Two horrible blunders really. We would be four points clear of United right now if he had made that "save" against your lot.

However, with that said, Arsene treated him with respect. He basically made up an injury for him, but Lehman has responded like an ass.

Really, he was off his form last year as well. I looked at it as if Arsenal was giving him a last chance "for old times' sake" heading into this season. It was clear immediately that he was not up to the task. Despite Arsenal being as politically favorable as possible to his situation, Jens did nothing but sulk. I am still suspicious as to whether Jens has (or had) a drug problem that was leading to his sketchy play.

As of now, I don't really care what the truth is (or was), the team doesn't need him around, and should not have to put up with him.

Jens never was consistently briliant, nor was he consistently reliable. He had a few good runs, but you have certainly overstated his contributions to the team. Furthermore, your charactirization of Gunners' supporters being turncoats is grossly misplaced and unfair.

Not only this, but after his benching he complained repeatedly to the media about being dropped and insulted Almunia in public. He's a disrupting influence now.

Genius LOL.

LOL Liverpool (yeah yeah not a PL match, whatever)

There is an official FA cup thread.

If this isn't genius the word has lost all true meaning.

He must be an evil genius.

How would the Houston Dynamo, MLS champs, do if they played in the English Tiers. How many points would you say they would get in a full season in Premiership, they could at least tie a few games, and would they place high in the Coca-cola thingy, or not, and the tier below that, I believe that's the flat cherry diet coke tier.

They might steal a few 0-0 draws in the Premiership by playing extreme negative football, but they would get pasted by 7-0 type scores vs. the top clubs. Even the bottom teams in the EPL would hammer them 3-0 or 4-0 on a regular basis.

In the second tier, they would be competitive in more games but still wouldn't pick up very many points.

In tiers below that, it's very hard to say. I suspect they would be bottom of the table all the way down to the 4th tier of teams. I live in Toronto and see MLS soccer regularly. They really have no technical skills compared to the best Euro leagues - it's just a bunch of super athletic guys hammering the ball around.

hahaha, mosdef, you get to watch Toronto play a lot.

Houston is a good side, and they hold their own very well against Mexico's top side. We've gone over this before as well. I think Houston, DC, and prolly New England would all be bottom of the table, in the Prem, and maybe top to mid table in the Championship.

And before anyone jumps all over me, I am only talking about these three teams. The level of talent drops off somewhat after these three.

I wouldn't be terribly surprised by this, either. I didn't mean to slam MLS (I like it enough to watch) but, in all honesty, the Championship is pretty good quality football. I think the reason most people tend to underrate the quality of the second tier of European football is because they only see those teams get smoked when they play the top half of the premier leagues (either right after being promoted or as part of a league cup). Just because a Championship team, for example, looks terrible playing Man U and Houston looks great playing Toronto I think people overrate Houston vs. Championship club.

Mosdef, I am putting Houston up there because of how they play in MLS and against Mexico's top sides. Coincidentally, DC hasn't showed up lately against them. Overall I don't think MLS is a bad league, and I think its probably pretty close to the Championship, but slower. I've seen some Championship teams play and in all honesty, they are more physical than MLS sides and probably faster as well. But some of those teams are **** too, just like in MLS. Also, it helps Houston and NE a lot that both teams have two of the best coaches in MLS.

I think the attacking play in the MLS could compete with the championship but the defense in the MLS is so goddamn awful. I think Houston could be a mid table championship team.

Derby's Paul Jewell:

I'll miss you Robbie.

THINK you SWP for climbing on lescott's back what a wanker that 2nd goal was bulll****

You guys should have fielded a good team against Oldham and said **** off to this BS tourney.

I just hope we beat city this weekend liverpool are terrible this season and i think the 4th spot is up for grabs

bitter blue fans make me lol

I'm starting to get worried about the home record this weekend

Worst part is we are playing Spurs

Big Sam is out at Newcastle. Google it.

Not sure you can blame him for the terrible performances on his squad this year but you gotta get results or you get the sack in EPL it seems.

Wonder where he will go next.

KJS

Sorry if this is a bit long,thought some Man u fans would find it interesting.


Man Utd's 'real' profits as low as £5m, say critics of Glazer family

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Man Utd's 'real' profits as low as £5m, say critics of Glazer family
By James Chapelard
January 7, 2008 Crain's Manchester Business


Manchester United may reveal a retained profit as low as £5m when it posts its annual results later this month, according to critics of the owning Glazer family.

The club is forecasting record profits of £75m on turnover of more than £200m. But the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) — which has written several studies on the club's debts — says this is misleading.

The figure is in fact Ebitda, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation. MUST estimates the £75m profit will be shrunk by £42m through debt interest payments on loans of £575m, £23m by amortisation and £5m by depreciation.

“Projected Ebitda of £75m will be reduced by nearly £70m (£42m, £23m and £5m), pre-tax net profits will be minimal, so they will focus your attention on the higher headline number for cash operating profits (Ebitda) instead.”

Increased ground capacity has added 8,000 seats at Old Trafford but, according to MUST, much of the bottom line growth stems from a 50 per cent increase in ticket prices since the Glazer family's debt-financed takeover in 2005. A four-year £56m shirt sponsorship deal with AIG is thought to have added £13.5m to the club's revenue in 2006/2007.

MUST fears that low levels of retained profit could force ticket prices still higher. Manchester United did not respond to requests for comment.

Says 11am on Setanta I thought that was kickoff but the stadium is empty, just some pregame. RVP starting nice to see him back. Jeez nobody else. They really don't take these cup games seriously even though its against these guys. I got FIFA 08, I score 6 own goals by Tot then I switch sides and play Arsenal, f'em.

Todays game is a 2.45 ET kick off IIRC.

Im hoping for an arse win, more games = more injuries and tiredness towards the end of the season.