I can see it coming. We're either going to finish outside the top four, or 4th (behind Spurs) and then Chelsea will win the European Cup :( - I just can't trust us to win the last two games and seal things.
I can see it coming. We're either going to finish outside the top four, or 4th (behind Spurs) and then Chelsea will win the European Cup :( - I just can't trust us to win the last two games and seal things.
Both his goals were absolute stunners, I was expecting Chelsea to get a goal in the 10 minutes extra time but that was such an absolute shocker, just, wow. I feel sorry that Ba still didn't get a goal but damn he came close and he tried and tried. What a match.
Jesus Christ, DK. You're worse than me for your defeatist attitude.Quote:
Originally Posted by DK
Newcastle are a top team but I reckon City will have too much quality over 90 minutes.
I support a team that thought it was a good idea to buy Paul Dickov twice. I'm being worryingly optimistic about this if you keep that in mind.
That goal was outstanding! The smurfing swerve of it! Some serious technique is involved there. It's good from a United point of view that Newcastle will be going for the fourth spot big time come next weekend. I honestly really can't see City slipping up with such momentum behind them and for what is at stake, but with Papiss, there is always hope. What a player, take a bow. I loved at the end of it you see Drogba applauding the goal.
Its going to be a very tough match against City, regardless of Cisse's two scorchers the whole Newcastle team really did play well, when Tiote went down and got taken off I thought "that's it, they're going to get one here" but I was wrong. We held on, Cisse scored THAT. There's nothing that can describe that goal. I've watched it over and over and I get nothing I can think of that I can use to fittingly describe it. I'm in disbelief myself haha.
Well, if City get the points at Newcastle, nobody can deny they deserve the PL title.
In any season, the team that finishes top of the league deserves to win the title.
That's what Juventus said.Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
Say what you want about Paul Dickov, but if it wasn't for him you woudn't be in the position you're in now. Nowhere near, in fact. In 1999 he scored the most important goal in the history of your club. He'd be a legend if it was my club.Quote:
Originally Posted by DK
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocket Edge
Damn straight. You can talk about countless incidents throughout the season but over 38 games, no-one can say you don't deserve it. If City win the league then I'll be the first to congratulate them.Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
I'll be cheering United on in both games on Sunday though!
There's been 19 managerial changes in Serie A this year - blimey. Also, Juventus might still not win the league despite being unbeaten with two games left (they're one point above Milan).
I hope Juve do it because they were such a dangerous team in the 90's that I'd like to see them back at the pinnacle once again. Amazing record this season.
So long as they're not fixing games again :D
A lot has happened since I last posted and I can't be bothered to make a long post so:
Gutted about the game
Capello>Hodgson>Redknapp - so I'm mid way happy, thankfully no 'arry.
Cisse's goal made my jaw drop to the floor, more of that on...hmmm, let's say Sunday please. :greenie:
Dammit. :(
Fair play, DK. Enjoy it!
City were by far the better team. Mancini got his tactics spot on. Have more faith in your team now, my friend!
Just waiting for the first goal in this 13-0 Utd win!
I'm not going to be dancing until we beat QPR. I refuse to take anything for granted xD
But yeah, love Mancini so much. I really hope the rumours about De Jong being moved on at the end of the season weren't true either, he is a hero and I love him and this "smurf the useless twat Nasri off for Nigel and let Yaya play further forward" tactic is great. Yaya such a beast, total god tier, makes me feel more and more guilty every game for being utterly underwhelmed when we signed him from Barca for what at the time seemed to me to be way too much money, especially because of his old role at Barca being primarliy a defensive midfielder and we had like 5 of them anyway when we got him. But god damn, what a legendary hero he has turned out to be.
But yeah that being said, still convinced United are going to win both their next games 10-0. I kind of just want to get the season over and done with, no matter what the result. It's getting way too painful xD
Also now the games over, really hope Newcastle beat Everton and Fulham wreck Spuds in their last games, Newcastle definitely deserve the 4th spot and Spurs are utter filth.
Also, 2-0 now, oh god. It's coming xD Manus do something about this you awful man.
I think the Swans played well and deserved a goal at least. Ashley Young man of the match was the factually wrong decision, it was in fact Joe Allen. I didn't hear the United fans over the course of the whole game. My £2 punt on the Swans to win by four goals at 1000-1 went down in a sudden realisation that that was never going to happen. That is all.
where's stephane henchoz when you need him...?
How we still have a chance at third is beyond me. Of course to do that actually requires us to WIN a game, and that's surely too outlandish a concept for the team at the moment!
This isn't a "smurf the FA Cup I never wanted to win it anyway :smug:" sour grapes post, because I did want to win and the result genuinely hurt me, but I do feel I have a legitimate question here.
Why is winning the FA Cup considered to be better than winning the League Cup? The HISTORIC PRESTIGE BBC MATCH OF THE DAY BLOP BLOO crap doesn't count, I mean as a purely footballing achievement. It is literally the exact same teams in an almost identical format. Yes I appreciate there are non-league teams in the FA Cup too, but despite the ~*ROMANCE OF THE CUP*~ or what have you they achieve smurf all every year and it hardly makes it more of a challenge. Heck, if anything the League Cup is harder to win because it has a tricky two-legged tie for the Semi.
I agree and disagree with this... I agree the League Cup is arguably harder to win, but I think it's because you're more likely to face tougher opposition in the League Cup.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Still, I really want to watch United win an FA Cup, because so far I've never seen them do it since I began supporting the club.
I remember in Premier Manager 98 you could assemble the greatest ever team, win the Premiership, FA Cup, Champions League, Super Cup and Charity Shield but you'd be damned if you tried to win the League Cup. It was almost impossible.
(SPOILER)still a sore loser
Losing this PL title on goal difference is hard to swallow, but we shot ourselves in the foot and we don't deserve to be champions. City are rightful champions. They bet us in both ties in the league, so not really any complaints. I'm happy for the likes of Kompany, Aguero, Hart, Y Toure, the likes who have completely earned the medal. Tevez on the other hand now.
I will always remember this season for that Everton game though. :/
Because it's not sponsered by Carling. Anything endorsed by the worst lager in history is immediately devalued.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
I hate the two-legged semi. Completely buggered up my Shrewsbury team's stamina in Fifa :colbert:Quote:
Heck, if anything the League Cup is harder to win because it has a tricky two-legged tie for the Semi.
Former Prem champions Blackburn relegated. Somewhere out there, Russielloyd is crying his eyes out. And to that I say, hahahahahaahahahagaghahgahgahjagahgahjgahagha what a ponce he was.
Not like this is the first time they've been relegated since winning the league to be fair. Feel bad for the fans and for Steve Kean - he's not an especially good manager, but the club is atrociously run and I can't imagine he's had much assistance.
No, but it just makes it that much better. Mind you, this is not so much me not liking Blackburn and more just the glee of knowing Russielloyd will be raging. Not sure if you were around when he was, but god damn. He was the absolute worst. Most deluded fan who has ever posted on EoFF, I wish he didn't get banned. Well I'm glad he did, but still.
Yeah, he was a prat as I recall.
Gutted, personally, as a friend of mine supports them and he sits opposite me at work. Football talk at work is always better when your teams are in the same league.
It's also better online when your teams are in the same league :cry:
i sincerely look forward to my football team not beating yours at the weekendQuote:
Originally Posted by Old Manus
Final League Standings Top Half:
Man City - Champions, based on Goal Difference
Man Utd - Fact that Scholes is still their best midfielder means investment is a must.
Arsenal - WHAT?! Can't believe they'll finish here.
Newcastle - Fancy them to win over Everton while Spurs draw with Fulham
Spurs - Poor Harry, no English team and no CL. Could also see Bale leaving.
Chelsea - Ugh, they played awful today. Better pick it up in two weeks.
Liverpool - Expect them to win their last game because it doesn't matter
Everton - I think Newcastle will beat them and seal their place.
Fulham - Dempsey is a beast. Team is not.
West Brom - Farewell Hodge
And Relegated along with Blackburn and Wolves..............QPR, as Man City beats them and somehow, someway, Bolton beats Stoke.
Finally, I think, the home advantage really plays a big part and Munich edge Chelsea on what else, penalties. Damn Germans always win on penalties.
Liverpool thoughts:
Overall, a dreadful year. One cup keeps it from being a total wash but far too little from too many. The days of relying on Gerrard are over clearly, as he will not play a full season. When he's on the field, he is still dynamic but they clearly need to fortify midfield because when he isn't there, they haven't a clue. Some real positives from Carroll late on which make me think he may yet prove a good foil to Suarez, but I would still like to see another Striker, a real poacher, join up, especially since I have no doubt Suarez will get suspended at some point next year too.
I would like to maybe see Glen Johnson made a winger and have Kelly become the full-time back as Johnson has proven he is great going forward and gives more of a threat then Henderson or Maxi or Downing. Also, want to see more of Sterling next year.
Farewell Dirk, farewell Maxi, maybe farewell Bellamy as I think all will be sold or leave. Also, I think next year is Carra's last. Dirk especially will be missed. Loved his hustle, loved his heart. Glad he won at least something for all his service.
As I said before, all the bad luck should swing back a bit next season but unless some real good signings are made, Liverpool will struggle to break the Top 6 again. We may remain tough in Cup competitions, but the League calls for some drastic changes.
Take care all.
This will be only the second time a side has played a European Cup final on their own ground, and the previous one lost (Roma, to Liverpool in the 80s). So I wouldn't say Bayern being at home necessarily brings them an advantage. That and Chelsea are a bunch of jammy, lucky gits :(
Less than a month now until Euro 2012, thank god.
How I look forward to the Euro 2012 thread, where we will hopefully have more of Herr Croyles and his German trolling, that Dutch guy whom I forget the name wanting to celebrate coming second, and Cuchulainn just generally being inflammatory.
Especially if Ireland wind up playing France.
A friend of mine went to Paris a couple of years ago on holidays & he said several people apologized about what happened. Water off a ducks back really, unless you think your a great lad & down-talk everything french. Nothing to do with the country really.
My starting Liverpool team would be (4,5,1): Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Jose Enrique, Bellamy, Henderson, Gerrard, Lucas, Suarez, Carroll.
I think they need a new defensive midfielder, a playmaker, & a poacher. I'd play Suarez on the wing because he isn't a striker really. I actually think that team would do plenty of damage then.
So it's West Ham v Blackpool in the playoff final - the game I wanted really.
Dobbie nets the first for the Tangerines, he will now have played in three consecutive playoff finals. He scored in last years' one and we will forever be grateful.
Same, the final I wanted. I don't mind who wins, although I wouldn't mind Blackpool to do it for comic value.
Don't want West Ham, they have never interested me much. Really want Blackpool, for that sweet Ian Holloway goodness. It's always nice to have a manager say what he thinks and say what he likes. More often than not, it's the things everyone else is wanting to say, too. It's comical on occasion, sure, but the sentiment behind most of his statements is spot on.
I want the team who isn't managed by Sam Allardyce to get promoted. Holloway is amusing but he doesn't half talk rubbish a lot of the time.
Let's not forget the random Portugese members appearing out of nowhere to post garbled insults after they knock England out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Manus
Is that a 4-2-3-1 with Henderson in the central role? I wouldn't be opposed to that I suppose, but I think Suarez would be best in the central role and then Liverpool sign a pair of proper wingers. And by proper I don't mean Stewart Downing :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Rocket Edge
A key and huge part of Liverpool's season and the way it's turned out have been our best two players missing games. Lucas is our best player and here is a fun statistic:
12 games with Lucas 22 points (70pts season pace - 3rd place)
24 games without Lucas 27 points (43pts season pace - just managing to stave off relegation)
Says a lot really, doesn't it? :greenie:
And we were of course without Suarez for 8 games, and he has only just started finding form since the ban. The incident clearly messed with the man's head. Regardless of what side you take it is pretty obvious Suarez himself believes he is innocent. It's why he refused to admit guilt and refused to shake Evra's hand. If you were falsely accused of racism and had thousands of people booing and abusing you every weekend for it, it'd mess with your head too. Now, I am not asking for sympathy for poor little Luis, but it is an explanation as to why his form dipped for a few months.
Yes!Quote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoB
Also good news charliepanayi - Neil Mellor is retiring. You can sleep soundly in your bed now :)
Yes 4-2-3-1. Liverpool are already difficult to break down & able to keep possession handily so bombing forward with attack minded wingers & wing-backs would be my way of going.
Shall we get some snap predictions for tomorrow and next weekend?
1st - Man City
2nd - Man Utd
3rd - Tottenham
4th - Arsenal
Relegated - QPR
European Cup - Chelsea :(
Promoted to Premier League - West Ham
There is nothing that I like in this picture you are painting. :( Sadly, I think it will come true with the exception of Chelsea. I think Munich will get this one.Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
1st - Man City
2nd - Man Utd
3rd - Arsenal
4th - Tottenham
Relegated - Bolton
Promoted - West Ham
Champions League - Bayern Munich
City will beat QPR convincingly but I can't see Bolton winning away at Stoke so QPR will stay up even after getting a hiding.
I called Bayern for the Champions League when the Quarter Final draw was made. No-one at work listened and now they can shut the hell up. With home field advantage and quite a few Chelsea players missing I think they'll be too strong.
1st Man City
2nd Man Utd
3rd Spurs
4th Arsenal
Munich will beat Chelsea, Blackpool will go up (hopefully), Everton will finish above Liverpool, and Bolton will beat Stoke and stay up. I also don't think City will beat QPR well, I think it'll be a tense 1 or 2 nil.
Also, have you seen the new Man Utd kit? Looks god awful.
FEIUFSOQHEWASFDCQWI
ASDZ XNHUSIDHCNQ
X QJM
SDJAW
SCKJMW
ZEFSJCW
S0ZD[CXPLIODFJEWK
SZDFC Wms
dQAWZ]
WJ
SERGIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
dude the wrost part of the whole thing, i was literally opening in the thread, the thread was open as i was coming in to post like how i was right that city are city and you all are wrong, i was literally scrolling to type it as dzeko's header went in behind me, i wasn't even happy i just thought "why give me this false hope smurfs sake 3 minutes left" and then sergio, oh my god sergio, the noise i made smurfing hell. i can't even, oh man. oh man. :heart:
one word old manus, just one, and i will ban you forever :colbert:
also in less important news, what a smurfing finale. Made up for City. Truly only one team deserved the title this season and I'm glad the right team won it. :) It was a glorious day for football all round. Almost.
Also respect to Alex Ferguson for this. Although he did not win, he got the best out of a relatively (compared to the United teams of the past 20 years) weak United squad and pushed City all the way. Incredibly talented man.
I'm in awe, well not really, Newcastle lost hard but we still finished 5th at least but dat finale... When City were trailing I was hoping, for the first and hopefully the last time in my life for Sunderland to score a goal but good god dat game! gqeljkqklj3gkljklhf MY HEAD ASPLDOED
The circle is complete.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Also, WAT. I was on a 3 hour bus journey from Aberystwyth to Carmarthen, flitting in and out of areas with phone signal, refreshing the BBC live text commentary over and over. Everything was perfect at half time with City winning the title and QPR going down and the Swans not conceding, but holy trout balls.
I got onto a train at Carmarthen with 20 minutes of normal time to go in all games, and watched in awe as the news of turnarounds and counter turnarounds slowly filtered through the carriages. Someone shouts 'ONE NIL SWANSEA, DANNY GRA-HOLY trout IT'S 3-2 MAN CITY' and suddenly peoples' phones are going off and all we want is to get off the train and ensure we weren't part of some Jeremy Beadle comedy show. We pulled into Swansea and are joined by all the Liverpool fans leaving the ground (including two heathen pool fans who were from Manchester). None of them cared about the game, the only talk was of events at the Etihad.
Football, bloody hell.
Phew, just about limped over the line but very glad to have secured 3rd after a chaotic season.
And oh yeah, Joey Barton probably shouldn't go near Old Trafford any time soon.
Wow. Absolutely incredible. It would have been a massive injustice had we won the title. City have been the best team in the premiership by far. They should have won it more comprehensively to tell the truth but I suppose that just wouldn't be City!
Enjoy your night, lads. Come back when you've won 19! (did I really say that??)
Joey Barton vs The whole Manchester City squad || 13/5/12. - YouTube I dunno how to embed videos so this will have to do. Is it just me or, does Tevez elbow Barton first? I mean yeah sure Barton didn't START it but he sure as hell finished it, woosh...
Anyone know what happened with Cahill and Cabaye?
Steady on. I used to quite enjoy saying "come back when you've won 18" and look where that got me...!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubbaforever
Joey Barton incident is hilarious. I always thought it would be funny if a player, after getting sent off, immediately went and crippled the opposition team's star player for a laugh.
Also Cahill and Cabaye are both nasty :bou::bou::bou::bou:s so it's hardly surprising they'd get involved in a bit of aggro. :p
I liked how Balotelli was at first trying to square upto him then ended up trying to chat to him in a friendly manner, such an amusing character he's turned out to be!
BBC Sport - BBC Sport asks 'Who are the champions?'
God knows what Mark Bright was thinking.
I think there's been at least one, if not more, pundit per year who has predicted Liverpool to win the league ever since the early 90's. I stopped getting my young hopes up about 10 years ago, apart from a brief period 3-4 years ago :shobon:
Let the conspiracy theories begin: Barton did it because he wanted City to win the title! ;)
But seriously, yes, Tevez did make the first move, but you won't get the red unless your opponent screams agony. Barton didn't know this, apparently, but Tevez did. Doesn't excuse Barton one little bit - what a moron. I have no idea what went through his mind. Still, didn't matter that much, I don't think Joey would have made a major difference to how QPR were playing. They still would have been liable to a header at the last minute.
I'd kind of preferred it if City had just thrashed QPR from the start, to be honest! But even when the United whistle had gone, I just felt like the City goal was going to come because once they equalised, the determination (and the talent) was obviously there to get the final goal.
Time for the silly season now! Will be interesting to see if City continue spending big or if they sell many of their bigger players now that they have to consider balancing out the cash for FFP. They spent only £10m more than United did last season, but I expect their wages are through the roof, and at the moment their income is still supposedly at the level of Spurs. By the time FFP kicks in, I'm guessing that United will be able to once again compete with City in the market. Hoping!
So, with another season over, let's review some of the highs and lows of the Football Thread with Old Manus' Official EoFF Quotes of the Season (SPOILER)With BudweiserTM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Most overwhelmingly innacurate season prediction (Psychotic, 07.16.11)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Most likely to be Alex Ferguson in disguise (Rocket Edge, 07.15.11)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Most justified worry (Loony BoB, 10.22.11)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Most ironic post (The Captain, 08.11.11)
Quote:
Originally Posted by The 'Stick to betting on the baseball' award (The Captain, 08.11.11)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Outstanding Contribution to the Football Thread 2011/12 (fire_of_avalon, 12.21.2011)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Most blatant lie (charliepanayi, 12.07.11)
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Ceej's 'Only member with their head screwed on' Award (Heath, 08.05.11)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Most over-optimistic prediction (Psychotic, 11.05.11)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Biggest fairweather fan (Iceglow, 12.31.11)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Most incredibly offensive post (DK, 01.30.12)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Most scathing remark (Psychotic, 10.27.11)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gif of the season
Quote:
Originally Posted by And finally...(Psychotic, 08.06.11)
And finally, I just want to say how proud I am of the Swans this season. If someone offered me 17th on goals scored at the start of the season I would have bitten their arm off. Instead we stuck to the football that got us promoted, and it paid off, we ended up as the top ranked promoted team in 11th (missing out on 10th on...goals scored), with a bunch of players who'd never played Premier League football before. A season I'll never forget even if we go down next year.
hey you can't use posts from me from before we signed stewart downing :colbert:
What's that, 'arry?
If, as suspected by the press, King Kenny is in the process of getting sacked I'm putting it down as a downing assist.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Well the press will always hate Dalglish given his... friendly... attitude to them so I take anything they say with a pinch of salt. On the subject of that, it has been a pretty woeful season but my view is that given all the man has done for the club, he should be given another season. He's earned that. I'd be disappointed if he was fired. If I were him though, I would give resignation some serious thought. As long as he accepts responsibility for being worse than Graeme Souness and believes he can take the club forward, he has my backing.
Also, no to Martinez please. Look, I like the bloke, I do. But hiring a man on the back of successfully avoiding relegation a couple of times is not the standard required for the aims of the football club. It's like hiring Roy Hodgson all over again. Midtable manager who was the "in thing" and well, yeah. I know Roy is the in thing again but make no mistake about it, he was a smurfing disaster and definitely worse than Kenny. If you aim to stay midtable, yeah, alright, go hog wild, but the owners have made it very clear the goal is Champions League football again. Capello, that bloke who was at Valencia or even AVB are the targets I'd prefer us to be looking at, if anyone.
First off, Kenny doesn't HAVE to be press friendly. It's not in his job description. The press are parasites, and that does not exclude the :bou::bou::bou::bou:s that do the post match interviews. They know exactly what they're doing, asking annoying questions when emotions are still high. That's why Fergie doesn't give interviews if he's angry anymore. Too many touchline bans. However, it really does pay not to piss of every smurfing interviewer by being a short tempeted moody cow literally EVERY time you're interviewed. It really helps your position to be on friendly terms with at least SOME of them.
Secondly I don't care how much he's revered at Liverpool if he was literally ANYONE else in the world he'd of been sacked by now. I can't remeber Liverpool being this poor, maybe the last time was the Evans era. Not to mention how he handled the Suarez incident. He needs to go for his sake as well as livepools. I agree with you Liverpool do not need an all out attacking coach like Martinez. Not yet. Their squad isn't one that's favourable to that style of play. I think they need to go abroad for a coach. Nothing i England is good enough really.
However as a United fan of many many years I can honestly say I wouldn't mind them not sacking Kenny. One fierce rival being better than us is bad enough, we don't need another tyvm
That moment when Aguero scored it was like someone ripping my stomach out. :stare:
We will never see an end to a season more dramatic than that. It was incredible. They deserved to be champions, but like always United will be back next season. I am interested to see how City do in Europe next year. I could see that team give anyone problems. Now onto the silly part of the year. Will Hazard go to Man U or City? I really like him as a player, I'm hjoping the red half.
I agree with most of what you said Cuch, although to be honest I wouldn't hope any manager would be fired after that. We'll have had four managers in four years if Kenny is replaced, and that's bordering dangerously into Chelsea territory. I don't like the "What do we want? INSTANT SUCCESS! When do we want it? NOW!" culture that has crept into modern football.
I suppose another aspect depends on how much of your club's identity you're willing to sacrifice to bring success. Do I support Liverpool, or do I support the idea of winning trophies? I don't doubt the club would be more successful if we left Anfield for a 70,000+ or whatever sized stadium, but would it still be LFC? Is treating a club legend like dirt really worth it? I genuinely don't know how I feel on the matter. I'm a weird Liverpool fan in that I didn't grow up with us spanking the league left right and centre for 20 years. I'm used to the failures and the oh-so-nears and the next year will be our years. I really want to win the title one day but then what's another 20 years of mediocrity? :p
Also the Evans years weren't too bad you know! Compared to the Souness years at least...
From my understanding, it's almost a certainty that he will be going to City. Yet I do find it strange that Mancini is wanting the owners to continue to spend a lot of money. He's already significantly in the red when it comes to UEFA Financial Fair Play. Does he want the club to be banned from Europe? Or is he betting on UEFA not making such punishments until much later on?Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocket Edge
I think we'll get Kagawa, a fullback and perhaps another player or two.
According to Lille TV he was reported as saying 'You'll never see me in the red of Lille again. It will be another red next season'. Don't know if it's true or not. Hard to turn down City though when they will offer you anything you want on a platter.
There are a lot of rumours running around about what colour he said he will wear next season. "It's the blue that I'll be wearing next season. Definitely the blue." is one quote that is often thrown about. What was actually said in that interview? Apparently (although who knows, maybe this, too, is fabrication!) he was asked what colour he prefers out of blue and red, and he said - referring to Lille - "The stand is blue and my kit is red. I like both." Another answer is apparently ""I like both. They're both nice colours. I think they both suit me."
I mean, how many quotes can you get out of one question? Insane. And is there any actual recording on air or statement in a magazine? Nothing I've seen. Only thing I've found is a YouTube link and I can't check it at work.
Whatever he said, I still reckon he'll go to City. I think he's a great player but uncomfirmed at the highest level, so yeah... I would like to see how he would do in our shirt, but at the same time I'm not going to drop my head in despair if he goes elsewhere.
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Man City), Rob Green (West Ham), John Ruddy (Norwich)
Defenders: Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Man United), John Terry (Chelsea), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton)
Midfielders: Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Man City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Ashley Young (Man United), James Milner (Man City)
Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Man United), Danny Welbeck (Man United), Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)
STEWART DOWNING IS IN ENGLAND'S EURO 2012 SQUAD
OH MY GOD :|
Glen Johnson and Phil pissing Jones ahead of Micah Richards
Oxlade smurfing Chamberlain. Theo Walcott.
JERMAINE PISSING DEFOE
Oh sure let's pick Frank Lampard and a god damn crippled Stevie G but no sight of Michael Carrick what the smurf he is literally england's best CM right now.
John Terry! JOHN GOD DAMN TERRY
well you guys
well well well
I said Roy Hodgson was a bag of arse cakes :colbert: Stewart. Downing.
on the plus side at least big andy is going :shobon:
edit:
Birmingham keeper Jack Butland is among the list of five standby players, which also includes Manchester City winger Adam Johnson, Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge, Everton defender Phil Jagielka and Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson.
are you smurfing serious
smurfing smurf jordan henderson what the living smurf. There is no room for michael carrick or micah richards even in the standbys? Jesus christ roy. Downing ahead of Johnson, Defoe ahead of Sturridge, Terry ahead of Jagielka, smurfing hell.
Downing? Good lord.
Jesus Titty-f***ing Christ.
donal
donal you must marry my sister
that way I can be Irish
it is the only way
DONAAAAALLLL!!!!
wait
scott parker is injured and if he doesn't recover in time
that means...
JORDAN HENDERSON
JORDAN HENDERSON ON THE PLANE
You mothersmurfers. All of you. I warned you about god damn Roy. I warned you. OH HA HA SILLY LIVERPOOL IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT YOU WERE CRAP. No. Roy Hodgson is bad. Roy Hodgson is the opposite of good. ROY HODGSON IS LOONY BOB IN FOOTBALL MANAGER FORM
OH M YGOD
JRODAN HENRDERSON STEWART DOWNIONG ROY HOGDNSON
YOU smurfERS RUIN MY CLUB NOW YOU RUIN MY COUNTRY
THANK smurf CHARLIE ADAM IS SCOTTISH
:crying2:
xD Ahaha. Yeah some strange decisions indeed. I have never been the biggest fan of Carrick but he had a good season, I feel he should have at least earned a place. Why bring Downing?! I would have taken Beckham before Downing in a heartbeat. It depends on how fit Bent is but I would have definitely have brought him. No love for warwhale either, I think DK will be depressed. I think your pessimism over RH may turn out to be very real Paul.
I'd like to hear your starting team with that squad lads.
Stewart smurfing Downing? Stewart smurfing Downing? Mother of God. How? Both him and Carroll have had totally tit seasons yet they walked into the squad. HOW, GODDAMMIT?
Actually, I'll tell you how. They play for Liverpool. That is literally the only reason. There's only 3 players in that entire squad who don't play for one of the top six sides and one of them is the backup keeper. Absolute bollocks. Stuart smurfing Downing...
EDIT: GLEN smurfING JOHNSON? GLEN smurfING JOHNSON? FFFFFFFFFFFFFF~*carrier lost*~
My starting XI from that squad would be: Joe Hart, Andy Carroll. Best chance for any semblance of victory right there. Phil Jones xD seriously?
My prediction for the starting XI against France.
Hart
Cole
Terry
Cahill
Johnson
Young
Lampard
Parker (if fit)
Gerrard
Walcott
Carroll
King Kenny departs!
Attachment 35962
Damnit Kenny's been sacked...liverpool might turn useful again
Well there's Downing's assist, just in time for the Euros.
Today is not the best day in football I have experienced.
Look on the bright side Psybeans, the best case scenario is that Henderson, Downing and Carroll (yes, even Andy Carroll) all break their legs in Kiev, and with Kenny gone, the stage is set for Rafa to make his amazing return and start the new season with some different players!
NO, NOT ANDY CARROLL!
NOT MY ANDY!
:argh:
Four managers in four years. We're like Chelsea without the money.
In the end, it was the only real choice to make. For as much as Kenny is a Liverpool Legend, the team's home form has been beyond awful. In any sport, protecting homefield is first and foremost and when you can barely do that, changes must be made. Thanks for the early good feelings and thanks for making us play a more fun brand of football. You can enjoy your retirement knowing that you did end Liverpool's trophy drought, even if it was the CC.
As I have been saying for a while, this is a vital moment for Liverpool. They must find a manager who can really reinvigorate the side. Someone who will help with the basics that we are so often lacking in games now. I keep coming back to Germany and their pipeline of fine young talent or perhaps to Spain who seem to have three new dynamic players emerge each year. Yes, obviously, Liverpool is English, but it is an international game now and we should really consider another voice from outside. We went all in with English this year and it was a diaster.
I can only hope that FSG is as ruthless about players as they are with management.
Let the speculation begin!
As for England: What did you guys expect? Hodgson was never going to be innovative. Especially with less then a month to really prepare this team. Ironically, he picks Gerrard NOW to be Captain after he is past his prime and somehow Terry remains on this squad. What does this guy have to do to be dropped? Literally kill someone?
The Downing/Henderson double is amusing but frankly, I saw that coming too. These squads seem as much about potential as about results and both players at one time had the potential to play well. Do they live up to it? No, of course not, but each new manager thinks HE has the key to unlocking them. Likewise, Gerrard/Lampard.
The keeper picks himself as Hart has been in good form. Beyond that, this is a team that essentially doesn't need to be motivated to play well in theory as it's full of vets. However, it will need to be coached to play as a group and THAT is the real rub (Get it?) for Roy.
I see England getting out of the group and depending on who it draws, crashing out in a blaze of long-ball glory.
Take care all.
In the end I don't think Kenny Dalglish departing will be a bad thing for the club. He will still remain a legend & he did bring some silverware, but I felt he had to go after that season. He is a little unlucky though, as many results didn't go the clubs way throughout the campaign. As Cap'n was saying, I think all Liverpool really need is for someone to invigorate the team - give them some cutting edge.
I can't see England starting with both Gerrard and Lampard in the same team unless it's a 4-5-1. Didn't this team have problems before with this scenario? Great going forward aright but their positional sense tracking back isn't great.
This is why the FA have lost so much credibility. It was caught on video evidence, yet they will only sanction him after the euros. If Suarez was English the same would have happened. Rio Ferdinand has now lost out on the chance to go to this tournament because of him, while the only excuse RH can say is it's 'football reasons'.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Captain
I think the Suarez incident and how Kenny handled, or rather mishandled it, was the beginning of the end. The Red Sox are having a terrible season in the states and the owners have shown that they won't tolerate when their club is making headlines for the wrong reasons. They fired their previous manager, who by the way, had led them to two World Series titles for the first time in nearly 90 years, because he had lost the locker room and because it came out that his players were drinking beer and eating fried chicken in the clubhouse rather then getting their work in. The Suarez incident was a black eye to Liverpool and to the owners of the club and Kenny did himself no favors by seeming to come out in support of a racist incident.
Kenny's legacy is intact and no one can take away what he has done for the club. Beyond football achievements, the way he carried himself during some of the worst tragedies in football history will keep him a legend for all time. It was just time to move on.
I just hope Liverpool find someone with real ambition to restore the team to the top, not someone who can make us competitive, which is what I fear Martinez would bring.
Didn't Capello give Terry some slack and he got a bollocking for it, which eventually led to his being fired...sorry: departure? What gives?
Please, please, please can Bayern win tonight. I don't think they will though :(
Bayern are favourites and I completely expect them to win charlie. Chelsea are going there without key players, while Bayern are relatively alright. I hope for Chelsea to win though! Wouldn't it be grand for the blues to win and see Terry not lift the trophy. Guys like Lampard & Drogba really deserve it.
Disappointed for Blackpool now that the game is over. I said I didn't mind at the start of the match who won, but now I'm gutted for them. :(
Gutted about Blackpool as well. I want Ian back in the Prem!Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocket Edge
As for Chelsea: Terry has been given permission to lift the trophy. So I hope that changes who you are rooting for. Because that would be sickening.
I don't know who to support to be honest. Bayern win, JT does not get to lift the trophy and will probably cry, brilliant. Chelsea win, Spurs don't get CL football, brilliant. I can't decide which I want to see more.
Chelsea missing out is more appealling than Spurs missing out to be honest. Spurs always miss out so it would be nothing unusual. Chelsea haven't missed it for, what, ten years?
Can someone just hand them the trophy now :( - jammy gits doesn't even begin to describe this.
Come on Bayern! At least they've had a go. Talk about Smash and grab. They've had their shot in Europe now. Let Harry and the Spurs have a go!
Just awful. **** you football.
I'd just like to thank whatever player it was that blocked Terry from getting to the front so you couldn't actually see him at all when they lifted the trophy.
EDIT: Ah, it was Bosingwa. :)
Ridiculously trout season all round. Can't wait for the Euros so I can feel just as bad about my country.
Drogba deserves it you guys.
He deserves smurf all the dirty, cheating bastard.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Ahahaha. JT, the man who can get away with anything.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cuchulainn
I was actually delighted for Chelsea. Great for the EPL. I was sickened when I heard that JT would lift the trophy, but in the end there was plenty of people there who deserved it. Call Drogba what you want but the man carried Chelsea in that final, and at 34 it's great to see him win it. Same with Lampard. It was extremely dramatic aswell. I still felt for Bayern in the end as they should have won the game.
EDIT: Look what I found Paul. :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
It's not good for the Premier League, it's good for Chelsea.
WILL YOU CELTIC TYPES STOP QUOTING THAT POST :colbert:
AND STOP BEATING LIVERPOOL AND GET YOUR OWN BLOODY LEAGUES WHILE YOU'RE AT IT :doublecolbert:
:whimper:
euro 2012 fantasy football anyone?
Yup, I'm definitely up for Euro 2012 Fantasy Football. Let's have it!
I quite fancy the Irish to do well. In fact, the Irish will easily finish above Spain. In fact, I GUARAN-DAMN-TEE they will finish above Spain. Smurf it, they're gonna win the whole thing. If they do not, I will willingly put on a leprechaun avatar for a month afterwards!
Seriously though, let's do Fantasy Football.
So having a Premier League team winning the European Cup isn't good for it? Aside from Spurs, it's great promotion for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
Yeah I'd be up for that Paul. I actually have already done my team.
McDonald's Euro 2012 Fantasy Football
I just created a league. League code to join: 63501-21271
My Team
GK - Given (Ireland) 4.5M
GK - Lindegaard (Denmark) 4.0M
DF - M. Olsson (Sweden) 4.0M
DF - Piszczek (Poland) 5.0M
DF - Sivok (Czech Republic) 5.0M
DF - Terry (England) 6.5M
DF - Strinic (Croatia) 4.0M
MD - Van der Vaart (Holland) 8.5M
MD - Ozil (Germany) 10.0M
MD - Fabregas (Spain) 8.5M
MD - Larsson (Sweden) 6.5M
MD - Polanski (Poland) 4.0M
FD - Keane (Ireland) 7.0M
FD - Gomez (Germany) 11.5M
FD - C. Ronaldo (Portugal) 11.0M
Couldn't resist putting the boys in green in there. Keane ftw, always good for a goal! Most likely will change though.
As if the Premier League needs promoting! I never buy this 'English team winning is good for the league' line, it's the sort of daft thing you get from ITV commentators.
I'm with Edge on this one. It is good for the league, through co-efficients, "best league in the world" debates, etc.
Joined! With no team in the fight, I can just sit back and enjoy the matches! Team is "American Party Crash"
Team so far:
Cech
Given
Abate
Kadlec
Olsson
Strinic
Jodlowiec
Polanski
Xavi
Ozil
Gerrard
Van Der Vaart
Jelavic
Klose
Van Persie - Captain
I fancy Germany could take this. I think Spain may or may not bow out before the finals, especially due to their strikers. Is Torres going to be in their starting lineup?
Take care all.
Torres is expected to travel. The only thing that bugs me about the FF so far is that they don't have the proper teams to pick from. :/
Germany are my favourites as well. Hard to look past Spain though.
The year is 2019. Liverpool, featuring players such as Reina, Bassong, Suarez, Gervinho, Shawcross and Douglas Costa have just won the Barclay's Premier League, finishing above Chelsea with a 9 point lead and having scored 11 more than any other team.
The Manchester sides make up 3rd and 4th - United and City respectively. F.C. United of Manchester, managed by Daniel Towns, have just entered the Premier League. Their pre-season friendlies are underway and they have just drawn with a City side that still feature Kompany, Milner, Clichy, Nasri, Hart and Aguero. Walcott has also joined them from Arsenal, who finished 6th last season. Arsenal still have Sagna, Fabianski, Song, Ramsey, Wilshere along with newer signings Hazard and Cabaye.
Chelsea finished just above Arsenal, and they feature the likes of Cech, Ramires, Mata, Fellaini, Rodwell and Seamus Coleman. Oh, and Hernandez, who signed from United in 2016. United now have Valencia, Rooney, Hamsik, Evans, Smalling, Cleverley, Sigurdsson, Rafael (two of them, actually - apparently Fabio was signed away but I'm suspicious they actually just gave up on guessing who was who and got Fabio renamed), De Gea and Jones.
According to Football Manager 2012, City will hold on to their title in 2012/2013, 3 points ahead of United. Arsenal will play comeback after that, and United will fall to 7th - but that is obviously enough of a wake-up call to kick them back to the top of the pile in 2015. Liverpool take the title in 2016, United grab it back after that, then Chelsea, then we reach 2019, the season detailed above, with Liverpool getting their 20th title, one short of United's 21. Cham21ons?
The Swans? Er, not so lucky. Relegated in 2011/12 in this game and never came back. :( Sorry, Manus.
Oh that does it! I am not the only one who made mistakes about where my team would finish... you should wear this lovely t-shirt instead!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubbaforever
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ness/bQpqX.jpg
as an aside, I think you lot are stretching the "CHAMP19NS" and "CHAMP20NS" thing too far. Just say "20 time champions" or something jesus christ.
You're a disgrace to football for not coming to them in their hour of need.Quote:
The Swans? Er, not so lucky. Relegated in 2011/12 in this game and never came back. Sorry, Manus.
Then again, in my game Mick McCarthy ended up taking them to 6th in the Premiership and winners of the Europa League with the likes of James Milner. I DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO BELIEVE
Eden Hazard: Whoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaareeeeeesssssssssss
@edenhazard10: i smell my own farts mmm mmm they are like a lovely pumpkin
WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO TO OUR CLUB PSYCHOTIC
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/...28_306x423.jpgQuote:
WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO TO OUR CLUB PSYCHOTIC
Eden Hazard will undoubtedly play well for whoever he joins, but man, Ronaldo was considered an introvert so if he ever becomes as good as Ronaldo, then bloody hell, he'll never shut up. He probably won't shut up anyway, but yeah. He'll do well at Chelsea as they don't have someone already in the role that he wants to play in.
Hoping we get Kagawa wrapped up soon, because I like the prospect of him playing for us. Hopefully he can play a bit further back than he currently does, though.
Well sirQuote:
Originally Posted by Old Manus
you may have won the battle
but I think you just lost the war :smug:
And to think you thought it was a punishment to make me use Brendan as an avatar! :bigsmile:
I actually really like the look of Kagawa more then Hazard, I'd be delighted if we brought him in. As for BR, I feel for you Manus.
smurf.
I'm gutted. This'll put the Sigurdsson deal dead in the water, and with Sinclair's contract due to end this summer I can't see him re-signing. Whispers that Liverpool are after Joe Allen. I'm struggling to think of a replacement as we seem to have gone through all the managers who play our type of football (they all got smurfing poached by bigger teams within two years!). I hope Huw Jenkins had already drawn up some contingency plans during all the Redknapp speculation or we're in deep(er) trouble. Alan Curbishley 8/1. For smurf's sake.
Farewell ladies and gents, the dream is over. After all those years chasing it, I'd better dust off those Hotels In Barnsley leaflets again. We'll have one more season-long bash in the football thread together, then I'll see you all in another twenty years.
Some of the reactions from Liverpool fans is utterly pathetic. I get that it's because Kenny is a Liverpool hero. As I said before in this thread, I don't agree with the sacking and think he should've been given one more year, but there it is. It aint Brendan's fault and he is a promising coach though.
Is he better than Dalglish? Particularly as Rodgers cost £5m? Well, I imagine some of you will say so, all based on one season, but I imagine it's the same among you that thought Hodgson was better than Benitez because the media said so. :greenie: No, of course he isn't at this point in time.
However, what I like about Rodgers is that he is a very modern manager and can clearly see the way the wind is blowing in football. Dalglish, meanwhile, is still living the 80's dream. In three years time I believe and hope Rodgers will have surpassed Dalglish.
This instant success business is very very ugly. 8th, Cup, Cup final. For a club that is called a midtable club by its detractors, the same ones that say we had a bad season, that isn't actually terrible. I'm worried because I think Rodgers is the manager we need, but not yet, and it will take time for him to grow into the role and for the team to start to reflect his vision. I'm worried that if we're in 8th in December or something he's going to get booed and the press will start to call for his blood. I hope, barring a disastrous season (HINT: finishing 8th is not a disaster, I mean full on relegation battle, Hodgson-style) he is allowed to see out the supposed 3 year contract he has, for better or worse.
I think Rodgers has an advantage in that this team genuinely is not as bad as the league table suggests. There is of course the Lucas issue, as I highlighted earlier - with him fully fit, the team earns twice as many points. The other is this apparent jinx or voodoo on the team. 29 woodwork strikes. Keepers suddenly becoming the second coming of Lev Yashin. Missed penalties galore. Dominating teams for 90 minutes only to lose or draw anyway. I have genuinely never seen a season like it, it has simply been bizarre. If he'd been allowed to stay on, I think Dalglish could've improved on this season by 10 points without even doing anything differently.
I think as a long-term change, this is good for LFC. I am hoping we can quietly and slowly build up our strength without any of this "THIS IS OUR YEAR!" "WE ARE TEH BIGGEST CLUB" nonsense. The expectations need to be like those of Newcastle or Everton, rather than trying to compare ourselves to even Arsenal and Chelsea, much less the Manchester clubs. Hopefully we can also avoid debacles like Suarez-Evra. I also hope the lowered expectations mean that the likes of Carroll, Downing and Henderson receive less scrutiny. I think people forget that two of those players are still very young - I guess the instant sucess monster rears its ugly head again. In a few years, hopefully under Brendan, they and other young players like Kelly and Shelvey can form part of a very good team. Exciting times ahead.
I want to echo much of what Paul said. I think the move is a good one for Liverpool, as it brings someone who can clearly bring a progressive approach to the squad. For all the love Dalglish has brought, he was a bit out of the times, though ironically, someone like Ferguson keeps on rolling with the changes of football despite being now in to his 70's.
I think with a healthy Lucas and as I keep saying, with a real poacher striker, Liverpool can absolutely build on this season. Having someone who can actually be a playmaker in midfield when we don't have Gerrard would do wonders as well.
Finally, I think this about sums up my feelings for one of Liverpool's now dearly departing players:
Farewell to Dirk Kuyt, Anfield cult hero -- James Tyler - ESPN
Thanks for the hard work and glory Dirk. You will be missed. Though we still have yet to replace Xabi Alonso's artistry in midfield, replacing Dirk's heart and lungs may be equally as tough.
Take care all.
Manchester United have gotten Kagawa, very happy with his signature. I think we need a new center back & maybe a new midfielder.
A mass of United fans are saying this and I honestly can't understand it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocket Edge
Strikers (3): Rooney, Welbeck, Hernandez. Next in line at the moment is Keane.
Wingers (3): Valencia, Nani, Young. Argument could be made for Park or Giggs, but both are played in central positions more often than not.
Central midfield (7), where people think we need more players: Carrick, Scholes, Anderson, Cleverley, Kagawa, Giggs, Park. I'm not going to include Fletcher just yet.
Fullbacks (2): Rafael, Evra. Fabio is to go on loan next season. Backup are all central defenders naturally.
Central defence (5): Vidic, Rio, Evans, Jones, Smalling.
GK (3): De Gea, Lindegaard, Amos.
The areas we are weakest in are the areas that all United fans want to strengthen in. Why is that? I can understand "But they aren't good enough!" comments, but if we get an injury there, at least we have loads of cover. If we get injuries in the fullback position, we are relying on players who are not fullbacks to cover. If Evra is out for the season, we are relying on Evans as left back. We need fullbacks, and bugger all else. It should also be noted that in the Everton game (amongst others), it was highlighted that the faults were with the fullbacks. So perhaps they are the ones who aren't good enough, not the central mid and the central defence!
Yep, full-back is your biggest weakness. I would rather rely on Evans than Evra at full back. Evra is a shockingly bad player to see play for Manchester United and you need a new left back stat. Get Jordi Alba. If you get Leighton Baines I will shake my head.
Evra isn't as bad as people make him out to be, and I put Liverpool fans quite high up that list given that he and Suarez obviously exaggerated the dislike between Liverpool and Evra. Evra isn't what he used to be, but the same can be said for Rio who was still great last season. Evra just needs someone to share his position with because at the moment he plays almost every game each season. 40+ games, a brother dying, your legs going, racist abuse and people getting on his back for actually having the balls to complain after said racist abuse? I'd say he's had a very rough year.
I'd take Baines. I don't think there are any world-class left backs available at the moment so it's a difficult position to buy for. If there were vastly superior left backs in the world, I'd obviously prefer them, but Baines obviously is capable of doing a job in the Premier League as he has proven time and again for Everton. Alba is wanted by Barcelona and I doubt he'll come our way once that happens.
Shame Fabio has had so many injuries or he'd be a great prospect, although I still think that he and Rafael are both better suited to winger roles (not quite Valencia/Nani/Young level when it comes to goals, but the one game they have played on the wings was against Arsenal and they were epic).
Evans is far from better than Evra at playing left-back. That goes without saying to most people. :p
Baines is a name I've been hearing float around the last few days. I'd take him all day long.
I do agree that we have a mass of players in our centre midfield & defence, but I think our best players lie in our strikers & wingers. Rio isn't getting any younger, nor Vida, and I dunno, I'm not certain on the likes of Evans, Jones, & Smalling just yet. Maybe another experienced defender would do nicely in the ranks. Jones & Smalling can play right back fairly comfortably anyway. As for midfield, on further thought your probably right, although sometimes last season I felt we ran out of ideas within the park. Apart from Scholes, Giggs, and to a certain degree Cleverly, none of our other central midfielders are great at holding onto the ball & have the ability to do intricate passing, something we miss when we play against Barcelona or even Bilbao.
I would say that's more down to our seeming inability to hold onto a ball against sides that focus on extreme pressing when they do not have the ball. Bilbao, Basel and Barcelona (I wonder if it's a B-thing? :p) all did it to us. Our best holder of the ball is Anderson as far as I'm concerned, he can keep players off us easily. But the overall passing ability belongs to Carrick and Scholes, who were still beaten by these teams. It's not a passing issue, it's an inability to cope with pressing. It could well be the entire strategy of the evening set by SAF, who knows? We've missed Fletcher, too, but I'm not so sure he'd have made all the difference on his own. When we have right backs who aren't right backs and left backs who have play 180 minutes a week, every week, then eventually we get caught out.
The only way Smalling, Evans and Jones are going to become more experienced with our team is to play more, and bringing in a third experienced defender is going to stop that from happening. I think Smalling has rarely let us down, and Evans proved a big doubter (me) wrong last season by not getting sent off at every opportunity. :p So they are clearly learning. I think Jones needs a bit more training, if any of the three, really. He can leave us wanting at times.
Every club goes through transition once in a while and we are currently training up the future. We have the players to train in almost every position... but no backup at all for Evra, let alone players to train, as Fabio is going away.
Rumours say Alba, Baines and Clyne are our options. The latter seems most likely, as Evra will still probably play more games than the newcomer and Baines/Alba won't be so intersted in playing second fiddle. I mean, I assume whoever comes in will be second fiddle, otherwise why would we send Fabio away to get more gametime? Unless Evra is going to take the back seat, which is possibly the reason Fabio is going on loan - because he lacks the experience to properly take over? Dunno.
Being a Liverpool fan has nothing to do with what I think of Evra as a football player; stop buying into media hype and sensationalism. I genuinely don't give two smurfs about the Suarez-Evra incident anymore, it was stupid and boring. Apart from the always magnificent Donal, I am the most logical and unbiased person in this thread*. For god's sake man, I think Michael Carrick is a bloody fantastic talent. I smurfing want Dimitar Berbatov at Liverpool, and it is so smurfing depressing you got Young and we got Downing.
I think Johnny Evans has developed quite nicely this season and is nowhere near as bad as you seem to think he is. And I think Patrice Evra is the worst Manchester United captain I have ever seen, and the worst first choice left-back I have ever seen. The man is a liability. Now, don't get me wrong, he used to be pretty bloody good and with the exception of Chelsea, would've walked into any Prem team 2-3 years ago. Now he would not get into any of the top 8 apart from United, obviously. He is simply not Manchester United quality. He's not even Liverpool quality for god's sake. He wouldn't even get on our bench and we're smurfing awful. To be honest with you, the idea of Alba or Baines being the back up to Evra is laughable. They're miles ahead and he'd be the one getting bench time.
BRING BACK DENNIS IRWIN
*shut up manus yes I am, you take whatever quote you want to make and shove it up your bum. :colbert:
Michael Laudrup for Swansea? Interesting...
I was thoroughly confused when I couldn't log in on my first few attempts, only to realize that I must be Martin Kelly now. Just glad I'm not Charlie Adam.
Take care all.
Shame Redknapp has left Spurs :(
Laudrup 25/1 to trout on south wales and head to Spurs. If this happens, I will personally butt rape every Tottenham fan on EoFF. As in I will actually go to their house and rape them in front of their family. I don't even give a trout if it's smurfing Ice 'lifelong spurs fan' Glow. I DON'T EVEN CARE. LOSING TWO MANAGERS IN 3 WEEKS WILL MAKE ME DO THIS.
Redknapp losing his job is a shambles. Players will leave, and who is a better equipped manager to take over an English side? One of the strangest sackings I've ever seen in the PL, what a farce the backroom staff at Spurs are.
I hope they get Moyes. That'd be funny.
I hope they don't get Rafa. That'd be scary.
I'd say Martinez might get it. He'd suit their style of play I'd imagine, and has a good philosophy about how the game should be played. Apparently Villas-Boas is the favourite according to Sky Sports, can't see the logic there.
http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/...1466936_w2.jpg
All is forgiven, Liverpool. Cheers for the £5M.
Should probably wait for the Gylfi situation to be resolved before forgiving us.
Also £5m? Pff. That's like Andy Carroll's toenail clippings.
Fixtures for the new season are out - opening day in the Premiership is:
Arsenal v Sunderland
Everton v Manchester United
Fulham v Norwich City
Manchester City v Southampton
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Queens Park Rangers v Swansea City
Reading v Stoke City
West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool
West Ham United v Aston Villa
Wigan Athletic v Chelsea
Complete fixture list:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/...eague/fixtures