Neil

I know what you're saying, but I'd hardly call 1-1 there in the first leg a particularly bad result.

Brett Ormerod. Absolutely superb result for Blackpool.

Fuck's sake Nut.

As I remember 1878 saying on here, there's nothing quite like travelling to Macedonia in July to play FK Shithead in front of 18 blokes and a herd of goats.

Chelsea won't have to play well to get something. They'll get a boring draw.

The sight of Phil Neville clinically slotting the winning penalty away to knock Chelsea out of the FA Cup on their own patch was immense. Shame we'll probably have bloody Man City away if we get past Reading but fuck 'em. We'll concentrate on the Cup.

I'd go as far as different gravy.

Great stuff from Arsenal in the 2nd half. Their energy levels and a very rare below-par performance from Barca in the 2nd period mean this tie is a lot more alive than I expected it to be come the end of the 1st leg. They were made to pay for some rare awful finishing from Messi. I still think Barca will go through but good on Arsenal, they've given themselves a chance.

0-1 and it's curtains for Wenger and co.

Back in the hat, I believe. IIRC the quarters/semis used to be pre-made?

better than usual "Arsenal haven't done much wrong but find themselves behind." Well, if you count not doing much wrong as in playing a high line once and getting away with it and then doing exactly the same again then I guess, no, it was completely out of the blue. Fwiw, I think Arsenal will score here. If they don't they may as well not turn up to Camp Nou, mind, Barca will probably make it look like they haven't anyway.

Took ITV until about the 38th minute mark to finally concede Barca's superiority.

According to Vieira, Barcelona aren't very good defensively, which will be why they've conceded 12 goals in 23 La Liga matches and 3 in 6 CL games.

Think of Stan Collymore analysing your games! THINK OF IT!

Seriously man. I can't believe what I'm reading. I say that for good reason 1)We still have only come up this season. 2) Teams literally become decimated after a good run (look at Fulham). Obviously I wouldn't be praying that we get knocked out . But if we were to invest heavily then we could handle but with this squad would you honestly say they could handle it, ecspecially considering our lack of depth? As I say, if you do actually manage to qualify, of course it's a question of whether the funds are there to invest (Pardew has said there are, time will tell). However to say you've qualified for European competition is, IMO, a hugely influential card to play when chasing a player. If, and yes it's a big if, the funds are there then I expect your squad to be capable of managing the extra games. Also, I'm not really sure what you're getting at with your first reason?

Seriously man. I can't believe what I'm reading.

You wouldn't be saying that if you saw us on Sunday.

Fulham also hadn't just received £35m for one of their players.

Fulham made £8m by getting to the final. What about the difference in prem league money from the 4-5 place drop they suffered due to their EL commitments? A lot less than £8m, I'd dare say.

Is the correct answer. I accept where people are coming from when they say the amount of games may be a worry however to progress, Europe is an excellent carat. Of course, having the money available to invest is another matter but Pardew seems, from what I read, confident that he'll have the Carroll money available. Time will tell on that matter but Europe to me says one thing: progress.

Well, their run of 3 fixtures after their next one.

This discussion has good wind-up opportunities.

Which I doubt they will; but it also depends who wins the FA Cup. Shows what a win can do in this bizarre league this season.

Italian teams + oppo teams with pace = massive problems. Wilkins made a good point - Lennon didn't give the defender the chance to hack him down by beating him from distance. Great play. I'm not watching it but I'm not suprised, Milans FB's are shit. Still thought they'd win tonight though, Redknapp is going to be so fucking smug it'll hurt me. It was Yepes fwiw but aye. In fairness to Spurs they've looked fairly confident and dare I say, a mature European side. They played Yepes v Lennon? Jesus christ. They got caught in possession in a very bad situation. Yepes must have been shitting himself backpeddling. Antonininotininini was at LB, I think.

Superb win lads, and good to see a limited strikeforce getting their names on the scoresheet. Dare I say confirms your safety?