2012-13 English Football Season

Yes, you rumbled me, I'm planning all sorts of devious things. :greenie:

In other news, man, how good are Bayern?

Double post but I don't care.

We're out of the Europa League but I'm happy. I know that sounds weird, but I am. Don't get me wrong, I don't hold the common English view that the Europa League is a waste of time because it's not - it has a lot of very smurfing decent sides in it and I really wanted to win it again this year. And, to be blunt, it's a much more appropriate competition for us to be in than the Champions League anyway. I don't know. There's just something unique about Liverpool and almighty comebacks and those European nights at Anfield that I can't really describe, but that's just who we are. And even though we lost the tie, it felt like I was watching Liverpool again for the first time in a very long time. Watching them going down fighting - Luis Suarez is a smurfing supernova and you know what? DOWNING FOR ENGLAND. I said it - rather than seeing yet another limp pathetic draw feels good. We're not a great team right now, not at all - you only need to look at the league table to realise that. But it doesn't matter how good you are as long as you smurfing give it your all and they did. Tonight made me happier than some of our victories this season. Again, I know it sounds odd, but it is what it is.

Great post Paul. Although I am not a Liverpool fan as many of you know it did take me back years when I was looking at the performance there the other night. Anfield was rocking, and it was great to watch.

Swansea absolutely smashed Bradford to take the (awfully named) Capital One Cup. Can't say I'm surprised, though I'm glad for both sides. Bradford did an amazing run, while I have a soft spot for Swansea.

I enjoyed it.

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Really am living the dream these days. Literally. God I love football sometimes. We were so smurfing slick with the ball it was like some kind of graceful ballet. Granted Bradford weren't your typical cup final opposition, but at no point did they get anything approaching a sniff of the ball, let alone a goal. I just wish I was there like I was at the playoff final (which will forever be the best game I'll ever attend).

Swansea definitely justified their team selection against Liverpool last week now! You could tell how much this meant to the players as they clearly brought their A game. Poor Bradford didn't know what hit them.

I'm looking forward to seeing Swansea in the Europa League next year. I reckon they play the right kind of football for that competition.

I did wonder if you had gone. Congratulations :)

I always feel a bit guilty whenever we beat a lower league club in a cup final. :shobon:

Why is this thread dead? :colbert:

Alright, I'll bring it to life with a controversial opinion: I think Luis Suarez should be footballer of the year. Yeah, yeah, I know I am biased. And I do like to wind you all up by over-hyping him sometimes because none of you like him. This is a serious post though. Bale or Van Persie will probably win it but they're playing in better teams with better players under better managers. To achieve what Suarez has in a mediocre team is impressive.

I know Donal will come in and point out his shots per goal stat, but here's a more interesting stat for you. Read this article! It's good, trust me! Though I admit I also want to show it because Rickie Lambert is a personal favourite of mine and I was so pleased I had him in my FF team from Day 1! Lambert for England? smurfin' yeah Lambert for England!

Anyway, I eagerly await the Liverpool baiting replies but I'll just round this off by saying that Luis Suarez is far too good to play for a team that is fighting for 7th place and it's only a matter of time before he's off to somewhere better. I hope no matter your allegiance you can agree the Premier League will be weakened and less entertaining when he's gone.

Footballer of the Year? I assume you mean PFA Footballer of the Year or something, something for the Premier League. Suarez has certainly carried Liverpool to some extent this season but I think he'd have to actually carry them to a higher position if he were to get something out of it. I think he'd be in with a shout if only because so few other footballers have really stood up from the top four teams this season... but I still think RVP will probably take it on the account of his assists and not being a dick. Bale has few assists this season (oddly, you'd expect him to get a fair few...) but his goal tally is high despite not being a striker, and one could argue he's carried them to a more notable position in the table than Suarez and, when club stature is taken into account, perhaps has out-impacted RVP. Tricky to call, to be honest! Maybe Evra could win it. Four goals and six assists, only missing one game (and playing 90 minutes for all others), defender of the season at least surely... ;)

No, I meant EoFF Footballer of the Year. Let's have an awards ceremony at your flat and invite all the big names! Probably not Ryan Giggs though, you just know he'd try to have his way with Danielle.

Also lol Liverpool fans chanting Rafa's name and my favourite the "smurf off Chelsea FC" song. Deserved.

Big win for West Ham today!!! Edge of the seat last 5 minutes though, and wonder where the ref got 5 minutes from.... not that any one cares...

I hate to say it, but Liverpool are actually looking good (read: not trout) lately. I daresay that if things keep up, next year may be their year.

That's my line :colbert:Yeah we did well in January with Sturridge and Coutinho, if you discount the shocking first few months where we were getting used to the system we haven't been too hideous, although the WBA game was abysmal. Next year I think the very best we can hope for is 4th. And that's dependent on two of: Arsenal stagnating further, Chelsea not getting their trout together and Tottenham doing a Newcastle. Oh, and dependent on us not doing a Liverpool of the past 4 years too. And Suarez not smurfing off to Bayern/Barca/Real/City.

Also with Phil Jones out injured I would like to retract my goalless draw prediction for the Madrid game.

Both excited and nervous about tonight. Could go any way, and I'm reeaaaaally hoping it goes ours. No idea who will fill in for Jones, though... would not be surprised if he's suddenly and miraculously fit, but if not, I hope they don't replace him with Cleverley. I love Cleverley, but he is very much an attacking player and we played well against Madrid with two deep midfielders. Really struggling to pick out who it might be... Scholes would get himself sent off if he had to try to keep up with Ronaldo, Anderson hasn't played enough games, same with Fletcher. Giggs? Wouldn't get sent off like Scholes would, but would be just as ineffective with his lack of speed. Rafael or one of the other central defenders are perhaps possibilities but I'm not sure SAF would risk that. Very, very tricky to figure out who it will be.

Managed to get tickets for the game tonight from my girlfriend's Dad and can't wait either! Our midfield will definitely struggle tonight though and I can see us conceding a couple of goals. It's just whether or not we can outscore them. I'm not entirely confidfent and I reckon it will end up 2-2 with Madrid squeaking through. I'm sure it won't be a one-sided affair though... I reckon they'll still be one of the teams searching for a goal in the final minutes. I just hope it's not us!

Also, sorry Psy but I wouldn't have Luis Suarez as player of the year. I'll be the first to admit that he's right up there. He's proven himself time and time again in a mediocre team. It'll be Bale or Van Persie though. Personally, I'd go with Bale just because he's absolutely devastating. I hope you get to keep Suarez though because I love to hate that smurfer. If you keep him, then I can honestly say next year will be your year...

...to finish 7th behind Utd, City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Everton... maybe even eighth behind Swansea.