The Beautiful Game Thread 10/11

[Feanor]

Big Sam appears to having some sort of mental breakdown.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... adrid.html

“I am not suited to Bolton or Blackburn,” he said, in apparent seriousness. “I would be more suited to Inter Milan or Real Madrid.”

Such a move, he believes, would bring both him and the club involved unparalleled success. “It would not be a problem to me to go and manage those clubs because I would win the double or the league every time.”

That qualification — “or the league” — is important.

Allardyce would not want anyone thinking he was getting carried away. Particularly as his next statement was designed to highlight his suitability to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United or Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea.

“Give me Manchester United or Chelsea and I would do the same, it would not be a problem. [This] is not where I am suited to, it is just where I have been for most of the time.

“It is not a problem to take me into the higher reaches of the Champions League or Premier League. It would make my job a lot easier in winning it.”

[10spro]

Haven't seen such an inspired Berbatov. Second goal, a beauty.

[Jimmydeicide]

Haven't seen such an inspired Berbatov. Second goal, a beauty.

It was alright.

[pk500]

Nice quality win.

By the way, the non-call by Marriner on Nolan being taken down in the box was HORRIFIC. That was as clear of a penalty as a cloudless day.

Still, Ben Arfa's strike was a missile. A beauty.

[fsquid]

Someone got into Berbatov's body.

[RobVarak]

Great headline.

Bowyer apologises for foul-mouthed grandmother rant

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... nd&cc=5901

[pk500]

I don't know who's dumber, Bowyer or the grandma. Yeah, telling off noted twit Lee Bowyer -- that'll change him forever, Ethel! You go, girl!

Funny story and headline, though. I give Bowyer less than a year before he's on trial or behind bars once his football career is done. The guy is a complete misfit.

[RobVarak]

It's not every day that you get to see a multi-millionaire on the streets begging for money to save the football club that he ran into the ground.



Some of the comments are priceless. http://twitpic.com/2qof7z

[toonarmy]

Quite a shocker as Newcastle just beat Chelsea 4-3, in one of the more entertaining matches in recent memory. Chelsea came back from being down 3-1 with only 10 men. Anelka was awarded a PK late due to a complete sham of a call. Tied 3-3, Ameobi put in a header in the 90th minute. The ref added friggin' 6 minutes of extra time, which was the longest 6 minutes of the year for me. It's hard to believe Newcastle put in four goals on the road at Chelsea. I won't be coming down from cloud 9 any time soon.

[GB_Simo]

Liverpool fans: this is the same Northampton Town side that lost 4-0 to my beloved Hartlepool United in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy 3 weeks ago. Merely stating the facts, Your Honour, with complete impartiality, and not in any way suggesting that the 11 men in red tonight might be useless.

[Macca00]

Simo,

The best part is that Northampton were actually missing a few first team players through injury. Imagine if they had their first choice team.....

[davet010]

And THAT, gentlemen, is why you put out a team of 3rd stringers in the meaningless midweek Cup game.

Vincent Kompany - best CH in the Premiership, bar none. Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool all played, only goals conceded in 6 PL games are a penalty and what was basically an OG.

[10spro]

Despite a good effort by Arshavin and missing dearly Fabregas the locals were caught napping most of the game by West Brom. Brutal game by Almunia.

[Macca00]

One win in six. Grandpa is losing the plot quicker than you can say Graeme Souness. Then again, at least a relegation battle will be exciting. Hopefully when I go to Anfield to see them play in December the Fulham game will be a relegation 6 pointer! Woo!

Well done City, nice to see Mancini play the idiot media like a fiddle.

[davet010]

Well, he has had some practice, what with his 3 Serie A titles and all.

Nice to see the refs attempting to maintain the old Big 4 monopoly, that first goal of Liverpool's was a joke.

Oh, and Arsene ? Shay Given, £20m - get your money out

[Macca00]

Nice to see the refs attempting to maintain the old Big 4 monopoly, that first goal of Liverpool's was a joke.

?

Stationary ball. Whistle blown. The player kicks it. Letter of the law that's in play, regardless of what the pundit "experts" say.

I am convinced both Almunia and Fabianski have pictures of Wenger in a compromising situation - I just can't understand why he doesn't buy a keeper.

[davet010]

Having seen it again on telly, there was no whistle once the ball was replaced - but hey, it was against Steve 'Elephant Man' Bruce's cloggers, so fair enough.

As for Arsenal, don't forget that according to the media, all of their 10 outfield players are godlike beings, so surely they don't need a top keeper. Listening to their commentary last night was laughable ("Abou Diaby, who on his day can run any midfield" being only one classic - that day being the 31st of Feb, presumably).

City getting loads of stick today in the press for their 'competent' display against Chelsea, which 'won them no new admirers'. F**king arsed, say I - we beat the Double holders and looked good value for doing so.

As an old Division One manager once said - "If you want entertainment, go and watch clowns."

[RobVarak]

Having seen it again on telly, there was no whistle once the ball was replaced - but hey, it was against Steve 'Elephant Man' Bruce's cloggers, so fair enough.

Come on, Dave. You know damn well that the ref re-starts with a wave or a flick of his hand 99% of the time rather than a whistle. It was a lazy and boneheaded play by the Sunderland player.

[davet010]

Yeah, guess so. The Premier League authorities made the same point as well, and anything that annoys that revolting gargoyle is amusing.

[Macca00]

...anything that annoys that revolting gargoyle is amusing.

Don't insult gargoyles.

[davet010]

...anything that annoys that revolting gargoyle is amusing.

Don't insult gargoyles.

True, they usually stay in one place longer than Steve Bruce does.

[fsquid]

Looks like Sheffield Wednesday fans are protesting again. Good times, good times.

[RallyMonkey]

Guys, sorry for the minor thread jack but figured this is the best place to ask the question. (actually my 9 year old wanted me to ask you guys). We are in Italy and she is a big soccer player and wants a jersey desperately from here. She wanted me to turn to some "experts" to find out who the best players jersey to "sport" when she gets back to the states is. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

[wco81]

Probably Messi? Though the EPL is probably better known in the US so someone like Rooney is likely to be recognized.

[Naples39]

It's pretty dark times for Italian soccer if she's actually looking for someone who's italian or who plays for an italian pro team.

AC Milan still has some 'sexy' names like Robinho, Ronaldinho and Ibrahimovic. I'm a Del Piero fan but he's an old guy.

Outside of Italy, Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi have the most cachet I think.