2008-09 Football Thread

[aloofman]

Hum, I was absorbed with the USA - Guatemala World Cup qualifier.

It's going to interesting to see if Mexico returns to form in the next round. They barely made it through this time. As has been noted, the US schedule is pretty full in 2009, with both the Gold Cup and Confederations Cup to play.

Columbus are the champions!!!

Congrats! Since my Galaxy have been sub-standard for a while now, it was good to see a flagship team win it.

 

[XIII]

A step in the right direction. Finally.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

A step in the right direction. Finally.

I take it you're pleased with Fabregas' appointment as captain, then – you're confident he's up to the task?

 

[pivo6]

I take it you're pleased with Fabregas' appointment as captain, then – you're confident he's up to the task?

He'll be fine, of course until he decides that he's had enough and goes to either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

To be honest, I did think that Wenger may reckon giving him the captaincy may encourage him to stay put...

 

[XIII]

I take it you're pleased with Fabregas' appointment as captain, then – you're confident he's up to the task?

Yeah. Him more so than anyone else at Arsenal at the moment. It's only the beginning of what needs to be a big change though. I'm positive we need a good, top quality defender and defensive midfielder. I don't think that can be argued.

 

[BoyBach]

Yeah. Him more so than anyone else at Arsenal at the moment. It's only the beginning of what needs to be a big change though. I'm positive we need a good, top quality defender and defensive midfielder. I don't think that can be argued.

I know Wenger has claimed recently that he rates passing over leadership, but Arsenal made a big mistake in letting Flamini leave. He was the leader on the pitch and - if you'll allow me to don my Football Manager Cap™ for a moment - he should have been offered whatever he wanted, plus the captaincy, to stay at the Emirates.

Plus, I would have packed Adebayor's bags and drove him to bleedin' Barcelona for £30 million!

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I'm positive we need a good, top quality defender and defensive midfielder. I don't think that can be argued.

Indeed – and preferably these players should have a bit of experience under their belts, too.

Now, as we all know every club has it's own unique traditions and ways, little quirks that separate them from other teams. Arsenal of course are famous for not mixing their sleeve lengths – all ten outfield players wear either short sleeves or long sleeves, there's no mixing going on. The decision on which style shirts are to be worn is made by the Arsenal captain before each match – I only hope for Arsenal's sake that Fabregas is ready to shoulder this huge responsibility.

Just for the record, he's opted for long sleeves tonight.

 

[pachyderm]

Blackpool 0 - 2 Sheff Wed
61' 1 Marcus Tudgay
86' 2 Deon Burton

Sheff Wed 7-4-8

GOALS
5 Tudgay
3 Esajas
3 Clarke
2 Sodje
2 Watson
1 McAllister
1 Spurr
1 Small
1 Burton

 

[Queso]

And another good win. 2-0 vs. Brighton. Bring on Gillingham at the weekend

 

[davidjearly]

Go Aalborg!!!!

Fantastic result.

 

[XIII]

I know Wenger has claimed recently that he rates passing over leadership, but Arsenal made a big mistake in letting Flamini leave. He was the leader on the pitch and - if you'll allow me to don my Football Manager Cap™ for a moment - he should have been offered whatever he wanted, plus the captaincy, to stay at the Emirates.

Plus, I would have packed Adebayor's bags and drove him to bleedin' Barcelona for £30 million!

Agree on the whole. Flamini should've been kept, he was very important. It's likely the cost is going to be more now to essentially replace him. Captain, don't know - lets not forget he had 1 good season, but he should've been kept.

Indeed – and preferably these players should have a bit of experience under their belts, too.

Now, as we all know every club has it's own unique traditions and ways, little quirks that separate them from other teams. Arsenal of course are famous for not mixing their sleeve lengths – all ten outfield players wear either short sleeves or long sleeves, there's no mixing going on. The decision on which style shirts are to be worn is made by the Arsenal captain before each match – I only hope for Arsenal's sake that Fabregas is ready to shoulder this huge responsibility.

Just for the record, he's opted for long sleeves tonight.

I didn't know that

Looks like it did the trick! And a very nice ball from him to Bendtner, always amazes me how accurate they are.

 

[Fuzzy14]

Go Aalborg!!!!
Fantastic result.

Hmmm, I'm not actually one who likes to gloat (that much ) on our rival's failings, especially after our failings in Europe this year - however it will make a big impact on their balance sheet and ability to buy more players. But it does leave them free to concentrate on the SPL.

They missed a few sitters in the first half, and the second Aalborg goal (Celtic o.g.) was absolute lunacy!

 

[davidjearly]

Hmmm, I'm not actually one who likes to gloat (that much ) on our rival's failings, especially after our failings in Europe this year - however it will make a big impact on their balance sheet and ability to buy more players. But it does leave them free to concentrate on the SPL.

They missed a few sitters in the first half, and the second Aalborg goal (Celtic o.g.) was absolute lunacy!

I know. There are downsides to them going out too as you have stated.

I can't help but be pleased though. The second goal was just delicious to watch, and don't even get me started on how much I enjoyed Strachan's reaction.

 

[Fuzzy14]

When Celtic went 1-0 up a guy in my work put £20 on them to lose at 66-1!
They have now captured 1 point from 54 away in Europe - that's 19 defeats and 1 draw in 20 games (I know it doesn't add up to 54 points but two of them are qualifiers for the Champions League.)

 

[OllyW]

I'm hearing news of a remarkable tactic at Stoke. Apparently, when Rory Delap has been preparing to launch his long throws into the Hull box, the Tigers have sent substitute Dean Windass sprinting down the touchline to get in Delap's way and chirp away at the Stoke man. First time he got away with it, second time he was booked by referee Keith Stroud.

Is this why Phil Brown is not scared of Delap throw-ins

 

[Jaffa Cake]

We are Tigers. We fear no one.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Just watched the Middlesbrough - Newcastle match...God that was boring.

Glad to see Hull are using Windass for something.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I must admit to looking forward to seeing the Deano/Delap Distraction tactic on Match of the Day...

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Heh. Histon are ace.

 

[Blue Velvet]

Heh. Histon are ace.

I heard an interview with their press manager on FiveLive this morning. They were talking about the state of the pitch.

Meanwhile, I hope Arsenal quickly recover from their woes. Sometime in April would suit me fine.

 

[smwatson]

...and Leeds sink to a whole new level of low.

This is really really embarrassing. Macca out.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

...and Leeds sink to a whole new level of low.

This is really really embarrassing. Macca out.

Fret not, you can get your revenge on Histon in the League in a couple of seasons time.

Meanwhile, there's no need for a knee jerk sacking. Cup upsets happen.

 

[Queso]

Heh. Histon are ace.

Aren't they just?

We absolutely have to beat Gillingham in the replay. Home to Villa would be a very nice fixture

 

[Blue Velvet]

Bugger.

Well done to the Gunners, but not good. I can't add much more than that as I dozed off during listening to it on the radio. I can't bear to listen to Alan Green and 606 at the best of times so I'll just leave it at that. Scolari (I like his personal style) is now going to have to start doing some thinking. Home record is now starting to look patchy with losses to Arsenal and Liverpool and a 0-0 draw with Newcastle... let alone some bumps in the road in the Champions League.