General Football Thread

[PJ]

I noticed that there isnt a thread just to talk about football ups and downs and what happened other the weekend any division any sport if youd like or you can ask me football questions if you are confused on something

p.s. if any of theese three people want to help me out with the questions please do:
streety
seaempty
angry paul

thank you

p.s. i love buttz lol!!11!

[Dr S]

yeah sure don't let them ask me... well you'll see you'll see
:D
poor Leeds

[i-am-the-eggman]

they can still make it, only two 19-0 victories and premiership safety is secured:D

[plattbridger]

Wigan could still make it into the playoffs for the premiership but I very much doubt they will want to try. Not much point in trying for promotion as we would only get relegated straight back down again, it would be a disaster.

We need to establish ourselves in Division 1 first- and after this season it looks like we are doing a brilliant job so far :D

[Cap'n Zola]

Depending on the results of the other teams and having to win two 19-0 games? :rolleyes:

Bye bye Leeeds :(

Coooooooom on Chelsea, bye Ranieri :(

[Dingbat]

Ranieri = Next Tottenham boss.

Discuss.

(Actually, how funny would it be if Ranieri actually quit, handed in his notice so to speak?

That'd be a slap in the face for Abramovich and Kenyon.)

[streety]

I can't really see Ranieri quitting. He would miss out on a huge severance pay for starters. To be honest I wouldn't mind Ranieri at Liverpool. Shame he isn't good English speaking.

[jonffm]

I heard us at Liverpool are getting Jose Mourinho, the Porto boss. That would be great, look what hes done for porto.

I also hear that We're getting Cisse AND Alan Smith...I hope sooo. Then we really should break from normal liverool and play 4-3-3. Imagine that...Micheal Owen..Djibril Cisse and Alan Smith...best strike-force in the world if you ask me. Along with Murphey, Gerrard and Kewell in midfield?! Jeeeeezz..*dreams*

[Cap'n Zola]

There's a lot o rumuors of him going to Roma...? I doubt it... The Porto manager and European manager of the year...José Moreras or something is supposed to be taking Ranieri's place right now :p

I think Chelsea will beat Monaco 2-0 btw and they can beat Porto if they don't pish about.

[streety]

Originally posted by JonnyFFmaster
I heard us at Liverpool are getting Jose Mourinho, the Porto boss. That would be great, look what hes done for porto.

I also hear that We're getting Cisse AND Alan Smith...I hope sooo. Then we really should break from normal liverool and play 4-3-3. Imagine that...Micheal Owen..Djibril Cisse and Alan Smith...best strike-force in the world if you ask me. Along with Murphey, Gerrard and Kewell in midfield?! Jeeeeezz..*dreams*
Here is a site that might interest you...
Red & White Kop Forum (http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum)
It is a good place to chat to the die hard fans that do a lot for the club.
There is a lot of media speculation at the moment as we approach the transfer window. I can't see why we are linked with so many strikers! Apparently there is a strong rumour that Baros could be sold. Along with Owen, Diouf, Heskey and Hamann.

We have been linked with loads of players.
Cisse
Kezman
Smith
Barton
Mexes
Denilson
Wright-Phillips

We can't buy them all!!
Personally I think that Owen could be sold in the summer. We are definately getting Cisse and possibly Mexes if we claim 4th spot.
I would like to see Wright-Phillips here. He is amazing! Owen Hargreaves could be a good buy for us on the right.

[i-am-the-eggman]

LOL - ill try and list some of the players blues have been linked with

Kezman
Keane (Robbie)
Shabani Nonda (Monaco)
Smith
Heskey
Gudjohnson
SWP
Izzet
Pennant
Mills
Rae
Griffin
Butt
.......you get the drift, every time a player has speculation it always seemsto be us, newcastle, boro or villa after them:D

[seaempty]

Just like to vent my frustration at Barnet losing in the play-offs. Raw. Yet another year in the doldrums. /venting frustration

[AngryPaul]

Originally posted by JonnyFFmaster
Micheal Owen..Djibril Cisse and Alan Smith...best strike-force in the world:rolleyes: Another 02stubby? :rolleyes:

I would like to see Man United actually going in and buying people this summer rather than being linked all the time. Smith or Robinson would be cool, but if Smith really love Leeds likle he says he does he wouldnt come to Old Trafford. I would like to see Ferguson spend good muneh on a decent defender like hofland (PSV)

Also I am quite miffed that we have missed out on Robben :mad:

[jonffm]

Ahh come on, you have to admit that would be good.

I just wander where all this moneys come from suddenly...I thought we didn't have enough to get Rivaldo last season, now we can buy 3-4 top class players?

[seaempty]

and the goss is that you're after Upson too. That'd be a good signing for you. Well for anyone, really.

[streety]

Originally posted by JonnyFFmaster
Ahh come on, you have to admit that would be good.

I just wander where all this moneys come from suddenly...I thought we didn't have enough to get Rivaldo last season, now we can buy 3-4 top class players?
Rivaldo was on a free last season. It was the fact that he was too old to have a future with us. Plus his wage demands.

IMO I think Manure should sack Fergie. Van Nist will leave in the summer and they are now closer to Liverpool & Newcastle than they are to Arsenal. He is driving the players away... Beckham went... Van Nist, Scholes and Keane are all piss*d off.

Get the red nosed **** out ;)

PS> Though I don't mind if Manure suddenly become a mid tabel team :D

[PJ]

i like the way this thread is going but please argue a bit more and pm me questions:nana:

[dogincognito]

Originally posted by Streety
Here is a site that might interest you...
Red & White Kop Forum (http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum)
It is a good place to chat to the die hard fans that do a lot for the club.
There is a lot of media speculation at the moment as we approach the transfer window. I can't see why we are linked with so many strikers! Apparently there is a strong rumour that Baros could be sold. Along with Owen, Diouf, Heskey and Hamann.

We have been linked with loads of players.
Cisse
Kezman
Smith
Barton
Mexes
Denilson
Wright-Phillips

We can't buy them all!!
Personally I think that Owen could be sold in the summer. We are definately getting Cisse and possibly Mexes if we claim 4th spot.
I would like to see Wright-Phillips here. He is amazing! Owen Hargreaves could be a good buy for us on the right.

The fact that Liverpool are being linked with so many strikers makes me think theyre expecting Owen to leave :nana: Joey Bartons crap to they shouldnt buy him.
And about Fergie i think he should be sacked. As well as driving players away he's lost it in the transfer market to. Last summer they missed out on Duff, Ronaldinho and Kewell, and now Chelsea have beaten them to Robben as well. But like Streety i dont mind them being cap either ;)

[AngryPaul]

Originally posted by Streety
PS> Though I don't mind if Manure suddenly become a mid tabel team :D I DO :mad:

Basically get rid of Fergie (although its a bold move) and get O'neil and bring back Beckham (Would only come if Fergie goes IMO) Hopefully Scholes is a red forever! :D

Failing that we need some real quiality and consistency in defence. I will agree with you that we are getting closer to Liverpool and Newcastle. I am worried that we will be in the fight for a Champions League spot next season. :eek: Thats scary.

[PJ]

Fergie for the bin. keep scholes, buy back beckham, get rid of giggs get a keeper who dosent skitz and united will be alright

BUT NEVER FORGET 3-1 and 4-1

Joey Bartons crap

fuck you

[AngryPaul]

Originally posted by Peej
BUT NEVER FORGET 3-1 and 4-1I wont just like I will never forget

Barcelona '99

Also Giggsy is still a great player :p Howard is a good kepper but still a rookie, we need a reliable expreienced kepper really and another center-back and anextra decent midfielder (Whats wrong with Kleberson? Where has he gone?)

However, although I like the lad, Solskjaer is knackered out

*As is Roy Keane*

[dogincognito]

Originally posted by Peej

fuck you

you make a good argument :rolleyes:
Barton is average at best, and liverpool have enough average players. Also hes a thug.

[PJ]

hes young so you expect him to be a thug.also liverpool dont have any average players there ever good or shit at liverpool

[dogincognito]

Originally posted by Peej
hes young so you expect him to be a thug.also liverpool dont have any average players there ever good or shit at liverpool

really? whos good then? i can think of maybe 5 good players :eek: the rest cant be shit :confused:

[PJ]

good

dudek
owen
gerrard
diouf
Murphy
Kirkland
Carragher
Riise
Smicer
Kewell
Babbel
Hyypia
Biscan

the rest are too inexpereinced

[dogincognito]

Originally posted by Peej
good

dudek
owen
gerrard
diouf
Murphy
Kirkland
Carragher
Riise
Smicer
Kewell
Babbel
Hyypia
Biscan

the rest are too inexpereinced

Id say Biscan and Smicer are average, Murphys inconsistent, Dudek makes mistakes, Kirklands injury prone, hyypias past his best, Diouf needs a kick up the backside ;) does Babbel still count as a liverpool player? is he coming back? wouldnt say the like sof Henchoz and Hamman are inexperienced either :p

[Cap'n Zola]

Originally posted by AngryPaul
I wont just like I will never forget

Barcelona '99

Ahh...I remember that night well...I didn't watch the game but it was my birthday so I can't forget it really :p

What's all this lists of players?

Djribil Cisse and Mexes are best buys for 'Pool anyway.

[PJ]

what was the score in

Barcelona 99

[dogincognito]

Originally posted by Cap'n Zola
Ahh...I remember that night well...I didn't watch the game but it was my birthday so I can't forget it really :p

What's all this lists of players?

Djribil Cisse and Mexes are best buys for 'Pool anyway.

and Wright-Phillips imo. And a new manager. David O' Leary or Mourinho would be great at liverpool i think.

[AngryPaul]

Originally posted by Peej
what was the score in

Barcelona 99 Do you even know the game I'm on about?

Manchester United 2 - 1 Bayern Munich!

[seaempty]

Originally posted by AngryPaul
Do you even know the game I'm on about?

Manchester United 2 - 1 Bayern Munich!

You've got to admit though, Bayern deserved to win that match. Fair play to Utd though, and it pains me to say it, I'm glad that they did win it. But they were a little lucky ;)

[AngryPaul]

Originally posted by seaempty
You've got to admit though, Bayern deserved to win that match. But they were a little lucky ;) NO! - We deserved it

[realism] Yeah, they did play better, even hit the woodwork twice :eek: But it shows that if players keep going they can snatch points/victories :D

It was destiny I reckon - It was to complete the Trebleand also it was on Sir Matt busby's birthday :D Plus we had gotten there in great circumstances (Beating Juventus in turin 3-2 after being 2-0 down inside 10 mins)

[Dingbat]

sure, it was destiny...

...if jamminess is destiny :p

[AngryPaul]

Not destiny, but it all fell into place :D

[PJ]

no i didnt know what match you meant.

[jonffm]

Newcastles draw today against Wolves has pretty much handed us 4th spot due to newcastle AWFULL away record, so just to rub it in, I shall now sing you'll never walk alone a little.

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind,

Walk on through the rain,
Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone,
YOU'LL NEEVVERRR WAALKK....aalonnee

:D :D :D :D :D

[PJ]

^^ i think hes mad as middlsbourough are still in the running. sorry about my bad spelling

[dogincognito]

Originally posted by JonnyFFmaster
Newcastles draw today against Wolves has pretty much handed us 4th spot due to newcastle AWFULL away record, so just to rub it in, I shall now sing you'll never walk alone a little.

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind,

Walk on through the rain,
Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone,
YOU'LL NEEVVERRR WAALKK....aalonnee

:D :D :D :D :D

i watched liverpool v birmingham, you were very good. I wish Houllier got you playin like that more often :(

[jonffm]

We've been very good the last few games. Typical liverpool. Leave the best till last.

[plattbridger]

Originally posted by JonnyFFmaster
Newcastles draw today against Wolves has pretty much handed us 4th spot due to newcastle AWFULL away record, so just to rub it in, I shall now sing you'll never walk alone a little.

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind,

Walk on through the rain,
Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone,
YOU'LL NEEVVERRR WAALKK....aalonnee

:D :D :D :D :D


That was number one the day I was born. And as an Everton supporter that kinda annoys me.

[streety]

Great result for us yesterday!
We were all down the pub and my mate looked at his watch. "Looks like the Wolves match is over... That's a good result for us." Next thing you see is Shearer lining up a penalty. Who would have expected him to miss...

Looks like we will be in the Champins league next season. I aint celebrating too much, last year sticks in my mind. I will be there though, corner of Anfeild Road cheering us on.

btw... Hamann is one of our most influencial players!! How coan you say he isn't good enough.

[jonffm]

Who said Hamann isn't good enough? Hes an amazing player. With him in a defencive midfield position, he wins us games by breaking down most of the oppositions attacks. One of our best.

[streety]

Originally posted by JonnyFFmaster
Who said Hamann isn't good enough? Hes an amazing player. With him in a defencive midfield position, he wins us games by breaking down most of the oppositions attacks. One of our best.
An earlier post by Peej

Originally posted by Peej
good

dudek
owen
gerrard
diouf
Murphy
Kirkland
Carragher
Riise
Smicer
Kewell
Babbel
Hyypia
Biscan

the rest are too inexpereinced

I don't agree with it at all...How can you honestly say that Smicer and Biscan are good?

[jonffm]

Good

Owen
Gerrard
Murphy
Kewell
Heskey
Baros
Henchoz (I suppose)
Hyypia
Finnan
Carragher
Dudek
Kirkland
Mellor
Hamann
Diouf
Riise

And the rest are either pretty average or too young. (I Dont think I'v left anyone off

[streety]

Indespensible
Dietmar Hamann
Steven Gerrard
Chris Kirkland
Jamie Carragher

Good
Jerzy Dudek
Stephane Henchoz
Steve Finnan
Sami Hyypia
Harry Kewell
Emile Heskey
Michael Owen
Danny Murphy
John Arne Riise

Players for the future
Anthony Le Tallec
Djimi Traore
Florent Sinama-Pongolle
Carl Medjani
Alou Diarra
John Welsh
Jon Otsemobor
Milan Baros

No future with Liverpool
Markus Babbel
El-Hadji Diouf
Vladimir Smicer
Salif Diao
Igor Biscan
Richie Partridge
Gregory Vignal
Bruno Cheyrou
Patrice Luzi
Neil Mellor

If all speculation is to be believed then this could be our startin 11 next year...

________________Kirkland________________

Carragher___Hyypia______Mexes______Upson

Van Der Vaart__Gerrard__Hamann______Kewell

___________Cisse_______Kezman__________

[PJ]

I think gerrard could suddenly go to a bigger team like man united or arsenal

[streety]

Do you honestly think that he will go to Man United? Liverpool through and through...

If he went to another club it would probably be Arsenal or Real Madrid. I can see him staying at Liverpool for his whole career though.

[jonffm]

Why? Arsenal have no need for gerrard and Man U are hardly that big considering they are only one place above us. Plus the fact with the investment from the Thai president, we will soon have an extra 100 million odd for transfers and our stadium. PLUS the fact Gerrard is liverpool through and through. If he did ever move, he would go overbroad. Foolish one.

[dogincognito]

As all this thread onoly seems to be about Liverpool i tohught id post this from the BBC ;)

Liverpool eye duo
Liverpool will step up their interest in Manchester City's Joey Barton and Nottingham Forest defender Michael Dawson at the end of the season.

Merseyside-born Barton has only 12 months left on his contract and has yet to agree a new deal.

Forest also face a fight to hold on to talented 20-year-old Dawson, who is a long-time target for top clubs.

And BBC Sport understands Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier is poised to lead the chase for the pair.

Liverpool are likely to have to pay around £3m for Barton, while Dawson is rated in the £5m bracket.

Barton is a close friend of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, and recently had a public disagreement with City manager Kevin Keegan after he was dropped.

Liverpool are also interested in Barton's team-mate Shaun Wright-Phillips, but will face a fight to land the winger after City's Premiership safety was assured.

Anfield boss Houllier will waste no time in re-shuffling his squad, although they are still favourites to clinch a place in the money-spinning Champions League.

Auxerre's Djibril Cisse will arrive in a £14m deal, while Liverpool striker Emile Heskey is expected to sign for Birmingham City shortly after the end of the season.


I still dont think Barton would be a good buy, but Dawson and Wright Phillips would. Another defender to, probably Mexes.

More Liverpool related gubbins from the BBC:


Morgan plays power game

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer


Liverpool - a football institution built on stability and continuity - is suddenly a house divided.


Anyone can make mistakes, but we just seem to have made a hell of a lot of them


The Anfield empire has been wounded by the failure to win a league title since 1990, and has been pushed to the margins by the successes of Manchester United and Arsenal.

Liverpool's claim to at least be part of the Premiership's power trio has also been undermined by the all-powerful chequebook of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

So in an open admission that money talks, and in an attempt to re-create old glories, Liverpool have made themselves open to offers.

And those offers have come in two contrasting shapes.

Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shiniwatra was first off the mark with a £65m bid for a 30% interest - but now local boy made good, building tycoon Steve Morgan, has joined the battle.

Morgan has been an ever-present figure in the background at Anfield in recent years, keen to invest and a sharp observer of any weaknesses in the current boardroom regime.

Morgan reveals Anfield plan

He has been constantly rebuffed by chairman David Moores, but now he is appealing to the popular vote to give him the nod ahead of the Thai offer.

So what will the emergence of Morgan mean if his £73m attempt to buy into Liverpool is successful?


THE MANAGER
Gerard Houllier may have had a distinctly uncomfortable breakfast had been following Morgan's early morning news conference to outline his plans.

Morgan shielded any ringing endorsement of the manager behind the time-honoured "not the time or place to discuss" tactic.


Morgan criticised Houllier's signings

But, when pressed, it became obvious Morgan has serious reservations, particularly when it came to Houllier's record in the transfer market.

He said: "Players have been brought into the club for a lot of money and have been a major disappointment.

"It is up to the management going forward, in whatever shape that management is, to make sure it doesn't happen again."

And he added ominously: "Anyone can make mistakes, but we just seem to have made a hell of a lot of them."

All words that indicate life would become uncomfortable for Houllier should he wield power.

THAKSIN OPTION: Houllier's position unaffected.


THE PLAYERS
Morgan made it clear he appreciates what he called "the core" players, by which he presumably means Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen.


Morgan refuses to name Liverpool's bad buys

But he was scathing about some recent signings and members of the squad "we would all like to see the back of".

He said: "I'm not going to name players, but if they hadn't been a major disappointment we would be challenging Manchester United and Arsenal."

Morgan won't name them, but if he did they would be led by El-Hadji Diouf, Salif Diao and Bruno Cheyrou.

Emile Heskey is on his way to Birmingham City and Morgan sounded like a man in the mood for a cull if he assumed a position of influence.

THAKSIN OPTION: Houllier in place and making all the moves. Thaksin's actual knowledge of Liverpool's current squad is still a matter of debate.


THE BOARD
The crucial area of contention.

Would Liverpool chairman David Moores and his fellow directors, who have studiously side-stepped many efforts from Morgan to invest over the years, finally succumb to the advances of a man who has made a habit of being one of their sternest critics?


Parry and Moores must make a crucial choice

After his latest broadside, at Liverpool's annual general meeting in January, Morgan said: "The chairman has refused to talk to me. Money is available from me and others, but the chairman will not dilute his holding."

A recent £50m offer was rejected, with Anfield sources suggesting the stumbling block was that it would force Moores to reduce his own shareholding to 37.5%, with his critic also taking 37.5%.

It came after Moores said he was ready to bury the hatchet, but it will still require a major piece of diplomacy for the two to work together inside the Anfield boardroom.

Morgan himself admits: "It's fair to say we have had our differences over the way the club has been run, but we have both got the interests of Liverpool at heart.

"It is nothing personal. I have disagreed with some of the policies of the club and said so, but it's not personal."

He would not only want a seat on the board, but may have other representatives alongside him who he said would be "highly-motivated in their desire to make Liverpool number one".

Another thinly-veiled swipe perhaps?

Morgan would be a fiercely-driven force for change - but is this what a Liverpool hierarchy built on continuity and minimum disruption and dischord wants?

THAKSIN OPTION: Would expect representation on the board, but all early indications suggest he will be a benign influence, at least at the start, leaving major decisions to those already in power.

Thaksin appears more interested in the commercial spin-offs of a successful Liverpool.


THE NEW GROUND
Anfield insiders claimed one stumbling block to Morgan's earlier proposal was that he was not opposed to a groundshare with Everton.

This is one of the most contentious issues, with most fans on Merseyside unable to consider using the same home as their arch rivals.

Morgan did not dismiss the notion competely, but attempted to calm the doubts of those who only want a Liverpool home.

He said: "Like any true Liverpool supporter I would always prefer us to have our own ground. That would be the premise I would start with.

"If my offer is accepted and I am on the board you have to look at all options. My preferred option is Liverpool to have its own ground."

THAKSIN OPTION: Would support the board's move to a new Liverpool-only stadium in Stanley Park.


THE DILEMMA
Liverpool's board will know that Morgan's offer will win the popular vote on Merseyside.

He is a lifelong Liverpool fan made good, whose intentions and background are well known compared to Thaksin, who has allegedly expressed support for Manchester United and has no known links with Anfield.

He knows how to tug on The Kop's sentimental hearstrings. See the red van with LIV FC number plate that was used to deliver his bid to Anfield!

Liverpool's board must decide whether Thaksin's offer, which appears to allow them to remain in total control of their destiny and maintain the status quo, is preferable to Morgan's.

Morgan clearly wants an active boardroom role and a change in policy and direction, as well as suggesting he might want a close look at the performance of manager Gerard Houllier and his squad.

And could Liverpool's directors leap comfortably into bed with someone who has been such a public critic of their policies?

Liverpool's immediate future will rest on the outcome of their deliberations.

[streety]

Ooooo I am looking forward to next season already!!
We are being linked with so many players though. They can't all be true. The Dawson rumour has been around for a while. Personally I would rather have Mexes. He is strong, fast and has nice hair... Ooo chase me sailor

[dogincognito]

Mexes doesnt look gay, he looks like a girl :eek: Anyway i think you should get both, and then youd have Hyypia, Henchoz and Mexes as regulars with Dawson being eased in slowly maybe?

[jonffm]

Mexes is intended as a replacement for Henchoz, so we can have two decent central defenders.

I really hope we don't do a Chelsea and compleatly change the squad. This is what I think should happen..

Players In

Mexes
Cisse
Wright Phillips
Dawson

Players Out

Biscan (One of the worst players I'v seen in a liverpool shirt)
Diou (Good, but wasted on the bench)
Heskey (Will never secure a place with cisse in the squad and baros as back-up. Plus we'll need the money.)

[dogincognito]

Diouf apparently might be leaving, and Baros who wants first team football :(

[PJ]

Originally posted by JonnyFFmaster


Players In

Mexes
Cisse
Wright Phillips
Dawson

Players Out


my shauny. he said hes staying for 6 more years so :p to you

[AngryPaul]

Originally posted by Peej
my shauny. he said hes staying for 6 more years so :p to you Doubt it - he will go if a bigger club comes a-calling, and, no offence, Man City isnt a big club any more compared to Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool or Newcastle.

*Cue "but we beat United 4-1" talk*

[Dingbat]

Originally posted by Peej
my shauny. he said hes staying for 6 more years so :p to you

:rolleyes:

Barry Ferguson said he would probably play his entire career at Rangers. :(

Players lie. Get over it.

[jonffm]

\o/ Newcastles draw means liverpool are in the Champions league, abrring a mathmatical miricle from Aston Villa.

\o/ Woot \o/

[streety]

Originally posted by JonnyFFmaster

Biscan (One of the worst players I'v seen in a liverpool shirt)
Hmmmmm
I can't believe that when we bought him we were fighting with Milan for his signature.
He is nowhere near as bad as Sean Dundee, Bernard Diomede or Eric Meijer.

[dogincognito]

Just though i'd post this, its Sinama-Pongolle of liverpool
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/images3/140504-pongolle_300_01.jpg
Quality :D

Edit: the image isnt showing up, just click the link ;)

[jonffm]

O_O Thats some hair do..he'll fit right in down the Liverpool high street then..

[dogincognito]

I really, really hope he plays tommorow. :D

[Cap'n Zola]

Latest news on Chelsea, regarding Ranieri, Zola (:eek: ) and Lampard:

“He has three years left on his contract and we have not come to any decisions beyond that yet,” said Peter Kenyon to a Chelsea audience of 200 about Claudio Ranieri last night.


Peter Kenyon and Bruce Buck, chief executive and Chelsea Village chairman, spoke at the Supporters’ Night Out about all the spiky issues raised after a three course dinner.


Bruce Buck added: “No-one has been appointed,” in response to the speculation as to who might be manager next season.


Kenyon denied offering the job to Sven-Göran Erikson, or as Buck teased him: “Your friend Sven.”


“We never got beyond talking,” said the chief executive.


Frank Lampard’s contract was raised and Kenyon was adamant. “We are not going to sell Frank Lampard.”


He also said that work was continuing to hold a game for Gianfranco Zola, and beyond that to bring him back to working at Chelsea. “But you have to remember he is still a professional footballer, and if he comes back he wouldn’t be playing anymore.”


Buck emphasised the importance of the desire to return Zola to the Bridge. “We have made him aware of that.”


Very interesting how the directors are responding the speculation on Ranieri. They're not saying "He's gone already" or "He's staying forever" so they're being very neutral....kinda like Switzerland ¬_¬

Source from ChelseaFC.com (http://www.chelseafc.com)

[streety]

I think that Lampard will be off. They can't seem to agree on a contract. I can't believe that they won't offer him a pay increase!!

[PJ]

is there any Everton fan as i just had to say this.
5-1

[streety]

Here is the final league table for the premiership.
Where did your team finish?
Are you satisfied with it?
What are your hopes for next season?

[dogincognito]

there we are!

[PJ]

hello i know seaempty didnt ask me this but the euro2004prediction challenge needs more challengers because he may close it.

[seaempty]

Originally posted by Peej
hello i know seaempty didnt ask me this but the euro2004prediction challenge needs more challengers because he may close it.

I don't think I will! There's like nearly a month till the comp starts. I didn't think people would rush to do it because it's a lot of work. I had to start it now due to exams and stuff. Forumites seem to be very busy.

[PJ]

yes but i was just making sure plus now you have 1 more person.

[dogincognito]

wasnt a lot of work for me ;) i just looked at each fixture and had a guess at how i thought itd turn out!

[PJ]

The F.A Cup has been won

put your views on the match now.

[dogincognito]

it was an OK game, to one sided to be very interesting,

[PJ]

I agree if millwall had a few more chances it would have been a class game. it was good esspecially because of the fights.

[Dingbat]

Today was probably the dullest cup final day ever. Scottish Cup Final was much better, as it has been a few times before.

ManYoo are doing a very touching gesture to Jimmy Davis, the young player who was killed. They're all wearing
Davis
..36
shirts.

Very touching.

[PJ]

What was the score i missed it

[Dingbat]

3-0 to ManYoo.

1-3 to Sellick.

[Tommuz]

I'm probably one of the few non-Man u fans who wanted man u to win, purely cos i'm a Palace fan and couldn't stand to see Millwall win it. Wasn't a brilliant game it had goals and chances. The Arsenal v Man U semi was probably the best game of the tournament

[PJ]

what about replay of city vs tottenham.

[pscocally]

What are the odds of the four english clubs getting into the semi finals of the champions league, as a percentage?

[AngryPaul]

Surely the biggest bump ever? Nearly FOUR YEARS!

[Flava Dave]

Awesome! I always hoped someone would start a general football thread.

Watching two penalty shootouts at the same time last night was http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/1834/63679908mr4.gif.

[Garry3]

foad peej lol

[AngryPaul]

This thread makes me feel old.

I'VE BEEN HERE OVER 4 YEARS FFS!

[Garry3]

Not long until you can retire though, adding up posts across my old accounts I don't even have 3000 in over 4 years. Although about 8 billion cheese sloth posts are missing from that total.

[Mr stabby]

oh man I didn't even see the footy results, unlucky Spurs and Everton.

[Flava Dave]

Hey football thread. Anyone see the old firm game earlier? Jesus I hope Kevin Thompson lives...

[Mr stabby]

Arsenal are going down to Bolton again. Can only be good for Liverpool.

[Flava Dave]

Arsenal are going down to Bolton again. Can only be good for Liverpool.

Yeah, unless defeat against Bolton suddenly means you are deducted about ten points, I don't think Liverpool are affected by the result.

[Mr stabby]

om nom nom. im eating my words. 3-2.

[Shave]

jeeeeeesus christ bristol city left it late to win. even still, we're back to the top of the championship :D and watford can't overtake us with there game in hand. west brom went one better than us though to win, 2 goals in extram time :( just gotta hope they lose one of their games in hand.

[AngryPaul]

They drew.

Thats almost a loss.

[Shave]

it's a good result, they can still overtake us though thanks to our not quite brilliant goal difference :p that, and we still have to win our last 5 games, 1 away to stoke as well :/

[AngryPaul]

Sadly I don't think we'll do it.

Then again I've been saying that all season.

[Shave]

start of the season i was happy for us to just survive :p

[Flava Dave]

Oooohhh Celtic v Rangers just starting.

Go football thread! Go!

[mrsnuffles]

nakamura has been pretty good for a while now right? dont see him play very often. is he not getting linked abroad these days?

[AngryPaul]

Every now and again. I think he's alright where he is and people know he wasn't that good in Serie A with Perugia so he might not be as good in the Premiership as in the SPL.

[Shave]

not quite the way i would've liked to do it but bristol city have a playoff place secure :D

interesting table though. west brom go up if they win on of there last two, stoke go up if the win their last one, hull go up if stoke lose and they win (hull have better gd) or if wb lose both. Watford and CP are not safe in playoff spots and could be caught by sheff utd, wolves or ipswich (only CP). exciting at the other end as well but cba to go into that right now

[Nuclear Spoon]

Modric to Spurs.


Ooooooh yeeeeeaaaaaah.

[scram]

I wanted to post this earlier but due to being busy didn't. As many of you may know, I am a life-long Chelsea fan and Saturday's game against Man U has left me with a couple of lingering thoughts. They are as follows:

1) I would rather we hadn't won: To clarify this statement - I am an anti-fan of Grant. Aside from the fact that he looks like Baron Greenback (see below) I was dismayed to see Mourinho ousted last year and replaced with a man who may as well not turn up to most of our matches. I subscribe to the school of football management that says that the manager should be on his feet during the match, motivating the team and showing that he gives a damn when things are going bad or things are going great. The keen-eyed observer will have noticed from Saturday's game that the man who was on the touchline, talking to the players the most was Steve Clarke and it doesn't take a long stretch of the imagination to suggest that the success that Chelsea have had this season has been more due to Clarke than Grant. If the stories are to be believed, Clarke may be leaving this summer if Grant stays. This will be a great shame.

And thus back to my original point. I would have rather we had lost, not because I have lost my marbles and wish to see my side fail, but because my disapproval of Grant is mocked by the fact that Chelsea are still contenders for the title. The Grant-fans (and there are a few amongst the Chelsea fans) argue that his points-per-game figure is higher than Mourinho's, but this does not matter to me. When it has really counted, when Chelsea went out of both domestic cup competitions (Barnsley? I mean, come on), Grant failed to drive his club to produce the goods. I don't like him as a manager and to see him win the league or, worse still (for it was the trophy which Mourinho couldn't bring back to the Bridge) the Champion's League, would be a bittersweet victory indeed. I'd rather see us lose, deal with the disappointment of it but know that Grant would be gone and replaced with someone who I want to see managing the club which I love.

http://www.bollocks.at/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/webber2.jpg

Perhaps Penfold...


2) "Rio for England Captain!": Yes, and while we're at it, Boris Johnson for Prime Minister, Jade Goody for Foreign Secretary and Pete Doherty for Chancellor of the Exchequer. If Saturday made anything clear it's that Rio is not fit for such a job. Losing his temper on multiple occasions and notable mention for kicking Owen Hargreaves in the kidneys when he was lying injured on the pitch. During the later stages of the game when he kicked off properly, he was ready to throw a fist at Mikel and had to be restrained by several Chelsea players as he and Hargreaves spat abuse at the referee. And where was his self control then? In the end, it was Terry, not the Man Utd captain who calmed Ferdinand down and got him together. Says it all, really.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44605000/jpg/_44605844_ferdinandpa226.jpg

Apparently he also kicked a female steward because he missed the wall he was aiming for. Smooth.

[swampmonkey]

Watford are Shit!!

Yes we are! Since Adam Johnson went back to Boro we've been terrible. But the annoying thing is Boothroyd hasn't got a clue how to fix it. Week in, week out we play the same crappy, hoof it up towards Hendersons head and hope someone gets to the loose ball and scores. But it doesn't work any more, all the opposition does is mark Hendo with someone even bigger and we're buggered. And Boothroyd being totally tactically inept hasn't got a plan B. Oh actually, yes he does, he takes off a striker and brings on a defender and then puts Danny Shittu (a very big centre back) up front and we hoof the ball towards his head instead. It's so fucking frustrating. It's terrible to watch us throw away promotion because our manager has wasted a lot of money on crap strikers (Ellington and Kabba step forward) and is tactically useless. I hope we don't get to the play offs, I don't think I can stand watching us lose another 2 games. If we keep playing this way next season we're gonna struggle to even stay in the championship. I'm even thinking of putting some money on Boothroyd being the first manager to get the sack next season.

[AngryPaul]

Could be worse. You could have brought your fans hopes up to silly standards only to win once in ten and proably fail miserably in the play-offs.

Ah to be a City fan. :)

[Shave]

gratz to rangers!!

[Erskien_Parkour]

KIN YAS!!

The final!

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas

*breathes*

[Dingbat]

'kin yaldy! FOLLOW FOLLOW!

[AngryPaul]

What a season.

[Flava Dave]

So the Scottish league season's getting extended now, it must be awesome being Rangers.

[Bacon Machine]

Forest are up!

I very nearly wet my pants with pleasure.

[AngryPaul]

Palace here we come.

I maintain my pessimist attitude to Bristol City's chances as I have all season.

Means I'm not dissapointed if we get spanked.

[Shave]

what a stunning goal!!! get in. palace 1 - 2 bristol city :D ok, so we've still got to not fuck it up at home, and i might be a bit preemptive in saying this but...

fuck you neil warnock!

[swampmonkey]

Bloody great!!! I hate Neil Warnock and Simon Jordon! Let's hope Bristol can keep a clean sheet at home. It'll be nice if Watford can beat Hull to play you in the final but I just can't see us doing it.

[Shave]

i didn't think city would beat palace today, but anything can happen. which also makes me very nervous as we have a habit of hitting the self destruct button, and our play-off record isn't great. good luck for tomorra

[swampmonkey]

Ha Ha Ha!! I've just been watching Warnock crying about it on sky sports. I love the way he blames everyone else for his team losing. Bristol were too rough, they should've had a player sent off and there was too much time added on. Boo hoo sob, get over it Warnock you twat.

[jonffm]

I hate Palace.

I HATE Neil Warnock.

I love Bristol City :)

[ziggy]

that noble's goal was a gem!

today's the day united win their 17th title :D

[Flava Dave]

Fair play Bristol City, I was hoping they'd win because there's a few fans on here and because Neil Warnock's a giant cockstain.

[swampmonkey]

Well Watford played fucking shit again, that's over 300 hours without a home goal now. I wonder what odds i'll get on Watford getting relegated next season?

[BigShimmeryWall]

Champions!!

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44645000/jpg/_44645705_giggs_getty.jpg

Wooo!

[Mr stabby]

fucking hell 'boro.

i was gonna go to that game as well but I was working :(

[Luna]

Well Watford played fucking shit again, that's over 300 hours without a home goal now. I wonder what odds i'll get on Watford getting relegated next season?

Impressive.

[Flava Dave]

Shinawatra's a genius.

[swampmonkey]

Well Watford played fucking shit again, that's over 300 hours without a home goal now.

Impressive.

OK, my bad, it should be 300 minutes.

[Flava Dave]

Any word on the fair play league thing? Richard Dunne's red card could have lost Man City the UEFA cup place.

I know it's unkind to laugh at relegated teams, unless you're this guy:

http://www.awooga.org/images/gbi25js3a35x25dob3wb.jpg

"Cheerio Birmingham!"

[Shave]

que cera cera, whatever will be will be, we're going to wembley, que cera cera!!!

what a tense and entertaining game, even if the footie on show itself wasn't great. bristol city's goals were awesome again, and we managed to play very well in the first 15 mins of normal time, and the last 15 of extra time. we'll just ignore the other 90 mins in between :p

[Mr stabby]

what a free kick. Bristol for the Premiership!

[AngryPaul]

It appears my pessimist approach is paying off.

We'll lose the final...

[swampmonkey]

We'll lose the final...

To Watford!!! Once we become the first team to overturn a home leg deficit we'll do you in the final.

OK so i'm well aware this will never happen but you've gotta believe

[.max]

Zenit beat Rangers (2-0), zenit deserved to win, and rangers were exposed for the "bore the opposition to death" tacticians that they really are.

As a Dons fan I couldn't be any more delirious.

[jonffm]

Ouch.

(sorry. feel free to do the same should Fiorentina destroy us tomorrow night)


Overdue 'Ouch' ;)

Zenit were the experienced outfit everyone expected to turn up, and played a good european game...Rangers aren't experienced at this level, so they weren't getting any free kicks because they weren't going over! Really should have scored right at the end though, I told my mate they'd get another chance, knew it would come - it always does.

On the night, the best team won, second goal was a nice product of some beautifull passing.

[Erskien_Parkour]

That was terrible play by Rangers.

[jonffm]

I dont think they played badly persay. They aren't as good as Zenit, they knew it, and tried to play a compact defensive game...if they attacked, they may have got a goal, but would have conceeded 2 or 3 more.

Rangers played a gameplay to try and get a smash and grab victory and prayed Zenit just had an off day in front of goal.

[Garry3]

Zenit beat Rangers (2-0), zenit deserved to win, and rangers were exposed for the "bore the opposition to death" tacticians that they really are.

As a Dons fan I couldn't be any more delirious.

Stop stealing my thoughts. . .unless you are me, which by the look of that post you actually might be.

[Flava Dave]

Ah well, that's what happens when you try and win nil-nil.

Rangers aren't experienced at this level, so they weren't getting any free kicks because they weren't going over!

You watched it on the radio then?



PS: Bet you're glad Rangers drew attention away from Watford, eh swampmonkey?

[jonffm]

Nope, watched the whole game. Zenit were falling over under any contact and got free-kicks every time, Rangers weren't.

[swampmonkey]

PS: Bet you're glad Rangers drew attention away from Watford, eh swampmonkey?

Indeed I am. 4-1! What a joke. I actually started to believe we might pull it off when Henderson scored, but then once Barmby equalised I knew that was it. To be honest we didn't even deserve to be in the play offs to start with, the football we've played since christmas has been a joke. At least I didn't bother going, I'd already wasted enough money this year watching us play the worst football in the championship and losing.

[AngryPaul]

Could be worse. You could be charge £74 a ticket for the final. ¬_¬

[Dingbat]

Overdue 'Ouch' ;)

Zenit were the experienced outfit everyone expected to turn up, and played a good european game...Rangers aren't experienced at this level, so they weren't getting any free kicks because they weren't going over! Really should have scored right at the end though, I told my mate they'd get another chance, knew it would come - it always does.

On the night, the best team won, second goal was a nice product of some beautifull passing.
Pretty much agree with everything you've said (:eek:) regarding the game. Gutted that Novo missed that sitter at the end, I was in the middle of Walkabout and I yelled at the big screen, much to my pals' embarrassment.

The real problem I had was the complete lack of ambition and push before the last ten minutes - Darcheville should've been straight off at half time, he's ineffective in the lone striker role compared to McCulloch and others. Still, it was a great acheivement to get this far thanks to some stellar European tactics by Smith and the team can still be very proud of themselves, considering only a year and a half ago we had Paul Le Guen and were losing to Livingston and the like.

Oh, and as soon as Zenit turned around on the counterattack near the end I knew they would score - it's just how these things happen really.

[jonffm]

Darcheville should have been off at haslf time, also because the guy can't seem to play for more than 45-60 minutes! He was dead on his feet for the last 15.

[AngryPaul]

Come on the Pompey. Bristol City fans will be cheering you on!

2-0 methinks.

[ZOIDBERG]

I'll go with 1-0 to Pompey. But if Cardiff win, good for him (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7400556.stm) :)

[Dr Phil]

I am sad I can't go to Wembal to see Hull City play:(

[Mr stabby]

What a difference a day FA makes

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40773000/jpg/_40773453_footy.jpg

[ZOIDBERG]

I'll go with 1-0 to Pompey. But if Cardiff win, good for him (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7400556.stm) :)
I thank you. Next up... Man U 2 Chelsea 1.

[AngryPaul]

Yet another below-par FA Cup Final with a 1-0 win and a scrappy goal for the winner.

And it was supposed to be 'the fans final'

[Mr stabby]

joey barton jailed for 6 months for assault and affray

fucking hell. wasted talent. he doesn't deserve to be called a footballer.

[AngryPaul]

Pretty much. He does deserve to pay for his actions. But then so do Amy Whinehouse and Pete Doherty, but nothing happens...

[jonffm]

Good riddence.

Don't drop the soap, Joe.

[Flava Dave]

Funny story, original here. (http://www.footyhighlights.com/?p=206)



This month our regular columnist Peter Ndlovu recalls an unsavoury incident from the African Cup of Nations.

During the 2006 African Nations Cup in Egypt. We had just played our final group game, ending on a high by beating a strong Ghana side but still crashing out of the tournament. At the hotel that night we decided to have a few drinks and toast to our victory. I had invited my friend, who I can’t name for legal reasons (fans of English football will remember him from his highly successful period with Leeds United), along as he had been watching the match.

The lads started giving my friend a lot of stick for his country’s loss, especially our head coach. My friend was taking it quite gracefully but, as a proud Ghanaian, I could sense his patience was wearing thin. Nevertheless, the drinks kept flowing and so did the jokes.

It came to the end of the night and some of the lads had disappeared to bed, most notably our coach and my friend. Now during the whole tournament the manager had personally entered the hotel rooms of our most lazy players (Benjani was the worst) and pulled them out of bed in the morning to get ready for training so myself and a couple of the other lads decided to repeat the routine on him. We got the keys from reception and seven of us bundled into his hotel room at 4 a.m. To our horror it was not our coach who we found in bed, it was my friend. The worst part was that he was having sex with the coach’s wife!



I quickly rounded the boys up and ushered them out of the room, frantically hoping to keep a lid on the situation. After all, it was I who invited him to the party! We found the coach in one of the hotel bathrooms. He had had far too much to drink and crashed out.

The next morning, at breakfast, I quizzed my friend about what happened and he delivered a line which I will remember all my life:


"When a man insults my country I insult him, by taking his woman"




Our manager did eventually find out about the incident and I think he separated from his wife for a period. The last I heard though was that they are back together and he’s now coaching in the USA.

The moral of the story is never to slag off someone’s country!

[Mr stabby]

I thank you. Next up... Man U 2 Chelsea 1.

1 out of 2 aint bad

[Garry3]

There's no way we're about to let the huns win the treble.

[streety]

Scum!! He deserved to miss the penalty for calling Tevez an "Argie c**t" and snotting on him.

http://i30.tinypic.com/aylrn6.gif

[AngryPaul]

I don't feel so bad for gloating in his misery now that someone agrees. :)

[Shave]

ah damn. at least Bristol City played well, just lacked venom up front which has been our main problem all season. there was only two ways this game could've finished, trundle sending bristol up, or windass sending hull up, and unfortunately it was the latter. good goal though

[Mr stabby]

hey scram!!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7418774.stm

[AngryPaul]

Poor Avram.

Poor City.

:(

[JimmywiT]

Poor Leeds!

I swear 5 years ago Leeds were in the champions league and Donnie were in the conference! How times can change.

[MargateMan]

I remember 5 (maybe more, ssssh...) years ago standing on the terraces of Hartsdown Park as Margate FC beat Doncaster Rovers and went top of the Conference for one magical night...

How times have changed... -_-

And I feel I must lol at Chelsea, a man who loses 2 competitions through sheer unluckyness gets the sack!

[scram]

hey scram!!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7418774.stm


Hey Stabby!!!!!

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



And I feel I must lol at Chelsea, a man who loses 2 competitions through sheer unluckyness gets the sack!

In all honesty, I think luck was on our side this season. The number of games we won unconvincingly, scraping 1-0 wins in the league. And in the Champions League, getting past Liverpool in the semis was a lot to do with good luck on our side (although you can arguably say this was balancing out the good luck they had experienced against us in our previous CL clashes - although the scouse fans here will probably disagree with me...). I think Grant has had a jammy season up until the end and that a bare cupboard is probably a fair end to the season. Yes, if a butterfly had flapped its wings in Papua New Guinea we probably would have walked away with a treble this season but I wouldn't have felt that we deserved it.

Incidentally, I assume you mean the league and champions league by "two competitions" but I should probably also point out that we were also runners up in the league cup, whilst the least favoured title, still a bit of silverware. Second place in three competitions and going out to Barnsley in the fourth is not acceptable. In the words of Jose Mourinho in today's Observer:

"After two titles per season for the last three years there were zero titles this season, which in my philosophy means a really bad season. Maybe in the philosophy of a loser this was a great season, which I respect."

Classic.

Bring on Rijkaard or Mancini. Anyone who states that Mourinho may be back is just deluding themselves to the point of absurdity - Mourinho's ego will mean he won't sacrifice his pride even if the offer was on the table, which it won't be because Abramovich's ego won't let him eat humble pie.

One thing I did realise today, though. How pissed off must Abramovich have been to take his Chelsea to his homeland's capital and see us lose in such a dramatic fashion. It's got to make the loss even more grating for him.

[MargateMan]

Ah, I guess Chelsea did have their fair share of luck as well... I actually a paid a compliment to Chelsea... wow, I must be feeling ill!

True, looking back, compared to the Jose years Greenback was a failure, and not half as interesting to read about on the back pages... But still had 3 times more personality than Alan Curbishley, but that's like saying a lion is more fearsome than a new born bunny...

I don't know about Rijkard, I don't like his football, I'd rather see a man like Mancini or even Marcello Lippi if he could be convinced, would make Chelsea a much more flair, exciting, attacking side.

Scrap that, hire Glenn Roeder, that man can turn any team into relegation fodder!

[scram]

Scrap that, hire Glenn Roeder, that man can turn any team into relegation fodder!

Never!

Betfair currently has the following odds:

Rikjaard, Frank - 5/2
Mancini, Roberto - 4/1
Hiddink, Gus - 9/2
Eriksson, Sven-Goran - 6/1
Hughes, Mark - 15/2
Mourinho, Jose - 9/1
Scolari, Phil - 10/1
Lippi, Marcello - 14/1
Zola, Gianfranco - 28/1



Zola...?!?

[Flava Dave]

Rijkaard would be a huge mistake. He got lucky with the board's signings and the quality of young players that came through, not to mention the fact that Real Madrid were in disarray when he arrived. As soon as Real got a decent coach and Ronaldinho's powers began to wane he got found out.

Would I be right in thinking that since Avram Grant took over a Chelsea manager they've won more points in the league than any other team?

[MargateMan]

I think you may be right, but let's face it, people watch football to be entertained, and with Chelsea you have Abramovich who wants to be entertained, and lets face it, he's the one fan you don't want to disappoint! Teams like Bolton, Wigan, Middlesbrough don't get full stadiums because it's not entertaining to watch, and Chelsea, for all the points, have been very very boring to watch at times, which may have also aided to Grant being given his Russian marching orders...

[scram]

Rijkaard would be a huge mistake. He got lucky with the board's signings and the quality of young players that came through, not to mention the fact that Real Madrid were in disarray when he arrived. As soon as Real got a decent coach and Ronaldinho's powers began to wane he got found out.

Would I be right in thinking that since Avram Grant took over a Chelsea manager they've won more points in the league than any other team?

This season or all time? Either way, you would not be right.

When he took over we were on 11 points from 6 games. Grant's first game against Man U was an away loss and under him, Chelsea gained 74 points from 32 games.

At the same time, Man U were also on 11 points from 6 and went on to win the league with more points than us.

So that's not a statistic which can be used to support Grant, I'm afraid.

[Flava Dave]

Just a guess, I thought Chelsea were a bit behind Man Utd when he took over. I still think it was stupid sacking him.

[scram]

Just a guess, I thought Chelsea were a bit behind Man Utd when he took over. I still think it was stupid sacking him.

You're not the only one either.

But managers have gone for less. Particularly at Chelsea. Mourinho, Ranieri, Vialli...

An empty trophy cabinet after three seasons of success is enough reason to say goodbye to a manager at Chelsea these days.

[Dr Phil]

Hull city in the premiership we never thought this would happen:)

[jonffm]

I agree with Dave.

Rikjaard would be a mistake of monumental preportions, so I really am praying Chelsea get him. Personally, I'd have Eriksson. He did superbly well at City, and given an unlimited chequebook, he could work wonders. Knows the english game already, knows how to play Chelseas best players (Terry, Lamps, Cole), he is tailor made for one of the big four.

[streety]

Went to Wembley for the first time yesterday for the Rochdale vs Stockport match. I wasn't that impressed. The Wembley way was nowhere near as good as it used to be. It was far too short and the arch doesn't compare to the towers.

Inside it is very spacious and everything is really easy to find (toilets and food etc). Even though a Beer and a Pie was pushing £10.

I look forward to seeing a match there when it is full ^_^

[scram]

I look forward to seeing a match there when it is full ^_^

I'd start supporting a proper club, then. ;)

[AngryPaul]

Don't Arsenal and Man Utd operate at 99%+ capacities? Not sure you could say that of Chelsea.

24,973 at home to Rosenborg?

[OKO]

Yeah, we run at like 60,000+ week in week out practically.
I went to the Shrewsbury vs Bristol Rovers match at Wembley last year, and for the opening play off final it was at about 63,000/65,000 capacity. That's not bad at all for two lower league teams.

[Smokey]

Sam Allardyce for the Chelsea job!

[Mr stabby]

I'd start supporting a proper club, then. ;)

as opposed to a russian billionaires plaything...
oh

[scram]

Don't Arsenal and Man Utd operate at 99%+ capacities? Not sure you could say that of Chelsea.

24,973 at home to Rosenborg?

Totally.

Problem is that there aren't enough arms and legs of Chelsea fans out there to allow us to get tickets. It's a fucking shame as it means we can't afford to see our team play. The only reason they get away with it is that they can sell out the big games at the high prices. Sucks. :(

[jonffm]

A rather meh first half. To be honest, a good few players look really tired, its been a long long season for the top English clubs.

Showed flashes of real quality though, should really be 2-0 up. I expected 1-0 at HT, I got 1-0. Lets not forget, USA are a good team, and are on top form...

[Flava Dave]

Lets not forget, USA are a good team, and are on top form...

You're crazy, USA are gash.

Decent performance by England. Someone needs to kill Motson and Lawrenson.

[jonffm]

A rather daft view from a rather daft bloke!


But agree on the second point. Motson is senile, and keeps telling us stuff he said earlier in the match...it's like talking to your grandad! Lawrenson has always been a joke...anyone notice his BBC predictions? Usually only gets one or two right a week out of ten, which is shocking....you'd get more by just randomly picking win, lose or draw.

[waggit]

Disapoint by Fabio's subs, i would have like to see walcott play.

[jonffm]

Not too bad.

Had a few quid on 3-0, sure made me sweat at the end...nice one Theo :) But £50 for the Jonneh. :D

[Shave]

i still don't see the point of beckham, he adds nothing that david bentley doesn't and i rate bentley higher. Don't think we really needed to play gerrard, backham, james and ferdinand when there were others who could've been given a chance.

but a decent enough performance, albeit against a far inferior side

[OKO]

Inter, The Special One...
Holy fuck. :(
There goes our CL hopes for the next five years.

[jonffm]

He couldn't win it with an unlimited chequebook at Chelsea, why would he win it now? He did well when he was at an underdog team, but since then, he's failed in europe for 3 straight seasons.

At least Grant got to the final!

[swampmonkey]

At Inter he's not gonna have an idiot chairman telling him to play attacking football. He can play boring and defensive in Italy, that's how the Italians like their football.

[jonffm]

Did Chelsea play attacking football under him? I missed have blinked and missed that one, because the Chelsea I saw under him where boring enough to practically BE an Italian side!

No doubt he'll do well there, but I don't think they'd do as well as people are saying, they won't suddenly be Champs League/Title double winners overnight - he's good, but not THAT good.

I'd still fancy my chances against Inter over someone like United any day.

[AngryPaul]

In his first season, 2004/05, they won the title with quite an attacking flair. I seem to remember they won a lot of games 3-0, etc. They scored 72 goals on the way to the title, only bettered by an Arsenal side just comnig out of their Invincibles stage. Surely that shows they were a good attacking side then?

In their second title winning season, 2005/06, they were joint top scorers with the same 72 goals with Manchester United. Arsenal were third with 68.

In 20006/07, Shevchenko and Ballack arrived, meaning a shift in formation and attitude. With Shevchenko failing to adapt to English football their goals dried up and, being forced to play him to keep Abramovich happy, Mourinho needed to ensure the wins came from a mean defence. This is shown by their return of 64 goals to Manchester United's 83.

Last season they slipped to fourth top scorers behind Manchester United (80), Arsenal (74) and Liverpool (67) with a return of 65.

I know goals are not a pure indication of how a team plays, but surely it does show that, without 30-year-old, £120,000 a week flops, Mourinho can play attacking, successsful football?

[jonffm]

Chelsea won alot of games 1-0, boringly grinding them out, and none of the Chelsea vs Big Team games were classics. They'd come out and attack when they were against Wigan, Bolton, Fulham, Middlesborough, ect ect, but anyone in the top 4 does the same because theres less danger coming from the opposition.

They scored goals, and were occasionally attacking, but flair is something I will never associate with Chelsea. When push comnes to shove, Chelsea are alot like us at Liverpool....they play boring, but effective football.

They scored that many goals because of the stream of top players running through their midfield to add to the strikers tallys. Lamps, Essien, Robben, Cole, they all loved to score spectacular goals.


United are an attacking team, Arsenal are an attacking team, Chelsea and Liverpool are FAR more cautious in their arproach to the game.

Nothing wrong with that though, and frankly, if he tries to play attacking football with Milan, they'll find themselfs coming up against brick walls due to the defensive nature of the Italian game. Frankly, Jose will fit right in....but I think he'll struggle still in Europe ;)

[Smokey]

That's the wonderful thing about the Champions League. You have teams like Milan, Inter, Barca, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Lyon competing with the English clubs. There are plenty of teams who are capable of winning it and many other decent teams who can put out one of the challengers if they aren't at their best.

You can't judge someone on not winning this competition because it involves beating 2 or 3 of the best sides in the world.

[waggit]

It's Big Phil for Chelsea according to the Beeb
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7449627.stm

[scram]

According to everywhere else as well.

Am happy with the choice :)

[Mr stabby]

I bet you still miss Avram eh scram?

[scram]

Like I miss my virginity.

[Mr stabby]

heh

Its interesting to see what will happen with Carvalho now, will he stay with Scolari at Chelsea or go join Mourinho at Inter.

Personally I'd like to see him go, I admit he is a top class defender, so seeing one of our rivals lose a player of his stature can only be a good thing for me, but also I just didn't really like him.

[scram]

I wouldn't be surprised to see more than one player leave Chelsea for Inter over the coming months.

[Smokey]

Well Big Phil has won the big competitions in the past, he should be a good choice. It would have been funny if he'd turned them down so Chelsea hired McClaren instead.

[AngryPaul]

but also I just didn't really like him.Seconded.

I think Big Phil is a gamble. Granted he has had success, but thats with national teams and in Brazil, he does not have any European club experience and his lack of English (or anything other than Portuguese) could hinder him at the start of the season. On the other hand, he has excelled at national level where you cannot buy your stars, you have to nuture them into the squad. He did very well with Brazil and has been excellent with Portugal.

Did anyone possibly think this was on the cards when they signed Bosingwa and were linked to Deco? I did cross my mind, but thats with hindsight so make of that what you will. I wouldn't be surprised if more Portugeezers arrive over the summer. Simao? Moutinho? Pepe?

Also, will Big Phil being trying his hardest to convince Ronaldo to bugger orf to Spain, so Chelsea's rivals suffer?

The other thing that makes me think its an odd choice is that of his personality. He is an outspoken gentleman,very boastful and playful with the media in conferences and extremely animated on the sidelines. Sounds like someone else who has ties to Chelsea and Portugal. And look where it got him.

One last thing. Media. He turned down England, mainly because the FA are a shambles, but he said that media intrusion was a major factor. Well Chelsea, The Premiership and The Champions League are not exactly media shy, are they? Will he be happy with this? Was it just an excuse to get out of the England job?

Anyway, I'm sure this is just finding fault because its an appointment by United's title rivals. I wish him all the best. Just only in the League Cup.

[Flava Dave]

Saw this posted a while ago somewhere else. Pretty amazing free-kickery. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=KW16BnpbAkc)

[Flava Dave]

Football thread bump!

http://i33.tinypic.com/fy1seu.jpg

[Mr stabby]

gay shorts

[AngryPaul]

He looks like hes on the way to becoming a ladies leather handbag.

[Flava Dave]

I reckon that Brad Friedel left Blackburn because Paul Ince is a massive prick and did some bad shit to him when they were at Liverpool.

[Flava Dave]

Marc Overmars to come out of retirement! (http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=footballNews&storyid=2008-08-10T220900Z_01_B118053_RTRIDST_0_SOCCER-DUTCH-OVERMARS.XML)

[AngryPaul]

Story has gone :(

[Nuclear Spoon]

This seems to be popping up everywhere:


"I'm sorry to say this, as a life long fan and - for the last few (for me at least) unforgettable months - employee, MCFC as we know it is finished.

Here are the FACTS, for those who really want to know.

Thaksin is, as of midlnight 10th August, 2008, an international fugitive. He now has to be found guilty of corruption in Thailand in his absense, offering no defence. Extradition requests will surely follow. The PL will then have to find him short of the fit and proper ownership rules (and believe me, the pressure for that from fellow 'members' has been growing since June).

Thaksin is trying to palm off City onto whoever will now take it, an insolvent mess of a business, completely incapable of sustaining itself. The truth is that the only interested party (until recently) - Wardle - is not now able to bail City out now , he cant come close on his own and no partners have been found. The wage bioll and committments due on the last 2 years' transfers have spiralled out of control.

The Corluka affair is the last straw - I personally worked on the deal and can assure anyone interested that he has already been transferred to Spurs. Spurs have this evening started legal action, and he will be barred from playing for City following an injunction in the courts tomorrow.

Personally I expect Hughes to then resign on principal (he has no choice now, he is on record as saying that he wilol have final say on all transfers). Many wont believe any of this, but a few will. I am very close to this situation (readers will never know who I am or how close - a few would know my name but it isnt appropriate to for me to come 'out') - trust me, I am close enough to know what has happeneded in the last fortnight, I am *****ed off with it (as a fan, and as someone who has worked hard for the club durinig the ast 18 months or so) and it must be said, a little drunk. I am posting this message on a few sites - apologies for those that keep reading it, but I want City fans to know what is happening.

The sad truth is we are finished, and that as a result, the PL will be facing its biggest challenge since inception within 2 weeks of now."

[Flava Dave]

How much must Rangers fans hate Martin O'Neill? (http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_3967289,00.html)

Story has gone :(

It was too fast for your eyes to see it, just like the man himself.

Here it is again. (http://uk.reuters.com/article/footballNews/idUKB11805320080810)

http://www.awooga.org/images/5oe27nsj1vc6g6d4srr.jpg


Martin Keown, Nigel Winterburn and Dennis Bergkamp are just out of shot forming the letters M,C and A.

[Mr stabby]

David Gold (Birmingham Chairman) - "Some people might not like relegation, promotion, relegation, promotion, but would you want to be a Middlesbrough - stuck in mid-table every season?"

huge lol

[Flava Dave]

Fucking virginmedia went and died. Fuck you, Branson.

[Shave]

fucking national games should be on goddamn terrestrial tv >:/

but from what i can gather from the radio is that beckham is being shit as usual (more shit than the rest of the team)

[Flava Dave]

England lol.


Score update thingy (http://www.sportinglife.com/football/popup/football365/)

[Nuclear Spoon]

Capello can't surely be that thick with his team selection...

I suspect there are hidden forces in the shadows.

[Flava Dave]

They need to bring Theo on.

[Nuclear Spoon]

They need a midfield which works.

[Flava Dave]

The Gerrard-Lampard axis is bound to work one of these years.

[mrsnuffles]

a goal down with 10 minutes to go. why would you put jenas on. why.

[Nuclear Spoon]

Capello clearly hasn't watched Spurs play much.

[Mr stabby]

has anyone?

[Nuclear Spoon]

Not me, anyway.

Yeah. I'm a shitty Spurs fan.

inb4allspursfanareshitty

[Mr stabby]

i wasn't gonna say that
cos spurs dont have any fans

[Smokey]

I thought Capello would be the man to step up and play only one of Gerrard and Lampard. Both players look at their most dangerous when they pick up the ball in between the opponents midfield and defence. In the first half Barry who was in a deeper role managed to find them in these positions and they looked more dangerous. In the second half this didn't happen and Gerrard or Lampard dropped deep and played the ball to the strikers in this position where the defenders can close them down easily.

England also seem to suffer whenever Crouch/Heskey is on the pitch since they stop passing the ball and just hit it long to the target men. Beckham took a few good set pieces but never looked to attack the full back and his defending was awful at one point when James came hurtling out of his goal. Plus I agree with the ITV pundits when they said the midfield were closing down too aggressively. For the first goal Beckham went charging across the pitch after the ball leaving a massive gap on the right flank. Admittedly it was Brown's mistake which let the Czech winger have space.

Even the usually solid back 4 was shakey tonight. Imagine what could have happened had the Czech's had two of thir best players fit (Rosicky and Koller)! Plus a performance like that from James could cost you three points against a decent team like Ukraine or Croatia and even Belarus. I still think Green should be given a chance since James and Robinson are both in bad form.

[AngryPaul]

Original Ronaldo to Man City. Heskey linked to Liverpool. England playing well. Liverpool joint top. Hull with points.


Football is going crazy. The script writers must be off their heads...

[ynnekkenny]

at least spurs are doing alright

[MargateMan]

I can only keep my fingers crossed that Spurs can keep up this fantastic form!

Could we see the dream of every Hammers fan come true, and the Spuds in the Championship? Yes, we're only 4 games in, but I can still dream...

Plus what the heck is going on with Hull? I thought the Baggies had the best looking team on paper, and I thought they had a slim chance of staying up, how ever, Hull look comfortable and as long as this isn't some sort of blip could well finish comfortably in mid-table... What's going on with the certainties of football, next one of the big four will finish 6th...

[Mr stabby]

got myself a ten way accumulator on the footy
blackburn to win, currently 3-0 up
bolton to win, 2-1 up at the mo
hull to draw with sunderland, currently drawing 1-1
fulham to draw with boro, currently drawing 0-0
wolves to beat donny, currently drawing 0-0 but wolves should win

then tomorrow
arsenal to beat liverpool (although I have 3 quid on liverpool to win seperatly)
man city to beat west brom
aston villa to beat west ham
spurs to beat newcastle

monday
chelsea to beat everton

fiver on that, 21k if it comes through.

[ZOIDBERG]

*cheers on Stabby*

If you're keeping an eye on this mate, you might want to know that Villa-West Ham is the late kick-off at 5:30 tonight, not tomorrow as you say. I'll be watching that on Setanta :)

[Mr stabby]

oh it is, thought it was tomorrow
hull and middlesborough let me down anyway, no 21 grand for me

[AngryPaul]

:(

I was sure I was going to get a share of the winnings for honing your skills with my Betting Shop. Alas, Boro let me down. Should be expected. We've never got on...

[Mr stabby]

turns out a few teams let me down

but if i do one a week, with some pretty dead certs, couple of quid, i should win one by the end of the season.

[jonffm]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/7794770.stm

Thats pretty much it for the Gunners I think, no Fabregas is going to make progressing in the FA Cup and CL very difficult when they come to face big teams, and even when he gets back, he'll take a few weeks to get back to his best....so I doubt we'll see Cesc as we know him for the rest of the season.

[AngryPaul]

I, for once, agree with Jonny.

Arsenal were already on uneven ground, just one injury away from being exposed for the thin squad they are. And here it is...

Hleb and Flamini (and also Rosicky in a sense) needed replacing with proven quality, not more French U21 potentials. Wenger has gambled on youth too many times and it will be this time it bites him in the, snarf, Arse. they don't have tha maturity to bounce back from defeats and their Champions League spot could well be under threat.

[AngryPaul]

Pfft. Double-post.

News is doing the rounds that Kaka could actually take a bid from Man City seriously. And I've thought about it and, if all the hype is true, he could take the plunge. Think about it. Milan are in the UEFA Cup and so are City.

Milan are not the powerful force they used to be, their squad is ageing worse then ever. They still have 40-year-old Maldini as captain, they happily buy an under-strength pushing-30 Ronaldinho, loan in David Beckham [32], still rely on Gattuso [31], Jankulovski [31], Zambroatta [31], Emerson [32], Nesta [32], Seedorf [32], Shevchenko [32], Inzaghi [35] and Dida [35]. These players will need replacing and it takes time to shape a squad. Milan will no-doubt suffer during this time.

He could feel at home with Brazillians Robinho, Jo and Elano on the books at Eastlands. Why should Kaka pass up an opportunity to play in a league he describes as "best championship in the world", at his footballing peak, for over £1m a month?

[jonffm]

Anyone watch the U21's?

Adam Johnson scored a fucking CORKER of a goal, very Gazza-esque...second goal was abit good too. These lads aint 'alf bad.

[Dakano]

poor old weymouth.

weymouth 0
rushden & diamonds 9
oh dear... but i don't care, as long as burton stay up at the top, that's fine.

[Flava Dave]

poor old weymouth.

weymouth 0
rushden & diamonds 9
oh dear... but i don't care, as long as burton stay up at the top, that's fine.

Fuck you.

Minstermen 4 life.

[Essex Toys]

Anyone watch the U21's?

Adam Johnson scored a fucking CORKER of a goal, very Gazza-esque...second goal was abit good too. These lads aint 'alf bad.

If they're that good then let's get them into the senior team!

[Nuclear Spoon]

i dared to think spurs could win it and have yet another season of european football

i am now disappointed :(

[Smokey]

It would have been a travesty if Spurs won the cup since they've spent a fortune and been shit this season. Same with Man City.

[yorkfan]

any other York City fans on here and will we get a trip to Wembely or will we stay up?

[jonffm]

I think York City was the offical forum team last season? So you'll find a fair few adopted yorkies :)

Not me, though.

[yorkfan]

I think York City was the offical forum team last season? So you'll find a fair few adopted yorkies :)

Not me, though.

thanks for your reply glad we have a few adopted fans , hopefully see them all at wembley good luck to your team jonffm

[streety]

Champions League Draw soon then...
Teams
Liverpool
Manchester United
Arsenal
Chelsea
Barcelona
Porto
Bayern Munich
Villarreal

Who do you fancy in the next round?

[Mr stabby]

Porto, then the winner of Villareal vs Arsenal in the Semis pretty please :)

[jonffm]

I'd rather play the chavs than Arsenal to be honest, Arsenal have more to play for...they're playing for CL football next season ;)

But yeah, Porto are obvious the one to draw, followed by Villareal. After that...Arsenal...Chelsea...Barca...Bayern...United .

[Nuclear Spoon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qij-GltNyw0

Lampard and Terry's faces are priceless.

[[murray]]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qij-GltNyw0

Lampard and Terry's faces are priceless.

Yesterday I thought the best sight in football was Alex Ferguson's face after losing 4-1 to Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Now I know it is Frank Lampard's face when he's told by a fat bloke from Essex that Stevie G is better than him.

[jonffm]

They're cracking up, they're cracking up, they're cracking....United are cracking up :)

If you ask me, it's all down to the sheer arrogance of even mentioning the word "quadruple"...that and the fact that their first team look knackered.

April is no easier....look at the fixtures and ask yourself this...

If United are tired NOW, how tired will they be after they play SEVEN games between the 5th and the 25th of April? Thats a game every 2.9 days :)


It's stuill Uniteds to throw away, but i'm SHOCKED they have lost the last two games. I thought I was being insanely optimistic to think we'd beat them at Old Trafford...never in my wildest dreams did I think Fulham would do em' too.

But now it's up to Liverpool to keep the pressure up with a convincing win tomorrow. The more goals, the better...because suddenly the goal difference isn't so grand, and with the title-race looking like it could go till the final week, that 'extra-point' you get from goal difference could make all the ...well...difference.

[sapphirekishi]

Are you a lover of sports? If your answer is yes, keep going. It is a good habit; it will keep you healthy and fit.

[Nuclear Spoon]

Thanks. I will!

[Smokey]

I was loving sport this very evening. Then I went to the pub. Good times.

[Mr stabby]

So man utd get handed the game by a ref for the second week running

and pompey are so terrible, they should be going down instead of... infact there should be 5 teams going down this season cos sunderland are shit too.

thats my thoughts on MotD so far.

and maloudas hair is terrible, but fulham are a pretty good team i like them. ( i HATE chelsea )

[jonffm]

Pretty much sums it up!

Unfortunatly United are going to win the title. When you've got the ref's in your pocket week after week, there isn't much the rest of us can do. Ahh well, we'll keep winning, get outselves a VERY respectable point tally, and come back even stronger - with hopefully a couple of great new players and minus a couple of massive yanks.

We can dream, we can dream.

Loving that after all the stick I got from my Arsenal supporting chum about the yanks, about how Arsenal are the "only true British team left", they're now owned mainly by a yank and he'll probably soon own the whole of the club once he gets to 30%.

What about these rumors about Eto'o and Tevez? Frankly, i'd rather have Tevez....perhaps not as good as Eto'o, but he's proven in the Premiership.

Lennon would be nice too, if the rumors are true that Babels off.

[Mr stabby]

Tevez and Lennon would be good, but I think Lennon is similar to Pennant(no not because they are black) and wouldn't fit in our system, we work well with a big hard winger on one wing and a skillful crosser on the other. I'd prefer a world class left mid.

more motd talk (we should do this every week)
I like spurs way more since redknapp took over, they were a good team and he is an ace manager. i wish west brom stayed up cos they try and play football unlike some.

man city are alright and its quite funny that they spent all that money and got nowhere, blackburn I like but i cant stand big sam so right now I'm indifferent to them.