The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread - Part 10

[Poeman]

3-3 draw right now...lets go

[The Englishman]

A hand ball is a hand ball though, it was scoring chance.
No its not...

[Poeman]

Mario Gomez missed the easiet shot of his life

[RKO]

No its not...

How? It blocked a shot at goal, and his arm was away from his body.

[Poeman]

Pepe with a handball on Robben's freekick not called...terrible

[RKO]

Yeah that was definitely handball also.

[The Englishman]

How? It blocked a shot at goal, and his arm was away from his body.
The shot was not on target, he did not move his hand toword the ball. It was not deliberate, so in my opinion it was a harsh penalty..

[Poeman]

Bayern clearly the better team here

[Poeman]

Time for penalties...The pressure is on Madrid

[the_ultimate_evil]

real are throwing this away

[the_ultimate_evil]

**** i take that back

[Poeman]

bahahha Kaka and Ronaldo and RAMOS misses penalties


hahah The german maestro Schewinstagga sends his team for a home final...wow

[the_ultimate_evil]

england-germany the papers will have a field day

ramos really should have sunk it, but the keeper got in his head with all the complaining

[Iceman]

Germans on penalties. They have this part of the game mastered. Congrats to them.

[RKO]

Wow what a penalty shoot-out, saves everywhere. That's what happens when you have 2 of the best goalkeepers in the world together.

[Harry_Lime02]

Man, Neuer was loving that. He was pumped.

[Darthphere]

I told you guys not to write off Bayern.

[Van Petrol]

Chelsea will win the CL. I just can't see Bayern breaking them down at the moment.

[Van Petrol]

Germans on penalties. They have this part of the game mastered. Congrats to them.

Kaka: 65 million euros

Ronaldo: 94 million euros

Being German in a penalty shootout: Priceless

[Poeman]

Chelsea will win the CL. I just can't see Bayern breaking them down at the moment.

Its as fair a match up as you will ever see...

Bayern will also be without their key defenders

Just have to hope that the final is not a complete home advantage, but I bet somewhere Didier Drogba is doing this

http://imgs.sfgate.com/n/p/2012/04/24/89e04324-a48b-4c56-8c34-72283e029503_part6.jpg

He & Chelsea are close to glory for the first time

[Darthphere]

Chelsea will win the CL. I just can't see Bayern breaking them down at the moment.

Again, I wouldn't write off Bayern, lol.

They're at home and they're not one dimensional like Barca. They attack on the wings with Robben and Ribery, they can cross into the box with Gomez. I personally think Bayern beat Chelsea.

Also, Adidas is loving this final.

[Van Petrol]

So are the majority consensus rooting for Chelsea then?...

[Iceman]

Kaka: 65 million euros

Ronaldo: 94 million euros

Being German in a penalty shootout: Priceless:word:

Its as fair a match up as you will ever see...

Bayern will also be without their key defenders

Just have to hope that the final is not a complete home advantage, but I bet somewhere Didier Drogba is doing this

http://imgs.sfgate.com/n/p/2012/04/24/89e04324-a48b-4c56-8c34-72283e029503_part6.jpg

He & Chelsea are close to glory for the first timeDo you know who exactly is out for Bayern? I want to try and guess the final lineups.

[Poeman]

So I take it the majority consensus will be rooting for Chelsea then?...

Im cool with it because Bayern has won it plenty of times...Chelsea has never had it...But it is a incredible story if Chelsea win, a great story for Drogba, Lampard, Cech, and that interim manager.

Although if Bayern wins then Robben finally tastes sweetness. He has always been on the wrong end

[Darthphere]

So are the majority consensus rooting for Chelsea then?...

Nope. I'll be rooting for Bayern. I just wanted Chelsea to eliminate Barca.:o

[Poeman]

It would be a awesome ending if Man City wins the league and Chelsea wins the UEFA final.

I know Darthphere agrees :o

[RKO]

I'm calling it. Torres will win the game for the Blues.

[Darthphere]

It would be a awesome ending if Man City wins the league and Chelsea wins the UEFA final.

I know Darthphere agrees :o

I'd probably kill myself.

[Iceman]

Im cool with it because Bayern has won it plenty of times...Chelsea has never had it...But it is a incredible story if Chelsea win, a great story for Drogba, Lampard, Cech, and that interim manager.

Although if Bayern wins then Robben finally tastes sweetness. He has always been on the wrong endRobben's a good player but I couldn't give a **** whether he tastes success or not lol. If the final is as dramatic as Chelsea's quarter & semi finals it would be a great story for them to win. I certainly think it's going to be very close with not too many goals.
I'm calling it. Torres will win the game for the Blues.I'd love it!

[Poeman]

Im gonna go with a Drogba screamer ftw

or

Lampard penalty shot...change of bad juju right there

[Dr Lee]

Bad form by Jose.... don't think he even bothered to wave to the fans before he buggered off to the locker room....

[Darthphere]

But that's Jose being Jose. No one should be shocked.

[Dr Lee]

not really shocked.... but it's still bad form

[Darthphere]

Sadly, he's done worse.

[Two-Face]

Kaka: 65 million euros

Ronaldo: 94 million euros

Being German in a penalty shootout: Priceless

:funny:

Congrats to Bayern. At 2-0 down I thought Bayern were up for it than Real. Two pens Ref gave were soft and Germans on pens they always win.


Bayern Munich v Chelsea in Munich certainly an advantage

[Harry_Lime02]

It's worth remembering that if Chelsea win the CL they'll take the spot of whoever finishes 4th in the league, so Newcastle and Arsenal fans should not be rooting for Chelsea. :o

[Darthphere]

Good point. Poeman and Iceman.

[Hunter Rider]

Both penalties were soft but I think the big weakness in Madrid is they lack a CM that can get forward and support, plus Di Maria has been crap since he came back from injury, and I can't believe Mourinho let Ramos take a penalty.

So are the majority consensus rooting for Chelsea then?...

Honestly when the game finished I said to my Dad I'm not sure I will even watch the final, neither are flair teams or soulful teams, they share the same physicality and efficient style, what I call well oiled machine teams, not really an attractive final but basically I'm English and like Wobbly so I have no issue with Chelsea winning.

[spidey-dude]

why s it an incredible story if Chelsea win it? they were one of the top 6 favourites going into the competition....

[kit1982]

Like the Chelsea game before, the longer the game went on the more you could see Real didn't have a clue on how to get another goal, had Gomez not fluffed his lines it'd have been over in the 90 mins. How many difficult saves did Neuer make in 120 mins?

I'm sure it'll be a decent final, I have to be honest I didn't think Real vs Bayern would be anywhere near as interesting as it was. You can never really call these finals, both United vs Barca games were built up as great finals, yet both were as dull as I've seen.


Also 20 years to the day my darling Leeds United celebrated winning the old first division title before it became the Premier League with a 3-2 win away at Sheffield United. The next time you hear someone saying how foreign players have ruined the English game, show them the very british defending in this video and thank god for the likes of Jaap Stam.....

y5WNqAJCxyU

[B]

Both penalties were soft but I think the big weakness in Madrid is they lack a CM that can get forward and support, plus Di Maria has been crap since he came back from injury, and I can't believe Mourinho let Ramos take a penalty.

Personally I think Di Maria was not only a disappointment against Bayern, but he has been a disappointment since signing for Madrid. Very wasteful alot of the time & I don't think he has looked as potentially good as he did at Benfica.

In hindsight, I'm glad United didn't get him. He seems very wasteful alot of the time & his moments of good play are too far apart.. hes kinda like how Nani was at the start of his United career. Give him the ball 10 times he'll give it away with a sloppy pass or failed trick 9 times, whereas now he only maybe gives it away 8 times out of 10. :D

[B]

why s it an incredible story if Chelsea win it? they were one of the top 6 favourites going into the competition....

People had written them off for winning anything at one point in the season.. now they can potentially win 2 out of 3 of the most important trophies they were even entered in.

You could make a case if they were to win either or both of them that they've had a more successful season than whoever wins the league seeing as both crashed out of FA Cup & CL at early stages.

Not to mention how they beat Barcelona, it wasn't pretty & they didn't dominate them by any means at all.. however they stuck together & didn't give up. I mean Barcelona had something ridiculous over the 2 legs, something like 160% possession to Chelsea's 40% & they had about 40 shots on goal over the 2 legs.. and Chelsea had a man sent off at the Nou Camp & had to win it with 10 men.

[spidey-dude]

People had written them off for winning anything at one point in the season.. now they can potentially win 2 out of 3 of the most important trophies they were even entered in.

You could make a case if they were to win either or both of them that they've had a more successful season than whoever wins the league seeing as both crashed out of FA Cup & CL at early stages.

Not to mention how they beat Barcelona, it wasn't pretty & they didn't dominate them by any means at all.. however they stuck together & didn't give up. I mean Barcelona had something ridiculous over the 2 legs, something like 160% possession to Chelsea's 40% & they had about 40 shots on goal over the 2 legs.. and Chelsea had a man sent off at the Nou Camp & had to win it with 10 men.

hmmmmn I dont know about that - they were one of the favourites at the beginning of the competition - and its a cup competition, I even said in here a while ago I thought Chelsea might win the whole thing - as far as underdogs winning the Champions league there have been bigger underdogs getting to the final and even going on to win it in previous years

[Poeman]

It's worth remembering that if Chelsea win the CL they'll take the spot of whoever finishes 4th in the league, so Newcastle and Arsenal fans should not be rooting for Chelsea. :o

Is that really the case? I heard somewhere that if Chelsea wins they dont get in next year if they arent in the top 4.

Honestly, that would be a dick move towards Newcastle/Arsenal.

But its okay with the Toon I think...They will get a Europa League spot which is more favorable and should be rewarded with Champions League money for the 4th spot and being dropped out I believe

BUT I am aiming for the 3rd spot if I am Newcastle...3 points behind Arsenal right now

[Poeman]

http://i.imgur.com/WKX8r.gif

[RKO]

I'm still wondering why was Ramos taking that PK instead of Higuain.

[spidey-dude]

Is that really the case? I heard somewhere that if Chelsea wins they dont get in next year if they arent in the top 4.


nope champions always get in - they amended the rules after we won and finished 5th so that in future cases it would be taken away from the lowest qualifying team from the same country

I am still in favour of 4th not = champions league and instead giving it to the winner of the FA cup, if the winner already qualifies then it should go to 4th place (and not the runner up) - give the cup a higher importance (even though invariably it is won by a top 4 club/chelsea)

[Iceman]

why s it an incredible story if Chelsea win it? they were one of the top 6 favourites going into the competition....It's not about that, it's the method of snatching a result from the jaws of defeat. Liverpool weren't exactly minnows when they beat Milan, it was all in the nature of coming back from a seemingly impossible situation of 3 goals down against a defence like Milan's in one half of football. Same Utd had every chance of beating Bayern in 1999 before kick off, but at 1-0 down in injury time winning before extra time was crazy. The match was boring otherwise!

[spidey-dude]

It's not about that, it's the method of snatching a result from the jaws of defeat. Liverpool weren't exactly minnows when they beat Milan, it was all in the nature of coming back from a seemingly impossible situation of 3 goals down against a defence like Milan's in one half of football. Same Utd had every chance of beating Bayern in 1999 before kick off, but at 1-0 down in injury time winning before extra time was crazy. The match was boring otherwise!

I would disagree actually - our team really wasnt that good at all and certainly nowhere near as good as the current Chelsea team

[Darthphere]

I think you're being kind of obtuse about this spidey-dude. I mean, were they favorites going in? I guess you could say that but I mean, that would be a stretch when people had Barca, Real, United, AC Milan ranked higher than them. Once the season started rolling and Chelsea were struggling in the EPL and having some missteps in the UCL people started writing them off. They had Napoli beating them. Some people even had Benfica beating them. Definitely everyone in the world had Barca beating them and Chelsea soldiered on. Just because they have a ridiculous payroll and are big names in football didn't make them any less of an underdog during this competition. Especially when you think about what they had to do, incredible superhuman efforts against Napoli and Barcelona. I hate Chelsea with a passion but it's not hard for me to give credit where credit is due.

[Darthphere]

That being said, I just read that John Terry would be allowed to lift the trophy if Chelsea were to win. Seems kind of ridiculous to me as they got there in spite of his stupidity.

[RKO]

Yeah, but he's been there from the beginning and most of the tournament, and he's still the captain, so he should be allowed to lift the trophy, imo.

[Darthphere]

stupidity has consequences.

[RKO]

stupidity has consequences.

Yeah and that's why he's not playing, that should be enough.

[wobbly]

The ban is punishment enough. Win and he is not part of it, lose and he will feel in part responsible for that.

See no big deal in letting him lift the cup. It's not against any rules, no exception is being made by it, so nothing to get bothered about.

[Iceman]

It's not a sight I particularly want to see (would much prefer Lampard lifting the trophy) but if his teammates want it I have no problem with it. I certainly think all players who contribute significantly to the road to the final should be given almost equal footing with those who appear in the final.

[bapi]

"@skysports sources understand Pep Guardiola has told Barca he wants to quit #FCB at end of season & take break."

"So Guardiola set for a break, early reports in Spain claim Barca's plan B comprises of Marcelo Bielsa, Laurent Blanc and Ernesto Valverde."

[RKO]

I saw that coming, the Pep Era is over. I'm surprised AVB isn't also thrown in there as a possible replacement.

[Hunter Rider]

http://s18.postimage.org/bzxf2uk6x/525822_3755998736113_1160790429_33633390_1336928.j pg (http://postimage.org/)


Personally I think Di Maria was not only a disappointment against Bayern, but he has been a disappointment since signing for Madrid. Very wasteful alot of the time & I don't think he has looked as potentially good as he did at Benfica.

In hindsight, I'm glad United didn't get him. He seems very wasteful alot of the time & his moments of good play are too far apart.. hes kinda like how Nani was at the start of his United career. Give him the ball 10 times he'll give it away with a sloppy pass or failed trick 9 times, whereas now he only maybe gives it away 8 times out of 10. :D

Ouch! :funny: The first half of this season Di Maria was pretty effective IMO, him and Ronaldo playing as inverted wingers was a good source of the Real Madrid attack and he seemed to have got his brain in gear, but since he came back he's been crap.

hmmmmn I dont know about that - they were one of the favourites at the beginning of the competition - and its a cup competition, I even said in here a while ago I thought Chelsea might win the whole thing - as far as underdogs winning the Champions league there have been bigger underdogs getting to the final and even going on to win it in previous years

It's not really about them being among the big name teams when it started, it's the fact they have been in disarray for half of the season, a lot of the old guard discarded, their pricey new manager at odds with everyone, a change in style that they couldn't adjust to that led to him being sacked, the club looked a mess and is still looking very weak on the domestic front in comparison to the Chelsea that went into the Moscow final.

They are seen as a side that is too old and on it's last legs as shown by their still poor league form that sees them outside of the top 4 for the first time since Abramovich took over. So too pull off a CL win that included beating a side considered the best in the world with only ten men away from home, then to go into the final at the other teams home ground with so many key players missing, it would be a remarkable end to their season that looked unthinkable in January.

[Hunter Rider]

Arsenal's top summer transfer targets video special (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-summer-transfer-targets-video-805724)

Manchester City's top summer transfer targets video special (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-city-summer-transfer-targets-806289)

Manchester United's top summer transfer targets video special (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-united-summer-transfer-targets-805890)

Liverpool's top summer transfer targets video special (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-summer-transfer-targets-video-805988)

Tottenham's top summer transfer targets video special (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/tottenham-summer-transfer-targets-video-806353)

[kit1982]

No Leeds Uniteds targets.... I'm offended :o

Although we are after El Hadji Diouf..... and that isn't a joke!

[Darthphere]

No Leeds Uniteds targets.... I'm offended :o

Although we are after El Hadji Diouf..... and that isn't a joke!

He should be good for a couple of months, then he'll do something stupid/crazy.

[Iceman]

"@skysports sources understand Pep Guardiola has told Barca he wants to quit #FCB at end of season & take break."

"So Guardiola set for a break, early reports in Spain claim Barca's plan B comprises of Marcelo Bielsa, Laurent Blanc and Ernesto Valverde."If he leaves, congrats on taking Barcelona to the most successful period in their history. Amazing job!

[Poeman]

He probably becomes the next Manchester United manager

[bapi]

I saw that coming, the Pep Era is over. I'm surprised AVB isn't also thrown in there as a possible replacement.

Well, he was watching Barca B few times in last weeks and had a chance to replace Emery in Valencia but said no so... But I really believe Bielsa is their No. 1 target.

[bapi]

He probably becomes the next Manchester United manager

He only wants 1 year off so Chelsea or City should be more realistic options.

[kit1982]

He should be good for a couple of months, then he'll do something stupid/crazy.

Just weird seeing as how Warnock compared him to a "sewer rat" last season!


B-fG-w0O2HI

[Darthphere]

Well considering where Leeds are now....a sewer rat might be what they need. :o


;)

[spidey-dude]

He only wants 1 year off so Chelsea or City should be more realistic options.

Dalglish's contact ends next year, and Pep has said he wants a project.... :cwink:

[kit1982]

Dalglish's contact ends next year, and Pep has said he wants a project.... :cwink:

Warnocks contract runs out next year, now if he REALLY wants a project... get Alex Bruce and Leigh Bromby playing Tikki Takka!

[Poeman]

Logically is Arsene Wenger would leave Arsenal a project would be to fix that Arsenal team...With a world class stadium and amazing club history I could see Pep bringing glory there for the first time

[B]

Ouch! :funny: The first half of this season Di Maria was pretty effective IMO, him and Ronaldo playing as inverted wingers was a good source of the Real Madrid attack and he seemed to have got his brain in gear, but since he came back he's been crap.

Personally from what I've seen of him I've not been highly impressed with him. I've just looked at his stats (according to wikipedia) & he has 14 assists & 5 goals to his name out of 20 La Liga appearances apparently which is very good, however I just feel hes still very wasteful.. at least anytime I've seen him he seems that way.

He only wants 1 year off so Chelsea or City should be more realistic options.

Neither City or Chelsea would be more realistic though at the moment, Chelsea will be looking a new manager this summer & City will either stick with Mancini or else be looking for a new manager this summer as well. Either way unless Chelsea or City have a poor season next year, neither will be looking next summer.. or shouldn't be.

Whether or not United will be looking will depend on when Ferguson decides to step aside.. which could be next summer. Mourinho supposedly has his eye on the United job & replacing Sir Alex Ferguson.. so I've read anyway, I've also heard rumours (& take them with a pinch of salt) that Mourinho has it in his contract that if Manchester United ask for permission to speak with him about becoming their manager it must be accepted by Madrid.

Liverpool could be a realistic choice, I think Dalglish has taken them as far as he can. He has steadied the ship & stopped their freefall which started under Benitez & then worsened under Hodgson.. However hes proven that hes not the man for the job with a series of poor big money signings & not getting the league results which is what Liverpool want. I think he is under contract for 1 more season I believe & unless he is forcibly removed mid-season, I don't think they'll give him a new deal so they could be looking next summer as well.

Arsenal would be the least likely at the moment I feel to be needing a manager, Arsene Wenger is 62 though & Arsenal are in a trophyless rut at the moment.. however given how much Wenger has given to the club I don't think they'll forcibly remove him.

[The Englishman]

He should be good for a couple of months, then he'll do something stupid/crazy.
He will likely spit in someone's face....
Well considering where Leeds are now....a sewer rat might be what they need. :o


;)

I don't get it? :huh:

[Dr Lee]

I see the Handshake has been canceled on Legal grounds for the QPR/Chelsea game..... can't believe that this mess hasn't been sorted out already

[bapi]

Guardiola: "I believe in short-term management, and to spend four years as the head coach of FC Barcelona feels like a eternity."


The club have announced that Guardiola's assistant manager Tito Vilanova will be promoted to the helm of Barcelona this summer. Permanently.

[Darthphere]

He will likely spit in someone's face....


I don't get it? :huh:

Because Leeds are in the sewer.....:csad:


Maybe that joke works better in American.:o

[the_ultimate_evil]

Yeah, but he's been there from the beginning and most of the tournament, and he's still the captain, so he should be allowed to lift the trophy, imo.

********, he was sent off and suspended. you didn't see keane or scholes back in 99

sorry but if you are sent of or being punished you dont get a pat on the head and have the people in charge say ahh go on then, sorry this man has made **** up after **** up after **** up but we should all just smile because he's a good old English boy

[RKO]

********, he was sent off and suspended. you didn't see keane or scholes back in 99

sorry but if you are sent of or being punished you dont get a pat on the head and have the people in charge say ahh go on then, sorry this man has made **** up after **** up after **** up but we should all just smile because he's a good old English boy


Alright chill there, he didn't kill anyone. He has the right to lift the trophy as much as anyone else in that team.

[Darthphere]

Except he doesn't...IMO. He lost that right when he committed a stupid act and forced his team to play with 10 men for an hour. Missing the final isn't enough before you go there.

[Dr Lee]

Why are people trying to suggest Terry should be able to lift the trophy (if they win mind you..... that's still not happened yet)? he was sent off for a moment of utter stupidity.... and the rules means he can't....Why should the rules be ignored for Terry?

[the_ultimate_evil]

he will not just lift it, he will lead his team as captain to lift it. thats isn't just wrong t also steals the right of who ever is captain on the night

[Darthphere]

Well I blame UEFA for having confusing rules. UEFA has said he would be allowed to. But the rule as far as I know is, any suspended player cannot be on the field.

[RKO]

I don't think that red card should completely erase the rest of his work through out the tournament.

He'll be able to lift the trophy if Chelsea does win, so good for him.

[Darthphere]

I don't think that red card should completely erase the rest of his work through out the tournament.

Except it does. It's a suspension for a reason.

[spidey-dude]

didnt scholes say he didnt feel like he won the champions league til errrm 2008 (was that when ou won it in Moscow?)

[Dr Lee]

I don't think that red card should completely erase the rest of his work through out the tournament.

Fletcher was sent off a few years back in a CL semi and he missed the final..... I say again, why should Terry be any different?

[RKO]

Except it does. It's a suspension for a reason.

Yeah a suspension to PLAY in the game. Not to ban him from celebrating and lifting the trophy that he also worked hard to achieve.

Fletcher was sent off a few years back in a CL semi and he missed the final..... I say again, why should Terry be any different?

I know he did not play. But was he also not able to lift the trophy? I don't recall that.

[Dr Lee]

I think it was the first time Barca beat us..... but i thought he wouldn't have been allowed to go up with the team to lift the trophy.... he'd have had to stay on the pitch watching the others lift it....

[Iceman]

Ignoring Terry for a second I really wish players who miss finals but contributed to the earlier rounds of the tournament got almost equal credit to those who played in the final.

[Darthphere]

Yeah a suspension to PLAY in the game. Not to ban him from celebrating and lifting the trophy that he also worked hard to achieve.

All the work he nearly threw away with one reckless, stupid, selfish act. They got to the final in spite of him, if they win the final it will be without him. He shouldn't be allowed to lift the trophy IMO.

[RKO]

That's fair enough.

[Iceman]

Is the call for Terry to lift the trophy along with the rest of the team or to actually lift it first as captain?

[Dr Lee]

If they win, then he'll have to wait until all the official stuff is over before he can hold the trophy. I see no reason to stop him doing that, but the official stuff.... he should not take part.

[Dr Lee]

Is the call for Terry to lift the trophy along with the rest of the team or to actually lift it first as captain?

from what i understand it's both

[Iceman]

If they win, then he'll have to wait until all the official stuff is over before he can hold the trophy. I see no reason to stop him doing that, but the official stuff.... he should not take part.

from what i understand it's bothIf it happens like you say above I agree with you. Certainly don't want him holding it as captain. Also whatever the rules are should stay even if it means people who deserve to be there can't (Ivanovic maybe) unless they are going to permanently rewrite them.

[The Englishman]

Because Leeds are in the sewer.....:csad:


Maybe that joke works better in American.:o

I still don't get it, how are we in the sewer?

[spidey-dude]

I think he is trying to say Leeds are **** mate

[Dr Lee]

What's happened to Assou-Ekotto? is he out for the rest of the season?

[Darthphere]

I still don't get it, how are we in the sewer?

I think he is trying to say Leeds are **** mate

Essentially. Man, my joke failed on all levels apparently.:csad::csad::csad::csad:

[Dr Lee]

I think both Swansea and Wolves have had their weetabix today..... 4-2 within 33 minutes...


and what the hell is going on with Wigan/Necastle??????

[Darthphere]

Chelsea have signed Marko Marin apparently. They have more wingers than United now.

[Darthphere]

Speaking of Leeds, you guys might lose Neil Warnock. Not to another club but to HOLLYWOOD!

JAcc_3eEMtU

[RKO]

Chelsea have signed Marko Marin apparently. They have more wingers than United now.

Well technically he's not signed yet, they're saying Lukaku will be loaned to Bremen as part of the deal also.

[Darthphere]

Wait, so the Championship playoff final is the same day as the Champions League final?

[RKO]

Playoff final? The FA Cup? That's next Saturday.

[Iceman]

The Toon getting thrashed after a run of good results. Happened already this season but not a good time for it now. I hope Chelsea win the CL so that it's not an issue at the end of the season.

[Darthphere]

I hope Blackpool make it back to the Premier League. I need more Ian Holloway in my life.

[kit1982]

Speaking of Leeds, you guys might lose Neil Warnock. Not to another club but to HOLLYWOOD!

JAcc_3eEMtU

Yeh it's just a pity the club spent more on that than the new shirt, cheap **** yet again much like the clubs signings.


Just on another point, I don't agree with managers getting abuse, but Wenger for years turned a blind eye to the paedo chants he regularly got at Old Trafford (I think Fergie called for it to be stopped, but I never heard Wenger go on about it). Yet years on at Stoke he finally pipes up.... am I being cynical or is he saying this just because he doesn't like Stoke?

[Van Petrol]

Can't believe the Stoke lot booing Ramsey today...

[Darthphere]

Yeah that was uncalled for IMO. The Wenger stuff? Fair game. His attitude towards Stoke haven't done much to help situation.

[The Englishman]

I think he is trying to say Leeds are **** mate

Essentially. Man, my joke failed on all levels apparently.:csad::csad::csad::csad:
You could have just said they are **** darth, I'm not going to argue with that.
Speaking of Leeds, you guys might lose Neil Warnock. Not to another club but to HOLLYWOOD!

JAcc_3eEMtU
Thats some Oscar worthy acting there...:woot:
Yeh it's just a pity the club spent more on that than the new shirt, cheap **** yet again much like the clubs signings.


Just on another point, I don't agree with managers getting abuse, but Wenger for years turned a blind eye to the paedo chants he regularly got at Old Trafford (I think Fergie called for it to be stopped, but I never heard Wenger go on about it). Yet years on at Stoke he finally pipes up.... am I being cynical or is he saying this just because he doesn't like Stoke?

I quite like the new kit.

[kit1982]

English... how it looks cheap and naff, almost like a nurses tunic. What makes it worse is that other Macron kits look decent, Milwall's away shirt is a nicer Leeds shirt than ours! Don't ask me how you can go wrong with an all white shirt, but we've gone from the 10/11 season thing of beauty to this.... I mean it has Pride of Yorkshire written in Latin..... why? It's never been our motto, we don't have a "be Prepared" or "art et labore" or any of that rubbish, the closest we got was the old Bremner "side before self". It just seems to be there for the sake of it.

Did you go yesterday? I thought Snoddy was nowt more than a spoilt brat, bollocking everyone else when he gave the ball away. I hope he goes to be honest, I said last season I'd have kept Max over Snoddy, snoddy can't hack the pressure he only played his best stuff when Max on the other wing was our main focal point. He isn't Premiership class and he isn't a captain, Howson was a better leader ffs!
I've heard only 9 of the 30 man squad will be retained but if all 30 went I wouldn't lose any sleep! Don't rate McCormack Franco Di Santo has scored more goals in a couple of weeks than Ross has this year! Claytons got real talent but think he'd be better off at another club. In fact the only player worth cheering yesterday was Beckford and he was the opposition! I actually sat there yesterday and said to a mate I can't wait till Diouf signs, at least he won't be as wet as the current lot!

[The Englishman]

English... how it looks cheap and naff, almost like a nurses tunic. What makes it worse is that other Macron kits look decent, Milwall's away shirt is a nicer Leeds shirt than ours! Don't ask me how you can go wrong with an all white shirt, but we've gone from the 10/11 season thing of beauty to this.... I mean it has Pride of Yorkshire written in Latin..... why? It's never been our motto, we don't have a "be Prepared" or "art et labore" or any of that rubbish, the closest we got was the old Bremner "side before self". It just seems to be there for the sake of it.

Did you go yesterday? I thought Snoddy was nowt more than a spoilt brat, bollocking everyone else when he gave the ball away. I hope he goes to be honest, I said last season I'd have kept Max over Snoddy, snoddy can't hack the pressure he only played his best stuff when Max on the other wing was our main focal point. He isn't Premiership class and he isn't a captain, Howson was a better leader ffs!
I've heard only 9 of the 30 man squad will be retained but if all 30 went I wouldn't lose any sleep! Don't rate McCormack Franco Di Santo has scored more goals in a couple of weeks than Ross has this year! Claytons got real talent but think he'd be better off at another club. In fact the only player worth cheering yesterday was Beckford and he was the opposition! I actually sat there yesterday and said to a mate I can't wait till Diouf signs, at least he won't be as wet as the current lot!

Well I quite like the new kit, much better then this seasons......
Anyway no I did not go to the game yesterday, I have not been since the 2-0 defeat to Derby on Easter Monday which was quite possibly the worst game I have ever seen at elland road and I then vowed not to go to another game for the rest of the season. Reading the reports it sounds like we were even worse yesterday so it looks like my brother and I made a good decision. Funnily enough in my opinion i thought the best player for us at the derby game was McCormack. His touch and skill on the ball seemed to be different class Compared to the rest of the team and he was the only threat that day. My brother stated that he would rather keep him then beccio who has no pace and spends most of the game lying on the pitch and I agreed with him. I agree with you about Snodgrass though, his heart has not been in it for a while now. Bring on next season...

[kit1982]

You went to the Derby match??? You poor sod, at least we had a shot on target yesterday! Agreed on this seasons shiny effort, fookin awful.
I just can't get on board with Ross he's a striker who doesn't score for months on end, to me he's the best of an awful bunch. If we still had Max, Howson et al I don't think he'd much of a look in. At times he looks very good, others he's invisible, don't think he's a main player who would take us up.
I'd give Becchio another go just because it's his first pants season since he got here, but yes his diving has grated me since the day he arrived! The funniest thing though is we had Keogh who we all thought was cack, yet he goes to Millwall and is THE form striker in the league. Snoddy can **** off, all the praise he's got has gone to his head, only reason he's treated like jesus at ER is because unlike all the other better players he stuck around.

Apparently they are releasing a retained and released list on Wednesday, who would you keep?

Mine would be Lonergan (though I'd get another guy in as our number 1 great shot stopper, not convinced on crosses), Lees, Rogers (just want to see what he can do if he doesn't get injured), Clayton, Pugh, Thompson, Ross, Somma (forgot all about him!).

Should be an interesting summer, bring on Diouf!

[wobbly]

Great result and performance from Chelsea and Torres today. Just a shame (from our pov) that Blackburn were so awful against Spurs.

[Darthphere]

Steve Kean should just be fired right now. He did absolutely nothing today. Didn't bother changing tactics didn't sub anyone. Ridiculous.

[the_ultimate_evil]

anything happen at the chelski/qpr game i was at work

i did find it laughable the fa suggested qpr form a guard of honour instead of a handshake, that was never gonna happen

[Dr Lee]

FA have just announced that they've approached WBA for permission to speak to Hodgson in regards to the England Job

Sky News Official 'Breaking News' Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/#!/SkyNewsBreak/status/196670214706966529)

[Iceman]

Great result and performance from Chelsea and Torres today. Just a shame (from our pov) that Blackburn were so awful against Spurs.

Torres getting back into form (finally!) just before the CL final....:wow:

[the_ultimate_evil]

FA have just announced that they've approached WBA for permission to speak to Hodgson in regards to the England Job

Sky News Official 'Breaking News' Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/#!/SkyNewsBreak/status/196670214706966529)

and this is to save face, its a "we didn't just talk with harry" tatic

[kit1982]

Steve Kean should just be fired right now. He did absolutely nothing today. Didn't bother changing tactics didn't sub anyone. Ridiculous.

Thank god someone else said it, it's like that every game and yet what do you hear "poor old Steve Kean". Poor old Blackburn I say, you've just seen your relegation rivals get stuffed 6-1, you're playing a side low on confidence you have to win... so what do you do? Line up defensively and have 0 shots on target!


Good on Roy, my only problem will be 'Arry's media posse giving it the old "what a disgrace, first Brian Clough now Harry!" crap. Now the difference is Clough won something of note.

[Dr Lee]

and this is to save face, its a "we didn't just talk with harry" tatic

not sure TBH..... Hodgson did wonders with Fulham in the Europa cup.... but then couldn't deal with the egos at Liverpool....

[Darthphere]

Thank god someone else said it, it's like that every game and yet what do you hear "poor old Steve Kean". Poor old Blackburn I say, you've just seen your relegation rivals get stuffed 6-1, you're playing a side low on confidence you have to win... so what do you do? Line up defensively and have 0 shots on target!


Good on Roy, my only problem will be 'Arry's media posse giving it the old "what a disgrace, first Brian Clough now Harry!" crap. Now the difference is Clough won something of note.

When he subbed out Yak I was just so shocked.

[B]

not sure TBH..... Hodgson did wonders with Fulham in the Europa cup.... but then couldn't deal with the egos at Liverpool....

After Harry Redknapp hes arguably the only credible English choice. His sides do tend to field alot of English players as well.

Will he be able to manage bigger players like Ferdinand, Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard, Terry, Cole, Hart etc etc. His track record from what I know of the top of my head, seems to suggest he doesn't do well at big clubs/high expectation places. He thrives more at clubs that have low expectations that he manages to surpass with ease.

I say take him, at least give him the Euros to see how he does & if he say gets England to the quarters/semi-finals give him the World Cup Qualifiers.

[kit1982]

The thing about Hodgson is he's a football innovator, alot of up and coming coaches from all over the world go down to watch his training sessions. Appointing this manager I hope the FA look further than the next 2 years, yeh Redknapp might motivate these current players but is he going to change anything? Will he change the English mentality? Hodgson will go right from the bottom to the top, he'll happily watch the centinary shield, he'll watch the youngest lads train. People go on will he be able to manage Lampard, Terry, Gerrard, Ferdinand? Well in all honesty this is probably their last tournament, I don't want a guy who is going to pander to the egos of guys looking for their last taste of glory. I want a guy who is going to set us on the right path not just for the current tournament but future ones aswell. France, Germany, Spain they all sacrificed current glory by planning for the future and look at how thats worked for them!

He had a shocker at Liverpool no doubt, but look at Fulham, before he went there they were relegation fodder every year. Even after he's left it's been his signings that have been the key players and they look a comfortable PL team. Even under Jol and Hughes they still played exactly the same football they did under Roy.

[chamber-music]

I hope Blackpool make it back to the Premier League. I need more Ian Holloway in my life.
Everyone needs more Holloway. Russell howard did a pretty good segment about him on his show.
Can't believe the Stoke lot booing Ramsey today...
I am really starting to dislike Stoke. Would be happy to see them relegated next season.

[Dr Lee]

in related Football news..... Chelsea have announced today that they're going to be sponsoring a F1 team....

[Darthphere]

Podolski to Arsenal is a done deal.

[Iceman]

Should improve their squad.

[kit1982]

Van Persie, Vermaelen and now Podolski they've got some left footed power houses! Interesting though, I don't think I've ever seen a left footed front 2.

[chamber-music]

I actually want to see Wenger try playing Vermaelen up front or as an attacking midfielder in a Carling Cup game or something because I think he would be even better there than as a defender (not that his a bad defender or anything).

[Hunter Rider]

Woy's an awful choice but a typical FA choice, a guy that thrives on mediocrity, a tactical fetishist who bores most to death. England needed a motivator, a manager that the players would play for, not another stuffy old grouch.

Blackburn sealed their fates yesterday and talk about lack of motivation? I've never bought into the notion that Kean screwed over Allardyce as Sam is as wonky a a 3 bob bit anyway, but yesterday he was exposed at crunch time. His side showed a remarkable lack of ambition and passion, not a single attempt on goal, and at no point did Kean have the nous to make the formation changes needed to spark any life into his team.

[Poeman]

Podolski to Arsenal is a done deal.

Its a good move, he will do well i think in the EPL.

[bapi]

in related Football news..... Chelsea have announced today that they're going to be sponsoring a F1 team....

Sauber but they have a great season.

Podolski to Arsenal is a done deal.

Yeah, good signing. And they're close to sign Yann M'Vila too.

[Poeman]

I am hearing Clint Dempsey is very eager to join Arsenal too...Now that would get me very excited.

[Iceman]

Van Persie, Vermaelen and now Podolski they've got some left footed power houses! Interesting though, I don't think I've ever seen a left footed front 2.I'd hate to defend against that!

[ttotheusher]

Everyone needs more Holloway. Russell howard did a pretty good segment about him on his show.

kaKBhszvRhc

:woot:

Not sure if that's OK to post mind. Let me know and I'll remove it.

I'd hate to defend against that!

Keep them on there right foot?

On the appointment (if he even gets the job) of Roy Hodgson, I'm a fan of what he has done over the years, but Liverpool was a colossal failure, and it will be a tough test for him. At the end of the day, does anyone really expect England to win the Euros? What have we got to lose by giving him a chance?

[Iceman]

kaKBhszvRhc

Keep them on there right foot?

On the appointment (if he even gets the job) of Roy Hodgson, I'm a fan of what he has done over the years, but Liverpool was a colossal failure, and it will be a tough test for him. At the end of the day, does anyone really expect England to win the Euros? What have we got to lose by giving him a chance?Yeah, I'm just used to doing the opposite. :woot:

I'm looking for something to get me interested in international football again. Something I used to love. Roy doesn't do that but lets give him a chance. He's had success in the roles that suit him.

[spidey-dude]

great a joke of a manager for our national side - the man has awful awful tactical management- still genuinely think Rafa would have been the best man for the job at this point in tim - tactically amazing, great in cup competitions, lives in england, speaks english and currently available

of course Woy will take the job, he cant believe his luck - god knows how 35 years of poor management lands you such a prestigious job

[spidey-dude]

appaz our away kit - not too shabby (obv crap pic) think it will look decent on - like the "new" badge

https://p.twimg.com/Arut9urCQAAm0qG.jpg

[chamber-music]

To be honest I don't think Redkapp is that much better than Hodgson.

Even if Redknapp got the England job fans and the media will turn on him faster than a speeding bullet.

The sad fact is the English media and the FA keep making excuses for England even bottling it or underperfoming when they are in the big time games.

With Sven Goran Eriksson they complained about him allowing the WAGS and celebrity circus get in the way of the players focusing on football.

With Steve McClaren they said he was too close to the players and he wouldn't drop the big name players.

With Fabio Capello they said England needs discipline but then they said he was too strict and he didn't speak good enough english so they need a British or English manager.

[Dr Lee]

I won't lie.... i'm ****ing bricking it right now

[the_ultimate_evil]

and here we go

not the best team fergie

[Scrandy Randy]

Can't really wrap my head around SAF's team selection. Playing for the draw? Always risky.

[spidey-dude]

just got my FA cup final tickets - AAAAHHHHH cant ****ing wait!

good luck tonight Bapi

[Dr Lee]

SAF has a plan..... just wish i knew what it was....

[Poeman]

here we go...will Man City choke another opportunity?

[the_ultimate_evil]

i really have a feeling a united player will have to be shot or crippled for united t get anything from the ref tonight

[Iceman]

i really have a feeling a united player will have to be shot or crippled for united t get anything from the ref tonightI just had this vision of a player pulling out a double barrelled shotgun and blowing someone away and the ref pulls out a yellow card.

[the_ultimate_evil]

I just had this vision of a player pulling out a double barrelled shotgun and blowing someone away and the ref pulls out a yellow card.

is balotelli on the subs bench

[the_ultimate_evil]

2 shouts for hand ball in the first 10 minutes

[Iceman]

is balotelli on the subs benchhaha

[the_ultimate_evil]

pure ****ing panic, calm the hell down

[the_ultimate_evil]

umm the officials do know that city do not have to get every decision??

rooney is getting kicked to hell

jesus christ tevez nearly took his legs off

[Poeman]

stop complaining...

[the_ultimate_evil]

stop complaining...

NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVA:cmad:

[the_ultimate_evil]

ahhh ****


nothing to lose now

[Poeman]

awesome goal...if anyone deserves a goal on that Man City its that captain, Kompany

[Iceman]

Right before half time. Bad time for Utd to concede. Fergie needs one of those teamtalks.

[Dr Lee]

****itty ****itty **** **** ****

[RKO]

ahhh ****


nothing to lose now


Just the league.

[the_ultimate_evil]

Just the league.

you know what i meant

[Hunter Rider]

Giggs, Scholes and Park or in the same team, is there any wonder we are losing?

I wonder if Nial Quinn is commentating in a City shirt, he might as well be......

[the_ultimate_evil]

Giggs, Scholes and Park or in the same team, is there any wonder we are losing?

I wonder if Nial Quinn is commentating in a City shirt, he might as well be......

i pray i'm wrong but i really dont see a way back from this. united have only themselves to blame to many games that should have been 3 points slipped away

[the_ultimate_evil]

how the hell was that only a yellow from de jong on wellbeck

[kit1982]

Meh when it comes to handbags those 2 have nowt on Wenger, now that man sells it like Ric Flair!

Don't think getting Big Quinny to commentate was Sky's finest hour, I still miss Andy Gray!

[Dr Lee]

**** it......

[Poeman]

better team won tonight...Now lets see if Man City will be able to hang on or blow away another opportunity to win the league

[ttotheusher]

Can't see us winning the title now. FFS.

[Darthphere]

Can't really complain about the result. SAF got it all wrong IMO tactically.

[the_ultimate_evil]

an 8 point lead, seriously united self imploded. it was thrown away against wigan and everton

city were the better team, the team is poor united had no drive, no passion no finish. the same crap that has happened all season. its all over there is no way city will drop points against newcastle and qpr. complete shambles seriously the amount of money the entire team gets and they just do not give a flying ****

you thought all the glory hunters were bad this year for city watch what happens when they win the league

[Dr Lee]

I shall repeat a post from a while back...

****itty ****itty **** **** ****.

[spidey-dude]

the league isnt over yet fellas

[Darthphere]

I could see them drawing at Newcastle honestly but again, I have no faith in United beating Swansea and Sunderland.

[kit1982]

City vs Newcastle is now the title decider really, wouldn't write United off yet. Better side won tonight, City's big players had better games than their United counterparts. Had Fergie gone with Young and Valencia though I reckon they would've had it today.

[chamber-music]

Could use a laugh so check out these Lookalikes

Neil Warnock The Troll From Stephen King’s ‘Cat’s Eye’
http://s18.postimage.org/4ka6rsgzt/Warnock_SLAL.jpg

Vincent Kompany & Kanamit From ‘The Twilight Zone’
http://s16.postimage.org/bwjrrocs5/Kompany_SLALTwilight.jpg

Rangers Villain Craig Whyte & Swiss Toni
http://s16.postimage.org/hias9h2ut/SLALWhyte_Toni.jpg


David De Gea & Peter From Jumanji
http://s7.postimage.org/ax1oxfwvv/De_Gea_Jumanji_SLAL.jpg

Dani Alves & William Shatner’s Aeroplane Gremlin
http://s13.postimage.org/4rk1j2g1z/Twilight_Zone_Dani_Alves.jpg

[the_ultimate_evil]

the league isnt over yet fellas

yeah it is mate. people say newcastle could hold city to a draw, it may happen but i dont see it

personally i'm more worried about if that united team could handle Swansea and Sunderland

[Darthphere]

I've probably said this a millions times this season but, playing Rooney as a lone striker NEVER works.

[the_ultimate_evil]

you can't even buy big names in the summer, anyone united, chelsea, liverpool etc express interest in city just step in double wages and +10 million

[Dr Lee]

should have been a 442 from the start with Young and Valencia on for Park & Nani.....

[kit1982]

Wolves just scored 4 at Swansea, Sunderland drew with Bolton.... I'd take United's chances in those games.

[Darthphere]

If they got it, flaunt it. I mean, I'm not even going to bother with the new money at City argument. Fact is, they outplayed United and United should have had this title wrapped up 2 weeks ago.

[Darthphere]

Wolves just scored 4 at Swansea, Sunderland drew with Bolton.... I'd take United's chances in those games.

United lose to City, who lost to Sunderland. Sunderland is the best team in the league.:o

[B]

It's like I said, the league wasn't over when City were 8 or 9 clear, the league wasn't over when United were 8 clear, so it certainly isn't over when both teams are level on points.

Both teams could lose both remaining fixtures, that's how messed up this season has been.

United were poor tonight, I think Ferguson got his team selection comepletely wrong. I don't understand why he left in-form players out like Welbeck, Valencia & Young in favour of Park, who hasn't played 90 minutes all season & hasn't started a game in months, Giggs who just doesn't have the legs to give fullbacks trouble for anything longer than about 30 minutes & Nani who hasn't really been playing that great in recent months, certainly not better than Valencia.

I feel bad for Park because he looked exhausted after about 30 minutes, that's the problem with not getting regular football. It was like a guy coming back from injury playing.

We started well & had the team that finished the match, started the match I think we'd have given a far better account of ourselves.

League isn't over yet though.

[Hunter Rider]

I'm sure every fan here, even those that really wanted us to lose like spidey, can appreciate the extra pain of losing to your rivals, but at the end of the day we simply weren't good enough, we have no legs or guile coming centrally and Fergie flat out got it all wrong and waited way too long to make the changes needed. City always looked the more dangerous and we never truly troubled Hart at all.

Worst thing about the match? Having to listen to Quinn on commentary, what a sack of ****e.

[bapi]

It's not over yet but we'll see what will happen this wednesday. However some of the_ultimate_evil comments have to be ironic. :whatever::woot:

[the_ultimate_evil]

no i stand by everyone of my comments, city may have been the better team but a lot of the decisions from the ref were heavily influenced by it being held at the etihad


can i just throw something out here a general question to everyone how long have you actually been a fan of your selective team

[Darthphere]

no i stand by everyone of my comments, city may have been the better team but a lot of the decisions from the ref were heavily influenced by it being held at the etihad


can i just throw something out here a general question to everyone how long have you actually been a fan of your selective team

I've been watching soccer since I was 7 and pretty much set on United when I was 10, that was 1996-97.

[Hunter Rider]

no i stand by everyone of my comments, city may have been the better team but a lot of the decisions from the ref were heavily influenced by it being held at the etihad


can i just throw something out here a general question to everyone how long have you actually been a fan of your selective team

25 years.

[Dr Lee]

since the end of the ..... ****ing hell 20 years now....


*Feels old*

[The Englishman]

Since 1990, so 22 years now. I started supporting Leeds when I was 6..

[wobbly]

Since around 1975 (think it was that year I went to Stamford Bridge for the first time).

[Iceman]

I had a feeling 2 games ago that City would be on top after this game. Same as with Chelsea Barca. But who knows what will happen against Newcastle. Depends which side shows up, the one that got thrashed 4-0 by WIgan or the team that went on a 6 game winning streak.

[Lunar_Wolf]

Such sloppy play tonight.

United couldn't keep the ball for long and City were fouling more times than I could count.

Also Hart laying down for so long...it wasn't a bullet to the ribs man.

[spidey-dude]

can i just throw something out here a general question to everyone how long have you actually been a fan of your selective team

about 21 years - started supporting Liverpool when I was 3 or 4

[The Englishman]

I see the Ant-Hodgson brigade are out in force in the newspapers....

[Two-Face]

no i stand by everyone of my comments, city may have been the better team but a lot of the decisions from the ref were heavily influenced by it being held at the etihad


can i just throw something out here a general question to everyone how long have you actually been a fan of your selective team

Since 1995 the year Blackburn won the PL title.

Thank God for TDKR trailer I'm more happy after the match I went to bed and I'm glad didn't log on here. City were better team. Playing Rooney on his own was big mistake by SAF specially likes of Park & Nani aren't in form where's Young & Valencia were. Should have played Rafael at RB too. I don't want to say it's over but it seems likes it.

[Van Petrol]

It's not over yet. I'm expecting a few surprises in the final two games.

[Dr Lee]

FA press conference set for 4pm GMT....

[Van Petrol]

Sounds like a deal for M'Vila is close. I can't see why we would need him unless Song is off?...


We're apparently meeting with Ajax next week too, to sort out a deal for Vertonghen and possibly Christian Erikksen as well.

[chamber-music]

We might be able to get a few pennies for bendtner if we sell him off the end of the season.

[kit1982]

can i just throw something out here a general question to everyone how long have you actually been a fan of your selective team

About 22 years, but in fairness I don't really think you're really a proper football fan till at least mid teens (i.e. you don't really know whats going on, the politics etc.) you're more of a sheep. I mean there are countless photo's of me in Leeds shirts at the age of 3, but I can't really remember a full season till 95/96 and even then stuff like big Ron and Keegans rant went right over my head.

Darth - 96/97 is one of my favourite seasons, Leeds were gash and only scored about 27 goals, but you had Wenger, Ravenelli, Zola, Emerson and guys like Vialli coming in. Wimbledon's rise up the table, United's crisis yet still going on and winning the league, Keegan walking out on Newcastle, Dalglish coming in. Beckhams lob, Wanchopes wonder goal at Old Trafford. You even had the better 4-3 (IMO of course) between Liverpool and Newcastle. Wonderful year!

[Dr Lee]

Hodgson confirmed as Manager of the England team..... four year contract.

[ttotheusher]

Sounds like a deal for M'Vila is close. I can't see why we would need him unless Song is off?...

Rumour has it that Inter have Song as a priority in the summer...

Worst thing about the match? Having to listen to Quinn on commentary, what a sack of ****e.

Surely Alan Smith would of been a better choice? I can't understand why you would have an ex-City player commentating, obviously there is going to be bias.

can i just throw something out here a general question to everyone how long have you actually been a fan of your selective team

Admittedly, I wasn't really a proper football fan when I was a kid, my Dad and Grandad have always supported Manchester United, so I did as well, but it wasn't until I was about 16 that I actually started playing, watching and following football as a whole, not just United.

Hodgson confirmed as Manager of the England team..... four year contract.

Good for Roy...here's hoping the team back him and try there best for there country for a change!

[Poeman]

Hodgson confirmed as Manager of the England team..... four year contract.

England is so doomed

[Dr Lee]

England is so doomed

He did great with Fulham... and has kept WBA out of the relegation zone this season... and he's coached three international teams before now.

Redknapp ain't the messiah here....

[Poeman]

He did great with Fulham... and has kept WBA out of the relegation zone this season... and he's coached three international teams before now.

Redknapp ain't the messiah here....

okay, but imagine if Pep wanted the job :o

[Dr Lee]

okay, but imagine if Pep wanted the job :o

He didn't though....

[kit1982]

If he's as active with Burton as I hope and he gives youth a chance then I'm more than happy. This team doesn't need a Di Matteo to get the most out of the old guard, we aren't good enough to go far in these Euros, it needs a complete rebuild.

[bapi]

Highest-paying teams in the world (http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7850531/espn-magazine-sportingintelligence-global-salary-survey-espn-magazine)

"At the start of the 2011-12 season, Barcelona had a payroll of $217 million, with an average player salary of $8.7 million, almost $1 million more than the survey's second-place finisher Real Madrid, whose players earn an average of $7.8 million per season."

[spidey-dude]

He did great with Fulham... and has kept WBA out of the relegation zone this season... and he's coached three international teams before now.

Redknapp ain't the messiah here....

neither are good enough tactians for international management - Ol Arry is great at getting a good deal and bringing in good players, however his tactics leave alot to be desired - Hodgson is a mid level manager, everyone keeps going on about his "experience" but when you look at his career it is vastly unremarkable, 36 years in management, only trophies of note are something like the Denmark league 1 trophy, his next best achievement was taking Fulham to UEFA final, which is a good acheivement, but in 35 years.... He gave us our worst ever start to a season for over 50 years.... He almost got Blackburn relegated, and I think he almost got Inter relegated with his stint there, every other club has been largely average other than as I said before in lower level leagues

[Dr Lee]

personally i think the problems he had at Liverpool was more to do with the players than him.... but i know we'll never agree on that....

[kit1982]

Well I'd say Roy's best achievement was getting Switzerland to number 3 in the world rankings (which is hardly the best at judging sides I admit) but still a decent achievement at International level. You say he nearly took Blackburn down, but the season before he'd taken over a relegation threatened side and to them to 6th in the league, he also helped bring through youngsters like Duff and Dunn who would go on to play a massive part in getting the club back up. I'm not Roy's biggest fan, but I'm not going to write him off because he buggered up at Liverpool or Inter.

I think we might have to accept that we're a midlevel international side with a mid-level manager.
We had a guy with a fantastic reputation, good tactician and experience of winning everything, yet he was a disaster here.
I was never into blaming players, but looking at Trapattoni who is basically a poor mans Capello at Ireland with his group of players and what he's achieved.... I don't think we'll win anything till the "Golden Generation" retire.

[Two-Face]

Hodgson confirmed as Manager of the England team..... four year contract.

:funny:










Oh wait you're serious......:csad:

[wobbly]

So...That new TV offer giving £10 back for every goal England scores in the Euro's....

Not gonna get much of a saving methinks...:csad:

[chamber-music]

I was never into blaming players, but looking at Trapattoni who is basically a poor mans Capello at Ireland with his group of players and what he's achieved.... I don't think we'll win anything till the "Golden Generation" retire.

I agree Ireland punch above their weight and usually play pretty well. When you watch the Irish play their players play well in the national side in a way English players have not in a long time.

I know they say international football is different from Club football but there are so many England players over the last decade that have played nowhere near as good as they play at club level. They underperform.

[B]

Anyone watching the Sporting Gijon & Villarreal game? The amount of objects that have been thrown onto the pitch by the home fans is a disgrace. Beer cans, lighters, bottles etc.

They're in the 8th minute of injury time because of it.

[kit1982]

Anyone watching the Sporting Gijon & Villarreal game? The amount of objects that have been thrown onto the pitch by the home fans is a disgrace. Beer cans, lighters, bottles etc.

They're in the 8th minute of injury time because of it.

It was awful, most of the Villareal players struggled to take corners. It seems to happen every week in La Liga, I can only imagine the trouble we'd be in if it regularly happened over here.

[spidey-dude]

personally i think the problems he had at Liverpool was more to do with the players than him.... but i know we'll never agree on that....

really? we were in the relagation zone at one point - we had one of the best striekrs in the world, one of the best midfielders, one of the best keepers - the squad was very similar to the one of the season before with the only differences being the awful players (except merieles) that he had brought in

[spidey-dude]

Well I'd say Roy's best achievement was getting Switzerland to number 3 in the world rankings (which is hardly the best at judging sides I admit) but still a decent achievement at International level. You say he nearly took Blackburn down, but the season before he'd taken over a relegation threatened side and to them to 6th in the league, he also helped bring through youngsters like Duff and Dunn who would go on to play a massive part in getting the club back up. I'm not Roy's biggest fan, but I'm not going to write him off because he buggered up at Liverpool or Inter.

I think we might have to accept that we're a midlevel international side with a mid-level manager.
We had a guy with a fantastic reputation, good tactician and experience of winning everything, yet he was a disaster here.
I was never into blaming players, but looking at Trapattoni who is basically a poor mans Capello at Ireland with his group of players and what he's achieved.... I don't think we'll win anything till the "Golden Generation" retire.

world rankings mea jack - werent england like 5th when we failed to make Euro 2008?

If Switzerland were ranked 3rd that is a joke as at the time there were at least 10 teams better than them


then again Woy is good at getting ****e players to put in a performance so maybe he will do okay with england.... oh I went there

[kit1982]

world rankings mea jack - werent england like 5th when we failed to make Euro 2008?

If Switzerland were ranked 3rd that is a joke as at the time there were at least 10 teams better than them


then again Woy is good at getting ****e players to put in a performance so maybe he will do okay with england.... oh I went there


Haha and sadly it's true! Course World Rankings mean jack, I said as much, I'm not saying under him they were the 3rd best team in the world, but still he got Switzerland to a decent international standard is an achievement and they haven't been close since.
Like I said I'm not the guys biggest fan, I never bought into that he was unlucky at Liverpool, he was awful, crap football, crap signings and telling Daniel Agger "to just f***ing hoof the thing" at Anfield was just crazy.

But we've tried everything else, we've had the tactically naive "peoples choice" motivator in Keegan, we've had the tactical Englishman in Hoddle, we've had the tactical "peoples choice" motivator in El Tel, we've had the easy going foreign manager in Sven, we've tried to copy Greece and had the tough foreigner with all the medals in Capello. None of it really has got us anywhere, so maybe the low profile Englishman is just what we need? He hasn't bee involved in the set up like McClaren was. We can't really do any worse than in recent years. We wouldn't win the Euro's with anyone so as I said if he invests alot of time at Burton, gives youth a chance and tries to change a few things lower down in the game I'll give him a chance

[chamber-music]

The fans and the media should give Woy a chance now his got the job and get behind him. Its not Woy's fault the FA choose him over Harry.

Why was Joey Barton on Newsnight being interview by Paxman about England?

Barton said Northerners thought England was a southern team because they played at Wembley and they should tour the country for home games playing at differnt stadiums instead.

I get what his trying to say and perhaps playing a few home friendlies at St James Park or Old Trafford would be a good idea but if your not supporting your national team because they play home games in the national stadium in the capital city your an idiot.

Most international teams play home games in their national stadium in their captial city and fans still support them. England isn't exactly a huge country as it is so I don't know what they are complaining about. Fans travel overseas on planes to follow the team so I don't see how spending a few hours on a train or in a car is any worst.

[kit1982]

It's not just as simple as a north/south thing or even not supporting the national team, it's the FA, they have no interest in the fans. Fans from both areas when asked to vote on the FA Website for the place of the new national stadium, unanimously voted Birmingham as it's easier to get to and around..... yet this was just thrown completely out the window.

I can see why a bloke from Newcastle would be annoyed that in order to watch England with his son, he either has to travel to the other end of the country on a saturday (which they barely ever play on) or book a couple of days off work, pull his son out of school to make it for a 7:45 pm kick off on the tuesday paying over the top petrol prices before he even sets foot in London. It's not about those who travel overseas, it's about the regular fan. Why not against a Moldova or someone instead of having 20,000 empty seats at Wembley on a tuesday night, play it at a St.James' or Anfield where it'll sell out? Every other country tours round the country so why not England? Quite often lower league clubs will pay for free coaches for the fans or at least lay on coaches at a discount, the FA would never dream of doing such a thing.

Before the new Wembley was built England did tour round the grounds and it was a massive success because you could see Englands stars at a place near you wherever you were in the country. It brought the country together footballing wise and it even helped create some amazing atmospheres at England games (no honestly!). Footballs a global game yet you can't even get the England national team out of London!

It's not the national team they aren't supporting, it's the FA.


Edit: Have to say that Barton came off very well in his interview..... makes you wonder why he's such a t*** :oldrazz:

[chamber-music]

I agree with you on playing on a England Saturday or Sunday. That midweek or Firday game stuff is stupid.

To be honest there is no way they were ever going to build a new stadium in Birmmingham over Wembley just like they are not going to move parliament to the midlands like some people want.

They don't tour now because of the amount of money they spent on Wembley stadium as Barton said. Wembley is a brand and has prestige and global recognition other stadiums don't have which is why their are NFL games in Wembley when they are honestly better off playing at twickenham.

It would be less of an issue if the country had better infrastructure like a high speed rail network.

[kit1982]

I agree with you on playing on a England Saturday or Sunday. That midweek or Firday game stuff is stupid.

To be honest there is no way they were ever going to build a new stadium in Birmmingham over Wembley just like they are not going to move parliament to the midlands like some people want.

They don't tour now because of the amount of money they spent on Wembley stadium as Barton said. Wembley is a brand and has prestige and global recognition other stadiums don't have which is why their are NFL games in Wembley when they are honestly better off playing at twickenham.

It would be less of an issue if the country had better infrastructure like a high speed rail network.


Oh of course there wasn't a chance of it being built anywhere else, but then why the **** did they ask, why put a poll on your website? It's pretending to give a **** when they don't which makes it worse. My local club Lincoln City paid for coaches to take the fans to Cardiff for the play-off final twice. Now this is a club who are skint, but at least there's a fraction of loyalty there. All the FA care about is money and really in terms of England they alienate most of the country because they spent too much money on the new Wembley, can't blame people for not supporting them really.

I think it'd be less of an issue if they hadn't bothered building the new stadium altogether, Cardiff was great.

[Iceman]

The fans and the media should give Woy a chance now his got the job and get behind him. Its not Woy's fault the FA choose him over Harry.

Why was Joey Barton on Newsnight being interview by Paxman about England?

Barton said Northerners thought England was a southern team because they played at Wembley and they should tour the country for home games playing at differnt stadiums instead.

I get what his trying to say and perhaps playing a few home friendlies at St James Park or Old Trafford would be a good idea but if your not supporting your national team because they play home games in the national stadium in the capital city your an idiot.

Most international teams play home games in their national stadium in their captial city and fans still support them. England isn't exactly a huge country as it is so I don't know what they are complaining about. Fans travel overseas on planes to follow the team so I don't see how spending a few hours on a train or in a car is any worst.Agreed. I don't think the level of Woy backlash is justified. He's qualified & experienced enough to be worth a shot compared to the other dreadful English managers out there. Anyway, now he's in we should get behind him. He's not exactly the most unlikeable guy out there.

Also Barton needs to have less views on issues.

[spidey-dude]

Oh of course there wasn't a chance of it being built anywhere else, but then why the **** did they ask, why put a poll on your website? It's pretending to give a **** when they don't which makes it worse. My local club Lincoln City paid for coaches to take the fans to Cardiff for the play-off final twice. Now this is a club who are skint, but at least there's a fraction of loyalty there. All the FA care about is money and really in terms of England they alienate most of the country because they spent too much money on the new Wembley, can't blame people for not supporting them really.

I think it'd be less of an issue if they hadn't bothered building the new stadium altogether, Cardiff was great.

agreed I live 5 miles from Wembley but have grown into not actually liking England because of the FA

my cup final ticket - bought direct from the FA might I add - is ten times... YES TEN TIMES more expensive than the last game I went to at Anfield... TEN TIMES!!!

Ive been to one England game at Wembley because it was free, and felt very apathetic the whole time.... this summer I will travel to Cardiff to watch Team GB v Uruguay and I will cheer my heart out....

[Darthphere]

Our national team doesn't really have a home stadium either which I enjoy because they come to Miami every now and then.

[chamber-music]

Our national team doesn't really have a home stadium either which I enjoy because they come to Miami every now and then.
Yeah there are states larger than England so they got to travel.
agreed I live 5 miles from Wembley but have grown into not actually liking England because of the FA

my cup final ticket - bought direct from the FA might I add - is ten times... YES TEN TIMES more expensive than the last game I went to at Anfield... TEN TIMES!!!

Ive been to one England game at Wembley because it was free, and felt very apathetic the whole time.... this summer I will travel to Cardiff to watch Team GB v Uruguay and I will cheer my heart out....

Its expensive because the FA got ripped off building the damn stadium so they hike up the prices to claw back some money.

As for Cardiff thats the Welsh national stadium I don't think they would of let England share it forever.

[Darthphere]

LOL! City fans are going crazy because none other than Howard Webb will be in charge of the City vs Newcastle game.

[kit1982]

I think they would, you get higher attendances for an FA Cup final than you would for a Welsh international match, in fact the Championship play-off final would get higher attendances. It was a massive money maker.

[Darthphere]

I was thinking about this the other day. It seems the FA are always throwing out that 39th game idea to get more money. With the current situation at the top right now, what better time than now? A one game playoff to decide it all if they end level on points. I've always hate statistical tie-breakers in all sports. I think a better barometer is head to head results which would give City the title either way. But can you imagine the revenue a one game playoff for the title at Wembley would bring?

On the other end of the table, another idea is for 17th and 18th place to play a one game playoff for EPL survival.

[chamber-music]

I'm not a big playoff fan but if they are gonn have playoffs they should do it for Europa league spots or something not title or relegation matches.

[Van Petrol]

We might be able to get a few pennies for bendtner if we sell him off the end of the season.

I just hope he isn't going to stick around. I'm also hoping we can shift a majority of the dead wood this summer too.

[Dr Lee]

I see the FA are rather pissed off at the Sun and their headline taking the piss out of Roy's manner of speech

[Poeman]

LOL! City fans are going crazy because none other than Howard Webb will be in charge of the City vs Newcastle game.

http://www.epltalk.com/media/2011/01/howard-webb.jpg

[Darthphere]

United are back in the race LOL!

[spidey-dude]

I see the FA are rather pissed off at the Sun and their headline taking the piss out of Roy's manner of speech

yet it was fine with the FA when they printed lies on their front page about 96 dead people

[chamber-music]

Roy wants to get Terry and Ferdinand to make up...yeah good luck with that one

[Darthphere]

I'll be honest with you guys, I'd be shocked if you guys make it out of your group.

[chamber-music]

I can't even remember who was in Englands group

[Darthphere]

France, Sweden, Ukraine.

[kit1982]

Meh Ukraine even with home advantage are pretty poo, I don't think Sweden are anyhting special and France are prone to self destruct. I could see us making it out the group but no further.

[ttotheusher]

I think it's the Germans year myself. I'd like to see England atleast give it a go, if you're going to bow out, atleast go trying.

[chamber-music]

Its always ze Germans year they are really good at tournament football for some reason despite not having the best players on paper sometimes.

[ttotheusher]

Its always ze Germans year they are really good at tournament football for some reason despite not having the best players on paper sometimes.

Plus they have a coach who has little to no coaching experience at all.

Really refreshing to see a relegation threatened side playing like a normal team, compare Bolton tonight to Blackburn against the same side, B'Burn went into the game with 10 men behind the ball, and got deservedly beat, Bolton are playing well and definitely deserve something from this game.

[ttotheusher]

Jesus I post that and Spurs go and get two goals!

[Darthphere]

Curse of the commentator.

[ttotheusher]

...and a 4th as well!

I was going to say to you Darth as well, I think Tim Ream has played well tonight, 4-1 doesn't do his performance justice, he's been abandoned at the back far too many times.

[Darthphere]

He has his moments lol.