Soccer thread 08/09 (will have spoilers!)

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 10:21 am

10spro wrote:Looks like D. Berbatov will settle in MU after all.

So disappointing wathcing one of my favorite players slip to the Dark Side. He's such a classy and creative player and so fun to watch. Too bad he'll be pushing over old ladies and eating live puppies now

MACTEPsporta · Post by **MACTEPsporta** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 7:45 pm

RobVarak wrote:
10spro wrote:Looks like D. Berbatov will settle in MU after all.
So disappointing wathcing one of my favorite players slip to the Dark Side.

I remain sceptical about him leaving. As I've said before, I think they are building a new system around him, and he will be a key part of the team. The only way I can see Tott letting him go, is if they secure the deal for Villa. Unless that happens, I don't view selling Berbatov, and getting Arshavin or Pavlyuchenko (who couldn't even touch the ball today at Luzhniki as Spartak was steamrolled by Dynamo Kiev in UEFA CL qualification!!!

) , or even both, as any kind of improvement to the team. And I truly believe they are looking to improve this season and get into top 4.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:29 am

Spurs top 4 - no chance.

Spurs top 6 - not with that defence and no holding midfielder.

Spurs fans delusional - oh yes.

I must admit that they have now rocketed so far up my 'teams that i hate with a passion' list that when they play Man U, I will actually be rooting for a draw.

Well, not strictly true....I'll be hoping for a previously unsuspected mineshaft to open up and swallow the pitch, players and whichever of the two grounds the game is being played in, fans and all....but failing that, a draw.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 3:02 pm

...anyone seen Dave today? I know it's typical City, but I'd probably have gone over the edge by now.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 4:34 pm

Just setting ourselves up for a vibey time in the second leg.

I'm not worried - I know we're going to finish between 8th and 12th this season and get nowhere in the Cups, so give me a nudge in May.

What you've failed to take into account, Simo, is the inborn pessimism of the true Mancunian, which is multiplied by being a City fan. As we expect the worst, or at best mediocrity, seldom can we be disappointed.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 7:05 pm

I thought the term was Typical Wednesday. At least we are already out of the Carling Cup.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 12:58 pm

No, it's definitely Typical City.

Valeri Bojinov, our 22yr old striker who managed a whole 55 minutes play last season before getting injured, has played great all preseason and looked set for a good start, as many of our other strikers are already out.

So he's warming up before the game, and bang goes his ligament.

And he's out for 6 months.

If anyone of you feels like switching to following City, try this test at home.

1. Take hammer out of toolbox.
2. Take off shoes and socks.
3. Hit big toe with hammer.

Enjoy it ?

If the answer is 'Yes', this is your club.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:05 pm

Gotta love TVUPlayer

I was able to watch several live EPL matches yesterday as well as Aston Villa v Man City today. This Yank is currently in Football heaven.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:17 pm

See above for the cure.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:47 pm

Rodster wrote:Gotta love TVUPlayer

I was able to watch several live EPL matches yesterday as well as Aston Villa v Man City today. This Yank is currently in Football heaven.

Fox Soccer Channel + Setanta isn't all that expensive on DirectTV.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:52 pm

Setanta's new presentation of EPL games makes FSC unwatchable

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:53 pm

Feanor wrote: Fox Soccer Channel + Setanta isn't all that expensive on DirectTV.

That's also free on TVUPlayer.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 3:14 pm

fsquid wrote:Setanta's new presentation of EPL games makes FSC unwatchable

FSC hasn't been watchable for about three seasons now. That channel has gone down the toilet quicker than a double burrito dump.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 3:14 pm

Nice start for my Magpies today against the prawn eaters at Mold Trafford.

Take care,
PK

Atxj · Post by **Atxj** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 3:26 pm

pk500 wrote:Nice start for my Magpies today against the prawn eaters at Mold Trafford.

Take care,
PK

Listening to the announcers give Given credit for saving Frazier's header was laughable. I was surprised he knew what happened after taking it off the noggin.

Otherwise, there wasn't too much to be upset about considering the side we featured and the condition they were in.

P.S. - Check out Steinnson's goal against stoke if you get a chance.

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 4:08 pm

pk500 wrote:Nice start for my Magpies today against the prawn eaters at Mold Trafford.

Take care,
PK

Jonas Guttierez looked really impressive and crazy-hair Coloccini also looked good (after a shaky first few minutes). I would give your fans credit for out-singing the home fans...but it's Old Trafford so that's really the norm.

Rafa will no doubt be sending a tape of Barry's performance today to Rick Parry (along with another of his weekly 'f*** you Rick' messages, hopefully he cc's George Gillet as well).

Speaking of Rafa....for f***'s sake don't play 4-4-2 with poor Kuyt and Arbeloa on the right side, never have I seen professional footballers look so lost as those two against Sunderland.

Once we switched back to the 4-2-3-1 of last year we looked MUCH better and got the goal (though we should have had a penalty in the first half when that asshat Chimbonda bundled over Benayoun in the penalty area).

Thankfully we're getting Babel back since Holland got knocked out of the Olympics.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 7:11 pm

Macca00 wrote:Thankfully we're getting Babel back since Holland got knocked out of the Olympics.

Thanks to Messi and CO. How's this for a semi-final on thursday: Brazil-Argentina.

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 7:37 pm

10spro wrote:
Macca00 wrote:Thankfully we're getting Babel back since Holland got knocked out of the Olympics.
Thanks to Messi and CO. How's this for a semi-final on thursday: Brazil-Argentina.

Should be fun. What's neat, as a Liverpool fan, is that Lucas has played every minute of every game for Brazil, this after a pretty impressive pre-season.

Belgium beat Italy

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:44 am

Atxj wrote:
pk500 wrote:Nice start for my Magpies today against the prawn eaters at Mold Trafford.

Take care,
PK

Listening to the announcers give Given credit for saving Frazier's header was laughable. I was surprised he knew what happened after taking it off the noggin.

Otherwise, there wasn't too much to be upset about considering the side we featured and the condition they were in.

P.S. - Check out Steinnson's goal against stoke if you get a chance.

Given had some spectacular saves but that header was definitely not planned. The look on his face right as the ball is about to strike him was priceless:) Guttirez was everywhere, nice pick up for them.

ps. Arteta's FK past Paul Robinson is worth a look as well. Doesn't bode well for Robinson's return as England's goalie.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:12 pm

I was looking at some photos online and did Howard Webb ref the Superliga final?

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:18 am

I know technically England haven't even played a game yet and it really doesn't count for sh!t but I just wanted to point out that KAZAKHSTAN are above England in their World Cup qualifying group.

England were crap today.....then again they're crap most days so delete the 'today' and replace were with 'are'.

I wonder if the rest of the fools in the Setanta studio appreciate the delicious irony of Steve McManaman questioning the intensity and commitment of the England players in today's game....this from a player who in his last few England matches wandered around the pitch like a lost 2 year old.

I loved Macca as Liverpool player but as pundit he's a f***in tool.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:08 am

Random stuff, because it is late and I'm tired from arguing about politics with WCO

Blood, mud, shitty football, crazy officiating, lunatic fans...ahh CONCACAF qualifiers

Some nice play here and there, but as usual it was more a test of endurance rather than skill. I actually felt bad for Brian Ching by about the midway point of the second half. He kept having to come so far back to get possession and then did a great job holding up play. And all that despite looking like a man with raw meat strapped to his legs entering a baby alligator tank LOL

Can't believe that Ruiz got away with taking a shot at the prone Tim Howard. Ahh, what am I saying? Of course I can believe it, but that doesn't make it any less horrifying...

Heath Pearce. Somebody has to stop this guy. As if being undressed everyone on the pitch as well as random Guatemalans from the stands wasn't bad enough, he should have given up the PK for that hand ball in the first half.

Timmy was HUGE. How he managed to avoid ripping the head off of his own teammates for repeatedly giving the ball up with unforced bad passes I do not know, but he kept his cool and was a rock.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:00 am

Macca00 wrote: England were crap today.....then again they're crap most days so delete the 'today' and replace were with 'are'.

They absolutely deserved to lose that one in the end but J. Cole managed to eek out a late goal off of two deflections from the same czech player. Ugly stuff. A. Cole's deflection was really bad luck but Janklovski's FK was a thing of beauty. I really really wish James would've at least dived in the direction of the kick though. I'm sure he didn't get a good look at it off of Jank's foot but at you have to at least make a movement towards the ball! Most of the shots at Cech were right at him, anything he dove for was off target wide. Not looking forward to watching these qualifying matches:(

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 11:13 am

Kompany?

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 12:42 pm

If you get a chance check out the Charlton vs. Reading match from today, was an absolute cracker.

Great start to the season for Tottenham and nice to see Cisse get a goal! Liverpool were lucky as f uck and Alonso showed just why Rafa wants to replace him but I'll take it!

Will be nice to have Mascherano back from the Olympics.