Bloody Football!

[robertlouis]

It's been going in Scotland for two weeks already, and Rangers have been dumped on their arses out of the Champions League before the big guns have even thought about it.

This weekend the Football league starts a new season and next week it's the return of the Premiership.

Thoughts, fears, predictions?

Or is the realisation that it's back again so soon making you gouge out your eyes with toothpicks in frustration?

[Stavros]

Yes, much as I like football, a game I played as a youth (in goal) the season starts too early, and should be suspended in January -something that will not happen because of the money.

I think Arsenal are the top team most likely to slip, the defence is still unreliable, and although Wenger has done wonders with Wilshere, Ramsay and Walcott, the team is still in transition. Manchester City will continue to irritate purists but lose too many games; Chelsea is an ageing team, but still hard to beat. As a one-time Tottenham supporter I think they will be continue to do well but promise more than they deliver. That leaves two teams: Manchester United should have no trouble winning the league, only Liverpool can upset the recent balance at the top. They look and sound like a team with new purpose, but probably have the most to live up to. I am not as enthused and excited as I once was, but I am sure there will be some good games.

[Prospero]

Boring. I just let this stuff wash past me. Who cares.

[brummie]

Everyone hates Leeds
Nothing is Liverpool fault
The media will overhype any minor trouble and ignore all the violence by egg chasers

[russtafa]

Everyone hates Leeds
Nothing is Liverpool fault
The media will overhype any minor trouble and ignore all the violence by egg chasers
what would you want to follow a sport where guys kiss and hug each other all the time:smh

[robertlouis]

what would you want to follow a sport where guys kiss and hug each other all the time:smh

Gosh, I've only seen that when someone scores a goal.

All the time???

Are you sure Russ? So that's what they mean when they say it's a high tackle.....:dancing:

[russtafa]

i don't hate football i like it .it's the best spectator sport.i am just replying to brummie on the rugby world cup.i can never see guy's that are built like tanks and are over 6ft and over playing soccer and that's why there other sports around ie basket ball ,Gridiron ,tennis ect

[robertlouis]

i don't hate football i like it .it's the best spectator sport.i am just replying to brummie on the rugby world cup.i can never see guy's that are built like tanks and are over 6ft and over playing soccer and that's why there other sports around ie basket ball ,Gridiron ,tennis ect

Don't forget Aussie Rules, mate! Fuck, that's the nearest thing to war without weapons that I've ever seen.

[russtafa]

yes a great sport for tall skinny guys but it's not that popular in N. S .W or Q.L.D

[robertlouis]

Man U 8, Arsenal 2.

Fuckin' 'ell!!!

[Stavros]

Ruthless as ever, but set against Manchester United's outstanding performance was a dire Arsenal, one of the worst teams Wenger has had to play. Van Persie missing a penalty summed them up. However, you may have seen an analysis in The Guardian which claimed that backroom strength at Arsenal is not what it was, that the corps of scouts and other link men have not been able to maintain a flow of young and foreign players into the squad to give it depth. Wenger does have Ramsay, Walcott, and Wilshere around whom to build a nascent team of great promise, but someone at some point took their eye off the longer term strategy and thus today Arsenal suddenly has a dearth of premier league naturals -this is how Liverpool declined following Dalgleish's sudden departure -and is the reason why Ferguson maintains a club with a rich seam of players young and old; Barcelona likewise. Its like running a mult-national company -you maintain a solid base of commodities while planning 5-10-15 years ahead. I wonder if Wenger is tired, burned out; if he doesn't deliver this season it will be hard for the Board to justify keeping him on; and he himself may feel he has done all he can at Britain's most successful club.

[robertlouis]

Ruthless as ever, but set against Manchester United's outstanding performance was a dire Arsenal, one of the worst teams Wenger has had to play. Van Persie missing a penalty summed them up. However, you may have seen an analysis in The Guardian which claimed that backroom strength at Arsenal is not what it was, that the corps of scouts and other link men have not been able to maintain a flow of young and foreign players into the squad to give it depth. Wenger does have Ramsay, Walcott, and Wilshere around whom to build a nascent team of great promise, but someone at some point took their eye off the longer term strategy and thus today Arsenal suddenly has a dearth of premier league naturals -this is how Liverpool declined following Dalgleish's sudden departure -and is the reason why Ferguson maintains a club with a rich seam of players young and old; Barcelona likewise. Its like running a mult-national company -you maintain a solid base of commodities while planning 5-10-15 years ahead. I wonder if Wenger is tired, burned out; if he doesn't deliver this season it will be hard for the Board to justify keeping him on; and he himself may feel he has done all he can at Britain's most successful club.

I agree up to a point, Stavros, but I suspect that the current malaise at the Emirates goes deeper and further than you suggest and lies more in Wenger's laudable but doomed quest for total football; he has forgotten that the base for success in his early years was a relative oligarchy of tough defenders in the classic English mould, and that the pretty patterns built by the likes of Bergkamp depended on the meanness of that defence. Those are the virtues that he has never satisfactorily replaced and that's why Arsenal will continue to play with panache but are unlikely to mount a sustained challenge for honours - no real cutting edge, no steel at the back.

You mention Liverpool's steep decline after Dalglish's resignation in 1991. This season there's little doubt that they are likely to represent the biggest challenge to the newly established big three of the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea. Structurally, Kenny has been every bit as astute in his acquisitions as Fergie.

And what exactly is your definition of "Britain's most successful club"? In England that title falls to Man Utd if you're talking about titles, Liverpool for European success, both eclipsed in UK terms, regardless of the relative poverty of their domestic opposition, by Rangers and Celtic in Scotland - it's certainly possible to make a sustained argument for Jock Stein's Celtic in the 1960's and 70's as the most successful of all.

[Stavros]

I realise now that my comment about Arsenal was based on some stats that were published in the 1990s, since then the stats have of course changed, and were not for British clubs but English ones. The 1990s seems like yesterday....

[robertlouis]

I realise now that my comment about Arsenal was based on some stats that were published in the 1990s, since then the stats have of course changed, and were not for British clubs but English ones. The 1990s seems like yesterday....

Even then Liverpool already had their 18 league titles and 4 European Cups. How were Arsenal measured to be more successful than that?

Maybe the stats were in the Torygraph, as for them anything beyond the Home Counties has a big "Here there be dragons" warning on it.

[Stavros]

I think its about the way in which statistics are collated and then weighted against a basket of indicators -which would include more than titles or cups won, but things like continuous presence in the First Division/Premier League and so on; Arsenal has a better record than Liverpool for example; Arsenal relegated just once, Liverpool at least twice -and the stats I think I saw would have gone back to the 1870s. I don't know it is a fact.

I also wondered if Jock Stein had Jewish origins, but it turns out Stein is a derivative of Steven, there is an entertaining website on Jews here
http://www.jewornotjew.com/profile.jsp?ID=998

I think it can be slippery, had either Celtic or Rangers played in the First Division/Premier League their records would be poorer; Mexico always reach the World Cup finals because they play useless teams in the qualifying rounds.

[SammiValentine]

Arsenals current situation is nothing like liverpool early 90's when dalglish went - cant agree with that at all..

[robertlouis]

Arsenals current situation is nothing like liverpool early 90's when dalglish went - cant agree with that at all..

Care to enlarge on that Sammi?

It's certainly the case that Kenny had a great squad in 1991 and a mix of seasoned pros, good buys and one or two youngsters, but it could be argued that the team he left was very much of that moment with no deep roots. Add the poisonous mix of Sounness as manager - great player though he was - and the loss of the bootroom ethic, and it's fair to say that this season's is the first squad since the late 80s, apart from the brief hope in 2008-9, to have a genuine championship look.

A major element of Liverpool's success was always the hard man in the middle, with a distinguished (or notorious!) lineage from Tommy Smith, through Hughes, Sounness himself, McMahon and most recently Mascherano. If there's one thing I don't yet see in Kenny's promising new squad, it's someone with that steel who will terrify and subdue the opposition.

But I certainly see Liverpool finishing above Arsenal this season, and with expectations of a top three place or better.

[SammiValentine]

He is comparing a pre premier league side/era with a post premier league side in a business/larger picture manner - it just does not work like that imo. chalk and cheese.
SKY and money changed everything.

Didnt scout enough foreign players, what in 89-91 ? rofl - how many foreigners in the top division then ? backroom staff? think you will find staffing has quadrupled nowadays ..

There was a plenty of youngsters coming through, Fowler, McManaman...

Kenny left post hillsborough we all know why, and of course then came Souness and the rest is history.

How that^^ is comparable with Arsenal in 2011 in the "EPL" is beyond my imagination sorry :-)

[robertlouis]

I think its about the way in which statistics are collated and then weighted against a basket of indicators -which would include more than titles or cups won, but things like continuous presence in the First Division/Premier League and so on; Arsenal has a better record than Liverpool for example; Arsenal relegated just once, Liverpool at least twice -and the stats I think I saw would have gone back to the 1870s. I don't know it is a fact.

I also wondered if Jock Stein had Jewish origins, but it turns out Stein is a derivative of Steven, there is an entertaining website on Jews here
http://www.jewornotjew.com/profile.jsp?ID=998

I think it can be slippery, had either Celtic or Rangers played in the First Division/Premier League their records would be poorer; Mexico always reach the World Cup finals because they play useless teams in the qualifying rounds.

Love the Jock Stein thought, Stavros. He was the first Protestant manager of Celtic, it would have blown all the heads off the green and blue bigots if he'd been Jewish!

He was also part of the glorious and immortal triumvirate of Scottish managers from that tight triangle of mining country in Lanarkshire and Ayrshire that produced both Matt Busby and Bill Shankly. I'd also still argue that he remains the greatest manager these islands have ever produced, and the fact that his achievements, other than that perfect night in Lisbon in 1967, were all made in Scotland, shouldn't diminish him in any way. Add the fact that his first management job was at Dunfermline, my team, and my respect for him knows no bounds.

As Bill Shankly said to him in that Lisbon dressing room when Celtic finally broke the UK's duck in the European Cup, "John, you're immortal."

[Scottish_Guy]

Being a Newcastle fan I am speechless at the start they have made!

4th in league after 4 games only one goal against, but also only 3 for! I honestly thought we'd be like Blackburn this season. But for the strength of our defence we are going well - we need a striker in Jan though and maybe someone on loan now. Mid table would be amazing for Newcastle this season!

As for Liverpool I expected more tbh. And as for Arsenal they will improve but they are lightyears away from winning the title!

[Stavros]

Are you glad to see the back of Joey Barton? I seem to recall seeing too much of his arse once on tv...small point: the journalist who annoyed Sir Alexander Ferguson at the press conference after the Benfica match with the question about De Gea, was none other than Kelly Cates, (nee Dalgleish)....

[robertlouis]

Are you glad to see the back of Joey Barton? I seem to recall seeing too much of his arse once on tv...small point: the journalist who annoyed Sir Alexander Ferguson at the press conference after the Benfica match with the question about De Gea, was none other than Kelly Cates, (nee Dalgleish)....

I think Barton is an excellent player, and it will be very interesting to see how Neil Warnock handles him. I reckon the chances are good, given Warnock's record as a man manager.

As for Newcastle, those fans deserve a lot better than they've had over the last fifteen years. Without proper investment in January, a top half finish will be a creditable result for them.

Is Carroll Liverpool's Torres? Discuss. Juicy irony there. A successful return by Stevie G will be key to Liverpool's season, but right now it's hard to argue against Manchester as the capital of the Premiership for the foreseeable future. And that hurts, because I'd love to see Liverpool back at the top of the pile.

[Scottish_Guy]

Are you glad to see the back of Joey Barton? I seem to recall seeing too much of his arse once on tv...small point: the journalist who annoyed Sir Alexander Ferguson at the press conference after the Benfica match with the question about De Gea, was none other than Kelly Cates, (nee Dalgleish)....

Not at all - he was our best player and every fan was sad to see him go. But ego vs ego meant he had to go. His career is a shame as he is one of Englands best players!

[Scottish_Guy]

I think Barton is an excellent player, and it will be very interesting to see how Neil Warnock handles him. I reckon the chances are good, given Warnock's record as a man manager.

As for Newcastle, those fans deserve a lot better than they've had over the last fifteen years. Without proper investment in January, a top half finish will be a creditable result for them.

Is Carroll Liverpool's Torres? Discuss. Juicy irony there. A successful return by Stevie G will be key to Liverpool's season, but right now it's hard to argue against Manchester as the capital of the Premiership for the foreseeable future. And that hurts, because I'd love to see Liverpool back at the top of the pile.

If Caroll is fit and gets the games he will be a sucess - suarez needs to play behind and support him for it to work.

If Torres can get a few games scoring he will be fine!

Liverpool have one of the best keepers in the world in Reina - they just need to be more ruthless going forward and trust the defence

[Stavros]

Liverpool have one of the best keepers in the world in Reina

Are you serious? In the World?? I thought Ferguson should have moved heaven and earth to get Akinfeev; although Lindegard looked ok the other night.

I have been advised to put £10 on Torres to score against Man U next weekend, currently 4-1 I believe; I prefer MU to Beat Chelsea 6-2, 500-1...gotta be worth a £2 bet if only to clear the overdraft...

PS, I thought Scots always got on with each other when they were abroad, the Ferguson -vs- Dalgleish thing seems to have been going on for years. Ferguson has also been rude about Gordon Strachan -is there a sub-text to this? Wrong side of Glasgow?

[SammiValentine]

Reina is pretty much #2 in the world yes,behind the Spanish number #1 :)

[robertlouis]

Liverpool have one of the best keepers in the world in Reina

Are you serious? In the World?? I thought Ferguson should have moved heaven and earth to get Akinfeev; although Lindegard looked ok the other night.

I have been advised to put £10 on Torres to score against Man U next weekend, currently 4-1 I believe; I prefer MU to Beat Chelsea 6-2, 500-1...gotta be worth a £2 bet if only to clear the overdraft...

PS, I thought Scots always got on with each other when they were abroad, the Ferguson -vs- Dalgleish thing seems to have been going on for years. Ferguson has also been rude about Gordon Strachan -is there a sub-text to this? Wrong side of Glasgow?

Dalglish, Ferguson and Strachan are all protestants. It's well-known that when Jock Stein (another proddie) turned up to sign him for Celtic, the young Kenny was busily stripping the Rangers posters off his walls!

Fergie was bundled out of Ibrox when he married a catholic girl, so there's certainly no religious dimension. Wee Gordie got up his nose after remarks made when he left Old Trafford for Leeds. Not sure of the origins of the feud with Dalglish, may go back to Kenny's first tenure at Anfield.

And Fergie's had hundreds of feuds and vendettas. Just as well he's not Italian lol.

And I agree with Sammi about Reina - if he played in La Liga he would be the Spanish number one. Aside from his shot stopping abilities, he has the finest tactical distribution of any keeper since the best of all, Schmeichel.

[mikelpo]

Reina is pretty much #2 in the world yes,behind the Spanish number #1 :)

Sammi I think reina is a far better keeper than cassilas it's just he's real madrid through and through, a poster boy if you like! X

[Stavros]

Some weird results coming in from the Premier League -we started with Man U putting 8 past Arsenal, now City have put 6 past Man U -I don't think anyone could have predicted scorelines like that, its on a par with fanatics from, say QPR saying Yeah, We'll beat Chelsea 25-0. But the way things are going, we could be in for more weird score lines, and teams ending up with only 7 or 8 players on the field -I can't recall what the limit is. In the meantime, someone needs to fill that gaping hole in Manchester United's midfield....City are not that good.

[robertlouis]

Some weird results coming in from the Premier League -we started with Man U putting 8 past Arsenal, now City have put 6 past Man U -I don't think anyone could have predicted scorelines like that, its on a par with fanatics from, say QPR saying Yeah, We'll beat Chelsea 25-0. But the way things are going, we could be in for more weird score lines, and teams ending up with only 7 or 8 players on the field -I can't recall what the limit is. In the meantime, someone needs to fill that gaping hole in Manchester United's midfield....City are not that good.

Yes, it's interesting this season, and high-scoring isn't just a phenomenon at the top, with Fulham stuffing QPR 6 - 0 a couple of weeks ago, for example. Pat Nevin said of the Manchester derby on Sunday that perhaps it could be the changing of the guard. Too early in the season for that to be definitive, but he could be right. That said, 3 - 1 would have been a more accurate reflection of the play, and you'd expect Man U to bounce back. But you're right - they desperately need that authority in midfield.

In the meantime I'm hoping that Liverpool under Dalglish can finally gel together all of their old and new components and fulfil the potential that is definitely in that club.

[Stavros]

The Independent has an article in crazy scores, there seems to be a growing consensus that defending has become more difficult because of rule changes and that it is limiting the diversity of tackles a defender can legitimately use; there is also the belief that defenders are trying to dance with their opponents at corners instead of watching the ball...and everyone wants to be like Barcelona...
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/why-is-this-season-so-goal-crazy-6255382.html

[robertlouis]

The Independent has an article in crazy scores, there seems to be a growing consensus that defending has become more difficult because of rule changes and that it is limiting the diversity of tackles a defender can legitimately use; there is also the belief that defenders are trying to dance with their opponents at corners instead of watching the ball...and everyone wants to be like Barcelona...
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/why-is-this-season-so-goal-crazy-6255382.html

Don't forget that Man U, Chelsea and Arsenal in particular have had very unsettled defences from the start of the season, both through injuries and poor tactics. As for defenders being scared to tackle, the number of penalty kicks conceded recently in the premier league would tend to belie that too.

The one thing that is definitely true though is that no team seems capable of defending corners any more.

[Stavros]

Or maybe its penalties for any tackle that looks too aggressive? On the other hand, you are right, some of the defending has been laughable, and remote from the historic defensive qualities those teams have had in the past.

[SammiValentine]

Weve hit the woodwork 11 times this season, missed a few pens - a bit more ruthless finishing and be more in the mix.

kennys doing boss and just needs time, some luck and a following wind:) Suarez and torres upfront right now would be amazing, but we all know what happened :Z

[robertlouis]

Weve hit the woodwork 11 times this season, missed a few pens - a bit more ruthless finishing and be more in the mix.

kennys doing boss and just needs time, some luck and a following wind:) Suarez and torres upfront right now would be amazing, but we all know what happened :Z


And that wee diamond Scot Charlie Adam is pulling the strings in midfield. Can't wait to see him and Stevie G together.

Are you happy with the central defence though, Sammi? They seem to have the same frailties as the other big teams we've mentioned recently.

I think this will be Carra's last season, Coates isn't ready. Agger and Skrtl?

If Benitez had seen sense and held on to Hyppia for another two years there would have been stability and continuity rather than the endless experimentation that there's been since 2007.

[SammiValentine]

haha cant blame rafa for sammi getting old and wanting regular footy to end his career. he loved rafa, liverpool he back one day :)

btw 07/07, 08/09 and even 09/10 we had 2nd or 3rd "tightest" defense each season. Hardly no stability, and that was with the old "zonal marking" to lolol

No secret we need a CB and carras gettind old yes but we dont half miss him organising when he is not there, someone needs to step up, need a new player really (although a couple of boss centrebacks coming through the yoof) ... oh p.s agger is hot and boss but he is made of plasticine lol x
:D

[robertlouis]

haha cant blame rafa for sammi getting old and wanting regular footy to end his career. he loved rafa, liverpool he back one day :)

:D

"Sammi"!!. :hide-1:

You don't mean, no surely not. I mean, you don't sound that Finnish, m'dear?

Blimey. :ignore:

[robertlouis]

Well, time to take stock at that traditional moment in the season as Christmas fades again.

The Manchester giants locked together at the top, and everyone else (with the possible exception of Tottenham) scrabbling either for one of the two remaining Champions League spots, or somehow avoiding the footballing purgatory of the Europa League, or, of course, relegation. Arsenal and Chelsea probably fighting for the fourth slot, Liverpool a bit of a disappointment with Carroll looking like almost as big a waste of money as Torres, Newcastle fading after a great start, the possibility of all three promoted clubs actually surviving (come on, Norwich!) and a sad triumvirate of the smaller Lancashire clubs falling out of the basement.

Not forgetting the racist stories, the January window and of course the biennial anticlimax of England under-achieving on the European and world stages, and to say nothing of Gary Neville's amazing emergence as a pretty good football pundit.

All human life is here, well, almost. There is Wayne Rooney as well....

[Stavros]

The first half of the season is ending without any clear indication of supremacy -Chelsea and Arsenal are as you say unable to challenge for the title, whereas Spurs are emerging as a real threat. Gareth Bale is clearly the most exciting British player to have emerged in recent years, I assume the questions about Manchester City are about their temperamental players and whether or not they can hold it together, or fall apart taking their title challenge with them. United's loss to Basel was one of the worst perfomances they have put in, shapeless, lacking in finesse or inspiration. The Carling Cup is a waste of time, and now it seems the magic of the FA Cup has dwindled too, I don't think the major clubs care about it.

I wonder how much of the 'racism' is real hostility to a black player and how much is a deliberate attempt to 'wind up' a player and provoke a yellow, and then a red card? Spanish and Italian players taunt their rivals with variations of sua madre e una puta, but the time must come when provocative play must end, it doesn't happen in tennis or golf or snooker as far as I know, so why tolerate it in football?

[robertlouis]

Great football stat from Radio 5 last night - Torres has scored more goals for Liverpool in 2011 than he has for Chelsea. That's four for the reds and three for the blues. And when did he join Chelsea? 31st January.....

[SammiValentine]

The first half of the season is ending without any clear indication of supremacy -Chelsea and Arsenal are as you say unable to challenge for the title, whereas Spurs are emerging as a real threat. Gareth Bale is clearly the most exciting British player to have emerged in recent years, I assume the questions about Manchester City are about their temperamental players and whether or not they can hold it together, or fall apart taking their title challenge with them. United's loss to Basel was one of the worst perfomances they have put in, shapeless, lacking in finesse or inspiration. The Carling Cup is a waste of time, and now it seems the magic of the FA Cup has dwindled too, I don't think the major clubs care about it.

I wonder how much of the 'racism' is real hostility to a black player and how much is a deliberate attempt to 'wind up' a player and provoke a yellow, and then a red card? Spanish and Italian players taunt their rivals with variations of sua madre e una puta, but the time must come when provocative play must end, it doesn't happen in tennis or golf or snooker as far as I know, so why tolerate it in football?


lol at bale being british :D he is welsh, plays for wales, not Britain lets be fair and give little wales a little bit of glory, having to be carried by that twat giggs for 15 years was enough for any welshman to feel a little bit down about himself. saying that giggs is, or was world class and still a miracle he playing such a high level, dont think bale is fit to lace his boots personally.

[robertlouis]

lol at bale being british :D he is welsh, plays for wales, not Britain lets be fair and give little wales a little bit of glory, having to be carried by that twat giggs for 15 years was enough for any welshman to feel a little bit down about himself. saying that giggs is, or was world class and still a miracle he playing such a high level, dont think bale is fit to lace his boots personally.

Bit unfair on Bale, Sammi. The lad's only 22 and will develop further. Right now he has blistering pace, a stunning left foot for crosses, scores goals and took Inter Milan apart twice last year. With Ramsey and a crop of other promising youngsters coming through, the future for once looks good for Wales. Only wish I could say the same for Scotland....

[SammiValentine]

If ya say so ;-))

[Stavros]

Thierry Henry -wearing the no 12 shirt, playing against Leeds for the 12th time in his career, scored his 12th goal against the club 12 minutes from the end of time...spooky thing football...and now Eric Cantona is going to run for the Presidency in France....

[SammiValentine]

maybe Cantona can kung fu kick 12 people in the head later ?:)

[Stavros]

His aim, it seems, is to generate publicity for a housing charity he supports, I don't think he has real ambitions to live in the Elysees Palace, even if it is in one of the nicer parts of Paris.

[robertlouis]

So, the 2012 title will end up in Manchester, but in the red or blue half of the city?

And can Chelsea upset the odds and finally win the Champions League?

And does anybody care? No, honestly?

[Stavros]

Fanatics probably care. Curious use of the word, given the wide expression of sympathy and support for Fabrice Muamba, one of football's better moments in recent years given the 'race' arguments that have occupied the press.

Although I am biased, I expect United to cling on to victory, with or without the help of refereeing decisions that beggar belief. There is something lacking in City, I can't put my finger on it, but its a lack of overall cohesion. United miss Vidic and have as weak a defence as City, that I think is where the title will be won or lost.

In England, Wenger's houdini act is turning out to be the major story, Arsenal and Wenger looked dead and buried at one point, yet he must have management skills to see that phase of failure to bed. The other big story south of the border is Liverpool, because right now it doesn't look like this once almighty club can drag itself back into the top tier. In retrospect, I think Heysel and Hillsborough ripped the heart out of the club, and maybe even the city, it could be that Liverpool lost an entire generation of success because of it. It will take five, maybe ten more years for them to return to the top.

But surely the biggest story in football is the collapse of Glasgow Rangers. How does a club of that stature end up peering into the dustbin of history? It never ceases to amaze me how badly football clubs are run, by supposedly successful businessmen. Scottish football, like its Rugby, is an even worse state than Liverpool FC, what's the remedy?

[SammiValentine]

In England, Wenger's houdini act is turning out to be the major story, Arsenal and Wenger looked dead and buried at one point, yet he must have management skills to see that phase of failure to bed. The other big story south of the border is Liverpool, because right now it doesn't look like this once almighty club can drag itself back into the top tier. In retrospect, I think Heysel and Hillsborough ripped the heart out of the club, and maybe even the city, it could be that Liverpool lost an entire generation of success because of it. It will take five, maybe ten more years for them to return to the top.



lol... how quickly people forget that 18 months ago we was in really serious trouble, financially, on the pitch, off the pitch (owners,manager,boardrroom). A tropy or two and better choice/luck with transfers in the Summer and we can try again :) Kenny is suffering from finsihing the season so well last year.....

Rafa being forced out by H&G has set us back considerbale years, that is plain to see.

[SammiValentine]

So, the 2012 title will end up in Manchester, but in the red or blue half of the city?

And can Chelsea upset the odds and finally win the Champions League?

And does anybody care? No, honestly?

City please.

Chelsea are shite.

:)

[robertlouis]

City please.

Chelsea are shite.

:)

That old enmity for Man U goes deep, doesn't it?

Don't know about Chelsea - the expectations are so low, I think Di Matteo could actually end up winning the Champions League for them while everyone is looking the other way. And whatever Chelsea are, he is one of football's nicer guys.

I'd hoped for more from Liverpool this season, having discovered a few years back that I'm actually a Liverpool fan. The Suarez and Enrique transfers have worked, but that's about it. Carroll looks even worse now that Torres has started to rediscover his form.

I agree with Stavros about Arsenal. But the brightest spots for me have been the arrival and successful establishment in mid-table of Norwich and Swansea, two teams with outstanding young, *cough*, Scottish managers who play consistently attractive football. And on the other side of Stanley Park, David Moyes works his annual miracle with Everton yet again. It's guys like him, together with Lambert and Rodgers, who should be winning manager of the year for producing quality on a shoestring.

As for Rangers, how indeed have the mighty fallen. This is unarguably one of the biggest clubs historically, not only in Scotland, but also the UK, Europe and with a considerable worldwide reputation. I find it very sad, mixed with a smidgeon of schadenfreude - believe me, it couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of people. Their "loyalty" to outmoded notions of tribalism has always contributed more to the sectarian divide in Glasgow and has led to association with northern Irish loyalist extremists as well as the even darker fringes of the BNP and their ilk. However, it's not just the awkward balancing act with Celtic at the top. For better or worse, Scottish football desperately needs a financially healthy and resurgent Rangers.

In the meantime, my team, Dunfermline, are almost certainly heading for relegation. Ach well.....

[Stavros]

Sammi -I concede you are right to praise Dalgleish for restoring a sense of purpose and better results, and I should have added H&G and Rafa to the mix of failure in recent years, but Liverpool still expects the best and the current set-up cannot deliver that I think.

If it were possible, a re-structuring of Scottish football should be attempted. Never understood why Edinburgh has not financed a world class football team. As for Dunfermline...I thought that was the name of a brown knitted jumper...

[SammiValentine]

Sammi -I concede you are right to praise Dalgleish for restoring a sense of purpose and better results, and I should have added H&G and Rafa to the mix of failure in recent years, but Liverpool still expects the best and the current set-up cannot deliver that I think.


I think it is far to early to decide that, part of the problem with the modern game is this demand for "instant" change - unfortunately for kenny a few of his signings have misfired, but no need to panic. If you mean setuo in general then yes I dont think Ayre or Commoli are right for their roles, they will be a hinderance for us.

[robertlouis]

Sammi -I concede you are right to praise Dalgleish for restoring a sense of purpose and better results, and I should have added H&G and Rafa to the mix of failure in recent years, but Liverpool still expects the best and the current set-up cannot deliver that I think.

If it were possible, a re-structuring of Scottish football should be attempted. Never understood why Edinburgh has not financed a world class football team. As for Dunfermline...I thought that was the name of a brown knitted jumper...

Ouch. Kick a man when he's down, why don't you? :joke:

Ancient capital of Scotland under the Canmores, birthplace of Charles I and Andrew Carnegie, possesses the second finest Norman building in the UK (after Durham) in the nave of its Abbey, burial place of Robert the Bruce.

And ok, a perenially underperforming football team. :(

[Stavros]

I should really apologise as I thought Dunfermline was a suburb of Glasgow, until I googled it. Fair enough, it looks grand; and I do actually like Scotland; my brother-in-law's family heritage is Scots.

Unless Blackburn beat United tomorrow, and they have given MU a beating before, the title is their's to lose. For all their drive and ambition, there is something lacking in City, and United have won titles before without playing outstanding football.

Liverpool, as indicated earlier, are simply not good enough.

[GroobySteven]

Yay for Liverpool folding under pressure from Newcastle :-)

[SammiValentine]

Yay for Liverpool folding under pressure from Newcastle :-)

Believe me we folded around January.:)

[robertlouis]

Believe me we folded around January.:)

Your avatar must be an old pic Sammi - haven't seen a Liverpool fan smiling for a while......:whistle:

[SammiValentine]

after we beat the mancs in the FA cup.

[robertlouis]

after we beat the mancs in the FA cup.


Their league form just now is worse than at any time when Hodgson was in charge.

[tsadriana]

11 gays running on the land.....hahahah ...which balls are more stronger?...pmsl....joking ,calm down birds ....lol

[robertlouis]

11 gays running on the land.....hahahah ...which balls are more stronger?...pmsl

Interesting....what about rugby, Adriana?

[tsadriana]

Interesting....what about rugby, Adriana?
hahahahah Roberto snap ,the same issue xxxxxxxxx

[robertlouis]

hahahahah Roberto snap ,the same issue xxxxxxxxx

Oh, you mean 15 gays instead lol?

[tsadriana]

Oh, you mean 15 gays instead lol?
Thats worrie me Roberto pls stop sayng that :jerkoffxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[SammiValentine]

Their league form just now is worse than at any time when Hodgson was in charge.


yet he was still several places lower in the table, bordering relegation.... genius :D

[robertlouis]

yet he was still several places lower in the table, bordering relegation.... genius :D

True, that's a special talent. But seriously, Sammi, what will it take for Liverpool to start playing again to anything like their potential?

They were stunning against Everton and both Manchester clubs in the respective cups, but that's about it in calendar 2012.

I thought that both during the game and post-match Kenny looked and sounded like someone who has run out of ideas - don't forget that he walked away in 1991, although that was in the wake of both Heysel and Hillsboprough, so the emotional circumstances were very different.

Worrying nevertheless.

[SammiValentine]

True, that's a special talent. But seriously, Sammi, what will it take for Liverpool to start playing again to anything like their potential?

They were stunning against Everton and both Manchester clubs in the respective cups, but that's about it in calendar 2012.

I thought that both during the game and post-match Kenny looked and sounded like someone who has run out of ideas - don't forget that he walked away in 1991, although that was in the wake of both Heysel and Hillsboprough, so the emotional circumstances were very different.

Worrying nevertheless.

post match he just said very little, do it all behind closed doors. the liverpool way :)

hes a big enough man to resign if he doesnt think he is good enough for the club, you shouldnt be comparing it to post hillsborough tbh. just do the best we can till end of season, hopefully a better summer in the transfer market and he deserves another season if he wants, he is kenny dalglish after all :)

[SammiValentine]

True, that's a special talent. But seriously, Sammi, what will it take for Liverpool to start playing again to anything like their potential?

They were stunning against Everton and both Manchester clubs in the respective cups, but that's about it in calendar 2012.

I thought that both during the game and post-match Kenny looked and sounded like someone who has run out of ideas - don't forget that he walked away in 1991, although that was in the wake of both Heysel and Hillsboprough, so the emotional circumstances were very different.

Worrying nevertheless.

re actual football we finished last season with 2nd best form in the leage (or 3rd whatever:) , this season before xmas playing nice football, chances galores, couldnt finish. since xmas okay gone to pot.... awful at the moment, yet still won a tropy and another semi...... he has a 3 year contract - he will walk if he thinks he cant do anymore. If he does then I know a certain fella called Rafa who might come help us out anyway ;)

[robertlouis]

re actual football we finished last season with 2nd best form in the leage (or 3rd whatever:) , this season before xmas playing nice football, chances galores, couldnt finish. since xmas okay gone to pot.... awful at the moment, yet still won a tropy and another semi...... he has a 3 year contract - he will walk if he thinks he cant do anymore. If he does then I know a certain fella called Rafa who might come help us out anyway ;)

Is it just one piece to complete the jigsaw? A goal poacher like Michael Owen at his peak? Or someone to play the enforcer in midfield like Mascherrano, Steve McMahon or Sounness?

[GroobySteven]

Believe me we folded around January.:)

Can we have Carroll back for £5m?

[Stavros]

£5m? And what do you get for that:temper tantrums and not many goals. Newcastle have been better without him anyway, its not like he is going to put Demba on the bench while he swans around the field picking a fight with anyone who's up for it, and picking his nose when they aint.
And how many times have Liverpool wasted money on second rate players? Collymore? Saunders? Robinson? Newcastle have been impressive this season, they could even qualify for Europe, although it looks like Spurs and Arsenal will join the top two clubs.

[SammiValentine]

£5m? And what do you get for that:temper tantrums and not many goals. Newcastle have been better without him anyway, its not like he is going to put Demba on the bench while he swans around the field picking a fight with anyone who's up for it, and picking his nose when they aint.
And how many times have Liverpool wasted money on second rate players? Collymore? Saunders? Robinson? Newcastle have been impressive this season, they could even qualify for Europe, although it looks like Spurs and Arsenal will join the top two clubs.

Collymore wasnt really 2nd rate, far from it, just a loon.

Saunders we recouped a lot very quickly, in the style of Rafa, if your shit your out, and we get our money back (or make a profit.. thats more rafa style:)

Robinson.. umm am to young but my dad says he didnt get a look cos of Rush and Dalglish in a season they won 3 cups...

If you want to give good examples of money wasted on 2nd rate, try ...................... Joe Cole... on a "free", salif daio, diouf......

[SammiValentine]

Can we have Carroll back for £5m?

haha would bite your hand off...! i reckon wed get 10 million off some loons though, like stoke.

[robertlouis]

Can we have Carroll back for £5m?

I agree with Stavros. Newcastle are one of the best balanced teams in the country just now, with a settled defence, a strong midfield and a potent striking force. Why mess that up? Your biggest problem is likely to be Ashley cashing in again on your best players, thinking that Pardew will be able to work the same miracle again next season.

[robertlouis]

£5m? And what do you get for that:temper tantrums and not many goals. Newcastle have been better without him anyway, its not like he is going to put Demba on the bench while he swans around the field picking a fight with anyone who's up for it, and picking his nose when they aint.
And how many times have Liverpool wasted money on second rate players? Collymore? Saunders? Robinson? Newcastle have been impressive this season, they could even qualify for Europe, although it looks like Spurs and Arsenal will join the top two clubs.


No manager is immune to that criticism - Fergie and Veron, Djemba-Djemba for example. Any team that has upwards of 60% success rate in their inward transfers are probably doing well. Once again it's the smaller clubs with smaller budgets and shrewd managers who show the way Lambert at Norwich, Rodgers at Swansea, and, of course, Moyes at Everton. They don't make marquee signings, they look for skilled players with a good team and work ethic in the lower divisions and in their own academies and they all espouse sound football principles on the pitch. Swansea in particular have been a joy to watch this season. If Southampton and Reading come up, they'll be following the same path, and improving the overall watchability of the premiership as a result.

[SammiValentine]

I agree with Stavros. Newcastle are one of the best balanced teams in the country just now, with a settled defence, a strong midfield and a potent striking force. Why mess that up? Your biggest problem is likely to be Ashley cashing in again on your best players, thinking that Pardew will be able to work the same miracle again next season.

lol at newcastle and balanced. they are a selling club, will lose the big players again, will they replace them again? How long till ashley upsets them again? how long till they demand a higher finish then what they get now? Average toon fan is deluded, last trophhy 1969..?? and they say liverpool fans are deluded? hehe :)

hats off to them this season, some great buys, but am just basing this on everything thats happened up there since premier league started....

[SammiValentine]

No manager is immune to that criticism - Fergie and Veron, Djemba-Djemba for example. Any team that has upwards of 60% success rate in their inward transfers are probably doing well. Once again it's the smaller clubs with smaller budgets and shrewd managers who show the way Lambert at Norwich, Rodgers at Swansea, and, of course, Moyes at Everton. They don't make marquee signings, they look for skilled players with a good team and work ethic in the lower divisions and in their own academies and they all espouse sound football principles on the pitch. Swansea in particular have been a joy to watch this season. If Southampton and Reading come up, they'll be following the same path, and improving the overall watchability of the premiership as a result.

The david moyes wankfest is amusing, the strongest everton squad in memory has misfired under his trusty wing, fair enough he assembled it, ahnd on the cheap (fergies handouts, loans). Average Joe. Btw he has made some big signings that Norwich or swansea could never afford, fellani 15 mill, yakubu 14 mill off the top of my head.. and have they ever played attractive football ??! :)

[robertlouis]

The david moyes wankfest is amusing, the strongest everton squad in memory has misfired under his trusty wing, fair enough he assembled it, ahnd on the cheap (fergies handouts, loans). Average Joe. Btw he has made some big signings that Norwich or swansea could never afford, fellani 15 mill, yakubu 14 mill off the top of my head.. and have they ever played attractive football ??! :)


OK, so Moyes and I went to the same school :), but you have to concede that Lambert and Rodgers are doing the right things and doing them well.

[SammiValentine]

OK, so Moyes and I went to the same school :), but you have to concede that Lambert and Rodgers are doing the right things and doing them well.

I do not need to concede anything if I already agree ??? Surely..?:)

[robertlouis]

I do not need to concede anything if I already agree ??? Surely..?:)

Fair enough, but please don't call me Shirley.

Outside the bedroom anyway.....:dancing:

[Stavros]

Fair enough, but please don't call me Shirley.

Outside the bedroom anyway.....:dancing:

Hmmmm...I wonder....

[Stavros]

Collymore wasnt really 2nd rate, far from it, just a loon.

Saunders we recouped a lot very quickly, in the style of Rafa, if your shit your out, and we get our money back (or make a profit.. thats more rafa style:)

Robinson.. umm am to young but my dad says he didnt get a look cos of Rush and Dalglish in a season they won 3 cups...

If you want to give good examples of money wasted on 2nd rate, try ...................... Joe Cole... on a "free", salif daio, diouf......


All fair points sammi, no major club is immune from poor signings.

[beaufont]

In my opinion another poor season by Liverpool and in their current form I am sure any other manager might be in line for the chop.....but seems King Kenny get's more time than Woy Hodgson - and is given plenty of money to spend. Who is to say Woy would not have spent it more wisely??? Top 6 these days is an achievement for Liverpool - how the time's have changed

[robertlouis]

In my opinion another poor season by Liverpool and in their current form I am sure any other manager might be in line for the chop.....but seems King Kenny get's more time than Woy Hodgson - and is given plenty of money to spend. Who is to say Woy would not have spent it more wisely??? Top 6 these days is an achievement for Liverpool - how the time's have changed

Never mind, they got a point today...... :whistle:

I have to say that as far as this season goes, I really hope that the FA Cup Final will be between Spurs and Everton. That way it should produce a half-decent game. Both Chelsea and Liverpool seem to be in a terrifyingly rapid decline with no visible means of climbing out of it. And as someone with a long-standing soft spot for Liverpool - my uncle played for them in the 60s - that is very, very sad.

[SammiValentine]

Never mind, they got a point today...... :whistle:

I have to say that as far as this season goes, I really hope that the FA Cup Final will be between Spurs and Everton. That way it should produce a half-decent game. Both Chelsea and Liverpool seem to be in a terrifyingly rapid decline with no visible means of climbing out of it. And as someone with a long-standing soft spot for Liverpool - my uncle played for them in the 60s - that is very, very sad.

Cup Matches are like Derbys, league form is often irrelevant. All 4 clubs will really want to win the FA Cup..

Everton - cos Moyes has never won anything, and winning would get them in Europe which is ideal for them.
Liverpool - Obvious reasons :)
Spurs - Under performing, thrown away being in title race and now possiblity of missing out on top 4 again. A trophy would soften things a touch.
Chelsea - Of course theyd like to win but winning champions league /4th in premier league will be priority... yet they can miss out on both of those so they wont take the FA cup lightly

Anyway having been invovled in both the most exciting FA Cup and Champions League finals in memory.........I would never write off Liverpool not making a "half decent game" of things :)

If anything Chelsea v Liverpool would have the most "hype" taking into account the past 7 years history, now that could make a half decent game of things.

[robertlouis]

You could be right Sammi. I must just be in a half-empty mood today.

If you were a Dunfermline fan you'd understand......

[beaufont]

Got to say I would like to see Everton lift the cup - not to annoy you Sammi - because I think David Moyes does a great job year upon year on limited resource's.....& they also put my team Blackpool out of the cup so at least we could say we got beat by the winner's haha.

If not them then Tottenham are a good team to watch & can beat anyone on their day but I get the feeling it might be a Liverpool v Chelsea final cos they always seem to meet in the cup's :shrug

[SammiValentine]

Got to say I would like to see Everton lift the cup - not to annoy you Sammi - because I think David Moyes does a great job year upon year on limited resource's.....& they also put my team Blackpool out of the cup so at least we could say we got beat by the winner's haha.

If not them then Tottenham are a good team to watch & can beat anyone on their day but I get the feeling it might be a Liverpool v Chelsea final cos they always seem to meet in the cup's :shrug

haha if only they had got through that Champions league qualifier, (thats where rafa got his money, winning in istanbul and creating the "top 4" and giving us money) , Moyes could of made the top 4 a top5 a lot quicker than it took spurs or city to mix it up....... then again, I seriously doubt it , I think he is overrated - hopefuly he will get a big job one day and will prove it either way:)

I might be bias though ;)

saying that.. they are faves for saturday, hopefully that will favour us..!!

[Stavros]

On a more important topic, is Mancini a poor manager of men, or are Tevez and Balotelli incapable of being managed?

And -WHEN is someone going to introduce technology into this game!! A bleep when a player goes offside, or the whole of the ball crosses the goal-line can't be that difficult to install in Premier League grounds. The FA already uses video technology to review red cards, so they can't say there isn't a role for technology.

[SammiValentine]

On a more important topic, is Mancini a poor manager of men, or are Tevez and Balotelli incapable of being managed?

And -WHEN is someone going to introduce technology into this game!! A bleep when a player goes offside, or the whole of the ball crosses the goal-line can't be that difficult to install in Premier League grounds. The FA already uses video technology to review red cards, so they can't say there isn't a role for technology.

You talking about Kuyts "goal" ?:)

I dont see why mancini is more important, he is obviously just shit at football manager games ;) Seriosuly though put a manager in there who doesnt take shit off jumped millionaires, Mourhino or even Rafa... and Ferguson would worry, everyone would worry. When will it happen is the question..!

[Stavros]

The off-side incidents in the Chelsea-Wigan and the ManU-QPR games suggest that match officials either need glasses or don't know the rules of the game.

[SammiValentine]

tech for off side no, ball over line yes.

[robertlouis]

Seanchai must be a happy man these days - a modest bet on Newcastle to make a Champions League spot looks like a sensible punt. And they play good football too.

[SammiValentine]

Never lasts very long, they usually have a protest once they lose a few games. Toon Army!!

;)

[GroobySteven]

Never lasts very long, they usually have a protest once they lose a few games. Toon Army!!

;)

Aye we protested Daglish out of our club fast.
I like how Enrique left Newcastle as they "didn't want to play top 6 football" and we'll give you $8M for Andy Carroll when you are ready.

[SammiValentine]

haha i knew you would bite eventually ;) i dont mind newcastle or fans, and we cant take the piss as much as used to be able to , thanks to the hicks and gillette show ;)

[beaufont]

How much are you willing to pay for Andy Carroll?????? :screwy:banghead

[robertlouis]

Aye we protested Daglish out of our club fast.
I like how Enrique left Newcastle as they "didn't want to play top 6 football" and we'll give you $8M for Andy Carroll when you are ready.

With a choice of the amazing Cisse, Demba'ba, Shola Ameobi, Ben Arfa etc why would you want to add Carroll or anyone else to the mix?

You're not getting sentimental in your old age, are you, prodigal son and all that?

[SammiValentine]

hahaha our sub goalie was so lucky to stay on against blackburn, lol...... wtf. a slight blessing but it just gets worse for saturday...... argh, never a yellow card, should of been a 2nd straight red for a goalkeeper. ouchhh!

[robertlouis]

hahaha our sub goalie was so lucky to stay on against blackburn, lol...... wtf. a slight blessing but it just gets worse for saturday...... argh, never a yellow card, should of been a 2nd straight red for a goalkeeper. ouchhh!


On MOTD Hansen said Kenny would have had to go in goal on Saturday if Jones had been sent off lol.

Footie was best on Radio 5 last night, with reports diving around all the matches and a great panel in the studio. I switched off at half-time and enjoyed MOTD all the more as a result.

BTW, there are some seriously shit linesmen out there too. If Wigan had lost against Utd the referees' supervisor would have had to send yet another apology.

[SammiValentine]

hahahhahah amazed at wigan. never took 1 point off man utd in the premier league before...........

[robertlouis]

Did you see Mancini? Says he thinks it's definitely over. Can't play mind games in the Fergie class yet...

QPR stuffed Swansea, the Arse probably nailed on for 3rd spot now, perm one from Chelsea, Spurs or Newcastle for 4th. Wolves and fuck knows who else for the trapdoor.

[SammiValentine]

Super Arry' for england if he fails again and spurs miss top 4 (again) ? 8th most expensive squad in europe.. can you tell I am not a fan. lol

[robertlouis]

Super Arry' for england if he fails again and spurs miss top 4 (again) ? 8th most expensive squad in europe.. can you tell I am not a fan. lol

Yup, and now they're talking up Woy's chances. You can't make this stuff up.

At least there's not an important set of finals to play in 12 weeks.

Oh........

[SammiValentine]

hahha whats that the euros?

[SammiValentine]

Another masterpiece from the genius that is Moyes. totally bottled it again. COYB!! ;)

[SammiValentine]

Got to say I would like to see Everton lift the cup - not to annoy you Sammi - because I think David Moyes does a great job year upon year on limited resource's.....& they also put my team Blackpool out of the cup so at least we could say we got beat by the winner's haha.

If not them then Tottenham are a good team to watch & can beat anyone on their day but I get the feeling it might be a Liverpool v Chelsea final cos they always seem to meet in the cup's :shrug

:whistle::whistle: :):):):):):):)

[beaufont]

:whistle::whistle: :):):):):):):)

I know I know lol - Chelsea v Liverpool final it is then and sure Chelsea will get knocked out of their stride by Barca before you meet them in the final

Just hope it's an interesting game for the neutral's to watch....also how good was Drogba's goal today - Roy Keane said Gallas could have done better with it!!!???? when Drogba is playing like that he is unplayable - terrific goal

[robertlouis]

I know I know lol - Chelsea v Liverpool final it is then and sure Chelsea will get knocked out of their stride by Barca before you meet them in the final

Just hope it's an interesting game for the neutral's to watch....also how good was Drogba's goal today - Roy Keane said Gallas could have done better with it!!!???? when Drogba is playing like that he is unplayable - terrific goal

Wonder if the mindless minority of Chelsea fans who repeated the Sun's unforgivable slurs during the minute's silence for the Hillsborough victims will be dealt with properly and also just how much of an edge will that add to the game?

It was a disgrace, so much so that the referee had to cut the full minute to avoid embarrassment and further outrage. Stupid, hateful bastards.

[SammiValentine]

Will only make us want to win it more, some people never learn. Bet those same "hardmen" dont travel to anfield for the night game 8 days after the FA cup either.

[Stavros]

Does anyone care about the FA Cup these days? I can't remember the last time I watched a final.

Apparently Stuart Pearce has narrowed down his list for Team GB in the Olympics to 80. I understand the list includes David Beckham Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy.

Is Olympic football any more interesting than the FA Cup?

[robertlouis]

Does anyone care about the FA Cup these days? I can't remember the last time I watched a final.

Apparently Stuart Pearce has narrowed down his list for Team GB in the Olympics to 80. I understand the list includes David Beckham Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy.

Is Olympic football any more interesting than the FA Cup?

Good question. I suppose we'll know in July.

As for Cup Finals, they are invariably very poor games.

The last memorable one was Liverpool's comeback against West Ham in 2006.

[SammiValentine]

Does anyone care about the FA Cup these days? I can't remember the last time I watched a final.

Apparently Stuart Pearce has narrowed down his list for Team GB in the Olympics to 80. I understand the list includes David Beckham Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy.

Is Olympic football any more interesting than the FA Cup?

haha behave!!!!!

Let me guess you also think the "Game 39" plan is good for the premier league??? ;)

[jimbo1974]

Sunderland fan here. MON done a brilliant job for us, considering some of the dross that Steve Bruce bought. Still reckon we need to spend a few quid in the summer though to push on.

This seasons's been alright - apart from the Mags getting dillusions of grandeur. Agent Mike will fuck them up again....(please)

Still reckon City will win the league - Id love to see old Red nose's reaction if Man U were done. Key game is against Newcastle, then the big one at the Etihad.

Chelsea did well last night, bearing in mind they didn't touch the ball. Barca will batter them in a weeks time though......

As for Liverpool - another season in "transition". Same old shite really - they are waaaay of the pace. I reckon Dalglish will crack up next year...

[SammiValentine]

As for Liverpool - another season in "transition". Same old shite really - they are waaaay of the pace. I reckon Dalglish will crack up next year...

Same old shite ..yet look how many trophies we have won since 2000 :D

Hopefully MON will lose some of yor manc rejects anyway, now fathead has gone.. :D

[jimbo1974]

Same old shite ..yet look how many trophies we have won since 2000 :D

More than Sunderland, but probably not as many as you would have liked...you frigging DREAM about winning the premier league again don't ya ?


Hopefully MON will lose some of yor manc rejects anyway, now fathead has gone.. :D

He'll do a good job for us, will wily old Martin. Trouble is, old "fathead" spunked a lot of money up the wall on total spastics.

I wouldnt mind so much if Newcastle were wank...

[SammiValentine]

More than Sunderland, but probably not as many as you would have liked...you frigging DREAM about winning the premier league again don't ya ?



He'll do a good job for us, will wily old Martin. Trouble is, old "fathead" spunked a lot of money up the wall on total spastics.

I wouldnt mind so much if Newcastle were wank...

haha again ?? :D I wish it was a case of again...lol

Yea "fathead" a sound manager actually, to be fair. Dunno his mistakes up there but he did well enough with Wigan and other places *spit* and had no money, maybe the problem was actually having money... ? I dont know enough about him.

Re newcastle and locla derbys. yes it all very well being shit, but being shit and 2nd rate locally, that hurts. Thats why we got to finish above everton as well as win the FA cup, to avoid a total disaster, sure we are shit but to be worse than everton.. omg..:(((

[jimbo1974]

Thats why we got to finish above everton as well as win the FA cup, to avoid a total disaster, sure we are shit but to be worse than everton.. omg..:(((

Im sure you will finish above them......just

What you need - is a new stadium. Is that happening or are they still dicking about ?

[SammiValentine]

Im sure you will finish above them......just

What you need - is a new stadium. Is that happening or are they still dicking about ?


Yup we needed a new stadium for a long time, being realisitc we have been punching above our weight for quite a while now, and its getting harder and harder, .... re stadium still dicking about. doh..:Z

[LibertyHarkness]

god you lot are sad with your football .. why dont you get into a real sport like Warhammer 40k Tabletop gaming :) hehe

[Stavros]

haha behave!!!!!

Let me guess you also think the "Game 39" plan is good for the premier league??? ;)

I don't have a rigid view about that, but I do think the overall management of the game is poor and has always been that way -Alf Ramsay after all was not given an opportunity to resign with dignity after the England-Poland game in 1974, he was sacked. That kind of disgraceful attitude to people has not changed, but in addition there is this complete inability to be flexible, although the clubs themselves should be more imaginative.

For example, 2012 is both Euro and Olympic year, but no amendment was made to the schedules to give players playing for their national squads time after the leage season to prepare for the Euros, and its clear the Olympics has not been thought about over the 5 years we have had to plan for it.

There is the question too of having a winter break -there are various ways of improving the game but they would involve changes and apart from tv schedules, there doesn't seem to be an appetite for change.

My main changes would be:
1) goal-line technology
2) flexible scheduling to take account of major international tournaments
3) abolishing international friendy matches which are a waste of time
4) abolishing the Carling Cup -why does the UK have 2 cup competitions?
5) Making it an automatic red card if a player removes his shirt
6) A winter break in the season
7) Fewer games so the season can begin October and end in July except in Euro/World Cup years.

And so on. I am sure other BMs have good ideas too.

Jimbo-Hats off to Martin O'Neill, he obviously has skills that other managers do not; compare Sunderlands recent form to Aston Villa's....

[jimbo1974]

Jimbo-Hats off to Martin O'Neill, he obviously has skills that other managers do not; compare Sunderlands recent form to Aston Villa's....

Yeah - we are lucky to have him.

I hope Darren "im a mercenary c**t" Bent is glad of his extra 10k a week now.

[robertlouis]

I don't have a rigid view about that, but I do think the overall management of the game is poor and has always been that way -Alf Ramsay after all was not given an opportunity to resign with dignity after the England-Poland game in 1974, he was sacked. That kind of disgraceful attitude to people has not changed, but in addition there is this complete inability to be flexible, although the clubs themselves should be more imaginative.

For example, 2012 is both Euro and Olympic year, but no amendment was made to the schedules to give players playing for their national squads time after the leage season to prepare for the Euros, and its clear the Olympics has not been thought about over the 5 years we have had to plan for it.

There is the question too of having a winter break -there are various ways of improving the game but they would involve changes and apart from tv schedules, there doesn't seem to be an appetite for change.

My main changes would be:
1) goal-line technology
2) flexible scheduling to take account of major international tournaments
3) abolishing international friendy matches which are a waste of time
4) abolishing the Carling Cup -why does the UK have 2 cup competitions?
5) Making it an automatic red card if a player removes his shirt
6) A winter break in the season
7) Fewer games so the season can begin October and end in July except in Euro/World Cup years.

And so on. I am sure other BMs have good ideas too.

Jimbo-Hats off to Martin O'Neill, he obviously has skills that other managers do not; compare Sunderlands recent form to Aston Villa's....

Some good ideas there, Stavros. I'd also make yellow cards mandatory for diving or other forms of simulation - it's simply cheating, nothing else.

Not sure about total abolition of international friendlies without something put in their place which allows international team bosses the opportunity to assess their players' capabilities between tournaments - but they are largely a waste of time, yes.

Oh, and the UK has two cups? Last time I looked, Scotland was still part of the UK. You mean England.

[Stavros]

Oh, and the UK has two cups? Last time I looked, Scotland was still part of the UK. You mean England.

Oops!

[robertlouis]

Oops!

AND you described my esteemed Band as "The Bland".

Wodehouse said that it wasn't difficult to distinguish between a Scotsman with a grudge and a ray of sunshine. Yiz are oan borrowed time, pal.

[Stavros]

Whatever next, the myth that Paul Simon can write songs? The Band were Bland, that was their appeal, nothing threatening, radical, or challenging. But however hard you try, you won't get me in a kilt. And isn't the guy in your photo French? Anyway I do like Scotland, I also saw Hugh MacDiarmid before he died when he was in London, which is something I have over you. Irascible, indomitable, cheeky -and occasionally profound (when he let the poetry out).

Meanwhile, there is speculation that Pep Guardiola is on his way out at Barcelona -apparently the club is $400m in debt, failed to beat Chelsea -and who knows what happens this weekend?

[robertlouis]

Whatever next, the myth that Paul Simon can write songs? The Band were Bland, that was their appeal, nothing threatening, radical, or challenging. But however hard you try, you won't get me in a kilt. And isn't the guy in your photo French? Anyway I do like Scotland, I also saw Hugh MacDiarmid before he died when he was in London, which is something I have over you. Irascible, indomitable, cheeky -and occasionally profound (when he let the poetry out).

Meanwhile, there is speculation that Pep Guardiola is on his way out at Barcelona -apparently the club is $400m in debt, failed to beat Chelsea -and who knows what happens this weekend?

I met MacDiarmid too - my English tutor was the late, much-loved and greatly lamented makar Edwin Morgan, through whom I met, talked to and got drunk with MacDiarmid, Norman McCaig, George McKay Brown and others.

Pep for Man City regardless of whether Mancini leads them to the championship.

[Stavros]

Fascinating, I didn't think you were old enough given that HM died in 1978. Saw him at The Mermaid in London. Not sure about Guardiola, but anything is possible these days in football, esp as I expect Newcastle to beat City. I also think United will beat City or draw, but it will be close.

[jimbo1974]

Im no Chelsea fan, but gotta say :

fuckin get in

I thought Torres was gonna shit himself at the end !

Brilliant entertainment

[Stavros]

Given the players they didn't have on the pitch, the defence was heroic...but for John Terry's knees up mother brown. What a pillock! Torres has probably repaid his transfer fee with that one goal. And yes, great intense football.

[jimbo1974]

John Terry....... What a pillock!

NEWSFLASH

J.T is a knob

[beaufont]

I can't stand John Terry but maybe he is not as stupid as we all think lol.....he know's he will now have all the player's wife's to go at while the final is being played - he''ll be like a dog with 2 dicks :party::smileysex:

[SammiValentine]

Fuck off Chelsea FC - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHfhHvSPqq0)

[ibanezuk]

I've managed to avoid the papers, radio , work colleagues etc and have just seen the highlights on ITV. WTF!

[robertlouis]

Real vs Bayern. Even better than Barca vs Chelski.

So Bayern get a home tie in the final.

[SammiValentine]

yea and there has never been a european cup final been played in a home teams stadium, according to sky.... cough 1984 cough, wankers. :D

[Stavros]

Bayern and Chelsea will both have first-choice players missing, which makes it a fairly even-handed game: I don't usually have much time for Chelsea, but after their heroic stand last Tuesday, I would expect them to exploit Bayern's weaker defence, and without Terry there to screw things up, they have an even better chance. But Neur looks like he must be one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but then Cech is up there too. 2-1 to Chelsea?

[SammiValentine]

I think Chelsea will not give Bayern as much respect as Barcelona , be a bit to open, and lose. I hope :D

[beaufont]

I think Bayern will win this - the home factor has got to be an advantage for them & it look's like Chelsea's defence will be pretty weak if its Bosingwa Cahill Luiz Cole - don't really rate Bosingwa or Luiz

[jimbo1974]

Gardiola has had enough, and will quit Barca

He will have a year off - then what ?

City / Chelsea / United ??

OR even LFC ?? Would they dump that legend Dalgish for Gardiola ?

I reckon he'll go to Sunderland

[Stavros]

The way Chelsea is run I would not be surprised if Di Matteo led the club to victory in Munich and was then replaced by Guardiola, presumably Di Matteo offered a role as his assistant. Bayern have key players missing from the final so I think it will be a fair match; but I can't see Pep in either Liverpool or Sunderland, and would expect him to go to Italy if he leaves Spain. My understanding is that Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer is being groomed to take over from Ferguson -had Arsene Wenger botched the season then Pep might fit in there, but I don't see room for Mourinho here either -could he replace Pep at Barcelona? Odder things have happened in Spanish football.

[robertlouis]

Bayern and Chelsea will both have first-choice players missing, which makes it a fairly even-handed game: I don't usually have much time for Chelsea, but after their heroic stand last Tuesday, I would expect them to exploit Bayern's weaker defence, and without Terry there to screw things up, they have an even better chance. But Neur looks like he must be one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but then Cech is up there too. 2-1 to Chelsea?

I watched the Real v Bayern game and was enthralled by the end to end nature of the game. Bayern deserved it in the end, and yes, I do have relations in Munich. Wonder if Arno can get us tickets?

Anyway, Neuer may be a good shotstopper, but his distribution is woeful. He'll need to improve on that before he can be considered good in the round.

I'd take Chelsea too. Bear in mind that Bayern lost the Bundesliga title to Dortmund at the weekend, but Chelsea won't want to put next season's Champions' League eggs in the Allianz Stadion basket, so they won't be letting up. And any game without the increasingly erratic Terry is probably the better for it.

As a footnote, everyone reckons that the Premiership will be decided on Monday night when the Mancs do battle. Hmm, have you see where City's final match is? Newcastle. That's arguably the toughest away fixture of them all given that Newcastle are irresistible right now, and bear in mind the Magpies might have to win it to secure a Champions' League slot of their own. I reckon Man U will win it by default on the last day with Newcastle beating City.

[SammiValentine]

As a footnote, everyone reckons that the Premiership will be decided on Monday night when the Mancs do battle. Hmm, have you see where City's final match is? Newcastle. That's arguably the toughest away fixture of them all given that Newcastle are irresistible right now, and bear in mind the Magpies might have to win it to secure a Champions' League slot of their own. I reckon Man U will win it by default on the last day with Newcastle beating City.


citys last match is at home to qpr whilst utd away to sunderland ..
the fuxtures your are on about are the week before x

[Prospero]

I wish I had the slightest interest in football so I could join in.

[Stavros]

You never got stuck in goal when you were in school? That's where most of the boys who weren't interested were put in my day!

[SammiValentine]

fat lad in goal, unless its goalie rush :D

[robertlouis]

I wish I had the slightest interest in football so I could join in.

Ooh, get her! :whistle:

[robertlouis]

citys last match is at home to qpr whilst utd away to sunderland ..
the fuxtures your are on about are the week before x

Oops. Whatever, I reckon an away game at Newcastle is tougher than playing United at home. The Magpies will piss in Roberto's prosecco.

[SammiValentine]

I hope City win the leage and i hope Newcastle get in to champs league, I hope chelsea/spurs miss out on top 4. I hope liverpool win FA cup, I hope Bayern win champs league and Blilbao win the uefathing and keep this squad of theirs together ;-)

Very very Interested to see how Abromavich would react with Chelsea not having champs league football. Toys out of pram and walk away? Exodous of his "stars"? I am sure spurs will lose several players if they dont make the champions league...

The whole scneario all gets a bit messy if Newcastle come 4th for example, and Chelsea win the champs league, then newcastle will miss out as only the top 3 in prem are going to get a place and thats a shame IMO. This is one of the most interesting battles for top 4 since 2005 when Everon pipped Liverpool to 4th yet liverpool qualified as winners. (rules amended since then obviously)

[SammiValentine]

am gutted anyway had tickets for liverpool at norwich this weekend and am not in UK :-(

[robertlouis]

I hope City win the leage and i hope Newcastle get in to champs league, I hope chelsea/spurs miss out on top 4. I hope liverpool win FA cup, I hope Bayern win champs league and Blilbao win the uefathing and keep this squad of theirs together ;-)

Very very Interested to see how Abromavich would react with Chelsea not having champs league football. Toys out of pram and walk away? Exodous of his "stars"? I am sure spurs will lose several players if they dont make the champions league...

The whole scneario all gets a bit messy if Newcastle come 4th for example, and Chelsea win the champs league, then newcastle will miss out as only the top 3 in prem are going to get a place and thats a shame IMO. This is one of the most interesting battles for top 4 since 2005 when Everon pipped Liverpool to 4th yet liverpool qualified as winners. (rules amended since then obviously)

You don't like Chelsea much, do you? :)

I'd like to see Bayern win it too - family loyalties etc - but at least they have a squad which is 75% home grown, unlike the other overpaid mercenaries and their flaky loyalty which typifies all the other semifinalists. And Bilbao are a pleasure to watch AND are another team that puts a premium on local players.

As the CL final comes after the end of the Premier League season, Newcastle will still have all to play for, and I reckon they'll beat City.

Draw on Monday night anyone? :whistle:

[SammiValentine]

You don't like Chelsea much, do you? :)

I'd like to see Bayern win it too - family loyalties etc - but at least they have a squad which is 75% home grown, unlike the other overpaid mercenaries and their flaky loyalty which typifies all the other semifinalists. And Bilbao are a pleasure to watch AND are another team that puts a premium on local players.

As the CL final comes after the end of the Premier League season, Newcastle will still have all to play for, and I reckon they'll beat City.

Draw on Monday night anyone? :whistle:

they grow as many players they like but robbens been the key man for bayern, used to be a keyman for chelsea... he will decide the final if he plays i reckon :) worth a cheeky punt if he is fit/not banned whatever, (havent looked)

[Stavros]

A) Robben is hugely overrated, he tends to skip round players top get some room because otherwise he can't score -when he was one-on-one with Casillas in South Africa he got confused, like a rabbit in headlights. Gomez however does look good, but I am going on news reports as I haven't seen them play. Robben also had a punch-up with Ribery a week or so ago. Chelsea ought to have no trouble seeing off this team. Just out of interest, what food do they serve in the executive suites at the Olympic Stadium? Bratwurst and sauerkraut?

B) A draw on Monday means United will win the title as I think Newcastle will beat City; although I think United will win the match anyway; all of which suggests Newcastle will not make it to the CL.

C) Modric is going, Bale will be hunted again over the summer by just about everybody, Friedel is on the ropes, not sure about van der Vart -but if 'Arry also goes yes, Spurs will revert back to their No 9 slot; they have done well but they are a mediocre team and that sums up the Premier League at the moment.

D) I once followed a Delia Smith recipe to the letter -and it worked!! Since then I have admired her immensely: no nonsense cooking: hence my preference for Norwich over Liverpool and that creepy Don Dalgleish.

[Prospero]

You never got stuck in goal when you were in school? That's where most of the boys who weren't interested were put in my day!
Oh yes. But then we did Rugby at Grammar school and the teacher used me to demonstrate tackling. Urrghhhh

[SammiValentine]

A) Robben is hugely overrated, he tends to skip round players top get some room because otherwise he can't score -when he was one-on-one with Casillas in South Africa he got confused, like a rabbit in headlights. Gomez however does look good, but I am going on news reports as I haven't seen them play. Robben also had a punch-up with Ribery a week or so ago. Chelsea ought to have no trouble seeing off this team. Just out of interest, what food do they serve in the executive suites at the Olympic Stadium? Bratwurst and sauerkraut?



He is a natural winger, of the old fashioned sense and I would argue is actually underrated, rather than overrated, dont forget he is a winger, 17 goals or so this season...not bad? His main problem being he is quite selfish, he is arrogant and dives around a lot :D I couldnt stomach the diving twa... when he was at chelsea. :)

[robertlouis]

Oh yes. But then we did Rugby at Grammar school and the teacher used me to demonstrate tackling. Urrghhhh

Wuss. I used to play both rugby and football for my school, then had to choose one, played rugby Saturday mornings for the school and footie in the afternoons for a local amateur side. Ended up playing for several seasons for West of Scotland, who were a major force in Scottish rugby back then.

Then in the summer I played tennis and cricket, both sports at school, club and county level.

What the hell happened?

I still play tennis as much as I can, but a serious back injury some years ago which resulted in surgery and a spinal fusion put paid to any sport involving direct physical contact.

I'll leave you lot to add your own smutty line to that last sentence.

[robertlouis]

He is a natural winger, of the old fashioned sense and I would argue is actually underrated, rather than overrated, dont forget he is a winger, 17 goals or so this season...not bad? His main problem being he is quite selfish, he is arrogant and dives around a lot :D I couldnt stomach the diving twa... when he was at chelsea. :)

Another good reason for supporting Bayern in the final is that they are a community club in the true sense, owned 84% by the fans, which allows for a stability and continuity that the Premiership has completely lost.

Err, Sammi, does that description remind you of anyone?

[Prospero]

Wuss....!!!! I hadnae reckoned you for another boneheaded jock (in more than one sense) who sees those not asgood at sports as your inferiors, Mr strumalongalonganSNP!

[robertlouis]

Wuss....!!!! I hadnae reckoned you for another boneheaded jock (in more than one sense) who sees those not asgood at sports as your inferiors, Mr strumalongalonganSNP!


Dinna fash yersel' chiel. I was a rugby wuss too, up to a point. Played most of my rugby at inside centre, but tried a couple of games at flanker (back in the days when you could still be a flanker at 5'11"). Never again. Scrums are for madmen and sadists.

Oh, just for the record. Feckin' Flower of Feckin' Scotland has aye gi'en me the dry boke.

[Stavros]

Wuss. I used to play both rugby and football for my school, then had to choose one, played rugby Saturday mornings for the school and footie in the afternoons for a local amateur side. Ended up playing for several seasons for West of Scotland, who were a major force in Scottish rugby back then.

Then in the summer I played tennis and cricket, both sports at school, club and county level.

What the hell happened?

I still play tennis as much as I can, but a serious back injury some years ago which resulted in surgery and a spinal fusion put paid to any sport involving direct physical contact.

I'll leave you lot to add your own smutty line to that last sentence.

I don't know about smutty lines, I am still mystified at the idea of a Scot playing cricket. Are the Scots as good at cricket as Afghanistan, I wonder?

[SammiValentine]

Another good reason for supporting Bayern in the final is that they are a community club in the true sense, owned 84% by the fans, which allows for a stability and continuity that the Premiership has completely lost.

Err, Sammi, does that description remind you of anyone?

erm the blokes grabbing his arm in that picture.. let alone a video?:)

[robertlouis]

erm the blokes grabbing his arm in that picture.. let alone a video?:)

Yes, unfortunate choice of pic. :(

[SammiValentine]

His name is Luis Suarez he wear the famous red, I just can't get enough, i just cant get enough...

:D

[beaufont]

Sammi - I bet your gutted you missed out on being there to see his magical hatrick especially the 3rd :(

[SammiValentine]

Sammi - I bet your gutted you missed out on being there to see his magical hatrick especially the 3rd :(


yup my tickets are sat in my flat in norwich lol... sob. Guttttttttttteedddd

[Stavros]

Liverpool have won a football match and are 8th in the table...and yet my Sunday lunchtime doesn't seem any different from what it was last week. By the little that can warm the hearts of the reds, we can measure the extent of their loss (apologies to Hegel).

[SammiValentine]

Liverpool have won a football match and are 8th in the table...and yet my Sunday lunchtime doesn't seem any different from what it was last week. By the little that can warm the hearts of the reds, we can measure the extent of their loss (apologies to Hegel).

If your still saying the same this time next sunday I will be more than happy ;-)

nom nom nom on roast beef.

[Stavros]

Fulham, Chelsea and Swansea -yes there should be at least another victory before the season ends...

[SammiValentine]

You eat a lot of sunday dinners ;O

[SammiValentine]

hodgson for england??? lol !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ibanezuk]

I expected redknapp, but i think the bigger news is that Torres got a hat trick

[robertlouis]

Wigan 4 Newcastle 0. Hmmm. Might have to reconsider that prediction for their game against City. On the other hand, they'll still be hungry for fourth place, so you never know.

The cup final could be interesting, but no predictions till the midweek matches are over.

And some optimism and congrats to both Reading and Southampton on their promotion to the EPL. The first a set of pragmatists somewhat on the Stoke model, the second very much in the mould of Norwich and Swansea, playing expansive and attractive football.

[jimbo1974]

Fuckin Woy Hodgson ?

We are doomed

[SammiValentine]

Roy Hodgson: Motivation Man - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeqiLAM7ujA)

[jimbo1974]

Lol @ Sammi

Ya know - first and foremost im a Sunderland fan. I dont really give a fuck about England anymore - all interest has been knocked out of me by all the crap we have seen in the under performing tournaments going back years. There is still a part of me that is desperate to see England succeed, and Redknapp provided a bit of spark, or a glimmer of hope.

No diswespect to Woy, but under him we WILL fall further behind. He has a history of mediocwaty and failure.

I really fuckin despair.

The clowns at the FA are incompetant beyond belief. Bollocks to England

[SammiValentine]

Lol @ Sammi

Ya know - first and foremost im a Sunderland fan. I dont really give a fuck about England anymore - all interest has been knocked out of me by all the crap we have seen in the under performing tournaments going back years. There is still a part of me that is desperate to see England succeed, and Redknapp provided a bit of spark, or a glimmer of hope.

No diswespect to Woy, but under him we WILL fall further behind. He has a history of mediocwaty and failure.

I really fuckin despair.

The clowns at the FA are incompetant beyond belief. Bollocks to England


Yea a lot of liverpool fans feel the same, scouse not english..:D For many diff reasons, on my personal list of why i dont really care about england footy is the way england fans treated john barnes, snubbing fowler, sending gerrrd back in a wheelchair half the time.... the london media in general, the circus hype and our ridiculous over estimation of ourselves, the millwall/chelsea feel to any england crowd, booing peter crouch , owens obsession with england and injuries from the same.. the list goes on and on ;)

the chant hodgson for england started very soon into his reign at anfield, some thought it before a ball had been kicked,this was our way of singing fuck off roy. Someone should tell the FA ...

[Cecil Rhodes]

Foook ahl tuh bas'tudz ,,,,, hoonz rule ..... Celtz ahr shite

[jimbo1974]

Foook ahl tuh bas'tudz ,,,,, hoonz rule ..... Celtz ahr shite

^^^^^^^^^That's a Woy Hodgson pwoof sentence - no W's

FWI

[SammiValentine]

Roy Hodgson is interviewed for the England job - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQR2cqqaQBs&feature=relmfu)

[robertlouis]

Foook ahl tuh bas'tudz ,,,,, hoonz rule ..... Celtz ahr shite

Ummm

Where I come from "hoonz" would be huns, meaning Rangers, and "Celtz" presumably means Celtic.

But if that's meant to represent a Glasgow accent yiz are no' at the fuckin' races pal.

[robertlouis]

Oh, and I suppose all of the media frenzy about Harry has helped to fuck up the end of Tottenham's season. Wonder how he really feels, despite his supportive comments about Woy.

As a Scot, I'm able to stand aside from the England manager thing to an extent, but as a long term resident, I despair almost as much. I've even got to the point of actually wanting them to do well in tournaments, but as far as the Euros are concerned, I'll be supporting Ireland - consistency, stability, and an experienced manager who knows how to get the very best from modest resources....

Blimey, that sounds exactly like Hodgson!

[SammiValentine]

Roberto... Please dont say Giovanni Trapattoni sounds like Roy Hodgson, not when am drinking tea at least...l... nearly choked and my poor screen is soaked. lol x x

[robertlouis]

Roberto... Please dont say Giovanni Trapattoni sounds like Roy Hodgson, not when am drinking tea at least...l... nearly choked and my poor screen is soaked. lol x x


Sorry Sammi. Good to know you're drinking tea over in Espana, fly the flag and all that.

As far as I know, the venerable Giovanni has no pwobwems with his w's.

Did you hear that Jonathan Woss is apparently second in line?

[SammiValentine]

ye he has also won a european cup and a few league titles in various countries and stuff lol. i think roy won the john west tuna cup in sweden... and a tenner on the lottery (rumour mill) :D

hahah i like a good brew. :D no milk or sugar of course, thats a bit gay. :D

[jimbo1974]

Say Wayne Wooney out loud 10 times really fast. You will feel a tad silly i can assure.

Wayne is central to Woy's tactics...

A soaking pitch will disguise how inept we are

*gets coat*

[robertlouis]

ye he has also won a european cup and a few league titles in various countries and stuff lol. i think roy won the john west tuna cup in sweden... and a tenner on the lottery (rumour mill) :D

hahah i like a good brew. :D no milk or sugar of course, thats a bit gay. :D

Actually, Hodgson's credentials as an international manager with Switzerland are impeccable. He took a team of journeymen further in the World Cup than they had been for more than thirty years. I think the issue would be that neither the English media nor the fans (nor most of the players, if it comes to that), can get it into their heads that they are perpetual underachievers in major tournaments and are not the potential world dominators they like to see themselves as.

So I may be in a minority of one, but I think that Hodgson is a viable candidate. Unfortunately the Sun et all will have him in the guise of a vegetable before a ball is kicked. He can't win.

[jimbo1974]

Hodgson is a viable candidate.

Viable. Yes.

Lets be honest though - he's a boring fucker

We wanted someone a bit inspiring, not this dwoning old fuckwit.

Who gives a fuck about Switzerland ? He has been mediocre everywhere he has been.

[SammiValentine]

Actually, Hodgson's credentials as an international manager with Switzerland are impeccable. He took a team of journeymen further in the World Cup than they had been for more than thirty years. I think the issue would be that neither the English media nor the fans (nor most of the players, if it comes to that), can get it into their heads that they are perpetual underachievers in major tournaments and are not the potential world dominators they like to see themselves as.

So I may be in a minority of one, but I think that Hodgson is a viable candidate. Unfortunately the Sun et all will have him in the guise of a vegetable before a ball is kicked. He can't win.

dont try and sell me roy hodgsons credentials. pleeeeeeeeeeease lol, if 2 decent national qulaification campaigns and a couple of wins in the states at a world cup is all you can call on in 37 years then there a lot of upselling to be done ;)

[robertlouis]

dont try and sell me roy hodgsons credentials. pleeeeeeeeeeease lol, if 2 decent national qulaification campaigns and a couple of wins in the states at a world cup is all you can call on in 37 years then there a lot of upselling to be done ;)

Fair enough. If not Woy, and if Harry's off the agenda, then who?

[robertlouis]

He has been mediocre everywhere he has been.

Which is precisely why he's a great fit for England......:dancing:

[SammiValentine]

dunno, dont care tbh, rednknapps the best bet for england fans or the neutral..!!

[jimbo1974]

He has been mediocre everywhere he has been.

Which is precisely why he's a great fit for England......:dancing:

We should be aiming higher for gods sake

He FAILED at Liverpool - how the hell do the FA work out he will succeed in an even bigger job ?

He. Will. Fail.

Redknapp was the only choice.

Id rather see Stephen Hawking manage England than Woy

[robertlouis]

[quote=robertlouis;1133177]

We should be aiming higher for gods sake

He FAILED at Liverpool - how the hell do the FA work out he will succeed in an even bigger job ?

He. Will. Fail.

Redknapp was the only choice.

Id rather see Stephen Hawking manage England than Woy

I'm taking the piss, mate. I'm that odd creature, a Scot who actually cares about what happens to England's football team.

But not on the Rugby field. Fuck 'em. Arrogant bastards.

[Prospero]

Hawking would make a great manager actually. He understands important things.

[robertlouis]

Hawking would make a great manager actually. He understands important things.

Which is why he'd be a shit manager.

Could be a better player than some, though - he's certainly faster than John Terry.....

[Prospero]

I sot of get and don't get that joke. Anyway Hawking is a bastard. he ran me over once in his feckin wheelchair.

[robertlouis]

I sot of get and don't get that joke. Anyway Hawking is a bastard. he ran me over once in his feckin wheelchair.

You're not very fast, are you?

[Prospero]

No - but he was - rode across my foot as we were both at an "important event" at that big house on the Mall

anyway back to stuff on kicking that ball around
sorry

[robertlouis]

No - but he was - rode across my foot as we were both at an "important event" at that big house on the Mall

anyway back to stuff on kicking that ball around
sorry

Oh well, even you might be faster than Terry then.

Back to business. Wonder what will happen to Psycho in a new set-up.

[robertlouis]

Advantage Mancini.

[jimbo1974]

Well done citeh.

'Ol rednose looked gutted muhahahaaaaa

[jimbo1974]

Its office

WONG WIV WOY - RIP ENGLAND

Hmmm, i just made myself hungry. Wongwivwoy is my fave indonesian dish

[SammiValentine]

hahaha FOUR YEAR contrat rofl :D

[SammiValentine]

roy has been spotted getting an early dart from the FA press conference, its a long drive to poland.

[Stavros]

How sadly typical -even before he was appointed and now, the manager of the England football team is only useful as a butt of snide remarks, jokes and a clairvoyant belief that he will achieve absolutely nothing. I also think its illegal to take one of those grannytrucks on a motorway...

[SammiValentine]

Clairvoyant??? I had you down as intelligent, a man of history, understanding of data... He ruffled the feathers of my bird, thats all that matters to me. He is a failure, good luck england. Quote me happy in four years time, if he lasts that long.

[SammiValentine]

.... then again maybe your just genuinely hopeful, as an england fan........

[Stavros]

Its the tone of the coverage that makes me draw attention to the death-wish of English football. Hodgson speaks five languages, and shares with Capello-coincidentally I suspect- an admiration of Kandinsky; and is known recently to have read Stefan Zweig's Beware of Pity. Perhaps it all went wrong at Anfield when he drew Stephen Gerrard aside at half-time in the dressing room and a goal down and said, Stephen, the way I see it, its like the siege of Nándorfehérvár...

[SammiValentine]

The same media who said hodgson was excellent for liverpool, are now back tracking now he is in the england job, as its a disaster for them - is that irony lost on you? :) Thats what grinds my gears, quite funny when its Liverpool suffering eh..;)

[Stavros]

The media can't make up its mind about Mr Hodgson. He was feted at a time when he was managing clubs overseas as 'the man who got away' -but then Steve McLaren did wonders with FC Twente which he couldn't conjure up for England. Mr Hodgson seems to be the man for the job, then he is not the man for the job, and so on. Whichever way you look at it, whoever gets the England job is a loser before he even starts. I don't know why Stuart Pearce was not offered the job, he has as good a claim on it as anyone else. And you have shown no interest at all in the siege of Nándorfehérvár...

Apparently Capello's art collection is worth millions.

[SammiValentine]

The media can't make up its mind about Mr Hodgson. He was feted at a time when he was managing clubs overseas as 'the man who got away' -but then Steve McLaren did wonders with FC Twente which he couldn't conjure up for England. Mr Hodgson seems to be the man for the job, then he is not the man for the job, and so on. Whichever way you look at it, whoever gets the England job is a loser before he even starts. I don't know why Stuart Pearce was not offered the job, he has as good a claim on it as anyone else. And you have shown no interest at all in the siege of Nándorfehérvár...

Apparently Capello's art collection is worth millions.


I do not know a thing about Nándorfehérvár...i must of behind the bike shed for that one ;) If i say it fast it sounds like an offlicence on the edge of mordor...

[robertlouis]

I do not know a thing about Nándorfehérvár...i must of behind the bike shed for that one ;) If i say it fast it sounds like an offlicence on the edge of mordor...

In some ways it's a good appointment - he will provide the organisation and background skills that the role requires. However, with a major championship within weeks the timing couldn't be worse. Lose - lose yet again. It might have been better to announce the appointment but leave Stuart Pearce in charge for the Euros with the two of them taking up boss and number two slots thereafter. At least Pearce knows the set-up, the players and has a good record at U-21 level. As usual with the FA, it's a mess.

On another tack, when's your flight and are you heading for the 'Pool or Nawch?

[SammiValentine]

In some ways it's a good appointment - he will provide the organisation and background skills that the role requires. However, with a major championship within weeks the timing couldn't be worse. Lose - lose yet again. It might have been better to announce the appointment but leave Stuart Pearce in charge for the Euros with the two of them taking up boss and number two slots thereafter. At least Pearce knows the set-up, the players and has a good record at U-21 level. As usual with the FA, it's a mess.

On another tack, when's your flight and are you heading for the 'Pool or Nawch?


I fly in a few hours, yay! Back to liverpool way for a a week or 10 days so, then will be off to Norwich. Restricted to webcam for a few weeks for now, had expected to be back to "work" sooner but heads got a whole lot of healing to do. :( This years a disaster doh.. going to have to put a shift in once some dare I say "normality" resumes..

Plus my dads not going to Wembley so that means he will be round mine to watch the footy on saturday :D gotta be back with the arl fella for that la :D

[robertlouis]

fly in a few, yay! Back to liverpool area for a a week or 10 days so, then will be off to Norwich. Restricted to webcam for a few weeks for now, heads got a whole lot of healing to do. :(

Oh, just stick a bag on it gerl, who's going to notice? :dancing:

Seriously, good luck and hope it heals well.

[SammiValentine]

Oh, just stick a bag on it gerl, who's going to notice? :dancing:

Seriously, good luck and hope it heals well.

hahaha oh its just the no touching i am more worried about for now:O and thanks xx

[jimbo1974]

The WHOLE point of the debate about Woy is this :

Nobody gives a fuck about England. Bland, mediocre, uninspiring managers after another mixed with crap player attitudes have resulted in a fan base that really doesnt care anymore. What was needed by the FA was an injection - a spark - to light the flames around the team again in the public / press AND the players.

Redknapp was that man, because he has charisma and is a decent coach.

Hodgson is the same as Erikkson / Capello. He may have all the badges / all the tactics blah blah but he cant motivate for shit. Read Liverpool.

The truth is, the FA have reverted to type (as normal), and because they have spunked their money up Capellos back cant afford to pay Spurs for compo for Harry.

With Hodgson, we will be professionally mediocre, and that is it.

[robertlouis]

With Hodgson, we will be professionally mediocre, and that is it.

So no changes there, then. He's perfect for the job. :whistle:

[robertlouis]

Just a thought. Given 'Arry's rather frequent brushes with the law, was there perhaps a possibility that the FA cooled on him just in case he was going to spend his contract in solitary in Parkhurst?

BTW, the suggestion that the FA went for Hodgson rather than Redknapp because they didn't want to pay Tottenham compensation is bollocks. The FA is a very wealthy organisation - £750M for Wembley, £120M for the new football centre in Burton etc. If they'd wanted 'Arry, they'd have paid up.

[beaufont]

Personally I think unofficially the FA sounded out Redknapp but because he like's the day to day running of a club (to drive in dailly from Hampshire he must do) he didn't think he would be a good fit for managing a National team....

Just my opinion - also I have to say koudos goes to Hodgson for me because the England job is a poisoned chalice (you get a good result & the papers are wanking over you the next day/lose & your the biggest failure known to man) hope he take's a fairly young team to the Euro's with his eye firmly on building a team for the next World Cup - get rid of some of the older players that will not be around for the next tournament

Good Luck Woy cos you will need it :hide-1:

[Stavros]

According to Yahoo it was Mrs Redknapp who persuaded Arry against it -they live on Sandbanks which means a commute to the Essex training ground for the manager, whereas the FA want the England manager to be close to the Staffordshire centre they have invested in, and Mrs K thought it would be too tryin on Mr K's heart to drive up there and back.

I would like Mr Hodgson to clear the decks, and get rid of Terry, Ferdinand, Lampard, King, and bring in younger players who may not win in the Euros -assuming that the boycott of Ukraine does not materialise- but who over the next few years will play with each other enough times to gell: Sturridge, Hart in goal now looks a certainty, Walcott when fit. I think even a thug like Gerrard has a year or two in him. It is about building up to Brazil and the long term.

Sadly, the Murdoch press have already decided to insult and ridicule a man who speaks five languages -including Norwegian- which is more than any of the third rate hacks in Murdoch's pay can manage.

[SammiValentine]

Sadly, the Murdoch press have already decided to insult and ridicule a man who speaks five languages -including Norwegian- which is more than any of the third rate hacks in Murdoch's pay can manage.

Same press who said he good enough for Liverpool.... funny that. :D

#dontbuythesun - we certainly dont round here.

Thats sewer journalism the general piss taking of Roy today (from what i saw in a mirror on the plane ). I think you misinterprated my hodgson scooter pic, its just a light hearted pic from his time at liverpool, if you knew more about his time at anfield, or in general about liverpool the traditions, the city, sense of humour .. we are liverpool , we are used to being beaten by huuuuuuge big sticks in the media, such as rafa was HOUNDED , torres was, saurez was,dalglish was/is. We can take a bit, so we can dish a bit out to !

Anyway theres loooooooooads of these silly roy pics, from the other year, some are so bad they are hillarious, thats part of the joke, they are generally tasteful though, and the old loon got a round of appluade the other week at anfield. In his time here the guy embarressed himself , the club and insulted the fans and most of anfield traditions in one fell swoop" , so he earnt a few pisstakes on merit. If you think I posted that pic in a "murdoch journo piss take style" then do please re-think that. It seriously was not, they are scum. :)

[Stavros]

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....

[robertlouis]

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....

It isn't just Liverpool fans, Stavros. Everyone hates Fergie.

I have a soft spot for the old cough drop because he played his finest football for my club, Dunfermline, in the 60s. He was never a skilful player but he knew how to score goals.

[jimbo1974]

The Sun Headline was wrong, although i must admit it made me laugh (im a bad person, what can i say ?)

The press will hound him, until the inevitable happens.

Reason ?

He is the wrong choice.

[yosi]

The Sun Headline was wrong, although i must admit it made me laugh (im a bad person, what can i say ?)

The press will hound him, until the inevitable happens.

Reason ?

He is the wrong choice.

the Murdoch press is part of the reason that managers which might be the right choice refuse to take the job, if it means that taking the job is becoming their target .

[jimbo1974]

Roy has his new twitter feed set up, so he can let us know how he is doing

Im sure reading it will be a Tweet

[robertlouis]

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.

[SammiValentine]

the Murdoch press is part of the reason that managers which might be the right choice refuse to take the job, if it means that taking the job is becoming their target .


dont forget the murdoch press can arguebaly decide which party will win the general election..

[SammiValentine]

Devvo'ed for yesteray, great last 30mins, shame about the other 60. I really do not rate chelsea. We have missed lucas ever so much, was painful seeing gerrard playing off the striker having to run back to help spearing and co out, and hes not really young enough to get away with it anymore.

Biggest eyebrow raiser for me was Torres going over to hug reina, gerrard, rest of liverpool players then going sitting off on his billy for a while, before eventually celebrating the"win". Think that lads extremely confused, make your mind up fernando!!!

[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 :D

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 .:D

[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.

[SammiValentine]

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.

Isnt Di Matteo a caretaker manager with a temp deal till end of season... if so he is really getting sacked if they get rid?? I would say he is more surplus to requirements really if that happens, bit harsh to say firing :D

No pressure on them though, win and get back in champs league , lose and no champs league. Will be hillairous if moneybags Roman isnt in champs league, it is all he ever wanted to win, please let there be a god..!!

[robertlouis]

Isnt Di Matteo a caretaker manager with a temp deal till end of season... if so he is really getting sacked if they get rid?? I would say he is more surplus to requirements really if that happens, bit harsh to say firing :D

No pressure on them though, win and get back in champs league , lose and no champs league. Will be hillairous if moneybags Roman isnt in champs league, it is all he ever wanted to win, please let there be a god..!!

If there is a god, you can bet that Abramovich would try to buy him and then play him out of position.

You're up early, missy.

[SammiValentine]

yea gonna kip again in a mo :)

[robertlouis]

yea gonna kip again in a mo :)

Me too. OK if I join you? :wiggle:

[Cecil Rhodes]

This thread is about Soccer .

[SammiValentine]

This thread is about Soccer .

are you kicking off ?:D

[robertlouis]

This thread is about Soccer .


Of course. Mind you, it's football. We have to call it soccer because of your latecomer upstart which handles the ball 99% of the time.

And we were going to talk football anyway, right Ms V? :whistle:

[Cecil Rhodes]

Girls play Soccer

[robertlouis]

Girls play Soccer

Padded men play gridiron and real men play rugby.

[Cecil Rhodes]

Padded men play gridiron and real men play rugby.

Padded Men ? Dat Beez Rayciss