Euro 2008 (Official Man City LOL Thread)

[Lord Abortion]

Aye, for you lot maybe:(

at least chelsea didn't win...

[Faith No Doubt]

Aye, for you lot maybe:(

at least chelsea didn't win...

And when Saturday comes, we're gonna beat 'em.

[upthebracket]

So... I wonder who's been tapping up George Burley?? Can't believe he's left Hearts so soon.

He must have been sacked... surely you wouldn't walk out on an unbeaten table topping team. Should make our league a bit more competative with a weakened Hearts team :cool:

[Lord Abortion]

You were counting Med, was that the 6th or seventh goal conceded Rio has been responsible for?

I lost track...

[Britney Diva]

The rumour is that Burley's in for the Ireland job. Brian Kerr might be going the other way :-\

[Britney Diva]

I never liked Burley at all, but we'll take what we can get at this stage :(

As for Beckham... after him lecturing Rooney before? It's funny Beckham has on numerous occasions remarked that Rooney will mature as he gets older yet he's what.. ten years older than him?

[Lord Abortion]

Bobby Robson's been linked quite heavily with the job, but then again, he's been linked quite heavily with everything
Yeah, the odds were good on him becoming pope this year aswell...

I think Beckham is both a great footballer and a good captain, but stuff like that is just incomprehensibly stupid...

[TakeWarning]

Haha, still can't get over the hilarity of the Pires penalty.

[Iai]

So... I wonder who's been tapping up George Burley??
You know, that was EXACTLY my thought when I heard.

[Britney Diva]

Yeah, the odds were good on him becoming pope this year aswell...

I'd have voted for him.

Disagree on Beckham though. I think he's occasionally a great player and more often than not is the hardest working player on the pitch, but I don't think that adds up to being a good captain. I don't think he has anything else that qualifies him for the job.

[Britney Diva]

I'm not really a fan of centre-halves as captains (case in point, Kenny Cunningham has been ours for the last two unsuccesful campaigns). The ideal captain, despite his past penchant for stamping on people (no matter how much we'd all like to stand on Gareth Southgate's face), is Roy Keane. When things are going against you, and you're playing poorly, Keane could always be relied upon to take it on himself to lift everyone, change the game to suit you, and even score a couple if necessary. Beckham did that against Greece, but they weren't a very good team, and I don't think he'd be capable of it anymore.

In other news I heard he's demanding more money from Real. I think he has Ferdinand's disease. Move to new club, fail to impress, witness their rapid decline, demand more money as a reward.

[Drop The Baby]

I've always though centre back is the perfect place to lead the team from, and a striker the worst. I fully support Beckham as england captaion, i think he's coming under a lot of unwarranted pressure.

And if you think Beckham's been poor since he got to Real then you have simply just not watched him. He's been in great form all season

[Drop The Baby]

There have been some great captains over the years, and you can always dream of having them back in the team. Players like Keane, MAldini, Tony Adams and leaders and will be legends due to their leadership and playing abilites and statues at their clubs.

IMO in would be an error to replace Becks as england captain, especially with Terry who's not even garunteed a starting place.

[Britney Diva]

I've only seen Beckham once or twice, but last season he was quite poor from what I remember. My apologies to the Queen of Faketan if I'm wrong.

As for Terry, I don't think he'll lose his England place any time soon. He's the best player in the England team right now, and definitely the best centre-half in the premiership.

[Grutte Pier]

Well, no national team has it worse than Germany at the moment. I just read an article about it, Klinnsman is heavily under fire, the press is accusing him of going to much on vacation to California. Their team isn't worth a crap, the only player of international value is Ballack. Their last games were pathetic. 'With this team, we'll get blown away by die Hollander and Brasilians next summer' cried the papers out loud.

Isn't this just wonderful!

[Britney Diva]

My German History teacher is a German and he says the state of the team has reduced him to tears :eek:

[Iai]

My German History teacher is a German
Made me chuckle.

[Doctor Night]

Made me chuckle.

WHere the hell have you been, I've been woried sick about you.
Anyways, where have you been?

[Lord Abortion]

The centre back captain thing is a good idea.

I mean, look at Steve Bruce, Tony Adams, John Terry, Bobby Moore, all the other great captains that come from that position.

[Iai]

WHere the hell have you been, I've been woried sick about you.
Anyways, where have you been?
Motherboard broke on the way up to Uni, so no internetz for me.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

LAWL

POOL LOST TO PALACE !

made my day :D

[Britney Diva]

I'd pick Rooney, Ashley Cole (bear in mind that he *is* the only left back we have, basically), and then Terry.
You can have Kevin Kilbane back if you're stuck for a left-sided player. We're done with him. Seriously. Please.

Made me chuckle.
And I live in Germany!

No I don't.

[Iai]

I've just seen two new posts by you in a minute that mention Germans.

Med basically said what I would if I wasn't drunk.

[Britney Diva]

Being drunk indirectly mentions Germans.

And yeah, I have some obsession it seems :?

[red barchetta]

yyyeeeessss Inamoto scored :cool:

Japan are taking the world cup (i hope) :D

[RandyfromPennywise]

As for Terry, I don't think he'll lose his England place any time soon. He's the best player in the England team right now, and definitely the best centre-half in the premiership.
This man is right.


I've only seen Beckham once or twice, but last season he was quite poor from what I remember. My apologies to the Queen of Faketan if I'm wrong.

You should watch more non-English football.

Real Betis v Villareal and Real Madrid v Deportivo La Coruña double-header is about to start.

[RandyfromPennywise]

It's always good, finding out that you officially are an Internet celebrity. :p



Man, I've got to disagree with this. Seriously, if I had to write an England teamsheet to start the next game, I'd pick Rooney, Ashley Cole (bear in mind that he *is* the only left back we have, basically), and then Terry. For me, Terry's improved to such an extent over the last few years that he'd be impossible to leave out. As for great captains, Bryan Robson played centre midfield. So did Didier Deschamps (hugely underrated by loads of people), and Dunga, the Brazilian captain for a lot of the '90s. It's definitely a central defence/midfield position that tends to work best though.

It has to be either Terry or Gerrard, realistically. Personally I think Terry is the stand-out choice. Clearly the best defender in the World, he is the man to lead both his club and country for the next eight years.

[Doctor Night]

Motherboard broke on the way up to Uni, so no internetz for me.

ahhh.

[Lord Abortion]

Our reserves are 3 up.
:)

[RandyfromPennywise]

We're 1-1 with Addicks. JT header.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Fcuk. Extra-Time...

[upthebracket]

5-0 for Celtic tonight... Rangers drew with Livingston, who now have 4 points :cool:

Rangers are 11 points behind Hearts and 9 behind Celtic... I wouldn't be surprised to see Burley at Rangers before too long.


Japan are taking the world cup (i hope) :D

Nakamura scored a peachy 30 yard free-kick tonight, he's class.

[upthebracket]

We're 1-1 with Addicks. JT header.

Haha it just dawned on me that you were talking about Chelsea there... I thought you were on about some Championship team or something :p

[Lord Abortion]

4-1 finish, I'm happy.

also the Chelsea game is interesting.

[poorquality]

Rossi and Blake :) Strike-force of the future, can't wait to see the game tonight, midnight on MUTV. Chelsea games in extra time all i know, can't see how i'll check it apart from sky sports sportcenter.

[Lord Abortion]

On the goalkeeper incident, It was unfortunate, and effectively ruined the match, but rules are rules...


Rossi especially looks excellent.

[poorquality]

I think it was harsh to send him off after a minute, if it really was that bad (deliberate handball from what i've heard) so early on, give him a yellow, I mean..its Barnet, playing at Old Trafford, it must be so class to walk out onto that pitch and face united. Why take it away from them?

[RandyfromPennywise]

Looks like we're going to have penalties... I'm on BBC text comm... anything better??? Wouldn't mind seeing the "Shot by Frank Lampard (Chelsea) overhead kick right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar"!!!

[poorquality]

Got BBC live commentary on now, for the penalties :) cheers for the heads up

[Lord Abortion]

I think it was harsh to send him off after a minute, if it really was that bad (deliberate handball from what i've heard) so early on, give him a yellow, I mean..its Barnet, playing at Old Trafford, it must be so class to walk out onto that pitch and face united. Why take it away from them?
Yeah, it was terrible, but the ref was going by the rules, very harsh but accurate by the rulebook, unfortunately.

[poorquality]

Thought i'd put em all here:

Chelsea: Goal
Charlton: Goal

Chelsea: SAVED!
Charlton: Goal

Chelsea: Goal
Charlton: Goal

Chelsea: Goal
Charlton: Goal

Chelsea: Goal
Charlton: GOAL!

CHARLTON THROUGH, CHELSEA OUT!

5-4 Penalties, Robert Huth missed Chelseas Penalty. Chelseas first defeat this season.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Fcuk this, this is bullsiht. Fcuking Charlton scum. I need a drink.

(It's 7am)

[RandyfromPennywise]

Seriously pissed-off. Rank result. Why didn't JT take the penalty instead of Huth? Or Joey C? Ok, he hits them hard, but seriously.... Now Charlton will be thinking they're all King Dick because of this.

Congratulations to Charlton.

[Lord Abortion]

Hahaha...Joey C sounds like he's a boyband member...

Well, console yourself with the league title...probably.

or is the Chelsea empire crumbling??

[Dead Star]

5-0 for Celtic tonight... Rangers drew with Livingston, who now have 4 points :cool:

Rangers are 11 points behind Hearts and 9 behind Celtic... I wouldn't be surprised to see Burley at Rangers before too long.


:upset:

Down to 7th we go.

[Britney Diva]

Chelski lost to Charlskton! :eek:

[metal-militia]

Come on Charlton! :thumb:

[Angry Balled Fists!]

YAY FOR TOON TOON TOON

Easy game, but their captain is such a wanker, seriosuly.

I've spared myself some piss taking there :D

[red barchetta]

YAY FOR TOON TOON TOON

Easy game, but their captain is such a wanker, seriosuly.

I've spared myself some piss taking there :D
their captain is a ****ing disgrace. he was smiling after he made that challenge.

[upthebracket]

Heh, different story when the shoe's on the other boot. Anyone remember Shearer kicking Neil Lennon in the face? Lennon's still waiting for his apology. Shearer's pretty bad for overusing the elbow as well.

[Britney Diva]

I remember. Shearer went through a period of 2-3 weeks where he should have been sent off at least three times and wasn't because he's a darling. I remember his excuse. "I was trying to dislodge my foot and I slipped backwards..."

[metal-militia]

Shearer's pretty bad for overusing the elbow as well.

definately... i like Shearer but i'm glad that bloke gave him a taste of his own medicine.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

No, Shearer didn't mean to get him, you have to jump up with your arms up...

poor Robert Huth :lol:

[RandyfromPennywise]

Well my predictions for the weekend in England:

CFC 5-0 Blackburn
Boro 1-3 Man Utd



TONIGHT'S RESULTS:

ADELAIDE UNITED 1-0 MELBOURNE VICTORY

Top o' the League, We're 'aving a laugh!

[Kyle]

Shearer's pretty bad for overusing the elbow as well
heh, I remember one Newcastle V Man U game where he elbowed Keane about 3 times in the first half, Keane was getting so pissed off. Those 2 hate eachother. And then there was another time when he gave Cannavaro a big elbow to the face in the champions league, the ref didnt see it but Shearer got a 3 match ban after the game.

[RCVA]

Well my predictions for the weekend in England:

CFC 5-0 Blackburn
Boro 1-3 Man Utd



TONIGHT'S RESULTS:

ADELAIDE UNITED 1-0 MELBOURNE VICTORY

Top o' the League, We're 'aving a laugh!
What's the Aussie league like?

[TakeWarning]

What's the Aussie league like?

Pretty bad. I find the games pretty boring to watch.

[RandyfromPennywise]

What's the Aussie league like?
Good. A large improvement on the old NSL, standard-, crowds-, support- and player-wise. There are some seriously good players in the A-League:

Adelaide: Shenqing Qu (China)
Melbourne: Archie Thompson (Australia)
Sydney: Dwight Yorke (Trinidad)

and others such as Sook Se-O (sp?), Alex Brosque, Michael Ferrante, Fernando Rech, Kevin Muscat, Sasha Petrovski, Noel Spencer and others.

It's only going to improve too, which is really encouraging.

* Adelaide United's Shenqing Qu (pronounced "Shoe") is the only professional player I can think of that takes corners from both sides, with left and right foot, and decides on which foot to use for free-kicks depending on the angle and position of the wall etc. Quite amazing. (Henry's the only other player I've seen take a free-kick (shot) with their non-preffered foot.)


* * *



It's football, but not as you know it.

[RandyfromPennywise]

No, Shearer didn't mean to get him, you have to jump up with your arms up...

poor Robert Huth :lol:

Anyone remember when Robert Huth stomped on Shearer in between his left and right groins?

That was well-in, top-drawer, A-class quality.

You don't mess with 6'5" hard-nut Germans.

[RCVA]

I thought i heard that Dwight Yorke went to Australia.

[Lord Abortion]

To be honest, It was good to see Shearer get a taste of his own medcine...he does more albowing than any player I have ever seen.

[poorquality]

Anyone remember when Robert Huth stomped on Shearer in between his left and right groins?

That was well-in, top-drawer, A-class quality.

You don't mess with 6'5" hard-nut Germans.


Was that the one where next time Newcastle played them Shearer made sure he got his revenge? I remember once shearer got hurt or something, gave the guy evils at full time, next time he played against him he went for him.

[Frankie]

Man i never got why people rate alan shearer . In the past years his game has gone downhill. All those geordies who believe he still got it heres a lil fact for ya. Last year Franck Quedrue who plays left back at my club scored more goals in open play then the oh-so-great alan shearer. Oh and good on that whytlle lad for dishing out what shearer has been giving to people for years. A good old elbow in the face. Mind you it was quite nasty dnt blame him for not wanting to shake his hand.

[Frankie]

[QUOTE=RandyfromPennywise]Well my predictions for the weekend in England:

CFC 5-0 Blackburn
Boro 1-3 Man Utd

No we'll beat MAn United to night we've always bein good against united. It's not like years ago when Liverpool United and Arsenal Hardly lost a game the league is quite soft those sorts of teams are beatable.

I say Middlesbrough 2-1 Manchester United

[Ganondorf]

If there's only 12 teams in the SPL how come at the end of the season each team has played more than 22 games?

[poorquality]

United going in at half time 3-0 down to Middlesborough(sp?).


United just aren't playing well at all, Rooneys the only one showing team spirits....useless

[upthebracket]

If there's only 12 teams in the SPL how come at the end of the season each team has played more than 22 games?

It's confusing... there are 3 rounds of games (everyone plays everyone once), then the league splits in half, where the top 6 play each other once and the bottom 6 play each other once in the last round of games, so each team ends up playing 38 games in total.

Daft, daft system.


Still, back to the top for Celtic tomorrow :chug: Rangers are a better joke now than Celtic were at the start of the season... so roll on Artmedia on Tuesday! :cool:

[red barchetta]

Nakata is on fire :cool:

[Kyle]

Man i never got why people rate alan shearer . In the past years his game has gone downhill. All those geordies who believe he still got it heres a lil fact for ya. Last year Franck Quedrue who plays left back at my club scored more goals in open play then the oh-so-great alan shearer. Oh and good on that whytlle lad for dishing out what shearer has been giving to people for years. A good old elbow in the face. Mind you it was quite nasty dnt blame him for not wanting to shake his hand.
He does so much more for the team than just score.

[poorquality]

Mid 4-1 Utd

Ronaldo played for the last 15 minutes and scored and I think was Uniteds MotM...says alot regarding the rest of the team, Rooney and Smith played their hearts out as they do every game...rest of the team didn't show up.

Fergie's little public shaming of Rio (who played poorly and was at fault a couple of times) by subbing him 4 minutes from time for Brown, there was no need for the substitution but he did it to show rio he wasnt happy with him...Chelsea next week...prediction? Chelsea 6-1 United...woo :(

[Lord Abortion]

The worst United performance I have seen for years.

This is awful.
oh. Ronaldo got one back....4-1

Him not starting is idiotic, he's the best player in the side bar Rooney.

[Britney Diva]

He does so much more for the team than just score.
Yes, he organises the squad book club and various outings to historical landmarks.

/watches the premiership

Fergie's little public shaming of Rio (who played poorly and was at fault a couple of times) by subbing him 4 minutes from time for Brown, there was no need for the substitution but he did it to show rio he wasnt happy with him
If he really wanted to do that he wouldn't have given him a huge wage increase as reward for being crap.

[Frankie]

hey your acting like it was there b team we beat today credit were credit due instead of monaing JFH got on with it and played well and as for Mendieta I remember when he was 28 million not had the best time at boro but has been played out of possesion . If thats waht he can do and if we play like that I dnt see why we cant finish 4th or 5th

[Lord Abortion]

hey your acting like it was there b team we beat today credit were credit due instead of monaing JFH got on with it and played well and as for Mendieta I remember when he was 28 million not had the best time at boro but has been played out of possesion . If thats waht he can do and if we play like that I dnt see why we cant finish 4th or 5th
To be fair 'boro played well today, especially defensively.
But a Man united team shouldn't play like that, we were REALLY ****ing atrocious today.

[Britney Diva]

Blackburn got the most inexplicable penalty today. And Ledley King scored the freest header ever. Updates to follow.

[Frankie]

I'll check out the pena on MOTD anyone seen MOTD2 it's good for a few laughs.

[metal-militia]

Just looked at fantasy league and Lamps got me 30 points today :eek:

Looking forward to MOTD, can't wait to see United get slaughtered :D

[Britney Diva]

As far as I know, they don't show the Sky match until the next day.

[Lord Abortion]

Manchester United should never lose 4-1. Period. I don't care if we're playing Chelsea, Milan, Barcelona...we should be able to hold it together at the back well enough to avoid conceding 4. Rio was an embarassment, and the rest of the team wasn't much better. Middlesborough absolutely deserved to win, but that scoreline is frankly embarassing, and we may as well throw in the towel now, and stop even pretending that next week's match is going to be close if we play anything like as badly as we did today.
Well his run of culpibility went for the first goal, but he was right back in there for the second...

The worst we have played for a while.
The title is Chelsea's if we ever play like that again, even if by some miracle we win next week...there's little chance of it continuing...
unless we win and Chelsea do an Arsenal, there is no chance...

[Britney Diva]

The title is Chelsea's. There's no team in the premiership that even comes close on a week-to-week basis, let alone over a full year.

[Ganondorf]

I really wish Man U had at least kept some semi-balance of pressure on Chelsea, although it is fun seeing the big boys get beat ;)

[Kyle]

I think the Premiership is ruined. Never before have we been able to guarentee that a team would win the league so early in a season (even before the season started it was pretty likely). The lack of competition at the top is just boring me, I don't care if my team is near the top or not, I just wish Man U or Arsenal would challenge Chelsea.

[mr snrub]

Boys im sorry to say that it is ruined, but only for now. As an arsenal fan, I am mortified about everything, I was at white hart lane yesterday and couldn't believe whats happened to my side, who this time last year were 49 games unbeaten (actually that was over but you know what I mean). When I heard Chelsea were 2-2 at halftime I thought maybe Blackburn could do something, but no. I have come to the conclusion that there is no Chelsea. They are not there, and that the team that finished 2nd in the league in reality, will enfact be the morale champions, because they would have won the league if it wasn't for Abramovich's dirty money, and it is dirty money, and one day it will be proven, and that day will be the start of the Chelsea collapse. Give it time, my friends, soon the Premiership will be back to the way it was before.... arsenal winning :-)

[Lord Abortion]

Boys im sorry to say that it is ruined, but only for now. As an arsenal fan, I am mortified about everything, I was at white hart lane yesterday and couldn't believe whats happened to my side, who this time last year were 49 games unbeaten (actually that was over but you know what I mean). When I heard Chelsea were 2-2 at halftime I thought maybe Blackburn could do something, but no. I have come to the conclusion that there is no Chelsea. They are not there, and that the team that finished 2nd in the league in reality, will enfact be the morale champions, because they would have won the league if it wasn't for Abramovich's dirty money, and it is dirty money, and one day it will be proven, and that day will be the start of the Chelsea collapse.
I hate to agree with an arsenal fan but there it is...

I bolded the thing I most agree with, that's the way I feel when I see united play...

[upthebracket]

I think the Premiership is ruined. Never before have we been able to guarentee that a team would win the league so early in a season (even before the season started it was pretty likely). The lack of competition at the top is just boring me, I don't care if my team is near the top or not, I just wish Man U or Arsenal would challenge Chelsea.

Scottish football's the way ahead :cool:

Unless you're a Rangers fan, (who are 6 points behind 3rd placed Hibs (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/table/default.stm)) (lol) but for everyone else it's pretty rosy.


As far as Man U are concerned, Fergie should have retired when he first intened a few seasons ago instead of going after a 2nd European Cup. I bet the Glazers are a bit baffled right now...

[mr snrub]

I mean, we sold Vieira the heart and soul of our midfield, and lost Edu aswell. Our two best centre-midfielders (arguably) and we bring in Hleb who's decent, but we are relying on youngsters like Fabregas and Flamini to run our midfield. How can we win the league with that? I rate them, and sure they've got good futures, but what use is that now? I disagree with Mr Wenger and his actions in the transfer market. I read the other day that we have £70 million available! 70 million! That's alot, and all we did was spend 8 on Hleb. Not good. Fair enough we missed out on Baptista, but we are going to lose Henry if we don't start to show some ambition with new, quality signings, not youngsters for the future, and we need to finish well in the league, and champions league. Silverwear would be a bonus with the squad we have. It's a sad way for us to leave Highbury, because we have a weak squad, not weak by the leagues standards, but by our standards. As for you Man Utd lot. I share sympathy for you. Usually I'd be happy at a 4-1 thrashing, but in all honesty I was angry as well, and please please do everyone a favour and smash Chelsea next week and put them in their place.

[Britney Diva]

Yeah, I think it's pretty fair to blame Chelsea for the state of the premiership, and not the fact that the standard of football from every other club has nosedived. Yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and ignore the problem and complain about Chelsea. :)

[Lord Abortion]

It's true to be honest, United have been atrocious this past couple of years, and so have arsenal for alot of last year and all of this season....

United simply don't know how to play a well organised and committed defence any more...

[poorquality]

Yeah, I think it's pretty fair to blame Chelsea for the state of the premiership, and not the fact that the standard of football from every other club has nosedived. Yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and ignore the problem and complain about Chelsea. :)


I'm glad someone see's past the blame Chelsea approach...let's face it...United played poorly, exceptionally poorly, that is down to United, It's not Chelsea making United play poor, its United playing poor. People are so quick to blame chelsea just because they are the only consistant team in the premiership at the moment. If United and Arsenal were playing blindingly great football yet the situation was the same, you may have a point, but until the teams actually show signs of playing remotely well, leave Chelsea to Chelsea.

Oh and I'm not trying to defend Chelsea as a fan....I'm a United supporter. I just apprechiate good football when I see it.

[Lord Abortion]

well, considering that their two best players (Lampard and Terry) were there before Abramovic, and Cech was about 5 million, and Makelele expensive, but brilliant.

all the rest of the big name signings chelsea had have pretty much underperformed... (don't give me that Duff and Robben crap, they've been injured too much and off form most of the rest of the time)
United have been horrible this past three seasons, and the amount they have spent on poor players is stupid.
Rio Ferdinand is more expensive than anyone Chelsea bought and he's bollocks.

[Britney Diva]

Duff and particularly Robben have been plagued by injury, but that's inevitable given their playing styles. If those two were constantly fit, I don't think Cole or SWP would get a look in.

I'm not saying Chelsea haven't played a part in hurting the other clubs, because they simply have the power to buy players the other teams can't, but it's just an obstacle the other teams have to overcome. And being completely honest, the other teams have done so abysmally. Chelsea are the only team in the league right now because they have an exceptionally good manager who knows how to win matches better than any other manager in the league, and they have a fantastic, though incomplete, squad which ensures their complete dominance.

They're not a great team, not at all, but they're one of the best teams in Europe right now and by a long, long way the best in England.

[RandyfromPennywise]

[QUOTE=RandyfromPennywise]Well my predictions for the weekend in England:

CFC 5-0 Blackburn
Boro 1-3 Man Utd

No we'll beat MAn United to night we've always bein good against united. It's not like years ago when Liverpool United and Arsenal Hardly lost a game the league is quite soft those sorts of teams are beatable.

I say Middlesbrough 2-1 Manchester United
HA! Quite right you were! (Only you weren't harsh enough on United!)

Da-da-da-da Men-di-et-a!

[+3kk!]

Chelsea deserve all the praise they get...they've spent loads, but then again, so did Manchester United. They've bought very well, and Mourinho can be very proud of himself for getting the results that he has done. Things could easily have gone wrong for him given the players he has to leave out, but he's a great manager. It's up to everyone to else to raise their game and put some pressure on Chelsea, rather than sitting here whining about how it's all so unfair. We're hopeless at the moment, and Arsenal aren't much better.

123.....

[RandyfromPennywise]

well, considering that their two best players (Lampard and Terry) were there before Abramovic, and Cech was about 5 million, and Makelele expensive, but brilliant.

all the rest of the big name signings chelsea had have pretty much underperformed... (don't give me that Duff and Robben crap, they've been injured too much and off form most of the rest of the time)
United have been horrible this past three seasons, and the amount they have spent on poor players is stupid.
Rio Ferdinand is more expensive than anyone Chelsea bought and he's bollocks.

You are wrong about Duff. He is absolutely great. I do not care for anything you have to say if you do not agree that Duff has improved out-of-sight since joining Chelsea. He now has a right foot, plays on both flanks and as a striker, at left-back at times and is overall a lot more consistent, versatile and effective.

Petr Čech was £9 million from Rennes, Makélélé £16.6 million from Real Madrid, Joe Cole was £6.6 million from West Ham, and Del Horno was £8 million from Athletic Bilbao. They have all proved excellent buys, in particular Joe Cole - for £2 million more than United paid for Taibi.

Ranieri deserves a lot of credit for the current sqaud - he brought in Čech, Johnson, Bridge, Gérémi, Joe Cole, Lampard, Makélélé, Gudjohnsen, Duff, Crespo and Robben.

Great night of Prem last night too, Boro were great value. I love Mendieta, Rochemback, Queudrue, Jimmy the Yak and the V-Bomber. Good players. I've a soft spot for the Boro because I like a lot of their players. Pity I'll 'ave to drop Rochemback from Fantasy now though after it looked like he's pulled something in his thigh/stomach area.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Duff and particularly Robben have been plagued by injury, but that's inevitable given their playing styles. If those two were constantly fit, I don't think Cole or SWP would get a look in.

I'm not saying Chelsea haven't played a part in hurting the other clubs, because they simply have the power to buy players the other teams can't, but it's just an obstacle the other teams have to overcome. And being completely honest, the other teams have done so abysmally. Chelsea are the only team in the league right now because they have an exceptionally good manager who knows how to win matches better than any other manager in the league, and they have a fantastic, though incomplete, squad which ensures their complete dominance.

They're not a great team, not at all, but they're one of the best teams in Europe right now and by a long, long way the best in England.
Where's the incomplete-ness in the Chelsea squad? Interested to hear your thoughts.

Only weaknesses I can see are - nope, can't see any. Two excellent 'keepers, and left full-backs, four players capable of playing right-back, three world-class centre-backs with one up-and-coming youngster, two great defensive midfielders, the best midfielder in the world, four great wingers, and Drogba, Crespo (and Gudjohnsen) for strikers.

Perhaps we don't have a 40-goal-a-season striker. But then again we've Lamps.

[Britney Diva]

I think you're vastly over-rating the side, to be honest. Two excellent keepers, given. Two good left fulls, one right back who's more of a centre half but does well, one great defensive midfielder, not the best midfielder in the world (wow), two great wingers, one decent winger and a very promising winger and one great striker who clearly won't ever reach his potential with the side.

Like it or not, the current Chelsea isn't as good as the Arsenal team of two years ago, or the Man U side of the years previous; there's still rather a large gulf there. Chelsea are still improving, they're far from the finished article.

[Frankie]

i don't see Chelsea losing this season the only reason they lost last year was due to a refering mistake I think they'll hardly drop points....until they come to the riverside where I predict we'll hammer chelski 5-0 lol.Oh yeah and I would drop rockemback toatally from your squad i've seen him play hes not bad but some of the shots aaaarrrghh not pretty I can tell ya.

[red barchetta]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4389962.stm

get him, Wenger :D

[upthebracket]

Forlan was a favourite with the fans at Old Trafford

I didn't realise he was 'a favourite' :confused: I've heard he's been on fire since he left (and before he joined...) United. He could do well for an Arsenal type.

The gossip column's always a good read (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/4389614.stm). £64m for Aston Villa eh.

[Frankie]

Not just on fire tho hes been amazing since he left to join Villareal. I saw them play against Barcelona and he completed one of the best hat tricks in a long while. In the end Barce were doubling up on him and left MAJOR gpas in their defence.

[Frankie]

Oh and all you moaning united fans and gooners out there the league this time around (minus chelsea) is too close to call. It good to have teams like wigan doing well it's good for the premiership and aswell as those who dnt suppost the top 3 and constatly get the thin end of the wedge when it comes to coverage. SO yeah 4th for the boro.

[Lord Abortion]

Chelsea haven't got a "Beckham style" player who is capable of changing the game with a single 60 yard pass, but Lampard is doing alright in that field, and the amount of goals he gets is unbelieveable.
They haven't got a worldclass striker, except Crespo and they never play him...
The only players at Chelsea I would seriously label as worldclass are Cech, Lampard, Makelele and Terry, the rest are merely good, and held together by a magnificent manager and a boundless squad to cover injury.

You are wrong about Duff. He is absolutely great. I do not care for anything you have to say if you do not agree that Duff has improved out-of-sight since joining Chelsea. He now has a right foot, plays on both flanks and as a striker, at left-back at times and is overall a lot more consistent, versatile and effective.
You misunderstand, I agree he is a hell of alot better, just injured far too often and not as good as he should be.

[poorquality]

I think Fergie should just admit this seasons over for United, We're not going to win anything let's face it. Instead start playing our future players like Blake, Rossi, Bardsley (moreso), Pique, Eckersley, Jones and Gibson...then have 4 first team regulars including Rooney and Smith because they're the only ones actually trying game in game out at the moment. Build up the youth, next season they could prove to be the next round of Beckham,Scholes, Neville etc. Lord knows they can't do much worse than we're doing already.

[Lord Abortion]

I think Fergie should just admit this seasons over for United, We're not going to win anything let's face it. Instead start playing our future players like Blake, Rossi, Bardsley (moreso), Pique, Eckersley, Jones and Gibson...then have 4 first team regulars including Rooney and Smith because they're the only ones actually trying game in game out at the moment. Build up the youth, next season they could prove to be the next round of Beckham,Scholes, Neville etc. Lord knows they can't do much worse than we're doing already.
What I still can't understand is this continued starting of Fletcher over Ronaldo...it's bloody idiotic.
Never in my 13 years of supporting United have I seriously called for Fergie to go, but maybe it's what is needed.
On paper, united should be as good as Chelsea, first eleven-wise. But it's just not there...

Maybe you're right, playing the youngsters might be an idea, as would dropping Rio for Wes Brown.

[poorquality]

The two players we miss most are Neville and Heinze...let's face it...Neville keeps the back 4 together, Rio would of got a b0llocking if Neville was playing too. Heinzes just one of the best left backs in the world. Ronaldo was on for 15 minutes yesterday and was our MoTM, the game changed when he came on and we got a goal. I'm glad it's him that got our 1000th premiership goal, because no-one other than rooney or smith deserved it.

I wouldn't call for Fergie to leave, to be honest I don't see a suitable replacement, well..Mourinho or Wenger I'd say..but they wouldn't leave their respected clubs. If we drop some big named players to start some of the youngsters, not only is it good experiance, but the big namers would up their game in training to fight for their place back. Look at Giggs, he got so relaxed in that role thinking no-one could take it off him, he started playing poor, he got dropped for Richardson, and now when he plays, he plays for his place.

It works wonders on players, a little home competition for their place.

As far as the Rio thing goes...the above applies, we play Brown and Silvestre center defence. Rio will put more effort into his game. It's psycological.

[Lord Abortion]

Probably right, now Fergie doing it is a different matter...
Midweek against Lille is a huge match...

[poorquality]

Yeah...and I wouldn't hisitate to play:

Van der Sar

Bardsley
Brown
Silvestre
Richardson

Ronaldo
SMith
Park

Rooney

Rossi
Blake

Like I said, they cant do worse than the current side.

[Lord Abortion]

I wouldn't drop Ruud, he's the only one scoring goals except Rooney...

[poorquality]

Yeah I thought about that, but I figure having seen what Rossi and Blake can do together, it'd be worth it, Rossi is technical and pacey, Blake is a better finisher, together they'll score so I don't see it as a problem.

[Lord Abortion]

Yeah I thought about that, but I figure having seen what Rossi and Blake can do together, it'd be worth it, Rossi is technical and pacey, Blake is a better finisher, together they'll score so I don't see it as a problem.
Yeah, I suppose,but It would be one thing playing them at home to west brom, but another to play them in the Champions league quarter final away to Juventus...

[poorquality]

Yeah, I suppose,but It would be one thing playing them at home to west brom, but another to play them in the Champions league quarter final away to Juventus...


I know, completely different game...but I've got a suspicion that these youngsters are another generation of beckhams scholes' and nevilles', in which case, I say let them get the experiance, I think we'll struggle to get out of the group stages of the Champs League, but that's me. I would even play that team against Chelsea next week, I think we'll lose regardless of what team we put out to be honest, we're just not playing good football. Plus I think we could get a couple goals against them, it's a nice mix of experiance and youth.

[Frankie]

Drop ruud I don't think so sort out the midfeild and drop rio the donkey and you'll be ok

[RCVA]

I don't like Alan Smith as a player. There's no way he could replace Keane. Middlesborough tore them apart yesterday, great to watch. Was that Mendieta's return from injury?

[Doctor Night]

I don't like Alan Smith as a player. There's no way he could replace Keane. Middlesborough tore them apart yesterday, great to watch. Was that Mendieta's return from injury?

Fergie wants Smith to replace Keane beacuse he has agression and a temper, really

[Frankie]

No Mendi had a bad injury that kept him out of most of last season but hes been played out of possesion when he came back. His performance last night was waht he can do when hes played central pla him along with the Boat and we should do really well. Especially if McClaren will bother too play morrison from the start get downiing back and theres a good team.

[red barchetta]

/waits for Rancid Dan to come saying 'TOON TOON TOON'

[Kyle]

/waits for Rancid Dan to come saying 'TOON TOON TOON'
I'm gona have to fill in for him:D

TOON TOON TOON!!!

Looks like we are finally getting back some form. Emre and Parker looked really quality in the centre of midfield whilst Owen and Shearer are looking sharp. Glad to see Dyer back aswell, if ha can keep fit he could make a real difference to us.

[RCVA]

Emre's a great player.

[E sharp]

http://nikefootball.nike.com/nikefootball/tiempo/video/downloads/nikefootball_ronaldinho_low.zip

This guy is amazing. I really wish one day i could do that.

[sobelecta]

Football/Soccer in the Pit? Get out now!

[(LOKI)]

threadstarter=heathen

[Frankie]

Dyer make a difference .. I'll just clear my throat HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAA
Now tht's over dyer make a difference oh man You crack me up. Aside from dyer or as we smogies call him mary poppins emre and parker look good in the centre . Solano who really you should never have sold gives you good width and that N'zogbia ain't bad either. Taylor is a class act boumsong to me really doesn't look like a centre half hes suspect and been at fault for alot of the goals lately.

[Joe Average]

Seein as I've never, ever would have seen this if it hadn't been posted in here, and it's a pretty cool video, I don't care if this is in the wrong forum.

Also, call me gullible, but was that real? Being able to kick a ball so precicly seems pretty impossible 4 times in a row.

[Kyle]

he came on today and we scored 2 goals. I'd call that maiking a difference.

[Ganondorf]

West Brom are above the relegation places, so it's all good :P:P:P

[Kyle]

Aside from dyer or as we smogies call him mary poppins emre and parker look good in the centre . Solano who really you should never have sold gives you good width and that N'zogbia ain't bad either.
Y aye, and on top of that we have Bowyer, Luque, Craig Moore and steven carr to come back. Not sure where bowyer is going to feature when he comes back though, it will take something to replace emre and parker. Of course we have Amdy Faye aswell who is sometimes forgotten but can provide good cover if Parker was to get injured.

[Kickflip_Burrito]

Apparently Arsenal are lining up a bid for Diego Forlan. Being a gunner, not sure if I'm happy with that.

Yep, make fun of our Premiership campaign this year, we have been crap.

[Frankie]

Why he won the golden shoe last year 25 goals in 37 games isn't bad I'd say. ANd as for Mary Poppins well thta's his onne decent performance out of the way with for the season.

[Lord Abortion]

Can we have Forlan back now? :(

[RandyfromPennywise]

I think you're vastly over-rating the side, to be honest. Two excellent keepers, given. Two good left fulls, one right back who's more of a centre half but does well, one great defensive midfielder, not the best midfielder in the world (wow), two great wingers, one decent winger and a very promising winger and one great striker who clearly won't ever reach his potential with the side.

Like it or not, the current Chelsea isn't as good as the Arsenal team of two years ago, or the Man U side of the years previous; there's still rather a large gulf there. Chelsea are still improving, they're far from the finished article.

I think Del Horno is in the top 5 left-backs in the world, easily... You agree? Bridge at his best is pushing Cole all the way as well.

Yes, Billy G is more of a CB. Paulo Ferreira is a top RB, and Sven rates Johnson as England's best prospect at RB.

Lamps is indominable. Name a player who is having more influence on their respective team and league right now.

You don't mention Essien at all - surely one of the best prospects in football. He'll develop into one of the best CMs over the next two years.

You don't mention Drogba either. He's been in supreme form this year, in the top few strikers in the Prem after RvN, TH etc. Crespo only doesn't play because of our system. Drogba suits the lone striker role better than Crespo.

I think the United midfield circa-late 90s early 2000s was almost as good as it gets. Beckham-Scholes-Keane-Giggs. I remember thinking at one stage that those four were basically the best players in the world for their positions, or there or thereabouts. (Zidane may have a case in centre-mid, but more or less those four were in the top 6 to 8 midfielders in the world. To have them all in the one team was something.)

My main argument is in terms of the squad really. Two seasons ago, the Arse side you mention had Martin Keown (well past his best) coming of the bench. In comparision, we have Ricardo Carvalho as third-choice in the same position. (And yes, Ricky is 3rd choice.)

I think the fact that players such as Gudjohnsen (absolutely class player, fantastic technique), W-Phillips and Crespo come of the bench proves that point.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yeah, I suppose,but It would be one thing playing them at home to west brom, but another to play them in the Champions league quarter final away to Juventus...
Assuming you make the final eight of the Champo, of course. :p

[RandyfromPennywise]

Y aye, and on top of that we have Bowyer, Luque, Craig Moore and steven carr to come back. Not sure where bowyer is going to feature when he comes back though, it will take something to replace emre and parker. Of course we have Amdy Faye aswell who is sometimes forgotten but can provide good cover if Parker was to get injured.
Owen and Emre get 9/10 last night, for mine. Parker is quali'y, and Solano, N'Zog and Luque will add a lot out wide (if Luque plays left). You have a strong squad that should really look to finish ahead of the Liverpools and be challenging Spurs for a Champo spot. Georgies should not be finishing below the UEFA Cup spots at the very worst. Anything below 6th and I'd say goodnight to Monsieur Souness.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Chelsea's biggest weakness for me is the lack of a top class striker. I think that while their individual players may not be world class (although some definitely are), the way that they work as a team, especially players like Essien, Makelele, Lampard and Terry, is what makes them so great. And the credit for that needs to go to Mourinho. I'd still back the 1999 Manchester United side against them, although that may change. I really wouldn't drop Van Nistelrooy, either. He's the goalscorer in the team, and while Rossi could be very good, we don't want to start messing around with the team while we have key players out. It would backfire, almost certainly. On Smith, I'd say that he's still learning how to be a midfielder. He suffers in comparison to Keane, although that's inevitable...anyone would do. We need to give him more time, although we should look at other options.


To be honest, I've wanted us to buy one of Ronaldo, Henry or Adriano for a few years. (Adri only for a year.) However, it has not proved a problem. Lampard scores that many goals these days it is really ludicrous. I think that with this system (4-3-2-1 [4-3-3]) Drogba is perfect (well, very suitable anyway). To accommodate Crespo we'd have to change the system/formation, and right now, that is by no means necessary.

**********************

There is no case to drop Ruud van Nistelrooij. Van der Sar, Heinze, Silvestre, Ronaldo, Rooney, and van Nistelrooij have to be playing every game they are available/fit for. Park is nearing that group for mine too. Man United's real weakness is in the heart of midfield. You see that at the start of the Prem coverage when the line-ups come out... Fletcher, Smith, Scholes and Park does not compare to even Liverpool's midfield. Alonso and Gerrard are better than any of those four for Man Utd. [Scholes is well past his best. A former champion and wonderful player, he needs to be dropped for a considerable amount of time.] Things might be on the improve when Keane comes back. He may put it all in for his last 20-30 games. I wouldn't mind seeing United play 4-3-1-2 with Rooney behind RvN and another striker (Saha for the moment), OR Rooney and Ruud up front, with Ronaldo playing in the centre behind them. Ronaldo could well prove to be a world-class #10 rather than a winger... Gotta be worth a try...???

(I'm saying this as a football fan, not a Chelsea fan, of course!)

[TakeWarning]

Paul Robinson cost us another two points this week. And it was against Arsenal too.

[Lord Abortion]

It makes up for the countless matches when he's saved your arses then.

[Frankie]

heres my top and bottom 6 predictions for at the end of the season.
1.Chelsea
2.Arsenal
3.Liverpool
4. Man Utd
5. Charlton
6. Middlesbrough
bottom
20.Sunderland
19.Birmingham
18.Portsmouth
17.West Brom
16.Everton
15. West Ham

Also I think newcastle as much as it pains me to say can and will probably win the FA cup chelsea winning champions league adn Boro will get to the final and win The UEFA cup. Carling cup hmm go for a gamble and say wigan

[red barchetta]

i dont think Charlton will stay in the top 6. i say either Bolton or Newcastle will.

[poorquality]

I vote Wigan for 2nd place :) Charlton 3rd Newcastle 4th....that would be a turnout wouldn't it.

[Kyle]

I think both wigan and charlton will slip. If they pick a few injuries up then they don't have the depth to cover it. Tottenham on the other hand for the first time I think they might stay up and around a european place.

[Lord Abortion]

1.Chelsea
2.Man United
3.Spurs
4.Arsenal
5.Charlton
6.Bolton



15.Portsmouth
16.Everton
17.Birmingham
18.Fulham
19.West Brom
20.Sunderland

[RCVA]

Sounds about right.

[Ganondorf]

West Brom are two places too low ;)

[metal-militia]

Chelsea
Arsenal
United
Liverpool

Portsmouth (back where they belong ;))
West Brom (sorry Gan :()
Sunderland

Can't see Wigan keeping there form, and i really doubt Spurs getting a CL place.

[Lord Abortion]

I can see Everton pulling out of the poor form and avoiding relegation.

City 3-1 Villa

Cole/Vassell looks a great strike partnership

[poorquality]

It's one thing losing 4-1 to Borough, but now having City above us...United need to pull themselves together

You know the thing is if you take chelsea away from that table, every team is pretty much doing good/average, Chelsea are making people overestimate their own teams. Couple seasons ago, Uniteds current position would be an alright start since we always start slow, it'd be a case of "wait until after new year when we pick up". Just saying is all.

[Lord Abortion]

Yeah, back in the day, it was an acceptable thing to lose games and still win the league, it's totally different now.
I used to think that going through a league season unbeaten is something that would only happen on Championship manager... but now..it's a totally new league with Arsenal's season unbeaten and Chelsea only losing one last year and looking like doing similar this.

United won the league in 96/97 after losing five times and drawing 12 times.
They were still 7 points clear of Newcastle in second, unimaginable now, isn't it?

Newcastle in second, I mean :p

[RandyfromPennywise]

Ah, Championship Manager. I had the best squad with Chelsea on the 03/04 version. So much money, bought all the wicked youngsters. This was my team:

4-3-3 R-L

Cudicini/Frey

Mancini, Mèxes Lùcio/Gallas, Bridge,

Rosicky Gerrard J.Cole,

C.Ronaldo Ronaldinho/Ronaldo Duff,

Tómas Rosicky was the best for me. Paid £40 million + Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink initially to Dortmund, plus £12 million for appearances/goals (never had to pay it (£5 mil after 50 league goals - HA!)). He averaged at least 7.8-7.9 or 8 or above, about 8-10 MoMs each season. F*ck I love that game.

[TakeWarning]

It makes up for the countless matches when he's saved your arses then.
Yeah, I know. I'm not that angry at him.

[Dead Star]

Well Hearts are going downhill....

[Dead Star]

Yes, but now they are managerless, and some of their board have left, in which Romanov's son has taken charge.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/4395230.stm

[TakeWarning]

Yes, but now they are managerless, and some of their board have left, in which Romanov's son has taken charge.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/4395230.stm

Idiots.

[guitarbaz]

holy cow, you go away for a couple of weeks and when you're back you're 4th in the fantasy footie league.:amaze:

must go away more often.

[Kyle]

United won the league in 96/97 after losing five times and drawing 12 times.
They were still 7 points clear of Newcastle in second, unimaginable now, isn't it?

Newcastle in second, I mean :p
I think that was the season when we (newcastle) were 12 points clear at the half way stage.

[Frankie]

Champ Manager team as middlesbrough I have stayed un beaten for a season and half so far.
GK: Robinson/Buffon
DR: Stuart Parnaby
DL: Jay McEveley
DC: Andrew Davies
DC: Jorge Andrade
MR: Carlos Arturo Marinelli
ML: Stuart Downing
DMC: George Boateng (C)
AMC: Juninho (man I love that lil fella never shoulda let him go) most of the time tho I play SWP there
FC: Fillipe Oliveira
FC:Yakubu Aiyegbeni
The combo of downing left marinelli right is amazing Yakubu currently has 12 headed goals and fillipe oliveira has scored 5 beautiful 30 yarders and has the best pace on the game. Man I love that game also I can't honestly see wigan maintaing there streak just wait till the new year when the fixtures get crowded they'll get injuries and will slip down the table guarnteed.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Yes, great game against the baggies :D

[Drahmen]

Liverpool 3 - 0 Anderlecht
Chelsea 0 - 1 Real Betis

Dammit why cant Rafa get it right in the league.

[Lord Abortion]

Hah, Chelsea suck arse in Europe.

[poorquality]

what champ manager you all play? :o I want to get a copy but the last one i bought was 99/00 season or whatever, I played the demo of the newest one (5 I think) and it wasn't that great :(

[Dead Star]

Rangers done really badly tonight, the second goal they conceeded was laughable.

[red barchetta]

OMFG luis garcia's header was amazing...

[Lord Abortion]

I play the new football manger dude.

just got it two days ago :cool:

I loved 99/00 though, My Fiorentina side finished 3rd in serie A. above Juve, Milan and Roma.
My proudest CM achievement.
Even as I won the league countless times with United, those Batigol-freekick-in-the-last-minute wins away to Parma and Juve are fonder memories.


I had the toughest back four in history
Di Livio-Heinrich-Jorge costa-Repka

[metal-militia]

still yet to get the new fm, but on fm05 i took Grays from Conference South to the Champions League :D

[Lord Abortion]

Anyone ever have Premier manger 2?

Haha, you could only start as confrence sides and I took Gateshead to the Champions league!

[Grondahl]

Woo, Preston won at home! Two cracking goals from David Jones and Paul McKenna. And Jemal Johnson looked very good.

what champ manager you all play? :o I want to get a copy but the last one i bought was 99/00 season or whatever, I played the demo of the newest one (5 I think) and it wasn't that great :(

Champ Manager 5 isn't made by the same people who did the other Champ Managers, which is probably why it isn't as good.

[Britney Diva]

Hah, Chelsea suck arse in Europe.
Haha, Mourinho came right out afterwards and said Betis deserved the win and his team didn't play well enough. Can you imagine Wenger or Ferguson saying that? I can imagine Wenger sitting at home amazed that Mourinho hadn't blamed the opposition, the referee, the linesmen, the fourth official, the crowd, the stadium, the groundsman, the weather and anything else related or unrelated to the idea of football.

Rangers done really badly tonight, the second goal they conceeded was laughable.
So was the first. They have the worst defence ever to exist, ever.

OMFG luis garcia's header was amazing...
He did very well, but I'm not sure how much he actually knew about it. Morientes' goal was fantastic, and he needed it. Amazing control and finish. Liverpool got a steal there; I reckon he'll still be one of the best strikers in Europe when he gets back on form.

[Lord Abortion]

"Just because you earn £120, 000 a week and played well for 20 minutes against tottenham, you think you're a superstar"


I love Keano

[upthebracket]

Rangers done really badly tonight, the second goal they conceeded was laughable.

/inserts late :lol:

Vintage Rangers.

Have fun in November anyway, your fixtures look awful...

Aberdeen (H)
Celtic (A)
Celtic (A)
FC Porto (A)
Hibernian (A)

I've got a ticket for the Old Firm game... can't wait!

[Dead Star]

/inserts late :lol:

Vintage Rangers.

Have fun in November anyway, your fixtures look awful...

Aberdeen (H)
Celtic (A)
Celtic (A)
FC Porto (A)
Hibernian (A)

I've got a ticket for the Old Firm game... can't wait!

Rangers will do really badly this month, and I'm not a Rangers supporter, I support the almighty Motherwell, whos fixtures look like this for this month.

Kilmarnock (H)
Aberdeen (H) (CIS Cup)
Dundee Utd (A)
Hearts (H)

I don't see us doing too well.

[Frankie]

C'mon celtic half my family supports celtic and the other rtangers so theres always war when the old firm games come around. Oh and some advice if your gonna get any champ man game get the one that was released before C5 as Champ Man 5 is a disgrace to the addictiveness and gameplay Championship Manager set.

[upthebracket]

Rangers will do really badly this month, and I'm not a Rangers supporter, I support the almighty Motherwell, whos fixtures look like this for this month.

Kilmarnock (H)
Aberdeen (H) (CIS Cup)
Dundee Utd (A)
Hearts (H)

I don't see us doing too well.

For some reason I assume everyone's a Rangers fan here, just in case I get lucky and actually find a live one... Pretty grim fixtures for Motherwell, then again, there are surprisingly few easy games in the SPL these days (apart from Livi)


C'mon celtic half my family supports celtic and the other rtangers so theres always war when the old firm games come around. Oh and some advice if your gonna get any champ man game get the one that was released before C5 as Champ Man 5 is a disgrace to the addictiveness and gameplay Championship Manager set.

I hope you didn't buy CM5 ahead of FM2005.... I've heard some horror stories about CM5, I'd stick with Sports Interactive.

I'd rank FM2005 on par with CM 02/03 in terms of addictiveness actually, should be getting the new FM in the post soon :cool: looks great.

[Dead Star]

FM2005 is a really addicting game, Motherwell are winners of the Champions League in my game.

And I wish I bought a season ticket, with the amount of games I go to now.

[Frankie]

hey I support celtic not a rangers fan. As for buying CM5 Yes I did purchase it(regretted it greatly) and I part ex changed it to get the one before CM5 (already had CM4 which is the best out of all)

[Britney Diva]

Lille 1 Man U 0

Awful match. The Lille centre-half has led with his elbow every time he jumps with van Nistelrooy and each time vN ends on the ground holding his head. You'd think after a match and a half of this, at least one of the 8 officials would have noticed.

[Dead Star]

Barcelona are ripping Panathinaikos to pieces.

[Britney Diva]

Barcelona are ripping Panathinaikos to pieces.
What score is it now? I had teletext on as the Utd match was beginning and it was already 1-0.

United aren't getting any better.

[red barchetta]

What score is it now? I had teletext on as the Utd match was beginning and it was already 1-0.

United aren't getting any better.
4-0 or something

[Dead Star]

Yeah it's 4-0.

I want Inter Milan to win the whole thing, or AC.

I have them in a sweepstake.

I also have Thun too, who have just equalised against Ajax.

[guitarbaz]

Lille 1 Man U 0

Awful match. The Lille centre-half has led with his elbow every time he jumps with van Nistelrooy and each time vN ends on the ground holding his head. You'd think after a match and a half of this, at least one of the 8 officials would have noticed.

but then he does that if anyone so much as brushes against him. he's his own worst enemy in that respect.

[Britney Diva]

I don't think he is; he's a more honest player than most. If he was so dishonest, he'd have complained after being clattered in the face for the 13th time. Seriously, he looks like a boxer right now. His cheek is swollen. The guy was finally booked and should have got a second one for a late tackle but managed to injure himself.

[Dead Star]

Udinese made a very good comeback, but Werder Bremen are infront again.

[guitarbaz]

I don't think he is; he's a more honest player than most. If he was so dishonest, he'd have complained after being clattered in the face for the 13th time. Seriously, he looks like a boxer right now. His cheek is swollen. The guy was finally booked and should have got a second one for a late tackle but managed to injure himself.

i've been listening to sky sports news giving the updates but not seen the match. i know lille were billed as being a bit rough, it's annoying how that tactic is ignored in european games, it's happened to us before (usually away from home) and the officials just let the home teams get away with it.

[3_times_round]

Barca 5-0 PAO. Stuffing. Any other footbal on tonight?

[Dead Star]

NO WAY!

Thun lose a goal in the 91st minute of play.

[3_times_round]

4-2 now.

[poorquality]

then another in 93rd :( harsh


Wow ...United, against borough I could atleast come here and type that even though we lost horribly Smith and rooney both tried their hearts out....I can't actually say anything good about anyone in the team apart from van der Sar (possible wes too) he kept us in the game...well he stopped them scoring another...we were never in the game....and what was fergie thinking bringing rossi on with a minute left to go? How pointless is that? Bring him on with 20 minutes left, no-one else is doing anything, give him the chance....god chelsea are going to stroll past us on sunday

[Dead Star]

Well, Thun got humped in the end.

But Juventus won :)

[red barchetta]

i feel sorry for FC thun...

ah well, at least Arsenal are through to the next round :D

[Dead Star]

As long as the two Milanese clubs go throught I'll be happy.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Hah, Chelsea suck arse in Europe.
Ease up there big boy, semifinalists two seasons running. :cool:

[RandyfromPennywise]

Point 1 - I had a really bad dream last night. I dreamt that I owned a Celtic shirt. It was so bad, I felt really dirty. I threw it outside but I still felt awful. 'Twas a bad dream.

Point 2 - Greatest CM achievment [CM 00/01 (of course, the original and best)]- Halifax Town, Premier League champions two seasons running. 2007/8/9. Awesome line-up: Chad Harpur, Pedraig Gollogley, Mats Wejsfelt, John Terry, Derek Tobin, Ian Rankin, Ivan Guadalope, ?? Johannson, Ronaldinho, Ibrahimovic, Darren Carter.

Point 3 - Manchester United need to sack Sir Alex Ferguson by the end of the season at the absolute latest. Their line-up this morning was strong on paper. Stronger than LOSC Lille Metropole at the least. Not sure what's going to happen on Sunday.

[Lord Abortion]

I can't believe how appalling we were last night.

I'm apprehensive about Sunday...

[skateMASTERbater2]

Man, Thun gave the win away again in the last minutes of the game. I don't think I've ever seen them play that well though(until the 91st minute of course.)

[+3kk!]

I'm honestly worried about Sunday. On the plus side, Chelsea haven't been setting the world alight recently. On the negative side, we've been dreadful, morale must be through the floor as a consequence of our results and the fact that our captain hates our team, and Chelsea might have a massive backlash against us. Ferguson needs to go at the end of this season, if not via resignation, then through being pushed towards the door. We look out of ideas, we're losing our power to attract top players, and as our older players start retiring, we need the young talent to be hungry, and willing to prove themselves. If we don't get past the first round in Europe, that's unforgivable.

to be honest chelsea are having a drop in from, but if you compare them to other clubs they are still having a terrific record. juventus got nailied by AC, and one CL match, Real got nailed a few weeks ago, barca aint what they were last season, MU , arsenal, liverpool are terrible this season, ac millan is also having ups and downs. i cant remember about byern though.........chelsea? 2 draws and a 1-0 loss and jose murinho is mad at his club. and for a manager that can win CL with porto i think he's capable of turning the tides when it needs to.

i feel that MU is at a serious disadvantage, after a loss of 4-0 which hurts their moral and they have a midfield that is under-performing and a shaky rio. chelsea IMO has one of the strongest mid-field in europe. lampard , cole, robbern, SWP , essien, makelele, duff and to add problems drogba is currently on form considering his contributions in liverpool and is one of the top strikers in EPL

[poorquality]

we need the young talent to be hungry, and willing to prove themselves.


Exactly my point, I think our youngsters are hungry, and are willing to prove themselves, but like I said...bringing Rossi on with a minute to go against Lille, what could he possibly have been thinking? What impact could he have made in that short time.

He seems reluctant to start the youngsters but if he doesn't our next season when everyones retired will be a poor season aswell because you're throwing the new youngsters in without the experiance they deserve this season. Then they'd get unfairly blamed....meh Fergie's got to go....that team last night was an exceptionally strong side on paper, but obviously somethings going wrong in the team-talk situations and training because no-one except van der Sar deserved to wear a united shirt last night.

[Lord Abortion]

Rio "Shakey"?!

If he was any shakier he would have Parkinson's disease, mate!

[poorquality]

Rio "Shakey"?!

If he was any shakier he would have Parkinson's disease, mate!

lmao..sorry I just had to say I burst out laughing at this :P :wave:

[RandyfromPennywise]

I watched the Man U game in full again last night.

That side on paper was strong. It definitely was.

The only excuse is the tactics, the formation, and the individual roles players are being asked to play.

Also, Darren Fletcher is woeful. Yes he's a talent, but my word he lacks everything Keane had. He lost the ball so many times against Lille it was ridiculous. He just doesn't put his foot on the ball and take control of the game in the centre of the park. He is the first player that needs to go back to the reserves/bench.

Rooney played practically in midfield. United need Rooney up front, someone else playing in the role Rooney played (wow, play three attacking players :eek: - maybe Cristiano in the centre?) and a bloody good central midfielder to replace Keane.

My Sunday prediction - Chelsea 3-0 United. I really think it'll be 3-1, same as last season, but if you can't score against Lille, I'm not gonna say you can against us!

[Britney Diva]

The team is at an all-time low. They're obviously off-form, but the lack of effort shown is unforgivable. Ronaldo, in particular, may have other things on his mind but his display yesterday was of a player who didn't really care. It was pathetic. Fletcher was awful, he couldn't control the ball and his first touch was as subtle at Stalin's economic policies. I stick by my recommendation of Ferdinand in midfield. A player who can hold up possession and distribute the ball well was badly missed yesterday. Like I've said before, he's no Keane but he could do the job better than anyone else in the side right now, and he'd certainly do a lot better than he has been at centre-half.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yeah, there is no doubt in my mind that it's your midfield that is awful at the moment. Althought there are serious problems with the defence, the centre of the park is the real problem. Fletcher is a passanger in a side like United. If United want to remain the Manchester United we all know, players like Darren Fletcher and Alan Smith should not be the guaranteed starting centre midfielders. I think Essien, Makélélé and Lampard will run all over Fletcher and Smith (and Scholes) on Sunday.

Trying Rio in midfield - well at this stage, it can't hurt.

Ronaldo - his effort was not 100% against Lille Mètropole, but he was still one of your biggest threats going forward. Did well to get a few crosses in etc.

How long 'til Keane gets back?

Ole Sølskjær is back in a month or two so that's a bonus!

[Lord Abortion]

Anyone hear this story about the united fans trying to Sell Darren Fletcher for 1p on the internet?

I'll try and find it.

Scotland manager Walter Smith has leapt to the defence of under-fire Darren Fletcher - as Manchester United fans tried to sell him on the internet for 1p.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/4405712.stm

[metal-militia]

Anyone hear this story about the united fans trying to Sell Darren Fletcher for 1p on the internet?

I'll try and find it.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/4405712.stm

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Lord Abortion]

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=16329939%26method=full%26siteid=66633% 26headline=don%2dt%2dtake%2dthe%2dp-name_page.html
the story in full.

[Lord Abortion]

A key point on Sunday could be Rooney.
He is the one man we have that could do something spectacular and beat Chelsea, we just have to pray that he, Ruud and Van der sar are on top form and noone else messes up, then we could do something.

[Frankie]

Oh yes come on 3-0 ok dnipro aren't exaclty world beaters, still Viduka's 1st was a peach last night. Mendi had a good game too nad James Morrison has looked on form recently should be in the englnad team that lad should

[+3kk!]

http://fousdefoot.free.fr/Drogba.htm

man, he's good

[RandyfromPennywise]

Ha, I dowloaded that clip last year. That is every goal (close to it at least) he scored during 2003/2004 for Olympique Marseille. It's a good clip, about 7 minutes long. DD's best goals there are his goals v Newcastle, Monaco, Rennes and others. That clip is the reason Chelsea paid £24 million pounds. He was rather prolific for l'OM, and he looks on his way to 25 «buts» this season.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Darren Fletcher for 1p.

That is hucking filarious. 1p as well. Surely they could get a similar amount to what they got for Djemba Djemba at least.

:lol:

[+3kk!]

Ha, I dowloaded that clip last year. That is every goal (close to it at least) he scored during 2003/2004 for Olympique Marseille. It's a good clip, about 7 minutes long. DD's best goals there are his goals v Newcastle, Monaco, Rennes and others. That clip is the reason Chelsea paid £24 million pounds. He was rather prolific for l'OM, and he looks on his way to 25 «buts» this season.

considering his terrrible touch in EPL and last years performance, i thought he would be those hardworking but sub-par striker thats on form. but after looking at him scoring goals like that i have to change my opinions

[Doctor Night]

Who watched Man utd's 50 best goals yestaday.

[ThrashMaster27]

Who watched Man utd's 50 best goals yestaday.

Hmmm, that would be interesting. Was Cantona's chip vs Sheff Utd/Sunderland on it? I always forget which team it was. No doubt Ryan Giggs' goal against Arsenal in the F.A. Cup was on it. Aswell as Beckhams half-way liner.

[red barchetta]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/funny_old_game/4408302.stm

finally :p

[Lord Abortion]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/funny_old_game/4408302.stm

finally :p
It looks bad, worse combined with the Moustache.

[Frankie]

There was never any doubt that DD wasn't amazing. I watched him when he played for Marseille when I think they got to the final of the champs league. And 1p :lol: I doubt you could sell him even on a free transfer

[Angry Balled Fists!]

we Love You Emre We Do !

EDIT - Yes, another win, things are looking up for us, except for the Dyer thing :(

[Doctor Night]

Hmmm, that would be interesting. Was Cantona's chip vs Sheff Utd/Sunderland on it? I always forget which team it was. No doubt Ryan Giggs' goal against Arsenal in the F.A. Cup was on it. Aswell as Beckhams half-way liner.

They were the top three

3. Beckham
2. Cantona
1. Giggs

[Faith No Doubt]

Charlton Athletic's away run ended today - hurrah!

[Frankie]

Well people heres my predictions
CHelsea 3-1 Man Utd
Everton 1-3 Middlesbrough The yak to score first too.

[Kyle]

we Love You Emre We Do !

EDIT - Yes, another win, things are looking up for us, except for the Dyer thing :(
:D, finally some form.

Chelsea next though.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Dammit, really ?

Oh well, we might be able to get some points...

[RCVA]

http://fousdefoot.free.fr/Drogba.htm

man, he's good
Why can't he play like that in the premiership?

[Lord Abortion]

Darren!
Darren Fletcher!
Darren Fletcher!

[+3kk!]

Why can't he play like that in the premiership?


that we can never know,he's only started his second season. if he does there will be more problems for MU , arsenal and liverpool

1-0

intresting, i guess this is the end?

[Lord Abortion]

One Nil!
And You Know It Is!
One Nil Ooooonneeee Niiiiillll!!!!

[Broken Angels]

Holy shiit...Man Utd won :eek:

And they actually deserved it :eek:

[Angry Balled Fists!]

I'm glad, means we have some hope next week.

[Broken Angels]

I'm glad, means we have some hope next week.
Considering your recent form..I reckon you have a decent chance :)

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Yeah, that's true...

I can't wait till Dyer and Luque are both fit we will be awesome.

:D

[Britney Diva]

Chelsea two losses on the bounce :eek:

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Let's make it three :p

[Lord Abortion]

Best united have played since arsenal away last year.

/me rates the united side /10

Van der Sar- Had little to do first half, but blocked Drogba well in Chelsea's only real chance that half. Later, made a matchwinning save from Lampard and looked solid and excellent claiming crosses and loose balls- 9/10

Wes Brown- Solid performance, the Chelsea wingers got Nothing out of him, made some great headers and controlled it well.-8/10

John O'Shea-Kept the right winger quiet all game, but squandered posession far too easily.- 7.5/10

Rio Ferdinand-The huge performance he needed. Showed his talent and class all game and controlled Drogba pretty well, was first to many Balls and distributed well mostly although still clears the ball without thinking, leading to possession being lost- 8.5/10

Mikael Silvestre-Solid and did his job well, worked tirelessly in the second half to clear the lines and win the ball- 8/10

Alan Smith-First class performance, showed his heart and soul in this match, making several decisive tackles and worked his arse off. Handled Lampard with tact and skill and was unlucky not to score with a good effort.- 10/10(man of the match)

Paul Scholes- The great game from him that has been lacking this season, linked very well with Smith to keep Lampard and co. under wraps and should have opened the scoring with a terrific drive early on. Was very solid and created alot of the chances United had-9/10

Darren Fletcher-Did well, and of course, scored the goal. Has come under a hell of alot of recent criticism, mostly deserved, but took his goal well and worked very hard in midfield- 7.5/10

Christiano Ronaldo- was united's main attacking outlet for most of the game, but his crossing was dire and he was too easily bullied out of the ball, however his cross was excellent the one time it mattered and he Tormented Gallas and Del Horno with his skill all game, getting both Booked out of pure frustration. -8/10

Wayne Rooney-Unusually quiet, but in the flashes of brilliance created much, and linked well with Van Nistlerooy. He also worked incredibly hard, in a real box to box fashion- 8/10

Ruud Van Nistlerooy- The Captain for the day led the line well for the first half, then picked up a silly booking, had little chances to score but the one clear cut one he had was finished badly-7/10

sub- Park Ji Sung- had little time to impress, but worked hard and led the counter attacks, such as they were in the second half- 6.5/10


Greame poll was far too card-happy and gave out some poor bokings and a few dodgy decisions throughout.

[red barchetta]

Yeah, that's true...

I can't wait till Dyer and Luque are both fit we will be awesome.

:D
but the team is pretty awesome without them really - Solano and N'Zogbia are both doing great

[Bitc|-|]

hey people be serious a moment did anyone see the "perform" of MU against Lille wednesday ?it was just pityfull n chelsea has lost too in the champions league, one team inwhole europe has not lost yet this year ==> Lyon !!!
the only team which count ! ;)

[poorquality]

Now all United need to do is play like that week in-week out :)...when we stopped arsenals unbeaten run we went n lost our next game...we can't risk that...I personally think the title is still open for us...and if not...we'll beat Chelsea again and let Wigan rise to be the Champions :)

[Lord Abortion]

50 minutes to go 'til MOTD2 :D

[Broken Angels]

I think 'United totally deservered their win tonight. Chelsea really played crap, if they won, or even drew, I would have been very disappointed.

NP : Dream Theater - The Glass Prison

[Lord Abortion]

I think 'United totally deservered their win tonight. Chelsea really played crap, if they won, or even drew, I would have been very disappointed.

NP : Dream Theater - The Glass Prison
Yeah, may I also congratulate you on your song choice and Small Gods related usertitle.
;)

Haha, Essien's facial expression at the end...classic.

"bugger...I should have joined a Good team"

uuuh...NP-Deicide-Crucifixion

[Drop The Baby]

Thank f'uck those scummy cheats didn't break arsenal's unbeaten record. Only ever time i've ever genuinly felt happy about a man u win

[Kickflip_Burrito]

Well done Manchester United!!!
Despite being an Arsenal supporter, I'm so glad United beat Chelski. It also prevents Chelsea from challenging our unbeaten record.
United : The finishers of record challenges.

[metal-militia]

Nice one United. Good to see Chelsea lose, even if that meant my fantasy team got destroyed :(

np Saxon - Denim and Leather :thumb:

[Lord Abortion]

What is it with this thread choosing good songs...:D

Wow...Alan Smith really can play in midfield if he tries...


NP-King Diamond-Family Ghost