English Football Thread! 2005-2006 Season

[Cz]

Today has to be one of the most uninteresting Saturday fixture lists I've ever seen. And with the Sunderland game abandoned, Match of the Day will be extremely brief tonight. Tomorrow, on the other hand, is going to be one hell of a day's football. Three top matches on telly, one after the other. Oh Sky Sports, you do spoil us sometimes! :D

[Jess]

It's half time and it's 2-0 to us. Not bad so far, but anything can happen in the next 45 minutes. :)

[Shoden]

They scored an own goal. Cool. I was hopin Shearer will nab one today. Ameobi < Chopra < Luque. Roeder needs to learn to use his better players.

[Jess]

Ameobi has scored so he has done us proud today. :)

[Shoden]

Cannot wait for next week.

[Jess]

Oh gosh. I was so worried that boro were going to get an equalizer. 2-1, I'm happy with that. We're 10th in the table now.

How long is that now since Boro actually beat us? Longer than when Sunderland last beat us. :laugh:

[Resha]

Horrible. I hate Pug. Hopefully this won't dent our confidence too much for Villa.

[Cz]

Oh well, there's no shame in losing to United, and we certainly played better against them than we have in previous matches (although Toure should have held on to that Rooney shot, if you ask me :p). Bloody West Ham though, you can never trust them to finish a job.

[Resha]

Well of course. They are Pardew's formidable army, after all.

We played brilliantly in the first half; let anyone call us a one-man team and I'll HUH them. In fact, I guess you're right that there's no shame in losing to them; we didn't concede through awful mistakes -- they (Pug especially :irked:) just played better. Hopefully Henry is all well-rested for the Villa game, and they won't let this affect them and depress them.

Toure's save was a pretty fine one xD

[Nod]

Arsenal are a bit of a one-man team really. JOKE!

[Loony BoB]

Should've been 3-0, but happy enough with that.

[Psychotic]

Robbie Fowler truly is God. :love:

Also, congratulations to Park Ji-Sung, aka "the guy United only signed to make themselves popular in Asia, but Sir Redface rates below Darren Fletcher so that shows how good he really is." (you can see why he prefers Park Ji-Sung) for scoring.

[Loony BoB]

Park is great. I don't care where he's from, I'd have him play every game. And he's not a midfielder, he's a winger, so I don't see why there's a comparison with Fletcher - who notably hasn't been anywhere near Park in recent times. Given that Fletcher isn't playing and a winger and defender are playing the midfield at the moment, I'd say Fletcher isn't rated very highly in Alex's mind right now.

[Shoden]

why did you just double post?

THings are starting to get interesting for football around this part of the season.

[Loony BoB]

Read the usernames, not the sigs/avatars. :p

Still harbouring hopes for Chelsea to drop four points and for Man U to take over. Would love to see Jose's interviews and the like should that happen... I can only imagine what he'd be like.

[Psychotic]

He's not a winger, because if he was, Man Utd would play 4-3-3, and Man Utd don't play 4-3-3, after the disaster earlier in the season. He's a side midfielder and a centre midfielder.

Although on PES5 I set Man Utd up as 4-3-3 with Saha as CF, Rooney in the hole and Ronaldo as a winger, which is pretty much how he plays because he hardly ever tracks back and defends. Speaking of the which, PES5 also says Park's an attacking midfielder and a defensive midfielder.

A lot of commentators don't seem to understand what a winger is though.

[Jess]

Tonight was an entertaining match. Quite unexpected aswell, I thought that Charlton were going to beat Boro.

4-2 though, the smoggies must be happy with the result. It was an entertaining match but I was busy scanning the crowd for friends who were at the match most of the time! :jess:

[Psychotic]

Charlton? Playing well after Christmas? Get out. :p

[Loony BoB]

Gabriel Heinze might be back on Friday. :love:

EDIT: But Saha may be out for the rest of the season. :(!

EDIT: Yay he isn't. :D

[Burtsplurt]

I was busy scanning the crowd for friends who were at the match most of the time! :jess:

Your friends must have good taste. :)

I was at the match, and it was pretty damn good. If only our defence was a bit pacier, I think we would have had a very easy ride. And now we're in two semi-finals!

Listening to the local radio last night, it seems as if most of the North East is behind Boro, even the Geordies. Then again, I suspect it's because they'll be able to come down to the Riverside and have a little look at some nice trophies. It beats going all the way across to Manchester to have a look. Maybe one day they'll have some of their own...

Yeah, Park isn't a winger. He's an attacking midfielder. Wingers tend to stick to the touchline a lot more and deliver crosses- like Downing last night.

[Cuchulainn]

Well of course. They are Pardew's formidable army, after all.

We played brilliantly in the first half; let anyone call us a one-man team and I'll HUH them. In fact, I guess you're right that there's no shame in losing to them; we didn't concede through awful mistakes -- they (Pug especially :irked:) just played better. Hopefully Henry is all well-rested for the Villa game, and they won't let this affect them and depress them.

Toure's save was a pretty fine one xD

You DO know, for the most part, you were outplayed right? It took a save from a defender to stop it being 1-0 at the break. Arsenal NEED Henry to produce anything against top flight opposition. They no longer have thew strength in depth that Man U, Chelsea or the Scousers have. A small buying spree in the summer should sort that. There is no way Spurs should be above you. That's your sign right there.

[Cz]

Last night's match was fantastic. Well done to 'Boro, I hope you go all the way. To think that before the Carling Cup a couple of years back you'd never won anything, now you could be lined up for domestic and European success. :)

[Jess]

Your friends must have good taste. :)

I was at the match, and it was pretty damn good. If only our defence was a bit pacier, I think we would have had a very easy ride. And now we're in two semi-finals!

Listening to the local radio last night, it seems as if most of the North East is behind Boro, even the Geordies. Then again, I suspect it's because they'll be able to come down to the Riverside and have a little look at some nice trophies. It beats going all the way across to Manchester to have a look. Maybe one day they'll have some of their own...

Yeah, Park isn't a winger. He's an attacking midfielder. Wingers tend to stick to the touchline a lot more and deliver crosses- like Downing last night.
You say that, but they were there supporting Charlton. :laugh:

Newcastle will get a trophy, and it better be sooner rather than later! :irked:

I just can't see Boro winning the FA, though. Also being a Geordie through and through I don't particularly want them to either. Newcastle should be the only team in the North East winning trophies! :jess:

[Cz]

You say that, but they were there supporting Charlton. :laugh:

Newcastle will get a trophy, and it better be sooner rather than later! :irked:

I just can't see Boro winning the FA, though. Also being a Geordie through and through I don't particularly want them to either. Newcastle should be the only team in the North East winning trophies! :jess:Except 'Boro won the Carling Cup in 2004, and Sunderland won the Championship trophy last year. Looks like you're the only team in the North East not winning trophies! :p

P.S. Please don't be mad. :(

[Shoden]

The Championship trophy means about as much as donkey muck. Sure it is some sort of silverware but Newcastle always get knocked out in the final rounds of tournaments.

I want Boro to win the UEFA cup but they haven't got a hope in flying hell for the FA cup, they're too focused on tournaments, that's bad because they're failing bad in the premiership, at this rate thery won't be in any european tournaments next season.

[Resha]

You DO know, for the most part, you were outplayed right? It took a save from a defender to stop it being 1-0 at the break. Arsenal NEED Henry to produce anything against top flight opposition. They no longer have thew strength in depth that Man U, Chelsea or the Scousers have. A small buying spree in the summer should sort that. There is no way Spurs should be above you. That's your sign right there.

If I don't sound like a complete retard piping the same old; not during the first half an hour or so, no -- we weren't outplayed by a long shot. We created chances and didn't take them. It's true though, that having Henry probably gives everyone a lot of confidence and he's brilliant and no disputing that. But when people call us a one man show and say we'd be completely incapable without Henry -- I don't think that's entirely justified (maybe to some extent). I thought Robin van Persie had a great chance of getting a goal for a while -- he had tons of shots.

Overall, yeah, I'll admit we were outplayed by MU. :p Maybe the long-run factor shows in what you say. I'd agree that maybe we're slightly lacking in the striking depth (more than we ought to be) because adebayor hasn't been prodigial or anything yet. He creates chances and he's got a few goals, sure, but I think he's got much more potential than what he's showing now. He seems awfully hesitant to me, sometimes. That delay costs us.

o_O Eh.

Edit: Oh wow ^___^ This reminds me. Did Ljungberg get a haircut?

[Burtsplurt]

Unless we win the UEFA or FA cup, of course. :D

Yes, I'm amazed how often Newcastle get knocked out in the final round of tournaments. It's just bizarre how Newcastle have appeared in so many semi-finals this year! At least you won't have to miss 'The Bill' because of a football game.

[Shoden]

'The Bill' sucks anyway so it aint a big loss. I remember last year's FA cup when Shearer delievered a finisher to Chelsea in the days before diving antics started. Newcastle just need to have the eyes to know Ameobi, Bramble and Boumsong need to go, Bowyer may have to go, but if he gets some sense smacked into him soon I think he'll stay. He's a good player sometimes but he just cannot use any talent because he's blind in the mind to it, hopefully the new manager will sort the team out.

[Loony BoB]

Sunderland officially relegated.

Manchester United all but officially out of the title race. Chorus of boos fill a record attendance as it closes up at 0-0, with Man U's worst game from all of those that I've seen this season.

On a positive note for English fans, though - Neville had a freaking fantastic game. I'd almost say he was the most likely to score a goal, the way he was playing. I think this one's on Ferguson - he picked bad players, he put up a bad bench, and the formation used - going up the middle and taking time to tap it around the box trying to find a way in whlie more and more Sunderland players walk in behind the ball... awful tactics. Horrid. Gutted as a Man United fan.

[Shoden]

Manchester United weren't even trying in the game. Ferguson underestimated a bad team, if he treated it like a game he could of gotten the 3 points bringing them closer to top place. He mucked up.

[Cuchulainn]

We were pathetic. Rooney was woeful (has been for a while, I've just chosen to live in ignorance), showing signs that the weight of every over-expectant supporter in England is tiring him. Ronaldo did his same old tired 'one-trick-two-trick-lost ball-fall over' nonsence that does no one any favours & is starting to annoy the hell outta me. Ferguson's tactics were pathetic, swamping the centre of midfield & leaving the flanks bare. Then there was Ferdinand, another under achieving performance. We over complicated attacks in the 1st half, trying to be smart & fucking it all up, then getting hit on the break.

Having said that, I was ALWAYS of the belief the title was already over so we haven't really lost anything in my eyes. Sunderland's tactics were spot on, makes you wonder just WTF they were doing in the other matches. At times they outplayed us & it was hard to see who was 2nd & who was last & being relegated.

The camp needs changed & I have to say I wouldn't be too upset if Ronaldo left in the summer. All in all, roll on next season with new players, this one is dead to me now. Well done Chelsea.

[Resha]

Nothing would give me greater pleasure than seeing Ronaldo go :) He's too much of a show-off with an ear problem -- just what is up with his balance, anyways? o_O

[Cuchulainn]

He reminds me of a slightly worse George Best. Frustrating as hell to watch but unbeleivable talent. Regardless of that talent he needs to learn when to do & try tricks & when not to. He needs to learn when to pass quick & when to take a defender on. Once he masters that, he will be a football great. Trouble is, the world doesn't stop while he learns & we're wasting points while he's learning.

I want to take back my earlier post about him leaving, I don't want him to. I was frustrated. We just need another option, he's young & isn't always going to give the constant level of brilliance like Neville (who incidentally was unbeleivable last night, an eagle amonst turkeys).

You wouldn't give a 20 year old racing driver Car 1 in a Grand Prix, you would train him up on Car 2 then move on when ready, no matter how good he is he's still green.

Mind you one slip up in 8 isn't bad, infact, it's our best winning streak for a long long time, we were due it.

Now Chelsea have won 2-0 it's roll on next season.

[Jess]

1-0 down after 5 minutes. Lee Bowyer off within 8 minutes due to an injury.

This isn't looking good so far. :(

EDIT: That'll teach me for being so pessimistic. 1-1. :jess:
EDIT 2: 2-1! Brilliant.

[Old Manus]

I had a lot of fun laughing at the Man U fans today

[Crop]

I had a lot of fun laughing at the Man U fans today


:mad:
I cant belive it, the players looked half asleep! Man U played rubbish.

[Loony BoB]

I think Ronaldo needs to stay there, he just needs to get the hang of what is and is not going to work for him. Sometimes other players are put there, he's not a definite start... I don't think we need to spend our money backing him up though, not at all. Once we have a decent midfield we'll be fine.

Missing Saha and, for the most part, Silvestre (who normally I'm not fond of but recently his crosses have been as perfect as Beckham back in the day), had a big impact on the game. Those two work fantastically together and van Nistelrooy just couldn't get the ball enough to make it count. We really did play bad, though, with the exception of Neville.

Anyway, on to Tottenham, I believe. May as well play some good games to keep our 2nd position.

[Jess]

3-1! Shearer has scored again. :excited:

[Cz]

Arsenal 3 -1 West Brom. Bergkamp scored a blinder, apparently. And it's Dennis Day, too! :D :D :D

Looks like Sheffield United are coming up, which means we have to put up with that bastard Warnock for the whole of next season.

EDIT: Accrington Stanley are back in the football league. Awesome. :D

[Resha]

H-H-Happy Dennis Bergkamp day! :D Oh gosh all the goals made me so happy. I nearly killed myself when Quashi scored. Hleb's goal was a beauty.

Glad about both Sheffield and accrington. :) I especially like Sheffield United.

[Cz]

Glad about both Sheffield and accrington. :) I especially like Sheffield United.What. :grr:

[Loony BoB]

On a sidenote - FC United, the breakaway football team from the Glazer takover of Manchester United, has got promotion to the next level without much trouble. I'm sort of hoping they keep progressing to the point that by coincidence they face Manchester United in a FA Cup draw... would be fantastic to watch, if only for the volume of the whole thing. :D

[Shoden]

Another 3-1 result from the Gallowgate boys. It's gonna be an interesting derby on Monday.

[Resha]

What. :grr:
My best childhood friend was a big fan. :(

[Cz]

On a sidenote - FC United, the breakaway football team from the Glazer takover of Manchester United, has got promotion to the next level without much trouble. I'm sort of hoping they keep progressing to the point that by coincidence they face Manchester United in a FA Cup draw... would be fantastic to watch, if only for the volume of the whole thing. :DThat's great news. I don't exactly support the whole Anti-Glazer movement (anything that makes Manchester United fans unhappy is a good thing, in my book) but it's nice to see that those fans who were brave enough to make a stand are having success with F.C. United. Maybe they could invite the Red Devils over for a pre-season friendly some time. :p

The orangeness on TV was wonderful last night. I'd like to think that Dennis won't play again, since that'd be a perfect way for him to end his Arsenal career. Well, with the exception of a Champions' League medal, of course. :D

[Resha]

But they're having a wonderful testimonial for Dennis, on July 22nd or something. :) I think they're playing versus ajax, and it's going to be star-studded and stuff. arsenal players from "both past and present" is what I read, anyways. It'll be at Emirates, too. I wanna go....:mad2:

That'd be something worth seeing, to be sure. :)

[Psychotic]

1-0 v Blackburn. God can't stop scoring. Hopefully we can close down on United enough to claim second place.

And you Gooners owe us now!

[Burtsplurt]

EDIT: Accrington Stanley are back in the football league.

Who are they?

:)

[Psychotic]

As much as I loathe to use this phrase, it's the most appropriate thing to say, so here goes: Burtsplurt just won the thread.

[Loony BoB]

Well, I honestly didn't know, so I looked them up on Wikipedia. I found it amusing to read "Between 1966 and 1970 Accrington Stanley did not exist" - it's like a team went *poof* and disappeared for a while (yes, yes, I read the reasoning). :p

[Shoden]

Tyne-Wear Derby today, I'll be watching it while munching on the little chocolate I have. Sister stole most of it ;_;. Derbys are always fun, two derbies fort he tyne in a week.

[Cuchulainn]

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Manchester United 2
Well, we beat Spur, one of 3 end of season results that scared me most (Arsenal, Spurs & Chelsea). Jol has done an excellent job there & Robbie Keane is playing like a man possessed.
It was a great match, end to end stuff. All 3 goals were a result of pathetic defending, but I think (even united's haters will agree) we deserved the win. Toytally different performance from Friday.
One thing pangs me. Spurs goal, how the HELL was that a corner? I watched it on pp Live, granted the picture isn't 100% but I seen enough. We also had a penalty claim denied also. Ah well, swings n roundabouts I suppose. We've had lucky decisions in the past, namely against this very team at Old Trafford.
It's Chelsea's title but I desperately want us to finish a respectable 2nd. Looks like we've earned our 2nd spot.

[Shoden]

YES!!!! 2-1 so far! Mackems took an early lead with Justin Hoyte assisted from Dean Whitehead but in the 2nd half Michael Chopra scored with a Titus Bramble assist and Alan Shearer scored a penalty.

Make that 3-1, Charles N Zogbia.

4-1 now!!!!!! Albert Luque assisted by Amdy Faye.


Riots already starting.

[Cz]

Ugh. (http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/04/19/SOCCER_Sheff_Utd_Warnock.html) :mad:

[Psychotic]

Warnock's a twat. It'll be like having another Allardyce or Mourinho running around next season, which is why I didn't want them promoted. That and the fact that Stephen Warnock keeps being called Neil because of him. :(

Also, I just want to comment on the first leg of the FA Youth Cup Final. Liverpool 3 Man City 0. :D The last Liverpool team to win the FA Youth Cup featured the likes of Carragher and Owen, so it bodes well for the future. I did tell you to watch out for Paul Anderson...

And if we win the FA Cup proper as well as the youth cup, then that'd be a really nice double. Just the small matter of our 10th game in two seasons against a certain team of wankers in blue to get out of the way first...

[Cz]

Warnock's a twat. It'll be like having another Allardyce or Mourinho running around next season, which is why I didn't want them promoted. That and the fact that Stephen Warnock keeps being called Neil because of him. :(

Also, I just want to comment on the first leg of the FA Youth Cup Final. Liverpool 3 Man City 0. :D The last Liverpool team to win the FA Youth Cup featured the likes of Carragher and Owen, so it bodes well for the future. I did tell you to watch out for Paul Anderson...I hear that was a fantastic match (albeit from a Spurs fan), and I'll be sure to catch the second leg. As for Anderson, it's nice to see that you got something right in that rant of yours.


And if we win the FA Cup proper as well as the youth cup, then that'd be a really nice double. Just the small matter of our 10th game in two seasons against a certain team of wankers in blue to get out of the way first...These upstart local rivals. Give 'em one good season and they start to think they own the place. Kick 'em off the park, I say! :rolleyes2

P.S. EoFF's filter is predjudiced against English swear words! What a load of Bollocks!

[Psychotic]

What rant? There are too many for me to know which one you mean when you offhandedly say "that rant" :p

Also I kinda meant Chelski and not Everton but your point holds true. Still, I would love to see Jermaine Jenas in the Champion's League. Unless he played in it for Newcastle and in which case, oh. :(

[Cz]

What rant? There are too many for me to know which one you mean when you offhandedly say "that rant" :pIf I point it out, you'll drag the whole thing back up again, and my devestating logic will once again prove ineffective against your "WE HAVE THE LOUDEST FANS" defence. :p


Also I kinda meant Chelski and not Everton but your point holds true. Still, I would love to see Jermaine Jenas in the Champion's League. Unless he played in it for Newcastle and in which case, oh. :(Yeah, well you can kick their arses too. And Jermaine Jenas in the Champions' League? Not even your loudest fan defence can make that seem reasonable!

[Psychotic]

Greatest fan logic is infinitely superior to the Diaby is as good as Sissoko logic. :cool: COME ON LET'S DRAG IT ALL UP AGAIN! Arsenal are <img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"> and we won it FIVE TIMES!!!! RED ARMY! YEAH STEVIE G! RAFALUTION! LOUD FANS? LOUD FANS! ynwa.

And come on, you're seriously telling me you wouldn't love to see Jermaine Jenas try to handle the likes of Kaka and Ronaldinho?

[Cz]

Greatest fan logic is infinitely superior to the Diaby is as good as Sissoko logic. :cool: COME ON LET'S DRAG IT ALL UP AGAIN! Arsenal are <img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"> and we won it FIVE TIMES!!!! RED ARMY! YEAH STEVIE G! RAFALUTION! LOUD FANS? LOUD FANS! ynwa."Arsenal have the worst midfield" logic for the lose. And if you're going to bring up European Cup victories from thirty years ago, I think I'm perfectly entitled to bring up this:

http://footballfocus.xsmnet.com/images/ArsenalLiverpool89.JPG

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111111111111111111111111111oneoneonesevenminussix

...

:D


And come on, you're seriously telling me you wouldn't love to see Jermaine Jenas try to handle the likes of Kaka and Ronaldinho?I grudgingly accept this point as being the wisest thing you've ever said.

[Psychotic]

Oh you were supposed to ironically promote Arsenal, who, incidentally enough, DO have a crap midfield! So there!

Is that Michael Thomas? Bah, he made up for it in 1992. Well okay, let's take it a bit more modern shall we?

http://www.liverweb.org.uk/facup01a.jpg

Remember this? I think you can see Emile Heskey's equal in terms of diving (and footballing ability!), Robert Pires, skulking in the background. Oh we're just full of comebacks :D

[Cz]

Oh you were supposed to ironically promote Arsenal, who, incidentally enough, DO have a crap midfield! So there!

Is that Michael Thomas? Bah, he made up for it in 1992. Well okay, let's take it a bit more modern shall we?

http://www.liverweb.org.uk/facup01a.jpg

Remember this? I think you can see the Emile Heskey's equal in terms of diving (and footballing ability!), Robert Pires, skulking in the background. Oh we're just full of comebacks :DI was really looking forward to your reply, and I was just passing the time in themagicroundabout's user notes (a ripping read!) when it hit me: "He's going to use the Owen F.A. Cup goal, isn't he? That goal that plunged me into a deep, dark depression that lasted...about a year, before we won it...

...Twice...

...And then again."

This is how you respond to the greatest end-of season finale ever, a victory for a side that hadn't won the title in eighteen years, over the evil, predictable monsters of Liverpool? A league championship that changed hands in the very last kick of the game, a moment that may never be repeated for decades, if not centuries? You suck at comebacks. :p

Except that one last year. I've got to admit, that was pretty good. :)

P.S. Nayim pix plzkthx

[Shoden]

Jermaine Jenas, ah the spoilt brat of the EPL. He thinks he's something he's not, even at newcastle he marched around thinking he was total perfection and the best there was. He has head so far up his arse you could probably use him as a football! I would say more but I'd gross you guys out. If he goes against Ronaldhino, well it'd be the equivilant of what PiP does to horses or what happens when Psy invades a thread and it gets closed for no reason. He'd so much therapy for that <img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif">ty head of his he could be in the movies!!!!

Cz, bloody hell you just got owned big time. Lol, I'm going to wait for Psy's reply to this, he's probably going to bring up some random thing I've forgotten to show how his beloved reds are always superior, or he's going to bring up some score. Until then, I'll be fragging the hell out of some Noobs on ZDaemon.

[Psychotic]

Yes, the critics say themagicroundabout's user notes are "A literary triumph!", "Undoubtedly they are user notes!" and "I'm not gay." so I suppose I shall hop on the bandwagon and read them sometime.

Did I not respond in the right way? Oh, forgive my rudeness. I offer Arsenal my most hearty of congratulations of sneaking the title thanks to a last minute goal against an utterly demoralised Liverpool. It's quite an epic achievement to win the league title thanks to one lapse of concentration, I must say. I even reckon it beats that Invincibles nonsense you lot wouldn't shut up about. And all the Liverpool fans cried for years afterwards after that one...until the FA Cup final when they beat Everton thanks to the legend that is Ian Rush. :love:

It almost certainly doesn't compare to winning the FA Cup in such an unsensational and woeful style, particularly when it was a part of a pathetic run of trophy wins (5 in 6 months) which Arsenal could match in their sleep, I am sure. They're just biding their time is all. And it undoubtedly will be repeated hundreds, if not MILLIONS, of times over the coming decades and centuries. Well, seeing as how you'll be in the UEFA Cup next year, maybe you can try it then. :D

Nayim? Puh-lease. Do I look like a Spurs fan to you? Well, I guess it's hard to distinguish between teams higher in the league than you are sometimes, so I'll let it slide just this once. Anyway, I'm disappointed you didn't mention the 2002 Charity Shield final.

[Cz]

Yes, the critics say themagicroundabout's user notes are "A literary triumph!", "Undoubtedly they are user notes!" and "I'm not gay." so I suppose I shall hop on the bandwagon and read them sometime.

Did I not respond in the right way? Oh, forgive my rudeness. I offer Arsenal my most hearty of congratulations of sneaking the title thanks to a last minute goal against an utterly demoralised Liverpool. It's quite an epic achievement to win the league title thanks to one lapse of concentration, I must say. I even reckon it beats that Invincibles nonsense you lot wouldn't shut up about.Hey, that reminds me! We're invincible too! :)


And all the Liverpool fans cried for years afterwards after that one...until the FA Cup final when they beat Everton thanks to the legend that is Ian Rush. :love: This was a victory for everyone.


It almost certainly doesn't compare to winning the FA Cup in such an unsensational and woeful style, particularly when it was a part of a pathetic run of trophy wins (5 in 6 months) which Arsenal could match in their sleep, I am sure. They're just biding their time is all. And it undoubtedly will be repeated hundreds, if not MILLIONS, of times over the coming decades and centuries. Well, seeing as how you'll be in the UEFA Cup next year, maybe you can try it then.Undoubtedly, to win five trophies in such a short timespan is a superb achievement (even though two of them are one-game joke competitions and The Worthling-Cola-Milk Cup isn't taken seriously until the semi-finals or so), but in terms of classic footballing moments, the Owen goal simply doesn't compare to Anfield '89. It just doesn't. Hell, it wasn't even the most dramatic finale of your season (That UEFA Cup final was one of the best games of football I've ever seen), let alone the all-time-greatest-thing-ever. And as for no other team winning five trophies in a season, how long do you really think it'll take Chelsea to buy all of that stuff up?


Nayim? Puh-lease. Do I look like a Spurs fan to you?Pfft, I don't care who you support. That's the timeless anti-Arsenal image, my friend! Just because you didn't knock us out doesn't mean you can't have a good laugh about it, does it? Because in the end, it's not who wins, but who loses that counts.


Well, I guess it's hard to distinguish between teams higher in the league than you are sometimes, so I'll let it slide just this once.You speak from experience, my friend. Remember that I am not so skilled in the art of recognising teams further up the table than my own. I haven't had much practice in recent seasons, after all.


Anyway, I'm disappointed you didn't mention the 2002 Charity Shield final.Nobody cares about the Charity Shield.

P.S. Ian Rush pix plzkthx

[Psychotic]

I care about the Charity Shield. :grumble:

I worked long and hard to find the same one as before, so you owe me:

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/psychoticville/rush6.jpg

TH14 can take his 198 and shove it. Rushie's 346 is true brilliance. :love:

[Burtsplurt]

Undoubtedly. And a successful career on Chucklevision afterwards - whatta guy.

[Shoden]

what, the hell is that? Looks like one of the chuckle brothers!

[Psychotic]

Bladen, darling, you shouldn't steal other people's jokes, not least when they're made in the post before yours.

But I'll tell you. You know how you geordies are going weak at the knees at Alan Shearer scoring 206 goals? This guy scored 346 for us. And I love him dearly. :love:

[Burtsplurt]

I don't remember Rush's early stuff, but I vaguely remember him and Aldridge playing together (I was a Liverpool fan when I was very young - oh dear). They scored a hell of a lot of goals between them. It's pretty rare to get natural goalscorers like those two now. Alright, they couldn't do a lot else, but whatever...

Didn't Ian Rush move to Newcastle late in his career? I remember him doing... absolutely nothing.

[Loony BoB]

He played 10 games for Newcastle scoring exactly 0 goals.

Records
Record FA Cup goalscorer with 44 goals (39 for Liverpool).
Record FA Cup Final goalscorer with 5 goals.
Joint record League Cup goalscorer with 49 goals (48 for Liverpool), shared with Geoff Hurst.
First player to pick up 5 League Cup winners medals.
Record Welsh international goalscorer with 28 goals.
Record Liverpool goalscorer with 346 goals.
Second top goalscorer in League football for Liverpool with 229 goals, behind Roger Hunt (245 goals).
Record Merseyside derby goalscorer with 25 goals for Liverpool against Everton.

Not a bad record. Including the last bit, considering he's apparently an Everton supporter!

Gotta love Wikipedia.

[Shoden]

If you total up Shearer's goals, you'll get well over 506, think about it, at Blackburn he scored around 100 goals. I didn't notice that post before mine, but seriously, he does, it's the moustache! And the hair! He has a massive forehead too! Even my dumbass sister thought so too. I just hope more home bred legends are brewed because teams are soley relying on foreign players to slaughter teams, it's cool to see but it loses it's coolness eventually.

I was going to say something else but I forgot what it was, I'll post it later, if I remember, another thing, have you seen next season's Newcastle United away shirt? They might make it to the UEFA cup at this rate, they're already 7th.

[Psychotic]

Robbie Fowler was an Everton fan too, apparently. Ian Rush was always my hero when I was growing up, and I think I even cried when he left for Leeds. (Or Newcastle. I think he joined Leeds before going onto Newcastle, though)

Don't Newcastle have a game against Chelsea coming up? That severely dents their chances of pushing up into 6th, and the final UEFA Cup spot. I think Newcastle should be satisfied with a top-half finish, considering that they've been managed by Souness for most of the season.

[Cz]

If you total up Shearer's goals, you'll get well over 506, think about it, at Blackburn he scored around 100 goals. I didn't notice that post before mine, but seriously, he does, it's the moustache! And the hair! He has a massive forehead too! Even my dumbass sister thought so too. I just hope more home bred legends are brewed because teams are soley relying on foreign players to slaughter teams, it's cool to see but it loses it's coolness eventually. You do realise that Ian Rush is Welsh, right? :p

Newcastle have done well to recover from their appalling period of Souness-ness (looking at their record before and after his dismissal, can there really be any doubt that the man is a useless idiot?) and have a decent shot at a UEFA cup spot. Sure, they've got Chelsea on the last day of the season, but with their other two games being West Brom and Birmingham, their fixture list isn't significantly worse than their rivals (after all, Blackburn have got Chelsea, and Wigan have us on the last day of the season :cool:). I'd rather have you lot than West Ham or those Bolton jerks, anyway.

[Shoden]

Cz has a point, with Michael Chopra and Albert Luque who proved themselves useful in Monday's derby avalible to replace Al it's gonna be rough for West Brom and Birmingham.

Here's a question, have you ever seen a footballer with an afro?

[Psychotic]

All West Ham need to do to qualify is beat Middlesbrough though. :p

Some very tasty games this weekend. Liverpool v Chelski in the FA Cup Semi Final, and the North London derby, Arsenal v (HURRAY FOR) Spurs, in what just might decide who gets the fourth Champions League spot.

Also, Liverpool have won the FA Youth Cup, albeit after losing 2-0 in a backs-to-the-wall display. It's good to see that so many of Rafa's young signings like Anderson, Hobbs, Antwi and Roque are paying off.

Finally, in response to your question, Rio Ferdinand sported an afro while he was banned for the 2003-04 season for that drugs test nonsense. :p

[Bart's Friend Milhouse]

we (arsenal) just scraped out a bollocky 1-1 draw. But we don't really need fourth since we're going to win CL anyway


http://specials.rediff.com/sports/2005/oct/19pic1.jpg

[Shoden]

It'd be cool to see footballers sprout erotic funky hairstyles, mohawks, afros. Stuff like that. With people like Beckham who are so gay they obsess their hair and change it every week or something, they suck...

Big shame about Shear, eh? Saddening end to a glass shattering career. He's torn a medial ligament and he's gone for good now.

[Jess]

3-0. Brilliant!

It's a shame about Shearer, yeah but atleast his last goal was against the mackems - which as a geordie he must of loved. :laugh:

[Shoden]

He scored the penalty against those buggers, that's enough, I figured out his total goals including England goals.

692 goals in 18 years.

[Burtsplurt]

Hmm, I think it's more likk 409. 379 club goals plus his 30 England goals.

Ray Stubbs told me earlier. :)

[Cz]

A poor performance on our part, and a wasted opportunity. Can't be too upset about the Spurs goal, since ours was just as doubtful. However, it's still very possible for us to catch them, considering that their remaining two games are rather difficult compared to ours.

P.S. Why do Chelsea never play this badly against us? :grumble:

P.P.S. xDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD Joe Cole.

[Shoden]

406 for Newcastle, 30 for England, 118 for Southampton, 138 for Blackburn Rovers. 492. Damn you made me do maths! You're added to my hit list!
Anyway Newcastle are doing well, if we beat Birmingham then we got a UEFA cup place for definate.

[Loony BoB]

It's always so good to see Chelsea lose. :)

[Shoden]

You got that right BoB! Teams are figuring out how to beat them, I think Chelsea are due to crash down on themselves. A team with that much power collapses sooner or later, soon It's going to be Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool as the top 3 again.

[Loony BoB]

Definitely hasn't collapsed. They're still by Premiership right the best team in England (I don't like to say that). They'll bring in Ballack and others next season, and it will be interesting to see how the other top teams chop and change. If Manchester United can get in two world class midfielders and Liverpool can keep their goals coming in consistently throughout the season, I think the top three will be fairly even. I'm not really sure where Arsenal have really lost it this season, but I wouldn't mind seeing both them and Tottenham fighting it out with the other three sides. So long as Man U win the league. 8-)

[Burtsplurt]

406 for Newcastle

* 206 :D

Mourinho seemed to get his tactics wrong today. Too many similar types of player. Liverpool's passing game was good, though and Sissoko wasn't giving the ball away too often - he's turning into a very good player.

[Shoden]

I'm sure I typed in 206, oh well. If only Chelsea cried like Ronaldo when they lose. Sorry BoB but Ronaldo is a serious tear factory when it comes to losing, he just cries, better then fighting though.

[Loony BoB]

I don't really care much for crying. I find it more funny to watch Jose waving his arms around and spinning in circles and making clown faces and rolling his eyes and stuff. He's good for one thing, and that's entertainment. :D

[Psychotic]

:bigbiggri

I kinda figured we'd win this, as we seem to make the final once every 5 years (96 and 01) Incidentally enough, Liverpool to reach the League Cup final next year (01, 03, 05 ;))

There you go, Cz. Proof that Harry Kewell no longer sucks. :p But graaaah, Luis Garcia, that incredible bastard, how I love him dearly. If he played at his best all of the time, he'd be the best player on the planet.
Liverpool's passing game was good, though and Sissoko wasn't giving the ball away too often - he's turning into a very good player.Indeed. Sissoko would have to be in my Premiership team of the season. He's performed remarkably when you consider that he's just 21 and it's been his first Premiership season. I don't even need to say how incredible his recovery from a potentially career threatening injury was, and I don't think it's a coincidence that our form hit a dip against the likes of Benfica and Arsenal whilst he was injured.

EDIT:
I find it more funny to watch Jose waving his arms around and spinning in circles and making clown faces and rolling his eyes and stuff.So that's who ff babe was...

[Burtsplurt]

By the way, is it just me or is anyone else struggling to see why Chelsea paid £24m for Essien? He's good, but he doesn't strike me as world class. I remember when they were bidding for him, his then manager compared him to the likes of Gerrard.

Maybe he isn't played in the right position. Or maybe Chelsea would pay £5m for a slice of Wensleydale.

[Psychotic]

Remember that they bought him from the French league, where the likes of Drogba and Cisse couldn't stop scoring. The French league makes anyone look good.

[Cz]

Chelsea have enough money (and then a few billion more) to buy playres for more than they're worth. Hell, they spent £21m on Shaun Wright-Phillips just to stop us from getting him. Essien, Drogba and the like aren't worth the money that was paid for them, but the fact is that from Chelsea's point of view it hardly matters.

Oh, and Harry Kewell was sublime today. Under Benitez he's become as good as he ever was at Leeds, if not better. But sweet Jesus, he needs to do something about that hair. :D

[Psychotic]

PFA Awards.

Player of the Year:
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

Young Player of the Year:
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Premiership Team of the Year:
Shay Given (Newcastle), Pascal Chimbonda (Wigan), John Terry (Chelsea), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), William Gallas (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

Well, that's a bit obvious. The only surprise is Pascal Chimbonda, and although he was good during Wigan's early season run, I can't remember him doing anything special since then. And I can't really remember doing Cristiano Ronaldo doing much this season either, other than get sent off against Man City and trying his hardest to piss off Wigan during the Carling Cup final.

[Cz]

PFA Awards.

Player of the Year:
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

Young Player of the Year:
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Premiership Team of the Year:
Shay Given (Newcastle), Pascal Chimbonda (Wigan), John Terry (Chelsea), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), William Gallas (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

Well, that's a bit obvious. The only surprise is Pascal Chimbonda, and although he was good during Wigan's early season run, I can't remember him doing anything special since then. And I can't really remember doing Cristiano Ronaldo doing much this season either, other than get sent off against Man City and trying his hardest to piss off Wigan during the Carling Cup final.That's all fair enough. I can't remember Chimbonda doing anything of note either, but then good defensive performances are more likely to slip by un-noticed than those of attacking players. Ronaldo's inclusion is rather baffling though, especially considering how well Kewell's done in recent months (and has much stupider hair). There have probably been better defenders than Gallas too, but meh.

Oh, and you have to kick West Ham's arse in the Cup Final, or I will denounce your entire season as a failure. There's no good outcome to this final, but believe it or not, your gloating would be almost bearable compared to some of the Hammers I know. ;)

[Psychotic]

Apparently the FA have offered Luiz Felipe Scolari the England job after the World Cup, and all I can say is thank god for that. I just hope he accepts.

Compared to the English candidates of Curbishley, McClaren and Allardyce, who have won an incredible one League Cup between them, I think it's clear we're in safe hands with a guy who has won the World Cup.

But what I like best about him is that he doesn't care about reptuations and will drop big name players if they don't fit. That is exactly what England need, and it's a shame he can't manage us right now. Someone needs to drop Lampard and put Carrick in the holding role, or alternatively drop Beckham, insert Carrick in the same place and push Gerrard out on the right, and of all the candidates, he'd be the only one to do it. (We all know Fat Sam would drop Gerrard or Lampard for Kevin Nolan, and Wayne Rooney for Kevin Davies for that matter...)

Please accept, o gloriously mustached Big Phil. Pretty please? :love:

[Burtsplurt]

Yeah, it's just a pity that they didn't seem interested in foreign candidates from the start. I think Guus Hiddink would have been an excellent person to have in charge. But Big Phil makes a very good second choice for me. Saying that, I would have loved to have seen Arsene Wenger as England manager. He seems to be able to bring out things in players that others can't. I think he'd categorically refuse the post, though.

Kind of miffed that Steve MacClaren didn't get the job. Then Middlesbrough might have been able to bring in someone half-way decent. :)

[Loony BoB]

Apparently the FA have offered Luiz Felipe Scolari the England job after the World Cup, and all I can say is thank god for that. I just hope he accepts.

Compared to the English candidates of Curbishley, McClaren and Allardyce, who have won an incredible one League Cup between them, I think it's clear we're in safe hands with a guy who has won the World Cup.

But what I like best about him is that he doesn't care about reptuations and will drop big name players if they don't fit. That is exactly what England need, and it's a shame he can't manage us right now. Someone needs to drop Lampard and put Carrick in the holding role, or alternatively drop Beckham, insert Carrick in the same place and push Gerrard out on the right, and of all the candidates, he'd be the only one to do it. (We all know Fat Sam would drop Gerrard or Lampard for Kevin Nolan, and Wayne Rooney for Kevin Davies for that matter...)

Please accept, o gloriously mustached Big Phil. Pretty please? :love:
Drop... Lampard...?

[Burtsplurt]

I agree with Psychotic. Gerrard's better and they don't play well together. They're too similar for that. Gerrard is a more complete player.

I'd like to see him made captain.

[Psychotic]

And I think Lampard would make more of an impact coming off the bench than Gerrard would. Gerrard is the type of player who is there all the time, whereas Lampard is only there when you need him, and tends to go missing in big games.

Also, bloody hell 'boro! You guys are as good as, if not better, than us at comebacks! :eek:

[tomamar04]

Middlesborough are my new 2nd favourite team lol

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4933504.stm

Anyone see the game?

[Cz]

Congratulations to Middlesbrough for the comeback of the season. Maybe this performance will get Stewart Downing a much-deserved place in the England squad for the World Cup?

P.S. Crap, Scolari isn't taking the England job. :(

[Shoden]

That was extremely unexpected but usually when a team makes a miracle comeback it's more spicy in the finals, like Liverpool's. Well the thing with that was is that Liverpool and AC milan are both big teams whilst Middlesbrough and Bucharest aren't so well known. Shame about the fame though because boro are more of a "wth?" team, you don't know what they'll do but then again it was an amazing win, congrats.

Anyway Mclaren has an ego bigger then Real Madrid's and his head very far up the pipe hole.

[BlackWaltz]

Im an Gunner through and through and we are gonna win the champions league! Paris here we come!

[Psychotic]

P.S. Crap, Scolari isn't taking the England job. :(NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! [/darth vader]

[Loony BoB]

Portugal's Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari stunned the soccer world on Friday by withdrawing from the race to become England manager because of unbearable media intrusion.

In a news conference televised from Portugal's World Cup training site in Germany, Scolari said his plans would be open after July 31 when his contract with the Portuguese Football Federation ran out. He said his decision was linked to his feelings for Portugal and the relentless media pressure since his name surfaced two days ago as the likely candidate to succeed Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson as England's manager. "There are 20 reporters outside my house now," he said. "If that is part of another culture, it is not part of my culture. I am not the coach, and will not be (England's) coach.

"I don't want this situation involving England because in two days during which I was not coach, I never agreed to anything, life was invaded," Scolari said. "My privacy was totally under siege."

Scolari said the press had made "absurd comparisons" of him and his wife with Eriksson and the Swede's partner, and how they dressed. "That's not part of my life and its never going to be."
Let that be a lesson to the English media. They are their own nation's undoing.

[Old Manus]

The boro game was the most entertaining game I've seen this season (apart from swansea vs carlisle)

If Scolari isn't taking the England job, fuck him.

[Psychotic]

Let that be a lesson to the English media. They are their own nation's undoing.Let that be a lesson to the (extremely xenophobic) English media. They can choose who the next England manager is.

[Shoden]

If that was the case we'd have Loony BoB or someone as manager. If they make money out of it they put down the name! It is funny though, we don't want 100% serious, boring reports of football now do we? It would end up like that gameshow countdown, but 7x worse.

[Loony BoB]

Even if I was qualified for the job, I wouldn't take it for the same reasons as Scolari.

[Psychotic]

We wouldn't have BoB as a manager because he's Johnny Foreigner and therefore lacks passion because he is a soulless mercenary. Kevin Keegan, on the other hand, oozed passion out of every pore, and he was truly a great England manager. Just look at how well he did with us during Euro 2000!

[Old Manus]

I don't believe Wayne Rooney

[Shoden]

Keegan was amazing but he just cannot handle pressure, he did it to Newcastle and Manchester City. Rooney is a right dick and attention/media whore but you can't say he's a crap player, though alot of people would love to say it. He has talent just a bad personality and a skill for grabbing attention from journalists and newspapers.

[Loony BoB]

Why do you say he has a bad personality? For a guy under the microscope of the nation - being considered the primary character for England's chances at the World Cup etc - at such a young age... I'd say he's doing marvellously. I don't hear many bad things about him at all these days, actually. The players obviously feel the same way, given he won PFA Young Player of the Year.

And he doesn't have a skill for grabbing their attention. That's like saying that Scolari had a skill for it when the media hounded him. No, he doesn't, he just happens to be the one that every journalist in England wants to talk about, because that's what the media does.

[Shoden]

He's going to end up like Beckham, get alot more rich and famous then get crap. Beckham should be out the squad IMO.

Rooney just acts like he's the biggest toughest, most skilled person there is, haven't you noticed when he loses his temper he blames his team mates? That aint right, at least blame the ref, it's always the ref. WHat if a referee scored a goal?

[Loony BoB]

He's going to end up like Beckham, get alot more rich and famous then get crap. Beckham should be out the squad IMO.

Rooney just acts like he's the biggest toughest, most skilled person there is, haven't you noticed when he loses his temper he blames his team mates? That aint right, at least blame the ref, it's always the ref. WHat if a referee scored a goal?
Having watched almost every one of Manchester United's games since December (and a lot before then too)... no, I haven't noticed that at all. In fact, he doesn't lose his temper very often at all these days. Maybe you should stop living on long-past reputations and see him for the person he has grown up to become. The same one that every player who has known him (your lovely Michael Owen is a good friend of his, you know) to become. And Rooney doesn't act 'big' or 'tough' at all (although he is big and tough - to say otherwise is to be ignorant, hell, he was going to be a boxer at one point). In every interview I've seen him in, he's a very modest guy that has loads of praise for his teammates as well as the opposition.

I won't claim to know Beckham, but if you think he left England so he could find even more fame and meet more journalists, you're incredibly ignorant.

Methinks you have issues with Manchester United players. Just appreciate players for the players they are, and quit reading gossip columns.

[Old Manus]

I meant the fact that he is probably out of the world cup.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4957970.stm

[Psychotic]

Wayne Rooney has definitely improved his attitude, and the last outburst I can remember him having was in that dire 1-0 defeat against Northern Ireland in September, but telling Beckham and Ferdinand to "Fuck off." (especially from the way they were playing that night) is only a good thing in my eyes.

Oh, and Michael Owen is a bigger twat than Rooney is, for the way he fucked us around with his contract and the transfer deadline day thing, forcing us to take a reduced fee of just £8m for him (We paid more for Stan "dogging" Collymore back in 1995) It's not that he left, because it'd be stupid to expect him to stay forever, but the way in which he left that grates. Supposedly he wanted success at Real, but instead he found himself warming the substitutes bench (with 0 medals) watching on as we won the Champions League. And now he's at Newcastle, (when he made it very clear he wanted to join Liverpool after we won the big prize) a team that haven't won a trophy for 40 or so years, and don't look like winning one any time soon. Ha ha ha. Twat.

Still, both he and Rooney are essential England players, and I hope they aren't out of the World Cup. Owen is simple enough to replace, I suppose, with Jermain Defoe, but what about Rooney? I suggest Joe Cole, as he is our most similar player to him, although of course, there is nobody quite like Wayne Rooney. That does open up the left side of midfield, but there are so many options for that. You could put Gerrard there and bring in Carrick, you could put SWP on the left, or alternatively put Beckham on the left and SWP on the right, or you could even put Stewart Downing in. Not too keen with starting with Crouch, as he is more of a Plan B, and I think Darren Bent is more of a Premiership player than an international player. I'd like to see Robbie Fowler called up in replacement, but obviously I am biased. Dean Ashton or Marlon Harewood would be acceptable alternatives though. :D

Still, the good thing about Rooney being injured is that hopefully United will be demoralised and uninspired, and lose their remaining games (to a buoyant Middlesbrough who beat them 4-1 earlier in the season, and Charlton who will want to win their last game under manager of 15 years, Alan Curbishley) and we will take second. Eh, I can dream. :D

Finally, a word on relegation. Boy, the Midlands sure do suck. Aston Villa are now the only team left (and they'll probably go down next season if they keep this up) when the top flight used to be filled with Midlands teams like Leicester, Coventry, Derby, Nottingham Forest, Wolves, and of course, WBA and Birmingham City. Heck, 3 of England's 10 European Cup/Champions League wins have come from these teams (Villa got one, Notts Forest two) and now look at them.

[Shoden]

No, Beckham left England to get more money and a better suntan. Michael Owen is a prick, sure he scores goals but he only came to Newcastle because they offered him the most money. Rooney is still young but I just see him as arogant like, he still has a long way to go and if he keeps going he may be able to be a much better person and player. I see Man U as a strange team, I just never get wth they are doing, usually I ignore them because there are teams that show they think they're best. I still find it strange Rooney has bad luck. I reckon he should dump his gf though, she's just using him for his money. I never pay attention to gossip colums or any colums usually.

Rooney maybe like that in my eyes but Jermaine Jenas is alot worse with that attitude, he is like what I described Rooney as but alot worse, except less famous.

[Loony BoB]

I reckon he should dump his gf though, she's just using him for his money. I never pay attention to gossip colums or any colums usually.
:laugh:

[Shoden]

I got another question, why does Beckham always change his gay hairstyles to something even gayer each time?

[Cid Vicious]

Congrats to Chelsea for buying their second Premiership Trophy on the bounce.

[Cz]

I got another question, why does Beckham always change his gay hairstyles to something even gayer each time?No need to post that here. A topic of this importance belongs in its own thread.

Rooney's injury is a terrible blow to England in the run-up to the world cup (as well as my fantasy football team :mad:). Seems like Chelsea weren't content with ruining the Premiership, and they've done their best to lose us the World Cup too. Jermain Defoe might prove a decent alternative, particularly in the easier group stage games, but he's never been quite himself when playing for his country. If Andy Johnson had seen sense and joined a Premiership club during the summer, he'd definitely have been a strong candidate, but sadly Sven is never going to pick a player who's spent the last year playing against Championship defences. So yeah, we need Wayne back.

[Shoden]

I don't think he's out for the count, as long as nothing is torn or broken he'll be fine.

[Cz]

Six weeks was what I heard, which would put him out of our first game. But of course, this is only an early prediciton, so things could actually be much better or worse than that. It's highly unlikely that the injury will keep him out of the squad, though. He should be back by the end of the group stage, when we'll need him most.

[Shoden]

When does the actual thing start?

[Cz]

The tournament starts on June 9th. Our first match (against Paraguay) is on June 10th.

[Shoden]

So there's a good chance he'll just miss the first couple games, Shrek will be back. If he isn't I'll bomb his house. He should be back for approx' June 12 if the six weeks <img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"> is true.

[Old Manus]

Why is it the current trend to insult Chelsea at every given oppurtunity. They did not buy the Premiership, they won by beating the rest of the teams in the division. Just because somebody other than Man Utd or Arsenal has won it doesn't mean the world as we know it is ending.

[Loony BoB]

Considering Manchester United pulled back such a big lead down to what it is now, and have made enough points to win any of the last three seasons, I think that once they get past their injury horror and midfielder crisis during the offseason that they'll be back up there with Chelsea, easily. Liverpool and Arsenal I'm not so sure with, but if Liverpool can get a couple of extra top-level players and if they keep scoring goals like they have been recently, they'll be right up there as well.

Chelsea may not have lost at home for two seasons, but they certainly are capable of losing.

[Shoden]

What are the teams that beat Chelsea this season? One was Boro, I know that.

[Loony BoB]

Manchester United and Fulham managed it.

[Psychotic]

In addition to their Premiership losses, they were also defeated by Charlton in the League Cup, Liverpool in the FA Cup, Real Betis and Barcelona in the Champions League. Real Betis are currently 13th in the Spanish league, to put that into perspective. I trust you are all very much aware of how good the other three are.
Jermain Defoe might prove a decent alternativeHe and Owen are too similar to play together, in my opnion.

The thing about Rooney is that he will be lacking in fitness, even if he does return from injury.

[Shoden]

Subsitute maybes?

[Psychotic]

He's a good Plan B, yeah. Maybe for the knockout stages. I'd like to think we can at least qualify from our group without Rooney. We managed it in the last World Cup, after all.

Maybe we could play Lampard up front with Owen. To me, he's always seemed like more of a striker than a midfielder anyway, as he never really gets involved in midfield battles, and always seems to pop up in the right place at the right time to score a deflection.

[Cz]

Sven is hardly likely to try something like that, though. He doesn't exactly have a history of taking gambles with his team selection. There are plenty of systems that could work better than our current one if hewere willing to give variation a chance, but he's always stuck doggedly to the same formation and team selection (just think how long it took him to drop Emile Heskey). His solution will be to stick Peter Crouch up front and hope that something bounces off his head at just the right angle to propel it into Owen's path.

[Shoden]

I remember an episode of 2DTV where Rooney went to anger management classes and failed miserably. "Wayne smash, Wayne Bash!" There was alot more hillarious crap on Beckham though.

[Psychotic]

So your evidence that Wayne Rooney is an out-of-control thug is based on an episode of a satirical cartoon? Alrighty then.

[Shoden]

Not out of control. Just an average chav like attitude you see on the street. He's improved but it's not all gone, look at the tackles.

Did I say my evidence was based on that?

Did I say out-of-control thug?

I believe not.

I'm glad he didn't spoil the england theme with a crappy little rap/crap.

I've seen him play plenty of times, he's been booked and yellow carded a canny lot of times. A few of them being this season. Most of the time he deliberatly got himself sent off, strange big eared fellow he is. Maybe his pain from his foot may give him some hell with boredem. What?

[Loony BoB]

Rooney's tackles are fine. He's more likely to jump to try to avoid injuring someone than most footballers I've seen play around the world. But there is no footballer in the world that doesn't make a dangerous tackle once in a while. To say that Rooney is chav-like because of this is to say that every single footballer in the world is chav-like.

Which is entirely possible.

And everyone gets carded. And if you think that Rooney of all people would deliberately get himself sent off, you're a real bad judge of character. Rooney plays the full 90 minutes at every opportunity and he has stated time and time again that the more games he plays, the better. There's a reason you don't see him rested very often, if at all, regardless of how many games are being played in any one week.

[Shoden]

Alot of the times he did, usually it came from applauding the ref for giving him a stupid card, arguing, swearing. Those are usually the times I see as deliberate, even if most referees are stupid and dumb, arguing won't help. Kicking the ball of their face does.

Outside football he does ACT similar to a chav/charv w/e, doesn't mean he is one, probably picked it up from the local kids his age before is career. If he learns how cocked up refereeing is I doubt he'd argue because there aint changing it. If you look at Chelsea, they deliver bad tackles and dives all the time and almost nothing is done about it, no offense BoB, but Van Nistelroy has did a few times, not all the time though, I've seen Ronaldo do it once or twice. Nothing is done about dives or hacks. That's why I think big boy Jose backhands the ref with a small fee to do his bidding!

[Loony BoB]

As far as I'm concerned, every midfielder and every striker dives at least on occasion. Rooney definitely doesn't dive as often as most players though, purely because he's able to outmuscle a lot more defenders than most strikers are able to. Every player makes the odd poor tackle, too. Some dive and make poor tackles more than others, of course (hi, Reyes).

Unless something is done about it - my preference being the ability to book a player for diving or a poor tackle after a match and during half-time. Possibly even causing them to miss the next game if it comes to that. When so many dives and poor tackles have been shown to be blatant yet the referees miss it because of the speed of the game and their own uncertaintly / lack of view at the time... you just have to wonder why they can't look at the cameras afterwards and say "Hey, that's bad."

That's why football is considered to be a wussy sport by most die-hard rugby fans. Hell, even cricket players are more manly then footballers. :p

[Shoden]

That is kinda true, watchin 22 sweaty men running up and down a big field for 90 mins isn't exactly "manly" now is it?

[Loony BoB]

I'm not talking about the sport itself, I'm talking about how a lot of them play it. Some of them could do well to learn from the defenders who are a lot less likely to dive (well, from memory). Terry is a great example of what I'd call a decent footballer. I can't see him diving often, if at all.

[Shoden]

Woodgate is pretty good, his only problem is fitness.
Everyone is worried about Owen saying he's out, it was only a strain on his foot because he hadn't played in so long, it's normal after recovery from that type of break.

Why don't they just chose an England successor already? All this b/s and talk has been going on for way too long.

I'm starting to think Glenn Roeder is the man for the Toon boss job.

[Psychotic]

And everyone gets carded. Except for Gary Lineker. :p

Steve McClaren. He's nobody's first choice, but he's the only choice where he's either loved or hated. "Oh, McClaren. Meh." I'd have preferred even Big Sam, to be honest...

[Shoden]

McClaren aint the man, he's a hot headed loser who thinks he can get what he wants. Giving the job to him is like making Souness the manager of Chelsea. Bad.

[Psychotic]

Are you kidding me? Graeme Souness as manager of Chelsea would be the single most greatest thing in the history of football. Only he, and possibly David O'Leary (hi Leeds) could run a club with that kind of budget into the ground.

[Shoden]

absolute heaven for us, total hell for them, and since the Chelsea chairman is a spoilt brat he'll whine and whine and whine!

[Burtsplurt]

McLaren is the England manager. Which, um, leaves Scholari free to come to Middlesbrough?

Er, no.

I'd like to see Martin O'Neill as the new Boro manager. With our excellent chairman, money to spend and a very promising set of youngsters, he might just consider it.

[Cz]

No way is McLaren the way to take England to international glory. He's better than Allardyce, but still a poor choice.

[Loony BoB]

Ruud is not playing and has "gone home."

Tottenham apparently playing 9-10 of their first choice XI despite saying they had ten first-team players with food poisoning. Bets on a bit of colour added to the pitch today? :p

[Psychotic]

It's a good job there's a World Cup coming up, or else the main story for the entire Summer would be "Ruud is leaving United!"

I heard 7 Spurs players were struck with it. Either way, it's a very important match, so I can understand why some of them would try to make it through. Arsenal must be licking their lips now.

[Loony BoB]

Richardson one inch away from making the best goal I've seen live, and Saha puts Man Utd 1-0 up just this minute.

EDIT: Charlton allow Ronaldo to get an easy goal.

[Psychotic]

Blargh. There go our hopes of finishing second. I had hoped RvN's tantrum would put them off.

Meanwhile, Spurs are 1-0 down. Looking good for Arsenal.

EDIT: Yep, bye second. And bye Xabi. :(

And wow, what a rollercoaster the fight for fourth is.

[Shoden]

Goaless so far Newcastle vs Chelsea, Glenn Roeder is the man for manager, or at least assistant manager. Souness should never have sold Bellamy, Speed and Kluivert, Woodgate, well, alot of money came from him, getting him back for cheap would take a professional Con Artist... Chelsea anyone? The world cup better by spicy because the last one was good but not excellent. If England flop before the finals then I shall forever wish horrible bowel movement problems upon the source.

[Loony BoB]

A loud standing ovation for Scholes as he comes in for the first time in four months. :)

EDIT: Richardson gets his first Prem goal for Man Utd. I have to say, I've never rated him highly, but almost every single touch he's made has been fantastic this game. A great goal, one inch from what would have been the best goal I've seen this season and a fantastic pass or two which could have been turned into goals.

[Cz]

I know the rules regarding this sort of thing, but it's really unfair on Spurs to have to play under the circumstances. I know that if we were in the same situation I'd be annoyed, anyway.

But at least things seem to be working in our favour. 3-2 to us at the moment, and 1-1 at Upton Park. :)

EDIT: Nice work, Newcastle. :thumb:

[Psychotic]

Spurs or Wigan to score in the last minute. You heard it here first.

I think 82 points is enough to be our highest ever Premier League total (provided we stay ahead against Portsmouth) Heck, in some seasons, 82 points would be enough to win the damned thing. This is a real improvement, and with some nice additions (Like Mark Gonzalez who is currently tearing up La Liga, and had better freakin' get a work permit this time) we could be pushing Chelski next season.

[Jess]

Brilliant. 1-0 to Newcastle.

Lets hope it stays that way. :)

EDIT: Carr has just been sent off for Violent conduct.

[Cz]

Henry hat-trick! Awesome. :D :D :D

Yeah, I'd take a last minute Wigan goal right about now. :cool:

EDIT: 2-1 West Ham! Yes yes yes yes yes! :cool:

[Psychotic]

Hahaha. Titus Bramble scoring against Chelski. I never thought I'd see the day. Interestingly enough, if we'd beaten them in both games instead of losing, and results stayed as they are now, we'd be the champions.

Okay, how about in the last minute Jermaine Jenas vomitting all over Anton Ferdinand, causing him to be distracted while Defoe slots it home?

EDIT: Never mind. Join us in the CL qualifying rounds, Arsenal. We'll have a ball.

EDIT2: Crouchie = :love: Koroman = Since when the hell did he play for Pompey? (Don't tell me. Gaydamak's money in January) Cisse = :love:

[Shoden]

Crouch is always under rated, it's stupid, don't ya think? Bramble may have scored but he aint a saint in my books.

[Cz]

4-2 and 2-1 at full time. I love football. :heart:

[Burtsplurt]

Well done, Arsenal. Fitting end to all that time at Highbury.

Today's Boro team were all English and had an average of 20 (except when Colin Cooper came on... must have risen to about 32 then!). When Malcolm Christie was substituted, all the players had come from the academy.


Souness should never have sold Bellamy, Speed and Kluivert, Woodgate

Erm, really?

[Cid Vicious]

What do you think of Arsenal securing a CL place.
Will it be a relief going into the final.
Or would it of been an extra motivation, needing to win the Cup for CL next season.

On Ruud, I don't think it's a disaster if he leaves in the summer.
We've had him for five season's, and have only picked up one League, FA Cup and League Cup.
There's other parts of the squad, Utd need to strenthen.
The money from his sale, will go towards that.
And Saha and Rooney are both young and goalscorers anyway.

[Bart's Friend Milhouse]

can't wait to check www.tottenhamhotspur.com

[Shoden]

Yeah, Kluivert scored alot of good goals, he shouldn't have went so early and his seeling price should of been at least 10M. Same with Bellamy. Then the situation would be alot milder in the club. Glenn Roeder has proved himself, I'd prefer him over O'neil.

[Psydekick]

You liked Kluivert:eek: , i thought he was slow and Lazy tho i think if Newcastle had had a descent manager at that time they probably would have got more out of him. As for Bellamy, well he was such a problem off the field, he is really hitting it off for Blackburn tho

[Psychotic]

After leaving Newcastle, Kluivert announced that the English league is total crap, and that the only teams that play good football, ie, not long ball, are Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool.

I think he plays for Valencia now. Jammy git.

[Cid Vicious]

After leaving Newcastle, Kluivert announced that the English league is total crap, and that the only teams that play good football, ie, not long ball, are Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool. He was spot on.
It's one of the reason's i've been losing interest in the Premiership.
There's only a handfull of teams that play attractive football.

[Psychotic]

England Squad:

Robinson (Tottenham), James (Manchester City), Green (Norwich), G Neville (Manchester United), R Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), A Cole (Arsenal), Campbell (Arsenal), Carragher (Liverpool), Bridge (Chelsea), Beckham (Real Madrid), Carrick (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jenas (Tottenham), Downing (Middlesbrough), J Cole (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Rooney (Manchester United), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Walcott (Arsenal).

Standby:
Scott Carson (Liverpool), Luke Young (Charlton), Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Andy Johnson (Crystal Palace).

I would like to announce the following: ...Theo Walcott? WHAT THE JERMAIN DEFOE ARE YOU DOING, SVEN!?!?!?!!?!!?!!?11/1/?!?!1/1/1 okay so we say you're cautious and you should take a gamble once in a while, but this is taking the piss.

Honestly, the guy's scored something like 5 professional goals and has never played in the Premiership. Then Wenger pops up and says "I think he'd be good in the squad." and this happens. And with Rooney and Owen injured, you just know we're going to end up starting with him and Crouch. I wouldn't so much mind if he was included along with one of Bent and Defoe, but really, we're only taking two fit strikers at the moment and one has no experience, and one ought only to be used as an impact sub. Ridiculous.

Other squad choices that I think were mistakes: Sol Campbell. He's been in terrible form all season, both before and after he went crazy. Ledley King, although injured, would've been a much better bet (he'd be back before Rooney would anyway, I think) and uh...Jenas and Hargreaves? Hoo boy... and I'm not even going to comment on Andy Johnson being a standby above the likes of Bent, Beattie and Harewood.

Things that I approve of: Downing and Lennon, causing SWP's absence. Ian Wright is going to go berserk! Also, Nigel Reo-Coker as a standby. Hopefully someone will nobble Jenas...

[Loony BoB]

Sven's a genius.

England already hates him, so he selects a prodigy in the hope that his talent will ripen during the World Cup. If he did not do this, he would have just carried on not really being liked by England. But since he did do it, he's either going to carry on being disliked by England if it doesn't pay off (so, no changes to England and how they view him)... but if it does pay off, he's considered an almighty talent spotter who made a stroke of genius by selecting England's youngest ever international senior side player and going on to win or something. He knows he's going after the World Cup, he knows England hates him. That means he can get away with this.

Happy to see Lennon in there, he looked the goods in the couple of games I saw him play this year.

[Psychotic]

Well, I think this is how we'll be lining up then:


Robinson

Neville....Terry....Ferdinand....A. Cole

Hargreaves*
Beckham........................J.Cole
Gerrard....Lampard

Owen**

*Could be Michael Carrick
**Could be Peter Crouch.

The only concern I have is up front, really. Lennon will make an excellent impact substitute, and I really hope Walcott will too, but I have my doubts. He has pace, but he was out muscled by Championship defenders, so I have no idea how he'd cope with international ones. Still, he is an unknown, so hopefully that will throw the opposition when he comes on.

[Loony BoB]

Will definitely be interesting to see if they play one or two strikers.

[Psychotic]

From the way he's only picked four, and judging from who those four are, he will probably only play one. However, he did also say he could use Joe Cole as a striker too, so there could be something in that.

[Cz]

ENGLAND SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson, David James, Robert Green.

Defenders: Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Jamie Carragher, Wayne Bridge.

Midfielders: David Beckham, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves, Jermaine Jenas, Stuart Downing, Joe Cole, Aaron Lennon.

Forwards: Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Peter Crouch, Theo Walcott.
What the hell is Walcott doing in there? You drop Andy Johnson because he didn't join a Premiership club, but you throw in a kid who has never played a game of Premiership football? I don't mean to doubt Theo Walcott's ability, but you simply cannot put such an inexperienced player in a World Cup squad, particularly when your other striking options are limited. At the very least he should've dropped one of the superfluous midfielders (Jermaine Jenas, I'm looking at you) and put a fifth striker in there to add a bit of reliability.

A couple of papers have been drawing comparisons with Michael Owen, completely overlooking the fact that Owen had previous international experience, and was actually making the Liverpool first team at the time. Plus, Owen was taken alongside the established strikers as an option for the manager, rather than a kid who may well be forced to start for his country before he starts for his club. The only possible reasoning I can think of is that Sven wants a five-man midfield with Crouch as a lone striker, allowing him to put Carrick in the team without getting a pasting from the media for dropping Beckham. But that's the sort of thing he should've been trying out in friendlies for the past two years, not a month before the bloody tournament starts.

I like the rest of the squad, and particularly the inclusion of Downing and Lennon. But our strikeforce is so crucial to our success, and to take a risk in this area when we're already so weak seems foolish, particularly when Sven has insisted on such an inflexible selection policy in qualifiers and friendlies during his time as manager. Now he makes a massive (and unpopular) gamble, and puts at risk our best chance of a trophy in ages. All I can say is that he'd better prove me wrong.

[Shoden]

All this talk about Owen injured is all hyped. His foot is being dodgy because it's freshly recovered and the lazy git hasn't played football that rough in 4 months, how you feel? I for one would run away anyway, I want to keep my legs!


Kluivert was good, he scored a few good goals, he played well. I don't think Kluivert played in a Tyne Wear derby before. Those are always good to watch.

[Loony BoB]

I find it amusing that I'm the only person here that picked the Walcott thing. I should have posted about it. :( Not saying it's a good choice, but I had a hunch it would happen. Maybe I just read too many football websites.

[Psychotic]

What the hell is Walcott doing in there? You drop Andy Johnson because he didn't join a Premiership club, but you throw in a kid who has never played a game of Premiership football? Exactly. If you were to ask me, or anyone else with any knowledge of football why Sven did not pick Defoe or SWP, the answer you'd get would be "Because they haven't played many games this season." but when you look at Theo Walcott...sheesh.
A couple of papers have been drawing comparisons with Michael Owen, completely overlooking the fact that Owen had previous international experience, and was actually making the Liverpool first team at the time. Yeah, and Michael Owen had scored 23 goals for Liverpool that season. Crazy stuff.
But that's the sort of thing he should've been trying out in friendlies for the past two years, not a month before the bloody tournament starts.Oh lord yes. With all the experimenting, how is it that we have two uncapped players in the squad? (Not to mention Downing and Green only having played one game each)

Still, now that I think about it, if we're 2-1 down to Germany in a Quarter Final or whatever, I'd rather see Walcott coming off the bench than Darren Bent, I suppose.

[Loony BoB]

The reason SWP wasn't picked is because Lennon is better. Simple as that.

[Psychotic]

Lennon is in better form, certainly, but SWP was easily as good, if not better, in his Man City days. Oh does he ever regret joining Chelsea now?

[Loony BoB]

Well, if we're going by "back when he was at ____" then we should make a call to bring back Shearer or Fowler or something. I don't know enough historic football to come up with the right names.

[Cz]

Yeah, but the point is that Shaun would still be awesome if he hadn't signed for Chelsea. Plus, he's had more England experience than Lennon, and I think we've more or less established that experience is a good thing.

[Psychotic]

Okay, the last time he was playing regular football, ie last season, he was playing better than Lennon has this season, in my opinion. The difference between him and Shearer & Fowler is that they are now past their prime, while Shaun Wright-Phillips is still building up to his. (supposedly the prime age for footballers is around 26-28, and SWP is 24)

The reason why Lennon was picked and he wasn't was because Lennon was getting regular games, and was in-form, whereas SWP has struggled to claim a place in the Chelsea team. It's not really a case of being better.

PS: Heck yes as regards Robbie Fowler for England. :D

[Shoden]

Once the world cup is over what are we going to talk about here? Local football?

[Cz]

Don't worry, it'll only be a week after the final that you're playing in the Intertoto Cup. :D

[Psychotic]

I can't wait for EA's forthcoming release Intertoto 2007 myself, although I have to admit that Pro Evolution Conference North does sound more appealing.

Maybe we'll talk about Summer transfers. ;)

[Cz]

I can't wait for EA's forthcoming release Intertoto 2007 myself, although I have to admit that Pro Evolution Conference North does sound more appealing.What's the point, now that Leigh RMI have been relegated? :(

[Shoden]

let's gamble!

[Burtsplurt]

I quite like the idea of taking Walcott - he's a surprise package. The opposition will know all about the rest of our players, but he'll be an unknown quantity. However, I would have only taken him as a 5th striker. It doesn't look promising when it'll only be Crouch and Walcott who are match fit at the start of the tournament. He should have replaced Jenas/Hargreaves/both (the latter is definitely the best option) with Bent or Ashton.

I'm pleased that Downing is in the squad. Not sure that Lennon is quite England class yet, though. I would have preferred to see him play a few games on the international stage first, just to get an idea of how he'd fare against international defences.

I don't think Eriksson can class Joe Cole as a striker when, to my knowledge, he has never played as an out-and-out striker. Maybe that's the McClaren influence - he still thinks Mendieta is a right winger...

[Shoden]

Hear about poor spurs? I think most of them got into a bit of a sticky situation, a big disappointment though, unlucky too. No offense but it is quite funny, it'll teach them a lesson not to eat crappy hotel meat again, or you will seriously be "running" for your team, literally. It's hillarious, sad, stupid, all in one. Just don't forget to flash lads.

[Bart's Friend Milhouse]

serves them right for not letting our 'fall on floor after tackle and look at referee as if expecting opponents to kick ball out of play' shenanigans get to their heads

[Shoden]

I think it's going to be a bit stinky in upcoming weeks. Hotel food is usually always cheap, bring your own stuff. Stupid, stupid spurs. You had to learn it the hard way...


Poor Boro, 4-0. It's what happens when they get that cocky and overconfident, it's a shame but hopefully sense will be knocked back into them.

[Cz]

Poor old Middlesbrough. They were outplayed, but they didn't deserve that kind of result. It's a shame for McClaren to go out on that kind of note really.

[Shoden]

At least I can get revenge for 2004, my turn to laugh.
They got slaughtered, the fans were shouting "3-1 to boro!" before the match. McClaren got way too over his head, this is what happens. Geez I wander what will happen at England eh?

[Psychotic]

I'm fighting hard to resist the temptation to edit Cz's post to spell McClaren correctly.

That's football I guess. :( Still, the FA look pretty stupid appointing him now...

[Shoden]

Stupid aint the word.

[Cz]

I'm fighting hard to resist the temptation to edit Cz's post to spell McClaren correctly.Now you know how I feel when I see you talking about the Champion's League. :p

And yes, this is yet further evidence that Steve (:p) isn't the right man for the job.

[Shoden]

It seems Glenn Roeder is more then likely to get the Newcastle hot seat, I'd prefer him over anyone else.

[Psychotic]

I'm fighting hard to resist the temptation to edit Cz's post to spell McClaren correctly.Now you know how I feel when I see you talking about the Champion's League. :pYou and me both. I've been trying to cut that out, but it's harder than you might think.

[Shoden]

It is pretty funny with Spurs, they were "running" for a champions league spot, then they got a bad case of the runs for the last match. How likely and unlucky is that?

They are a bit "stuck in the middle" with their request for a replay rejected, sore losers IMO.

[Psychotic]

You could work as a headline writer for the Star with that kind of wit, Bladen.

Also, as some lovely people on my favourite football inter-web-site pointed out, they have to ask for a replay if they want to stand a chance of claiming compensation from the hotel.

[Burtsplurt]

Dammit.

[Shoden]

How's that? If they replayed it wouldn't really matter. If they don't replay, they're in a bigger state cleary showing the impact of what happened, giving a better chance for compensation.

Wouldn't that work?

[Psychotic]

How's that? If they replayed it wouldn't really matter. If they don't replay, they're in a bigger state cleary showing the impact of what happened, giving a better chance for compensation.

Wouldn't that work?Spurs, despite what Arsenal fans might claim, aren't idiots. They know they have a cat's chance in hell of getting the game replayed. The thing is, they have to show they have done everything possible to try to reverse the damage caused by the hotel in order to stand a chance of winning a compensation claim against them.

[Shoden]

Yeah, I see where you're coming from, showing that they're definatly out of options and clearly showing the damage isn't easy or mild, then they may get reperation fees?

[Cz]

Yeah, the F.A. regulations make it clear that the game can't be replayed, and I'm pretty sure that the club realises that. Not so sure about some of the fans, though. :p

[Shoden]

What if they keep bitching the FA over and over again like people do here for CK status?

[Loony BoB]

They'll get banned, of course.

[Shoden]

Shearer's testemonial is on now on ITV4, a few special guests are in Newcastle squad.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Shay Given, Stephen Carr, Jean Alain Boumsong, Titus Bramble, Celestine Babayaro, Steve Watson (Amady Faye 31m), Emre, Lee Clark (Gary Speed 34m), Charles N'Zogbia, Shola Ameobi, Alan Shearer (Michael Chopra 1min).
Subs: Robbie Elliott, Robert Lee, Les Ferdinand, Steve Harper, Albert Luque, Peter Ramage, Steven Taylor, Matty Pattison.


3-2!!!!

Albert Luque opened the scoring on 70 minutes before the Bhoys hit back through a Shaun Maloney penalty and John Hartson.

But Les Ferdinand forced Adam Virgo to put through his own net in the final minute, before three minutes into injury time Ferdinand 'won' a penalty and the stage was set for the great Alan Shearer to return to the field and leave in the best possible way - with a goal at the Gallowgate End. (pasted from official NUFC site as I'm too lazy to type it myself)

[Shaun_lawless]

yeah but Manchester united is the best in my opinion they don't lose that often

[Shoden]

Man U are over rated not in skill but as a club itself, the publicity it's gotten because of people like Beckham and Rooney has earned them a good reputation fast, they're lucky because they make no effort. When they lose though it isn't much a big deal, they're a good team, not in over their heads or obsessed with money, they never asked for the attention they always get.

Don't hurt me BoB, it's kinda true.

Brilliant, Shay Given has signed a new 5 yeard contract with Newcastle. Boumsong refuses to leave. Dammit.

[Russielloyd]

Bloody hell, i loves my football and only me could totally miss this thread.

Blackburn Rovers rule! UEFA cup here we come! Mark Hughes is a legend now as a manager and i'm not being biased when i say this, but should of got manager of the season for the great achievment he has done this season. If Hughesy says a Champions League place next season, then there's no reason not to believe him.

Also, Jess said at the beggining of the thread she was suprized we beat Arsenal, i deffinately wasn't seeing as we stuffed Man Utd weeks previous and we're practically unbeatable at home.



WOOHOO ROVERS!

[Shoden]

SO what do you think of Shearer's stylish finish to a brilliant career?

He is the top premiership goal scorer now, he has scored the most goals in his career. about 400-500 something goals. That testemonial match was amazing. Even the Celtic fans were shouting his name and joining the salute.

[Russielloyd]

That Shearer testimonial was great for him and finish his career off in style with the 93rd min winner, but match should of been between Newcastle & Rovers, he was legend with us aswell and we did give him his ONLY medal.

[Shoden]

The guy got you in the champions league and near the top back then. A testemonial is better when it's against a team from another country. That's why I like friendlies, but that testemonial had one hell of an atmosphere, pyrotechnics, raise the flag like mosaics of Shearer's <img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"> and Name. Wow.

[Russielloyd]

[QUOTE=Bladen]The guy got you in the champions league and near the top back then.QUOTE]

Near the top? We was top!
Yes if it wasn't for him we wouldn't of won the Premier League but there was great players for us other than Shearer who got him those goas. I still think the testimonial should of been with us, i mean what the hell did Celtic have to do with his career? That's why i'm pissed about it.

[Shoden]

Newcastle already played Blackburn twice this season though, win and lose.

[Russielloyd]

It could of been Legend Blackburn players from who he played with during his four years here.

[Cz]

Half-Time: West Hame 2 - 1 Liverpool

Great Cup Final so far. Liverpool have been poor by their standards, but have recovered towards the end of the half, and with Benite in the dressing room they stand a good chance of making their way back into the game. There are a couple more goals in this game yet, so it could go either way.

[Shoden]

3-2 west ham.

[Cz]

This is the best F.A. Cup Final in ages. :thumb:

EDIT: !!!

[Shoden]

Holy crap, this has gone wild.

[Bart's Friend Milhouse]

good for liverpool. I like to see big teams do well since there's so much pressure on the manager to perform up to the expected standards

[Old Manus]

This is the best F.A. Cup Final in ages. :thumb:QFT

[Psychotic]

Yeah, take notes Man Utd and Arsenal, that's how you play an FA Cup final. :D ...although sometimes I do wish we wouldn't always do things the hard way.

Steven Gerrard. What a god. :love: I think he's now scored in the Carling Cup final, the FA Cup final, the UEFA Cup final and the Champions (:)) League Final. If Gerrard replicates that kind of form in the World Cup, then we might just see something special.

Awesome way to end a grueling 63 game season, although you could tell at the end how tired they all were. Spurs, by comparison, have only played 40 games this season.

YNWA. :)

[Russielloyd]

Gerrard only needs to score in the World Cup Final now and England win it and i will be the happiest Englishman ever!

[Bart's Friend Milhouse]

Gerrard only needs to score in the World Cup Final now and England win it and i will be the happiest Englishman ever!

No I'll be

[Shoden]

First the champions league final, then the intertoto cup.
You're all nuts, it's gotta be Gerrard himself!

[Cz]

This is, of course, assuming that he doesn't set up Thierry Henry for an easy tap-in again. :rolleyes2

But seriously, congrats to Stevie and Liverpool for winning the best final in years. Now would you please stop making sodding comebacks? It's getting rather boring now. :p

[Russielloyd]

Gerrard only needs to score in the World Cup Final now and England win it and i will be the happiest Englishman ever!

No I'll be

No, i'll be :P

I'll be running around where i live in Wales, boasting we are the best in the world, couple of digs at Wales, waving the flag out of the car going 100 mph, :D

[Old Manus]

Then get petrol bombed by some arsehole welsh nationalist who only reads THE WESTERN MAIL and lives on a farm so far out that he doesn't even bother hiding his forbidden sexual activities.

[Russielloyd]

I'll put up my defences and transport Terry, Carragher, Ferdinhand and Campbell and i'll be indestructible, mwuahahah!

[Cz]

I think you'll all agree this is the best news ever. (http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/05/20/SOCCER_Arsenal_Wenger.html) :p

[Russielloyd]

lol, your just a bit late with that...a day late lol. :P

[Bart's Friend Milhouse]

I think you'll all agree this is the best news ever. (http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/05/20/SOCCER_Arsenal_Wenger.html) :p

I only just found this out. Thanks Cz you made my day

[Cz]

lol, your just a bit late with that...a day late I cried aloud with mirth and merriment. :PPfft, I was just out late last night. I expected you lot to already be discussing this, but apparently you're all frozen with excitement. :D

[Shoden]

good for the gunners.

[Russielloyd]

Season is over, maybe we should get a World Cup thread going.

[Shoden]

We should keep this going til next season! There's the intertoto cup and the world cup coming up, so they'd just fit in with this thread.

[Russielloyd]

I mean, we can keep this one going, while have a world cup thread(which is not really anything to do with English Football by the way) or just change the title of this thread.

[Bart's Friend Milhouse]

Seeing that Psy is the only CK to post in this thread then maybe he can do the honours

[Croyles]

Shame for Arsenal I wanted them to win and not that crappy Barcelona.
Onto the world cup. England are going down.
*Realises this is an english football thread and slowly skidaddles off*

[Russielloyd]

Slowly?...Boy you better run, i'm about to chop your face off! *runs at you with a butcher knife*

[Croyles]

Bring it! :D
You have sven, your bound to lose with that much absence of passion. And you might NOT have roonie.
Nah just kidding, its all friendly mate.

[Russielloyd]

That's ok then, but i'll just keep on poking you with the knife just incase! *poke* :)

[Psychotic]

I reckon that there should be a separate World Cup thread nearer the time, and that this thread should continue until August, when a new thread is made in time for the new season. We can discuss transfers in this one until then.

So, what about that Rosicky to Arsenal, eh? Good player, and should be exciting to watch, but I don't think Arsenal really need another lightweight, and they're going to end up losing to the likes of Bolton and their muscle game again. Henry, Van Persie, Reyes, Rosicky, Fabregas, Walcott, Ashley Cole...all of them are lightweights, and with Diaby looking to be out for some time, they could be in trouble in the early season if they come up against physical sides. And if anyone mentions Gilberto Silva, I expect you all to mock them mercilessly.

If I were Rafa Benitez...
Diao
Le Tallec
Cheyrou
Medjani
Whitbread
Potter
Kirkland
Dudek
Traore
Kromkamp
Morientes

If you couldn't work out what these players have in common, I'll tell you: I'd sell 'em. And I'd buy this lot:

Gonzalez
Paletta (both of these are already done deals, the former depends on a work permit and I hope he gets it, as he's a class act)
Alves
Aurellio
Pennant
Kuyt (I think we've made offers for all four of these anyway)

Now there's a side that could win the league. :cool:

In other news, thanks to injuries, Michael Dawson has taken Luke Young's place as England standby (:D!) and Phil Neville has taken Nigel Reo-Coker's (:(!)

[Russielloyd]

Dawson for Young!
Gee, just what we need, another centre back!
Replace a right back with a right back sven you muppet!

P Neville for coker!
How the fuck do these two compare?
One is an attacking midfielder and is replace with a versatile defensive player.

Talk about, like for like!

I do agree with a WC thread.

Risicky is a good creative midfileder, similar to Febregas, but very good going forward with lots of flair.

Ok, that's my rant over.

[Cz]

So, what about that Rosicky to Arsenal, eh? Good player, but I don't think Arsenal really need another lightweight, and they're going to end up losing to the likes of Bolton and their muscle game again. Henry, Van Persie, Reyes, Rosicky, Fabregas, Walcott, Ashley Cole...all of them are lightweights, and with Diaby looking to be out for some time, they could be in trouble in the early season if they come up against physical sides. And if anyone mentions Gilberto Silva, I expect you all to mock them mercilessly.For once, I absolutely agree with you. I know Wenger doesn't like to play a scrappy game, but the man needs to stop being so stubborn and realise that sometimes you don't have a choice. On the other hand, it is nice to see that we're actually buying some established talent for a change, and maybe we'll go for a tough-tackling ball-winner at some point over the summer. Please, Arsene?


In other news, thanks to injuries, Michael Dawson has taken Luke Young's place as England standby (:D!) and Phil Neville has taken Nigel Reo-Coker's (:()Eh, I guess every silver lining has a talentless, ugly cloud.

I'm going to ignore all of your Liverpool stuff, not because I don't care, but because you're right about all of it and that scares me very much indeed.