Georger: I was staying away from that one since it was Owen (see JT’s comment), but I saw similarities between Carra’s takedown and Vidic’s last year. Don’t know if United would have gotten some balls being up a man.

JT: Good point on the lack of complaining; I was too busy being beside myself to notice.

Carra could have been sent off, sure, but considering that he gave Vidic a yellow (his 2nd yellow) for something similar kinda makes the point that it was only a booking. Sure, in Carra’s case he was closer to goal, but there were several defenders in range and given that it was Michael freakin’ Owen on the ball, we can’t really call it a clear goal-scoring opportunity, can we? :)

I don’t see enough of Lucas to really know, but you inadvertently touched on something that surely helped him be more assertive – Fletch’s absence.

Question for anyone still paying attention to this thread: What are your thoughts on Carra’s tackle on Carrick vis a vis Fletcher’s on Fabregas last CL? My take is Fletch got way more ball, whereas Carra got a whole lot of Carrick. Carra did get his studs to the ball, but I don’t think he won the ball so much as flattened Carrick (i.e., the ball continued on in what would have been Carrick’s path, so had he not been taken out he goes through on goal).

Anyway, I’d appreciate it if you all would just switch back off and continue your hithertofore impressive sleepwalk to May. Tell you what, I’ll spot you another double this year in return for number 19. Do we have a deal?

He likes teams who are strong, artful and indirect? Um, Barca?

Hahahahahahahahaah, hahahahahahahahah, hahahahahah /wiping tears. hahahahahaha. hahahahaha. Oh man, must be squeaky bum time.