It was touch and go, but we scraped across the line. ;)
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It was touch and go, but we scraped across the line. ;)
And the whole nation (apart from a few Londoners) yawns.
I'm just happy they didn't clinch it at the Emirates; that might have actually been slightly upsetting. And at least United were genuinely really good this year, and didn't win the league just because nobody else bothered to show up (this happened, but United would have topped the table anyway).
brbQuote:
Originally Posted by DK
I put more effort into crafting his kit than any other CAW I ever made as well, usually it was just a case of RANDOM TROUSERS AND BOOTS but then Jens, full on went ham with his goalkeepers outfit, got the O2 sponsership and everything. then putting him in like a fatal four way match and storing up 5 finishers and just unleashing hell on every one, SHOVE! SHOVE! SHOVE! run out of opponents then SHOVE THE REFEREE! It was unholy carnage.
It makes me sad that I can't remember the last time I played a wrestling game. :( Are they better than ever at the moment, or are the old school variants still king?
well J just bought wwe 12 about a week after I got here and it's pretty much the same thing except with better graphics, updated roster and a wider variety of matches. haven't touched story mode or any of that, but the gameplay is essentially exactly the same. I can't decide if my favourite thing I've done so far in it is powerbombing his girlfriend off the top of a hell in the cell that made her scream, or the time we did a 2 player royal rumble with our CAW's working together the entire time, and storing up a finishing move for when we got down to the last 3, walking over and standing behind James as he eliminated the last guy and promptly turning around into an RKO and being thrown out. He said later that he didn't even contemplate the idea of me backstabbing him once, that he'd been envisioning the two of us meeting in the middle of the ring as the last two left and having a clash for the ages. I said that he ought to know me better than that. :)
I seem to remember you doing something very similar to me once. Or twice. Or more often. I knew you would do it, but I was never quick enough. xDQuote:
Originally Posted by DK
The wall of my partition at work looks slightly different today.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psc560ad06.jpg
:D
In case you're wondering, the top right one is this. Oh, and yes Dan, the person you think might be responsible for this is entirely responsible. Well, she printed them out and left them on my desk. I'm the one who put them up, pride of place!
Well that game was...interesting.
It's been a god damn hilarious week for football.
5-0 at Camp Nou
Heard it here first
Also Wrexham 2-1 Kidderminster in the conference playoff semis. 3 WELSH TEAMS IN ENGLISH FOOTBALL THIS IS LITERALLY AN INVASION
There were three Welsh sides in the Football League for years anyway!
Where are Newport and Merthyr Tidfill? :colbert:
Newport are playing Grimsby in the Conference playoffs. So might get an all-Welsh playoff final.
Merthyr Tydfil were liquidated in 2010 and now play as Merthyr Town a few divisions below the Conference.
EDIT: Ten game ban for Suarez. So...
Missing (not failing) a drugs fest – 8 months
Kung-fu kicking a fan and punching him – 8 months
Failing a drugs test – 6 months
Pushing the referee over (DiCanio on Paul Alcock) – 11 games
Biting a man in the arm (with previous form) – 10 games
Ben Thatcher's assault on Mendes – 8 games
Racism – 8 games
Potential career ending tackle (red card on pitch) – 3 games
5 counts of diving – 1 game
Potential career ending tackle (severity unclear on pitch) – 0 games
Anyone would think the FA just rolled a couple of dice to decide punishments, no consistency whatsoever.
10 games seems fair enough, though I would have liked it to have been say 13-15 games. :D
Psy: 7
Me: 13
Result: 10
Dammit. You win again, nobody. >=(
Yeah, the FA are just ridiculous. I don't know what else to say when having a little nibble on someone's arm (no blood drawn) is apparently worse than causing someone to have a seizure.
Mind you, now we know that if John Terry had done this he'd only get a 5 game ban so that's reassuring.
Also to be fair, missing a drugs test should always be punished more severely than failing a drugs test. As otherwise if you have taken drugs, you can just miss the test and take the lighter punishment.
Well that game was also...interesting. Are Dortmund going to join the list of sides who win the European Cup before being dismantled and carved up by bigger clubs (see also: Red Star Belgrade, Ajax). Would love them to get to the final and beat Bayern anyway.
Deutschland Uber Alles. I smurfing called it but everyone I know said the final would be a Spanish showdown. I mean, it's not over yet but god damn we've seen two huge hammer blows.
I love Wigan so much. Please do your usual April thing and stay up, guys. The league needs you.
The Coventry of the 21st Century, imho.
Poor Brentford :( - my friend is pretty gutted this evening.
SHODEN
GET YOUR ASS IN HERE NOW
LONNY BOB, SEND JESS A MESSAGE ON FACEBOOK
ACTION STATIONS PEOPLE, COME ON
honest to god, this team flits between utterly smashing the opposition (only Man United have scored more goals this season!) and being woeful. I quite like it when we do the first one. We've had a lot of big wins this season.
Youch.
EDIT: The Magpies are gonna need a new castle by the end of this match.
I hope that Newcastle side turns up on the last day of the season.
So I guess it was Luis Suarez's toxic attitude that was holding Liverpool back all this time.
Apparently so!
Having just watched Match of the Day I would just like to declare my undying love for Philippe Coutinho. Maybe I'm on the rebound after the loss of our other South American attacker, but right now I do not care :love:
WELL. PSY. DAMN.
D:
THAT WAS. BAD.
Leicester in the playoffs! :D I hope they go up. Although it'd be a season too late, it would really mean a lot.
Who would you go for in Liverpool vs. Leicester? =o
Aha, that's always been Liverpool. Back when it used to happen, that is. My family always accepted my love of the colour red was greater than my love of the colour blue! (That is literally what it came down to) They even took me on a trip up to Anfield as a lad. :) You can find photos of young me wearing the shirts of both, though.
I should probably explain that this year is more poignant in that my Grandad - staunch Leicester fan all his life - died earlier this year and he always wanted to see them come back up, so I'm really hoping it can be done.
Bah, I wanted Watford up instead of Hull.
Wishlist for the next eight days
1. Man Utd beat Chelsea
2. Chelsea and Spurs cancel each other out with lots of red cards
3. Stoke beat Spurs, with some more red cards for Spurs
And two more 1-0 wins for us would be nice for the remainder of the season.
holy trout check this post out
I realised something.Quote:
Originally Posted by PsychoticwellQuote:
Originally Posted by Cuchulainn
uh
i don't know if you've heard of a little something called "The Champions League", or indeed "The FA Cup" but, well... :erm:
predictions:
1. United
2. City
3. Spurs
4. Chelsea
5. Arsenal
6. Everton
7. Liverpool
8. Newcastle
Swansea and West Brom to surprise, West Ham and Stoke to play troutty football and not do anything of any value, Reading, Norwich and QPR for the drop!
In 2005 I said we'd win the CL. In 2006 I was the only person on EoFF to say Italy would win the World Cup. 2007 I said we'd lose the CL final despite being the better team than Milan. 2008 and 2010 I said Spain would win (not exactly difficult!) I was one of the very few on here to say City would win the title last year, and well, my predictions this year are smurfing on fire.
And then it occurs... maybe I'm causing this. So. I'm going to do it.
The one thing I have never actually seriously done. The one thing you expect of all Liverpool fans. I can't wait for this season to be over because
Next year will be our year. Liverpool FC will win the Premier League title.
Mock me, and mock me well, children. Your tears when Stevie G lifts the trophy this time next year will be reward enough! I AM NEVER WRONG IN MY PRED-
well trout :shobon:Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Fun fact about the Championship. Hull lost a third of their games and still got promoted. It's an exciting league, but boy is it terrible.
I know it is hypocritical to say this being a fan of a team which features a certain cannibal, but David Luiz is a nasty smurfing piece of work, I tell you what. He throws elbows around like they're going out of style. Same for Fellaini actually, he's a really vicious player too. Having said that, he at least redeemed himself by doing a number on Stoke.
Didn't see the match yesterday (well, no more than 10 minutes) and missed it yesterday, but apparently he rolled around on the ground like he'd been shot and then laughed when Rafael got sent off for it? Dunno how much of that is exaggerated. I'm told Rafael still deserved a red, but Luiz may have deserved a beating.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Dunno much about Luiz, though.
Be happy you missed it BoB, it was our worst performance since the home game against City last season. There was even a couple of times I winced in agony looking at Valencia. He had yet another terrible game. Such a shadow of what he was when he was on form. :(
Well done for not letting Wigan win, Swansea. Little less pressure on Newcastle to actually win a game now.
Newcastle do have the get out of jail free card that is a game against QPR this weekend though.
Eugh we're skirting the relegation zone... do not like.
Ferguson retiring. For real this time. I fancy Steve Kean or Terry Connor to take over.
HARRY REDKNAPP
I really hope it is Moyes, that would be hilarious.
As far as Ferguson goes, the best tribute I can pay to the man is this: Thank smurf for that.
I suppose it had to happen eventually. :( Gutted. Still, glad he's staying on the board.
Expecting Moyes, but there are a few names that are being thrown around. Whatever happens, I'll just wait and see how they do before judging them.
Feel physically sick. It'll never be the same for me again as a United fan. :(
I don't mind who comes in as Fergie will be the chief man who decides to come in. I don't mind really if it is Moyes, as he will have the longevity. As for someone like Mourinho, I would welcome it as he could bring back Ronny but I dunno, he might get bored in a few years and move somewhere else (although I think the United job is his dream job).
Sad day for football really.
My understanding is that Mourinho doesn't like to take long term jobs, he prefers to work on projects. Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised if his walk-ins overseas make him much more reluctant to walk away from a top English team again. I'd be happy with him or Moyes, and it seems like Moyes is going to be the candidate in this situation. I imagine that's based on Moyes ability to not air dirty laundry in public and of course his ability to keep a club stable even when finances are tight. I think either of them could win with United. As for other options such as Gigs, Ole, Solskjaer, Klopp, and so forth being suggested, the most amusing thing I've read about it all has undoubtedly been "I hear Rafa Benitez is available at the end of the season."
xD
True. Isn't Dean Saunders looking for a new job?
I read Rafa's book and he does mention that he cries himself to sleep in jealousy at David Moyes's greatest achievement managing to finish fourth once eight years ago. Apparently even his Spanish league title medals and Champion's League medal don't dull the pain.
If you think Rafa is a better fit for United than Moyes then you are really, really weird. Pretty sure 90% of the football-watching world agree that Moyes is a quality manager who has overachieved consistently given the finances of the club he's in charge of.
Better fit? Because of the United-Liverpool rivalry, yes. Better manager? Not even going to dignify that with a response.
Moyes has overachieved but he's not really achieved anything at all. He's not won a single trophy. He finished fourth, once, and I believe remains the only manager of an English team to get knocked out in the CL qualifying rounds. He has never even won a game at Anfield and we're crap! If you think consistent top half finishes (no trophies) is good enough for a club of United's stature then you're insane.
Mourinho, Heynckes and Klopp are the sort of names that should be in the frame. And that is why I hope you get none of them. But then I remember when you thought Roy "Overachieved with a lesser club" Hodgson would win the league for Liverpool, so maybe you do truly believe this is going to work...
I'm the only person here who remembers United pre-Alex Ferguson :/ FAT RON AND HIS FAT FINGERS IT WASNT PRETTY PEOPLE I DONT WANT THAT AGAIN.
Cue the response... :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
...all with effectively no cash to spend, a low wage budget and almost every star player being snapped up by another club due to such a financial situation. I think you're fairly easily blinded by being a Liverpool fan in this instance. I'd love to know of a manager that has done as well as he has in the PL without any cash on a consistent basis in the past decade. He's a quality manager. Whether he ends up bringing us trophies is something we won't know unless he actually gets a shot, and if he does, great. If he doesn't, so be it... but don't go pretending that because he can only get Everton to 4th suddenly means he won't keep United in contention for trophies. I'd say SAF would probably be a better judge of management skills than yourself, and SAF says he's good enough. I'll trust him on that one... Ferguson's got a pretty good record on such judgement calls!Quote:
Moyes has overachieved but he's not really achieved anything at all. He's not won a single trophy. He finished fourth, once, and I believe remains the only manager of an English team to get knocked out in the CL qualifying rounds. He has never even won a game at Anfield and we're crap! If you think consistent top half finishes (no trophies) is good enough for a club of United's stature then you're insane.
Sir Alex Ferguson can accompany David Moyes in that he has also failed to qualify for the group stage.
We might get one, but the only worry I'd have with the former is that he might leave in a few years' time (actually, there's also the worry he'll do what he's doing with Real Madrid right now, airing dirty laundry in front of cameras and microphones). The rest I'd be happy enough with, but again I'll be doing my best to reserve judgement until they've actually managed a season or two and built a team of their own (if they get that chance).Quote:
Mourinho, Heynckes and Klopp are the sort of names that should be in the frame. And that is why I hope you get none of them.
I thought Liverpool were going to win the league (regardless of the manager)?Quote:
But then I remember when you thought Roy "Overachieved with a lesser club" Hodgson would win the league for Liverpool, so maybe you do truly believe this is going to work...
Counterpoint: Harry Redknapp has won more trophies than David Moyes.
Graeme Souness has won more trophies than David Moyes.
Alex smurfing McLeish has won more trophies than David Moyes.
I could go on.
Not disputing he's a decent manager. He is. Sure. He could manage a club of Everton's level. Heck, right now he would do a good job for Liverpool. Good enough to manage Manchester United? Well, I look forward to Liverpool v United actually meaning something again in the race for 6th place or whatever.
PS: Fergie shared your view on Roy being a Liverpool success. ;)
To be fair, Avram Grant was a post away from being a European Cup winner and Di Matteo IS a European Cup winner. I'd still say Moyes was better than both of them though. Mourinho would bail as soon as the going got tough, like he does everywhere.
Pretty sure he says that about every new manager of a big club.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
"First Maggie Thatcher Dies Then Alex Ferguson Retires, Somewhere In The World There's A Scouser With A Lamp And One Wish Left"
You mean like the future manager of Manchester United FC...? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoBPretty sure he says that about every new manager of a big club.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Now, spare me your ad hominem "urrr it's because you support Liverpool!" gibberish, because, well, those in glass houses first of all re: your views on Rafa Benitez, but also because I'm defending the honour of a team I hate more than any other. Including Everton! Now, look, I'm not saying Moyes is a trout manager. He's done a good job at Everton. But let me put it this way.
- Does he have experience of the pressures of managing a huge club - media, fans, etc?
- Does he have experience of winning trophies?
- Does he have experience of European football and playing against the biggest clubs in the world on huge nights?
- Does he have experience of the pressures of being involved in a title race?
- He may have expierience of buying good footballers at reduced amounts (although for the record, 2 of his 3 biggest signings were Yakubu and Bilyatindinov!) but does he have experience of buying world class footballers for world class fees?
- Does he have experience of managing world class players with huge egos? (you may note his falling out with Mr Wayne Rooney!)
No to every single one. And that's why Moyes is not suited for a monstrously huge club like Man United. You can say"well we won't know if he can do these things unless he tries!" if you want but we also don't know if Neil Warnock can do these things until he tries, so... :monster:
A final word, there's a reason why he has never won at Anfield. Because he sits 11 men behind the ball and plays for the draw. That's why. It works for Everton, sure, and it helps them punch above their weight. Do you honestly think that trout will fly at Manchester United? Do you really think that is going to win titles? Changing a managerial philosophy isn't simply a matter of clicking a few tactics buttons on football manager.
I smurfing hate United with a passion and it sickens me to say this, but they are too good for Moyes.
I think that's probably precisely the reason they'd go with Moyes in the first place. Anything is going to be a step down from the greatest club manager in the history of the game. If they bring in Mourinho and it all goes to buggery without Red Nose at the helm, the trout storm would be colossal. So they can just bring in some random bum like David Moyes under the provision of "look how well he did at this club despite having nothing" and then if it all goes well and he manages to cope at United, lovely, everything is rosy. If the post-Taggart United fall to pieces, "Well, we took a punt..." and now it's time to bring in the big guns when the expectations are lower and the manure fans are over the whole "WHY ISN'T EVERYTHING AS GREAT AS IT WAS WHEN SIR ALEX WAS HERE URRRR WE'RE THE BIGGEST CLUB IN THE WORLD WE HAVE HISTORY" thing.
Just read something on BBC and will mention that Klopp, someone you mentioned for the role, had a worse record than Moyes did before Dortmund took him on. Why him over Moyes? No matter who we go with, it's a massive gamble. Dan's right on that regard. Again, I'm not saying I'll be gutted if we get Mourinho or Klopp or anyone, they're great. But to say Moyes has nothing on them is naive. You conveniently failed to respond to my query regarding whether there is anyone out there who can do so well with so little for such a long time. If he actually has money, who's to say he won't do even better? Seems to me the guy can find good players, create good players and develop good players from youth. He knows the proper tactics to get the points he needs to shoot above his club's financial weight, he knows British football, he's not going to run off to another country at the drop of a hat. Until you give a Klopp a shot at a big club, we'll never know what he's like at a big club. He's currently at a Europa club, and I'd love to see him in a Champions League club.Quote:
Originally Posted by PsychoticYou mean like the future manager of Manchester United FC...? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoBPretty sure he says that about every new manager of a big club.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Now, spare me your ad hominem "urrr it's because you support Liverpool!" gibberish, because, well, those in glass houses first of all re: your views on Rafa Benitez, but also because I'm defending the honour of a team I hate more than any other. Including Everton! Now, look, I'm not saying Moyes is a trout manager. He's done a good job at Everton. But let me put it this way.
- Does he have experience of the pressures of managing a huge club - media, fans, etc?
- Does he have experience of winning trophies?
- Does he have experience of European football and playing against the biggest clubs in the world on huge nights?
- Does he have experience of the pressures of being involved in a title race?
- He may have expierience of buying good footballers at reduced amounts (although for the record, 2 of his 3 biggest signings were Yakubu and Bilyatindinov!) but does he have experience of buying world class footballers for world class fees?
- Does he have experience of managing world class players with huge egos? (you may note his falling out with Mr Wayne Rooney!)
No to every single one. And that's why Moyes is not suited for a monstrously huge club like Man United. You can say"well we won't know if he can do these things unless he tries!" if you want but we also don't know if Neil Warnock can do these things until he tries, so... :monster:
A final word, there's a reason why he has never won at Anfield. Because he sits 11 men behind the ball and plays for the draw. That's why. It works for Everton, sure, and it helps them punch above their weight. Do you honestly think that trout will fly at Manchester United? Do you really think that is going to win titles? Changing a managerial philosophy isn't simply a matter of clicking a few tactics buttons on football manager.
I smurfing hate United with a passion and it sickens me to say this, but they are too good for Moyes.
Moyes certainly won't sit 11 men behind the ball with United unless he wants to get the sack. :p
EDIT: Dude, Ferguson has a falling out with a Mr. Wayne Rooney. It's not like that's a hard thing for a manager to do. xD
Manchester United are bigger and more successful than Borussia Dortmund. Apples and oranges.Quote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoB
Because he won the German title and is now in the CL final. Moyes has not won any titles or even got to the first round of European competition. Yes, yes, Dortmund took a chance on him and he's proven himself. Nobody's taken a chance on Moyes. Maybe there is a reason for that... :) Manchester United should not be a club to take chances on potential. They can get the finished article.Quote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoB
To say Moyes is anywhere near as good as Mourinho or Klopp - or Rafa god damn Benitez - is naive.Quote:
But to say Moyes has nothing on them is naive.
Because it's not relevant. Also, Dario Gradi. :greenie:Quote:
You conveniently failed to respond to my query regarding whether there is anyone out there who can do so well with so little for such a long time.
Now who's being naive?Quote:
If he actually has money, who's to say he won't do even better?
And how many of those players are of Manchester United quality? Good is not the same as world class, which is what United is aiming for.Quote:
Seems to me the guy can find good players, create good players and develop good players from youth.
I guarantee those tactics will not punch above Manchester United's financial weight. See: Allardyce, Sam.Quote:
He knows the proper tactics to get the points he needs to shoot above his club's financial weight
Sam Allardyce again.Quote:
he knows British football
...Klopp is at a CL club. :confused: Unless you mean David Moyes and in which case, they're not even a Europa League club. They haven't qualified for the past four seasons... unless a miracle happens and they overtake one of the London clubs this year. And anyway, again, we won't know what Sam Allardyce is like until he's at a big club. Why not him?Quote:
Until you give a Klopp a shot at a big club, we'll never know what he's like at a big club. He's currently at a Europa club, and I'd love to see him in a Champions League club.
Well I guess he better click the "tactics" button.Quote:
Moyes certainly won't sit 11 men behind the ball with United unless he wants to get the sack. :p
Well Wigan lost. Gives us room to breathe!
Well at least now we know if we don't make top four, it'll be because we messed up against Wigan and/or Newcastle. And if we do that, we don't deserve CL football anyway. In the meantime, I'll have to support Stoke on the weekend. How horrible.
I agree with Psychotic on the Moyes love-in. Never understood it. Been there 10 years and achieved smurf all. "But he has no monies!!1" is an argument you can apply to any team not in the top 6 (not to mention it's absolute bulltrout). Swans just won the league cup in their second season and spend a fraction of Everton's spending bill; nuff said.
Johnny Nic puts it into the back of the net again:
Moyes Has Done Sod All To Deserve This... | John Nicholson
And he supports Middlesbrough, Daniel, in case you want to level accusations of bias. ;)
How is it bulltrout? The club has a £46m debt and spends 78% of their cash on wages. Compare that to £0 debt for Swansea and 54% on wages... I'd say the Swans aren't in a bad position financially. Sure, they spend less on wages than Everton do, but don't go thinking Everton has the cash to compete with Manchester United. Only Swansea (and not by much, btw), Wigan, Southampton, Reading and Arsenal have spent less on transfers than Everton have on a per season average since 2003. For a club that has finished in the top half of the PL table so consistently, Everton has bugger all cash to spend - almost 80% of their cash is spent on wages. There's no room to keep big time players, and if Moyes had the room to spend money on wages to the point that he could retain Rooney, who knows where they'd have ended up? Of course, it looks like even United can't afford to keep Rooney these days. :rolleyes:
League Cups are luck of the draw, not a sign of being the best club in the country. I'd take league position over league (or even FA) cups, personally. Swansea are doing very well, though, but I wouldn't say that's all down to the man who won them the league cup. He's only been there for one season, hasn't he? United were never going to pick a guy based on a single season. I imagine the biggest interest from United will be in how well a manager can keep the entire club stable over a long period of time, not just a first team for a single season.
Just not sure there are that many available managers around who can make such claims outside of Moyes.
Still, nobody will know how he'll turn out at United, just like nobody knew Klopp would put Dortmund where they are and nobody knew that Pep would do so well at Barcelona. Moyes has a better record than both of these had at the top level (well, let's face it, Pep had no record at all) before they took on the clubs they had so much success at. He might fail, yeah, but he might not. I'm sure even if he does well, though, some people out there will just say what they said about Pep... "Oh, anyone could have won with that team." :p
Everton fans would disagree. As a Liverpool fan, I disagree. As a modern United fan you will never possibly understand this. Well, you might now with Moyes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoB
I can tell you about every single League Cup victory Liverpool FC have had since I was a fan. 1995, 2-1, Bolton Wanderers. Steve McManaman tore them apart. 2001, Birmingham City, penalties - wasn't on TV so I listened to it on the radio in the bath, Birmingham radio station was going wild for Andy "AJ!!! AJ!!!" Johnson until he fluffed a penalty. 2003, MANCHESTER UNITED HA HA HA, Jerzy Dudek! 2012, Cardiff City, Stewart Downing somehow won man of the match. All of those days have great memories and meaning to them. I will remember them for the rest of my life.
Ask me what position we finished in, say, 2003. Couldn't tell you. 1998? Don't have a clue. There is literally no difference between finishing 6th and 17th in English football. It's meaningless. Hell, if my memory is anything to go by, finishing 3rd is meaningless. I know we've done that lots of times but I couldn't tell you when. I've seen us finish 2nd - 8th and to me I'd take 8th every bloody year if I could have more memories of us lifting trophies.
Enough about me, though. You ask an Everton fan if they would've been happier putting us out of the FA Cup in the semi final and going on to win it or finishing above us in the league. Where's Heath?
Fair enough, although I'm talking as United fan who is fighting for 1st (which I suppose you could count as a cup) rather than an Everton fan fighting for 4th. Either way, what I'm getting at is that I'd rather we win the league by having a manager who can hold us together over a full season rather than winning the League Cup and coming 3rd.
I don't want a manager to come in because they can win us a knockout tournament, I want a manager to come in who can win us the league.
Yes, I'd rather win the League than the League Cup. Of course. That's silly talk otherwise. But if you don't win the league - and Everton aren't particularly likely to - who cares? I'll finish 17th and win the FA Cup or Europa League.
Also, I don't think you can compare Pep Guardiola to Moyes. Guardiola was Barca through and through, spent years there as a player and coach, and knew their systems inside out. It's like when Kenny Dalglish was made Liverpool player-manager. He was actually very successful and won the league, believe it or not! Moyes is an outsider. Maybe he'll come in and succeed, but it's not a similar comparison imho.
On the plus side, he has Van Persie. Wigan would be challenging for the CL with Van Persie! :p
Not sure if that was intended as a massive backhand to Arsenal, but you definitely succeeded. :p
On the plus side, at least six years isn't as long as Pardew's eight.
He'll do a decent job I think. I don't judge a coach on trophies alone, that's as idiotic as judging a player on trophies alone. Depends who he's managed. He done the best anyone could at a club with no money.
Would I have preferred a big name? Probably but that's not really how united work. No quick fixes or sentimental appointments. The long game is always thought of.
You're not seeing the big picture guys. United getting Moyes means they're also going to sign Marouane Fellaini, and United with Fellaini is a team Rolf Harris could manage to back-to-back trebles from his prison cell.
laudrup in the betting for everton job
i am ready to go nuclear
first psychotic now heath, what is wrong with you scousers and your obsession with south wales
I'm just going to wait and see what happens.
It's a shame Ferguson didn't go out with a last UCL.
This must of course have been discussed already, but I think Bayern will win the UCL against Dortmund and I don't see how Guardiola will add much to the team, at least in the first season or two.
let's team up, you and I, as we once did in the days of Lee Trundle, and conspire to make Mark Hughes their manager.Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Manus
It's the FA Cup final tomorrow!
*watches tumbleweed roll past*
Will Wigan manage a shock of Wimbledon in 1988/Coventry in 1987/Sunderland in 1973 proportions? No. Well OK, they might (and I would love it if they did) but I'll be amazed if they win. This game has 1-0 or 4-0 Manchester City written all over it. And if City win they and Chelsea will have won six of the last seven finals.
Sup. Posting this from my phone as currently without Internet at home.
I think a lot of what has been said in this thread exposes a degree of ignorance about Moyes. Having followed Everton closely throughout his tenure I'd say I'm reasonably able to pass judgement on his reign.
I think Moyes has done an excellent job with transfers. Look at the profits on Lescott, Arteta and the prices we'd get on Baines, Fellaini, Coleman or Jagielka if we sold them. Look at the squad Moyes inherited from Walter Smith which had Paul Gascoigne and David Ginola in it, all way past their prime, and look at Everton now. He snapped up Nigel Martyn on a free, who single handedly stopped us getting relegated in 2003/04
Psy points to Yakubu and Bilyaletdinov as expensive failures. Look up how many goals Yakubu scored in his first season with us. I believe it was 22 until he got injured. And frankly what manager hasn't got expensive failures?
Moyes was certainly culpable of rather dour football initially but we have played some excellent football the past three years or so, now that he has painstakingly assembled one on a shoestring budget. I think you can criticise him for saving the draw rather than gambling for a win, which has been our downfall this season. Look up that Steven Gerrard quote after the Goodison derby that I posted. Moyes is nowhere near as dull as people suggest.
Re: league position vs a cup. I would love a cup. But more than that I want an Everton that can be fitting of its history. Would a League Cup achieve that? No. Would taking us to the CL? Yes. An FA Cup wouldn't get us a lot of money that we desperate need or new owners willing to invest, but consistent European football might. We've had decent cup runs. A few semis, but an FA Cup Final under Moyes.
More generally, do you guys remember what a joke we were pre-Moyes in the PL? We stayed up on goal difference. Twice! Every year was a perpetual relegation battle. For Everton fans to be hoping for CL football, on our budget, is a grreat testament to Moyes' ability.
I think Moyes is a great choice for United. I'm sad to see him leave Everton because I know we will struggle to replace him, and I shudder at the thought of "Everton manager, Mark Hughes." However I'm happy for Moyes because I think he deserves this, a chance to run a club that will back him financially. For all the criticisms of Moyes, the main thing he's guilty of is raising expectations at Everton, and making it much easier to be an Everton fan. SAF is probably the toughest of all acts to follow, but given time I think Moyes can be a success there too.
I was wrong! Hooray!
Now please lose on Tuesday Wigan.
aAAAAHHHHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Result! Now, if only they can stay up and those Geordie big-heads (and bellies) can get relegated.
Good on them. Fantastic to see a club like that get some silverware.
Oh wow, Wigan...
Still hope they go down though.
Totally didn't call that FA cup final result. I'm glad though, as I always root for the underdog. Holy hell was I surprised though.
I was hoping for the underdog wigan to win too, but I didn't actually think that it would happen. I'm glad for them, but I don't think they'll be able to hold on to the Premier League.
Let's hope Wigan can beat Arsenal, because then the last game of the season will be them vs Aston Villa, loser gets relegated. And that'll be fun. :)
4-0
Thank smurf, we needed that.
*breathes sigh of relief*
I think I need some oxygen after that match, crucial win and we're pretty much safe now. Coloccini's presence alone turns the defence into an actual line of defence but still, he had a great game.
Elliot was really feeling the burn the entire match and his sending off was a really silly act. Glad to see Steve Harper get a chance to get to 200 appearances though.
Either way, something really needs to be done next season. I'm not really sure if Pardew is the man to really take the team forward at all with his reliance on sheer luck but I can probably see him (sadly) being here next season and doing the same thing.
Bye Sir Alex :(
Bye Wayne Rooney? Eh. *shrug* We can win titles without him, now, but it'd be easier with him on our side. Just wish he would play CM.
Weirdest part of the weekend - not Wigan winning the FA Cup, but Manuel Almunia (!) being the hero of the hour in the playoff semi-final.
I know. Awful, isn't it? :colbert:Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
I only wish that Rio Ferdinand had fluffed that late winner and ended it in a draw so that the presenters could be even more narked that the Swans had the audacity to not just roll over for ~*~FERGIE~*~ and actually play a competitive game of football.
I thought you guys played well enough to be competitive. It certainly took us a long time to get the win.
And there goes Mancini.
United, City and Chelsea all will have new managers next season. Gonna be an interesting one!
Not to mention the number of top European sides that are or may be changing managers, including Bayern Munich, PSG, Real Madrid, even rumours of Barcelona changing managers have been doing the rounds. Seems winning or not, clubs just really want to shuffle the managers around this year.
Come on Newcastle you know you want to let us win on Sunday. I do worry though, we've screwed Spurs over twice on the final day in the last decade, surely sooner or later the boot will be on the other foot.
Over the last two seasons Chelsea really have been the jammiest team in the world.
Really pleased for Rafa :) Master of European games, that one!
whisper itlukaku to swansea
Oh man, Lukaku was such a beast for me in Football Manager 2010 (I think it was that one). He seriously stomped all over everyone, won me so many cups.
I was never worried, honest. Now I'm off to be sick somewhere.
Spurs - try again next season
Arsenal - try maybe buying a few more players this summer?
But for now, phew!
The beast just beasted you! 5-5, how ridiculous xDQuote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoB
Goodbye, Carra. A true legend. While he wasn't as cultured as the likes of Ferdinand or Ledley King, the man's footballing brain and intelligence more than made up for that extra yard of pace. I can remember him as a fresh faced kid. And I remember him screaming on the turf in Istanbul in pain due to cramp after throwing himself in front of the ball yet again.... and then once he had gotten up, he proceeded to hurl himself in front of the ball again. "Stop it you psychopath we need you!" was my thought. Absolute warrior of a man.
Well. Newcastle stayed up but that last match, great first half but the second, man... What does Pardew do, tell the players to roll over, lay deep and let the opposition's attack in?
If there's anyone better who would take up the job I would welcome them in Alan Pardew's steed but if there's anyone going who I really think would take the job if Mike Ashley had the gall to sack him, I doubt things.
Its really Sad to see Steve Harper go, 199 games and he's still a much better goalkeeper than Rob Elliot is.
The applause in the 37th minute and his reaction just showed how much passion and dedication he's had to Newcastle. 20 years, most of it playing the waiting game because Shay Given took a huff everytime he got benched.
I hope he comes back as a coach or something.
As for next season? Teach Cisse the offside rule, someone. SOMEONE.
Just in case anyone cares...
OFFICIAL /EOFF/ FANTASY FOOTBALL 2012/13 POWER RANKINGS
1. Brazilian Sugarkids 2138
2. FC Redemption 2022
3. Generic Name CF 1926
4. Earth, Wind and Dire 1832
5. Yankee Dudeles 1817
6. Donal's Donut Dust 1781
7. Big Andy's Ponytail 1777
8. BoB's Bunch 740
One worse than last season for me. Thinking of retiring as it is becoming clear only one person is ever going to win this :aimkiss:
I just hope Liverpool can make a challenge for at least a champions league spot. Honestly, this last few years have been pretty sad. I keep thinking "we've got a good team, good young players coming up it's just a matter of time." It'll be really sad to see Gerrard retire without one last title.
And here's hoping Suarez. . . idk, I just don't understand that guy.
And good bye Ferguson, Beckham and Rooney(?).
Any one watch Italian football?
Bit of a dull season to be honest, but I suppose it was never going to be able to match last year for excitement. Hopefully the managerial shuffle will make things a bit more unpredictable next time. And hopefully Gareth Bale gets sold to Anzhi or something so I can start laughing at Spurs again.
You mean you're not laughing at them already? I know I was yesterday.
I registered for Fantasy Football? xD Ahahaha. My bad.
I was more relieved than anything at the time, but it is kind of funny, now you mention it. :D
I care. When I win I care and want you all to care. :aimsun:Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Manus
What keeps me going throughout the year is having other leagues with mates to keep me active. I might miss the odd gameweek but I still come back to it!
I agree with Cz. This year has been from a neutral perspective the most uneventful season of recent memory. It was great to see United get the title back but there was always that little niggling feeling that we had won it and it was almost over before we knew we had it, so it was a bit of an anti climax. All that had to play for on the last day was 4th spot. Last season everything was to play for and had dramatic results. It was strange playing games having already won the title. Our 5 all with West Brom was like, who cares? None of the players really cared or the fans.
In Europe it was also disappointing. A German final might entertain some but not me really. I've seen them play already this season and it was very cagey, and having already seen them its lost some of its 'spectacle' appeal. I'm not even going to get started on Nani's red card but the English teams in general not doing well made the whole thing boring for me.
Some other lows included Man City not making a challenge for the title, the relegation battle, Suarez, Rooney wanting to leave, and some others I'm probably not thinking of.
Some highs for me included obviously United winning the league, Fergie & Scholes getting a great send-off, RVP, Carrick, De Gea, and some of the matches were great to watch. Uniteds 2-3's at City, Southampton, & Chelsea, among others.
As for next season, it will be fascinating. United will have a new manager with money to spend with his own ideas. Same with Mourinho at Chelsea, with reportedly 100M to spend, as with City under Pelligreni. Arsenal are ready to splash a bit finally & you can never count out Spurs. Liverpool will be the dark horses as I think things are starting to click there. Finished the season strong and will further strengthen in the summer.
Last but not least, thank you Fergie for all the memories!
Whoever wins the European Cup this year, it'll be vastly preferable to last year's winners.
And Suarez a low? The guy creates endless entertainment!
Think Chelsea or City will win the league next year unless we buy big. United fans may need to put up with one or 2 years transition. In the mid noughties we went through similar.
I am not happy with the two apparent pieces of transfer news relating to Liverpool FC today. :colbert:
Kolo Toure on a free makes me think he's going to have some very high wage demands, and that's only bringing back memories of Joe Cole. As for Big Andy... my heart has broken inside. :whimper:
On the bright side: HAHAHAHHAAAHAHAHAHAHHA smurf OFF PULIS YOU KNOB
Sly fiver on Malky Mckay to Stoke. Hopefully both them and Cardiff will go down next season.
All I'm saying is he can eat when he gets home.Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
Getting yourself expelled and sanctioned with so many games is just outright ridiculous. And I know Liverpool isn't doing great right now, but dude, respect the club and the tradition. And you're supposed to be a professional.
Just imagine a club with Mario Balotelli, Zlatan Ibramovic, and Suarez.
Anyways, I, for one, am looking forward to the UCL final this weekend.
Then the Conferations Cup this summer!
I would cry tears of joy. I love all three dearly.Quote:
Originally Posted by LFC
I'm sure they've all been spotted in the Spearmint Rhino in London...Quote:
Originally Posted by LFC
http://home.eyesonff.com/general-gam...backstory.html
Get posty with positions.
Come on Dortmund today.
I don't mind who wins today, so long as they play good football it's all good. Also, I don't see you getting posty in my thread. >=( Claim a football position! I wanna start this thing sooner rather than later. :D
Everyone at work reckoned it'd be an all-Spanish final and I said it'd be all-German. Now they all reckon it's going to be Bayern so I've opted for Dortmund. Don't let me down!
One year too late Robben. One year too late!
Awwww smurf!
Good game though!
So that's that (aside from Spain v Tahiti next month of course). Fixtures for next season out in less than a month - can we get Liverpool in our first six games please?
Welcome home, Ian Holloway. :love:
Wow the playoff final trophy is just the Europa League one with handles stuck on.
Also I never quite got why they got a trophy for winning the playoffs. I mean, I do, but I always thought it was kind of harsh to the team who finished 2nd in the Championship as they're missing out!
I had no idea they got a trophy. That is kind of weird, yeah. I thought they'd get maybe one of those shield awards instead of a full on trophy.
The team who finished second don't have to go through 270+ minutes of pure anguish to get there!Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
I was pretty ambivalent about the result as I like both teams. It must suck to be a Watford fan right now though, especially when the goal went in yesterday. It must be the worst feeling in the world. I almost felt for the Reading fans when I was there for the 2011 final. Coming all that way, just to lose everything and start again from the beginning.
Could be worse, you could be Preston (0/8 in the playoffs), Brentford, Sheffield United or Lincoln (all 0/7). They must all be sick of them by now.
After what they did to Leicester? smurf 'em.Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Manus
Zaha looks like quite the interesting player though. Wonder if he'll come into the United side next season or not. Nani and Young are a bit iffy (Young more than Nani) and Valencia doesn't really beat his man, so it could be nice to have a winger who is more in the face of the opposition.
*starts limbering up to bat for Team Anti-Suarez* :cool: Ugh, this is going to rumble on all smurfing Summer, isn't it?
Yes, the press have been utterly appalling to you. Us, the fans, have stood by you through thick-and-thin. Why are you punishing us to give the fleet street :bou::bou::bou::bou:s what they want? Just admit it's for the money, son.
I still maintain he is one of the most skillful (in terms of technique. Bergkamp, Zola, Le Tissier style) players the Premier League has ever seen. If you disagree then you shouldn't watch football, the man is a straight up artist I don't give a smurf. It'll be yet another huge loss to the league, both in terms of footballing spectacle and dramaz.
Yeah, I don't think anyone in this thread has ever doubted his ability to play football.
And so, another season ends, and as everybody kept referencing it over the course of this thread, it is plainly only right for another installment of the Official Old Manus Football Thread Quotes of the Season with BudweiserTM.
Quote:
Originally Posted by The 'Okay I Will' Award (Psychotic, Jul 4)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Worst Display of Clairvoyance (Bubba, Aug 12)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Most Wrong Post (Psychotic, Jul 5)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Best Display of Clairvoyance (ScottyRedXIII, Jul 4)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Worst Prediction (Old Manus, 24 Jul)
Quote:
Originally Posted by The 'You Got Mugged, Mate' Award (The Captain, Sep 4)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Least Amount Contributed to Discussion in the Most Words (Formalhaut, Sep 17)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Most Ironic Post (The Captain, Aug 13)
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Hypoallergenic Cactuar Most Obvious Hyperbole Award (Bubba, Jan 12)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Worst Post 2012/13 (Psychotic, Feb 21)
And finally...Quote:
Originally Posted by GIF of the Season
Quote:
Originally Posted by Post of the Year Season 2012/13 (DK, Mar 11)
Only 3 mentions this year. I'm slacking. :(
Also I don't get the gif. What am I missing?
ahahaha, loving the Hazard kick post.
Chelsea fan here. DO YOUR WORST.
I'll just get this out of the way: John Terry is a bit of a dick. Suarez is a doubledick.
Mike <3 you are as beautiful as your team is wankery
He turns around to realise none of his teammates are celebrating with him. Then just thinks 'smurf it I'm celebrating anyway'.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
USA currently 2-0 up against Germany, this was their second goal:
http://i.minus.com/i5S3jtXA5Cgu0.gif
How decidedly un-German. I always love it when they pull out the Ireland kit though.
Japan become the first country (other than Brazil of course) to qualify for the World Cup next summer.
I literally couldn't stop laughing when that happened. I actually expected a loss for us to be fair. It was the B/C team, and they looked pretty tired/unmotivated.Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
Well it was nice hanging out with you guys, but I'm afraid that now Jose Mourinho is back in the Premier League I just can't bring myself to read words about football any more. I'm going to start following another league where I can't understand any of the commentary or punditry, like Serie A or the MLS.
MLS, you say?Quote:
Originally Posted by Cz
Even Djimi Traore is world class in the MLS.
Are you a Chelsea supporter? If not you can look forward to The Cancerous One poisoning the team from the inside after a quick burst of success. If you ARE a Chelsea supporter, take solace in the fact that he probably won't be around for the stated 4 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cz
Chelsea were already poisoned, or rather addicted - the cult of personality he created in that dressing room meant nobody else could do the job. Jose may not be healthy for the club long term but he'll make them competitive in the short run, and more importantly the media will quote every dumb soundbyte and feed his ego because he's a Character and since Fergie and 'Arry (andSuarez?) have gone they need all the Characters they can get or else they might have to start talking about football.Quote:
Originally Posted by Croyles
OTOT sport is only really fun when you can have a seething irrational hatred for your opponents so I suppose I can't complain.
LFC stars model new away kit - Liverpool FC
...
Ugh. :barf:
I've seen worse:
http://cms.442.haymarketnetwork.com/...g/Arsenal3.jpg
That was acceptable in 1993 though!
Just when your usual sticks to hit LFC with were getting old...
Urban myth my good man. It's Home (White) and away (green) from the DBF logo.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Ukraine beat Montenegro. So that keeps Montenegro from getting too far ahead of England, but now Ukraine are right behind England, and they're playing them in Ukraine in the autumn. Not to mention Ukraine still have two games to play against San Marino.
The current England team is the most average I have ever seen assembled.
Isn't the average for England teams to be, well, average?
I remember the Graham Taylor vintage of 1990-1994, that was far worse. Andy Sinton! Carlton Palmer! Dennis Wise!
FOOZEBALL!
Go Titans... Yay....
(sorry).
I think you have the wrong football thread. :smash:
But the Titans -are- foot...
OHHHH -English-.. woops!
Just put effing SOCCER. Jeebus.
Who let the troll who can't see the word 'English' in?
Why on earth would we do something as unspeakably stupid as putting the imaginary word "soccer" in the title of our football thread? Who do you think we are, Americans? Please. This is a much more civilized place, do try not to soil it with uninvited yankness, there's a good chap.Quote:
Originally Posted by noxious.sunshine
I blame this kind of thing entirely on The Captain, you should have solved this problem by now. :colbert:
I'm not blonde, I swear. XD
Oh dear. That reminds me. FIFA is next year. -_-;;;; Lord.
Maybe she means Titans Bramble.
may be a different thread should be made for a general football discussion.
anyways, Brazil 1 - 0 Japan in Confederations Cup so far, Neymar's goal.
I think we'll set up a thread for next season soon anyway (despite the name the football thread covers all football anyway, not just the Premier League), the fixture list is out next week.
We just call it English football to stop silly URRRRRR WHAT IS THIS WURRS MAH NFL posts, but it basically covers every kind of association football.
Australia, South Korea and Iran all qualify for the World Cup. Fixture list out tomorrow, might be time for a 2013-14 thread then.
Only one country from Oceania, right?
I don't understand how Tahiti got into the Confederations Cup over New Zealand.
Anyways, Spain beating Italy at a final. . .again. (4 - 2, European U21)
Oceania doesn't an automatic World Cup place - New Zealand have to play the fourth placed team from Concacaf in the autumn to qualify for the World Cup. And Tahiti won the Oceania Nations Cup last year as NZ managed to lose to New Caledonia in the semi-finals.
I think next there could be a shift in power next season. I'm not sure David Moyes is up to the task of the Man Utd job and can see us easily slipping out of the top four.
City will remain as strong as ever of course along with Chelsea. But I seriously think Arsenal and even Liverpool will be up there come the latter stages of the season. I reckon it's Arsenal's time for a marquee signing too and can see a big name (possibly a midfielder) joining the fold at the Emirates.
You heard it here first.
I think people greatly underestimate the financial power that United do have at their disposal should we slip out the Champions League. We may not have a limitless fund on par with City, but we have more room to move UEFA FFP-wise than any club bar perhaps Arsenal, and we most certainly do have the ability to fund a very large transfer spend should we need to next summer. In short, we could get away with splurging better than any club (again, perhaps bar Arsenal) without breaking FFP rules.
I've stepped into a time capsule from the past. A dark, murky past where Michu wasn't injured and Manchester United were good.
I just realised what happened. Jordan Henderson to have a better season than Robin van Persie.
xD Oh man, I didn't even notice. Dammit, Bubba!
I don't like change!
I'm planning to spend the coming years being a bitter red living off past glories.
Psychotic?
There's a new generation of Liverpool fans like me who think 3rd and a League Cup is a past glory. :shobon:
That does put it into perspective a little, I suppose.
My earliest experiences as a Utd fan were in the late 80's where we were particularly trout. But for the past 20 years I have been in dreamland as far as success goes. This new-found mediocrity does not sit well with me at all. I'm not sure I have the capacity to cope with it.
Cue 5 years from now. I'll be sat in a padded room next to a cardboard cut-out of Sir Alex whilst furiously pleasuring myself over a video of Kevin Keegan's famous rant in 1996 with tears streaming down my face. I'm quietly muttering to myself in near-unintelligible English, things like "...and Solskjaer has won it...... a wonderful run from Giggs......seagulls...trawler..."
1995 FA Cup was the greatest football moment of our lifetimes and don't pretend you think otherwise.
It's all I've got!