The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread - Part 9

[kit1982]

United were known all over the world from the Busby Babes and then the Best/Charlton/Law side, Pele even went on record saying Best was the greatest player he had seen and that United's games were followed in Brazil. Granted these days with the merchandise machine and day trips it's more evident.

Funny thing is in the US supporting a team just because they start signing big names or win is not seen as a bad thing. The Miami Heat for instance upped their popularity in their own City as soon as they brought in a trio of famous players, people in Miami suddenly became more interested because there was a shot at winning.

I wouldn't put much stock into what Pele says, he also once said El Hadji Diouf was one of the best players of all time! But I don't doubt for a second United have always had global appeal, but again thats because of success, noone in Brazil would be tuning in in the early hours to watch em get spanked every week. I would question how many of the original Brazillians were still watching when Murhen (who was a top player BTW) and Gary Birtles (who is now a bitter tart) were flattering to decieve.


I don't think it's a bad thing at all, I just find it odd that Rio is talking about it so negatively when arguably glory supporters are such a benefit to clubs. All these Koreans supporting United aren't watching because of Uniteds history, if Park left tomorrow so would most of them. Yet they'll pour millions into the club and some will grow to love the club and stay on long after.


Load of crap at the Reebok, Kean showed once again how out of his depth again. Yakubu isn't going to beat Wheather and Ream in the air so why knock it up to him upfront on his own for 90 mins? Why name 2 strikers on the bench (who you signed chimpface) if your not going to play them when you need a goal???

 

[Hunter Rider]

Arsenal are rolling, cracking goal from Arteta today and Villa were never in it, what a waste of time all the MacLeish drama was.

Sunderland and Everton both got strong wins to take them into their replay, and superb finish from Holt in the Norwich/Wolves game, I can't see any escape and they deserve it as sacking McCarthy with no one set up to come in was stupidity.

I wouldn't put much stock into what Pele says, he also once said El Hadji Diouf was one of the best players of all time! But I don't doubt for a second United have always had global appeal, but again thats because of success, noone in Brazil would be tuning in in the early hours to watch em get spanked every week. I would question how many of the original Brazillians were still watching when Murhen (who was a top player BTW) and Gary Birtles (who is now a bitter tart) were flattering to decieve.

Success breeds popularity in other countries no doubt, but I think history and how you went about getting that success as well as having iconic players factors in as well. As for Pele, I know he's said some right kippers lol I was just meaning he was saying United have had a foothold in Brazil dating way back, but no doubt we were one of the first to capitalize on global marketing.

I don't think it's a bad thing at all, I just find it odd that Rio is talking about it so negatively when arguably glory supporters are such a benefit to clubs. All these Koreans supporting United aren't watching because of Uniteds history, if Park left tomorrow so would most of them. Yet they'll pour millions into the club and some will grow to love the club and stay on long after.

I thought Rio was talking about fans within Manchester as opposed to ones such as Bapi from other countries. You're right about the financial benefits of course, I mean Hernandez's shiny new contract wasn't solely based on his great form last season, it was partly because he instantly brought revenue into the club. Nice to see a mention of Bitter Birtles, I loathe that guy on commentary.

Load of crap at the Reebok, Kean showed once again how out of his depth again. Yakubu isn't going to beat Wheather and Ream in the air so why knock it up to him upfront on his own for 90 mins? Why name 2 strikers on the bench (who you signed chimpface) if your not going to play them when you need a goal???

I need to know, what's Kean done to get up your nose so much?

 

[Hunter Rider]

Anything Messi can do! Ronaldo sets new record with fastest 100 goals in Spain

Rossi set to snub Spurs as £10m Villarreal striker edges closer to Napoli

Capello wants to come back! Chelsea in pole position to snap up ex-England boss

Cracking up! Mancini snubs Pulis and media after Man City stutter in title race

The £37m hole in Chelsea's bid to meet financial fair play rules

 

[Hunter Rider]

EXCLUSIVE: Manchester clubs set to wage £25m war for Gaitan

EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool lead chase to sign Suarez Mk II

Spurs and Chelsea set to battle for Napoli striker Lavezzi

EXCLUSIVE: Modric not signing until he knows who's boss

 

[Iceman]

Imagine those two on the same team!

What is Real Madrid's all time scoring record?

 

[Jack O Lantern]

Giggs and Welbeck

Just on the Ronaldo/ Messi debate. I think there is a media bais towards Messi and against Ronaldo. Last night Ronaldo broke the fasted to 100 goals in La Liga. How was this reported in the guardian? A big picture of Messi of course

 

[Dr Lee]

Celtic imploding here.... one player sent off in the first half.... lennon sent to the stands for some unknown comment to the ref during half time and now a second player sent off for a 2 footed lunge..... and down a goal...

Rangers fans having a bit of relief from all the horror today......

 

[Iceman]

Win against West Brom now & we can go level with Chelsea!

 

[kit1982]

@Hunter- there are so many reasons I hate Kean, but probably the biggest reason is the unwavering blind sympathy he gets regardless of the fact he's an awful manager. In a season and a half he's mustered about 36 points, now that wouldn't keep you up and that points total is with a season and a halfs worth of games! I also hate the fact that you get fans of other clubs who'll turn on their manager in a instant, telling Blackburns they are a disgrace and they are expecting too much, as if they have no right to expect anything more than relegation. Yet these same fans wouldn't put up with it at their own club.
I mean surely it doesn't matter who you support, 5 wins in 30 is a disgraceful record in any league at any level. And his current 28 from 30 games isn't exactly great either.

 

[Iceman]

Can't believe 8 games to go and we're level with Chelsea and 8 points ahead of Liverpool!

 

[Poeman]

I cant believe Newcastle is playing this well...They could have been even better, but clearly they have exceeded expectations and I hope they can reach the 4th spot!

 

[ttotheusher]

Giggs and Welbeck

[YT]vf9SOUOiNHQ&feature=related[/YT]

Ruuuuuud! t:

I cant believe Newcastle is playing this well...They could have been even better, but clearly they have exceeded expectations and I hope they can reach the 4th spot!

I think, realistically, 5th is where they should be aiming. As awesome as CL qualification would be short-term, I couldn't see them making it out of the group stages; as opposed to Europa League, where they could give it a really good go, ala Stoke.

 

[Iceman]

I cant believe Newcastle is playing this well...They could have been even better, but clearly they have exceeded expectations and I hope they can reach the 4th spot!

Since our good start I've said I'd me more than happy with 7th & I think that's already safe. 4th is not impossible but unlikely. Would need Spurs with the points advantage and Chelsea to have a woeful end of season.

[YT]vf9SOUOiNHQ&feature=related[/YT]

Ruuuuuud! t:



I think, realistically, 5th is where they should be aiming. As awesome as CL qualification would be short-term, I couldn't see them making it out of the group stages; as opposed to Europa League, where they could give it a really good go, ala Stoke.

I'd be worried about the knockout qualifier never mind the group stage! If we can get to the group stage and go out there I think it'll be worth it. 6 CL games with one or two of the teams likely to be top Euro sides (given our lower seeding) will be great experience. I'd also be very happy with UEFA Cup and would like to get as far in that as possible. Who is getting the 6th & 7th UEFA spots this year? I always forget (they keep changing the rules ).

 

[Dr Lee]

why do we love to make it hard for ourselves?

 

[Two-Face]

Man second half was nervey as hell. United should have wrap this up instead Fulham looked liked coming back into it.

 

[Darthphere]

[YT]vf9SOUOiNHQ&feature=related[/YT]

Ruuuuuud! t:

Pfffft. We all know Danny Welbeck never makes a mistake.

 

[Lunar_Wolf]

Man second half was nervey as hell. United should have wrap this up instead Fulham looked liked coming back into it.

United has so many chances to get another goal, but I'm just glad we made it with through with 3 points!

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

wow John Terry should maybe think about trying for beach volleyball in the Olympics

 

[spidey-dude]

shame bolton didnt stuff em....


on the bright side looks like an all scouse semi final..... now hopefully I get tickets through the ballot (which I entered today)

 

[Iceman]

Chelsea despite all the trouble this season are pretty close to the semi-finals of the CL!

 

[Hunter Rider]

Good 3 points last night, too sloppy in the final third though and lucky with the penalty decision.

Shame Sunderland are out, even bigger shame that the team didn't play as well as they can, so many misplaced passes. Hoping for a Spurs vs Everton final.

 

[Darthphere]

If Everton make it to the Final they get a Europa League spot right? I fear the term "hot balls" will pop up again.

 

[Darthphere]

Also wanted to mention the heartbreaking loss the US U-23 suffered last night. Well technically it was a draw but we're (as in the USA) not going to the Olympics. We always have the women's team.

 

[wobbly]

Chelsea despite all the trouble this season are pretty close to the semi-finals of the CL!

Lol. Not kidding myself we can win the whole thing* but getting to the semi's would be nice.
And Torres had another good game which was nice to see as well. Here's hoping he can keep going with the steps forward without taking a few back.

*If we do get through then it's likely Barcelona....For us to win that? We'd have to be playing a lot better than we have been and Barca would have to have a bit of a mare in both games as well. Not impossible (upsets do happen), but I'd just be happy to at least contest the games well (getting hammered in both would not be pleasant...)

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

Patrick Vieira: Manchester United get preferential treatment from refs

seriously after running scholes down last week and now this, he is really not helping the rumours of the city dressing room cracking