Euro 2008 (Official LOL Vidic Thread)

[TakeWarning]

Lua Lua scored a quality goal.

It fell for him perfectly for him though, Jermain Defoe's was better. In the end I'm quite satisfied with the result, Lua Lua's goal was quite lucky.

Have 'im and Mido in Fan'asy this week

Haha, I have King and Defoe. How convenient...

[ThrashMaster27]

What are Ledley King's chances of starting any matches for England now?

He can star in quite a few roles, so I think he should be in the squad come World Cup selections.

It fell for him perfectly for him though, Jermain Defoe's was better. In the end I'm quite satisfied with the result, Lua Lua's goal was quite lucky.

You're a fellow spurs fan?

[TakeWarning]

He can star in quite a few roles, so I think he should be in the squad come World Cup selections.



You're a fellow spurs fan?

Yes, I am. ****ing hell there's alot of them around these here parts.

[Doctor Night]

*Stuttgart.

What are Ledley King's chances of starting any matches for England now? He's pretty good, just unlucky that there are so many good centre-backs around now. Have 'im and Mido in Fan'asy this week :D
Newcastle wanted Tommason back to replace Kluivert, this summer.

[Lord Abortion]

I'm really glad Mido's holding down a first team place at Spurs, I knew of him when he was 18 at Ajax, had him on Championship manager that year.
Quality player.

[Doctor Night]

I'm really glad Mido's holding down a first team place at Spurs, I knew of him when he was 18 at Ajax, had him on Championship manager that year.
Quality player.
Him and Zlatan Ibrohimovich, before they got all famous, and Ajax when they went into debt. They used to have Van Der Meyde, too.

[Lord Abortion]

These scouts should just sit at home and play Champ Man, it's accurate to extremes.

[Doctor Night]

True. All the good players you find on champ are always signed by noticed clubs at some point.

[TakeWarning]

I'm really glad Mido's holding down a first team place at Spurs, I knew of him when he was 18 at Ajax, had him on Championship manager that year.
Quality player.

Yeah, he truly is an asset to the team, very reliable up front. I haven't got the same respect for him as I have for Jermain Defoe, maybe I'll gain in it time.

Him and Zlatan Ibrohimovich, before they got all famous, and Ajax when they went into debt. They used to have Van Der Meyde, too.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a quality player.

[Berserker!]

I knew of him when he was 18 at Ajax, had him on Championship manager that year.
Quality player.

12345!

[_M_A_N_U_E_L_]

Did anybody see the first two games of the Club World Championships?

[RandyfromPennywise]

These scouts should just sit at home and play Champ Man, it's accurate to extremes.
Couldn't agree with you more. The amount of people CM has working for it is huge.

Nicko Kranjcar, young Croatian forward, just got signed by Fiorentina I believe, well mid-may through last season. Carlos Tevez (although Carlitos as he now calls himself is quite well known through the national team though), Zlatan Ibrahimović at Mälmo. There are a shyte-load of examples. Even though it's random what will happen each time you play, the guns always rise to the top.

The only notable CM fúck-ups from 03-04 were Lampard and Terry. Lamps ended up captain of Celtic and Terry captain of Man City, but didn't go on to be the best midfielder and best defender in the world. (Which I am implying that they are now :p )

[TakeWarning]

Did anybody see the first two games of the Club World Championships?

I watched Sydney FC vs Deportivo-Saprissa, quite a boring game, they looked as if there was nothing really to play for. I've never really cared about the Club World Championship, always seemed like a waste of time.

[Drop The Baby]

I don't know if this has been mentioned already, i didn't check, but Uriah Rennies decision to give Spurs a penalty in the game against Pompey on monday was candalous. He's fu'cking sh!t and incompetant. He should be sacked immediately.

[2muchket!]

If you think Uriah Rennie is bad you should see Steve Bennet. I think he has some kind of personal vendeta against Chris Riggot. He gave that 'goal' against us at West Ham, which was not a own goal on Riggot's part. Also that red card, well I've all ready discribed my disgust at it. Boro seriously need to shape up or we can forget about top six and will be forced to settle for Mid table obscurity yet again.

[TakeWarning]

Uriah Rennie is probably my least favourite referee in the Premiership. And James, you're just jealous because Arsenal lost and Spurs won.

[Drop The Baby]

Steve Bennet is definately better than Uriah Rennie, he's utterly useless.

Definately it's true that i was even more furious because it means you just went more points clear of us, but it was still a shocking decision.

I have too many Spurs friends :(

[2muchket!]

Hopefully we can get ourselves together tonight. We've played well in the UEFA cup this season, a win tonight will do us nicely, and we might get soemthing from Spurs at Home. Aparently McClaren is gonna field soem youngsters tonight which I'm happy about and Nathan Porritt still hasn't singned. Well thats what interest from Chelsea Arsenal and Man Utd will do to you I suppose.

[skateMASTERbater2]

Games tonight:

Monaco vs. CSKA Sofia
Hamburg vs. Slavia
Espanyol vs. M. Petach-Tikva
Palermo vs. Brondby
Hertha vs. Steaua
Lens vs. Sampdoria
AZ Alkmaar vs. Grasshoppers Zürich
Middlesbrough vs. Litex

[Drop The Baby]

:wave:

I kinda fancy going to the pub for that Boro game, but i dunno if my mates around yet.

[Lord Abortion]

Wow...Rooney's first last night was sublime, possibly among the best we've played all season, needed that immensely.

Still can't believe Rio actually scored :lol:

Can't agree more about Rennie.
He's appalling, and my Newcastle supporting friends hate him more than fans of any other team, I think. they even have a special chant for when a referee makes a bad decision against them,

"Take your mask off, Uriah Rennie!"
:lol:

[red barchetta]

So, Keane's gone to Celtic.

i wonder how Strachan will sort his midfield now.

Petrov - Lennon - Keane - Nakamaura maybe? Petrov is playing great in central midfield at the moment though...

[RandyfromPennywise]

Hell has officially frozen over. Rio Ferdinand scored a goal.

[TakeWarning]

4-0...didn't see that one coming.

[Lord Abortion]

Hell has officially frozen over. Rio Ferdinand scored a goal.
Hahaha, first since the world cup :p

[skateMASTERbater2]

Chelsea - Barcelona
Real Madrid- Arsenal
Werder Bremen-Juventus
Bayern München - AC Milan
PSV Eindhoven-Olymp. Lyonnais
Ajax-Inter
Benfica-Liverpool
Rangers-Villareal

My predictions for the next champions league round

Result of the UEFA cup draw:

fc basel – Monaco
fc thun – Hamburger SV
Litex Lovetsch – Strasbourg
Stuttgart – Middlesbrough
Slavia Praha – Palermo
Heerenveen – Steaua Bucaresti
Lokomotiv Moskva – Sevilla
Bolton – Marseille
Hertha Berlin – Rapid Bukarest
Udinese – Lens
Rosenborg – Zenit St. Petersburg
Brugge – AS Roma
Schalke – Espanyol
Lille – Schachtjor Donezk
Real Betis – Alkmaar

[Lord Abortion]

I think Arsenal will lose to Real, but I agree with the rest.

[TakeWarning]

Haha, Arsenal beating Real. Barcelona vs Chelsea will be a tight one. But, yeah I'd give the same prections with the exception of Arsenal vs Real.

[Dead Star]

Ac Milan will beat Bayern Munich.

[TakeWarning]

It could happen but I fancy Bayern. It'll be a close one though.

[2muchket!]

Arsenal might just do it, Chelsea and Barcelona, Round 2 should be a good tie. I hope us drawing Stuttgart will bring the punters back I know If I have the money I'll be goin. Should be intresting fixture Stewart Downing will back by then so that should help.

[TakeWarning]

I refuse to believe Arsenal could beat Real Madrid. They might be able to in peak peak form, but they've had a form slump lately and I can see a 2-0 victory or something similar to Real.

[skateMASTERbater2]

Real aren't as good as people think despite all their great players, and at the moment they're 6 points back of Barcelona.

AS for Ac milan, their defence has been really weak and they had a very hard time getting past Schalke04 in the group stage. Bayern, on the other hand, have been very solid in the bundesliga

[Grondahl]

I reckon Liverpool will beat Benfica, but I agree with the rest.

A more pressing matter for me is PNE vs Sheff Utd. Should be a good game, which makes it all the more annoying that I have to attend a family dinner... and the hosts don't even have Sky :(

[TakeWarning]

Yeah, Real Madrid have alot of great players but most of them are highly individual and they don't really work that well together.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

ooh, West Ham away today, that's going to be a toughy.

[RCVA]

Liverpool will beat Benfica. Their European form is impressive.

Dan, you should beat West Ham.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Bleh, i doubt it, i think we'll lose, 2-1.

[TakeWarning]

You guys will lose to West Ham 2-0.

[RCVA]

Bleh, i doubt it, i think we'll lose, 2-1.
Yeah, you should win, but you probably won't.

[ThrashMaster27]

It's weird, Spurs are playing Boro on sunday. They're the team I hate playing the most and I don't know why.

Perhaps cause they have JFH...I really do dispise him.

PS: That's not the reason, I just hate him.

[RCVA]

Hahahaha. Middlesborough win when they don't deserve to and lose when they do.

[ThrashMaster27]

Hahahaha. Middlesborough win when they don't deserve to and lose when they do.

Like last season when they didn't even have a shot on target against Man City and still managed to beat them.

Boro are too hard to break down.

[2muchket!]

Like last season when they didn't even have a shot on target against Man City and still managed to beat them.

Boro are too hard to break down.

Yes we are hard to break down, and we didn't beat Man City we drew 1-1, with a last minute penalty save from Schwarzer. We've had really bad luck this season and last season with injuries, we didn't deserve to get beaten by Spurs earlier in the season. But at the Riverside tomorrow I hope we get the crowds back, and for god sake mcClaren you can see what Johnson can go stick him on the left wing morrsion Right, and If Yak gets good service we'll beat Spurs.

[IAJP]

Liverpool will beat Benfica. Their European form is impressive.

Dan, you should beat West Ham.
I agree.


I think all the English teams will go through.


I would like to see Werder Bremen go far, they're an exciting and fresh team.

Up to now they remind me of the Porto team that won it a few year back.

[TakeWarning]

Don't worry, we'll beat Boro. Luckily the game is on tomorrow night so I can watch it with my daddy. I haven't really seen them as a threat this season.

Bottom line, they're just a minor threat.

[Lord Abortion]

2-0

Easy, easy, easy.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

2-4

Easy, easy, easy.

Owen hat-trick :cool:

/waits for MOTD

[Dead Star]

2-1 :(

90th minute again.

Our defence just dies after the 85th minute.

[Drop The Baby]

I refuse to believe Arsenal could beat Real Madrid. They might be able to in peak peak form, but they've had a form slump lately and I can see a 2-0 victory or something similar to Real.

Arsenal on top form > Real on top form

[ChodaBoy]

Wow we!

Look at City go, and without Cole and Dunne

[IAJP]

2-0

Easy, easy, easy.
Did you see Aston Villa?

They were incredibly weak, if you hadn't have won that game, I'd be suprised.

[Dead Star]

Zomg its Adam.

[RCVA]

2-4

Easy, easy, easy.

Owen hat-trick :cool:

/waits for MOTD
I said you would...then i said no so..yeah.
I'm glad Owen's doing well before the world cup.

[skateMASTERbater2]

im going to see Fc Zurich-Fc Basel today. Very important game, i,m nervous already.

[TakeWarning]

Rooney's goal was a good one. Playing Boro tonight, 2 hours time, I'm psyched.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

I said you would...then i said no so..yeah.
I'm glad Owen's doing well before the world cup.

Yeah, it's good for England.

Liverpool lost, unlcuky for them.

[TakeWarning]

They dominated the game, but ****ed up so many opportunites eg. Morientes's shot towards the end. Sao Paolo looked weak attacking and didn't really deserve to win.

[2muchket!]

Haha no not unlucky for Liverpool just proves how light weight they are up front. If Rafa benitez doesn't want Cisse I'd welcome him at the boro.

[Kyle]

We didn't play very well against West Ham at all, but we got three points and that's what is important right now. some very hard games coming up.

unlucky for Liverpool, they played so well. Gerrards free kick was so good, classic save.

[IAJP]

We just couldn't break them down, that was pretty unlucky.


I think Garcia's should have been counted, but that's just me.

[metal-militia]

What was the Liverpool game like? i didn't see it so i don't know the score either.

[Kyle]

1-0 Sao Paulo

Good game from a neutral perspective. Liverpool dominate and many chances fall to Luis Garcia, but they couldn't get the breakthrough. I only saw second half, I missed the goal.

[IAJP]

1-0 Sao Paulo

Good game from a neutral perspective. Liverpool dominate and many chances fall to Luis Garcia, but they couldn't get the breakthrough. I only saw second half, I missed the goal.
The goal was nicely orchastrated, very very tactical.

[2muchket!]

3-3 then we should of won that game for sure, but atleast we got a point lots of positives to take from the game, yak and Viduka are finally forming a partnership and Morrison looks to be becoming a really good right winger. Negatives are that Keane may have put Morrsion out for a few games with that clumsy over head kick.

[ChodaBoy]

I was quite worried that it was more serious than unconciousness (?), you could see it wasnt normal when the players instantly called for the paramedics

[Grutte Pier]

Currently: Arsenal - Chelsea 0 - 1

Robben, **** Yeah

[Lord Abortion]

Rooney and Owen in top form is great new for England.

Hold onto this monment for Posterity, folks...I'm actually wanting Arsenal to score...

[RandyfromPennywise]

:)

That's the last one off the domestic check-list now, beating Arsenal at Highbury in the League.

I love Joe Cole. And **** off to anyone who doesn't like Chelsea. Just thought I'd add that in for good measure.

:)

-------

To skateMASTERbater2 - How'd the Aussie boys go for Basel?

[Lord Abortion]

Blast, bring on Arsenal at Highbury on the 3rd, I'm sure we can add insult to injury.

[skateMASTERbater2]

To skateMASTERbater2 - How'd the Aussie boys go for Basel?
We kicked the shi't out of them:p 4:3
Chipperfield was solid as usual. He's in my opinion a very underrated player and should be playing somewhere else. I remember one game, he stopped 2 of our shots on the line then rushed down the field and scored.
Sterjovski only played 10 minutes today I think.
Milicevic from fc thun is australian too right? He's a decent player.

[Drop The Baby]

chelsea are scum, a disgrace to the footballing world.

Game would've been completely different if anyone in the game had any sense. At what point was Van Persie offside? When is elbowing someone not a sending off offence? What makes football continue to be a sport when one club monopolises the market? C'unts

[Doctor Night]

chelsea are scum, a disgrace to the footballing world.

Game would've been completely different if anyone in the game had any sense. At what point was Van Persie offside? When is elbowing someone not a sending off offence? What makes football continue to be a sport when one club monopolises the market? C'unts
They've ruined the Premiership, or at least the running for the championship spot. I'd love to see the stock market or whatever, crash, and have Chelsea go bankrupt.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

chelsea are scum, a disgrace to the footballing world.

Game would've been completely different if anyone in the game had any sense. At what point was Van Persie offside? When is elbowing someone not a sending off offence? What makes football continue to be a sport when one club monopolises the market? C'unts

awww, sore loser :(

:p


<3

[Lord Abortion]

I still believe we can overhaul them, it'll be very difficult, but they are not unbeatable, and they can be stopped.

The Van Persie descision was disgraceful.

Did anyone see the Praise for that Linesman on MOTD yesterday?
the Bolton match one. :lol:

[Doctor Night]

I still believe we can overhaul them, it'll be very difficult, but they are not unbeatable, and they can be stopped.

The Van Persie descision was disgraceful.

Did anyone see the Praise for that Linesman on MOTD yesterday?
the Bolton match one. :lol:
Yep. Thats maybe the worst descision I've seen from a Linesman. Bar, Pedro Mendes against Man Utd.

[Lord Abortion]

Yep. Thats maybe the worst descision I've seen from a Linesman. Bar, Pedro Mendes against Man Utd.
OK, even I have to admit that was a goal :p

[2muchket!]

Yeah I did :lol: 2-0 to Chelsea eh? Arsenal aren't the same team any more. Those young foreign players that Arsene seems to favour over his youth squad aren't doing the job. He better do something quick or he'll lose Henry. Although I already think hes chosen to leave at the end of the season. Thw thing about arsenal is that it's youth squad is pretty good, Pennant who was at Arsenal is a decent winger.

[TakeWarning]

Yep. Thats maybe the worst descision I've seen from a Linesman. Bar, Pedro Mendes against Man Utd.

Haha, I remember that. Something similar happened during Spurs vs Boro today, there was a dispute whether the ball crossed the line or not.

I'm not too satisfied with that result. We just shouldn't have let those goals in. Jenas's freekick was classy though.

They've ruined the Premiership, or at least the running for the championship spot. I'd love to see the stock market or whatever, crash, and have Chelsea go bankrupt.

Yeah, it's annoying to have constantly have Chelsea and their filthy money winning the premier league.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

MOTD2 will be good.

[[OverDriven]]

Colts suck.

[TakeWarning]

Colts suck.
Who?

[Doctor Night]

Colts suck.
This is Soccer, Dumbass. Read the Thread. Have oyu ever heard of a American Football team named Chelsea, or Liverpool.

Foolish N00b.

[metal-militia]

just finished MOTD2 and i think that Arsenal's goal was onisde. Also i think Essien was lucky not to be sent off.

[Drop The Baby]

F'ucking exactly.

If people in football had a pair of bollcks in their scrotum then that game wouldve had a completely different outcome.

[Doctor Night]

F'ucking exactly.

If people in football had a pair of bollcks in their scrotum then that game wouldve had a completely different outcome.
Yeh, but thats wahs makes it football.

[+3kk!]

chelsea are scum, a disgrace to the footballing world.

right.........

Game would've been completely different if anyone in the game had any sense. At what point was Van Persie offside? When is elbowing someone not a sending off offence? What makes football continue to be a sport when one club monopolises the market? C'unts

van persie wassnt, henry is......the flag of offside was for henry. there are a couple of offences that were given that way.

when was any sport ever 100% fair? hermann's terrible tackles, gerrads 2 legged tackles? Man U's "saved" goal?

oh ya, arsenal not losing 49 games is not monopolising the market, man U did monopolise too, same with liverpool.

[metal-militia]

Henry wasn't interfering with play though. I know it's a **** rule about this interfering bollocks, but it would be good if there was some consistency with the referee's on the decisions about it.

[+3kk!]

Henry wasn't interfering with play though. I know it's a **** rule about this interfering bollocks, but it would be good if there was some consistency with the referee's on the decisions about it.


i know that henry wassnt but thats the rule. theres another where the player was walking away from the goal keeper, and somehow a goal went in at the same time. the goal was disallowed because the player that was walking away was offside.

the argument is that, the player distracts the goalkeeper thus interfering with play. so the offside was given.

[metal-militia]

the argument is that, the player distracts the goalkeeper thus interfering with play. so the offside was given.

Yeah that's what i assumed Henry was offside for yesterday. Thats why the new rule pisses me off though, it seems so vague.

[TakeWarning]

If it were any other team than Arsenal I wouldn't really know what to think about that crucial decision, but because it's Arsenal, no goal.

[Pinhead13]

LOOK AT MY AVATAR

<<<


#1


:)

[Lord Abortion]

right.........



van persie wassnt, henry is......the flag of offside was for henry. there are a couple of offences that were given that way.

when was any sport ever 100% fair? hermann's terrible tackles, gerrads 2 legged tackles? Man U's "saved" goal?

oh ya, arsenal not losing 49 games is not monopolising the market, man U did monopolise too, same with liverpool.
Henry was nowhere near the goalkeeper and wasn't interfering, it should have counted, and may well have swung the game towards Arsenal.

When did United Monopolise the market in the same way Chelsea have?!
or Liverpool...when did they?...what?

I can't believe I'm defending Arsenal :(

[Angry Balled Fists!]

I dunno, Henry may have been occupying the defenders/keeper, so he may have been intefering.

[Ganondorf]

At least Arsenal were entertaining during their unbeaten run, plus they weren't running of an unlimited money supply.

Also, Essien is such a dirty player, he needs to calm down.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Ergh, i hate him.

[Faith No Doubt]

Four games in ten days - are the FA taking the piss?

[petepete2891]

Stockport County Bottom Of Table :(

[+3kk!]

Henry was nowhere near the goalkeeper and wasn't interfering, it should have counted, and may well have swung the game towards Arsenal.

you see the rule is that the player doesnt need to interfere or be near to the goal keeper, as long as he's in an offside posistion it counts. i know its kinda stupid and all but heck it applys for every team.

then again mistakes by refrees are a norm in most sports. football is no diffrent. Manchester's "goal" last season, multiple hard takles done by players, questionable goals, hand of god....the list goes on. sometimes when you are lucky it works for you and when you are not it doesnt.

When did United Monopolise the market in the same way Chelsea have?!
or Liverpool...when did they?...what?

Liverpool in the 80's
United....had its time too, in the 90's

the trebles, the expensive squad..etc..etc

aint that monopolising?all of the united players arent cheap, same as what we got now. to be honest, even the arsenal, united and liverpool squad now is capable of achiving something like what chelsea is doing and the club can afford some extra players to beef it up.

and if you look at the chelsea squad its not really star quality, joe cole was a sub before chelsea, lampard was pretty much unheard, drogba was a defender and the whole team doesnt even have a player that has won as much medals compared to the likes of players from United, Arsenal or Liverpool.

and no matter how you monopolise the market or players it doesnt mean instant sucess. real is a good example, they've got a full star squad that has talent to own a lot of clubs but they arent showing their worth.

[Ganondorf]

The trebele of Untied lead to financial success, not the other way round

[Lord Abortion]

The trebele of Untied lead to financial success, not the other way round
Exactly, and at least united bought great players for the money, for the most part, the vast payments were for great players that have been wonderful for the club, (well, not Veron or Ferdinand, but Veron was wonderous on occasion, and there is still time for Rio)
Where would we be without Van Nistlerooy?

and the players Chelsea have payed huge amounts for have been pretty poor, to be honest, Drogba, Essien, Crespo(for the most part), Robben, Duff is good on occasion, but not enough to warrant the amount payed,

The only great player they payed multi-millions for was Makelélé. Chelsea's best players, apart from Claude, were either cheap deals (Cech, Lampard,) or in the case of Terry, were there already, as was Lampard, before Abramovich.

Looking at the way United are playing now, I don't think they are playing badly, they have more points now than they did in a few of the seasons they won the league...just the bar has been raised higher, and it is no longer acceptable to lose games in order to win the title. Since Arsenal's "invincibles" season, the league has been changed irredemably, and until Chelsea falter, it won't go back to how it was, the current premiership is a very hostile and difficult place, How far is it before it becomes like SZpain, where a manager can last a season before being sacked?

[Doctor Night]

At least Arsenal were entertaining during their unbeaten run, plus they weren't running of an unlimited money supply.

Also, Essien is such a dirty player, he needs to calm down.
how much did chelsea pay for him. He's crap.

[Drop The Baby]

right.........

Right f'ucking what?

van persie wassnt, henry is......the flag of offside was for henry. there are a couple of offences that were given that way.

Yeah i know, and it was a disgraceful decision that the referees official has said he agreed with wenger, and anyone with eyes.

oh ya, arsenal not losing 49 games is not monopolising the market, man U did monopolise too, same with liverpool.

Arsenal winning 49 games on the trot was not monoploising the market AT ALL. They bought one player in that time. Did you even understand what i said?


All the money generated for Liverpool, United and Arsenal has been generated as a result of footballing success. Chelsea have gone from ebing a game away from going out of business to being one of the best in the world through none of their own merit

[red barchetta]

how much did chelsea pay for him. He's crap.
first they offered 15 mil or something, and they ended up paying 26 mil for him.

too expensive, but it doesnt matter for Chelsea :angry: :angry: :angry:

[Lord Abortion]

Exactly, much as I hate praising Arsenal, they have only bought one player for over 15 million,(Reyes) and he's crap. They did that out of good, cheap buys and Henry.
They had a hell of alot of luck along the way, RVN's penalty miss and suchlike, but you had to credit them, even if you hate them and Wenger like I do.

[+3kk!]

Yeah i know, and it was a disgraceful decision that the referees official has said he agreed with wenger, and anyone with eyes

so i presume that all the bad calls for arsenal are by blind refs. and the fans that support are blind too? it happens, sometimes its for you, sometimes its not. chelsea had a questionable "goal" last CL so it works both ways.


Arsenal winning 49 games on the trot was not monoploising the market AT ALL. They bought one player in that time. Did you even understand what i said?

i misread that, sorry

All the money generated for Liverpool, United and Arsenal has been generated as a result of footballing success.

so United's market value in the 90's mean nothing? their revenue was generated mainly through marketing not football. i cant remember what was liverpool and arsenal but i've read somewhere that they relyed on other factors too. even if arsenal and liverpool achived ravenue through football only. its normal that a club has a good backing from a rich guy, millan is owned by the italian president, united, and lots of other clubs that has rich jokers behind.

oh ya, United turned down Roman too!

chelsea has been improving through out the years, they are in the top even before roman. roman just sped up the process.

and its not the problem that chelsea spend a lot, its an excuse. the problem is with your own team not with chelsea. United's 4-0 loss, arsenals losses...unless i've been terribly wrong those that they lost to were middle table clubs. now how with all the millions that chelsea have can influence your team to lose to another which you should win?

now, united can beat chelsea, arsenal can beat united, liverpool can beat arsenal. its pretty much an even battle ground when it comes to big club matches, its the small clubs that you people lose to thats causing that much problems. this clubs have this problem for a long time, a big team game both sides will fight like their lives depend on it, a normal club and you see them play like fools.

Chelsea have gone from ebing a game away from going out of business to being one of the best in the world through none of their own merit

well it happens mate, look back in football i assure you that there are other simillar situations. but MU,arsenal and liverpool have more then enough talent to put up a fight, just that they arent. its not chelsea fault that all the other clubs arent up to their standards but its the clubs own fault.

Exactly, and at least united bought great players for the money, for the most part, the vast payments were for great players that have been wonderful for the club, (well, not Veron or Ferdinand, but Veron was wonderous on occasion, and there is still time for Rio)
Where would we be without Van Nistlerooy?

still they monopolised, having expensive squads dominating the leauge. it happens


and the players Chelsea have payed huge amounts for have been pretty poor, to be honest, Drogba, Essien, Crespo(for the most part), Robben, Duff is good on occasion, but not enough to warrant the amount payed

The only great player they payed multi-millions for was Makelélé. Chelsea's best players, apart from Claude, were either cheap deals (Cech, Lampard,) or in the case of Terry, were there already, as was Lampard, before Abramovich.

exacly, so why are they 10 points above? all the other teams have enough talent to be with them up there, they didnt buy the leauge the other clubs lost it. although they can buy any player or inflate the market. but as long as they are not intrested in a player other teams can take it, how did united get van der sar?

all of the chelsea players have huge flaws, drogba's bad finnish, robberns glass legs...they are not really world class players that win world cups or dominate teams.

Looking at the way United are playing now, I don't think they are playing badly, they have more points now than they did in a few of the seasons they won the league...just the bar has been raised higher, and it is no longer acceptable to lose games in order to win the title. Since Arsenal's "invincibles" season, the league has been changed irredemably, and until Chelsea falter, it won't go back to how it was, the current premiership is a very hostile and difficult place, How far is it before it becomes like SZpain, where a manager can last a season before being sacked?

united and arsenal are playing badly, they are not up to their standards at most times. they lose to teams that they should win and draw crutial matches which they could have won easily. its nobodys fault that they are perfroming as such.

[Ganondorf]

I do sort of agree, Arsenal and Man U haven't made it any easier for themselves this season.....

[TakeWarning]

Man U aren't doing that badly, they are coming second after all.

[+3kk!]

Man U aren't doing that badly, they are coming second after all.

right they are, their points are better then last few seasons and they normally have that much at this time. just that after chelsea got fine tuned by jose to work hard for every game , other clubs cannot afford to slack. MU's performance at their crucial CL game was a good example, the only person that was giving effort was rooney. Clubs are slacking at smaller games for no reason which is why they trail

[TakeWarning]

Wayne Rooney is such an awesome player. As well as having an amazing work rate, he's skillfull and dedicated and is an all-round great striker and team player.

Clubs are slacking at smaller games for no reason which is why they trail

Yeah, I remember earlier in the season Spurs had a game in the next week against Chelsea and as a consequence Martin Jol played a weakened team against Blackburn and we drew against Blackburn.

[TakeWarning]

Clubs are slacking at smaller games for no reason which is why they trail

Yeah, I remember earlier in the season Spurs had a game in the next week against Chelsea and as a consequence Martin Jol played a weakened team against Blackburn and we drew against Blackburn.

[Lord Abortion]

still they monopolised, having expensive squads dominating the leauge. it happens
Monopolised is far too strong a word, Blackburn and Newcastle, aswell as other sides have had more spending power in total than United..or have chosen to spend it more than United have. Look at Newcastle £40 million worth of players, and nothing to show for it.

united and arsenal are playing badly, they are not up to their standards at most times. they lose to teams that they should win and draw crutial matches which they could have won easily. its nobodys fault that they are perfroming as such.
That's football, everyone loses games they should win, Football would be piss boring without that!

exacly, so why are they 10 points above?
Mourinho, in a word, if you want another one, Lampard.
Mourinho was there via Abramovich's money...
and their strength in depth, United's first team is as Good as Chelsea's in most places, and better in some (up front, and at fullbacks, certainly.)
but beyond that...Chelsea have players in reserve, that United just don't...again stemming from that unlimited sack of dosh.

Wayne Rooney is such an awesome player. As well as having an amazing work rate, he's skillfull and dedicated and is an all-round great striker and team player
Apart from Ronaldinho, I would pick him above any player in the world today.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Monopolised is far too strong a word, Blackburn and Newcastle, aswell as other sides have had more spending power in total than United..or have chosen to spend it more than United have. Look at Newcastle £40 million worth of players, and nothing to show for it.

:(

It's true though, we have A LOT of money, we spent the second most amount of money last year (to chelsea obviously)

Success will come thouhg. I'm sure of it

[2muchket!]

Well it's usually round this time united stay unbeaten for the rest of the season no doubt Man United will give Chelski a good run but the league is there this season. As for boro pfffftttttt probably finish 15th

[Lord Abortion]

Goals?
Saha?
what?!

[Drop The Baby]

I can't be bothered to reply to that whole post by 3KK as it was filled with too much ignorance for me to waste my time with.

Anyway, Man U at their peak, like all clubs, used startegic marketing to gain finacial standing. That's you argument against them? So, on that basis Rushen And Diamonds could do exactly the same thing and become richer than Chelsea? Bollocks, Man U would've got no-where without first ensuring they were one of the best footy teams in the world.

You do realise that whilst Chelsea can afford to pay the costs for these players, they also fork out over £2,200,000 per game on the fees of the squad alone? Who can match that?

Milan it's true are also in a scandalous position, but they don't have the financial resources of Chelsea. And the whole of italian football is so corrupt anyway it evens itself out.

And don't even try to defend the scandalous decision to disallow Van Persie's goal. It was one of the worst decisions of all time. The Essien 'tackle' wasn't far behind. It won't be long before that c'unt ends someone's career.

[Lord Abortion]

I agree with you there in all of those respects.
Milan having the Berlusconi ownership is a curse, really, he can't show that he's abusing his position of power to help them. Otherwise he'd be in trouble, so he has to not do as much as some other owners.

I'm still convinced that Abramovich will be caught for something Dodgy eventually, and that'll be the end of Chelsea, or he'll lose interest.

[+3kk!]

I can't be bothered to reply to that whole post by 3KK as it was filled with too much ignorance for me to waste my time with.

Anyway, Man U at their peak, like all clubs, used startegic marketing to gain finacial standing. That's you argument against them? So, on that basis Rushen And Diamonds could do exactly the same thing and become richer than Chelsea? Bollocks, Man U would've got no-where without first ensuring they were one of the best footy teams in the world.


marketing is not football, its buiness. proper deal's, advertisment's...etc,etc. your football team could be having problems but with better marketing cash will still flow in. (ie: real) if being a great team means great marketing value, why do i keep seeing MU's products instead of Barca or Juv?

you can have a near midtable team with the proper deals you can make your team famous. thats not through superb football, just correct signitures.

You do realise that whilst Chelsea can afford to pay the costs for these players, they also fork out over £2,200,000 per game on the fees of the squad alone? Who can match that?.

i dont dismiss the fact that chelsea has the spending power, i am just pointing out that your team and others in the EPL has the ability to keep up. your team has enough fire power to face chelsea, same with liverpool, MU. just that you arent but instead using the excuse of "chelsea" has the buying power. to be honest there are players with better records in all the teams that faced chelsea, henry - world cup winner, epl winner....... is one good example.

chelsea didnt go out and buy superstars, they bought people with talent that they needed some of them with serious draw backs. take robbern for example, he gets injured easily then he needs a long period of time to get back to form. he was injured when chelsea needed him last year, and was injured recently. now compare that with the other wingers in the other clubs, who is better? drogba, terrible finnishers....although a team player and has a high work rate he wont score as much as RVN or henry.

so instead of calling people ignorent, why not look at whats the problem with all the other teams. to me chelsea is there because they work hard, not because they have the spending power. if manchester puts up a display like they did in the 1-0 game against chelsea for most matches murinho wont be laughing.

Milan it's true are also in a scandalous position, but they don't have the financial resources of Chelsea. And the whole of italian football is so corrupt anyway it evens itself out..

its not whether they have the spending power or not that wassnt my point. my point was clubs with big rich owners are a norm in football and money doesnt mean sucess. why do you forget real?

And don't even try to defend the scandalous decision to disallow Van Persie's goal. It was one of the worst decisions of all time. The Essien 'tackle' wasn't far behind. It won't be long before that c'unt ends someone's career.

there a multiple career ending tackles some went unpunished some went with a red card. bad calls happen, one day its for you another its for them. i expected you to understand that, cause its part of football. essien is just under spotlight because of hermanns comments, but at times that guy goes and do "skatebord" takles on players.

van persie wassnt offside, i mentioned that...its henry that was interfering.
fifa made the offside rule, that if the player is interfering its an offside. i agree its stupid but heck rules are rules. now look back at the replay, henry was signaling for the ball. even if he didnt its still an offside against him.

look at that situation in the goalkeepers and defenders perspective. its their job to protect the goal, any presence is an interference. the defence will move its formation towards henry's presence making him offside. then the goalkeeper has 2 options to cover, will van persie pass to henry or will he shoot by himself. thats interference, as long as there's a opposition player nearby a shot by him is possible so everyone has to cover that.

[Ganondorf]

Why would he pass to Henry if Henry was in an offside position while he (Van Persie) wasn't?

[+3kk!]

Why would he pass to Henry if Henry was in an offside position while he (Van Persie) wasn't?


the big problem is not on arsenals posistion, its on chelsea's. i presume that you play team sports, you should know that every opposition presence is a threat even if its an off side, too far out etc...etc... so as a player seeing 2 opponents near the goal is 2 threats, its his job to cover that. have you ever seen a goalkeeper not move let an offside goal in?. its a stupid rule no doubt.

[Mr. Black]

If Chelsea have that much money spent every week, and so on. Then surely they'll run out soon. I mean, the income can't possible match the outcome of the money?

[TakeWarning]

If Chelsea have that much money spent every week, and so on. Then surely they'll run out soon. I mean, the income can't possible match the outcome of the money?

You'd be surprised how much they pull in each week actually. I don't know the exact figures but it's more than you'd expect. Especially because Chelsea is in London, and London has a much more expensive economy than the smaller cities in England.

[Drop The Baby]

marketing is not football, its buiness. proper deal's, advertisment's...etc,etc. your football team could be having problems but with better marketing cash will still flow in. (ie: real) if being a great team means great marketing value, why do i keep seeing MU's products instead of Barca or Juv?
.

Football is now business. It's about making the best of what you've got. Don't kid yourself and think that a mid table club could make thereselves a f'uck load of money of business acumen alone, it takes a great football side behind to be successful.


i dont dismiss the fact that chelsea has the spending power, i am just pointing out that your team and others in the EPL has the ability to keep up. your team has enough fire power to face chelsea, same with liverpool, MU. just that you arent but instead using the excuse of "chelsea" has the buying power. to be honest there are players with better records in all the teams that faced chelsea, henry - world cup winner, epl winner....... is one good example.

chelsea didnt go out and buy superstars, they bought people with talent that they needed some of them with serious draw backs. take robbern for example, he gets injured easily then he needs a long period of time to get back to form. he was injured when chelsea needed him last year, and was injured recently. now compare that with the other wingers in the other clubs, who is better? drogba, terrible finnishers....although a team player and has a high work rate he wont score as much as RVN or henry.

so instead of calling people ignorent, why not look at whats the problem with all the other teams. to me chelsea is there because they work hard, not because they have the spending power. if manchester puts up a display like they did in the 1-0 game against chelsea for most matches murinho wont be laughing.
.

Don't make me laugh. They bought Drogba for £26million because they thought the would be one of the best in the world. And even in Fifa's top players list he somehow managed to come 10th.

They have struggled to sign and players with moral standing like Henry and Shevchenko because when they look back on their careers they want to have something valuable to show for it.

Chelsea have also bought for the sake of it, you just have to look at the signing of Parker, which intended to weaken Charlton last season and worked.

You think Arsenal have the same ability to sign players that Chelsea do? We wanted SWP weeks in advance of you but where are we going to get that amount of money from? Scum.


its not whether they have the spending power or not that wassnt my point. my point was clubs with big rich owners are a norm in football and money doesnt mean sucess. why do you forget real?
.

You can't own a football club without being rich. However Chelsea are the only club in the world with this wealth that was created solely from a non-footballing method.

I haven't mentioned Real because Real don't have inexhaustable funds. I do hate their transfer policy though, and will enjoy it hugeky whne we knock them out of the Champions League in February.


there a multiple career ending tackles some went unpunished some went with a red card. bad calls happen, one day its for you another its for them. i expected you to understand that, cause its part of football. essien is just under spotlight because of hermanns comments, but at times that guy goes and do "skatebord" takles on players.

van persie wassnt offside, i mentioned that...its henry that was interfering.
fifa made the offside rule, that if the player is interfering its an offside. i agree its stupid but heck rules are rules. now look back at the replay, henry was signaling for the ball. even if he didnt its still an offside against him.

look at that situation in the goalkeepers and defenders perspective. its their job to protect the goal, any presence is an interference. the defence will move its formation towards henry's presence making him offside. then the goalkeeper has 2 options to cover, will van persie pass to henry or will he shoot by himself. thats interference, as long as there's a opposition player nearby a shot by him is possible so everyone has to cover that.

The referees' boss has made a statement displaying the FACT that it was a shocking call to give Henry offside. Thgere is absolutely no way that that call could be called correct, and i will be shocked every time i watch a replay of that game, as i will always feel that we should've gone 1-0 up.

Essien is a very dirty player, he could've ended two careers already, since he's been playing for Chelsea. He's also already knocked someone's tooth out. That's a record Duncan Ferguson would be proud of.

[TakeWarning]

James is right.

[Doctor Night]

Doncaster 1 - 0 Arsenal!

[Ganondorf]

wahaha

[Doctor Night]

I hope they win.

[Lord Abortion]

They didn't :(

[ChodaBoy]

What is it with Doncaster and penatly shootouts?!

[+3kk!]

Football is now business. It's about making the best of what you've got. Don't kid yourself and think that a mid table club could make thereselves a f'uck load of money of business acumen alone, it takes a great football side behind to be successful.

haha, of couse you need some amount of football. thats why i said mid table.

Don't make me laugh. They bought Drogba for £26million because they thought the would be one of the best in the world. And even in Fifa's top players list he somehow managed to come 10th.

now i thought drogba was 24mil? dude, who you'd choose for your team? drogba, henry, rooney, RVN?

They have struggled to sign and players with moral standing like Henry and Shevchenko because when they look back on their careers they want to have something valuable to show for it..

which makes them not have those players, so arsenal has enough to go against them. i am not saying that they dont have the buying power i am saying other teams have the fire power to stop them.

Chelsea have also bought for the sake of it, you just have to look at the signing of Parker, which intended to weaken Charlton last season and worked.

that i didnt know, so ok its one dirty trick

You think Arsenal have the same ability to sign players that Chelsea do? We wanted SWP weeks in advance of you but where are we going to get that amount of money from? Scum..

no, but arsenal have the ability to stop chelsea but they arent doing it.

You can't own a football club without being rich. However Chelsea are the only club in the world with this wealth that was created solely from a non-footballing method.

they were one of the top few before roman and they had certain amount of riches. roman wouldnt just invest in a midtable club, MU turned him down so he went for chelsea. football made them one of the top mate, roman didnt buy a midtable or low table club

I haven't mentioned Real because Real don't have inexhaustable funds. I do hate their transfer policy though, and will enjoy it hugeky whne we knock them out of the Champions League in February.

my point of real is not that they have the cash, but instead they have the players. real shows that with the best players doesnt mean sucess, thats my point


The referees' boss has made a statement displaying the FACT that it was a shocking call to give Henry offside. Thgere is absolutely no way that that call could be called correct, and i will be shocked every time i watch a replay of that game, as i will always feel that we should've gone 1-0 up..

everyone hates chelsea at the moment i wouldnt be suprised he said that. like that barca game, frisk did have a chat with rijkard a report was filed on it but action was taken against chelsea.

anyway, since its a guy that knows more footy then me saying that i guess i'll go with it.

then again arsenal has its fair share of lucky events, ITS FOOTBALL!

Essien is a very dirty player, he could've ended two careers already, since he's been playing for Chelsea. He's also already knocked someone's tooth out. That's a record Duncan Ferguson would be proud of.

essien is not that bad, hes just in the spotlight because if that idiot hermann. gerrad has worse tackles, and of course how can i forget the skatebord tackle by hermann.

http://tinypic.com/ifn56r.jpg

thats the german, skatebording someone.

and if you want more...

http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=4aF8Gq4-iiw

o....drity

i think you are looking at my posts the wrong way, i said chelsea HAS the buying power i dont deny it. a lot of your posts are actually still arguing about cash and mine is about how you can stop chelsea

[TakeWarning]

+3kk! : Your argument is going nowhere.

Haha, Arsenal losing to Doncaster really would've been a treat.

[Berserker!]

Hey Kieran, I thought you lived in Australia

[+3kk!]

+3kk! : Your argument is going nowhere.

Haha, Arsenal losing to Doncaster really would've been a treat.


dont really care, just felt like making some guys feel jiffy. not really much of a footy supporter just ranting for the fun of it.

[Drop The Baby]

haha, of couse you need some amount of football. thats why i said mid table.


So by that logic Bolton could easily be one of the richest in the world, despite having 3 (maximum) marketable players and playing incredibly dull football.


now i thought drogba was 24mil? dude, who you'd choose for your team? drogba, henry, rooney, RVN?


I'd choose Henry, but that's not the point. The point was hwne they signed him they thought he would be the best in the world.


which makes them not have those players, so arsenal has enough to go against them. i am not saying that they dont have the buying power i am saying other teams have the fire power to stop them.


Arsenal currently have no left back. They don't have the money to buy extra squad players currently. Hell, we lost two of our best players in the summer, Vieira and Edu, and couldn't replace them. We were outbidded on Baptista and the only signing we made was Hleb (although he looks terrific). Instead we should've been looking at Essien (which we did), but as soon as Chelsea were in the hunt there was no chance.


no, but arsenal have the ability to stop chelsea but they arent doing it.


We do have ability, and when we play to our best i think we're the better team. However it's hard to do that over a whole season. When the fatigue factor comes in, Chelsea swap Robben for SWP, we swap Gilberto for Flamini. Pires for Owusu. Promising players but not top quality which is what we need. They're squad players.


they were one of the top few before roman and they had certain amount of riches. roman wouldnt just invest in a midtable club, MU turned him down so he went for chelsea. football made them one of the top mate, roman didnt buy a midtable or low table club


Chelsea were days from going out of business, Abramovich payed £200million to keep them going and has invested £300 million in players. That's not including players. In that time Arsenal have not spent £30million.


my point of real is not that they have the cash, but instead they have the players. real shows that with the best players doesnt mean sucess, thats my point


I don't deny they have a great manager (even if he is an obnoxious arrogant twat), but he again was another signing. He must make a f'uck load a week. When you've got that much money all you've got to do is invest it sensibly, which is what they've done, to an extent.



everyone hates chelsea at the moment i wouldnt be suprised he said that. like that barca game, frisk did have a chat with rijkard a report was filed on it but action was taken against chelsea.

anyway, since its a guy that knows more footy then me saying that i guess i'll go with it.


It's not paranoia, it's the truth. The current rules say something like 'you're only interferring with play if you tocuh the ball', and if even that isn't the rule it was scandalous to disallow the goal.



then again arsenal has its fair share of lucky events, ITS FOOTBALL!


Every team has luck, that is football. However there's luck, and there's incompetance.


essien is not that bad, hes just in the spotlight because if that idiot hermann. gerrad has worse tackles, and of course how can i forget the skatebord tackle by hermann.

http://tinypic.com/ifn56r.jpg

thats the german, skatebording someone.

and if you want more...

http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=4aF8Gq4-iiw

o....drity


I'm not saying Essien's the only player to have done things like this, but the fact remains he should've been sent off three times this season and has got away with it. He's received only a two match band, instead of a probable 9.

[Drop The Baby]

And thank F'UCK we beat Doncaster

[TakeWarning]

Hey Kieran, I thought you lived in Australia

Yeah, I do, I just like South Africa enough. I think I'll change it back now.

dont really care, just felt like making some guys feel jiffy. not really much of a footy supporter just ranting for the fun of it.

Oh. Thanks for contributing to the thread.

Asshole.

[2muchket!]

dont really care, just felt like making some guys feel jiffy. not really much of a footy supporter just ranting for the fun of it.
Then why the hell have you filled so many pages with your crap if your not much of a football supporter???
1-0 to Blackburn :upset: can't believe the performance last, if we play like that on saturday they'll turn us over 4 or 5. Can't believe there complaining about attendances and they playt like that. Oh well thats us out of europe for next season.:angry:

[+3kk!]

So by that logic Bolton could easily be one of the richest in the world, despite having 3 (maximum) marketable players and playing incredibly dull football..

they dont market well perhaps? marketable players still need good cover fron a good deal. its very hard to talk about marketable, if it means that a good club = good market, how you explain juv, barca?

I'd choose Henry, but that's not the point. The point was hwne they signed him they thought he would be the best in the world..

they thought, but there are other more profilic players to sgin


Arsenal currently have no left back. They don't have the money to buy extra squad players currently. Hell, we lost two of our best players in the summer, Vieira and Edu, and couldn't replace them. We were outbidded on Baptista and the only signing we made was Hleb (although he looks terrific). Instead we should've been looking at Essien (which we did), but as soon as Chelsea were in the hunt there was no chance..

what happened? you can afford a new stadium but not new players? the selling of vieira was a huge mistake, there were no news that arsenal is facing finantial shortage to get players here....


We do have ability, and when we play to our best i think we're the better team. However it's hard to do that over a whole season. When the fatigue factor comes in, Chelsea swap Robben for SWP, we swap Gilberto for Flamini. Pires for Owusu. Promising players but not top quality which is what we need. They're squad players..

there are certain key players for chelsea that cant be swaped, lampard, terry, markelele. its a question on when they get injured....if makelele or terry falls, the defence will face problems although still good but not like chelsea. lamps wont have a good surpport the midfield wont shine, players like cole, drogba and all would be forced to take a more defensive posistion.

Chelsea were days from going out of business, Abramovich payed £200million to keep them going and has invested £300 million in players. That's not including players. In that time Arsenal have not spent £30million..

well they are still one of the top, thats through football. Roman wont buy a midtable club.


I don't deny they have a great manager (even if he is an obnoxious arrogant twat), but he again was another signing. He must make a f'uck load a week. When you've got that much money all you've got to do is invest it sensibly, which is what they've done, to an extent..

arrogant is hardly the word i'd use for jose, he's weird or carzy if you prefer. he can be friends with SAF, handshake the MU team but the next day he'll rant about something.

It's not paranoia, it's the truth. The current rules say something like 'you're only interferring with play if you tocuh the ball', and if even that isn't the rule it was scandalous to disallow the goal..

there are similar offside incidents too, its quite stupid though.



Every team has luck, that is football. However there's luck, and there's incompetance..

so arsenal just arent lucky that day thats all. mate, it happens


I'm not saying Essien's the only player to have done things like this, but the fact remains he should've been sent off three times this season and has got away with it. He's received only a two match band, instead of a probable 9.

bad calls happen, and essien is under fire because of hermann. but if you compare how bad tackles are there are worst and some went of with even lighter punishment. i agree that a red card is the correct way but no sport is that accurate in giving fouls. to be honest IMO football is the worst at that.


hahaha, takewarning. at least i made arguable points.....though i really believe in some of them, cant be a footy surpproter though

[ZaaR]

Anyone else think Iran and Poland have put together some really strong sides for this World Cup?

[Drop The Baby]

Poland have a decent enough team to cause an upset or two, i don't really know about Iran though to be honest

[MILF Hunter]

And thank F'UCK we beat Doncaster


:p .

[Drop The Baby]

what happened? you can afford a new stadium but not new players? the selling of vieira was a huge mistake, there were no news that arsenal is facing finantial shortage to get players here....


We have borrowed heavily to afford the new stadium. We've got loans out with 6 separate banks. We've not been able to afford expensive players.


there are certain key players for chelsea that cant be swaped, lampard, terry, markelele. its a question on when they get injured....if makelele or terry falls, the defence will face problems although still good but not like chelsea. lamps wont have a good surpport the midfield wont shine, players like cole, drogba and all would be forced to take a more defensive posistion.


Swap Makelele for Essien. Swap Lampard for Robben/SWP/Gudjohnson/Duff (they don't all fit in the starting line up)

Arsenal: Swap Pires for Owusu. Swap Gilberto for Flamini. There's a fair bit of difference.


well they are still one of the top, thats through football. Roman wont buy a midtable club.


Chelsea were mid table (4th/5th) when he bought them. He originally wanted to buy Tottenham.


arrogant is hardly the word i'd use for jose, he's weird or carzy if you prefer. he can be friends with SAF, handshake the MU team but the next day he'll rant about something.


Arrogant. He's generally happy when he gets his way, but that's it. Instead of facing up to what should be a possible ban on Essien for elbowing Lauren (why is this not being pursued by the FA?), he's calling that Senderos should've been sent off twice in the game.

I didn't see this post originally. And i'm getting tired of going round in circles.

[+3kk!]

We have borrowed heavily to afford the new stadium. We've got loans out with 6 separate banks. We've not been able to afford expensive players..

woah, all for the new stadium? i dont really think its worth while.

Swap Makelele for Essien. Swap Lampard for Robben/SWP/Gudjohnson/Duff (they don't all fit in the starting line up)

Arsenal: Swap Pires for Owusu. Swap Gilberto for Flamini. There's a fair bit of difference..

makelele - essien, perhaps. lampard? nah, robben, swp, wont have what lampard brings. gudiohnson and duff wouldnt fit as well as lamps. though we havent seen that happen before. and what about terry?

but ya, i agree withtout those 2 your team would face major problems in the pitch.

Chelsea were mid table (4th/5th) when he bought them. He originally wanted to buy Tottenham..

thats quite high considering most of the time the top 3 is MU, arsenal and liverpool

Arrogant. He's generally happy when he gets his way, but that's it. Instead of facing up to what should be a possible ban on Essien for elbowing Lauren (why is this not being pursued by the FA?), he's calling that Senderos should've been sent off twice in the game.

arrogant? he has quite good ties with SAF, at times show that hes being humble. note the number of times he say that the opposing team is good and all. thats hardly arrogant. but he is weird arrogant one day, humble another

I didn't see this post originally. And i'm getting tired of going round in circles.

nvm, actually we can stop..

[Faith No Doubt]

Originally posted by Mr Amsterdam
1-0 to Blackburn can't believe the performance last, if we play like that on saturday they'll turn us over 4 or 5. Can't believe there complaining about attendances and they playt like that. Oh well thats us out of europe for next season.


Neill and Dickov are both banned for the Boro game, so we won't be the same team.

[metal-militia]

Yes! Saints get George Burley! This is great news!

[TakeWarning]

Neill and Dickov are both banned for the Boro game, so we won't be the same team.

Neill and Dickov are both pretty dirty players. Blackburn have the three players I dislike most in the EPL. Dickov; for being an all-round wanker, Bellamy; for being incredibly arrogant and not having a neck, Robbie Savage; for an incredibly violent game against Spurs when he played for Leicster(sp?) a few years a go, and still is a relatively dirty player with dirty hair. But they have two Aussies so Blackburn is fine with me.

P.S. Guess who? (http://www.uni030.co.uk/humor/pics/Ronaldo.jpg)

[Drop The Baby]

haha!

Blackburn are a dirty scummy team. Neill, Dickov, Savage, Todd, Reid and their manager, Mark Hughes, are twats.

I always quite liked him til he went to Rovers. Despite him being sooooooo sour faced it's ridiculous

[guitarbaz]

anyway, so here we are at xmas and time to embark upon our usual festive losing streak...

not being pessimitic or owt like...:p

[guitarbaz]

Yes! Saints get George Burley! This is great news!

great news for saints? or pompey?!!

and clive woodward director of football? what's all that about?? only time will tell i guess but good luck to him anyway.:confused:

[Angry Balled Fists!]

We have a hard run in, Liverpool then Chelsea i think.

I think 4 points are availalble.

[guitarbaz]

i was thinking about the next few matches, away at liverpool and spurs among them..ouch

at least we got charlton at home on the 28th anyway..heh heh

[TakeWarning]

We got Birmingham next week. And I hope we beat Newcastle.

[metal-militia]

great news for saints? or pompey?!!

and clive woodward director of football? what's all that about?? only time will tell i guess but good luck to him anyway.:confused:

Hmm yeah, a role like that was always on the cards for Woodward.

I'm going to 4 games over the holliday's, so i should see Burley's first win!

[guitarbaz]

Hmm yeah, a role like that was always on the cards for Woodward.

I'm going to 4 games over the holliday's, so i should see Burley's first win!

i'll take those odds!

it was a brave move taking woodward on but it'll pay dividends in the long run i think, he's a clever cookie and has more up top that about 90% of current managers. anyone who beats the aussies on their own turf for the world cup gets my vote.

[metal-militia]

i'll take those odds!

it was a brave move taking woodward on but it'll pay dividends in the long run i think, he's a clever c00kie and has more up top that about 90% of current managers. anyone who beats the aussies on their own turf for the world cup gets my vote.

Yeah it was a gamble, but i really hope it pays off. I think Burley and Woodward want a clear out in january, and i think Bassett and a few coaches, as well as players will be on their way.

[TakeWarning]

Clive Woodward...interesting choice. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

[Firecracker]

I watched that Doncaster v. Arsenal game and i totally wanter Doncaster to win, they were so close aswell.

[2muchket!]

So then it's getting near to the transfer window being re opened, realistically who would you like to see your club sign over this period. I distinctly hope boro go out and buy a right back, or a right winger like Douala of Sporting Lisbon.

[Ganondorf]

I'm seeing WBA vs Tottenham

[metal-militia]

So then it's getting near to the transfer window being re opened, realistically who would you like to see your club sign over this period.

Possibly Matt Holland as i think Nigel Quashie will be leaving. Hopefully a decent forward to partner Theo Walcott and replace Ricardo Fuller.

[Grondahl]

Yeah, those two knee (I think?) injuries have really ruined Fuller. He used to be a pretty good, if greedy, player.

[TakeWarning]

I'm seeing WBA vs Tottenham
We should win that one easy.
Yeah, those two knee (I think?) injuries have really ruined Fuller. He used to be a pretty good, if greedy, player. Injuries have ruined so many good careers. I don't think the knee injuries affected Ricardo Fuller that much.

[metal-militia]

I think they did. He was on his way to Sunderland originally for 1 million, but his knackered knee meant he failed his medical. After that Pompey wanted to offload him for any amount knowing they wouldn't get a lot cos of his knee, so Saints got him for 90k. He used to be a good Division 1 forward, scoring quite a bit for Preston, but now he's crap and has about 3 goals in 15 games.

[Lord Abortion]

Realistically, I would like to see United sign

Thomas Gravesen £2m (not long term Keane replacement, just a good Stopgap who would add depth to the squad)
Jouquin- £10m Great right winger, needs to move to a big club
Patrice Evra £5m - Great Left back, lightning fast and competent. Will fit into the squad nicely when Heinze returns
Christian Chivu £8m- Top class centre back, who could be unsettled at Roma. Would add much needed class to the defence, he is also very versatile.
Fernando Torres £15m- Fantastic worldclass striker, has goals, pace to spare, and wonderful skill, to be rotated and add depth up front.
OR Carlos Tevez similar player, just with even more pace, but less finishing ability. Needs to move to a big club!

All that for less than Newcastle spent this year... I really wish Fergie Played football manager...then he would see.

[TakeWarning]

I'm holding out for a few good Spurs signings. But I think we'll make a big sale, maybe Keane or Defoe or Tainio will go. We'll just have to wait and see.

[ThrashMaster27]

I'm holding out for a few good Spurs signings. But I think we'll make a big sale, maybe Keane or Defoe or Tainio will go. We'll just have to wait and see.

Hopefully we'll stick with Keane and Defoe. If I had a choice I'd get rid of Keane, cause we could get a pretty decent price for him, plus I prefer Defoe. I can't see Tainio leaving, but you never know...

So, Brum next. I'm gonna predict a 3-1 win.

[TakeWarning]

I have a feeling someone who's in borderline first-team-reserves will leave. I hope we stick with Keane though, there was talk about him moving earlier in the season, but now he's getting more of a go and he'll probably stay.

We should beat Birmingham today, but as I'm sure you've noticed, we seem to sometimes have some problems when playing lower down teams. However, in theory they shouldn't be much of a problem to beat 2-0 or something.

[ThrashMaster27]

Well, yeah. We're making hard work of every team recently, especially the relegation fodder.

Problem is, we're doing the rotation thing with Keane and Defoe. I don't know if it would be a good idea to keep Mido on the bench for a few games, as he's known to be a bit erratic when dropped to the bench. Plus of course, he's actually hitting the net quite a bit this season, so there's no reason to haul him off.

I'm still going with my prediction of 3-1.

[TakeWarning]

There's no reason to put Mido on the bench at all, he's been scoring a **** of a lot this season. Plus I've heard he can get quite stabby when things don't go his way, so keep him on the field.

I don't know for sure the result, but I would really like to keep a clean sheet. Mainly for my Fantasy Premier League team.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

COME ON TOON

Big game today.

[Lord Abortion]

West Brom today, and that Vidic Fella looks a done deal. He looks hard as Hell and a Good no-nonsense Centre back, Just what we need.

2-0...Rio is on what appears to be a scoring streak!

[RCVA]

Haha Rio.

How come palace seem to have played less games than everyone else throughout the season? I hope they catch up on games soon. We need to be in the play off places.

[Lord Abortion]

3-0 united...I'm happy.

Newcastle got tonked today, although Given kept the score down, it could have been 4 or 5.

Everton got walloped too.

[2muchket!]

Hahaha the giraffe had a goal taken from him eesssh 'ol Peter Crouch Just ca't get any look can he.

Well as I said Blackburn would beat us :angry:. I fail to see what Fabio Rockemback does for the squad hes dragged it down and now Boateng is out for two months. So basically I hope McClaren decides to play Morrison right wing, Johnson left, Mendieta and Doriva central Viduka up front with the Yak. Quedrue and Parnaby left back and rigth back respectively with Riggot and Southgate central. And if were geeded up for it we should beat Bolton, although I can see a bit of a brutal scoreline ahead............

[Lord Abortion]

MOTD was good, I liked seeing Crouchy Push that little wanker over :)

[Drahmen]

All those handball appeals.

[Lord Abortion]

Yeah, like The Chelsea match...Zat Knight made the most blatant handball I've seen in years.

[Faith No Doubt]

Liverpool vs Newcastle - should have been the other way around, Crouch should have been sent off and Bowyer booked.

And oh yeah - another 3 points, another away win, more goals from the Flying Finn.

[Drahmen]

Liverpool vs Newcastle - should have been the other way around, Crouch should have been sent off and Bowyer booked.

And oh yeah - another 3 points, another away win, more goals from the Flying Finn.

If i'm totally honest I think Gerrard was most deserving of a card. But hey its not his fault... hes a natural scouser.

[TakeWarning]

Good win for Spurs. Haha, who was that Chelsea defender who thought he was a goalkeeper, most obvious handball I've seen in a while.

Time for Mick McCarthy to go, methinks.

[red barchetta]

John Terry is an amazing goalkeeper :p

[Faith No Doubt]

If i'm totally honest I think Gerrard was most deserving of a card. But hey its not his fault... hes a natural scouser.

Well, I hope he isn't a "natural Scouser" next World Cup, unless being sent off and becoming the biggest hate figure in English football since David Beckham at France '98 is one of his goals.

[TakeWarning]

John Terry is an amazing goalkeeper :p

Most obvious handball ever.

Gerard probably should have been booked at his attempted headlock on the Newcastle player. I think Peter Crouch is getting a little better, after having a slow start to the season. Doesn't seem so confident on his left foot though, I noticed he tries to avoid shooting with it.

[Drahmen]

Yeah Im starting to like crouchy a bit more now. And also Kewells starting to play a bit better lately.

[TakeWarning]

Kewell's always been a good player, at Leeds, for Australia, but he never seems to play very well for Liverpool.

[Drahmen]

Its a shame he gets injured so often. e had a chance to become one of the best wingers in the world but now hes just a good player. Nothing brilliant.

[TakeWarning]

Its a shame he gets injured so often. e had a chance to become one of the best wingers in the world but now hes just a good player. Nothing brilliant.

Yeah, I remember before he got his first major injury(achilles) he was an absolutely brilliant player, and when he came back he wasn't nearly as good. Still, I think everyone agrees that he's an asset to Liverpool and the Socceroo's midfield.

[Lord Abortion]

We don't need Tevez or Torres though. They're both great players, but we've got Van Nistelrooy, Rooney, Saha, Smith (sometimes), and some players coming through who are all good strikers. The only reason we're not scoring that many is a lack of service. Right on with Chivu though...basically the way I see it is that we need to strengthen the team in midfield and defence. I personally think that our full backs and wingers are OK (if not great), but we need some new central players who would frankly be tougher than our current lot. Hopefully we can get our hands on Ballack on a free this coming summer, as he's a very good player, albeit slightly overrated, and we need to find someone like Makelele or Essien who can just keep everything solid in central midfield and, in the case of Essien, drive forward as well.
Yeah, I think Vidic incoming is looking very good. A bit of an Heinze or Stam type player, very tough and looks absolutely Nails.

Ballack would be great, but Fergie says he doesn't want him.

Oh for the likes Of Pirlo.

[ChodaBoy]

Im not looking forward to tommorrow!

Chelsea usually win anyway, but they have a point to prove after the loss last year.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Bleh, Bowyer shouldn't have been sent off, it was a **** game.

[Drahmen]

newcastle supporter?

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Yessire.

[Drahmen]

BITTER newcastle supporter? :P

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Yes !

[Drahmen]

lol well newcastle have been playing well as of late. But so have Liverpool. One of them had to break.

[guitarbaz]

Bleh, Bowyer shouldn't have been sent off, it was a **** game.

well, he's a thug for sure but didn't deserve the red card. crouch and the ever nasty gerrard were more deserving cases.

most importantly it may well be the llast time bowyer pulls on a black and white shirt. hopefully.:chug:

[Angry Balled Fists!]

haha, yeah.

I think we will win today, we have as strong time.

[guitarbaz]

haha, yeah.

I think we will win today, we have as strong time.

yup, home win for me as well. i'll go for 3-1 :thumb:

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Sounds good :thumb:

[guitarbaz]

Sounds good :thumb:

just been looking at the previews on the skysports website and they have it predicted at 1-1...wtf??:angry:

[ThrashMaster27]

I R gonna be the guess master for todays fixtures. Feel free to play along at home...

Arsenal 2 - 0 Pompey
Birmingham 1 - 2 Man Utd
Fulham 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Man City 1 - 3 Chelsea
Newcastle 2 - 0 Charlton
West Brom 1 - 2 Spurs
West Ham 2 - 2 Wigan
Blackburn 1 - 0 Sunderland
Bolton 0 - 0 Boro
Everton 3 - 3 Liverpool (Bit of a mad scoreline)

For 10 points, tell me what my avatar refers to.

[guitarbaz]

For 10 points, tell me what my avatar refers to.

norman hunter about to kick bremner's arse?

nah thats not it...hmm..

[Lord Abortion]

Arsenal 1-0 Pompey
Birmingham 0-3 Man Utd
Fulham 0-0 Aston Villa
Man City 0-0 Chelsea
Newcastle 2 - 0 Charlton
West Brom 1-3 Spurs
West Ham 1-2 Wigan
Blackburn 3-0 Sunderland
Bolton 3-1 Boro
Everton 0-2 Liverpool

I just fancy City Nicking something today...maybe just wishful thinking :p

[TakeWarning]

Spurs 7 - 0 West Brom.

[ThrashMaster27]

norman hunter about to kick bremner's arse?

nah thats not it...hmm..

It's someone about to kick Billy's arse.

Give you a clue. It's a Spurs hardman.

[IAJP]

Arsenal 1-0 Pompey
Birmingham 0-3 Man Utd
Fulham 0-0 Aston Villa
Man City 0-0 Chelsea
Newcastle 2 - 0 Charlton
West Brom 1-3 Spurs
West Ham 1-2 Wigan
Blackburn 3-0 Sunderland
Bolton 3-1 Boro
Everton 0-2 Liverpool

I just fancy City Nicking something today...maybe just wishful thinking :p
Oh God I can't wait! :D

[guitarbaz]

It's someone about to kick Billy's arse.

Give you a clue. It's a Spurs hardman.

Dave Mackay??

[TakeWarning]

It's someone about to kick Billy's arse.

Give you a clue. It's a Spurs hardman.
Hmm... I should have know this.

[guitarbaz]

Lots of matches postponed due to the grass being too hard...ours included...

i lie, only the bolt-on vs smogs thats called off thus far

[bwbw]

Being bottom of the league is extremely depressing. (I support Southport FC).

[Lord Abortion]

Being bottom of the league is extremely depressing. (I support Southport FC).
Where do you live near Newcastle?
I'm not far from there myself...

[Drahmen]

3-1 Liverpool. We rule. Everton do not.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Wtf Game Postponed What A Crock Of **** !

[Lord Abortion]

Bastarding wanky Brummie Bastards...

[Lord Abortion]

Yeah, first time we've not won a game he's scored in.

Bastard Pandiani...what kind of a homo name is that anyway?!

[TakeWarning]

How the **** did we lose to West Brom? Seriously, that's pathetic. Word on the street is that both the goals were "defensive mishaps".

[guitarbaz]

Wtf Game Postponed What A Crock Of **** !

well at least they let the charlton fans get to to St. James' so they could tell them all personally...

[TakeWarning]

I heard it's about -4 degrees in England lately. That must suck, playing in that would be horrible.

[guitarbaz]

:lol: I heard it's about -4 degrees in England lately. That must suck, playing in that would be horrible.

i live in the warm bit and it's below zero even here, the snow's all frozen. but it's funny watching the foreign players from warmer climes playing with their thermals and gloves on. the english lads are like, wtf, this is warm you bunch of pussies :lol:

[Timm]

don't you have winter break in the premier league?

[red barchetta]

don't you have winter break in the premier league?
i think theres a week off of premiership football in mid-January due to FA cup, but there for some reason they play 4 games in-between boxing day and new years day.



Kanu's celebration was weird...

[Timm]

No...we really need one, but for some reason it doesn't exist. Pretty stupid, since playing all these games over Christmas means that we have more injuries and higher levels of fatigue than all the other teams we play against in Europe who've had a break. It's hard to see how we could really fit a break in though without reducing the size of the Premiership or getting rid of the League Cup for the Premiership or something.

on the other hand it makes your guys tougher than the rest :smash:

anyway I hope FC Bayern doesn't win the german league once again, they suck

HSV FTW

[red barchetta]

on the other hand it makes your guys tougher than the rest :smash:

anyway I hope FC Bayern doesn't win the german league once again, they suck

HSV FTW
as usual, the German and French leagues are boring this season. its always Bayern and Lyon.

the Japan league, on the otherhand, is awesome (not the players, but the competition). this season the champions didnt get decided until the final day, and the team that was 4th managed to win it.

[Timm]

as usual, the German and French leagues are boring this season. its always Bayern and Lyon.

yeah it's like "who might beat Bayern this season?" every ****ing season

but we (HSV) already wiped the floor with them, 3:0 :cool:
and we're only 6 points behind them and half of the season is still to come:smash:

[RandyfromPennywise]

We kicked the shi't out of them:p 4:3
Chipperfield was solid as usual. He's in my opinion a very underrated player and should be playing somewhere else. I remember one game, he stopped 2 of our shots on the line then rushed down the field and scored.
Sterjovski only played 10 minutes today I think.
Milicevic from fc thun is australian too right? He's a decent player.
Yeah, Chippers is very good. I was so impressed with him in the recent World Cup play-offs against Uruguay - Hiddink played him at wing-back, attacking winger, left-back and in a back three! Very versatile. Sterjovski scored 4 goals in a game in November didn't he? I rate Ljubo Milicevic highly, he looks good in the Champo, held his own against Arsenal (Thun were unlucky in that game!).

chelsea are scum, a disgrace to the footballing world.Yeah, you lost, and got a rough call on an off-side. Do you remember the FA Cup 5th round clash of 2003/2004? Arsenal won 2-1, Reyes scored both, the first a cracker. Adrian Mutu scored for us. At 1-0 up, Jesper Grønkjær scored a diving header that was disallowed. He was clearly - clearly - onside. That game at 2-0 to Chelsea would more than likely have ended up in a victory for them. As it turned out, Arsenal won 2-1 and knocked Chelsea out of the Cup. That is football.

Drogba was a defenderHe was, at Le Mans. He started to play as a striker before he left Le Mans to join Marseille. He scored 11 goals in UEFA Cup play and 18 goals in Ligue 1 in 2003/2004. So to say that he was a defender isn't really accurate when you're talking about Chelsea signing him.

and the players Chelsea have payed huge amounts for have been pretty poor, to be honest, Drogba, Essien, Crespo(for the most part), Robben, Duff is good on occasion, but not enough to warrant the amount payed Ahhh, Lord, please... Drogba, yes, I agree he is not worth £24 million in a fit. Essien - the jury is out, and will be for at least three or four years. He is a long-term singing. Mourinho and Chelsea see him as becoming the next great central midfielder. £24.4 million is a lot of money, but if he puts in 10 years of quality service for the club, it's a snip isn't it?

Crespo - £16.8 million. This guy was once bought for the world-record transfer fee, and for a reason. I have no problems paying this amount for Hernàn, considering it's less than what was paid for van Nistelrooij, Rooney, Drogba and comparable to Owen's fee to Newcastle.

Robben - £12 million I believe. He is still only 21 years old. He is Chelsea's version of Cristiano Ronaldo. Cristiano has yet to have the impact on United that Robben had on Chelsea (and the League I might add) between his debut and his injury against Blackburn. He was unstoppable there for a while. I think £12 million for Arjen Robben is a bargain.

Duff!!! - £17 million. Duff is one of Chelsea's most consistent performers. Almost every week he torments full-backs and always supplies quality balls in. He is a vital part of the Chelsea team and £17 million was what we needed to pay to get Rovers to part with him. I think he's already proved his worth, and he's got many seasons to come.

You didn't mention that we paid £6.6 million for Joe Cole, £7 million for Petr Čech, or £8 million for Del Horno and £7 million (plus Le Saux) for Bridge (comparable to United's £6.9 million for Heinze).

I have to agree 100% with you on Mutu [£15.8 million], Wright-Phillips [£21 million], Ferreira [£13 million] and others (Verón was £12 million (we never paid £3 million because of lack of appearances)).

I think it is 50/50 on Carvalho at £19.85 million.

Of course these are only Abramovic-era transfers... Let's not forget that we bought Tore Andre Flo for £300,000 and sold him for £12 million, bought Zola for £4.5 million, Gudjohnsen for £4.6 million, Desailly for £6 million, Lampard for £11 million, Gallas for £4 million.

All the money generated for Liverpool, United and Arsenal has been generated as a result of footballing success. Chelsea have gone from ebing a game away from going out of business to being one of the best in the world through none of their own merit Let us not forget that we qualified for the Champions League with the last match of the pre-Abramovic era. After the successes of the early seventies, Chelsea declined badly and the 80s were not a good time for Chelsea. The early 90s however, began a new dawn at the club. Making the FA Cup final in '94 was a huge boost for the club. When the new plans for the stadium were turned into construction, the club was slowly building itself up. The FA Cup victory in '97 started in on a grand-scale, but the arrival of Gullitt was massive for the club (Hoddle was important too). He brought in players such as Di Matteo, Vialli and of course, Gianfrano Zola. At the end of the 1998 season, after Chelsea has won their first European trophy for 28 years, we had become a reasonably big club. We signed Marcel Desailly as a sign of this. Then we finished 3rd in the league after being hot favourites to win it at the mid-way point of the season, going 21 games unbeaten. Then we made the Champions League and beat Barçelona in a game (not the tie). Then we won the FA Cup and we were a big club. I don't think it is right to say that the only reason we are a big club is becuase of Roman.

Mourinho, in a word, if you want another one, Lampard. Finally someone who can see Chelsea dominance for what it is! Mourinho is truly remarkable. Everyone forgets that Ranieri (who I love, don't get me wrong) - a top manager in his own right who has led teams to the Champions League in Italy and England and UEFA Cup in Spain - had all the cash he wanted and did very well, Chelsea finishing second behind a rampant Arsenal in 03-04. Mourinho's come in and completely revolutionised the club. Under Ranners, Terry, Gallas, Maka, Lamps, Duffer, Cole and Crespo were all there. Basically the heart of the current team, minus Čech, Essien and perhaps Carvalho. It is Mourinho - not Abramovic - who is responsible for Chelsea being the way they are. He truly is the special one.

You do realise that whilst Chelsea can afford to pay the costs for these players, they also fork out over £2,200,000 per game on the fees of the squad alone? Who can match that?Real Madrid, that's who. Their wages are the highest in world Football. Lampard is on reportedly £100,000 per week and is thus Chelsea's highest paid player. Beckham, Zidane and Ronaldo all earn over £100,000 per week, and Figo was earning - reportedly - up to £115,000 per week. John Terry - our Captain - earns £86,000 per week. Real Madrid's left-back earns the same.

[TakeWarning]

Nice article, Randy, a good read.

[Lord Abortion]

I made that comment before Crespo came into form this season.
He had a big impact last niht, and really gave Chelsea the points, it was his good work that allowed Cole to score.

You didn't mention that we paid £6.6 million for Joe Cole, £7 million for Petr Čech, or £8 million for Del Horno and £7 million (plus Le Saux) for Bridge (comparable to United's £6.9 million for Heinze).
I wasn't counting the players under £10m as big transfer fees in comparison.
The money payed for Cech, Cole and even Makelélé, is an absolute bargain considering the return they have given. I rate Cole very highly.

[RandyfromPennywise]

The point was hwne [how] they signed him they thought he would be the best in the world. That is wrong. Mourinho never, ever signed Drogba thinking he would be the best striker in the world. He signed him because of his specific playing style, adaptability and qualities. There was never any tag placed on him that he was to become the best striker in the world.

Chelsea were days from going out of business, Abramovich payed £200million to keep them going and has invested £300 million in players. That's not including players. In that time Arsenal have not spent £30million. That is also false, in regard to many different things. Chelsea were not going into insolvency in June 2003. In fact, despite the poor financial standing of the club at the time, Chelsea we very pleased to have made the Champions League and the revenues from this comp. was to greatly help the club. Abramovic didn't spend "£200million to keep them going", he bought the majority of shares for approximately £100 million pounds and cleared the debts. Over a year later he bought the remaining shares. Effectively, he bought the club from Ken Bates.

When you've got that much money all you've got to do is invest it sensibly, which is what they've done, to an extent. I hope that is bitterness talking rather than your rational Footballing mind. It is so much more than "investing". And Mourinho earns £100,000 per week before bonuses.

Also to Drop The Baby - since when were the Champions League places "mid-table"?!

Chelsea haven't finished outside of the top six since 1996.

And Essien's elbow on Lauren - it didn't even hit Lauren in the face, and I think it should have been a yellow card. Mido's [elbow] against Del Horno when Mido got sent off was worse, and everyone went beserk that he got red.

----------

Realistically, I would like to see United sign

Thomas Gravesen £2m (not long term Keane replacement, just a good Stopgap who would add depth to the squad)
Jouquin- £10m Great right winger, needs to move to a big club
Patrice Evra £5m - Great Left back, lightning fast and competent. Will fit into the squad nicely when Heinze returns
Christian Chivu £8m- Top class centre back, who could be unsettled at Roma. Would add much needed class to the defence, he is also very versatile.
Fernando Torres £15m- Fantastic worldclass striker, has goals, pace to spare, and wonderful skill, to be rotated and add depth up front.
OR Carlos Tevez similar player, just with even more pace, but less finishing ability. Needs to move to a big club!

All that for less than Newcastle spent this year... I really wish Fergie Played football manager...then he would see. I think all your prices are too low. Real Madrid only got Gravesen for £2 million because he was nearing the end of his contract. He'd go for more like £4 million I'd say, but I don't know if they'll sell without bringing someone else in. I rate Gravesen higher than Pablo García (but that's probably because I hate all those dirty Uruguayans who tried to stop the glorious Australians from making World Cup).

Joaquín. Would you really buy another winger though, because if you did it'd basically mean Cristiano on the bench (or Park). And I think it'd be more like £15-20 million as well - Betis rate him very, VERY highly!

Evra - as a replacement for O'Shea when Heinze comes back? Evra's quite good.

Chivu - absolutely top-line player. I think you'd need to spend £12 million to get him, but I doubt Roma would sell, for a number of reasons. Firstly, Kuffour and Mexès have been struggling badly in defence this season. Roma'd be loathe to lose their best defender in Chivu. Secondly, they only bought him recently (what, 18 months ago?). Also a top free-kick taker (saw him score two crackers last season - taking free-kicks at Roma for a start is huge: ahead of Totti, Montella, Mancini etc.!) he could well be the future of Roma for the next few years - Roma are struggling at the moment and they need stability. Lastly, the Phillipe Mexès Auxerre to Roma transfer fiasco has meant that Roma are not allowed to buy any players this season. So if they sold Chivu they couldn't replace him.

Torres - I'd say there's little chance in January. Quite possible in the off-season. By the way, he's not "world-class". He is excellent, but he certainly isn't in the top 10 strikers in the world or anything like that, which is what I'd reserve for "world-class".

Tevez - you'd be surprised how big Corinthinians are as a club - they have just gotten bigger. Carlitos wouldn't do that well at Man Utd though, almost certainly not. He is the type of player who needs to settle and be selected week-in week-out. He is a Rooney-type player and Man Utd already have a Rooney-type player.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Nice article, Randy, a good read.
Took me bloody long enough!!!

Well, when one has dial-up and is trying to download 65MB highlights of Arsenal v Chelsea, one has time for such posts!

[Lord Abortion]

I think all your prices are too low. Real Madrid only got Gravesen for £2 million because he was nearing the end of his contract. He'd go for more like £4 million I'd say, but I don't know if they'll sell without bringing someone else in. I rate Gravesen higher than Pablo García (but that's probably because I hate all those dirty Uruguayans who tried to stop the glorious Australians from making World Cup).
There have been alot of rumours surrounding him and a move back to the premiership, I would say £3-4m is a realistic price.


Joaquín. Would you really buy another winger though, because if you did it'd basically mean Cristiano on the bench (or Park). And I think it'd be more like £15-20 million as well - Betis rate him very, VERY highly!
He can't stay at Betis all his life, and I can't see why United couldn't rotate wingers. Ronaldo can play on the left, as can Park, leaving plenty of space to accommodate him and Giggs too.
Evra - as a replacement for O'Shea when Heinze comes back? Evra's quite good.
Again as a rotation, and to cover for Heinze, united are really looking at him, according to the rumour mill.

Chivu - absolutely top-line player. I think you'd need to spend £12 million to get him, but I doubt Roma would sell, for a number of reasons. Firstly, Kuffour and Mexès have been struggling badly in defence this season. Roma'd be loathe to lose their best defender in Chivu. Secondly, they only bought him recently (what, 18 months ago?). Also a top free-kick taker (saw him score two crackers last season - taking free-kicks at Roma for a start is huge: ahead of Totti, Montella, Mancini etc.!) he could well be the future of Roma for the next few years - Roma are struggling at the moment and they need stability. Lastly, the Phillipe Mexès Auxerre to Roma transfer fiasco has meant that Roma are not allowed to buy any players this season. So if they sold Chivu they couldn't replace him.
Ah, I didn't know about the transfer Embargo. I thought that they may need to sell if they continue to struggle, I would suspect his happiness will decline as the chance of silverware at Roma disappears, and they may have to sell.


Torres - I'd say there's little chance in January. Quite possible in the off-season. By the way, he's not "world-class". He is excellent, but he certainly isn't in the top 10 strikers in the world or anything like that, which is what I'd reserve for "world-class".
Yeah, again, to Rotate strikers. I would have another top line striker in there. He certainly has the potential to be world class.
Tevez - you'd be surprised how big Corinthinians are as a club - they have just gotten bigger. Carlitos wouldn't do that well at Man Utd though, almost certainly not. He is the type of player who needs to settle and be selected week-in week-out. He is a Rooney-type player and Man Utd already have a Rooney-type player.
Right... I see. Corinthians wouldn't give him the kind of world standing that a Big european club would give him. He has to move in order to get silverware and plaudits.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yeah, eventually for Tevez, but he's on a good wage in Brazil (comparable to European wages), he's winning Brazilian championships, he's close to his family (in comparison), he's still getting selected for the national team... I can't see the hurry for him to leave. I'd say end of next season. About the settling in the side thing, he struggled at Boca and Corinthians when he was rotated, and he'd certainly be rotated at United.

[Lord Abortion]

Yeah, that's what the signings need to be about for United, getting a squad like Chelsea's, so they have the strength in depth to compete more.The first team is fine. Vidic will butch up the defence. A first team of

Van Der Sar
Neville
Heinze
Vidic
Ferdinand
Ronaldo
Giggs
(insert new signing here)
Scholes
Rooney
Van Nistlerooy
has no obvious weaknesses. Just a new midfielder is needed, and then the squad bulked out.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Vidic? [Excuse my lack of knowledge, I have been away and have only seen the matches, no transfer talk or anything.]

[Lord Abortion]

Chap from Spartak Moscow
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4557572.stm

Looks like he could eat Henry for Breakfast.
Like a centre back version of Heinze.

[RandyfromPennywise]

And where's your new centre-midfielder?

[I'd say Man Utd need Gattuso more than Pirlo. Reno is a real ***-kicker.]

[Lord Abortion]

Yeah, there was alot of Speculation that Reno would join united a year or so back, his wife is British I think. From his Rangers days.

I just want Pirlo, because I have a sentementality for the days when a United player would split a defence with a 40 yard ball. Verón and Beckham, those were the days...

[RandyfromPennywise]

CoughsLampardCoughs

:)

[Ganondorf]

Spurs 7 - 0 West Brom.


Wahaha you prick, don't be so cocky

Kanu!!!!!

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yeah, that's what the signings need to be about for United, getting a squad like Chelsea's, so they have the strength in depth to compete more.The first team is fine. Vidic will butch up the defence. A first team of

Van Der Sar
Neville
Heinze
Vidic
Ferdinand
Ronaldo
Giggs
(insert new signing here)
Scholes
Rooney
Van Nistlerooy
has no obvious weaknesses. Just a new midfielder is needed, and then the squad bulked out.Park>Giggo, no? Right now at least, no?

van der Sar - 9.5-------Čech - 9.5
Neville - 9------ ---- Ferreira - 8.5
Heinze - 9 ------ ---- Del Horno - 9
Vidic - ? ------ ---- Carvalho/Gallas - 9.25
Ferdinand - 9 ------ --- Terry - 9.9
Ronaldo - 9 ------ --- Makélélé - 9.5
Giggs - 8.5 ------ ---- Essien - 9
Scholes - 8.5 ------ --- Lampard - 10
Rooney - 9.7 ------ --- Duff - 9.5
van Nistelrooij - 10 ------ -- J. Cole - 9.5
------------------------- Crespo - 9.5/Drogba 9

Is that fair enough? I did that pretty quickly, but the point is, both strong line-ups.

[2muchket!]

Just a quick question what has happened to SWP is injured or what?
On to my main point I'd welcome a winter break as it is unreasonable when attendances are already low to ask people to fork out money in four days. I don't agree with the whole oh our players are more fatigued, managers hide behind that too much. As again for my faithful boro I am going to the game on Saturday and Just hope McClaren doesn't play Rockemback.

[guitarbaz]

Wahaha you prick, don't be so cocky

Kanu!!!!!

yeah thats just tempting fate. like me saying we'd beat charlton. but at least it was only postponed...phew...

[Ganondorf]

Feel sorry for all the Charlton fans that actually drove up to Newcastle though ;)

[RandyfromPennywise]

SWP is Chelsea's fourth-choice winger. There are two positions for wingers in the Chelsea starting XI. Seeing as now Duff is fit again, he is effectively first-choice. Robben is also fit, and goes ahead of SWP on the pecking order. Joe Cole has been in the best form of his life (for the past 12 months) and is becoming almost assurred of starting the majority of games, however, not all of these are on the wing. Most are though. So, Wright-Phillips' appearances are limited to substitute appearances or taking one of Duff's, Cole's or Robben's spots when they are injured or rotated. Thus, he hasn't and won't play very much. Considering Robben was relegated to the bench against Man City, Wright-Phillips didn't make the 16-man squad for the match. He is quite low down in the squad really, perhaps above Huth and Cudicini but below Gudjohnsen and maybe even Gérémi.

I think there is little doubt that Joe Cole will start for England as the fourth midfielder now. Shaun W-P and Downing just haven't been playing and at full-strength they're not going to pick King in midfield. I think the mdifield of Becks-Lamps-Gerrard-Cole is very strong, with four match-winners there. And surely Sven will play 4-4-2, so that's settled then. The main talking points are, I guess, who will play left-back and who will partner John Terry. You'd say Gary Neville has Right-Back stitched up unless something huge happens. I'd say Sven will go with Rio and Ashley Cole. (Of course Ashley Cole is first-choice but he'd want to get back to fitness soonish.)

Robinson-Cole-Terry-Ferdinand-Neville-Cole-Lampard-Gerrard-Beckham-Rooney-Owen. Good team. Still lose to Australia though, but good team.

/tangent.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Feel sorry for all the Charlton fans that actually drove up to Newcastle though ;)
Yeah that was just ****ed. I am going to be trying to go to the Chelsea-Charlton match at the Bridge on Sunday the 22nd of January. I am going to have to stay an extra night in London and organise completely different transport etc. I will be extremely pissed off if that match was to be postponed.

[guitarbaz]

Feel sorry for all the Charlton fans that actually drove up to Newcastle though ;)

i know it's tempting to have a sly chuckle (and i did initially) but there would actually be a lot of the toon fans who travelled the same distance. i know they said they did it in the interests of crowd safety but that decision could have been made hours earlier. it could hardly have come as a surprise that it was gonna be cold out there..:rolleyes: bloody buffoons...

[RandyfromPennywise]

i know it's tempting to have a sly chuckle (and i did initially) but there would actually be a lot of the toon fans who travelled the same distance. i know they said they did it in the interests of crowd safety but that decision could have been made hours earlier. it could hardly have come as a surprise that it was gonna be cold out there..:rolleyes: bloody buffoons...
*Buffon.

[Lord Abortion]

At least Giggs can finish :lol:
Park couldn't hit a barn door from 5 yards...
admittedly he and Scholesy aren't what they once were, but they still show flashes of brilliance

[RandyfromPennywise]

Has anyone read Sheilas, Wogs and Poofters by Johnny Warren? It is possibly one of the best Football books of the millenium. I just finished it, the updated version: such a good book. For those of you who haven't heard of it, it's described as an "Incomplete biography of Johnny Warren and soccer in Australia". In fact, that's the sub-title. For those of you who don't know who Johnny Warren is, shame, shame, shame. OK, I'll let you off the hook if you're not Aussie. He is Captain Socceroo and the greatest Australian ambassador of Football of all-time. He died a little over a year ago. Johnny Warren's Green and Gold Army!

[RandyfromPennywise]

At least Giggs can finish :lol:
Park couldn't hit a barn door from 5 yards...
admittedly he and Scholesy aren't what they once were, but they still show flashes of brilliance
Park should have 5 goals at least this season. Giggs' ability with free-kicks and scoring is good, but Park's enthusiasm and work-rate are top-notch.

I'd hate it if he went there, but Marco Bresciano of Parma would be good at United. Creative and very attacking. Actually, you perhaps need more of an enforcer. Meh, Bresciano's too goo for United ;).

[2muchket!]

Well if SWP is fourth choice, I'd think he'll be playing football in London, still expect I think he'll end up at Arsenal. I can see the same thing with him happening that did with Parker and a stirker they had that they sold (his anme eludes me at this moment). But I can definetly see him not wanting to stay if regualr Football is not available. Who knows I'd assume the money is available as Steve Gibson is, well the best chairman in the Premership. Boro's team would look a lot better with him Right and Downing left. Speaking of Downing if he plays his best from his first match back till the end of the season there is a chance of him playing in Germany.