Football Talk 2004/2005 (Soccer)

[packt up]

I mean Newcastle :shifty:

[The Mackem]

http://welcome.to/yeadingfc (http://welcome.to/yeadingfc)

Check out the guestbook, packt up :D

[packt up]

LOL Mackem. Are any of them you?!?

FORUM INVASIONNNNNNNNNNN...of Yeading FC :(

[The Mackem]

One of them :cool:

[The Mackem]

Holy crp you can sponsor a players socks for £5 a season.

[packt up]

lol at a Mackem/Geordie feud on the website.

WHY CANT WE JUST ALL GET ALONG

[The Mackem]

CRUEL FATE

[packt up]

I want a hug from you Mackem :(

({)

[PSIcological]

Pompey away :cool:

[Rob]

Rob, can you honestly tell me Diego Forlan was good enough to be a United player? He worked tirelessly all game, there's no denying that, but in sheer quality and technique the guy was clearly lacking. His distribution was, at times, appauling and his shooting was rushed and reckless. He was light-weight and if you compare his game to Smithy's or Rooney's the difference is laughable. As for the statistics, it is true he didn't make that many starts etc., but in my mind his goal tally wasn't what really pissed me off - it was his general match-play.

As for Kezman, the guy was prolific in Holland (as was Ruud) and now he's off the mark it wouldn't surprise me if he weighed in with a fair few goals. Goal-scoring is all about confidence and the guy undeniably had it yesterday to take that penalty in that manner.

On a side not, everytime I see Robben play I get pissed off a little bit more. That bloke should be a United player and Giggs' heir to the left-wing throne, but for the cretins on the MUFC board. :(

I thought Forlan was a good player. Probably not United class but he'd do for our bench. His confidence just went to sh</>it near the end and it killed him. The guy has quality though. I saw him play 4 or 5 full games for Uruguay and you wouldn't believe it was the same player. Hasn't done too bad at Villareal either.

As for Kezman, my brother brought up that Dutch league stat too. Forlan scored goals in Argentina and didn't here. Scott Booth scored goals in Holland and he was crap. Dutch league records don't mean sh</>it if he can't score here (see Forlan again). RVN done the business. Kezman hasn't.

And yeah, I want Robben more now too. Stupid fu</>cking David Gill.

And for Dazz, my Chelsea mates aren't sold on him either but they aren't sold on Drogba either. They don't care though because you'll just spend another £40 million on strikers next season "because you just can".

[Rob]

One of my brothers mates plays for Yeading, what a draw for them, Newscastle at home.

Dudley Campbell (or DJ as he is known to us) lives next door to my girlfriend. Probably getting tickets to that match now.

I was pissing myself laughing at him being interview too.

[Dazz]

If they are not sold on Kezman or Drogba, then they clearly haven't seen them play. Drogba turned the game around yesterday, and is just what we need, he can hold the ball up, make great runs, finish well and has skill. His main problem is staying onside.

And My brothers mate is Mark Clebo, who was sub keeper on Saturday but is normally a centre back. Not sure how often he plays but I doubt he'll start against Newcastle.

[toxic rooster]

So what, they're playing at Yeading's ground?

Cos they'll probably have to sell the game to Newcastle or something and play at St James' Park, like what happened to us a couple of years ago when we drew Farnborough away

[The Mackem]

I don't think they can do that anymore. I think it has to be a neutral ground near to Yeading.

[toxic rooster]

where is Yeading, anyway?

[packt up]

Its in London apparently.

And yeah can't shift it for financial reasons and if it does it will most likely go to a neutral ground nearby where all additional money goes into a central pool.

[Dazz]

If it is safe to play at Yeading's ground then they will play it their. When a team goes into the conference and League 2 their ground has to be up to a certain safety level. So it depends if Yeading meet the requirements, otherwise it will more then likely be switched to St James' anyway, as Yeading get alot more money and they will lose anyway so it wont bother them.

[The Mask]

Forlan wasn't fit for the subs bench. You want your subs to come on and actually do something. like super Ole :love:

[The Mackem]

They can't switch to St James'.

[Dazz]

Yeah apparently like Mr. Up posted a few posts up, it will be played at a neutral ground if Yeading's isn't safe, but there is no way it will be played in Newcastle, which is fair enough because I heard Scotland is freezing in January.

[toxic rooster]

I suppose they wouldn't be able to play it at Highbury or Stamford Bridge?

[Dazz]

Seeing as Arsenal and Chelsea are both at home, and they wont want the pitch used twice in two days, unlikely.

I think the reason the football league have done it this way is to pretty much make sure that it isn't played at a good ground, its the whole 'romance of the F.A cup thing'.

[Ogen]

BERN, Dec 6 (Reuters) - A player in Switzerland's top division has been left without a finger after a goal celebration went horribly wrong.
Servette midfielder Paulo Diogo was forced to have his left ring finger amputated on Sunday after catching it on a perimeter fence during his side's 4-1 win at Schafthausen.


The 29-year-old Swiss-Portuguese player jumped up on the fence in celebration after setting up his team's third goal.

Diogo, who got married recently failed to notice, however, that his wedding ring was caught in the metal barrier and severed the top two joints of the finger as he jumped back down.

He was then shown a yellow card for his excessive celebration.

Doctors at a Zurich hospital were unable to re-attach the finger joints and advised the amputation of the remaining stump.

[The Mackem]

Yeah apparently like Mr. Up posted a few posts up, it will be played at a neutral ground if Yeading's isn't safe, but there is no way it will be played in Newcastle, which is fair enough because I heard Scotland is freezing in January.
I posted it first swine :foc:

[Mr. Monday Morning]

If they are not sold on Kezman or Drogba, then they clearly haven't seen them play. Drogba turned the game around yesterday, and is just what we need, he can hold the ball up, make great runs, finish well and has skill. His main problem is staying onside.

There was a guy who phoned in to 5 Live yesterday or Saturday saying Tiago is just a useless (a prima donna, I think he said) as you say Gudjohnsen is, and he'd rather have Smertin or Parker there every time.

What is your opinion on this Mr Mantle

[Dazz]

It is what I have been saying too, Tiago is shit, Saturday was hardly a one off, he had a good shot but that was it, his goal Vs Bolton was the only good thing he did that match, likewise his goal Vs Palace was his only memorable thing in that match. I have always said Smertin should be our holding midfielder, the guy is fucking class, as is Parker, they are both hard tackling and I like their style of play. Tiago looks and acts like a poofter, really don't see why we signed him, his passing is dire.

Anyone who saw Saturdays match must agree that Gudjohnsen is a peice of shit. He used to be the man, I honestly don't know what happened to him.

[Rob]

Yeah apparently like Mr. Up posted a few posts up, it will be played at a neutral ground if Yeading's isn't safe, but there is no way it will be played in Newcastle, which is fair enough because I heard Scotland is freezing in January.

That was quite funny for you.

[toxic rooster]

He was then shown a yellow card for his excessive celebration.
And the award for the biggest bastard of a ref goes to....

[Dazz]

That was quite funny for you.

When we played Newcastle on Saturday they were singing "Small team in Fulham, your just a small team in Fulham" So we responded with "Small team in Scotland, your just a small team in Scotland".

Newcastle fans are morons, they started singing "What a waste of money" when Drogba was warming up, then he set up the first and scored the second, to which we then started chanting "What a Waste of money" to him :cool:

[The Mackem]

Newcastle fans are morons
You've only just found this out?

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Wolves have appointed Glenn Hoddle as their new manager on a six-month contract.

The 47-year-old former England coach was unveiled at an 11am press conference, bringing to an end Wolves' month-long search for a successor to Dave Jones.

Jones parted company with the Coca-Cola Championship club on November 1 after the club's relegation from the Premiership last season was followed by a miserable start to the new campaign.

Hoddle, out of work since leaving Tottenham a year ago, will keep Stuart Gray - working as caretaker boss since Jones was sacked - as his assistant.

Gray will remain in charge for tonight's Championship match with Millwall, meaning Hoddle's first game as manager will be at Watford on Saturday.

``The club is delighted to appoint a manager of the calibre of Glenn Hoddle,'' Wolves chairman Rick Hayward told www.wolves.co.uk.

``He has managed at the highest level with England and, most importantly to us, he has experience of taking a club into the Premiership.

``He achieved that success with Swindon Town, and our own hopes for this season remain very much alive.

``Although it has been a relatively long search, we believe Glenn fits our criteria better than anyone and is the best man for the job.''

Hoddle brings with him a wealth of top-level experience at a still relatively young age - facts not lost on Hayward who noted: ``His CV reads like a list of the Premiership who's who.

``Glenn has managed the likes of Chelsea - whom he took to an FA Cup final - Southampton whom, with Stuart's help, he led to eighth in the league and then most recently Tottenham Hotspur.

``He believes in playing football in a style that fits our reputation; he is of the right age and, having taken a year out, Glenn is hungry to get back into football. He has spoken to two Premiership clubs of late - and so for us to get him, we believe, is a real coup.

``We are particularly happy that Stuart will remain at Molineux, having worked with Glenn previously. We hope to see them recreate a similar winning formula to
that which they enjoyed with the Saints.''

Hoddle began his managerial career as player-boss with Swindon before moving on to Chelsea and then taking up the England job.

His spell in charge of the national side came to an end after the 1998 World Cup when he made some controversial comments about disabled people in a newspaper interview.

He later returned to management with Southampton where he succeeded Jones - as he has now done at Wolves.

He engineered an upturn in Saints' fortunes before being lured to White Hart Lane by Tottenham, the club where he made his name as a player.

That relationship turned sour, and he left the London club early last season. Since then he applied unsuccessfully for the post of France manager and had also been linked with a return to Southampton.

Wolves are currently 17th in the Championship.

----------------

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WTF

[The Mask]

unlucky puss

[Ogen]

Wolves for leauge 1

[The Mackem]

Come on Eileen

[Rob Ban Fan]

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">Hoddle aint that bad, him for 6 months...you could do a lot worse i reckon :o

Lua Lua has been charged by the FA with gesturing to Middlesbrough fans when we played away to them. He faces a possible ban.

After the times ive complained about players gesturing when they've played against us, i can't complain because its something that does my head in. A ban seems a bit harsh but fair play.

:p</font>

[The Mackem]

He should have won an award.

[Rob]

Wolves for leauge 1

Beat me to it.

[Danny Electric]

Have you all forgotten how Hoddle got Swindon into the Premiership, they were crap when they were there but look what he did for them.

[PSIcological]

And then theres paul scally only going and appointing stan ternent as manager at Gillingham :nono:
It's true, wolves could have done a lot worse :roll:

[toxic rooster]

My god...stupid wanker writing the ESPN live commentary

"Judging on the opening of this match, you could say there is Nor-way Rosenborg will get anything from this game. Geddit? Sorry."

:| :nono:

[toxic rooster]

Rosenborg are all over the place at the back - at sixes and sevens. And so could be the scoreline at this rate

The atmosphere is dead in north London - nothing different there then :mad:

FUCKING MAKE SOME NOISE SHIT CUNTS

[Danny Electric]

Yeah, the Arsenal fans are a bag of shite. There'd be more noise at a Hearsay comeback tour.
Plus that Alumini(whatever his name is, he's a shite goalie) doesn't deserve to be on the pitch.

[Danny Electric]

Diego's goal :)

[toxic rooster]

FFS :mad:

Oh yeah, we topped the group :cool:.

And Celtic went out :cool:.

And Ranieri's Valencia's in the UEFA cup (I think) :cool:.

And Chelski lost :cool:, not that it matters though :mad:.

What a day

[Dazz]

Diego's goal :)

:foc:

[yianni]

Panathinaikos :'(

Ah well they did well to finish third just a point behind the leaders. At least they have the UEFA Cup now. :y:

Now let's hope Olympiakos get a point at Anfield and make the second round. :)

[yianni]

Oh yeah, :eek: at Porto. :eek:

[Dazz]

Oh yeah, :eek: at Porto. :eek:

:foc:

[Cactus Sid]

Harry Redknapp will be announced as Southampton manager later today, Kevin Bond is expected to leave Portsmouth to join him.

[The Mask]

RBFFFFFFFFF :'(

[yianni]

:foc:
Fuck off, you cunts had already qualified, what's there to whinge about? :foc:

[Dazz]

Nice one Harry, I am sure when you phoned me RBF the day they left I said to you Smith's reaction when the Pompey fan said that he doesn't care where he goes as long as it isn't Southampton, and had to ask him again as he was worried. I was pretty much sure for the last week that he would take over.

LOLz :lol:

[Dazz]

Fuck off, you cunts had already qualified, what's there to whinge about? :foc:

That we still feilded a great team and lost. Had we not have been trying I would have agrred.

[Rob Ban Fan]

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">Fuck off Redknapp. I appreciate everything he did but the way he has gone about this whole thing is complete bollocks. The more and more I look at it, the more im thinking he had a lot more to fdo with this whole situation than I originally thought.

I dont care about him going to Southampton, Alan Ball moved between both clubs, so did several players, i dont care. The only thing that annoys me is the way he lied about it. If you're going to go to Southampton, dont tell the fans you wont a week before. And if he comes and poaches Jordan and Bond, our ONLY remaining coaches, then well, my respect for him will go down to 0.</font>

[Danny Electric]

Conspiracy theories in football.
If we lose tonight then I'd like to thank Steven Gerrard for all he has given to the club and good luck to him in whatever club he joins next Summer.

[Dazz]

Like you don't know what club he's joining :roll:

[Loose Cannon]

Watching Roma/Madrid on ESPN 2. :D Finally some, UEFA football on ESPN. I haven't been really keeping up with it, how far are they into the season now?

A couple of Roma's good guys aren't playing (i.e. Totti, Cassano)

[BCWWF]

They have these Champions League games on every two weeks or so. This one kind of sucks because Roma is all shitty and the stadium is empty. Seriously, there is nobody in the stands.

[Loose Cannon]

I get so confused with the European tourneys. What Championship did Porto just win a couple of months ago?

[Dazz]

Hey, it's better then watching the ManYoo match like we have to.

It's about 3 months into the season LC.

[Dazz]

The Champions League.

[Loose Cannon]

yeah, this is a good matchup. I wish Cassano was playing though. I became a big fan of his in the Euro 04.

[BCWWF]

Seriously though, why does Italy have such trouble selling tickets? We get Serie A games on the international channel here and the last one was Juventus and Lazio and it was just as empty.

[Loose Cannon]

The Champions League.

so wait, and this is the Champions League again? When is the Final? Cause there talking on ESPN about some "Final 16" like it's getting close to the end or something. But Porto just won. AHHHHHHH, I never get it.

What really screws me up, is there is another tourney called the UEFA CUP.

[BCWWF]

Yeah the UEFA Cup is like the tournament just below Champions League, like the teams that are just below the cut. Right?

[Loose Cannon]

I don't know, My freinds from Portugal explain these things all the time for me and I still haven't gotten it :lol:

[Cactus Sid]

Seriously though, why does Italy have such trouble selling tickets? We get Serie A games on the international channel here and the last one was Juventus and Lazio and it was just as empty.

Roma have to play games behind closed doors because they've had serious crowd trouble in the past, and in their first game of the tournament, a referee had a coin thrown at him, bled pretty bad.

Anyway, Liverpool are going out as it stands, great start to the game, Baros should've had a goal, and we hit the post, but Rivaldo scored a free kick, so we have to get 3.

Nunez is seriously sh</>it. For a winger he has literally no pace, and all he has done in the past 3 games is turn around and pass it back to Finnan, plus he fu</>cked up BAD for the goal.

Ah well, Uefa Cup ain't so bad.....losing Gerrard however is.

[Loose Cannon]

Figo just scored :love:

[Dazz]

so wait, and this is the Champions League again? When is the Final? Cause there talking on ESPN about some "Final 16" like it's getting close to the end or something. But Porto just won. AHHHHHHH, I never get it.

What really screws me up, is there is another tourney called the UEFA CUP.

Yeah the final was in May, the new season started in August, and this is the group stages of the competition, after tonight the four teams in each group will have played each other home and away, and the two teams at the top of the mini league go into the draw for the next round, there are eight groups, so thats 16 teams in the draw, hence the 'final 16'. The Matches aren't played till after Christmas, but the draw is this Friday at 12pm English time (I think)

Yeah the UEFA Cup is like the tournament just below Champions League, like the teams that are just below the cut. Right?

Right. Depending on how good the teams of a country are they get a certain amount of places in the Champions League and UEFA Cup. Which is why English teams should technically cheer each other on, or at least want each other to win, so that we don't have a few seasons where our teams do shit and they take away one of our places in the competition.

The top four teams in the Premier League go into the Champions League. The two teams below them in the league (or maybe one I am not TOO sure), and the F.A Cup and League Cup winners also go into the UEFA Cup.

[Loose Cannon]

Thanks Dazz :y: Dam, I can't believe the Final was in May. Time sure flys.

[jerichoholic169]

whoever convinced liverpool to take nunez from real must be an amazing negotiator. cant believe how awful he is. pantos should have been sent off twice now. enjoy the UEFA cup liverpool....

[Dazz]

Yeah I was just thinking that, it doesn't seem like seven months ago.

[Loose Cannon]

WOW, FIGO AGAIN :love:

[Dazz]

I'll have to catch the highlights later

[Danny Electric]

STTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVVVVVVVEN GEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRARDDDDDDDD

[Danny Electric]

Blow the whistle.

[Dazz]

I have been reliably informed that his goal was pretty damn good.

[BCWWF]

Luis Figo is the man, I just don't like Real Madrid a lot...I am more of a Real Salt lake fan :nono:

[Danny Electric]

All 4 British teams through to the next phase. Fucking awesome.
I am the happiest man alive at the moment, fuck my coursework.

[Cactus Sid]

WALK ON!

What a game, if you watched it, the ref gave every decision to them, they should've had at least 4 players booked and 2 of them sent off, we had 2 goals disallowed, they rolled around and cheated time and time again..... BUT

We did it, and we're into the second round, I can't believe it :love:

[Danny Electric]

I don't have Sky Sports in my house and had no money to get to the pub and a 4000 word essay for Friday. I really wanted to watch the game. I fucking hate Sky, put the Champions League back on ITV.
I've just been watching the Sky Sports News pages all night.

[Cactus Sid]

I always flick it on to see what Thommo has to say, and Le Tiss is my footballing idol, so....

Of course, you didn't have Andy Gray trying desperately to put the commentators curse on us.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Liverpool and Man U are gonna be pretty fucked with the draw for the next round :$

[Cactus Sid]

Could get Lyon or Bayer Leverkusen, both good sides, but I think we could beat them.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Or you could get Milan, Inter or Juve :$

[The Mackem]

Ah well I guess Southampton are the next team to get financially fucked over by Redknapp.

[jerichoholic169]

i dont think it really matters whether you finish top or second in this champions league: chelsea or arsenal could get real, munich, barca, psv, werder or porto. liverpool or united could get inter, milan, lyon, juve, leverkusen or monaco. its tough either way.

and speaking of juve: in 6 games, they won 5 and drew tonight. in the process they scored the mighty total of 6 goals and conceded just the one. i just hope the english teams avoid juve as if they carry that on its gonna be two boring matches.....

[toxic rooster]

They have these Champions League games on every two weeks or so. This one kind of sucks because Roma is all shitty and the stadium is empty. Seriously, there is nobody in the stands.
Roma's fans got banned from the stadium for their last 2 home CL games cos somebody threw a coin and it hit the ref in their game against Kiev.

PS FUCK ME, what a goal. Gerrard :eek:

[Danny Electric]

This is when the Champions Leage gets interesting.
Who would have thought that last year's final would have been Porto v Monaco, so anything could happen.
I know that none of those teams will be looking foward to coming to Anfield.

[toxic rooster]

Random thought: It'll be fucking hilarious if Southampton go down now.

[toxic rooster]

Well...not now, but you know. At the end of the season maybe.

[yianni]

OLYMPIAKOS :'(

Bollocks to the Champions League, the Greeks will win the UEFA Cup now. :D :(

[toxic rooster]

Imagining all-English semi-finals.

*shudders*

[BCWWF]

Anfield is where Arsenal plays right? I hate that place. I don't know if its the angle they put TV cameras or if its just an odd pitch, but the games seem completely different.

[toxic rooster]

Liverpool plays at Anfield, Arsenal plays at Highbury.

But you're right about Arsenal games looking weird, the stands are low at Highbury (and I'm assuming that's where the cameras are mounted) which is why the picture probably looks so different, and I think it's the narrowest field in the Premiership or something, but it is definitely smaller than many other fields.

[Cactus Sid]

Or you could get Milan, Inter or Juve :$

It might sound a little over optimistic, but I'd say we had a chance against all but Juve.

[Ogen]

nah Milan would utterly piss on you. and I'd fancy Inter if given a choice but you'd have a chance with them

[Cactus Sid]

I dunno, Milan can be seriously suss at the back at times, and Celtic had a good go against them home and away, I think we'd have some chance.

I'd still say Milan or Inter would beat us, but I think we'd have a chance.

[toxic rooster]

The mouth waters at the prospect of our draw. We'll be getting one out of:

Real Madrid
Bayern Munich
Werder Bremen
Porto
Barcelona

:drool:

[Paranoid Rattlesnake]

Yeah well i've just got back to hull from sheffield,

Third teer of english football and we get higher crowds than some premiership games 28701 at our game vs wednesday last night with 10000 of us making the trip from hull.

ONE NICKY BARMBY

[toxic rooster]

You got more than Roma got tonight :D.

0.

[Rob Ban Fan]

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">Yeah, the Roma fans were banned but Italian fans are shit when their teams are in Europe. Juventus always have an empty stadium when they play champions league matches. They average around 10,000. They only really care about domestic matches.

Kevin Bond has left us and joined Southampton. He can fuck off even more because we REALLY needed him at the moment. Redknapp claims he didnt know how big the rivalry was :| Yeah, alright then Harry, you seemed to know how important it was when we beat them last season...

He also claims he would like to sign some players from us. Haha, okay.

Great goal by Stevie Gerrard though :cool:</font>

[toxic rooster]

Harry and Jim
Go and get fucked etc.

eh?

[Ogen]

The mouth waters at the prospect of our draw. We'll be getting one out of:

Real Madrid
Bayern Munich
Werder Bremen
Porto
Barcelona

:drool:
Only one of them you'll beat is Werder though

[Dazz]

I would say Bayern Munich too, and they have a good chance Vs Porto.

[The Mackem]

I haven't really kept up with the Champions League at all, haven't seen a match yet.

[BCWWF]

Who is Wee Gooners team?

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Arsenal.

I wish Arsenal would turn it on in the Champions League. Imagine Arsenal in full flow against Barcelona. The attacking football would be sumptious.

[BCWWF]

Bah, Arsenal should die and get a bigger pitch

[Wengerland]

Arsenal are moving to a new stadium soon, think it'll be in 2006.

Good to see all 4 English clubs progressing in the champions league too.

[Cactus Sid]

-EDIT- Wengerland beat me to it :rant:

[Wengerland]

:cool:

[Cactus Sid]

Apparently Yeading have opted to play Newcastle away from home. Whether that means its gonna be at Newcastle or somewhere else in London is not yet confirmed.

Assholes :mad:

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Hoddle's first game in charge on Saturday against Watford.

Ye Gods :'(

[Cactus Sid]

:( Good Luck

[Danny Electric]

The draw tomorrow morning, I'm more anxious about that than my coursework.
Oh and the only country (I think) to get 4 clubs into the knock-out phase. :)

[Wengerland]

The only thing i'd be worried about is Hoddle's record for leaving clubs, his manageial record isn't too bad really :$

Got Swindon up, Dazz seems to like him so i guess he did alright at Chelsea, not so great at England or Spurs but did well at Southampton.

[Dazz]

I heard its on the 17th

[Cactus Sid]

I heard its on the 17th

This is correct

[Danny Electric]

Then I've gone mad and I was wishing it was tomorrow. :)

[Cactus Sid]

Someone somewhere said it was tomorrow, I thought it was til I heard this morning on Sky Sports News

[Dazz]

It is normally on the Friday after the round has finished, I thought it was this Friday originally. Only found out last night it wasn't

[Wengerland]

Ronaldinho's won World Player of the Year :love:

-edit- just found out it was in a magazine vote, not the real thing :$

[Danny Electric]

That's the right decision.
I personally think that Ali Daei should have won. :shifty:

[Cactus Sid]

Ronaldinho's won World Player of the Year :love:

You sure? BBC, FIFA and Sky Sports haven't said anything

[Wengerland]

oh right, i just went in and looked on itv teletext and it said Ronaldinho named World Player of the Year, maybe not official yet then. I imagine he's the favourite.

Editted original post :'(

[toxic rooster]

Henry shouldn't get it due to shiteness for France in Euro, and also shiteness in Arsenal's bigger games this year.

[toxic rooster]

The alternative venues being considered for Yeading's tie are Loftus Road (QPR), Adams Park (Wycombe) and Griffin Park (Brentford)

[Y2Ant]

Decisions, decisions, where will Yeading get to do the job to the Toon :cool:

[Wengerland]

Yeading's tie has been moved to Loftus Road. Although it's probably the best of the possibilities QPR will be playing there the day before, so it won't be good for the pitch.

With Brentford,even though they'll lose to Hinckley, away in the next round, it would have made more sense to play at Griffin Park.

[The Mask]

Exeter's Bad Idea

By Dunny
Date: 10/12/2004

Exeter City sponsors, the airline 'flybe' could unwittingly score a PR own goal when the Grecians face United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup.

The budget airline intend to treat the players like "Premiership stars" by flying them to Manchester for the game and will offer a £1000 bonus to any player that celebrates a goal with an aeroplane gesture.

flybe marketing director, Simon Lilley told the Non League paper: "We have been delighted with the players' celebrations."

The marketing tool had better re-think his 'idea'.

----

whoops

[Cactus Sid]

Ooooooh, that could be interesting

Not that they'll score anyway

[Cactus Sid]

Don't know if anyone is watching it, but the Lazio vs Lecce game on Eurosport has been absolutely awesome

[Danny Electric]

Whats the score?

[Cactus Sid]

It was 3-3

Lecce led 2-0 at half time, then Lazio pulled it back to 2-2, were all over them, Inzaghi then tried to chip the keeper when he could have slid it past, and Lecce ran up the other end and scored, before Di Canio equalised. Awesome end to end game.

[Danny Electric]

Awesome

[Rob]

I can't stand Italian football. It's unbelievably boring.

As for Kirks comments on the Champions League draw, Liverpool might have to sh</>it themselves but I'm not worried about any of those teams at all. AC Milan will give us a game but if Celtic can piss over them for 85 mins on their own ground and then draw at Parkhead, I'd like to believe we'd do better.

[Wengerland]

Can't believe our inconsistent home form :(

Xavi got a late winner to move Barcelona 12 points clear though, great strike.

[BCWWF]

Where is Marcel Desially now?

[Wengerland]

Qatar i believe, actually been said a few pages ago but no worries.

[BCWWF]

I think that was me that asked, but this thing has like 5 pages a day so I couldn't find it. But he actually plays in Qatar? As in the little country in the middle east?

[Wengerland]

I'm pretty sure he does, yeah. Quite a few big name veterans have gone over there to earn quite a lot more money, such as Batistuta and Hierro (before joining Bolton). I think the De Boer brothers are there too.

I'm not 100% on Desailly though, it was said that he was going to Qatar after turning down Palace, Portsmouth and Celtic but i never heard it confirmed.

[BCWWF]

Oh yeah I remember when Batistuta went over there, thats crazy

[toxic rooster]

Pompey is being linked with Gordon Strachan.

Wouldn't that be something if they got him?

[Cactus Sid]

I can't stand Italian football. It's unbelievably boring.

As for Kirks comments on the Champions League draw, Liverpool might have to sh</>it themselves but I'm not worried about any of those teams at all. AC Milan will give us a game but if Celtic can piss over them for 85 mins on their own ground and then draw at Parkhead, I'd like to believe we'd do better.

I can't stand Italian football either, but it was literally the only thing on TV, and it turned out to be a great game.

As for the Champions League draw, I think we have a chance against all of them except for Juve, and I think its pretty much the same for United.

[Rob Ban Fan]

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">Players get paid stupid amounts of money to play in Qatar. Desailly is there, yeah, he had a few offers from clubs and an offer to become the coach of Ghana.

I don't want Strachan as manager, i dont rate him at all. Dowie said he was "flattered" to be linked with us, so im hoping Palace go down and we get him. Joe Jordan is the man, we shouldn't be in a rush to get anyone in :cool:

Good result at Newcastle, we could've won in the end :cool: and it was great to see Judas chucking his bottle down as Stevie Mac celebrated in the background when Downing stuck the ball in :cool:</font>

[Ogen]

Fuck off :( Are we ever going to beat those blue bastards :(

[Team Sheep]

lol that's 3 wins and 2 draws for the Brums against the Villa now.

[Wengerland]

2-1 to Arsenal against Chelsea at half time.

Henry with both, first inside of 90 seconds. Terry for Chelsea in between.

[toxic rooster]

2-2.

What can I say, neither team really deserved to lose. We're still in touch with Chelski though, less than 2 games in it. We've won the premiership from further back than that, so I'm not too worried about it.

Henry's miss. :nono:.

I was nearly standing on my sofa when he missed that

But at least it wasn't as bad as Kanu :D

[toxic rooster]

Oh yeah, I'm hearing Henry's a "cheat" now because he took the early free kick. He didn't ask the ref to get the wall back 10 yards, so it was perfectly legit for him to take the early free kick.

Did the same thing against Villa in January.

[Ogen]

Bomb in The Bernabau supposedly

http://footballmsn.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=243565&cpid=23&CLID=&lid=2&title=Bomb+alert+stops+Real+game&channel=Football_Home

Fans and players have all been evacuated with minutes left in the game early reports indicate ETA called it in

[BCWWF]

Its funny because during World Cup 98 I was rooting for France and my brother for Italy. He was telling me that Henry would never be nearly as good as Baggio. Even I am kind of surprised how good Henry turned out.

[Dazz]

Chelsea were the better side and anyone who says that Arsenal should have had a penalty at the end needs to remember that that fucking disgraceful French twat Pires dived to get the free kick Henry scored from.

[Cactus Sid]

I homnesltykj ybleibe ithat arsenal wre the beyyet siden f=goirtn ninteln y mintues

[Danny Electric]

Sid are you pissed?

[Wengerland]

Bomb in The Bernabau supposedly

http://footballmsn.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=243565&cpid=23&CLID=&lid=2&title=Bomb+alert+stops+Real+game&channel=Football_Home

Fans and players have all been evacuated with minutes left in the game early reports indicate ETA called it in

They'll be lucky if it means it's replayed, they'd have lost more ground on Barcelona otherwise. I dunno if that link says it but another article i read said it was at 9:00pm local time, which is when the second half would have kicked off i thought, yet they left it to the end to evacuate :|

Arsenal/Chelsea was a good game, quite a few of those hyped up games don't live up to expectation but that was alright.

[The Mackem]

I homnesltykj ybleibe ithat arsenal wre the beyyet siden f=goirtn ninteln y mintues

LOL, I love it.

[toxic rooster]

Chelsea were the better side and anyone who says that Arsenal should have had a penalty at the end needs to remember that that fucking disgraceful French twat Pires dived to get the free kick Henry scored from.
Chelsea were the better side, but with the way Fabregas, Flamini, Campbell, Henry, Almunia et al stood up today, it would have been rough on us had we lost today.

Pires does go down easily, I'll admit that, but he definitely got sandwiched by 2 defenders for that free kick.

I'm not going to complain about that penalty shout too much, because both teams had their chances to win it (Lampard, Gallas, Henry, van Persie come to mind) but a winner never came, and a draw is a fair result.

[Cactus Sid]

I homnesltykj ybleibe ithat arsenal wre the beyyet siden f=goirtn ninteln y mintues

Sh</>it....I wrote that?

[diothoir]

Sh</>it....I wrote that?
ahahaha

[diothoir]

http://footballmsn.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=243876&cpid=21&CLID=&lid=2&title=Sheva+takes+Ballon+D'Or&channel=Football_Home



Sheva takes Ballon D'Or

Milan striker Andrei Shevchenko is the new European Footballer of the Year, it has finally been confirmed.

Shevchenko succeeds Pavel Nedved as the Ballon D'Or winner, after beating Deco into second and Ronaldinho into third respectively.

Arsenal's Thierry Henry was down in fourth place nearly 100 points behind Shevchenko.

"When I started playing football I dreamt to become a big player and to win a prestigious award like this," beamed the Ukraine star. "I'm really happy. I feel myself a more complete and experienced player. But the most important thing is that I have learnt about winning."

Shevchenko was full of praise for his manager Carlo Ancelotti.



"With Carlo Ancelotti I have won and I become a winner," he said.

"Our coach is different in comparison to all the others with which I worked.

"He gives me a big tranquillity, he listens to you. "With him you can talk as a former player in addition to as a coach - he is well prepared."

Greece's Theo Zagorakis took fifth, with Adriano in sixth and former holder Nedved in seventh.

Wayne Rooney was the highest ranking England player as he came in eighth, ahead of Manchester United team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy and Chelsea's Ricardo Carvalho who completed the top ten by being equal ninth.

Other notable English-based performers were Milan Baros (12), Cristiano Ronaldo (12), Didier Drogba (17) and Frank Lampard (17).


-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------

I thought Ronandinho was certain to win it :o

But Baros ahead of Lampard ?

[diothoir]

1) Shevchenko 175 votes;
2) Deco 139;
3) Ronaldinho 133;
4) Thierry Henry 80;
5) Zagorakis 44;
6) Adriano 27;
7) Nedved 23;
8) Rooney 22;
9) Ricardo Carvalho, Van Nistelrooy 18;
11) Charisteas 15;
12) Milan Baros, Cristiano Ronaldo 11;
14) Ibrahimovic 8;
15) Eto’o, Kakà 7;
17) Buffon, Dellas, Drogba, Lampard, Morientes 5;
22) Figo 4;
23) Zidane 3;
24) Baraja, Giuly, Maniche, Nikopolidis 2;
28) Maldini, Vicente 1.

Theres the full list for anyone that cares.

LOL at the guy getting 1 vote :$

[Cactus Sid]

Kinda pissed off with the Man U/Fulham score

When we bought Diouf and Diao, I thought we'd bought Diop. We bought the wrong fu</>cking players :mad:

Brilliant goal, although United deserved the win.

Fulham fans are quieter than Arsenal fans, and thats saying something. The United fans were really loud for the whole game

[Cactus Sid]

I'm suprised Seitaridis didn't get a vote

[Cactus Sid]

ALSO

How awesome was Liam Rosenior? Leroy's Son :cool: Was down here for a little while last season, was pretty good then.

[Ogen]

THats still not the proper awards thing btw

[Wengerland]

Yeah that's not the World Player of the Year, and i don't think the European player tends to win both, so it's probably out of Ronaldinho and Henry.

:cool: for Zagorakis being 5th.

Great goal by Diop, i had fanzone on at the time and the Fulham lad was going mad.

[toxic rooster]

Fulham fans are quieter than Arsenal fans, and thats saying something. The United fans were really loud for the whole game
Yeah, United's travelling fans are a fair shitload louder than their home fans. Probably because their home crowd is mainly tourists.

[Wengerland]

It's the same with most clubs, away support better than home. Pompey are an exception though.

[toxic rooster]

How sweet would it be if they combined Arsenal's team with Pompey's fans?

[Cactus Sid]

LOL we threw that one away

[Rob Ban Fan]

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">Nothing quite like being dominated by Liverpool and scoring a late goal. See ya again, same time next year eh?

Good goal by Gerrard but you really should've killed that one off. You didn't though and what can I say, we scored :cool: top cross by Matty Taylor though, he loves Anfield dontcha know. YEEEEEEAH</font>

[Cactus Sid]

Well, to be fair, if we were gonna give someone a point, I'm glad it was Pompey.

The first half had to be the worst 45 minutes I've seen all season.

[Rob Ban Fan]

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">You were the better team, ill gladly admit that and I wasn't really happy with our Boltonesque approach to it but because of the injuries and considering we were playing Liverpool, i can see why. Hopefully when we get Yak and Joey Kamara back we can push on.

Still, as I said, quality goal by Gerrard and Xabi Alonso looks good. </font>

[The Mackem]

Has Harry Kewell been shit all season?

[Danny Electric]

What a shit resuylt.
Sack Houlier.

[Cactus Sid]

Has Harry Kewell been shit all season?

He was awesome against Olympiakos, but apart from that, yeah, he's been sh</>it all season.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Can anyone explain to me why Benitez keeps leaving Alonso on the bench :o

[Cactus Sid]

Can anyone explain to me why Benitez keeps leaving Alonso on the bench :o

Because Benitez doesn't think he has any bottle. Usually when he doesn't play him he plays 2 strikers or one of the more battling defensive midfielders.

[Cactus Sid]

Liam Rosenior is a cock sucker.

But he's Leroys son :cool:

[Cactus Sid]

Also, first really strong transfer rumours are coming about for January.

Newcastle have apparently approached Rangers about Jean-Alain Boumsong, and Man City have said Anelka can go if they recieve an offer which is reasonable after they pay off the £4 million they owe PSG. Apparently Liverpool are after him.

Well, all in all, both of them should be Liverpool players anyway, but for Houllier :mad:

[Rob]

Rangers rejected 3 bids, one player plus cash and two cash offers of £7.5 million for Boumsong today.

They'd be crazy not to sell him if they got offered £10 million.

[Cactus Sid]

Well they've sorted the money situation out now, they're having a good season, selling him in January might not be the best idea, whatever the price (unless it gets seriously stupid)

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Boumsong has a clause in his contract to allow him to talk to Premiership clubs, or something like that, I'm sure I've heard.

[Rob]

Well they've sorted the money situation out now, they're having a good season, selling him in January might not be the best idea, whatever the price (unless it gets seriously stupid)

After watching them tonight, they need to sell him and get in players QUICK!

[LK]

:lol: Rangers out of europe and. Auxerre were by far the better team.

[LK]

:lol: Rangers out of europe. Auxerre were by far the better team.

[Cactus Sid]

After watching them tonight, they need to sell him and get in players QUICK!

Yeah, they were pretty awful last night

[Ogen]

Christmass has come early. O Leary signed a new deal today eventualy :love: .


Fucking delighted now that hes secured Hitz will sign a new deal and we'll hopefully start biulding togethere a better team

[Oxstar]

Why the fuck do Palace wanna sign Eyal Berkovic? I think it's a bad move.

[Doink]

Why the fuck do Palace wanna sign Eyal Berkovic? I think it's a bad move.

they dont, its just a cover story to distract you from the fact he will be joining southampton

[toxic rooster]

Speaking of completely unrelated topics, what time UK are the UEFA draws taking place?

[Ogen]

2 GMT I tihnk not entirely sure though

[Wengerland]

11 GMT confirmed, so in about 45 minutes,

[toxic rooster]

*rubs hands together*

oh boy

[Ogen]

Happening right now as we speak

[Ogen]

Real V Juve what a game

[Ogen]

Porto - Inter

[Ogen]

Barca - Chelsea. gonna be a cracker

[Ogen]

Werder - Lyon

[Ogen]

Liverpool - Leverkusen so they've a chance

[toxic rooster]

That means we get Bayern Munich :love:

[Ogen]

PSV - Monaco

[toxic rooster]

AC - ManYoo

[Ogen]

United - Milan

Gonna be a fantastic game. 3 huge games in Real - Juve, Chelsa - Barca and United - Milan

[toxic rooster]

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW
First knock-out round:
Real Madrid v Juventus
Porto v Inter Milan
Barcelona v Chelsea
Werder Bremen v Lyon
Liverpool v Bayer Leverkusen
PSV Eindhoven v Monaco
Man Utd v AC Milan
Bayern Munich v Arsenal

[Ogen]

Arsenal - Munich

[toxic rooster]

:eek: - Kahn v Lehmann

Battle of the German keepers

[Ogen]

Can't wait for Barca - Chelsea in particular

[Ogen]

Lehman probably won't be getting his game and Kahn is 1000x times better

[Cactus Sid]

Wow.....Liverpool have the best chance of getting through IMO

[Ogen]

Yeah totaly wouldn't be shocked to see Liverpool as the last English team next round

[toxic rooster]

Wouldn't be writing any of the other teams off though. It's a long time till the ties still

[Ogen]

Predictions anyone?

Real Madrid v Juventus
FC Porto v Inter Milan
Barcelona v Chelsea
Werder Bremen v Lyon
Liverpool v Bayer Leverkusen
PSV v Monaco
Man Utd v AC Milan
Bayern Munich v Arsenal

[toxic rooster]

Wouldn't write us off, Ogen :mad:

Real Madrid v Juventus
FC Porto v Inter Milan
Barcelona v Chelsea
Werder Bremen v Lyon
Liverpool v Bayer Leverkusen
PSV v Monaco
Man Utd v AC Milan
Bayern Munich v Arsenal

[The Mackem]

So Man Utd did get Milan.

[toxic rooster]

Yeah, that's what the whole "Man United v AC Milan" thing is about

[Dazz]

Still contemplating whether I should get a ticket for the Camp Nou, I went 5 years ago and I would love to go again, BUT we never win when I go to away games, except Fulham in the League Cup and what with it being the first leg it's not as important, I do really wanna go though.

[Wengerland]

Pretty good draw, quite a few games look class on paper.

[Danny Electric]

I think it's time for payback and this time there's no Lucio to score. :)

[Danny Electric]

Real Madrid v Juventus
Porto v Inter Milan
Barcelona v Chelsea
Werder Bremen v Lyon
Liverpool v Bayer Leverkusen
PSV Eindhoven v Monaco
Man Utd v AC Milan
Bayern Munich v Arsenal

[Cactus Sid]

Thats my only real hope of us beating Leverkusen, the fact that Ballack and Lucio...Ze Roberto, Neuville etc... are all gone

[Danny Electric]

Thats my only real hope of us beating Leverkusen, the fact that Ballack and Lucio...Ze Roberto, Neuville etc... are all gone

Leverkusen are an ordinary side, much like we are at the moment but I'm confident that we can beat them.

[Maluco]

Just remember that ordinary side beat Madrid, as awful as they can be, 3-0 in the group stages and are extremely hard to get anything against when they are at home. Without a doubt, the Pool need a win, and a substantial one, at Anfield.

As for the other English teams, could go either way in them all. As a United supporter, am really excited about the game, should be one to remember. Chelsea/Barcelona should be an absolutely amazing game, and completely rests on how well Chelsea defend in my eyes. I do think Terry in the past CAN be shown up at the highest level and it does not get much higher than Ronaldinho. If he stands up to him and outshines him, Campbell and Ferdinand might have to step aside for good. Arsenal on prem form should beat the out of sorts, Bayern, but they are still dangerous, Makaay can score from anywhere and Ballack is a menace. Combine that with arsenal's poor Euro form and they could have real problems.

[Danny Electric]

Yeah Leverkusen beat Madrid but Madrid aren't the strongest of sides at the moment on the basis of form. Leverkusen are an ordinary side, nothing compared to the one who we lost to a couple of seasons back.
The only thing that worries me is that the players won't be as motivated as if were playing someone like Milan. They've shown that a few times this season.

[Rob Ban Fan]

they dont, its just a cover story to distract you from the fact he will be joining southampton

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">I doubt it since he wont have that much money to spend and Berkovic would have to take around a £10,000 a week paycut to go there.

I hope we don't sell him anyway, he's a great passer and very creative and if you watch him play you'd realise all this "he never tackles" bollocks is rubbish. He won us the game against West Brom.</font>

[Wengerland]

DAVID CONNOLLY :love:

Should have beaten the Trees but i'll take the point given it was an injury time equaliser.

[Fungry]

Hey all, am I the first here to notice that Wee Gooner and Yianni are scum?
Yours sincerely, Fungry

[toxic rooster]

Whatever, Y2C :roll:

[El Capitano Gatisto]

As for the other English teams, could go either way in them all. As a United supporter, am really excited about the game, should be one to remember. Chelsea/Barcelona should be an absolutely amazing game, and completely rests on how well Chelsea defend in my eyes. I do think Terry in the past CAN be shown up at the highest level and it does not get much higher than Ronaldinho. If he stands up to him and outshines him, Campbell and Ferdinand might have to step aside for good.
Have a word with yourself. John Terry, as good as he is, is not, and never will be, better than Rio Ferdinand. Sol Campbell maybe.

Plenty of teams have neutralised Ronaldinho, this season and last.

[The Mask]

I think we have AC milan. most of them are getting on, and although they have a great team, i think if we take the game to them, we'll be fine.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Their team isn't that old. Just a few of the defenders. They've got a much better (and younger) midfield and attack.

[Dazz]

Have a word with yourself. John Terry, as good as he is, is not, and never will be, better than Rio Ferdinand. Sol Campbell maybe.



Have a word with yourself, ECG. Campbell is, and always will be, better then Ferdinand, if Chelsea could have one of those two I'd always want Campbell. Terry, IMO (and yes I really it means little enough to you as it is, and even less so on this matter as I am a Chelsea fan) is alot better then Ferdinand, he is fucking flawless and fucking solid at the back, not to mention he is the man from corners too. I honestly wouldn't take anyone over John Terry at the back.

Truth is ECG, if John Terry was Irish, you would say he is alot better then Rio Ferdinand.

[Ogen]

I think we have AC milan. most of them are getting on, and although they have a great team, i think if we take the game to them, we'll be fine.
Nah Milan will win and then I'll have control of your avatar for a month ( Just sticking it in here so we have evidence when you try and back out http://tpww.net/forums/images/smilies/kiss.gif )

[yianni]

Hey all, am I the first here to notice that Wee Gooner and Yianni are scum?
Yours sincerely, Fungry
:wtf:

:drool: at Barcelona - Chelsea though, Dazza if I was in your position I'd be on the first plane to Spain mate, go for it. That'll be fucking mad.

[toxic rooster]

Dazza if I was in your position I'd be on the first plane to Spain
Fuck that, I'd walk if I had to.

[Ogen]

Real rejected Liverpools bid for Morienties want first refusal on Gerrard as part of it

[Cactus Sid]

Well Morientes has as good as handed in a transfer request, so I think its just a case of Liverpool upping the offer to 5, 6 million.

[Wengerland]

Ronaldinho's won World Player of the Year :love:

Now it's official :cool:

[Rob]

Have a word with yourself. John Terry, as good as he is, is not, and never will be, better than Rio Ferdinand. Sol Campbell maybe.

Plenty of teams have neutralised Ronaldinho, this season and last.

Couldn't agree more on both counts.

[Rob]

Henry should have definately won both awards. English football has always been looked down on in Europe.

[Rob Ban Fan]

<Font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">SUUUUPER ZAJEC :cool:</font>

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Have a word with yourself, ECG. Campbell is, and always will be, better then Ferdinand, if Chelsea could have one of those two I'd always want Campbell. Terry, IMO (and yes I really it means little enough to you as it is, and even less so on this matter as I am a Chelsea fan) is alot better then Ferdinand, he is fucking flawless and fucking solid at the back, not to mention he is the man from corners too. I honestly wouldn't take anyone over John Terry at the back.

Truth is ECG, if John Terry was Irish, you would say he is alot better then Rio Ferdinand.

Is Rio Ferdinand Irish?

Not as far as I know. Rio is one of the best defenders in the world. John Terry is a good defender, but that's as far as it goes. When John Terry goes to a World Cup and puts in the best performance out of anyone, in the whole competition, we'll call him as good as Rio Ferdinand.

If Sol Campbell was any good, Arsenal wouldn't be such a defensive shambles. Campbell is just a big black defender who is good at heading it out of the box, like Ledley King. Useful, have their place, but not on the same level as Ferdinand, Nesta etc.

Rio Ferdinand is a different class to John Terry. Like Stevie Gerrard is to Frank Lampard, a world class player to a solid Premiership workhorse.

Ricardo Carvalho is world class, though. Love him.

[Maluco]

I agree with the order mate, and agree totally with what you said. Fact is Terry will only improve, he is a typically Englsih defender and as Campbell gets on, he will replace him.

As a United fan, I think Rio is the best in the business, but Eriksson has a tendency to go on team's form at times and I think that could work against Ferdinand. I was talking in how I felt Eriksson would look at things. Ferdinand is irreplaceable in my opinion, he is a superb techinical footballer and a calming influence to boot. Neither Terry or Campbell have that, despite Terry's goal threat, a positive that could see him replace Campbell. More clear?

[Dazz]

What, John Terry is at least equal to Carvalho, neither of them make mistakes, and Terry certainly doesn't look out of place next to him. Do you even watch Chelsea matches when they are on TV? I would say if anything Terry would get more recognition because he does the more memorable things like block shots and he also wins more headers. The pair of them are quality and I honestly wouldn't swap either of them for any defender in the world.

As for the Arsenal defensive shambles point, Toure and Cygan are the ones to blame, and obviously Lehmann, if Campbell is so bad then why did Barcelona want him when his contract with the yids expired. United have good keepers which is why they let in less, and the last world cup was two and a half years ago, wait till the next one and if Terry plays he will finally be able to get you to shut up.

One last thing, I am aware that Ferdinand didn't play from January, but http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/stats_football/english_league_tables/2003-04.htm#1 Arsenal let in the joint second least amount of goals at home, look who is in first place, thats right, Carvalho might be great, but he wasn't their last season, thats largely down to Terry and Carlo that we had the best home record in the league last season, and look who had the two best away record, I would say Arsenals great defensive record was much more to do with Campbell then anyone else, the guy is solid, and prevents alot of goals.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

They're good defenders, but Rio is one of the best in the world. Don't get me wrong on what I am saying here. Campbell does his job, but he is not on Rio's level. Talking about who wanted to sign him is moot. Barcelona were interested in Ian Harte at one stage, after all.

Also, I rate William Gallas very highly. Excellent player.

Manchester United's season fell apart after Rio got banned last season, which shows how important he is to them.

Once again, not saying Terry or Campbell are bad players. They are very good players, but they are not on Rio's level. He is up there with Nesta, Cannavaro, Puyol, Montero etc.

[Dazz]

You said "If Sol campbell was any good..." So from that it kinda makes it sound like you think he is shit.

Gallas was quality for years, now Mourinho plays him left back he makes mistakes and often wears the wrong studs, the amount of times he slips up is just retarded.

And I really hate the way everyone says Ferdinand's ban was what lost them the league, granted, it was a huge blow, but Fergason's inability to realize what a shit set of defenders he had that season was the real reason, (I would say we will see who wins the league this season then but I still think United will :$)

[El Capitano Gatisto]

I think Sol Campbell is disgustingly overrated. Watching England in the summer showed how much they miss Rio, because all they could do was sit back on the edge of their own box and head things away.

It looks like great defending, but you watch someone like Carvalho, in the summer, who'd win the ball off the striker, beat a couple of men and set up another attack, and that to me is what a great defender does. Rio brings organisation and class to a team. The best defenders are genuine class footballers.

United won't win the league this season. You're just trying not to curse Chelsea. It is their's to lose at this stage. But then I would have said the same about United this time last year.

Chelsea just look a lot stronger, though.

In saying that, if Duff and Robben got injured again, and they are both injury prone players, Chelsea could well be up shit creek.

[Rob Ban Fan]

JIM SMITH dropped a giant clanger on his first day as Harry Redknapp’s No 2 at Southampton — by driving to PORTSMOUTH’S training ground!

Smith agreed on Wednesday to copy Redknapp’s controversial defection along the South Coast from Fratton Park to St Mary’s.

But the Bald Eagle was left red-faced 24 hours later when he turned up at Pompey’s Southampton-based training HQ by accident — 10 MILES from where he was meant to be.

Smith, 64, was greeted by baffled looks from Portsmouth staff before realising his mistake.

He quickly jumped back into his BMW saloon and drove down the M27 to Saints’ base in the New Forest.

Sheepish Smith admitted: “There was a bit of confusion.

“I was not concentrating and I ended up at the wrong training ground. That put 10 minutes on my journey.”

Smith also attacked Pompey supporters over their treatment of Redknapp following his switch to their bitter Premiership rivals. Redknapp was branded a Judas after taking charge at Saints earlier this month — just TWO WEEKS after quitting Fratton Park saying he needed a break from football.

The pair have been forced to cancel an ‘Audience with Harry and Jim’ live show scheduled to take place in a Portsmouth theatre in the New Year because of fears for their safety.

Smith rapped: “It is disgraceful that the fans have reacted in this way.

“I can understand supporters wanting to beat Southampton and the Southampton fans wanting to beat Portsmouth — but Harry’s treatment is a disgrace. I have seen it before at Blackburn and Burnley but this has gone too far.

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">:lol: especially the bit about them fearing for their safety. Nothing to do with the fact no one in Portsmouth is going to be particularly interested in buying tickets to a show to see their rival's manager?

stupid old cunt</font>