BlueLion.

Yeah. We ran out of luck, simple as that. The thing is, JT send VDS the wrong way. If he hadn't have slipped, we'd have won the European Cup. That's how close we were, that's how lucky Man United are. Thing about it this way - Ferguson's "Greatest Ever Team" beat us on penalties. Ferguson's "Greatest Ever Team" beat us by two points in the league when we were without key players through injury and international duty. Ferguson's "Greatest Ever Team" have got a lot to fear next season. We'll be back.

It has been widely suggested on the forums we should have some Member of the Year Awards, so what do you think? I've knocked up some Award categories to vote under and I can run it as it will be very straighforward. All we need is some support If you think its a good idea and/or you have some suggestions for the categories, either PM me or announce them in this topic. Cheers, BL.

I'd take that. Hughes has built something special at Blackburn over a period of time with very little funds - imagine what could be achieved with Abramovich's fortunes. It may take a while, but he is a motivated and inspirational person with strong ties to the club, he would be the ideal appointment in my view.

Two 1-1s in the new kit. I guarantee they'll put that behind them

UEFA Team ranking 2008 1 Chelsea 124.996 2 AC Milan 119.934 3 Liverpool 118.996 4 Barcelona 117.837 5 Arsenal 110.996 6 Man Utd 107.996 7 Sevilla 102.837 8 Lyon 99.380 9 Inter Milan 96.934 10 Real Madrid 93.837 11 Bay Munich 92.078 12 PSV 91.610 13 Villarreal 90.837 14 Newcastle 84.996 15 Valencia 83.837 16 Roma 81.934 17 Porto 81.176 18 Benfica 77.176 19 W Bremen 74.078 20 AZ Alkmaar 69.610 So as you can see, we're first-seeded for the Champions League once again, so we will have a supposedly easier draw next campaign. Furthermore we also had the best domestic league away record of any team in any of the five major European leagues; English Premier League, Italian Serie A, Spanish La Liga Premiera, German BundesLiga and the French Ligue Un.

I think its 7 days before the tournament, so tomorrow I believe.

Make a new one

Hah, my bad

Welcome to the forum.

I think the fact Clarke is still here is testament to the new manager. If Grant and ten Cate have been sacked, surely Stevie would have by now? That's why I think Mark Hughes is in for the job.

Speaking of making a team, didn't someone make a FM TalkChelsea team a while back? If not, we should make a new one

I believe he can. He has turned Blackburn from a mid-table, mediocre side into a team that is challening for the UEFA Cup season after season. He has worked with average players, and has an eye for a good signing, such as McCarthy and Santa Cruz in recent seasons. With all the options we have and endless hoardes of money at his disposal, I see no reason why Chelsea under Mark Hughes would not lift the EPL trophy.

England are awful, they'd only allow people to discover how poor Grant's management is.

Same here. If Hughes had any sense, he'd keep Clarke, as well.

Portsmouth would be a great move for him, I think. He and Defoe would link up really well. I think its time for him to move on, he's clearly out of favour at Chelsea.

Maybe some more competition could guarantee he improves? Bringing in someone like Quaresma or Ribery would be brilliant for that reason, because it gives us another option and gives Malouda the incentive to perform.

Well even if he can't be used in part-exchange deals, he could still be worth a few bob.

Agree about the comment regarding the youth set-up, Arnesen has done a brilliant job. But yes, the new manager should use the younger players in the Carling Cup's earlier rounds in my view, as Arsene Wenger does.

How does a goal in a friendly against an awful team (no offence to the Americans on here) compensate for the agony he suffered in Moscow? Tosser.

Maybe he could be used as some leverage in the transfer market. Would surely be worth around £5 million.

Fair point and I respect your opinion. I guess the only reason I'm so confident he can shine is because I saw how well he can play for Lyon.

Well, to be honest, this is just yet another case of a player having a poor first season and people declaring him shit for that reason. Boula was an absolute animal for Hamburg, I remember watching a LigaPokal game a few years back and he was brilliant. I would say give him time, but I don't think he is as good as Alex, Terry or Carvalho are. Still, what happens when one of them get injured? Who will provide the cover? The inexperienced Mancienne, Ivanovic - who hasn't played club football for months? Or even Essien? Would be wise to have him as experienced cover IMO.

O, ye of little faith. Let me cast your mind back 8 months ago to a player called Michael Ballack.

I haven't seen that much of Mancienne to be honest with you, people think he is better than Boulahrouz?