[Sports] Any soccer fanatics here? (part 4) [Archive]

Suede

08-06-2004, 06:57 PM

cool.. nice to see the soccer thread being flooded.. real soccer fanatic i am.. can't wait for season to get started.. shoeld all gather for matches huh..

well.. so the topics on messiah viera.. seems like the viera deal has gone dead again huh.. well.. on and off.. hope he does go as the whole series just proves his heart is not @arsenal i think.. its always his desire to move on and he always fancies real madrid as a bigger team on the world stage.. think even w/o viera arsenal will still be favs for the league this coming season.. going unbeaten the prev season just proves they are the real deal.. admire their fluency although i am no gunners fans though..

on paper chelski seems to have the best squad and w mourinho now.. hope team spirt and team work will improve as i think thats where they were found wanting in the prev season.. on paper they definitely by far have the best squad.. interesting to see who mourinho will choose to startw though as his front 2..

newcastle seems to have made some pretty decent moves in the transfer market as well w kluivert butt and milner all coming in.. it will be nice to look foward to the partnership of kluivert and shearer..

cisse @pool seems a pretty good move as well judging fm preseason so far.. just a pity that baros has stated that he prefers to move on rather than stay.. so guess his heart and desire isn't at pool.. much like the viera situation..

any la liga fans here.. any barca fans?..

kirasuran

08-07-2004, 08:19 AM

hahahaha YAY!!! SQUALL!!! UR BACKK! where did u go? cos like i didnt know and like one day u went off leaving me to post news :cry: did u do a good job, or crappy?

hmm...arsenal are like seriously trying to bide time but i dont think that they will buy maniche...well its a possibilty but time is running out, though they hav 3 weeks to go which should be plenty of time.

Arsene Wenger warned Patrick Vieira that he is more likely to win medals with Arsenal than Real Madrid as he made a last-ditch plea for his captain to complete his mission at Highbury.

There were no scenes like this at the Bernabeau last season (CliveMason/GettyImages)

Wenger remains adamant that Vieira will be staying put despite the moves being made by Real to lure him to La Liga.

The two clubs seem to be locked in a battle of wills over any price-tag, while Vieira himself has yet to agree personal terms at the Bernabeu, thereby fuelling Wenger's confidence.

The French midfielder was at Highbury today, although he will still be absent from the Community Shield this weekend due to a thigh injury which could take a further two weeks to clear up.

Real nevertheless have a further three weeks to sign Vieira before the transfer window closes, with the financial ability to increase their initial offer.

No wonder Wenger was trying to fight Arsenal's corner today, while stressing that the board did not need to sell one of their biggest assets.

When asked if the Gunners have as much chance of winning trophies as nine-time European champions Real, he defiantly insisted: 'Yes, if not more so.

chelsea is a majorly different story. suede i dont agree with u. i reckon although chelsea has many new playters, and they are all world class, they are like the english REAL MADRID> which is baD. they hav ccorrupted the game, and the market. also, since they are all such good players then mayeb co operation will be harder to find

baros is last of pecking order at anfield...cisse and owen will keep him out..g2g to grandma's for dinner now cya guyS!!!

got some news on that anfield failure.

Outcast striker El-Hadji Diouf has had transfer talks with Malaga during a flying visit to the Spanish club.

The Senegal striker has been told by new Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez that he has no future at Anfield and should find another club.

Diouf was on a plane to Spain soon after Benitez had returned to Merseyside after Liverpool's return from their USA tour.

Diouf has insisted he will not give up the final two years of his lucrative contract, which pays him over £40,000 a week, so the best Liverpool can hope for is that Diouf will agree a one-year loan with Malaga.

A spokesman for the Spanish club said: 'Diouf was here and he left Malaga almost convinced to sign for us.'

Diouf is also wanted by Bolton on loan, but Liverpool and the player would prefer the move was abroad.

i seriously didnt know why they bought him in the first place. stupid.

Squall

08-07-2004, 03:57 PM

i am M.I.A for a few days :wink2:

Arsenal is wasting Real Madrid time... :crazy:
and heard that Vieira want 120k pound per week like the rest of the superstars but Real Madrid is willing to offer 80k pound per week...
but 80k is quite a lot already..
greedy Vieira

and Japan WON the Asian Cup :bounce:
the match just ended..
China 1 - 3 Japan

wonder will there be any riot after the match since the chinese don't like the Japanese since world war II

kirasuran

08-07-2004, 04:20 PM

apparently, silvestre reckons that arsenal dont need vieira. heres part of the article

Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has claimed Arsenal have no need to fear even if Patrick Vieira eventually quits Highbury for Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants are still hopeful of landing the Gunners skipper even though they have admitted their attempts to lure Vieira to the Bernabeu have stalled amid a major disagreement over the transfer fee.

Vieira will miss tomorrow's Community Shield clash with United in Cardiff anyway after failing to recover from a thigh injury but Silvestre reckons that while his fellow Frenchman is a major asset in the Arsenal dressing room, should he eventually leave, the Londoners may not be too adversely affected by his loss.

'Patrick is a key player for Arsenal,' he said.

'He has been there eight years and he is their captain. They are bound to suffer to an extent if he leaves.

'But they have two excellent central midfielders already in Edu and Gilberto Silva and we all saw what Maniche did in Euro 2004, so if they signed him as well, I don't think they would have too much of a problem.'

Arsene Wenger insists that Arsenal's board will stand firm in the face of Real Madrid's moves to buy Patrick Vieira - as there is no financial need to sell the midfielder.

Wenger accepts he may not be able to prevent Vieira leaving if the Frenchman decides it is now time for him to seek a fresh challenge in Spain.

He admitted that 'Patrick's been here for eight good years so maybe he thinks it's time to move on'.

However, despite apparent evidence of Vieira being tempted by Real, Wenger still remains confident he can persuade his captain to stay.

Not only did he warn him he stands more chance of winning trophies with Arsenal than Real, but the Arsenal manager also tried to tempt Vieira with the challenge of completing his mission of turning the Gunners into European champions.

Wenger added: 'I think he will stay. I have a close relationship with Patrick as I don't come out with what we talk about, but that's my personal opinion.

'Patrick has a contract here until 2007 and he is not unhappy here. He has shown that for eight years. History shows that players are not always happier somewhere else than here.'

Moreover, Wenger made it clear to Real that Arsenal would, at the very least, not be forced into selling Vieira on the cheap.

man this is seriously confusing...

Squall

08-07-2004, 04:26 PM

Silvestre must be happy if Vieira leave for Real Madrid..
Man U will have a easier season..
a Captain is very important to the team..
Man U without keane is bad..
Arsenal without Vieira will be bad too
Edu and Gilberto Silva are not up to Vieira standard..
Vieira is one of the best in his position..
dunno whether Maniche could produce what he does for Portugal.. :whistle:

Wenger know how important Vieira is to Arsenal :wink2:

kirasuran

08-07-2004, 04:45 PM

yeh. its pretty true, as i was reading the article on silvestre, i was thinking "he must be saying that cos it would be good for his team" and i was like laughing to myself...yeh its pretty hard to find such a good midfielder anywhere...i think that steven gerrard might come close...cos i remember in the euro match starting match, the commentators are like "this will be one of the biggest midfield battles, with gerrard and vieira."

i wish the best of luck to manu and southampton this season and the next and the next, and the next....you get me...hahaha man im disappointed my shin +ankle is injured...somehow and it hurts sometimes... :cry: means i cant play at full potentiaL!! gotta sleep soon, ill tell u all about the time when me and 4 friends won a school soccer tourney!

ftlouiea

08-08-2004, 11:40 AM

Wha, there was me thinking when the hell will the next part of socccer fanatics would start coz the last thread was getting TOO much!!

Viera. Um. He's one of those, quiet players with great importance. But you dont realise until they've gone. So... for Man U benefit, i would like to see him go, well, not being harsh, but i wanna see how arsenal would cope without a major player. Cos they've always kept their players till they retire... in most cases.

Arsenal vs Man United for the Charity Shield. Starts 3pm GMT.
For those who dont know, the winner of th FA cup plays the winner of the premier league.

Ooh and one more thing, fartking, i dont think gerrard and viera can be compared in the same league... gerrard is no match. though he wants to.

kirasuran

08-08-2004, 03:17 PM

ftlouiea, that is a point open to massive debate. i reckon that they could be equal in some areas, others not so equal. thing is, vieira is probably physically much better thgough mentally i think that gerrard might be better....in terms of tactics or sumthin...hmmm hope he moves, cos then manu can be better....man i think il ltell u all about the tourney another time cos g2g now...cyas! goodnite!!

Squall

08-08-2004, 05:13 PM

both Vieira and Gerrard are good :happy:
i think i posted some stats that show Liverpool tend to lose more matches when Gerrard play :angel:

English FA Community Shield NOW!!!

Arsenal 1-0 Man U
Gilberto Silva (49)

half time now :glug:

EDIT:omg..Man U score...Alan Smith at 55 mins..
but Reyes score at the 59 mins..
advantage Arsenal
2-1 now :)

ftlouiea

08-08-2004, 05:29 PM

OMG. come on man u... stupid charity shield, i can only see highilights later at 6pm GMT... meh. ooh smith is proving to be good for the team!! wow! but reyes... peh... the match will end in a few minutes... ooh.

Squall

08-08-2004, 05:40 PM

ok..it should be all over
Mikael Silvestre(og 78)

:glug:
3-1

ftlouiea

08-08-2004, 05:43 PM

OH MY F**KIN LORD! What the hell is wrong with Silvestre!

Calm. You know one thing, man u could do greatly without silvestre. I mean has anyone noticed (i mean course you have!), that he gave away at least 2 penalties to the opposing side in euro 2004?

Squall

08-08-2004, 05:46 PM

i thought Silvestre was great in Man U...
he was great in the computer games i played :whistle:
2 penalties :glug:

seems like Arsenal can still win without Vieira

Full time
Arsenal 3-1 Man U

Arsenal win the Community Shield

ftlouiea

08-08-2004, 06:05 PM

so did Viera not play then? Like... can u immediately tell that he is absent from the side in the game?

At least this is only a charity thing... i mean its only luck... ah...

Squall

08-08-2004, 06:08 PM

he was injured from that match...
so i don't need to check the squad detail to conclude that...

*he was really absent from the match..

ftlouiea

08-08-2004, 06:20 PM

ah 'injured'. lol jokes!

um... even from man u point of view, i think real madrid are really wasting time... i mean okay your breaking up one of the greatest teams... and why dont they just LOOK at some new talent, instead of robbing other teams of their players! They dont seem to understand c-o--o-p-e-r-a-t-i-o-n.

Squall

08-08-2004, 06:28 PM

this is the world where money count for everything..
Man U also rob PSV van Nistelrooy
Ferdinand from Leeds
Christiano Ronaldo from Sporting
Saha from Fulham
Bellion from Sunderland

seem like Man U also don't understand cooperation :shifty:

ftlouiea

08-08-2004, 06:41 PM

SHHHHHHHH i hate it when people go all clever on me! :whistle:

aren't there more contreversial transfers lately?

ooh please update me if a coach for french international team has been found yet...

kirasuran

08-09-2004, 11:09 AM

well sorry but i dont hav news on the new french coach...wait a sec i thought that i read a few articles on that last week or last last week. lemme go take a look. meanwhile here is news on another frenchie.

his future intentions as the countdown begins to a weekend deadline imposed by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Wenger does not want the continuing uncertainty over Vieira's future to cloud Arsenal's start to the defence of their Barclays Premiership crown at Everton on Sunday.

Even though the Gunners beat Manchester United in yesterday's Community Shield without their injured captain, the Arsenal boss again appealed for the midfielder to remain at Highbury.

However, Wenger admitted for the first time that he would allow Vieira to leave the club - at the right price - if he handed in a transfer request this week.

And with the transfer window closing at the end of this month, the Arsenal boss wants to be left with enough time to at least search for a replacement.

He has therefore set a deadline of next weekend for Vieira, who has not spoken on the issue at all so far this summer, to commit himself one way or the other.

'Our intention is very clear. Only he can come out and clarify the situation now, and he needs to do that very quickly,' declared Wenger.

'His commitment is not a question mark for me, he has always been outstanding in that. But before the start of the season, we want the captain to be focused on what the team wants to achieve.

'I want him to be part of the future of this team, but I want him to be clear in his mind, whether his heart is with us or not.'

Vieira must carefully judge his next move, as he cannot be certain Real would be willing to match Arsenal's asking price even if he did hand in a transfer request.

He must also satisfy himself that he is the Spanish club's main target, given that Marca, the Spanish newspaper with close links to Real, have just linked them with Wayne Rooney.

And Vieira has reportedly not been impressed with the initial wage offer made to his agent by Real, given that it fell well short of what the current 'galacticos' are earning.

It all adds up to a week of considerable intrigue as the player who could effectively make or break Arsenal's season weighs up his options.

ooooh! ftloueia!!! sorry if i spelt it wrong...hey i found out!!!

PARIS, July 12 (Reuters) - Raymond Domenech was appointed France's national team coach on Monday, his mission to restore the fortunes of a side who have lost their World Cup and European Championship crowns in the space of two years.
The 52-year-old, formerly coach of the French under-21 team, succeeds Jacques Santini who left after Euro 2004 to take over at English premier league club Tottenham Hotspur.

'We must qualify for the 2006 World Cup and, if possible, win,' said Domenech.

'But beyond the results we also have to rebuild around our national team the special feeling of joy that helped us to win the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000,' he said.

'France's team must become everybody's team again.'

French football federation (FFF) chairman Claude Simonet said they had received 41 applications for the post, of which six 'were really serious'.

'The shortlist was reduced to three names, Laurent Blanc, Jean Tigana and Raymond Domenech, before we reached a consensus and appointed Raymond Domenech,' Simonet said.

Simonet said he would recommend the Federation's council 'to appoint Domenech for four years with yearly objectives'.

ftlouiea

08-09-2004, 12:24 PM

^ So much reading!! Thanks for the news fartking!

Um, Wenger is being very rational and respect to that. So whenever this saga ends, wake me up all right? Zzzz...
Wait, can i just say, Is viera absolutely sure that he would have a major part to play in Real? i.e. not be a sub every so often? And have his skills reduced like what Real have done to Becks.

This Domenech guy, all good luck to him man! Lets hope he manages to stay till after the 2006 world cup at least! Lol.

kirasuran

08-09-2004, 02:33 PM

ftlouiea

08-09-2004, 08:37 PM

are u like a fan of the french national team or sumthin??? i never knew that thuram was old...i oonlu learnt about him this yeaR!!

ur welcome im here to post news on anything....u can ask for anything and ill try looking as hard as i caN!!! *please give rep* :whistle: haha i think that chelsea has more chances of winning premiership cos of its new players and all....but finally they announced they are not buying anymore :happy: yaYY!

Me? a french fan? Never. I just wanna check out the downfall of ex- World Cup winner & EX- Euro Cup champion. :bleh:

Chelsea... even if they win, i dont think they'll get the respect, since Abromavich being owner and everything. Yah they finished buying, spending £88million! I mean, some of us just kinda spend 100 quid or so and call it a day, but for Abromavich... no..! :tongue: And Chelsea have bought all these european names unknown to me... i wanna see how they perform!

Read this newspaper today, footie reviewer put his money on Man U winning premiership just in front of Chelsea, and way ahead of Arsenal. And trust me, thats not my personal view, its from Daily Mail 9th August 2004 if u wanna check! :happy:

kirasuran

08-10-2004, 11:31 AM

ftlouiea

08-10-2004, 06:02 PM

hahaha....that is quite very amazing that the bookmakers or whatever thinks that manu will win!!! i think that they hav made not that many changes, and that side that failed last year is still likely to be fielded...but hopefullu the defence will hold out until september when FERDINAND Comes BACK!!! :excited: haha yeh chelsea hav like a world class line up. im actually expectin them to win because of that. because it reminds me of pro evo 2's "euro elite" or "world elite" where the 2 teams are best from their respective places.s...if u havnt played that, then u really should. its on pc and ps2. there is also 3, and 4 is coming ouT!! but it will be a long time for me to wait...i think where u live it might be called "winning eleven"

Yah... ferdinand and his afro head! :bleh: also, let me add, the winner of worst hairstyle in the league. :tongue:
Um... another keen games player here eh? i only have ma n64... piling up with dust that is :worry: so maybe not eh!

Owen has to choose between liverpool and making a move on Real in less than 48 hours. I say that's harsh, its like liverpool are not nurturing their own players... if ya no wot i mean...

w4t3r_lily

08-12-2004, 12:01 PM

If i am Owen i think i will stay in Liverpool and become starting eleven rather than in real as a sub. Gosh..real Madrid moving so fast..i've rea in the newspaper that they've got Viera now.. :sweat:

kirasuran

08-12-2004, 01:08 PM

Reports in Spain claim that Arsenal have agreed to sell midfielder Patrick Vieira to Real Madrid for £22.1million.
Both of the Spanish capital's leading sports papers, Marca and Diario AS, believe the fee has been settled by the clubs for the France midfielder after a protracted transfer saga.

'It is nine million (euros) less than Arsenal wanted and three million more than Madrid were willing to pay,' said Marca.

It has been widely reported that Vieira will be presented as a Real player tomorrow after his new team-mates return from their Champions League qualifier with Wisla Krakow in Poland although Marca believes that 'Friday or the start of next week' is a more likely scenario.

Both papers claim Vieira's salary is going to be less than that of the four 'galacticos' signed by Real president Florentino Perez - David Beckham, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo.

Marca consider he will earn slightly less than £3.34million a year while AS say Madrid are offering £3million - the same as Roberto Carlos who joined the club before Perez took over the presidency.

After the Community Shield final Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger gave Vieira a deadline of this weekend to decide where his future lay.

this seems like the near end of this "vieira saga" :dry:

on the owen deal

Real Madrid's purported move for Michael Owen has been complicated by the defiant stance of Bernabeu boss Jose Camacho on Fernando Morientes.
While Liverpool left Owen on the bench against Graz AK in a Champions League qualifier on Tuesday to protect his transfer value, new Real coach Camacho played Morientes in Madrid's Champions League qualifier in Poland last night.

The 28-year-old had been mentioned as a possible makeweight in a deal for Owen.

However, he came off the bench to score both goals in the 2-0 win over Wisla Krakow, apparently taking himself out of any transfer equation in the process as he is now cup-tied.

Camacho said: 'No-one is going to compromise my position. I put out the players who I think are ideal.

'Morientes has shown he is the alternative we are looking for, he's the striker we need to finish off games.'

He added: 'I've heard that people say that the deal (for Owen) was done, we're always open to improving the squad but Morientes isn't going to leave.'

Another player who could have been used in a player-plus-cash deal for Owen is Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o.

Madrid own 50% of the player who has been out on loan to Real Mallorca and are believed to have blocked his £17million move to Barcelona - possibly because they wanted to use him in a deal for Owen.

The England striker was forced to watch the Champions League victory in Austria from the bench but so far the club have declined to comment on speculation that he wants to leave Anfield after contract talks broke down.

The only official comment so far has reportedly come from Madrid, with a club spokesman being quoted as saying: 'We are pleasantly surprised that Liverpool are happy to talk about the sale of Michael Owen to Real Madrid.'

now all the transfers are liverpool and arseenal, now that chelsea hav stopped. ferguson sed he might hav to buy some new players cos of the olympics taking C.Ronaldo and Heinze away.

Squall

08-13-2004, 01:40 PM

Patrick Vieira has announced he is to stay at Arsenal. The Gunners captain has been linked with a move to Real Madrid all summer but today confirmed he will remain with the Premiership champions.

omg..damn disappointed that Real did not get Vieira but we got
Michael Owen will definitely leave Liverpool for Real Madrid, it was confirmed today.
Real Madrid knew that, and when a big club like them come knocking you cannot control it.'

Owen is not that bad

jessca

08-13-2004, 06:44 PM

:glug:

I havent been able to follow the footie transfers abroad...so..Vieras not leaving anymore..but Owen is? :oops: Wow...did not see that coming.

And has Scholes really retired from international football? :unsure:

Dana - I caught the last bits of the Man Utd vs Arsenal match in my hotel room in China and the haircuts scared me so much...dont tell me thats 'in' now. :worry: From what i saw, every player had dodgy hair.. ><

Squall

08-13-2004, 06:52 PM

ya..
Scholes has retired from International football :wink2:
and i think Alex Ferguson commented that it is a great decision or something :oops:
actually i think it is Liverpool that want to sell Owen not Real Madrid who want to buy Owen..
heard that Liverpool first approach Real Madrid to buy Owen..
Real Madrid Antonio Nunez will be heading to Liverpool as part of the deal
but i think Owen is stupid to go to Real Madrid..
i think he is the 4th choice striker in Real Madrid now behind Ronaldo,Raul and Morientes

Real's attempts to bring the Frenchman to the Spanish capital appear to have floundered over Arsenal hiking up the price for the player and Vieira's wage demands. :-x :-x

jessca

08-13-2004, 06:55 PM

Oh...what was his reason? To concentrate on club football? :unsure:

Liverpool offered Michael Owen to Real? :glug: Ive really been missing out on the transfer news... >< Isnt Viera mad that Owens deal has been drawn up so quickly? Whereas his has been speculation for months? :glug:

Anything about Rooney and Man Utd? :worry:

Squall

08-13-2004, 06:59 PM

Vieira was ready to move..
but Arsenal don't want him to leave so they keep increasing the price :-x

Liverpool was desperate..
because Owen contract is ending soon..
so if they don't sell earlier,they will lose more :wink2:
Liverpool offered Michael Owen to Real?i got that from Newspaper..
and i don't think Real Madrid want to buy a striker :wink2:
but the price of owen is low..
i think 8-10 millions euro only :glug:

ftlouiea

08-14-2004, 09:27 AM

Only 8 million. V cheap. But its kinda funny that Liverpool & Owen talks business, and does it. Arsenal and Viera were lingering so long and still there was no business done!

I hope Owen's transfer to Real will make his and Becks' co-operation good for international matches. Thats the only positive point that i can think for Owen.

Owen sells for so little. And Rooney asking for £45 million. Man he has gotta wake up.

Jessca: Man U and Arsenal dodgy hair cuts... maybe...

Did you know that Liverpool has a player called Diao? I saw him the other night when Liverpool were playing; on Tuesday. And the other team had a player called Sick.

w4t3r_lily

08-14-2004, 01:10 PM

Well i heard that zidane also retired from the international games. wow..lots of france players retired this year for their country. Like Desailly, Lizarazu and now Zidane..when will henry retired huh? :dry:

Well i hope now scholes can focus on MU.. :rolleyes: about the cheap price of Owen maybe it's because he don't playing that well anymore like he used too..

kirasuran

08-14-2004, 01:45 PM

ooooh hes gone alreadYY!!! so cheap as well! roooney SUCKS!! how much u think that cristiano ronaldo would be sold for?

Owen had just one season remaining on his contract at Anfield but after talks over a new deal stalled, new manager Rafael Benitez today revealed he would be leaving.

Real issued a statement on their website, www.realmadrid.com, this evening with a photograph of the erstwhile Liverpool forward giving the thumbs up.

The statement read: 'Owen will be presented tomorrow (Saturday) at 1300 hours at the Santiago Bernabeu.

'The forward landed at 1750 at the Torrejon de Ardoz airport and then was taken to the Zarzuela Clinic to have the necessary medical exam.

'The Englishman arrived at the aforementioned clinic with his personal assistant and Javier Garcia Coll.

'Doctors Alfonso Del Corral and Juan Carlos Hernandez were in charge of the exams and also a cardiological study and radiological tests.

'The doctors gave the go-ahead and the striker can from now on wear the white shirt.'

Rumours that Owen was to leave Anfield intensified earlier this week, just days after the player claimed he was 'closer than ever' to signing a new Liverpool deal.

seems like that owen never really had the heart in it for liverpooL! i thought he would stay and have a great career there but seems not!! on a documentary on the england euro 2004 team, there was a bit on owen and it interviewed him and he sed "im not the player i used to be. ive lost that spark that i had when i was 18 years old, and im struggling to gain my form again. i am training as hard as i can, and hopefully i can regain top form and help liverpool." :dry: so much for helping liverpool...wait he gave them 8 milL!! hahah

well here is part of the massive article on vieira. hope someone finds it useful.

Patrick Vieira today claimed he was staying at Arsenal because his ties with the club were 'too strong to break'.

The Gunners captain had been linked with a move to Real Madrid all summer but this morning he confirmed he will remain with the Premiership champions.

Vieira told his club's official website: 'The ties which I have here were too strong for me to break.'

Madrid's interest in the French midfielder had reportedly cooled because the asking fee had risen sharply, supposedly up from £22million to £25.5million - plus £3.4million in bonuses.

The 28-year-old midfielder admitted he had considered a move after eight years at Highbury.

But he added: 'I am staying at the club.

'I've spent the summer considering my future and a possible move to Real Madrid, but my love for Arsenal and the ties which I have here were too strong for me to break.

'I am proud to be captain of the club and I'm looking forward to achieving my football ambitions with Arsenal.'

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had given Vieira until the start of the new Barclays Premiership season this weekend to decide on his future.

If the France international had chosen to leave, Wenger had said he would not have tried to prevent him going.

The manager's approach appears to have paid off with Vieira thanking the north London club for their 'patience and understanding during recent weeks'.

A statement from the Premiership champions read: 'Naturally the club is delighted that Patrick Vieira has reaffirmed his commitment to Arsenal. As most people are aware, Patrick has spent much of the summer considering his future.

'Whilst we understood Patrick's quandary, our position throughout has remained the same. We are a club driven by success on the pitch and that means we do not seek to sell our best players.

'Arsene Wenger has assembled a highly-talented squad of players with the ambition of winning every major honour the game has on offer. Patrick is pivotal to that objective and it has always been our desire for him to stay here at Arsenal.

'We now look forward to Patrick captaining the team to further glory over the coming seasons.

'On a final note, we wish to state that despite any suggestions to the contrary, Real Madrid have acted properly throughout this uncertain period.'

Wenger could not hide his delight at the news and told Sky Sports News: 'I am of course very pleased that Patrick is staying. We were in a situation where we could lose a very big player at a period of the season where it would be impossible to replace him.

'It has been a distraction for us. We want to be settled when we have such a big, big challenge to face.

'It's been really disruptive for a long, long time but I never felt that the team was not focused completely on their game.

'It was more on the mental side of things around the club and for the confidence of the fans - for them it would have been a big blow.'

Omabala

08-14-2004, 02:20 PM

So glad Vieira's staying as Im an Arsenal fan. I reckon winning the premiership this season will be a tremendous achievement because now we've got four world class managers in the league (Wenger, Ferguson, Maurinho, Benitez) and with Chelsea's crazy squad. If Vieira left it would've been almost impossible for us to win the premier league, especially when Gilberto and Edu will be gone for World Cup qualifiers we'll have hardly anyone left in the centre of midfield. And I'm so excited about Reyes starting to mature hes gonna be really good i reckon. Liverpools gonna be dangerous too i think...for the past 2 years me n my friends have been saying that all Liverpool needs to do is kick out Houllier and sell Heskey...now they've done that :) But I'm glad Heskey's staying in the premier league...hes good to watch for laughs haha :D

As for the Champions League, even though im an arsenal fan, i dunno why they are always regarded as one of the favourites...just cos they do so well in the premier league??...cmon lets face it the premier league is nothing compared to serie a and the primera liga when it comes to tactics...all the premier league offers is excitement and non-stop fast pace stuff...but to win the champions league its all about tactics, and henry - hes not a big match player i dunno y!! i get so frustrated :-x ...it
and maurinho shouldnt think hes all this all that hes so cocky...yes he won the champions league...but he got so lucky...just scrapped throught the group stage and last minute goal against man utd (scholes goal was disallowed which is bs!)....then ac milan lost 4-0 to deportivo (now thats BS!!)...wat im trying to say is hes not as great as he thinks he is...

this season will almost be impossible for us to win the champs lge...all the big guns in it (I hope Juventus qualify)...barcelona roma valencia etc...all back after not making it last season...i hope im wrong though...

Squall

08-15-2004, 06:34 AM

Saturday, August 14, 2004
Owen the galactico
MADRID, August 14 (Primera Liga) - Michael Owen was unveiled as Real Madrid's latest 'galactico' on Saturday and then handed the number 11 shirt previously worn by some of the club's greatest-ever names.

In a carefully choreographed ceremony at the Santiago Bernabeu, Owen immediately set out on a charm offensive designed to win over the fans by not only speaking in Spanish but also revealing a knowledge of Madrid's glorious past.

http://www.realmadrid.com/web_realmadrid/mmedia/000/000/043/471.jpg
http://www.realmadrid.com/web_realmadrid/mmedia/000/000/043/473.jpg
http://www.realmadrid.com/web_realmadrid/mmedia/000/000/043/477.jpg
http://www.realmadrid.com/web_realmadrid/mmedia/000/000/043/495.jpg
http://www.realmadrid.com/web_realmadrid/mmedia/000/000/043/497.jpg

it would be perfect if vieira come along :D

kirasuran

08-15-2004, 08:27 AM

squALLL!!! i cant believe u waNT vieira to come along for the riDE!! how dare u??

does anyone hav time to play fantasy premier league with me? i would gladly make a league for our jc.net pplS!! it would be so fun, and also testing out skillS!!! if u wanna visit the site this is it

http://fantasy.premierleague.com

tell me if u guys wanna, then we can all play togetheR!!!

Squall

08-16-2004, 09:48 AM

Vieira..i was just thinking about that..because Real Madrid seriously need a defensive midfielder..
El-Hadji Diouf has signed for Bolton on a year-long loan deal.
The Liverpool striker was expected to leave Anfield after new boss Rafael Benitez did not give him a squad number for the season.

very weird decision..owen gone,diouf gone..is there enough good backup? :?

ftlouiea

08-16-2004, 10:35 AM

I can only name Baros as being the only player in Liverpool that is good. Oh and Hyppia and Riise as well but too many in Liverpool are cheap players bought back and cant give a good game.

w4t3r_lily

08-16-2004, 11:17 AM

ftlouiea

08-16-2004, 11:21 AM

OMG..i've just read this from the newspaper.. Chelsea beat MU??? :cry: damn it..i don't watch the game..
The newspaper also said that Madrid only get Owen cos Viera cancel his decision to join Madrid and stay in Arsenal ..

Well i watched Lpool games..all i can say is that i get bored. I dunno why. They play not too well and i think actually Tottenham deserve to win the game.

Yeah they did... 1-0. Blast it.

Um... the newspaper... Madrid were talking with Owen only recently, but Viera only cancelled his decision after Owen's sale. And yah Liverpool are so boring. :dry:

kirasuran

08-16-2004, 01:25 PM

i dun wanna sound whingy but like did anyone read my post about fantasy premier league? or jus say u dont wanna play! i jus wanna know if u wanted to play!

since the departure of owen liverpool seems to be a bit down...and gerrard wants everyone to be happY! i reckon that baros and cisse will be MADASS strikinG!!!

heres and article on gerrad talking to his team.

Steven Gerrard has urged his Liverpool team-mates to stay positive and look to the future following the departure of Michael Owen.

Striker Owen moved to Real Madrid, signing for the Spanish giants the same day Liverpool opened their Premiership campaign with a 1-1 draw against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Gerrard considered quitting Anfield himself this summer, but eventually turned down the chance of a big-money move to Chelsea.

'Michael has gone and we have got to keep our chins up,' Gerrard, 24, told The Sun. 'It is disappointing to see him go but I have got to move on personally and so has the team.

'It happened quite quickly and the players were a bit shocked just like everybody else. We came back for pre-season and expected Michael to be our front man again. Within days, or a week at most, he was a Real Madrid player.

'We don't all sit around talking about each other's possible moves. People make their own decisions and keep things close to their chests.

'I can guarantee there was not much transfer talk with Michael last week. He has made his decision away from the rest of the lads and we wish him the best of luck in his new challenge.'

Gerrard has vowed not follow in Owen's footsteps away from Anfield as he insisted that he still has no regrets in rejecting a summer move to Chelsea.

However, he admitted that the pressure is now on Djibril Cisse and Milan Baros to produce the goals to ensure Owen is not sorely missed at Anfield.

w4t3r_lily

08-17-2004, 11:13 AM

Well i think Cisse is a good player. Look what he have done against Hotspurs. woth a lil chance he can make a goal!! That is good.
i dun wanna sound whingy but like did anyone read my post about fantasy premier league? or jus say u dont wanna play! i jus wanna know if u wanted to play!

Hmm sorry but maybe i missed it :sweat: can you explain it once again??

News from manutd.com
Mourinho relieved after win
Jose Mourinho admitted Manchester United were unlucky to leave Stamford Bridge empty-handed after Eidur Gudjohnsen gave Chelsea a narrow win. Gudjohnsen's early goal gave Chelsea a 1-0 victory in Mourinho's first game in the Premiership since leaving Porto. He said: "United were unfortunate not to get anything but I also felt our performance deserved three points."
Source: BBC Sport
Wenger eyes unbeaten run
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has challenged his team to remain unbeaten for a second successive season. After Arsenal had routed Everton, Wenger said: "We've only played one game, so it's very early but we'll try to do again what we did last season. Last year, we wanted to play good football, go forward all the time."
Source: BBC Sport

Gerrard in rallying cry
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has told his team-mates to keep their chins up over the exit of Michael Owen. England striker Owen has joined Real Madrid in a deal that will net Liverpool £8m plus Antonio Nunez. But after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham, midfielder Gerrard, 24, told The Sun: "Michael has gone and we have got to keep our chins up. It is disappointing to see him go but I have got to move on personally and so has the team."
Source: BBC Sport

New deal joy for City star
Shaun-Wright Phillips has expressed delight at signing a long-term deal with Manchester City. Wright-Phillips penned the deal after City's season opener against Fulham and he has admitted it is a relief to have sorted his future. "I didn't really want to go," he told the club's website. "There was speculation in the papers but the negotiations went the way I wanted them to go and I am really happy I am here for another four years. You expect a lot of speculation at a big club like this and it has been happening with other players as well."
Source: Sky Sports

kirasuran

08-17-2004, 02:54 PM

its pretty easy, all u do is choose ateam of players , within a budget, and then play. well u dont play, but its like managin a team except all u need to do is choose the right players and that. the site is http://fantasy.premierleague.com and jus go there and check it out. i played last year and its pretty fun!

w4t3r_lily

08-18-2004, 01:41 PM

Oic. Well i don't like to play comp games that much :sweat: to lazy to play. I rather watch someone playing it. Like Ragnarok..my friends beg me to join and play too..but i refused it. I don't want to get addicted like i get addicted to this site :tongue:

kirasuran

08-18-2004, 02:16 PM

come on!! it would be so fun with a jc.net league!! and, its not like FIFA or sumthin, u dont hav to play it! its like management! all u need to do is really check it and make a few changes ONCE a weEK!!! oh wlel...cant help it...

Jose Mourinho is prepared to ditch Chelsea's tradition of open, attacking football if it means snatching the Premiership title.

The new Blues manager has insisted he will not bow to outside pressures to change the functional brand of play he employed to clinch victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich is known to admire attacking football, citing lack of entertainment as one of the reasons for disposing of Claudio Ranieri in the summer, but there was little fluency in the 1-0 success as Chelsea defended their lead in the second-half.

Mourinho's defensive tactics took many people by surprise but he admitted: 'We defended deeply. That's football.

'I told the players at half-time that they have to play like I want, not like the press, the opponents or the crowd want. They did it and we got the three points.

'We can show our quality sometimes but on other occasions you have to forget what other people want from you and play the best way to win. United had the ball but had just one chance. We had more chances than them.'

Mourinho told the London Evening Standard: 'We could have had more control of the football and kept possession better but there's always a lot of pressure on players making their debuts. We always fight to win and play as a team.

'I promised people that we have a wonderful group of players and great characters and they showed that on Sunday.

'I want to prove that I deserve to be at a big club in a big country and to stay here for many years.'

Captain John Terry also believes Chelsea will soon begin to look more stylish.

i never knew about different styles of play for chelsea, only ranieri's 'tinkerman' jonb or sumthin......seems like mourinho is very serious

sagara0510

08-18-2004, 03:01 PM

'Michael has gone and we have got to keep our chins up,' Gerrard, 24, told The Sun. 'It is disappointing to see him go but I have got to move on personally and so has the team.

bahhh good riddance i say... personally i don't see what the big deal is about Owen going...

2 things i can think about when i heard that..

1. Good. Gives Liverpool's Cisse and Baros a chance to shine... i really regard Baros... he'll do well.. and now with Owen gone he'll have plenty of opportunity to perform

2. Hahhahah.. Real Madrid? what makes Owen think he can cut it there? I doubt he'll do well at Real...

Suede

08-18-2004, 03:16 PM

we.. think its a good start for the londoners.. arsenal looks like they nv had a rest and started in awesome fashion.. reyes looks to be the player to watch out for this season though.. he looks really brilliant..

mourinho has attracted abit og crtique for the way his team played against man utd but think blues fans should not get dishearted.. its still early days and lets give mourinho a chance to lay down the style he wants.. he has only been working w his team for over a month so we cannot expect them to play fluent football like arsenal n man utd whose team has been around under the same management for a long time already..

think its gonna be real close again this season but arsenal prob hv the edge at the moment.. but highly doubt they will remain unbeaten again though.. think wenger might eat his words due to his arrogance.. he said at the beginning of the season 2 years back that he fancied his team to remain unbeaten and it backfired badly that season..

think the 3 promoted teams along w man city, everton and protsmouth will struggle and i do think everton could end up like leed utd..

kirasuran

08-19-2004, 01:54 PM

i think that newcastle is not going to be doing too much contesting for the title....liverpool will probable be 4th or 5th, possbily 3rd, i think that manu will slip up...very weakened due to injuries. i jus hope SOUTHAMPTON will get position of 9+...

And it was just as well his knack of recovering from setbacks is as well-honed as ever, with right-sided rival Shaun Wright-Phillips lighting up his debut with a superb strike.

Moreover, England needed Beckham to inspire them, especially in a poor first-half display.

Without Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand, they were pulled apart at the back in a defensive performance full of concern ahead of the start of the World Cup qualifiers next month.

Then again, while England were fortunate to survive with a clean sheet, Beckham transformed the game on 26 minutes with his first international goal for 11 games and 11 months.

He then set up his new Real Madrid team-mate Michael Owen at the start of the second half and was back to his effervescent best as Wright-Phillips was inspired to score a marvellous solo effort.

Having asked to be judged on results following the controversy over his private life, Sven-Goran Eriksson could therefore at least point to a 3-0 win.

The St James' Park crowd were not exactly singing the Swede's name. But then they had another pantomime villain to direct their anger at - Kieron Dyer.

it seems like beckham is getting into form again. a good sign. not that i support RM or anythin, jus reckon hes way good. too bad hes nearing old age....keiron dyer is funny>!

sagara0510

08-20-2004, 06:06 AM

so long as he doesn't take the penalties, i think he'll be fine... :wink2:

kirasuran

08-20-2004, 09:50 AM

that is totally slack!! he was under so much pressure in his social life, personal life, and career life when in that tournament. and he also admits he wasnt playing very well. look at that game i posted. if he can lift his game Jus like thaT then i reckon hes still very good. dont knock hiM! SOUTHAMPTON ROX!!

Squall

08-20-2004, 11:42 AM

Jonathan Woodgate coming to Real Madrid :excited:

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd insisted he was confident Jonathan Woodgate would pass his medical after the defender arrived in Spain to complete a £15million move to Real Madrid
Representatives from Woodgate's agents will discuss personal terms for the transfer of the 24-year-old England defender, understood to be a four-year contract which will pay Woodgate between £70-£80,000 a week

omg..the wage is high for a youngster like him
i think Real Madrid defence is great now..
Samuel,Helguera,woodgate,salgado and Roberto Carlos
:glug:

and there are 3 England player in Real Madrid now
beckham,owen and woodgate
midfield,striker and defence

:)

ftlouiea

08-20-2004, 07:49 PM

OMG that is such a surprise. Real Madrid are really going for it just in time for the season's start!

I dont know whether 3 england palyers are a good or bad thing... sure thing... it takes away a reason to watch newcastle, and a reason to watch liverpool now.

jessca

08-21-2004, 12:31 AM

About Newcastle though...who forgot to tell me Nicky Butt moved there!?!?!!?! :cry: I knew a move was being discussed since forever...but i didnt really see it coming.. :cry: I heard while watching the England match cos it was played at St James'. Id better bump into him and Kluivert in town some time... :depresse:

As for Real Madrid, maybe continental Europes just getting back at us for the EPL nicking all their foreign players.. :oops:

Suede

08-21-2004, 12:49 AM

yup.. amazing that newcastle hyave sold woody to real.. real setback for newcastle.. just shows their ambitions and proves they are a selling club..

amazing that woody have passed the medical when he is not even fit at the moment to play for newcastle.. anyway looking foward to this weekend's games.. in particular birmingham v chelski and newcastle v spurs..

Squall

08-21-2004, 04:55 AM

Newcastle can't resist the temption of money
Sir Bobby Robson admitted that he did not want the England international to leave, but insisted that Real's offer - which he claimed amounts to around £15million - was simply to good to refuse. :wink2:

they make like 6 million pound from woodgate because i think they brought him for 9 million or something
"The power of Figo and Ronaldo, Zidane, Helguera, and then Beckham and now Owen and now Woodgate. If you were in his shoes, what would you do?

kirasuran

08-21-2004, 04:56 AM

manu is in a hole right nOW! that really sux!! cos they are like, screwed up in attack and defence, with ferdinand and heinze gone, and cristiano ronaldo at olympics, and like 3/5 strikers injured!!! that is very bad! very unfortunate i was hoping them to pick up their game this season....does anyone know of a EPL team that DIDNT make transferS?

YAY!! FORLAN IS GOING AWAY!!! finally! hes so uselees....

Diego Forlan's unspectacular Manchester United career looked to be drawing to a close tonight after the club agreed to sell the striker to Villarreal.
The Uruguay international, who infamously needed 27 games to score his first goal for club, has failed to impress at Old Trafford since his £7.5million move from Independiente in January 2002.

United had high hopes for the 25-year-old after beating Middlesbrough to his signature but he managed just 10 goals in 63 Premiership appearances.

He had been pushed down the pecking order at United in recent months following the signings of Louis Saha and Alan Smith and manager Sir Alex Ferguson now deems him surplus to requirements.

A statement on the club's official website, www.manutd.com, read: 'Manchester United has reached agreement with Spanish club Villarreal for the transfer of Diego Forlan.

'The transfer will be completed upon agreement of Diego's personal terms and completion of his medical.'

Forlan's first goal for United came with a late penalty in 5-2 Champions League win over Maccabi Haifa at Old Trafford in October 2002.

He followed up with both goals in a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield in December but there have been few other highlights during his time in England.

Mariam Solsona, spokesperson for Villarreal, confirmed to PA International: 'He has agreed a five-year deal. He is flying into Valencia at around 10.30pm tonight and he will be presented at 1pm tomorrow after his medical.'

liverpool

Barcelona today claimed they have sold forward Luis Garcia to Liverpool for £6million, subject to a medical.

Barca's sporting director Txiki Begiristain expects the deal will be completed later today.

'I am happy for him because he is on the verge of signing for a big club,' Begiristain told www.fcbarcelona.com.

Should the fine details of the move be resolved, Luis Garcia will join compatriots Josemi and Antonio Nunez at the Merseyside club, with Xabi Alonso also expected to join from Real Sociedad.

Begiristain continued: 'This Friday morning the transfer of Luis Garcia should be completed.

'The agreement between the two clubs is practically done. Liverpool will pay the buy-out clause of nine million euros.

manU

Sir Alex Ferguson may be tempted to change his mind and throw Cristiano Ronaldo immediately back into the fray following the teenager's return from the Olympics.

The Manchester United manager declared two weeks ago that he would need to give the 19-year-old winger two months off to recover injuries and other selection problems means that Ferguson may simply not be able to afford to leave out such a key player - especially as Ronaldo has expressed his desire to play for the club again as soon as possible.

The winger became one of Ferguson's most important players in the second half of the last campaign - he was voted the player of the season and was also the star of the FA Cup final before going on to show for Portugal during Euro 2004 that he has become one of the best players in Europe.

Ronaldo only arrived back at United's Carrington training ground today but if Ferguson is happy with his physical condition then there is every chance he could be on the bench against newly-promoted Norwich at Old Trafford tomorrow, and perhaps even in a starting line-up.

Ferguson said: 'We don't know yet because we don't know his physical condition. He had been complaining of a groin injury before he went to the tournament and he missed some sessions with the Portuguese team. We will have to assess him.

'He did surprise us with how well he did last season, because of his age. But some young boys, the ones with great ability and if they have a good temperament which Ronaldo has, they can do that.'

MonkeyKing

08-21-2004, 03:56 PM

OMG did u guys hear? Jonathan Woodgate has/might go to Real Madrid... as if he deserves that!! he's hopeless.

(btw i'm a Chelsea supporter)

Squall

08-21-2004, 04:06 PM

woodgate had already joined Real Madrid on a 13.4mil pound deal

http://www.realmadrid.com/web_realmadrid/mmedia/000/000/043/617.jpg

http://www.realmadrid.com/web_realmadrid/mmedia/000/000/043/634.jpg

MonkeyKing

08-21-2004, 04:11 PM

oh thanks for the confirmation! last i read it wasn't cleared yet...
he doesn't deserve to be a Real player tho.... too crap. they should've signed a MUCH better defender (no offence Newcastle/Real fans) http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/blobtongue.gif

Ronaldinho

08-21-2004, 06:56 PM

no one can deny that the only player u need in a footy club and will garuntee u success is ronaldinho he is such a gr8 player ..sooner or later hell be captain of barcelona if u watch him play he doesnt get mad or angry when a team mate cocks up ..he supports them like the good player he is ...and anyway he doesnt fall into the bad boy rapist footballrs like DAVID BECKHAM ..... when u watch ronaldinho its never a boring match

MonkeyKing

08-22-2004, 07:51 AM

but ronaldino is like any brazilian... club footbal is all about the money to him and i assure u if Real Mad. came up to him with the cheque book that Barcelona captaincy armband would be in the bin in no time
http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/chika/chirolp_baku2.gif

kirasuran

08-22-2004, 12:46 PM

so is it that all brazilians are in it for the money??? never knew that...hey ronaldinho how come u got -15 rep??? :D thats worse than me...

seems that woodgate is very happy to move does that mean he would hav ditched them anytiome??? haha

Jonathan Woodgate admitted he had fulfilled a boyhood ambition by signing for Real Madrid.
The England defender completed his £13.4million move to the Bernabeu from Newcastle on Friday and was introduced to the media this lunchtime.

'Mr President and all those who have Real Madrid in their hearts, this is my dream to come here,' Woodgate said.

'I have loved Real Madrid since I was young and I have always followed them.

'I am joining a team with special players now and in the past, such as Fernando Hierro and Raul.

'My ambition is to play here and win trophies.

'I hope to bring success to Real Madrid.'

Woodgate, following in the footsteps of team-mates David Beckham and Michael Owen, also attempted a bit of Spanish, concluding his speech by admitting: 'Es un sueno,' which translates as 'It's a dream.'

Madrid president Florentino Perez confirmed he was delighted to have snared Woodgate as the club continue to make moves to strengthen their leaky defence.

He said: 'Jonathan is the correct choice, a magnificent player.

'He is one of the best defenders in Europe and he will be one of the best in the world.'

Perez added: 'Real Madrid will help consolidate him in this position and he will help Real Madrid get stronger.

'He's young and a serious player.

'He knows our value and he is coming to a club where every day is a challenge both on and off the pitch. Real Madrid and their players have to set an example.

'He's coming to the best league in the world, nobody doubts that the Spanish league is the best and the most competitive.'

Woodgate, who will wear the number 18 shirt vacated by Antonio Nunez following his move to Liverpool, is expected to form a central defensive partnership with Argentina international Walter Samuel, recruited earlier this summer from Roma.

Squall

08-22-2004, 03:58 PM

fartking-->look at the thread about hot girls in the other artist thread and you will be able to know the reason
ronaldinho is great..hope Real Madrid will buy him after zidane retire

MonkeyKing

08-22-2004, 04:01 PM

Jonathan Woodgate admitted he had fulfilled a boyhood ambition by signing for Real Madrid.
The England defender completed his £13.4million move to the Bernabeu from Newcastle on Friday and was introduced to the media this lunchtime. BS! how many English boys do u guys know that have dreams of playing for a spanish club! Most if not all othem wanna play for the club from the area they grow up from so i highly doubt he would've dreamt of playing for Real when he was a kid http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/chika/chirolp_hun.gif

jessca

08-22-2004, 09:15 PM

monkeyking - i do think that woodgate wanted to play for real madrid. he said himself that he followed real from a young age and had always loved the club. and your statement is kinda true...a majority of boys do wanna play for the club in the area they grew up in...but thats cos its the team they are most likely supporting.

this happens less often than you think. ie, beckham didnt want to play for a london club even though he grew up there...he supported man utd. and ive been living in newcastle all my life..doesnt explain why im not a geordie.. =P

anyhoos, i think being at newcastle did mean something to woodgate. he rang sir bobby asking for his shirt to be sent to him. and at the end of the day, not many footballers can turn down real madrid. its just bad luck from newcastle utd pov that theyve never been able to sort out their problem in defence.

Squall

08-23-2004, 10:30 AM

Arsenal may have made another slice of history, but it was the manner of the incredible comeback which took the breath away as they beat Middlesbrough 5-3 at Highbury.
In an unbeaten league marathon that has now spanned 42 games and 15 months, the Gunners produced a sprint finish to emulate Nottingham Forest's record run 25 years earlier.

next game against blackburn..Arsenal have a great chance to beat them and make a new record

ftlouiea

08-23-2004, 11:05 AM

^ That. Was a brilliant game. Arsenal went from winning 1-0 to Boro,

then losing 3-1 at the beginning of the second half after a change of luck

then with Bergkamps brilliant goal, reversed the scores to 5-3!!!

How brilliant! I nearly wished that i had taken up my uncle's season ticket! tho i'd be wearing my man u shirt...

this happens less often than you think. ie, beckham didnt want to play for a london club even though he grew up there...he supported man utd. and ive been living in newcastle all my life..doesnt explain why im not a geordie.. =P

anyhoos, i think being at newcastle did mean something to woodgate. he rang sir bobby asking for his shirt to be sent to him. and at the end of the day, not many footballers can turn down real madrid. its just bad luck from newcastle utd pov that theyve never been able to sort out their problem in defence.

the fact i am a londoner doesnt mean im a arsenal or spurs fan! and tho im brit born chinese, i dont follow any chinese football.

sunnygirl

08-23-2004, 01:15 PM

wat u guys think abt micheal owen transfer to real madrid? i tink there r so much hot players in real madrid makee it no longer challenging. i am one of the real madrid fan but im on no body side. jus asking for opnion :) peace

kirasuran

08-23-2004, 01:31 PM

hey hieelloO!!! wasSUP? welcome to da soccer thread where u can talk about soccer....okok....i dont really care about owne, or RM, or anything much that happens in spain...all i carea bout is EPL!!! welll....southampton is doing average right now...beattie scored a very controversial penalty, but A.Svensson scored this mad goal!!!

ftlouiea>> hahah i dont even know much about chinese football except they rEALLY SUCK!@!!!! i mean...didnt they get caned in the world cup?the guys are old tooo...hopefully the newer generation will be much better!!!

sunnygirl>> did u jus offer peace?? i dont like peace...that way there is no amusement, no eexcitement. haha depends when u want peace. sleeping in peace is good. oh wait, why am i talkin about peace? :oops:

hey ronaldinho>>> so how many ppl took rep of u?? wah.

yay im getting into form again, i keep on dipping and getting back up...annoying trying to keep consistent. btw, my real position is defender on the right, or center, but i can play midfield right/left, attacking midfield right/left and goalkeeper.

Ronaldinho

08-24-2004, 09:59 AM

who saw arsenal vs middleborough that was a friggin good match

who the hell is taking rep points off me :-) ?

MonkeyKing

08-24-2004, 12:35 PM

who the hell is taking rep points off me :-) ? LOL maybe its cos u support the wrong club... http://mindscraps.com/s/kao/otn/plaugh3.gif

btw who do u support guys?
i go for Chelsea in EPL and Inter Milan in Serie A

Squall

08-24-2004, 12:38 PM

who saw arsenal vs middleborough that was a friggin good match

who the hell is taking rep points off me :-) ?
you need to look at the hot girls thread..

:wink2:
you will know the reason then

kirasuran

08-24-2004, 12:58 PM

my heart is with southampton, a VERY GOOD SIDE in the EPL but like no one supports them.... :cry: well im a tru fan...anyway..dude u can chekc in ur USER somthing something....oh wait USER CONTROL PANEL!!!

ftlouiea

08-24-2004, 04:54 PM

^ southampton are okay, they have glenn hoddle as coach and thats good!

I'm a MAN U Fan!! Oi Oi Oi!!! England all the way!!!

MonkeyKing

08-25-2004, 08:36 AM

I'm a MAN U Fan!! a mancheater (<= typo is intentional) fan eh? i think they'll struggle this year wth so many injuries to their attack....

they're gonna have to rely on C.Ronaldo n maybe some freaky Alan Smith goals or they'll be quashed by the might of Arsenal n (to a lesser extent) Chelsea http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/kao2.gif

Squall

08-25-2004, 11:55 AM

ya..i think so too..
i think Arsenal and Chelsea will be the new force in the premier league
Man U will become like liverpool..going from one of the best to the average
because their good players are old or gone already..
maybe Alex ferguson should step down...why is he still there when Man U got 3rd..
in other clubs..like Real Madrid..no 1 position and the manager is OUT :wink2:

sagara0510

08-25-2004, 12:12 PM

hey! liverpool isn't average!! =(

yeah... they kinda are huh?? i hope they do well this season tho... 2 new strikers.. baros and cisse... hope the change helps them be more competitive and stop them from losing against shit teams...

even tho they lost to blasted Graz AK at home!!!

i want some of the small teams to do well tho.. go West Brom and Norwich!! hehehe...

see Leeds is struggling in 1st division as well... they've really gone down the toilet..

Squall

08-25-2004, 12:21 PM

ok..
Liverpool is above average..
but can't be in the elites like Arsenal,Chelsea and Man U...

i think teams are not getting afraid when they get to meet Liverpool..because Liverpool is pretty beatable this days...

Cisse and baros..they are good but not good enough compared to top strikers from the top 3 teams last year..
Baros seems like a one shot thing to me..he can only do well once and not consistent enough :wink2:

love to see new teams but the truth that some of those who promoted will be relegated next season..

Leeds lose so many of their star players and how can they survived the 1st division with what is left of their squad..think that they are still in the debt.. :wink2:

ftlouiea

08-25-2004, 12:30 PM

Psh. Man U all the way. Though I see your point that Man U are not as good as they used to be... we are figuring out our newer generation such as the likes of Ronaldo and Fletcher etc. and on uneasy ground. Oh and isnt Fergie's contract ending after this season?

Yah Arsenal are the strong gunners, but Chelsea, i just dont respect their authority in the games coz of their back-up, no matter what anyone says. blah di blah.

Baros has been at liverpool for at least a year... but liverpool's lack of exceptional success meant he hasn't shone that much... i doubt he can shine much again with such pressure on him and cisse...

MonkeyKing

08-25-2004, 12:30 PM

Man U will become like liverpool..going from one of the best to the average
because their good players are old or gone already..
maybe Alex ferguson should step down...why is he still there when Man U got 3rd..
in other clubs..like Real Madrid..no 1 position and the manager is OUT :wink2: i have to say i dun think Man U will be like liverpool... i mean they've good too many good infrastructures (for youths n in the bank $$$) so i dun think so...

and Cisse n Baros are yet to be a proven strike partnership
actually with the exception of maybe Arsenal, ... Man U n Chelsea dun have proven strike partnerships either :bang:

jessca

08-25-2004, 12:49 PM

maybe Alex ferguson should step down...why is he still there when Man U got 3rd..
in other clubs..like Real Madrid..no 1 position and the manager is OUT :wink2: who knows Man Utd better than Sir Fergie? :glug: we dont wanna spend a whole load of money bringing in some big shot, only to regret it in the end.. *coughqueirozcough* and it wasnt a totally dismal season, we got the fa cup... :rolleyes: lol...anyhoos i think we should let him see out his contract, and he can retire having done all he can for the club. with injuries and all, we're not the obvious favourites, but doesnt mean we should admit failure now...the seasons only just started! =P

About Liverpool...will have to see..people seem to be willing them to do better after the departure of Owen.. :whistle:

fartking - southampton? ive seen them play at st james' quite a while ago..theyre a decent team.. :happy: drew 1-1 that evening...i think... :wacko:

dana - im with you about chelsea.. =)

sunnygirl

08-25-2004, 01:01 PM

helo again :) i like spainish n EPL. i tink Arsenal will maintaining their title n they r good. chelsea also improving. man utd shud work harder.

fartking: i just used d word cos i like d word n its a general statement that can be used in any term :)

MonkeyKing

08-25-2004, 01:05 PM

who knows Man Utd better than Sir Fergie? :glug: we dont wanna spend a whole load of money bringing in some big shot, only to regret it in the end.. **ahem** Fabian Barthez *ahem** ... he was not worth it n never lived up to the reputation he carried b4 joining them

jessca

08-25-2004, 01:09 PM

**ahem** Fabian Barthez *ahem** ... he was not worth it n never lived up to the reputation he carried b4 joining themand we learn from that experience... :oops: But I was talking about Real Madrid 'sacking their managers if they dont get top spot'. A managers not a footballer. The manager runs the squad. You cant drop him like you drop a player cos hes out of form.

MonkeyKing

08-25-2004, 01:18 PM

but to be honest... Carlos Querioz was rubbish
they only got him cos they didn't want Beckham to be a dud, once they had that settled 6th place for a team of champions ("Galaticos") is massive underachievement ...

if Querioz was managing some1 like Osauna n got 6th spot then he can keep his spot

ftlouiea

08-25-2004, 01:18 PM

and we learn from that experience... :oops: But I was talking about Real Madrid 'sacking their managers if they dont get top spot'. A managers not a footballer. The manager runs the squad. You cant drop him like you drop a player cos hes out of form.

Seconded. :-) There is actually more to a manager than you think. E.g. he has to look after the player's out-of-football stuff making sure he doesn't ruin his fitness... and the reputation of players. A team's success or lack of one may also be down to the players themselves.

kirasuran

08-25-2004, 01:50 PM

it seems like its now the new turn of the century for soccer. did ALL U PPL FORGET that manu bought rossi and pique? they are bother really good youngsters and i think that they are the very good propects for future....hey did anyone watch the highlights of argentina vs something in the olympics? TEVEZ scored this NICE goal!! was such a mad volleY!!!

ftlouiea

08-25-2004, 02:03 PM

Where were Rossi and Pique signed from? Nationality? Age?

I dont really watch Olympic football, based on the fact that the teams that enter are usually average and below average, and just want a medal coz they can't get World Cups etc.

kirasuran

08-26-2004, 01:31 PM

welllll....here it is!!! i couldnt find the exact age of pique but its under 17

ROSSI

Manchester United have completed the capture of promising 16-year-old Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi from Serie A side Parma.
Rossi, who was born in the United States, has already been capped by his country at under-19 level and is regarded as one of the most promising young players in Europe.

United have been able to take advantage of the fact that Rossi had not signed a professional contract with Parma and will therefore only have to pay minimal compensation.

Although it is envisaged Rossi will further his United education in the club's academy structure during the forthcoming campaign, his arrival is another attempt to safeguard the club's future by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

PIQUE

Manchester United have signed Barcelona defender Gerard Pique.
The centre-back, a Spain Under-17 international who can also play at left-back, rejected the offer of a new contract at the Nou Camp in favour of a move to Old Trafford.

No fee has been disclosed yet but Pique is reported to have signed a five-year deal.

His full name is Gerard Pique Bernabeu, and he says Sir Alex Ferguson's record of giving youngsters a chance is one of the reasons he joined United.

He told Barcelona-based daily newspaper El Mundo Deportivo: 'In England, age does not matter so much, but in Spain there is a structure and there are very few chances to break through.

SimpleBlackHumor89

08-27-2004, 05:30 AM

i just watched tha gold medal soccer match between usa and brazil.. and it was a MIGHTY LONG GAME... it was rather boring i thought, cos i rarely watch soccer games, cos it takes forever for the players to score one goal, and the soccer field is IMMENSELY HUGE! i love the game soccer though, i just dont like watchn it

when you guys watch it, do you just sit there all day and watch or do you do stuff, and pay some attention to it?

kirasuran

08-27-2004, 10:17 AM

well , when i watch a match, its usually EPL match so its pretty interesting cos stuff usually happening and they always going on attacking runs and stuff, or spectacular goalkeeping displays by keepers (*wink*NIEMI*wink*) and yeh i jus sit there till like half time, then i get a drink go to da toilet, then come back in time for the second half. the soccer field isnt that huge....if u play at that level, then its perfectly alright though...i would like to play there!

MonkeyKing

08-28-2004, 02:40 PM

OMG ... i just got the news about Rooney wanting to move to Man Utd => Read the article here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3592494.stm)

i hope he doens't go, cos that would render Alan Smith pretty much useless n i like Smith.... but i dun want him to go to Newcastle either.http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/pcry.gif
Time to put in an offer Chelsea!! http://mindscraps.com/s/kao/otn/pclapping.gif

wkhwa

08-28-2004, 04:17 PM

Just finished watching the game between MU and Blackburn... Here's the full report from www.premierleague.com

BLACKBURN ROVERS v MANCHESTER UNITED, 1-1 Sat 28 Aug 2004
Alan Smith scored a last-gasp leveller for Manchester United as the resistance of 10-man Blackburn Rovers was finally broken in the fourth minute of added time.
The Red Devils looked destined to leave Ewood Park empty-handed with Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel performing heroics to keep them at bay.

Scotland international Paul Dickov, signed in the summer from Leicester City, bagged his second goal of the new Barclays Premiership season with an excellent shot beyond Tim Howard after a superb turn to escape the attentions of Mikael Silvestre in the 17th minute.

But Friedel then took centre stage, repelling everything Sir Alex Ferguson's side could throw at him with stunning stops from Louis Saha, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes.

The home side had to play the last 19 minutes of the match with 10 men after defender Lorenzo Amoruso was dismissed for a second bookable offence after a clumsy challenge on Saha on the edge of his own box.

And they looked to have done enough to secure all three points before Saha knocked down Scholes' raking pass into the box and Smith pounced to finally beat Friedel with a powerful strike.

United made the far-brighter start, and appeared the more likely to score until Rovers made the breakthrough with a bolt from the blue.

Ronaldo had drilled a 20-yard drive narrowly over the bar and Amoruso, starting his first game of the season, produced a timely header to deny Smith shortly after.

When Scholes and Ryan Giggs then combined as United pressed again, Dominic Matteo blocked the Welshman’s angled drive, with the visitors’ frustration made all the more acute when Dickov scored.

A long throw from Matteo into the area was controlled by the Scotland international who turned sharply to leave Silvestre floundering before lashing a left-foot half-volley beyond Howard for his second goal in three games.

How United then failed to equalise until the dying moments will remain a mystery for they created countless chances, only to be denied by a combination of Friedel, bad luck, good defending and poor finishing.

Friedel first came to Rovers’ aid minutes after Dickov’s strike, with an outstretched left boot kicking away Smith’s goal-bound flick.

Kleberson then watched in anguish as a powerful drive struck Morten-Gamst Pedersen, the Norway international a £1.5million capture from Tromso this week, and deflected into the sidenetting.

The Brazilian was then brilliantly denied in first-half injury time as a spectacular 30-yard curler was bound for the top corner, only for Friedel to acrobatically turn away the chance.

The second period proved to be a virtual non-stop assault on the Blackburn goal, with the first clear chance in the 53rd minute when Giggs, Smith and Saha - a half-time substitute for Kleberson - were all left waiting for a Ronaldo pull back.

The ball instead struck Amoruso and then trickled past the left-hand post.

Friedel then came into his own as he first parried away an angled Saha drive, before Matteo blocked the France international and Scholes in quick succession following a Giggs lay-off.

After Saha had arrowed another powerful effort inches over the bar, Rovers’ American star again showed his agility in turning away a goal-bound Smith header.

Rovers’ problems were compounded in the 71st minute when Amoruso was dismissed for a second bookable offence after bringing down Saha on the edge of the area, with his first caution having come in the 40th minute for a shoulder-charge on Kleberson.

Souness immediately shored up his defence by bringing on Nils-Eric Johansson for Dickov, and was then relieved to see Ronaldo curl the free-kick over the bar.

Pedersen could have killed the game in the 74th minute when he was left all-alone inside the area after being picked out by Brett Emerton from the right, but his first-time shot was high over the bar.

But Friedel was proving inspirational and in the 77th minute denied Saha for a third time before repelling a Ronaldo header with the goal at the winger’s mercy.

But with just 30 seconds remaining of the four minutes of injury time, United finally grabbed the equaliser when Smith lashed an unstoppable shot past Friedel into the roof of the net from 12 yards after the ball came back to him off Saha’s hand.

MonkeyKing

08-28-2004, 04:36 PM

Good work Blackburn http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/chika/chirol_wkiss2.gif
keep them Mancheaters below Chelsea on the table....

many thx for the report wkhwa... they're not showing it here cos they got olympics going on

wkhwa

08-28-2004, 04:41 PM

hearbreak for me though... I'm such a big Manchester United fan you know.... I almost switched off the television in the last few minutes but eventually I kept my faith and Alan Smith scored the equaliser. haha... Alex Ferguson must be furious with his players for not running away with full three points after having dominated the whole game for such a long period.

MonkeyKing

08-28-2004, 04:47 PM

yea Smithy was a v.good buy for ManU... that's why i hope Rooney dun go to Man U n make Smithy's life any harder when Ruud comes back

wkhwa

08-28-2004, 04:52 PM

ya I agree. If Rooney goes to United, they will have four main strikers. Mainly Ruud, Saha, Smith and Rooney and four of them will be vying for first team line up action.

MonkeyKing

08-28-2004, 04:56 PM

ya I agree. If Rooney goes to United, they will have four main strikers. Mainly Ruud, Saha, Smith and Rooney and four of them will be vying for first team line up action.well there's really just one spot up for grabs

after the season Ruud had last season, its hard NOT to see him guaranteed full-time first-team start .... it all depends on who can support him best.. Louis Saha did surprisingly well but i really would like to Smithy up there! i like him cos he's angry n plays with a lot of passion on the pitch but his strike rate ain't that flash back at leeds

wkhwa

08-28-2004, 05:00 PM

MonkeyKing

08-28-2004, 05:13 PM

Mmm... United miss Ruud and he will definately make up one of the two places in the strike force... This is because there are a few who a poach as well as him in the penalty box and currently United are only trying their luck in 20 to 30 yards out and that alone is not enough.... They need something special from Ruud...that's odd cos i hear a lot of Mancheater fans who complain Arsenal are a one man team with Henry ... but ManU is equally lost w/out Rudd

as a Chelsea fan i think they're both right http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/chika/chirol_wkiss2.gif ... we're in a similar situation with Lampard last yr... he carried the team!

wkhwa

08-28-2004, 05:21 PM

Ya they are absolutely lost. United is now with a few injured players but once they get their players back they will only get stronger. Rio Ferdinand will be back in September which is good news for United and bad news for opponents' strikers.

Squall

08-28-2004, 07:46 PM

ya I agree. If Rooney goes to United, they will have four main strikers. Mainly Ruud, Saha, Smith and Rooney and four of them will be vying for first team line up action.
this is a bad thing..
Ruud will surely get the starting position..

so it is up to Saha,Smith and Rooney to fight for the striker position..
all of them are great players..

don't think it is wise for Rooney to go to Man U when he is not guarantee a regular starting role

if Rooney did go to Man U..either Saha or Smith will be leaving..or maybe even Ruud..
more strikers is not that good ,some will get angry if they don't get to play..

Real Madrid also made a very bad choice to buy owen :wink2:

w4t3r_lily

08-29-2004, 12:02 PM

Yeah. I dunno how Owen want to move to Real!! he won't get the first place on the team. Theyw ill surely have Rul and Ronaldo in the first team..

Gosh thank God Man Utd have Alan Smith..he made a goal to save us from the lost!!! :excited: Untied played so badly..maybe because there is no Ruudtje.. :cry: Hope we can win the next game :angel:

kirasuran

08-29-2004, 01:10 PM

i was veryli disappointed that manu didnt win, or score more! they hav an alright squad, but im jus waiting till it gets better with heinze coming back, and ferdinnad waiting to get on the pitch!!!

dang stupid chelsea I HATE YOU! stupid multi BILLION $ squad, can only manage 2-1 win onver my BELOVED southampTON!!! poor guys, the manager was fired as well to they are crapped up right now!

rooney is a big KNOB all that sex scandal and everything...

Everton have confirmed they have received a second offer from Manchester United for striker Wayne Rooney.
United are battling it out with Newcastle for the 18-year-old England international, who yesterday handed in a transfer request.

Both clubs had an initial £20million bids turned down and Newcastle also failed with a £23.5million attempt to prise the youngster away from Goodison Park.

Everton have not revealed the amount offered by United in their latest bid the club's head of PR Ian Ross said: 'Manchester United have this afternoon made an offer for Wayne Rooney which is in excess of the second bid which was lodged by Newcastle United earlier this week.'

The club are almost resigned to losing the player after he stated that he wished to play for a club competing in Europe each year.

Everton will now consider whether United's second offer matches their valuation but they know his value may drop if no deal is concluded before Tuesday's transfer deadline.

United, by virtue of their presence in the Champions League, are the favourites to land his signature.

Everton boss David Moyes said yesterday: 'Wayne has confirmed by putting in a transfer request that he would like to leave the club. I am obviously disappointed, it is a player we valued very highly and I think we showed that with the effort we put into offering him a contract.

'We are disappointed but at the moment he is an Everton player and he will remain that until we receive anything like what we think is a valuation.

'Until we get that valuation there will be no movement. But when you get a player who is unhappy and does not want to be around, that makes it difficult for you.

'He feels he will be better to move on, but if we do not get the fee we want then we will stop him leaving before the deadline.'

Rooney issued a statement earlier in the day confirming his desire to further his career with another club.

He said: 'This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, but the time is now right to move my career forward.

'Euro 2004 was a fantastic experience for me, it made me realise I could play at the highest level.

'To do that I need to be playing at a club who are in Europe every season

MonkeyKing

08-29-2004, 01:25 PM

dang stupid chelsea I HATE YOU! stupid multi BILLION $ squad, can only manage 2-1 win onver my BELOVED southampTON!!! poor guys, the manager was fired as well to they are crapped up right now! HEY! don't hate Chelsea just cos we've got a rich owner... it wasn't our choice he chose us to be special http://mindscraps.com/s/kao/otn/pmikkogirl-parapara.gif ... besides, he like every club owner wants the best for his club and part of doing that is to get the right players n stafff. altho i agree Ranieri was dismissed unfairly last yr :cry: ... poor bloke

@ Mancheater (http://www.computerpannen.com/cwm/kao/otn/bloblaugh1.gif) supporters
they previously sed that Real Madrid was interested in Ruud b4 the summer, but now with the acquisition of Owen, i dun think they need him.... i dunno if that means that Ruud will definately stay at Man U for a while or Man U was interested in off-loading him away for a younger player

kirasuran

08-29-2004, 01:41 PM

im sorry, i jus hav to HATE chelsea....its something that i must do...great rivals...i am manu fan and southampton fan but i support them both pretty equally. well actually i htink i like southampton more, cos they are way coool.

RUUD>>> nah , they want to keep him, if im right his current contract goes until '07 or '08 so he'll be there for some time, and while he keeps scoring, manU will be training ROSSI and PIQUE to take over some old dudes...though i dont know what position they are playing but thye will be training hard to break throught o first team like C.Ronaldo!! RM wanted to buy him but they didnt succeed, congrats to MANU for not giving him over!!!

MonkeyKing

08-29-2004, 01:58 PM

im sorry, i jus hav to HATE chelsea....its something that i must do...great rivals...i am manu fan and southampton fan but i support them both pretty equally. well actually i htink i like southampton more, cos they are way coool. your just jealous of our piggy bank http://www.computerpannen.com/cwm/kao/otn/bloblaugh1.gif

actually i heard news that Chelsea could be disqualified or fined from Champions league cos Roman Abrahmovic has shares in Spartak Moscow (or some russian club) and u can't have shares stakes in two clubs or u could match-fix... thats wat i heard from a football forum

kirasuran

08-29-2004, 02:08 PM

monkey u are absoloutely coRECT!!! here is the article (or the important bits, anyway)

Chelsea or CSKA Moscow could be forced out of the Champions League if it was discovered that Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich also had a controlling interest in the Russian champions, UEFA said on Thursday.

William Gaillard, UEFA's Director of Communications said after the two clubs were drawn in the same group in the opening phase of the competition, that if Abramovich had a controlling interest in both he would have to decide which club could stay in the competition.

The possible controversy has arisen because Abramovich is a leading shareholder in Russian oil giant Sibneft which sponsors CSKA.

'We do a superficial check of all clubs to establish that no individual owns more than 51 per cent of two clubs. Where we think there might be a problem we examine the situation more thoroughly.'

Chelsea said on Thursday that UEFA and the Champions League clubs should have no concerns over Abramovich's links with CSKA.

'Chelsea is certain that UEFA and any other clubs in the Champions League should be completely unconcerned by this matter,' the London club said in a statement on Thursday evening.

'The situation is very clear. Mr. Abramovich is the owner of Chelsea Football Club while Sibneft, a company in which he is one of many shareholders, is the shirt sponsor of CSKA Moscow.

'Mr Abramovich has no equity stake or any direct financial interest in CSKA.'

Greenberg added Abramovich had no say in how sponsorship money was spent at CSKA.

Trying to unravel details of Russian deal-making might tax the sharpest of legal brains, but Gaillard insisted that if there were any doubt, then either Chelsea or CSKA Moscow would not take part in the competition.

'If we find that any individual owns more than 51 per cent in two clubs, our rules are very clear. They cannot both compete,' he said.

and then

Chelsea have issued a statement denying owner Roman Abramovich has any controlling interest in Champions League group rivals CSKA Moscow.

UEFA are looking into CSKA's £30million three-year sponsorship deal with Sibneft, the Russian oil giant in which Chelsea owner Abramovich holds the majority shareholding.

UEFA rules forbid any person holding a controlling interest in two clubs competing in the same competition. The two clubs were yesterday paired in the draw for the Champions League group stages but UEFA will not allow both to take part if regulations have been broken.

Chelsea however deny there is any conflict of interest.

'Chelsea is certain that UEFA and any other clubs in the Champions League should be completely unconcerned by this matter,' the statement read.

'The situation is very clear. Mr Abramovich is the owner of Chelsea Football Club while Sibneft, a company in which he is one of many shareholders is the shirt sponsor of CSKA Moscow.

'Mr Abramovich has no equity stake or any direct financial interest in CSKA.'

Abramovich is a close friend of CSKA president Yevgeny Giner and was a guest in his personal VIP box in Moscow on two occasions earlier this year.

UEFA will now decide whether Abramovich's links with CSKA are against current regulations.

Communications director William Gaillard said: 'We are going to look into it and see whether there is a controlling interest by Mr Abramovich with two teams in the same group.

MonkeyKing

08-29-2004, 02:21 PM

http://www.computerpannen.com/cwm/kao/mamies/naki.gif crap! ... i thought it was only a rumour...

it sure would suck if Chelsea got disqualified from the Champions league ... they should just disqualify Moscow... but i think UEFA hates Roman too much so they'll go with the Chelsea option

jessca

08-30-2004, 12:23 PM

Anyone watch any matches over the weekend? :unsure:

Man Utd just managed to equalise at the end thanks to Smithie. Blackburn werent happy and the fans were shouting at the ref to call full time just before the goal. And anyone see Saha's handball? I dunno whether it was deliberate, but it kinda looked it.. >< I prefer to think it was accidental hehe...dont think the ref did anything. :rolleyes:

And Manchester City did well too. Anelka's strikes were pretty..and Shawn Wright Phillips goal was just stunning. Hes definitely getting himself noticed. And with Ian Wright looking after him, im pretty sure he'll make a decent career out of it.

Did anyone read about Yeovil City's sportsmanship? :laughing: They accidentally scored a goal when one of the players passed the ball to the goalie and the goalie wasnt ready. So they sat back and let the opposition score against them from centre. They ended up winning the match anyhoos.. =P

eeeeek..breaking news...Sir Bobbys left Newcastle. :cry: Loads of people told me itd happen after he left Shearer on the bench...Ruud Gullet was dismissed for pretty much the same reason..also after leaving Shearer out of the first team. Coinky-dink? :glug:

wkhwa

08-30-2004, 01:27 PM

here is some news about wayne rooney's prospect transfer to Man United
D-day on deal for Rooney
Wayne Rooney’s future will be decided today, with Everton chairman Bill Kenwright due to travel to Old Trafford for talks. He will meet Manchester United chief executive David Gill before the two teams meet this lunchtime, and continue negotiations which began last night. United have upped their offer to £24.2million, but that is still below Everton's valuation for the England striker. Kenwright is also unhappy with proposals to stagger payments for the 18-year-old and to include a condition that the full amount is paid only if the Premiership and Champions League trophies go to Old Trafford. United are confident they will get their man this afternoon and have scheduled a medical for today to give them time to complete the transfer before Tuesday's deadline of 5pm.
David Maddock, Daily Mirror

kirasuran

08-30-2004, 02:05 PM

HAHHAHAHA i hated this guy in the first place....and im glad hes gone, but i dont like newcastle anyway so i dont care...but anyway...

Sir Bobby Robson's five-year reign at Newcastle came to an end this morning when the Magpies reluctantly dispensed with his services.

The 71-year-old, who rode to the rescue of the club he supported as a boy in September 1999 and took it to an FA Cup semi-final, third place in the Premiership, the second phase of the Champions League and the last four of the UEFA Cup, lost his job after Saturday's 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa cemented a dreadful start to the new season.

Robson's 12-month rolling contract became a year-long fixed deal in March and was due to expire at the end of the current campaign.

'After a disappointing start to the Barclays Premier League season, the directors of Newcastle United have informed Sir Bobby Robson they have decided that he is to be replaced as team manager,' a statement issued by the club read.

'The directors of Newcastle United wish to place on record their thanks for the way in which Sir Bobby has worked tirelessly over the past five years to try to bring success to the club.

'There is no hesitation by the club in recording its sincere appreciation for the way in which Sir Bobby has handled team affairs during that five-year spell which has seen a significant turnaround in the club's fortunes.

'The club agreed, early in 2003, to extend Sir Bobby's contract by one further season. However, after careful consideration, the club decided it was in the best interests of all concerned to re-visit that decision.

'The club continues to have the greatest respect and admiration for Sir Bobby and his lifelong achievements both at home, abroad and particularly at the club he has supported since a boy, his beloved Newcastle United.

'He leaves having remodelled the Newcastle team with many young players admired and coveted across the UK and Europe. The club will no doubt continue to benefit from the knowledge and experience he has given during his time here.'

and here is something he said later.

Departing Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson has spoken of his regret at not being able to complete his mission after being relieved of his duties on Monday.

The 71-year-old parted company with the Magpies in the wake of Saturday's 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa which left them with just two points from the first four games and lying 16th in the Barclays Premiership table.

'I am massively disappointed not to be able to finish the job I came here to do,' he said.

'I have immensely enjoyed my time here as manager, and I wish the club all the best of success in the future.

'At the present moment, I have absolutely nothing to say except to thank the Geordie fans for their tremendous enthusiasm, loyalty and support.'

jessca

08-30-2004, 02:23 PM

^why do you hate him so much? :glug:

I totally agree with the club's statement. Newcastles had a dreadful start..but Sir Bobbys left a lot to the club. Im sure the young stars hes been training will make an impact later. We owe him a lot! Hes definitely still respected up north, and he deserves his knighthood for his services to football in Tyneside. Over the weekend, a record number of geordies admitted it was time he should leave and the fans have always had their say at utd. i guess its time for change. Esp before something happens to him.. >< ..we all know its a stressful job. :oops:

ftlouiea

08-30-2004, 07:42 PM

^ I agree. And he is, well, pretty old for being a manager. He could retire if he had wanted to! But anyway, Newcastle have been declining anyway... down to him... i dont know. But this rift between him and shearer has been all utterly confusing. newcastle have had average results all along and it would be nice if another manager would make them get a title at least.

jessca

08-30-2004, 07:58 PM

Shearers taking up the role for the next game, yeh? :unsure: But names that have been going around..Alan Curbishly, Kevin Keegan and even Houllier.

*sigh* Would have been nice to let Bobby leave on his own accord, i really do think he deserves that much. But its good he can rest now, newcastle uniteds been his entire life and i imagine hed be keeping an eye from the stands.

ftlouiea

08-30-2004, 08:08 PM

Shearer be the temporary manager? I think thats probably why they had the rift. Bobby thought Sheaer was always after his job, maybe he is?

Houllier??? Oh no!!!

Yes i know what u mean... given his age and title "sir" he should have been given more respect and face to leave by resignation or something.

jessca

08-30-2004, 08:31 PM

I can see Shearer taking it up in 5-10 years time maybes, but i still think its way too soon. I doubt Sir Bobby saw him as that much of a threat. Theyre both iconic in Tyneside and id prefer to think they saw eye to eye all the time... :oops:

Its not in his nature to resign..i dont think the board had much other choice. =( But im all up for Kevin Keegan to come back..why ever not.. :rolleyes:

And Man Utd could only manage a point again today against Everton. Smithie and Ronaldo both hit the woodwork... :oops: And about Rooney...i can only think of Shearer who decided to join Newcastle over Manchester... :unsure:

ftlouiea

08-30-2004, 08:46 PM

Yeah, Shearer in a few years time maybe. But lets jus say that many of previous players have not been very successful in being footy managers!

Kevin Keegan as manager? ooh hard one. he's never been a great one with his mullet head!! but i eat my words coz him in manchester city is quite cool-- maybe coz he's bought all the greater players of the past generation! Anelka, Fowler... etc.

Damn. Man U what is wrong? Everything against us today! Lol Rooney has finally completed the deal. Right? Was he worth the payment. I believe, non.

jessca

08-30-2004, 11:15 PM

Rooneys signed already? :unsure:

I agree...Kevin Keegans Man Citys playing really well, i still remember when they won the penalty shootout to gain promotion from 1st division.. :D But the odds of dragging him from Man City to Newcastle are unlikely.. :worry:

Oh..Steve Bruce had a clause rewritten into his contract..he cant leave for more than £5million...i didnt even know Newcastle were after him for manager.. :glug:

w4t3r_lily

08-31-2004, 09:53 AM

Rooney signed for Mu??? :unsure: are you sure??? I thought he is still on the treatment for his legs..gosh now if he really join MU which striker will be out? We have Ruudtje, Smith, Saha, Solksjaer and Forlan. Now Rooney too???

sagara0510

08-31-2004, 10:26 AM

didn't Man U offer like $25 mill pound for Rooney?? i think they've got him already... in any case.. Everton can't hold onto him..

wow so Man U got Rooney and Smith... not bad.. not bad at all.. still don't think they can beat Arsenal tho...

*sigh*.. liverpool... they're still playing poorly... =\

jessca

08-31-2004, 01:15 PM

Rooneys having his medical and all at Old Trafford now. :D But its pretty much a done deal. His arrival should get the team geared up..maybes then we can start winning some games. :oops:

But its sad the Everton fans are turning nasty about it... =( ...not making it any easier for him to leave.

Squall

08-31-2004, 02:19 PM

Man Utd close in on Rooney deal
Manchester United today announced they have reached an 'outline agreement' for the transfer of Wayne Rooney from Everton.
The announcement to the Stock Exchange came as Everton insisted they were still seeking 'the best available deal' for the 18-year-old England striker in the final hours before the transfer deadline at midnight tonight.
:glug:
shocking..why do Man U need so many strikers..

Man U did quite badly for the starting phrase of the season..seem like this year the title will be between Arsenal and Chelsea..Arsenal seem unbeatable to me..let see who can beat them..the fall of Man U :brows:

ftlouiea

08-31-2004, 04:40 PM

The fall of Man U... too early to say.

w4t3rlily, forlan has been transfered, ruudy is injured, or so i think.

now we have so entusiastic strikers, all so young, its like a new generation after the beckham and neville generation!

jessca

08-31-2004, 05:33 PM

Hehe..hope Fergie can build up yet another successful generation for us.. =P And yupyup, Forlans gone and Ruudys injured. Loads of our key players are missing...I cant wait for the return of Rio...hehehe.. :excited:

And now with Rooney, I can still see the season falling into place for us.. :rolleyes:

ftlouiea

09-01-2004, 12:14 AM

Very Very true, its a tight battle between the clubs this year, which makes a nice change from the Man U vs. Arsenal :evil: and maybe a 2nd division team will get through to the FA cup final like this year? that'd be nice...

Let me see: so far i can think of Rooney, Rio, Ronaldo, Smith... very exciting players!

w4t3r_lily

09-01-2004, 06:13 AM

Yeah don't forget Rio will be back soon so maybe the back part of MU gonna be better than now. And with Smith making lots of goals for us..i think we still have a chance to beat Chelsea and Arsenal :rolleyes:

sagara0510

09-01-2004, 08:08 AM

dun worry about Everton... they'll do alrite without Rooney... they've got Tim Cahill now anyway... the young super star Australian striker... *faints*

MonkeyKing

09-01-2004, 10:48 AM

so many Man U supporters... i better watch my mouth LOL http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/blobtongue.gif

uummm... isn't Tim Cahill like an attacking midfielder? i didn't know he was a striker.... but i could be completely wrong on this one so correct me if i am pls

sagara0510

09-01-2004, 10:52 AM

............. no you're right.. i'm wrong... he is an attacking midfielder... i just keep thinking he's a striker cos he's quite proficient at scoring goals... sorry!!

Squall

09-01-2004, 10:53 AM

but we do have anti-Man U here :brows:
Everton is going down this year,they survived last year but i don't think without Rooney,they can survive again

MonkeyKing

09-01-2004, 11:15 AM

i agree, Everton was just riding on Rooney's good performances... he rescued them on so many occasions, like against Arsenal!! http://smilies.jeeptalk.org/contrib/ed/shocked.gif i can't forget that goal!!

jessca

09-01-2004, 01:03 PM

That goal against Arsenal? It was classic lol...just like Shearer and Owens first goals for England, it made Rooney what he is today. And Wright Phillips! Yay, i love new talent. :roll:

I havent seen Cahill yet...but i hope Everton stay up, for Rooneys sake.. :oops:

kirasuran

09-01-2004, 01:49 PM

wright phillips is a FREAK i watched a match of man city and fulham, and WP jus ran down line and caned so many attacks!!! very good!!! dang i dont really understand why MANU bought roooney. stooopid little prick, until he does something to change my mind, i will not support him. GOOO SOUTHAMPTON!!!!

ooh i cant wait for heinze and ferdinand to come back the defence will once again be transformed!

jessca

09-02-2004, 10:55 PM

have you guys heard about sir clive resigning as england manager? and theres speculation hes taking over at southampton football club. never before has a top professional made the transition from rugby to football. :glug: you think he'll manage?

i personally reckon, with his managerial skills, he'll do well anywhere. but its not really british men chatting about sport over a pint in the pub...you gotta specialise in the sport. im sure hes got a healthy interest in football, but rugby is where his passion and talent lies. but itd be interesting to see how he does..just dont wanna put a epl club in jeopardy just to experiment. ><

ftlouiea

09-02-2004, 11:40 PM

Yes i heard that... um... like you said... breath of fresh air. and bring in some new ways of training he has learned from being england rugby manager, but he'll soon be overcome coz he just isnt a footie manager.

kirasuran

09-04-2004, 03:32 PM

hey dont insult him like thaT!! its not very nice cos i LOVE SOUTHAMPTON!!! im seriosuly hoping htat he'll come. cos i reckon he'll do well and also be able to work with eveyrone else and transform the team hopefully...theres an article on it.

Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe has dropped his first hint that he may be ready to offer former England rugby union coach Sir Clive Woodward a way into football.
Woodward resigned his post yesterday amid increasing speculation he wants to cross over into the more lucrative world of soccer and his friendship with Lowe means he has been linked with a move to the Saints in some capacity.

Lowe this morning announced an end-of-year profit for Southampton of £2.9million before tax, compared to a loss of £500,000 before tax the previous year.

However, it was the content of his annual report to shareholders which was of more interest.

In it he said: 'We will be working to further strengthen our football coaching resource while, at the same time, putting together a team of people to improve all aspects of our match-day preparation.

'This will involve greater use of match-day analysis, individual coaching, fitness, team-building, motivation and hard work.'

That could suggest a way in for the rugby World Cup-winning coach, who is looking for a new challenge and will address the media this morning to explain the reasons behind his departure and his plans for the future.

Lowe, in his report, was keen to stress that despite the recent upheaval at St Mary's - they dispensed with the services of manager Paul Sturrock after just two matches this season having only taken over from Gordon Strachan in March - Southampton was a well-run club.

'The plain facts are that our football club is now the envy of many of our competitors, both in terms of our footballing and administrative operations,' he said.

'It is true that we have, for various reasons, not had the same person coaching or managing the team for a lengthy period, but it has not stopped our footballing performance improving from the days when we considered a finish at the top end of the bottom six to be a serious achievement.'

However, Lowe was also insistent that no formal arrangement has yet been made with Woodward.

Lowe is adamant his club will not now be 'shoe-horned' into rushing through Woodward's appointment in some capacity but accepted his coaching and technical ability 'could help the club get stronger'.

'It is well documented that Sir Clive has been to our Academy, he has met with (head coach) Steve Wigley and he is interested in learning more about football,' Lowe said.

'We are interested in learning about the techniques he used to win the Rugby World Cup.

'Many of his technical and coaching practices could help our club get stronger but our relationship has gone no further than him coming down and learning more about football.

ftlouiea

09-04-2004, 03:38 PM

Lol how would he tell the footballers to kick? after all, compare the rugby penalty (sky-high) and footie penalty (staying on the ground) lol!! after all he has been playing with weird shaped balls (?!) for the majority of his career...

MonkeyKing

09-04-2004, 03:45 PM

ftlouiea

09-04-2004, 06:53 PM

i agree the transition would b very hard... especially going str8 to an elite competition like EPL..
Southampton are a bit of a mess at the moment and it really isn't the ideal time to put such a wacky plan ...... but top marks for conjuring the plan up tho http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/chika/chirol_iei2.gif

Not mentioning moving to EPL, as well as moving in to the Premiership. I mean, he could have started somewhere like... say... division one or two. :crazy:

Beckham strikes third time lucky with another child on the way. Good or Bad? Yup this news a bit old, but god it is so annoying, his wife.

jessca

09-04-2004, 07:23 PM

^Im not fond of Posh either, but Brooklyn and Romeo are soo cute!! hehe...yay..i love babies.. :roll: im happy for the beckhams, they needed something like this. still think posh should give birth in england though... :rasp:

ftlouiea

09-04-2004, 07:39 PM

Yah... im happy for them, but i think its not the best resolution and its tying down david to her- knowing that he is so much of a family man for his kids. posh said she'd have third child in spain? doesn't make him/her spanish like she said to newspapers recently! duh.

jessca

09-04-2004, 07:49 PM

yeh.. :oops:

just hope she wont make it all a publicity stunt. doesnt becks have a new book out too? :glug:

ftlouiea

09-04-2004, 08:12 PM

his new book being "my side"?? coz that was out last year.. but he wont be having another book out so soon... rite?

if i calculated rite... if she's like 2 or 3 months pregnant, that makes it before the rebecca loos scandal that they conceived...

jessca

09-04-2004, 08:24 PM

i dunno..just saw an extract and the book cover in the paper..so i figured they were promoting a new book. :unsure:

wow..really? before the rebecca loos saga? but i thought posh wanted to get pregnant to get things back on track after all that...hmm.... :hmm: anyhoos... >< ready for the footie? :excited:

ftlouiea

09-05-2004, 12:45 AM

Meh the final result was 2-2. disappointment really... i mean can we take something seriously for once?

Main point:

"The English team was underrating us and that paid off. I told my players to fight till the end and that's what they did. I am very proud."

We are weak against the weak. We are stronger against the strong. Proof.

w4t3r_lily

09-05-2004, 07:36 AM

Yeah Posh is pregnant again. can this solve the scndal problems?? :hmm: still i think the one who is stupid is Vicky. How can she left her husband alone in Spain although she know that Becks is handsome and surely lots of girls want to go to bed with him??? that is a sily thng to do!! If i was Vicky..i won't let Becks go alone..gonna be right by his side.. :tongue:

MonkeyKing

09-05-2004, 09:07 AM

she did that cos marriage is about trust... and David broke that trust :bleh:

jessca

09-05-2004, 11:29 AM

the football last night....disappointing...haiiii...maybe this means we have extra motivation for the next match, but id rather we qualified comfortably without the excitement.. >< thats if we make it at all... >< i want rio back! :depresse:

dana - very good way to put it..haiii..

ftlouiea

09-05-2004, 11:00 PM

Yes totally. I mean, its not as if we dont have the sklls to... right? and when is rio coming back? i think that we've lost our "umph" we had in world up 2002... you think?

jessca

09-05-2004, 11:47 PM

hes meant to be back in october, i think.. :glug: and im sure i read somewhere that sven wont hesitate in putting him back into the squad straight away.

we've definitely lost something from world cup 2002. :depresse: cant put my finger on it...but its not the same anymore. we just need to get ourselves together!! :oops:

ftlouiea

09-05-2004, 11:51 PM

I swear, at the beginning of Rio scandal, that they said he'd be back in september? god... even longer to look forward to then...

by the way, what channel was england match on yesterday? out or order- they not only not show it live- had no highlights on normal tv either. missed out totally. and why sven says he will not drop james even after yday's bad performance.

jessca

09-05-2004, 11:57 PM

hope its september...man utd need him as bad as england.. :oops:

the match was on sky sports...dont think you have sky.. :glug: cant remember...but it was one of the sky sports channels. and james..you could say he was responsible for austrias equaliser. and its not the first hes mucked up for england. >< then again, who else could we call upon? :worry:

ftlouiea

09-06-2004, 12:00 AM

god i say england need him more! poland match on wednesday? :blinkie:

nah i dont have sky... i'll take your word on james being blamed for austrian equaliser.... must have been pretty bad huh? :blinkie: totally, we have no=one else to call up. and most important... james is getting old himself. we have old goalkeepers. no new ones with special talent like our beloved seaman has showed up, yet.

kirasuran

09-06-2004, 02:15 PM

hahaha why are ppl so slack to james? hes not THAT bad. i think that Finland is like the opposite of england. they hav crappy outfield players but a good keeper. NIEMI rox. anywys....haha maybe they should swap him...oooh that would be bad cos then Finland would have a bad team overall...oh well...James has been getting full dissed and knocked for letting in that goal. isnt paul robinson good? and hes young as wel isnt he? if im right, if it hadnt been for excellent terry, then england would have been down 3-2. somewhere in the article it says that he "made a goal line clearance after James rushed off his line in a moment of madness" good on ya, terrY!!!

article

With 19 minutes left, England were 2-0 ahead and seemingly coasting to victory until the home side sparked a late comeback which increases the pressure already bearing down on the England coach.

But while Eriksson will take much of the flak for these two dropped points, with his team yet again unable to hold onto a lead, it could - or perhaps even should - be James who pays a more immediate price.

Having firstly been beaten by a free-kick from substitute Roland Kollmann, the England goalkeeper then allowed Andreas Ivanschitz's shot to sneak under his body just two minutes later.

It was, sadly, a hapless error and capped an awful night for James, who had previously only been saved by a goal-line clearance from John Terry after a moment of madness in rushing off his line.

Paul Robinson must now surely come into the equation as England's first-choice goalkeeper, even though Eriksson may well keep faith with the under-fire James for the time being.

It was, above all, such a waste, with the two goals in just three minutes undermining all the hard work that had gone before it.

Eriksson's twin midfield maestros, Frank Lampard - with his fifth goal in seven internationals - and Steven Gerrard - despite doubts over his fitness - had inspired the team into that 2-0 lead.

And that should have been it.

Except now, Eriksson instead faces an even tougher test in Poland next Wednesday with the pressure having markedly grown and his goalkeeper's future in real question against a side that tonight won 3-0 away to Northern Ireland.

article 2

David James shouldered the blame for the hapless mistake which effectively cost England two points at the inauspicious start of their World Cup qualifying campaign in Austria.

Sven-Goran Eriksson immediately leapt to the under-fire Manchester City keeper's defence, insisting he would keep his place for next Wednesday's fixture in Poland.

But there was no hiding place for James in Vienna after he allowed a long-range shot by Andreas Ivanschitz to squirm underneath his body and allow Austria to complete a surprise comeback.

England had been leading 2-0 with just 19 minutes left following strikes by Frank Lampard - his fifth goal in seven internationals - and Steven Gerrard, who passed a late fitness test to play.

However, James was then beaten by a free-kick from substitute Roland Kollmann before his costly error just two minutes later ensured that a potential victory was squandered.

The 34-year-old City keeper has never quite managed to shake off the 'Calamity James' tag which he first earned at Liverpool.

And he was tonight braced for the headlines which will inevitably follow his latest gaffe as he admirably fronted up in public to admit his mistake.

James said: 'I thought we were comfortable at 2-0. The free-kick shouldn't have changed the way the game was going, but the equaliser cost us the three points.

'The shot took a little deflection and it slightly put me in the wrong position. It's something that I'm not entirely happy with.

'It's a mistake and mistakes happen. You don't want them to happen to you but they do and that's life.

flackjack

09-06-2004, 02:53 PM

Man United might be missing Rio, but they're very lucky with their champions league draw.
You have to say ManU have the easiest draw. Their toughest opponent is Lyon, who are no giants.
I feel sorry for David James, every goalkeeper makes mistakes, at least it wasn't as worst as Seaman's. Ahhh the memories...

Group A
RC Deportivo La Coruña (ESP)
Liverpool FC (ENG)
AS Monaco FC (FRA)
Olympiacos CFP (GRE)

Group B
Real Madrid CF (ESP)
AS Roma (ITA)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER)
FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)

Group C
FC Bayern München (GER)
Juventus FC (ITA)
AFC Ajax (NED)
Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC (ISR)

Group D
Manchester United FC (ENG)
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
AC Sparta Praha (CZE)
Fenerbahçe SK (TUR)

Group E
Arsenal FC (ENG)
Panathinaikos FC (GRE)
PSV Eindhoven (NED)
Rosenborg BK (NOR)

Group F
FC Barcelona (ESP)
AC Milan (ITA)
Celtic FC (SCO)
FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)

Group G
Valencia CF (ESP)
FC Internazionale (ITA)
RSC Anderlecht (BEL)
Werder Bremen (GER)

Group H
FC Porto (POR)
Chelsea FC (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain FC (FRA)
PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS)

ftlouiea

09-06-2004, 07:32 PM

Yeah this 'hype' around Porto and Chelsea. Whatever. i hope porto thrash chelsea so whats-his-name can eat his words. idiot.

doh... i was look at list ^ and arsenal aren't with real madrid. god if they were, that would have been fun :evil:

kirasuran

09-07-2004, 11:26 AM

why would it be funny ifg arsenal in the same place as RM? ooooh i get it!!! vieira!! soryr...im stupid i posted the most about him and i forgot...is maniche and deco in porto?? those two guys are wAY COOOL!!

flackjack>>>>the way manu is playing, i reckon that it will be very lucky for them if they even win in the fgroup, or do well. their form is sooo crap right now. i almost have no belief in them. southampton is...too small... :cry:

MonkeyKing

09-07-2004, 12:51 PM

that's so not fair... Man U got a full easy group while Chelsea has to battle it out likewise with my other team Inter :cry:

Real v Roma would b a good match as to would Barcelona v AC Milan

kirasuran

09-11-2004, 02:29 PM

hmm...i wanna watch kaka plaY!!! hes cooL!!! i am admiring alan smith for being the sole striker for manu so far, hes not doing too bad...why did they hav so many injuries...

MANU

Ruud van Nistelrooy will give Sir Alex Ferguson some much-needed respite from his early season injury hell by returning to the Manchester United squad for tomorrow's Premiership trip to high-flying Bolton.
Ferguson's squad has been ravaged during the first few weeks of the campaign by a succession of injuries that show no sign of abating.

Gary Neville, Louis Saha and John O'Shea are the latest victims after picking up knocks on World Cup duty over the past week that have ruled them out of the Reebok Stadium trip.

Even new arrival Wayne Rooney will not be available for at least another three weeks as he continues his recovery from the broken foot he suffered during Euro 2004.

The situation will almost certainly force Ferguson into handing Gabriel Heinze his debut even though the Argentine defender only met most of his team-mates for the first time yesterday.

And the Scot is also toying with the idea of starting with Van Nistelrooy, whose goal threat has been badly missed by a side who have scored just three times in four Premiership games so far this term.

The prolific Dutchman has netted 110 times in his three seasons with the Red Devils but has not played a competitive game this season following his hernia operation last month.

So, after 10 days training, Ferguson is more likely to take the safe option of putting Van Nistelrooy on the bench.

'Ruud is very close,' said Ferguson. 'He has done everything we have asked of him in training over the last 10 days and now he just needs to get back into football again.

'It is a major decision what to do with him tomorrow but maybe putting him on the bench would be the sensible thing.'

Van Nistelrooy's presence in the squad, particularly with Wednesday's Champions League opener in Lyon looming, would at least give Ferguson some kind of striking option.

Alan Smith has carried the fight alone for most of the campaign and, with Saha suffering a recurrence of his troublesome knee injury in France's victory over the Faroe Islands on Wednesday, the former Leeds striker will again shoulder the burden against Sam Allardyce's third-placed side.

xJayChoux

09-16-2004, 12:02 AM

wah....CL has started! ><

14/09/2004
Panathinaikos 2-1 Rosenborg
Arsenal 1-0 PSV
Shakhtar 0-1 Milan
Celtic 1-3 Barcelona
Valencia 2-0 Anderlecht
Internazionale 2-0 Bremen
PSG 0-3 Chelsea
Porto 0-0 CSKA Moskva

15/09/2004
Liverpool 2-0 Monaco
Deportivo 0-0 Olympiacos
Leverkusen 3-0 Real Madrid
Roma 0-1* Dynamo Kyiv
Ajax 0-1 Juventus
M. Tel-Aviv 0-1 Bayern
Fenerbahçe 1-0 Sparta
Lyon 2-2 Man. United

i just watched the match between Ajax and Juventus...it was so stupid! Ajax lost...:cry: and i hate Zlatan Ibrahimovic's comments on the Juventus site about Ajax. :dry:

anyway, this thing made me go: :glug:

Frisk injury halts match
Wednesday, 15 September 2004
The UEFA Champions League Group B fixture between AS Roma and FC Dynamo Kyiv was suspended at half-time after referee Anders Frisk was hit by an object from the crowd.

Mexes sent off
The UEFA disciplinary body will investigate the incident tomorrow after the Swedish official required medical attention to a cut on his forehead. Moments earlier, shortly after blowing for half-time, Frisk had sent off Roma defender Philippe Mexes. The Frenchman had collided with visiting striker Maris Verpakovskis as he went to gather the ball.

Match abandoned
Frisk judged the action to be intentional and showed him a red card and was subsequently hit by a missile thrown from the stands. A senior UEFA official said: "The match has been abandoned. It is in the referee's power to stop the game and that is the decision he took. The UEFA disciplinary unit will investigate the case tomorrow. Any decision will made by the disciplinary committee."

Match delegate
UEFA Communications Director William Gaillard later added: "UEFA are waiting for the report of the match delegate, which is the normal procedure."

poor man....:oops:

ftlouiea

09-16-2004, 08:16 PM

Arsenal's game with PSV was rather good, but rather not. Nobody really played great footie, so Arsenal were thankful they came out with a win, which is really what counts.

MonkeyKing

09-17-2004, 10:02 AM

when do Arsenal ever play good footie :whistle:

did any1 see that referee that got his head split open in the Roma match? ... they had to full postpone the match cos the referree was like badly hurt... poor bloke, i think he sent off Ferrari or a Roman player so every1 wanted the referee's head :D ...

sleepin'tom

09-17-2004, 11:32 AM

Garcia of Liverpool looks like a good signing. His movement and skills are wonderful and he's quick thinking too. Always in a good position to score but his finishing was poor if he takes a couple of shooting lessons from Ian Rush, he will be much better. Alonso's passing and vision are top class, just need some tackling lessons from Tommy Smith. Liverpool should score more than 2. What a pity, anyway all of them played very well.

kirasuran

09-17-2004, 03:29 PM

oh man i missed it all cos i was on camp. but i couldnt hav watched anyway cos i dont hav cable....hey did manu play home or awaY? and who scored their goals?

ftlouiea

09-17-2004, 08:40 PM

I heard V Nistelrooy scored the goals 'saving' Man U. It was shown on Sky anyway, so i couldn't watch it!

MOnks: come on, give it to them, arsenal play quite good football.

kirasuran

09-18-2004, 06:56 AM

yAY!!! gooo van nisty!!! what a champion...dang im not allowed to get cable and then the free to air TV does not show soccer on staurday nights anymore so im deprived... :cry:

MonkeyKing

09-18-2004, 07:31 AM

I heard V Nistelrooy scored the goals 'saving' Man U. It was shown on Sky anyway, so i couldn't watch it!

MOnks: come on, give it to them, arsenal play quite good football.Rudd didn't only save Man U with a goal... he saved them with TWO! :rolleyes:

ok ok... it was the worst football i've seen Arsenall play :oops:

kirasuran

09-18-2004, 02:43 PM

yay!! ferdinand is coming back TONIGHT!! and hope he plays well against liverpooL!!!

ftlouiea

09-19-2004, 12:14 AM

ah, against liverpool. oh well, we Man U offically play crap right now. but then again, liverpool aren't great. so please reveal the score... its an either way game methinks...

jessca

09-19-2004, 12:19 AM

Im watching Match of the Day at the moment...anyone see the highlight for WBA vs Fulham? :wacko: great game...shame bout the punch up.. :glug: glad it was a draw, but some of the players are gonna get punished for what happened. poor ref.. ><

Arsenal dropped 2 points against Bolton too.. =P

dana - man utd play liverpool monday night. fingers crossed itll be shown on sky.. :D hopefully our footie will be worth watching again with rio backies.

ftlouiea

09-19-2004, 01:02 AM

Punch up? sounds a bit dramatic... :?

jess: yeah hopefully! and hope hta ronaldo gives us some goals to watch and call him our golden boy again!

kirasuran

09-19-2004, 10:46 AM

hmm how SUPER!!! there will be heinze and ferdinand in D....Van nisty and ronaldo in AttaCK....and...the welsh wizard and mr shorty scholes in miD!!! how COOL!!! man..they play tonight...hmm...dang SBS (for those who live in AUS) didnt buy the rights for EPL htis year so i cant watch anything about it...not even highlights.... :cry: :cry: :cry:

sleepin'tom

09-19-2004, 12:31 PM

hmm how SUPER!!! there will be heinze and ferdinand in D....Van nisty and ronaldo in AttaCK....and...the welsh wizard and mr shorty scholes in miD!!!
Sorry but just couldn't help to laugh at your suggestion :laughing: Ronaldo and RVN at the front line? That's not his best position. What a waste to deploy Ronaldo at the front line. Right wing is his best position. His dribbling skills is top class and his diving skills is superb that will fool the referee and help manure to win or draw the game.:profanit:

I won't be suprised that referee controversies went to manure's way. :realmad:

Smith should be partnering RVN or Scholes moved forward to partner Ruud van Nistelrooy in his more affective withdrawn role but Carra and Sami will roast them. Oh yeah, that overrated and overpaid Rio Fredinand will be playing :angel: Luis Garcia will give him nightmares in his big return and he will be subtituted in shame.

I wish the better side will win.

ftlouiea

09-19-2004, 12:37 PM

^ The better side being Man U. But let's see.

Yeah, Ronaldo is kinda supposed to play right wing. And his free kicks always seem to bounce off the woodwork though.

Ferdinand is not overrated. He played extraordinarily well in the World Cup 2002, but has not had a chance to show his ability since this ban.

jessca

09-19-2004, 01:00 PM

sleepin'tom - ouch.. :oops: but i agree with the positioning...id love to see ruudy and smithy up front, scholes just behind them, and ronaldo up and down the right.

and im with dana about rio. plus hes been shining throughout training..i reckon hes more than ready..and hes got something to prove. he wont muck it up.. *fingers crossed..touchwood*

dana - yeh, 3 guys sent off including andy cole in that match. i do think he was provoked, but cole definitely hit out.

ftlouiea

09-19-2004, 05:31 PM

yes jess, smithy and ruudy at front come up with all the goals!

... and 3 guys? you mean 1 2 THREE? Andy Cole isnt the type of person to be sent off! but i didnt see, i'll take your word on that... he must have been angry!

Squall

09-19-2004, 05:36 PM

Manchester United's official website, ManUtd.com, could be the subject of a police investigation after publishing a hate-filled guide to abusing Liverpool's players and supporters in Spanish.
Considering relations between the two sets of supporters is volatile at the best of times with some fans from both teams being subjected to brutal assaults throughout the years when Liverpool and Manchester United have met, police are thought to believe the decision to publish the article on an official website is particularly irresponsible.

http://liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N146075040919-1115.htm

the article is quite long..so you all can click the link for the full article

jessca

09-19-2004, 06:20 PM

dana - lol..yeh..that 3. (jess practices numbers by listening to se7en count to 7 a lot... :D ) the refs gonna report the entire fulham team, cos they all confronted the ref when he awarded a penalty against them. it ended up being taken miles over the bar but it was still time wasting and very unprofessional. fulham had a guy sent off first...and then clement of wba cos of 2 bookable offences. and then a 20 man brawl led to cole being dismissed. fulham's justification of cole was that wba provoked him in order to regain the 1 man advantage. either way...im glad it was a 1-1 draw. =)

squally - :glug: wow..talk about wars of the roses..><

ftlouiea

09-20-2004, 07:46 PM

Jess: Whoa sounds like some giant match with more fighting with fists than kicking the footie around!

Squall: thats some complicated stuff I wont comment on. Whatever happened, I think it should be taken with great responsibility for appearing on an OFFICIAL site.

jessca

09-20-2004, 08:36 PM

man utd vs liverpool very soon!! :bounce: :bounce: :roll:

go us! havent been this excited bout a match for a while hehehhe.. :D

ftlouiea

09-20-2004, 08:46 PM

What, with all the tension and war building up to the match and everything?

Keep me updated, you spoilt Sky bugger! :happy:

jessca

09-20-2004, 09:20 PM

^will do! lol.. :rolleyes: in too good a mood to sulk at your comment... =P jk..love my sky kekeke...

liverpool and man utd matches have always been a big thing hehe...and cos we got rio backies hehehe.. :roll:

edti - ronaldo hit the post before..but silvestre just got one in!!

half time. man utds pretty much dominated that half..but weve learnt not to get comfortable with 1-0 leads. really fast paced so far..only one substitution - gerrard hurt his foot - and one yellow card which gave ronaldo a free kick. ruudy slipped cos of the wet grass, otherwise he might have got a head to it. but loads of missed chances for utd. mostly headers which dudek have managed to keep out. liverpool defence needs sorting when it comes to headers... >< silvestre only got that goal cos there was noone marking him =P be back in hours time.. =)

petricia

09-20-2004, 10:01 PM

Yup!!! i am elated!!!!
Haha... i just discovered this thread so don't mind me barging in...
Man Utd Rules! (Anti MU fans: I know that they are at 13... But they will survived!!!)
Haha... here is one fan who.... had not watched their matches for quite sometimes due to various reasons.
Glad that i missed sleep for it tonight!
Got to go back to Match!!!

jessca

09-20-2004, 10:13 PM

liverpools equalised.. :oops:

ball in for a header...went off carroll's thigh onto o shea. so o shea own goal methinks...not his fault at all.. >< oh wells..back to square one.

heyhey petricia! gotta go back to the footie lol..=P but welcome to the footie thread!

petricia

09-20-2004, 10:20 PM

Haha... Yah... It hurts....
But my advice is to change him out now... He is badly shaken... We need a real Midfielder...
And we have a corner....

*praying hard that Man Utd can win...*

jessca

09-20-2004, 10:23 PM

:bounce:

mikael saved us again!! :roll:

im still beaming from seeing the other players ambush him awwww...yay!!!!

petricia

09-20-2004, 10:24 PM

Yeah!!!!!
M. Silvestre is hot! He scored again with a header!!!!
Yeah! 2 - 1!

jessca

09-20-2004, 10:29 PM

how ambitious was that alonso shot? :glug:

if carroll was a bit further off his line..it would have been beckham vs wimbledon from the half way line again, but not to our advantage lol :oops:

petricia

09-20-2004, 10:34 PM

I was thinking about that too... :bleh:
and ouch!... Ronaldo should try that himself....
He was being indecisive... :oops:

Now for the free-kick.. (since i am posting, might as well wait for everything.) woo....
what a waste.... :oops: saved...

jessca

09-20-2004, 10:42 PM

:bounce:

smithys coming on!! yay!!! ive been yelling and chanting his name for the past 10 minutes lol...brother nearly kicked me out the room.. :roll:

be back in 10 minutes!

edit -we did it!!! :roll: go rio!! couldnt watch when hamann struck his free kick in the last minute.. >< but wow..amazing match... :D

petricia

09-20-2004, 10:52 PM

manz...
nearly died!!!! That last min free kick!!!
YES!!!!!
Man Utd won!!!!!! Ole!!!!! Yeah!@!!! :excited:
Ole... Ole Ole Ole :drunk:

jessca

09-20-2004, 11:00 PM

lol..yupyup! liverpool definitely got their acts together after half time..and man utd got sloppy...but im so glad we finally won a match again! :glug:

when the cameras zoomed in on rio after the final whistle.. :cry: cant wait for wayne now.. :excited:

so how long have you followed football? =)

sleepin'tom

09-20-2004, 11:08 PM

The man yoo's 2nd came from a corner that should not been given. The ball came off giggs and the froggy linesman:thumbsdo: had a perfect view of it and then corner..... :dry:

Referee is the 12th man for man yoo...

I'm really sick of those people calling man yoo 'The Reds' which should belong to Liverpool, not man yoo. They are the 'red devils'

I admit Liverpool's goal was a lucky one...

jessca

09-20-2004, 11:19 PM

xJayChoux

09-20-2004, 11:29 PM

lol! jess, youre like a live reporter. :roll:

i dont have to watch it...i can follow it right here. :tongue:

just kidding. but yay for Man. Utd.! yay for "man yoo"? :glug:

sleepin'tom

09-20-2004, 11:38 PM

All I can say after tonght's dissapointing game, man yoo played well and Liverpool did not except Alonso. All 3 goals were scored by man yoo. It's obvious that man yoo badly wanted a win then us.

Cisse, Kewell and Garcia were ineffective.

But their goals came from set pieces and from a defender that shows Liverpool managed to contain your beloved strikers. Ronaldo could tear Liverpool apart.

One question, is this thread dominated by mancs?

jessca

09-20-2004, 11:46 PM

lol! yeh.. :rolleyes: cats better appreciate it! :shifty: if it makes you feel better, sinny, ruudy played well.. :tongue:

All I can say after tonght's dissapointing game, man yoo played well and Liverpool did not except Alonso. All 3 goals were scored by man yoo. It's obvious that man yoo badly wanted a win then us.

Cisse, Kewell and Garcia were ineffective.

But their goals came from set pieces and from a defender that shows Liverpool managed to contain your beloved strikers. Ronaldo could tear Liverpool apart.

One question, is this thread dominated by mancs? since when isnt a footie team after a win? :glug: yup, our goals did come from defenders (even the own goal XD) but that doesnt prove much. just cos the defenders 'contained our strikers', doesnt mean they were effective tonight. and our strikers did have chances. plus, ronaldo had a fair few himself. scholes came close but was caught offside more than once. ergo, our strikers, midfielders and defenders had chances.

and we have a couple of real madrid fans, inter milan fans..gunners and plenty of liverpudlians like yourself. they just arent on atm.. =P

catseyes

09-21-2004, 04:38 AM

Thanks Jess~ :hugz:So it's 2 - 1 to Man. United, the Red Devils huh? From what i can see, Silvestre did well. And who assisted and who scored that own goal? :D

Oh, I am curious to know who has been calling Man. United the Reds, if it's the commentary, yeah, he should be fired, if it's someone else's illusion, i won't comment further. :rolleyes: And what's "man yoo"? Sounds like some name-calling or mayonnaise.

Edit: Just read from soccernet that Giggs assisted twice?!?! And it's his 600th appearance for Man. United! :excited:

dagamezmasta

09-21-2004, 04:50 AM

sleepin'tom

09-21-2004, 09:47 AM

What a poor night for Liverpool and their supporters. We did not picked up any points and captain Stevie G was injured which could keep him out for 2 months(Darn it!) :bang:

We are not a one man team, Alonso cope well in Gerrard absence during mancs vs Liverpool match. :-) He can do it in the following matches. His 50+ yards effort shows he has a great vison and awareness. He also showed he's not a soft touch. Liverpool will bounce back after that defeat. :rifle:

I'm apologise to the mancs that I had offended. I called man u as 'man yoo' not because of disrespect but it looks cute to me. Sorry for that.

Liverpool will get their revenge at Anfield :bleh:

YNWA

petricia

09-21-2004, 10:35 AM

^shame? but what about the penalty that should have been awarded to Ruudy when Hyypia obviously held him back? But Ruudy stayed on his feet and attempted the shot. Or should he have dived? :rolleyes:

Call me biased, but Man Utd was definitely the better team. It was a great match..Brian Clough would have loved it.. =)

edit - who have been calling Man Utd the reds? Of course theyre the red devils.. :glug:

Haha... totally agreed with you... it should have been a penalty...
Anyway, I've been watching it since year 98 i think...

All I can say after tonght's dissapointing game, man yoo played well and Liverpool did not except Alonso. All 3 goals were scored by man yoo. It's obvious that man yoo badly wanted a win then us.:

:please: Erm... peace here please??? It is just a game... dun take it too far...
We all have our favourite teams and let's just comment on the games and team... :hugz:

jessca

09-21-2004, 07:27 PM

cats..mayonnaise? :laughing: lol...i vaguely remember sending me a link to some random mayonnaise site now.. :glug: but yay for giggsy! and yupyup, mikael did well! i think he doubled or came close to doubling his number of goals for man utd in that one game...rofl..

sleepintom - yeh, i saw the news about gerrard this morning. :oops: bad luck, im glad he went off the pitch and didnt risk the extra 5 minutes till half time, otherwise he could be out for longer.

petricia - no worries hehe..its just some rivalry and heated discussion when it comes to footie. =P i didnt mean any offence and neither did sleepin'tom. since 98? just in time for the legendary 99 season! but im glad we have other man utd supporter in this thread.. :hugz:

ftlouiea

09-21-2004, 08:24 PM

Ha ha ha. I put a bet of £1 with my dad: he said 1-0 to Liverpool. I said 2-1 to Man U. Guess I was right then. Gives me thoughts if i should gamble more!! :-)

Petricia our new Man U Fan! Wow, another person with the greatest taste!

Giggs is just pure skill. Enough said.

Jess: I loved your live commentary, it seemed as though I was following the match on TV with your posts! Hahaha

Ohh :shock: hope gerrard recovers quick enough. THe time i heard he will be injured for is 6 weeks. Even though i don't like him, he should get better for England's sake! please.

jessca

09-21-2004, 11:34 PM

:excited: my dad just rang from hk...its 5 in the morning and hes watching the real madrid match. and when he put the phone to the tv for me..beckham scored from a free kick! arent i special.. :rolleyes: :tongue:

dana - lol...im glad you liked my commentary..i didnt even realise i was doing it at the time lol..but anyhoos..*curtsey* but i like gerrard..hes sweet..and a hella good player.. ><

dagamezmasta

09-22-2004, 06:20 AM

hm.. i don't really have time for soccer anymore, since school started, but i'm sad to hear that liverpool lost. dunno if this has been posted b4 by sumone else in this thread, but here's a link to DL soccer matches (not sure if it has everythign but it has a lot)

www.soccer-media.com

lol quoting myself here. but i just wnated to remind you: you have to use sum kinda program for BT (bittorent if you don't know wut it is, read about it here (http://www.jay-chou.net/forums/showthread.php?t=6667) ) ok so thatz all lates!

go liverpool!!

w4t3r_lily

09-22-2004, 03:50 PM

Gosh we won :roll: :bounce: MU won!!! :yeah: gosh i have to wake up up at 2 am to watch the game and they didin't dissapoint me at all...beside the O'shea accident :cry: but overall..it's great to watch Rio again and Ruudtje again :excited:

And yes..agree with Jess and Petricia..it SHOULD BE PENALTY!!! gosh..but it's ok cos we won :rolleyes:

m o n k e e

09-23-2004, 03:14 AM

hey hey guys, is it too late to join dis convo? wow, this thread is so anglocentric hehe, im a fan of the spanish and to a lesser extent italian leagues, and barcelona is my team hehehe i reckon they are realy going to challenge for league and champions league honours this year... with ronaldinho deco eto'o they look quite formidable and in the games ive watched this year, they completely dominate opposition

i dont know if this has been mentioned before, but who are your predictions for champions league? i fink milan look hard to beat, a team of stars that actualli play as a team..

as for that spanish team in white :angel: they are playing quite crap atm (no offence to madridistas, tho u wold probably agree with me), theres too much hype and bloated egos in that team. I rem 2 (or was it 3) years ago when real madrid came to old trafford, what a crazy and amazing side they were, they were so fearsome. figo zidane n raul were all on top of their game that season, i dont think they inspire the same fear as before, for the fact they just not as good as they once were. poor morientes gets treated like trash in madrid and left on the bench despite being the best striker last year in the champions league, they play beckham in the central midfield which is not natural for him, they make baffling buys (in the context of their situation) such as owen and neglect real areas of concern ie defence and a defensive midfielder

i dont mind Man Utd either hehe, their future looks brighter than the present suggests. Van the Man returned from injury, Rio is back with a vengence and Cristiano Ronaldo is such an exciting prospect :D i think heinze is a great signing too, an attacking fullback that can actually defend hehe and if rooney can keep his pants on, the skys the limit hehe :angel: anybody know when rooney will be back?

jessca

09-23-2004, 08:32 PM

heyhey monkee! nice to see you back.. =)

about rooney, fingers crossed early october against Middlesborough. :D and youre right..every man utd fan is so excited about this season, esp after the liverpool match. its a shame we allowed arsenal to get ahead already, but with rio back, we're gonna be optimistic. no can dos about keane's assault charge, hopefully we can let it behind us when its all over and lift the mood at OT.

talking about real madrid..i havent been following the news in spain, but whats going on with the manager? :glug: and owen? and theyre not really gonna take sven, are they? :wacko:

lily - lol yeh, we'll be the bigger side and just let that penalty pass... :rolleyes: :tongue:

m o n k e e

09-24-2004, 07:05 AM

Former Real manager Camacho (or is it comacho?) was sacked after reportedly some senior players revolted after Raul was dropped. Whether that is true or not is debatable as squad rotation is not an uncommon thing, but even tho Raul is playin badly at the moment, it would take a brave manager nonetheless to even think of dropping him since he is considered a near god in madrid,. =P

Owen is having a torrid time in Spain. He hasn't scored since his arrival, has limited playing time, and when he does appear is ineffective to say the least. He has only started once and even then was replaced 15 minutes into the second half, as he was poor. He has not been in the best of form, i think this was a bad mistake for both owen and real. He must do something relly spectacular to win over the manager and fans, as not even morientes with his stellar performances last yr can get a spot in the first team.

Sven Goran Erikkson is one of the names being tossed around to take over Real madrid next season, along with Sir Bobby Robson among others. He hasnt denied the possibilty of joining real madrid, but looks unlikely for this season at least as they have confirmed the assistant manager Remon wold b taking charge.

dagamezmasta

09-24-2004, 07:12 AM

Antonio Nunez's Liverpool debut has been put back further after the Spanish midfielder was told he is likely to be out for another six weeks. Nunez joined Liverpool from Real Madrid last month as part of the deal which saw Michael Owen move in the opposite direction but injured a knee in his second training session. The Spaniard partially tore the medial ligament in his left knee and the 25-year-old has now undergone surgery to determine the extent of the problem.

:? liverpool has so many injured players. get better gerrard!

sleepin'tom

09-24-2004, 08:40 AM

Get well soon Stevie Gerrard, you'll be sadly missed but Alonso will eased the pain of losing you. :-) Raffy said, 'A good player can win a game but a good team can win 5 or 6 games.' They are not a one man team. Alonso was class at 2nd half against the mancs. And I thought Liverpool played better with Gerrard off the pitch. Alonso also played better alongside with Hamann. Some pool fans fear that they lack of drive going forward. :oops: I had sent my prayers that none of them will get injured.

Kewell was....OMFG. He's only a whisker away from losing his place to Stephen Warnock. He has to pull up his socks or else... :brows: Stephen is trying very hard to impress Raffy, hopefully he can do enough or more than enough to impress his gaffer.

I can't wait for the next match to start, Liverpool vs Norwich. They must win the game and put the past behind them. I wish good luck to all the teams except Norwich.

YNWA

dagamezmasta

09-25-2004, 10:53 PM

wkhwa

09-26-2004, 01:53 AM

Here is the latest results and table of the EPL league

M'brough 0 1 Chelsea

Liv'pool 3 0 Norwich

Fulham 1 0 South'tn

N'castle 3 1 W.B.A.

Man City 0 1 Arsenal

Bolton 1 1 Birm'ham

Tot'ham 0 1 Man Utd

A Villa 1 1 C Palace

Team Pld Pts
Arsenal 7 19
Chelsea 7 17
Everton 6 13
Bolton 7 12
Man Utd 7 12
Newcastle 7 11
Liverpool 6 10
Aston Villa 7 10
Tottenham 7 10
M'brough 7 10
Fulham 7 8
Charlton 6 8
Portsmouth 5 7
Man City 7 7
Birmingham 7 6
Blackburn 6 5
Southampton 7 4
West Brom 7 4
Norwich 7 4
C Palace 7 2

dagamezmasta

09-26-2004, 03:01 AM

o yeah probably the best soccer site for english premier league updates (it also has info for other leagues, but it's mostly dedicated to EPL stuff)
http://www.soccernet.com

sleepin'tom

09-26-2004, 03:28 AM

ugh.. without michael owen, and with stevie injured, liverpool can barely perform. :cry: i hate owen for abandoning his home club. he said that he was gonna sign another contract.. yet he abandoned liverpool for real.. even tho real payed him even lower than liverpool did.

Owen said,'Liverpool is in my blood' what load of BS. :ranting: Have you noticed that whenever he scores a goal for Liverpool, he just raise his hand and barely smiles. His body language had sent a clear signal,'I need a new challenge.' :dead: Owen always get injured. Whenever he recover from his injury, he needs a lot of games to find his goal scoring boots. Nobody is gonna wait for him.

Furthermore, he lost his explosive pace because of those (DAMN!) hamstring injuries. Which he needed for the Gerard Foollier era. Heskey's knockdowns and Gerrard long balls. Thank god that Foollier is axed. :thumbsup: Owen has gone stale in last 2 seasons. I'm glad he's gone. I don't hate him when he left for Madrid, I hate him for speaking to the s*n(sun). :profanit:

He said he needs a new challenge. Liverpool need a new challenge too. :shifty: They will not be classified as a one man team. Will not rely on him for goals. They have played better football without him and we will not miss him. Raffy's Spanish imports are much much much much much better than Foollier's french imports. Believe Raffy.

jessca

09-26-2004, 11:08 AM

monkee - thanks for the info! i know owens struggling at real madrid...the only way i can see him getting enough playing time is if something happens to the first team strikers.. >< i just hope the next starlet rooney can keep his form and talent after wowing us all at an international level. and sir bobby...wont his connections with barcelona make him a bit unpopular? :glug: but assistant managers good.. =)

wkhwa - thanks for the scores! missed the highlights last night..but i know ruudy scored hehe.. =P

and i do feel bad for owen. i was shocked to hear him leave liverpool cos i wasnt following the developments back then...think i was on holiday then. if he wasnt happy at liverpool, then im glad hes moved on. im sure every footballer wants to play at a top-flight club, and real madrid is undoubtedly that. but im not a liverpool fan.. =P

<-- distraught when becks left. :oops:

sleepin'tom

09-26-2004, 11:39 AM

Real Madrid's misery continues as they lost to Athletic Bilbao, 2-1. :oops:

The best club in the world played without much confidence as they went behind on 11 minutes. An unmarked Ismael Urzaiz controlled a cross before slotted in a left foot shot home for a one goal lead. They kept the pressure going and got their reward just before half-time, as Santiago Ezquerro unmarked to head past Casillas to give their deserve 2 goal lead. :wink2:

Just after 5 minutes in the 2nd half, Real managed to pull one back by Raul's fine right foot shot but, the visitors never threatened for a comeback... :sleeping: Beckham did not have a good night as he was substituted by Morientes on the hour mark.(Jessca, don't shoot me) :angel:

Barce fans must be dancing right now. :drunk:

wkhwa

09-26-2004, 11:54 AM

It is amazing, the so called "galacticos"(not sure how to spell it), went down to an average team. Real Madrid really need to step up a gear or two if they are to post any threat to regain their domestic title. But I am glad that Man Utd won 1-0 against Tottenham. Though the match was seperated by a Van Nisterooy spot kick, I enjoyed it pretty much, especially when Ronaldo does his wonderful dribbling.

kirasuran

09-26-2004, 01:41 PM

hmm...stupid southampton...need some good mannager....and need to get rid of stupid ppl...like...umm...yes some stupid ppl..YAY manu wON!! that means now they are in 5th place...sweeet...

Squall

09-26-2004, 04:51 PM

Real Madrid's misery continues as they lost to Athletic Bilbao, 2-1. :oops:

:cry:
2 loss in 3 matches..
i think García Remón will be sack soon
The players are controlling the Manager instead of the opposite..
and Remon can't control all the inflated ego in Real Madrid...
we need another Vicente Del Bosque..
:crazy:

sagara0510

09-27-2004, 09:38 AM

YES!! Liverpool won... altho it was just against Norich... but it was still 3-0.. hopefully they can continue that form and beat Chelsea in their next premiership match!!!!

real madrid... whats wrong with them?? with a team of so many stars... they are preforming well below their expectations...

ftlouiea

09-27-2004, 08:10 PM

jessca

09-27-2004, 11:42 PM

sleeping'tom - youre okie...so long as you dont say that about becks when hes in an england shirt.. :rolleyes:

about real..even giants fall. think back to man utd last year...jk..but seriously, itll take time to get back into the swing of things..and what can you expect when players revolt against their manager. :glug:

jason - yay for liverpool! and a win is still a win, doesnt matter who its against..so long as you can get ahold of them 3 points.. =P

everyone ready for rooney? most likely on the bench...but hes backies tomorrow!! :excited: its awfully quick, and the physios are gonna ask that he gets limited playing time cos he is after all still growing at only 18, but yay!!!! cant wait for ruudy and rooney up front!

kirasuran

09-28-2004, 06:25 AM

i think that Real has a major conflict of ego, adn interests....i also read that their training was more on skills than fitness....i guess they also might want to hav more frequent 'team bondage' sessions. these help alot.!! hahaha...i am gonna watch Real VS Roma tomoz morning, and on thursday im gonna watch Chelsea VS PortO!!!! how COOL!!! havnt watched a good match for months...

m o n k e e

09-28-2004, 02:04 PM

Barce fans must be dancing right now. :drunk: :D We've waited too long in the dark for this! Funy how Barcelona's great start coincides with Real's plummet into mediocrty... :rolleyes: :shifty: :whistle:

I know its early in the season, but even Real fans must admit they are sucking hard, and thats not just the Barca fan in me talking. While no disrespect to these teams, being pushed around and dominated by the likes of Bilbao and Leverkusen makes you wonder what will happen when Real face a Valencia or a Barcelona. I dont accept the argument that the team is still getting used to each other... only Samuel has been added so far into the starting line up... Barcelona has made more changes to their first team since last season and they are playing with such understanding and fluidity, Frank Rijkaard has done an excellent job getting them playing as such a tight unit so early in the season. So you can see how managerial issues are so important. Real just seem content to limp over the line these days. Can't wait til they face Barcelona, its going to be a bloodbath :D Abt Robson's link with Real Madrid, pure speculation. The Barca link is a factor, but remember, Figo and Ronaldo once called the Nou Camp home, now they are Whites heroes... but i do concur that an ex Barca manager would be given a very hard time in Madrid more so than ex players.

Real Madrid Vs Roma should be a cracker tomorrow, both sides looking to ressurect their respective seasons. Roma has had a similarly shite start to Real. Roma Manager Rudi Voller resigned after two losses and a draw from 4 starts. Their last Champions League match was abandoned after a fan threw something which injured the poor ref. And Chelsea Vs Porto will be an interesting match. Mourinho Vs his old team, this years CL draw seems too ironic to be true (first Larsson Vs Celtic, now this). Porto looks a very different side this year, and despite making some good buys (Luis Fabiano, ex-Santos wonderkid Diego) they have had a dissapointing start. So everyone has a point to prove these coming matches :-)

I think Liverpool is much better without Owen. The mentality is not "lob the ball to Owen and hope he gets a shot" anymore. Anyways, he is not the player he once was, hes lost his strikers hunger, his explosiveness. The Reds have made some quality buys, Xabi Alonso is pure class and Anfield is lucky to call him their own esp after being hounded by Man U and Real, ex Barca man Luis Garcia, Cisse, so Gerrard is not the only one carrying the side these days, they are much more impressive in attack and more well rounded.

kirasuran

09-28-2004, 02:21 PM

yeh, liverpool i feel is getting much better....Owen hiimself admitted he had lost his spark....which made him a a bargain buy for Real.....those spaniards are really doing well there...and cisse is coool...i like drogba, im trying to learn his volleY!! hes got such style!!! oooh whos gonna watch champions league tomoZ?? ME!!!

wkhwa

09-28-2004, 03:33 PM

Yay Man U won Spurs, which was... expected. :happy:

How long have Real Madrid been playing, 3 matches? I guess the players are getting used to each other right? But time can't be wasted...

who bets Real will win the Spanish League this year?

Not me.

Ya Man U won but they still have much to do if they are to catch up with Chelsea and Arsenal. They need to be more consistent with their flow of play and not just by winning a match or two and then lose or draw some of them, and these results will undeniably be a massive blow to their title hopes.

About R.Madrid, their so called "galacticos" lack the spark to perform and it will be very hard for them to win the Spanish League unless they step up a gear or two.

sleepin'tom

09-28-2004, 04:19 PM

How long have Real Madrid been playing, 3 matches? I guess the players are getting used to each other right? But time can't be wasted...

Getting use to each other? :? I disagree. Their squad is very smilar to 2002/3's team. They just added 'galacticos' in their squad(first team). They just added Beckham and Owen. When Beckham came to Real, they offload Makelele to increase Beckham playing chances. That's a big mistake, Makelele is a ball winner who usually passes the ball to his teammates who handles the ball better than him when he won the ball. Now he's not in Madrid which left a huge defensive hole in Real's midfield and it is not filled after two years and....

They have to start planning to replace Zinedane, Carlos and Figo. They are getting old and deteriorating. They brought Owen when they don't need him. :whistle: They need a tough central midfieder. Real's biggest problem is their 'galacticos' inflated egos. Field them or they'll become king of moaners. I don't like the preferential treatment of Raul. They need a ruthless manager to deal with those 'galacticos'. IMO Real is still a great team. I think they'll not win the league this season. Crisis is not based on 4 or 5 games. They'll bounce back. :wink2:

petricia

09-28-2004, 09:01 PM

Hallo!!! anyone watching Man U vs Fen?
Anyway, it is 1-0 to Man u now. Giggs scored at around 7 mins

ftlouiea

09-28-2004, 10:55 PM

xJayChoux

09-28-2004, 11:18 PM

this is so sad...:cry: Ajax 0 - 4 Bayern Munchen

Ajax played so bad...worse than you can imagine...X_X

i cant concentrate on my economics anymore...yay for Man Utd. >.<

m o n k e e

09-29-2004, 03:34 AM

Wow... Rooney could'nt have got to a better start to his Man Utd career.. hatrick on debut .. very nice..:D makaay also the hattrick hero for bayern munich. liverpool lost away to olympiakos.

Real Madrid seem to be getting back to their best, they dominated the 2nd half... possession was like almost 70% to their favour... Raul seems to be back, contributing a brace.. and how about that shot by Roberto Carlos.. class :d

kirasuran

09-29-2004, 05:29 AM

man...are fenerbace really that bad?? that they can lose to manu 6-2....to tell u the truth, im not a fan of rooney's at all....i still dont trust in him yet...unless he shows me something real i will not believe in him...i was watchin RM vs Roma...quite an exciting match, for the first half Roma caned....but then RM jus went into 4th gear and took them out good!!! how does Roberto Carlos shoot like thaT?? and with his left as weLL???!! FREAKK!!! i wanna learn how to shoot properly. and do those nice volleys...

petricia

09-29-2004, 02:58 PM

Oh well Oh well, i dont watch Real anyway... i won't comment on them.

But MAN U! Petricia! Sharing my delight and joy??? 6-2!! Rooney Hat trick (great start to his first game playing for Man u!), Giggs one goal (as petricia said, 7 minutes), one from ruudy, one from bellion.

aren't we just great?

rooney lived up to his expectations alrite!

Of COURSE... :excited: Though i didn't watch the rest of the 2nd half... too tired... I must have missed out so much!!! :cry: :cry:

Well... I just hope Rooney will continue his magic for us!!!

jessca

09-29-2004, 11:59 PM

wasnt rooney amazing!!! :roll: :bounce:

^sorry im a bit late lol...couldnt even watch the match in peace..had to finish an history essay. at least the goals kept me in a good mood hehee....and giggs...hehe...he equalled man utds top scorer in champions league last night! :excited:

fartking - you still dont think rooney has talent? a hat trick on his debut at a european stage and his display during euro 2004 not enough? hehe..i think we can expect him to prove his £30 million price tag throughout the season, he'll show you.. :rolleyes: =P

sinny - awww...no worries, its still early on.. :console:

sleepin'tom

09-30-2004, 08:58 AM

Liverpool lost another away match :sadangel: but they'll bounce back(hopefully against che$e@) :rolleyes:

My thoughts after the match:

1. The Xabi should take the ALL the free kicks. No one else is allowed unless someone else is better than Xabi.
2.Warnock has played slightly better than Kewell :hmm: but Kewell is my 1st chioce. Everybody knows what he can do.
3. Zonal marking is not helping Liverpool in set-pieces that cost them 3 points in EPL and 3 points in CL. THAT'S 6 POINTS!!!!!!! :realmad:
4.Luckily Liverpool is conceding goals from set-pieces recently rather than open play. That problem is sortable. :happy:
5.Hyypia is at fault for the goal but the team should take the responsibilty equally.
6.Kirky is piling pressure on Dudek's first team place. Kirky will replace him soon. :brows:

dagamezmasta

10-01-2004, 07:19 AM

hey tom... i wanna ask you a question i've been meaning to ask for quite a while now.. why do you hate houlier??? houlier, in my opinion, was quite a good coach. he brought in good players like cisse and john arne riise.. rafael is a good manager too.. but i certainly liked gerard houlier better.

jessca

10-01-2004, 10:33 PM

houllier...the sentimental side of me thinks he was a great guy..lot of respect for him, especially after what happened to his health. but from the football pov, he had to go. his peak at liverpool had passed and i can see why they chose to let him go.

one of my french teachers took some spanish exchange students to st james park today for a tour. she came back telling us all about it lol, and youd never believe how football is all about mentality. the away changing rooms tiled (dangerous when you got studs), there are 13 showers, and the room is on the right side of the tunnel. why is that bad? cos newcastle, as the home team, walk out on the right. so the magpies wait until the away team is lined up ready in the tunnel and then cut through the away team as they leave their changing room to line up. as my teacher said, newcastle have the advantage as soon as they walk onto the pitch...and its crazy how much footballers get paid to think straight and keep their playing mentality.. :rolleyes:

m o n k e e

10-02-2004, 05:59 AM

he brought in good players like cisse and john arne riise..

No offence but you gota be kidding me? One of Houllier's undoings was that he made some Bad and not to mention VERY expensive mistakes when it came to signings. He spent 120 million pounds (???!) on players that never performed to their price.. now with that sort of money you expect to be in the race for the title. Was it really worth spending 11 million for Heskey, a striker who never scored more than 10 goals a season for Leicester? 15 million for the Senegalese duo Diouf and Diao who were unabe to recapture their form... and countless other mistakes...

But to be fair the man deserves respect for his record, which includes a treble (of sorts) and a super cup, and he seems like a great bloke but over the past two seasons, liverpool has dropped from contenders to also rans. Through a mixture of boring defensive tactics, awful purchases of players and mentality, houllier undid his great start to his club...

Benitez is as good if not better manager imo than Houllier. He led Valencia to the top of the arguably the best competiton in the world, the La Liga, over star studded teams such as Barcelona and Real Madrid, not to mention the UEFA cup. Plus he is tactically more shrewd than Houllier, and hes knowledge of the Spanish players market is a bonus. Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso have been nothing short of class so far in the campaign..

w4t3r_lily

10-02-2004, 08:22 AM

one of my french teachers took some spanish exchange students to st james park today for a tour. she came back telling us all about it lol, and youd never believe how football is all about mentality. the away changing rooms tiled (dangerous when you got studs), there are 13 showers, and the room is on the right side of the tunnel. why is that bad? cos newcastle, as the home team, walk out on the right. so the magpies wait until the away team is lined up ready in the tunnel and then cut through the away team as they leave their changing room to line up. as my teacher said, newcastle have the advantage as soon as they walk onto the pitch...and its crazy how much footballers get paid to think straight and keep their playing mentality..

Don't forget about MU too..do you know that the home bench get the heater when winter? So the home team subs will not get cold when winter..meanwhile for the visitors..they don't give the heater at all on the bench..

Hope MU beats Boro tomorrow :D

jessca

10-02-2004, 10:11 AM

Don't forget about MU too..do you know that the home bench get the heater when winter? So the home team subs will not get cold when winter..meanwhile for the visitors..they don't give the heater at all on the bench.. lol.. :rolleyes:

and the away changing rooms at the stadium of light (sunderland) are painted blue..the negative and cold colour. and its one of the rooms in that arent sound proof. :whistle: (soundproofing good for peter reid when he yells and screams and swears at his players *nodnod*)

anyhoos..wes brown has turned down a new contract at OT, cos he wants a sizeable wage increase. i dont think its him, its his new agent at SFX pulling the strings. i cant say hes worth the money, cos hes so susceptible to injury..and he can make the most awful mistakes...but i dont like seeing players go. :oops: and unless he signs a new contract, he becomes a free agent and could leave for nothing. ><

i can only watch half of the boro match tomorrow..but its better than nothing! :excited: save the goals till the second half for me.... :bleh:

kirasuran

10-02-2004, 03:49 PM

dang, i forgot what i was gonna ask u MANU fans,...im also manu fan, but there was sumthin i was gonna ask....oh yeHH!!! do u guys think that ferguson should buy more ppl for the midfield, and not spend so much on the strikers??? cos hes bought so many....

ftlouiea

10-02-2004, 10:55 PM

Don't forget about MU too..do you know that the home bench get the heater when winter? So the home team subs will not get cold when winter..meanwhile for the visitors..they don't give the heater at all on the bench..

That's funny! :bleh:

Arsenal thrashed Charlton, which was rather :dry: of them. But expected again...

ManU vs. Boro tomorrow!

fartking: I sure hope Man U do buy a midfielder, coz since Beckham left (yup bring this subject up, again) i don't think ronaldo has quite made up the gap, brilliant as he is. It would be nice to have another midfielder... i.e. giggsy getting older every year, though not less fitter.

petricia

10-03-2004, 04:06 PM

fartking: totally agree... hopefully he can convert some of those he has into attacking midfielder... i think his mentality is "the best method to defend is to attack"... sorry if it sounds weird.. i transfered directly from a chinese proverb... :)

sleepin'tom

10-03-2004, 07:31 PM

My Liverpool's post match view. 4th consecutive away defeat for Liverpool. We defend well but again it was another goal conceded from set-pieces. :bigyawn:

Alonso needs some free kick practise. He had his first poor game especially his free kicks- absolutely appalling. :-x In the midfield, Salif diao doesn't know how to make a successful pass. He should start considering retirement. :whistle: Bad decision by Raffy to field him ahead of Hamann :-x
Garcia left Josemi exposed allowing Duff to rape Josemi. :oops: His lack of pace was exploited.
Kewell and Garcia's performence were marked by a word call mediocrity. Garcia almost did nothing. We were virtually playing with 10 men. Kewell's best contribution was get the bloody ball clear off the line.
Cisse looks average at the front, trying to create a chance for himself because of the poor service from the midfield.
Liverpool lack of Gerrard's drive. I will hire the best therapist, doctors and nutritionist to get Gerrard back from injury.(if I have the money) :harhar:
Carra played very well. My man of the match. :bow:

End of story full stop.