2009/2010 UK Football Season Thread

[charliepanayi]

Halfway through the season and inexplicably we're doing pretty well, despite cutting our throats against both Manchester sides and getting completely thumped at home by Chelsea. Considering what the situation was on 30th November I should be happy for now. Still don't see a title challenge materialising (thin squad, no Van Persie, dodgy goalie, Man Utd and Chelsea can't keep messing up like they have been through December) but what the hell, may as well enjoy it now before it all hits the skids.

[Old Manus]

http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00390/01Leeds_682x400_390871a.jpg

[Psychotic]

EDIT: oh. Thanks, United, for making us look better.

[Loony BoB]

I get the feeling that if I was a United fan for a little bit longer then the fact we lost to Leeds would be gutting, but I'm far more annoyed at getting knocked out of the cup, personally. Oh well, I guess we can focus more on the league and CL now, but eh. :(

[Rocket Edge]

It has become apparent that the FA Cup means less and less to United. A thing that highly annoys me, as I will always have a soft spot for it.

[Loony BoB]

How does it mean less and less? We put out a pretty damned strong team there, with the exception of maybe one or two players (Welbeck, possibly Gibson) and even those two still play in the league once in a while. On paper, we should have won. We underperformed in a pretty big way.

[Rocket Edge]

How does it mean less and less? We put out a pretty damned strong team there, with the exception of maybe one or two players (Welbeck, possibly Gibson) and even those two still play in the league once in a while. On paper, we should have won. We underperformed in a pretty big way.
This is my point. The desire to get it isn't like that way it used to be at all (memories of that semi-final with Arsenal in '99).

[charliepanayi]

How does it mean less and less? We put out a pretty damned strong team there, with the exception of maybe one or two players (Welbeck, possibly Gibson) and even those two still play in the league once in a while. On paper, we should have won. We underperformed in a pretty big way.
This is my point. The desire to get it isn't like that way it used to be at all (memories of that semi-final with Arsenal in '99).

To be fair, they won it in 2004, should have won it in 2005, made the final in 2007 and would have won it in 2008 if not for having 'one of those games' against Portsmouth. The FA Cup needed that result today though, without it this was shaping up to be the dullest 3rd Round ever.

Took some good substitutions to turn it around today - and we get rewarded with another Premiership side away! I'm not sure we'll manage to get past Stoke :(

[Psychotic]

Phil Dowd is as good as refereeing as Alberto Aquilani is at finding a team-mate.

[charliepanayi]

Are you kidding, that was a stonewall penalty! If that's what you're referring to.

So that's Chelsea winning the FA Cup then.

[Psychotic]

It wasn't stonewall (I've seen them given either way) and it wasn't what I was referring to anyway.

Also, terrible business with Togo. I feel so sorry for Adebayor and the rest of his team mates.

[Rocket Edge]

^ Same.

Question I've been wanting to ask the rest of you:

Which do you think was a greater achievement? Arsenal with their invincible season in 03-04, or Man U winning the Treble in 08-09?

[charliepanayi]

Arsenal of course ;)

You can make a case for either, I do know that it's very unlikely that either feat will be repeated - both require wacking great slices of luck at times amongst other things.

[Loony BoB]

I think at the time, they were both incredible on an equal level - although I do believe that the treble is the more likely one to be repeated. If you include foreign clubs, it already has been - Barca did the treble last season. I don't think unbeaten seasons will happen again but you never know for sure.

[Psychotic]

Don't you mean 98-99, Donal? :p If you asked me which I'd rather see Liverpool do, it'd be the treble, so that's the most impressive one to me. Apparently came very close to doing a treble in '77 but lost in the FA Cup final, and of course, it had to be to United! Oh well, not like any of us were alive then anyway :shobon:

[charliepanayi]

Aside from the aforementioned near-miss in 1977 Liverpool did do a Treble in 1984 - they won the League (completing a hat-trick of titles, only the third ever at the time), League Cup (which they won for the fourth year running) and European Cup. Not quite what Man Utd managed in 1999 but in 1984 the League Cup was still seen as a decent competition. Though they didn't win anything at all the next season!

Man Utd would have won the Treble in 2008 if they hadn't lost to Portsmouth in the FA Cup despite having about 30 shots to their 1 - thank god for Portsmouth being lucky is all I can say XD

[Rocket Edge]

Don't you mean 98-99, Donal? :p
:aimblush:

Man Utd would have won the Treble in 2008 if they hadn't lost to Portsmouth in the FA Cup despite having about 30 shots to their 1 - thank god for Portsmouth being lucky is all I can say XD
That is probably the most frustrating game of football in my memory, because when we did win the CL, the lingering thought of repeating the treble was only a game away - and I don't think Cardiff could have spoiled the party!

[charliepanayi]

My point exactly, Man Utd would have steamrollered West Brom and Cardiff - and since their first Treble was bad enough to endure, I was rather relieved when Portsmouth robbed them blind and averted a second one!

I suppose it's too much to hope that Mr Redknapp gets sent down for tax dodging.

[Rocket Edge]

BS!!!

[Psychotic]

I wish we still had Neckless Craig. Also, yeah, was clearly not a pen at all. Sucks to be Utd.

[DK]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/match-centre/article270231.ece/BINARY/gallery-large/Carlos+Tevez.jpeg

[charliepanayi]

Oh my god, it's a permanent shift in the balance of power in Manchester!!!

*rolls eyes* Still, makes me glad we lost in the quarters, last thing we needed this month was two extra games against Man Utd.

[Rocket Edge]

I know I'm a United fan, but I genuinely don't like the City team in general. Bellamy acts like a scumbag on the pitch looking for a fight, Viera isn't much better, Stephen Ireland won't play for his country because he's not arsed, Adebayor... well we all know about him, & Lescott, Robinho, & Barry are all money-grabbers. To complete them is Tevez who all throughout his last year at United spread lies about Fergie and whinged like a baby.

Losing to them is never going to be easy. Still I'm optimistic about the return leg.

[Loony BoB]

For what it's worth, I wouldn't be surprised if Tevez's agent had/has a lot of control over what gets through to Tevez. He's not the brightest crayon in the box.

[Cuchulainn]

Cheated out of that game last night. No penalty, no corner. Tevez gets headline for scoring a penalty that never was & a tap in that should never have happened. I'm used to referees fucking us in the ass this season though. One thing is sure, if WE got those decisions the papers would kick up a storm, wagon jumnper ABUs everywhere would be flooding fone lines & football forums crying outrage. Who cares though it's only us.

[charliepanayi]

Cheated out of that game last night. No penalty, no corner. Tevez gets headline for scoring a penalty that never was & a tap in that should never have happened. I'm used to referees smurfing us in the ass this season though. One thing is sure, if WE got those decisions the papers would kick up a storm, wagon jumnper ABUs everywhere would be flooding fone lines & football forums crying outrage. Who cares though it's only us.

And here was me trying to remember what it was about Man Utd fans that drove me nuts =P

Note to Arsenal: if you go 2-0 down to Stoke, Villa, Man Utd, Chelsea or Liverpol you will most likely not come back. You will lose! Now learn how to defend! And Gallas, you really don't need to make everyone hate you even more by engaging in bloody bad tackles (and it was really bad, made me wince to see it).

Aston Villa win 6-4 against Blackburn in the League Cup semi-final :D - we're not the only ones who can't defend!

[Psychotic]

Good. Allardyce is one of the worst people in football, and I couldn't stand to see his smug crowing.

[charliepanayi]

Oh well, maybe we'll win a trophy next season.

So that's Chelsea now 90% likely to win the FA Cup.

[Psychotic]

Reading will win it. You'll see!

[Cuchulainn]

I hope Chelsea win it, I couldnt face Citeh lifting their heads nevermind a trophy.

[charliepanayi]

Well they've got their traditional tie against lower division opposition in the next round - again!

[charliepanayi]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/match-centre/article270231.ece/BINARY/gallery-large/Carlos+Tevez.jpeg

That was a bit premature huh.

[Rocket Edge]

Fantastic game! These City-United matches bring so much passion in them.

[DK]

That was a bit premature huh.

not really, i posted it after the game that Tevez was a beast in!

yeah was an entertaining evening tho obv wasn't too stoked with the final result. neckless craig was a beast, bottles being lobbed at him was a bit stiff tho even if he is an angry neckless gobshiet. garrido is the worst sack of shiet of all time though hate so much

enjoyed it when micah and darren fletcher had a bit of handbags, especially loved the slow motion replay where micah was getting up in his face and fletcher really wanted to look hard and thrust his chest out but his natural reaction of :bou::bou::bou::bou:ting himself still took his head backwards with some deer in headlights look on his face, was hilarious

[Loony BoB]

Absolute cracker of a game. Was so glad it finished on 90, though - would have dreaded another 30 minutes!

[blim]

For those slating Bellamy Craig Bellamy Foundation (http://craigbellamyfoundation.org/) He's not all bad!

[Psychotic]

Bellamy is a cheeky geezer, but I have nothing bad to say about him.

[charliepanayi]

I'm off to shoot someone, probably myself. Either that or go into hibernation until June.

[Psychotic]

Both of those options work for me! ;)

I love the hysteria about John Terry banging Wayne Bridge's missus. Wayne Bridge was perfectly content to be Ashley Cole's bitch at Chelsea all those years, so I'm surprised he doesn't like being Terry's! And as for "John Terry might be axed from the World Cup Squad so Wayne Bridge isn't upset!" haha fuck that, why on earth would Wayne Bridge go anywhere near the plane to South Africa? I'd rather see Joleon Lescott, Stephen Warnock or Leighton Baines in the squad than Wayne bloody Bridge. Hell, I think Darren Huckerby would do a better job as deputy left-back.

[Cuchulainn]

today was a good day.

[Psychotic]

Kyrgiakos has been an absolute beast lately. And he has forever endeared himself to my heart after his beautiful, smurfing beautiful crippling of that utter pillock Fellaini. Don't care if we go on to lose the derby now because we only have 10 men. Simply do not give a smurf. Will even tolerate the crowing from that whiny :bou::bou::bou::bou:heel Moyes.

It was worth it to see that. Sotirios, I am forever yours. :love:

[charliepanayi]

Marooned on third place island! :p

[Loony BoB]

Saha still getting us points in his own way. What a guy. :)

[Rocket Edge]

Yeah Saha, what a legend.

[charliepanayi]

Yeah, he's a legend, he's allowed us to pretend we're still in the title race for ten more days.

[Psychotic]

Frenchman who played for Utd and now plays for Everton? He is pure filth! :colbert:

[charliepanayi]

Dear Man Utd and Chelsea - thanks for letting us back into the title race AGAIN, but this isn't funny any more. You'll have us thinking we have a chance at this rate.

Ramsey :( - though I was hopping mad about it, Shawcross seemed pretty devastated about it, so it'd be harsh to get too angry with him. Three broken legs in five years is somewhat infuriating.

Such a bizarre season, we should not be three points off the top. I'm so nervous I can't even get fully confident about playing Burnley at home next weekend!

[Loony BoB]

Well, we had a bit of luck in it - clearly - but I'll take that.

[Psychotic]

Haha it's 2006 all over again. I remember England had some warm up game against Uruguay and I think they were losing to some sick goal, then Crouch and Wright-Phillips came off the bench and wrecked :bou::bou::bou::bou: to save our arses.

Some things never change.

[Crop]

Haha it's 2006 all over again. I remember England had some warm up game against Uruguay and I think they were losing to some sick goal, then Crouch and Wright-Phillips came off the bench and wrecked :bou::bou::bou::bou: to save our arses.

Some things never change.

I got really into that game, unusual for me to get into a friendly.
If that had been a world cup match I might have exploded.

Just read that Owen is out for the rest of the season, and any slim slim chance that he would have been picked for the World Cup.
I kinda feel sorry for the guy. He seems like an ok bloke, and he's a decent player, he's saved our arses on more than one occasion this season. He's just always injured for ages.

[Psychotic]

Not a fan of Michael Owen. Although the way he destroyed Arsenal in the 2001 FA Cup Final is a memory I will always treasure.

[charliepanayi]

And revenge for that was indeed sweet.

[Psychotic]

Not really, the only really big game between Liverpool and Arsenal since was the CL game. AND WE ALL KNOW HOW THAT WENT. :bigsmile:

(I can post photos of Ryan Babel to refresh your memory if you'd like though)

[charliepanayi]

Beat you in the 2002 FA Cup (cheers to Carragher for getting sent off that day) en route to winning the trophy, that's enough revenge for me ;)

That and the league titles. And Mr Arshavin, all round git and scourge of Liverpool FC.

[Psychotic]

Any man who gets sent off for nobbling one of your horrible lot is a hero in my eyes and well worth the sacrifice of the game. :colbert:

[charliepanayi]

He got sent off for chucking a coin back into the crowd, when we were down to nine men. That's using your head!

Now leave us be on the third place island you used to occupy. You just focus on beating moneybags Man City and 'we don't play long ball honest' Villa and 'we lost twice to Wolves' Spurs to that European Cup spot.

[Psychotic]

Okay, we'll do that, while you focus on trying to actually win the Champions League so you can become a big club. Better drop Fabianski first though :greenie:

[Rocket Edge]

Great week for English football, and I laugh so hard at Real Madrid. :)

[charliepanayi]

Nice to see we've earnt ourselves a probable QF exit. Man Utd v Chelsea QF please! Anything other than a Man Utd v Chelsea final anyway.

[Psychotic]

Beckham is out of the world cup? Great. Now that means we're stuck with Walcott. :colbert: Hope to god Lennon gets fit in time.

[Doc Sark]

Milner all the way for me! Or SWP.

I don't get why Theo got the nod against Egypt, he wasn't fit and didn't cover himself in glory at all. Obviously, Fat Frank didn't help by spurning the gilt edged chance he laid on. I don't see Theo as anything other than an impact player for England this time around, he's too inconsistent for my liking.

As for Becks, shame. While I don't think he would have played many games, his presence in the dressing room would have been invaluable. Let's attach him to a pole and parade him before kick offs anyway just to keep spirits up.

Psy, long time! Did you enjoy Torres' masterclass last night?

[Loony BoB]

Beckham is out of the world cup? Great. Now that means we're stuck with Walcott. :colbert: Hope to god Lennon gets fit in time.
Bentley was mentioned in the news today somewhere. *snicker*

[Psychotic]

Doc Sark! Thank god you have returned to us! I have been waving the lone LFC flag here for so long. And indeed I did enjoy Mr. Torres's works of beauty, although I also have to applaud Maxi's efforts too.

[Doc Sark]

Thank Mr. Bob for his finely crafted words to prodigal members I saw in my inbox this afternoon!

Well, we can't have that. God knows after the season we've had you need some back-up ;)

[charliepanayi]

Inter finally prove me wrong, hooray!

[Drift]

haha charlie good goal from eto'o though :D

[Doc Sark]

I don't like seeing English teams crash out of Europe...however, I do enjoy seeing Chelsea get comprehensively beaten and more than that, I enjoy seeing Drogba getting sent off.

[Psychotic]

Agreed with the above gentleman.

Hopefully now Chelsea can focus on the league because I would prefer them to win it to United, for obvious record-related reasons.

[charliepanayi]

Chelsea out, Fulham through, those are the sort of European results I like :)

[DK]

Fulham tooling Juve to go through to the quarters in the fashion they've done it over these last two games is definitely one of the most awesome things I've ever seen in football, love it.

[Crop]

Hopefully now Chelsea can focus on the league because I would prefer them to win it to United, for obvious record-related reasons.

Never going to happen, both us and Arsenal have been creeping up on Chelsea the past few weeks. I do like how close the top of the league is though, still all to play for.
I love seeing Chelsea crash and burn, I just they can walk away this season without winning a trophy.

The Fulham game today was one of the best I've seen in months. An amazing result, I'm gonna be supporting them the whole way now.

[Loony BoB]

Would be pretty surprised if Chelsea don't win the FA Cup, to be honest. I know Villa and Spurs are perfectly capable of beating them on their day, but for some reason I just can't see it happening in those games. Still, supporting Villa/Fulham in that one for now.

[charliepanayi]

Like Bob I'd be very surprised if Chelsea don't win the FA Cup - also last I checked they were still very capable of winning the league (and I think they will), one European defeat doesn't necessarily mean the end of days just yet.

Hooray, we got Barcelona!

[Loony BoB]

Can't say I think any particular club will win the league, far too close to call for me.

[Psychotic]

Benfica? Welp, we're out. :shobon:

I hope Messi and Fabregas end up in a brawl, as then we will finally know who is the biggest ponce in football. Mind you, Thierry Henry and Arshavin can also stake claims. To say nothing of Ibrahimovic...!

[charliepanayi]

Messi 'the ponce' could run rings around most players, not least the Arsenal, Liverpool and England teams. Best player in the world. And I'd take most of those players over Mr I Get into Brawls off the Pitch Gerrard.

[Psychotic]

I never said he's a bad player. Just that I think he's a ponce. :monster: Also yes I remember when he rang rings around Liverpool and was most certainly not outperformed by Craig bloody Bellamy. (http://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2007/02/21/europe/uefa-champions-league/futbol-club-barcelona/liverpool-football-club/420040/) :goofy:

PS: Gerrard is better than every single one of them apart from your boy Messi. Although, yes, he is a nasty piece of work.

[charliepanayi]

Yeah, pick a performance from three years ago, just after he'd come back from a three month foot injury layoff. That makes perfect sense!

And 'ponce' usually just doubles as an English term for 'foreign player who is fast and rather skilful'

[Psychotic]

Well I can hardly pick one from this season, can I? Presumably they deliberately did well in the CL group stages just so they could avoid the brutal pasting we'd give them in the Europa League. Those sneaky Catalanians! But yeah at the end of the day, in the last Liverpool v Barcelona game he got tooled and seeing it doesn't look like he will be playing against us anytime soon unless he signs for Fulham, I don't know what else you want.

Also not really, because I'd also apply the term "ponce" to Frank Lampard :greenie:

[Crop]

Some good football this weekend, and for once I can watch all three top teams.
Of course, the big one out of those three is Man Utd V Liverpool. So, what's everyone think the result of that will be? Being a Man Utd fan I'd have to say Utd, but I was confident of victory when we first played them at the start of the season...and that ended badly.

Still, I'd have to say 2-0 United.

[Jess]

I just wish we'd hurry up and win the league. :colbert:

[Psychotic]

I predict Vidic will be sent off :lol:

And Rooney will probably score a hat-trick. :(

[Rocket Edge]

The Liverpool game is extremely tricky. They could be fighting a relegation battle, never-mind looking for fourth place and snatch a win against us.

Awesome ties. Can't wait for Bayern, and Arsenal & Barca is a dream tie. I want the gunners to rollick those smug Catalan pricks. :monster:

And Messi is not the best player in the world, at least in my eyes.

[charliepanayi]

Another game down. So where next? St Andrew's? Oh sh-

[Psychotic]

Half-time. Hurray. Well that was an incredibly dire penalty given that the foul took place outside the box. But, well, Howard Webb. I knew something like this would happen when I saw he was the ref but I was hoping it'd be United he'd smurf over.

Countdown to inevitable Mascherano/Carragher sending off begins now. Although Torres is a good outside bet for that too.

Also what the smurf are these shorts we are wearing? God damn I want to vomit.

EDIT: End of game, yeah, we lost. Deserved, too, we played like :bou::bou::bou::bou:. And although I'm not blaming Webb for this loss as we would've done so anyway, he was probably the only person on the pitch who performed worse than the Liverpool team and when it comes down to being depressed about your team being :bou::bou::bou::bou: or being pissed off about the ref being :bou::bou::bou::bou:, I think option 2 is more comforting right about now!

'grats Donal, BoB & Crop. Apart from you guys, though, I am looking forward to the rush of United "fans" who never normally post in this thread to come a-gloating...! :p

[Cuchulainn]

'grats Donal, BoB & Crop. Apart from you guys, though, I am looking forward to the rush of United "fans" who never normally post in this thread to come a-gloating...! :p

My cue I believe. deserved to beat the scouse rats today, not a great game but a great goal to win it. Torres the Ladyboy scared me a bit but luckily he showed he isn not Jesus in Crutches afterall by fluffing his lines twice. We controlled the game & Gerrard was nowhere to be seen for 90% of it.


Lovin it.

[Loony BoB]

Ah, it's just another win, Psy, not a big deal. ;) You know how winning goes, you do it in the Europa League sometimes!

[Crop]

Man, when Torres scored I honestly didn't know what happened. It seemed to come out of nowhere, took me a few seconds to realize what happened.
I really enjoyed the game...no doubt I would have enjoyed it much less had we lost :p. I'll also admit the penalty was a bit...debatable.
Still, Park has always been one of my favourate players, glad he came through for us today, after what was a bad game for him.

And thank you Blackburn! Now all we have to do is win all the rest of our league games...

[Loony BoB]

We can lose one of them so long as we beat Chelsea.

[Crop]

We can lose one of them so long as we beat Chelsea.

What about Arsenal, couldn't they sneak up if we lose a game? Not that I think Arsenal can go the rest of the season unbeaten, and winning every game.

[Psychotic]

Ah, it's just another win, Psy, not a big deal. ;) You know how winning goes, you do it in the Europa League sometimes!:bou::bou::bou::bou: your :bou::bou::bou::bou: :bou::bou::bou::bou:ing :bou::bou::bou::bou: on your mother's :bou::bou::bou::bou: you :bou::bou::bou::bou:-eating :bou::bou::bou::bou: son of a :bou::bou::bou::bou: :aimkiss:

[charliepanayi]

Should have known better than to expect a favour from Liverpool :(

As for our chances or lack of, I refuse to countenanance any serious chance unless we're still in the thick of it a month from now. Or even a week from now.

[Psychotic]

I'm going to start editing your posts to say "WE'RE GOING TO WIN THE LEAGUE!" just to jinx you! :kiss:

Although, rather you than them!

[Rocket Edge]

If there's one team I'd prefer see to win the league out of the top four, It's Arsenal. Liverpool are the enemy and Chelsea have always been a circus since Abramovich came in (not to mention half the team cheating on their partners for the hell of it). But I like the way they play and I've respect for Wenger.

Cheers Paul, a great weekend for us it was. I'm lookin' foward to the West Ham V Wolves game tonight. A win for either club and I'm thinking they'll be pretty safe.

[Crop]

Man, that was frustrating! I was screaming at that linesman, I knew Drogba would screw us over somehow, but it wasn't even his fault. I want that guys head on a plate.

I thought that both teams played well though. Man Utd were getting outplayed in the first half, but we did well in the second half. If only we had got our 8 minutes added time as usual, I think we could have scored another.

[Loony BoB]

Urgh, I'd have preferred if we were beaten 0-3 and the officiating was immaculate than have lost 1-2 with such controversy. At least I could say "Fair's fair" at the end of it. That match was somewhat farcical.

[demondude]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Crop]

Urgh, I'd have preferred if we were beaten 0-3 and the officiating was immaculate than have lost 1-2 with such controversy. At least I could say "Fair's fair" at the end of it. That match was somewhat farcical.

Exactly, it's not so much that we lost, but the way we did.
And Arsenal just scored in the last second of the last minute to beat Wolves. Not a good day for football.

Edit: I can only hope that Swansea win now. I can't stand Cardiff, even though I live right outside the City.

[charliepanayi]

So that's Chelsea's title then.

After yesterday I'm full of confidence for the trips to the Nou Camp and White Hart Lane now. If we're still in with a shot of a trophy on April 15th it'll be a miracle.

[Old Manus]

Reporting in after recovering from a night staring at the wall and having a cold, clothed shower after the Cardiff defeat.

Drogba's goal was offside, but Macheda's was handball. And Neville's foul on Anelka in the first half was just retarded. Gary Neville is and always has been, a fucking imbecile.

[Crop]

Reporting in after recovering from a night staring at the wall and having a cold, clothed shower after the Cardiff defeat.


It was the punch in the gut for me, after a :bou::bou::bou::bou:ty day of football results. Did you go to the game?

EDIT: Tbh, after the last few games, I think Neville needs to get back to the old folks home. He's played very bad for ages now.

[Loony BoB]

If by "very bad" you mean making Ronaldinho look like a chump, then yeah, he's been doing stuff like that for a while. His last two games haven't been great, but then nobody on the pitch has been great in our last two games, really.

[Crop]

If by "very bad" you mean making Ronaldinho look like a chump, then yeah, he's been doing stuff like that for a while. His last two games haven't been great, but then nobody on the pitch has been great in our last two games, really.

Just like most of the players on the pitch played well during that game. Of course he's not going to play crap every game, but he's nowhere near as good as he once was.

[Old Manus]

It was the punch in the gut for me, after a :bou::bou::bou::bou:ty day of football results. Did you go to the game?If by 'go to the game' you mean watch it in the pub, then yes, I did :manus: I would have taken 1-1 all day, but Scumdiff always looked threatening in the last 10 minutes. If only Kuqi had done something decent with that free header only seconds before.

[Croyles]

I would just like to thank Manchester for being cheap and wetting the pitch on purpose so that Münich has the wrong shoes on, real honorable for the "best league in the world".
England LOVES doing that internationally. :p

But I don't like Bayern anyway so do what you want lol :)

EDIT:

WOW and the fans leave before the end, I thought only spanish fans did that. Poor. Really poor.

Sorry im really enjoying this, i actually hate both teams but Football wise i am ALWAYS against England. :)

Pure willpower, it can get you that far. :D

[charliepanayi]

We go out in typically rubbish fashion (and will probably suffer the indignity of having Spurs end our league season next week), but at least I can be safe in the knowledge that Man Utd and Chelsea won't be winning the European Cup either this year.

[Crop]

Man I was gutted with that match. I thought it was in the bag after the first 10 minutes, but just goes to show. We need some magic to win the League...but at least we always have the Mickey Mouse cup.

Although I did think that it was a mistake to replace a striker with a defender when they took Rooney off - it's just inviting Bayern into the back and they were bound to score eventually, which they did. Berbatov came on too little too late.

[Croyles]

Man I was gutted with that match. I thought it was in the bag after the first 10 minutes, but just goes to show. We need some magic to win the League...but at least we always have the Mickey Mouse cup.

Although I did think that it was a mistake to replace a striker with a defender when they took Rooney off - it's just inviting Bayern into the back and they were bound to score eventually, which they did. Berbatov came on too little too late.

Why the hell did UTD sign Berbatov anyway? In Germany we called him the 'Chanzentod' which means "Chance death'

[Cuchulainn]

smurfing smurf. Diving cheating French bastard.....

Well done Bayern We handed it to you on a platter.

Fuck all to do with will power Croyles. You bought a sending off that won you the game. Before that we battered them.

[Loony BoB]

Rafael deserved to go off for two deserved yellow cards, can't complain about that. Only genuine complaint about the match is either Rafael's decision to do that in front of the ref or else a few people not taking insanely good chances on our part. The goals we conceded were brilliant so we can't really complain about them (well, we can, but not the fairness of them).

I'm gutted, but not at this leg at all - we won the leg. I'm gutted that the poor first leg has come back to haunt us.

[Psychotic]

An English team lost to a German team? This is a dark day for English football. Frankly I think if we football thread regulars put together a team we could probably win the Bundesliga.

LAST ENGLISH TEAM (with Fulham) LEFT IN EUROPE WOOOOOO!

yeah I know we're going out soon but damnit let me have this, this season has been :bou::bou::bou::bou:.

[Loony BoB]

You know, despite being so gutted about going out, I'm actually really proud of the performance we put in tonight. If we'd played that way on Saturday, we'd be top of the league.

[Cuchulainn]

Rafael deserved to go off for two deserved yellow cards, can't complain about that. Only genuine complaint about the match is either Rafael's decision to do that in front of the ref or else a few people not taking insanely good chances on our part. The goals we conceded were brilliant so we can't really complain about them (well, we can, but not the fairness of them).

I'm gutted, but not at this leg at all - we won the leg. I'm gutted that the poor first leg has come back to haunt us.

The lows just make the highs higher Robert.


We'll Never Die.

[Croyles]

You know what was the worst? All the english fans booing everytime a german got the ball, talk about bad sportmanship and racism. :P :P :P :P

[Croyles]

smurfing smurf. Diving cheating French bastard.....

Well done Bayern We handed it to you on a platter.

smurf all to do with will power Croyles. You bought a sending off that won you the game. Before that we battered them.

Being able to avoid red cards is part of the skill Chuchu.

[Cuchulainn]

You know what was the worst? All the english fans booing everytime a german got the ball, talk about bad sportmanship and racism. :P :P :P :P

Every teams fans boos when the opposition has the ball in Europe. What ARE you talking about you muppet?



smurfing smurf. Diving cheating French bastard.....

Well done Bayern We handed it to you on a platter.

smurf all to do with will power Croyles. You bought a sending off that won you the game. Before that we battered them.

Being able to avoid red cards is part of the skill Chuchu.

Diving and hounding the referee is not part of the game though kid is it.

[Croyles]

Oh jesus, come on, im just playing. I bloody hate Bayern im just pulling your leg.

But, diving?

[Cuchulainn]

Oh jesus, come on, im just playing. I bloody hate Bayern im just pulling your leg.

But, diving?

Yep, all during the game. By the way United aren't English, they're Manchunian. No self respecting United fan I know from Manchester despise the nation team.

[charliepanayi]

There are Man Utd fans in Manchester?

[Cuchulainn]

There are Man Utd fans in Manchester?

thousands kid. Don't believe the hype

[Croyles]

Yep, all during the game.

Sure.



By the way United aren't English, they're Manchunian. No self respecting United fan I know from Manchester despise the nation team.

You mean 'Every' self respecting UTD fan, right?
Thats still English, it doesn't even compare to something like Catalonia, which actually nearly is its own country. I know of ManchuRia, which is in China though.

Its just football dude.

If I offended any UTD fans here or english people in general im sorry, it was supposed to be a bit of fun.
Im pretty much english anyway, lol.

[Cuchulainn]

YEA...you're lucky I love the Germans.

[charliepanayi]

It's as I thought months ago when they went out of the European Cup - Liverpool will win the Europa League and wind up having a better season than Arsenal and Man Utd. The Four Horsemen are gathering!

[Old Manus]

I love Fergie. Reading Der Spiegel today and getting the german reactions on his comments was pretty funny.

[Loony BoB]

It's as I thought months ago when they went out of the European Cup - Liverpool will win the Europa League and wind up having a better season than Arsenal and Man Utd. The Four Horsemen are gathering!
If you asked me what I'd prefer, winning the Europa League or making it to the quarterfinals of the CL, I'd probably take the quarterfinals. There's something that doesn't feel completely right about the idea of United winning the Europa League. The idea that you need to fail in order to win it is something rather unsettling.

EDIT: What did they say, Manus?

[Croyles]

ugh Der Spiegel is worse than The Sun, whatever they say is not worth a damn.

[Psychotic]

If you asked me what I'd prefer, winning the Europa League or making it to the quarterfinals of the CL, I'd probably take the quarterfinals. I wouldn't. And neither should any football fan.

[Loony BoB]

In all honesty, that's something I'd liken to preferring to win the Championship than to stay in the Premier League mid-table.

[Psychotic]

Not in the slightest. I think you've bought too much into the Champions League hype! I'm not saying I wouldn't prefer it if Liverpool were still in the CL to being where they are now, but the Europa League has had some damn good sides in it this season and it's still a prestigious trophy, whether or not Sky Sports say so.

In my time, Liverpool have gone out in the CL QFs and won the UEFA Cup (better name than the Europa League) and I know which night I will remember for the rest of my life. :greenie:

[Rocket Edge]

I saved myself from writing here last night out of rage. We went out in the most pathetic way possible. Even though it's frustrating how the game played out, United have only themselves to blame. Olic's goals in both ties were completely avoidable, same with the red card. Oh well, looks like it Barca for the CL crown again this year.

[Old Manus]

Google Translate (http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fsport%2Ffussball%2F0%2C1518%2C687803%2C00.html&sl=de&tl=en)

The article comments mainly


DISCLAIMER: I personally think fergie is an idiot for blaming his exit from the European Cup on a few Bayern players annoyed about retarded petulance from Rafael.

[Psychotic]

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Hull City zum Bleistift. mehr... Hull City a pencil.The Germans did not just call our Premiership a pencil. :colbert:

[Croyles]

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Hull City zum Bleistift. mehr... Hull City a pencil.The Germans did not just call our Premiership a pencil. :colbert:

Lol its just a phrase. Remember thats google translate your talking about.

Also, Fergie is being stupid.

[Psychotic]

YEAH? Well your Bundesliga is a ballpoint pen! How do you like THEM apfels, Croyles? :doublecolbert:

Also, what's new? :p

[Croyles]

:D

[charliepanayi]

Well done to Fulham.

Oh yeah, Liverpool went through as well apparently ;)

[Psychotic]

4-1 HAHAHAHAHAHA

Oh yeah, Liverpool went through as well apparently. :p

[Jess]

Late but who cares: See you in the Premiership! :jess:

[charliepanayi]

Late but who cares: See you in the Premiership! :jess:

Man Utd will be pleased, that's already six points and about +10 goal difference in the bank for them next season.

[Psychotic]

Damn, panayi, you're one ice cold killer.

Still, I can get behind the slagging off of Newcastle! I did miss their comedy antics.

[Old Manus]

Let's not forget the playoffs! Stay tuned for me appearing at a stadium near you!

[charliepanayi]

So that's Chelsea 80-90% of the way to the League and FA Cup double. Was funny seeing Spurs lose though.

[Crop]

So now the final is the top of the league vs the bottom of the league - fun. I'll be sure to watch that game.

We should have put at least one away yesterday, ugh. I hate the fact that we have to rely on only Rooney to finish for us.

[charliepanayi]

So now the final is the top of the league vs the bottom of the league - fun. I'll be sure to watch that game.

It'll probably make Man Utd v Millwall look two-sided.

[Old Manus]

I hear Pompey are appealing their ineligibility to play in the Europa League next season. I love the underdog, but to be honest, Portsmouth in Europe next season will just be an embarrassment to English football.

[charliepanayi]

Well Spurs will be in Europe next year, so if you're going to have one embarrassment in Europe may as well have two.

[Rocket Edge]

Looks like the team full of cheaters and scumbags are going to win the title this year. :(

[Old Manus]

Still a close race between the top 3 then!

[Psychotic]

I approve of the above post.

[Rocket Edge]

I disapprove with the above post.



...The title is as good as over.

[Crop]

Paul Scholes scores goals - say it three times really fast.

[Rocket Edge]

Great weekend for United. As for the CL, awesome result for Inter! I get as much joy out of seeing Barcelona lose as I do see United win. Messi was non-existent while Zanetti, Lucio, & Sneijder stole the show. Kudos.

[Psychotic]

Yeah, I'm glad Inter won, they're probably my preferred Italian team. And I am not a fan of Barca. I dislike every team that has a "MMMM YES LET ME RUB ONE OUT TO THIS BEAUTIFUL FOOTBALL! MMMMMMM!" hype tag attached to them. None of them will ever be as entertaining as Newcastle.

[Rocket Edge]

Question: If an English team wins the Europa League, will finishing fourth be in vain? (This has slipped my mind for some reason)

[Loony BoB]

No, I understand that this would merely use up one of the league spots for the Europa League (eg. 7th position etc).

[Old Manus]

For Christ's sake.

[Rocket Edge]

Fantastic result tonight for football in general. Nice to see the old powerhouse nations of football make the final.

[Psychotic]

Proud but gutted. Was hoping for an all-English final after the utter failure of the English clubs in the CL (and hey we're included in that :p) but oh well, made up for Fulham.

[Loony BoB]

You better not be tired on Sunday. No excuses! You can at least get a draw against Chelsea so we can look stupid when we inevitably drop points to Sunderland afterwards. =|

[Psychotic]

Yeah there's been some suggestion in the media that Liverpool fans want us to lose to Chelsea just to stop United winning the title, but fuck that, that would be pathetic. We probably will be shattered against Chelsea, in all honesty, but I still hope we spank them.

[Loony BoB]

Oh well. It would have been nice if Wigan had made a fight of it to keep it interesting, but unless Chelsea go down to nine men somehow I can't see them avoiding a thumping win now.

[Cuchulainn]

Congradulations Chavski. You won on the day how you've won throughout. Determination, skill, goals, penalties & favourable refereeing decisions.

See you next year!

[Crop]

Ah well. After Liverpool lost to Chelsea I knew it was over, but I still had that 1% hope inside me.

Fair enough, we couldn't exactly win every premiership ever, but we had a good run. Next year! Next year!

[charliepanayi]

Let's review the good and bad points of the season:

Good:
Our season wasn't quite as bad as Liverpool's
Man Utd didn't win a fourth straight title

Bad:
Er...everything else.

Here's to us buying one player in the summer, Van Persie getting injured for a few months, 3rd/4th place next year and a quarter-final exit in the European Cup! Hooray!

[Cuchulainn]

Ah well. After Liverpool lost to Chelsea I knew it was over, but I still had that 1% hope inside me.

Fair enough, we couldn't exactly win every premiership ever, but we had a good run. Next year! Next year!

That's the spirit!

[Rocket Edge]

Congrats to Chelsea. They fully deserved it. Though it pains me to see a team that involves the likes of John Terry & Ashley Cole lift the title. Yep, bring on next year! :monster:

[Psychotic]

Chelsea, Man Utd, it's always the same. They may as well just merge and call themselves Chelsea United for all I care :p

I think it's time for Rafa to go. He's given us some great times, but this season has been a monumental disaster. From 2nd (and I still say we were the best team in the league that year!) to 7th is nothing short of pathetic, especially after the money he spent. And not one penny on a striker. We only had Torres - world class, but extremely injury prone - and N'Gog, who, while he has raw talent, lacks the experience and finished edge to be the sole leader of the line for a team hoping to finish where we were. Sorry, but, no. Also £70m for Torres? Given his injury record, I would say that is a good deal, no matter how much I love the man. Of course, if we do sell him he'll probably play 50 games next season. Sod's law!

[Rocket Edge]

I agree. I think Rafa's term as Liverpool manager has certainly run its course. I can't see where he can conjure up a better season for the next PL seeing his team did so poorly this term. Not that I'm complaining mind you, but If I was a Liverpool fan I would not be happy in the least. This was the season where you really should have made a go for it and yeah, you finish 7th.

[Cuchulainn]

Chelsea, Man Utd, it's always the same. They may as well just merge and call themselves Chelsea United for all I care :p


Only similarity is we both despise you Scousers

[Psychotic]

And you're both obscenely rich and the most hated clubs in England!

[Crop]

the most hated clubs in England!

Jealousy.

[Psychotic]

That or because their fans are mostly (this is not true of all of you) glory hunting obnoxious twats. :greenie:

[Cuchulainn]

And you're both obscenely rich and the most hated clubs in England!

That honour has been taken over by thr Scousers unfortunately. On a poll done on Teamtalk. Liverpool fans are hated throughout the land.

At least our hatred is plain envy & jealously. Most Scouse fans i meet are bitter morons obsessed with history.

How do you think Liverpool got a fanbase? Yes that's right when they won everything & were followed by gloryhunting obnoxious twats.

I made the insane decision to support United in the 80s when we were :bou::bou::bou::bou:. George Best & Norman Whiteside & Frank Stapleton are to blame.

[Psychotic]

Survey says: We all loathe Leeds United! | The Sun |Sport|Football (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1535214.ece)
10 Most Hated Football Teams - Goal.com (http://www.goal.com/en/news/2377/top-10/2010/02/23/1803661/10-most-hated-football-teams)

Nope, sorry, only Leeds are more hated than you lot. We're actually pretty well liked among neutrals. :greenie: Couldn't find evidence of your teamtalk poll btw.

Question though: Why would Liverpool fans be jealous when the history they're apparently so obsessed with is better than any other club in Britain's? :confused: Can't have it both ways.

PS: I started supporting Liverpool in the Souness era so I can relate.

[charliepanayi]

Man Utd and Chelsea are much more disliked than Liverpool - Man Utd for the number of fans they have nowhere near Manchester, and Chelsea for having the most gits in one football team.

[Loony BoB]

United are hated because they're adored by their fans and because they have so many fans. The more overall fans you have, the more twat-fans you have, the more you associate the club with twats. Such is life. Leeds just happens to have a high concentration of twats, I guess. ;) There's also the jealousy of having so many fans on a global scale, I imagine. But as for hatred over the past twenty years or so, I am certain that the consistent success plays a massive part in it. To deny that is silly. Chelsea are also disliked for similar reasons, not just the gits. They're disliked because they "bought success" (ie, got a good invester) and because, well, they're successful - and people get jealous of that. If you don't, you're silly. Everyone is a glory hunter. If you don't want glory for your club then I'd find it weird.

Not much to do with being "insanely rich" - we're far, far more in debt than Liverpool and, as for transfer payments...

Net spend, 04-09:
City - £38m per season
Chelsea - £24m per season
Liverpool - £18m per season
Spurs - £16m per season
Villa - £15m per season
Sunderland - £12m per season
United - £5.3m per season
Stoke - £5.1m per season
West Ham - £5.1m per season

So yeah, if "insanely rich" you mean "on par with Stoke and West Ham". The theory that Liverpool is insanely poor is a lie spread by Rafa to cover up his atrocious history of poor purchases (or possibly just poor management of said purchases?). United, though, is not insanely rich.

For the full PL history, Liverpool manage £11.1m per season (3rd, behind Chelsea and City) to United's £7.7m per season (6th, behind Spurs and Villa).

[Marky Tee]

mon eh gers!!!!



even thought they already won it :p

[Psychotic]

Haha, nice diddling of the figures. I have to wonder what that "net spend" would be without the £80m for Ronaldo - the money that doesn't really have to be spent on players seeing as United already have a title winning side. It also wouldn't include the £30m spent on Rio Ferdinand whose services United already benefit from either.

Forbes' list of the most valuable football clubs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes%27_list_of_the_most_valuable_football_clubs) here you go, though. Liverpool are more in debt than United and have been for the past three years. :greenie:

[charliepanayi]

Prelimary England squad of 30 for the World Cup (23 will be chosen in the final squad by June 1st):

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock.

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Forwards: Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.

[Psychotic]

No Bobby Zamora? Thought he might be in with an outside chance. Rest of it is pretty much as expected.

[Loony BoB]

Zamora missing out mostly due to Bent outscoring him by a massive margin, I'd imagine.

Pick your seven players to get cut! I'm going with...

Upson, Warnock, Huddlestone, Wright-Phillips, Parker, Carrick, Bent. Mostly just stabs in the dark, mind you. I never get these things right. =|

[Old Manus]

Dawson, Parker, Huddlestone, King, Heskey and A. Johnson won't make the cut imo

Old Manus' Starting XI for Eng v USA knocked up in 2 minutes of boredom:

(4-4-2, it's only the USA...)
Goalkeeper: James
Defenders: RB Glen Johnson, DC Rio Ferdinand, DC John Terry, LB Stephen Warnock (or Ash Cole if fit)
Midfield: RW Steven Gerrard, CM Frank Lampard, CM Gareth Barry, LW Joe Cole
Forwards: Defoe & Rooney
Subs: Green, Carragher, Upson, Walcott, Lennon, Milner, Crouch

[Cuchulainn]

Question though: Why would Liverpool fans be jealous when the history they're apparently so obsessed with is better than any other club in Britain's? :confused: Can't have it both ways.

PS: I started supporting Liverpool in the Souness era so I can relate.

that's like saying why would a guy be jealous of a guy with an insanely beautiful wife because he used to have a beautiful wife himself but she left him and now he's alone, wanking into a sock while watching songs of praise.



Oh and the hatred of Liverpool fans is a recent development. You will see soon enough.



mon eh gers!!!!



even thought they already won it :p

Scum

[Loony BoB]

So. Nottingham Forest, Cardiff, Leicester or Blackpool? I'm going for the former of them - as someone who has heard/watched/read about the Clough days and the team being one of the few names (alongside the likes of Crystal Palace) that I actually recognised from the papers in New Zealand, it'd be nice to see them in the PL for the first time since I actively started following football. Please, though, not Blackpool. :( I just hate that name alone!

[Old Manus]

Please, though, not Blackpool. I just hate that name alone!It would have been the Swans if the incompetent employees who call themselves 'Strikers' had managed to put the ball in the back of the Sheffield Utd net JUST ONCE on the last game of the season!

[charliepanayi]

I just don't want Cardiff up, can't stand their fans. I think they might do it though.

EDIT: Well it won't be Forest. Blackpool now one game away from the Premiership!

[charliepanayi]

Poor Fulham :(

Cardiff v Blackpool in the playoff final.

[Rocket Edge]

Yeah poor Fulham :(

My England starting eleven:

GK: Joe Hart
DF: Glen Johnson, Rio Ferdinand, Ledley King, Ashley Cole
MID: Milner, Lampard, Huddlestone, Gerrard
FW: Rooney, Crouch

I thought Capello should have brought Carlton Cole.

[charliepanayi]

Honestly, only two missed penalties in almost 140 years of FA Cup finals, and in one game they double the total!

Blackpool promoted to the Premiership - can't wait for our inevitable defeat against them next year.

[Loony BoB]

Way to double post, Wengerboy! ;)

[charliepanayi]

I'd do it again in an instant I tell you!

Inter looking like they'll win the European Cup :( - and then that will pretty much be that for the season.

[Cuchulainn]

YES! The cheating Bavarians lost! Made my day that.


So Blackpool in the Premiership? Straight back down again you say? Likely.

[charliepanayi]

YES! The cheating Bavarians lost! Made my day that.


So Blackpool in the Premiership? Straight back down again you say? Likely.

Next time try not chucking away the tie against said Bavarians, then they wouldn't reach the final =P

And of course Blackpool are probably going straight back down, but still a great achievement for them.

[Psychotic]

We'll show them who is the worst pool! Us! Still, another generic northern team beginning with B gets promoted to the Premiership. At least this one is orange. That's new. (Bradford did not exist, okay?) Although I stayed in a hotel opposite Blackpool's ground and it is fucking tiny.

[Cuchulainn]

We'll show them who is the worst pool! Us! Still, another generic northern team beginning with B gets promoted to the Premiership. At least this one is orange. That's new. (Bradford did not exist, okay?) Although I stayed in a hotel opposite Blackpool's ground and it is smurfing tiny.

Blackpool fans hate Liverpool...I've no Idea why. They don't hate United but hate Preston. Fans are weird.

[Loony BoB]

Hopefully the Mexico/England game is showing on Scottish TV tonight. I want to check out our new signing. =]

[Old Manus]

England thoroughly outplayed first half, should be 1-1 with the mind boggling decision to let Crouch's goal stand. Handball AND offside!

[The Captain]

And just like that.... it's over.

The questions abound now: Does this make Torres, Gerrard more likely to stay or leave? Who becomes the new coach? Let the speculation begin!


Rafael Benitez leaves Liverpool by mutual consent - Barclays Premier League - ESPN Soccernet (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=792423&sec=england&cc=5901)


Take care all.

[Psychotic]

I can't say I was happy with the way this season went, but whether or not I think this is a good thing will depend on who his replacement is. Some of the names being touted are pretty dire - Mark Hughes (former United, Chelsea and Everton hero!) being the worst.

[charliepanayi]

I don't know, the suggestion by some of Kenny Daglish is pretty bad too!

[Psychotic]

Rather him than Wenger :tongue:

(yes, I have actually heard Wenger being thrown out there as a possible replacement!)

[Old Manus]

I'm calling Liverpool's tumble to the bottom of the table, followed by relegation, now. I'll see you soon, Psy!

[Psychotic]

I look forward to having my posts ignored like any true Championship fan.

[Rocket Edge]

Kenny D & Mark Hughes are not worthy suggestions. Martin O'Neill is a good manager, and even David Moyes (yes!) would do a great job I'm sure. If O'Neill goes to Liverpool, with James Milner follow?

[Psychotic]

David Moyes (yes!) would do a great job I'm sure.You take that back. :colbert:

[Loony BoB]

Names I've heard include Hiddink, who wouldn't be a bad shout but I don't think it'd happen, Scolari, who wouldn't be terrible by any means, Hughes, which wouldn't really be any bold statement for progress, and Dalglish, who I don't have much knowledge of. Oh, and Hodgson, which would be a massive shame for Fulham but I suppose such a thing is inevitable.

[Psychotic]

I 100% agree with your assessments there... apart from Dalglish. I know a lot about him! He is considered by Liverpool fans to be the greatest player (and given the history!!!!!!!! WE HAVE BEST HISTORY EVER!!!! LFC!!! etc. of the club, that is a high accolade indeed) and was the last manager to win the league with us. He also won the Premiership with Blackburn in 95. Although then he went to Newcastle and Celtic and of course it's all downhill when you go to either of those places, and he's since been out of the management game for 9 years. If you look back to Liverpool's glory days, we achieved success through appointing managers from the "boot room" with a love of the club, and a long record of service, so I don't think it'd hurt to go that way again. Certainly better than getting Hughes or Curbishley or something. Hiddink and Scolari are probably out of our price range anyway, not to mention that Hiddink just signed a contract with Turkey.

Right now, I think I wish Rafa was still manager. This season was a disaster, but he's had plenty of other decent seasons.

[charliepanayi]

Anfield's boot room may have brought a lot of success in the 70s and 80s but I'm not sure such a philosophy would work so much anymore, football has moved on somewhat. And wasn't Roy Evans part of that boot room and it's not like he did amazingly well. Mind you I think they should have just kept Benitez, for one more season at least.

[The Captain]

Do you think Jose Mourinho might change his mind? I mean, is Madrid REALLY that nice a place?


Take care all.

[Loony BoB]

It will be the greatest place in the world with the best players in the world until another 'project' is proposed to him. He's said it himself - he no SAF, he won't stay with one club for a decade.

EDIT: I thought some of you might appreciate this (http://forums.eyesonff.com/final-fantasy-vii/131702-did-you-buy-villa-new-post.html).

[Psychotic]

Randy Lerner would've also been an acceptable second account for that gag.

[Del Murder]

I find when the ball is by the net soccer can get exciting, the problem is most of the time it's just going back and forth. What type of stats are kept in fantasy soccer (football)?

[Loony BoB]

Goals, assists, yellow cards, red cards, "bonus points" (given to the top three performers as judged by some panel of people nobody cares about), goals conceded, saves, penalty misses, penalty saves.

Some other fantasy football leagues might cover other things, but not to my knowledge. I find it hard to really appreciate football if you want to watch it without doing something else if you aren't following the team for a long time. I love watching Manchester United because they play "attractive" football, and because I watch almost every game, meaning I've got to know their players. Watching them play so often also allowed me to learn to really appreciate the game of football and how it can be of interest when you actually understand the movement of players etc.

I'm sure it's the same for American football... I mean, I try to enjoy it but I know deep down that I never really will unless I watch games week in, week out. My enjoyment of rugby has even gone downhill since leaving NZ, but I know that when I return that I'll easily get back into things after a month or two of following the Auckland Blues. Although they suck compared to when I left. :(

[charliepanayi]

Opening day fixtures for 2010/2011:

Aston Villa v West Ham
Blackburn v Everton
Blackpool v Wigan
Bolton v Fulham
Chelsea v West Brom
Liverpool v Arsenal
Man Utd v Newcastle
Sunderland v Birmingham
Tottenham v Man City
Wolverhampton v Stoke

Oh no! :(

[Rocket Edge]

United V Newcastle & Chelsea V West Brom. Both at home. Oh boy, some return to the premiership...

[Loony BoB]

United V Newcastle & Chelsea V West Brom. Both at home. Oh boy, some return to the premiership...
Never count out the opposition in an early game. What was the result when we last played Newcastle at the start of a season? And then there's that Burnley result last year, wasn't that early in the season too?

[Rocket Edge]

I guess. Let's just hope we don't make any early mistakes like we did the past few seasons. I think we'll be buoyed by the fact that our title isn't ours anymore. 7 game winning streak again wouldn't do any harm. :spin:

[Loony BoB]

38 game winning streak wouldn't do any harm either. :D

[Psychotic]

Opening day fixtures for 2010/2011:

Aston Villa v West Ham
Blackburn v Everton
Blackpool v Wigan
Bolton v Fulham
Chelsea v West Brom
Liverpool v Arsenal
Man Utd v Newcastle
Sunderland v Birmingham
Tottenham v Man City
Wolverhampton v Stoke

Oh no! :(IT BEGINS PANAYI

IT BEGINS!

[Loony BoB]

New season, new thread. (http://forums.eyesonff.com/lounge/133267-2010-2011-uk-football-season-thread.html#post2883296)