LAM09

I see the "pure profit" doing the rounds ago. If more stupid deals are entertained, we might as well forget about our academy & just stand outside City's instead.

Isn't he supposed to be "ill" anyway?

Ah, you're correct. I'd imagine there was some agreement before all this went down. Botafogo will be raking it in this summer (will soften the blow of the owner). Seems like someone who thinks they're better than they actually are. 4 goals in ten games for Argentina is a decent return. I'm sure a bigger European side will have a look at him for a cut price fee, as he does have the talent. His attitude might be a different story, though.

He'll be back if we make it to the quarters.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's already in the works. Doing their upmost to prevent that clear profit from getting injured.

Trying to increase their value or something. This guy shouldn't have a future doing shit like this.

Does he think this is preseason? Shocked by some of those picks

No idea what Bono is earning in Saudi, but he should be looked at. He would tick most boxes and isn't coming off a poor season. Almada is a tidy player. Taken well to life in Europe & has been one of Argentina's star performers in WC qualifying.

And lost.... As I said in another thread, anything can happen in football. A team full of part timers drew with Boca. That's crazy after two defeats with a GD of -16.

Woah, calm down there. Nothing is a foregone conclusion, especially in football. We need to not get embarrassed tonight for starters.

All Brazilian sides have been a problem at this tournament. Enrique couldn't even draw against Botafogo....

Kompany trying to be smart cost Bayern. Maresca better play players in their NATURAL positions tonight, as Esperance aren't amateurs. Their star player & match winner Belaili is suspended, which is a huge blow. However, they will be giving their all tonight and will have fans pack the stadium.

I don't believe he was ever a long term option. He's someone who can turn up one week and be invisible the next. You just can't get away with that in a midfield pairing, especially one in the PL. Look at the stark contrast between him & Caicedo since joining in terms of overall effort.

If Santos or Lavia started today, we come away with at least a point. I can't stand Maresca's insistence on playing James as a MF.

We've played three Brazilian sides in recent years & failed to beat any of them in regulation time. Considering the financial disparity, it's rather shameful.

Looks like they can decide the length. Says 1 game, but there's no way he's playing in the tournament again. Only blessing from the incident.

If Jackson isn't sold, I'm done!

I knew after the PSG result, Brazilian sides would be even more eager to deliver than ever. Not to mention our history against Brazilian sides as well. Sleeping at a set piece. I can't see how we get an equaliser.

Gusto caught sleeping on two occasions. He clearly didn't learn anything.

Delap is so much more of a threat than Jackson has ever been.

I knew it had to be a ref from NA. When most of the football on the continent is of such a poor standard, officials from there should be at a bare minimum.

I was just answering the question you posed. I won't even mention Newcastle or Villa for a sec. If Nottingham Forest had kept their good form going when it really mattered, we'd have probably missed out on CL football. Going on runs like Chelsea & City did and still finishing in the top fourth sums the season up.

To be fair, City finished three points behind Arsenal in second place after losing seven of their fifteen league games from November to the beginning of February, winning only one-third of them. As with recent seasons, we have others to thank for our league finishes.

It's not "regardless" at all. No one would have objected to signing him for free. His issues had nothing to do with ability; they were mental. What Enrique has managed to do with him is nothing short of remarkable. That wouldn't have happened with the merry-go-round at this club.

Last night's match aside, I'm really surprised there isn't more interest in Conceicao, who turns 23 in December, especially considering Juve's financial issues.