Never in a million years. Certainly not without Carroll - and when we had Carroll, he himself was probably our most effective.
Tiote, Coloccini and Barton are more effective for me, but each to their own.
If we had a fit young striker who could score goals then I would agree with you. Who else do we have? Are you suggesting starting Airey instead of Lovenkrands?
Pretty obvious I was talking about next season.
c***...and that's before the rest. His lack of respect for the officials tonight was disgutsing
If we had a player sent off for a similar challenge, I'd expect Pardew to have a go at the officials tbh.
Give over, man. Challenges like Pepe's tonight can ruin knees and subsequently careers.
Safety first football at a club with an ingrained attacking philosophy. I knew from the second he was appointed that Mourinho would fail at the Bernabeu.
Doubt it, when they played in the final 2 years ago Man Utd dominated the first 10 minutes only to get schooled the other 80 and lose 2-0.
How long had gone tonight before Pedro went for the oscar?
Long after Di Maria went down lack a sack of s*** and conned the ref into booking Alves.
For the record, Madrid have turned in this type of performance on at least a dozen occasions this season. Only a foolish chap expected a free-flowing, open, attack-minded game tonight.
Does my head in that folk would be happy to have a 31-year-old has-been/never-was instead of a younger player with a bit of potential who'll also defend from the front instead of doing a disappearing act.
And before anyone gives me any crap about Nile, there's got to be a couple of dozen youngish strikers in The Championship with far, far better technique and finishing abilities than Ranger. We got Leon Best for £2m or less and he's the best of our current bunch.
Not a fan of Masch personally, but in the away leg it makes more sense for him to play.
I'd take Masch over Keita anyday.
Barcelona look half the team with Mascherano in there.