Neil

Good on Ferguson for fooling everyone (well, flat-out lying).

People still go on about Maradona's "hand-of-god", but no fucker cares that Messi did the same thing when trying to steal the Spanish title a few years back. It's just selective blindness. I don't deny that he's beyond amazing on the ball, but it seems to blind people from his filthy cuntisms. Plural? I agree what he did against Espanyol (I think?) was absolutely wrong, but I just don't see this constant streak of behaviour in him. I'm open to being proved wrong on that count.

I must be watching a different team. I've barely seen Messi do any of the stuff people are on about. The odd occasion, aye, but not to warrant such full-blown slating.

Anyone up for some Park Ji-Sung bingo tonight? Vital points include anytime we hear that: He has a good work rate He is "industrious" He's the first name on the team sheet for these big games He's an underrated player He may not be technically gifted but he is vital for Man Utd Feel free to add more.

But aye, with this current crop of spiteful articles around, I'd just try and be pleased more than anything that you've clearly got under some journo-skins and seemingly, they can't bear to see you breeze straight back into the Premier League.

I'd say " ", but that's nearer a savage attack.

Really good read that, btw, Disco.

In this country they may not.

Was it an ITV commentator who said last year of Barcelona, that they get you on a carousel and just pass you dizzy? Very accurate IMO. Xavi/Iniesta may not have the spectacular skill and thrust of Messi but I could watch them passing the ball all day. They make it an art.

They have about 3 different spines they can play. They can afford 2 first elevens whereas Arsenal don't have anywhere near the same strength in depth. I really don't think Barca is much deeper than Arsenal at all. They just have better players in general and some of Arsenal's best player seem heavily injury-prone. Lionel Messi is really good, btw. I'm just hoping he's having an off day on June 12. Really tired of playing such good teams in the first matches of the WC. Spain, Argentina, and Argentina in the last three Upon reviewing you are completely right. Arsenal possibly have a bigger squad actually but Barcelona have at least 9 midfield/attacker players who I would be pretty scared to see on the teamsheet if I was against them. Arsenal have maybe 4 and 3 of them were injured (Fab, Arsh and Van). It's an almost impossible task. As an aside, anyone else impressed by Dani Alves? Probably my top wing-back in the world. He's just a machine. I'm impressed with him generally but I didn't think he played very well last night. A fair few of his passes were off target. Of course, I'm using relative Barca standards, here.

Is it possible to analyse the fight in graphical form?

Have £3 on Barca, Livingston, Huddersfield, Man U, Liverpool, and Wolfsburg.

He's certainly the best I've seen in my lifetime.

Might just do a couple of score/FGS bets. Don't feel confident enough to lay a serious stake down tonight.

It would be wrong to expect to not be troubled by the issue of survival, but it wouldn't be wrong to aim to not get dragged into a serious dogfight. As has been mentioned, dare we say, a Sunderland sort of campaign next year, then go from there?

I'd go all out for Doyle. I think he'd be ideal for you.

But aye, welcome back and here's to an inevitable draw at your place.

The total irrelevance of Nicky Butt's acrobatics mean his was the better, IMO.

Ambitious from Routledge.

Colo!

Was that Ashley's daughter next to him, I assume?

When would you guys say the turning point was, at which you seriously thought you were going back up? And yes, I know technically it was 10 past 7 this evening.

About right at half-time. I can't see Sheff Utd scoring again, so let's see how much you lot want to put on a show for the fans and go up with a bang.

You don't see those penalties given that often, well spotted.

Poor from Loven - got to keep the ball down, drilled in and make the keeper work.