Football The 2011/2012 Season Thread

[megadave]

Yeah you'd think the Spanish FA would come down on them but I suppose those 2 do rule La Liga.

Fabregas slotted in with ease. How are they going to say Messi isn't fit?

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Above Sneijder and Iniesta, oh dear.

He's absolutely quality but he isn't that level. He's not consistent enough for a start, some matches he goes missing or it goes wrong for him. Wouldn't be surprised if he is at that level in a couple of years though.

 

[Raven]

He isn't as good as Carrick.

 

[Keitanz]

He isn't as good as Carrick.

Yeah I agree now, I have seen the light

 

[megadave]

He isn't as good as Carrick.

lol xD



Fabregas won a medal !

 

[Ch3tan]

Heh Aoln ;p

On a more serious note, has anyone heard from papa Cho? Anyone got him on facebook or similar?

 

[Raven]

I was thinking the same a few mins ago.

Maybe he has become a city fan and can't face the shame!

Weird.

 

[Ch3tan]

He mentioned some personal shit that might be affecting his online presence before, footy thread ain't the same without his senile ramblings

 

[megadave]

Chodax told me a few days ago he bought a flesh tube, that'll explain his absence.

 

[bainteor]

Above Sneijder and Iniesta, oh dear.

Above Sneijder and Xavi.

He isn't as good as Carrick.

Baiting now are we? Annoyed that I'm integrated into the community so you thought you'd try and change that? Ignored.

 

[Olgaline]

Holy fuck, OB won against Villareal! Good on them, but makes me feel even more like shit that we weren't able to win last night

FCK can still turn it around, OB were awesome!

 

[megadave]

Pretty interesting football philosophy discussion

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas's footballing philosophy - Telegraph

 

[Vladamir]

Barcelona Vs Real Madrid 3-2 All Goals + Match Highlights Super Cup 2011 18/08/2011 HD - YouTube

And a 'welcome to Spain' tackle from Marcelona for Cesc

[HD] Marcelo Red Card vs. Barcelona + Fight - Super Copa 2011 - YouTube

So Barcelona are in beastmode again this year.

 

[Turamber]

Note to FA: THAT'S what failing to control your players is. One or two players having a little pushing/moan match isn't (Arsenal v Newcastle).

Arsenal have given plenty of examples of 'failing to control their players' over the years. Punch ups, diving, feigning injury. Nice football, dirty classless bastards.

 

[soze]

Frimpong will smash everyone. And get red carded.

I think Frimpong could be great but he is too quick to go to ground, vs a Suarez type who is not afraid to make the most of it he could well see red this weekend

 

[eksdee]

Pretty interesting football philosophy discussion

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas's footballing philosophy - Telegraph

Interesting read. I like how candid he is about the attitudes of footballers due to their easy lifestyles, ha. I wonder how long it will take to get this philosophy across to the players, I mean it's all well and good developing this level of understanding and deep thinking about the game but ultimately it has to be used effectively as well. We're certainly beginning to see a change at Chelsea, but I think it will definitely be more of a long-term evolution than the instant revolution we saw with Mourinho. Let's pray Abramovic allows the time for that to happen, because if he does I truly believe AVB could build a real dynasty at Chelsea.

Reports this morning are that we've had a £22m bid rejected for Mata. It also sounds like Spurs are softening on Modric, so expect him to sign at 11.59pm on deadline day. If we make those two signings, alongside the possibility of De Bruyne this year or next, this could be the beginning of us building a new, truly great team.

 

[Ch3tan]

Baiting now are we? Annoyed that I'm integrated into the community so you thought you'd try and change that? Ignored.

It's called banter. Also you said the Carrick thing (constantly) so you have to deal with it. If you can't take it, don't post?

Marc get's constantly battered about his Messi loving, yet he doesn't cry about it.

 

[Ch3tan]

eksdee; spurs softening on modric? Really? That;s not what I got from the various interviews Redknapp made yesterday, nor from the fact they are looking to offload Kranjkear.

 

[Ch3tan]

One for the Arse boys: http://www.spendsomefuckingmoney.com/

 

[eksdee]

eksdee; spurs softening on modric? Really? That;s not what I got from the various interviews Redknapp made yesterday, nor from the fact they are looking to offload Kranjkear.

Harry Redknapp believes Luka Modric's sale would strengthen Tottenham | Football | The Guardian

Who knows who to believe in all honesty, but I generally find the Guardian to be pretty on the mark with football stuff.

 

[Ch3tan]

The Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, who is braced to receive a third offer from Chelsea having rejected bids of £22m and £27m for the playmaker, remains committed to keeping the 25-year-old, with Redknapp adding: "I don't see him going."

He gave a near identical interview on talksport yesterday, except he didn't say the bit about getting player in with modric's sale. He said he was struggling to sell squad players, and that he'd rather have a squad that was 4-6 players smaller and add a couple of quality players.

 

[Ch3tan]

heh:

The season to come, Wenger quote predictions:

August 29th 2011
Toothless back-to-back defeats to Liverpool and Manchester United prompt talk that Arsenal will do well to finish in a Europa League spot by the end of the season:

"We need the fans to be behind us. We are a young team in transition and we are not finished yet. This is why I have instructed my players to never finish a passing move. We play the game in the correct way: without shots."

September 9th 2011
Arsenal have a chance to get their season back on track against recently-promoted Swansea, much lauded for their attractive passing game:

"We know they play the game the right way, it is a challenge, but we have mental toughness, character, strength and belief. If that does not work we have Squillaci."

September 10th 2011
Swansea win 2-0. Brendan Rogers understandably celebrates the biggest victory of his career with his fans:

"I thought that he was disrespectful. You have to think of the pitch. Brogues cut it up terribly."

October 23rd 2011
Stoke City are the visitors to the Emirates and battle to a gutsy 1-0 win, outmuscling Arsenal all over the pitch and inflincinting a nasty injury on Theo Walcott from which he will never fully recover:

"We all know this team, we know they can only cheat us. They are cowards, a rugby team. And not even a good one. We live in a very unfair world. Please excuse me, I need to be alone and sit cross-legged in the centre circle."

November 20th 2011
An excitable Dirk Kuyt forces a Sparta Rotterdam shirt over captain Robin van Persie's torso during an international break, prompting speculation that he is pining for a move to his beloved hometown club:

"Robin is still an Arsenal player and 100% dedicated to this club.... He will stay.... We hope he will stay... It is not decided... We don't want him to leave... I'd like to thank Robin for his contribution and wish him all the best."

January 3rd 2012
Arsenal are linked with a prodigous winger from Southampton's under-9s team:

"We are looking, yes. I am not afraid to spend money, just not on average players. Only very attack-minded defenders and children. They are our future."

January 28th 2012
Wenger is asked if he plans to sign any proven Premier League defenders during this window:

"No."

March 1st 2012
Arsenal are still fighting on three fronts for trophies, can they win any?

"I think, yes. The treble is on. And when this Financial Fair Play league kicks off we will have a great chance in that too. I have an economics degree."

March 9th 2012
Arsenal are knocked out of the Champions League round of 16 by Barcelona, the FA Cup fourth round by Stoke, and trail Manchester United in the league by 30 points:

"We are young team in transition. We need the fans to be behind us. We have been unlucky with injuries. We will be stronger next year."

 

[Calaen]

Spurs have no cash to spend at all, they are in talks with Diarra? I'd suspect that deal relies on Modric going to Chelsea.

Spurs so called squad players, the ones Harry rates so highly yet they can't get into his team are majority garbage. He's trying to paint them over and get a good price for them.

 

[DaGaffer]

The Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, who is braced to receive a third offer from Chelsea having rejected bids of £22m and £27m for the playmaker, remains committed to keeping the 25-year-old, with Redknapp adding: "I don't see him going."

He gave a near identical interview on talksport yesterday, except he didn't say the bit about getting player in with modric's sale. He said he was struggling to sell squad players, and that he'd rather have a squad that was 4-6 players smaller and add a couple of quality players.

Chairman talk; if Chelsea offer the right money, Levy (of all people) will sell. Same with all the whaffle from Moratti about Sneijder, its just a tactic to talk up the price, just like Ferguson's "we're done" comments are a tactic to get him to reduce the wage demands (because like it or not, there's a big fucking hole in the middle of the United midfield, and Tom Cleverly isn't yet the man to fill it).

 

[eksdee]

Indeed.

Mourinho gets going early:

José Mourinho describes Barcelona as 'a small team' in post-match rant | Football | guardian.co.uk

He mad.

 

[eksdee]

"The South American Balotelli"

In Bed With Maradona - The Home Of World Football - JOURNAL - THE WILD CHILD OF PERUVIAN FOOTBALL

On the 10th March 2011, Manco turned up late for training with his breath smelling strongly of alcohol. Far from admitting his culpability, Manco claimed that he and his cousin had been kidnapped and beaten by a taxi driver the previous night. Police, upon taking statements from Manco and his cousin, noticed a number of disparities in their respective accounts. When the Police reclaimed security camera footage from the area where the alleged incident took place there was no sign of either of the supposed victims. Manco and his cousin were reprimanded for providing false statements and fined for wasting police time. Atlante dismissed him.

Absolute fruitbat. Football could do with more of these characters.

 

[eksdee]

...Speaking of which:

In Bed With Maradona - The Home Of World Football - JOURNAL - THE CURIOUS CASE OF CLAUDE*ANELKA

It seems being a bit of a tit runs in the family.

Anelka had decided that Scottish football was at such a poor level that players brought in cheap from the 7th tier of French football could be brought in to win the Scottish first division. To put that into perspective a club from that level, which is completely amateur, would need to rise over 100 places in the French league pyramid just to reach Ligue Un. Claude's claims that he wanted to overtake Hibs, Hearts and Aberdeen to challenge the Old Firm was reliant on players who had never even played professional football before.

 

[Marc]

Messi's ball for Iniestas goal was straight out of the top drawer. The vision then the execution was simply stunning.

What is it with Mourinho? What is his problem? Why cant he lose with a bit of decorum instead of having his players trying to injure the opposition and then crying to the press.

Real Madrid are nobodies. If we avoid each other in the knockouts, I cant see past another United v Barca final and there is no way United will lose 3 on the bounce against us. I will take us over 2 legs anyday against anyone, even the great Brazil team of the 70s, but on a one legged tie, anything can happen and United are my tip for the champions league this year.

 

[Marc]

Oh and Chodax is fine, he was quaffing wine and pizza yesterday lunch time or something

 

[JingleBells]

Bad news for Chelsea, Cech's out for 3-4 weeks with a knee ligament injury