Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Plenty of neutral grounds out there. Look at the average gates of Portsmouth and West Brom over the course of the season. There are enough grounds big enough the cater for such a crowd. Why bend over backwards for the "fairweather" supporters? Atmospheres are much better at league grounds anyway, I've been to Wembley enough times over the years to clarify this. Much much better at Villa park, Maine road (as it was then). Semi-finals are played at Wembley for one reason, and one reason only.........MONEY!

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Awful game. At the very least Middlesborough should have jobbed to us to ensure the title stays in the north.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

I hate being right. At least we got the draw and are still 3 points +goal difference ahead. I hope Ferdinands injury isn't a serious one.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Don't know what studs United had in but several of their players were slipping & sliding throughout the game, VDS saved them big time today.

Jim.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Looks like the title race is back on thanks to Boro :D

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Great last 20 minutes at Anfield, a very dodgy penalty (shame:D ) still nice to see a Lancashire side wup them Southern Jessies.:cool:

Jim.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

A stupid penalty, it's been said time and time again but football needs video replays for important incidents like that. I know the arguments against it but that penalty is a game chaining one. So close after Arsenal scored.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

:tu:

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Looks like it'll be a good day in work tomorrow with the Southern Jessies :LOL:

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Wonder if Wenger still thinks he can do the double? They're out of all cups but you know how Arsenal logic works...

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Good win for us last night and a chance to get some payback with Liverpool

This is looking good Man U in the final and beating them to the title that would sicken fergie :D

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Seems we have a moaner as bad as Wenger, it was a definate penalty, just accept it that the better team won and Arsenal are trophyless for yet another season, oh but don't worry, your playing great football, i wish my team played great football like Arsenal and win nothing every year lol

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

I agree with you

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

It's always great to see crucial decisions going against Wenger. I thought he was going to start crying in the interview lol

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

If it was a penalty then maybe Arsenal should have got the similar incident the week before? But of course not, because neither was a penalty. Just saying it was a definite penalty simply because it was against Arsenal is pretty childish, if it were the other way around no doubt you would be complaining Arsenal dived :rolleyes:

Liverpool properly deserved to go though, it was close in terms of performance but they did score more goals. Including that 4th which stops that penalty being the deciding one. None-the-less with important decisions like that, video playbacks would help.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Erm, i didn't say it was a penalty because it was against Arsenal, i said it was a penalty because it was a penalty, anywhere else on the pitch that would have been a free-kick, you can't make fouls like that in Europe, it was definately a foul and what happened the week before is irrelevant.

Anyway, i'm going to go and a have a laugh by watching Wenger's interview after the match again and maybe read yesterdays paper where he said they were definately going to win the double :)

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

It's irrelevant in terms of the result, Liverpool won and properly deserved to win.

I take it you think the one the week before should have been a penalty as well? All the more reason to have video replays.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

The problem with video replays for penalty decisions is that the game will be constantly stopping every time a player goes down appealing for a penalty, it will become like American football with all the stopping and starting every few minutes which will affect the game badly. Then theres the fact that some penalties are not clear cut with there still being some doubt about which way the decision should go after seeing the replay. The only thing that i would want to see video replays for is if the ball has gone over the line and nothing else, yes the referees sometimes make bad decisions but thats part of the game and they generally even out over the season.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

I am sure that they can implement some sort of sensor in the ball, coupled with sensors along the goal line, which would instantly signal if a ball has totally crossed the line. This wouldn't even stop the game as the ref would not have to refer the decision.

As for the arsenal penalty, yes there was contact, but if Hleb had not fallen down like he had been hit by a sniper, and gone on to take his opportunity then Arsenal could have taken a one goal lead to Anfield.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Workmanlike performance from United tonight, Hargreaves had a great game, better crosses than Ronaldo TBH.

The good news is that Toure also gets to play in the UCL semi finals.:D

I couldn't work out the 1 minute of extra time though, at least five second half subs and the Roma players shoulder injury?

Jim.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Does anyone know wether tickets for the semi final (Manchester United v Barcelona) at Old Trafford on the 29th of April will be sold at the likes of bus station ticket offices were they do coach trips and ticket for about £60 or do they only do this for the group games in the Champions league.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

I would imagine they go to Season Ticket Holders and others. The chance of them going on General sale is low? :confused:

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

If I had asked that about a group stage champions league match, would your answer be the same? Because I know that they do them for the group match stages so was just wondering if I there would be any chances of it happening for a semi-final.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

It's always harder to get tickets for United, Liverpool, Arsenal games is all. I also imagine it's harder for the semis...But I am not sure with United of course

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

OK cheers. I also think its doubtful with it being the semi-finals, but just praying they do it.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Are you a club member?

The only chance you will have of getting a ticket is if you apply through the club and they will sell out to members only, they wont go on general sale. Theres a thing on the clubs website where legitamate tickets are sold between members who want to sell a ticket but they are few and far between for big games.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Im not, its just Ive seen earlier group game tickets being sold by these companys doing coach tranfers, so just wondered wether they would do the same for the semi-final.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Yay!!!

UEFA cup Semi-Final here we come!

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

good to have another ger on the forum :)

still can't believe we won.:D

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Yep. Whittaker's goal was superb.

The fixture pile-up may be a pain in the cheeks though.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

I hope those figures are just a faint or something if not then I think football is in deep trouble.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...rs/7343992.stm

the figures that are mentioned for Ronaldo omg 150k p/w and yes I admit he is a good footballer but I dont think any person is worth that much money.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

a superb solo goal, who knew he had it in him?

also the fixture pileup is a right pain but i do think we have the players for it

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

And with the sheep making an exit from the Scottish Cup thanks to the giants that are Queen of the South the week gets better and better.

All we need now is a Motherwell win tomorrow.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Someone like Real would have no trouble in paying him that - United have to keep up or risk losing him.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

It's a good year for Welsh football - firstly cardiff are in the FA Cup final (will we get our anthem played?? ;)) and today Swansea secured promotion to the Championship :)

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Tell that to Wrexham,:p:;)

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Who??? :D

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Lets hope not

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Yes, let's keep it to the elitist English way of doing it....

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

You know it's the British anthem don't you, not the English, why should a foreign anthem be played in an English cup final and why are some people so desperate to try and turn this occasion into an England vs Wales cup final, it isn't it's Portsmouth vs Cardiff, get over yourself.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

News for you - Wales isn't a foreign country.

What anthem does England have before an international? GStQ. Therefore in the eyes of the FA that's the English anthem. Seems a bit odd that they should give that to a Welsh team.

Still, it's all about consideration and respect and there are clearly enough English who don't want any of it.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

News for you wales ain't part of England and left up to the majority of us, we wouldn't be part of the UK either and regardless of what the FA might think GStQ isn't the English anthem, so no it doesn't seem odd that the welsh one isn't played, you wanna listen to it go and watch the welsh cup final.

Oh yes that would be the same consideration and respect we showed by allowing clubs from Wales to compete at all, still I guess that's how elitist we are really :rolleyes:

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

I think that says more about your own personality than anything else but still, live and let live eh?

The FA doesn't just allow Welsh teams to take part. The 3 clubs pay their annual fees just like any other team.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Yep mine and 60% of English people, still why give the majority what they want eh?

Oh what and the FA is forced to take the money? Seriously do you think those three teams would be missed?

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Yes indeed why give them what they want when it's based on ignorant tribalism?

The FA is a business, it needs to make money. My opinion of you would seriously drop if I thought for one moment you believed the FA is in a financial position to turn teams away.

Wrexham...probably not.

However with 2 Championship sides, one of whom is in the final of the most prestegious football tournament in the world (and even won it on one occasion, something many English teams have failed to do, even failing to actually get to the final), I'd say Welsh football is having something of a resurgeance.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Eh? :confused:

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Last time I checked, the FA Cup final gets the most worldwide viewers for a club tournament :confused:

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

More than the Champion's League? I'd be surprised. Also, restricting it to club teams narrows it down a little doesn't it?

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

During half-time in last year's FA Cup final someone mentioned that early estimates of the viewing figures confirmed that yet again it was on course to beating the number of viewers the CL final gets.

As for narrowing it down to club teams, I thought that's what we're talking about :confused:

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Ah, fair enough. Realistically, that's unlikely to happen this year is it?

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

I see positives and negatives in this. My local team is Swansea (the South Wales rivalry is easily as intense as say Man Utd/Liverpool) so little gives me as much pleasure as watching Cardiff get stuffed yet at the same time 2 very unfashionable clubs have made it to the final, and to me that's what the FA Cup is all about - underdogs beating the big boys.

The downside is this is not likely to be a very good advert for British football. It's pretty safe to say that viewing figures will be lower. I still think it won't take anything off the prestige of the FA Cup though.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

The CL has lately been billed as the English Open Football Championship though :shocked:

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Really? I've heard they're thinking of calling it "Fergie's Cup" ;)

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Except it isn't, it's based one what they give and what they recieve in return and speaking of ignorant tribalism, that'll be why you want a national anthem played in club competition

Considering it gives out more in prize money than it takes in through registration fees I am sure it could cope

How many times have they been in the top flight in the last 30 years and how many times in say the last 80 years have one of those teams been in the most prestegious cup tournament in the world? As for a resurgeance, the sun shines of every dogs ar$e eventually and if it's so good why not let them ply their trade in the woeful welsh leagues and let the resurgence rub of on them to.

---------- Post added at 14:06 ---------- Previous post was at 14:03 ----------

Heard the same said about Benitez

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Not sure I said I wanted it played. I think I said it would a nice gesture. Still, let nothing stand in the way eh?

So we're agreed that the FA welcome the Welsh sides as much as any other?

if we're talking in terms of how many times they've been in the top flight then your 'rationale' would apply to a lot of English teams. But to answer your question, it would have to be Swansea City when John Toshack took them to the top of the old Division 1 in around 1982, which I believe qualifies for your requirement of "within the last 30 years".

How are Swansea and Cardiff going to get better if they play against lessers sides like the part-timers of the Welsh leagues?

I think you're finding it hard to hide your bitterness and petty-mindedness now. Can't you just be pleased that other British teams are making improvements?

Haven't we all....

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Silly me I thought this meant you wanted it played :rolleyes:




Do they actually welcome anyone?

And that's your qualification for not being missed :rofl:

I couldn't care less about them tbh, what difference does it make to me? Unlike your goodself of course who tries to hide the anti English bias and bitterness behind a facade of 'I am half English' :rolleyes:

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

I guess some people will read whatever they want in to things - I've said it would be a nice gesture of respect, I didn't say I wanted it played as I actually agree with the notion that it's not England vs Wales. The point I've tried to make is they'll be playing the same anthem as they do for when England play.

Yes, they welcome anyone to apply for a place who can pay the fees and have proven suitability.

I know! So that means the majority of English team wouldn't be missed either then!

Double standards well in effect then - when I've been less than enthusiastic with England's performances in the past you've ask me can't I just be happy that a fellow British nation is winning. Just thought I'd see if that applies to you too. Clearly not, my apologies for mentioning it.

So because I don't fawn over England, I point out their weaknesses and also the pro-England bias in the media, I'm anti-England?? I'm impressed at your level of patriotism but really, there's a line to be crossed.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Well, any chance Arsenal had to stay in the race is over. At least it's United rather than Chelsea who look like they will pick it up.

I wonder how it went so wrong for Arsenal in the last few weeks, how on earth did they fall so fast :( Was looking good for us a while back.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

damien, am wondering the same.... just a case of bad luck, and need for investment in the team, as I think most of the players are about to burn out.

silly penalty for manure but those things happen.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

It's been downhill ever since we thrashed you 4-0 :D Something like only 2 wins since then.

We played poorly today but who cares, Arsenal played worse and we won :D

---------- Post added at 18:05 ---------- Previous post was at 18:05 ----------


Bit of a handball for your goal aswell though ;)

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Silly penalty because it was a stupid one to give away or because you thought it wasnt one?

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

silly to give it away like that Shawty.

didnt watch the game so cant comment on the penalty itself.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Remember, They surprised everyone at the start of the season. There are a lot of positives to take from this season for us. We have a young team who properly can only get better and show their potential this season. All it needs it's some more depth so that the players do not burn out. Wenger does not need to run out and spend stupid money on a already established player. It's not like Arsenal can compete with the big spenders yet anyway.

Wenger has a history of choosing little-known players and they turn out to be great, he has a amazing talent for that. He needs to go out and do the same over the summer, find some good young players and use that to add to the squad. Like I said, it's a young team, but it was doing well in Europe and the league. A bit more time, and a bit more depth and we'll have it I think.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Poor Arsenal!

Dumped out of 2 major competitions in the space of 5 days. :waving:

Life is good. :smokin:

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Good result for us, had a few palpitations watching that one :erm:

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Do I need to say anything to this? ;) :D

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Of course the fact that royals are in the stadium could have something to do with the anthem being played of course, the fact it is played before England games carries little weight, it's not the English national anthem.

They have always struck me as a rather cold and unwelcoming organisation, more of an Authority than an Association.

Yep they to wouldn't be missed either, however for the good of the English game I am glad they are there, not quite so sure how good it is for the English game that those three Welsh teams are there though, still if you want to point to one cup final and one season in the top flight in a combined 120 year period, then fair play.

Not really, unless your understanding of double standards means irrelevant

You are anti- England and I am not the only member that has noticed it, that is for sure.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Ok. Whatever you say.

Bitterness truly does run deep on here doesn't it :D

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Thank you Wigan!!!! :D :D

Chelsea 1 - 1 Wigan :D :D

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Heskeyyyy!

Get in there my son! :hyper:

Chelsea 1 Wigan 1

Happy days! :D

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Being a Yido, and for what the Chelsea fans were singing about us, l think that a certain Mr. Grant, will belooking for a new job, Chelsea didn't have there normal sparkle,for me and l have to admit, l was expecting a goal rush, it wasn't the Chelsea l know, if l was Chelsea fan, l would go for Martin Jol, a brilliant manager, but would the blues have an ex-yido, managing the club. never mind we have silverware, does Chelsea have any this season.:(

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Well done the Pie Eaters and Steve Bruce. I always said that Emile Heskey was a top class footballer, ( actually I may have said Donkey ) :D but I have changed my mind just for tonight.:cool:

Jim.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

And what's the betting Bruce does his old Boss a favour in the 11th May fixture... :erm:

(If it all comes down to that) ;)

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

So cynical ;)

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Great minds! ;)

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

it does seem like this is the title no one wants to win. We could have won it but lost to City twice and a few other games we should have won. Arsenal were well clear and then they threw it away and Chelsea are trying to catch up but just can't string the results together.

At least Liverpool weren't in the running all season :D

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

I think we lost the title at Villa and Tottenham with late equalisers. Even if Wigan had been beaten yeterday I could not see Utd dropping anymore points. Gramt has to go, he just lacks the charisma to motivate, and I doubt he can generate the same hunger in the players as Fergie.

I also think some players might be playing like its their last season at Chelsea and they'd rather be elsewhere next season.

---------- Post added at 10:58 ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 ----------

Looks like Grant has developed a touch of the Wengeritis.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...em/7347647.stm

Who's he trying to kid? Can anyone see Utd dropping more than 3 points?

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

i think we could drop points to Blackburn, we are never good at the local derby games and then if we lose to Chelsea too it is possible for them to win it, it's possible and i think any manager, even Fergie, would say the same just so the players stay focused and the whole season doesn't collapse

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

I watched last nights match (in the hope Chelsea would drop points) and i couldn't understand why he rested so many players in such an important match and how little passion there was from the players and the crowd, people say old trafford's bad but stamford bridge is something else. I was always under the impression that he was just a fill in to the end of the season anyway when they would get someone with more experiance in, i just wonder how long Abramovich will stick around without winning any of the major trophies and if the likes of Drogba and Lampard leave in the summer it will be difficult to replace them.

It's United's to throw away now, i'd love for us to go to stamford bridge and win it there which is a big possibility.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

I was shocked Drogba was not even on the bench (was he injured) especially as Anelka hasnt scored a goal in ages. But even then, a side which has Essien, Ballack, Joe Cole, John Terry, and even Anelka, should have been more than good enough to win convincingly yesterday.

I wouldn't mind Lampard going this season, I do think he feels he is bigger than the club, but I can't see him going for so much money. He will stick around till he can invoke the buy out clause in his contract to maximise his salary whereever he goes.

You will beat Blackburn, they were poor against Liverpool and you will beat us at home, and it will be game over. I can't even see us beating Everton on Thursday.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Does anyone know why Lamps dropped out? People are just quoting "personal reasons"

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Watched the game last night and to be honest I think it was one of our poorest shows this season. I have no idea why the Drog was left out but we still should have been able to win that easy.

We did not deserve to win that and fair play to them they got us at the end and now have a well desrved point.

There needs to be a mass clear out this summer. Its time to rid of the dead wood

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

i think his mum was ill and so he was with her instead.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Lamps's mum is seriously ill with pneamonia (sp?) hence he left. Not sure if she was rushed into hospital last night or whether she was already there and her condition changed for the worse. Maybe he should not have been selected in the first place.

I'm dissapointed with Malouda, I thought he was going to be pretty good for us, but apart from the goal he scored in his first game he has done nothing much. At least you can't fault Anelka for his work rate.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Cheers for that :tu:

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/a...8A_467702a.jpg

:D

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Fire brigade rang Arsene to tell him that the Emirates was on fire.....
"Save the cups!" he cried.
"We haven't got to the canteen yet", came the reply. :D

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Old Firm Celtic V Rangers on TV tonight :)

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

What a cracking game, with some great goals!

Didn't look like Dailly appreciated the forearm smash he was greeted with in the first 20 seconds... :erm:

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

The tackles normally go flying in during an old firm game

and I dont think the SFA will be too pleased with what happened after the final whistle

Yup it was a great game and puts Celtic back in the title race. They get to do it all again next sunday :D

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

http://media.putfile.com/evil-b.astards

take away the . between b and a

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

Whats up with Drogbaaaarrrrr (said like John Motson) he isn't playing again tonight, is he injured or has he left early ready to go wherever his best pal Jose goes?

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

im beginning to wonder too. There's nothing about an injury, maybe he's gone on strike :S

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

I have a funny feeling that there is a massive bout of unrest at Chelsea...and that either Avram will leave or quite a few players

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

We were poor again.......

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

From what I heard there is supposed to a mass clear out in the summer. Drogba has been saying in the papers all season he is thinking of leaving. Dorgba out Kaka in hmmm :)

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

I'd rather see a new manager than new players. I've seen nothing positive since Jose left, we need someone dynamic in charge, not a Baron Greenback lookalike.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

True, but I guess he also deserves a chance to prove himself with his "own" team.

If they do keep him as I suspect they will (he has a four year contract). The fans should try to get behind him and give him a chance. If he does well then thats good and if not they will end up getting rid of him end of next season

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

This is awful so far. Mark Hughes, with his obvious intention of being in SAF's position one day should realise that jobbing to United today would do himself a world of good.

Re: Football : Season 2007/2008
 

I'm sure Steve Bruce will remember his old club on the 11th May if the title goes to the wire... ;)