mickyg

I wonder if he's been given the go ahead tactically that he should always go for it? Otherwise, I agree, it would be greediness.

Yeah! The thing I like about Torres being in the team is that he works hard, and he so often is right in the mix when we score.

Should have been put in by Torres

Where does 5 mins come from?

Please get well

Yeah, I think you're right. It is hard to think of a very successful team that did not have a "dominant" manager. Maybe the point is that a great team can never be based on a democratic model.

Great night tonight. One interesting thing was to watch JT after he came off. At one point, he was the strongest voice on the sideline, directing the players on the field (I think he was trying to get Luiz to go up to midfield after his injury). Anyway, it was the right call, and it was almost like he was in charge rather than Roberto (who I really like and respect). But I could not imagine JT doing that when standing beside Jose. We had success under Jose, and maybe that's the way to go in the future. But another model could be, in essence, a player-managed team, where the key senior players have a lot of say in what goes on in terms of selection, formation, and tactics. I work with a lot of different businesses and the trend is towards more team-dertermined decisions, as opposed to the top-down edicts. Maybe that's the way to go in the future for the team. The advantage is that the core of the team buys in to what is happening, because they have had a big say in it. The downside might be things like a lack of discipline, or junior players feeling unsure who's in charge. Probably the best thing is to have a brilliant manager who is a leader and who is iron-firm (Fergie even though I loath MU). But if you can't find such a person, then maybe you're better off with a manger who let's the key players have a big say? Hmmm...

We're giving it away too much

I think it's more to do with the location of the TV microphones - I often hear the away fans as louder during televised games.

I'm not worried about a top four finish because we will win the Champions League and qualify next year that way.

Maluda drives me nuts

So before tonight's win over City, I was in a low-expectations mode and therefore in a fairly calm mood when watching games. If you go into a match knowing that it's unlikly ewe are going to win the title, you can relax and just enjoy the game. You can enjoy watching players and the flow of the game. Compare that to the Champions Leaugue final, when I literally could not watch the whole game because I was so stressed. I guess in the end I'd rather be stressed out and have us in the mix for the title - but the "upper mid-table" feeling was was a little break! How about you?

I think the weather is affecting the game quite a bit. Ball seems too fast to control sometimes.

If we can only win one of them this year, which would you prefer? Premier Title would be my choice.

I love these fans - they roar at everything!

Drogba 3-0

It is interesting to wonder if Torres will have the same story. Hope not.

I am enjoying not being tense - can relax and focus on details of individual players.

Thanks BlueSkies.

I have a question. Let's say we have a situation like Lamp's goal where the ref is not sure if the ball crossed the line. Is the ref not allowed to look at the replay on the TV screen in the stadium, or do they not show it until he's made the decision? I've never really looked to see when they show it? And it does make it all stupid, because ww can all see at home in seconds.

I wish Luiz easn't ineligable for the Champs League.

Just seeing fergie's face has made my week already!

What a f...king goal. Even better in replay!

Best tactic is to get Nani sent off

I'm watching the game live here in Boston, USA. It's on Fox Soccer Channel, which I think carries the Sky broadcast. Anyway, every time I watch a home game, it seems like the microphone picks up the away fans more than the home fans. I particularly noticed against the dippers, but same thing tonight. Annoying. Anyway else get the same thing? Anyway, 7 mins in and a good start....