4117 réponses à ce sujet

[Druss99]

I didn't think Ruddy was tested a great deal, we didn't do alot with the ball and everyone infront of him put a shift in to limit us. I think Norwich were taken lightly and we got punished for it, not the first time thats happened.

I'm surprised Hughes is still there, I really thought he'd be gone on Monday. The Iron Gerbil is apparently being offered the Ukraine job, idiots. It won't happen, he wouldn't even move to bloody London nevermind the Ukraine. He's using it to try and force QPR's hand.

Benitez to Chelsea? I could lose my job because of it, I was on the phone, hadn't seen any news and a customer was chatting football to me and informed me. I cursed in the shock at him, our calls are monitored and my boss is a Liverpool fan, this could go badly. Then I thought Obaka will have a field day with this, then I started laughing at the utter stupidity of it all, now I'm back to confused. I just don't get it, if it's just an interim manager then why sack Di Matteo? Because he dropped Torres and previously Terry? Absolute joke of a club.

It was a stunning goal but for me the best goal ever was Yeboah against Liverpool. He nearly took the crossbar off and David James admitted to having nightmares about that strike for years.

[OBakaSama]

Sometimes teams can get lulled into a false sense of security, and then get mugged. This could be the players themselves not taking their opponents seriously.

Well....Hughes is gone. Wasn't that long since you posted, Druss. And now the Iron Gerbil is apparently....well....not sure if that's a good thing or not. It would mean he won't be a pundit on MOTD wouldn't it?

I'm of the mind that di Matteo did the silly thing of bringing success to the club, especially the Champions League. I don't think many would have thought he would have got a result, and believed he'd be gone with a suitable replacement being brought in during the summer. Then it just dragged on and on, until he was made the manager. After that....it was a matter of time. Whether he was sacked due to leaving Torres on the bench....well....who knows. But it sort of feels like that Benitez is being brought in to get the best out of Torres. It would seem odd if Torres started to play well again after a few poor seasons. It feels like the last roll of the dice before cutting his (Abramovich's) losses on Torres. Nine managers in as many years is ridiculous though.

Will check that out.

[OBakaSama]

West Brom in third is the thing at the moment as far as I'm concerned. What's interesting is that it all feels very understated. It just seems that you expect other teams to make the current top four then find out West Brom are third and say "Really?!"

Norwich have managed to string together a few decent results. Hopefully that'll continue so relegation can be something we won't have to worry about.

Yeah, heard Real Madrid lost. I gather they're not doing that well this season.

I'm not too sure if that really applies to Abramovich to be honest. 'More money than sense' tends to indicate stupidity, and I don't think Abramovich has been stupid with his money (with the exception of Torres I believe). He has been impatient and ruthless with his managers though. Benitez is a stop-gap measure, much like di Matteo was, as we all know Abramovich really wants Guardiola. Though it also feels like the last attempt to somehow recoup the £50 million he had spent on Torres as well. I'm sticking to that thought.

As for Guardiola, I read somewhere that Abramovich isn't the sort of person he can see being his boss; and this seems to suggest it is unlikely he would go to Chelsea to take over the team if offered the job. Time will tell though.

As for Benitez's reception....it just seems a bit daft to me. Give the man a chance. Doesn't help the team either as far as I'm concerned. I mean, it's not like...Arsene Wenger going to Tottenham, or Alex Ferguson going to Man City (or Liverpool). Or am I missing something?

[Druss99]

The Iron Gerbil has taken over and doing what The Iron Gerbil does. I'm not even going to bother ranting about it.

It's only November, West Brom can still be relegated. They won't be, but it's possible. Hell of a start but I imagine they will fall away after Christmas.

I'd say Abramovich does have more money than sense. He senseless hires and sacks managers, someone told me recently that its cost £75m in fees to sack all these managers. Why not give AVB more time? Why give Di Mateo a contract at all if he was just going to sack him? Why sack him to bring in an interim manager that his own fans hate and who won't play the kind of football he wants? It strikes me as highly stupid. I can't see them getting Guardiola either, surely he would see it as a massive waste of time unless he just wants a big pay off when he gets sacked. Just saw this somewhere else, Abramovich hired the man who won the CL 7 years ago through blind luck to replace the man who won it 7 months ago through blind luck.

Ronaldo back to United? Depends really, if he plays as a striker then yes, if he doesn't act like a spoilt pr*ck then yes. If he goes back to being a winger who can't actually play on the wing or help the team then no, if he goes back to giving the ball away then sitting there in disgust while others have to cover for him then no. I was never a Ronaldo fanboy, I'd be excited by getting a great goalscorer but other than that I'm not too bothered. We won't sign him anyway.

I agree with Chelsea fans, I'd protest if he took over us and he has a history with Chelsea, making comments about them and saying he'd never manage them. Plus why bother getting behind him? He'll be gone in months, I imagine alot of them are protesting Abramovich's stupidity but are too afraid he will abandon them.

As for Lampard and Cole, Lampard is past it and couldn't play in a midfield two even in his prime. He needs two others to do the work while he shoots and runs forward, I've always considered him sh*t but lucky. Cole will be a much bigger loss.

Modifié par Druss99, 27 novembre 2012 - 10:48 .

[OBakaSama]

We all love QPR really......

Indeed, but it's fun to see another team up there to 'shake things up' as it were. Much like Hull the year they were promoted. Then that collapse......

Ah....missed the history Benitez has with Chelsea; in which case....my stance will change a bit. Still think it's a bit harsh on the team (like them or not) in an indirect way.

Any thoughts on Guardiola possibly fitting into Arsenal? Not saying that he would go, but just wondering whether his footballing philosophy would be a better fit to them than another team.

[Druss99]

Yes they are now playing the best football in the land and are on the cusp of glory despite being plucky under dogs who haven't spent a penny. Expect them to have a squad of 35 players, only ever playing 11 of them by the end of January.

Indeed it is, it would be awesome if they broke into the top 4 but history suggests the inevitable falling away. Big defeat tonight away to Swansea will damage confidence a bit.

I think the team know its Benitez they are booing and not them, in a way it could be kind of freeing, no matter how much you screw up he will get blamed anyway. Another 0-0 tonight. I almost felt sorry for him during sky's interview on Sunday but then he knew what he was in for when he took the job.

Hhmmm thats an interesting one, I don't really understand Arsenal to be honest, are the board actually happy to finish 4th and take the turnover? If so, would Guardiola fancy that? I'm not sold on Guardiola yet either, I'd like to see how he gets on in a team without arguably 3 of the best 5 players in the world.

United scraped a 1-0 and should have scored more, its worrying that with Hernandez, Rooney and RVP we still aren't hammering teams like we used to. Still early in the season though. Norwich drew 1-1 away to Southampton, not a bad result away from home. I enjoyed Snodgrass' freekick, mostly because it reminded me of my own uncouth freekick taking ways, just belting it through the keeper. Simple pleasures in life...

[OBakaSama]

Procrastination time. So naturally I pop in here for a moment.

That was a humdinger of a weekend of football. Norwich continue a decent run which gives hope of avoiding relegation. We were even above Liverpool in the table even if it was momentary. Getting closer to the top half now anyway.

Man Utd have now got a nice points cushion. It is starting to look good for them even though occasionally they don't kill games off like they should.

QPR continue their good form too. How long can they claim they've been unbeaten for x number of matches?

And I guess one of the things of note of late is that Torres is starting to put a few goals away now. Has Abramovich's gamble to bring Benitez paid off?

[Druss99]

I was about to do the same, too late to stick on the Xbox, too early for bed. Great minds?

Isn't Norwich' form somewhat better than decent? Unbeaten in 8? Think you are second in the form table.

Indeed, I took annual leave yesterday morning to watch the match, up until I saw the team sheet I was thinking I was needlessly punishing myself but we got the job done and I've no complaints. Glad I took it off in the end up, was a great game to watch with us going back to the rapid counter attacks that have served so well over the years.

Will The Iron Gerbil take credit for the record they have set? Worst ever start to a premier league season.

He has gone through these patches before at Chelsea and then either got dropped for Drogba or got himself suspended halting his momentum. I think Shevchenko was the same.

Beckham is begging for attention again. Announcing he is leaving before the final so that its all about him, I caught the tail end of it when I got home one night, he was standing infront of everyone wearing a ridiculous flag/cape to get more attention and now doing the whole "Hhmmm I really need to decide, I'll give you more quotes tomorrow if you keep me in the papers ok?" I used to like him lol.

Modifié par Druss99, 11 décembre 2012 - 01:00 .

[OBakaSama]

Woohoo! Norwich are in seventh! Above Liverpool and Arsenal. Really didn't think that would happen, temporary or not.

Man Utd are sitting pretty at the top. Looks like it might be a long hard season for those with ambitions to win the league.

Feels like the apocalypse is around the corner or something; QPR won their first game....

Just how did Fellaini manage to stay on the pitch? It feels like he would have got away with murder during that game had he committed it.

Messi's goal record this calendar year has been frightening.

Chelsea couldn't put a couple of passes together against Corinthians.

Pretty interesting weekend of football methinks.

[OBakaSama]

I would say that it's just as well I don't live in Spain and follow the league there. Every time a world class player is on my screen and I watch them they never seem to play well. From my limited experience thus far that has happened with Messi as well. He should be thanking me that I don't watch him play week in, week out. *Cough*

From what little I saw of Chelsea in the World Club World Cup thingy (yep, us in Europe really don't seem to care about it much; not even sure if I got the name right) Chelsea were completely outplayed. Torres had a really good chance to equalise (not the one ruled out for offside) but couldn't react quick enough, though it may have been more difficult than it seems.

[OBakaSama]

Yeah, I've seen clips of Messi and stuff so I'm aware of his ability. Even so, whenever the chance to see such a player live....well....it feels like I jinx it. "What's so good about him? He's rubbish!" That's the thing I think of when I see the match in real time. Very strange. He isn't the only one over the years either; just that he's the current one. Truthfully, the only player with that sort of reputation I saw play live who lived up to those expectations was Zidane. Very much a chance thing (I'm very aware of that), but boy those chances are strange....

Even the commentators here in Britain mentioned that it was just as well Corinthians won it as they and their fans care about it more. Had Chelsea won it the reaction would probably be "oh, good for you. Now, get back to playing proper football!" (That's just my opinion though...)

What leagues do you follow then, Lathrim? The thread here has been quiet of late as those of us who are regulars have other commitments limiting our time here; and we tend to be more English Premier League focused due to the teams we support. It's always nice to see football from other parts of the world and engage with other fans.

[Druss99]

Would I be right in thinking you only see them in the big games where they don't really get to dominate games the way they would against weaker teams?

When United played in it I can't remember me or anyone else caring too much, I watched the matches but to be honest I can't even remember if we won or not. It seems more like a marketing friendly than anything. But for teams from South America etc. it's more of a chance to showcase that they are equal to if not better than the rich European clubs I suppose.

Arsenal are ripping Reading a new one tonight. Well I think they are, I fell asleep during the first half but everything I saw was all Arsenal lol.

Fellaini gets a 3 game ban for several attempts at assaulting Shawcross. Given what Suarez got for saying nasty things, I still find it utterly ridiculous. What about Tevez kicking Jones in the Manchester derby? If MOTD had highlighted it would he get 3 game ban too? Is that really how the FA dishes out justice? It was a clear petulant, nasty and aggressive boot to the thigh off the field of play, it was basically assault and not a word has been said. If that had been Rooney on one of their players...

[OBakaSama]

May well be, Druss. But then....football watching is so low on my list of priorities it's a bit shameful. (Gaming even lower.) The games I would get to see are either the European competitions or international ones. Me experience be an odd one. Still very coincidental. But with world class players I do expect them to perform on the international stage. And for me it is still Zidane who shows what such a player should be. One day I'll see the others play as well. Maybe....

I remember taking part in it in Championship Manager back in the day. Won it too via a lot of cheating to do the septuple. That was fun.

Read that Arsenal beat Reading heavily.

Yeah, it seems somewhat paltry to say the least. But then....the rules are a bit odd at times. The intent was there with Fellaini so he really should have been punished more.

[Druss99]

Sometimes these players have to perform a different role for their country than they do for their club or share the stage with equally large ego's vying for attention.

I treated it like a friendly in Football Manager, gave reserves, youngsters and payers recovering from injury needing match time a run out, invariably hammered teams.

Three games is ridiculous considering he had three attempts at violent conduct, surely thats 9 games. Maybe if he had called him a white devil too it would be more?

Juninho Pernamubanco is going to the New York Red Bulls from what I hear, look forward to that Modjo. The best freekick taker I've ever seen, he can do it all with a dead ball.

[OBakaSama]

It has been mentioned that Messi doesn't hit the form he has for Barcelona. After a discussion today it came to me that not only does a player on the international stage need to be a good individual player, which Messi undoubtedly is, but also requires the right team to be able to show their talents. As I understand it Messi doesn't have that with Argentina. Likewise, Hoddle didn't have that either for England though he was good for Tottenham back in the day (again, as I understand it he had...Villa and Ardiles? in midfield). Part skill, part luck it would seem.

I liked the trophies, so had to get it.

Yeah. Should have been more. F365 has an article (that I haven't read) about whether his apology helped to keep that ban low.

Hm....that mention of hunger reminds me of Totti in that drubbing by Man Utd many moons ago. A game where Roma lost....6-1 was it? That game was when Man Utd were at their lethal best.

[Kimosabe]

The hypocrisy in football is amazing..
A few weeks ago an assistant referee got beaten to death by a few amateur players who disagreed with him. Everybody agreed, a terrible event that should never happen again. The next week all amateur matches were cancelled and the pro's held 1 minute silence before each match.
Suddenly everybody had to show respect even the FIFA held a minute silence at the WC for clubs in Japan, half a world away.
So far no big deal, it's understandable, if not a forced reaction cramped in one week. Only the next week, at another amateur match, an assistant referee got beat again and almost no attention is paid to it in the news. The 'respect' week was over so nobody have to care anymore..

But to the matches:
I watched Corinthians - Chelsea on the BBC and i'm glad that Corinthians won, they indeed were the only club that cared enough. Somehow nobody in Europe care about it.. me included. If it didn't happen to be on a sunday morning I would probably never have seen it.

The Champions League has some interesting matches coming up: Arsenal - Bayern München, AC Milan - Barcelona & Real Madrid - Manchester United.
I haven't really followed the Premier League so far so do you guys think the English clubs have a chance?

[OBakaSama]

That's the thing with such incidents though, Kimo. A lot of things as serious as the last get ignored because they aren't newsworthy (no matter where they appear in the paper) according to the media. I barely heard much on the news about the hurricane in the Philippines which I can only assume it's because that isn't newsworthy here.

Arsenal's form seems to be a bit patchy as far as I'm concerned this season, though their league position is better now (currently in fifth). Not sure how Bayern are doing, but for some reason I think I would expect Bayern to have the upper hand in those matches. But if Arsenal can play well.....

As for Man Utd and Real Madrid....that should be a humdinger of a tie. I'll look forward to it. As for their prospects....I think I would favour Utd.

[DragonRageGT]

Corinthians... champions of the world! Woohoo!

(if European teams did not care, why would their players cry like they do when they lose? hehehe I'm just glad, it wasn't Barcelona! =)

[Kimosabe]

True. One coach here said it right. He called the KNVB out on their actions and said that they should either pay attention to 'respect' each week or not do it at all. They ofcourse did nothing. One referee did carry a little band with 'respect' with him his next match and shoved it in a coach's face when he commented on a wrong call by the ref. Really bad timing since that complaint had nothing to do with a lack of respect just with a wrong decision by the ref (the coach was right btw)
The KNVB didn't know how fast they had to distance themselves from that action..

Bayern is having a pretty good season, they are 9 points ahead of the number 2 currently. As long as Robben doesn't play they have 10 good players on the field. Neuer is a bit out of his winning mood, he made some bad decisions last matches but that shouldn't be to much of a trouble.

Celtic - Juventus should be an interesting match as well and I really come to like the Celtic fans but I wonder how long they can keep up..

Heh, Champion of the World, I almost don't get why you wouldn't want that title..
When you lose a match, you're bound to be disapointed but there really was no intent to win in Chelsea