Neil

Blackburn are truly awful, 10 man Peterborough equalise for a second time.

Actually, best use this one. Owen makes it 2-0 Utd, and Pompey have a 3rd vs Stoke.

Rangers back in front.

Spurs 1-0. Anyone know why we're playing tonight and not tomorrow?

Still got plenty of hope for the rest of the season.

Whenever Zamora's name is mentioned, I automatically think back to CM 01/02 when a message I always got after a few days was one about changes to transfer/contract rules, and an example was used to illustrate one of the changes was Zamora eventually being sold to Arsenal.

A bit strong I'd say, considering the fact they've won 7 and drawn 1 of their 8 league games this season. However, I do agree to an extent, it's not the same high paced massacres we saw at times last season. That's the difference with when they had Eto'o, he would apply pressure on the defenders and would run all day forcing errors and opening space for the rest of the team to tear the opposition apart. He effectively played as a 'defensive striker' alot of the time, as ridiculous as that sounds. With Ibra there it's a bit different, he doesn't do that same work as Eto'o so they've changed their style. A bit of a slower pace with the passing because it's easier for teams to block the gaps without having to mark a hyperactive Eto'o all game, this means at times they don't look as exciting but ultimately the same results are being achieved either by going direct towards Ibra or breaking the opposition down more patiently. This is just an observation on my part from the few times I've seen Barca this season, I would like to see Village Idiot's opinions on the tactical change. Looked back on my post and I probably shouldn't have used that term but fuck it, I couldn't be arsed to change it. Good point, now you mention it, Eto'o's defend-from-the-front mentality often created chances last season. Particularly at home, when they were struggling, a tireless performance from Eto'o often caused a mistake and a simple chance was created, usually a goal. Messi perhaps hasn't been at his electrifying best yet, but is showing his class on a more intermittent basis. Keita continues to impress me full-stop really.

Now obviously this is nit-picking and I don't watch every Barca game, but there have been a few times this season (more than last, I feel) where they have actually struggled, and looked, dare I say it, average? Of course, a lot of the time they are awesome, like tonight. Village Idiot will probably have a better idea.

Mediocre.

they've collapsed like a Rich Tea in coffee Their defence crumbled, but when it came to the crunch, Nice produced some sweet finishing. Will be hard for Lyon to digest....................ive.

Goalfest? Or is that my lack of Italian football knowledge shining through? Going for 4-0.

3-0.

How did you play today? Couldn't really hear Soccer Saturday earlier at the pool hall. Either a way, that is a simply massive goal for you. Does anyone actually want to win the Championship? WBA failing to win again, Preston and Boro drawing. With Sheff Utd tumbling atm, I fancy you to go win there next week.

Domestically, Lyon are perhaps hitting a rocky patch. After a surprising 2-0 defeat at home to Sochaux last week, they're currently 2-0 behind at Nice. About an hour gone.

I can see why you've made that assessment, but I'm quietly confident we'll get progressively better. You need to get progressively better just to reach their level this season, nevermind the group above that. Trust me, we will.

I can see why you've made that assessment, but I'm quietly confident we'll get progressively better.

I'd like to see you stay in that competition for as long as possible (stops you doing much in the league). Can't see us doing much in the league for another 3-4 weeks at least, KD. Until we get a few players back (Arteta and Jags), we'll be floating around mid-table. I saw Everton - Stoke at Goodison a couple of weeks ago, wasn't very impressive... I don't get why Moyes played 4-5-1 against a defensive team like Stoke... Tactically, Moyes is questionable. He makes a fair few baffling substitutions. His man-management though generally appears to be impressive, and as such, a good team spirit develops. I'm confident we'll improve as the season goes by, not too worried atm. Re: the 4-5-1, it's the system that has worked for us for the past few years. It relies on the midfield having the better of the opposition's midfield however, and when the likes of Cahill don't support the striker, it becomes useless almost. I'd like to see a gradual change to 4-4-2 - but that raises the question of how we'd fit in 3 very good creative midfielders - Arteta, Pienaar and Bilyatedinov.

I nar. Couldn't believe Benfica won.[/youknowwho]

I'd like to see you stay in that competition for as long as possible (stops you doing much in the league). Can't see us doing much in the league for another 3-4 weeks at least, KD. Until we get a few players back (Arteta and Jags), we'll be floating around mid-table.

BATE lead against AEK. Does us the world of good, despite this thrashing, 3 points above 3rd.

Kris, wtf were you on when you said that? 5-0.

Been raped this 2nd half, no complaints. Di Maria has been a joy to watch. But vitally, BATE have equalised. I still fancy us to progress tbh.

Despite the scoreline, there were plenty of reasons for encouragement there. Given the team-sheets, no surprise to see Benfica being more successful in the final third, but given the amount of time we've been in their half, I have hope.

I can still see us getting something here. We've probably had the better of it territory-wise, but we need to start carving out good chances.

Nope. Arteta hasn't played since that game either.