uefa champions league

[Maddogmike]

Not knowing a great deal about Bellamy other than that he is Welsh, is it true he is a bit of a wild man about town. Drinking, gambling and womanising. If so - BRILLIANT!!

[JK]

According to all reports MM that's about right, but again how much truth do the media run with?

He had been known previously as a hot-head on the pitch but there hasn't been any sign of agro (on field at least) since he's been with the Reds.

[JK]

Interesting to read on http://www.4thegame.com that they believe Rafa is still intent on losing Bellamy at the end of the season, perhaps even replacing him with David Trezeguet...

[devilsadvocate]

Interesting to read on http://www.4thegame.com that they believe Rafa is still intent on losing Bellamy at the end of the season, perhaps even replacing him with David Trezeguet...

That'd be a good move for the reds. Bellamy is a dead set gun, but he's loose off the pitch. Drinking and in-fighting with team mates midweek before a CL match against the reigning champs is bloody poor form. The media may have beaten it up, but it still happened in some form.

The funny thing I thought was when he came out after the game and said that this week has been a real character builder for their squad and it's really brought them together. Still, his pass to Riise was class and very unselfish for Bellamy - totally out of character really.

It's no surprise they want to get rid of CB. He's a troublemaker.

Trezeguet would be an awesome pick-up. Just dont let him take any penalties!!!

[MST]

Interesting to read on http://www.4thegame.com that they believe Rafa is still intent on losing Bellamy at the end of the season, perhaps even replacing him with David Trezeguet...

That'd be a good move for the reds. Bellamy is a dead set gun, but he's loose off the pitch. Drinking and in-fighting with team mates midweek before a CL match against the reigning champs is bloody poor form. The media may have beaten it up, but it still happened in some form.

The funny thing I thought was when he came out after the game and said that this week has been a real character builder for their squad and it's really brought them together. Still, his pass to Riise was class and very unselfish for Bellamy - totally out of character really.

It's no surprise they want to get rid of CB. He's a troublemaker.

Trezeguet would be an awesome pick-up. Just dont let him take any penalties!!!

I think we have to remember it's the British tabloids we are dealing with here, so everything must be taken into context.

I understand Bellamy is no Altar boy, but I thought his response to a journo post-match said a lot, words to the effect ".....the only real problem is with you guys (media). You all know the gaffer is a strict disciplinarian and if what happened was as bad as you guys were reporting, do you think I would have played tonight?"

Personally, I would like to see Rafa hold on to him for next season. I would not have said the same thing a couple of months back but I think he has hit his straps. With a bit more luck, he could have a had a hat-trick by half time at Newcastle and his pace will cause any defence problems. Someone said in a previous post that they were surprised he passed off to JAR, instead of blasting it himself, but I believe he does possess an un-selfish side to his game and he has demonstrated that many times this season.

For what it's worth, I don't think Trezeguet is the answer as a new striker

[JK]

Agree with all of that MST ... Not sure on Trezeguet as I haven't seen anything of him of late, but I think Bellamy is worth holding onto also (unless there are discpiline problems beneath the surface, which should be Rafa's only real reason for moving him along).

If CB can learn to beat the offside trap on a more consistent basis I think he could actually become quite a prolific scorer.

[Stumps]

MST, you may need to relax a bit mate,
Clearly in the literal meaning he is not rubbish. I dont think he's a world class player and think crouch was a better option at the nou Camp. Kuyt has scored goals this year but not at the percentage of a crouch, cisse, fowler, owen or even a gerrard in the past. Fair play to him the other day he got in good positions, if he didnt have the touch of an elephant he may have even scored we can agree to disagree,fair call bout trezeguet not the answer

[Maddogmike]

You're due Stumps!!!

[MST]

MST, you may need to relax a bit mate,
Clearly in the literal meaning he is not rubbish. I dont think he's a world class player and think crouch was a better option at the nou Camp. Kuyt has scored goals this year but not at the percentage of a crouch, cisse, fowler, owen or even a gerrard in the past. Fair play to him the other day he got in good positions, if he didnt have the touch of an elephant he may have even scored we can agree to disagree,fair call bout trezeguet not the answer

Some fair points there Stumps.

His goalscoring percentage is not yet at the level of Fowler, Owen and to a lesser extent Crouch, but you can't possibly put Djibril Cisse in the same bracket as Kuyt........ Cisse WAS rubbish!! Sure when he hit them they stayed that way, but Premiership defenders are a canny lot and that tactic of knocking the ball past a defender the hoping to outrun them could never be relied upon in England. Give me Bellamy over Cisse any day of the week. Bellers' has far more awareness, is just as quick and has excellent movement. As CP mentioned, if he can practice timing his runs a little better, his game will continue to improve.

By the way, I was excited when we signed Cisse, I even got his name/number printed on my shirt, but he was a huge disappointment

[JK]

By the way, I was excited when we signed Cisse, I even got his name/number printed on my shirt, but he was a huge disappointment

LOL we're sounding like pretty similar supporters ... I was sprouting off to a mate of mine "Watch out for us when Cisse gets here" for the entire 12+ months we were chasing him, but he was indeed a disappointment (even before THAT injury) and I would certainly have Bellamy (and Kuyt) over him.

Owen and Fowler were generational types, freaks that you only see every so often like Henry, Drogba, Shearer etc .. Not necessarily similar in style, but the frequency with which they would put the ball in the net.

[westies sarge]

here we go again but at home this time..... U REDS

[scoob]

Livepool thru...WOO HOO.. lost 1-0 but go thru on away goals!!!

Stevie finnan was great in the last 15 mins!!!

[JK]

WOOHOO!!!!

I think the result was justified, Barca are clearly the more talented team and had the lion share of possession although with Liverpool pulling back for most of the game the stat is perhaps a little flattering.

Reds unlucky not to be 2-nil up at halftime having been able to beat the keeper 3 times, but not the Crossbar (and Puyol)!

As the commentator on Sex-Between-Soccer said, it was pretty much a triumph of organisation over ability.

Would imagine that by tomorrow 4 English teams will remain in the final 8.

PS: How freakin good is Ronaldinho?!?!

PPS: Totally agree Scoob, such an unobtrusive player who rarely gets the accolades he deserves

[devilsadvocate]

WOOHOO!!!!

Reds unlucky not to be 2-nil up at halftime having been able to beat the keeper 3 times, but not the Crossbar (and Puyol)!

As the commentator on Sex-Between-Soccer said, it was pretty much a triumph of organisation over ability.

Sissoko possibly unluckiest strkie ever! Hit it beautifully with dick all reaction time. That would have been an awesome goal.

Regardless of who you follow, being an Aussie, you gotta admire Livepools grit.

[JK]

I almost backed him for first goal too and he would have paid a shitload .. LOL would have been spewing even more, because like you said was a fantastic effort from a deplorable piece of keepersmanship!

[devilsadvocate]

What was he thinking? That was a dead set HOWLER!

Did anyone see the highlights from Chelsea v FC Porto? Apparently there was a shocking keeper error in that game too. I missed that games highlights on channel boobs.

[JK]

What was he thinking? That was a dead set HOWLER!

Did anyone see the highlights from Chelsea v FC Porto? Apparently there was a shocking keeper error in that game too. I missed that games highlights on channel boobs.

Yeah I saw it mate and it was a shocker in every sense ... Reminded me of one of Dudek's gems a few seasons back, an absolute shocker especially when Porto were leading 2-1 on aggregate at that stage!!

Apparently there was a decent brawl at the end of one of the games too, think it was Valencia v Inter!

[devilsadvocate]

Will have to watch CL hour tomorrow night. Love football brawls when they go down like they've just been shot!

Was actually hoping chelasea would win as it gives the slimest of slim chances that they'll rest players in the FA cup tie on the weekend with the spurs.

[RoosterMarty]

Liverpool need to learn how to finish, two games in a row at Anfield against top teams, they control most of the match yet lose 1-0 to late goals.

[devilsadvocate]

No more dirty arse in the CL!!!! No silverware for Wenger this season!!!!

What a way for Alex to redeem himself for the own goal! What the hell was Lehmann doing? NO MANS LAND!

Culina had a solid game and his late ping on goal was a cracker and ohhhhhh so close. It's funny that before the match Orsati and mr silver head were saying that it was a massive game for Culina who fancies a move to a bigger club and that this was a good audition. Well bugger that, his side beat one of the biggest clubs in Europe!

Still would be great to see him playing in England or Spain. Wouldn;t be disappointed at all to see him wearing the cockeral!