UEFA Champions League 05/06, this is the thread for

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

Poor, POOR Celtic...

Meanwhile the plucky Reds march on...

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 22:56 (twenty years ago)

Deportivo

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 22:59 (twenty years ago)

*cries*

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 23:02 (twenty years ago)

Onimo and his supportive (before the third goal) text messages to thread!

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 23:05 (twenty years ago)

Also, I hate David Marshall, Gordon Strachan, Mo Camara, everyone connected with Celtic, and Ally C for pishing himself laughing when he came into the pub at the fourth goal tonight.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 23:11 (twenty years ago)

I'm sure Shelbourne will be crushed by Steaua in Bucharest but if they can just grab a goal they're in with a chance.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 23:13 (twenty years ago)

That is very cruel, Ally C. You are a naughty little proddy.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 28 July 2005 07:05 (twenty years ago)

Celtic were going to get knocked out sooner or later. Best to get it out of the way and concentrate on domestic games, I reckon. ;o)

― NickB (NickB), Thursday, 28 July 2005 07:11 (twenty years ago)

aye, so we can concentrate on not getting relegated? that was woeful last night. and strachan had the look of berti vogts about him on the touchline.

― bg (creamolafoam), Thursday, 28 July 2005 07:19 (twenty years ago)

That is very cruel, Ally C

It *was* pretty hilarious, though. But the Huns have given us their share of comic cuts European nights also.

― laughingsheep, Thursday, 28 July 2005 07:36 (twenty years ago)

Ally: What's the score, 3-0?
Ailsa: 4-0.
Ally: HOOTS!

― Mädchen (Madchen), Thursday, 28 July 2005 07:45 (twenty years ago)

What a shocker. It's just this sort of thing which makes me fear for Everton in the next round, especially if we draw Artmedia. (I see their rivals Inter were almost relegated last season; I think Paul Bracewell scored his first Everton goal against Inter in the 84-85 ECWC, Paul Bracewell fact fans. Another Paul Bracewell fact tomorrow.)

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 28 July 2005 08:02 (twenty years ago)

When they interviewed Doctor Joe at half time and he was struggling to contain his laughter, I realised I should go home and not watch the second half.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 28 July 2005 08:07 (twenty years ago)

... and we Adrian "Inchy" Heath enthusiasts are once again ignored. Curse that Bracewell.

(cross post, rather obviously)

― Tim (Tim), Thursday, 28 July 2005 08:17 (twenty years ago)

Bracewell did a fantastic job for Newcastle during the promotion season, and we pinched him from Sunderland :-)

― stevo (stevo), Thursday, 28 July 2005 08:21 (twenty years ago)

On the plus side for Celtic fans, they said on the news that a statue of the Virgin Mary had come to life in Russia.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 28 July 2005 09:02 (twenty years ago)

Sack Strachan and make the Virgin Mary the caretaker manager

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 09:07 (twenty years ago)

No, but honestly, Strachan was a disaster waiting to happen and guess what - it happened, last night. It's Barnes all over again, this clown shouldn't even be allowed into the ground let alone made the Celtic manager.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 09:09 (twenty years ago)

Balloon!

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 09:09 (twenty years ago)

Why was Strachan "a disaster waiting to happen"? Can he really be compared to John Barnes?

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 28 July 2005 09:29 (twenty years ago)

He's a shit manager, he got Coventry relegated and couldn't handle the pressure at.......... SOUTHAMPTON! As a guy in the pub said last night, "What the fuck's that wee Edinburgh shite doing managing Celtic?!!??"

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 09:34 (twenty years ago)

Strachan has never in his 'career' been expected to put out a team that wins things. He doesn't know how to pick an attacking team. Anyone who can't handle the Southampton job has no place at Parkhead.

John Barnes was sacked for losing to Caley Thistle in what was described (wrongly) as Celtic's worst ever result. Last night's disaster goes way beyond that.

He has bought 3 English Championship defenders (from Southampton, Brighton and Burnley) to 'improve' what *was* a competitive Champions League team. When you buy Burnley defenders you defend like Burnley - surely any fule can see that? Camara can be pointed at for at least three of the goals. That said, it was obvious to anyone watching the first 40 minutes that Camara wasn't doing his job (and Thompson wasn't helping) - it was the manager's job to spot that and do something about it, he didn't.

I'm annoyed that ailsa sent me a text saying "Neuchatel who?" - that caused the 5th goal.

This is not how I planned on reliving the 90s.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 28 July 2005 09:38 (twenty years ago)

"When I do my stuff, the crowd goes carrots"

That is rthe only difference.

I thought he was Aberdonian.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 28 July 2005 09:40 (twenty years ago)

John Barnes was sacked for losing to Caley Thistle in what was described (wrongly) as Celtic's worst ever result. Last night's disaster goes way beyond that.

Amen. He's from Edinburgh and he's a wee shite.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 09:41 (twenty years ago)

Oh, I see. I thought Strachan had shown himself capable of handling the Celtic job with his performances on MOTD2.

"Got Coventry relegated" is a little harsh; they'd been hanging on for about 15 years.

When you buy Burnley defenders you defend like Burnley - surely any fule can see that?

Shame you never got to play Liverpool*, you'd have kept a clean sheet.

(* - I'd love to see a 6-0 second leg miracle, just for the reactions in here).

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 28 July 2005 09:43 (twenty years ago)

I don't care if we win 12-0 in the second leg, Strachan will not be Celtic manager by the end of the season. I give him 3 months.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 09:45 (twenty years ago)

Are Artmedia a Vauxhall Motors style company team full of web designers? What's up with the name?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Thursday, 28 July 2005 09:51 (twenty years ago)

They're more of a performance art outfit

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 09:52 (twenty years ago)

Christ, the 3rd round draw is tomorrow (before the 2nd round is complete)! I don't like the look of any of the seeded teams (and the winner of Artmedia/Celtic gets a seeded berth). Drawing Rosenborg or Rangers might give us our best chance of progressing. But it looks like the UEFA Cup for Everton.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 28 July 2005 10:06 (twenty years ago)

I hope Celtic remember our name and the names of the players after tonight

Artmedia coach Vladimir Weiss

Well, I certainly didn't. I thought it was Slovan Bratislava. They could tell me absolutley anything on breakfast television, I might as well just stay asleep and have doen with it.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 28 July 2005 10:14 (twenty years ago)

They used to be known as Artmedia Petržalka (Petržalka being an area of Bratislava). Slovan finished 3rd in the 2nd division last season, while Rapid Ružinov Bratislava finished 13th and were relegated into the regional leagues.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 28 July 2005 10:19 (twenty years ago)

Just remembered a conversation I had in the pub last night:

Me: So what does Strachan do now?
Graham (mad Celtic fan): I don't care as long as he's dead by daybreak.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 10:23 (twenty years ago)

Come on Shelbourne! I long for the bizarre insanity that will descend upon the LOI when a team eventually reaches the group stages of the CL, as everyone praises them then realises they will win the league for the next 7 seasons.

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 28 July 2005 10:24 (twenty years ago)

Which toffee-nosed Liverpol supertar who has been through a lot lately said this?:

"It'd be brilliant to see both clubs in the group stages, but it'd be sod's law to draw each other on Friday."

Re: Slovan Bratislava - how the mighty are fallen.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 28 July 2005 10:26 (twenty years ago)

absolutely ridiculous!

was that henri camara at left back?!

― cozen (Cozen), Thursday, 28 July 2005 10:58 (twenty years ago)

No, it was Mohammed Camara, whoever the fuck that is

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 11:01 (twenty years ago)

Camara obscurer.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 28 July 2005 11:03 (twenty years ago)

(I'll get me coat)

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 28 July 2005 11:03 (twenty years ago)

Get Strachan's coat while you're at it

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 11:04 (twenty years ago)

I know, I know, but still - ...

― cozen (Cozen), Thursday, 28 July 2005 11:04 (twenty years ago)

camarabaderie

― cozen (Cozen), Thursday, 28 July 2005 11:07 (twenty years ago)

I used to live in Petrzalka ! Well, not exactly - but a town exactly like it, Zilina (the team that played Chelsea last season). Both Petrzalka and Zilina are soulless massive housing estates, Petrzalka with 150,000 people in identikit panelaky (Soviet bloc era apartments - I guess they have bloc parties every weekend). Petrzalka were a middling second division team until the Czechoslovak break-up and never really got much of a fanbase til Slovan's fall from prominence a couple of years ago.

― darren (darren), Thursday, 28 July 2005 11:08 (twenty years ago)

Get Strachan's coat while you're at it

It's the one on the shaky peg.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 28 July 2005 11:09 (twenty years ago)

Right next to Graeme Souness's

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 11:09 (twenty years ago)

Why did Slovan flop?

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 28 July 2005 11:10 (twenty years ago)

Wasn't there a match rigging/cheating thing that resulted in a couple of the bigger teams being relegated as punishment?

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 28 July 2005 11:11 (twenty years ago)

xpost

Because Hajduk Split?

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 28 July 2005 11:13 (twenty years ago)

Signing Paul Telfer as a solution for anything seems a bit odd. Still, if you get desperate, I'd imagine Steve Wigley's available.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Thursday, 28 July 2005 11:57 (twenty years ago)

Strachan isn't the new John Barnes, he's more like a cross between Barnes and Lou Macari

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 11:59 (twenty years ago)

JtN is literally ON FIRE.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:05 (twenty years ago)

The Artmedia coach was literally over the moon last night. Strachan was literally sick as a parrot.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:18 (twenty years ago)

sometimes i wonder if i'll ever get to use 'cinema pongolle'

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:19 (twenty years ago)

When Celtic's new left back takes a throw-in is that a Camara Shy?

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:22 (twenty years ago)

fidgetal camara

...

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:24 (twenty years ago)

Strachan Supports Celtic Defender's Denial Of Bucks Fizz Obsession

― "My Camara Never Lies" (blueski), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:27 (twenty years ago)

"Mo Camara Never Lies" shurely?

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:28 (twenty years ago)

... he never fucking tackles either

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:28 (twenty years ago)

i am sure mo he will develop into a picture of the perfect leftback. or be sold to lens

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:31 (twenty years ago)

knew i'd find a good one eventually!

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:32 (twenty years ago)

He needs developing certainly

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:33 (twenty years ago)

Very good, JtN. It made me laugh, but it came out as a wheezing coughlet.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:33 (twenty years ago)

Oops, you made that joke! (xpost)

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:33 (twenty years ago)

I'm trying not to be negative about him

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:35 (twenty years ago)

Maybe they should tri podding him on the wing.

(I have a cold, sorry).

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:39 (twenty years ago)

v good

will lens cap camara's wages i wonder?

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:40 (twenty years ago)

flash in the pan eh?

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:48 (twenty years ago)

He's had too much exposure already, his ego is liable to blow up and zoom out of control (a bit like his passing)

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:49 (twenty years ago)

Is this a wind-up Camara thread?

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:50 (twenty years ago)

he is certainly getting a critical panning

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Thursday, 28 July 2005 12:55 (twenty years ago)

Look at the splash screen on the Celtic site

http://www.celticfc.net/default.asp

and that's him BEFORE losing 5-0!

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 28 July 2005 13:02 (twenty years ago)

I am waiting for the little LFC Frenchman to come back from injury and play a stinker so I can finally use my long-awaited SINAMA PURGATORIO.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 28 July 2005 13:05 (twenty years ago)

When Camara's on the pitch apparently the fans sing 'Crash Bang Whallop!'

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 28 July 2005 13:12 (twenty years ago)

I've given up trying to think of one involving 'aperture'

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 28 July 2005 13:14 (twenty years ago)

Camara didn't do much training. He had an extended break around the sights of Europe. Ayia Napa, Turin...

< / tumbleweeds>

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 28 July 2005 13:30 (twenty years ago)

It *was* pretty hilarious, though. But the Huns have given us their share of comic cuts European nights also.

Have Rangers ever had a worse defeat in Europe than this one tho? Not in my memory they haven't.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 13:52 (twenty years ago)

I believe the Eintracht Frankfurt team that got gubbed 9-3 in the famous "Hampden Final" got through to the final by beating the Huns 12-2 on aggregate in the semis (6-1, 6-1, like a one-sided ladies tennis match). Not sure how accurate my source is, though. And it was a wee while ago. And EF did get to the final.

Must be some other real embarrassments, though.

― frankiemachine, Thursday, 28 July 2005 14:05 (twenty years ago)

I've just googled that and it was 6-1, 6-3.

― frankiemachine, Thursday, 28 July 2005 14:06 (twenty years ago)

It was Scotland wot got gubbed 9-3 off of England, Eintracht lost 7-3

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 14:07 (twenty years ago)

Of course. Too much beer last night.

― frankiemachine, Thursday, 28 July 2005 14:13 (twenty years ago)

They lost 6-0 to Real Madrid in the early 60s, no shame there though...
More recently they lost 4-0 and 4-1 to Juventus in '95 or '96.

More people have heard of Juventus than Artmedia Bratislava, I should think.
This really is the worst Celtic result in living memory. The new players looked shite and the old playes didn't have a pair of legs between them. Add this to wee Gogs' tactical ineptitude and 5-0 probably flattered us.

Sack the wee bastard now.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 28 July 2005 14:23 (twenty years ago)

Who do the fans want? Moyes?

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 28 July 2005 14:29 (twenty years ago)

They can want all they like, they won't get him

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 14:31 (twenty years ago)

I think at the moment Not Strachan will do for me. He's taken us to the lowest point in our European history, and it only took him one competitive game to do so. It should cost him his job, which he should never have had in the first place.
We beat Barcelona only 16 months ago! Bayern Munich celebrated scrapping for a draw at Celtic Park! Look at us now, losing 5-0 to a team that lost 2-0 to the Kazakhstan champions only a fortnight ago!

Moyes wouldn't take it, especially when he has a chance of playing in Europe *after* the football season starts.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 28 July 2005 14:38 (twenty years ago)

Last night, in 't pub, Hiddink was mentioned as the man they should have gone for, he's no longer available tho I think? Co Adriaanse's name came up, but no-one could pronounce it.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 28 July 2005 14:41 (twenty years ago)

I think Paul Bracewell scored his first Everton goal against Inter in the 84-85 ECWC, Paul Bracewell fact fans. Another Paul Bracewell fact tomorrow.

We'll be waiting.

Cozen, your 'camarabaderie' was terrific! - and so were so many others' tremendous gags.

― the blissfox, Thursday, 28 July 2005 14:46 (twenty years ago)

Hiddink has taken the Australia job.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 28 July 2005 15:00 (twenty years ago)

What kind of debt is Celtic carrying? Someone told me yesterday that this was disastrous 'cause of all the money they would lose from not going to the next rounds in the CL.

― M. White (Miguelito), Thursday, 28 July 2005 15:02 (twenty years ago)

Another one that shows the huge gulf between being an 'astute tactician' and actually a decent manager.

Perfect previous example - Terry Venables' career in England

― Si.C@rter (SiC@rter), Thursday, 28 July 2005 15:15 (twenty years ago)

Celtic have reduced debt from around £32M to around £17M in the last three or four years.
A good European run usually adds £6-£10M to overall turnover.

Fingers crossed Nakamura turns out to be the money spinning deal they hoped for (assuming he doesn't find a way out of singing, that is).

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 28 July 2005 15:18 (twenty years ago)

I just read the news about the Celtic match. I thought it was a joke.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 28 July 2005 15:19 (twenty years ago)

I am going to have to stand up and say I like Gordon Strachan a lot. I'm sure it's just a blip.

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 28 July 2005 15:21 (twenty years ago)

I don't think Celtic are in particulary bad shape financially for a club their size. But the directors are sensible & prudent/uptight, miserly & risk averse, according to taste: they have authorised Wee Goggsy's wages/salary spend on the basis of at least getting to the group stages and will now be very disappointed and probably a bit cross.

― frankiemachine, Thursday, 28 July 2005 15:22 (twenty years ago)

(assuming he doesn't find a way out of singing, that is)
*signing, not singing. He can find a way out of singing if he likes.

I like Gordon Strachan a lot
So do I, when he's not managing Celtic. He's always good for a jokey press quip, seems to be mostly a nice bloke, and was always good value as a pundit.
Seeing him standing with his arms folded watching goal after goal being scored against us and NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT showed that he's out of his depth.
He's only got a one year contract, I can't see him even getting the chance to make up for this "blip" (I see it more as an embarassing disgrace myself).

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 28 July 2005 15:50 (twenty years ago)

The draw! The Draw! It will be here! Live! Apparently.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4723689.stm

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:06 (twenty years ago)

Basle 1893 v Werder Bremen

CELTIC or Artmedia Bratislava v Partizan Belgrade or FC Sheriff

Shakhtar Donetsk v Inter Milan

Shelbourne or Steaua Bucharest v Rosenborg

MANCHESTER UNITED v Debrecen or Hajduk Split

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:11 (twenty years ago)

Malmo or Maccabi Haifa v Dynamo Kiev or FC Thun

EVERTON v Villarreal

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:12 (twenty years ago)

LIVERPOOL or Kaunas v CSKA Sofia or Dinamo Tirana

Sporting Lisbon v Udinese

Valerenga or FC Haka v Clube Brugge

Rapid Vienna or F91 Dudelange v Rabotnicki or Lokomotiv Moscow

Anderlecht or Neftchi

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:15 (twenty years ago)

Villarreal - could be worse. Could be Aston Madrid.

Liverpool vs CSKA Sofia! It's like 1981!

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:16 (twenty years ago)

Anderlecht or Neftchi v Slavia Prague

Trabzonspor or Anorthosis v RANGERS

Brondby or Dynamo Tbilisi v Ajax

Real Betis v Monaco

Wisla Krakow v Panathinaikos

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:18 (twenty years ago)

Villareal could be a tough draw. Fingers crossed that Rangers get Trabzonspor.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:19 (twenty years ago)

Or, even better, 1982 (LFC bt Sofia 6-1 on agg in '81, lost 2-1 on agg [aet] the following season).

Dada - they do!

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:20 (twenty years ago)

I think Anorthosis are pretty sure to go through over Trabzonspor due to the two goal advantage. They previously met Rangers in a qualifying match around ten years ago IIRC.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:22 (twenty years ago)

"Rangers get Anorthosis" makes it sound like the whole squad has gone down with some kind of degenerative bone disease.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:23 (twenty years ago)

Villareal is pretty much the worst draw possible for Everton...

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:23 (twenty years ago)

Hardly the worst - it'll be tough but doable.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:24 (twenty years ago)

I can only see Inter being a worse team to meet(cause they couldnt get drawn against Man U or Liverpool right?).

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:26 (twenty years ago)

They could've got Liverpool, or Monaco/Betis or Ajax I think.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:28 (twenty years ago)

Monaco and Ajax arent what they used to be though. But Betis is on the same level as Villareal. Btw, Villareal just bought Alessio Tacchinardi from Juventus. No room for him on the midfield now that Viera has arrived I suppose.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:30 (twenty years ago)

I didn't fancy Ajax, Monaco or Sporting Lisbon either. We were maybe the 9th- or 10th-best team in the unseeded pool and there's a bit of a gulf between the seeds and the nonseeds, so it was always going to be awful. I didn't quite realise how tough until I saw the groups earlier in the week. We'll see how we hold up against Fenerbache and Udinese in the friendlies...

(xpost)

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:34 (twenty years ago)

To clarify: I didnt mean to say that Ajax or Monaco wouldnt be a tough nut to crack for Everton because they certainly would be! Just meant that Villareal, in my opinion, is a bit better than those teams. Atleast based on last year.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:38 (twenty years ago)

God Shelbourne have to beat Steaua, as impossible as it may be! Rosenberg, they can beat Rosenberg! COME ON SHELBOURNE!

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:44 (twenty years ago)

How come Bobby Davro got in the draw? And who is Tiberius Jacksy?

I can see Everton boring Villareal to death. In fact, I can see them boring their way to the quarter finals and possibly beyond. That would be my tactic anyway.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:45 (twenty years ago)

It's more likely that Villareal will bore Everton to death, that's what they tried to do to Celtic back when Celticnot a laughing stock

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:47 (twenty years ago)

... or was that Celta Vigo? Actually, I think both of them were dull as ditchwater

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:48 (twenty years ago)

They have become flashier since then, I think.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:55 (twenty years ago)

They are nicknamed the Yellow Submarine, due to their yellow shirts and clanking plumbing.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 29 July 2005 09:56 (twenty years ago)

"They'll be two good games, but two tough games," said Everton chairman Bill Kenwright. "As we were unseeded there weren't many games that we would say we fancied but we've got to go in and accept it as an opportunity to get into the group stages."

What a sensible chap.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 29 July 2005 10:11 (twenty years ago)

I think we should aim to grind out a 0-0 in the home leg and then throw Big Dunc at them in Spain.

When's the draw for the first round of the UEFA Cup?

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 29 July 2005 10:18 (twenty years ago)

I was hoping United would get someone more difficult and get knocked out before the group stages. I'm in the strange position of wanting my team to lose as much money as possible as quickly as possible.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Friday, 29 July 2005 10:19 (twenty years ago)

If Celtic pull off the impossible tonight, they are going to get Partizan Belgrade (possibly) in the next round. You know, the Partizan Belgrade that we went out to 6-6 on away goals, when Dariusz Dziekanowski scored 4 goals in one game and ended up out of Europe. Yippee.

I am frightened to go to Parkhead tonight, at least the pain last week was dulled by beer.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 09:32 (twenty years ago)

Ailsa, tonight will be a breathtaking comeback, 4-0 with 15 minutes to go, Artmedia clinging on with every sinew, wave after wave of, erm, John Hartson attacking their goal, keeper does that-polish-bloke heroics and doesn't get broken till the 94th minute - but it's disallowed! Celtic go out of Europe like heroes, everyone loves them, they gain the confidence to beat Dundee United 13-0 next Saturday, Strachan beatified, etc.

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 09:43 (twenty years ago)

They'll win 6-1.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 09:47 (twenty years ago)

I want to not go, but I will. It's going to be a weird night.

I think we may score one or two and get a bit excited then we'll concede and away goal that will kill the game.

That Chinese bloke (Du Wei?) we've got on trial is HUGE.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 09:49 (twenty years ago)

... when Dariusz Dziekanowski scored 4 goals in one game and ended up out of Europe.

And, guess what? We've got a Polish centre forward again! Mind you, this one might take all season to notch up four goals.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 09:51 (twenty years ago)

Onimo, are you going for pain-dulling beer before the match?

I remember against Neuchatel Xamax at Parkhead, we needed to win 4-0 to overturn that disaster. We were all totally confident until about ten minutes in when Charlie Nicholas put a penalty into orbit and I was all "oh well, maybe not".

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 09:55 (twenty years ago)

Tonight is going to be like that. Anyone predicting big scorelines with not many been let in has not seen our defence.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 10:00 (twenty years ago)

I could be tempted into a pint before the game. Email my Gmail if you're up for it.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 10:01 (twenty years ago)

I wish we were getting a chance to have a go at FC Sheriff. Just for the headlines.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 12:02 (twenty years ago)

we shot the sheriff (but we didn't shoot the penalty)

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 14:10 (twenty years ago)

I have to hurt you now.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 14:23 (twenty years ago)

No Bracewell fact in days!

― the pinefox, Tuesday, 2 August 2005 14:28 (twenty years ago)

4-0 Celtic!

I sense a glorious exit a-coming

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 19:37 (twenty years ago)

It was not glorious. Well, it kind of was, but it shouldn't have needed to have been. I mean, we put 4 past them, how the hell did they put 5 past us?

Actually, I don't know yet whether to be proud of them for the effort they put in tonight (Lennon and Hartson in particular were immense) or still angry that they fucked it up so badly that they had to put in that superhuman effort in the first place.

Perhaps Gogs should be kidding them on they are five goals down before the start of every game. They might make a bit of an effort. Except the opposition won't actually really have the luxury of defending a skooshy easy big lead so might actually have a bit of a go at us. Hmmm. This may be why I'm not a manager.

What is worrying me is a quote in the Celtic fanzine attributed to Strachan "Forget this nonsense about tactics - good players make good teams so the more I have around me, the more chance me and the club will have of success".

I googled that quote and found it. I also found this from a post-match press conference when he was with Coventry. "I pointed out one or two things because mostly football - despite all this nonsense about tactics - is about whether players can pass the ball to each other. Tactics come into it when you are playing well and passing well."

I am ever so slightly afraid for the season now.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 21:22 (twenty years ago)

It's a cloughism; he never did tactical stuff. Just said a team of good players will beat a team of less good players, so the key was getting good players.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 21:27 (twenty years ago)

But a team of good-ish players got humped by a team of not-that-good players, and Strachan stood back like Berti Vogts with his arms folded and had no idea what to do to stop it happening. To go around boasting that you aren't going to even try worries me.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 21:32 (twenty years ago)

It suggests to me that if they don't do tactics, it's because he's not got the players, which may be true, but isn't something to shout about.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 22:31 (twenty years ago)

But he bought a few of them himself, notably the headless chicken impersonator that is Mo Camara (who, to be fair, looked a hell of a lot better tonight). So he can't expect his "my players are good enough not to need tactics" schtick to wash with people when it's blatant that they aren't good enough and it's him that's signing and picking them.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 22:35 (twenty years ago)

And then failing to dispense his wisdom about what they should be doing when they aren't just being "good enough".

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 22:52 (twenty years ago)

"Forget this nonsense about tactics - good players make good teams so the more I have around me, the more chance me and the club will have of success"

It is a Cloughism, Martin O'Neill said similar things many times "Formations don't win games, players do". Of course you give them a system to play and tell them their roles within that, but the system means shit if your players can't play. (and I know O'Neill was exposed as tactically naive on many European excursions)

As for last night:
It was a much more entertaining game than I expected and they nearly had me believing they could do it when they scored the 3rd. I was amazed the ref added only 3 minutes when there had been 6 substitutions and numerous gunshot wounds to attend to. If the board had said 5 or 6 minutes instead 3 I think the Art Media Brats might have flapped a bit.
Good to see the team playing with a bit of pride and spirit, though in the end all they really proved was that we lost 5-0 to a pub team last week.
Gogs still has me baffled. Ross Wallace on the right? Next he'll have Petrov at full back! If he doesn't start the next game with Beattie up front and Maloney on the right then he hasn't been watching his team play.

Mo Camara almost got pass marks last night. Almost.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 07:06 (twenty years ago)

Oh, and cheers for the pre-match pint ailsa :-)

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 07:07 (twenty years ago)

Stevie G has scored 146 goals already this season, and the season hasn't even started yet. If he manages to avoid injury, he may top the 4 million mark.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 07:09 (twenty years ago)

I always said he was underrated.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 07:10 (twenty years ago)

Meanwhile elsewhere: Seven hours now to kickoff for Vålerenga's away match vs Haka of Finland. The home match was the worst I've seen Enga all year, but at least we managed a 1-0 after a possibly slightly dubious penalty. The squad *should* be strong enough to secure this (best known names for you Brits probably Steffen Iversen, Tore André Flo, Ronny Johnsen) – hoping for a quick goal so Haka will need three...

If all goes well, there's FC Brügge in the next round. Not an impossible task, they being out of season and all.

― OleM (OleM), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 07:45 (twenty years ago)

André Flo must still be quite good no?

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 07:48 (twenty years ago)

"Valerenga? Bring'em on..."

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 08:04 (twenty years ago)

The above was a hilarious picture of some rugby team doing the Haka, as the picture didn't seem to work :(

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 08:08 (twenty years ago)

[On Flo:] Not been very good the couple of games he's played for us so far, but then again, he'd been injured since, um, some time before the end of the Serie A season. The medical/physio staff at the club have had excellent results with other players (eg Iversen), so we have plenty of hope for him.

Haha Mark, I should have guessed the Haka dance would show up :)

― OleM (OleM), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 08:16 (twenty years ago)

Stevie G's midfield-goal heroics have come, today, to remind me of Platini.

― the blissfox, Wednesday, 3 August 2005 12:30 (twenty years ago)

Well it's about time Stevie got his fair share of hyperbole.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 12:35 (twenty years ago)

I had a dream last night, that Celtic won 4-0.

Then I woke up, turned on BREAKFAST, and found Rob Bonnett saying that it had happened!

It's a bit like the moment when Hugh Kenner says, 'The night before the Titanic sank, W.B. Yeats's wife [*] saw a ship in a dream'. On close inspection, though, that one is less impressive than mine.

[* not sure who it was - a female relative of WBY, of some kind, anyway]

― the finefox, Wednesday, 3 August 2005 12:37 (twenty years ago)

The thought arrived that it was Lily Yeats. But who, exactly, was Lily Yeats?

I look in W.J. McCormack's FOOL OF THE FAMILY: A LIFE OF J.M. SYNGE, which I like to keep handy, and get the answer. It was WBY's sister... which was who I thought it was in the first place, before I changed it to wife!

― the finefox, Wednesday, 3 August 2005 12:59 (twenty years ago)

Oh, and cheers for the pre-match pint ailsa :-)

At least we didn't have to escape for the mid-match pint I was fearing. Glad you didn't run out of the taxi queue and go back to the pub now?

I still don't care if Strachan is trying to kid on he's Clough - he has bought rubbish players, last week they looked like a bunch of kids on a Sunday school outings who'd met each other five minutes before kick-off (and were the ones left over once the good ones had been picked already). To suggest that they don't need told what to do when they are haemorrhaging goals is not the kind of thing that inspires confidence.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 13:07 (twenty years ago)

Glad you didn't run out of the taxi queue and go back to the pub now?

Aye, I suppose, grudgingly (and it was your idea!).

To suggest that they don't need told what to do when they are haemorrhaging goals is not the kind of thing that inspires confidence.

True, but we did keep a clean sheet, and score goals, IN THE SAME GAME, for the first time since the cup final.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 13:11 (twenty years ago)

Oh, that was adrenalin and desperation that got us through that game. You honestly think they will take that attitude with them all season, given the display against Motherwell at the weekend?

I am quite happy to be proved wrong, by the way.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 13:17 (twenty years ago)

You will not destroy my stupid optimism! I know we've signed diddies and the manager is out of his depth, but we can still win the league (cup)!

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 13:32 (twenty years ago)

Did you go straight back to the pub after the match? And STAY THERE UNTIL NOW?!!?! ~~lunatic~~

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 13:45 (twenty years ago)

multiple x-post but...

when chelsea played valeranga a few years back the brilliant bonkers valeranga fans pretended to milk a cow every time flo got the ball because apparantly they think he's a bit of a bumpkin. it was great! the action (both arms outstretched pulling up and down) caught on at the bridge for a while but has since faded, but valerange are still very fondly remembered.

they also jumped up and down together really well.

― Pete W (peterw), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 13:51 (twenty years ago)

*sings*

"tell all the huns you know, that they'll never sell Ricksen or Flo"

Oh, happy days. Except both Ricksen and Flo are still in the Champions League. And someone *was* stupid enough to buy him, therefore ruining our song.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 14:05 (twenty years ago)

Wasn't Flo at Siena or somewhere last year?

Good effort by Celtic. There were some great photos of Hartson's Motherwell goals in the NOTW this weekend. Typical Hartson goals; i.e an ugly bald head surrounded by defenders' boots and a grimace that could make a child cack with fright.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 14:42 (twenty years ago)

Unfortunately I think Celtic fans are wrong and Strachan will come good. Meantime non-Old Firm Scottish fans have to make hay while the sun shines. The much hoped for 6-1 didn't quite materialise last night but 4-0 was almost as sweet.

― frankiemachine, Wednesday, 3 August 2005 17:19 (twenty years ago)

I wonder about all this no tactics talk from Strachasn. The Strachan View on MOTD2 was full of excellent tactical analysis that even I could understand. I think it is just talk, this no tactics talk.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 4 August 2005 06:55 (twenty years ago)

Yay! Wobbly start and 0-1 before the boys woke up and ground the Finns to pieces. Haka were really rather poor yesterday; Flo started showing stuff, with two goals and two assists.

Bring on Brügge! Our coach Rekdal played a number of seasons in Belgium, and should know his Belgian football. Quite tempted to go to the away game...

Pete W: That cow-milking thing is still current, though obv not at Flo anymore, now he's on Our Side. Mikey G: Indeed, Siena.

― OleM (OleM), Thursday, 4 August 2005 08:51 (twenty years ago)

That's good to hear. Were you at the Stamford Bridge match? Best away fans ever!

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 4 August 2005 08:54 (twenty years ago)

I wasn't there, no, of course regretting it to this day... I made up for it by going to Newcastle for the 3rd round of the UEFA cup 2003/04 though – also a brilliant trip! :)

We've covered Celtic upthread (to put it mildly); other faves who were knocked out:
Dynamo Kyiv, 2-3 on aggregate vs Thun of Switzerland
Trabzonspor, 2-3 on aggregate vs Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus

― OleM (OleM), Thursday, 4 August 2005 09:02 (twenty years ago)

... so let's hear from all the Dynamo Kyiv and Trabzonspor fans on ILX, there must be more of them than Celtic fans, huh?

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Thursday, 4 August 2005 09:06 (twenty years ago)

two weeks pass...

OFF FOR BELGIUM in but hours, yay!

― OleM (OleM), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 09:22 (twenty years ago)

jesus what a bloody awful display by Liverpool.

Hyypia's awful passing needs to be sorted out, how many times does he just feck the ball up the pitch to nobody? It's really irritating. Sissoko looks very good but there's still nobody creative enough in the team, they need a flair player really badly.

― Ronan (Ronan), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 20:12 (twenty years ago)

Ronan is right. Potter was poor and, when he came off, Zenden and Riise showed no understanding. Morientes was pretty much an observer. Hamman seems to have lost the ability to pass, also. Garcia fannied around to no effect.

Momo was good though.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 20:14 (twenty years ago)

Exciting night for Panathinaikos, looks like they've overturned Krakow after an extra time winner

Artmedia Bratislava have made it to the group stage after a penalty shoot-out in Belgrade.

COME ON THUN

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 20:25 (twenty years ago)

I've just read this entire thread and realised I said that Hartson was immense and no-one took me up on the opportunity to post a picture of his ginormous arse.

Well done Liverpool. You look just like the sort of team that will fluke your way to a Champions League title again.

(XPOST Artmedia Bratislava are the BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD!)

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 20:32 (twenty years ago)

real quote from my dad - "that Sudoku looks a good player"

― zappi (joni), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 20:36 (twenty years ago)

haha!

My dad is obsessed with sudoku.

― Ronan (Ronan), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 20:37 (twenty years ago)

wd it be fair to say riise has forgotten how to play as a left-back, or did his odd screamers always mask a rub defender?

(a-and is his hair less red than it used to be?!)

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 20:46 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, I thought he was eschewing the gingerness somewhat. While we are talking about hair, is this the place to, yet again, ask DJIBRIL CISSE DO YOU EVEN *OWN* A MIRROR?

And, to be less girlie and actually talk about the football, Riise hasn't been playing at all recently though, has he?

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 20:48 (twenty years ago)

hey it would be cool if sissoko... looked like djibril cisse... and was actually called... sisqo

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 20:50 (twenty years ago)

and sang the rigobert thong song omg

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 20:51 (twenty years ago)

Oi, you need this thread... Defend the Indefensible: Puns

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 20:52 (twenty years ago)

enter the goat

― Ronan (Ronan), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 20:53 (twenty years ago)

LFC controlled things well enough after the break but for 20 mins after the goal I really thought Sofia would pinch another one or two. I should be able to derive more enjoyment out of a televised Liverpool defeat than this. Maybe the Super Cup, eh?

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 20:58 (twenty years ago)

wait wait let's stay with the hair, i must know: how does xabi alonso escape his greasy-locked hispanic destiny??

http://club2810.fc2web.com/images/young/malon_20030701.jpg

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 21:02 (twenty years ago)

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/images/21_8_2004_xabi20.jpg

oof nevermind

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 21:04 (twenty years ago)

Also, Sammi Hyppia, you look stupid with white hair, OK?

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 21:07 (twenty years ago)

http://www.givemefootball.com/images/bircham_i.jpg

(may as well pass the time until passantino arrives to rip the piss out of me)

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 21:11 (twenty years ago)

No, I really wanted you to beat us. Cobblers go out of League Cup in the first round: top five finish. Win over "superior" opposition in the first round of the League Cup: middle table mediocrity/relegation.

Still, 3-0, that's a thrashing innit?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 21:20 (twenty years ago)

if eric sabin scores its a thrashing, yes

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 21:24 (twenty years ago)

if ~~eric sabin~~any Northampton Town striker of the past 10 years, with the possible exception of Jamie Forreser, scores its a thrashing, yes

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 23 August 2005 21:26 (twenty years ago)

Xabi looks nicer in his Real Sociedad leisurewear. From the look on his face, that must have been the good season.

Actually, has he not got a completely different face now? Those sidies are pathetic.

Did not watch Liverpool, preferring to wait for Rob Bonnet's precis this morning.

Little Michael to Everton? Given his love of Champions League football, a lot could depend on tonight's result.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 06:54 (twenty years ago)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4179194.stm

newcastle if liverpool don't stump up the money

― zappi (joni), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 08:13 (twenty years ago)

I can no longer abide the expression "the pecking order".

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 08:42 (twenty years ago)

So, the big match is tonight.

― Ally C (Ally C), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 08:43 (twenty years ago)

Yes. You must be excited.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 08:48 (twenty years ago)

Madrid have promised to help Owen return home to boost his World Cup hopes.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 08:59 (twenty years ago)

yes something seems wrong about that first xabi pic. perhaps it is his brother?

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 09:08 (twenty years ago)

Yes - it is Stu Francis lookalike, Mikel Alonso.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 09:28 (twenty years ago)

Irate Man Utd supporters manage to keep sense of humour in Budapest:

Defender Rio Ferdinand, who recently signed a new four-year deal at the club, was also asked if he had spent his pay rise yet.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 09:31 (twenty years ago)

This is how the conversation was reported on the Red Issue website yesterday:

As United arrived at Budapest airport, a United fan spotted David Gill:

Red: You’ve fucked us over big time there Gill. I can’t believe you’ve sold us out.

Gill: (looks perplexed, doesn’t know what to say. Enter Fergie)

Red: You’ve fucked us over too, you could’ve spoke out about it.

Fergie: I’ve got close mates who’ve been working with me here for 15 years. They come first in all this.

Red: So don’t the fans come first?

Fergie: Well I suppose they do come somewhere.

Red: You what? That’s well out of order.

Fergie: Well if you don’t like it go and watch Chelsea.

Red: The fans have been screwed right over. It costs me £20-odd a game now as it is.

Fergie: It costs more than that at Chelsea, go and watch them.

[Red storms off, and spots Ferdinand: "Oi you greedy cunt, how you spending your pay rise?"]

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 09:37 (twenty years ago)

Why no 'Potter is a wizard' jokes on ITV? Because he's not? Also fine opportunity to say, "not only do Liverpool have a Potter, they have a Ron Weasley too". Cue Riise. Nice goal last night.

I hope Everton overturn the Yellow Subs tonight, but I don't think so. Big Dunc on from the start? Reckon it.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:21 (twenty years ago)

I like Fergie's implication that the fans come first at Chelsea!

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:24 (twenty years ago)

Can we have a thread fo fans of European Cup winning sides who have now started going out of the league cup in the first road to fcuking Macclesfield?

― Hello Sunshine (Hello Sunshine), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:26 (twenty years ago)

Yes, I would be keen on that.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:38 (twenty years ago)

sissoko looks like trevor nelson

― cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:41 (twenty years ago)

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40714000/jpg/_40714940_woodgate203.jpg

now woody's afflicted too, maybe its a contractual obligado eh

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:48 (twenty years ago)

I want Liverpool fans to start singing "Mo-mo, mo-mo-mo-mo" to to the tune of "No Limits" by 2 Unlimited.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:50 (twenty years ago)

The second picture of Xabi looks like Ronan Keating.

Yes, I am excited.

Footballer called Momo in 'being quite good' shocker.

― Ally C (Ally C), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 11:41 (twenty years ago)

momo johnstone

― cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 11:43 (twenty years ago)

come on

anorthosis famagusta

― cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 11:43 (twenty years ago)

Why would you say that?

― Ally C (Ally C), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 15:17 (twenty years ago)

I wouldn't say that.

I didn't notice Momo. I was rereading Perry Anderson on Eric Hobsbawm, with the TV on; maybe that's why?

I have always thought that Alonso was quite attractive and very talented.

LFC looked poor to me. But Hyppia looked like Rutger Hauer and actually OK, though I don't like RH. This is confusing.

I think Everton will go out of Europe. I hope they don't.

I saw Rob Bonnet too! He was talking about Owen's statement yesterday or something.

I didn't understand the Sisqo pun post.

I am listening to The Nightcrawlers' 'Little Black Egg'. It can hardly top the Primitives' take, can it?

― the bellefox, Wednesday, 24 August 2005 16:44 (twenty years ago)

I don't care about co-efficients

: )

come on

anorthosis famagusta

― cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 16:47 (twenty years ago)

Bosko Balaban has scored for Brugge tonight. This pleases me no end.

Everton will surely stay in Europe regardless of tonight's result (UEFA Cup consolation?)

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 19:55 (twenty years ago)

well plaid

― cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 20:05 (twenty years ago)

Everton score!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 20:25 (twenty years ago)

Steve, do you have Bosko's stats to hand?

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 20:26 (twenty years ago)

They're surprisingly easy to memorise.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 20:27 (twenty years ago)

Good Arteta, he's quite clever you know. I was very disappointed when Cahill's header from just a few yards out was saved in the first half.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 20:29 (twenty years ago)

this is awful, I'm almost willing everton on

― Porkpie (porkpie), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 20:34 (twenty years ago)

disallowed!

: (

― cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 20:36 (twenty years ago)

the PSP has made you crazy!

― cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 20:37 (twenty years ago)

Replays suggest the decision was harsh.

Of course they do. :(

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 20:40 (twenty years ago)

damn.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 20:50 (twenty years ago)

And that is what it's like to be an Evertonian. When the Best Referee In The World(TM) moonlights as a homer for the evening, you know you're sunk. A bit brutal really.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 20:52 (twenty years ago)

Moonlights as Homer?

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 20:55 (twenty years ago)

Moonlighting: Iliad 2.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 20:58 (twenty years ago)

from BBC site:

2245: Villarreal survive a remarkable goalmouth scramble which leaves their fans holding their heads in their hands.

BAH

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 21:07 (twenty years ago)

http://www.frizzylogic.org/images/0406/collina.jpg http://www.akademik.cz/ias/GFX/homer.gif

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 21:10 (twenty years ago)

Nothing to do with the Champions League, but can I just mention that FC United won 7-1 tonight?

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 21:18 (twenty years ago)

splitters!!!!!

― Porkpie (porkpie), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 21:20 (twenty years ago)

Didn't see you in Trafalgar Square on Monday. FAP at Heathrow Airport? I'll be the one with a suitcase.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 21:22 (twenty years ago)

I was there at Trafalgar square, was that you dressed as a woodpecker?

seriously though, do you have a peckham t-shirt?

― Porkpie (porkpie), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 21:27 (twenty years ago)

No, but I was dressed as a woodpecker.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 21:31 (twenty years ago)

OK, we were a little lucky that their best player was 36 and knackered himself after half an hour, but still. Sweet relief.

― Ally C (Ally C), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 21:42 (twenty years ago)

I want Liverpool fans to start singing "Mo-mo, mo-mo-mo-mo" to to the tune of "No Limits" by 2 Unlimited.

Celtic fans were doing that *years* ago for Momo Sylla, bloody Liverpool fans, nicking our songs... :)

Ally, I thought Ketsbaia was Famagusta's *only* player, given the focus he was getting off the cameraman (I on;y watched the first half)

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 25 August 2005 06:17 (twenty years ago)

Well, in essence, he was.

― Ally C (Ally C), Thursday, 25 August 2005 07:02 (twenty years ago)

where on earth did pinefox hear the nightcrawlers?

i didnt know the primitives had done a version of little black egg, but i can't imagine it could top the nightcrawlers version

the nightcrawlers lp is not so good, its like 11 versions of little black egg

― dioufy-san (gareth), Thursday, 25 August 2005 07:41 (twenty years ago)

I can't see JtN's pictures but I'm sure they'd cheer me up a little on this grim morning. Do Liverpool get seeding and/or country protection in the group draw today? Do I even fucking care?

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 25 August 2005 07:46 (twenty years ago)

Commiserations to Everton FC and their supporter. I am confident of UEFA Cup glory. At least it is still a proper cup and not a "league". Or is it?

I have never heard the Nightcrawlers, although I nearly bought their album once. Perhaps I shoulkd have done. I would have done if I had known it was going to feature on this thread.

Are you going to the pub later, Michael?

Are you going to the pub later, The Pinefox?

I might, briefly.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 25 August 2005 08:40 (twenty years ago)

Some of the UEFA Cup is a league, yes. I hope we can at least make this stage and reap the rewards of being shown on minority TV channels to five-figure audiences throughout Europe for most of the autumn.

Perhaps Premiership referees will heed the example of Collina and penalise Ferguson and Bent everytime they challenge for the ball for the rest of the season. I mean, he's the best, so his reading of the laws is second to none, right? In which case we will be relegated.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 25 August 2005 08:59 (twenty years ago)

I can now see JtN's pictures. I am 5% cheerier.

(I will walk to the pub this evening, yes - arriving between 6 and 6:30. I will stay for one drink. Lots to do.)

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 25 August 2005 09:01 (twenty years ago)

I assume we are not talking about the same Nightcrawlers as the ones who did the mighty 'Push The Feeling On', and the lesser-celebrated 'Surrender Your Love'.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 25 August 2005 09:02 (twenty years ago)

(That's what I was thinking, SteveM).

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 25 August 2005 09:04 (twenty years ago)

Am looking forward to a resumption of fortnightly Champions League comic cuts from Rangers

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 25 August 2005 09:04 (twenty years ago)

I may go for one drink. Sod all to do, mind.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 25 August 2005 10:09 (twenty years ago)

The great thing abou the UEFA Cup is that it is often IN THE AFTERNOON - another throwback to simpler times.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 25 August 2005 10:10 (twenty years ago)

The draw is happening this afternoon. This will have to pass for excitement.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4182054.stm

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 25 August 2005 12:04 (twenty years ago)

is anyone else praying for a draw of liverpool, chelsea, rangers and artmedia bratislava?

― michael grant (michael digby grant), Thursday, 25 August 2005 12:24 (twenty years ago)

.... oh, only several million in the UK alone

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 25 August 2005 12:27 (twenty years ago)

I'd be happy to see Rangers advance for once to be honest.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 25 August 2005 12:32 (twenty years ago)

You're just saying that to annoy me, Dad

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 25 August 2005 12:33 (twenty years ago)

how are cheslea in the second seeding group?

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 25 August 2005 12:38 (twenty years ago)

I'd like to see Liverpool matched with some permutation of (A) violent cloggers who will injure some key members of their vast squad and (B) classy outfits who can stroll to a 0-2 at Anfield. (A) and (B) may semipeacefully coexist within the same club, of course. In which case, three of those, Mr Uefa.

But this season's competition is really all about THUN. I mean, do you hate THUN? No, nobody hates THUN.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 25 August 2005 12:43 (twenty years ago)

Draw delayed! Presumably to hastily accommodate Steady Mike's suggestions.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:09 (twenty years ago)

'how are cheslea in the second seeding group?'

Because the world hates us. (or maybe cos we were rubbish in the uefa cup that time or three.)

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:11 (twenty years ago)

their having some rubbish awards ceremony.
GET ON WITH IT YOU SLAAAAAAAAAAAGS!

― zappi (joni), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:14 (twenty years ago)

delayed? due to rain?

― Ste (Fuzzy), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:14 (twenty years ago)

ok it's on...

― Ste (Fuzzy), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:44 (twenty years ago)

uefa.com can't seem to handle the load.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:47 (twenty years ago)

chelsea & liverpool!!!

― zappi (joni), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:52 (twenty years ago)

chelsea in with liverpool....

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:52 (twenty years ago)

Is getting Chelsea in the group a good thing? Then avoiding them in the knock-out?

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:53 (twenty years ago)

Uh-hoh Lyon gets Real...

― Baaderonixx on a long black leash (Fabfunk), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:53 (twenty years ago)

I reckon they rigged it because Chelsea would've been the top seed for their group were it not for Liverpool, no?

The second part of that sentence must be true at least, so it's fitting.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:55 (twenty years ago)

Have Man U ever had a bad group draw?

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:55 (twenty years ago)

chelsea in with liverpool....

Was there ever anything more certain?

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:55 (twenty years ago)

Then avoiding them in the knock-out?

Oh, I expect you'll be "avoiding" them in the knock-out. Fenerbahce and Schalke would be nice in Group G.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:56 (twenty years ago)

Forlan will get a couple against his old club then.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:56 (twenty years ago)

rangers get inter & porto. ouch.

― zappi (joni), Thursday, 25 August 2005 13:58 (twenty years ago)

Bastards, that's nowhere near hard enough

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:01 (twenty years ago)

COME ON THUN

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:01 (twenty years ago)

JtN should start practising witty responses to bellowed "ARE YOU CHELSEA?" challenges in the pub.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:02 (twenty years ago)

Have Man U ever had a bad group draw?

The season they won it their group contained Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:03 (twenty years ago)

ArseTHUN!

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:03 (twenty years ago)

I wish they would draw the second seeds out last. Much more exciting.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:04 (twenty years ago)

rangers also get artmedia!!! haha!

― zappi (joni), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:04 (twenty years ago)

Thun Army! Thun Army! Thun Army!

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:04 (twenty years ago)

Prediction #1: Rangers will go out in the 2nd round, Porto will consequently reach the UEFA Cup semis.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:05 (twenty years ago)

Come on Artmedia! These Scottish teams are shite!

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:07 (twenty years ago)

UNDONE BY BOSKO BALABAN argh argh argh!

That, and tactics apparently consisting of trying to scrape a 0-0, with nine outfield players around own box at all times. A pretty sight we were not. Immensely frustrating, though to be fair it has worked away in Europe before.

(Is there a UEFA cup thread yet I wonder?)

― OleM (OleM), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:08 (twenty years ago)

Liverpool-Chelsea-Anderlecht-Betis in the group they're already calling "Stevie" G. I fancy Betis to sneak a 1-0 at Anfield but the Reds to go through anyway in some kind of last minute palaver in their 6th match.

Group E is the group of (MDMA-fuelled) insanity.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:09 (twenty years ago)

GROUP A
Bayern Munich
Juventus
Club Brugge
Rapid Vienna

GROUP B
ARSENAL
Ajax
Sparta Prague
Thun

GROUP C
Barcelona
Panathinaikos
Werder Bremen
Udinese

GROUP D
MAN UTD
Villarreal
Lille
Benfica

GROUP E
AC Milan
PSV Eindhoven
Schalke
Fenerbahce

GROUP F
Real Madrid
Lyon
Olympiakos
Rosenborg

GROUP G
LIVERPOOL
CHELSEA
Anderlecht
Real Betis

GROUP H
Inter Milan
Porto
RANGERS
Artmedia Bratislava

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:10 (twenty years ago)

let's hope we get a linesman who knows where the goalline is this time. (bitter? never!)

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:14 (twenty years ago)

let's hope we get a linesman who knows where the goalline is this time

So that you can be down to ten man for the resulting penalty?

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:15 (twenty years ago)

no, i don't remember that bit at all.

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:30 (twenty years ago)

Well, here begins another year of pointlessly misplaced hopes - I predict another decent win-draw start then a slow, sure, almost imperceptible collapse until a required 2-0 result at home in the final match becomes a torrid 1-1 draw. It's just what we do.

― Ally C (Ally C), Thursday, 25 August 2005 15:19 (twenty years ago)

Arsenal really have their work cut out this time if they want to underachieve in Europe this year.

― Rufus 3000 (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 25 August 2005 16:26 (twenty years ago)

I'm glad you can remember that far back!

They were making a stupidly big deal on the Radio Clyde phone-in about how Rangers got the last two teams to end Celtic's involvement in Europe (apart from Villarreal). The pundit then suggested that Alex McLeish could ask Gordon Strachan what to expect from them and how to deal with them. I missed the rest through trying to repair my rapidly-splitting sides. FWIW, I fully expect Rangers to gub them about ten-nil and then laugh at Celtic for the rest of all time.

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 25 August 2005 17:15 (twenty years ago)

Well, let's hope so.

― Ally C (Ally C), Thursday, 25 August 2005 17:52 (twenty years ago)

UEFA Cup ties

Slavia Prague v Cork City
Dinamo Bucharest v EVERTON
HIBERNIAN v FC Dnipro
MIDDLESBROUGH v Xanthi
BOLTON v Lokomotiv Plovdiv

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 26 August 2005 11:22 (twenty years ago)

That looks quite tough. Where are all your Andorran goat-herders and Rockall fridge mechanics?

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 26 August 2005 11:25 (twenty years ago)

The Reebok Stadium?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 26 August 2005 11:27 (twenty years ago)

I'm quite happy with NOT THE BEST TEAM IN THE UKRAINE, we might get past them.

I'm sure they're thinking they're happy with NOT THE BEST TEAM IN SCOTLAND as well though.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Friday, 26 August 2005 11:35 (twenty years ago)

I also discovered yesterday that THUN play their Champs League game at the substantially bigger stadium of Young Boys Bern.

The one described here, under one of the best headlines in the history of journalism.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Friday, 26 August 2005 11:56 (twenty years ago)

I keep thinking THUN are Scandinavian for some reason.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 26 August 2005 11:57 (twenty years ago)

I keep thinking you are talking about THE HUNS.

― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, 26 August 2005 21:15 (twenty years ago)

I actually thought that too. Until I saw the BBC website with Rangers
in a different group I thought it was a t'Huns joke. I'll shut up now. I'm very pissed and it's taken me over two hours to get home from Old Street. Bastards. {that's aimed at the cab drivers of London, not ILXors}

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Saturday, 27 August 2005 01:37 (twenty years ago)

I keep thinking THUN are Scandinavian for some reason.

There are 191 Norwegians having Thun as their last name. More than for any other CL club's name.

― OleM (OleM), Saturday, 27 August 2005 14:35 (twenty years ago)

Liverpool will come 4th in their group but will still make the knockout stages because it's only right that they are allowed to defend their trophy la.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 27 August 2005 14:54 (twenty years ago)

two weeks pass...

Archie McPherson on Rangers, tonight: "Not so much a defence as a variety show".

A battling, bludgeoning, ridiculously swashbuckling win in a game we HAD to win to have any chance in this group, even at this stage. Unlucky Porto played with 10 men for the last 10 minutes. Relief.

― Ally C (Ally C), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 19:43 (twenty years ago)

sinama purga... blimey.

haha woooow itv are pulling out all the stops, LETS LOOK AT THE ULTRACAM shall we

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 19:44 (twenty years ago)

lol real madrid lol

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 19:45 (twenty years ago)

????? Don't you mean Betis, Dom?

― M. White (Miguelito), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 19:49 (twenty years ago)

No Real Madrid lost to Houllier's Lyon !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 19:58 (twenty years ago)

Lyon 3 - 0 Real Madrid

JA Carew 21
P Juninho 26
S Wiltord 31

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 20:00 (twenty years ago)

'Pool were fantastic first half tonight but struggled second. A game of two...etc. Crouch looked superb too until he got totally isolated and then came off. I'm happy with 3 points and also happy that Joaquin wants to join us. I'd not really seen him properly before (just a few cameos for Spain) but if that's what he's like when doubtful to start...

― Crackity (Crackity Jones), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 20:11 (twenty years ago)

I love how the results page gives the full initials for all players.

Like "RIdSL Kaka". Enlightenment required. That's one more initial (and one random lower case letter) more than I could google.

Also, "Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink" scored tonight. Huzzah! is he on the "greatest names ever" list. He should be.

Also, Falkirk are better than the 2003-2004 Champions League Champions. And we play them in the CIS (League) Cup next week.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 21:23 (twenty years ago)

Kaka's real name = Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 07:32 (twenty years ago)

Thought Liverpool were good last night. Perhaps poor at keeping the ball second half but they defended quite well to be fair. How many corners did they deal with? Quite a few I think.

Was surprised I really felt we'd lose last night.

And Joaquin at Liverpool, well, you can always dream I suppose!

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 07:53 (twenty years ago)

Also, "Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink" scored tonight. Huzzah! is he on the "greatest names ever" list. He should be.

Every time I hear his name it reminds me of Johann Gambolputty de von Ausfern-schplenden-schlitter-crasscrenbon-fried-digger-dingle-dangle-dongle-dungle-burstein-von-knacker-thrasher-apple-banger-horowitz-ticolensic-grander-knotty-spelltinkle-grandlich-grumblemeyer-spelterwasser-kurstlich-himbleeisen-bahnwagen-gutenabend-bitte-ein-nürnburger-bratwustle-gerspurten-mitz-weimache-luber-hundsfut-gumberaber-schönedanker-kalbsfleisch-mittler-aucher von Hautkopft of Ulm.... you do remember Johann Gambolputty de von Ausfern-schplenden-schlitter-crasscrenbon-fried-digger-dingle-dangle-dongle-dungle-burstein-von-knacker-thrasher-apple-banger-horowitz-ticolensic-grander-knotty-spelltinkle-grandlich-grumblemeyer-spelterwasser-kurstlich-himbleeisen-bahnwagen-gutenabend-bitte-ein-nürnburger-bratwustle-gerspurten-mitz-weimache-luber-hundsfut-gumberaber-schönedanker-kalbsfleisch-mittler-aucher von Hautkopft of Ulm don't you?

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 08:00 (twenty years ago)

He said the other day that he wanted to come, though that could be the usual paper gubbins. Jon Champion did mention it last night.

― Crackity (Crackity Jones), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 08:04 (twenty years ago)

PH3AR THE KAKA

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 08:23 (twenty years ago)

PSV has (have?) to survive the group stage cause their newly bought players are not allowed to play in the European Cup in 2005.. grr!
http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/49/Michael_Ball.jpg
&
http://nationalfootballteamsafrica.741.com/konearouna.jpg

― Ludo (Ludo), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 10:52 (twenty years ago)

Vennegor of Hesselink is the Dutch way of doing a double barrelled name - it actually means or.

― Porkpie (porkpie), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 10:56 (twenty years ago)

Arsenal hate Thun.

- Jose Antonio Reyes crumples to the ground in the Thun area
- Cesc Fabregas runs at the Thun

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 18:32 (twenty years ago)

Van Persie sent off!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 18:43 (twenty years ago)

Nelson Ferreira is scoring for Thun

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 19:04 (twenty years ago)

Rooney off now too!

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 19:23 (twenty years ago)

*There's only one Dennis Bergkamp*

― Billy Pilgrim (Billy Pilgrim), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 19:40 (twenty years ago)

Group A:
Club Brugge 1-2 Juventus
Rapid Vienna 0-1 Bayern Munich
Group B:
Arsenal 2-1 FC Thun
Sparta Prague 1-1 Ajax
Group C:
Udinese 3-0 Panathinaikos
Werder Bremen 0-2 Barcelona
Group D:
Benfica 1-0 Lille
Villarreal 0-0 Man Utd

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 19:43 (twenty years ago)

Tedious. What with the whole Glazer thing I've given up on United in disgust, but my Dad (a United fan who I can't quite bring myself to tell how I feel about it all) is on holiday and asked me to text him score updates, so I set off tonight to watch them for the first time this season. Obviously all the pubs were showing Arsenal, but I ended up in some kind of Albanian bar watching Albanian TV (showing the match) with Albanians. Ferguson's failed experiment with 4-5-1 continued. Rooney's sending off was ridiculous - a minor foul that didn't merit a booking, he tapped the bloke on the back then mock applauded his yellow card and found himself sent off. {I recognise that ref for some reason - who is he?} After that Van Nistelrooy was taken off, and Ferguson employed an attacking 4-5-0 formation. Yawn. By the end I was willing Forlan to score for Villareal.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 19:54 (twenty years ago)

Why were all the pubs showing the Arsenal game? Everywhere up here was showing the Man Utd game (OK, I was only in two pubs). Move to Scotland!

Ref was Kim Milton Nielson.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 19:58 (twenty years ago)

(Best known for sending David Beckham off for England v Argentina)

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 19:59 (twenty years ago)

it's obvious that italy will dominate the champions league this year, and I couldnt be any happier.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:02 (twenty years ago)

I thought that's who it was. I recognised his face immediately and thought 'I hate you - but why?'. {xpost}

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:02 (twenty years ago)

all the pubs were showing the Arse game as the Stow is only 15 minutes from Finsbury par on the tube or so - we're in prime gooner country (and Yiddo for that matter) Loads of Arsenal fans park up in Walthamstow and get the tube in.

― Porkpie (porkpie), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:24 (twenty years ago)

I thought teh Stow was full of southern FC United fans and Derbyshire scousers?

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:55 (twenty years ago)

united's midfield was so mediocre it was frightening. somebody explain to me what fletcher does? somebody explain to me why ferguson thinks smith can be re-invented as a midfielder? someone tell me why alex "ruthlessness" ferguson still plays paul "anonymity" scholes week-in week-out?

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 21:38 (twenty years ago)

Ferguson's failed experiment with 4-5-1 continued.

phew, at least it's not just Sven being silly...even the decent coaches are at it etc.

I'm very annoyed with Rooney at the mo, it's hard to tell if he is being 'victimised' or not, but he does himself no favours and is a liability.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 15 September 2005 08:41 (twenty years ago)

Why oh why can't footballers be more like cricketers... (continued on Pages 2,3,12,34,43,56-60)

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 15 September 2005 08:45 (twenty years ago)

Can't wait to watch Bolton Wanderers vs. Lokomotiv Plovdiv on Channel 5 tonight, there's nothing to compete with thrills, the excitement, the sheer glamour of European football...

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 15 September 2005 08:49 (twenty years ago)

I'll be watching Hibs play Dnipro Dnipropetrovesk, so good they named it twicepetrovesk.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 15 September 2005 09:13 (twenty years ago)

See the excitement I'm missing out on down here in London!

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 15 September 2005 09:14 (twenty years ago)

Hibs are on BBC Scotland, Sky Channel 941. Chastise yer local barman that it'll be more entertaining than Bolton or Everton - that's what I did.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 15 September 2005 09:34 (twenty years ago)

Man United desperately need a midfield. Smith and Fletcher just don't cut it. Wouldn't it make more sense to swap Scholes and Smith around? Or to drop Scholes altogether? The young full backs did well, mostly. The commentary was shocking, Beto fluffs a couple of shots and they're giving it "CHECK HIS PASSPORT! HE'S NEVER BRAZILIAN!" Twats.

Good result for the Arse playing with half a team in a tough away match. Sol Campbell looks as if he's decided to start earning a fraction of his salary (unlike Rio 'have we started yet?' Ferdinand).

Tonight should be more exciting. Pool vs Chelski in REVENGE GRUDGE MATCH plus Inter vs Rangers in an empty stadium. Draws all round I reckon.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 09:35 (twenty years ago)

liverpool are so gonna win

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 09:43 (twenty years ago)

I love how Benitez has "ended debate" over the goal that never was in last year's competition by inisting that if Luis Garcia and his (Benitez', not Garcia's) secretary both say it was a goal then it must be.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 09:54 (twenty years ago)

I couldn't believe that he thought pushing Scholes forward into a second striker role and keeping Smith back in midfield was the right move.

Even more unbelievable, Ally 'n' Andy at a corner of the pitch with a little table.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 17:19 (twenty years ago)

this is weird, I'm listening to the match but not watching it, can't get into it.

― Porkpie (porkpie), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 18:07 (twenty years ago)

I'm finding it interesting enough, but it's far from a classic. I guess that Liverpool wouldn't mind being the first team to avoid defeat at the hands of Chelsea this season, and Chelsea could hardly be terribly unhappy at a draw away to the champions of Europe, and maybe that will mean they won't be throwing six men forward at every opportunity. Also, a draw would be a decent point for each, and it's a bit early to be throwing everything into a game.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 18:25 (twenty years ago)

chelsea have lost their last 4 away matches in the champions league

― Porkpie (porkpie), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 18:27 (twenty years ago)

So that makes them easy meat, and a draw would be a dreadful result?

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 18:29 (twenty years ago)

I predicted us losing 3-0 earlier

― Porkpie (porkpie), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 18:32 (twenty years ago)

Inter missed a penalty vs Rangers. I'm listening on the radio, there seems to be a wee pocket of Rangers fans there despite the match being "behind closed doors" - I could hear them booing at the penalty (though that might have been the Rangers bench).

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 18:38 (twenty years ago)

Prediction: Rangers hold on valiantly for 89 minutes, and Inter score twice in injury time.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 18:42 (twenty years ago)

It says something of the perception of Chelsea, in particular, that our presenter can ask whether the obligation is on Chelsea to come out and attack.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 18:47 (twenty years ago)

I know Ailsa has at least once thought I was being unfair to Scottish football, so to get back in her good books I'll say that Rangers seem to have played really well, and were unlucky to lose to a deflected goal, and they have my sympathy.

(Actually it features one of the most extraordinary misses I've ever seen, which could have made it 2-0 to Inter.)

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 19:52 (twenty years ago)

Praising Rangers ain't going to get you back in my good books!

I traipsed round SEVEN pubs in Paisley tonight trying to find somewhere to watch the Chelski v Liverpool game. No joy.

I ended up watching the Rangers v Inter game with a bloke from my work who supports Rangers. He was commenting on how it was weird to see a game in front of an empty stadium, I thought he would have been used to it if he ever stayed until five minutes before the end of any match at Ibrox (ba-dum tish, thanks, I'll be here all week)

And yes, that one when the Inter bloke was through on goal and had the worst first touch I have ever seen ever...Rangers were so lucky. As lucky as they were not have had Waterreus sent off.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 22:29 (twenty years ago)

You mean that just because Celtic got eliminated by the mighty Artmedia (who won again today!), you don't support the other Scottish - and indeed Glaswegian! - team remaining in it? I am amazed. Rangers doing well would improve Scotland's coefficient, and therefore help Celtic's seeding, in the event of their finding their way into the competition again someday! It could happen.

Does that make things better now?

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 22:33 (twenty years ago)

Ho, ho, and indeed, ho.

Artmedia are, evidently, the best team in Europe.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 22:36 (twenty years ago)

The Skidster must surely be joking. I'm all for supporting Scottish teams in Europe, but not Glaswegian teams. Except Partick Thistle, Queens Park and Celtic.

Artmedia burst my coupon tonight. You'd have thought once bitten twice shy, eh?

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 22:47 (twenty years ago)

You a closet Bully Wee fan, scotstvo?

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 22:52 (twenty years ago)

(I mean "you *not* a closet...etc" there, you see)

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 22:55 (twenty years ago)

What am I talking about. Moderators delete me, etc...

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 22:55 (twenty years ago)

Ronald got the ball. Inter played like they were playing in an empty stadium. Not entirely unpredictable. Artmedia to top the group?

― Ally C (Ally C), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 23:00 (twenty years ago)

If only to hide some verdant blushes in Glasgow, I hope so.

Ailsa, Cumbernauld is not Glasgow, is it?

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 23:01 (twenty years ago)

Yes, but Clyde are a proper Glasgow team of the olden days. Third Lanark, etc etc, < / Bob Crampsey>

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 23:08 (twenty years ago)

Well... even then, I'd say they were more of a Rutherglen team back then. < / Jim Traynor>

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 23:13 (twenty years ago)

Shawfield /= Rutherglen

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 23:15 (twenty years ago)

Bah. Your fancy maths signs have flummoxed me again.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 23:19 (twenty years ago)

Were you talking about Third Lanark or Clyde being Rutherglen anyway? I may be flummoxing myself.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 23:25 (twenty years ago)

It was Clyde. I passed Shawfield on my bus to uni when I were a lad, and it's just up from Rutherglen Cross. Third Lanark used to play round from my old gaff in Govanhill. A trip to Cathkin Park is an eerie experience. Although not as much as a trip to Cathkin.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 23:28 (twenty years ago)

The only Clyde supporters bus we have ever found leaves from Rutherglen, but I am loathe to admit you are correct.

I love how a Champions League thread has turned into a "shite ex-forces in Scottish football" thread.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 23:33 (twenty years ago)

One day people will look back on Celtic's 4-0 thrashing of one of Europe's premier teams as a feat only bettered by the Lions of Lisbon.

Gordon Smith couldn't pundit his way out of a goalmouth stramash.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 23:36 (twenty years ago)

All of the glory-hunters whose teams are still in the Champions' League must be in bed. I mean you, Cook.

Interestingly enough, when you say 'ex-forces', Third Lanark were made up of men from the Third Lanark Rifle Volunteers. What a coincidence!

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 23:36 (twenty years ago)

One day people will look back on Celtic's 4-0 thrashing of one of Europe's premier teams as a feat only bettered by the Lions of Lisbon.

And you'll then be glad you didn't give in to your inner drunkard and just stay in the pub...

Indidentally, when you win the Sportsound Predictor, you should go and support Artmedia Bratislava in the Champions League final. It's apparently in the Stade de France, a fact which would have won me £30 in the pub quiz tonight, had I known it at the time.

Gordon Smith is a twat. When Cabbage and Vicky were up in Glasgow, we saw him in a restaurant. The temptation to keep mumbling "...and Smith must score" was almost overwhelming.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 23:41 (twenty years ago)

P4ddyp0w3r.c0m are offering 250-1 on Artmedia to win it. Worth 50p of anyone's money. Especially Gordon Smith's.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 23:44 (twenty years ago)

Gordon Smith is a twat. When Cabbage and Vicky were up in Glasgow, we saw him in a restaurant. The temptation to keep mumbling "...and Smith must score" was almost overwhelming.

I was out with some work people and saw Gordon Smith. They were drawing blanks until I said "You know... 'and Smith must score' " then suddenly they knew who I meant.

I actually agree with Martin's point about coefficients and stuff. But if the Jambos were still in Europe I'd want them humped in every match.

Never a penalty in the Rangers game, Wattereus gets a big hand to it.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 29 September 2005 09:11 (twenty years ago)

You mean that just because Celtic got eliminated by the mighty Artmedia (who won again today!), you don't support the other Scottish - and indeed Glaswegian! - team remaining in it? I am amazed.

You mean the way every opposition fan in English football supports Man Utd in European competitions? Or Spurs fans support Arsenal? Etc etc etc etc.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 29 September 2005 09:16 (twenty years ago)

You aren't trying to say I'm wrong, are you?

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 29 September 2005 10:02 (twenty years ago)

About the coefficient n' that? You're right about that. Actaully I don't mind Rangers doing well because it builds up their expectations so their eventual humiliation is even sweeter.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 29 September 2005 10:05 (twenty years ago)

i was totally supporting liverpool when they played in europe last night

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 29 September 2005 10:07 (twenty years ago)

i was totally supporting chelsea when they played in europe last night

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 29 September 2005 10:23 (twenty years ago)

I was totally not supporting either or Chelsea or Liverpool when they played in Europe last night.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 29 September 2005 10:25 (twenty years ago)

Can I suggest, to anyone who likes a bet, that they examine the odds on a Hibs-Dinamo Bucharest double very closely. Or even just the Bucharest odds.*

*Your home may be at risk if this turns out to be wrong. aldo_cowpat accepts no responsibility if he turns out to be a rotten tipster.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 29 September 2005 10:45 (twenty years ago)

Beckham booted himself in the face during training.

Rob Bonnet told me this morning.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 29 September 2005 11:17 (twenty years ago)

slightly OT, but this is from a Digiguide TV listing for C5 tonight:
00:40
UEFA Cup Football (Sport)
Lokomotiv Moscow V Leeds United.
Another chance to see the 1st round, second leg UEFA Cup game between Bolton Wanderers and Lokomotiv Plovdiv, with Sam Allardyce's men hoping to prolong the club's first-ever European campaign.
(Stereo, Repeat)

I was wondering for a second how Leeds had made it into the UEFA Cup this year.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 29 September 2005 11:50 (twenty years ago)

9-2 on Bucharest looks like a good old bet.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Thursday, 29 September 2005 11:52 (twenty years ago)

I fancy Everton to go through tonight

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 29 September 2005 11:53 (twenty years ago)

9-2 might be the aggregate score. What's the odds on that?

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 29 September 2005 11:59 (twenty years ago)

Bucharest to win 4-1 is around 100-1.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Thursday, 29 September 2005 12:26 (twenty years ago)

Bucharest is a risky bet. They will be quite happy to sit on 0-0, or even a narrow defeat.

Hibs is worth a flutter. When those young lads get their heads down and follow their pointy blonde hair there's no telling what could happen.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 29 September 2005 12:29 (twenty years ago)

Lack of Scott Brown is all that puts me off.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 29 September 2005 12:55 (twenty years ago)

Onimo was right Aldo, that was a pish bet. I'm sorry to see the Hibees go.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Thursday, 29 September 2005 20:47 (twenty years ago)

Hibs were robbed by some dodgy refereeing.

(and by being shit)

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 29 September 2005 20:53 (twenty years ago)

Just back from the pub.

Utterly fucking robbed. (I can take the high ground and say we wouldn't have conceded the last two if we hadn't been pushing up looking for the win although I might not be the most reliable witness on this)

Their penalty never was, our two disallowed goals I didn't see anything wrong with. The ref missed the headbutt on Sproule and the elbow on Whittaker.

Gutted. For a game we were the better side in, 5-1 was just plain wrong.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 29 September 2005 21:26 (twenty years ago)

Arteta seems, touch wood, to be OK. There were a horrible couple of minutes there when he seemed to be having convulsions. I did selfishly think, "Oh, this is bloody typical - it's not enough that we're losing."

We toiled for not very much in the second half; 2-0 at h/t was the minimum requirement really - Dinamo are masters at dicking about and weren't about to get on with things past the hour mark.

Was Alan Green at Goodison tonight? I bet he's feeling pretty smug now.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 29 September 2005 21:39 (twenty years ago)

I'm glad Arteta seems to be fine. I remember Alen Orman shaking like a shitting dog when he had a fit during a televised CIS Cup game (where are they this year C5, you cunts?) a couple of years ago and it isn't pleasant to see.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 29 September 2005 22:28 (twenty years ago)

I too am glad about Arteta being OK, because, in the words of the great sage, that was a bloody sore one. Still raging about my coupon being down mind.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Thursday, 29 September 2005 22:39 (twenty years ago)

I watched a programme last night called "Mike Basset". It was quite bad. I won't be stopping up specially again.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 30 September 2005 06:20 (twenty years ago)

I watched the first half of it too. I didn't have to stay up late for it.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 30 September 2005 08:22 (twenty years ago)

two weeks pass...

So far Thierry Henry is now officially better than Ian Wright (though I think we all knew that anyway), Paul Scholes has been sent off with Man Utd failing to secure all three points at home, and ILX favourite Bosko Balaban is on the scoresheet again.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 18 October 2005 19:37 (twenty years ago)

Wow, Old Trafford was rocking tonight! Everything you could ask for from a football match - a passionate crowd, end-to-end all-out attacking, and a hatful of goals.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 18 October 2005 19:42 (twenty years ago)

Are you ever going to get bored of this?

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 18 October 2005 19:45 (twenty years ago)

That first Henry goal was pretty special, though.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 18 October 2005 19:45 (twenty years ago)

It was rather good, wasn't it?

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 18 October 2005 19:49 (twenty years ago)

Never stop undermining Glazer plc...

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 18 October 2005 21:11 (twenty years ago)

I see Artmedia Bratislava are in action again this evening.

"What The Ancients Did For Us" was better than Man Utd's match.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 08:32 (twenty years ago)

Chelsea 4-0 up with nearly half an hour left, and looking likely to get more.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 19:07 (twenty years ago)

A point for plucky Rangers.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 19:37 (twenty years ago)

I was wrong about Chelsea getting more, but an impressive win anyway. And Liverpool won too!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 19:51 (twenty years ago)

A point for plucky Rangers.

I nearly texted you as I was giggling at them, but settled for a cheap laugh at Ally C's expense instead. Artmedia for teh Champions League final!

We put four past them at home, imagine not being able to score against them (ignore the away leg for now).

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 20:33 (twenty years ago)

Actually, their goalie and defence were quite impressive (nearly as impressive as Dado Poorshow's diving).

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 20:35 (twenty years ago)

What a gorgeous night of football.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40972000/jpg/_40972822_cole_ap.jpg

Talk to the hand, Little Joey C.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Tuesday, 1 November 2005 22:05 (twenty years ago)

And if Liverpool lose their last two games , they're probably out! Anything could happen, really.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Tuesday, 1 November 2005 22:17 (twenty years ago)

Is Little Joey C doing I Am Electro Boy?

I looked up the results on Ceefax this morning, and some of them were noteworthy, but I have forgotten them anyway.

Except Artmedia Bratislava, who held Rangers.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 08:37 (twenty years ago)

allez les Dogues!!!

― Porkpie (porkpie), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 21:08 (twenty years ago)

Man United look really hapless, clueless even. I was sceptical about those suggesting Ferguson might be out soon - surely he's gained enormous leeway, with all that he has won? - but a thrashing by boro, a pretty supine defeat by Lille, and Chelsea to come: maybe he isn't so safe? If they don't recover here, and are convincingly outclassed by Chelsea at the weekend, might he be pushed out?

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 21:25 (twenty years ago)

He should go, but he won't.

― F.R.I.E.N.D. (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 21:28 (twenty years ago)

this is a truly dire game of football

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 21:32 (twenty years ago)

1-0 to Lille and that score flatters Man U.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 21:36 (twenty years ago)

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40977000/jpg/_40977284_miseryferg270.jpg

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 21:43 (twenty years ago)

Roy Keane to thread!

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 21:44 (twenty years ago)

Ferguson has consistently said that the time for basking in the glory of one's success is upon retirement. For him, or his friends in the punditocracy, to claim that to dare criticise him is an outrageous act need look no further than his own programme notes where he's justified his ruthless despatching of players who, regardless of past glory, were not fit for the present and future. I really hope Chelsea tonk them off the pitch.

I'm sure the Glazers have a plan. Arf.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 21:55 (twenty years ago)

don't be cruel

― F.R.I.E.N.D. (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 21:59 (twenty years ago)

Now, I really want to see Chelsea v. ManU on Sunday.

― M. White (Miguelito), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 22:00 (twenty years ago)

Anything less than Chelsea putting six past United will be a disappointment.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 22:07 (twenty years ago)

This is definitely Ferguson's last season - whether he survives to the end of it or not, I couldn't say. He should have retired in 2003, after everyone had written him off but he still came back and snatched the league off Arsenal, but he's obsessed with winning another European Cup. He could have walked away on 12 May 2005, when Uncle Malcolm seized power, and he would have been a hero. Instead it's all going to end in tears.

Chelsea will win on Sunday, but I don't think it will be anything like 6-0. More like 2-0.

The pundits still seem amazed every time United lose to an 'inferior' team, but it's been going on for quite a while now. Last season Portsmouth and Norwich, the one before Southampton, Fulham, Wolves, Middlesbro, Portsmouth, Blackburn, Man City. Somehow they seem to keep forgetting this - you could tell they were surprised after the 4-1 at the weekend, when they expected to say "and United haven't had a 4-1 defeat since 1990" or something, when it was as recent as 2004.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 23:10 (twenty years ago)

tehhobbotm

― F.R.I.E.N.D. (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 23:20 (twenty years ago)

friendadamrlotm

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 23:22 (twenty years ago)

It's like the pundits don't know cock all about this stuff.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 23:31 (twenty years ago)

Indeed. And most of them say the most bland shite possible - they seem incapable of expressing a real opinion or thinking beyond cliches. When they ask them 'do you think XXXX (bunch of hopeless losers) will get relegated?' - they always say "no - they've got too much quality in that squad - I know they're having a hard time at the moment, but I'm sure XXXX (hopeless manager) will turn it around". But that can't be true of every team. Why don't they just say "XXXX are shite, and they're going down"?

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 2 November 2005 23:37 (twenty years ago)

Is anyone watching the Bolton game just now? The pitch is like a swimming pool, there is a second set of pitch markings visible, the ball is not running at all, and really if the logistics of a replay were not so impossible it should surely have been called off by now.

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 3 November 2005 21:37 (twenty years ago)

which pundits are we talking about here? Townsend and Earle presumably. I don't think Hansen, Lawro or Rodney Marsh pull punches when it comes to calling teams out for being shite (esp. not Marsh). Maybe it's just an ITV thing.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 4 November 2005 10:42 (twenty years ago)

Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Alan Curbishley, Graeme Le Saux...

― manner the whirled, Friday, 4 November 2005 12:29 (twenty years ago)

i expect they just fear upsetting the apple cart having only just been invited on board.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 4 November 2005 12:34 (twenty years ago)

he'll be disappointed with that one

― terry lennox. (gareth), Friday, 4 November 2005 13:37 (twenty years ago)

very much so

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Friday, 4 November 2005 16:57 (twenty years ago)

he had no right to win that.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Friday, 4 November 2005 17:01 (twenty years ago)

one month passes...

A point for plucky Rangers.

And he'll still get the sack.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 22:14 (twenty years ago)

Ironic that they're through when the team are the weakest they've been for years. Maybe they'll draw Liverpool or Arsenal...

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 22:32 (twenty years ago)

They'd have gone though tonight if they'd have lost. If they win the Champions League, I'll run around Govan naked but painted green and white.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 23:10 (twenty years ago)

Oi, we've heard your empty promises before.

Did anyone else see the state of that pitch Artmedia v Porto was being played on? I thought the Champions League was supposed to be engineered to get rid of these shitty wee substandard teams with their shitty wee substandard pitches?

In other news, I went to the pub since ITV1 was showing the Rangers v Inter game. Good idea, that was. Rest of country, choice of Chelsea v Liverpool on ITV1 or Rangers v Inter on ITV4. In Scotland, choice of, erm, Rangers v Inter on both. Went to my local two-tellies-showing-two-different-games pub to find Rangers v Inter on one and, inexplicably, Lyon v Rosenborg on the other.

Still, they had a pub quiz on after it and we won a bottle of vodka.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 23:57 (twenty years ago)

It was good to see the plucky Rangers players celebrate their draw against a 10 man reserve team, and their fantastic consistency continues with their 10th game in a row without a win. I think that's only twice in 17 now that they've failed to avoid victory :-)

Has anyone else ever gone through with 7 points?

Mourinho told the 'Pool bench to "stop crying" :-)

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 00:07 (twenty years ago)

Even more amusingly, in the post-match punditry, Jock Brown (ex-heid honcho "general ~~wanker~~ manager" at Celtic, lest we forget) described Alex McLeish as something like a very good manager who is excellent at organising his team. I missed the exact quote as I was trying to pick myself back off the floor where I'd collapsed in fits of giggles.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 00:13 (twenty years ago)

Has anyone else ever gone through with 7 points?

I remember Bayer Leverkusen (or could've been someone else, not 100% sure) doing this the same season Arsenal failed to progress beyond the group stage despite also having 7 points but in a different group. Maybe the 98/99 season or 99/00.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 00:25 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, the Arse went through the year celtic went out with 9. That's two more points that Rangers got this year, in case anyone was wondering.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 00:32 (twenty years ago)

And 2 points more than Celtic got last year, statistics fans.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 00:47 (twenty years ago)

Rangers, lest we forget, are 17 points adrift in the SPL and are currently languishing in 5th place, two points behind the mighty Kilmarnock. However, I suppose, in the interests of fairness, I should point out that the team that didn't progress at all out of their group are the season-before-last's Champions of Europe (and the year-before-that's spawny big chief diving competition UEFA Cup Champions, FC Porto. Weird old world, European football.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 00:55 (twenty years ago)

10 games without a win, I couldn't be happier. So, as they are sometimes heard to say in Govan; fuck youse all :)

― Ally C (Ally C), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 01:16 (twenty years ago)

Congratulations to Glasgow Rangers' supporter on his tremendous achievement.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 09:48 (twenty years ago)

Curbishley as Rangers' manager? Vairry interesting...

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 12:29 (twenty years ago)

yeah they should hire a manager who hasn't won in last 6 matches to replace the manager who hasn't won last 10 matches.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 12:32 (twenty years ago)

What, a "future England manager" departing the "best league in the world" to join a team in a "Mickey Mouse league"? I call that "interesting". Of course, "it hasn't happened yet".

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 12:38 (twenty years ago)

yes it is interesting in that it is STOOPID. still there's always Redknapp...

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 12:42 (twenty years ago)

You don't think Curbishley is a good manager? Or you don't think he should join Rangers? Or both?

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 12:43 (twenty years ago)

He's okay but unproven at a 'big club' - has only ever had to deal with low expectations and thrived as a result. obv. the idea is to start this way and progess up, but Rangers might be TOO in at the deep end.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 12:57 (twenty years ago)

Put yourself in Curbishley's position, everybody's been going on about what a good manager he is for years and yet none of the big clubs in England, or even clubs bigger than Charlton (which is most of the premiership) are prepared to take a chance on him. So I can understand why he might be tempted by entreaties from Castle Greyskull (aka Ibrox Park).

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 13:02 (twenty years ago)

Since someone pointed out that it was the good guys who were from Greyskull the accepted name is now Mordor (is in, THIR'S BEEN A...)

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 13:05 (twenty years ago)

Ha ha, I'll remember in future

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 13:07 (twenty years ago)

Congratulations to Glasgow Rangers' supporter on his tremendous achievement.

I hope that's not implying I'm a bluenose? Robbie Williams sucessfully sued for less.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 14:51 (twenty years ago)

Ally C's the bluenose

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 14:53 (twenty years ago)

Congratulations to Liverpool FC and their supporters, for topping their group!

― the pinefox, Wednesday, 7 December 2005 14:59 (twenty years ago)

I wonder if Cabbage enjoyed the match (he was at the Bridge last night).

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 15:23 (twenty years ago)

It was dire.

and what's the Bridge coming to when there's a bloke sitting behind me wearing a half-chelsea and half-liverpool scarf? i ask you.

i even missed essien's 'horror tackle'.

― Pete W (peterw), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 15:39 (twenty years ago)

... so did the ref

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 15:45 (twenty years ago)

Chris enjoyed the fact that Liverpool came away top of the table. I think his blood pressure took a bit of a hammering though. He also looked over longingly to where the Liverpool fans sat, wishing he could join in with the singing.

― Vicky (Vicky), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 15:55 (twenty years ago)

there was at least one terrible offside decision given against Chelsea.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 16:10 (twenty years ago)

There was at least one terrible not-sending-off-Essien decision, too!

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 16:17 (twenty years ago)

Poor Lampard got a yellow card complaining about that terrible offside decision.

But yes, it's absolutely ridiculous that Essien will get off scot free yet again.

― Vicky (Vicky), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 16:20 (twenty years ago)

Lampard deserved, his language was appalling, the language of the gutter!

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 16:22 (twenty years ago)

Lampard deserved it, his language was appalling, the language of the gutter!

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 16:22 (twenty years ago)

Ah, I was watching in the pub and was chatting too, so I didn't see exactly what the yellow was for. Silly boy.

― Vicky (Vicky), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 16:25 (twenty years ago)

I haven't been watching that much top-flight football this season, but I get the impression that that wee Stevie Gerrard seems to have cut most of the inexplicable psycho-tackle element out of his game. Is that right or have I missed the good bits? It does seem a shame, if it's true.

It's not surprising he wasn't impressed with Essien's effort last night. Everyone knows that any "horror tackle" worth its salt involves two full sets of studs, and Gerrard is / was a true master of the form.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 16:44 (twenty years ago)

What did Lampard say? The card seemed harsh. Rooney gets away with worse every week.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 16:52 (twenty years ago)

I notice Shaun Wright-Phillips still can't go 8 seconds on the ball without falling over still!

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 16:52 (twenty years ago)

imagine if it were two italian clubs who constantly played 0-0 when they played against each other. the english press would go on and on about "boring italian football".

and man utd who only managed to score 2 goals so far...

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 17:56 (twenty years ago)

The "horror tackle" was on Hamann of course - no stranger himself to sticking the boot in

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 17:58 (twenty years ago)

That's what I like about him, too, that and his cheeky smile.

Of course Hamann is always penalised for any breaches of the laws of the game.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 18:02 (twenty years ago)

Yes the English teams are now playing more like the Italians.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 18:03 (twenty years ago)

I like Hamann's twitch and his totally inappropriate nickname of "Didi". He just does not look like a Didi.

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 18:08 (twenty years ago)

Does anyone else have a crush on Kaka? I cant help but notice how fucking cute he is.

He was a joy to watch yesterday. I dont think there is any other player in the world who can pass an opposing player with the same ease as him. Not even Ronaldinho. I dont know how he does it considering his relatively skinny body. And he really knows how to defend the ball too. Pirlo and Seedorf are masters at this too.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 18:12 (twenty years ago)

Hamann does look a bit like the next-door-neighbour in a generic early '80s sitcom, "Didi" presumably being the pet name given him by his nice but rather mousey wife, and which causes him excruciating and not very amusing embarrassment.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 18:15 (twenty years ago)

'imagine if it were two italian clubs who constantly played 0-0 when they played against each other. the english press would go on and on about "boring italian football".'

i dont' really understand this. it's not like the press have been saying that chelsea-liverpool is really exciting - in fact they've been going on and on about how boring chelsea and liverpool are for months. even mourinho has said it would be a great thing for football if they never had to play each other again.

i know this isn't breaking news, but peter crouch really is rubbish.

― Pete W (peterw), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 18:18 (twenty years ago)

yeah, but they're not branding ENGLISH FOOTBALL boring(not saying that they should though).

man utd are even more boring than those two teams in the CL btw.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 18:23 (twenty years ago)

well, actually they did, in every single english newspaper throughout september. prices and wages up, goals and crowds down, is english football rubbish etc. it was all over the place.

it is interesting tho, after years of being too cavalier and failing, english teams have now gone the other way entirely - and it worked for liverpool, right up until the final.

― Pete W (peterw), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 18:26 (twenty years ago)

well, rubbish and boring is not the same. but yeah, now that you mention it I do remember there being a debate about the state of english football.

and in italy there is more goals being scored than...since I cant remember when.

it must be noted though that liverpools success is not down to an "italian style of play". just because you play a defensive game it doesnt mean you have adopted the classic italian style(I'm not saying you're claiming this!).

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 18:35 (twenty years ago)

United's group = "Group of Dearth"!!

TH, would that sitcom be written by Carla Lane?

I agree with Lovelace about Kaka. Only saw him for a midnight minute last night, but in the past have thought him cute.

I like Stevie G without the tackles, and I am really glad he did not lead his team to defeat against a Chelsea team I virtually hate nowadays.

I don't hate Mourinho, still a master of ceremonies, but how about his 'they cry and cry all night, all through the match' allegations about LFC's staff? And his new-found Wengerism, re. only seeing the other team's tackles. In fact that makes me reflect: odd that the traditionally 'blind' Wenger should have been named as the 'voyeur'.

Liverpool seem to be coming back, since their woeful crushing by Chelsea at Anfield; they have not conceded a goal for c.16 years. Except for the woeful crushing. At Anfield.

― the bellefox, Wednesday, 7 December 2005 18:37 (twenty years ago)

Well, that was very unfortunate.

*guffaw*

― Si.C@rter (SiC@rter), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 21:54 (twenty years ago)

*titter*

― Cracks (Crackity), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 22:04 (twenty years ago)

Fergie on Sky Sports after was bizarre. He seemed to lose track completely of what he was saying. Almost felt sorry for him.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 22:17 (twenty years ago)

he was kind of odd before: "I think winning is, from our perspective, the thing to do." Not the most piercing insight I've ever heard from a football manager.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 22:19 (twenty years ago)

Ah well, at least there's still the UEFA oh wait.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 22:21 (twenty years ago)

Now they are free to "concentrate on the league". Arf.

Actually, that might play into Utd's hands. After all, it would have been funnier to see them tire themselves out slumming it with Bolton and Rapid Bucuresti et al in the UEFA.

― darren (darren), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 22:34 (twenty years ago)

Couldn't help but think how damning it seems for United that Gary Neville is now the captain, it's like because he hung around long enough he's now the only one left to be the leader of the team, 5 years ago you could have predicted the day he is captain is a black day indeed.

I mean what on earth was he doing for the first Benfica goal, he actually had his hands on his hips and was watching.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 22:40 (twenty years ago)

Debts and targets: The Glazer finances
· The Manchester United takeover cost Glazer £790m, along with £34m in banking and legal fees.
This was met with:
· £265m of senior debt provided by a syndicate of banks, led by America's JP Morgan.
· £275m in pay-in-kind debt (Piks) provided by three New York hedge funds, Perry Capital, Citadel Horizon and Ochs-Ziff. This attracts interest charges of up to 20% a year.
The Glazer business plan assumes:
· United always make it into the Champions League knockout stage and are in the Premiership's top four.
· Club revenues rise by 52% from £161m to £246m within five years. Glazer expects to meet this by raising matchday turnover by 61%, media rights by 13% and a 76% increase in additional commercial turnover.
· If before July 2007, United fail to achieve 85% of (unspecified) target operating profits, the hedge funds win powers including appointment of a quarter of the directors.

· If the Piks have not been paid off by 2010, the holders could claim 30% of Glazer's shares in the club.

ho hum. Looks like Glazer might be saying goodbye to some of the club before too long...

― Alba (Alba), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 22:42 (twenty years ago)

I read in todays Guardian that the business plan for this season did not calculate man utd to reach the knockout stages.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 23:02 (twenty years ago)

I doubt it will make much difference - they're only going out two games earlier than usual. All this talk of £15 million lost is rubbish, they might just about possibly have made another £15 million if they'd actually won the whole competition, but that was about as likely as Rangers winning it. They've probably lost about £2 million all told. This is all a drop in the ocean anyway, seeing as they need to treble profits just to pay off the interest.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 23:42 (twenty years ago)

Actually, in the midst of the high comedy and schadenfreude of it all, it's a damning incitement of the Premiership that such an incredibly mediocre Man Utd side are currently in second place.

― Si.C@rter (SiC@rter), Thursday, 8 December 2005 00:08 (twenty years ago)

Incitement? Indictment, even. Hic.

― Si.C@rter (SiC@rter), Thursday, 8 December 2005 00:10 (twenty years ago)

Actually, in the midst of the high comedy and schadenfreude of it all, it's a damning incitement of the Premiership that such an incredibly mediocre Man Utd side are currently in second place.

It doesn't really work like that, though, does it? Two or three seasons ago you could have said "it's a damning inditement/incitement that a mediocre Arsenal team get dumped out of the Champions League at the group stages time after time, but are walking away with the Premier League". Or, to flip it round, it's a damning inditement of the Champions League that a mediocre Liverpool team, which finished about 30 points behind Chelsea in the Premier League, could win it.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Thursday, 8 December 2005 09:06 (twenty years ago)

OTM.

I liked the pinefox's remark about Wenger re blindness/voyeurism [/pinefox]

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Thursday, 8 December 2005 11:01 (twenty years ago)

I think Jose was saying that Wenger is one of those people who like to spy on people in their homes with his binoculars but doesn't bother to look at what's going on in his own living room

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 December 2005 11:06 (twenty years ago)

to be fair I doubt that Wenger's living room is that interesting.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Thursday, 8 December 2005 11:30 (twenty years ago)

man utd weren't very good last night were they?

but goodness me it was a masterclass in time wasting by the Benfica side!!!!!

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 8 December 2005 12:01 (twenty years ago)

Portuguese side are good at that (there speaks an embittered Celtic fan)

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 December 2005 12:05 (twenty years ago)

I hate reading Poor, POOR Celtic... every time I open this thread.

While I'm being an embittered Celtic fan can I just point out that a Scottish team getting to the last 16 of the European Cup *isn't* making history? Changing the name doesn't erase history (cf. Sky Sports "Premiership = year zero" policy).

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 8 December 2005 12:08 (twenty years ago)

I hate reading Poor, POOR Celtic... every time I open this thread.

Same here

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 December 2005 12:10 (twenty years ago)

Omino, they have been saying it's the first time a Scottish team has got through the group stages, so they're correct - they haven't mentioned the last 16.

― rab_c _nesbitt, Thursday, 8 December 2005 12:24 (twenty years ago)

Not really, because the CL is a cup competition, anything can happen and usually does. (Liverpool and Porto in the last two seasons, for a start). Whereas you can see not only from Man Utd's CL games but their whole general attitude and performances that things are not right. Yet they're second in the Prem.

― Si_C@rter, Thursday, 8 December 2005 12:44 (twenty years ago)

Omino, they have been saying it's the first time a Scottish team has got through the group stages, so they're correct - they haven't mentioned the last 16.

Changing the format doesn't erase history any more than changing the name.

Walter Smith took Rangers to within a goal of the final in '92, that it was knockouts then groups at that time is of no consequence, it was a much greater achievement than getting out of the group of life with 7 points.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 8 December 2005 12:52 (twenty years ago)

Man U have actually played well in the Premiership quite alot of the time.

If "anything can happen in the CL and usually does" then that suggests it's a poor barometer of a teams form.

I think what is worrying for United and why it's a "crisis" etc is the general feeling around the club. Regardless of picking at their results etc, the feeling that it is the end of the era has become very strong and so any bad result is magnified and becomes another nail in the coffin.

Look at Liverpool, who are behind United in the Premiership, but because it's the managers second season in charge there is huge optimism there. Arsenal are not doing a great deal better than Man United either, despite doing well in the CL for the first time ever, but again it doesn't have that ending feel to it.

Gary Neville is captain of Man U, and as I said above, there's a real feeling in the last few years that a certain amount of the people playing or being relied upon/praised are the leftovers.

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 8 December 2005 12:56 (twenty years ago)

ITV4 definitely mentioned the last 16, and it being 'the first time' for a Scottish side.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 8 December 2005 13:00 (twenty years ago)

Not really, because the CL is a cup competition, anything can happen and usually does.

er.. but... this is the group stages

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 8 December 2005 13:00 (twenty years ago)

Come on, you don't expect anyone at ITV or BBC or Sky to know anything about Scottish football do you?

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 December 2005 13:06 (twenty years ago)

Omino - fair enough. And I know all about '92, because Rangers beat my team in an earlier round :-(

― rab_c _nesbitt, Thursday, 8 December 2005 13:09 (twenty years ago)

Some good news for Celtic fans! Now Fergie is unlikely to beat Jock Stein's postwar record of trophies won! Time for a stiff one, Alex.

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 December 2005 13:13 (twenty years ago)

Omino - fair enough. And I know all about '92, because Rangers beat my team in an earlier round :-(

Leeds? I had a fiver on them, and that was a lot of money to me then :-(

Rangers were very unlucky that year. They were unbeaten in the entire competition and lost out on a final place to a Marseille team that were (if I recall correctly) later stripped of the title for corruption.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 8 December 2005 13:18 (twenty years ago)

United are actually doing well in the Premiership, certainly better than Arsenal who have already lost four times. They've got 30 points from 14 games - by any normal standards, this would be a great start, championship form. It's six points more than they had at this stage last season, and seven points more than they had at this stage last time they won it (02/03). It's the Chelsea effect that distorts everything - they smashed the points record last season, and they're already four points better off than they were this time last year.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Thursday, 8 December 2005 13:21 (twenty years ago)

Arsenal are not doing a great deal better than Man United either, despite doing well in the CL for the first time ever

Arsenal ALWAYS breeze the group stage though, then fall apart soon after.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Thursday, 8 December 2005 13:22 (twenty years ago)

Arsenal ALWAYS breeze the group stage though, then get found out soon after.

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 December 2005 13:23 (twenty years ago)

i don't think i'm really buying too much into this crisis thing like, unless by crisis it's the same crisis as the past five/six years or so of 'holy shit there are competition in the premier league now' and that they won't win the league every year.

i'd agree though that the team this year does seem one of the more lacklustre (maybe last year's was worse actually.. yes last year's was way worse!), but i don't think, apart from chelsea, there are really any other team who are really any better! liverpool are on good form at the moment. and arsenal haven't been awesome in the league (and seems to be more of an henry one-man-show than ever! a pretty good one-man-show, though)

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 8 December 2005 13:28 (twenty years ago)

Surely you mean: 'holy shit there is roman abramovich in the premier league now' and that they won't win the league every year.

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 December 2005 13:29 (twenty years ago)

well they weren't winning every year for a while before abramovich, was my point! (i.e. when arsenal started winning every so often)

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 8 December 2005 13:30 (twenty years ago)

Surely you mean: 'holy shit there is roman abramovich in the premier league now' and that they won't win the league ever again

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Thursday, 8 December 2005 13:32 (twenty years ago)

there is that possibility

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 8 December 2005 13:34 (twenty years ago)

maybe big clubs like chelsea should split into a super league of its own to keep things fair

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 8 December 2005 13:35 (twenty years ago)

They were unbeaten in the entire competition and lost out on a final place to a Marseille team that were (if I recall correctly) later stripped of the title for corruption.

True and it was probably one of the worst finals in any major competition ever, and that includes some real duff FA cup finals in the 90's. Totally negative, play for the draw and hope to win in penalties.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Thursday, 8 December 2005 14:06 (twenty years ago)

haha the 2004 FA cup final was like that

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 8 December 2005 14:10 (twenty years ago)

and i don't know whether liverpool played for the draw in 2004 CL final...

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 8 December 2005 14:11 (twenty years ago)

I would add the Juventus v Milan final from a couple of years ago to that, and I can remember being bored rigid by Steau Bucharest v Barcelona a long time ago (80s? 90s?).

haha the 2004 FA cup final was like that

Millwall 0 Man Utd 3?

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Thursday, 8 December 2005 14:12 (twenty years ago)

Steaua Bucharest - terrible.

The worst ever was when Red Star Belgrade won it, they played brilliant football all the way through the competition and then in the final played for a 0-0 draw. Shocking.

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 December 2005 14:15 (twenty years ago)

oh 2004-2005?

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 8 December 2005 14:17 (twenty years ago)

Uefa in actually taking action shocker! http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4506510.stm

― Vicky (Vicky), Thursday, 8 December 2005 17:29 (twenty years ago)

Let's see what Moanin' Mourinho has to say about this... but I can guess, "They all hate us, thy're all against us" etc etc etc

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 December 2005 17:34 (twenty years ago)

'one rule for them and another for us' blah blah blah. Who's crying now, huh?

― Vicky (Vicky), Thursday, 8 December 2005 17:37 (twenty years ago)

To be fair, he's right, we do all hate them and we are all against them

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 December 2005 17:38 (twenty years ago)

It's sad about Manchester United!

― the bellefox, Thursday, 8 December 2005 17:40 (twenty years ago)

Ahh not really. I really hope Arsenal or Chelsea win it.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Thursday, 8 December 2005 17:49 (twenty years ago)

It's Rangers for me

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 December 2005 17:50 (twenty years ago)

well done!

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Thursday, 8 December 2005 17:51 (twenty years ago)

You just want to see Boyler streaking through the streets of Govan, don't you (he won't do it, the big wuss, not that's he's likely to get the opportunity)?

xpost

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 8 December 2005 17:51 (twenty years ago)

It's sad about Manchester United!
-- the bellefox (pinefo...), December 8th, 2005 5:40 PM. (later) (link)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ahh not really. I really hope Arsenal or Chelsea win it.
-- Sororah T Massacre (stevem7...), December 8th, 2005 5:49 PM. (blueski) (later) (link)

you think Arsenal or Chelsea's chances of success hinged on whether Man Utd could get past the group stages?

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 8 December 2005 17:54 (twenty years ago)

Rumbled! (xpost)

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 December 2005 17:56 (twenty years ago)

No Ken.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Thursday, 8 December 2005 17:59 (twenty years ago)

well then.

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 8 December 2005 18:09 (twenty years ago)

shhhhh, shut up! they're doing the draw now...

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:13 (twenty years ago)

Chelsea first out of the pot

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:14 (twenty years ago)

VS BARCELONA OMG111!!

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:14 (twenty years ago)

REAL VS ARSENAL OMG!!(!!!2111

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:15 (twenty years ago)

cool

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:16 (twenty years ago)

bloody hell, i can totally see Barca getting revenge on Chelsea AND Real raising their game and beating Arsenal. Stupid bloody competition.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:17 (twenty years ago)

BREMEN VS JUVENTUS

BAYERN MUNICH VS MILAN

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:17 (twenty years ago)

Real and Arsenal have never met in the CL before, it's about time - I thought it might happen a bit later on though, despite Real's poor form.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:18 (twenty years ago)

PSV VS LYON (AGANE)

AJAX VS INTER

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:18 (twenty years ago)

BENFICA VS LIVERPOOL

RANGERS VS VILLAREAL

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:19 (twenty years ago)

Ha ha, what a hilarious draw! Chelsea and Arsenal could both go out and Rangers could go through!

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:19 (twenty years ago)

Liverpool must be pissing themselves

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:20 (twenty years ago)

When's the UEFA Cup draw, out of interest?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:23 (twenty years ago)

What price d'you reckon on a Bremen vs. Rangers final?

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:23 (twenty years ago)

FIX FIX FIX FIX!

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:25 (twenty years ago)

Liverpool to retain the trophy I predict

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:27 (twenty years ago)

Barcelona v Lyon final

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:28 (twenty years ago)

If Liverpool win the Champions League, I'll run fully clothed around my bedroom.

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:29 (twenty years ago)

yeah right

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:31 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, right. (er, xpost)

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:31 (twenty years ago)

SPANISH GIANTS VS ENGLISH GIANTS, ITALIAN GIANTS VS GERMAN GIANTS, WEE DIDDY NATIONS VS WEE DIDDY NATIONS. UEFA seem to have fucked up the draw fixing for this year. Some great ties to look forward to.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:39 (twenty years ago)

wonder how many games Jose will get banned for this time?

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:40 (twenty years ago)

i don't think Bayern have played Milan in the CL before either.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:44 (twenty years ago)

wonder how many games Jose will get banned for this time?

Or how many referees he'll cause to quit in fear of their lives?

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:46 (twenty years ago)

wonder how many games Jose will get banned for this time?

Not enough

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:47 (twenty years ago)

you guys are obsessed with jose and chelsea! you just talk talk talk about him all the time

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:50 (twenty years ago)

I'm obsessed with Jose, but only in a good way.

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:52 (twenty years ago)

I like to look at him... in his living room... with my telescope

― We Buy a Hammer For Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:59 (twenty years ago)

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41128000/jpg/_41128646_jose270.jpg
Mourinho must hope for repeat
success against Barcelona

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 16 December 2005 11:59 (twenty years ago)

Latest William Hill odds:

Juventus 5/1
Barcelona 5/1
Chelsea 6/1
Lyon 8/1
Inter Milan 8/1
A C Milan 9/1
Liverpool 11/1
Arsenal 12/1
Villarreal 14/1
Real Madrid 14/1
Bayern Munich 14/1
P S V Eindhoven 40/1
Benfica 50/1
Werder Bremen 66/1
Ajax 66/1
Rangers 100/1

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 16 December 2005 12:02 (twenty years ago)

And in the dreary little cousin tournament (Boro had less than 10,000 fans out for last night's tie!), Bolton play Marseille and Boro play Stuttgart. Pretty tough draws, I think.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 16 December 2005 13:18 (twenty years ago)

United players 'not focussed on the match' in Benfica

http://www.bluekipper.com/assets/images/misc/snap_roo.jpg

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 16 December 2005 13:45 (twenty years ago)

"i don't think Bayern have played Milan in the CL before either"

two years ago in the first group stage. milan won both away and at home.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Friday, 16 December 2005 14:34 (twenty years ago)

two months pass...

anyone else excited about the two nights' footie coming up? i'm off to the pub shortly to swill beer and watch it all go doen.

arsenal to lose tonight.

liverpool to draw.

chelsea to win tomorrow (and over two legs).

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 17:50 (nineteen years ago)

I really want to see the Chelsea-Barca game, but I'll be working. Arse-Real is a poor substitute as I want both teams to lose.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 18:05 (nineteen years ago)

ha ha, REAL ARSE

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 18:06 (nineteen years ago)

yay! headed to the bar shortly to watch this afternoon's (it'll be 2.45 philadelphia time) games.

― the leglo (the leglo), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 18:46 (nineteen years ago)

Arse-Real is a poor substitute as I want both teams to lose.

As kick-off approaches I've decided to support Real as they have more English players.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:41 (nineteen years ago)

You, and the commentators (as I just pointed out on the Ireland at Italia 90 thread).

Why are Ally and Andy stuck *outside* doing their half-time summary?

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:40 (nineteen years ago)

They're overdoing this "plucky underdogs vs world beaters" thing a bit. It's not like Real are playing Partick Thistle.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:05 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah, how a shitey player like Thierry Henry can have the sheer audacity to even *dream* of scoring at the Bernabeu is beyond me.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:10 (nineteen years ago)

They keep doing that with Ally and Andy these days. My theory is that a. they have a binding contract, b. they know they are both rubbish => c. FREEZE YOU BASTARDS.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:12 (nineteen years ago)

I wondered if it was just so that Gabby could sit in the studio and look pretty without having to discuss football stuff with them, being as how she's a girl and that?

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:15 (nineteen years ago)

Someone tell me how good Henry's goal was please.

― Mike W (caek), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:16 (nineteen years ago)

pretty sweet, low drive from wide angle far right of the post.

almost there...

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:36 (nineteen years ago)

of course Real could still go to Highbury and score 3 or 4...

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:37 (nineteen years ago)

but what a fantastic result!

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:39 (nineteen years ago)

that commentator made me really really want real to win. patronising or what?

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:40 (nineteen years ago)

dear ITV,
please cut out all that portentous "verge of history" commentary guff.
ta.

― zappi (joni), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:40 (nineteen years ago)

of course Real could still go to Highbury and score 3 or 4...

Not with that fat lazy bastard up front they can't.
;-)

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:40 (nineteen years ago)

i'm still fuming from the commentary.

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:41 (nineteen years ago)

holy shit. ITV will be showing some of the world cup won't they?

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:42 (nineteen years ago)

Arsenal were fantastic for the first hour tonight, and totally deserved that win. That was the best I've seen Reyes play, without his usual snideness (until the rolling back onto the pitch incident). The commentator seemed a bit mad, though: "Do not adjust your set! That really is the score!!!! Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 1 !!!!!!". You'd have thought he was going to say "Chelsea 0 Colchester 17".

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:43 (nineteen years ago)

The BBC coverage was similarly breathless:

2050: GOAL Real Madrid 0-1 Arsenal
Thierry Henry scores a fabulous goal for the Gunners to give them a deserved lead. He picks the ball up in the centre circle, effortlessly skips past two challenges and tucks the ball past Iker Casillas from 12 yards. Classic Henry.

2138: FULL-TIME Real Madrid 0-1 Arsenal
The whistle blows in The Bernabeu and it is an historic night for the Gunners. They have Thierry Henry to thank for the winner, but massive performances from the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Philippe Senderos helped too.

― Mike W (caek), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:44 (nineteen years ago)

he makes andy gray seem sensible

xpost

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:45 (nineteen years ago)

That sounds a bit more reasonable than all the "Arsenal could have scored there AGAINST THE GALACTICOS!" guff on ITV.
xpost

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:45 (nineteen years ago)

The Guardian are also rather excited.

xpost, this is why I don't have a television. (That and my TV is broke.)

― Mike W (caek), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:47 (nineteen years ago)

I mean, were we missing something? When the draw was made I thought Arsenal were slight favourites, maybe 55/45 in their favour, but with what had happened in the last couple of months I thought it was more like 60/40 in Real's favour tonight. But the commentator seemed to think it was 99/1.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:47 (nineteen years ago)

maybe OMG AGAINST ALL ODDS YOUR TV WILL BE FIXED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG !!!!!!!!!!!AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111111111111111

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:48 (nineteen years ago)

Plucky Arsenal!

― danski (danski), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:50 (nineteen years ago)

Not with that fat lazy bastard up front they can't.
;-)

Oi, I'm going to slap you next time I see you at this rate :-P

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:51 (nineteen years ago)

I'm glad there is sanity here. "How dare plucky Aresenal play in such a way HERE! HOW DARE THEY! DO THEY DARE? THEY DARE!"

SHUT UP GUY

― Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:52 (nineteen years ago)

THE LONE GUNNER

― Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:52 (nineteen years ago)

really though, i've never in my life seen a match where real madrid defended badly, nor have i ever seen a match in which arsenal won by a solo thierry henry effort!!

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:54 (nineteen years ago)

Or, get this, where the AWAY team ATTACKED in a game of football!!!!!!!!!

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:56 (nineteen years ago)

ITS LIKE THEY PUT ON THE WRONG SHIRTS

― Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:57 (nineteen years ago)

DO NOT ADJUST YOUR EYEBALLS IT IS REAL

― Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:57 (nineteen years ago)

IT'S UNREAL, MADRID!

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:59 (nineteen years ago)

Drury also slightly overemphasising the "LET'S NOT FORGET REAL MADRID ARE REALLY GOOD AT THE FOOTBALL AND COULD SCORE FROM ANY POSITION ON THE PITCH RIGHT THIS FUCKING SECOND" shit as well.

― Michael A Neuman (Ferg), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 22:07 (nineteen years ago)

Drury is a cock. Utterly. He's the archetypal premeirship era commentator, utterly in love with celebrity players, celebrity teams and the general idea that column inches bear a relationship to talent. Every time ROBERTO CARLOS got the ball in the Arsenal half or passed to RONALDO or RAUL, he raised his voice in a breathless way like he was about to jizz his pants. Tool.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 22:40 (nineteen years ago)

But Roberto Carlos once scored a fancy-pants goal once! He's BRILLIANT!! And he's a GALACTICO!!!

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 22:43 (nineteen years ago)

Liverpool were rubbish, as were benfica, in fact a t.errible European game all round.

Henry's goal was remeniscent of Maradona's against England in 1986, in other words, one defender doing his job would have stopped it but no....

― Porkpie (porkpie), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 22:49 (nineteen years ago)

you're all over-reacting to ITV's over-reaction.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 22:52 (nineteen years ago)

Me on the other thread...

Haha, the ITV commentators on the Champions League coverage just now must have been reading this thread...straight from kick-off they were discussing whether they should be backing Arsenal as the home team or whether they should be enjoying the football played by Real Madrid (I wouldn't be cynical enough to suggest that this neutrality had anything at all to do with Jonathan Woodgate and David Beckham playing for Real Madrid at all)...
-- ailsa (ailsa_watson7...), February 21st, 2006 7:48 PM. (ailsa) (later)

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 22:55 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah could see Liverpool conceding that goal a mile off. They created nothing.

Still would fancy them to win. When Crouch isn't playing they can't even pretend to have any purpose to their passes upfield.

― Ronan (Ronan), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 23:01 (nineteen years ago)

I was looking on Youtube to see if anyone had uploaded the Henry goal, and found these clips of some police activity at a pub during an arsenal game.

It's boring except for the voiceover, which seems to have been provided by Nathan Barley. Tell them I hate them.

― Mike W (caek), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 23:07 (nineteen years ago)

When Crouch isn't playing they can't even pretend to have any purpose to their passes upfield.

Even with Crouch that tactic brings us little joy, Ronan. Liverpool are in trouble, beating a team by two goals is a rare occurence for us these days. Shit.

― Venga (Venga), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 00:29 (nineteen years ago)

Should anybody care, I'm getting very nervous about tonight's game. I might have to start drinking soon.

― Pete W (peterw), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 15:07 (nineteen years ago)

I have to be honest and say I would really like Barcelona to beat Chelsea. Ideally, Ronaldinho would score a dazzling hat-trick to put them 3-0, then Lampard and Terry would drag Chelsea right back into it. Half-time comes, it's 3-3. Rijkaard pops into the refs room for a cosy little chat to sort things out for the second half. Mourinho goes incandescent and is sent out of Stamford Bridge and has to listen to the remainder of the game on a radio (which he hurriedly purchases on his American Express card). Robben gets sent off in the 46th minute for 'simulation'. Barcelona come storming forward and win a free-kick just outside the area. Ronaldinho scores again as the entire Chelsea defence are blocked by Barca players, but the referee sees nothing. It's over.

In reality I think Chelsea will win 3-2 or it'll be a 2-2 draw.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 15:39 (nineteen years ago)

after all the hype, another 0-0 probably.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 15:57 (nineteen years ago)

DO NOT ADJUST YOUR SET, IT'S 0-0

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:04 (nineteen years ago)

etc.

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:04 (nineteen years ago)

Liverpool, to me at least, looked like Arsenal has for much of the year. Competent at movement and possession but shit at actually making chances or saying, fuck it, and taking an actual shot at goal. The number of stutter steps I saw at the edge of the box that ended with some feckless cross or pass when there was a chance to at least test the Benfica keeper made the game increasingly boring.

― M. White (Miguelito), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:13 (nineteen years ago)

they didn't have gerrard innit

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:17 (nineteen years ago)

They did at the end, ken, and he wasn't all that, really, was he?

― M. White (Miguelito), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:18 (nineteen years ago)

yeah but if he was on top form.. he may have scored his version of the henry solo amazingness goal that got arsenal the victory.

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:22 (nineteen years ago)

so yeah actually kind of like arsenal

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:23 (nineteen years ago)

Arsenal were great last night. On the down side, David Pleat. I'd forgotten what a fanny he is. The only person in England who pronounces Henry as if Higgins should follow it.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:34 (nineteen years ago)

Dude, I know people who call him 'Terry Henry' as if it were a straight-up American name. That's cool, though. I just say their name with my thickest French accent.

― M. White (Miguelito), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:37 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah, that bugs me too. No one's asking him to speak fluent French, but he could make a better stab at pronouncing the name of one of the most famous players who plays in this country. I mean, Pleat has been surrounded by football for decades, offering mediocre punditry for the last two of them, and must have noticed at some point that everyone else in Britain calls him 'on-REE', but he seems incapable of saying it himself. At one point he made a valiant effort and managed to say 'HON-ree' instead of 'HEN-ree', but that was as good as it got. (xpost)

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:39 (nineteen years ago)

I just saw the President of FC Barcelona talk about how their games are visible all over the world, so that only 23% of their TV viewers are in Spain. This made me think: it is a pity, then, that there is so rarely any live league football on TV, since it was taken away from us in the 1990s.

Just now I looked in the paper and found that there are no highlights of Chelsea vs Barcelona on TV, either. I think it's a pity, as we can't see the game, that we can't even see any highlights either.

So I am pondering trying to find somewhere to watch the match, if anyone is interested.

But Kenneth is probably right, it could be a bore no-score draw.

― the bellefox, Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:44 (nineteen years ago)

no it was me who said that. ME.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:45 (nineteen years ago)

But Kenneth is probably right, it could be a bore no-score draw.

Steve 'Kenneth' M? (xpost)

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:46 (nineteen years ago)

although Ken's post was better, at the end of the day, as his posts sometimes are.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:46 (nineteen years ago)

There isn't any coverage in Britain?

― M. White (Miguelito), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:46 (nineteen years ago)

Like the pinefox I lament the absurd situation resulting in not even highlights of Che-Bar on normal telly tonight. Going to the pub to watch it is a commitment I am not fully willing to make as I have other tasks to carry out tonight. Getting one Sky should not be necessary. Fortunately the situation is set to change in the future when Sky's stranglehold will be forcibly relaxed by pressure of a legal nature.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 16:49 (nineteen years ago)

must have noticed at some point that everyone else in Britain calls him 'on-REE', but he seems incapable of saying it himself. At one point he made a valiant effort and managed to say 'HON-ree' instead of 'HEN-ree', but that was as good as it got.

WE INVENTED THOSE NAMES

― Michael A Neuman (Ferg), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 17:00 (nineteen years ago)

What names?

― M. White (Miguelito), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 17:05 (nineteen years ago)

too bad Peter Ndlovu never got to play in the Champions League (ah Coventry in Europe, such aesthetic wonders...).

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 17:17 (nineteen years ago)

Attention Pinefox - Crown, Blackheath, this evening. I want to watch this one somewhere with commentary.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 17:21 (nineteen years ago)

Ooh, I'm not sure about the Crown.

x-post, ruining my favourite line:

That doesn't mean we're N'dlovu.

― the bellefox, Wednesday, 22 February 2006 17:22 (nineteen years ago)

That reminds me of a rare funny moment from Fantasy Football, during a World Cup, when Skinner (?) said that across the country hundreds of couples must have looked at the Cameroon line-up before the match and turned to each other, misty-eyed, saying "Oh look - they're playing R Song."

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 17:25 (nineteen years ago)

I still enjoy saying 'Nuuhdlowvoo' to this day.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 17:33 (nineteen years ago)

Surely you don't say the final vowel? I always go by my memory of Des saying it (as "nn'LUURVE", basically) to Hansen, who commented 'You say it well, Des'. This would be about 1997.

Barry Davies to thread.

― the bellefox, Wednesday, 22 February 2006 18:16 (nineteen years ago)

I mean people would pronounce it 'Nuuhdlowvoo' (or at least I did) before the 'NnLUURVE' thing really took off, which for me was represented best by Ray Stubbs performing the pronunciation as a song on Fantasy Football around ten years ago.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 18:19 (nineteen years ago)

paulo wanchope

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 18:21 (nineteen years ago)

nobody mispronounced that did they?

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 18:22 (nineteen years ago)

if you don't pronounce the 'U' in Ndlovu, were you not supposed to pronounce the 'U' in Ekoku? They were from different countries though.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 18:23 (nineteen years ago)

http://planet.nana.co.il/livetv/

you can watch the game there. they also cover the epl, serie a and la liga.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 18:47 (nineteen years ago)

Barry Davies said 'Wanchopay' for a while, then decided to go back to the version everyone else used, probably because he had discovered it was correct.

See also his rendition of Soren 'LerbU'.

― the bellefox, Wednesday, 22 February 2006 18:55 (nineteen years ago)

Also Ugo Ehiogu.

Pleat insisted on calling Álvaro Mejía 'Mexès' last night. Yes, the French centre back that plays for Roma. Prick.

― Cracks (Crackity), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 18:59 (nineteen years ago)

supposedly, wanchope is pronounced "wan-chop-ey"

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 19:39 (nineteen years ago)

Bur-berr-ey, Wan-chop-ey / When you gonna learn to proper-ley?

― Alba (Alba), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 19:42 (nineteen years ago)

I don't get it. This is happening at the same time as the FA cup? So Liverpool play in one championship one day and another championship the next?

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 19:46 (nineteen years ago)

They're not playing in the Championship at all!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 19:48 (nineteen years ago)

Inter showing their usual appetite for the big game.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 20:25 (nineteen years ago)

Del Horno sent off for what Five Live make sound like a machete attack. Meh.

― Mike W (caek), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 20:25 (nineteen years ago)

Rangers back to 2-1 down, who booked this crap?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 20:28 (nineteen years ago)

Juve 1 down too. Erm, hurrah!

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 20:30 (nineteen years ago)

i can't the stream of the live games Lovelace linked to to run. got as far as 14% buffering after 5 mins :(

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 20:32 (nineteen years ago)

lol @ chelsea

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 20:32 (nineteen years ago)

i can't the stream of the live games Lovelace linked to to run. got as far as 14% buffering after 5 mins :(

you can download pplayer here :
http://www.live-foot.com/
and choose the channel called "sports"

― --bruno, Wednesday, 22 February 2006 20:42 (nineteen years ago)

Bruno you're a star. Eternal thanks.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 20:54 (nineteen years ago)

Chelsea score. Meh.

― Mike W (caek), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:03 (nineteen years ago)

Ha ha I am a few minutes behind on this internet stream. Oh well something to look forward to...

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:06 (nineteen years ago)

SPOILER ALERT

― Mike W (caek), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:15 (nineteen years ago)

HOORAY!

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:16 (nineteen years ago)

Also I would like to hear Barry Davies opinion on this pitch, I'm sure he'd agree it's "reeeeeeeeeallly poor".

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:16 (nineteen years ago)

How was that not a penalty?

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:21 (nineteen years ago)

Alan Green is makes this match sound like the end of days.

― Mike W (caek), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:22 (nineteen years ago)

I've been watching matches on the Fox Sports channel so I think I'm getting some bad information. I saw Man U vs. Liverpool in the FA cup and then I saw Newcastle and Southampton in the same, I believe, and then I saw highlights of Arsenal vs. Real Madrid. I think those are right. At any rate, I think my question was pretty clear, even if the team was wrong: are there teams playing in both the FA Cup and the Champions League simultaneously?

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:36 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah the FA Cup is like a domestic trophy for English teams and the CL is a European one, so it's perfectly possible to play in both.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:38 (nineteen years ago)

woohoo well done barcelona

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:40 (nineteen years ago)

I wish I was seein this. Maybe it'll be on repeat.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:41 (nineteen years ago)

Was great to see Chelsea outplayed, by a team playing good entertaining football. They were lucky not to lose by 2 or 3.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:44 (nineteen years ago)

Ajax 2-2 Inter Milan
CHELSEA 1-2 Barcelona
RANGERS 2-2 Villarreal
Werder Bremen 3-2 Juventus

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:45 (nineteen years ago)

xpost to Tracer: the point is there are many knock out cups a team can compete in (domestic like the FA Cup or the League Cup, European like the UEFA Cup or the Champion's Leage, and now even international).

These all run at the same time as the domestic league (e.g. the English Premiership) that team happens to play in. Winning some of these can get you entry to others, but they're otherwise unrelated, independent and simultaneous.

― Mike W (caek), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:47 (nineteen years ago)

WHY U HAT CHELSEA RONAN?

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:52 (nineteen years ago)

ATT CHELSEAS: U MAD

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:55 (nineteen years ago)

Bookies go with Barcelona clear 5/2 favourites now, Juventus second at 5/1.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:57 (nineteen years ago)

Mike W: it seems so higgeldy-piggeldy! Not the stately grandeur of America's preordained sports schedules.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 22:01 (nineteen years ago)

That was fantastic. I quick reminder of why it is I actually watch football. The Del Horno sending off was HIGH COMEDY, especially Messi falling over, looking up, realising Del Horno had missed the ball and then rolling over with his hands on his face. Rivaldo salutes you!

Oh, and wrt to last night, ooh. Worst Arsenal team in years beat worst Real team in years. Mostly by running through their non-existant midfield. Big fucking deal.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 22:29 (nineteen years ago)

Messi, cheating aside, looks like he could be a star at the World Cup. I'm sure his rawhide tactics will be brought up should Argentina face England at any point.

Mourinho didn't notice Del Horno "rolling rolling rolling and rolling", funny that.

As a Celtic fan can I just say YOU WERE THE FUCKING PORTO MANAGER YOU FUCKING CHEATING TWAT GET IT RIGHT UP YOU! I hope Henrik popped into the Chelsea dressing room to say that for me, then went into his own dressing room and twatted Deco.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 23:09 (nineteen years ago)

Sorry Tracer, I can rarely resist a game of winding up the Americans when it comes to football - as it happens, the Championship is the name of the second tier of league competition in this country, something Liverpool have been too good to slip down to in many decades.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 23:42 (nineteen years ago)

Mourinho didn't notice Del Horno "rolling rolling rolling and rolling", funny that.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Just watched the game 'as live'. Ah the poetic justice. A Jose Mourinho team fall victim to 'diving'. Supposedly. Let's conveniently ignore the fact that Del Horno had just fouled Messi twice in the previous couple of minutes. Let's forget the fact that he jumped into him, with his leg outstretched, absolutely nowhere near the ball. Let's try to forget that Del Horno rolled around far more theatrically than Messi did.

And the fucking commentary on Sky - Jesus! Seeing everything through English glasses. So the referee was influenced by the Barcelona players complaining, was he? Did nobody else see the entire Chelsea team come running up screaming at the referee and linesman? Including Arjen fucking Robben! (Didn't he get killed by Reina?) Including Makelele! (Didn't he get killed against Monaco?) So the referee gave everything to Barcelona? Not two stonewall penalties, he didn't.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 23:52 (nineteen years ago)

Another of our more bizarre European outings. And two of the most ridiculous goals I've ever had the displeasure of watching. But, I suppose: still in it!

― Ally C (Ally C), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 23:56 (nineteen years ago)

the Championship is the name of the second tier of league competition in this country, something Liverpool have been too good to slip down to in many decades.

If you're interested in this period of history, you might like to read my forthcoming pamphlet 1954-62: Let's Kick The Ladder Away.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 23 February 2006 00:01 (nineteen years ago)

Ridiculous goals all night in every game. Loads of own goals and deflections and bizarre decisions. Gers' 1st was a peach, almost as good as Lovercrands' accent.

xpost

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 23 February 2006 00:02 (nineteen years ago)

the referee should get death threats now

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 23 February 2006 00:17 (nineteen years ago)

xxpost

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 23 February 2006 00:17 (nineteen years ago)

'Ah the poetic justice. A Jose Mourinho team fall victim to 'diving'.'

Oh don't worry - this sort of poetic justice happens to us all the time. Last year Barca got Drogba sent off by diving; Ballack cheated to get a penalty at Stamford Bridge. We're quite used to the double standards that deplores Robben (who got hacked around last night without a single dive and, correspondingly, no Barca bookings) but celebrates Messi...

And, yes, I am fucking bitter.

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 23 February 2006 11:07 (nineteen years ago)

I'm still smarting about Porto vs Celtic, I couldn't give a fuck about justice for Chelsea. Every time Mourinho moans about play acting he should be shown a video of that UEFA cup final and have STFU stamped on his head.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 23 February 2006 11:49 (nineteen years ago)

Messi and Del Horno were as ridiculous as each other. But I don't have a problem with DH getting sent off - one yellow card for the foul, and a second for simulation would have been fair.

Doesn't Messi look like the dull one off of Top Gear?

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 23 February 2006 11:59 (nineteen years ago)

it was funny when john terry buggered messi inside the penalty box.

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 23 February 2006 12:00 (nineteen years ago)

he doesn't even look like will young!

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 23 February 2006 12:03 (nineteen years ago)

another astute picture choice to represent the 'Mourinho accuses Messi of cheating' story on BBC Sport homepage.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Thursday, 23 February 2006 12:27 (nineteen years ago)

Celtic players never dive, ever ever, and therefore their fans have every right to be bitter about losing to Porto.

Do you remember the shocking pro-Celtic bias shown in the commentary that evening? I think it was because Celtic had some players who'd played in the English Premiership.

― Tim (Tim), Thursday, 23 February 2006 12:28 (nineteen years ago)

My first thought on seeing it was that it looked like a wrestling match where both wrestlers run off the ropes and fling themselves at each other.

I half expected the linesman to get knocked out too, whilst Ronnie whacked del Horno round the head with his flag, before finding a steel chair hidden behind an advertising hoarding. Then, just as all was feared lost, Zola and Kerry Dixon come running onto the pitch from nowhere. Zola does a flying kick at Ronnie, takes the ovation from the crowd, whilst Kerry does a body splash off the crossbar onto Messi, at which point the Linesman wakes up and awards a free kick to Del Horno and sends Messi off.

Or something like that.

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 23 February 2006 12:31 (nineteen years ago)

Celtic players dive, mostly Petrov and Maloney and, when he was there, Sutton. I can only recall one of them feigning injury in an attempt to get someone booked since Martin O'Neill took over, and that was Neil Lennon making a cock of himself against Invercaleythistle. I get worried when a Celtic player needs treatment because I know they don't stay down unless they're hurt.

I watched the game on Spanish TV, there was a shocking lack of commentary I could understand.

xpost

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 23 February 2006 12:34 (nineteen years ago)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4742654.stm

― Teh HoBB at work, Thursday, 23 February 2006 12:45 (nineteen years ago)

sí, ésa es la cuenta. chelsea 1 Barcelona 2

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 23 February 2006 12:46 (nineteen years ago)

¡no ajuste su televisión!

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 23 February 2006 12:48 (nineteen years ago)

Is that Messi? It looks like Puyol.

I don't know what Messi looks like.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 23 February 2006 12:59 (nineteen years ago)

Forlan was onside! As Bill Shankley once famously said, "if he's not involved in phase one offside but then doesn't run back onside to join in phase two attacking movements, what's he doing on the pitch?"

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 23 February 2006 13:04 (nineteen years ago)

He was also onside for the one he had disallowed.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 23 February 2006 13:09 (nineteen years ago)

xxpost haha yeah BBC messed up!

deco looks like millhouse from the simpsons

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 23 February 2006 13:13 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.wldcup.com/pictures/euro2004/19914.jpg

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Thursday, 23 February 2006 13:21 (nineteen years ago)

That isn't Deco, he's standing upright and not crying.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 23 February 2006 13:23 (nineteen years ago)

yeah steve get it right
http://www.tripledoubleyou.com/images/millhouse.gif

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 23 February 2006 13:23 (nineteen years ago)

but is it art?

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Thursday, 23 February 2006 13:32 (nineteen years ago)

am i the only one who doesn't mind diving and dirty tricks and instead see it as something....eh, "charming"?

also, barca should have had a penalty when one of their players shot the ball and makelele stopped it with his arm. it was so obvious.

the expression on mourinho's face when the match ended was pricless.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Thursday, 23 February 2006 13:40 (nineteen years ago)

It was Geremi who handled, although he was about one metre away.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 23 February 2006 13:52 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.wldcup.com/pictures/euro2004/19914.jpg = http://members.cox.net/david.maki/images/peppers.jpg

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 23 February 2006 15:18 (nineteen years ago)

Mike Ingham was talking about the "Messi challenge" on the radio this morning and I wasn't sure if he was making a joke or not.

― Alba (Alba), Thursday, 23 February 2006 15:30 (nineteen years ago)

ihttp://www.wldcup.com/pictures/euro2004/19914.jpg = ihttp://www.dcwasa.com/images/waterquality2.jpg

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Thursday, 23 February 2006 15:33 (nineteen years ago)

but is it art?

not unless he grows a gigantic afro

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 23 February 2006 15:40 (nineteen years ago)

http://images.easyart.com/i/prints/rw/lg/2/3/Celebrity-Image-Art-Garfunkel-231192.jpg

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 23 February 2006 15:41 (nineteen years ago)

I've already shared my theory somewhere else about how Deco looks like David Platt off Coronation Street (as opposed to the ugly ex-England internationalist). Though in that picture up there, he looks more like Tyrone.

David Platt
http://www.itv.com/uploads/images/1121100249265_0.10334658039225203.jpg

Tyrone
http://www.itv.com/uploads/images/1121103880500_0.7937442303159228.jpg

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 23 February 2006 18:11 (nineteen years ago)

Tracer, FYI, ESPN or ESPN 2 shows some selected CL matches.

― M. White (Miguelito), Thursday, 23 February 2006 18:17 (nineteen years ago)

I will keep an eye out. I was wrong about the station I was watching; it's "Fox Soccer Channel." I assume they just repackage the Sky Sports feeds, which would explain the weird lack of highlight clips for some matches they don't have the rights to.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Thursday, 23 February 2006 18:28 (nineteen years ago)

FSC does show Sky Sports News so you can see at least a bit of the highlights, post game interviews, etc...

― M. White (Miguelito), Thursday, 23 February 2006 18:46 (nineteen years ago)

Fox Sports has Premiership replays on Tuesday at 3pm ET. And this week ESPN2 showed the Champions League stuff live at 230 ET.

― wmlynch (wlynch), Thursday, 23 February 2006 18:52 (nineteen years ago)

Check here

― M. White (Miguelito), Thursday, 23 February 2006 18:57 (nineteen years ago)

poor momo though :(

― danny invincible (michael w.), Thursday, 23 February 2006 19:02 (nineteen years ago)

Steady Mike's post - best in days!

― the bellefox, Thursday, 23 February 2006 19:14 (nineteen years ago)

the referee should get death threats now

-- ken c (pykachu10...), February 23rd, 2006 12:17 AM. (ken c) (later)

No sooner does Ken give an instruction...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4746036.stm

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 24 February 2006 16:08 (nineteen years ago)

Peter Kenyon's strategy to take Chelsea from minor London club to the most hated club in the world in two years is really paying off.

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 24 February 2006 16:14 (nineteen years ago)

I think Ken Bates kicked that one off a long time ago.

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 24 February 2006 16:16 (nineteen years ago)

And the fucking commentary on Sky - Jesus! Seeing everything through English glasses.

You're beginning to sound like me

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 24 February 2006 16:17 (nineteen years ago)

Incidentally, these 'death threats' on the official supporters site are ridiculous: comments along the lines of, 'Where do we send the e-mails? Is it the same address as last time?'

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 24 February 2006 16:22 (nineteen years ago)

Do you remember the shocking pro-Celtic bias shown in the commentary that evening?

Couldn't have been a Scottish commentator then

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 24 February 2006 16:25 (nineteen years ago)

he may be a cunt but I love him for statements like this:

"Can Messi be suspended for acting? Barcelona is a cultural city with many great theatres and this boy has learned very well. He's learned play-acting."

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Friday, 24 February 2006 16:41 (nineteen years ago)

What's to love? It's a slightly more high-falutin way of saying 'forreners dive, unlike my hearty yeoman of English football who are REAL MEN are get stuck in and want the Eurocrats off our back lest they remove all manly virtues from the game'*.

Also, for him to ask "How do you say cheating in Catalan?' is a bit daft since he fucking lived there for 10 bloody years.

* See England exit this year's WC after Terry gives away a penalty, and for the third tournament in four, England fail to progress because of the way in which they play domestically gets punished abroad.

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 24 February 2006 16:46 (nineteen years ago)

and why would an argentinian know catalan etc. :)

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 24 February 2006 16:50 (nineteen years ago)

Um because this: "Barcelona is a cultural city with many great theatres and this boy has learned very well" is FUNNY! I never said I agreed with what he said about Messi or his hypocrisy.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Friday, 24 February 2006 16:54 (nineteen years ago)

I must admit that finding out that Mourinho is a rabid right winger really made my day

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 24 February 2006 16:57 (nineteen years ago)

You're beginning to sound like me

I was aware of this at the time, and felt slightly uneasy about it.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Friday, 24 February 2006 17:00 (nineteen years ago)

Ken, he's talking about Mourinho dude

― Porkpie (porkpie), Friday, 24 February 2006 17:02 (nineteen years ago)

(...perhaps a bit like Luke Skywalker just after he's chopped off Darth Vader's hand and then looks meaningfully at his own artificial hand - could I be becoming Scottish?) xpost

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Friday, 24 February 2006 17:05 (nineteen years ago)

Mourinho's politics have been hinted as being solidly Portuguese Conservative - pro-dictatorship, likes order etc. Though why this was a surprise in football I don't know, since out and out lefties are a rare breed indeed.

Apologies for being somewhat inflexible today. I was reading Paul Foot this morning and its made me disinclined to be accommodating.

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 24 February 2006 17:06 (nineteen years ago)

You're moving to the World of Light from the World of Darkness (xpost)

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 24 February 2006 17:07 (nineteen years ago)

You couldn't really make this up:

(from the BBC website)
Chelsea may copy Messi - Carvalho

Ricardo Carvalho claims Barcelona star Lionel Messi's theatrics have "opened the road" for Chelsea to do the same in the Champions League return clash.
Messi was involved when Chelsea's Asier del Horno was sent off in Barcelona's 2-1 first leg win at Stamford Bridge.
Carvalho said: "Messi is a good player but he has opened the road for some Chelsea players to do the same thing.
"He exaggerated everything he could and started to roll around on the field like he had been killed."

Carvalho added: "He deceived the referee well, but these type of things are a part of football."

Did Del Horno foul Messi twice in the previous three minutes before jumping into without making any attempt to play the ball - yes/no? Did Del Horno roll around at the same time and far more theatrically than Messi in a bid to avoid a red card - yes/no? Does a team by managed by Mourniho really think it has the moral high ground on this issue - yes/no?

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Friday, 3 March 2006 08:48 (nineteen years ago)

It would be good if no one watched their stupid match.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 3 March 2006 09:33 (nineteen years ago)

You're obsessed! Carvalho is being a wally. It's because he looks like Lord Percy. He can't help but say silly things.

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 3 March 2006 09:51 (nineteen years ago)

xxxpost chris i know i was just pointing out further absurdities of mourinho's statement like. and that it wasn't a serious question etc.

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 3 March 2006 10:17 (nineteen years ago)

I must admit that finding out that Mourinho is a rabid right winger really made my day
-- Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (dadaismu...), February 24th, 2006 4:57 PM. (Dada) (later) (link)

was he played left back?

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 3 March 2006 10:17 (nineteen years ago)

thoguht

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 3 March 2006 10:18 (nineteen years ago)

(also: i know, yes, he didn't really play anywhere in particular.. was just making a reference to "right winger" etc etc)

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 3 March 2006 10:19 (nineteen years ago)

Carvalho's a bit behind. Robben was playing Messi/Barcelona at their own game before their match even kicked off.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Friday, 3 March 2006 10:23 (nineteen years ago)

Messi speaks:

"I want to produce the biggest match of my life against Chelsea to silence the mouth of Mourinho and his players.

"They claim I am an actor. They are wrong. I am a professional footballer and I have received many kicks this season. The actors are for the cinema and not for sport.

"I do not want contact with Mourinho because he was deceptive with me through his behaviour. He should look at the bruises on my legs."

When was Moo-Moo at Barcelona?

I don't know how to say cheating in Catalan. I could have a guess though.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Monday, 6 March 2006 11:21 (nineteen years ago)

xheating

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Monday, 6 March 2006 11:54 (nineteen years ago)

I think Mourinho worked as a translator in the Robson era at Barca.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 6 March 2006 12:39 (nineteen years ago)

Given that Robson frequently used four different languages per sentence in press conferences you can see why an interpreter might come in handy.

A quick Google says he worked for Robson at Sporting Lisbon, Porto then Barca then remained at Barca with Van Gaal after Robson left.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 6 March 2006 12:44 (nineteen years ago)

That was him that used to sit next to Robson in press conferences?

Quite a good looking chap I seem to remember.

I should have known it was Robson. He must have learned his coaching skills from Robson and his "getting everyone to hate you" skills from Van Gaal.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Monday, 6 March 2006 13:13 (nineteen years ago)

English > Català

cheat

1 verb: fer trampes
2 estafar, enganyar (trick)
3 copiar (an exam)
4 nom: trampós/osa, trapella (swindler)
5 trampa (trick)

― Mooro (Mooro), Monday, 6 March 2006 19:59 (nineteen years ago)

First leg predictions:

arsenal to lose tonight.

liverpool to draw.

chelsea to win tomorrow (and over two legs).

-- weasel diesel (kilian(dot)murphy24@mail.dcu.ie), February 21st, 2006 5:50 PM. (Kilian)

Any predictions for the second leg? FWIW I haven't got a clue. A one-goal advantage can easily be wiped out.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 09:02 (nineteen years ago)

George Graham was explaining the other day that he thought Chelsea could win 2-0 in Barcelona, but "to do that, Chelsea will have to score first," which I thought was very true.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 10:21 (nineteen years ago)

basically, either side could win. or it could be a draw.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 10:22 (nineteen years ago)

it's impossible to win unless you score

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 11:13 (nineteen years ago)

Wrong, it's over two legs, so you can win the tie

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 11:16 (nineteen years ago)

but you'll still need to score at some point throughout the tie.

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 11:18 (nineteen years ago)

Penalty kicks?

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 11:19 (nineteen years ago)

unless there's an own goal from the other team. or if you can get 4 players sent off from the other team. or make them not turn up.

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 11:19 (nineteen years ago)

xpost you still need to score the penalty kicks!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 11:20 (nineteen years ago)

Which I suppose is scoring (xpost)

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 11:20 (nineteen years ago)

Glen Johnson not playing because he forgot his passport. A clever psychological move from Mourinho or a thick right back?

I hope it rains in Barcelona tonight. I love the way Crespo's hair gets out of control.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 11:21 (nineteen years ago)

MESSY, MORE LIKE

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 11:22 (nineteen years ago)

he needs some sham-pu y'all

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 11:33 (nineteen years ago)

Were you pulling my leg, and the general assembley's leg, about the interpreter being Mourinho. I have discussed it with my wife and daughter. None of us are convinced.

Maybe I am a big thick pudding.

I hope it doesn't rain, Barcelona wilt in bad weather, delicate flowers that they are.

Thank you, Mooro. I wonder if "trapella" means "gyppo" or if they just left that one out.

Who was doing the gobbing? Right-wing extremists?

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 11:33 (nineteen years ago)

Right-wing extremists? You mean like Jose Mourinho?

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 11:34 (nineteen years ago)

talking of right-wing extremists - here's hoping the forces of darkness get a doing over in El Madrigal! Stuff the co-efficient points.

― JohnFoxxsJuno (JohnFoxxsJuno), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 12:07 (nineteen years ago)

I was going to ask our office Portuguese person if there really are pro-dictatorship people in Portugal, but I daren't.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 12:47 (nineteen years ago)

I imagine you get a few "This would never have happened under Salazar" types - sort of the Portuguese equivalent of Daily Mail leader writers

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 12:51 (nineteen years ago)

I fear the worst for my beloved blue boys and their dashing, fascistic leader tonight.

Did anybody else see that article in the London Review of Books a while ago that suggested Morinho's success is all down to the fact his players fancied him?

― Pete W (peterw), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 13:21 (nineteen years ago)

Former Liverpool striker Michael Robinson, now Spain's leading football pundit, believes that Chelsea can win the tie and got through to the last eight.
"Chelsea have to be faithful in their own way of playing football," Robinson told BBC Sport.

"They play almost by memory and then with a certain eloquence when it gets wide and the midfield players come forward."

Isn't he a twat?

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 17:57 (nineteen years ago)

What's he trying to say?

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 18:13 (nineteen years ago)

More gay rumours?

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 18:13 (nineteen years ago)

Fuck's sake. This keeps happening. ITV1 Scotland are showing the poxy Rangers game instead of Chelsea-Barcelona one. It's OK, because in this multi-channel era, one of the other ITV channels will be showing... oh, the Rangers game.

Great.

― Alba (Alba), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 18:16 (nineteen years ago)

At least you get to watch live football!

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 18:16 (nineteen years ago)

Think of the miserable expat.

Watch me try explaining th significance of the World Cup to my supervisor.

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 18:17 (nineteen years ago)

I'm trying to figure out home I'm going to get out of work in the middle of the day to watch matches. At least when it was in Korea/Japan the matches were late night. No work then!

― wmlynch (wlynch), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 18:50 (nineteen years ago)

Where are you? I thought you were some kind of exiled Oakland person?

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 18:58 (nineteen years ago)

If you know any East Bay places, hook me up!

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 18:58 (nineteen years ago)

I'm going to have to record a lot of games on DVR and try to avoid learning the scores.

― M. White (Miguelito), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 18:59 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah, I had the same rant yesterday over on the Scottish football thread. Resultant decision = I'm going to the pub. To watch both of them.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 19:00 (nineteen years ago)

my heart BLEEDS

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 19:00 (nineteen years ago)

haha my first set of predictions weren't too sharp, were they? i will try again:

rangers to lose by one goal margin in villareal.

barcelona and chelsea to draw tonight, barca through overall, of course.

arse 1-1 madrid tomorrow, arsenal through overall.

liverpool, 1-0 at full time, 2-0 aet.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 19:07 (nineteen years ago)

Bastards. I wanted to watch Barca.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 19:07 (nineteen years ago)

Adam, I am indeed in Oakland, not really exiled though. Last World Cup I watched most of the matches at home on the Spanish language stations at 4am. I don't know of any bars around here that will be showing them. LaVal's in Berkeley used to put them on, but it was a shithole and now it's gone anyway. I'll be sure to let you know if I find one though.
Luckily I don't work Tuesdays currently so I can watch Premiership replays on Foxsports.

― wmlynch (wlynch), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 19:39 (nineteen years ago)

thanks!

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 19:42 (nineteen years ago)

1-0 Rangers.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 20:09 (nineteen years ago)

According to the BBC site Rangers fans surrounded the villareal team bus and smashed it up. I missed the tv coverage before the game kicked off.
Was there any mention of it?

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 20:12 (nineteen years ago)

Bremen 1-0 against Juve.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 20:13 (nineteen years ago)

keep the updates coming, plz!

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 20:19 (nineteen years ago)

Update for Adamrl: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0 at half-time. Barcelona have had far more possession, and Ronaldinho must have done at least ten amazing backheels, but they haven't really troubled Cech, and Chelsea still look like they could score on the break. Oh, and Messi went off injured early on.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 20:38 (nineteen years ago)

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 20:39 (nineteen years ago)

Fuck that, there's an interview with everyone's favourite Swedish lothario, Anders Frisk, after the game.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 20:41 (nineteen years ago)

A bus carrying players from Spanish club Villarreal has been attacked by Rangers fans before the Champions League match between the two sides.
A group of fans hurled bottles and beer cans and broke a side window as the bus arrived at Villarreal's Madrigal stadium.
About 5,000 fans of the Glasgow club have tickets for the match at the 22,500-seat stadium.
Thousands of others without tickets gathered outside.
'Ugly incidents'
The teams drew 2-2 in the first leg in Glasgow. The winner will go through to the last eight of the competition.
Graeme Hunter of the Daily Mail told BBC Scotland of "two ugly incidents".
"The Villareal team bus was arriving here through the very small narrow streets of their town to the Madrigal and a number of objects, including a bottle were thrown at the team bus," he said.
"One of the windows of the Villareal team bus shattered.
"The bus carried on its journey towards the stadium, arriving outside the principal door of the main stand.

"At that point, I'd say there were 40 or 50 Rangers fans, rocking the bus, bashing on the bus, shouting and throwing plastic cups of beer, which made for very ugly scenes indeed."

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 20:45 (nineteen years ago)

chelsea - barca game is a gigantic yawn.

it would be compelling if rangers and bremen held on, particularly rangers. i am more interested in those games than the chelsea game now, to be honest.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 20:47 (nineteen years ago)

Villareal 1 Rangers 1
I missed the goal while getting a drink in the kitchen.
I always do this.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 20:58 (nineteen years ago)

Crespo and Gudjohnsen on now. Chelsea slowly seeing more and more of the ball and looking more threatening.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 21:05 (nineteen years ago)

It took David Pleat a full five minutes to use the term 'holding role', whereas Motson managed it in just over 70 seconds when commentating on the England vs. Uruguay match.

― danski (danski), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 21:09 (nineteen years ago)

I was astonished to hear Clive Tydlesley mention Man Utd beating Bayern Munich in 1999 after 70 minutes.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 21:31 (nineteen years ago)

Cobblers I had 65 down.

― Masked Gazza, Tuesday, 7 March 2006 21:36 (nineteen years ago)

good predictions by weasel so far!

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 21:42 (nineteen years ago)

Adaminrl final update: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 1, final score. Chelsea looked strangely tame in the second half. They seemed perfectly capable of holding Barcelona to a 0-0 draw, but given that they needed two goals you'd have thought they would have been a bit more adventurous. With the game drifting away into nothingness Ronaldinho (who else?) got a good goal. With nothing to lose, and all-out attack required, you'd have expected Mourinho to go for it, but he responded by taking off Joe Cole and bringing on Robert Huth (instead of a 'never say die' attitude, more of a 'say die, but don't lose too badly' attitude). In literally the final second of the match Chelsea equalised with a dodgy penalty.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 21:44 (nineteen years ago)

I feel that Chelsea lacked something as clichéd, yet essential, as... passion? At least when LFC are in that position, I get the feeling that Gerrard or whoever feels as impatient as me. CFC went into this game needing at least 2 goals, but had how many shots on target? I also think it says something about Mourinho supposed tactical acumen that, with a limitless budget, for the second UEFA year in succession!, he is reduced to sticking on a centre back as a forward.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 21:45 (nineteen years ago)

agreed. no real hunger from Chelsea lately. Lampard was laughing with Ronaldinho at the end. Mourinho: "We played them four times in two seasons...they never beat us, that's the reality"

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 21:48 (nineteen years ago)

Perhaps Chelsea have suffered from having too easy a Premiership win. They're not used to having to really press forward to win a game.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 21:48 (nineteen years ago)

they never beat us, that's the reality Fucking graceless cunt. Every time he loses, whether it's Charlton or Barcelona, it didn't really happen. Perhaps Chelsea have suffered from having too easy a Premiership win. They're not used to having to really press forward to win a game. But they are, and they normally make a very good job of it.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 21:52 (nineteen years ago)

Formatting????

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 21:52 (nineteen years ago)

Chelsea have come back from half time losses to win a few premship games this season, but none of them were really Rubiconic.I think they may lack a big game sense of occasion.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 21:55 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah Huth at the end was seriously a travesty. I mean come on!! Sean Wright Philips even, but is that actually the extent of his ambition. I'd actually be half tempted to suggest Mourinho brought on Huth cos he figured they'd lost anyway and wanted to show once again what an individual coach he is.

― Ronan (Ronan), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 21:58 (nineteen years ago)

On the other hand Juventus v Werder Bremen gorblimey! The thing I hate about the Champions League is that is ALWAYS makes me wish I was watching one of the other games. I think Stevie has a point - when Chelsea were down, where was the leadership? Where was their Roy Keane against Juventus? Towards the end, what I most wanted to see was John Terry doing what he did for England the other week and rampaging forward in an "if you want something done properly..." style.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 21:59 (nineteen years ago)

Okay who broke the ILX return key?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 22:00 (nineteen years ago)

A sentence A space Another sentence.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 22:01 (nineteen years ago)

Wow!

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 22:01 (nineteen years ago)

Rubiconic! I was astonished to hear Clive Tydlesley mention Man Utd beating Bayern Munich in 1999 after 70 minutes. Then, on 71 minutes, he mentioned Mike Pejic! For possibly the first time since he described MP being stretchered off some godforsaken frozen pitch during the Winter of Discontent.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 22:08 (nineteen years ago)

Nextthespacebarwillgo.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 22:08 (nineteen years ago)

but surely, after they brought on huth, they got their equaliser. tactical genius, surely??

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 22:14 (nineteen years ago)

Russian Oil wealth: - 13billion Money spent on Chelsea: - 500Million Seeing it all come down to lumping it up to the big lad: Priceless

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 22:16 (nineteen years ago)

you'd think they can get a bigger lad!

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 22:16 (nineteen years ago)

You don;t get much bigger than Huth! JT looked gutted but at least he wasn't crying this time.

― Pete W (peterw), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 22:32 (nineteen years ago)

i felt sorry for the werder bremen goalkeeper.

lampard was not fully fit, but even so, i feel that games like this confirm that he is not as good a player as his goal tally suggests. seldom do we see him dragging his team through like steven gerrard does, or inventing in the way that, say, riquelme or nedved do.

chelsea's wing-strikers also seem to be stuck somewhat short of greatness. i never really felt that robben, duff or cole would come to their team's rescue. perhaps ballack will add the missing ingredient next year? chelsea do have a lot of the right things in place, of course.

i think juventus will win the champions league.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 7 March 2006 22:59 (nineteen years ago)

Is it the case that Jose said "We don't even have a seat on the G14. Not even a seat on the G14"?

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 00:16 (nineteen years ago)

It was kind of weird to hear the commentators saying things like "Rangers are totally outclassing this side" and "excellent tackle from Rodrigues" and "Barry Ferguson has had a magnificent game".

Though I guess it probably makes the SPL look good if a team 21 points off the pace in the league can get to this stage and only fail to progress further than Chelsea by virtue of goal difference (ahem).

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 00:33 (nineteen years ago)

I am disappointed Rangers got knocked out. I am glad Chelsea got knocked out and Mourinho showed himself to be a total mardy arse again. I enjoyed that game. Must be the Sense Of Occasion. You would think, being a tactical genius, that Mourinho would have found a way to at least challenge Barca, but it seemed fairly straight forward for The Catalan Giants. I evben made an effort to see how much running about was involved in Strolling It.

Of course, I may have been hallucinating from too much tuna salad.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 08:25 (nineteen years ago)

The return key is working again.

New para after the Rangers bit.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 08:25 (nineteen years ago)

I enjoyed the Hammers flag in the Barca crowd. Dull match, so turned over and cheered on Rangers instead, alas to no avail.

I hope Liverpool and Arsenal get through tonight, but I fear all British clubs could go out.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 09:36 (nineteen years ago)

I think Arsenal will get through. Real Madrid will have to try to score, so they should come at them and attack them - I think that will suit Arsenal. As long as Arsenal attack back they should be OK. The worst thing Wenger could do would be to keep it tight and go for a 0-0 (re: FA Cup final or the game they lost at Anfield recently).

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 09:45 (nineteen years ago)

Dream scenario: Liverpool go out, Arsenal go on and win it, Spurs finish strongly and pip Liverpool to 3rd place. Cos you know what that means, don't you?

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 10:05 (nineteen years ago)

I was in tears listening to the end of Vil.lareal vs Rangers. I have decided that given the gloomy scenario Madrid is facing tonite, I will have something else lined up to face Barça´s fans unstoppable mood

― olenska (olenska), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 10:17 (nineteen years ago)

Is it the case that Jose said "We don't even have a seat on the G14. Not even a seat on the G14"?

Ridiculously when asked how Chelsea can progress further in the CL next season Mourinho bluntly muttered 'we have to go to G14', then after being questioned about this he said 'G15' and stormed off. Guy has lost the plot big time.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 10:22 (nineteen years ago)

Oh come on Michael! If you're dreaming that much you might as well just go the whole way and hope for Everton to pip Liverpool, Spurs, and Arsenal!

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 10:33 (nineteen years ago)

He's putting that forward as the reason certain teams get decisions that he doesn't agree with. He's not allowed to say "football is corrupt and the G14 are fucking the rest of us" so he implies it.

xpost

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 10:34 (nineteen years ago)

He's putting that forward as the reason certain teams get decisions that he doesn't agree with. He's not allowed to say "football is corrupt and the G14 are fucking the rest of us" so he implies it.

But that is extremely deluded and bitter of him.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 10:36 (nineteen years ago)

I know Onimo but it doesn't really make sense considering Chelsea beat them last season and he won the tournament with Porto already. Unless the G14 lizards had some way of making Barcelona look and play better than Chelsea this time - obv. that would be xheating.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 10:38 (nineteen years ago)

So far the Grand G14 Secret Lizard Conspiracy Against Mourhinho hasn't been working very well:

2003 - lizard referee inexplicably fails to penalise 'great theatre' of various Porto players v Celtic in UEFA Cup final
2004 - lizard referee disallows perfectly good Paul Scholes goal for offside, and Porto sneak past Man Utd with a last minute equaliser at Old Trafford
2005 - lizard referee resigns after Chelsea death threats following fabricated Mourinho story about G14 Lizard manager having cosy chats with lizard ref
2005 - lizard refereee fails to notice blatant foul by Carvalho which allowed Chelsea to scrape past Barcelona
2005 - lizard referee awards goal to Liverpool in semis, when it would have been better to send off the Cech and give Liverpool a penalty (which they would have scored)

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 10:47 (nineteen years ago)

Paranoia and delusion rarely makes sense.

He doesn't really look like a man who doesn't feel pressure any more does he?

Eck McLeish for Chelsea!

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 10:55 (nineteen years ago)

Oh come on Michael! If you're dreaming that much you might as well just go the whole way and hope for Everton to pip Liverpool, Spurs, and Arsenal!

Which is the less likely scenario - that Arsenal (in 4-0 v Fulham or 7-0 v Boro mode) win the CL or Spurs overhaul the 6-pt lead Liverpool have over them? I don't think it's too outrageous.

I acknowledge that this is a supremely selfish desire as Spurs fans' season will be partially ruined by the sight of the Gunners parading silverware around the Stade de France and Arsenal fans will find finishing 2 or more places behind Tottenham hard to stomach. Only Bitter Blues like me (having seen our side finish 10th with the worst goal difference of any top-half team in history) will be completely satisfied.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 11:05 (nineteen years ago)

I would like Arsenal to win. It. They are a young bunch of lads.

I greeted the "." in Vil.lareal like a long lost friend. It exists in a paral.lel universe.

It is strange to think that Real Madrid are here, somewhere. I would llike to go and throw a bottle of cat widdle at their coach. I mean their bus. I don't know who their coach is this week.

PS: I saw a glimpse of the Barcelona rabble spitting at Moo-Moo and it looked like the regular anarchist/squatter rent-a-mob, the people who bring up the rear of anti-globalisation marches smashing windows as they go, not the right-wing nutters I was expecting.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 11:20 (nineteen years ago)

This discussion, featuring great footy commentators, looks great! I will read it, Rubikesquely.

Meanwhile: the mighty Reds have a task on their hands tonight! I wonder if it is on TV anywhere? We could go, and watch it.

I don't want to watch Arsenal, mind.

― the pinefox, Wednesday, 8 March 2006 12:14 (nineteen years ago)

Why do Arsenal have to win the European Cup to satisfy Steady Mike's dream scenario? Couldn't Liverpool just get relegated, for that?

― the pinefox, Wednesday, 8 March 2006 12:16 (nineteen years ago)

it'd be funny if arsenal win CL and steals the place from 4th place spurs.

and next year man utd win CL and steals from 4th place city.
and then birmingham and west brom.. heh.
and finally in 2009 sunderland wins CL and knocks out 4th place newcastle

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 12:24 (nineteen years ago)

David Pleat really is a fucker, "Ronaldino" indeed. He also pronouned Eto'o as Eta, which is something else entirely.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 12:43 (nineteen years ago)

Why does that make him a fucker?

This is just the usual anti-Tottenham bigotry.

And he doesn't even work at Tottenham anymore.

Leave the poor fellow alone.

― the firefox, Wednesday, 8 March 2006 12:55 (nineteen years ago)

if you set pro-evolution soccer 5 on the playstation to spanish commentators setting, whenever "ferdinand" has the ball they'd call him "ferdinando" it's funny.

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 12:59 (nineteen years ago)

I was trying to keep things within the realm of the possible, Pinefox. Liverpool will not finish outside the top 4 (they're only 3pts off their points-tally for last season) so there's only one way for them to fall short of CL qualification. That it would happen because of the UEFA rule-clarification that their success/appeal last year brought about would make me LARF.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 13:08 (nineteen years ago)

the usual anti-Tottenham bigotry

not just Mourinho who is paranoid?

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 13:09 (nineteen years ago)

For some reason I still associate Pleat more with Luton Town.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 13:09 (nineteen years ago)

or that fantastic Sheffield Wednesday side of 10/11 seasons ago.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 13:10 (nineteen years ago)

I associate him with Kings Cross. I have a tabloid mentality. That and running across the pitch in 1983. I was at that game, as I'd taken part in the all-Rochdale LEA charity sponsored penalty shoot-out. As a fan of another big club in Manchester at the time, I was pleased to see Raddy Antic's winner, and I was 10 rows from the front behind that goal. I wore flares that day, like Pleaty.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 13:17 (nineteen years ago)

I just bought my Dad that MOTD DVD, so I will have a look for Dave B.

I can't believe that the head of Supporters Reunited has ever CHANGED CLUBS!

Not that I fully understand your post, mind.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 13:41 (nineteen years ago)

Anti Tottenham bigotry. What bollocks you speak.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 13:46 (nineteen years ago)

yes, it is surpising to see anti-tottenham bigotry. it seems unfair that people are so against them, yet fall at their feet to praise the likes of blackburn

― terry lennox. (gareth), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 13:50 (nineteen years ago)

sometimes i wonder if what tottenham need, is perhaps a few friends in the media. it is a shame, for them, that this isnt the case:(

― terry lennox. (gareth), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 13:51 (nineteen years ago)

It was plainly anti-Exeter bigotry. Though when he played for us he was known as Dave. Dave Pleat. David Pleat. "Dave" is nobler, I think.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 13:52 (nineteen years ago)

im not sure hes able to pronounce that correctly

― terry lennox. (gareth), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 13:54 (nineteen years ago)

The last time I saw Dave (Boyle, not Pleat), he was supporting Preston! How many clubs does this lad have?

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 13:56 (nineteen years ago)

Surely as head of Supporters Albion all clubs are his.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 13:58 (nineteen years ago)

That makes sense.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 14:02 (nineteen years ago)

I've put a fiver on Real to win 2-1 tonight.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 14:07 (nineteen years ago)

I've seen him over Hackney Marshes on a Sunday morning, running between pitches shouting encouragement to everyone.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 14:09 (nineteen years ago)

"ALL YOU LINESMEN ARE A BUNCH OF CUNTS!" (Really loud)

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 14:37 (nineteen years ago)

Gilberto on Ronaldo:

"He is a very intelligent man and a very intelligent player."

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 14:55 (nineteen years ago)

I like Spurs.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 15:11 (nineteen years ago)

Funny about that "Dave": I was discussing with my parents not long ago how only Spanish footballers are called "Raúl", "Oscar", "iván", "cesar"...like it was not confusing.

Especially Atlético´s players. Some sociological reason must lie behind.

― olenska (olenska), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 15:21 (nineteen years ago)

I suppose it is a bit like Lemmy.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 15:26 (nineteen years ago)

I am not a football fan, I'm a fan of football.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 18:32 (nineteen years ago)

www.chelseablog.com

Good article here from decent Chelsea blog about the Jose-G14 comment. Make of it what you will.

The best bit of the game was surely when JM slapped Puyol round the ear in the tunnel before the game and the whole Barca team descended into schoolyard giggles.

Re: pronounciations - Drogba has now become Drog-Baaaar. It doesn't seem to have made him any better.

― Pete W (peterw), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 18:59 (nineteen years ago)

do not adjust your set guys. arsenal are playing well in highbury vs real!

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 20:23 (nineteen years ago)

MIGHTY real madrid

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 20:29 (nineteen years ago)

reyes hits the bar. this game has had more chances than the whole of the chelsea game already, alas 0-0

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 20:30 (nineteen years ago)

tcha, Liverpool...

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 20:38 (nineteen years ago)

funny that Tiago is still playing in the CL tho Chelsea are not.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 20:38 (nineteen years ago)

mms://218.67.245.12/espn

put this in ur windows media player and watch the liverpool match

― rtcotm (mwah), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 20:41 (nineteen years ago)

cheers! keeps stalling tho argh

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 20:47 (nineteen years ago)

bizarrely seems to only work smoothest for me when djimi traore's about to play it out from the back....

― rtcotm (mwah), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 20:55 (nineteen years ago)

2-0 for benfica.

still 0-0 at highbury c'mon i know real were shit in the 1st but still..

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 21:32 (nineteen years ago)

:-)

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 21:37 (nineteen years ago)

crap finishing by arsenal though.

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 21:39 (nineteen years ago)

a fiver well wasted :)

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 21:39 (nineteen years ago)

wdn't know abt finishing - it ws all teletext w/bits of five live.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 21:42 (nineteen years ago)

An awful Liverpool performance. Why do those "Rafa is leaving" rumours suddenly seem more likely....

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 21:42 (nineteen years ago)

but surely teletext would have been like, missed, missed, missed, hit the bar, missed, missed, missed

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 21:45 (nineteen years ago)

5 English clubs entered the Champions League and only 1 remains. Bit pathetic really. The pressure of being from The Best League In The World again proves too much.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 22:13 (nineteen years ago)

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41418000/jpg/_41418440_ron270.jpg

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 22:14 (nineteen years ago)

I'm not sure Liverpool deserved to win despite all that bad luck. Wofeul passing, gave the ball away far too often, Gerrard largely anonymous. All that possession and they never really looked like scoring. Xabi Alonso was the best player in a red shirt by far, although Djimi Traore must wake up every morning and wonder how he's still playing in the Champions League.

That said, Arsenal are the only English team through. Worst CL ever.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 22:16 (nineteen years ago)

ha ha, i was just about to post that (xpost)

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 22:16 (nineteen years ago)

HE MAD

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 22:17 (nineteen years ago)

Seriously though, you could fry a breakfast on that.

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 22:18 (nineteen years ago)

haha.

Ken - hit the bar, yes. missed, no.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 22:20 (nineteen years ago)

I think it's silly to talk about Rafa leaving though. Liverpool will have another crack at it next season whereas Arsenal probably won't the way things are going. Generally Liverpool are doing well despite poor, uninspired performances like tonight's. Must gel the team/get them to be more consistent though to challenge for the Premiership. Can't see them winning a CL again for a while, if only because not even the more consistent quality sides like Milan can manage to win it more than once with roughly the same squad (although I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the final again this May).

It still amazes me that Barcelona have only won the European Cup once ever.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 22:22 (nineteen years ago)

That was a really good team.

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 22:23 (nineteen years ago)

Better than this one!

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 22:24 (nineteen years ago)

It's not silly to talk about it when the rumours seem rife, plus where is the money to keep him there going to come from. He needs big money to progress and if they stand still he will leave.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 22:26 (nineteen years ago)

i watched the arsenal game in the larrick, in finsbury park. it was good!

― terry lennox. (gareth), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 22:26 (nineteen years ago)

What are the odds on Lyon? I'm going for a third plucky underdog victory in a row.

While we're on the subject of stupid bets, I think Defoe will be starting upfront with Crouch next season, and Liverpool will win the Premiership.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 22:28 (nineteen years ago)

It's not silly to talk about it when the rumours seem rife, plus where is the money to keep him there going to come from. He needs big money to progress and if they stand still he will leave.

Well where was the money when he agreed to join them? The CL win so soon was unexpected and distorts things - it's still consolidation time really. They're not standing still as they're sure to improve on last season (the side generally look better than they did 2 or even 1 year ago). Chelsea's gross dominance/cash also distorts.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 22:40 (nineteen years ago)

While we're on the subject of stupid bets, I think Defoe will be starting upfront with Crouch next season, and Liverpool will win the Premiership.

I bet you a tenner the latter half doesn't happen.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 22:55 (nineteen years ago)

Is the gap really that wide, or are people just pointing at Chelsea and going "ooh, money. Invincible". Liverpool have proved almost as difficult to beat this season, it's a chronic inability to score that's kept them from being at least 10-12 points higher and we all know Chelsea have a problem playing them. Also, I think Man Utd will be better next season.

The big bit of wishful thinking is that Chelsea sign their own Veron, insist on playing him week in week out despite him not being able to play properly with Lampard and it destablises the whole thing.

This is a city built on wishful thinking, but still...

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 23:03 (nineteen years ago)

What are you measuring this progress against, Ronan? Progress in Europe (you've only just won the bloody thing), progress in the Premiership (you're higher than you were last season), some other criteria?

(xxpost by about half an hour, I got distracted elsewhere and now it looks like I'm copying Steve)

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 23:08 (nineteen years ago)

Man U HAVE to be better next season. They'll be shit in Nov/Dec though, just like always.

Is Cisse good or NOT?

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 23:09 (nineteen years ago)

Not.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 23:12 (nineteen years ago)

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 23:14 (nineteen years ago)

I'll give you odds.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 23:23 (nineteen years ago)

what is this english team left in the Champions League that you folks speak of?

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 23:26 (nineteen years ago)

The big bit of wishful thinking is that Chelsea sign their own Veron

They did. He's called Veron.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 23:27 (nineteen years ago)

i think chelsea have that psychological advantage over the "smaller" teams that man utd had last decade which kind of helps them in the league. (like, teams will still try and "take it to united" just now but playing chelsea some teams just have the "fuck it we've lost" mentality)

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 23:29 (nineteen years ago)

They did. He's called Veron.

haha

― Adamrl (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 23:31 (nineteen years ago)

Re Man U, it depends when Fergie quits. If Quieros takes over it could all be very turbulent there for a while. Presumably Fergie will still be there in a year's time but I wonder. Either way no real sign of major improvement but of course they'll remain top 5 if not top 3 for the foreseeable.

I think Chelsea will end up winning the FA Cup now. It's funny how they've gone from semi-finalists to quarter-finalists to second-roundists in the last three CLs. Group stage exit next time? Or go all the way? They'll still be stronger than all but around 2 or 3 other teams in Europe on paper as they are now, just happens that Barcelona are one of those 2 or 3 others.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 23:42 (nineteen years ago)

ignore the bit re quarter-finalists! it was semis of course.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 23:43 (nineteen years ago)

rafa won't leave. i am absolutely certain of it.

ronan, were you watching the rte coverage? the pundits seemed intent on perpetuating the "rafa is leaving" rumours, and perhaps that is why you think such talk is rife, but i feel that this is more down to giles& eamon's insistence on drawing ridiculously solid, straightforward, yet far-reaching conclusions from every game - every individual poor performance means a manager/player is not good enough/gagging for a move elsewhere etc. fear not!

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Wednesday, 8 March 2006 23:59 (nineteen years ago)

i like how they kept mentioning gerrard hollier's team going through on Sky.

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 9 March 2006 00:09 (nineteen years ago)

Also, the Sky commentator on the Arsenal game said something like 'and tonight Arsenal get revenge for Chelsea's defeat last night - the Premiership equalise against La Liga' which seemed a strange way of looking at it. I doubt many Chelsea fans were cheered up to see Arsenal go through, and I doubt any Arsenal fans shed a tear when Chelsea got knocked out. And as for the idea that Barcelona fans last night were cheering on Real Madrid and saying 'let's make it 2-0 to La Liga!', well, I have a few doubts about that, too.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Thursday, 9 March 2006 08:45 (nineteen years ago)

Are you suggesting that most commentating is done by cockfarmers who miss the point, and that Sky are particularly poor at this, almost as if they were owned by a right-wing mogul who can't see past nation-states?

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 9 March 2006 08:57 (nineteen years ago)

Murdoch rings Martin Tyler before kick off and tells him to big up the jingoism.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 9 March 2006 09:26 (nineteen years ago)

but dave surely seeing nation-states is more broad-minded than not seeing beyond club-boundaries!

(i am not really serious about this)

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 9 March 2006 09:48 (nineteen years ago)

Is Veron still nominally a Chelsea player?

I was kind of referring to someone who will actually play. Maybe Ballack.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 9 March 2006 10:03 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah, Veron's on indefinate loan to Inter.

I fancy Lyon for the CL now.

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 9 March 2006 10:39 (nineteen years ago)

Liverpool were shocking last night, half the team looked as if they weren't even trying in the 2nd half - typified by Morientes and his little shrugs every time he failed to get on the ball. If I was the manager the lazy fucker would never get another game (though that might mean relying even more on England's comedy target man).

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 9 March 2006 10:46 (nineteen years ago)

robbie fowler isn't that funny

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 9 March 2006 11:01 (nineteen years ago)

Oh come on what about the smackhead goal celebration! And sniffing the goal line! And calling his horse "Some Horse"! The man has Scouse Wit.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 9 March 2006 11:11 (nineteen years ago)

By the 70th minute I was praying that Liverpool would get the ball in the back of the net, even though they didn't stand a chance of winning, just so they could get a tiny bit of confidence back, but I'm really worried for the rest of the season now. Morientes should never have started, are there therapists for strikers who have lost their form? He needs a prolonged period in the reserve team, anyway.

I thought there was some really good play, just not in the box. Everyone seemed scared to try and score by the second half. And as Chris pointed out, there should have been a sweepstake on how many corners Cisse would win. It's pretty poor when one of your strikers opts for winning an easy corner rather than trying to get the ball into the box every single bloody time...

What the hell are they doing to the strikers in practice?!

― Vicky (Vicky), Thursday, 9 March 2006 11:18 (nineteen years ago)

Lyon and Arsenal thru = great night for French football!

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 9 March 2006 12:03 (nineteen years ago)

Lyon is definitely one of the greater teams in Europe but I find it a bit silly how so many people go on about how Lyon are one of the favorites to win it when the only big team they've faced this year is Real Madrid and we all know in what shape Real Madrid is. And last year the only major team they faced was Man Utd and they draw them at home and lost away. Lyon still got a lot to prove in my opinion.

Guys...MILAN! Now, that's a great side. Did anyone see the game yesterday? Jaap Stam on the right back looked like Cafu. I shit you not! He was amazing. And Kaka is the best midfielder in the world. Also, Super-Pippo is back!

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Thursday, 9 March 2006 12:08 (nineteen years ago)

i think it could easily have been Lyon in the semis last year instead of PSV, they seemed v closely matched.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Thursday, 9 March 2006 12:13 (nineteen years ago)

For sure. Just like it could easilly have been PSV in the final and not Milan.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Thursday, 9 March 2006 12:16 (nineteen years ago)

actually Lyon were robbed last year. and Lovelace you forgot to mention a) the score against Madrid (3-0) b) Bremen (who are much better than MU imo) last year (3-0 in Germany and 7-2 at home).
I think they are one of the favourites.

― --Bruno, Thursday, 9 March 2006 12:25 (nineteen years ago)

Oh yeah, I thought it was understood by everyone that they won against Real since it happened this season and it's not something you'd forget if you follow the CL. Yes, that was great for them. But Real Madrid are mediocre and two of the goals came through Juninho free kicks. Just sayin ;)

Nah, Bremen aren't *much* better than Man Utd. They aren't even better. Good team though.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Thursday, 9 March 2006 12:31 (nineteen years ago)

Juve and the Milans all look quite decent actually, at least, capable of turning things around, unlike Liverpool and Chelsea now. Really English clubs are still doing poorly in this competition. 2 wins in the last seven seasons yes, but no other final appearances at all, and only 2 other semi-final appearances in that time (both by Chelsea).

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Thursday, 9 March 2006 12:33 (nineteen years ago)


	Barcelona 	15/8 		
	Juventus 	4/1 		
	A C Milan 	5/1 		
	Lyon 		6/1 		
	Inter Milan 	17/2 		
	Arsenal 	9/1 		
	Villarreal 	14/1 		
	Benfica 	16/1 		
	Ajax 		100/1

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 9 March 2006 12:35 (nineteen years ago)

Stevem: Do you remember how often Man Utd reached the semis during the 90s?

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Thursday, 9 March 2006 12:49 (nineteen years ago)

er, twice? but i'm talking about this decade really.

CL semi-finals appearances in the 00s:

Spain: 9
England: 5 (i forgot Leeds! i shut up now)
Italy: 4
Germany: 3
France: 1
Portugal: 1
Netherlands: 1
other: 0

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Thursday, 9 March 2006 13:15 (nineteen years ago)

I know, but I was just curious as to how many times they reached it in their golden years. I couldn't remember it myself.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Thursday, 9 March 2006 13:37 (nineteen years ago)

I think it was twice, they reached somethng like 7 or 8 straight 1/4 finals and lost nearly all of them.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 9 March 2006 13:50 (nineteen years ago)

so er, yes, English clubs still doing quite well in this competition!

although the breakdown of final appearances per country in 00s not as good:

Spain: 4
Italy: 3
Germany: 2
England: 1
France: 1
Portugal: 1

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Thursday, 9 March 2006 14:02 (nineteen years ago)

I'm glad Spanish teams are doing worse and worse. No teams in the semis in the last two years :)

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Thursday, 9 March 2006 14:24 (nineteen years ago)

wait. deportive reached the semis two years ago. but still, there is a decline.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Thursday, 9 March 2006 14:27 (nineteen years ago)

Man Utd in the CL:

93-94 - lost to Galatasaray on away goals, 2nd round (last sixteen, before 8-team group stage)

94-95 - finished 3rd in group phase (4 groups, 16 teams)

96-97 - lost 2-0 on agg to Borussia Dortmund in s-f

97-98 - lost on away goals to Monaco in q-f

98-99 - paging Clive Tyldesley...

99-00 - lost 3-2 on agg to Real Madrid in q-f

00-01 - lost 3-1 on agg to Bayern Munich in q-f

01-02 - lost on away goals to Bayer Leverkusen in s-f

02-03 - lost 6-5 on agg to Real Madrid in q-f

03-04 - lost 3-2 on agg to Porto in last 16

04-05 - lost 2-0 on agg to AC Milan in last 16

05-06 - finished 4th in group phase

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 14:33 (nineteen years ago)

94-95 - finished 3rd in group phase (4 groups, 16 teams)

i remember the excellent games vs Barcelona and IFK Gothenberg during this campaign. also they best Galatasary 4-0 this time didn't they? once they were already out of contention of course.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Thursday, 9 March 2006 15:02 (nineteen years ago)

Yes, 4-0 vs Gala, 0-4 vs Barce, 4-2 vs Gote - it was all 'appening.

Have a guess who is the most successful English team in Europe, up to and including last season, based purely on pts/game (win=2pts)?

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 15:55 (nineteen years ago)

i remember the excellent games vs Barcelona and IFK Gothenberg during this campaign. also they best Galatasary 4-0 this time didn't they? once they were already out of contention of course.

There was an excellent 2-2 draw with Barcelona when Lee Sharpe got a cheeky back heel goal. The rematch at the Nou Camp was hell on earth, 4-0 to Barcelona. Because of the UEFA 'foreigners rule' in place at the time (which said that players like Giggs, Hughes, McClair, etc. were foreign and so only 5 of them could play) (or something) I think Ferguson had to drop either Schmeichel or Cantona - I'm pretty sure we had Gary Walsh in goal that night. I don't remember the score of the Gothenberg games but I seem to remember that David May played very badly and United were humiliated again. Didn't Ferguson stick the kids out against Galatasaray? I've got a feeling Beckham or Butt scored, long before anyone had heard of them. (xpost)

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Thursday, 9 March 2006 15:57 (nineteen years ago)

yes, to all of that.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:00 (nineteen years ago)

Have a guess who is the most successful English team in Europe, up to and including last season, based purely on pts/game (win=2pts)?

Judging from the bizarre criteria chosen, I would imagine the answer is Everton.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:01 (nineteen years ago)

Bolton

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:04 (nineteen years ago)

Forest, surely?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:12 (nineteen years ago)

Judging from the bizarre criteria chosen, I would imagine the answer is Everton.

Ha, we might've stood a chance if our sole European campaign was 84-85 but, no, nowhere near. (It's not that bizarre! Good measure of consistency...when actually qualifying that is.)

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:13 (nineteen years ago)

Aston Villa?

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:14 (nineteen years ago)

PJM: up to and including last season. Mind you, zero divided by zero...

Dom: six lousy campaigns along with the two glorious ones, so no.

Dave B: 12 season in Europe, only one of them successful - nope.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:15 (nineteen years ago)

Ipswich?

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:15 (nineteen years ago)

Not Ipswich.

Whoa! Wait a minute, I've just noticed something called "bonus points" in the table I'm looking at! All bets are off...however, I still think the answer might be the same...

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:18 (nineteen years ago)

Have a guess who is the most successful English team in Europe, up to and including last season, based purely on pts/game (win=2pts)?

Am I missing something? Surely it is Liverpool?

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:18 (nineteen years ago)

Is it Leeds? A couple of European finals, plus some semifinal action, plus most of their European football was played in the pre-league format knockout era when you could only lose one tie per season.

But they can't have a better record than Forest, by those criteria, can they? Though Forest were renowned for playing for the draw on the away leg...

― Tim (Tim), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:19 (nineteen years ago)

Someone who won the Fairs Cup and then went into receivership.

Accrington Stanley?

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:20 (nineteen years ago)

No, it's not Liverpool and - phew! - the result is still the same if you ignore these mysterious "bonus" points.

Not Leeds. (I'm feverishly having to recalculate here because of the bonus banana skin).

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:22 (nineteen years ago)

(OK, to be fair I'm not looking way down the table, so it's not someone who had one UEFA Cup campaign in which they won three rounds home-and-away and then went out on GD - it's someone with a proper Euro pedigree).

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:23 (nineteen years ago)

Derby!

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:25 (nineteen years ago)

Not Derby! Come on, guys...it's not that hard.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:27 (nineteen years ago)

(Tim was on the right track with his pre-league bias thinking).

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:27 (nineteen years ago)

Chelsea

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:28 (nineteen years ago)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:29 (nineteen years ago)

Not Chelsea (I think they're 3rd by this criteria, Liverpool are 2nd).

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:32 (nineteen years ago)

or Spurs, they've possibly got more pre-league era wins under their belts than Chelsea.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:33 (nineteen years ago)

We have a winner!

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:33 (nineteen years ago)

Tottenham: p99, w59, d19, l21 = 1.38 pts/game

(Liverpool 1.34, Chelsea 1.32, Man Utd 1.31...)

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:34 (nineteen years ago)

Oh no, not Spurs!

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:35 (nineteen years ago)

(Tottenham have won three European trophies, lest we forget - same number as Man U)

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:35 (nineteen years ago)

Suppress this information immediately!

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:36 (nineteen years ago)

I actually typed Spurs and it came up with the New Message Alert thing.

I suspect no-one believes me.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:37 (nineteen years ago)

I actually typed Spurs and it came up as Ipswich.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:38 (nineteen years ago)

I typed Spurs but I got a Bigot Alert.

West Ham's record must be half decent in that table too?

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:39 (nineteen years ago)

West Ham = 1.29 pts/game. Very good.

This is what I was looking at. Someone will now tell me I was wrong.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:44 (nineteen years ago)

Actually, I think Ipswich are 2nd.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:46 (nineteen years ago)

Idiot that I am, it only just occurred to me to copy the lot into a spreadsheet.

It's still Tottenham, if you ignore Sunderland, Coventry and QPR's one- and two-season affairs.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:52 (nineteen years ago)

Including bonus points (whatever they are):
1.Birmingham City
2.Tottenham Hotspur
3.Liverpool FC
4.Chelsea London
5.Manchester United
6.Q.P.R. London

Whodathunk that the QPR London would challenge Birmingham's Euro pedigree?

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:54 (nineteen years ago)

QPR London sounds like a Pro-Evo team.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:55 (nineteen years ago)

Here's the final order (teams with less than 5 seasons in European football in italics)

Sunderland
Coventry City
Q.P.R.
Tottenham Hotspur
Birmingham City
Ipswich Town
Liverpool
Fulham
Chelsea
Manchester United
Everton
Nottingham Forest
Newcastle United
Leeds United
Burnley
Manchester City
Aston Villa
West Ham Utd
Middlesbrough
Arsenal
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Derby County
London [CT]
Sheffield Wednesday
Southampton
Norwich City
Stoke City
West Bromwich Albion
Watford
Leicester City
Blackburn Rovers
Millwall

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:56 (nineteen years ago)

I was going to say QPR, much in the spirit of Accrington Stanley.

What is London CT?

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:58 (nineteen years ago)

Is London CT from the days of the Fairs Cup when cities entered tournaments rather than teams?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Thursday, 9 March 2006 17:00 (nineteen years ago)

A pan-London team was entered into 1958-60 Fairs Cup, reached the final and lost heavily to Barcelona.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 17:01 (nineteen years ago)

London CT used to play at the old White City ground. They won the FA Cup in 1968, and the Cup Winners Cup the following year, before the chairman disastrously chose to make the team Britains first football franchise. They changed their name to the Newport Pagnell Globetrotters, but the majority of their fans refused to make the trek north and formed their own breakaway club. AFCLCT currently play in the Kensal Green Sunday League.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Thursday, 9 March 2006 17:04 (nineteen years ago)

That makes more sense, actually.

Looks like I got my sums wrong wrt West Ham above. Apologies to Wham fans.

Right, back to work, you lot!

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 9 March 2006 17:08 (nineteen years ago)

what does CT stand for?

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 9 March 2006 17:21 (nineteen years ago)

City Team

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 9 March 2006 17:21 (nineteen years ago)

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 9 March 2006 17:24 (nineteen years ago)

London Caledonian Thistle, surely.

I forgot to mention, in the interests of reporting back on biased commentary that on Tuesday night I ended up watching the Barcelona v Chelsea game on a small telly at the back of the pub that had the Villarreal v Rangers game on with the commentary turned up loud. At half-time, they showed a bit of the Barca v Chelsea match highlights, then back to studio where Jim Delahunt stated "well, that's the highlights from the Barcelona - Chelsea game, but the game that really matters is being played in Spain tonight, back to Villarreal versus Rangers".

WTF, when did Barcelona move out of Spain? Those Catalans, eh?

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 9 March 2006 18:44 (nineteen years ago)

Vil.lareal are in the Valencian Territories or whatever they call it, too.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 10 March 2006 09:09 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah, but Valencians tend to consider themselves as spanish whereas nationalism is a lot bigger in Catalunya.

― jimnaseum (jimnaseum), Friday, 10 March 2006 09:16 (nineteen years ago)

Quarter- and semi-final draw on now. No seedings, teams from same country can play each other.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 10 March 2006 11:02 (nineteen years ago)

Oh wait, it says 11.45 - the BBC lied to me!

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 10 March 2006 11:03 (nineteen years ago)

arsenal v juve
benfica v barca
inter/psv v villareal
lyon v milan

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 10 March 2006 12:04 (nineteen years ago)

Good games in prospect!

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 10 March 2006 12:11 (nineteen years ago)

that should read inter/ajax of course. the winners of the arsenal 1/4 will play winners of villareal 1/4 in the semis, so no chance of a barca-milan final.

the return of vieira!

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 10 March 2006 12:15 (nineteen years ago)

So what's it to be? All Spanish or all Italian final? I'm hoping for a Ajax v. Benfica final, it'll be like the 70s all over again

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 10 March 2006 12:19 (nineteen years ago)

Silly me, there's also the possibility of an all French final: Lyon v. Arsenal

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 10 March 2006 12:21 (nineteen years ago)

Juve look stronger than last season but then nobody expected them to play as poorly as they did against Liverpool so who knows...

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Friday, 10 March 2006 12:27 (nineteen years ago)

No seedings, teams from same country can play each other.

Silly me, what I meant to say was no *official* seedings.

3 Italian clubs kept apart, 2 Spanish clubs kept apart. Only one possible Spanish/Italian 1/4 final. What was it Sir Runnybum said about the draw last year?

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 10 March 2006 12:29 (nineteen years ago)

but if Barca and Milan clash it will be in the semis not the final

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Friday, 10 March 2006 12:32 (nineteen years ago)

What odds can I get on Vil.lareal to win it?

I feel like flushing a five down the bog.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 10 March 2006 12:58 (nineteen years ago)

explain the dot please, i am ignorant

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Friday, 10 March 2006 12:59 (nineteen years ago)

Juve leapfrog Meeeelan following the draw.


	Barcelona 	6/4 		 
	Juventus 	7/2 		 
	A C Milan 	6/1 		 
	Lyon 		7/1 		 
	Inter Milan 	8/1 		 
	Arsenal 	11/1 		 
	Villarreal 	14/1 		 
	Benfica 	28/1 		 
	Ajax 		100/1

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 10 March 2006 13:04 (nineteen years ago)

Good price for the Arse.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 10 March 2006 13:05 (nineteen years ago)

I'm a little disappointed because I wanted Milan-Barca final, but now Ronaldinho and friends will have to watch the final on TV.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Friday, 10 March 2006 13:12 (nineteen years ago)

The dot is something that Catalan has between the letters l in double l, like Paral.lel in Barcelona. I don't think it serves in audible purpose. It might be surplus to requirements in Vil.lareal.

We should ask Joan Vich of Mal.lorca.

14/1 - I would go to the bookies if I knew what to do once I get there.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 10 March 2006 13:13 (nineteen years ago)

is vil.lareal pronounced vil-ya-re-al?

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 10 March 2006 13:17 (nineteen years ago)

It's Villarreal

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 10 March 2006 13:18 (nineteen years ago)

Curiouser and curiouser.

Vi-ya-ray-al, Ken. Unless the Valencian Territories pronunciation is different. This is why I think the dot may be superfluous.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 10 March 2006 13:40 (nineteen years ago)

so why the dot in Paral.lel?

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Friday, 10 March 2006 13:41 (nineteen years ago)

We've all had a go at Spanish football fans for their racism, I think it's only fair that we have a go at Scottish football fans for their bigotry.

Not terribly fair on Rangers fans, the poor dears don't have many (any?) songs or chants which aren't bigoted - and the majority who sing these songs spoil it for the minority who don't.

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 10 March 2006 13:45 (nineteen years ago)

What can you do though? This representative majority will keep ruining things for the minority of respectable fans!

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 10 March 2006 13:48 (nineteen years ago)

it's odd on TV when they say "villa ray al" but not viyarayal or villa real (as in 4 real) .. actually there's a thread about this isn't there?

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 10 March 2006 13:50 (nineteen years ago)

From the Herald article on the same thing

Mark Dingwall, editor of the Rangers fanzine, F0llow F0llow, said: "I have no idea what a discriminatory song is or which part of the Rangers repertoire could possibly be viewed as such.
"For over 20 years, the behaviour of Rangers fans home and away has been second to none and Ibrox Stadium has a wonderful reputation as a safe place to watch football in a family atmosphere."

The scary thing is he probably believes every word of that. Perhaps someone should tell him where his fanzine's name came from.

xpost

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 10 March 2006 13:52 (nineteen years ago)

I am sure the Scottish fans and Rangers will be treated as harshly as racism in Spain is always treated. I think the latest initiative there is giving sweeties to fans who hurl racist abuse.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 10 March 2006 13:55 (nineteen years ago)

Stevem, it might be because it isn't pronounced "y", just straight "l". I don't really know, I've been trying to look clever under false pretences. I'm waiting for someone to come along and put me in my place.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 10 March 2006 15:05 (nineteen years ago)

I think Villa is "vee-ya" in south America and bits of Spain, but "vee-lya" in other parts of Spain. I don't know how they say it in Villareal. (That "lya" sound being the one we use when we say 'million') (unless you're one of those people that say it with three syllables: "mill-ee-yon").

What was it Sir Runnybum said about the draw last year?

Nothing at all, because United haven't been in the quarter-final draw for three seasons now. He complained in 2003 when United were drawn against Real Madrid, claiming that the draw was fixed because the final was due to be played at Old Trafford and UEFA couldn't risk having a team playing at home in the final. Obviously this was paranoid nonsense.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Friday, 10 March 2006 15:28 (nineteen years ago)

bee-ya, strictly speaking.

Never heard vee-lya or bee-lya, but that doesn't mean to say it doesn't exist.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 10 March 2006 15:34 (nineteen years ago)

That's how you pronounce Villareal but how do you pronounce Villarreal?

― Rotatey Diskers With Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 10 March 2006 15:40 (nineteen years ago)

Like Private Fraser out of Dad's Army.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 10 March 2006 15:42 (nineteen years ago)

Aye 2003, how time flies:

When the draw was made, Ferguson said: "Real Madrid -- they have a
nice draw, they must have picked it themselves.

"The Spanish or Italian teams don't play each other, how do you think
they work that out?

"They don't want us in the final, that's for sure."

However, he was sent a letter by Uefa confirming there was no
conspiracy against the Old Trafford club and he was forced to concede:
"I have been assured by Uefa that the draw was fair.

"I take their word for it, so I was wrong to say what I did."

Kind of doing his own team down a bit there by describing Utd as an easy tie.

xpost

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 10 March 2006 15:44 (nineteen years ago)

Liverpool sell Michael Owen and then win the European Cup despite being rubbish in the league. Arsenal sell Viera and become rubbish in the league, but....? It could happen.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Friday, 10 March 2006 17:46 (nineteen years ago)

not Champions League but here's the UEFA CUp quarter-finals draw:

Sevilla v Zenit St Petersburg
Basle v MIDDLESBROUGH
Rapid Bucharest v Steaua Bucharest
Levski Sofia v Schalke 04

Boro can beat Basle. Bucharest derby tho! I expect Seville and Schalke represent the toughest opponents now though, unless Zenit St Petersburg are following in the footsteps of CSKA Moscow.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Friday, 17 March 2006 12:32 (nineteen years ago)

Seville to win this thing.

― Le Baaderonixx de Benedict Canyon (baaderonixx), Friday, 17 March 2006 13:27 (nineteen years ago)

haha all those teams are shit

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 17 March 2006 13:29 (nineteen years ago)

are you basing that on their names/reps, position in domestic league table, actual form or whuutt?

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Friday, 17 March 2006 13:36 (nineteen years ago)

Great win for Arsenal. They looked fantastic tonight.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 19:41 (nineteen years ago)

Knackers. Towards the end I just wanted Juve to throw all caution to the wind, take out as many Arsenal players as possible and finish with six men.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 19:41 (nineteen years ago)

Is that even possible?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 19:45 (nineteen years ago)

"He doesn't know he's on two yellows. His brain's gone."

Juventus were so poor I thought I was watching Arsenal v Newcastle half the time.

Viera's performance gave creedance to the ILE rumour that's he actually about 5 years older than his birth certificate says, and can't run for more than 60 mins.

But yes, superb performance from the Arse. I now think Spain will win the World Cup with lickle Cesc and Xabi in midfield.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 19:46 (nineteen years ago)

barca vs Benfica was tremendous, Ronaldinho was unbeleivable, best 0-0 ever!

IIrc a match gets called off when one team gets to a certain number of players, but I can't remember the number, 6 or 7 possibly

― Porkpie (porkpie), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 19:47 (nineteen years ago)

I think Juve forgot its two legs.

― Rufus 3000 (Mr Noodles), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 19:54 (nineteen years ago)

Benfica drew with Barcelona? That's very odd. You could just about make a case that Man Utd crashed out of a very difficult group (Benfica the equal of the favourites, Villarreal still in the competition too), while Liverpool and Chelsea qualified from a piss poor group and got immediately dumped out of Europe as soon as they met a decent team. It wouldn't be a very convincing case.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 20:01 (nineteen years ago)

Benfica looked really good, but as the commentators said, it could easily have been 3-8 or something. At one point he just screamed "THIS IS BASKETBALL!"

― Porkpie (porkpie), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 20:10 (nineteen years ago)

Benfica looked really good in the second half, Barca could (and probably should) have scored any number of times before the break.

― wmlynch (wlynch), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 21:22 (nineteen years ago)

IIrc a match gets called off when one team gets to a certain number of players, but I can't remember the number, 6 or 7 possibly

Game off if it goes down to seven players. A couple of years back, Hearts had three men sent off and Jim Jeffries tried to get the team to walk off in protest - he should just have got one other to put in a stupid tackle and he could have had the game called off.

Do they award the victory to the other team though, or do they get a replay? Do the suspensions still count, and do they count for any re-arranged fixture, if there is one?

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 21:39 (nineteen years ago)

Subject to the overriding conditions of Law 3, the minimum number of players in a team is left to the discretion of national associations. The Board is of the opinion however, that a match should not continue if there are fewer than seven players in either team.

7's ok then, down to 6 and it's abandoned. Then:

An abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules provide otherwise.

Which is all a bit vague really.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 21:49 (nineteen years ago)

(I've just googled the laws of the game, and can't find any reference to this ruling, but I was just speed-reading what I thought might be the relevant bits)

x-post - oh, I missed that bit

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 21:54 (nineteen years ago)

in like the old FIFA games if you get down to 7 your team loses 3-0.

so it made sense when you're 4-0 down to just get everyone sent off

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 22:10 (nineteen years ago)

Ideally if a team's so indisciplined that they can lose five players they should be made to continue playing rather than having the other team penalised by making them replay.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 22:20 (nineteen years ago)

Err, yeah. Why the fuck should a losing team be rewarded with a replay by getting all their players sent off. I've heard this before and it makes no sense to me at all.

― Alba (Alba), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 22:25 (nineteen years ago)

Who was it under Warnock the other year that tried to do this with a combo of sendings off and highly suspect injuries? Sheffield Utd?

― DJ Mencap (DJ Mencap), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 23:29 (nineteen years ago)

I always thought a 3-0 win was awarded to the other team (like in the FIFA game Ken mentioned) - which makes one wonder what would happen in e.g. an Old Firm title decider where Rangers have to beat Celtic by four goals so Wee Gogs can send them out with the following teamtalk: "Kick the fucking shite right out of them and the title's ours!"

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 00:01 (nineteen years ago)

yeah sheff utd vs west brom ws abandoned, but wba were 3-0 up anyway so they didnt replay.

― rtcotm (mwah), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 00:30 (nineteen years ago)

portugal 5-1 angola , 2001. and they are in the same world cup group hurrah!

On the pitch, Portugal and Angola have met just twice, both trouncings that went Portugal's way: in 1989 they won 6-0, in 2001 5-1. The latter game had a whiff of colonial war about it.

"I appeal to the fans, both Portuguese and Angolan, to make this a festa", Portuguese Football Federation president Gilberto Madaíl had pleaded in the programme notes for the game. While at the beginning the fans were up for the idea, the Angolan players appeared to have taken not the slightest bit of notice. By half time, three had been sent off.

Within the hour, a sinister game plan began to take shape, Angola rushing on all the substitutions they could make. On 65 minutes, another Angolan was sent off. Down to seven, it only needed Hélder Vicente to fall as if poleaxed on 70 minutes, with no substitutes to take his place, to have the game abandoned.

― rtcotm (mwah), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 00:39 (nineteen years ago)

Come on though, how funny would it have been if Steve Bruce had instructed Brum players to do this last week?

The spluttering all over the commentary box at Cameronesi last night was a joy to be hold. I almost respected him for the audacity of looking so far from giving a shit.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 07:00 (nineteen years ago)

There was a comment about Mutu being high too.

Pleat called Viera, "Vieri" and "Viero". The fucker.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 08:56 (nineteen years ago)

Pleat noted Arsenal's "supiority" too, among six trillion other alzheimertastic verbal slips. The man needs to be barred from TV studios pronto.

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 08:59 (nineteen years ago)

Pronto? Good full-back. In the '82 squad, wasn't he?

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 09:11 (nineteen years ago)

It can't be excitement, he never sounds more than half awake. Hard liquor perhaps?

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 09:13 (nineteen years ago)

Compared to the recent tragically poor commentary on the Real Madrid v Arsenal and then Chelsea v Barcelona games, I thought last night's effort was pretty good. They kept saying what I was thinking: Hleb's looking dodgy - yes he is, Toure's making some excellent tackles - yes he is, Arsenal should keep attacking in the second half, otherwise they'll be punished - yes they should! They only started to lose it a bit towards the end with the "Look - it's Fabio Cappello - he's a famous manager - and he's losing!!! OMG!!!!" routine.

― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 09:18 (nineteen years ago)

Anyway, Arsenal were great. I thought at first it would be one of
those games where Juventus would stop them playing by closing down space, but Arsenal's movement was a delight (keeper's orange / red colour combination aside).

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 09:21 (nineteen years ago)

Pleat's constant insistence that the whole tie was sewn up, when if Juve had scored at any point Arsenal would have been dropped right in the shit, was deeply annoying

― DJ Mencap (DJ Mencap), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 09:23 (nineteen years ago)

i wish he doesn't use the adjective "pedestrian" so often.

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 09:40 (nineteen years ago)

I liked the wee Drogba dig -

"The Ivory Coast players have really matured following their success in the African Nations."
"I can think of one that hasn't..."

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 09:52 (nineteen years ago)

It's a noun, as in "sorry officer, I thought she was a..."

xpost

― DJ Mencap (DJ Mencap), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 09:55 (nineteen years ago)

well in that case it was nice to be pointed out that none of the players were vehicles. (since neither team had stephen carr, or darius vessell)

Also, a bit annoying. Right at the end, i think it was fabregas.. looking exactly like he was at the start, was suddenly described to be "THOROUGHLY ENJOYING HIMSELF". I was annoyed because I assumed that cesc probably wouldn't be too upset, but i wish i was as good as the commentator who obviously observed something that indicated the euphoria that had so thoroughly consumed the player.

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 10:40 (nineteen years ago)

On the rare ocasions when I see footballers "live" and "in the flesh" I am always struck by how much they seem to be "throughly enjoying themselves", something that doesn't always come acrosss on the television. Sometimes, I have been moved to envy.

I quite enjoyed what bit of Pleat I heard last night. I cannot distinguish between him and Graham Taylor "on the mic".

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 11:10 (nineteen years ago)

Arse were great.

Benfica didn't get as much credit as they deserved for stiffing a good L'pool, while Barca got far too much for doing wobbly Chels - such is the prism of English football through which we view things.

By all accounts, Drogba is the very model of the modern gentlemen when playing for Ivory Coast and only resorts to sulky tart mode when donning the famous blue. We will see if this is true in the forthcoming WORLD CUP!

― Pete W (peterw), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 11:19 (nineteen years ago)

I am interested to know which side of the fence the Pinefox sat on last night, hating both Viera & Arsenal with I guess equal vehemence.

― Mooro (Mooro), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 11:40 (nineteen years ago)

I almost respected him for the audacity of looking so far from giving a shit.

he totally looked like he gave a shit! he sat on the self destruct button, and couldnt get up again:) i bet he kicked the shit out of the dressing room when he got back. still, it was hilarious, especially as he looks like a hollywood villain

Hleb's looking dodgy - yes he is

you think? i thought he did well. whether he can recover his glory days with the mock turtles is another matter

why is viera constantly referred to as though he is sheringham age, when, in fact he is one year older than thierry henry?

annoying football cliches last night#1: as noted above, look at famous manager, losing a game! i bet he doesn't know whats hit him! he'll have to retire after this! his great reputation, tarnished! well, frankly mr capello, i dont care (cf "tyldesdleys night in 99)

annoying football cliches last night#2: whos that, miscontrolling a ball? surely not, thierry henry, i didnt know that was possible clive

― charltonlido (gareth), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 12:48 (nineteen years ago)

annoying football cliches last night#2: whos that, miscontrolling a ball? surely not, thierry henry, i didnt know that was possible clive

yeah wholly shit i was gonna mention that. it's always like that though "OMG NOTE THE TIME 12:16. LAMPARD MISPLACED A PASS" like he never ever. "GERRARD UNCHARACTERISTICALLY GAVE THE BALL AWAY". goodness stfu.

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 14:45 (nineteen years ago)

a rooney miss. collector's item

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 14:45 (nineteen years ago)

also: the above examples may have been on sky rather than itv

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 14:46 (nineteen years ago)

Nooooo! Poor, poor Lyon. Milan were totally outclassed for 87 minutes yet somehow stole it right at the end.

― Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Tuesday, 4 April 2006 19:40 (nineteen years ago)

Meanwhile Villarreal are into the semis.

― Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Tuesday, 4 April 2006 19:43 (nineteen years ago)

drama!

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Tuesday, 4 April 2006 19:46 (nineteen years ago)

That elbow smash in the Inter game looked a sore one.

The Italian 'big three' all seem to be creaking with old age, Milan finished the game with Maldini and Costacurta on the field - with 78 years between them. I was waiting on Baresi appearing to shore things up in injury time.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Tuesday, 4 April 2006 20:13 (nineteen years ago)

Slower pace of game over there, innit? Although if Totti keeps Toni out of the World Cup squad, skulls will be cracked.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 4 April 2006 20:16 (nineteen years ago)

I saw a fair bit of Arse v Juve - didn't the latter basically 'foul out' the whole team per Matt? I saw only like the last second of the draw the other night.

Spurs are/were on the cusp of champions league, yes? Are they known to others than the Golders Green group I met as the jewish team?

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Tuesday, 4 April 2006 20:27 (nineteen years ago)

I believe the delightful Arsenal fans who make gas chamber noises at Spurs fans may be aware of some vague Jewish connection to Spurs, yes.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 4 April 2006 20:28 (nineteen years ago)

Nooooo! Poor, poor Lyon. Milan were totally outclassed for 87 minutes yet somehow stole it right at the end.

Huh? Outclassed? I'm not saying Milan were better but it's not like Lyon were much better. They created far less chances than Milan and they scored one goal during 180 minutes and it was through a freekick. Too bad for Lyon that they don't have decent forwards.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Tuesday, 4 April 2006 20:58 (nineteen years ago)

Lovelace OTM. I 'thoroughly enjoyed' the second half of AC Milan-Lyon. Because it was in the air all the time; you could feel Milan would win it in the end. 'They stole it' is just one way to look at it. I never thought I'd say this, but a team that can keep it's breath for so long - constantly implying on winning the game at 90+4 minutes - and *deliver* gave me a tremendous amount of joy. The way they finished off Lyon was like a beutiful art-piece. AC Milan ain't Barcelona (best team in the world) but you can't deny them 'grandeur'. Not with Shevchenko and Pirlo on board.

― Gerard (Gerard), Wednesday, 5 April 2006 00:13 (nineteen years ago)

What are gas chamber noises? Don't answer.

Apparently Juventus are praying for a miracle. I think this might be overstating the matter somewhat.

I told you Villarreal would win. Once I stopped syaing Everton would beat them, that is.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 5 April 2006 09:06 (nineteen years ago)

I told you Vil.lareal (PJ, notice that ".", please!) were the ones to watch

― olenska (olenska), Wednesday, 5 April 2006 09:34 (nineteen years ago)

I can imagine Villareal causing Arsenal way more problems than Real or Juve (assuming Arsenal get past Juve). Milan v Barcelona tho (assuming Barcelona get past Benfica of course)!

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 5 April 2006 09:55 (nineteen years ago)

I put the "." in and then took it out again! Dadaismus will be pleased that I remembered the extra "r" though.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 5 April 2006 10:07 (nineteen years ago)

if only ac milan kept their breath in last year's final

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 5 April 2006 10:21 (nineteen years ago)

Here is how you write it in Catalanish:

1 - VILA-REAL
0 - INTER DE MILÀ

El Vila-real va escriure ahir a la nit la pàgina més bella de la seva història i va deixar clar que el llibre que recull les seves gestes a la Champions aquesta temporada encara no està acabat i que el final segueix obert i pot ser encara més bonic, de somni, inimaginable per a un club d'una població de 45.000 habitants que fa set anys va pujar a Primera i que aquesta temporada debuta en la màxima competició continental.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 5 April 2006 13:11 (nineteen years ago)

Yay for Arsenal, the Gunners cruise into a semi clash with Villareal. Can they be the British team to finally beat them?

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 5 April 2006 19:47 (nineteen years ago)

'British'

― M. White (Miguelito), Wednesday, 5 April 2006 19:48 (nineteen years ago)

er, British based....

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 5 April 2006 20:10 (nineteen years ago)

Villareal doing well is causing the local Evertonians a great deal of cause for swaggering of the "we should have beat them, now look how well they're doing" variety.

By this logic Sunderland clearly are in with a good shout of becoming champions of Europe

― Matt (Matt), Wednesday, 5 April 2006 20:36 (nineteen years ago)

Cor, get one best comeback ever! Congratulations to Middlesbrough and, er, do they have any supporters round here?

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 6 April 2006 20:29 (nineteen years ago)

Aye, bizarre match. Denied 3 (?) stonewall penalties as well.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 6 April 2006 20:36 (nineteen years ago)

Me and Nicholas Passant's former flatmate Paul, who has posted once or twice here, is a big Boro fan - lots of the Sinister people know him. He lives in Australia now, so either he stayed up and watched it or he's going to be fucking astonished when he gets up!

― Mark on Sarah's PC (sgs), Thursday, 6 April 2006 20:42 (nineteen years ago)

hilarious commentary on itv4, "Staggering" etc

Well done to the boro though.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Thursday, 6 April 2006 20:53 (nineteen years ago)

I was on the phone to my brother at half-time. His advice? "Middlesbrough are out, I wouldn't bother turning over to watch the second half, in fact I'm going to watch the darts." Twonk. Just as well I didn't listen to him.

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 6 April 2006 21:00 (nineteen years ago)

I turned over to watch House! I hardly ever do things like that!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 6 April 2006 22:00 (nineteen years ago)

I missed this, but I am staggered by this staggering result. I was at Selhurst Park for the Geoff Thomas charity re-enactment of the 1990 FA Cup Final: this time round United 3 (Mark Robins 2, Neil Webb) Palace 1 (Ian Wright Wright Wright).

― Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Thursday, 6 April 2006 22:06 (nineteen years ago)

Amazing game.

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy (Kerr), Thursday, 6 April 2006 22:10 (nineteen years ago)

Is Neil Webb still a postman?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Thursday, 6 April 2006 22:14 (nineteen years ago)

Yes.

― Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Thursday, 6 April 2006 22:15 (nineteen years ago)

I enjoyed the second half very much by ny standards. I'm not astonished though, I could feel it in my water.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 7 April 2006 06:43 (nineteen years ago)

No offence to Boro, but I am more intrigued by the Cup Final Redux. What were the teams?

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 7 April 2006 09:14 (nineteen years ago)

Most of the original line ups, I think. I'm a bit sketchy on Palace, but I know they had Ian Wright (who scored a great goal, and took the 'banter' from the United fans in good humour), Mark Bright, Andy Gray (not the Sky Sports one) and Geoff Thomas (he was the reason for the game - raising money for leukemia). United didn't have Jim Leighton (unsurprisingly he didn't want to relive his nightmare) or Paul Ince (presumably he's fallen out with Ferguson so much he won't even do his bit for charidee), but pretty much everyone else was there: Bruce, Pallister, McClair, Hughes, Robson, Robins, Webb. Les Sealey died a few years ago, so his son was in goal, and Danny Wallace has got MS, so he couldn't play.

― Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Friday, 7 April 2006 09:34 (nineteen years ago)

Oh, and the legend that is Clayton Blackmore.

― Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Friday, 7 April 2006 09:47 (nineteen years ago)

video here:
http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/04/1990_fa_cup_rematch.htm

― Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Friday, 7 April 2006 13:26 (nineteen years ago)

Les Sealey died a few years ago

I had completely wiped this from my memory.

― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, 7 April 2006 16:30 (nineteen years ago)

Talking of European football, and nostalgia, I've just discovered the satellite channel ESPN which shows 'classic UEFA finals'. Yesterday I watched Man Utd beat Barcelona 2-1 for the 1991 Cup Winner's Cup. Apart from the vague sense of weirdness I had (as I'd seen most of them playing at Selhurst Park the night before), I was struck by how poor United were considering they won a major European final against arguably the biggest club in the world. I was going to come up with a theory about how the standard of football is much higher now, but then today I saw Everton beat Rapid Vienna in 1985 final and Everton were fantastic. So I suppose it's just that United were a mid-table team (featuring Mike Phelan) still a few transfers away from real quality.

Nice to hear the original ITV commentary: Brian Moore with Jimmy Greaves (91) and Brian Clough (85), but at times a bit poignant. With Everton winning 2-0 the Austrian fans started throwing flares on the pitch, and the two Brians were criticizing this (especially as the Bradford fire had happened only days before) and saying how quick UEFA were to target English supporters, but that they would probably do nothing against the Austrians. Then they went on to say that the Everton fans were great ambassadors for England, had caused absolutely no trouble, and could look forward to many years more European success. About a week or two later came Heysel.

― Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Saturday, 8 April 2006 16:24 (nineteen years ago)

jamie - is that on SKY or NTL?

― Porkpie (porkpie), Saturday, 8 April 2006 16:38 (nineteen years ago)

Sky 442

― Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Saturday, 8 April 2006 22:47 (nineteen years ago)

I was going to come up with a theory about how the standard of football is much higher now, but then today I saw Everton beat Rapid Vienna in 1985 final and Everton were fantastic.

You've made an old man very happy.

I wish I had that match on tape - perhaps I'll shell out for the DVD one day. I remember us dominating from the start and Mountfield having a goal disallowed just before the break. Even the Rednoses at school the next day were grudgingly impressed.

In fairness to Man U, Barce were rather better opposition than Rapid Wien; the Austrians had cheated their way past Celtic in a previous round (one of their players feigned injury when something was thrown onto the pitch at Parkhead as Celtic were en route to a 4-3 agg win; the second leg was replayed at Old Trafford and Celtic lost).

In a way Heysel allowed Everton to quit at the top - "who knows how good we could've been?" has been the mantra down the years but the fact is that Everton's previous great team (1970) imploded immediately without any external influence. We were good enough to remain in the English top four for another three seasons but our return to Europe - an autumn '87 friendly vs Atletico Madrid - was an embarrassment. We lost 6-1.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Sunday, 9 April 2006 18:05 (nineteen years ago)

I'm pretty sure the standard of football is higher now in a lot of ways, but these are mostly due to fitness standards. It's certainly the case that once someone invents a trick, it spreads, so there are a lot more of them about now - I remember the astonishment at the Cruyff turn - but it's putting them to good effect that counts.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 9 April 2006 18:22 (nineteen years ago)

ronaldoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999 is da best ever

― mostafa moharam hasan, Thursday, 13 April 2006 15:14 (nineteen years ago)

You won't get that on a replica shirt.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 13 April 2006 15:26 (nineteen years ago)

Thi sis the BBC, broadcasting from London:

If Villarreal are the yellow submarine then Riquelme is their periscope - head up, surveying everything around him. Then his passing is like the torpedoes, ripping holes in the opposing defence.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Tuesday, 18 April 2006 09:14 (nineteen years ago)

I am sure the Scottish fans and Rangers will be treated as harshly as racism in Spain is always treated. I think the latest initiative there is giving sweeties to fans who hurl racist abuse.

Translation: You've had a hundred years to do something about it and you've done fuck all so we've decided to follow your example

― TS: Mick Ralphs vs. Ariel Bender (Dada), Tuesday, 18 April 2006 09:19 (nineteen years ago)

I think that I might have seen the Vil.larreal team last night. They looked like this:

http://airteamimages.com/imageFiles/uploads/26290_800.jpg

― Mooro (Mooro), Tuesday, 18 April 2006 09:38 (nineteen years ago)

ESPN Classics focused on Liverpool in the 70's and early 80's yesterday. The 1977 game against St Etienne. Those green shirts!

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Tuesday, 18 April 2006 09:40 (nineteen years ago)

i missed Julie's goal - surely nothing can stop Barca's march to only their second European Cup now tho?

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Tuesday, 18 April 2006 19:31 (nineteen years ago)

I used to have a St Etienne green shirt! With the SuperTele sponsors' logo in what seemed like fuzzy felt. I think it was originally my brother's. I used to play tennis in it, rolling disguised backhand lobs like Yannick Noah.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Tuesday, 18 April 2006 20:43 (nineteen years ago)

apparently a squirrel is causing mayhem on the pitch at Highbury...

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 18:19 (nineteen years ago)

Shame it wasn't Rabbit Mayhem

― Mooro (Mooro), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 18:20 (nineteen years ago)

Is anyone watching this? Is it worth venturing out across the road in the rain to watch the second half (I'm tempted just in case the squirrel comes back again) - FiveLive commentators are not terribly excitable, therefore it making it sound what I perceive to be duller than it actually is. What say people with teh expensive telly?

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 18:23 (nineteen years ago)

its ok so far. i dont have posh telly, i have sneaky broadband connections!

― zappi (joni), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 18:29 (nineteen years ago)

TELL ME HOW!

― Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 18:29 (nineteen years ago)

1-0

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 18:31 (nineteen years ago)

Kolo Toure, of all people.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 18:31 (nineteen years ago)

Arsenal fans were singing 'There's only one squirrel'. Most amusing. Arsenal don't look as good in this game as in the previous two rounds. Villarreal are irritating diving bastards who keep rolling around in 'agony' only to miraculously fully recover seconds later. It's embarrassing. Fortunately the referee never falls for it, and just keeps telling them to get up.

― Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 18:39 (nineteen years ago)

Villarreal = this season's Porto, then?

― bitter Celtic fan with a three-year-old grudge (ailsa), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 18:45 (nineteen years ago)

how to watch this game online (with 5 minute delay):

UEFA Champions League 05/06, this is the thread for
or
UEFA Champions League 05/06, this is the thread for

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 19:13 (nineteen years ago)

one step closer! :-)

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 19:45 (nineteen years ago)

I predict an all-Spanish final again.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 20 April 2006 06:26 (nineteen years ago)

villarreal will have to rely on arsenal's poor away form to go through

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 20 April 2006 06:32 (nineteen years ago)

also, the whole pub went "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHH" when they showed the slow motion of when one of the villarreal players rolled his ankle after jumping for a ball

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 20 April 2006 06:37 (nineteen years ago)

villarreal will have to rely on arsenal's poor away form to go through

Just like Leverkusen, Juventus and Chelsea were able to capitalise on Liverpool's poor away form last season. Oh, wait...

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 20 April 2006 08:05 (nineteen years ago)

The squirrel was arguing with a taxi driver outside afterwards "I said Highbury Fields you idiot."

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 20 April 2006 08:11 (nineteen years ago)

I can't see Arsenal screwing this up now. They have every chance of losing the second leg but by two goals seems too unlikely.

Think Barca will rip them apart in the final tho (but of course people said that about Milan against Liverpool).

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Thursday, 20 April 2006 08:28 (nineteen years ago)

(and they were right)

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 20 April 2006 08:51 (nineteen years ago)

first half only

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Thursday, 20 April 2006 08:52 (nineteen years ago)

Dudek's double save?

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 20 April 2006 09:09 (nineteen years ago)

I think Arsenal will get through. Henry was saying after the game that he was mystified by the way Villarreal never really went for it, even when they went 1-0 down. A 1-0 away defeat is a terrible result, much better to lose 2-1. Next week Villarreal will have to attack Arsenal, and I think that will suit the Arse as they'll have a bit more space for their passing game. If Arsenal score just one goal in Spain then they are almost certain to get to the final.

Think Barca will rip them apart in the final tho (but of course people said that about Milan against Liverpool).

I think the difference is that Liverpool last season were a bit rubbish really (in the premiership), and the fact that they got anywhere near the final was amazing - as if Everton reached the final this season. There was a sense that they were an improving side that was puching above its weight. Arsenal, on the other hand, have had a very strong side for the last 4 or 5 years that was expected (at least by the English media) to be seriously challenging in Europe, by repeatedly underachieved. So it doesn't seem so surprising that they're (potentially) in the final - it's more surprising that it's taken them so long to get there. Arsenal at their best are better than Liverpool at their best, even if they're having a terrible season domestically. I would still expect Barcelona to beat them, but it would be close.

― Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Thursday, 20 April 2006 09:14 (nineteen years ago)

'by repeatedly' = 'but repeatedly'

― Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Thursday, 20 April 2006 09:17 (nineteen years ago)

A 1-0 away defeat is a terrible result, much better to lose 2-1.

Remember how Newcastle through it away against Sporting Lisborn tho, despite going 1-0 up in both legs!

There's the same sense of irony as with Liverpool reaching the CL final after selling their star striker (Owen). Arsenal are effectively on the verge of same - still Henry yes but numerous injuries and the loss of Vieira means this Arsenal side is weaker on paper than the ones that were knocked out by Chelsea and Valencia in the past.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Thursday, 20 April 2006 09:27 (nineteen years ago)

Before any Reds barrel in, snorting derisively, I think you're really flattering the Toffees there! Liverpool were able to peak for the big Euro games last season, and compete with the elite clubs in a manner you'd kinda expect from a team featuring the stars they have. Their Premiership form in 04-05 was the greater mystery (and the injuries explain some of that). I think there'd be some kind of UEFA enquiry if Everton had reached the final this season (our 05/06 far inferior to L'pool's 04/05 and our squad is nowhere near as good).

Still, Villarreal, eh? Collina, EH? WHO KNOWS?

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 20 April 2006 09:29 (nineteen years ago)

If you look at the Arsenal side at the start of the season and look at last night's team, they are totally different, particularly the defence. It's an improving team, playing with increased confidence in every game and fearless.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 20 April 2006 09:59 (nineteen years ago)

Their run of clean sheets is amazing considering the amount of changes they've made in defence this season (8 different left-backs so far or thereabouts?).

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 20 April 2006 10:04 (nineteen years ago)

I think the squirrel deserves another chance in the second leg.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Thursday, 20 April 2006 10:08 (nineteen years ago)

thought 'we' (hoho) were gonna get through the 2nd leg but i'm afraid that Wenger's loss of cool at the weekend will spread to the team and that will be that.

prove me wrong etc etc.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 17:10 (nineteen years ago)

so tense!

― Gravel Puzzleworth (Gregory Henry), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 19:13 (nineteen years ago)

Protestor hands Barca shirt to Henry! lolz

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 19:24 (nineteen years ago)

inevitable penalty given

you felt it HAD to happen...

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 19:32 (nineteen years ago)

ok i didn't expect THAT to happen!

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 19:33 (nineteen years ago)

!!!

― Gravel Puzzleworth (Gregory Henry), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 19:34 (nineteen years ago)

Well done Mad Jens.

― James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 19:34 (nineteen years ago)

the spaghetti western cuts from lehmann to riquelme's eyes and back were brilliant.

― michael wells (michael w.), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 19:35 (nineteen years ago)

lucky boys

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 19:40 (nineteen years ago)

the spaghetti western cuts from lehmann to riquelme's eyes and back were brilliant.

-- michael wells (wellsmj...), April 25th, 2006 8:35 PM. (michael w.) (later) (link)

OTM!

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 19:40 (nineteen years ago)

Bollocks.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 19:41 (nineteen years ago)

How could they play so poorly and still be in the final? That said, I knew Riquelme was going to fuck that one up. He had that Baggio 1990 look about him. And did he really just stand and stare into space for the next few minutes while the game went on without him?

The nightmare gets ever closer to becoming a reality. God I hope Arsenal don't end up playing Milan.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 19:45 (nineteen years ago)

Arsene just used the word "footballisticly".

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 19:53 (nineteen years ago)

Even I, who dislike English football, hate Arsene Wenger and dont really mind diving, was glad that Riquelme missed that penalty because that would be too cruel.

I hope Milan kick their ass in the final, or if it has to be, that Barca kick their ass.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 20:05 (nineteen years ago)

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 20:10 (nineteen years ago)

hope Milan get to the final, go 4-0 up within 20 minutes, before Arsenal claw 3 back, get a fourth in the eighth minute of injury time, and then win on penalties. Berlusconi really can't get pwnt enough this year.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 20:12 (nineteen years ago)

Says the Inter fan

*giggles*

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 20:18 (nineteen years ago)

i am delighted for arsenal! their best defender was, in my opinion, freddie ljungberg.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 20:24 (nineteen years ago)

Lehnmann wot a hero - just like in the FA cup final!

Just great to be in the final (win or lose) (no really).

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 20:27 (nineteen years ago)

Yaaaay! I'm glad I didn't watch that now.

I support Arsenal, sort of. I support Thierry Henry. He's pretty.

― Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 22:38 (nineteen years ago)

I wouldn't want to be a Spurs fan watching the final if it's a close game.

― MitchellStirling (MitchellStirling), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 23:23 (nineteen years ago)

Ljungberg looked like the most pissed off guy EVER when he was being held in the box.

― Johnny B Was Quizzical (Johnney B), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 05:33 (nineteen years ago)

sol campbe1l on the other hand would have loved that

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 07:36 (nineteen years ago)

ALLEGEDLY.

― ILX Lawyers (aldo_cowpat), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 08:45 (nineteen years ago)

Down periscope!

Congratulations Arsenal and all their supporters on a tremendous achievement.

I did not really enjoy the match.

If Riquelme hadn't gobbed so much, he might have scored.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 08:46 (nineteen years ago)

Ljungberg looked like the most pissed off guy EVER when he was being held in the box.

Ha - yeah I loved that. He was just shooting the Villarreal guy a look that said "you fucking child".

― Alba (Alba), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 08:47 (nineteen years ago)

My mate sent me a message that said "THIS IS SHITE! THIS FUCK WON'T LET GO OF FREDDIE"

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 09:12 (nineteen years ago)

I thought Franco dictated play.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 09:21 (nineteen years ago)

hahaha

The Herald says AC Milan haven't lost a European Cup semi-final for 50 years!

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 11:48 (nineteen years ago)

They have now.

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy (Kerr), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 20:38 (nineteen years ago)

Well done Mr Merk.

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 21:01 (nineteen years ago)

Congratulations to Barcelona and all of their fans!

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 21:07 (nineteen years ago)

Edmilson - most handsome man in football? Kaka is the cutest!

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 21:24 (nineteen years ago)

I am pleased.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 27 April 2006 06:47 (nineteen years ago)

My favourite bit was when Ronaldhino turned his face away from where he was going to play a pass and nonchalantly flicked the ball over to his team mate. The whole pub cheered him. If he's on top form, they will take Arsenal to bits ~~I hope~~.

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 27 April 2006 06:59 (nineteen years ago)

Fuck me. I gave up on the idea of watching the Boro game after I saw they were 2 goals down. Just turned on for the last five minutes. Yowsa yowsa yowsa.

― Alba (Alba), Thursday, 27 April 2006 19:57 (nineteen years ago)

Can't find a UEFA cup thread, but... extraordinary!

I'm happy, above all, for Mat Smith.

Also, Downing should certainly be in the England squad.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 27 April 2006 19:57 (nineteen years ago)

Am I the first to say he should have been the England manager? :-)

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 27 April 2006 19:59 (nineteen years ago)

I was otherwise engaged with something very dull. A text from Onimo had me racing back down the road to watch the last ten minutes. Quite possibly the BEST CUP SEMI-FINAL EVER!!

(aldo, I nearly sent you and Onimo a text saying JUST THAT!)

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 27 April 2006 20:00 (nineteen years ago)

For the first half hour I thought 'Boro looked as bad a team as I've seen all season. Perhaps they needed to recreate the second leg of the last round to gee themselves up. Also, why wasn't Macarone playing from the start?

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 27 April 2006 20:01 (nineteen years ago)

I admit i stopped watching. then my dad shouted it was 2-2 so i switched it on again. Absolutely amazing.

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy (Kerr), Thursday, 27 April 2006 20:04 (nineteen years ago)

Gah. I've been watching Ronnie the Rocket instead. And I missed their amazing come back last time around as well.

― Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Thursday, 27 April 2006 20:10 (nineteen years ago)

Actually, I noticed even Sven stayed right to the end, so I bet Downing does make the cut...

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 27 April 2006 20:14 (nineteen years ago)

BBC Radio Cleveland are playing 'We are the champions' at the moment.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Thursday, 27 April 2006 20:24 (nineteen years ago)

downing's a cert, i think.

good performances by rochemback, viduka and the lad maccarone. although, to answer jerry's maccarone question above, the answer would be: because he's usually hopeless.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 27 April 2006 20:32 (nineteen years ago)

For the first 15 minutes, Boro looked like one of the worst sides I'd seen in Euprope for many years, then Steve 'For England' McLaren takes off his best defender to mlove from 3-5-2 to 4-3-3. Oh, how we laughed.

Maybe that's why I was never in the running for the job.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 27 April 2006 21:15 (nineteen years ago)

Let's go to Rochembach, Texas with Willie and Waylon and the boys
This successful life we're livin' got us feuding like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams' pain songs, Newberry's train songs, and blue eyes cryin' in the rain
Out in Rochembach Texas ain't nobody feelin' no pain

― Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Thursday, 27 April 2006 21:21 (nineteen years ago)

How the fuck did watching Middlesbrough become so exciting? That was amazing... an entire pub full of Londoners going mental.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 27 April 2006 21:50 (nineteen years ago)

That was one of the greatest matches I've ever watched in my life. I have no time for Muddlesborough, I have a sack full of reservations as to why Steau played like idiots, but not only did Boro' play the greatest European game I've ever seen an English team play, but...fuck it...it was such a newspaper-obvious event...all hail east cleveland.

― Ricky Nadir (noodle vague), Thursday, 27 April 2006 22:35 (nineteen years ago)

PS aprohpoh of NADA, poorly reduced to my current very drinked frome of mind: G1N DARN13LLE is J3BUS!!!!!

― Ricky Nadir (noodle vague), Thursday, 27 April 2006 22:38 (nineteen years ago)

Even as a drunk tho, what a match to have watched thru.

― Every Time I Open Up My Mouth All Bullets Spit Out: Bang! (noodle vague), Thursday, 27 April 2006 22:42 (nineteen years ago)

I didn't think it was on the telly. Listened to the first half on the radio. Then watched 'The Street', which was poor.

After the match, I could hear singing and shouting in Maidenhead. Surely a coincidence? I don't think I've ever even seen a Middlesbrough supporter in real life.

So I can't congratulate them on a tremendous achievement.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 28 April 2006 06:03 (nineteen years ago)

What are Seville like? Are 'boro likely to get battered in Eindhoven?

― Johnny B Was Quizzical (Johnney B), Friday, 28 April 2006 06:12 (nineteen years ago)

The most extraordinary thing is that they've done this precise same recovery from 0-3 down in two consecutive rounds. I can't think of a precedent for this in European football. I missed both games, obv.

Final's gonna be a 0-0, right?

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 28 April 2006 06:53 (nineteen years ago)

Seville - mercurial.

Michael, I was going to say it's like when there's a hole in the Matrix or whatever, but I thought it might make me look like a spazz.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 28 April 2006 07:09 (nineteen years ago)

Has Massimo Maccarone justified that transfer fee yet?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 28 April 2006 07:46 (nineteen years ago)

he still doesn't pasta ball enough

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 28 April 2006 09:06 (nineteen years ago)

argh i completely forgot about Boro, didn't even know the score until clicking this thread and then on bbc football page. maybe i can download this incredible-sounding match somewhere...

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Friday, 28 April 2006 09:10 (nineteen years ago)

It did seem a bit odd that it was tucked away on ITV4. If it had been a more "glamorous" team in a UEFA cup semi it would surely have been on ITV1... or at the very least, Channel 5?

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Friday, 28 April 2006 09:16 (nineteen years ago)

Also, why wasn't Macarone playing from the start?

He was too busy posting to ILX, I imagine.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 28 April 2006 11:04 (nineteen years ago)

Goals from the Middlesbrough game here (disappointingly with a bit too much German analysis and not enough of the post-goal celebrations):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeT6jZ_otP0

And some local radio commentary with mad screaming here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/4304501.stm

― Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Friday, 28 April 2006 16:44 (nineteen years ago)

It did seem a bit odd that it was tucked away on ITV4. If it had been a more "glamorous" team in a UEFA cup semi it would surely have been on ITV1... or at the very least, Channel 5?

Was Celtic's UEFA Cup semi against Boavista televised nationally?

― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, 28 April 2006 17:00 (nineteen years ago)

Yes.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 28 April 2006 17:03 (nineteen years ago)

Both legs.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 28 April 2006 17:03 (nineteen years ago)

managed to download the entire Boro match but with Romanian commentary!

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Saturday, 29 April 2006 14:01 (nineteen years ago)

Thanks Onimo, I just googled and found out they were both on the BBC nationally, with separate commentary teams in Scotland and elsewhere. I am therefore quite surprised that Middlesbrough were stuck away on ITV4. Presume the final will be on a real channel?

― ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 29 April 2006 14:25 (nineteen years ago)

Aye, they couldn't trust Scottish pundits on English telly so they used Alan Hansen :-P

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 29 April 2006 14:28 (nineteen years ago)

I think ITV have the rights to the final. I don't think they'll hide that one on ITV79

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 29 April 2006 14:30 (nineteen years ago)

"we'll be watching the Bill, while they're playing Seville..."

― ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 29 April 2006 14:42 (nineteen years ago)

two weeks pass...

What a twat of a referee.

― Teh HoBBercraft (the pirate king), Wednesday, 17 May 2006 18:11 (nineteen years ago)

this thread cruelly denied it's rousing climax on account of This is the thread for the Arsenal/Barcelona Champions League final being set up instead.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 17 May 2006 20:49 (nineteen years ago)

That happened to my Champs League thread last year which would have been rivalling Try Glasgow More for length had someone not set up a separate thread for the final, and the subsequent fight over ~~fudging the rules~~ letting Liverpool take their rightful place in the competition as winners.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 17 May 2006 20:55 (nineteen years ago)

I just want to post this here as well...

ARSENE WENGER, DAVID DEIN, GEORGE GRAHAM, TONY ADAMS, THIERRY HENRY, PATRICK VIERA, DAVID SEAMAN, JENS LEHMANN, NIGEL WINTERBURN, MARTIN KEOWN, GEORGE ARMSTRONG, FRANK MCLINTOCK, DAVID O'LEARY, IAN WRIGHT, JOHN JENSEN, SOL CAMPBELL, FREDDIE LJUNGBERG, BOB WILSON, ALAN DAVIES, CLIVE ANDERSON, RORY MCGRATH, NICK HORNBY, JULIO D'SOUZA... CAN YOU HEAR ME? YOUR BOYS ARE ONE HELL OF A TEAM OF DIVING, CHEATING DOUBLE STANDARDS FLAUNTING BAD LOSERS!

Ahem.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 17 May 2006 21:46 (nineteen years ago)

That's a well-made list. It's so ugly. Except for Bob Wilson - he's OK by me.

― the pinefox (the pinefox), Thursday, 18 May 2006 12:21 (nineteen years ago)

Pinefox, do you remember when Sinister beat the NME in the five-a-side final at ATP 2000? "Charles Shaar Murray, Nick Kent, Steve Lamacq, Paul Morley, Julie Burchill... can you hear me, Julie Burchill?" Oh, we did laugh. I wonder whose idea it was to start shouting that.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 18 May 2006 12:25 (nineteen years ago)

Paul Morley was on some shite about Brad Pitt the other night.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 18 May 2006 12:48 (nineteen years ago)

does he fancy him?

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Thursday, 18 May 2006 13:22 (nineteen years ago)

Didn't listen long enough to find out.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Thursday, 18 May 2006 13:44 (nineteen years ago)

Juventus v Werder Bremen gorblimey!
-- Matt DC (runmd...), March 7th, 2006 9:59 PM

i felt sorry for the werder bremen goalkeeper.
weasel diesel (kilian(dot)murphy24@mail.dcu.ie), March 7th, 2006 10:59 PM

Hmmmmm... in the light of the scandal that's bringing down Juventus at the moment, I can't help but wonder whether this incident was quite as accidental as it seemed.

― Teh HoBBercraft (the pirate king), Saturday, 20 May 2006 18:10 (nineteen years ago)

How do you think they should have the competitions in future?

I've said scrap the InterToto, get rid of the UEFA group stages and have more knockouts in the CL.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 14:22 (nineteen years ago)

I've said don't just stop at getting rid of the Intertoto, get rid of the Super Cup and the UEFA Cup as well, just have the CL and make it knockout right from the start, no group stages whatsoever, that revenue generation should be the least important consideration, and that if they keep the UEFA cup it should be made knockout right from the start too, and not be infiltrated by CL failures in January.

― Teh HoBBercraft (the pirate king), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 15:30 (nineteen years ago)

Bring back teh Cup Winners Cup and shift UEFA places back into the leagues. Abandon all group stages. Champions only in the Champions League, which we'll now have to rename because there are no league stages - I suggest European Champions Cup, or European Cup for short.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 15:43 (nineteen years ago)

Nah, it'll never work.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 15:44 (nineteen years ago)

Also, long shorts, high-topped football boots made of mammoth leather, balls made of pig's bladders with cowhide stitching, caps with concentrci circles on them and carefully waxed handlebar moustaches.

― Crimea River (Mark C), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 15:52 (nineteen years ago)

Aye, I forgot about the moustaches. More of them.

Oh, and while we're at it - if you are offside you are offside. End of.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 16:02 (nineteen years ago)

The UEFA cup was good when it was made up of the seconds, thirds and fourths, but it's been completely devalued since all of those teams went into the CL. But I've got no problem with non-champions being in the European Cup - I'm quite happy for there to be just one tournament, with all the top teams in it (so long as 'the top teams' means the ones who finish highest, and not some kind of G14 permanent membership). Otherwise the European Cup would be (and arguably was, in terms of quality of competition, rather than stature) worse than the UEFA Cup. So one big competition with all the top teams is fine by me. But nobody gives a fuck about group stages - they're just the tedious bit to get out the way before the real knockout fun gets started. The only reason we have them is for guaranteed revenue, but teams shouldn't be in it for the £££s, they should be in it to try and win it. Then you might get rid of this obsession where just being in the CL becomes the be-all and end-all, and teams would no longer be happier (say) finishing 4th in the premiership and going out in the group stages of the CL, than finishing 5th, winning the FA Cup, and losing the final of the CL.

― Teh HoBBercraft (the pirate king), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 16:09 (nineteen years ago)

Oh, and while we're at it - if you are offside you are offside. End of.

It was funny, in the BBC video archive, to hear David Coleman say during Italy-West Germany in 1970 "offside there, but not interfering with play". It's always been there, that qualification to the rule, it's just expressed differently now (the whole "phase of play" thing was an attempt to clarify, I think). Quite a "modern" amount of injury time in that match too, which was also no surprise to Coleman.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 19:33 (nineteen years ago)

are there any of the london supporters at all tho who wd rather win the champions' league than the premiership? i'm a born & bred liverpool supporter and i would kill for a(nother) premiership title.

― danny invincible (michael w.), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 20:00 (nineteen years ago)

dude, we've never won the Premiership

― Porkpie (porkpie), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 20:03 (nineteen years ago)

jesus that hurt

― Porkpie (porkpie), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 20:03 (nineteen years ago)

This may sound harsh, but I really, really hope you don't win the league again until 2016 at the earliest.

― Teh HoBBercraft (the pirate king), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 20:14 (nineteen years ago)

hmm, we must go for a ~~fight~~ pint soon ;)

― Porkpie (porkpie), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 20:15 (nineteen years ago)

porkpie, refering to "the premiership" as a seperate identity to "the league" means you have been badly brainwashed in the worst possible way.

― danny invincible (michael w.), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 20:57 (nineteen years ago)

sorry, didn't notice the capital P ;)

and no, I haven't been brainwashed

― Porkpie (porkpie), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 21:00 (nineteen years ago)

xpost:
B-b-but it's you that used the word Premiership. You could have just said "I would kill for another league title" and then this whole nasty business need never have happened.

― Teh HoBBercraft (the pirate king), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 21:02 (nineteen years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.