Football 2011-2012

[Wooderson]

Will be funny when Estonia beat us on pens after two dour stalemates.

[The Nal]

Will be funny when Estonia beat us on pens after two dour stalemates.

Edited October 13, 2011 by The Nal

[strummer77]

I get the impression most liverpool fans dont back this.

[ralph250]

3 games for Rooney.

[kaosmark2]

3 games for Rooney.

[Ed209]

Yup, deserved. I don't think the FA really have much of an appeal considering in English domestic football they would have automatically given him a 3 match ban for violent conduct.

Its not like we have a sparkling array of striking talent to replace him so you've gotta still take him hoping we can get through the group, and then unleash him him in the quarter finals, where he'll be all charged up ...

... and inevitably get himself sent off.

Edited October 13, 2011 by Ed209

[pink_triangle]

Agree. Really its just a comment from a MD who is trying to get the best deal for his club. We fell behind commercially in the 1990s and at least it looks like Ayre won't let it happen again.

[ralph250]

I'm pretty sure they've had some but perhaps not all.

But this is the sort of thing which FIFA needs to address, to stop a player being able to play if they don't fulfil their obligations to football both on and off the pitch. If there's nothing in force for it now, it won't be too long before there is I reckon, cos the rules for these sorts of things need to keep up with the growing power that players have.

Edited October 13, 2011 by ralph250

[pink_triangle]

A lot of the media seem to be moaning that the rooney ban is unfair because of the intact on euro 2012. To me this is stupid, you can't hand out different punishments depending on how early on in the qualification tournament the situation occurs. Just as you can't let whether clubs qualify for the next stage or not influence suspensions. Rooney has not been handed a 3 match euro 2012 ban, its a 3 march ban that happens to encompass the tournament, its his own fault for doing it knowing this.

[The Nal]

So, prediction for Liverpool vs Utd tomorrow?

I think if Hernandez starts he could cause Carra a lot of issues if the ball is played in behind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaE5XSwkZrI

Edited October 14, 2011 by The Nal

[TheGayTent]

I wouldn't take him.

[ralph250]

Hardly have an abundance of top forwards not to take him. Besides, players have been suspended before early doors and gone on to make contributions in the latter stages. Arshavin Euro 2008, Zidane was sent off opening game WC 1998 against Saudi Arabia (I was at the game ) & scores 2 in the final etc.

[TheGayTent]

Hardly have an abundance of top forwards not to take him.

[kaosmark2]

The thing is, if you take him, you're saying to all the other strikers "I'm not convinced you're good enough to perform in the latter stages against better teams, although I'm forced to rely on you for the group games." England only usually play 1, maybe 2 games post-group. How much of a negative impact will that decision have on morale compared to the positive impact he'll have in later games. If someone else, say Gabby Agbonlahor, gets 4 goals + 2 assists in the group games, do you drop him for Rooney in the quarter final?

He may be the most talented English player, but it depends on Capello's confidence in how he'll manage the mood and situation. And on how arrogant he is about getting through the group stages. If targetting a run to the final or actually winning it, then you have to take Rooney, but does anyone seriously think England are good enough?

Remember, we got thrashed by Germany in the quarters of the WC, and that was a young, vibrant, confident German team that'll have 2 years more experience, experience at top clubs in the Champs Lge (Ozil's done pretty well at Real since). Spain are still looking stunning, and when you consider their 2nd string contains the 2 best playmakers we've seen in the Prem Lge (Fabregas and Silva), it's hard to see us having a chance against them. Italy and France have improved since, the Dutch look better than they did at the WC. While what changes have happened for England? Lampard's finally been dropped, Wilshere's started to come through, Terry no longer looks imperious (inc. for Chelski), Young and Downing have moved to bigger clubs, Defoe's got even less reliable. Yes there's some talent coming through, and Hart's better than James, but I don't see anything to indicate that England will be in any better a state for the Euros than they were for the WC. Ferguson doesn't trust Young in the Champs Lge yet, Downing's not getting any chance to play in it, Walcott's still unconvincing overall, Bent's had another sulk+move+good starting streak. What development is there in attacking talent or midfield control beyond finally giving (the not World Class) Scott Parker a chance, and Wilshere breaking in?

[Wooderson]

Think Utd have the edge tomorrow. Wouldnt be surprised with a shut out and a couple from Rooney to be honest.

[kaosmark2]

Think Utd have the edge tomorrow. Wouldnt be surprised with a shut out and a couple from Rooney to be honest.

[The Nal]

Think Utd have the edge tomorrow. Wouldnt be surprised with a shut out and a couple from Rooney to be honest.

Edited October 14, 2011 by The Nal

[kaosmark2]

Kinda what I'm thinking.

I'm going 2-1 Utd.

Suarez

Rooney

Rooney

But I obviously have no idea. Which is why I'm going to watch it.

[eFestivals]

I've seen that Redknapp has come out saying that Postman Pat should take Rooney.

So clearly, the correct tactical decision is to leave Rooney behind.

[kaosmark2]

I've seen that Redknapp has come out saying that Postman Pat should take Rooney.

So clearly, the correct tactical decision is to leave Rooney behind.

[pink_triangle]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15308775.stm

So SAF thinks the 2 biggest games in football are the biggest grudge match involving his team and the derby match of the city where he was born, not that he is bias! To me the man utd v liverpool games generally fail to excite me, I dont think I am able to get that terrible cup final they played in the 90s out of my mind. To me Barca v Madrid is the only club game that really excites me on a regular basis, the 2 best sides in the world combined with the most exciting players.

As for tomorrows game I suspect it will be close, I think if man utd score early liverpool could be in trouble but the longer the game goes on the more I fnacy liverpool to nick it, although I will be dull and predict a draw. Amazing that if liverpool win they will only be 3 points behind man utd which surprised me as I have found man utd a lot more impressive this season.

I personally think its obvious rooney should go to euro 2012, when you consider during most tournaments there are outfield players who dont even play, taking someone for the knockout rounds just means someone else misses out who probably wouldnt play anyway. I also think I will go mad if I hear the phrase "If you take that side out of his game, he wouldnt be the same player" repeated about rooney. It is just as annoying and lacking in any evidence as old "but how would barcelona do on a wet cold night at stoke"

[kaosmark2]

Ferguson a biased idiot? But yeah, Barca Real is leagues ahead.

[thetime]

think liverpool will win tomorrow, well it is there cup final nowadays! bit like it was utds cup final in the 80s.

[kaosmark2]

Rooney benched? Phil Jones in midfield? Hard to see Man U doing well attacking-wise.

[Kowalski]

To me Barca v Madrid is the only club game that really excites me on a regular basis, the 2 best sides in the world combined with the most exciting players.