European: Lets Talk Football [Archive] - Page 13

Tacitus

10-02-15, 06:01 PM

If Danny Baker's the Bowie of talk radio, Richardson is the Iggy Pop/Lou Reed of TV footie.... erm. :p

Gazzetta Football Italia was so good that even my non-football loving mates were glued to it on Saturdays, hangovers precluding. I've not seen his BT Sport show (I can stream 1080p all day long with Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube etc but BT's own box has problems) and it's been years since I listened to the Guardian Football Weekly podcast. Dunno if he still even presents it.

As for Brendan, what an absolute arse that man is. A couple of years ago I was prepared to eat my words that he was an utter blagger when Liverpool were flying high but the more I see of the man, the more I realise that 2013/14 was a blip. The guy on the other side of Stanley Park built that Swansea side which Rodgers made his name at, after all...

honeykid

10-02-15, 06:19 PM

To this day I love to watch Italian football in the autumn on a Sunday afternoon. I have been this year and there's something so right and comforting about that low golden sunshine streaming through the window while some Italians knock a ball about in unfamiliar kits. :) Of course, they play a lot more directly now than they did back then. :D

His BT show is like an extension of the Football Weekly podcast (which does still exist and he still presents it) with James Horncastle, Julien Laurens and Raphael Honigstein (yes I had to look up the spelling of his name:D) discussing Serie A, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga and showing highlights and the goals from all the games in the three divisions. Sometimes there's a footballing guest (Joey Barton and Owen Hargreaves have both appeared a few times)

The worst thing about Liverpool atm (as opposed to just in general :D) is that I honestly don't know what he's trying to do. Neither on the pitch or with his signings. That wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the fact that it seems no one else can tell me. By his own admission he's back where he started and, after three years (the three years he told everyone to judge him after) that's just not good enough. Of course I'd like him to stay there, but he really needs to be moved on. The grapevine says that Klopp is waiting for Bayern this summer, so any and all talk of that is going in one ear and out the other atm. My guess is that, unless Pep signs a new contract (which doesn't appear to be on the horizon from either side) that he'll hold out for that job, meaning he won't be anywhere until the start of next season.

On the plus side, Steve McClaren or Dick Advocaat should be available fairly soon. ;)

christine

10-02-15, 06:28 PM

As for football, will Brendan be gone by Monday morning?

Oh after Sunday's thrashing, I hope so :D

Fabulous

10-02-15, 06:34 PM

Oh after Sunday's thrashing, I hope so :D

I kind of hope Liverpool wins, to keep Brendan in charge for a little longer. :)

christine

10-02-15, 06:49 PM

I kind of hope Liverpool wins, to keep Brendan in charge for a little longer. :)

Don't do that, just be cheering us on !
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum :)

Fabulous

10-02-15, 06:50 PM

Don't do that, just be cheering us on !
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum :)

Oh, don't worry. I'll be hoping to see Everton batter them.

honeykid

10-02-15, 06:51 PM

As much as I'd love Brendan to stay on, I can't bring myself to cheer for Liverpool. Even when they play Leeds I just cheer every goal against rather than acknowledge that one of them has just scored in their favour. :D

christine

10-02-15, 06:53 PM

Oh, don't worry. I'll be hoping to see Everton batter them.

Best answer :)
Watch out for me I'm in the Park End :)

honeykid

10-02-15, 07:08 PM

You're managing to get there, then? I know you were worried because of your injury.

Tacitus

10-03-15, 05:08 AM

We're a very proud lot over here and when one of our own does well overseas we'll acknowledge it for years. And years.

It's not 'Liam Neeson' on a local news programme, it's 'Ballymena's Liam Neeson', 'AP McCoy from Moneyglass' (arguably the greatest sportsman there has ever been, and I don't even like horse racing), 'Omagh's Sam Neill' etc etc.

I don't hear Brendon being referred to as 'Carnlough man Brendon Rodgers' any more. We've got standards. ;)

Fabulous

10-03-15, 03:10 PM

Sergio Agüero scored 5 in 20 minutes as City smash Newcastle. De Bruyne did his part with a fantastic goal and a couple of assists.

honeykid

10-03-15, 03:17 PM

5 in 20 minutes? Layabout. :D

Fabulous

10-03-15, 03:18 PM

5 in 20 minutes? Layabout. :D

He's got nothing on Lewandowski.

honeykid

10-03-15, 03:20 PM

Kind of the point.

Fabulous

10-03-15, 03:21 PM

Kind of the point.

Was just adding to what you said, not disputing.

Fabulous

10-03-15, 03:28 PM

Well, Chelsea lose again! 3-1 to Southampton.

honeykid

10-03-15, 03:41 PM

How long till Abramovic pulls the trigger? Will he? My guess is he's waiting on Pep.

Fabulous

10-03-15, 05:26 PM

There were stories that City's board were waiting for Pep, too. They worked together in Barcelona and had great success.

honeykid

10-03-15, 05:42 PM

Yeah, I think where and when Pep moves will trigger a big shuffle among the elite clubs this summer.

As you probably have, I've heard that Pellegrini is in charge this year only because it was easier/cheaper to give him another year and wait for Pep rather than get someone in and kick him out after a year. I expect Chelsea, City and United to be looking at him. Though there's talk of PSG too, I'd think the money would have to be ridiculous for him to pass up one of the top English clubs to go to PSG, but it's not like they don't have it. I think City are the favourites, but the temptation of coming in and putting it all right at Chelsea after Jose must appeal greatly to hm. Plus you get to live in London.

I think it's possible that Allegri could be gone at the end of the year, too, depending on who's available and the cost, so Juve could be a possible destination, too.

Fabulous

10-04-15, 01:52 PM

City are top of the league again.

Quite surprised United lost 3-0.

-KhaN-

10-04-15, 01:55 PM

How long till Abramovic pulls the trigger? Will he? My guess is he's waiting on Pep.

He ain't going to sack Mourinho, at least not in the manner of "you are fired". Even if something happens he will finish season. But I strongly doubt he will get fired at all, maybe that is just me liking Mourinho.

-KhaN-

10-04-15, 01:57 PM

Quite surprised United lost 3-0.

I'm not surprised United lost, I'm surprised Arsenal won. :cool:

-KhaN-

10-04-15, 02:00 PM

I think it's possible that Allegri could be gone at the end of the year, too, depending on who's available and the cost, so Juve could be a possible destination, too.

I doubt Pep would fit in Juve and Italian football in general (as a manager). Plus, as we all know Juventus thinks about money and how they spend, Pep would be a big hit on the budget. I also think if Allegri wins Seria A and reaches quarter-finals in UCL he will stay.

-KhaN-

10-04-15, 02:02 PM

I've no idea why tbh - we were the home side and as bad as we are this season Utd are just as shaky so it's not like seasons past where we have psychologically struggled against that side in particular.

Well, first of all, I just tried to be a little bit funny and second, you are not having good form, I was going for a draw or 1-0/0-1. For sure not 3-0.

Daniel M

10-04-15, 02:30 PM

United set up terribly, Darmian and Young at full backs with no cover on either side and then getting Schweinsteiger to press so high up leaving so much space was suicidal. Thought from that start that Jones should have played with Blind out left, and then maybe have Valencia and Young as wingers either side to give more support, one of Schneiderlin or Fellaini should have played in central midfield and stopped the space.

honeykid

10-04-15, 02:42 PM

I'll get into all that later, but I've just heard that Brendan has been sacked as Liverpool manager.

Fabulous

10-04-15, 02:59 PM

I wonder who will replace him...

Tacitus

10-04-15, 04:25 PM

If Klopp isn't ready to take the job now then ... Sammy Lee? Please make it so! ;D

Bye bye Brendan. You came, you saw, you talked. And talked.

And left...

honeykid

10-04-15, 05:13 PM

According to Raphael Honigstein, who has Klopp's agent on speed dial, so far no contact has been made.

Tacitus

10-04-15, 05:16 PM

According to Raphael Honigstein, who has Klopp's agent on speed dial, so far no contact has been made.

Praise be! Get in there Sammy!

http://i.imgur.com/VwM5yNd.jpg

honeykid

10-04-15, 05:19 PM

Well, he did say "yet". And the agent could be lying. :D

Personally I think it's time for the Return Of The Roy.

https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.supersport.com%2F2012%2FRoy-Evans-100811-LooksOn-AI-300.jpg&f=1

Fabulous

10-04-15, 05:22 PM

Real Madrid is painful to watch. No offense under Rafa as they once again drop points after a Barcelona loss. These games are the reason they won't win the league.

honeykid

10-04-15, 05:24 PM

Maybe it's time for Rafa to return home to Liverpool? See, it's all in the stars, man. :D

Tacitus

10-04-15, 05:26 PM

Two thoroughly likeable men. Two awful football managers.

Maybe they'll hang on with a caretaker until St Rafa gets the boot from Madrid some time before Christmas? Ancelotti and Klopp are, of course, the press favourites but would Carlo even take the job if offered? I'd think he'd want Champions League football at the very least...

I now want a Sammy Lee/Roy Evans dream team with Bruce Grobbelaar in charge of arranging transfers. ;)

honeykid

10-04-15, 05:35 PM

I think we can ignore the press on this one, almost upto the day Liverpool say they're going to make a statement, because those two are going to be all they'll want to talk about. Ancelotti is, frankly, too big for Liverpool, while I don't know if Klopp would take the step down to bring them back up to the level, I'm sure, he feels he should be managing at. That being Champion's League.

Count me in as a fully paid up member of the Lee/Evans managerial superteam fan club. :up: After all, didn't Evans always finish top 4 with Liverpool? He'd be a messiah. ;)

Fabulous

10-04-15, 05:37 PM

Tacitus

10-04-15, 05:41 PM

Klopp's probably been given the nod that a certain slightly elderly gentleman in north London will be retiring at the end of the season...

Has Ian Ayre been able to reach Kenny at the golf club bar yet? Has Fat Sam signed for Sunderland?

Fabulous

10-04-15, 05:42 PM

What about Frank de Boer taking the job?

Even if Liverpool lure one of these managers, will the board agree to splash the cash? They've already spent quite a bit with bad results.

honeykid

10-04-15, 05:42 PM

I think Klopp would be ok with coming in and moulding the team to how he wants it, but I don't know if he's prepared to step outside CL to do it. Besides, with so much activity expected throughout/by the end of the season at some of the biggest clubs, he might rather sit it out and see if he can get a better job.

Fabulous

10-04-15, 05:44 PM

honeykid

10-04-15, 05:45 PM

Has Ian Ayre been able to reach Kenny at the golf club bar yet? Has Fat Sam signed for Sunderland?
The thought had occurred to me about both of those. :D

What about Frank de Boer taking on the job?
Now this I can see. I don't know if he's looking to make the step up, but with his reputation (both as a player and a young manager) he could be just the kind of person that'd work well at Liverpool for a good few seasons.

honeykid

10-04-15, 05:46 PM

There are rumours that Pep will leave at the end of the season and Klopp will take over in Munich.

I know. I said that a page or two ago. :)

Fabulous

10-04-15, 05:47 PM

I know. I said that a page or two ago. :)

Yeah, I don't remember.

honeykid

10-04-15, 05:49 PM

I doubt Pep would fit in Juve and Italian football in general (as a manager). Plus, as we all know Juventus thinks about money and how they spend, Pep would be a big hit on the budget. I also think if Allegri wins Seria A and reaches quarter-finals in UCL he will stay.

You think Juve will win the league this year?!?!?! Have you seen them and the amount of points they're already behind? I'm not saying it can't happen, but I am saying it won't. :D

Fabulous

10-04-15, 05:51 PM

You think Juve will win the league this year?!?!?! Have you seen them and the amount of points they're already behind? I'm not saying it can't happen, but I am saying it won't. :D

I still think they will be fighting the title down to the last match. Serie A is very weak. In fact, I still believe Chelsea will eventually mount a charge and make it interesting near the end of the season.

Tacitus

10-04-15, 05:56 PM

Another big question is what will happen to Carnlough man Brendan Rodgers?

Will he lick his wounds in a TV studio for a year? Will he attempt to rebuild his reputation abroad? Has Fat Sam signed for Sunderland?

christine

10-04-15, 06:50 PM

Well whatever happens to Liverpool now post Rodgers, I enjoyed the derby. We should've won tho :)

carlspackler

10-05-15, 05:11 AM

I think Dick Advocaat is free.

honeykid

10-05-15, 09:43 AM

Mark Donaldson, who's often quite clued in on this stuff, says that Klopp is indeed the most likely person to fill the managers seat at Anfield. Interesting. I wonder whether he'll stick or twist?

He also says that Fat Sam and Sean Dyche are the two most wanted at Sunderland, though Moyes is also on the shortlist of three.

As for United, well, we were just poor, weren't we? I mean that's what it boils down to. We know that Young isn't a left back, but we don't have one. We were caught early and didn't recover the entire half. Better second half from what I hear (I only saw the highlights) but still not creating or threatening much.

Did Schneiderlin have a knock or something? I'd have though, if there was any game he'd be used in, it'd be Arsenal away. United have shown time and time again (and we're not the only ones) how to beat Arsenal and a bit of steel is essential. Of course, had he started as slowly as the rest of the team then it wouldn't have mattered anyway, but still. You've got to set it up right to begin with it give yourself a chance.

From what I saw Arsenal played well. Really well, but I also think they showed why they don't win titles. United were there for the taking. Three of their best players were in top form and running riot and they were 3 up in 20 minutes.... And that was the final score. We were there for the taking and a Chelsea or City would've taken full advantage and racked up a big score. Arsenal just aren't clinical. They're like a team of Andy Cole's. :D Very good and, on their day, untouchable, but otherwise even in front of an open goal, you're not completely confident that they'll score.

Talking of goals, take a bow Harry Kane. Smashing goal. :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZO1WqyLe0w

honeykid

10-06-15, 11:03 AM

Looks like Klopp will be at Liverpool by the beginning of next week. Good work, Scousers.

Tacitus

10-07-15, 08:40 AM

No, BBC. NO!

http://i.imgur.com/bm7YPFp.png

Bad BBC! Stoppit right now!

carlspackler

10-07-15, 08:43 AM

I can't see Klopp doing any better than Rodgers unless the club come across with some spends.

honeykid

10-07-15, 09:46 AM

The club spent for Rodgers. I don't think money is the problem. It's recruitment.

I can see Klopp being much loved at Liverpool, he's exactly the right kind of character for the club, but he's going to have to get his people around him. As a European coach he may well be more inclined to work with a DoF or 'The Committee' or maybe he'll just ignore them and rely on the people he trusts. For me that's the most interesting part of all this. To get him in, what have they told him? Is he on the same deal as Rodgers (a member of the committee who, while he has final say on the players put forward, can't go after who he wants) or have they given him more control or allowed him to buy who he wants (within reason, of course).

honeykid

10-08-15, 11:07 AM

Well, he's there. Klopp has joined Liverpool on a three year deal.

I heard yesterday that he's fine with the committee, too, so maybe they're not changing anything in terms of recruitment. They'd better get better at their job.

Tacitus

10-09-15, 06:19 AM

Can't quite get my head round Norn Iron qualifying for a major tournament for the first time since 1986. Even though the entry requirements are slacker than before this is a side which would struggle, on paper, to beat Newcastle, Villa or any of the other Prem dead weights.

Add a manager with no previous track record of success and it's all the more astonishing/lucky/heart warming.

Kyle 'lock up your daughters, especially if they're Italian' Lafferty is an even more unlikely goalscoring hero than David Healy was. Sorry, Enniskillen's Kyle Lafferty to give him his full name. :p

carlspackler

10-09-15, 08:29 AM

Well done Norn Iron.
Maybe the Welsh can do the same tonight...........and how about Iceland???????????????

honeykid

10-09-15, 09:21 AM

It's a great result for Northern Ireland. :cool:

Do you guys think there's a reason why some of these tables are so topsy-turvy? Greece last and losing twice to Faroe Islands? The Dutch looking like they won't make it. Wales top of the group (though they're actually a pretty decent team with a world class match winner to boot). Austria top of their group and Serbia 4th in their group and seven points behind Albania.

I wonder if it's a coincidence that the increase in places meant that some of the stronger teams knew they could slip up, while those who aren't used to qualifying thought of it as a genuine chance to qualify? A couple of freak results after a world cup isn't unusual, but I can't remember anything this widespread that's lasted this long. Could there be anything to it or is it just a different problem for each team that's failing? I do think the increased chance of qualifying has given some teams the belief and impetus to do better.

Tacitus

10-09-15, 09:29 AM

Gareth McCauley's a big Brodyquest fan and its uplifting melody spurred the lads on to new heights. ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygI-2F8ApUM

But yeah, I'm guessing that some teams went into a few fixtures mentally switched off because they knew they had a couple of get out of jail free cards. With hindsight, that Greece side isn't what it once was, though, and everyone else in our group looked beatable as long as we played to our best but nobody, probably not even the manager, truly believed that before the campaign began.

It's amazing what team spirit can do. ;)

EDIT - Fantastic result for the Republic too, and they're guaranteed at least a play-off spot. :up:

christine

10-09-15, 09:31 AM

Looks like Klopp will be at Liverpool by the beginning of next week. Good work, Scousers.

As long as he carries on doing as little as Carnlough's famous son did, then I'll be happy :D

honeykid

10-10-15, 05:43 PM

Congratulations to Wales. :up:

Fabulous

10-10-15, 09:07 PM

Italy has qualified for Euro 2016!

Forza Italia! :up:

neiba

10-10-15, 09:11 PM

Portugal is also qualified. But honestly, couldn't care less! Let's go back to real football!

carlspackler

10-11-15, 08:00 AM

Spain and Switzerland also qualify as will Germany.
Rep of Ireland and Poland have a big battle next week.
Hope the Irish can make it a double.

As usual the Scots do their best to fcuck things up.

honeykid

10-11-15, 10:00 AM

Let's go back to real football!
Amen Brother neiba. :cool:

As usual the Scots do their best to fcuck things up.
The most surprising thing is that they still haven't found a way to blame the English for it yet. :D

Klopp says that he'll win the Premier League once in the next four years. How many other managers could say that about Liverpool and have me think it's not unreasonable?

I think it speaks to how poor the top Premier League teams are atm, but still. He said it and I knew I should be laughing, but I wasn't. That's worrying.

honeykid

10-11-15, 10:22 AM

I know. I can't think of one person who didn't go "wha?" :D I'm guessing it was just a mistake and, as everyone loves Klopp, no one wanted to point it out.

honeykid

10-15-15, 07:48 PM

Considering the number of injuries that have occurred this International week, how much more difficult do you think it's going to be to get managers to release players for friendlies next month? I can see a lot of players pulling out with slight strains and other nagging injuries and, tbh, I wouldn't blame them.

Fabulous

10-15-15, 07:55 PM

I really have no desire to watch any international matches unless it's a major tournament. I know the players take great pride in representing their country, but they have to remember who pays them and that it's okay to pull out of the squad. There have been times with Man City, for example, where players have been deemed unfit for Club, but then find themselves called up to the national team and starting, leading to further injury.

honeykid

10-15-15, 08:07 PM

I know the players take great pride in representing their country,
There's plenty that don't. Frankly I think a lot of them like that it makes them an international player and, therefore, increases their profile and likelihood of getting better paid/moving to a big(ger) club. Especially those who play in the CL.

There have been times with Man City, for example, where players have been deemed unfit for Club, but then find themselves called up to the national team and starting, leading to further injury.
Are you thinking about Kompany here?

Fabulous

10-15-15, 08:23 PM

There's plenty that don't. Frankly I think a lot of them like that it makes them an international player and, therefore, increases their profile and likelihood of getting better paid/moving to a big(ger) club. Especially those who play in the CL.

Are you thinking about Kompany here?

Yes, it's happened to Kompany before, but Agüero is the most recent example. He was called up while carrying a knock. Argentina decides to play him anyways and now he has further injured himself and will be out for at least a month. The manager's excuse was that he didn't injure the body part that was carrying the knock, but it doesn't matter. Playing him while injured puts more wear and tear on the rest of his body to make up for the deficiency.

honeykid

10-15-15, 08:27 PM

I'm with you. I wouldn't allow any United players out if I had any power. :laugh: Hopefully it'll change as domestic/European super league football takes over and becomes all dominant.

Fabulous

10-15-15, 08:29 PM

It really gets me angry how many injuries are picked up in international matches. I always feel like the vast majority of prominent players get injured while on international duty. Could just be me, though.

I wouldn't let any player from my Club leave either unless it's for a tournament.

honeykid

10-15-15, 08:34 PM

I've not seen any figures, but it would make sense that the better players. who play for the more active/glamour teams (especially if there's a lot of travel involved), would be more susceptible to getting injured. Most players play with knocks of some sort for most games, so the more important the player, the more likely he is to play and while players will use any excuse to not play well, they're usually the worst people to ask if they're fit enough to play.

honeykid

10-16-15, 12:17 PM

Does the loser of Chelsea v Villa sack their manager tomorrow?

Elsewhere I'm really looking forward to Spurs v Liverpool tomorrow. Spurs might just be starting to come together (though after the break you can't really be sure) and, let's face it, we all want to see Klopp's first game and see what immediate effect he can have. Common wisdom says that you often get a bounce with the arrival of a new manager, so I'll be even more interested to see how much of the credit a Liverpool win will be accredited to the manager.

I think it could be goals from Everton and United tomorrow. I think this could be another loss though as Goodison hasn't been a kind place to us for a few seasons. My main hope is that the players are itching to show some pride since the poor show against Arsenal two weeks ago. I've no idea which defenders are fit enough to play for us or what system we might have to play. Rooney almost always plays poorly against Everton, though this will be less of a factor this season as he's been poor in every league game, so I'm hoping Martial can continue with his form for France. I heard Stones is back, so that's going to make it a lot more difficult for him. This month was always going to be a big test for United and, so far, we're 0-1.

Sunderland to get the win against West Brom? I think the draw is most likely, but with the combination of the new manager and West Brom's horrible away form a Sunderland win wouldn't surprise me.

christine

10-17-15, 02:54 PM

Congratulations on your win HK. I didn't see it as we were on our way home, but sounds like we were outclassed all right. :(

honeykid

10-18-15, 03:04 PM

Like you I didn't see the game, just the highlights, but I've not heard anything to indicate anything which disagrees with you. This is how United used to respond to losing. :up: I'd like to hope this meant we saw more of Herrera, but I doubt it. We spent nearly £30m on him a couple of seasons ago, so I can only think that LVG just doesn't fancy him. I think he's quality.

It seems that LVG got his tactics spot on as (and while I know editing can do wonders) it seemed Everton didn't really create more than a couple of good chances.

Would it be fair to say that Chelsea got lucky? Once the first goal went in it's said they dominated, but they still didn't look like scoring a goal that they had to earn.

3-1 was a harsh scoreline on Palace, but I can only think that Pardew was complaining about the cards as a way of putting doubt in others minds, because they were both clear yellows. The first could've been red on its own.

Easy win for City, but I wonder what it would've looked like had Bournemouth got the penalty they deserved at the start. A pen denied and an offside goal in the first seven minutes? It's not as if it was an easy game for them anyway. You'd hope the Fates would at least give them a fighting chance.

Will Leicester ever get a 2-2 draw having gone 2-0 up? :D

I said Sunderland had a chance, but that was because I thought they were at home. This must've been the most predictable scoreline of the weekend, though the way it came about certainly wasn't. Never should've stood, IMO.

Watford ran themselves into the ground and, just as you started the think this had 0-0 written all over it, they go and get three.

Who woke Newcastle up?:eek:

Sad news about Howard Kendall. I didn't see him play, but I did see his great Everton teams of the mid 80's. RIP Howard. :(

christine

10-18-15, 04:04 PM

It is very sad news about Howard Kendall. I saw him play many times in the early 70s when I used to take my kid brother. Many happy and tearful moments happened on those terraces. Kendall is part of the only team I can still recite off by heart. A decent man, much loved by us older Blues :)

neiba

10-20-15, 04:43 PM

Porto 2-0 Maccabi (half-time)

Bad first 30 minutes but they seemed to wake up in the last 15. Porto's 2nd halves are usually better so I think we will have more goals (from Porto, I hope) :p

Chelsea and Kiev are still 0-0. It was great if it ended like this. I'm not feeling very opttimistic to discuss the first place in London!

honeykid

10-20-15, 05:40 PM

Wow. Big night in the CL. An Arsenal win and, as James Horncastle predicted, the neutral should've been the game to watch and it ended up.... Bayer Leverkusen 4 - 4 Roma.

Fabulous

10-20-15, 06:03 PM

I watched the Roma-Leverkusen game and it was fantastic. Well done to both sides.

carlspackler

10-21-15, 08:39 AM

Great result for the Arse ,well done.
MON REDS!!! Difficult one in Moscow tonight.probably snowing already.

honeykid

10-21-15, 10:03 AM

Yep, it's going to be a tricky night. PSG v Real and City v Sevilla tonight, too. It should be an interesting night tonight. I'll watch United, obviously, but I'll keep abreast of the other two as well as the other tie, Wolfburg v PSV.

carlspackler

10-21-15, 11:06 AM

No live footy where I am.
I follow online if I'm not asleep.
Reds need at least a draw tonight or else it will be a struggle to qualify.

Daniel M

10-21-15, 11:08 AM

Went to my first match of the season yesterday, Cardiff v Middlesbrough. Enjoyed it, not the most exciting football, but well disciplined and composed, got a bit of luck in the end but I think they deserved it. 1-0 win and just a few points off second, Slade doing much better than I thought he would this season. Going on Monday against Bristol City as well, should be a good game.

honeykid

10-21-15, 04:40 PM

Terrible first half. I'd have taken a draw at the start of the match (considering how we've played in the CL so far this season) but, at the moment, we'll do well to only lose by a goal. :mad:

honeykid

10-21-15, 05:47 PM

Better, and happy to be out of the game with a point, but it was poor. Reminded me of the PSV game. Slow, sloppy, no movement or pace. Away in the CL we're really not looking good at all. Thankfully two of our last three are at home. Hopefully that'll see us through. Great finish my Martial. 12 yards out with a header? How often do you see that?

City nicked it at the end. That's what quality does. Did anyone watch the PSG/Real game?

honeykid

10-21-15, 06:28 PM

Honestly, we were terrible in that first half. At least we looked more at it in the second half, but it was an hour before we started to pick it up.

Fabulous

10-21-15, 09:06 PM

City nicked it at the end. That's what quality does. Did anyone watch the PSG/Real game?

No, but looking from the lineups, Madrid didn't put out too strong of a squad due to injuries. Heard Kroos & Casemiro in the midfield were outstanding.

-KhaN-

10-21-15, 09:10 PM

From what I watched (and it was not much as I was interested in other games) all Casmeiro did is lose ball two times and create dangerous counter attack situations for PSG.

Fabulous

10-21-15, 09:17 PM

From what I watched (and it was not much as I was interested in other games) all Casmeiro did is lose ball two times and create dangerous counter attack situations for PSG.

So how would you say he performed based on what you saw?

Daniel M

10-21-15, 09:44 PM

Well, according to WhoScored (my favourite football related website, excellent provider of statistical insights), Casemiro was the join highest rated Madrid performer - http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1017541/Live/Europe-UEFA-Champions-League-2015-2016-PSG-Real-Madrid - I think they actually did a recent article about him.

carlspackler

10-22-15, 02:12 AM

Thankfully the Reds have 2 home games left.
Important point last night.

-KhaN-

10-22-15, 05:31 AM

So how would you say he performed base on what you saw?

Poorly.

-KhaN-

10-22-15, 05:33 AM

Casemiro was the join highest rated Madrid performer -

I'm very strict when it comes to playing bad in defense. :D

neiba

10-22-15, 05:46 AM

Casemiro is a player who's developing really quick! When he came to Porto last season he was horrible, no sense of positioning at all and way too aggressive! He finished the season a much better player but hestill needs to work a bit on positioning, as he usually plays 10 meters ahead of his place!

I'm glad Danilo did well too! :) Amazing player!

carlspackler

10-24-15, 08:45 AM

Wouldn't mind seeing the Hammers stuff Chelski today.:D

Fabulous

10-24-15, 03:23 PM

Wouldn't mind seeing the Hammers stuff Chelski today.:D

Done! :up:

Fabulous

10-24-15, 05:51 PM

Manchester Derby tomorrow. Unfortunately I'm predicting a United win. Kun and Silva injuries will really hurt City.

-KhaN-

10-24-15, 06:55 PM

This is first time I see team managed by Mourinho doing so bad and I must admit, its scary.

honeykid

10-24-15, 08:13 PM

Obviously I'm hoping for a United win. I know it's a stupidly obvious thing to say, but I think it'll come down to who takes their chances. I can see De Bruyne/Mata being the one with the quality to make the difference. LVG's tactics and starting line up will play a big part, too. The choice of midfielders in particular.

I have no answers for what's happening at Chelsea. I don't think it's any one thing, but I think it all started in the summer when Mourinho didn't get the players/positions covered he wanted. Then there was the late start to pre-season. Then they don't get who they want by the close of the window, plus Mourinho's already making comments about the transfer window and making his point with selection. This has always worked for Mourinho before and I'm sure he thought it would again. For whatever reason, it didn't. I think all this happening from the get go meant that each thing piled upon the other very quickly. Combine this with players not performing (perhaps with a lack of hunger from star players after winning the title last season?) and City looking so dominant to begin with and the defence of the title looked over very quickly.

Let's be honest, though, Chelsea have looked poor all year. Had they not been so brilliant in the first half of last season they probably wouldn't have won the title last season.

carlspackler

10-25-15, 08:46 AM

In my head 1-1 or 2-1 City.
In my heart 2-0 United, Rooney double.:D

honeykid

10-25-15, 09:17 AM

Well we're at home, so at least there's a chance Rooney will score. :D

If United score first I think it'll be a low scoring game. If City score first it could be anything.

honeykid

10-25-15, 12:13 PM

United fans need to start a new chant. "Just shoot! We're not the Arsenal" :frustrated:

honeykid

10-25-15, 12:58 PM

They do make me apoplectic at times though always trying to walk the bloomin' ball into the net

This is the reason for my post. How many times were we on the edge of the box and tried a angled or reverse pass for a runner who wasn't running? I only heard the game, so maybe it wasn't as bad as it sounded, but if Rooney isn't even going to shoot from 18 yards, what is the point of him? Though I'm biased as I ask that question more often than most United fans. :D

Fabulous

10-25-15, 01:36 PM

Better point for City than United, I think.

honeykid

10-25-15, 04:14 PM

I agree. Beforehand a point would've been fine, and it still is, but it's a much better point for City, whose attack seemed completely blunted. Both defences seemed to be on top for most of the game.

The Sunderland v Newcastle pattern continues and I feel sorry for Bournemouth. Those injuries have really put paid to their great start. Now the weather is drawing in, the season is well under way and their small squad is going to really feel the pinch.

Kane feels the drought is over. A hat trick against Bournemouth and an offside goal against City so far this season. I remain to be convinced.

Fabulous

10-25-15, 07:29 PM

One was a penalty, too.

honeykid

10-26-15, 09:56 AM

True, but sometimes that is all it takes. Just getting the goal can be more important. That wasn't the case against City, though. I just think he needs help up front. I don't see him as a natural #9, but I think he's the real deal in terms of being a good Premier League forward. That said, I don't know that he'll get 20 league goals again, let alone 30.

Tacitus

10-26-15, 10:31 AM

I'm never one to crow about someone losing their job (even if they do get a huge pay-off) but I've got a huge soft spot for The Villa and am relieved to see that chancer Sherwood no longer in charge.

We've seen the end of Brendan the Bullsh*tter and Tactics Tim in a few short weeks. Note to the press: These guys are only good copy if they're also competent in their jobs.

Fabulous

10-27-15, 03:59 PM

Let's hope for some League Cup upsets this week. :)

honeykid

10-27-15, 04:31 PM

Almost anything is possible with Chelsea atm, so a Stoke win could be on the cards. Not sure how much of a shock Hull beating Leicester would be. Especially as Ranieri has made 8 changes.

Depending on the team both side put out, a Palace win isn't out of the question.

Fabricio Coloccini's ridiculous red card in Sunday's derby game has been rescinded.

Fabulous

10-27-15, 05:48 PM

Arsenal down 2 at half with Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain off due to injury. Wenger fielded a pretty fringe squad, so it'll be interesting if they will be able to come back.

Diego Costa also off due to supposed injury. Both sides had some great chances to get a goal. Have a feeling Stoke will take it.

Fabulous

10-27-15, 05:57 PM

Just after I type that, Stoke goes ahead from a nice goal courtesy of Walters.

honeykid

10-27-15, 05:59 PM

Nothing but surprises atm.

Fabulous

10-27-15, 06:01 PM

Now Arsenal are 3-0 down. :)

Also, Norwich is up on Everton.

honeykid

10-27-15, 06:07 PM

I know it gets a lot of flack and people treat it like a joke, but I like the League Cup. I like cup competitions in general. I'm not saying I'd rather United won that than the league or anything, but a win's a win. I especially like it for the teams whose fans otherwise have little chance of silverware/glory/a day out to Wembley.

Fabulous

10-27-15, 06:11 PM

A trophy is a trophy. I'm always wanting to add another to the cabinet. I guess my mentality isn't always shared with some of the bigger Clubs, who mostly only care for the prestige of winning the league or Champions League.

Fabulous

10-27-15, 06:42 PM

That's a shame. Stoke gifted Chelsea that equalizer.

Fabulous

10-27-15, 07:30 PM

Chelsea eliminated after Hazard had his penalty saved. :)

-KhaN-

10-27-15, 07:39 PM

Chelsea eliminated after Hazard had his penalty saved. :)

Sadly. If Mourinho leaves it won't change a thing, it's problem in atmosphere at the club and players mental state. You guys remember when Capello brought Roma a title? And then left, well he left because players could't get over that next season started and that they are not champions anymore. I think something similar is happening here.

carlspackler

10-28-15, 06:40 AM

OOPS!! Chelski whacked again.

MON THE PALACE!!

Fabulous

10-28-15, 10:24 AM

The draw can really open up tonight.

honeykid

10-28-15, 06:06 PM

City are cruising now. 3-0.

Rooney has come on for Wilson at the start of the second half. Still 0-0 with about 25 minutes to go.

Southampton and Liverpool are both 1-0 up in their respective ties.

honeykid

10-28-15, 07:39 PM

Just sat here and predicted each of the United penalties. Buffoons on the tv thought Rooney would score. :facepalm:

honeykid

10-28-15, 07:46 PM

Who were you talking to?

Fabulous

10-28-15, 09:41 PM

Quarterfinal Draw

Middlesbrough vs. Everton
Southampton vs. Liverpool
Stoke City vs. Sheffield Wednesday
Manchester City vs. Hull City

Daniel M

10-28-15, 10:25 PM

Football Manager 2016 beta out today, anybody else got/getting it?

carlspackler

10-29-15, 03:10 AM

Man utd,disgraceful.
Even if it's "only"the league cup,getting beat at home by Middlesbro is unacceptable.
The first eleven should be picked for every game,they're being paid millions and should go out and fcuckin earn it.

carlspackler

10-29-15, 03:14 AM

Sepp Blatter admits Russia was chosen for the 2018 world cup before it was put to the vote.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34657900

Gotta love these guys..........and they're lining up to see who get's his job............thieving cnuts the lot of them.

-KhaN-

10-29-15, 06:30 AM

Football Manager 2016 beta out today, anybody else got/getting it?

I wanted to at first, but with SO MANY spectacular games coming out this year I'm having some serious doubt for the first time. I'll probably get it on first sale.

honeykid

10-29-15, 05:37 PM

Football Manager 2016 beta out today, anybody else got/getting it?

Giving it serious thought. The question is, will it stop me playing FM '10? If I just end up back with FM10, then what's the point? I've just won my 3rd world cup in a row for crying out loud. :D

Fabulous

10-31-15, 04:13 PM

City and Arsenal keeping up with each other.

Chelsea lose again. I would think that eventually they will start to turn things around?

honeykid

11-03-15, 09:10 AM

Need a win tonight, United. A performance to go along with it would be nice, but it needs to be a win. It'll be interesting to see if Memphis plays. He really needs to get it together. Especially if the rumours of him going Billy big time are true.

Interesting that the Secret Footballer has named Cesc Fabregas as one of the ringleaders wanting Jose out of Chelsea. I don't know if that's the same as him being the source of the story over the weekend about the Chelsea player who is said to've said that he'd rather lose than win with Mourinho.

I wonder if it's just the fans keeping him in the job now. Their show of support on Saturday would've left the board in no doubt and if Chelsea are serious about being taken seriously as a 'proper football club' then keeping a manager for more than a couple of seasons (even if it's the wrong decision) the fans love would still be seen as a good thing.

Fabulous

11-03-15, 06:40 PM

City vs. Sevilla, what a match! Absolutely fantastic first half of football. That was probably City's best Champions League performance.

Pogba with a lovely assist in the other group game.

Real Madrid looked to really struggle with a few injuries, but managed to take a 1-0 win. This has been a common theme with Rafa so far this season.

-KhaN-

11-03-15, 06:56 PM

I just read that Monaco was offering 50mil euros for Mourinho and Abramovic declined, he asked for 100mil (obviously Monaco wouldn't go that far). Now, all of this could be a ******** nonsense but it came from guys who cover PL for most of Balkan country's and are really professional, still they said to take this new's as a rumor, not a fact. If it's true, then in my opinion Mourinho is safe, Roman declining that amount of money in this position is something.

-KhaN-

11-03-15, 06:59 PM

Juve not doing a good job again, they will still go to next stage with ease (in my opinion) but games like these show how weak they are this season. If they go on like this they will lose more games than in last 3 seasons... But this being said, I'm up for keeping our current manager for a little bit longer, it's not just him, his team was radically changed and obviously weakened. Only option I would accept as his replacement this very minute would be Capello.

honeykid

11-04-15, 04:30 PM

Arsenal fans, this is what happens against great teams when you don't have the luck go your way. Still not quite half time yet, too.

honeykid

11-04-15, 05:08 PM

It sounds like Alaba is putting on a masterclass in Munich/.

Roma v Leverkusen is another nutty game.

Fabulous

11-04-15, 05:39 PM

I really like Alaba and Thiago.

Arsenal's CL campaign looks to be over.

Meanwhile, Chelsea finally pick up a win. Own goal and set piece was what they needed.

neiba

11-05-15, 06:39 AM

Yeah, Arsenal suffered from the Bayern syndrome. As a Porto fan, I know quite well what that is!

Easy win yesterday against Maccabi, with a ghost penalty turning into the first goal scored by the israelites in this year's CL. Let's just hope we don't need it after the last match with Chelsea to decide the 1st place, if we win against Dynamo Kiev, of course.

Zenit and Olympiakos are doing great this season, glad that the portuguese managers are doing so well! :) I hope Valencia can pick it up too!

honeykid

11-05-15, 04:41 PM

Yeah, Arsenal suffered from the Bayern syndrome. As a Porto fan, I know quite well what that is!

I know what that's like too. What you do is wait until the last two minutes and then score twice. :D

A good away win for Liverpool. I didn't see the game but it's a good result. Harry Kane's scored again and Spurs are one up.

I wonder what Khan thought about Costa's dive? I remember what the thought about Di Maria and that was soft, but not a dive, IMO.

-KhaN-

11-05-15, 05:41 PM

I wonder what Khan thought about Costa's dive? I remember what the thought about Di Maria and that was soft, but not a dive, IMO.

Costa is idiot. Good and intelligent(for football) player but a diver and a very dirty person, one of those I would push into the goalpost during corners. I miss those strikers that had just one simple instinct, score. Nothing complicated, nothing spectacular, just putt the ball behind the line.

Fabulous

11-05-15, 06:02 PM

A fantastic Dembélé strike saves Tottenham late.

carlspackler

11-08-15, 07:43 AM

Good win for the Reds.2-0
CAMON Villa.:)

honeykid

11-08-15, 11:13 AM

I'm pleased to see that I was wrong about United yesterday. The way we've been playing I thought 0-0 would be the most likely result against a well organised West Brom that would be happy to defend for 90 minutes and consider a point a victory. A 1-0 win after that, which was almost the case. Sadly, I can't tell you the sense of relief I felt once Rooney was taken off.

Beautiful goal from Lukaku yesterday. You must've been very happy with it, Christine. Great run and a fantastic pass. The whole thing never looked like going wrong.

Good win for Stoke, but I think the goal showed just how much their missing Courtois. Not that his being injured is the reason for this run of form, but that is the difference between a good, solid Premier League keeper and a world class one. You can understand why Mourinho was so annoyed that Petr Cech was allowed to leave (let alone to Arsenal) in the summer.

Whilst they didn't deserve it, Sunderland should've been able to hold out for a point yesterday. Sadly for them, Newcastle managed to be completely outplayed, too, but they got all three points.

I think Bournemouth still have a chance of staying up, but only if they get a striker in January.

-KhaN-

11-09-15, 05:59 AM

Happy birthday to my favorite player! Man who introduced me to Juventus, living legend... Alessandro Del Piero!

http://e2.365dm.com/12/05/660x350/Del-Piero_2764671.jpg?20120513200639

christine

11-09-15, 07:30 AM

I'm really impressed by Lukaku this season HK. I've felt last season he didn't put all his effort into his game but this season I can't say that. Yeah he tires by the end of a game but he's a big feller so not surprised by that.

honeykid

11-17-15, 05:54 PM

OK, I've only had it on in the background and it's a friendly, France after the attacks and whatever, but is it me or have England actually played quite well? I know that France is a big step down in quality from Spain (and to use an old joke, I didn't think it was fair that Spain had a ball and we didn't) but they look as if they've been moving as a unit. Passes have actually been finding their targets and the tackling looked to be quite good. The counter attack has look effective and we've even managed to keep the ball now and then.

I'm not saying that I think we're going to do any better next summer than I did (which is the knock out rounds, quarter-finals if we get an 'easy' draw) but it's so rare that I see England look like they know what they're doing, let alone play quite well, that I've been compelled to put this out there to see if you saw it the same way.

honeykid

11-17-15, 06:32 PM

Yep, we're all there bar the Scots. A great win for your boys last night.

carlspackler

11-18-15, 12:44 AM

Yes,well done to the Welsh ,Irish and English.

It will also be good to get back to the Premiership this weekend.
Man City v Liverpool could be the pick.

GO REDS!!:D

honeykid

11-18-15, 09:09 AM

I can't cheer for the Scousers, even against City. I'm not going to cheer for City, either, but I'd rather they won than the Scousers. Come on the draw. :D

carlspackler

11-18-15, 09:24 AM

I can't cheer for the Scousers, even against City. I'm not going to cheer for City, either, but I'd rather they won than the Scousers. Come on the draw. :D

I can't cheer for either,either.
But I'd prefer Liverpoop to get the 3 pts,they'll soon be looking for another manager...again!.

the samoan lawyer

11-18-15, 09:26 AM

I'm with HK, i'll go with a draw and plenty of injuries/red cards for both sides.

the samoan lawyer

11-18-15, 09:33 AM

Sorry, not watched it. Still getting over Ireland managing to qualify last night :)

Walters, what a hero!

mistique

11-18-15, 09:35 AM

Denmark is not going to the Euros 2016.

https://media3.giphy.com/media/iA8jqAN2GXSTe/200_s.gif

honeykid

11-18-15, 09:48 AM

I don't know much about Denmark or Danish football, so I apologise if this sounds ridiculously simple, but, apart from Eriksen, who do you have? Not that I'm a supporter of the 'one man team' but you have to be good enough. Bendtner up front? His international record isn't too bad, but he's too Billy Big Time and not talented enough to drag you to a tournament. Unlike Zlatan who, as much as I dislike him, actually is talented enough to do that for Sweden. For the record, I don't think the Irish would've beaten Sweden, either and, from what I hear, that was never a penalty, which changed the game completely and made it a lot easier for them.

Schmeichel is a pretty good keeper, but the defence is too slow. I don't know how you play, but the (lack of) pace in your defenders has to be a problem.

carlspackler

11-18-15, 09:58 AM

I remember Denmark winning the Euro championships in 1992.
It was a shocker but all the neutrals loved it.
Just made a nice change from Germany.:D

mistique

11-18-15, 10:01 AM

Hehe don't worry, there needs big changes to the team and the way we play, before we are going to qualify for anything. Morten Olsen, the coach, resigned yesterday after 15 years. So it's going to be interesting to see how it goes with a new coach.

Bendtner was so off yesterday. And no we don't have any profiles like Zlatan. I don't know if it's true, but someone said that Zlatan's parents had first tried to move to Denmark, but where denied citizienship, and then chose Sweden. Dammit if that's true :rolleyes::D

the samoan lawyer

11-18-15, 10:01 AM

mistique

11-18-15, 10:02 AM

I remember Denmark winning the Euro championships in 1992.
It was a shocker but all the neutrals loved it.
Just made a nice change from Germany.:D

That is still our proudest moment :D but I was only 2 :(

honeykid

11-18-15, 10:03 AM

Having just taken a look at the pots for the Euros, there really isn't many 'easy' teams to beat. Even in pot 4. Considering the increased pool of teams (and qualifying) it's been a higher level of difficulty than I expected. Certainly from England's pov, anyway. Obviously we aren't going to want any of the 'home nations' as the chance to get one over on the English will be even higher than usual, which would not only boost them but put more pressure on England. And we know how well we deal with pressure and expectation. That leaves Turkey, Iceland and Albania. All of which should be a win, but when you look at who they've beaten to get there has to give pause.

Albania qualified ahead of Denmark and Serbia and beat France 1-0 in a friendly. Turkey beat the Czechs and the Dutch (what was wrong with the Dutch I don't know, but they played twice and Turkey didn't lose and beat them 3-0) and Iceland beat the Dutch home and away and the Turks.

honeykid

11-18-15, 10:13 AM

Just made a nice change from Germany.:D
I suspect normal service will resume next summer. :D

I don't know if it's true, but someone said that Zlatan's parents had first tried to move to Denmark, but where denied citizienship, and then chose Sweden. Dammit if that's true :rolleyes::D
We had one of those with Ryan Giggs. He's Welsh, he's always said he was Welsh and felt Welsh but because he played for England Schoolboys (because he went to school in England) he 'chose' Wales and we lost him.

I think we would have handled Sweden easily enough to be honest plus I would rather be playing away in Sweden than away in Bosnia. As for penalty yes it was a terrible decision however over the 2 legs we were definitely the better side and deserved to go through.
I didn't see either leg, but I've heard that you deserved to go through over two legs.

I just think that Zlatan gives them the advantage as he can provide that piece of magic to win a game or Larsson with a free kick.

honeykid

11-18-15, 11:23 AM

Martial left Wembley on crutches apparently. I don't know if that's been confirmed or not. How sad is it that I'm worried that, against Watford, we'll need him? :(

They're very well organised and with our incredibly slow and predictable build up, they may well be quite comfortable with us playing in front of them.

the samoan lawyer

11-18-15, 11:36 AM

Yeah I was thinking same. Apparently Deschamps said just a knock and crutches were a precaution. He'll be a massive doubt for Saturday I'd imagine.

honeykid

11-21-15, 02:12 PM

Good win for United today, but we looked lazy in the second half and Watford so nearly made us pay. It was nice to see those last few minutes United reminded me of a United of old.

Real look terrible today. Despite some good play and movement, Barca haven't had to be anywhere near good to be 2-0 up. Should really be three or four up. I'll be very surprised if Real manage to negate a second half of the same again, let alone make a game of it or come back.

Fabulous

11-21-15, 02:24 PM

Madrid under Rafa has looked like a disaster waiting to happen for a while now. Sevilla and now Barcelona are just a start I'm afraid...

honeykid

11-21-15, 02:30 PM

Fabulous

11-21-15, 02:37 PM

3-0 now.

I don't think this is Rafa's fault. They're just not good enough or working hard enough. They consistently look a yard off the pace. Maybe it's an off day? Maybe they're not playing for Rafa? But they don't look fit enough. This could be 5-0 or more quite easily. This isn't a defensive Rafa team that's getting killed here.

I've watched the majority of Madrid's games this season and this kind of play wasn't happening last year. They have been scraping by against awful teams. They have almost no offensive presence considering the fire power. So many times they have went 1-0 up and then immediately invited pressure and tried to hold out for the win or a draw. On top of that, there have been numerous reports lately that some players are already getting fed up with Rafa's style (Cristiano, James, Isco).

Madrid does have many players returning from injury so that may explain the performance, but I do think Barcelona is the superior team even with a full strength Madrid squad.

honeykid

11-21-15, 02:45 PM

I pretty much agree with everything you said there. :) I just meant that this beating isn't Rafa's fault as there's no way anyone would call this a defensive Rafa performance. They're simply not playing well at all and Barca haven't had to do anything special to score, let alone dominate and they're constantly giving the ball away.

If Ramos didn't play for either of these teams he'd have been sent off by now, surely. That trailing leg foul is so obvious when it's done repeatedly.

I have no time for the Real hierarchy whinging about Rafa. If they didn't know how Rafa played when they hired him, then maybe they should let other people make the footballing decisions at Real. I don't mind the fans moaning about him, though, as they've just been lumbered with a man who simply doesn't play in the way they demand their team does. As a United fan, I can sympathise.

carlspackler

11-22-15, 07:33 AM

The Premiership is fantastic this year.
Arsenal and City both go down and were expected to win.
No one is safe.:D

neiba

11-22-15, 08:44 AM

In Italy and Spain the media are saying that Ronaldo made an ultimatum to Madrid: "Or Benitez, or me". True or not, it's obvious Ronaldo isn't happy with Benitez.

In my opinion, one of the most overrated managers in the world managing one of the most overrated teams in the world and I'm happy Barca humilliated them yesterday.

honeykid

11-23-15, 12:23 PM

Whilst the back pages in the UK were awash with it yesterday, no one really think Ronaldo is going to go to United, do they? Surely that's a pretty poor move for everyone bar Real. I think he'll go in the summer, but it'll be PSG that he ends up at. They'll pay Real and Ronaldo lots of money. Real get to pass him on having had the best of him (and if they can get £55m-£60m for him it'll be a huge win for them), PSG get to replace the leaving Ibra with another global superstar and one who's one of the best players of all time, while Ronaldo still gets to the best player at the club/in the league and will still look good playing in a much easier league as his game deteriorates. I think there's a few out there who will say it already is and he'll be aware of that and looking to plan his latter years.

While he's undoubtedly still great and would be the best player at United by far, he'd only be a short term fix and, for all the talk, I don't think he'd want to sully his image at United. He needs to be the focal point of a team and I don't see LVG putting up with him and his antics, nor his lack of working with/for the team.

The inevitable has finally happened and Francis Coquelin has been injured. Two months is what's being stated atm, but this is Arsenal, so it could be the rest of the season for all we know. A lack of a decent, let alone good, replacement may well cost them their best shot at the title for years. For a few months it's seemed as if the team with the fewest injuries would win the title, be that Arsenal or City. I still think that'll be the case, but you never know. If they continue to drop points like this, maybe United or, say it quietly, even Leicester could be there at the end. Still not Spurs, though, as they're Spurs and would find a way to lose the title even if they were the only team left. :D

Speaking of which, Harry Kane seems to've regained his form and has been able to find the back of the net again. Good goals too, some of them. I still think he's already had his best goalscoring season ever, but it's good to see. Especially for England as, hopefully, it'll give pause for thought as to whether Rooney starts automatically. I know, I know. But I can hope. More so if Sturridge can actually get and keep fit.

The remarkable Jamie Vardy continues the fairy tale. I heard people doubting whether he'd be about for the Newcastle game, but surely if he could get on the pitch he'd want to start against them. You're going for the record, do you want to be nearly fit against Newcastle or fit against United? Congrats to Jamie, but I hope it stops next weekend. Though if we can win, I won't mind.

Great win for Everton at the weekend. They looked fantastic against Villa on Saturday's highlights and Deulofeu is just getting better and better. If he keeps working he can be absolute class. I know it was a terrible Villa team, but I like seeing Kone do well, as well. He's starting to be able to show what he can do this season. I wouldn't want him as a main striker, but as someone who can move along the line of play off a big man, he looks good.

Lastly, City. Jesus. If you're going to lose to the Scousers then, really, what is the point of you? Especially if you're just going to give it away.

-KhaN-

11-23-15, 12:44 PM

In Italy and Spain the media are saying that Ronaldo made an ultimatum to Madrid: "Or Benitez, or me". True or not, it's obvious Ronaldo isn't happy with Benitez.

That is everything wrong with R.Madrid, they are not a team, just a bunch of superstars putt together. I really liked Real under Fabio Capello, he made them a team. No player is bigger than club and no player should question managers in that manner, it's just selfish stunt.

In my opinion, one of the most overrated managers in the world managing one of the most overrated teams in the world and I'm happy Barca humilliated them yesterday.

I wouldn't say Benitez is overrated, he won La Liga two times with Valencia, UCL with Liverpool, Europe League with Chelsea... Not Mourinho category but I wouldn't say he's overrated.

He's still a **** :cool:

honeykid

11-23-15, 03:03 PM

It's Perez which is the biggest problem at Real, not the managers or the players. That said, Real aren't a proper football club anyway, so the rules don't really apply to them. Ditto, Barcelona.

honeykid

11-25-15, 05:47 PM

That was rubbish, United. Absolute rubbish. It was so bad, I was repeatedly agreeing with Robbie Savage. :mad: Schneidlin and Rojo should come in for particularly harsh words from LVG (or anyone else) after their performances. I think Rojo should be playing for his United career for the rest of the season as he's yet to impress at all.

Looks like we'll have to win at Wolfburg now. We'll have to play a hell of a lot better than that to even get a draw, let alone a win.

-KhaN-

11-25-15, 05:52 PM

honeykid

11-25-15, 06:23 PM

Meagre cruel after watching that performance. It reminded me a bit of the Watford game in the second half.

the samoan lawyer

11-26-15, 07:22 AM

Didn't watch it but I kept up to speed on sky sports, sounded awful do didn't even bother watching highlights. Looks like Europa league for us. LVG seriously needs to get something sorted fast.

honeykid

11-26-15, 06:21 PM

It was really awful. Like I've said to you before, I just don't see LVG as a United manager. While I know it's better to be in the CL, I don't mind the Europa League. It's Europe and it's a trophy to win. I don't believe in the Thursday/Sunday thing, either, though it does seem to be something players/managers can put poor displays down to and I think it could become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Fabulous

11-26-15, 11:07 PM

-KhaN-

11-27-15, 05:15 AM

I never understood the Europa League complaints either. Like you said, so many Clubs use it as an excuse for poor performances. Is there a difference between a CL team playing Wednesday/Saturday and a EL team playing Thursday/Sunday?

I think only people who complain are clubs from England, everyone else looks very serious about the trophy. I also think EL trophy matters and everyone who plays should go for it.

honeykid

11-27-15, 10:26 AM

Mostly it's the English teams which complain about it (though, ironically, I can remember Parma playing the kids a few years ago as they didn't want to be in it but kept winning and got to the quarters as I remember it, Poor Parma, what they wouldn't give for that now) as they don't need the money. Finishing higher in the league is more important because it brings in more money. The only thing there could be about the Thurs/Sun is that there seem to be more further afield destinations in the EL. That, and we play a faster game, more end to end so the players have to be better athletes. But the main reason is the money, as it usually is.

Just to clarity, I think most/all English clubs would start to take it seriously once you get to the quarter/semi final stage, but it's such a ridiculously long slog to get there (plus the whole stupid third place teams from the group stages of the CL coming in) that it's not really worth what it 'costs' you in the league. I do think the Premier League is more important than the EL (and the CL for me, but that's just me) but that doesn't mean a team shouldn't try to win it.

I know talk of coefficients is deathly boring, but it is something the Premier league is going to have to take more seriously if we want to keep the places we have which, ultimately, would result in a loss in revenue and prestige if it's gone for too long.

carlspackler

11-29-15, 09:33 AM

I wouldn't mind seeing the EPL teams drop out of the Champions league but that's not going to happen because of the money involved now.
Unfortunately it's too much about the money now.
This is the 2nd weekend I haven't looked forward to the soccer,the interest has gone.It's taken a while but I think I'm finally there,no heart,no soul....just plastic manufactured players.

honeykid

11-29-15, 10:31 AM

They won't drop out of the CL. It's the fourth place that's at stake atm. Were we to lose it, then only the top three would qualify, with the third place team having to go through the last stage of qualifying for the Group stages.

Yesterday went, pretty much, as I thought. I hoped for a 1-0 win, but figured a 1-1 draw would be a little more likely. I was pleased to see Vardy get the Prem record, though. I've seen a few people talking about Vardy to United this January, but what would be the point? We don't play in a way which plays to his strengths and, if we were going to, LVG would probably have kept Chicharito, as that's his game, too.

I think that, eventually, the CL will become the European Super League (or something like that) and the big European clubs will leave their national associations and just play each other. It might be another 20 years or so, but once enough new/younger fans get used to it, I think that's where the money will be, with a league of 10-15 clubs and no relegation.

-KhaN-

11-30-15, 05:15 AM

They won't drop out of the CL. It's the fourth place that's at stake atm. Were we to lose it, then only the top three would qualify, with the third place team having to go through the last stage of qualifying for the Group stages.

I hope Italy get's it's 4th place back, my favorite league. :)

I think that, eventually, the CL will become the European Super League (or something like that) and the big European clubs will leave their national associations and just play each other. It might be another 20 years or so, but once enough new/younger fans get used to it, I think that's where the money will be, with a league of 10-15 clubs and no relegation.

That would be horrible...I doubt fans would allow it, it would destroy individual leagues.

honeykid

11-30-15, 12:13 PM

I'd rather we kept the place for the sake/prestige of the league, but I'm not really that bothered about European competition so it's not a big deal to me. I'm far more excited by the league or even the FA Cup. But for younger fans I'd expect them to care more about the CL and fans my nephew's age will grow up with just the league and the CL.

As for the super league, I just think there's so much money there and that'll make it happen. I think the only reason it hasn't happened (or isn't underway) already is because UEFA keep bowing to their demands. But I think they're only putting off the inevitable. With the tv money going up and up and (I think) the leagues are not doing much to make it more even, the competition will die and more and more fans will naturally follow the teams that are successful and on TV the most, as has already happened. The more that happens, the more it will happen and the less the teams will have to worry about the fans.

With the TV audiences growing around the world the playing field has levelled a bit. The huge grounds aren't the massive advantage they once were, which is one of the reasons you're seeing 'smaller' teams compete more in England. If the same happens in other leagues I see no reason why the 'elite'/glamour clubs won't use their USP and band together to keep themselves safe.

honeykid

11-30-15, 03:28 PM

I've just put Talksport on, something I rarely do. They're talking about whether or not Wayne Rooney has had it. Like this is news?!?!?!

Or so I thought. Turns out, you can still get people on the radio blaming LVG or saying he'll be back. :facepalm: The power of the press or blind love for your club?

Fabulous

12-01-15, 08:06 PM

Manchester City, Everton, and Stoke City into the League Cup semi-finals. Will Southampton or Liverpool join them?

Mirol

12-07-15, 09:15 AM

Manchester City, Everton, and Stoke City into the League Cup semi-finals. Will Southampton or Liverpool join them?Now, Liverpool join them, do you think Liverpool can into the final?

honeykid

12-07-15, 04:06 PM

Another weekend of madness in the Premier League.:D

Fabulous

12-07-15, 04:22 PM

Now, Liverpool join them, do you think Liverpool can into the final?

I predict a Manchester City/Liverpool final.

honeykid

12-07-15, 04:30 PM

There's a final I don't want to see. :D

I see LVG is talking about us needing to finish our chances. No ****, Sherlock. It'd be much easier if we'd bought a couple of strikers in the summer. If only to replace the ones he let go.

BTW, this is the team which is currently top of the league.

http://c.files.bbci.co.uk/9D54/production/_87067204_leicester-insta.jpg

That's Leicester City at their Christmas party.

Fabulous

12-08-15, 05:42 PM

Some nice drama in the Champions League. United are eliminated, while City manage to top their group.

honeykid

12-08-15, 09:44 PM

That wasn't the result or game that I was expecting, but it was the most likely outcome. Thursday's here we come. If we can actually play a bit better, get some more shots on target and have a little luck in front of goal, we might be able to get somewhere.

I think it's a sad indictment, both of the team and, moreso, LVG's tactics and team selection, that we've not looked like an attacking threat since Luke Shaw's injury. I can't believe how much we've missed a 20 year old left back. :(

For all of these problem though, it's United refusal to rebuild the team after Ronaldo and Tevez left that we're reaping now.

the samoan lawyer

12-09-15, 08:43 AM

Absolutely disasterous for UTD. This is another competition that we simply can't win yet will probably be expected to go far at the very least. Season just goes from bad to worse.

Fabulous

12-09-15, 05:46 PM

Advancing to the next round of the Champions League:

Real Madrid
Wolfsburg
Atlético Madrid
Manchester City
Barcelona
Bayern Munich
Chelsea
Zenit

Paris Saint Germain
PSV Eindhoven
Benfica
Juventus
Roma
Arsenal
Dynamo Kyiv
Gent

Fabulous

12-09-15, 05:51 PM

Heading to the Europa League:

Shakhtar Donetsk
Manchester United
Sevilla
Galatasaray
Leverkusen
Olympiacos
Porto
Valencia

Fabulous

12-10-15, 06:43 PM

Heading to the next round of the Europa League:

Molde, Liverpool, Krasnodar, Napoli, Rapid Wien, Braga, Lazio, Lokomotiv Moscow, Basel, Tottenham, Schalke, Athletic Bilbao, Fenerbahçe, Sion, Borussia Dortmund, Midtjylland, Villarreal, Marseille, Saint Étienne, Sporting CP, Fiorentina, Anderlecht, Sparta Prague, Augsburg

Fabulous

12-12-15, 03:56 PM

United lose at Bournemouth. I'm not complaining. :)

honeykid

12-12-15, 10:48 PM

Nor am I. I don't think it's a surprise at all. Which is the really sad part. While they had a little bit of luck with the first goal, they should've scored a couple more, so they fully deserved their win. I don't know what I thought the most likely outcome was, which probably means that I rated our chances of winning about the same as losing or drawing. So about a third. Against Bournemouth. Is it OK to cry now? It's been a bad week. Just to rub it in City got lucky in injury time. Liverpool will probably go and win tomorrow, too, just to really round the weekend off for me.

I do agree with LVG about one thing, though. We're mediocre. I don't know that we're underperforming because I don't know that we can do better. Should be able to do better? Yes. But can? I don't know that. If fans/people think United should be at the level of Barca/Real/Bayern/PSG etc, then you have to spend that money and we haven't. SInce the Glazers took over we've had very lean spells with spending, but the team which was in place beforehand, plus cheaper players who worked well/we got at the right time, along with the genius for Sir Alex, covered it up. Obviously since finishing 7th they've kicked it up a notch, but we're starting from a lot further back.

That said, I've no idea what LVG actually wants from the team. I can't tell from the way they play nor from the interviews he gives afterwards. Win, lose or draw it never seems any clearer to me. I thought I did. I thought what he wanted was pretty much what we see, but more decisive and with a finisher in front of goal like Gomez when he was at Bayern, but not buying a top striker and letting two strikers go (plus Wilson on loan) means he can't be thinking this way atm.

When we get our defenders back, maybe we'll go back to boring everyone to death but not losing? God. I don't know which fills me with dread more.

Fabulous

12-12-15, 11:06 PM

Chicharito picked up a hat trick today. He's been having a great season.

honeykid

12-13-15, 06:31 PM

He wasn't doing it at United though, probably because he didn't play enough and had no confidence. Remember what he was like at United after his first season and a half? I liked him and I probably wouldn't have kept him. That said, I wouldn't have kept Rooney either, so......

Fabulous

12-14-15, 04:34 PM

Champions League Draw:

Paris - Chelsea
Benfica - Zenit
Roma - Real Madrid
Gent - Wolfsburg
Arsenal - Barcelona
Juventus - Bayern Munich
Dynamo Kyiv - Manchester City
PSV Eindhoven - Atlético Madrid

Fabulous

12-14-15, 04:37 PM

Europa League Draw:

Fenerbahçe - Lokomotiv Moscow
Borussia Dortmund - Porto
Midtjylland - Manchester United
Fiorentina - Tottenham
Anderlecht - Olympiacos
Sevilla - Molde
Saint Étienne - Basel
Villarreal - Napoli
Augsburg - Liverpool
Sion - Braga
Galatasaray - Lazio
Marseille - Athletic Bilbao
Shakhtar Donetsk - Schalke
Sparta Prague - Krasnodar
Sporting CP - Leverkusen
Valencia - Rapid Wien

honeykid

12-14-15, 07:08 PM

Bayern v Juve is a great last 16 tie. Juve are starting to look something like themselves atm. If they can continue that form this could be a wonderful tie come February.

Should Barca lite even bother showing up?

A couple of Europa ties interest me. Fiorentina - Tottenham could be a good one and Borussia Dortmund - Porto might be worth a look, too. Especially the Porto home tie. God knows what United will be like by the time these ties come around, so I really can't predict with any certainty what we'll do. :facepalm: Obviously we should spank them, but who knows anymore.

Villarreal v Napoli should be a good game, but I can't say it excites me.

Chelsea lose again. Even more expected than United now, isn't it? Did anyone think Chelsea was going to beat Leicester tonight? 16 games in and they're one point above the relegation zone. :eek: This really is amazing stuff. Lucky Liverpool (nothing changes really) scrape a draw with a huge deflection deep in injury time. I don't know, City and Pool get these goals and we can barely buy one. Still, the weekend didn't end too badly for United. Despite the loss at least the Sunday games pretty much went our way. That's something.

Fabulous

12-17-15, 04:19 PM

Chelsea have sacked José Mourinho.

honeykid

12-17-15, 06:00 PM

Yep. That emergency board meeting that Chelsea didn't have yesterday was all a big nothing apparently.;)

Just for the record, Pep will go to City.

Fabulous

12-17-15, 06:50 PM

And Mourinho to United. How would you feel if that happened?

honeykid

12-17-15, 08:20 PM

I'd be happy with Jose to United. That's what I wanted when Fergie left. Of course, that was with the understanding that it would've all fallen to pieces round about now and I'd be wanting him out. :D

I've heard people talking/assuming that Jose will go to United soon/in the summer, even before today, but I think there's quite a bit of opposition to him in and around United. While I'd like it to happen, I'm not sure how much will there is to make it happen at United. For reasons I really don't understand, they really do seem to be happy with LVG at board level. Whether that'll be the case once/if we start falling away from the top (or risking our place in the top 4) I don't know. Maybe Jose will look more attractive if that starts to happen?

honeykid

12-18-15, 11:34 AM

Ancelotti to Bayern announced tonight at 9pm?

Fabulous

12-18-15, 02:33 PM

Whether it's announced tonight or not, I can't see anyone else but him taking the Bayern job next season.

honeykid

12-18-15, 07:12 PM

It's being reported that Guus Hiddink is in talks to become interim manager at Chelsea.

honeykid

12-19-15, 12:47 PM

United's players doing what they can to get Jose to United? What do Chelsea fans think of their players this afternoon?

Fabulous

12-19-15, 03:15 PM

They'll probably keep booing some until the results start to change, then they won't care anymore.

-KhaN-

12-19-15, 05:34 PM

What do Chelsea fans think of their players this afternoon?

They'll probably keep booing some until the results start to change, then they won't care anymore.

I think they are ****ing ****s .Costa and Fabregas especially. Same players going from champions to relegation zone in matter of few months? And then winning as soon as Mourinho is gone? He was correct when he said players betrayed him, they should be booed. Booing your players is not same as booing your club, you shout at your players for your club, because they are doing something bad and wrong. Roman picked few rotten eggs over man who said "This is Chelsea, we win trophy's."

Holland is Mourinhos right hand, its safe to say he used same or very similar tactic to Jose. I just hope Ivanovic and Matic had nothing to do with this.

I hope they get booed out of Chelsea. Nobody is bigger then his club, nobody can sabotage his manager and his clubs results...

honeykid

12-19-15, 06:41 PM

-KhaN-

12-19-15, 07:18 PM

I don't have any inside knowledge about this at all, but Ivanovic was one of the players (along with the two you mentioned) who were booed by Chelsea fans today. Let's be honest, though. It was lose/lose today for the club/players. If they won, then it was "why haven't you done this before?" and if they lost, it would've been "they're crap/Jose wasn't the problem"

I really like/d Ivanovic, he was always a fighter. I don't have doubt in my mind about Matic, the man walks to his village when he comes to Serbia, out of respect, I doubt he would be part of something like this. We don't have enough info, but I think its easy to say it about Fabregas and Costa, knowing their personality. But you notice something in that lose-lose situation? In both cases, it's not Mourinhos fault. :)

While I agree with you to an extent, Khan (and I certainly share the sentiment), if you look earlier in this thread I think you'll see I thought months ago that Mourniho was trying to get sacked and that this trouble at Chelsea had been shown on the pitch since the start of the calendar year. After a magnificent first half of last season, they did just enough to get over the line in the second half. Something made all the easier by City's performances. the usual bottle job by Arsenal and United being absent.

Yea. I also notice some similar stuff between this situation and R.Madrid one, this being more drastic. At almost all clubs, Mourinho had locker room behind him, players went to hug him after games, celebrated with him, cried after he left etc. I didn't see that this year in Chelsea? Even last two years were kinda artificial(that the word I'm looking for? :D).

Monday's result was the final straw for Mourinho, I think, and after what he said, he almost forced the owners hand. As we now know, he was sacked. It was not mutual consent as was said on the day. Was he really expecting Roman to get rid of all the players who he didn't want/get on with/whatever instead? I don't think so. He's a football man and that's not what happens at football clubs. He'd know that as well as anyone.

My dad was always saying Hazard is not a team player and that he's bad for the squad...I agree to a point on this, I can see why would it be hard to sell Costa, Fabregas, Hazard and maybe more, but then again, fire a manager who obviously can bring titles to your club and proved that on multiple occasions, is that the way to go? What if players behave like this every time they don't like a manager?

Putt them in reserve squad, discipline sir, discipline. :cool:

honeykid

12-19-15, 08:37 PM

But you notice something in that lose-lose situation? In both cases, it's not Mourinhos fault. :)
Not Mourinho's fault on the day, but he has to shoulder his share of the blame for the situation.

We know that Jose doesn't do more than 3 years, so this isn't a surprise. The scale of it might be, but it's bang on schedule. I saw something which said that Jose had said he was too loyal to some of his players. I wonder if he meant during the summer? I'm sure he didn't get in the players he wanted and he didn't get/do the pre-season he wanted, but I wonder if there's a player or two he thought about selling for the good of the dressing room and didn't?

My dad was always saying Hazard is not a team player and that he's bad for the squad...I agree to a point on this, I can see why would it be hard to sell Costa, Fabregas, Hazard and maybe more, but then again, fire a manager who obviously can bring titles to your club and proved that on multiple occasions, is that the way to go? What if players behave like this every time they don't like a manager?

Putt them in reserve squad, discipline sir, discipline. :cool:

Players do act like this when they don't like a manager. That's why losing the dressing room gets managers sacked. There's no coming back from it and it's always cheaper and easier to get rid of one manager than a number of players. Especially if they're the best players at the club (regardless of what level they play at.)

The problem is the amount of money they'd lose and what it'd do to the team. Costa was £32m. That's about the same price they paid for Hazard and another £25m for Fabregas.

Would you be able to sell any of them in January? They'd all be cup tied for the CL, which would greatly affect their value. Also, why would Real (or whoever) buy them in January when you could probably get them even cheaper in the summer after another half a season of underperforming? I don't know about Fabregas, but I can see the other two quite happily sulking in the reserves until Chelsea tired of paying them their £8m a year or whatever it is. The truth is that star players at the big clubs are too valuable and too well paid to allow them to rot in the reserves for a year or two. It's embarrassing for the clubs, too. It affects their 'brand'. There's FFP to take into account. too. Would you sell £100m+ worth of players for about £60m-£70m when you can sack the manager for £10m?

Ancelotti to Bayern, Mourniho to United, Pep to City and Simeone to Chelsea for the first game of next season?

Fabulous

12-19-15, 10:32 PM

Ancelotti to Bayern, Mourniho to United, Pep to City and Simeone to Chelsea for the first game of next season?

That sounds quite reasonable.

-KhaN-

12-20-15, 11:19 AM

Not Mourinho's fault on the day, but he has to shoulder his share of the blame for the situation.

Oh of course, not questioning that, manager always shares the blame.

We know that Jose doesn't do more than 3 years, so this isn't a surprise. The scale of it might be, but it's bang on schedule. I saw something which said that Jose had said he was too loyal to some of his players. I wonder if he meant during the summer? I'm sure he didn't get in the players he wanted and he didn't get/do the pre-season he wanted, but I wonder if there's a player or two he thought about selling for the good of the dressing room and didn't?

I think he did want to stay for a longer time, maybe that changed during second and third season. And yea, transfers and pre-seasons in general were very weird from the start.

Players do act like this when they don't like a manager. That's why losing the dressing room gets managers sacked. There's no coming back from it and it's always cheaper and easier to get rid of one manager than a number of players. Especially if they're the best players at the club (regardless of what level they play at.)

The problem is the amount of money they'd lose and what it'd do to the team. Costa was £32m. That's about the same price they paid for Hazard and another £25m for Fabregas.

True. I hope they sell them in the summer, really can't watch Costa and Fabregas at this point, it will always go through my head what they did. Hazard also.

Ancelotti to Bayern, Mourniho to United, Pep to City and Simeone to Chelsea for the first game of next season?

Very possible. But in all honesty, I would rather have Guus Hiddink instead of Simeone, that might change depending on how Hiddink handles this year.

honeykid

12-20-15, 06:29 PM

That sounds quite reasonable.
I think Mourinho is more likely to go to PSG, but I think we need him at United now. As I said, all I've heard is how he's not really wanted by the United board. However, after £250m spent on a team which doesn't look any better than it did 18 months ago, no win in the last 6, out of the CL and with Jose free, maybe they'll change their mind?

I have some of the same reservations about Hiddink as I had about LVG. His record over the last 5 years or so is not good. All but a few have their time. I wonder if LVG and Hiddink have simply had their day.

Hiddink does have a lot of good will at the club, though.

Fabulous

12-20-15, 07:47 PM

I think Simeone will be hard to lure away from Atleti.

honeykid

12-20-15, 08:25 PM

I agree, but I wonder if the lure of a budget which allows him to compete for the best players and a new challenge will be enough? Plus the huge bump in pay I'd expect there to be.

Fabulous

12-20-15, 08:41 PM

I agree, but I wonder if the lure of a budget which allows him to compete for the best players and a new challenge will be enough? Plus the huge bump in pay I'd expect there to be.

Although he's been doing very well in La Liga when you compare the resources that Real and Barcelona have.

honeykid

12-20-15, 09:11 PM

Absolutely. That's the reason, I think, that Chelsea are so interested. But let's not forget that Rafa did the same and took Valencia to back to back CL finals.

My point was that those are advantages he'd have at Chelsea which Atletico simply can't offer. He has a connection with them and I don't know if what he does for them would translate to Chelsea.

honeykid

12-26-15, 09:10 PM

Have we seen the Premier League goal of the season this weekend? If not, then there's at least one cracking goal to look forward to in the second half of the season.

Poor result today for United, but expected. I didn't think we'd win but, while LVG can be blamed for the style of play, you can't attach any blame to him for the goals. Two stupid decisions by our players which both lead directly to goals. As usual, better finishing would've given us a chance, too.

honeykid

12-28-15, 02:27 PM

Half time between United and Chelsea. If Chelsea come out and play like that in the second half, we'll have a decent chance of getting a win. However, if they actually come out and play, we'll probably end up regretting not scoring when we were on top.

Ashley Young has had a good game at right back. :up:

honeykid

12-28-15, 04:10 PM

We dropped off for the last 30 minutes and went back to playing much like we have been, but that was a lot better today. I'm still not sure how much of it was to do with how poor/unambitious Chelsea were, but if we can play more like that more often, maybe LVG will be there come the end of the season.

It was noticeable that the only real quality on show was between the sticks in both goals.

honeykid

12-29-15, 01:56 PM

Sad news today of Pavel.

Pavel Srnicek: Former Newcastle keeper dies aged 47

Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek has died at the age of 47, nine days after suffering cardiac arrest in his native Czech Republic.

A big favourite with fans during his first spell at St James' Park between 1991 and 1998, Srnicek collapsed while jogging on 20 December.

He was taken to a hospital in Ostrava and placed in an induced coma.

Srnicek, who also played for Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth and West Ham, made 49 appearances for his country.

His agent, Steve Wraith, said the final brain scans on Monday had shown "irreversible damage" and the decision "had to be taken" to switch off the life support machine.

Wraith added: "Pav passed away on the afternoon of Tuesday, 29 December 2015, with his family by his side."

The son of a woodcutter, he joined Newcastle in 1991 and played under Jim Smith, Ossie Ardiles, Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish.

While Keegan was in charge, Srnicek helped the Magpies win promotion to the Premier League and was an integral part of the squad that came close to winning the title in 1996.

The Magpies led by 12 points in January but tailed off badly to finish four points adrift of champions Manchester United.

Wraith said that his "final conversation" with Srnicek was about getting the 1995-96 team back together one more time for charity next year.

He added: "We will make that happen and celebrate this great man's life together. United. Fans and players alike."

Srnicek returned to the club on a season-long deal in September 2006 as cover for the injured Shay Given but was released in May 2007 after making 190 appearances for Newcastle across his two spells.

Before his death, Srnicek was the goalkeeping coach at Sparta Prague and was on Tyneside recently to promote his autobiography.

Following his collapse, Newcastle supporters chanted his name during their Premier League match against Everton on Boxing Day.

In a statement, Newcastle United said: "The thoughts of everyone at Newcastle United are with Pavel's family, many friends, former colleagues and supporters at this very difficult time."

Former central defender Steve Howey, who played with Srnicek at Newcastle, said it was a "devastating day".

He told BBC Radio 5 live: "There aren't enough words to describe such a wonderful, strong, lovely man.

"He was such a big, strong character and fantastic personality and I feel blessed that I was able to be a good friend. We've lost an amazing person, one of our own, and he'll be sorely missed."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35193693

R.I.P. Pavel. :(

Fabulous

12-29-15, 02:07 PM

R.I.P. Pavel Srníček

Chypmunk

12-29-15, 02:13 PM

Came as a complete bolt out of the blue to me when I heard it just now as I wasn't even aware he had been taken to hospital etc.

Rest in peace Pavel!

honeykid

12-29-15, 04:24 PM

Next Newcastle home game is against United. That one's going to be emotional and I expect to hear the Pavel is a Geordie chant a lot.

honeykid

01-02-16, 01:16 PM

I don't think we've beaten them since Moyes first game, so I'm more than happy with this win. Sounds like we played as we did against Chelsea and the early European games (came out attacking, didn't score, ran out of ideas and started to knock it about pointlessly) but two goals when we haven't scored in so many games is a start. Hanging on in the end, though, but that's to be expected atm. Plus, Liverpool lost, so it's a good weekend so far. Come on, Watford!

christine

01-02-16, 01:21 PM

Well done West Ham!

honeykid

01-02-16, 06:03 PM

Some sad news emerging from Germany today.

Former Wigan defender Steve Gohouri dies at the age of 34

Former Wigan Athletic defender Steve Gohouri has died at the age of 34.

Gohouri made 42 appearances for Wigan between 2010 and 2012 and also won 12 caps for Ivory Coast.

On 12 December, Gohouri was reported missing after attending the Christmas party of his German club TSV Steinbach. He was meant to visit his family in Paris but never arrived.

German police confirmed his body had been found in the River Rhine in the western city of Krefeld.

In a statement they also said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the events of Gohouri's death.

Wigan Athletic tweeted: "We are saddened to hear reports of our former defender Steve Gohouri passing away. Our thoughts are with his family."

Gohouri moved from Ivory Coast to France as a five-year-old, where he was raised in the suburbs of Paris.

He began his football career in France but played for clubs in Israel, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Greece and Germany.

He signed for then Premier League Wigan from Bundesliga stalwarts Borussia Monchengladbach in January 2010.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35215114

christine

01-02-16, 06:09 PM

That's such sad news HK. He was so young :(

honeykid

01-02-16, 06:56 PM

Still beat Jesus, though. :up:

neiba

01-02-16, 09:11 PM

Still beat Jesus, though. :up:

I would gonna laugh of this if I the name Jesus (as in Jorge Jesus) was not the worst word in the whole world tonight...

honeykid

01-03-16, 05:45 PM

What was the game like, neiba? I saw last night that you went down 2-0. It was away though, wasn't it? How many points off top are you now?

honeykid

01-04-16, 10:46 AM

Rumours coming from Spain suggest that Rafa is getting sacked today.

-KhaN-

01-04-16, 10:48 AM

Rumours coming from Spain suggest that Rafa is getting sacked today.

Just read the same, also Zidane is being suggested as a man to replace him.

honeykid

01-04-16, 11:05 AM

Yep. They've been grooming him for the position for the last two years, but I can't help but think it might've come a little too soon. That said, it's almost all about man management at clubs like that and they'll certainly respect him as a player, so it could play out fine. Rafa was always an odd choice for Real for that very reason.

neiba

01-04-16, 11:42 AM

What was the game like, neiba? I saw last night that you went down 2-0. It was away though, wasn't it? How many points off top are you now?

First half kind of balanced, could have gone either way. They score the first one and from there it was a disaster from Porto...
2-0, 3-0, 4-0, everything could have happened.

We are 2 points away from the leadership, which in Portugal means we can't lose more than 2 or 3 points till the end of the season. Manager Lopetegui under heavy fire from the media and fans!

neiba

01-09-16, 09:48 PM

Well, 3 days after my last post, Porto draws 1-1 and Lopetegui is sacked. So many names being guessed now it's hard to believe in anything!

Fabulous

01-10-16, 03:25 AM

Well, 3 days after my last post, Porto draws 1-1 and Lopetegui is sacked. So many names being guessed now it's hard to believe in anything!

Who would you like to see them sign?

honeykid

01-10-16, 11:22 AM

Another dire performance from United yesterday. They keep talking about who is/might be coming to United, but what would be the point? What are they going to do in that team playing like that? The only thing we really need is a world class striker, the one chance one goal kind. We won't get him in the January window and there aren't many about.

neiba

01-10-16, 11:32 AM

Who would you like to see them sign?

Andre Villas Boas would probably the best right now, at least in theory! There's some fans who don't want him here, me included, because he betrayed us going to Chelski 5 years ago. But maybe he could save something from this year.

There's also Leonardo Jardim, now in Monaco. A very good manager that knows well this championship, but I doubt he wants to leave France right now!

Nuno Espirito Santo was Porto goalkeeper for many years so he knows well the club and he's currently unemployed after a disastrous 2nd season at Valencia, but I don't know if he can do anything good here. It would be a risky bet.

The manager of the reserves team is doing a very good job there, we could always call him to the main team but that would mean a temporary resolution and a very risky choice if we want to win the League this year. We're 4 points behind the 1st place, and Porto can't be 3 years in a row without winning a League or a lot of things will tremble inside that club.

It's not an easy choice...

honeykid

01-10-16, 12:03 PM

Why did Andre Villas Boas betray you?

neiba

01-10-16, 02:58 PM

The season he was here, we won everything there was to won. We smashed benfica for 5-0, won the league on their own stadium, Porto was playing damn well, and everybody said he was going to be the next Mourinho.

He promised more than once that he was on his dream place and he wouldn't leave for anything in the world. Well, one day after a very emotional speech about his "dream chair" Chelsea shows some millions and he didn't even blink. I mean, Mourinho signed with Chelsea before our CL Final and everybody understood. We always knew he was going to leave sooner or later and he never made any promise, he's still loved around here. But Andre was different... He left with pre-season in progress which led to some bad decision by the chairman who was quite pressured and since then the team was never the same.
Now, I don't mind if he's back, but the pressure he's going to have now will be overwhelming. Everybody is going to be expecting him to do what he did, which is very unlikely.