Neil

50 on the Reds -1

Over 2.5 goals is a certainty like. Spread should be set at over/under 6.5 IMO.

Reds stand by for some tactical genius.

Knoxy doing at least half and half is fair. Would prefer that we get Knoxy and it evens numbers up nicely, not that the Blues will be happy with that. Could really do with another Red like given the Blues have 3 players to rotate and we have 1.

Lucas' interview. :lol: Oh god I'm dying.

Fucking love Di Natale.

Word of warning: we haven't beaten Norwich since they most recently came back up to the Premier League. Bogey team territory.

Finally sorted accom so I guess the plan will be to stay for some ceremonial post-match pints, head back for a couple of hours then meet at Akbars and mayhem doth ensue. Me and Prophet will be metro-ing from Central too. Will probably get into Central for 10ish.

Oh btw, to make it clear, Moyes was certainly not this classless for us. He had the odd whinge - as does every single manager - but the vast majority of the time conducted himself very well indeed. I actually thought the way he handled the media was one of his biggest strengths. The consistent finger-pointing at referees reeks of desperation.

Toure anytime scorer in-play, Negredo FGS pre-match. Should have just stuck a massive wedge on Man City -2 mind like I was planning to.

Enjoying this currently, seeing them go down a rung or 2 on the football ladder. Their manager and fans alike are crying foul of referees as though that's the reason they're struggling. The manager is a reason, but the bigger reason is the sheer amount of mediocrity throughout the squad and in turn their reliance on van Persie (who won them the title last year). They got away with a lot of average performances last year due to van Persie being on fire. Now they don't have that luxury for periods this season, the lack of quality in the team is being exposed. Garbage like Cleverley is playing every week while with every passing day, Kagawa's confidence must be draining when he sees the players being played ahead of him. They'll not collapse, and I'm reasonably sure they'll finish top 4/5 simply due to van Persie's goals (Rooney has been very poor recently IMO). But it's the lowering of expectations which I'm enjoying. Most fans still speak as though they're major title contenders, when they simply are not. I like the usual response too when you say this sort of stuff. "You're just bitter of our success" - those twats have been bragging about what a good team they've been (the 1 in every 3 games they bother to go and watch, of course) and they have simply becomec accustomed to success. So now when it's them being criticised and them being the team which is being laughed at and struggling, their little minds can't take it and they immediately start blaming various factors except for appreciating the fact they're just not very good at all currently. It's great to see and long may it continue.

Count me in for the meal, the pub, the bars, the slags, the regret, the lot. Though I'm not sure where I'm staying yet, might have to sleep in the Sinners cage.

Atletico Barca in Fluid?

If anyone's still struggling for accom, drop me a PM. Think me and Prophet are trying to sort out some last-minute accom in the city.

So who's out on the night? Lots of people, I hope.

Aye cheers to Nixon for that. Came very close to losing it completely a few times.

The whole throw-in business was stupid. Took it far, far too seriously.

Bale hatrick please tonight. Though I've just read he might not even start.

Seems fair.

Jagerbomb

le fixed http://i.imgur.com/nZaud8y.png Kev's playing, so aye.

A tactical blueprint is imminent, Reds. http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/oofuss/vlcsnap-43555.png

Rossi has damaged his ligaments, but not ruptured them. Fucking ridiculously rotten luck, but could have been worse.

Mind games ==> unnerve Blues manager ==> "I just don't think he has what it takes."

This seems to happen more in Italy than anywhere else. Passing the ball around with no intention of doing anything once the game's already over. At least try to do something. May as well end the match now if this is all they intend to do.