Euro 2008 (Official LOL Chelsea Thread)

[rustysurf84]

To an extent he's got a point, but Arsenal have been hit by injuries pretty badly. They miss Rosicky out on the flank and RVP would've been nice when Adebayor was so hot.

[talk show host]

Yeah, with Eduardo out, RVP only just coming back and Adebayor deciding to turn **** again (coincidentally at about the exact time I put him in my fantasy team), Arsenal haven't got a back up plan. At the moment if Adebayor isn't scoring they're relying on Bendtner which is a pretty bad state of affairs.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Arsenal's problem is a lack of squad depth, in fact I'm sure Wenger has speculated as much recently, rather than lack of a great midfielder. Gilberto is quite capable of fulfilling the Vieira role- God knows he's twice the player Vieira is now- but Wenger clearly doesn't have a place for him in the team.

[poorquality]

Arsenal's problem is a lack of squad depth, in fact I'm sure Wenger has speculated as much recently, rather than lack of a great midfielder. Gilberto is quite capable of fulfilling the Vieira role- God knows he's twice the player Vieira is now- but Wenger clearly doesn't have a place for him in the team.

I personally think Arsenals problem is psycological. I mean the team they're playing now and the team that was playing so well earlier on isn't that different.

They went and got completely outplayed and destroyed by United 4-0, since then apart from Inter Milan, they've played 5, drawn 4 and lost 1.

It happened when they went 49 games unbeaten and United beat them to stop them getting 50, they fell apart.

I seriously think the rivalry between us effects them a hell of a lot if we beat them. Which is also why I'm more worried going away to Blackburn than I am playing Arsenal at OT again this season.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Well teams will always have dips in performances, it's just that Arsenal don't seem to have many options beyond their first team to compensate for that. I see what you're saying, and it is unusual that nobody seems to have stepped into the breach the way Ronaldo seems to do when Rooney and Tevez aren't performing, but I think a stronger squad is what Wenger needs. Adebayor is clearly out of sorts at the moment and Bendtner honestly doesn't look like he's stepping up to the level van Persie has in the last couple of years. Granted they've been unlucky with injuries, but that's what squad depth is for.

[8ight8all]

Is van Persie back/healthy yet?

[dei]

He came back in the match against Wigan not too long ago but he's not playing well.

[Dave de Sylvia]

He still only at like 60%.

[badtaste]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_2OTpSjiSY

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Great awareness from Pato.

[sgrevs]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OGOPX-GRFY

Hilarious commentating, seriously amazing for each goal.

And this is one of my favourites ever:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R_iYLca2gc

I remember watching it live at like 2am, and I was just floored.

[Iai]

Haha, South Americans commentators are awesome. The fact that I kind of understand what he's saying doesn't make it any less stupid.

[mph4ever]

If by the "odd trophy" you mean a Carling Cup, Champions League, and FA Cup in the last 3 seasons, then yeah, I guess so. And the fact that you describe Liverpool as nothings when in actual fact they are one of the most feared teams in Europe (not counting Prem, lol) is a pretty massive understatement.


they are nothings in the pl and thats all that counts presently. arsenal, manu and chelsea have all won it recently and with good teams against them. chelsea won it coz manu and arsenal were rebuilding after significant players finished with them. arsenal are still putting the finishing touches. liverpool are 6 or 7 good players away from having a team that can challenge for a season rather than over two legs. arsenal are probably one or two players and a season away from being excellent. manu and chelsea are fairly complete


Again I disagree. Players like Adebayor and a midfield trio of Fabregas, Flamini and Hleb can destroy any other team in the world, period.

not a proven world class player there yet. the pressure on them is immense. also, the three midfielders are flimsy in stature and would need to bulk up a little. flamini is just hungry for money. i would like to see fabregas do well at euro 2008. presently they haven't got the strength. adebeyor is gifted but i just see too much of kanu in him and that worries considering how he went out of fashion. rvp is a good player but is not consistent. walcott is only a boy. i have yet to see arsenal's midfield destroy anyone of any playing well presently

[Aaron]

I'd like to see some 8-a-side matches. I reckon it'd be interesting on a full size field. Bayern v Arsenal in 8 a side...

[ChodaBoy]

I pray for the day people give up on this non-sense of rejecting video replays in football. Week after week there is nothing but criticism about the refereeing in the premiership, but nothing is ever done about it. I had been watching Birmingham vs City, but gave up due to the shambolic way in which it was handled.

[Dave de Sylvia]

gj Bolton

[mph4ever]

man, bolton just fu'cked up but i don't see arsenal taking too much of an advantage. their games are liverpool - liverpool -liverpool - manu, testing times for the young gooners

i think we will see a serious attempt to introduce more technology to assist the referees. its not really fair since the "controversy" will leave the game and we will end up with an american style game. they need to put more money into training the officials better and improving the code of conduct of the players and their approach to the referess or linesmens.

the likes of sky will love the idea of more technology coz they will fold the lapse of time for situations to be reviewed with advertising. then the game is fu'cked

btw, i hope i die before liverpool win the premiership ;)

[RandyfromPennywise]

Sup footy fans? Last time I asked I didn't come back to check.

Actually quite excited for the match tonight, Chelsea v Boro, haven't been excited like this for a normal game for a long time. Reckon we'll 'av ya Frankie.

[2muchket!]

Ohhhhh a dunno a reckon it might be tight mate ;)

We might grab a 1-1 draw or get beat 2-1 a reckon. Heading off to the pub in a bit towatch anyways.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Jesus, how did Boro not grab a goal or two today? At least you had a go this week instead of sitting deep and inviting them to score more.

United were incredible yesterday, one of the best performances I've seen in years from us. Villa didn't really do anything wrong, and going forward they were dangerous, but they were just outclassed on the day.

[mph4ever]

boro were so unlucky. chelsea didn't look like a team. i am sure they thought lets do enough to get three points prior to their cl game mid week but boro should have got at least a point, if not all three.

beckhams team in america. 4-0 defeat. i guess they gave him his cap to make 100. i don't know if he will play for england again.

Colorado 4-0 Los Angeles

The Colorado Rapids thrashed David Beckham's L.A. Galaxy 4-0 in front of a boisterous crowd at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Denver.
English winger Terry Cooke put the Rapids up 1-0 in the first half off a goalpost deflection to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at halftime. In the second half, Abel Xavier was whistled for a foul in the penalty area and Colorado's new signing Christian Gomez made no mistake from the spot.

In the 67th minute, Colorado forward Omar Cummings put the game out of reach with a nifty goal around Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin. The final goal was scored by Colin Clark in the 80th minute with a smart solo run around two defenders and past the L.A. 'keeper to make it 4-0.

To make matters worse for L.A., defender Abel Xavier was given his second yellow in the 89th minute and tossed from the match. The ejection forces the ex-Portuguese international to sit out a mandatory one-match suspension.



are they regular terms in mls?

[2muchket!]

Gutted about today. Alves rattles the woodwork twice and boro hit it 3 times in total. Downing looked excellent today, really should of drew or maybe nicked all 3 points.

[mph4ever]

i really think that boro just need a little ummph or luck. they really do try and really do have some excellent players

downing needs to beef up a little

[2muchket!]

Boro really should start Johnson and Downing on the wings. O'Neils a good player but a winger he aint.

[Dead Star]

Boro were so unlucky today.

Fantasy football league is looking competitive atm too.

[rik]

What a result today, so happy. Above the Smoggies!


I pray for the day people give up on this non-sense of rejecting video replays in football. Week after week there is nothing but criticism about the refereeing in the premiership, but nothing is ever done about it. I had been watching Birmingham vs City, but gave up due to the shambolic way in which it was handled.

I struggled watching that match on motd as well, ****ing woman commentator...

The penalty Birimingham got given in that game was an absolute joke.

[Dave de Sylvia]

haha, Oh Rob Styles. He loves giving penalties.

[mph4ever]

fernebache to beat chelsea? have a chance looking at the way chelsea played yesterday or did they have the foot off the gas a little.

[Pastorius]

Have that Moyes, Torres Uber Alles

[Iai]

Torres Uber Alles
This made me laugh for some reason.

I got the Boro home strip at the weekend, and now I'm wearing it. To recap - I have fairly long, wavy dark hair, a European-looking facial structure, and a big nose. Seriously I look like a fat Tuncay right now.

[Pastorius]

Ha ha, classic.

Right now I'm wearing a Cardiff City 1999-2000 shirt. Good stuff.

[2muchket!]

This made me laugh for some reason.

I got the Boro home strip at the weekend, and now I'm wearing it. To recap - I have fairly long, wavy dark hair, a European-looking facial structure, and a big nose. Seriously I look like a fat Tuncay right now.

long sleeve white gold away strip ftw

and lol at the resembelance at tuncay.

Good win for united tonight. Barca looked a bit average against Schalke as well

[Dave de Sylvia]

Roma were really poor.

[badtaste]

Mm yeah, Vucinic missed a few good chances which didn't help. Not having Totti around to command their offence also didn't help.

Chmon Park!

[Dave de Sylvia]

Bear in mind that Vucinic made those same chances out of nothing. He's a real handful that guy, caused Rio all sorts of problems in the first half.

[poorquality]

I thought Rio had a great game marshalling the defence. Also Ronaldo continues to prove his doubters wrong, Chelsea being the only team he's faced that he hasn't scored against (Not proved himself against Big Teams psh). what a header, ran from about 40 yards out and threw himself at the ball, could of had 2 more himself too.

[The_Passenger]

I still reckon from what I've seen that Ronaldo doesn't play as well against the big teams as he does usually.

Not that it matters too much if he scores anyway.

I think its a bit harsh to say Roma were really poor, until around the hour mark they'd never been under any real pressure from Man Utd and just prior to that there was a spell where they really should've scored. How Panucci didn't is beyond me. The only reason they didn't cause Man Utd more serious problems is because Mancini and Taddei's delivery was awful.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I'm not sure whether better delivery would have changed anything to be honest. I doubt Vucinic would pose much of an aerial threat against Vidic/O'Shea. Roma's real problem was that they had no creative threat going forward- it was either give the ball to Vucinic's feet 30 yards from goal or else lump the ball in the box in the vain hope he'll get on the end of it.

[sgrevs]

My predictions for tonight:

Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
Fener 0-1 Chelsea

[badtaste]

Oh man, Arsenal vs Liverpool tomorrow morning for me. Gonna be wicked, yes?

[sgrevs]

Gonna be some intense ****. So pumped.

[The_Passenger]

I'm not sure whether better delivery would have changed anything to be honest. I doubt Vucinic would pose much of an aerial threat against Vidic/O'Shea. Roma's real problem was that they had no creative threat going forward- it was either give the ball to Vucinic's feet 30 yards from goal or else lump the ball in the box in the vain hope he'll get on the end of it.

I dunno, I agree it's well within Man Utd's capabilities to deal to with crosses but it wouldn't have hurt if a few of Mancini's actually landed in a danger zone isntead of going out for a goal kick.

I reckon it'll be Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool (Arsenal will be confident after the Bolton game, plus they're a better side than Liverpool anyway in spite of poor recent form) and Fenerbache 0-1 Chelsea.

[Iai]

0-0 in both games, I'm sad to predict.

[Iai]

Next up: Iai predicts the world will end in the year 2000.

[Dave de Sylvia]

You were right about the all 4 teams being awful.

[badtaste]

Massive lol at Bendtner clearing the goal off the line.

[sgrevs]

I hear that.

Liverpool were outplayed but I'll take what we can get. I thought the refereeing was quite excellent.

Must see that Deivid goal for Fener, heard it was a cracker.

[E sharp]

Must see that Deivid goal for Fener, heard it was a cracker.

Oh god, enjoy it.
http://101greatgoals.magnify.net/item/797WBFXSRNXBQNNC

I hope Fener go through just so see those turks go crazy

[FuzzyDuck]

I thought the refereeing was quite excellent.



Except for failing to give a penalty against Kuyt...

But you would say that.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I'm surprised Torres never seems to get called on his diving.

[Iai]

He's still in his grace period. Sad thing is that the top Liverpool players never quite seem to leave their grace periods (ie Gerrard, Carragher for years, Owen until he went to Spain).

[Dave de Sylvia]

Is there seriously any reason for Carragher to be playing full back? I was wondering why Adebayor seemed to be living out on the left until I realised Carragher was playing opposite him. He's the best centre half at the club yet he's been jammed into a position he has no aptitude for.

[rustysurf84]

Pretty horrific defending by Arsenal on Kuyt's goal.

[2muchket!]

Is there seriously any reason for Carragher to be playing full back? I was wondering why Adebayor seemed to be living out on the left until I realised Carragher was playing opposite him. He's the best centre half at the club yet he's been jammed into a position he has no aptitude for.

and yet scousers still have blind faith in rafa

its taken him about nearly 80% of the season to finally settle on a formation and team. I dont rate Skrtel really either

[sgrevs]

Is there seriously any reason for Carragher to be playing full back? I was wondering why Adebayor seemed to be living out on the left until I realised Carragher was playing opposite him. He's the best centre half at the club yet he's been jammed into a position he has no aptitude for.

I have no idea. Carragher and Skrtel in the centre (at least until Agger is back), Arbeloa/Finnan/Aurelio on the wings. Liverpool have never really had awesome full-backs though, that I can think of.

I think Skrtel is alright, if just as a temporary replacement for Agger, who is awesome.

[mph4ever]

fernebache to beat chelsea? have a chance looking at the way chelsea played yesterday or did they have the foot off the gas a little.

saw it coming, chelsea must write the season off. they might win something but they have not entertained even though grant said he would, they are not a team, not at all.

arsenal are finished for the season. liverpool were so well organised. 6/7 defenders, 4/3 attackers, no midfield except in when defending, and loads of hard workers. sad for arsenal and them with such a pivotal role to play in the end with two games left against liverpool and then manu at old trafford. they look more like boys as the season has gone on.

i fear for manu in the champs league. liverpool are sharpening their skills with excellent perfromances against arsenal, next up chelsea probably, so whoever gets them in the final will be meeting a team that is so well disciplined in their method of playing. they play the same way all the time over two legs. i hope arsenal beat them but i don't hold out much hope. barca did not seem great either and schalke is not the type of team you want to prepare for liverpool in a cl final. thats not sayiing that roma do not provide a twist in the tale but that would be a big surprise

[Pastorius]

Skrtel seriously isn't that bad, he's pretty good. Watch him next game, and count how many mistakes he makes, guarantee it will be very small.

But I'm happy with 1-1 at the Emirates, puts us in a good position going to Anfield.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Locked myself out of my house and had to sleep in the car so I missed the Chelsea match live, had to to watch it on replay two hours delayed. I seriously cannot believe how much we dominated Fener in the first half, it was unbelievable. Attack after attack. We really had to capitalise on it, and didn't. Drogba was sh!t. Still think we've got the upper hand though.

[poorquality]

Locked myself out of my house and had to sleep in the car so I missed the Chelsea match live, had to to watch it on replay two hours delayed. I seriously cannot believe how much we dominated Fener in the first half, it was unbelievable. Attack after attack. We really had to capitalise on it, and didn't. Drogba was sh!t. Still think we've got the upper hand though.

I still firmly believe Chelsea will win over the 2 legs, but god, if there ever was a goal that deserved to win a match eh, was brilliant.

[Pastorius]

Oh yeah, I saw that goal. Bloody screamer

[VomitStainedCretin]

Turkish teams are traditionally very strong at home. Fenerbahce have won all their home games so far but away they're not great. May I remind you that Besiktas won in Istanbul against Liverpool only to lose 8-0 away. Therefore, Chelsea I reckon will cruise through on the return leg.

[Iai]

In terms of comparing the two squads, wouldn't an 8-0 victory for Chelsea require Salomon Kalou to get a hat-trick?

Yikes.

[Interstate]

Bloody Kuyt and his antics.

[Pastorius]

some would say he nearly got...

KUYT RED HANDED

[rustysurf84]

Pretty obvious penalty if you ask me

[8ight8all]

Is it just me or is Kuyt already breathing heavily and sweating before the match even starts?

[E 2the OC]

Damn pompey in the final. i thought if anyone west brom could stop them.
it looks like they're going to win it now, i can't see barnsley or cardiff putting up too much of a fight

[talk show host]

I wish this Newcastle game could have been played 2 weeks ago.

[rik]

Another great result today, our attacking trio of Oba, MO and Viduka is working a treat.

[Echleon]

I always wondered why Allerdyce never played with the 3 up front!

433 for Newcastle with Viduka, Owen and Martins upfront was the default formation on FIFA08 and it worked a treat!

I know Viduka has been injured and Martins was at the ACoN though.

[Dead Star]

Lol @ Celtic today.

Rangers have this title now.

And Motherwell should get 3rd no problems :D

[Pastorius]

I'm happy with 1-1 against Arsenal again, especially with the team, who worked pretty well together.

Really decent game from Crouch, if only people played off him more, he's an absolute handful for any defence.

[Dead Star]

Borooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

come on

[2muchket!]

ALVESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !

Come on lads lets nick it 3-2

[Echleon]

Damn, dissapointed with the Draw.

Still, aslong as we can get a draw at Chelsea and win at home to Arsenal everything will be alright

[poorquality]

I officially hate playing boro...they always play well against the top 4.

[Pastorius]

Hands up who was at Wembley today?

:wave:

[2muchket!]

Hahaha well in pasta

stadium good ?

Atmosphere good ?

[Pastorius]

The pitch looked absolutely tiny man, like a subbuteo pitch!

The atmosphere was well good, I was supporting Cardiff (obviously, being from Cardiff, always want the boys to do well), wicked supporters. Pretty much everyone hung about for about 20 minutes afterwards celebrating and singing along to the soundsystem. Well good.

Also, I'd say there was a bigger cheer for Odejayi's miss than there was for Ledley's goal. Weird

[Echleon]

Haha I saw that miss, poor guy. Wembley really is a fantastic place isn't it? I know it's not quite the same, but I saw Metallica there and I was just in awe of the sheer size of the place.

Anyway, I hear Rio might be out for some time. This is turning into such a bitch, our both main CB's are out which is going to cause us problems against Arsenal and Roma.

[Pastorius]

Millenium Stadium is better, I have decided.

United, both centre backs out, could be a tough few weeks for them. How long is Vidic out for?

EDIT: Even though they might leak a few goals, I think they've got the firepower to cancel it out.

[ChodaBoy]

Seems like someone took a glance at the date, thought the 7 looked like a 1, and came up with Ronaldinho + Man City as a prank

[Echleon]

I've never been to the Millenium Stadium, but I hope to go to Cardiff Uni in September, so I should defiently have the chance to go there more often.

Well, Vidic is out for 3 weeks, and unknown for Ferdinand yet. I'm still not certain about Pique since i've never actually seen him play, but Neville should be returning soon.

We do have the firepower but we have been abit wastefull with out chances as of late, and the big games such as Chelsea, Arsenal and Roma we may struggle.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Neville's never going to return.

[Echleon]

Lol probably not...

Though he scored for the reserves the other week ;-)

[Iai]

Don't forget that Silvestre is meant to back soon too. He's not too bad at centre half.

[badtaste]

Seems like someone took a glance at the date, thought the 7 looked like a 1, and came up with Ronaldinho + Man City as a prank

Haha, I thought similarly as well.

Regarding ManU's defensive woes, Pique could fill in as CB.

[sgrevs]

I'm waking up at 4.30 tomorrow morning to watch Liverpool v Arsenal...Liverpool better f*cking win!

[badtaste]

I'm waking up at 4.30 tomorrow morning to watch Liverpool v Arsenal...Liverpool better f*cking win!

Oh god, nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I thought 5:30 was bad, stupid daylight savings :upset:

[sgrevs]

No I'm wrong! Replay is at 7 on sbs! I assume it's the same for you Rog

[badtaste]

No I'm wrong! Replay is at 7 on sbs! I assume it's the same for you Rog

Bah, I'm still waking up for the Chelsea v Fener game then :lol::(

[E sharp]

I'm waking up at 4.30 tomorrow morning to watch Liverpool v Arsenal...Liverpool better f*cking win!

****ing hell same here mate

see you here at half time!

[Dave de Sylvia]

Don't forget that Silvestre is meant to back soon too. He's not too bad at centre half.
I doubt he'll be anything close to full fitness by the time Vidic can return. I think Pique and Brown/O'Shea will have to suffice, I'm afraid.

[Iai]

Depends whether you favour a player with buttloads of experience at 75% fitness, or a talented but green youngster at 100% fitness. Fergie probably will go for the latter, but it's at least reassuring that he has options.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I dunno, I reckon 75% is a bit optimistic. 50% at most.

edit: dunno where I pulled those figures from but they sound official

[Iai]

lol.

Imagine how good Mark Viduka would be if he ever played at anything over 40%!

[Dave de Sylvia]

Didn't he have a 3-week spell at Leeds where he hit like 43%?

[2muchket!]

pft thats nothing when he was nearly out of contract at boro he nearly hit 50% :|

[rik]

I'm going for a Liverpool win tonight, possibly in extra time.

[Echleon]

Remember when Viduka scored 4 against Liverpool?

Massive game for both teams tonight, i'm going for a 2-1 Liverpool win though.

[2muchket!]

1-1 then penalties

then I just dont know

[2muchket!]

Gooners have started well like

[talk show host]

Liverpool have been terrible so far.

[E sharp]

No no, Liverpool were starting to outplay arsenal towards the end of the half. Looks promising

[talk show host]

Yeah, I posted that just before they scored :p

They're looking better now but they need to get the ball to Torres more because they haven't really created anything. Not that Arsenal have been that productive mind.

[E sharp]

HA-HA

Brilliant.

And to top off the morning would be a win by Fener :P

e: its not to be. ah well

[Minus The Flair]

That was the best match I've seen in a long time, amazing finish. Adebayor should of scored before, but Walcott's run was incredible, I wanted them to win after that. Harsh on Arsenal, and I personally don't think that was a penalty, something like that is never going to even knock you off balance.

[talk show host]

Cracking game that.

[Echleon]

Jesus christ!

What a run by Walcott, then... :(

[Echleon]

http://i32.tinypic.com/23wp9h5.gif

:lol:

I'm sorry but I saw this on redcafe, and couldn't resist.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Wow, I didn't think Walcott had it in him. The result was a fair one I thought, though a 2 goal win was flattering to Liverpool and I don't think the penalty should have been. I'm still puzzled as to why Benitez took off Crouch when he did.

[2muchket!]

tbh he had the same impact against Juve when he set up the 2nd goal. As for tonight absolutely amazing run. Its bits like that which make me go :confused: when people say hes not a good player

But it was an excellent game overall. What a strike from Torres as well. I think he took Crouch off due to Babel's pace.

[E sharp]

:lol:

I'm sorry but I saw this on redcafe, and couldn't resist.

i raise you with my Rafa

http://i29.tinypic.com/29xx0k3.gif

So i guess its Chelsea - Liverpool eh.

[FuzzyDuck]

Yeah, Chelsea-Liverpool, the most boring fixture in football :/

But that game tonight was absolutely awesome, renews my faith in football.
lol at magic Benitez.

[Iai]

Best game I've seen in ages.

[Echleon]

i raise you with my Rafa


So i guess its Chelsea - Liverpool eh.

I call you with Jose

http://patycn.no.sapo.pt/mourinho.gif

[Pastorius]

What an absolutely incredible game, best of this season, best in a while.

Cracking goal from Torres, didn't look at the goal once.

[Interstate]

Aaah man can't believe that result. Arsenal's marking was shocking, haven't seen us mark that poorly for a while. Bloody Senderos shouldn't be in the first team with the performance he put in tonight. He was at fault in 2 of the 3 goals Liverpool scored.
Adebayor had an open goal practically as well. :angry:

[Pastorius]

When we were hustling Arsenal off the ball quickly, they were making mistakes, when we gave them any time, they were getting forward and confusing out defenders. It's all about cutting down the time they have to react to the ball with Arsenal.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Senderos has always been a clumsy oaf. Wenger's biggest failing recently has been his failure to invest in a decent back line. Gallas' promotion as a "leader" continues to astound me.

[Interstate]

Senderos has always been a clumsy oaf. Wenger's biggest failing recently has been his failure to invest in a decent back line. Gallas' promotion as a "leader" continues to astound me.

Arsenal really need to start buying experienced players. Wenger has come out with some great youth players on the cheap (Clichy, Toure, Eboue etc.) but he really needs to start buying experienced players soon otherwise we will start to fall behind even further.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Eboue? Really?

[Pastorius]

Clichy is good, pacy as balls and a decent defender too.

[talk show host]

Walcott really deserves to start over Eboue right now. For the rest of the season actually. It's not like Wenger's got anything to lose now anyway so there's no reason not to give him some games.

[Pastorius]

Yeah, I can't see Eboue starting over Walcott now.

[Interstate]

Eboue? Really?

He's a good defender which we bought for cheap although I'd rather have Walcott on the right side of midfield anyday. Walcott needs to start more games to build up his confidence. When he gets on the ball he's as quick as hell, today's game proves he has the skill he just needs more confidence to take on players.

[badtaste]

lol.

Imagine how good Mark Viduka would be if he ever played at anything over 40%!

Didn't he have a 3-week spell at Leeds where he hit like 43%?

pft thats nothing when he was nearly out of contract at boro he nearly hit 50% :|

lol

Remember when Viduka scored 4 against Liverpool?

Yeah, funk you Viduka haters, all I need are my memories (and youtube).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jRjUYAobZ8

Odd games this morning. Bah, I can't even remember what went on in the Chelsea-Fener game... Solid performance from Chelsea, but boring.

Can't believe Arsenal threw that away. Great performance from Walcott to set up the goal, and immediately afterwards, they give a penalty away.

[sgrevs]

What an absolutely incredible game, best of this season, best in a while.

Cracking goal from Torres, didn't look at the goal once.

I'm a happy man.

Hyypia's goal was awesome, such an excellent header.

[mph4ever]

two fairly average teams i thought, liverpool and arsenal. liverpool have a team made of poorly skilled men 'cept one or two, arsenal have a team of highly skilled boys. it was men against boys, that was the deciding factor. liverpool will do chelsea by the same means method, they have a system that destroys the soul of any team, its called working hard constantly for each other. hats off to them. trouble is, it keeps rafa in a job where he has shown that he is not up to the premiership as a coach

good game, odd moment of brilliance from walcott and torres, the rest was mistakes. they are only here because the football in the rest of europe is rebuilding

[Pastorius]

Personally I wouldn't say Liverpool and Arsenal are two fairly average teams, and you'd be hard pressed to find any sane person who agrees with you.

And if you'd been watching any Liverpool games you wouldn't think it was an odd moment of brilliance from Torres.

I dismiss you as a fool!

[The_Passenger]

In regards to the Torres comment I'm pretty sure he meant in the context of the game. In spite of it being a decent game some of the goals were pretty soft, Liverpool certainly didn't score 4 goals by carving Arsenal apart.

As for the 'average teams' comment, well, Liverpool are pretty workman like and once they'd seemingly expended all their energy in the opening 1/2 hour Arsenal only looked like a great footballing side in patches.

I'm not sure that not playing pretty football is justification for calling a team average though, very few teams in Britain get the ball down on the ground and pass it around.

That or I've got the wrong end of the stick in which case I agree with Pastorious.

[Echleon]

Walcott was great, but I think he should be used more as an impact player.

[Dave de Sylvia]

The standard of football wasn't great but it was very entertaining. Kind of like United-Liverpool at Anfield, except not as scrappy and nervous.

[superpeer]

Yeah, I can't see Eboue starting over Walcott now.

Arsenal starting with Englishman. WHO'D'VE THUNK

But yeah, he was good last night. Dribbled past 4 defenders or so. Nice.

[Pastorius]

Aurelio really should have just smashed his legs over before he took off, would have saved the 4 on 1 situation that inevitably ended with a goal.

[badtaste]

Just heard some goss from a friend that Zambrotta is heading to Milan, and Alves to Barca.

[mph4ever]

Personally I wouldn't say Liverpool and Arsenal are two fairly average teams, and you'd be hard pressed to find any sane person who agrees with you.

And if you'd been watching any Liverpool games you wouldn't think it was an odd moment of brilliance from Torres.

I dismiss you as a fool!

i think most sane football fans would agree with me. torres' was a moment of brilliance in a otherwise normal performance. admittedly he has had a good season but if you look at voronin, kuyt and crouch then you must admit he is surrounded by players who are not even premiership striker class. its a poor reflection when the best box to box player in england, gerrard, is being freed up by liverpool playing two defensive players in mascherano and alonso,

liverpool formation, gk, 6 defenders, one creative player, one striker and two wasters.

i get dismissed all time as a fool but i am just trying to help you see the truth. bring babel on a little, add three more players and liverpool are starting to look like a team that might challenge. but that may not be enough since chelsea, manu and arsenal will be adding players also. tough times for scousers in the premier league

In regards to the Torres comment I'm pretty sure he meant in the context of the game. In spite of it being a decent game some of the goals were pretty soft, Liverpool certainly didn't score 4 goals by carving Arsenal apart.

As for the 'average teams' comment, well, Liverpool are pretty workman like and once they'd seemingly expended all their energy in the opening 1/2 hour Arsenal only looked like a great footballing side in patches.

I'm not sure that not playing pretty football is justification for calling a team average though, very few teams in Britain get the ball down on the ground and pass it around.

That or I've got the wrong end of the stick in which case I agree with Pastorious.

you got the right end


The standard of football wasn't great but it was very entertaining. Kind of like United-Liverpool at Anfield, except not as scrappy and nervous.

ditto

[Pastorius]

I agree that it was a moment of brilliance in an otherwise average game from Torres, but the amount of times he's produced top class finishes this season, he only needs that one chance to score.

I also agree that Babel should play more, he's great at running at defenders and putting them under pressure, cracking shot off his right too. Alonso gets forward, he can pick out some quality passes to unleash players.

I think we could do with a couple of wingers and a second striker to play behind Torres. Although Crouch and Torres would work well in the Premiership I think, old Crouchy is an absolute handful for any defence, he just needs people playing off him.

Definitely need a right winger, Pennant doesn't cut it these days, and I can't see him developing into a better player than he already is.

We've got a pretty solid defence, when Agger returns it will be even stronger.

I'm not pretending we're the best team in the world, but to call Liverpool an average team is just stupid. You might want to look up a definition of the word average.

[superpeer]

Average teams don't make it to the semi-finals of the CL.

[mph4ever]

ok, i'm stupid and liverpool are average.

perhaps i should put average in context. average in context of barca a couple of years ago, average in terms of madrid 5 years ago, the standard in the premsiership is fairly average. chelsea are average or below average for the squad they have. liverpool went for a manager who had proven he could do the best possible with limited resources over time. apart from torres, rafa has been liverpools best signing for some time. i hold out hope for babel and the defenders but if they are going to progress they need to surround torres with class and free up gerrard to finally fulfill his potential as the best all round midfielder in england. before he gets too old

thats my perception and as with any perception, unless properly challenged then it is my reality.

[mph4ever]

Average teams don't make it to the semi-finals of the CL.

they do when four english teams, schalke, roma and fernabache are in the final 8 also

[superpeer]

They are one of the biggest teams in the best league in Europe. Buy a dictionary. That is not average. (:


they do when four english teams, schalke, roma and fernabache are in the final 8 also

Those are all top or subtop teams, not average teams. That is the point of the Champions League, the average teams don't compete in it.

[Pastorius]

ok, i'm stupid and liverpool are average.

perhaps i should put average in context. average in context of barca a couple of years ago, average in terms of madrid 5 years ago, the standard in the premsiership is fairly average. chelsea are average or below average for the squad they have. liverpool went for a manager who had proven he could do the best possible with limited resources over time. apart from torres, rafa has been liverpools best signing for some time. i hold out hope for babel and the defenders but if they are going to progress they need to surround torres with class and free up gerrard to finally fulfill his potential as the best all round midfielder in england. before he gets too old

thats my perception and as with any perception, unless properly challenged then it is my reality.

You seem to misunderstand the meaning of average.

Average does not mean "not the best".

Also, average teams do not make the CL final 2 times, and semi-final (possibly more) in 4 years, winning one of them.

[mph4ever]

average have to fight it out with everton most years for 4th place in the premier league, average had to get a special dispensation to get through one year because they had failed to qualify but had won the champions league. thats average, as a matter of fact for the league you seem to think they belong in them they are below average

[Pastorius]

Again, I'm going to direct you to the definition of average.

Average would be 10th place. Not 4th place.

And according to you, average wins the champion's league!

[mph4ever]

ok, we are at mixed purposes here. in terms of the top four in the premier league, compared to the teams we have seen dominate in the past, then they are average. in context of europe then i would say the teams in the last eight of the competition are fairly average when you look at past champions. i suppose football is average presently. you know, when greece win euro2004, turkey come third in the world cup and liverpool win the champions league then football must be average presently

[Pastorius]

Mainly because you don't know what average means!

The best teams from other periods beating the best teams from now still doesn't make the best teams from now average!

Liverpool have a pretty consistent record of doing well in Europe, so I don't know where that's coming from, you're saying Barca were incredible a few years ago, well Liverpool won the CL around then as well.

Internationals don't really count, there are so many things that can affect how an international team plays, sometimes it's just the team with the most determination to win, rather than skill. Euro 2004 was 4 YEARS AGO.

Learn what average means, then come back with a structured argument.

Once again, average does not mean "not the best". It does not mean "not as good as they have once been".

[mph4ever]

Mainly because you don't know what average means!


average=typical; common; ordinary. in this context i believe liverpool to be an ordinary football team.

average=typical; common; ordinary. in this context i believe the standard of football being played presently is ordinary



Liverpool have a pretty consistent record of doing well in Europe, so I don't know where that's coming from, you're saying Barca were incredible a few years ago, well Liverpool won the CL around then as well.

liverpool are good cup team over two legs. nothing special, they play to a system. they met an exhausted arsenal team of young players who just couldn't keep up with the men. beating arsenal at this stage of the season doesn't make anybody a great team


Internationals don't really count, there are so many things that can affect how an international team plays, sometimes it's just the team with the most determination to win, rather than skill. Euro 2004 was 4 YEARS AGO.

strangely enough four years is all you can guage international football on, the last competition was average, as too was the world cup in germany. it was won and lost on a headbutt, thats all.

Learn what average means, then come back with a structured argument.

learn something about football and come back to have a structured conversation could be my response but i would not be so rude


Once again, average does not mean "not the best". It does not mean "not as good as they have once been".

in the context of football that we have seen then the standard on the display is average. average=typical; common; ordinary. for average, in terms of football skill, then see ordinary.

[Iai]

ok, i'm stupid and liverpool are average.

perhaps i should put average in context. average in context of barca a couple of years ago, average in terms of madrid 5 years ago, the standard in the premsiership is fairly average. chelsea are average or below average for the squad they have. liverpool went for a manager who had proven he could do the best possible with limited resources over time. apart from torres, rafa has been liverpools best signing for some time. i hold out hope for babel and the defenders but if they are going to progress they need to surround torres with class and free up gerrard to finally fulfill his potential as the best all round midfielder in england. before he gets too old

thats my perception and as with any perception, unless properly challenged then it is my reality.

average post
average, as too was the world cup in germany. it was won and lost on a headbutt, thats all.
Yes, but what a headbutt!

[Echleon]

Hmm, interesting lineup for us tonight. Good to see Silvestre in the XI, and Neville back with Welbeck on the bench!

Brown-Ferdinand-Pique-Silvestre
Carrick-Hargreaves
Anderson
Park-Tevez-Giggs

[talk show host]

Should easily be enough to get through. I really can't see Roma scoring 3.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I can't see them scoring one. This'll be a comfortable 2 or 3-0 win.

edit: as I say it penalty

edit 2: hahahahaha that was ****ing woeful

[Echleon]

Gazza is back! And he 2nd touch was a foul haha.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Well only one of the 1/4s went the way I wanted, and luckily it was the one my team was in.

Man Utd v Chelsea final for mine. United to win on penalties?

[Dead Star]

Liverpool vs Man Utd final I thinks.

Man Utd winning 2-1

Man Utd vs Barcelona semi gives me a semi though.

[RandyfromPennywise]

It would give me a 3/4s if Barcelona were half the team they were two years ago. They are shyte at the moment. Henry is in the worst form of his life, 'Dinho is injured, Eto'o's struggling. Bojan, on the other hand, was amazing this morning. They need to play GUDJOHNSEN!!! Chelsea legend.

Chelsea have to beat Scouse scum this time, surely.

[mph4ever]

liverpool will beat chelsea, grant won't outsmart rafa

big question is who they will play. will united cope with henry, bojan, messi and eto'o or will barca cope with rooney, tevez, giggs and ronaldo. wouldn't want to earn my living as a defender although puyol being banned for the first game at camp nou could be decisive

[Dead Star]

It would give me a 3/4s if Barcelona were half the team they were two years ago. They are shyte at the moment. Henry is in the worst form of his life, 'Dinho is injured, Eto'o's struggling. Bojan, on the other hand, was amazing this morning. They need to play GUDJOHNSEN!!! Chelsea legend.

Chelsea have to beat Scouse scum this time, surely.

Should still be a cracker of a tie.

[mph4ever]

won't be a patch on the arsenal game

[The_Passenger]

Again, I'm going to direct you to the definition of average.

Average would be 10th place. Not 4th place.

And according to you, average wins the champion's league!

It depends on what you're measuring these teams against.

You're saying that by Prem standards that Liverpool are more than average, which is true. The other guy is saying that compared to some of teams who have won the competiton Liverpool are a fairly average side. I think average is slightly harsh but teams significantly better than the current Liverpool one have won the trophy recently.

Also, a Porto team who were pretty average compared to some of the other teams invoved in the competiton, were pretty average, won the trophy in 2004. Same with the following year, that Liverpool team was a lot more average than the AC Milan team they beat.

So until you agree on some absolute scale of 'averageness' then this arguement is going to be never-ending.

I don't hold much hope for the semi-finals to be honest, Chelsea-Liverpool is normally a pretty mediocre game and although Barcelona-Manchester United should be an exciting prospect Barcelona's form this season makes me think otherwise. I'm also predicting a Chelsea-Man Utd final as well, which brings back bad memories of the FA Cup final.

[rik]

I have a £20 bet on Liverpool beating Chelsea.

Man Utd - Liverpool final for me, with United winning it.

[badtaste]

Pity we can't have a Barca-ManU final.

[2muchket!]

Why barca are woeful lately

I reckon a Chelsea Vs Man Utd final is on the cards

[talk show host]

Can't see past Liverpool - United personally but no idea who would win. Doubt i'd really want to be in Moscow either to find out if that were the case.

[Iai]

A Liverpool - ManYoo final honestly might be the biggest game in the history of English football. Whoever loses will completely lose all bragging rights until the next time they play each other in a Champions League final - it would mean that constant lame argument about which one is the biggest team in English football would be outright settled.

I know enough Man U and Liverpool fans to know I'm only slightly exaggerating here, if at all.

[mph4ever]

i don't think you are exaggerating. no one has dominated like liverpool and manu domestically in the past 35 years. this was the game that promised so much last year 'cept manu couldn't beat a milan side in thier last throes of brilliance. a manu-liverpool final would be unreal. manu have to beat barca which will not be easy. it would be just too twee for chelsea, owned by a russian, to go to moscow and be crowned champions or it could be destiny.

[Iai]

it would be just too twee for chelsea, owned by a russian, to go to moscow and be crowned champions
I was thinking that as well.

[2muchket!]

Aye that is true

Could claim a KGB conspiracy as well !

[Spiney_Norman]

Man U - Liverpool looks the most likely, I think. It's weird how Liverpool do so well in the CL, but aren't that consistent in the league.

[2muchket!]

It's down to rafa. He's not adapted to the style of the premiership and really doesn't seem to care all that much as long as they do well in the CL. Still most scousers want the premiership above all else.

[talk show host]

Liverpool just haven't got a strong enough squad to compete for the league yet. They're comparable to Arsenal really in that outside of their first 11 the players aren't good enough which is why the two have been fighting for 3rd and 4th the last couple of years, behind Chelsea and Man U. I think Benitez would be capable of winning the league if he had a squad like those two.

[angry armadillo]

I'm hoping for a barca liverpool final but i think it will be manure that make it through with liverpool

chelsea will still have an eye on the premier league but they do have the 2nd home leg so it will be tough but i think liverpool can do it

i think the nou camp will decide the other semi, if barca win there then they have a chance, a draw and man u will finish them in old trafford.


it will be interesting


ps the passenger, arguably everyone in the champions league is 'average' the whole point is all the teams in the competition are the best, so of course they are all going to be approximately the same skill levels, making them all approximately average, albeit that average is very high compared to domestic leagues.

[Iai]

holy crap angry armadillo still posts here!

[RandyfromPennywise]

No one's even mentioned the possibility of a Chelsea v Barcelona final. Granted, not as likely as some other scenarios, but that match-up would be another chapter in the brilliant rivalry of Chelsea and Barça.

[g°®†]

football

[2muchket!]

No one's even mentioned the possibility of a Chelsea v Barcelona final. Granted, not as likely as some other scenarios, but that match-up would be another chapter in the brilliant rivalry of Chelsea and Barça.

that is true.

But they'd turn into a bore fest tbh :(

[Iai]

Chelsea - Barca is old meme.

[Timm]

getafe - bayern was fcuking incredible

1-1 after regular time. ribery scored in the 92nd minute.
then overtime, 93rd & 95th minute goals for getafe, then toni scored in the 115th minute and again in the 120th minute

[VomitStainedCretin]

Getafe must be seriously pissed off with themselves letting that slip. Great performance away by Rangers.

[Pastorius]

in the context of football that we have seen then the standard on the display is average. average=typical; common; ordinary. for average, in terms of football skill, then see ordinary.

I do not see where you are coming from at all.

Average as in what? The whole world? These are the best teams in the world whether you like it or not, the very fact that they're in the champion's league makes your argument futile.

And to others, I'm a Liverpool fan and can clearly see that United are a better team than us. They're probably going to win the CL, they'll surely win the Premiership, it's just a phenomenal team.

[mph4ever]

I do not see where you are coming from at all.

Average as in what? The whole world? These are the best teams in the world whether you like it or not, the very fact that they're in the champion's league makes your argument futile.



its semantics, thats all. they are the best teams in the world and i think that is a poor reflection on football presently. for average then see ordinary. i'm flogging a dead horse with is one, forget i ever said it.



And to others, I'm a Liverpool fan and can clearly see that United are a better team than us. They're probably going to win the CL, they'll surely win the Premiership, it's just a phenomenal team.

united are not phenomenal. they are too new to be phenomemal. they have strength in depth that they lacked previously. they and chelsea and barca have the best squads around. liverpool haven't got this, nor do arsenal although i do believe arsenal will be better with rosicky and eduardo back next season. liverpool on their day will beat anyone if they have their starting 11 available and fully fit. lose one or two and they struggle even against poorer teams.

sorry about the confusion, my point was relative to what i consider great entertaining skillful football, yours was relative to the standard of the game right now and how that is measured in the league table or round of the competition

[Ganondorf]

Does anyone else think the reason Liverpool have been doign welll in Europe reently (apart from Rafa's obvious influence) is that they're always out of the title race by the time the knock-out stages come around?

[RandyfromPennywise]

Chelsea - Barca is old meme.
:confused:

[Timm]

highlights of the getafe bayern game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClUDv4OOOTM
2:40 is lolz

[mph4ever]

Does anyone else think the reason Liverpool have been doign welll in Europe reently (apart from Rafa's obvious influence) is that they're always out of the title race by the time the knock-out stages come around?

very good point. but why are they out of the title race?


highlights of the getafe bayern game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClUDv4OOOTM
2:40 is lolz


thats as good as liverpool/arsenal the other night

[RandyfromPennywise]

And Whittaker's goal was fkin quarliteh.

[Pastorius]

its semantics, thats all. they are the best teams in the world and i think that is a poor reflection on football presently. for average then see ordinary. i'm flogging a dead horse with is one, forget i ever said it.




united are not phenomenal. they are too new to be phenomemal. they have strength in depth that they lacked previously. they and chelsea and barca have the best squads around. liverpool haven't got this, nor do arsenal although i do believe arsenal will be better with rosicky and eduardo back next season. liverpool on their day will beat anyone if they have their starting 11 available and fully fit. lose one or two and they struggle even against poorer teams.

sorry about the confusion, my point was relative to what i consider great entertaining skillful football, yours was relative to the standard of the game right now and how that is measured in the league table or round of the competition

Fair game, I can see where the confusion seeped in, I know what you mean in saying that football has been better.

But at the same time, United, whilst being new, are playing some incredible football, it's quick and pinpoint, full of confidence, really pretty to watch.

Liverpool, sadly, don't have the strength in depth that other squads have. Once we have Agger back, we're gonna be reeeeally flexible and strong in defence, but attacking wise, it only takes one injury and we're severely weakened.

[mph4ever]

QUOTE=Pastorius;16218981]Fair game, I can see where the confusion seeped in, I know what you mean in saying that football has been better.

But at the same time, United, whilst being new, are playing some incredible football, it's quick and pinpoint, full of confidence, really pretty to watch.

Liverpool, sadly, don't have the strength in depth that other squads have. Once we have Agger back, we're gonna be reeeeally flexible and strong in defence, but attacking wise, it only takes one injury and we're severely weakened.[/QUOTE]

:chug:

and they don't need that bullsh!t about asking parry to resign at this stage in the season. thats just not fair

[Dead Star]

And Whittaker's goal was fkin quarliteh.

Superb finish for a left back.

[rik]

Haha made me laugh so much what Almunia has said about Lehmann.

"But I don't care about him any more. He can say what he likes. I come into training and I work with Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone. They are better goalkeepers than him anyway."

So glad he said it, Almunia seems like a decent bloke and Lehmann is one of the biggest dicks football has seen.

[Dave de Sylvia]

He really is. Oliver Kahn is still better than him too, despite being about 59 years old.

edit: lel they're the same age. I guess Lehmann has never been the best goalkeeper in Germany

[talk show host]

Lehmann's a prick but I find him hilarious. He's just so angry with the world.

[Minus The Flair]

Lehmann really is such a dick. Looks pretty official now that Ronaldinho is on his way to Milan, who are 5th in Seria A right now, so him and Kaka might not even get any CL football next season.

[Txus]

I'm ****ing pissed with Barcelona since they are playing so poopty right now, they should change the line up, thank god ronaldniho is probably leaving to Milan, which I hope he does, and they should seriously bring mourinho instead of rijkaard.

Barcelona will definitely loose before ManU they way they are playing, as much as I love them, I'm certain of that result. Manchester are playing with balls man, I mean, Cristiano Ronaldo is the BEST player in todays football imo, he is playing top notch, Saha is playing fantastic, Rooney as much as I hate the guy is playing pretty well too. In Barcelona, only Iniesta and Bojan Kirkić are playing with passion and full stamina. But in a deep place in my heart, I have sine faith that barca will win, i hope they really do so :(

My take for the final is: Liverpool Vs. Manchester United

anyhow, I already bought my tickets to go see the match at the nou camp.

[Dave de Sylvia]

um Saha is injured, he has been for about a year and a half

[Txus]

haha, ****, i was thinking of another guy. I was thinking of wes brown, haha.

My bad.

[poorquality]

I can see United getting a 2-0 over Barca at the Nou camp to be honest. Barca will be missing Puyol which is a big blow for them. They haven't been playing well anyway, I honestly can't see them coping with us on our current form.

As far as the Match at Arsenal goes, I think it'll be one of two scenarios:

1 - They're obviously tired, they're coming out on the back of 3 games against Liverpool where they didn't win one, last time they played at OT they were destroyed (and since that game their season has fallen apart), so if we get an early goal, I can see them collapsing and us getting 4 again.

2 - They somehow pick themselves up for this game, I firmly believe they'll be playing for pride as I can't see them coming back and winning the league as that would mean both Man U and Chelsea would need to slip up. But it's a rivalry between the clubs, you play for bragging rights, so if they managed to up their game they may be able to win it.

Obviously I'd prefer option 1, which I think is realistically more possible.

But if Option 2 comes about, well I guess I will have to hold my hands up and give credit to their resolve if they manage pick themselves up for this game.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I've never rated Puyol. Marquez is a far more important player for me. Suspect though their defence is, I don't see United scoring two. A one-nil win or score draw would be a great outcome.

As for Option 1, it's never going to happen. It'll be a tough game. A draw is a good result, a win fantastic.

Ouch, Sunderland were robbed. One very questionable penalty and another shot by Vassell that he completely scuffed and it ended up trickling in. Awful game though.

[Txus]

Marquez is a far more important player for me.
what? why? Puyol is a much better player.

[Dave de Sylvia]

no wai

[RandyfromPennywise]

Irish, Puyol is far more important to Barcelona than Rafa Marquez. Marquez is great, but Puyol is Barça through and through. When on form he is outstanding. One of the best defenders in the world, and extremely influential amongst the fellow Barça players. I don't know what you've been watching for the past 5 years to say that you don't really rate Puyol.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I can only go on the 10 or so Barca games I catch a season, but I've never seen him perform outstandingly.

[2muchket!]

haha, ****, i was thinking of another guy. I was thinking of wes brown, haha.

My bad.

you mean tevez instead of saha ?

browns ginger but black. wtf is up with tha. And everytime I've seen puyol he seems integral to Barca.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I assume he's mixed race.

[2muchket!]

I assume he's mixed race.

have to ruin the craic dont you :mad:

[talk show host]

well done to fulham for their first away win in about 2 years :(

first on motd though apparently \o/

[Surtr]

I was a little dissapointed with Everton, they could have done more. Good stuff for Fulham, I like 'em, they're a good team, its a shame they don't do so well. Also LOL at AV taking it to Derby. So when can we finally kick Derby outa' the Prem.? lol

[RandyfromPennywise]

I can only go on the 10 or so Barca games I catch a season, but I've never seen him perform outstandingly.
He's pretty good, he sometimes reminds me of Carvalho, and he's probably better than Ricky, and that's saying something, because I reckon Carvalho is one of the best CBs in the Prem, easily.

Had our 2nd game for the season today, I've been made captain of our B team and playing in centre-mid which is the business, easily most enjoyable position to play. Scored direct from a free-kick from on the side of the box today, keeper was at the near post so I did a Zola and put it top corner far post. Ok I'm not Zola :p but I was impressed with myself. Scoring a good goal is one of the best feelings I know.

[mph4ever]

yeah, i love when i score too

[poorquality]

Barcelonas away form is awful :| If we walk away from the Nou Camp losing 2-1 I wouldn't mind.

They've just conceded two to Recreativo, just saw the 2nd and their defence is shocking and their keeper has dropped the ball and looks very shaky.

Can't see them coping with Rooney n Ronaldo tbh.

[2muchket!]

Neither can I.

Altho the 1st goal from Recreativo was dodgy

[rik]

browns ginger but black. wtf is up with tha

Brown's hair colour is the exact same as his skin colour, looks ****ing weird.


And yer, Puyol definetly more important to Barca then Marquez.

[mph4ever]

how did gerard not get booked for diving in the first instant?

[Dead Star]

I hate it when Celtic hammer us :(

[Dave de Sylvia]

Celtic :D

United are playing awful. Apart from Rooney, everybody is terrified to get on the ball and keep giving up cheap possession. Park is woeful, Brown has at least contributed defensively, and Scholes has been anonymous.

He really is. Oliver Kahn is still better than him too, despite being about 59 years old.

edit: lel they're the same age. I guess Lehmann has never been the best goalkeeper in Germany
Funny how I say this then he goes and pulls off 2 world class saves.

[Surtr]

**** I know Jamie.

At least we got 'em the other day though?

Also yeah, I'll back up how poorly Utd. are playing. And there, Addy just scored for Arsenal. :(

[2muchket!]

1-1 and celtic win :D

[Surtr]

**** you lol. I hate Celtic. Actually they're my second favourite team, but the Well take the cake for me up north.

And yeahh, Ronaldo packed one away, 1 -1.

[talk show host]

ahaha Arsenal conceding right after scoring, again. You couldn't make it up.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Arsenal are heartless. Gallas as your captain?? Pffft what kind of team do you expect with a twat like that leading you.

[rik]

Justin Hoyte is useless.

[Surtr]

As per usual Arsenal walk away with a big dick up their dirty asses, while Utd. walk away knowing we've got this league sealed up as long as Chelsea don't get too hot.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Arsenal are heartless. Gallas as your captain?? Pffft what kind of team do you expect with a twat like that leading you.
Your team's losing? Solution: put more boot polish in your hair!

United were pretty average, with the exception of Evra, Rooney and Tevez, but the result never really looked like it was that much in doubt. Arsenal bottled it again after the penalty, like they did in both CL ties against Liverpool.

[mph4ever]

utd set their stall out for arsenal to attack. arsenal's goal was handball. utd were always going to score. hleb has gone up in my opinion. i feel for arsenal but they will come back stronger, wenger needs to buy 3 or 4 big names to compliment rosicky, eduardo, van persie, flamini.

interesting that he said in his interview when asked about transfers - "the challenge is to kee this group of players together"

[Surtr]

Because he has faith in his boys and doesn't think he needs to go out and buy 3 or 4 big names. He's building a proper squad, not ****ing picking up expensive players to make some All-Star team.

[mph4ever]

and in the meantime he wins nothing. and he has no proven winners on his team. he needs to add to his squad

[dei]

So what was the final score for the Arsenal match? I had to leave a few minutes into the second half.

[mph4ever]

2-1

[Surtr]

and in the meantime he wins nothing. and he has no proven winners on his team. he needs to add to his squad

He's got himself a fair few quality players. And he's been doing not half bad all season, up until the past few weeks he's been fighting for top spot.

[dei]

Christ.

Why does Wenger play Eboue instead of Walcott?

[Surtr]

That one remains a mystery lol.

[dei]

I haven't been following Arsenal long but whenever Walcott comes on the team really step up their play. All I've seen from Eboue is really bad touches.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I was complaining about Carragher playing right back against Arsenal, but I forgot that Wenger does the same thing. It'd make a bit of sense if a) Toure had full back capabilities or b) Eboue was able to kick the ball.

[mph4ever]

i don't understand him on this one either. its obvious that walcott is special. its obvious that he wants to play every week yet wenger won't player him. he chompin' at the bit.

i fear for walcott, now is when he should be on the pitch, learning and adapting his game. at any other club he would start every game

[Dead Star]

Walcott is more of an impact player though. I can see Wenger's mentality playing him as a sub. If I was a defender absolutely shattered with 70 minutes of solid running and defending, I would hate to be faced with the prospect of someone with that amount of pace coming on fresh.

But hes miles better than Eboue and should start.

[Surtr]

Haha the ski free monster always got you, it was soooo annoying :(

But yeah, I guess that does make sense, as then you're putting on a man who's good and fresh as hell, and then all of a sudden the defence is just done for. The problem is that its not doing anything for Walcott at all. In the future when he needs to be playing full matches he's not going to be as prepared. He should be out there learning now, for the future.

[badtaste]

Hargreaves ftw, that dip was crazy.

[Ganondorf]

Good win for United, they should win the title, I feel sorry for Arsenal though, ever sicne that Birmingham game it's just been downhill (apart from the Milan match)...what went wrong? :(

[Surtr]

Arsne's wondering the same thing. I think its somewhat stupid he's more or less conceding now though. With what..5 games to go? If they went out and won those five games..They could come bloody close.

http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~1288847,00.html

If we take the next two its all ours, we'll have it for sure. We've got a fairly easy match (Or it should be) with Blackburn and then what could be a battle with Chelski.

[poorquality]

I honestly thought Away to blackburn would be harder than Home to Arsenal. Blackburn are no walkovers. But I hope it isn't harder now, cos Arsenal made that game much harder than I was comfortable with.

Good win though.

[Surtr]

We pulled through but yeah, it definitely wasn't a walk in the park. But like I said, Blackburn really shouldn't be a problem, but that being said I imagine its fairly safe to say that we may struggle. We always seem to fumble around with the "easy" games.

[poorquality]

Brad Friedal always has an amazing game against us for Blackburn, makes great saves. We need to get an early goal I reckon, if we score then I can't see Blackburn getting a goal tbh.

[2muchket!]

Friedel is easy the best keeper in the premiership. They've got excellent players like Gamst Pedersen, Santa Claus and Bentley.

In fact its perlpexing why they arent higher up the table really. With that team you'd expect them to be in 5th or 6th. Just goes to show that the premiership's depth of teams is beginning to improve.

[Pastorius]

I disagree, I think David James on his current form is the best keeper in the Prem.

Yeah you would expect them to be a bit higher up, it's a shame really.

I reckon Liverpool should clinch 4th place now, really annoying that we're happy with that. We should be pressing for higher positions than that. A bit more strength in depth and we'll be ready to challenge for 2nd, maybe 1st.

[Dead Star]

Bentley, Santa Claus and Bentley.


:lol:

[Dave de Sylvia]

Sounds like a really fun accounting firm or something.

[2muchket!]

Meant to say Gamset Pedersen instead of the 2nd bentley ¬____¬

[Dave de Sylvia]

I make that typo all the time >_>

[2muchket!]

Hahahah wasn't thinking I suppose


Heard all this crap from welsh politicians wanting the welsh national anthem played at the ENGLISH fa cup final ?

[Dave de Sylvia]

I don't really say the problem really. The idea of playing a national anthem at any club sporting event seems completely ridiculous to me, but while you're doing it I don't see why you'd disallow the Welsh anthem to be played for a Welsh team.

The FA isn't specific to any one country anyway.

[Kickflip_Burrito]

Justin Hoyte is useless.

He is.

This is the problem with Arsenal, awesome starting XI, lack of depth and back-up. Yesterday we had Alex Song in midfield! I mean, he barely plays any Premiership games, let alone a team of United's calibre.

Arsene needs to buy, we need the back-up and not just any average players who can fill a hole, players that can play up to expectations and can help win games. Bringing on players like Song, Bendtner, Senderos, do nothing for the team. The only exception is Walcott, when he comes on, he makes an impact.

Congrats to United.