No Vidic and no Ferdinand (I've read he's still going to be out injured) for Sunday.
In fairness, I've been quite impressed with Smalling of late - I never thought he'd be as good as he has become, but with Evans out as well, Fergie will have to choose between Brown (short of match fitness and appearances) and O'Shea (completely mediocre) in the centre of defence. That makes me feel a bit better about the East Lancs Road derby.
Mind you, Vidic normally get us sent off again us anyway, so...
'Michael Owen isn't the tallest of players, but his height more than makes up for it' - Mark Lawrenson
Sounds like Barcelona v Arsenal was worth watching judging bythe radio commentary. Wenger was furious at the ref in the tunnel afterward. I don't like Arsenal but the sending off was a disgrace. How can you hear the whistle with 90,000 fans cheering? Stats-wise the gunners didn't have a single shot on goal.
Still, Millwall beat QPR so i'm happy, don't think we can the reach play-offs but at least we have another season in the Championship. Lots of police at my local tube station, they must have heard rumours about Millwall having a bad reputation.
I watched the match on Sky, Steve, and it was a pleasure, as usual, to watch Barcelona. Arsenal's main problem was that they had great trouble getting the ball back, and when they did they soon lost it again. I like Arsenal's style of play in the Premier League but they were like babes in the wood tonight. I'm sure that tells us that our league is nowhere near as good as managers, players and most supporters think it is. Having said that, it was lack of discipline that cost Arsenal. Van Persie got sent off for two bookable offences, the first for losing his rag and clipping somebody just after another Arsenal player had been quite badly fouled, the second for carrying on and shooting after the referee had blown for offside. He claimed he couldn't hear the whistle for the noise of the crowd. Sky viewers heard it and it was more than the one second between the whistle and the shot that the Sky panel claimed. Van Persie might not have heard it, of course, but the fact is he wouldn't have been sent off for the offence if he hadn't been so hotheaded in the earlier incident. Whichever team you support you must feel some sympathy with Arsene Wenger when his players are so reckless and deliberately antagonistic on the pitch where he no longer has any control. Wilshere could have been sent off as well and, as for Koscielny, well he was so lucky to be still there at the end.
Barcelona were fantastic although I did feel a bit sorry for Van Persie in getting sent off I think he could have been given the benefit of the doubt by the ref. However, even if he had stayed on Barcelona were so far ahead I reckon they would still have gotten through - Arsenal didn't have a single shot on goal which says it all. I think the English Premiership is still one of the best leagues in the world in that it has such strength in depth (there are about 12 team that could do well in Europe and lots more that are really strong and could have a good run) but its at the very top (the top 3) that aren't as good as the media may think they are. Spain, Italy etc have (arguably) poorer leagues in depth but at the top the main teams Real Madrid and Barca (AC Milan and Inter in Italy) are amazing and so strong its going be difficult for an English top team that's not 100% on form, to win at present (saying that I reckon Man Utd could win it this year as they look good) Just wait till Hamilton Accies get into Europe then people will be talking (sadly lol).
lol steelclaw... well, a couple of weeks ago the Gunners were boasting that they would win the Quadruple. Now it's down to the Double. I don't think they'll get it though.
I was pleased by Liverpool's result in winning 2-0 at Sunderland. The penalty was (to say the least) debatable but it was unquestionably a foul, and it was probably what Jay Spearing deserved - he did well in midfield today. Let's not forget that Sunderland were the beneficiaries of a certain referring decision in the match at the Stadium of Light last season. Suarez's goal was simply fantastic.
I went to the Liverpool-Braga match in the Europa League last Thursday. It was a good atmosphere, although the match itself wasn't especially exciting (other Europa matches have been far worse though) and of course the team got knocked out. I'm not that disappointed in truth, I think we just got into a habit of playing mediocre football in Europe this season. By comparision, I think the Premier League performances have been much better since King Kenny took over.
After the international break we've got West Brom at the Hawthorns - managed by Roy Hodgson. We should show him what our players can really do!
'Michael Owen isn't the tallest of players, but his height more than makes up for it' - Mark Lawrenson
Arsenil... good one! Three cup defeats in two weeks... heh, their season will end trophyless again.