General Football Discussion 3

[TheGodlessUtopian]

For all the sports fans...

[Davide]

I don't really get your point what you mean to say (For all sports Fans)???????

[F9]

dis iz dead. im back my people, im back!!:crying:

[F9]

ohh banditooo!!! its OMONOIA vs crvena zvezda really soon ;) sadly cant afford to make it there :( but GATE9 will be parading somewhere near those days:thumbup1:

[DDR]

I just arrived home and saw that the Benfica had crush my beloved Madrid, shitty day...

[bad ideas actualised by alcohol]

Am I the only one who can't be bothered one bit, by the friendly matches in the summer?

[F9]

Am I the only one who can't be bothered one bit, by the friendly matches in the summer?

yep

[Igor]

Am I the only one who can't be bothered one bit, by the friendly matches in the summer?

no

[F9]

if you are really after a team then.... really, even when they play a friendly game with the U21 of the same team, you take that as important also!!:)

[Hex_Omega_]

Friendlies are just a way of getting the players fit for the next season and the youth team players get a run about too. The managers get to experiment different formations. So, I wouldn't read too much into the results. Can't wait for the new season to begin!

Speaking of which, how many here are following the football at the Olympics?

[Bandito]

ohh banditooo!!! its OMONOIA vs crvena zvezda really soon ;) sadly cant afford to make it there :( but GATE9 will be parading somewhere near those days:thumbup1:

I checked the other day to check when did you log in the last time to see with you and make some arrangements about the game.

Today I hear that Omonioa officials said that no organized support will be coming, because Serbia's hooligans pose a serious threat to their safety.

Is anyone from g9 going by himself? And how the hell could I sneak in their pit?

[F9]

I checked the other day to check when did you log in the last time to see with you and make some arrangements about the game.

Today I hear that Omonioa officials said that no organized support will be coming, because Serbia's hooligans pose a serious threat to their safety.

Is anyone from g9 going by himself? And how the hell could I sneak in their pit?

lol wut?:laugh: really? of course g9 is going to be there, there is an official trip closed by g9.Dont know what came as anouncement from the teams offices(we have some big issues with them going on) but we are sure as hell gonna be there! Not that Delije are anywhere near to safe with antifa groups ;p but we are not leaving the team alone what so ever!
For last part, no one has a ticket from here; they will get them when they arrive in serbia so i think you should be able to take one yourself.Let me ask one friend though and hopefully he knows better and will let you know ;)
But you can spot them in town anyway, lots of jackasses in green walking pointlessly in the streets singing :lol:

(really want to be there...:crying: but cant afford it!g9 organized trip is 300 euros, aint bad but too much for me now but the most interesting part is the offers from the official OMONOIA which are from 650-800 euros for same shit almost:rolleyes:)

[Bandito]

Great, ask around, I'll be glad to pick up a ticket with the rest of the boys, but I need to meet them before the game - police (obviously) won't let me come anywhere near them in the city. Airport (I'm guessing G9 will be coming by plane) would be a fine choice I reckon.

Too bad you can't come, especially to a game where Omonoia is a certain winner against pro-fascist scum like Red Star. They had loads of trouble in the last qualifying round, they couldn't see off Belorussian Naftan whithout tremendous amount of fuss.

[F9]

Great, ask around, I'll be glad to pick up a ticket with the rest of the boys, but I need to meet them before the game - police (obviously) won't let me come anywhere near them in the city. Airport (I'm guessing G9 will be coming by plane) would be a fine choice I reckon.

Too bad you can't come, especially to a game where Omonoia is a certain winner against pro-fascist scum like Red Star. They had loads of trouble in the last qualifying round, they couldn't see off Belorussian Naftan whithout tremendous amount of fuss.

G9's coming with...... bus. Magic Bus on the road:D
As for certain winner, not that much we have some serious issues too, from last years team we have like 3 players on starting 11.Stupid fucking "president" and stupid fucking followers of him trying to ruin the team really but we are not gonna let that happen!But overall it was a good draw, last years i would say definite qualification for us.This year, i still dont know where this new team will lead us and cant tell from the friendlies obviously.
I will pm you when i know more about the tickets!

[Le Communiste]

Gotta love the Detroit Lions.

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

tickets to the community shield on Sunday. Bought them thinking it was local at Wembley, found out after splashing out money I don't have that it's in Birmingham. D'oh! Luckily my dad doesn't mind travelling for the pleasure.

C'mon you blues!

[Niall]

Celtic draw Helsingborg in CL qualifying round

[Andropov]

Handy enough draw for Celtic considering what stage of Qualification it is.

[pastradamus]

2-0 is a tidy enough result for celtic away. If it wasn't for Foster they'd be in BIG trouble.

[pastradamus]

tickets to the community shield on Sunday. Bought them thinking it was local at Wembley, found out after splashing out money I don't have that it's in Birmingham. D'oh! Luckily my dad doesn't mind travelling for the pleasure.

C'mon you blues!

Fuck it. Is was on in Birmingham? Thats awfully strange.

[pastradamus]

Gotta love the Detroit Lions.

Wrong type of football you're discussing my friend.

[Andropov]

Seems like Gate 4 and Ultras Rapid had some disagreements yesterday.
Probably due to Rapid's friendship with Gate 13 among other things.

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

Good win today for the boys. Torres and Hazard looking class.

[F9]

Seems like Gate 4 and Ultras Rapid had some disagreements yesterday.
Probably due to Rapid's friendship with Gate 13 among other things.

Not sure of the reasons, though it was a pretty good "disagreement" based on that they were from the inside of the stadium:laugh: but that will cost both their teams.Smarter move would be to take it outside but anw...

[Andropov]

Ya maybe so.
Hows Omonia doing at the minute? The league started up over there yet? Who's favourites etc?

[F9]

Yet to start.Super Cup was played and we got it but thats of a minor importance.League starts this weekend with no fans allowed in our home game due to ban from last year for flaming, and "making trouble" bullshits...
We aint doing that great, we lost lot of players and brought a bunch of others its a new team(though not young) and we recently got disqualified from red star for europa league :rolleyes: We will see what will happen. Favourites are pretty much every year the same 2-3 with a suprise coming every now and then, its us apoeRl and anorthosis but now we have and last year champions ael.
Anw, fuck the fascists, hope they die:mad:

[Niall]

Celtic back in the CL tongiht. Looking forward to it

[Tifosi]

Celtic back in the CL tongiht. Looking forward to it

You at the game? Atmosphere was great :cool:

[Niall]

You at the game? Atmosphere was great :cool:
sadly I was only watching in the boozer - I live in Manchester. Did seem to be a great atmosphere

[Niall]

Celtic were brilliant last night. Great win

[wandnancy91]

Just four hours away to El Classico.. I am still going for Barca to win this time.

[F9]

im still with athletico to win!!!

wait...

[Niall]

Celtic Barca tonight. Very excited but also very nervous for this one

[Niall]

Just coming back down after Wed nights result

[Permanent Revolutionary]

Celtic have been really impressive this season. Hopefully they can squeeze through to the knockouts

[Niall]

Celtic have been really impressive this season. Hopefully they can squeeze through to the knockouts
you aint been watching them in the league mate. Having said that we had a good win at hearts last night

[pastradamus]

you aint been watching them in the league mate. Having said that we had a good win at hearts last night

Ah they'll be alright, Pat Fenlon is doing well at hibs I see.

[Niall]

Ah they'll be alright, Pat Fenlon is doing well at hibs I see.
yes. Took him a while to find his feet mind but doing well so far this season

[Geiseric]

CELTIC BEAT BARCELONA holy shit.

[Sasha]

credit where credit is due, its pretty cool the whole Milan team walked of with Boateng in protest of racial abuse; nXyqFZ_fghI

[Tifosi]

credit where credit is due, its pretty cool the whole Milan team walked of with Boateng in protest of racial abuse; nXyqFZ_fghI

Respect to him. Hopefully this sets a precedent, so when it happens with the bigger teams; Juventus, Lazio, Roma, Inter, Verona, Padova, Ascoli etc it will result in more punishments that small fines, stadium announcements and the 1 off behind doors game.

[skitty]

I watch Premier League games when I can; but have no idea what they are singing. Some melodies are familiar(Swing Low Sweet Chariot?), but am assuming lyrics are ad libbed? Made-up on the spot?

[Geiseric]

Who else loves to see Ronaldo's reactions when he's fouled?

[Thirsty Crow]

Who else loves to see Ronaldo's reactions when he's fouled?
Precious little crybaby :D

[Tifosi]

SOwAVml_Y4M

So it's over for another year. Been great fun and great nights.

Again Juventus controlled the game, nothing happened without them allowing it. Very clinical finishing on their part and Pirlo and Buffon were amazing aS always.

Juve will be hard to break down for any team that get them in the next round but they don't have what it takes to win it. Teams with better attackers than us would have got plenty of goals over the last two games. Celtic had over 30 chances on goal over the last two games but sloppy finishing and bad luck cost us.

Also Izzy's crossing was poor. The Juve defense didn't have to press him as they knew his crosses would go long and be collected by Buffon or headed clear.

Best Celtic players; Wilson, Kayal and Ledley. Can see half are squad departing in the summer :( . To improve we need to get a creative midfielder and a better finisher up front. Maybe move Mulgrew back to Left Back as a replacement for Izzy who often gets caught out far to often these days. Maybe move Ambrose up into center midfield.

M6OUw3rCprA

LBW3zA6mzIw

[Tifosi]

WHEN Neil Lennon was asked the other night what was the difference between Celtic and Juventus, he could have said five goals. Instead he opted for £100 million, the manager’s take on the gulf between the haves of Turin and the have-nots of Glasgow.

In reality, five goals and £100m amount to the same thing. If anything, Lennon was understating the financial chasm that existed.

It’s only when you look at the numbers involved that you get a full appreciation of what Celtic were attempting to do against the Italians in the last 16 of the Champions League. It wasn’t so much a football tie they were trying to win, more a miracle match.

Miracles happen in the game, of course they do. Celtic made one happen against Barcelona in Glasgow.

A team put together for, relatively, half-nothing against what we thought then was the best side in the world, a club with total revenues of £50m against a colossus with revenues of £390m, making them the second most monied club in the world behind Real Madrid.

According to the most recent Deloitte study of the football money league, Barça made £145.5m in broadcasting last season, £151.2m in commercial deals and £94.1m in matchday income. And yet a goal by a youngster who cost £100,000 from Airdrie rendered these numbers meaningless.

These phenomena exist in the game, but they’re rare. Lightning doesn’t tend to strike twice when the small teams (in financial terms) meet the behemoths.

The fact that Celtic navigated their way into the last 16 was a wondrous achievement but, against Juventus, they were left staring reality in the face.

Juve are the tenth-biggest money generator in world football, their revenues for 2011-12 coming in at £158.1m, which is three times the figure last posted by Celtic. Their broadcasting income was £73.3m, their commercial income £59.1m, their matchday income £25.7m.

Juventus have the power to spend sums which are stratospheric (to Celtic, if not to the Real Madrids of this world) on putting a squad together – and that is exactly what they have done.

In the last few seasons, Juve have spent, give or take, ¤13m on Mirko Vucinic, another ¤13m on Leonardo Bonucci and ¤13m more on Alessandro Matri. They bought Arturo Vidal for ¤11m, Fabio Quagliarella for ¤9.2m, Sebastian Giovinco for ¤9.6m, Stephan Lichtsteiner for ¤8.8m, Mauricio Isla for ¤8.2m and Kwadwo Asamoah for ¤7.9m. These are just the players who have featured prominently in Juve’s rise, but there are a host of others who have been brought in for big money and who have faded into the margins or have already been shipped out on loan or sold on permanent deals.

Milos Krasic was brought in from CSKA Moscow for ¤13.2m, Jorge Martinez from Catania (¤10.5m), Eljero Elia from Hamburg (¤7.9m), Simone Pepe from Udinese (¤6.6m), Emanuele Giaccherini from Cesena (¤6.3m). Vast sums and no return.

In the summer, Juve will bring the high-class Spanish striker Fernando Llorente to Turin from Athletic Bilbao. Meanwhile, Lennon is in fear of losing his main striker, Gary Hooper, to Norwich.

This is life with the big boys. It’s a brutal world but Celtic are all the better for having lived in it awhile.

Since their exit from the Champions League on Wednesday night Lennon has talked about the glass ceiling that he bounced his head off repeatedly during the two games with Juventus. He said that it didn’t necessarily have to be that way for Celtic, that a bit more luck in the draw for the last 16 might have given them a real chance of making it to the even dizzier heights of the last eight. He mentioned a couple of teams in the last 16 that he thought Celtic are on a par with, Schalke being one of them, but as Lennon knows, with revenues of £141m, Schalke dwarf Celtic’s revenues. The Germans rank 17th in the Deloitte list. The other club Lennon mentioned was Galatasaray. The Turks are 30th on that list with income that is almost double that of Celtic.

No wonder there is a desire to get out of Scotland. The riches on offer in England could transform the finances of Celtic (and Rangers) if they were ever able to enter the lucrative land of the Premiership and Sky and the multi-billion pound television deal that all those clubs are feasting on.

They won’t, of course. Richard Scudamore, the chief executive of the Premier League, is blue in the face from saying it. “No means never.”

Of course this is a huge blow to Celtic in their drive to give themselves a better chance of taking another step forward in Europe but a touch of perspective is required here, too.

The pursuit of these riches in England is threatening to destroy football clubs. You only have to look at the grotesque numbers that came out of QPR last week to see the dangers involved.

In their first season back in the Premiership – last season – the London club spent 91 per cent of their income on player salaries. Their accounts to 31 May, 2012 show big losses and massive wage commitments and those numbers don’t even include the latest wave of spending under Harry Redknapp.

This is kamikaze stuff, a desperate and many would say utterly reckless bid to keep themselves in the big league and in the big money.

QPR are not alone. You could count on the fingers of one hand the number of clubs in the Premiership who are going about their business with a fiscal prudence. You’d need a third hand to tally those whose entire existence is now at the whim of a foreign owner or who are running at debt levels that are seriously unwise.

The notion that a miraculous entry to the Premiership would see Celtic crash through the glass ceiling of the Champions League might have merit, given the club’s huge potential earning power down south, but at what cost?

The takeover by the Glazer family has cost Manchester United part of its soul. God help Manchester City and Chelsea if their owners ever get bored of football.

There is an eye-watering amount of debt in the Premiership.

Arsenal are in robust financial health but they haven’t won anything in years and are now under massive pressure to spend like there is no tomorrow in an effort to catch up.

All the while in England player salaries rise and season tickets rise in tandem.

The ordinary Joe is having to dig deeper and deeper. There is so much that fascinates about the Premier League, but so much of it is built on gobsmacking levels of borrowed money and a crazed pursuit of the Champions League at one end and of survival at the other. Something is going to give at some stage. Something big.

Lennon was right when saying last week that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. He was talking about the possibility of losing some of his key players to the Premiership in the summer, but the same applies to the dream of Celtic moving south.

Would the fabric of the club change down there? Would the push for relevance at the top turn them into a financial basket case? It’s a question we won’t have to answer and maybe that’s no bad thing.

Celtic went out of Europe last week, but they achieved a great deal and they did it while refusing to spend money they don’t have.

They don’t get a trophy for that but there’s a bit of honour all the same

[Geiseric]

I just want to see the bhoys on TV! They don't show scottish premier league on TV in the U.S. there's no way joining the BPL would be a bad thing either, they wouldn't have to sell Hooper to Norwich if they did.

[Tifosi]

I just want to see the bhoys on TV! They don't show scottish premier league on TV in the U.S. there's no way joining the BPL would be a bad thing either, they wouldn't have to sell Hooper to Norwich if they did.

Never going to happen, in the long run probably a good thing. What is going on down there is just madness. The bubble may not burst in spectacular fashion (part of me wishes it will) but there are going to be plenty more clubs that are going to die in the pursuit of mid-table mediocrity.

Plenty of clubs are going to be stripped away of everything that their fans hold dear e.g. Cardiff, Wimbledon, Leeds (Sevco :D) etc. It's not worth it I feel. Most of the Premiership clubs are running at a loss.

Anyway, did they not show SPL games on Fox Soccer Channel? I remember watching us crush Killie 6-0 last year to win the league in a bar on holiday on that channel. Plenty of streams around anyway these days and Celtic TV isn't to bad.

[Geiseric]

Celtic has enough worldwide fans to make it work IMO. I live in San Fransisco, and there are almost as many celtic fans as Manchester United fans.

[Niall]

SOwAVml_Y4M

So it's over for another year. Been great fun and great nights.

Again Juventus controlled the game, nothing happened without them allowing it. Very clinical finishing on their part and Pirlo and Buffon were amazing aS always.

Juve will be hard to break down for any team that get them in the next round but they don't have what it takes to win it. Teams with better attackers than us would have got plenty of goals over the last two games. Celtic had over 30 chances on goal over the last two games but sloppy finishing and bad luck cost us.

Also Izzy's crossing was poor. The Juve defense didn't have to press him as they knew his crosses would go long and be collected by Buffon or headed clear.

Best Celtic players; Wilson, Kayal and Ledley. Can see half are squad departing in the summer :( . To improve we need to get a creative midfielder and a better finisher up front. Maybe move Mulgrew back to Left Back as a replacement for Izzy who often gets caught out far to often these days. Maybe move Ambrose up into center midfield.

M6OUw3rCprA

LBW3zA6mzIw

half the squad is a bit much. Maybe 3 I imagine

[Tifosi]

half the squad is a bit much. Maybe 3 I imagine

On second thoughts. Yea :blushing:

[LeonJWilliams]

Football is great, American football not so much lol

Nottingham Forest!!!!

[Geiseric]

Let's go Barcelona! I love Ibrahimovic and Beckham, but this is going to be maybe one of the best games all year.

[Tifosi]

Yea, it was a great game and even better when the winnings pay for your tea next week :grin: .

I didn't fancy PSG to keep their 6 year un-beating run in Europe which goes back to an infamous (for all the wrong reasons) game against Hapoel Tel-Aviv. Yet I can't see them moving on to the next round. Barca weren't in top gear today, they will win comfortable in the Nou Camp I think, 2 or 3 nil.

In the first half I was impressed with PSG's attacking football with the amazing Lucas causing Barca all kinds of problems with his pace. All of their team were confident and positive on the ball, with the likes of Maxwell carrying the ball from left back into the centre. They weren't content to just sit back and be passed to death like so many others.

Thiago Silva's performance was outstanding. After tonight's game he has to be considered the best centre defender in the world. Only a ridiculous pass from Alves was enough to beat him. Beckham was also great for his age with a great, controlled performance that showed all his years of experience. His movement off the ball, tracking back and passing were good. He almost acts like a football version of a Quarterback with his passing ability and deep position on the park.

Thaigo Silva man of the match. Messi as always good, as well as Lucas, Beckham, Dani Alves, Xavi and Inestia.

[Old Bolshie]

Pretty much like in Milan's game Barcelona was robbed by the refereeing again. A clear offside in PSG's first goal that I doubt that any of the 3 referees was not able to see. If this robbery continues I doubt that the best time in the world will win the CL this year.

PSG was also lucky in their last goal in the last minute as the Barcelona players were already thinking that the game was over especially Valdés.

[Tifosi]

Pretty much like in Milan's game Barcelona was robbed by the refereeing again.

Were you watching the same Milan-Barca game I was? Robbed by the ref, haha, what?

Barca lost that game because Allegri organised his team well. Milan were able to keep Barca at a comfortable distance all game by pressuring all their players on the ball and keeping to their positions, lines etc. Also when Barca were on the ball they didn't do much with it, sterile passes. Stats such Barca only getting two shots on target all game don't lie.


A clear offside in PSG's first goal that I doubt that any of the 3 referees was not able to see.

Meh, it was miles off side. Still Barca hardly played in the most sportingly manner with their harassing of the ref and time wasting late on. Swings and roundabouts.


If this robbery continues I doubt that the best time in the world will win the CL this year.

Good :grin:

[Old Bolshie]

Were you watching the same Milan-Barca game I was? Robbed by the ref, haha, what?



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0vyuaEQads


In the first goal look at the AC Milan's player handball just before his teammate scored the goal. That's clearly handball and the referee should have signaled free kick for Barcelona right there.

[Geiseric]

That Ibra goal was SO offsides, still I didn't really care.

[Tifosi]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0vyuaEQads


In the first goal look at the AC Milan's player handball just before his teammate scored the goal. That's clearly handball and the referee should have signaled free kick for Barcelona right there.

Meh, hand to ball :D . Milan still had Muntari's goal.

What that does show is Barca need to learn to play to the whistle. Twice now they have stayed rooted to the ground and complained as play goes on around them. Ibra and Boateng play to the whistle and get results.

[F9]

we fucking killed apoeRl 3-0 but still they most probably going to be the champions:cursing:

[Tifosi]

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/4/9/1365541419229/48c2f681-745b-490e-98bf-23e9c9260218-620x372.jpeg

Amazing! Just can't beat this team. Great team, fans, stadium etc, what's not to love?

[Geiseric]

I just wanted to say, Suarez in the words of Bernard Manning (who I'm not a fan of) :

You're a fucking disgrace

I can't believe he did those, he was one of my favorite players...

[Igor]

anyways as a liverpool fan i can say he's a fucking disgrace and doesn't deserve the red shirt and number seven he's wearing, no matter how talented he actually was

[Devrim]

Completely agree with you as a Liverpool fan myself. Apart from being a vile little shit bag he is too selfish on the ball not playing in his team mates often enough, he feigns injury all the time and blames others including the ref constantly like after he bit the Chelsea player. He's a cynical cheating git. Anger management my arse. Sell him to the highest bidder, Sturridge can take his goal brilliantly yesterday.

This is quite possibly connected to the fact that his team mates are, by the top standards, rubbish. Whatever you think about him he is a brilliant player. Do you think he might have done it as a way out of Liverpool?

Devrim

[Bronco]

Yeah I'd go as far as to say Liverpool are a bottom half club without Suarez this year, he's probably the single player who's had the most impact on his teams season in the whole of the league, all the controversy surrounding him is the price you pay for that but if I was a Liverpool fan I'd definitely want to keep him

Also not to condone the biting, which was obviously an incredibly stupid thing to do, but he is great entertainment both for his ability and the fact that you never know what he's going to do next

[Tifosi]

Today shows how much better and competitive the Premier League is to the SPL. It took Man Utd a whole day longer to win the title than Celtic :laugh:

[skitty]

Just read that Suarez has a copycat biter at a school in Wales; and the victim's mother is blaming everyone involved:DIf Liverpool has any class the bum will be out of a job.

[F9]

only i dont care that he bite ivanovic?ok that was weird as fuck but...disgrace?he is just "crazy"!fowler was sniffing lines years ago as well. i dont know, he lived the game, did something stuuupid, whatever.he is an amazing player and i could go as much as justyfing him if ivanovic earlier harassed him, which i have no idea if that happened, didnt have the chance to catch the game. in anw, its fucking football, kick, bite, punch whatever, point is to WIN.

[Geiseric]

only i dont care that he bite ivanovic?ok that was weird as fuck but...disgrace?he is just "crazy"!fowler was sniffing lines years ago as well. i dont know, he lived the game, did something stuuupid, whatever.he is an amazing player and i could go as much as justyfing him if ivanovic earlier harassed him, which i have no idea if that happened, didnt have the chance to catch the game. in anw, its fucking football, kick, bite, punch whatever, point is to WIN.

ok i'm gonna bite you when we're playing if you ever get a good defensive play on me.

[Niall]

I guess Neil Lennon showed the world how to beat barca but Bayern took it to a whole new level

[Devrim]

Just read that Suarez has a copycat biter at a school in Wales; and the victim's mother is blaming everyone involved:DIf Liverpool has any class the bum will be out of a job.

A little bite which failed to break the skin even is not the end of the world. Of course he will not be out of a job, and Liverpool will be desperate to hang onto him. He is the one world class player that they have, and they are desperate to hang onto him.

Devrim

[Devrim]

He's got a ten match ban less appeal.

I can't see him appealing. If he does it will probably take until the end of the season so even if he gets a four match reduction, he will still miss the first six of next season, and they aren't really going anywhere in the rest of this season anyway. Also bear in mind that if an appeal is judged to be superfluous the punishment can be increased.

Devrim

[F9]

i will later get on the suarez thing again, cant read all that you said.

but seriously...lets go germans.tired as fuck with real amd barca, really want that german final(and bayern winning it!!!)

[Nevsky]

It seems as if the spaniards forgot how to defend...

[Bronco]

Today showed why the Championship is the most entertaining league in England, ridiculous drama for automatic promotion, playoffs, and relegation

[Tifosi]

Watching Final Score yesterday, haha crazy scenes

wMqn3cideP4

[F9]

sir alex out of the scene? :( whatever people have to say, he is the best manager the game has had so far... i can only laugh at the faces of people comparing him to murinho and the like...a real loss for football imo, not just for united!

[Niall]

Its hard to argue with people saying he is the best of all time but for me I think stein and paisley have to be up there. Although United weren't the biggest spenders, most of fergie's successes came in a time where he had whatever money he needed. In a time when realistically only a few teams could win the EPL. Maybe that is why he didn't do so well in Europe

[Geiseric]

sir alex out of the scene? :( whatever people have to say, he is the best manager the game has had so far... i can only laugh at the faces of people comparing him to murinho and the like...a real loss for football imo, not just for united!

What about intimidation with officials?

[Devrim]

What about intimidation with officials?

What about it?


sir alex out of the scene? :( whatever people have to say, he is the best manager the game has had so far... i can only laugh at the faces of people comparing him to murinho and the like...a real loss for football imo, not just for united!

I used to go to every home game, but that was before Ferguson’s time. In his early years, I still went there occasionally. I can certainly remember the season that the entire crowd (including myself) was calling for his head. How wrong we were. It is probably hard to imagine for young people today, but in those times United were a middling sort of time, who couldn't really compete, and the idea of winning one title was something that most of the fans didn't even dare to dream about.

I don't think we will ever see a manager like him again.


Although United weren't the biggest spenders, most of fergie's successes came in a time where he had whatever money he needed. In a time when realistically only a few teams could win the EPL. Maybe that is why he didn't do so well in Europe

You are right. They did underachieve in Europe. It has to be remembered though that the Champions League today is a much more difficult competition to win than the old European cup was. The fact that nobody has retained it shows that quite clearly.

I think that Ferguson’s most successful period in Europe was when he had (comparatively) the least money to spend. Between 2008 and 2011, they reached three finals in four years, and was unfortunate that it was in the same period as a Barcelona side that I think in years to come we will recognise as one of the all time greats. This was the time that the club was hemorrhaging money to servicing the Glazer family's debts.

It is frightening to think what he would have achieved if instead of having those financial constraints, he had been backed by a billionaire owner, like Chelsea or City.

Devrim

[F9]

What about intimidation with officials?

intimation its just what needed to be done at some times for him.Its not cheating, it not bribery, its no match fixing, its putting your passion for win in the game, is doing your best even risking your self image for the success for the team!Its football, in many countries fans are chanting for the heads of the officials in pretty much every match...thats how it is.It is also officials job to not be affected.

Devrim: Yeah i heard you talking about that few times before, yeah it does sound a bit weird to us who didnt have the chance of even be alive maybe, but now he has earned the respect he deserves, and i think there is more to come after few years. We shall see now what moyes can do to even compare with him, a really tough job.Almost impossible but Utd seems to be positive on him.

[Tifosi]

I think that Ferguson’s most successful period in Europe was when he had (comparatively) the least money to spend.

Yip with Aberdeen in the 1980's (that's what you had on your mind ha). That was his greatest achievement I think. Taking a small provisional club to the heady heights of Cup Winners Cup and Super Cup success.

Maybe it was Stein's tactic of slipping Di Stéfano a bottle of whisky that got them the upper hand :lol:.

Or even getting 3 league titles for Aberdeen during the 'New Firm' era.

[Devrim]

Yip with Aberdeen in the 1980's (that's what you had on your mind ha). That was his greatest achievement I think. Taking a small provisional club to the heady heights of Cup Winners Cup and Super Cup success.

You could argue that that was his greatest success, but not successful period in Europe. It was the easiest of the three European competitions at the time though. Even West Ham won it.

Devrim

[Niall]

He spent around 540million in his tenure. I wouldnt mind those constraints, although I understand what youre saying re chelsea/shitty

[Kalinin's Facial Hair]

How is it possible that no one is talking about the UCL?

[Geiseric]

I wanna see lewandowski score he's the shit

[Bronco]

Bayern to win 3-1, bit bored of all the Dortmund love recently

[RedAnarchist]

I actually think it will be 2-1 to Dortmund. Going to be a good match either way, though, both terms deserve to be in the final.

[RedAnarchist]

Got the score right, but noone deserved to lose that match! What a classic!

Bayern are now on five European Cups, same as Liverpool.

[TheEmancipator]

Shame Dortmund lost. Great club with real dignity in victory and defeat.

Not much love for Bayern though. Sorry.

[RedAnarchist]

Shame Dortmund lost. Great club with real dignity in victory and defeat.

Not much love for Bayern though. Sorry.

I think most of Europe, including myself, wanted Dortmund to win. One a Liverpool forum I'm a member of, we were all going for Dortmund.

[Bronco]

Glad Bayern won, they are definitely the best team in Europe right now and I'd say they deserved it on the night and for their performances in the rest of the tournament, especially after how robbed they were last year. Didn't actually think either team played their best football but it was a pretty entertaining game

[Nevsky]

I was hoping for a BVB victory. Now the scumbag Hoeneß can act all triumphantly instead of going to jail where he belongs.

[F9]

well done for bayern and especially to our brothers and comrades of shickeria!!:) they were the better team all along, they were the better team at the final beside the rusty start, deserved european champions!!! dont know why all this hate for bayern around here, but mehhh:cool:

[RedAnarchist]

well done for bayern and especially to our brothers and comrades of shickeria!!:) they were the better team all along, they were the better team at the final beside the rusty start, deserved european champions!!! dont know why all this hate for bayern around here, but mehhh:cool:

I don't think anyone hates Bayern, just that a lot of people were going for the underdog.

[RedSonRising]

Exciting match. Lot's of quality saves and passes. BM earned it for sure.

[hatzel]

Kevin Phillips you fucking hero.

[RedSonRising]

http://www.mundonets.com/images/argentina-vs-colombia-eliminatorias-mundial-brasil-2014.jpg

Let's do this.

[bricolage]

Kevin Phillips you fucking hero.
I was there :cool:

[RedSonRising]

Spain got whoooped.

[Kalinin's Facial Hair]

Spain got whoooped.

Sure did.

[cynthia]

Bayern to win 3-1, bit bored of all the Dortmund love recently
@footballtshirteu (http://www.footballtshirteu.com/)

[Tifosi]

What does everyone make of the draw then? I don't think it could have gone an worse/better (depending on what you want) for us (Celtic) :lol:. Truly horrific group to get out of, 16 times champions of Europe combined.

The Arsenal, Dortmund, Napoli, Marseille group looks interesting. Dortmund I think will win it with Arsenal a close second but the other two are good teams. Group G could be very interesting.

Real Madrid-Juventus, Man Utd- Shakhtar, Bayern-Man City, Celtic-everyone. Going to be good.

Still, can't see anyone beating Bayern this year for it.

[DDR]

Still, can't see anyone beating Bayern this year for it.

It seems that Guardiola isn't doing very well, but it's just the begining of the season, so let's see. I hope this year is the year of the 10ª :thumbup1:

[Tifosi]

It seems that Guardiola isn't doing very well, but it's just the begining of the season, so let's see.

They are just so strong everywhere. Guardiola has seemly fallen out with people about buying Thiago and moving people like Schweinsteiger out of postion to fit the model he wants. Yet they have looked so strong in pre-season and early in the league.


I hope this year is the year of the 10ª :thumbup1:

Sorry but it's Lisbon Lions part II :cool:

[Sasha]

Damn that's gonna be a hard one for Ajax, esp barca, cool though they will play Celtic, what's the status of the greenbrigade conflict, are they allowed in at CL matches? I might even consider a small trip to Glasgow if I can afford it.

[Sasha]

@ tifosi, Ajax is in shambles now though, you'll stand a good chance in beating us I'm afraid, the only reason we might have chance at the national 1st spot is because the rest is even worse...

[Tifosi]

Damn that's gonna be a hard one for Ajax, esp barca, cool though they will play Celtic, what's the status of the greenbrigade conflict, are they allowed in at CL matches? I might even consider a small trip to Glasgow if I can afford it.

Yea they where back for the Shakhter Karagandy game and will be aloud in for CL games.


@ tifosi, Ajax is in shambles now though, you'll stand a good chance in beating us I'm afraid, the only reason we might have chance at the national 1st spot is because the rest is even worse...

Seen you where selling Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld which for us at least is good but your still selling yourself short I think. You played Man City off the park last year. PSV have a good team and got a draw at home against Milan which gives me hope we can beat them at home.

I think we can beat everyone at home on our day, maybe Barca again is pushing it but we'll see. We played well away from home to last time out so maybe a sneaky draw in Amsterdam and you never know. Milan aren't what they once where.

We are apparently after Finnbogason at Heerenveen...

[ANTIFA GATE-9]

Fenerbarche was expelled from the Europa League for match fixing.
Uefa decided to have a draw about what team should replace Fenerbache rather than putting the team that Fenerbache won.
The draw put Apoel FC into the group stage. The team has not won one European game this year.
When I heard the news I nearly killed myself. Apoel is the arch enemy of OMONOIA. The team is traditionally far right and they're fans often have clashes with Gate-9.

[Devrim]

I think we can beat everyone at home on our day, maybe Barca again is pushing it but we'll see. We played well away from home to last time out so maybe a sneaky draw in Amsterdam and you never know. Milan aren't what they once where.

I think that Celtic fans are in for a very rude awakening this year. Last year they over-preformed in what was a weaker group than they are in this time. This time I would expect them to return to the mean, and I'd be surprised if they manage to get through to the Europa League. I'd expect them to come bottom.

Devrim

[Tifosi]

I think that Celtic fans are in for a very rude awakening this year. Last year they over-preformed in what was a weaker group than they are in this time. This time I would expect them to return to the mean, and I'd be surprised if they manage to get through to the Europa League. I'd expect them to come bottom.

Devrim

Don't rain on my parade :tongue_smilie:

Yip on paper we are the worst team in this group by some bit (like last year) and we have lost our two best players since then. We made a real meal of the tie against an awful Shakhter Karagandy, but anything is possible at Celtic Park under the lights. Away from home I expect us to lose every game. We didn't embarrass ourself away last year either, but anything away from home is a mega bonus.

It wasn't just last year. The teams that have come here and lost, who on paper are so much better than us is impressive. Barca, Spartak Moscow, Benfica, Milan, Man Utd, Shakhtar Donetsk, Porto, Juventus, Lyon etc.

I'm expecting last place, but you got to dream.

[Sam_b]

What does everyone make of the draw then? I don't think it could have gone an worse/better (depending on what you want) for us (Celtic) . Truly horrific group to get out of, 16 times champions of Europe combined.

You will be lucky to get a single point, although Ajax are a shadow of their former selves and about to lose Eriksen and Alderweireld. You didn't embarrass yourselves last year, true, but you struggled in Kazakhstan against a truly awful team, failed to convincingly beat Aberdeen even though we gifted you the match at the end of the first half, and have signings that I am convinced aren't particularly worth their money.


I might even consider a small trip to Glasgow if I can afford it.

If you do you're welcome to give me and my pals a shout for accommodation and so on.

[ANTIFA GATE-9]

this isn't as interesting as other international football news but since its a general football discussion i thought that i should post that the Cypriot First Division League has started earlier this evening.

[bricolage]

3 points for palace :cool:

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

Love watching that fascist scum taking Sunderland down.

Also like watching Ian Holloway's teams. Like how he sets them up - quick tempo passing and move game, pressing from the front when they don't have the ball. Is how i'd set up my team if I was a manager.

[Tifosi]

3 points for palace :cool:

Bricolage, I've always wondered why Palace's biggest rivalry was with Brighton and not another south London based team like Wimbledon?

And what a goal from O'Keefe!

[Tifosi]

but you struggled in Kazakhstan against a truly awful team,

We were horrible away in Kazakhstan but played well at home to pull that tie around. No matter who you are you will struggle to get goals if your opponent site with 10 players behind the ball. We proved that against Barcelona. So again, at home anything is possible.


failed to convincingly beat Aberdeen even though we gifted you the match at the end of the first half,

We kept the ball well, scored two goals and kept a clean sheet. The score line flattered you.


and have signings that I am convinced aren't particularly worth their money.

We just got Teemu Pukki who'll score for fun in Scotland. He wasn't first choice but I think he can be a good replacement for Hooper. The rest of the signings need time to bed in. Van Dijk, Boerrigter and Nir Biton all look good. The rest need more game time.

[Sam_b]

We kept the ball well, scored two goals and kept a clean sheet. The score line flattered you.

Did you even see the game? Both sides cancelled themselves out in the first half and if it wasn't for Clanger's awful challenge it would have ended goalless. Despite being a man down in the second the Dons created two clear cut chances which shouldn't have been missed and Celtic were indeed flattered by a freak goal five minutes before time. Though as usual trust Celtic fans to have the blinkers on.

[bricolage]

Bricolage, I've always wondered why Palace's biggest rivalry was with Brighton and not another south London based team like Wimbledon?

And what a goal from O'Keefe!
we played them 5 times in 76/77 season and at the fa cup replay at stamford bridge their manager alan mullery went mad, swore at the palace fans then threw down some change (either at the game or the press conference i'm not sure) and shouted 'that's all you're worth palace'. there was some sort of animosity before that but that's where it all really went from. I think only people that were fans in the 70s/80s really get the rivalry but I guess the fact it kicked off around the height of hooliganism added something to it all. after 1991 we didn't play them for 11 years so for a lot of people the rivalry didn't mean anything until we played them 2002 and won 5-0.

rivalries with millwall and charlton but never with wimbledon. afc wimbledon sing anti-palace songs which seems a bit weird.

[Sam_b]

afc wimbledon sing anti-palace songs which seems a bit weird

Not really. Most of it stems from the board moving the club from Plough lane to Selhurst Park in a groundshare which was unpopular with the support.

[Tifosi]

Did you even see the game?

Yes.


Both sides cancelled themselves out in the first half and if it wasn't for Clanger's awful challenge it would have ended goalless. Despite being a man down in the second the Dons created two clear cut chances which shouldn't have been missed and Celtic were indeed flattered by a freak goal five minutes before time.

We kept the ball and moved it around reasonably well. Remember the build up to Joe Ledley's first half chance as an example of how at times we ran your defence ragged.

If your back line was so good at cancelling us out then you wouldn't have been done by a long ball from the back by Mulgrew (:grin:) up to Samaras. If he hadn't of been taking down then Sammy would have scored there.

I don't remember you making two clear chances either. There was wee McGinn's header which he should have scored but that was it.


Though as usual trust Celtic fans to have the blinkers on.

:lol: For the amount of possession we had and the amount of chances we created the score definitely flattered you lot. I'm thinking about the Samaras chance from the corner, the Ledley chance, Browns chance when Commons destroyed Anderson and Lustig's 'ninja' kick from the free-kick.

You do have a point about us not having a great start to the domestic season and struggling to break teams down. The Ross County and Inverness games prove that but the Aberdeen game, no. We went to your place, dominated possession, created far more chances and kept a clean sheet. What more could I want? :cool:

Anyway I think you lot will do well this season and may challenge Inverness and Motherwell for a place in Europe.

[Sam_b]

Remember the build up to Joe Ledley's first half chance as an example of how at times we ran your defence ragged.

Our defence in the first half was robust aside from the confusion with Anderson and Langfield that lead to the penalty. The Herald agrees with this analysis. (http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/aberdeen-0-celtic-2-flying-high.21900461). What other example do you want to give, perhaps the one other chance you had in that half?


If he hadn't of been taking down then Sammy would have scored there.

Wrong. He lost control of the ball and it was likely to go out of play.


I don't remember you making two clear chances either. There was wee McGinn's header which he should have scored but that was it.

When we were able to overrun you on the right yet again in the second half, a good ball was drilled into the box which McGinn failed to capitalise on.


For the amount of possession we had

I would have thought 60% with the opposition down to ten men was absolutely average and not some sort of overhaul as is being suggested.


nd the amount of chances we created

You couldn't break down a team who were at times playing three at the back and you only put real daylight between us by a lucky half-chance in the 85th minute.


The Ross County and Inverness games prove that

and United.


We went to your place, dominated possession

60% against ten men is not 'dominating possession'.


Anyway I think you lot will do well this season and may challenge Inverness and Motherwell for a place in Europe.


We'll get top six and win fuck all as usual.

[bricolage]

Not really. Most of it stems from the board moving the club from Plough lane to Selhurst Park in a groundshare which was unpopular with the support.
palace didn't force through the move. logically, like a lot of things in football, it makes no sense.

but meh, everyone's got to sing about something I guess.

[Devrim]

My football team, Ankaragücü, won six nil (http://www.fanatik.com.tr/ankaragucu-plaka-yazdi-0-6_3_Detail_205_334565.htm) at the weekend. :grin:

It is the first match they have won since April, and after two dreadful relegation seasons in a row, it seems that they may have sunk to a level where they won't be humiliated every week.

Devrim

[Devrim]

I'm expecting last place [for Celtic], but you got to dream.

It looks like you are heading that way. Never mind only five more matches to go.

Devrim

[motion denied]

What the hell happened after Felipe Mello was sent off?

Besiktas' fans invaded the pitch, total chaos.

The videos weren't of much help.

[RedAnarchist]

After our defeat to Saints and United's defeat to City at the weekend, the match on Wednesday should be pretty exciting for the neutral, especially with the return of Suarez.

[Tifosi]

It looks like you are heading that way. Never mind only five more matches to go.

Devrim

Em no. Ajax are pretty poor right now, see their 4 - 0 defeat to PSV and the fact they it 7th in their league. I think you're underestimating us a lot.

I think we can get something from the home game against Milan.

[Devrim]

I think we can get something from the home game against Milan.

No doubt, it will probably be a good hiding. ;)

Seriously, I think you are massively overestimating yourselves. You had a great season last year, but whereas you seem to see it as a sign of things to come, I see it as an aberration. We live in a world where unfortunately the likes of Celtic don't have a chance of winning the champions league.

Devrim

[Tifosi]

No doubt, it will probably be a good hiding. ;)

Back down third division ;)


Seriously, I think you are massively overestimating yourselves. You had a great season last year, but whereas you seem to see it as a sign of things to come, I see it as an aberration. We live in a world where unfortunately the likes of Celtic don't have a chance of winning the champions league.

Devrim

There is a massive difference between having a chance of winning the Champions League (can't see us every winning the big cup again) and progressing to Last 16 or the Europa League.

I don't really see how I'm overestimating Celtic. I said I think we will come last in the group and anything better than that is a huge plus. Still, we can beat or get a draw against these current Ajax and Milan sides at home. I wouldn't say this Ajax team is better than Benfica (draw last year) or Spartak Moscow (wins in both games).

Barça again? Naw, we made them angry last time out :lol:. Plus I won't be there as a lucky charm :wub:

[Sam_b]

Let's be honest, fuck the co-efficient until we get a real distribution of wealth going in the Scottish league.

Still confident in my -4 points bet for Celtic

[Devrim]

I don't really see how I'm overestimating Celtic. I said I think we will come last in the group and anything better than that is a huge plus. Still, we can beat or get a draw against these current Ajax and Milan sides at home. I wouldn't say this Ajax team is better than Benfica (draw last year) or Spartak Moscow (wins in both games).

Yes, I think that this is over estimating them. They preformed really above expectations last year, and will drift back towards the mean. I think that they will be lucky to get a point. The essential act that you seem to miss is that Scottish football is rubbish. Celtic are by far the best of this rubbish, but are, essentially, still rubbish.

Not that there is anything wrong in supporting rubbish. I support a third division team. I like going to the football, and unfortunately most of the football I go to is rubbish. It doesn't mean that you can't enjoy it. Unfortunately though when put up against the powerhouses of European football, I would expect Celtic to end up more often than not in fourth place.

Devrim

[Tifosi]

Well then we are 'rubbish' that punch far above our weight in Europe most years. I'm happy with that :)

I'll be back when we beat Barcelona again :lol:

[Devrim]

Well then we are 'rubbish' that punch far above our weight in Europe most years. I'm happy with that :)

Well no, not really. Most times you have been in the Champions League, you haven't even made 3rd place. I'd say that that is punching at round about your weight. ;)

Devrim

[Tifosi]

Well no, not really. Most times you have been in the Champions League, you haven't even made 3rd place. I'd say that that is punching at round about your weight. ;)

Devrim

We have been in Champions League group stages 7 times (8 this time) and only finished last 2 times. Also have a UEFA Cup final and Quarter-Final in the last decade. I think that's punching pretty high.

What other big teams in tiny leagues can say that? I can think of one and their dead now.

[Devrim]

We have been in Champions League group stages 7 times (8 this time) and only finished last 2 times.

This is a very selective set of facts. What about the times that you have been in the Champions League, but failed to make the group stage?

You have also been knocked out before the group stage five times, so out of the thirteen times you have been in it, not counting this year obviously, you have failed to make third seven (i.e. most as I said) of the times you have been in it.

Devrim

[Devrim]

Also have a UEFA Cup final and Quarter-Final in the last decade. I think that's punching pretty high.

Failing to win the Loser's Cup is not what I would describe as punching pretty high.

Devrim

[Tifosi]

Failing to win the Loser's Cup is not what I would describe as punching pretty high.

Devrim

It is when you are from Scotland.

[Tifosi]

This is a very selective set of facts. What about the times that you have been in the Champions League, but failed to make the group stage?

You have also been knocked out before the group stage five times, so out of the thirteen times you have been in it, not counting this year obviously, you have failed to make third seven (i.e. most as I said) of the times you have been in it.

Devrim

That's qualifying, not the Champions League.

[Bronco]

Still can't beat Morton at home either ;)

[Tifosi]

Still can't beat Morton at home either ;)

I was waiting for this, expecting Sam_b to laugh it up.

I take it all back :lol:

[Sam_b]

It is when you are from Scotland.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRymqzCfWSERrReWVVMZHjW4CR7tky3v hvMdgm6kz0tpOet7awD

Celtic are fucking shite.

[Sam_b]

I think that's punching pretty high

lOneeWXfarE


expecting Sam_b to laugh it up

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48907000/jpg/_48907631_imrie_466.jpg

[Tifosi]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRymqzCfWSERrReWVVMZHjW4CR7tky3v hvMdgm6kz0tpOet7awD

Celtic are fucking shite.

oh...

http://www.3rdeyesportingicons.com/USERIMAGES/BM16.JPG

5JqcXJeA25g

CyzT-AXeX58

Remember Hartson in 2002? :grin:

[Sam_b]

oh...

How long ago was that again?


Remember Hartson in 2002?

Remember Bobo Balde being made to look like a chimp by Eugene Dadi of all people?

BBC2 Scotland in half an hour or so if you fancy watching how to beat a team from the division below.

[Sam_b]

You've got to fancy us for the cup now, and the game's not even full-time yet

[Tifosi]

How long ago was that again?

As he posts a picture of Willie Miller :lol:


Remember Bobo Balde being made to look like a chimp by Eugene Dadi of all people?

Oh burn! :lol:

I remember Rab Douglas from that game. Ugh.


You've got to fancy us for the cup now, and the game's not even full-time yet

I'd say Inverness are favorites now.

[Sam_b]

As he posts a picture of Willie Miller

Which is most in living memory, 83' or 67'?


I remember Rab Douglas from that game. Ugh.

I was there right behind the goal!


I'd say Inverness are favorites now.

Inverness who we just beat last Saturday!
Bookies have us as favourites now so we're probably fucked.

[Devrim]

That's qualifying, not the Champions League.

Right so when you are really rubbish and fail in the Champions League qualifying rounds, you don't count that as part of your performance in the Champions League. This is an interesting statistical method.

Have you ever thought of applying for a job with the government calculating unemployment figures.

Devrim

[Tifosi]

Right so when you are really rubbish and fail in the Champions League qualifying rounds, you don't count that as part of your performance in the Champions League. This is an interesting statistical method.

So Scotland haven't missed a World Cup since 1998. We're just really shite when it comes around all the time. We go to every World Cup.

You can count it as our performance in Europe. But if you fail to get past the qualifying you failed to get to the Champions League.

[Sam_b]

So Scotland haven't missed a World Cup since 1998. We're just really shite when it comes around all the time. We go to every World Cup.

The world cup are the World Cup Finals. Every FIFA country that enters plays in the World Cup, just not all of them get to the finals.

[motion denied]

Getting seriously whooped. Four nil.

[Devrim]

Celtic pointless again, there are only four more matches of suffering to go.

Mancini's appointment at GS is interesting, and a good first result points Juve in some difficulty.

The funniest thing I heard this week was 'David Moyes has been trying to get Everton above Manchester United in the league for the last ten years. He has finally succeeded.

Bayer were frighteningly good according to all the accounts I heard, and the highlights I watched.

Devrim

[Spacy]

hey all!

i am new to the forum, and as eager i am to engage in political discourse, i think it should be known i am huge football fan :) i`m from turkey and a massive Galatasaray fan, so expect me here after every match :grin:

[Niall]

Celtic pointless again, there are only four more matches of suffering to go.

Mancini's appointment at GS is interesting, and a good first result points Juve in some difficulty.

The funniest thing I heard this week was 'David Moyes has been trying to get Everton above Manchester United in the league for the last ten years. He has finally succeeded.

Bayer were frighteningly good according to all the accounts I heard, and the highlights I watched.

Devrim

Dont worry. Celtic will win their next 3 games, as will Barca and we will have a huge big lovein over there in December!!!!

[Devrim]

Congratulations to Celtic, on getting three points against Ajax. It was a very good result for them, and after roundly mocking them on here I think I should at least be graceful about it. Just imagine I am sitting here eating a large dish of humble pie Celtic fans. I fear they will need to get at least a draw away to get through to the UEFA cup though.

Devrim

[RedAnarchist]

The number of fans who didn't think we would get a result today at White Hart Lane was pretty high. I'm glad to say we did.

5-0!!!!!

SECOND IN THE LEAGUE! FUCK FOURTH, LETS GO FOR TITLE 19!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boVdcLTgVC8

[Sam_b]

Ridiculously rash decision to let AVB go at this point in the season though. Some chip by Suarez for the fourth though.

[Niccolo]

Suarez is on fire. The best striker in the world at the moment if you ask me, 17 in 11 with what, 10 assists? is just incredible. Fucking unbelievable.

What do you guys think of the UCL draw today? Poor Arsenal and City :D and Drogba returning to the Bridge

@sam: I agree. The club, after releasing Bale and spending 100m on rebranding the team, is in a transitional phase and AVB's style hasn't really been implemented. They have been awful this season, I mean Suarez has scored more than their team and he missed the first 5 for fucks sake, but I would've thought AVB would have been given more time really. A 5-0 home defeat is cringeworthy though

[Devrim]

The number of fans who didn't think we would get a result today at White Hart Lane was pretty high. I'm glad to say we did.

5-0!!!!!

SECOND IN THE LEAGUE! FUCK FOURTH, LETS GO FOR TITLE 19!!!

I think that Liverpool will be very lucky if they manage to get fourth. The top three will probably be, in no particular order, Arsenal, Chelsea, and City. Liverpool do not have the squad to compare with any of them. Basically they are a mid-table team who have managed to hang on to one player. Suarez is on the top of his game, and is really one of the top players in the world. There isn't much else there though. There certainly isn't the depth. Liverpool will be fighting for fourth place alongside teams such as United, Spurs, and Everton. They could get fourth, but I think it will be a struggle.

Devrim

[Devrim]

Dont worry. Celtic will win their next 3 games, as will Barca and we will have a huge big lovein over there in December!!!!

Bottom of the group with only three points, I think Celtic have returned to the norm.

Devrim

[hatzel]

With this new 75% tax thing in France, let me tell you now that if Iain Moody's little outings across the Channel were for any purpose other than doing Nasser Al-Khelaifi a favour by hammering out a deal to take Zlatan to Palace on loan for 2014, I'll be absolutely devastated...

:thumbup:

[Niall]

Bottom of the group with only three points, I think Celtic have returned to the norm.

Devrim
just seen this now. Yup, we were awful this year and deserved to be bottom

[Serbian Antifascist BGD]

I think serbia needs a club with antifa fans.. :crying:

[Niall]

I think serbia needs a club with antifa fans.. :crying:
is there none whatsoever?

[Devrim]

just seen this now. Yup, we were awful this year and deserved to be bottom

The question is whether you were awful this year, or you were exceptional the previous one.

Devrim

[SHORAS]

Excellent article on BBC football website today:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25958046


Jose Mourinho: Chelsea boss wrong on 19th-Century football

By Professor Matt Taylor
Football historian

Jose Mourinho is an intelligent and articulate man and a talented manager, but he is not a historian.
He said West Ham played "football from the 19th Century" after the Hammers' defensive approach secured a 0-0 draw on Wednesday.
Mourinho's remarks were clearly meant more as a general slur alluding to the dark, unenlightened pre-Premier League days of English football than an accurate comparison to the game's Victorian past.
Jose Mourinho
"This is not the best league in the world, this is football from the 19th Century. The only thing I could bring was a Black and Decker (tool) to destroy the wall."

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho

But he might be interested to know that 19th-Century football was actually characterised as much by attacking and sportsmanship as by dour, defensive play.
How did a 19th-Century football team play? Well, it varied. It depended on what sort of team it was and at what point in the 19th century. From the foundation of the Football Association in 1863 to the early 1880s, British football at the highest level was dominated by teams of gentleman amateurs, many of whom had learnt the game at public school and university.
Football in this period was a game to be played rather than watched. Players dribbled up the field until they lost the ball. Team-mates would back the dribbler up and then continue to try to move the ball to the opponents' goal. But they were not there to be passed to.
When an England colleague in the 1877 match against Scotland complained to the Hon Alfred Lyttleton that his dribbling was excessive, and that he was not passing to team-mates in space, Lyttleton is said to have replied: "I am playing purely for my own pleasure, Sir!"
As football became more popular, and spread to the working classes, the passing game gradually replaced the dribbling game. Teams from Scotland and the north of England were influential in developing a new style of play based on passing combinations.
In the 1883 FA Cup final, Blackburn Olympic perplexed the Old Etonians by hitting long cross-field passes from wing to wing. They had also caused a stir by preparing for the match at a training camp in Blackpool, something that shocked the Etonians and their supporters.
Olympic won 1-0, took the cup north for the first time and changed the game forever. Professionalism was legalised in England in 1885. The best clubs became businesses and from 1888 began to compete in the Football League. Spectators and the press wanted to see good play but increasingly they also demanded a winning team.
A match from 1885
A picture from 1885, the year the Football Association formally legalised professional football. Three years later a league was formed.
How defensive were these teams? During the 1870s, it was not unusual for teams to line up with six or seven forwards. Their main priority was to attack, with defending left predominantly to two backs.
Over time, many teams chose to move one of their centre-forwards into a deeper position. This became the centre-half, who was to be the pivotal figure in a 2-3-5 formation - the so-called 'pyramid' system - that became standard from the late 1880s.
West Ham line-up - 19th-Century style?
In the 2-3-5 formation favoured in Victorian times:

Adrian

Collins, Tomkins.

Diame, Nolan, Noble.

Downing, C Cole, Carroll, J Cole, Jarvis.

Some traditionalists bemoaned the move away from all-out attack. One Scottish writer condemned those clubs who kept two defenders close to their own goal merely, he suggested acerbically, "to keep the goalkeeper in chat". Another team from Ayrshire was reproached for only attacking with nine men.
Defensive tactics such as the 'one-back game', in which a full-back would drop into a deep defensive position to limit long forward passing, were considered unattractive and even unsportsmanlike. But they were defended by club directors and officials, such as Blackburn's John Lewis, who reminded critics that the main objective of league clubs was to win rather than please the spectator. And even the so-called 'defensive' teams, we should remember, were generally playing with five forwards.
Football in the 19th century was also characterised by a moral code - often associated with amateurism - that decried cheating or even play that was contrary to the spirit of the game.
The famous Corinthian club, for instance, opposed the penalty kick when it was introduced in 1891, and are said to have actively resisted the new law by deliberately shooting wide when they were given a penalty and withdrawing their goalkeeper if one was conceded.
That is not to say gamesmanship and time-wasting did not take place, of course. It almost certainly did. But football in the 19th Century was varied and complex and changed over time.
The best teams were described as "scientific". Being scientific was not only about being skilled and technically proficient but also about employing successful strategies and tactics.
Preston North End, League and FA Cup winners 1888-89
Preston North End's team from 1888-89 went through the whole of the season unbeaten
The first great football tactician was William Suddell, manager of the Preston 'Invincibles' who won the first league and cup double in 1889. He used a blackboard, and sometimes chess pieces on a billiard table, to devise tactics and communicate them to his players.
The Preston team were known for their systematic style of play - not particularly fast but methodical and consistent. They were described as "machine like… in working the ball along the ground" during a match in 1885.
In the 1889 FA Cup final, the Wolves forwards were characterised by their "very hard and determined play", whereas the Preston team "plodded away with a distinct system", and ended up winning 3-0.
As a manager synonymous with pragmatism in the way he strives for success on the field, Mourinho would surely have approved of that.
Professor Taylor is a historian at De Montfort University's International Centre for Sports History and Culture and also an author of sports history books.

Interesting how it changed when workers started playing it though I would like to see a game of attempted dribbling without any passes. I think it would be a rough old game.

[RedAnarchist]

Hey, any Arsenal fans want a high five? :lol:

[SHORAS]

It's looking like it will be the closest and most exciting finish to a premier league season ever, amazing five teams (possibly 6) are in with a chance. Get so bored of idiots saying it's Man City's to lose. Devrim, would you like to make one of your famous predictions?

[Devrim]

If I were a betting man, I would put my money on Chelsea. I think it is pretty tight though between them and City. I think Arsenal will manage to avoid a complete collapse and scrape into third, just ahead of Liverpool.

I think that only the current top three have any realistic chance of winning it though.

Devrim

[Comrade Jacob]

Hull is 11th but 4 points from relegation-zone! This is a few days old but I need to vent my frustration. Start winning!

[SHORAS]

I think it's more wide open because of the less games the non Champions League teams will be playing who are already doing very well in the league.

I hope my team wins the league but if not I prefer Arsenal. I've always disliked them but I think Wenger has really mellowed and is quite likable now. Added to the fact he can't/doesn't go out and buy every player in the world and puts an emphasis on developing players. Mourinho is also a bit of a knob just as Ferguson was in that he talks shit and acts all innocence and righteousness so fuck Chelsea.

[Devrim]

I don't think the teams which aren't in the champions league have a chance. Basically that are not in the champions league for a reason. They are just not good enough. In the case of Spurs they also have the Europa league, which is just as bad, but as it is contested by the smaller teams, who don't have the depth, it tends to effect them more.

Which is your team?

Devrim

[SHORAS]

The greatest English team of all time of course. Mourinho has just called Wenger a specialist in failure. Jose really is a miserable bastard.

[Devrim]

The greatest English team of all time of course.

You must be having a pretty miserable year then. Do you think they should sack Moyes?


Mourinho has just called Wenger a specialist in failure. Jose really is a miserable bastard.

I like Mourinho. I think he is pretty funny. He is right about Wenger too.

Devrim

[SHORAS]

Not a Man U fan. I hope they stick with Moyes, he's brilliant for them.

He isn't right about Wenger. Arsenal have consistently challenged for the title over numerous years without fail. We can have a semantic argument over winning the actual trophy but what's the point.

Moureen went to Chelsea after they had already spent loads of money and he was given free reign in the transfer market unlike Wenger, despite what he may say on the subject of transfers. His other clubs he's been at all top teams in the country are expected to win the league and you're sacked if you don't or even sometimes when you do. Of all the top managers around he has always had everything going for him. Why doesn't he manage Crystal Palace or Sunderland and then try and win the league? Cos he's a c*** that's why. Then we'll at least see what he's really made of. For fuck sake, you or me could win the title win Porto and probably Madrid too as long as Barca fuck up from time to time. Champions League wins are maybe more impressive but then again look at all the years when he's done shit and the other not so strong teams who have won it. Plus it's a knock-out tournament and anything can happen, look at Liverpool reaching two finals. So there, he's not as good as people think really is he. And Wenger is probably better than most think, look at them this year without City's or Chelsea's money.

[Sam_b]

el-oh-el English fitba. Nobody on here talking about a potential Aberdeen double this season?!

[Devrim]

el-oh-el English fitba. Nobody on here talking about a potential Aberdeen double this season?!

No, I don't think anyone outside of Scotland is that interested. I presume you ate talking about a cup double. Maybe if you had a chance of winning the league people might take some notice.

Devrim

[Devrim]

Not a Man U fan. I hope they stick with Moyes, he's brilliant for them.

If I had been picking a United manager, I would have gone for Mourinho. I think Moyes was a terrible choice.

Who do you support then?

Devrim

[SHORAS]

I support Liverpool of course! Yeh, I thought Moyes was an odd choice too. Mourinho seemed like the favourite to me during his last spell at Chelsea but there you go. I think they went with him because of the Scottish, similar character, similar background links etc They aimed for more of the same and a smooth transition neither of which has happened thank God! They should have appointed someone proven at winning trophies, like Wenger :grin:

[Devrim]

I support Liverpool of course!

I would hardly call them "The greatest English team of all time". Surely based on Championships UNited must have that title.


They should have appointed someone proven at winning trophies, like Wenger :grin:

But Wenger hasn't won a trophy for eight years now. I think that he is a good manager, but as Muriniho said he has become a "specialist in failure".


He isn't right about Wenger. Arsenal have consistently challenged for the title over numerous years without fail. We can have a semantic argument over winning the actual trophy but what's the point.

It is not semantic. He has challenged and failed. I think during the spell when they were successful he had an edge over other teams. When he went to English football he took new methods about diet, fitness, and training with him. This gave him the advantage in his early years at Arsenal. He hasn't won anything since the other clubs caught up with this. Mourinho, on the other hand, has succeeded at four clubs including three in top European leagues.

Devrim

[SHORAS]

I would argue we've been more successful over more eras and more successful in Europe.

I don't measure success purely by trophies as I've already tried to explain. You have to consider context. Just as Moyes was successful at Everton, widely praised and highly regarded. Enough for Ferguson to think he was the best manager for Utd.

You have a point about new methods, that probably played a part but he still didn't have the money, resources or pulling power every year Man U had.

I've said about Moureen. You would win the league with Porto and probably Madrid. When he did well with Inter they were already defending champions. Plus their biggest rival Milan were on the decline.

[Devrim]

I would argue we've been more successful over more eras and more successful in Europe.

I don't think they were successful over more eras. I have just looked a the list of the years when they both won titles and there seems to be an pretty similar distribution.

United have won the most leagues and FA cups. I would say that that makes them 'the greatest English team'.

You are right about the European trophies. On the other hand, United do have two Champions' Leagues to Liverpool's one. The Champions' League is much more difficult to win than the old European Cup was once you had qualified though admittedly qualification was more difficult.


I don't measure success purely by trophies as I've already tried to explain. You have to consider context. Just as Moyes was successful at Everton, widely praised and highly regarded. Enough for Ferguson to think he was the best manager for Utd.

I don't think Moyes was that successful at Everton. He didn't do a terrible job, but he probably only had them finishing in a league position similar to where their spending would suggest they should be. In addition he never won any cups, which even smaller teams like Swansea and Wigan managed.

I think Ferguson picked him at least partly because he saw him in his own image.


I've said about Moureen. You would win the league with Porto and probably Madrid. When he did well with Inter they were already defending champions. Plus their biggest rival Milan were on the decline.

I don't think it is that easy. Both of them have been serious rivals, Sporting, Benfica, and Barcelona. The thing that got him the Chelsea job originally though was not that he won the Portugese title, but that he had won the Champions' League.

Devrim

[Comrade Jacob]

Cardiff 0-4 Hull
Get in there 'ull!

[bricolage]

Cardiff 0-4 Hull
Get in there 'ull!
And on that note it might be prediction time.

At the bottom I really can't see Fulham or Cardiff escaping the drop. Fulham might have a new manager but they're a team of players that don't care and the last new manager didn't work out to well. Cardiff just aren't very good at the moment.

As for the other spot, it's very tight but I think with Norwich's very hard last four games they will likely be the third team.

At the top it's hard to see past it being a two horse Chelsea-Man City race because Arsenal just aren't performing against the big teams. Out of those two I can't really call it, at the beginning of the season I'd thought Chelsea so maybe I'll stick with that. I'd imagine the top four to be made out of the teams that currently sit in it.

Reading back these are pretty bland predictions based on how the league looks at the moment. Maybe the real question is who will get tenth and win the mini league? I'm saying Swansea.

[RedAnarchist]

I don't smoke, but someone give me a cigarette! :laugh::grin:

(warning - shitty "Ingerlund" song sampled at start)

WS4AxuPXOYo

[RedAnarchist]

Thanks Norwich! :grin::laugh:

[Sam_b]

Liverpool would make life a lot easier for themselves if they could actually defend

[RedAnarchist]

Liverpool would make life a lot easier for themselves if they could actually defend

Yeah, we would have won a few more games, or at least drawn, if our defence was better.

[SHORAS]

Jesus, what a racket! Terrible cover. England song was miles better or were you too young for Euro96 :confused:

[theghostofnestor]

St pauli one point away from 3rd and still have paderborn and greuther furth to play. It's looking good:thumbup::thumbup:

[SHORAS]

Best football song?

nsh2bK09t34

I think it is up there with the best.

p.s Chelsea were lucky Devrim :laugh:

[SHORAS]

Eat my goal

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21775416

[RedAnarchist]

Anthony Taylor is a shit ref.

[Futility Personified]

Yup, fucked up royally today!

[Sam_b]

Rangers :lol:

[Sasha]

St pauli one point away from 3rd and still have paderborn and greuther furth to play. It's looking good:thumbup::thumbup:


imagine when they get promoted and HSV gets demoted :laugh:

or even better, what if they meet each other in the playoffs? if that happens i'm dropping whatever the fuck i'm doing and take the first train to hamburg, shit would be insane.

[Sasha]

aww, thats the spirit; 8PpJBR_rQJk

[ArisVelouxiotis]

Liverpoor after all these years is so close to winning premier league.
YNWA

[Sasha]

aww, thats the spirit; 8PpJBR_rQJk

this one is sweet too
bbfy05y5Ukw

[ArisVelouxiotis]

this one is sweet too
bbfy05y5Ukw

Hhahahaah
wtf. Let's pretend let's pretend we scored a goal

[RedAnarchist]

GUESS WHO IS IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEXT SEASON?! :grin:

Norwich played their fucking hearts out, though, credit to them.

[Xena Warrior Proletarian]

Pretty crazy week in the premiership... Sunderland take down Chelsea and draw with City. It really is Liverpool's to lose now.

Sadly it looks like Livorno are going to be relegated.

Hibs continue to be shit :(

[Sasha]

Auch, Ajax just got decimated in the cup final by fucking pec zwolle...

[Redistribute the Rep]

http://global3.memecdn.com/not-sure-if-football-or-soccer_c_1489739.jpg

Cause I can't see the YouTube links on my iPhone

Fuck America's confusing of the words

[Xena Warrior Proletarian]

http://global3.memecdn.com/not-sure-if-football-or-soccer_c_1489739.jpg

Cause I can't see the YouTube links on my iPhone

Fuck America's confusing of the words

You mean surely, football or 3 seconds of throwing or maybe not at a time for 4 hours?

I joke, I like NFL, but to the whole world football is the game played with your feet. (Surprisingly enough)

Brendan Rodgers - "Sterling is the best young player in Europe" on the back of two deflected goals against Norwich. Lol.

[Bad Grrrl Agro]

Gotta love the Detroit Lions.

Naw.. The Green Bowl Packers! Proud cheesehead!

[Xena Warrior Proletarian]

Naw.. The Green Bowl Packers! Proud cheesehead!

You so nearly spoiled the 9ers party early in the playoffs :) I had a bet on with my brother that would have made me some considerable cash (50 pence) if you'd won. Seattle winning in the Super Bowl was much funnier though.

[Lanfear]

Brendan Rodgers - "Sterling is the best young player in Europe" on the back of two deflected goals against Norwich. Lol.
Theres obviously a lot more to it than that. Genuine question here but have you watched a lot of liverpool this season?

[DDR]

Well tonight I guess the Bayern is going to pummel us really hard, but I assure you it's going to be bloody beautiful match :D


http://global3.memecdn.com/not-sure-if-football-or-soccer_c_1489739.jpg

Cause I can't see the YouTube links on my iPhone

Fuck America's confusing of the words


We're talking about football not hand-egg-ball.

[Xena Warrior Proletarian]

Theres obviously a lot more to it than that. Genuine question here but have you watched a lot of liverpool this season?

Not much beyond the big games and match of the day :) but such a claim about Sterling without even talking about competitors seems ridiculous. Jese, Isco, Drmic would all be preferable in my eyes. His pace is a massive factor in his game, and you worry about what would happen if he were to get injured - like Owen and others. He's definitely been good for Liverpool, and it's interesting to see him hold his own in the number 10 role as well as on the wing, but with people talking about him making the team for Brazil, I just can't stop being reminded of what happened to Walcott and Lennon.

Are you a Liverpool fan?

What do you think of Moyes getting sacked? :) I've seen plenty of Liverpool fans expressing their regret - he was doing an excellent job as far as the Anfield faithful are concerned xD

[Lanfear]

I really think sterling has been very good this year and could hold his own with the names you mentioned. I'm a Celtic fan but as far as English football goes I follow Liverpool. Moyes, tough one. It's easy to laugh at united this year. I think moyes needed to sort the defence out as his number one priority but tried to sign a few midfielders and then for that idiot from Everton in. Then in jan he signed mata ignoring the defence again. He played a large part in his own downfall I believe tho his players should be having a long hard look at themselves also

[Nakidana]

I'm with Bayern tonight, but Real going through would not be a huge deal. As long as Chelsea doesn't win I'm all good. :cool:

[htb24]

Liverpool - Chelsea later on today! I cannot wait :D! COME ON YOU RED MEN!

[Devrim]

You have just got to love José Mourinho.

Devrim

[Sasha]

Ajax won the championship today in the most fitting way possible, 1-1 in a pathetic we will make you champion if you don't relegate us shitshow against Heracles Almelo for fuck sakes..
Dutch football is in a pathetic state, 5th division level...

[htb24]

Mourinho was terrible today. That is not how you should play football. Also I found out today that Paolo Di canio is a Fascist and has tattoos of Mussolini and what not.

[Rosa Partizan]

I'm a speaker of AE, hence I say soccer. I'm a big Borussia Dortmund fan :wub: and have been watching the Bundesliga for over 15 years.

[RedAnarchist]

The league is not over yet, if Man City drop just one point that puts it back in our hands, and they have three games left.

[htb24]

The league is not over yet, if Man City drop just one point that puts it back in our hands, and they have three games left.

Hopefully Everton will come through for us.

Never thought I'd say that.

[motion denied]

Mourinho was terrible today. That is not how you should play football. Also I found out today that Paolo Di canio is a Fascist and has tattoos of Mussolini and what not.

He actually celebrated goals fascist-saluting to Irriducibili.

[htb24]

He actually celebrated goals fascist-saluting to Irriducibili.

I never really liked him as a manager but this makes me think a hell of a lot less of him.

[Thirsty Crow]

So Man City's got a chance to win the title. As well as Chelsea.

And bow down to Jose even though I hate his guts.

[htb24]

So Man City's got a chance to win the title. As well as Chelsea.

And bow down to Jose even though I hate his guts.

I don't think we should bow down to him, he made a mockery of the beautiful game! That is not how you should play football.

[Devrim]

Mourinho was terrible today. That is not how you should play football.

Mourinho had a plan, and Chelsea executed it perfectly. Liverpool had nothing to offer as they attempted to break them down. Rodgers winging afterwards made him seem like a pretty poor loser. The best team won.

Devrim

[htb24]

Mourinho had a plan, and Chelsea executed it perfectly. Liverpool had nothing to offer as they attempted to break them down. Rodgers winging afterwards made him seem like a pretty poor loser. The best team won.

Devrim

The best team did not win. Throwing everyone behind the ball and relying on mistakes is not a good way to play football. They did not deserve the win.

[Xena Warrior Proletarian]

Mourinho had a plan, and Chelsea executed it perfectly. Liverpool had nothing to offer as they attempted to break them down. Rodgers winging afterwards made him seem like a pretty poor loser. The best team won.

Devrim

That was classic Mourinho chelsea. If Chelsea had a striker of Drogba quality, or really of the quality of any of the other top 4 teams' strikers, Chelsea would have cruised to a PL victory this year. They beat all the top teams, but just didn't have the firepower to consistently put away the mediocre teams (villa and the like).

I don't care what people are saying about Ba scoring important goals recently. The one against PSG was unmissable (didn't stop him trying), the Swansea goal was a deflection, and the one today was easy, and he still nearly put it straight at Mignolet. He is not quality striker. His strike rate is terrible, he looks like a 14 year old that's just had a growth spurt on the ball, and for all his weight he is hardly terrorising defences.

I'm not sure about Diego Costa, but if Chelsea get a striker to match the level of even the second striker at City, Liverpool or Man U, they will be guaranteed the Premiership next year.

Mourinho's Chelsea teams just do not concede, the work rate on display is immense. I'm not a fan of how chelsea played against barcelona in the CL two years ago, but with a decent striker they will be cleaning up every game at least 2 or 3 nil.

[bricolage]

You do what you have to do to win games and the better team is the one that gets the points. Football's not romantic or poetic, it's a sport.

[Thirsty Crow]

But with all the shenanigans of the Reds this season and the upcoming World Cup (Champions League wasn't that interesting really), I gotta say the NBA playoffs is the sport event of the year no doubt for me (the only sport I actively follow and love actually).

[Devrim]

The best team did not win. Throwing everyone behind the ball and relying on mistakes is not a good way to play football. They did not deserve the win.

Is this some sort of moral judgement? There are lots of ways to play football. Chelsea stopped Liverpool from scoring, and capitalised on Liverpool’s mistakes to score themselves.

If you want to win, the answer is to break them down, and not make defensive mistakes, both of which, Liverpool, who were well beaten, were unable to do.


That was classic Mourinho chelsea. If Chelsea had a striker of Drogba quality, or really of the quality of any of the other top 4 teams' strikers, Chelsea would have cruised to a PL victory this year. They beat all the top teams, but just didn't have the firepower to consistently put away the mediocre teams (villa and the like).

Yes, they would have been frightening if they had managed to get Rooney.

Devrim

[RedAnarchist]

So, it'll be an all-Madrid final of the Champions League, with either Real winning "La Decima", or Atletico winning their first. It's also the first time two teams from the same city have played each other in the final.

[motion denied]

I'm disappointed. I don't follow La Liga and even though Atletico has been pretty good this season, I can see them being trashed by Real.

[Rosa Partizan]

I'm weeping with joy because of the match yesterday. And I'm not a Real Madrid fan.

[SHORAS]

lol Devrim, you're such an idiot. I bet you'll be changing your tune about Wenger if you win the FA Cup. How you can say Chelsea were the better team is pathetic. :laugh:

[Devrim]

lol Devrim, you're such an idiot. I bet you'll be changing your tune about Wenger if you win the FA Cup. How you can say Chelsea were the better team is pathetic. :laugh:

I am not an Arsenal fan. I don't think that they will win the FA cup, but even if they do, I still think he is a failure. One FA Cup in nine years is a failure for a team like Arsenal.

I think you would have to be very biased no to see Chelsea as the better team last weekend. They had a plan, and they executed magnificently. Liverpool looked like they had no idea how to play against them. Was it attractive football? No, it was really ugly, and personally I am glad I am not a Chelsea fan, and I don't pay to watch that sort of thing every week. That doesn't mean that Liverpool weren't well beaten though.

Devrim

[SHORAS]

You've just reiterated you previous nonsense. They were certainly the luckier team.

[Devrim]

No they weren't lucky at all. Their defence was absolutely solid. Liverpool made mistakes. They are pretty dodgy at the back, and have been all season. In particular Gerrard made a mistake and Chelsea capitalised on it. That is not luck. The margins at the very top are so tight, and that was enough.

Devrim

[RedAnarchist]

Honestly, if we didn't score as many goals as we have done so far this season, we would have lost quite a bit more often than we did. Our defence will be strengthened over the summer, though, and I can see us doing quite well in all competitions next season.

[F9]

lol Devrim, you're such an idiot. I bet you'll be changing your tune about Wenger if you win the FA Cup. How you can say Chelsea were the better team is pathetic. :laugh:

No more name calling and similar attitude in here!!infracted

[SHORAS]

No more name calling and similar attitude in here!!infracted

Fuck off you idiot.

[Sasha]

Fuck off you idiot.

And have another one, behave...

[Devrim]

Honestly, if we didn't score as many goals as we have done so far this season, we would have lost quite a bit more often than we did. Our defence will be strengthened over the summer, though, and I can see us doing quite well in all competitions next season.

I think Liverpool are at a bit of a crucial point. Financially they haven't been able to compete with what has been the top three, or even four over the last few years. The increase in television money though could go some way to compensate for that. They could potentially be in a position to dessert themselves as one of the top English clubs.

Certainly they have preformed magnificently well this year, and have certainly been the most exciting team to watch. Suarez has also probably been the best player in the Premier League though I think Yaya Toure has run him close and the contribution of midfielders is not given the consideration.

While not belittling there achievements this year, they have spent the fourth most on wages of any club in the league. Although they were seventh last year, they are spending at Champions League levels. It is not as if they are some mid-ranking club challenging for the title. That just doesn't happen any more. In addition they weren't in Europe and went out of the cups early. I think this has been quite a significant factor in the title race.

Will they preform well in all cockpit ions next year? I think that to do so they will first have to hang on to Suarez and Rodgers both of whom could well be persued by the Spanish giants this summer. In addition they will have to invest heavily. I see three problems; First the lack of depth, while they have some fantastic players they have barely enough depth for the title race. Competing in four competitions would put a lot more strain on a numerically limited squad. Second, the defence, even the staunchest Liverpool fans must admit its dodgy. Finally Gerrard, while he has received a lot of plaudits for his performances this year, I feel that his positioning in this role leaves too large a gap between him and the defence which has contributed to liverpool's vurnability at the back. He will be one year older and will need to be replaced soon.

They could go on to win the title, keep Suarez and Rodgers, invest well and be a significant force for years to come, or they could lose the league, their manager, and star player and tumble back down to mediocrity.

Devrim

[Lanfear]

I dont see Rodgers leaving this Summer. Certainly listening to him speak suggests he wont be going anyway. Suarez is a different matter but I wont be surprised if he starts the new season with Liverpool

[Xena Warrior Proletarian]

I dont see Rodgers leaving this Summer. Certainly listening to him speak suggests he wont be going anyway. Suarez is a different matter but I wont be surprised if he starts the new season with Liverpool

I don't think anyone seriously wants Rodgers. I'm fairly certain that the price on Saurez is about £70m which would mean Real would have to sell Benzema (something they are willing to do for a reasonable price I believe). As usual it will be something of a transfer train.

If Liverpool really are a top side as some are suggesting, they will have to get used to teams playing like Chelsea did against them - this is something you have to deal with when you proclaim yourself to be the best.

Also, Barcelona have had their transfer ban suspended half a year. They have well over €100 to spend (possibly more like €200) as they will be buying for two years. Ter Stegen has been their main target, with Pepe Reina also talked about for replacing Valdes. It is rumoured that they will be looking to offload some players and bring in World class quality. Also rumoured that they would be open to letting Fabregas go for the right price, and that Cesc himself is open to a move back to the PL.

[Lanfear]

yeah, I can see Cesc going to United, unless he values CL football over wages

[Devrim]

I don't think anyone seriously wants Rodgers. I'm fairly certain that the price on Saurez is about £70m which would mean Real would have to sell Benzema (something they are willing to do for a reasonable price I believe). As usual it will be something of a transfer train.

Nobody seems to want him at the moment, bt what if Real lose out to Atheletico is both the league and the Champions league final. That could instigate something of a manager train. Barca might decide to go for Suarez now, as they will, as you point out, have a transfer ban.


If Liverpool really are a top side as some are suggesting, they will have to get used to teams playing like Chelsea did against them - this is something you have to deal with when you proclaim yourself to be the best.

Do you mean teams like Palace? :laugh: They seem to have blown it now.

Devrim

[bricolage]

Do you mean teams like Palace? :laugh:
Oi, we're pretty good... sometimes.

[St Pauli Bhoy]

Yeovil Town is out but the Championship won't be terrace-free again next season! :grin:
Brentford will bring theirs to the league next season, and there could be TWO if Peterborough can slip through the playoffs!

"Unabsteigbar" HSV my arse :laugh: who else is looking forward to the Hamburg derby next season?

Here's a question for you lot...which stadium has had the best atmosphere in the English premiership this season? For me it has been the Eagles' Selhurst Park, and it has nothing to do with their "dancing crystals" :tongue_smilie: no plastics in south London!

[Devrim]

As the final weekend of the EPL season approaches, the Liverpool fans seem to have gone quite.

I think the title will almost certainly go to City now. It is a pity for Liverpool that Gerrad couldn't follow his own advice:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/05/08/article-2623207-1DA63CDE00000578-763_634x404.jpg
Devrim

[Futility Personified]

I've only gone and put a £10 bet on West Ham beating City (£120 if they do!)

Liverpool got way too greedy at Palace. Playing to beat the goal difference was foolish and practically impossible anyway. I kinda felt Chelsea were to be their last judgement in a way as they've always been a hard team for Liverpool, but that draw..... god.

That said, if West Ham do beat City, Liverpool have no excuse not to beat Newcastle and win the league. I will be most smiley.