Euro 2008 (Official Man City LOL Thread) [Archive] - Page 32

+3kk!

11-27-2005, 10:36 AM

The only reason he dosen't mind jus tsitting on the bench is because eh gets paid ridiculous money for it

he can go into most clubs get paid nicely and wont have his place challenged but he stays in chelsea.

crespo is not the only world class striker chelsea's got, dont forget drogba. he is wanted by tons of clubs (ie: juventus) and he made the italian manager and the juventus manager drool over him. his last years and this years stats are better then rooney , he is one of the leading top scorers and assist makers. he stuned liverpool and newcastle a number of times. he is the key player in last years match against byern. his performance in his previous club is astounding same with his performance in ivory cost.

drogba gets overshadowed by his occcational bad finishing and clumsyness but he makes it up with being a team player, defends well (which striker defends? not to say as good as him?), very good work rate and his ability to out muscle defenders (if you notice he's mostly marked by 2 or more defenders at most times).

even if you are not a chelsea fan the good opinions of some of the best managers on him are bound to say something. and jose said once he would never sell drogba as he is one of the key players in the chelsea team.

and crespo still needs time to fit in, he seldom gets passes from his team mates, ie : real betis. but once he fits in a lot of teams will have a huge headache

Lord Abortion

11-27-2005, 10:48 AM

Arse. 1-0 down.

EDIT:1-1 Rooonayyyy!

EDIT.2: 2-1 John O'Shea...he's not Gay...John O' Shea!

metal-militia

11-27-2005, 12:12 PM

who watched Wolves vs Saints?

Possibly the worst game i have seen for quite a few year... so boring, i can't believe i spent 40 quid to watch it when i could've watched it on tv for free :angry:

Kyle

11-27-2005, 12:19 PM

Newcastle let me down....why can't we pick ourselves up again after we lose one game! We can't win without Owen either which really sucks and Luque looked a long way from full fitness..

Lord Abortion

11-27-2005, 12:32 PM

Yeah, They were dreadful today.

We did alright, once Gaznev came on.
Rooney brilliant again.

Dead Star

11-27-2005, 12:47 PM

Motherwell threw two points away against Hearts yesterday.

Stoo

11-27-2005, 12:48 PM

Rangers just plain suck.

Dead Star

11-27-2005, 12:53 PM

As do Celtic, according to yesterday's score.

Stoo

11-27-2005, 12:56 PM

Yes. We want the Jambos to win the SPL.

upthebracket

11-27-2005, 05:12 PM

As do Celtic, according to yesterday's score.

The important thing is that Rangers suck so much more :cool:. Yesterday was a one off I should think. Rangers are ****ed though and could be for a good while yet.

RandyfromPennywise

11-28-2005, 04:25 AM

Well I got most of my tips right! Newcastle: They have a class squad, one of the best in the Prem. Their defence is toilet but they have decent midfielders coming out of their arse and a good strike-force too. I like Joseph Yobo as a player, and a good goal indeed!

Pompey v Chelsea was one of the most lackluster (sp?) games of football I've seen this year. We were just going through the motions and they had nothing to stop us, even if we were at half-pace. Ah well, Joe Cole is one of the best players in the Prem.

Lord Abortion

11-28-2005, 04:33 AM

I think if Yobo signed for a bigger club he would do well.

Newcastle's defence shouldn't be as bad as it is, Boumsong was a good centre back, Taylor and Rammage are very impressive youngsters...but Babayaro is balls, a new left back must be a January priority for them.

RandyfromPennywise

11-28-2005, 05:34 AM

Yeah, unfortunately you are correct about Baba. At this stage of his career he'd be best served to go to a different league and start a new career as a left midfielder, because his defensive qualities are not Prem standard. He'd do ok as a left-mid in the French league or Dutch league or something, but Newcs. have to get rid of him, at least from the starting XI. Taylor is always good on CM 03/04, loads of potential.

On Yobo, I heard him say once that because he is so committed to his country, his chances of signing for a big club have suffered. There may be some truth in this, especially as English clubs don't like releasing players for international duty very much. I think he'd be good for a club like Newcastle. Yobo's cool, my favourite Everton player after the great #17, Timmy Cahill.

Drop The Baby

11-28-2005, 05:42 AM

The arsenal vs rovers game had very little quality in the match except for the three goals of amazing quality.

Van Persie's was a beauty, and Pires's pass and Henry's finish were incredible to watch

MILF Hunter

11-28-2005, 05:48 AM

Ah well, Joe Cole is one of the best players in the Prem.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

RandyfromPennywise

11-28-2005, 08:05 AM

:lol: :lol: :lol:
What are you laughing for hey? I couldn't name many players better than him in the Prem.

Henry, Lampard, Duff, Terry, Čech, Makélélé, van der Sar, van Nistelorooij, Rooney, Gerrard, Crespo.

Then maybe Davids, Ronaldo, Gallas, King, Touré, Campbell, Alonso, A. Cole, Ljungberg, Essien, Drogba, Carvalho, Del Horno, Owen.

Clearly Joe Cole is one of the best players in England.

Drop The Baby

11-28-2005, 08:19 AM

Every player you've listed is better than Joe Cole, some in the 'maybe' list like Campbell, Cole, Ronaldo, Essien, Ljungberg, Owen are much better players.

Lord Abortion

11-28-2005, 08:44 AM

Ronaldo>Cole

Much as I hate congratulating Arsenal players, Van Persie's was an absolute beauty.

RandyfromPennywise

11-28-2005, 10:30 AM

Every player you've listed is better than Joe Cole, some in the 'maybe' list like Campbell, Cole, Ronaldo, Essien, Ljungberg, Owen are much better players.
Joe Cole's been consistently ripping it up for a good ten months now. Right now Joey is getting the business done on the pitch. Meh, Ljungberg, he's pretty good, similar to Joe Cole in many ways, I would definitely not say "much" better at all. Touré's good 'n' all, I just think Joe Cole is vastly underrated. He has been 'king awesome of late (i.e. over the last 12 months). I only listed 25 players, so at the very least it is agreed that Joe Cole is in the top 26 players in the Prem, is it not?

And van Persie's goal was a stunner!!! All the Arsenal goals were, Pires' pass was phenomenal, straight out of the top shelf. He hasn't looked like playing passes like that this season, but that was vintage Arsenal in that move. Henry finished with a plomb too, and I loved Cesc's strike too. He will have a long and distinguished career young Fabregas will, I reckon.

Goal of the season so far in the EPL? - For mine, Taylor's second for Pompey v Sunderland a couple of weeks ago, fully 40 yards.

Drop The Baby

11-28-2005, 11:08 AM

Do you know what, i still haven't seen that goal!!

I'm missing a lot of football these days because i always seem to be working when the games/highlights are on :(

red barchetta

11-28-2005, 11:34 AM

Goal of the season so far in the EPL? - For mine, Taylor's second for Pompey v Sunderland a couple of weeks ago, fully 40 yards.
Gamst Pedersen's volley > Taylor's lob

Van Persie's goal against Blackburn was DAMN sweet though. as was Henry's freekick against Wigan.

Drop The Baby

11-28-2005, 11:57 AM

I just watched Taylor's goal and i'd put that at goal of the season so far without much doubt. The commentater really didn't do it justice, he was far too quiet on such a spectacular goal

Britney Diva

11-28-2005, 12:06 PM

Joe Cole has improved immensely since joining Chelsea in that he's no longer a)lazy and b)crap. His workrate is second-to-none, but I still don't think he's on the same level as Robben or Duff or even Ronaldo.

Newcastle's defence shouldn't be as bad as it is, Boumsong was a good centre back, Taylor and Rammage are very impressive youngsters...but Babayaro is balls, a new left back must be a January priority for them.
Boumsong, and especially Bramble, have the same problems as Silvestre and Ferdinand despite being far inferior players to Rio. They both look good when they play, comfortable on the ball and can make the difficult tackles, but they lack fundamental abilities centre halves need. Bramble, for starters, is a moron. He lacks basic football intelligence, while Boumsong is just ridiculously error prone. Nobody at Newcastle seems to be attempting to remedying these fundamental inefficiencies, so their left with the same problem as United. If Newcastle didn't have Given, they'd be in the relegation zone, there's no surer thing. Likewise, if United didn't have van der Saar, the season would be over.

RandyfromPennywise

11-28-2005, 12:12 PM

Do you know what, i still haven't seen that goal!!

I'm missing a lot of football these days because i always seem to be working when the games/highlights are on :(
See it here (http://latestgoals.net/detail.php?id=1296).

Edit: Just saw your next post!

Lord Abortion

11-28-2005, 12:12 PM

Like just hoofing it out?

That's what Rio needs to do, not try and pass...

RandyfromPennywise

11-28-2005, 12:26 PM

Gamst Pedersen's volley > Taylor's lob

Van Persie's goal against Blackburn was DAMN sweet though. as was Henry's freekick against Wigan.
Which Gampo volley? You don't mean Tugay's volley against Fulham in the 4th round of the season do you? (This one) (http://www.soccerclips.net/otheruploadhttp.php) Gampo's goal in the same game was good, but not as special as that peach from Tugay.

Henry's free-kick and v.Persie's effort were both great goals, but not contenders for goal-of-the-season.

red barchetta

11-28-2005, 12:27 PM

Which Gampo volley? You don't mean Tugay's volley against Fulham in the 4th round of the season do you? (This one) (http://www.soccerclips.net/otheruploadhttp.php) Gampo's goal in the same game was good, but not as special as that peach from Tugay.

Henry's free-kick and v.Persie's effort were both great goals, but not contenders for goal-of-the-season.
no, i think Pedersen scored volley as well. he was running down the left side of the penalty area, and just volleyed into the top corner. im pretty sure it was a volley.

RandyfromPennywise

11-28-2005, 12:33 PM

Joe Cole has improved immensely since joining Chelsea in that he's no longer a)lazy and b)crap. His workrate is second-to-none, but I still don't think he's on the same level as Robben or Duff or even Ronaldo.

Boumsong, and especially Bramble, have the same problems as Silvestre and Ferdinand despite being far inferior players to Rio. They both look good when they play, comfortable on the ball and can make the difficult tackles, but they lack fundamental abilities centre halves need. Bramble, for starters, is a moron. He lacks basic football intelligence, while Boumsong is just ridiculously error prone. Nobody at Newcastle seems to be attempting to remedying these fundamental inefficiencies, so their left with the same problem as United. If Newcastle didn't have Given, they'd be in the relegation zone, there's no surer thing. Likewise, if United didn't have van der Saar, the season would be over.

I think Joe Cole, mainly, just doesn't rely on his great skills and trickery. He is better than Robben right now. This is coming from a Chelsea supporter too, and, having watched every competitive game Robben and Cole have played for Chelsea in a long, long time (except most League Cup games), Cole is ridiculously more consistent. If Robben's off form, he's terrible. See: CFCvLiverpool, semi-final of Champo, 2nd leg, last season. Robben was woeful. If he's not 100% fit and on form he's not even a shade of himself. Now that Joey has developed almost fully, even if he's off form he can get stuck in and help defend a shyte load more than Arjen can. (And yes, I can [fondly] remember when Robben took the Premiership by storm about this time last year.) If I was picking the CFC line-up Joe would be in it, for now anyway.

---

Newcastle - Yep, Bramble is a massive liability. If Boumsong can concentrate and focus on the game properly for 90 minutes he'd be fine. That's probably why he was awesome in Ligue 1 and the SPL, because you don't get punished nearly as often or as hard for mistakes. Given is top-notch. He was great v Everton on the weekend. I loved the beating of the player near the touch line (then putting it straight out for a throw haha) and also the time when he let the ball go over his shoulder and the comentator thought he'd made the biggest gaff in the history of the sport. Good value.

RandyfromPennywise

11-28-2005, 12:35 PM

no, i think Pedersen scored volley as well. he was running down the left side of the penalty area, and just volleyed into the top corner. im pretty sure it was a volley.
Yeah he did score a cracker in that game, in off the underside of the bar if I remember correctly, but - in my opinion at least - it was outshone by Tugay's volley - direct from Pedo's corner - in that game. And I definitely think that Taylor's second v Sunderland was better than Pedersen's.

Drop The Baby

11-28-2005, 12:50 PM

See it here (http://latestgoals.net/detail.php?id=1296).

Edit: Just saw your next post!

Thanks any way!

Henry's free-kick and v.Persie's effort were both great goals, but not contenders for goal-of-the-season.

i agree

TakeWarning

11-29-2005, 07:41 AM

Much as I hate congratulating Arsenal players, Van Persie's was an absolute beauty.

It's true, it was ****ing amazing.
Henry's was good too.

RandyfromPennywise

11-29-2005, 08:16 AM

So, the Ballon d'Or has officially been awarded, Ronaldinho taking the award from Andreï Shevchenko. He scored 225 points. Frank Lampard of Cheslea and England was 2nd, with 148 points, and Steven Gerrard of Liverpool came in 3rd, with 142 votes.

L'ÉQUIPE (Team) FRANCE FOOTBALL 2005 is:

Čech - Carragher Terry Maldini -
Gerrard Lampard Makélélé Juninho Ronaldinho -
Shevchenko Henry.

So what do you peeps think about how this award has panned out? My opinion is that the top two is pretty spot on, 'Dinho is the best player in the world, Lamps is probably the next best. I think the gap of 101 points between Henry in fourth and Gerrard in third is a little too big though, although Gerrard did captain the side that won Europe's biggest trophy.

What is your list of the top 50 players in the world? Maybe that's too many? The 50 nominees for the Ballon d'Or were:

Ronaldinho (FC Barcelone)
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
Andreï Shevchenko (Milan AC)
Paolo Maldini (Milan AC)
Adriano (Inter Milan)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus Turin)
Kakà (Milan AC)
Samuel Eto'o (FC Barcelone)
John Terry (Chelsea)
Juninho (Lyon)
Claude Makelele (Chelsea)
Michael Ballack (Bayern Munich)
Petr Cech (Chelsea)
Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
Juan Roman Riquelme (Villarreal)
Zinédine Zidane (Real Madrid)
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus Turin)
Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Michael Essien (Lyon, puis Chelsea)
Luis Garcia (Liverpool)
Pavel Nedved (Juventus Turin)
David Beckham (Real Madrid)
Mauro German Camonaresi (Juventus Turin)
Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus Turin)
Grégory Coupet (Lyon)
Cris (Lyon)
Deco (FC Barcelone)
Dida (Milan AC)
Emerson (Juventus Turin)
Luis Figo (Real Madrid, puis Inter Milan)
Diego Forlan (Villarreal)
Roy Makaay (Bayern Munich)
Michael Owen (Real Madrid, puis Newcastle United)
Park Ji-sung (PSV Eindhoven, puis Manchester United)
Andrea Pirlo (Milan AC)
Raul (Real Madrid)
Arjen Robben (Chelsea)
Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid)
Robinho (Santos, puis Real Madrid)
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Lilian Thuram (Juventus Turin)
David Trezeguet (Juventus Turin)
Marc van Bommel (PSV Eindhoven, puis FC Barcelone)
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United)
Patrick Vieira (Arsenal, puis Juventus Turin)
Xavi (FC Barcelone)

When I've been bored lately I've been writing down all the class players in world football. The list is about 150 players long. I want to compile my list of top 100 players.

*The player names were taken from L'Équipe (lequipe.fr) so that explains the non-English club names etc.

Drop The Baby

11-29-2005, 09:01 AM

Frank Lampard, despite playing very well and being an excellent player, is overall never the second best in the world. I wouldn't even have him as second best in his position.

RandyfromPennywise

11-29-2005, 09:49 AM

There can only be one explanation for that: you must hate Lampard. The best three centre-mids then? Lampard is the top of the crop I reckon. Who else can possibly score 11 goals in 14 League games? Most strikers struggle to do that. On stats alone he is the best player in the Premier League this season. Henry and he are a class above the rest. Gerrard, Terry, van Nistelrooij, Rooney are all great too. Lampard is just an out and out match winner. On this season alone who in the world is in better form? Ronaldinho is the only player who is in such form. Dinho consistently wins matches for Barça, and Frank does for Chelsea. Vieira is great, but I'd take Lampard. Xavi, van Bommel, Pirlo, Emerson, Deco, Beckham, Camoranesi, Essien, Zidane, Riquelme, Ballack, Makélélé and Juninho: He's better than all of those players. Hands down.

Lord Abortion

11-29-2005, 10:20 AM

Best three central midfielders in the world for me are currently:
Pirlo
Juninho
Requielme

RandyfromPennywise

11-29-2005, 10:26 AM

You is 'avin' a laugh, and you know it.

Juninho is the best free-kick taker in the world. (At the very least, very, very close.) A great player. Pirlo is very good, and with the dead-ball also. Riquelme is a master and one to watch in Germany next year.

BUT, do you guys watch all the Chelsea games? Lampard is head and shoulders above those three.

RandyfromPennywise

11-29-2005, 10:27 AM

And, if you don't believe a biased Chelsea fan, the top journalists from across Europe have to know something as well. Putting him well over 100 points above the third placed midfielder too.

Drop The Baby

11-29-2005, 10:32 AM

I'd put Zidane, Gerrard, Vieira all above him, and it's touch and go with other players such as Kaka and Ballack

RandyfromPennywise

11-29-2005, 10:36 AM

Zidane scored a nice goal on the weekend!

Gerrard is the only other midfielder I can think of that has the same influence on his team (maybe Ballack and Juninho as well). (Only counting big teams here because Jimmy Thirdiv could have a huge influence on Swindon Town United Albion in the Sunday pub league, but it's not really the same is it.) Again though, Liverpool are struggling in the league and inconsistent, and Chelsea are one of the best teams in the world. Take Lampard out of Chelsea and they'd be shyte.

Drop The Baby

11-29-2005, 10:56 AM

I feel Lampard has only emerged as a player of this calibre since he's been playing with Makelele along side him. There's no doubting at all a holding player such as this allows Lamps to play with the freedom he enjoys at chelsea, i wonder how well he'd do if there was a lesser player than makelele alongside him

Lord Abortion

11-29-2005, 11:02 AM

It depends what your definition of a central midfielder is...I didn't count Kaka, Ballack or Ronaldinho for that reason.

RandyfromPennywise

11-29-2005, 11:05 AM

Yeah, right you are about Maka, but Maka's quality doesn't lessen Lampard's. Do you reckon Gerrard would play as well as Lampard if Maka played next to him?

(Silly question I guess because you think Gerrard better than Frank anyway right? :lol: )

RandyfromPennywise

11-29-2005, 11:11 AM

It depends what your definition of a central midfielder is...I didn't count Kaka, Ballack or Ronaldinho for that reason.
Kaka and Dinho aren't central midfielders, Ballack is. Ballack plays considerably deeper than those two. While still playing a largely attacking midfield role for Bayern, he is essentially in the centre of their midfield. Ronaldinho effectively plays as a left winger/2nd striker, and Kaka plays as a #10, the third striker - importantly, not really as an attacking midfielder, but more as a deep lying striker. Count Ballack, just not the other two. (Riquelme probably counts as a CM as well, although playing a similar role to Kaka, perhaps just a little less attacking.)

Drop The Baby

11-29-2005, 11:12 AM

^^I view Lampard, Kaka and Ballack as attacking midfielders, and Ronaldinho as a support striker/second striker.

I rate Makelele as a better player than Alonso, and Gerrard better than Lamps so, yes i think Gerrard would be an even better player if he were at Chelsea instead of Lamps.

:)

RandyfromPennywise

11-29-2005, 11:15 AM

Jeebus, then Gerrard'd score 30 goals and get 40 assists! And be World + European Player + Footballer of the Year.

Nah, Gerrard could never be that good ;)

Frank'll score 25 this season though :thumb:

Lord Abortion

11-29-2005, 11:34 AM

I'm not a huge Gerrard fan...he's too inconsistent for me.
Possibly the antithesis to Lampard in many ways.

Drop The Baby

11-29-2005, 11:35 AM

Haha, i think this could last forever! Neither of us are wrong, we're just seeing it from different angles i guess.

I suggest we agree to disagree before we fill the next 273 pages with 'no Lamps is better' vs 'no Gerrard's better'. :thumb:

RandyfromPennywise

11-29-2005, 11:54 AM

Ha! I do agree with that about Stevie G. Some games you watch him and he's absolutely phenomenal, working his arse off and creating chances and having shots all over the place, then other games he'll add little. To be honest, Lampard can drift out of games as well. Overall though Lampard is much more consistent. Gerrard is much more effective and influential in the middle of the park for mine than he is out on the right.

Rijkard said that Lampard is the best non-Barça player going around at the moment: the one player that he'd like in his team. Mourinho says he's the best player in the world. So we all agree he's pretty feking good then! :D

Seeing as Chelsea aren't playing for a while and this Lampard discussion has been going for a while now (too long :)), I'll just bring up random foo'ie talk.

Where does everyone reckon Tomàs Rosický of Borussia Dortmund and the Czech Republic will be playing his club football next season? He was linked with Real Madrid in the last off-season, and there have been murmurings about a link with Tottenham. He was also linked with Chelsea but there was no truth in that. One of the brightest talents in Europe, he will surely end his fourth season with Dortmund by parting company with them. He has just turned 25 and has said that he would like to move to either Spain or England. These seem to be the two most obvious destinations. A very attack minded midfielder, Rosický possesses a fierce shot, and is a dead-ball specialist, having taken over penalty and free-kick duties with both club and country. He has stared for the Czech Rep. at both Euro 2004 and during the World Cup qualifiers. He scored the winning goal in the play-off second leg against Norway. I'd say he might even move to Bayern München if Ballack leaves. He'd be an obvious replacement, and Bayern have a fetish for buying players from large German clubs (see Ballack, Lúcio etc.) other than themselves. He's a top, top player, but I haven't seen enough of him to completely judge him. I've probably only seen him play in about 10 full games. He'll either go on to become a world-class midfielder, or, say, stay with Dortmund too long and miss his chance to become great. (Dortmund are my German team by the way.) So let's talk about Tomàs Rosický!

Drop The Baby

11-29-2005, 12:02 PM

I've always admired Rosicky as a player, he was the one player who stood out for Dortmund when we played them recently in the Champs league, scoring a free kick (albeit a cross that went in). again, he's a player that Arsenal should be linked with, especially as he's likely to be more affordable than a lot of other options, and has youth (and experience) on his side too.

RandyfromPennywise

11-29-2005, 12:08 PM

Yeah, I remember that goal, I think it was unintentional as you say. I think he'd definitely be affordable, not cheap though. Dortmund realise they have a very good player on their books, and I remember reading one time that they were looking for £10 million or thereabouts - I think the chairman said something like €15-20 million. Arse have that kind of money though, what was Hleb, £8 million?

Drop The Baby

11-29-2005, 02:31 PM

Hleb was £10mill, and i think that's be the price i'd expect to pay for Rosicky too, as you say.

We've just gone 2-0 up against Reading in the Carling Cup, Reyes first and now Van Persie (again! :) )

metal-militia

11-29-2005, 02:37 PM

BUT, do you guys watch all the Chelsea games? Lampard is head and shoulders above those three.

I think Riquelme is better than Lampard.

Rosicky is a quality player.

Doncaster are beating Villa 1-0 :eek:

red barchetta

11-29-2005, 03:15 PM

Doncaster are 2-0 up :eek:

EDIT: 3-0 :eek: :eek:

Lord Abortion

11-29-2005, 05:28 PM

RandyfromPennywise

11-30-2005, 01:07 AM

Rosicky is a Brilliant player, any CM players will have known about him years ago...I know I did.

Like I knew about Torres and Tevez etc. before anyone else.

I'd love to see him at United

Yeah I first heard of him on CM many moons ago. He, Phillipe Mexès and Mancini are awesome on 03/04 as well.

I would have liked to have signed him instead of Essien. Not to say I don't rate Essien highly, just having he and Makélélé makes the midfield so defensive. I guess that allows Lampard to be as attacking as he is, but I would have loved to have seen Rosický and Lampard playing through balls and shooting in the Chelsea blue...

More random foo'ie chat. Marco Bresciano. Absolute quality, Australian central-midfielder, currently playing for Parma in Italy's Serie A. Previously of Empoli. Very attack-minded player, a free-kick expert, who's scored some great free kicks for Australia and Parma. Scored the goal that won the second leg of the World Cup play-off against Uruguay for Australia two weeks ago. A constant threat with his accurate passing and his well-timed runs into scoring positions especially. There was transfer talk of him leaving Parma at the end of last season, but nothing came through. He joined Parma for about £8 million (€12-15 million I think) two and a half years ago, close to a record signing for Parma I think. He was keeping his options open as to leaving Italy (as you can probably tell from his name, he has an Italian background - he was fluent in Italian before he moved there and has adapted very well to the culture) but the most likely scenario is that he will stay in Serie A and move to one of the big clubs. He has been linked with Milan and Juventus in the past. With Parma's league form faultering, I can see him definitely leaving at the end of the season, maybe a club like Inter perhaps, or Juve, but not Milan. Perhaps even a move to Fiorentina - who are doing well again - would be possible. He is in a similar situation to Rosický really - at a club with a decent reputation but which isn't performing, has been linked with some big clubs, both attacking midfielders, 25 years old, both play for teams I'm partial too (I like Parma a lot more than Dortmund though) etc...

Any thoughts on Bresh as a player, and where he'll move to?

Britney Diva

11-30-2005, 06:24 AM

Best three central midfielders in the world for me are currently:
Pirlo
Juninho
Requielme
My three best centre midfielders in the world right now are all Liam Miller.

I loved that Doncaster result. Good to see Baros is proving his worth.

RandyfromPennywise

11-30-2005, 06:33 AM

I have a soft-spot for Baroš. I rate him highly. He's not a prolific striker, but he's quick, a good dribbler and works hard most of the time. He's a real "form" striker - if he's in form, he'll rip sh*t up. If not, he certainly won't. Hope he does well at Villa. He could do really well at World Cup next year too...

Perroquet Magique

11-30-2005, 10:20 AM

First post... :)
Just to introduce myself...
I support West Ham United, although a lot of people say we don't deserve to be in the premiership, I think we're doing pretty well. I was disappointed at our most recent match, 2 - 1 to Man U. We did score 52 seconds into the match though :lol:

Edit: Just read it's supposed to be European, sorry about that...

+3kk!

11-30-2005, 10:31 AM

Perroquet Magique

11-30-2005, 10:48 AM

nah, anything about football goes EPL, CL........

just dont start talking about NFL and claiming that american football is true football you are ok
Well no offense to any Americans here, I've never really played American Football so I can't comment on the actual sport but I hate the fact that they stole our name and gave a new one to our sport! The cheek! :p

red barchetta

11-30-2005, 10:55 AM

Well no offense to any Americans here, I've never really played American Football so I can't comment on the actual sport but I hate the fact that they stole our name and gave a new one to our sport! The cheek! :p
well said :thumb:

skateMASTERbater2

11-30-2005, 12:48 PM

UEFA games tonight:
Slavia 20:45 Monaco
CSKA Sofia 21:45 Viking
Brøndby 20:45 Espanyol
M. Petach-Tikva 21:45 Lokomotiv Moskva
Sampdoria 20:45 Hertha
Steaua 21:45 Halmstad
Grasshoppers Zurich 20:45 Dnipro
Litex 21:45 AZ

I'll be watching Grasshoppers - Dnipro or Brøndby- Espanyol

Lord Abortion

11-30-2005, 01:15 PM

I like Baros... but think he would be better suited to a different league.
I could see him performing better for a Spanish or Italian side, with the different style, than over here.

The euro championship was an example to back this theory up

Man U - Baggies tonight

'seppi up front with Saha...I dread to think...

MILF Hunter

12-01-2005, 06:57 AM

:lol: Crouch still hasnt scored

Lord Abortion

12-01-2005, 07:19 AM

Poor Bloke, he's having a hell of a time of it.

What happened to Rossi second half?!
He was Genius in the first 45 then hardly touched the ball.

Angry Balled Fists!

12-01-2005, 08:58 AM

Gay, we lost.

RandyfromPennywise

12-01-2005, 09:47 AM

Watched Scouse v Sunderland last night. My God Sunderland are crap. They get what, four hundred fans coming to watch their games? No wonder. A Liverpool team intent on keeping a clean-sheet and they let them have it... Well they weren't that bad, but five points for the year is disgraceful. They'll be down by Christmas at this rate.

Xabi Alonso's two passes for both Scouse goals were superb. He may not have directly intended the first, but the weight and placement of the ball were magificent. The pass for Gerrard's goal was just sublime, Kaká-esque. He is one of the best midfielders going around the Premiership right now.

-About Baroš - I think he'd rip it up in Spain too. He'd probably be a 20-goal-a-season striker there. More open play, more suited to his style. Still, I think he'll do well at Villa.

Monaco are through to the next stage of the UEFACup. There are some decent teams in the Uefa Cup this year - anyone playing UEFA Cup fantasy football on UEFA.com??? Monaco, Rennes, Marseille, Roma, Stuttgart, 'Boro etc. Viduka scored another cracker as well! C'Mon V-BomBer!!!

For that matter, anyone playing Champions League fantasy football on UEFA.com??? God the players to choose from is great... Much more selection that the Prem. I.e. Lampard is not a must for every team. Ronaldinho on the other hand...

Drop The Baby

12-01-2005, 01:14 PM

Sunderland are just utter sh!te, no quality at all. I think Baros is a very good player too, very quick and hard working.

Britney Diva

12-01-2005, 01:27 PM

Wow, Newcastle are a bloody shambles. If it weren't for Given, they'd have been beaten 5-0+ by Wigan's second string.

guitarbaz

12-01-2005, 01:41 PM

bring on villa on saturday. two s.hite teams to console each other.
christ.

upthebracket

12-01-2005, 01:42 PM

guitarbaz

12-01-2005, 02:01 PM

Boumsong's rotton as well, totally out of his depth in the Premiership. I think Rangers pulled a Rafael Scheidt when they managed to sell him.

Baros on the other hand - top goalscorer in Europe for my Celtic FM'06 team. Swell partnership with Saha up front.

i don't really think you can single anyone out. they give a fine team effort in being collectively arse.:angry:

upthebracket

12-01-2005, 06:33 PM

It's fun to pick out ex-Rangers flopping in the Premiership after big money moves, oh so fun :p

Newcastle's defense is pretty arse, the rest of the team seems pretty decent, only they're not gelling/scoring right now.

Britney Diva

12-01-2005, 07:04 PM

They're not scoring because Owen isn't playing.

RandyfromPennywise

12-02-2005, 06:54 AM

I think Chelsea'll beat the Boro 2-0 tomorrow. Could be more, but I'll be conservative. Can't see them scoring though.

Adelaide United beat Newcastle United 2-1 tonight to move eight points clear at the top of the A-League ladder (Sydney play tomorrow). Great game, Newcastle took the lead but United held out and drew level in the 75th and then took the lead a few minutes later - what a comeback! We beat possibly the form team in the comp., and all this without Ross "THE BOSS" Aloisi (brother of hero John Aloisi) and super-striker Shengqing Qu!

Lord Abortion

12-02-2005, 07:43 AM

Gaznev made club captain
Solskjaer will play for the reserves aginst the scousers on Monday.
Great to see.

RandyfromPennywise

12-02-2005, 08:31 AM

I had no idea what you were on about there for a few seconds. Thought you were talking about Dinamo Tbilisi or something - Andrei Gaznev or someone! Don't really rate G. Nev highly as a captain. Well I guess he's consistent and a club legend etc.

I have a massive soft-spot for Ole Gunnar as well. Definitely one of my favourite Manure players. Hope he makes a full recovery. It's funny, now that my brother's gone overseas again, I don't hear "He's our Solskjaer, Our Ole Solskjaer..." every two seconds! He's got the last Man Utd home shirt with Solskjaer 20 on the back; quality shirt. Never forget his four against Forrest, absolutely fantastic to watch that were! Sølskjær's cool, hope he scores some goals before he retires.

Angry Balled Fists!

12-02-2005, 08:34 AM

We'll cane Villa on Saturday, you watch.

Lord Abortion

12-02-2005, 04:34 PM

Well, it's the battle for a job.

I hear If Toon lose then Suey is out, and O'leary is sacked if Villa lose.

RandyfromPennywise

12-03-2005, 05:00 AM

And if they draw they're both sacked. Hope Baroš scores a couple, got him in for fantasy this week, Owen's out injured. Crespo's out too, and Emre. Robben + Drogba are back for Chelski. Not sure what La Liga games are on ESPN tonight, have to wait and see I guess... they don't start until 5.25am and 7.25am :eek: Late night for me :)

red barchetta

12-03-2005, 05:42 AM

ThrashMaster27

12-03-2005, 05:53 AM

TakeWarning

12-03-2005, 07:06 AM

4 goals in 14 minutes, actually. Funny how I remember that.

ThrashMaster27

12-03-2005, 07:16 AM

4 goals in 14 minutes, actually. Funny how I remember that.

Haha, oh well. I wasn't including injury time. I'm sure he scored his first goal in the 80's, so I just went off that.

Angry Balled Fists!

12-03-2005, 07:26 AM

omfg Crouch Scored !!!

MILF Hunter

12-03-2005, 07:34 AM

2 goals for Crouch at half time :lol:

The keeper made a right balls up of the first though :lol:

red barchetta

12-03-2005, 07:59 AM

omfg Crouch Scored !!!
:eek:

TakeWarning

12-03-2005, 08:39 AM

omfg Crouch Scored !!!

Wow.

Just...wow.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal for Ajax. (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2082203932016588289&q=zlatan+ibrahimovic)

Hope the link works.

ThrashMaster27

12-03-2005, 08:57 AM

Wow.

Just...wow.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal for Ajax. (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2082203932016588289&q=zlatan+ibrahimovic)

Hope the link works.

That was sweet man.

I'm bored of commentators saying "He's skillful for a big man" it reminds me of when Rosenborg were kinda high flying in the champs leagues and they had John Carew.

Zlatan is class. His height shouldn't be taken into consideration. His attitude however...

TakeWarning

12-03-2005, 09:18 AM

What about his attitude? Is he one of those player's that always chucks off-pitch tantrums?

red barchetta

12-03-2005, 09:21 AM

:eek: Sunderland are winning against Spurs

EDIT: well... we knew they were going to lose

anyway, Newcastle drew with Villa. does this mean both managers are sacked?

metal-militia

12-03-2005, 01:15 PM

Well, Redknapp quit Saints. Good riddance to an overated, tactically inept, saggy faced wanker!

Good to see Crouch get off the mark.... he took the second very well.

Lord Abortion

12-03-2005, 01:24 PM

3-0

Uniiiii-ted!

Grondahl

12-03-2005, 01:27 PM

W00t! Preston are in the play-off zone! And, more importantly, above Burnley!

Britney Diva

12-03-2005, 04:58 PM

Liverpool are really hitting their stride right now; if they play like they did today consistently they could be looking at third or even second place. If only they'd get rid of some of the crap players like Garcia and Kewell.

I think the best point to emerge from the united match (aside from the points, of course) was that Scholes, van Nistelrooy and Rooney all scored, the three players we need to be on top form Wednesday.

Lord Abortion

12-03-2005, 05:19 PM

The best part for me was actually scoring more than two goals in a match we dominated.

TakeWarning

12-04-2005, 03:57 AM

Even though Crouch scored, I still think he's crap. Beating Sunderland was very relieving. Haha, David Beckham got sent off again, for quite a terrible challenge.

Watching Arsenal lose was great too, the commentator was saying that would rule out their title challenge.

RandyfromPennywise

12-04-2005, 07:54 AM

If only they'd get rid of some of the crap players like Kewell.

Just watch your mouth there! :p Harry is bloody unfit, remember those goals he scored for Leeds? He'll reach full fitness soon and at full fitness he should keep Garcia, Zenden and Riise from the left-mid poisition.

What about his attitude? [Zlatan's]He is responsible for the quote(s) of the year for 2004.

"So Zlatan, whose style of play have you modelled yours on?"

"No one. I have Zlatan style."

---

"So Zlatan, who are your idols?"

"My parents, my father."

"And your footballing idols?"

"I have none. I am Zlatan."

Lord Abortion

12-04-2005, 03:16 PM

Hahah, have you seen the scholsey school thing on the bbc sport site?

Just him showing off to a bunch of academy kids, piss funny.

IAJP

12-04-2005, 04:05 PM

Who's looking forward to any International Tournements?

I'm pretty excited about the World Cup, and the African Nation's cup too, :).

RandyfromPennywise

12-04-2005, 10:51 PM

I'm looking forward to World Cup a lot.

Five-star City last night, although Curbo's men were pretty dreadful at times, the defending, silly mistakes.

Still gotta watch Barcelona v Villareal second half and Atlético Madrid v Athletic Bilbao on tape from the weekend, Barca Villa match - 13 South Americans in the starting line-up, plus Brazilian-born Deco. Amazing! Two thirds of the players were from S.America. Wonder how many Frenchmen there would have been in a Scouse v Arse match with Houllier and Wenger though? Still not that many!

TakeWarning

12-05-2005, 06:38 AM

"So Zlatan, who are your idols?"

"My parents, my father."

"And your footballing idols?"

"I have none. I am Zlatan."[/i][/b]

Haha. I'm amped for this world cup. I'm going to a party on Friday night, and I'll probably stay up until about 1am, but because I am so excited about this world cup, I'm staying up until 5:15am to watch the world cup draw. I'm so cool.

Lord Abortion

12-05-2005, 08:37 AM

I'm quietly confident in England's chances next year.

Grondahl

12-05-2005, 08:44 AM

Me too, as long as Rooney doesn't get injured.

RandyfromPennywise

12-05-2005, 10:57 AM

I think Hiddink will do some good things with Australia. I'd like to draw England in the Group we get. Then beat them 3-1 again. Bresciano, Kewell and Cahill to score. Yep, that'll do fine thanks.

RandyfromPennywise

12-05-2005, 11:05 AM

By the way, anyone see the fourth Ajax goal against RKC Walkwijk on Sunday? What a goal! Forgotten the guy's name, younger player (aren't they all at Ajax!! (and the Dutch league!)).

Whitbread's (I think it was him) goal [free-kick] for Sunderland was class too.

Barça've won nine on the trot now. Xavi is out for around six months, is definitely out for the rest of Barça's season, and may well miss World Cup. Disappointing for Spain + the World Cup.

The 'Gers result against Falkirk was a disgrace.

red barchetta

12-05-2005, 01:21 PM

By the way, anyone see the fourth Ajax goal against RKC Walkwijk on Sunday? What a goal! Forgotten the guy's name, younger player (aren't they all at Ajax!! (and the Dutch league!)).

Whitbread's (I think it was him) goal [free-kick] for Sunderland was class too.

The Ajax goal was by Babel, i think. he's a bloody good player. Ajax will be huge in a few seasons if they keep their players, all their players have such high potential.

Whitehead was the one who scored for Sunderland. Whitbread is the Liverpool defender.

Drop The Baby

12-05-2005, 01:45 PM

Ajax keep produing great players but haven't got the ability to keep them any more

Gazza's been sacked by Kettering after 39 days, apparently he's back on the booze which is stupid after what happened to Best last week

RandyfromPennywise

12-05-2005, 01:58 PM

The Ajax goal was by Babel, i think. he's a bloody good player. Ajax will be huge in a few seasons if they keep their players, all their players have such high potential.

Whitehead was the one who scored for Sunderland. Whitbread is the Liverpool defender.
Nah it wasn't Babel's goal I was talking about, although that was decent too.

Ajax have produced van der Vaart and van der Mayde in recent years and both have left much before their peak. Both quality players. Ibrahimović left, and, although not an Ajax product (his youth team was Mälmo FF of Sweden), he became great with Ajax. Look at how well he's done at Juve. If they could keep all their players for one generation they'd be one of the top few teams in Europe. They've done well in the Champo in seasons prior to their top products leaving. Pienaar + de Jong will probably leave after this season. Every year at least two good players leave - the same with PSV, although they are richer (and better, with a better manager (the equal best gaffer going around :p )).

The Dutch league is just unfortunate in that it is in the second teir of European leagues, along with France, Germany, Portugal etc., and it is at the lower end of that in terms of money. The standard is reasonable though, good enough for me to watch the one game a week we get here.

Brum v Hammers about to start, I say Hammers 2-1. I don't know where Brum will get a goal from though...

red barchetta

12-05-2005, 02:01 PM

Nah it wasn't Babel's goal I was talking about, although that was decent too.

Ajax have produced van der Vaart and van der Mayde in recent years and both have left much before their peak. Both quality players. Ibrahimović left, and, although not an Ajax product (his youth team was Mälmo FF of Sweden), he became great with Ajax. Look at how well he's done at Juve. If they could keep all their players for one generation they'd be one of the top few teams in Europe. They've done well in the Champo in seasons prior to their top products leaving. Pienaar + de Jong will probably leave after this season. Every year at least two good players leave - the same with PSV, although they are richer (and better, with a better manager (the equal best gaffer going around :p )

don't forget Van Der Sar - he was incredible when he was at Ajax.

upthebracket

12-05-2005, 02:19 PM

The 'Gers result against Falkirk was a disgrace.

9 games without a win now. Unbelieveable. Buffel seemed to make a heck of a difference though. He can't save them now though, it's Celtic's league :cool: What a buy Nakamura was.

red barchetta

12-05-2005, 03:18 PM

9 games without a win now. Unbelieveable. Buffel seemed to make a heck of a difference though. He can't save them now though, it's Celtic's league :cool: What a buy Nakamura was.
i really can't believe only a few clubs were interested in signing him. He's played fantastically for Japan in every game, he has a world-class freekick... he's awesome. hopefully he'll take Japan far into the World Cup :D

Lord Abortion

12-05-2005, 03:46 PM

Nakata is amazing, as is Ono over in Holland.

Something that makes Japanese players experts at the free-kick.

RandyfromPennywise

12-05-2005, 04:07 PM

I say Hammers 2-1.
:cool:

My one comment on that match (Brum Wham) - David Dunn. The best player on the pitch by a mile. Absolute class, hope he gets back to full fitness. Not quite good enough to be a star at a big club but certainly good enough to rip it up and be the main man at a club like B'ham (or Blackburn). On'ya Dunny.

No comments on Marco Bresciano, you are missing out if you guys don't know him.

TakeWarning

12-06-2005, 05:33 AM

David Dunn is a great player.

Lord Abortion

12-06-2005, 11:10 AM

Yeah, he's pretty good.

Chelski-pool game the neet?

1-1 sayeth the Lord.

Broken Angels

12-06-2005, 03:50 PM

Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool - disappointing, I thought.
Rangers 1 - 1 Inter - Lovenkrands put them through :lol:

Stoo

12-06-2005, 04:04 PM

at the end Rangers were passin the ball about like they were 5 up... I was like "WTF??? Bratislava could score and we'd be fudged!!"

But I'm happy. Lovenkrands always pops up when you need him. Wish he'd do it more often.

Sitting 5th in the SPL... but throught to the last 16. :chug:

upthebracket

12-06-2005, 04:43 PM

Well done to Rangers :o

Still, going through 1 point ahead of 'Artmedia Bratislava' with 7 points doesn't say much for the quality of their group. They should make the most of the next round, could be their last game in the Champions League for a few seasons.

Yes, I'm bitter...

Untitled

12-06-2005, 04:58 PM

WTF, England are seeded Number2 in the world, for the world cup, im quite shocked. I thaught they might get top 8, but 2? i thaught like 5 i dunno.

RandyfromPennywise

12-06-2005, 05:04 PM

I've wasted 180 minutes + stoppage time of my life watching Chelsea play Liverpool in the Champions League this season. The less said about those matches the better.

C'MON the 'GERS!! Finally through! We will be massive easy-beats in the next stage, it'll most likely be a thumping. Meh, further than Celtic scum 'ave been! 'Avin' A Laugh!!!

Lord Abortion

12-06-2005, 06:49 PM

Hehe, Lovenkrands is always the fastest player on the pitch, but he's crap generally.

I watched the Liv-Chelsea game in't pub, was rubbish

TakeWarning

12-07-2005, 03:18 AM

That Liverpool Chelsea game sure was a bore. Am I the only one who's staying up until 5:15am to watch the world cup draw?

RandyfromPennywise

12-07-2005, 04:31 AM

No, my friend, you are not. You are in fact blessed with 150 minutes of time difference, so it's on after 6am for me (if it's live it will start before 5 for you). Well I stayed up until 10am this morning watching Champo League. Football > sleep it seems.

RandyfromPennywise

12-07-2005, 04:44 AM

How's the cheek of Bruce Arena!!! [U.S.A. national "soccer" team coach] He says Trinidad & Tobago + Australia are the two easy beats of the World Cup. Havin' A Laugh! Surely Togo, Angola and Saudi Arabia, for starters, would be a shyte-load easier than Australia - managed by Guus Hiddink lest we forget. Bruce Arena's got no idea, Bresciano will crap all over Donovan and Culina and Grella'll dominate. (If we play them of course!)

Some interesting possibilities will come out of Friday's World Cup draw. The toughest possible group would be something like Brazil, Netherlands, USA and Australia or Côte d'Ivoire, while a weaker group could potentially be something like Mexico, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago and Angola.

From Australia's position, we will desperately be hoping to avoid Holland and the USA in our group - they are from the second tier, so getting them comes with a top seeded nation as well. South Korea and Japan are also lurking dangerously there.

For your information, the bottom tier of eight teams is two South American teams, five African teams and one Oceanian team. They are Paraguay, Ecuador, Côte d'Ivoire, Tunisia, Togo, Angola, Ghana and Australia.

I can see the top tier teams hoping to avoid Paraguay, Ecuador, Côte d'Ivoire, Tunisia and Australia. Although Ghana can put up a show with Essien and Appiah.

Trinidad & Tobago in the third tier? The situation with CONCACAF and FIFA is beyond ridiculous. And not one Asian nation outside of the top three tiers? And the third and fourth best teams in the second strongest continent in the world are in the lowest tier? What is going on Mr Blatter?

Britney Diva

12-07-2005, 04:58 AM

Well the US are a far better outfit than Oz, so it's not really surprising he'd say it. The Asian teams are far more experienced at the World Cup.

Take a bow Michael Essien. I don't know how a)he keeps getting away with trying to break peoples' legs and b)he's so bad at it that he can't actually make the break. Hopefully UEFA will have the balls to ban him.

RandyfromPennywise

12-07-2005, 05:23 AM

Agree with you on all points there, but aren't Australia better than Saudi Arabia, Togo and Angola?

It is very frustrating and disappointing, as a Chelsea fan - and a long-standing one - to watch Michael Essien make these absolutely horrendous, and I mean horrendous (hope I spelt it correctly!), "cahllenges". The tackle on Ben Haim was a disgrace, and he should have been off, straight away. He should have been straight off today as well. Hamman was lucky, very lucky. Gallas does it too. He caught Kewell completely unneccesarilly on the wing, and it is those two in our team who consistently go in with the studs raised, but Essien to far more devestating effect. He's just turned 23, so he's still young on the big stage, but it's not on and Mourinho has to stop it if he is a really class man-manager.

It's funny, but becuase I watch every Chelsea game, take a huge interest in them etc., I'd probably know as good as anyone how to beat Chelsea. Obviously not tactically as I'm not a manager (of course!) but I reckon - as a player - I could get Gallas, Robben and Drogba all sent off in the one game. It'd take some doing and need some good refereeing but it could happen. So if I was a gaffer, I'd get three players of mine to get them sent off. Easy. Gallas has developed a real "loose-cannon" side to his personality on the pitch over the last year.

Ferreira ball watches at back-post crosses, Cech is prone to parrying straight back into play, Maka finds it hard to deal with being man-marked (I guess most defensive midfielders would - wouldn't happen very often) and often gets shut out this way, Robben has a poor right foot (although he scored an absolute peach for PSV with it) and does not go in hard, Drogba doesn't time his runs very well. Can't find too many weaknesses in Terry, Lampard, Duff or Crespo though. They are probably the best four players in our squad (+ Maka & Cech I guess).

TakeWarning

12-07-2005, 05:44 AM

Yeah, USA are probably better than Australia, but to say we're easy beats is just ignorant. There are worse teams in the world cup eg. Trinidid & Tobago, Saudi Arabia, and maybe Ivory Coast, I'm unfamiliar with them.

I hope we get a good draw for The Cup, a bad draw could result in embarrasment. Having two of the favourites in our group would be disastrous.

RandyfromPennywise

12-07-2005, 06:30 AM

I don't think we'll be embarassed, whoever we play. The boys are playing for the shirt, and they've enough pride and passion (and skill) to put in a decent shift against anyone, even Brazil. Obviously I do not think we'd beat Brazil but I don't think we'll get embarassed by them either.

The Ivory Coast (officially Côte d'Ivoire (French)) have Didier Drogba of Chelsea and Kolo Touré of Arsenal as their star players. Both have been tremendous for them lately, especially in the qualifiers. They also have some other servicable players. I'd say that our squad is probably better on paper, but they're probably a better team - more matches, more unity, more match-hardness. They too will be buoyed by the fact that this is their first qualification.

I will be stoked at any goal we score, let alone a draw, or heaven forbid a win (I might want to call the roof repair man the day before our matches to come and fix the hole in the role I'll make if we win, just in case). I know that Bresch, Viduka, Kewell, Grella (especially these two), Neill, Culina and Shwarz are oozing with pride in the shirt and will raise their game and players like Bresch are ready to step onto the world stage. He is better than any player the USA have, that is no bullshizen. I still get pumped whenever I think about this moment three weeks ago (almost to the minute!). Right now three weeks ago I was both a) going totally f*cking ballastic and b) in a complete and utter state of disbelief/joy. Best night you could hope for. Such a good atmosphere in the stadium too. C'MON AUSSIE!

/Australian on the way to getting overly excited about Australia winning qualification to World Cup.

TakeWarning

12-07-2005, 06:49 AM

Yeah, I was watching a short documentary on Ivory Coast the other day, they look like a pretty good team, they mentioned quite alot of formidable players playing in France and England and other mostly European countries.

In fact, you're probably right about Australia not getting embarassed, but I remember feeling ever-so-sorry for Saudi Arabia getting beaten 8-1 by Germany in their first game. Having that happen would be an absolute nightmare. But, like you said, the boys know what they're doing and have enough heart not to lose miserably. I guess we'll just have to wait and see next year in Germany.

Lord Abortion

12-07-2005, 10:40 AM

How come Drogba can score for his country and not for Chelsea? :p

Biggest united game in recent memory tonight.

Come on you reds!

Stoo

12-07-2005, 10:46 AM

I hate Man Utd. Dunno why. :)

TakeWarning

12-07-2005, 10:53 AM

Uhhh...didn't Drogba score last week for Chelsea?

Lord Abortion

12-07-2005, 11:21 AM

Uhhh...didn't Drogba score last week for Chelsea?
Yes, he just doesn't score enough to justify His selection ahead of Crespo.

TakeWarning

12-07-2005, 11:22 AM

I think he's a great player, despite all the abuse he gets around here. But maybe Chelsea with all their money could possibly get someone even better.

Lord Abortion

12-07-2005, 01:50 PM

one nil!

Schoooolseyyy!

Drop The Baby

12-07-2005, 02:25 PM

one nil!

Schoooolseyyy!

2-1!!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait for the press conference if Man U lose

Drop The Baby

12-07-2005, 02:37 PM

Henry just missed a penalty on '45, missed on the right hand post :(

Lord Abortion

12-07-2005, 03:43 PM

Out a little earlier than normal this year then...

I couldn't believe the lack of service to Van Nistlerooy, he barely touched the ball all game.

Drop The Baby

12-08-2005, 05:52 AM

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

not even in the uefa cup!!

Lord Abortion

12-08-2005, 06:57 AM

Yeah, well, I'm not going to bitch and say that we didn't deserve this, because the European form has been astonishingly bad.

I can't see fergie lasting beyond the summer.

TakeWarning

12-08-2005, 09:15 AM

I'm not sure if they'll get rid of Fergie. They're doing quite well in the EPL this season, can't say much for everywhere else.

skateMASTERbater2

12-09-2005, 10:21 AM

i know I'm a little late... but :lol: @ Man U.

On another note, the world cup draw is tonight and since i'm still hungover from going out yesterday, I'll watch it from home.

Doctor Night

12-09-2005, 10:24 AM

Henry just missed a penalty on '45, missed on the right hand post :(
Thats not like him, That game finished 0-0 didn't it.

Frankie

12-09-2005, 11:13 AM

We gave Chelski a good run adn it's time we had some joy in the league, so yeah I think we can definetley beat liverpool. So I say 2-1.

RandyfromPennywise

12-09-2005, 11:42 AM

Well, Champo round-up is quite interesting. I'm hoping Chelsea draw Villareal or even Inter. Lyon could prove very dangerous, I don't think they've lost a competitive match this year! Real will be out soon too. I can see Chelsea v either Juventus, Milan or Barcelona coming up.

WORLD CUP DRAW coming soon!! The Dutch, Portuguese and Serbian & Montenegrin teams are certainly the ones to avoid.

Best case scenario for Australia : Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Trinidad & Tobago. Now that'd be nice!

AND - Please Guus, don't go to United!

RandyfromPennywise

12-09-2005, 01:47 PM

Pinhead13

12-09-2005, 02:03 PM

just a few minutes away !!!!!! can't wait!!!

red barchetta

12-09-2005, 03:09 PM

Draw ceremony has started. Portugal, Czech Rep + Holland groups will be the killers. Pretty impressive lanugage skills from all the hosts ay. Heidi Klum is certainly keeping me up (pun intended) at 6.30am in the morning.
see you in the Group stages... Japan and Australia in the same group... with Brazil and Croatia.

COME ON JAPAN

England are very lucky

skateMASTERbater2

12-09-2005, 03:20 PM

Group A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador

Group B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Sweden

Group C
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro
Netherlands

Group D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal

Group E
Italy
Ghana
United States
Czech Rep.

Group F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

Group G
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo

Group H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

Pinhead13

12-09-2005, 03:21 PM

we get to play against (don't know the order)
Netherlands :eek: :eek: :eek:
Serbia & Montenegro
Ivory Coast

skateMASTERbater2

12-09-2005, 03:22 PM

I'd say group C and F are going to be the most interesting. I wouldn't like to be in Australia's place

red barchetta

12-09-2005, 03:25 PM

meh, any group would have been hard for Japan

but why Brazil... :( oh well, we're the one with Zico this time

Pinhead13

12-09-2005, 03:28 PM

I'm interested in seeing groups B and C.

sweboy

12-09-2005, 03:57 PM

Oh snap! England again for us. I wonder how Sven-Göran Eriksson feels about that (: . It will be a tough match for sure, like always, but we're usually strong against England, and we haven't lost to them since in the 60's. Paraguay will be hard, you never know what those crazy bastards can do. I'm worried about that match. Trinidad & Tobago shouldn't be any problems though.

Groups C and E looks the most nasty in my opinion. I'm glad we're not in there.

IAJP

12-09-2005, 04:13 PM

Ehhh...

Group A I'll be supporting Ecuador, Group B England, Group C Ivory Coast, Group D Iran, Group E Czech Rep, F Japan, G Korea, H Tunisia.

I really hope Korea win it to be honest, allthough I'd be suprised if Germany didn't blunder their way through to the finals (AGAIN!)

Ganondorf

12-09-2005, 04:33 PM

lol unlucky Australia

IAJP

12-09-2005, 04:35 PM

lol unlucky Australia
They have probbably the hardest group out of all, heh!

Ganondorf

12-09-2005, 05:04 PM

The main thing is England are gonna win, FOOTBALL'S COMING HOME!!!!!!!

Apocalyptic Raids

12-10-2005, 02:55 AM

Brazil....

****.

Doctor Night

12-10-2005, 03:50 AM

The main thing is England are gonna win, FOOTBALL'S COMING HOME!!!!!!!
We are not gonna win.

Grutte Pier

12-10-2005, 03:56 AM

Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro, It will be then. Hard poul for sure, but if you want to become world champion, you will have to beat them all eventually.

Ganondorf

12-10-2005, 03:58 AM

Yeah I know, Brazil will, ncie to dream tho ;)

Doctor Night

12-10-2005, 03:58 AM

I actually think it will be Germany vs. Holland in the finals.

Ganondorf

12-10-2005, 04:00 AM

errm no Germany are very average and home support is overated. Holland have a good chance though. (But that's what we say every tournament isn't it) :p

Grutte Pier

12-10-2005, 04:07 AM

I actually think it will be Germany vs. Holland in the finals.

I sure hope Holland will be the one to kick them out at some point.

We'll never win from Brazil, it would be another team that would have to kick them out, England maybe?

TakeWarning

12-10-2005, 04:08 AM

****....Brazil.

****.

Grutte Pier

12-10-2005, 04:12 AM

Australia will have to win from Croatia and Japan. A nice job for Guus. Australia is lucky not to play their first game against Brazil in my opnion.

TakeWarning

12-10-2005, 04:27 AM

Brazil...

To be honest I'm not really optimistic for this world cup.

skateMASTERbater2

12-10-2005, 05:01 AM

I doubt Germany will get to the finals. I think a Brasil-Argentina final would be realistic.

Angry Balled Fists!

12-10-2005, 06:20 AM

Holand are ****e, lmao.

We got a decent group.

I hope we get some points from Arsenal tofay.

Frankie

12-10-2005, 07:37 AM

Look it's the all important team. In my opinion Stuart Downing is one of the best Left wingers in England today. But after being out fo soo long won't get a game (he played amazingly for the boro and wasn't given a proper chance in the england squad). But still with all the great players we should get to the final and even win. As for australia brazil is a bitch but if you beat Japan you stand a good chance of qualifying.

ThrashMaster27

12-10-2005, 08:46 AM

The main thing is England are gonna win, FOOTBALL'S COMING HOME!!!!!!!

What the hell? You're such a contrasting person. You hate the English cricket team, but support the english football team. What's up? India don't have a decent team?

Frankie

12-10-2005, 09:27 AM

Yeah 2-0 and the biggegst load of Bollocks I have seen ever. McClaren should deffo try and bring douala in or somebody else who can cross the ball cos not one of our players can. As for Chris Riggot getting sent off, pppfffttt Essien can get away with a horror tackle, and Riggot a true professional gets carded for a nothing challenge.

TakeWarning

12-10-2005, 09:33 AM

Man, I reckon if we beat one of Japan or Croatia and draw with another that might just do us.

But let's be realistic, Brazil are gonna beat us 2-0 or a similar scoreline.

Broken Angels

12-10-2005, 10:50 AM

Hopefully the Newcastle game will be worth my going out to watch it.

RandyfromPennywise

12-10-2005, 12:33 PM

Our (Australia) group could have been a loy worse. HAving said that, it's certainly not going to be easy, playing three teams ranked in the top 20. A win against Japan first up is a must. Then if we can draw against Croatia, we'll 'ave four points. Let's assume Brazil wins all three matches it plays, if Croatia and Japan draw, we'll all have four points. Let's hope we score some goals!

Italy + Czech and Dutch + Argie groups are the toughest. Our group is actually quite strong though, as all four teams are more than capable or making a fist of it against Brazil.

Chelski 1 - 0 Wigan. JT!!!!!! How is he not the best defender in the world? John Terry - Captain Courageous! We are the Chelsea and we are the best, We are the Chelsea so F**K ALL THE REST!

Angry Balled Fists!

12-10-2005, 12:49 PM

Come on, surely we can get a goal with them having 10 men !

Doctor Night

12-10-2005, 12:55 PM

errm no Germany are very average and home support is overated. Holland have a good chance though. (But that's what we say every tournament isn't it) :p
Germany will Dive and struggle their way into the final.

Angry Balled Fists!

12-10-2005, 01:04 PM

YESSSSS

WE LOVE YOU SOLANO!!!

Welcome back.

:D

Lord Abortion

12-10-2005, 01:08 PM

They have probbably the hardest group out of all, heh!
Yep, Holland-Argentina will be class too.

:lol: towards Arsenal, being beaten by (no offence Dan) one of the worst form sides in the league.

Doctor Night

12-10-2005, 01:10 PM

YESSSSS

WE LOVE YOU SOLANO!!!

Welcome back.

:D
It ws pointless selling him. I don't know why O'Leary sold him back either. He's class.

Lord Abortion

12-10-2005, 01:21 PM

/Applauds Newcastle performance.

RandyfromPennywise

12-10-2005, 01:33 PM

Yep, fair play Newcastle. Owen is the difference in that team this year, I think it is almost as simple as that.

Angry Balled Fists!

12-10-2005, 02:16 PM

We aren't in terrible form ? :confused:

We haven't lost in a good few games.

red barchetta

12-10-2005, 02:19 PM

We aren't in terrible form ? :confused:

We haven't lost in a good few games.
Everton? Wigan? Chelsea?

then again, you didnt have Owen in those games.

Given is an awesome keeper.

Angry Balled Fists!

12-10-2005, 02:26 PM

He sure is.

Ok, so were not in the best of form, but we didn't lose last week and before we were ingreat form with Owen.

RandyfromPennywise

12-10-2005, 02:27 PM

Just watching the Valencia v Bilbao match now. David Villa's a good player. He could make an impact for Spain at World Cup...

red barchetta

12-10-2005, 02:40 PM

Nakamura played well for Celtic again :cool: and Inamoto is getting back to his best. Looking good for Japan

Ganondorf

12-10-2005, 03:22 PM

What the hell? You're such a contrasting person. You hate the English cricket team, but support the english football team. What's up? India don't have a decent team?

I've been born and lived my whoel lfie in England, I keep with my Asian roots by supporting India in a sport that is traditionally (for me) associated with India, and for Football, I support England, it's not really a big deal

Ganondorf

12-10-2005, 03:22 PM

Oh yeah, btw, WBA won mwhaha

IAJP

12-10-2005, 05:53 PM

Holand are ****e, lmao.

We got a decent group.

I hope we get some points from Arsenal tofay.
Holland aren't ****, they're probbably the best unseeded team. (Or Portugal..?)

Ganondorf

12-11-2005, 03:21 AM

Damn right, any team with Van Nistelrooy, Robbn, Van De Meyde, Van Der Sar, Cocu, Davids, Seedorf etc... aren't gonna be ****.

TakeWarning

12-11-2005, 03:52 AM

Yeah, Netherlands has always been a good soccer-playing nation. They have a strong team, especially the midfield, Edgar Davids, Arjen Robben, some other guy whose name I can't remember right now.

And if memory serves they're ranked 3 in the world.

John Terry played great for Chelsea this week. If Tottenham don't beat Portsmouth I will slit my wrists. We always seem to have not too much difficulty with harder sides but we always seem to **** it up against shitty teams eg. our draw with Blackburn. Anyway, it hasn't happened much this season, but in the last few seasons we've lost key points against shitty bottom-half-of-the-table teams.

Grutte Pier

12-11-2005, 04:04 AM

The Dutch team is good but not as brilliant as Brazil, although we might be able to 'challenge' them. I actually think we might win from Argentina. Robben, Van Nistelrooij, Kuijt, van der Vaart, Cocu, Davids, van Persie aren't ****e at all.

TakeWarning

12-11-2005, 05:00 AM

Yeah, I think by general concensus we can agree that Dan was wrong about Holland/ The Netherlands being wrong and that they are in fact a great team.

****, I just realised I missed all the soccer that's on every Sunday. I can never remember the days of the week on the school holidays.

I'm glad that Newcastle beat Arsenal, this should definitely rule out a title challenge and hopefully even a top three finish. I always liked Newcastle and now I like them even more.

Ganondorf

12-11-2005, 05:01 AM

Is Bergkamp retired?

Grutte Pier

12-11-2005, 05:39 AM

Is Bergkamp retired?

Yes, due to his age and fear of flying.

TakeWarning

12-11-2005, 07:50 AM

Even if he wasn't retired the Dutch team probably would play younger strikers.

I just watched PSV vs Feeynord. Pretty good game, Feeynord won 1-0 from from a Dirk Kuyt goal in the 7th minute. Feeynord are on top now and PSV are third.

skateMASTERbater2

12-11-2005, 08:43 AM

FT Nancy 1 - 2 Strasbourg
Strasbourg's first win in Ligue 1 this year:)

I love watching the Dutch league, every game is interesting.

TakeWarning

12-11-2005, 09:06 AM

Yeah I really like the Dutch league aswell, although I don't really follow it closely.

Angry Balled Fists!

12-11-2005, 10:06 AM

I stick by what i said.

They can never seem to play as a team, sure they have great individuals.

Was it the last Euro, they didn't even qualify ? :-/

Lord Abortion

12-11-2005, 10:09 AM

It's going from bad to worse...

TakeWarning

12-11-2005, 10:16 AM

What's going from bad to worse now?

Lord Abortion

12-11-2005, 10:17 AM

What's going from bad to worse now?
Giggsy just Equalised, so it's OK.

TakeWarning

12-11-2005, 10:55 AM

Don't worry about it, you guys should beat Everton.

Pinhead13

12-11-2005, 11:05 AM

I hope that the pic below would make the Dutch happy for a while.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/falsehopesgg/fb7615cd.jpg

TakeWarning

12-11-2005, 11:17 AM

Haha, that is ****ing hilarious, where did you get that?

Lord Abortion

12-11-2005, 12:01 PM

Another Gutless Draw.
Hey-Ho.

TakeWarning

12-11-2005, 12:02 PM

Jeez, that's bad news for Fergie.

Ganondorf

12-11-2005, 12:05 PM

I stick by what i said.

They can never seem to play as a team, sure they have great individuals.

Was it the last Euro, they didn't even qualify ? :-/

errm they got to the Semi Finals last time

Lord Abortion

12-11-2005, 12:05 PM

I'm so used to not beating poor sides in the league that I'm conditioned to the feelings of Anger and annoyance now.

Ganondorf

12-11-2005, 12:06 PM

lol Man U

Pinhead13

12-11-2005, 12:07 PM

Haha, that is ****ing hilarious, where did you get that?

I found it on yahoo.com type the name of a punk band called Argies then click on the picture tab and that will pop up.

TakeWarning

12-11-2005, 12:17 PM

I found it on yahoo.com type the name of a punk band called Argies then click on the picture tab and that will pop up.

That's weird. Haha funny picture though.

I'm so used to not beating poor sides in the league that I'm conditioned to the feelings of Anger and annoyance now.

I know how you feel, Spurs used to have the same problem.

IAJP

12-11-2005, 12:28 PM

Another Gutless Draw.
Hey-Ho.
Everton, ooh deary me.:eek:

HipHopDontStop

12-11-2005, 12:33 PM

I know how you feel, Spurs used to have the same problem.[/QUOTE]

Spurs still have that problem (although is getting better). What do you think about us getting into Europe this season? I think we'll make the UEFA Cup, but Champs. League is too far.

As long as we stay above Arsenal, I'll be ecstatic!:thumb:

IAJP

12-11-2005, 12:36 PM

I know how you feel, Spurs used to have the same problem.

Spurs still have that problem (although is getting better). What do you think about us getting into Europe this season? I think we'll make the UEFA Cup, but Champs. League is too far.

As long as we stay above Arsenal, I'll be ecstatic!:thumb:[/QUOTE]
Arsenal have seriously underperformed this season.

Top 4 finnish, for me would likely be:

#1: Chelsea,
#2: Liverpool,
#3: Man Utd.,
#4: Bolton / Wigan / Totenham (maybe.)

Edit: LOL! (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/4512908.stml)

Arsenal would be lucky to gain a champion's league place at the way they're going.

metal-militia

12-11-2005, 12:41 PM

****ty result for United today.

Anyone watch Saints? Theo Walcott is a footballing genius :thumb:

skateMASTERbater2

12-11-2005, 01:10 PM

errm they got to the Semi Finals last time
and at Euro 2000 they got to the semi finals too. :confused:

Kyle

12-11-2005, 02:53 PM

He sure is.

Ok, so were not in the best of form, but we didn't lose last week and before we were ingreat form with Owen.yeah, but it frustrates me that we can't string any results together without Owen. Oh well a great result against Arsenal, Shearer was so quality in that game elbows were going everywhere.

Mr. Black

12-11-2005, 02:56 PM

****ty result for United today.

Anyone watch Saints? Theo Walcott is a footballing genius :thumb:
Just watch Chelsea sign him and ruin the next 3 years of his footballing career.

red barchetta

12-11-2005, 04:08 PM

anyone watch the Milan derby? great game. poor refereeing though. its always great to watch Kaka play

TakeWarning

12-12-2005, 12:13 AM

Spurs still have that problem (although is getting better). What do you think about us getting into Europe this season? I think we'll make the UEFA Cup, but Champs. League is too far.

Well, the only time that's really happened so far this season was that draw against Blackburn, which was mainly due to the fact we were saving our better players for the game against Chelsea next week. I guess overconfidence was to blame for that one.

As long as we stay above Arsenal, I'll be ecstatic!:thumb:
Arsenal have seriously underperformed this season.

Yeah, they've had a few stupid losses, being very inconsistent. Don't really know why they're doing so badly.

Top 4 finnish, for me would likely be:

#1: Chelsea,
#2: Liverpool,
#3: Man Utd.,
#4: Bolton / Wigan / Totenham (maybe.)

Frankly, I'm surprised Wigan have done this well so far and I wouldn't be surprised to see them falling down the ladder sometime soon. Not a dramatic fall down the ladder, but maybe move more towards 7th or 8th, thereabouts. As for us finishing fourth, I think you could be right about that, we've had a much stronger season than usual.

Edit: LOL! (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/4512908.stml)

Arsenal would be lucky to gain a champion's league place at the way they're going.

The link didn't work, but I think you're right about Arsenal doing worse this season.

RandyfromPennywise

12-12-2005, 11:54 AM

Dirk Kuijt/Kuyt is awesome! And so is Ronaldinho. Slightly different levels of awesomeness though.

Ronaldinho is the best player in the world, and I don't think that can be argued.

Sydney lost in the World Clubs to Depor Saprissa (sp?). I thought Sydney played better, and the sending off was a bad decision, the goalkeeper's reaction was a joke/disgrace.

TakeWarning

12-12-2005, 12:10 PM

Yeah, Dirk Kuyt played well when I watched Feeynord vs PSV Eindhoven.

I just watched Barcelona versus Sevilla and holy ****ing **** Ronaldinho is good. He took that goal superbly, and the thing he did where he flicked it up and back-heeled it down the line was awesome too.

It's gay about Sydney losing, they definitely looked like the better team, especially in the first half. Dwight Yorke played exceptionally well in midfield considering he's a striker.

red barchetta

12-12-2005, 12:21 PM

IAJP

12-12-2005, 12:38 PM

Well, the only time that's really happened so far this season was that draw against Blackburn, which was mainly due to the fact we were saving our better players for the game against Chelsea next week. I guess overconfidence was to blame for that one.

Yeah, they've had a few stupid losses, being very inconsistent. Don't really know why they're doing so badly.

Frankly, I'm surprised Wigan have done this well so far and I wouldn't be surprised to see them falling down the ladder sometime soon. Not a dramatic fall down the ladder, but maybe move more towards 7th or 8th, thereabouts. As for us finishing fourth, I think you could be right about that, we've had a much stronger season than usual.

The link didn't work, but I think you're right about Arsenal doing worse this season.
The link was C. Ronaldo, he's being fined for giving a "rude" gesture to some fans.

Grutte Pier

12-12-2005, 01:26 PM

Yeah, Dirk Kuyt played well when I watched Feeynord vs PSV Eindhoven.

Dirk Kuyt sure is good, he'll probably leave Feyenoord during the winter/end of season to a bigger club, probably in England or Spain. That's also the big old curse of the Dutch League, whenever a player starts playing very good, a foreign club buys him. It's like the Dutch League is one big fishing pond for Germany, England, Spain. Take PSV Eindhoven for example, got to the semi finals of the champions league last year, what happens:

van Bommel -> Barcelona
Vogel -> AC Milan
Park -> ManU
Bouma -> Aston Villa
Lee -> Tottenham
Gomes and Alex are probably both gone at the end of season.

red barchetta

12-12-2005, 01:28 PM

Dirk Kuyt sure is good, he'll probably leave Feyenoord during the winter/end of season to a bigger club, probably in England or Spain. That's also the big old curse of the Dutch League, whenever a player starts playing very good, a foreign club buys him. It's like the Dutch League is one big fishing pond for Germany, England, Spain. Take PSV Eindhoven for example, got to the semi finals of the champions league last year, what happens:

van Bommel -> Barcelona
Vogel -> AC Milan
Park -> ManU
Bouma -> Aston Villa
Lee -> Tottingham
Gomes and Alex are probably both gone at the end of season.
Farfan and Beasley will probably go at the end of the season too. its strange how PSV stay strong despite losing so many players.