Euro 2008 (Official Man City LOL Thread)

[Lord Abortion]

ITV sport says United have accepted a £15m bid for Van Nistlerooy from Madrid.
BBC has nowt.

Strangely enough, the report is on ITV teletext, but not on their website.

[Hungry Bald Fists]

I can't wait for the prem.

[clown_phobia]

Chelsea boss said this week that he finds it hard to keep so many top class players happy...

everything I've read has said Ruud hasn't been confirmed yet - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/5219384.stm

that says ManU are waiting till they get the right price. That means Bayern is still in the running! :D

[Lord Abortion]

United have agred to sell striker Ruud Van Nistlerooy to Real Madrid for £15m, according to spanish radio station Cadena SER.
The 30 year old Dutchman will be reportedly sign a three year contract and be presented at the Bernabeu on Friday.
Van Nistlerooy was at United's Carrington training ground this morning, but may Fly out to Madrid later today.
That's what it says

[Lord Abortion]

You know...I really get the feeling that United aren't going to do anything at all until Fergie leaves.
And Martin O'Neill will sit there punditing for BBC until he finally snaps and snipes him from the top of the Stretford end with a high powered rifle.

[Frankie]

Well I'd advise United to make some signings or you run the risk of not being able to compete next season.

[Minus The Flair]

thats crazy. apparently united accepted 10.4 mil for ruud but bayern offered 11.5 mil. why would you accept the real offer over bayern?

edit: btw its 15 mil euros not 15 mil pounds

[clown_phobia]

Damn! It looks like Ruud is going to Real :(

[RandyfromPennywise]

Franck Queudrue has moved to Fulham. Bit of a nothing move really, a backward step if anything. Oh well at least it's clear what Arca was bought for. Franck is one of my favourite non-Chelsea players, but playing for the Fulham scum, I'm going to have to question that. I can't believe Boro made a European final this year, unbelievable! Hope Boro finish top 5, I like a lot of their players. Why won't United just buy someone, just one player?

[Britney Diva]

Ruud will be a big loss not just to United but the Premiership if he chooses to go.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Ruud will be a big loss not just to United but the Premiership if he chooses to go.
Yes, but Sheva's more than capable of compensating. :cool:

[Britney Diva]

If he doesn't resemble a horse, I'm not interested :talktothehand:

[clown_phobia]

Well he's already said he wants to go, and it looks pretty certain Real have got him...

[Lord Abortion]

And he's gorn.

:(

Carrick is coming, finally, though.

[TakeWarning]

It's a shame, I really like Carrick. :(

Ah well, hopefully we'll sign someone good with the 15-18 million pounds we get from Carrick's departure.

PS. How do you do the pound sign?

[Lord Abortion]

£

It's above the 3 button on my Keyboard
Shift+3

Van Nistlerooy passes his Medical, and is now a Real Player.

[RandyfromPennywise]

It's only above the 3 on your keyboard 'cause your Britiiish (said in the Frank Skinner way). TakeWarning, I have to go to the character map (Accessories --> System Tools).

If he doesn't resemble a horse, I'm not interested :talktothehand:Crespo's rather horse-like, he can take over the reigns of the Premier League stable now that Ruud's left for the greener grass of Madrid's race tracks.

and is now a Real Player.Carrick's the new iTunes.

/bad jokes

[Minus The Flair]

Took me a while to get the second joke. LOL.

[morrissey]

Ok Liverpool will be my team because they have the nicest kits (:confused: ), wish me luck.

[Britney Diva]

Ok Liverpool will be my team because they have the nicest kits (:confused: ), wish me luck.
I hate you.

[morrissey]

I don't think I'm allowed to like Man U because of :bandwagon:

[DonMancini]

Guys I have a problem =P

I need a club to support. Now logically I should go for a Serie A team since I'm of Italian origin. SS Napoli should be my team since my origins are from just outside naples, BUT I don't really have much motivation to support a serie B team. I don't want to support Juve because everyone around here is a "fan" of theirs, and all the crap they pulled during the scandal turns me off.

Same goes for AC Milan (although they have a few players that I really love, i.e. Kaka (unless Real Madrid get their hands on him) GATTUSO, Pirlo, Inzaghi) Fiorentina and Lazio (zzzz).

I suppose I could support Roma, I really seem to enjoy watching them play when I had the chance. I'm still not so sure though.

Outside of Serie A, I don't really see who I could support. Real Madrid annoy the hell out of me. Barcelona are one of the most entertaining teams ever but EVERYONE loves barça.

This takes me to the Premiership; Liverpool? I don't know, for some reason everytime I think of Liverpool Heysel comes to mind and it kinda turns me off (just to make things clear, I'm not saying Liverpool fans are hooligans or are bad or anything, just that my brain is annoyingly associating Heysel to Liverpool). Chelsea? Don't know enough about Chelsea, but I don't really like the name "Chelsea". (yes I know, stupid excuse ++) Arsenal? MAN that is the BEST name for a club EVER. Also, I love Thierry Henry, Larsson, Lehmann, so they might be a contender. ManU should be entertaining (what with Rooney and C Ronaldo playing together) but I don't know.

Basically, feel free to make suggestions and criticize anything I said. To reiterate; I have no real idea who to support and I need your help to choose a team.

[Britney Diva]

I used to support Rayo Vallecano, you know, just to be interesting. :different:

[morrissey]

Guys I have a problem =P

I need a club to support. Now logically I should go for a Serie A team since I'm of Italian origin. SS Napoli should be my team since my origins are from just outside naples, BUT I don't really have much motivation to support a serie B team. I don't want to support Juve because everyone around here is a "fan" of theirs, and all the crap they pulled during the scandal turns me off.

Same goes for AC Milan (although they have a few players that I really love, i.e. Kaka (unless Real Madrid get their hands on him) GATTUSO, Pirlo, Inzaghi) Fiorentina and Lazio (zzzz).

I suppose I could support Roma, I really seem to enjoy watching them play when I had the chance. I'm still not so sure though.

Outside of Serie A, I don't really see who I could support. Real Madrid annoy the hell out of me. Barcelona are one of the most entertaining teams ever but EVERYONE loves barça.

This takes me to the Premiership; Liverpool? I don't know, for some reason everytime I think of Liverpool Heysel comes to mind and it kinda turns me off (just to make things clear, I'm not saying Liverpool fans are hooligans or are bad or anything, just that my brain is annoyingly associating Heysel to Liverpool). Chelsea? Don't know enough about Chelsea, but I don't really like the name "Chelsea". (yes I know, stupid excuse ++) Arsenal? MAN that is the BEST name for a club EVER. Also, I love Thierry Henry, Larsson, Lehmann, so they might be a contender. ManU should be entertaining (what with Rooney and C Ronaldo playing together) but I don't know.

Basically, feel free to make suggestions and criticize anything I said. To reiterate; I have no real idea who to support and I need your help to choose a team.
I've been a Liverpool fan for life, I'd welcome you to the fold.

[Ganondorf]

Support West Brom, like me :) :p

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Newcastle United Football Club

[badtaste]

Guys I have a problem =P

I need a club to support. Now logically I should go for a Serie A team since I'm of Italian origin. SS Napoli should be my team since my origins are from just outside naples, BUT I don't really have much motivation to support a serie B team. I don't want to support Juve because everyone around here is a "fan" of theirs, and all the crap they pulled during the scandal turns me off.


Here's my theory, when it comes to supporting teams:

Pick a 'popular' team, and an underdog team.

It's hard not to like the big teams, when their teams are full of star players. I'm referring to your Arsenals, your Chelseas and your AC Milans.

However, because you're picking such a good team it makes you no different to a seven year old kid. Therefore, you also pick an underdog team to look respectable.

For me, my 'big' team is ... well, I don't have one. I simply like certain players (Ronaldinho, Zidane, the fancy-pants). As for an underdog team, I have soft spots for PSV and PSG (good in their own leagues, but small on the European stage).

[Ganondorf]

Supporting someone like Lyon or PSV is like 100+ scene points

[Frankie]

I'd advise supporting any team other than the geordies. Or the mackems for that matter.

[ZaaR]

Guys I have a problem =P

I need a club to support. Now logically I should go for a Serie A team since I'm of Italian origin. SS Napoli should be my team since my origins are from just outside naples, BUT I don't really have much motivation to support a serie B team. I don't want to support Juve because everyone around here is a "fan" of theirs, and all the crap they pulled during the scandal turns me off.

Same goes for AC Milan (although they have a few players that I really love, i.e. Kaka (unless Real Madrid get their hands on him) GATTUSO, Pirlo, Inzaghi) Fiorentina and Lazio (zzzz).

I suppose I could support Roma, I really seem to enjoy watching them play when I had the chance. I'm still not so sure though.

Outside of Serie A, I don't really see who I could support. Real Madrid annoy the hell out of me. Barcelona are one of the most entertaining teams ever but EVERYONE loves barça.

This takes me to the Premiership; Liverpool? I don't know, for some reason everytime I think of Liverpool Heysel comes to mind and it kinda turns me off (just to make things clear, I'm not saying Liverpool fans are hooligans or are bad or anything, just that my brain is annoyingly associating Heysel to Liverpool). Chelsea? Don't know enough about Chelsea, but I don't really like the name "Chelsea". (yes I know, stupid excuse ++) Arsenal? MAN that is the BEST name for a club EVER. Also, I love Thierry Henry, Larsson, Lehmann, so they might be a contender. ManU should be entertaining (what with Rooney and C Ronaldo playing together) but I don't know.

Basically, feel free to make suggestions and criticize anything I said. To reiterate; I have no real idea who to support and I need your help to choose a team.

can't go wrong with inter if you're looking for serie A. if you're looking into the spanish league, i support athletico madrid. they're pretty solid.

i've supported juventus for about 5 or 6 years now, and it makes me so angry that they've been relegated. now i've got no team in serie A, although i do kinda like roma and palermo, but i wouldn't say i'm a "supporter".

[Dead Star]

So the Scottish Premier League kicked off today.

Does anybody care?

[sgrevs]

Absolutely not^^

I've been a Liverpool fan for life, I'd welcome you to the fold.

Yes! Good to find some other 'fo' life' supporters around here, not just since we won the Champs League. Did you read bout our loss to Kaiserslautern? Reina played in the middle and nearly scored!

[TakeWarning]

Support Spurs...they're succesful...but not too successful.

--------

Had a 1-on-1 with the Under 17's Australia keeper this morning...didn't get it. I'm crushed. :(

[RandyfromPennywise]

I don't think I'm allowed to like Man U because of :bandwagon:
I think the bandwagon has well and truly moved to South-West London. And please don't start supporting the Scousers, otherwise I will have to at least partially hate you.

--

Aimar's gone to Zaragoza! Unbelievable move really, they are a much smaller club than Valencia.

I need a club to support.I sometimes think it's a bit convoluted (trying to) pick a team for the sake of picking a team. I prefer support which starts with a reason, i.e. your family goes for the team, or that was the first game you ever saw of something like that. But meh, if you pick a team for a reason I guess it's the same. I say go for Parma. That's the team I go for in Serie A. They have had some of the best players ever play for them. Recently they have had:

Buffon, Cannavaro, Thuram, Zola, Mutu, Adriano, Verón, Crespo, Chiesa, Nakata, Bresciano, Grella, Baggio, Di Vaio, Gilardino, Stoichkov, Appiah, Frey and Amoroso.

They have been pretty average lately and they sold arguably their two best players two weeks ago, when Marco Bresciano and Fábio Simplício moved to Palermo. But still, it is Zola's old club and is therefore a great club, Forza Parma!

Supporting someone like Lyon or PSV is like 100+ scene pointsI went to a Lyon game in February and have a Lyon scarf :cool:

[Britney Diva]

Yes! Good to find some other 'fo' life' supporters around here, not just since we won the Champs League. Did you read bout our loss to Kaiserslautern? Reina played in the middle and nearly scored!
Hahahahaha

[morrissey]

Absolutely not^^



Yes! Good to find some other 'fo' life' supporters around here, not just since we won the Champs League. Did you read bout our loss to Kaiserslautern? Reina played in the middle and nearly scored!
Oh my God

edit: ok but seriously who should I support? I'm thinking of some random team like Bolton, they have purple away kits.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Oh my God

edit: ok but seriously who should I support? I'm thinking of some random team like Bolton, they have purple away kits.
Where do you live morrissey? I'm guessing you're looking at acquiring an English team. Well from a neutral standpoint I'd give my vote to Spurs probably (Tottenham Hotspurs). They are a really up-and-coming team with lots of great young talent. They are the most likely team to break in to the top group (of four) in the Prem. Plus they have nice white kits with navy shorts, and their badge is nice. I also personally have a soft spot for Middlesbrough, they have loads of great and exciting players, and their kits are a lovely bright red. They had a very exciting run in Europe last year so many fans would've loved supporting them last season. Real edge-of-your-seat stuff. Both of those two teams are somewhat up-and-coming and exciting teams (Boro smashed the champions Chelsea 3-0 last season). Apart from those two and my team (Chelsea of London), the rest are mostly shyting, cheating, filthy bastards :p No but seriously Liverpool are all of those things, don't go for them :thumb:

And Bolton, well they are performing well but their style of Football is horrible, just hit it long to big defenders on set pieces, always pumping it long, and for heaven's sake they have El-Hadji Diouf in their side (i.e. the scummiest player going around). Aston Villa could also be an ok team to support, but they are performing terribly at the moment. However they have some exciting players like Juan Pablo Angel and Milan Baroš. Or you could support the best club in the world, the famous Chelsea FC. A note on Chelsea, over the last three years they have become one of the most hated teams in the world, so be prepared for massive criticism of your support for them, even moreso if said critics find out you have only just started to support them. But at least you'll be able to celebrate lots of silverware.

[TakeWarning]

Maybe you should support a team that has some American/s playing for it. (I'm presuming you're American). See, I have soft spots for Everton and Blackburn solely becuase there's Australians playing for them.

[badtaste]

Supporting someone like Lyon or PSV is like 100+ scene points

Totally, dude!

To tell everyone the truth, I used to go Manchester City and now they're too lame to support.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Maybe you should support a team that has some American/s playing for it. (I'm presuming you're American). See, I have soft spots for Everton and Blackburn solely becuase there's Australians playing for them.
Actually yeah that's reminded me of Blackburn, I forgot about them, they would be a good team to support. They have Morten Gamst-Pedersen, an exciting player to watch who scores some belters of goals, they have Lucas Neill, the strong Australian defender, and now they have Benni McCarthy too. Brett Emerton is another good Aussie lad there as well. So there's another option morrissey. And they used to have a bomb team in 02/03 when they finished sixth with Damien Duff and David Dunn leading the line, supported by David Thimpson and the like. Also morrissey it seems that you're big on the kits and I think that Rovers' kit is nice, it's half blue and half white.

[TakeWarning]

So it's official, morrissey now supports Blackburn.

Good decision morrissey. :)

[RandyfromPennywise]

Good win for the 'Gers todays, away to Motherwell, Dado scoring the winner. Le Guen's going to be good for Rangers, I can feel it. The team today, I only know about half of those names in the starting side :(

[Lord Abortion]

Aimar's gone to Zaragoza! Unbelievable move really, they are a much smaller club than Valencia.

wow...for someone who was worth £40m+ on the market a couple of years back, that's incredible.

Uh...who's Marcos Senna?
he's not at Villereal on FM06 so I'm at a complete loss:(

We're meant to be signing him, and I have no clue who he is, for once

[RandyfromPennywise]

wow...for someone who was worth £40m+ on the market a couple of years back, that's incredible.

Uh...who's Marcos Senna?
he's not at Villereal on FM06 so I'm at a complete loss:(

We're meant to be signing him, and I have no clue who he is, for once
I don't know why he wouldn't be on FM, computer's chugging massively so I'm not going to go and have a look. He's from Villareal, played in the World Cup too, holding midfielder, maybe you're not signing Carrick now, or maybe you're getting an entirely new central midfield...?? Where did you read that by the way?

And yeah the Aimar move is really quite staggering.

[Lord Abortion]

Well, the Carrick deal is done, and he's a United player on Monday, provided personal terms and such are agreed.
But Carrick isn't a combative midfielder, really, he's a passer rather than a tackler, BBC sport will have had a story on Senna, but I have had it off teletext these past couple of days.
Original price estimate was £10m, but the papers today say £4m.

Did he not just sign for them?
I played two seasons at Villereal, and I never saw him.

[morrissey]

Thanks for those awesome writeups RFP, good for teaching a newcomer. I'm from Canada, they're aren't any Canadian footballers as far as I know, outside of Owen Hargreaves, who doesn't even count.

I was kidding about the kit colours, I honestly couldn't care what colour/style a team has (though you have to admit Sheffield United's are downright gaudy).

Based on your descriptions and such I think I will go with Tottenham. Good but not top 4, that's what I'm looking for. At least they have something to work for.

Now I await people to tell me Tottenham are lousy scum and I should support someone else.

[Frankie]

Support the smoggies (aka middlesbrough) !!!!.

[Dead Star]

Good win for the 'Gers todays, away to Motherwell, Dado scoring the winner. Le Guen's going to be good for Rangers, I can feel it. The team today, I only know about half of those names in the starting side :(

It was a fluke :p

Motherwell for life

[Minus The Flair]

Support the smoggies (aka middlesbrough) !!!!.

smoogies? hahaha. thats gota be one of the worst nicknames

smoogies ftw

[Angry Balled Fists!]

yeah you could support 'boro or you could not support one of the most boring teams around.

[munky_magik]

It was a fluke :p

Motherwell for life
'Cause we all know that Motherwell are the better team :p

[Dead Star]

'Cause we all know that Motherwell are the better team :p

Clearly.

We've just been...um.... plagued with injury for the past couple of seasons.

[Minus The Flair]

yeah you could support 'boro or you could not support one of the most boring teams around.

yeh, support Aston Villa. The most exciting team in the Premiership

[Lord Abortion]

yeah you could support 'boro or you could not support one of the most boring teams around.
Yeah...but you would say that, wouldn't you?

[Jimi Haze]

Chelski ftw.

*hides*

[RandyfromPennywise]

Thanks for those awesome writeups RFP, good for teaching a newcomer. I'm from Canada, they're aren't any Canadian footballers as far as I know, outside of Owen Hargreaves, who doesn't even count.

I was kidding about the kit colours, I honestly couldn't care what colour/style a team has (though you have to admit Sheffield United's are downright gaudy).

Based on your descriptions and such I think I will go with Tottenham. Good but not top 4, that's what I'm looking for. At least they have something to work for.

Now I await people to tell me Tottenham are lousy scum and I should support someone else.
Ha quite lucky you are, Paul Stalteri from Spurs is Canadian, the right back! Nah Spurs is a good choice... they haven't beaten Chelsea in the league since 1990 or so, it's up past 30 games now, we call White Hart Lane (Spurs' home ground) Three Point Lane :lol: Radzinski also plays for Fulham, he's one of the better-known Canadians in England.

Haha Lord I like it when you say "I played at Villareal for two seasons" :lol:

[sgrevs]

Livepool downed 3-2 by Kaiserslautern! Looking bloody great again are we this year? Already trying new options with ****ing Reina in midfield. Seriously now, just pick it up a bit!

[TakeWarning]

Good choice Morrissey, that makes about 5 or 6 Spurs supporters around these parts.

[Minus The Flair]

Thats ridiculous. We sell one of the best strikers in the world for 10mil and Carrick, whos not really fully proven comes to us for 18.6 mil! Way too much. I mean Carrick' good, but is he that good?

http://msnsport.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=406649&CPID=8&clid=6&lid=2&title=Tottenham+reveal+Carrick+fee

[TakeWarning]

He's not really worth 18.6 million, no.

Link doesn't work btw.

EDIT: Nope, it does work, you've just gotta remove the %20%20 between "tot" and "tenham".

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Hahaha, yeah Aston Villa are one of the other more boring teams.

Shearer turned down an offer to join Englands coaching staff.

[Lord Abortion]

Haha Lord I like it when you say "I played at Villareal for two seasons"
Hehe, I was a pacy enough left winger in my day.

I think the Carrick deal is "Up to " 18.6m. that means the base fee is nearer £12m, but could rise to that amount.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Hehe, I was a pacy enough left winger in my day.

I think the Carrick deal is "Up to " 18.6m. that means the base fee is nearer £12m, but could rise to that amount.
Yes it's a shiytload of money, but look at Franky Lamps. Everyone agreed that the Chelsea Football Club paid too much for him at £11 million. Now he's one of the best players in the world. Maybe the same will happen with Michael Carrick.

Hope not though.

[Lord Abortion]

Seriously, though, noone at United will care how much he cost if he turns out to be the next big thing at the club...we have the money to pay for him, and he's a very good player, so I hope he'll justify the fee

[Lord Abortion]

Okay, United style update, since no-one wants to bloody post in here :mad:

Carrick will be given Keano's #16 shirt, and is now a United player-Press conference tomorrow.

Patrick Vieira says he would be willing to join United if they came in for him, but he certainly won't be playing for Juve whatever happens.
I'm mixed on this, as although he's undoubtably a great player that will boost the team no end...he's an Arsenal legend, and it makes you a little uncomfortable to have someone who you've shouted "Wanker, wanker!" at the TV and ...I was going to say games, but I've never been to United-Arsenal, obviously since I haven't any money, cup games are the only thing I can get to, and that's about once in a blue moon, they're usually sold out by the time I make plans to go anyways.
Anyway, it would be a little wierd to have him come and play for us, was the point I was driving at...

[Frankie]

Yeah I hear that, it would be like Downing going to play for Newcastle. Speaking of him Spurs have offered us 12m for him which we rejected.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

I think Downing is over-rated tbh.

I hope we buy some more quality soon.

[Lord Abortion]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/5236006.stm

Hehehe "Pantsil"

[morrissey]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but do you guys have any "favourite" players who aren't on your team? Like, would you fawn over a guy like Henry, Terry or Gerrard even though they're not on your team? Or are you required to hate every one who doesn't play for you?

[Dead Star]

You can......respect them :p

If they are in a team that isnt a rival to yours then you can like them. I think.

Thats what I'm like anyway.

[Lord Abortion]

Nah, for sensible fans it's not a case of that, it's acceptible to admire a player because of their skills and talent, if their on a side that are local or general rivals to your own, then it's less so, (for example, I can admit Thierry Henry is a good player, but he's an Arsenal player, so their are limits to how much I can admire his skill)

But United don't have any particular issues with, say, West Ham, so I wouldn't have any qualms about supporting them in a game when United aren't involved, as I did in the cup final

[Dead Star]

I meant to say that :upset:

[Lord Abortion]

Don't feel bad, I just rule

[RandyfromPennywise]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but do you guys have any "favourite" players who aren't on your team? Like, would you fawn over a guy like Henry, Terry or Gerrard even though they're not on your team? Or are you required to hate every one who doesn't play for you?
Non pas du tout. I have a heap of players who I like a lot who don't play for Chelsea. I'll list some of them below so as you can skip past the boredom of reading that. I think that as a fan of Football first and foremost, club loyalties are important but are not definitive. And as well, international players will often be among one's favourites, regardless of which team. I'd say most fans have at least a few players they like not from their team, but the more one-eyed the supporter is, the fewer players outside of her team she is likely to like. Also a lot of people who play Football Manager or Championship Manager and other such games will have favourite players from this.

Here are my favourite non-Chelsea players (only going on current players):

Marco Bresciano, Vince Grella (ok basically every Australian player but those two in particular), Tomas Rosický (even though now he's moved to the Arse :upset:), Mancini, Juan Riquelme, Chivu, van der Vaart, Juninho Pernambucano, Ronaldinho, Gudjohnsen + Duff (although they don't really count as non-Chelsea players just yet), Barry Ferguson, Pavel Nedvěd, Adriano, Juan Verón, Milan Baroš, Juan Ángel, Forssell, David Dunn, Phillipe Mexès, Sébastian Frey, Buffon, Aimar, Xavi, Puyol, Queudrue, Hasselbaink, O'Shea, Ronaldo (Brazilian), Källstrom, Shengqing Qu, Alonso, Riise, and although he's retired, King Zizuo, Zinedine Zidane. He's probably one of my top few favourite players of all time. In fact not probably, he is.

Well that's all I could think of off the top of my head so morrissey, as you can see I like a LOT of players not from Chelsea (even though some of those are from other clubs I support in other countries).

[morrissey]

Did you actually type out all of those accents? :lol:

That's pretty cool to see that not all football fans blindly cheer only for club players. And I guess when international tournaments come around you can cheer for any England player (or Aussie, or whatever country you come from).

I've only heard of about half those players but I've never followed any European football at all, most guys I only know from the World Cup and not club football (outside of the Premier League, where I'm starting to know most of the first team names).

I don't have a favourite player yet and if I was to name one it would be based on highlight clips and not on game performance, since I haven't seen a club match in years. But it's hard not to envy Henry (though Arsenal are Tottenham rivals, so I guess I'm supposed to hate him :().

[Lord Abortion]

We mostly know these players from Football Management games.
If there's magazines like World football you cam get your hands on, then that's good, as they don't just focus on the country's divisions, it's a global look.

oh, and apparently, Vieira is going to Inter pretty much for sure.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Yes, I mean I love Thierry Henry even though he doesn't play for the toon.

ROFL @ LIVERPOOL LOSING 2-0!!

[RandyfromPennywise]

Did you actually type out all of those accents? :lol:

That's pretty cool to see that not all football fans blindly cheer only for club players. And I guess when international tournaments come around you can cheer for any England player (or Aussie, or whatever country you come from).

I've only heard of about half those players but I've never followed any European football at all, most guys I only know from the World Cup and not club football (outside of the Premier League, where I'm starting to know most of the first team names).

I don't have a favourite player yet and if I was to name one it would be based on highlight clips and not on game performance, since I haven't seen a club match in years. But it's hard not to envy Henry (though Arsenal are Tottenham rivals, so I guess I'm supposed to hate him :().
Haha, character map is your friend. Yeah a few of those players I love from their awesome displays for my teams on Football/Championship Manager (those being Mexès and Mancini mainly). Basically the longer you support, the more familiar you will become with most of the top players from around the world. I've been following Football for near on ten years now and been crazy about it for about eight, so most names I have heard of. Like Lord and I (and others) know, Football Manager is probably the single best way to get to know players, god it is the most accurate Football database in the world! Meh you can still like Thierry, just not when he's playing for Arsenal :p Nah you can like him of course. And yeah, he is absolutely amazing, and I hate Arsenal. Chelsea didn't beat them for 18 matches straight. (Ah but then we beat them when it counted most :))

I have to say that the coverage of world footie we get down here in oztrayleear is rather satisfactory. We get blanket coverage of Premier League, Primera Liga, Champions League and our own domestic league, the A-League. We also get games of Italian, Dutch and occassionally Scottish football. Really though from September to May Football can eat up so much of one's free time it is ridiculous. Because of the times the games are shown here in Aus it means that 'most every Saturday night I'm up 'til 5am and Sunday 'til 7am, but it's all worth it: the beautiful game, the world game, the greatest game! It truly is an addiction. God, I can't remember the last time I went on the internet without checking either TeamTalk, BBC or SkySports within the first sixty seconds.

[Lord Abortion]

I am honestly jealous.

The TV coverage in England is Abysmal, granted, if I actually wanted to attend a united game, I wouldn't have to pay the vast amount Tommy would in order to see the Chelski, but in terms of TV, if you don't have Sky, which my parents don't, then you're fecked.
5 minutes of the Premiership game on Match of the day, and that's it.

[Britney Diva]

I still think it's funny how Ronaldo because lost like half of his talent within a minute after Rooney's sending off. I wonder if he's got it back yet.

[RandyfromPennywise]

I am honestly jealous.

The TV coverage in England is Abysmal, granted, if I actually wanted to attend a united game, I wouldn't have to pay the vast amount Tommy would in order to see the Chelski, but in terms of TV, if you don't have Sky, which my parents don't, then you're fecked.
5 minutes of the Premiership game on Match of the day, and that's it.
It's really quite a fekked up situation in'it, I mean a country where Football is clearly the #1 sport - the country that invented the game! - and unless you fork out, what, £40 a month, you get basically nothing. When I was staying in London one Saturday back in January it was bollocks, I turned on "sky" and it was blokes sitting there talking about the games! And to be honest the focus on England and solely England is too great in England. The Div 3 results come in before the Spanish league!!!

My bro's just moved to London and he's getting Sky hooked on, he's a huge Rugby fan as well as Footie, he's not earning that much but coming from watching 4 Spanish games a week and up to 6 Prem games, he would die without it!

And by the way, I went to one Chelsea game for only £25!!! (FA Cup v Everton)

EDIT:I still think it's funny how Ronaldo because lost like half of his talent within a minute after Rooney's sending off. I wonder if he's got it back yet.
So he's staying now yeah?

[Britney Diva]

Yeah, United said they won't listen to any offers for him which is kind of weird since he was so eager to get rid of Ruud when he was unhappy. But yeah, poor guy needs his talent back. :(

[Lord Abortion]

I think so.
To lose him would be a crippling blow, now there's no Van Nistlerooy.

I meant with a flight to England, not the actual match ticket:p

Surprisingly enough, United tickets are among the cheapest you can get, Arsenal are the dearest, I think.

[RandyfromPennywise]

I think so.
To lose him would be a crippling blow, now there's no Van Nistlerooy.

I meant with a flight to England, not the actual match ticket:p

Surprisingly enough, United tickets are among the cheapest you can get, Arsenal are the dearest, I think.
Chelsea general-sale tix (which basically don't exist, and if they do it's about thrice a year) are £53. That is ****ing outrageous. And imagine if your currency traded at $2.50 to £1!

To go to the Chelsea v Charlton game all up cost me a ****ing bucket, had to stay in London an extra night and get separate transport to France. All for a 1-1 draw!

Yes the C. Ronaldo situation is an odd one to say the least. Basically nothing's been said about it for a while, and at the end of the day his signature's on a contract with the Devils Red, so that seems to be that. He'll either have a crap season and want out until he finally leaves, or go on and rip **** up massively, having his best ever season with United.

[Steve M.]

I do think BBC should get some of the rights to the premiership, but I wouldn't like to see every single game on TV. Even at the moment I think it's a bit too much. Although attendance in the premiership isn't exactly lagging, I think an excess on TV would spoil actually going to a match.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Oh ****, Billy G has just pissed off José. So now we're down to five defenders + Gérémi. And if Huth leaves, we need to buy some defenders!

[Lord Abortion]

Well, Ashley Cole will be a Chelski man within the week.

[Frankie]

I'm not to fond of the Gooners but Henry is amazing to watch. Same goes for Gerrard and Lampard.

Oh and Billy G can I get an explaination here ?

[RandyfromPennywise]

Well, Ashley Cole will be a Chelski man within the week.
:upset:

The A. Cole (rhymes nicely with A. Hole doesn't it) transfer is the ugly side of my much-loved South-West Londond club. He should not be playing in a blue shirt. BRIDGE IS FINE JOSÉ, why can't he see that??

[Lord Abortion]

I've never really liked him as a player, he's far too short and gets caught out easily by balls over the top, and as we've seen for England, he's very fast, but his tackling isn't up to much.
His heaight deficiency was clearly seen for Sweden's goals in the Group game against England in the WC, he's certainly not tall enough to do well at set-pieces.

[RandyfromPennywise]

I'm not to fond of the Gooners but Henry is amazing to watch. Same goes for Gerrard and Lampard.

Oh and Billy G can I get an explaination here ?
William Gallas, all the Chavski fans call him Billy. Gallas didn't show up for pre-season, something The Special One won't take too kindly to.

Yep, Thierry, Frank and Stevie are the three of the four best players in the Prem, John Terry being the other.

EDIT: Cole is still probably the best left-back in the world though. Who else is as good as him? Zambrotta if he was playing on the left, ok, Lahm had a great WC, but Cole, A. is up there with the very best.

[Lord Abortion]

Ugh, the 606 message boards are awful:(

[Dead Star]

What are the usual gate prices for a game anyway?

I pay £7 to see Motherwell.

[Lord Abortion]

I have paid...£20? for United Cup games.
I haven't been for a couple of years, so I forget.

[Dead Star]

I'm still a juvenile though, so its about £20 for an adult.

[Britney Diva]

Cole is still probably the best left-back in the world though.
I'd have said a clumsy ostrich would be more competent. Like Roberto Carlos, he can be great going forward but he physically can't defend.

[Lord Abortion]

Give me Heinze any day.

Heh, I'm the top poster in here, apart from Nightbreak, who doesn't exist any more.

[Jimi Haze]

Ugh, the 606 message boards are awful:(
It's just english pikeys slaggin eachs other's teams off tbh.

[DonMancini]

Well the first team I have officially decided to support is FC Bordeaux. Girondins power! :cool:

I am now looking at Roma, Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool. I'm also open to others :p

[clown_phobia]

Bayern Munich!

[Dead Star]

Motherwell!

:(

[TakeWarning]

What are the usual gate prices for a game anyway?

I pay £7 to see Motherwell.

I pay even less that that, $12.50 to see Perth Glory play.

Mind you, Perth Glory are boring to watch and the atmosphere is terrible. :smash:

[Frankie]

Well the first team I have officially decided to support is FC Bordeaux. Girondins power! :cool:

I am now looking at Roma, Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool. I'm also open to others :p

Support Newcastle and I have a license to hate you :mad:

I say you should support either Middlesbrough or Celtic. Which as it happens are my two teams

[RandyfromPennywise]

I pay even less that that, $12.50 to see Perth Glory play.

Mind you, Perth Glory are boring to watch and the atmosphere is terrible. :smash:
It's only a tenner to see the glorious Adelaide United. Shengqing Qu, Fernando Rech, new singing Bobby Petta, Ross Aloisi, the boys are back soon!

Lord: My word you do have a lot of posts I just noticed.

Plath: Well I agree Cole is not the bees' knees but really tell me a left-back who is significantly better than him. Please. Hopefully we'll sign him if he exists.

Good choice Don Mancini, Bordeaux, you could have done worse. Although right now they are possibly the most boring-as-bat-**** side in Europe. I went and saw them play last year, they are so overtly defensive it's crazy. It's funny, they have Denílson, on some huge wage for French league, and he starts on the bench! Possibly the most over-rated player of the last ten years. Actually I just looked, looks as though he's left Bordeaux. Man their squad is awful, how they finished 2nd in Ligue 1 is beyond me. But it is l'équipe du roi Zidane. 139 games, 28 goals.

Vieira goes to Inter, £6.5m. Gravesen to leave Madrid.

EDIT: Salle - Celtic :vomit: :vomit: :violent case of diarrhoea:

[Frankie]

I guess your from the Blue side of Glasgow then Randy ?

[Lord Abortion]

I have alot of posts, mainly because my main areas of expertise are metal and football, so this is where I discuss the latter.

[Frankie]

I'm catching you up. Slowly.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Absurd Postcounts 'R' us!

[ZaaR]

EDIT: Cole is still probably the best left-back in the world though. Who else is as good as him? Zambrotta if he was playing on the left, ok, Lahm had a great WC, but Cole, A. is up there with the very best.

what side does stam play on?

[Lord Abortion]

He's a centre back:s

Or possibly can play right sided, but primarily in the centre.

[RandyfromPennywise]

I guess your from the Blue side of Glasgow then Randy ?
Yeah my dad was born in Clyde, I've never been to Scotland but yeah my dad's family were Rangers. My grandfather was an apprentice 'keeper with the Gers back in the 40s. As a kid my dad was a Spurs fan :(

And yeah, Stam plays either RB or CB for AC.

[TakeWarning]

Kudos to your father, Randy.

My History teacher was telling me today he went to a Celtic v Glasgow game where there was a riot, funny stuff.

It's amazing how seriously some people take soccer when alcohol's involved.

[Dead Star]

Try living here.

The amount of bigotry involved is seriously unbelievable.

[morrissey]

So I just got Football Manager, I swear this must be the easiest way to learn the players names. But this game is addictive. :(

[Dead Star]

That game is great.

I play it all the time, its possibly the most addictive game ever.

[E sharp]

Cant wait for the premiership to start. I hope the Hotspur are gonna get into the top 4 this time.

On the other hand, I still like Juventus for the sole reason of Ibrahimovic. I heard he has a new 40million euro price tag now.

[TakeWarning]

So Juan Pablo Sorin has expressed an interest in coming to Spurs. Personally I don't think we need him, especially since we just bought a left winger (Didier Zokora).

Seems like a lot of Villareal's key players are leaving or thinking of leaving.

[Dead Star]

Sorin would be a good buy for Spurs, he was pretty good in the World Cup.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Why is ibrahimovic rated so highly :confused:

[Ganondorf]

Aren't a ton of Inter's supporters right wing racists?

[Ganondorf]

Dan how did you get a big avatar?

[Steve M.]

Liverpool got beat 5-0 :(

im depressed.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

LOL @ Liverpool. They've done so crap pre-season, lets hope it carries on :D

Dhan: I have my connections :cool:

[RandyfromPennywise]

So Juan Pablo Sorin has expressed an interest in coming to Spurs. Personally I don't think we need him, especially since we just bought a left winger (Didier Zokora).

Seems like a lot of Villareal's key players are leaving or thinking of leaving.
Zakora's a defensive mid... :confused: So I just got Football Manager, I swear this must be the easiest way to learn the players names. But this game is addictive. Which one, 2006? That game is tops, but yeah, the older versions, even though much more simple, were so addictive it's ridiculous. I took Halifax to the Champions League in season 2013/14, starting in 2000/1!!! That's a shyte-load of games!

Depending on how much he's available for, I'd definitely want him at Manchester United actually. I really rate him as a left-sided player. But I doubt that we'll even consider a move.Meh he'd be an unnecessary buy for Manure. He's not significantly better than Park, and has less room for improvement. Laugh Out Loud at the friendly last night. What a strike from Pepe though! I don't like the new United kits really, look like Befica.

[pep]

What a strike from Pepe though!

That was an awesome shot.


First post in this thread:p !!

[Kyle the 2nd]

Just watched the Newcastle friendly on tele, was really entertaining. I think we were slightly outclassed by Villareal, but we still have a couple of players to bring in which could make all the difference. It was cool to see Nicky Butt get a couple of goals, he was booed when he came on, but won over the geordie faithful..

In other news, I'm going to my first ever match at St James' Park on the opening day of the season. I live down south so I only ever get to away games, but it will be an experience at a home game I'm sure.

[Frankie]

Yeah you geordies always seem to draw fairly big crowds. So as we draw near the new season who is everyones picks for :
Top 6
Relegation

Mine are:
1. Chelsea
2. Man Utd
3. Arsenal
4. Liverpool
5. Tottenham
6. Middlesbrough

For Relegation
Watford
Reading
Fulham

[Angry Balled Fists!]

ROFL @ MIDDLESBOROUGH IN THE TOP 6 !! :P

the game blowed, bad crosses and bad, wasted passes were on the menu.

[morrissey]

1. Arsenal (it could happen)
2. Chelsea
3. Man Utd
4. Tottenham
5. Liverpool
6. Newscastle

Relegation
18. Portsmouth
19. Reading
20. Watford

[matt_h]

Did this during my holiday:

1. Chelsea
2. Liverpool
3. Arsenal
4. Spurs
5. Man Utd (I did this before Carrick moved)
6. Everton
7. Blackburn
8. Middlesborough
9. West Ham
10. Bolton
11. Man City
12. Newcastle
13. Charlton
14. Reading
15. Aston Villa (Did this pre-ONeill, but I doubt he will get funds anyway)
16. Wigan (Selling Team)
17. Fulham
18. Sheffield Utd (Close with several teams above)
19. Portsmouth
20. Watford

[Kyle the 2nd]

I have Fulham down as relegation certs this season.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Did this during my holiday:

1. Chelsea
2. Liverpool
3. Arsenal
4. Spurs
5. Man Utd (I did this before Carrick moved)
6. Everton
7. Blackburn
8. Middlesborough
9. West Ham
10. Bolton
11. Man City
12. Newcastle
13. Charlton
14. Reading
15. Aston Villa (Did this pre-ONeill, but I doubt he will get funds anyway)
16. Wigan (Selling Team)
17. Fulham
18. Sheffield Utd (Close with several teams above)
19. Portsmouth
20. Watford

WTF ARE YOU HIGH !!!

[TakeWarning]

Why is ibrahimovic rated so highly :confused:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4123259465054964998&q=zlatan+ibrahimovic

Also, he can juggle with chewing gum.

In other (Spurs-related) news, word on the street is that Lucas Neill has refused to resign with Blackburn and is tipped to go to Spurs. :cool:

[Frankie]

Funny I heard he was going to middlesbrough :confused: Bloody specualtion eh ?

[matt_h]

why am i high? what is wrong with my predictions??

[Angry Balled Fists!]

newcastle 12th i mean wtf.

1. Arsenal
2. Chelsea
3. Man United
4. Liverpool
5. Newcastle
6. Tottenham

18. Fulham
19. Watford
20. Sheffield United

I honestly believe that, i would like to say newcastle will get 4th but i doubt it, i would put good money on us getting 5th. 12th is ludicrous.

[matt_h]

well who is gonna score their goals??? you cant get a top five place with only ameoli and luque and no back up. they will draw a lot or lose by a single goal too much me thinks.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Chelsea will be Champions. That is all.

[Frankie]

I dunno randy this season will be pretty close I reckon.

[MattSharpIsCool]

MLS All Stars: 1 Chelsea: 0

[TakeWarning]

As much as I hate to admit it, I think Chelsea will win again this season. :(

[Britney Diva]

I think the first few weeks of the season will tell a lot. I still think Man Utd and Arsenal are the only two teams who could mount a serious challenge to Chelsea, though that's not to say Liverpool or Spurs couldn't make 2nd or 3rd.

[TakeWarning]

I'm not sure about Man U making a title challenge, they seem to have a lot of problems (e.g. Rooney vs Ronaldo) and suffer from inconsistency. I think Liverpool could challenge Chelsea if they have a good season. Spurs...I'm not sure if we'll do as well as we did last season, hopefully our defence will be a bit tighter, but with Carrick gone our midfield will really suffer. As for Arsenal; I really have no clue as to how they'll perform this season...hopefully very poorly.

I just watched Man City v some Japanese team, and my god, they look incredibly rusty, all you Man City fans had better hope they shape up before the start of the season.

For a 7 goal game, it sure was dissapointing to see so many mistakes by both teams, if anyone else watched it they'll know what I mean. Also dissapointing, Stuart Pearce didn't play. :(

[RandyfromPennywise]

I think the Scouse will give us a run for our money. I think that the top four are all quality sides, and Spurs are just about pushing in to that group. Chelsea aren't invincible, and with Joe Cole out injured and Gallas likely to be left out or transfered, not everything is gold at the Bridge. An injury to Wayne Bridge and there's a big problem (provided A. Cole doesn't sign for us), and if Robben or SWP got injured, we'd have to change the system. But meh, Crespo and Essien aren't bad replacements.

1. Chelsea
2. Liverpool
3. Arsenal
4. Man Utd
5. Spurs

I can't see Pompey going down if they bring in more players before the transfer window closes. I don't know enough about the promoted teams to say, but I do think Fulham will struggle this season. And Spurs could certainly nick a Champo spot.

[Britney Diva]

Well yeah, I can see Man Utd and Arsenal each having horrible seasons just as easily as title challenges, but I don't think there's another team in the league with the talent, direction and character to make it. Utd have been inconsistent, but at their best they're better than Chelsea and if they can produce week-in week-out, it'll be a close race. The edge Chelsea have had the last couple of years is the character to carve out a win when they're not playing at the their best, and their ability to consistently beat the weaker sides.

[RandyfromPennywise]

at their best they're better than Chelsea
:smash:

[Britney Diva]

Hello?!? :smash:

[RandyfromPennywise]

Hello?!? :smash:
:lol:

Man U < Chelsea.

:cool:

/story. :thumb:

[TakeWarning]

Man U at their best > Chelsea

YEAH YOU HEARD ME RANDY

[Angry Balled Fists!]

Arsenal at their best > Anyone.

[matt_h]

unfortunately,
chelsea at their best>anyone (except barca)
hopefully chelski will win the euro cup soon and roman will have completed all his goals and sell up, though he may want to have euro domination for a few years

[RandyfromPennywise]

unfortunately,
chelsea at their best>anyone (except barca)
hopefully chelski will win the euro cup soon
Ah finally someone who speaks the truth! :thumb: Chelsea at their best is 4-2 over Barça, or 3-0 over Man United, or 4-1 over Scouse at Anfield, or 5-0 over Newcastle, or 4-0 over Lazio. Man United at their best is 0-0 with Sunderland.

[clown_phobia]

hah mainz beat liverpool 5-0. It's not looking good for last year's european champions.

bayern lost the league cup final... a dissapointing start to the season, but things are sure to look up after the squad gets to full fitness.

[Minus The Flair]

Man U at their best > Chelsea at their best. Just watch

[RandyfromPennywise]

Crespo's gone to Inter, for free. What a disgrace not to even get a few million £s for him. Chelsea have the option of taking him back for the 2007-8 season. There are better chances of seeing Dennis Wise lift the Premiership than Crespo ever playing for Chelsea again. So one of the top strikers in England leaves for nothing. Another great business deal from Chelsea. The season starts very soon and we need to get the squad sorted. Selling Gudjohnsen still looks like a **** sale, and with the injury to Joe Cole we never should have sold Duff. I should oversee the transfers at Chelsea.

[Frankie]

Ah finally someone who speaks the truth! :thumb: Chelsea at their best is 4-2 over Barça, or 3-0 over Man United, or 4-1 over Scouse at Anfield, or 5-0 over Newcastle, or 4-0 over Lazio. Man United at their best is 0-0 with Sunderland.

Middlesbrough 3 - 0 Chelsea.

Remember :thumb:

[matt_h]

chelsea will do fine with the players they have, they have Robben and SWP to backup Cole, Kalou upfront, good vertisility among other players. they dont need to buy any more players.
but they still wont be good enough to win the euro cup...

[loathed]

Chelsea has in excess of players

[TakeWarning]

My sources tell me Tevez will be the likely replacement for Crespo.

But they could be wrong.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Middlesbrough 3 - 0 Chelsea.

Remember :thumb:
Quiet you.

My sources tell me Tevez will be the likely replacement for Crespo.That would surprise me a little bit. I would say Kalou fills that role for the mean time. I think we need to sort out what's happening with out defence. All we have is: Terry, Bridge, Ferreira, Carvalho, Gallas, Huth. Now Huth and Gallas could well be leaving!

[BassInstinct]

liverpool are the best :p. well, in terms of past record, they certainly are. its a shame that almost all of the last 5 or 6 managers we've had have been incompetent.

[RandyfromPennywise]

liverpool are the best :p. well, in terms of past record, they certainly are. its a shame that almost all of the last 5 or 6 managers we've had have been incompetent.
Benítez is more than competent though.

[matt_h]

houllier was great until he bought the seneglese national team, benitez won the euro cup. only evans was crap i think, unless they had another manager between evans and their last title

[RandyfromPennywise]

Nah there was no one in between Evans and Who-Who-Houllier, and it was Souness before that I believe. And yeah Diao what the **** buy was that!??!

[matt_h]

diao, diouf and diarra
all shite

[TakeWarning]

Gerard Houllier ruled.

Benitez is still suitable though.

[Lord Abortion]

Liverpool haven't bought well, really.

Pennant and Bellamy are perennial underachievers.

[Dead Star]

Bellamy was immense at Celtic.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Bellamy was immense at Celtic.
Yes. But...

EPL > SPL.

But still, c'mon you Gers.

[Lord Abortion]

But look at his career, he's only 26 and he's played for God knows how many teams already, what does that say about his personality?

With him and Jemaine Pennitentiary, Liverpool should have a lovely team of thugs

[Dead Star]

But look at his career, he's only 26 and he's played for God knows how many teams already, what does that say about his personality?

With him and Jemaine Pennitentiary, Liverpool should have a lovely team of thugs

:lol:

Jermaine Pennitentiary.

[Lord Abortion]

In other news, since I was away, I missed commenting on this, Wtf has O'Neill done?!

Villa are going nowhere, except possibly the Championship in a couple of years, I can't see why such a great manager would want to take charge of such a poor mid-table side.

[Britney Diva]

Jemaine Pennitentiary
hahahaha

I can't see why such a great manager would want to take charge of such a poor mid-table side.
He likes it.

[Kickflip_Burrito]

In other news, since I was away, I missed commenting on this, Wtf has O'Neill done?!

Villa are going nowhere, except possibly the Championship in a couple of years, I can't see why such a great manager would want to take charge of such a poor mid-table side.
So he can build 'em back up? That or he wants some money....probs not much knowing Ellis. Come to think of it, wtf is he doing working for Doug Ellis?!

[Lord Abortion]

Yeah, Med's probably right with that, I still hold the opinion that he's just warming up before Fergie dies:p

[TakeWarning]

Lots of managers fancy a challenge.

Like Carlos Alberto Perreira, even though he's lead Brazil to win the World Cup, he would still prefer bringing a second-rate national team to a level which most would think unacheivable.

[Britney Diva]

If he just wanted a challenge he'd have taken the Newcastle job, or the Ireland job, or the England job. What he wanted was a job that came with no expectations attached.

[munky_magik]

Man, Hearts lose 2-1 in the dying minutes :(

At least Liverpool aren't winning :)


...Bugger :(

[Lord Abortion]

Apparently Chelsea won't be buying Cole after all, they have broken from talks with the Arseholes

[Dead Star]

Hearts lost?

Wow, I expected ownage.

I'm going to the UEFA cup game between Gretna and Derry City tomorrow :D

[Britney Diva]

Derry City :cool:

[p.s. get ready for a boring game.]

[Dead Star]

Tickets were £5, and the stadium its held in you can see from my house.

I'm getting used to it with Motherwell now anyway.

[Britney Diva]

Are Gretna any good? Derry aren't pretty but they're a good side.

[Dead Star]

Gretna got into the Scottish Cup Final, drew 1-1 with Hearts and lost on penalties.

However they just got promoted into the first division =/

They're good I guess.

[Lord Abortion]

Liverpool won, and Craig Belmarsh scored.

[RandyfromPennywise]

The one thing Chelsea doesn't need is another striker. A couple of defenders, perhaps, but with Schevchenko, Drogba, Kalou, Jon Mikel Obi and other people who can play there, there's no point in them bringing in Tevez.
Mikel John Obi can't play as striker... :confused:

Kalou is really going to play more as a winger for us if/when we play 4-3-3. If we play 4-4-2 it'll be the Drog and Sheva up front, meaning we have only one reserve striker. There is room for one more striker. But I do agree, what we need most is to sort this rift with Gallas out as quickly as possible, decide what Bridge and Huth are doing, and only act depending on what happens with these three players. If, say, all three are staying, there is no desperate need to sign another defender, but perhaps a left-back would be helpful, preferably a young gun with Bridge remaining first-choice. If Gallas/Huth leaves, then we will need another centre-back. Preferably I'd like to sign another defender like Gallas who can play in two or three defensive positions, someone like Heinze, O'Shea or Stam. That way you can have one less player in your squad, and squad rotation doesn't become as much of an issue.

On the Chelsea striker issue: OUT: C. Cole, Gudjohnsen, Crespo. IN: Shevchenko, Kalou. So there is room if we wanted to get another striker. Is Adriano available?

[loathed]

Chelsea should stop buying, more players are going to get frustrated.

[RandyfromPennywise]

If ever the expression "laugh my ****ing arse off" was required, then it is for the Chelsea megastore selling Kežman t-shirts for 99p :lol: You can barely give them away!

[Lord Abortion]

Obi can play up front if he needs to, I thought? Manchester United were linked with Adriano in The Times today, but I got the feeling that it was wishful thinking more than anything else, although I'd be happy with him, even if we can't get Torres.
That'll be your wishful thinking right there.
I would prefer him to Torres actually, he's a better all round forward.
Ibrahimovic goes to Inter for £16m, so much for nobody more leaving Juve after Vieira.
Also Martins has handed in a Transfer request at inter, and Newcastle are interested.
Hah...yah...right.

[Lord Abortion]

Yeah, they could all (bar Adriano) be said to not have fulfilled their great potentials.
Apart from Cruz, who no-one really knows or cares about.

And Adriano is only 24.

[Lord Abortion]

John Terry named England captain.

[Lord Abortion]

Yeah, true, though I wouldn't mind Martins either. He's a great striker, and lightning quick.

Adriano was born on the 17th February 1982 according to his official site :sad:
Making him 24.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Ok, shizen houßen, just got back from a night of drinking and there is well news!

First off, Adriano is the gun. At 24 he is The Beast. Speaking objectively he is the perfect striker to replace van Nistelrooij. Nicknamed The Horse is quite fitting as well. He shits on Torres, by the way. I think Chelsea should buy him :)

Crespo not fulfilling his potential? I'd say he has really, averaging a goal every three games in England, being one of the best strikers in Italy for many years and perfoming very well for Argentina too.

John Terry, John Terry, John Terry... John Terry, John Ter-ry! [sung to the tune of 'Here we go, here we go...'] Ah yes, the best defender in the world is apropriately rewarded with captaincy of his country. JT IS THE MAN!!!

Zlatan goes to Inter. Bloody hell, Inter have bought bloody well in the transfer market this season. Vieira, Zlatan, Crespo, all great additions. They could really do something this season. (But doesn't everyone say that about Inter every year?!)

And the Manure pile have signed Kuszczak as the long-term replacement for Edwin. **** signing, really. Meh maybe I'll be proved wrong but why not go for Buffon or someone of proven class?

[RandyfromPennywise]

And no, Mikel John Obi can't play a striker adeptly, I'm 100% sure of that.

By the way, he goes by Mikel Jon Obi now. On the Chelsea site they say this is the name he wants to be known by. Rather odd considering his real name is John Michael Nchekube Obi, and Mikel is the name that he adopted after mistakenly being called it in 2003. He's a real central-midfielder, not overly attacking or defensive, somewhat like Dennis Wise or Michael Essien I guess.

EDIT: Jon, not John.

EDIT #2: John, not Jon!

[Frankie]

Kuszczak is a good keeper. Saw him play some games for WBA and he was their best player by a long way.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Kuszczak is a good keeper. Saw him play some games for WBA and he was their best player by a long way.
Poor chap, but you can't help but be amused by this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAvo_8z2lys).

[Dead Star]

so um, Gretna 1 - 5 Derry City

SOP will be pleased.

[Britney Diva]

so um, Gretna 1 - 5 Derry City

SOP will be pleased.
:cool:

[Dead Star]

Derry City scored some good goals, I think 4 of them were from outside the box.

And there were so many more Derry fans, it was like a home game to them.

[TakeWarning]

^^Doesn't come as a huge surprise to be honest...

[RandyfromPennywise]

Great, we've purchased West Bromwich Albion's superstar. We'd better carry on playing Van der Sar this season...



Ah, I'd somehow got it into my head that he was a Ballack style of player. In that case Chelsea could do with a new striker, although I'm not sure why Mourinho got rid of Carlton Cole and Gudjohnsen as well as Crespo. He'll probably just buy some hideously good 18 year old or something to use as a supersub.



Eh, I wasn't as disappointed by him as some were, but I always thought that he'd become one of the best out and out strikers in the world. In my opinion he's just below that level at the moment, and I doubt he'll ever quite reach it. He's certainly achieved a lot, but I just think that he could have done a bit more.
Selling Gudjohnsen was stupid. Such an under-rated player, he is really top-drawer. We could have done with him this season. He's a club legend, 78 goals for us, he could have had a lot of game time as the third-choice striker if we play 4-4-2. It just seems stupid to sell him, and now be short a striker, aren't I right?

Yeah, Crespo was never the out-and-out #1 striker in the world or anything like that, but he has banged 'em in wherever he's played. At 31 he's probably got two great seasons left. If he starts alongside Adriano for Inter, that could be one of the best strikeforces in the world.

What is with Manure's penchant for buying players from relegated sides?!?! :confused: Meh I'm not complaining, the more Bellions at Manure the better I say :)

[Dead Star]

Beckham's performances have gotten steadily worse throughout the years. I'm surprised he lasted this long.

[ATM]

So DC United tied Real Madrid 1-1 :cool:

Discuss.

[RandyfromPennywise]

So DC United tied Real Madrid 1-1 :cool:

Discuss.
There isn't really anything to discuss.

What do people think about Celtic playing a friendly two weeks in to their season? (Celtic drew with Chelsea one-all on Tuesday.)

Oh dear. I had to laugh when reading this:

The Football Association will continue to pay Sven-Goran Eriksson in full until next year and the Swede may end up costing another £3.4million.

[Frankie]

FFS does that man have no shame. I was fairly pleased with McClarens choice for the squad, quite a youngish team hes picked.

[Britney Diva]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4782613.stm

Looks like Beckham is about to get the axe. I thought that it might because we're playing a friendly, but everyone's reporting it as McLaren dropping him pretty much permanently, so it sounds like someone on the England staff told the press that. It's kind of a shame for him if his last cap was against Portugal, but it's a very bold move by McLaren distancing himself that thoroughly from Eriksson like that. Hopefully we'll start with Lennon down the right, since we were lacking in pace in attack during the World Cup.
4 years overdue.

[Lord Abortion]

I'm quite pleased with McLaren's squad.
I fully support Wes Brown being recalled, as anyone knows he's one of the best defenders in the Premiership.

Why didn't Fergie go for Buffon or someone of similar quality?

Because his transfer policy is insane?
I have come to that conclusion, it's absolute madness.

Going into this new season without a replacement for Ruud = a deathwish.

[newleaf21]

I'm quite pleased with McLaren's squad.
I fully support Wes Brown being recalled, as anyone knows he's one of the best defenders in the Premiership.



Because his transfer policy is insane?
I have come to that conclusion, it's absolute madness.

Going into this new season without a replacement for Ruud = a deathwish.

i personally think fergusons one of the shrewdest managers when it comes to transfers. he knows when to release players at exactly the right time. look at the history of supposedly dodgy transfer deals; beckham to madrid, sheringham from tottenham, van der saar from fullham. Of course theres been a few **** ones i.e. kleberson, but u cant have it all. saha, rossi, rooney, smith, soljkaer (and probably a couple of other additions b4 the new season) to me thats an excellent attack with a lot of potential and with van nistelrooy out the way rossi and saha will be able to develop. Ruud was a top quality player but if ferguson thinks he should go thats fine by me, if hes upsetting the team spirit he had to go. Also considering that he has to compete with the black hole that is chelski i think united have done pretty well in gettin carrick

[Frankie]

Ferguson's never played Smith up front for Man Utd.

[Britney Diva]

We should've killed to get Gudjohnsen :(

[munky_magik]

We should've killed to get Gudjohnsen :(
You really should've.

[RandyfromPennywise]

I'm quite pleased with McLaren's squad.
I fully support Wes Brown being recalled, as anyone knows he's one of the best defenders in the Premiership.



Because his transfer policy is insane?
I have come to that conclusion, it's absolute madness.

Going into this new season without a replacement for Ruud = a deathwish.
Point 1: Wes is ok but he's not in the top five centre-backs in the league or anything like that. For starters I'd put Carvalho, Gallas, Terry, Rio, Touré, Carragher and King ahead of him.

Point 2: Well I really have to agree, there is no other explanation for Fergie's tranfer madness. My brother has been a huge Manure fan since the early 90s and I've been hearing the dissenting voices for a long time now. I think it's almost to the stage where he really has to go after this season, regardless of what happens. After all the problems you've had with 'keepers since Schmeichel left - and the problem only being resovled by getting one of the best 'keepers of all-time (albeit several years too late) - why would he go for Kuszczak, I mean really? It makes you wonder sometimes.

Predictions for the Charity Shield tonight then?

Me says: Chelsea 2 - Liverpool 0.

EDIT: And yes, any team should kill to have Guddy in their side. Ah man I love that guy, best close-control of just about anyone, and man did he used to be the deadliest finisher or what?! EIDUR GUD-JOHN-SEN! EIDUR GUD-JOHN-SEN!

EDIT #2: Salle, Smith was played up front for Man Utd a little bit back in 2004-5, I remember when he played up front in the Charity Shield and againt Norwich. He scored in both games.

[TakeWarning]

Shaun Wright-Philip's goal against Celtic was amazing, I don't know why he's pretty much ignored at Chelsea.

[RandyfromPennywise]

So 1/2 hour to Comm Shield. Chelsea are pretty much playing Mourinho's first-choice team, Sheva, Ballack both starting, Stevie G on the bench. Tell me, for fek's sake, why Mourinho hates Wayne Bridge so much?!!!!

TakeWarning: Expect to see more of SWP this season with the Duff gone, but yeah. Mourinho prefers Joey Cole and Robben to SWP.

[Cecillianne]

2 - 1 :cool: Liverpool played really really well. I'm really pleased with the new signings.

I didn't really catch what happened during the scuffle at first half. what went on?

[RandyfromPennywise]

2 - 1 :cool: Liverpool played really really well. I'm really pleased with the new signings.

I didn't really catch what happened during the scuffle at first half. what went on?
Nothing at all really, it was handbags at five paces. Sissoko made a tackle and Lampard wasn't happy with it, and about five seconds later he kicked Zenden in the bum. He got a yellow card for his troubles.

So Shevchenko is gonna be the best striker in the Prem this year then.

And quite an unbelievable run from the Riise there wasn't it.

[Cecillianne]

Really great run. I didn't expect him to actually go all the way, but Chelsea seemed to just slack when he tore through the field. If liverpool play like this consistently (as compared to the Haifa game) winning EPL shouldn't be a problem. though people keep telling me I'm wishing too much at that.

I was worried about Shevchenko all throughout the game. I'm glad he didn't get much of the ball, or else there would probably be more goals.

[TakeWarning]

Riise's run wasn't that good, it was poor defensive play by Chelsea, no one even bothered to tackle him.

Schevchenko looked dangerous all game, he'll fit in well in the Premier League.

[Drop The Baby]

Point 1: Wes is ok but he's not in the top five centre-backs in the league or anything like that. For starters I'd put Carvalho, Gallas, Terry, Rio, Touré, Carragher and King ahead of him.


I'd add Dawson and Senderos to that list, and probably a couple of others too. I really do not rate Brown.

My prediction for the match was 1-0 Pool, and also that it would be a very dull game lacking quality. I really did find it a very good game, i really enjoy the Chelsea vs Pool rivalry.

[Frankie]

I think Ballack and Shevcheko both need to adapt their games, they looked a little out of place in part of the game yesterday. Then again Shev looked really dangerous.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Sheva's gonna be truckin' awesome this year. His movement, control and vision are superb. Fantastic ball from Lamps for his goal too.

Riise wasn't closed-down but still it was a good run at pace.

James - yeah I thought about putting Senderos on that list, and Dawson too, I'd say Wes is about the same level as those, although both Philippe and Michael have more room for improvement. Senderos will be bloody awesome in the coming years, you can just see he is gonna be great. How was 'straya?

And no, Scouse won't win the league. And further to that point, **** I hate the 'Pool scum.

[Cecillianne]

perhaps they'll get lucky this year :smoke: they seem like they'll def do better with Bellamy and Gonzalez. nothing spectacular from Aurelio yet... he missed a chance didn't he?

chelsea's fans were a bit weak. not much of a blues crowd was there?

Shevchenko is going to be worth the 30 mill. god, another league title for chelsea would suck though.

[matt_h]

i was pleased with the squad (bar phil neville...) and think that mcclaren is really talking the talk. but actions speak louder than words and that is what he will be judged on.
good to see beckham go, he hasnt been the same since the greece game.
so with joe cole injured, who will play on the left? downing, richardsen or lampard?
i hope richardson, he played well in the usa tour (although it wasnt exactly the highest class tour being end of season) and i thought downing lacked the pack to beat high-class defenders at the wc.

and forest win three on the trot, no goals conceded. we only bought one player in the summer (paul smith, a gk) it just goes to show how much of a difference a manager makes.
hopefully we will see the same with england and mcclaren

[Frankie]

Lacked pace I think not, downing isn't as quick as lennon but he does have quite a bitof speed and its sufficent I think. His delivery of crosses is second to none I though he looked threating Downing when he came on in the WC.

[sweboy]

So, what do you guys say about Zlatan Ibrahimovic going to Inter?

[pep]

Good buy. Inter has a solid team for this season. I hope they do well on Champions League.

[matt_h]

downing is fast enough in the prem, but at the wc he struggled to past defenders and didnt get many crosses in. i know that he had only just come on though

[Ganondorf]

They always look solid but never win the league/CL.

[Lord Abortion]

Inter have a great side this time.

Hahahahah...Apparently, Newcastle are looking into reports that Martins could actually be 27, and not 21 :lol:

[matt_h]

Ashton is unlucky with his injury, but I am dissapointed with the line-up:


Robinson
Neville Terry Ferdinand Cole
Gerrard Hargreaves Lampard Downing
Crouch Defoe

He is playing favourites with Downing I think, you have seen what I think about him above. would rather see Lennon or Richardson.

Gerrard apparently plays on the right for Liverpool, or did with Pennant now there, but dont Liverpool play with a different system. McClaren has spoken to Benitez so there must be some agreement with the systems.
But, it depends on whether it works on wednesday or not.

Personally I would like to see this tried:

Robinson
Neville Terry Ferdinand
Lennon Gerrard Hargreaves Lampard Cole
Crouch Defoe

with either Cole, or possible Carragher in for Neville, with Rooney and Owen coming in when fit but it may be too different

[Lord Abortion]

Shame about Ashton, he's a very good player.

West Ham have a pretty great side, to be honest.
Reo-Coker, Ashton,Harewood, Bennayoun.

The first three, I expect to play a role in England's next few years.

[matt_h]

harewood is too hit and miss IMO, he was like that for Forest, and is a bit like that for West Ham

[TakeWarning]

Harewood scored pretty consistently last season though.

Let's hope for the sake of my Fantasy Premier League team he scores consistently this season too. ;)

[matt_h]

yes he does score plenty of goals, but what i really meant was his actual performance, he can be very quiet or score a couple of goals

[Minus The Flair]

Shame about Ashton, he's a very good player.

West Ham have a pretty great side, to be honest.
Reo-Coker, Ashton,Harewood, Bennayoun.

The first three, I expect to play a role in England's next few years.

Bennayouns English?

[Lord Abortion]

No, he's Israeli, that's why I said "The first three"

:)

Ashton's injury is a break, unfortunately for him.

[matt_h]

what do other people think about the team? is it right? what would you try out?

[Lord Abortion]

I think it's basically okay as it is, but if one was to drop Beckham, as McLaren has. Play a fully fit Carrick behind a midfield 3 of Cole, Gerrard and Lampard, with Roon and Owen up front when fit.

[Minus The Flair]

No, he's Israeli, that's why I said "The first three"


my bad

[Frankie]

Downing needs to be given a chance. And I don't think McClaren has ever layed favourites with Downing, as the only reason Downing was given a run in the side was due to injury to other more senior players who McClaren favoured.

[matt_h]

as i said, he didnt play that well coming on as a sub. maybe starting will see him play better... that is what friendlies are for

[Minus The Flair]

As long as Joe Cole is alive and fit Downing is unlikely to break through to the starting squad. Unless Cole moves somewhere else (position wise).

But Cole is better than Downing, obviously. And he's always improving

[Minus The Flair]

And I'm not saying anything bad about the lineup until I see it in action. I think something different, like Gerrard on the right, could be good

[matt_h]

holy ****, theo walcott takes 2.5 minutes to score for the under21's...!!!

[Lord Abortion]

See?
He's far too advanced for that level, Sven should have had him in his world cup squad, he could have made a real difference in Germany.

[matt_h]

he should have come on, lennon was causing so much problems with his pace, and theo is even faster. by the looks of it tonight he isnt bad defending either. sven was such a pussy

[Lord Abortion]

Don't worry folks, it was against Moldova U21.

Nothing major occured.

[Steve M.]

drop fat frank as well! and have lennon on the right and stevie and hargreaves in the middle

[TakeWarning]

Just out of curiousity, does anyone know how fast Theo Walcott can actually do 100 metres in? (Or any other soccer stars)

I was kinda interested in measuring myself against some soccer stars.

[matt_h]

i heard about 11 seconds, he is faster than lennon and henry