Bloody Football!

[SammiValentine]

I wasn't aiming my criticism at you Sammi, and I do try to understand the Liverpool psyche, I can't say I recall much about Hodgson's time in Anfield anyway. For the record compared to the other Liverpool fanatics I used to know, you are the most flexible and warm-hearted, some of the things the others said are unrepeatable, with particular regard for a Scottish manager whose name I won't mention....

I know it's ok I just like to defend my team and my people

I KNOW you cant recall much about Hodgson at anfield thats why i was pointing out the MASSIVE differnece between some banter from scousers who endured hodgson and the current media/murdoch/anyone take the piss out of him scenario, and we DID give him the benefit of the doubt and he dug his own grave, it was a deep one as well. I must confess I am not an "england fan" I posted reasons why before, I will watch it and be" happy" and impressed if they win but dont give a toss if they do not, and certainly wont lose sleep over it

[SammiValentine]

I wasn't aiming my criticism at you Sammi, and I do try to understand the Liverpool psyche, I can't say I recall much about Hodgson's time in Anfield anyway. For the record compared to the other Liverpool fanatics I used to know, you are the most flexible and warm-hearted, some of the things the others said are unrepeatable, with particular regard for a Scottish manager whose name I won't mention....

p.s re Ferguson, heres an example for you.

Cantona kung fu kicks a player in the head, was Roy Evans or whoever making press statements such as he should not kick a ball again in this country, such as Ferguson said in the Evra/Saurez aftermath.

Is that a master of mind games at work, or being a twat? Thats just one of a million examples, the blokes a bad egg, yet a good manager. I am over it.

[SammiValentine]

So, at 5:15 in the evening, the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Liverpool kicks off at Wembley, at the tail end of a day full of football elsewhere.

So much for the "magic" of the FA Cup. What happened to that special time when it was a full day event culminating in the kick off at 3pm?

The FA are yet another pathetic bunch of money grubbers hoisting their collective arses towards the TV companies and only asking how far.

It's a disgrace. Oh yes, and between them Network Rail and Virgin Trains have contrived yet again, just as they did for the semi-final, to make it virtually impossible for Liverpool fans to get there or back. You couldn't make this up.

haha yet the stadium was packed for liverpool everton and not chelsea tottenham.. hahaha

[SammiValentine]

Laughing at Ferguson in the press going on about Man City spending. Veron in the year 2000......... for 28.1 million ?? Ferdinand for 30 million in 2002 ?? Let me think, 20ish million ruud nistleroy, 27 million rooney, 30+ million for berbatov. hahah wind your neck in old man, your time is hopefully, nearly up.

Anyone remember the lovely old scottish chaps rant about veron to the press ?? " On you go. I'm not fucking talking to you. He's a fucking great player. You are all fucking idiots." Imagine if Kenny had reacted like that under the scrutiny he has had and the flak over Carroll etc, a bit of humour and talked positive about the players, good man Kenny. He truely is a gent Ferguson though eh? Dalglish is head and shoulders above him a person, as a player, and i just hope he gets some luck and get some more trophies for the manager front as well.

P.s It is Dalglish 1, Ferguson 0 so far this season .

[Stavros]

Manchester United have spent like the other big clubs, sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. It is still possible for United to win the title, a naff team like QPR could force a draw against even City, but then Sunderland could pop one past United. City on the balance of results have proved a better team, United didn't spend in recent years, and players like Giggs, Scholes, Ferdinand and Carrick are at the end of their careers, Vidic too I suspect. Fernandez didnt sparkle this season like last, I can't fathom what Berbatov is for. But the fact that both City and United have ended up clear at the top measures the decline of English team football compared to Spain, although it isn't as bad as France, or Italy where hooliganism and corruption are destroying the game. Liverpool are a pale shadow of what they once were, there is no getting past it, Everton are a much better side, with a better manager. Ferguson is one of the most successful managers in the game, but he isn't perfect and neither is Dalgleish. In the end, I fear it comes down to a mixture of money and tactics on the day, Ferguson gets its wrong now and then, but it remains to be seen how much money the Glazer's are prepared to spend over the summer. But with Terry, Lampard and Drogba also getting older, the next season could spring some surprises. Will Tevez and Balotelli stay at City? Newcastle's failure today suggests they are still erratic, Arsenal look empty when van Persie isn't playing. Tottenham struggle to maintain form across the whole season, Bale must be a major target for so many clubs. Or is it more of the same next season? Will Liverpool be buying quality players?

[SammiValentine]

Manchester United have spent like the other big clubs, sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. It is still possible for United to win the title, a naff team like QPR could force a draw against even City, but then Sunderland could pop one past United. City on the balance of results have proved a better team, United didn't spend in recent years, and players like Giggs, Scholes, Ferdinand and Carrick are at the end of their careers, Vidic too I suspect. Fernandez didnt sparkle this season like last, I can't fathom what Berbatov is for. But the fact that both City and United have ended up clear at the top measures the decline of English team football compared to Spain, although it isn't as bad as France, or Italy where hooliganism and corruption are destroying the game. Liverpool are a pale shadow of what they once were, there is no getting past it, Everton are a much better side, with a better manager. Ferguson is one of the most successful managers in the game, but he isn't perfect and neither is Dalgleish. In the end, I fear it comes down to a mixture of money and tactics on the day, Ferguson gets its wrong now and then, but it remains to be seen how much money the Glazer's are prepared to spend over the summer. But with Terry, Lampard and Drogba also getting older, the next season could spring some surprises. Will Tevez and Balotelli stay at City? Newcastle's failure today suggests they are still erratic, Arsenal look empty when van Persie isn't playing. Tottenham struggle to maintain form across the whole season, Bale must be a major target for so many clubs. Or is it more of the same next season? Will Liverpool be buying quality players?

Exactly, which is why its hillarious he is moaning in the press. Mancini has done him at his own game by saying the title race was over, since then united have got 1 point out of 9..

Anyway, we have no money, will sell a few, big issues to raise are getting rid of joe cole, what to do with aquillani (keep him i hope), i can see maxi and kuyt going possibly (2 others left on big money) and THE NEW STAIDUM, otherwise i think we have got ourselves another pair of lying yannks. Re players once we have sold a few we need to spend decent money very wisely (lol) on a centre mid, striker (and a winger and leftback if we had cash) , also to bed sterling in next season as a wide player, give Coates more games. etc. The owners are not far off from achieving what they wanted on a wage basis, should free up more money for players, theoetically, the snag is no champions leage and then the foriegn players you can get , clubs get "forced" into paying higher wages to match what they get already (or to better it) due to tax laws..

I think we should sell Downing personally, Rafa would of.

[SammiValentine]

Sounded a bit like a retirement speech by ferguson btw after man utds last home game.

[Stavros]

Hmmm...Ferguson's instinct is to go after a major victory -he won't go after losing something as big as the Premier League title. I have been told that Solskjaer is a shoe-in when Ferguson decides to go. I think also he would like to leave a strong team so at least one more season. I thought Wenger was dead and buried earlier on in the season but he has also survived. With Mourinho, Guardiola available, the big clubs must be pondering the longer term. I think Dalgleish is safe because of his hallowed status, but you are spot-on with the Champions League, it now determines the fate of clubs and players to an extent not known when it was the European Cup.

As for the stadium, you know it really beggars belief that Liverpool and Everton cant combine on this, I know there is a lot of rivalry, but there has never been a better comedy duo in football either, I think I once collapsed in laughter at some joke Stan Boardman made about Sammy Lee. We are deprived too much of that Scouse humour in football. I am surprised that the Liverpool Waters project didn't factor it in, what on earth is the point of spending billions of £ on office space when they can guarantee capacity crowds every week at a sparkling stadium of scousesie soccer sentertainment?

PS. Do you see StevieG is now a chef? Scran des oefs en Croutons anyone?

[robertlouis]

Match point Mancini.

[robertlouis]

Sounded a bit like a retirement speech by ferguson btw after man utds last home game.

Wishful thinking, my dear. The wee cough drop has a couple more seasons in him, and unless something untoward forces his hand, he'll try to hang on for one more outstanding season where they pick up two or more trophies.

Di Matteo could actually win the Champions League and still get fired. Funny old world.

Meanwhile the Rangers circus north of the border carries on. Both laughable and sad.