Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

This is a really sad story. :(

I really don't understand why he did it, Ok so its disappointing that the gunners didn't make the final but I think their team is full of promise for next season. Its a shame he didn't share this view.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I don't think its out of order to expect a bit of loyalty and decency from players. The way Berbatov behaved was out of order. As for the patronising "your Spurs supporters", have you heard people criticise or boo Sheringham? Or Carrick? No. Sheringham earned his release and Carrick was sold fair and square and acted like a gentleman about it.

And before you extend your neck to far, what about Ronaldo? He never even got to leave and you lot turned on him. If he did leave I find it hard to believe you'd all be sending him good luck cards.


Shopping at Lidl's? Well that's a funny thing to say considering how many of our players you buy (at an expensive mark up), And you miss my point. City can afford to go out and buy Kaka, Eto'o, etc. Would they come? No. Even if they did, would it guarantee success? No. Joe Lewis is worth £2.8bn so if he wanted to he could buy those players out of the change he finds down the back of the sofa. He knows its a business, not Football Manager.

Lest we get tied up in yet another debate on money, let's go back to where this started. Damien was moaning about the lack of success. They won the FA cup in 2005 and the league in 2004. That's not bad at all and that's not anything to be moaning about. Most clubs never get near that. The top 4 have such a monopoly I do sometimes wish they'd sod off and form their own league, leaving us normal clubs to play amongst outselves. The top of the league isn't really that exciting as United only go off top spot when they have 2 games in hand. Whereas the bottom of the table is far more exciting.

I'm reminded of a parable I was told at school. Man dies and when he arrives in the afterlife, he sees its all nice and is relieved as he is in heaven. The guide asks him what he likes to do. He said he likes to play piano and would love to give a performance one day. The guide said it shall be done. He's setup on stage with his piano. He plays perfectly and the crowd loves him. So he has to play again. And again. After a long while he wants to leave but can't. After many months, he is still playing the same songs with the same rousing performance. He asks his guide if he can leave or do something else, the guide says he can't. He said "but this is hell" and the guide says "Exactly".

Or put this way, if you win a race against a load of 1-legged people, is it exciting? Sense of acheivement? Not likely.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

What a selective memory you have there. Sheringham was hounded when he returned to Spurs, I remember it well, he missed a penalty as a result of the crap he was getting. You'll be telling me next Spuds supporters didn't abuse Sol Campbell earlier in the season, despite the fact he was playing for Portsmouth (psst, he doesn't play for Arsenal anymore). Not like Spuds supporters to hold a grudge is it. :rolleyes:

Who turned on him? Me? Please quote me at your earliest opportunity. If Ronaldo goes, he goes, everyone is replaceable, we've done it before.




So why doesn't he then? Chelsea wasn't a huge name in football (in comparison with today) spend the dosh, the players will come, just as they will with man city. There are plenty of mercenaries knocking about.


What a cynic you are. The whole reason for the success of the premier league teams in europe is because of the league as a whole. I don't see the same success coming out of Scotland, where your analogy is probably correct, maybe you're confusing the two. You don't do as well as the English teams have been doing, by competing against 1-legged people (as you put it).

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I think Pedantic makes two good points:

1) I agree that the strength of the teams throughout the league is very strong and this is why the top 4 are so strong in Europe. They play in the hardest league in the world. While it is true that the top 4 finish in the top 4 every year it's not without difficulty. Both Arsenal and Chelsea were at risk of losing a Champions League spot.

2) Sol Campbell did get awful abuse, and still does, and White Hart Lane. This is not indicative of spurs as a whole but it's was very nasty and I think he was loyal to Spurs.He saw out his contract and left..

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

banana boots John Terry not happy again ;)

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Yes, he was treated so badly, he came back! Same with Klinsmann, Keane, Defoe.


Don't even pretend there wasn't a backlash against Ronaldo when he did exactly the same as Berbatov and wanted to leave. Then Ferguson just said play or you'll rot in the reserves. Hmm.





Are you blind? I'm not repeating myself a third time.



I'm not a cynic. Its wrong for any team to dominate a league, be it United, Liverpool or us. Except it isn't just one, its three. Who wouldn't have predicted the same old 4 finishing top this season? Or next season? There are 10 points between 4th and 5th, and 8 points between 6th and 7th. I'm not expecting you to to agree and say its terrible, but its hardly exciting.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

You've got to feel sorry for Chelsea.....


Actually, No i don't :D

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Drogba, Ballack et al have completely lost the plot.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Chelsea are such bad losers, Drogba in particular, hope he/they are banned from Europe next season......

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I'm glad its not Chelski but the ref was one of the worst I have seen this season, at least two possibly three clear penalties denied and the sending off was worse that Fletcher's last night. :rolleyes:

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I don't blame them, the referee has been a disgrace.

I've said it before, i'll say it again. The away goal rule needs to be scrapped. Its just nonsense and ruins the game.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I agree with the away goal rule being nonsense. How on earth is it fair that this is the way Chelsea go out?

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I do blame them, compare their behaviour with Fletcher yesterday, he is a professional, they are a bunch of spoilt brats

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Chelsea fail to win anything again?

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

They go out because they played 11 men behind the ball in the Nou Camp and it back fired. There's nothing wrong with the away goal rule imo. The referee was very, very bad tonight but the behaviour of the Chelsea players was disgusting, they're pathetic, Drogba especially.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Another thing with the away goal is it can kill a game. Look at the game yesterday, now obviously Arsenal were done for anyway but the fact Arsenal needed 3, as opposed to 2, all but killed the game 8 mins in.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Indeed. Barcelona's away goal while conceding too is better than keeping a clean sheet away and failing to score? That isn't logical.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I haven't seen what happened after but Chelsea are out of Europe for a draw. I mean I wanted Barca to win but I can't see how the away goal rule helps the game.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

It means teams actually try and attack when they are away from home, rather than sit back and defend for 90 minutes. The rule only applies if the aggregate score is a draw, i would agree with your point if it was the old rule that away goals counted double. Maybe a rule that the away goal rule comes in after extra time has been played would be better, but it's much fairer compared to the game going to penalties.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Anyone else notice this season has so far been dominated by the North-West?

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Not got Sky Sports, apparently Drogba is effing n jeffing into the camera, sounds like all hell broke loose.

Also, I hear, the final is exclusive to Sky? Come on someone tell me this aint so. Comes to something when I have to listen a European Final on a radio.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Ok after Extra time maybe but that would mean the team playing a way second has an extra 30 mins to get that goal

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Do you seriously need to ask if this is true or not? If so, i have some magic beans you might be interested in...............

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Get down the pub and support the team :p:

I don't know if it's exclusive to Sky but surely you can't miss the champions league final!

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Barcelona obviously the better team, but Chelsea to be fair to them, hate how they play - probably should have gone through.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I wouldn't watch Sky Sports if they paid me. What is it, next WC final exclusive, and then they control it all. What a joke.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Sky Sports is excellent although expensive.:confused: ITV are poor....

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

www.livesportontv.com lists it as being on Sky and ITV.

Wouldn't surprise me if it was on ITV they couldn't have it interfering with Coronation Street after all

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

It's not the quality - it's how they package it and who they aim it at. It has never been aimed at football fans, it has always been aimed at.....

........people that can afford it, Euro96ers. Remember the character in "Fast Show" goes to the game with his picnic? ECL Final exclusive, so it worked, doesn't mean I will help them get EC/WC as exclusives.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Sky won an extra Champions League package for next year didn't they? Could anyone tell me what they will be showing from next season?

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Hope so

They are indeed, but all I need is a picture.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Sky Sports was always aimed at the Loaded generation - middle class blokes with more money than sense.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

It's not exclusive to Sky Sports though, so you can get off the soap box for the time being.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Anyone see the fit bird on Sky Sports 2?

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

What's your problem? I passed over your smarmy "Magic Beans" post, I guess you couldn't let it lie? You just looking to argue with anyone? Give it a rest.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Footballers are very thick skinned, especially when it comes to money. ;)

Now, what was it Alan Sugar said about Klinsmann...something to do with a shirt and a car. :scratch:



Don't even try with personal jibes, I'll beat you hands down. ;)


The top teams are raising the bar all the time, hence our record in europe. If uefa put enough money into the uefa cup (europa league from next season), teams would field stronger sides, and the premier league (in my opinion) would get even stronger than it already is. More money for the second tier in the league, would narrow the gap on the top tier (again, in my opinion).

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Funny, "give it a rest" is exactly what i was thinking about you. The final is on Sky and ITV, which even after ignoring my post you could discover yourself in a few seconds. But that would have got in the way of a good old fashioned "i'm a real fan" rant. Is it actually you who's just looking to argue with anyone?

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

So Chelsea have three genuine penalty shouts, all denied and a goal from Barca in the 93rd minute. Who says dreams don't come true :D

I've said it before and I'll say it again - cheats never prosper. Drogba has no one to blame but himself. He is a diving, cheating horrible little man - shame really as he's actually a good player when he plays nice ;)

I couldn't have wished for more :tu:

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

The Champions League won't be a subscription-exclusive event for many many years, it's like the finals of most things - they have to be shown to the biggest audience possible, and you only get that with terrestrial television. I'll be keen to see the viewing figures between Sky and ITV for that Champions League final though, equally between ITV and Setanta for the FA Cup Final.

Chelsea sounded understandably distraught, but they weren't helped by all their players, especially Drogba, going down to the floor in the viscinity of the penalty area. The BBC 5-Live commentary was hilarious to listen to, Lawro and Alan Green were both shouting to Drogba "get up for goodness sake". Both Essiens and Iniestas goals were superb, either of them good enough to win a game. :)

EDIT: That was lucky, hit "previous thread", then quick as ya like hit the "reply" button in the quick reply box. Ayrton Senna-like reactions! :D

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2009/05/67.jpg

this didn't help.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Nearly as funny as Drogba spitting his dummy out :D

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Taken from Live football on TV

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Yet he still came back. Martin Jol has always said good things about, despite what happened. I can see him coming back when Redknapp retires. No other club comes to mind where so many people seem to like coming back.


It was a rhetorical question, not an insult. I do feel like you're trying to wind me up rather than debate IMO.



Europe is another point. 3 in the semi final 2 years running and almost 2 English teams in the final 2 years running. Any way you look at it, lack of competition just isn't good for the sport or the fans.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Listening to 606 tonight was hilarious, Chelsea fans convinced UEFA fixed the game so it wasn't an all English final again. I would be annoyed if i was a Chelsea fan tonight but coming out with rubbish like that won't get them any sympathy

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

What are you, my Dad? I didn't ignore it, you replied in a childish manner, thankfully gazzae and CBubble have a bit more class. And before I incur more of your wrath, I did a quick Google and didn't find anything. So (stupidly as it turns out) thought I would simply ask if anyone knew, last time I try anything like that again.

And you have me bang to rights, I don't watch Sky because I am a crusader for "Real Fans" :rolleyes:

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Not while Levy is there. ;)



Wind you up? I think you've got me all wrong. :angel: ;)





Nobody gave a monkeys when the spanish or italians were in the same position, now all of a sudden, it's not good for the game. Now you sound just like Platini. ;)

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Just set my sat nav to the Kings Rd, Chelsea, for some strange reason it says 2 minutes from Rome. :LOL:

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Fergies fury at missing his bus home...

http://i39.tinypic.com/rlfa1e.jpg :D

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I like this one better:

http://tchan4.com/image-up/images/805_balloon.gif

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

wasnt it Chelsea fans / newspaper (the Sun) that tormented the ref a couple of years ago and the poor ref got death threats against him from Chelsea fans? If thats the case I'm going to feel sorry for yesterdays ref.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

And wasn't it Chelsea who announced on the front page of their website that during the recent LFC v Chavs Champions League game, the referee was Spanish and therefore will be biased in all his decision making towards Liverpool. In fact he was anything but biased! This again showing their bully-boy tactics - you can't have it both ways Chavs :D

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I think all clubs treat the refs the same and the players are just as bad. Nothing ever really gets done but seeing as nearly all the players try to cheat and con the refs all the time then they only have themselves to blame if they make the odd bad decision.

Maybe honesty from the players would be a good starting point

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Chelsea were robbed last night, John Terry's mum is being questioned.......

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

http://i40.tinypic.com/312e1sl.gif

:D

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

..or even.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXt5l4FQef0 :D

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1KMmR_562o :D

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

lol@how bitter Chelsea are. Even if they were robbed, their team acted like a bunch of idiots at the final whistle (not to mention Ballack basically attacking the ref before the end)

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I think my sat nav is broken, I just typed in Chelsea and it say's it's 2 minutes from Rome :confused:

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

:rofl:

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

ignoring whether they should or shouldn't of been given a penalty, I think UEFA \ FIFA need to do a proper investigation to find out why it was in the past you could wait games before you got a penalty decision and now we get 5-6 per game. I'm sure part of it is driven by TV as they want something to talk about and analyse and also it is down to the ball itself. Talking more about free kicks but in the old days of the 50s-60s the ball went straighter and so it was easier to score in normal play than it was from a free kick.

To be honest i'm fed up of having to talk about was this or that a pen rather than actual play on the pitch

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Faster players and game? I suspect it's this, even the best defenders in the game have trouble containing fast players, especially when you also consider the game is more attack focused now meaning defenders are further up-field and more susceptible to breaks.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

And the Uefa general secretary David Taylor admitted an exception could be made so that Fletcher could play in the final in Rome. (The Sun)

Common sense prevails it might seem but this is UEFA we are talking about, so the ban is just as likely to be increased as expunged.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Blatter will do whatever he can to ensure UEFA never makes an exception that benefits UK clubs.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I know people say the game is faster now, which is true, but surely the speed of the players is all relative to one another. We don't get defenders just hacking someone in the shins any more yet we get more people falling over ?

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Post 1648.;)

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Someone mentioned that Chelsea fas gave death threats to a ref once before. Well...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/feedarticle/8495157

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

My own personnel views on the disgraceful behaviour of Drogba, and Ballack,they should be banned for the whole of next season for playing in Europe.

The referee, got it totally wrong, but you cannot have that sort of behaviour in football, l also cannot believe that the Chelsea manager didn't bring them both off, and then after Drogba, losing his rag at the TV cameras. What the club should do, is fine the pair of them, a great deal of money, and give it to charity. disgusting.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Those Fergie .gifs are absolute class.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Anyone watch the Hamburg/Werder game on ITV4? Cracking match.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

You know, the one thing that has puzzled me over the last few months is the accepted wisdom that Barcelona are 'the best club side in the world' and are now slight favourites to win the Champions League..............why.:confused:

After the way that Liverpool destroyed Real Madrid who are currently second in La Liga it seems obvious that the standard there is pretty poor.

The much vaunted Barca side did not manage a single shot on target during the full 90 minutes of normal time against Chelski on Wednesday. I know which side I would sooner face in the final, the ones who couldn't muster a shot on target, and also have a suspect defence, or the team that prevented them from having a single proper shot for 90 minutes. ;)

To take this further, how many of the Barca side would you want in the Man United team, Messi, Iniesta, possibly the keeper and Xavi on a good day. Toure is not bad but he wouldn't catch United's first team and the rest of them, Henry, Eto'o et al would be lucky to make the bench although I always rated Pique when he was at Man Utd. In a one off final they will have as much chance as United but 'the best team in the world' do me a favour.:rolleyes:

Jim.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I agree with this completely, I never understood why Barcelona were considered favourites out of the final four and called the best team in the world. I suspected it was a hangover from the old days were the Spanish League was considered the best league in the world.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I agree as well, for me they have a decent attack, but as soon they play a good, strong defence they struggle, twice this season against Chelsea and twice last season against United they really struggled to create anything. The competition in Spain is poor and is shown by the fact Ramos is incharge at Madrid who are their closest rivals to the title. They're a team that will rip poor teams to shreds which is probably why many consider them as the best side in Europe but for me they would struggle to finish 4th in the Premier League.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

The Chelsea-Barcelona game was even more hyped up after the drubbing Barcelona gave Real Madrid at the Bernebau, so to find Barcelona not even able to have one shot on target during most of the 90 minutes was rather shocking!

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

The only reason Barcelona are slightly favourites, is due to having scored goals for fun all season. I will be honest and say i'm a Manchester City supporter, but I wreckon Manchester United with the teamplay - defensive play and Sir Alex Ferguson, they will definitely bring back the Champions league title.

Barcelona have a great attack, but the Chelsea backline shut off the attacks. while I rate Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinands partnership very highly.

http://f.imagehost.org/t/0541/drognab.jpg

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Is it just me or is anyone else reminded of "sloth" from the goonies whenever they look at dirk kuyt?


@superbiatch...sorry for slight delay in responding but yeah it was kinda..lol

Still at least sky can keep their hype machine rolling seeing as it'll only be won right at the end.

Hey ho:)

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

In answer to your question, yes. I also think Andrea Dossena looks like Uncle Fester. West Ham however have good looking side :naughty:

Can't even remember what you're referring to :doh:

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

And that, is the only reason why women go to football games. ;) :angel:

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

No, but it certainly adds to the atmosphere if there's a bit of eye-candy - wouldn't you agree? ;)

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Not the kind of eye candy I had in mind. ;) Now, if it was womens football...

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

errr something to do with a busy week...must have been pre the arsenal first leg

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I couldn't agree more!

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2009/05/58.jpghttp://www.seagulls.co.uk/javaImages...3161827,00.jpg

I'm considering becoming a Brighton & Hove Albion fan ;)

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Footballer King 'held on assault'

Another late night fracas, as seems to be the trend these days.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Yeah but he doesn't play for Chelsea or Arsenal so he's unlikely to be guilty :D

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Or should that be, likely to be guilty. ;)

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Now en! I'm a Boro fan! Got a few less finger nails and more grey hair from this season and the biggest game of our lives tomorrow night! Therefore a goaless draw beckons.......sigh!:erm:

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

If we take Wigan in the week (and I can't see a problem there) and a single point from Arsenal then we retain our title even before Liverpool get a chance to play :D

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

now that has just made my day , time to drop a few more drinks to celebrate , Rafa Beneathus will not be happy , neither will the Anfailed crowd :)

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

I hate supporting Arsenal sometimes...

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

At least you'll never be accused of being a glory hunter :D :D

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Got Ronaldo and Alex in my Fantasy Team, so it's a good day for me. Sorry to Gunners, I put Arshavin in, I do seem to be the kiss of death for many players. The ammount of "In Form" players I have stuck into my team only to see them hit barren spells is crazy. So I stuck Gerrard in for next week :devsmoke:

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Yes. That is true ;)

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Think I'll take Gerrard out of mine then. :PP:

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

This feels so much worse than it did mid-week for some reason :(

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Wow let's hope Arsenal use the same defenders on saturday... :erm:

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Well the Away Goal killed you in the Semi Final, didn't leave you with much to play for, and it just kinda ran away for you, as well as we played. This is just a straight out defeat and a bad one and to a local rival.

Be interested to see what Wenger does in the transfer market this Summer.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

well he has been quotes as buying some more experienced players but I for some reason dont see it happening..more then likely some key players will leave and Wenger wont get funds from the board to replace them.

I soo hope that Usmanov will manage to buy the club and get Dein back in as chairman.

Re: Football : Season 08/09
 

Wengers problem will be the stadium, his hands are tied on funds. He wont find the bargains like he did 10 years ago, Overmars, Viera, Pires and Henry, that quality of player will cost a fortune. He needs three at least, and you are looking at best part of £60Mill plus wages. Don't think Arsenal have it.

I admire the bloke for what he tries, it's a great ethos, but it doesn't work these days.