Re: Football talk
 

I used the current of hot air rising from the OT home dressing room's resident hairdryer to waft the packets across the North West.

At least the cache problems will help insulate the United fans in the NW from the match reports now popping up across the net. Those United fans who live in the NW, that is...

Re: Football talk
 

In all seriousness, although a life-long Gooner i support any English club in european fixtures.
As usual it seems the refereeing standards for european matches does not stand up to the standards of the Premiership.

Im sure Man U will bounce back and will give us a great game in the F.A Cup.

Re: Football talk
 

I was just thinking at about 90 minutes 'well, at least they won't be concentrating only on the FA Cup when they play us'. A wounded United, like a wounded Arsenal, is a dangerous beast.

Is that Ronaldo injured now btw?

Just to rub it in, Arsenal are two places above United in the fair play league, third and fifth. Chelsea are top IIRC.

Re: Football talk
 

Well BB, the way we are playing atm i think Utd would have preferred to miss us. Henry is in a class of his own, Freddy is finding his form and the defence is rock solid.

Re: Football talk
 

I don't think any team in the world would want to play Arsenal just right now. Harlem Globetrotters comes to mind.

Re: Football talk
 

Yeah, it's always nice to see Freddie back. Only thing is, guess who England (and thus the Scholes, Nevilles and Butts of this world) are playing in midweek. Wouldn't be surprised to see Fred get a nudge in the ribs at some point. The guy has a fantastic scoring record against United.

Dead right about the defence though, that should win us the league*, but cups can be won on the day by someone who happens to click.

*not that I'm taking anything for granted - too many disappointments in the last few years where we thought we had it wrapped up.

Re: Football talk
 

Just like your team then? :D (Liverpool)

Re: Football talk
 

I would guess that the UEAF Cup notwithstanding, the main aim of Liverpool FC to the end of the season is to finish in 4th place in Premiership and thus qualify for the Champions League.

It is worth reminding the supporters of Liverpool/ Newcastle Utd or any other team that has finished 4th in recent times, or will do so in the near future, of the debt they all owe to Man Utd.

Man Utd have singlehandedly been the main, if not only reason that the Premier League is allowed to enter 4 teams into the Champions League, by dint of their performances over the past 10 years or so.

Liverpool supporters main contribution to the European Cup/Champions league in recent times, is to be charged with the responsibilty of being the reason that English teams where banned from European competition for a period.

Re: Football talk
 

Good solid performance from Arsenal tonight, its a pity the same officials where not at Old Trafford last night, those jokers at OT would have disallowed the first perfectly good goal from Henry. :(

The Mekon rules.:D

Re: Football talk
 

Have to disagree there. Liverpool supporters were merely the straw that broke the camels back! English club's spectators had done severe damage to our status over the previous 15 years.To single out Liverpool is not exactly fair.

Re: Football talk
 

What, you mean Leeds Utd ? and I was responding to a Liverpool supporters comments.

Re: Football talk
 

There were many clubs involved in crowd trouble from the 60's upto the Heysel Stadium incedent. Just saying to lay the blame at 1 clubs doorstep isn't exactly fair. All clubs have had there bad element Arsenal included, The 5th Light were notorious during the 70's.
The Liverpool game that led to the ban was a unavoidable outcome of English football culture over the previous 20 years.

Re: Football talk
 

Apologies if this has been one before but link to the new Pepsi ad here featuring the ever lovely Mr Beckham :D

Re: Football talk
 

Manchester United Have set up a call Centre for fans who are troubled by
their current form.
The number is 0800 10 10 10.
Calls charged at peak rate for overseas users.
Once again the number is...
0800 won nothing won nothing won nothing

Re: Football talk
 

What's the number for the Liverpool Line then?

I suppose Utd asked Liverpool for advice on how to run, as they have had more experience of it over the recent years.

Re: Football talk
 

/me counts how many trophies won by Houllier..... erm 6...... and in the same period by Utd..... 3 hah.... well not such a bad state of affairs for us. Just this year been a blip which should be sorted out in the summer.

Re: Football talk
 

Every Liverpool fan that I know would trade all of those 6 trophies in for the premiership.

Re: Football talk
 

Me counts trophies won by Ferguson erm too many to count and in the same period by Liverpool erm...

How many league have liverpool won in that time?

I think that blip lasted 14 years...

Re: Football talk
 

Anyway you need to work on your Maths,

Since Houllier was at Liverpool, we have won...

98/99, 99/01, 02/03 Premiership
98/99 FA CUP
98/99 European Cup

Re: Football talk
 

Two, when Liverpool were a decent team.

Re: Football talk
 

2001 season onwards u won 3 trophies though :p, the premiership would be grand.

Re: Football talk
 

Every club that can realistically get the premiership have far more spending power than Liverpool will ever due to being privately owned and we don't have a sugar daddy like Chelsea either therefore I am being realistic and not expecting too much.
I still firmly believe that you need to buy your way to the premiership due to inflation of wages and muchos money to even get decent players.

I just like seeing Man Utd fall alot due to the sheer arrogant of the fans and lack of repect from them when I am in the away section at OT. And I find Alex Fergerson quite funny when he loses.

Re: Football talk
 

Since 1999
Liverpool
£128,60 0,000 on transfers in

Man Utd
£140,39 0,000 on transfers in

£12 mill difference.

Re: Football talk
 

Arsenal haven't got more spending power than Liverpool I think (small stadium and cost of building the new one), but have just invested the money better than the rest (including Man Utd on this). Spending lots doesn't guarantee success anyway, ask Leeds, Newcastle, Liverpool, Chelsea...

Re: Football talk
 

Yep have to agree Arsene is very good in the transfer market. Henry for £10.5mi ll (cheaper than what Liverpool paid for Heskey).

Re: Football talk
 

Clichy and Toure for under a million between the pair makes Mr. Houllier look rather dim, considering Gerard's supposed knowledge of French and African football (buying a few rubbish ones).

Ferguson was good in the market a few years ago, apart from saving a fortune by bringing up the kids, Solksjaer was only about a million or so. There's a strong case for saying that his judgement's got worse the more money he's had to spend, as he seems to feel the need to buy big proven players rather than canny buys for the future.

Re: Football talk
 

Don't forget Schmeichel only £550,00 0 or there abouts.

I agree with your comments, you only have to look at what he did at St Mirren and Aberdeen with no funds.

Re: Football talk
 

Can I respectfully request that Man Utd supporters show their class and refrain from gloating about the result from Anfield tonight.:D

Our reject keeper had a decent game though.:cool:

Re: Football talk
 

What was the result iadom :shrug: ??

Re: Football talk
 

1-1 Still another 90 mins to go :confused: pipe down for another 2 weeks.

Re: Football talk
 

Come 5 pm on saturday united could be 12 points behind Arsenal :erm: unless Blackburn do us a favour, what a thought :erm:

United play City on sunday at their new place, my prediction a 1 - 1 draw :disturbd:

Re: Football talk
 

What's the difference between Man United players and Leicester
players??
Some of the Leicester players are still in Europe!!!!!!!!!!!

Boom Boom!!!!

Re: Football talk
 

Gerard Houllier: "Our new Winger cost five million. I call him our wonder player"
Sir Alex Ferguson: "Why's that?"
Gerard Houllier: "Everytime he plays I wonder why I bothered to buy him!"

Re: Football talk
 

And the reverse can be said for Ronaldo :D all flash and no substance

Re: Football talk
 

Only 5m? Cheap for a Houllier money-waster.

(C) Ronaldo's a show pony who's nowhere near worth 12m on what I've seen. Maybe in a few years but United need him to perform now.

Re: Football talk
 

Ronaldo was brought over here too early, granted Fergie needed to replace Beckham urgently, but Ronaldo should have stayed in Spain to hone his skills.

Re: Football talk
 

Or even in Portugal.

Re: Football talk
 

Just been reported on KEY103 radio, that Sir Alec Ferguson went into hospital sometime last week to have a heart pacemaker fitted.

this was posted a short while ago on the club website.

Sir Alex Has Pacemaker Fittedhttp://www.manutd.com/pix/SPSLEPix/title_back.gifhttps://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2004/03/5.gifhttps://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2004/03/5.gif12/3/04 11:10 AM
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2004/03/5.gif
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2004/03/5.gifhttps://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2004/03/5.gifhttps://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2004/03/5.gifhttps://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2004/03/5.gifhttps://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2004/03/5.gifhttps://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2004/03/5.gifhttp://picsrv.manutd.com/fif=/manu/i...0,0,0&cvt=jpeghttps://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2004/03/5.gifSir Alex Ferguson had a pacemaker inserted last week. It was a routine, straightforward procedure and he was back in training the next day.

Sir Alex Ferguson said, "I want to reassure the fans that everything is okay, I feel fine. It was an option for me to get this done, the club knew about it and I feel great. It's business as usual."

Communications Department, Manchester United PLC
Friday 12 March 2004

Re: Football talk
 

Chealsea V Arsenal!
Chealsea will play Arsenal in the 1/4 final of the Champions league. The winner of this will probably face Real Madrid in the semis

Re: Football talk
 

Looking forward to the derby on Sunday, bit of bad news Keane has picked up a slight injury so will miss the game, which isn't good with Gary Neville and Rio being suspended, and Fortune out for the season.

This means the team will be something like this

Howard
P Neville Brown O'Shea Pugh
Fletcher Butt Scholes Giggs
Saha
Van Nistelrooy

Re: Football talk
 

Lucky it's City, with that defence you'd be praying for an attack that couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo.

Chelsea fan at work today looked like a bomb had hit him, but has anyone seen the Arsenal's six-match run of Chelsea, Man U, Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle? If we get through that lot unscathed I'll start thinking about trebles, but it's a big ask.

In other news no one will be surprised to see Wenger as manager of the month (poisoned chalice), Bergkamp/Edu player of the month and Henry gets a gong for being the first to score 20 in the Prem this season (wtf? surely most top sides expect to get a 20 goal striker?).

Re: Football talk
 

edu? i wasnt aware arsenal had played him this season hes made that much of an impact.....
im sure ruudy has already scored 20 goals in the prem this season as well?

Re: Football talk
 

Portugal then :pp Can't expect me to know the niceties of everything at OT :pp

Re: Football talk
 

Henry's on 20, Van Nostrilbooy has 18. Anyone would think you didn't have Sky Sports News on 24 hours a day :D

He's also got 3 in the FA Cup, 6 in Europe and 7 for France.

Edu, for the one person in the country who hasn't noticed, has blossomed recently to the extent of forcing Gilberto (World Cup Winner) Silva out of central midfield onto the right wing. Scored four goals last month, away at Boro, against Chelsea at the Bridge, and two away at Celta Vigo, the second with his right foot, which I didn't know he had. Total of seven for the season so far, making him Arsenal's fourth highest scorer after TH, Pires and Freddie.

Re: Football talk
 

Come on United, can't lose to City for gods sake :eek:

Re: Football talk
 

Wouldn't surprise me if we did. We have have played crap recently and don't even deserve qualification for Europe. Arsenal are going to knock us senseless in the FA Cup (I'll go for 3-1 to the Arse) and as for the premiership, we won't even be second.

A shambolic season, the blame for which can be place at the feet of Fergie for not getting some decent back-up defenders and for refusing to back down over Beckham.

Re: Football talk
 

What's happened, I go and make a brew and another City goal :eek:

Re: Football talk
 

Come on City!!! Good on ya!!! bout time they turned in a decent performance :D

Re: Football talk
 

Well the only thing I'm pleased about it a few of my dream team players have scored today :rolleyes:

Re: Football talk
 

Well done City, we need a few more losses like that to try and demonstrate to SAF that he is getting it wrong. He won't listen to anyone else so perhaps a some humiliating defeats are what is required.

Re: Football talk
 

O how the mighty tumble - Well done city...

Re: Football talk
 

:nono: it's just a stumble not a tumble :D

Re: Football talk
 

Wow - when was the last time they conceeded four goals, or lost by three clear goals ?

Re: Football talk
 

Russ, how comes your supporting utd - its not as if they're your local team ;)
I aint happy tho - I have Howard as my dream team keeper :(

Re: Football talk
 

Unless someone knows otherwise...

29/10/02 v. Haifa in the Ch. league lost 3 - 0 was last time M U lost by 3 clear goals.

05/11/01 v. Arsenal Worthington Cup 4th round Arsenal won 4 - 0 was the last time M U conceded 4 goals.

That was quite some record.

* Awaits correction by more knowledgeable person. :)

Re: Football talk
 

Excellent result, United appear to be shambolic and having no luck at all. Sir Purpleface is merely demonstrating what we've always thought, that he's a short-tempered bully who's as out of place in the modern game as a Tyrannosaurus at Kennedy Space Center. Any other team in the world would treat Beckham with the respect one of the greatest players in the world deserves - Alex kicks a boot at him and flogs him to Madrid. Great man management.

Being outwitted by Keegan tactically really does show how poor they are right now. Hope it lasts to the semi final.

Re: Football talk
 

They were for the 4 years I lived there.

Re: Football talk
 

Well things are looking a bit better, Spurs beat Newcastle and Liverpool drawing atm so the teams on my "hate em with a passion" list aren't doing well either :D

Yay yay yay Southampton have just scored :dmonk:

Re: Football talk
 

This just gets better, the Scousers have just been given a really dubious penalty but the goalie has saved it :tu: Owen has missed 10 penaltys for Liverpool now :eek: think they should look to someone else taking them :erm:

Re: Football talk
 

Owen confidence is really low at the moment.... I'd hoped he wouldn't take the penalty.

Re: Football talk
 

He didn't take it, did he? More a backpass to the keeper....

2-0 to Southampton. Question for everyone - name the top five English strikers (Premiership goals only). Scary.

Should Sven look outside the old top sides for English talent (Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool)? What players from other teams are worth a look?

Re: Football talk
 

1 Shearer
2 Ferdinand
3 Scholes
3 Beattie
3 Owen

Re: Football talk
 

Calling Scholes a striker doesn't make him one, at least not for England.

Shearer 20, Ferdinand 11, Beattie 10, Owen 9, Scholes 8

Others

Phillips 7, Vassell 7, Smith 7, Davies 6, Heskey 4

Note Ferdinand, Beattie, Scholes, Phillips scored this weekend, so not sure if those are up to date. Owen didn't of course.

Re: Football talk
 

He sometimes plays in a role just behind the main striker maybe England should look playing him in the same sort of role, he might actually score for them.

Shearer only has 17 in the league, but if you looking at total goals then the list sould be..

Shearer 20, Beattie 13, Scholes 13, Ferdinand 12, Owen 12, or what about Fowler - 10

Re: Football talk
 

I really hope Owen does well in portugal and then Liverpool sell him for many £ÃÆ ’‚£Ãà¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚£Ãƒââ‚ ¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚£'s

Re: Football talk
 

He just doesn't look like the same player, I just knew he was going to miss. Maybe a move would do him good and get him back on track, big problem with his confidence that isn't going to resolve overnight :shrug:

Re: Football talk
 

Braindead on the Shearer one - that was the only one I looked up on the total scored list and I forgot to check league goals only. Still streets ahead though.

How many has Shrek got? Hmm, 7 in the league and 3 for England.

Vassell and Rooney are possibly the best partnership then, based on current form and England form (both overperform for England, as opposed to say, Heskey and Beattie). Bit short of height though, but since we can't cross a decent ball that shouldn't matter (yes, even Beckham internationally).

BBKing's pointless England side (Cole left out to stop him getting injured or demoralised on England duty as usual).

James; Bridge, Campbell, Terry, G Neville; Barry, Gerrard, Scholes, Beckham; Vassell, Rooney.

Lampard misses out due to loss of form at the moment, Parker due to being an arsey git, P Neville cleans the boots, Owen can practice penalties for 90 minutes.

Re: Football talk
 

Looks like I made the right decision yesterday, pay £4.99 for Premiership +, or watch the test match from Jamaica, as I actually prefer watching cricket and England bowled out the Windies for 47 runs it was a wise choice.:) Perhaps I should start a cricket, rugby ( both codes) and other sports thread.;)

Re: Football talk
 

Did i miss the Manchester City posts? :naughty:

Re: Football talk
 

yes you did........
mind you our so called strikers also missed the man city posts.....and the goals.....and the nets......
a pathetic display by an inept defence didnt help either......
gutted :cry: :sulk:

Re: Football talk
 

How come nobodyââ‚Ã⠀šÃ‚¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢s mentioned the Villas 4 †“ 0 thumping of Wolves :D ? Weââ‚ ¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢re up to 7th in the table (not bad, considering how poor we were last season and at the start of this season), and weââ‚ ¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢re pushing for a UEFA Cup place :tu:

Weââ‚ ¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢ve also finally got a player on 20 goals for the season †“ Angelââ‚ƚ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s the first to do it since Yorke in †™96 (and John Gregory threatened to shoot him :Yikes: ).

Re: Football talk
 

Re: Villa 4-0 Wolves - er, it was Wolves mate, who have the worst defence in the league....

...apart from MANCHESTER UNITED who have let in 14 goals in the last 6 games while Wolves have let in 13 in the last 7.

That was an eye-opener.

Villa are doing well this season after a bit of a slow start - see above England lineup with Barry and Vassell in it - got to be worth a try. Barry's been in excellent nick. Best of luck to them.

Re: Football talk
 

Be so cool if RVN was nicked by Real Madrid for £25mill hehe....

Re: Football talk
 

I just want to say well done to Paul Sturrock and the boys for beating Liverpool 2-0, despite the fact we were well below par.

I am hoping it was simply that we'd played 3 games in 33 days previously and were a bit rusty, 'cause if we keep performing like that, we'll lose more than we win.

Re: Football talk
 

'Cos Villa are probably the most boring team in the league :pp

Re: Football talk
 

Now that's just mean :( ;)

Re: Football talk
 

and anyways the song goes.........."boring boring arsenal"
villa aint mentioned

Re: Football talk
 

Sung of course by the Gooners these days, usually at the conclusion of 40-pass moves. The great feature of Arsenal supporters is a strong sense of irony, it's why most of our songs are nicked off other clubs and turned against them ('One Nil to the Arsenal' being a riposte to 'Allez Paris St. Germain' from back in 1994, 'Same Old Arsenal, Taking The ****' from the Pompey Chimes etc). Singing 'Boring Boring Arsenal' when you're the most entertaining team in the country merely continues this excellent tradition. Seaman used to get a round of 'Dodgy Keeper' or more recently 'Get Your F*cking Hair Cut' most games, of course, and 'If Lee Dixon Can Play For England So Can I' was a regular. I'm sure other clubs take the **** out of themselves, but Arsenal elevate it to an art form.

Re: Football talk
 

Arsenal are probably the most exciting team in the premiership at the mo.

Re: Football talk
 

Funny Quotes ...

"I'd like to play for an Italian club like Barcelona"
Mark Draper
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered"
George Best
"Playing with wingers is more effective against European sides like Brazil than English sides like Wales"
Ron Greenwood
"Are you going to make me?"
Roy Keane
"We reckon Carlton covers every blade of grass... but then you have to if your first touch is that crap"
Dave Jones
"I am not Pele or Maradona"
Robbie Savage
"Dennis Wise, Vinnie Jones and John Fashanu must be turning in their graves"
Calton Palmer
"I don't really like the north. It's always raining, it's really cold and I don't like all those little houses"
Freddie Kanoute.
"I don't like to see players tossed off needlessly"
Andy Gray
"You will laugh when I say this, but I did not see the incident"
Arsene Wenger
"When Manchester United are at their best I am close to orgasm"
Gianluca Vialli
"Statistics are like miniskirts: they give you good ideas but hide the important things"
Ebbe Skovdahl
"There's no chance of Sol leaving for Arsenal. He is a Spurs fan and there's not a hope in hell of him playing in an Arsenal shirt"
Tottenham chairman David Buchler
"I would not be bothered if we lost every game as long as we won the league"
Mark Viduka
"I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel"
Stuart Pearce
"Winning doesn't really matter as long as you win"
Vinny Jones
"More football later, but first let's see the goals from the Scottish Cup final"
Des Lynam
"When you are 4-0 up you should never lose 7-1"
Lawrie McMenemy
"All these Viallis, Vieiras and Viagras. I don't know who they all are these days. I like names like Cullis and Wright"
Sir Jack Hayward
"I can't even remember when the Seventies was"
Robbie Keane
"The beauty of Cup football is that Jack always has a chance of beating Goliath"
Terry Butcher
"I could have signed for Newcastle when I was 17, but I decided I would be better off at Carlisle. I'd had a drink that night"
Peter Beardsley
"Kicked wide of the goal with such precision"
Des Lynam

:D

Re: Football talk
 

Oh dear, "the best club side in the world" :rolleyes: lose 3-2 to Real Zargoza in the Spanish Cup Final.. 2 red cards and 17 yellows :shocked:

Re: Football talk
 

:eek: I was watching that but turned over for Forrest Gump, would be easier to name who didn't get booked I suppose :erm:

Re: Football talk
 

AND so it starts. `End of an era,' `United in decline,' `Fergie's lost the plot.' A dozen hackneyed headlines and a score of clichÃÃâ€*’©d radio phone-in calls get their annual airing.

One day, of course, the snipers will be right. United will hit the downslope, however temporarily.

But the only people with `Fergie Out' banners at Eastlands on Sunday were mischievous City fans. They wish.

To write Sir Alex Ferguson off so emphatically is to forget the essence of the man.

He remains the most successful manager in English football history, not because of his unequalled trophy haul, but because of his refusal to bow to adversity.

It is easy to look back over Sir Alex's 18-year reign at Old Trafford with a selective memory, smoothing over the bumps - league title followed league title, cup after cup, Treble after Double after Double.

Loyal

All of those triumphs were punctuated by moments like these, when pundits and prophets claimed Fergie had lost it, the critics running riot and even the most loyal Reds having their moments of doubt and fear.

Here we are in another trough, battered by the Champions League exit, deeply bruised by Sunday's freak result at the City of Manchester Stadium.

And while the vultures gather and the harbingers of doom pronounce their solemn words, Sir Alex will be looking deep inside himself, as well as into the hearts and minds of his players.

With the FA Cup the only salvageable silver this season, the inquest on a disappointing campaign begins now.

There are already rumours flying around Manchester that Sir Alex has had enough, that the trials he has faced this season, off the field more than on it, have exacted a price, both in terms of morale and health.

The minor matter of having a pacemaker fitted should not even be allowed to enter the argument. Managers like Gerard Houllier, Graeme Souness, Joe Kinnear and Barry Fry are still working hard having had far worse health problems.

Rumours

But the whisperers claim Sir Alex will pack it in at the end of this season, and that Carlos Queiroz, Martin O'Neill or Ottmar Hitzfeld is already being lined up as his successor.

The only man who truly knows whether there is any truth in the gossip is the Scot himself - and he will be keeping his own counsel.

United's season has hardly been an unmitigated disaster, despite under-achievement in the Champions League, and an inability to match Arsenal's scorching pace in the Premiership.

A place in the Champions League for next season is still highly likely, and the FA Cup still offers the players the chance to redeem themselves by finishing the season on a high note.

United fan and TV commentator Clive Tyldesley made an insightful contribution to the debate in his newspaper column last week.

He recalled looking over the shoulder of a red-top reporter in the Old Trafford press box as the game with Porto moved into the final minute.

With United 1-0 up, the report spoke of United's tenacity in the face of their problems, and was positive and full of acclaim.

Tyldesley describes how the reporter's finger was hovering over the `send' button when Costinha pounced on a mistake by Tim Howard - perhaps United's player of the season - and forced a hasty rewrite.

Axe

Predictably, the rewrite turned every positive to a negative. The swing of Costinha's boot had been every bit as heavy and incisive as the fall of the executioner's axe.

It was another "if only" moment in a season peppered with them.

If only the Russian linesman had taken that sight test before failing to spot the three Porto defenders playing Paul Scholes onside.

If only Ruud van Nistelrooy had placed his penalty kick against Arsenal a few inches lower.

If only Rio Ferdinand had not decided to begin his eight-month suspension when the Reds needed him most.

But, in reflecting on those twists of fate, it is important not to dwell on them - that way lies melancholy.

Sir Alex last week said that his main job now is to prevent his players from feeling sorry for themselves. That job got harder with the defeat by City.

Challenge

His challenge to his players is that they should prove the critics wrong. He has built a magnificent career out of doing so himself.

No-one can deny the problems besetting United.

The defence is in turmoil, Ferdinand's suspension has been a body blow, bans to Gary Neville and Roy Keane have hit hard, injuries have been costly and form has been patchy.

The task facing Sir Alex is to cement his team's fragile confidence together, win the FA Cup and then look at what action needs to be taken in the summer.

Now is not the time to declare that United's era of dominance is over. If the Reds are in similar disarray at this time next year, the prophets of doom may well have a point.

Amen

Re: Football talk
 

Ya! keep convincing yourself :pp ;)

Re: Football talk
 

You have to remember that these things go in cycles †“ while I wouldnââ‚Ã⠀šÃ‚¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢t say (yet) that Man U are in decline, Arsenal are definitely in the ascendancy at the minute As much as Man U bashing is seen as fair game, this is only because theyââ‚ ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ve been so successful over the last 10 or 11 years. Personally, I donââ‚Âà ‚¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢t think that theyââ‚ ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ll get the FA Cup, resulting in another trophy-less season, but didnââ‚ ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t this happen a few years ago, and they came back to win the league the following year?

Every team has its ups and downs †“ I seem to remember that the Villa were runners-up in the League about 10 years ago and, until this season, weâ₠¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢ve been fairly awful ever since!

Re: Football talk
 

Rio ban upheld :(

The Silly Sod

Re: Football talk
 

are you surprised :(

Re: Football talk
 

Not really, and I wouldn't mind betting that he doesn't forget again, unless he was guilty of a misdemeanor of course.

Re: Football talk
 

i was thinking the same :tu:

Re: Football talk
 

i would have been very surprised if the f.a had over turned the ban
what with fifa looking over there shoulder any how if you do the crime
you do the time !!!!

Re: Football talk
 

I am glad it stayed, it shows to other footballers maybe they should get a sense of responsbility esp. the Leicester City players.

Re: Football talk
 

The strange thing is that the panel were satisfied that Rio wasn't guilty of taking any banned substance, and I quote:
So I guess the ban for being found guilty of taking a banned substance means a lifetime ban ?

Rio's ban seems a bit harsh when you read this, a smaller ban for actually taking drugs :confused:

Re: Football talk
 

The responsibility to turn up for tests and so on. The FIFA/FA don't treat it as a "nothing" thing even though they have to admit their guidelines are a bit skewed. So in future, if a footballer is asked to provide a sample, they should do so at the time stated to avoid all this bother.

Re: Football talk
 

That lanky twit Pallister was on the radio earlier saying how cruel it was to ban Rio when he had only missed a test and not taken any drugs. Missed the point, you have to have the same punishment for missing/refusing a test (same thing) as actually testing positive, otherwise cheats have an incentive to miss a test if they know they're positive. In any other sport Rio (and all those Dutchmen the other year) would be looking at anywhere north of a year's ban, football needs to get round to this mindset ASAP otherwise it'll look like a cheat's charter.

Man Utd in decline? Yes, I think so now. Look at the youth brought through recently - United have a few decent players but nothing in the Giggs/Scholes/Beckham class. Chelsea and especially Arsenal have some superb youngsters. The younger you get them, the more passion, the easier they fit in, all good sides have a home-grown core or at least a core who've been together for years (Arsenal back four, United late 90s midfield).

Also top stars can now have a choice in English football - a few years ago they had a choice of Man U or nowhere if they wanted Champions League football, now they can go to Arsenal or Chelsea, live in London rather than Manchester, avoid the hairdryer and have an enlightened modern manager like the urbane Wenger or Ranieri/Eriksson/Hitzfeld (delete as applicable) who won't **** them off in public or kick footwear at them. And they'll still have their Champ's League football with teams that actually reach the quarter finals.

Chelsea have nicked two players who could make a real difference to United (Duff/Robben) and Ronaldinho decided he was ugly enough without a Fergie Footwear Facial.

So Arsenal have the best of the youth of Europe at under-21 level* and the pick of the best talent who aren't completely money-obsessed, Chelsea have about 15 midfielders and anyone they fancy in the summer (except Henry, please). United have the prospect of an 'improved' (i.e. not as ****e) Kleberson and Djemba-Djemba, plus Plug coming back from his suspension, if he remembers the way to the training ground, and surely O'Shea won't be as ****e as he has been this season. Frightening.

*Ahem. Reyes, Bentley, Hoyte, Fabregas, Senderos, Stack. Three out of those have been nicked from under the noses of the best clubs in Europe, the other three are home-grown.

Re: Football talk
 

So why did a Man City player escape with a £2000 fine for exactly the same offence.
Ferdinand is guilty as charged, but he was made an example of, and the punishment is excessive.

Re: Football talk
 

there always someone who been made an example of just to show no one can get away with it whether it a ban or fine.

Re: Football talk
 

If the FA enforeced things properly Rio could have got 2 years. 8 months is perfect or maybe a little lenient. Certinaly not harsh at all.

Re: Football talk
 

Yes guilty, yes example, no, not excessive, possibly even lenient. The Man City player is a red herrring, the FA is getting tough, which they should have done ages ago when it was realised that positive drugs tests and missed drugs tests merit the same punishment. Ferdinand happens to be the dozy twonk who failed to realise how important drugs tests are.

Everyone knows where they stand now, players will have had a rude wake up call and it should ensure clubs look after their assets more (what reputable company would risk a £30m asset being taken away for the cost of an Outlook diary entry and a tap on the shoulder?) Man United have been blaming everyone except themselves on this, it's time they accepted it and shut up.

Re: Football talk
 

I also think that the FA should look at changing their procedures.

Instead of saying "OK you've been selected for a drugs test, go get changed and come see us in half a hour." I think they should say "OK you've been selected for a drugs test, this is a representive from the FA, he will stay with you until the test is completed."

I have no doubt that if Rio had not been suspended we would be still in the title race, and probably the champions league.

I was also reading something about the NHL, where if a player is suspended then he does not receive his salary, this salary insteads goes to a fund set up to help players who have had to retire because of injury or other reasons. I think that something like this would be good in football, maybe players would think a bit more if their pockets were going to be hit!

Re: Football talk
 

True that United have really fallen apart without him, but that's discounting the waning Keane, the lack of Beckham and the fuss over the horse.

Drugs testers should be able to call for tests anywhere and everywhere (training pitch, matchdays etc). However, I can see certain, er, physical problems with the tester remaining with the player until the sample is produced, he's only human after all and it takes time for Nature to take its course.