Taking Sides: Liverpool vs Everton

Something I don't like: Michael Owen saying 'my contract negotiations will last a long time... they're not the kind of thing you can sort out in a week', plus 'it's not about money'.

So what is it about? 'Finding out whether the club are ambitious enough to take my career to the next level', maybe? I don't see how prolonged contract negotiations can resolve such a question.

I also think, as probably I have already said on this thread, that Owen owes Liverpool something now, not the other way around.

I don't like the way he keeps his clean and local image despite being essentially greedy and disloyal.

Just realised that I've not added that the real hero / villain of this thread is Howard kendall. When he left, Harvey became manager, in an attempt (I suspect) to recreate the boot room culture (and no bad thing for cottoning onto continuity as key facet of success). However, Harvey never replaced himself, and thus the Everton scouting system missed some young lads who as Evertonians, really wanted to play for the club. Like Fowler. Like McManaman, and like the boy Michael. Opps. Big fucking oops.

I'd resigned myself before tonight that Liverpool missing out on the mother of all club competitions would only be like Becker skipping the clay court season with a knee injury - kinda satisfying but ultimately you know you'd be missing out on some possible comedy.

4th place, though...wow. It's absolutely the best you could've hoped for and you've done it. Crack open the sparkling wine. I'll have a gin and bitter lemon.

20, probably 23 come Saturday. That's a lot - it was down to seven or eight a few weeks ago. All sour barbs aside, Liverpool *have* finished strongly - you were bound to prosper once Houll remembered who was supposed to take the pens.

I wonder if I've still got that Marseille game on tape? I need cheering up.

Would like to reiterate what a cracking game that was last night. It makes you wonder how 0-0 bore draws can happen. End to end, great saves, you knew goals would be scored, rookie youngsters trying to prove themselves etc. An unexpected delight.

and is sky showing the lakers/Spurs game?

oh oh, I seem to have caught amurikan

Milwall could do more damage to Europe than Hitler.

hmmm, we need to think on this

Now, let's talk about something else. Like naked girls dripped in beeswax.

Yes, three Yoofa Cup places - only two national associations get four and I'm guessing that's Italy and Spain currently. There's always sneaking in the back door via the Intertoto (no English clubs this year?) or the Fair Play assessment.

No applications from English clubs for intertoto places this year. Not sure if UEFA's fair place nonsense will include English clubs though.

Best thread ever.

A thought which struck me is: I wonder how he would feel, about this season, if he did not like Arsenal.

And Birmingham.

...and Bolton. They're best ever Premiership season and a cup final.