Euro 2008 (Official Man City LOL Thread)

[mph4ever]

But that's exactly it, when you say that English teams have done well in the UEFA Cup - apart from the fact that Spanish teams have done far better than English teams in the UEFA Cup in recent years - it's the Champions League where English teams would get found out. Atlético haven't been in the comp for 11 years and they've come in and are doing very well. There isn't one English team outside of the top four who would do anything in the Champions League. As much as we'd like to think so, teams like Atlético would kill the Evertons, Villas and Pompeys. And as for the UEFA Cup, well there's been three Spanish winners in the last five years, and it is seven years since an English side won one, and you have to go back to 1984 for the second last one. I think it just comes down to the tactical versatility and technical quality in Spain. The English game can be one dimensional.

i was talking about which is the current best league, not the one that was winning a couple of years ago. the english league is there now, they have it pretty much tied up. with teams like ac milan getting stuck in the uefa cup then there is little hope for others. obviously zenith stand out but they had a very experienced manager and what looked like the pick of the players from their league, somewhat like porto did a few years ago also.
The final is two legs, 5 November in Osaka and 12 November here in Adelaide (we are playing Gamba Osaka). They sold 10,000 tickets today to Gold members. They reckon that around 3,500 tickets will be left when they go on general sale next Tuesday, so I'll line-up and Venuetix and hopefully get one. Hindmarsh Stadium holds 17,000. (And I don't have membership this season because I'm going overseas and am going to miss half the season.) The minimum financial gain we are going to get now is $1.4m, which is big money for Australian clubs. This is very good!
thats brilliant. and you get the second leg at home, that should be a cauldron. best of luck anyway, that would be a treat for any fan, not often you get games like that on your doorstep. i did read somewhere that your boys were tired but that they have some depth and can rest few players. next game is only 24hrs after they touch down, that sounds like the english fa.

[mph4ever]

You know, so many Southerners support Man U and I don't understand it. Fair do's if your parents do or if you're originally from the area but why support them if you've got no connections? Because they win everything?

i have supported manu long before the premiership arrived. i had all the bad days and enjoyed some good ones too. in the 90's we dominated england but for the most part looked like **** in europe. i support them because they are honest and really do try to entertain, try to win.

i don't like a lot of the new manu fans. we call them plastics, wouldn't know a chant, wouldn't travel and think the only way to manu is via the radisson in manchester, ask you to politely sit down if they unerringly get tickets for the stretford end

[Happy]

Yeah they're absolutely rediculous.

Woodgate's been saying that Spurs aren't too good to go down, looks like the players are starting to realise that its looking more and more like the Championship next year if they don't get their act together.
And Ramos is angry because Spurs lost again. Whatever.

[TakeWarning]

Yeah they're absolutely rediculous.

Woodgate's been saying that Spurs aren't too good to go down, looks like the players are starting to realise that its looking more and more like the Championship next year if they don't get their act together.
And Ramos is angry because Spurs lost again. Whatever.

Well we have a better squad than alot of other teams above us. But everyone is playing so badly and we've got nothing going for us up front at all so at the moment I really can see us getting relegated.

[mph4ever]

if it happens, do spurs fans have any preference for who might take over?

[Happy]

Bilic's been rumoured, I can only dream.

[The_Passenger]

Well we have a better squad than alot of other teams above us. But everyone is playing so badly and we've got nothing going for us up front at all so at the moment I really can see us getting relegated.

I'm not sure I'd agree. Some of the players (Modric, Bentley etc), I've seen do a lot better. A lot of Spurs players (Lennon, Jenas, Bent, Zokora, O'Hara, Dawson etc) just aren't very good.

[Happy]

I always thought Lennon was a good player :-/

[Britney Diva]

Bent is a very good player and I really like Zokora too. The problem with Spurs is they have a bunch of players who will show up for 20 minutes a match, 20 games a season. Jenas shows flashes of brilliance at times, but he's not willing to put in the effort and that's the reason he'll never establish himself in the England set-up.

[TakeWarning]

Rijkard(sp?) has been linked with the Spurs job, but you'd rather have a manager with EPL experience take over, preferably someone who has hoisted teams out of the relegation zone. Maybe Pleaty's the man for the job!

Bent is a very good player and I really like Zokora too. The problem with Spurs is they have a bunch of players who will show up for 20 minutes a match, 20 games a season. Jenas shows flashes of brilliance at times, but he's not willing to put in the effort and that's the reason he'll never establish himself in the England set-up.

Uh really? Bent occasionally scores a poacher's goal, but playing him up top by himself is basically like playing a 4-5-0. As for Zokora, I think he and Jenas as a centre-mid pairing would have to be our most obvious weakness.

[mph4ever]

theres lot of the spurs players that are good enough not be part of team where they are right now. there is a definite issue with the set up. i have to say i expected a significant improvement by now. maybe they all know there is a change coming and are waiting for it to happen, why kill yourself for a dead man, ramos, when you know you have to impress the new one and you are out of contention for the league or high up it already.

[TakeWarning]

theres lot of the spurs players that are good enough not be part of team where they are right now. there is a definite issue with the set up. i have to say i expected a significant improvement by now. maybe they all know there is a change coming and are waiting for it to happen, why kill yourself for a dead man, ramos, when you know you have to impress the new one and you are out of contention for the league or high up it already.

.....what?

[Surtr]

All I know is Ramos isn't the right guy for the job anymore. He's just not got what it takes to keep this team going and he's stuck grasping for answers that he can't provide.

[Britney Diva]

Uh really? Bent occasionally scores a poacher's goal, but playing him up top by himself is basically like playing a 4-5-0. As for Zokora, I think he and Jenas as a centre-mid pairing would have to be our most obvious weakness.
Well Keane can't really play up top on his own either, but he's still a quality player. I think Campbell and Bent have worked together in the few minutes they've spent together. Pavyluchenko is probably too fat to play with either.

[Ghoul Hunter]

I'd support LA Galaxy.

But fair enough if you're supporting from America, at least you didn't pick Man U.

I'm american and Man U has been my favorite team since I started watching the sport. I'm not really picking them because OMG THEYRE BEST (even though it's nice), but because I love their style and players.

[Britney Diva]

Wow, you love men. Gay.

I am determined to claw my way back in fantasy football, starting this weekend. Hopefully Frank Lampard will pick up a career-threatening injury so Randy's superpowers will be rendered useless, but otherwise I'll just have to concentrate on my own team!

Currently I have:

Gordon
Laursen Vidic Dunne McShane
Fabregas Lampard (I know, I know) Ireland Duff
Keane Defoe

Subs: Schwarzer Alex Murphy Cahill

A very nationalist XI in my opinion but one that will be holding the imaginary trophy in 7 months.

[mph4ever]

.....what?

as in, there are too many good spurs players for spurs to be where they are right now

[Ghoul Hunter]

Wow, you love men. Gay.

throw me in a room full of rooney and ronaldo and ill show you a man who knows no limits :faggot:

[Frankie]

Lennon is excellent and along with Modric, was the only Spurs player to play atleast half decent last night.

Jenas and Modric have to start in the centre imo. Dos Santos needs to play same with Lennon.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Currently I have:

Gordon
Laursen Vidic Dunne McShane
Fabregas Lampard (I know, I know)Ireland Duff
Keane Defoe


You wouldn't be Irish by any chance would you?

Hopefully Frank Lampard will pick up a career-threatening injury He doesn't get injured.

Bent is a very good player and I really like Zokora too. Bent is not bad. He's the type of player who'd do well with a Charlton say. Come to think of it... He's just not good enough to lead the attack and fulfil the ambitions of a club like Spurs. Zokora is another one. He'd do well with someone like Sunderland, but he's just not that good. If Spurs are serious, centre-mid is the area they need to get right. It's the most important area on the pitch. Would any of their CMs even come close to making the starting XI at Chelsea or Man Utd? Someone as mediocre as D. Fletcher would be the best CM at Spurs if he were there, and that is saying something.

The problem with Spurs is they have a bunch of players who will show up for 20 minutes a match, 20 games a season. Jenas shows flashes of brilliance at times, but he's not willing to put in the effort and that's the reason he'll never establish himself in the England set-up.I've always thought Jenas was just another over-hyped English midfielder, and it has turned out that I was right. I've never rated him. He's marginally better than Kieron Dyer. Both a complete load of over-hyped, over-paid, under-performing shyte.

i was talking about which is the current best league, not the one that was winning a couple of years ago. the english league is there now, they have it pretty much tied up. with teams like ac milan getting stuck in the uefa cup then there is little hope for others. obviously zenith stand out but they had a very experienced manager and what looked like the pick of the players from their league, somewhat like porto did a few years ago also.But if we are going on any worthy sort of indication, you have to look at the most recent seasons. It's a bit pointless naming the 'best league in the world' based on the most recent month's form, init. It's a gradual process of leagues improving and declining, it doesn't just happen within six months or a year. And Milan are in the UEFA Cup because they had a bad season, but to say that 'there is little hopes for others' is misleading - Milan are still one of the powerhouses of Europe: they were still reigning champions of Europe six months ago. thats brilliant. and you get the second leg at home, that should be a cauldron. best of luck anyway, that would be a treat for any fan, not often you get games like that on your doorstep. i did read somewhere that your boys were tired but that they have some depth and can rest few players. next game is only 24hrs after they touch down, that sounds like the english fa.Yeah it's pretty phenomenal. The boys landed back home today, and we are playing Perth tomorrow arvo at 4.30, so it's pretty tough, but then we have the week off, so no doubt the boys will get a few days off next week some time. So awesome. There is a real buzz about the place because of this, people are talking about football, it's just phenomenal. Especially in this backwater, small-minded, conservative city of Adelaide, it's just great.

[mph4ever]

But if we are going on any worthy sort of indication, you have to look at the most recent seasons. It's a bit pointless naming the 'best league in the world' based on the most recent month's form, init. It's a gradual process of leagues improving and declining, it doesn't just happen within six months or a year.

spain has been in decline for two years now. you only have to look at hopefuls like villareal playing in the champs league. athletico too. madrid are a shadow of their former selves, a poor juventus proved that. barca are still finding their way and have yet to be tested properly under new management.

the way i see it is this

1: england
2: spain
3: italy
4: germany
5: france
6: holland
7: portugal


And Milan are in the UEFA Cup because they had a bad season, but to say that 'there is little hopes for others' is misleading - Milan are still one of the powerhouses of Europe: they were still reigning champions of Europe six months ago.
i don't understand what you mean. i meant that milan being in the uefa cup gives little hope to others.

Yeah it's pretty phenomenal. The boys landed back home today, and we are playing Perth tomorrow arvo at 4.30, so it's pretty tough, but then we have the week off, so no doubt the boys will get a few days off next week some time. So awesome. There is a real buzz about the place because of this, people are talking about football, it's just phenomenal. Especially in this backwater, small-minded, conservative city of Adelaide, it's just great.
i guess they are all getting the benefit of your familiarity with the game on the square pitch with the round ball

[talk show host]

i've had a slow start with my fantasy team so far. I was banking on having a stacked midfield who'd provide bucketloads of assists and goals, and skimping on the forwards, but it hasn't really worked out. Having Howard and Lescott hasn't helped, mind.

Finally took out Lescott this week. Howard's next for the chop. So in the meantime, i'm stuck with a 4-5-1 cause i've already used my wildcard.

Howard
Clichy Evra Bosingwa Kompany
Young Lampard Palacios Deco Downing
Carew

Schwarzer Cole Kitson Meite on the bench.

i'm top of my head to head league though so it's not all bad.

[RandyfromPennywise]

spain has been in decline for two years now. you only have to look at hopefuls like villareal playing in the champs league. athletico too. madrid are a shadow of their former selves, a poor juventus proved that. barca are still finding their way and have yet to be tested properly under new management.
Well I guess we see it differently, 'cause I just see it as Spain as going through a transition at the moment - Barça hit their peak, Real completely rebuilt, Valencia dropped off, Atlético surged. Don't necessarily see it as a decline though, but again that's probably because I see it more long term and you're saying about right now, so yeah just different ways of seeing it I guess. I have to say that the top 4 in England is the strongest top 4 in the world, and that certainly counts for something. I think Chelsea and Man Utd were the two best teams in Europe last season, and Chelsea have improved.


the way i see it is this

1: england
2: spain
3: italy
4: germany
5: france
6: holland
7: portugal
I think you're pretty spot on but Russia is a serious contender, what with Zenit, CSKA, Dinamo, Spartak and Lokomotiv all relatively quality. And Rubin Kazan are top of the league at the moment, have never heard of 'em. My name being Tom and all, I reckon I'm going to have to start going for FC Tom Tomsk.

i don't understand what you mean. i meant that milan being in the uefa cup gives little hope to others.
I don't think I understand what you mean, do you mean that Milan should win the UEFA Cup easily?

i guess they are all getting the benefit of your familiarity with the game on the square pitch with the round ball
Yeah, game's growing massively here. It's good to get our sh*t AFL teams off that back page. And the front page! But eh, our newspaper's the biggest piece a shyte in the southern hemisphere.

[Britney Diva]

I'd love to see a really competitive Russian league alongside an improving German league. The Italian-Spanish-English dominance of the CL the past few years (with the odd German/French/Portuguese anomaly) has made for some pretty predictable matches. If Zenit could only convert a chance more than once per match, they'd be a contender team that none of the other big clubs know much about.

[mph4ever]

Well I guess we see it differently, 'cause I just see it as Spain as going through a transition at the moment - Barça hit their peak, Real completely rebuilt, Valencia dropped off, Atlético surged. Don't necessarily see it as a decline though, but again that's probably because I see it more long term and you're saying about right now, so yeah just different ways of seeing it I guess. I have to say that the top 4 in England is the strongest top 4 in the world, and that certainly counts for something. I think Chelsea and Man Utd were the two best teams in Europe last season, and Chelsea have improved.

i was thinking the same thing, its goona be great this year although i will miss milan, they are better than anyone on their day

I think you're pretty spot on but Russia is a serious contender, what with Zenit, CSKA, Dinamo, Spartak and Lokomotiv all relatively quality. And Rubin Kazan are top of the league at the moment, have never heard of 'em. My name being Tom and all, I reckon I'm going to have to start going for FC Tom Tomsk.

probably the season works against them. and thats a good reason to support a team!

I don't think I understand what you mean, do you mean that Milan should win the UEFA Cup easily?

yup, i would have thought so, not much else in there. sevilla, schalke, villa and man city might just make a stir

Yeah, game's growing massively here. It's good to get our sh*t AFL teams off that back page. And the front page! But eh, our newspaper's the biggest piece a shyte in the southern hemisphere.
i'm looking forward to it now myself

[Echleon]

I won the fantasy league last year between about 15 of my friends, but this year i've started pretty poorly.

My team at the moment:

----------Hart----------------
Johnson-Bosingwa-Corluka-Evra
---Riera--Denilson---Ronaldo--
---Keane-Berbaotv--Defoe----

Switched Keane for Carew this week because he's a doubt for Chelsea, and I doubt he will do much anyway!

[TakeWarning]

Yeah, game's growing massively here. It's good to get our sh*t AFL teams off that back page. And the front page! But eh, our newspaper's the biggest piece a shyte in the southern hemisphere.

The West Australian may just give you a run for your money. If Ben Cousins so much as takes a shower it makes the front and back page.

[mph4ever]

anyone got the manu game streaming? theres no coverage here

[Ghoul Hunter]

same, i really want to see this slaughter

[Happy]

1-0 up at half time isn't a slaughter :-/

[rid]

check myp2p or justin.tv

[TakeWarning]

1-0 up at half time isn't a slaughter :-/

1-1 FT.

Everton fought hard, Man U really lost their shape slash sense of direction at the end.

[Britney Diva]

Ugh, we should be beating tards like Everton.

[mph4ever]

we have no midfield. carrick, scholes and hargreaves give us stability

[mph4ever]

mourinho to manu when fergie retires. never smoke without fire

[Britney Diva]

Well Queiroz will be out of a job in about 12 months so he's probably as likely to be offered the post as Mourinho is.

Rio had an absolute shocker today. Vidic wasn't much better. Bring back David May and Henning Berg.

[Britney Diva]

Ramos out; Poyet and Alvares too.

[The_Passenger]

well holy **** i was not expecting the appointment of Redknapp in Ramos's place

edit: not sure if this has actually happened but sounds like its just a matter of time if not

[Happy]

**** me, I can't believe it.

They actually got rid of him.

And Comolli.

:eek:

[mph4ever]

its probably the best way. a clean break, no sporting director, a new manager who says this is his chance to manage a big club before he retires. got to hand it to them all, a good result all round. still would have given ramos until christmas but maybe he had already passed a couple of deadlines and had no more answers

[Happy]

I can see it taking until Christmas for Redknapp to make much difference tbh.
Maybe he can sort things out in the transfer season.

[Britney Diva]

haha wow

Harry Redknapp really has no loyalty to anyone, does he?

[mph4ever]

haha wow

Harry Redknapp really has no loyalty to anyone, does he?


money?

maybe he'll give jamie a job

[radtaste]

Bloody hell, EPL has more drama than an internet forum.

[sgrevs]

Did Ramos quit or was he fired?

[mph4ever]

i think he took the high moral ground

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/louisimana/youre-fired.jpg

[Britney Diva]

He got pushed.

Redknapp will be gone next time somebody offers him a big signing on fee. Which is why I think it's hilarious that people think he should have been made the new England manager.

[TakeWarning]

I can see it taking until Christmas for Redknapp to make much difference tbh.
Maybe he can sort things out in the transfer season.

I disagree. You can imagine he'll put a foot up the arse of anyone who doesn't want to fight their way out of this. And he'll figure out who those people are pretty soon.

Redknapp will be gone next time somebody offers him a big signing on fee. Which is why I think it's hilarious that people think he should have been made the new England manager.

You're right, but I think this appointment is more concerned with short-term rather than long-term.

[poorquality]

First and foremost, what a joke...they finally realise they need to get rid a sporting director and leave the manager in charge, but they decide to get rid of a quality manager in Ramos without letting him prove why he was so well respected in the management world. It's a sly move because now it's impossible for Harry to do any worse, he'll get the players he wants, he'll sell only who he wants and they'll be better off for it, whereas by getting rid of Ramos, the chairmen is looking to avoid blame regarding the sporting director role, if he kept Ramos and he undoubtably did better now, the chairman would be blamed for having a sporting director. Easier to have a clear out to save his own pride a little.

Secondly I love people who are against Redknapp for leaving clubs for more money etc. He's talked about it before, and as he said, all it is for him is a job, football management is his line of work, he doesn't have an affinity towards many of the clubs, he gets hired, does his job and gets paid like the rest of us, if he gets sacked/gets a better offer, he'll take another job. Who can blame him? I mean really? I'd happily manage the clubs he has in his career, though I wouldn't hesitate to leave any of them for a higher offer, I don't care for any club apart from Man Utd on a personal level, but from a working prospective I'd do my best at any club as my managing reputation would be at stake, otherwise they're disposable.

[TakeWarning]

First and foremost, what a joke...they finally realise they need to get rid a sporting director and leave the manager in charge, but they decide to get rid of a quality manager in Ramos without letting him prove why he was so well respected in the management world. It's a sly move because now it's impossible for Harry to do any worse, he'll get the players he wants, he'll sell only who he wants and they'll be better off for it, whereas by getting rid of Ramos, the chairmen is looking to avoid blame regarding the sporting director role, if he kept Ramos and he undoubtably did better now, the chairman would be blamed for having a sporting director. Easier to have a clear out to save his own pride a little.


We gave him an entire year to find his feet and adjust to English life and English football, and he hasn't been able to motivate the team at all since the Carling Cup. As for Comolli undermining him; I'm sure Comolli had quite alot of influence in the Spurs set-up, but I doubt Levy would spend such a ridiculous amount of cash on a manager only to ignore his input.

I agree with your "what a joke" sentiment, but desperate times call for desperate measuers, and the club would rather avoid relegation than save face at the moment.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Secondly I love people who are against Redknapp for leaving clubs for more money etc. He's talked about it before, and as he said, all it is for him is a job, football management is his line of work, he doesn't have an affinity towards many of the clubs, he gets hired, does his job and gets paid like the rest of us, if he gets sacked/gets a better offer, he'll take another job. Who can blame him? I mean really? I'd happily manage the clubs he has in his career, though I wouldn't hesitate to leave any of them for a higher offer, I don't care for any club apart from Man Utd on a personal level, but from a working prospective I'd do my best at any club as my managing reputation would be at stake, otherwise they're disposable.

But this is football. It's never "just a job".

[mph4ever]

nothing like football to throw up a bit of interest

looking at the fixture list then i would say they felt they couldn't hold out


Barclays Premier League
Tottenham v Bolton, 15:00


Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Tottenham, 20:00

Saturday, 01 November 2008
Barclays Premier League
Tottenham v Liverpool, 17:30


Thursday, 06 November 2008
UEFA Cup
Tottenham v Dinamo Zagreb, D, 20:00

Sunday, 09 November 2008
Barclays Premier League
Man City v Tottenham, 15:00


Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Carling Cup
Tottenham v Liverpool, R4, 19:45


i'd have said a director of football would be redundant with harry around. been known to do his own dealing

[Happy]

What an easy 6 games.

[mph4ever]

chelsea look like they have little to offer up front

lampard and deco look a little lost first half. scolari will have to sort them out

[mph4ever]

that is the most unexpected bonus of the season so far, chelsea drop points at home, brilliant for us

[rid]

so f*cking great, I'm getting girly chills and freaking out here, SO DAMN NICE!!! LIVERPOOL!!!!

[Britney Diva]

First and foremost, what a joke...they finally realise they need to get rid a sporting director and leave the manager in charge, but they decide to get rid of a quality manager in Ramos without letting him prove why he was so well respected in the management world.
Part of management is getting the best of what you've got. Ramos had more than most managers have got and still he was only able to manage one win in all competitions. It's great that Spurs have a sporting director to blame everything, but it doesn't really change the fact that Ramos has been a spectacular failure in charge.

Liverpool!

[rid]

maybe it wasn't fair to Ramos, but they didn't really have any other choice.

Liver-f'ing-pool. aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Happy]

SPURS WIN!!!!!!!

:eek:

[rid]

almost hard to believe. :p but good for them.

[RandyfromPennywise]

I could not hate Liverpool more. I hate them so much, it is hard to describe it.

We need a decent striker. Been saying that since Crespo left, and we never should've sold Gudjohnsen, but whatever. Malouda went on smoke break at the three-minute mark and didn't come back. We missed Joe Cole, a lot. If we had Ballack, Cole and Drogba we might have won. Whatever, fuk 'em. Hope Gerrard dies in a car crash tomorrow, and Carragher gets Ebola and dies.

Adelaide United 2 Perth 1, Adelaide now two points clear at the top of the table. Champions of Australia, Champions of Asia.

Marseille v PSG is on now, but I'm recording it and'll watch it tomorrow. They're always good matches.

[Britney Diva]

hahaha wow

[rid]

Spoken like a true Chelsea fan, however I will forgive you and your shortcomings.

Liverpool deserved to win. Better overall, solid defense, quite some chances, while Chelsea didnt even have a single, good shot on goal. You had possession, but didn't do sh1t with it.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yeah I know, I don't think that we should've won. I hate Liverpool.

[sgrevs]

Liiiiverpooool, Liiiiverpoool. What an awesome result, cracking game. We got lucky that Chelsea had so many injuries, they had to resort to bringing on players like Di Santo.

[radtaste]

Goddangit, I leave Carragher on the bench and he gets a clean sheet and three bonus points as well.

[mph4ever]

spurs win, all troubles are forgotten. battle for a point in each of the next two games and harry is the messiah

[TakeWarning]

Liverpool! Di Santo's a good looking bloke, and he appears to be quite at football too.

It's a shame Spurs won, I heard a good joke about them last night before the game and haven't had the chance to tell it.

[Happy]

You can still tell it. There was a load of them in the paper the other day.

[RandyfromPennywise]

The Special One's performance on I'm On Setanta Sports this week was sublime.

"I know who is voting against me now. I can see him lurking in the dark there."

"It's my democwatic wight."

Be champions.

[Britney Diva]

I ****ing hate that show.

[Happy]

I hate Setanta sports. ****ing buying the rights to every England away game.

[Britney Diva]

They show the England games on Setanta's free station here. Hooray!

[Happy]

Well that sucks, I don't even get a free Setanta station.

[mph4ever]

**** setanta

they, and murdoch's sky, decided to charge twice for the same coverage we used to have a few years ago.

[Britney Diva]

Well it's an Irish channel so yeeeee

We get some of the premiership games free too, usually a Saturday game at either 3 or 5.30, but I think the England thing is mainly because noone in this country would actually pay to watch such a thing.

I have the paid stations too though >_>

edit: Setanta is like half the price of Sky Sports, at least on NTL. Even on its own, it's way better value than Sky and the punditry is only slightly more pathetic.

[rid]

yay for free online streams.

[RandyfromPennywise]

I ****ing hate that show.

Too accurate on The Boy and Alex from Manchester.

How could you hate it, it's bloody spot on with all of them. Roy from Sunderland, Dave the Ameobi fan, and of course The Voyeur.

[Surtr]

Boo for free online streams.

They rarely work and when they do work you're always stuck with a stream that is such poor quality if you're not waiting for it to buffer you're wondering whether what you think is the ball, is actually the ball, or a player.

Also boo for being in North America and not having any proper channels that I can get or even pay for to watch Football. Not that I'd get much of a chance to properly appreciate the amount of $$$ I'd be paying, due to my busy Uni. schedule and **** I have to do on the weekends.

:(

[Britney Diva]

Sven Goran Ericsson wearing a sombrero... comedy gold! It would be funny if it lasted about 3 minutes a go like Apres Match does, but the initial funniness just grates when they invariably run out of material and start trying too hard.

[mph4ever]

edit: Setanta is like half the price of Sky Sports, at least on NTL. Even on its own, it's way better value than Sky and the punditry is only slightly more pathetic.

a couple of years ago we used to get all the games for single subscription, now we have to pay two subs in order to get the same coverage.

setanta is about to go bust, btw, apparently their business model is no longer viable. advertising revenue has dried up. no doubt sky will step in, save them, and increase subs

[Britney Diva]

I haven't actually heard about that, but they have taken huge risks in a very short space of time so it's not impossible.

But don't forget, it's only a couple of years since Sky were charging a tenner a match for the likes of Man Utd vs. Sunderland and Birmingham vs Man City. I know they had much lower rates if you paid for the whole season, but it's not like you got all of the matches for one low price. Setanta have expanded coverage of all sports and forced Sky to cut their prices, which I don't really think is such a bad thing.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Sven Goran Ericsson wearing a sombrero... comedy gold! It would be funny if it lasted about 3 minutes a go like Apres Match does, but the initial funniness just grates when they invariably run out of material and start trying too hard.

The ones I see go for about 3 minutes. It's on SBS each sunday and they show it before they go to an ad break. Maybe it's just the highlights or something then.

[Britney Diva]

haha well maybe it just seems like it goes on forever then

edit: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article5019831.ece

[RandyfromPennywise]

Scottish football's pish isn't it. Trent McLenahan playing for Hamilton I see, and giving up penalties...

[RandyfromPennywise]

I got tickets to Adelaide United Asian Champions League final second-leg, STOKED. People were lining up in town at the outlets for two hours (since 7am) but I just rang up at 9.01am and got 'em, awesome.

[Interstate]

Speaking of Setanta sports, this always has me laughing.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=t2kOjT-pc_c

[TakeWarning]

Too accurate on The Boy and Alex from Manchester.

How could you hate it, it's bloody spot on with all of them. Roy from Sunderland, Dave the Ameobi fan, and of course The Voyeur.

Let's not forget David Beckham.

Sven: "David, how is Los Angeles?"
David: "I'm not in Los Angeles, Sven. I'm in LA, it's much nicer!"

Also, did you pull an all-nighter?

[RandyfromPennywise]

My sleeping patterns are just ****ed let's be honest. It's from going out and binge drinking on the weekends. I drink too much, like far, far too much, and it takes me two days to recover, it's just really not good.

Be champions.

[mph4ever]

manu were playing man city, george weah was playing for city. beckham scores a goal and runs over in front of weah, buts his index finger to his lips and goes shhhh!. then rejoins the celebrations. scores another goal and off he runs up in front of weah and does the same thing again, shhhh!. third goal, third time beckham runs up in front of weah and goes shhhh, with his index finger again to his lips.

after the game keano is walking down the tunnel and says "hey becks, ya langer, what was with you running over to george weah and telling him to shhhh!", to which beckham said, "oh, i was asking the lads earlier if they knew anything about weah and they told me he was liberian"

[Happy]

True story.

[Frankie]

Tony Adams new pompey manager. Good influx of ex-excellent football 'leaders' becoming managers in the prem now iniit ?

[Echleon]

Tony Adams new pompey manager. Good influx of ex-excellent football 'leaders' becoming managers in the prem now iniit ?

True, but Adams was an absolute disaster for Wycombe. Got them relegated from League 1, and then turned them into a mid-table League 2 side.

Still, was a fair bit of time ago and i'm sure he's gained alot of experience but I don't think appointing a hugely unexperienced manager was the right thing to do in this case.

[Happy]

Portsmouth for the drop :p

[mph4ever]

no wonder west brom do no good, they've got cech, moore and pele on the bench ffs. need to play your legends all the time if you want to win

West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Donk, Olsson, Robinson, Morrison, Greening, Koran, Valero, Brunt, Bednar. Subs: Kiely, Hoefkens, Cech, Miller, Macdonald, Moore, Pele.

[Britney Diva]

They must really hate Joe Jordan.

[mph4ever]

joe jordan is a legend

[Britney Diva]

Newcastle 2 - 0 WBA at half time. WBA have had a lot of possession but Newcastle look by far the better side. Having Barton and Guttierez back looks like it's working wonders for them in the middle, but Guthrie remains one of the least impressive footballers I've seen since Scott Parker.

[Echleon]

...and Maradona to be the new Argie manager? Surely not!?

[mph4ever]

interesting game. wba look like they have little to offer.

do you think they are waiting for shearer to be happy that they are not in real trouble for him to take over?

[RandyfromPennywise]

...and Maradona to be the new Argie manager? Surely not!?

I know, pretty amazing story I just read there. Could you imagine? The players would be in awe of him - he is like a god over there, it's hard to imagine for us - but what would he actually do? Who knows, I mean he could be tactically very astute, but he's just so unprofessional. Who knows, it could work with the Latin American style.

[TakeWarning]

Portsmouth for the drop :p

Haha. Portsmouth have got too good a squad to go down this season.

With 'Arry gone and the financial difficulties at Portsmouth they'll be heading down the table though.

[Britney Diva]

I dunno, I reckon any team with Defoe and Crouch up front will do OK.

[TakeWarning]

Spurs will try and steal Defoe in January.

And probably succeed.

[sgrevs]

I thought this was going to be changed to the Official Liverpool Thread after we beat Chelsea? What gives?

[mph4ever]

that would be funny except it was suppose to be the frank lampard thread before that happened so i guess the chain is broken. i reckon it should be called the hull city thread in recognition of their outstanding achievements so far this season

[Happy]

The Spurs Premier League Champions 08-09 thread.

[TakeWarning]

Tottenham Hotspur: The Best Team In The Cosmos Including The Black Holes Thread

[RandyfromPennywise]

The Official Adelaide United Champions Of Asia and going to smash Man United in the Club World Cup Thread.

Get in.

[Happy]

I can't tell which of the 3 is most rediculous.

[mph4ever]

obviously anything containing spurs and champions is ridiculous, even more ridiculous than


Tottenham Hotspur: The Best Team In The Cosmos Including The Black Holes Thread

and

The Official Adelaide United Champions Of Asia and going to smash Man United in the Club World Cup Thread.

Get in.

[Frankie]

Middlesbrough thread should be kept. S'only right really.

[Britney Diva]

We don't tamper with the classics around here. Which is why we will continue to make Spurs jokes no matter how many games they win from now on.

[Frankie]

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/10/28/sports/SOCCER.1-357665.php?page=1

:lol:

Americans still know nothing about football. I guess they've not been informed that having one good player surrounded by lots of average ones (including Donovan the failure) doesn't guarntee success.

[pppoe]

He actually made the team worse.

[Britney Diva]

That reminds me of the time, 3 or 4 years ago, when England played the US in the US and, for some reason I don't understand, the BBC's highlights package used the American commentators instead of their own. At one point, Beckham spun the full-back out near the touchline, and this dude blurts out: "Great hustle by Byyyyyyeckham!!" I don't even know wtf a hustle is.

[pppoe]

American and Mexican commentators are the reason I do not watch MLS.

[Britney Diva]

When I was in the US over the summer, I was watching Fox's coverage of the Spanish Super Cup between Valencia and Real. The guy commentating on it was an American, but he insisted on pronouncing all of the players' names with a really thick Mexican accent. It was probably the most irritating thing ever, hearing him try so hard.

[pppoe]

I'm sorry.

[mph4ever]

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/10/28/sports/SOCCER.1-357665.php?page=1

:lol:

Americans still know nothing about football. I guess they've not been informed that having one good player surrounded by lots of average ones (including Donovan the failure) doesn't guarntee success.

but he was never one good player. he was always part of a team. at manu, he would not have been half of what he turned out to be without gary neville and keane and scholes to constantly make room for him. the only left back i ever saw him get past was ian harte, the snail. he failed at madrid since they were on the downturn, same at galaxy. milan will turn a few bob, wouldn't be surprised if beckham is paying them.

[Frankie]

but he was never one good player. he was always part of a team. at manu, he would not have been half of what he turned out to be without gary neville and keane and scholes to constantly make room for him. the only left back i ever saw him get past was ian harte, the snail. he failed at madrid since they were on the downturn, same at galaxy. milan will turn a few bob, wouldn't be surprised if beckham is paying them.

Ermm idk what you thought I was getting at but what I said was Becks is a good player and the reason he's been successful is because he's played in good sides. Americans expecting him to wonders in a crap team is ludicrous.

[mph4ever]

Ermm idk what you thought I was getting at but what I said was Becks is a good player and the reason he's been successful is because he's played in good sides. Americans expecting him to wonders in a crap team is ludicrous.

no, i knew what you meant, just saying the same but embellishing it a little since i think hes a tosser and take any chance to have a dig at the leper

[Ghoul Hunter]

He has make football bigger over here but that doesn't really mean anything.

[mph4ever]

He has make football bigger over here but that doesn't really mean anything.

where does it rank?

[pppoe]

Bexham should just go back to Great Britain or England or wherever he came from.

It's probably something like American football, basketball, baseball, hockey and then football. I am not sure, though, I don't really care about sports that are not football.

But hockey is in decline and football is moving up.

[mph4ever]

i thought hockey was holding its own

but with regard to football, americans need more entertainment than it provides presently. i am not sure they get the idea that a team can play the same tactic for 90 mins and you can enjoy them doing it.

[Cesar21]

What do you guys think are the chances of Spain winning the WC in 2010?

[mph4ever]

What do you guys think are the chances of Spain winning the WC in 2010?

i'd have said they were good, they can only get better given their squads age. not being english, i still think they have a real chance, maybe argentina too

[pppoe]

I think Spain could win WC 2010. I hope they give Fabregas more time on the pitch.

[Britney Diva]

I think it's Spain's championship to lose, but that's never really stopped them before.

[rid]

not very impressive tonight, but at least we won. (liverpool)

[Britney Diva]

That was ridiculous!

There is nothing better than the look on a stunned Arsenal fan's face.

[mph4ever]

sickener for the gooners

[The_Passenger]

here's hoping that dixon is on MOTD tonight

edit: does this mean arsenal ladies are as good as arsenal men?

[RandyfromPennywise]

That was an interesting morning of football. Frank's goal alone was worth getting up at 6am for.

[Frankie]

Get in good home win for the smoggies.

[mph4ever]

delighted for boro

[mph4ever]

That was an interesting morning of football. Frank's goal alone was worth getting up at 6am for.


are you sure that wasn't a cross?

[poorquality]

Berbatovs little bit of skill was outrageous...more please.

[mph4ever]

Berbatovs little bit of skill was outrageous...more please.


£30 million? we had better see a lot more

[TakeWarning]

That was ridiculous!

There is nothing better than the look on a stunned Arsenal fan's face.

Let's not forget Alan Parry getting a taste of humble pie: "Well, Tottenham don't deserve to get anything from this game at all"

Who needs Berbatov to put four past Arsenal at the Emirates!

[Britney Diva]

Speaking of that, is there any worse football analysts than Alan Shearer?

"both teams deserved a point"

"a mile-a-minute for 90 minutes"

"modric was very good"

three wrongest statements ever

[badtaste]

are you sure that wasn't a cross?

Haha.

Berbatovs little bit of skill was outrageous...more please.

Yes.

Jenas' goal was a nice one. Bentley as well.

[RandyfromPennywise]

are you sure that wasn't a cross?

Frank doesn't make mistakes.

[TakeWarning]

Speaking of that, is there any worse football analysts than Alan Shearer?

"both teams deserved a point"

"a mile-a-minute for 90 minutes"

"modric was very good"

three wrongest statements ever

Well, luckily for me I only saw Alan Shearer during Setanta's Euro coverage, but the most annoying commentator of all time would have to be Tommy Smyth.

[Happy]

Bentley's goal was insane.

Of course we couldn't beat Arsenal ladies Cesc, of course :p

[TakeWarning]

He was right though, the Arsenal ladies did get a point from us.

[mph4ever]

Frank doesn't make mistakes.


man, that was a cross to the far post with his left foot

http://www.vidtory.com/hull-city-vs-chelsea-highlights-29-10-2008.html

[Happy]

He was right though, the Arsenal ladies did get a point from us.

Well played. :p

[Interstate]

That Bentley goal was insane (and that's coming from an Arsenal fan)

The mugs are still holding up the table though but I reckon they will improve drastically now that Rednapp has restored some confidence.

[RandyfromPennywise]

man, that was a cross to the far post with his left foot

http://www.vidtory.com/hull-city-vs-chelsea-highlights-29-10-2008.html

Seriously dude it wasn't. If he was crossing it, he would've curled his foot around the ball more. You can see from where he looked, and how his foot made contact with the ball, that the outcome was intended. You can see how he deliberately gets right under the ball to loft it over the 'keeper. He would've addressed the ball completely differently if he were aiming for Anelka. Lampard's tried quite a few chips this season, and I have no doubt that he intended the goal against Hull. You see him look up, spot the opportunity, and go for it. To suggest otherwise is just Lampard-directed hate.

TakeWarning, Smyth is disgraceful, but David Pleat certainly gives him a run for his money. Funny how he can't even formulate grammatically-correct sentences and has large problems with speaking coherently. Possibly the stupidest comment ever the other night: "Very rarely will players score with what I call a straight shot." What are you talking about you idiot? What "I call a straight shot"? Shut up you dickhead.

[TakeWarning]

TakeWarning, Smyth is disgraceful, but David Pleat certainly gives him a run for his money. Funny how he can't even formulate grammatically-correct sentences and has large problems with speaking coherently. Possibly the stupidest comment ever the other night: "Very rarely will players score with what I call a straight shot." What are you talking about you idiot? What "I call a straight shot"? Shut up you dickhead.

Pleaty's a legend! I personally find it hilarious how everything how everything slightly irrelevant his commentating partner says is segue'd back to his time at Tottenham. I mean, sure, he did lose his grasp on the English language many years ago, but honestly, there's no commentators out there as amusing as him.

He's not like Tommy Smyth and say, Alan Parry both of whom are just offensive.

[RandyfromPennywise]

I dunno, I can see where you're coming from with Pleat but for me he is just a stupid old man who knows sweet **** all about football. How the hell someone like him gets a job managing one of the larger clubs in England is beyond me. Some of his comments are just ridiculous. I'm just a bloke who watches a lot of football and really likes the sport, and even I know a lot of what his says is complete and utter bullshit. To be honest most commentators are ****. Tyler and Rae are two of the best.

[Britney Diva]

Andy Gray is the worst. In fact, he probably knows what he's talking about a lot of time, it's just that nobody else does.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Nah dude I loved the Gray - Tyler combo when we used to get that on our coverage before we had our own presenters. This was like 2000 though, so maybe if I heard him now I'd think differently, but he was good value. Some of his calls were hilarious.

[Happy]

Tyler's alright, Gray's got an annoying accent.

[poorquality]

To put it simply, I can't watch Liverpool play on Sky Sports because I don't want to hear Andy Gray having a gerrardgasm.

[mph4ever]

Seriously dude it wasn't. If he was crossing it, he would've curled his foot around the ball more. You can see from where he looked, and how his foot made contact with the ball, that the outcome was intended. You can see how he deliberately gets right under the ball to loft it over the 'keeper. He would've addressed the ball completely differently if he were aiming for Anelka. Lampard's tried quite a few chips this season, and I have no doubt that he intended the goal against Hull. You see him look up, spot the opportunity, and go for it. To suggest otherwise is just Lampard-directed hate.



maybe you're right, can't see it, looks like he spotted anelka at the far post and tried to deftly put it on his head and failed. btw, i don't hate lampard, just don't think the sun shines out of his arse.

[RandyfromPennywise]

maybe you're right, can't see it, looks like he spotted anelka at the far post and tried to deftly put it on his head and failed. btw, i don't hate lampard, just don't think the sun shines out of his arse.

It doesn't shine out of his bottom, it just shines on him, all the time, like a personal spotlight that luminates him to a level far beyond the common man (e.g. Steven Gerrard).

[mph4ever]

It doesn't shine out of his bottom, it just shines on him, all the time, like a personal spotlight that luminates him to a level far beyond the common man (e.g. Steven Gerrard).

its not appropriate to mention frank in the same sentence as gerrard.

[TakeWarning]

Frank Lampard>>>>>> Stevie G

Based on his form this season, I can see why everyone rates him so highly to be honest.

[RandyfromPennywise]

its not appropriate to mention frank in the same sentence as gerrard.

I know, it tarnishes Lampard's name, and it's not fair to compare mere mortals (Gayrrard) to figures such as Frank James Lampard.

Frank Lampard>>>>>> Stevie G

Based on his form this season, I can see why everyone rates him so highly to be honest. You sir, are correct.

[Britney Diva]

Well you can't really compare them that much now they're playing in different roles/positions, but Fattie has been quite outstanding this season.

[RandyfromPennywise]

It is unanimous. This thread must be changed to Euro 2008 (The Official Fat Lampard Thread).

[Britney Diva]

Next title change is due in 2010.

[RandyfromPennywise]

The Official Australia World Cup Winners 2010 Adelaide United Asian Champions 2008 Frank Lampard Ballon d'Or 2009 World Player of the Year 2009 Chelsea Champions of Europe 2009 Chelsea Champions of Europe 2010 Chelsea Champions of England 2009 Champions of England 2010 Vinnie Grella Premier League Player of the Month February 2009 Cristiano Ronaldo Career-Ending Injury 2009 Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher Dead In Murder Suicide 2008 Thread.

Yeeeh bring it on.

[Britney Diva]

You have a year and more than a half to perfect the wording!

[TakeWarning]

Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher Dead In Murder Suicide 2008 Thread.

Yeeeh bring it on.

BAHAHAHAHAHA.

How's Grella doing by the way? I've forgotten about him since his injury.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Played the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough and got man-of-the-match, and then didn't make the squad for the midweek match against Villa. Don't know why. Not sure if he's going to play this weekend. But yeah he's done well in his two matches so far.

[Happy]

The Official Australia World Cup Winners 2010 Adelaide United Asian Champions 2008 Frank Lampard Ballon d'Or 2009 World Player of the Year 2009 Chelsea Champions of Europe 2009 Chelsea Champions of Europe 2010 Chelsea Champions of England 2009 Champions of England 2010 Vinnie Grella Premier League Player of the Month February 2009 Cristiano Ronaldo Career-Ending Injury 2009 Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher Dead In Murder Suicide 2008 Thread.

Yeeeh bring it on.

Where's the Spurs in that?

[radtaste]

Probably liquidated.

[The_Passenger]

according to skysports 66 minutes have been played at stamford bridge and sunderland haven't had a shot. not one at all. that's ridiculous.

i'd also like to add that james beattie is currently one of my least favourite people

[RandyfromPennywise]

Chelsea were very, very dominant today, and Sunderland offered nothing. At all. Chelsea scored their 5 goals in a 26-minute period either side of half-time. Hardly got out of second gear apart from that. Deco was non-existant, Terry and Alex had nothing to do, and Drogba was woeful when he came on. Apart from that, Lampard was superb, Joe Cole looked very lively, Malouda did well and Anelka got a hat-trick, although all three goals were pish tap-ins. Miniero also got a debut.

I have to say that Rio Ferdinand is a dumb wanker and if he wasn't playing football he'd be on the streets of wherever it is that he comes from, trying to be a gangster wearing Dada and Fubu with gold chains, rapping and beatboxing on the street, giving attitude to anyone who looked at him sideways. He's the type of person who is a scurge on a modern society and must be erradicated.

[Britney Diva]

I probably shouldn't have picked Cisse in my fantasy team then X/

Snoop Dogg is chill. You need to lighten up Randall.

[RandyfromPennywise]

I went to school with a guy called Randall and he went on to rob seven banks in 2006.

You're a mod, can you change my name to Randy or Rusty please. I asked before but no one listened and then said they were taken but I've never seen anyone called Randy or Rusty 'round these parts before.

Nah I just saw the highlights of the game between your mob and my mob from the end of the prem season last year (2-1 to Chels, Ballack double) and Rio was such a fkn wanker, I would have loved to be there to punch him right in the lip. Pisses me off no end. And Hargreaves was being a right knobhead too. And van der Sar. Add to that list Nani and Anderson of the Man U players I hate. Apart from them, the rest are pretty ok. Oh except Gaznev, he's a wanker too. But the rest are alright.

[Happy]

Brilliant start from Spurs!

[Britney Diva]

Well done Spurs.

What the hell was Jamie Carragher trying to do? He wasn't even close to clearing the ball. Agger (I think) was woeful for the second as well. Seems to have some kind of aversion to attacking the ball.

[The_Passenger]

i believe that's what we call karma

[Happy]

I can't actually believe this.

**** yes!

[RandyfromPennywise]

Glory Glory THFC.

And just letting you know, in the spirit of FIFA Fair Play, that I now have Ronaldo in my Fantasy team. And not at the expense of Lampard. Just giving you all some warning.

[poorquality]

I made the correct decision to make Ronaldo my captain today...swish easy points, slowly climbing the league. Watch out.

[rid]

Not much to say about Agger, Carragher was going for the ball, out of balance or whatever else, still tried to hit the ball and was only one way it could go. Maybe he tried to get it over the goal. meh.

fcking liverpool.

[radtaste]

Surprising results galore.

[poorquality]

FM09 demo is out for all interested. My advice is to switch to classic 2d immediately after starting a game, haven't found any other view worthwhile atm, new 2d is poor, and 3d is slow, glitchy and jumpy

[TakeWarning]

COME ON YOUR SPURSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

We were pretty poor in all honesty, but the boys are playing with such pride - it's fantastic. http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/goal/posts/rooney.puppet.533.jpg

EDIT: I just heard Arsenal lost to Stoke! Was it the notorious Rory Delap long-throw again by any chance?

[Britney Diva]

Yes, twice.

Van Persie's sending off was also epic. What a stupid dickhead.

[TakeWarning]

Well huge lol @ Wenger saying he wasn't concerned with the long throw.

That's two games in a row he's been left eating his words after the game.

[mph4ever]

didn't see anything all weekend. great results all round, have to love stoke, bolton and spurs. keane getting sent into the stands. united having some poor games, getting some results and their mistakes being cancelled out by arsenal, liverpool and chelsea. they should all take advantgae whilst they can, won't be long until we are at full strength and steamrolling everyone we meet.

its a strange thing football, its all about rivalry, all about your result but also about others teams results. you know, i couldn't give a toss if chelsea won the league as long as city, liverpool or arsenal didn't

just out of interest, who do you reckon are your teams main rivals

manu would have to be 1: citeh, 2: liverpool, 3: arsenal. leeds if they were around anywhere would be a big one and i guess any of the lancashire derby games

[Happy]

Spurs' rivals? No idea apart from Arsenal and maybe Milwall for pushing fans under trains.

[mph4ever]

yeah, i'd have said north london, on top of each other, hate each other, thats rivalry

[Interstate]

Man Arsenal are having a mare of a season. :(

[Happy]

4th place after 11 games is hardly a nightmare :-/

[Pastorius]

chelsea are going to win the league

[poorquality]

Chelsea to win, United 2nd, Liv 3rd, Arse 4th

United to win Champs League, Chelsea to win FA Cup, Liv to win League Cup >_>

[RandyfromPennywise]

chelsea are going to win the league

Yes, they are.

Chelsea's main rivals? Hard to say this one. Any of Fulham, Tottenham, Arsenal and Millwall in London, and then I genuinely despise Liverpool, and Leeds, and Barcelona in recent seasons in Europe but obviously that's not a traditional one.

[poorquality]

Football Factory teaches us that Millwall are Chelseas main rival >_> I know it's a film.

Then again in Green Street, Millwall are West Ham's biggest rivals.

Meh, guess no-one likes Millwall. :P

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yeah West Sham and Millwall are feircer rivals than us and Millwall it would seem.

I played footie against a guy with a massive Millwall tattoo on his back, and under the picture of the lion it says "Pull the lion's tail and he will bite". Haha.

[mph4ever]

no one can say who is gong to win the league yet. i guess chelsea could be hopeful but they have dropped five points against two of the other big 'uns at home and thats never good. liverpool must be doubting themselves again, arsenal haven't got a leader and manu are rudderless in midfield.

as i said earlier, i am not even sure the top four will be the traditional top four, theres one or two capable of getting in and about them

[Happy]

Like Spurs ;)

jk, but against the top 4 we haven't done so badly this year.

[mph4ever]

i wish spurs were up there, they have been through a lot. i don't think they will be fighting relegation. got to put the lesser teams away with ease. never know, they could have a reverse of the season city had last year.

[TakeWarning]

Man Arsenal are having a mare of a season. :(

It's just a shame no one's pushing them hard for that top four spot. I mean, they've had some shockingly bad results and they're still fourth. Life isn't fair.

[mph4ever]

It's just a shame no one's pushing them hard for that top four spot. I mean, they've had some shockingly bad results and they're still fourth. Life isn't fair.

villa are pushing pretty hard

if one of the top four drop to 5th then who would be best suited to life without cl revenue? who could survive the drop down best?

[Surtr]

MOTHERWELL ARE BACK IN THIRD.

Ohhh shittt bringg it mutha' ****ss.

We just need to try and maintain some solid level of play. :)

[mph4ever]

messi shows his true form, he seems to have brought skill in dribbling and has now started to spit, gross to say the least

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8750970/Guardiola-criticizes-Messi-for-spitting

[Kickflip_Burrito]

It's just a shame no one's pushing them hard for that top four spot. I mean, they've had some shockingly bad results and they're still fourth. Life isn't fair.


Remember though, Arsenal have not played any of the other 'top 4' sides (i.e. Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester Utd), nor have they played Aston Villa yet who are doing pretty well in 5th place.

Hate to say this, but I think we're in for a really crap season. Unless we beat all the above sides at least once to make up for points dropped at Fulham, Hull, Sunderland and Spurs.

[talk show host]

FM09 demo is out for all interested. My advice is to switch to classic 2d immediately after starting a game, haven't found any other view worthwhile atm, new 2d is poor, and 3d is slow, glitchy and jumpy

I've just downloaded it and it's pretty much unplayable at the moment. I haven't got the option for 3d so i'm guessing I haven't got a good graphics card, but the 2d classic is really slow and jerky too. Crap.

I usually buy one of these every couple of years but i'll skip this one if I need some sort of supermachine to play it.


and Messi's a twat for spitting, disgusting thing to do

[RandyfromPennywise]

villa are pushing pretty hard

if one of the top four drop to 5th then who would be best suited to life without cl revenue? who could survive the drop down best?
Well the answer is abviously Man United or Chelsea, but it's more likely to be Scouse or Arse who would drop to fifth, in the foreseeable future anyway. Villa really needed to win today. Anyone remember the 1999 season when Villa top at Christmas? I do. They ended up sixth.

[mph4ever]

yes, villa needed to win today. that result lets all the usual suspects get away with their recent results. nice to see newcastle and spurs getting results.

next up arsenal, at the emirates, i am going to be looking forward to the back end of the season.

[benfan]

Come on the Toon. Great result for us against Villa. We need to start picking up results against the middle teams, so to beat Villa 2-0 is great. martins first goal was a good strike, and the second shows why we need Gutierrez.
Barton could of been off for flicking that guys lip, but it just really pisses me off how quick the sports writers are to hound him.

[Happy]

To be honest, he shouldn't even be doing things like that, especially after what's happened to him. He said he wants to be a role model to kids, that he wants to turn his life around and put what happened behind him. Because of those reasons, he's going to be hounded and I think he deserves it, no matter how petty flicking someone's lip is.

[mph4ever]

agreed. he either rises above it and doesn't take the bait or he should give up trying to be a role model.

even zidane failed after being taunted on the biggest stage, so what hope does a thug like joey stand. not sure kinnear should have been so quick to praise him either. it would have been better if all he said was "joey has a lot of things to prove, the jury is still out and will be for some time yet"

[Happy]

Yeah but Kinnear's a dick.

[mph4ever]

lol at robbie savage considering going to beirut's al-ansar. surely they wouldn't give a visa to a terrorist like him

[mph4ever]

joe cole was lucky not to give away a penalty. great goal from roma

haven't seen liverpool yet but a bit of a shocker

[The_Passenger]

wow chelsea have been awful since they went behind

[mph4ever]

deco off, bit of a pup

[mph4ever]

thats a disgrace, refs should be shot, liverpool deserve nothing

btw, lampard vs gerrard in terms of who is better, stevie g makes a difference period

[The_Passenger]

Liverpool win a dodgy penalty in front of the Kop in injury time whilst losing? I've never heard of such a thing.

[Britney Diva]

lol Gerrard

"English players don't dive!"

Aguero getting booked for taking a shot is probably the most bizarre thing I have ever seen in a football match. I don't know where they find some of these officials, but it can't be anywhere near a football pitch.

Chelsea slaughtered! I have never seen them defend so badly.

[Frankie]

Deco given a second booking (and subsequently sent off) for taking a free kick too quickly.

Outrageous.

[mph4ever]

frank had an off game tonight

big game

It should be an interesting contrast of styles as the powerful Adelaide team have the best defensive record in the competition with just four goals conceded. The visitors will play it tight and look for an away goal.

football is great, init

[sgrevs]

lol Gerrard

"English players don't dive!"



He clearly didn't dive. He jumped for the ball and just flew past the defender. Not that it should have been a penalty or anything, but it certainly wasn't a dive.

Chelsea slaughtered! I have never seen them defend so badly.


The first Roma goal was ridiculous. Chelsea just stood and watched. Second Roma goal was awesome though.

[Happy]

They're practising for when they lose to Spurs later on this season.

[Pastorius]

It wasn't a dive but he made the most of it.

And thank god, salvaged a point out of a game which we dominated but didn't finish well. Been the story of our games when we play well.

[radtaste]

He clearly didn't dive. He jumped for the ball and just flew past the defender. Not that it should have been a penalty or anything, but it certainly wasn't a dive.

Gerrard should have kindly explained to the ref that he was not fouled, and refused the penalty.


In other news, Inter Milan were lulzy against Anorthorsis. Burdisso, what a comedian. Two mistakes, two goals.

edit: anyone see the second goal from Panathaikos against Bremen? Stunning.

[Happy]

It wasn't a dive but he made the most of it.

And thank god, salvaged a point out of a game which we dominated but didn't finish well. Been the story of our games when we play well.

Deja vu innit.

[VomitStainedCretin]

liverpool deserve nothingA statement concerning the particular which, in my view, is very much justified in being generalised.

Good on plucky Anorthosis nicking a point off Inter.

[Britney Diva]

He clearly didn't dive. He jumped for the ball and just flew past the defender. Not that it should have been a penalty or anything, but it certainly wasn't a dive.
He threw back his head and made a look of anguish. He wasn't fouled and he pretended that he was to get a penalty = dive. He's basically Ronaldo without the skill.

[RandyfromPennywise]

frank had an off game tonight

big game

football is great, init

Four hours 'til kick-off, get in, this is huge. UNITED.

A statement concerning the particular which, in my view, is very much justified in being generalised.


You are a good man.
He threw back his head and made a look of anguish. He wasn't fouled and he pretended that he was to get a penalty = dive. He's basically Ronaldo without the skill.
He's Robbie Savage without the skill.

[mph4ever]

Four hours 'til kick-off, get in, this is huge. UNITED.





theres something surreal about a chelsea fan shouting united

[jingledeath]

He's basically Ronaldo without the skill.
LOL:p
didn't expect a dive from Gerrard but I guess in the dying minutes of any game, if your losing, you get desperate.
Both Vucinic goals were awesome.
Can't wait for United vs Celtic today.:chug:

[Pastorius]

got to love the liverpool haters

blindly following illogical thought patterns

[mph4ever]

think we''ll wait until the 12th before anyone says anything about the adelaide game

[radtaste]

think we''ll wait until the 12th before anyone says anything about the adelaide game

It's over.

[The_Passenger]

got to love the liverpool haters

blindly following illogical thought patterns

bit like the fans then

[TakeWarning]

Did Birighitti end up playing for Adelaide? Used to play against the kid.

[poorquality]

Seen the picture on the Beeb?

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45174000/jpg/_45174760_liv_atletico226b.jpg

No-one who "Jumps for the ball, but misses" looks like he's just been shot

[jingledeath]

lol

[poorquality]

Even better:

http://i33.tinypic.com/25ujlzq.jpg

He jumps into the opposition player and gets a pen ffs

[Happy]

What a cunt

[mph4ever]

should be banned for a while. atletico would have qualified if they had won, now they are all in a dogfight i think.

[Pastorius]

pfffft no-one complains this hard when anyone else exaggerates a challenge

[Frankie]

It's because he's a scouser, it takes a lot of effort to like him in the first place, and very little effort to hate.

[poorquality]

Also because foreigners get so much stick for it already from the english, we're just trying to even things up using their goldenboy King Stevey.

[Pastorius]

i wouldn't say gerrard is the goldenboy of english football

probably rooney at the moment

[mph4ever]

pfffft no-one complains this hard when anyone else exaggerates a challenge

there was no challenge, the consequence was a goal, a goal that stopped atletico qualifying, it was blatant cheating. last minute, in front of the kop, champions league.

[Pastorius]

yet if united or chelsea did it it would not receive this level of criticism!

[poorquality]

I dunno Ronaldo still gets pretty slated for things he used to do in his first couple of seasons, which he's eased up on but still gets it.

Also Drogba gets slated about it too.

[Pastorius]

ronaldo has made some of the worst dives of his career this season

[poorquality]

I did say eased up and not all together stopped. I don't recall anything outrageous from him this season so far, concidering how few games he's played.