ZUCO2 - Do you agree with me that the title race in the Serie A is officially open?

Bobby – Serie A is like Liga this season – it seems that every time the leader has built a substantial lead they seem to find away to drop points and to cast new doubts on the eventual winner ……again.

Inter will finish with way less points than last season (97 points) as they have already dropped 22 points while Roma are heading for a big improvement (last season 75 points and they already have 64 points with 8 games left). They look like they are both heading for a points total in the mid-80s.

Flashman - Nice of you, Bobby, to acknowledge Colin Jose. He is just a great, great guy. I got to knock around with him a bit years ago. An amazing knowledge of the game, not just the Canadian side of it.

Bobby – Mr. Jose was kind enough to contact me a couple of years ago. It was a real thrill for me because I remember when he wrote for World Soccer years ago when I was growing up and the magazine seemed very exotic. These were the days when the world was a much bigger place and World Soccer was the only reliable source of information from around the globe.

MasMaz – And even though Masch did nothing that I can see to deserve to be sent off, where was captain fantastic? Shouldn't he be there telling him to shut-up and pull him away, by force………..

I am deeply disappointed in Bobby's response to this issue. I expected low brow commentary from the clowns on FFF, but Bobby, say it aint so. Masch's behavior is only relevant if the standard response to it is to be sent off. At this time it is not, and Liverpool at Old Crapford in March is not the time to create the standard.

A journalist's job is to be critical when necessary. Bennett made a decision that taints a season. Another foreigner was singled out and made an example of, while worse English offenders are let off.

Steve Nicol put it best on FFF. Bennett didn't even warn him. Sure his behavior was erratic and insupportable, but he should have pulled Gerrard aside and said keep him quiet or he is out.

I agree that this type of behavior needs to stop. That is the beauty of this injustice from the corrupt FA. They can point to Macherano and say he is to blame, that no one but he is at fault. BS. Another year handed to United.

You don't make these type of statements in the final stretch of the season. This was selective enforcement and a travesty. Who will say that an Englishman would have seen red? I have seen Terry, Gerrard, ACole, Barton, Bowyer etc, do worse for years.

Bobby – This is a bouncing ball.

“Even though Masch did nothing that I can see to deserve to be sent off,” – “where was captain fantastic? Shouldn't he be there telling him to shut-up and pull him away, by force,” – “Bennett didn't even warn him” - “sure his behavior was erratic and insupportable, he should have pulled Gerrard aside and said keep him quiet or he is out,”- “I agree that this type of behavior needs to stop.”

So we have a player Mascherano that did nothing but was sent off even though his captain should have told him to shut up and pull him away …if he was doing nothing why would Gerrard have to tell him to shut up and pull him away?

Bennett didn’t warn him? What’s a yellow card an indication of? Most sane people realize that it is a clear indication that you are one indiscretion away from being sent off.

But of course Mascherano was doing nothing according to you. But then we find out that Mascherano’s “behavior was erratic and insupportable” – that's all very well except you spent the rest of your post claiming he was hard done by.

And to cap it all off you agree that “this type of behavior needs to stop” – would that be the bad behavior or the not doing anything behavior?

Arsewatcher - Cool Canadian Soccer History site, Bobby. I liked the hockey connection part. I remember playing against Peter Zezel in U-16....dude was a great centre-back.

Bobby – There have been a number of very good hockey players that played were also decent soccer players.

Bonmot - Might you have some information on how Nate Jaqua and Joseph Ngwenya are doing in Austria?

Bobby – From this account it seems that Nate Jaqua has made a good start in Austria. If you are looking to stay current on his progress then the Yanks Abroad website is excellent. The last piece I read on  Joseph Ngwenya was that he has been having trouble settling down and there is speculation that he may return to MLS.


Sleeper000 - Croatia are to play Scotland on Wednesday. This is Scotland's first international match with a new coach. However, the stadium will probably be half full. Do you think this is due to lack of interest in international friendlies or perhaps that Scotland are not playing a more popular opponent like France or Germany? I for one never take friendlies seriously, other than taking a look at some talented up and coming players. What is your take on the fixture?

Bobby – I’m surprised that they have sold half the tickets. There is so much soccer at this time of year that I don’t think friendly internationals mean enough to really catch many people’s interest. If it was England it might be different but I don’t think the opposition is really the issue. I’m sure it will be a useful exercise for George Burley but that is about it.

TNGooner - I'm convinced Arsenal's slump has to do with Adebayor's hair. Since he took the braids out and went for the mini-afro, he's only scored once and Arsenal has only won once (against Milan)...Ade needs to bring the braids back and get the Gunners back on track!

Bobby – I have a similar theory but it relates to players who decide to go blonde. I cannot think of a player who has played better after having a run-in with a bottle of peroxide. The Romanians started it when they all went blonde at the 1998 World Cup and it did not do them any good.

Thewobegonboy - I subscribe to FSC, Setanta, and that other footy channel that broadcasts La Liga. Are there any other options for watching European soccer in North America? I know you don't control FSC programming, but you often talk about watching games that weren't broadcast to the masses and I was wondering what mechanism allowed you to view those fixtures. Satellite? Online streaming? Secret handshake with the cable guy?

Bobby – It probably has more to do with what is available in Canada rather than anything untoward. We sometimes get different games from the ones offered in the USA and we also get games on stations called the Score, TLN and TV5. During MLS season there is also HDNet, TFC games on multiple Canadian broadcasters and depending on where you reside you may be lucky enough to get additional MLS games – in Winnipeg I watch the NER on a station out of Boston.


Vang60 - As a part time viewer of the Premier League, I think that the sending off of Mascherano was ABSOLUTELY influenced by Sir Alex BLEEP SON and MANURE since the referees in the league have NEVER had a spine against MANURE ARSENAL OR CHELSEA players dissent in the past and find it easy to implement any new policy against Liverpool. Disgraceful. The Premier League has just lost me as a fan. BLEEP YOU ALL.

Bobby – Lost another half a BLEEP fan.


Gregz - Can Arsenal's poor run of form be attributed to a lack of steel in defence? The first choice back line are individually very good defenders, however, especially in central defence we really lack height and strength. We really miss a player like Sol Campbell don't we? Also, how much is Arsene's insistence to not add to his squad harming Arsenal choices of winning trophies?

Bobby – You nailed it and it isn't just lately. I think it is a case that lately it has cost them points. Tony Adams was the rock for so many years and then it was Sol Campbell. I think it is why Wenger perseveres with Senderos. Overall he is a poorer defender than Gallas or Toure he is better in the air. I just don’t think you can win the Premiership without a centre half that is dominant in the air.

Regarding Wenger’s reluctance to add to his squad there is another angle to it I think. Because Arsenal is slumping the knee-jerk reaction is he should have signed players with the automatic implication that such signings would have meant a guarantee of silverware. There are more than enough examples of god team signing players and they have had the opposite effect. It’s interesting that there are a number of Arsenal fans criticizing Wenger but are quick to point out the bad signing other teams have made. Signing players does not come with a guarantee of success.

MasMaz - You pointed out that Drogba and Anelka were offside... and then you said so what. What is going on over there? Red Devil mania is sweeping through Canada like the plague.
Can you imagine the outcry if Man Utd lost a game on a call like that?

Bobby – Drogba was marginally offside coming back from a ball that was knocked forward 40 yards and was still well outside the penalty area. The Arsenal central defenders didn’t win the ball and then they didn’t clear it.

If you prefer to focus on a marginal offside call rather than accepting that Arsenal lost because they were unable to defend against the most basic of attacks – a thump up the park and down the middle – then good for you. Others might think you are missing the point.

DVXPrime - Here's an interesting question about the surnames (not the "nicknames or mascots) of the UK-based teams. Poring through FourFourTwo magazine's annual preview issue, I found four common surnames: Rovers (Blackburn, Bristol), Wanderers (Bolton, Wolverhampton), Albion (West Bromwich, Brighton and Hove), and of course, United (Manchester...need i say more?). Oh, and Rangers (Queens Park, Glasgow). By any chance can you provide some insight or history on why some teams chose those surnames? Thanks.

Bobby – I think some others have done a pretty good job of answering this one. Names are a bit like uniforms ..easily copied.

Ursusarctos - Verbal's comments were not phrased as a question, but accounting for some rhetorical excess-- which I also indulged in in my previous reply to RINGO-- the two paragraphs sum up my views fairly well also. How would you characterize these views-- is there some justice in LFC feeling hard done by (even accepting the stupidity of Masch's actions) in light of ALL the circumstances verbal mentions? The Masch episode appears inconsistent with precedent (Terry et al) -- do you agree or not, and should precedent even matter?

Bobby – Mascherano was not sent off for dissent he was given a second yellow card for dissent which meant he was off. A more accurate description might have been a second yellow card for crass stupidity.

Do you not think it was obvious after the Cole incident on Wednesday that there were going to be ramifications is there was to be close to a repeat of the incident? Anyone who watches the Premiership on even a semi-regular basis knows what Bennett is like. Players know the officials they can intimidate and the ones that are card happy.

What came over Mascherano goodness only knows. You talk precedent and others who may have got away with it but timing is everything and Mascherano's decision to chirp and get involved in something that had nothing to do with him cost his team a chance at a comeback.

Neophyte - As far as Mascherano goes, he was the only one who had any passion for LFC. Too bad he went out of his way to get that red. You can put any excuse you want on it but it was aggressive, excessive and plain stupid. It wasn't why they lost. They simply didn't match United's tenacity (foul for foul) or desire. They looked flat...then gave into blaming the official.

Bobby – That wasn’t passion that was stupidity. Passion is not running around chirping at a referee and leaving your team with only ten men. Passion is about applying yourself to winning the game. What Mascherano did was the opposite.

Chad876 - I think refs treat ManU players differently than they do other teams if you think its a lie how many penalties have been awarded to United and each time Ronaldo is touch the refs blow.

Bobby – If you are going to make a statement like that you need to back it up. And from the stats I’ve read you are way off the mark. So Chad let’s have your facts?

Henry 14 - 1.what do you feel about Senderos because l thought Drogba apart from goal did not do much to trouble the defense. Do you think the criticism handed to a 21 year old against a 28 year old is justified?

2.l have seen Chelsea and everyone’s seems to be waiting for them to fire on all cylinders and produce a performance that merits the stars in their team. Do you think Chelsea have reached their peak expected of them or they have but Man Utd. have just been too good for the champions to live with them?

3. What do you make of Abou Diaby?

4. Have you seen a better piece of magic or dribble than Ronaldhino did against Bilbao?

Bobby – 1. Senderos is an experienced international even though he is 21. Drogba’s primary job is to score goals and if he achieves that without “troubling the defense” then more power to him. Drogba has definetly got into Senderos' head.
2. I think Chelsea has an extra gear that they have still to use.
3. He looked good last year until he was injured against Sunderland.
4. Yes – Ronaldinho didn’t score. Here are a few of my favourites courtesy of youtube. There was also a Ronaldo goal when he was with Barcelona but I could not track I down.
 
Eddie Gray in 1970 scoring for Leeds United versus Burnley.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic against NAC 2006.

George Best scores against Sheffield United (not Wednesday as it says) in 1971. He scored goals like this more than once.

Another Best special – this one against Fort Lauderdale in the NASL.

Gongatore - .How do you see the Barca-Liverpool return leg? Who does Barca start?
Tactically, what can they do to negate a fired up Scouser side at home?

Henry14 - As l sat to see the Barcelona match and saw Eto'o play more like his old self, l felt that, Barca at their best are the best on the planet, what approach do you think Liverpool will take because they are expected to attack at the same time Barca will have to attack?

Gunner44 - Do you think now that Eto’o is back Barca will be able to overcome Liverpool at home?

Bobby – Barcelona has to win by two goals or by a score of 3-2 or higher so they have to attack. Benitez will be happy to sit back and hit on the counter – there seems to be no reason to attack. The longer it goes on without a goal then obviously the better it is for Liverpool. If Liverpool scores a goal Barcelona still needs to score two to stay alive.

Wja425 - Javier Mascherano already has more playing time at Liverpool than he had at West Ham after September. And by all accounts, he performed well on Saturday. Is that a commentary on Pardew and Curbishley as managers that they couldn't fit him into their systems (there was an article suggesting that recently), or that Mascherano fits Benitez's style much better? It doesn't make a lot of sense that a player can not make the squad for one of the worst teams in the EPL but can play a critical role for one of the best teams.

Bobby – I think Benitez knows how to fit Mascherano into his team and I still think that he will come good and will turn out to be a great acquisition for Liverpool. In terms o####ood player not being able to hold down a place in a poor team I’m not sure it is as simple as that. It can be a case of the type and style of players you are playing with as well. After all do you think it is easier playing with good players or bad players?

Buffytvs - Ronaldo has been a huge part of the team's success this year -- do you think he will move on at the end of the year, as the rumour mill suggests?

Bobby – I cannot see Ronaldo moving from Old Trafford anytime soon. I think it is all part of the better-contract dance.

Gunner44 - Who do you think will win EPL player of the year Drogba or Ronaldo? Or will it come down to who wins the Title? And in your own opinion who has been more valuable to his team?

And do you think Cesc should be EPL Young POY coz in I think the boy deserves it considering how consistently he has performed all year been only 19?

What do you think Henry's Problem is confidence, new players around him, starting to lose his touch or just lost in his own little world? And should Wenger Bench him especially if RVP returns?

Bobby – I would pick Drogba at the moment as the player of the year because he carried Chelsea through a large part of the season. Fabregas is a shoe-in for the young player of the year. I don’t think Wenger will bench Henry. As for his problems – missing Robert Pires perhaps. Rosicky has had a good first season but Wenger is playing him in a position that he rarely if ever played while with Borussia Dortmund. Pires and Henry had a telepathic understanding – it is not the same with Rosicky.

Foxcube - I feel that Arsenal had no choice but to go with youth development, the Ajax way, whereas Chelsea remains absent-minded with huge money in the pocket. What about Man Utd in the 80s and 90s? Were they considerably richer than other clubs? How did they cultivate their own reserves? And why isn't AC Milan's system producing any great players?

Bobby – United may have been richer than other clubs but the youth squad they produced in the early 90’s was probably as good as any with the exception of the Busby Babes. United have always produced players through the youth system but few are up to SAF’s standards. (Colin Shindler’ s book George Best and 21 others is a great read, as well as Jeff Connor’s The Lost Babes). The lower leagues are littered with players who have not made it at Old Trafford.

Good question about AC Milan. They have always been regarded as a buying club rather than a club that develops players. The two that I think did come through the ranks and were world class players were Gianni Rivera and Paolo Maldini.

LosAngelesChelseaFan - Do you think the article on the Porto meeting between Abramovich and the fans in the Sun has credibility or is just their normal way of creating sensation?

Bobby – A way to create a stir.

Henry 14 - Do you know where Glen Little was and why he is at Reading when he has so much talent?

Bobby – I believe he spent a bit of time at Burnley and may have been at Crystal Palace at the start of his career when Steve Coppell was in charge. You don’t find too many tall rangy type wingers around anymore. He reminds me a bit of Chris Waddle, Ted McMinn (Rangers and Derby in the 80’s) and Tommy Hutchinson of Manchester City and Coventry in the 70’s and early 80’s.

Old Coach - What current managers do you consider to be the best talent evaluators?

Bobby - I think most of us would go for the usual suspects in England - SAF, Arsene Wenger - particularly Wenger. Sam Allardyce would have to be part of that group as well - even though many don't find Bolton's style entertaining.

However, I think the managers who really have to work their socks of to make sure that they leave no stone unturned are the Championship managers. George Burley has a great track record of team building at the lower level and Billy Davies at Derby is another one. Roy Keane has done a great job so far of moving players in and out and now has Sunderland in a position to challenge for an automatic promotion spot.

I think you also have to dig a bit deeper as well and look at the clubs that have developed a system that continually attracts good young players. I'm thinking of a club like Sevilla who have lost some very good players but they seem to find a way to replace them. Werder Bremen would be a good example of the same thing in Germany.  Auxerre did it for years when Guy Roux was in charge.

henry14 - l am so shocked by how Tottenham are doing and the way they brought in players in the summer l thought they were going to somewhere close to challenging the top five but they seem to be a shadow of their former self. The way l see it is that the summer of last season, they bought good players in Lee and Stalteri who were quite effective and efficient to their season, this time around l think they bought for the fun of things. They lost a creative deep lying midfielder and l am shocked that they went on to add an extra striker, to have four strikers which l thought was unnecessary , at least they should have sold one, l am still shocked to why Jol bought Asseu Okkoto and Chimbonda when he had Lee and Stalteri, Full backs who do not help in winning a lot, when they could have gone looking for a central midfielder with some vision, l think the team from last year has been altered in a number of positions and l find it difficult to see them anywhere close to fifth, because l can not see them beating ordinary teams as they used to do. I have a feeling that like as you said time and time again on the big show that a lot of teams that reach that 5th place tend to get ahead of themselves and somehow fall. What so you think. I knew that Michelle was a Chelsea fan, Jeremy is a Manchester United fan. l wanted to know which teams do Mitch, Carlos and you support respectively.

bigdavedisaster - It’s not so early anymore and Spurs seem to be absolutely lost when it comes to finishing scoring chances and I believe the culmination of this was seen after the Jenas miss against Liverpool. You could feel the air come out of the entire side. What I first thought was simply pressing to hard to be in contention for that "top five" spot is not so slowly turning into a crisis of confidence. Do you think Jol needs to simply find a starting side and stick with it and hope that the goals come? And where has Keane been? He was a terror last year and a shadow this?

Bobby – Clearly Tottenham is not enjoying a great start to this season.  The problem is that Jol does not have one problem but a number of them. The fact that Ledley King missed the first few games has not helped either. I do not think that signing two new full backs has been the cause – that should only have added some depth to the squad.

I think you have to look at the midfield as the source of the main problem. Carrick has not been replaced although someone such as Danny Murphy should have been able to pick up the slack. Didier Zokora will come good if he is given a bit of time to settle in. The wide positions in midfield are where Spurs have been caught short. Despite having a herd of midfield players most of them are most comfortable in central positions. Aaron Lennon’s injury has been a major blow and has meant that Spurs have lost that one player who offered them something different. On the other side of the field Spurs have the same problem as last year – no left sided midfield player. That is why Jol wanted to sign Boro’s Stewart Downing. The opposition knows that Spurs pose no consistent threat from wide positions.

As for having four forwards, I do not think you can criticize Jol for that given that all the top teams now carry four strikers. Jol will have anticipated more games than last season – remember Spurs only played 40 games last season – and needed to sign someone like Berbatov. The fact that the Bulgarian is out injured just reinforces why Spurs need four strikers. As for Robbie Keane, there is not the same spark as last season and he does not seem to getting on the ball like he did last season. Spurs will improve but it will not be a dramatic improvement - by the end of the season I expect them to be in an upper-mid-table position.

Carlos supports Braga in Portugal, for me it is Dundee and I do not know about Mitch.

djnima - My question for you has to do with Arsenal's back four. With Gallas an obvious starter and Toure in such great form, who do you think will be arsenal's starting center backs once Senderos is fit? Do you think Gallas will again resign himself to playing LB so that both Senderos and Toure can be accommodated? Also, I am thinking about picking up Rosicky for my fantasy team. Now that arsenal has an easier schedule and need points to catch up to the front pack, do you think he is a good investment? Oh and I know I asked you this earlier in the season, but who do you have in your fantasy line up right now? Thanks for all the time you put into the blog!

Bobby – In order for Arsenal to challenge for the Champions League Gallas has to be in the centre of the defense. Clichy will come back into the team at left back. Djouro and Senderos - when he returns - will get their chance but if you want a first choice back four then it will be Eboue, Toure, Gallas, Clichy. Rosicky is improving every game and I think he is a good investment – if you have the fantasy money. My team has chopped and changed a lot and I liberally move players in and out. Going into this weekend the team is; James; Mellberg, Terry, Campbell, Djourou; Gerrard, Cahill, Arteta, Barry: Johnson, Rooney.

My boys are taking it one game at a time; they are playing against great players; we are not thinking of Europe etc etc.

AlexMorph - About Ronaldo: I certainly think that he should figure back into the Real Madrid side. Cassano has been less than inspiring so far, and I suspect it's only because of his previous relationship with Capello that he gets in the side over Robinho. That aside, do you think that Capello might finally make a stand against Raul and the Madrid faithful? It seemed that against Lyon he was playing as an attacking midfielder to scarcely any effect. Would Guti, who is inconsistent but shows the occasional moment of brilliance, not be better with Ronaldo/RVN playing in front of him?

the beautiful game – Well finally Capello has decided to drop Raul and Beckham, and you could see the huge improvement in the teams performance while they were not on the pitch, but in the 2nd half has soon has the came on the team looked like the Madrid that was their in the 3 previous league games and the CL game against Lyon. do you think Capello will stick to his guns and keep them both on the bench are will he bow to the breaighu pressure and keep playing them both more so Raul.

I as a Barca fan could love him to keep playing them as that would equal Madrid not being much of a threat to us this season because with them both in the team I must say the team looks ordinary.

Usaenglandfan - This Real talk has me thinking. Bobby, you must be asked this now and again, but what on earth has happened to Raul?? I started getting into football around the '02 WC, and from what I understood, Raul was considered one of the deadliest strikers on earth at 26. I've only really seen him in highlight videos, but WOW. What a composed, elegant finisher. And now this? Was it the dawn of the Galacticos era that killed his form? Will it ever come back? The guy's only 29 for gods sake. I'm missing something here...

Bobby – It looks as if Capello is going to stick with Raul despite the fact that he has played poorly for the last two seasons. Capello is a man with very definite views and he will stick by the players he believes in – it looks as if Raul is one that he believes in. Two goals on Tuesday will not have hurt his cause. On the broader question of what has gone wrong it might be ####imple as losing a step due to injury.

neophyte - I would love to see Ruud and Ronaldo together. That is one of those combinations that you only dream about but never see in real life. Crespo is amazing. He scores goals no matter the league, venue or tournament. I would have liked to have seen him back at Milan teamed up with Kaka again. Did you see him in their last match attacking form the keepers right and just leave the defender looking for his shoes after he had just been "Crespo'd"? Amazing!

Did Reading "win" the game against Man U. or did they just survive. I don't recall any real scoring chances they produced while Man U. was all over them. What are your views on this one? (I hope Reading stays up for a while. They are exciting and counter better than most tenured Prem. clubs).

Bobby – Crespo is criticized by many for the number of times he is caught offside but it is the fact that he pushes right up on the last defender that makes him so dangerous. He may not be the quickest striker but he is brilliant at pinching a half a yard on a defender and his movement across the line is outstanding. He has averaged about a goal every two games, which puts him in the top echelon of world strikers.

While United may have dominated most of the game Reading pushed players forward when they got the chance. I remember a great chance that Kevin Doyle had in the first half but van der Sar stoned him so it was not all one-way traffic. I am taking Reading to stay up because they will score a lot of goals.

SL Red - Wouldn't you agree that Wenger's greatest dominance has been in the contemporary big money transfer game? He has made money on the inconsistent (Anelka), bought stars at a cut rate (Henry), and even taken stars away from local rivals on a free (Campbell). To win championships while keeping the transfer kiddy in plus territory is amazing.

I think someone has been telling me that Crouch will end up a squad player. Looks like its happening with the arrival of Kuyt. Not that I'm complaining.

Question - Now a month in who looks like the best signing of the season?

Bobby – Wenger’s wheeling and dealing in the transfer market is one of his strengths and a major bonus for Arsenal. He picked up Anelka as an unknown from PSG – before he became inconsistent! – and sucked Real Madrid in for a mega-transfer fee. I think it is fair to say that no manager since has got the same production out of the Incredible Sulk. I do not think Wenger has ever received due credit for the emergence of Thierry Henry. At the ’98 World Cup, for Monaco (post Wenger) and at Juventus, Henry was a speedy but limited midfield player. Wenger was willing to pay a lot of money (around $18m?) for a player that no other team was showing an interest in. Henry was no instant hit at Highbury either, as Wenger went about converting Henry back to the central striker he had been as a youngster at Monaco when Wenger was in charge. Wenger has also been aggressive in going after younger players –much to the displeasure of continental teams in Holland, France and Spain.

On the downside, he has also had a couple of failures – Francis Jeffers and Richard Wright come instantly to mind.   However, I am not sure that Wenger has operated on the plus side over his ten years in charge at Arsenal. Certainly he has spent less than Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool but I not sure he has recouped it all. 

Best new signing – I would have to say Andy Johnson,  David James or Sol Campbell so far.

MeanSucka - I wonder if Becks relationship with Capello will accelerate his "big fish in a small pond" move to the MLS. I mean, it probably won't be the same as the Pele/Beckenbauer Cosmos, but I'm sure the Becks/Donovan Galaxy will draw some fans, no? Ronaldo would be the king of NY too, but I can see him going back to Italy.

Bobby – I said on the FSWR over two years ago – as Michelle and Jeremy sniggered – that Beckham would finish his career in MLS. Two years on it now seems almost inevitable.

gregz- How do you think Riquelme's retirement will affect Argentina's chances of winning next year's Copa America and even at WC 2010. I know they have good players but they need a man in the middle of the park to hold the team together. The only player that can fill Riquelme's shoes is Aimar and he strikes me as a person that can handle pressure from the demanding Argentine public. I fear he will retire as to evade the pressure of being the main playmaker, but I hope he will use the opportunity to stamp his class on the world stage finally after a somewhat disappointing WC 2002. Finally, who do you think is the better player Aimar or Riquelme?

Bobby –Over the years Argentina has opted for a playmaker around whom everything is built. Maradona, Veron, Ortega, Ardiles, and Sivori have occupied that role or one similar. Riquelme has been the undisputed central figure since his resurrection at Villarreal but that has not stopped him being a controversial selection with some Argentine fans.

Peckerman was obviously a Riquelme fan but I wonder if Basille is of the same persuasion. It might be a case that Riquelme has called time on his international career before it has been called on him. As for Aimar, he seems to be a player whose career has stuttered as recurring injury problems have been an ongoing blight. In comparing the two, I think Riquelme is the superior player with a greater passing range and he is much more robust. 

Quest5227 - What is with Manchester United? They may be winning, but they are playing UGLY football. It is boring and predictable, and only occasionally, do they play intricate, intuitive passing plays. The midfieled don't run forward with the ball, the Center backs stay back, and there is way too much back passing. Take the example of the match against Benfica. They won, but they were not in control of the game. They were timid, boring and tentative. (except for Ronaldo)
Is it time for new leadership at United? New tactics? Or is it the lack of creativity in midfield? O'Shea and Fletcher should be "last 10 minute" players IMHO, not starting for United. The lackluster transfer window activity has much to do with this. What do United do now? Any thoughts?

Bobby – I thought that Manchester United played the consummate away game in Europe – happy with a point and nicked three. It wasn’t pretty but it was effective and Benfica created few chances although they had much of the play until Saha scored.

bmax14 -  Anybody see Sepp Blatter's (FIFA president)comments regarding removal of the shoot-out for WC final? He suggested a replay or gradual reduction of players with a Golden Goal, all interesting suggestions. I don't really like the replay idea as you have to wait another day to see a champion and the reduction of players seems kind of silly. I'm certainly not against PK's but I must admit it's a terrible way to lose a game, especially if you've played well enough to win. However, it's tough to match the excitement of the Pk so seeing it gone from a final would be a bit disappointing. If it was my vote, I'd either keep the current format or provide more overtime with the Golden goal coming into effect immediately (like hockey playoff OT). Allow 3 more substitutions once OT starts if need be but avoid any replay idea or reduction of players.

LosAngelesChelseaFan - Yes. I'm deeply shocked to find myself in total agreement with Septic Bladder, who said: "When it comes to the World Cup final it is passion, and when it goes to extra time it is a drama. But when it comes to penalty kicks it is a tragedy. Football is a team sport and penalties is not a team, it is the individual. He said a replay or gradually deducting players in extra time would be a better solution. "

Now is it possible that this would have the side effect of generating an additional $50m of TV and attendance receipts or am I just being cynical? Nevertheless, I strongly agree with the suggestion. I hate shootouts that only seem inject fear of failure and negative play. For me this overshadowed the last few rounds of play and the final.

Bobby – Please, no one should hold their breathe waiting for another of Sepp’s “ideas” to be implemented. It is just another one of his “50 ideas before breakfast and 51 of them are bad” as a German journalist once described Sepp’s pronouncements. Twenty years from now we will still be debating an alternative to penalty kicks. Personally, I would love to see a return to the days of replays but it just will not happen unless we are magically transported back to the 1950’s when World Cup Finals were largely supported by domestic fans attending, sport TV was in its infancy, and the threat of hooliganism and more importantly terrorism were non-existent. In other words replays were possible in a simpler age but no more.
Games going on indefinitely is also an non-starter given the logistical challenges of transport, security and the inequity of a team potentially playing for three hours or more, winning and playing a team that had only played 90 minutes three or four days before. Lastly but certainly not least – TV would never go for it.

NYCDA - I know predictions made in September in the EPL amount to nothing, but based on what we've seen from Reading FC and their consistent ability to ward off the big-name clubs and come out with points, where do you see them ending when the dust settles in May? While Coca-Cola Championship medalists have suffered relegation in subsequent promotion seasons of past (i.e. last year's Sunderland and Norwich of two years past), could Europe be a realistic goal for this underrated Reading side?

Bobby – I picked them to finish 14th and I think I will stick with that placing. A place in Europe is too much to ask. Just look how long it took Bolton to get there. The only “instant” success in the last decade or so has been Ipswich and we know what happened to them the following year.