According to the grauniad they're not even going to ask for a UEFA license because while under administration they won't get one.

<Insert no expert disclaimer here>

But see my post above. If Pompey win their appeal to the FA (which is admittedly unlikely at this stage) they'd have the Europa place as winners (or runners up to a Champions League club) in the FA Cup. Villa would only get the extra place for finishing 7th in the Premiership at the expense of Pompey.

Straws. Clutching at.

Cross-posted. The Beeb is a little more enthusiastic (but not much) about Portsmouth's hopes.

Well good luck. It would be nice for them.

Do you think they'd beat Barca?

Hahaha. That would be an interesting prospect.

I was reminded (with rather too much glee) by a Boro fan hereabouts that there is a history of relegation from the premiership and defeat to Chelsea in an FA Cup final in the same season... 1997, that nice Mr Google tells me.

The ref was poor. There was a blatant goal from us and their second was never a penalty.

However having been at the games when we were beaten by Wolves and Stoke at White Hart Lane after failing to convert chances I knew what was coming from about 75 minutes. Crouch, Bentley and the two centre halves were poor. I thought only Bale had a particularly good game.

Newcastle have just beaten Reading 1-2 away with their game in hand.

They're 9 points clear of WBA with both teams having three to play and our GD is 13 better than theirs.

I'd say we've got a very reasonable shot now at being

CHAMPIONS OF THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE!!!!

<unfortunately the arcane rules of football mean we can't stay in the league for next year and will now be forced to return to play against the collection of twats and bankrupts in the Premier>

Perhaps you should support Portsmouth full time they have won trophies more recently than Arsenal

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 Arsenal (and judas scum/ man-loving Sol Campbell) 1

Err, this a family thread. Man-loving is OK with me although none of my business but I'm not clear what you mean by judas-scum. You might think about being less controversial.

You don't fancy battling for that elusive fourth CL spot then?

I'll tell you next season.

But they've done that and better before.

It's OK Novo, maybe you'll be back down in the fizzy pop league the year after!

Hadn't thought of that.

But I think one season of winning something every 18 years or so will suffice.

"We are Tottenham, super Tottenham, we are Tottenham from the Lane. We are Tottenham, super Tottenham, we are Totttenham from the Lane. Come on you Spurs!"

Would you like some pizza to go with your cheese?

Congrats on the win.