2008-09 Football Thread - The Second Half

[Lord Blackadder]

The big boys avoid each other again...

I thought Derby came out to play and showed a positive style - they were simply outclassed. I hate to speak in favor of Man U on any point, but I think Ronaldo's goal was probably onside.

Cristiano Ronaldo caught on camera spitting at Robbie Savage...

...Could be interesting to see what the FA does now...

Hopefully something unpleasant. On second thought, Ronaldo's goal was definitely offside.

 

[garybUK]

Great game yesterday, Derby were totally out-classed. Nani's goal was perfection!!

imo the linesman was a gimp and was way too late with the decision to disallow the goal, he let the game continue which resulted in a goal!!

Were sitting high at the top of the table, 2 points ahead with a game in hand (to be played on Wednesday) which could be 5 points ahead, things are looking mighty good for the Red Devils

 

[és:]

Cristiano Ronaldo caught on camera spitting at Robbie Savage:

[Image from Dagbladet.no: Darren Staples/Reuters/Scanpix, click for full size]

Could be interesting to see what the FA does now...

Hopefully castration and leg amputation.

 

[garybUK]

Hopefully castration and leg amputation.

What's that..... bitterness?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Hopefully castration and leg amputation.

Judging by that picture, it looks like he's already had his legs amputated. If this is the case, that's got to put a serious question mark over his availability to face Fulham on Wednesday evening.

 

[MacBoobsPro]

Judging by that picture, it looks like he's already had his legs amputated. If this is the case, that's got to put a serious question mark over his availability to face Fulham on Wednesday evening.

Looks like they have shortened one of his arms too so he can't play in goal. If he wasn't such an arrogant **** he would be one of my favourite players, and that says a lot coming from a Barça fan.

 

[Fuzzy14]

What's that..... bitterness?

As a neutral in these matters, I find it odd that a country who after France 98 were burning effergies of Beckham then has collective amnesia about what happened in Portugal in 2006.

 

[garybUK]

As a neutral in these matters, I find it odd that a country who after France 98 were burning effergies of Beckham then has collective amnesia about what happened in Portugal in 2006.

Sir Alex is quite good at turning around the perceptions of his players.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

As a neutral in these matters, I find it odd that a country who after France 98 were burning effergies of Beckham then has collective amnesia about what happened in Portugal in 2006.

Do you mean Ronaldo's role in getting Wayne Rooney sent off in the England vs Portugal match, or the granny-loving goalbotherer not being on the receiving end of a Beckham-style backlash after stamping on Ricardo Carvalho?

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Do you mean Ronaldo's role in getting Wayne Rooney sent off in the England vs Portugal match, or the granny-loving goalbotherer not being on the receiving end of a Beckham-style backlash after stamping on Ricardo Carvalho?

It isn't just the fact that he stamped on Carvalho, it's where he stamped on him.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Indeed - right on the old Iberian Peninsula...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

If Carvalho were the United States, Rooney would be stepping on Florida.

Starting to hear some talk about Man U winning the "quintuple" this season of the World Club Championship (which they've already won) Prem, FA and Carling Cups and Champions League...they are certainly contenders for them all but I think the Champions League at least will be out of reach for them this season.

Good times for the Devil(s).

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Anyway, some nice news – Eduardo seems to have recovered well from his broken leg, scoring a brace for the Gunners against Cardiff City in the FA Cup earlier this evening.

Given that there were some fears the injury could finish his career, it's good to see him back and playing so impressively.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Yes, I saw that - great news for Eduardo and Arsenal as well. After the horrific nature of his injury, it's almost miraculous to see him scoring goals with Arsenal the very next season.

 

[Fuzzy14]

Do you mean Ronaldo's role in getting Wayne Rooney sent off in the England vs Portugal match, or the granny-loving goalbotherer not being on the receiving end of a Beckham-style backlash after stamping on Ricardo Carvalho?

I meant the former, I didn't think there should have been a backlash against Shrek as it wasn't that deliberate.

such an arrogant ****

Sir Alex is quite good at turning around the perceptions of his players.

Splendid observations!

 

[gauchogolfer]

Yes, I saw that - great news for Eduardo and Arsenal as well. After the horrific nature of his injury, it's almost miraculous to see him scoring goals with Arsenal the very next season.

It was very nice to have him back on the pitch, that's for sure. Even if it's only for inspirational reasons rather than tactical. For him to score a couple was a nice bonus.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Well, Man U have now played their games in hand I'm not mistaken, so we can look at the points total and it's a straight race to the finish. I still think United will win it now but Liverpool can make it very, very close.

As far as Villa's run in the Uefa Cup...could they add some major European silverware to their impressive league form?

 

[Silencio]

Well, Man U have now played their games in hand I'm not mistaken, so we can look at the points total and it's a straight race to the finish. I still think United will win it now but Liverpool can make it very, very close.

Yes, they played their remaining game in hand today, beating Fulham 3-0. Rooney came on as a sub and scored a goal. They're 5 points ahead of Liverpool now. I'm expecting a tight race to the end. Should be fun to watch -- if I could justify springing for a DirecTV sports package that carried EPL...

 

[pachyderm]

Yes, they played their remaining game in hand today, beating Fulham 3-0. Rooney came on as a sub and scored a goal. They're 5 points ahead of Liverpool now. I'm expecting a tight race to the end. Should be fun to watch -- if I could justify springing for a DirecTV sports package that carried EPL...

Yeah, I'm hip to the MLS bro...

San Francisco Seals F.C.

Sadly the Seals are defunct for now.

Silencio did you ever see this^ post from me?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Bugger. Bullard's out for the season.

 

[MacBoobsPro]

So Champions League next week. What's your predictions?

Real Madrid are playing very well at the moment (at least defensively). They have only let in 1 goal in 9 matches if I'm not mistaken so they will be hard for Liverpool to break down. That being said I can see Liverpool getting a lot of possession because Gago (central mid) is as useful a footballer as the following smiley and Sneider and Van Der Vaart are playing absolutely crap. Alonso, Masch and Gerrard (if fit) will overpower Madrid.

Robben will be the main threat but I think Liverpool should win out over the two legs.

I can't remember who Arsenal got and don't car about Chelsea. Man U should be able to handle themselves (at least until they meet Barça).

 

[XIII]

Bugger. Bullard's out for the season.

Yeah. Ouch. That's the worst thing that could've happened after the transfer.

 

[R.Youden]

I can't remember who Arsenal got

AS Roma

 

[xUKHCx]

Bugger. Bullard's out for the season.

Team medical didn't pick up on this? I would be surprised if there wasn't a clause somewhere in that record deal contract to deal with reduced payments for things such as this. Surely this injury was know before you signed him.

Robben will be the main threat but I think Liverpool should win out over the two legs.

From the little that I have seen this season Robben has been fantastic and could very well pose a massive thread. Although that said his is made of glass and I would be tempted to field a team that was willing to get stuck in

Yeah. Ouch. That's the worst thing that could've happened after the transfer.

It is/would have been a shame for both clubs really. Fulham were/are doing well and Bullard could've consolidated their position. For Hull it is obviously a massive shame and potential a lot of wasted money.

Overall I think Hull will be fine this season and will remain in the top flight so perhaps this is not that bad for Hull.

AS Roma

Again from the little I have seen Roma haven't been performing that well. So it should be a good game for Arsenal to pick up their moral and get back to a winning form.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Team medical didn't pick up on this? I would be surprised if there wasn't a clause somewhere in that record deal contract to deal with reduced payments for things such as this. Surely this injury was know before you signed him.

We've had him less than a month, surely he's still under warranty or something?

It seems that we were aware of a slight knee problem – apparently unconnected to his previous injury – when we signed him. This got aggravated during the match against West Ham and he went out to the States to have a minor op on it (he and the club agreed that the best man for the job was the leading knee specialist who sorted out his major injury a couple of years back, and who has also operated on a lot of other top sports types).

What they're saying is that when they went in there to repair the minor tear to his cartilage the surgeon discovered fresh and more severe damage to his anterior cruciate ligament. As far as I'm aware they operated on this damage too, but obviously he's not going to be able to play until it's completely healed up.

Anyway, it looks like we'll just have to stick with our old midfielders who beat Arsenal and got Scolari sacked from Chelsea...