "beat any team in Europe on their day". I long for the day when The One comes to the Allianz Arena for the first time this year.... Of course Bayern could beat any team in Europe on their day man - take off your blinkers. Take "on their day" as their performance against Man City in Munich earlier in the season, for example. They would've beaten anybody that night. Munich's problem is consistency not a lack of ability.