The 2011-2012 Football Thread

[Lord Blackadder]

But there is NO racism in football, Sepp says!

But of course...maybe the FA should just have Suarez and Evra shake hands and we'll call it a day.

Perhaps something like this:

Are those the guys that play the Great Escape theme music ad nauseum?

I'm admitting to nothing, besides, Tango is all the half time entertainment anyone could ever need

I have no words to properly express my reaction to that photo...he's even fatter than the Newcastle fan with the tattoo.

 

[Fizzoid]

I have no words to properly express my reaction to that photo...he's even fatter than the Newcastle fan with the tattoo.

Ah, but this tattoo is much better

 

[Lord Blackadder]

And yet, all I ever hear about America from Brits is how fat we are.

 

[daneoni]

Can't believe Manchester (both clubs) are really on their way out of Europe. Wow.

Edit:..and they're out.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Correction, the entirety of Manchester is out of Europe!

City have have a better squad than Man U and should have done better, though they played significantly better teams than United did. Still, for United to go down to Basel is somewhat surprising, even though United's performances have been weak lately.

England's numerical superiority in the CL knockout stages has been broken, for this year at least. Not that it matters, since the trophy is clearly going to stay in Spain.

Meanwhile, some Liverpool fans have pointed out a series of unpunished naughty gestures by England internationals, in the vain hope that the FA show consistency in their disciplinary process. As much as I'd like to see Gary Neville retroactively punished (maybe a flogging?) it's no excuse for Suarez.

 

[kolax]

Man Utd fans better make sure they get good Channel 5 reception..

 

[Lord Blackadder]

This result is arguably bad news for all the top 4 contenders in the Premier League, because the Manchester clubs will presumably put out reserve teams in the Europa League and throw more resources at the title.

 

[NutsNGum]

Great result for Basel though, has to be said. They played brilliantly over the two legs.

It'll be interesting to see United in the Europa League!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Indeed, congrats to Basel on what must be a historic day for them.

 

[takao]

on the other side it sure was nearly comical how manchester city was playing against a 3rd rate Bayern .... Pranjic, Olic,Contento in the starting line up ? no Müller, Gomez, Ribery, Robben, Schweinsteiger, Neuer, Kroos, Lahm ?

when was the last time a team saved their energy against Manchester City ?

on the other side i could be worse: look at how the 4th of the spanish league was humiliated or how Dortmund has suffered

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I was chatting to a couple of Manchester United fans I know a few weeks back, and they were gloating about how Manchester City – despite the money they'd spent – would be Europa League bound while the mighty Reds swept onwards into the knock-out phase.

If you'll excuse me, I have a couple of emails I need to send out now.

 

[Silencio]

Pretty disgraceful stuff from United, but, given their current horrible form, I cannot say I'm at all surprised. Oh well, saves them from getting their heads handed to them by Bayern or Madrid in the first round of the knockouts.

Will be interesting to see how seriously they take the Europa League. I'd say they should just give all the kids a chance, but the United "B" team couldn't beat Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, let alone cope with a European away match.

Will also be interesting to see if they can or will make any moves in the winter transfer window. Can't think of many difference-makers who will be available and/or affordable, but I guess potential signings being cup-tied isn't such a great concern anymore...

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Cripes. Rooney's had his ban reduced down to two games. As such, he'll be available for selection for England's final group match against co-hosts Ukraine.

 

[Fizzoid]

Cripes. Rooney's had his ban reduced down to two games. As such, he'll be available for selection for England's final group match against co-hosts Ukraine.

Got to say, I was surprised, until I read this:

England striker Wayne Rooney's ban for the Euro 2012 Championship has been reduced to two matches from three after an appeal to Uefa in Switzerland

What country are Basel from?

Cue conspiracy theory

 

[Fuzzy14]

Great result for Basel though, has to be said. They played brilliantly over the two legs.

It'll be interesting to see United in the Europa League!

I think United flattered to deceive. It will be interesting to see them in the Europa to see what team they chose to put out and if they've got any ambition to win it.

 

[NutsNGum]

I think United flattered to deceive. It will be interesting to see them in the Europa to see what team they chose to put out and if they've got any ambition to win it.

Still, scoring 3 goals against United at home, regardless of how crap the current team is, is quite an achievement.

Having said that, most of their current first team probably wouldn't make the reserves of the early 2000s, their midfield and defence are a complete shambles.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I don't think that Ferguson will expend too much energy on the Europa League. I have to think he would much rather win the league or the FA Cup, and will prioritize those competitions. Still, if it comes down to the Europa League or no silverware, he may just have a go.

The Rooney ban reduction is inexplicable (and as far as I can tell, it remains unexplained by UEFA as well). Now we know why the FA decided to base England out of Poland, rather than the Ukraine. If Rooney scores a winner against the Ukraine, the locals will not be happy...


EDIT: Embarrassing Almost-Sponsor News

The Columbus Crew may be getting a shirt sponsor: Simply Pure Milk, a fine-filtered milk manufacturer, asked Crew fans, via Twitter, to "stay tuned" for an "exciting announcement". Either they are planning to implement a "Milk & Cookies Night" at Crew Stadium, or it looks like a potential sponsor deal. Despondent Crew fans have already done a mockup (see below).

....fortunately, minutes after I posted this the Crew's front office confirmed through the local paper that this is a sponsorship deal - but not a shirt sponsorship deal. <sigh of relief>

 

[daneoni]

Even more woes for Utd. Vidic will no longer partake in this season.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

EDIT: Embarrassing Almost-Sponsor News

I reckon we'd still have you beat with Cash Converters.

I can see the Simply Pure Milk ads now, though...

"Milk? Ugh!"
"It's what Robbie Rogers drinks."
"Robbie Rogers?"
"Yeah, and he says that if I don't drink enough milk, when I grow up I'll only be good enough to play for Toronto FC."
"Toronto FC, who are they?"
"Exactly!"

 

[Fizzoid]

I reckon we'd still have you beat with Cash Converters.

I can see the Simply Pure Milk ads now, though...

"Milk? Ugh!"
"It's what Robbie Rogers drinks."
"Robbie Rogers?"
"Yeah, and he says that if I don't drink enough milk, when I grow up I'll only be good enough to play for Toronto FC."
"Toronto FC, who are they?"
"Exactly!"

That's just made my weekend!

Bad news indeed for United, he's certainly going to be missed at the back. Could we see Fergie buying a commanding centre back in the new year?

I must say, it's come as quite a shock United getting knocked out, but their defence does seem a bit shaky (now compounded by Vidic's injury) and Rooney's gone off the boil (strangely since I added him to my FF team)

Edit: Carroll & Fabianksi, who would have thought it?

 

[Lord Blackadder]

It's like a mirror image of Liverpool - top defensive player goes down for season with a cruciate tear. For once, I can feel their pain (but not on purpose ). It's definitely going to hurt them. You could argue that those 1-0 victories are going to be a lot harder to come by, especially if Ferdinand remains delicate.

I reckon we'd still have you beat with Cash Converters.

I can see the Simply Pure Milk ads now, though...

"Milk? Ugh!"
"It's what Robbie Rogers drinks."
"Robbie Rogers?"
"Yeah, and he says that if I don't drink enough milk, when I grow up I'll only be good enough to play for Toronto FC."
"Toronto FC, who are they?"
"Exactly!"

Epic!

It's an open question as to which is better: Cash Converters on your shirt or a blank shirt and lighter bank account. I can tell you that the latter situation is not so great.

With apologies to Jaffa, I hope Mannone is in goal when Liverpool next face the Arse. We could use the goals...I saw that Koren scored again against Birmingham, Mr Cake. The man is an artist.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I saw that Koren scored again against Birmingham, Mr Cake. The man is an artist.

He's been doing well for us, and I think that he's really benefited from Barmby's more attack-minded approach. A fine player indeed.

We were a bit worried by the fact that his contract was due to expire in the summer – the good news is though that the Birmingham match saw an appearances clause in his current deal activated, extending his contract for another year.

 

[daneoni]

Another day another Chelsea against the critics tirade from AVB. Well i suppose it's his job...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

He's ripping on Gary Neville though, so he gets kudos from me.

 

[pachyderm]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/soccer/12/08/us.men.olympic.qualifying.ap/index.html?sct=sc_t2_a13