Gribz

Surprised there was no thread about this. What a cracking game! How on earth did Arsenal not take at least a point from the match!! They were by FAR the better side. Fletcher's challenge on Arshavin was an absolute STONEWALL penalty. Yet Van Persie does the same to Giggs and gets booked. Arshavin's goal was a peach. Cant believe Foster got to Van Persie' effort from 4 yards out - that would have finished the game, and if Van Persies free kick had went in they would have went on and won it IMO. What was Diaby thinking!!!!! Then he shoudl have made it 2-2 straight away. Its all about how Arsenal will recover but with Fabregas, Nasri, Rosicky and Walcott all to come back they will be there or thereabouts.

Strange decision, it didnt even look that bad. Ive seen much worse. Andy Gray is spot on:

Agree with your point and no way are we over confident thinking we will win the group - none of that teams can be taken likely but we should be going into it looking to finish in the top 2. But WS is a realist and in these type matches he will likely set out not to lose the game rather than winning it. I think we are more equipped this time round than we have been in the previous season. Our squad has been trimmed for the better IMO and a few of the dead wood have moved on, therefore our squad seems more settled. Last year we went into the start of the season win 9 strikers not knowing who would play. We are a good centre half away from having our most settled squad in years but are still lightweight in covering the full backs and wings - just a pity Novo and Broadfoot are long term absentee's.

The only mistake was we didnt free him earlier. He was promising for a while but never got over being someone who was promising. The odd glimpse of quality was always overshadow by injury, illness and being taken off the ball too easily. Fair play to him if he is doing well at Cardiff, but with hindsight Im glad he is off our books.

Agree with John Barr, there is no reason why we cant win our home games and get a draw away from home giving us 10 points. Getting Stuttgart is a better draw than the likes of Marseille and A Madrid which are hostile places aswell as the home side being a top team. We know a bit about them which is also an advantage to playing the other teams. The Romanians shouldnt be under estimated, wasnt there a Romanian side in Chelsea group last season that caused a shock or 2? They are a decent footballing nation. Its a kind draw for us overall but I always like a giant in our group to test ourselves especially at Ibrox but I suppose we were due a kind draw considering what we got last time out when we were in the group of death.

The standard of Pot 3 is high and there isnt one stand out who id prefer, especially away from home. Even the first 4 teams in Pot 4 arent exactly appealing. Id love to get Liverpool.

Thats what you get for being a sap Winnings are going on a Rangers and West Ham double today

First coupon up of the season. Arsenal Man City Middlesboro Leicester Charlton Celtic 20 quid on at 8/1

Hmm...yeah like last season. LM was injured for ages last season but when he was available he played.

That would be nice! But I think WS likes LM and will play him regularly.

LOL Someone has to pick your faults out Stats are stats but facts are facts. If a player scores on his debut his stats are 100% 1 out of 1 but it doesnt make him a player. International level?? Just because he is playing in a game against Malta doesnt make him international level. International level doesnt necessarily mean your a good player. San Marino are international yet Stenhousemuir could probably beat them. I can see why he was annoyed but to quit the national team because he didnt get a game is childish and amatuer. Obviously shows he doesnt have the class or dignity McCoist or dalglish had. A bigger man would have faught back by doing his talking on the pitch and proved the manager wrong.

I hope your right. But for me I cant see him being any better than what we have. Id have Miller, Lafferty and Novo ahead of him. One thing il say is he is wasted on the wings! Ive yet to see him as a striker

I'll do something tomorrow morning at work and pass it on to you mate then you can top it off. My preview will not have Boyd playing

Ive got it on Tv, Barca v Al Alhy is on just now. I cant think of a worse game - Tottenham v Celtic! 2 teams i cant stand.

Would be a good signing. Spurs nicked that 2 Sheff Utd full backs for 10 million from everton. Hutton is miles better.

Seriously??? Cant wait to see how they do in the Championship!

Johnny mate, as I said its all about opinions. I said id have Boyd for half of the SPL games, he will score goals in those games against the lower sides - thats a gimme! But he wont score or play well in bigger matchers, surely you know that! Like you, I like Lafferty and think he has a huge part to play but he has to be played upfront. On the left he looked lost but when he was played upfront he was a different player. For me our best defence is a solid offence. Id love to see us to at teams this year with 3 upfront - Miller, Lafferty and Novo.

That was probably the most pointless post Ive ever read!! Whats the purpose of a forum??? - To debate and share opinions maybe?? If someone doesnt believe or doesnt like what they read then its pointless being on a forum in the first place.

Comparing is just unfair in general, correct?

Erm so pointless that it made you reply?? :fish:

Super Ally....a wee job for you???? I was going to write one up but thought you would be the man for this? If not I'll get something up

I remember your team and thought it was probably our best option for a 4-4-2. For me Novo has earned a starting role, he shows time and time again he will give 110% and he scores important goals. Im not sure of his best role, he is equally effective on the right or upfront so giving him a free role behind 2 strikers might bring something else to the team. As you say Im intrigued also by what WS' team and formation will be. We still have many options upfront. Cant wait for the season to start!

Dalglish, McCoist and Boyd! No way on this earth can you compare those 3! Dalglish was the first Scottish player to hit 100 caps yet Boyd went in the sulk when he was last in the Scottish squad! Imagine Coisty or Dalglish going in the sulk? McCoist was nicknamed the Judge in 1990 when he was on the bench behind Johnston and hateley yet he what did he do - stuck with it and fought back to bang in another 100 goals in the next few years!

1 too many! and he had more than 1. Cant you remember the games he was subbed as he hadnt even touched the ball! Boyd is SPL level striker and he will never be anymore! Great for falkirk at home but shouldnt be near the team for Celtic or CL games.

No your wrong! He has proved on many occassion that he cant succeed at that level! Im not making this up - the proof is in the pudding - he has PERFORMED informed of us in these games and been a waste of a jersey! End of topic! If he comes back next season and rises to another level then il be the first to applaud him the same way as i thought he did well raising his game to decent level last season.