EPL Gossip Thread [Archive] - Page 9 - RedFlagDeals.com Forums

Tornado F2

Feb 10th, 2011, 11:13 PM

Hey look, here's Dean now:

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51015000/jpg/_51015358_011030537-1.jpg

He sent Rafael off, thanks to a harsh second yellow card. And he's one that the stats "expose" as "being biased in favour of United". Like I said, stats can reveal anything you want.

Check this out on Rafael's sending off by Dean (interestingly not shown in your chart (Edit: Because it wasn't at OT)):

"After the game on Sunday, even Spurs manager Harry Redknapp conceded it was a poor decision.

“He was just running and he has clipped Benoît’s heels,” he said. “He has not broken his stride and stuck a leg out, saying ‘I’ll trip him’. He was trying to get out of the way.”

But that doesn’t excuse Rafael’s overreaction. This was the second time in a year that Dean had wrongly punished Rafael, the first coming in the League Cup semi-final when he awarded a penalty against United for a foul from Rafael on Craig Bellamy which took place outside of the area. Regardless, if you get in a referee’s face and scream “WHY?” at him, you’re likely to be punished, if you’re a little foreign boy and not Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard or John Terry. In fact, I’m pretty sure Rooney said much worse to Dean and was already on a yellow.

But what happens to referee Mike Dean now? The only reason why Rafael reacted was because Dean made a dreadful decision which could have cost United the game. Is there any punishment for him? Or will we see him back in action in the Premiership next weekend?"

hyperion

Feb 11th, 2011, 10:18 AM

Haha whatever.

rooney11

Feb 11th, 2011, 11:09 AM

since Chris foy is the ref, and using the chart above, there's a 50% chance that we will get a penalty or a ****** player sent off!

Tornado F2

Feb 11th, 2011, 12:59 PM

Haha whatever.

What, no detailed analysis of your own? :)

since Chris foy is the ref, and using the chart above, there's a 50% chance that we will get a penalty or a ****** player sent off!

Make that 25% chance of a PK for us, and for an opponent being sent off. Regardless, the stats will be different tomorrow afternoon anyway, whatever happens. Stats can be interesting, taken in full perspective, but this chart is far too limited to be considered proof of anything.

hyperion

Feb 11th, 2011, 01:04 PM

What, no detailed analysis of your own? :)

Nah, I think I made my point even if you choose to dance around it. :razz:

hyperion

Feb 11th, 2011, 01:12 PM

Didn't expect Roy Hodgson to find a new job so soon. New West Brom manager.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/11/west-brom-liverpool-roy-hodgson

Best of luck, Roy.

Tornado F2

Feb 11th, 2011, 01:40 PM

Reports today that the Emir of Qatar's company is close to buying United for 1.6 billion pounds. City's Sheikh's bank account will look like Mini Me next to our Emir's. :lol:

(Whatever. I'm really not that fussed who owns the club so long as things remain properly managed. Hopefully we won't end up as stupidly wasteful as City, subsidising purchases for the likes of Madrid).

I wasn't aware that he'd bought Harrods already though, or the American Embassy (:-0) in London, or a giant glass tower that's apparently under construction in London called the Shard of Glass.

http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/shard-glass5-415x352.jpg

http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/shard-glass3-415x285.jpg

He should have built that to the east of Manchester, on the Pennines. That would have been amazing. Hopefully these insanely-rich Arabs will turn Manchester into a completely modern city to rival the likes of Dubai. You'll never hear a clean word in Liverpool again if that happens, they'll be so insanely jealous. Especially those stuck in crumbling Anfield! :lol:

Tornado F2

Feb 11th, 2011, 01:59 PM

Nah, I think I made my point even if you choose to dance around it. :razz:

Check these stats out for a more balanced overview of referees:

http://soccerbythenumbers.blogspot.com/2010/11/tough-calls-are-there-patterns-in-home.html

I've only skimmed over it quickly so far, but it looks interesting, and it's based on this season's stats.

Here's the conclusion of the Soccer by the Numbers article:

"Here again, we do not see a bias in favor of big teams playing at home. Teams that have had refs call more fouls on the away team when they themselves were playing at home include Everton, Tottenham, Birmingham, and Chelsea. This differential was most pronounced in favor of Tottenham and Birmingham at 3-4, and modest in the case of Chelsea. In contrast, a good number of teams had refs actually call more fouls on the home team; so far this season, these have included Aston Villa, Blackburn, Arsenal, Stoke, Liverpool, West Brom, and Man United.

So, taken together, it's hard to argue either in favor of a home team bias among referees, nor in favor of a "big team" bias. Whether these patterns will be sustained over the long haul of a season is a different matter, of course, but so far, the relative evenhandedness of EPL referees (at least in the aggregate) is verifiable."

Tornado F2

Feb 12th, 2011, 08:19 AM

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51220000/jpg/_51220673_naniscores_getty.jpg

Tornado F2

Feb 12th, 2011, 08:39 AM

Man Utd goal: Absolutely amazing. There is no other way to describe this strike by Wayne Rooney. Nani sends over a cross from the right and Rooney leaps and swivels to meet it with a magical overhead kick that leaves Joe Hart with no chance. Goal of the season? Probably.

1421: GOALFLASH Man Utd 2-1 Man City (Rooney)

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51221000/jpg/_51221106_rooneygoal_afp.jpg

And that's how it's ended! Pretty much ends City's chances for another season. :lol:

jcon

Feb 12th, 2011, 08:44 AM

Wow, what a match winner!

Glory glory Man United!

krash322

Feb 12th, 2011, 08:53 AM

Cheering on Rooney are we? :razz:

He didn't play that well overall, but one moment of genius won the game.

Tornado F2

Feb 12th, 2011, 09:07 AM

Cheering on Rooney are we? :razz:

He didn't play that well overall, but one moment of genius won the League.

Fixed that for you. :lol:

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51221000/jpg/_51221106_rooneygoal_afp.jpg

Fimo

Feb 12th, 2011, 08:56 PM

hyperion

Feb 12th, 2011, 11:12 PM

Had to miss today's Liverpool game. I watched the highlights and we looked pretty unlucky not to win. The Wigan goal was offside, and we hit the bar 2 times. Suarez looked really good.

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 13th, 2011, 01:15 AM

Barca's winning run finally comes to a halt, 1-1 with Sporting Gijon, check out the possession stats:

Gijon 19% Time of Possession 82% Barcelona

Just wondering when Gijon found an opportunity to score?

If Real win away to Espanyol tomorrow the gap could be down to 5 points, still along way to go.

the league is done, 5 points won't mean anything come el clasico

plus espanyol is really good @ home, don't be surprised if madrid drop points too

gijon scored on a counter attack

no bale vs milan, bad news for spurs

Xavi: Cesc will join Barca

"If I'd ever gone to another club, I'd have been thinking about Barcelona - the link is strong," Xavi said, in a wide-ranging interview with The Guardian. "The same is happening to him. But now there's a problem: now he's expensive. But I think that a footballer ends up playing where he wants. He has to end up here."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/878779/xavi:-cesc-fabregas-destined-to-join-barcelona-in-future?cc=5901

fab to barca saga returns!

Tornado F2

Feb 13th, 2011, 03:36 PM

Eto'o just missed two great chances to equalise against Juventus right at the end of the game. The first one just needed a tap into an empty net, but he crashed it off the crossbar.

Not the 8 goal thriller I was hoping for after last Sunday's match.

Tornado F2

Feb 13th, 2011, 10:11 PM

Where's the mad Spaniard?

Casillas got himself sent off in the 2nd minute.

Surely that's a video clip that deserves to be posted. :lol:

Hand back Barca's trophy right now.

And United's too! :)

pavelbure10

Feb 13th, 2011, 11:09 PM

Where's the mad Spaniard?

Casillas got himself sent off in the 2nd minute.

Surely that's a video clip that deserves to be posted. :lol:

Hand back Barca's trophy right now.

And United's too! :)

I thought real won today? still a big point difference to overcome though :confused::confused:

harpoon

Feb 14th, 2011, 12:20 AM

Barca's winning run finally comes to a halt, 1-1 with Sporting Gijon, check out the possession stats:

Gijon 19% Time of Possession 82% Barcelona

Just wondering when Gijon found an opportunity to score?

If Real win away to Espanyol tomorrow the gap could be down to 5 points, still along way to go.

Villa's goal was sublime, probably goal of the weekend. Barca rested a few key players (and Masch sucked, hahah) for the Arsenal match. Only a 5 point gap now, but I can't see Barca losing many more points. You never know though.

Had to miss today's Liverpool game. I watched the highlights and we looked pretty unlucky not to win. The Wigan goal was offside, and we hit the bar 2 times. Suarez looked really good.

We were shattered from internationals and injuries (Kelly and Skrtel weren't near 100% fit and passed to play the day before). Meireles was sick and vomiting at halftime and Lucas looked jetlagged. Only guy who didn't turn up really was Maxi.

Their goal was offside but the defending wasn't great for that. Full credit to Wigan as they upped their game...maybe a draw was fair but man, Suarez is going to be a beast once he gets fit and firing. Ridgewell was having kittens whenever Suarez ran at him. Think we're top 4 next year if we keep Kenny and we make a few more signings (which is obviously gonna happen).

Fimo

Feb 14th, 2011, 12:49 AM

Had to miss today's Liverpool game. I watched the highlights and we looked pretty unlucky not to win. The Wigan goal was offside, and we hit the bar 2 times. Suarez looked really good.

We were shattered from internationals and injuries (Kelly and Skrtel weren't near 100% fit and passed to play the day before). Meireles was sick and vomiting at halftime and Lucas looked jetlagged. Only guy who didn't turn up really was Maxi.

Their goal was offside but the defending wasn't great for that. Full credit to Wigan as they upped their game...maybe a draw was fair but man, Suarez is going to be a beast once he gets fit and firing. Ridgewell was having kittens whenever Suarez ran at him. Think we're top 4 next year if we keep Kenny and we make a few more signings (which is obviously gonna happen).

Wigan played well, most of our lads looked a step or two off the pace, except Suarez, who deserved a goal for his efforts, once he gets going he is going to be some player, his movement, touch and vision are all way better than Torres, lets see how his finishing does.

Not sure what Maxi is doing taking free kicks, he should have let Suarez take the first one, I think between Suarez (right) and Aurelio (left) we got our free kick takers and there's Stevie G as well if need a thunderbolt!

rooney11

Feb 14th, 2011, 07:10 AM

We were shattered from internationals and injuries (Kelly and Skrtel weren't near 100% fit and passed to play the day before). Meireles was sick and vomiting at halftime and Lucas looked jetlagged. Only guy who didn't turn up really was Maxi.

Their goal was offside but the defending wasn't great for that. Full credit to Wigan as they upped their game...maybe a draw was fair but man, Suarez is going to be a beast once he gets fit and firing. Ridgewell was having kittens whenever Suarez ran at him. Think we're top 4 next year if we keep Kenny and we make a few more signings (which is obviously gonna happen).

Yes, because Paris is so far.

hyperion

Feb 14th, 2011, 11:47 AM

Scottie Piffen

Feb 14th, 2011, 11:54 AM

hey guys what channel is the arsenal vs. barcelona match on? i dont see listings for tsn or sportsnet with it :(

it better not be on setanta sports...****

rooney11

Feb 14th, 2011, 11:59 AM

hey guys what channel is the arsenal vs. barcelona match on? i dont see listings for tsn or sportsnet with it :(

it better not be on setanta sports...****

bookmark this, http://footballtvcanada.blogspot.com/

its on setanta!

kennyhohoho

Feb 14th, 2011, 12:30 PM

hey guys what channel is the arsenal vs. barcelona match on? i dont see listings for tsn or sportsnet with it :(

it better not be on setanta sports...****

www.atdhenet.tv or www.atdhe.fm

Problem solved.

Tornado F2

Feb 14th, 2011, 01:17 PM

Yes, because Paris is so far.

:lol:

"Think we're top 4 next year if we keep Kenny and we make a few more signings (which is obviously gonna happen)"

Can't help but laugh at those two deluded scouse-lovers' posts. They should get a room tonight. :razz:

On a similar topic, "O Gordo" has finally retired. Even the local fans make fun of his weight! :lol:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9397354.stm

Tornado F2

Feb 14th, 2011, 01:26 PM

bookmark this, http://footballtvcanada.blogspot.com/

its on setanta!

Why don't Rogers grow some and just call it Sportsnet Two, which it clearly is. How many channels can they really expect us to subscribe to before we all just say "Forget it"? One EPL channel, one Euro channel, and one World channel for those desperate for below-prime football, should be all that's really needed. Sportsnet could at least air different games on each regional channel, like they used to, to allow digital subscribers a choice. I don't think I'll be bothering with the Shakhtar match, which gets mentioned over a dozen times in the local listings. What a waste of airtime. It's like the multiple reruns of the EPL filler shows. I like to see them once, but the rest of the airtime could be used for another match, even if it's delayed a few days, or Championship/lower league even. I thought TV was supposed to draw viewers' eyes to see sponsors' commercials. They're not achieving that when nobody tunes in.

Tornado F2

Feb 14th, 2011, 01:28 PM

[http://www.arquibancada.blog.br/images/fenomeno.jpg

So much movement, and his fat head STILL didn't move. :lol:

(Yeah, I know how the photographer did it, but that's how it looks :))

Tornado F2

Feb 14th, 2011, 02:53 PM

Ian Darke on TSN2:

"Torres has 3 left feet"

"Mourinho looks like E.T."

McManaman's losing his voice. :lol:

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea HT.

pavelbure10

Feb 14th, 2011, 02:58 PM

Inspired by someone else, here's my official retirement post for "Fenomeno", RONALDO.

http://sportsvideo24.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Ronaldo-Lu%C3%ADz-Naz%C3%A1rio-de-Lima.jpg

Legend.

hyperion

Feb 14th, 2011, 03:03 PM

Let's see if Liverpool shattered Chelski's heart and form for a second time this season.

Tornado F2

Feb 14th, 2011, 03:07 PM

Let's see if Liverpool shattered Chelski's heart and form for a second time this season.

They handed Chelsea the trophy last season. Gift-wrapped personally by Gerrard.

jcmkl

Feb 14th, 2011, 03:12 PM

Inspired by someone else, here's my official retirement post for "Fenomeno", RONALDO.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/14/ronaldo-brazil-retirement

http://www.arquibancada.blog.br/images/fenomeno.jpg

http://sportsvideo24.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Ronaldo-Lu%C3%ADz-Naz%C3%A1rio-de-Lima.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2NHqSXftzU

Man, when I heard this news I was extremely sad. This was not a good weekend for me.

He is my all time favourite player, and is the reason why I still support Inter Milan. He played the game with so much poise, class and skills. In his prime, he was the most feared striker in the world. Straight to the point but with the flair you often see missing in the top European strikers. I hope that despite his last couple of sub-par season mired in injury, the football world and fans will still look back upon Ronaldo and see that he is one of the greatest, if not the greatest pure strikers in history.

To me he will always be the only Ronaldo.

hyperion

Feb 14th, 2011, 04:09 PM

Stupid Dempsey, but that wasn't a penalty anyway.

NDman

Feb 14th, 2011, 04:19 PM

Stupid Dempsey, but that wasn't a penalty anyway.

I'd say it was. David Luiz's knee hit Dempsey and his foot wasn't anywhere near the ball. It was a foul, and a pretty clear one I think. Looks like a weak foul, sure. But it has all the components of a foul/misconduct

jcon

Feb 14th, 2011, 04:22 PM

Geez Chelski, I'm counting on you and the Spurs to keep Citeh out of the CL next season. What's wrong with you???

pavelbure10

Feb 14th, 2011, 04:23 PM

With chelskis scoring problems on the road David luiz should play centre forward, other than the foul on dempsey he had a great debut

Tornado F2

Feb 14th, 2011, 04:24 PM

Stupid Dempsey, but that wasn't a penalty anyway.

Yeah, I wasn't sure if he was tripped or if he dived. He seemed to out-Portuguese the Portuguese, doing stepovers in front of Luiz before going down in the box under pressure. Poor penalty, but then his failed attempt at a Rooney deprived Gudjohnson of a dream ending (probably) to his EPL career, scoring against his old club.

Commentator's curse strikes again. They'd just declared, probably correctly, Luiz as MOTM.

An enjoyable 0-0 game for the neutrals though. I usually like games at the Cottage, esp as a neutral.

Tornado F2

Feb 14th, 2011, 04:27 PM

Geez Chelski, I'm counting on you and the Spurs to keep Citeh out of the CL next season. What's wrong with you???

Could the scousers possibly end up above Chelski, but out of the ChLg? That would be insane. Yet that's something like 21 points out of 17 games for Chelsea, if I heard right. (20 points out of poss 48). They are doing their part to achieve that.

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 14th, 2011, 05:37 PM

Man, when I heard this news I was extremely sad. This was not a good weekend for me.

He is my all time favourite player, and is the reason why I still support Inter Milan. He played the game with so much poise, class and skills. In his prime, he was the most feared striker in the world. Straight to the point but with the flair you often see missing in the top European strikers. I hope that despite his last couple of sub-par season mired in injury, the football world and fans will still look back upon Ronaldo and see that he is one of the greatest, if not the greatest pure strikers in history.

To me he will always be the only Ronaldo.

yeah, to me he's the best #9 ever.

no one past or present comes close to him.

Thanks for the memories El Fenómeno.

http://www.madridgalacticos.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/pic492.jpg

Fimo

Feb 14th, 2011, 05:59 PM

yeah, to me he's the best #9 ever.

no one past or present comes close to him.

Thanks for the memories El Fenómeno.

http://www.madridgalacticos.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/pic492.jpg

Deadly Striker, even with the extra pounds he had put on at the time I will always remember his OT Hat Trick, not many players go to OT and score 3 goals and to top that in the Champions League as well.

Tornado F2

Feb 14th, 2011, 06:08 PM

Best #9?

Sir Bobby!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/images/2007/04/27/alan3_401x300.jpg

A PROVEN LEGEND! :D

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 14th, 2011, 06:47 PM

Deadly Striker, even with the extra pounds he had put on at the time I will always remember his OT Hat Trick, not many players go to OT and score 3 goals and to top that in the Champions League as well.

yeah he was awesome, he got a standing ovation @ OT

also liked his hat trick vs argentina, 2002 world cup goals

but he's best goal ever has to be this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q090EJ6B7Lk

Sir Bobby Robson's reaction to the goal says it all really.

and his fastest goal (15 seconds after kick off):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SCQpZRh8tw

Tornado F2

Feb 14th, 2011, 07:16 PM

Guess who?

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bZlWN20DxXk/S_BhX63yCjI/AAAAAAAAAQs/p7V_jDHf-bc/s1600/3fe92346.jpg

:lol:

hyperion

Feb 14th, 2011, 09:12 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXDYQf7M3Nk

Tornado F2

Feb 14th, 2011, 10:35 PM

Hang on a minute. Weren't all you lot whinging about Gary Neville photos the day he retired? Hypocrites! :razz:

pavelbure10

Feb 14th, 2011, 11:20 PM

Hang on a minute. Weren't all you lot whinging about Gary Neville photos the day he retired? Hypocrites! :razz:

ronaldo and gary neville should not be mentioned in the same sentence

Tornado F2

Feb 14th, 2011, 11:52 PM

ronaldo and gary neville should not be mentioned in the same sentence

Say what you will about Neville, but he certainly kept himself in much better shape.

Compare this with Fat Ron above:

http://totalfootballmadness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Gary-Neville-1.jpg

He may not have been a regular, but he was still playing at a top club right at the very end.

BTW, you're the only one who's put them both in the same sentence. :razz:

pavelbure10

Feb 14th, 2011, 11:56 PM

Say what you will about Neville, but he certainly kept himself in much better shape.

He may not have been a regular, but he was still playing at a top club right at the very end.

BTW, you're the only one who's put them both in the same sentence. :razz:

not trying to compare them shape wise, but I think even you would agree that they are totally in different classes when it comes to football

Tornado F2

Feb 14th, 2011, 11:57 PM

not trying to compare them shape wise, but I think even you would agree that they are totally in different classes when it comes to football

Yeah. Forward and Defender.

harpoon

Feb 15th, 2011, 12:15 AM

Yes, because Paris is so far.

it was a metaphor, surely you got my point.

pavelbure10

Feb 15th, 2011, 12:15 AM

Yeah. Forward and Defender.

legend and http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/2800/73459441728837825690427.jpg

Tornado F2

Feb 15th, 2011, 12:21 AM

legend and inbred scouser

You obviously don't realise why that is as funny as it is. :razz:

Even the scouse-lovers will laugh at your post.

pavelbure10

Feb 15th, 2011, 12:28 AM

You obviously don't realise why that is as funny as it is. :razz:

Even the scouse-lovers will laugh at your post.

Fixed it, got around the techinical glitch :)

Tornado F2

Feb 15th, 2011, 12:29 AM

FYI, THIS is scouse:

http://mswiley2508.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/reg_scouse-430x300.jpg

Tornado F2

Feb 15th, 2011, 12:32 AM

As is this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDaTTVR2JXY&feature=player_embedded

"there's only one place for us to go now."

DOWN :D

Tornado F2

Feb 15th, 2011, 10:19 AM

scouser

Just in case you didn't get it last night: NEVILLE IS NOT A SCOUSER.

Scousers are people from Liverpool, who usually like to eat a meal called "scouse", and who mangle the English language in a dialect known as "scouse".

Now wrt this banner that you seem so fond of, could somebody explain the graffiti on that bedsheet? What does "5 times" refer to? It can't be the number of times we've beaten Liverpool, or the number of times we've won the League. I'm sure it's not the number of goals he's scored against them, or anything like that. So WHAT does it refer to??? :confused: I doubt that even Neville knows!

If there are any "inbred scousers" out there, it would have to be the likes of Gerrard, Carragher, Rooney, Nolan, Fowler, etc. Oh, and of course John, Paul, George, and Ringo. And Gerry and the Pacemakers. That's about all the scousers I can think of right now, not being one myself, thank God! :)

undfnd

Feb 15th, 2011, 12:11 PM

Anyone know where you could watch Barcelona vs. Arsenal tomorrow on TV in Toronto?

Which channel is broadcasting?

Tornado F2

Feb 15th, 2011, 12:13 PM

Anyone know where you could watch Barcelona vs. Arsenal tomorrow on TV in Toronto?

Which channel is broadcasting?

Milan-Spurs is on TSN today. No Bale this time unfortunately.

undfnd

Feb 15th, 2011, 01:00 PM

How busy do you think the Footie Factory is going to be tomorrow?

Tornado F2

Feb 15th, 2011, 01:45 PM

It's absolutely throwing it down at the San Siro. Wonder if Becks is there to watch his two off-season teams playing each other? I would think so.

bja68

Feb 15th, 2011, 03:06 PM

Well you know who the TSN commentators are rooting for ...

Fimo

Feb 15th, 2011, 03:06 PM

jcon

Feb 15th, 2011, 03:09 PM

Raul has scored on his return to Spain. 1-1.

jcon

Feb 15th, 2011, 03:26 PM

Crouch scores after all his battles with Gattuso. Exposed the AC Milan defense. Interesting because I was just thinking, after the last AC Milan push that they must be holding players back 'cause there are not many playing up front.

hyperion

Feb 15th, 2011, 03:49 PM

Whos Joe Jordan and why did Gattuso want to kick his arse?

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 15th, 2011, 03:53 PM

spurs will win 2nd leg easily with bale back in the starting 11, milan can't match in speed

raul keeps on scoring, goal #70 in europe (leader)

how in the blue hell is ac milan #1 in serie A? they looked mediocre at best

hyperion

Feb 15th, 2011, 03:58 PM

Key players missing. Pirlo, Ambrosini, Boateng..

..and to a certain extent Van Bommel, Cassano.

Fimo

Feb 15th, 2011, 03:59 PM

Whos Joe Jordan and why did Gattuso want to kick his arse?

He is Spurs Assistant Manager/Coach, they had a verbal altercation during the game and then another one at the end, with Gattuso butting his head against Jordan's, the commentators were saying that the officials had a good game, not really, Flamini and Gattuso should have been sent off.

Tornado F2

Feb 15th, 2011, 04:03 PM

Things heating up at the San Siro, both Flamini and Gattuso should have seen Red, Flamini for a two footed lunge and Gattuso for shoving Joe Jordan in the face, meanwhile Gomes is keeping Spurs in this, two class saves so far!

Gattuso must have rabies, or whatever mental problem Zidane contracted at the end of his career. First trying to throttle an opposing coach, and then actually headbutting him at the end. And this isn't just any coach. This is "Big Joe" Jordan. If this would have been the 6'1" Joe of 30 years ago (he seems to have shrunk somehow) he would have made mincemeat out of the lunatic little Italian. VERY unprofessional. UEFA really should slap a long ban on Gattuso after that. This was possibly the last Ch Lg game of his career after that. Idiot. And Big Joe's a former AC Milan player too.

http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/79649748.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF8789215AB089EE596C6588B7E6738C1F595D43 7990E59F48C01D714004B778B7FD35C8

(April 1979, FA,Cup Semi-Final at Maine Road, Manchester United beat Liverpool, Manchester United striker Joe Jordan arms raised as he celebrates scoring the 1st goal, as Brian Greenhoff rushes to congratulate him)

Excellent run by Lennon to create Spurs' winning goal. I thought Crouch had blown his shot for a moment, it was that close to the post. Very good (and correct) officiating by the French officials to disallow Ibrahimovic's late "equaliser" for the foul, though Milan were lucky to get away without red cards earlier. Looks like Milan should go out to English opposition yet again. And after today's showing, good riddance.

Tornado F2

Feb 15th, 2011, 04:23 PM

This is interesting:

"Jordan was still a regular for Scotland, and in 1977 he caused controversy during the decisive World Cup qualifying match between Scotland and Wales. Late in the game, with the scores level, Scotland were attacking in the Wales penalty area when Jordan allegedly handled the ball. The referee, believing the ball to have been handled by a Welsh player, awarded a penalty, from which Scotland scored. The victory meant that Scotland qualified for the World Cup at Wales' expense."

I didn't realise Wales had ever got that close to a World Cup in relatively recent years. (They did reach the Quarter-finals in 1958). Sounds like Joe is to Wales what Henry is to Ireland.

He scored goals in THREE consecutive World Cups and won 52 Scotland caps.

pavelbure10

Feb 15th, 2011, 08:00 PM

He is Spurs Assistant Manager/Coach, they had a verbal altercation during the game and then another one at the end, with Gattuso butting his head against Jordan's, the commentators were saying that the officials had a good game, not really, Flamini and Gattuso should have been sent off.

Is UEFA allowed to review that play and suspend him? that was a horrible tackle

Fimo

Feb 15th, 2011, 08:20 PM

Is UEFA allowed to review that play and suspend him? that was a horrible tackle

Well considering they fined and banned Real for those "red card" antic's in the Group Stages involving Alonso and Ramos, after reviewing the footage, I don't see why not, I just don't think they'll do it, Uefa and Platini are not consistent in their "rulings" have to say though they are a slight bit better now then when under Lennart Johansson.

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 15th, 2011, 08:22 PM

http://www.footybits.co.uk/images/acmilan%20jordan.jpg

http://i51.tinypic.com/3359u3b.gif

Well considering they fined and banned Real for those "red card" antic's in the Group Stages involving Alonso and Ramos, after reviewing the footage, I don't see why not, I just don't think they'll do it, Uefa and Platini are not consistent in their "rulings" have to say though they are a slight bit better now then when under Lennart Johansson.

i hope something happens but i doubt it

if it is a club from serie a, platini tries his best to look the other way

rooney11

Feb 15th, 2011, 08:42 PM

Is UEFA allowed to review that play and suspend him? that was a horrible tackle

doubt it, the ref booked him with a yellow, if the ref didnt do anything, then UEFA may be able to step in.

Tornado F2

Feb 15th, 2011, 08:44 PM

POO Jeans. :lol:

(Even POOH's bad enough).

Bet they went out of business quick.

Tornado F2

Feb 15th, 2011, 08:45 PM

doubt it, the ref booked him with a yellow, if the ref didnt do anything, then UEFA may be able to step in.

I'm pretty sure Gattuso's for it though, like Drogba last year.

Fimo

Feb 15th, 2011, 10:04 PM

http://i51.tinypic.com/3359u3b.gif

Gattuso later told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I lost my head. I was wrong. There is no justification for what I did. I'm not going to say what was said, that's between us, we were speaking Scottish. Do I expect a ban? I'll accept whatever I get."

Tornado F2

Feb 15th, 2011, 10:18 PM

I wondered how Gattuso could reach Joe's head. Apparently he's 5 ft 9 1⁄2 in. He loooked to be shorter than Robinho, about the height of Lennon, during the game. Crouch really towered over him.

Seems he slapped Ibra in 2003, and now they play in the same team. Wonder if Ibra's slapped him back yet?

Edit: Was Joe kissing his nose? :?:

Is that and headbutting considered to be "speaking Scottish"?

hyperion

Feb 15th, 2011, 10:35 PM

LMAO at speaking Gattuso "speaking Scottish". I guess they could call swearing the universal language.

Tornado F2

Feb 15th, 2011, 10:44 PM

Wonder if Gattuso headbutts his Scottish wife?

Bet she'll be "speaking Scottish" a lot to him after that stunt.

Tornado F2

Feb 16th, 2011, 12:13 AM

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51283000/jpg/_51283345_gattuso_jordan_460x260getty.jpg

Redknapp joked that it was not wise to pick a fight with Jordan, who played for AC Milan for two years in the 1980s after long spells with Leeds and Manchester United.

"There would be only one winner there - Joe," he said. "I'd have my money on Joe. Of all the people to pick on, don't pick on Joe."

hyperion

Feb 16th, 2011, 02:35 PM

Entertaining game at Emirates. Barcelona is running rampant on Arsenal once again, and the second goal should have counted. It wasn't offside for two reasons, and it also hit Djourou's hand, so it could have been a penalty at worst. I checked out the Sportsnet game, and was once again struck by how horrible the quality is. My stream is a better quality, hell, any 500-600kbps stream would look better than that. Does Rogers intentionally downgrade their SD channels to force people to HD channels??

bja68

Feb 16th, 2011, 02:40 PM

Arsenal's line is way too high ... didn't Arsene watch Mourinho fail with this tactic in the El Classico.

jcon

Feb 16th, 2011, 03:03 PM

Arsenal's line is way too high ... didn't Arsene watch Mourinho fail with this tactic in the El Classico.

Wenger never sees anything.

hyperion

Feb 16th, 2011, 03:28 PM

Arshavin FTMFW. He should be starting every game if it's between him and Walcott. Walcott is all speed, little skill.

bja68

Feb 16th, 2011, 03:33 PM

Good game. Arsenal played well in the 2nd half both on offense and defense. Barca went to sleep but there's still the 2nd leg.

pavelbure10

Feb 16th, 2011, 03:40 PM

2-1 is not a big enough lead, arsenal played well in the 2nd half, 2nd leg nou camp, barca will show no mercy

rooney11

Feb 16th, 2011, 03:45 PM

Arshavin FTMFW. He should be starting every game if it's between him and Walcott. Walcott is all speed, little skill.

its more between Nasri and Arshavin, walcott good to have against Barca slow defenders.

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 16th, 2011, 03:48 PM

messi was horrible.

missed 1 on 1 with keeper (not even on target)

why in the blue hell did pep take villa off?

valdes :lol:

i feel sorry for whoever is facing barca in the weekend, they are gonna get thrashed :(

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/1/30/1233320352390/Andrei-Arshavin-002.jpg

knock out barca??!!

Tornado F2

Feb 16th, 2011, 04:32 PM

Entertaining game at Emirates. Barcelona is running rampant on Arsenal once again, and the second goal should have counted.

Arsenal's line is way too high ... didn't Arsene watch Mourinho fail with this tactic in the El Classico.

The Shakhtar game turned out better than I'd expected. Nice to see Ashton-born Perotta score, even if it was quickly overturned. Those Ukraine-based Brazilians are pretty good.

Apparently Wenger DID know what he was doing. Next leg Arsenal need to try and keep 100% possession of the ball. glwt. :)

United on next week. :D

krash322

Feb 17th, 2011, 10:18 AM

Good for Arsenal for beating Barca. Gotta love the reaction on RVP after he scored his goal. :razz:

Interesting four games so far, I think each was an upset.

As a TV viewer, UEFA's idea to stretch a matchday over two weeks is pretty good, it allows us to watch all games live.

hyperion

Feb 17th, 2011, 11:38 AM

elty

Feb 17th, 2011, 11:59 AM

I also just noticed Liverpool is the only English club in the Round of 32.

Manchester City?

hyperion

Feb 17th, 2011, 12:49 PM

Manchester City?

Oh, right. :)

Tornado F2

Feb 17th, 2011, 01:14 PM

The Europa League is a lot tougher this year. A lot of top teams are part of it. Sevilla, Porto, Liverpool, Zenit, Sporting, Benfica, Stuttgart, PSG, Besiktas, Ajax, Villarreal, Leverkusen, PSV and more. I also just noticed Liverpool is the only English club in the Round of 32.

Other than City. A big reason for that is that last season's EPL top 4 all remained in the Ch Lg. Nobody dropped down to the City/LFC level.

hyperion

Feb 17th, 2011, 02:01 PM

Other than City. A big reason for that is that last season's EPL top 4 all remained in the Ch Lg. Nobody dropped down to the City/LFC level.

OOOOOhhhhhh. I have a feeling your lot will be dropping something soon! :twisted:

NDman

Feb 17th, 2011, 02:08 PM

Does anyone know of an English stream for the Liverpool game? The one on atdhenet is not English. None of the english links from myp2p worked for me. :(

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 17th, 2011, 03:29 PM

The Europa League is a lot tougher this year. A lot of top teams are part of it. Sevilla, Porto, Liverpool, Zenit, Sporting, Benfica, Stuttgart, PSG, Besiktas, Ajax, Villarreal, Leverkusen, PSV and more. I also just noticed Liverpool is the only English club in the Round of 32.

many of those are not top teams

besiktas? 6th in turkish league

sevilla? nowhere as good as they used to be, fabiano wants out, 8th in la liga

stuttgart? 17th in bundesliga

hyperion

Feb 17th, 2011, 06:40 PM

Speaking of Man Shty, this (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/17/rooney-kaka-manchester-city-aris-programme) is jokes. Those funny Greeks!

Tornado F2

Feb 17th, 2011, 07:47 PM

Hey look, LFC had a game today:

Sparta Prague 0 - 0 Liverpool

Shame nobody showed up. Just like most UEFA Cup games. They really lack the spark of the Ch Lg.

Tornado F2

Feb 17th, 2011, 07:50 PM

Speaking of Man Shty, this (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/17/rooney-kaka-manchester-city-aris-programme) is jokes. Those funny Greeks!

The article actually TELLS us where Wally is, relative to players, instead of just pointing out the obvious RED AND WHITE outfit. :lol:

jcon

Feb 18th, 2011, 09:56 AM

Tornado F2

Feb 18th, 2011, 12:09 PM

Jose Mourinho has not lost a home league game in 9 years. Love him or loathe him, that's a pretty remarkable feat considering he's managed in top of leagues of Europe.

Link (http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2011/02/18/2357781/real-madrid-coach-jose-mourinho-celebrates-nine-years-since-last-)

Giggs has signed an extension with United. :D

Giggs signs extension (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/9401933.stm)

Congrats to Giggsy. Well-deserved and very welcome news. He's still on top of his game. Bobby Charlton is a legend, but Giggsy may well have overtaken him years ago. No World Cup trophy, unfortunately, but pretty much everything else. I believe he started making 1st team appearances the very first year of the EPL, so every year he continues makes his record that much harder to beat. And what a record, in 20 seasons he has received 32 winners' medals including 11 Premier League and two Champions League titles. 11 out of 20 EPL titles. Nobody playing for another team has any chance of matching that. The only players anywhere near were Scholes and Neville, and Neville's run is finished. The only player with any sort of chance of overtaking is Scholes, and I don't see that happening either. I think Giggs' summers off during big tournaments, due to Wales' unfortunate squad limitations, along with the season or so that he was out injured in the late 90s, has allowed him to extend his career about as far as anybody possibly can. The likes of Jimmy Greaves may have achieved longer careers, but not at the level Giggs has maintained all these years. And he's still going. He should negotiate a huge sponsorship deal with Energizer, while he still can! :lol:

And congrats Jose. Though you'll NEVER match Fergie! :razz:

BTW, Giggs is currently tied with a Portuguese goalie as the winningest footballer ever, with 32 medals. This season he only needs to add one more to become the all-time leader. Where can I place my bet on that happening? :)

hyperion

Feb 19th, 2011, 09:17 AM

Chelsea pooped the pants again. :lol: Anelka.

Tornado F2

Feb 19th, 2011, 05:43 PM

Chelsea pooped the pants again. :lol: Anelka.

Ex-United Chel$ki killers! :lol:

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51340000/jpg/_51340078_011317885-1.jpg

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 20th, 2011, 03:09 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOR-i8Pykz8&feature=player_embedded#at=14

^^ ozil has taken over kaka's place in starting 11

kaka to man city? back to milan?

unless he loves being on the bench, he'll be gone in the summer

marseille strikers all injured :-0

not only does man utd get an easy team in the round of 16, they face a depleted one, man utd should win by a large margin in the 1st leg

Tornado F2

Feb 21st, 2011, 10:25 AM

Evra just signed a 3 year contract extension at United. He's already been with us for 5 years, joining for £5m 5 years ago. Great deal, just like the signing of Vidic at the same time.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51352000/jpg/_51352152_evradeal.jpg

Meanwhile, as I post this, Gattuso is facing an disciplinary panel over his headbutt on Joe Jordan. Hopefully Joe will be allowed to retaliate. :razz:

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51285000/jpg/_51285030_jordan466.jpg

Edit: Gattuso given four-match ban.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/9398824.stm

rooney11

Feb 21st, 2011, 12:09 PM

Meanwhile, as I post this, Gattuso is facing an disciplinary panel over his headbutt on Joe Jordan. Hopefully Joe will be allowed to retaliate. :razz:

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51285000/jpg/_51285030_jordan466.jpg

Edit: Gattuso given four-match ban.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/9398824.stm

He will appeal, and it will be reduced to 2 games.

Tornado F2

Feb 21st, 2011, 01:26 PM

He will appeal, and it will be reduced to 2 games.

Only if he headbutts two of the panel first. :razz:

Tornado F2

Feb 23rd, 2011, 01:44 PM

Marseille v Man Utd about to kick off. Heinze meets his old mates. :)

Marseille
30 Mandanda
19 Heinze
21 Diawara
24 Fanni
06 Edouard Cisse
08 Gonzalez
12 Kabore
17 M'bia
09 Brandao
11 Remy
20 Ayew
Substitutes
16 Andrade, 03 Taiwo, 05 Hilton, 07 Cheyrou, 18 Abriel, 28 Valbuena, 15 Ayew

Man Utd
01 Van der Sar
03 Evra
12 Smalling
15 Vidic
22 O'Shea
16 Carrick
17 Nani
24 Fletcher
28 Gibson
09 Berbatov
10 Rooney
Substitutes
29 Kuszczak, 06 Brown, 20 Fabio Da Silva, 21 Rafael, 18 Scholes, 14 Hernandez, 26 Obertan

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51390000/jpg/_51390899_rooney466.jpg

hyperion

Feb 23rd, 2011, 02:35 PM

I dozed off watching that game, phone just woke me up.

Fimo

Feb 23rd, 2011, 05:20 PM

I dozed off watching that game, phone just woke me up.

Perhaps there is truth to what Deschamps has to say:

Manchester United lack 'fantasy', says Marseille's Didier Deschamps (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/22/marseille-manchester-united-champions-league)

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 23rd, 2011, 05:33 PM

Perhaps there is truth to what Deschamps has to say:

Manchester United lack 'fantasy', says Marseille's Didier Deschamps (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/22/marseille-manchester-united-champions-league)

they can have kaka :D

madrid was unlucky vs lyon

1 post, 1 bar

at least got the important away goal

benz got a ovation when he came in, nice gesture by lyon fans

Fimo

Feb 23rd, 2011, 05:57 PM

at least got the important away goal

benz got a ovation when he came in, nice gesture by lyon fans

The return leg is going to be good, Real have the upper hand with the away goal, if Lyon score first it will make things interesting.

Good to see the Lyon fans appreciating a former player, Ajax and their fans had a farewell for Suarez this past weekend even sang YNWA, and Torres thinks there is no romance left in football? :facepalm:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILbSR0E0rSE

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 23rd, 2011, 06:44 PM

http://i52.tinypic.com/2n894ix.gif

:lol::lol::lol:

and

http://goonertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/c2ae1252f9e8.jpg

rooney11

Feb 23rd, 2011, 07:10 PM

http://i52.tinypic.com/2n894ix.gif

:lol::lol::lol:

and

http://goonertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/c2ae1252f9e8.jpg

:lol:, and both of them are married.

hyperion

Feb 23rd, 2011, 08:24 PM

They're probably just surprised she has a Leyton Orient scarf on. :lol:

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 23rd, 2011, 09:18 PM

http://www.sportingintelligence.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Best-selling-shirts31.8.10.jpg

i didn't expect chelsea shirts to sell that well

Fimo

Feb 23rd, 2011, 10:19 PM

i didn't expect chelsea shirts to sell that well

Saw this earlier today, forgot to post it though:

Spanish clubs leading Europe in merchandise income rise (http://www.latimes.com/sports/sns-rt-ouksp-uk-soccer-eurotre71l5q9-20110222,0,5828121.story)

"The top 10 clubs ranked by retail revenue were: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Olympique Marseille, Manchester United, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Olympique Lyon and Fenerbahce."

Having a hard time believing Fenerbahce are in the top 10, even the Gooners and Chelsea don't rank.

Tornado F2

Feb 24th, 2011, 02:16 AM

Saw this earlier today, forgot to post it though:

Spanish clubs leading Europe in merchandise income rise (http://www.latimes.com/sports/sns-rt-ouksp-uk-soccer-eurotre71l5q9-20110222,0,5828121.story)

"The top 10 clubs ranked by retail revenue were: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Olympique Marseille, Manchester United, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Olympique Lyon and Fenerbahce."

Having a hard time believing Fenerbahce are in the top 10, even the Gooners and Chelsea don't rank.

http://arabnews.com/sports/article248076.ece/REPRESENTATIONS/large_620x350/spo_torres.jpg

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQLEJbQFPlZCo6qhggLM-umBIA2mQ97PF6bt9BTxMyVuxi3ay2coQ

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTJkp-pEp3d9AbJjrj6aZ7fk_TkFJVddnUbjmNb3rXc7bERwxOk

http://www.sportsgrindent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DavidBeckham.jpg

The only possible explanation.

hyperion

Feb 24th, 2011, 09:06 AM

Nah, the only possible explanation is that the ManU jersey is a close substitute with toilet paper, and toilet paper was just on sale more of the time.

Tornado F2

Feb 24th, 2011, 12:12 PM

Nah, the only possible explanation is that the ManU jersey is a close substitute with toilet paper, and toilet paper was just on sale more of the time.

No toilet paper shipments made it into Liverpool at all last year, hence the run on LFC shirts. :razz:

That revenue list makes no sense, at least for last year. Given the state of the economy, and LFC's poor performance on-field, plus the hatred for the owners, I can't see any reason for LFC's revenues to be high at all. Unless fans for some reason prefer "Accountants" on their shirts over "Carlsberg". :confused:

Tornado F2

Feb 24th, 2011, 02:59 PM

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51409000/jpg/_51409312_carragherboot.jpg

:lol:

Tornado F2

Feb 26th, 2011, 10:22 AM

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51436000/jpg/_51436990_011378513-1.jpg

Wee Pea!!!! :lol:

jcon

Feb 26th, 2011, 10:35 AM

Wee Pea!!!! :lol:

x2 !

Tornado F2

Feb 26th, 2011, 10:40 AM

x2 !

I post a pic and we score. It works almost every time! I should receive EPL Winners Medals too! :lol:

jcon

Feb 26th, 2011, 10:54 AM

I post a pic and we score. It works almost every time! I should receive EPL Winners Medals too! :lol:

Only if I get one for not wearing my jersey during Saturday - 5pm games too!

Nice to net 4 today to get that goal differential back up!

Tornado F2

Feb 26th, 2011, 11:03 AM

Only if I get one for not wearing my jersey during Saturday - 5pm games too!

Nice to net 4 today to get that goal differential back up!

Yeah, I have my own shirt routine too. I still have a 2005 shirt around that's looking a bit beat these days (felt lettering is coming off) but it seems to come through in close games. I switched from one shirt to that one and we quickly went from 1-0 to 4-0! :lol:

A decent result against Chelsea on Tuesday, followed by a good win over LFC, and we should be pretty much home and dry.

I was hoping we might get this game later this afternoon on SN, but I see those buggers at Setanta grabbed it. Can't wait for them to go bust so we can get our United matches back.

jcon

Feb 26th, 2011, 11:08 AM

A decent result against Chelsea on Tuesday, followed by a good win over LFC, and we should be pretty much home and dry.

I was hoping we might get this game later this afternoon on SN, but I see those buggers at Setanta grabbed it. Can't wait for them to go bust so we can get our United matches back.

I'm not that confident. Even if we secure all 3 from Chelski and Liverpool it will still be a long road, IMO. Nice to see an away WIN today. :confused:

I'm shocked the EPL are still getting cheques from any of the Setanta entities.

Tornado F2

Feb 26th, 2011, 11:13 AM

Position Team P GD PTS
Full Barclays Premier League table
1 Man Utd 27 36 60
2 Arsenal 27 30 56
3 Man City 27 19 49
4 Tottenham 27 7 47
5 Chelsea 26 24 45
6 Liverpool 27 3 39
7 Bolton 28 1 37
8 Sunderland 28 -2 37
9 Newcastle 28 4 36

Shame Bolton and Sunderland dropped points today. It would be fun to watch Chel$ki's reaction with several teams snapping closely at their heels.

Just heard Heinze being interviewed on SN2 saying he wishes he'd stayed at United. I still like the guy, though Evra would have kept him on the subs bench anyway.

Here's a good comment from the BBC site:
bearwood79 on Twitter: "Football never ceases to amaze. Blackpool beat AC Milan beating Spurs and then four days later get tonked by Wolves. Got love it!"

It is a funny game sometimes. Wolves have done well against top teams this season, yet were still at the bottom. Today's result will hopefully help them to survive. Hopefully Blackpool will too. Both teams (and managers) are entertaining to watch so I'd like to see them stick around.

Tornado F2

Feb 26th, 2011, 11:19 AM

I'm not that confident. Even if we secure all 3 from Chelski and Liverpool it will still be a long road, IMO. Nice to see an away WIN today. :confused:

I'm shocked the EPL are still getting cheques from any of the Setanta entities.

I'm always confident for United. Some players like Barthez have bugged me at times, but overall the team usually comes through. We have good squad depth this season, but the 2nd stringers need to put in more effort in the remaining games otherwise they'll be moved on in the summer. We have some good loanees out there waiting to come back. :)

As for Setanta, I think "our" one is just another Rogers creation. I'd like to see a return to the old days where we only had SN and TSN to worry about. I pay for them on cable, but I have no interest in supporting multiple overpriced additional channels too. I just don't have that much time available to watch enough games to make it worthwhile. 3 games on a weekend was good. Especially if TLN had a good Italian game too.

Fimo

Feb 26th, 2011, 01:29 PM

Some sad news for those of you who remember Dean Richards, former Wolves and Spurs defender:

• 36 year-old defender dies after long illness
• Wolves and Tottenham plan tribute

Former Wolves and Tottenham defender Dean Richards dies (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/26/bradford-tottenham-hotspur)

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 26th, 2011, 01:33 PM

imagine chelsea miss out on cl, LOL @ torres, that's the reason he left liverpool

chelsea can't win the title, the best they can do is beat man utd twice and hand the title to arsenal

dortmund beat bayern and pretty much sealed their first bundesliga title in years, congrats!

rooney11

Feb 26th, 2011, 04:52 PM

Ashley Cole, :facepalm:

elty

Feb 26th, 2011, 05:27 PM

Tornado F2

Feb 26th, 2011, 07:44 PM

Ashley Cole, :facepalm:

What's she done this time?

NDman

Feb 26th, 2011, 07:51 PM

What's she done this time?

Shot a fan, quite literally

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/886622/ashley-cole-shoots-chelsea-fan---report?cc=5901

What a moron!

Fimo

Feb 26th, 2011, 07:58 PM

Bundesliga is going to get 4 CL spot this year I think, so Bayern is not out yet.

Really? At which leagues expense? Or are they just giving them an extra spot?

elty

Feb 26th, 2011, 08:11 PM

Really? At which leagues expense? Or are they just giving them an extra spot?

Italy... it looks like they will retain the 4 seats until 2012 though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_coefficient

rooney11

Feb 26th, 2011, 09:28 PM

Bundesliga is going to get 4 CL spot this year I think, so Bayern is not out yet.

They ****in deserve it.

jr!

Feb 26th, 2011, 11:03 PM

They ****in deserve it.

Damn right!!
Hope Dortmund do better in the CL next year than we did in the Europa League this year, but their coefficient is sufficiently crap that at best they'll get 3rd seed in their group.

Tornado F2

Feb 27th, 2011, 12:21 AM

Barca win 3-0

Madrid draw 0-0

Barca now lead by 7 points

Jose looks for most lucrative exit. :lol:

Tornado F2

Feb 27th, 2011, 11:17 AM

imagine chelsea miss out on cl, LOL @ torres, that's the reason he left liverpool

chelsea can't win the title, the best they can do is beat man utd twice and hand the title to arsenal

Check out the standings, especially after today's 3-1 hammering by the Hammers. Liverpool are still 6 points behind Chelsea, having played two more games. If LFC fans have any hope of gaining positives from this season, they should be cheering on United against Chelsea. If Chelsea get no points from those 2 games LFC can at least dream of catching up and claiming a European spot for next year. If LFC have the bottle to actually make a go for it, they will be needing some help from United. :lol:

Position Team P GD PTS
Full Barclays Premier League table
1 Man Utd 27 36 60
2 Arsenal 27 30 56
3 Man City 28 19 50
4 Tottenham 27 7 47
5 Chelsea 26 24 45
6 Liverpool 28 1 39
7 Bolton 28 1 37
8 Sunderland 28 -2 37
9 Newcastle 28 4 36
10 Everton 27 -1 33
11 Stoke 27 -3 33

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 27th, 2011, 12:00 PM

Martins!!!!!!!!!!!

birmingham fa cup champs!

:-0:-0:-0

rooney11

Feb 27th, 2011, 12:10 PM

Bahahahhahahaha, Wenger needs to buy a goalkeeper.

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 27th, 2011, 12:15 PM

so if arsenal wants to win a trophy:

go through man utd in the cup
get more points than man utd in the league
knock out barca and whoever else to win the cl

treble for arsenal??!!

arsenal better win something for fab is gonna go this summer

Tornado F2

Feb 27th, 2011, 12:19 PM

Route one football, straight up the pitch, through the centre of Arsenal's defence, and into the goal. In the 89th minute! :lol:

Congrats Birmingham, and congrats McLeish. He did well with Scotland against the likes of Italy and France, and again with a limited squad he's beaten the more-fancied Arsenal. He deserves more recognition than he gets. Another of Fergie's apprentices, BTW, just like Mark Hughes who took 2 points off City today.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51444000/jpg/_51444975_011390683-1.jpg

How much of a blow will that be to Arsenal? And how will Fabregas react to being completely omitted from the squad? (Remember Ruud VN). This could prove to be a VERY bad day for Arsenal.

Great day for Birmingham City though. Their first trophy in 48 years.

Tornado F2

Feb 27th, 2011, 12:25 PM

Bahahahhahahaha, Wenger needs to buy a goalkeeper.

Imagine if he'd signed Blackpool keeper Kingson in the summer even. Or perma-benched Shay Given. It's amazing how such an intelligent man keeps missing things that everybody else finds obvious.

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 27th, 2011, 12:52 PM

next few games for arsenal are:

Orient (H)
Sunderland (H)
Barcelona (A)
Man Utd (A) if they beat Orient

best case scenario: win all games

worst case: drop points vs sunderland - epl title gone, knocked out by barca in cl, knocked out by Orient or man utd in the cup

next couple of matches will decide whether arsenal's season is a success or not

edit: RVP injured

Tornado F2

Feb 27th, 2011, 01:06 PM

edit: RVP injured

Kicking the ball in the net. That guy's way too fragile. If he's out for a few games Arsene should be available for the Madrid job come summer.

Tornado F2

Feb 27th, 2011, 01:23 PM

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51445000/jpg/_51445998_011391935-1.jpg

jr!

Feb 27th, 2011, 01:47 PM

Martins!!!!!!!!!!!

birmingham fa cup champs!

:-0:-0:-0

CARLING Cup, not FA Cup

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 27th, 2011, 01:51 PM

CARLING Cup, not FA Cup

oh yeah :o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zuua8Rrz9Hs&feature=player_embedded#t=141s

so f'n bad :lol:

Small clubs get a raw deal at Wembley

The 2010 League Cup final was only four minutes old when Nemanja Vidic hauled down Gabriel Abgonlahor in the penalty area and somehow escaped a red card. It was a poor decision, although at least Aston Villa had the consolation of a penalty kick. There was not a single crumb of comfort for Birmingham here, however, after Bowyer, played on by Gaël Clichy, burst on to Zigic's pass and was brought down by Szczesny as he attempted to round him. It should have been a spot kick and a straight red card. Instead, the assistant referee, Ron Ganfield, wrongly raised his flag for offside and Birmingham were denied playing against a 10-man Arsenal side for 88 minutes.

elty

Feb 27th, 2011, 02:22 PM

Smaller club always got rip off like this.

hyperion

Feb 27th, 2011, 02:57 PM

Hurt to see Arsenal like that, but both teams had good reasons to win in my mind and one had to lose, so I guess I am happy to see the underdog but veteran team win too.

jr!

Feb 27th, 2011, 05:24 PM

So do Birmingham have a spot in the Europa League next year now?
Is that how it works in the EPL?
Do two of the four Europa League spots go to the FA Cup & League Cup (Carling Cup) holders?

If the FA Cup is won by a Champions League participant then does the other Europa League spot go to the losing FA Cup finalist or to the 7th place team?

Fimo

Feb 27th, 2011, 05:39 PM

Fimo

Feb 27th, 2011, 10:21 PM

Lord Fergie ain't going to be too pleased about this if it happens:

Wayne Rooney awaits potential ruling on elbow incident at Wigan
• Sir Alex Ferguson dismisses infraction as nothing
• Striker could miss three matches including Chelsea (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/27/wayne-rooney-fa-elbow-james-mccarthy)

Tornado F2

Feb 28th, 2011, 11:32 AM

got_it_4_cheap

Feb 28th, 2011, 12:05 PM

http://i55.tinypic.com/zjj6eh.gif

no punishment for rooney, what a joke FA is :lol:

jcon

Feb 28th, 2011, 02:23 PM

no punishment for rooney, what a joke FA is :lol:

McCarthy clearly tries to get in Rooney's way and raises his arm to him and everyone goes after Wayne? That's the joke.

pavelbure10

Feb 28th, 2011, 07:42 PM

McCarthy clearly tries to get in Rooney's way and raises his arm to him and everyone goes after Wayne? That's the joke.

from that angle looks like Mccarty is just trying to shield rooney out of it, his arms by rooneys hip, and rooney elbows him on the side of the face wow

hyperion

Feb 28th, 2011, 09:27 PM

Did Gerrard get a suspension for that similar elbow last season? I don't remember.

Pretty similar I must say, lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJyOqJ5VLvA

jr!

Feb 28th, 2011, 09:27 PM

from that angle looks like Mccarty is just trying to shield rooney out of it, his arms by rooneys hip, and rooney elbows him on the side of the face wow

Shrek leaves his feet (to use a hockey term) to get him & yet the FA (Ferguson's association) let's him off again!!
What a joke.

I think Stevie G got off on that elbow too, guess there's 2 sets of rules in the EPL.

pavelbure10

Feb 28th, 2011, 09:33 PM

Shrek leaves his feet (to use a hockey term) to get him & yet the FA (Ferguson's association) let's him off again!!
What a joke.

I think Stevie G got off on that elbow too, guess there's 2 sets of rules in the EPL.

exactly its a disgrace he did not get suspended

jcon

Mar 1st, 2011, 10:11 AM

From that angle you can clearly see McCarthy sliding in front of Rooney. Just a bunch of crying from the middle of the table is only reason they even reviewed the footage. Bitters just see what they want.

jcmkl

Mar 1st, 2011, 02:17 PM

Goal!!!

Nice shot by Rooney from around the 25 yard area. 3 goals in 3 games so far, it's looking good for him.

Tornado F2

Mar 1st, 2011, 02:46 PM

Goal!!!

Nice shot by Rooney from around the 25 yard area. 3 goals in 3 games so far, it's looking good for him.

Quick, ban him, before United run away with the league! :lol:

It's sad to see how desperate some are. I don't support Rooney's action if he did do it intentionally, (interesting point about Gerrard - maybe it's a scouse thing?), but regardless he's not the be-all and end-all of United this season. Funny seeing a hockey fan complaining about it. :facepalm:

It's good that Chelsea still have delusions of reclaiming the title this season. If they attack it leaves them open to being punished by United.

Shame we haven't got rid of Setanta Canada yet. And why did TSN2 not broadcast any EPL games at all this week? All these channels, and still nothing on. Except for Italian football. I could almost wish I were Italian sometimes.

Anyway, United are winning at HT, and that's the main thing.

megalison

Mar 1st, 2011, 02:50 PM

Anyone wanna pm me a stream of the Man U v. Chelsea match? I thought it would be on TV for sure but it isn't. :confused:

da_way

Mar 1st, 2011, 03:10 PM

Quick, ban him, before United run away with the league! :lol:

It's sad to see how desperate some are. I don't support Rooney's action if he did do it intentionally, (interesting point about Gerrard - maybe it's a scouse thing?), but regardless he's not the be-all and end-all of United this season. Funny seeing a hockey fan complaining about it. :facepalm:

It's good that Chelsea still have delusions of reclaiming the title this season. If they attack it leaves them open to being punished by United.

Shame we haven't got rid of Setanta Canada yet. And why did TSN2 not broadcast any EPL games at all this week? All these channels, and still nothing on. Except for Italian football. I could almost wish I were Italian sometimes.

Anyway, United are winning at HT, and that's the main thing.

Chelsea's coach has conceded the title, as players they have to talk a good game. They aren't a lock for 4th so they shouldn't be complacent.

jcmkl

Mar 1st, 2011, 03:40 PM

Tornado F2

Mar 1st, 2011, 03:55 PM

WTF? I go to a meeting for the second half and come back to see what seemed like a good result at half turned to shambles?

From the play by play it seemed like Chelsea played a good game. Hopefully Man U will do well in the key games against Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, with the last two being very crucial towards the end. Also they have to win away and beat the lower-tiered teams. Can't rely on Arsenal to choke. It's never good to bank your hopes on the other team losing.

Yeah, same here. Worst of all, Vidic was sent off in ET. Unless Ferdinand recovers we could be left weak at the back. Sounds like Ruiz should have been sent off earlier. If that would have happened Chelsea wouldn't have been able to turn the game.

I think it was hyperion who posted a few weeks ago, mentioning stats that implied that United get an unfair number of penalties. As I think I commented at the time, it's actually the home side that statistics show as getting the advantage. Seems the same thing happened today. The ref gives Chelsea a very soft penalty, and with it all 3 points. There go any hopes LFC may have had of overtaking Chelsea. Hope this result doesn't help Arsenal to recover from their Carling Cup loss in time for their next game, otherwise it could get close at the top. United need to beat LFC on the weekend now.

Fimo

Mar 1st, 2011, 04:52 PM

WTF? I go to a meeting for the second half and come back to see what seemed like a good result at half turned to shambles? Man Yoo were killing Chelsea in the first half,for a few minutes they could hardly get out of their own half, however its a game of 90 minutes, Chelsea did what they had to, massive 3 points for them.

Worst of all, Vidic was sent off in ET. Unless Ferdinand recovers we could be left weak at the back. Sounds like Ruiz should have been sent off earlier. If that would have happened Chelsea wouldn't have been able to turn the game.

I think it was hyperion who posted a few weeks ago, mentioning stats that implied that United get an unfair number of penalties. As I think I commented at the time, it's actually the home side that statistics show as getting the advantage. Seems the same thing happened today. The ref gives Chelsea a very soft penalty, and with it all 3 points. There go any hopes LFC may have had of overtaking Chelsea. Hope this result doesn't help Arsenal to recover from their Carling Cup loss in time for their next game, otherwise it could get close at the top. United need to beat LFC on the weekend now.

Ruiz didn't play, David Luiz on the other hand did, and got away with a few fouls, has to be said though Vidic is a chronic fouler especially against players that are too quick for him all he does is grab the shirt and pull them back, did it with Drogba and then Ramires, had to go, sad as I would have liked to see Suarez tear him a new one on Sunday! :razz:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K_iHQLvRzSM/TVv5mzayKaI/AAAAAAAABpU/3QAnFLkhA7E/s640/david-luiz-chelsea.jpg

hyperion

Mar 1st, 2011, 05:05 PM

Luiz is the real deal.

kitguyy

Mar 1st, 2011, 05:12 PM

rooney11

Mar 1st, 2011, 05:31 PM

Luiz is the real deal.

should have been sent off too!

Tornado F2

Mar 1st, 2011, 05:40 PM

Ruiz didn't play, David Luiz on the other hand did, and got away with a few fouls, has to be said though Vidic is a chronic fouler especially against players that are too quick for him all he does is grab the shirt and pull them back, did it with Drogba and then Ramires, had to go, sad as I would have liked to see Suarez tear him a new one on Sunday! :razz:

Typo, I think. I knew it was Luiz. I'm still not that familiar with Chelsea's more recent additions, they've used the same squad for so long.

Thanks for the reminder that Vidic's red actually has a bright side. I think he missed the last LFC game too. We do better against your lot when he's not there, for whatever reason. Hopefully he'll just miss the one game. I think Berba's due for another hat-trick next weekend. :lol:

Tornado F2

Mar 1st, 2011, 05:41 PM

Typo, I think. I knew it was Luiz. I'm still not that familiar with Chelsea's more recent additions, they've used the same squad for so long.

Thanks for the reminder that Vidic's red actually has a bright side. I think he missed the last LFC game too. We do better against your lot when he's not there, for whatever reason. Hopefully he'll just miss the one game. I think Berba's due for another hat-trick next weekend. :lol:

BTW, why does Luiz get his first name on his shirt too? Do Chelsea have two of them? :?:

Fimo

Mar 1st, 2011, 06:06 PM

Gary Neville was in the away section crowd for today's game, what are the chances he will be there at Anfield on Sunday?

Tornado F2

Mar 1st, 2011, 06:28 PM

Gary Neville was no the away section crowd for today's game, what are the chances he will be there at Anfield on Sunday?

What?

rooney11

Mar 1st, 2011, 06:34 PM

What?

he was in the away section with the rest of the United troops.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc71/madkenstalin/Gifs/UVS110301-001.gif

Fimo

Mar 1st, 2011, 06:47 PM

What?

Corrected.

Tornado F2

Mar 1st, 2011, 07:07 PM

he was in the away section with the rest of the United troops.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc71/madkenstalin/Gifs/UVS110301-001.gif

Looks like he's finally healthy. :razz:

I'm sure he'll be at Anfield. IF he can get past the scouse gatekeepers. :)

Fimo

Mar 1st, 2011, 07:41 PM

Panamanian player discovers that kicking an owl is no hoot
• Bird was struck by the ball in Colombian championship match
• Luís Moreno faces censure after kicking owl towards touchline (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/01/panamanian-luis-moreno-kicking-owl)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgAp7maNius&feature=player_embedded

Colombian owl kicked by Panamanian defender Luis Moreno dies of shock (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/02/owl-colombia-luis-moreno-dies)

hyperion

Mar 1st, 2011, 08:10 PM

What a moron.

elty

Mar 1st, 2011, 08:22 PM

Send that dude to jail.

Tornado F2

Mar 1st, 2011, 11:19 PM

What a moron.

Moreno by name - and by nature.

This being Columbia, he'll likely be shot dead before the end of the week.

Nice looking bird too.

hyperion

Mar 2nd, 2011, 11:13 AM

Red Nose to face lengthy ban? It'd say it's justice finally served, IF it happens.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/02032011/58/premier-league-paper-round-fa-punish-hypocrite-fergie.html

rooney11

Mar 2nd, 2011, 11:24 AM

hyperion

Mar 2nd, 2011, 11:33 AM

What he said was accurate, but something you really cant say.

How did you think about Atkinson's refereeing yesterday?

It is accurate, but he's not allowed to say it. By saying it he's putting pressure on referees and questioning their integrity, and he's a manager.

rooney11

Mar 2nd, 2011, 11:37 AM

It is accurate, but he's not allowed to say it. By saying it he's putting pressure on referees and questioning their integrity, and he's a manager.

Chelsea's Record, when Atkinson is refereeing:

P-17 W-16 D-1 L-0 F-40 A-3

Fimo

Mar 2nd, 2011, 11:39 AM

Red Nose to face lengthy ban? It'd say it's justice finally served, IF it happens.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/02032011/58/premier-league-paper-round-fa-punish-hypocrite-fergie.html

Not going to happen, Lord Fergie is an "untouchable" when it comes to these things.

What he said was accurate, but something you really cant say.

How did you think about Atkinson's refereeing yesterday?

For all of Fergies criticism of Atkinson, you can't have it both ways can you?

"But in perhaps the most highly pressurised game of Atkinson's career, he was absolutely correct. In the maelstrom of a local derby the deciding goal was scored in the 96th minute despite the fact that the second official had indicated there would be four minutes of added time. Atkinson had kept his head and tacked on another two minutes because there had been a goal celebration, a substitution and a one-man pitch invasion. Manchester City were the aggrieved party that day. The man who scored the late, late winner was Michael Owen. Of Manchester United."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/mar/02/martin-atkinson-manchester-united

hyperion

Mar 2nd, 2011, 11:57 AM

Stumbled over this gem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDbIr3DILNc

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 2nd, 2011, 12:07 PM

Jose Mourinho vs Manuel Pellegrini tomorrow

i bet pelle would love to be the one putting an end to jose's home record

i didn't mind pelle, played attacking football, 96 points which would win you the league anywhere but not in la liga because of barca

however, if madrid get past lyon then i have to say sacking him and getting jose was the right choice

"Manuel Pellegrini had a good run in La Liga with Real Madrid last year and I expect the crowd to greet him well. The door to our dressing room is open for him."

nice to see jose give credit where credit is due

Andy Carroll is in line to make his Liverpool debut against Manchester United on Sunday while Raul Meireles, Daniel Agger and Fabio Aurelio could also play

http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0301/ryangiggs19912_576x324.jpg

one player i wish madrid bought from man utd 10 years ago.

----makalele----
figo-zidane-giggs

what a midfield!

Tornado F2

Mar 2nd, 2011, 12:22 PM

Chelsea's Record, when Atkinson is refereeing:

P-17 W-16 D-1 L-0 F-40 A-3

Wow. :-0 There's no questioning what those stats say. I can't imagine any referee getting away with being more biased than that. How the heck did he get to referee such an important match? Or any match at all? He should be barred from officiating Chelsea games for life.

Tornado F2

Mar 2nd, 2011, 12:34 PM

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/02032011/58/premier-league-paper-round-fa-punish-hypocrite-fergie.html

Was that supposed to be journalism? :?: Talk about biased and hateful, even putting words in Fergie's mouth that were never said ("5 year olds"). Hope Fergie sets his lawyers on them.

Tornado F2

Mar 2nd, 2011, 12:42 PM

Stumbled over this gem:

I'm not even clicking on that one, but you really don't want to go there, given Liverpool's diving record. Gerrard and Torres in particular. Chelsea are masters at it too.

hyperion

Mar 2nd, 2011, 07:40 PM

Was that supposed to be journalism? :?: Talk about biased and hateful, even putting words in Fergie's mouth that were never said ("5 year olds"). Hope Fergie sets his lawyers on them.

Here's a better one: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/02/sir-alex-ferguson-the-fa

Fimo

Mar 2nd, 2011, 08:21 PM

Here's a better one: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/02/sir-alex-ferguson-the-fa

lol, Fergie is just a big **** disturber, always has been, always will be, I don't think he will be winding up Ancelotti like he did Keegan though, still laugh every time I see this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXpUdBlRZe8

Tornado F2

Mar 2nd, 2011, 08:51 PM

Here's a better one: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/02/sir-alex-ferguson-the-fa

"Chelsea's Record, when Atkinson is refereeing:

P-17 W-16 D-1 L-0 F-40 A-3"

That's all that Fergie needs to point out. Case closed.

It's a sad day if a manager gets punished for stating the truth. He hasn't exactly been swearing at the ref or anything has he?

Tornado F2

Mar 2nd, 2011, 08:53 PM

lol, Fergie is just a big **** disturber, always has been, always will be, I don't think he will be winding up Ancelotti like he did Keegan though, still laugh every time I see this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXpUdBlRZe8

Me too! :lol:

"I luv it".

hyperion

Mar 3rd, 2011, 01:42 PM

Kolo Toure caught using illegal substance. Man Shty :D :lol:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/03/manchester-city-kolo-toure-drugs-test

Tornado F2

Mar 3rd, 2011, 04:39 PM

Manchester City defender Kolo Toure fails drugs test

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/9413738.stm

Will he see a lengthy ban like Rio did? Rio wasn't even found to have used drugs, he just missed a test. This could prove costly to City as he's a key player.

Bah, beaten to it. :)

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 3rd, 2011, 04:44 PM

Ronaldo just walks off after his hatrick :-0:lol: Real have made all their subs so they're down to 10.

when you're 7-0 up and the opponents are down to 9 ... its all good i guess, looks like he got a knock

welcome back to the bernabeu pelle and baptista!

Fimo

Mar 3rd, 2011, 06:30 PM

Fergie's tantrums continue, MUTV join the Beeb on the "I'm not talking to you" list:

Sir Alex Ferguson refuses to talk to MUTV after FA charge
• Manager blanks Manchester United's own television station
• Ferguson charged over criticism of referee at Chelsea (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/03/alex-ferguson-mutv-fa-charge)

"He already has two matches of a four-game touchline ban hanging over him as a suspended sentence for his criticisms of Alan Wiley in 2009 – Ferguson had described him as not physically fit to officiate in the Premier League – and the feeling at United is that he will receive a three-match ban if he admits the charge but possibly four or five if he pleads not guilty. "

Strangely enough he didn't say that Mark Clattenburg was an incompetent buffoon on the weekend, but as soon as an opposition player is involved he has lots to say, btw for those of you that missed it, from last nights Man City v Aston Villa game, Balotelli gets a yellow card for an "elbow" that was not intentional and nowhere as close to what Rooney did, but Clattenburg still carded him, inconsistent below par refereeing FTW!

pavelbure10

Mar 3rd, 2011, 08:07 PM

Kolo Toure caught using illegal substance. Man Shty :D :lol:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/03/manchester-city-kolo-toure-drugs-test

Whats the odds he will say if was cough medicine or something along those lines, but soccer does have a strict penalty if caught, two years there saying?

Tornado F2

Mar 3rd, 2011, 08:22 PM

Whats the odds he will say if was cough medicine or something along those lines, but soccer does have a strict penalty if caught, two years there saying?

Look what Rio got just for missing a test. He wasn't even found guilty of actual doping. Teams and players just have to be aware of the rules by now. It's unfortunate for him and City, but he should be facing a serious ban now.

jcon

Mar 3rd, 2011, 08:57 PM

Look what Rio got just for missing a test. He wasn't even found guilty of actual doping. Teams and players just have to be aware of the rules by now. It's unfortunate for him and City, but he should be facing a serious ban now.

Rio didn't 'miss' a test, he skipped it! Fergie should have turfed him right there but didn't. Rio was clearly on something.

If Toure was found to have a banned substance, or masking agent, he should be kicked out for the rest of the season. If it's a serious infraction, he needs to be out for two years. Otherwise, he's at Citeh, so he's been punished enough.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 3rd, 2011, 10:03 PM

VDS

Rafael-----Smalling-----Brown-----Evra

Nani-----Carrick-----Scholes-----Giggs

Berbatov-----Rooney

Carroll-----Suarez

Cole-----Gerrard-----Meireles/Lucas-----Kuyt

Aurelio-----Agger-----Srktel-----Johnson

Reina

pool's best chance to beat man utd this season with no ferdinand and vidic

3-0 pool, cole hattrick (he's better than messi)

hyperion

Mar 3rd, 2011, 10:31 PM

You're too kind.

Fimo

Mar 3rd, 2011, 10:50 PM

I can't see us winning that game with Cole playing and where's Carra?

Johnson at LB and Carra at RB to counter Nani and Evra , can't trust Johnson to defend them.

Carroll will come of the bench Suarez and Kuyt start upfront.

Tornado F2

Mar 3rd, 2011, 11:40 PM

Rio didn't 'miss' a test, he skipped it! Fergie should have turfed him right there but didn't. Rio was clearly on something.

If Toure was found to have a banned substance, or masking agent, he should be kicked out for the rest of the season. If it's a serious infraction, he needs to be out for two years. Otherwise, he's at Citeh, so he's been punished enough.

Iirc he was moving house or something. Offers were made to take the test as soon as it was realised what had happened, but it was already too late. They had their high-profile example for everybody else.

I was surprised that he remained on the payroll when he was inelligible to play, especially at the rate he's paid. Still, it could have been worse. We could have signed Woodgate instead. :razz:

If Toure misses just the remainder of the season even, it could end up costing City their Ch Lg spot. A huge loss. But whatever he gets, it needs to be consistent.

Fimo

Mar 4th, 2011, 03:21 PM

A young Giggs taken on defenders back in the late 80s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COsUoYbxkUA&feature=player_embedded

hyperion

Mar 4th, 2011, 04:57 PM

I'm surprised gi4c didn't post this yet: some psycho attacked Mourinho with a knife. I know he's a polarizing figure, but wtf?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12651240

Fimo

Mar 4th, 2011, 06:12 PM

I'm surprised gi4c didn't post this yet: some psycho attacked Mourinho with a knife. I know he's a polarizing figure, but wtf?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12651240

Another reason I can see JM moving IF Real fail to win anything this season. He already doesn't get on with Jorge Valdano.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 5th, 2011, 01:08 AM

Another reason I can see JM moving IF Real fail to win anything this season. He already doesn't get on with Jorge Valdano.

actually i think he'll want to stay more if he doesn't win a title, his ego will take a massive hit if he leaves madrid with nothing, i see him sticking around for at least 1 more year, like he said, his teams are better in the 2nd season

he won the war against valdano (so far), he got a striker in jan and more control and power (more than any other manager @ madrid)

he always wants to leave on a high (porto, chelsea, inter) as league champs or cl champs so everyone misses him and talks highly of him when he's gone

i think he underestimated just how good barca is (probably cause his inter knocked out barca last year, however this year barca is better), tried to play them at their own game in el clasico and got owned

i expect madrid to play like birmingham did vs arsenal in the next el clasico and copa del rey final

The 67-year-old Ferguson and Dalglish -- 60 years old Friday -- both grew up in Glasgow, where people have been known to confuse a kiss with a head-butt. Theirs has been a tense but respectful relationship ever since the two combative Scots first clashed on the field in 1969 when a baby-faced Dalglish, filling in as an emergency center back for Celtic, marked Ferguson, then a bustling, industrious Rangers striker. "My biggest memory is Fergie's elbows; they were a real nuisance," Dalglish recalled at his press briefing Thursday. "But I have to say he never gave me a problem."

That is, until Ferguson became the boss of Dalglish's despised rival. In fact, the first time I fully grasped the level of enmity of a United-Liverpool derby was in 1988. Liverpool was then cruising to its 17th title when United, 11 points back, rolled into Anfield. As memorable as the game itself was -- United's two-goal comeback spoiled the Kop's fun and earned a 3-3 draw -- it was eclipsed by the postmatch managerial fireworks.

Ferguson, in full hair-dryer mode, was ranting to a radio reporter about -- wait for it -- the officiating, claiming that managers of visiting teams leave Anfield "choking on their own vomit, biting their tongue, afraid to tell the truth."

As it happened, Dalglish was walking past him during Ferguson's meltdown, carrying his six-week-old daughter. Without breaking stride, he turned to the reporter, and pointing to his daughter, said, "You'll get more sense out of her."

question for liverpool fans, why did king kenny wait so long to come back to manage liverpool? what was he doing all these years? :confused:

hyperion

Mar 5th, 2011, 08:42 AM

Hide yo' kids, hide yo' wife, snoods deemed unsafe and banned by FIFA.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/05/snoods-banned-fifa-goalline-technology

jr!

Mar 5th, 2011, 08:50 AM

[QUOTE=got_it_4_cheap;12531978
question for liverpool fans, why did king kenny wait so long to come back to manage liverpool? what was he doing all these years? :confused:[/QUOTE]

He managed Blackburn rovers to the EPL title, then Newcastle, then Celtic.

He was only recently re hired by Liverpool as an ambassador a few years ago during Rafa's reign.

Here's the full scoop.
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Kenny_Dalglish

Tornado F2

Mar 5th, 2011, 09:02 AM

I'm surprised gi4c didn't post this yet: some psycho attacked Mourinho with a knife. I know he's a polarizing figure, but wtf?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12651240

Probably because he can't get online while he's locked away in a Spanish cell! :razz:

Tornado F2

Mar 5th, 2011, 09:14 AM

Speaking of managers, looks like Roy Hodgson sent a message to LFC and the FA (England) today, dressing his Baggies up in red and white and earning a 3-1 win away at Birmingham. Wonder how LFC might have fared this season if the players, and fans, would have given him a proper chance? Or any chance at all.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51536000/jpg/_51536969_011449868-1.jpg

A midlands derby, with a touch of England v Scotland to it.

Tornado F2

Mar 5th, 2011, 09:23 AM

Hide yo' kids, hide yo' wife, snoods deemed unsafe and banned by FIFA.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/05/snoods-banned-fifa-goalline-technology

Quick, order your LFC, Arsenal, and Man City collectors items now! :lol:

Big wimps!

hyperion

Mar 5th, 2011, 10:55 AM

Sigh, Arsenal can't buy any luck.

Hit the frame twice, plus one correct goal disallowed.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 5th, 2011, 10:59 AM

arsenal lol

man utd is really lucky it is arsenal chasing them for the title and not chelsea

man utd got nothing to worry about, arsenal always finds a way to screw it up

Manchester United have been linked with a summer move for Reina and Liverpool face a battle to convince the keeper that he is best served by remaining at Anfield.

"I am not announcing my departure, far from it," he told The Guardian. "I've said lots of times I'm very happy in England and comfortable at Liverpool, but I'm not prepared to swear eternal love to anyone. That's impossible. Any player who says that is lying.

"I can't say much because I have a contract with Liverpool, but eternal love doesn't exist. No one is master of his own destiny. When a player is at a club he has to give everything - that is all you can ask of him."

will reina follow owen to man utd?

Tornado F2

Mar 5th, 2011, 11:03 AM

Sigh, Arsenal can't buy any luck.

Hit the frame twice, plus one correct goal disallowed.

Wow, 0-0? I was enjoying the Newc-Everton match too much to bother checking. :)

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 5th, 2011, 11:15 AM

He managed Blackburn rovers to the EPL title, then Newcastle, then Celtic.

He was only recently re hired by Liverpool as an ambassador a few years ago during Rafa's reign.

Here's the full scoop.
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Kenny_Dalglish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=299VnmLNMcM&feature=related

look what i found! gotta love youtube! klinsmann played for the spurs??!! i'm so watching this! :D

Fimo

Mar 5th, 2011, 11:43 AM

Speaking of managers, looks like Roy Hodgson sent a message to LFC and the FA (England) today, dressing his Baggies up in red and white and earning a 3-1 win away at Birmingham. Wonder how LFC might have fared this season if the players, and fans, would have given him a proper chance? Or any chance at all.

LOL, you are welcome to him once Fergie retires, you can then rub it in our faces as well as to the great manager that he is! :twisted:

PS: red and white are Man Yoo's colours, we wear all red, just sayin'.

hyperion

Mar 5th, 2011, 12:20 PM

Wait until he replaces Capello and wins the World Cup with England. :lol:

Tornado F2

Mar 5th, 2011, 08:40 PM

LOL, you are welcome to him once Fergie retires, you can then rub it in our faces as well as to the great manager that he is! :twisted:

PS: red and white are Man Yoo's colours, we wear all red, just sayin'.

They definitely aren't traditional West Brom colours.

LFC traditionally wear red with white. Not white shorts, but still red & white:

http://www.epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/liverpool-big-pic2.jpg

Maybe you've not been following them for long enough.

As for Roy, he's not United class - too defensive minded - but he was the best LFC could hope for last summer. I think even Kenny avoided the job at that time. For all the hate directed at him, he obviously didn't leave you in a disastrous position. Even Dalglish has acknowledged that. If the squad had put in some effort you might have been above Chelsea or Spurs right now instead of sitting in 7th behind Bolton.

Fimo

Mar 5th, 2011, 09:27 PM

LFC traditionally wear red with white. Not white shorts, but still red & white

lol, umm no we don't we have an all red strip, hence the name "The Reds". In the early years after the Everton split we wore a blue and white kit before choosing Red which were the City of Liverpool's colours at the time:

"For much of Liverpool's history, the team's home colours have been all red, though this has not always been the case. When the club was founded their kit bore more of a resemblance to Everton's colours at the time. The blue and white quartered shirts were used until 1894, when the club adopted the city's colour of red."

FYI kits are traditionally described by their shirt and short so for example Man Yoo would be RED and WHITE, so that kit worn by WBA today resembles Man Yoo more than LFC, it even has black in it! :)

Fimo

Mar 5th, 2011, 09:57 PM

Didn't see the Arsenal game earlier, but they got robbed proper by the linesman:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xhduz0_sunarsoffon457_tech#from=embed

Arshavin is definitely onside when the ball is played to him, its a good thing Sian Massey didn't make the call, she would have been butchered for it!

jr!

Mar 5th, 2011, 10:59 PM

looks offside to me, correct call.

And got_it_4_cheap, you didn't know Klinsmann played for the Spurs?
When he was first signed, the press had labeled him as a diver.
I believe he showed up for one of his press conferences in a diving mask & snorkel.
After scoring he "dove" onto the pitch to celebrate his image.
He did well at the time I think.

rooney11

Mar 5th, 2011, 11:09 PM

onside, Arsenal were robbed! not the first team this week.

and Klinsmann is basically a Spurs legend.

Tornado F2

Mar 6th, 2011, 08:52 AM

Quite the battle so far.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51544000/jpg/_51544414_011458689-1.jpg

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51544000/jpg/_51544415_011458673-2.jpg

Giggsy overtakes Sir Bobby Charlton, playing his 607th match, all with United. He'll be Sir Giggsy soon enough! :)

Tornado F2

Mar 6th, 2011, 09:17 AM

Hmm... Gadhafi owns 7% of Juventus.

Wonder if City's sheikh will find himself facing a revolt someday?

Tornado F2

Mar 6th, 2011, 09:26 AM

Fletcher finally brought on. He should have been on in place of Nani, when he was injured, at least. I've seen Fergie make the mistake of throwing on too many strikers, with no midfield support, before, and today seems to have been a similar case.

Wonder why Kuyt never gets the respect he deserves from LFC fans? I seem to have been his main supporter on this site in the past. He does score key goals for LFC. He had it easy today, with tap-ins, but congrats to him on his first hat-trick.

Suarez... I was thinking United should look into signing him during the WC. I'm not sure if I posted that or not. I saw possibilities for both him and Forlan.

Forlan and Rossi both scored in their Spanish match yesterday. If only we could keep everybody...

Anyway, looking to the future:

Sir Alex Ferguson is planning a £100m spending spree to rebuild Manchester United in the summer. Tottenham's Gareth Bale (£30m), Aston Villa's Ashley Young (£20m), Jordan Henderson of Sunderland (£15m), Everton's Jack Rodwell (£20m), Alex Oxdale-Chamberlain of Southampton (£10m) and Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg (£10m) are all on the shopping list.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/232898/-100m-to-rebuild-Manchester-United

Tornado F2

Mar 6th, 2011, 09:31 AM

Gotta love Hernandez. He's scored from about 2/3rds of his shots so far for United, and he nabs us our consolation today. He definitely has to be part of our future squad.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 6th, 2011, 09:32 AM

screw u hernandez >:( i was so close to being right with the 3-0 scoreline

ANOTHER chance for arsenal to catch up

guess what?

i have a feeling they will screw it up again, those chockers >:(

if arsenal won vs newcastle and beat sunderland yesterday, they would up 1 point on man utd with a game in hand right now but no they had to screw that up :facepalm:

Fimo

Mar 6th, 2011, 09:54 AM

Torres who? Suarez shows once more that he has a better all around game than Torres does, I'd still give Torres the edge in finishing though, but damn Suarez is some player, the way he walked through the Man Yoo defence to set up the first goal, like a hot knife through butter!

Fergie's probably going to whine about Carra's challenge, well to quote Fergie after Rooney's elbow last week, it was a "nothing" challenge as I'm sure he will acknowledge Rafael's challenge was! :)

If Nani's is truly injured then thats unfortunate but his antics were stupid and so were the tears, what a drama queen. :facepalm:

PS: It was good to hear the Kop sing Happy Birthday to Dalglish, what a belated birthday present!

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 6th, 2011, 10:27 AM

lol @ nani setting up kuyt's 2nd goal, wtf was he thinking?

jose to kaka: u ain't pulling your weight. u r just collecting ur paycheck. i don't give a damn who u r. i ain't playing u until u find ur form even if ronaldo is out injured :-0 gotta give props to jose for telling it like it is, unlike ronaldo kaka has not lived up to the hype, i hope man city buys him and break the transfer record :D

ibra a flop @ barca, kaka a flop @ madrid

best player in serie a? that's nice but u ain't good enough for la liga

Chelsea and Manchester City have been put on red alert after it emerged Real Madrid are ready to sell Kaka.

drogba + cash would be a good deal

hyperion

Mar 6th, 2011, 10:48 AM

pavelbure10

Mar 6th, 2011, 11:05 AM

Gotta love Hernandez. He's scored from about 2/3rds of his shots so far for United, and he nabs us our consolation today. He definitely has to be part of our future squad.

is rooney?;) Plus I hope neville was in the stands todays game:razz:

Fimo

Mar 6th, 2011, 11:10 AM

From The Guardian's Daniel Taylor on Twitter: "MUFC say Sir Alex Ferguson not speaking to media after LFC defeat, including MUTV. Players under orders not to talk as well."

Cue Rio on Twitter:

From Man United's Rio Ferdinand on Twitter: "Bad result today no excuses."

hyperion

Mar 6th, 2011, 12:09 PM

is rooney?;) Plus I hope neville was in the stands todays game:razz:

I am 90% sure they are selling him this summer before his value drops even more. They're getting Wellbeck and Macheda back from loans, plus they have Hernandez and Berbagoat. Question is whether it will be to Man Shty or not. I don't see him going to Spain or Germany.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 6th, 2011, 12:43 PM

I am 90% sure they are selling him this summer before his value drops even more. They're getting Wellbeck and Macheda back from loans, plus they have Hernandez and Berbagoat. Question is whether it will be to Man Shty or not. I don't see him going to Spain or Germany.

i hope it is man city

i don't want him @ madrid, not for the price man utd will be asking

he can go to malaga (got rich arab owners now) :D

jcon

Mar 6th, 2011, 12:52 PM

What a poorly played game. Dropping points against mid-level clubs is killing us. Thankfully it's Arsenal behind us and they'll find a way to lose.

Suarez looks fantastic. I wonder how long he'll go before he figures out he has no one to supply him and he'll want to leave?

You just want to reach through the screen and strangle Nani!

Fimo

Mar 6th, 2011, 12:54 PM

i hope it is man city

i don't want him @ madrid, not for the price man utd will be asking

If JM stays at Real, expect him to bid for Rooney, with Benzema going to Chelsea. Drogba or Kalou to leave Chelsea.

Fimo

Mar 6th, 2011, 01:39 PM

The match summed up in photos, quite brilliant actually:

Suarez and Kuyt dominate, Nani bleeds: L'pool v Man Utd in photos (http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Suarez-and-Kuyt-dominate-Nani-bleeds-L-pool-v-?urn=sow-330305)

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 6th, 2011, 02:30 PM

ozil sets up ade

ozil sets up benz

2-0 madrid

ozil! ozil! ozil! :)

First game without Ronaldo and Madrid playing the best football of the season ... hmmm

Tornado F2

Mar 6th, 2011, 06:01 PM

Pleased with the game this morning. Thank goodness it was Phil Dowd and not another certain referee. I think the refereeing was fairly balanced, and he kept a cool head even as tempers flared like they do in a derby match. Suarez's first "assist" was breath-taking, that was some incredible close-control dribbling, Kuyt just ensured it was going in. Kuyt played like a world-class poacher today, he'd give prime Inzaghi a run for his money. Fabio Aurelio played great until he pulled something, I was so afraid that the substituition would shift the match in the rival's favour. Gerrard and Lucas bossed the midfield, Meireles put in another great performance. I really liked the flow of Liverpool's passing, at times it felt like they were plaing Total Football™. Kuyt and Suarez work great together. Man U's defense looked understandingly confused, but Rafael was very good, middle didn't exist and Berbagoat returned to his average form. Damn that Hernandez, stealing the clean sheet at the last moment.

Thare are some good refs out there. It's a shame the one from the Chelsea match cost us this one too, sending off Vidic. At least that's over now, so service will resume.

I caught a glimpse of the LFC goals. The first one should really be Suarez's as it would have gone in without Kuyt's touch. The goal was much like the one he created against WHam, except this time he put it on target too. The Nani header - wtf? I'd need to see that again to understand what happened. But I don't think I'd want to see it. Berb doesn't sound like he had a bad match, hitting the post and having an effort cleared off the line. If his first effort had gone in the game might have gone differently. Did Rooney show up at all, or was he our passenger, like Torres clearly was one of yours earlier in the season?

There will no doubt be other factors, but United and Arsenal's seasons will likely come down to our head-to-head meetings in the league and the FA Cup. Whoever wins them will have a good season. The loser will have to start planning for next season. Hope we get decent referees this time.

On a positive, glad to see Wolves snatched a late goal and a valuable point. Late goals conceded by them have cost them so much this season, so they deserved some reward for a change. Hope Blackpool can pull off a miracle and gain something themselves tomorrow. I'd like to see Wolves and Blackpool stay up.

hyperion

Mar 6th, 2011, 07:18 PM

Here's longer highlights (20min) for Tornado and anyone that missed the game: http://t.co/1cPxhMK

jr!

Mar 6th, 2011, 07:49 PM

rooney11

Mar 6th, 2011, 08:10 PM

Love it "he's scored a hat trick & if you add up all the yards, it's probably 7 yards total!"
:lol:

And Nani- seriously! I'm ashamed to have him & Rafael on my fantasy team.

Kuyt & Suarez (& Meireles) link up well on the pitch, I'm just afraid Carroll won't have the same understanding with Suarez.

So that's the cut that Carragher left him with:

http://c0013674.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/x2_4e44d05

Nothing to be ashamed of in that moment.

Rafael just hot-headed, one of his mates just got bulldozed, through doesnt mean what he did was right.

Tornado F2

Mar 6th, 2011, 08:19 PM

So that's the cut that Carragher left him with:

http://c0013674.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/x2_4e44d05

Nothing to be ashamed of in that moment.

Rafael just hot-headed, one of his mates just got bulldozed, through doesnt mean what he did was right.

Ouch!

Hope he's not out too long. Today's blunder excepted, he's actually been good this season.

Fimo

Mar 6th, 2011, 08:37 PM

Kuyt & Suarez (& Meireles) link up well on the pitch, I'm just afraid Carroll won't have the same understanding with Suarez.

Meireles' runs into the box today were good, Suarez and Kuyt link up well, I can see them playing with Carroll in a 4 3 3 formation with Carroll in the middle. The big guy little guy combo might work as well in a 4 4 2 formation.

As for Nani, not sure how real his "injury" is, he was seen limping out of Anfield, no crutches or anything, but I've seen some doctored pictures floating around the web following the game. Definitely a hard challenge by Carra, could have been red but hardly pre meditated as has been suggested.

Nani's has some great talent, his theatrics are OTT though, if he is really seriously injured today than thats unfortunate, but its a case of the boy who cried wolf too many times isn't it? His reputation precedes him in these situations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XpEoCvW2Wo

Tornado F2

Mar 6th, 2011, 09:07 PM

Nani's has some great talent, his theatrics are OTT though, if he is really seriously injured today than thats unfortunate, but its a case of the boy who cried wolf too many times isn't it? His reputation precedes him in these situations:

Who are you calling "boy"? That's very offensive! :razz:

jr!

Mar 6th, 2011, 09:21 PM

IMHO 'Pool need to spend some money at the back this off season.
Skrtel & the Greek have to go and 2 or more competent center backs have to be obtained.
Carra is starting to seriously slide in his abilities (today's tackle truly was brutal), and Agger is injured too often.

Additionally, has anybody seen this youtube clip of Vinnie Jones' half time speech?
Warnings for a LOT of swearing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC8CIXcUQ8w&feature=player_detailpage

hyperion

Mar 6th, 2011, 09:43 PM

Reina pretty much said the same thing. He wants to stick around, but only as long as the owners spend some money this summer to improve the team. I think NESV will spend, they want to make a good first impression and to show that they are committed to winning. I have no doubts that the team will be reshaped this summer. Some will be leaving, and some big signings will be made.

hyperion

Mar 6th, 2011, 09:54 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC8CIXcUQ8w&feature=player_detailpage

LMAO, epic. He's been in some of my favorite movies too.

Tornado F2

Mar 6th, 2011, 10:29 PM

LMAO, epic. He's been in some of my favorite movies too.

He's a regular on The Cape. Catch it while you still can! :lol:

http://thevalar.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/vinniejonesscalesthecape121310-thumb-374x499-532841.jpg

Tornado F2

Mar 7th, 2011, 12:12 PM

Louis Van Gaal to leave Bayern Munich in summer

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/9417400.stm

So where's he off to? And who will he take with him? :?:

Robben back to Chel$ki? Or Madrid?

krash322

Mar 7th, 2011, 01:59 PM

Tornado F2

Mar 7th, 2011, 04:41 PM

Blackpool's goal against Chelsea today was scored by Puncheon. What a great seaside name. Wonder if they have another player called Judy, or if that's his wife's name? Puncheon, Judy. :lol:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Swanage_Punch_%26_Judy.JPG/670px-Swanage_Punch_%26_Judy.JPG

hyperion

Mar 7th, 2011, 06:06 PM

It sounds like Nani's injury is for real. That's too bad cuz he could be out for awhile and we're headed to crunch time. We just don't have enuf in midfield without him. Gotta thank Fergie for not spending to put more depth into the squad. :facepalm:

I said that at the end of summer and someone didn't agree with me. I am curious to see who will replace Van Der Sar and Giggs (when he does retire).

Fimo

Mar 7th, 2011, 06:14 PM

Fergie's going to bid mega bucks for Bale to replace Giggs, whether its this summer or next waits to be seen, 'Arry isn't going to be too happy about it , maybe Fergie will offer Obertan, Bebe and Carrick to soften the blow?

As for VDS, perharps Hugo Lloris, not sure what his contract situation is but he is one fine goalie.

Jose is thought to be very concerned and has been inquiring about the well being his fellow countryman Nani after yesterday's injury:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYYZFk49PuQ&feature=player_embedded

Tornado F2

Mar 7th, 2011, 06:17 PM

I said that at the end of summer and someone didn't agree with me. I am curious to see who will replace Van Der Sar and Giggs (when he does retire).

Bale would be the obvious successor to Giggs, unless he has some problem with moving north. Giggs will probably know if that's an option or not.

VDS will be replaced with a top guality goalie. I'm sure there are plenty interested in the opportunity. Including Reina, apparently.

The midfield is always the area I feel needs strengthening most. Possibly because of our use of wingers we don't seem to go after top central CMs like we could. We usually do well enough anyway.

Hopefully Valencia and Park will be back soon to give us a strong finish to the season. Next weekend is FA Cup so there's another gap in the EPL season.

Tornado F2

Mar 7th, 2011, 06:21 PM

As for VDS, perharps Hugo Lloris, not sure what his contract situation is but he is one fine goalie.

The key thing is to get another VDS/Schmeichel-type, not another Barthez. We can't afford to give opposing teams chances anymore, like Fergie apparently thought we could when Arsenal were the only other team in town.

pavelbure10

Mar 7th, 2011, 07:36 PM

Bale would be the obvious successor to Giggs, unless he has some problem with moving north. Giggs will probably know if that's an option or not.

VDS will be replaced with a top guality goalie. I'm sure there are plenty interested in the opportunity. Including Reina, apparently.

The midfield is always the area I feel needs strengthening most. Possibly because of our use of wingers we don't seem to go after top central CMs like we could. We usually do well enough anyway.

Hopefully Valencia and Park will be back soon to give us a strong finish to the season. Next weekend is FA Cup so there's another gap in the EPL season.

How is that guy doing, is he expected to return this season? still remember that brutal injury watching it live

Tornado F2

Mar 7th, 2011, 07:57 PM

How is that guy doing, is he expected to return this season? still remember that brutal injury watching it live

"During a Champions League game against Rangers on 14 September, Valencia suffered a break to his left ankle. An operation the morning after the match showed that his left ankle was fractured and dislocated, and that his ankle ligaments were damaged. Valencia is expected to return to action in late February 2011 at the earliest.[43]. On the 28th February 2011, Antonio returned to training with Manchester United's first team."

Could be back real soon now if Nani's still out after the FA Cup break.

elty

Mar 7th, 2011, 09:04 PM

van Gaal is leaving Bayern this summer by "mutual consent". Bayern is 5th at the moment.

Tornado F2

Mar 7th, 2011, 09:06 PM

van Gaal is leaving Bayern this summer by "mutual consent". Bayern is 5th at the moment.

Repost!

I posted that 9 hours ago.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 7th, 2011, 09:33 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_yMpkIc5j-c

now that's what you call team play! 1 touch football!

too bad this will be gone when ronaldo comes back :(

rooney11

Mar 7th, 2011, 10:25 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_yMpkIc5j-c

now that's what you call team play! 1 touch football!

too bad this will be gone when ronaldo comes back :(

its not impressive if its in the middle of the park, plus ramos held on too long. :razz:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoxlhVsPb_k

Tornado F2

Mar 7th, 2011, 11:37 PM

Cute video from Fimo's link. Wait until Gaga hears this girl sing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E258jN-zMzM&feature=player_embedded#at=11

:)

hyperion

Mar 8th, 2011, 10:57 AM

Player-manager sent off for tackling Borat streaker. (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Dorchester-Town-player-manager-Ashley-Vickers-sent-off-for-tackling-Borat-streaker-v-Havant-Waterlooville-article711782.html) :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUtiCXQNJks

jcon

Mar 8th, 2011, 02:33 PM

Interesting first half if you like watching flopping and crying. Both teams are quite dirty, although that's to be expected from Barca.

The ref is clearly there to be certain that Barca get through. UEFA would hate it if they didn't advance.

ARSEnal need to find the back of the net now.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 8th, 2011, 02:40 PM

Double Agent Cesc reporting for duty. Nice "error".

hyperion

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:00 PM

When the game started, I was of the opinion that Arsenal will win. As soon as Almunia came in, I changed my mind.

jcon

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:02 PM

When the game started, I was of the opinion that Arsenal will win. As soon as Almunia came in, I changed my mind.

Saved!

Want to change your opinion now?

Nice own goal. Platini probably put his hand through a wall.

jcon

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:05 PM

What a joke of a red card. Shameful display by the ref.

hyperion

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:07 PM

Those are the two softest yellow cards I've seen in my life.

No I am not changing my opinion.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:13 PM

wtf? this is bs

red for that? this ref is gonna make sure barca go through

watch madrid and valencia get screwed over by refs to even thing out

if i was an arsenal fan i would be FURIOUS right now, **** this ref

jcon

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:20 PM

Pathetic. UEFA is happy but should be ashamed.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:21 PM

and it is over now

good job ref

just give the cl to barca now, we all know refs will make sure they get it anyway

Pathetic. UEFA is happy but should be ashamed.

it is barca so uefa will look the other way

they do no harm, they are pure and whole and all that bs

hyperion

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:23 PM

Have no fear, it's Arshavin time. Not sure why the hell Wegner keeps starting scubs like Rosicky and Walcott ahead of Arshavin.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:28 PM

David Villa went down like he had literally been shot in the back :facepalm:

NDman

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:41 PM

wtf? this is bs

red for that? this ref is gonna make sure barca go through

van Persie's second yellow was unfair. But his first was totally his own doing and it was totally dumb. 2 wrongs don't make a right but van Persie needs to absorb some blame too.

But yeah, some very questionable officiating

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:45 PM

jcon

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:45 PM

van Persie's second yellow was unfair. But his first was totally his own doing and it was totally dumb. 2 wrongs don't make a right but van Persie needs to absorb some blame too.

But yeah, some very questionable officiating

Funny how the ref completely ignored Barca's attacks on van Persie. He deserved a warning for the first yellow. Nothing more.

All this game does is confirm to me that UEFA likes dirty cheating players. Barca are nothing without the refs protection.

hyperion

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:46 PM

Shakhtar quietly took care of business as I expected them too. AS Roma is a joke.

pavelbure10

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:47 PM

What a joke, although bedneter could have easily won it at the end

NDman

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:48 PM

90k screaming fans, he didn't hear the whistle, i don't blame rvp

No, I don't blame him for his second either (hence I wrote it was unfair). As for the first, things got heated moment before that. Anyone with some sense would know any referees would make a quick example to prevent things from escalating. He chose to blatantly push the Barca player (can't remember who). That one RvP asked for it.

Now, I am just commenting on those 2 yellow cards. Nothing more. I'm neutral for both teams. I do think Arsenal got robbed. At least the red card changed the dynamic of the game, especially it was so soon after Arsenal leveled.

hyperion

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:50 PM

No, I don't blame him for his second either (hence I wrote it was unfair). As for the first, things got heated moment before that. Anyone with some sense would know any referees would make a quick example to prevent things from escalating. He chose to blatantly push the Barca player (can't remember who). That one RvP asked for it.

It was Danny Alves, who goes down if a strong breeze is blowing. RvP barely touched him.

PS. Eduardo scored in Shakhar's game again. I wonder how Wegner feels now, choosing to sell Eduardo and keeping Bender.

NDman

Mar 8th, 2011, 03:56 PM

It was Danny Alves, who goes down if a strong breeze is blowing. RvP barely touched him.

Fair enough. I don't contest the latter part either. BUT, the push was almost to the head, or at least above the shoulder. That's at least a yellow regardless if it was a slight touch or not, according to FIFA's (and USSF's too for those who care) recent guidelines

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 8th, 2011, 04:00 PM

Fair enough. I don't contest the latter part either. BUT, the push was almost to the head, or at least above the shoulder. That's at least a yellow regardless if it was a slight touch or not, according to FIFA's (and USSF's too for those who care) recent guidelines

barca player with a hand @ rvp's throat, nothing happens

arsene to ref: you don't respect us

so true

i just have a bad feeling madrid is gonna get screwed next week to even things out

kennyhohoho

Mar 8th, 2011, 04:06 PM

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 8th, 2011, 04:11 PM

It's games like this that make people have no respect for football.

So much flopping and complaining, I thought I was watching a Serie A game.

And the 2 yellows on RvP, LOL. What a joke.

Dani Alves is so much of a punk b*tch it makes me sick.

I hope one of the remaining EPL sides take our Barca, but it doesn't seem likely with the refs UEFA has.

biggest diver/twat in the game

i first realized he's a ***** way back when he played for sevilla

i was so happy when he missed the pk and sevilla got knocked out in cl (fenerbahce went through)

Asked if the sending off had a significant impact on the result, Van Persie said: "I believe so. I think it had a big influence. It was a total joke, the sending off, because how can I hear his whistle with 95,000 people jumping up?"

When it was pointed out that there was just one second between the whistle and Van Persie's shot, the striker replied: "Makes it even worse. This way - one second from his whistle to my shot - makes it even worse.

"It's just a joke. He's been bad all evening. He's been a joke all evening, whistling against us. I don't know why he's here tonight. I think it's a joke."

bja68

Mar 8th, 2011, 04:27 PM

The ref got the van persie call wrong but Barcelona were always on the attack. Arsenal had 0 shot attempts.

bja68

Mar 8th, 2011, 04:30 PM

It just sucks that one bad call changes the perspective of the game.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 8th, 2011, 04:40 PM

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0gu58901ZRcHC/x610.jpg

barca gets away with anything they want, job well done ref

bja68

Mar 8th, 2011, 05:34 PM

People seem to forget that Messi had a goal disallowed for offside when Barca were up 1-0 at the Emirates.

kennyhohoho

Mar 8th, 2011, 05:53 PM

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0gu58901ZRcHC/x610.jpg

barca gets away with anything they want, job well done ref

Doesn't that warrant a straight red?

Abidal didn't get so much as a warning.

:facepalm:

Fimo

Mar 8th, 2011, 06:01 PM

Harsh second yellow for RVP but today's events pale in comparison to what happened to Chelsea in 2009 vs Barca and a series of non calls that day in favour of Barca.

However, Arsenal only have themselves to blame, they lack a strong character player in their side, Vieira was the last one they had, and not surprisingly that was also the last time they won anything.

Not sure what Cesc was thinking messing around with cute passes in that area of the pitch, you don't gift a team like Barca a goal scoring opportunity.

Next up for the Gooners is Man Yoo in the FA Cup and I can't see them winning at OT (especially if Fergie's fave ref Howie Webb is officiating), they might get away with a draw (1-1) but if they are dumped out then its another trophy less season for them, they'll bottle the Premier League as well.

Wonder if that would mean Wenger would leave? 6 years without a trophy? Rafa Benitez to Arsenal anyone?

elty

Mar 8th, 2011, 06:58 PM

What a ****ing disgrace.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 8th, 2011, 07:00 PM

Doesn't that warrant a straight red?

Abidal didn't get so much as a warning.

:facepalm:

barca players are above the law, they can do whatever they want

they also do a fine job of diving/play acting/surrounding the ref etc

a team with so much talent doesn't need to do all that bs but they do

messi also hit a ball after the ref ruled he was offside (this was after rvp sent off)

guess what? messi didn't get a yellow

Fimo

Mar 8th, 2011, 07:02 PM

What a ****ing disgrace.

brings back memories:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkhQZNHcxmE

pavelbure10

Mar 8th, 2011, 08:33 PM

barca players are above the law, they can do whatever they want

they also do a fine job of diving/play acting/surrounding the ref etc

a team with so much talent doesn't need to do all that bs but they do

messi also hit a ball after the ref ruled he was offside (this was after rvp sent off)

guess what? messi didn't get a yellow

This, I dont get why they do this? Did they deserve to go through, yes, They outplayed Arsenal every way, but they whined, dived to it. Its just classless, play the game right and earn the respect

Fimo

Mar 8th, 2011, 10:59 PM

hyperion

Mar 8th, 2011, 11:09 PM

I saw Souness on Sky before the ManU vs Liverpool match, but wow, Rafa as a pundit is a first for me. Interesting, thanks for posting.

hyperion

Mar 9th, 2011, 09:57 AM

Arsenal's Wegner and Nasri charged by UEFA for "unproper comments" to referee. Did they mix up Nasri with van Persie? :lol:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/09/arsene-wenger-samir-nasri-charged

bja68

Mar 9th, 2011, 10:26 AM

Here is some analysis from the Sky Sports team, including Rafa Benitez, who makes the most sense out of the 3 pundits, can't believe Arsenal didn't have 1 shot on goal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STw4KxPgLDk&feature=player_embedded#at=43

Benitez is probably thinking at the back of his mind that he can teach Wenger a thing or two about beating Barca at the Camp Nou he has experience with Valencia and Liverpool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h89fGzxUCI&feature=related

Interesting to see Redknapp and Benitez together in the same room.

Benitez, for all his faults in the league, is an excellent manager in terms of Europeans cups as the games are spread apart and it allows him to develop his tactics. Hes beaten some pretty good teams and some good managers.

elty

Mar 9th, 2011, 11:06 AM

http://ww2.sinaimg.cn/bmiddle/4073a61bjw6df2do3ycpig.gif

kennyhohoho

Mar 9th, 2011, 01:39 PM

http://ww2.sinaimg.cn/bmiddle/4073a61bjw6df2do3ycpig.gif

I love Villa when he plays for Spain.

Hell, I like most of the players on the Spanish national team too. But I absolutely despise Barcelona, even though they are made up of pretty much all the same players.

Funny how that works.

Seems like all the Barca players when playing for Barca, attend the Dani Alves school of acting.

hyperion

Mar 9th, 2011, 01:40 PM

Let's go AC Milan and Valencia!

kennyhohoho

Mar 9th, 2011, 01:45 PM

Interesting to see Redknapp and Benitez together in the same room.

Benitez, for all his faults in the league, is an excellent manager in terms of Europeans cups as the games are spread apart and it allows him to develop his tactics. Hes beaten some pretty good teams and some good managers.

To me, it seems like EPL football and UEFA CL football are two completely different styles of football.

In the EPL, the refs let the players play. They let them bang and let the players decide the game. In the UEFA CL, it seems like every little touch is called, and every time a player goes to ground, a card comes out (unless you're Barcelona).

I would love to see how a team like Barcelona would do, in a match where the refs let them bang a bit. I think guys like Messi would be torn to shreads.

At least that's the way I see it.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 9th, 2011, 03:57 PM

Let's go AC Milan and Valencia!

both knocked out! you bring bad luck! :-0:razz:

you should cheer for man utd next week in cl :razz:

http://i54.tinypic.com/4ktquo.jpg

hyperion

Mar 9th, 2011, 04:04 PM

both knocked out! you bring bad luck! :-0:razz:

you should cheer for man utd next week in cl :razz:

http://i54.tinypic.com/4ktquo.jpg

Damn Spurs got lucky. Sandro and Gallas played really well.

pavelbure10

Mar 9th, 2011, 04:06 PM

What was with vad der vaart walking straight to the dressing room? Good job of supporting your team, also the feed from sportsnet was crap

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 9th, 2011, 04:17 PM

zlatan and robinho :facepalm:

"Tonight's performance was from a team of men. Last night's performance from [Arsenal] was from a team of frightened children."

- Harry Redknapp

oh no he didn't! :-0

hyperion

Mar 9th, 2011, 04:22 PM

zlatan and robinho :facepalm:

"Tonight's performance was from a team of men. Last night's performance from [Arsenal] was from a team of frightened children."

- Harry Redknapp

oh no he didn't! :-0

Have the Quarter Finals been drawn? If not, Karma might just draw his "team of men" to play Barcelona.

elty

Mar 9th, 2011, 04:38 PM

Did he really make that children comment? Because BBC didn't record it at least:

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, the first English manager to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, on his side's win over AC Milan: "It's a great night for everybody. I'm delighted. It was hard work as they are a good side. We worked our socks off and stayed with them - we got outnumbered in the middle of the park. I enjoyed the occasion but I can't say I enjoyed the 90 minutes. You are looking at the clock and just wanting the 90 minutes to be up. Who do they want next? Barcelona are the team you don't want to play at the moment but it's just great to be in the last eight."

By the way...

Er, what? Bizarre scenes at Goodsion Park where referee Peter Walton has just mimed the booking of Birmingham midfielder Jordan Mutch. He even went rummaging in his pocket. I think he might have forgotten his cards tonight - that just looked odd though.

krash322

Mar 9th, 2011, 04:44 PM

Good on Spurs to make it to last 8. If they can get their key guys healthy, who knows?

Utd should make it playing a home game, and Chelsea is a lock. So three EPL teams in the next round.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 9th, 2011, 05:13 PM

Good on Spurs to make it to last 8. If they can get their key guys healthy, who knows?

Utd should make it playing a home game, and Chelsea is a lock. So three EPL teams in the next round.

all 3 epl teams will get knocked out by barca

skill + play acting/diving/ref help = too much to handle

kennyhohoho

Mar 9th, 2011, 07:56 PM

all 3 epl teams will get knocked out by barca

skill + play acting/diving/ref help = too much to handle

UEFA seems to really hate EPL clubs.

Barca - Madrid/Inter/Real final.

I'm calling it right now.

Tornado F2

Mar 9th, 2011, 09:56 PM

all 3 epl teams will get knocked out by barca

If they did, they would actually have eliminated all four EPL teams, Arsenal being number one. :razz:

I missed both the Arsenal game and the Spurs game, and my DVD recorder decided to fail both times. >:( Odd as it's usually reliable. Seems I didn't miss too much today, but the 2nd half of the Arsenal game sounded interesting. RVP was sent off for being offside and not hearing the whistle? :-0 Wow. Referees today. Good ending to the Schalke game (on in place of Spurs) though. It went right to the end.

Congrats to Spurs. Too bad Arsenal. Just 2 trophies left to play for now - and United in the way for each. :lol:

BTW, the above quote doesn't sound like Harry.

Tornado F2

Mar 9th, 2011, 09:58 PM

UEFA seems to really hate EPL clubs.

Barca - Madrid/Inter/Real final.

I'm calling it right now.

:facepalm:

:lol:

Tornado F2

Mar 9th, 2011, 10:10 PM

Arsenal's Wegner and Nasri charged by UEFA for "unproper comments" to referee. Did they mix up Nasri with van Persie? :lol:

Shouldn't that be "improper"? Journalists these days...

Tornado F2

Mar 9th, 2011, 10:15 PM

Let's go AC Milan and Valencia!

They went alright! :lol:

Tornado F2

Mar 9th, 2011, 10:19 PM

both knocked out! you bring bad luck! :-0:razz:

you should cheer for man utd next week in cl :razz:

Luckily hyperion could never do that. :lol:

Tornado F2

Mar 9th, 2011, 10:21 PM

What a joke, although bedneter could have easily won it at the end

Classic! :lol:

Tornado F2

Mar 9th, 2011, 10:31 PM

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0gu58901ZRcHC/x610.jpg

Hey, RVP, snoods are banned! :razz:

Was that the same biased ref from the Chelsea-United match? >:(

Tornado F2

Mar 9th, 2011, 10:34 PM

Rafa Benitez to Arsenal anyone?

No way.

Rafa to Barca would be nice. :razz:

Tornado F2

Mar 9th, 2011, 10:40 PM

hyperion

Mar 9th, 2011, 11:58 PM

Luckily hyperion could never do that. :lol:

I always cheer for ManU's opponent. I'll re-evaluate that when SAF retires, and maybe cut you a little slack.

Suhayb217

Mar 10th, 2011, 12:05 AM

Late to reply, but I must say what a game. 0-0 ties can be very entertaining. I really hope we dont draw barca in the next round!

kennyhohoho

Mar 10th, 2011, 08:33 AM

:facepalm:

:lol:

:-0

That was intentional :lol:

hyperion

Mar 10th, 2011, 09:27 AM

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/wN4Ne.jpg

hyperion

Mar 10th, 2011, 09:32 AM

President of French village team suspended for trying to put in a bid for Messi. :lol:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/10/barcelona-lionel-messi-transfer-bid

NDman

Mar 10th, 2011, 11:30 AM

President of French village team suspended for trying to put in a bid for Messi. :lol:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/10/barcelona-lionel-messi-transfer-bid

6 months suspension for a joke bid? An ass-chewing, maybe but some people really need to lighten up. That's pretty funny though

Tornado F2

Mar 10th, 2011, 11:35 AM

:-0

That was intentional :lol:

If you say so. :razz:

Tornado F2

Mar 10th, 2011, 11:44 AM

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/wN4Ne.jpg

And not a single Barca yellow? :-0 Wow. Wish I'd been able to see the match just to see all the controversial refereeing in it.

BTW, the Footy Show guys say Arsenal are the first team ever in the Ch Lg to not manage a single shot on goal all match.

Tornado F2

Mar 10th, 2011, 11:48 AM

I always cheer for ManU's opponent. I'll re-evaluate that when SAF retires, and maybe cut you a little slack.

Sounds like that's for the best. It's been working out well for us. :lol:

kennyhohoho

Mar 10th, 2011, 01:11 PM

And not a single Barca yellow? :-0 Wow. Wish I'd been able to see the match just to see all the controversial refereeing in it.

BTW, the Footy Show guys say Arsenal are the first team ever in the Ch Lg to not manage a single shot on goal all match.

It's hard to put any kind of offensive pressure when every time a Barca player was touched, they went to ground, and a foul was called against Arsenal.

Not to mention that Fabregas and Rosicky was pretty much invisible out there.

The only real positive play was coming out of Nasri.

Wenger also made a huge mistake starting Rosicky ahead of Arshavin. By the time Arshavin came on, it was too little, too late.

krazyeyezkilla

Mar 10th, 2011, 02:12 PM

It's hard to put any kind of offensive pressure when every time a Barca player was touched, they went to ground, and a foul was called against Arsenal.

Not to mention that Fabregas and Rosicky was pretty much invisible out there.

The only real positive play was coming out of Nasri.

Wenger also made a huge mistake starting Rosicky ahead of Arshavin. By the time Arshavin came on, it was too little, too late.

I thought Rosicky played a great game - certainly better than Cesc, but I'll agree that the timing of the sub was too little too late. Wenger's been frustrating me all season with his subs, they always seem to be of the 'too little too late' nature.

IMO at this stage, Arshavin isn't a starter, especially against Barcelona. He's lazy and out of form, I think he would have been a huge detriment on the defensive end (not that Rosicky is a defensive force by any means) to a team that was already completely overwhelmed by Barca's constant attack. He can still play an important role as a mid-late game scoring threat but I don't personally like him as a starter against top flight teams.

kennyhohoho

Mar 10th, 2011, 03:00 PM

I thought Rosicky played a great game - certainly better than Cesc, but I'll agree that the timing of the sub was too little too late. Wenger's been frustrating me all season with his subs, they always seem to be of the 'too little too late' nature.

IMO at this stage, Arshavin isn't a starter, especially against Barcelona. He's lazy and out of form, I think he would have been a huge detriment on the defensive end (not that Rosicky is a defensive force by any means) to a team that was already completely overwhelmed by Barca's constant attack. He can still play an important role as a mid-late game scoring threat but I don't personally like him as a starter against top flight teams.

I still would have preferred to see Arshavin start, to give Arsenal more of a "spark" on the offensive end and the counter-attack. Nasri seemed to be their only real threat going forward.

At the very least, Wenger should've taken Rosicky off for Arshavin as soon as RVP was sent off. After Arsenal were down to ten men, Nasri was basically an island out there with nobody to pass to for most of the second half.

Bendtner is way too slow, and I think if was anyone else on the receiving end of that breakaway pass, they would've gotten a decent scoring chance and possibly tied it on aggregate.

Oh well. It's frustrating being a gooner.:facepalm:

krazyeyezkilla

Mar 10th, 2011, 03:16 PM

I still would have preferred to see Arshavin start, to give Arsenal more of a "spark" on the offensive end and the counter-attack. Nasri seemed to be their only real threat going forward.

At the very least, Wenger should've taken Rosicky off for Arshavin as soon as RVP was sent off. After Arsenal were down to ten men, Nasri was basically an island out there with nobody to pass to for most of the second half.

Bendtner is way too slow, and I think if was anyone else on the receiving end of that breakaway pass, they would've gotten a decent scoring chance and possibly tied it on aggregate.

Oh well. It's frustrating being a gooner.:facepalm:

I agree to a certain extent, they definitely lacked a 'spark' but at the same time I understand why they went with the 4-5-1 especially with Song hurt.

Clearly a change needed to be made right after the sending off, and ya, Bendtner was not the answer but if we're talking about pace, Arshavin's not going to blind anyone with his speed either. He's quick on the turn, has great acceleration, but any of those Barca defenders would have had no trouble keeping him at bay I'm sure. Had Walcott been healthy then his pace could have been a real weapon but it's Arsenal, someone vital will always be hurt at the key time...

It's tough being a gunners fan no question, I'm worried about Old Trafford this Saturday and fear they could be out of 3 tournaments in all of two weeks and left with little/no confidence to try and capture the title...Cesc tweaked his hamstring again, Sceczny's probably gone with tendon damage and Vermaelen is apparently done for the season...thanks for signing a keeper or a centre back Arsene...

Tornado F2

Mar 10th, 2011, 06:24 PM

It's hard to put any kind of offensive pressure when every time a Barca player was touched, they went to ground, and a foul was called against Arsenal.

That raises a thought: When Inter beat Barca last season, was a British ref involved? Maybe that's the only way that Barca can be eliminated. And obviously that's not going to happen against English opposition.

Tornado F2

Mar 10th, 2011, 06:37 PM

I think hyperion cheered on LFC and City today:

Braga 1 - 0 Liverpool

Dynamo Kiev 2 - 0 Man City

Rangers achieved their now-customary away draw, this time 0-0

Sheva has a new use for the snood:

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51631000/jpg/_51631179_011363564-1.jpg

:lol:

hyperion

Mar 10th, 2011, 07:02 PM

Tornado F2

Mar 10th, 2011, 07:14 PM

Referees were crap in Liverpool's match and both teams played very defensively, Braga lucked out on a poor tackle by the Greek. You should have seen the guy that went down celebrate before the penalty was even taken. I have no doubt we'll destroy them at home.

I didn't even realise they were playing today, seeing as nobody here had mentioned it. Home should be an advantage - but only so long as Braga don't score an away goal.

City have an even bigger task ahead. They really seem to have slipped up today.

Tornado F2

Mar 12th, 2011, 11:41 AM

United seem to be under guest management by Jose Mourinho today. Check out the squad:

Man Utd v Arsenal line-ups
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Rafael Da Silva, Gibson, O'Shea, Fabio Da Silva, Rooney, Hernandez. Subs: Kuszczak, Berbatov, Giggs, Scholes, Valencia, Obertan, King.

Interesting, to say the least. On paper anyway.

Have to admit though, there are more serious concerns today. Japanese nuclear plant.

Before and after blast:

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51650000/jpg/_51650621_combo304.jpg

That can't be good. :(

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 12th, 2011, 12:51 PM

another trophyless season for arsenal (they will screw it up in the league too, just watch)

they always screw it up around this time

arsenal hasn't won a trophy since veira left iirc

elty

Mar 12th, 2011, 01:21 PM

Real is probably going to be trophyless too.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/189721_184196778291599_100001038333762_470447_7103 730_n.jpg

Tornado F2

Mar 12th, 2011, 01:55 PM

Real is probably going to be trophyless too.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/189721_184196778291599_100001038333762_470447_7103 730_n.jpg

Nice. But why are all the players wearing glasses? And is that a Teletubby up front? :lol:

hyperion

Mar 12th, 2011, 06:50 PM

Arsenal fails yet again.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 13th, 2011, 12:50 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMvFZxet0xk&feature=player_embedded

benz is on fire lately and poor ade can't buy a goal (hit the bar, he works his butt off @ madrid unlike his time @ man city), ozil is pretty good taking free kicks

i enjoyed watching this ronaldo less madrid very much, everyone is unselfish and co operating, less individualistic, more playing like a team

if man city gives us 150m i say let ronaldo go

give #7 to higuain next season and bring back loaned out players like Daniel Parejo, give them a chance

Tornado F2

Mar 14th, 2011, 12:03 PM

Love the title:

"Noisy neighbours move to Wembley"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2011/03/eastlands_sir_alex_ferguson_wi.html

Could be a good game. It would have been a great Final, fiercely competitive, at the end of the season.

Especially if City have nothing to show for their season again, other than UEFA Cup qualification. :lol:

hyperion

Mar 14th, 2011, 01:06 PM

Tornado F2

Mar 14th, 2011, 03:57 PM

Arsenal's solution to the goalkeeping crisis: bring back Lehmann?
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2011/03/14/2394370/jens-lehmann-in-talks-to-sign-short-term-contract-at-arsenal

At least that's one thing that Arsenal can take off United this season. Lehmann is a year older than VDS. It might just inspire VDS to stick around for another "last" season. :)

1234holycow1234

Mar 14th, 2011, 06:30 PM

Arsenal's solution to the goalkeeping crisis: bring back Lehmann?
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2011/03/14/2394370/jens-lehmann-in-talks-to-sign-short-term-contract-at-arsenal

How long is Szczchzhzy out for?

He's out for the next 6 weeks according to BBC.

Fimo

Mar 14th, 2011, 10:47 PM

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/pablohoolio/Nani.jpg

Manchester United's Nani contemplates move to Serie A
• Portuguese asks agent to check out options
• Manchester United may join scramble for Villa's Ashley Young (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/15/nani-manchester-united-move-italy)

If Nani and Rooney are sold, Fergie's defo going to use the funds to bid mega bucks for Bale and Ashley Young, I expect Man City to be involved for both as as well, LFC too but only for Young.

Imagine if Spurs finish 5th, Bale decided he'll take a chance with Man City and they get him Ashley Young and Kaka? Bloody Hell! Mancini is still a crappy manager though!

jcon

Mar 14th, 2011, 11:08 PM

I'm fine if Nani moves on. IMO, he's always had a 'Ronaldo Complex' and so have the media/fans. He's not Ronaldo, which I know he would love to be, and the fans wanted him to be. He tries to do things that he's not capable of doing and wayyyyy too inconsistent. He would be great at many clubs but United.

It's my understanding that A. Young is a done deal (the same way Valencia was). June and they'll sign the papers.

I would love to see Bale at United. He would fit in quite well and bloom, IMO. However, I'm also realistic and I know that oil money will always trump money earned. Citeh can offer the most, followed by Chelski.

rooney11

Mar 15th, 2011, 07:28 AM

Tornado F2

Mar 15th, 2011, 12:38 PM

Nani has been the most consistent attacking player on team this year, we would be in the shitters without him. Don't want to see him leave, and don't think he will.

He may yet develop into a Ronaldo-type player, hopefully without the Ronaldo "special one" mindset.

He can lead the cheerleader squad with his somersaults if nothing else. :) (Hope he doesn't injure himself doing them).

I would love to see Bale at United. He would fit in quite well and bloom, IMO. However, I'm also realistic and I know that oil money will always trump money earned. Citeh can offer the most, followed by Chelski.

Bale doesn't seem the type to jump just for money, otherwise he'd have been at United a couple of years ago. He seems to be genuinely interested in developing as a player, and presumably winning trophies. From that standpoint United are now perfect for him. Plus fellow-Welshmen Giggs and Bellamy can tell him about their respective Manchester experiences. United is the obvious choice for him, unless he's overly attached to London. Ideally he should join in the summer, so Giggs has the chance to wean him in.

jcon

Mar 15th, 2011, 02:18 PM

He may yet develop into a Ronaldo-type player, hopefully without the Ronaldo "special one" mindset.

He can lead the cheerleader squad with his somersaults if nothing else. :) (Hope he doesn't injure himself doing them).

Problem is he already has that mindset without the skill. Nani has not developed in two seasons. Every time he appears to make a jump forward he does an equally stupid thing.

If Valencia had played a full season, he would be the catalyst going forward. I'm fine if he stays but do not believe he's a longterm answer for United.

doesn't seem the type to jump just for money, otherwise he'd have been at United a couple of years ago. He seems to be genuinely interested in developing as a player, and presumably winning trophies. From that standpoint United are now perfect for him. Plus fellow-Welshmen Giggs and Bellamy can tell him about their respective Manchester experiences. United is the obvious choice for him, unless he's overly attached to London. Ideally he should join in the summer, so Giggs has the chance to wean him in.

That's my hope; however, there is always the possibility of him going to Italy or Spain.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 15th, 2011, 02:55 PM

and man utd to the next round with that goal, nice knowing you marseille

everyone should watch inter vs bayern

eto'o scores

1-0 inter (1-1 aggreage)

edit: ugh both games are over and it is only 1st half

bayern up 2-1

epic fail by cesar

hyperion

Mar 15th, 2011, 03:44 PM

Come on Marseille. Deschamps spring your trap!

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 15th, 2011, 03:56 PM

Come on Marseille. Deschamps spring your trap!

you are cheering for marseille? well that's great news for man utd :lol:

jcon

Mar 15th, 2011, 04:20 PM

Come on Marseille. Deschamps spring your trap!

Thank-you!

United 2 - Marseille 0

Hernandez again!

jcon

Mar 15th, 2011, 04:39 PM

Wow, what a finish in Munich. Such ineptitude in front of the net for Bayern.

Inter are through.

and of course...

United are moving onwards and upwards!!!

hyperion

Mar 15th, 2011, 04:40 PM

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 15th, 2011, 04:45 PM

hyperion

Mar 15th, 2011, 05:58 PM

lol bayern

this match reminded me of madrid vs lyon last year

madrid should have been up 3-0 in the 1st half but missed chances (up 1-0 at half)

and then lyon gained momentum and scored in 2nd half

in cl, u pay for not taking ur chances

Yeah, both games seem like they were well contested. Marseille missed some great chances. I'll watch the Bayern vs Inter highlights soon.

hyperion

Mar 15th, 2011, 11:22 PM

Just watched the highlights to Bayern vs Inter, and wow...oh boy what a game. I think I missed out by not choosing to watch that one.
Here's the link to the short highlights: http://dai.ly/fLkqH2

krazyeyezkilla

Mar 16th, 2011, 08:24 AM

Anyways, not ever watching a game on FSC again. I never heard so much Manchester nut gargling ever before. "Scholesy", "Giggsy", commentator referring to himself as "we" when talking about Man U, Nani making a "miraculous recovery", wtf. I felt like throwing up by the end.

Couldn't agree more, even Manch fans must have a hard time eating up the non-stop homer slurping. The Arsenal-ManU game last weekend was complete nonsense from front to back - for twenty minutes in the first half Pat Dolan and Des Curran did nothing but rag on Rooney suggesting he has no value moving forward, he'll never regain the form he had last year, he has no focus etc etc. Oh but wait, he made a nicely weighted chip pass and all of a sudden, 'Wayne Rooney is on fire!' and he's back to his old self again. It's pretty clear that these commentators don't really watch much football anymore, why companies would pay them to speak for 90+ minutes is beyond me. I thought Joe Bowen was hard to listen to.

krash322

Mar 16th, 2011, 09:45 AM

Nani has been our best player this year, yet he's still inconsistent. I think he can develop into an even better player, at Utd I hope. Going to Serie A, not sure if that's so smart given the league has fallen in terms of quality. La Liga is not in the cards yet, since Madrid and Barca can't fit him in. So really, staying in the EPL with Utd is the only move he has. It's just probably his agent trying to stir up trouble and get his client more money.

Can't wait for the CL quarter-final draw. There will be some great matchups.

rooney11

Mar 16th, 2011, 11:12 AM

CL match-ups:

United
Chelsea
Tottenham
Barcelona
Inter Milan
Shakhtar Dometsk
Schalke
Madrid/Lyon

My predictions:
United vs. Chelsea
Tottenham vs. Barcelona
Inter Milan vs. Shakhtar
Madrid/Lyon vs. Schalke

krash322

Mar 16th, 2011, 01:06 PM

I think it will be:

Utd vs Shakhtar
Chelsea vs Tottenham (London derby)
Inter vs Barcelona (2 past champs)
Madrid vs Schalke (Raul returns to Bernabeau)

Then Utd vs Tottenham, and Barcelona vs Madrid.

Barcelona over Utd in the Final at Wembley.

kennyhohoho

Mar 16th, 2011, 01:27 PM

krazyeyezkilla

Mar 16th, 2011, 02:08 PM

Who gets the red card in the final? Rooney? Or Van Der Sar?

Nani for diving.

Tornado F2

Mar 17th, 2011, 06:46 AM

Who gets the red card in the final? Rooney? Or Van Der Sar?

Scholesy. IF this is his final season. (Hopefully it isn't). It would be a near-poetic way for the red-headed red to cap his career. :lol:

(2 sloppy midfield tackles on Messi (or simply breathing on him with some refs) should do the trick).

Tornado F2

Mar 17th, 2011, 06:50 AM

edit: ugh both games are over and it is only 1st half

bayern up 2-1

:lol:

It should have been. But it wasn't. Reminds me of Bayern vs United last season, only reversed.

Tornado F2

Mar 17th, 2011, 06:54 AM

hyperion

Mar 17th, 2011, 10:11 AM

FSC don't show United games. :confused:

Not in Canada anyway.

Your silly international borders do not contain me. :P

It was FSC, and it was shite just like anything else Fox. I should have went wth the dutch channel I usually watch.

jcon

Mar 17th, 2011, 11:09 AM

Scholesy. IF this is his final season. (Hopefully it isn't). It would be a near-poetic way for the red-headed red to cap his career. :lol:

(2 sloppy midfield tackles on Messi (or simply breathing on him with some refs) should do the trick).

More likely Messi hitting the ground like he was shot, although not touched by anyone, and they throw Vidic out of the game, just like Platini designed it.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 17th, 2011, 04:46 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVv0Zp186uY

what a goal! :-0

have a feeling madrid will draw barca and man utd getting another easy draw (schalke or spurs, for some reason spurs always bend over for man utd)

also great gesture by madrid and lyon players for wearing get well abildal t shirts

heard man utd is linked with lyon's gk

if man utd gets him it will be a good transfer, without lyons gk making save after save, madrid could have scored half a dozen goals

1234holycow1234

Mar 17th, 2011, 06:07 PM

and Man City goes crashing out of the Europa League :facepalm: ... Being from Ukraine i am extremely happy but I blame the loss solely on Mancini taking Dynamo too lightly.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 17th, 2011, 06:38 PM

liverpool out as well

you know media mentions arsenal's trophyless streak (6 years iirc) ... liverpool ain't far behind (5 years iirc)

this could be a blessing in disguise for man city, they can focus on finishing in the top 4 and get cl spot

Tornado F2

Mar 18th, 2011, 12:47 AM

and Man City goes crashing out of the Europa League :facepalm: ... Being from Ukraine i am extremely happy but I blame the loss solely on Mancini taking Dynamo too lightly.

City obviously went out in the first leg by failing to score an away goal. I caught part of today's game and was actually impressed by how far they have come. Down to 10 men thanks to Balotelli's idiocy, desperate not to concede an away goal, they still went for it. Much better than the City of 3-4 years ago that lay down and trailed by 3 or 4 goals to Chelsea after just 20 minutes. The Noisy Neighbours are well on their way to deserving the 4th place spot (though Spurs are worthy competitors too). The previous long-term occupants, LFC, on the other hand, apparently went out with a whimper, despite being at home. Seems Kenny's not such a "King" when it comes to European matches.

BTW, good to see Sheva enjoying his football again. I was a fan when he was at Milan. He was obviously unwanted by Jose at Chel$ki.

elty

Mar 18th, 2011, 11:14 AM

So...

Inter Milan v Schalke
Chelsea v Man Utd

V

Barcelona v Shakhtar Donetsk
Real Madrid v Tottenham

jcon

Mar 18th, 2011, 11:18 AM

The CL pairings:

Manchester United - Chelsea
Inter Milan - Schalke
Real Madrid - Tottenham
Barcelona - Shakhtar Donetsk

Good chance for UEFA to get rid of 2 of the 3 pesky, unclean English clubs.

Should add: Winner of United/Chelski play winner of Inter/Schalke
Winner of Real/Spurs play winner of Barca/Shakhtar

hyperion

Mar 18th, 2011, 12:31 PM

jcon

Mar 18th, 2011, 12:38 PM

Interesting draws. It's easy to see the overwhelming favorites in each draw, but who knows what will happen. The most clearcut result is Tottenham's fairytale journey will end at the hands of Real Madrid.

My prediction:
Manchester United/Chelsea vs Inter/Schalke
Real Madrid/Tottenham vs. Barcelona/Shakhtar

I agree with your predictions. If it were closer to winter, I might think that Shakhtar would have a better chance.

Chelski always scare me and they've been playing better lately. Not much else to play for so they'll be ready. Can United score at Stamford Bridge?

Real should win with Jose at the helm but Tottenham can score and control the midfield. Should be fun.

Inter should overwhelm Schalke, who have had their own issues lately.

Tornado F2

Mar 18th, 2011, 05:19 PM

The CL pairings:

Manchester United - Chelsea
Inter Milan - Schalke
Real Madrid - Tottenham
Barcelona - Shakhtar Donetsk

Good chance for UEFA to get rid of 2 of the 3 pesky, unclean English clubs.

My thoughts too.

Hopefully we'll see a United-Spurs final. Winner takes Bale! :lol:

Tornado F2

Mar 18th, 2011, 06:39 PM

I like the BBC's photos:

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51737000/jpg/_51737269_terry_united466x282.jpg

It's been almost all downhill for Terry since.

:lol:

jcon

Mar 18th, 2011, 06:58 PM

One of my faves for John Terry Vodka:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VjHIHL9h4yw/SEF3f7ijSEI/AAAAAAAAA7c/PCtYvGDBjEo/s400/106afye.jpg

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 18th, 2011, 07:32 PM

chelsea vs barca final

spurs will beat madrid

madrid will buy bale in the summer

krazyeyezkilla

Mar 19th, 2011, 11:33 AM

Completely embarrassing 70 minutes from Arsenal so far, despite a gorgeous goal by Arshavin who's been his usual lazy self for the first hour.

Their defending is nothing short of comical. Even Clichy has been poor, not to mention the vastly inferior 'building blocks' of Almunia, Squillacci and Koscielny.

For all the nice pieces of business Arsene has done over the years, not reinforcing this side with anything substantial has been a real shortcoming. Being forced to use the scraps of a defense at this stage in the season simply because you're too shrewd to pay up for anything meaningful is grounds for dismissal IMO.

krazyeyezkilla

Mar 19th, 2011, 11:40 AM

Ok fine they tied it up now lol still, as a team who is supposedly in the hunt for a title you can't expect to look that poor for 70+ minutes away to West Brom and be lucky enough to salvage something with any kind of consistency...

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 19th, 2011, 12:21 PM

another trophyless season for arsenal (they will screw it up in the league too, just watch)

they always screw it up around this time

arsenal hasn't won a trophy since veira left iirc

http://pressthebuttons.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/icalledit.jpg

Tornado F2

Mar 19th, 2011, 12:47 PM

http://pressthebuttons.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/icalledit.jpg

Big deal. So did at least 90% of Arsenal fans. :lol:

krazyeyezkilla

Mar 19th, 2011, 02:03 PM

Big deal. So did at least 90% of Arsenal fans. :lol:

lol so true, even the most homer of homers could see that on paper adding Chamakh, Koscielny, Squillacci is nowhere close to good enough to all but guarantee a trophy this season

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 19th, 2011, 11:23 PM

This is the first time in history Real has beaten Atletico 4 times in a single season. Kun passed Fernando Torres on Atletico's all-time goalscorer list.

http://estaticos03.marca.com/imagenes/2011/03/19/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1300571433_0.jpg

ronaldo is starting to get on my nerves. good thing mourinho put him in his place. you ain't bigger than the club ronaldo. hope madrid sell ronaldo before his contract runs out to man city for alot of $$$

Tornado F2

Mar 19th, 2011, 11:57 PM

ronaldo is starting to get on my nerves. good thing mourinho put him in his place. you ain't bigger than the club ronaldo. hope madrid sell ronaldo before his contract runs out to man city for alot of $$$

What makes you think City would want him? Especially for big bucks. They already have Tevez, who's a lot more useful for them. And they already have Balotelli too, who already has the CRon mentality. Look where that's got them! :razz:

pavelbure10

Mar 20th, 2011, 12:02 AM

What makes you think City would want him? Especially for big bucks. They already have Tevez, who's a lot more useful for them. And they already have Balotelli too, who already has the CRon mentality. Look where that's got them! :razz:

Man City would want him for the hair, they dont have anyone on their team with that kind of hair

Tornado F2

Mar 20th, 2011, 12:25 AM

Man City would want him for the hair, they dont have anyone on their team with that kind of hair

Oily? :confused:

pavelbure10

Mar 20th, 2011, 12:14 PM

Oily? :confused:

greasy ;)

elty

Mar 20th, 2011, 04:25 PM

At this rate Chelsea is better off putting Luiz as CF.

hyperion

Mar 20th, 2011, 05:57 PM

Didn't think a defender is worth that kind of money that Chelsea paid for him, but he's immense. A complete player, he defends, attacks, and plays hard all the time.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 20th, 2011, 06:11 PM

Didn't think a defender is worth that kind of money that Chelsea paid for him, but he's immense. A complete player, he defends, attacks, and plays hard all the time.

i know

i wish madrid got him :(

man city to miss out on a top 4 spot again? :-0:lol:

spurs 4 points back with 1 game in hand

Tornado F2

Mar 20th, 2011, 07:01 PM

BBC:

"1735: My word this match could do with some inspiration. Seriously.

BBC Sport's Alistair Magowan at Stamford Bridge: "Boos ring out as birthday boy Fernando Torres is brought off. The Spaniard did not look too happy and was muttering to himself as took his place on the bench. The goal drought goes on."

1730: It will be Fernando Torres taken off - prompting a notably unhappy shake of the head from owner Roman Abramovich in the stands, I see - along with Florent Malouda as Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka stride on to the field."

So what happened here exactly? :?: Were the Chelsea fans booing Torres on his birthday? And Abramovich is unhappy with him too? Or was it Ancelotti's decision to bring him off (yet again) that was being questioned? :confused:

Regardless, the game seemed to change straight after the substitutions were made.

It seems silly for Mancini to field the same squad that played a European match just days ago, much of it with just 10 men. No wonder they tired towards the end. What happened to their oversized squad, that led to them loaning out the likes of Adebayor and Bellamy? It could end up costing them a top 4 place.

hyperion

Mar 20th, 2011, 07:24 PM

Fimo

Mar 20th, 2011, 10:47 PM

First there was Sven and Beckham, now Fabio and Terry, what the hell is wrong with these managers?

I'm not even a Rio fan but as he likes to say he has well and truly been "merked" with the handing of the captain's armband back to Terry.

FFS Capello, you are now a bigger idiot than after the World Cup Debacle. France had a bad world cup but they sorted things out and have moved on, England on the other hand? Yet another reason why England ain't winning anything anytime soon on the Worls Stage.

Rio Ferdinand 'appalled' at treatment over England captaincy (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/20/rio-ferdinand-england-captaincy)

Fimo

Mar 21st, 2011, 12:06 AM

I noticed the booing when Torres was leaving the field too. It's a little guessing game to guess who the booing was for though..there were 4 players being substituted at that moment. It could have been for Drogba, Anelka or Malouda also, or even Ancelotti for subbing him. He was actually playing a little better, he was moving around well and passing better. He made a sick heel pass to Kalou but he couldn't finish.

The booing was actually for bringing Torres off, as soon as his number went up the boos started but then they clapped him off the pitch.

As long as Chelsea keep winning Torres should be ok, I still think they need to deploy him as a lone striker in a 4 4 1 1 formation, thats how he operates best as for David Luiz he is proving to be some buy worth every single penny so far, him and Suarez are the better buys in the January transfer window so far.

I see Chelsea will be reviewing Ancelotti's position at the end of the season, what are they chances Rafa replaces him if thet win FA?

PS: Ramires' goal today reminded me of a similar one Joe Cole scored for Chelsea against Man Yoo, great footwork to create space and score!

hyperion

Mar 22nd, 2011, 11:58 AM

kennyhohoho

Mar 22nd, 2011, 01:04 PM

Did Manchester's glory hunters forget about the Glazers as long as the team keeps winning? What happned to Glazers Out?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/22/manchester-united-record-loss-debt

How do teams like United and Barca, with so much worldwide appeal, record such high losses?

I just don't get it. Meanwhile, North American sports leagues like the NBA, NFL and MLB are profitable even though the appeal doesn't extend much further than outside the continent.

Are player wages really that out of control? Boggles the mind.

krash322

Mar 22nd, 2011, 01:46 PM

Did Manchester's glory hunters forget about the Glazers as long as the team keeps winning? What happned to Glazers Out?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/22/manchester-united-record-loss-debt

I thought we were all beyond the name-calling and bickering, seems like you want to keep all the non-sense going. Grow up.

Also, just because we don't cry about it everyday, it doesn't mean we don't want the Glazers out. But our situation will never be as dire as Liverpool's was. It's going to take a lot of things to happen before the Glazers will want to cash in on their investment. That's just being realistic IMO.

hyperion

Mar 22nd, 2011, 07:13 PM

I thought we were all beyond the name-calling and bickering, seems like you want to keep all the non-sense going. Grow up.

Also, just because we don't cry about it everyday, it doesn't mean we don't want the Glazers out. But our situation will never be as dire as Liverpool's was. It's going to take a lot of things to happen before the Glazers will want to cash in on their investment. That's just being realistic IMO.

Glazers are heavily entrenched, that's for sure. That combined with huge debt they're running should be worrying for you. Just pointing it out.

In other news, NESV has decided they they will expand Andfield to 60,000 with extra room for another expansion of 10,000 more seats. Exact thing they did with Boston Red Sox, so it was expected. No concrete time-table yet, so I won't be relieved until I see that.

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/03/22/revealed-liverpools-new-stadium-plans/

rooney11

Mar 22nd, 2011, 09:04 PM

How do teams like United and Barca, with so much worldwide appeal, record such high losses?

I just don't get it. Meanwhile, North American sports leagues like the NBA, NFL and MLB are profitable even though the appeal doesn't extend much further than outside the continent.

Are player wages really that out of control? Boggles the mind.

I dont know how Barcelona got there debt, but United's debt was because of the owners/Glazers, bascially using money they got from loans to buy United. Thus, there debt is now United's debt. Besides all this debt, the glazers havent really done anything to hate on, however the debt is one massive concern.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 22nd, 2011, 09:36 PM

Did Manchester's glory hunters forget about the Glazers as long as the team keeps winning? What happned to Glazers Out?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/22/manchester-united-record-loss-debt

time to sell vidic, evra and hernandez to madrid! :twisted:

when ur winning it is easy to forget about debts

man utd fans are too busy thinking about winning #19 and rightfully so, one more than liverpool, man utd winning more epl titles than pool was unthinkable 20 years ago

man utd's real test will be after fergie retires, will they still be a powerhouse or become mediocre like pool after king kenny left?

Tornado F2

Mar 22nd, 2011, 10:05 PM

Glazers are heavily entrenched, that's for sure. That combined with huge debt they're running should be worrying for you. Just pointing it out.

In other news, NESV has decided they they will expand Andfield to 60,000 with extra room for another expansion of 10,000 more seats. Exact thing they did with Boston Red Sox, so it was expected. No concrete time-table yet, so I won't be relieved until I see that.

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/03/22/revealed-liverpools-new-stadium-plans/

I've not looked into it, but I believe the Glazers' losses are in their other, US-based investments. If that puts them in a bad enough position, they'll just have to sell off United. No great loss to us.

As to your expansion link, I've noticed before on the BBC site that caughtoffside.com seem to come up with some really moronic claims. I generally skip anything credited to them these days. Don't hold your breath... :lol:

Tornado F2

Mar 22nd, 2011, 10:24 PM

time to sell vidic, evra and hernandez to madrid! :twisted:

when ur winning it is easy to forget about debts

How do Madrid fans manage to forget THEIR club's wasteful, irresponsible spending? It's not like THEY are winning anything! :razz:

man utd fans are too busy thinking about winning #19 and rightfully so, one more than liverpool, man utd winning more epl titles than pool was unthinkable 20 years ago

man utd's real test will be after fergie retires, will they still be a powerhouse or become mediocre like pool after king kenny left?

First off, United aren't Liverpool.

Second, "king" Kenny is no Fergie. What do LFC still have to look forward to this season? They're out of everything now. Even under poor old back-stabbed Roy they were still alive on several fronts. Kenny's really just made the ever-nostalgic fans happy, reminding them of that time long, long ago, in a galaxy... (actually, that's not that far off the mark. Star Wars was probably still current when they last won the league). Kenny hasn't actually achieved anything other than a few very lucky narrow wins, usually thanks to the ref. He can stick around next season if the fans like but the club probably won't achieve any better than this season. And they may well yet miss out on Europe for next year. He's not the messiah the scousers seem to think he is.

United will carry on fine after Fergie, so long as his successor doesn't upset the apple cart too much. Fortunately Rafa won't be considered for the job! :lol: Hopefully he'll end up back with his beloved LFC after Kenny calls it quits again, so he can finish off the job he was making such progress at. :razz:

Tornado F2

Mar 22nd, 2011, 10:27 PM

I see Chelsea will be reviewing Ancelotti's position at the end of the season, what are they chances Rafa replaces him if thet win FA?

Please Lord, let it be! :lol:

The we can erect a statue of Rafa in front of OT, alongside all the other legends who made United great. :razz:

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 23rd, 2011, 11:09 AM

schuster resigns @ besiktas, i can see him going to epl

he walked out on his Barcelona side in the 85th minute after being substituted during the 1986 European Cup final (which they lost on penalties to Steaua Bucharest), got a taxi and went home alone, still in his kit.

strange dude :lol:

krash322

Mar 23rd, 2011, 03:33 PM

Glazers are heavily entrenched, that's for sure. That combined with huge debt they're running should be worrying for you. Just pointing it out.

That's stating the obvious. No one would say carrying a $700M UKP debt is good business. However, we don't have a bank threatening to call in their loan in three months. We don't have any worry to finish outside of the top 4 in the EPL and a Champions League spot. We are in the top three of revenue every year. Our 70,000 seats stadium is packed for every match. These are all things Liverpool cannot say about themselves a few months ago.

Tornado F2

Mar 25th, 2011, 08:37 PM

Bump!

Don't let the EPL thread drop off the first page guys! :)

Anyway, Blatter seems to be following the Mid East dictators' example and has finally announced he will step down - in another 4 years. :mad:

Time to start rioting in the streets, or at least at the football stadiums.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/07/01/simpsons_2.jpg

http://www.comicbeat.com/videos/Cartoon_Videos/Soccer_Riot_-_The_Simpsons

Tornado F2

Mar 25th, 2011, 10:08 PM

Just came across this. Who knew Vinnie Jones was a Man United fan? :lol:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vbczmt9LYRw/SXpbx9Q1U1I/AAAAAAAACKA/dqwtFF4hKZQ/s1600/2004_eurotrip_004.jpg

Here's the outside of the bus:

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/50315_2200785221_9772_n.jpg

Wonder who he'll be cheering for tomorrow? England or Wales?

rooney11

Mar 25th, 2011, 10:26 PM

my baby takes the morning train!

jr!

Mar 25th, 2011, 10:50 PM

Bump!

Don't let the EPL thread drop off the first page guys! :)

Anyway, Blatter seems to be following the Mid East dictators' example and has finally announced he will step down - in another 4 years. :mad:

Hopefully it will be long before that, when Mohammed Bin Hamman, or whatever his name is wins the upcoming election.
Also, did anybody else notice that Jack Warner won CONCACAF UNCONTESTED again recently??
That guys is 1 of the biggest crooks in FIFA.

Tornado F2

Mar 25th, 2011, 11:00 PM

my baby takes the morning train!

Yeah, not as good as the "Stand By Your Man" scene in Blues Brothers, but at least they tried. I'm not sure why a bunch of Londoners were supposed to be "Mancs" for though. I expect the American producers of the movie (and the American audience) haven't heard of any London teams. They could have got some comedy mileage out of ARSEnal though! :lol:

hyperion

Mar 28th, 2011, 09:53 PM

Damn this long break is so boring. I hope Andy Carroll bags a goal tomorrow against Ghana. Ghana will be no pushovers from what I saw in the world cup.

Tornado F2

Mar 28th, 2011, 10:29 PM

Damn this long break is so boring. I hope Andy Carroll bags a goal tomorrow against Ghana. Ghana will be no pushovers from what I saw in the world cup.

Yeah, I heard they were putting together a squad of also-rans for tomorrow's match. Even near-ever-present Rooney is being left out. An England side without a single United player? That seems so weird. Especially if there are Arsenal players present.

BTW, Capello STILL hasn't spoken directly with Rio about handing the captain's arm band back to Terry. And he used to be touted as being such a good manager! :facepalm:

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 29th, 2011, 02:03 AM

"I was hours away – I almost signed up for the England national team. But at the last minute I began thinking, 'I am going to coach a national side, there will be one match a month and the rest of the time I will be in my office or overseeing matches,'" Mourinho said in an interview that was published, significantly, during the international break, and therefore guaranteed to attract maximum attention when Capello is on the political rocks over his handling of the England captaincy and Wayne Rooney's suspension.

"And then to have to wait until the summer to compete in a European Championship or a World Cup? No, it wasn't for me," he continues. "So at the last moment I pulled back, preferring to wait for the right job to come along, a good club, a challenge that could motivate me. That was Inter."

jose as england nt coach??!! :-0 never thought he would be interested

Tornado F2

Mar 29th, 2011, 12:52 PM

jose as england nt coach??!! :-0 never thought he would be interested

Never heard of that one. But at least Jose appears to know more than the "less than 100" words that Capello apparently gets by with.

I could accept Mourinho as England manager, if absolutely necessary, as 1-0 wins all the way through to a trophy would be an improvement. But I don't think I'd want him at United. We do well playing attacking football and it's what United fans want to see. Arsenal can give him a go if he wants to come back to England. But of course they don't pay enough...

Tornado F2

Mar 29th, 2011, 09:18 PM

Here's an interesting piece for hyperion (and any other LFC followers who may still be lurking here):

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-captain-Steve-Gerrard-admits-the-players-let-down-Roy-Hodgson-during-his-failure-filled-six-months-as-manager-article717838.html

Both Gerrard and Carragher readily admt that the players let Hodgson down. Time for the Koppites to drop their hatred for Roy. He wasn't to blame for their failure after all. Which was obvious to everybody but the scousers.

hyperion

Mar 30th, 2011, 01:26 PM

I read that article yesterday and agree it was the players underperforming, but if Roy couldn't motivate them, he had to go. And let's be honest, Roy's tactics were not that great..the man couldn't win a game away from home to save his life.

Today I was also pleased to hear Lucas has signed a long term contract with the club.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/lucas-signs-new-reds-deal

Tornado F2

Mar 30th, 2011, 09:58 PM

I read that article yesterday and agree it was the players underperforming, but if Roy couldn't motivate them, he had to go. And let's be honest, Roy's tactics were not that great..the man couldn't win a game away from home to save his life.

Actually a quick check shows that LFC won 3 competitive away games under Roy, (2 in Europe), and 3 under Kenny, (0 in Europe - hence the elimination).

He may not have been the fans' choice, but he did manage to keep LFC from sinking in a difficult period, despite being lumbered with a depleted version of Rafa's final squad. If the fans had got on board, the players might have put in some effort, and LFC might have qualified for Europe again next season. I'm not sure if they can achieve that now, and if they don't that's GOT to hurt.

BTW, I think West Brom are still unbeaten under Roy.

got_it_4_cheap

Mar 31st, 2011, 01:39 PM

When the final whistle blows on Tottenham Hotspur's visit to the Bernabéu on Tuesday night, Alvaro Arbeloa will head straight for Peter Crouch and ask his former Liverpool team-mate to swap shirts. When the final whistle blows on Real Madrid's visit to White Hart Lane eight nights later, he will do the same. One Crouch shirt is not enough: Arbeloa is after two.

It is not because they are friends – Arbeloa describes Crouch as a "fenómeno" but he says that he has not spoken to him since the Champions League quarter-final draw – it is because he needs it. And because Raúl Albiol does too. When the world champions meet, it is not unusual to find two white England shirts among Spanish red and blue, cheering on Inglaterra. Who says England played no part in South Africa?

"During the World Cup we were on the PlayStation constantly," Arbeloa smiles. "It was always el Chori [Raúl Albiol] and me against Sergio Ramos and Jesús Navas. They were Spain, we were England and it got pretty intense. We always put Crouch up front – and he scored loads. We bought ourselves England shirts. You'd be there in the Spain hotel and there were two guys in white, "Gerrard" and "Crouch" on the back.

"Spurs might not be as famous as Chelsea or Manchester United but they will be very dangerous," he continues. And when I saw Spurs, I said to el Chori: 'we're going to get Crouch shirts, so we can play in them – real ones, this time'. It'll be a bit big on me, but still ..."

alonso, gerrard, arbeloa, crouch ... how did liverpool not manage to win the league at least once in the last couple of years ... unlucky bunch

nice to see they are all still friends

Van der Vaart fell down the pecking order at the Bernabeu during his two full seasons in Spain but admitted both he and four-year-old son Damian miss the Madrid lifestyle.

"Little Damian is the best thing in my life," Van der Vaart revealed to The Sun. "He speaks Spanish and English but is always saying to me 'Daddy why don't we have a pool here? There's no sun here. It's not the same in Madrid.' We have a special love for Madrid."

"Going back to the Bernabeu is a dream for me. It's going to be special,'' he said. "I felt very badly when I left because I was leaving the best club in the world. But I wanted to play every game and in Madrid there are a lot of exceptional players - Ozil, Kaka.

so that's why everyone loves madrid, it is the weather! :D

"I played for Real Madrid for four years and I've always said that I would support them,'' Beckham said. ''But I was also with Spurs, so there are mixed emotions because my granddad was a fan. I'm just going to enjoy the game.

lol becks how many clubs do u support?

real madrid, spurs, man utd, ac milan ... am i missing any clubs? :D

NDman

Mar 31st, 2011, 02:08 PM

lol becks how many clubs do u support?

real madrid, spurs, man utd, ac milan ... am i missing any clubs? :D

The Galaxy! Oh wait... nevermind :twisted:

Mar 31st, 2011, 06:21 PM

interesting article

Portugal selling Ronaldo to Spain!!

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/portugal-sells-ronaldo-to-spain-in-8364160m-deal-on-national-debt-2258903.html

More info on this tomorrow - so I am told

hyperion

Mar 31st, 2011, 06:53 PM

My eyes kept growing wider and wider reading that until I realized something.

rooney11

Mar 31st, 2011, 09:17 PM

;)

megalison

Mar 31st, 2011, 10:18 PM

WOW LOL I was actually so convinced and even showed the link to a few friends.

Tornado F2

Apr 1st, 2011, 12:01 AM

WOW LOL I was actually so convinced and even showed the link to a few friends.

:facepalm: :rolleyes:

I don't need to read it to see what's happening here. But I'll take a look anyway... :)

(Why would Spain even want either Ronaldo anyway? Even Blackpool's Charlie Adam takes better free kicks).

Tornado F2

Apr 1st, 2011, 12:14 AM

alonso, gerrard, arbeloa, crouch ... how did liverpool not manage to win the league at least once in the last couple of years ... unlucky bunch

Simple. United and Chelsea are in the EPL too, and LFC are never consistent enough to compete. Rada's constant rotations were probably a major reason for that.

BTW, of those 4 Alonso would be my pick as favourite player, but Gerrard, as a die-hard scouser, has always been the key player for LFC. Without him they would have been eliminated in the group stages, long before the final in Istanbul, and he just barely dragged them through the subsequent rounds too.

Tornado F2

Apr 1st, 2011, 12:25 AM

Some of the replies to that "article" are funny. Like this one:

"Alex Owusu-sarfo 3 hours ago

Ronaldo for Spain or England? This is unbelievable, this is how football has gotten into. i think if Potugual has been downgraded in terms of crediting rating, they should consult the Emu and the Fed rather than selling their idol to Spain or England. the Prime minister, Davidcameron is having a laugh, sort out your country first, the 200m sterling suggesting to buy ronaldo can go a long way to create jobs in every facet of our economy."

He took it so seriously he's come out in front of the entire world as an April Fool. :facepalm:

:lol:

Tornado F2

Apr 2nd, 2011, 12:47 AM

Wow, the Ronaldo story was an obvious fake but I've just learned that TFC are the real April Fools. Yet again they've traded away a top player to the NY Red Bulls. I was disappointed to see Robinson shipped out last season, and now it's DeRo's turn. It's DeGooseEgg that they should be getting rid of, with his ridiculously over-inflated salary and poor-quality play, not the hometown boy, multiple-time MLS MVP, who scored almost half their goals last season, and started this season well too. I may love my football, but I'm not sure if I'll ever bother driving to TO to watch TFC now. As Mayor Miller commented last season, it was like cheering on the shirt, not the team, after all the squad changes, and now I know basically nobody but the goalie Frei, who'll likely be gone himself soon. This new coaching team had better know what they are doing, or TFC will be shutting down shortly after Montreal enters the MLS. Toronto fans may be used to having loser teams, but they're not going to keep sending money TFC's way if they don't see some progress soon, and lately they just seem to be moving backward. A very sad day for football in Toronto, imho.

Tornado F2

Apr 2nd, 2011, 09:06 AM

Rooney might just win us back yet.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51975000/jpg/_51975438_roon_pa.jpg

4 goals scored in 30 minutes after Berbatov entered the pitch. 3 of them by Rooney. :)

West Ham 2 - 4 Man Utd

Rooney 65
Rooney 73
Rooney (pen) 79
Hernandez 84

krash322

Apr 2nd, 2011, 09:29 AM

Well well, Rooney picking up his game at the right time. I hope he saved some for Chelsea next week.

Tornado F2

Apr 2nd, 2011, 11:29 AM

So, United picking up our trophy from the FA in 2 hours time? Might as well while we're still in London. :)

hyperion

Apr 2nd, 2011, 12:31 PM

Wow what a crap performance from Liverpool. Some bad luck at the beginning with 2 injuries in first 30min, and then one of the subs pretty much gave away both of the goals. West Brom deserved to win from how they played. Liverpool was expectedly stagnant when you have no natural fullback or winger on the pitch. Summer can't come quick enough.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 2nd, 2011, 01:02 PM

madrid lost @ home :-0

150 games unbeaten at home. Doubt any manager will come close to Mourinho's record.

Jose Mourinho suffered his first home defeat as a coach since February 23, 2002

only good thing i can think off: at least it wasn't Barca who ended it, madrid can just focus on copa del rey and cl from now on

bad things: barca wins the title easily now, el clasico has no value :(

hyperion

Apr 2nd, 2011, 05:33 PM

Wow, to Sporting Gijon? Was RM resting regular first teamers?

Tornado F2

Apr 2nd, 2011, 05:40 PM

Wow, to Sporting Gijon? Was RM resting regular first teamers?

Wonder if Harry was too? 0-0 with Wigan.

Of course Fergie tried doing that in the 1st half also. Things only came good in the 2nd half when he threw on more firepower.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 2nd, 2011, 06:55 PM

Wow, to Sporting Gijon? Was RM resting regular first teamers?

yeah they were rested (well ... more like jose had no choice but to rest them)

injured: marcelo, benz, ronaldo
suspension: alonso

madrid did create chances but luck just wasn't on madrid's side

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/1278/20526019577318240741266.jpg

r9 was honoured before the match, class move by madrid, i wonder if other clubs he played for will do the same.

so epl, la liga, bundesliga title race over

time for everyone to watch serie A! :-0

Tornado F2

Apr 4th, 2011, 11:44 PM

Fulham FC memorialised their latest hero on the weekend:

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51983000/jpg/_51983356_jex_1007266_de27-1.jpg

Apparently Jacko attended a single match over a decade ago.

The chairman (Al Fayed) said fans who don't like it can "go to hell" - or to Chelsea. :lol:

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 5th, 2011, 01:37 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tOYYV8I8JiM

bwhahaha :lol:

hyperion

Apr 5th, 2011, 06:15 AM

LOL, that's to be expected if you celebrate your championship at a rival's stadium.

Tornado F2

Apr 5th, 2011, 10:37 AM

LOL, that's to be expected if you celebrate your championship at a rival's stadium.

It could also be an Iberian thing. Remember Barca turnng the sprinklers on Jose last season? :lol:

hyperion

Apr 5th, 2011, 11:20 AM

Here's hooliganism, North African style:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwB4HWwm4tM

I thought these two countries would consider themselves brothers after the two very similar revolutions they went through.

NDman

Apr 5th, 2011, 02:02 PM

Eh!? What the hell was Crouch thinking? Stupid stupid stuff

hyperion

Apr 5th, 2011, 02:03 PM

Wow, are the Spurs for real? Think I'm going to switch games now.

hyperion

Apr 5th, 2011, 03:19 PM

Inter's defense getting embarassed, at home.

kennyhohoho

Apr 5th, 2011, 03:38 PM

Inter's defense getting embarassed, at home.

Always love to see Italian teams lose and lose hard.

United vs. Roma anyone? :lol:

hyperion

Apr 5th, 2011, 03:39 PM

Looks like poor Ronnie finally got his goal in Real Madrid's game right at the end too. He was trying so hard when I watched, I think his first shot was like in the first minute.

pavelbure10

Apr 5th, 2011, 03:51 PM

Looks like poor Ronnie finally got his goal in Real Madrid's game right at the end too. He was trying so hard when I watched, I think his first shot was like in the first minute.

I dont know if he takes more shots, or raises his hands more, Di maria had a crazy goal

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 5th, 2011, 03:51 PM

adebayor showed up to play today! the 2nd header was worldclass :-0 no gk could stop that

schalke :-0 :-0 :-0

man utd has a free ticket to the final now since they will face schalke (man utd getting an easy route? no way!)

what? chelsea? lol no

great goal by di maria as well

btw bale is class, only one that threatened madrid, madrid need to get him in the summer, f'n beast

Tornado F2

Apr 5th, 2011, 11:12 PM

Madrid likely would have won by a couple of goals today, but the game was spoiled by Crouch's early sending off. I think Jose told Harry as much at the end of the game. It seemed harsh, especially considering what Madrid players got away with all game. I especially hated the big grin on Marcello's face as soon as he went down, possibly even before the card was shown. So much for the "respect" campaign.

I think Crouch touched the ball twice in Madrid's half and got 2 cards. Likewise with Defoe, except he barely got a touch. Lucky for him that he didn't get into the game, I suppose. At least Dawson had a decent game, aside from almost giving away a penalty for handball. The rest of the defence put in a shift, but that's about it. Spurs have done well getting to the QF though, considering how poorly they started out in the summer. It looked all but over 15 minutes into the first game. They need another Great Escape at WHLane, though I think that's beyond them this time.

elty

Apr 6th, 2011, 07:44 PM

Looks like Real is going to face Barca 4 times in a month:

1 league game
1 cup final
2 Championship games

Wonder whats the feeling of getting beaten 4 times in a month by your rival.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 6th, 2011, 08:33 PM

Looks like Real is going to face Barca 4 times in a month:

1 league game
1 cup final
2 Championship games

Wonder whats the feeling of getting beaten 4 times in a month by your rival.

talk about rotten luck

meanwhile man utd gets schalke, they always get easy draws :|

anything below 5-0 is progress vs barca

good team + ref help = no chance whatsoever

still, i consider this season a decent one

we went far in cl, got a core group of players to build on (besides ronaldo), ozil and di maria have been great buys

i just hope jose gets at least one more year

it will be man utd vs barca final

now imagine man utd won vs barca last time, that would be their 4th cl

this could have been their 5th :-0

more epl titles AND tied in # of cl trophies - man utd would have been considered the most successful club in england without any arguments

Tornado F2

Apr 7th, 2011, 01:34 AM

more epl titles AND tied in # of cl trophies - man utd would have been considered the most successful club in england without any arguments

What is there to argue? There's no question. Even Blackburn have more EPL titles than the scousers. And no London club has ever won Europe. :lol:

Tornado F2

Apr 7th, 2011, 05:14 PM

Well, the stupid FA banned Rooney from the FA Cup SF against City. He was stupid to swear at all, but to be banned for 2 games for doing what many players likely do is insane. It wasn't just because he did it near to a camera. It's because it was a United player. And specifically, it was Rooney. So the London-based FA put the boot in. It apparently doesn't matter that he'd just completed an excellent 2nd half hat-trick, bringing United back from 2-0 down to a near-guaranteed record-setting 19th league title. It doesn't even seem to matter that he's a key player in the national side. The stupid FA still were determined to punish him. It will serve them right if he does a Cantona one day and just quits the game entirely. Their all-important income will be affected along with his. The EPL needs its star players, even the idiotic ones, if it wants to keep raking in the ridiculous profits worldwide. I'm no fan of Rooney as a person, but he's an excellent footballer and the EPL (and British tabloids) would miss him greatly. Still, it will give Berb and Cheech the chance to shine against City now. United will proceed towards yet another potential treble, regardless of the FA's feeble efforts.

pavelbure10

Apr 7th, 2011, 05:22 PM

NDman

Apr 7th, 2011, 05:40 PM

I thought he should have been fined at the most not suspended, anyone that plays the game knows, that scoring a hat trick in his fashion get you really emotional, It got the better of him.

Talking about emotion check this out, removing your shirt is a yellow card, but is it when you have the same jersey on underneath?

Rooney's case is a tough one. You can blame that on the wide-spread TV coverage these days. What he did was no excuse but I'm also surprised FA threw the books at him.

And then there's Hassli. He was an idiot for doing that. That rule is clear, whether you are wearing anything, or nothing underneath, it's a cautionable offense. That one I'm glad the ref threw the books at him. I compare that to Terrel Owens testing the limit of the touch down show rules of the NFL, really.

hyperion

Apr 7th, 2011, 05:45 PM

It wasn't just because he did it near to a camera. It's because it was a United player.

Give a recent example of a non-United player swearing on camera during a game and not being banned. This is a sport that a lot of families watch together, including with their kids. That kind of garbage is uncalled for and I totally see why FA did it.

And Rooney didn't just swear on camera, he swore AT the camera, when he was the center of attention. Unexcusable.

hyperion

Apr 7th, 2011, 05:50 PM

I thought he should have been fined at the most not suspended, anyone that plays the game knows, that scoring a hat trick in his fashion get you really emotional, It got the better of him.

Talking about emotion check this out, removing your shirt is a yellow card, but is it when you have the same jersey on underneath?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt3mLtylRq8&feature=player_embedded

I was so confused when I saw that live, hahah. It happened fast and first I see him throw off the jersey into the crowd, but then he has the jersey back on...whaaat? Only after seeing the replay I saw that he had another identical one underneath. First time I've seen that in a celebration. I don't think he should have been sent off.

Him and Neymar can cry on eachother's shoulders. Neymar got sent off for picking up a mask of his own face and putting it on during his celebration.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/apr/07/neymar-brazil-santos-copa-libertadores

Tornado F2

Apr 7th, 2011, 06:36 PM

I thought he should have been fined at the most not suspended, anyone that plays the game knows, that scoring a hat trick in his fashion get you really emotional, It got the better of him.

Talking about emotion check this out, removing your shirt is a yellow card, but is it when you have the same jersey on underneath?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt3mLtylRq8&feature=player_embedded

It wasn't a yellow - It was a SECOND yellow. He was sent off after scoring. And I think he'd only come on at HT! :-0

A TFC player who was being substituted was sent off the same way a few days ago, leaving TFC a man short.

Some of the refs out there really are idiots, completely lacking in common sense.

Tornado F2

Apr 7th, 2011, 06:46 PM

Give a recent example of a non-United player swearing on camera during a game and not being banned. This is a sport that a lot of families watch together, including with their kids. That kind of garbage is uncalled for and I totally see why FA did it.

And Rooney didn't just swear on camera, he swore AT the camera, when he was the center of attention. Unexcusable.

I'm not excusing him. His behaviour in general is the complete opposite of myself or anybody around me. But it's really obvious that United get "special" treatment in England. Remember Rio's extended suspension. There have been many similar offenders, but nobody else got that. Look at Fergie's current ban for stating the obvious - the referee that day really was poor. But that's okay, United are used to such treatment. It helps the players to dig in and produce even better performances. There's a reason why we consistently achieve, even against clubs that arguably have better squads. United have the winning mentality, and that's why we achieve. Somebody commented recently on how Inter, with practically the same squad, performed much better under Mourinho than they have under Rafa or Leonardo. You could say the same for Chelsea. I don't want Jose to become United manager, but could you imagine the players' self-belief if he was thrown into the mix! They'd be playing like the Harlem Globetrotters. :lol:

pavelbure10

Apr 7th, 2011, 07:34 PM

A TFC player who was being substituted was sent off the same way a few days ago, leaving TFC a man short.

Some of the refs out there really are idiots, completely lacking in common sense.

Yeah I saw that too, I think he was yapping though, and taking too long, that was rather odd, watching the mls refs they are fools, some of the calls the make are atrocious, in the whitecaps vs revolution game all three reds were debatable.

krash322

Apr 7th, 2011, 08:02 PM

Any ban on Rooney is ridiculous. Every player out there is swearing their asses off. It's really up to the broadcasters to make sure the swearing is not heard. I thought this was what all these tape delays are for, or does the EPL lack this technology? It's really Fergie that the FA wants to stick it to, so any association to him (i.e. the whole club) is going to be punished beyond any normal capacity.

Tornado F2

Apr 8th, 2011, 11:24 PM

United's front line. Happy, despite the FA's efforts. :lol:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/rooney_forblog595.jpg

Chel$ki's misfiring front line.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/torres_forblog595.jpg

There's something about that No. 9 shirt. Shevkenko was also an expensive purchase, brought in to meet Abramovich's wishes, not the club's needs, and he too proved impossible for managers to use, forever in Drogba's large shadow. It looks like Torres is headed the same way. :razz:

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 9th, 2011, 01:20 PM

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has revealed he thinks Wayne Rooney should leave Old Trafford.

Rooney has been dominating the headlines for the wrong reasons in the past week following his foul-mouthed outburst in the win at West Ham.

The England star was charged by the Football Association for the incident and he has been ordered to serve a two-game ban after failing with an appeal against the length of the suspension.

It means Rooney will miss Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham as well as next weekend's FA Cup semi-final against local rivals Manchester City.

There has been much speculation about Rooney's demeanour on the pitch and Schemeichel has come to the conclusion that a change of scenery could help the player.

"I think it would be good for him to get away," Schmechel told Ekstra Bladet.

"It would be good for him to play for an other club. Real Madrid under Mourinho, is someone that could handle him and get the best out of him.

"It is painful to say that that the best player you have, which he is at United, he is better off trying something new.

"United will probably not sell him to another English club, but a change of scenery would help."

i rather see madrid get drogba in the summer for cheap like carvalho last summer, sign drogba to a one year + one year optional contract

Tornado F2

Apr 11th, 2011, 10:14 PM

Wonder if that first half disaster today has already cost Mancini his job? I think he saw the writing on the wall, going off his facial expressions. Back to Inter perhaps? I'm surprised how poor City were, and how good Liverpool were by comparison. If that's anything to go by they are due for a mauling at Wembley by United. Especially if Tevez, like Rooney, is absent. Once they fell behind they lost their fight and gave up. They won't break into the top 3 with attitude like that. Now Spurs just might get their chance to break back into the all-important top 4. That would keep the "noisy neighbours" at bay for yet another year.

hyperion

Apr 12th, 2011, 09:58 AM

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 12th, 2011, 04:22 PM

i hope drogba has seen enough and wants out in the summer and madrid get him!

torres started again and failed miserably while drogba was on the bench. He came on and scored a goal.

can't believe i'm saying this but torres = shevchenko 2.0?

Tornado F2

Apr 12th, 2011, 05:10 PM

can't believe i'm saying this but torres = shevchenko 2.0?

I said it first! :razz:

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/epl-gossip-thread-586571/566/#post12712405

Tornado F2

Apr 12th, 2011, 05:26 PM

Let's see if Torres can finally open his account today. Him and Drogba playing at the same time is horrible, because they play like two independent lone strikers with very little link-up play. Drogba's ego has been souring Chelsea's locker room for years, it will be interesting to see how they play when he is gone. If I was Ancelotti I'd start either Drogba alone up front and an extra midfielder, or better yet bench Drogba and start Torres and Anelka up front. Then use Drogba as a super-sub when Torres gets tired around the 70-75 minute mark.

It looks like Ancelotti read your post. :razz: Good job Drog didn't play from the start. Thanks for another United ChLg win 'Nando. :lol:

All the talk about Torres firing blanks, but no mention of Carroll. Guess he was lucky to be injured at the time of the transfer. He came good yesterday though. Suarez + Carroll looks like a great trade in exchange for near-useless Torres. What were Chel$ki thinking? I can only assume they'd already taken the cash out of the bank to buy Rooney, the deal fell through, somehow resulting in Wilkins' firing, (possibly just because he was the one who delivered the news), they didn't want to put the money back in the bank, possibly for tax/laundering reasons, so they decided to spend it quick. Only Torres was available from their short-list, after Tevez "committed" to City, so that's where the money went. Now the Joke's on them. They should make Rafa manager this summer and complete their transformation. After Liverpool and Inter he's an expert. :lol:

jr!

Apr 12th, 2011, 07:45 PM

Tornado F2

Apr 12th, 2011, 08:32 PM

I read a tweet from Raphael Honigstein prior to the Chel$ki game that stated something like: "the Abramovich lineup is starting".
I take that to mean he's a meddling owner, telling the coach who to play etc.
Nothing new really, I always suspected it.

I'm very surprised with Torres though.
I thought the change of scenery would change him, but he's still as out of sorts in blue as he was in red!

I just Googled Raphael Honigstein: "Honigstein is currently the English football correspondent for the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, and German football correspondent for the British newspaper The Guardian".

Since he can't be in both countries at the same time, he's presumably paid (by multiple employers) for watching lots of football on TV and reading lots of internet chatter. Lucky him.

As for Torres, he was crap for Spain too. I'm seeing a trend here.

jr!

Apr 12th, 2011, 09:03 PM

He's the best footy writer out there right now.
He also worked for CBC.ca during the world cup.

He's unfortunately a Bayern München fan too.

hyperion

Apr 12th, 2011, 09:06 PM

Chelsea started really well with Torres and that 4-1-2-3 formation, not sure what happened after the 30min mark. Drogba is a headcase, not sure why gi4c would want him at Real Madrid.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 12th, 2011, 09:39 PM

He's the best footy writer out there right now.
He also worked for CBC.ca during the world cup.

He's unfortunately a Bayern München fan too.

Raphael Honigstein is good but i prefer sid lowe

anyone else here listen to guardian Football Weekly podcast? both of them come on, my fav footy podcast

Tornado F2

Apr 12th, 2011, 10:18 PM

Chelsea started really well with Torres and that 4-1-2-3 formation, not sure what happened after the 30min mark. Drogba is a headcase, not sure why gi4c would want him at Real Madrid.

Because gi4c is a crazy Spaniard who thinks that R. Madrid and Barca are in the EPL. :lol:

He follows Real Madrid because he's really mad. :razz:

BTW, if Drog went to Madrid, would that mean Adebayor's back at City?

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 13th, 2011, 12:00 PM

Chelsea started really well with Torres and that 4-1-2-3 formation, not sure what happened after the 30min mark. Drogba is a headcase, not sure why gi4c would want him at Real Madrid.

mourinho will keep him in check

Chelsea will respond to their disappointment on all fronts this season by accelerating their plan to rid the squad of their ageing players, ESPNsoccernet understands.

A source said: "It's been known within the club for some time that there are too many over 30s, and it has been a gradual operation to find the right young players, but now the time is right to speed up the plan to bring in younger players and to phase out the over 30s."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/906453/big-stars-under-threat-as-chelsea-plan-revolution?cc=5901

looks like chelsea will buy and sell many players in the summer

hyperion

Apr 13th, 2011, 03:46 PM

Yawn @ today's games.

Highlight of the day on the spanish stream I was watching Schalke vs Inter, with commentators calling Raul, "Raulito" and obvious affinity to him: They went crazy when he scored. One of those minute long "GOOOOOO..........L" screams. :P

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 13th, 2011, 03:54 PM

it's a shame madrid vs barca is a semi final and not a final

man utd gets lucky and faces schalke, everything falling into place for man utd

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2011/4/13/1302722382033/Gareth-Bale-and-Xabi-Alon-005.jpg

spurs players dived all over the place today to get a pk

lol @ the biased commentary :lol: when madrid scored they were speechless

spurs this, spurs that, spurs got knocked out 5-0, how about giving some credit to madrid u biased ITV jerks? :facepalm:

Even epl fans (RAWK) agree:

Nice unbiased commentary.

Has the ****ing Queen just died or something?

****ing hell. Commentating as if someone's died!

Commentators sound as if they're about to cry.

"How fitting would it be if he (Bale) could get a goal now."

Deary me, ITV.

ITV just put it 1 - 0 to Spurs showing 4-1 on aggregate before they changed it.

hyperion

Apr 13th, 2011, 04:39 PM

Yeah not sure why unbiased commentators seem to no longer exist.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 13th, 2011, 04:48 PM

^^ the commentators were commenting as if it was england vs spain in world cup

Sky Sports highlights of the Spurs match, and the Bale dive in the box, commentators says there was contact but 'it would have been soft', erm no mate it would have been totally wrong as he dived!

u know something is up when RAWK and Redcafe agrees, that usually never happens.

the two legs showed why madrid let vdv go, don't get me wrong, he's good but not good enough to play regularly in an elite club

oh and RAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLL!!! what a player! scored again today! living legend! :)

Renton

Apr 14th, 2011, 03:08 PM

Come on you Spurs!

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 15th, 2011, 01:10 PM

http://real.theoffside.com/files/2011/04/3-escudos-real-madrid-vs-barcelona-rf_27280.jpg

el clasico 4 times, prediction:

4-0 barca la liga
3-0 barca copa
2-0 barca cl
1-0 barca cl

anything below 5-0 = progress :cheesygri

hyperion

Apr 15th, 2011, 04:19 PM

I hope you're being coy, there's no way Barca will win all 4.

RM - Barca 2 - 2
Barca - RM 1 - 2
RM - Barca 3 - 2
Barca - RM 3 - 0

Tornado F2

Apr 16th, 2011, 08:52 AM

Come on you Spurs!

You were a day too late. :razz:

Tornado F2

Apr 16th, 2011, 08:58 AM

el clasico 4 times, prediction:

4-0 barca la liga
3-0 barca copa
2-0 barca cl
1-0 barca cl

anything below 5-0 = progress :cheesygri

Yawn. Absolutely nothing "classic" about a sequence of scores like that.

I suspect Jose will put all his efforts into the ChLg ties. He'll realise that it's just a matter of 2 games there, starting with a clean slate. If Madrid can get the better of Barca over the 2 legs they'll likely have a Final against United to look forward to, and Jose, CRon, and others will want to be involved in that. And I suspect United will prefer to meet Madrid rather than Barca too. :)

Tornado F2

Apr 16th, 2011, 09:09 AM

Bayern sure sold United a lemon:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13091941.stm

Shame, as I really liked the idea of a Canadian playing at United, and he was playing very well at the WC - 4.5 years ago. Looks like this may well be the end.

Tornado F2

Apr 16th, 2011, 11:31 AM

BBC:

-1714: A quick word from the managers at Wembley? Go on then. Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini: "It's a very important game. It's a chance to change history." Manchester united boss Sir Alex Ferguson: "It's nice to be in the semi-final but there's always a great satisfaction in being in the final. We'll take that."

Well said Fergie. :D

elty

Apr 16th, 2011, 12:30 PM

Man City goal: Breakthrough. And it's advantage City. Michael Carrick is guilty of a sloppy pass just outside his own are and Yaya Toure is the beneficiary as the Ivorian collects, charges past Nemanja Vidic into the United box and slips home a finish as cool as you like. The blue half of Wembley explodes.

Didn't see that coming.

Man Utd red card: Oof. He's never been the greatest tackler but even by his standards that's pretty poor - Paul Scholes sent off for a reckless tackle on Pablo Zabaleta, the Man Utd midfielder all but embedding his studs in the full-back's right thigh with a run-up. Mike Dean had no
hesitation in producing the red card and I don't think too many will argue Scholes had to go there.

Uh oh...

Fimo

Apr 16th, 2011, 01:13 PM

Congrats to Man City, considering how they started the game, that was a good result for them, Berbatov has been left to rue those 2 gilt edged chances in the first half he didn't put away.

Interesting scenes at the end between Rio and Mario, problem with Rio is he one of the players that likes talking trash but can't take it when handed back to him, why would he want to even bother with someone like Balotelli I don't know.

Tornado F2

Apr 16th, 2011, 02:35 PM

Interesting scenes at the end between Rio and Mario, problem with Rio is he one of the players that likes talking trash but can't take it when handed back to him, why would he want to even bother with someone like Balotelli I don't know.

Sounds like he should have been an LFC fan. :razz:

Apparently his wife went into labour last night. I'm surprised he played at all.

One thing comes out of this - a team with fairly recent lower league experience will lift the FA Cup this year. Only Portsmouth have managed that since 1988. Oddly enough the year Portsmouth won it, 2007-08, ALL the semi-finalists were "outsiders". A sign of how low a priority the top clubs now place on the FA Cup perhaps?

Wonder why Fergie didn't start with Berb and Hernandez up front together today? The key against City is to score the first goal, after which they often struggle. But let them score first and they know how to defend a lead, Italian-style.

Anyway, thank you Fernando Torres for a few laughs after United's final whistle. First he finally found the back of the net - from an offside position. Then he fell down on his backside in the penalty box for no obvious reason. Then he tried to fire in a shot, only to slice it directly to his left, at a 90 degree angle to the desired path to goal. Then it looked like Chelsea were subbing him off again, probably to avoid him getting in the way. Even at the end he walked off alone while the rest of the team were celebrating a win. Quite an eventful 15 minute cameo appearance by him then. :lol: He was trying very hard today to smile, but he doesn't seem to realise that everybody's laughing AT him, not with him. Oh well, things have to pick up some time, even for him.

It seems Chelsea have rediscovered their form by reverting back to their old "aging" team of the past half-decade or so. It doesn't look too promising for their young successors.

BTW, anybody know why Giggs was left completely out of the squad today? Today's result shows yet again how important a player he still is.

Tornado F2

Apr 16th, 2011, 03:38 PM

Parma 2-0 Inter. Looks like Rafa really worked wonders during his short stay. No repeat league title for Inter this year either, just like their ChLg exit.

elty

Apr 16th, 2011, 03:56 PM

Who had 20 seconds for the first foul? Sergio Busquets goes down, does a few rolls and gets back up good as new. It's like theatre and sport all rolled into one, the Clasico.

Marcelo handles to get the ball away from Lionel Messi and Messi waves an imaginary yellow card - Marcelo is promptly booked.

Sergio Busquets goes down like he has been shot when he's barely touched - think the Barca midfielder is trying to get a second yellow card for Marcelo there, but the ref isn't buying it, thankfully. Jose Mourinho did say Real would have to learn how to play with 10 men - let's hope they both finish with 11.

Lionel Messi superbly drifts past one challenge and threatens to get past two more, but he runs into Xabi Alonso and goes down holding his face. Jose Mourinho throws an arm up in continental disgust as he is prone to do, and Messi's fine. It's scrappy - which probably suits Mourinho down to the ground.

Tough to pick a winner here (for Oscar best actor).

elty

Apr 16th, 2011, 04:53 PM

So Real fought hard desptie being 1 man down... looked like that special training is working.

A bit lucky on that penalty though, but 1-1 is an improvement over 0-5 or 2-6.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 16th, 2011, 05:47 PM

ronaldo finally scores vs barca

is messi not allowed to get a card? >:(

Messi shoots a ball to the crowd, to waste time, no yellow card.

rvp is watching that and saying WTF, why no card?

http://estaticos04.marca.com/imagenes/2011/04/17/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1302992113_extras_portada_1.jpg

Tornado F2

Apr 16th, 2011, 11:37 PM

So Real fought hard desptie being 1 man down... looked like that special training is working.

A bit lucky on that penalty though, but 1-1 is an improvement over 0-5 or 2-6.

So Barca's play-acting worked? That's really disappointing. They should be able to get results without resorting to cheating. >:(

Only 2 goals, and both from PKs. Far-from-classico if you ask me.

ronaldo finally scores vs barca

Only because there wasn't a wall there to boot the ball into. His success rate on regular free kicks has always been pretty disappointing. The ball usually just cannons back off the wall.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 17th, 2011, 03:07 AM

ronaldo had valdes beat on a free kick in the 2nd half, unlucky to hit the post

villa should have scored a hat trick

for some reason barca didn't finish madrid off after madrid going down to 10 men and barca going up 1-0

still expect barca to win copa and cl

hyperion

Apr 17th, 2011, 12:04 PM

A soft penalty for a soft penalty. I think a draw is the fair result.

nsx

Apr 17th, 2011, 12:15 PM

Congrats to Man U!

Wenger refused to shake the hands of the opposing manager after a game again. :rolleyes:

What a surprise! :facepalm:

hyperion

Apr 17th, 2011, 12:39 PM

http://i52.tinypic.com/28sbzpi.jpg

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 17th, 2011, 12:46 PM

so liverpool basically helped out man utd to win the title for the 19th time ...

elty

Apr 17th, 2011, 02:15 PM

Even if Liverpool lose on purpose, Arsenal will somehow find a way to lose anyways so not a big deal.

elty

Apr 17th, 2011, 03:06 PM

Messi slam the ball to the crowd and seems to be happy about it. Some poor dude managed to block it with his hand at 0:27 or he would get a concussion. Of course nothing will be done to this World Player of the Year.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/827/messidog.jpg

http://upload.trend.hk/images/1302995729.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPd1-QKtpKg&feature=player_embedded

jr!

Apr 17th, 2011, 06:33 PM

http://i52.tinypic.com/28sbzpi.jpg

LOL, KK tells The Voyeur to "piss off!"
I thought they were going to start scrapping!

I didn't see the RvP penalty (was watching the BVB game), but thought the foul that led to the Kuyt penalty a bit.... weak, like Alves' in the Clasico yesterday.

As for the 19th league win, Liverpool fans don't really give a **** about that, even KK himself when asked said 'we beat them 3-1 at Anfield, how are we helping them?'

krash322

Apr 17th, 2011, 07:25 PM

Those misses by Berba really cost us the game against City. Chicharito should have started the game, another tactical error by SAF.

Fimo

Apr 17th, 2011, 07:51 PM

Messi slam the ball to the crowd and seems to be happy about it. Some poor dude managed to block it with his hand at 0:27 or he would get a concussion. Of course nothing will be done to this World Player of the Year.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/827/messidog.jpg

:arrowu: This reminded me of this :arrowd::

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub842qIfVZQ

to make it worse it was towards his own fans as well!

Tornado F2

Apr 17th, 2011, 09:02 PM

so liverpool basically helped out man utd to win the title for the 19th time ...

Ive always liked Kuyt, and today it was clear why. He's a hard-working and honest player. It would have been so easy for him to blow the PK and improve Arsenal's chance of catching United, delaying United's overtaking of Liverpool's old record, but he did the right thing and earned Liverpool a share of the spoils. Could you imagine what would have happened if Gerrard had been taking it. Just like his gift to Chelsea last season, he would have likely sacrificed LFC's present to preserve that worn out old LFC record. As it is, today's point might prove very valuable to LFC if it gets them back into Europe next year. At the very least it helps them to stay ahead of local rivals Everton. Arsenal likely wouldn't have caught United anyway, but thanks Dirk. :)

BTW, what an ending! When I saw that 8 minuted of ET had been added I thought "they go on about Fergie time, but Arsene time has it beat". Then I saw that a PK had been awarded to Arsenal in the last minute of ET and thought it looked like the fix was in. But for some reason I got the idea that Kuyt (specifically) would do something - and sure enough he did! It's a shame I'm not a betting man sometimes. :lol:

Tornado F2

Apr 17th, 2011, 09:13 PM

Those misses by Berba really cost us the game against City. Chicharito should have started the game, another tactical error by SAF.

I'd have started them both up front. Like I said yesterday, scoring first against City is very important this season. But the tactics weren't necessarily to blame. United did get their chances, they just didn't score this time. We've seen it happen before, we'll see it again. These things happen. United still have the two main club prizes waiting for them, but an FA Cup final will mean the world to long-suffering City fans. Don't count out Stoke though. What the heck happened to Bolton today? 5-0 at Wembley! This year's final may well prove a cracker. So long as Stoke score first...

Tornado F2

Apr 17th, 2011, 09:26 PM

LOL, KK tells The Voyeur to "piss off!"
I thought they were going to start scrapping!

I didn't see the RvP penalty (was watching the BVB game), but thought the foul that led to the Kuyt penalty a bit.... weak, like Alves' in the Clasico yesterday.

As for the 19th league win, Liverpool fans don't really give a **** about that, even KK himself when asked said 'we beat them 3-1 at Anfield, how are we helping them?'

Did he really say that? On camera? Two match automatic ban then, as per the "Rooney Rule". :razz:

And as for the Liverpool fans, I can name you at least two bitter old-fogeys who will be gnashing their teeth and drowning their sorrows come the end of this season as United take their well-deserved lead. And I'm sure there will be thousands more just like them. Fortunately they're rapidly becoming as obsolete and irrelevant as the players who once brought them their glory years, all those years ago. (As George Harrison used to sing). Time for Liverpool to accept change and move on.

On the brighter side though, I was thinking earlier today that LFC do seem to have turned a corner. They may be out of the top 4, or even top 5, for a while yet, but at least they have halted the collapse they were facing at the end of Rafa's reign. I think the skies over Liverpool are about to clear up, just a bit. :) Maybe they should consider merging with Everton again...

Tornado F2

Apr 17th, 2011, 09:49 PM

Congrats to Man U!

Wenger refused to shake the hands of the opposing manager after a game again. :rolleyes:

What a surprise! :facepalm:

http://i52.tinypic.com/28sbzpi.jpg

Looking at that I don't think Wenger did anything wrong, but he might have said something. How else to explain Souness' behaviour? Souness hadn't offered his hand at that point either.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 18th, 2011, 11:14 AM

Also, as Mourinho said, it would be interesting to see the game played 11 versus 11. Strange to see Raul Albiol receive a straight red and Dani Alves not even a yellow for his foul on Marcelo. You begin to see Mourinho's point about a lack of balance in the criteria applied by referees to the two teams.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/908746/phil-ball:-mourinho-masterclass?&cc=5901

well said!

refs are easy on barca

krazyeyezkilla

Apr 18th, 2011, 11:19 AM

Congrats to Man U!

Wenger refused to shake the hands of the opposing manager after a game again. :rolleyes:

What a surprise! :facepalm:

Wrong, watch the replay. Dalglish walks over to Wenger saying "That's a penalty" and Wenger either shakes his head or says "No it's not" and Dalglish promptly waves his hand like the senile old man he is and gets flustered shouting, "Oh piss off, piss off" so Wenger walks away and to further demonstrate his maturity, Dalglish shouts "**** off, **** off" as he's walking away. Congrats Liverpool scum.

Tornado F2

Apr 18th, 2011, 12:06 PM

Shame that the KD-AW vid got pulled.

Anyway, LOL at lightweight SWP trying to hold back Rio:

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52208000/jpg/_52208911_ferdinand_464x261reuters.jpg

:lol:

Crazy that Rio raced all the way back home for his daughter's birth, then all the way back to London to play in a FA Cup SF. I hope somebody else was doing the actual driving, especially considering his past driving record. Where was the club jet that was sent halfway around the world to pick up Keane when he fell out with McCarthy?

Fimo

Apr 18th, 2011, 11:07 PM

Tornado F2

Apr 19th, 2011, 12:30 AM

Dalglish's league record against the top four since taking caretaker charge at Anfield now reads won three, drawn one, lost none, after Sunday's draw added to victories over Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

2 at home and 2 away. Not bad for a "senile" old man! :twisted:

Don't forget that Dalglish lost his first game on returning to Liverpool 1-0 to United in the FA Cup. Not the league, granted, but still a defeat that turfed LFC out of the FA Cup.

BTW, looks like I wasn't the only one who noted that Dalglish deserves a ban for consistency after the way the FA treated Rooney:

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Manchester-United-fans-demand-FA-charge-Liverpool-s-Kenny-Dalglish-with-swearing-at-Arsenal-s-Arsene-Wenger-article725263.html

I noticed on today's EPL highlights show that Fergie and Capello were present at the Arsenal-LFC game. It would have been interesting to see Fergie's reaction to all the extra time, the final result, and the poor behaviour of the other 2 managers. I wonder if he's commented publicly about it yet? He's probably best off staying out of it anyway.

Also, I notice that Sportsnet have scheduled only the one airing of the highlights, and even then not on the basic channel. Seems a bit tight of them. What else is so important on their channel that they can't fit in a 1 hour highlights show? It's one of the few things I watch on SN, other than actual matches.

Tornado F2

Apr 20th, 2011, 12:03 AM

For anybody who may not have noticed, TSN2 are airing the Spurs-Arsenal match tomorrow. A must-win match for both teams so it could be a good one, especially since both teams' goalies are error-prone and neither defence is particularly good. Set your VCRs, or whatever you use now! :)

(I was disappointed to see no matches on TSN2 this weekend, but this could make up for it).

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 20th, 2011, 08:59 AM

getafe = la liga man city? :-0

Dubai sheikh set to buy Getafe

Royal Emirates Group, a collection of companies owned by Sheikh Butti bin Suhail al-Maktoum, is set to unveil the identity of the club, understood to be Getafe, at a ceremony in Dubai on Thursday.

The deal would be the third for a La Liga club involving a non-Spanish buyer in the past year following the sale of Malaga to a member of the Qatari royal family and the purchase of Racing Santander by an Indian businessman. Getafe are 14th in La Liga, and in danger of relegation. In recent years, Getafe have twice been runners-up in the Copa del Rey, and reached the UEFA Cup quarter-finals in 2007-08

hyperion

Apr 20th, 2011, 09:54 AM

Tornado F2

Apr 20th, 2011, 11:48 AM

Agreed. Should be seeing some goals.

Let's hope Bale, Crouch and VDV play the game of their lives today! :)

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 20th, 2011, 12:52 PM

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has been cleared of picking up a deliberate yellow card against Shakhtar Donetsk and will not face any action from UEFA's disciplinary committee.

"FC Barcelona appealed to the governing body of European football against the proposal to ban the player for an additional match as a result of the yellow card shown in the quarter-final of the Champions League against Shakhtar on April 6.

"Iniesta will therefore be able to play in the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. UEFA have also announced that he will not face any financial penalty."

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho was angered that Iniesta seemed set to get away with it, especially after Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos were both fined for similar, if more blantant, offences towards the end of the group stage.

Last week, Mourinho said: "You have to find why Mourinho cannot clean yellow cards but other coaches can."

Barca pair Victor Valdes and Sergio Busquets also picked up seemingly deliberate bookings against Villarreal in La Liga to make sure they would not miss a game against Real.

one rule for them, one rule for the rest of us, such bs >:(

why bother trying against barca, uefa and refs will make sure barca wins anyway

kennyhohoho

Apr 20th, 2011, 12:57 PM

one rule for them, one rule for the rest of us, such bs >:(

why bother trying against barca, uefa and refs will make sure barca wins anyway

lol...

Why am I not surprised? :facepalm:

As a Gooner, I can sympathize.

hyperion

Apr 20th, 2011, 01:04 PM

gi4c you keep making this claim, but can you explain why exactly would UEFA and La Liga want Barcelona to win?

hyperion

Apr 20th, 2011, 02:37 PM

lol 5 goals in first half

elty

Apr 20th, 2011, 03:25 PM

Too bad only 1 at the second.

hyperion

Apr 20th, 2011, 03:40 PM

And that's why Arsenal will never win anything with their current team.

elty

Apr 20th, 2011, 03:41 PM

Manchester pair must be pleased with the result from the London couple.

elty

Apr 20th, 2011, 04:06 PM

Mascherano got shot in the face again!

hyperion

Apr 20th, 2011, 05:03 PM

Looks like I was correct on both of my first 2 classico predictions, only not by final score. :)

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 20th, 2011, 09:25 PM

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2011/4/21/1303340826177/Real-Madrids-Cristiano-Ro-007.jpg

to beat your arch rivals in a cup final where you are the underdog ... FEELS GOOD MAN! :cheesygri

so far this season:

cup drought comes to an end
round of 16 cl curse comes to an end
madrid actually play some decent defense
last summer's signings - all have been a great success (ozil, di maria, carvalho, khedira)

i really hope jose stays for at least 1 more season, from the looks of things, he probably will :)

Tornado F2

Apr 21st, 2011, 12:31 AM

lol 5 goals in first half

Yeah, I called it correctly. Unfortunately I couldn't get home in time for kick off, and the score was already 1-2 when I turned the TV on. Both teams deserved to get a result from that match, but neither will be particularly happy with their single point. Spurs still trail City, while Arsenal slipped behind Chelsea. Both goalies had decent matches, despite conceding 3 goals each. The defences, as predicted, were generally poor.

Tornado F2

Apr 21st, 2011, 12:38 AM

Manchester pair must be pleased with the result from the London couple.

Sounds like you're getting caught up with all the Royal Wedding commotion. I don't think there's much chance of any of those teams tying the knot with their local rival. :lol:

Wonder if United should be concerned about a possible Chelsea-Arsenal coalition? Or City of a Spurs-Liverpool (or Liverpool-Everton) one? Harper's paranoia is spreading... :razz:

Tornado F2

Apr 21st, 2011, 12:42 AM

lol...

Why am I not surprised? :facepalm:

As a Gooner, I can sympathize.

Why? The FA's been bending over backwards trying to help Arsenal or Chelsea to catch up with United, clear examples being their bans on Fergie and Rooney. Look at all the extra time Arsenal got against Liverpool, the penalty Lehmann reportedly should have conceded against Blackpool, or the clear fouls their players got away with today. Arsenal's repeated failure is down to nobody but themselves.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 21st, 2011, 01:31 AM

http://www.gifsoup.com/view1/2370792/cr-final-o.gif

fun FACT: rafa benitez is a madrid fan (next madrid manager after mourinho leaves?)

he was on sky sports for post match discussion

with the 2nd leg being @ camp nou, i can't see madrid making the cl final, barca will be fired up more than even to beat madrid

9 – José Mourinho has now won nine of the 10 major cup finals for which he has been coach (exception: Taça de Portugal 2004).

why does arsenal love handing the title to man utd so much? :confused: time after time, so many chances to catch up but arsenal misses opportunity after opportunity

Apr 21st, 2011, 06:21 AM

ooops ..Madrid drop trophy under bus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6G0PSJq4fw

(wish it was Ronaldo under the bus ..but nevermind)

Fimo

Apr 21st, 2011, 07:18 AM

ooops ..Madrid drop trophy under bus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6G0PSJq4fw

Thats has to be a contender for Fail of the year!

pavelbure10

Apr 21st, 2011, 09:00 AM

ooops ..Madrid drop trophy under bus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6G0PSJq4fw

(wish it was Ronaldo under the bus ..but nevermind)

Sergio Ramos FTW!

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 21st, 2011, 10:29 AM

ooops ..Madrid drop trophy under bus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6G0PSJq4fw

(wish it was Ronaldo under the bus ..but nevermind)

:facepalm:

you don't like the player, that's fine, you don't need to wish bad things happen to him, that's just pathetic

i dislike alves but i would never wish something like that happened to him

Sergio Ramos FTW!

lol ramos being ramos, nothing new :lol:

Tornado F2

Apr 21st, 2011, 12:18 PM

"Noooooo, don't let that Ramos carry me!!!!"

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52284000/jpg/_52284808_011804452-1.jpg

:lol:

Tornado F2

Apr 21st, 2011, 12:25 PM

fun FACT: rafa benitez is a madrid fan (next madrid manager after mourinho leaves?)

Hopefully. I can guarantee he'll never be United or Barca boss! :razz:

As for the ChLg, you might as well quit now. UEFA will NEVER risk letting the trophy fall into Madrid's butterfinger hands now! :lol:

As for that Spanish Cup, the CTV news said it would be repaired and put on display. Good luck with that. :D

Tornado F2

Apr 21st, 2011, 12:47 PM

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2011/4/21/1303340826177/Real-Madrids-Cristiano-Ro-007.jpg

- Real Madrid waited 18 years to win back the Copa del Rey trophy -- only to drop the cup and watch it get crushed under the wheels of a bus.

Only hours after beating archrival Barcelona in the domestic cup final in Valencia, Madrid defender Sergio Ramos let the 15-kilogram (33-pound) cup fall from the top of the team bus during celebrations early Thursday morning in the capital.

The front right wheel of the bus rolled over the trophy before the driver stopped.

Emergency services gathered up the broken pieces and returned them to the bus but the trophy did not reappear at the club's traditional celebration spot of the Plaza de Cibeles in central Madrid.

"The cup fell, it fell," Ramos said according to Europa Press agency. "But the cup is OK."

Later, the Spain defender made light of the incident on Twitter.

"The whole thing about the cup was a misunderstanding, it didn't fall ... it jumped off when it reached Cibeles (the fountain in Madrid where the team celebrates its titles) and saw so many Madrid fans," Ramos tweeted.

"Hahahaha ... but don't worry ... have a good day."

(What a prick. 60,000 people had showed up to see that trophy).

The club said Thursday that the trophy will be repaired, and that a replica has been placed in the club museum in the meantime.

"It is not in good shape, evidently, it was run over by a bus," Madrid spokeswoman Marta Santisteban told The Associated Press. "It has to be fixed."

When the jeweller who made this year's trophy, Federico Alegre, first heard the news that his creation had been demolished, he couldn't believe it.

"I thought it was a joke," Alegre told the Spanish newspaper El Mundo. "But later I saw that it was true. Now I will have to try and repair the damaged cup."

So it was a brand new trophy? :?: That's one way to make sure nobody else gets their hands on it. Better make sure the next one has solid carrying handles attached, along with a bungee cord attachment point! Or better yet, don't let Madrid get their hands on the trophy ever again.

Since it was the King's cup, Ramos had better watch out if he ever somehow receives a knighthood: "Oops, the sword jumped out of my hand and sliced off his head!" :lol:

Tornado F2

Apr 21st, 2011, 12:56 PM

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/2011/4/21/real_33024.jpg

"Do you think the fans will notice that the trophy's missing?" :lol:

At least Adebayor finally won something.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 21st, 2011, 02:11 PM

http://estaticos01.marca.com/albumes/2011/04/20/madrid_barca_mestalla/1303335990_extras_albumes_0.jpg

never knew ronaldo was that good in the air

the season is coming to an end in a month, what do you guys think were the Best and worst transfers 10-11?

My picks:

Best

Di Maria
Ozil
Carvalho
Suarez
Hernandez
David Luiz (still pissed madrid didn't go for him, absolute beast)

Worst

Torres
Bebe
Joe Cole (gerrard: he's better than messi :-0:lol: )
Poulsen

hyperion

Apr 21st, 2011, 04:20 PM

If running over a brand new cup with a bus is a not a bad omen, I don't know what is. :D

RM will lose badly in the CL.

Here's some I can come up with:

Best:
Rafael Van Der Vaart
Raul Meireles
Raul
Edison Cavani

Worst:
Edin Dzeko
Mario Balotelli

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 21st, 2011, 04:24 PM

If running over a brand new cup with a bus is a not a bad omen, I don't know what is. :D

RM will lose badly in the CL.

with 2nd leg @ camp nou, i can't see madrid going through unless barca score a few own goals

this was madrid's best chance to win a title and madrid took it

mourinho once again stood in the way of barca winning a treble

hyperion

Apr 23rd, 2011, 11:18 AM

What's this, Maxi Rodriguez with a hat-trick? Joe Cole scored too??? :-0

Woy took 2 points off Tottenham too, which is nice.

Hernandez saved ManU with a late goal again? Damn that Hernandez. ;)

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 23rd, 2011, 12:51 PM

man mestalla has been good to madrid this season

first we beat barca, now we win 6-3 vs valencia :)

higuain x 3, benz, kaka x 2

elty

Apr 23rd, 2011, 01:28 PM

What's going on today, even Torres score!

Fimo

Apr 23rd, 2011, 01:32 PM

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 23rd, 2011, 02:45 PM

^^ lol no way man utd doesn't win the title (especially after not dropping points today), they are gonna win their 19th and fergie will say man utd kicked pool of their f'n perch

"What they're saying each day in Italy, that I will once again be coach of Inter next season, is false, completely false," Mourinho said. "I am more and more content and happy at Real Madrid.

"Normally, my teams are always better the second season than the first. Because of that, I want to be here next season, with the belief that Real Madrid will be better."

good news, i want him to stay :)

If running over a brand new cup with a bus is a not a bad omen, I don't know what is. :D

RM will lose badly in the CL.

Here's some I can come up with:

Best:
Rafael Van Der Vaart
Raul Meireles
Raul
Edison Cavani

Worst:
Edin Dzeko
Mario Balotelli

Napoli's Edinson Cavani dreams of Real Madrid move

"There is a club I would particularly like to play for and that is Real Madrid. My blood pulses to wear the white jersey."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3277/la-liga/2011/04/18/2446778/napolis-edinson-cavani-dreams-of-real-madrid-move-my-blood

oh man, i would to see madrid buy him in the summer!

Fimo

Apr 23rd, 2011, 03:03 PM

"Normally, my teams are always better the second season than the first. Because of that, I want to be here next season, with the belief that Real Madrid will be better."[/I]

good news, i want him to stay :)

JM's next move, when it eventually happens, is back to England and Man Yoo, there is a reason he has been brown nosing Fergie all these years.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 23rd, 2011, 03:08 PM

JM's next move, when it eventually happens, is back to England and Man Yoo, there is a reason he has been brown nosing Fergie all these years.

he goes where the money is, so man city or back to chelsea

nsx

Apr 23rd, 2011, 03:13 PM

he goes where the money is, so man city or back to chelsea

I don't think Roman is willing to swallow his pride to bring him back to the Bridge.

The Chosen One is destined to join MANSOUR CITY.

Fimo

Apr 23rd, 2011, 03:16 PM

OptaJoke on Twitter: 33 - Number of swear words Wayne Rooney can fit into a tweet now he's joined Twitter. F**k.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 24th, 2011, 12:55 PM

arsenal :facepalm:

Lord_Suger - Sergio Ramos R.Madrid player who dropped the cup off bus,said he want's to join Arsenal - to make sure he never does it again. @piersmorgan

Tornado F2

Apr 24th, 2011, 02:27 PM

What's going on today, even Torres score!

With a MAJOR assist from a puddle of water. :razz: It's funny seeing all the joy being expressed over his goal. Chelsea celebrated like he'd won the league, McNulty writes of his Chelsea career "taking off"... Hold your horses everybody, let's see if he even starts Chelsea's next match. I seriously doubt it. Though I hope it does happen. :lol: We werre all laughing at my place when he was tackled by a puddle of rainwater, but fair credit to him he did respond quickest to the situation. All that experience playing in soggy Liverpool is finally paying off! But watch out next game - there's no guarantee that a puddle will be available again. Especially since Britain is experiencing summer-like weather, even while we freeze. >:(

Congrats to Bolton today. I always like watching Wenger's facial expressions when he has to travel to the North-West, and especially to Bolton. Today's Bolton may not be the same as Big Sam's squad, but the fight is still there, something that Arsenal really struggle to cope with.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52328000/jpg/_52328261_011826659-1.jpg

This should probably be a real concern for Gooners though:

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52327000/jpg/_52327922_011826179-1.jpg

Will Fabregas stick around for next season? :?: He looks deep in thought.

Tornado F2

Apr 24th, 2011, 02:39 PM

OptaJoe on Twitter: "903 - Fernando Torres ends a run of 903 minutes without a goal (all comps for Liverpool/Spain/Chelsea) by scoring v West Ham. Patience."

GD down to 2, if the Gooners Beat Man Yoo and Chelsea win at OT, this could end up going right to the wire, Chelsea need to win all their games to stand a chance. Arsenal to finish 3rd now.

I want United to win those two matches, not only to remove any question of our superiority over our nearest "rivals", but also because I'd hate for United to end up as Blackpool's executioners. Hopefully we can field a squad of youngsters on the final day and allow Blackpool (and our kids) to enjoy the experience of a wide-open game in front of a packed stadium. I really hope we get to watch it here on SN.

JM's next move, when it eventually happens, is back to England and Man Yoo, there is a reason he has been brown nosing Fergie all these years.

We don't need or want him. We play attacking football, albeit with a (usually) solid defence, and the trophies keep coming. He could be a good choice for Arsenal, given their young squad and lack of trophies, but they need to seriously open their chequebooks first. Another good option would be Pep Guardiola, IF they could somehow draw him away from Barca.

BTW, notice the absense of green/gold scarves at OT now? :lol:

nsx

Apr 24th, 2011, 03:13 PM

...

This should probably be a real concern for Gooners though:

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52327000/jpg/_52327922_011826179-1.jpg

Will Fabregas stick around for next season? :?: He looks deep in thought.

Rumour has it that Red Nose and Leonardo may try to snatch Nasri out of Arsenal this summer. :cry:

Anu13is

Apr 24th, 2011, 03:44 PM

...

This should probably be a real concern for Gooners though:

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52327000/jpg/_52327922_011826179-1.jpg

Will Fabregas stick around for next season? :?: He looks deep in thought.To stay at arsenal and play, or to go to barca and sit on the bench. Decisions, decisions, what ever shall i do?

Fimo

Apr 24th, 2011, 05:16 PM

To stay at arsenal and play and win nought, or to go to barca and sit on the bench, play the odd game and atleast win one or 2 cups. Decisions, decisions, what ever shall i do?

fixed that for you! ;)

Anu13is

Apr 24th, 2011, 05:25 PM

fixed that for you! ;)+1 :lol:

Thats what I actually thought of when it first came to mind, but I decided to play 'nice'.

elty

Apr 24th, 2011, 05:33 PM

Also at Barca he can play a completely different kind of game... just look at Alves, Busquet and Villa. Normally you have to learn this at Italy, now conveniently available at his home country.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 24th, 2011, 07:28 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylf2YS1Qk84&feature=youtube_gdata_player

:lol::lol::lol:

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb166/AJ4Seven/a2d2d645491ed3b7e32e6c3a2429a18f_goonerboombust.jp g

Madchester

Apr 24th, 2011, 07:55 PM

arsenal :facepalm:

Lord_Suger - Sergio Ramos R.Madrid player who dropped the cup off bus,said he want's to join Arsenal - to make sure he never does it again. @piersmorgan

LOL... just another day in Lord Sugar and Piers Morgan's longstanding feud.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0hcBB5S2vY

Tornado F2

Apr 24th, 2011, 08:38 PM

To stay at arsenal and play, or to go to barca and sit on the bench. Decisions, decisions, what ever shall i do?

Don't forget that he was born and raised around Barcelona. If anybody has real reason to want to play there it's him, same as with Pique.

BTW, a quick google search shows that I'm not the only one reading that from his appearance at the end of the Bolton game. Arsenal basically have from now until the end of the season to try and convince him to stay. They might do better to come up with a list of lesser Barca players/youngsters to trade him for, considering the lack of transfer funds now available to Barca.

Tornado F2

Apr 24th, 2011, 08:43 PM

Rumour has it that Red Nose and Leonardo may try to snatch Nasri out of Arsenal this summer. :cry:

Nasri has been a standout player at Arsenal this season. I could definitely see other clubs moving for him. Probably not United, but who knows?

Anu13is

Apr 24th, 2011, 09:37 PM

Don't forget that he was born and raised around Barcelona. If anybody has real reason to want to play there it's him, same as with Pique.

BTW, a quick google search shows that I'm not the only one reading that from his appearance at the end of the Bolton game. Arsenal basically have from now until the end of the season to try and convince him to stay. They might do better to come up with a list of lesser Barca players/youngsters to trade him for, considering the lack of transfer funds now available to Barca.Well aware of Fabregas Barca roots, but at the same time, I don't see him as the type of player who'd take being reduced to a role player very well which is what is most likely to happen at Barca barring some drastic changes to their squad.

Would Barca really have to bid that much, let alone at all? I could be wrong, but I think Fabregas' deal runs out at the end of this year unless the options are exercised. So Fabregas could essentially walk for pennies. At same time, Fabregas always has the option to use the Webster clause and buy out the rest of his contract.

hyperion

Apr 24th, 2011, 09:44 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylf2YS1Qk84&feature=youtube_gdata_player

:lol::lol::lol:

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb166/AJ4Seven/a2d2d645491ed3b7e32e6c3a2429a18f_goonerboombust.jp g

Good stuff x 2.

Tornado F2

Apr 25th, 2011, 12:21 AM

Well aware of Fabregas Barca roots, but at the same time, I don't see him as the type of player who'd take being reduced to a role player very well which is what is most likely to happen at Barca barring some drastic changes to their squad.

Would Barca really have to bid that much, let alone at all? I could be wrong, but I think Fabregas' deal runs out at the end of this year unless the options are exercised. So Fabregas could essentially walk for pennies. At same time, Fabregas always has the option to use the Webster clause and buy out the rest of his contract.

I doubt that Arsie would let his key players get into that situation, especially the one he is "building the team around". In fact he's just stated that his players will "honour their contracts" and stay with the club. That said, apparently Nasri hasn't yet signed a new 4 year contract so he might be a risk, depending on when his current deal ends. Clubs usually seem to renegiotiate deals mid-contract for younger players though, so he may still have a year or so to go unless somebody made a mistake.

Anu13is

Apr 25th, 2011, 01:02 AM

I doubt that Arsie would let his key players get into that situation, especially the one he is "building the team around". In fact he's just stated that his players will "honour their contracts" and stay with the club. That said, apparently Nasri hasn't yet signed a new 4 year contract so he might be a risk, depending on when his current deal ends. Clubs usually seem to renegiotiate deals mid-contract for younger players though, so he may still have a year or so to go unless somebody made a mistake.You sure Wenger knows how long his players' contracts are? Who knows? Maybe he hasn't seen them, much like how he doesn't see much of what goes on on the football pitch ;) Besides, managers can't stop players from buying out their own contracts. As long as they got the cash, its adios.

Nasri's contract runs out after the next season I believe so if Arsenal were smart, they would try to sign him this summer or sell him off. If cesc leaves, Nasri's demands go up as Wenger has to "build" around somebody (though Wilshere would have a case also). If Arsenal don't sell him in the summer, Nasri's demands go up as he could always threaten to leave on a free transfer.

After another difficult season, Wenger is contemplating changing sports - european handball anyone?

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/04/24/article-1380125-0BC2897200000578-603_306x423.jpg

Fimo

Apr 25th, 2011, 12:12 PM

Here are the Tweets that made Darron Gibson quit Twitter within two hours (http://thescore.thejournal.ie/here-are-the-tweets-that-made-darron-gibson-quit-twitter-within-two-hours-126204-Apr2011/?utm_source=shortlink#slide-slideshow8)

http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2011/04/Darren-Gibson-on-Twitter-1-630x393.png

You'd think fans of a team who are top of the league (which they have almost won), and in the semis of the Champions League would have better things to do than hound Darron Gibson, who is a half decent player and still young. :facepalm:

rooney11

Apr 25th, 2011, 03:08 PM

its a shame that a few supporters make the rest of us look bad.

hyperion

Apr 25th, 2011, 04:19 PM

I can think of a bunch of worse players on ManU than Darron Gibson, and chances are he's not even worth much.

Tornado F2

Apr 25th, 2011, 11:21 PM

Gibson was better last season than this. He seemed like he could be a successor to Scholesy, scoring goals from outside the box, but this season he keeps shooting over the top. He may still have a future at United, but only if he improves soon.

As for Twitter, I'm surprised that ANY United players are posting on it, given how quickly players like Stam were cleared out after releasing books that Fergie (or somebody else at the club) deemed unacceptable. I thought players were barred from releasing books at that time, so I'm sure the same could be done for Tweeting twits now. Players also need to be concerned about tweets potentially being deemed offensive by the FA, even under trumped up charges, in order to bar them from playing in upcoming games. It's actually surprising that any players, from any clubs, are tweeting, given the risks.

Tornado F2

Apr 25th, 2011, 11:25 PM

I can think of a bunch of worse players on ManU than Darron Gibson, and chances are he's not even worth much.

No doubt Liverpool would put in a bid then. :razz:

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 26th, 2011, 12:40 PM

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/columnists/2011/4/25/1303764477134/Manchester-United-Sir-Ale-007.jpg

fergie: we got schalke in the semi final boys! schalke! :lol::lol::lol: can we get any more lucky? :twisted:

krash322

Apr 26th, 2011, 02:38 PM

Nil-nil half time. Don't sleep on Schalke, they have some good players.

Gibson needs to improve a lot before I would consider keeping him at the club. His one good quality was his shot, but even that has been crap this season. There should be a lot of changes, but I doubt Fergie will do much except for maybe 2 signings.

krash322

Apr 26th, 2011, 03:38 PM

Tornado F2

Apr 26th, 2011, 04:12 PM

Good job by United, taking a commanding 2-0 score back home. It looks like Wembley Finals vesus.... Real Madrid I hope? Ronaldo against his former mates, should be funny when he's diving all over the place. :lol:

+1. You could say similar for Pique, but the United players know CRon's tricks better. They'd be my choice too, from the standpoint of us actually winning the Final,, though Barca would be more entertaining and worthy of the high Wembley ticket price.

Just looked up Neuer, after today's performance, and noticed that some paddy (Huge Ass?) is trying to have a laugh:

Wiki: "Manuel Neuer (German pronunciation: [ˈmaːnu̯ɛl ˈnɔʏ.ɐ]; born 27 March 1986 in Gelsenkirchen) is a German footballer and the current goalkeeper and captain of Schalke 04 although he will join askeaton afc at the end of the 2010/11 season."

Looked up "askeaton" and found that it's a small old town in Ireland. Probably Ass's hometown. It makes no sense for Neuer to go there. Especially since he just passed his United audition.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52356000/jpg/_52356448_neuer226.jpg

BTW, wish we'd held off on the substitutions for a few minutes. We should have waited and seen if a third quick goal came while we had momentum. A 3rd away goal should have definitely sealed the tie.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 26th, 2011, 04:44 PM

Good job by United, taking a commanding 2-0 score back home. It looks like Wembley Finals vesus.... Real Madrid I hope? Ronaldo against his former mates, should be funny when he's diving all over the place. :lol:

i bet cr7 was ur fav player until he wanted out :lol:

schalke is so garbage, man utd should have been up 4-0 @ half time if it wasn't for schalke's gk

it will be barca in the final

they are fired up after losing copa to madrid, carvalho suspended, 2nd leg @ nou camp

“I think, we know that [Neuer is going to Bayern Munich] but he was fantastic, it’s one of the best performances I have seen against Manchester United," said Ferguson.

hyperion

Apr 26th, 2011, 04:56 PM

What a boring game. Pretty sure 1/4 of it was spent passing between the ManU defenders.

Anu13is

Apr 26th, 2011, 05:21 PM

...Especially since he just passed his United audition...One thing is for sure. If Neuer leaves in summer, Schalke 04 will be laughing all the way to the bank regardless of where he ends up be it Bayern Munich, Manchester United, or elsewhere.

rooney11

Apr 26th, 2011, 06:37 PM

One thing is for sure. If Neuer leaves in summer, Schalke 04 will be laughing all the way to the bank regardless of where he ends up be it Bayern Munich, Manchester United, or elsewhere.

Not necessarily, considering he has one year left on his contract, and he already said he's leaving.

Anu13is

Apr 26th, 2011, 08:52 PM

Not necessarily, considering he has one year left on his contract, and he already said he's leaving.Neuer has essentially rejected all contract offers and talks with Schalke about a possible extension. With his value as high as it will ever be, Schalke would be smart to cash in on him in summer than lose him for free.

hyperion

Apr 26th, 2011, 09:32 PM

Neuer has essentially rejected all contract offers and talks with Schalke about a possible extension. With his value as high as it will ever be, Schalke would be smart to cash in on him in summer than lose him for free.

He's just saying that with the fact that his contract is expiring that will push Schalke's hand to let him go at a lower fee than otherwise, or risk losing him for free eventually. It happens a lot. A recent example is Ibrahim Affelay, his contract was up in the summer and Barca ended up buying him for cheap ($3M) in January.

Oh, and I just remembered the commetators touched upon the topic and made it seem like him going to Bayern Munich is almost a certainty.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 26th, 2011, 09:41 PM

Anu13is

Apr 26th, 2011, 10:02 PM

He's just saying that with the fact that his contract is expiring that will push Schalke's hand to let him go at a lower fee than otherwise, or risk losing him for free eventually. It happens a lot. A recent example is Ibrahim Affelay, his contract was up in the summer and Barca ended up buying him for cheap ($3M) in January.

Oh, and I just remembered the commetators touched upon the topic and made it seem like him going to Bayern Munich is almost a certainty.Months later and I'm still shocked Afellay chose to go to Barca. Nothing wrong with Barca but I'd just thought Afellay would go somewhere where he'd get more playing time to continue developing. As for Bayern and Neuer, I wonder how Kraft feels. Born and bred in the Bayern Munich youth system, finally gets his shot at the first team, and now will be replaced by Neuer as most would have us believe. Wonder how much Kraft would cost to buy. I'd buy him.

Tornado F2

Apr 26th, 2011, 11:42 PM

Neuer: "Manchester United never was an option. Only in the media."” @Marcotti #ifonly

bayern it is then

he'll go for a discount price, just like ozil last summer, similar situation

all good bundesliga players end up playing for bayern or go to la liga or epl

Are you sure of that? I noticed Neuer and Fergie both greeted each other at the end of the match. I wouldn't be surprised if some negotiations were taking place between his agent and United right now. With potentially the best 15 years of his career left he could be a real catch. He can likely have his choice of teams, and unless he's easily homesick, where better than United? The timing is perfect with VDS retiring.

Edit: BBC: Ferguson reserved very special praise for Neuer, a goalkeeper he has been linked with, but who is almost certainly going to join Bayern Munich in the summer when his Schalke contract runs out.

"We know he's going to Bayern, he was absolutely fantastic," said the Scot. "That was one of the best performances from a goalie I've ever seen against us."

Fergie MIGHT be be pulling a fast one here to throw off other potential bidders. Who knows?

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52357000/jpg/_52357016_neuerfergie464.jpg

Tornado F2

Apr 27th, 2011, 02:21 PM

Sounds like CRon has a new trick. Sounds a bit unpleasant (though funny) to watch:

"1955: Real strike Cristiano Ronaldo is already sniffing round Javier Mascherano at centre-half like a hayfever sufferer in mid-summer. The Argentine already uncomfortable."

:lol:

hyperion

Apr 27th, 2011, 02:33 PM

What a sad spectacle by both teams. Nothing but diving, bitching and hacking.

hyperion

Apr 27th, 2011, 02:38 PM

OH what a surprise, now they are replaying some half-time scraps on the way to the tunnels. More drama.

kennyhohoho

Apr 27th, 2011, 03:01 PM

What a sad spectacle by both teams. Nothing but diving, bitching and hacking.

Did you expect anything different from Barca?

Madrid know as well as anyone, that the only way to beat Barca is to play the same stupid games they play.

Anu13is

Apr 27th, 2011, 03:04 PM

Did you expect anything different from Barca?

Madrid know as well as anyone, that the only way to beat Barca is to play the same stupid games they play.:lol: and Madrid have the best player to teach them how to do just that....Ronaldo!

Tornado F2

Apr 27th, 2011, 03:07 PM

What "sport" is this again?

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52375000/jpg/_52375374_011845111-1.jpg

UEFA should bar BOTH teams from the Final. :razz:

kennyhohoho

Apr 27th, 2011, 03:11 PM

Commentary from Goal.com

63′ There didn't seem to be a great deal in the home player's challenge, and Real Madrid have a point. Pepe may have been high, but it didn't appear to be particularly dangerous as he stayed on his feet and appeared to be in control of himself as he stretched for the ball.

61′ RED Card Pepe

61′ Again the players surround the referee. Barcelona players brandish imaginary yellow cards after Pepe clattered Alves. RED CARD!!!

Who draws the red card but the one and only Alves again.

Barca - Class acts all round.

Anu13is

Apr 27th, 2011, 03:19 PM

Barca - Class acts all round.To be fair, most of the top teams in Europe be it Premiership, La Liga, Serie A, etc. aren't much better. Its not just Barca. Shows what players think of FIFA's "respect" campaign.

Tornado F2

Apr 27th, 2011, 03:28 PM

hyperion

Apr 27th, 2011, 03:38 PM

Real Madrid have once again proven that they are just Barcelona wannabes.

Anu13is

Apr 27th, 2011, 03:39 PM

How can you tell which colour each player's imaginary card is? :confused: :lol:How can you tell which colour a ref's imaginary card is? :lol:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/03/10/article-1364654-0D8D25B8000005DC-829_634x429.jpg

Fimo

Apr 27th, 2011, 03:47 PM

Real Madrid have once again proven that they are just Barcelona wannabes.

+1 check the Possession stats, Real only had 23% possession. Ok so they had 10 men for part of the second half, but 23% possession at home by a team that has the players Real do?

Jose's mind games backfired on him this time.

rooney11

Apr 27th, 2011, 03:49 PM

What a **** match, so much handbags going around.

The red card changed the game, Pepe was the one marking Messi, and no suppose it was him that scored both goals.

Fimo

Apr 27th, 2011, 03:55 PM

What a **** match, so much handbags going around.

The red card changed the game, Pepe was the one marking Messi, and no suppose it was him that scored both goals.

You have to admit the second goal was brilliant, how many defenders did he take on? I doubt Pepe would have done anything had he been on for that goal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7oDV7nl1LY&feature=player_embedded

Tornado F2

Apr 27th, 2011, 03:56 PM

The one good thing about today's Spanish bore-fest is that Real will be forced to come out and attack in the 2nd leg. But if we don't get to see it (on SN/TSN) then I'm not that fussed anyway. Hopefully the ref will wave cards at everybody in that match. :lol:

Tornado F2

Apr 27th, 2011, 04:03 PM

You have to admit the second goal was brilliant, how many defenders did he take on? I doubt Pepe would have done anything had he been on for that goal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7oDV7nl1LY&feature=player_embedded

Spanish players are obviously so used to seeing opponents go down under imaginary tackles that they've forgotten how to do the real thing. :razz: A simple trip/kick outside the box and that move would have been ended. You'd think that Real, of all teams, would realise by now that you can't stand aside and let Messi do his thing. Wonder how he'd fare against a rough late-80s-Wimbledon-like team with no nonsense thugs as defenders? Not nearly as well, I'd wager.

elty

Apr 27th, 2011, 04:36 PM

News: UEFA initiates martial law, strip off freedom of speech.

http://twitter.com/#!/espnsoccernet

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 27th, 2011, 04:48 PM

god i hate that dani alves, play acting/diving *****

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C14TFluq3uU&feature=player_embedded

Look closely, Pepe' was inches away from getting the ball, we see that week in week out in the PL. At most it is a bookable offense, yellow only as he went for the ball and meant no harm to the defender...

Here's what I don't like, Alves was crying like he was shot, he should have seen the tackle coming and pulled back or made a less compact attempt to clear the ball, he clearly tried to dive which was abysmal...

It was a foul, a bookable offense, but never a red, he hardly catched Alves, it was minimal contact and he had one feet on the ground and clearly he was eyeing the ball....

so whoever has the better diver/actor wins? this is what football has become, pathetic

these barca players are a bunch of little bitches, messi would never be as good as ronaldo in epl

red ruined the game and 2nd leg is useless

Pedro, Sergio and Alves are a disgrace to the team. The diving and face grabbing is ridiculous, not to mention the whole team surrounding the ref after every `foul`.

i will be surprised if man utd finishes with 11 men vs barca in the final

Madrid striker Adebayor told ITV Sport's Gabriel Clarke: "Football is a game for men but when you play Barcelona and you touch them, they are on the floor crying like babies."

kennyhohoho

Apr 27th, 2011, 06:44 PM

Has Barca beaten any of the big teams in CL with the other team playing 11 men for the full 90 minutes?

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 27th, 2011, 06:45 PM

http://www8.pic-upload.de/27.04.11/99h5st3quqvg.gif

http://i.cr3ation.co.uk/dl/s1/gif/a095b62ba601cdf2e9b5ff3d0e9c8069_biscuitsshakey.gi f

i can see it now, rooney getting sent off by these divers in the final

kennyhohoho

Apr 27th, 2011, 06:47 PM

i can see it now, rooney getting sent off by these divers in the final

Let's start a pool: which United player gets sent off in the final.

I say Van Der Sar, a la Lehmann, circa 2006 ;)

Anu13is

Apr 27th, 2011, 07:06 PM

Let's start a pool: which United player gets sent off in the final.

I say Van Der Sar, a la Lehmann, circa 2006 ;)Haha I say Rafael if he plays. If not, then Evra.

elty

Apr 27th, 2011, 08:02 PM

Evra and Scholes seems to be good bet.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 27th, 2011, 09:10 PM

http://i55.tinypic.com/29uu5hy.jpg

if i was fergie, i wouldn't play scholes, he would be gone before half time lol

pavelbure10

Apr 27th, 2011, 09:47 PM

Let's start a pool: which United player gets sent off in the final.

I say Van Der Sar, a la Lehmann, circa 2006 ;)

Rafael and Rooney

pavelbure10

Apr 27th, 2011, 09:49 PM

http://i.cr3ation.co.uk/dl/s1/gif/a095b62ba601cdf2e9b5ff3d0e9c8069_biscuitsshakey.gi f

HAHAHAHAAHA you can see him take his hand off his face to see if the ref is looking at him, what a joke!!!!

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 28th, 2011, 08:37 AM

Messi and Mourinho mask Barca shame

But Pepe's key dismissal feeds into the second key debate: Barcelona's behaviour. Though the Portugal international's boot was high, it certainly felt as though his dismissal had as much to do with Dani Alves' exaggerated reaction and the hounding of the referee by Barcelona players as it did the challenge itself. A yellow card would have sufficed, but Alves ensured Real, and a Mourinho team, would yet again lose a player in a match against Barcelona. His brief departure on a stretcher only added to his dramatic performance.

In this, though, Alves was far from alone. Pedro and, unsurprisingly, Sergio Busquets, were guilty of the most rank and reprehensible play-acting seen in some time. Real are far from innocent on this front of course, but seeing players of the quality and ability of the two World Cup winners indulge in the dark arts was painful. Perhaps it is the knowledge that Barcelona do not need to stoop to such depths that made it hurt so much; their ability alone is enough to ensure their superiority, and certainly over two legs.

Either way it was an unedifying spectacle, particularly from a club that prides itself on doing things the right way. More than a club? Pedro, Alves and Busquets seemed intent on convincing the referee that Madrid's challenges were more than a tackle, more than an assault even.

Real were guilty to a lesser degree, but it was Barcelona who surrendered their hard-won moral high ground with their histrionics. We can expect some devilish behaviour from Real Madrid, managed by Mourinho and containing Pepe, but it is becoming an ever more evident part of Barca's approach as well. If Real were said to have abandoned their principles by adopting an oppressive yet legitimate defensive strategy, then what of Barcelona and their behaviour?

Few would cite Emmanuel Adebayor as a paragon of virtue or the yardstick by which modern footballers should be judged, but his post-match comments, while exaggerated, still ring true.

"Whenever you play against Barca, whenever you touch them they are on the floor crying like a baby," he said. "Everyone talks about Barcelona and their fair play but I think they are very far away from fair play. Whenever you make contact when going for a one-on-one or 50-50 ball they are on the floor crying, putting their hand up near their face. Their manager, fans and the players on the bench are always crying. Barcelona is a fantastic club, has fantastic players, but they have to stop that."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/912767/lionel-messi-and-jose-mourinho-mask-barcelona-shame?cc=5901

well said

kennyhohoho

Apr 28th, 2011, 09:13 AM

"Whenever you play against Barca, whenever you touch them they are on the floor crying like a baby," he said. "Everyone talks about Barcelona and their fair play but I think they are very far away from fair play. Whenever you make contact when going for a one-on-one or 50-50 ball they are on the floor crying, putting their hand up near their face. Their manager, fans and the players on the bench are always crying. Barcelona is a fantastic club, has fantastic players, but they have to stop that."

I'm far from Ade's biggest fan since his departure from North London. I'm also not a fan of Madrid or La Liga in general, but I completely agree with everything being said.

People always say that Barca is the best team in the world, yada, yada, yada. But I have yet to see it at all this year. They can't beat the big clubs without some sort of advantage. When's the last time they won a match against any of the big clubs, of any kind of significance with the other team playing 11 men for the full 90 minutes?

hyperion

Apr 28th, 2011, 09:25 AM

kennyhohoho

Apr 28th, 2011, 09:31 AM

You are falling for Mourinho's crap. He is a serial whiner. He has been crying about referees being unfair to him ever since his Chelsea days (probably Porto days too but I didn't follow him then).
Same old "world is against us" crap. He's been doing it for so long as a way to divert attention from his team and his own failures. :rolleyes:
Here's the latest example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gh-1mulbHQ

Real Madrid looked like kids yesterday against Barcelona. They started with 3 defensive midfielders and no striker, at home and had 30% of posession even before Retardo got sent off (he's one of those guys who always gets sent off, and even the commentators conceded that it was a 50/50 call whether that was a red or yellow). Did RM even have any shots on goal before that? Did you see what Pepe and "Lass" did every time Messi got the ball? Stop looking past the fact that Real Madrid got dominated and red card or not, they deserved to lose.

It was obvious what Mourinho's tactic was, to draw at home and go and win or most likely draw again at Camp Nou, and then hopefully win by penalties. No thanks. Mourinho and RM got exposed once again, and thanks to his mind games everyone is focusing on refereeing once again.

Umm... nobody is saying Madrid played better than Barca.

And if Madrid deserved to lose or not (as you claim), that should've been decided by the players on the field, not the man with the whistle, as it almost always is with Barca.

Again, not a Madrid or Mourinho fan in the slightest. Being a Gooner, I've hated him since his Chelsea days. But as a neutral for yesterday's match, crap like what Barca does every match just gives football a bad name. Barca looked like the Chilean national team out there yesterday with all the flopping, exaggerated "injuries", face holding and pestering to get other players sent off.

How any true fan of football can support a team like Barca and their antics is beyond me.

hyperion

Apr 28th, 2011, 10:31 AM

kennyhohoho

Apr 28th, 2011, 10:55 AM

What I am saying is that Barcelona won and people are getting hung up on these other things instead. Do they dive? Sure, but not as much as you make it seem. Does Real Madrid dive too? Yep. Until UEFA does something to crack down on diving and "mobbing referees", you won't see a change.

CRon agrees to my earlier post: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/apr/28/cristiano-ronaldo-jose-mourinho-defensive
"Being honest, it is true that we did not have a shot on target when it was 11 against 11 but 0-0 is not a bad result at home. We could have gone [to Camp Nou] and scored. We didn't play well but the game was under control."

Pep brushes off Mourinho's rant: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/apr/28/barcelona-pep-guardiola-jose-mourinho

I don't think people are upset that Barca won. Barca are clearly a great team with a ton of talent. It's HOW they won that really pisses people off. Any team receiving a red card playing against Barca is a death sentance.

Is it just a coincidence that every time Barca are in a struggle, the other team conveniently receives a red card?

Are they just better at diving? Do they just have more influence on the referees? Are there bribes taking place behind the scenes? My guess is all of the above.

When's the last time Barca beat a big club, mono-e-mono, 11 on 11 for 90 minutes?

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 28th, 2011, 11:14 AM

http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330054873516/noticia/Noticia/Television_images_show_that_Pepe_did_not_touch_Alv es__leg.htm

omfg! these cheating bitches! :mad:

i hope man utd wins the final

hyperion

Apr 28th, 2011, 11:40 AM

Here's a good article that just came out:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/apr/28/jose-mourinho-real-madrid-tactics

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 28th, 2011, 11:49 AM

Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand tweeted: "This diving is a joke/embarrassing. When Pedro watches that do you think he'll think, 'What was I doing!?' Rugby players must laugh at football."

Also, aimed at Alves, Ferdinand tweeted: "If you ever see me go off on a stretcher then run back on to play, I give everyone on here the green light to him me with a two-footed tackle."

Ferdinand's team-mate Michael Owen also criticised former Sevilla defender Alves via the social media site: "Alves' actions won't please many as if he had got straight up it would have been a yellow card, but Barça fans will be happy with his actions."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/912900/real-madrid-release-?cc=5901

if barca was in epl, they would be on the ground every minute

rooney11

Apr 28th, 2011, 11:54 AM

if barca was in epl, they would be on the ground every minute

They will be dead, on a cold tuesday night in Stoke.

hyperion

Apr 28th, 2011, 12:46 PM

kennyhohoho

Apr 28th, 2011, 12:58 PM

Ahhh, this sets up quite well for their meeting in the finals. ManU will almost be playing on home-court advantage at Wembley, and if ManU have a good game and Barcelona has a bad one I could see ManU snatching it. Especially if there's a ref that comes from a more physical league.

Fat chance.

Platini would referee the game himself if he could.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 28th, 2011, 01:02 PM

Fat chance.

Platini would referee the game himself if he could.

i know :lol:

http://footyfactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/michel_platini_barcelona.jpg "This is the team that will win the Champions League"

Tornado F2

Apr 28th, 2011, 04:54 PM

if barca was in epl, they would be on the ground every minute

If Barca were in the EPL, they'd rarely win the league. Over a long, rough season they'd end up more like Arsenal, as fancy-playing, but whiney-losing, also-rans.

Their players would likely also suffer some REAL injuries.

Shame that they resort to cheating, considering how well they SHOULD be able to play. Hope there's a northern European ref for the Final.

Tornado F2

Apr 28th, 2011, 05:00 PM

Ahhh, this sets up quite well for their meeting in the finals. ManU will almost be playing on home-court advantage at Wembley, and if ManU have a good game and Barcelona has a bad one I could see ManU snatching it. Especially if there's a ref that comes from a more physical league.

Wembley is United's London home. At least some of our players are present for every other game there, international or domestic. :D

krash322

Apr 28th, 2011, 05:09 PM

It's almost for certain that Utd will lose one of its players in the Finals if they met up against Barca. All that diving and crying, especially against a team from the EPL, it's really a no-brainer. As much as I love Scholesy as player, he would be the most likely candidate to get a red. I doubt it will be a ref from the EPL since that would create a bias, so the odds are really stacked against us.

Oh well, 2nd legs to be played still. Let's hope no one does anything stupid and gets suspended for the Finals.

hyperion

Apr 28th, 2011, 05:15 PM

kennyhohoho

Apr 28th, 2011, 06:33 PM

If Barca were in the EPL, they'd rarely win the league. Over a long, rough season they'd end up more like Arsenal, as fancy-playing, but whiney-losing, also-rans.

That's rather flattering.

Over the 2 legs vs. Arsenal, Barca made softies like Van Persie and Nasri look like Rambo.

sinnacle

Apr 28th, 2011, 07:27 PM

I don't think people are upset that Barca won. Barca are clearly a great team with a ton of talent. It's HOW they won that really pisses people off. Any team receiving a red card playing against Barca is a death sentance.

Is it just a coincidence that every time Barca are in a struggle, the other team conveniently receives a red card?

Are they just better at diving? Do they just have more influence on the referees? Are there bribes taking place behind the scenes? My guess is all of the above.

When's the last time Barca beat a big club, mono-e-mono, 11 on 11 for 90 minutes?

Yep...great post. UEFA should just install a rule where every time you play a long ball and use your size advantage against Barcelona it's a yellow card cause there is only one way to play football and that is the Barcelona way.

Go Porto in the Europa League....now there is a team.

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 28th, 2011, 07:36 PM

Tornado F2

Apr 28th, 2011, 09:18 PM

Yep...great post. UEFA should just install a rule where every time you play a long ball and use your size advantage against Barcelona it's a yellow card cause there is only one way to play football and that is the Barcelona way.

Go Porto in the Europa League....now there is a team.

Yeah, I was lucky enough to get home and tune into today's game from just before Villarreal's goal. Porto were VERY impressive in the 2nd half, against an otherwise-talented VR team. If they can hold the squad together they should do well in next year's ChLg. I didn't get to see the "Clasico", fortunately, but today's match was, I'm sure, far more entertaining and worth seeing. I hope VR get off to a good start in next week's 2nd leg or it won't be anywhere near as watchable. Porto are almost certainly through now anyway, so hopefully they won't need to resort to Barca-style keep-ball.

BTW, quick Porto-related question. (Probably other European teams too). I keep hearing fans singing what sounds like the old "Pop Goes The World" tune from Men Without Hats. Am I right? And if so, why is that tune so popular there? (Other than the fact that it IS catchy). :?:

Edit: Answered my own question. I wasn't imagining it. :)

Wiki: "The main tune of the song has caught up among sports fans cheering for their teams in several countries across the world. In Argentina, for instance, it is arguably the most popular tune sung by football fans, no matter what team or division they belong to. If it is Estudiantes de La Plata, they would sing "Ooo, dale dale León, dale León, dale León, dale dale León".

It is also used by fans of the Yokohama F. Marinos soccer team in Japan and by fans of Sport Club Internacional soccer team in Brazil.[1]"

Tornado F2

Apr 28th, 2011, 09:21 PM

i want porto vs benfica europa league final

I've not seen the Benfica score yet, but I believe your wish is going to come true. An all-Portuguese (clubs anyway) final.

Tornado F2

Apr 28th, 2011, 09:26 PM

That's rather flattering.

Over the 2 legs vs. Arsenal, Barca made softies like Van Persie and Nasri look like Rambo.

And of course Barca-born Fabregas snapped his leg kicking home a penalty last year. Maybe Spaniards don't get enough calcium (from milk) when they're kids? I think I've just discovered Barca's achilles' heel! A few cracked bones and the trophy will be United's. Even if we do have only 6 men on the field at the end! :lol:

BTW, guess you stopped reading before the "whiney" bit. :)

jr!

Apr 30th, 2011, 10:34 AM

On an unrelated note:
BORUSSIA DORTMUND ARE GERMAN CHAMPS!!!!!!

now back to your regularly scheduled programming....

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 30th, 2011, 11:45 AM

On an unrelated note:
BORUSSIA DORTMUND ARE GERMAN CHAMPS!!!!!!

now back to your regularly scheduled programming....

i heard nuri leaving in the summer? any truth to that?

ballack - runner up once again :lol:

elty

Apr 30th, 2011, 11:55 AM

wow... stunning goal from Sandro.

jr!

Apr 30th, 2011, 02:15 PM

i heard nuri leaving in the summer? any truth to that?

ballack - runner up once again :lol:

Rumour has it that Nuri Sahin has a €6 million buy out clause this summer. Apparently Real Madrid are interested in him.
I have read a possible replacement is Gündogan from 1. FC. Nürnberg.
But Sahin has been with Dortmund since his youth days & had his senior debut at the age of 16.
I find it difficult to believe he would leave, but you never know. Stay tuned!

got_it_4_cheap

Apr 30th, 2011, 03:34 PM

Rumour has it that Nuri Sahin has a €6 million buy out clause this summer. Apparently Real Madrid are interested in him.
I have read a possible replacement is Gündogan from 1. FC. Nürnberg.
But Sahin has been with Dortmund since his youth days & had his senior debut at the age of 16.
I find it difficult to believe he would leave, but you never know. Stay tuned!

http://nimg.sulekha.com/sports/original700/florentino-perez-alfredo-di-stefano-2009-6-2-9-22-41.jpg

perez: 6 mil? i spend that in a month!

u guys can have kaka in return :)

jr!

Apr 30th, 2011, 04:09 PM

u guys can have kaka in return :)

OMG, I'd take that in a SECOND!!

hyperion

Apr 30th, 2011, 04:12 PM

On an unrelated note:
BORUSSIA DORTMUND ARE GERMAN CHAMPS!!!!!!

now back to your regularly scheduled programming....

Congrats, that's a great accomplishment. BVB came out of nowhere, at least to me, since I don't follow Bundesliga.

jr!

May 1st, 2011, 11:53 AM

Congrats, that's a great accomplishment. BVB came out of nowhere, at least to me, since I don't follow Bundesliga.

Thanks! Me too actually, after placing 5th last year, I figured they could compete for a CL spot, but I never expected they would win it all!

On an unrelated note, it's kind of quiet in here today, especially after the Man U loss!
I'd like to see the 'pool highlights from today.

harpoon

May 1st, 2011, 02:13 PM

Thanks! Me too actually, after placing 5th last year, I figured they could compete for a CL spot, but I never expected they would win it all!

On an unrelated note, it's kind of quiet in here today, especially after the Man U loss!
I'd like to see the 'pool highlights from today.

The coach you guys have is brilliant. Dortmund really have a great system going and look good for next season too. Congrats. I think Dortmund's guy is in the top 5 in the world right now with some of what he's done.

The 'pool game was partially Newcastle's defence being as useful as pylons for a couple of the goals. They came at us from 20 minutes to half-time but we swapped fullbacks and stopped them, plus Joey Barton's set-pieces were terrible (but we defended well too).

Last week's 5-0 had some real champagne football happening, just tore them to shreds and some nice goals too, though today's 3-0 had some nice moments too.

LFC is looking really fantastic now, if the league started when Kenny took over we'd be second which says it all as to the job he's done. Manager of the year, no doubt. Looking at what's ahead, I think the league is coming back to Liverpool very soon. We have some fantastic young talent, lots of money to spend (which is an unfortunate reality of the game) and finally have a cohesive structure with a board and management/coaching setup that is world-class.

Don't wanna boast, but am quietly confident of things after the near-bankruptcy of October, the turnaround is remarkable.

hyperion

May 1st, 2011, 03:01 PM

Liverpool vs. Newcastle short highlights (http://videa.hu/videok/sport/l3-0n-yjdPX4qZN1s0w9mk)

Really pleased by Liverpool's play also. Considering the schedules, I think 5th spot is ours to lose. We'll see.

jr!

May 1st, 2011, 09:28 PM

The coach you guys have is brilliant. Dortmund really have a great system going and look good for next season too. Congrats. I think Dortmund's guy is in the top 5 in the world right now with some of what he's done.

And most of the young guys are locked up long term as well, so the future bodes well for the next few seasons, although Bayern are expected to restock over the summer.

Fimo

May 1st, 2011, 09:48 PM

after the near-bankruptcy of October, the turnaround is remarkable.

+1

Not bad for a club once described as being a "2-man team".

After City's win today, 4th is out of question for sure, I'm not a fan of the Europa League, but I rather still finish fifth and get the extra money which works out to about £12m. The Champions get in the region of £16m.

harpoon

May 1st, 2011, 10:57 PM

+1

Not bad for a club once described as being a "2-man team".

After City's win today, 4th is out of question for sure, I'm not a fan of the Europa League, but I rather still finish fifth and get the extra money which works out to about £12m. The Champions get in the region of £16m.

if we win the EL next year it's a record 4 times, and including all the Super Cups and other trophies, we can equal Real Madrid in their overall haul. That's astonishing considering the nineties especially.

The EL was good for us to blood some kids like Shelvey and Spearing, which is paying back now in this part of the season. You wanna give the squad competitive minutes, and early EL games are great for that.

It's not the CL, but we'll be back in next season I think, and revenue is revenue.

krash322

May 2nd, 2011, 10:24 AM

Anu13is

May 2nd, 2011, 07:00 PM

I hate it when Fergie opens his big mouth about the team, how we're gonna show the world how great we are and how wrong are all the doubters/haters when we beat Arsenal. Our away form has been horrendous, so it was going to be a tough game at Emirates. Then of course we lose. Now we have to make sure Chelsea doesn't win at OT. It'll be interesting to see what tactics he will employ? Defend first or go out and attack at home? The Chelsea game will likely affect who will play against Schalke, but it will be a mistake to think they will just roll over. Oh Fergie, what are you going to do??Wouldn't be surprised if he 'parks the bus' at OT against Chelsea. He'd take a draw. Fergie is well aware if United loses, that gives Chelsea 1st place based on goal differential with two games to spare.

jr!

May 2nd, 2011, 10:19 PM

+1

Not bad for a club once described as being a "2-man team".

Is it me, or do they play better under Kenny without Gerrard?

hyperion

May 3rd, 2011, 01:01 AM

Is it me, or do they play better under Kenny without Gerrard?

I thought about this too, but I won't pass judgement just yet.

Not sure how playing Spearing is better than playing Gerrard..perhaps it's just a coincidence.

got_it_4_cheap

May 3rd, 2011, 04:44 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riQd1U3-FzE

how is this not a legit goal? at the very least it is a free kick to madrid if u want don't want to give madrid advantage of play .... no goal, no free kick ... barca once again getting ref help :mad:

47 min: Goal for Real! Disallowed! Ronaldo ran through the heart of the defence and the ball ran to Higuain, who lifted it over the keeper from 16 yards and into the net! But the ref had blown nanoseconds before that for an alleged foul by Ronaldo on Mascherano. The replay suggests Masscherano, having no chance of reaching the ball, tumbled voluntarily and successfully duped the ref.

84 min: Mascherano scream as if on the cusp of death following a 50-50 tackle from Diarra, who's already on a yellow. The ref walks over and tells him to get up and stop being a prat, or words to that effect.

Cristiano Ronaldo: "Mascherano wasn't like this in Liverpool. He learned all the cheating tricks in Barcelona"

sad but true

hyperion

May 3rd, 2011, 06:56 PM

Yeah I agree that was a horrible decision. Money's gone to Mescherano's head.

hyperion

May 3rd, 2011, 06:58 PM

I hate it when Fergie opens his big mouth about the team, how we're gonna show the world how great we are and how wrong are all the doubters/haters when we beat Arsenal. Our away form has been horrendous, so it was going to be a tough game at Emirates. Then of course we lose. Now we have to make sure Chelsea doesn't win at OT. It'll be interesting to see what tactics he will employ? Defend first or go out and attack at home? The Chelsea game will likely affect who will play against Schalke, but it will be a mistake to think they will just roll over. Oh Fergie, what are you going to do??

Cheer up sir, by luck or perhaps not, it has been announced that it will be good friend or Manchester, Howard Webb who will be refereeing at OT.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/03/howard-webb-manchester-united-chelsea

Somebody order a home penalty? :P

Fimo

May 3rd, 2011, 08:20 PM

Cristiano Ronaldo: "Mascherano wasn't like this in Liverpool. He learned all the cheating tricks in Barcelona"

I ain't no fan of Mascherano, but C Ronaldo should be the last person talking about diving and cheating. Just Sayin'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VgWGo5D6aU

got_it_4_cheap

May 3rd, 2011, 08:57 PM

^^ he's just pointing out how masch has changed since coming to barca

also, masch and alves diving/play acting had a huge impact on the outcome

the one u posted on ronaldo was in a group match and no one got sent off, no goal was disallowed

in the 2 legs vs barca, ronaldo didn't do anything pathetic compared to barca players

Full-time: Barcelona are on their way to Wembley. They were by far the more accomplished team in this tie but, for all their slick interplay (and despicable diving) their victory was still helped by some highly questionable decisions.

Fimo

May 3rd, 2011, 10:26 PM

Cheer up sir, by luck or perhaps not, it has been announced that it will be good friend of Manchester, Howard Webb who will be refereeing at OT.

Somebody order a home penalty? :P

Berbatov is odds on favourite to get one of these again:

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01799/berbatov_1799751c.jpg

^^ he's just pointing out how masch has changed since coming to barca

He may have changed but C Ronaldo, with his history, shouldn't be talking, Barca's behaviour in the first leg was despicable, but Ronaldo should definitely not have the holier than thou attitude.

jr!

May 4th, 2011, 08:32 PM

I thought about this too, but I won't pass judgement just yet.

Not sure how playing Spearing is better than playing Gerrard..perhaps it's just a coincidence.

My take is it's positional discipline.
Gerrard drifts out of position and messes up the entire midfield, or as I call it, he runs around like a headless chicken.

And it's not just Spearing, I noticed this before Spearing was given his current run of starts.

krash322

May 4th, 2011, 09:38 PM

At least the 2nd team did its job today. Time for some payback for 2009.

got_it_4_cheap

May 5th, 2011, 01:08 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0yAzMzfsoPw

man utd will secure their epl title this sunday.

1-0 man utd

torres own goal :D

hyperion

May 5th, 2011, 01:13 PM

I have it 2 - 2.

Poor Real Madrid, according to gi4c they'll be going bankrupt next year because they are buying 20-30 players. :P

hyperion

May 5th, 2011, 01:23 PM

Here's who I hope Liverpool will buy this summer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yMVS1vskuE

got_it_4_cheap

May 5th, 2011, 01:37 PM

I have it 2 - 2.

Poor Real Madrid, according to gi4c they'll be going bankrupt next year because they are buying 20-30 players. :P

man city will buy kaka for some crazy price and that will fund all our transfers for the summer :twisted:

madrid will end up selling couple of players - kaka, pedro leon, gago, lass, dudek (cl final hero lol)

if drogba comes, ade goes back to rotting his career away @ man city

we'll probably buy 4-5 players, and none of them costing alot of $$$

so madrid will be just fine, also madrid should make even more in revenue this year :) (went to semi final in cl + copa champs > round of 16 + no trophies last year)

Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund have agreed to sign Ilkay Gundogan from Nurnberg for next season.

Gundogan, 21, has been offered a four-year contract and should put pen to paper in the near future.

"We have reached a fundamental agreement with his club and the player," Dortmund's director of sport Michael Zorc told the club's official website. "It will be formalised in due course."

Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp added: "He has a fantastic attitude and is very clever and keen to learn.

"Ilkay has an excellent passing game and is overall a very high quality player who fits perfectly into our system."

The Germany Under-21 midfielder could help replace Nuri Sahin, who according to reports is likely to move to Spain this summer.

jr!

May 5th, 2011, 09:56 PM

The Gündogen transfer was officially announced today, apparently Sahin to Madrid is a done deal.

hyperion

May 5th, 2011, 10:08 PM

Isn't he basically Mesut Ozil-lite? What the point?? Plus they have Canales.

got_it_4_cheap

May 5th, 2011, 10:23 PM

Isn't he basically Mesut Ozil-lite? What the point?? Plus they have Canales.

no he's better than ozil :-0 or that's what people are saying

nuri and ozil = our xavi and iniesta

canales will be loaned out or might stay if we sell kaka

Ilkay Gundogan ... another turkish guy playing for germany! man if i was turkey NT i would be pissed!

rooney11

May 6th, 2011, 10:22 AM

no he's better than ozil :-0 or that's what people are saying

nuri and ozil = our xavi and iniesta

canales will be loaned out or might stay if we sell kaka

Ilkay Gundogan ... another turkish guy playing for germany! man if i was turkey NT i would be pissed!

Sahin isnt better than Ozil, even through they play in slightly different positions.

Gundogan was born in Germany, so you can't really blame him, but if I was him I would reconsider and play for Turkey, considering how deep Germany is in midfielder.

Germany's Midfielders off the top of my head: Ozil, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Muller, Kroos, Gotze, Sven Bender, Holtby, and Marin

got_it_4_cheap

May 6th, 2011, 10:54 AM

Nuri Sahin wasn't the only Borussia Dortmund professional with tears in his eyes after the final whistle last Saturday. The Jürgen Klopp-coached side beat 1.FC Nürnberg 2-0 to secure the club's seventh German championship two games before the end of the season. Unfortunately from the Dortmund supporters' perspective, it seems that Sahin's tears weren't just tears of joy but sorrow, too. "I don't want to talk about it," he told journalists when asked about his emotional outburst on the Signal Iduna Park pitch, "it's a private thing."

Private maybe. But Sahin, it is fair to say, didn't want to discuss the real reasons behind the sadness. Announcing his departure to Real Madrid would have put too much of a dampener on the party proceedings but chances are he'll come clean well before lifting the trophy after the home match against Eintracht Frankfurt on May 14. No club official has gone on the record yet but the fact that an agreement between the German champions and Madrid is imminent is a badly kept secret, like that of Schalke 04 keeper Manuel Neuer's protracted move to Bayern Munich. News of the deal was leaked to Marca on the eve of the second Champions League semifinal leg against Barcelona, no doubt in an effort to soften the blow of the (likely) exit. "Madrid will get an excellent left-footed player," Marca proclaimed on the cover.

The paper has good reason to be confident. Various conflicting reports about a release clause in Sahin's contract (expiry date: summer 2013) with the Black & Yellows have made the rounds since the winter break but the club is no longer denying that the clause exists. Offers of €12 million ($17.4M) or more will reportedly trigger it, small change for Jose Mourinho's side. Sahin's wages are also not an issue: the 22-year-old is expected to nearly triple his pay from €1.5 million ($2.1M) to €4 million ($5.8M) a season. Dortmund has put a brave face on it ("We will talk to Nuri if an offer comes in," said Sporting Director Michael Zorc) but it is really at the mercy of the player and Real, who seem to have agreed personal terms despite one or two initial misgivings by the Turkish international.

"We will make a decision together with the club at the end of the week," the midfielder stated on his Facebook page.

Sahin's teammate Lucas Barrios has already inadvertently confirmed the deal on Spanish radio on Wednesday. "I believe that Real Madrid have made a good purchase," said the Paraguayan forward. "The people in Madrid will like him because he is a great player. I see him playing next to Xabi Alonso."

Born in Lüdenscheid, a mere 28 miles from Dortmund, Sahin has been playing for Borussia since he was 12 years old. There are photos of him celebrating the club's last championship, in 2002, as a ball-boy in the ground. His outstanding technical talent and composure on the ball saw him promoted to the first team at 16 and he's still the youngest ever player to feature in Germany's top-flight. Predictably enough, Arsène Wenger soon came calling. The Arsenal manager described Sahin (pronounced "Sha-heen") as "one of the greatest talents in European football under 18." Despite being close to bankruptcy at the time, Dortmund turned down an offer of €3 million ($4.3M) in 2005.

Sahin really came into his own when he followed his mentor, former Dortmund coach Bert van Marwijk to Feyenoord Rotterdam in 2007/08 on loan. This season, however, he went to a whole new level as the heartbeat of Germany's best and most attractive team. Playing as one of two holding midfielders, he's been setting the tempo and pitched in with the odd sublime goal or two.

It's certainly easy to see why Mourinho, a keen follower of the Bundesliga, would be a fan: Sahin is an upgrade to the slightly more limited Sami Khedira and can also be expected to combine well with Germany international Mesut Özil, who is also of Turkish descent. The two share the same agent, Reza Fazeli, are good friends off the pitch and have long dreamed about turning out for the same team. And Özil, 22, is key in the deal for another reason, too. His rapid progress at the Bernabeu makes it easier for Sahin to take the plunge as well. Other agents might have advised him to stay and play in the Champions League with Dortmund first but after Özil's positive experience, Fazeli is convinced that his other client has got what it takes to join the big time right now. "It's my ambition to keep constantly improving in my career," said Sahin, unafraid of the challenge.

Playing for Real Madrid will also help his cause in the Turkish national team, where he's inexplicably failed to hold down a regular spot under Guus Hiddink. "They must have pretty good midfielders if Nuri is not in the first team," Borussia CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke shrugged last year.

Sahin will have a decent chance to be voted footballer of the year in Germany. Only his Japanese teammate Shinji Kagawa, who has missed the second half of the season with a broken foot, has performed as well consistently.

Dortmund will not find it easy to fill the void at the base of the midfield next season but the champions have taken precautions. On Thursday, the club announced the signing of German U-21 midfielder Ilkay Gündogan from FC Nürnberg. "We have basically agreed term on a four-year deal" said Zorc. The fee is believed to be in the region of €4 million. Gündogan, another Bundesliga player of Turkish ancestry, is a very similar player to Sahin but not quite as polished. It's prudent to assume that he's seen as the best possible replacement for Sahin; the deal amounts to an admission that Sahin will indeed leave.

While international media have been quick to interpret Sahin's defection to La Liga as a sign of the inevitable breakup, most local observers believe that the club will be able to keep all other key personnel. Tellingly, Dortmund will refrain from buying big names -- Klopp and Zorc have decided to improve the contracts of the most important players instead. Nevertheless, recent history has shown that Bundesliga champions other than Bayern Munich have found it hard to deal with the dual pressures of Europe and the league. Dortmund doesn't have to win the title again next season, but finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League will be imperative to avoid the departure of half a dozen brilliant, mostly young players (defenders Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic, midfielders Kagawa, Mario Götze, Sven Bender and Barrios) who won't be short of options, especially if they manage to strut their stuff against Europe's biggest names.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/raphael_honigstein/05/05/sahin.dortmund/index.html#ixzz1LaX3T6FD

lol @ hiddink not picking him ... him and nuri probably don't like each other.

what a great buy ozil has become, if ozil went somewhere else, i doubt nuri comes

Canada_7

May 7th, 2011, 01:05 PM

got_it_4_cheap

May 7th, 2011, 01:15 PM

http://i52.tinypic.com/2ez1tw1.jpg

Canada_7

May 7th, 2011, 01:20 PM

got_it_4_cheap

May 7th, 2011, 01:43 PM

^Was that the play Gareth Bale got injured on? I was switching channels and when I switched back I saw that he was on a stretcher or something.

Freaking Blackpool, couldn't just hang on to that lead they had. They just let Defoe score in the 88th minute.

I haven't really followed the EPL closely at all for a while now, just know that Arsenal had their chances to close in on the title only to choke multiple times. They did beat Manchester United a few days ago.

A few things I'm just wondering about...a few pages ago there was a joke about letting Kaka go to Dortmund for letting Sahin go to Real Madrid. Has Kaka been playing poorly or something? Also about the diving thing...oh man don't even mention it...still remember that second leg match during this year's Champions League between Arsenal and Barcelona. Freaking ridiculous. Also how have Fabregas and Arshavin been this season?

yep, that is the play Gareth Bale got injured on

kaka can't even crack madrid's starting line up, he's a flop, just like ibra was for barca, and now with getting nuri, he will just be on the bench, madrid should just sell him to man city or chelsea, benefit both parties, he needs a new start

two best players from serie A (kaka, ibra) - not good enough for spain's top two clubs, has serie A really dropped that much in quality? :confused:

fab - another injury prone season, expect fab to barca soap opera to return in a few weeks

man utd has an opportunity to pull an arsenal and hand chelsea the title (but i doubt they will)

got_it_4_cheap

May 7th, 2011, 05:25 PM

Tornado F2

May 8th, 2011, 01:04 AM

LOL FAIL by Tottenham. Their GK gets mad excited after saving a penalty and the ball goes out for a corner. During the corner he gets so excited from the save, charges to catch the cross and then knocks down a Blackpool player in the box and gives away ANOTHER penalty. Charlie Adams the captain of Blackpool gets a second chance with this second penalty and converts. Way to go Spurs.

Finally, an actual EPL comment...

Tough luck for Blackpool, only getting a draw. They played better at Spurs than most would have expected. I hope they are able to avoid relegation, as they seem to have made a significant contribution to this better-than-average season, seemingly inspiring other teams to go for goals too. It will be a shame to see any team go down this year, but Blackpool are unlikely to bounce back if they do go down, unlike West Ham and Wolves with their much larger attendances. We don't have any clubs like Derby and Portsmouth who obviously deserve to go down.

Let's hope United beat Chelsea tomorrow. That way we'll only need a single point from the 2 remaining games to guarantee the trophy. Then Fergie can field himself for that final game against Blackpool. :lol:

Tornado F2

May 8th, 2011, 01:07 AM

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lkuhq2o99z1qgw1imo1_400.gif

madrid 6 sevilla 2

ronaldo x 4 :cheesygri

46 goals for cr7 = new personal best

i never thought he would top his man utd 42 goal season but boy was i wrong! :-0

He hasn't topped his United best. Goals are far easier to come by in Spain, especially if you play at the front of one of the 2 dominant teams (in a pool of comparative minnows). Let's see how he does playing for Almeria or Osasuna.

BTW, did he manage to resist diving to the floor in "agony" after that little dance? :razz:

Tornado F2

May 8th, 2011, 01:28 AM

LFC is looking really fantastic now, if the league started when Kenny took over we'd be second which says it all as to the job he's done. Manager of the year, no doubt. Looking at what's ahead, I think the league is coming back to Liverpool very soon. We have some fantastic young talent, lots of money to spend (which is an unfortunate reality of the game) and finally have a cohesive structure with a board and management/coaching setup that is world-class.

Don't wanna boast, but am quietly confident of things after the near-bankruptcy of October, the turnaround is remarkable.

Hey look, Harpy's back, as deluded as ever. Probably flushed out of Osama's guest house by the Navy SEALs, going off the post date. :razz:

LFC's comeback has been surprising, but they'll still face a challenge getting into Europe again next season, especially if Spurs can qualify again this season. There are now at least 3 teams in the EPL competing for those 4th and 5th places (City, Spurs, LFC). It won't be as easy as it was in the past.

got_it_4_cheap

May 8th, 2011, 01:30 AM

cristiano ronaldo - 30+ goals in la liga and epl (doubt anyone else ever accomplished that)

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz16/Mag_Droon/applause.gif

Tornado F2

May 8th, 2011, 01:33 AM

On an unrelated note:
BORUSSIA DORTMUND ARE GERMAN CHAMPS!!!!!!

now back to your regularly scheduled programming....

AC Milan too with Saturday's draw. I think the commentator said it's Ibra's 6th title in 7 seasons, with 3 different clubs. Maybe it is worth adding him to a squad after all, if only as a lucky mascot. :-0

Maybe City (or Madrid) will come calling this summer? :lol:

Tornado F2

May 8th, 2011, 01:38 AM

cristiano ronaldo - 30+ goals in la liga and epl (doubt anyone else ever accomplished that)

What a short memory you have. Ruud (RVN) scored 95 EPL goals with United and 46 Spanish with Madrid. And with barely a dive or a tantrum along the way! :razz:

92 in Holland too.

http://curtinho.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/ruud-van-nistelrooy.jpg

got_it_4_cheap

May 8th, 2011, 01:44 AM

30+ goals in 1 season, not overall (obviously)

rvn has never scored 30+ goals in epl or la liga, hell, he's best in both leagues is 25 goals in one season

Tornado F2

May 8th, 2011, 01:48 AM

30+ goals in 1 season, not overall (obviously)

You didn't say that. :razz:

Besides, Ruud had more competition up front when he was with United. Ruud, Roo, and Ron. Now THAT was a killer front line. :lol:

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/738.$plit/C_71_article_1002683_image_list_image_list_item_0_ image.jpg?23%2F03%2F2007%2010%3A17%3A24%3A059

Tornado F2

May 8th, 2011, 02:03 AM

LOL, just googled "ruud roo ron united" and this came up as the third entry:

"12 May 2010 ... May 12th, 2010 04:28 PM. got_it_4_cheap. Lily Allen crying! forlan, why did man utd let him go? ... Because we had Ruud, Roo, and Ron! :D ...
forums.redflagdeals.com/epl-gossip-thread-586571/342-print/"

gi4c is FAMOUS. Right up there with the three Rs. Now his current "RRRRRRRRR RRRRRR" avatar really makes sense! :lol:

hyperion

May 8th, 2011, 08:51 AM

LOL @ Arsenal and their new "worldclass" keeper.

hyperion

May 8th, 2011, 09:03 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VZRtnWYCpA

nsx

May 8th, 2011, 09:15 AM

LOL @ Arsenal and their new "worldclass" keeper.

Seriously, I doubt they ever practise defensive plays.

The way Arsenal have conceded goals from set pieces is embarrassing. :facepalm:

Tornado F2

May 8th, 2011, 10:42 AM

Seriously, I doubt they ever practise defensive plays.

The way Arsenal have conceded goals from set pieces is embarrassing. :facepalm:

Remember the old times when there was only United and Arsenal in the title chase. Your squad were so tall and physically strong back then. What happened? Of course most/all of those big players, even Viera, were already there when Arsene arrived. I think he's only signed short players since. :)

Tornado F2

May 8th, 2011, 10:44 AM

Two 3-1 results so far today. I see a clear trend here. And United are already 2-0 up. Let's try for 3-0 shall we? :lol:

hyperion

May 8th, 2011, 11:02 AM

Congrats to ManU on the EPL title.

Tornado F2

May 8th, 2011, 11:34 AM

Congrats to ManU on the EPL title.

Not so fast... now Torres and Vidic are on the field at the same time. :cry:

Could he possibly prove to be worth the 50 million? :lol:

got_it_4_cheap

May 8th, 2011, 11:42 AM

and that's how u win epl arsenal, take notes

man utd - more epl titles than liverpool :-0

BUT pool has 5 european cups :cool:

whatever happened to essien? he was so good before

Tornado F2

May 8th, 2011, 11:45 AM

Bah, Lumpy scored. >:( 3-1 it will have to be then. :)

At least he made a bloke in Bolton's day:

- From Andy, Bolton, on text: "I've had 30 quid on every Premier League team to score this weekend, just need a goalfest at Old Trafford for £6,127, don't care who wins."

I'm amazed that he got such good odds considering all the goals lately. Still, does tomorrow's Fulham-LFC game count?

Tornado F2

May 8th, 2011, 11:58 AM

Speaking of bookies, wonder what the odds were on three 3-1 scorelines today? :-0

got_it_4_cheap

May 8th, 2011, 12:11 PM

Tornado F2

May 8th, 2011, 12:30 PM

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/3pmbanner-180509-thumb-425x318-88890.jpg

12 epl titles under fergie, 19 in total

i feel bad for whoever eventually replaces him @ man utd, good luck matching that success

Another 12 titles? That would probably require a manager around 50 right now, given United's success rate over the past decade. And no, I'm not looking for Mourinho. He wouldn't stick around long enough anyway. I suppose a few managers do fit that requirement though - Hughes, Bruce, Moyes, etc. My money's going on Holloway! :razz:

BTW, United still need a point against Blackburn to confirm things. Then Fergie can start himself against Blackpool and try heading in goals for real. :lol:

jcon

May 8th, 2011, 02:24 PM

man utd - more epl titles than liverpool :-0

'Pile have never won the EPL. So one does it, actually.

1 point, that's all we need...

Tornado F2

May 8th, 2011, 04:28 PM

'Pile have never won the EPL. So one does it, actually.

1 point, that's all we need...

Yep, even Blackburn have LFC beat. That must be why those Indian chicken ranchers snapped up Blackburn instead of LFC. They really do their homework that lot, as evidenced by their firing of Big Sam. It would have been justice if they'd been relegated like Newcastle were, after they fired him too. It was later in the season this time though, so it looks like they'll squeak through, at least partly thanks to points earned under Sam.

BTW, it would all be over now if the officials hadn't robbed Spurs last week and handed 3 points to Chelsea. Hope that doesn't end up costing Spurs their place in Europe. I enjoyed watching them this past season.

hyperion

May 8th, 2011, 07:04 PM

'Pile have never won the EPL. So one does it, actually.

1 point, that's all we need...

..and most ManU can stop being obsessed with our club? Promise? Somehow I doubt it.

jcon

May 8th, 2011, 09:09 PM

..and most ManU can stop being obsessed with our club? Promise? Somehow I doubt it.

LOL. It was a non-United fan who brought it up and I simply corrected them. Certainly was the 'Pile fans who trumpeted their 18 league championships, where are they now? Held them high, as well they should, that was the past. But the King is dead, long live the King!

nsx

May 8th, 2011, 09:36 PM

Remember the old times when there was only United and Arsenal in the title chase. Your squad were so tall and physically strong back then. What happened? Of course most/all of those big players, even Viera, were already there when Arsene arrived. I think he's only signed short players since. :)

Not entirely true (for comparison: Tony Adams (6'3"), Vieira (6'3"), Lukic (6'4")).

Arsene did sign "tall" bargains such as Senderos (6'3"), Djourou (6'4"), Diaby (6'2"), and Szczesny (6'5") and even tried to sign Hangeland (6'5").

It's got more to do with the lack of defensive instincts and abilities (attributes) than height alone, IMHO. ;)

jr!

May 9th, 2011, 08:39 AM

got_it_4_cheap

May 9th, 2011, 09:20 AM

So it's official, Nuri Sahin is off to Real Madrid for a pittance, rumoured to be around €10 million, a fraction of his true worth.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/917572/real-madrid-swoop-for-bundesliga-champion-nuri-sahin?cc=5901

great deal! :) time to become a madrid fan jr! :razz:

hope he's a success @ madrid like ozil!

madrid has also signed José María Callejón for espanyol for 5m euros

we are also linked with altintop from bayern ... is he any good?

rooney11

May 9th, 2011, 10:51 AM

got_it_4_cheap

May 9th, 2011, 12:33 PM

AC Milan have announced two signings already in the form of Roma's Philippe Mexes and Marseille's Taye Taiwo

damn! milan just got stronger!

"Jose Mourinho will bring me one step further," he said, adding that discussions with Madrid star and former Werder Bremen playmaker Mesut Ozil helped him make his decision.

gotta love ozil

Tornado F2

May 9th, 2011, 12:33 PM

Tornado F2

May 9th, 2011, 12:47 PM

Not entirely true (for comparison: Tony Adams (6'3"), Vieira (6'3"), Lukic (6'4")).

Arsene did sign "tall" bargains such as Senderos (6'3"), Djourou (6'4"), Diaby (6'2"), and Szczesny (6'5") and even tried to sign Hangeland (6'5").

It's got more to do with the lack of defensive instincts and abilities (attributes) than height alone, IMHO. ;)

And "Bender" too. But I believe those are all defenders and a goalie. In the past there seemed to be height all over the Arsenal team, particularly evident in the tunnel pre-match. Now they're all lightweights. While speed is key these days you can get it with more solidly built players too. Take Porto's Hulk for example.

As for Arsenal's apparent defensive weakness against set plays, I think your coaching staff deserve a lot of blame for that. Young players come in with certain physical attributes, but it's generally down to the coaches to get them to think and play as a team. That's one of the reasons why well-coached teams like Bolton are often able to perform above their expected abilities.

Arsenal might want to give Ray Wilkins a call. Look at how Chelsea slipped after he was inexplicably fired. Or better yet, that former assistant of Jose that moved on (I believe) to Reading. Bring some Jose-style thinking into Arsenal's defense and you might beat Chel$ki next season (while they're still rebuilding).

Tornado F2

May 9th, 2011, 12:55 PM

..and most ManU can stop being obsessed with our club? Promise? Somehow I doubt it.

You forget that it was the obnoxious Lever-puddlers who used to be here that were always obsessing about United, until realities came back to bite them. :lol:

Speaking of Lever-puddle, that explains why Torres needed an assist from a puddle to score his one and only Chel$ki goal. :razz:

More importantly, in case you weren't already aware, the Fulham-Liverpool game will be on TSN2 this afternoon. Could be a good one, as they usually are at Craven Cottage. I think there should be quite a few goals in it. Hopefully the Fulham players aren't already off on their holidays.

got_it_4_cheap

May 9th, 2011, 01:19 PM

pool will probably get the uefa cup spot now thanks to bale being gone for the rest of the season

can't believe no cards were given for that horrible tackle :facepalm:

http://www.realmadridfootballblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/20110508dasdasftb_41.jpg

alves doing what he does best, diving/play acting :facepalm:

sinnacle

May 9th, 2011, 02:00 PM

great deal! :) time to become a madrid fan jr! :razz:

hope he's a success @ madrid like ozil!

madrid has also signed José María Callejón for espanyol for 5m euros

we are also linked with altintop from bayern ... is he any good?

Altintop will be out of contract in the summer and shares the same agent as Ozil and Sahin. He'd warm the bench and make a few apperances here and there if he signed on with Real Madrid.

hyperion

May 9th, 2011, 02:06 PM

Maxi Rodriguez is playing like a man possessed.

Fimo

May 9th, 2011, 02:19 PM

Maxi Rodriguez is playing like a man possessed.

+1 you could say that about the whole team actually? Torres who? Gerrard who?

3-0 after 15 minutes.

Update: Maxi Rodriguez with another Hat Trick, that was some goal!

Update 2: I have to say Suarez makes Torres look like a turd, thats some amazing ball control, what did we ever see in Torres?
Nice through pass from Jonjo Shelvey!

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/full/294993683.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJF3XCCKACR3QDMOA&Expires=1304978236&Signature=XlZp33P0TzZVllVZ%2FrCm3DrsUAI%3D

krash322

May 9th, 2011, 05:24 PM

got_it_4_cheap

May 9th, 2011, 05:40 PM

Zlatan Ibrahimovic now has eight league titles in eight straight seasons, with five different clubs, in three countries.

damn liverpool should sign him up asap :razz:

hyperion

May 9th, 2011, 06:15 PM

Zlatan Ibrahimovic now has eight league titles in eight straight seasons, with five different clubs, in three countries.

damn liverpool should sign him up asap :razz:

Sounds to me like him and Mourinho are made for each other.

rooney11

May 9th, 2011, 07:04 PM

Ibra a psycho, the guy has mental problems.

Kicks Cassano in the head, as a joke.

Tornado F2

May 9th, 2011, 08:19 PM

Arsenal might want to give Ray Wilkins a call. Look at how Chelsea slipped after he was inexplicably fired. Or better yet, that former assistant of Jose that moved on (I believe) to Reading. Bring some Jose-style thinking into Arsenal's defense and you might beat Chel$ki next season (while they're still rebuilding).

Looks like I was spot on with this comment. Turns out I was referring to Steve Clarke - the coach who moved to Liverpool after Dalglish "took over" and is in all likelihood the real man behind LFC's transformation. It clicked when I heard his name mentioned during today's game.

BTW, told you there'd be goals, but even I didn't expect that start. I watched the United and Arsenal highlights on SN then switched over to TSN2, only to see that it was already 2-0. I guess I was right when I suggested that Fulham's players might already be on vacation. What's with this Maxi guy? Isn't he one of the players that LFC fans were complaining about earlier in the season?

LOL at Gerrard looking down from his balcony seat - possibly watching his own LFC career evaporate. They seem a much better team without him. And with Torres no longer wasting a place they are now up to a full complement of 11 players, which obviously makes a difference.

got_it_4_cheap

May 9th, 2011, 08:23 PM

Ibra a psycho, the guy has mental problems.

Kicks Cassano in the head, as a joke.

if ibra can help pool win their 1st league trophy in 20+ years, he can kick whoever the hell he wants in the head, no lfc fan will complain

http://i.imgur.com/Kfbgk.jpg

oh yeah man utd? come back when you won 5 european cups! :razz:

Tornado F2

May 9th, 2011, 08:27 PM

Great game yesterday by Utd, though we could have easily scored a few more goals. Rooney had quite a few chances that he just couldn't convert. We will need those goals in the CL finals. I like how Park and Valencia has given us some wing play and hustle. There's a good chance I think of them starting against Barca. Except for O'Shea at LB, that might our best overall team we fielded yesterday.

+1. The Schalke game showed that our backup options can be strong too. Without CRon trying to do everything himself I think we'll have a decent chance against Barca this time. Especially since so much attention has been drawn to their cheating tricks. Hopefully we'll get a good ref who'll keep things properly in check, and hopefully even punish them for their tricks. A quick yellow card for the first dive should send a clear message. Odds are it'll be given to Mascherano. :)

Tornado F2

May 9th, 2011, 09:01 PM

oh yeah man utd? come back when you won 5 european cups! :razz:

Fergie's not going anywhere. He's coming to knock your lot off their perch too! :lol:

Shouldn't be that hard. If not for the lack of competition in the Spanish league, and a brief European spurt around 2000, Madrid's record wouldn't be all that different from LFC's. You've not made it to the ChLg Final since 2002, and your 1998 win came after a 32 year wait. In fact a quick look at Madrid's stats shows how distorted their Euro record is: Winners in 1956, 57, 58, 59, 60. There were obviously a lot fewer clubs involved back then. Take away those 5 and there's not that much to crow about.

BTW, United's European success at the time was obviously curtailed by the Munich Air Disaster. Red Star Belgrade, the team Manchester United had beaten before the crash, suggested they be made honorary champions in the 1958 European Cup. Had the team survived, they may well have taken several of those titles for themselves. :razz:

Check this out - there was no English team in the 1958-59 competition. "Manchester United had been invited to enter the competition by UEFA after their campaign in the previous year's tournament was damaged by the Munich air disaster. However the FA refused Manchester United permission to compete, arguing only the reigning English champions should be represented." :-0 Typical FA, always trying to hold back United!

Fimo

May 9th, 2011, 09:18 PM

Turns out I was referring to Steve Clarke - the coach who moved to Liverpool after Dalglish "took over" and is in all likelihood the real man behind LFC's transformation. It clicked when I heard his name mentioned during today's game.

One of the first things Dalglish did following the 3rd round FA Cup game against Man Yoo was to call Steve Clarke and ask him if he wanted a job, that call was made on the coach back to Liverpool on the M62.

So credit goes to Dalglish for calling his fellow Scot and kudos to Clarke for coming on board and making the impact he has made. Dalglish's man management skills as well are second to none, the table I posted earlier speaks for itself.

Torres leaving and Suarez coming on board has also played its part.

I'm hoping Man City pick up only 2 points from their last 3 games, although its not likely to happen, I can't see Spurs winning there tomorrow. However if that happens and LFC wins all our games we could sneak into the Champions League, and following our disastrous start to the season, that in itself would be some achievement.

Tornado F2

May 9th, 2011, 09:34 PM

One of the first things Dalglish did following the 3rd round FA Cup game against Man Yoo was to call Steve Clarke and ask him if he wanted a job, that call was made on the coach back to Liverpool on the M62.

So credit goes to Dalglish for calling his fellow Scot and kudos to Clarke for coming on board and making the impact he has made. Dalglish's man management skills as well are second to none, the table I posted earlier speaks for itself.

Torres leaving and Suarez coming on board has also played its part.

I'm hoping Man City pick up only 2 points from their last 3 games, although its not likely to happen, I can't see Spurs winning there tomorrow. However if that happens and LFC wins all our games we could sneak into the Champions League, and following our disastrous start to the season, that in itself would be some achievement.

I'm actually surprised to see LFC on the verge of taking 5th place, and the UEFA Cup spot, away from Spurs. And I'm sure I'm not the only one. McManaman admitted to being depressed over LFC in December. A definite turn around, regatdless of who deserves credit. But I'm sure it's not as simple as Dalglish taking over from Hodgson. If it were, why has he been out of management for so long? Dalglish was out of touch, Clarke wasn't. I know who I'd give most of the credit to.

And Suarez has certainly been a revelation. I'm sure I made positive comments about him last summer during the WC too. At the time I think I proposed both him and Forlan coming to the EPL, based on their high workrate during the tournament. He's carried that right on. Wonder who'll snap up Forlan this summer? :lol:

BTW, weren't you one of those calling for Suarez's head after his goalline "save" eliminated Uruguay's African opponent (Ghana)? :razz:

Wonder if Suarez has faced Ghana's Asamoah Gyan (now at Sunderland) again yet?

Edit: Check this out: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1351586/Real-Madrid-fail-bid-sign-United-flop-Diego-Forlan-city-rivals-Atletico.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Real Madrid were after Forlan this January. :lol:

Edit: Re My claim on Suarez: http://forums.redflagdeals.com/merged-official-fifa-world-cup-thread-south-africa-2010-a-862626/81/#post11054594 (last June) :)

got_it_4_cheap

May 9th, 2011, 10:01 PM

lol first try catching bayern (4), then pool (5), then ac milan (7) and then real madrid (9)

unlike epl, man utd doesn't win cl every other year or so

fergie has been @ man utd 25 years, 2 cl trophies

one thing is for sure, man utd had one of the easiest, if not the easiest route to the final

facing schalke in the semi final? lol it doesn't get easier

everything has lined up well for man utd to win it

Fimo

May 9th, 2011, 10:37 PM

But I'm sure it's not as simple as Dalglish taking over from Hodgson. If it were, why has he been out of management for so long? Dalglish was out of touch, Clarke wasn't. I know who I'd give most of the credit to.
On the other hand Hodgson has been managing in recent years yet couldn't motivate the team. Dalglish realised he had been out for some time which is why he made the call to Clarke, for that he deserves credit.

And Suarez has certainly been a revelation.

BTW, weren't you one of those calling for Suarez's head after his goalline "save" eliminated Uruguay's African opponent (Ghana)? :razz:

Wonder if Suarez has faced Ghana's Asamoah Gyan (now at Sunderland) again yet?

I wasn't a big fan of his when the rumours had it that he would be joining us, it was his reaction to the miss by Gyan and comments after plus the bite incident that put me off him. I have to say he has won me and a lot of other doubters over, never mind his skill, his work rate is second to probably only Dirk Kuyt, 5-2 up away and he is still pushing for a 6th goal.

Suarez did face Gyan, Muntari and Mensah a month or so ago at the Stadium of Light, he scored as well that day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vQuBNPaYvM&feature=related

hyperion

May 9th, 2011, 10:42 PM

Love it when he cuts in along the back line like that. Poor defenders are left perplexed.

got_it_4_cheap

May 9th, 2011, 10:44 PM

i don't understand why pool fans hate torres so much

he and gerrard almost won the epl for pool

worked hard until this season

selling torres got u suarez and carrol

what more do u want?

hyperion

May 9th, 2011, 11:08 PM

i don't understand why pool fans hate torres so much

he and gerrard almost won the epl for pool

worked hard until this season

selling torres got u suarez and carrol

what more do u want?

Don't think the majority hate him. I think the worse punishment for Torres is to forget him.

Some of the hate stems from all the foolosh things he said in the papers following signing with Chelsea. A lot of them were subtle shots at Liverpool, and he kept it up until a few weeks ago.

I used to be a big fan of Torres, and still am to a lesser extent. I sometimes watch Chelsea games just to watch him play (even if I dislike Chelsea), but it feels like he's lost something, he is not the same player he was 2 years ago. Watch some early highlights of his Liverpool career and you'll see he's a inferior player now.

Fimo

May 10th, 2011, 12:50 AM

i don't understand why pool fans hate torres so much

he and gerrard almost won the epl for pool

worked hard until this season

selling torres got u suarez and carrol

what more do u want?

I think his attitude over the last 18 months with LFC and his comments after he moved didn't help. Through his slump, sulking and injuries the fans still supported him. He didn't do much at the World Cup and then went to Chelsea to win things, which is fine, but he could have handled it better.

He is not fully to blame though as Gillett and Hicks were making promises they couldn't keep, but he hasn't really regained the form of 2 years ago, LFC really played to his strengths which is why he became so prolific at scoring goals. At Chelsea things are different, the system is different, if he doesn't adapt to it, he will be off very soon.

I'm glad we got Suarez and Carroll for him, players who want to be at the club and show some passion.

Fimo

May 10th, 2011, 12:53 AM

Love it when he cuts in along the back line like that. Poor defenders are left perplexed.

+1 he did that to Haangeland and Baird a few times today, could have had a Hat trick as well!

Tornado F2

May 10th, 2011, 11:34 AM

Don't think the majority hate him. I think the worse punishment for Torres is to forget him.

I find his appearances at Chel$ki so far to be comical, especially considering what they paid for him. He starts a game, at Drogba's expense great for United. He sits on the bench, Drogba having started, and puts on a forced smile pretending that he's happy. He comes on, only to risk being pulled off again. He keeps being taken off - really boosting his confidence. He trips over the paint line every time he approaches the box (a residual from his training under Gerrard - it was a classic comedy routine at the WC too, on the rare times he played). Even his goal came while we were all laughing at him being tackled by a puddle of water. Turns out the puddle was actually giving him an assist. All that time in LeverPuddle finally paid off. Chel$ki should preserve that puddle in their club museum, as a memento of his one and only goal for them (this season anyway). :lol:

Forget about Steve Austin, the Six Million Dollar Man. Meet Drip, the 50 Million Pound Puddle. :razz:

http://totallygoats.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/fernando-torres-chelsea1.jpg

Ironic that Torres' goal drought was finally ended by a puddle. :)

got_it_4_cheap

May 10th, 2011, 12:04 PM

Tornado F2

May 10th, 2011, 12:41 PM

Kaka's mother hints at London move

His mother, Simone Leite, has increased speculation that a deal has already been done after she wrote on her Twitter account: ''We are going to be in London next season where we will be preaching the word of God. We will be there from August - I can tell you.''

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/917963/kaka%27s-mother:-we-will-be-in-london-next-season?cc=5901

time to waste another 50m pounds roman! :D

or drogba + 35m

Forget about it. At this point whoever takes him will get_him_4_cheap. :lol:

So who'll have wasted a fortune then? :razz:

Besides, his mother likely doesn't realise yet that Manchester isn't a part of London, as Robinho quickly discovered on his famous bus rides. "Why haven't we gone past Trafalgar Square yet, Mummy?" :lol:

It's probably just as well. The last Brazilian I heard of using the London transit got shot mistakenly by police.

hyperion

May 10th, 2011, 12:59 PM

Who's going to win today? I'd like a tie, but I think Man Shty will take it by a score of 2:1.

Tornado F2

May 10th, 2011, 04:20 PM

Watch out Arsenal:

2214: Man City boss Roberto Mancini: "Congratulations to all my players. They've had a fantastic Premier League season. We have achieved fourth position and we have another three games left to push for third."

City seem to have an extra game over everybody else. :facepalm: It's amazing what insane amounts of money can buy you these days! :razz:

Hope City's "bonus" game is against United. VDS's testimonial perhaps? Then the City players can compare our two latest trophies with their FA Cup runners up medals. :lol:

got_it_4_cheap

May 10th, 2011, 04:58 PM

madrid 4 getafe 0

ronaldo X 3, benz

cr7 now at 49 goals, 36 in la liga

man city in CL :-0 start of man city era in epl? or will they fail to make the cl next year? :confused:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC0OqzvuGtU

ozil = world class, what a cross!

hyperion

May 10th, 2011, 05:25 PM

That was a nice cross. What's the story behind his "monster hands" celebration?

rooney11

May 10th, 2011, 05:34 PM

That was a nice cross. What's the story behind his "monster hands" celebration?

HULK, happy?

hyperion

May 10th, 2011, 05:43 PM

HULK, happy?

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/090/4/e/o_i_c_whut_u_did_thar__________by_lucario515.png

jr!

May 10th, 2011, 08:34 PM

great deal! :) time to become a madrid fan jr! :razz:
we are also linked with altintop from bayern ... is he any good?

Eff that, my 3 favourite teams are Dortmund, Liverpool & Barcelona!
Altintop is ok, but he's not going to Madrid, too old, too slow & not good enough. I heard maybe Juve, but I imagine he'll end up at a mid table Bundesliga side.

Anybody hear the news from London today on FIFA corruption?
Is it sour grapes, or really is there some truth to these unsubstantiated rumours & allegations?

Fimo

May 10th, 2011, 08:59 PM

Anybody hear the news from London today on FIFA corruption?
Is it sour grapes, or really is there some truth to these unsubstantiated rumours & allegations?

Probably a bit of both, with that said FIFA is probably one of the most corrupt organisations out there, its all an old boys network, João Havelange was an idiot, Sepp Blatter is a bigger idiot and Jack Warner is the biggest idiot of them all.

Mind you the English FA have some dummies in their ranks as well.

hyperion

May 10th, 2011, 09:35 PM

I think it's substantial. I hope Qatar gets its right to host revoked somehow.

rooney11

May 10th, 2011, 09:39 PM

its definitely substantial, but nothing will happen with the current regime.

jcon

May 10th, 2011, 09:52 PM

Probably a bit of both, with that said FIFA is probably one of the most corrupt organisations out there, its all an old boys network, João Havelange was an idiot, Sepp Blatter is a bigger idiot and Jack Warner is the biggest idiot of them all.

Mind you the English FA have some dummies in their ranks as well.

I agree with everything you just said.

I think it's substantial. I hope Qatar gets its right to host revoked somehow.

You know they won't. Blatter will lead the investigation, which will drag on for a long time, they'll find some scapegoat to pin everything on, and FIFA (Blatter and his buddies) will enjoy their financial windfall. FIFA is corrupt, EUFA is corrupt, and I bet the FA is corrupt.

got_it_4_cheap

May 10th, 2011, 10:12 PM

Eff that, my 3 favourite teams are Dortmund, Liverpool & Barcelona!
Altintop is ok, but he's not going to Madrid, too old, too slow & not good enough. I heard maybe Juve, but I imagine he'll end up at a mid table Bundesliga side.

Anybody hear the news from London today on FIFA corruption?
Is it sour grapes, or really is there some truth to these unsubstantiated rumours & allegations?

so u are a fan of divers eh? :razz: is alves ur fav player? :D

altintop has the same agent as ozil and nuri iirc so there is a good chance he'll end up @ madrid

for a depth signing, i think he's ok and i hope he's ok coming off the bench

I think it's substantial. I hope Qatar gets its right to host revoked somehow.

not happening :lol:

hyperion

May 10th, 2011, 10:21 PM

so u are a fan of divers eh? :razz: is alves ur fav player? :D

altintop has the same agent as ozil and nuri iirc so there is a good chance he'll end up @ madrid

for a depth signing, i think he's ok and i hope he's ok coming off the bench

not happening :lol:

Dude Altintop is a turd and wouldn't even crack the bench at RM. Not happening.

Just reporters grasping at straws using the logic you just described.

got_it_4_cheap

May 10th, 2011, 10:29 PM

Dude Altintop is a turd and wouldn't even crack the bench at RM. Not happening.

Just reporters grasping at straws using the logic you just described.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdmpjEF2Zlk&feature=fvst

since u guys don't want gerrard anymore, give him to us! u guys can take gago!

hyperion

May 10th, 2011, 10:42 PM

For you, only $40M. And you can keep your Gaga.

got_it_4_cheap

May 10th, 2011, 10:54 PM

For you, only $40M. And you can keep your Gaga.

40m :lol:

must be a typo ;)

4m + gago? sure :D

hyperion

May 10th, 2011, 11:04 PM

40m :lol:

must be a typo ;)

4m + gago? sure :D

I hope the Real Madrid sugar daddies make the same typo when they write up the cheque then. No Gaga.

got_it_4_cheap

May 10th, 2011, 11:40 PM

^^ u guys got a rich owner as well nowadays! don't need 40m.

This morning the Italian paper Corriere Del Sport reports that Inter Milan are one of the front runners for his signature and are willing to pay £25m to begin their rebuilding after Rafael Benitez’s disastrous six-month reign at the San Siro has left them below their great rivals AC Milan.

They say that the Italian giants met with Tevez’s agent last week and agreed personal terms, and he told them that Man City have agreed to let Tevez leave if the right offer comes in for the Argentinian.

They also claim that part of the agreement is that Inter Milan will step back and will allow Man City the first move in the race for Alexis Sanchez, who is Mancini’s first choice to replace Tevez.

http://i.imgur.com/zOpU7.jpg

hyperion

May 11th, 2011, 01:13 AM

That's interesting, since Alexis Sanchez is a winger. I still rate Hazard higher than him though. And I'd love Canales from Real Madrid. We'll trade you Mexxssi Rodriguez.

rooney11

May 11th, 2011, 10:10 AM

That's interesting, since Alexis Sanchez is a winger. I still rate Hazard higher than him though. And I'd love Canales from Real Madrid. We'll trade you Mexxssi Rodriguez.

Sanchez can play down the middle too, or behind the striker.

got_it_4_cheap

May 11th, 2011, 10:54 AM

That's interesting, since Alexis Sanchez is a winger. I still rate Hazard higher than him though. And I'd love Canales from Real Madrid. We'll trade you Mexxssi Rodriguez.

add 40m and we got a deal :D

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has named Cesc Fabregas and Zlatan Ibrahimovic as potential transfer targets after securing a place in the Champions League qualifying round.

getting zlatan = epl champs! he wins the league wherever he goes! however, no CL success for man city.

hyperion

May 11th, 2011, 11:47 AM

add 40m and we got a deal :D

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has named Cesc Fabregas and Zlatan Ibrahimovic as potential transfer targets after securing a place in the Champions League qualifying round.

getting zlatan = epl champs! he wins the league wherever he goes! however, no CL success for man city.

I doubt Zlatan wants to break his streak, so he won`t be joining Man Shty.
Fabregas...hopeful thinking at best. He loves Arsenal and the only club he would leave it for is Barcelona.

I do enjoy how they always shoot for the sky on their wishlists though. Surprised Messi was not included.

got_it_4_cheap

May 11th, 2011, 05:46 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTQR_zqf_P4&feature=player_embedded

jr!

May 11th, 2011, 07:44 PM

Are there subtitles?
:razz:

Nobody mentioned Barcelona won their 3rd successive La Liga title today?
Now to do the double!

got_it_4_cheap

May 11th, 2011, 08:53 PM

Are there subtitles?
:razz:

Nobody mentioned Barcelona won their 3rd successive La Liga title today?
Now to do the double!

after their shameful playacting/diving vs madrid in semi final, barca's "we are wholesome" image has taken a hit

also signing sponsor deal with qatar, more than a club? nah, u r just like the rest of us

even wall street journal is tired of barca's cheap tactics (espeically when they have a good enough squad not to use cheap tactics)

The World's Greatest Whiners
For All Its Artistry, Barcelona Has Prospered by Working the Officials

Harry Redknapp, the coach of Tottenham Hotspur, the London club that made it to the quarterfinal, said Barcelona's theatrics and its habit of mobbing the referee with a posse of players waving imaginary cards and exaggerating the impact of tackles, has grown tiresome. "Every time a decision was made, there were 10 players around the referee trying to get someone sent off," Redknapp said of last week's match against Madrid. "It's not the way you play football."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704569404576299314103473174.html

don't get me wrong, current barca is a great side, however, i think barca led by ronanldinho was more loved and appreciated than this current barca who love going to the crowd every chance they get

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa216/Mubz_aka_mubarik/Ronaldinho.gif

man i wished one of the MLS clubs would get him ... probably my fav barca player of all time, the guy was a joy to watch (in his prime @ barca)

Tornado F2

May 11th, 2011, 09:56 PM

getting zlatan = epl champs! he wins the league wherever he goes! however, no CL success for man city.

He's not won in United's league yet. :lol:

He's on winning teams because he JOINS already winning teams. Sadly for him, United don't need him. :razz:

Tornado F2

May 11th, 2011, 10:06 PM

Are there subtitles?
:razz:

They should have tasered that Hearts fan - after first rolling him in a large puddle.

They'll have to make sure he gets enough of a punishment to properly deter other idiots from acting likewise, or we're going to hear of top managers and players getting seriously hurt soon. When that happens, I wouldn't be surprised if we see some of the best quit, just like Anders Frisk did when Chelsea fans started making threats. It's a slippery slope.

Tornado F2

May 12th, 2011, 06:07 AM

unlike epl, man utd doesn't win cl every other year or so

Unlike Madrid, United reach the Final every other year, or at least reach the semis. We're 90 minutes of attacking football away from a 3rd CL under Fergie. :lol: Just give us an honest team of officials on the day.

got_it_4_cheap

May 12th, 2011, 07:40 AM

unlike man utd, madrid doesn't get schalke in semi, easiest route to final. if madrid got schalke, madrid would be in the final

win or lose, u ain't catching madrid anytime soon. i would be worried if i was pool. pool needs to win another cl to put some distance between them and man utd

i have a feeling man utd will be much more defensive in the final, fergie is talking with jose about barca

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcOCKd-3a-U

krash322

May 12th, 2011, 09:07 AM

unlike man utd, madrid doesn't get schalke in semi, easiest route to final. if madrid got schalke, madrid would be in the final

One perceived weaker opponent doesn't undermine the accomplishment of reaching the Finals. Schalke beat some good teams to get to where they were. Besides, if Barca played Schalke and Real had to play United, it would be the same Finals. So chances were that Real wasn't getting there.

got_it_4_cheap

May 12th, 2011, 09:41 AM

One perceived weaker opponent doesn't undermine the accomplishment of reaching the Finals. Schalke beat some good teams to get to where they were. Besides, if Barca played Schalke and Real had to play United, it would be the same Finals. So chances were that Real wasn't getting there.

lol @ man utd beating madrid (madrid has knocked out man utd every time clubs met)

maybe 3 years ago

now cr7 plays for madrid

lets see who mancs beat:

marseille :lol: chelsea with torres = no good schalke :lol: (13th in bundesliga)

like i said before, everything has lined up well for mancs to win it, hell mancs should win it

hyperion

May 12th, 2011, 09:57 AM

got_it_4_cheap

May 12th, 2011, 11:30 AM

Kenny Dalglish has signed a 3-year deal at Liverpool along with Steve Clark, to be announced before Spurs game:
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/kenny-signs-three-year-deal

Looking forward to the next Premiership season.

lets see if he can win 3 straight epl titles and put pool ahead of man utd again

i think pool would be better off by not getting the uefa cup spot

that trophy has no value for big clubs anymore and it will be a distraction to pool doing good in epl

UEFA to open disciplinary case against Sergio Busquets

Tornado F2

May 12th, 2011, 02:22 PM

One perceived weaker opponent doesn't undermine the accomplishment of reaching the Finals. Schalke beat some good teams to get to where they were. Besides, if Barca played Schalke and Real had to play United, it would be the same Finals. So chances were that Real wasn't getting there.

Yep. Schalke clobbered Inter, and Madrid are a lot more like Inter in their approach (especially having Jose in common) than United are. United, in the form they showed in both Schalke games, can beat anybody. Hopefully we'll play the same way in the Final, and given competent officials (which we should have, for a Final), I'm confident we can beat Barca. I think a lot of neutrals will be cheering us on this season too, after Barca's ridiculous theatrics: even Madrid and Chelsea fans! :lol:

Tornado F2

May 12th, 2011, 02:36 PM

lol @ man utd beating madrid (madrid has knocked out man utd every time clubs met)

maybe 3 years ago

now cr7 plays for madrid

lets see who mancs beat:

marseille :lol: chelsea with torres = no good schalke :lol: (13th in bundesliga)

like i said before, everything has lined up well for mancs to win it, hell mancs should win it

Madrid would have been easier opponents for United than Barca this year. Especially with CRon in the team. When he goes into selfish mode CRon is like Torres, he weakens the team - as we saw last time United met Barca in the Final. This time around should be VERY different.

Besides, when was the last time United and Madrid met? This game 8 years ago? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/2965089.stm Your lot still had Fat Ron, and we still had Ruud and Becks. Becks still hadn't turned into a tattoo-addicted joke at that point either. We won that 2nd leg 4-3. Key factor at the time though: we still had that clown Barthez wandering around the defensive third. We won't make that mistake again.

Tornado F2

May 12th, 2011, 02:48 PM

Kenny Dalglish has signed a 3-year deal at Liverpool along with Steve Clark, to be announced before Spurs game:
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/kenny-signs-three-year-deal

Looking forward to the next Premiership season.

Dalglish didn't look too thrilled on the BBC webpage. How he's going to age if he sticks around for the next three years. :lol:

Still, next season will be all his. It will be interesting to see what the LFC fans make of a full season under him. Can he possibly meet their expectations of instant return to 1970s glory? I doubt it, not with United, Chelsea, Arsenal, City, and Spurs, presumably all with strengthened squads, all fighting for the same goal. But they're ending this season strongly, so who knows?

Lucky for Dalglish that Clarke has signed on for another 3 years too.

hyperion

May 12th, 2011, 05:22 PM

I think Liverpool's goal for next season will be Champions League qualification, and anything above that will be extra.

Fimo

May 12th, 2011, 05:22 PM

Kenny Dalglish has signed a 3-year deal at Liverpool along with Steve Clark, to be announced before Spurs game:
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/kenny-signs-three-year-deal

Looking forward to the next Premiership season.

+1

Most, if not all LFC fans wanted this to happen last year, however everything happens when its supposed to, glad to have Kenny and Steve on board, I don't think we would have had Steve Clarke if Kenny had signed earlier than he did as he was was still with West Ham and Zola.

Its a Win Win situation all around.

Tornado F2

May 12th, 2011, 06:30 PM

I think Liverpool's goal for next season will be Champions League qualification, and anything above that will be extra.

That would be logical, and as a logical person you realise that. But what about the illogical, delusional old-timers? Will they be willing to settle for 4th? Dalglish doesn't have all that long left as manager, even if he isn't quit-prone this time around. What will happen in 3 seasons' time as United approach their 22nd league trophy? :lol:

Tornado F2

May 12th, 2011, 06:34 PM

+1

Most, if not all LFC fans wanted this to happen last year, however everything happens when its supposed to, glad to have Kenny and Steve on board, I don't think we would have had Steve Clarke if Kenny had signed earlier than he did as he was was still with West Ham and Zola.

Its a Win Win situation all around.

Hmm, that's an interesting thought... why didn't things go better for WHam if Clarke was there? It will be somewhat interesting to see which way LFC go next year - up like Chelsea did, or down like WHam. I think your owners are more like WHam's.

got_it_4_cheap

May 12th, 2011, 07:18 PM

I think Liverpool's goal for next season will be Champions League qualification, and anything above that will be extra.

WTF? that's it? that's all u expect? :eek:

chelsea/manutd/madrid/barca fan would consider finishing 4th = epic fail

hyperion

May 12th, 2011, 07:23 PM

WTF? that's it? that's all u expect? :eek:

chelsea/manutd/madrid/barca fan would consider finishing 4th = epic fail

You can't go from finishing 7th and 5th to expecting to be champions. It would be nice, but not realistic. And notice I didn't say 4th specifically.

Tornado F2

May 12th, 2011, 07:30 PM

You can't go from finishing 7th and 5th to expecting to be champions. It would be nice, but not realistic. And notice I didn't say 4th specifically.

+1. Though some koppites will probably expect that.

WTF? that's it? that's all u expect? :eek:

chelsea/manutd/madrid/barca fan would consider finishing 4th = epic fail

Barca should set that as their goal for next season. Have they ever ended a season as low as 4th (in recent memory)? That would be quite an achievement. Very Inter-like. They should bring in Rafa as manager, pronto. :razz:

Note how rapidly he took LFC from 2nd to the basement too. :)

got_it_4_cheap

May 12th, 2011, 08:50 PM

but rafa won pool their 5th european cup

if it wasn't for rafa, man utd would have a shot at having the same amount of european cups later this month :-0

i heard rafa wants to come back to epl, i wouldn't be surprised if he's the next chelsea manager

UEFA charges Sergio Busquets for slur

NYON, Switzerland -- UEFA has charged Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets with racially insulting Real Madrid defender Marcelo during the Champions League semifinals.

UEFA says its disciplinary panel will hear the case on Sunday.

Busquets is alleged to have violated UEFA's discrimination rules "by directing racist abuse towards" Marcelo, who is black. Marcelo says that Busquets called him a "monkey" during a rough first-leg match April 27 in Madrid.

UEFA said it took statements from Marcelo and Madrid and used video evidence of a moment when the two players clashed.

Barcelona won that game 2-0 and then tied 1-1 to advance to the final against Manchester United. Busquets could be suspended for the May 28 match at Wembley Stadium in London.

The rulebook states that "anyone who insults the human dignity of a person or group of persons, by whatever means, including on grounds of color" shall be banned for five matches.

European soccer's governing body had initially dismissed the racial abuse claim, along with Madrid's request that Barcelona's Dani Alves, Pedro Rodriguez and Busquets be sanctioned for feigning injuries.

Madrid contested those rulings and a UEFA appeals body will hear the case Monday.

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6533169/uefa-says-barcelona-sergio-busquets-used-racial-insults-vs-real-madrid-marcelo

just when u thought u couldn't dislike biscuits anymore ... :mad:

Tornado F2

May 13th, 2011, 02:24 AM

i heard rafa wants to come back to epl, i wouldn't be surprised if he's the next chelsea manager

http://www.14mbcrate.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/pipboy300.jpg

That would be BRILLIANT! :lol:

got_it_4_cheap

May 13th, 2011, 07:21 AM

hyperion

May 13th, 2011, 08:23 AM

Judge: SERGIO BISCUITS, HOW DO YOU PLEAD?

Sergio: Not guilty.

Judge: YOU PAY PRESENT YOUR DEFENCE.

Sergio:
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l184/khentramz/Sergio-Busquets.gif

kennyhohoho

May 13th, 2011, 08:55 AM

UEFA charges Sergio Busquets for slur

NYON, Switzerland -- UEFA has charged Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets with racially insulting Real Madrid defender Marcelo during the Champions League semifinals.

UEFA says its disciplinary panel will hear the case on Sunday.

Busquets is alleged to have violated UEFA's discrimination rules "by directing racist abuse towards" Marcelo, who is black. Marcelo says that Busquets called him a "monkey" during a rough first-leg match April 27 in Madrid.

UEFA said it took statements from Marcelo and Madrid and used video evidence of a moment when the two players clashed.

Barcelona won that game 2-0 and then tied 1-1 to advance to the final against Manchester United. Busquets could be suspended for the May 28 match at Wembley Stadium in London.

The rulebook states that "anyone who insults the human dignity of a person or group of persons, by whatever means, including on grounds of color" shall be banned for five matches.

European soccer's governing body had initially dismissed the racial abuse claim, along with Madrid's request that Barcelona's Dani Alves, Pedro Rodriguez and Busquets be sanctioned for feigning injuries.

Madrid contested those rulings and a UEFA appeals body will hear the case Monday.

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6533169/uefa-says-barcelona-sergio-busquets-used-racial-insults-vs-real-madrid-marcelo

just when u thought u couldn't dislike biscuits anymore ... :mad:

Ah Busquets, stand up guy from a stand up team :lol:

got_it_4_cheap

May 13th, 2011, 11:39 AM

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City are ready to battle Chelsea for the services of unsettled Real Madrid midfielder Kaka. City will also try to swipe Inter's Wesley Sneijder from under the noses of Manchester United by offering Carlos Tevez in part exchange.

City manager Roberto Mancini has asked playmaker David Silva to convince Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas to move to Eastlands in the summer.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has watched Espanyol forward Pablo Osvaldo for a second time in 10 days as he prepares for a busy summer of transfer activity at White Hart Lane.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has issued a "come and get me" plea to Premier League clubs after the Hamburg striker opened the door to a summer return to England. Tottenham and Blackburn are both reportedly keen on the Dutchman.

Manchester City's former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor is ready to move to Tottenham this summer despite suffering abuse from Spurs fans just weeks ago.

Manchester United could be set for a £14m summer move for Roma's Italian midfielder Daniele de Rossi, who has a year to run on his current contract but is not close to signing a new deal.

Schalke are aiming to beat Manchester United and Tottenham to the signing of Ajax keeper Maarten Stekelenburg as a replacement for Bayern Munich-bound Manuel Neuer.

Liverpool are leading the way in the chase for Motherwell winger Chris Humphrey's signature. Merseyside rivals Everton, Bolton, Birmingham, Newcastle, Swansea and Rangers are also interested.

The Reds are also planning an ambitious move to lure Inter Milan's Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho to Anfield this summer.

Arsenal are plotting a double raid on French side Lorient for striker Kevin Gameiro and midfielder Morgan Amalfitano. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are interested in Gunners striker Nicklas Bendtner and defender Bacary Sagna.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is in negotiations with Real Madrid to bring striker Karim Benzema to the Emirates in a deal totalling £40m this summer.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce wants to bring German veteran Miroslav Klose to the Stadium of Light on a free transfer from Bayern Munich. He is also interested in Tottenham's Roman Pavlychenko and Lorient's Kevin Gamiero as alternative options up front.

QPR have started their preparations for life in the Premier League by making £1.5m-rated Newcastle winger Wayne Routledge's return to the club permanent after a six-month loan spell. Manager Neil Warnock is also interested in Tottenham striker Robbie Keane. (the Times)

Midfielder Scott Parker has admitted that he is likely to leave Upton Park if West Ham fail to avoid the Premier League drop.

AC Milan are ready to compete with Chelsea for Kaka. The Brazilian spent six years at the Italian giants before joining Real Madrid.

Turkish side Galatasaray are keen on Bolton forward Johann Elmander who is out of contract at the Reebok in the summer.

Everton and Bolton are locked in a battle to sign £5m-rated Brest striker Nolan Roux.

West Brom are in the market for Ipswich defender Gareth McAuley and Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

German side Hamburg will offer £2m for Leeds forward Max Gradel.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8KLykZhBQfI/SjBjlVkdK7I/AAAAAAAAABM/S4xBNBsaypQ/s400/kaka+i+belong+to+money.jpg

hyperion

May 13th, 2011, 12:56 PM

got_it_4_cheap

May 13th, 2011, 01:17 PM

hyperion

May 13th, 2011, 01:30 PM

Duh Arsenal is a money-making machine. They develop youngsters aka buy them cheap and young and pay them little, and then when they get old, Arsenal becomes a selling club. Not to mention being notoriously cheap when it comes to signings that could strengthen the squad.

Very surprised to see RM turn a profit.

got_it_4_cheap

May 13th, 2011, 01:32 PM

which begs the question why is wegner so cheap? if he bought a few more players over the last couple of seasons, arsenal doesn't go trophyless for all these years, they lack depth

i'm surprised how bad barca is financially ...

Manchester United's owners the Glazers are monumental leeches growing rich on a golden age

In May 2005 the majority of Manchester United’s fans heading to the Millennium Stadium for the FA Cup final were dressed in black. It was symbolic mourning, marking the arrival of the club’s new owners, the Glazers from Florida.

Using the then-fashionable financial instrument of the leveraged buy-out, the family had saddled United – until then an entirely loan-free institution – with hundreds of millions of pounds of debt to facilitate control.

When Arsenal won the Cup on penalties, it seemed to mark the start of a grim era for United followers, a lifetime of paying for someone else’s indulgence.

Six years on, things appear rather different.

United are poised to win their fourth Premier League title since then, a bauble to set alongside three League Cups and one Champions League trophy. And all this with a third European Cup final in four years to come.

Meanwhile, since that Cardiff meeting, Arsenal – carefully run, living within their means, accruing debt to develop infrastructure rather than merely to gain ownership – have won precisely nothing.

As predictions of doom from those black-clad Cassandras have proven exaggerated, a gathering momentum is building behind the notion that the Glazers should be cut a little slack.

Far from being harbingers of disaster, they have actually ushered in a golden age for United. Maybe it is time to give them some credit for their stewardship.

That might be an increasingly favoured argument, but personally I would rather run around Old Trafford wearing a sky blue shirt with Tévez emblazoned across the shoulders than I would be prepared to give the family any credit.

I believe United’s success has arrived in spite of the Glazers, not thanks to them. Rather than astute custodians, they are merely monumental leeches, blessed, in their endless requirement for blood, to be attached to such a healthy host body.

Yes, it is true, in this respect, the Glazers have been good owners: they have left Sir Alex Ferguson alone. Said to be intimidated by the old knight, the family have never challenged his judgment.

Allowed to do what he wishes, according to those who know him, the manager has grown into his role, relishing being ever more king of his castle and as a result performing at the top of his game.

Furthermore, at any football club the crucial relationship is that between the manager and the chief operating officer.

At United, with the Glazers absenting themselves from all decision making, that between Ferguson and David Gill has delivered sustained success on the pitch.

And yes, it is unarguable that they have substantially increased United’s revenue stream, introducing hundreds of expensively accrued sponsorship deals from the official supplier of Chilean wine to official worldwide office furniture partner.

But – and this is the crucial point – most of the extra money they have raised has come from the turnstiles, via a year-on-year hike in ticket prices. And it is in the stands at Old Trafford that you get a glimpse of the real change the Glazers have wrought on United.

I watched a game from the East Stand recently and was taken aback by the make-up of the crowd.

In the recent BBC drama United, Jimmy Murphy was seen standing in the middle of an empty stadium explaining to Sir Bobby Charlton his responsibility to his audience.

These were the people who paid to be uplifted by his efforts, Murphy said. And, pointing to the terraces, he spoke of the mill workers, the dockers, the miners to whom the players had a duty of enlightenment.

Were Mike Phelan to do the same with Javier Hernández these days, he would be obliged to pick out the software engineers from Singapore, the human resources managers from Oslo, the hedge fund directors from Prestbury.

At United, in the past five years, the crowd has been financially cleansed. The local working man has been deliberately disfranchised, not necessarily out of malice but because he does not have adequate monetary wherewithal to be of use.

It is, in truth, not that different at Stamford Bridge and the Emirates. This was a process begun at the start of the Premier League era. But the Glazers have accelerated it with reckless abandon.

And the fact is, at United it need never have happened. The club were so big, so successful, they could have maintained a fair pricing structure. As one senior member of staff recently told me: “Had we still been a plc, we’d have been ankle deep in cash.” But they aren’t.

And since the Glazers arrived, £300 million has had to be found – largely from the pockets of match-going fans – simply to service the debt.

That is easily enough to have enlarged the ground to hold 100,000, keep ticket prices at a level most could afford and still have had change to build a floodlit all-weather pitch in every school within a five-mile radius. But such opportunity has been squandered.

It is telling to make comparison with Barcelona, United’s opponents in the Champions League final and their most significant rivals for the title of the world’s biggest club. Next season the Catalans are to charge £525 for a season ticket. That works out at £17.50 per game.

At United, after the latest round of price hikes, it will cost £1,030 (£36.75). Six years ago, United were less expensive than the Spanish champions.

This is the biggest charge the Glazers face: they have done nothing to develop and enhance the club in order to maintain its social fabric.

Unlike those previously in control at United, the Glazers have no interest in the wider civic role of their property. Actually, they aren’t even that interested in the football produced, rarely attending games, the empty spaces in the directors’ box a telling indictment on their involvement.

No one can deny United are thriving on the pitch. But every year, as the prices rise to service the debt, the club disconnect further from their roots. You can call that the sentimental view, perhaps.

The fact is this is now an institution almost entirely divorced from its origins. Once it was a place dedicated to illuminating the lives of all those who called Manchester their home. Now its purpose is to enrich a family from Florida.

And never mind how many trophies have been accrued coincidental to their ownership, that is the true legacy of the Glazers.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8511127/Manchester-Uniteds-owners-the-Glazers-are-monumental-leeches-growing-rich-on-a-golden-age.html

Fimo

May 13th, 2011, 04:39 PM

Can't help but laugh, and feel a little bit sorry for our rival's manager:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/13/fa-charge-sir-alex-ferguson

Message from the FA to Ferguson is loud and clear: STFU.

When he criticises Refs he is charged, when he praises them he is charged, whats a man to do eh Fergie? lol.

I'll be surprised if they hand out a ban for this one, you never know with the FA though, bumbling idiots that they are.

elty

May 13th, 2011, 05:04 PM

I think Wegner first signing is some defender in France Ligue 2 - whose contract is expiring next year.

jr!

May 13th, 2011, 08:49 PM

like fergie is gonna care :lol:

How will 10 of Europe's biggest clubs cope with Financial Fair Play?

http://www.goal.com/en/news/755/europe/2011/05/11/2481195/how-will-10-of-europes-biggest-clubs-cope-with-financial

teams that make a profit - arsenal, madrid, bayern and juve

the rest don't :-0

Barca - Wages £219m :-0

Ok.
1) it's goal.com, anything they publish is crap
2) how do Real Madrid make a profit & Barca don't? Madrid are in as bad shape as Barca are as it's a 2 team league and they spend just as much (how much did they spend on Kaka to sit on the bench?)
3) Juve will be looking good, as of next season they are the ONLY club in Italy to own their own stadium!
4) The league that I feel will benefit the most out of all this is the Bundesliga. They've had their own version of Financial Fair play for a long time now. In order to play in the top 2 leagues in Germany, teams need a licence. In order to obtain this licence, one must prove there is some fiscal responsibility. Now, the rules are rather lenient, as Borussia Dortmund got a licence in 2005 despite being literally on the brink of bankruptcy, so take that with a pound of salt.

Fimo

May 13th, 2011, 10:29 PM

krash322

May 13th, 2011, 10:38 PM

lol @ man utd beating madrid (madrid has knocked out man utd every time clubs met)

maybe 3 years ago

now cr7 plays for madrid

lets see who mancs beat:

marseille :lol: chelsea with torres = no good schalke :lol: (13th in bundesliga)

like i said before, everything has lined up well for mancs to win it, hell mancs should win it

Let's see, we haven't had the opportunity to play Madrid in years. Why? Because Madrid hasn't gotten past the round of 16 in such a looooong time, until this year. And you think they can beat a team like United who's been to the Finals in 3 of the last 4 years? Yeah, we've only beaten chumps to get to the Finals every year. :facepalm:

Plus, if there is a team who can control CR7, it would be United. All those years he played for United, I think the team has seen enough of him during practice that we would have a good game plan against him.

And you might want to check your history, specifically in 1968 when our clubs met in the semi-finals.

Tornado F2

May 13th, 2011, 10:41 PM

As much as I hate the increasing ticket prices in the EPL, and the lack of affordable access available to traditional football fans, I think this segment clearly exposes the reason for Barca's financial woes:

"It is telling to make comparison with Barcelona, United’s opponents in the Champions League final and their most significant rivals for the title of the world’s biggest club. Next season the Catalans are to charge £525 for a season ticket. That works out at £17.50 per game.

At United, after the latest round of price hikes, it will cost £1,030 (£36.75). Six years ago, United were less expensive than the Spanish champions."

Even though Barca can potentially cram 20% or so more fans into their stadium than United, (if they get a full house - unlikely against smaller clubs), if admission prices are half United's they are clearly taking in significantly less at the gate each season. I'm sure the Spanish league also takes in significantly less revenue each year for TV rights than the EPL does, so unless there is drastic inequality in the distribution of those funds (in favour of Madrid and Barca) Barca will again come up short. So even if player salaries and signing costs were identical to United, Barca would come up short every season. There's no way they can keep up with United in the long run if their finances can't keep up. Looks like the future belongs to United. At least until Dubai takes over Barca completely. :lol:

rooney11

May 13th, 2011, 10:52 PM

Tornado F2

May 13th, 2011, 11:02 PM

Tottenham tried to sign Luis Suárez but were told he was not up to it (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/13/harry-redknapp-tottenham-luis-suarez)

"Ultimately Spurs made failed offers for others strikers, including Fernando Llorente and Villarreal's Giuseppe Rossi. "We kept looking at [Suárez] but people thought he couldn't play up as a striker," said Redknapp."

"Not only has Suárez created many chances for team-mates since his arrival at Anfield, but in his 11 league appearances he has also scored four goals – the same as Spurs' Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe have each managed in the league all season."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBdO9toZSKc

Which "Harry Redknapp" was that supposed to be? :lol: He doesn't look or sound a bit like the real thing.

It does catch some of Spus' problems though - they do have multiple players in each position, but many of them are out injured for long periods. That will be why Spurs are so inconsistent over the length of a season. The team out there now is probably very different from the team who started the season. Ledley King was good for 1 game out of 2 at the start of the season, but where is he now? Woodgate has never recovered from the injuries he apparently sustained kicking that Asian guy in Leeds. Midfielders also regularly come and go, as do strikers. In fact the most consistent place in the Spurs squad this season must be in goal - and we all know how inconsistent Gomes can be, even over the 90 minutes of a single match! :facepalm: If it's true that Crouch and Defoe have only scored 4 goals each this season (obviously meaning only in the league, since they have had hat-tricks elsewhere), then it just goes to show how foolish it was loaning Robbie Keane out to WHam (or talented youngsters elsewhere). A few more goals in the right matches would have secured a European spot again for Spurs next season, but now what are they going to be left with, other than a bloated, inefficient squad? I like Harry as a character, but he really does need somebody else looking after the real finances of a club, otherwise you end up with a trail of struggling clubs like WHam, Portsmouth, Sothampton, .... oh, right - Harry's former clubs! :cry:

Tornado F2

May 13th, 2011, 11:07 PM

That's exactly it.

Time for Villarreal, Atletico, etc, so stand up and claim a greater share for themselves then. Their games are at least as attractive to worldwide TV audiences as those useless "Clasicos" this past month. The Villarreal - Porto matches in particular were VERY entertaining, and I suspect that many of their league matches are similar displays of attacking football - just like many of us like it.

jr!

May 13th, 2011, 11:08 PM

That's exactly it.

Yep.
Even though the Camp Nou seats 98,000 , they rarely fill it.
Also, with the economy in Spain being what it is, I don't think Manchester United prices could be charged for tickets.

Tornado F2

May 13th, 2011, 11:14 PM

Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic claims Manchester United are preparing a £13 million bid to take him to Old Trafford in the summer after scoring 16 league goals for the Scottish club.

don't watch scottish league ... so bye bye berba?

If it's "Bye bye Berba", despite his probably winning this year's Golden Boot from the subs' bench, then it will only be bacause we already have a surplus of attacking options, including several out on loan. We won't need a guy who has to go to Scotland to win a spot. The last guy we brought down from Glasgow, Liam Miller, didn't exactly take the world by storm did he? Where is he now, BTW? Who really cares! :lol: (Wasn't he supposed to be "the next Roy Keane"? :facepalm:)

got_it_4_cheap

May 13th, 2011, 11:20 PM

lol barca wouldn't want a more equal tv deal

not with barca's current financial status, they NEED this tv deal to keep to paying for all those wages + running the club

do u think barca signed 25m pounds per year kit deal with Qatar if they weren't in money trouble? think again

Tornado F2

May 13th, 2011, 11:33 PM

[I]TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City are ready to battle Chelsea for the services of unsettled Real Madrid midfielder Kaka. City will also try to swipe Inter's Wesley Sneijder from under the noses of Manchester United by offering Carlos Tevez in part exchange.

City manager Roberto Mancini has asked playmaker David Silva to convince Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas to move to Eastlands in the summer.

If you're going to copy from other sites (in this case the BBC), at least leave the sources in place so we can weed out the obvious nonsense, such as that coming from caughtoffside, who seem consistently to be less clued in that THIS thread. :razz:

Anyway, you missed perhaps the best one that day:

Former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has claimed he has no regrets about leaving Anfield, despite being a bit-part player for Barcelona. "I left Liverpool and I do not regret how things have gone as I am in the final of the Champions League," said the Argentine.
Full story: talkSPORT

He finally gets to go to Wembley. And he gets paid to sit on comfy field-side seats too. :lol:

Anyway, I'd better get moving. There's an important trophy to pick up in the morning... :D

http://cdn.everyjoe.com/files/2008/05/english-football-nc-thumb.jpg

Look at those two losers next to Giggsy. No league trophy for them this year. Not much else either. :razz:

Tornado F2

May 14th, 2011, 09:15 AM

Manchester United - winners of the English league for an all-time record 19 times, 12 under the current manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. Are you watching Merseyside? How's ye olde perch? Just a bit rusty, huh? :lol:

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52721000/jpg/_52721870_rooney_464x261pa.jpg

Hope Rooney watched what he was saying this time... :razz:

Fimo

May 14th, 2011, 09:44 AM

Its taken almost 20 years to beat Liverpool's record, but congrats to Man Yoo on their 19th Title, they set the new mark for everyone else to beat!

Tornado F2

May 14th, 2011, 10:22 AM

Its taken almost 20 years to beat Liverpool's record, but congrats to Man Yoo on their 19th Title, they set the new mark for everyone else to beat!

Thanks. It took 19 years to equal it, 21 to beat it (thanks to Gerrard's gift to Chelsea last season). But surely nobody, not even Fergie, expected us to complete it in just 12 years (which would have been the absolute minimum required). A near 65% win rate over two decades - now THAT is consistency! :lol: Especially when the years we didn't win we were usually 2nd.

As you say, there's now a new target there for teams to aim at. But first you've got to knock Fergie out of his castle. And I don't think he (or Giggsy) have plans for leaving any time soon. :razz:

Speaking of Giggs, his record is even better than Fergie's. United only started winning the EPL after he broke into the main squad. And he's every bit as important to the side today as he's ever been. Hope he can keep playing until he's 39! :lol: After that, he can take over Sir Bobby's duties - hopefully as Sir Ryan.

hyperion

May 14th, 2011, 10:59 AM

Congratulations to both Manchesters.

got_it_4_cheap

May 14th, 2011, 10:59 AM

http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0514/yayatoureceleb20110514_576x324.jpg

man city fa cup champs!

start of the man city era? :-0

out of all the signings by man city made in last few years, yaya toure has been a great one.

Fimo

May 14th, 2011, 11:04 AM

start of the man city era? :-0

out of all the signings by man city made in last few years, yaya toure has been a great one.

+1 could this be the start of something big for Man City? Time to take the banner down at the Stretford End at OT.

Yaya Toure, after his performances this season, especially in the Semi and Final, probably worth every single £200,000 that man city pay him on a weekly basis.

So something to celebrate for both Mancunian Teams, will they and Man Yoo be the main title contenders next season?

PS: Can't wait to see who these "2 big signings" City have made are, according to Uncle 'Arry.

got_it_4_cheap

May 14th, 2011, 11:09 AM

three best man city signings - yaya, tevez, silva

LOL Mario Balotelli "All season I've been ****, can I say that?"

Interviewer nods yes.

:lol::lol::lol:

gotta love mario!

tevez lifts the trophy? lol isn't he leaving soon? should have been yaya lifting it

Tornado F2

May 14th, 2011, 11:14 AM

Congratulations to both Manchesters.

Why, what did Manchester, NH do? :razz:

There is only ONE Manchester in the football world.

Congrats to City though. It's been a long, long wait for them - 42 years since their last FA Cup. Hopefully some old mates will be enjoying that.

I remember meeting one frustrated fan of theirs in 2001 who stated that the "EIDOS" then on their shirts stood for "Eleven Idiots Dreaming Of Success". They've sure come a long way in the meantime. In fact just days before the Arabs took over, they were almost knocked out of the UEFA Cup qualifying round by an amateur team from the Faeroe Islands. And even then they'd only qualified thanks to "fair play" under Sven. Now they're starting to look like becoming the real thing. This summer could bring some interesting transfer activity.

For now though, it's party time in Manchester. Good job they have so many pubs and clubs there! :lol:

Tornado F2

May 14th, 2011, 11:32 AM

Start of the man city era? :-0

out of all the signings by man city made in last few years, yaya toure has been a great one.

Yeah, he's been key this season, especially during Tevez's absence.

As for the "era" bit, it's still very much United's. 19 league titles, 12 in the past 2 decades (less actually). Third ChLg Final in 4 years coming up...

I doubt that any of us will still be around to see City "knock United off their perch". :lol: In fact I doubt that will EVER happen. If City's wealth ever does start the barrel rolling, an even richer bloke will step in to buy United.

I see now why so many towering condo skyscrapers are being built in Manchester. The city is getting rich quick with all the sports and entertainment stars moving there these days. Apparently downtown Manchester's shops are turning increasingly "Rodeo Drive". Becks will finally be able to convince Posh to move back, if an ambassador position opens up for him at United. :razz: And with all those millionaires moving in, at least OT will remain filled to capacity, even if regular blokes can no longer afford admission. Maybe gold will become an official club colour again. Now I just need to win the lottery to go join them... :lol:

Tornado F2

May 14th, 2011, 11:41 AM

I remember meeting one frustrated fan of theirs in 2001 who stated that the "EIDOS" then on their shirts stood for "Eleven Idiots Dreaming Of Success".

I wonder what witty phrase they'll come up with for "ETIHAD"? Any suggestions? :?:

"Eleven T___ I___ H___ A___ D___"

"Eleven Thick Idiots Hiding Away Dummies"?

"Eleven Transient Investment Hoarders Accumulating Dollars" perhaps?

Give it a shot... ;)

got_it_4_cheap

May 14th, 2011, 11:41 AM

next season is gonna start off with a bang for epl and la liga

man utd vs man city (Community Shield)

real madrid vs barcelona (Spanish Supercup, 2 legs)

:cheesygri

Tornado F2

May 14th, 2011, 12:15 PM

next season is gonna start off with a bang for epl and la liga

man utd vs man city (Community Shield)

real madrid vs barcelona (Spanish Supercup, 2 legs)

:cheesygri

They should make the Community Shield a 2-legger too next year. One game at each ground. Mate it a real community event. All those Manchester fans shouldn't have to go to the time and expense of travelling to London to participate in an event that is better held at home.

Tornado F2

May 14th, 2011, 12:25 PM

From Everton captain Phil Neville on Twitter: "Great day for Mancunians - United win the league and it's stopped raining!" :lol:

So they were watching on Merseyside. :razz:

Meanwhile, showing real bias (after in recent years barring United from a parade, using the Rangers riots as an excuse):

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council: "City winning the FA Cup is a joyous occasion for many people in Manchester, myself included. Manchester United winning their 19th top flight title is a remarkable and historic achievement. Manchester's football clubs are a huge source of pride, helping to project the city's name around the world. It's only fitting that we host a public celebration of those achievements so fans can share the moment and enjoy the success. We expect some unforgettable scenes as fans gather to acclaim their team."

Which drew the following appropriate response:

From BilalPandore on Twitter: "That's all fair enough, but shouldn't we hear from Manchester United council as well..." (Just what I'd been thinking). :lol:

That "fans can share the moment" bit is worrying though. Sir Richard Leese has obviously never been to a real football match, especially not a Manchester derby. Hopefully the police will offer him some good advice on that. Separate celebrations should be held for each club.

And let's not forget to hold United's ChLg Winners' parade this time, shall we. :lol:

Tornado F2

May 14th, 2011, 12:41 PM

Just came across this: "Cristiano Ronaldo equals Ferenc Puskas (59/60) by scoring his 47th goal for Real in all competitions in a single season".

So I suppose those two former-United players, CRon and Tevez, got their own consolation prizes today too.

So, one more goal and CRon will have achieved all he's likely to in Spain? :?: He might as well start begging Fergie to take him back then. :lol:

BTW, poor Kaka must feel so sick watching on from the sidelines. He was actually the most expensive player in the world for those few fleeting days... So quickly discarded and forgotten. :cry:

Bet he won't turn down Manchester a second time...

jr!

May 14th, 2011, 12:42 PM

Was the FA Cup so early this year because Wembley is being used for Barca's CL trophy presentation in 2 weeks?

rooney11

May 14th, 2011, 12:54 PM

Was the FA Cup so early this year because Wembley is being used for CL final in 2 weeks?

yes, Uefa requires no match to occur 2 weeks before the final at the stadia.

Tornado F2

May 14th, 2011, 01:47 PM

yes, Uefa requires no match to occur 2 weeks before the final at the stadia.

They're apparently holding the Final before the end of next season too, to allow the national side more time to prepare for the Euros. I'm not sure why the Final can't come at the absolute end though, as only 2 teams are involved.

Tornado F2

May 14th, 2011, 04:30 PM

What a day of football today. I get to watch United seal the EPL Championship this morning. City win the FA Cup. And just now I got to watch my favourite Italian team (AC Milan - who also play in red, black, and white - coincidence?) collecting their silverware. Funny watching players forget to go to the presentation platform to receive their medals, and one forgetting his medal completely. :lol:

And they've got "We Are The Champions" blaring away - just like United would have, had they been at home. Let's hope TSN or SN air United's match against Blackpool next week - should be an entertaining one - and stick around for the presentation too. (SN never do - boo to them). Milan's players came out with "Campioni 18" shirts. United should do them one better and come out with "Champions 19" shirts. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if the United online store have already sent me an email offering to sell me just that - they're very efficient that way. All in all a good day of football on TV.

Shame SN aired the weakest game of the day in the 10AM slot. Four SN channels, all airing the same game. They should mix them up a bit on days like today when all the matches are already played, so viewers can take their pick. As it is Wolves fans have to wait until late to catch their match. I really hope that SN rebroadcast the Blackpool game on one of their channels tonight. I had to watch the United match, being a United fan, but I'd really like to watch Blackpool - Bolton too. Especially since their 4-3 scoreline exactly replicated that of a famous FA Cup Final between those two 50 years ago.

Isn't it a shame that either Wolves or Blackpool (or possibly even both) will be relegated this season? They've both given us memorable games. Even Wigan are capable of playing attractive football. Only WHam truly deserve to be relegated this year. And you just know they'll be straight back.

Tornado F2

May 14th, 2011, 04:52 PM

Here's a funny one: Mick McCarthy won his first top-flight match at the Stadium of Light today - and he used to be Sunderland manager! :lol:

Now THERE was a team that deserved to be relegated...

got_it_4_cheap

May 14th, 2011, 06:02 PM

jcon

May 14th, 2011, 11:23 PM

lets see if man city can challenge man utd for the title next season, i expect man city will find it easier to get world class players now that they got the 4th spot

They certainly will. They'll also apply the 'Real' rule of over-paying for everyone. And like Real, they still won't win the league.

I'm glad that City's day was overshadowed by United's 19th league championship.

Glory glory Man United!

harpoon

May 15th, 2011, 12:50 AM

Its taken almost 20 years to beat Liverpool's record, but congrats to Man Yoo on their 19th Title, they set the new mark for everyone else to beat!

Agree. 12 leagues in 18 years is a hell of an achievement (LFC did 11 in 17 so it's been a similarly imperious run for the last while).

There's the argument that they weren't the best team and the league was weaker this season but points are points and you can only gather the points up and hope you have the most when all is said and done. I personally don't think they've topped the 1999 team for quality but it doesn't matter who you have as long as you have them they're lifting trophies for ya.

three best man city signings - yaya, tevez, silva

LOL Mario Balotelli "All season I've been ****, can I say that?"

Interviewer nods yes.

:lol::lol::lol:

gotta love mario!

tevez lifts the trophy? lol isn't he leaving soon? should have been yaya lifting it

I really like Adam Johnson for them too, baffled why he doesn't play more. Tevez is off to the San Siro apparently, he'll be a big ask to replace but they have a decent backline and flair there (Silva is awesome, totally agree), it's just putting it all together.

Mancini seems an ok coach but I'm not sure he can have these guys all going in the same direction, we'll see next year.

Will be an interesting summer with the top 5-6 english teams looking like bolstering their squads.

Congrats to Milan and Barca too, been a bit of a Milan fan since the early 90s side and Barca are just awesome (a couple of their players aside, who as good as they are just keep falling over).

got_it_4_cheap

May 15th, 2011, 08:39 AM

They certainly will. They'll also apply the 'Real' rule of over-paying for everyone. And like Real, they still won't win the league.

I'm glad that City's day was overshadowed by United's 19th league championship.

Glory glory Man United!

yeah, that's why we won it 31 times lol

with xavi and puyol getting old enough to start for ac milan, madrid will win the league again in the next few years

i think madrid haven't overpaid after mourinho came on board, ozil for 15m euros, nuri for 10m euros, di maria for 25m euros, carvalho for 8m euros are good buy, some may say bargains

chelsea won the league after spending $$$, i don't see why man city can't

milan just won the league after spending $$$ to get ibra and robinho

Bayern agree deal for Neuer

good more by bayern, no need to worry about gk position for the next decade

Tornado F2

May 15th, 2011, 01:00 PM

chelsea won the league after spending $$$, i don't see why man city can't

Chelsea also had the benefit of procuring United's potential-signings list, thanks to whoever it was that jumped ship on us (his name has been successfully erased from my memory). Unless City can somehow snag David Gill that won't be happening again. Besides, whoever City buy, they will still need to mesh as a team. United are already there, and many of our players are still young. That's why I believe that United will continue to be successful in coming years, even without major new signings. We just have to make sure that we replace VDS with the right goalie for the start of next season. A top midfielder to take over from Giggs and Scholes will be key too.

Tornado F2

May 15th, 2011, 01:03 PM

Told you the United store would be on top of things quick: :lol:

http://store.manutd.com/stores/product_images/mufc-93295.jpg?width=180&height=180&quality=95

http://store.manutd.com/stores/product_images/mufc-93294.jpg?width=180&height=180&quality=95

http://store.manutd.com/stores/product_images/mufc-93193.jpg?width=180&height=180&quality=95

I'm not sure that the gold printing goes with the white sponsor logo on the front, but whatever.

I think I'll be waiting to see what they can add for our 4th Euro cup too. :D

Tornado F2

May 15th, 2011, 01:43 PM

19. Fergie's masterpiece

It's become popular conviction that this season is Ferguson's best piece of work yet, a title-worthy team without any world-beaters on it. Fair statement. United circa 2010-11 won't be confused with the treble-winning side of 1999, or even the Ronaldo-era double of 2007-08. At times, United's midfield looked lost -- as was sometimes the case with Anderson and square-pass Michael Carrick pairing up in the center -- or old and reckless, with the sight of an off-the-pace Paul Scholes charging in with another poor challenge. At their most pedestrian, the Red Devils didn't seem to be much different than, say, Bolton. Yet SAF has coaxed out the best here and there from Carrick (see his two-leg performance against Chelsea in the Champions League and a handful of Prem matches), Nani, Fabio, Smalling and Chicharito.

Even more impressive was Ferguson's handling of the Rooney transfer-request drama. It was a combustible situation that wouldn't have taken much to explode, and most managers would have unwittingly lit the fuse. Not Ferguson. Instead of letting his star player force a move, Ferguson reminded Rooney who was boss -- a lesson learned long ago by Cantona, Roy Keane and David Beckham. Except Rooney wasn't told to leave; he was given a new five-year contract. And he's repaid the team's faith in him with a second-half revival that fueled United's title run.

Yes, you could make the case that this season's Premier League was mediocre, with a general dip in the quality of football. Even if United gets all three points against Blackpool next week to end the season, it'll finish the campaign with its lowest point total since the 2005-06 season, when Ferguson's men finished second with 83 points.

Of course, 83 isn't a magic number. Nineteen is.

well said

lets see if man city can challenge man utd for the title next season, i expect man city will find it easier to get world class players now that they got the 4th spot

I actually disagree with quite a bit of that. For starters, while United may not be as "all-star" as the 1999 squad, at least not yet, the 1999 team probably looks better now, in retrospect, than it did then. Many of the current squad are still young, and who can say what their future will bring? They may go on to shine brighter than all before them. The current squad are also working hard to become better footballers, not wannabee-male models like this earring-wearing pair, and of course CRon:

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52705000/jpg/_52705989_2003.jpg

Also, this has been far from a weak league. Possibly the top teams were weaker, or at least more error-prone, but the lower teams also raised their game, resulting in some exciting matches and surprising results. Personally I think this has been one of the best seasons ever, especially for football-loving neutrals (if such a creature actually exists). Far from "mediocre". I'd happily watch it all over again, even if United weren't guaranteed to come out on top.

As for the points, United could well end up with 80 points. But that's not what counts. What counts is who's on top at the end. And just look at the gap between United and 2nd/3rd/4th place: currently 6/10/12. Looks like a very convincing title win to me! :razz: (Compare it with past seasons if you like).

And United still have the biggest European prize of all to play for - the Champions League Final. Win that and nobody will dare call United's current squad "average" or "mediocre". There will then be nobody better. :D

got_it_4_cheap

May 15th, 2011, 01:47 PM

man city can get 3rd spot now :-0 arsenal :facepalm:

nice away win by spurs ... once again their strikers failed to score

hyperion

May 15th, 2011, 02:07 PM

Disappointing result today. The team came out flat, and Tottenham defended very well, even when Liverpool really turned up the pressure after the 2nd goal. Damn VDV and his fluky goals.

Tornado F2

May 15th, 2011, 02:27 PM

Disappointing result today. The team came out flat, and Tottenham defended very well, even when Liverpool really turned up the pressure after the 2nd goal. Damn VDV and his fluky goals.

Probably the most important game of the season for the two clubs, considering Europe (albeit only Europa) is at stake. I really expected Liverpool to win easily at home against an off-form Spurs. Congrats to Spurs on finally getting a needed result. They're in the drivers seat for next weekend's final matches now. Hard to say who'll be harder to beat, Villa or Birmingham, considering that Birmingham are still fighting for survival, but Spurs will be home, LFC away, and Spurs only need to match LFC's result.

Tornado F2

May 15th, 2011, 02:28 PM

yeah, that's why we won it 31 times lol

Fergie took over United in the middle of the 1986-87 season. So starting with the 1987-88 season, it would be interesting to compare United's record with that of other "top" clubs, especially since the last couple of decades are obviously far more relevant than records from prehistoric times when many players were amateur at best.

United, obviously, have 12 league titles from that period.

Chelsea: 3

Arsenal: 5

Liverpool: 2

City: 0

Spurs: 0

R.Mad: 9

Barca: 11

Milan: 8

Inter: 6

Bayern: 12

Celtic: 8

Rangers: 16 (Distorted of course by the Old Firm monopoly. Rangers have actually won the league 54 times altogether).

And United's first title win in that period came in the 1992-93 season. Start from that point and United's dominance becomes even more obvious! Even Rangers have only won 12 times in that period, the same as United, despite having only a single real rival. :D

jr!

May 15th, 2011, 02:29 PM

You can't include Scotland at all, that league is a joke.
The last time a non Old Firm team won the league was 1986.
Spain is well on their way to a similar style league.

got_it_4_cheap

May 15th, 2011, 02:49 PM

You can't include Scotland at all, that league is a joke.
The last time a non Old Firm team won the league was 1986.
Spain is well on their way to a similar style league.

epl has been a 2 team title race as well for a long time

late90s/early00s man utd, arsenal
mid 00s to now chelsea man utd

and in bundesliga, it is 1 team title race lol

bayern vs the rest

sure, a team can win the league like bremen or wolfsburg, but guess what? bayern buys some players (many times the best players from other bundesliga teams, see neuer, gomez etc) and bremen or wolfburg lose thier best players to other clubs so bayern end up winners pretty much every other year

Maarten Stekelenburg does a Ramos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqrrzWN8WKQ&feature=player_embedded

got_it_4_cheap

May 15th, 2011, 03:56 PM

RONALDOOOOOOOO!! :cheesygri

two world class fk goals!

51 in total, 38 in la liga (tied with hugo sanchez, all time record in la liga)

wait, who the hell is hugo u ask?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NSWhQ3INiw

krash322

May 15th, 2011, 04:12 PM

got_it_4_cheap

May 15th, 2011, 04:21 PM

according to marca ronaldo has 39 goals??!!

there u have it, la liga's all time top scorer in one season - cristiano ronaldo

watch messi score triple hat trick in the last game :-0:lol::confused:

Good game by the Spurs today. When Ledley King is healthy, he's a beast out there. You have to say Liverpool is still ways off from competing for the title. In a game they had to win, they couldn't produce.

liverpool is better off not being in the europa league, just focus on epl for next season

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93iLBhNfGi4

http://www.spiegel.de/images/image-214903-galleryV9-galo.jpg

hyperion

May 15th, 2011, 05:08 PM

LOL so random.

hyperion

May 15th, 2011, 09:53 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOgTCbz-XmU

rooney11

May 15th, 2011, 10:04 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOgTCbz-XmU

no matter how many times I seen that, its still funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJBsI7RAuvk

Tornado F2

May 16th, 2011, 12:08 AM

http://www.spiegel.de/images/image-214903-galleryV9-galo.jpg

What strange trees those are. Yellow fan trees? :razz:

Tornado F2

May 16th, 2011, 12:16 AM

Very interesting results today, it leaves 5 teams next week that can be relegated.

Never thought Avram Grant was a good manager, got way too much credit before. No surprise that he couldn't save West Ham.

City looks to have 3rd spot and knock Arsenal down to 4th. That is a real slap to the face of Wenger. At least if they were second, he can still use the same excuse that they're really close to winning. But being 4th, and a long trophy drought, I think some serious questions has to be asked regarding Wenger and whether he should still be the man in charge. Plus, Fabregas is likely heading out, you can tell he wasn't into playing his best this season. No sense in keeping a player against his wishes. Arsenal better hope Barca can find some loose change in the boardroom to buy him.

Good game by the Spurs today. When Ledley King is healthy, he's a beast out there. You have to say Liverpool is still ways off from competing for the title. In a game they had to win, they couldn't produce.

I feel sorry for old Avvy in a way. Even when he took Chelsea to a PK away from the ChLg trophy he got fired. I think he should go back to leading an Israeli anti-terrorist commando squad. (He has that sort of look. I wouldn't be surprised if he had an interesting military career when he was younger).

As for Liverpool, they are still a long way from any title hopes. They've had their new manager bounce, but next year is a completely different season. Unless they drastically rebuild over the summer I can't see them breaking into the top 4 again, Dalglish or not.

BTW, notice how the players stopped performing once Dalglish got the job permanently? It's like winning him a contract was their goal, and now that job's done they're off on vacation.

Surprising to see Arsenal and LFC beat, and Chelsea held at home today. On paper they looked like they should all win.

Has Dalglish been charged by the FA yet? He was going on about Fergie, saying he didn't show referees respect, a few months ago, and there he was today criticising the best current ref in the EPL. Fergie gets charged for both criticising AND praising, so fair dos.

Tornado F2

May 16th, 2011, 12:30 AM

epl has been a 2 team title race as well for a long time

late90s/early00s man utd, arsenal
mid 00s to now chelsea man utd

and in bundesliga, it is 1 team title race lol

bayern vs the rest

sure, a team can win the league like bremen or wolfsburg, but guess what? bayern buys some players (many times the best players from other bundesliga teams, see neuer, gomez etc) and bremen or wolfburg lose thier best players to other clubs so bayern end up winners pretty much every other year

That's very clear from those stats I put together, and the post-1992 situation is even more drastic. United have clearly been Europe's form team for the past two decades.

This last couple of seasons the EPL has definitely not been a 2 team race though. Arsenal fell short each time, but for a long while it was definitely a 3-horse race between Arsenal, Chelsea, and United, and the year before that even LFC managed to poke their little scouse noses in, but failed to take advantage of United's mid-season expedition to Japan. With some careful spending City MIGHT get in on the chase next season, but it might still remain a 3-team race if Arsenal or Chelsea fall behind while restructuring. I think United will just carry on from where we've finished. Like my sig has said for the past 2 years, we keep on winning because we keep on playing, even when key players are out injured. It's that hard working mentality that keeps on carrying us through. Once players show signs of losing that, Fergie sends them on their way.

got_it_4_cheap

May 16th, 2011, 11:40 AM

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/columnists/2011/5/16/1305542576542/Manchester-United-fans-007.jpg

Manchester United fans attempting to ensure maximum enjoyment is wrung out of the club's record-breaking 19th title took their cause to Anfield on Sunday, unveiling a banner inside the ground before the Reds' game against Spurs.

United clinched their landmark 19th title on Saturday, finally eclipsing Liverpool's total of 18, and the club's supporters went to great lengths to ensure those at Anfield were fully aware of that fact.

talk about rubbing it in! :-0

http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab198/SteveBudin/maradonna.gif

Tornado F2

May 17th, 2011, 04:17 PM

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/columnists/2011/5/16/1305542576542/Manchester-United-fans-007.jpg

Manchester United fans attempting to ensure maximum enjoyment is wrung out of the club's record-breaking 19th title took their cause to Anfield on Sunday, unveiling a banner inside the ground before the Reds' game against Spurs.

United clinched their landmark 19th title on Saturday, finally eclipsing Liverpool's total of 18, and the club's supporters went to great lengths to ensure those at Anfield were fully aware of that fact.

Now we know why the LFC players went back to being crap again on Sunday. :razz:

Gary Neville's red commandos - Mission Accomplished! :lol:

At least we know now that Merseyside was indeed watching. Or at least the LFC squad were...

got_it_4_cheap

May 17th, 2011, 11:42 PM

Arsenal prepared to sell Andrey Arshavin to fund new signings

revista de la liga: mata to man city, man utd or liverpool, asking price 25m

http://www.sport.es/resources/jpg/3/3/1305656881833.jpg

horrible kit

more than a club? nope!

hyperion

May 18th, 2011, 08:25 AM

[I]
Arsenal prepared to sell Andrey Arshavin to fund new signings

I lol'd. Have fun with 5-10M you get then. That's enough at least 2-3 nameless French players!!! /s

got_it_4_cheap

May 18th, 2011, 08:49 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYCzHciL4-U

tevez!!!

tevez, rooney, ronaldo - that 07/08 man utd side was so good

chelsea, man city and madrid looking to buy kun aguero!

Manchester City will attempt to "smash the world transfer record" by bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to England, according to an "exclusive" running in today's Mirror. As a Real Madrid player, Ronaldo has scored 38 La Liga goals in 37 games so far this season, three more than Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko, Jo, Adam Johnson, David Silva and Carlos Tevez have mustered between them in the English top flight.

dzeko has been a massive flop @ city

man city have have him for 200m pounds!

krazyeyezkilla

May 18th, 2011, 11:06 AM

I lol'd. Have fun with 5-10M you get then. That's enough at least 2-3 nameless French players!!! /s

IF that, I'd send him away on a free transfer if it meant I'd never have to watch him give his usual 60% effort again. The guy can score the odd incredible goal but it's simply not worth it for what he gives you over the course of an entire season - poor vision, constantly being caught flat footed, multiple failed attempts trying to nutmeg the defenders, poor overall pace, the inability to play defense or provide Arsenal with any solution to their glaring lack of a physical presence. Andrey Arshavin is exactly the opposite of what Arsenal needed this season to get back into the conversation.

Canada_7

May 18th, 2011, 11:17 AM

IF that, I'd send him away on a free transfer if it meant I'd never have to watch him give his usual 60% effort again. The guy can score the odd incredible goal but it's simply not worth it for what he gives you over the course of an entire season - poor vision, constantly being caught flat footed, multiple failed attempts trying to nutmeg the defenders, poor overall pace, the inability to play defense or provide Arsenal with any solution to their glaring lack of a physical presence. Andrey Arshavin is exactly the opposite of what Arsenal needed this season to get back into the conversation.

What happened? I remember when Arsenal first got him a year or 2 ago, he was well loved for what he brought.

krazyeyezkilla

May 18th, 2011, 12:02 PM

What happened? I remember when Arsenal first got him a year or 2 ago, he was well loved for what he brought.

I guess he had a good season 2 years ago but this year was a disaster IMO, I don't know if he got fat in the offseason or maybe he was hiding an injury but game in game out he just seemed to bring little effort to the pitch. And I'm not a guy who easily identifies a 'lack of effort' either, for the most part I give a lot of players the benefit of the doubt. In Arshavin's case, it's plain to see - he was slow, lackadaisical, lacked awareness, showed very little 'bite', he really wasn't that same plucky, inventive, highly skilled player he was in his first year with the club. Either way, Arsenal needs bigger, stronger, more physical players and even at the best of times Arshavin is not that.

Tornado F2

May 18th, 2011, 01:06 PM

What happened? I remember when Arsenal first got him a year or 2 ago, he was well loved for what he brought.

Guess his oddball blog entries weren't meant to be humourous after all. :lol:

BTW, WTH, City have claimed Arsenal's 3rd place, Arsenal slipping back to Spurs' position of last season. And Tevez has claimed one of Berbatov's Golden Boots in the process! Poor old Blackpool and Bolton are going to become cannonfodder on the last day of the season. And Fulham fans will be able to taunt Gooners, even if they lose. The world's going crazy.

Tornado F2

May 18th, 2011, 01:17 PM

I guess he had a good season 2 years ago but this year was a disaster IMO, I don't know if he got fat in the offseason or maybe he was hiding an injury but game in game out he just seemed to bring little effort to the pitch. And I'm not a guy who easily identifies a 'lack of effort' either, for the most part I give a lot of players the benefit of the doubt. In Arshavin's case, it's plain to see - he was slow, lackadaisical, lacked awareness, showed very little 'bite', he really wasn't that same plucky, inventive, highly skilled player he was in his first year with the club. Either way, Arsenal needs bigger, stronger, more physical players and even at the best of times Arshavin is not that.

And what happened to that Chamakh bloke? I thought he was supposed to become a new star, but I'm not sure he even started matches this season.

Arsenal couldn't possibly he headed towards becoming the next Liverpool, could they? If Arsene leaves this summer, or next, for whatever reason, I could see the team possibly falling apart. There already seem to be too many players with their minds elsewhere, ready to jump ship. Surprising to see, if it wasn't for the fact that Arsenal are well known to underpay compared with rival reams. If the team comes under new ownership, that owner is going to have to open his wallet and spend big if they want to retain/claim even 3rd place.

Tornado F2

May 18th, 2011, 01:21 PM

http://www.sport.es/resources/jpg/3/3/1305656881833.jpg

horrible kit

more than a club? nope!

Poor kit or not, cheating divers or not, Barca remain "more" than YOUR club. :razz:

Now United just have to show that we're better than them. :lol:

BTW, Brian May wants his '70s wig back. :)

hyperion

May 18th, 2011, 01:28 PM

I like Barcelona but that Qatar Foundation logo will always read "We sold out" to me. Bring back UNICEF, and stop the diving nonsense.

rooney11

May 18th, 2011, 02:57 PM

I like Barcelona but that Qatar Foundation logo will always read "We sold out" to me. Bring back UNICEF, and stop the diving nonsense.

Unicef is on the back.

krash322

May 18th, 2011, 08:55 PM

The Mirror is garbage, Ronaldo ain't going anywhere unless Real goes bankrupt.

So, who's been keeping up with the Imogen Thomas affair back in the UK? Seems like the married footballer she was "madly in love" with is none other than Giggsy! Good to know he ain't perfect! :razz:

rooney11

May 18th, 2011, 11:03 PM

God, everyone knows that. You need to delete that ****, the popo will come after you with their super-injunction!

harpoon

May 18th, 2011, 11:25 PM

chelsea, man city and madrid looking to buy kun aguero!

dzeko has been a massive flop @ city

man city have have him for 200m pounds!

Dzeko could come good next season, he's fantastic, two footed and clever. It's just a matter of getting the system sorted. Even Silva, who's also fantastic, isn't played to his strengths as often so tends to flit in and out of matches.

Don't count LFC out for Aguero, his agent was at Anfield and he's pretty keen to come. Same with Eden Hazard, that has serious legs. M'Villa, Turan, Maitudi, A Young, Downing and a few others linked up look good too.

Big spending for LFC this summer...it's just a matter of deciding how good the wonderkids are as they've exceeded expectations (Kelly, Flanagan and others like Suso and Coady).

got_it_4_cheap

May 19th, 2011, 12:37 AM

Man Utd's Wayne Rooney threatens Twitter follower

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has told a Twitter follower: "I'll put u asleep within 10 seconds" after being provoked on the social networking site.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13449957.stm

rooney :lol:

anyone else think rooney would be in jail right now if he wasn't good in football?

hyperion

May 19th, 2011, 08:06 AM

Maybe Rooney knows some great lullabies.

hyperion

May 19th, 2011, 08:21 AM

Tornado F2

May 19th, 2011, 10:43 AM

anyone else think rooney would be in jail right now if he wasn't good in football?

Nah, the UK isn't as prison-crazy as the US. If Rooney could be locked up for acting or speaking like he does they'd have to lock up all the scousers, geordies, and cockneys too. And the UK government seems to be broke as it is.

Players who would otherwise have spent time in jail though include Woodgate, Bowyer, Gerrard, Pennant, etc. And of course Barton and Duncan Ferguson DID spend time locked up. Quite a few players have spent time in prison for vehicular homicide too, but they are mostly in lower leagues after release.

Tornado F2

May 19th, 2011, 10:54 AM

Gary Neville expects Beckham and a reunited Class of '92 to be at his testimonial next Tuesday. How many can you recognise? And how old must they look now? Time is cruel! :razz:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/05/17/article-1388004-0B87AD00000005DC-929_634x405.jpg

Meanwhile, United's lineup for the Barca game seems to have been leaked. Rooney, Chicharito, Berbatov, Giggs, Nani and Scholes to start:

http://store.manutd.com/stores/manutd/products/product_browse.aspx?free_text=uefafinalshirts&portal=DG21K8C8&DCMP=EMC-MANUDG21K8C8&hq_e=el&hq_m=2202129&hq_l=7&hq_v=f4f0286459

:razz:

Looks like Barca play in traditional colours while United play in white again, but we'll not let that stop us this time.

http://store.manutd.com/stores/product_images/mufc-93157.jpg?width=400&height=400&quality=95

hyperion

May 19th, 2011, 11:24 AM

Nah, the UK isn't as prison-crazy as the US. If Rooney could be locked up for acting or speaking like he does they'd have to lock up all the scousers, geordies, and cockneys too. And the UK government seems to be broke as it is.

Players who would otherwise have spent time in jail though include Woodgate, Bowyer, Gerrard, Pennant, etc. And of course Barton and Duncan Ferguson DID spend time locked up. Quite a few players have spent time in prison for vehicular homicide too, but they are mostly in lower leagues after release.

Here's how Rooney would look if he wasn't good at football.

http://a0.twimg.com/profile_images/1355961205/gr.jpg

elty

May 19th, 2011, 11:27 AM

A very interesting article on Prem finances:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/19/premier-league-finances-black-hole

"All the clubs in the top seven made substantial losses except Arsenal, whose record income of £382m, and £56m profit, were swollen by £156m made from the Highbury development."

So not even Arsenal would have made a profit if it wasn't for the exceptional income from their Highbury flats. They would have lost £100m.

The 156 million from the property development is listed under TURN OVER. Since I don't think you can build condo for free chances are they don't pocket the entire 156 million as profit.

If you actually read further below, in the 6 months where there is no property revenue, Arsenal lost 6 million. Not very good but far from losing 100m.

Tornado F2

May 19th, 2011, 11:58 AM

Here's how Rooney would look if he wasn't good at football.

A typical scouser? From the blue side of town anyway. Add a moustache for one from the red side. :razz:

sinnacle

May 19th, 2011, 12:20 PM

I must admit from the outside never been a big fan of Rooney's personality but I highly enjoy him on twitter. He seems to be having fun with it so far and is much better than the robot who handles Ronaldo's tweets.

Also enjoy Michael Owen too....boy he must catch some grief from Newcastle and Liverpool fans.

got_it_4_cheap

May 19th, 2011, 12:26 PM

altintop has signed with madrid so he can warm the bench and sell some shirts in turkey :lol:

no transfer fee, depth signing, i'm ok with it

Tornado F2

May 19th, 2011, 01:10 PM

altintop has signed with madrid so he can warm the bench and sell some shirts in turkey :lol:

no transfer fee, depth signing, i'm ok with it

I don't understand how your lot haven't discovered Asia yet. Are they still using maps created by Columbus? :lol:

BTW, speaking of Columbus, here's a fun fact: There's a statue of Columbus in Barcelona - pointing east, out toward the Mediterranean. Seems the people behind it were unaware of the New World's actual location. :facepalm: :razz:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Monument,_Barcelona

"At the very top of the monument stands a 7.2 m (24 ft) tall bronze statue atop a 40 m (131 ft) tall Corinthian column. The statue was sculpted by Rafael Atché and is said to depict Columbus pointing towards the New World with his right hand, while holding a scroll in the left. As it was sited, instead of pointing to the west towards the New World, the statue points east towards Columbus's supposed home city of Genoa".

I noticed it was wrong the moment I saw it. Funnily enough, my own next stop was Genoa, and I'd started out here in the New World. I took his trip backward. :)

krash322

May 19th, 2011, 02:36 PM

God, everyone knows that. You need to delete that ****, the popo will come after you with their super-injunction!

Apparently the super-injunction is only enforceable in England. :razz:

That's why other countries' press has outted him. I wonder now if this will affect Fergie's team selection for the CL Final. Not 100% sure if Giggs was going to start against Barca anyways. But it will be interesting to see if Fergie goes with loyalty (start Giggs) or principle (bench him), as we all know how we treats players who have been distractions to the club.

Tornado F2

May 19th, 2011, 02:50 PM

Apparently the super-injunction is only enforceable in England. :razz:

That's why other countries' press has outted him. I wonder now if this will affect Fergie's team selection for the CL Final. Not 100% sure if Giggs was going to start against Barca anyways. But it will be interesting to see if Fergie goes with loyalty (start Giggs) or principle (bench him), as we all know how we treats players who have been distractions to the club.

There's no question, if we want to WIN this year's ChLg we HAVE to play Giggs. He's just that good. Compare our results this season with and without him.

Interesting timing for these allegations, whatever they are, to come out. Obviously those jealous of United's continuing success are behind this.

I'm going to pay it all the attention it deserves - NONE.

rooney11

May 19th, 2011, 03:17 PM

Here's how Rooney would look if he wasn't good at football.

http://a0.twimg.com/profile_images/1355961205/gr.jpg

Isn't that Rooney's brother?

I must admit from the outside never been a big fan of Rooney's personality but I highly enjoy him on twitter. He seems to be having fun with it so far and is much better than the robot who handles Ronaldo's tweets.

Also enjoy Michael Owen too....boy he must catch some grief from Newcastle and Liverpool fans.

Phil and Gary Neville are pretty funny too, everyone is always making fun of Piers Morgan.

altintop has signed with madrid so he can warm the bench and sell some shirts in turkey :lol:

no transfer fee, depth signing, i'm ok with it

:facepalm: Diarra, Gago, Di Maria, Alonso, Ozil, M. Diarra, Sahin, Khedira, Kaka, Leon, Granero, and Canales

There's no question, if we want to WIN this year's ChLg we HAVE to play Giggs. He's just that good. Compare our results this season with and without him.

Interesting timing for these allegations, whatever they are, to come out. Obviously those jealous of United's continuing success are behind this.

I'm going to pay it all the attention it deserves - NONE.

We probably line up like this:

VDS
Rafael-Rio-Vidic-Evra
Valencia-Carrick-Giggs-Park
Rooney
Hernandez

Tornado F2

May 19th, 2011, 04:10 PM

We probably line up like this:

VDS
Rafael-Rio-Vidic-Evra
Valencia-Carrick-Giggs-Park
Rooney
Hernandez

Probably, although we might start with Nani or Scholes instead of Carrick, go for an early goal, then bring on Carrick to defend the lead (and avoid a red card:)).

There will possibly be a temptation to play Fletcher too, if he's fully fit, since he was robbed of the previous Final, but this match is too important for Fergie to give way to sentiment. I'm sure he'll put out the best squad he can, going for an early lead. As Madrid know all too well, whoever scores first in a Barca game probably wins. Luckily we can play keep-ball too these days. We just need to get that opening goal. After that Barca can roll and dive as much as they like, but they can't score without the ball. :lol:

hyperion

May 19th, 2011, 04:11 PM

altintop has signed with madrid so he can warm the bench and sell some shirts in turkey :lol:

no transfer fee, depth signing, i'm ok with it

Enjoy. You still have to pay his wages.

hyperion

May 19th, 2011, 04:17 PM

Phil and Gary Neville are pretty funny too, everyone is always making fun of Piers Morgan.

More like Piers is making fun of all of them (Shrek, his brother, Rio, Owen), and winning. Him and twitter are a match made in heaven, all these celebrities for him to heckle, just a keystroke away.

Tornado F2

May 19th, 2011, 04:38 PM

Enjoy. You still have to pay his wages.

He can join Kaka working in the shipping department. That way they can really move a lot of shirts. :razz:

got_it_4_cheap

May 19th, 2011, 04:58 PM

Enjoy. You still have to pay his wages.

you know he'll be sold to besiktas or some other turkish club in 2 years for a few millions and he'll get a rockstar treatment cause he used to play for madrid (like guti)

rooney11

May 19th, 2011, 05:04 PM

More like Piers is making fun of all of them (Shrek, his brother, Rio, Owen), and winning. Him and twitter are a match made in heaven, all these celebrities for him to heckle, just a keystroke away.

All piers does is make fun of their grammar, which doesnt make sense since they have a character limit (even through Rooney's would still make mistakes). And he's always comparing his viewership with Lord Sugar.

krash322

May 19th, 2011, 05:18 PM

We probably line up like this:

VDS
Rafael-Rio-Vidic-Evra
Valencia-Carrick-Giggs-Park
Rooney
Hernandez

Only uncertainty in Carrick and Giggs. Fletcher is better than Carrick, though not sure about his conditioning. Giggs, as much as people want to ignore it, will be distracted by the off-field stuff going on. Any top professional can be affected by this. If he has a bad game, Fergie will be kicking himself for playing Giggsy. If he starts, he'll probably have a short leash and Scholes/Carrick/Fletcher will come on for him if he struggles. Either way, I think we have enough quality in our subs to step in and make an impact. The starters will probably be chasing the ball quite a bit, with Barca's passing, so it will be important to have a good bench.

It's not surprising that it's the Spanish media that's making a big deal out of it, thinking it'll help Barca's cause. Next Saturday can't come quick enough for me.

got_it_4_cheap

May 19th, 2011, 08:42 PM

Anu13is

May 20th, 2011, 09:50 AM

man utd needs messi and xavi to have a bad game

if these two bring their A game ... man utd will be in trouble

also, david villa is having a worse season than ibra did last year so far (ibra got alot of criticism unlike villa)

villa: games started 32 goals scored 18
ibra: games started 23 goals scored 16

can he make it up in the cl final? we shall see

180m euros for CR7 to bring him to man city

http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/city-ofrecera-180-millones-cristiano/20110520dasdaiftb_15/Tes

make it 200m and we got a deal man city! :)I think the big difference between Villa and Ibra is the work rate. Villa started off the season really well but has essentially been in a goal drought since February. Despite this, he is always seen as a competitor, somebody that works hard. Ibra on the other hand often drifts in and out of games especially in big games. Sometimes strolling around nonchalantly similar to Berbatov.

As for the Ronaldo - Man city rumour, I'm sure city would love to have him but they also know that the new financial rules kick into effect pretty soon. For a club that wants to join the "big boys" in Europe, they'd have to be maintain their eligibility to play in the Champions League. A team of galacticos gets you nothing if you can't play in European competitions.

Tornado F2

May 20th, 2011, 10:25 AM

A team of galacticos gets you nothing if you can't play in European competitions.

And, in Madrid's case, even when you can. :razz:

Tornado F2

May 20th, 2011, 10:30 AM

Figured it was just a matter of time:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13469584.stm

The main reason United haven't already banned tweets is that Fergie still doesn't see the attraction:

"I don't know why anybody can be bothered with that stuff," he said.

"How do you find the time to do that? There are a million things you can do in your life without that.

"Get yourself down to the library and read a book. Seriously. It is a waste of time."

He probably hoped his players would just outgrow it.

Tornado F2

May 20th, 2011, 10:43 AM

- Real Madrid are willing to sell Cristiano Ronaldo for £150m after a rift developed between the Portugal star and manager Jose Mourinho.
Full story: Daily Mail

- Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour is prepared to offer Real £150m for Ronaldo but the bid is likely to be rejected by Madrid chief Florentino Perez. Mansour also has his eyes on Mourinho.
Full story: AS (in Spanish)

Yeah, right, somebody's going to pay £150m for CRon. :facepalm: Madrid would be very lucky to get back their insane purchase price, even if he is doing well in Spain.

City are far more likely to make a move for Jose. It would cost MUCH less to convince him to jump.

- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has placed a £60m price tag on captain Cesc Fabregas to ward off interest from Barcelona and Manchester City.
Full story: Daily Star

It would ward off Barca, but not City. But I don't see City going for him anyway.

- Brazilian midfielder Denilson is planning to quit Arsenal because he is frustrated after five years in London without a trophy.
Full story: the Sun

Who? Maybe they would have if he'd actually put in a bit more effort. I don't recall hearing his name in a long time.

- Lille's Ivory Coast international winger Gervinho is reported to be at the centre of a tug of war between Arsenal and Manchester City, despite Tottenham also being interested in signing the 23-year-old.
Full story: Metro

Isn't it a bit pretentious for a Francophone Ivorian to give himself a Portuguese name? :razz:

- Fifa president Sepp Blatter has described the Football Association's decision to abstain in the voting for the upcoming presidential election as "a bit strange".
Full story: the Guardian

He was probably expecting them to ask for payment in return for their vote, the way other FIFA delegates do.

got_it_4_cheap

May 20th, 2011, 11:59 AM

I think the big difference between Villa and Ibra is the work rate. Villa started off the season really well but has essentially been in a goal drought since February. Despite this, he is always seen as a competitor, somebody that works hard. Ibra on the other hand often drifts in and out of games especially in big games. Sometimes strolling around nonchalantly similar to Berbatov.

As for the Ronaldo - Man city rumour, I'm sure city would love to have him but they also know that the new financial rules kick into effect pretty soon. For a club that wants to join the "big boys" in Europe, they'd have to be maintain their eligibility to play in the Champions League. A team of galacticos gets you nothing if you can't play in European competitions.

if madrid doesn't win the league or cl next season, bye bye cr7, show me the money! 150 pounds is a great return. :cheesygri

Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez has told Argentinian radio he is looking to leave the club as he needs "a change of scene"

buy him and send adebayor back to man ciy!

A very Messi problem: Leo's sulking gives Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola a huge headache

The Argentine was in a bad mood after sitting out the goalless draw at home to Deportivo La Coruna and his coach now has a difficult decision to make at the weekend

By that time, news had filtered through of Cristiano Ronaldo’s two goals at Villarreal. Those strikes saw the Portuguese move a full seven clear of Messi in the race for the Pichichi (eight according to Marca), as well as emulating the Argentine in reaching a half-century of goals for the season. Messi could even be overtaken by the Portuguese now in all competitions – and he did not look amused.

In the end, he was shoved on to the pitch by physiotherapist Juanjo Brau - very much a father figure for Messi at Barca since the player's arrival as a tiny teenager - and persuaded to take part in the celebrations. Moments earlier, the official team photo had been taken, but with Messi missing. Reserve goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto, celebrating as if he had played the catalyst’s role in the team instead of making just a handful of appearances, coaxed and cajoled his team-mate into donning the official T-shirt, and the photo was retaken.

messi is mad cause ronaldo will be the top scorer in la liga :D

if i was pep, don't play him. no reason to risk him in a meaningless game

Tornado F2

May 20th, 2011, 02:51 PM

if madrid doesn't win the league or cl next season, bye bye cr7, show me the money! 150 pounds is a great return. :cheesygri

That's Madrid economics in a nutshell. 150 pounds return. Versus how many MILLIONS for United? :razz:

got_it_4_cheap

May 21st, 2011, 03:04 PM

Tornado F2

May 21st, 2011, 06:36 PM

http://estaticos02.marca.com/imagenes/2011/05/21/futbol/1adivision/1305905581_extras_portada_3.jpg

CR7!!!!!!!!!!

2 goals 2 assists tonight. 40 or 41 according to Marca league goals in 34 apps this season. La Liga's highest ever goals scorer in a single season. He broke hugo's record in his 2nd season @ real madrid.

his value just went up, u want cristiano ronaldo man city? give us 250m! :twisted:

100+ goals for real madrid this season and people say Mourinho's teams don't score much ... wrong!

It can't be all that hard in a league full of weak teams. 8 goals conceded - sheesh!

Congrats to CRon though, especially for making Messi cry. Unfortunately now that CRon has an "all competitions" lead over Messi, Messi is really going to want to score against United. Hopefully United can use that to our advantage. As our defence keep him at bay, especially Barclay's Player of the Year Vidic, he's going to become more and more frustrated. Once he starts waving his arms at imaginary wasps like CRon we'll know we've got him beat. :lol:

As for CRon's value, he's still not helped Madrid win the league yet. Or the ChLg. Knock off another 100M. Or more.

Edit: Just read that Almeria went down 8-0 to Barcelona in November. Madrid upstaged by Barca yet again. :)

got_it_4_cheap

May 21st, 2011, 07:01 PM

i remember chelsea scoring 8 on the 2nd last matchday of the season last year, i guess epl ain't hard either :razz:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csFtMsqXijY&NR=1&feature=fvwp

one of my fav commercial's of all time

depor relegated ... not so long ago they were amazing ... beating man utd, barca, arsenal, madrid, milan ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgc6nB_QY0U&feature=related

hyperion

May 21st, 2011, 08:45 PM

Does Christina even play winger anymore, how did he score so many goals?

Congrats on beating Messi and breaking all those records though.

got_it_4_cheap

May 21st, 2011, 09:07 PM

Does Christina even play winger anymore, how did he score so many goals?

Congrats on beating Messi and breaking all those records though.

ronaldo and messi have both scored 50+ goals this season ... these two are something else

last few games ronaldo's teammates helped out by trying to set him up for goals ... also no stopping ronaldo when he scores fks like this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imHZ4x5i3EY

nice setup by ronaldo for Joselu's goal today(up and coming player, Real Madrid Castilla): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nieXJu43ec&feature=player_embedded

man adebayor looks so happy @ madrid ... unlike in mancity

Tornado F2

May 21st, 2011, 10:43 PM

Does Christina even play winger anymore, how did he score so many goals?

Congrats on beating Messi and breaking all those records though.

Imagine how he could have done at United if he'd been played alone up front, without Ruud/Roo/Tevez in the box with him. With United's service he could have racked up a ton too, perhaps not as many as in Spain, but certainly golden boot-worthy. I did wish we'd tried him more in the centre-forward role, especially after seeing him play that way once for Portugal. He'd be more useful there, rather than further back kicking free kicks straight into the wall. :)

Tornado F2

May 21st, 2011, 10:45 PM

man adebayor looks so happy @ madrid ... unlike in mancity

He's always happy - for half a season. Remember how much fun he was having throwing snowballs at Robinho, or scoring against Arsenal? See how he is if he's still around next season.

Tornado F2

May 21st, 2011, 10:59 PM

i remember chelsea scoring 8 on the 2nd last matchday of the season last year, i guess epl ain't hard either :razz:

They were leading 21-1 on aggregate 5 games into this season too, but things got a lot more competitive for everybody after that. Good job United play the full season, as my sig says, and were able to turn things around. :D

Man, why do we have to keep waiting for our trophy. We could have had it this morning, but for whatever reason we're having to wait until 1PM (EST) tomorrow. It seems like an eternity. And we want to start prepping for Neville's testimonial... :)

got_it_4_cheap

May 22nd, 2011, 02:12 AM

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx268/unamadridista/unamadridista5/marca2011-05-1905.jpg

most successful gk ever? he finally added copa del rey to his list

buffon never won cl or euro iirc

looking forward to summer where every top player will be linked with a move to man city :lol::razz:

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx268/unamadridista/unamadridista5/2011-05-18-banquillo-06a.gif

Tornado F2

May 22nd, 2011, 02:15 AM

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx268/unamadridista/unamadridista5/marca2011-05-1905.jpg

Note how he's not entrusted with REAL trophies anymore. :lol:

Or maybe those are the real trophies - after they got flattened under the bus! :razz:

The Ajax goalie dropped the Dutch cup during their parade too. :facepalm:

Tornado F2

May 22nd, 2011, 09:07 AM

Bye Owen. Shame we hardly got to know you:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13492384.stm

Hopefully things will work out better for you in the MLS. Or possibly Bolton.

Tornado F2

May 22nd, 2011, 10:01 AM

517: MAN UTD v BLACKPOOL (1600)
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway: "It will be the end of the world. It will definitely feel like that. You can't be a football manager, or a player, or have anything to do with a club and be happy if you go down. (But) there is no danger of not being in existence. We will not go out of business. We have contracts to protect the club that other clubs don't. More fool them." Man Utd keeper Edwin van der Sar on his final league appearance: "It is a sad moment. You don't look forward to those. I just have to make the best of it. It is only in the last two weeks that it has really sunk in that I am running out of time. Hopefully though, the memories I will get this weekend I will be able to keep with me for the rest of my life."

1513: TEAM NEWS SNAP
Sir Alex Ferguson picks a strong Man Utd XI against Blackpool, with Vidic, Scholes, Berbatov and Nani all in the starting line-up.

I'll hate to see Blackpool go down at the end of this game, but United still have records to play for, and today's squad will be playing for ChLg Final places. Should be a great, open, attacking game though. Hope everybody gets to enjoy it, regardless of the outcome.

Tornado F2

May 22nd, 2011, 10:04 AM

Hide team line-ups and match stats

Man Utd
01 Van der Sar
03 Evra
15 Vidic
21 Rafael
23 Evans
08 Anderson
13 Park Ji-Sung
17 Nani
18 Scholes
24 Fletcher
09 Berbatov
Substitutes
34 Lindegaard, 05 Ferdinand, 12 Smalling, 25 Valencia, 28 Gibson, 07 Owen, 10 Rooney

Blackpool
21 Gilks
03 Crainey
05 Eardley
06 Evatt
15 Baptiste
04 Southern
11 Vaughan
26 Adam
42 Puncheon
12 Taylor-Fletcher
39 Campbell
Substitutes
28 Kingson, 20 Cathcart, 23 Phillips, 09 Harewood, 10 Ormerod, 16 Varney, 44 Beattie

Let the battle commence... :)

got_it_4_cheap

May 22nd, 2011, 12:39 PM

I wouldn't include the Super Cup as it is a bit of a Charity Shield and I wouldn't include the World Championship which is a bit of a circus.
How would you value the competitions?
I've always loved the status and glamour of Old Big Ears and I would value it above all as you need to be an exceptional team to win it. 10 points
In these UCL days the league is not coveted as much especially in other countries and to an extent in this country - I would value the league at 7 points.
The UEFA or Europa League has been devalued of late but I would still place that alongside the FA Cup(especially due to the difficuly of winning it the past) - 5 points
The FA Cup has a great history that I can't mark down(it was once treated almost on a par with the League) but it's gloss has faded - still worth - 5 points
League Cup - this was once an important trophy and even now is still worth winning(especially against the mancs, Everton) but the lowest importance - 3 points

So how do we match up overall(I've tried to be unbiased and valued the above before I worked the totals out).

Mighty Reds scumbags
UCL (5-3) 50 30
League (18-19) 126 133
UEFA/Cup Winners Cup(3-1) 15 5
F.A Cup (7-11) 35 55
League Cup (7-4)
21 12 ==============
257 235

Taken as whole I think our record is second to none in England by about 2 European Cups

so there u have it, according to RAWK, it is still liverpool > man utd

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx268/unamadridista/unamadridista5/2011-05-21-joselu-gol-01a.gif

hope to see ronaldo do this more often next year, nice assist

jr!

May 22nd, 2011, 12:43 PM

Imagine how he could have done at United if he'd been played alone up front, without Ruud/Roo/Tevez in the box with him. With United's service he could have racked up a ton too, perhaps not as many as in Spain, but certainly golden boot-worthy. I did wish we'd tried him more in the centre-forward role, especially after seeing him play that way once for Portugal. He'd be more useful there, rather than further back kicking free kicks straight into the wall. :)

Keep dreaming
He wouldn't have scored nearly as many as he scored this season.
Why? What united midfielder is as good as Özil, who had 25 assists this season?
Answer: none.

Tornado F2

May 22nd, 2011, 12:45 PM

A Dobson-esque gaffe on the BBC:

Man City boss Roberto Mancini: "It was a perfect day and makes up for all the nonsense we've had to put up with in the last few months. We've been on a terrible run but we've finished strongly and ended up 10th, which is where we wanted to be in the first place. To finish above Newcastle will put a smile on the face of everyone in Sunderland."

:lol:

Speaking of SN, glad that TSN carried United's game today instead. They stuck around until Vidic lifted the trophy, but then even they (or rather ESPN) cut away instead of showing the trophy being passed around. Lets hope the Footy Show guys will show the actual team celebrations in their 2PM show. 19th time deserves a bit more respect from our broadcasters.

Speaking of which, loved seeing a banner at OT that read "019 Times". Gotta love that forward planning. :lol:

elty

May 22nd, 2011, 12:54 PM

Sigh, Blackpool is down.

got_it_4_cheap

May 22nd, 2011, 12:57 PM

Sigh, Blackpool is down.

i know

wtf man utd? u already won the title, didn't need to relegate blackpool

Owen:

"If you can't beat them, join them!"

i bet liverpool fans love him even more now :lol:

Keep dreaming
He wouldn't have scored nearly as many as he scored this season.
Why? What united midfielder is as good as Özil, who had 25 assists this season?
Answer: none.

yeah ozil is a world class midfielder :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc-wF0lOeEU

Tornado F2

May 22nd, 2011, 02:15 PM

i know

wtf man utd? u already won the title, didn't need to relegate blackpool

Owen:

"If you can't beat them, join them!"

i bet liverpool fans love him even more now :lol:

(Darn, typed in a great season summary, but it vanished the moment I hit "submit". Oh well).

Anyway, did he actually say that? Maybe we'll let him stick around for another season then.

As for Blackpool, we certainly gave them a game, but we didn't relegate them. The damage was already done. Glad it didn't turn out to be their og that relegated them though - that would have been cruel. As it stands, they MIGHT join also-relegated Birmingham in Europa next year. How odd. :-0 But also deserved too. Now the rest of Europe will hopefully come to recognise their principal landmark, the Blackpool Tower, and their Golden Mile of sandy beaches. They deserve it. :) (And it's about time - 120 years!)

http://www.bqf.org.uk/innovation/wp-content/uldrs/2011/01/blackpool.jpg

jr!

May 22nd, 2011, 02:25 PM

i know

wtf man utd? u already won the title, didn't need to relegate blackpool
yeah ozil is a world class midfielder :)

Ya, too bad they didn't field the reserves, I had Charlie Adam as my FPL captain this week, anticipating that. :mad:

And don't forget that Real Madrid Özil (& Sahin for that matter too!) were "gotten 4 cheap"! :lol: by Real Madrid!
Özil is easily worth twice what he was bought for now!

But for all of twinkle toes' exploits this season, without some real studs in central defence, RM won't win anything again next year.
Sexy midfielders & strikers may sell you tons of jerseys, but it's the unsexy defenders who win you cups!

Must also mention: ANCELOTTI GONE FROM CHEL$KI!!!!
Wonder who they'll hire now? My guess is the young manager at Porto (always forget his name) may return (he was an assistant under Moaning ho)

Tornado F2

May 22nd, 2011, 02:52 PM

Ya, too bad they didn't field the reserves, I had Charlie Adam as my FPL captain this week, anticipating that. :mad:

And don't forget that Real Madrid Özil (& Sahin for that matter too!) were "gotten 4 cheap"! :lol: by Real Madrid!
Özil is easily worth twice what he was bought for now!

But for all of twinkle toes' exploits this season, without some real studs in central defence, RM won't win anything again next year.
Sexy midfielders & strikers may sell you tons of jerseys, but it's the unsexy defenders who win you cups!

Must also mention: ANCELOTTI GONE FROM CHEL$KI!!!!
Wonder who they'll hire now? My guess is the young manager at Porto (always forget his name) may return (he was an assistant under Moaning ho)

I'll LOL if Chelsea haven't got a top manager already lined up. And I'll ROTFLMAO if Rafa somehow gets the job. :lol:

Shame for Ancelotti. He was a good manager at Milan, helped Chelsea to the title last year (mostly thanks to Rooney's late-season injury), and helped them to 2nd this year, despite the idiotic firing of Wilkins. Hopefully Chel$ki will reap what they sow next season.

As for United, you could say we fielded quite a few 2nd-stringers today, like Evans, Fletcher, Anderson - even Berba and Park, in an odd way, who sit out many games - but as Schalke discovered our 2nd-string are very good too. :) I'm not sure what "improvements" Rooney expected us to make.

Tornado F2

May 22nd, 2011, 03:05 PM

Keep dreaming
He wouldn't have scored nearly as many as he scored this season.
Why? What united midfielder is as good as Özil, who had 25 assists this season?
Answer: none.

I don't get to watch Ozil, so I have no idea how he compares with Giggs/Park/Valencia/Rooney/Nani/etc, but the key thing is that United are very much a team, not a collection of expensive shirt models. No matter what squad we put out, we always create multiple opportunities for our strikers, from multiple directions, and we keep on playing until we win. We win the EPL title 2 seasons out of every 3, and have done so consistently for 2 decades, and we're regular CHLg Finalists. It's not my dream, it's CRon's dream - and the United players are living it! CRon and Ozil get to watch on enviously from the sidelines. :lol:

jr!

May 22nd, 2011, 05:46 PM

I'll LOL if Chelsea haven't got a top manager already lined up. And I'll ROTFLMAO if Rafa somehow gets the job. :lol:

Wow, I don't think that will happen!!

hyperion

May 22nd, 2011, 08:23 PM

krash322

May 22nd, 2011, 08:33 PM

elty

May 23rd, 2011, 12:34 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-i6uCw0nxg&hd=1

Tornado F2

May 23rd, 2011, 02:19 AM

Wow, I don't think that will happen!!

Well he DID get LFC to the ChLg Final (Roman's great dream) twice, and Valencia too, iirc, so if he could do that with small clubs, imagine what he could do with a bigger club like Chel$ki. Or Inter. Oh, right. :lol: C'mon Roman, Rafa's your man. And apparently the scousers aren't taking him back... so he's available. :razz:

Tornado F2

May 23rd, 2011, 02:23 AM

Interesting interview with Dani Alves:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/22/dani-alves-barcelona-champions-league-united

I think Holloway is a good manager but his ridiculous asking price for Adam more than bit him in the ass. I think the turned down a 15 million pound offer from Liverpool at the last minute. I'm glad they did, because he's not worth that. But imagine what he could have done even with 10 million pounds, he could have more than reinforced his squad in the January break. Instead he kept a pissed off Adam.

If LFC's offer came too late to spend it, he was right to keep him. Look how Sunderland's season nosedived when they failed to replace Bent. Blackpool wouldn't have stood a chance of survival if they'd lost him and not found adequate, and affordable, replacements. Maybe you should have offered Gerrard instead, as a straight swap. You obviously no longer need him.

Tornado F2

May 23rd, 2011, 02:33 AM

Gus Hiddink will be at the top of the Chelski managerial list.

Lotsa drama today, things were changing by the minute. Shame that Blackpool had to face Utd. For the integrity of the game, we had to play to win and if it wasn't for Berbaflop's constant miscues, the score would have been 7-2. After his good start, he's been all downhill. I hope one of our three signings will be a new striker.

Is it Saturday yet??!! :lol:

Berba hasn't had the regular starts that strikers need to keep on top of their form. In spite of that, he does seem to be keeping up his improved workrate, helping his teammates, and most importantly of all, he now has a smile on his face. All the United players now seem to have the team-first mentality, even players who in the past were more self-centred, and I believe that unity will carry us forward. So long as Berb is willing to accept a limited role, if that's what Fergie chooses to do, then I have no problem with keeping him. And with our talented youngsters available on return from their loans I'm sure we are already well set up front. Our obvious summer requirements are in goal and in midfield. Bring in top-notch replacements for VDS and Hargreaves and we'll be all set for another treble. Or several... :)

got_it_4_cheap

May 23rd, 2011, 11:09 AM

On 14 May 1994, Deportivo de La Coruña were a solitary win away from a first ever league title, head to head with Barcelona. They were up against Valencia, who had nothing to play for. It was 0-0 at Riazor when Depor got a 90th-minute penalty. A terrified Bebeto decided he couldn't take it. A terrified Miroslav Djukic did. José Luis González saved it. Worse, he leapt to his feet and punched the air, celebrating, dancing on his opponent's grave. While he was celebrating that May day in 1994, another Valencia player fell to the ground in relief and joy. As if he had actually won something.

Deportivo fans thought he had; they thought the infamous maletínes had made another appearance. The following year, fake bank notes rained down from the Riazor stands when Valencia visited and, in 2008, they had their suspicions confirmed. Fernando Giner, Valencia's centre-back, admitted that his players had been offered a "sizeable bonus" from Barcelona to win the match and hand the Catalans the title; it was, he conceded, "bitter cash". This week, Cayetano Ros tracked down three more members of that Valencia team who anonymously confirmed that they had been on a bonus from Barcelona, collecting 50m pesetas in a motorway-side meeting the following week.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/may/23/depor-are-super-no-more

so that's how barca's dream team won 4 straight la liga titles :-0

Tornado F2

May 23rd, 2011, 11:59 AM

got_it_4_cheap

May 23rd, 2011, 12:37 PM

Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming has used parliamentary privilege to identify the footballer at the centre of an injunction row as Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs

oh noes! think of the children! bad role model! :razz: i guess giggs will not become sir giggs anytime soon.

Bendtner tells Arsenal he wants out

and now fab should come out and say it too :razz:

Tornado F2

May 23rd, 2011, 01:11 PM

Bendtner tells Arsenal he wants out

and now fab should come out and say it too :razz:

Things must be bad at Arsenal if even Bender thinks he's bigger than the club. What's next for him? Wigan?

Tornado F2

May 23rd, 2011, 01:40 PM

They should call Torres "The Terminator" for all the managers being fired as a result of his limp performances. THREE in the past 12 months.

"Toros" is the Spanish word for a bull. Soon "Torres" will become synonymous with bull feces. :razz:

I just did a Google search for "torres" pictures - and no Chelsea ones show up. Just LFC, Atletico, ripped jeans, and Spain. Obviously Chelsea fans see no reason to worship him like scousers once did. :lol:

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRMl06cqzVO_OwyjocjoLIZAzQYfgGK fCZXalV8dpDJuZ2sfKjKg

Tornado F2

May 23rd, 2011, 02:11 PM

Beckham hails Man Utd's title-winning team

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13511471.stm

Beckham, who won six Premier League titles during his career at Old Trafford, believes the current squad have the hallmark of a Championship-winning United team under Ferguson.

"They have won the league again and they're in the Champions League final," said the 36-year-old LA Galaxy midfielder.

"They have that togetherness that every United side has had under Sir Alex Ferguson and they will continue to have that."

Bet he can't wait to get back in a United shirt and run out on the pitch at OT. :lol:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/24/article-0-001B30E400000258-254_233x397.jpg

Tornado F2

May 23rd, 2011, 02:34 PM

Manchester City's big day - 35 years in the making (or at least waiting):

(Wonder how many trophies United have collected in that time?) :?:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/05/23/article-1390101-0C3A995000000578-831_306x475.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/05/23/article-1390101-0C3A740000000578-226_634x378.jpg

Don't drop it Carlos! (That'd serve management right for threatening to fine him if he didn't show up). :lol:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/05/23/article-1390101-0C3A711D00000578-870_634x414.jpg

At least there are plenty of catchers at the ready. (Surprised they're not wearing helmets). :)

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/05/23/article-1390101-0C3A79DB00000578-866_634x363.jpg

The council can't dare ban United from having their own parade now. :razz:

jr!

May 23rd, 2011, 04:22 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-i6uCw0nxg&hd=1

Good for him!
Love it!

German Super Cup in July will be a Ruhr Derby: Borussia Dortmund - Scheisse 04. That should be interesting.

got_it_4_cheap

May 23rd, 2011, 07:55 PM

Aguero asks to leave Atletico Madrid

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/922916/sergio-aguero-asks-to-leave-atletico-madrid?cc=5901

if i ran chelsea, i would offer torres for aguero

lol if he switches from atletico madrid to real madrid ... just imagine the atmosphere in atleti-real matches next season :-0

Madchester

May 23rd, 2011, 08:00 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBQCUjz4lRI

Tornado F2

May 24th, 2011, 09:04 AM

Ready for next season?

http://store.manutd.com/stores/manutd/news/7251/7.jpg

http://store.manutd.com/stores/manutd/news/7251/8.jpg

http://store.manutd.com/stores/manutd/news/7251/13.jpg

Tornado F2

May 24th, 2011, 09:45 AM

EPL MANAGERS' TEAM OF DECADE

GK: Edwin van der Sar
RB: Gary Neville
CB: Nemanja Vidic
CB: John Terry
LB: Ashley Cole
RM: Cristiano Ronaldo
CM: Steven Gerrard
CM: Paul Scholes
LM: Ryan Giggs
S: Didier Drogba
S: Alan Shearer

Looks to me like they had to tweak it to keep it from becoming even more United-dominated. Surely Rooney and/or Ruud should be in there too.

hyperion

May 24th, 2011, 12:27 PM

Now we know the secret behind Giggs' revitalized play this season. :D

got_it_4_cheap

May 24th, 2011, 12:59 PM

Guillem Balague says de Gea has accepted man utd's offer now and the deal agreed between the clubs two months ago via Mendes - £17m - is done and only waiting on announcement.

also, sid lowe says there is a good possibility that kun will be coming to real madrid.

forlan also could be sold

hard times for atletico ahead unless they replace these players with good buys like valencia did last year

hyperion

May 24th, 2011, 01:08 PM

Interesting that ManU went with De Gea, but he is very good from what I saw.

got_it_4_cheap

May 24th, 2011, 01:14 PM

casillas
valdes
reina
de gea

man spain knows how to develop good gks!

hyperion

May 24th, 2011, 01:51 PM

Heard your team also agreed on Coentrao. Bastards. Give us back Arbeloa then.

got_it_4_cheap

May 24th, 2011, 03:15 PM

^^ still don't understand why pool sold him to madrid for 3m, should have just loaned him to us and put a buy back clause in. :razz: now u gotta pay at least 10 to get him back and i doubt he wants to leave madrid

Canales is going to Villarreal for around 12M once Rossi is sold to Barca, he will have the chance to play in UCL next season and Madrid will keep the option of signing him back in the future.

he was supposed to get more playing time but ozil had other ideas ... hell even kaka can't get starting spot thanks to ozil!

http://s5.as.com/recorte/20110524dasdasftb_57/XLCO/Ies/20110524dasdasftb_57.jpg

home jersey is growing on me ...

rooney11

May 24th, 2011, 06:34 PM

http://i.imgur.com/SWYcC.png

http://i.imgur.com/Sm3L0.png

elty

May 24th, 2011, 07:29 PM

Wonder when will Real get rid of bwin. Degrade the otherwise good kit.

rooney11

May 24th, 2011, 07:31 PM

Wonder when will Real get rid of bwin. Degrade the otherwise good kit.

its better than Qatar Foundation.

elty

May 24th, 2011, 07:53 PM

its better than Qatar Foundation.

Obviously. I would say bwin is better than AIG as well.

Anyways, in terms of sponsor I don't mind to have Sharp, Carlsberg or Autonomy. Actually I think Autonomy is pretty cool.

Tornado F2

May 24th, 2011, 07:56 PM

Now we know the secret behind Giggs' revitalized play this season. :D

It's all just allegations, so far as I know, but it did cross my mind that similar claims were being made last season when Rooney was on fire. Hate to say it, but it looks like footballers who play around also play better. That must be why so many otherwise successful players are making such dumb moves these days, like Terry and Cashley. That could also explain why other players' performances drop off soon after they marry, like Ruud and Torres.

Tornado F2

May 24th, 2011, 08:05 PM

its better than Qatar Foundation.

Or Chartered Accountants (or whatever). They're both boring, anonymous, bureaucratic-sounding names. Might as well just say "Gray Men", or whatever term Princess Di used.

hyperion

May 24th, 2011, 08:08 PM

Or Chartered Accountants (or whatever). They're both boring, anonymous, bureaucratic-sounding names. Might as well just say "Gray Men", or whatever term Princess Di used.

LOL what an inane discussion.

Anyway, Standard Chartered > AON. :razz:

got_it_4_cheap

May 24th, 2011, 08:57 PM

Obviously. I would say bwin is better than AIG as well.

Anyways, in terms of sponsor I don't mind to have Sharp, Carlsberg or Autonomy. Actually I think Autonomy is pretty cool.

yeah sharp man utd kit was nice, so was sony juve kit

http://www.classicfootballshirts.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/0dc2d03fe217f8c83829496872af24a0/i/m/image_43773.jpg

Tornado F2

May 24th, 2011, 10:06 PM

Anyway, Standard Chartered > AON. :razz:

I really wouldn't know. They're all boring w/bankers to me. :razz:

I'd like to see clubs sponsored by local businesses relevant to their location, such as engineering and manufacturing companies in Manchester, steel works in Sheffield, fashion in Milan, cars in Munich and Turin, Royal Navy in Portsmouth, Cunard in Southampton, dole office in Liverpool, etc.

rooney11

May 24th, 2011, 10:41 PM

LOL what an inane discussion.

Anyway, Standard Chartered > AON. :razz:
http://www.footballmad.net/images/new-liverpool-kit.jpgvshttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/5754848570_fa2789f5a9.jpg

:lol:

got_it_4_cheap

May 24th, 2011, 10:48 PM

^^ both are garbage, there, happy guys? :razz:

best kits are the one's with no sponsor logos

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/PA-516922.jpg

Tornado F2

May 25th, 2011, 01:18 AM

As the email says, only the truly great wear THIS shirt:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/5754848570_fa2789f5a9.jpg

:D

As for De Gea - what a lucky boy if it all goes through. At just 20 years old he might even get to overtake Giggsy's amazing (current) record of 12 EPL winners' medals. Continuing United's performance over the past 2 decades, he could have at least 13 titles by the time he reaches VDS's age - 40. Just like the number on his shirt. :lol:

Then again, Giggs will probably win another 1 or 2 before he finally hangs up his boots and moves on into management. He really has got an unbeatable record, hasn't he? Only Scholes has any possibility of catching up, IF he can somehow outlast Giggs.

Tornado F2

May 25th, 2011, 01:22 AM

best kits are the one's with no sponsor logos

I remember Liverpool managed that ONCE, a couple of seasons ago, in a match in France iirc. I suspect their deal with Carlsberg had expired and was being renegotiated at the time. Either that, or else there was a local ban on alcohol advertising.

http://www.offthepost.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/liverpool-sponsor.jpg

Ha ha, looks like WHam and West Brom played without sponsors on their shirts that same week, both due to losing their sponsors:

http://www.offthepost.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/west-brom-ham-sponsor1.jpg

Tornado F2

May 25th, 2011, 01:36 AM

Came across these on the same page:

New City crest

http://www.offthepost.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/man-city-logo.jpg

Google hates Spurs

http://www.offthepost.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/google-spurs.gif

:)

got_it_4_cheap

May 25th, 2011, 08:50 AM

Xabi Alonso has revealed he had no choice but to leave Liverpool once Rafael Benitez made it clear he was planning to sign a replacement in midfield and he no longer had the full confidence of the manager.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/923244/xabi-alonso-blames-rafael-benitez-for-exit-from-liverpool?cc=5901

bad move by benitez

rooney11

May 25th, 2011, 09:28 AM

I remember Liverpool managed that ONCE, a couple of seasons ago, in a match in France iirc. I suspect their deal with Carlsberg had expired and was being renegotiated at the time. Either that, or else there was a local ban on alcohol advertising.

http://www.offthepost.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/liverpool-sponsor.jpg

Ha ha, looks like WHam and West Brom played without sponsors on their shirts that same week, both due to losing their sponsors:

http://www.offthepost.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/west-brom-ham-sponsor1.jpg

France probits alcoholic sponsors on shirts.

got_it_4_cheap

May 25th, 2011, 09:57 AM

Bayern Munich have pulled out of talks with Benfica after being informed that Coentrao's destination will be Real Madrid.

is this guy any good? :confused: i don't watch Portuguese league at all

hyperion

May 25th, 2011, 10:47 AM

rooney11

May 25th, 2011, 11:26 AM

Bayern Munich have pulled out of talks with Benfica after being informed that Coentrao's destination will be Real Madrid.

is this guy any good? :confused: i don't watch Portuguese league at all

He's pretty good, Marcelo will be pissed!

got_it_4_cheap

May 25th, 2011, 12:17 PM

Jorge Valdano leaves Madrid

mourinho wins

Sergio Aguero has chosen to go to Real Madrid - Atletico Madrid defender Tomas Ujfalusi

The defender told Radio Sportiva. "For three or four months we [have] known he wanted to go. What is clear is [that] he has chosen to [go to] Real Madrid."

The 22-year-old has been at Atleti since joining from Independiente in 2006 and is the club's top scorer this season with 26 goals in all competitions.

'Kun' has been linked with moves to some of Europe's top clubs, including Chelsea, Inter and Juventus, but Real appear to be leading the chase. Ujfalusi added that he is unsure as to what the fan response will be to such a transfer.

Tornado F2

May 25th, 2011, 02:23 PM

'Kun' has been linked with moves to some of Europe's top clubs, including Chelsea, Inter and Juventus, but Real appear to be leading the chase. Ujfalusi added that he is unsure as to what the fan response will be to such a transfer.[/I]

It shouldn't be hard to guess. Something like Tevez moving to City - if we'd actually missed him. Probably more like when Cashley jumped ship from Arsenal to Chel$ki. THAT really got the fans worked up.

Tornado F2

May 25th, 2011, 02:28 PM

FIFA finally investigating some officials for corruption - now that one of them has dared to run against Blatter:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13544347.stm

Suspicious, no? - as Jose would say.

BTW, speaking of Jose: When he got in trouble with UEFA for his comments after the Barca games, did CRon get punished at all for his own negative comments against the referees, and against UEFA itself ("Just hand Barca the trophy in future")? Or is he the real "Special One", immune from punishment? :?: Fergie would have been hung, drawn and quartered for similar comments.

krash322

May 25th, 2011, 04:30 PM

It's all just allegations, so far as I know, but it did cross my mind that similar claims were being made last season when Rooney was on fire. Hate to say it, but it looks like footballers who play around also play better. That must be why so many otherwise successful players are making such dumb moves these days, like Terry and Cashley. That could also explain why other players' performances drop off soon after they marry, like Ruud and Torres.

All allegations? Hard to believe you're so naive to think so. Apparently it was not a big secret around town when the affair was happening, and you're not going to order an injunction unless you have some dirty laundry that you didn't want to get out. Like I said before, all these off-field issues are no surprise when you're a professional athlete. They're not role models. As long as they perform on the field, that's all a supporter can ask of them.

But this mess is already affecting the team's preparation. Fergie got ticked off with the press when they were asking about Giggs, and tried to ban a reporter. Giggs himself missed a practice to avoid the questioning. He's probably living in some hotel room, since his wife likely kicked him out. I don't know if I want him to play on Saturday, not knowing where his head is at. He probably would have started the game, but I think he's going to be on the bench.

Tornado F2

May 25th, 2011, 04:41 PM

All allegations? Hard to believe you're so naive to think so. Apparently it was not a big secret around town when the affair was happening, and you're not going to order an injunction unless you have some dirty laundry that you didn't want to get out. Like I said before, all these off-field issues are no surprise when you're a professional athlete. They're not role models. As long as they perform on the field, that's all a supporter can ask of them.

But this mess is already affecting the team's preparation. Fergie got ticked off with the press when they were asking about Giggs, and tried to ban a reporter. Giggs himself missed a practice to avoid the questioning. He's probably living in some hotel room, since his wife likely kicked him out. I don't know if I want him to play on Saturday, not knowing where his head is at. He probably would have started the game, but I think he's going to be on the bench.

I'm not naive, I just don't care. That's a matter for him and his wife, and their family, and nobody else.

As for the Final, I want to win, so I want Giggs to start, as he's one of our most important players this season.

As for missing Tuesday's practice, other veterans and participants in Neville's testimonial missed the practice too. Maybe the paparazzi should be hounding them too?

The timing of this seems more than a little suspicious. United fans should just ignore it, as hopefully the players are also. The only thing that counts right now is Saturday's Final, and preparations for it.

elty

May 25th, 2011, 04:51 PM

rooney11

May 25th, 2011, 06:38 PM

No one give a **** about Giggs cheating. The fact that he tried to sue the internet to stop this from leaking is hilarious. Seriously, if you do something then you have the risk of someone knowing. This is not really news and will quickly die down should he just hire a divorce lawyer instead of suing some dude on twitter who is probably not in UK anyways.

Its all hearsay, we dont know jack ****, just a bunch of people spreading crap. I am sure Giggs did sleep with Imogen, but besides that what do we really know is the truth.

hyperion

May 25th, 2011, 06:54 PM

Tornado F2

May 25th, 2011, 07:58 PM

Hearing ManU will have a purse of 100+ million pounds to spend this summer. Have fun.

Chelsea will be buyers to rejuvenate their squad, ManShty will spend 100+ million again, Liverpool is rumoured to have a purse around 60 million, should be interesting.

Harry's policy of buying every player with a pulse may be about to pay off... :lol:

(Spurs always seem to be buying, or loaning, but rarely seem to sell. City have a lot of excess players warehoused too. And of course United also have a production line full of youngsters).

got_it_4_cheap

May 25th, 2011, 08:10 PM

Hearing ManU will have a purse of 100+ million pounds to spend this summer. Have fun.

Chelsea will be buyers to rejuvenate their squad, ManShty will spend 100+ million again, Liverpool is rumoured to have a purse around 60 million, should be interesting.

pool can take kaka for 60m! :razz:

man utd has already spent around 17m pounds on new gk

heard de gea wanted to stay but the board pushed him out, atletico is a mess right now

hyperion

May 25th, 2011, 08:26 PM

Harry's policy of buying every player with a pulse may be about to pay off... :lol:

(Spurs always seem to be buying, or loaning, but rarely seem to sell. City have a lot of excess players warehoused too. And of course United also have a production line full of youngsters).

Already saw a story linking him to a Brazilian striker. That's right, a striker. 'Arry loves his strikers.

Tornado F2

May 25th, 2011, 08:51 PM

Already saw a story linking him to a Brazilian striker. That's right, a striker. 'Arry loves his strikers.

He'd likely do better if he spent a bit more up front for a smaller number of better-quality players, especially when you factor in salaries. Instead he keeps on looking for bargains, not realising that the lower price is usually due to nagging injuries and the like. As a result at any one time it seems like a large percentage of the Spurs squad is undergoing medical treatment or recovery - at additional expense - and unable to actually play.

got_it_4_cheap

May 25th, 2011, 09:06 PM

Perez: "Jorge Valdano's contract at Real Madrid ends right now as part of the changes that we are going to make at the club"
Perez: "From now on, the club will work as English clubs do"
Perez: "José Mourinho will be the sports spokesman"
Perez: "Mourinho has claimed an autonomy similar to that developed in the English clubs"

seems like perez wants jose @ madrid for long term ... this is strange ... usually perez hire and fires coaches every year ... i guess that's what roman @ chelsea does nowadays

hyperion

May 25th, 2011, 09:20 PM

Tornado F2

May 26th, 2011, 12:20 AM

- Gerrard insists the Merseysiders are determined to reclaim their crown as the country’s most successful club.

‘It hurts because we held the record for so long,’ said Gerrard.

‘Give credit where it's due, they've overtaken us for the time being.

‘But we are on our way back up and we won't give up the fight to overtake them again - don't worry about that. That is the motivation.

‘We can still boast about the European Cups, of course, but everyone here will be doing everything we can to get the league record back.'

Sounds like he'd had a bit too much to drink. Like, as if he has any claim to the time when Liverpool were on top. He was just a little kid then, if he was around at all. If he really wanted to stop United from toppling Liverpool the obvious move would have been to win the league instead of us - something he's failed to do in his entire career. It's not likely to happen during his few remaining years either. He did manage to hand Chelsea the trophy last season, by gifting them a goal, but that hardly helped LFC's cause. In fact the only EPL winners in LFC's squad are their Chelsea rejects. And possibly only one of them even. Meanwhile Michael Owen, a member of the far stronger LFC squad of a decade ago, finally received his first EPL winner's medal - as a United player. :) As he just said, he may not get to start many games with United, but at least he has the possibility of playing in big matches, something he wouldn't get to do at a smaller club. Could he have been referring to Europe-less LFC? He just might. :razz:

BTW, notice how LFC were doing better without Gerrard? And how they lost the last 2 games of the season after Gerrard's above comment, and the permanent signing of Dalglish? Yeah, United should be really scared. :lol: