English Football Thread! 2006-2007 Season

[Croyles]

7-1

I tipped on that score at 5-0

[Rocket Edge]

UNITED!!!

Seriously, the greatest win for Man U all season. Already booked my tickets for the semi's, this is so promising!

[Old Manus]

Best game ever

[Loony BoB]

:)

Am hoping we don't end up facing Chelsea three times in 2-3 weeks, though, for all the different titles. That would be kind of boring.

[Garnie]

he Derby has just been bumped down to 2nd in the Championship. To be honest with you i dont care if were 1st or 2nd aslong as we get promoted. Well be fighting renegation next season if we do but its better the a kick up the bum. ah well as long as birmingham keep losin and we win a few more games well be fine!

[Hazzard]

I haven't watched football in a long time, but Man U did good yesterday. They thrashed Roma, 7-1.

[charliepanayi]

I haven't watched football in a long time, but Man U did good yesterday. They thrashed Roma, 7-1.

I hadn't noticed! :eek:

[Garnie]

ya know while were on the topic of manu theres somthing that needs to be said......
I HATE RONALDIO THE STUPID GRINNY FACED GIT!

[Loony BoB]

Jealous.

[Hazzard]

EDIT-Cristiano Ronaldo.

I think you might be confused with Ronaldihno, the Barcelona player.

[Garnie]

no i mean that git in man u. i wann hurt him bad.
AND IM NOT JELIOUS BOBBY! i just hate him. he cries for peneltys. no one that comes in my flat is allowed to like that nubet gah

[Hazzard]

Haha, here's actually kind of sikk at football, so I don't really mind.

[Cookie]

Yeah I was pretty pleased with the result last night, shame about Chelsea winning in the last minute, I wanted them out :mad: Oh well, hope we get Bayern in the next round, but either way I think we'll be in the finals this year.

[Hazzard]

Looks like England is gonna make it's mark in Europe this year!

[Loony BoB]

no i mean that git in man u. i wann hurt him bad.
AND IM NOT JELIOUS BOBBY! i just hate him. he cries for peneltys. no one that comes in my flat is allowed to like that nubet gah
Tell me when he's taken a dive or cried for a penalty this season. You'll get just as much "begging" from any player in the league, regardless of who they play for, so don't think that your team won't complain to a ref if they think they could possibly get a penalty. But Ronaldo has shown time and time again this season that he's not diving anymore (or, at least, if he does, he doesn't do it any more often than any other midfielder in the league). Yeah, he used to be bad for it, but he's not anymore. I see him trying to stay up more often than I see him going down this season and he's been getting goals by doing just that.

A year ago I wouldn't mind people saying bad things about him, but not this season.

[Hazzard]

Bob's on it!

Alex Ferguson probably threw the boot at him as well, hoping that would beat some sense into the lad.

[XandrewX]

no i mean that git in man u. i wann hurt him bad.
AND IM NOT JELIOUS BOBBY! i just hate him. he cries for peneltys. no one that comes in my flat is allowed to like that nubet gah
Tell me when he's taken a dive or cried for a penalty this season. You'll get just as much "begging" from any player in the league, regardless of who they play for, so don't think that your team won't complain to a ref if they think they could possibly get a penalty. But Ronaldo has shown time and time again this season that he's not diving anymore (or, at least, if he does, he doesn't do it any more often than any other midfielder in the league). Yeah, he used to be bad for it, but he's not anymore. I see him trying to stay up more often than I see him going down this season and he's been getting goals by doing just that.

A year ago I wouldn't mind people saying bad things about him, but not this season.

I think he still dives,where the dives didn't get him a penalty and instead a yellow card.Trust me.That's why he didn't want to dive too often already as he's 'marked' by the refrees xD

I think most of the times C.Ronaldo prefer to shoot rather than to pass.Ya not everytime but mostly.

[charliepanayi]

We're arguing about Christiano Ronaldo? What is this, July 2006 or something? XD - is he is a good footballer? Yes, very. As an Arsenal fan, do I think he's an irritating tosser sometimes? Certainly. Does he dive sometimes? Well, yes, but so does everyone, so what do I care!

Right, now let's move on =P

[Hazzard]

ARSENAL, ARSENAL

GUNNERS

[charliepanayi]

ARSENAL, ARSENAL

GUNNERS

I think people like us should be keeping our heads down at the moment to be honest :p

[Hazzard]

ARSENAL, ARSENAL

GUNNERS

I think people like us should be keeping our heads down at the moment to be honest :p

XD. Gotta point, but I'm still a die hard fan, and dedicated supporter, who isn't ashamed to state his claim!

[Rocket Edge]

no i mean that git in man u. i wann hurt him bad.
AND IM NOT JELIOUS BOBBY! i just hate him. he cries for peneltys. no one that comes in my flat is allowed to like that nubet gah
Tell me when he's taken a dive or cried for a penalty this season. You'll get just as much "begging" from any player in the league, regardless of who they play for, so don't think that your team won't complain to a ref if they think they could possibly get a penalty. But Ronaldo has shown time and time again this season that he's not diving anymore (or, at least, if he does, he doesn't do it any more often than any other midfielder in the league). Yeah, he used to be bad for it, but he's not anymore. I see him trying to stay up more often than I see him going down this season and he's been getting goals by doing just that.

A year ago I wouldn't mind people saying bad things about him, but not this season.
Here here!

[Jess]

Newcastle v Arsenal - the most boring game this entire season. I couldn't wait for it to end.

As for last nights match, wow.

[blim]

What a ridiculous red card in the liverpool game. Wasn't even a yellow in my book, a bit late yes but what was the ref thinking. Oh well, 75% chance of Euro champs being English :)

[Hazzard]

What a ridiculous red card in the liverpool game. Wasn't even a yellow in my book, a bit late yes but what was the ref thinking. Oh well, 75% chance of Euro champs being English :)


Aaaah, let's make it 100% :p

[blim]

What a ridiculous red card in the liverpool game. Wasn't even a yellow in my book, a bit late yes but what was the ref thinking. Oh well, 75% chance of Euro champs being English :)


Aaaah, let's make it 100% :p

How exactly? I'm not giving Man Urine a by into the final.

[charliepanayi]

Come on Liverpool and Milan in the semis! XD

[Croyles]

Lol one of the classic bad games from Bayern. Hitzfeld is a bureaucrat not a trainer :)
Congrats to the premier league for producing three semi-finalists, btw.

[Cuchulainn]

Just what we need....going back to Italy to get another beating by the effing police. I may go this time.

UNITED!


PS: Is this the European Champions League or the FA Cup? Looking at the ties, it's hard to tell.

[Rocket Edge]

I wonder how Watford are feeling after the Man U onslaught just days previously...

[Hazzard]

Watford are pissing their selves

[blim]

i will be when they beat man u, with laughter that is. I hope the man u players are as complacent as some of their fans are being. Yes man u are clear favourites to win on paper but anything can happen on the day.

[Cuchulainn]

i will be when they beat man u, with laughter that is. I hope the man u players are as complacent as some of their fans are being. Yes man u are clear favourites to win on paper but anything can happen on the day.

youir obsessive hatred of Man U is becoming quite weird. You talk about United more than your own team (if you even HAVE one). Worry about your own team kid, Unitred haters are a dime-a-dozen. You're not special.


I saw my mate the other day, He told me he saw the new White Pele,
I asked my mate, who was he? He said he goes by the name of Wayne Rooney.
Wayne Rooney, Wayne Rooney. He goes by the name of Wayne Rooney

UNITED!!

[Hazzard]

whens the match again

Hmph, tottenham are out

[charliepanayi]

Watford v Man Utd is going to be a painful thing to watch - it's like a tank running over a Mini. I've got at least slightly more hope of Blackburn pulling off a shock.

[Loony BoB]

Ronaldo until 2012. :D

[Psychotic]

United won the first leg of the Youth Cup final 2-1. That sucks. It really does. It don't think we'll turn it around at Old Trafford (assuming that's where it'll be held).

Nominations for PFA Player of the year: Didier Drogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Cesc Fabregas. Stevie and Fabregas are just token Liverpool and Arsenal representatives. I can name more than one LFC player more deserving (Carra, Finnan, and maybe even big Pete!), and while I don't claim to know a lot about the performances of gooners this season, I think Gilberto Silva and Robin van Persie have been better. I think Fabregas is an overrated pile of crap anyway though, so y'know. :monster: Still, it's not like either of those two will win it anyway, so it doesn't matter. It's gonna be Drogba or Ronaldo. I'm thinking it'll be Ronaldo but personally, I'd pick Drogba. The fact that he's the only Chelsea representative speaks volumes. United have had many outstanding performers this season, whereas Chelsea have had just the one, and he's the reason they're still within range of United.

Getting pretty bored of the media's "OMG CHELSEA V UNITED!" theme, especially when they're all taking it for granted that they'll make the CL final. I don't know why, either, when you look at the teams' record in Europe over the past 2-3 seasons (league form counts for nothing in Europe). I'm half tempted to put money on a Liverpool - Milan final to be honest. Well, I'm pretty sure Milan will beat United, anyway. I don't know if we will beat Chelsea. We're more than capable, of course, but they're more than capable of beating us too. We'll see.

[Vincent Valentine 007]

I am a Chelsea fan! Drogba has been great this year scoreing 30 goals but i think Ronaldo will be 1st then Drogba.

[blim]

Much as i dislike him i think it will be Ronaldo and probably deservedly so (god that hurts!)

[DK]

I agree with Paul on PFA player of the year, definitely coming down to Drogba and Ronaldo but Drogba has been completely and insanely invincible this year, so I'd have to go with him.

[Cuchulainn]

Drogba over Ronaldo? Do you even WATCH football? Take your ABU views to your team's forums please.

C. Ronaldo has by FAR and away been the best thing in European Football this season.

Drogba isn't human, he's an android, programmed to win unconvincingly, all Chelsea players are. They bore the opposition to sleep then score. Cunning, granted, but not entertainment.

United, Arsenal & Spurs play the most attractive football in the league. The PFA Player Award should reflect that. It's an Entertainment Industry. United, Liverpool, Arsenal, sell out almost every week. Why? Entertaining football. Chelsea cannot sell their tickets to a major Semi-Final. That speaks wonders.

I have friends in Argentina, Brasil & Spain. Trust me, my view on Chlesea is shared the world over.

[Loony BoB]

Scholes might be in with an outside chance as he gets so much respect from other players by not being a jerk and staying out of the spotlight. But yeah, I really would have to say it's far and away Ronaldo. Drogba has done very well, for certain, but he just doesn't seem special to me.

Shocked at the lack of Essien.

And yes, second leg at Old Trafford, Paul. Hoping for another win - Arsenal were more difficult than Liverpool. I watched both legs of that semifinal, too. I <3 MUTV.

[Garnie]

okies i dont know whats happening with derby at the mo but i dont think well make it into the the top 1 or 2 at this rate. well end up in the play offs knowing our luck:( aw well better luck next time i guess)

[Rocket Edge]

I'm going with Ronaldo too. I can't even visualize what our season would have been like without him. He was incredible in terms of scoring crucial goals for us throughout this season, and would deserve the decoration entirely.

The FA Cup final will most likely be United's toughest game for the rest of the season; because I believe we won't be knocked off the top of the table. We are plagued with injuries (most notably Vidic), but with our current run of form I can't see it any other way. Something also tells me Fergie just simply wouldn't allow the title go at this stage after being at the top for so long. Anyway, this will drive Chelsea to gain the FA Cup even more.

My favorites for the Champions League final are firstly United over Milan, & Liverpool over Chelsea.

English football really has stepped above par this season, and I think Milan’s first taste of United this year will be too much for them to handle. The speed of United’s youth will more than likely catch the Italians ageing defense off guard at least a few times for chances over the duration of the two legs, which I think is key. The only fear I have is Kaka. Besides his obvious talent, we don't have any crunch tacklers in the midfield (Keane for example) to hold the defense & create a counter.

On paper, Chelsea is the better team, but its no secret Liverpool has a fantastic record in Europe, and particularly as late as it is in this campaign. I expect the game to go very much like the last semi-final encounter these two had.

For the final, it can go either way really. Even though it would be two english teams, I think it would be a cracker of a game.

[blim]

early goal then, less than 4 minutes in. poor sheffield utd

[Loony BoB]

It's been a rough game so far, very physical. Even in the celebrations... laughing hard every time I see Smith lamp Fletcher. Classic. :D

[Cuchulainn]

Sheffield United seem to be playing rugby.

[Rocket Edge]

Just give Carrick the ball people!

[Cuchulainn]

2-0

That was a tough game, got lucky on a penalty, but then, we were due it. We were unlucky with one at Watford & got a pathetic one against use against Bolton.

Let's see if the Irons can do us a favour tomorrow.

[charliepanayi]

Against Bolton? But weren't you already stuffing them at the time anyway? XD

Can Arsenal yet grab 3rd? With games against Spurs and Chelsea still to come, Charlie says....no =P

[Psychotic]

Don't be so sure, Mr. Charlie. Liverpool have a worse time of it. We have to play a number of relegation threatened teams. On paper, sure, let the good times roll, but they'll all be fighting to the bitter end to stay up.

[Cz]

I doubt we'll beat Liverpool to third with Spurs and Chelsea left to play, but that's OK because third and fourth are as bad as each other and so it doesn't really matter where we finish. :shifty:

The Player of the Year question is a tough one, but I'd probably just about give it to Ronaldo. Drogba's been outstanding, of course, and he's probably won more points for his team than Ronaldo has, but I've seen a few games where he's been pretty anonymous. That's something I definitely couldn't say about Ronaldo. While he might not have been quite as central to his team's success as Drogba has, I'd say that, game for game, he's put in the better performances.

[Rocket Edge]

On paper, sure, let the good times roll, but they'll all be fighting to the bitter end to stay up.
That's why I fear West Ham on the last day.


I'm optimistic that they can pull off a shock at home tonight.

[charliepanayi]

West Ham will be relegated by the final day I think - a possibly foolhardy prediction, but I'll stick my neck out - they've been so godawful this season they don't deserve to stay up anyway (I mean, at least you expected Charlton and Watford to be rubbish....).

[Psychotic]

Drogba's been outstanding, of course, and he's probably won more points for his team than Ronaldo has, but I've seen a few games where he's been pretty anonymous. That's something I definitely couldn't say about Ronaldo.Liverpool 0 Manchester United 1. Cristiano Ronaldo was anonymous in that game, heck, the entire United team were uncharacteristically dull and listless, other than Paul Scholes and his bizarre assault on Xabi Alonso (and if you want to dish out the PFA Player of the Year Award based on entertainment value alone, Scholesy is your man!) and I'm still wracked with bitterness that we actually lost that. Still, like our satisfying revenge on your lot, maybe we'll do the same to United in, say, oh, I don't know, the Champions League final :D

I don't know why Rafa has now got a boner for 4-5-1. Using that formation at home to Middlesbrough seems ridiculous to me, but eh, we got the 3 points with a little bit of luck so can't complain too much. I just hope he goes back to 4-4-2 with Kuyt and Crouch up front against Wigan. If it's so vital that Stevie plays in the middle like the media say it is (it isn't, but lord knows the media is never wrong!) then just use Mascha in the middle and put the rapidly improving Pennant on the right. This is only in reference to Wigan, though, as I prefer a Mascherano-Alonso partnership in the centre against most opposition.

[Cuchulainn]

We may still be beaten in Milan, but my GOD we showed our balls tonight. UNITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


We are just one of those teams,
That you see now and then;
We often score six,
But we seldom score ten,
We beat em at home,
And we beat and we beat 'em away,
We kill any bastards,
That get in our way.
We are the pride of all Europe,
The cock of the North,
We hate the Scousers, the
Cockneys of course;
We are United,
Without any doubt,
We are the Manchester boys

[Psychotic]

Coming back from 2-1 down against AC Milan? Pssh, I've seen better :p

In all seriousness though, I thought Carrick, Scholes, Rooney and Heinze were all incredible. And I'm probably going to get sent to the gulags for this one, because apparently daring to criticise him is a crime akin to treason, but I thought Ronaldo played poorly tonight. Kept giving the ball away far too easily, either by running into Milan players or with poor passes. Yeah, his dribbling looked pretty, but it didn't achieve much.

Still, I would not mind losing 3-2 to Chelsea tomorrow night. It's not a great result for either team. The San Siro game ought to be a cracker.
We hate the ScousersPoor old Wayne. ;)

Now onto the Chelsea - Liverpool game. I think stamina will play a huge role in this. Chelsea played on Sunday, and in that game they looked jaded and unimaginative. Rafa's rotation policy will certainly show its benefits, and I think in the past month or so, every first teamer other than Reina and Carragher have been rested at some point.

Michael Essien is out for the game, and I would normally be happy because he is definitely Chelsea's best midfielder, but you can be sure that John Obi Mikel will be able to fill the Ghanan's shoes. But please, Rafa, for the love of god, don't play 4-5-Kuyt.

[DK]

I thought Ronaldo played poorly tonight.

GET YOUR BIAS BACK TO STAMFORD BRIDGE AND READ A BOOK TO LEARN ABOUT FOOTBALL

[Cuchulainn]

Now onto the Chelsea - Liverpool game. I think stamina will play a huge role in this. Chelsea played on Sunday, and in that game they looked jaded and unimaginative. Rafa's rotation policy will certainly show its benefits, and I think in the past month or so, every first teamer other than Reina and Carragher have been rested at some point.

Michael Essien is out for the game, and I would normally be happy because he is definitely Chelsea's best midfielder, but you can be sure that John Obi Mikel will be able to fill the Ghanan's shoes. But please, Rafa, for the love of god, don't play 4-5-Kuyt.

What did ytou think of that teat Mourinho saying Liverpool have only played 4 competitive games all year? As a football fan, ignorinbg the fact i HATE the scousers, that comment was diabolical.

PS: Rooney is an adopted Manc.

[Psychotic]

Yes sir, Mr. DK. I'll go see if I can dig out my copy of Peter Shilton's Goalkeeping. :(

Anyway, that's just Mourinho for you, really. After a while his comments just get boring and I've stopped paying attention to them.

[Rocket Edge]

Wow, what a game! Come on United! :bounce:


Liverpool should grind out a result tomorrow night as the reasons stated above. The rotation system will leave their team fit as fiddles, while Chelsea are probably a little too fatiqued. I expect the last 20 minutes to be crucial on Liverpool's behalf.

[Psychotic]

Lame. Dull game with few chances. The balance of play was pretty much even, although I will say that Liverpool were very sloppy with our passing. Chelsea took one of their chances, we didn't. That's how it goes. Still, overturning a 1-0 defecit at Anfield is far from impossible.

[charliepanayi]

All I can say from watching that is that thank god Chelsea v Liverpool isn't the final. I'm still cursing Milan's ineptitude last night anyway. Either way, fingers crossed that either they or Liverpool can turn it around in the second leg.

EDIT: And I wholeheartedly second Cz's post below XD

[Cz]

You guys had better turn it around in the second leg. If I have watch three trophies decided by United-Chelsea matches in the space of a couple of weeks, I think I'll go mad.

[Loony BoB]

You guys had better turn it around in the second leg. If I have watch three trophies decided by United-Chelsea matches in the space of a couple of weeks, I think I'll go mad.
Even I agree on that. I want Liverpool vs. United for this one. It can't be all Chelsea. It would be kind of... annoying/boring to have to play the same opposition for each trophy. Especially if it ended up with them being split - it would end up forever being a debate of "What if we'd played this game for another trophy, and won that instead?" etc. etc. for so many seasons to come.

[Burtsplurt]

Do you think an English team winning the Champion's League is a good thing for the English game?

In non-boring, non-European, non-big 4 news, Jonathan Woodgate has signed for the Boro. If he keeps fit, he's a bargain at 7m. I rate him more than Terry or Ferdinand, who would cost a ridiculous amount more than that (er, not that they'd be on there way to Boro in a hurry...).

[blim]

i like woody but better than terry or ferdinand? are you mad, id put carra up there with them but woody? no.

[Burtsplurt]

I think Terry is a very good club player, particularly in the English game. He gets in plenty of blocks, very good in the air etc. I don't think he's as good on the international stage because he doesn't have any real pace, which is kind of vital against teams that play the ball around on the floor.

Ferdinand makes far too many errors for me, and I don't think he's a particularly good organiser. He's not great in the air, either.

[Psychotic]

Oh ho, LFC just won a trophy in United's own back yard. Yeah it's the FA Youth Cup, but as I've said before, I'd rather see LFC win that than the League Cup. And now we've won it twice in a row...the future looks bright for the reds. :D

[Loony BoB]

Was a good match, although we really didn't show the attacking nature we'd shown in previous matches, was disappointed. Still, a good sign for United's future given that we were (on average) a year or more younger than the Liverpool lads.

[Psychotic]

Cz! CZ!!! Apparently Paul Anderson is in the Liverpool squad for the Pompey game this weekend. I think he might finally make his debut! ARE YOU AS EXCITED ABOUT THIS AS I AM? :strut:

[Cz]

Cz! CZ!!! Apparently Paul Anderson is in the Liverpool squad for the Pompey game this weekend. I think he might finally make his debut! ARE YOU AS EXCITED ABOUT THIS AS I AM? :strut:I wouldn't go so far as to use the :strut: smilie, but I will pay close attention to his debut. Who knows, he might score and become the future of English football!

[Cuchulainn]

FUCKING YES!!!!!

At half time, the league was Chelsea's. Now, it's anyones again! Fantastic fightback, fantastic second half performance & fantastic defending by Everton....



WE'LL NEVER DIE

[charliepanayi]

Now it's anyones? You mean now it's Man Utd's almost certainly! =P

Still, there's some incentive for us next weekend now - beat or draw to Chelsea and we'll effectively screw up their chances for good. Ah, to inflict that on Cashley would be sweet indeed...

[Rocket Edge]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not one to count my chickens, but the title looks almost certain to be red. :D

[Cz]

A great afternoon's football so far. As if the drama of the early kick-offs wasn't enough, now there's all sorts of action going on at the other end of the table. West Ham don't seem to have been shaken by the Tevez controversy, and at the rate they're going they just might escape the drop.

No Paul Anderson for Liverpool after all, and it shows. Without his shining influence, the're 2-0 down at Portsmouth. Oh dear. =(

[Jess]

I'm glad that Man United won today. No matter how much I dislike Man United, I'd much rather see them win the cup this year than Chelsea. I'm backing Liverpool for the Champions league, too.

I went to Ewood Park with my boyfriend today (he is a Charlton fan) and watched Charlton get thrashed by Blackburn. I've got to say though, the support of the Charlton fans was brilliant, and they sang all through the match, even though they were losing. "We are staying up!" echoed around and showed that they still have faith even though they have two really hard games with Spurs and Liverpool still left to play - especially playing Liverpool they lose Scott Carson, who so far has been their saviour.

Other than that Ewood Park is an actual library - Do Blackburn fans <i>ever</i> sing? :jess:

Howay the toon for Monday against Reading! We may not have anything left to play for - but as long as we finish above Middlesborough I won't be too disheartened. :jess:

[Psychotic]

Yeah what the hell. Insua, Padelli, Paletta, El Zhar and Hobbs (although in his case, he deserves it) are all given a chance but the future hero of English football is denied? Bah!

[Cuchulainn]

Looking at Liverpool's teamsheet today, you can't help but feel Mourinho had a point in his diatribe.

[Psychotic]

Seeing as Mourinho rested Lampard, Drogba and the two Coles, he's hardly one to talk.

[Cz]

Haha! No more Fat Sam at Bolton. He's resigning to make way for an "exciting new era" at the club. Does this mean they'll be appointing George Graham in the next few days?

Anyway, this has made my day. Nay, it's made my month. Good riddance, you big jerk. =D

[Vincent Valentine 007]

i think sam done a good job i dont know where hes going now though as for bolton things are going to get tough!

[Psychotic]

Anyway, this has made my day. Nay, it's made my month. Good riddance, you big jerk. =DYou do realise it's because he's going to become England manager, don't you?

[Jess]

That is what I thought when I heard he resigned.

I'd rather him than Mclaren any day! :jess:

[Loony BoB]

Apparently it's either there or City. No idea why he'd change from Bolton who were challenging Arsenal at one point this season to join an all-the-way-down-there club such as City. Maybe Dan seduced him.

[Jess]

Perhaps he wants more of a challenge. :jess:

Hell, if he wants a challenge he can take over at Newcastle and try and transform them into a top 5 club again. :exdee:

[Psychotic]

Apparently it's either there or City. No idea why he'd change from Bolton who were challenging Arsenal at one point this season to join an all-the-way-down-there club such as City. Maybe Dan seduced him.
New owners = £££££££££££. 'nuff sed.

[DK]

Maybe Dan seduced him.

:aimkiss:

Nah, apparently he's wanted to manage City for a long time. At least, I've heard about him wanting the job on quite a few previous occasions.

Either way, I'd rather him than McClaren and he'd probably be good for us, so either way suits me fine.

Edit: Yeah, though apparently that Thai President that wanted to buy Liverpool is in for City as well, and if they do, Sam might not get the job. The other bloke, Ray something, name escapes me now, apparently told Sam he'd have the job if he got in. So who knows where it's going to lead.

[Cuchulainn]

Sam is a fantastic coach & thoroughly decent human being. He left of his ownb accord, hew was not sacked. Wanted new challenges, similar to Curbishley last year.

[Jess]

Difference between the two is, Big Sam probably will get new challenges. Unlike Curbs who left Charlton looking for new challenges and ended up at West Ham and faces the same challenge that he did at Charlton: escaping relegation.

:laugh:

[charliepanayi]

Cease this Sam Allardyce for England talk, it's scarier than any horror film! And as for the idea that Bolton were 'challenging Arsenal at one point' - you mean for the duration of one bloody weekend. And even that was down to our ineptitude in front of goal against the likes of West Ham.

Bye bye Sam, won't be missing you \o

[Rocket Edge]

Sam was a great manager, and i think would fit in excellently as the new England coach. However, if the people & media continue with the way they treat managers like McClaren, then no-one will want to take the job.

[Doc Sark]

The easiest way not to get treated badly by the people and media is to get some frickin results, something which McLaren is totally incapable of.

I've made my feelings about crooked as **** Allardyce on a number of occasions and he has still done nothing to suggest that his style of management, and his style of play would do England any favours whatsoever.

My first reaction to the news of his departure was exactly the same as yours Psy, "they wouldn't make him manager...would they?" - Lets hope not.

[Psychotic]

No more. Please. My heart can't take it.

Mascherano was immense. So was Riise, so was Pennant, and Agger, Carra and Stevie were damned fine too. In fact, Pennant for England and drop Lampard. This game should be ample reason.

If anybody wants to whine about Kuyt's shove during the build up to the Agger goal, well, I am just going to copy and paste this in response to you until you give in: Kuyt was onside when he scored so it evens itself out.

Also ITV's commentary team: Their worst game yet? Jesus christ what the fuck was their obsession with claiming Agger was crap (until he scored)? Were they watching a different game last week? The only time Agger made an error was the goal, otherwise he had a good game. David Pleat "Liverpool have 11 men behind the ball" when Kuyt and Crouch were clearly ahead of it. Clive Tyldsley "That ball was so high it went over Peter Crouch's head!" ...well stone the crows, it's a miracle! And what the hell was with their "Oh yeah Cech is better than Reina, Chelsea will win the shoot out!!!!" angle? Piss off. Reina is a penalty specialist. It's what he does best. Even so, lord knows I was not happy when I saw Bolo Zenden striding forward!

But I digress. We're going to Athens! :D Number 6 is within our grasp...prise it away from us if you can.

[charliepanayi]

Well I suspect the Mancs will do their level best to try and prise it away from you, and Milan will try as well considering 2005 XD.

Ah the joy of seeing Chelsea being knocked out - though I think Kuyt was offside for his goal, sorry. Not that it matters, since Chelsea were very poor on the night. Liverpool weren't a huge amount better but in the end if it goes to penalties it just comes down to who can score them, and Chelsea messed up on that count. End of story.

As for ITV, you should know by now how much Clive Tylsdley sucks up to Man Utd, so don't expect him to love Liverpool much!

[Psychotic]

I think he could be replaced by a tape recording of himself saying "That night in Barcelona!" over and over again and nobody would notice the difference.

[blim]

Mascarpone was indeed immense, made some fantastic tackles. Kuyt was onside for his goal and as for Cech v Reina, generally i'd take Cech but reina went the right way every time, cech did not.

[Loony BoB]

Happy to see Liverpool go through, was hoping they would. The ref was very lenient in this match and I hope the same happens with the United-Milan match, to avoid unfair advantages because some ref felt like being a little more hard on players in another semi and therefore gave Ronaldo a yellow. That would make the final a bit of a farce.

Hope we meet you in Athens, though. Better us than Milan, you've been there, done that already. :p

So glad Chelsea have no chance of the treble now, and aren't likely to get more than two trophies this season at a maximum. I really would have hated having two cup finals against the same opposition.

[Psychotic]

as for Cech v Reina, generally i'd take Cech but reina went the right way every time, cech did not.Yeah, Cech is the best of the two all-round, but for penalties, I don't think there is a keeper in England who can top Pepe Reina.
Happy to see Liverpool go through, was hoping they would. The ref was very lenient in this match and I hope the same happens with the United-Milan match, to avoid unfair advantages because some ref felt like being a little more hard on players in another semi and therefore gave Ronaldo a yellow. That would make the final a bit of a farce.I agree 100%. No matter the opposition, I hope they are full-strength and have no suspensions.
Hope we meet you in Athens, though. Better us than Milan, you've been there, done that already. :pI could take losing to Milan, though. Just.

No Champions League, probably no Premiership. Bye bye, Jose?

[blim]

Loony Bob, Milan only need to win 1-0. You appear to feel you are already through. Granted keeping the likes of Ronaldo, Rooney, Scholes etc out isn't easy for any team but at the san siro Milan can do that.

To sack Jose would be absurd, he is one of the best managers around and with the correct backing Chelsea will be challenging for at least 4 trophies next year and still could get three this year (though the title is unlikely).

It will be interesting to see what transfers are made this summer with rumours of Torres and Van der Vaart at united, the new money at liverpool and abramovich's millions. Shame i'll be watching League two football.

[Rocket Edge]

No Champions League, probably no Premiership. Bye bye, Jose?
Mourinho should resign, because Abramovich will sack him come the end of the season anyway, which I think is a little sad given everything he has done for Chelsea. Most importantly, he provides the premiership with some crazy moments too. :monster:

On a second note, I was shouting for Liverpool throughout the whole match, and was delighted to see them win. It's all because it would make the end of the season lack-lustre in terms of Chelsea V Unitedx3 in the space of a few weeks (given of course we get through to the final). Besides that, even though I hate the kop, they can at least call themselves a real team, unless the Chelsea circus.

Great game to watch too, very high tempo match.

[Cz]

Congrats to the Red Team. HAHA sux 2 b u to the Blue Team. Now let's put an end to their last hopes of a title challenge on Sunday, too.

[charliepanayi]

Great game to watch? What game were you watching, seen from a objective point of view it was a pretty dismal game overall.

[Rocket Edge]

Great game to watch? What game were you watching, seen from a objective point of view it was a pretty dismal game overall.
It was played with real intensity, and the stakes were high. That obviously meant it was played with alot of heart. Yeah, I mean the football wasn't exactly great, but I thought it was a fascinating game to watch.

[Croyles]

It will be interesting to see what transfers are made this summer with rumours of Torres and Van der Vaart at united, the new money at liverpool and abramovich's millions. Shame i'll be watching League two football.

Theres not way Van der Vaart is leaving Hamburg. :)

[charliepanayi]

Half-time - have Man Utd let it slip or are we going to get a repeat of Turin in 1999? =O

[Cz]

Well, it's not as if Milan haven't thrown away first half leads in the CL before. But I can't see them collapsing at the San Siro like they did in Istanbul, particularly with Gattuso playing the way he is now. I hope United up their game a bit in the second half, though. If they can grab a gol soon after the kick-off then it'll be a heck of a finish.

[Cuchulainn]

We were owned. No complaints.

[charliepanayi]

It's Milan v Liverpool part II!

No Trebles or Quadruples, thank god!

[Cz]

Of all the possible Semi-Final outcomes, I think this is the one I'm happiest with. The prospect of a final between two Premiership sides wasn't a particularly exciting one, and like charliepanayi says, we can all rest easy, knowing there's no danger of United taking all of the major trophies anymore. Besides, Liverpool and Milan gave us a great Final last time, and if this one's half as good as that game then it'll be an impressive spectacle. I'm really looking forward to it.

[charliepanayi]

Well by 'we' Cz, what you mean is Arsenal fans XD

[Cz]

I can't think of too many people who'd be happy to see United do the treble, but I suppose we'd be a bit more relieved than most, yeah. xD

[Loony BoB]

Oh well, we had a good run compared to recent seasons.

[charliepanayi]

I think the only people who would really have gone mad about it are: Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool fans - well the first two anyway ;)

The Treble of 1999 was horrible to sit through, so very glad I don't have to endure it again.

But now...will Milan gain revenge? Predictions?

[Psychotic]

Milan seriously fucking want revenge. They've been talking about getting us back since the Quarter Finals. If that's what inspired them to trash United, god knows what they'll unleash against us.

Still, I will say this:
2007 Liverpool are a better team than 2005 Liverpool.
2007 Milan are a worse team than 2005 Milan.

I have no sympathy for United, especially because of some interviews with their fans outside the San Siro which were featured on Channel 5 news. Some of my favourite snippets include "Liverpool are scared of us" and "We're glad Liverpool beat Chelsea because that gives us an easier final". Mmm. Quite.

[Cz]

Milan have more quality, but on big occasions it's all about the performance on the day, as tonight's game showed, and Liverpool are the sort of team that can rise to any challenge. If Milan are on form, then they should win pretty comfortably, but anything less and they might be in trouble. You can guarantee that Gerrard, Carragher and co. will play like their lives depend on it, so the Italians will have to put in a performance to match that. Judging by how they played tonight, it looks like they might just have it in them. ;)

[Cuchulainn]

These results to show you that teams that can solely concentrate on one competition will be mentally & physically better prepared.

Liverpool have sod all else to play for this season & rest half their team in preparation. Similarly Milano rested 6 of the starting 11.

This is not an excuse, but one of the major factors why they looked strong & we looked jaded. Major defencive injuries in the last quarter of the season are starting to take their tole. Vidic looked like a man who hadn't played in a while, Brown just isn't strong enough for a centre defence role, Heinze tries harder than anyone on the pitch but gets wrecklace at times & O'Shea at right back is like forcing a triangle through a square hole.

As for Liverpool, they will do well in cups but will never win the premiership. You can't win the Premiership on penalties.

It's been a long old season & this result will make us grow as a team. The next game against that Stockport lot will be decisive. Will they suffer a backlash or will our heads go down further? Hard to call.

I said at the start of the season all I wanted was the EPL back at Old Trafford & as long as I get that, everything else is a bonus. Next season we can try for the European Cup again. I just hope we can somehow learn to win away from home.

[Rocket Edge]

We were owned. No complaints.
Yeah, pretty much. However I wanted to kill the referee so many times during the game.

[black orb]

>>> So its Italy vs England this time, the final looks interesting.
I dont care who wins since im not a fan of Liverpool or Milan, but I like Peter Crouch so go Liverpool.

[Cuchulainn]

Strange game today. We looked completely jaded but completely comfortable for 80 minutes.

Ferguson said 'they should have tried to beat us' and it was so true. Despite City's great support, they were truely awful, tactically & mentally.

It was a game I was worried about because I knew we'd be tired so I'm delighted with 3 points. City were rough physically & that early tackle by Michael Ball on Ronaldo was a disgrace & hope he gets fined & banned. Their penalty was soft, to say the least but it happens, Rob Styles felt obliged. I released the loudest gutteral roar of any human when van der Sar saved it.

We are so close now we can taste it. COME ON YOU ARSENAL!

[charliepanayi]

They had a penalty?! 0_o

I really should pay more attention to the reports on these games...

And it's starting to look like West Ham will stay up now, which is annoying for two reasons:
1. I hate West Ham (though I hate Wigan and Dave 'moany git' Whelan too)
2. It means if they stay up there'll be a lot of unseemly arguments and possible legal proceedings made by the likes of Wigan etc, which is not what I want to see.

[Burtsplurt]

Pants, we beat Wigan (good), but it now looks like West Ham might stay up (bad). They should have been docked points, though. It just shows how much the FA favour the southern/ big clubs. We broke the rules when Bryan Robson - the nutcase - refused to play a scheduled game because of injury and illness, and we were docked points. We were relegated because of it. Too many cockneys in the FA!

*cough*Trevor Brooking*cough*

[Psychotic]

I'm hoping the Hammers go down so we can relieve them of their other Argentinian.

[DK]

Pretty much sums up our entire season. :monster:

[Cz]

I'm hoping the Hammers go down so we can relieve them of their other Argentinian.As long as we get dibs on Robert Green, then fine. :p

The West Ham situation's getting more unbearable by the minute. Quite apart from the fact that I hate to see West Ham fans happy, it also means the summer is going to be dominated by legal arguments and bitching about this whole transfer affair. I don't know the exact details of the infringement, but it seems rather strange that no points were deducted as punishment. I'm sure that West Ham won't miss their £5.5 million too much if they're playing Premiership football next season, anyway.

[Loony BoB]

They likely won't get docked points given that there would be a massive legal case on the scale of Italian football if that were to happen. If anything, they'll be docked points for the start of the next season. I don't think there's a realistic way that they can get through the full legal process in that short an amount of time.

Tough thing about Tevez. United don't need him because we have Rooney in that position and Rossi backing up Rooney, however we don't want any of the other big four to get him, either... so it's a tough call on how that will end up. Absolutely fantastic player, though.

[Cuchulainn]

I'd love Tevez & know full well he's chose us over anyone if we went for him as he is a self-proclaimed United fan. Alas, bob is correct he is basically an Argentine Wayne Rooney & what we need is a striker (it's the saqme deal with Fernando Torres). Jan-Klas Huntelaar or the golden grail that is Berbatov would be the tonic.

[charliepanayi]

Well there we are, the title is Man Utd's...pretty anti-climactic really XD

[Cz]

I really wish Eboué had smacked that chance into the top of the net at the last second. It would have added a nice sheen to what was otherwise a rather muted 'victory'. It's rather hard to be pleased about handing the title to United, even if it does mean denying Chelsea. A win would have also taken us above Liverpool, which would have been a nice bonus.

Oh well, I suppose there are worse ways to round off a season.

[charliepanayi]

I don't think it matters much whether we finish 3rd or 4th anyway - Liverpool's minds have been clearly on the CL final lately and it wouldn't be much to crow about even if we did go above them on the last weekend (especially if they win the CL).

[Cz]

I don't think it matters much whether we finish 3rd or 4th anyway - Liverpool's minds have been clearly on the CL final lately and it wouldn't be much to crow about even if we did go above them on the last weekend (especially if they win the CL).That's not going to stop us from trying though, is it? ;)

[charliepanayi]

Well I suspect we won't even try much! Since we beat Bolton to pretty much seal that CL place, the players has settled back into a state of just wanting to get it over with (see: the second half performances against Fulham and Chelsea). Next weekend we'll be away to a Portsmouth side going for Europe, and I can't see us winning that when they'll have far more motivation than us.

This is irrelevant anyway! Where are the Man Utd fans? Hurry up and start gloating damn you =P

[Cuchulainn]

We got our trophy back :)

Thoroughly deserved, we were great all season. Bar the Carling Cup we have fought for every trophy unlike others who played for one. It took its toal in the Champions League but we got the important one. The Premiership. Great day.

[Burtsplurt]

Where are the Man Utd fans?

Milton Keynes. ;)

[Psychotic]

I'm hoping the Hammers go down so we can relieve them of their other Argentinian.As long as we get dibs on Robert Green, then fine. :p.Oh I don't know, you'll have tough competition from Portsmouth and Middlesbrough for him. Still, it'll be good to put one over on your UEFA Cup rivals, I suppose. ;)
I don't think it matters much whether we finish 3rd or 4th anyway - Liverpool's minds have been clearly on the CL final lately and it wouldn't be much to crow about even if we did go above them on the last weekend (especially if they win the CL).Yeah pretty much. As I said earlier in this thread, neither 3rd or 4th is anything to be especially proud of. I'd like us to finish 3rd, of course I would. But I'm not really going to lose sleep over it.

Next season, LFC have to mount a serious title challenge (that's not the same as winning the title, of course). Absolutely no excuses. We've been finishing 3rd and 4th for far too long and it just has to stop.

[charliepanayi]

Same with us as it is for Liverpool - just to mount a title challenge would be a good start.

And there go Charlton...looks like unless Wigan win and West Ham lose on Sunday it's all settled down the bottom then?

[Psychotic]

Somewhat peturbed by the media's apparent belief that the Champions League is a competition for poor teams, and Liverpool are only in the final because we played our reserves in the league. Guess they're pretty sore they can't fap about another Utd vs Chelski clash.

So then, remind me of something because I appear to have forgotten. Did Liverpool play their reserves in the league when they steamrollered their group, and were the first English team to qualify for the next round? Did Liverpool play their reserves in the league when they outmatched Barcelona? Did Liverpool play their reserves in the league when they smashed Arsenal's conquerers 3-0 in their own stadium? Oh wait, it's all flooding back to me. No, they did not.

Could it be because, oh, I don't know, Rafa's tactics are perfectly suited to the European game? Maybe because of the reds fanatical fans? Or how about because, quite simply, Liverpool are England's best team in European competition? No, couldn't be that. It's because Utd and Chelsea weren't trying. :rolleyes2

Praising LFC every once in a while wouldn't kill you, Fleet Street.

[Cuchulainn]

The argument against Liverpool & Milan is very strong I'm afraid. Teams that concentrate one one trophy after a certain period of the season tend to do well. Liverpool lost interest in the FA Cup in the 3rd Round. Once they realised their CL place was secure, they lost interest in the Premiership & everyone loses interest in the Caqrling Cup until later rounds (even then....)

Teams that are fighting on 3 or 4 fronts WILL get tired easier. They don't rest players at the final leg of the season like other clubs, they can't afford to. Both Milan & Liverpool rested players in their DROVES and surprise they both went through.

The CL is not a measure of the best team in Europe, it never will be until there is a 18 team league. It's a measure of a good cup team fighting for maybe 2 trophies OR if they are lucky a very good team fighting for 3 and getting lucky breaks.

The argument that a club were fielding their full squad when everyone else was too is invalid if we are talking about a period where a club fielding a 2nd squad when others can't.

[Psychotic]

Liverpool didn't lose interest in the FA Cup in the third round. Other than Jerzy Dudek, we played our best 11 and were beaten by a superior Arsenal side who were also full-strength other than their goalkeeper.

Chelsea also rested their key players, as I said in another post in this thread, before the second leg. They didn't rest as many players as Liverpool did, but all their match-winners such as Drogba, Lampard and Joe Cole were all on the bench. And let's take the last game between Liverpool and Chelsea when both teams didn't get to rest players. It finished 2-0 to Liverpool.

And come on now, you can't just ignore the other rounds just because they don't fit in with what you're trying to argue. They're proof that Liverpool and Milan can take on some of the best and win - even without resting players.

Maybe, just maybe, United and Chelsea simply weren't good enough.

PS: With United expected to rest players now that they've won the league, assuming they are victorious at Wembley stadium, can we put their FA Cup victory solely down to them resting players?

[charliepanayi]

Ah good old Liverpool v Man Utd bickering! I would say simply that I would still much prefer for us to win the Premiership over the Champions League. But right now either one would be nice to at least try and win next season ;)

[Cz]

Liverpool aren't the best team in Europe right now, and certainly weren't when they won the competition in '05, but who said competitions had to be won by the best team? The fact is that Benitez knows how to play in the Champions League, and his team, while unable to match the front-runners in the Premiership this season, can raise their game in Europe and beat the very best that the continent has to offer. They showed it against Barcelona and Chelsea, as well as against United in the game at Anfield, and all of those sides were fielding strong teams when they did it.

Sure, they've not had as hectic a schedule as some of their rivals, but to suggest that's the reason for their success just isn't fair. Otherwise, you might as well argue that you only pipped Chelsea to the title because you were knocked out of the Carling Cup in the fourth round, giving you the advantage of a less congested fixture list.

[Loony BoB]

I will say that Liverpool are, in my opinion, more suited to the European game than United are. However, that's not to say that United can't win a CL trophy next season and it's not to say that we couldn't have done it this season. It's just saying Liverpool play a more typical European game. Slower, more defensive, more patient.

It's interesting to read that not a single CL winner this decade has won the trophy without a defensive midfielder. Maybe this is why Hargreaves is considered such a vital player for us to pursue him for so long. I'm not sure I buy into that completely, though... I think we are capable of winning the CL without a defensive midfielder. If we play like we did against Roma, we can beat anyone. If we play like we did against Milan, we'll lose - even with a defensive midfielder. It just comes down to which team shows up on the day.

And yeah, while the CL is an incredible cup to win, of course it doesn't make you the best in Europe. That's like saying the FA Cup winner is the best in England. I don't think anyone would suggest either thing, though, including Psy.

[charliepanayi]

Real Madrid (in 2002) and Barcelona (last year) are probably the only two teams so far this decade who were the best team in Europe when they won the CL. But hell, if you win it you win it I doubt the likes of PSV or Steaua Bucharest or Borussia Dortmund mind much having won the European Cup at some point.

[true cloud]

i really hope AC can get there revenge,liverpool are not anything remotely like the best team in europe,im not a man u fan but i have hated them ever science the gorge best incedent,i hope kaka gets the winning goal

[Psychotic]

Yeah, I would not honestly try to suggest Liverpool are the best team in Europe if we were to win the CL. That's just madness. Top 10 though, definitely. ;)

I think Manchester United do need Owen Hargreaves or a similar combative midfield player to really step up their game in Europe. The result against Roma shows they can do well enough against decent sides, but I think you just need that sort of player if you wish to take on the really top sides, and you're bound to meet one in the CL sooner or later. Who were the other three semi-finalists' best player in that round? In my opinion, Mascherano, Gattuso, Makelele. I think the most obvious lesson in how important defensive midfielders are is the 2005 final. We start with Gerrard and Alonso in the middle and Kaka decides to pull us apart. Second half, on comes Dietmar Hamann. Holds the line, keeps Kaka in check, allows Gerrard and Alonso to go forward and the rest is history.