Completely agree. Yesterday was gut wrenchingly frustrating but not painful.

Spoilsport. I want all the hate figures atbthe Mancs. Stay at OT with your lovely uncle RFW Christina!

Rover6, you are spot on backing Walcott. He had a much better World Cup than Frank Lampard and scored as many as Rooney and Owen put together. The kid was a vital member...

Whatever England did preparing for penalties didn't work. Even removing Lennon to bring on Carragher at the end of extra time put a player into the frame who couldn't put the ball on the penalty spot. If you compare that pathetic showing with Germany's penalties: - every penalty taker marched up confidentally and showed through their demeanour they were totally in control. Only Owen Hargreaves did that for England. - the German keeping coach had anbalysed every penalty taken by every Argentine squad member over the past two years. Before each Argentine kick, Lehmann received a piece of paper telling him the directional preference of the next penalty taker. With the level of professionalism attained in the English game, that penalty shoot out was just pathetic and will stand as SGE's lasting epitath.

Not a classic but shows up how poor England v Portugal was in reality. Well done France!

I thought the same percy but the match statistics are heavily in favour of the Portuguese.

A pretty decent performance today apart from a 20 minute spell at the end of the first half when England could not pass to a white shirt. I take back my criticism of Hargreaves- he was fantastic. The momernt I saw Lampard preparing to take that penalty we were out. Lampard hasn't hit the target in 23 of his 25 shots this WC so why should he suddenly score in the shoot out? SGE has rescued England from the Eileen Drewery laughing stock (Glenda resigned from Wolves in sympathy today btw) but there are horrendous weaknesses in the English talent currently available. English international quality forwards end after Owen and Rooney although Crouch did well. We took a Liverpool reserve as third choice keeper because a second division keeper was injured. We had no cover at right back with nothing on the horizon when Neville calls it a day. Steve McLaren will ensure we achieve less than the sum of the parts so no major trophies coming England's way any time soon. Good job we have a relatively easy European Nations Group.

No you are not- a performance that convinced me he'd be an excellent mega million acquistion for the Mancs.

The Guardian's analysis of why this World Cup is a good one: http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup200...1808315,00.html The most successful highest tackling midfielder is a shock!

David Pleat's view of who will get transferred: http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup200...1808240,00.html

Yes, he's poll-axed: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/w...006/5108722.stm WC Final?- you're kidding aren't you?

Was rather disappointed with Torres tonight. As for the Rooney v Torres debate, they are different. I think Rooney's talent is rather more a one-off than Torres so in most circumstances I'd take him rather than the lighter weight Torres. Will be interesting to see if Torres is any good in the Prem whereas Rooney is the sort of player who would bulldoze his way through any league.

Have to say the Spanish coach didn't set his side up right for this one and his selection was wrong. That said Spain never really looked like scoring from open play. All credit to Zidane for the killer goal. France v Brasil will be a corker but the first half might be played at walking pace given how both teams feel their way into games.

1) Anybody non-German (and there will be a lot of T5 packages) will be screaming for Argentina so it will be 6:1 in the crowd. Not impossible if you silence them early. 2) Argentina have the players both to kill the game in midfield and terrify the Germans up front. 3) The Germans will have no answer for the Tevez/Aymar/Messi substitution (nobody has). 4) Riquelme is the player of the Tournament. An absolutely peerless midfielder. 5) If England can beat them 5-1 on their patch....

Agence France Presse reported that police said Pessotto, who was appointed to the post only last month, climbed onto the window sill of his office, holding a set of rosary beads, and jumped off, bouncing off one car and onto another. He was treated on the scene almost immediately and then taken by ambulance to the Le Molinette hospital suffering from multiple fractures. Juventus press officer Marco Girotto said from the hospital that Pessotto's life was not in danger. According to Italian news agency ANSA he had been on his own in his office at the club at the time of his fall.

Former Juventus player Gianluca Pessotto was in a serious condition after falling from a window at the club's headquarters, the Juventus press office said. Pessotto, who took up the post of Juventus's sports director at the end of last season after 11 years with the team, was taken to hospital in Turin. The defender, who made 22 appearances for Italy, was a regular starter during one of the most successful periods in Juventus's history, winning six Serie A titles and the 1996 Champions League. Italy captain and Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro walked out of a news conference at the Azzurri's World Cup training camp when he heard the news of Pessotto's fall

I cannot see anything except an Argentina win against Germany... please.

Before the Tournament, everyone was tipping the Czechs. Either as the dark horses or as a FIFA top ten country, favourites in their own right. Well a fabulous performance by Ghana put paid to that who also rather efficiently sent an OK USA side packing as well. So can Ghana upset the mis-firing Brasilians? Brasil certainly are capable of taking any side apart and Big Mac Ronaldo has shown some interest in procedings but if the Ghanaians run at the Brasil backline with the relentless inventiveness they showed against the Czech Republic, I do not think the Brasil backline can hold out. Could be a very good game if the ref behaves himself.

Two of Europe's giants clashing or is it a case of Champions past v Champions Future. Until Ukraine got rid of Switzerland in a game of mind numbing boredom by all accounts, only the teams coming topof their respective groups had won. Were it not for the nasty foul mouthed comments of the Spanish coach, I'd tip this as a stroll in the park against a French side whose coaching makes SGE appear an organised genius. However, the French might be stirred for one last show of gallic flair and fervour. Maybe a few goalkeeping gaffes will liven this one up as well. Spain to win 3-2.

Sienna, Reggina and Empoli are reported to be in bother as well. More players to look at if true. Currently Serie B clubs Messina, Lecce and Arezzo are being investigated as well.

Bad luck on the aussies- I didn't watch it so tell me how it went.

Great, who is signing by Saturday?

But Beckham is our place kicker and unlike in American Football he can stay on the pitch to puke to his heart's content. Its a policy that is working- two 1-0 wins against South American opposition thanks to him. Whereas Lennon would skin his man and pass/cross into an empty box judging by Saturday's game.

Let's see if we can spin this differently then (Big Phil accepted didn't he before he got door-stepped?) Figo is cleared to play against England and Cristina should be fit to play.

I fancy Hiddink to make it 2-0 over the Italians.