Football 2011-2012

[pink_triangle]

I would say going on last season 2nd best in the world is between man u and Madrid. Man u came 2nd in the champions league but only because a random draw meant they played.them earlier.

[kaosmark2]

In what way can Real Madrid possibly be considered to be one of the 2 best sides in the world?

Granted I'd much rather watch that game but Real Madrid haven't won a European trophy for 10 years now.

[kaosmark2]

Poor game in the end. Appalling from Man U generally, Evans and Ferdinand both looked sloppy, not convinced by Smalling at right back, Park seemed dreadful, I felt De Gea had a decent game though, not just that brilliant save, and Welbeck looked good, particularly given how isolated he was.

Liverpool really could have done a lot better, Gerrard looked decent on his return, Suarez was bright. I'm surprised Bellamy didn't get a chance for 15 minutes or so, Downing didn't impress me.

Enrique was my Man of the Match though, excellent both defensively and attacking. I really hope Santon can do half as good a job at left back as he did last year.

Edited October 15, 2011 by kaosmark2

[pink_triangle]

Only caught the last 10 minutes of the liverpool match on 5live, sounded quite an exciting game although my friend said it was dull in parts. Sounded like liverpool should have wom from the summary, still think liverpool are a bit short of goalscorers but in general they seem hard to beat which is always a good foundation. It looks like the top 3 sides could pull away early in the season, the manchester clubs have had all the exposure but chelsea are quietly getting on with their job and I still think very dangerous, the younger players like ramirez and sturridge seem to be getting better which is a good sign.

[kaosmark2]

It was a mediocre game really. Was a lot better in the last 20-25 minutes, but very poor until then. Man U were awful first half, completely dreadful.

Liverpool's problem wasn't really finishing as much as creating good chances. Suarez looked lively, but with Adam man-marked (very odd considering Messi and Xavi weren't afforded that respect), Downing poor and Gerrard clearly still lacking a bit of match fitness, there wasn't much. Enrique was probably the biggest threat after Suarez.

Ramires has been excellent, and Sturridge even better. If England want a serious chance of doing well at the Euros, Sturridge has to be playing. He's been brilliant for Chelsea every time he's had a chance. IMO the best striker per minutes played this season, inc. Rooney and Aguero.

[kaosmark2]

Beauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuutiful. Honeymoon continues. Cracking game as well, 2nd half was the best I've seen all season (albeit horribly tense). I felt we bossed the 1st half and 2nd was a pretty even, very open game. Wonderful from Gutierrez for the first, and great strike from Shola for the 2nd.

No complaints about the penalty really. I thought Cabaye was fouled just before the pass to Adebayor, but that was a definite foul from Taylor, and probably warranted a booking.

Tiote >>>> Parker. Great counter-attacks from Spurs, but we bossed midfield, mostly due to Tiote. Wonderful play.

Still not convinced by Best, very poor movement from him today, was twice played in very nicely and then just stood level with the defender instead of following on for good chances. Both Ben Arfa and Ameobi did more in 20 minutes than he did in 70.

At some point, we'll fall behind, but long may it continue, fantastic to see.

[thetime]

Beauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuutiful. Honeymoon continues. Cracking game as well, 2nd half was the best I've seen all season (albeit horribly tense). I felt we bossed the 1st half and 2nd was a pretty even, very open game. Wonderful from Gutierrez for the first, and great strike from Shola for the 2nd.

No complaints about the penalty really. I thought Cabaye was fouled just before the pass to Adebayor, but that was a definite foul from Taylor, and probably warranted a booking.

Tiote >>>> Parker. Great counter-attacks from Spurs, but we bossed midfield, mostly due to Tiote. Wonderful play.

Still not convinced by Best, very poor movement from him today, was twice played in very nicely and then just stood level with the defender instead of following on for good chances. Both Ben Arfa and Ameobi did more in 20 minutes than he did in 70.

At some point, we'll fall behind, but long may it continue, fantastic to see.

[kaosmark2]

will be interesting to see how ben arfa does this season as he was doing really well before his bad injury.,

[thetime]

I'm optimistic. He's looked sharp every time he's been given 20 minutes or so.

[kaosmark2]

fans seemed to have changed there tune over pardew.

[strummer77]

On the Suarez racism row... Find it odd that nothing has been found yet if the allegations Evra said are true. Surely Sky would be playing the clip 24/7 if they had a sniff of conclusive footage.

In my opinion one of them should receive the lengthy ban (up to 10 I heard?!). If Suarez said it, ban him. If Evra is making it up then he should be banned too. Serious allegations these.

[pink_triangle]

Suarez is a great player and Evra was a great player, however both seem to have a bit of nasty side to their personality. From what I have heard Evra has form for claiming racism without any evidence to back it up. In terms of Suarez it should be a clear cut case of the evidence is there or not in terms of punishment. However there is a grey area where Evra could in theory be telling the truth, but tv hasnt picked it up, which would make punishment for him a lot more difficult.

On an unrelated liverpool matter I listen to 4 football podcasts (guardian, times, world football phone in and sunday supplement) and the tabloid blokes on sky unsurprisingly talk the most rubbish. They claimed yesterday that SAF would be happy that liverpool can now give them a competitive game, from memory while liverpool havent been able to compete with man utd for the league title (apart from 1 year) they have been able to give them a decent amount of good matches.

[The Nal]

Very odd is Evra is making it up. He was clearly upset by something Suarez said and he was the last to leave Anfield and walked out on his own. TV replays wont be able to prove it though, it has to be proven 100% which is impossible without audio.

[eFestivals]

Very odd is Evra is making it up. He was clearly upset by something Suarez said and he was the last to leave Anfield and walked out on his own. TV replays wont be able to prove it though, it has to be proven 100% which is impossible without audio.

I wouldn't put it beyond Suarez given his country of origin, tho his time playing in Holland should have wised him up the issues if it wasn't something he was previously aware of. And it didn't look like there was that sort of hate going on from him with what looked like a conciliatory hand onto Evra's head at the end of their spat.

And of course Evra is known for his level-headedness.

----

Not really anything to do with the above, but I realised yesterday that Liverpool have no black players. There can't be many club like that nowadays.

[pink_triangle]

Very odd is Evra is making it up. He was clearly upset by something Suarez said and he was the last to leave Anfield and walked out on his own. TV replays wont be able to prove it though, it has to be proven 100% which is impossible without audio.

[thetime]

On the Suarez racism row... Find it odd that nothing has been found yet if the allegations Evra said are true. Surely Sky would be playing the clip 24/7 if they had a sniff of conclusive footage.

[poudes

f Suarez said it, ban him. If Evra is making it up then he should be banned too. Serious allegations these.

[thetime]

Very odd is Evra is making it up. He was clearly upset by something Suarez said and he was the last to leave Anfield and walked out on his own. TV replays wont be able to prove it though, it has to be proven 100% which is impossible without audio.

[Wooderson]

On the Suarez racism row... Find it odd that nothing has been found yet if the allegations Evra said are true. Surely Sky would be playing the clip 24/7 if they had a sniff of conclusive footage.

In my opinion one of them should receive the lengthy ban (up to 10 I heard?!). If Suarez said it, ban him. If Evra is making it up then he should be banned too. Serious allegations these.

Edited October 17, 2011 by Wooderson

[The Nal]

I wouldn't put it beyond Suarez given his country of origin, tho his time playing in Holland should have wised him up the issues if it wasn't something he was previously aware of. And it didn't look like there was that sort of hate going on from him with what looked like a conciliatory hand onto Evra's head at the end of their spat.

And of course Evra is known for his level-headedness.

[ralph250]

Evra hasn't played the race card before to my knowledge.

Phelan and another coach did regards the Chelsea warmdown.

39. The two witnesses who say they heard those words directed by Mr Bethell at Mr Evra are the Manchester United first team coach Mr Mike Phelan and the goalkeeping coach Mr Richard Hartis.

50. Even if we disregard the fact that Mr Evra has never claimed to have heard such a remark on that day, it is notable that there were several other people far nearer to Mr Bethell at the critical point in time than were either Mr Phelan or Mr Hartis.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/3814849/FA-Battle-of-the-Bridge-report-in-full.html

[Wooderson]

The notion that Evra has previous in making unfounded accusations of racism is incorrect.

[thetime]

. Whatever happens I don't think Suarez comes out of it clean.

[The Nal]

why whats he done?

[eFestivals]

Wooderson mentions 'sledging' above, and I'm sure it goes on in football just as it does cricket.

A great way of winding up many people would be with comments about their mother. And while I'm in no way trying to justify it as right, a similar effect could be achieved to some with racial comments.

Both are as nasty as the other, while both would be done (if done as 'sledging') without any real intent necessarily meant by the words. And yet they'd be treated differently.

Sometimes we live in a mad and stupid world.

[thetime]

The notion that Evra has previous in making unfounded accusations of racism is incorrect.