4117 réponses à ce sujet

[Druss99]

People seem to miss the amount of chances Barca created against Chelsea too on a smaller pitch away from home. It could well be a complete hammering at the Nou Camp.

I suspect like most rules FFP won't really apply to Real and Barca.

I assume the assessor rates refs on certain factors then takes note of decisions they thought he got wrong or handled badly then work on that with them. Thats just a wild guess though, its a secret society we will never understand.

I'm still struggling with the diverse description of the smell. It's an intriguing fruit.

Milla played in 3 World Cups it seems, starting in 1982. What age was he claiming to be? Supposedly he was born in 1952.

I suppose they had to move it incase a team ends up in both the FA Cup and CL finals but it seems they didn't put alot of planning into the move. Most of the stadium is taken up by corporate sponsors anyway I believe.

Drogba spent more time on the ground than on his feet. He went back to playing the way he used to where he would lay down and roll around like he was on the very of death at the slightest contact. He hasn't behaved like that in a while but it did a decent job of disrupting Barca's flow, doubt it will work in the second leg though and he will just be ignored. Not sure about Chelsea's gameplan unless it involved Barca hitting the bar, missing empty nets and having shots cleared off the line.

I think Shearer did take over from Adams. I can't really recall how they overlapped though.

If Bolton even win one of those games it puts QPR under massive pressure. It could be any two of Bolton, QPR and Blackburn to go down with Wolves I reckon. Wigan have an easier run in and are the form team. QPR and Blackburn both have to play Chelsea and Spurs, QPR also have Man City. Bolton's run in isn't as harsh.

[OBakaSama]

People like to ignore things when it's convenient. "I don't like what you're saying, I ignore you." It's an all too common thing. Given how things have transpired in La Liga it almost seems that Barcelona's entire season has come down to this match with Chelsea. It could be ugly....

As is the suspicion for a while. Be really strange if it applies to some and not others. Maybe it's an Animal Farm thing....

Maybe they have secret handshakes as well....

I still like the "I only hit them with my shopping" excuse.

Tis a mystery....and perhaps it should stay that way. Doesn't really matter in a way.

That is disappointing to hear that a lot of seats are corporate. Such an occasion really should be for fans rather than these corporate types. Still...I suppose the FA still get the money either way, and there are probably more benefits for them if the seats go to corporate types. I'm guessing some back scratching comes in somewhere as well...

Maybe the plan was to showcase Terry's Lionheart persona?

Me neither though I do have it my head that they did for a short time at least.

Well....that was a humdinger of a weekend. Disappointed to lose to Bob's men, though since they were essentially robbed at Carrow Road the last time...probably not so much.

Wolves are now confirmed as being down. You could see Connor choking back the tears during the post-match interview. Probably way out of his depth so I feel for the guy.

The race for the league title is back on it would seem. So...."it's Man Utd's to lose". That match against Everton though...wow.... That Manchester derby is looking like the most important derby in years due to the significant impact it will have on the league positions of both teams.

Some mates wanted QPR to lose as they wanted them to go down; but against Tottenham I was quite willing to see them win so The Iron Gerbil's audition for the England job continues its fine vein of form.

Liverpool's league form seem to be the same as it has been for a while. If Suarez can actually hit the target more maybe they'd be in a better position, and this is ignoring that eight game ban he had. Cup team seems to sum them up at the moment; more so if they do win the FA Cup. I'm not fully convinced that even winning that will justify their lacklustre league performance though.

[OBakaSama]

Well...that was a rather unexpected game between Barcelona and Chelsea. Did di Matteo get this two perfect legs I wonder. Whatever he had in mind certainly couldn't have included something silly like a sending off and Torres scoring an injury time equaliser....

[Druss99]

Did you see the game? Sky are trying to build it up as an epic thrilling encounter the likes of which we've never seen before, the Chelsea fans staying behind to celebrate their brave heroes triumph over the unbeatable Barca and poor Lionheart Terry, you have to feel sorry for him, he has held his hands up and said sorry.

In reality it was an awful match where Barca looked utterly clueless when trying to break Chelsea down yet still opened them up a couple of times, they didn't even look like they cared that much. Chelsea's fans were locked in the stadium for safety. Terry needlessly attacked Sanchez off the ball by kneeing him in the back, he denied it and refused to leave the pitch, then lied at half time saying he did it because Sanchez was backing into him and he had to stop his momentum. Then after the match when he was shown the replay showing this was obvious lies, he changes his tune while still denying it and sticking up for his initial claim, it was bewildering. He was shown to be a violent cheat and liar, so no he is not a brave lion heart who we should feel sorry for, he is what we all know he is. He was going to the final, but then he took a Sanchez to the knee.

Gary Neville creating a famous moment with some Alan Partridge commentary:


Geoff Shreeves attempting to make Branislav Ivanovic cry:


I suspect refs have a special dance involving slapping each other with fish.

I heard somewhere both clubs get 25,000 fans each then the rest is corporate. Its all about the money, clubs would do the same given half a chance.

Norwich face the scum at the weekend I believe, easy 3 points there. Villa are down in the relegation fight now, only 3 points above the drop zone. The Connor interview was hard to watch, he always sounds like he is close to tears I think, he has one of those voices.

I have no clue what happened our defence on Sunday. We actually played well going forward but Nani shut off defensively, possibly due to lack of match fitness. The defence themselves...bloody hell, I could point the finger at Rafael especially but it wasn't all his fault. Now we have to beat City, I'm not all that confident but we are capable of beating them.

Spurs fans want The Iron Gerbil out and there is apparently an inquest into his disastrous January dealings. The mess they are in now was created entirely by him by the looks of it. He will find someone to blame though.

Gerrard was on that A League of their Own on sky the panel show/They Think its All Over rip off, the thing with The Copper Rat, Freddie Flintoff and James Corden. It was absolutely sickening, if they could Redknapp and Corden would have actually climbed up his arse. I watched it hours ago and I still feel ill.

I caught some of the Napoli vs. Novarra game at the weekend. Play was stopped after 40 seconds because the ref popped his shoulder out signalling for a freekick, the game was delayed for nearly 20 minutes while the 4th official warmed up, but just as he was ready the ref returned to take charge like The Undertaker sitting up when Paul Bearer raises the urn.

Modifié par Druss99, 25 avril 2012 - 03:04 .

[OBakaSama]

As is customary of my viewing habits, personal commitments and budget it was something I had to follow via the SkySports' website Score Centre; occasionally glancing over to see if there had been much change. As for Sky building it up...hm...reminds me of a sketch with David Mitchell....

Darn those Sanchez(e)s to the knees... In this day and age of all those camera angles how anyone thinks they can get away with something like that is....debatable. Mind you, his reputation will probably be fine (unfortunately) afterwards. Is it right that if Chelsea won the Champions League that Terry won't get to lift the cup when they go up to collect it? That's what seems to be being suggested in the F365 mailbox, and if that's the case we'll likely get The Tin Hamster doing the honours.

That's the sort of thing I miss for not being able to afford Sky.

If Bob were a fishmonger as well....

That's what I read as well. It doesn't sound like the neutral fan really gets much out of it. I know that we've mentioned that football isn't so much a fan thing now but that's more a viewership thing; with the FA allocating tickets this way...well...it seems like they're making sure it isn't for the fans.

From the highlights it does seem that Rafael was hugely to blame, and I think he'll be in for some extra training of sorts with respect to defensive positions after that as well. Give it to Everton though, they had a good go at it and got a result. It will be a tough game at the Etihad. Both teams have it all to play for.

The Iron Gerbil will find excuses and that I have no doubt about. Be surprised if he suggests that he was to blame.

And that's when I'm glad I can't afford Sky.

Did the ref chokeslam the fourth official then?

[Druss99]

And its a Bayern - Chelsea final. Come on Bayern! Missed the game though I was out and just heard the score in the taxi. What odds would you have got on a Bayern - Chelsea final at the start?

If Chelsea win you can bet Terry will be up there lifting the cup somehow, he will make sure theres plenty of shots of him holding it aloft. When we won it in 1999 Schmeichel went up to lift it with Keane suspended, I just can't see that happening with Chelsea. Terry basically proved himself a liar and yet again called his character into question, how he can still play for, nevermind lead England remains a mystery to me. You mean this sketch?

I can't really afford Sky but I'd go off my head without it. Its a catch 22 situation.

I think we see Venky's master plan...

Aye, not sure if they are getting more money for the corporate seats or if its just for advertising/back scratching though. I'd imagine if they went to fans the fans would get fleeced anyway.

I think we need an experienced rightback for Rafael to learn from for a season or two, maybe even Salgado on a free. Not to play much maybe, but atleast to teach him a bit more about defending. He is great going forward but has alot of brain farts defensively. Aye I've nerves when I think about monday night.

His usual line of "The chairmans done a deal" that he has developed while at Spurs may be his attempt to wiggle out of this. My money is on blame Levy.

Nah he came out and put him in that hells gate choke maneuver.

[OBakaSama]

Very low on a Bayern-Chelsea final I would have thought.

Read some conflicting things about that. On the one hand it seems to be suggested that UEFA will not allow players suspended for the finals participate in the celebrations. On the other hand, Chelsea have supposedly gained the OK from UEFA for Terry to lift the trophy.... Yep, that's the sketch. For some reason I do suspect that it is similar to how Sky would actually promote games.

D'Oh. Well...given the things you've seen on there I guess you'll just have to take the rough with the smooth, Druss.

Might even be a cunning plan....

I'm of the mind if they were corporate seats that they would have been sold in bulk or something like that. Now, to be fair there are probably fans amongst that lot but that isn't what gets our attention. Given the number of times we've questioned how people can manage to follow their teams to away matches (given the time and finances involved) it makes me think it's more likely that those are the sort of people who would have been able to afford it in the first place.

For the most part that's what Ferguson manages to do well: blend the experienced older players with the young; assuming the young learn from the experienced players. If Gary Neville hadn't retired due to injury perhaps he could have imparted some knowledge to Rafael. And it looks like the fabled squeaky bum time coming up. That will be a tense match: Man Utd can't really afford to lose, and Man City must win.

Hm...that would sound like The Iron Gerbil angling for a move using that excuse....wait a minute....

Now half expecting that a faux Montreal screwjob followed that.

[Druss99]

What did I say? Ofcourse Lionheart would get to lift the trophy, attacking someone from behind then lying about it, leaving your team without you for the two biggest games in the tournament should always be rewarded with the right to lift the trophy that your teammates won in spite of you. I've never wanted a team that wasn't United to win so much in my life, except for AC Milan in Istanbul.

It would be if it was working...

It kind of reminds me of the fake football fan from The Fast Show. I suppose it stops an embarrassing cup final thats not sold out too in some cases. But getting less allocation than you'd get for a home match in your own stadium seems like a slap in the face.

If United can even get a point then we can win the league against Swansea or Sunderland. Tough game and my nerves are on edge already. I've seen people calling for Sir Alex to step down and Guardiola to take over, all online, if someone said that to my face I'd floor them. Nothing annoys me more than United "fans" calling for Sir Alex's head, it makes my blood boil.

Now is Guardiola's big test, his next job he won't have the worlds best player and the Xavi/Iniesta combo to build around. He will also need a plan B. I'm not convinced by him, he walked away when the going finally got tough by my uneducated opinion.

The Iron Gerbil is coming under attack from his own players, the ones his magical man management skills have left frozen out and on loan at other clubs with his own squad lacking in depth. His excuses are brilliant, Corluka pointed the finger at his lack of rotation and The Iron Gerbil claimed "Thats just an excuse." As is about 80% of what The Iron Gerbil says so I'm not sure what his point is there.

What followed was kind of a non-event after the high drama of watching a fourth official warm up for 17 minutes.

[OBakaSama]

It's somewhat 'funny' that other suspended players aren't allowed. And what's all this rubbish about suspended players only not being allowed on the bench? My mind boggles....

Well....it is a cunning plan....

Yeah, it might even been seen as a damage limitation exercise by the FA. Though...well, it might also be the case that other supporters might be able to make the trip (ignoring Liverpool supporters' travel woes) to Wembley other than the home supporters. Still, to have an allocation less than the club's own home limit capacity is somewhat very odd.

Ferguson will step down when he feels it's time for him to step down; given the status he has managed to elevate Man Utd to it seems reasonable that he makes that decision rather than someone else. Though I do wonder how he will bow out. The last time he announced he was going to retire the team didn't perform so well, and then he stayed on anyway. Would it be abrupt, Guardiola-esque (ignoring that there had been rumblings of how long he would be at the helm of Barcelona), or announced like last time?

It did look like the pressure was finally getting to him given how he was at those press conferences. Also, like Chelsea, that core of players are starting to age; and it may just be a short while before that catches up with them. Sure, Messi is still young but the others? Though I've personally never been entirely convinced about Messi. He's a tremendous player, though I'm not sure if he's the sort of player that can elevate a team beyond their station like when Maradona went to Napoli. I think Messi has been criticised by fans for his performances for his country, so that's why there's a niggle in my mind concerning his ability. In that sense I would refrain from labelling him as being world class as a result. Perhaps a bit picky on my part, but 'world class' is too often used concerning players who really aren't (like any England player really). The challenge for Guardiola is also whether he can build another team, supposing he did stay at Barcelona; that remains to be seen. Ferguson has often been credited with building and rebuilding Man Utd during his tenure. How many managers in the top flight of any league has been able to do that?

Actually on an aside...would Big Sam be able to win La Liga with Barcelona? *Cough*

Well...The Iron Gerbil's man management skills have always been suspect as far as I'm concerned, but the media likes to keep that low key (much like his failings). He has a core of players and that's pretty much it. Outside of that I don't think his management skills really apply; I've always felt he manages to marginalise quite a few of his players quite spectacularly over the years at various clubs.

Oh well...I suppose it was a bit too much to expect....

*Gargh!* Norwich are down by two goals to Liverpool at the time of writing....

[Druss99]

When have rules ever applied to Lionheart? No wonder he is the way he is. Suspended players on the bench? Aren't they usually restricted to the stands?

I can't remember enough Black Adder to produce a sufficient ending to that...

The FA work in mysterious ways. Speaking of which theres talk goal line technology will be in for the start of next season.

Exactly. Fans calling for his head disgust me on every level. I suspect he will wait til some summer then just anounce it in a press conference, I can't see it being anounced early like last time. Rumours going round that we are after Sigurdsson of Swansea now, I haven't seen him much though.

I think Messi is the best player in the world, but I agree I'm not sure he is the best ever when compared to the likes of Maradona, Zidane, Best and David May. I think the problem with Argentina is they seem to me to try and fit too many similar attacking players into the one team who get in each others way a bit. Guardiola has alot of question marks over him now anywhere he goes, in fairness though Mourinho should have the exact same questions if not more.

I think a couple of years ago Big Sam would have been able to win La Liga with Barca, but now Real have spent a fortune and have a better squad while Barca have gotten older.

The Iron Gerbil's man management skills are non-existant as far as I'm concerned, he has alienated more players than he's kept happy and regularly feeds them up to the media to save his own skin. Today he seems to have Lennon on the left and Bale on the right. My mind boggles. Sandro nearly broke the crossbar with a shot. I recall him being brilliant in football manager...

Why do Norwich insist on failing me? Performances have been a bit haphazard of late, I suspect a few players are on their holidays already, which is fair enough I suppose.

I was going to back Torres to score two today but forgot all about the match. I figured that scoring such a big goal would re-ignite his desire to score goals and I was correct it seems. Hattrick today and he could have had more, he kept dropping deep in the box into space but instead of pulling it back people kept crossing it straight into defenders or shooting.

[OBakaSama]

Not entirely sure I read the article correctly, but the way it seemed to be suggested is that suspended players could be selected (for some bizarre reason) even though they couldn't actually take part in the match. It's just that the explanation seemed a bit out of place within the context of the article and implied something really strange.

Baldric's cunning plans just don't obtain the goal it was meant to...

Read that it was being trialed for one of the lower league matches or something, so it seems to be going ahead. That will eliminate most contentious decisions; at least it should.

I half suspect that the official announcement will be something like that: seemingly abrupt. Behind the scenes though I would expect that he would let them know in advance so the club can get who they consider to be the best candidate to take over from him; perhaps the players will know as well but there's some confidentiality clause or something in place. I can't believe that Ferguson would leave so abruptly that the club doesn't have time to find a replacement; and it won't be easy to find a replacement either. Sigurdsson seems to have been in fine form this season; though...sometimes I think loanees are difficult to evaluate. Some play tremendously well while on loan and not so much when they gain a contract. They can play to those high standards but don't always. I think Dugarry for Birmingham was like that.

Messi is a fantastic player, and the best player in the world currently active; unfortunately whenever I get to see him play...well...let's just say that I have yet to see the skills that have brought him that acclaim. That says more about my football viewing than it does about his ability, or maybe I'm just unlucky when it comes to these players (never really saw the why Ronaldinho was so revered either such is my luck). As for Argentina that may well be the case; and if so then the manager has a lot to answer for.

Guardiola's ability is questionable. He was in charge of an exceptional Barcelona team, but only being a fully fledged manager for a relatively short time. He has yet to demonstrate his ability to actually build a team or even evolve a team when the current team is incapable of the football they are renowned for. Essentially my mind turns to what Ferguson has managed for Man Utd. As you point out even Mourinho, despite his achievements to date, has yet to demonstrate an ability to build and evolve a team. Again, at the highest level of club football I'm not sure who is capable of such a task. With that in mind finding a replacement for Ferguson will be one of the toughest tasks for the Man Utd board.

I guess Big Sam has lost his chance to demonstrate what he can do then. *Cough*

Ah....I loved Football Manager for those little bits of info, and the stats. Mustn't forget the stats. Finding these gems of players and making them work for your team....sort of wish the game hadn't crashed for me as that spoilt things a bit.

Tiredness is the apparent excuse being offered from a supporter point of view. I think I mentioned one performance of theirs being lacklustre as they seemed to lack the energy and drive. They've achieved their goal of staying in the league so mentally a few players probably have switched off. Actually...that reminds me of Curbishley's Charlton.

False dawn or actually a corner turned? That's the question concerning Torres now. You're right about scoring against Barcelona though, that must surely lift him up. If he has rediscovered his old touch then I think teams will have to be wary of him next season.

[Druss99]

That sounds kind of nuts. Why would you put a suspended player on the bench? Although I can see Chelsea doing it for the glory of Lionheart. I can't wrap my head around that one.

Indeed. Todays performance...bloody hell they were dire.

They are to trial it at St. Mary's next month I think then it could be in the PL as far as I heard on SSN. Though it could just be another FIFA official running his mouth.

Sir Alex will alledgedly help pick his replacement. Didn't Dugarry do well when signed permanently? Maybe I'm just remembering the good loan spell. Sigurdsson hasn't been tested at the highest level, so it would be interesting if we got him cheaply but I can't see us forking out too much for such an unproven player...*cough*Bebe*cough*

Messi is an amazing highlights player but in the games I've actually seen him for Barca he works very hard for the team too, he looks the complete player in what little I've seen. Ronaldinho was just more spectacular than anything (yet very effective while being spectacular, rare combo). World player of the year awards tend to go more to players who capture the imagination like Ronaldinho, rather than the actual best player which is very hard to quantify.

Guardiola also showed he only has a plan A and no plan B, much like Wenger was criticized for. Thats another big question mark over him. Guardiola proved he will trust youth players and not just fork out for experienced players he doesn't need to improve which to me is a big plus over Mourinho for him. Plus he seems like an alright sort of guy unlike Mourinho.

Big Sam could be back in the PL next season with West Ham if they win the play-offs. Not even sure who else is in there though I think Blackpool and Cardiff made it. Southampton came up in second.

I recall building my team around Sandro, I think it was last year, having him as my holding midfielder letting everyone else play. Odd that it crashed on you, you can run the thing on a toaster.

Although Charlton collapsed long before now. Norwich have had decent results but in the second half against City and against Liverpool they didn't look too interested. Eye's on summer holidays and next season perhaps. Though with England in need of a striker, it would be in the captains best interests to work even harder and keep things ticking over.

I think if there was more of the season left I'd say corner turned. But with so little left and then the whole summer to think too much about things it may prove to be a bit fleeting. Time will tell.

It seems the FA have seen sense...http://www.football3...-For-England... Sort of the obvious choice to anyone outside the media really considering his international experience but I couldn't see them going for it after Liverpool, pleasantly surprised. Will we see "Kop flop for England job" headlines in a smear campaign to get The Iron Gerbil hired now?

[OBakaSama]

I think I heard that Ferguson will help choose his successor, so it will be interesting to see who he has in mind. Only question is is whether this person he has in mind knows it. That reminds me of when Carlos Queiroz was still at Man Utd; do you think he would still be in contention for the job at Old Trafford? Sigurdsson is much like Andy Carroll in that respect...

I for the most part only ever see the highlights....(shame on me). The best anything is always difficult to quantify simply because it means something different to whoever considers it.

I have always considered Guardiola's Barcelona as an Arsenal team with better players; I don't think that description will change much for me. If you can stifle their play then they can't seem to do much about it. In that way, I would consider it a lack of invention or creativity from the players as well if they can't adapt (at least in an attacking sense). What they are capable of is performed exceptionally well, so well that they don't need a plan B; at least on most occasions. Be interesting to see how the new manager will take the team now and whether he will add anything new to Barcelona's play.

Looking at the table it seems the play-offs consists of West Ham, Birmingham, Blackpool and Cardiff. No vested interest as to who makes it or not, but Cardiff making it would be amusing (just to see two Welsh sides in the top flight). Barnsley should also count themselves fortunate that Portsmouth's financial woes helped them to stay in the Championship. Also find it amusing to see Leeds one place above Ipswich....

I still hold onto the thought that we are capable of scoring against anyone, and for the most part that has held true I believe. We just aren't that good at defending.... Seeing the season is coming to an end I'm sure managers are eyeing the transfer window (and players taking part in Europe come the summer) for recruits.

Maybe it's enough of the corner turned (sticking his head around it). Having caught the highlights Torres looked really good; getting into space and taking his chances on goal as well. He looked confident. Come to think of it, there were some really nice goals over the weekend. I quite liked di Santo's goal; twas very elegant. Suarez caught Ruddy off his line well, it was very well taken.

I laughed when I found out that Hodgson had been approached; even more so with the reaction on MOTD2. It was very much the 'we have been betrayed' sort of feel to the whole affair; then came the justification for the choice of Hodgson (which seemed all very awkward). Also not sure where the whole notion of The Iron Gerbil being the people's choice came about... 'The People's Choice'. The Iron Gerbil comes out for a pre-match interview and says that England is going to lay the Smackdown on all their candy derrieres. What exactly made The Iron Gerbil favourite for the job anyway (and whose favourite)? Not being prosecuted over alleged tax irregularities? For being a manager who, according to his own player, hasn't got a tactical plan?

EDIT: reading through the F365 mailbox is rather amusing, especially coming from one Tottenham supporter. Fact of the matter is aside from outlining when they were going to make a move concerning the England manager vacancy (still earlier than I thought), the FA never stated who was or wasn't considered for the job. That The Iron Gerbil was 'favourite' only seemed to be an assumption from an apparently vocal quarter.

Modifié par OBakaSama, 30 avril 2012 - 01:47 .

[Druss99]

Couldn't see Quieroz getting it to be honest, I was surprised when he got the Madrid job. I doubt anyone would fork over £35m for Sigurdsson though, then again I still can't believe anyone did it for Carroll...

I assume the new manager will just carry on as is but after spunking a load of cash on defenders and maybe a striker. It's Barca's right to take any players they want anyway so maybe they won't even have to pay.

Ah Birmingham, how forgetable you are. I'd like to see Blackpool come back up, I kind of hate West Ham, they are a bit pointless even with Big Sam incharge. Ha Leeds...

Do you think Norwich will have much to spend on recruits? How many of your players are on loan?

Indeed, Torres actually looked like he wanted to score which is a massive difference. He has a hunger for goals again, it could well be the corner turned aslong as he keeps that hunger over the summer.

It came from the media, they want their buddy 'Arry in the job for easy soundbites and stories. Did you see the F365 mailbox guy saying there was journalists on tv openly complaining that press conferences will be boring now. It's pretty clear the media wanted the Iron Gerbil in for non-footballing reasons. Unfortunately its going to haunt Hodgson when he takes over. Mediawatch was rather amusing. The Iron Gerbil is being absolved of all blame for Spurs collapse too, brilliant. Seems they are now trying to keep him in the Spurs job.

Seems theres a bit of an exodus in Germany, Arsenal have signed Podolski, Chelsea have signed Marin, Robben wants out of Bayern(wouldn't mind him joining United and relegating Young to the bench) and Kagawa is leaving Dortmund(haven't seen much of him but apparently he is England bound with ofcourse United being linked).

[Druss99]

No Evans or Valencia tonight, Jones starting in defence. I'm officially crapping myself.

[OBakaSama]

You'll need someone with the thought processes of Comolli to splash out that sort of cash to buy a player.

There seems to be this thing about the Barcelona way and promoting from within. Quite frankly I would like to think most teams would like to promote from within especially with respect to players, though it's rare that a club does have a lot of players coming through the academy who are good at the same time. With respect to transfers...well...wasn't it getting to the stage where teams would have to pay Barcelona?

At least the play offs will be a bit of fun after the main games are over.

Hm...I don't think there are too many players on loan; I get the impression that they are all fully fledged signings. Lambert has been pretty shrewd on the transfer front, though how long he can maintain that level of activity with respect to quality is hard to tell.

With a bit of late resurgent form from Torres he might even get to be part of the Spanish squad for the Euros. If he can force it through that might help him sustain that momentum.

It is all rather amusing. The excuse that The Iron Gerbil is not responsible for Tottenham's shamful (yep, 'shamful' and not 'shameful' though it is that as well) form was suggested ages ago (Shearer on MOTD if I recall). The FA are to blame for their poor performances. Only thing is...what happened to The Iron Gerbil's legendary man management skills during that poor run of form? And why doesn't that poor run of form count against him as suggested by Kamara?

And yep, it certainly looked like the media wanted The Iron Gerbil for his entertaining appearances instead of footballing reasons. Hodgson being boring on the mic is a very good reason to dismiss him as a capable manager. On that note I'm surprised some didn't try and shoehorn in the suggestion for Mourinho to be the next England manager.

Also...not sure where I read it (probably the Sun or Daily Star website to see what the reaction is to the apparent appointment of Hodgson) but they're glad that it isn't Pearce. Hodgson is going to find the media aspect hard though. I wonder what England supporters think, and is there really a backlash? The head of some fan group suggested that the FA owes them an explanation why The Iron Gerbil isn't England manager. (Since when has the FA officially stated they wanted him?) When was the FA a democracy? The reactions are just laughable, strange, and infuriating all at the same time.

Heard about Podolski and Arsenal. Just wondering if that's a precursor for van Persie to leave, or Wenger actually strengthening the squad. Robben on the left and Valencia on the right would be a potent combination if Man Utd can get him.

[OBakaSama]

Can't help but think that if a Second Coming were to come around it will probably end like the first one....*cough* On that note: Kevin Keegan at Newcastle. Missed all the games being poor and everything. Sounds like they were decent to watch. Barcelona are starting to look vulnerable though I'm not sure if it's just a long season for them, or that the spine of the team are starting to decline in their physical ability and/or endurance.

The Bundesliga does have some really good players. I heard this morning on Radio 5 Live I think suggesting that Ferguson should get Schweinsteiger. Pretty sure it's been mentioned before somewhere and his performances were good at the World Cup from what I recall. Although he wouldn't leave apparently.

I think it was mentioned quite a while ago that Ferguson would have a say in who will succeed him in the Old Trafford hotseat. He knows what is needed to sustain continued success (just who else can claim to have a similar level of success?) so hopefully he can spot the necessary talent.

Word on Norwich? 'Safe' is the word, modjo. Druss suspects they're ready for their holidays, while some mates of mine have suggested they look tired recently. I will choose the 'synthesis' option and suggest it's a bit of both.

With that goal against Barcelona which killed the game off for Chelsea it might be argued that Torres is the man for the big occasions. He seems to be playing better now with di Matteo than with AVB in charge. Is that enough to persuade Abramovich to keep di Matteo at the helm since his £50m purchase is starting (?) to show signs of the form that made him such a goal threat? Questions, questions.

Listened to the Manchester derby on Radio 5 Live last night, and it sounded like Man Utd were getting battered during the entire game. Listening to Robbie Savage claiming that Man Utd will get chances throughout most of the second half started to feel embarrassing, because it didn't sound like they were in the game. Looks like that bad feeling you had was justified after all, Druss. Also not sure about Mancini's ploy about Utd being favourites still. It sounds silly but may have just done the job he needs of it.

[Druss99]

I'm still fuming about last nights match. But yeah United were pinned back for most of the match, saying that though City didn't create much. One mistake from Smalling(who was otherwise very good) may have cost us the league. Would that have happened with Evans or Vidic in there? Who knows.

Although I suspect that was Park's last game for us, tremendous servant over the years but I can't remember the last time he played well, I think he might be too old to just keep bringing in from the cold for big games now, he needs to be playing regularly to keep his fitness. Giggs hasn't played well for ages either, age is finally starting to show. We had no attacking threat at all, Nani was crowded out, Rooney had no support and was playing crap again anyway, no one else really got forward except Jones but that was rare. I spent most of last night cursing Rooney...again.

Schweinsteiger would be perfect for us but I can't see him leaving Bayern. Robben would also be perfect, giving us natural width on the left and would fit into our pacey counter attacking plan. I think we also need a striker to lead the line when we are playing 4-5-1 because Rooney just isn't cutting it. A Cavani, Llorente, Higuain or Huntelaar maybe. We could also use a leftback to compete with Evra/force him to stop being sh*t and atleast one if not two central midfielders, preferably one creative and one ball winner because we can't rely on Carrick to play every single game. But we will most likely just sign another right footed winger and some central defenders to play out of position.

I caught some Bundesliga highlights last night and there did seem to be alot of Japanese players running around.

Torres could get in the Spain squad if Villa is still injured.

Kamara kind of lost me when he said he was in The Iron Gerbil camp but atleast he gave actual reasons, even though they have been proved wrong by Saha and Nelson this season. Press conference at 4pm to announce Hodgson as manager I believe. The reactions are pretty hilarious, people seem to forget who originally championed The Iron Gerbil for the job while badmouthing Capello live on tv, it was.....The Iron Gerbil! Then he kept at it, talking himself up for the job and his mates in the media jumped on the bandwagon. The FA never said they wanted him, it was concocted by The Gerbil and his mates, which makes him not getting the job even funnier. Mourinho was mentioned a few times before The Iron Gerbil is the only man for the job notion took hold. 1 cup in 30 years of management, joker.

[OBakaSama]

Losing Vidic was a blow to Man Utd, and given his absence they have managed to grind out some results even when they haven't played particularly well. If we assume that Vidic is at the top of his game then perhaps Kompany wouldn't have scored that goal, though we could also suggest that of Smalling though. I kept hearing that Rooney was frustrated during the commentary, and it seemed not only did he play badly but that he was almost frozen out of the game by being isolated. For the most part I think a frustrated Rooney is an accident waiting to happen. It seems the finger is being pointed towards the team selection regarding that match, and the selection of Park given his lack of game time is an odd one.

*Ra, ra, ra* The Iron Gerbil *Ra, ra, ra*

I think Man Utd are still a team in transition, but the worrying thing is that there appears to be a gap in the middle. There isn't enough of an overlap between the old guard and those who are coming up.

*Ra, ra, ra* The Iron Gerbil *Ra, ra, ra*

The summer transfer window is starting to look more important now given Man Utd's 'failings', though I heard somewhere that it could be that Man City are also after the same players. Could get ugly.

*Blah, blah, blah* The Iron Gerbil *Blah, blah, blah*

Hm...that seems to indicate a lack of competition for places, and that can be somewhat worrying for a team. We know what decent competition for places can achieve looking back to '99.

*Blah, blah, blah* Are you secretly racist? *Blah, blah, blah*

Yep...I was listening to the FA's press conference and....boy were the media out to back their ole mucker The Iron Gerbil. It sounded like the smear campaign has started immediately when Hodgson was asked about going to play in South Africa. Really? I am now dreading the prospect that The Iron Gerbil could be invited to be a pundit anywhere; imagine the stuff he might spout out when England play.

OK, maybe The Iron Gerbil wasn't mentioned that much throughout what I heard but the agenda was there. Crikey. It's going to be a rough ride for Hodgson; good luck to him.

EDIT: BBC news channel. Even the reporter said that The Iron Gerbil was the media's chosen...whatever happened to the people's choice?

Modifié par OBakaSama, 01 mai 2012 - 03:41 .

[Druss99]

LMAO at secret racist. I had the tv on in the background during the press conference, I wasn't paying much attention until I heard Hodgson talking about apratheid(pretty sure I spelled that wrong) and suddenly my interest piqued. Did they actually ask if he was racist because he played in South Africa? Flashbacks to what happened when Pearce took over. Could they be anymore blatant? The agenda is obvious.

Aye, I think its more Sir Alex went to his big game trusted players and discovered that they weren't up to the task. I'd have started Welbeck instead of Giggs, Valencia for Nani maybe and see how it goes, keep Nani for if I needed to attack more. But I'm not the greatest manager thats ever lived so I'd no say in the matter. I can see why he picked the team he did but I suspect it will lead to summer changes. Transition indeed, we need to spend to replace the old guard because the young players are too young but do we have the money? The thing about City being linked with the same players is it seems to be the same players being recycled in stories about all the top teams in Europe, which will keep going until someone signs the player. Then its someone else. Flavour of the month is Eden Hazard.

Liverpool were boo'd off at Anfield tonight. I seem to recall before last January it was all entirely the managers fault, now it seems to be the players? Curious that is...

[OBakaSama]

They weren't that blatant as that was paraphrasing on my part, but given what they asked (and you're right that it was to do with his playing in South Africa in the 70s, though Hodgson had to correct them that he didn't manage there but played there) they might have well been. Hodgson's defence was correct as far as I'm concerned, and a similar defence is used whenever a sporting event is held in a politically dodgy state; and we've had a few. The media's agenda is obvious, if I ddin't find it funny on some level I would be thoroughly disgusted.

He did take a while to change things when Man City went a goal up. I'm not sure whether to think that reflected a calmness in Ferguson's approach in that he trusted the players to deliver, or that he wasn't sure that even with changes that they could have overhauled Man City. Though given when Ferguson makes his substitutions, I think it's usually on the hour or thereabouts, it probably shouldn't be that surprising.

Man Utd seem to be lacking in the younger age group at the moment, aroundthe early-mid 20s I think, around the pitch. There's a curious little gap of age difference there. The idea is that there should be a slight age difference between players in the same position so a transitional phase isn't too obvious. Difficult in practice, but for Man Utd that difference seems to be telling. As for transfers...I would imagine that Man City would have to sell a few players before splashing out again; as their spending has been excessive. Unless all is well with UEFA's FFP rules.... Though, yeah, probably right on the gossip on players.

Hm....curious indeed. I suppose Dalglish can do no wrong. With one eye on the FA Cup final, can't blame them really seeing that they seem to 'need' it to call this season a success, they probably weren't really up for the league (not that they have much to play for in the league). Wait...does that mean Liverpool are a *gasp* mid-table team?

[Druss99]

The FA have complained about The Sun mocking how Hodgson talks, why don't they just do what Sir Alex does and ban that paper from press conferences and covering England? The Iron Gerbil has been signed up by the BBC as a pundit so he gets paid to go on tv and undermine the current manager yet again. Who actually wants to hear his views?

Sir Alex rarely ever makes changes early, he might move the players he has on about a bit, but normally he shows faith in the players he started with to turn it around.

Indeed, we seem to lack players at their peak. Most of our squad are either coming to the end of their careers or are still learning. We need to invest in quality players at their peak, especially in midfield. We have plenty of players around the early 20's, I think what we need is players 25 to 29 when they are usually at their peak.

What I find funniest is they were basically booing their reserves for not being good enough. Wasn't that one of the things they hounded Hodgson for? Admitting their depth wasn't good enough.

Did you see Cisse's goal last night? Bloody hell, what a strike. Also Howard's save from Dempsey's deflected shot at the weekend was a ******.

[OBakaSama]

Dreading The Iron Gerbil as a pundit. "So 'Arry, 'ow do you fancy our chances?" Hearing his comment about 'it won't happen now' was a bit....galling. I'm sure the media will love his role as a pundit as he can provide many soundbites worth listening to; after all, that's why they wanted him in the job rather than any real footballing reason.

Yeah, I noticed that over the years. Though I can imagine some might use that against him in this one match; you know someone will.

Yeah, if we play one of those 'who would walk into any top team in Europe' games then there really seems to be only a handful of players from Man Utd at the moment. And certainly the whole being a greater than the sum of its parts hold true looking at some teams. I think I read a comment that suggested that the current team are functional, and they have certainly had a crack at the league title this season and could still win it; but they certainly lack the aplomb Man Utd teams have had over the years. I have to admit I think back to the thrashing of Roma many a year ago.

Well....we all know it's all Hodgson's fault when it came to Liverpool. *Cough* Reading the comments from Dalglish though....hm...not entirely sure what to make of it. He was giving as many players as possible a chance to play in the FA Cup final. Right. Could just be that it wasn't really just an 'attitude' thing but an ability thing?

Unfortunately no. I would have thought there would be an additional MOTD last night, but I checked the TV listings and no sign. Heard it was an absolute ****** though. *Goes on YouTube* Blimey....that was just....wow. In a way I want to say that the goal was ridiculous the way it curved. Have to admit that with curves on balls like that goalkeepers have it hard.

Oh...not that the competition for fourth was certain but it is hotting up even more now after last night's results.

[Druss99]

Which comment about it won't happen now? I think I must have missed that one. He's on the BBC anyway and they usually just say nothing and try to remain as neutral as possible so perhaps the big wigs will water him down a bit. It's all going to be bum chum arse licking though when he's in the studio with them all telling him how wonderful he is. Hopefully Strachan and O'neill are back.

Apparently United really are signing Shinji Kagawa, according to the player anyway http://www.football3...NCHESTER-UNITED I heard he is dating a Japanese porn star too, not sure how well that will go down with Sir Alex. Haven't seen much of him but I've heard good things. Hazard has been in Manchester house hunting too but I'd say City would be favourites there.

I think theres only one definate in Vidic and a couple of maybes in Rooney, Valencia and Nani. Which makes how well we've done in the last few years all the more remarkable.

I think it was alaways an ability thing. We've known for ages they have no strength in depth and I really don't see why their fans are surprised when their second string loses.

Just saw Modric's goal from midweek too and it was another ******. But Cisse's is probably goal of the season for me, what a strike that that was. He could try it 1000 more times and miss 999 of them. Balls these days have some crazy movement, I remember playing with the ball they used in the 2002 world cup and shooting direct from corners because you could make it move so crazily. If you tried to hit it with power you literally had no idea what it was going to do. Played with the champions league ball from about 3 years ago too and it was amazing, it almost stuck to your foot while you were running and when you hit, bloody hell did it fly. We were playing 5-a-side with it and we had to opt to get a different ball because goalkeepers were in serious danger with that thing, I'd 2 shots I'd hit so hard we couldn't even tell if they went in or not, it flew off your foot like nothing I've ever seen and it was heavy enough that it always stayed down too.

Torres has been dropped back to the bench for the FA Cup Final.

Just heard the result of the Norwich game, why couldn't they do that last week or against City? *grumble*