4117 réponses à ce sujet

[Druss99]

I was going to ask about the whole Lambert/Norwich suing thing as other than him saying they are suing him and some mention somewhere of him suing them, I've heard nothing. But it seems you are just as in the dark.

I still think Lambert to Villa was a sideways step, not sure what exactly his goals are there or what they are expecting, but it's hardly a massive leap above Norwich. I think Houghton will do alright if he is given time, it's just a question if he gets that with the bad start. Atleast Holt has started scoring though.

United's win over Newcastle was indeed very good, tough place to get 3 points. Rooney has returned from injury in much better form and is now playing in midfield. Cleverly's form has picked up too, although that goal was clearly a cross, you can tell from the way he shaped to whip it in that it was an overhit cross. Also we survived in Europe through the scariest words a United fan can hear at the minute "Michael Carrick injured" Fletcher being back is a massive bonus, especially if we can get him up to speed with some more matches.

Cole's an idiot but atleast he accepted it and admitted he's in the wrong this time, I hear he's not starting tonight though and Baines is in. Carrick, Cleverly, Rooney are looking like possibly being the midfield.

There's the Suarez diving fiasco, honestly it was so bad they should just be laughing at him. If you haven't seen it yet then I'd encourage you to youtube it, it's comedy gold and possibly the worst dive I've ever seen. It was worse than the one Phil Jones pulled for us last season, it was Gerrard bad. Now the Uruguayan FA are complaining that FIFA VP Jim Boyce called him a cheat and said diving is a cancer on the game. I don't see their point, everyone see's he dived, well he slowly went from his feet to the ground in two stages then demanded a penalty for it, I'm not sure what other way there is to describe it other than cheating or comedy.

I never watch Spanish football, Modjo. It seems as pointless as the SPL.

You should try watching Alan Shearer(although he's got better), The Iron Gerbil or The Copper Rat attempting to analyze football. Especially The Copper Rat's attempts at doing CL punditry, It's like someone who used to swim laps(badly) around the local pool trying to make out he is an expert on deep sea diving while shouting over actual deep sea divers.

I actually had the new PES for a few days but quickly got rid as it was insanely frustrating with scripted goals and being impossible to get your best team on the pitch more than once per tournament. The form arrows are back and no matter what you do, every match you're going to have a whole bunch of blue's and purples while the CPU has mostly red's. As for scripted goals, you can tell the CPU is going to score long before it scores, your players suddenly can't pass, you're control becomes limited including on one occassion Valencia being unable to approach the ball as if a magical bubble was around it, then your players can't tackle, the CPU runs through them and then casually strokes the ball past your keeper, or you simply can't clear no matter what you press.

With JJB going out of business they are having a huge stock sell off here, I went today to pick up some trainers for a potential return to 5-a-side after two years out injured, went from not missing a game in 3 years to only being fit for 5 months in the next 3 year span. Anyway most stuff was gone, there was a ****** looking pair of Puma for £10 but I couldn't even get my foot into the size 8 they had. I was left with a choice, pair of Adidas F50 trainers or a pair of white and pink Nike, all they had in my size. I chose the adidas for £15, only to get home and realise they are the worst looking football trainers I've ever seen, I think I got sunburn off them. They are so embarrassing looking that I fear the abuse I'll get if I ever turn up wearing them. I don't know how I didn't notice this, I was almost killed by a fat woman when trying on the first pair so I just took them and ran before I got stampeded again. What the hell is up with football boots these days? Whatever happened a nice pair of black and red predator boots? Seriously these look more like clown shoes.

[Druss99]

I can't remember but I don't think Norwich lost anyone they didn't want to lose. I think it's a combination of second season syndrome and new manager bedding in by the looks of things, which could be terminal if they can't dig some form out. There's still alot of teams Norwich are capable of beating, it's just finding the form to do it.

Chicharito's form has taken a massive dip, the problem is if he isn't scoring then he isn't doing much and he's not scoring. One game he came off the bench and his pace opened things up a bit but other than that he's not having a good time of it. He's kind of a luxury player, not many teams play with a player who only scores goals and has very poor link up play these days. I like him but suspect his days at United might be numbered.

It was so bad you can't help but laugh, I almost admire that he had the balls to actually try and claim a penalty for it.

Yeah, the animations and individual players actually feeling like individuals puts it far above FIFA for me and made the demo brilliant. But the scripting in the full game did my head in, there was alot of matches that just felt pointless with players arbitrarily out because of form arrows and the CPU deciding to score when it feals like it. Also I had to hold the pad all funny to do things like nutmegs. Just wasn't worth it to me. Have you done all the training scenarios? I really liked the new corner control where you can actually take over the player on the end and call for the ball in, trying to get Vidic free and on the end of crosses was great.

They don't commentate, they are studio analysts who basically say the square root of f*ck all. The Copper Rat is the worst, shouting over other analysts who've actually done something in the game so he can say some more nothings. Andy Townsend is the worst commentator I can think of off the top of my head, games on ITV are often painful to listen to.

I haven't seen the classic black, red and white predator in ages. I still have a pair of old ones and they remain the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. I showed my mate the new ones I got and I think we settled on radioactive bowling shoes as the description.

[OBakaSama]

We didn't really lose anyone. If anything we managed to add to the squad. Hughton does seem to be going through that bedding in period; though I get an inkling what happened with Holt probably didn't really help matters a great deal. There are teams I felt Norwich should have beaten but didn't, so the lack of form is worrying.

Still haven't seen much footie of late but....England sort of messed things up I suppose (and boy, was that one soggy pitch), and that was a great result for Northern Ireland against Portugal.

[OBakaSama]

Well....a win over Arsenal at Carrow Road for Norwich. That's some result it has to be said. And I don't care how badly Arsenal played according to critics; we still beat them!

So...the Kick It Out campaign certainly isn't having the best of times this weekend after all the kerfuffles. So what is the alternative that players who boycotted or refused to participate in it? Still....shaky times again. Things sure have taken a turn for the worst, but then such things have always been there; they just haven't had much cause to be scrutinised so much.

[Druss99]

In game's like that critics always take the chance to put the boot into the bigger team to get more of a reaction from their fans, Norwich created a few chances and were unlucky not to score more. I enjoyed Holt's reaction to his miss in his interview.

The only players I've heard about boycotting so far are Roberts and Rio Ferdinand, two wannabe tv personalities so I highly question their motives. They offered no alternative and highlighted themselves away from their colleagues. What exactly did not wearing the tshirt acheive? What are they accusing the campaign of? Not punishing Terry more? It's not up to them and isn't 4 games and a £200,000 fine enough? He just said something nasty and they want a bigger ban than potential career ending challenges? That still doesn't sit well with me.

Rio Ferdinand himself is an utter ****, Sir Alex outlayed the club policy on it in public, Ferdinand knew this and went against it. Now what's it achieved? Is the big issue about racism? No it's not, it's now about him not wearing a tshirt, making his manager who stood by him during the drugs scandal, contract refusals and his own racist tweet look like an idiot and what his punishment will be. In no way has it highlighted racism, it's highlighted Ferdinand. Which I suspect is exactly what he wanted.

[OBakaSama]

True, it's better as a talking point. To think that one win lifted Norwich up quite a few places in the league. Here's hoping it allows the team to kick on.

Roberts was the first to speak on the issue of a boycott, the Ferdinands and I think Anichebe as well also didn't wear the T-shirt. I understand a point they are making that wearing the T-shirt every now and again seems rather superficial to the actual issues at hand, and in a sense it does feel that way. I guess it's analogous to people wearing wristbands showing support for a cause rather than doing something for the cause. Roberts' complaint seems to be that the campaign doesn't do enough. But then, with the incidents that have occurred (and it does seem to have coincided with the conclusion of Terry's incident) is that it isn't really for them to do anything about (as you point out, Druss). Kick It Out isn't a governing body for anything; it doesn't have the power to impose any sanction. As such their complaint is somewhat misguided. They really should be aiming their ire at the FA, and those who are supporting the players; aiming it at a charity achieves nothing. It's a bit like blaming Oxfam for not solving third world poverty.

As for Ferdinand....well....considering Ferguson had stated that the players will be wearing the T-shirt as the way of club policy, or by his mandate, and Ferdinand went against it....I can imagine things won't be particularly rosy behind the scenes. Ferguson certainly made clear that words will be had. I don't think it's often that a player goes against Ferguson and comes out of it better, so...well....things may be a bit tense for the club after this incident.

Actually....back to the Kick It Out thing and Terry. Considering Chelsea's apparent stance on racism as outlined according to F365 then it does look very dodgy for them to keep Terry in such a high profile position. I'm of the mind that it does seem to put them in a rather awkward position, and seeing that the matter appears to have been dealt with I'm not sure if it really fits into the framework and precedent they have set themselves in the past.

Onto proper football matters rather than those that surround it....

Mark Hughes, eh? I recall that he made the bold claim that QPR won't go down with him in charge, and that was when they were a bit fortunate last season I think. Things certainly don't seem to be going well for him at the moment. And considering the amount he has spent I can't imagine them up top are too pleased with current results either. Will he really still be at the club for much longer? I also get the feeling that certain people fit certain clubs. Hughes did a decent job at Blackburn, but away from that I'm not sure if he has really done anything spectacular. He seemed OK at Man City, but didn't really seem to utilise what he had that well. Fulham was steady and he quits to go to a bigger club (still puzzled how QPR is bigger at the time).

Certainly premature, but the league table is looking interesting about now. Everton comfortably above Liverpool for the time being; and the Manchester clubs being on the same points separated by goal difference. Hm...deja vu.....

[OBakaSama]

Indeed we won against Arsenal. Bring on the rest of the league! *Cough*

With Kick It Out what was done was that players were to wear training tops which featured the logo and everything before the start of the weekend's matches I believe. While I think that their ire was completely misplaced (what can a charity do about sanctions since they have no legislative power), and their boycott as a result made little sense.

What I can agree with is that during the recent incidents there was no real action from Kick It Out which perhaps should have at least released a statement, even a politically correct one, condemning the alleged actions of whoever. As far as I'm aware that didn't happen. Only after everything, including the under-21s clash with....Serbia (?), were the training tops brought out to garner awareness.

Prejudices aren't overthrown by wearing a piece of clothing or accessory; it's mostly education and a change in attitude. The problems are much deeper than that, and it isn't a football problem; but for whatever reason football seems to have people who have that side to them which can occasionally flare up into something more serious.

Well...before saving the Queen He was asked to save the King......

Fulham did fine with Mark Hughes at the helm but the club didn't match his ambitions he said and left; and ended up at QPR who presumably do match his ambitions (which at the moment seem somewhat deluded). I personally just don't see him as being an overly good manager. I might be a bit harsh on him, but....*meh* oh well.

Oh, indeed. There's a while to go as yet. I think the Champions League results this week have been interesting as well.

[Druss99]

I thought Kick It Out did release statements during the Suarez affair, unless I'm mixing them up with someone else, which is very possible.

In a strange way I find the whole thing is in danger of becoming racist in the other direction. The notion of a seperate union purely for black players is a bit...erm...against the notion of equality. There's also this plan...http://www.football3...nti-racism-plan which to me seems to be racist in some parts. Alot of the points are fair enough but also need to be considered circumstancial. Making sure black coaches get interviews? WTF? Will clubs be investigated if they hire a white coach instead? It's like their attempts at "equality" here, it doesn't feel anything like equality when you see a job advertised saying they would especially welcome applications from protestant women because they are under represented there, you end up thinking why should I even bother applying then? Even when you get a job you're wondering if you got it because you where the best man for the job or because they were filling a quota, it's uncomfortable at best. I don't see this being any different.

Then there's point 6, why the hell is it last? Are Asians etc. an after thought in all this? Surely this should have been first or atleast much higher up the list.

I agree Obaka, football does have this element but so does every walk of life. It's just that as per usual with football, it gets spun into a much larger dramatic story by the media and the egotistical self promoting nature of footballers. I'm not saying its not a massive problem, but it's not as apocalyptic as its being made out to be and there has been progress made. Wannabe celebrities don't help and why is what Anton Ferdinand said to Terry ok but Terry is the devil for saying something nastier back? Terry's history get's brought into this all but neither of the Ferdinand brothers seem to have their history's brought up. I'm no fan of Terry on any level, but this whole thing has been very one sided. It's a cultural problem, not a football one.

Hughes had the potential to be a good manager and I don't think he has been a massive failure anywhere, but he seems to think he has proven more than he actually has and has made some bizarre decisions.

Very interesting, best Hernandez has played in ages for us. No idea why we keep playing Carrick at centreback. City and Chelsea getting beat were both delightful results.

Big weekend coming up too, battle at the top of the table and Merseyside derby.

Modifié par Druss99, 24 octobre 2012 - 11:35 .

[OBakaSama]

Maybe they did, Druss. Though I don't remember anything in particular (which isn't saying much) and given that it was an interesting read at the time I'm surprised I missed it. But miss it perhaps I did.

The whole 'Rooney law' are they calling it? Basically, and modjo can correct me if I'm wrong, it's just what Americans call 'Affirmative Action' in action as it were, which is just 'positive discrimination' as I was taught at school. Which, as you point out Druss, is still discrimination; though the intentions are different. I think there's a thought that it was, for example, to aid certain areas like a largely black populace with poor health to have a doctor of their own so their health is adequately cared for; a way to change things for the better.  In this way the best candidate got the job.  This doesn't necessarily transfer itself to other areas though.

I agree with your comment on point 6 of that. Given all this talk about racial equality my own ethnicity is hugely overlooked to the point where it doesn't really exist in any discussion I've heard; which in a sense is discriminatory. I've seen the issue being framed as 'black and ethnic minorities' which is just as discriminatory as far as I'm concerned if I was to be really pedantic. While you rarely hear black slurs except in high profile cases, Chinese slurs are far more casual out and about and seemingly acceptable. All I can think of to change that on a personal level is show that I'm no different to anyone else.

You're right on that, Druss. I re-read what I wrote and it came out a bit off. Basically that ugly side of society, those prejudices are always there no matter what walk of life we consider, just that football seems to allow that ugliness to come to the fore more readily. At least that was what I was trying to convey. In a way I guess it's like road rage by way of analogy, and the comment that someone was acting 'out of character' (which my response would be: no, they're not). It is a cultural and societal problem, and football is but a part of that. Football alone won't tackle the underlying issues, though it may highlight it more. As bad as things are portrayed in the press here it seems the continent have worse issues than we do, at least from the impression from the press...

Bizarre decisions indeed. Football manager equivalent to Nicklas Bendtner perhaps?

Man City are almost out of it I read. Unless they mount a really good comeback and get some luck in the process, like Newcastle did from way back having lost their first three games. But for a team like Man City and the players Mancini has it can only be described as a disappointment thus far I believe.

That'll be a humdinger. Hopefully be able to actually catch some of it.

Modifié par OBakaSama, 26 octobre 2012 - 10:32 .

[Kimosabe]

Ok, a few quick questions: What the hell is going on in England?
Are they seriously thinking of going back in history to make a seperate competition for black players in the name of equality?

What happend between Arsenal and Reading?? 7-5 is not a normal score..

And btw, what did you think about Ajax beating Manchester City in the Champions League? I certainly did not see that coming but Ajax simply was the better team, City didn't look like they want to continue in the CL because it's to much work..

[Beerfish]

Any convo about world cup qualifying in this thread? Canada, out in the prelim round once again in a horribly embarrassing fashion losing 8-1 to Honduras. (They blew an earlier game against Panama by giving up a late goal to end up with a tie game in which they dominated the game. Yeah Canada is a light weight in mens soccer but the national team is so utterly pathetic it's tough to get the least bit excited.

Don't worry, they will hire another former Canadian player to be their coach who knows jack and will get pummeled in the future. At least our womens team can play.

[Beerfish]

"Quick question Beerfish...what is more popular in Canada, lacrosse or soccer? I've played lacrosse, and have to admit, it is pretty fun to play...not as much to watch hehe. Yup, I know the women's national football team is pretty good though. The same could be said for the U.S."

They have pro teams for both sports. I would say soccer is more popular to play I would guess. Canada should have enough young players to develop good enough players to at least have a legit chance at getting into the world cup. The national soccer program stinks though. They need to scour the globe for the best coach possible and pay him instead of recycling Canadian coaches out of some misguided loyalty that inevitably fails badly.

[Druss99]

I've no clue what went on in the Arsenal game, I only found out about it this morning but I'm guessing its the same as our 5-4 defeat to Chelsea tonight. Teams playing youngsters in defensive positions and some crazy assed defending. Also Nani being a ****.

Alot of teams have been better than City this season, they seem to be scraping wins because of their huge squad of very expensive players. I'm hoping Ajax beat them again and they hilariously finish bottom.

Hhmmm, Canada? World Cup qualifiers are that thing that gets in the way of proper football.

Now Chelsea have reported the ref from the game on Sunday for racism, after he gave some decisions that didn't go their way. It's such a bizarre situation, they have a history of accusing referee's of things and caused one of Europe's top officials to retire. If he did it then he's a total moron, but if he didn't then surely something has to be done because this is a club with a history of hounding ref's and it has to end somewhere.

Norwich are in the quarter finals of the Imnotsurewhatitsnowcalled Cup.

[OBakaSama]

Capital One Cup I think it's called now after its sponsor. Going all Championship Manager perhaps we should just call it the League Cup? Norwich not going out straight away is surprising to say the least. The win over Stoke was also very welcome (but when is a win unwelcome).

Chelsea and referees: there does seem to be a running theme over the years. This time it is more official in that the club are pushing for it. I haven't seen too much about what the fans have been doing with respect to it though, but that's more a reflection of my attention now-a-days. He had a pretty bad game from what I understand, but the following aftermath? Well...what were the players doing approaching the referee in his room? Didn't Chelsea make the same allegation back in the day, albeit the approach was at half time?

Saw that Big Mick is now at Ipswich. That's some job he's going have to do seeing they are at the bottom of the table when I checked.

Oh....what was all that shirt swapping thing during the Man Utd and Arsenal game? That seemed really....strange. At half time.

[OBakaSama]

We beat Stoke at home. But as you say, modjo, a win is a win. It does look like we've now moved past that bad spell earlier on.

The cause, so to speak, is that van Persie and Santos are friends. It's just strange because it happened at half time, and....well....surely shirt swapping would be left until the match finished.

Wigan have defied my expectations this season. I had them pegged to be relegation candidates from the start, but they have played well. Martinez has stuck by his footballing philosophy and that does show in the end in a lot of their games. Maybe it has paid off for him.

[Kimosabe]

Druss99 wrote...

Alot of teams have been better than City this season, they seem to be scraping wins because of their huge squad of very expensive players. I'm hoping Ajax beat them again and they hilariously finish bottom.

The problem is that Ajax is really playing bad this season, atm they are 5th, already 10 points behind the #1, so it really does not add up that they suddenly played that good against City.

But the return starts any minute now so I wonder if they can surprise again.

Edit: and after 20 minutes it's already 2-0 for Ajax..

Modifié par Kimosabe0, 06 novembre 2012 - 08:05 .

[OBakaSama]

Interesting week of results, methinks.

A draw for Norwich away to Reading; Man Utd with a win over Aston Villa in a humdinger of a game.

Oh, and Celtic beating Barcelona was an interesting result. After a few weeks that will all be forgotten by the press as they maintain Barcelona's superiority and ignore their losses.

[OBakaSama]

Before the evening kick-off I thought there were a few interesting results. Arsenal beating Tottenham by 5-2 comes to mind. Then the losses were rather striking as well with Newcastle losing Swansea, Reading beating Everton, West Brom beating Chelsea; a rather humdinger of a day for results. Then the evening kick-off we have Norwich managing to beat Man Utd. Plus with Ipswich getting a thrashing it's a good day for Norwich supporters.

I have to laugh at QPR though. I really can't see Hughes being manager for a great deal longer at this rate. I've seen Hughes being described as 'confident' but at this rate I think 'delusional' is a better description.

[Druss99]

I've hardly had time to post here with work. You gloating git OBaka, don't think I didn't see you trying to quietly squeeze in that Norwich result lmao.

As soon as I saw Giggs starting in midfield I feared the worst. We were pretty shocking last week and tonight, Valencia, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Young, I dunno who was worst over the two games, sadly it was probably Valencia. I dunno what the hell is wrong with him but he looks a pale shadow of his former self and completely out of form, completely lacking in confidence. I don't even know if Norwich played well because I spent so long being disgusted by us.

Bit of an odd day all around alright, MotD will be interesting. I hear Man City got two very dodgy penalties.

Hughes will be gone this week I imagine, he's just hanging in there for the big pay off, Steve Kean style. Unfortunately it probably means that The Iron Gerbil will walk in to a side full of "top top" players with a ton of money to spend and be hailed as a genius, when pretty much any new manager would turn them around as new managers almost universally do with underperforming teams.

Ibrahimovic's 4th goal against England was a bit of a ******.

[OBakaSama]

Work is piling up a bit. Can't be helped.

I am indeed gloating away. Given the combination of results, well....how can a fan do anything but? Ruddy played well to keep Man Utd at bay, so a good team performance really got us through that one.

With the exception of the Iron Gerbil being on MOTD, that was pretty good (but then I went to bed after the Norwich match; makes a change from having to stay up for the last match or so).

We'll have to see how long Hughes can stay in the job then. Can we expect a situation like that at Blackburn where the fans start to protest against the manager? It doesn't feel like Hughes is doing a much better job than Bob at the time either during his first full season in charge. If the Iron Gerbil does go in and gets them out of it....well....at least he'd have shown some ability (even if it is just luck).

Ibrahimovic did score a ******. I saw it on the morning news the next day. That was some attempt to say the least. Haven't some labelled it the best goal ever?