DISQUS

It's quite ironic to hear about whether the commentators should be American or British as in England few people take any notice of at the commentators are saying.


Most people will watch the game with the commentators turned off and view the game with just the stadium sound option.



If you know who the players are then there is no need to hear the nonsense most of them talk.

I can recommend an excellent ground to visit on Saturday 23rd February. Rot Weiss Essen (Germany's sleeping giant) play Dortmund II. It's a great little staduim - very old school and charming. You can stand on the terraces and experience a great atmosphere.


A few days later (February 26) is the quarter-finals of the German Cup so there should be games played in the region.



Essen and the surrounding area is a great place to visit and watch soccer. Dortmund, Bochum and Schalke are the Bundesliga clubs in the region. It is very common that they all play on different days -Friday, Saturday, Sunday - so there is always football being played and all the grounds are fairly close to each other.

I actually think Kuyt is playing better than he did last season - though that does not mean he deserves to be in the team. I thought he played well against Everton but that has been about it this season.


Perhaps his reluctance to play Crouch could be an indication that he will be sold in the January transfer window. It makes sense not to play him too often.



But once again I wonder at Benitez. Love him as I do - some of his decisions seem, in the short term, very strange.

I think most decent fans know that the official sites are quite shameful but they are a source of ticket news and injury news. I'm surprised Teamtalk is so high conidering it is just a news feed from the PA these days.


This is worldwide traffic, it would be interesting to see the breakdown for the UK and the US. I spend too much time on football websites and I had never even heard of premierleague.com.



I do think it is sad that the official sites are happy to get involved in sad stuff like ringtones and crdit cards.

It does on the surface appear strange and no doubt there would be questions asked if the trip was to the US. You must realise that British people do have a suspicion that the game is not liked over the pond and despite the strength of the game out there and the fine players that appear in Europe every week it will be a long time before people change their opinion.


Considering the current political situation it is ironic that soccer fans over here would still be happier to see their team play in Saudi Arabia than the US. Illogical but true.



On a seperate point the club would have had to make a long trip if they had won the Champions League to play in the World Club Championship in December in Japan.

Although I was not his biggest fan (just something about him), it saddens me that he is leaving because of the record he achieved at the club.


Finishing just behind the Big 4 on two occasions and bringing some glory European ties to White Hart Lane was a fantastic achievement.



The speed of his departure after a poor start to the season is a surprise but it's the same old story - it's the fans who got rid of him not the board.....and don't let any Spurs fan tell you different.

Lescott had been doing the same thing all game. The referee knew this and also knows that Carragher has enough experience not to try and wrestle someone over in the final minute of a game.


And yes, it was some sort of payback for the Chelsea decision.



Swings and roundabouts.

I just don't think the older players have the desire anymore. Qualifying for a major tournament these days mean players can be expected to live like monks for up to six weeks away from family and friends.


The England management needs to identify the hungry young players who have a real desire to achieve something. The big time players look like they lack motivation for these games. It was Russia that looked hungrier and stronger.



Strange things do happen in international football so I'm not totally distraught yet.

I love the fact soccer is making its way in the US and I enjoy reading the US prospective on the game.


However, you have made a mistake by mentioning Hillsborough and hooliganism in the same paragraph.



I realise that the disaster may have been reported in the US as hooligan-related (it was here as well) but it had nothing to do with violence.



I encourage people to do some searches on the internet to find the real truth behind Hillsborough.

Jeff Stelling shown in the picture on your story is a real pro to watch and it's a shame you did not catch the second half of the show.


He is especially good as the scorelines are coming in close to the end of the games. A real joy to watch.



His knowledge of the games being played is remarkable and he is a fine broadcaster to boot (and I'm not related to him!)

Over here in Germany we have the best watched league in Europe with the highest average attendances.


This is in no small part down to the pricing structure. You can watch a Bundesliga game atttended by 80,000 people (my example is Dortmund) for £8.50 with reductions for youngsters, pensioners etc.



A season ticket would cost £110.



Admittedly it is standing but some people (including myself) actually prefer it.

I read your article first and then read the comments...boy, those Arsenal fans can get on their knickers in a twist!


The fact remains ticket prices are verging on criminal and the costs are out of the reach of many people.



It's a sad fact that Nick Hornby's fantastic book would never had been written if he was a teenager now as he would not have been able to afford to go.



I'm not that old but when I was a teenager I could go and pay on the gate to get in at my club. I even paid on the gate for a European semi-final.



Reducing the prices to watch the reserves play Newcastle! Whoppie skip. Maybe some non-season tickets might get to see that game but why would they want to pay double figure prices.