Absolutely over the moon for Stead. If he can get back to his best, IMO he is the difference between a comfortable mid-table position and worrying about relegation. And, the key in any FA-Cup related glory that may or may-not happen. *touch wood/cross-fingers etc.*

That's a big call for a club that hasn't even played a game yet!!

This is the sweetest thread ever!! I vote Gav because he's scary-lookin' and I wouldn't want to get on his wrong side

You don't play centre midfield for Parma if you are a chump. Similarly, Everton are in the top four for a reason. Why is SWP a better player that Cahill?? SWP goes on a few jinking runs for a mid-table Premier League outfit. And besides that? Cahill was instrumental in getting a 1st division team into the FA Cup final for the first time in a decade, and has been part of a resurgent top-four Premiership outfit. Beckham was a superb player, but even his most ardent supporters would agree that his best days are behind him. That's the funny thing about us 'Aussies'. For all the banter we love to give the English, we still get up at 5 am to watch them. Even if most of the time it is just to watch them lose in a gutsy extra-time thriller!!

Emerton. When was the last time you watched England? I watched them during Euro 2004, and at times their midfield was woeful. Only Lampard was exceptional and looked like he could single-handedly make things happen. Granted they are better for having Gerrard back in the team, but I would imagine that a Bresciano or Cahill would do the same sorts of things Scholes used to do. And if Heskey can wear the England shirt, god knows Viduka could! Anyway, here is my combined England/Australia squad. Owen Rooney Kewell Lampard Gerrard Bresciano Cole Terry Campbell Neville Schwarzer Subs : Viduka, Cahill, Moore, Kalac.

Actually, I'd say that Australia's best eleven is almost as good as England's best eleven. I would regard your best defenders as better than ours, but in terms of keepers, forwards and midfielders I think it is swings and roundabouts. The difference between the two nations (and between Australia and most football powers) is the strength in depth. England has Wayne Bridge as a 2nd-choice left back. We have Kevin Muscat. England's best 22 is far superior than Australia's.

Those are some good points. At the moment, only MGP and Tugay would make the difference between Blackburn being a team of 'scrappers' and a team of footballers.

FLB - these are all valid points and I agree with them. But yet there is the precedent of Mexico.

1) Note I put him last on the list. 2) He destroyed Norway a few months ago... so on his day he can do it. 3) He was useless against Uruguay. Emerton as we know is hot and cold... but sometimes for the Green'n'Gold he can really turn it on.

People forget that Argentina can sometimes be the '5th best South American team in the world'. Imagine the uproar if the English had to play a two-leg tie against Argentina just to get into the final 32!! And would any of the English here be 100% confident in their current mob of beating Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia or Brazil in a two-leg play-off? Having said that, over two legs the only thing seperating Argentina and Australia was an Aussie own goal. Neekoy - on paper I agree that a midfield including Kewell, Bresciano, Cahill, Grella and Emerton is world class. But try getting them : a) On the pitch at the same time Playing together regularly c) Playing with cohesion and as a unit IMO is the difference between Australia being an 'also-ran' and a decent footballing nation. The tyranny of distance still hurts us. As does the mickey-mouse qualification process. Australia plays two 'real' games every four years. Real footballing nations play about 10-20. The only salvation for Australian football will be to create a strong domestic league. This should give Football Australia enough $$$ to go out and get a decent coach who knows how to win World Cup matches. Unfortunately, FIFA is committed to developing Oceania as a region. And as much as we'd love to join the Asian federation, with the prospects 10 competitive games a season against strong teams like South Korea and Japan... it isn't going to happen. FIFA use the example of Mexico and the central/North American federation. For decades, Mexico were far and away the best team in that region, and the USA and other central American/Caribbean teams were a joke. We all now know how strong that federation is. Of course, Mexico got automatic qualification for years as the winner of its Federation, but no-one complained then. Yet Australia still has the problem of being champion of the only federation in the world that isn't allowed to automatically qualify. IMO FIFA can't have it both ways. Either Oceania exists as a Federation and the champion is allowed direct entry, or disband Oceania and expand the Asian Federation.

Emerton had an OK game. Linked well with Bresciano and Agostino for a well worked move.. but his shot went wide. On the whole though, nothing to write home about. Neil was relativel anonymous...which I guess can be a good thing for a defender. On the whole though, Australia were useless for large parts of the game due to Danny Tiatto playing in midfield. Too often he found himself playing in the centre of midfield just behind Agostino...what's up with that Frank??!? Farina out Didn't notice Makoeana at all. Was he playing in midfield or defence? Overall I thought our midfield (except for Tiatto) and defence played well. But we were useless in the last third of the pitch. SA seemed to sit back and hit us on the break with their pace. And against a defence that included Tony Vidmar and Tony Popovic, it was a tactic guaranteed to create chances. SA deserved to win.

Forgot to watch the game this morning! Luckily SBS will repeat the game at 10 pm tonight. How did Culina play??

Culina went to Ajax as an 18 year old in 1999, its good to hear from him again. And what's this about partnering Viduka?!? Play Culina up front next to Aloisi or Agostino

Had a nervous 2-1 win at home. That team is the only one in my series that is any real threat. As long as I don't do anything stupid (ie cheeky PIC for Cup glory) I should win all my league games and be back in Div III next year.

Put Nelsen at right back and play Todd and Nissa (when fit) or our new S.A. Captain in the centre.

Yeah, that may be good formation for Tugay as well. Sit him just behind Dickov and let him play superb through-balls for Dickov, MGP, Emerton to run onto.

But it was away victories at Boro and Villa last season that helped keep us up?

Won my first cup game easily. I played my wingers as midfielders so they receive PM training. Play the #2 team this week. I should be able to beat him.

Because Andy Todd once refused to wear the shirt...

Agree with you Shaddy. At the end of the day, the Ferguson incident is no different to a Sherwood, or a Le Saux who kicked up a stink mid-season and left. The only player IMO who left with any honour was Berg. ManU - the biggest club in the universe, came for him mid season whilst we were in a relegation battle. And he turned them down. At least Shearer left in between seasons. I was hoping that Hughes could have at least convinced him to stay and 'do a Berg'. There is precedents for players to perform professionally for their clubs even if they are already set on moving elsewhere. Its a shame that there aren't more Hennings in the world. I suppose Mr Berg's only problem what that he isn't very clever when it comes to dealing with builders and housing contracts

That's the most depressing post I've seen in years Position by position : Friedal - has maybe slowed up a bit over the past few seasons but is now more experienced. Neil vs Curtis - On his day Neil is a far better player than Curtis.... but lately these days have become more infrequent. Berg/Taylor vs Todd/Mokonea - I'd prefer to have a 2000-vintage Berg even if Taylor was next to him. Bjornebye vs Mattoe - Stig will always be a better left back. McAteer vs Emerton - On paper you'd always choose Emerton. Yet McAteer played a blinder that day (apparently). Brett is inconsistent but if played on the right should give the team more drive and create more chances. Thompson/Savage vs Dunn/Flitcroft - a 2000 vintage Dunn with healthy hamstrings playing in his first Burnley derby? Yes please. Savage probably gives more to the team now that Flitcroft did in 2000, but not by much. Duff vs Pedersen - no brainer there. Hughes/Bent vs Dickov/Gallagher - Crikey. I'd like to read the 2000 match report to see how the team played and who were the better players on the pitch that day.

Will be interesting to see if/what Souness says about his move. I suppose he couldn't handle life in far-away Lancashire without Graeme holding his hand?

Funniest thing I've read on this board in years!!

Even though I live on the other side of the planet, I'm so pumped about this Snowball's chance in hell of it being shown in TV in Australia though As Scotty said.... last time we played them in 2000 they were above us in the league and we are all worried about copping a pasting. We all know how that turned out. And as for the return leg... well I was at a wedding during the game but luckily dave birch SMS'ed the score updates during the reception... Woo-hoo!! But as Capt Kayos and others have pointed out.... games like this are made for fairy-tale upsets.

Rubbish from me. But he was very close to being a clown. He had solid leadership, and was a 'pleasant' guy.