DavidEU

How are Schurrle and Ramires still on the pitch? Christ.

For Ossie today. 8 years. RIP.

http://www.redcafe.net/threads/moyes-has-to-go.385470/ This is particularly entertaining.

To those Galatasaray fans here who think we should be 'scared' of entering your stadium tonight, lets have a little look back over our history. Where better to start than the obvious... winning 5-0 in 'hell' at the Ali Sami Yen? Or what about 'lil Dennis Wise in the San Siro, or the time we destroyed Lazio in 45 minutes in Rome? How about Wayne Bridge beating the Unbeatables at Highbury with two minutes to go, or Michael Essien sending us all wild in the Mestella? Or try remembering any other team come back from 2-0 down in the Camp Nou with ten men and Jose Bosingwa at centre-half? And if none of thats good enough for you, we've also won the biggest prize of all in the opponents back yard. We've been told to be scared numerous times over the years, Greece, Rome and Turin, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Anfield, the Nou Camp, Munich, Moscow. But we've got an uncanny knack of rising to it. If thats what you're basing your hopes on for this tie, just don't even start dreaming of the quarter finals yet.

Atletico Madrids plane for tonights game in Milan.

I'll try and give you all the key points from the press conference as it goes along in this post. John Terry is OUT - JM expects him back next weekend. Fernando Torres is back. Expects the team to better, the younger players to improve and the older ones to be stable in their performance. 'Do we think we can win tomorrow? Of course we do. But to say something about the end of the season is difficult because their are only six points between 1st and 4th and that is close.' Says any of the top 4 can win the title 'more than mathematically' and the other teams are in better conditions than us. 'Teams in the lower half of the table needs the points to stay in the league so perform very well'. Gives examples of WHU v us, Fulham v United, Norwich v City. Reiterates that at the moment, the most important thing is to be far away from 5th and secure top 4 and then top 3. And says this league is tougher than last year so its more important than ever to be far away. Says he doesn't know how winning the league this year would feel in comparison with his previous successes. Says Madrid v Barcelona and Benfica v Porto decides other titles, but big games in England do not necessarily dictate who wins the title, its more about being consistent. Re: Hazard; off the pitch he is tremendous. 'Special', 'family boy', 'without the things most of his generation want to do'. Says he sees a difference between now and the start of the season, better physically, mentally and responsibly. Says we shouldn't mix generations when asked about Hazard v Ronaldo/Messi comparisons. Won't be disappointed if we don't win the league, but will be disappointed in the team if we don't continue their level and evolution. 'Everyone knows what Man City is', 'Pellegrini is a fantastic coach'. But they don't have a team for the next ten years, they have a team for now and the next 2-3 years. We want to create for ten years. Man Utd can finish in the top four but its not going to be easy for them to close the gap because us, Arsenal, Liverpool, City are doing 'okay'. Says Moyes is the right man for the job. Says Liverpool are in the same situation as Chelsea; they didn't start the season as favourites. But have a young team with senior players and their manager is 'very good'. But not having CL is a big advantage for them and makes a big difference come April/May. Knows Pepe Mel, says he was a 'champion' at Betis for winning the Segunda. Says he lost to Mel and Betis at Real Betis and that he likes his team to play with the ball. Says if Toure isn't suspended, the message to the players is clear; 'you can do what you want if the referee doesn't see.' Says he 'must' be suspended'. Says individual awards should go to the members of the Champions when asked if Eden can win young player and players player of year. Says when he votes for awards, he votes for a player of the Champions.

Who the hell cares? Like, really? Its a number... doesn't make them perform any better, right?

I didn't say he did. I was answering those who are almost implying that we are automatically at the front of the queue for him. I meant that maybe its a case of Manchester United this summer or Chelsea the following, with a year of gaining experience with another club he loves in Southampton, maybe he'd favour us. Maybe. He'll be top draw though. As will a lot of the Southampton talent.

Always looks to be trying to join the centre forward. I like what I see of this guy. Though I think a club like Chelsea might be a step too far for him, especially if he came in as 4th/5th choice. Could be incredible for a side fighting for 4th/5th place though. One to watch.

Couple of notes on WHU. Allardyce has said that Nocerino is good to go, where as Borriello needs time as hes not played for six weeks. Big three points with at least one of the other top four likely to drop points. 2-0 Blues.

Whether Shaw comes or not, Ash should be here for an extra year if he wants to be. He's the best all round LB the world has seen in years, Shaw would learn buckets from him.

Passing was a bit wayward at times today, but the vast improvement is easy to see. Encouraging.

After a pretty shit week, time to get positive over a game again! Forget all the Mata nonsense for a few hours and enjoy the game guys. UTC.

If this is true, Griezmann?

Torres on Instagram: Simplemente ...gracias por tantas cosas. Ya te echo de menos amigo / just... Thanks for everything . I miss you already my friend. #allthebest

Definitely. I just hope Essien isn't forgotten tomorrow. Should be respecting both players.

Haven't seen the goal but this is the BBC live text decription: Another from outside the box.

Personally I think he'd struggle at a Premier League side, even from August. I wouldn't be surprised if Chelsea get him in the gyms and tell him to bulk up a tad over the summer.

One of my favourite memories of Essien will always be this. We lost the title on this day after playing 60 minutes with ten men. The fight the whole team showed was absolutely incredible, but Essien stood head and shoulders above the rest. He'd shown what a good player he was all season, but performances and days like that make a legend. Only one player in the league deserved a medal as much as him that season; Ronaldo.

If the rest of this season goes well for the kid, do we send him back there next year or try and get him a Premier League loan to one of the newly promoted sides?

5th minute round of appreciation for Essien?

Anyone who gets upset by the pictures in red that are about to appear over the internet and sprawled across every news paper and Sky channel very soon, just avert your attention to this one: That night alone was worth this happening. Along with the 12 others that played in Munich for us that incredible night, you'll always be a blue and you'll always be one of our heros. (Even Bosingwa. Well, maybe) Juan, its been an absolute pleasure to watch you.

Good thread mate. Done.

If they hadn't have bought Mata, they'd have bought another quality attacking midfielder. They'll bounce back from where they are now, its inevitable. As for Shaw, he knows one day that we'll come knocking at his door. If hes as much of a Chelsea fan as people say he is, he will wait for us to.