Originally Posted by Logan (Post 34233570)

Pity he was the only youngster on show for England though. Arsenal's team was all about the future of 'World' football.

Anyone who says the Carling Cup is worthless, is just bitter. At the end of the day, its the first piece of silverware in the cabinet. The players yesterday, on both sides, certainly didn't think it was worthless.

Originally Posted by TheDaddy (Post 34233555)

How many managers do Real Madrid get through?

Originally Posted by Logan (Post 34233570)

As for the 'Chelsea bought their trophies' and various other money related bull**** comments - meh. Chelsea were on the up for years prior to Abramovich's involvement and the previous couple of managers were slowly building a fantastic framework at the club. Of course the Russian's money helped but it wasn't the answer to everything. Look at Real Madrid - perfect example of a rich club with money spent on world class players, but you can't throw them together without any good direction and force them to gel. They certainly aren't winning trophies left, right and center. When Mourinho joined the club we peaked. He's a good manager, and good managers make a difference.

Back-to-back title winners - that's no easy achievment. If the money makes a difference, how come all of a sudden this year Utd are leading the pack?

Money isn't everything. A lot of football is all to do with injuries, performance levels, moral and above all - a large portion of luck.

Originally Posted by Shadow Demon UK (Post 34233591)

Most of the Madrid players are past it and are has beens of world football. Plus Barcelona over the past couple of years have been unstoppable.

Originally Posted by TheDaddy (Post 34233596)

They have always had a high turnover of managers despite spending vast fortunes on players

Originally Posted by Shadow Demon UK (Post 34233600)

Yes and they had been winning trophies up until the last few seasons, which proves my point even though i was talking about Chelsea rather than Madrid.

Originally Posted by Shadow Demon UK (Post 34233619)

They won la liga in 1989/90, 1994/95, 1996/97, 2000/01 and 2002/03, they won the Champions league in 1997/98, 1999/00 and 2001/02, the intercontinental cup in 1998 and 2002, the Copa del Rey in 1992/93 and the Supercopa de Espana in 1990, 1993, 1997, 2001 and 2003. Not bad if you ask me.

Originally Posted by TheDaddy (Post 34233576)

Except Walcott wasn't the only English youngster Arsenal played

Originally Posted by iadom (Post 34233680)

:confused: Who was the other one yesterday then ?

Originally Posted by Shadow Demon UK (Post 34233591)

Most of the Madrid players are past it and are has beens of world football. Plus Barcelona over the past couple of years have been unstoppable.



What a load of rubbish. Chelsea were and had been a mid-table team for years until Abramovich came along with his money. There is no way whatsoever Chelsea would have won back to back titles and gone as far in the CL with the team they had before he came along.

United are leading the pack this year because they have upped their game considerably, they have the most number of points at this stage of the season than they have had for years and have a lot more desire and hunger to win their trophy back than Chelsea do. Yes Chelsea have had injuries this season but have more than enough players to put in the first team (ever heard of the youth system??) and United have had their own injuries also. I don't think luck is a big factor in winning the league, it is maybe in cup competitons but i havn't seen a league season where the team that won hasn't deserved it.

Originally Posted by TheDaddy (Post 34234571)

You seem to have forgotten about a couple of UAFA cup triumphs

Originally Posted by iadom (Post 34234662)

Well it certainly seems as though Chelski have, no mention of them in the official website Trophy Cabinet,;)

And I thought it was UEFA.:)
Jim.