2010/2011 UK Football Season Thread

[Psychotic]

The other two I can get, but what did Stoke do to offend you?

[Loony BoB]

You don't know how Arsenal hate Stoke? They think Stoke are the dirtiest players in the PL or something.

[Psychotic]

Oh right, they're the new Bolton aren't they?

Speaking of, and speaking of Twitter, anyone a fan of TheBig_Sam? It is the only twitter I will actually read. It's pure genius.

[charliepanayi]

Stoke are dirty gits, Pulis is an idiot and they play godawful football to boot. I'm sure it's wonderfully effective but it's still terrible to watch. Beating them last season after Ramsey's leg got broken was a rather sweet moment. If they played Man Utd in the FA Cup final, I'd probably support Man Utd.

[Psychotic]

I like that Suarez fella, you know.

also hahaha at Nani crying. Dear god.

Hate all the current wank football punditry and journalism at the moment. SEND HIM OFF THAT'S EASILY A RED! for both the Carra and Rafael challenges. smurf off. Just smurf off. Football is a contact sport, it's better played 11 vs 11, stop being such god damn babies because challenges like that are what make it great. The refs are doing a good job at the moment.

[ScottyRedXIII]

I think Nani was looking for an Oscar rather then the golden boot.

And now i'm sitting here watching Spurs lose to wolves. As a westham fan.............. that is rather anoying

[Loony BoB]

Hate all the current wank football punditry and journalism at the moment. SEND HIM OFF THAT'S EASILY A RED! for both the Carra and Rafael challenges. smurf off. Just smurf off. Football is a contact sport, it's better played 11 vs 11, stop being such god damn babies because challenges like that are what make it great. The refs are doing a good job at the moment.
Carra's was a red. Perhaps you're just a little too defensive on that one. Yes, Nani is definitely a case of boy who cried wolf, but that story is nothing without the eventual wolf coming, and in thise case it was a red card that was deserved. That could have ended up with a snapped leg on another player in the same position. Also, I rewound it and interestingly Carra had his leg going above the ball all along and was not even watching the ball, he was watching Nani. I don't know how many players put their studs out two feet high in the air when they slide into a tackle for a ball on the ground, but hey, I don't know how many people who need to put an elbow to someone's head when they're thirty yards from the ball at all, either. Still, should have been red all day long for Carra.

Rafael was a bit iffy for me, he had pulled his legs back and made no contact. Should have been yellow and told to calm down.

Those incidents aside, we deserved to lose because our midfield couldn't regain possession nor could they find the right pass for our strikers. Our defence may have been weakened, but we still would have lost 1-0 if their two (costly) mistakes didn't happen.

[Psychotic]

My rant about pundits was kind of irrelevant to the foul, I have wanted to rip into them for that bull:bou::bou::bou::bou: recently, and that was my catalyst. :D

It was a nasty challenge, sure, although I disagree with what you saw. I watched Carragher in the replay and saw his eyes on the ball. Still think yellow was fair and still found the whole thing funny to be honest :shobon:

Also I don't know why Ferguson didn't play Fletcher in that game. Don't think it would've been so easy if he had been on the pitch from the start. A midfield three of Gerrard, Mereiles and Lucas is going to have a field day against Scholes and Carrick. Gerrard didn't even have an especially good game.

[charliepanayi]

Carragher's tackle was awful, fully deserved a red card.

Too many missed opportunities this season :(

Remaining fixtures:


Man Utd:
Bolton (H)
West Ham (A)
Fulham (H)
Newcastle (A)
Everton (H)
Arsenal (A)
Chelsea (H)
Blackburn (A)
Blackpool (H)

Arsenal:
West Brom (A)
Blackburn (H)
Blackpool (A)
Liverpool (H)
Tottenham (A)
Bolton (A)
Man Utd (H)
Stoke (H)
Aston Villa (H)
Fulham (A)

Man City:
Chelsea (A)
Sunderland (H)
Liverpool (A)
Tottenham (H)
Blackburn (A)
West Ham (H)
Everton (A)
Stoke (H)
Bolton (A)

Chelsea:
Blackpool (A)
Man City (H)
Stoke (A)
Wigan (H)
West Brom (A)
Birmingham (H)
West Ham (H)
Tottenham (H)
Man Utd (A)
Newcastle (H)
Everton (A)

[Heath]

No posts in 20 days in the football thread? Blasphemy.

Wasn't a bad performance by England today. I thought Wales were pretty poor, though Bale being out might have had something to do with that. Still, I have a soft spot for Wales given that I grew up/live there and hope they improve in future qualifying matches. They shouldn't be bottom of that group.

Also, I agree entirely with what Manus said in his rant earlier on. When you look at the table now, you've got 5 times fighting it out for CL places, about 11 teams who could possibly go down and the other 4 teams are just somewhere in limbo between the two.

One of my biggest dislikes about supporting Everton these days (and I imagine if you check every football thread for about the past 3 seasons I've said this) is our lack of money and how we're now just going backwards in the PL. The fact that we were considered relegation candidates a month or two ago (and frankly, with Saha and our best midfield players out injured we might be again) is a testament to that. It's kind of pathetic that the only money we can spend on players are profits from selling players.

Until we are able to spend money, we're never going to be able to compete with big clubs like Brentford or Reading.

(Those cup exits still hurt, I don't care if we beat Chelsea, it's pointless if you get knocked out by lower division opponents in the next round)

Edit:
I have mixed feelings on this. I get that in this day and age, most footballers are mercenaries but I thought Torres would be more loyal than this. He didn't ask to go to Man Utd, he didn't ask to go to Everton, but CHELSEA? Come on, really?

Our strikers are so good I don't think Torres would make it into our starting 11 unless we had some serious injuries. :p

[Psychotic]

Gareth Bale being there wouldn't have affected anything, as Gareth Bale is an overrated sack of piss. As is Jack Wilshere. And nobody would give a fuck about either of them if they played for Stoke.

Scott Parker for president.

[Heath]

I don't think Bale is the next Pele or anything, but I think he might've given Wales a bit more of a spark. My main view on Wilshere is that whenever I want to write his name I always go to write 'Wiltshire.'

[Psychotic]

Wales already had their best players on the pitch in Craig Bellamy (by a long way), James Collins and Aaron Ramsey. I've sneezed better footballers than Gareth Bale :colbert:

[DK]

Neckless Craig is such a hero, such a shame he has to play for Wales.

also omg Thom, pls stay forever <3

[Loony BoB]

I can understand saying Bale is overrated, but to say he's poor is a bit much. The guy is very good.

[Psychotic]

Oh, so I suppose you think it's just coincidence that since Gareth Bale rose to prominence that there have been numerous deadly earthquakes around the globe, and violent unrest in the middle east? :roll2

[Loony BoB]

I hear he's so fast that he actually single-handedly evacuated the entire British population from Libya. By carrying them out one by one. Dodging bullets with stepovers and going through enemy lines by kicking the evacuating Brits past them.

[Heath]

I heard that his set pieces are so good that the no fly zone is being enforced purely by Gareth Bale taking free kicks over Libyan air space.

Would also explain why he missed the match yesterday...

[Psychotic]

I heard Gareth Bale tricked Fernando Torres into swapping identities and faces, Cage/Travolta style, and that's why Fernando has suddeny become pap and signed for Chelsea, while Gareth Bale has become a Milan-wrecking machine.

...I want to believe. :(

[charliepanayi]

Wales are abysmal, and apart from a brief spark in the mid-90s and mid-00s, have been for years. England's group is pretty awful in general, so hopefully Montenegro can seal that playoff spot.

Anyway, football? Pah, who needs it!

[Heath]

Anyway, football? Pah, who needs it!

Thank God, we've still got cri-

[Loony BoB]

C'mon the Black Caps. :aimsun: Although it'll be a trickier semifinal against Sri Lanka than it would have been against England. =|

[Old Manus]

What? Had I known that there was a single other member who had any interest in cricket I would have made a smurfing thread about the Ashes/World Cup :mad2:

EDIT: Also yes yes Wales are :bou::bou::bou::bou:e etc

[DK]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/sickhappy/WasimAkram.jpg

[Loony BoB]

What? Had I known that there was a single other member who had any interest in cricket I would have made a smurfing thread about the Ashes/World Cup :mad2:

EDIT: Also yes yes Wales are :bou::bou::bou::bou:e etc
Dan and I are both registered at CricketWeb, although I don't post there anymore - used to be a mod, too, for a while. :p Resha was there, too. Good times. I believe Neel also follows cricket. Yes, yes, I know, only me and Dan actually still post here regularly. :(

[DK]

speak for yourself, i think i've posted like 80 times in the last year, and the bulk of those would have been in this thread and the halo thread :wacky:

[Old Manus]

I'm sure I registered there in order to open some attachment which had a patch for Brian Lara Cricket 99 or something

[Loony BoB]

Compared to Resha and Neel, that's regularly. D=

[Rocket Edge]

Man United to pummel City in the FA Cup! Seriously though, we are in a decent reign of form and if things go right for us we should get the result. It may have lost it's gloss over the years but I still love this competition!

[Crop]

What a really :bou::bou::bou::bou: birthday present. It just had to be City didn't it?

After Berbatov missed those two shots Utd just got worse and worse, and in the second half were just terrible.

[Loony BoB]

Still yet to see United win an FA Cup. :(

City deserved that win after the second half, even if it took us gifting it to them in order for them to take it. They played out of their skins in the second half, closing us down far better than we closed them down.

Scholes deserved his red and we didn't have much of a chance at that point.

[charliepanayi]

I wouldn't worry, the league is yours anyway :( - hopefully Bolton will get to the final now and beat City.

[Heath]

Scholes' tackle was terrible. Blatant red. I was disappointed to see Man Utd lose; I'm not a fan of either team but I dislike City more these days. I'm hoping that Bolton or Stoke win overall.

Also, can I complain about how terrible our start of the season is yet again? I swear to God, this season and last we were awesome in the second half of the season and diabolical in the first. We'd easily be CL contenders if only we didn't insist on being in the bottom three after the first ten games or so. I think today makes it two months since we last lost in the League and we remain top of are second in the form table. Having said that, I think Liverpool will finish above us. They're winning games you'd expect them to lose (Utd, City, Chelsea) and I think that'll be enough to see them pip us to 6th unfortunately.

Last weekend, what a game against Wolves. Three cracking goals including what was by Phil Neville's standards a wondergoal, and by anyone else's just a great goal.

Also, people asking 'should Leon Osman get a chance in England squad' - never thought I'd see the day. He's been great though. Always been an underrated player.

[Psychotic]

They're winning games you'd expect them to lose (Utd, City, Chelsea) and I think that'll be enough to see them pip us to 6th unfortunately. On the contary, Liverpool always do well against the top teams. (apart from Arsenal, that usually ends in a draw, although naturally I am hoping tomorrow ends in Liverpool victory so that I may chase charliepanayi around the forums for the next six months :)) It's the WBAs and Fulhams of this world that you should expect Liverpool to lose to.

Would be nice to see City finally win a trophy after all these years.

[Heath]

I was just thinking of recent form aside from the WBA game, but you'll know better than I do. Where do you reckon you'll finish?

[Psychotic]

6th. We've got Spurs in our sights but I don't think we have enough games to catch them. We're also looking over our shoulders at you lot, and despite the great injury plague, I think the Suarez-Carroll partnership is really beginning to kick into gear and that should give us the quality to hold position.

[Crop]

Would be nice to see City finally win a trophy after all these years.

Nice like a hernia.

Also, plz beat Arsenal tomorrow. If you do I'll be so happy I'll call you Lord Psychotic for the rest of the season.

[Loony BoB]

Do the runner's up of the FA Cup still get Europa League if the winners are already into Europe?

[Old Manus]

Swansea starting to choke for the third season in a row. Our away form is embarrassing. If we somehow manage to not make the playoffs I swear to God I'll...make an angry post in this thread about it or something

[Heath]

Swansea starting to choke for the third season in a row. Our away form is embarrassing. If we somehow manage to not make the playoffs I swear to God I'll...make an angry post in this thread about it or something

:(

BoB: As far as I know, the losing finalists of the FA Cup get a place (unlike the Carling Cup finalists) if the winners have already qualified.

[Loony BoB]

So only 5th gets a Europa spot? No Europe for Liverpool even if they finish 6th, wow.

[Rocket Edge]

So only 5th gets a Europa spot? No Europe for Liverpool even if they finish 6th, wow.
Same. Is that really so? Still, Liverpool don't exactly play out of their skins in the competition. If they manage to keep Daglish next season I expect another Champions League contender.

[Heath]

Actually, I'm wondering now if I'm mistaken. I'm sure it used to be that way, but then surely Portsmouth would have qualified last season, but then: BBC Sport - Football - Portsmouth Europa League appeal rejected by FA (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8558580.stm)


Portsmouth will not be allowed to play in next season's Europa League after a joint decision by the Football Association and Premier League.

The cash-strapped club had appealed to the FA asking for a Uefa licence to compete in Europe - despite missing the deadline for applications.

Portsmouth would have qualified for the competition if they were to beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final on 15 May.

The team finishing seventh in the Premier League will now qualify.

So if Portsmouth had won, they would have qualified. So maybe the rules have changed and 6th will be a Europa League spot if City win.

Actually, screw it, I think I was right first time.

Edit: I actually checked the UEFA Regulations! http://www1.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/Regulations/competitions/Regulations/01/48/48/90/1484890_DOWNLOAD.pdf


If the winner of the domestic cup qualifies for the UEFA Champions League, the domestic cup runner-up qualifies for the UEFA Europa League at the stage initially reserved for the lowest ranking top domestic league representative (or the winner of another official domestic competition in accordance with paragraph 2.03). Should both the winner and the runner-up of the domestic cup qualify for the UEFA Champions League, the association concerned may enter for the UEFA Europa League the club which finishes the top domestic league immediately below the other club or clubs which qualify for the UEFA Europa League. In both cases, the access stage initially reserved for the domestic cup winner is reserved for the club which finishes the domestic league in the highest position out of all the clubs which qualify for the UEFA Europa League from the association concerned (see Annex Ia). Each representative of the domestic league will then enter the competition at the stage initially reserved for the domestic league representative ranked immediately above it.

So I was right. Aren't I nice actually checking the regulations for you? :p

[Psychotic]

Yup, and there's a similar investigation with Birmingham's finances, so they may lose their UEFA spot to whoever finishes 6th. It's a really embarassing way to qualify for Europe, and yeah, I think it's how we qualified this year.

Still, in my day (robble robble robble) I remember when qualifying for UEFA / Cup Winner's Cup was a smurfing huge thing for us. Graeme Souness has a lot to answer for.

edit for half-time: I never thought I'd say this about a Liverpool v Arsenal game but I would settle for a draw right now. Thoroughly outclassed. Also Kenny I love you, but you are a smurfing psychopath. Two teenagers playing their second Prem games as our full backs at Arsenal? Bloody hell mate. Still, brave Fabio Aurelio lasted 20 minutes this time, a good innings for him!

[Heath]

Good Lord, Bolton Wanderers, why did you even bother getting to the semi-finals?

[Psychotic]

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e373/photobucketamazingness/28sbzpi.gif

kenny dalglish telling crybaby arsene wenger to smurf off: best moment in football history?

I THINK SO!

[ScottyRedXIII]

Arsen Wenger is the biggest :bou::bou::bou: in football history, complaining to kenny because a decision didnt go his way, he is the most ignorant (besides sir alex) person i have ever seen, deserved what kenny said to him.

Checked out the arsenal forums after the game aswell, arsenal fans also to stubborn to admit it was a penalty and flaming douglesh. Annoys me so much

[Old Manus]

Wenger's 'arms out wide at full breadth with a slight shrug' pose is the best part of the Premier League.

[Psychotic]

also just want to say, Jay Spearing, smurfing immense. Was an utter beast against City too. And Robinson and Flanagan did smurfing brilliantly too.

Look out Premier League '11-'12, midget scouse goblin horde coming your way.

[Cuchulainn]

Jay Spearing, Miss Liverpool 2011

[Crop]

Robinson was pretty damn immense in that game.
While Liverpool never looked like scoring at all, I'd say a draw was a fair result. If Eboue hadn't been so stupid, the ref would have blown his whistle and it would have been 1-0.

Also, I love any chance to see Wenger upset.

[Psychotic]

Gareth Bale and Jack Wilshere winning the PFA awards is hilariously awful. What next, Roy Hodgson winning manager of the year?! ...oh.

[Crop]

Gareth Bale and Jack Wilshere winning the PFA awards is hilariously awful.

Any chance to hype up British internationals.

[Heath]

Ashley Cole winning a place in the team of the year at left back rather than Leighton Baines just smacks of lazy/bad decision making. Baines has been fantastic this season and his initials are even LB. Cole's a good player, but Baines has been consistently great for a while now and is - in my incredibly biased opinion - more worthy of the accolade.

Spurs-Arsenal was a pretty excellent game of football tonight. Very exciting and entertaining. Thought Spurs looked the better team and I think that's really got to be game over for Arsenal's title hopes, unless they're expecting us to beat United at Old Trafford on Saturday, which I'm most definitely not.

[Rocket Edge]

Ashley Cole winning a place in the team of the year at left back rather than Leighton Baines just smacks of lazy/bad decision making. Baines has been fantastic this season and his initials are even LB. Cole's a good player, but Baines has been consistently great for a while now and is - in my incredibly biased opinion - more worthy of the accolade.

Spurs-Arsenal was a pretty excellent game of football tonight. Very exciting and entertaining. Thought Spurs looked the better team and I think that's really got to be game over for Arsenal's title hopes, unless they're expecting us to beat United at Old Trafford on Saturday, which I'm most definitely not.
Have to agree. A Cole was below par for most of the season while Baines was just fantastic for Everton. But I'm in the same camp as many when I say Bale most definitely did not deserve to win player of the year. My vote would have went to Tevez, Berbatov, or Adam.

Ramos dropping is the cup gave me a good laugh seeing it there today.

[Psychotic]

Liverpool - Raul Meireles heads off challenge of Samir Nasri, Dimitar Berbatov, Fernando Torres and David Luiz | Give Me Football (http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/espn-pfa-fans-player-of-the-year-premier-league)

Another one I don't agree with, haha! Don't think he has even been our best CM. (Lucas, underrated powerhouse)

...more deserving than Bale though :monster: And it's nice to see someone who is not a media darling winning an award.

[The Captain]

The season Lucas has had really opened my eyes. I was always on the fence with him but he's played like a real pro. Even when it seemed like he might be run out of town, he just kept working hard, playing hard and improving. I really am glad to have him.

I am really looking forward to these last few games, but realistically, my focus is beginning to turn toward next season. With some new faces and a full year with Dalglish (Hopefully, surely has to be right?), I have very high hopes for Liverpool.

Also, what's the latest on the Man Utd debt situation?


Take care all.

[Loony BoB]

The debt is being steadily repaid. At some point in the last year they paid off the expensive PIK loans, around £220m. There is no way to say where that money came from as the Glazers moved Red Football (the parent company) to Wisconsin or something like that where law says they don't have to reveal it (it should be noted that Red Football made a loss of about £100m, but that would not cover all the £220m debt payments), but the requirement to say how much debt Manchester United has showed up as around £370m with annual payments of £45m. The actual debt stands at around £500m, mostly made up of the bonds that were set up to pay off previous debt. A certain amount of money has already been spent buying some of those bonds back - about £26m worth. From what I understand, less than 50% of our £100m profit-before-transfers is spent on wages, so £45m is manageable for payments at present. Not perfect, but with the bonds floating around the market until February 2017, it may be a while before the debt is paid off as there is a penalty for paying back early. However, obviously, if we buy the bonds themselves then we will effectively be paying ourselves for our own bonds, so there are ways to (in effect) pay them off all the same.

I don't like the debt, but in all honesty I have no real qualms with the way that the Glazers are running the show. If it wasn't for their business sense, I do wonder if we'd have been able to increase our revenue as much as we have (commercial activity boosted from £40m income to £100m in five years), and they don't interfere with the football side of things. Eventually all debt will be paid off - it has been going down slowly as it is - and we will have a massive increase in the amount of money we have to play with for transfers/wages and, on top of that, we would also avoid problems such as those experienced in Chelsea, Hearts, City, Madrid and Barcelona where the president decides who to buy and the manager has to deal with what he's given.

[Psychotic]

Scott Parker wins FWA, and that is a very decent choice. I might have opted for Tevez or Vidic as my pick, but nothing really awful about this choice.

Also, smurf me, 5-0 without Gerrard, Carroll, Agger, Johnson, Kelly, Aurelio etc. and with the kids at full back. Maxi smurfing Rodriguez scoring a hat-trick?! JOE COLE ACTUALLY SCORING A GOAL?!?!?!?!?!?

Give Kenny a contract now. Hell, make Kenny Prime Minister and he'll have this country sorted in a week. Sort of getting excited about next season now. With some good buys and some trimming of the dead wood, I'm hoping we can reclaim our CL spot. :)

[Loony BoB]

Next season's battle for CL spots is going to be insane.

[Heath]

Maxi smurfing Rodriguez scoring a hat-trick?!

I was speechless.

Not too fussed about our loss yesterday. Would've been nice if we could've hung on for a draw but given it was against Utd, at Old Trafford and given the state of our squad at the moment (which despite being very in-form is definitely not our strongest), I don't think 1-0 is anything to be ashamed of.

[Old Manus]

[ ] not told
[ ] told
[x] FERNANDO TOLDES

[ScottyRedXIII]

of all the teams for fernando to score againts......

[Psychotic]

Your sig pretty much sums it up there, fella.

...don't suppose you fancy having Joe Cole back, do you?

[ScottyRedXIII]

hell, cant make us perform any worse............ can it?

[Psychotic]

Remember this? (http://www.premierleague.com/page/LeagueTables/0,,12306~20101021,00.html) It feels so good to be up to 5th (even if we don't hold it). Now all I need is that BoB quote about Hodgson being able to win the league with Liverpool. :D

[Crop]

Liverpool up to 5th? Man City in the FA cup final? Chelsea turning around a 15 point deficit? Utd losing to my least favourite non derby team at the end of the season?

I miss the start of the season :(

[Old Manus]

Ah, the start of the season, when Notts Forest were tipped to win it outright and Leon Britton thought that his big move to Sheffield Utd was going to take him to bigger and better things than at Swansea...

[ScottyRedXIII]

YouTube - David Luiz funny interview (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt1ZTWiflN4&NR=1)

Found this verry funny, got to give him credit, if your still not 100% with the language, have a laugh

[Psychotic]

I'm smurfing loving having that man as our manager. Houllier and Benitez were both chessmasters, whose teams played very cautious football, probing and prodding for a weakness. And yeah, alright, it was effective to some extent, but it was pretty dull most of the time. Kenny's team just produce absolutely gorgeous flowing pass-and-move football and I love it. And I love Luis Suarez too. Every time he gets the ball my heart goes into my mouth. You just feel like something is going to happen. Such a selfless worker who deserves far more goals than he gets, much better than sulky old Torres. I don't give a smurf about titles or the Champions League. The magic is back in football and I want a certain Scot to be our manager forever. That twinkle in his eye and that smile are worth so much more than trophies. :love: :love: :love:

...I sound gay, don't I?

[Loony BoB]

It's not gay when referring to sports personalities. Unless it's someone like going on about Ronaldo's sculpted body, a la Sky Sports presenters. Then it's a little gay.

[Psychotic]

Dirk Kuyt is the most handsome man I've ever seen. :kiss:

Also: Steven Gerrard should not be in Liverpool's starting XI next season. There. I said it.

[Old Manus]

http://images.sportinglife.com/10/07/330/Uruguay-v-Ghana-Luis-Suarez-handball_2473469.jpg

[Psychotic]

Such a beautiful moment. Fuck Ghana.

[DK]

http://i.imgur.com/6WLSl.png

Absolutely useless man, no idea why any team higher than league one shows any interest. Best picture.

[Loony BoB]

C'mon Dan, what's your thoughts on winning the FA Cup?

[ScottyRedXIII]

DK suck my balls, look at all the amazing saves he has made through the whole season, every keeper makes mistakes, well worthy of england no.1, but people only think and remember the bad things keepers do.
FORTUNES ALLWAYS HIDING, I'VE LOOKED EVERY WERE, IM FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES, PRETTY BUBBLES IN THE AIR

on a brighter note, if wigan lose next week then i shall smirk, not laugh, but smirk

[Loony BoB]

I really hope Blackpool stay up, but I don't think they will. :( Not unless United put out a very poor side. I suppose we have less to play for than the other teams facing Birmingham and Wigan do, though.

[DK]

Rob Green is shiet, has always been shiet and always will be shiet, joke of a keeper. Well worthy of England no.1 my arse. People call David James calamity, Rob Green makes him look like Gordon Banks. He is utterly shocking. Here enjoy this again:

http://i.imgur.com/6WLSl.png

He is a great goalkeeper who valiantly staved off relegation for west ham. Please Joe Hart hand over your gloves to this man because surely England can never compete internationally without him.

Also yeah, Blackpool deserve to stay up, the league will be a much more boring place without them and Ian Holloway who is a hero. Don't care who goes down, so long as Blackpool stay up.


C'mon Dan, what's your thoughts on winning the FA Cup?

Enjoyed it obv, although the highlight was Micah swearing on national television again, and then Super Mario doing it as well, bunch of nutjobs. Super Mario was a decent shout for MotM, tho I would have given it to Nigel because he is a hero and was immense all day. Looking forward now to the last two games of the season where we can hopefully overtake the scum and filth (ahahah learned by aston villa) and secure third, tho stoke are obv a difficult game and wouldn't put it past them getting revenge for the Cup, or at least holding out for a draw.

[Psychotic]

people only think and remember the bad things keepers do. Not true. David James cost us the league title - the thing I want most in football! - a good 14 or so years ago with a monumental series of howlers, but I only remember his blue hair and his side parting. :)

Sucks that we lost to Spurs, and I was hoping for Europa, but I am still in love with LFC. Work needed to be done if we want to get back in the top 4 next season though.

Bye West Ham. Hope Blackburn go down. Don't really care about the other three.

[Cuchulainn]

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj114/gasrtr/Hernandezchelseaf.gif

[DK]

Would have been far more appropriate with Rooney tbf

[Old Manus]

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52783000/jpg/_52783117_dobbie466.jpg

I've been waiting twenty years for this moment.

[Loony BoB]

Just gutted Nottingham Forest didn't go up. :( Oh well, at least it means I can still play as them in FM12.

[Psychotic]

I dunno if I want Swansea to go up. On the one hand, Manus can finally join us at the big boy's table and the legacy of Lee Trundle endures. On the other... the Welsh... in my Premiership? :colbert:

[Crop]

I kinda don't want to beat Blackpool on the weekend. :(

[Loony BoB]

I know what you mean. But I also hope Berbatov gets the Golden Boot for the PL, so he has to score if Tevez does. But yeah, hopefully he gets a hattrick and we get beaten 4-3 ;) Haha. Well, I don't mind if we win so long as Blackpool somehow stay up.

[Cuchulainn]

Did anyone see that League 1 Playoff between Bournemouth & Huddersfield? Fuck me what a game. THAT is football. Not that pathetic south European whingefest of a UEFA Cup Final.

[Rocket Edge]

^ Well it is the Portuguese, more-so actors than footballers.

I'm on the same side of the river when it comes to Blackpool. I'd love for them to stay up, yet I want United to win. In an ideal case Wigan will win, as will Wolves & Spurs, so that Blackburn & Birmingham will go down - two of possibly the most boring teams to ever grace the PL.

[Crop]

Blackpool need at least a draw against Utd to have a chance of going up, a win would be better for them. I'm proud of our undefeated home record though, I wouldn't want to lose that, plus Berbatov's Golden Boot. Oh the dilemma!

[Loony BoB]

Actually, they can lose and still survive if Birmingham and Wigan lose by enough goals to push/keep their goal difference lower than that of Blackpool.

If Wigan, Blackpool and Birmingham all lose, Blackpool will need to lose by the same (or a lower) number of goals to Wigan and also will need to lose by one goal less than Birmingham. So...

Tottenham 2 - 0 Birmingham
United 1 - 0 Blackpool
Stoke 1 - 0 Wigan

...and Blackpool would survive by having a better goal difference than Wigan and having more goals scored than Birmingham..

If it ends up like this...

Tottenham 3 - 0 Birmingham
United 2 - 0 Blackpool
Stoke 1 - 0 Wigan

Blackpool would still survive on account of them scoring more goals than Wigan throughout their campaign (much like they have with Birmingham).

[Old Manus]

Got my tickets :excited:

[Loony BoB]

Blackpool staying up at the moment! First time I've actually raised a fist in a celebrative way when we've conceded a goal. Still hope we win and Wigan/Birmingham lose spectacularly, but I'll take this.

[Cuchulainn]

Blackpool staying up at the moment! First time I've actually raised a fist in a celebrative way when we've conceded a goal. Still hope we win and Wigan/Birmingham lose spectacularly, but I'll take this.

I never. I can't stand us losing ever. Cheered every one of our goals.

[Loony BoB]

Oh, I cheered our goals, don't mistake that. But I just wish it had ended with Blackpool staying up. Stoke and Spurs just didn't do enough to make it possible.

But still, time for celebrating. Can't help the results of other teams.

[Psychotic]

Michael Owen is actually the worst human being on the planet.

[Loony BoB]

Ahaha, just found out Blackpool are now in the Europa League as Fulham suffered a red card and a couple of yellow cards. I once again feel like justice has been done. So long as they got SOMETHING out of playing the right way this season. :)

Glory, glory Man United :D

EDIT: Michael Owen, 216 appearances for Liverpool, 0 Premier League championship medals. 30 appearances for Manchester United and he's got one. :)

EDIT: With Birmingham holding the FA Cup, I imagine this will be the first time we'll be having TWO championship sides also playing in the Europa League. :S

[Psychotic]

Michael Owen, 216 appearances for Liverpool and the love and admiration of the best club in Britain. 30 appearances for Man United and the glory-hunting pricks don't give a damn about him.

I don't suppose you understand or value that, though so I'll rephrase it in terms you do understand: Little Mickey, Ballon d'Ors won with LFC: 1. Ballon d'Ors won with MUFC... :p

PS: Birmingham don't hold the FA Cup. :greenie:

[Loony BoB]

Oh yeah. Well, you know, runners up spot, but same general point regarding UEFA. :p

[Psychotic]

Birmingham were not the FA Cup runners up. That was Stoke City. Birmingham won the League Cup!

Honestly I thought you were some sort of statistical fiend. My illusions and dreams are being shattered before my very eyes.

[Loony BoB]

Winning the Carling Cup is being the runner up to the FA Cup.

[Cuchulainn]

Michael Owen, 216 appearances for Liverpool and the love and admiration of the best club in Britain. 30 appearances for Man United and the glory-hunting pricks don't give a damn about him.

I don't suppose you understand or value that, though so I'll rephrase it in terms you do understand: Little Mickey, Ballon d'Ors won with LFC: 1. Ballon d'Ors won with MUFC... :p

PS: Birmingham don't hold the FA Cup. :greenie:

A Liverpool fan calling United fans glory hunters....fucking hilarious. And eh, United are the best club in Britain. FACT.

[Old Manus]

>Any regular in the football thread claiming to not be a glory hunter

Apart from myself, obviously :smug:

[Psychotic]

A Liverpool fan calling United fans glory hunters....smurfing hilarious. And eh, United are the best club in Britain. FACT.Oh behave.

If Torquay United were as successful as United have been over the past 20 years, several of the other United fans on EoFF (Loony BoB at the very least!) would be Torquay fans. I don't count you among that, though, I know you supported United before they became United plc and I don't mean disrespect to old-school fans like yourself when I say that. As for Liverpool fans, well, I started supporting us in the Graeme Souness era, the very beginning of a 20 year spell that has been the worst in LFC's history for success and glory, so I don't know how you can call me a glory hunter. What glory am I after? The thrill of competing for 3rd place? (even that's a distant memory) If I actually gave a :bou::bou::bou::bou: I'd have jumped ship to United years ago.

Also, there's this story about World War II I'd like to relay to you. The US navy had recently overtaken the British navy as the biggest in the world, and a British ship was docked alongside an American one in port.

Cheeky yank captain sends a message "What's it like serving alongside the biggest navy in the world?" British captain sends one back "What's it like serving alongside the best?".

In the same way, there's a lot of clubs I think are better than United, even if they don't have anywhere near as many trophies. Hope this helps :greenie:

[Crop]

I'm tired of being called a glory supporter just because I support Man Utd. When I say I'd follow them down to league 2 if I had to no one believes me :(

[Cuchulainn]

A Liverpool fan calling United fans glory hunters....smurfing hilarious. And eh, United are the best club in Britain. FACT.Oh behave.

If Torquay United were as successful as United have been over the past 20 years, several of the other United fans on EoFF (Loony BoB at the very least!) would be Torquay fans. I don't count you among that, though, I know you supported United before they became United plc and I don't mean disrespect to old-school fans like yourself when I say that. As for Liverpool fans, well, I started supporting us in the Graeme Souness era, the very beginning of a 20 year spell that has been the worst in LFC's history for success and glory, so I don't know how you can call me a glory hunter. What glory am I after? The thrill of competing for 3rd place? (even that's a distant memory) If I actually gave a :bou::bou::bou::bou: I'd have jumped ship to United years ago.

Also, there's this story about World War II I'd like to relay to you. The US navy had recently overtaken the British navy as the biggest in the world, and a British ship was docked alongside an American one in port.

Cheeky yank captain sends a message "What's it like serving alongside the biggest navy in the world?" British captain sends one back "What's it like serving alongside the best?".

In the same way, there's a lot of clubs I think are better than United, even if they don't have anywhere near as many trophies. Hope this helps :greenie:

Yes, I was there as a kid of the 80s getting abuse everyday from glory huntingf Liverpool fans. I made the mistake of following United for 2 reasons, first is because of the Irish connections in Whiteside, Stapleton, Moran, McGrath, Donaghy and of course Best, Whelan, Blanchflower etc of the old days. Secondly, my Uncle. My Da actually supported West Ham (lived in Islington in the 60s). I had to live off the odd FA Cup now & then while every little :bou::bou::bou::bou: where I lived followed Celtic or Liverpool. I'm not calling you a glorty hunter but I'm saying if you live in a glass house don't throw stones. Liverpool's fanbase was built on their past successes. Most their fans now here & outside Liverpool that are over 35 could be labelled as such. Anyway I can't speak for Bob's motives or anyone else I just seen u label United fams as glory hunters and reacted.

[Loony BoB]

If Torquay United were as successful as United have been over the past 20 years, several of the other United fans on EoFF (Loony BoB at the very least!) would be Torquay fans.
Hey, jerkface. :mad2: You're so wrong about this, just like you were wrong when you denied getting chlamydia. I didn't even know Manchester United were successful when I started following them. I knew they'd won stuff, but hey, I was told by my brother in law to follow "Liverpool, the most successful team in England's history". :greenie: I just ended up following United because I happened to watch them play Liverpool and for the first time since I started watching football, I was actually entertained for longer then five minutes out of the ninety (this would probably be after struggling to watch five or so Liverpool games and falling asleep during each of them - just as I had when watching England games, which I have since given up on entirely). If I'd watched Arsenal first, I'd probably have been an Arsenal fan. If I'd only started watching football this year and had watched Blackpool, I might have even been a Blackpool fan! But no, Manchester United's flowing, attacking football reminded me of the Auckland Blues or the All Blacks and that's what got me interested in them. Not trophies (I didn't see United win a trophy for at least a couple of years after I started following them), but entertainment value.

If I was a nice and proper glory-hunter, I'd probably have turned out as either an Arsenal or a Chelsea fan after a few seasons, given they were the victors of the first three Premier League seasons I followed.

Having said all that, if I started watching football when United were not as entertaining (and I won't pretend to assume that they were entertaining for every moment of their past 100 years) I'll openly admit I probably wouldn't have ended up a United fan. It was simply a case of them being the first entertaining team that I got to know, and once my heart picks a team, it's set for life. I understand Liverpool were rather entertaining in older days, maybe if I started watching around those times then I would have been a supporter of them after all. But that didn't happen and now they're a pile of :bou::bou::bou::bou:.

PS. And don't pretend you didn't get that chalmydia from Gerrard and Carragher. And don't deny that you passed it on to your mum!

[Psychotic]

it's no fun for me if you ADMIT you know it's a wind-up! just pretend you don't know and you're really angry! :( I'm sorry, it's just that all the Arsenal fans have now left and I have no-one to make fun of, so you're next in line. :D

[Loony BoB]

Fine, edit coming up.

EDIT: There you go.

EDIT: Fixed the smileys, too.

[Psychotic]

You'll never be as good as charliepanayi or Resha. Never. :colbert:

JUST LIKE UNITED WILL NEVER WIN AS MANY EUROPEAN CUPS AS US HEYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Loony BoB]

You'll never be as good as charliepanayi or Resha. Never. :colbert:

JUST LIKE UNITED WILL NEVER WIN AS MANY EUROPEAN CUPS AS US HEYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Apparently Liverpool fans said something similar about "come back when you have 18" before. I think they were talking about titles, back when United won their first Premier League or something. You think we can't catch the titles? You're as dumb as your useless manager. Glory, glory Man United!

[Psychotic]

Yeah no tbf I would be very surprised if we're posting in the football thread in 2026 (it's not like we're going anywhere) and United have less CL titles than Liverpool. But until then, I'm gonna make the most of it. :cool:

Also, when you call King Kenny dumb, I assume it was meant in the same way that you meant this little gem about Roy Hodgson, a man who took us to the giddy heights of 19th:
it seems that we have to put up with the rivals having a manager that has the potential to win the PL now.honestly, any time I want to dispute a point of yours in this thread, I am quoting that. And posting this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aav46Lek0Rs

[Loony BoB]

Still can't see YouTube at work. :(

Roy Hodgson got higher with Fulham than he did with Liverpool. This clearly shows that while Roy was in charge, Liverpool's players were worse than the ones he had at Fulham. It's the only possible explanation.

[Psychotic]

It's the same squad Benitez took to 7th, though, with Hodgson's signings added in. Hodgson's signings being the very successful Konchesky, Jovanovic, Poulsen, Jones, Joe Cole and Mereiles.

[Loony BoB]

Perhaps if he was given the money for better players he'd have managed. Something like £23m and £30m would have done the job, I reckon. Torres probably scored more goals with Hodgson than he did with Ancelotti, too, so clearly Hodgson is better than Ancelotti, who we all know is capable of winning the FA Cup and Premier League, which means that Hodgson would have won you at least those two trophies. Duh.

Meireles won PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2010-11, apparently. What did Dalglish's signings win? Did they get into the Europa Cup again? :D Oh... no. :(

[Psychotic]

yeah it's not as if any of kenny dalglish's signings were any good and totally destroyed man utd or anything

ho ho ho

HO HO HO

ho

and that was only after he came on as a sub for the last ten minutes. Good ol' Andy Carroll.

:smug:

Besides, Luis won far more than a PFA award. He won my heart. :love:

[Loony BoB]

It must have felt good to finally get past Wes Brown and Chris Smalling :p

[Psychotic]

Well yeah, we felt like giving Vidic a break after humiliating him so many times.

[Loony BoB]

Torres did, the rest of Liverpool not so much. Torres didn't seem to trouble Vidic much when we played him a few times recently, mind you - but then, he doesn't trouble many teams lately.

[DK]

This is such a redundant discussion, because the simple fact of the matter is the only football fans in any of the english league who aren't glory hunters are fans of Derby, West Ham and us. The rest of you poor, unfortunate fools will forever be chasing glory in football, hunting around and scrounging for it, but the sad fact is none of you will ever get the chance to experience the highest, most righteous and fantastic glory that was ever possible. We, by which I mean our fans, Derby fans and West Ham fans, know well that this glory has already come and gone, we have experienced it and know that there will never be a greater height that any fan can attain again in any sport.

http://images.wikia.com/backofthenet/images/3/3a/Wanchope.jpg
http://www.footballfancast.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/40105377_wanchope300_pa.jpg
http://millenniumcup.webs.com/Wan.jpg

glory glory paulo wanchope. :love:

[Cuchulainn]

We have just bought David De Gea


Sir Alex confirms De Gea deal - TEAMtalk | Latest Football News, Results and Fixtures (http://www.teamtalk.com/news/2483/6950694/Sir-Alex-confirms-De-Gea-deal)

EDIT: And fuck Wanchope he played for the bitterblues.

[Rocket Edge]

Yeah, happy with the signing - United obviously going for youth again. I haven't seen a game with him but apparently he's meant to be a great talent.

[Crop]

I'm a little worried about how young he is, I always prefer older keepers, but I think with Utd coaching he'll turn out top notch. I usually trust Utd's signings, and with a position as important as this I'm sure it's right right choice.
I'm just bummed out I'll miss the start of the season.

[Rocket Edge]

I really cannot wait until tomorrow night. I think we have a good chance. I won't be going to a pub or friends house to watch it but in the comfort of my own home, I always like it better that way. Anyway, c'mon United, don't let me down!

[Crop]

I really cannot wait until tomorrow night. I think we have a good chance. I won't be going to a pub or friends house to watch it but in the comfort of my own home, I always like it better that way. Anyway, c'mon United, don't let me down!

Heck yeah, I'm with you there. Just got in a few brewskis for the game. Sadly my friend who was going to come over to watch it is going away for the weekend so I'm probably gonna watch it alone.
Just wrapped up the night watching ITV's list of previous Utd Barca matches, now I'm ready to go!

[Loony BoB]

YouTube - &#x202a;Utd Cup Final Video&#x202c;&rlm; (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4rwuTkrNKc&feature=share)

[Old Manus]

Well, there we are then. Totally outclassed. After the way Barca cleaned up what is likely the best that the rest of Europe has to offer, you'd be hard pressed to find a squad that is better than that from the last 20 years, at least. I just hope Rooney knee-skidding along the pitch after his goal hasn't damaged the turf for the REAL game on Monday!

[black orb]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/rodv/messi3.jpg

[Loony BoB]

Aye, you can only applaud Barcelona, they deserved it. I have to say I was immensely proud that we attempted to attack rather than defend, even if I would have hoped for Fletch to have played at least at some point. Oh well. Hats off to the opposition, we were outplayed by the best team in a generation.

I wonder how long Barca (and Messi) can carry on in such a way. I guess they would need to have Xavi and/or Messi to suffer a very long term injury for their squad to be tested, but I imagine even then they would still be a very good team. I think until both Puyol and Xavi retire, they will remain on top of the chats. Even then, with Iniesta (still only 26) and Messi both in the side, let alone their other younger players, you can only wonder how far this side can go. Great respect to them. Obviously, though, I hope they get worse soon ;)

Also, Messi - greatest player ever? People are saying it already and I can't help but look at past award winning players and how long they were at their peak for. Ronaldo, Zidane - both won world player of the year three times. Messi has two already - could he get five, six, seven? Or will another player step up just like other players have over the many years of football? He's something special, either way.

EDIT: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13588813.stm :lol:

[Rocket Edge]

Disappointing, but no complaints - Barca are the best team out there, and by some distance. They deserved it entirely. I always said the best player I seen in my lifetime was Zidane, but Messi is seriously challenging. But hey, great season overall. We'll be back next year.

[The Captain]

I still cannot believe Messi is only 23. He should be able to continue playing the same way for another decade at least. If that ends up being the case, he will almost certainly among the two or three greatest players ever.

The really scary part is, can he still get better?

As for Barca, it really was fun to just watch them play. I'm not a Barca fan but can appreciate what they do. Xavi is easily the most underrated player of his generation. Man Utd tried to attack, which I give them credit for, but frankly no team, save for maybe the Spanish national team could have beaten them.

Good season, looking forward to see what transpires in the transfer window!

Take care all.

[Rocket Edge]

^ Yeah, and considering Giggs is 37 and still playing great for a central midfield player, the thoughts of Xavi at 31 & Iniesta at 27 is scary. Looks like this team will be here for another few years at least. :(

[Loony BoB]

no team, save for maybe the Spanish national team could have beaten them.
To be fair, over half of the Barca starting XI is the Spanish national team. :p

Piqué, Puyol, Iniesta, Busquets, Xavi, Villa, Pedro. And Valdes is the second goalie for Spain, too.

[Psychotic]

And Valdes is the second goalie for Spain, too.No he's not. :colbert: And on the subject of, I am glad you lot got De Gea instead of going after Pepe. For my money he's been the best keeper in the Prem over the past 5 years.

Also I have to wonder how one of the classic United sides would've done. A midfield featuring Keane and Butt (hey, he made Argentina his bitch in 2002!) would've stifled Barca's passing game I think. This United side, while the best team in the Prem currently, isn't up to the same standard as the various other United teams over the past 20 or so years. There's a real lack in midfield steel at the moment. If only Owen Hargreaves wasn't dead or whatever it is that has happened to him, eh?

All this ~*~Barca~*~ hype is vomit-enducing. I want Jay Spearing to challenge Messi to a midget boxing match. Then we'll see who the best player of all time is!

EDIT: Welcome to the big boys table, Manus. You must be on another god damn planet right now. Can't even imagine how good it must feel. Congratulations! I look forward to giving you 6 points next season like we did with Blackpool.

[Loony BoB]

http://images.teamtalk.com/09/03/800x600/Paul-Scholes-Fulham-Manchester-United-Premier_2039622.jpg

I tell anyone who asks me - Scholes is the best English player. - Laurent Blanc

There isn't a player of his mould anywhere else in the world. - Glen Hoddle

My toughest opponent? Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder. Scholes is undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation. - Zinedine Zidane

I would have liked him here. Who would not want Paul Scholes? He is a fantastic player. - Arsene Wenger

One of the greatest football brains Manchester United has ever had. - Sir Alex Ferguson

No celebrity bull:bou::bou::bou::bou:, no self promotion - an amazingly gifted player who remained an unaffected human being. - Roy Keane

I love watching little Paul Scholes, he’s so in control of what he’s doing and is always so accurate and pinpoint with his passing – it’s just beautiful to watch. - Sir Bobby Charlton

I have no hesitation in putting a name to the embodiment of all that I think is best about football. It's Paul Scholes. Many great players have worn the shirt of Manchester United. Players I worshipped, then lost with my youth in Munich. Players like Denis Law and George Best who I enjoyed so much as team-mates and now, finally, players I have watched closely in the Alex Ferguson era. And in so many ways Scholes is my favourite. - Sir Bobby Charlton

For me, it's Paul Scholes. He'll do ridiculous things in training like say, "You see that tree over there?" - it'll be 40 yards away - "I'm going to hit it". And he'll do it. Everyone at the club considers him the best. - Rio Ferdinand

England have lost their best player. - George Best, on Scholes retiring from international football

He's always in the right position, always seems to be at the end of the box when the ball drops in. The complete midfielder - when he's fit, he's the best. Some go missing but he's in the right place at the right time. He's my favourite player of all-time, unbelievable. - Micah Richards

People say he is a great player, but you have to define what a great player is. For me, it is a player who has a bottom level that means his worst performance is not noticed. If he is having a bad game, a teammate might feel Paul Scholes is not quite on his game, but a spectator wouldn't notice. Scholes, of all the players I have played with, has the highest bottom level. He has an eye for a pass, for what the play or the game needs at that precise moment, that I have never seen anyone else have. These days he doesn't get into the box too many times, which is where you can see his age, but he has developed tactically. He controls and distributes the play and the game better than anyone I have ever seen. - Peter Schmeichel

Everyone of us should emulate him. We can all learn from Paul Scholes. - Edgar Davids

Paul Scholes would have been one of my first choices for putting together a great team – that goes to show how highly I have always rated him. An all-round midfielder who possesses quality and character in abundance. -Marcello Lippi

Without any doubt the best player in the Premiership has to be Scholes. He knows how to do everything, and he is one who directs the way his team plays. On top of that, he has indestructible mental strength and he is a genuine competitor. - Thierry Henry

He's unbelievable - he's one of the greatest of all time. - Wayne Rooney

There is no doubt for me that Paul Scholes is still in a class of his own. He’s almost untouchable in what he does. I never tire of watching him play. You rarely come across the complete footballer, but Scholes is as close to it as you can get. One of my regrets is that the opportunity to play alongside him never presented itself during my career. - Zinedine Zidane, August 2010

Why isn’t he playing for England? It is crazy. Only in England. Scholes is a great, great player. So experienced and still, for me, one of the best in the world in midfield. - Jose Mourinho

Fans in Spain rate him very highly and I admire him a huge amount. - Xabi Alonso

A role model. For me, and I really mean this, he's the best central midfielder I've seen in the last 15, 20 years. He's spectacular, he has it all, the last pass, goals, he's strong, he doesn't lose the ball, vision. If he'd been Spanish he might have been rated more highly. Players love him. - Xavi Hernandez

There is not a better midfield player in the world. - Sam Allardyce

I'm not the best, Paul Scholes is. - Edgar Davids

For any football player in the Premiership, Scholes is a player you want to emulate. One player does not make a team but there is no doubt that the presence of some players add extra motivation and confidence. Scholes is a player with character and is capable of transmitting that mental strength to his team-mates. - Cesc Fabregas

I just love Paul Scholes. He’s been the best footballer in our division for the last ten years. He’s a a wonderful player. - Ray Wilkins

He is one of the top three to five players to have ever played in the Premier League - his passing, movement and technique set examples to everyone, not just younger players. - Alan Hanson

I’d go for Scholesy as the club’s greatest ever player. I’ve seen him do things that no other player can do. The way he can control the tempo of games, and his range of passing, are both incredible. We’ve seen over the years that players just haven’t been able to get near him. And you can’t forget his goals either. - Ryan Giggs

When he passes the ball it stays passed. The ball goes exactly where he wants it to. I have always loved him for that. I played against him once or twice and he is an absolute genius. He is a role model for anyone who wants to play football. He is a joy to watch. In fact, I wish he was 21, then I could see his career all over again. - Ian Holloway

He’s the best midfielder I’ve ever seen. He can pass, score goals with his left, right, his head – he can do anything. And he can beat a player too, plus he loves to nutmeg you! He's unbelievable. - Nani

Scholes and Giggs are living legends. They are examples for us and for youngsters who dream of triumphing some day. - Andres Iniesta

I don’t think there is anyone in the Premier League who can touch Scholes at the moment. He's not just three passes ahead of everyone else, he's three or four shots ahead of them. - David May

Scholes can play both ways - indulging in a battle or showing off his artistic side. That is why he is still playing and still influencing games in a major way. He is absolutely top notch. - Kevin Keegan

I'm more an admirer of Paul Scholes than I am of Ronaldo. Ronaldo is a fantastic player, but he has 10 other great players around him every week...Scholes is one of the most complete footballers I've ever seen. His one-touch play is phenomenal. Whenever I have played against him, I never felt I could get close to him. - Eidur Gudjohnsen

If you ask footballers to pick out the player they most admire, so many of them will pick Paul Scholes. He can tackle, and his passing and shooting is of the highest level. He’s the most consistent and naturally gifted player we’ve had for a long, long time. - Alan Shearer

The player in the Premiership I admire most? Easy - Scholes. - Patrick Vieira

Paul Scholes has been the best England midfield player for 30-odd years. You'd probably have to go back to Bobby Charlton to find someone who could do as much as Scholes. When the ball arrives at his feet he could tell you where every player on that pitch is at that moment. His awareness is superb. - Gordon Strachan

As evidenced by many of the quotes above... the player's player and the legend's legend.

[Old Manus]

http://paimages.s3.amazonaws.com/categories/getty/480x385/GYI0064950665.jpg

I'm absolutely ecstatic. What a game, voice thoroughly lost. I'd put the plaudits on Scott Sinclair's hat trick like most of the media but it was very much a team effort. Nathan Dyer was our best player imo. I could never have imagined we would be 3-0 up at half time, it's just a shame that they scored those goals in front of the Reading fans up the other end. New trousers were needed when they hit the post but at the end it was the proudest moment in my long years of following the Swans. Take that, you glory-hunting Cardiff bandwagoners!

I FUCKING MET LEE TRUNDLE. And John Hartson was behind me in the queue to get in the stadium, he'd said in the local rag that he was asked to be a pundit on the BBC or something, but he'd rather watch the game with the real fans. What a guy.

Finally, I wore my 2003 strip to the game yesterday. It's what they wore when we were at the bottom of Division 3, and had to beat Hull City on the final day of the season in order to stay in the Football League. We won 4-2, and now we win 4-2 to get into the Premiership, only 8 years later. Emotional moment.

[Psychotic]

I FUCKING MET LEE TRUNDLE.what!

[Cuchulainn]

Enjoy retirement Scholes. Best midfielder of his generation. No question.

[Rocket Edge]

I smurfING MET LEE TRUNDLE.what!
Seconded. The progress of Swansea is amazing - just a couple of years ago I was playing with them in FIFA 10 in League 1. Congrats Manus!

Scholes will always be a legend. Delighted he's staying with the club in a coaching role.

[Crop]

Just saw next seasons Utd shirt - don't like it. I'll be sticking with the current one until they change it again.

Also, well done to Swansea for getting in the prem. I'm a closet Swansea fan so it was hilarious reading all the Facebook comments my friends were making about it, who are all Cardiff fans.

[Psychotic]

Just saw next seasons Utd shirt - don't like it. I'll be sticking with the current one until they change it again.

Also, well done to Swansea for getting in the prem. I'm a closet Swansea fan so it was hilarious reading all the Facebook comments my friends were making about it, who are all Cardiff fans.
I'm tired of being called a glory supporter just because I support Man Utd. When I say I'd follow them down to league 2 if I had to no one believes me :(You're not a glory supporter, but as soon as Swansea go up you're a closet fan? I'M ONTO YOU, SONNY. :colbert:

Also I don't think the new United shirt is bad. In fact I think it looks kind of classy. With the old one, I really don't like that godawful white stripe that you can see Mr. Scholes exhibiting in BoB's post.

[Cuchulainn]

Just saw next seasons Utd shirt - don't like it. I'll be sticking with the current one until they change it again.

Also, well done to Swansea for getting in the prem. I'm a closet Swansea fan so it was hilarious reading all the Facebook comments my friends were making about it, who are all Cardiff fans.

I love it reminds me of the 80s shirts when i was a weeun. im buying

[Crop]

Also I don't think the new United shirt is bad. In fact I think it looks kind of classy. With the old one, I really don't like that godawful white stripe that you can see Mr. Scholes exhibiting in BoB's post.

The current shirt doesn't have that, it's just red on the back.

I do like the new badge style on next seasons shirt, I just don't like the collar. Eh, I'm pretty happy with my current one anyway.

[Loony BoB]

Also I don't think the new United shirt is bad. In fact I think it looks kind of classy. With the old one, I really don't like that godawful white stripe that you can see Mr. Scholes exhibiting in BoB's post.
Aye, I hated that white line, good riddance. Somem people in the football fashion industry make weird decisions. Speaking of which, anyone got any good ones for "worst kit of next season"?

Our alleged away shirt is horrible, blue with black hoops. Hope it's fake. Still, at least it's not white... at least 2 goals shipped every time we wore our white away shirt this season. :S Crazy.

[Rocket Edge]

I actually think our away shirt isn't bad. From the new kit's I've seen this season none have made me think they are horrible. The Newcastle home shirt is a bit off for my liking though, dunno what it is about it.

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/3383/newcastlep.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/710/newcastlep.jpg/)

I'm in two minds whether I absolutely love or don't know if I should laugh at Sunderland's new away jersey.

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/1786/sunderland.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/sunderland.jpg/)

[Loony BoB]

I actually think our away shirt isn't bad.
The white one we have now, or the supposed new blue one?

[Rocket Edge]

The blue one.

[Psychotic]

Yeah that Newcastle one is abysmal.

Away Kit - LFC Official Online Store (http://store.liverpoolfc.tv/products/footballkit/awaykit) I like our new away kit. Understated black and silver. Glad we haven't had a yellow away kit in quite some time, too.

[The Captain]

It begins:

Liverpool FC to sign Jordan Henderson after transfer deal agreed - News - Liverpool FC - Liverpool Echo (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2011/06/08/liverpool-fc-to-sign-jordan-henderson-after-transfer-deal-agreed-100252-28841838/)

Have to say, I like this deal, especially if it stays in the 13 million range. Swapping N'Gog probably kept the price down a bit too. I'm interested to see where Henderson ends up playing. Does he became a right winger? Or do we perhaps push Gerrard out there and move Henderson more central? Either way, I think he's probably the long-term replacement for Stevie. Just 20 years old, he's got a lot of potential.

Now, get an out and out winger, two strong defenders (one central and one for the left side) and this will be a good summer.

Take care all.

[Old Manus]

Jordan Henderson

£20M

Twenty million pounds

>Liverpool
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/Dishface93/Gifs/seinfield.gif

[Cuchulainn]

£20,000,000 for Jordan Henderson???????????? LOLOLOL

Can we start a new season thread for the transfer talk? Strickly speaking it dont start til July 1st but still..

[Psychotic]

lmao phil jones etc. etc.

there's a new thread now. Feel free to discuss laughing at other teams for buying young overpriced talent right as your own does the exact same thing there!