Formby

So presumably no element of secrecy, then? You would hardly conspire in secret if your endevaours were wholly well-meaning?

I think conspire means to make secret plans with a criminal objective in mind, though. You can't conspire to a good end, unless you meant they were working in harmony to effect the criminal objective?

Delighted Haye lost - good salesman, lousy fighter. A broken toe? Is that why he was flopping like a fish? Better fighter, and better human being, won by miles.

Thanks, Mike. For some strange reason I always remember it being Arsenal! All those years and it was just a case of false memory syndrome. Now, if only I can train myself to think we won some more silverware over the last twenty years, life would be so much better.

It says in the article Sheedy 'famously scored with a twice-taken free-kick against Ipswich'. I can remember him doing that against Arsenal at Goodison. Anyone remember Ipswich? Could be me just going senile.

Maybe she prefers to talk Chekhov than grab hold of his left peg?

Just a teeny-weeny bit biased, maybe, but I put that down to having to live here.

In spades. I hope it's a reprise of that 4-0 trouncing in '94 when Romario and Stoichkov killed them. I want a masterclass from Barcelona and United to completely lose it (Rooney to get sent off, Ferguson in the stands, and their fans riot, earning a ban from European competition for five years, which in turn precipitates Ferguson's well overdue departure and a decline in the club's fortunes forever). Go FCB. England awaits.

I’m heartily sick of Alex Ferguson, I really am. He epitomises all that’s worst about the game. Bullying the FA, bullying the referees, and now bullying the media: who the fuck does he think he is? And, more importantly, why the hell don’t the FA stand up to him? Next time he doesn’t turn up to a press conference, deduct United a point. If he does it again, deduct them three etc. That’ll soon put him in line. Ditto, complaints against officials. Is it not enough we have to put up with United getting every decision on the pitch? The guy is a great manager, no question, but his arrogance is breathtaking. He needs to be taken down a peg or ten, and the sooner the better.

After this season's expectations were quickly dashed, I think he's just preparing us for what we already know: we're not very good, we don't have money; there's no buyer on the horizon.

Looks to me like they're trying to make the letter A.

Ferguson would have been a very good player if injuries hadn't mounted up and crippled him. He was a proper old-fashioned centre forward, with great aerial presence and, for a big man, two good feet. On his day, he was a real, real handful. I think he epitomised the dogs of war spirit and galvanised the team for years. As a fan, whether or not you like him as a player or person, I don't think you can take that away from him.

Yup, the Scots have traditionally down well. English managers don't seem to have the sartorial je ne sais quoi / tactical nous of continental managers nor the dour, fear of God Tartan fire. Maybe just a bit wishy-washy, although Clough had it.

Not sure this is common knowledge but I was really taken aback. Since 1987, when Kendall was at the helm, there has been only one season when the League title was won by a team with an English (born) manager (Howard Wilkinson at Leeds in 1992). I found that quite staggering.

Definitely, while we have the chance. Very poor this season. Need someone younger.

Finishing seventh would also put an undeserved gloss on the season, in my opinion. We've been absolutely brutal. We need a huge overhaul and a firesale.

If you come to England, don't move to Manchester, or Salford, or any northern town. Was brought up in Liverpool but haven't been back for years but, from memory, I'd avoid that, too. Good luck.

Yes, I read the article. It was a general comment I was making arising from it.

We have had our fair share of ‘educated’ footballers - Barry Horne, Slaven Bilic, David Weir, James Beattie – none of which probably improved their football, but was still nice to see. It always amazes me how erudite and culturally aware our legion of imported stars are compared to our home-grown players. Makes you realise what a culturally impoverished country we are and how sorry our education system is.

Do divorced men count??

I agree. I think it was used in a pejorative sense, which probably makes it unacceptable in today's climate. Now, how many people think it during the course of the game, or mutter it under their breath, is another thing.

I was questioning the somewhat contentious point that he is 'very short on talent', which I think is absurd. Your recognition of the spectacular goals seems to recognise this, too. And Moyes saw something to shell out all that money, no?

Concur 100%.

Yet Moyes bought him for that 8.9 million and his cracking goals against United and Portsmouth last season left you rooted to your armchair? Okay. Commitment, maybe. But it's not like he's alone.

You sure it won't get worse? Right now I'd take Premiership survival.