Champions League thread

**shakermaker1982** · 10/04/2008, 9:53 AM

Does Dunphy even rate the PL or has he changed his mind (yet again)?

I thought Man Utd played well last night considering they made so many key changes. I'm pretty sure Wes Brown won the ball cleanly......if Roma had scored who knows what would have happened.

**OwlsFan** · 10/04/2008, 10:04 AM

Enjoyable game. Yes, would have made for an exciting game if Roma scored. Would have enjoyed the egg on Ferguson's face if they got it back to 2-2 but it wasn't to be.

O'Shea needs a move. Coming on for 10 minutes every second game is not going to improve his game.

**cheifo** · 10/04/2008, 10:08 AM

Hard to see Barca beating Man U given the problems they have at the moment.
Anybody know when Messi is due back from injury?

**Pike B** · 10/04/2008, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by gustavo

Quote from Dunphy last night
"Barcelona won't be winning no Champions League thats for sure"
also using Bojans lack of strength as a reason as to why he won't be a top player is stupid , theres very few 17 year olds that would have strength at that age

Dunphy is entertaining, but I stopped actually listening to his opinions about 18 years ago..... A clown, entertaining, slighty scarey, not to be taken seriously.. Our Eamon...

**Roadend** · 10/04/2008, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by cheifo

Hard to see Barca beating Man U given the problems they have at the moment.
Anybody know when Messi is due back from injury?

He's back in training apparently. They'll need Deco back too if they've to have any chance which at the moment looks exceedingly doubtful.

**shakermaker1982** · 10/04/2008, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Enjoyable game. Yes, would have made for an exciting game if Roma scored. Would have enjoyed the egg on Ferguson's face if they got it back to 2-2 but it wasn't to be.

O'Shea needs a move. Coming on for 10 minutes every second game is not going to improve his game.

O'Shea will never move on. He's content enough to fill in where required and seems to enjoy the banter and lifestyle that goes with being a Manchester United player. Fergie has realised he isn't a centre back (hope the Trap realises this asap) and he cannot play in MF but is content enough to bring him into the team at full back when Evra/Neville/Brown/Silvestre are under the weather.

**Pike B** · 10/04/2008, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

O'Shea will never move on. He's content enough to fill in where required and seems to enjoy the banter and lifestyle that goes with being a Manchester United player. Fergie has realised he isn't a centre back (hope the Trap realises this asap) and he cannot play in MF but is content enough to bring him into the team at full back when Evra/Neville/Brown/Silvestre are under the weather.

Of course he's happy. 40 grand a week to sit on the bench... Where do I sign...

**jmurphyc** · 10/04/2008, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by gustavo

Quote from Dunphy last night
"Barcelona won't be winning no Champions League thats for sure"
also using Bojans lack of strength as a reason as to why he won't be a top player is stupid , theres very few 17 year olds that would have strength at that age

That was hilarious. He could easily be left eating his words after the tournament, but then again he does the same thing every year and it never changes him. It's all part of the fun of the RTE panel I suppose.

As for the comment about Bojan, he followed it up by comparing him to Messi. At the age of 17 Messi was obviously outstanding, but from what I recall he was hardly very strong himself. The fact that Bojan is being talked about being included in Spain's Euro squad (I think) should show how highly valued he is.

**OwlsFan** · 10/04/2008, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

O'Shea will never move on. He's content enough to fill in where required and seems to enjoy the banter and lifestyle that goes with being a Manchester United player. Fergie has realised he isn't a centre back (hope the Trap realises this asap) and he cannot play in MF but is content enough to bring him into the team at full back when Evra/Neville/Brown/Silvestre are under the weather.

So where does that leave him for us?

**Dodge** · 10/04/2008, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by Roadend

He's back in training apparently. They'll need Deco back too if they've to have any chance which at the moment looks exceedingly doubtful.

Deco hasn't played well in a year. He shouldn't be (and won't be) in ahead of Xavi or Iniesta, with Toure talking up the anchor role.

Messi is the key.

**Pike B** · 10/04/2008, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Deco hasn't played well in a year. He shouldn't be (and won't be) in ahead of Xavi or Iniesta, with Toure talking up the anchor role.

Messi is the key.

Deco, is past his best alright, but still a good player.

**shanman2** · 10/04/2008, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Deco hasn't played well in a year. He shouldn't be (and won't be) in ahead of Xavi or Iniesta, with Toure talking up the anchor role.

Messi is the key.

We must have a fit Lio ready for action if we are to beat Manure.
At the moment we have alot of players off form. Thuram is a bit old for me but I expect Diego Milito to partner the spiritual leader Puyol who is not at his best at the moment.

I hope to god Scholes gets injured, he is the brain behind Uniteds midfield and is the best midfielder in England.

**jmurphyc** · 10/04/2008, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Deco hasn't played well in a year. He shouldn't be (and won't be) in ahead of Xavi or Iniesta, with Toure talking up the anchor role.

Messi is the key.

For me Toure could be the key to the tie. So far from what I've seen of him, he doesn't seem to be a natural holding player. He seems too attacking and I'm not convinced by him defensively. I think at times their midfield three will have to sit deep to cover his deficiencies. I'd much prefer to see Marquez as the midfield anchor, but he'll be playing at the back in the first leg due to Puyol's suspension.

**jebus** · 10/04/2008, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Messi is the key.

That's the problem though, he'll struggle to get fit, and even at that with the amount of games he has played this year he won't be anywhere near as sharp as he can be. I can already see the tabloids screaming about how Ronaldo doing nothing for 85mins and then scoring a tap in proves beyond all doubt that he is the better player than half fit Messi

**Roadend** · 10/04/2008, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Deco hasn't played well in a year. He shouldn't be (and won't be) in ahead of Xavi or Iniesta, with Toure talking up the anchor role.

Messi is the key.

Iniesta has gone completely off the boil lately.

**jmurphyc** · 10/04/2008, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Roadend

Iniesta has gone completely off the boil lately.

From the little that I have seen he still seems to be playing quite well.

**Roadend** · 10/04/2008, 12:37 PM

I saw the two legs and regularly watch them on Sky Saturday/Sunday. He was playing a lot better in the first half of the season.

**cheifo** · 10/04/2008, 1:56 PM

I think Puyol is out of the first match.Henry seems to be in pipe and slippers mode.If Messi can get his fitness to gether it will still be facinating stuff.