Excellent win for Arsenal yesterday, but does anyone believe they can actually do it consistently?

I do. I'm biased obviously, but I think they're going to win the league. New formation is brilliant, United and Liverpool have both taken steps back and Chelsea are more or less the same as last year with the most overrated manager in the world.

Originally Posted by MossY

United and Liverpool have both taken steps back and Chelsea are more or less the same as last year with the most overrated manager in the world.



We haven't taken a step back. Losing Ronaldo just means the team dynamic will change now. And change for the better in my opinion. Instead of building the team around the ego-maniac Ronaldo, now we can give Rooney the attention he deserves. I think he will prosper this season. He was on the score sheet again today. A nice tidy 1 - 0 to get us off to a winning start. I'll take that, thank you very much. ;)

But you are right about Benitez. probably the most overrated s.o.b in the sporting world today, let alone in football. Without Gerrard and Torres I believe Liverpool would actually be a bottom half of the table team. And they lost earlier today... [smirk]

It's been an exciting start. Roll on the rest of the season. :)

P.S Everton will be feeling the sting from that defeat for a while to come. The gunners were awesome on Saturday. Definite contenders this year on that evidence.

For me, Arsenal's biggest problem is that they lack a strong physical edge. All their players have beautiful technique, can pass well and are pacey but especially now that Adebayor has gone they lack someone who can impose themselves on a game which doesn't go as smoothly as yesterday. Teams like Stoke and Bolton will always have a chance against Arsenal, not because their players are brilliant but because they suit the very tactics that are most efficient against Arsenal. I also think Arsenal lack a bit of strength in depth, and of course the young age of the team is another concern in a tough league season.

I'd really like to see Arsenal do well, but I have to say that a third/fourth place and a cup would represent a good season for them this year. Even if Man Utd are somewhat worse off without Ronaldo and Tevez, they still probably have enough along with Chelsea and Liverpool to see them comfortably 8-10 points ahead of Arsenal by the season's end.

come on united a decent start finally :) arsenal might be a threat this season if they keep rosicky and arshavin and the lads fit.

But you are right about Benitez. probably the most overrated s.o.b in the sporting world today, let alone in football. Without Gerrard and Torres I believe Liverpool would actually be a bottom half of the table team. And they lost earlier today... [smirk]

Oh yes, you're absolutely right. I mean if Gerrard and Torres weren't playing we'd only have...Reina, Mascherano, Skrtel, Carragher, Agger and Kuyt who you could consider world class. Oh, and don't forget Reira, Benayoun, Lucas, Aurelio, Insua and Johnson, who can all put a shift in. And despite the fact we still managed to finish only four behind the filth despite Torres and Gerrard not starting together for vast portions of the season.

I still believe if we'd have kept Alonso, our first eleven is the best in the league. And with Ronaldo and Tevez out of the picture I reckon it's still stronger than Uniteds. We won't win it this season, because the yanks are ruining it.

I think Benitez is a bit of a cunt for the most part, but saying we'd finish in the bottom half without G and T is the sort of stupidity only the scum would come out with. Luckily, we haven't had many of your lot round here for the last few seasons.

Ps - Well played Spurs. Looks like they might spring a few suprises and get as near as to the top four after all. Away form will be key though.

Minty, just in case you haven't realised, Sussidio's quoting of me and agreeing about Benitez was him misreading what I'd written. I said Ancelotti was the most overrated manager, not Benitez. Silly Sussidio! I think Benetiz is very good, though I think Houllier was very good too and didn't always get his dues. Anyway, Wenger's the best.

Oh yes, you're absolutely right. I mean if Gerrard and Torres weren't playing we'd only have...Reina, Mascherano, Skrtel, Carragher, Agger and Kuyt who you could consider world class.

Reina, Skrtel, Agger and Kuyt world class? If you say so, Minty......

As for Spurs, they frequently leave out a great player like Gareth Bale, so obviously they will not finish in the top four this season. :p Top 6, maybe.

Here's how I see the top 8 this season:

1. Chelsea 80ish points
2. Man Utd - 2 points
3. Liverpool - 8 points
4. Man City - 12 points
5. Arsenal (sorry Moss) - 15 points
6. Spurs - 20 points
7. Aston Villa - 25ish points
8. West Ham - 25ish points

Wigan, Fulham, Everton etc. to miss out.

Kuyt I'd agree would take some arguing but certainly the other three are pretty much nailed on for me. Skrtel, Agger and Carragher all bring something different to the central defensive role, which is what I like.

And I think a lot of people miss that Reina is a brilliant, hard working and commanding keeper, probably because he's got Casillas in front of him for Spain and there are so many other great keepers in the Premier League. But no doubt, he's one of the first names on our team sheet. And that's saying something, considering the shower we've had before he arrived.

Also Moss, I know he misquoted you. This was in no way a reaction to what you've said. In fact, I've actually spent the whole summer convincing several people not to write Arsenal off. If Wenger hasn't spent big, it'll be because he's got some corking youngsters lined up somewhere.

I don't know if I'd describe any of them as 'world class', they're all good players who could do a job for any club team in Europe, but there are a good few other players who are better than each of them in their position in the world. Reina, for example, is a good keeper, but I've never seen him really pull off saves that make me think 'how the hell did he do that?'. At the moment, I'd say that at least Given and Cech are better keepers in the Premiership, and the likes of Casillas and Buffon in other European leagues. There are also a number of keepers in the Premiership who I reckon are as good as Reina.

It's the same with Carragher, Agger and Skrtel for me. Any team would consider signing them, but there are definitely better centre-backs around.

Here's how I see the top 8 this season:

1. Chelsea 80ish points
2. Man Utd - 2 points
3. Liverpool - 8 points
4. Man City - 12 points
5. Arsenal (sorry Moss) - 15 points
6. Spurs - 20 points
7. Aston Villa - 25ish points
8. West Ham - 25ish points

Wigan, Fulham, Everton etc. to miss out.

I'm not going to dispute those predictions- though I do of course envisage Arsenal romping to 114 points this season- other than to say 80 points is too low to win the league now and has been for about ten years. Such has been the dominance of the big four for the past 5 or 6 years 80 points isn't usually enough for even third.

EDIT: Just read this on 606 and thought it was pretty funny: "Arsenal will finish top with 114 points and a +228 Goal Difference.

Apart from losing 6-0 to Arsenal in both home and away fixtures, the other 19 team will all draw their other 36 games 0-0, and will all be relegated with 36 points and a -12 Goal Difference."

So happy a new season is startingggggg.

Van Der Sar, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Johnny Evans are better than those jokers up there, carragher is 30 to 1 to score an OG every game how good does that make him, skrtel and agger might be good in a few years but not yet.Should be a great season though, delighted its back

30-1 to score an own goal for a centre half doesn't seem particularly out of the ordinary to me, though I admit I know next to nothing about betting. I mean, in a 38 game league season those odds suggest he'll score one own goal a year and maybe two in a leap year. Take into account the amount of goals he doubtless prevents Liverpool from conceding and I think he's amongst the top 4 defenders in the country. If I was Arsene Wenger I'd try to get Carragher in a straight swap for Senderos. Or buy back Cygan and swap him.

What a set of wank this thread is becoming. Full of scum all of a sudden.

I reckons we should get Duo to limit it to one United post per page (and that HAS to be biscuits), otherwise they get made to use an lfc ava for a month.

That'll sort the useless cunts out.

I like the sound of that.

I'm not going to dispute those predictions- though I do of course envisage Arsenal romping to 114 points this season- other than to say 80 points is too low to win the league now and has been for about ten years. Such has been the dominance of the big four for the past 5 or 6 years 80 points isn't usually enough for even third.

I predict a more competitive season this year.

Originally Posted by MossY

Minty, just in case you haven't realised, Sussidio's quoting of me and agreeing about Benitez was him misreading what I'd written. I said Ancelotti was the most overrated manager, not Benitez. Silly Sussidio!



Ah, so I did. My apologies.

Never-the-less, I don't rate Benitez at all. His little outburst last season was comical. Fergy went fishing, a spot of the old mind games, and that beardy fool took the bait a treat.

Some would argue that was a turning point in the season.




Originally Posted by Dexter Cole

Oh yes, you're absolutely right. I mean if Gerrard and Torres weren't playing we'd only have...Reina, Mascherano, Skrtel, Carragher, Agger and Kuyt who you could consider world class. Oh, and don't forget Reira, Benayoun, Lucas, Aurelio, Insua and Johnson, who can all put a shift in. And despite the fact we still managed to finish only four behind the filth despite Torres and Gerrard not starting together for vast portions of the season.

I still believe if we'd have kept Alonso, our first eleven is the best in the league. And with Ronaldo and Tevez out of the picture I reckon it's still stronger than Uniteds. We won't win it this season, because the yanks are ruining it.

I think Benitez is a bit of a cunt for the most part, but saying we'd finish in the bottom half without G and T is the sort of stupidity only the scum would come out with. Luckily, we haven't had many of your lot round here for the last few seasons.



Sorry fella, but from what I've seen the past couple of seasons, on the most part, Torres and Gerrard carry you. And now you've gone and lost a great play maker in Alonso. Don't get me wrong, there is SOME quality in there. But with that Benitez at the helm you won't be premier league champions anytime soon. The man hasn't got a clue how to utilize what he has and get the best out of his squad.

As for the ''Scum'' comments, that really says more about you lot. Never could hold your tongues. However, I expect nothing less from a scouser. Full of hot air and never anything to back it up with. http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7771/rolleyes1i.gif

Nice opening gambit though, losing 2 - 1 to Spurs. You guys didn't even turn up. It was a massacre in midfield. There was ZERO build up play, you were lucky to string even a couple of passes together. As previosuly stated, your main men Torres and Stevie-G were the only pair making an effort to create any chances. Good luck lifting some silverware this season based on that evidence.

And if you seriously think your squad is better than United's, then I'm sorry to say my friend, you are a lost cause.




Originally Posted by alonelikethewolf

Van Der Sar, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Johnny Evans are better than those jokers up there, carragher is 30 to 1 to score an OG every game how good does that make him, skrtel and agger might be good in a few years but not yet.Should be a great season though, delighted its back



haha

30 to 1 to score an OG every game? I can believe that. It's painfully obvious United have more strength and depth in their squad than Liverpool. Even trying to argue the toss there is futile.

Ah, poor deluded Liverpool fans. Gotta love'em. http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/684/winksquare.gif




Originally Posted by Dexter Cole

What a set of wank this thread is becoming. Full of scum all of a sudden.

I reckons we should get Duo to limit it to one United post per page (and that HAS to be biscuits), otherwise they get made to use an lfc ava for a month.

That'll sort the useless cunts out.



Oh, deary me, can't handle a couple of United fans? Aww, what it must be like to be a Kopite...

Nevermind, chin-up lad, there's always next season.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/666/smokingsmiley5413.gif

Well well, aren't you just a bundle of fun. :rolleyes:

Anyone going to Hagan's tonight to watch the Celtic-Arsenal game? I reckon tonight will probably be a draw as Parkhead is undeniably formidable, though I feel if anyone edges it it'll be us, but we'll win over the two legs. The Mirror had predicted line-ups today and had Arsenal playing 4-4-2, but man, we've clearly adopted a 4-3-3/4-5-1 hybrid thing this year.

I have a bet on with a friend from my pool team, �5 each, he is going for Celtic and me for Arsenal. Over the two legs that is.

I think I'll win the bet regardless of who wins tonight. Celtic may get a 1-0 win tonight, but over the two legs it has to be Arsenal.

Also, don't listen to the Mirror, they have a terrible selection of football reporters. Dear God, so many bad puns.

Originally Posted by Ceidwad

Well well, aren't you just a bundle of fun. :rolleyes:



Hey, cmon now, you know the script. Such is the nature of Football rivalry. http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3650/crazy3.gif




Originally Posted by MossY

Anyone going to Hagan's tonight to watch the Celtic-Arsenal game? I reckon tonight will probably be a draw as Parkhead is undeniably formidable, though I feel if anyone edges it it'll be us, but we'll win over the two legs. The Mirror had predicted line-ups today and had Arsenal playing 4-4-2, but man, we've clearly adopted a 4-3-3/4-5-1 hybrid thing this year.



Do you think Nicklas Bendtner will come into his own now Emmanuel Adebayor has flown the nest? There was an obvious clash there between the two. I was reading in the paper today, that Wenger claims things are allot more settled in the Arsenal camp. And that players are now more united than ever since the departure of Toure and Aderbayor.

Hopefully, Sussudio. I really like Bendtner, I think he's a very intelligent player and he gets into great positions and always works hard. His finishing though is woeful, worse than Adebayor's if that's possible. If he can sort himself out and gain a bit of composure in front of goal I can see him scoring 20+ this season easily, he managed 15 last year without any after all. On the other hand, if he doesn't come good this year I reckon it'll be time for him to move on. Good luck to him though, he's by no means a bad player.

Also, yeah, I was reading a while back that the 4 African players- Adebayor, Ebou�, Song and Tour�- were best mates and had a very disruptive effect on the rest of the squad which is why Wenger was happy to sell them. �25m for Adebayor is probably the second best transfer of the summer- after Inter getting Eto'o and 40m for Ibra which is just downright bizarre- and we didn't get bad money for Tour� either whilst replacing him with a better, cheaper and younger player. Gallas is a top defender too in my book, though he'll probably walk out on a free next summer because he's a bit of a dickhead also. But anyway, if someone comes in with 8-10m for Ebou� before the window closes he'll probably go too which would be a bit unfortunate because he's not a bad utility player, though I guess a good young player like Rambo could fill that role and probably do a better job at it. Song's the only one Wenger wouldn't sell because he's the youngest, has plenty of potential and, let's face it, could be the player we've been missing since Vieira's departure. I thought he was very promising last year and he was player of the tournament at the African Cup of Nations a few years ago when he'd barely kicked a ball for us.

Originally Posted by MossY

Hopefully, Sussudio. I really like Bendtner, I think he's a very intelligent player and he gets into great positions and always works hard. His finishing though is woeful, worse than Adebayor's if that's possible. If he can sort himself out and gain a bit of composure in front of goal I can see him scoring 20+ this season easily, he managed 15 last year without any after all. On the other hand, if he doesn't come good this year I reckon it'll be time for him to move on. Good luck to him though, he's by no means a bad player.



Aye, he looked like he enjoyed himself on Saturday.

We're in exactly the same scenario with Berbatov. If he doesn't pull his finger out this season he could very well find himself permanently replaced as of next season. He's had last season to find his feet at Old Trafford. But this season he really needs to start earning his keep and netting them balls. Even more so now we've lost two of our top scorers. But you see, this is where I think Rooney will prosper from Ronaldo's departure. He's such a class act, yet he's had to play second fiddle to Ronaldo for the most part of the last few years.

Now it's ROONEY's time to shine! http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/5324/bigsquaregrin.gif

I can't wait for this season to unfold. I'm dead curious to see what Owen can conjure as well. Exciting times lie ahead, oh yes.




Originally Posted by MossY

Also, yeah, I was reading a while back that the 4 African players- Adebayor, Ebou�, Song and Tour�- were best mates and had a very disruptive effect on the rest of the squad which is why Wenger was happy to sell them. �25m for Adebayor is probably the second best transfer of the summer- after Inter getting Eto'o and 40m for Ibra which is just downright bizarre- and we didn't get bad money for Tour� either whilst replacing him with a better, cheaper and younger player. Gallas is a top defender too in my book, though he'll probably walk out on a free next summer because he's a bit of a dickhead also. But anyway, if someone comes in with 8-10m for Ebou� before the window closes he'll probably go too which would be a bit unfortunate because he's not a bad utility player, though I guess a good young player like Rambo could fill that role and probably do a better job at it. Song's the only one Wenger wouldn't sell because he's the youngest, has plenty of potential and, let's face it, could be the player we've been missing since Vieira's departure. I thought he was very promising last year and he was player of the tournament at the African Cup of Nations a few years ago when he'd barely kicked a ball for us.



Yup. Unlike some managers, Wenger's not daft, he know's what he's doing.

It's funny, I never used to like Wenger. But as Sir Alex said last season when we met you in the Champions League Semi's, Wenger has always maintained the same attacking mentality. And as result the Gunners have played some really exciting stuff over the years. This is to his credit. And when the chips are down, he's got more of a sense of humour about things these days. He's not half as bad with the excuses. Gosh, I remember the days when Fergy and Arsene were at loggerheads. It was like the biggest managerial rivalry in the game. Now I think there's a mutual respect there. It's nice to see. And like Wenger, Fergy too has calmed down a bit. Don't get me wrong, the pair of them still have their moments, but they both seem a bit more chilled out now. It must be the mellowing effects of old age I guess.

It's a funny old game. And we love it. http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/2723/dancing4n.gif

Solid performance. I guess we could be counted lucky for both goals, but we made our own luck too to a large degree, Celtic troubled us maybe 3 times in the 90 minutes and every time our two centre backs dealt with it. Impressive at the back, a little stifled on the attack, but had we come away with just a draw I think we could consider ourselves more unlucky than Celtic for the goals they conceded. I would post some more, but I'm quite sleepy and I've work in the morning ;o

Good show from the Arsenal again. Meanwhile back in the Prem, I'm a little disappointed Sunderland couldn't hold the fort after taking a shock early 1 - 0 lead against Chelsea.

Sadly, they were decimated in the end. :sad:

Ah, so I did. My apologies.

Never-the-less, I don't rate Benitez at all. His little outburst last season was comical. Fergy went fishing, a spot of the old mind games, and that beardy fool took the bait a treat.

Some would argue that was a turning point in the season.







Sorry fella, but from what I've seen the past couple of seasons, on the most part, Torres and Gerrard carry you. And now you've gone and lost a great play maker in Alonso. Don't get me wrong, there is SOME quality in there. But with that Benitez at the helm you won't be premier league champions anytime soon. The man hasn't got a clue how to utilize what he has and get the best out of his squad.

As for the ''Scum'' comments, that really says more about you lot. Never could hold your tongues. However, I expect nothing less from a scouser. Full of hot air and never anything to back it up with. http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7771/rolleyes1i.gif

Nice opening gambit though, losing 2 - 1 to Spurs. You guys didn't even turn up. It was a massacre in midfield. There was ZERO build up play, you were lucky to string even a couple of passes together. As previosuly stated, your main men Torres and Stevie-G were the only pair making an effort to create any chances. Good luck lifting some silverware this season based on that evidence.

And if you seriously think your squad is better than United's, then I'm sorry to say my friend, you are a lost cause.







haha

30 to 1 to score an OG every game? I can believe that. It's painfully obvious United have more strength and depth in their squad than Liverpool. Even trying to argue the toss there is futile.

Ah, poor deluded Liverpool fans. Gotta love'em. http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/684/winksquare.gif







Oh, deary me, can't handle a couple of United fans? Aww, what it must be like to be a Kopite...

Nevermind, chin-up lad, there's always next season.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/666/smokingsmiley5413.gif


Am I..am I supposed to be upset by these cvomments? Are they supposed to have slapped me down a peg or two? Because frankly, you missed the entire point of my post.

Saying a team who finished a mere four points behind the Premier League champions will finish in the bottom half because they're carried by two players who barely started together during the campaign smacks of bias.

Our FIRST team last year was superb. The fact we rocked up at your gaff and turned you over 4-1 should suggest that. Once he found the right formation, we were walking all over everyone. The problem we have and United and to an extent Chelsea don't is you can bring on quality from bench whereas we have Ryan 'anyone care for a schmoke?' Babel. Enough said.

At no point did I suggest United have an inferior squad. I'm making the point that our first team last year had some real quality in it. Alonso was probably at the front of that, and sadly Benitez doesn't appear to realise that he was key to getting the ball up to Gerrard so he didn't have to go looking for it. It was painfully obvious at Spurs that Gerrard had to go looking for the ball and that is going to ruin us.

And you can pack the smarmy arrogance in for a kick off, because i'm not rising to that. I don't mind giving or receiving the odd dig from the rivals. It's part and parcel of the game, but cut out the 'I support United, therefore I have have the moral high ground because we are better than you' attitude your lot are synonymous with. It's pathetic.

And before you suggest I heed my own advice, what I said was meant to be take in jest. I'd wager everyone else in this thread realised that so lighten the fuck up, you touchy prick.

Ryan 'anyone care for a schmoke?' Babel.


Ought to be QOTM imo.

Originally Posted by Dexter Cole

Am I..am I supposed to be upset by these cvomments? Are they supposed to have slapped me down a peg or two? Because frankly, you missed the entire point of my post.

Saying a team who finished a mere four points behind the Premier League champions will finish in the bottom half because they're carried by two players who barely started together during the campaign smacks of bias.

Our FIRST team last year was superb. The fact we rocked up at your gaff and turned you over 4-1 should suggest that. Once he found the right formation, we were walking all over everyone. The problem we have and United and to an extent Chelsea don't is you can bring on quality from bench whereas we have Ryan 'anyone care for a schmoke?' Babel. Enough said.

At no point did I suggest United have an inferior squad. I'm making the point that our first team last year had some real quality in it. Alonso was probably at the front of that, and sadly Benitez doesn't appear to realise that he was key to getting the ball up to Gerrard so he didn't have to go looking for it. It was painfully obvious at Spurs that Gerrard had to go looking for the ball and that is going to ruin us.

And you can pack the smarmy arrogance in for a kick off, because i'm not rising to that. I don't mind giving or receiving the odd dig from the rivals. It's part and parcel of the game, but cut out the 'I support United, therefore I have have the moral high ground because we are better than you' attitude your lot are synonymous with. It's pathetic.

And before you suggest I heed my own advice, what I said was meant to be take in jest. I'd wager everyone else in this thread realised that so lighten the fuck up, you touchy prick.



lol http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/8814/1422rp1.gif

You need to hold a mirror up to your own posts, Sir. You were the one originally harping on, calling us all ''Scum'' and claiming you have a stronger/better squad than us. Whether it was meant in jest or not, I simply responded to that, and quashed your delusions of grandeur. Now I've been called a ''Prick'' for my troubles. The only person being touchy here is yourself. Clearly, you've had it all your own way till now, so when a couple of Mancs show up and set the record straight you can't handle it. I'm sorry, but from where I'm standing, this is just another classic case of someone who dishes it out but can't take it.

Read my post again, I did actually acknowledge that you have some quality at Anfield. But that Benitez simply doesn't know what to do with 'said' quality. A point you have more or less agreed on. So cut out the ''You prick'' comments, there is no need for that. Seriously, claiming I'm being overly sensitive after that little outburst is a tad hypocritical to say the least. And may I remind you who it was that latched on to my original comment about Liverpool being a ''bottom half of the table'' team without Torres and Gerrard, and then spat the dummy?

Cmon now, you said it yourself, it's just a bit of banter. Take it on the chin lad.




Originally Posted by Dexter Cole

because i'm not rising to that.



I hate to break it to you, but you just did.

Okay, look, for what it's worth, I actually think you lot did very well last season. Surprised us all in fact. But in the final third of the season you faded away, again perhaps not because of your squad, but more because Rafa doesn't know what to do with it. Having said that, I REALLY don't think Liverpool have a stronger squad than United as you initially claimed. And deep down, you yourself know this simply is not the case. The League table standings year after year prove my point there.

Anyway, I've clearly upset you. This was never my intention. If you like, I'll even take back that ''bottom half of the table'' comment. Crikey! had I known this is the reaction it would invoke I would have never said it. As you have said to me though, I would advise you don't take that too literally. I just don't think Liverpool are quite as strong a side as you lot would like to think, that's all. The potential is there, sure. But in my opinion, as long as Rafa is running the show, not gonna happen. Liverpool, I'm afraid, are never going to realize their true potential until they've got the right man in the driver seat. Again, that's not me being elitist, that's me just telling it like it is. An unfortunate truth if you like, but a truth non-the-less.

Honestly, I'm too long in the tooth to be engaging in one of these internet flame wars. We kind of got started off on the wrong foot, you and I. Most of my mates are bleedin' Liverpool fans for god sake. So, if your game, this Manc (scum) is willing to start over. A clean slate as it were. Up to you fella, but I'm extending my hand here. I just really can't be mithered with this cat and mouse routine. How about we save the bickering at least until the next time we meet in the Prem, after United exact their revenge for last season, what say you? http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/9889/winke.gif

P.S At the very least, we have one thing in common, we're both none too happy about being ruled by a yank iron fist. Though I would concede Fergy get's a bit more support from our board than Benitez does from yours.

You need to hold a mirror up to your own posts, Sir. You were the one originally harping on, calling us all ''Scum'' and claiming you have a stronger/better squad than us. Whether it was meant in jest or not, I simply responded to that, and quashed your delusions of grandeur. Now I've been called a ''Prick'' for my troubles. The only person being touchy here is yourself.

Fair play. I’ll concede that I was perhaps a tad more cranky than I should have been. Primarily as you’re an unfamiliar face to me who appeared to want to just stick the boot in. This evidently is not the case, as you seem to be very much on my wavelength about one or three things and a decent chap by all accounts. I will apologise for that. We have had some miserable whelps in these parts that haven’t exactly been a shining beacon for the United fanbase.


Clearly, you've had it all your own way till now, so when a couple of Mancs show up and set the record straight you can't handle it. I'm sorry, but from where I'm standing, this is just another classic case of someone who dishes it out but can't take it.

We’ve had quite a few regular United lads and there’s always a bit of banter going round, so I certainly don’t want you to think that I’m a bitter cunt who’s been going around spewing partisan bullshit about. This really isn’t the case.


Okay, look, for what it's worth, I actually think you lot did very well last season. Surprised us all in fact. But in the final third of the season you faded away, again perhaps not because of your squad, but more because Rafa doesn't know what to do with it. Having said that, I REALLY don't think Liverpool have a stronger squad than United as you initially claimed. And deep down, you yourself know this simply is not the case. The League table standings year after year prove my point there.

I must just add that again I’m fully aware that United’s squad is stronger than ours and I have acknowledge that in my previous post. I still think that from one to eleven last term we had the edge on you and Chelsea, only very marginally though mind. But where you were superior is the quality you can bring off the bench. Which is why you were able to nudge the odd result when you were on the ropes towards the end. I remember screaming “WHY CAN’T YOU JUST LOSE!?” at the TV when you notched the fourth against Spurs after being two down! They just don't ever give in.


Anyway, I've clearly upset you. This was never my intention. If you like, I'll even take back that ''bottom half of the table'' comment. Crikey! had I known this is the reaction it would invoke I would have never said it. As you have said to me though, I would advise you don't take that too literally. I just don't think Liverpool are quite as strong a side as you lot would like to think, that's all. The potential is there, sure. But in my opinion, as long as Rafa is running the show, not gonna happen. Liverpool, I'm afraid, are never going to realize their true potential until they've got the right man in the driver seat. Again, that's not me being elitist, that's me just telling it like it is. An unfortunate truth if you like, but a truth non-the-less.

No, I’d certainly agree whole heartidly with that. A couple of the Liverpool lads who used to frequent these waters used to try and convince me, but I’ve never been sold on him. I reckon he’s a bit of a Sven. Living off one result for far too long. But I don’t think he’s had much support from up on high though, so I’m willing to give him a little more time. But I can see us struggling to hold on to second spot this season. Fourth would be nice at this point.


Honestly, I'm too long in the tooth to be engaging in one of these internet flame wars. We kind of got started off on the wrong foot, you and I. Most of my mates are bleedin' Liverpool fans for god sake. So, if your game, this Manc (scum) is willing to start over. A clean slate as it were. Up to you fella, but I'm extending my hand here. I just really can't be mithered with this cat and mouse routine. How about we save the bickering at least until the next time we meet in the Prem, after United exact their revenge for last season, what say you?

Yes, I quite agree. Judging from your profile we’re both of the same age and coming from the same direction, albeit flying different colours (so to speak). So yes, a clean slate I fancy. I am quite an amiable chap really, as I hope the other regulars here would agree. I just have a bit of an acid tongue at times. And it sometimes doesn’t represent me well.

And i'm fortunate that most of my mates are a balance between the two. Helps create a cracking atmosphere down the pub when we meet. I'm hoping for a Champs League night between the two this year. That'll be a classic.


P.S At the very least, we have one thing in common, we're both none too happy about being ruled by a yank iron fist. Though I would concede Fergy get's a bit more support from our board than Benitez does from yours.

According to several papers, they’ve given him �1.5m to spend. �1.5m. You’d be lucky to get stabbed for that. It’s a disgrace the way they allow the financiers to behave. I blame Moores. Why he had to overstate the assets and piss off DIC is beyond me. Here’s hoping someone will actually come riding to our rescue by next term. Though I’m more naively hopeful than optimistic.


Anyway, glad that’s all sorted. Back to the business at hand. Carry on, everyone.

Originally Posted by Dexter Cole

Fair play. I’ll concede that I was perhaps a tad more cranky than I should have been. Primarily as you’re an unfamiliar face to me who appeared to want to just stick the boot in. This evidently is not the case, as you seem to be very much on my wavelength about one or three things and a decent chap by all accounts. I will apologise for that. We have had some miserable whelps in these parts that haven’t exactly been a shining beacon for the United fanbase.



Thanks, I appreciate the sentiment.

And I know all too well how tempting it is to grill the new guys. I've seen it happen so many times on other forums. Unfamiliar faces get a right hard time of it. Also, I'd like to apologize if I came across a bit bullish in my first post. I'm actually really laid back, and love a bit of banter as much as the next man.

I shall try my level best to represent my kinsmen in a better light than 'said' miserable whelps. ;)




Originally Posted by Dexter Cole

I remember screaming “WHY CAN’T YOU JUST LOSE!?” at the TV when you notched the fourth against Spurs after being two down! They just don't ever give in.



haha, yeah, we've all been there.

I was yelling at the box just last Saturday when bloody Drogba scored that flukey last minute winner. “OH COME ON, YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!? THERE'S NO WAY HE MEANT THAT.”

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/5324/bigsquaregrin.gif




Originally Posted by Dexter Cole

Judging from your profile we’re both of the same age and coming from the same direction, albeit flying different colours (so to speak). So yes, a clean slate I fancy. I am quite an amiable chap really, as I hope the other regulars here would agree. I just have a bit of an acid tongue at times. And it sometimes doesn’t represent me well.



No worries man, it's all gravy.

I'm sure we'll grow accustomed to each others ways as the season progresses. I think it's fair to say we've broke the ice now anyway. It's all over the floor, smashed to smithereens in fact.




Originally Posted by Dexter Cole

According to several papers, they’ve given him �1.5m to spend. �1.5m. You’d be lucky to get stabbed for that. It’s a disgrace the way they allow the financiers to behave. I blame Moores. Why he had to overstate the assets and piss off DIC is beyond me. Here’s hoping someone will actually come riding to our rescue by next term. Though I’m more naively hopeful than optimistic.



Jesus! 1.5m, what's the fucking point of that? These financiers need to wake up and smell the coffee. That's a proper kick in the bollocks and then some. Ronaldo's pocket money is 1.5mil and you're expected to what, build a squad with it!? What a joke! These bigwigs behind the scenes just don't live on the same planet as everyone else, they really don't.

Anyway, thanks for your post mate. Much obliged.

P.S I laughed at that picture as well, haha. Two dapper gents sharing a pint, just as things should be.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/666/smokingsmiley5413.gif

Terrific result for Burnley tonight, that's probably the biggest shock in the Premier League since Wolves beat United about 6 seasons ago. Spurs are looking very good this season too, they've triple the amount of points from two games that they had after nine last season. Juande Ramos, good lad.

Anyone watch the Panathinaikos-Atletico game? Was entertaining stuff, Atletico played very good football and Panathinaikos just played route one for 90 minutes, but can't argue with 5 goals.

Well, bugger me sideways, that's one way to answer your critics. Fairplay to Burnley, they've really come up trumps tonight. Imagine that, you're a newly promoted club, back in top-flight football for the first time in 33years, and then you go and beat the defending champions in your second game. Sheesh, talk about a confidence booster. They're gonna be on a massive high for some time to come after that.

Meanwhile, back in the United camp, it looks a bit grim. This is where we will feel the loss of Ronaldo the most. He was absolutely lethal against the lesser teams where he scored most of his goals. :sad: Oh, and that's the last bloody time Carrick takes a penalty for us. Who's bright idea was that I wonder. Really, shocking stuff.

I suppose congratulations are in order, Dexter. Your lot really bounced back in style from Sunday's defeat. Shit, now might be a good time for me to slide on out of the thread with my tail firmly between my legs lol.

Huh, I actually forgot about this thread. Although I'm not really posting all that much now anyway. But I'll be stopping by here more over the next few months.

I'm too tired and gobsmacked to give any kind of worthwhile input at the moment. But all I'll say is that we fucked up good and proper. I'm glad I didn't watch it though. I went to see Inglourious Basterds instead. Which is pretty damn good people. Go see it.

Also, sup MossY. Good to see you around again.

Originally Posted by Flux

I'm too tired and gobsmacked to give any kind of worthwhile input at the moment. But all I'll say is that we fucked up good and proper.



Amen to that.

I'm trying to put a positive spin on it though and look at it from this point of view; we ALWAYS seem to get off to a piss poor start, but then finish the season strong. We tend to really get our arse into gear in the third quarter. This has been the case for the last few years. For some reason, we like to make things harder for ourselves all the time. It's the United way. With any luck, this will be just like any other season. Here's to wishful thinking.

Never the less, there is no getting away from it, THAT was not good. http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/761/lookinganim.gif




Originally Posted by Flux

I'm glad I didn't watch it though. I went to see Inglourious Basterds instead. Which is pretty damn good people. Go see it.



Ooh, nice. I'm really looking forward to that myself.

Tarantino is the man.

Also, sup MossY. Good to see you around again.

Nothing much man, just up early to Czech my A-level results ;o. How've you been keeping?

A girl I work with text me last night to say Inglorious Bastards was great, and she probably was telling the truth, but I really dislike Quentin Tarantino as a person. Creepy, plagiarising bastard.

Two things I think influenced the results last night.

Firstly, Hansen made the point pre-season (actually, he's been banging on about it quite a lot) about how United will feel the loss of Ronaldo more against the lesser teams, as he decimated the when they tired in the last third of the game. And I think that might be the case. Against both Burnley and Birmingham, United hardly created a glut of match winning chances, unlike Chelsea who battered Sunderland into submission. I can't see them being too worried as they're notoriously slow out of the blocks, but it may be an area for concern if the like of Anderson, Carrick and Berbatov don't step up to help the new boys out. Rooney can't do it all on his own.

And a decent recovery by ourselves. We got going against Spurs in the last fifteen minutes and played reasonably well throughout last night. The common denominator? Benayoun. Played out of his socks again from the left. His distribution was wonderful, and I can't really understand why he didn't start with him on Sunday. He was on fire towards the end of last season and he appears to have carried that form through to this campaign. Not sure where Reira is though, as I'd like to see Yossi start possibly alongside Mascherano. No disrespect to Lucas, but he's too defensive minded like Javier, and I think while he'll protect the back line well, we need someone to supply Gerrard effectively.

And just a note to say although he'll be measured on his defensive capabilities against the bigger teams, Johnson was superb last night. Gave us another dimension down the right, much like Finnan used to.

All in all, we won't learn much from last night. But it was fun (for me at least)!


Anyone watch the Panathinaikos-Atletico game? Was entertaining stuff, Atletico played very good football and Panathinaikos just played route one for 90 minutes, but can't argue with 5 goals.

I caught some of the highlights whilst waiting for MOTD. Seemed a pretty decent contest with both teams believing they could win it with different styles of play. Madrid's third was a scorcher. As was Leto's second for the Greeks. I'm not sure if he's on loan or moved permanently from us? Looked decent enough.

Originally Posted by Dexter Cole

but it may be an area for concern if the like of Anderson, Carrick and Berbatov don't step up to help the new boys out. Rooney can't do it all on his own.



Yes, this is what I'm a bit worried about. Rooney was all over the park last night. It almost seemed as if he was playing a different game to everyone else in the United squad. I really hope the lads around him start pulling their weight, or we could find ourselves in a spot of bother. We just need someone to keep feeding Shrek and he'll do the rest. Valencia is really going to struggle filling Ronaldo's boots though I think. Thus far I've seen nothing notable from him. But it is still early days after all. So I guess we shall see.

And some might consider Berbatov a bit of a lazy player. He has his moments, but when he get's his head down he's not a bad little play maker. However, he is a STRIKER primarily, so it's his first priority should be finding himself in good positions and bloody scoring. The likes of which he's not doing so much of at the moment. The jury is still out on Berbatov.

I'm still feeling the sting of losing Tevez to be honest. When we lost Ronaldo I actually wasn't that fussed. It was on the cards for a while, he wanted to swan off to REAL, so no surprise there. Plus we got got him on the cheap and had 5 good years out of the fella. Selling him on for 80mil wasn't a bad bit of business at all. But yeah, I was proper gutted about losing the lionheart. Especially to bloody City of all places. That man was a true workhorse. :sad:

Owen was bloody useless last night as well. With Capello watching on from the terraces, Owen has no chance of rekindling his England flame on performances like that.

It is still early days, but there are many lessons to be learned from last nights woeful display. First one being; Don't ever put Carrick on the penalty spot again lol. Owen was on the field, I would've let him have a crack. Anywho, hopefully Fergy will shake up the United camp a bit and get'em firing on all cylinders, sooner rather than later.

i heard it was a great goal to win de game for burnley i didnt see it, fair play to them, spurs are lookin very good i hope they stay all season and dont die off by christmas, still a better start than last year for man u :P

JAMES MCFADDEN IS A NOB


also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgxSlpAHNrU

Good wins for Arsenal and United yesterday. Sad to hear about Calum Davenport and the possibility he might need to have a leg amputated, hope he makes a full recovery.

What the FUCK is going on?

Get out, Zorro. And take the filthy burger men with you.

At least you're not after Tommy Smith

In other news, West Ham and Millwall fans should be (and most seem to be, rightly) ashamed of the actions of some of their "fans" tonight. A fucking disgrace to football.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8222718.stm

This might cheer you up, my little southern pal.

Also, they are not football fans. Fans actually care about their particular club on the pitch, not use it simply as grounds to clash with other self minded morons off it for no just reason other than boredom and 'the rush'.
Here's hoping they all end up killing one another and leave the innocent to enjoy the glorious game with their families, as it should be.

I sincerely hope this won't damage our 2018 bid. But seen as FIFA is still run by that little turd, I don't think we'd have stood a chance anyway.

Originally Posted by MossY

Good wins for Arsenal and United yesterday. Sad to hear about Calum Davenport and the possibility he might need to have a leg amputated, hope he makes a full recovery.



It's been a mad week of football, what with the Davenport stabbing, this Hammers/Millwall fiasco, and Burnley doing it again turning over the Toffees, amongst other things. I was over the moon with United's comeback game following our ''Burnley blip'' though. I was most impressed with Berbatov, he was awesome. The man was everywhere and had a hand in most of our best plays. That's the 31 million pound Berbatov we want to see more of. Owen's little dink was a peach as well. Jolly good show gents. http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8149/w00t9pp.gif

Meanwhile, down south, The Gunners and Tottenham are going from strength to strength it seems. It's been said, they're looking like serious contenders this year are the Arsenal. MossY, you must be dead chuffed with the start you lot have had? Anyway, looking forward to tonights Arsenal VS Celtic clash. Should be a good'un.




Originally Posted by Dexter Cole

Here's hoping they all end up killing one another and leave the innocent to enjoy the glorious game with their families, as it should be.



Well said, I couldn't agree more.

Those swine's running 'The Firms' want the book throwing at them.

Not sure about Al Fahim at all, don't think he has the money or the capability to take the club forward. Would much rather Peter Storrie and his consortium had taken over, as had been previously agreed, as they appear to have been well-placed to help the club. Now it looks as if Storrie is off, which is a real shame and will not end well.

Meanwhile, down south, The Gunners and Tottenham are going from strength to strength it seems. It's been said, they're looking like serious contenders this year are the Arsenal. MossY, you must be dead chuffed with the start you lot have had? Anyway, looking forward to tonights Arsenal VS Celtic clash. Should be a good'un.


Delighted with the start we've had, but not as surprised by it as a lot of people have been. I had been saying before the season kicked off that we were stronger this year than people were giving us credit for, the strongest we've been since the invincibles I believe, and the signs were there during pre-season that the new formation was getting the best out of the team. However, for all my joking about us finishing on 114 points this year, the next two matches up north will be a far truer gauge of where we're at as a team. If we take 4 points it would be a fantastic total, let alone all 6. So long as we aren't coming out of the next two games with no points and two bad defeats I can definitely see us being there or thereabouts come May. We still need a few players though, in central defence we missed a trick in letting Bassong go to Tottenham and it doesn't look likely we'll sign Hangeland before the window shuts either. I would also usually say here that we need a defensive midfielder, but Song and Denilson are doing a good enough job at the minute that maybe we'll be fine in that area without having to shell out for someone new. Also, we've been winning well but 1 clean sheet out of 4 is a little bit worrying. As for Spurs, they do look fantastic this year, should definitely be in the top 6 alongside Man City and the 'big four' at the season's end I think.

Champions League draw just finished:

Group A: Bayern Munich, Juventus, Bordeaux, Maccabi Haifa
Group B: MANCHESTER UNITED, CSKA Moscow, Besiktas, Wolfsburg
Group C: AC Milan, Real Madrid, Marseille, FC Zurich
Group D: CHELSEA, FC Porto, Atletico Madrid, APOEL
Group E: LIVERPOOL, Lyon, Fiorentina, Debrecen
Group F: FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Dinamo Kiev, FC Rubin Kazan
Group G: Sevilla, RANGERS, Stuttgart, Unirea
Group H: ARSENAL, AZ Alkmaar, Olympiakos, Standard

Groups A and C are good. Think we got the best draw of the English teams too, but I can't see any of them not making the second round anyway.

I support Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, what do I do now :(

support debrecen instead

Originally Posted by MossY

Think we got the best draw of the English teams too



We got a pretty good deal there ourselves. http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/2723/dancing4n.gif

I think Fergy will be rubbing his hands together tonight after that draw. Back of the net!




Originally Posted by Neil Patrick Harris

I support Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, what do I do now :(



Time to pledge your allegiance my friend. ;)

About time. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8225941.stm)

Yeah, agree that that's a good idea really, next what we need is an absolute, worldwide salary cap. Time to take the sport back.

Bollocks anyway. Not really too disheartened, I think mostly everyone who I've talked to accepts Arsenal deserved a point from the game if not all three and any team can be unlucky on any given day. The performance was far above what we produced over the 2 Champions League games last season when the gulf was immense, now I think we are very close.

As for the modern day economics of football TC, I think we can all agree it's a joke. I don't envisage any short term changes, but in the longer term I reckon the inherent unsustainability of it all should bring it crashing down, or it might just end with the biggest clubs breaking away like Wenger suggested could be the way it's going. It's pretty saddening how money orientated it all is.

Thank you so much for the post. It's really useful.

I am Italian, presumably, and I love hiding links to spam sites

May I be the first to say CHELSEA LOL

I don't reckon it'll stand once Chelsea launch their appeal.

I don't think FIFA would have handed the punishment down had Chelsea much chance of reducing it by much. Also if it gets dropped then Chelsea have effectively cheated justice yet again and I think it's about time they get stopped. Hopefully FIFA will now do the same to numerous other clubs involved in this sort of thing.

On the back cover of the People today it claims that Kakuta's contract with Lens was actually signed by his mother rather than the player and if that is the case Chelsea should easily overturn the decision. But then, this was the People that reported that, so. Hopefully the ban stands though and hopefully more clubs receive them, Arsenal are as culpable as anyone else here, in the interest of competition in the sport.

Just on the People again, can anyone explain to me why both it and the Sunday Mirror are Sunday editions of the Daily Mirror? It's not like they even target different audiences.

WELL HELLO THERE!

Originally Posted by Dexter Cole




WELL HELLO THERE!



http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8149/w00t9pp.gif

COME TO PAPA.




Originally Posted by MossY

Bollocks anyway. Not really too disheartened, I think mostly everyone who I've talked to accepts Arsenal deserved a point from the game if not all three and any team can be unlucky on any given day. The performance was far above what we produced over the 2 Champions League games last season when the gulf was immense, now I think we are very close.



That was dead tight on Wenger being sent to the stands like that, and having to endure a few thousand Mancs screaming in his lug hole ''WHEEEEEEEEYYYY!''. At least he got an apology, eventually.

Good result for us was that. I'd concede you definitely deserved a point. Not sure about all 3 mind. Anyway, we've got Tottenham away next. Should be interesting.

Bollocks anyway, the sequel. Exactly what I didn't want from our two trips to Manchester. Oh well, 108 points will still be enough to win the league, which is what we'll get now with my revised prediction.

Have to share this.

Spurs fans chant to United's, to the tune of This Old Man;

"M-A-N. U-T-D. United fans are from Surrey. With a nick nack paddy whack, give the dog a bone. Manchester is not your home."

Glorious.

On RTE's version of MotD they didn't blank out the child's face and exploded it up and all for better recognition, he is on the verge of tears after the goal, pretty funny.

Arsenal though, awwwwww. I was hopeful at the start of the season and I can definitely see us seriously challenging now that we're a fair way into the campaign.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14IRDDnEPR4&feature=related


Haha, my mate sent me the exact same thing in an email literally two hours after the game. Prick.

Not going to piss and whine about it. That would make me a Red Devil! No, we had 90 minutes to go and get the win, and we were still second best.

Not going to join in with the 'Benitez out' sentiment that's (finally) starting to do the rounds either. No point until we get the finances sorted so a new top man can come in and actually build a future for the club.

Also, this came out fairly quick!

http://www.cafepress.co.uk/RetroBat.412701580?gclid=CKH9wYnkyJ0CFeZr4wodG0Ait A

Originally Posted by MossY

On RTE's version of MotD they didn't blank out the child's face and exploded it up and all for better recognition, he is on the verge of tears after the goal, pretty funny.



http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6047/nevillebeachball.gif

Hello, I'm new to the thread. :) I'm a Portsmouth fan, and we could be going out of business soon. :(

Hello, I'm new to the thread. :) I'm a Portsmouth fan, and we could be going out of business soon. :(

You too? That's at least four of us now, which is the most I've seen on a Final Fantasy forum in my time, BELIEVE IT OR NOT

What a joke today's news was! What an unfunny and frankly unsurprising joke! Of course the biggest question is why are we still after Eugen Bopp?

You too? That's at least four of us now, which is the most I've seen on a Final Fantasy forum in my time, BELIEVE IT OR NOT

What a joke today's news was! What an unfunny and frankly unsurprising joke! Of course the biggest question is why are we still after Eugen Bopp?

Haha, yeah, it's getting ridiculous now. :( I thought after our last buyout we might have a few spare bob, but apparently this guy hasn't got any money either! :shock: Where will it end?...

HAHA SUCKKAAASSS

Arsenal are scoring tons, fuck off Kroenke. Liverpool are in a spot of bother. Man City's predicted storm to the top is stumbling of late. Chelsea look very strong, favourites for the league I guess. Phil Brown will probably be sacked soon, he can always get work as a Frank Sidebottom lookalike though so he'll never be stuck for a job.

I'm only really posting because FM2010 is tantalisingly close to being downloaded and I've nothing to do until it's done ;(

you better hope it lets you download the update, cause it will make you lose alot of games with the bug where the goalkeeper throws the ball to the opposition strikers..

That hasn't happened to me yet in about 10 games though I'm sure it will in some cRuCiAl FiXtUrE. So far I like it but I think the 3D match engine is stupid and adds no more than the 2D one, it's really hard to buy anyone at a decent price which is maybe realistic seeing as the market is so inflated today and after a good start to the season I keep on drawing with rubbish teams now which is frustrating.

Thanks Thierry, way to be my favourite player of all-time ;(

Well, at least we put up a very decent fight of it, definitely the better team over 120 minutes in Paris tonight and it's a shame that we couldn't have performed anything like as well at Croker on Saturday, or even just to have put away one of the 3 great chances that fell our way that night would have sufficed. Could have been 2 up in the 90 if Duff had a right foot or if Keane hadn't tried to be just a little to clever, not that either player didn't give their all tonight, and then France would have been in serious trouble.

It's strange though, all along the way the team's done what was expected of them and it's probably a positive sign that that's deemed to have been a disappointment now. Everyone reckoned we would finish second in the group and be in the qualifiers, and we did, but had the team showed a little ambition against some truly poor teams we could definitely have won the group in the end, 4 wins and 6 draws, two of which victories were subsequently expunged, does not befit a team that played as well as they did tonight. And then when we drew France, anything could happen over 2 legs but France were definite favourites, but after the games have been played we're incredibly unlucky not to have qualified, not to mention FIFA inexplicably deciding to seed the qualifiers at the last minute.

I still think Trapattoni is the best man for the job, just about, but if we expect to qualify for the Euros in 2012 he has to adopt a more positive approach surely, drawing with ~tHe MiNnOwS~ is what got us here in the first place.

Russia not qualifying though, now there is a shock.

what the hell, spurs

CHEERIO LIVERPOOL, CHEERIO HART, CHEERIO BENITEZ PLEEEAAASSSSEEEE

perhaps now the people of liverpool will finally open their eyes. perhaps after the last three results they will realise we are nothing.

we need investment.

we need the yanks gone.

we need mourinho or hiddink.

we need to turf out the rot behind the first xi.

we need to bring in top quality in all areas.

but let's face it, give the current climate, we need a miracle.

fuck you, benitez.

Arsenal should be fit to pick up the remaining 12 points in December. Having said that, so should Chelsea. We'll bridge the gap though, it's inevitable, it's in the stars. Once the January transfer window opens and we bolster our ranks with David Villa, Marcos Senna and Iker Casillas we'll be unstoppable. We might actually buy van der Vaart though, who's a player I really like. Anyhow, Chelsea will certainly feel the absence of Drogba and Essien, less so Kalou and Mikel, during the African Cup of Nations whereas we will only lose Song and Rambo will step in and be amazing anyway. It really is wide open right now, though I expect the current top three to pull away as the season kicks on from here, and though Chelsea are still firm favourites even in my own mind, Arsenal are going to be there or thereabouts in May I think.

my god, fulham are class

Benfica, finally after all those goddamn years is shaping up to be one of the bigs this year.

i like the chiefs. they beat the steelers and i thought that was pretty cool

Still just about on course to break 100 goals this season. If we still had RVP or even Bendtner fit I imagine we'd have scored about a half dozen more to date, Eduardo is playing rubbish. Anyhow, next two league games should yield six points I reckon, the FA Cup game against West Ham could be tricky though.

Prediction: Arsenal will be top of the table come 10pm tonight, good times.

Also, more people should post in this thread. It's getting all neglected and malnourished even though it's probably the best, maybe even the only decent, thread on the first page.

Decent game against spurs last night. Good to finally see some positive passion back in the stands and on the field

If we can maintain a bit of a run now we should kick on and make 4th spot our own.

Interesting to hear the rumors about Kenwyne Jones signing. If he can strike up a partnership with Torres we might be on to a winner.

In other news, Gallas is a very lucky/dirty boy.

we are going down fact

I seriously hope we don't finish in the top four because it'll certainly reduce the value of the club and maybe we can get the trio of tosspots out of the club and move forward.

They have been abysmal of late. And I still say it's not the lack of Gerrard and Torres. We've got several other players of quality, just not enough in the final third to stick the ball away.

Confidence is a big factor. We pounded Hull, Burnley and Stoke earlier on in the season. It's only when we lost to Fiorentina and Chelsea within a week the panic set in.

I've never been a huge fan of Fat Zorro Waiter man, but getting rid of him is pretty pointless as it'll cost us �25m-ish to get a new man in, which we just haven't got.

I'd sell Mascherano in the summer for a tidy sum,as he clearly doesn't want to be here. Along with Babel, Lucas, Aurlio, Insua, N'Gog, Reira et al. Basically anyone we can get hard cash for, and then release the rest.

Get the squad down to about 15 or so and add 15 squad or quality players. Let's do the Shankly!

Also, despite a favourable draw, I'd fancy us to be out of the Europa LEague at the next hurdle.

And just to appease MossBross, Arsenal are playing with a swagger and could potential upset the apple cart. Think it'll still be Chelsea's title, but all three are flawed so could go any whichway (is that how you write any whichway?)

No-one seems to want to win the bloody division this year though, it seems, so who knows? Chelsea are the obvious contenders but I reckon Arsenal are in with a fair shout if they keep going like this.

Confidence is a big factor. We pounded Hull, Burnley and Stoke earlier on in the season. It's only when we lost to Fiorentina and Chelsea within a week the panic set in.

I've never been a huge fan of Fat Zorro Waiter man, but getting rid of him is pretty pointless as it'll cost us �25m-ish to get a new man in, which we just haven't got.

I'd sell Mascherano in the summer for a tidy sum,as he clearly doesn't want to be here. Along with Babel, Lucas, Aurlio, Insua, N'Gog, Reira et al. Basically anyone we can get hard cash for, and then release the rest. I'll agree with you on the confidence front, we've definitely been lacking in it. To be honest, I'm almost happy Gerrard is out injured for a while, as when we're in the shit and no one is playing with confidence, the rest of the lads seem to wait for captain marvel to release a spark of magic. Without depending on him to get us out of the rut, the rest of the team can put in the effort as they have in the last two matches to get us up and running again. Add a fit Gerrard and Torres into the mix afterwards and we'll be grand.

To be honest, I'd hang on to Lucas, Auerlio, Insua, N'Gog and Riera. Babel can shite right off.

Lucas gets a bit of a bad rep but he has been hands down our most consistent performer this season. I think the lad is finally settling into his own skin within the team. He may not be at the standard of a first team starter, but he definitely has a use in the squad. Same goes for Auerlio who, if fit, is easily our best left back (though that's not saying much). When he does get a consistent injury free run he looks the business. Insua is still a young lad. He did really well to deserve his shot as a first time regular this year, but I think a combination of nerves and the team's overall shitty performance / attitude have made this season a bad one for him. He'll come good though. Riera offers genuine width in the team when he plays. He may not be our long term solution to the wide left position, but when he plays we have balance. As for N'Gog, I think the lad has done really well given he's had to be a stand in for Torres. He's got a healthy return of goals and always looks menacing when he comes on. I think he would benefit more from playing up alongside Nando, but for the meantime he's a good squad player.

I'm totally with you on Masch though, he can fuck right off to Barcelona. We rescued him from oblivion and he thanks us by wanting to jump ship as soon as the Spaniards started calling. I'd take a punt on Flamini - he done the business at Arsenal and could probably walk into the team as is.

Yeah, i'm pretty much convinced the reason we won against Spurs was they had to take the game by the scruff on their own without relying on our two Messiah's. Hoefully we'll push on, but I remain as ever lukewarm.

On the squad front, I agree one the Lucas point. Can't understand why the daft arse plays him alongside Mascherano when clearly he's his backup. Stick Yossi or a freshly fit Aquilani in the old Alonso role and we'll get ticking.

I just think that while some are decent-ish squad players, there are better out there. The reason why City are doing so well is they've brought in proven Premier Lague pedigree to bloster their first XI. If we're ever going to get back up near the top I think bringing the likes of say Shawcross, Parker, Bale, Milner, C Cole, Heskey and so forth whilst clearing out the twenty or so dead weights that either Rafa never seems to give a chance or just plain aren't up to the grade.

The likes of Kelly, Darby, Ayala, Pacheco, Spearing and Hansen have only really had a minor sniff, but for every one of them there's two who haven't even flared their nostrils.

I can sort of get on board with N'Gog but i'm not really a fan of Insua due to his girth. He looks like Tevez without the shark bite or the ability to move without the ice cream van chimes.

Basically, I was trying to say we need to be strong from one to twenty three and not just one to eleven to achieve what we so dearly covert. And considering we've got around fifty players on our books and we're constantly being told we haven't got a strong enough squad, I reckon the best option is to cut the fat and bring in squad players from Villa, Spurs, West Ham and even Hull that are decent and ripe for the picking.

You dirty Canadian twinkly eyed fucker :-*

To be honest, I'd be happy to see Aquaman in the hole behind Nando and have Stevie slot back into central midfield alongside Masch / Lucas as necessary. Ideally, Masch should only be needed for games against the top 6 or so at home plus whatever tricky away ties where the defense needs some cover. Let Lucas stay par for the course for home games against the middle of table, down. Stevie can still link up with Torres from midfield while Aqua can make it more a trio. I'm sick of Stevie being man marked out of games against the top 4 or so because then Nando gets fuck all service.

I'd definitely take Milner and Carlton Cole if they were up for grabs, Milner especially. Most people laughed off the rumor of him signing for us last summer but the lad has done really well since then.

To be honest, of our reserves only a handful will probably get the chance to step up. N'Gog has already made the step, and I'm sure Pacheco will as well soon enough. When Nemeth gets back from loan he'll also be an option, and Darby seems to do well whenever he gets in. I'm more excited about the talent coming through the under 18's.

Yeah, Insua has an odd sort of build. He was a bit more lean and mobile last season, but he seems to have put on a bit more muscle mass over the summer and he's lost the spring to his step. If they work on his agility a bit more I think he can still do well. He has a peach of a cross and a pretty sweet strike. Needs a bit of positional training but that usually comes with experience. If all else fails we'll unload him to Spain or Italy for a fair few quid.

I agree with you though, the squad overall needs work. I think the addition of Maxipad will be good, if only so diggler isn't our only option on the right. Shame Rafa got fuck all to spend last summer though as we were getting close to a mean squad.

Ye hairy blackpudlian tart :-*

The big worry for me is that our fans are more fiercly loyal and tolerant than the average. And after a couple a decent league results, it'll all be forgotten that we failed in the Champions League, failed in the FA Cup and were shocking in more than a handful of games in the league.

I'd like to see the manager and the owners acknowledging their culpability, as the blame is equally theirs.

I don't know about you but when people say 'FA Cup SHOCK as Liverpool go out at Anfield' or 'Liverpool SHOCKINGLY exit Champions League as Fiorentina do double' doesn't SHOCK me. Part of me expects it. I have very little confidence in them to maintain a consistent string of good results and the whole things does appear to be a house built on sand.

Last season we were very lucky at the start with a few last minute winners and when the pressure was on when we were top we failed miserably to put very average sides away at home. It was only towards the end when lets face it, United were virtually home and dry, that we turned the heat up.

You look at United last week against Burnley. They are struggling to find their feet after Ronaldo's exit and haven't got a back four to speak of. But they still put them away 3-0. If that was Liverpool, I wouldn't be suprised if it was a 0-0 draw or they chipped a winner in the last ten minutes.

Maybe I am so anxious to see them win something that I am being a touch pessimistic. But you have to admit that you couldn't say with confidence that we can reel off at least sixteen home wins or once we get ourselves on the top line and the only way is down, we keep winning.

Finishing outside the top four wouldn't be the end of the world, but it might be the beginning of a long, bleak period of uncertainty both on and off the pitch.

http://www.theposh.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10427~1943993,00.html

This is an amazing statement.

So, who's gonna take over the England captaincy?

It's about time Terry was publicly revealed to be the absolute wanker we've always known him to be. It's just a shame that Bridge had to be publicly humiliated in the process.

I have a feeling old coke head Rio will be likely to get the honors. Not much in the difference, I suppose.

It's a shame Stevie G has all the presence of a parsnip these days as he'd otherwise walk into the role.

Just not on really, is it? There's always a question over a major player's attitude and his conduct off the field. Principally as they are constantly being told how wonderful they are from the moment their genius is realised and their pay begins to reflects this. And it seems they buy into this and believe they can get away with virtually anything.

But, not to get all glasses-and-comic-geek about it, 'with great power comes great responsibility'. You can't expect to get all this attention, adulation and financial reward without carrying yourself in a manner that goes hand in hand with this image. In this case, a leader and spearhead on the pitch and an ambassador for the nation off it. Getting your willy wet in your best mates bed is pretty high on the list of no-no's I'd wager.

The arrogant little shit.

On the plus side, plenty of issues have dropped out of this to discuss over one or three frosty pints. Chiefly, his inevitable handing over of the armband to a sucessor.

Gerrard, Lampard or Rio seem to be the three favourites for a kick off. Has to be someone who would play every game, ideally. Keep it away from Wayne though. He's firing on all cylinders and let's be honesty, not the sharpest knife in the draw. Nor the most temperate. Just let him go about smashing the opposition to pieces and not burden him with extra pressures like having to think.

I'd go with Gaz B to be honest. Cool head, doesn't get flustered, keeps his nose clean and gives the press just enough. And he'd certainly be one of the first names on my teamsheet.

I'd go with Gaz B to be honest. Cool head, doesn't get flustered, keeps his nose clean and gives the press just enough. And he'd certainly be one of the first names on my teamsheet.

QFT.

I'm sick of Arsenal being wank.

Think we just about deserved the 3 points tonight, though I reckon most Liverpool fans will feel somewhat aggrieved to have lost especially with Fabregas' block in the last few seconds (though it wasn't a free kick to start with and if Bentdner's was a yellow (and I'm not disputing that it was) I think Gerrard should have been carded too)). Anyhow, would be astounded if we were to go on and win the league regardless of how much hyperbole Sky throw at it "AND THE RACE IS RIGHT BACK ON!!!!!1", but I would be pleasantly astounded and at least we're in contention, sort of. Think Liverpool should be good for 4th too, started to play as well as they should lately. Hope they get it anyway, only real threat is Man City I reckon; Villa and Spurs are a still a little bit lightweight.

On Arsenal's obvious deficiencies, looks quite certain we've got Chamakh which might be a good signing- I know absolutely nothing about him so whether or not he'll provide a bit more physicality up front or just more of the same, I dunno. Rumours flying around that Wenger made a last minute effort to buy a new goalkeeper too so odds on he'll conclude that process in the summer. I'm one of the few Arsenal fans who was of the opinion that Almunia is not all that bad, Given, Reina and Cech better than him in the league I'd have argued, but this past while he's been diabolically poor. Pulled off a great save tonight but he's a massive liability, even Drogba's second on Sunday could have been saved by a Shay Given or whoever. Which, assuming we do bring in Chamakh and a proper keeper, just leaves an experienced midfielder and maybe another centre half. I don't think we're a million miles away from Chelsea and actually pretty close to Man Utd, though it is sickeningly frustrating when we get routinely hammered in the head to heads, we just need a few changes and to be a little better generally. I don't believe that Fabregas is leaving in the summer either, for the record. Praying he isn't anyway and I'm an atheist!

You know what, I wrote up a nice detailed post yesterday only to be told the server was too busy to post it, at which point my post disappeared. Wank.

In summary:


Thought we deserved a point
Babel's crossbar shot was very unlucky
Howard Webb must have been on crack / he knew he gave gerrard a soft free kick and couldn't justify giving a justifiable penalty afterwards
I still think we'll take 4th spot

Howard Webb must have been on crack

Maybe the single worst refereeing display I've seen in a Premier League game since Uriah Rennie was in his prime.

Never say that football and love can't share a moment on Valentines Day.

Peter Drury and Jim Beglin commenting on the number of Spurs fans that travelled from North London to attend their Valentines Day FA Cup tussle with Bolton;

Peter: "There'll be plenty of broken relationships in North London today - "Sorry love. Football." Did your other half at least get breakfast in bed, Jim?"

Jim: "Unfortunately, no. I've booked a table for tonight though. Shame she doesn't like snooker."

And just while i'm on with a quotin' post, here's a stormer from Liam Gallagher on Ferguson.

"Yeah, I love the scarf. Mancini's got style. Unlike Taggart from across the road. He's a good manager but he looks like a dustbin man."

Some might say...

The snooker table one is very good, Minty.

A lot of injuries going into the game tonight but I don't reckon Porto are that great anyway, languishing a fair way behind Benfica and Braga at the minute. I'd be more worried about these injuries carrying through to the Sunderland game at the weekend and more worryingly the Stoke game at the Britannia on the 27th. As it's in Oporto I think a draw's likely tonight with us beating them in the return leg. Could be a very nervy second leg if we lose tonight though ;(

sorry moss

FABIANSKI WHAT A JOKE

Aw, don't get me started, what a fucking idiot. I thought Campbell was very good though, not his fault the keeper is a moron.

Well, who would have thought a dour, unimaginative nil nil away from home eh? Happy with a point, the fat clown piped up.

Pathetic. I have yet to watch Liverpool this season and at any point see the side that has the audacity to call itself one of the big four.

Arsenal were a wounded animal and we would have only been four points behind if we'd gone there and really got into them. Then if we rocked up at City with the same attitude, we'd put their game in hand out of the picture and really send out a statement that we're looking up not down.

But no. Let's play about seven defensive minded players and try to eek out as many nil nil draws away from home as we can. Where's the rampant reds we saw last year? And he and anyone else can piss off with the Alonso/Torres and Gerrard not playing together bullshit.

We had similar problems with their injuries last year (which he didn't address by strengthening in the break) and Aquilani is now fully fit to replace Alonso. So what's the excuse? Utter tedium and possible some of the least creative performances from any club in the league this season. The other nineteen clubs must be looking at us and wondering just exactly what the big deal is.

Sorry if this post is rather unstructured, but after the Wolves game I thought my anger had reached its pinnacle. I am seething. After this, the Arsenal, and that bloody gimmie at HOME against some tinpot Romanian outfit, I'd just like to say FUCK YOU. Fuck the lot of you.

Seriously, worst Liverpool team and manager for a long time. I've checked out of the season now. Couldn't give a shit. They can finish ninth for all I care.

Last post from me until the world cup now. Thanks Rafa. Thanks Gillett. Thanks Hicks. Way to ruin football for me.

Hey, look on the bright side, you'll definitely still have a team to support in a couple of months.

I think my optimism about the pool stems from the fact that I rarely get to actually watch the matches on TV anymore because of the time difference. If I had to watch that dour shite every saturday I'd probably do myself in.

Shitty situation regarding pompey, tc. It seems like every time old 'arry leaves you lads in the lurch things take a drastic mickey dive.

p.s. can we forget about whatever we owe you for glen johnson?

I have got no idea what's happened to Glen Johnson, to be honest, because he'd learnt to defend by the time we sold him. Evidently he has forgotten!

I'd say Pompey will go to the wall before the season's end. It's the unfortunate consequence of poor fiscal management and a Premier League fit and proper persons test that is neither fit nor proper. It's going to happen to more and more clubs throughout the league system and probably the Premier League too in the not too distant future.

Without trying to brag, Arsenal are the only club with a sustainable business model in all of the Premier League. The examples the experts love to point to of well-run clubs, such as Fulham and Everton, aren't in any immediate danger, granted, but they are increasing their debt year on year and I can't remember how many mortgages Everton have out on Goodison but it's at least 3.

The financial shape of football in Europe is a joke, completely out of touch with reality and unsustainable, and the Premier League is the architect of much of that, first by taking Murdoch's money for TV rights and more recently by opening the floodgates to foreign investment.

Right now the only 2 clubs in the world on a par with the Premier League "big 4" are Barcelona and Madrid- I'd actually argue that they are the 2 best clubs in the world with the "big 4" right now fitting in between 3rd and 6th- and both of those clubs also have colossal debt. Platini talks the talk regarding sorting football's finances out but his rhetoric has yet to achieve any tangible progress and, at the end of the day, the buck stops with the individual clubs.

There's at least half a dozen clubs on the precipice of extinction and, whilst the consequences are dire for the fans of those clubs, the net effect has at least been to frighten some sense into everyone else as the spending in the January window showed as has loaning players becoming en vogue amongst Europe's elite.

From a purely selfish point of view, I hope Pompey last at least until the end of the season because if they go before that their results will be expunged and Chelsea will be at a 3 point advantage over Arsenal and United because they've only played them once so far. But yeah, the Premier League is the greatest competition in the world? Fuck off Barwick.

No-one's immune, to be honest, even Arsenal if the debts get called in - however unlikely that might be, sooner or later what happened to us will happen to Villa, or to Wigan, or to anyone else when the benefactor gets bored. Money is destroying English football because too many people seem to think that it's either possible to make money out of it or that there is an unlimited supply of wealthy people waiting to throw their money into some small- to mid-sized club or that it is in any way reasonable to pay someone �120,000 a week basic wage. Manchester United and Liverpool owe �1bn between them (18 Premier League clubs excluding Portsmouth and West Ham owe a combined total of about �3.5bn, 56% of all football debt in Europe's top divisions). To put that into context, King's Lynn FC were wound up in last November with debts of �77,000. Call me whatever but I don't think it's right that football clubs are dying because they owe the same amount that Ashley Cole earns in 5 days.

Financial attitudes in the West need to change dramatically. Unfortunately, greed seems to be the worse of all the human qualities and even a world wide recession won't stop the wealthy from wringing as much fame and fortune out of an entity as possible whilst not lifting a finger as it cripples into oblivion under the weight of the debt levied against it.

Hell, when I was taught accountancy at college not two years ago, it was against the law if an entity wasn't maximising shareholders wealth, regardless of how irresponsible it goes about achieving it. And even the 'debt is good' attitude is still the norm. In a GLOBAL recession. Old money and classs musn't be affected because the people in power really don't seem to give a fuck.

I still maintain no football club or business for that matter should 'live beyond it's means'. I try not too. Tempting to go out and buy a new car, new tv, extend the house, but hey - I CAN'T AFFORD IT. So how's about we stop the ridiculous transfer amounts, can the sugar daddies with debt to levy and go back to only paying out what we have rolling through the door.

And I agree with TC. Clubs going under to the tune of �75,000 compared with �1 billion is disgusting. Surely, someone has that amount in their back pocket. But as always, 'what's in it for MEEEE?' I hate rich people.

I'm absolutely horrified with what happened to Rambo yesterday and think Wenger is well within his rights to say it is no coincidence. I'm sure Shawcross didn't mean to break anyone's leg and is as upset by what happened as much as the next man, probably much more so, but to say it was merely "mistimed" is a gross understatement. The ball was on the ground, Shawcross' foot was halfway up Ramsey's calf and with the velocity Shawcross lunged in with it was a challenge bound to cause damage and fully deserving of the red card.

It all boils down though to technically inferior teams thinking that the best way to take on Arsenal is to play physically and it's a disgrace. For one thing it's a myth, Arsenal have had by far the best record of the big four this season against the weaker teams. It's why they're 3 points behind with 10 games to go despite having been brushed aside twice by United and Chelsea, because they can cope with the physical game.

How is it right that a 19 year old boy, 23 days younger than me, should have his leg held together by a sock because the best strategy the opposition can come up with is too "rough them up" a bit. I have been saying all season that I think Ramsey will be the best player in the world, without any hint of hyperbole, but such a badly broken league at a formative time in his career could mean he never achieves the same level as he is at today again, never mind developing still further.

One positive I can take from yesterday is the reaction of the team. In stark contrast to the game at Birmingham in 2008, which basically marked the implosion of our title push, it seemed to galvanise us and we pushed on well to get the points. I'd love for us to go on and win the league now, for Rambo, and it's not just wishful thinking either, we're in an incredible position to do it.

I feel sick and upset by the whole thing but we're going to win the league now and it'll be for Ramsey. There's other Arsenal things I'd like to write about, most notably the spectacular financial report for the last year, but now is not the time. Best of luck, Aaron.

Ramsey out, thats wales fucked.

Dammit!

Can I just say: Play up Pompey, Pompey play up!

No? Well, I'm gonna say it anyway!!!

Excellent result yesterday, my theory that we're going to basically fluke the FA Cup grows stronger by the day.

christ

even since jose took over, chelsea do have some easy draws in the fa cup.

stoke put city and arse out and haven't turned up today.

god i hate chelsea.

i was there sat just a bit right of the corner flag in front of lampard when he celebrated, good game :D shame i cant find any highlights dunno if i was on tv :(

Liverpool done well tonight.

As much as I like Rafa and would have loved for him to have returned us to our glory years, I cannot imagine a scenario where that will now take place.

The players' lack of belief and drive stems from the man himself, directly or indirectly. For whatever reason, it now seems that he has lost the locker room, and barring a miracle, that spells the end.

The real question is, who in their right mind would want to come in and take over? The squad is more or less there, but without any funds to really speak of, it's going to be hard going finding any takers. Old guss would be top of the list, naturally.

Now it's all really going to come down to finishing 4th. If we don't, Rafa will have no choice but to walk. If we do, the Yanks can't afford to sack him, and the man himself will not walk.

As miserable as Arsenal make me sometimes, tonight was a great example of why any of us follow football. What a great feeling after watching them put in a shift like that.

Niklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott have both been in improving form of late, and I am amongst their harshest critics, but the whole team played well tonight. Porto are no big catch, if we couldn't get by them we wouldn't have deserved a spot in the last 8, but the performance was incredibly heartening.

I think Arsenal are probably the 5th best team in the world right now after United, Chelsea, Madrid and Barca, and all those teams stand in our way with regards silverware this season so I can't see us winning anything, but we are incredibly close right now to being the best again like in 03-04. So much hinges on Cesc staying this summer, and I honestly think he will, but though his departure would be a setback the squad is so much stronger that I think we'd be able to absorb it and use the 50+ million to bring in a few players.

And whilst we have consistently produced good players through the academy, they've tended to be of the level of a mid-table side- e.g. Muamba, Larsson, Aliadiere etc.- and not of Arsenal standards. There's some fantastic youngsters on the horizon right now though, some of the best prospects in the world I'd say. Everyone knows about Wilshere and Rambo but then there's Gibbs too, a brilliant prospect at left back, Szczesny, who has the potential to be the greatest keeper in the world apparently- and that's been a problem position since Lehmann left- Nordtveit is receiving rave reviews as a centre-half in Germany, and we've got Djourou there too who's broken his leg, and most exciting of all would have to be Wellington. Won't sign officially until next January when he turns 18, but he looks to have it all. Scored 4 in a game when on trial and on his first team debut for Fluminese recently he came on for the last 20 minutes, scored one and made an assist. I am hopeful that for 3.5m Wellington will be as big a coup as Kaka' was for Milan, but time will tell.

Anyway, all in all, happy times to be supporting Arsenal.

As for Liverpool, I don't see them making 4th now and don't see Rafa walking either, not when he stands to make 15m from waiting it out.

I love the use of Kaka'

reminds me of PES

Ha, I'd always thought that that was the correct way to spell it thanks to Pro Evo, good going Konami. I wish Pro Evo was still actually good, Fifa has definitely been the better game when it comes to on the field play for the past 3 years but its management mode hasn't a patch on the Master League and it's always full of bugs. I still play PES5 on the PS2 quite a bit, such halcyon days.

this time last year we were beating real madrid 5-0 on aggregate.

new low.

All the more fucking mind blowing, isn't it? I mean, we're essentially the same team plus or minus a few faces. You really wonder where the piss it all went sour.

On a side note, whatever manager eventually comes in is gonna have to take a serious look at the captaincy of the club. For all of Gerrard's fantastic talents, leadership is not one of them. He can score a goal from nowhere to save the day, but rallying the troops when we're down isn't what he does best. I say take the pressure off the lad's shoulders and let him get on with his game. Let Reina or Mascherano, someone with 100% constant commitment take a crack at it.

I was supporting Liverpool yesterday. I definitely thought they wouldn't lose before the match, a draw being the minimum they'd accept, but they were very disappointing. Other than the goal the only opportunity I can think of was Torres' scuffed shot that Benayoun got a head on, it was a very timid display all in all. A former Liverpool player in Diouf done us a huge favour though in helping Blackburn to a draw, good lad.

Oh, no no no. Haven't you heard? It was all deh big bad wefewee's fawlt



Cunt.

Hahaha, that should be QOTM. But man, I can definitely appreciate Liverpool fans' frustration after yesterday.

I think it's pretty funny that Torres' scuff came from the ball not bouncing right for him. Anyone else pick up on where he was standing? Right around where he had booted the spot when Rooney was about to take his pen. KARMA IS A BITCH?????

I think it was an ok game to watch. I had a great time but I always do when i go to Old Trafford. But as football goes, it was pretty average. Just a case of one side being more up for it than the other, in my opinion. Liverpool just don't look like they want to play for Benitez anymore.

I'm just glad the title race is so intense. Having 3 teams in there (and well done to Arsenal for being there) makes it all the more enjoyable to watch unfold.

I was at last weekends game against Fulham too. And I was begging for park to be brought on. I have been saying for so long that he should be starting more often. Against Fulham we were constantly trying the short passing, trying to walk the ball to the net. But Fulham play so tight and bring everyone back when teams attack that we were struggling to get through. Park comes on an changes the game. He is great at seeking out the through balls and making the annoying runs that mess defenses up. He is, and has been for some time, my favourite United player at the moment. (Rooney is a given. The man is a god) He did have a bad first half on Sunday, but made up for it in the second half.

Park/Fletcher/Carrick/Nani < This should be our starting midfield every game.



Oh, and fuck Rio. The dirty keephimselffreshforworldcup twat.

Watching Barca-Osasuna atm. Unless there's a goal in the next 15 seconds it'll be 0-0 at half-time. Arsenal will destroy these charlatans.

Also: just went half-time, 0-0.

Well, we certainly didn't deserve to win that one. As much as it pains me to say, it looks as if the mancs are hitting form at the right time. I think they may just sneak the title by a lone point.

As far as fourth goes, I still have a feeling we might take it, but it might even come down to goal difference. Bluenoses did us a favor beating city, and the rest of the pack seem (on paper at least) to have a harder run of fixtures than us. We'll essentially have to win every game from now until the end though, with the exception of maybe dropping two points against the chavs.

so.. man utd.. lol

Good game for the real team in blue today. Especially seeing as half of my mates (and my brother) are Spurs fans. I'll be mocking them for weeks over this...

Seriously though, the last twenty minutes were tense. I have no fingernails left...

As for Chelsea in the final... I'm not going to put it past Avram Grant to get the players fired up ready for it. He's got a point to prove after getting the boot from them. And it's a nice little story of Rags Vs Riches, in a way.

David James does seriously need to wear a less outrageous top though... Pink just doesn't work.

we're going to fluke the cup, it's written in the stars!

Not at all happy with what happened today, it was an absolute disgrace.

I'm not a member of 606 but I do frequent the Arsenal board to get a sense of the mood of the fans and, through the multitude of shite and sprinkling of worthwhile posts, I never fail to be amused by the stupidity of the fans calling for Wenger to go. He is the most successful manager in the club's history and has overseen the transformation of Arsenal from a club of comparable, and certainly not inconsiderable, standing to say Spurs or Everton into a team which will henceforth always be among the elite of Europe, not to mention the new stadium, the fantastic brand of football we are now synonymous with, shrewd transfer dealings or the fact we are the only club in the league that lives within our means. We have paid off two-thirds of our stadium debt in just 4 seasons and as money has been tight Wenger has been able to keep the team competitive while season on season our best players have been poached. We can't consider ourselves to be amongst the very biggest clubs in Europe at this moment, there's no denying that, but without Wenger we might have collapsed completely. So anyway, it is no surprise that after today's defeat every third post on 606 seems to be calling for a new manager or that if we just spent 100m on 11 new players we might be competitive. However, there are serious issues that do need addressing at the club and hopefully today will really be the motivation necessary for that to happen.

There have been a lot of disappointing results this season, United and Chelsea have both recorded doubles over us and the only game of the four in which we even gave a bit of a fight was the first match against United. Barcelona ripped us to pieces and the 6-3 aggregate doesn't really do justice to just how much better they were over the two legs. Spurs beat us for the first time in 10 years and I still can't understand why we played a weakened side against a solid Stoke outfit in the FA Cup which was a decision that carried a heavy price. However, in all of the above, I have never doubted the player's commitment. Chelsea, United and Barca are all so much better than us and there's absolutely no shame in losing to them, Spurs are vastly improved under Harry and other games where we've dropped points against weaker opposition are inevitable over 38 games, so no sense crying over Sunderland or West Ham or Birmingham either.

But what happened today was different in that the players were a total disgrace and badly let down the manager and supporters. Wigan didn't really improve in the last 20 minutes, through sheer incompetence we handed them the win. Fabianski was distraught after the second goal, which he might as well have kicked in himself if you haven't seen it, so I'm not questioning his desire but the simple fact is he can't hack it at this level. He can fuck off. Merida too, Atletico are welcome to him. 8m for Eduardo is very generous and as for Walcott and Vela, they've probably earned another season to show that they've got what it takes. I do appreciate that the starting line-up today was missing 8 of our best 11, but it doesn't make what happened any more excusable.

We're a great, great club and have a great future ahead of us but we do need to lose the dead weight that would never be anywhere near a United or Chelsea squad and bring in the necessary quality to take us to the next level this summer. If we do that, and I am optimistic that it will happen, I'd say we will take some stopping on course for the league next year.

Christ, thank god that season is dead and buried. What a rancid dog turd it has been. The quality has been way down in comparison to recent seasons, and I reckon that accurately reflects the fact that the big teams really struggled to make the impression in Europe which we have become accustom to in recent years. Or perhaps i'm just smarting a bit from our house of sand finally collapsing all around our glorious, burger munching leaders.

Thank the good (he's imaginary, don't you know) Lord the World Cup will sooth the pain in my saddened, financially betrayed heart. The Don announces his provisional 30 in the morrow, I'm reliably told. I'll kick off with mine, see what's what;

Keepers: Green, Hart, Robinson, Kirkland
Full Backs: G. Neville, Johnson, Baines, A. Cole, Warnock/Konchesky/Brown
Centre Backs: Ferdinand, Terry, King, Dawson, Jagielka
Central Midfield: Barry, Hargreaves, Lampard, Gerrard, Carrick
Wide Midfield: Young, Lennon, Walcott, Milner, J. Cole
Strikers: Defoe, Bent, Rooney, Crouch, Heskey, Zamora

On a side note, do you guys think that England have a good chance to win the World Cup this year? To be fair since World Cup 98 they have done poor. Personally, I think they have a stronger team. What do you guys think?

I'm 100% convinced Arsenal will win the league next season. Finally looks like we're going to address the weakest areas of the team and we're also essentially debt-free now, our only repayments at this stage works out basically as a mortgage on the Emirates equivalent to the revenue of 8 home matches per season. I read that Liverpool had to guarantee the Premier League they'd be able to fulfill their fixtures next season, United are the most indebted club in the world and Chelsea and Man City are propped up by billionaire owners, which puts Arsenal's financial position in perspective and vindicates Wenger's approach these past few years.

I reckon England have perhaps the third strongest team going to South Africa after Brazil and Spain but that both of those teams are well ahead of everyone else. It's a cup competition though in essence so England certainly have a chance.

Just a quick note to say congratulations to Blackpool, my local side, for getting themselves into a position where they're just 90 minutes away from the Premier League. A trip to Wembley for the good lads of Minty's army beckons, I daresay.

Incredible to think that four seasons ago they were just another also-ran in League One. Thanks to Grayson for sorting them out, but boo to him for bailing. And Ollie...man you have proved me and so many Tangerines at work wrong. Corking stuff. To do Forest in their own back yard when they've only lost once at home in 20 games sums up just how unreal this side is at the moment.

Come on the Pool!

I guess he's a troll/spammer :| Don't mean to interfere. What in the world does " I don't Garamond is coming" mean?

In any case, season has been a real joke. I expected alot more from Liverpool but just doesn't seem to be happening.

Holloway is an excellent manager, really, and I'm glad he's showing the world that now. When he left Plymouth Argyle I know a lot of the fans were upset - nearly everyone I know in fact - and the way he conducted himself then was awful but the difference since he left does show his quality I think. It's different for more dyed-in-the-wool Argyle fans I guess but I'm happy for him.

Last ever BBC Sport quotes of the week apparently: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chrischarles/2010/05/quotes_of_the_week_24.html

I find that very frustrating. I suppose it's all part of the BBC's scaling back of services but how expensive could it have been to keep? I'll miss it next season, always entertaining.

90 million pound for blackpool fair play great game, better than the champs league final i thought

Blackpool! Premiership. :cheers:

Absolutely unreal. I started toddling along to watch them some time during the 1992/3 season when the stadium was like a dustbins worst nightmare, the team played about as well as a cardboard hydraulophone and the most exciting moments were when the fans could give the ball back and make comments to (the relatively new influx of) foreign players, such as 'just wait until it gets cold, sweetheart'.

And this is probably what makes the moment all the more difficult to take in. I was there, in case you were wondering. Travelled down by car and soaked up all twelve hours and 400 miles in the baking heat. The atmosphere was more intoxicating than I could put into words. To casually drop into Warwick services on a whim and a full bladder, only for your eyes to cast unbelievably over the sea of tangerine before you like a post Dutch world cup schmoke party was one of several highlights on a day of disbelief and magic.

Rather than going into Samuel Pepys mode for the 606 generation, I shall quickly tell you how the most terrifying incident of the day went down. At the aforementioned services, we felt slightly under dressed without a hint of tangerine donning our person (I had warned against it as we were parking in Harrow and Undergrounding it three stops to the Way), and hastily purchased scarves from a jolly baghead outside the BurgerBucks.

Fast forward an hour or so and to four lads cautiously crawling into the Harrow tube station amidst a sea of Blue and Yellow skinheads with three teeth and even more tattoo's and issues. If the reverberating and emphatic chanting wasn't bad enough, an ill-adviced Met Policeman, who today is sharing his bed with a horses head, informed us that the trivial smattering of seasiders were to get on the last carriage to avoid a verbal pounding.

Unfortunately, we were greeted by a heat-enraged mass of guts and songs, and a sage drunk who immediately hastened us to hide our colours with the expressed reason that there were a 'bunch of nutter in this carriage'. I have never squeezed anything below my backside so tightly as I did at this moment (quote and joke opportunity here). As we stood back to back and politely smiled asthe 'England is full of shit, shit and more shit' chants unfolded, I can confirm that this three stop journey on the Met line is significantly longer than any of Kerouac's cross country jaunts.

After what seemed like an eternity, we were freed from our silver prison and spilled out onto the platform and down the historic Wembley Way. And yet, no violence and no trouble throughout our time at the ground. Bizarre, given our experience over the last twenty minutes.

The sight from here on in was worth the admission fee, and then some. Wembley's simple yet huge and effective layout impressed me from the off, and after taking out seats the day unfolded before us like one of the great heroic novels. To come back not once but twice and within five minutes each time was hugely impressive, but to stun the Welsh on the stroke of half time, only to comically nearly conceed from the kick off was testiment to Blackpool spirit of pluck and adventure.

The second half was merely a war of attrition. The pitch side temperature was noted at over 100^oF and with the turf cutting up badly, both teams suffered. But Cardiff, who I have to say were so effective going forward in the opening 45, ran out of ideas and, eventually, time.

And as we stood while the remaining ten minutes ticked away, the whistle blew and the ending of the story was finally penned for all of history, the amazement of what the players had achieved echoed all around the East side of Wembley. For those of us who dared to dream and whispered in hushed tones that the team we had watched all those years ago might achieve the unthinkable, it just would not sink in; the Blacksmith is finally marrying the princess. The dragon has been slain by the outlawed peasant. And Blackpool FC are in the Premier League.

http://www.ericmackonline.com/ica/blogs/emonline.nsf/dx/20050704Fireworks.gif/$file/20050704Fireworks.gif

GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8719210.stm)

Watched every game so far and am delighted that one of them has finally been good, the Germans were terrific. Argentina played in fits too but Germany put in a complete performance. Of the other big sides to have played, both England and France were fairly dire. Looking forward to seeing the Dutch tomorrow.

Overall though, it's been an excruciating exhibition of football and it seems everyone is unanimous in their dislike of the vuvuzela.

England were quite horrible.

Poor Aussies, got raped by Germans.

aussies played good too tho
but yeah i dunno why people expected a diff outcome

The cuckoo clock with a left hook right into the paella.

Mexico kicked French butt.

siiiiiiiii

Not exactly surprising with what was going on with the French, I guess Karma exists.

I think England are going the same way personally, even if they did get through, they're played poorly against teams like Algeria and USA, what's gonna happen if they come up against Portugal or Argentina?

Usually they do tend to raise their game against the better sides. In particular teams like Algeria usually try to frustrate the bigger sides and then nick one on the break late on. And like several other sides, England struggle with breaking these teams down and getting into a natural rhythm. The weight of expectation and media furore can't be used as an excuse, but for a B+ side, it must be fairly exhaustible.

The level of effort has been appalling though. Good they showed their arse a bit more against Slovenia, and quite unlucky not to hit 3 or 4. Pity USA grabbed the late goal to push them into second.

But then they've only got themselves to blame really. You couldn't ask for (on paper) an easier passage to the semi finals. A straight forward group (draw-win-win), Ghana or Serbia, and then Uruguay or Korea. But to not top this group is a really poor showing by England. We're not alone in walking a tightrope in a reasonable group, but no excuses now. We must build on this performance, pass it at pace and believe.

Come on.

I watched England-Slovenia in a beer garden in central London. You guys love England a lot.

A large proportion of us wants to see the national team perform well, probably because we love our football and our national league. But please do not lump us all in with drunk cockerknees.

Haha, I wasn't really trying to say that anyway. I am not into the whole ABE thing, but I definitely don't support England either, and I was still able to enjoy the atmosphere of hundreds of people getting behind their team and drinking Beck's in the Sun!

Just as an aside, why all this talk about goal-line technology / video replays is silly (http://www.twohundredpercent.net/?p=5071). Simply impossible to implement fairly.

I don't get why we need excessively expensive 'technology' to do the job. Rugby League seems to manage just fine with referring the incident to the camera's at the game. Why can't we just settle with that? Every game has a fourth official and every game has some sort of camera, even if it's just for the shitty season video.

FIFA are a ridiculous pile of ties, brandy and tutting. Just like every other committee ever created.

Plus, if the sodding goal HAD been given, we might have been spared the fallout of people waking up and realising that perhaps we really aren't as good as we might think.

I don't agree that just because technology can't be implemented at every level it shouldn't be introduced at all. Both Hawk-Eye and Cairos have said they will foot the bill for installation of the technology so the point about lower league clubs being unable to afford it is moot to an extent, I feel. I can appreciate that Hawk-Eye would be fairly unwieldly to introduce at every stadium but the technology behind Cairos is very simple and could be installed much more cheaply which is important seeing as if FIFA do opt for either Cairos would appear to be their favoured option. Not that I think technology will be introduced in the vague overhaul that has been promised, more likely to persist with the goal-line assistant shit for a bit longer.

In the interests of fairness I can see no reason not to embrace technology. It may create two tiers of refereeing but the same is true of cricket, rugby and tennis already. Wimbledon only has Hawk-Eye on the first 3 courts, if I recall correctly, and I don't view that as a reason to abandon technolgy but as an inevitable constraint.

They will install it for free at Premier League level only. I still feel the argument regarding cup ties is compelling. Not everyone in the sport has the money to spend on expensive equipment, particularly at a time when record numbers of clubs are going under. Unless it is mandatory for everyone (impractical) 'fairness' dictates that it should be used by no-one.

I humbly offer the completely uninformed input from a rank amateur. I am not familiar with the goal monitoring systems being proposed. As an outside view however, I can explain how they handle the system in the NFL. (The issue I assume being, has the ball crossed the goal line without being caught, blocked, etc.) Now, while the rules of the games are quite different, they have similar issues in terms of determining the exact combination of ball position and player action.
Okay, instead of a complex, expensive, dedicated system that only works for checking the validity of goals, they use cameras already in place for television coverage. Any match of size should have that. The broadcaster places at least one camera exactly on each goal line. (Sometimes on each side.) In the normal course of coverage, they're picking up the goal shots anyway.
When there is a dispute, here's what they do: A disputing team can ask for a review. the referee reviews the footage from as many angles, as many times as they want. Unless there is clear evidence of an error, the ruling stands.
In the old days, this use to be an excuse for teams to stop the clock during a drive, stretching games to insane lengths. In frustration, the league banned replays. After a few years of blatantly blown calls, it came back with a twist. If a team asks for a review, and they lose, they suffer a penalty. In the NFL, that's loss of a timeout. (And if you run out of timeouts, you can't ask for any reviews.) I don't know what the football equivalent would be-- a card, maybe?
It's simple, it doesn't require any new technology, the bigger events already have the equipment and it works. It's been in use for several years now with no complaints.

My apologies if I am either out of line, speaking out of turn, or restating points that have already been covered.

Go Eagles,
JonC

My beautiful thread is still up top. Thanks mostly to Mandi, but also to Sarah for allowing it.

Hi Minty.

When the day is dawning.
On a Scousers Monday Morning.
How I long to be there.
The bottom three is waiting for me there.

All around the city.
Where I lay my hat.
They say thanks to Torres.
The useless Spanish twa-at.

Is this the way to relegation?
The laughing stock of the nation.
Dreaming dreams of trips to Preston
Days out at Barnsley wait for me.

---------- Post added at 06:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:05 PM ----------

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/spearminty/65113_159431550752491_148949921800654_406866_38109 25_n.jpg

I'm not sure I want to be on that band wagon yet, but judging by where we are in the league, the idea is crawling in.

Wow a thread dedicated to footie?

Good times, I'm a Liverpool supporter by the way. :)

i am posting on this thread to claim the last posted spot for the next month...
VICTORY!!!

Denied.

Ps Mike Ashley is a cunt.

Why is this still sticky?

Mike Ashley is an idiot. I feel sorry for all Newcastle fans out there.

If you are not a citizen of the U.S. you will need to provide citizenship statue to the Canadian Embassy and apply for a student visa and if you would like to work you will need a working permit/visa as well.

There are all kinds of rules and you will need to make an appointment with the the Canadian Embassy - but you can do this from where you already are.

Just to bump this, Southend beat Macclesfield 4-1 the other night. I was at the game.

We thumped you Northern bastards. Just so you know.

I hope Minty et al are still around.

for a thread made sticky cause of its poplarity, this sure is a dead thread...

I think it's because Minty et al are not around anymore.

Oh no no. What are you doing Fernando!? Please, please, please don't do this. Not now! I beg of you, no! For chr...

Wait, who's that walking toward me? Suarez and Carroll?

.....

Yeah, fuck off Fernando.

Ps parp parp

Snigger. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9385584.stm)

Torres who? ;)

just saw this...hopefully the football fans come around next season, im a huuuuuge football, and rare for me to find gamers who actualy enjoy it at my lvl, although im starting to find them more and more.

Who do you support Inglorion? :)

What you are about to read is the misunderstanding of this thread...i didnt read it, but just assumed it was american football. if you dont like american football, then what i said doest matter to you lol. as for the football i think this thread was meant for. im also a huge fan, just due to timezone, im at work during the games =/, and dont hvae a particular favorite. but enjoy just watchin a good match.

also, i would like to point out that after seeing "who do you support inglorion" over and over, i realized, "this isnt how a NFL fan would ask this kind of question", which led me to read some of the older posts, my apologies =)



as far as NFL teams go...well, this is hard to explain cuz i get alot of shit for it w/ out a little explanation.. so here we goo.

NFL. Patriots, a guy from my HS(a few years ahead of me) played for my favorite college...notre dame..then played for a team i already rooted for in the patriots, i was a big drew bledsoe fan. so obviously, i stayed a fan watching the Patriots and guy from my HS.

Next is the 49ers...also a fan(used to be alot bigger fan back w/ marriuchi (sp?) and merton hanks, ken nortan steve young, TO, you get my drift) but they are not on TV much anymore due to the fact i live in texas, and they suck now.

after that, its the cowboys(btw this was not in order) My dad has been a cowboys fan since the 70's, and part of the reason i went w/ niners early in life was b/c the rivalry was fun, and it provided great fun for me and him, after the niners sucked more, the boys were the primary team to watch in Texas.

in order now: Patriots, Cowboys, Niners.

as far as college...Texas(from here) Notre Dame, have been since i was 8, cried over many games here, and not sure what started it, and it definitely wasnt b/c of the movie rudy, didnt see that till later.


THENNNNN the school i played football for. Northwestern University in chicago. its a wonderful big 10 school, while we are not of the elites, we have been in some of the best football games college football has seen the last few years...beating Iowa in Iowa when they were undefeated lookin at National title game, we held them on 4downs from the 4yrd line. taking Auburn 1 year before they won nat champ game to double overtime. you get the idea. we are a good team. and we play some exciting games.

Aha, nevermind then ;)

Hey Biscuits.

I hear your boys are having a good week.

Three-asy.

Great result for Liverpool yesterday, I am a happy Kopite :D

I hope Arsenal can get a run of results going now, and take the title. Althogh if I were a betting man I wouldn't predict it to happen. We can still hope though :)

Man, I think Chelsea could shock us all and turn it on it's head yet again.

I've been saying to all my scum-following friends that they shouldn't be resting on their laurels just yet as they had to play Chelsea twice and visit the Emirates and Anfield. And look how it's playing out.
The great thing about United is how they'll just keep going and even when they're not great, if the opposition wobbles ever so slightly they'll pounce and take their chance. And that's what has happened all season. I just think this week they've been found out a bit.

It's way way the most vulnerable United team in about a decade and they'll really need to rebuild in the summer. As long as Fergie is in charge they'll still have that resilience but if they don't get a lot of new blood in sooner rather than later, I can see a repeat of Liverpool in the 90's where all the stars fell off their perch at once and left us baron for two decades. Hilarious for us I suppose, but if i'm honest I'd rather see United and Arsenal up there than 'money can buy me love' teams like Chelsea and City.

Anyway, Arsenal have proven yet again that they'll bottle it if given a sniff and City seem content to ensure they finish in the top 4 rather than risk a blood and thunder title charge. So Chelsea could quite easily sneak up and mug it at the death. United - Chelsea at the Theatre of Prawns looks even more ominous now.

Ps- gutted that Blackpool are on the skids. My poor little home town team are looking a decent bet for the Championship now. But I'm so proud of how they've gone about their business this season. And they've amassed 30 more points than most scoffing cunts predicted. Never thought i'd see the day when i'd be reading their name along side to Liverpool and Uniteds. And let's face it, it'll probably be the last for a long while. But they've certainly given it their all and shown what heart and belief really can achieve, even at the very top level. Ditto Burnley. North West 4lyfe (and all that other redundant Gangsta shite).

United are just used to winning trophies so much that even when things aren't going in their favour they still feel the confidence. They almost feel like it's their destiny, similar to the great Liverpool years of the seventies and eighties. They're used to it. It's funny how psychology affects football matches.

There's still a chance for Blackpool, I mean they're not the strongest of teams but their spirit and passion is better than the likes of say Wigan and Birmingham. If a scrappy game occurs I'd find it difficult to see Blackpool not having a chance of picking up 3 points a few more times.

Blackpool haven't got the depth of squad to keep up with the Prem, which is why they have faltered since christmas. It's a shame because Holloway is a legend!

Just watched the mighty Man U demolish Shalke. The score could well have been 10 nill. Come on Barcelona we're waiting

Let's revive this with a healthy discussion about the World Snooker Championships!! Will the Pocket Dynamo Graeme Dott make a comeback against the young up and coming [face that needs a backhand] Judd Trump!??

Araid I'm not a big snooker fan. Used to be in the days of Jimmy 'Whirlwind' White and 'Hurricane' Higgins. but alas not any more.

So, erm, that Messi guy.. Pretty good eh?

not really. i think like most of the so called greatest players their role in the game is terribly overblown. xavi and iniesta are twice as good.

personally, i hate barcelona. like the fittest girl in the club, they fucking know just how great they are. and i very much enjoyed jose burying guardiola in the pre-match banter.

i actually hope united do them if they get to the final. that's how much i dislike them. of course, i hope rooney gets taken out at the knee in the process, bu there we are.

We will get past Schalke but when we run into Barca I'm pretty sure we are going to run over. Only way we have a chance is if we play our best possible. Like we did against Schalke on Tuesday, only better. And we need Barca to be on a bad day.

I'd put my money on Barca winning the Champions League. I think they have the psychological edge, I think they have the all-round better squad (especially in midfield), and most importantly, Messi just can't stop kicking that ball in the net.

GLORY GLORY MAN UTD!!!

GLORY GLORY MAN UTD!!!

I concur..

Liverpool fan here, wishing the Devils the worst next season :p

Johnny, did you by any chance used to frequent the BBC's 606 web page?

Hehe, no I didn't, I tend to use Yahoo for a lot of my football related stuff :)

Ah, no bother. I just saw in another thread you used the term 'WUM' which was very popular on 606.

I go on the official Liverpool FC forums and they use it a lot there ;)

Very likely a lot of those folks went on 606. Kind of all interweaved these football forums anyway.

Anyway, the Championship kicks off tomorrow and then the good stuff the following weekend. I've got a semi thinking about it.

TONIGHT ACTUALLY!

The mighty Blackpool kick off at Hull.

Ah! Consider myself corrected there Mr Mint. An awesome correction it is too. Viva la football.

anyone have a The Sun dream team?

Haven't bothered with any Fantasy teams this year, seriously couldn't be arsed. It's depressing enough being a Blackburn fan, never mind failing at Fantasy Football too.

I'm on the Official Premier League one, that's it :)

Wrong game... ;)

Mark Hughes is a moaning twat, i'm delighted for him.

What for? That was random, he's not even in management at the moment! :)

Barce won 5-0 against levante today! next week is the big game for us, if we loose then its gameover for us this season. i'm praying to god everyday.

Never say never with Barca, especially as it's so early in the season, but being 3 points behind and a game ahead of Real is a tough task. Good luck though. :)

This thread hasn't been posted in in over a year! I can't believe it's 6 years old too.

The whole forum is pretty dead nowadays though, shame really... :(

Yeah, it seems rather inactive. It was 95% complete shite being talked though to be honest. Hardly missing much.

Well I reckon Brighton VS Blackburn will be heavily debated in January. Game of the year, right Louis?

Well I reckon Brighton VS Blackburn will be heavily debated in January. Game of the year, right Louis?

Ouch :D

You missed the humour there John.

He's a Rover, she's a token Brighton supporter. It will be the game of the year when we go to see it together.

I was obligated to support them while their gigantic stadium was being built in my University campus! It's an impressive building which somewhat overshadows the collection of cardboard boxes where we learnt surrounding it, haha.

hullo dere bitches, what's up? long fuckin time since i posted here, jesus. place looks different.

i guess a lot's happened since i posted too eh? barcelona got pretty good, spain got pretty good too, chelsea won the champions league. lol.

how is everyone? mossy, minty, ceidwad? i see you're still here jarosik, there was the pompey supporter too, they've had a fuckin blast in the last 5 years haven't they.

faye, they built the amex in the uni? i like brighton, my friend studied there a few years ago and i loved it there whenever i visited him, always seemed a lot friendlier then london is. i like the team too, they've got a polish goalie, gus is the manager and they play nice stuff with people like mackail smith and buckley. the former's bicycle kick earlier in the season was a thing of beauty.

and blackburn, fuck. still, you've got nuno gomes there now, onwards and upwards eh.

does anyone actually like football anymore? i mean, even besides all the racism nastiness and the FIFA corruption mess, it's such a heirarchical business that now the pundits are getting wet and romantic about the victories of city and chelsea in the PL and the CL respectively last year. and i'm a chelsea fan too; although i fucking love last season and the fact that robbie and eddie got the management jobs for their troubles and we did get that cathartic end-of-the-journey european crown to go with another FA cup, if i try to look at it objectively, the real story of last season was APOEL nicosia, and the fact that even though the qualifying rounds for the CL have changed to allow teams like them, BATE, cluj etc. in more, there's still so much less chance of them ever actually winning now; the days of red star belgrade, or steaua bucharest or even a dutch club like PSV or ajax or perhaps porto or benfica from portugal going all the way and winning a european cup are well gone. more and more middle eastern oil barons, russian oligarchs, american franchise owners, chinese businessmen etc. keep buying clubs and FIFA and UEFA keep reinforcing the heirarchies of their competitions, like ending the cup winners cup, intertoto cup, UEFA cup etc. and ramming them all together, complete with a trickledown of champions league failures every season, and calling the under-rewarded, under-valued bottom-feeding monstrosity the europa league; it's still provided some great matches and stories in the last decade, but UEFA give CL qualifying losers and group stage failures a second chance in the EL every season, but even the winner of the EL doesn't get into the CL the following one, and the sponsorship and reward money disparity grows with every year.

so maybe it makes more sense to follow a lower league club, even though the gulf between the PL and the lower leagues is bound to increase with the truly insane TV deal that basically makes a single promotion worth so much that it could completely establish a club for decades to come, and therefore augment tiers of quality in english clubs, just because the PL is such big business; all this monetary bullshit pisses me off. we still have international football, but so many players get mysterious injuries for friendlies nowadays, an art perfected by the chelsea lot, barring perhaps lampard, which seems to indicate that many players are more concerned about their club careers.

blah blah, anyway hai, nice to see yous again shriners, peace x

Yeah it has changed. Does that dirty scouser Minty still post?

oh yeah, Will i should really post a decent response to all what you said. But instead i'll just say..

#RVP!!!!!!!!!

no idea, i haven't seen him around for a while, lol

and RVP, fair play, plenty of people slagged united off for paying however much they did, over 20 million right, for him when he'd spent 3 or 4 of his past 5 of 6 seasons at arsenal injured, but he'd obviously got over his injury problems last season and he's just been pure class this season; it just shows you that instead of worrying about future development potential, sell-on value, injury history blah blah, sometimes you should just sign A Fucking Classy Player.

i think that's what we did with ba and if chelsea can sort their shit out, just give it a rest with torres who's lost his own dead-eye strike and blistering pace and give ba their full confidence maybe he'll get 20+ a season. with the creativity the team is capable of now, it should be a dream situation for him. the club need to stop messing around with benitez running the team; i've nothing against him while he's with us unlike a lot of our fans, but i do think he's a tool and not a particularly inspiring manager. he had some outstanding success with liverpool in 05 and 06 with their champions league and FA cup wins, but he's stagnated horribly as a manager since then. it's a shocking situation right now though, as i don't see who would touch the managerial position with us now, even with the pay-off from a sacking. unless terry takes over...

Yeah it has changed. Does that dirty scouser Minty still post?

oh yeah, Will i should really post a decent response to all what you said. But instead i'll just say..

#RVP!!!!!!!!!

I guess I should post more and be all smug, seen as I called Benitez right all along.

Fat cunt.

And who gives a fuck about United, I mean really.

might as well be me to make the obligatory nod to Fergie.

also, Pompey are now fan-owned, hoping we can put the last four or five years behind us and start to rebuild at last.

hi topcat i like butts

Leeds United needs to get back to the Premiership

hey do you guys think that rg3 is the answer for the redskins these days

Michael Crabtree Was Accused of Rape - Not Guilty - just aNother example of the WHITE MAN trying to control the World

free aaron hernandez

As a Villa supporter I was dreading this season. No buyer for the club, little money available for transfers, hard-working but limited manager, hard-working but limited players. But the win away at Stoke was a nice surprise. And a decent point at home to Newcastle. Last season we'd probably have lost that. No shots on goal in the game is a worry though.