misschief

Delap's out injured - great news.

I'm not taking the 'I've always been an angel' party line - because it'd be a complete bloody lie for a start. From a strictly professional point of view though, mental health wards are busy enough without legalising something that's directly linked to sending some youngsters nuts. You might not hear as much about people doing damage when theyre stoned but that doesnt mean it doesnt happen.

Shame we can't play Pompey every week really, their defending is shocking. Good to see us pushing forward a lot more already this season. Decent return on the night, looked pretty comfortable against a woeful Portsmouth side. Great to see Malouda improving all the time and Kalou seemed to have a big influence from what I saw - he'll have me eating my words if he keeps it up.

Maybe he just attempted it, or was found drunk or something. I guess we'll know soon enough.

Yeh, I was just reading an article Janet Street-Porter wrote today about him. She says he'll drink himself to death in a hotel room - I guess the rumour could just be as a result of that article.

Anyone else heard the rumours about Paul Gascoigne? According to a few forums he's been found dead in a hotel room in Newcastle. If its true, it'd be so sad that he could end up like that.

How about gifting Rooney a goal?

Of course they won't be bothered about the fine but its the accumulative effect over the course of a season. Quite apart from that though, that had the potential to be a much better game without a dickhead as a ref.

Could've been a much better game if Riley hadnt got the whistle welded to his mouth. Really missed Deco but Alex was immense considering the time he spends out. Why we ever gave Anelka a Chelsea shirt is beyond me, he's a bloody embarrassment. FFS half of his chances are easier to score than miss and he still manages to miss the fuckers.

Riley didnt have the balls to let us have a game and the way he was dishing cards out you'd have thought United were armed - bloody joke. Some were deserved, but 7? Not a chance. Officialdom gone mad. Fair play to Ballack because there aint many players as honest as that.

Deco's already a big loss, our midfield's nowhere near as affective going forward without him. Alex did a great job coming in for Ricky yesterday but again its another blow. JT and Alex together isnt the ideal partnership when it comes to pace.

Carvalho's been a far better defender than JT for the past couple of seasons.

Pathetic.

Fucking LOVE it. Of course it'd be for the money but isnt that what motivates most players these days? As for being a United LEGEND, I don't think he's been given that sort of status there - the vast majority know he's only temporary and are just enjoying it while it lasts, same as Real will next season.

City'll get there first.

Well he can get in the queue behind Kaka then.

Proper risky. Maybe Bosingwa will prove me wrong by the end of the season, but right now he makes me a little nervous against opposition that'll need more defensive tactics.

I'd hate to see Bosingwa against him because so far its looked to me like he's more than happy in attacking games where we're comfortable enough (i.e. Portsmouth, City, Bordeaux) but in games where some hard work is called for in defence he hasn't particularly looked up for it (Wigan, Spurs). Honestly think he'd struggle with Ronaldo.

Is there some FA rule somewhere that says we always have to have the shittest possible ref for the biggest games?

Read this earlier, of course he's on a wind-up and as usual there'll be loads that fall for it, just made me laugh though. Scolari won't rise to it so its not a big deal.

Off the back of 2 poor United results, Fergie raging and Ronaldo back? I don't even wanna think about the outcome of this one.

And now we'll get criticised for handing out free scarves.

Yeh, he was hoping Chelsea would extend it by a year, after which he planned to retire.

He's got a point about the squad - Scolari getting rid of so many without bringing in quite enough as cover was naive and highlights his inexperience as far as a long, hard season in the PL is concerned. I'm sure he'll address this in January but until then hopefully we'll manage with what we've got. Besides, I'd rather play a consistent first eleven than change it on a weekly basis like Rafa. As for resting players now, ffs some of them have missed games already, give them a chance to warm up at least. On Deco's game, I agree with what he said and probably Cole to an extent, but Mikel? Don't agree with him there, I think Mikel's doing a great job considering the boots he's been asked to fill - and again he's only had a couple of games himself this season. Personally thought he did a solid job last night.

Think he's a bit weak.