The Round Ball Game

[Gordon]

Agreed JLW, we [ie LFC] lost the momentum at Chelsea last season not because of a small slip by SG but because of the game plan that Chelsea had. Cynical? Yes. Football? Maybe. But we all know that it isn't about football any more is it? Having said that that was a "peach" move as you say! I don't think that tactically Man U were on the field yesterday.

[cloughie]

Saints fans all hoping for a Liverpool win today, so that 7th place in the PL qualifies for Europe.

Very selfish ts. I'm not an AV fan particularly but I think Sherwood has injected enthusiasm and belief into a side which appeared down and out and for that I hope he wins today and in the final.

[teamsaint]

Very selfish ts. I'm not an AV fan particularly but I think Sherwood has injected enthusiasm and belief into a side which appeared down and out and for that I hope he wins today and in the final.

you'd want the same as we do if you were in our position.

[cloughie]

you'd want the same as we do if you were in our position.

True, but I'd like to think you'll end up above Liverpool anyway! I only wish the Owls had your dilemma! And league position!

[teamsaint]

Well done villa.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

Villa for the Cup!

[jayne lee wilson]

All gloom and doom here, then. Season over.

We just couldn't break out of Brendan's favoured tactical pattern - which can only be described as "unproductive creativity". Rogers always seems to believe that you can score enough by almost passing it in. Which we at least can't. Despite recovering some brilliant outfield playmaking this year, the coach never found an answer to the loss of his two star strikers, and the new purchases seemed poorly judged. My heart sank as soon as I saw Markovic and Gerrard starting the game. Gerrard looked sluggish and out of touch, Markovic erratic as ever. When Balotelli appeared for the 2nd half I thought, well, that's it then....

In fact he had one of his best games, or halves, for Liverpool today. Despite all I've said, football turns on moments - often on a single moment, and the dreadful, wrong offside decision against Mario deprived him, and us of a dramatic late equaliser. After that, well....who knows?

At least I'll not have to suffer further agonies hope of in the final. I'll bequeath those gnawings to Alison's Fantastic Foxes, who were robbed of a victory at Anfield a few months back by dreadful refereeing.
I hope they make it!

All I can do this season is attempt, a little sadly, to maintain an interest in the Champions League (the quarter finals that is, not our faint hope of qualifying).

[johncorrigan]

Villa for the Cup!

You'd have got long odds on a Falkirk v Inverness Caley Thistle Scottish Cup final. Sounds like Caley rode their luck, but you need that to beat Celtic and great to see Big Yogi get to Hampden for the Final - he's done a fabulous job, playing fine footie. But Peter Houston is a wily manager too so it could be a very good final next month.

[P. G. Tipps]

You'd have got long odds on a Falkirk v Inverness Caley Thistle Scottish Cup final. Sounds like Caley rode their luck, but you need that to beat Celtic and great to see Big Yogi get to Hampden for the Final - he's done a fabulous job, playing fine footie. But Peter Houston is a wily manager too so it could be a very good final next month.

The 'penalty' that wasn't given was the most obvious and clearly intentional handball I've seen for years but Celtic should have been able to easily ride such a poor decision especially when they were 1-0 up, anyway.

To me the Caley players wanted it that bit more than Celtic's (maybe understandably) and I thought they thoroughly deserved to win in the end despite having an extra man for most of the game.

Congratulations to both Caley and the Bairns, especially as both teams like to pass the ball. All in all, another surprise shot in the arm (and leg!) for Scottish Football which all of a sudden is experiencing some sort of ongoing renaissance providing further evidence that the really bad old days are at long last beginning to fade. (he says somewhat hopefully!!}

[EdgeleyRob]

A quick catch up then.

Cup semis.

Aston Viila 2 Liverpool 1. Only top 4 left to play for which looks a tall order
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3 Celtic 2. (aet). Chance of silverware for the forum cabinet

League.

Newcastle United 1 Spurs 3. In danger of being dragged into the dogfight

[antongould]

Sadly they are in the dogfight IMVVHO.....

[Alison]

I can only hope that Villa get distracted and start losing league games.

[cloughie]

I can only hope that Villa get distracted and start losing league games.

I don't think that will happen - save your pins for QPR, Burnley and Sunderland or possibly Hull.

[cloughie]

Sadly they are in the dogfight IMVVHO.....

At this stage no matches are easy but looking at your last two matches it's in your hands still and possibly one win could do it for you looking at the other's opposition.

[antongould]

At this stage no matches are easy but looking at your last two matches it's in your hands still and possibly one win could do it for you looking at the other's opposition.

Cheers cloughers - I agree but I feel there is a real chance of doom for the North East with Newcastle, Sunderland and Hartlepool all going down......