Cornish Steve

That was such a huge mistake that I never even spotted it - especially after reading "Stramford Bridge."

And Robles is not as bad as he's being made out to be. And we bought a young keeper in the summer window.

Totally agree. It would ruin the sport and squeeze the very life out of it.

For example, I could see the Benelux countries forming their own league at some point. Guernsey could play in the French leagues. Maybe, over time, there will be a European Super League. At that point, UEFA are going to have to switch explicitly from national leagues to simply leagues.

Thinking about this more, it could get even more confusing if/when the Ulster teams play in the Irish league. The rule, in effect, has nothing to do with countries but with the leagues in which teams play.

Berwick Rangers. Berwick-on-Tweed is just south of the border.

I wasn't 100 percent sure, because there's a certain greyness to it. As you say, Berwick (English team) plays in the Scottish league. Swansea (Welsh team) plays in the English league while Rhyl (Welsh team) plays in the Welsh league. What if Rangers, for example, chose to play in the English league? It gets a bit messy. Anyway, for now, what you're saying is that Everton could face Celtic.

I agree with this, except that I'd start Eto'o or Kone instead of McGeady.

More than once, he tried to do something clever (read, stupid). When it failed to come off, he just stood around as if it was a training session. I was not impressed at all.

This is one position where we really shouldn't bring in a younger player. 26 or older would be best. For the record, I'm not willing to write off Robles. It's not easy to come into a regular game having been on the bench for months. Difficult to know when he'll get more time, though, until Tim Howard get injured. People always focus on the one mistake (understandably so because it cost a goal), but his play in the rest of the game was not bad at all. His confidence will grow only as he is given more opportunity. For his sake, I hope we have an extended FA Cup run.

Isn't Celtic the same country - or did the Scottish independence vote actually pass?

What this game really pointed out is our lack of depth in midfield. When McCarthy is out, there's just no one to take his place - and neither is anyone coming through the ranks in that kind of role.

Yup. Tried to be too clever more than once, and seemed to lack creativity. The key point is, though, that he had little impact on the game and appeared at times to be wondering what to do. Compare that with Garbutt, for example, who in many respects ran the game and was full of ideas. Having said all that, though, Ledson is young and will improve. A less than flattering comment after just one game does not mean I'm writing him off.

Kone, especially given the context. Hardly put a foot wrong, and was full of energy. The guy really wants to prove himself.

That was a bit of a fowl comment. You're right, though, that Robles did not shine at the one moment he needed to. Bit of a poultry performance. A bad egg all round, you might say.

I'm glad that Kone had a good game. It was nice to see him power through their defence near the end, and it's a shame he didn't take a shot instead of laying it back. Garbutt was class and deserves some first team games. The rest, I thought were rather average. McAleny was disappointing. Pienaar really should be traded. (I know, I know, some want to keep him, but not on that performance.)

Yes, you are. I thought he looked immature and out of his depth.

It's absolutely pointless starting almost all bench players. The youngsters already play together in U-21 games. If we're going to learn, they have to blend with at least some starters. Osman should be in there, for example. Hibbert, Pienaar, and Kone, yes. But I'd like to see some of the younger players learn too from Eto'o, for example.

And may I say that you are far and away my favourite poster. Such eloquence, such conciseness....

And TT has far more professional forum administrators. (With all the brown-nosing going on in other threads, I was feeling a little left out.)

Yes, especially in the first half. It just goes to show the importance of momentum.

That match was a typical game by an English team - whether club or national, football or any other sport. Play crap, get behind, fight back, and lose at the end.

That was a superb equalizer.

Now down to ten men.

Half-time, and Basel should be 2 or 3 up. Only one team has shown up at Anfield. Gerrard is so poor. He wears this constant look of constipation and can't seem to pass the ball either.