2009/2010 UK Football Season Thread

[charliepanayi]

So thought I'd start up a thread for the new season since the fixtures are out today - and here they are!

BBC SPORT | Football | Premier League | Fixtures (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/fixtures/default.stm)

Man Utd away at the end of August :(

Everton away is a tough opener too.

I do love our end of January/early February games: Villa, Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea (!)

So, thoughts for next season? Will Man Utd become the first team ever to make it four in a row?

[demondude]

Nice easy opening for Chelsea. :cool: Nice to see Arsenal have it hard.

[Heath]

I think I have more reason to be worried about the opening fixture than you, charliepanayi!

[Loony BoB]

They'll all get shafted around half a dozen times before the season is done anyway, what with the cups and Europe and all.

[charliepanayi]

They'll all get shafted around half a dozen times before the season is done anyway, what with the cups and Europe and all.


Yeah but we're only talking moving games to a Sunday/Saturday evening/Monday evening on the same weekend etc for the first six to seven months of the season, drastic schedule changes don't really happen until April-May when the latter stages of the FA Cup and European Cup come into play.

Heath - we're terrible at Goodison Park in recent years. Aside from two years ago when we won 4-1 we don't do too well there lately.

[Loony BoB]

Nah, I found our games in hand would last for weeks on end, not the same week. I think they do it that way so fans have time to reschedule their travelling arrangements etc.

[Psychotic]

I will make my opening post to this thread with a question.

Which news story is funniest?

Rio Ferdinand emulates Ronaldo in hotpants - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/5551408/Rio-Ferdinand-emulates-Ronaldo-in-hotpants.html)

or

Michael Owen Sends Out Player ‘Brochure’ To Clubs - Report - Goal.com (http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/06/14/1324095/michael-owen-sends-out-player-brochure-to-clubs-report)

hahahahahahahaha

[Heath]

Actually you just reminded me. And during that 4-1 we comprehensively outplayed you in the first half and were 1-0 up at half time. Perhaps I should be a little more optimistic!

Edit:


The Newcastle United forward is out of contract at St James’ Park and has been linked with several sides, including Aston Villa and Everton.

Instantly makes the Ferdinand story funnier.

[charliepanayi]

A game lasts for two halves ;)

LoonyBob - the only reason Man Utd had games in hand last season for the first two-thirds was because they were playing in the Super Cup and the World Club Cup, neither of which applies this year. The other games in hand were when Man Utd had reached the League Cup final and FA Cup semi-finals etc. In the first half of this season the only team likely to have a game in hand at some point is us and Bolton, as we have to play qualifiers for the European Cup in August which means we can't play our league game against Bolton.

Also - everyone's favourite pariah state North Korea will qualify for the World Cup tonight if they beat or draw to Saudi Arabia. I seem to have a developed a mini-obsession with the thought of them qualifying.

[Rocket Edge]

Psy, I literally spat at the computer when I seen that article about Michael Owen!

[Burtsplurt]

Hey, what's with the Premier League bias?! Now that Middlesbrough are in the Championship, I think we should all start talking about the likes of S:bou::bou::bou::bou:horpe and the beautiful game.

[Heath]

Hey, what's with the Premier League bias?! Now that Middlesbrough are in the Championship, I think we should all start talking about the likes of S:bou::bou::bou::bou:horpe and the beautiful game.

Hah, I love the censor.

But hey, we can have a Championship represent. Jess for Newcastle, yourself for Boro and Manus for Swansea. I'll look forward to one of the above knocking Everton out of some cup competition.

[Old Manus]

Us second divisioners got to stick together :colbert:

[Rocket Edge]

Martinez is a 1st class manager. Swansea will miss him.

[Heath]

Oh yes, technically old news but I forgot to mention it earlier. Everton are opening a shop in the new Liverpool One shopping centre in Liverpool city centre. It's name? Everton Two. It's address will read Everton Two, Liverpool One.

I know, Everton marketing something well? I was shocked too!

[Old Manus]

Martinez is a 1st class manager. Swansea will miss him.And now he's after Jason Scotland. THIS MUST NOT HAPPEN. But it probably will.

[Psychotic]

Oh yes, technically old news but I forgot to mention it earlier. Everton are opening a shop in the new Liverpool One shopping centre in Liverpool city centre. It's name? Everton Two. It's address will read Everton Two, Liverpool One.

I know, Everton marketing something well? I was shocked too!Even I admit that is pretty clever right there.

Glen Johnson, eh? Well, alright. Neutral on the subject. Not a wonderful signing, not a terrible one. We'll see how it goes.

[Loony BoB]

I wonder if they'll be keeping Arbeloa - I hear he only has one season left. Think it'd be very debatable as to which of the two is better.

[Shattered Dreamer]

Glen Johnson, eh? Well, alright. Neutral on the subject. Not a wonderful signing, not a terrible one. We'll see how it goes.

Typical Rafa Benitez going for players who its not definite just how good they sometimes it works for him sometimes it doesn't, lets hope it does. Arbeloa is apparently on the verge of a 8m move to Real Madrid & could be followed there by Alonso for 30m.

[Rocket Edge]

I think Glen Johnson is a very good player, but Arbeloa is too. I don't think it was absolutely necessary to strengthen there with him doing a solid job, so I think Benetez is making a big gamble with this signing.

Alonso isn't worth 30 mill, as much as I think he's a great player.

Also, United are reportedly in the recogning for either Karim Benzema or Sergio Aguero. Which would you take at your club? I'd personally take Benzema, & not because I think he is more talented, but I think he would want to play for United more. Aguero just strikes me as a guy after a few quid.

[Loony BoB]

Benzema has stated in the past he wants to someday play for Real Madrid. But then, every non-British player states that, so I guess we may as well milk him for all he's worth until he demands a £100m transfer to La Liga. The reason I'd take Benzema is he's got more muscle on him. If we want a light fella, go for Rossi on his first-refusal clause.

[Heath]

How Glen Johnson is apparently worth £17m and Joleon Lescott is worth £15m is beyond me. I know we only paid £5m for him, but the partnership he has forged with Phil Jagielka was the defensive rock upon which our team was built last season. I will be livid with City if they buy Lescott from us, £20m or not.

[Psychotic]

Alonso isn't worth 30 mill, as much as I think he's a great player.Last summer? No. In this summer with the crazy money Madrid have been throwing around? Yes!

I'd take Aguero. I remember reading somewhere that Benzema hasn't had a great season (obviously I do not follow French league football closely :p) and Aguero would mesh in well at Liverpool, what with the Spanish language thing we got going on.

Also, in response to Heath, how either of them are worth £10m - they're bloody defenders! - confuses me. It'll be bad for Everton if Lescott does leave...so I hope he does! :p

[Heath]

Man City bidding for John Terry. Oh when will this end? I'm hoping for them to make a deadline day swoop for either Darren Huckerby or Dion Dublin.

[Psychotic]

Noel Whelan too. Let's Coventry City this thread up some more.

Also Michael Owen. Man United. What. The. FUCK.

[DK]

United are going down this season and it's going to be awesome :D

[demondude]

I hope they crash and burn, but I doubt it will happen.

[Heath]

This season I think Man Utd being relegated is about as likely as Everton winning the league.

[Rocket Edge]

Michael Owen, what? Seriously? That brochure sure worked wonders anyway.

[Loony BoB]

I was pretty unhappy about it until I heard the terms of his contract are 80-90% performance-based. Still hoping we get another striker, though.

[Old Manus]

I feel sorry for Manchester City. They keep trying to buy all these flashy players but nobody wants to join them :(

[Psychotic]

I read "Souness backs Owen to shine at United" and my heart leapt with joy.

The two worst things that have happened to Liverpool in my time as a fan firstly teamed up to destroy Newcastle, and now they're setting their sights on Man United. :D

[Loony BoB]

How was Owen one of the worst things to happen to Liverpool? I can completely understand the rest of what you said. :p

[Psychotic]

Because of all the turmoil the little :bou::bou::bou::bou: caused by totally dicking us about with his contract. Oh yes I am going to sign a new one trust me no honestly I will derp derp derp yup sure will. Oh actually smurf it, never mind, it's about to expire. Guess you have to sell me for a fraction of my worth now! Then afterwards he went and called the fans :bou::bou::bou::bou: because they apparently liked Steven Gerrard more than him? :confused:

Mind you it was a bit harsh to say that he was one of the worst things as he did win the FA Cup in '01 single-handedly. We'll call it even, Little Mickey. :colbert:

[Loony BoB]

Haha, really? Crazy.

[charliepanayi]

Mind you it was a bit harsh to say that he was one of the worst things as he did win the FA Cup in '01 single-handedly. We'll call it even, Little Mickey. :colbert:

Stephane Henchoz won Liverpool that FA Cup final single-handed - quite literally! ;)

Only another four or five weeks before this dead zone period clears...

[Psychotic]

Ahahaha very, very true. Henchoz was a badman.

[Rocket Edge]

Man City further proves it's status as a club circus with the capture of Adebayor. Seriously, where are these players gonna fit in? Robinho, Adebayor, Tevez, Bellamy, Santa Cruz, Caicedo, Evans, Benjani, & Bojinov are their current strikers. I'm guessing he'll probably sell off Caicedo & Benjani, but the first five are all gonna want to start, and you can rest assured they will show it if they don't. I can only see this ending in disaster for them.

[Heath]

Man City are actually signing players now which takes away the top comedy value of the ridiculous bids for Kaka and Terry.

Also: BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | N | Notts County | Eriksson aims for Premier League (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/notts_county/8163091.stm) - Sven to play IRL FM2009

[Psychotic]

How can you get fired as manager of Mexico? Who on earth did he get bad results against? Guatemala? Canada?

[Shattered Dreamer]

Man City further proves it's status as a club circus with the capture of Adebayor. Seriously, where are these players gonna fit in? Robinho, Adebayor, Tevez, Bellamy, Santa Cruz, Caicedo, Evans, Benjani, & Bojinov are their current strikers. I'm guessing he'll probably sell off Caicedo & Benjani, but the first five are all gonna want to start, and you can rest assured they will show it if they don't. I can only see this ending in disaster for them.

This is something I have a problem with too. Why are MC buying so many strikers. Okay Robinho played left midfield for Real Madrid so at least he has 2 positions he can play in, if he'd ever stop whining & play some football! Tevez & Adebayor will probably start but I'm not sure they'll work well together. Tevez could probably play central attacking midfield too if needed but with Stephen Ireland playing a stormer that doubtful. Santa Cruz & Bellamy will probably warm the bench so as for the rest of them even though I like Benjani, its reserve football unless their sold.

[charliepanayi]

How can you get fired as manager of Mexico? Who on earth did he get bad results against? Guatemala? Canada?

El Salavador and Honduras actually :D

[Loony BoB]

For City, expect three strikers, probable first choicers being Adebayor in the middle with Tevez and Robinho on the flanks.

[Jess]

bad. times. :(.

[Heath]

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | E | Everton | Lescott wants exit from Everton (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/8183638.stm)

Not surprised, probably shouldn't be disappointed as it might mean we'll have a transfer budget now, blah, blah, blah. I would be sorry to see him go, even for £22m, not only because of the loss to Everton but because I feel that he'd be much more appreciated and possibly even achieve more being with Everton than with City. However, I can't complain and he's done really well for himself here and wish him every luck.

Though I am annoyed that our brilliant central defensive partnership of Jagielka and Lescott is unlikely to appear again :(

[Psychotic]

Jagielka's going to sign for Liverpool for £2m. Just so you know. :)

[Heath]

Looks like it's suicide again for me!

[Rocket Edge]

I like what Torres said about City. I can't find a link, but he said something along the lines of *ahem* "When you retire from football, you don't think of how big your car or house is, you think of the trophies you've won". This is why I think Lescott is barking mad to leave Everton. First of all, the Toffee's are a very decent team, who work together and gel. Not to also mention the fact that they are playing in Europe next year and have a fantastic manager in Moyes. Shamble City & Hughes is a much better option. Jokes aside, money talks in alot of cases, sadly enough.

As for Jagielka? That would be a good capture for Liverpool if he did go (and for such little money).

What will Everton do without their defensive unit? Senderos & who? :|

[Psychotic]

The Jagielka thing was just me winding up Heath :p

Sad to see Xabi Alonso go (finally seems confirmed) but I can't argue with the price.

[Shattered Dreamer]

I'll never understand Liverpool, they want to win the Premiership but sell their play maker! I wonder will this Poulsen guy from Juventus be any good if they do buy him?

[Psychotic]

I didn't know we were linked with him. I hope not. From what I've read we're linked with Aquilani and Silva, much better prospects imho.

[Loony BoB]

Aquilani being the likely one from what I understand, while Silva continues to be linked with every club under the sun (or cloud, as the case may be in England).

[Rocket Edge]

Both are very decent players and able replacements for Xabi. £30mill is a nice sum in the pocket too.

[Shattered Dreamer]

Aquilani being the likely one from what I understand, while Silva continues to be linked with every club under the sun (or cloud, as the case may be in England).

Aquilani had his medical today & the fee is somewhere in the region of £20m.

Darren Bent finally went to Sunderland for £10m & deal could rise to £16.5m. According to an article I read today Darren Bent has scored as many Premier League goals as Frank Lampard between the 05/06 season & now 49 goals! If Harry Rednapp actually reckons his wife is a better striker than Bent why doesnt she play for Spurs even Chelsea:p:D:p

[Croyles]

Wow the premierleague has gotten even more bloated with money since i last paid attention to the transfer fees :)

[DK]

http://blogs.citypages.com/sports/42_paulo_wanchope.jpg

I long for the glory days. :(

[DK]

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/worldcup2006/images/stars/wanchope_paulo050608getty.jpg

god damn he is a beautiful man.

[DK]

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_03/pwanchopeG2607_468x536.jpg

It takes all of those strikers to fill half of this mans boots.

[DK]

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H20YJ2sqVQQ/Skzlf1_2F6I/AAAAAAAAARs/hvGVTivXKdM/s800/Newcastle_kit_280x3_830386j.jpg

hahahahahahhaahah custard cream failures

[DK]

http://cultureofsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/paulo_wanchope.jpg

badman.

[sephireland]

It's become a bit of a joke. It's between Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea. All the other teams are just making up the numbers. Fucking shame.

[charliepanayi]

It's been like that for the last 10 years now you know (in hacing only two or three teams in with a shout anyway),this is hardly headline news =P

[sephireland]

It's been like that for the last 10 years now you know (in hacing only two or three teams in with a shout anyway),this is hardly headline news =P

Arsenal were also in the running in the past ten years and are probably kidding themselves into believing they have a shot. Man City are probably thinking they're in with a shout too. Neither are.

[Rocket Edge]

Well, your right about Man City. I think they will be lucky to get a Europa League spot. For some reason however, I fancy Arsenal to do very well this coming season. If they bring in another decent centre back, and possibly an experienced central midfielder they will chase right to the end. Vermaelen was a good buy, while it's scary to think what Arshavin will do this coming season.

Also Dan, these guys deserve a shout:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39617000/jpg/_39617187_jimmy_ap300x300.jpg

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39122000/jpg/_39122033_dublin_gi245x245.jpg

& of course:

http://img.skysports.com/07/09/218x298/tony_yeboah_575597.jpg

[Psychotic]

fuck Dion Dublin. He was the only sticker I needed to complete Man Utd in my Premier League 94 sticker album. :colbert:

Hahahahaha Dion Dublin played for Man United and won the league. That is a pretty funny thought, looking back on it!

[Rocket Edge]

xD God I remember them. Mine was the Leeds United crest in the 96/97 season. I swear I would have sold my soul for it at the time. Those sticker album's were so addictive and cost me a fortune (smurfing bandai).

[charliepanayi]

It's been like that for the last 10 years now you know (in hacing only two or three teams in with a shout anyway),this is hardly headline news =P

Arsenal were also in the running in the past ten years and are probably kidding themselves into believing they have a shot. Man City are probably thinking they're in with a shout too. Neither are.

Thanks, but I'm perfectly realistic about Arsenal's chances =P.

And don't put us in the same category as Man City!

[DK]

While I appreciate that Tony Yeboah is indeed a badman, those men all still pale in comparison to the master himself. Also i'm quite disappointed Faustino Asprilla wasn't in that list with them. He was a badman.

Also yeah don't put us in the same category as Arsenal, I know people seem to be very jealous and upset that a club that has been awful for a long time finally gets a break with a little bit of money (that still isn't going to stop our glorious 12th place heritage) but we're not nearly that disgustingly vile and failridden.

[charliepanayi]

I'm flattered, I truly am.

As for the idea that I might be jealous of teams like Chelsea and Man City with their newfound wealth, all I can say is 'no :bou::bou::bou::bou:, Sherlock'

[DK]

nah, arsenal are a great team and I have a LOT of respect for Arsene Wenger. I have a little doll of him that my Gran knitted for me. I take him on outings to the park and he whispers sweet French nothings into my ear. <!--I'll do it myself if you won't!-->

edit:

http://www.terra.com/deportes/especiales/mundial2002/img/24a.jpg

[Psychotic]

How can you be jealous of Man City when Arsenal easily paid £20ish million (price was never disclosed, but Spurs had a £16m offer rejected) for Arshavin? We've all got mad money. City are just catching up, really.

[charliepanayi]

Because Man City have done about half a dozen transfers like that this summer? We hardly make those £15-20 million transfers very often! OK we do have more cash than 99% of clubs out there but...but...shut up! :(

Anyway on a serious note I'm looking forward to the new season, though will probably hastily revise this opinion after we lose to Everton on the weekend and Celtic knock us out of the European Cup.

[Loony BoB]

Those half a dozen transfers only put them on the same page as the rest of us, though - hence "catching up". Also, if we had bought six big name players this season then I'd be worried since we don't need to. City have the players to be replaced. :p I suppose, though, that Arsenal have a few duds around, too.

[Shattered Dreamer]

Its strange that everyone complains about Man City spending around £100m on players when Real Madrid spent over £250m but hey whatever!

[demondude]

Man City didn't really deserve the money they're using to buy the title though.

[Heath]

How can you be jealous of Man City when Arsenal easily paid £20ish million (price was never disclosed, but Spurs had a £16m offer rejected) for Arshavin? We've all got mad money. City are just catching up, really.

No, we haven't.

Today was bloody depressing. I knew we'd get beat, but didn't expect a 6-1 thrashing. I got into a pub after work just before Arsenal scored their third and left when they scored their fifth. Not going to pretend that I thought our summer would go much differently, but it hurts as an Evertonian sometimes when we have no money at all to improve our squad and the signings that we do hope to make are highjacked by jerks like Harry Redknapp at the last minute. That and I'm sick of Hughes continually hounding Moyes to release Lescott. Though I really do think Moyes deserves more money than he gets and sometimes I'm genuinely surprised he's still our manager.

Oh, and about the result? brb suicide

[demondude]

It was 6-1, wasn't it? =p

[Psychotic]

Hurray! Everton are :bou::bou::bou::bou:!

Boo! Arsenal aren't!

[Heath]

Yeah, I wasn't listening for the last two goals, but I just caught up on them and edited the post, but you beat me to it.

ANYWAY STOP INTERRUPTING MY SUICIDE ATTEMPTS

[demondude]

*Shakes*

[Psychotic]

Don't worry, you have plenty to live for. I hear Everton want to sign Steven Taylor.

[Old Manus]

Yeah see what happens when you get Swans material forsaking his homeland and managing Wigan? A 2-0 victory at Villa Park, that's what. You Wiganers should be bloody grateful :mad2:

[charliepanayi]

Well that's the high point of our season already probably.

[DK]

Man City didn't really deserve the money they're using to buy the title though.

Aren't you a Chelsea fan? get smurfed ya smurfen gimp :laugh:

Irelands goal was awesome, Toure was great, decent game for us. Thought Dunney did quite well as well.

edit:

Oh, and about the result? brb suicide

tbf it could have been a whole heap worse brah (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7381794.stm)

[Psychotic]

Well I looked at the line ups and this is why Liverpool will not win the league this season: Subs: Cavalieri, Voronin, Benayoun, Spearing, Kelly, Dossena, Ayala

Untested kids, also-rans who would struggle making it into the Wigan XI, and the admittedly fantastic Yossi Benayoun. Torres and Gerrard is the best damn striking partnership in this league by some way, but they're both made of glass, and when one gets injured - and they will - I can't see Voronin or Ngog banging in the goals.

Welp, kick off, seeya.

EDIT: Well that was always going to end one way as soon as Carragher and Skrtel KOed each other. Will definitely need to improve if we're to fuckin' finish in the CL places. Arsenal aren't as weak as supposed, and City have, contary to what the experts thought would happen, blended well.

[Rocket Edge]

and City have, contary to what the experts thought would happen, blended well.
I don't think so. They looked disjointed at times, and they had to put in some last ditch defending also. I know it's the first day of the season but they have been so inconsistant under Hughes in the past so I'll refrain from passing judgement until a further few games.

1-0? Obviously happy with the result but Birmingham provided us with another borefest by playing with 1 goalkeeper & 10 defenders. I understand why managers do it, it's just that it takes some entertainment from the game.

[Loony BoB]

We were kind of lucky they did. You'd think with Rio & Vidic out (:( @ Fantasy Football, I have them both) they'd have at least taken a gamble.

[Old Manus]

Burnley :<3:

[Rocket Edge]

Burnley :mad2:

I must be seeing things.

[Loony BoB]

I miss Rio and Vidic. But I do have to appreciate a new side to the PL beating us. Good on them for what they achieved.

[Rocket Edge]

Very much so. As much as a bad result this is for us, I got to hand it to Burnley. This is no fluke either as they did this to Chelsea & Liverpool in the FA Cup last season. Even Fergie had the same attitude. The real downside of this match however is that I'm starting to think we're gonna really miss Ronaldo. At least that's what I'm seeing on Football First ATM. I'll give Valencia time though.

[Psychotic]

I thought Everton put us out of the FA Cup last season! :confused:

Also: Dude! Glen Johnson kicks ass at soccer! He's the MVP for sure! Americanisms aside, never thought I'd ever say words to that effect, but there they are.

That was the Liverpool of last season. I do think having our centre backs KOed (and Gerrard and Torres nursing injuries) are what held us back against Spurs. I think we lost at White Hart Lane last season but drew with Stoke, so we're +2 points from last season! :aimsun:

[Rocket Edge]

Well whoever it was! :(

[Jess]

10/12 points, a bloody good start to the season for the toon. I'm hoping they can keep it up. :excited:

[charliepanayi]

Two defeats already for Liverpool? Ouch. Mind you come the end of September I dread to think how many games we might have lost! :(

[Psychotic]

:|

Need as in medically need a new striker.

[demondude]

I like the way Liverpool's season is going. :D

[Heath]

Some Russian I've never heard of and Sylvain Distin are going to take the Premiership by storm. Just you watch. We're only sitting bottom with a -6 goal difference to give the rest of you losers a chance.

Blind optimism works, right?

[charliepanayi]

Decent European Cup draw for us.

The Eduardo diving business was daft and a bit cringeworthy (it's not like we weren't in control), but it's all such a storm in a teacup, the media as usual pointedly ignoring the occasions when it's an England international who does that sort of thing.

[Heath]

Tony Hibbert did a similarly terrible dive against Burnley and won us a penalty. This did not abate my serious diliking of Tony Hibbert. Still, he got sent off after 4 minutes yesterday and we were fine. It was nice of Sigma (our Czech opponents) to give us an advantage by getting Hibbert sent off.

[Old Manus]

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | S | Swansea | Swansea sign Trundle and Beattie (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/8224492.stm)

[Rocket Edge]

And so the hallowed son returns.

[DK]

Lee Trundle was such a God for me on FM2008 when I was managing Crewe. Scored liek 30 goals in a season to get us promoted to the championship. Severe love.

[Old Manus]

Current feeling around the pubs in South Wales: He's past it and won't make an impact, but we all secretly wish he will score a hat trick tomorrow

[Psychotic]

All is forgiven. :love:

[charliepanayi]

Blast. Well there's clearly a lot of progress that still needs to be made with the team. We need good performances now next month against the likes of Man City and Fulham last month, it's games like that we have had the most problems with in recent seasons.

[Psychotic]

I don't think Arsenal should feel ashamed of that game.

Speaking of shame though, christ, what the fuck is with Liverpool? I was skeptical of Glen Johnson but I tell you, he is the only player - besides Pepe Reina - who is pulling his weight and looks worth every penny so far. Thank fuck I have him in my Fantasy Football team! Hopefully I can overtake Demon Dude :p

[charliepanayi]

Ashamed is us losing to Man City 3-0 last season - I want no repeats this time!

[demondude]

I don't think Arsenal should feel ashamed of that game.

Speaking of shame though, christ, what the smurf is with Liverpool? I was skeptical of Glen Johnson but I tell you, he is the only player - besides Pepe Reina - who is pulling his weight and looks worth every penny so far. Thank smurf I have him in my Fantasy Football team! Hopefully I can overtake Demon Dude :p

Good luck with that, because I have him as well. :cool:

Happy with today's results, btw. Hopefully Tottenham will crumble soon, paving the way to Chelsea's inevitable lead. :D

[Rocket Edge]

Glen Johnson looks quality.

Even though I was delighted with the result, I felt Arsenal deserved to get something out of the game. I thought they were especially desprately unlucky. The moment of the match was no doubt the 96th minute when Wenger went up to the stands. That whole situation was so silly though that It made me mouth off to ref saying something like, why bother.

[charliepanayi]

A Celtic player is sent off today after getting a second yellow card for diving - ha!

[Psychotic]

Although I much prefer Celtic to Arsenal because Liverpool and Celtic are good friends (or something), I do think the hysteria over Eduardo was pathetic. Yes, he dived and got away with it, you were going to lose anyway so stop blaming it on that!

[Heath]

I was always told by my dad that Evertonians tend to prefer Rangers and used to think it was Everton-Rangers and Liverpool-Celtic, but I've since come across many people who defy the trend so lord knows. The YNWA connection somewhat dampens any attraction to Celtic for me though :p

Glad that 1) we're finally buying people 2) have finally won a game and 3) seem to be playing relatively well. Hopefully Tony Hibbert will be reduced to the rank of squad player once and for all. It's nice that he can cross now, just a pity he can't defend.

[Jess]

Top of the leagueeeee :excited:

[Loony BoB]

I wonder if Newcastle fans would prefer to be top of the Championship or close to the bottom of the Premier League...

[Psychotic]

Man, UEFA/FIFA do not like the English clubs' recent dominance, do they? First they whack Arsenal, then they hit Chelsea, and now they're gunning for United. It'll be us next.

[Loony BoB]

FIFA haven't received any complaint as yet for United so they can't be "gunning" at the moment - it's just another French club saying they've got evidence of inducement. I don't know really - maybe we have done something wrong, but given the large number of players we go after that are very young you'd think that if we were doing things in a bad way we would have been caught out a long time before now.

I can understand that French clubs want to keep their players they train up in their academies but surely it is up to the player to go where he wishes once he's 16? Having said that, I can also understand if they raise it to 18. They definitely need to get something done about all of this, though, so it's very straight forward.

[demondude]

Fan-fucking-tastic. Thanks Fifa, you're great. :sad:

[charliepanayi]

Man, UEFA/FIFA do not like the English clubs' recent dominance, do they? First they whack Arsenal, then they hit Chelsea, and now they're gunning for United. It'll be us next.

Yeah except:

- The whole Eduardo fuss started with ITV, Celtic and the British media. I doubt UEFA would have paid it any attention without the media here pontificating over the whole business.
- Chelsea are not the first team to have this happen to them. It has apparently happened to Roma and Auxerre in the past too.
- If UEFA really wanted to hamper the English clubs, they could have done a better job of rigging the recent European Cup group stage draw considering who Arsenal/Man Utd/Liverpool/Chelsea all wound up with! This implies that if they are secretly hatching plans to stop English teams, they're proving somewhat incompetent at it.
- The English clubs have only dominated recently in terms of making it to the semi-finals year on year. It should be noted that an English team has won the European Cup twice this decade, which is good, but when you compare it to 1977-1984 when every year bar one saw an English team triumph this 'dominance' feels like small fry. Hell, twice in the last three years the one non-English team in the last four has won the competition! This implies that UEFA should stop getting so stroppy about the whole thing. And stop having four teams from one country in the European Cup anyway, no wonder the UEFA Cup/Europa League is so crap these days.

EDIT: Brazil become the latest country to qualify for the World Cup, Ivory Coast are 99% there too. Portugal and Argentina on the other hand are starting to sweat. No Ronaldo and/or Messi at the World Cup next year? I think Argentina will still make it anyway, but it's looking tough for Portugal.

[Psychotic]

You're just cranky because a Spurs player scored the winner against Cyprus. :greenie:

[charliepanayi]

I wrote that message before the Cyprus game!

And we were robbed, just like we were against Italy last year :(

[Psychotic]

I know, that's why I titled my post "time paradox" :p

[charliepanayi]

Doh!

England only need a draw tonight to qualify and they're winning. I think you can stick a fork in their qualifying campaign, as it's pretty much done =P

[Psychotic]

602266022460225I am so glad that Capello does not listen to the media. "Noooo drop Heskey he doesn't score!" Capello doesn't give a :bou::bou::bou::bou:. He has a system, and Heskey fits into that system. I also get the impression that if he were to drop him it would be for Crouch or C. Cole, not Jermain Defoe. And rightly so. It's this listening to the media :bou::bou::bou::bou: and not having a fixed system that has smurfed England over so heavily in the past.

[charliepanayi]

That, and playing crappy 'hoof the ball' football a lot of the time ;)

[Psychotic]

It worked for Wimbledon.

hahahahah Slaven Billic fuck you. I'm not going to make myself popular with Heath but the man is just like David Moyes. A gobby little tit who thinks he's hot :bou::bou::bou::bou: just because he's had a few good results. He even looks like him.

Hopefully we don't have the chest-thumping Three Lions are favourites attitude for this World Cup, and instead try to be like '98 Croatia or '02 Turkey, a quietly efficient European team that gets results.

[Old Manus]

Billic doesn't have time to train his players because he spends all his time driving his CUZAN across town to strip bars, then drives him all the way back pretending he had fun.

Oh wait no I got my names mixed up

[Croyles]

Billic doesn't have time to train his players because he spends all his time driving his CUZAN across town to strip bars, then drives him all the way back pretending he had fun.

Oh wait no I got my names mixed up

:p I love Bilic though. He was a player for my beloved Karlsruher SC (German club, got relegated last season grrrr), and was one of the key players when we beat Valencia 7-0 in the uefa cup back in like, ehhh, 93, when Valencia was at the top of the spanish league.
Granted I was only like 6 years old back then but it was still awesome :)

You can watch him shoot the last goal here
YouTube - Karlsruhe SC Valencia CF - 7-0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG2fMZP7N28)

Most of you are going: "WTF is this team he's going on about. I dont give a fuck" and fair enough to that. I think its worth watching anyway just for the sheer pleasure of seeing a spanish side demoralised like that :D

[charliepanayi]

Paraguay also qualify for the World Cup after beating Argentina last night. That leaves Argentina in a precarious position before the final two games next month. It's going to be interesting to see if they and/or Portugal make it. France are looking at having to go through a playoff too. But the real glamour tie next month is Bahrain v New Zealand - one of these teams will be at the World Cup. Never thought I'd type that sentence :)

Back to the domestic action, and a trip to Man City :(

[Psychotic]

Weren't New Zealand in some World Cup in the 70's or 80's or something?

[Loony BoB]

1982, Group 6.

Scotland 5 - 2 New Zealand
USSR 3 - 0 New Zealand
Brazil 4 - 0 New Zealand

Go the All Whites?

[Croyles]

1982, Group 6.

Scotland 5 - 2 New Zealand
USSR 3 - 0 New Zealand
Brazil 4 - 0 New Zealand

Go the All Whites?

L0l.

[charliepanayi]

Though those two goals they got against Scotland did contribute to Scotland going out in the First Round yet again, so they did make a contribution XD - plus at least they didn't lose a game 10-1 in that World Cup like poor El Salvador did.

[Heath]

hahahahah Slaven Billic smurf you. I'm not going to make myself popular with Heath but the man is just like David Moyes. A gobby little tit who thinks he's hot :bou::bou::bou::bou: just because he's had a few good results. He even looks like him.


:( ildm Also it's totally an unfair comparison. David Moyes hasn't spent about two years on our injury table like Billic did. Also, in fairness, I think Moyes has got more than "a few good results." Not going to argue the appearance comparison though.

I thought it was a good performance by England last night and I was disappointed by the Croatian display. It's certainly nice to have seen Gerrard and Lampard play so well together in the same squad and - if that can continue - I think we'll be a force to be reckoned with at the World Cup. Do I think we can win? Yes. Do I think we will? No. I think we'll probably get to the semis depending on the draws we get.

[Psychotic]

I'll give you a free "Insult Rafa Benitez" coupon if you like. :greenie: I agree with your views on England entirely.

[Loony BoB]

You don't need to insult Rafa, he makes it too easy. Not sure how you can insult Moyes though, who has done fantastically with Everton.

[Psychotic]

Rafa Benitez has accomplished more than any manager in the history of football. He won the Champions League with Djimi Traore.

[DK]

Not sure how you can insult Moyes though

http://img.skysports.com/07/12/218x298/Tim_Cahill_609279.jpg

[Loony BoB]

I must have missed a news article or something as I don't get that joke. :( Did Cahill insult Moyes or something?

[Psychotic]

The joke is that Tim Cahill is a tit.

My main beef with Moyes is the time he flipped the fuck out when Rafa called Everton a small club. This would be understandable - Everton are a big club, even I admit that! - if Moyes himself hadn't called Everton a small club previously after a loss against Chelsea.

[Loony BoB]

Oh, right. Well, I'd say a lot of players are tits so it's no different to any other club, really.

I can't find the quote where Moyes called Everton a small club, but then, I only searched through five pages of links featuring Rafa before I gave up.

[Old Manus]

There's only so much paranoia you can sift through

[DK]

hhaahahah that was fucking awesome

[charliepanayi]

*shakes head* Unbelieveable.

[Psychotic]

Emanuel Adebayor is a straight up loop-de-smurfing loop maniac.

Also Liverpool have a new shirt sponsor. Man, we've had Carlsberg since the dawn of time. We're the only team never to have changed it since the Premiership was created. Our shirts just won't look right without it. Wow, I'm getting nostalgic over a corporate advertising deal.

We've also signed a chap called Ngoo, who will go nicely with Amoo and Ngog.

[charliepanayi]

If Adebayor wants to run the whole pitch to wind up our fans that's his business, he wouldn't be the first player to do that (though it was rather amusing that even Craig Bellamy looked rather apologetic about it), but I'd rather he didn't stick his boot in the face of our players. Also, do we have to play such suicidal football.

I remember when Arsenal finally changed their sponsors in the late 90s after having JVC for well over a decade :(

[Rocket Edge]

Sharp. :(

Yeah, I think Adebayor is a idiot for what he did in that game.

Big game this weekend between United & City. I'm still optimistic.

[charliepanayi]

Boy it's all coming up roses. We're going to lose to a Belgian side! :)

[Psychotic]

Thanks for making me feel better about us going to pieces against some Hungarians.

EDIT: n/m game won. Not convincing but 3 points and all that.

Also why does every website show a photo of Lucas when they're talking about Liverpool? First ITV now Orange. He is like Hargreaves or Fletcher before they became decent. Stop showing him damnit! At least for another 2-3 years.

[DK]

Hahahahah I knew that game was gonna end 4-3.

Can't complain really the only way we stayed in that game was thanks to Shay Given being a beast, the extra extra extra time was a bit bull:bou::bou::bou::bou: but Utd definitely deserved the win.

[Old Manus]

Added minutes: 4
Owen goal scored in 5th added minute

Suddenly a 15 second substitution warrants an extra two minutes of stoppage time. Awesome game though.

[Psychotic]

Craig Bellamy > Michael Owen. :colbert:

Darren Fletcher has become a proper beast these days though. And Man United are doing a lot better than many people thought they would this season with the departures of Ronaldo and Tevez.

[Rocket Edge]

Incredible game! Can't remember ever seeing a better game, it was awesome. Delighted for Owen too.

[Heath]

Standard Liege are a good team. Probably should've put Liverpool out of the CL last season and put us out of the UEFA Cup first round. I remember somebody on the BBC live text complaining that Everton, who finished 5th, got the Belgian champions while Man City who got in through the Fair Play award got some part-time team from Cyprus "for being rubbish at fouling."

I can't complain with our recent forms. Great wins over AEK Athens, Hull and Blackburn and a neat three points at Portsmouth. Clearly I need to leave the country more often as that was 12 goals without reply right there. I bet we lose when I go to Goodison to watch us play Stoke on Sunday. Diouf can bugger off though.

I can't imagine Phil Brown will last much longer. Liverpool got some jammy goals yesterday, but Torres was in excellent form. Great result for Wigan too, wouldn't have seen that coming.

[charliepanayi]

Nice to see us win whilst playing poorly for once. If we can pick up 10-12 points in October I might be a bit more optimistic!

4 draws in 65 games so far (or something like that) - curious to see.

[Rocket Edge]

I know my country can do it, pummel those Italians tonight!

[charliepanayi]

Even if Ireland win they'd still need Italy to drop points at home to Cyprus in the last game to have a chance at first place.

Still Cyprus are beating Bulgaria right now and thus pretty much guaranteeing Ireland a playoff place ;) - and I hope Ireland do qualify. They'll be unseeded though and that could mean a game against the likes of France, Russia or maybe Portugal.

England get their additional revenge over Croatia sort of - losing to Ukraine now means that Ukraine will almost certainly be getting the playoff spot rather than Croatia.

Current qualified teams:
South Africa
Japan
Australia
North Korea
South Korea
Brazil
Paraguay
Chile
Holland
England
Spain
Germany
Denmark
Serbia
Italy
Switzerland (pretty much there)
Ghana
Ivory Coast
USA
Mexico

[Loony BoB]

Bahrain 0 - 0 New Zealand

So if we wanna go through, we need a win in our home game or to go through on penalties after a 0-0 in extra time. C'mon, NZ in the World Cup!

[Rocket Edge]

Even if Ireland win they'd still need Italy to drop points at home to Cyprus in the last game to have a chance at first place.
Well of course, but to say a country as small as ours beat the world champions would have been something.

Gutted about the last minute equalizer, but can't complain about the result on face value. I think our national team should be very proud of themselves. The only thing now is the shocking seeding system that FIFA so cruelly put into place. I'm not gonna complain to much about it but FIFA were just thinking about the money on that one, and not giving a crap about us smaller nations. Still whoever it is, bring them on. Under Trappatoni Ireland are extremely hard to beat/break down.

[charliepanayi]

Actually they had seedings for the playoffs for the 2006 World Cup, so this is hardly anything new. Not to mention the fact that everything is bloody seeded in international competitions. People should have seen it coming.

Ireland can get one of the following if things stay as they are: Russia, France, Greece, Portugal

[Rocket Edge]

Was it? Maybe I heard wrong. Still, it's BS.

If we get Russia we are goners. Greece ideally. I think we could nick it against Portugal or France, but if they come really up for it then I can only see one victor. Why couldn't we get the likes of Iran again?! :sad:

[Heath]

I'd certainly like to see Ireland qualify, so I'll be hoping for Greece!

[charliepanayi]

I want Ireland to qualify (I have good memories seeing them during the 1990 and 1994 World Cups) but I'm Greek Cypriot so hopefully not Greece!

I would say about the seedings that they shouldn't be doing it on FIFA ranking (which is flawed) but on how many points picked up during qualification.

[charliepanayi]

Even the beach balls are conspiring against Liverpool these days!

Whether it be fix, or just plain FIFA incompetence (or both), here's the draw for next month's two-leg World Cup playoffs:

Portugal v Bosnia
Ireland v France
Russia v Slovenia
Greece v Ukraine

I fancy Ireland to maybe pull off a shock. I really hope they do, just for the sake of unpredictability. Plus I like Ireland. Otherwise I see Portugal, Russia and Ukraine making it.

[Psychotic]

I think Rafa is going to be out of a job soon, hilarious beach ball goals aside. The American owners won't tolerate 8th place or wherever we are now. I don't know how I feel about that.

I hope Ireland beat the French but that's a given. A Shay Given. :smug:

[Rocket Edge]

Tough draw. I'm most upset that we are playing the first leg at home. Anyway, the boys will rise to the occasion (I'm sure)! Hopefully the French squad will have a bust up with Domenich (or however you spell the french coaches name) leading up to the match. I could see it happen!

I can't see Benitez staying at Liverpool for another season if they don't win the title. So I think he could be staring at the exit door. I would just worry from a Liverpool perspective if he left, then Torres might do aswell, with them being Spanish & all. Maybe not...

[Loony BoB]

CL football + recently signed long term contract + Liverpool financial situation = Manager not getting sacked.

If I'm right about that, then I think Rafa will be safe as long as Liverpool get CL football next season. Having said that, a Middle Eastern buyout would change everything.

[Old Manus]

I hope Ireland beat the French but that's a given. A Shay Given. :smug:It's been a while since I laughed out loud at EoFF

It hurts so good

[Psychotic]

David N'Gog.

[Rocket Edge]

David N'Gog.

[charliepanayi]

Nice one, throw away a two goal lead against a team who can't score in a brothel on the day both Manchester sides drop points. I mean we only have Spurs next week and all! *irritated*

*sighs* Chelsea for the title right?

[Loony BoB]

Chelsea are certainly looking good for it but it's too early to count out United, Arsenal, Liverpool or even a shock storm-up from City/Villa/Spurs just yet. Although I doubt the latter, they're still very much in the mix at the moment. Quarter-way through the season now and it's proving interesting.

No complaints about United not getting a point as we didn't deserve it - we missed a midfielder with real legs on him with Anderson not even getting off the bench and Fletcher/Hargreaves both out. Scholes + Carrick + Giggs = The slowest three midfielders we've got. Still, not an excuse as we still should have done much more in the game and our ballkeeping was near non-existant for most of the game. I will say that Carragher should have been sent off, although I would have my doubts whether or not that would have lead to a different result as I think Liverpool could easily have kept us out for the final ten minutes even with ten men on the pitch.

[Psychotic]

Two straight reds? What bollocks. Probably would've lost the game anyway 'cause half the team is out with swine flu, but :bou::bou::bou::bou: like that does not help.

(No it's not karma for last week, Carra shouldn't have been sent off then, either. :colbert:)

[Loony BoB]

Hahaha, he so should have last week. Only Liverpool fans think he shouldn't have going by the discussions I've had/overheard on it. But I don't care so much - it set up the lovely moment where, right after Jamie Redknapp said "He's my mate, I know him and he'll be the first to admit he should have been sent off", Carragher is asked if he thinks he should be sent off during an interview and says. "No. Why, do you?" to the interviewer.

[Psychotic]

I thought Liverpool played damned well (apart from one player) tonight, particularly when several of them were playing through the pain barrier, and fully deserved the win. Jammy French gits. Still, a very decent position in the league is not as out of reach as the media like to claim it is if the lads play like that every week.

Andriy Voronin is not the best of our players, but I hoped that his experience could help on such an important night, but jesus christ he bottled it. He honestly looked like he was going to cry the entire time. Did not put a foot right. A lot of people say this as hyperbole, but I genuinely think that if you had handed me the number 10 shirt, I would've done better than him tonight. I don't care who Rafa plays instead of Voronin in future games - Babel, N'Gog, Eccleston, hell, drag Stevie G off his sickbed if you fucking have to - just never, ever, start with him again. Please.

[charliepanayi]

I don't think Liverpool are in a position to lecture any other team about being jammy in the European Cup! :(

It's not just Liverpool at the moment. Barcelona and Inter are still fighting to qualify from a very tight group, and Bayern Munich look in almost as much trouble as Liverpool. If the worst come sto the worst for Liverpool, they're 7/1 apparently to win the UEFA Europa League. Worth a punt maybe...

[Psychotic]

We'd treat the Europa League like we do the Carling Cup, I'd wager.

[Heath]

Just posting to let you guys know I've not topped myself over Everton's recent form. Though it's surely only a matter of time.


We'd treat the Europa League like we do the Carling Cup, I'd wager.

Most likely. Which is a pity, really. It's hardly an prestigious competition and a cup is a cup. I'd certainly rate it higher than the Carling Cup.

Also we have so many bloody injuries at the minute that I'm just going to pretend the last five games didn't happen.

[Old Manus]

<img src="http://www.fansfc.com/UploadedImages/Players/Darren%20Pratley_633590610802812500.jpg" alt="when cardiff play football the ball is square">

[Psychotic]

David N'Gog.Also apparently Germany's #1 goalkeeper killed himself by throwing himself under a train. That's pretty smurfed up, and a tragedy, but I can't help imagining that if David James (side-parting edition) had done it, he would have destroyed the train.

[charliepanayi]

The Robert Enke thing was very sad indeed :(

World Cup qualifying reaches its conclusion this weekend and Wednesday next week. Three places left from Africa, four from Europe and two from the Uruguay v Costa Rica/Bahrain v New Zealand games. Come on Ireland!

[Psychotic]

I am hoping for a Bahrain win. No offence to BoB, it's just that Bahrain are on PES 10 and New Zealand aren't. :shobon:

(similarly I hope Egypt overcome Algeria)

[charliepanayi]

Will be tough for Egypt, they have to win by at least three goals, or win by two goals and then beat Algeria again in a one-off playoff on neutral ground a few days later.

[Rocket Edge]

If we are to have a hope in this tie, I believe we need to keep a clean sheet at home. A 1-0 would even be ideal. Come on my boys I know you can do it!

Also, commiserations to Enke. :sad:

[charliepanayi]

Yeah especially as they have away goals in these playoffs I believe, so a clean sheet at home is hugely important.

[Loony BoB]

Stupidest reason to want Bahrain to win ever. >=|

C'mon New Zealand! Oceania represent.

[Psychotic]

Me and my brother always play through the World Cup on whatever football game we have. Been a tradition since '94. So I'm gonna have to edit in your boys, player by player, if they qualify. I did that :bou::bou::bou::bou: for Trinidad and Tobago in '06 and I did not enjoy it. :colbert:

[Loony BoB]

They won't patch it to include the team if they qualify? Bit gay.

[Psychotic]

Oh, I hadn't considered that possibility! First next-gen football game I own so I don't know how these things work. :shobon: If they will be patched in, then I am all aboard the New Zealand train.

[Loony BoB]

Why, are you racist against Bahrain peoples?

;)

[Psychotic]

Yes, my raging anti-Bahranian bigotry does play a very key role in this, but also the fact that I get to snicker at you when New Zealand get pounded by Slovakia. :D

[Loony BoB]

Haha, I was saying today at work that we need to get the World Cup so we can allow other lower clubs to get some goals in.

[Psychotic]

The dream World Cup group:

England
USA (Ireland are a suitable replacement)
Australia
New Zealand

Seeing as Australia like to think of themselves as Asians, I think it's possible for them and NZ to be in the same group. Just imagine all the :bou::bou::bou::bou:-talking that would go on. It'd be awesome. England would probably end up going out, though, because all the other teams would love to beat them and be fired up.

[charliepanayi]

The dream World Cup group:

England
USA (Ireland are a suitable replacement)
Australia
New Zealand

Seeing as Australia like to think of themselves as Asians, I think it's possible for them and NZ to be in the same group. Just imagine all the :bou::bou::bou::bou:-talking that would go on. It'd be awesome. England would probably end up going out, though, because all the other teams would love to beat them and be fired up.

Put Ireland in that group and have North Korea, USA and Italy together, that would be great - nuclear tension and memories of 1966!

[Loony BoB]

Don't worry, memories of 1966 will always come about when a World Cup is on and the commentator is anyone even remotely English. Urrrrrrrgh.

[Psychotic]

When you consider England's recent World Cups, it's not really surprising they want to focus on the time we won it instead of the times we won a couple of games then limped out on penalties.

[Loony BoB]

Should be focusing more on the future than the past! I wonder if Brazil spend all their television times stuck in the past, thinking about previous victories. I'd be surprised. New Zealand certainly didn't talk about 1987 obsessively every time the Rugby World Cup comes around. We focused more on how good a team we have at the moment and our chances of winning it this time around, etc. etc.

When England are able to similarly look at their current cup/squad rather than the past ones, then they'll probably be doing it because there's that good a chance that this squad will be victorious. 1966 will likely have little to no effect whatsoever on the current team/cup so, well, yeah.

[charliepanayi]

Should be focusing more on the future than the past! I wonder if Brazil spend all their television times stuck in the past, thinking about previous victories.

Curiously in Brazil they seem to have an obsession with their high-profile World Cup defeats, often even more so than their successes. The 1950 World Cup final loss is still seen as their biggest footballing tragedy for instance, possibly as it's the only World Cup they've hosted to date, until 2014 anyway.

What can I say? In England they can't stop themselves being fixated on their one moment of glory. They'll even overlook how crap the 1990 World Cup was simply because it was the only time since England have come close to repeating the feat! It's all pretty bewildering to the outsider really.

Besides I just brought up 1966 because of North Korea and their victory over Italy then :cool:

[Loony BoB]

NZ = Qualifiiiiiied :D

[charliepanayi]

Well done to NZ :)

At this rate we could be looking at just the one nation making their World Cup debut next summer - Slovakia (unless Bosnia can beat Portugal).

Nigeria and Cameroon both through as well. Egypt grab a 95th minute goal against Algeria to win 2-0 and force a one-off playoff on Wednesday in Sudan. Russia beat Slovenia 2-1 in the first leg of their playoff.

[Psychotic]

Every team I wanted to win lost :(

Also meh at England. "But it's just the reserves!" Yeah well Liverpool have terrible strength in depth and look what's happened to us when Torres, Gerrard and Aquilani have been injured.

Finally this is my prediction what the England squad for the World Cup will be, baring injuries.

1. David James
2. Glen Johnson
3. Ashley Cole
4. Steven Gerrard
5. Rio Ferdinand
6. John Terry
7. Theo Walcott
8. Frank Lampard
9. Emile Heskey
10. Wayne Rooney
11. Gareth Barry
12. Wes Brown
13. Robert Green
14. Joleon Lescott
15. Matthew Upson
16. Michael Carrick
17. David Beckham
18. Joe Cole
19. Aaron Lennon
20. James Milner
21. Peter Crouch
22. Ben Foster
23. Jermain Defoe

Numbers subject to change :D I think we're totally smurfed if one of the full backs gets injured. Brown and Lescott are not good enough tbh. We also have way too much talent on the wings, with SWP and Ashley Young not making my cut!

[charliepanayi]

Van Persie out for months - blast :(

[charliepanayi]

Algeria through, Egypt out!
Greece through, Ukraine out!
Portugal through, Bosnia out!
Slovenia through, Russia out! (on away goals no less)

Ireland 1-0 up in France, so the tie is even steven at the moment. It's just that game and Uruguay v Costa Rica later tonight left.

[Psychotic]

I saw the end of the Slovenia game and Guus Hiddink looked drunk and Arshavin looked like he was about to cry. All in all a good result.

Come on Ireland!

[DK]

Robbie Keane is an awful donkey and he should have buried the French by now. I'll forgive him if he scores again though.

Let's go Ireland!

[charliepanayi]

I saw the end of the Slovenia game and Guus Hiddink looked drunk and Arshavin looked like he was about to cry. All in all a good result.

Come on Ireland!

Arshavin will surely have his revenge when he does a repeat job of last year at Anfield in a few weeks ;)

Oh no, it's the Hand of Henry!

[Psychotic]

I don't really think Slovenia will be particularly bothered if Arshavin scores against Liverpool, you know.

also smurf Henry. Twat. :colbert: Even David N'Gog would be ashamed.

[charliepanayi]

Two words - Stephane Hechoz, were you complaining back in 2001 when he robbed us of a goal with his hand in that final? =P

[Loony BoB]

God Ireland better score. Please. For all that's good in the world. :(

[Psychotic]

Well I'm sure The Republic of Ireland will take great comfort in something that happened to Arsenal 8 years ago. :confused:

[DK]

Haha, love Henry just summing up everything i've ever said about him and thought about him, absolute worst person. Completely dire.

[charliepanayi]

I still love him!

[DK]

Well that was a proper bull:bou::bou::bou::bou: way for the Irish to go out, but at the end of the day they should never have let it come down to that anyway. Had a few chances to put the game away in the 90 minutes and didn't take them, so they should probably reflect on that. Can only blame themselves in the end.

Still, Henry is scum and everyone knows it

[Psychotic]

I still love him!http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e373/photobucketamazingness/henchoz_portrait.jpg

[Shattered Dreamer]

Thierry Henry is a fucken :bou::bou::bou::bou:!?!

Apologies for the blunt & fowl language but I honestly hope he dies screaming. Yet again the cheating by big teams is ignored. I hope the entire Thierry Henry gets a career ending injury because its what he deserves for such blatant cheating! I'm sick to my stomach!?!?!

[charliepanayi]

Yeah, Henry can join the very small list of complete scumbags who cheat in a football match.

[DK]

He's been the standout of football scum for years!

[charliepanayi]

Shattered Dreamer - don't talk complete crap, someone deserves to have their career ended for cheating? That's a typical UK and Ireland outlook on football, ignore the dirty tackles, the broken legs etc, scream about the cheating.

[Psychotic]

YOU'VE BEEN HENCHOZED

[charliepanayi]

Yes, terrible :(

[Psychotic]

I'm going to N'Gog someone next.

[Shattered Dreamer]

Shattered Dreamer - don't talk complete crap, someone deserves to have their career ended for cheating? That's a typical UK and Ireland outlook on football, ignore the dirty tackles, the broken legs etc, scream about the cheating.

Wow thats racist! Yep thats definitely racist nice one:tongue: Still broken legs freak hunting accident would be too good for Henry

I'm slightly more forgiving of Ngog now to be honest

[charliepanayi]

Racist? Accurate I'd call it.

Yeah, because Ngog cheating is so much better, maybe we should set up a cheating scale, with West Germany v Austria in 1982 at the top and a player falling on his arse easily at the bottom? And we can grade all these incidents on that scale. Everyone's guilty of cheating at some point, football isn't fair, we all get pissed off when stuff like this happens to us. Either way in the end ou have to get the f**k over it.

I'd like to have seen the player who would have acted differently in that situation incidentally.

[DK]

Either way in the end you have to get the f**k over it.


which is why you had a whinge about Stephane Henchoz at first opportunity right? Which is why you responded to shattered dreamer with a barely disgused whinge about Eduardo right? haha okay mate

[Psychotic]

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e373/photobucketamazingness/24exhy8.gif

That is absolutely terrible. He knows exactly what he is doing. Worse than Maradona. Almost, ALMOST, as bad as evil Baron von Henchoz.

Also charlie "a whole bunch of players cheat so that's okay" really? Well, a whole bunch of people commit murders. Does that mean it's okay for me to go out and whack some little old granny?

[Rocket Edge]

Shattered Dreamer - don't talk complete crap, someone deserves to have their career ended for cheating? That's a typical UK and Ireland outlook on football, ignore the dirty tackles, the broken legs etc, scream about the cheating.
Hold up a second. I know what he's saying isn't exactly right but it's typical to be fuming after such an event, so give the guy a break. Ireland is heartbroken at the moment, and It's not like England where your expected to get into the World Cup. And a word on the cheating business. Are you from Ireland? No. Well I am, and that is not the way we roll. Even though you might get an idea through the press (although I can't see how from England to Ireland?), we don't pass low remarks on the England public, so return the favor.

I'm so disappointed. I can't help but feel this is so typical of our luck. I don't want people saying I'm feeling sorry for myself, but I'll try break it down to back this up. First off, Anelka's goal was very lucky in the first tie. A deflected shot that hit off the post and in. In fact over the two ties they didn't even have a clear opportunity. It's the best I've seen Ireland ever play in the second leg, they were hitting way above the belt. We dominated that second game. I can go on and on about Henry's double handball (it almost seemed like he carried it for a while it was that bad) but the reality is we should have had the game dead and buried by full time. Still, it's hard to say we only have ourselves to blame when we were 100% cheated out of it.

If an Irish player was in the same position, sure he would have chanced it too. But no-one wants to win the game that way. I think it's a disgrace that the officials never seen this and it taints what was a heroic performance. We should be going to South Africa (granting penalties) but cheating and a shocking decision rob Ireland from everything. It's hard not to be raging.

[Shattered Dreamer]

Either way in the end you have to get the f**k over it.


which is why you had a whinge about Stephane Henchoz at first opportunity right? Which is why you responded to shattered dreamer with a barely disgused whinge about Eduardo right? haha okay mate

Pot kettle black much?

Nice one Rocket Edge too :D

[charliepanayi]

I was pointing out the hypocrisy, I kind of got over that stuff a while ago thanks. Plus yeah lots of people cheat, so we're all throwing stones in glass houses when all is said and done.

And I don't care how upset you are, wishing serious injury on someone is wrong. I might get hacked off but I don't want Martin Taylor to have a broken leg and I don't want Chiellini to get his ankle trodden on.

And I'll say again, any player would have done the same, it's just the way football goes.

[Psychotic]

Robbie Fowler wouldn't have (http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/football-hero-in-honesty-shock-1275119.html). :colbert:

[Shattered Dreamer]

The only hypocrisy worth pointing out is your own. Is that the sound of you digging charliepanayi? That hole should be dug about 6 foot deep:tongue:

[DK]

And I'll say again, any player would have done the same, it's just the way football goes.

I don't get what you are trying to accomplish by repeating this. All it means is that it would be X player being a giant dick instead of Henry. It would still be a dick move and one of the worst acts of blatant cheating in international football. He didn't just instinctively throw a hand out there, he did that and then brought it up again to spoon the ball back into his path. And the result of that is the better team and the more deserving team, and a nation that does not often experience national footballing glory has been denied a shot at the WC. Just because there are other players who would have been a giant dick doesn't suddenly make it acceptable to be a giant dick. But Henry's made a career of it in more ways than one so I am not particularly surprised!

[Psychotic]

What annoys me the most about all of this is this:

Thierry Henry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thierry_Henry#Awards_and_honours)

He's won infinitely more than the entire Irish team combined. France go out, so what? You've got a ridiculously impressive medal collection anyway. Let someone else have a chance to shine for once.

[Cuchulainn]

Cheating dirty fucking French fucking frog eating with your hairey pitted women, fight running, stuck up, African Player Stealing, Dirty, Garlic munching, ball punching, arrogant French fuckin Bastards. Hope everyone who is even SLIGHTLY French gets rabies from one of your fuckin disease ridden mongrals. Die slow you fuckers. Le Fin.

[Loony BoB]

No hard feelings, then, Cuchu?

[Cuchulainn]

No hard feelings, then, Cuchu?

Not at all Robert.

[Rocket Edge]

A rematch will probably never happen, but there's always time to be hopeful! Platini is the biggest obstacle in the way.

[Psychotic]

Apparently Henry is also having a little whinge about Henchoz. Kind of funny that you guys can't let that one go. tbh I'd forgotten all about it until it was brought up here, probably because the best team won on that day. Ah, Arsenal. Never change.

[Jess]

this is several days late... but where is Old Manus? :aimkiss:

[Psychotic]

Pre-emptive: Fuck Vermaelen and why didn't Rafa bring on N'Gog sooner?

[Old Manus]

this is several days late... but where is Old Manus? :aimkiss::quadcolbert:

[Psychotic]

FOR smurf'S SAKE! I am sick and tired of small provincial clubs like Arsenal coming to The Carlsberg Stadium, playing 4-5-1 and trying to nick goals. Are they just jealous that we play the best football in the league? Is that it? It was sickening watching that thug Denilson hacking into poor Mascherano. We deserved to win! 70% possession, 412 completed passes compared to Arsenal's 162, 12 shots on target...it isn't Liverpool that lost today, gentlemen, it is football.

Frankly I think we should leave the Premiership and its long-ball hoofers like Arsenal and form a European Super League with World Class clubs who are on our level such as Barca and Real Madrid.

In summary:
<img src="http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/eoff_smilies/WZbigcry.gif" height="300" width="300">

PS: Was dead right about N'Gog.

PPS: Take THAT, Slovenia!

[Old Manus]

Psychotic was not in an equivocal mood today after his side's 1-2 defeat at Anfield against Arsenal.

When asked about his feelings on the result, he said 'We deserved to win'.

[charliepanayi]

Well that was unexpected at half-time. We usually win the title in seasons we win at Anfield, but I still can't see us continuing that trend. Turf Moor on Wednesday will tell us a lot on how good we really are, as will Villa just after Boxing Day. Still, may as well enjoy the results this weekend for three days.

[Psychotic]

Facetiousness aside, I am really confused as to why the smurf Liverpool are playing so terribly. That was a team of 10 internationals (and the 11th, Aurelio, would be an international but for unfortunate injury timings) so they should really be performing at a higher level. Is it Benitez's tactics? Well, let's not forget his tactics got Liverpool to second last season, and imho we were the best team in the league that season. We've had a lot of bad luck, such as injuries, the beach ball, and plenty of bad refereeing (today is a prime example!) but you can't put it all down to luck. Are the players fatigued? Do they simply not give a :bou::bou::bou::bou:? It's puzzling.

[Loony BoB]

Paul Scholes - He Leaks Goals

:(

[charliepanayi]

OK either Chelsea are going to win this league by a mile or this is going to be the oddest season in a long time.

And Man City ditching Hughes - not sure what to make of that.

[Loony BoB]

To be fair, Chelsea have lost three games away and we've lost four away. I wouldn't put it past them losing a couple more yet with ACN coming up. It's only halfway, there's only five points in it, anything could happen. Arsenal could still win. Liverpool could still make the top four.

[Psychotic]

Liverpool could still make the top fourlol

:cry:

Still, we were a team that finished 8th every year when I started supporting us. I'm used to this!

[charliepanayi]

Well Liverpool could well still manage the top four (just like someone could win the title with 7 defeats or so at this rate), after all the other contenders are Man City (basket cases), Spurs (erratic to say the least) and Aston Villa (in the best shape so far, but need to play well for the whole season this time). Just like with the title, this could well turn into a banana skin-ridden race.

[Psychotic]

Wow, something went right for Liverpool this season for a change.