Lets Talk Football

[Powdered Water]

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.


I've been pretty busy lately and haven't kept up.Is LVG still starting a different lineup every week?

[honeykid]

Pretty much. Obviously injuries and those coming back from injury is affecting it. Herrera has been played as a #10 for the last couple of games, with Rooney pushed up front and Martial on the left and Mata on the right. Darmian has come back, but the back four is always changing. That's something that's been happening at United for far too long, though. It's not a LVG thing. Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, a kid from the academy, has played the last couple of games and hasn't done too badly. United have a tradition of bringing kids through to the first team and its always nice to see.

The only time we look even remotely threatening is when we're direct and/or moving it quickly, which is what we're used to seeing. I still think what LVG wants is a fast short passing game, but he just won't get it with that team. He's said he didn't get the players he wanted in the summer and I think that's the case. United are a mess from top to bottom. Gill and Fergie leaving at the same time hurt us tremendously, but it's not just that. Ed Woodward has to go or get help. He may be great at with the business side, and the figures seem to bear that out, but football deals just aren't the same. Why won't business men ever learn this? The scouting network (which used to be very good) seems to've either been leaning on their laurels or hasn't had the investment. Knowing the Glazers, I think the second is far more likely and, for all the money spent in the last two seasons, the team had been left to go to seed long before Fergie left. It was only his ability and the aging stars (along with the mistakes of other clubs) which won us anything after 2010.

[Chypmunk]

No offence meant to anyone by this, I just like the flow of it and as such can't resist ...... Shrek nets - sets rec!

Even though I'm no fan of his - 176 goals for the same Premiership club is some achievement so chapeau!!

[christine]

I still love our kid Rooney. Always a Blue at heart. Scoring that goal against Liverpool must've been specially sweet.
Congrats HK :D

[honeykid]

Amazing game going on at Carrow Road. A minute to go and I'm still not sure if there'll be a winner.

[honeykid]

OMG THERE IS!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

[JayDee]

What a ridiculous, preposterous, incredible, mind-melting game of football. :eek:

[honeykid]

Wow. That was mental. Properly mental. Shame the scousers won, but still. Amazing stuff. Terrible football, but an amazing game. It's why I hate tiki-taka and love the Premier League.

As for last week. Well, I think a lot of Blues still love Rooney more than I do, but it was great to see him score against them for a change. He normally has a poor game against Liverpool, but he's found a little form in the last few games. Nothing great, but good enough considering how poor we are atm and we're going to need him to continue and improve if we're to get top 4 this season.

Villa managed to get another point. Still down, I'm sure, but they've given themselves something to hang onto. Should they prepare for a season in the Championship or try to stay in the Premier League? A six month headstart could benefit them greatly at the start of next season.

Will Saido Berahino go this month? At what point should WBA cut their losses or should then keep him until the summer? Everyone knows he wants out and he's not played well at all this season, so what's a fair price? WBA wanted £25m in the summer and turned down £22m, I think. Would £15m do it today? £10m?

Charlie Austin to Southampton for £4m is, possibly, the best bit of business that'll be done this window. He's not showy or anything, but he puts the ball in the back of the net and always has done. As I said, I'd have liked to've seen him at United in the summer considering how light we are up front. I understand why QPR didn't sell for less than they wanted in the summer, but will they be kicking themselves now? I think so.

With Austin coming in, is someone leaving Southampton up front? Pelle hasn't looked too good this season and he's wanted in Italy. Maybe Mane will get his move?

Say it quietly, but Newcastle are starting to look like they know what they're doing. Not that they're good, but they're starting to look as if they have a plan.

City walked it and Palace looked poor. They desperately need someone up front and are missing Bolaise a lot.

What did you think of the Everton game/performance, Christine? Will Martinez ever start to defend? Even Wenger started to it eventually, but you don't want to wait that long, do you? They should be far higher than they are given the attack and the goals they score.

Cracking win for Bournemouth and, with todays result again Liverpool, Norwich are really starting to look like a team which will get relegated, though I could say that about a few teams. There are five which look like they'll be struggling to stay out of the last two relegation places.

I watched the Spurs v Sunderland game last Saturday and in the first half Sunderland did OK. Scored and were well organised for the most part. They fell apart in the second half, though, and Spur walked it about. Great goal from Eriksen, too.

[Daniel M]

Being a Liverpool fan is too stressful :p

[honeykid]

And it means you're a ****. :p:D

[Golgot]

Ahhh, that Dele Alli goal! :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NltAhA9plp8

Great game, considering it was mainly based around an own goal for a long period. Scoreline was a bit harsh on Palace in the end given opportunities were pretty even across the game, but we ran away with it at the end :)

Looking forward to MotD and seeing the Liverpool carnage too :D

[honeykid]

That's a wonderful goal. :love:

[honeykid]

And it gets worse. Surely a Charlie Austin winner was the most predicted bet of the day? We're 5th and as many points away from 4th as we are 10th. :( Frankly, talking about it is about as boring as watching it. So I'll stop.

Any suspicions about far East betting syndicates and the Norwich/Liverpool game? What else could explain how badly both team were trying to lose that game? It was as if they'd been nobbled by opposing syndicates. :D I think the penalty was the only goal which happened as it should've and that came from the most brainless and downright weird tackle I've seen in the league this season. In fact, anywhere. There's been some odd actions/tackles around Europe this season, but none as meaningless as that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tKH2eXpC_Q

I mean, that's mad, but at least you can see the purpose.

Even the best teams need to be lucky in some games and Spurs showed that against Palace. They deserved to win and win well, but let's face it, Palace can feel slightly hard done by considering the number of times they hit the woodwork.

The poor Stoke showed up against Leicester and they were easily beaten. There's a stat going around atm that had Mahrez scored the two penalties he missed in recent games (and Leicester had gone on to win those games, which seems reasonable) that Leicester would be seven points clear at the top. :eek: That's mad. I thought they'd fall away second half and finish 6th or something like that. They still might, but it's not looking likely at all.

More dropped points for City. Kompany can't come back soon enough for them, but if Arsenal win today it might be a little too late. I think City have the better squad, but they miss their missing players more than Arsenal do. It doesn't feel right to say that they miss their big players more than other teams do, but that does seem to be the case. I said early on (after Chelsea were obviously done) that between Arsenal and City the winner of the league would be the one which had the least injuries. I think Arsenal have had more, but the length and significance of the injuries to City seem to be taking more effect. As someone who puts the team before the individual in football in all but the most extreme circumstances, I'm quite pleased about that. If we're really lucky, it'll be Leicester that wins it all and the team will win out totally.

Just one thing about the back pages today. Does anyone think Jose has written a six page 'love letter' to United telling them he can change?

http://c.files.bbci.co.uk/12BCB/production/_87874767_independent.png

I couldn't (and it's still not really something I can truly believe) but then, I remember his interview after Real beat United in the CL and he fawned over United as if it was a job interview. So, maybe there's more to it than I'd think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaPAiERpf10

I mean, for Jose that's practically a BJ.

[Fabulous]

Arsenal manage to lose against Chelsea. No one wants to win the league this year!

[honeykid]

I know. It's amazing. Were we not so completely useless I'd be wondering whether we could sneak up and nick it. I'm cheering Leicester and Spurs for the title.

[Fabulous]

I think Spurs will make a serious push. Wouldn't be surprised if they manage to take it.

[Optimus]

I think Spurs will make a serious push. Wouldn't be surprised if they manage to take it.

I can't see it. I think Man City and Arsenel will battle it out for top while Leicster drop to third and spurs stay fourth.

[Fabulous]

I can't see it. I think Man City and Arsenel will battle it out for top while Leicster drop to third and spurs stay fourth.

Man City has been awful this season. I can't see them changing until Pep takes over.

[Optimus]

Man City has been awful this season. I can't see them changing until Pep takes over.

I agree they have been aweful, but i can see them really turning it on now. Them and Arsenal will race to the end. Spurs have looked great this season, but i just think they will drop points leading till the end.

[Fabulous]

I agree they have been aweful, but i can see them really turning it on now. Them and Arsenal will race to the end. Spurs have looked great this season, but i just think they will drop points leading till the end.

Man City seem to pick it up when it comes to the final stretch of the season. Perhaps they relish the do-or-die stakes of a title push. I hope they win it. If not, I'd gladly accept Leicester lifting the trophy.

[Optimus]

I would love Leicester to win it, it would be fantastic.

[honeykid]

City are going to have to improve their away form if they're to win the league. I read today that Kompany is another month away from coming back, so I doubt it's going to improve anytime soon.

Reports that LVG offered to resign (again) after the Southampton defeat. I know I've mentioned it before, but Woodward really, really needs to go when LVG does. I've read and heard quite a few times from journalists and people near the club that he's a ditherer and that, combined with his ridiculous obsession with bringing in 'Galacticos' rather than players the manager needs/wants just isn't United. I think the reason he won't accept his resignation is because that's his man and he may well feel his fortunes are linked with him.

I've said it before, but United need to decide what kind of club they're going to be because, a few more seasons of this, and it won't be their choice anymore.

[honeykid]

Just because I thought it said it better than anyone else I've heard.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CZpEUVmWwAAJ426.jpg

[Fabulous]

I'm going with a Liverpool-Everton League Cup final.

[honeykid]

I think Stoke could take this tonight.

The weather might play into Stoke's hands if they decide to play like old Stoke. Crouch up front, lots of crosses into the box in that wind? Liverpool have problems defending that in good conditions.

[Fabulous]

That ruined my night...

[honeykid]

I didn't see the game. Why was your night ruined? Liverpool won.

[Fabulous]

I didn't see the game. Why was your night ruined? Liverpool won.

That is exactly why.

[honeykid]

I thought that was what you wanted? :confused:

[Optimus]

c'monnnnnnnn Everton.

[Fabulous]

I thought that was what you wanted? :confused:
My mind told me that would happen, but my heart wanted the opposite.

Just because I predicted them to advance, doesn't mean I wanted them to.

[neiba]

We may be down but still managed to beat benfica in their own stadium!!!! Fuc* yeah!!!

[honeykid]

Congrats! It was shown over here but I forgot. :o In a bad year, beating the other lot feels even better, doesn't it?

The top 4 play each other on Sunday, so as long as we win tomorrow, we should make up some ground on 4th place. Still a third of the season to go.

[Fabulous]

We may be down but still managed to beat benfica in their own stadium!!!! Fuc* yeah!!!

Aboubakar looks to be a decent player. How has he been doing this season?

[neiba]

We may be down but still managed to beat benfica in their own stadium!!!! Fuc* yeah!!!

Aboubakar looks to be a decent player. How has he been doing this season?

I like Abou very much! He only has a problem: he's a very emotional player so he's a beast when motivated, but a complete 0 when he's not! He started the season pretty well but then went to a period where he'd miss the most easy goals you could ever imagine (GK on the floor, ball 50cm away from the goal line, he still managed to miss. At least twice). He's been improving in the last month with this new manager so let's hope he'll keep it that way!

But Casillas did the best match of the season! It looked like he was 25 again!

[Fabulous]

Juventus with a late winner over Napoli... Hate to see them win again.

[Daniel M]

Big day today. Got Arsenal v Leciester on now, can't wait.

[honeykid]

Well, that sucked. The worst of it is that Sunderland deserved to win. What can you do with that? :shrug: Bring on the next game.

Rumours yesterday about Mourinho not going to United. How much, if any, truth there is in it I don't know. But if there's nothing in place and we miss out on him then Woodward has to go. He's been a big part of the problem since Fergie and Gill left (not that it's all down to him, of course) and if his incompetence/inability to make a decision costs us Mourinho that'll probably be another season lost before it even starts. United really do need to grow up and decide what club they want to be.

Great win for Spurs. I love seeing them and Leicester at the top and I really hope one of them does it. Both of them play some wonderful football. Quick and direct, just as I like to see.

I wonder how Bayern are feeling seeing Juve steam on. 15 straight wins and Bayern looking their usual post break selves. The injures to Juve's defenders must be the only light they can see atm. If Bayern do lose the tie, should Pep even bother with the rest of the season? They don't need him to win the league from here.

Heard a few Arsenal fans yesterday talking about how this is the end for Leicester. :eek: They've shown them they're not unbeatable and this will shake their confidence and they'll fall away now. You do wonder how some people manage to walk upright, don't you? I wouldn't mind if they just said it's just a feeling and they've nothing to base it on.

That happens to all fans. We've all sat there and, after 10 minutes thought "we'll get nothing today" or seen a mistake and just known it'd lead to a goal. As a United fan I can't tell you the amount of times I've written Rooney off after 5 or 10 minutes having seen him try to trap a ball or have an appalling first touch.

But these fans seemed to think that losing would shatter their confidence. Getting beaten 5-2 by Arsenal at home didn't do it, I can't see the logic which says that a 'fortunate' 2-1 lose away to the same team against 10 men, will. Especially when that team is still top of the league and this was all evidence that Arsenal would win it. Completely disregarding the other two teams. How was Leicester's lost going to negatively affect them?

[Daniel M]

Yeah, I don't think that result with bother Leicester too much. They were unfortunate and I definitely think they would have avoided defeat had they not been reduced to ten men. A bit gutted to see Arsenal get the goal at the end, but on the other hand glad because Ozil got the assist and he's in my fantasy team.

Great result for Spurs too, Man City continue to prove incapable of beating the big teams who outplay them tactically. Way too much reliance on Aguero and Kompany. Otamendi is a great defenders at times, but as Carragher highlighted recently, he just jumps in far too much, the same again for Eriksen's goal I think.

Great win for Liverpool, even though it was only Villa. Great to see Coutinho, Firmino and Sturridge all link up. They put Benteke to shame, and even when he came on with 20 minutes to go he was awful, absolutely killed our fluid play and showed no effort. Really glad Origi came back in to the team and got a goal too, he was on a good little run before his injury and looks to be a tidy player when he's got confidence behind him.

Joel Matip should be a quality addition. According to WhoScored (my favourite football statistics website) he's the second best centre back in the Bundesliga this season, behind only Hummels. For a free as well, we had to go for it. Hopefully we can go on a decent run with the returning players and win a cup this season before Klopp is able to add a few faces in the summer.

Also Carragher is right about Aston Villa being "an embarrassment for a few years now" and when he said that their current team would be closer to the bottom than the top of the Championship, 100% agree with him. One of the worst team performances I've seen in a few years I think.

[honeykid]

They put Benteke to shame, and even when he came on with 20 minutes to go he was awful, absolutely killed our fluid play and showed no effort. Really glad Origi came back in to the team and got a goal too, he was on a good little run before his injury and looks to be a tidy player when he's got confidence behind him.
You can't get anything out of Benteke unless you play to his strengths and Klopp's style doesn't account for that. I'm not convinced about him when teams do, but without that he's a waste of a shirt.

He reminds me of the young Emile Heskey. Unplayable on his day, but never kicked on from his early 20's. Let's hope Benteke doesn't go the same way, though there's no reason to think he won't.

Joel Matip should be a quality addition. According to WhoScored (my favourite football statistics website) he's the second best centre back in the Bundesliga this season, behind only Hummels. For a free as well, we had to go for it.
From what I've heard from those who watch a lot of Bundesliga, he's decent. Solid and imposing and will certainly do a job in that Liverpool backline, but nothing special. Which makes sense, given you're getting him on a free.

Also Carragher is right about Aston Villa being "an embarrassment for a few years now" and when he said that their current team would be closer to the bottom than the top of the Championship, 100% agree with him. One of the worst team performances I've seen in a few years I think.
Villa are terrible. Truly. Basically they're Newcastle without spending the money and, therefore, without hope.

The thing is, though. I look at that team and think "do you expect them to be anywhere else?"

[Fabulous]

Champions League - Round of 16

Paris Saint Germain 2 - 1 Chelsea - (Ibrahimović 39', Cavani 78' | John Obi Mikel 45')

Benfica 1 - 0 Zenit - (Jonas 90')

[honeykid]

That's a decent result for Chelsea, given the circumstances and the fact that PSG are a much better team.

[Fabulous]

Champions League - Round of 16

Roma 0 - 2 Real Madrid - (Cristiano Ronaldo 57', Jesé 86')

Gent 2 - 3 Wolfsburg - (Kums 80', Coulibaly 89' | Draxler 44' 54', Kruse 60')

[Fabulous]

Champions League - Round of 16

Arsenal 0 - 2 Barcelona - (Messi 71' 83' [PK])

Juventus 2 - 2 Bayern München - (Müller 43', Robben 55' | Dybala 63', Sturaro 76')

[Fabulous]

Champions League - Round of 16

Dynamo Kyiv 1 - 3 Manchester City - (Buyalskyi 58' | Agüero 15', David Silva 40', Yaya Touré 90')

PSV 0 - 0 Atlético Madrid

[-KhaN-]

Juventus with a late winner over Napoli... Hate to see them win again.

I know it's a bit late, but why? You want someone else to win in Seria A this season?

[carlspackler]

Good result for City,their 3 best players scoring.

[Fabulous]

I know it's a bit late, but why? You want someone else to win in Seria A this season?

Yes, anyone but Juventus. My family supports Torino and it rubs off on me.

[Fabulous]

Good result for City,their 3 best players scoring.

Let's see if they can do it in the League Cup final. Based off recent results, I doubt it.

[rexertea]

Interested only in English premier league. At the moment there is only one team for me and that is Leicester City. Seriously can't think of any other team.

[Fabulous]

Interested only in English premier league. At the moment there is only one team for me and that is Leicester City. Seriously can't think of any other team.

Are they the club you support or you just want them to win this year?

[-KhaN-]

Yes, anyone but Juventus. My family supports Torino and it rubs off on me.

I see... Juve will win it :cool:

[honeykid]

History tells us that Juve won't win the title this year. However, I still think they will but I'd like Napoli to do it.

Good results for United this week, but the bare minimum required. Some United fans seemed to think last night was a great win rather than 80 odd minutes of worrying that they'd get another goal before a couple of late goals finished it. Despite that, considering what was at stake, it certainly was a great relief to win. I still don't think LVG would've gone if we'd lost, though.

I did love seeing the kids out there doing the business, though. Congrats to Rashford. When I saw Martial limp off in the warm up my heart sank, but Rashford did a great job. Still rather have Martial facing Arsenal on Sunday, though. Riley had a cracking game, too.

The next round is going to be epic. :eek: Don't expect 20,000 empty seats that night.

[Fabulous]

Dortmund-Tottenham looks to be a great draw.

[honeykid]

Yep, that looks like a cracking tie, too.

[carlspackler]

Man Utd- Liverpool is massive.

Great result tonight beating the Arse 3-2 with a team full of youngsters.

[honeykid]

And that's why the Premier League gets the viewers. This week has been mental.

[Fabulous]

Great start to the season for Toronto. First ever win at the Red Bull Arena against a very good side.

[Fabulous]

Real Madrid, Wolfsburg, Benfica, and PSG so far...

City is likely to be the only English team remaining in the competition.

[honeykid]

You know it's bad when you lose 2-0 to Liverpool and think you were lucky. :( Considering the importance of the fixture, you'd have thought that the players would've shown up rather than send their lookalikes.

[the samoan lawyer]

You know it's bad when you lose 2-0 to Liverpool and think you were lucky. :( Considering the importance of the fixture, you'd have thought that the players would've shown up rather than send their lookalikes.

Yeah, it was terrible to watch. This is a shell of a club now. Losing to them is bad enough but the manner of the defeat last night was disgraceful. LVG seriously has to go.

[honeykid]

Actually I might've been too hard on the players there. Probably not and, given the performances this season they deserve it, but I don't know if I should be quite so harsh when you look at what and where they were asked to play. What was the point of any of them? What were they there to do? All the pairings were poor and about half of them out of position. If you're not going to try and outwork/hustle Liverpool by pressing them, then you hit the ball long, yes? So Fellaini up top or, if they play a high line, play over the top for pacey strikers to run on to? Nope, he plays midfield and Rashford on the right. Even if injuries mean we don't have a right sided midfielder, change the formation to adapt. Y'know, like it's your job or something. Rashford on the right would look a bad idea on FM, let alone in real life.

I know I've said it before, many times, but this is exactly what I feared after Fergie. Not because he was so great (though he was) but because he was the only one holding everything together. Since the Glazers moved in the money has moved out and at the expense of the team. Football has changed at the top but United are still in the 90's, with the board thinking the reason they can't see the competition is because they're so far behind them. If the board turn around they'll see them way out in front. Not just Barca, Real and Bayern, either. Juve, Altletico, PSG, Dortmond and Napoli are all easily way ahead. That's not including the English teams which are ahead of us, nor Benfica, Porto, Sporting, and another half dozen teams across Europe which would all fancy their chances and with good reason atm.

By the end, Fergie was like Oz, hiding behind the curtain fooling everyone in a weak league because they're so rarely challenged. 2009/10 was the last season I thought we could win the league and it really is the last time we should've and we didn't even win it that year! :D That he won another two after that is little short of a miracle. Or it would be, if the only other challengers hadn't thrown it away.

Now we have a league which is (hopefully) going to be between Leicester and Spurs and, while it will come across as disrespectful, that's how weak this current season is and United are struggling for European qualifications, let alone CL. In a Fergie season I honestly think we'd be top and I say that as a comment on the league, not on Fergie's ability. I've not seen the stats, but I wouldn't mind betting this is one of, if not, the lowest amount of points the leaders have had after this many games.

I'll end with another thing which has become apparent to me over this season. United need to decide what kind of team they want to be. If you want to be at the top table, then you modernise and forget the romance. Big managers for a season or two, big stars for big money. There is no reason for failure and everyone is vulnerable. Or we're the team which gives managers time, give youth a chance and allows people to make mistakes and gives them time to rectify them. Of course there other ways of being, but these seem to be the two which are at odds currently.

I think it's obvious which one the board/Woodward wants, but if that's the case, then he's the first that needs to be sacked because he's failed miserably.

[the samoan lawyer]

Nice rant HK, unfortunately I have no time/too depressed to put down my thoughts but I totally agree with what you say. Fergie produced miracles at the end of his days of management. Lots couldn't see it but it was very obvious that he was doing wonders.

[babu]

UCL Quarter-final draw result..
Benfica vs Bayern, Barca vs Atleti, PSG vs City, Real vs Wolfsburg

Easy draw for Bayern & Madrid, PSG vs Man City and Barca vs Atleti look exciting.

__


From Reddit via Twitter
Which is best for PSG vs Man City?
- El Cashico
- Oil Classico
- The Abu Derby
- El Plastico
- Oil & Gasico! :lol:

[Fabulous]

UCL Quarter-final draw result..
Benfica vs Bayern, Barca vs Atleti, PSG vs City, Real vs Wolfsburg

Easy draw for Bayern & Madrid, PSG vs Man City and Barca vs Atleti look exciting.

__


From Reddit via Twitter
Which is best for PSG vs Man City?
- El Cashico
- Oil Classico
- The Abu Derby
- El Plastico
- Oil & Gasico! :lol:

They're all lame.

[honeykid]

I really was not expecting to win that, let alone for it to be pretty easy. City must be a hell of a lot worse than I thought and I didn't think they were good. That said, I knew we'd get a couple of good chances when I saw Demichelis was playing. Honestly, that he still plays for a team like City is more baffling to me than when Arsenal had a second rate keeper for 10 years.

[honeykid]

Today the news that we lost a legend and an all-time great.


Johan Cruyff, Dutch footballing legend, dies aged 68

Holland legend Johan Cruyff has died at the age of 68 following a battle with cancer.

A statement on the World of Johan Cruyff website read: "On March 24 2016 Johan Cruyff (68) died peacefully in Barcelona, surrounded by his family after a hard fought battle with cancer. It’s with great sadness that we ask you to respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief."


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Srx8rZc1jcs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GtwCfjI0Z8

R.I.P. Johan. Thank you for everything.

[neiba]

A legend above the legends! RIP Cruyff! :(

[SeeingisBelieving]

Very sad news – I was only thinking about him the other day when Frank Sinatra Jr died, due to the kidnap attempts in both cases (Sinatra's succeeded).

I've always liked Holland and their players and I support them if England get knocked out of tournaments.

[Fabulous]

I really was not expecting to win that, let alone for it to be pretty easy. City must be a hell of a lot worse than I thought and I didn't think they were good. That said, I knew we'd get a couple of good chances when I saw Demichelis was playing. Honestly, that he still plays for a team like City is more baffling to me than when Arsenal had a second rate keeper for 10 years.

He wouldn't be playing if they had any other healthy CB. He's gone at the end of the season.

[Fabulous]

R.I.P. Johan Cruyff

[honeykid]

He wouldn't be playing if they had any other healthy CB. He's gone at the end of the season.

Honestly, I'd have had a kid in there instead. The main point is that he shouldn't even be at the club.

It'll be interesting to see how much of a turnover there'll be at City this summer. He can't really chuck everyone out and bring a new lot in, so how many does he lose? Five? I remember Sven bringing in eight when he came in and he got them to gel pretty quickly. In a weak league (as it is) maybe Pep could get away with a few more? Maybe as many as eight.

[-KhaN-]

I just heard Mourinho might move to Valencia, that would be awesome, would add a lot in terms of competition in La Liga, plus Valencia is one of those clubs you always support against Real/Barcelona. It would also be a big challenge for him.

Of course, it's all just a speculation for now.

[honeykid]

Is there enough money at Valencia for Jose? I'd be interested in seeing what'd happen if he went there, though. I still think United are split on him and, by extension, what kind of club it's going to be.

A couple of days late, I know, but am I the only English person who wasn't disappointed by Tuesday night?

[-KhaN-]

Valencia has been bought last year or year before (something like that). I think they spent lots of money for players this season, supposedly they offered Jose 15M per season and 100M transfer budget.

[honeykid]

They've spent a lot of money on players, but the board and owners are the problem for whoever takes over. That said, I think Jorge Mendes is involved (which is part of the problem) so maybe it would work better with Jose there as he's his agent.

[SeeingisBelieving]

Really pleased for Leicester and I hope they win the title.

[honeykid]

In the papers today there's talk of Leicester looking at Ousmane Dembele for £16m. I'd like to see him at United anyway, but for that money he's a must. He's been looking really good this season and is improving all the time. He's bound to move this summer (unless he's determined to stay at Rennes) and wherever he ends up the fans will love him, I'm sure. I'm convinced this kid is the real deal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuU4oGR0k8s

[JayDee]

The mighty Rangers beat Peterhead today to win the Challenge Cup! http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/JayDee87/yay_zpsd08ca4bc.gif

Ok so maybe it looks a little out of place amongst all the talk of the Premiership and the Champions League but I don't care. :D Rangers fans may not remember the game as one of our great victories but we'll probably remember this goal for a while. Stunning strike

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

[Fabulous]

City and Real with big wins to advance to the SF's. I expect them to be joined by Barcelona and Bayern.

[honeykid]

F.A. cup semis. :cool:

[Fabulous]

Atleti and Bayern in the SF.

[SeeingisBelieving]

Good to hear today that Jonas Gutierrez won his case against Newcastle United.

[Fabulous]

Dortmund bottled it big time.

[Fabulous]

City-Real & Atleti-Bayern

Should be some great games!

[honeykid]

Is it just me or are Real the best opponents City could've got? I'd think both teams will be very pleased with the draw.

[Fabulous]

Is it just me or are Real the best opponents City could've got? I'd think both teams will be very pleased with the draw.

Both will be happy about their draw. Atleti and Bayern looks to be a great tactical match up.

[Fabulous]

Aston Villa are the first club to go down this year. They have been absolutely awful.

[honeykid]

I really can't think of a team that's looked worse than Villa for as long as then this season. Even teams which scored less points didn't look as hopeless as Villa have for the vast majority of the season. Newcastle have been awful, too, but they have had games where they look like it might come together.

[Golgot]

I honestly don't give a **** if Spurs don't win the league, because we are just ****ing fun to watch right now :)

Muscling in on Leicester's fairytale aside, this current first team is just the most complete Spurs side I think I've ever seen. No weak links, tons of skill, tons of steel. This second half of the season has been properly grand, and the last few games a case of just enjoying every touch. Footy heaven :)

(Don't worry HK, Lamela looks like he's ingesting ferret kidneys - I'm pretty sure our downfall is gonna come when the PL starts testing for esoteric drugs ;))

[honeykid]

I agree. I'd still rather be in Leicester's position, but Spurs are the best team in the league. Having been stuck watching United for the past two seasons, it's always been a pleasure to see Spurs or Leicester play this season. A kind of memory as to what used to be. :D I've been waiting for next season for the last 4 or 5 months.

Nice to see you back on the site, Golgot.

[christine]

With much trepidation, I'm heading down to the son's house to watch the match. The only thing I'm clinging onto is that the mid week humiliation has made some kind of fighting spirit emerge but on the past few weeks it looks doubtful. There's an air of apathy, and it's not making for any kind of unified play.
Still, may the best team win HK, but I hope it's the Blues :D

[christine]

Well, couldn't have asked for more heart than we gave in the second half. Enjoyable match, but Lukaku will be going home very disappointed

[honeykid]

I agree. Once again De Gea shows why United are where they are, but the front three worked well and caused lots of problems for Everton.

I actually thought it was a penalty and still thought so when I saw the replay. What about you, Christine?

As for Lukaku, he just wasn't on his game today. His first touch meant that two great chances went begging. Is his head still there or just a bad day at the office?

It felt very much a game of two halves but Martial was the main difference the two teams. That said, I was nervous when Deulofeu came on. Was he short of fitness or something? If not, why not start with him? I think he's electric and he'd have ripped Rojo to pieces.

Looking forward to tomorrows game.

[Fabulous]

French League Cup

Paris Saint Germain 2 - 1 Lille | (Pastore 40', Di María 74' - Sidibé 49') | Paris Saint Germian's 6th Coupe de la Ligue

[honeykid]

Did you watch it, Fab? Did Lille give them a game? They've been on a good run lately.

[Fabulous]

Did you watch it, Fab? Did Lille give them a game? They've been on a good run lately.

No, I did not.

[christine]

I agree. Once again De Gea shows why United are where they are, but the front three worked well and caused lots of problems for Everton.

I actually thought it was a penalty and still thought so when I saw the replay. What about you, Christine?

As for Lukaku, he just wasn't on his game today. His first touch meant that two great chances went begging. Is his head still there or just a bad day at the office?

It felt very much a game of two halves but Martial was the main difference the two teams. That said, I was nervous when Deulofeu came on. Was he short of fitness or something? If not, why not start with him? I think he's electric and he'd have ripped Rojo to pieces.

Looking forward to tomorrows game.

Yes I did think it was a penalty.
I dunno about Lukaku, sometimes he's just inspired but a lot of the time he's a bit of a pud, but today he did at least put himself in the right places and I did actually see him running...
Martial was brilliant, and your youngster Rashford is raw but brilliant - imagine being in that position at the age of just 18 - fantastic talent.
I don't know why Deulofeu didn't start, we were questioning that, but there was lots of decent passing and set pieces between our players today, but there was a reticence in tackling your players which was very noticeable

[Golgot]

Fine fine finish yesterday. Just caught the last ten mins but seems like it was a rollicking second half!

---

Aaand, you've gotta love Leicester :D. That's how you settle any nerves about the Spurs 4-0 ;)

Looking forward to the highlights tonight :)

[Golgot]

Phew. I'm glad I'm happy with watching silky passing, 90+ mins of daring-do, and hopefully finishing above Arsenal, coz looks like that's our lot for this season :D

Brom played a proper second half there, but that was just one of those games. Hit both posts a few times in the first, a sub keeper stepping up, and a big ole layered defence that knew how to shut up shop. Ach well.

Still not bad for the youngest squad in the league. And surely finishing second will keep Poch and that first team around. Sounds good to me :)

[Fabulous]

Champions League SF begin tomorrow. I'll most likely end up missing both first leg games due to exams. :(

[honeykid]

Controversial but, will Spurs have failed if they're not able to beat Leicester to the title?

I love that Leicester have, pretty much, got this done and dusted now. I still want us to win on Saturday, though. :D

I'm going to be very interested to see who stay and who (if anyone) leaves Leicester this summer. Will any main players which leave find themselves on the bench/being rotated at bigger clubs? Everyone says that the collective is what's gotten Leicester to this point, so will they be able to perform to the level they have this season out of that team?

[Daniel M]

Why would they have failed? If you'd have said Spurs would have finished 2nd at the start of the year, people would have thought that would be unlikely. Leciester have been top all season and have deserved to be, have beaten the big teams including 4 points over Spurs in the league. It's not like Spurs have ever been top or had a points cushion and bottled it, they've always been chasing and hoping for Leicester to slip up. So no, no failure.

[honeykid]

I was just asking the question. I don't think they have, but I suppose that, given their usual position in the league (between 4th and 8th) and the usual suspects not being anywhere near good enough, then teams like Spurs or Liverpool would've thought they could've stepped in. Given the money spent and the expectation of the fanbase, finishing second to Leicester could be seen as failure.

I think Leicester thoroughly deserve it and, if anything, have exploited their status to great effect this season. Throughout most of the winter there were people still expecting them to fall away. I include myself in that. The way they play is maximised by the way teams play against them and they're expectations of facing Leicester. Or, at least, it was.

I'd like this Leicester team to stay together, but if it were possible, I'd love to see Vardy at a club which expects the opposition to park the bus and see if they can hang on and see if he could do it again. Hell, it'll be fun to see how teams play against Leicester next season. Will there be an element of 'well, they were good but they were lucky. They won't be able to do it again' and still not play deep and sit in against them?

[Fabulous]

I guess in theory a 0-0 result is good for City, but I think tonight was a big missed opportunity. A weakened RM side without Ronaldo was there for the taking, yet they didn't really pose much of a threat. RM at home with a fit Ronaldo and Benzema is an entirely different animal, and because of this, I find it hard to see City advancing.

[honeykid]

I've been listening to the radio for the last hour and that seems to be the view of anyone who isn't a City fan and the opinion of a few who are.

People keep saying "if we score one they have to score two". Can you see City scoring one? Yes. Can you see Real scoring two? Yes. Can you see City scoring two? Yeah, that argument falls down quickly.

[honeykid]

I can't believe none of us have mentioned the Hillsborough verdict.

It's wonderful news and I hope it does give the families a modicum of peace and some feeling of justice. Hopefully more justice will come to those who can still be shown to've knowingly been part of the cover up.

[Golgot]

Great news on the verdict finally! Now to see if they can make it stick for those that clearly covered **** up... (sounds like CPS isn't expecting to press charges until end of the year..., just gotta hope no one wriggles off the hook). Getting a full jury-led overturn on the years of lies is glorious though.

---

On the should Spurs have done better thing, that's a really interesting point HK. I'd say Arsenal have maintained their standard, and MC have shown top 4 standard if a big step down. With Leicester filling one slot with their mightiness, that's only really one big gun missing. I kind of think Spurs 'fighting for third' under a normal scenario is almost where this team is at.

It was a slow and experimental start to the season in some ways, with only the backline really firing. Dier slotting into his midfield move, Dembele only really emerging as his ideal partner in the second half of the season, Alli's emergence, Lamela's surprising rise in utility. All these things took time to fall into place, so I'm not really surprised that we haven't capitalised on the potential that was bubbling away.

All I can say is I'm happy with this style of footy we're playing, this first team, and having some very solid guys on the bench. I few more signings and can see us competing for high placings again on more fronts (although we might see bus parking next season too, which'll put us in the Arsenal-possession-without-penetration conundrum at times I think).

It's bedded in now, this bizarre sight of seeing players like Eriksen, who would have been a classic luxury lynchpin in an old Spurs team, covering every blade for the team, and still bringing the flair. Can only see, at the very least, more enjoyable games ahead :)

[Tacitus]

I arrived on Merseyside a couple of years after Hillsborough but it was still an open wound to the vast majority of people I knew. Hopefully the families will finally get some peace but, if the long running enquiries in my part of the world are anything to go by, it's not a panacea.

[christine]

I didn't mention Hillsborough because it upsets me so much. All those people, mostly youngsters dying in such a terrible, terrible way, and the disgusting slurs on the fans by the authorities that started the very same afternoon. All the years of the parents and families living with the fans and the football club being maligned in the gutter press and even the population of Liverpool being accused of being lacrymose. See it's a good job the city is how it is otherwise without the solidarity of Liverpool people, the persistance and the massive reluctance to forget those poor people suffocated to death, these bloody liars would've got away with it.
I feel so, so sorry for the mums and dads who have passed away without knowing full justice, so many lives ruined and probably shortened by grief.
It's staggering that the lawyers for the police were still misrepresenting the truth even this last couple of weeks.

[Chypmunk]

I've not mentioned Hillsborough because to be quite frank the whole thing just makes me too f'kin angry at the low-lifes that caused so much unnecessary anguish and pain. May they all rot - each and every one of them!

[Golgot]

Dammnnn. Shame there was so much ugly between the pretty goals, but congrats Leicester :D

I'm still fecking proud of this young Spurs team. (Alright, Moussa's eye-gouge aside tonight, and Vertongan's ever-present sneakiness...)

Guess I'll just look forward to trying to cap off this mad run with second place, that'd be so far above expectations it'd be our own mini-miracle. And I figure they've learned a lot from the recent games, gamesmanship, and pressure. Reckon we can have some fun next season too :)

[Chypmunk]

Delighted to see Leicester take the title - well done you little foxes :)

[honeykid]

A great night for English football and sport in general. It's all about hope and this gives everyone a little bit more. I think this would've been true had it been Spurs taking the title, but that it's Leicester takes it into a whole new realm.

In fact, the only downside I can see to this entire thing is Lineker presenting MotD in his pants. :sick: :D

BTW, any truth to the rumours that John Terry was in the Leicester dressing room in full kit? :D

[Golgot]

Gary has... to... do... it :D (Tastefully, via greenscreen, appearing as legendary strippers throughout the ages ;))

No idea on Terry, but I do know Robby Savage slurred every single word in that MotD :D

[neiba]

One of the rare occasions where real football won, and not "modern football".

[honeykid]

I have to say that my favourite thing about the Leicester win is that it's a victory for teams. Since 2002 I've been repeatedly disappointed with the star player culture at the expense of the team (since Sven pushed Scholes out wide left to accommodate Lampard in centre midfield) and have argued many times that a good team will, more often than not, beat an average team of good players. That an exceptionally good team has managed to win over many decent teams with good/great players is fantastic.

Having watched the highlights of the game last night I hope that Dembele gets more than a three game ban for that eye gouge.

What odds on Leicester being relegated next season, while winning the champions league?

[Golgot]

Yep, haven't seen that kind of dirty tricks / rage from Dembele before. He seems like more of a harsh-but-somewhat-fair kinda player as a rule. It was a pretty dark performance from us all told on the violence front - amazing we didn't get a couple of reds. Tactical yellows when in retreat and very physical tracking is def a big part of our game now (and Lamela's mis-timed slides), but that was a team losing its head.

3 of the goals were grand tho :). I honestly don't mind Hazard popping up with an impish flash of yester-season. If you're gonna miss out due to a goal, make it a wonder goal :) (How he got his foot back to adjust and get the power and curve, while finishing off the move at pace, I'll never know. Spectacular)

---

Yeah gonna be interesting to see how Leicester tackle the market, and keep the team ethic going on multiple fronts. Will they go cheap/youth 'second tier' for Champions League? Nice problems to have I guess ;)

[honeykid]

I know I don't watch them much, but I don't remember seeing Debele anything other than as you described him. I like him and he's got the kind of drive and steel that I'd like to see in the United midfield and what I'd hoped for from Schneiderlin (who I'm hoping for a much better season from next season otherwise I'll be terribly disappointed) but haven't seen too much of.

Watching that Hazard goal, I started to wonder how long he's been trying for? I don't think he can just turn it on at will, but I don't think there's any doubt that he's downed tools for the majority of the season. So how long has it taken him to be able to get back to the player we've seen for the last two or three games? Five? Ten? Nice to see him looking good now. That'll make it easier for Chelsea to get that £60m+ they'll want for him.

[Fabulous]

I'm not a fan of Atleti's style of play or how they go about things, but you have to credit their effort. Simeone has these guys ready for anything.

[honeykid]

A hideously dull 1-0 win, but results are all that matter at this end of the season if you've anything left to aim for, so I can't be too disappointed. Better us than Norwich.

Hoping Arsenal can help us out tomorrow. God, hoping for 4th is depressing. How have Arsenal fans done this for so long?

[-KhaN-]

I grew up on Italian football and catenaccio (the chain) so the way Atl.Madrid plays is nothing bad for me. If anything I welcome it, football needs some of organisation in the game back.

[Daniel M]

I don't think Atletico are as defensive as some of the more recent defensive sides that we've seen. In the first leg, first half v Bayern they were quite attacking and aggressive I thought, pressing high and playing quite a bit in Bayern's half, then in the second half they protected the lead being deep and compact. They always good dangerous going forward though, Torres has adapted to the defensive forward role well and Griezmann is very clinical. Surprised nobody else mentions how much Leicester follow a similar formula.

[honeykid]

I suppose, on reflection, they don't. That is slightly odd. Maybe it's just that Atleti have been doing it for a good few seasons now, whereas Leicester only really got it rolling a few months into the season? I think it was about 10 games in before they kept a clean sheet. Remember all that pizza stuff for a clean sheet?

[Daniel M]

Yeah, that hammering by Arsenal made him swap De Laet and Schlupp for Simpson and Fuchs (who i guess he would have played earlier if he wasn't a new signing settling in), since then they've been much more solid and haven't just bombed forward every game.

[christine]

Very happy at seeing Bristol Rovers take a winning goal in the 92nd minute to gain promotion to League One. My son was there at the match and the celebrations closed the main road into town. It's nice for him that at least he gets to see one blue team make an effort this season . The fans carried the goal scorer all the way into town with pints of cider being passed to him all the way. I bet he had a sore head on Sunday.
My son went with his mate who is a proper gashead born and bred, and I was thinking afterwards how lovely it is for them to get on the pitch and shake the managers hand, and see all the players outside to have a drink with. I remember when I was a kid you'd see Everton and Liverpool players out shopping with their missus or just out and about. Not any more.

[honeykid]

No, now they're all out and about with other peoples wives and girlfriends. :D

EDIT: What I came in here to say was that I found out that Luca Toni retired yesterday. The very definition of a late bloomer, but what a fantastic career he had. He ended it in style with the winner against Juve, one of his (many) old teams. A truly great striker bows out.

Good luck, Luca. :)

[Fabulous]

Great memories of him during the 2006 World Cup. :)

[Fabulous]

Manchester United were given 4th place on a plate, but refused to take it. Looks like City will get CL.

[honeykid]

I doubt there were many but the blindly optimistic who expected United to win last night. I certainly didn't. If United have to score more than a goal to win, they look terrible from the midfield back. They just can't organise and push forward. It's embarrassing. If I thought that finishing 5th would get rid of LVG, I'd be a lot happier.

[neiba]

So, how are people there taking the transfer of Renato Sanches to Bayern when everyone was saying he would go to ManUn?

[honeykid]

I never really thought he'd be at United, so I'm not surprised or bothered. :D DIdn't Ralph Honigstein flagged this up a few weeks ago, at least?

I'm far more interested in seeing if Dembele leaves Rennes and where he goes.

[Fabulous]

I'm far more interested in seeing if Dembele leaves Rennes and where he goes.

Borussia Dortmund. Should be interesting to see how well he progresses, and if they'll be able to hold on to him.

[Fabulous]

Barcelona won their 24th La Liga title

Bayern München won their 26th Bundesliga title

Paris Saint Germain won their 6th Ligue 1 title

[honeykid]

Borussia Dortmund. Should be interesting to see how well he progresses, and if they'll be able to hold on to him.

Have you heard anything or is that your guess?

It seems like his mum pretty much rules the roost, so another year at Rennes isn't out of the question, but I'd expect the money offered will be too much. For Rennes, even if it isn't for him. :D

[Fabulous]

Have you heard anything or is that your guess?

It seems like his mum pretty much rules the roost, so another year at Rennes isn't out of the question, but I'd expect the money offered will be too much. For Rennes, even if it isn't for him. :D

http://www.bvb.de/eng/News/Overview/Borussia-Dortmund-signs-top-talent-Ousmane-Dembele

[Chypmunk]

Game at Old Trafford today abandoned due to suspect package :(

Probably turn out to be nothing more than a new set of gnashers for Rooney's latest date ;D

[Chypmunk]

An interesting set of results on what was supposed to be the final day of the season to say the least, delighted to nick the second spot right at the death - far better than we deserved purely based on how we've played but then it's a been a season where virtually everybody has done their best to implode at one point or another. Have to feel somewhat for the poor Bournemouth players who reportedly already have holidays booked and will now have to amend/cancel those arrangements.

[Golgot]

I'M NEVER TALKING FOOTBALL AGAIN! :D

Luckily I'd braced for this Spurs result, if not the 5-1 bit, so I'm already at peace with it ;)

We've looked tired, Alli & Dembele are really missed in that midfield, Rafa was bound to play some fun-blocking counter-attack, and their players are fully capable and were in the shop window. It all shouted upset to me. Hoped we could sneak it but had this feeling we'd left it all too late.

Ach well, at least St Totteringham's Day is coming later each season ;)

[Fabulous]

Benfica won their 35th Primeira Liga title

Beşiktaş won their 14th Süper Lig title

[honeykid]

I don't understand the papers reporting the bomb scare at Old Trafford as a bad thing for United. The company that left the fake bomb behind? Yes. But how is United or the police embarrassed by this? The place was evacuated quickly and without incident. How terrible.

I thought it was a lovely gesture at WBA with the 96 red seats. Classy stuff and something which shows the board in a very good light.

Some usual crazy end of season results yesterday.

[Fabulous]

Sevilla won their 5th Europa League title

[christine]

Celebrating tonight in the HK household then :D
Lovely win. The FA cup always feels so emotional at the end no matter who you support, it's still a great tournament. And Rooney, I still love him in spite of his newly acquired telephone voice. I'd have him back at Goodison in a heartbeat.

[honeykid]

YES!!!!!! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!!!

I love the FA cup. Always have and probably always will, but it's even better when it's your team that's winning it.

A couple of weeks ago I told a friend that I thought Palace would win 1-0 with Gayle scoring the winner sometime after the 70th minute. I don't know why, but I really thought that'd be the case. So when Puncheon scored I thought, that's it. I got the player wrong, but other than that, it's done. :( So happy just a few minutes later and from then I thought we'd win. I have to admit that I was slightly concerned when Lingard came on for Mata. Not because I thought Mata had had a good game (far from it) but because I thought when that one opportunity fell to someone, I'd rather it was Mata as Lingard has a habit of overthinking and blasting it over. Had it gone to penalties I'd have been ******** it when he stepped up. :D

And then he scored that goal! :eek: A lovely goal. The kind of winner we all daydreamed of scoring in the final when we were kids. I know I've scored that goal many times on the playground and in the street.

It doesn't make up for a poor season, but I'm kind of old school in that it's tough to be disappointed if we end the season with trophy.

[christine]

FA cup and a new manager all in one day! Thoughts on Morinho HK? Happy?

[honeykid]

Yep. Very happy. I've wanted him since Sir Alex said he was retiring.

I know a lot of people don't want him at United and don't think he's a good fit and, to a certain extent I'd agree with them, but that's the kind of manager we need to put things back on track. As long as Woodward's there, we're going to be a modern, Real style, mega club. Only interested in huge signings and spending stupid amounts of money on names. Hopefully Mourinho will be able to bring those players in and make them a team. Let's face it, we've got three years max before he burns all his bridges (and players) so we need to go back to being a consistent every season top four/challenging for the title, Champions League 1/4 at least, team. That won't happen next season, but the season after could well see the title back at OT, if Mourinho runs to form.

I also think, with Pep in at City and Klopp at Liverpool, United needed to be seen to be bringing in the big guns and Mourinho is still that. At the moment, anyway. We'll have to see if that's still the case after a few seasons at United. :D

[christine]

Nice. We're still waiting....

[honeykid]

Who are the rumours locally pointing to? I've heard Eddie Howe quite a few times, as well as De Boer. Both are obviously managers on the rise, but as De Boer has titles behind him as a manager, that's who I'd be looking at. Of the two, that is. I wonder if Howe is someone who works really well at one place. That might be unfair, but he looked great at Bournemouth, then moved to Burnley and really looked out of his depth, as I remember it. Maybe his time winning promotion and being in the PL will have improved him enough to handle a club like Everton? I don't think I'd want that experiment to be going on at my club, though. We've already had it here with your old gaffer. :D

[Topsy]

what a nice surprise to see its actual football and not american football ::lol::lol:

[honeykid]

It started as a American Football thread, but we colonised it. :D

[christine]

Who are the rumours locally pointing to? I've heard Eddie Howe quite a few times, as well as De Boer. Both are obviously managers on the rise, but as De Boer has titles behind him as a manager, that's who I'd be looking at. Of the two, that is. I wonder if Howe is someone who works really well at one place. That might be unfair, but he looked great at Bournemouth, then moved to Burnley and really looked out of his depth, as I remember it. Maybe his time winning promotion and being in the PL will have improved him enough to handle a club like Everton? I don't think I'd want that experiment to be going on at my club, though. We've already had it here with your old gaffer. :D
The hopes at home are for De Boer , we are desperate for a steady experienced leader. It's not like we're short of money now, I think Moshiri would be happy to cough up to get some success.

[Fabulous]

A busy cup weekend to end the season.

Barcelona won their 28th Copa del Rey title

Juventus won their 11th Coppa Italia title

Paris Saint Germain won their 10th Coupe de France title

Bayern München won their 18th DFB-Pokal title

Manchester United won their 12th FA Cup title

Braga won their 2nd Taça de Portugal title

[WiseDog]

What about Mourinho at Man Utd with Ibrahimovic? I think they are the only two personalities capable to give a winning mentality to the this Utd...

[honeykid]

I've no idea what Ibrahimovic will be like in an backroom role. Can he take a back seat in anything? It's a very different role. I still wouldn't be surprised to see him playing come the new season.

[-KhaN-]

My home town this morning:

https://scontent-fra3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13245434_1126830534033961_7001141088497961561_n.jpg?oh=93a1ad16f00cdd527697fbc5b279b23f&oe=57C60844

"UEFA supports terrorism" it's because of Kosovo getting accepted into UEFA and FIFA.

[Fabulous]

My home town this morning:

https://scontent-fra3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13245434_1126830534033961_7001141088497961561_n.jpg?oh=93a1ad16f00cdd527697fbc5b279b23f&oe=57C60844

"UEFA supports terrorism" it's because of Kosovo getting accepted into UEFA and FIFA.
Where do you live?

[Fabulous]

Galatasaray won their 17th Türkiye Kupası title

[-KhaN-]

Where do you live?

Montenegro

[honeykid]

The more I hear, the more it sounds like Ibra is far more likely to be on the pitch than in the dugout. If that's the case, it'll be interesting to see what Mourinho does with him. From everything I've seen from Ibra over the years (which isn't too much, I admit) next season could be much like this season, but with better finishing.

[Fabulous]

Champions League final today! Real is the bigger name, but you can't ignore what Atleti did to get here. I think they're favourites to win.

[honeykid]

I'd like Atletico to win, but it'll probably be a better game if Real score first. Though that probably gives them the win.

[Fabulous]

Real Madrid won their 11th European Cup

[honeykid]

Did anyone watch it? As usual, I didn't bother. Was it a good game?

[Fabulous]

Did anyone watch it? As usual, I didn't bother. Was it a good game?

Madrid were the better side for the opening 20 minutes or so. Once they got their goal, they were happy to give Atleti possession and force them to attack. Atleti were probably the better side overall, but Madrid allowed them to have much of their possession. Gabi, Carrasco, and Casemiro all played well.

[Daniel M]

Pretty boring game I thought much like Madrid v City in the semi-final. In terms of overall dynamism and fluid attacking play, Madrid play a lot more structured now. Zidane just followed on what Benitez started by not playing Isco/James and having Casemiro stay back in front of the defence. Only they respect Zidane a lot more so actually carry it out. After 20 minutes of good attacking play (although the goal was offside), they seemed to retreat a lot, and to be fair, despite Atletico's possession they restricted them well in terms of goal chances. Carrasco changed the game when he came on, a lot more pace and direct play. Torres was absolutely useless up front so this was needed, so was Fernandez in Atletico's midfield, which I would have liked to have been more wider and direct all round, their narrow game was met well by Madrid. Second half Atletico edged it but rued that miss penalty. Extra time neither team really went for it, Real Madrid looked confident on pens.

[Fabulous]

Manchester City have signed İlkay Gündoğan. Worth the risk for the price they paid, I think.

[honeykid]

For a club like them, it is. Here's hoping it's £20m that spends it's time on the treatment table.

[ashdoc]

euro 2016---sitting duck for ISIS attack ?

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/06/sport/france-euro-2016-security-terror-isis/index.html

[honeykid]

Any big event is a target for terrorism. Frankly I'm surprised anyone's surprised. :shrug:

[Tacitus]

My cousin and two mates headed off yesterday for France. He's bought a minibus which he's fitted out as a camper van and they've got tickets for all the Norn Iron matches plus the quarters and semis.

All the NI matches apart from the final, then. :p

EDIT - I knew I had a pic somewhere. ;D

http://i.imgur.com/jLGl2pr.jpg

[honeykid]

Excellent. I hope they enjoy it. I'm sure that won't be problem. :up: Here's hoping they get more than three games. *fingers crossed*

[Tacitus]

I'm not going to sit here and say we'll be hard to beat, but we'll definitely be hard to beat easily.

Form team in Europe, dontcha know? :D

[christine]

I bet they'll have a great time Tatty. You should've gone too!

[Tacitus]

I bet they'll have a great time Tatty. You should've gone too!

With my feet? :p

I've spent the last month following that bloody van around when it's gone from mechanic to mechanic, getting kitted out for the journey. I don't ever want to see it again! :D

[honeykid]

Your feet? And there was me thinking you weren't going because of your back. :D

[Tacitus]

I was channelling Norman Stanley Fletcher. ;)

[Fabulous]

Euro 2016 starts tomorrow with France and Romania. I think France will kick the tournament off with a routine win. Should be an exciting month of football!

[honeykid]

Yep, it'll be a shock if it's anything other than a win.

[Chypmunk]

My bets on the first group matches are down - hope you all have an enjoyable, and where pertinent profitable, tournament :)

[-KhaN-]

Made a casual bet for Portugal to win Euro (best profit - risk team). Supporting Italy, sadly they have never been this bad but as always they know how to play on the result, so if they can go through the groups I think they will go far.

[TONGO]

I wish european football was more popular in the United States. It really is ALOT more exciting than the NFL, and the fans? Fugedaboudit, the fans are nuts! :) Even more than you see at a college football game in the states.

[Topsy]

Got my beer and chips ready! Lets go

[honeykid]

Made a casual bet for Portugal to win Euro (best profit - risk team). Supporting Italy, sadly they have never been this bad but as always they know how to play on the result, so if they can go through the groups I think they will go far.

Italy's best chance is their defence which, unlike most of the other main favourites, is actually pretty good and, depending on injuries, can play as a 3 or a 5, allowing for flexibility depending on the form of their attacking players.

I don't think there's much danger of any of the 'big' teams not getting through the groups. You'd have to be truly terrible to not make it or ridiculously unlucky. Unlucky almost to the point of negligence. So with England, it's possible. :D

[-KhaN-]

Sad this is way how France gets the goal, obvious foul.

[neiba]

I disagree. It was outside goal area. It was a huge mistake by the GK!!

But hey, GOAL OF ROMENIA!!!!!!!!!! :D

[Chypmunk]

And suddenly my 3-1 to France looks just a little more possible than it did at half-time :eek:

[neiba]

France is not playing like they're at home. Which is great cause it's the national team I hate the most!

[-KhaN-]

You can't go dueling gk body to body when in area, it's a foul. But that penalty for Romania was also meh so yea, guess they are even now.

[neiba]

You can't go dueling gk body to body when in area, it's a foul. But that penalty for Romania was also meh so yea, guess they are even now.

You can't go dueling gk body to body when in GOAL area, and they were outside goal area!

[Chypmunk]

What a cracker of a goal!!

[neiba]

What a f... goal!!!!!!! :eek:

[Fabulous]

I was hoping Romania would get at least a point, as I thought they deserved. Credit to them for not sitting back and instead actually trying to attack and play attractive football.

[Topsy]

I was really hoping Romania would win. would have been a great kick off.

[honeykid]

Sadly I missed the second half, so I missed all the goals. But Payet's goal was a cracking goal.

The Swiss are looking like they'll cruise to a win. 1-0 up against 10 men.

I'm looking forward to the Wales game later and then, of course, England. Rooney in midfield? You're so close, Roy. Just drop him.

[honeykid]

Go on Bale!

Fantastic clearance and a good goal. This game is already better than the last and we're only 10 minutes in. :up:

Shame I've got to nip out for a while.

[honeykid]

How is Skrtel still on the field? He could've been suspended for the rest of him international career during this game.

Apart from about 15 minutes, Wales have completely deserved this victory. :up: Well done, Wales. I wonder if n3wt was watching? I know it's not his game, but 58 years is a long time.

[Topsy]

Yaaaaaaasss Wales!!!

first one ive been rooting for to win a match yet :lol: thought ALbania did amazingly earlier today,shame he missed.

really hoping for england to win tonight.

[Chypmunk]

Happy days - Wales 2-1 a perfect result for me :)
Here's hoping the English can manage the same scoreline in the next as well ...

[honeykid]

Yep, the pressure is on now for us to win. History is not on our side. :(

Top two will definitely go through, so a win against Russia will pretty much put us halfway there.

[Topsy]

Yeah you have a very unlucky past :lol: which is odd because you usually have great players.
but hey atleast you guys are in it :lol: i dont think I`ll live to
see the day norway is in the Euros nor the world cup. :lol: :lol: :lol:

[honeykid]

You never know, Topsy. I've seen it, so there's no reason you won't. Five years from now you might have a few players coming through who can make that dream come true. After all, it's not like your Scotland or anything. :p:D

[Topsy]

ahh,a girl can dream ;) but atleast we have sweden,we just leach on to them :lol:
we need more players to become successfull abroad,because nobody evolves here..the norwegian leauge is
disgracefull..like a childrens game.
haha,i think Scotland is one of very few teams we`ve beaten :lol:
or we did defeat Brazil,as any norwegian will be able to tell you in great detail,
in 1998....which should tell you just how much we suck :lol: it wasnt even a real match but a friendly :lol:

[honeykid]

A good first half from England. About as good as you're going to get without scoring probably. Here's hoping we don't do the same again only to be caught on the break or with a freekick/penalty.

[Topsy]

So close,yet so far away :lol:

[Chypmunk]

And England blow my acc out of the water :(

[Fabulous]

Couldn't get much more England than that...

[honeykid]

Yep. We are the Spurs of international football. It's who we are.

Also, Chyp, did you bet on England winning the opening game of a tournament? Does history mean nothing to you?

The sad thing is that was probably our easiest game. One paper, at least.

[Chypmunk]

Also, Chyp, did you bet on England winning the opening game of a tournament? Does history mean nothing to you?
I did - I'm not a believer in history always repeating ad infinitum .... all streaks must come to an end at some point ... well nearly all anyway :D

[honeykid]

TBH, I'd have put money on England winning the whole damn tournament before I bet on us winning the first game. I literally sat there for the last 5-10 minutes saying "here it comes" pretty much any time we didn't have the ball. :D It was going to happen. There was no shock at all. I even thought that the substitutes were probably correct (though I'd have had Vardy on for Kane after 50-60 minutes. He just didn't look there at all) but I think they also fed into the inevitable goal.

[Topsy]

yeah betting on the unlikely is whats going to bring you the money ;)

[Chypmunk]

I did cash out the single in time when the whippetmeister brought Milner on so not all was lost (and I've won on all four individual matches thus far) - it was the more lucrative acc I let ride and that got blown out of the water. Greed is such a terrible thing lol.

[Fabulous]

Italy's first game is today, and I'm not confident at all. Belgium is a good enough team as it is, but to make matters worse, I haven't seen a worse Italian team than the one we have now. The injuries to Verratti and Marchisio are massive blows. Two of our best players, the engines of our team missing, does not bode well. There is very little attacking or creative threat in the side, save for a few players that may be able to cause some problems, particularly Insigne. However, knowing Conte and how badly he selected his squad, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't play Insigne.

It's not all bad, though, as we once again have the Juventus core anchoring the defence. With our backline and Gigi in net, I could at least see us being tough to breakdown. A staple for the Azzurri. So, we'll see how it goes. Italy usually has a knack of stepping up against superior opposition; it's the smaller clubs that we usually play down to. Also, the new rules mean we could still advance if we finish 3rd in the group, so that's something to keep in mind.

Forza Italia! :cool:

[honeykid]

I'd be slightly surprised if Italy didn't make the quarters at least. As we've said, the defence is strong and Italy might be the only 'big' team which has that. 1-0 is more than enough and I think Italy are more capable than most of doing that.

BTW, when Germany were only 1-0 up and kept missing chances, did anyone expect Ukraine to get one back and draw the game? No, didn't think so. :D That must be nice.

[Topsy]

LOL honey :lol:

Id forgotten how boring the germans are...i was really hoping for Ukraine to get one in :(

I wouldnt worry fabulous,i think your going to do well-italys not in their hey days but still superior to most. the coach most have seen something either individual or colletive in the ones he picked out.

todays a great day with spain,sweden and italy.

[Chypmunk]

Less than an hour to go now .... COYBIG!
(Zlatan who lol)
full disclosure: I've actually bet on Sweden to win so I can have a level of happiness whatever the outcome

[honeykid]

I'm so pleased I decided to catch up with my tv watching rather than watch the Spain game. I know it's not fashionable or anything, but I hate watching Spain. It's even more boring than watching Barca. At least Barca has three exciting players up top.

[Chypmunk]

A point is not a bad start - how marvellous it would have been to hold on for the win tho.

[Fabulous]

Good result in the Sweden-Ireland game for us.

No Insigne, Zaza, Florenzi, or El Shaarawy. Expected from Conte. Hopefully it all works to plan!

[SeeingisBelieving]

I'm so pleased I decided to catch up with my tv watching rather than watch the Spain game. I know it's not fashionable or anything, but I hate watching Spain. It's even more boring than watching Barca. At least Barca has three exciting players up top.

I know, I find it very boring too. I was disappointed for the Czechs.

It's been frustrating with several teams to watch some really good chances not pay off for them, and Ireland deserved to win today.

[honeykid]

Blonde Fellaini isn't anything like as funny as I was hoping. When they were talking about Aaron Ramsey and saying that Fellaini had done the same, I was hoping for some kind of dandelion effect running about the pitch.

https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.proturflawn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F04%2Fdandelion-at-seed-stage.jpg&f=1

Sadly it looks more like a grotty sponge.

https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F61Eg6fSpHnL.jpg&f=1

[honeykid]

There you go, Fab. Job done. I thought 1-0 would be enough, but Pele's just managed to slam another home.

Again, did anyone think Italy wouldn't see it out? No. Yeah, like I said before, it must be nice. :D

BTW, did anyone else get Kevin Keegan flashbacks when seeing Origi miss that header at the death?

[Chypmunk]

... but Pele's just managed to slam another home.
Blimey - no mean feat at his age :eek:
A bit off being allowed to bring ringers in though imo.

[honeykid]

Stupid missing "L" :D

Sorry, Pelle.

[Fabulous]

Very impressed with Italy. I said we usually perform well against superior opposition, and we did. Belgium's attack was very disjointed, something you don't want to happen when you come up against Italy. That said, they did have some glorious chances to score. Origi and Lukaku both wasted very good chances. Italy played like a team, Belgium didn't. Still not happy with Conte's substitutions, but I can't complain about the end result. Now let's see if we'll be able to play like this against teams we're expected to beat.

You can always count on Italy to hold out, or at the very least make things incredibly difficult. I feel sorry for England fans who constantly watch their team bottle games.

[Topsy]

sweden was really disappointing,im hoping they get it together for the next match

[Fabulous]

sweden was really disappointing,im hoping they get it together for the next match

I hope they don't. ;)

[Topsy]

hah! what would the euros be without an underdog? ;)

i was suprised to see how many swedes were there.looked like most of the country actually :lol: :lol:

[Fabulous]

hah! what would the euros be without an underdog? ;)

i was suprised to see how many swedes were there.looked like most of the country actually :lol: :lol:

Yeah, good point. There was quite a lot of them. Italy, as usual, don't have many traveling fans. We're usually always outnumbered in the stands.

[neiba]

Portugal plays tonight, gonna watch the game with some friends, a beer and a Francesinha (google it). The best part of it being everything except the match. I hate national teams competitions, can't we get back to the real football at once?

[honeykid]

International football is well worth the price of a summer. Otherwise they're be nothing.

[neiba]

International football is well worth the price of a summer. Otherwise they're be nothing.

There's always FM :p

[honeykid]

Every day is FM. I've already played today and will be back to it in a moment. :D

[honeykid]

Well that was one in the eye for the hipsters, wasn't it? Beaten by, probably, the worst team in the competition.

That's two defeats for better players against actual teams. I'm liking this Euro's. :up: Here's hoping the legacy continues.

[Fabulous]

Let's see what Cristiano Ronaldo can do against Iceland.

[Topsy]

YAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSS

https://poppitcher.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/1sfn8o.gifhttp://cherylsource.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/tumblr_m3gpblHF801qcoa6s.gif
off you go princess
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p406/awaltzforanight/lol/25s07tf.gifhttps://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CfuRZXcz8p8/Te2NTJrY5YI/AAAAAAAAAQs/V47tFsx4u4o/s338/CherylColeClapping.gif

[Cobpyth]

Not a single team was able to impress me during their whole game in this first round.

France had some good moments. England's first half was very promising. Germany did OK, but gave away way too much against Ukraine. Portugal had a very disappointing second half. Maybe Italy showed the strongest organisation of all the teams yet?

Anyway, extremely disappointed in Belgium so far. Hope they can live up to the expectations in their next two games. Too bad we have the worst coach of the tournament.

[honeykid]

Belgium need to be a team. They're reminding me a bit of England in the early-mid 00's. Lots of talented individuals, all of whom are playing like individuals. If the attacking 4 or 5 could click, you wouldn't need to worry too much about the back 4.

Like you (and a great many Belgians I'd imagine) I do wonder just how Wilmot has been allowed to take these guys to the tournament. I mean, someone has to have the worst manager at the tournament (and I don't know that he is) but you do expect one of the favourites to have someone better than that. I know some people who'd probably say Roy is worse, but at least he's been there and done it.

Christine, how do you feel about Koeman? Pretty bloody good, I'll bet.

[Fabulous]

Happy to see Iceland get a point. Even happier that it was against Portugal. :)

[Camo]

I'm supporting Ireland. All of my non Scottish family are from there so i pretty much have too. England second then Italy then i don't care, would rather someone other than Spain or Germany but i don't really care either way.

Must say even though the new system favours the smaller teams i don't like this now, more matches yeah, but some of these teams shouldn't be here. Hope they go back to the 16 team tournament at some point even though that will mean another 20 years without Scotland making it.

[Cobpyth]

Like you (and a great many Belgians I'd imagine) I do wonder just how Wilmot has been allowed to take these guys to the tournament. I mean, someone has to have the worst manager at the tournament (and I don't know that he is) but you do expect one of the favourites to have someone better than that. I know some people who'd probably say Roy is worse, but at least he's been there and done it.

He was a respected player (the Belgian captain actually) and was working with the Belgian team for quite some time already in another role after his career.
He became the assistent under Dick Advocaat, I think, who immediately left our national team for another club, and then was the assistent under Georges Leekens. When Leekens went to Bruges, Wilmots (temporarily) became the head coach. Because we kept winning our games (in easy pre-tournament group stages), the Belgian Football Association somehow didn't think they should replace him with a coach who has actual credentials...

[Topsy]

I hope germany doesnt win simply because the football they play is so boring.defense,defense,defense.

i havent been impressed by any of the teams so far either,but the goalkeeper of various teams have impressed me-some amazing saves.

[Camo]

They're reminding me a bit of England in the early-mid 00's.

Damn, that is it exactly. I like Belgium and all of their players i know and one of their fans ;). Still i do get a bit of a "you should be doing way better than you are" - England vibe.

[-KhaN-]

Watching Italy play was such a joy, organised and tactically perfect.

[Chypmunk]

Delighted for Iceland last night - never hurts me to see a little disappointment in Ronaldo's face.

[-KhaN-]

Russia - Slovakia and Romania - Switzerland should be interesting games, I would say both Russia and Romania will win it, but hard games to predict.

[Topsy]

Delighted for Iceland last night - never hurts me to see a little disappointment in Ronaldo's face.

it brings me such joy tbh :lol:

** edit: just read about him mouthing off about iceland :lol: :lol:
He said they didnt do anything,didnt create anything and Portugal was the only team on the field. he also bashed the icelandic audience for daring to cheer for their team who just won by calling them"simple minded". and went on to say iceland would achieve nothing.

what a grade A moron. i genuinly find him so disgusting. i hope they loose every game.

[neiba]

it brings me such joy tbh :lol:

** edit: just read about him mouthing off about iceland :lol: :lol:
He said they didnt do anything,didnt create anything and Portugal was the only team on the field. he also bashed the icelandic audience for daring to cheer for their team who just won by calling them"simple minded". and went on to say iceland would achieve nothing.

what a grade A moron. i genuinly find him so disgusting. i hope they loose every game.

HEY!!! I heard that! :p

Well, horrible 2nd half yesterday, Iceland played exactly how everybody knew they were gonna play, so it's kind of our fault if we didn't win the game by 3 or 4 goals of difference, despite of what Ronaldo says.

It reminds me of the Euro 2004 final against Greece. We had already played and lost against them in the Group Stage, we knew how they were going to play, we made the same mistakes, lost and dared to call their tactic anti-football. Jesus, I live in a country of idiots (or too many benfica fans).

Let's hope we play better against Austria and Hungary.

[Topsy]

hah,sorry bro ;)
Geez,youre from Portugal??? never would have guessed!
but hey,if it wasnt for the bubblebath twins cr and nani,i would have been rooting for you ;)
i did in 2004 against greece.

[Topsy]

gawd the live shows before the matches are so awkward.

why do they insist on airing live from a reporter in the middle of a supporter crowd?
you cant hear anything but screaming,the reported always looks so uncomfortable (which isnt weird because they`re usually ambush by someone) and you cant hear what they`re saying,the people jumping around trying to grab the microphone are just annoying.

[christine]

Christine, how do you feel about Koeman? Pretty bloody good, I'll bet.

Very happy HK :D can't wait for the season to start!

Cob - do you feel as much frustration with Lukaku in your national side as we do at Everton?