There does seem to be an element of overdoing it, two cracking performances, but he needs to do it for at least another 6 months. I guess what people are saying is that IF he can do it 3 or 4 times, then he has the talent. It then needs to be shown more often than he has shown in the past.

Indeed, Inter, Napoli, Real Madrid and Manure must all be wrong. I'm sure they'll bow to your superior knowledge and collectively slap their wrists.

Bale was hailed long before the two Inter games. Indeed, he systematically dismantled Citeh at WHL earlier this season, despite Citeh deploying THREE holding midfield players. And nor forgetting what he did last season.

I can go along with what the following says.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2010/11/03/2195696/gareth-bale-rafael-van-der-vaart-and-tottenham-now-have

I'd rather watch Italy vs NZ on the basis at least then I'd (probably) get to see an Ipswich player    Though admitedly I only discovered Tommy Smith had played in all NZ's games in SA after they had been knocked out

My house mate (who's a Man U fan, hence why I see most of their games on the box) supports whichever International side have the most current or former Man U players.  Unless its France.

I quite enjoyed a fair few games - mostly the ones involving teams that didn't play to established formulas and just did their own thing.

THe Italy-NZ game's been mentioned, with the insinuation that it was a crap game. I thought it was hugely enjoyable - a team of preening, long-haired ponces with an almost religious devotion to a set defensive formula, against a team of journeymen and part-timers who just gave it a go. That NZ held the I-ties to a draw, which realistically saw them knocked out, was blissful.

Yes, but which description applies to which team?

Going slightly O/T, I had a quick look at the latest FIFA world rankings and noticed that Wales are currently ranked just above Syria, yet below major footballing powerhouses such as Cape Verde Islands, Oman and Iraq. I reckon at this rate Wallis & Futuna would give the Welsh a run for their money.

I agree completely, but in that case it's the result that makes the game worth watching. From memory, which often fails me, the game itself was not good?

Young Rafael had Bale in his back pocket for most of the game last saturday... Bale was outshone by both Man U wingers Nani and the ever eager Park Ji Sung. Bale needs to produce top performances on a regular basis. Certainly not in the top 3 in the world, not the best player at Spurs....and not even the best left winger in the Premiership. Forget the 30 million figures that have been thrown about..he simply not worth that amount just yet. Maybe a cple of seasons under the guidance of SAF and we may see the best of Bale

***Delusional SAF hat on****: OK, how about a swap for Carrick and a bit of cash

We got what we deserved after taking it easy in the first half after Walcott's goal (which was a well taken goal). Arsenal came close on a few occasions to getting the equalizer, but it never came. Glad to see Eduardo doing well, just a shame it was at our expense.

Arsenal should go through though, although they've made it slightly more difficult for themselves.

A draw in Braga should do it, although that won't be easy, as they have improved from there disastrous start to the campaign by winning both matches against Partizan Belgrade.

Correct. If I was Arry I'd sell him at the first available opportunity whilst idiots still think he's worth 30mill

We don't have to though because we aren't debt-ridden, unlike like most of the usual suspects who will likely try to buy him.

P.S. The 'idiots' who think he's worth £30m would be doing good business. The Spanish waiter would bite 'Arry's hand off to get Bale for that.

A woeful period in the first half cost Arsenal, what the hell was Clichy at??? Wenger really has to tell his players to clear the ball in those positions rather than trying to be clever.

Taxi for Mancini.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9154974.stm

Probably moved ahead of Hodgson now in the  "Your Fired" stakes.

Rightly so in my opinion, the only thing we don't know is whether HE has gone out and bought all these players or if the club has done it for him. Either way it's been a really poor policy and although I normally say that you need to give managers at least 1 full year, I do feel with the depth of quality in the squad they really should be doing so much better.

Should do better???? not too sure, when you have players clearing off at HT to avoid the traffic and some internationals on 180k a week more than other Internationals, ability goes out of one window and egoes fly in through the other. It is a bit of a Circus

Reminds me of something I read in an interview today with Jermaine Jenas who said that when he was at Newcastle one unnamed player got the hump after finding out he was going to be a substitute and decided to change back out of his kit and bugger off home.

So, here I am, sitting out near Venice Beach, Los Angeles, and the choice is Rangers vs Manure, or - if you are prepared to pay extra - Spurs vs. Werder Bremen. Can't say I blame Fox Soccer Channel for showing Rangers vs. Manure, given there are loads of Scots in the States.

Watched a live stream of Spurs, with Rangers on TV in the background. Now anyone who knows anything about football will know that Rangers vs. Manure had 'turgid crap' written all over it - as proved to be the case. But hey, it's all about ratings.

I know its not CL but good old turnip taylor comentating on the Man City euro game on C5 and calls them Manchester Utd

He didn't even correct himself

So, Spurs top their group - when they were widely tipped to finish third - and achieve a CL record in the process. Can't say fairer than that. . I bow down to the incompetence of the Spanish Waiter.

Another not entirely convincing display from Man U this evening given good periods of possession, but job done finishing top of their group and probably better to come in the weeks ahead before they play in the next stage