England fans drive me up the wall. The only country I know that can regularly press the self destruct button. Genuine chance of winning the world cup (I personally think Brazil are over-rated simply because they are...Brazil). Yet, for some reason you all intend on having a go at key members of the squad at regular times and then also at the manager. Now you've set the side up for a few uncomfortable months, I hope everyone gets behind them at the right time, but I know that will only be followed by them having their heads being put on the chopping block.

How many times have you seen walcott play? in live games I mean (including TV)...but not just highlight packages.

Fair enough.

I always thought he was considered the Beckham type of player to balance out the right side as Souey didn't think you could play with two wingers. I think Emerton has been hard done by and is actually a good player, for that amount he hasn't been that bad of a signing and I still think if he could just regularly produce the goods he'll turn into a good signing. He's certainly been more useful in recent times then he has previously.

I don't think any of us are unable to accept the possibility of a 16 year old being good enough to play for his national team, but I'm also not being sold into thinking he's the complete package because he's been sold for X million. I'm sure he'll play for England someday, who knows, maybe he'll be the best player in the world, but as of yet he's made a handful of appearances in the championship, scoring only a couple of goals, and hasn't even made it onto the pitch for a premiership. Come June, at best, we could be looking at a player who's played in 10-15 games for Arsenal, I can't even see that being true, does that really make you deserve a place in the world cup?

It's entirely possible, so I'm just wondering what will happen if they do.

What happens if England win the world cup?

The Duff money didn't pay for Reid. Hadn't we already bought Reid at that point?

Mahon played quite a bit for us while on loan during the promotion campaign and was unlucky that he was here while Duff was. He has done quite well for Wigan this season. Also think Amoruso is always given a lot more flack than he deserves. Not saying he is quality, but he was at times our best player.

Also it has to be remembered that this battle isn't limited simply to consoles but is much bigger than that. Several companies are battling over the future of all dvds. The xbox 360 is a good console, it's out and when I've played it I've been really impressed, that is really all that I care about.

I see what you're getting at there and I do hope the luck stays but I can see this going the same way as our last semi-final.

If need then im sure hddvd technology will be used. For the time being it simply isn't needed though. By the time it really is we'll probably be talking about a new console anyway.

One reason that it is slightly easier for them is that there are fewer "dominant" teams in Spain.

Don't have a great feeling about this game, but just have to hope, please please please.

I think a lot of people are doing the trust and the board a major injustice by being so critical. We are now coming to a period where, after showing some good potential, investment could bring great rewards. However, this has not been true for a couple of seasons so it is not surprising that in recent times there hasn't been a major amount of invesmtment. In recent seasons whenever we have needed money (Cole being the perfect example and even in the Bellamy deal this summer) the trust and board have come up trumps. I fully expect that if we finish in the top 8 this summer we will see Hughe given enough money to do what he needs to secure that position and even make us into a team that can really consider itself a top 6 side. We can't be critical of a board that has shown little ambition when the club is struggling at the bottom of the table and losing money, they have kept the club running and in a great financial state, given the situation that is more than we could have ever asked for and something that about 15 premiership clubs are probably jealous of. If in a year we find that little transfer funds have been made available and that the club has gone backwards again then I think we'll have to really be looking for a new source of investment (something I'm sure is already being done and that would be more than welcome) but until then we can't be critical of the trust.

Agree with you Tango. Didn't think he meant to do it, but I really don't care, lady luck was on our side today.

Anyone else getting tired of Harry Redknapp constantly saying the squad isn't strong enough after he loses? Already he has spent more than most clubs since he's joined, most of the squad is the one he used to have (those who left were usually taken by him) and yet he says they aren't even good enough to make 17th? Guy really gets on my nerves.

Yes, but it has been mentioned recently that Hughes' balance is -900k or so. Now that isn't that much spending for a premiership side doing fairly well. I would expect us to keep our cash in our pockets for now and spend in the summer unless we see someone who we have to get. I'm not having a go at the board, but I do think there should be money made available because there is the potential for it to bring huge rewards on the pitch. That hasn't really been true for a long time.

I'd be up for a trip into london if there were a few meeting up to watch the game.

Gray probably just thinks some positive press might help Souness keep his job for a bit longer and as a Sunderland fan that probably makes him a bit happier.

I'd rather have someone who I think can handle the pressure. Why compare Hargreaves and Walcott? They aren't similar types of players so for that situation, yes, I want an attacking player.

Are you seriously comparing the Walcott and Jansen situation? Walcott has scored something like 4 goals for a first team, having not even made an appearance in the premiership. Jansen had years of experience and had scored goals in the top league and also had a season of excellent form behind him. I don't know if Walcott will turn into the next big thing, but he just might, but right now he's simply a talented youngster, no more, no less and should be playing youth games and games for his club until he has proven he can make it at this level. England caps shouldn't just be handed out because one day you might be good, or because it might work out, you earn them, especially when you're talking about sending them to a World Cup that the squad has a serious chance of winning.

Not too bad considering there's 5 days to go.

The ps3 isn't going to be any cheaper when it first comes out.

Sorry...I'll put more effort in next time.