Cornish Steve

Is it possible to listen to this cricket commentary without laughing?

But what was said, when England were playing the West Indies back in the 70s, was "The bowler's Holding, the batsman's Willey." A Brian Johnston classic.

Only yesterday, it seems, they were reporting he was on his way to Liverpool.

Upset avoided! Deulofeu looked good but tired. He and Barkley could become an awesome duo. Kone tried hard but Lady Luck was against him tonight. I didn't think Naismith was so bad, actually. Oveido, on the other hand, was weak. Heitinga and Hibbert were rather anonymous, and Osman had another bad game. For me, Distin was really excellent - good reading of the ball and excellent pace. Let's not forget that we made rather a lot of changes tonight.

That was great play from Naismith.

We've totally dominated. We have to learn from these games and score goals. I suppose this is what a transition to the new style of play looks like in practice: The players understand the mechanics but fail, for the moment, to see the big picture. Time should fix the problem.

That's more like it!

Now that is very interesting. Earlier today, the BBC Sports website showed Burton winning on penalties. I just revisited the site and it states that Fulham won. You are quite right.

Crystal Palace knocked out by Bristol City, and Fulham beaten by Burton. Liverpool taken to extra time by Notts County. Clearly, some teams see the COC as a distraction and don't take it seriously.

But Rooney had played more first-team games. Let's be objective here: Ross Barkley has played two good games at the start of this season. Should that be the basis for playing for his country? It seems premature to me.

What a moment for this young man.

Or rumours started deliberately by a team whose negotiator doesn't follow the usual etiquette and who are desperate to close the deal.

In reality, we couldn't do that. It would never stand up in court, and you can be sure there would be a legal challenge against it.

Famous stock car racer in the US....

I just hope this doesn't go to his head. Truth is that he's still a journeyman with a lot to learn - and certainly not ready to play for England.

Nope. It's 15% of the profit made, not 15% of the total fee.

Sorry - I've taken us off track, haven't I? The point I was making is that the news article stated that ManU made a joint bid last week of 35m, which Everton rejected as derisory. But they didn't. The bid of last week that was rejected as derisory was for 28m. Since the author of the article couldn't be bothered to check his facts on that point, I don't lend much credence to his opinion that Everton will now accept a single bid of 20m. Especially since other papers are saying that ManU will offer 25m for Fellaini. Of course, none of us knows what will happen. Like these authors in the press, we can only speculate.

They've never offered 35m. Rumours were that ManU would make such an offer this week - after the Chelsea game - but it didn't happen. Anyway, it was the 28m joint bid that was labeled derisory. If the author of the article can't be bothered to check such basic facts, why trust the suggestion of a 20m bid?

Fat lot they know. ManU didn't offer 35m last week; they offered 28m. That mistake by itself tells me the report cannot be trusted.

Moyes put an early date on Fellaini's buy-out clause for a reason - to prevent just the scenario of a last day transfer. It looks like ManU will continue their strategy of submitting bids before games, which means not until Friday or Saturday. Indeed, this puts the squeeze on winning McCarthy. Frankly, if ManU don't complete a deal in the next day or two, we should not sell - at any price. That would be protecting the club in the spirit of the buy-out clause instituted by DM. He could have no cause to complain - but would anyway.

For me, too. Now will they go after Baines for 15-16m?

As I recall, the press claimed the offer to be made this evening would be for 36m.

Two teams/managers more concerned about not losing than winning.

The moment the Fellaini deal goes through, McCarthy will turn blue. I thought DM told the press that his next offer would be made right after today's Chelsea game? Come on, Davie boy: stop dithering.