Dark Munster

Given that the result of the final has EL implications, it wouldn't be appropriate for it to occur after the final. Also, it would mean more rest for the Utd players. Of course, the opposite is true if it's played before the final. I would guess on Tuesday if it does get played this week.

The good news is that Utd will go into their rescheduled match against Bournemouth with less than 6 days before the final, and knowing that they cannot make the top 4, and at worst will finish 6th. Which points to them having both eyes on the final. And maybe LVG will rest key players and play a number of kids.

Yes, it looks like it. Unless Bournemouth can do us a favour.

Actually, if Palace win the cup and Utd finish above us, we are the lowest placed EL team, which means we go into qualification, I think. So we do want Utd to win the cup (unless Bournemouth beat them earlier).

Our work is done here.

Shocking again today. Only one assist, along with another cross into the box leading to a goal. And was only able to play solidly in defense. Shocking.

True, but he's more expensive than a new stadium. Bit of a catch 22.

"Steve McClaren is a very good coach and I am expecting Newcastle to have a very good season after their recent problems."

Steve Bruce seems a decent bloke, gracious in defeat when we beat them, so I have no problem with Hull going up. Especially at Derby's expense.

Liverpool winning the EL has no effect on our qualification. The rest is spot on though.

Worst. Signing. Ever.

P.S. If Liverpool draws 0-0, and we lose 7-9 against Palace, we'll have identical records with Liverpool in 7th place too.

It's a rather silly tie-breaker. If teams are tied on points, goal difference and goals scored, instead of an extra match to decide who qualifies, why not simply use head to head of their two matches in the league as the next tie-breaker (with away goals counting double if necessary)? If that doesn't separate them, then fine, have a one-off match at a neutral ground. Edit: I noticed that if Liverpool and West Ham do end up with the same points etc. it would mean Liverpool would have won 1 more game (and West Ham 3 more draws). So that's another tie-breaker: most wins.

Yes, and given our loss, if instead of rolling over and losing they had instead beaten WBA 20-0, we still would've gone down.

Yes indeed, and with Wigley in charge, no less. If we'd averaged the same number of points against other teams as we got in the 2 matches against them, we'd have stayed up comfortably (actually top half). Oh, and we beat them in the cup that year. Anyway, they did get the last laugh. As they keep reminding us, Norris's world famous last gasp equaliser deprived us of promotion in 2012, and also saved them from relegation that year. The pain of that will never go away.

Well, the big little match is coming up tomorrow. Promotion or bust again for the phew, so it could spell disaster for them if the Pilgrims progress.

Maybe we can get a promising up and coming young England U-21 keeper from Spurs in part exchange for big Vic.

Ok, as long as you promise it's for the last time. Liverpool finishing 8th and winning EL means an extra CL spot (for them), and no loss of EL for others (otherwise someone else would get punished). So 5 CL + 3 EL total. Liverpool winning EL and finishing in an EL spot (e.g. 6th) means their EL simply gets converted to CL. So 5 CL + 2 EL total. Again no one else gets punished (or rewarded).

The Tevez farce suggests this is very much the case. Unless they finish 8th of course.

Not if this is where they are moving to.

Well, that depends on how many maybes and buts are involved.

Anyway, back to what ifs. What if we had Leicester's incredible (mostly) injury-free record? They had luck there for sure, but I'm not convinced it's 100% luck.

"Everything is different at Manchester United. A good match at Southampton is perhaps seen as bad at Manchester." - Schneiderlin

I think our main problem is that in quite a few matches we've conceded more than we've scored. Turn that around and I reckon we can do a Leicester.