Football 2011-2012

[eFestivals]

Same for Chelski. They're not in the top 8 sides in Europe.

they didn't look like they were last night, that's for sure.

But it'd be hard to prove your comment I reckon, given that they've made the Chumps semis for 6 of the last 9 seasons. That's a pretty impressive stat for any team - tho of course Barca have made the semis for all of the last 5 years.

[The Nal]

Didnt watch Chelski last night. Just dont like them as a club.

Was watching this..... although it was fairly crap too. Walk in the park for Madrid.

[thetime]

Well done chelsea, its all about getting the result and they did that.

Hoping they do barcelona but cant see it, but if messi gets an injury they will have half a chance.

[strummer77]

Saw this on twitter:

Remember when death threats from Chelsea fans forced a ref to retire? The club's programme recalls events differently

Just posted that in the wrong thread then!

[The Nal]

Its Good Friday, and all our thoughts go to a man with long hair who will always be remembered for dying on the end of a cross.

Andy Carroll.

[thetime]

Big ron 134 games 135 goals, impressive.

5 out of 8 european teams spanish, impressive.

[kaosmark2]

Got back from holiday to some recorded highlights of us being brilliant against WBA and some decent play against 'Pool, very happy

Our negotiators should be shot...

Krul, Coloccini, S Taylor, Santon, Marveaux, Tioté, Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Ba and Papiss = £34.5m. Andy Carroll = £35m

[VCK]

Reading may have the better football team, but we have the better festival!

[kaosmark2]

I for one hope chelsea go out, no time for the club and iniesta knocking them out is one of my favourite champions league memories. I hope for real v Barca final as I think its good to have the best 2 teams in Europe in the showcase final. Probably if you looked through the tournament history it hasn't happened that often. Definitely hasn't been case last 2 years.

[thetime]

I don't trust Ashley. We seem to be being run reasonably sensibly atm, but the 'selling' the stadium name hasn't been handled well. The key thing for me is whether he keeps his promise to expand St James' if we get 6th place. He made that promise back when he first took over, and stated it again when we got back up to the Prem. I could accept early mismanagement and misjudgment before working out a sensible policy, but he's got to stick to that. Supposedly it was on the reasoning that if we're competing for Europe a larger stadium is the best way to get more revenue to help compete while maintaining FFP.

[VCK]

I want Bayern to win the Champions League. Can't stand Chelsea, Madrid are a bit of a dodgy club (though Mourinho is a "totes ledge") and Busquets makes it hard for me to fully get behind Barca, plus it would be boring having the same team win it for a second year in a row.

Always had a soft spot for German football, and I have no shame in saying I enjoyed watching them in the World Cup I think Schweinsteiger is quality, I've always rated Robben and Ribery, and Gomez can find the net which is all you need from a striker. Probably the best side in Europe behind the two Spanish giants.

[kaosmark2]

Im sure you newcastle fans will be back on his back if you have an average season next season.

Ashley doesnt seem to get the praise when it goes right, but gets all the grief when it goes wrong, newcastle fans have always been a funny lot.

[Banana Co]

Reading may have the better football team, but we have the better festival!

[Jaybles]

EL CLASSICOAST!!

It did not let down. What a game, and what a screamer of a goal to equalise.

Pompey deserved that point. Sadly I think we will go down though.

[pink_triangle]

I reckon if Bayern beat Real over 2 legs they'll have proved themselves one of the top teams in Europe. They've been excellent and improving year on year, and I think they have a very good chance of beating Real deservedly. I still think Real are the better team, but I don't think the gap between those 2 is as large as people make out. Look at Bayern's team, who they can still leave on the bench, and they're filled with top quality superstars in the form of their life.

[kaosmark2]

I think you have to look at league and cup, bayern are 3 points off the pace in the bundesliga. Madrid would be comfortably ahead with their squad. Munich are one of europes best teams and could beat madrid over 2 legs but in my opinion if both teams played each other 10 times madrid win the most.

[pink_triangle]

The conference now in terms of quality is effectively league 3. In fact because of the lack of promotion/relegation slots, the top 6 conference sides are probably stronger than half of the teams in the league above. I think previously one up and one play offs didn't work too badly. However last 2 seasons you have had clubs with league 1 wage budgets/transfer budgets in the league forcing the 2nd team who would win most years into a play off lottery. I'm sure gateshead will be taken over by a multimillionaire next year!

[strummer77]

Hey, we drew today but we were alright. Don't really care about league results too much but pleased with the performance. Was much more like it. Jonjo Shelvey was on his game and we looked a proper side once Agger came back.

All it proved though: We need a goalscorer.

[kaosmark2]

Hey, we drew today but we were alright. Don't really care about league results too much but pleased with the performance. Was much more like it. Jonjo Shelvey was on his game and we looked a proper side once Agger came back.

All it proved though: We need a goalscorer.

[pink_triangle]

A top striker, a better winger than Downing, and a DM to play alongside Lucas/when Lucas is injured. Don't see any other problem areas.

[The Nal]

Have to say, Id have no issue if Young was fined and banned for that dive. No place for that in the game. Awful, embarrassing and ruined the game too. Dickhead.

To brighter things, great pic!

Edited April 8, 2012 by The Nal

[kaosmark2]

I see a big problem area in the centre of midfield and its not just in terms of defensive midfield. Liverpool have been one of the most one dimensional sides I have seen this season, if a plan isnt working they keep doing the same thing and hope for the best. There has been a huge lack of flair/creatvity from the middle of the pitch and theres no way that will be solved with the players that are there now. While capable of performances like against Everton, Gerrard is not (and never will be) the player he was 3 years ago. He isnt going to play 30+ league games a season and be a matchwinner every other game. If liverpool go into the season thinking Stevie G is amazing so we dont need any reinforcements in terms of attacking midfield it would be a huge mistake. I would treat this type of player as a huge priority, to work with gerrard when he is fit and to work instead of him when he is not.

I also think liverpool should take advantage of the fact that their poor league form makes them less of a threat to the big boys and opens up oppurtunitues in the loan market. I think city will bring in a lot of new players and will therefore get rid of players as well. I wouldnt be surprised if de jong is available who would be a great temporary signing for liverpool. People talk about the need to bring in all these new players but its not a game of football manager. Liverpool have paid big wages for players who havent worked out and these players will be hard to shift, there is no unlimitted pot of money at anfield.

[kaosmark2]

Have to say, Id have no issue if Young was fined and banned for that dive. No place for that in the game. Awful, embarrassing and ruined the game too. Dickhead.

[The Nal]

It's getting pretty tiring. I think there needs to be potential for retrospective punishment for diving if we're to stamp it out - or refs allowed to call for technology like in Rugby.

Anyone know if retrospective punishment rules can come from the FA or does it have to be introduced all the way from FIFA?

[thetime]

Never mubd diving balotelli is a disgrace.