Whitey Grandad

That's a relief. Wake me when it happens.

Shall I hold my breath?

The competition rules state otherwise. I'm sure that there will be extra time, if necessary!

I'm looking forward to it. It will be interesting to see which side has learnt more from the previous meeting and whether their style of play will be changed to suit. Whatever the outcome I'm sure that we can learn something from the game.

Yep, I've just checked the competion rules. All ties up to the semis are settled on the night. Interestingly I see that each side can name up to 7 substitutes. http://www.carlingcup.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Rules/0,,11995,00.html

Extra time & penalties, isn't it? I know what you mean. A draw after 90 mins would be a confidence boost - for all of us.

Anyone who plays would be cup-tied and their value would be lower. I think that who plays for Brum will have a bigger bearing on the result.

There speaks the voice of reason. What are you doing on this forum? (and thanks for setting it all up, by the way)

What, not any of them?

SaintRobbie, it pains me to say it but I agree with every word.

Last league win was 17th September 2007. Ye gods of football, please hear our prayers.

Brilliant result! For all of us who were there in the playoff and had to stand there whilst the lowlives taunted us,may I say a heartfelt thank-you to the players and travelling fans.

There were certainly some positives to take from the game but Bent and Jerome were running amok amongst our defence and it didn't help when Killer and Perry both went for the same tackle which let them through for their first goal. For the second, take a look at the marking, if you can find any. The same goes for the one-on-one that Davis saved wher Jerome was totally unmarked 8 yard out and pleading for the ball. For the immediate future at least, I would prefer us to concentrate on getting the defensive shortcomings sorted out before we try to play 'pretty football' in the middle of the field. That applies all the team and not just the back four.

I agree that the first half was good stuff but from 55 minutes on we were steamrollered. Unfortunately those who were not there will have seen only the result and not the performance.

I thought we needed as much money as we could get??? Man U away in the next round would do it.

And 'apoplectic' ?

Some people think he can't play full stop.

Yes, I see what you are saying. I mis-read the post.

That would be £1.2m a year which is more than the average premiership salary, usually quoted as £1.1m

Since Watford are paying his wages I would expect that if we insisted that he not play against us then he would not be available to play for Watford and we would receive less money one way or another.

Everyone is for sale if the bid is high enough. As the saying goes "every man has his price - and they don't come much cheaper than me".

That's what depressed me so much during the seconds half last Saturday. For the first time ever, at no time after 60 mins did I feel that we could get a goal back. When the board went up showing 3 mins all I felt was a deeper gloom. As for the formation, the gap between Surman and Holmes was far too big and we were resorting to long balls down the channel, which our players handled quite well to start with but as the game wore on there were big holes in the left and right midfield.

Yes I remember that too, in terms of strict cash purchases and sales of players we were very nearly even. Of course there were probably all sorts of agents' fees and expenses on top. IMO the problems were caused by the rapid turnover of managers. Every new one would buy in his own favourites without moving on the players he didn't like and we would end up with a squad of nearly 40. Fabrice was a clear example.

There's a bit about hime here: http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/localsport/3597206.Rasiak_signs_on_loan/ It says that there is an option to sign him in January for an 'agreed fee'. We paid £2m for him for 4 years so his write-down would be £500k pa.

Saga and Rasiak each have two years left. Their value on the balance sheet will be written down over that period so as each season goes past the club's assets are reduced by that depreciation, and this will figure in the losses for the year.