Euro 2008 (Official Man City LOL Thread)

[Minus The Flair]

The Richards/Wright-Phillips combination looked amazing, definite promise for the future.

[big80smullet]

Nugent's been piss poor at Pompy this season or have you not been watching the prem.

Besides SWP is starting and Shorey played LB against Germany.

1-0 england sound.

Im back In australia so ive found it difficult to watch games. I can look at stats but anything other than goal highlights is difficult to come by.

[angry armadillo]

The Richards/Wright-Phillips combination looked amazing, definite promise for the future.I was just about to come and say exactly that.


left side didnt really happen, although Joe Cole isnt really a beat a man running down the line kind of guy.

Heskey did a good job for us although it was noticeable he is past his peak.

Gerrard and Barry were a bit anonymous but we were attacking down the flanks so no problem

[rustysurf84]

Any news if Hargraves will pass fitness for the Russia match?

[talk show host]

He won't, both him and Lampard have pulled out of the squad. Looks like it'll be the same line up as the Israel match unless Crouch replaces Heskey (which would be a bit harsh).

[VomitStainedCretin]

England failing to qualify for Euro 2008 would make my year.

[Dead Star]

England failing to qualify for Euro 2008 would make my year.

where are you from

me too

[VomitStainedCretin]

where are you from

me tooCurrently resident in England for 8 years, though my roots are more complex. I've just become anti-patriotic as a result of media hype and bias - tbh, I would do the same for the national team of any country I resided long enough in to be bombarded by local media hype and bias. I like to see everyone suffering and mourning their national team's failures. I'm just purely sadistic tbh. :lol:

Though I do support my local club side, if not fanatically, but that's different.

[The_Passenger]

^ I get fed up of the hype and bias as well.

The fact that there are a large number of people in England who think that when Sven was in charge we had a squad capable of winning World Cups and European Championships is ludicrous (sp?).

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

^ I get fed up of the hype and bias as well.

The fact that there are a large number of people in England who think that when Sven was in charge we had a squad capable of winning World Cups and European Championships is ludicrous (sp?).

What's worse is the amount of people slating sven saying he's a crap manager, when he's had the best England record in a long time, and is doing well at club level.

[Dead Star]

Sven was such an asset to your team.

It was stupid to get rid of him.

[Britney Diva]

I wouldn't say Sven is doing particularly well at Man City. He's spent £40 million yet the club don't look any closer to rectifying their goalscoring problem. He's lucky he inhereted by far the best central defensive pairing in the premiership, otherwise he'd truly be ****ed.

[Iai]

Nah, Sven's a good manager but his tenure as manager had run its course.

What was stupid was replacing him with McClown. And that's coming from a Boro fan.

[Iai]

I wouldn't say Sven is doing particularly well at Man City. He's spent £40 million yet the club don't look any closer to rectifying their goalscoring problem. He's lucky he inhereted by far the best central defensive pairing in the premiership, otherwise he'd truly be ****ed.
That's quite a bold statement about City's defence.

[Dead Star]

Richards and Dunne?

[Britney Diva]

Not really. Any defence that can make Kasper Schmeichel look halfway decent, nevermind lauded for his abilities!, is a very special one indeed.

[ChodaBoy]

Im not sure about the best, but they were certainly one of the best for years. Although, things would have been much better with Distin still around. Schmeichel always looks out of place, as soon as the ball is near him, he becomes uncertain about what to do. Its paid off on quite a few occasions, but as a long-term keeper? No.

[Britney Diva]

I thought the same about Distin, until I realised Richards is an even better player. It's just a pity he'll spend most of his England career out of position.

[ChodaBoy]

Richards can play just as well on the right as he can in a central position. So him, along with Dunne and Distin + one of the new signings could have been a very, very good defense.

[Britney Diva]

Nah, I reckon he's more useful in the centre. Granted, its a tough job to replace him on the right, but I think he'll become an even better player alongside someone with Dunne's experience.

[brensten32]

Anyone have a video of the weekends fulham v tottenham game? just highlights or goals would be sweet. I can't find it anywhere.

i don't know if anyone has answered your question yet but I use footytube.com to watch most of the highlights.

what do you guys use to watch football games? I don't have a cable TV so i have no access to the games except with internet. so im trying to look for some sites where i can stream games for free.

[Frankie]

Nah, Sven's a good manager but his tenure as manager had run its course.

What was stupid was replacing him with McClown. And that's coming from a Boro fan.

Most boro fans hated McClown.

He's one of the worst managers in the game's history.

[coolguydrum]

Go niners

[Dead Star]

Go niners

been a while since this happened

[big80smullet]

i don't know if anyone has answered your question yet but I use footytube.com to watch most of the highlights.

what do you guys use to watch football games? I don't have a cable TV so i have no access to the games except with internet. so im trying to look for some sites where i can stream games for free.

Cheers mate! i did find it later that day. It was on SBS!

[angry armadillo]

Micah Richards is a blatant full back. No question. There is no point in putting someone with his pace, strength and abilities to get up that wing in a centre back role.

[VomitStainedCretin]

Most boro fans hated McClown.

He's one of the worst managers in the game's history.I wouldn't say that but it's strange how he could become England manager considering Boro only had about 1 good season under him(Boro, IMO, naturally tend to have a good season every now and then as they are one of those sides that usually yo-yos between relegation and the UEFA cup places). They seriously missed out with Scolari.

[Frankie]

We had one good season and one half decent. Were we nearly got relegated but also got to the UEFA cup final.

[rik]

We had one good season and one half decent. Were we nearly got relegated but also got to the UEFA cup final.
Was it in the semi final of that UEFA cup in which you had some sort of amazing comeback?

[Frankie]

2 amazing comebacks actually. One in the quarters and one in the semis. Shame McClown wasn't bothered about trying to manage us in the final tho'.

[munky_magik]

Wee :)

[The_Passenger]

Well done England, we were by far the better side (but to be fair Russia had a legit goal disallowed). Particularly impressed by Barry, but Owen took his goals well (and surprisingly so did Ferdinand).

Also the weekend might be interesting. Considering how completely ineffective Chelsea were in the strike department against Aston Villa, and now that Shevchenko has scored for Ukraine against a good side like Italy I wonder if he'll be back in the team.

edit: also well done Scotland, the game probably wasn't too nice on the eye but they got the job done.

[nowhesingsnowhesobs]

Micah Richards is a blatant full back. No question. There is no point in putting someone with his pace, strength and abilities to get up that wing in a centre back role.
yes, I don't understand all the talk about him being an obvious centre back

[Britney Diva]

I guess I'm back to supporting Scotland again. Ugh.

[Dead Star]

:D:D

Best result I can remember for a while.

That is all.

[Minus The Flair]

2nded.

And, I don't know if it's been mentioned, but did anyone hear about the drunk that punched Fergie in the balls? He must of been ****-faced.

[Frankie]

I know i heard about that. He punched him in the face as well reportedly

[rustysurf84]

Oh my, and,

SCOTTTTLANDDDDDD.
Any details on that game? All I heard was that the goal was a beauty.

[munky_magik]

Oh my, and,

SCOTTTTLANDDDDDD.
Any details on that game? All I heard was that the goal was a beauty.
Basically we got humped. We scored, they didn't.

[big80smullet]

someone puched fergie in the bollocks? thats AWESOME

[angry armadillo]

England weren't good enough vs Russia.

yes they got the result but there was a lot of dangerous balls going behind Terry and Ferdinand

A. Cole was as useless as ever, Richards did well

Joe Cole was a bit anonymous and the Russians new how to null the effects of SWP, he cant really beat a man, only out run players, so if the Russian defender sits back a bit SWP doesn't really do much.

Barry will get dropped, he can get the ball but his usual action is 'um here you go gerrard, i dont know what to do, you take it' which in turn holds gerrard back in getting forward, although ironically gerrard was more useful forward against russia than Israel, Hargreaves for Barry, it will work well i think.


Hesky was a good idea but the same with SWP, Hesky has one trick and the Russians eventually learnt how to null it, big teams past group stages are going to play him out the game much quicker, bring back Rooney asap!

Owen was good though when he got the ball, he is finding his form, probably our best player, Gerrard and Richards worth a mention too.




well done scotland though, very nice goal.

[rik]

Lol at Ferdinand's 'trick' before his goal.

[rocknrollstar5]

he's not bad on the ball for a centre half though

[munky_magik]

he's not bad on the ball for a centre half though
Yes, he is.

[rocknrollstar5]

he's better than terry and could easily play in centre of midfield if need be

[big80smullet]

He was good at leeds! now hes crap though

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

He was good at leeds! now hes crap though

I guess the fact United had one of the best defensive records with a Ferdinand Vidic partnership doesn't count, he must be **** to play for one of the best teams in the world in one of the best defences in the world.

Irrefutable logic, I like your thinking.

EDIT: http://www.soccerbase.com/
Look at uniteds home and away record last season.

United conceded 27 goals last season, only Chelsea conceded less. To say any part of the defence is crap is to be completely narrowminded and plain ignorant.



Sure he's made a couple mistakes in his time, name me one player who hasn't. Just 'cos it's Ferdinand people hate him because of how he acts outside of football. Generally real football fans can admit when a player is quality on the pitch.

[big80smullet]

yeah he's basically a twat. He's a good defender i just don't like him as a person. Therefore he is crap! ronaldo is crap as well!

[Minus The Flair]

Looks like United are the new Chelsea. 3 successive 1-0 wins, but at least Liverpool only managed a 0-0 draw with Portsmouth, Reina saving a pen from Kanu.

[badtaste]

Why won't Tevez score?

@ Tevez: Do it for my fantasy team!

[Surtr]

Bah, bit better of a week for my team.

Just the Chelsea game left to go.

[talk show host]

yeah not too bad a week for me either, thank god for fabregas.

and Reading lose again. at least we scored a goal though :(

[Surtr]

I almost feel sorry for Derby, they've got that single lonely point :p

And yeah, Fabregas is pulling my team through too. United are back up there on the table, and Ronaldo's back, at least doing some work.

Now, we've just gotta' get Rooney back and make sure Arsenal and Chelsea stay back where they belong.

Also, Van Der Sar is a ****ing machine.

[Frankie]

Got a right spanking today off West Ham :|

[Surtr]

3 - 0

Not fun for Boro mate :p

[Frankie]

Wish we didn't have the break. Boro were on fire before hand.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Robbed. See how when we don't have Lampard, we don't win? I've been saying this for three or four years, and no one believes me. Without him, we can't score or win.

[rustysurf84]

Well, you certainly did score. That offsides decision was pure garbage.

How about Arsenal? Even though Adebayor and Diaby both squandered great chances in the 1st, Fabregas' goal and Adebayor's second were sensational, particurally the latter. I feel somewhat sorry for Jol, with Bent and Berbatov squandering easy chances. I'd imagine he'll be out of a job by next week

[RandyfromPennywise]

Adebayor is a piece of mank ****. Someone like Henry would bag double the goals Adebayor gets. He's clumsy and sh*t. No idea why any decent club would want him. Fabregas, on the other hand, is going to be that midfielder who people talk about in 15 years' time like they talk about Vieira and Keane in their hay days now.

And yeah, we should have gone 1-0 up, but who knows how the game would've turned out then. Well, we probably would've won. Fabregas' goal, one of the best he would have ever scored I reckon. I love goals like that. They're the type of goals I try to score. (But never do.) Adebayor's 2nd was class, similar (but not quite as good) to Drog's against Pool Scum last year.

[rustysurf84]

Yeah, Adebayor usually is suspect, so I agree with you there. He did get two today, so I have to give credit where it is due.

Van Persie was non-existent today though. I didn't see the starting 11's and I thought he was a substitute until I finally heard his name in the 35th minute or so.

Samba's injury did not look good at all.

[Britney Diva]

Well, you certainly did score. That offsides decision was pure garbage.

How about Arsenal? Even though Adebayor and Diaby both squandered great chances in the 1st, Fabregas' goal and Adebayor's second were sensational, particurally the latter. I feel somewhat sorry for Jol, with Bent and Berbatov squandering easy chances. I'd imagine he'll be out of a job by next week
I'd feel sorry for Jol if he didn't insist upon spending huge money on crap players and then blaming them when they play badly.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Why you would want Jenas in your first team is beyond me. Jenas and Dyer. Two sh*ttest, most over-rated, over-payed, over-payed-for players in England.

Not including Ashley Cole in this.

[Frankie]

Agreed randy my dead friend.

Dyer makes a mockery of the word 'pro'.

[rik]

Adebayor's second goal was ****ing good. That Sagna guy's hair really pisses me off.

[big80smullet]

Fulham throw away a win again. Arsenals goals were pretty spectacular! Tottenham are gonna get raped all season. Jol is gonna get fired. I dont really feel sorry for him though cause he had all the money in the world he just spent it on crap players!

[Frankie]

Come on back upto 7th.

Only 30 points separating from the leaders as well.

I've made some adjustments to me team hopefully I should pick up the points.

[talk show host]

78 points (provisional) and into 5th, woo. 'twas a good week afterall.

[Surtr]

Ahh, mine was far from that good.

I only pulled away with 40, which is sadly a HUGE improvement upon my previous weeks. :(

[Cecillianne]

Heskey's injureeeed. man, England has got the suckiest luck.

had a pretty decent weekend with 65.

[Dead Star]

41, but Martins (captain) still to play tonight. Hopefully he fires a couple in against Derby.

[RandyfromPennywise]

I'm guessing the fantasy thread merged in to this one! Had a bad week, but I'll be back.

[Britney Diva]

My God, I was just watching Women's World Cup highlights. The ball is light as a balloon; I realise women aren't as physically strong as men and need a somewhat lighter ball, but it seems like the players are as clueless as to where the ball will go next as anyone else.

[RandyfromPennywise]

The standard's pretty good to be honest. I just can't get in to it, for the life of me, except when Sweden are playing. But yeah the skill-level has impressed me.

[VomitStainedCretin]

The own goal Argentina scored against England was hilarious, though not helped by the keeper's general uselessness.

[rustysurf84]

The keepers in general are useless; did anyone else see Ghana's keeper? It was pretty concerning, and scary of how bad she was.

[VomitStainedCretin]

Nwcastle seriously slipped up tonight.

[rik]

We did, though we should've been given a penalty about 10 seconds before they scored their goal, something which would obviously have changed the match completely.

We were shocking though, Rozenahl gave the ball away sooo many times and also should've scored. But apart from that we really didn't have any clear chances. I can't think of one of our players that played well tonight, **** performance.

[Cecillianne]

jesus, Liverpool v Porto is playing the shittiest football i've seen this season.

[The_Passenger]

How the hell did Chelsea not win?

Essien needs to be told to stop shooting from long range. Just because you score a good long range effort against Arsenal doesn't mean you should blast in long range shots when there are better options available. In fact the main problem seemed to be getting shots on target.

At least Chelsea can take positives that Malouda and Shevchenko (yeah i was surprised too) played well.

Haven't seen the Liverpool game but it sounds like it was awful.

[Iai]

I'm really glad Shevchenko scored. At the end of the day, he's a quality player, he worked hard last season to adjust to a new league/team/style of play, and Mourinho's treated him like ****. To lump him in with Ballack is unfair, even if Mourinho wanted neither - Ballack spent half his time walking around looking impatient in his first season. Sheva deserves better. I mean, behind Kalou in the pecking order?!

It's not like he's Adriano or anything.

[rustysurf84]

Good god what happened to Celtic.

[big80smullet]

Celtic are a b grade team anyway. Im not surprised.

[The_Passenger]

I'm really glad Shevchenko scored. At the end of the day, he's a quality player, he worked hard last season to adjust to a new league/team/style of play, and Mourinho's treated him like ****. To lump him in with Ballack is unfair, even if Mourinho wanted neither - Ballack spent half his time walking around looking impatient in his first season. Sheva deserves better. I mean, behind Kalou in the pecking order?!

It's not like he's Adriano or anything.

Yeah I am glad he scored. It was sad to see such a great player struggle for large portions of last season. I still fear for him as such because Mourinho still doesn't seem particularly happy with him even though he and Malouda were really Chelsea's only bright sparks.

The Celtic score doesn't really surprise me, they aren't that great a team.

[rustysurf84]

Eh, I'd would've thought they might have done a bit better, but they're nothing special.

Chelsea is just a mess.

[VomitStainedCretin]

Shakhtar aren't an awful side and they were at home. Losing 5-0 in Bratislava to Artmedia in the 3rd Qualifying Round a couple of seasons back was far more embarassing.

[munky_magik]

I'll reserve judgement on Celtic until they've had a home game.

Great result for Rangers. Shame Stuttgart are the only team they're likely to pick up points from :|

[Britney Diva]

Celtic are useless away from home, AC Milan last season being the glaring exception.

[Minus The Flair]

Another 1-0 win for United, that's four on the go. A win's a win though, Ronaldo scoring against former club. 3-0 for Arsenal. So they're good again?

[talk show host]

I don't get how Fabregas has gone from not being able to score at all last season to being a goal machine this season.

I watched the first half of the United game and they were looking sloppy. Why didn't Saha start? They always look rubbish when Giggs plays as a support striker.

[brensten32]

surprised inter lost. from seeing the highlights, inter had no chances. Why do i care anyway, i just want Man U to win.

[rustysurf84]

United looked slow, but they got there results. There is something with Arsenal this season, and if Fabregas keeps this up, look out. Inter's loss surprises me, but the goal was a stunner.

Barca really took it to Lyon, despite the last two coming late.

[Cecillianne]

MAUREEN'S BEEN SACKED


:eek:

[talk show host]

crap, didn't expect that!

i'll miss his post match interviews :( Wonder who'll replace him?

[big80smullet]

Wow thats pretty shocking

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7003912.stm

Who's in line to replace him? Klinsman still?

[Cecillianne]

sucks it happens right before the man utd game too.

now the premiership won't have anymore silly analogies, ridiculous post-matches and denial!

[big80smullet]

Or dog smuggling!

[talk show host]

Who's in line to replace him? Klinsman still?

yeah, Klinsmann could be a good bet. He was saying the other day how he only wanted to manage a Champions League club.

Where will Mourinho go? I'd like to see him stay in England but there's really nowhere for him to go. There's always Tottenham I suppose!

[big80smullet]

Well he did say not too long ago that he wanted to stay in london and i he'd manage any club "even crystal palace" in order to stay. So mourinho for the jews is a good bet if jol loses again.

[Cecillianne]

wasn't Klinsmann trying to launch a takeover bid for Tottenham a while back?

[Dinosawesome]

wasn't Klinsmann trying to launch a takeover bid for Tottenham a while back?
Nissy! Where have you been?

[/unnecessary interruption]

[badtaste]

Nissy! Where have you been?

[/unnecessary interruption]

"Football thread - no Naths", hehe.

I wonder if there is any chance of Guus Hiddink going to Chelsea... that would be interesting.

I watched the Barcelona v. Lyon game this morning - my god, I must have orgasmed so many times watching the sexy plays. Then I fell asleep during the Arsenal-Sevilla delayed telecast.

[big80smullet]

He's freindly with abramovich. As in use my personal jet freindly. Its a definite possibility. He's tied up with russia and euro 2008 qualification. I suppose he could just quit though.

[angry armadillo]

I havent decided if Mourinho leaving is good or bad, chelsea will have problems now, but Mourinho was a reeeet character and the prem will miss him so I hope he comes back

Nissy! Where have you been?

[/unnecessary interruption]
nath of all threads this is really not the one for you to be trying to talk to girls on the internet, because the girls in real life just laugh at your lisp when you talk

[badtaste]

He's freindly with abramovich. As in use my personal jet freindly. Its a definite possibility. He's tied up with russia and euro 2008 qualification. I suppose he could just quit though.

Yeah, I read about that. And yeh, I also read about him being tied with Russia. Let's face it - Russia aren't going to win the WC any time soon, so Hiddink should drop them (and return to OZ).

I havent decided if Mourinho leaving is good or bad, chelsea will have problems now, but Mourinho was a reeeet character and the prem will miss him so I hope he comes back

Yeah, he was a character. Characters make life interesting.

[big80smullet]

Hiddink was good for australia. he'll be good at any place he decides to go to. It might be difficult for him at chelsea because he mates with abramovich so he might end up having to buy the players abramovich wants.

[rustysurf84]

Hiddink was good for australia. he'll be good at any place he decides to go to. It might be difficult for him at chelsea because he mates with abramovich so he might end up having to buy the players abramovich wants.

Uh, I think that happens anyways.

This is shocking, but not surprising I guess. Personally, I'll miss Morinho but Chelsea will be even more disorganized now. Shevchenko must love this news however.

[big80smullet]

Yeah he'll be all like "First team place here i come" except in russian.

[rik]

Well shocked about Jose, it'd be great if he stayed in the prem, otherwise i'm going to miss moments like these... http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11979_2741758,00.html

[Minus The Flair]

Wow, unbelievable, bet no-one put odds on Mourinho being the first to leave this season. Shocked me. Premiership will definitely miss him and it sucks its right before the United game. Chelsea won't be the same I reckon. Two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and two League Cups in just over three years? Billionaires are crazy. Carry on.

[badtaste]

Yeah he'll be all like "First team place here i come" except in russian.

Ukrainian dude.

[Iai]

MORINYO FOR INGLUND!!!

I havent decided if Mourinho leaving is good or bad, chelsea will have problems now, but Mourinho was a reeeet character and the prem will miss him so I hope he comes back


nath of all threads this is really not the one for you to be trying to talk to girls on the internet, because the girls in real life just laugh at your lisp when you talk

My girlfriend wants to know what your avatar is. She finds it very cute. :rolleyes:

[angry armadillo]

My girlfriend wants to know what your avatar is. She finds it very cute. :rolleyes:i copied it off someone :( i dont know.



chelsea have released a new aftershave called 'the special one' by you-go boss

[ChodaBoy]

That was a f'in awful joke

[badtaste]

My girlfriend wants to know what your avatar is. She finds it very cute. :rolleyes:

i copied it off someone :( i dont know.

Character from 'Kappa Mikey'... an American anime show.

[big80smullet]

Ukrainian dude.

He speaks russian. As many ukrainians do.

[badtaste]

He speaks russian. As many ukrainians do.

Ok. Can't blame a guy for thinking a Ukrainian speaks Ukrainian.

[The_Passenger]

I was surpirsed by the news about Mourinho when I heard it but actually thinking about it, it doesn't really seem that surprising.

There was that whole feud between him and Ambromovich last season and I think Mourinho has only re-ignited that by criticsing Ambromvich for not giving him enough money over the summer (or undermining an already zero-confidence Sheva, or whatever the hell that omlettes and eggs thing was about).

One thing it's safe to assume is that Chelsea will now build the team around Sheva, which means he'll probably perform better but I'm not so sure what effect that will have on the rest of the team.

[big80smullet]

I hope frank lampards telly gets stolen by fulham fans again!

[Cecillianne]

Abramovich fancies himself knowledgeable in football, i reckon. no manager in their right mind can stand anyone having a hand in their team, especially not Maureen.

Avram Grant has taken over, no doubt he'll be under the heavy heavy influence of Abramovich's suggestions.

[The_Passenger]

I think that's why he's been appointed though, because he'll do what Ambromovich tells him to do, which is to get Chelsea to play entertaining football. Not that I think they'll pull it off, most of the Chelsea team get by on physical attributes like strength and speed and good organistaion as opposed to technique, creativity or 'flair'. Chelsea haven't been that kind of team since Ranieri left, and I can only see a handful of players working better in that kind of system than in the set up Chelsea have now.

[talk show host]

It'll be interesting to see if all the Chelsea players will stay. I can see Drogba and maybe Lampard leaving at the end of the season.

You'd have to be a fool to take the Chelsea job right now if the extent of Abramovich's influence is true (which it quite obviously is). Being pressured to produce stylish football while not having full say over transfer dealings and player selections sounds like a nightmare job.

[Frankie]

So this Avram Grant is the new boss.

And apparently he's just like mourinho in his tactics and style.

[The_Passenger]

If he is like Mourinho in the way he sets his team up then we'll be going through this cycle again fairly soon, unless Grant does start doing what Ambromovich says.

I don't get it, Chelsea played with a bit of style under Ranieri if that's what Ambromovich cared about more than winning trophies then why the hell did he fire Ranieri in the first place?

[badtaste]

I doubt that this new guy will be able to build up a list of interesting quotations like his predecessor.

[Iai]

If he wants a team that looks pretty when they play but wins sweet **** all, Abramaovic should buy Arsenal.

[VomitStainedCretin]

If he wants a team that looks pretty when they play but wins sweet **** all, Abramaovic should buy Arsenal.Truth, though Arsenal look better in front of goal this season.

[Britney Diva]

So this Avram Grant is the new boss.

And apparently he's just like mourinho in his tactics and style.
His Israel team was pretty awful to watch, even though they have plenty of exciting players.

It seems like Grant was brought in with Mourinho leaving in mind. I think Abrahmovic has lost any favour he had left with Chelsea fans.

[Minus The Flair]

Chelsea explain reasons for Mourinho's leaving. 'A breakdown in realtionship' and 'a string of bad performances and results is the jist of it'. The results bit is a bit harsh on Jose I thought, considering his win average is probably mahoosive.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_2743071,00.html

[ChodaBoy]

Maybe Abramovich just had a problem with the way Jose styled his hair a few weeks ago

http://www.manunitedpies.tv/mourinho.jpg

[rustysurf84]

Truth, though Arsenal look better in front of goal this season.

Indeed they do.

Hah, Abromovich is out of his mind, just like all of these other people looking for takeovers. The Russian going after Arsenal seems to be a bit off of his rocker too, and Dein doesn't even need to be mentioned.

[Ganondorf]

lol Abrhamovic sounds like a knob, buying payers his managers don't want and then blaming them when things don't go right.

[big80smullet]

The guy is so rich he can do what he want. He just bought chelsea as a hobby.

[VomitStainedCretin]

The guy is so rich he can do what he want. He just bought chelsea as a hobby.And to bury some of his filthy oil money so Putin would think twice about Khodorkhovskiing him.

[big80smullet]

Yea that too. He pretty much owns CSKA Moscow as well. If i had that much money i'd buy a club that wasn't scum.

[Pastorius]

I'd buy Yeovil Town and build it up into a megaclub.

[Iai]

Start a football team in Chipping Sodbury, just so Chris Kamara would have to say it week in, week out.

[Britney Diva]

I love it when Chris Kamara gets so excited he doesn't notice the gobs of spit running down his chin.

[Iai]

Yeah, that totally gives me the horn.

[Britney Diva]

Yeah why do you think he gets so excited?

[VomitStainedCretin]

I'd takeover Torquay since they're the club my brother plays as on his FIFA season currently(chosen as they had been relegated to the Conference).

[Kickflip_Burrito]

Apparently, Drogba is gonna quit Chelsea now that Mourinho is gone. I can see Lampard making that move to Spain too, either Barca or R.Madrid.

[rustysurf84]

I guess that last post got deleted

[g°®†]

apparently.


So .... soccer....


"yay"

[rustysurf84]

Premiership Picks this weekend?

[talk show host]

Reading will beat Wigan, Mark Lawrenson said so! I don't think he's ever predicted a Reading win before!

[badtaste]

Premiership Picks this weekend?

Arsenal V Derby
Liverpool V Birmingham
Middlesbrough V Sunderland
Reading V Wigan
Fulham V Man. City
Newcastle V West Ham
Aston Villa V Everton
Blackburn V Portsmouth
Bolton V Tottenham
Man. United V Chelsea

[rik]

I'd takeover Torquay since they're the club my brother plays as on his FIFA season currently(chosen as they had been relegated to the Conference).
So would I in an attempt to impress Helen Chamberlain.

[Britney Diva]

Birmingham are a poor side.

[Surtr]

Arsenal V Derby
Liverpool V Birmingham
Middlesbrough V Sunderland
Reading V Wigan
Fulham V Man. City
Newcastle V West Ham
Aston Villa V Everton
Blackburn V Portsmouth
Bolton V Tottenham
Man. United V Chelsea

I'd say this weeks match is going to United for sure, Chelsea may be a bit shaken up due to Mourinho's gone.

[big80smullet]

Arsenal V Derby
Liverpool V Birmingham
Middlesbrough V Sunderland
Reading V Wigan
Fulham V Man. City
Newcastle V West Ham
Aston Villa V Everton
Blackburn V Portsmouth
Bolton V Tottenham
Man. United V Chelsea


Im pretty biased cause i hate alot of teams. I think fulham will finally show what they're capable of this weekend.

[Surtr]

Arsenal V Derby
Liverpool V Birmingham
Middlesbrough V Sunderland
Reading V Wigan
Fulham V Man. City
Newcastle V West Ham
Aston Villa V Everton
Blackburn V Portsmouth
Bolton V Tottenham
Man. United V Chelsea


Im pretty biased cause i hate alot of teams. I think fulham will finally show what they're capable of this weekend.

It'd be nice to see Fulham pull through, I've always somewhat liked 'em, but they've never really done much. They've got a nice kit this year though. :p

[big80smullet]

Yeah i never really supported any team cause i liked to remain neutral but last year i moved in with a jew a gooner, a chelsea supporter and a west ham supporter. They got on me to support a team. They had an idea to let the cards decide, and i got blackburn but theyre gay so i figured i might as well round out london. I always had a soft spot for fulham before and i always played as them on fifa as well. lol

[talk show host]

argh don't throw this game away! :mad:

[Surtr]

Oh my god, who ever has Adebayor may run away with it this week.

I'm contemplating picking him up for next week, Torres is only been a sub so far for the match..And my other Forward is balls.

[big80smullet]

argh don't throw this game away! :mad:

They need some points desperately! im glad kitson scored though. He drank in my pub when i worked in reading. Hes a quality bloke.

[Surtr]

Hmm..I say Wigan take it :p Sorry guys but Reading don't seem to be doing to well this season in my opinion.

There, Torre's is in, good, now do some damage man.

[talk show host]

They need some points desperately! im glad kitson scored though. He drank in my pub when i worked in reading. Hes a quality bloke.

you worked in Reading? what pub?

Hmm..I say Wigan take it Sorry guys but Reading don't seem to be doing to well this season in my opinion.

I have complete faith it'll all be ok in the end

edit: you've got to feel a bit sorry for derby really

I love you Harper

[Frankie]

Fuking lucky mackem bastards

[ThrashMaster27]

As good as Arsenal are doing this season, I don't think they have the team to go the whole way this season. Good win against Derby, but then again, who hasn't beat Derby this season? they're the Swindon Town of the 2007 - 2008 season.

Good luck to Spurs tomorrow... I'm not badmouthing the Gooners cause I'm a Spurs fan, I honestly think they don't have the team to win it. Rely too much on Fabregas.

[Timm]

http://www.rueckgrat.cc/

:lol:

[Surtr]

As good as Arsenal are doing this season, I don't think they have the team to go the whole way this season. Good win against Derby, but then again, who hasn't beat Derby this season? they're the Swindon Town of the 2007 - 2008 season.

Good luck to Spurs tomorrow... I'm not badmouthing the Gooners cause I'm a Spurs fan, I honestly think they don't have the team to win it. Rely too much on Fabregas.
I don't see Arsenal taking it, though they had a killer game today, but you're right, they don't have the stuff to make it.

And Derby are a piece of cake to beat these days.

[Frankie]

I think arsenal might do well. Don't write 'em. No-one thought Man Utd would do it last season so.

[Surtr]

Hahaha I knew they would. :p

Then again I'm a United supporter through it all.

[rustysurf84]

Heh, Arsenal with another beatdown. Oh for how wasteful Adebayor is, he certainly cleaned up today.

I would love to see Tottenham lose to Bolton tomorrow, but I can't believe that will happen.

[Pastorius]

Can't believe Liverpool drew to Birmingham.

I like how Benitez rotates the squad, but it gets my goat when he takes on form players out of the squad. It's like he underestimates certain teams.

[Britney Diva]

It seems like he has a mechanical impulse to rotate. Rotation is fine but sometimes it's good to leave the same team out for 3 or 4 games, injuries permitting, if only to keep the bench on its toes.

[Pastorius]

I was unhappy with the way Pennant played today as well. Like you said, rotation is all well and good but a premiership winning side needs to build momentum.

[Britney Diva]

I read the other day that Pennant gave Ashley Cole's name when he was arrested for drunk driving? I mean, Cole probably deserves a spell in prison, but what a dickhead!

If I was a Liverpool fan I'd be worried that they've put in two really sorry looking performances in a row. In neither games did the team show any ambition to do anything other than nick a goal through a bit of individual class. But I'm not a Liverpool fan, I support United and we've got more problems than you do.

[Pastorius]

Meh, I'm of the opinion that you're going to flatten Chelsea tomorrow. With Jose gone, they'll be a team divided. Watch if they score a goal, see if they all celebrate together. I wouldn't be surprised if half of them don't celebrate much.

I am worried that we're failing to beat teams that we should be beating. I'd like to see what Babel can do on the right wing maybe, I know he doesn't play there but it would be interesting, and would allow Riise to play left midfield.

[Britney Diva]

I have no idea what to expect tomorrow. It's no secret that backroom tension in recent months at Chelsea have either fed on to the team or have provided them with an excuse for poor performances, but the one thing Jose ensured from day one was that the team was full of grafters. If they don't crumble tomorrow, they may put in a massive performance, and at the moment I don't think Utd are capable of anything above themselves.

Babel has looked like a really tasty player every time I've seen him but everyone I've spoken to (i.e. Liverpool fans) seems to think he's junk. He took his goal against Derby with some real class.

[Surtr]

I completely agree.

Tomorrow could either be United's chance to start playing good and Crush a Mourinho less Chelsea squad..Or it could be Chelsea gathering together in a low time and taking out United.

[talk show host]

Yeah, i'm not really sure why lots of people are saying United are going to destroy Chelsea tomorrow - they've looked toothless all season so far and I don't see that everything's going to suddenly click into place tomorrow even if Chelsea are sub-par. I reckon it'll be the norm, probably a single goal either way or a draw.

[Surtr]

All I know it's really a crucial game, because the momentum that can come from it for either team is huge.

If either team gathers together, unites and trashes the other team, then it can totally change around a season.

[Britney Diva]

United playing a 1-0? You don't say!

[big80smullet]

you worked in Reading? what pub?




The Griffin In Caversham

GUtted about fulham scrapin a draw. When are we gonna win a game!

EDIT: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=483356&in_page_id=1771&ICO=SPORT&ICL=TOPART
Hiddink at chelsea would be awesome!

[talk show host]

The Griffin In Caversham

Ah ok, never went that far out.

GUtted about fulham scrapin a draw. When are we gonna win a game!

it looked like an entertaining game at least :p I still think Fulham look pretty decent this year.

EDIT: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=483356&in_page_id=1771&ICO=SPORT&ICL=TOPART
Hiddink at chelsea would be awesome!

i'd rather he manage England tbh.

[rustysurf84]

Oh Fulham will win for the most entertaining side this year, at least in terms of crazy fixtures.

I have to believe Chelsea will be in shambles, but United haven't looked that much better this year. I'd make it 2-1 United, but with this recent string of results for United, 1-0 is certainly possible as well.

Two cracking goals today in the Boro vs. Sunderland game.

[Britney Diva]

I'd say 3; Leadbitter's was a great finish too.

[big80smullet]

Ah ok, never went that far out.



it looked like an entertaining game at least :p I still think Fulham look pretty decent this year.



i'd rather he manage England tbh.

Caversham's only 10 minutes walk from central reading. its nice out there.

If by entertaining you mean decnt strikers, crap defence than yes they win that award.

Id rather he came back to manage australia.

[Ganondorf]

I transferred Adebayor into my team last week.......:D

[Pastorius]

Babel has looked like a really tasty player every time I've seen him but everyone I've spoken to (i.e. Liverpool fans) seems to think he's junk. He took his goal against Derby with some real class.

He seems best when he's on the left, cutting across the edge of the box and firing off a shot, not many keepers will be able to hold them and Torres, Voronin and Kuyt will always be on the lookout for poacher's goals.

[rik]

I read the other day that Pennant gave Ashley Cole's name when he was arrested for drunk driving? I mean, Cole probably deserves a spell in prison, but what a dickhead!

Hahaha, what a joker.

[Britney Diva]

Poor Chelsea. 1-0 down with ten men and playing horrifically. Sending off was a bit harsh, a yellow would have done, but going by the book it was the right call. This Grant lad looks dodgy, his entire game plan seems to have been based around ten men behind the ball and hitting United on the break. That's how Watford approach United, not Chelsea.

[rik]

Viduka is a beautiful man.

[big80smullet]

Viduka is a beautiful man.

That might be the overstatement of the year. He's a handsome lad no doubt...

[Frankie]

He is today cos he won me 10 points.

[Britney Diva]

:-D

[talk show host]

Heh, typical. I swapped Tevez for Adebayor in my fantasy team this morning and he scores. You just know he's going to go on a scoring streak now while Adebayor goes back to being crap.

[Frankie]

Yeppp.

Bad timing that mate.

I'm going to sell chopra I think. Buy a new striker. But keep the team the same.

[Surtr]

I'm curious as to what to do with Torres. He wasn't put in until later in the match, and so he didn't have much time to do anything. But in the more important games he's put in for a full match and can do some damage.

Also I guess Arteta is doubtful with a knee injury or whatever I just read, so I'll have to switch him out.

[rik]

That might be the overstatement of the year. He's a handsome lad no doubt...

Anyone who scores two goals for Newcastle in a game is beautiful in my eyes, i'd even say the same about Lescott, or Tevez.

[badtaste]

Yeah, go Dukes. I hope he gets a nice goal scoring run going on.

[big80smullet]

I like the duke and he's doing good things but he ain't exactly easy on the eye. Now sophia bush. She soothes my eyeballs.

[Ganondorf]

Rik, Surrey is not in London.

[rik]

The part I live in is in Greater London.

[Ganondorf]

oh cool, I live in Redhill/Reigate, you heard of that place?

[rik]

Urm, i've heard of Reigate, not sure if i've been there or not though.

I live in Kingston Upon Thames, near Richmond, you know it?

[Frankie]

Ahhh crap. Julio 's out for 2 months but Mido and Tuncay only have knocks so :).

[rustysurf84]

Bleh, looks like my transfer for Arca was fruitless.

[rik]

Torres gets a hatrick, three great goals, Benayoun's goal wasn't too shabby either.


We lost 2-0 to Arsenal, though when we were 1-0 down Martins managed to fail to score after rounding the keeper for the second time in a row. Though the one today wasn't as bad as the miss against West Ham, he did manage to hit the target but it was cleared off the line.

[Pastorius]

Come on Torres, he's the ****ing man. How composed was he when he did the keeper.

I love how whenever Torres is in on goal, you expect a goal.

[ChodaBoy]

Sven really didnt want to win this game judging by the squad he put out, he must have been heartbroken when Samaras scored in the last minute.

[Pastorius]

What was the squad? I saw they only won 1-0, Delia Smith will be baking an extra special pie to drown her sorrows tonight.

[ATM]

No more England in the WWC :(

[The_Passenger]

I'm convinced that the WWC is nothing more than an elaborate practical joke so it doesn't bother me too much.

[badtaste]

btw, poor Owen is injured again, "3cm tear in his abductor muscle". Actually, you people probably knew that already, but it wasn't discussed, so yeh.

[rik]

btw, poor Owen is injured again, "3cm tear in his abductor muscle". Actually, you people probably knew that already, but it wasn't discussed, so yeh.

There would've probably been a discussion if Owen was fit, that really would've been some amazing news.

[Frankie]

yeah but thats not going to happen ever again. Owen's knackered.

[ATM]

I'm convinced that the WWC is nothing more than an elaborate practical joke so it doesn't bother me too much.

Explain.

[big80smullet]

Women are crap at football. I just watched a norwegian defender head the ball into her own net. Its not like it was an awkward angle, she actually took the header on the wrong side of her head! My 8 year old brother can head better.

[ATM]

Eh, the quality of play isn't the greatest but I still support my national team.

[Frankie]

I'm better than all of them so I dislike watching it.

[Minus The Flair]

Ha United out of the Carling Cup already. 2-0 down to Coventry and not long to go. Chelsea beating Hull 4-0, Sidwell getting a goal.

[Dead Star]

Motherwell beat Hibs 4-2 :)

[Kickflip_Burrito]

Sven really didnt want to win this game judging by the squad he put out, he must have been heartbroken when Samaras scored in the last minute.

Its funny y'know, wen Man City played Fulham at the weekend, he wud get angry everytime Fulham scored and looked very displeased when it ended a draw...why couldn't he show that enthusiasm and passion when he managed England?! lol.

[big80smullet]

Fulham FTW

[badtaste]

Eh, nothing wrong with women's football. Sure, it isn't entertaining, but in this case, I don't think it's necessarily about being entertaining. As long as the women get a kick (hehe) out of it, then I'm cool with it.

[rustysurf84]

Eh, the pace of the game is just so slow.

[The_Passenger]

Explain.

I think this mostly because the standard of play by some of the teams has been abysmal. I'm thinking Argentina mostly here, but most of the other teams are guilty as well. The shooting and goalkeeping in particular are dreadful.

[badtaste]

I think this mostly because the standard of play by some of the teams has been abysmal. I'm thinking Argentina mostly here, but most of the other teams are guilty as well. The shooting and goalkeeping in particular are dreadful.

Relative to their own standard, or to the men's game?

[Cecillianne]

United played awful vs Cov. what is it with them and lower division clubs :/ granted there were a few second stringers, but there were still loads of familiar faces.

[angry armadillo]

the mancs are saying that the team was a reserve squad and no wonder they lost, but watch this:

Kuszczak came from west brom, same div as covo, should be performing
Bardsley, 1st reserve (Brown 45 should be prem quality for half the game, thats enough!)
Evans, 2nd reserve (Carrick on @ 56, plenty of time to change the game), Pique, played in la liga i believe, should be up to it!
Simpson, 3rd reserve.
Nani, a sporting lisbon player (so european pedigree) should be above covo
Martin 4th reserve (Campbell 45 5th reserve)
O'Shea, not the most quality player man u have but usually does a job for them in the prem.
Eagles, been on the bench for man u all season, played in championship last season and did a good job for the owls
Dong, 6th reserve
Anderson, same comment as nani, 'cept from porto



so really, man u probably only had 4 or 5 reserves on the pitch leaving over half the team with proven quality at higher levels


so har har shocking man u, glad to see you out the cup.

[Britney Diva]

haha I love Sam Allardyce, he's such a prick.

Rafa would be very lucky to be in a job if he hadn’t got to two Champions League finals, because they’ve has some very, very poor finishes in the Premier League.

Kind of like the way Alex Ferguson would be out of a job if he hadn't won the Premiership eight times, right?

[The_Passenger]

Relative to their own standard, or to the men's game?

Even to their own standard. Picking on Argentina again, we have a team in the world cup finals and they lose 11-0 in the opening game?

And even if it may be unfair to compare the women's game to the men's one the standard could still do with improving.

edit: lol, what possesses Allardyce to come out with crap like that? what does he even have against Rafa?

[Britney Diva]

I blame the ball, seriously. I've watched women's football in the Olympics and whatnot and it's always reasonably competitive.

[rustysurf84]

Eh, its just such a slow pace and like someone said, the shooting and goalkeeping is rather abysmal.

Anyone know why Allerdyce seems to dispise Rafa?

[Britney Diva]

Well it's kind of hard to judge a shot when nobody has any idea which way it will swerve next.

[rustysurf84]

Eh, its not even shooting from range. Just simple goalkeeping techniques are ignored completely. Ghana's keeper pretty much ran standing up at a striker on a breakaway.

[big80smullet]

The strangest thing about women soccer i've noticed is, if a striker is running the ball in towrads the goal from the wings, when they're met by a player they'll always try and go around them towards the goal line. They never cut back towards the centre line. Its really strange because 90% of the time if the cut back they'd have a clear shot on goal.

[badtaste]

The strangest thing about women soccer i've noticed is, if a striker is running the ball in towrads the goal from the wings, when they're met by a player they'll always try and go around them towards the goal line. They never cut back towards the centre line. Its really strange because 90% of the time if the cut back they'd have a clear shot on goal.

I guess men and women are wired differently when it comes to football.

[big80smullet]

Yeah women are wired badly

[badtaste]

Yeah women are wired badly

I saw some highlights of the Brazilian women's team... some of their players aren't so bad. Some of them can shoot better than myself.

[rustysurf84]

Eh, Brazil is just an exception. The top 4 teams such as Brazil, the US, Norway, and Germany can all do the basic things; it's just the massive dropoff from the top to just the 16th best. Just not nearly as much parody as there is in the mens game; just on the pure basis of skill. Sure, the Faroe Islands may not compete with anyone, but they at least know how to smack a ball.

[big80smullet]

The faroe islands might be a bit crap but they'd kill the brazillian womens team 8-0.

[Cecillianne]

dammit Schmeichel's not playing :(

[talk show host]

Shorey :(

[ChodaBoy]

Man City :)

They actually play good football now

[badtaste]

Man City :)

They actually play good football now

Spending big will do that to a team.

[ChodaBoy]

Spending big on big name players will do that.

Spending big on mostly unknowns is a skill :p

[talk show host]

wtf is this! 5-2, our defense has gone to ****.

[badtaste]

Spending big on big name players will do that.

Spending big on mostly unknowns is a skill :p

Fair enough. I don't think they're that unknown. It's more that they're under the radar.

wtf is this! 5-2, our defense has gone to ****.

BENJANI!

[talk show host]

This is silly, are the goalkeepers even on the pitch?

[badtaste]

Obviously not Reading's.

[talk show host]

Obviously not Reading's.

hey, 3 goals is about as many as Reading have managed all season!

Shorey! :) at least he won't have a negative score in my fantasy team now.

[badtaste]

Ha.

But yeah, what a scoreline.

[Cecillianne]

watching Liverpool play Wigan was like watching a second rate football team. jesus christ they made Wigan look good. our defense went to ****, Torres missed about half a dozen chances and we probably wouldn't have won it if it wasn't for Benayoun. title contenders my arse.

[badtaste]

Fulham appear to have kept Chelsea. Don't you just love it when your investments don't pay off?

[talk show host]

what happened to Terry?

[badtaste]

Injury, maybe? I've no idea.

[Cecillianne]

i heard Shevchenko was being booed by the home side. now that's some weak investment. Stamford Bridge is falling down?

edit: Terry's got a fractured cheekbone i think.