Frederick

Too bad Sunderland moved so swiftly, for the great (but actually inarguably rubbish) Neil Warnock is now available. Incoherent Di Canio style verbal sparring for half the price.

Hells bells, its Di Canio. Someone get Michael a strong drink.

Its hard to argue that O'Neill was doing a particularly decent job at Sunderland but I don't necessarily regard this as a wise move. The timing seems very cynical and as I've said before their run in post-Chelsea looks pretty decent. That Newcastle game just keeps getting bigger.

With the exception of Benteke's header that was blocked (by Gerrard, clearly well rested having slept through the entire second half in Montenegro) we were absolutely hopeless in the second half today. Baker must be the clumsiest sod since at least, erm, Richard Dunne.

At least England were so rubbish last night that Joe Hart didn't have time to INVENT problems, unlike another incredibly arrogant, utterly obnoxious shouty keeper. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSBMCDVR88U

Watched USA's defeat to Honduras a while back and thought they were well beaten. Presumably Guzan will play as Howard is injured? Please nobody injure him!

Remembering how unmotivated Owen looked shuffling around the pitch (okay, fine, six yard area) against Villa in the game that relegated Newcastle four years ago says a lot to me about the man. Guess he has more time for blogging and Twitter 'banter' with Piers Moron now.

I think the derby game against Newcastle and its outcome may come to define Sunderland's season (though when does it not? Heh). A win there and you've got your tails up heading into three home games,out of the next four, two of which seem very winnable, plus of course a trip to Villa. But I agree, from what I saw of yesterday they looked shockingly rudderless despite being 10 vs. 11.

A 1-0 lead, nearly six minutes of stoppage time and the unwavering love and support of Fleet Street and yet poor ol' Harold Redknapp still came up a loser. Fantastic second half performance today, ran around like manic street preachers, particularly Weimann who's really grown into a man these past few months. Typical to type the minute you want a favour from Liverpool they promptly go rubbish again. Is it 2nd, 4th, 5th or 8th they're going for this season, I can never remember.

Completely agree with this. But hey, had a cheeky couple of quid on Inter to be 3-0 up after 90 minutes when Ray Winstone popped up at half-time offering 14-1, which I thought was more than generous. Good job too because I almost went with Inter to win the tie overall at 12-1. Gambling is of course inherently evil and nobody should do it. Except me. If I win.

Europa League quarter-final draw Chelsea v Rubin Kazan Tottenham Hotspur v FC Basel Fenerbahce v Lazio Benfica v Newcastle United

While I respect Malaga and the manner in which they've advanced through the competition, you'd have to say its the optimum draw for us.

Champions League quarter-final draw Malaga v Borussia Dortmund Real Madrid v Galatasaray Paris St-Germain v Barcelona Bayern Munich v Juventus

I wonder what happens at Sunderland in the summer if they stay up. For what its worth, I suspect they will, possibly due to others being more incompetent more than anything else. Would they give O'Neill a boat load of cash? Would O'Neill walk away if they didn't? Do they go for someone else? Sell the pampered underachievers for a loss?

Defeat to Schalke is rarely a secondary matter but today it is (still incredibly annoyed, mind). Thank goodness for that. Had to win, HAD TO WIN. When Baker spoons one into his own goal like that you weigh up the options, planning the midweek journey to Barnsley for August or reaching for the Samaritans hotline. Must beat Wheeler Dealer next week, please God let it happen.

The only injustice going on last night was Ferguson's unwillingness to come out and give the 98% of humanity that despises him a few guffaws through his timeless brand of belligerent grandad post-match interview schtick.

Schalke shouldn't be in the competition, let alone Drogba.

Fret not poor Arsenal, for ye has a date with the Villa on Saturday!

I love the cup competitions, rather than serve as a distraction or a chore I have always found them a welcome relief from the weekly grind of the league, particularly in the more harrowing seasons such as this (and yes, in spite of the fact that we couldn't handle BRADFORD over two cotton pickin' semi-final legs). Michael nails it, 12th, 15th, I get that there's prize money differences but ultimately I could care less, you think my grandchildren will be told tales of how we finished 11th in the 1993/94 season over how we beat the champions in the League Cup final? Not a chance. Watching a game at 5.30 on ITV4 on a Thursday night would be a privilege to sit through if it meant Villa were back in Europe, heck, coming back to beat Stromgodset 3-2 fifteen years ago still gets my heart racing!

Credit to Hummels for making amends having royally ballsed up for the second Shakhtar goal. Was a really good game, won't take anything for granted but it was a pleasing night, particularly in light of the Hamburg incident.

Can you get Zlatan's book in English in non-Kindle form? Been dying to read it for a while now.