Castiel

Barca prove once again that they're masterclass cheaters. I'm actually convinced now that they can't beat a decent side without them being reduced to 10 men. That said, the second Messi goal was outrageously good - shame he plays for such a bunch of c**ts.

I don't agree. How would you feel if we drew this and Arsenal took 3 points on Sunday? A win here and an Arsenal win would leave the title to be decided at Old Trafford next week. I have no idea how, but we've come in from 5th place and have a very realistic shot at the title provided we maintain the pressure and hope Arsenal step up. Failing that however, you're correct but it wont be time to relax until Arsenal fail and we know it wont happen for sure.

Think he'll be horribly overpriced. I also think he'd do better at Man United than with us since they attack on the counter, while we only do that if the opportunity happens to present itself and its in those situations that Bale tends to shine because of his pace. I don't think he's a dynamic player, he has a good cross and can score but without his pace he'd be nothing and that's the first asset to decline with age and injury. For the figures quoted, £40m and above, we'd be putting all our eggs in one very unreliable basket which would not be a good idea. I can understand doing it for Torres because well, look at what he did to the league at Liverpool. Some good performances at the weakest Milan sides I think I've ever seen doesn't cut it for me I'm afraid and he was easily contained by RM and us in the league.

The team knows we need to win this and I'm confident we will. But if Arsenal can't produce the goods then we can let go of all hope of a historical usurp. You know things are desperate when you're relying on Arsenal for a favour.

On Barca v Real, looks like Guardiola finally cracked under Jose's mind games. I hope RM knock them out. http://www.footytube.com/news/guardian/jose-mourinhos-mind-games-finally-provoke-response-from-pep-guardiola-L8131?ref=hp_zeitgeist

I agree Zhirkov is underrated here. He's fallen second to Malouda and Cole on his side though, shame he doesn't play on the right.

They'll be in a good mood now when they face Arsenal. Not great for us at all.

I hope we absolutely batter them with for obvious reasons. But also because that'll really put the pressure back on United. By Sunday it'd be good if we were 3 points behind them with a superior GD before they played Arsenal. I believe Ramiers and Alex are available for this and Carlo hinted that Drogs and Torres could both start in an interview after West Ham. If he's figured out how to use them together effectively it'll be a great day.

He will also rocket in value if he gets one good season in our first team. The prices you see for even remotely good British players these days is ridiculous.

Old thread I know, any new views on this guy? Last I heard he is supposedly leaving his club this summer and is reported to be in contention for a major power. He would certainly be our answer to a right winger should he come here, especially since I don't see Anelka staying next season who is played out of position there anyway.

What about Bale as the answer to our need for a winger? Anyone rate him and how much would 'Arry mug us for? I feel its very possible that Bale, Modric and VDV especially might jump ship if Spurs fail to make the CL.

Yep that's exactly the issue we're facing but at the moment I have more faith in Blackburn to get a result than Arsenal. Even if they do, it'll at most be a draw which still wouldn't be enough without Arsenal's contribution. We really shot ourselves in the foot this season. The silver lining though, if we lost to Spurs and Arsenal failed to beat United - I believe they'd lift the trophy at the Emerites making it the first trophy ever won there which would be rib splittingly funny.

Is Arsenal under pressure to beat Man Utd really what we need? They've proven time and time again that they just can't handle it when the going gets tough. Maybe they'd put in a better performance with the pressure off.

In theory it'll be a good season for us. Though in theory this season should have been until our mid season hibernation. I really, truly hope that Carlo stays. Quality man, quality manager in my opinion despite mistakes and our almost unforgivable collapse he has managed to pull it back so that we're pushing for the title down to the last day. He seems to have restored the faith in the players, figured out how to use Torres and just generally got us back to our winning ways. Luiz, Ramiers and Torres all injected some life into our squad and I predict all three becoming legends. We don't need a massive overhaul but I'd like to see a creative midfielder and a quality winger with some pace and perhaps someone to sort out the right back situation on a more permanent basis. Whether these come from the youth or outside signings remains to be seen. As for our rivals, City are unpredictable. It takes time to build a successful team and I can see them making a huge overhaul for the CL which could easily fail. Arsenal will be in trouble of maintaining their top 4 status if Fabregas and/or RVP decide to call it quits, the former looking increasingly likely. Man United could be in serious trouble as they face the situation we had to deal with this season, a lot of old guard throwing in the towel including Edwin van der Saar which could cause serious problems for them down the line especially if their replacements are too few or not up to the challenge. I don't predict Spurs will be as threatening as they have been in recent years. They're probably not going to take 4th and I can see players like Modric, VDV and Bale moving onto bigger clubs to win something with City solidifying themselves as Liverpool's permanent replacement at the top of English football.

No doubt he wouldn't be scoring as much as Lamps every season even if he can reach pretty high numbers for a midfielder, but his creative play would no doubt compensate that by facilitating our strikers with a lot more assists. Best answer so far!

He ruined Liverpool quite spectacularly. He then took a treble winning Inter and imploded them within six months. If he came here we'd be in the relegation zone before December. I'd wager you could give Rafa Barca's squad and he'd find a way to f**k it up.

Saw this on the rumour mill and had to wonder. Also I started the colossal Torres coming here thread last year and it came to pass so lets see if I can do the brace! Quality player in a largely average squad I think. He is the definition of a creative midfielder which is one of the things we lack at present. He's also a field leader, in the sense that he's quite a commanding presence and isn't afraid to go forward or take shots at goal. Bottom line, how many would want him if he became available and why - or would his connections with Arsenal prove to much or is he just not as good as I think he is? The reason I think a move here is remotely possible is because he'd become a squad player behind some ridiculous talent in Barcelona - he certainly needs them a lot more than they need him and that may not be good enough.

Torres scored in spite of the puddle. If you look at the goal his balance, movement, control and vision were just perfect. He was against 3 defenders and the keeper, all of them stumbling and slipping around him he maintained perfect balance, the puddle catching the ball unexpectedly and he still managed to adjust his mode of attack and bury it. He even kept his balance after a sudden stop from outsprinting 2 defenders as they slid passed him when he changed direction. I still can't figure out how he reacted to it so quickly because the ball was caught were he couldn't even see it, its as if he expected that to happen. A lesser striker would have f**ked that up in a 100 different ways. Anything the haters say is just bullsh*t because that goal oozes class. Back to topic, as terrible as Arsenal are, I really hope they beat United for pride or something or else we're boned.

You've just got to laugh. I think at one point they were 3 or so points away from United and now they're in danger of losing 3rd.

Torres. The moment he came on he changed the game and didn't stop going for the kill until the final whistle. I feel our defence was hampered severely by the weather so overlooking those errors and our attack was generally very good but he turned this from a narrow to a comprehensive victory in a very short time. That cross he made to Anelka probably sealed the deal for me (before the goal). There he was, desperate for a goal himself, and passes to Anelka regardless just because he was in a slightly better position to score. No hesitation, no selfishness, the team came first.

24 Apr - Bolton v Arsenal 30 Apr - Chelsea v Spuds 01 May - Arsenal v Man Utd 08 May - Man Utd v Chelsea 08 May - Stoke v Arsenal 14 May - Blackburn v Man Utd 15 May - Arsenal v Aston Villa 15 May - Chelsea v Newcastle 22 May - Everton v Chelsea 22 May - Fulham v Arsenal 22 May - Man Utd v Blackpool Provided we win all of our games, we simply NEED Arsenal to pull off a win against the Mancs or we cannot close the gap. Sure we can hold out for a surprise draw or God help us a loss to Blackburn (who are in real danger of relegation) but its not something to bet your mortgage on. Arsenal are getting a lucky break with the away CL tie preceding their match so hopefully a tiring and demoralising test for them there. Other than that however I just can't bring myself to trust them to do it, they're just so sh*t under pressure. Further to this, it'd be ideal for us if they got a draw or loss at Bolton which isn't unlikely but I'm afraid that they'll practically give up and roll over should that transpire. At this point I have more faith in Blackburn producing a result than Arsenal.

We know Drogba is in form and if this goal is indeed all Torres needed then perhaps now is the time to try them both together. It'll become clear pretty early if its more of the same but if it works it could hit Tottenham like a truck on NoS.

That goal is just spectacular. Classic Torres!

20 or so minutes on the pitch and Torres changed the game completely. Finally scoring as we all knew he could, setting up 2 assists one of which worked even though Malouda should really have passed back. Absolute master-class performance and I'd hate to be in Carlo's position now deciding who to start against Spurs. The fans, players and managers reaction was spectacular and lets hope thats his form regaining moment. Great day to be a blue!

OMFG YES TORRRRES!!