Hail great performances here!

[Dhav]

Completely agree with the sentiment of this thread, his superb goal aside, Agger was immense last night and much improved up against Drogba compared to last week. I was reading a broadsheet article about him in the run-up to yesterday that Agger was really up for the second leg because of the way Drogba was diving around etc at Stamford Bridge, and I think it showed last night.

I think a worthy mention for his goal is in order. I dont think I've ever seen a centre-back skilfully connect to a ball in the box with his feet like that and direct it in. Amazing. More than made up letting Drogba in last week for their goal.

[theriotact]

Had a neutral fan (Boro!) going on about how it wasn't a great match to watch, bad advert for the english game blah blah blah.

No-one forced them to watch it, if they dont like it, they can shove it!

WE dont care about the status of the Premiership in the world, what neutral fans think of us or English clubs doing well in Europe.

Tell him that maybe we should let boro be the standard bearers for the premiership, we'll stand back for a few seasons and they can show the world how its all done. Poor boro fans, they all wish they supported sunderland or newcastle.

[Shaggy]

He's not better than Brucie, yet.

No but he's getting there. With him being so young, I'm sure he'll prove better than Brucie.

we had the pleasure of watching the 1986 cup final against everton on the bus yesterday.

bruce did exactly the same occasional errors as pepe, very similar players

I've said for ages how much like Brucie he is. Makes similar mistakes but doesn't give a **** and keeps coming and keeps coming.

but if a keeper in the schmeichel/shilton/southall category comes up we should nab him

still big up to the lad for this tie

I know you're a bit of a Reina-sceptic, but no way should we be looking to replace him.

For me he's a cross between Grobbelaar and Schmeichel. He's so commanding.

[Rocket]

But Pepe is a sex god and Brucie wasn't

your too old to say things like that

[Guest]

Still, sour grapes for those of you who doubted him at the start of the season.

[cobain]

I wonder will sky now roll out their virtual replay ****e to prove it was lucky

That moment was THE END for the Chavs!

Although I'm not quite sure if it was over the line We'll probably have to watch a build-up on Sky Sports for tonights game to see Andy Gray's analisys of the goal

Lucky my arse! It wasn't a goal anyways! That assistant referee is blind as fcuk! The better team lost! And only Chelsea wanted to score a goal and win!

[Dhav]

That moment was THE END for the Chavs!

Although I'm not quite sure if it was over the line We'll probably have to watch a build-up on Sky Sports for tonights game to see Andy Gray's analisys of the goal

Lucky my arse! It wasn't a goal anyways! That assistant referee is blind as fcuk! The better team lost!

Can you believe ITV were suggesting there was a foul by Kuyt in the box pushing one of their players when Gerrard played that ball in? It was a nothing incident.

Expect Gray to follow this line of argument tonight :whatever:

[cobain]

Still, sour grapes for those of you who doubted him at the start of the season.

The hell with grapes, we're on ale!

[anfieldanfield]

It's soooo nice to have a center back who can bring the ball out, play football and score the odd goal.

That's four for the season I think ?

[Guest]

The hell with grapes, we're on ale!

[cobain]

Can you believe ITV were suggesting there was a foul by Kuyt in the box pushing one of their players when Gerrard played that ball in? It was a nothing incident.

Expect Gray to follow this line of argument tonight :whatever:

Yeah, I couldn't believe it either mate. They just want to see Mourinho angry so that the papers can be full. He was smart though and didn't want to comment the "incident" (which it sooooo wasn't)

Expect Gray to follow this line of argument tonight :whatever:

Can hear it now - his annoying voice, bashing the referees and questioning the goal...

[enema of the state]

I know you're a bit of a Reina-sceptic, but no way should we be looking to replace him.

For me he's a cross between Grobbelaar and Schmeichel. He's so commanding.

not a sceptic as such

hes a really good keeper and I probably wouldnt swap him for any other keeper in the world - although I think cech is a superior keeper in open play its not by much likewise casillas of madrid and the portugal keeper ricardo who i rate

i think pepe is better than van der sar or lehman by some way

point is that there is an echelon of really top keeper who come round every 10 years or so. these boys win you more games and points than ANYONE - ie any individual outfielder. the 3 names i suggested fall into that rare group

i thought cech - before his neurosurgery was headed for that category.

if someone that good turns up, we should move heaven and earth to sign him - maybe pepe could reach that level himself. i hope so

[zimbo]

As someone who watched Grobbelaar week-in week-out for a good 7 years (and who played in goal for over 20 years!) I'd have Reina any day. More reliable on the whole, better anticipation and concentration, and better distribution.

In the main, Reina's errors are fewer and less costly. You could guarantee that Brucie would make at least one major balls-up in just about every game he played and he was often bailed out by the calibre of the defenders in front of him. I've often thought we were successful in the '80's in spite of Grobbelaar rather than because of him - great athleticism, great agility, chronic decision-making.

Reina's come back well after his early season slump and is now one of our most important players. There's room for improvement - the very best keepers have an aura or a presence that can intimidate the opposition - but give him a couple of years and he could develop into the best in the world.

[Diego]

not a sceptic as such

hes a really good keeper and I probably wouldnt swap him for any other keeper in the world - although I think cech is a superior keeper in open play its not by much likewise casillas of madrid and the portugal keeper ricardo who i rate

i think pepe is better than van der sar or lehman by some way

point is that there is an echelon of really top keeper who come round every 10 years or so. these boys win you more games and points than ANYONE - ie any individual outfielder. the 3 names i suggested fall into that rare group

i thought cech - before his neurosurgery was headed for that category.

if someone that good turns up, we should move heaven and earth to sign him - maybe pepe could reach that level himself. i hope so

i think pepe is already in that group, for a few reasons, but the main reason is that when he plays he gets fewer shots on goal, it's not just about the confidence he gives the defence, but he just doesn't let you head the ball from crosses. he plays high up the pitch as a sweeper allowing the defence to play better offside traps (witch we are best in the league at imo). his distribution is the best in the world, so quick in getting the ball in play and finding the right players to create more danger. and then he can also have nothing to do for 89 minutes, but still managed the wonder save. he has earned us some major points this season...

[jonesie]

I have a man crush on Pepe Reina. Is it wrong? It feels so right...