The Footie (UK) Thread: 2006/07

[Two-Bob Peeters]

i think he's played in the majority of games, over 30 anyway. and he's scored 3 i think

[Captain Stu]

Piracy is a massive problem for SI. They've recently had to stop making Eastside Hockey Manager because of it.

I meant why are you duty-bound? I didn't know you worked for SI.

Stupid Fucking Fulham. :(

lolzerz.

see this goal (http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/2007/05/greatest_goal_e.html) it's good, but i mean it's mainly just luck. but could you imagine the wankfest if Messi or Ronaldinho or whatever did it?

Great goal that, but it was so clearly a fucking cross.

[EvilElvis]

I just put on SSN and instead of being cheered up by Sir Jeff, I saw two blokes discussing rugby.


This is gonna be a long summer. :(

[EvilElvis]

Both Celtic and Aberdeen are wearing yellow ribbons to mark the birthday of the girl missing in Portugal

[Captain Stu]

I just put on SSN and instead of being cheered up by Sir Jeff, I saw two blokes discussing rugby.


This is gonna be a long summer. :(

:( :( :(

[Captain Stu]

*changes sigpic*

For this weekend. :)

[Two-Bob Peeters]

god is fat and slow? :(

[EvilElvis]

god is fat and slow? :(

That not a description of Tony Cascarino?

[Captain Stu]

god is fat and slow? :(

He is now, I'm thanking him for all the great goals and performances during the 90's. Seeing Fowler and Rush side-by-side was outstanding.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

That not a description of Tony Cascarino?

haha yeah, sounds about right, scored a fair few though

[Jamie]

Oh my god I'm going to Athens. Fuck yes!

Apologies to any liverpool fans who tried to get tickets and couldnt, but :D :D

[Captain Stu]

Oh my god I'm going to Athens. Fuck yes!

Apologies to any liverpool fans who tried to get tickets and couldnt, but :D :D

Questions:

1. How?
2. Being a United fan, why?
3. Are you going to go in with the stinky Italians?

[Jamie]

Questions:

1. How?
2. Being a United fan, why?
3. Are you going to go in with the stinky Italians?

1. Ballot, got the letter this morning. Girlfriends a season ticket holder.
2. The experience
3. No, the slightly less stinky scouse.

Only downside is that I'll have to sell my Prince tickets to cover the finances.

[Captain Stu]

As much as I'm looking forward to seeing Prince... totally bonerfied... I'd drop it in a heartbeat for a final ticket.

I never even tried, I couldn't afford the travel... how you gowna get there and back?

[Jamie]

As much as I'm looking forward to seeing Prince... totally bonerfied... I'd drop it in a heartbeat for a final ticket.

I never even tried, I couldn't afford the travel... how you gowna get there and back?

Using Triangle Travel. I've never heard of em, but they're in partnership with the club specifically offering travel for the event. Im seeing Derren Brown on the 22nd, so flying out in the early hours. Can't afford to stay out there, so coming straight back too. It's not ideal, but who cares really.

[Captain Stu]

Oh my god, it's actually going to happen, Steve Sidwell is joining Chelsea on monday.

I'm astounded... they're actually buying a player... who's English... and doesn't have a massive pricetag or a global reputation. I wonder what he's going to cost them...

I'm pleased by us signing this Lucas chap... if he's as good as Uncle Rafa says then it's a class signing. He's an all-round midfielder who can cover defensive roles and also work box-to-box. This means we might have some decent cover for Gerrard (for once) and another sign to me that Sissoko will quite rightly be sold.

[EvilElvis]

Oh my god, it's actually going to happen, Steve Sidwell is joining Chelsea on monday.

I'm astounded... they're actually buying a player... who's English... and doesn't have a massive pricetag or a global reputation. I wonder what he's going to cost them...


Where you hear that one?


Lolz @ Motherwell fans - They were 2-0 up today and lost 3-2 to St Mirren and just secured their survival - So their fans threw season tickets away in disgust...After their last home game of the season...

[EvilElvis]

haha yeah, sounds about right, scored a fair few though

He was amazing at celtic - 2 goals and he was their main striker...

[rob3000]

Oh my god I'm going to Athens. Fuck yes!

Apologies to any liverpool fans who tried to get tickets and couldnt, but :D :DYupp, there's plenty of Liverpool fans who have had season tickets for years and didn't get tickets but meh, so many corporates there it doesn't make a difference.

[Bexster]

Exeter have sold more tickets for the conference final, than Liverpool have been given for their whole CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL allocation.

Just goes to show how badly the CL final ticket allocation completely sucks. Needs to be rethunked for next year.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Sidwell is available on a free, btw.

[Bexster]

Sidwell is available on a free, btw.
Srsly?

[Epic Failure]

Exeter have sold more tickets for the conference final, than Liverpool have been given for their whole CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL allocation.

Just goes to show how badly the CL final ticket allocation completely sucks. Needs to be rethunked for next year.

it's always been thus, i don't get why people are so surprised:confused:

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Srsly?

Yup. He was meant to be joining us at Newcastle until Rodent was fired.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Skysports.com understands Steve Sidwell is on the verge of a dream move to Chelsea.

The dynamic midfielder is scheduled to undergo a medical at Chelsea at Monday ahead of a proposed move to Stamford Bridge.

Sidwell is not expected to feature for Reading in their final game of the season against Blackburn on Sunday as he prepares himself for his medical tests at Chelsea.

A number of clubs have been chasing Sidwell, who is available on a free transfer, after turning down a new deal at Reading.

However, it appears Chelsea have won the race for his signature in beating off interest from the likes of Newcastle, Everton and Middlesbrough.

Should Sidwell seal his move to Chelsea he will become Jose Mourinho's first signing of the summer.

[EvilElvis]

Frank Lampard is a £15m target for Barcelona, the Catalonian club having lined the midfielder up as the perfect person to give their team more bite. (Sunday Mirror)

Sam Allardyce will sign a £13m deal to manage Newcastle and then, with the ink still drying, make a £5m bid for Manchester City bad boy Joey Barton. (The People)

Although Big Sam might be able to save some money, with Barton's value plummeting to £3m. (Sunday Mirror)

Allardyce will also look to spend Freddie Shepherd's hard-earned cash on Freddie Ljungberg, although he'll face competition from Portsmouth. (Sunday Mirror)

Jermaine Jenas will head back up north in a £10m move to Everton. James Beattie could go the other way in part exchange. (The People)

Leeds striker David Healy will escape League One football by teaming up with his former international manager Lawrie Sanchez at Craven Cottage. (News of the World)

Although he could go to Middlesbrough. (The People)

And Preston forward David Nugent is also keen on a move to the Premiership to safeguard his spot in the England squad. (The Observer)

But one player going nowhere is Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov, chairman Daniel Levy reiterating that he doesn't run a selling club. (The Observer)

Micah Richards is 'happyish' at Manchester City, although he admits that he would like to play in the Champions League and would view a switch to Arsenal as a 'dream move'. (News of the World)

Carlos Tevez is wanted by most of Europe, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan among the suitors. (Various)

Michael Owen could move to Manchester United for £11m, just two years and 12 starts since joining Newcastle for £16m. (Sunday Express)


OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United have turned down a "sensational" £850m takeover bid from a Chinese consortium. (News of the World)

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan believes West Ham will be relegated "if there is any justice in the world". (Sunday Mail)

But his counterpart at Upton Park, Eggert Magnusson, has urged Sheffield United and Wigan to play fair and not to contrive the Wigan win which could send West Ham down. (Sunday Express)

Alan Curbishley will be handed a £45m transfer kitty if the Hammers beat the drop. (News of the World)

Stuart Pearce will be axed if and when ex-Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra completes a £160m takeover. (News of the World)

Neil Warnock will make a decision on his future at Sheffield United after the relegation showdown with Wigan. (Various)

The right side of the LA Galaxy team line-up could turn into a haircut competition, with full-back Abel Xavier set to line up behind David Beckham. (The Independent)


AND FINALLY
Chelsea's senior players have welcomed referee Graham Poll's retirement. One senior player described the announcement as "the best news we've had in years". (Sunday Mirror)

With tongue firmly in cheek, Eric Cantona has claimed to be the greatest French footballer of all time. (Sunday Times)

[Bexster]

it's always been thus, i don't get why people are so surprised:confused:
I admit I've never really known what allocations have been like for big events like the FA Cup final, and the CL final until very recently.

Allardyce will also look to spend Freddie Shepherd's hard-earned cash on Freddie Ljungberg, although he'll face competition from Portsmouth. (Sunday Mirror)
Portsmouth = Arsenal Reserves :D

Carlos Tevez is wanted by most of Europe, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan among the suitors. (Various)
It's gonna be one hell of a bidding war if that's the case.

AND FINALLY
Chelsea's senior players have welcomed referee Graham Poll's retirement. One senior player described the announcement as "the best news we've had in years". (Sunday Mirror)
Don't they reallise, that they're just picking on Poll because it's bene more public. Once they start getting Uriah Rennie reffing their games, they'll hate it even more.

[Bexster]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/6650861.stm

Very cool story.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

N'Zogbia available this summer for anyone who wants him.

He;s just stormed out of Vicarige Road after being named on the bench behind Matty "I'm shit without my poodle hair" Pattison. Can't say I blame him.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Martins has also been dropped completely, so he's probably on his way too.

Not even on the bench ffs.

[Jamie]

Wigan are 1 up. Come on United.

[Epic Failure]

you just couldn't write it.....

[sunnydalehighdropout]

If i were Wigan and Sheff Utd, i'd do all i can to prolong the first half so that the second half starts later and they know of the Man U result before the finish of their game, leaving the way for Wigan to be handed victory if need be. I really fucking hope West Ham go down.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

West Ham have a better manager and should provide a better team to play against than both Wigan and Sheff Utd.

For the sake of the neutral I want West Ham and Wigan to stay up. Sheff Utd are just crap.

[Epic Failure]

If i were Wigan and Sheff Utd, i'd do all i can to prolong the first half so that the second half starts later and they know of the Man U result before the finish of their game, leaving the way for Wigan to be handed victory if need be. I really fucking hope West Ham go down.

i must confess, i'm not as sure that i want them to go down as i was 3 months ago. whatever the fuck they have done re: tevez, they've shown real fight in the last 10 games or so, which Wigan for one have seriously been lacking. Plus all the whining from the likes of Dave Whelan is pissing me off. And i really hate Dave Whelan

[Epic Failure]

Wigan - Sheff Utd kicked off 2 mins after United - W Ham......

only game without a goal is ours. how fricking typical.:rolleyes:

[Bexster]

Wigan - Sheff Utd kicked off 2 mins after United - W Ham......

only game without a goal is ours. how fricking typical.:rolleyes:
I know. Have either of them actually turned up?

Still, at this rate, we'll be 3rd :D

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Matty Pattison has broken Michael Owen's jaw ffs.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Shame Fowler had gone off before Liverpool got that penalty. Would have been a fitting ending for him to slot one in.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

We'll take him off your hands.

With Fat Sam at the helm I'd be surprised if we didn't try to get him.

[F'jo]

fuck, I wanted west ham to go down....

[EvilElvis]

In the 2nd hald West ham looked comfortable - Man U Just never looked like scoring.


Fair play to Whelan - he said straight after the game "West Ham are still a premiership side. Justice hasn't been done - Sheff Utd deserve it more than they do"

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

If Sheff Utd deserved it more then they would have finished higher.

The three weakest teams have gone down this year.

[Mrs Poon]

If Sheff Utd deserved it more then they would have finished higher.

The three weakest teams have gone down this year.

fuck off.
the only reason west ham have stayed up is cos tevez has been carrying them for the last 5 or so games of the season. and wigan have been piss poor all season.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

fuck off.
the only reason west ham have stayed up is cos tevez has been carrying them for the last 5 or so games of the season. and wigan have been piss poor all season.

And Sheff Utd have been an abortion with 22 legs most weeks.

[EvilElvis]

:( :( :(

Too keep us going (http://www.copaamerica.com/?lingua=en)

[Mrs Poon]

just seen McCabe's interview on SSN.
what he said was spot on.

[rob3000]

Bit of a boring game. But watch MOTD later...Kewell when he came on was quality, really changed the game.

Glad I got to see Fowler play one last time, the reception he got throughout the match was brilliant.

[EvilElvis]

Reading confirm that Sidwell has left the cub, but not stating where he's going...


Edit: Mouriniho claims "Chelsea don't have 16 fit players for FA Cup Final"

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

It's true. They have 20.

[Epic Failure]

Plus all the whining from the likes of Dave Whelan is pissing me off. And i really hate Dave Whelan


Fair play to Whelan - he said straight after the game "West Ham are still a premiership side. Justice hasn't been done - Sheff Utd deserve it more than they do"

like i said, i fucking hate Dave Whelan.

[EvilElvis]

Do you think this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NySN_plfiNI) would be a good idea to help eradicate diving from Football?

[Ian Mc]

just seen McCabe's interview on SSN.
what he said was spot on.

Who is McCabe? And why is he stealing my surname?

[Ian Mc]

West Ham deserved to stay up as they had more points...although I've just realised that Newcastle were only about 5 or 6 points from being relegated...wow!
Anyhoo, yeah I'd much prefer to have West Ham in the premiership than Sheffield United, they're more exciting and I like Curbishley, he's a good manager.

Southampton lost the first playoff leg to Derby...pants. I really, really want the Saints to go up this year!!!

Also I don't know if I agree with this Big Sam for Newcastle thing.

[Mrs Poon]

Who is McCabe? And why is he stealing my surname?
Kevin McCabe is our chairman.. to paraphrase "we've been relegated because we played by the premiership rules and west ham didn't"

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Big Sam has a determination to prove himself at a level higher than Bolton. If he can emulate what he did at Bolton then Newcastle will be back in Europe for a long time.

[Ian Mc]

Big Sam has a determination to prove himself at a level higher than Bolton. If he can emulate what he did at Bolton then Newcastle will be back in Europe for a long time.

Possibly...I wouldn't be getting your hopes too high yet. I'm sick of reading about the next manager being our messiah. Look at how Bolton played at the end of Allerdyce's reign though.
Bolton's football was just cringeworthingly boring sometimes (much like ours has been since Robson was sacked...that still hurts). Still, I wouldn't be too against it, he's done alright with Bolton.

[Captain Stu]

Where you hear that one?

BBC.

Shame Fowler had gone off before Liverpool got that penalty. Would have been a fitting ending for him to slot one in.

Absolutely gutting... but it makes sense for Prowler to have gone off just before the end to make sure that he got his own standing ovation. He deserves it.

fuck off.
the only reason west ham have stayed up is cos tevez has been carrying them for the last 5 or so games of the season. and wigan have been piss poor all season.

I have to agree, Tevez has scored 7 goals in his last 10 games and, what a surprise, this coincides with West Ham's brilliant run. It is NOT fair that West Ham have stayed up, they've gonned the whole league.

Bit of a boring game. But watch MOTD later...Kewell when he came on was quality, really changed the game.

Glad I got to see Fowler play one last time, the reception he got throughout the match was brilliant.

Did you go then lad? The strongest rumour about his future is Sunderland, that'd be a very good signing for Keane.

The Times also said that today was Sami's last game... :( I heard NOTHING of this.

*

It'll be interesting to see if Dave Whelan does persue legal action against West Ham - if he does, then he's going after the principle... but if he doesn't, then he comes off looking like a selfish money-grubbing prick and he'll be lambasted for ages.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

i can't fucking believe Man Utd.

who the fuck will i support to win the league next season now?

cunts

[Epic Failure]

It'll be interesting to see if Dave Whelan does persue legal action against West Ham - if he does, then he's going after the principle... but if he doesn't, then he comes off looking like a selfish money-grubbing prick and he'll be lambasted for ages.

i suspect the latter.

[Mrs Poon]

actually got a lot of respect for whelan after seeing his post match interview.

[Epic Failure]

actually got a lot of respect for whelan after seeing his post match interview.

he is, and always will be, a complete fucktard.

I'm getting seriously annoyed with all the moaning about West Ham (and i don't like them very much). They clearly did something wrong and, whether or not we agree with the scale of the punishment, they were punished. Sheff United were in control of their own destiny going into today, and didn't do their job. It's unlucky but ultimately they got themselves into that position.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

bollocks. West Ham cheated, knowingly, and got away with it. £5.5m fine is not a punishment. it's a loan that get's payed back in august to West Ham when they recieve their Television rights money

[Epic Failure]

bollocks. West Ham cheated, knowingly, and got away with it. £5.5m fine is not a punishment. it's a loan that get's payed back in august to West Ham when they recieve their Television rights money

i can name plenty of occasions when a team/player has cheated, and nothing has come of it. nothing. not even a paltry fine.

they did something wrong. they were punished. the fact that we don't like the punishment is kinda irrelevent. Unless the Premier League broke any of their own rules by not deducting points, then it's tough, but ultimately their decision.

[Mrs Poon]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2007/05/03/rough_justice_feature.shtml

some of it's a bit exaggerated but does make some good points

[EvilElvis]

Lolz @ the Hibs Goalie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n19izAwuVgA) (Watch the goal -about 3 mins in)

[Captain Stu]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2007/05/03/rough_justice_feature.shtml

some of it's a bit exaggerated but does make some good points

That's yet another damn fine article about this debacle and he's absolutely right, because they're a London club who are seen as one of the "proper" football clubs, they got special treatment.

[HeinzKizzvelvet]

west ham cheats ;)

[HeinzKizzvelvet]

ookie you and me support chelsea we will drink beers at the pub after the game ;)

[HeinzKizzvelvet]

lucas neil cheat tevez top striker ;)

[Renegades of funk 8]

I wonder how many clubs are going to get players in pre season on dodgy terms knowing that it will only be a small fine to pay when they're found out.

"Sanchez made his final substitution of the game on 76 minutes, introducing the youngest player ever to play in the Premiership, Matthew Briggs"

probably our highlight of the season :D thinking about it i went all the way to boro only for 55mins, spent most of the match at the bar under the stand - and the bastards turned the tvs off :(

[Captain Stu]

Oohh, that reminds me... now it's time for the classic post-season question thing. :)

(I just went and found the one I did for us last season, hooray for recycling!)

Team: Liverpool.

Final League Position: 3rd in the Premiership.

Rate The Season: I'd say a 7/10, excellent home form, dire away form and on the receiving end of some truly unfair results.

Top Player(s): Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Dirk Kuyt and (eventually) Peter Crouch. Honourable mention to Javier Mascherano for his part in the last half dozen games.

Worst Player(s): Craig Bellamy, Jermaine Pennant, Momo Sissoko and Gabriel Paletta.

Most Improved Player: Daniel Agger, has to be, definately been one of the in-form players of the entire season and this is his first full Premiership season too! Props to Fabio Aurelio too who was really starting to find his feet.

Best Signing: I would have to say a tie between Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano. As opposed as I was to the Masch signing, I think that this could well prove to be the signing that... along with a 20+ goals a season forward... might actually give us a shot at the league! Plus it was nice to nick him from under Ferguson's nose too. :D

Worst Signing: It's a tie again for this between Bellamy and Pennant... Bellamy was supposed to give us the pace up front to work off the target man (Crouch) and the deep forward (Kuyt) but all he proved is what a lousy accuracy he has in front of goal. As for Pennant, no matter how good a crosser of the ball he is (and he is) nothing can make up for how fucking lazy he is and what a lightweight he is on the ball. The only real times he's shown glimpses of what he can do are, ironically, both games against Chelsea at Anfield: once in the league where he scored that amazing volley from outside the box and the Champions League semi-final where he showed Ashley Cole up for the mug that he is.

Best Victory: In the league, it'd have to be the 4-1 demolition of Arsenal where Crouchy scored a true hat-trick but overall it's a tough choice between that, the 3-0 away win at PSV and beating Barcelona 2-1 at the Nou Camp. I think I'll go for the Barca game.

Worst Performance: Worst PERFORMANCE could be the derby game at Goodison where we got schooled but worst RESULT would be getting beat 1-0 at Anfield by Man United after out-gunning and out-classing them for 89 minutes only to be sucker-punched by that irish cunt, O'Shea.

Biggest Season Plus: A truly rock-solid defense of Finnan, Carragher, Agger and Riise... plus we have a lot of positive signs for next season. Also, it'd be foolish to not mention being in the European Cup final for the 2nd time in 3 years!!

Biggest Disappointment: That from the word go, we weren't really challening for the league because of our away form.

Future Plans? Well, we need a proven, European-grade goalscorer... I'm hoping for David Villa or Samuel Eto'o on that front... as well as two solid wingers. Hopefully Rafa will rekindle his interest in Daniel Alves and maybe even Simao as we've sorely lacked in the wide areas at times and the impending signing of Lucas, the Brazil U20 captain, seems promising as he provides complete central midfield cover whereas we don't really have cover for Gerrard at the moment... well, nobody competent anyway.

[HeinzKizzvelvet]

chelsea was the best team this year

[Renegades of funk 8]

Team: Fulham

Final League Position: fucking 16th in the Premiership.

Rate The Season: 4/10 - fucking 1 away win all season

Top Player(s): hmmm, mcbride and bullard

Worst Player(s): nearly everyone

Most Improved Player: -

Best Signing: Bullard

Worst Signing: queudrue hasn'y exactly been as good as thought he might be

Best Victory: out of our 8 in the league, 2-1 vs arsenal at home

Worst Performance: so many of those but probably colemans last game at home to man city when we lost 3-1

Biggest Season Plus: none

Biggest Disappointment: having to be in bit of a relegation battle when really with our squad we should be in the mix for mid table or higher

Future Plans? hopefully sanchez will get rid of half the squad - mostly deadweights and oldies and then next season will be nice and fresh for us, new season, new manager and a newish team

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Team: Newcastle

Final League Position: I don't actually know. Hold on. 13th

Rate The Season: 3/10

Top Player(s): James Milner, Shay Given, Nicky Butt

Worst Player(s): Kieron Dyer, Titus Bramble, Stephen Carr, Celestine Babayaro, Damien Duff

Most Improved Player: Nicky Butt

Best Signing: Antoine Sibierski - how depressing is that?

Worst Signing: Damien Duff - not only has he been shite, but he's also put a massive stop in N'Zogbia's development.

Best Victory: AZ Alkmaar (UEFA) 4 - 2

Worst Performance: Birmingham (FA Cup) 1 - 5

Biggest Season Plus: Both Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi should be fit for next season. Titus Bramble is likely to be released. Kieron Dyer might get sold.

Biggest Disappointment: Appointing Roeder full time. Such a dunce of an appointment.

Future Plans? Allardyce likely to join which means we'll actually be reasonably good. He has a great record for coaxing ability out of players who were labelled past it. If all goes well we'll be back in Europe on a regular basis.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Team: Millwall

Final League Position: 10th in League One

Rate The Season: Hard to Judge, under Spackman it was 0/10 but donachie changed things completely.... i'd say 7/10

Top Player(s): Darren Byfield, Richard Shaw, Neil Harris

Worst Player(s): Filipe Morais, Marvin Elliott, Zak Shitbread

Most Improved Player: Neil Harris, even though he's still a fat slow bastard, he can still drop back or wide, and leave a player on his arse with a simple foot movement.

Best Signing: Same as best players... Shaw is 38 years old and 5' 9" and is still one of the best centre backs i've ever seen at Millwall. Byfield scored 16 in about 25 games, if only he was fit for more games

Worst Signing: Morais, a poncy winger signed from chelsea, absolutely no bottle, what a cunt. Derek McInnes, another scottish central midfield hardman a la Dave Sinclair. shame he's about as hard as a plate of Jelly, and also a pile of shit.

Best Victory: New years day 4-1 win over Gillingham, or how about the 4-0 over Rotherham with Harris' record breaking goal :)

Worst Performance: second game of the season lost 5-1 to chesterfield, a team that got relegated.

Biggest Season Plus: Willie Donachie - takes no shit, plays the best players for the jobs he wants them to play, and plays 4-4-2!!! we were the best side form wise since christmas, if the league was 2 games longer we'd have made the play-offs.

Oh and Neil Harris breaking Teddy Sheringhams league goals record. only 11 more for the lot, son.

Biggest Disappointment: Spazman, disgraceful excuse for a manager.

Future Plans? avoided administration with a consortium loan, 'wealthy' americans who definitely have a footballing interest can only be good, even if it's just underwriting the debts. need to keep byfield as a natural goalscorer is difficult to replace. we need to get rid of Spackmans dead wood, and get in 4 or 5 more squad players and promotion should be ours next season

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

These are the only ones I could find:

1st: Chelsea
2nd: Liverpool
3rd: Arsenal
4th: Portsmouth
5th: Man Utd
6th: Newcastle
7th: Spurs
8th: Everton
9th: Blackburn
10th: Bolton
11th: Aston Villa
12th: Sheff Utd
13th: Charlton
14th: Man City
15th: West Ham
16th: Wigan
17th: Middlesbrough
18th: Reading
19th: Fulham
20th: Watford



01st: Chelsea
02nd: Liverpool
03rd: Arsenal
04th: Man Utd
05th: Blackburn
06th: Spurs
07th: Portsmouth
08th: Newcastle
09th: Man City
10th: Everton
11th: Bolton
12th: Wigan
13th: West Ham
14th: Sheff Utd
15th: Charlton
16th: Middlesbrough
17th: Fulham
18th: Aston Villa
19th: Reading
20th: Watford


1st: Chelsea
2nd: Man Utd
3rd: Liverpool
4th: Arsenal
5th: Newcastle
6th: Bolton
7th: Blackburn
8th: Spurs
9th: Everton
10th: Man City
11th: West Ham
12th: Portsmouth
13th: Aston Villa
14th: Middlesborough
15th: Reading
16th: Charlton
17th: Wigan
18th: Fulham
19th: Watford
20th: Sheff Utd


1st: Chelsea
2nd: Arsenal
3rd: Liverpool
4th: Man Utd
5th: Spurs
6th: Bolton
7th: Blackburn
8th: Everton
9th: Newcastle
10th: Man City
11th: Wigan
12th: Portsmouth
13th: Fulham
14th: Middlesborough
15th: West Ham
16th: Charlton
17th: Reading
18th: Aston Villa
19th: Watford
20th: Sheff Utd

1 - Chelsea
2 - Arsenal
3 - Liverpool
4 - Spurs
5 - Man U
6 - Bolton
7 - Fulham
8 - Newcastle
9 - West Ham
10 - Wigan
11 - Aston Villa
12 - Man City
13 - Reading
14 - Everton
15 - Boro
16 - Charlton
17 - Blackburn
18 - Portsmouth
19 - Sheff Utd
20 - Watford

1st: Chelsea
2nd: Liverpool
3rd: Arsenal
4th: Man Utd
5th: Bolton
6th: Spurs
7th: Man City
8th: Newcastle
9th: Everton
10th: Blackburn
11th: West Ham
12th: Middlesborough
13th: Wigan
14th: Reading
15th: Fulham
16th: Portsmouth
17th: Sheff Utd
18th: Charlton
19th: Aston Villa
20th: Watford

SCORES

Zippy: 20%
Stu: 5%
Ookie: 15%
Bud: 15%
Bexster: 15%
Dylan: 15%

I'm so great

[Two-Bob Peeters]

i've got them all on my prediction spreadsheet. i'll post them all later

[Bexster]

Team: Arsenal

Final League Position: 4th in the Premiership.

Rate The Season: Err... Shite. No really. Yeah, we finished 4th, and we're in the CL next season (and by a fair points margin in the end) but apart from beating ManYoo twice this year (Yaay!!) there's been nothing much all that exciting about being a Gooner this year. But - there's been some good things, most notably promising young players in the midfield.

Top Player(s): Fabrigas, Gilberto, Denilson, Clichy.

Worst Player(s): Lehmann, Lehmann, Lehmann, and Lehmann. Oh, and Toure's had a bit of a mare too. And Baptista.

Most Improved Player: Either Fabrigas or Clichy. Fabrigas has (handbags aside) proved himself to be a fantastically mature player this year, as opposed to a fantastic player last year. And Clichy's had a quiet, but solid season, simply because of all the Cashley rubbish at the beginning of the year, and Clichy's quietly proven himself to be better.

Best Signing: Did we sign anyone this year? Probably, Rosicky and Denilson. Both are just gonna get better with us.

Worst Signing: Baptista. He's been almost completely ineffective, capped off by missing a clear, unmarked header yesterday. Beast my arse...

Best Victory: Carling Cup game against Spurs gets a mention, because I watched a group of Arsenal players, who supposedly weren't the best players at the club, get their heads down and play such encouraging football to beat Spurs when they were supposedly already beaten. But probly killing Liverpool in the Carling Cup, just after thrashing them in the FA Cup was my favourite part of the year. It was our highest point, and the best we've been since the CL final last year :D

Worst Performance: Against PSV. We had the beating of them, and we bottled it. Couldn't have hit the side of Wembley standing next to it that night, and it's cost us so dearly.

Biggest Season Plus: We've got some great kids coming though the team, Fabrigas is an amazing player and only 19 :eek: Also Denilson, Diaby and Hoyte. But getting the last CL place has to be the only real, quantative plus of the year.

Biggest Disappointment: The whole season pretty much. We're better than we've shown, so I don't understand why we haven't gotten anywhere.

Future Plans? If I were manager, my future plan would be to get a couple of experienced players in to help guide the team through, and stop signing players nobody's ever heard of. I'd also like to buy Saviola, I thought that was a nice rumour, and I'd start a fine box for every time Thierry stropped, so we could afford to buy him. As much as I'd like us to win the league next year, I don't think we will, unless something radical happens. So we've got to aim for CL qualification again, either by winning it, or coming third. We have to have silverware next year, so the FA cup would be nice.

[Mrs Poon]

Team: Sheffield United

Final League Position: 18th

Rate The Season: 5/10 though i thought we made a pretty good show of ourselves in our first season in top flight since 94 considering our shoestring budget and relatively young team

Top Player(s): big phil jagielka, paddy kenny (especially towards end of season), rob hulse, derek geary

Worst Player(s): claude davis, he can clear his lines ye but i wish he'd hoof it up the field instead of straight into row Z

Most Improved Player: stephen quinn - this boys gonna be mint in a few years

Best Signing: i've not really rated any of our signings apart from hulse, reckon we'd still be up if he didnt pick up the injury. and as much as i hate him, jonathan stead did actually score some winning goals

Worst Signing: david sommeil

Best Victory: 1-0 over arsenal with jagielka in net for the best part of the second half. without a doubt

Worst Performance: either of our truly championship style performances against watford.

Biggest Season Plus: for me personally, getting to see premiership football back at bramall lane.

Biggest Disappointment: don't really need to answer that one.:(

Future Plans? absolutely dick all over wednesday next season. hopefully keep hold of jagielka, tonge and even warnock (probably wouldve given him another season in the premiership if we stayed up, but i reckon he's a great championship manager). oh yeah and get automatic promotion next year.
__________________

[rob3000]

Did you go then lad? The strongest rumour about his future is Sunderland, that'd be a very good signing for Keane.


Yeah. Was fun enough, though there was a better atmosphere AFTER the game when all the players did their lap of honour or whatever you want to call it.

Sunderland hey...interesting. And I hope it's not Sami's last game, especially since he didn't even play. He deserves a proper farewell.

[Captain Stu]

Mmyeah, plus Sami still has something to offer the team.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Sami will be at Newcastle next season.

[rob3000]

Mmyeah, plus Sami still has something to offer the team.

Definitely. When he's played this season can anyone fault his performances? He's stilla threat going forward and he organises the defence so well.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Paul Jewell has resiged.

Will probably be at Man City or Bolton (unless Sammy Lee has been given the job full-time) next season.

[Captain Stu]

You can understand him resigning, for all the money that Wigan could potentially have - they don't have the reputation to attract the players. He's a very, very good up-and-coming manager and he needs to be able to work with better players.

[LukeA]

anyone know where he's probably heading?

[Captain Stu]

anyone know where he's probably heading?

The rumours point to Man City but I couldn't see Jewell doing a better job than Pearce has really.

Now, Jewell at Bolton would be interesting...

[boxshapedheart]

He's a very, very good up-and-coming manager and he needs to be able to work with better players.
Yup. Jewell's brilliant. And absolutely classic seeing him him winding up for a punch in the last min yesterday.

[Captain Stu]

Yup. Jewell's brilliant. And absolutely classic seeing him him winding up for a punch in the last min yesterday.

lolz, I saw that on the highlights of SSN. That official must've been crapping himself! :D

[boxshapedheart]

lolz, I saw that on the highlights of SSN. That official must've been crapping himself! :D
hah, yeah.
Someone did hold his arm back didn't they? I'm sure he had his fist clenched and took his arm back for a swing then someone held it. But I haven't seen repeats of it.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

This season really has been godd - it's been years since we've had the potential of a managerial merry-go-round.

Coleman to Wigan
Jewell to Man C
Allardyce to Newcastle
Roeder and Pearce to Bolton

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Cookie has just been seen at Wigan.

[Bexster]

Reckon Jewell would be quite good at Bolton. He'd be a better prospect than Roeder or Big Stuie.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

wow, i'm really suprised that Jewell resigned...

perhaps it's the whole 'taken them as far as he could' thing. well done to him anyways, hope he gets a decent job

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Wigan are holding a press conference at 3pm.

It may be a case of announcing Jewell's resignation and his successor.

[LukeA]

Wigan are holding a press conference at 3pm.

It may be a case of announcing Jewell's resignation and his successor.

i think il watch that

[LukeA]

has anyone else heard rumours of Arsne Wenger resigning? i hope their just rumours...

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Wenger to Newcastle please.

[Captain Stu]

hah, yeah.
Someone did hold his arm back didn't they? I'm sure he had his fist clenched and took his arm back for a swing then someone held it. But I haven't seen repeats of it.

Yup, at least one guy... maybe two... had to hold him back otherwise that guys face was gonna be mashed into the pitch.

wow, i'm really suprised that Jewell resigned...

perhaps it's the whole 'taken them as far as he could' thing. well done to him anyways, hope he gets a decent job

It makes sense - he has money, but no lure and without the big players they're just going to struggle season-in, season-out.

has anyone else heard rumours of Arsne Wenger resigning? i hope their just rumours...

Not gonna happen, he might let his contact go next year but he won't retire.

[Bexster]

has anyone else heard rumours of Arsne Wenger resigning? i hope their just rumours...
No.

Wenger to Newcastle please.
No.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

People dig out your old Subbuteo sets and check on your teams. They're going for up to £100 at the moment.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

No.

Yes.

[Bexster]

Yes.
:(

[Captain Stu]

I had the 80's Liverpool team, officially the greatest Subbuteo team of all-time because it had the first Subbute-coon in John Barnes!

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Dammit Stu, i'd made a much better one!!! :mad: :D

Team: Leeds

Final League Position: last in Championship

Rate The Season: 1/10. The worst season, on and off the field, in Leeds United's history.

Top Player(s): I'm going to have to say David Healy. He may not have produced his international form for us but his effort was high above everyone else.

Worst Player(s): Everyone else except Matthew Kilgallon and Gary Kelly

Most Improved Player: Not a single player improved over last season. Not one.

Best Signing: Signing that defender from Bolton on loan who was pretty good in the fightback before Big Sam recalled him 24 hours before the most important game in the clubs history.

Worst Signing: Tore Andre Flo. 2 games, 1 goal, warm bench.

Best Victory:Beating Colchester 3-0.

Worst Performance: Losing 5-1 to fucking Luton. And the plethora of 1-0 defeats.

Biggest Season Plus: No more debt, ridding the dressing room of the bad atmosphere.

Biggest Disappointment: Being relegated. Losing 10 games 1-0.

Future Plans? Complete restructuring of the club and company at all levels.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Jewel's released a statement basically saying he needs a break from football as he's knackered. Thanking the club, fans, Whelan and everything.

"I have made this decision with a heavy heart, but I feel it is time for me to have a break from football.

"I have given everything I have as a person to bringing success here over the past six years and it is not an easy thing to walk away from somewhere and something which has been such a part of your life for so long.

"The intensity of football at the highest level, although completely addictive, is also very draining, and I feel I would be kidding the chairman, my players and the supporters if I was to carry on without being able to put in the energy and dedication I know is required to be successful at this level.

"I would like to thank Dave Whelan for all his help and support over the years, I could not have asked to work with a better with a better Chairman. Our relationship has been a key factor in the success we've shared. He has never once put me under pressure, has always backed me to the hilt and I feel he is now as much a friend as he was a boss.

"I would also like to thank all the players who have been at the club under my tenure, who have given their all on the field and have been rewarded with the success their efforts have deserved."

"I'd like to think Wigan Athletic supporters who have loyally turned up to cheer on the team week in week out, and to all the staff at the club for the way they have believed in me and supported me.

"Finally, I reserve a big thank you to my assistant Chris Hutchings who has been as loyal and hard working a colleague as anyone could wish for.

"Wigan Athletic is a fantastic club that I am convinced can go on to establish themselves in the Barclays Premiership for years to come, and my decision does not change anything of that because all the foundations are in place."

Paul Jewell is the longest serving and most successful manager in Wigan Athletic's history as a league club, having been in charge for a record 260 league matches, and 291 matches in all competitions.

He joined in June of 2001, and in his six years at the helm, led the club to the Division Two Championship in 2003, followed by a 7th place finish in the club's first ever season at Division One level, only missing out on a Play-off spot in the last three minutes of the last day of the season.

Promotion to the Barclays Premiership was achieved in May 2005, followed by a 10th place finish in the club's historic first season in the top flight, where he also led the team to the Carling Cup Final, the first time the club appeared in a major cup final.

His achievement was capped yesterday with a fabulous last day victory to keep the club in the Premiership for a third consecutive season.

Wigan Athletic Chairman Dave Whelan said: "It was with great reluctance that I accepted Paul's resignation.

"It was his decision to leave. I believe Paul was the right man to carry this club forward, but he has decided that he has taken the club as far as he can and leave it for someone else to take over.

"I have to respect his decision because what Paul has done for this club is extraordinary. He has transformed it from top to bottom and given us the most successful era in our history. I for one will always be grateful for the job he has done here, will always hold him in the utmost regard and I wish him all the best in the future.

"His honesty has always been a defining aspect of his management, and this decision is exactly that. If he honestly thinks he has done all he can for us, then I accept his word."

Brenda Spencer, Chief Executive, added this tribute: "Everyone is sad to see Paul go, because to all intents and purposes, this was his club. To say he leaves it in a better state than when he arrived doesn't begin to tell the full story of his achievement.

"What Paul has helped create is a legacy for the future, and we now look forward to welcoming in the next man, and to help him pick up the baton and lead Wigan Athletic into the generation.

"We have seen a quite incredible increase in our supporter base in the last five years, with a new generation of supporters created directly as a result of the success on the field. There is a higher percentage of junior season ticket holders at this club than at any other in the country; that tells you all you need to know about building for the future.

"Because of the success brought by Paul, the name of Wigan Athletic is now known all over the world, and the success of the past years has provided a massive boost to the local economy. Paul Jewell has really put Wigan on the map.

"The quality of players this club can now attract has been transformed, and the professionalism displayed throughout the club has changed beyond recognition. The training ground has been revolutionised and the youth set up is in its healthiest state ever.

"Along, I'm sure, with every other Wigan Athletic supporter, I would like to thank him for all his work, and wish him all the best for the future."

[sunnydalehighdropout]

People dig out your old Subbuteo sets and check on your teams. They're going for up to £100 at the moment.

Fuck, i had the 1991 FA cup winning Spurs team but i got rid of the box and all the valuable shit.

I think i have Germany's full Italia 90 team though...

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Some Arsenal stats I unearthed while tryig to explain some FM-stuff to an idiot:

Arsenal v Aston Villa 1-1 - Arsenal had 18 shots on goal
Man City v Arsenal 1-0 -Arsenal had 15 shots on goal
Arsenal v Middlesbrough 1-1 - Arsenal had 23 shots on goal, Middlesbrough had 1
Asrenal v Everton 1-1 - Arsenal had 25 shots on goal, Everton had 2
Arsenal v CSKA Moscow 0-0 - Arsenal had 23 shots on goal
Arsenal v Newcastle 1-1 - Arsenal had 23 shots on goal, Newcastle had 2
Bolton v Arsenal 3-1 - Arsenal had 14 shots on goal, Bolton had 10
Arsenal v Bolton 1-1 - Arsenal had 18 shots on goal
Middlesbrough v Arsenal 1-1 - Arsenal had 11 shots on goal
Arsenal v Blackburn 0-0 - Arsenal had 16 shots on goal
PSV v Arsenal 1-0 - Arsenal had 13 shots on goal
Everton v Arsenal 1-0 - Arsenal had 22 shots on goal
Liverpool v Arsenal 4-1 - Arsenal had 11 shots on goal, Liverpool had 12
Arsenal v West Ham 0-1 - Arsenal had 29 shots on goal, West Ham had 6
Spurs v Arsenal 2-2 - Arsenal had 17 shots on goal, Spurs had 7
Portsmouth v Arsenal 0-0 - Arsenal had 13 shots on goal

That's a quite seriously bad record there.

[Captain Stu]

Arsenal v Middlesbrough 1-1 - Arsenal had 23 shots on goal, Middlesbrough had 1
Asrenal v Everton 1-1 - Arsenal had 25 shots on goal, Everton had 2
Arsenal v Newcastle 1-1 - Arsenal had 23 shots on goal, Newcastle had 2

Those have, statistically, got to be some of the worst results ever... especially the Boro game!

[Bexster]

Some Arsenal stats I unearthed while tryig to explain some FM-stuff to an idiot:

Arsenal v Aston Villa 1-1 - Arsenal had 18 shots on goal
Man City v Arsenal 1-0 -Arsenal had 15 shots on goal
Arsenal v Middlesbrough 1-1 - Arsenal had 23 shots on goal, Middlesbrough had 1
Asrenal v Everton 1-1 - Arsenal had 25 shots on goal, Everton had 2
Arsenal v CSKA Moscow 0-0 - Arsenal had 23 shots on goal
Arsenal v Newcastle 1-1 - Arsenal had 23 shots on goal, Newcastle had 2
Bolton v Arsenal 3-1 - Arsenal had 14 shots on goal, Bolton had 10
Arsenal v Bolton 1-1 - Arsenal had 18 shots on goal
Middlesbrough v Arsenal 1-1 - Arsenal had 11 shots on goal
Arsenal v Blackburn 0-0 - Arsenal had 16 shots on goal
PSV v Arsenal 1-0 - Arsenal had 13 shots on goal
Everton v Arsenal 1-0 - Arsenal had 22 shots on goal
Liverpool v Arsenal 4-1 - Arsenal had 11 shots on goal, Liverpool had 12
Arsenal v West Ham 0-1 - Arsenal had 29 shots on goal, West Ham had 6
Spurs v Arsenal 2-2 - Arsenal had 17 shots on goal, Spurs had 7
Portsmouth v Arsenal 0-0 - Arsenal had 13 shots on goal

That's a quite seriously bad record there.
See. That sums up our season entirely. I'm sure I could get more on target than they have all season, and I sky them all the time.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

And the reasons behind it are painfully obvious to everyone, yet Arsene still doesn';t seem to notice.

Maybe if all those results came in a row then Wenger would notice it and do something, but because they're spread around the season, intersperced with good results, Wenger seems to ignore it.

[Captain Stu]

I still think that Arsenal with Van Persie but without Henry is looking better. With Henry, it's all one-way football... get it to Theirry out wide left and he'll do the rest on his own.

[Bexster]

And the reasons behind it are painfully obvious to everyone, yet Arsene still doesn';t seem to notice.

Maybe if all those results came in a row then Wenger would notice it and do something, but because they're spread around the season, intersperced with good results, Wenger seems to ignore it.
That's what annoys me. Everyone in the country can see that Arsenal have this problem, except Arsenal. Why can't they just stop the pretty stuff and just play?

Lately though, he seems to be acknowledging that our shooting has been complete rubbish, so maybe something'll change next season.

I still think that Arsenal with Van Persie but without Henry is looking better. With Henry, it's all one-way football... get it to Theirry out wide left and he'll do the rest on his own.
We'd have had third if Van Persie didn't go out injured. He was starting to knock the ball in from everywhere, and we really missed him.

[Captain Stu]

Chris Hutchings, Paul Jewell's assistant and previous Bradford manager, has taken over at Wigan.

:confused:

[Bexster]

Chris Hutchings, Paul Jewell's assistant and previous Bradford manager, has taken over at Wigan.

:confused:
Interesting. Maybe because he knows the club and they don't want to rock the boat? :confused:

[Captain Stu]

Could be, could be... but I think that's such a shit appointment for a club who just narrowly avoided relegation. They need major, major re-building in that team and a whole new attitude to games.

They have a good keeper in Kirkland, a good backup in John Filan, and good outfield players in, well, Leighton Baines. They've got too many players who are getting old, are inconsistent or just seem to be playing above their station right now - De Zeeuw, Scharner, Kilbane, Heskey and Camara. Problem is, as Jewell has said, they have no pulling power to buy any better.

And I think Baines might be off soon anyway...

[Hmmm Noodle Soup]

Team: Spurs

Final League Position: 5th in Prem

Rate The Season: 8/10 - To have good cup runs in all the comps we played in was a refreshing change as was finishing 5th two years running.

Top Player(s): Dimitar Berbatov - absolutely phenomonal. Special mentions go to Keano, Zokora and Chimbonda.

Worst Player(s): Hossam Ghaly - that guy is god awful!

Most Improved Player: Michael Dawson - always improving, can only get better.

Best Signing: Berba - hands down. Prob signing of the season.

Worst Signing: Hossam Ghaly, Ricardo Rocha - he doesn't look all that.

Best Victory:Beating Chelsea at last, 2-1

Worst Performance: Losing 2-0 at home to Everton with 10 men earlier in the season.

Biggest Season Plus: Showing consistency and qualifying for Europe two years running. First time we've done that in 20 years!

Biggest Disappointment: Aaron Lennon - started off the season well but had a poor 2nd half top the season.

Future Plans? Going to the next level of trying to establish ourselves as a top 4 club. Not gonna be easy but keeping hold of Berbatov and signing some top players would be a start.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

I still think that Arsenal with Van Persie but without Henry is looking better. With Henry, it's all one-way football... get it to Theirry out wide left and he'll do the rest on his own.

Even with van Persie and Henry they still get results like that.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Hopefully Baines and Taylor with move to Newcastle. I'd love them at the club.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Pearce has just been fired.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

And Abel Xavier has signed for LA Galaxy with Beckham :D

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

If anyone has Sky Sports put it on now. An announcment made to do with Arsenal I believe.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

Pearce has just been fired.

Go to Leeds. Please.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

I'd like Pearce at Newcastle as assistant manager.

[Captain Stu]

Pearce has just been fired.

That's fucking pathetic. He's paid the price for perma-underachieving wankers like Corradi and Samaras.

Narrow minded fuckwits, he was definately the man to take City onwards and upwards.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

That's fucking pathetic. He's paid the price for perma-underachieving wankers like Corradi and Samaras.

Narrow minded fuckwits, he was definately the man to take City onwards and upwards.

10 home goals all season - no team in the top flight has ever scored less.

[Bexster]

Even with van Persie and Henry they still get results like that.
It would have gotten better if Van P had stayed in the team

Pearce has just been fired.
Oooo. Bit surprised actually.

And Abel Xavier has signed for LA Galaxy with Beckham :D
Battle of the haircuts :D

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Newcastle United have a press announcment set for 1pm tomorrow.

[Captain Stu]

What pisses me off about this Pearce axing is that it's not as if the whole team is shit! They have a couple of good keepers, a tight defense, a solid defensive midfield... they just need a pair of decent strikers and an attacking midfielder.

Fuckers, this is all part of the investment.

[Bexster]

What pisses me off about this Pearce axing is that it's not as if the whole team is shit! They have a couple of good keepers, a tight defense, a solid defensive midfield... they just need a pair of decent strikers and an attacking midfielder.

Fuckers, this is all part of the investment.
They weren't doing badly. I'd understand if they'd been staring relegation in the face, but they weren't.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Only four points away from relegation.

[Captain Stu]

They weren't doing badly. I'd understand if they'd been staring relegation in the face, but they weren't.

Exactly! They had a down season, sure... that's obvious... but it's not the same as the other managerial changes like Coleman, for example.

I wonder how long until someone's named as a replacement? It's good for City if Jewell takes over... but then he's proving himself to be a liar if he's said he needs time out of football.

[Bexster]

Only four points away from relegation.
Fair enough. But they never seemed like they were ever in any real danger.

[stu250]

Jewel's released a statement basically saying he needs a break from football as he's knackered. Thanking the club, fans, Whelan and everything.

"I have made this decision with a heavy heart, but I feel it is time for me to have a break from football.

"The intensity of football at the highest level, although completely addictive, is also very draining, and I feel I would be kidding the chairman, my players and the supporters if I was to carry on without being able to put in the energy and dedication I know is required to be successful at this level.



and i, for one, cant wait for paul jewells next press statement.

"when a club the size of man city come in for you, its too good an offer to pass up"

anyone fancy a bet on how long this one takes...?

stu.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Fair enough. But they never seemed like they were ever in any real danger.

They never seemed like it, but they were.

[Captain Stu]

and i, for one, cant wait for paul jewells next press statement.

"when a club the size of man city come in for you, its too good an offer to pass up"

anyone fancy a bet on how long this one takes...?

stu.

You'll get no odds on that, it's too obvious and clichéd. :D

[Two-Bob Peeters]

it's frustrating because there's not a single person out there who wants to see Pearce fail as a manager, unfortunately he just didn't do well enough at city. he spent a lot of money on Samaras, who's just been proven to be a lazy dick, even though he does show touches of class. hopefully pearce doesn't take a high profile job next, so he can work his way to proving how good he can be. that's just how it goes for managers with no experience taking such a big job for his first

[Captain Stu]

I'm fucking gutted... actually gutted... for the guy. He's one of a dying breed of managers that calls a spade a spade. If City get dicked, he comes out and says they got dicked. Nobody elses fault, he doesn't bemoan controversial decisions and he did a good job with what he had at his disposal.

He's ultimately been let down by, I would say, Samaras, Corradi and Barton: how many more fucking chances did Joey need to keep wasting? A less forgiving manager would've sold him at christmas... hell, maybe that's a downside to Pearce, he's a tad too forgiving.

[sunnydalehighdropout]

I'm fucking gutted... actually gutted... for the guy. He's one of a dying breed of managers that calls a spade a spade. If City get dicked, he comes out and says they got dicked. Nobody elses fault, he doesn't bemoan controversial decisions and he did a good job with what he had at his disposal.

He's ultimately been let down by, I would say, Samaras, Corradi and Barton: how many more fucking chances did Joey need to keep wasting? A less forgiving manager would've sold him at christmas... hell, maybe that's a downside to Pearce, he's a tad too forgiving.

I remember him saying after Micah Richards threw a fit when he got subbed, that 'im gonna keep him here and show him how to become a man'. You don't get anyone else giving it that.

[**dylan**]

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester City (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/mancity/index.html) have sacked Stuart Pearce as manager with immediate effect, the club said on Monday.
"The Board of Directors would like to thank Stuart for his hard work and service during his six years here at Manchester City (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/mancity/index.html) and wish him well for the future," chief executive Alistair Mackintosh said in a statement on the club's Web site www.mcfc.co.uk.


says on the website he left not that he was sacked, but he probably didnt leave really.


Speaking yesterday following the Tottenham game he said: "From my position, I never worry about losing my job, my reaction would be exactly this – I’d thank the supporters and everyone connected with the Club.

"It’s a fantastic Club and you people [local press] know that better than me, you’ve been around the Club a lot longer than I have, but I’ll go and work somewhere else and prove myself elsewhere.

"I’ve got a feeling that I’ve got something good to offer management."

He rounded off yesterday's post-match interview by adding: "If they say to me, ‘Someone else is better than you Mr Pearce,’ I’d shake their hand and wish them all the best – I’d mean that as well. I hope Manchester City are successful."

[Captain Stu]

So, what happened with Arsenal then?

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

So, what happened with Arsenal then?

Nothing, it turned out to be a re-run of a match :rolleyes:

[Bexster]

Nothing, it turned out to be a re-run of a match :rolleyes:
Which one?

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Haven't got a clue, don't have sky sports here.

[EvilElvis]

Team: Aston Villa

Final League Position: 11th in the Premiership.

Rate The Season: I'd say a 7/10, compared to the season before it's been a vast improvement with the same basic squad

Top Player(s): Gareth Barry & Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Worst Player(s): Given the season we had 05/06 with virtually the same squad, there hasn't been that many bad players..

Most Improved Player: Agbonlahor - Fringe player last season, player of the season for us this year

Best Signing: Need time for Carew, Maloney and Young to show their worth - Petrov was only other signing and he hasn't set the Premiership alight

Worst Signing: I thought 9.5m for Young was a bit much - I hadn't seen him play - But Petrov has struggled from what I have seen of him.

Best Victory: We had been struggling, but managed a good 2-1 victory at Blackburn

Worst Performance: 2-1 loss to Charlton - We were 1-0 up and threw it away

Biggest Season Plus: The fact we have become more difficult to beat. We've drawn games we would have normally lost

Biggest Disappointment: The fact we just kept drawing

Future Plans? Well, we now have a summer with a manager in who knows what players he wants and money to get them. We should be aiming higher for next season.

[EvilElvis]

See ya Dado & Stefan (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/EvilElvis/pphoto195ang4.jpg)


Scumderland made a bid for Klos, but he said no! :)

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Thought you meant Klose there :D

[**dylan**]

apparently this is going to be the new chelsea away kit:

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/5759/chelseamoclvd9.png

:cool:

[Two-Bob Peeters]

are you sure that's not just the new stewards uniform?

[JackTom 2.0]

Well if you're all doing it....


Team: Swansea City Football Club

Final League Position: 8th in League 1

Rate The Season: 5/10...I never really expected us to go up, and I always wanted Jackett out and that's happened, and I think Martinez is a much better manager so I can't complain too much

Top Player(s): Without a shadow of a doubt Leon Britton

Worst Player(s): Given the season we had 05/06 with virtually the same squad, there hasn't been that many bad players..

Most Improved Player: No one's really come on leaps and bounds...lots of personnel changes

Best Signing: Getting Daryl Duffy on loan almost snuck us into the playoffs but if I can count Martinez as new manager it will be him...

Worst Signing: Pawel 'donkey' Abbot

Best Victory: Probaly a combination of the run of form we enjoyed when Martinez took over

Worst Performance: 2-1 loss to Doncaster, threw a comfortable home victory away

Biggest Season Plus: New manager...am I beginning to sound like a broken record?

Biggest Disappointment: Missing out on the playoffs just

Future Plans? Gotta be looking at promotion next season

[timesfooall]

Finally got chance to post about yesterday, ive been at ot in other season swhere we have won the prem but this seasons was special, the atmosphere was great, yeah winning the match would have been a bonus but that was never gonna spoil the party. Honourable mention to Fergie singing 'Gary Nev is a red he hates scousers' i couldnt believe it.

Bring on sat, last game of season lets kick chelskis arse!!!

[friartuck]

Team: Manchester United

Final League Position: 1st

Rate The Season: 9/10

Top Player(s): Christiano Ronaldo, Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs

Worst Player(s): Kieron Richardson, Christiano Ronaldo in Europe

Most Improved Player: Michael Carrick, Wes Brown

Best Signing: John Obi Mikel (joke). Henrik Larsson was a stroke of genius by Fergie but I'd have to go with Michael Carrick. He's been excellent for most of the season.

Worst Signing: Can't think of anyone.

Best Victory: In the league probably the match that effectively got us the title: 4-2 win against Everton. The sweetest victory was beating Liverpool 0-1 at Anfield and the best overall performance was the 7-1 victory against Roma. I've never seen a team urinated on quite like that in the UCL.

Worst Performance: Against West Ham at Upton Park. Woeful.

Biggest Season Plus: Winning the title obviously!

Biggest Disappointment: Getting absolutely outclassed in the San Siro.

Future Plans? I'm looking forward to finding out who Fergie's big Summer transfer targets are. I'm hoping he doesn't go for Torres or Reo Coker as for me they aren't good enough to wear the shirt. Hopefully Hargreaves will come in and do well but the biggest job the manager has is undoubtedly finding a long-term replacement for Paul Scholes.

[Captain Stu]

Right, I know have my head round what the "gang of four" (although that's actually said to be seven now) are after.

They have been told by FIFA that they cannot challenge the initial ruling because it was an independent commission and there are no set guidelines in place that say points HAD to be docked... but what they are pursuing is the registration of Tevez AFTER the decision and, more importantly, how the hell he was able to go from being an illegal player to a legal player able to play in the weekend game against Wigan in about 12 hours. There's suggestions of serious favouritism and string-pulling of the dodgiest order.

[Captain Stu]

And here's the daily dose of BBC goss:

West Ham striker Carlos Tevez is set for a £30m move to Real Madrid - with West Ham not seeing a penny of any fee. (The Sun)

But Tevez will decide on his future next week. (Daily Express)

Every penny of any deal made goes straight into the pockets of Kia Zoorbichian. :rolleyes:

The Hammers will this week make a £12m bid for Charlton captain Darren Bent. (Daily Star)

Spurs have also put Bent at the top of their shopping list, for around £10m. (Daily Express)

And they are in the hunt for Barcelona's out-of-favour former Chelsea frontman Eidur Gudjohnsen, too. (Daily Star)

NO!! When will Jol realise that Berbatov + Defoe is the partnership he needs!! Unless he wants Bent to replace Mido as 4th striker...

Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell has moved a step closer to joining Newcastle. (Daily Mirror)

Phil Jagielka is set to walk out on Sheffield United with Everton, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Wigan interested. (Daily Mirror)

The answer to both of those... why? Should Newcastle, a team in dire need of revolution put their defensive hopes in a 32/33 year old?

Praise the lord, Manchester United have finally agreed an £18m fee with Bayern Munich for Owen Hargreaves. (Daily Star)

*slow sarcastic clap*

Does anyone really care anymore? This transfer has been nearly as boring and drawn-out as Cashley Cole's...

Spurs' interest in Nigel Reo-Coker's has cooled, with Everton and Sunderland watching developments. (Daily Mirror)

Heh, Spurs interested in a central midfielder... fancy that. :D

Obafemi Martins could be on his way out of Newcastle, with Valencia and Juventus already in talks over a £13m move. (The Sun)

Portsmouth remain favourites to sign Mark Viduka, who is out of contract at Middlesbrough. (Daily Mail)

Pompey after ANOTHER Prem club leftover.

Glen Johnson has snubbed a permanent move to Portsmouth to fight for a first-team place at Chelsea. (Daily Mirror)

L.O.S.E.R.

Portsmouth and West Ham have made enquiries about Watford youngster Hameur Bouazza. (Daily Mirror)

That'd be a good signing I reckon.

Swansea, Hartlepool and Hibernian have lodged bids for £150,000-rated Hull striker Darryl Duffy. (Daily Star)

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is tracking Benfica's Portuguese striker Nuno Gomes. (Daily Mirror)

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha... hahahahaha... hahaha.... ha.

Celtic and Rangers are set to battle for the services of former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler. (Daily Mirror)

THERE YOU GO, OLLIE!!! :D

Wolves defender Jackie McNamara will sign a two-year deal with Aberdeen by the end of the week. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP
Ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is heading a consortium that may take over Manchester City, would want Blackburn boss Mark Hughes to become the new manager at Eastlands following the sacking of Stuart Pearce. (The Sun)

AZ Alkmaar manager Louis van Gaal is top of the shortlist to replace Pearce at Manchester City. (Daily Mirror)

Although former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier could be set for a return to the Premiership with City. (Daily Express)

Ranieri for City, it'd be quality!! Uncle Ged wouldn't suit City, not enough money for him to waste and Van Gaal is a pipedream.

Wigan boss Paul Jewell, who resigned on Monday, left the club with a £1m bonus from chairman Dave Whelan as a thank you for keeping the Latics in the Premiership on the last day of the season. (The Sun)

.... £1M? When the club is set to make £50M or so?! Cheapo!!!

Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock is poised to quit Sheffield United in the wake of the club's dramatic relegation from the Premiership. (Daily Mirror)

Erm, who's he gonna manage then? I'd have said Wigan...

AND FINALLY
Steve McManaman has revealed he drank champagne with the King of Spain when Real Madrid won the Champions League final at Hampden Park. (Daily Record)

Has Macca only just remembered it now?

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*
*
*

Carlo Ancelotti has said he hopes Liverpool play Gerrard in the centre of midfield against Milan because it leaves us with less defensive cover. As much as I hate to admit it, he's right! Gerrard can control a game much more as a centre-mid but we have a much greater defensive unit if we have Alonso and Masch sitting in front of the back four..... although Carlo seems to be missing out on the fact that when Gerrard plays wide-right he does so with an entirely free role to roam into the middle. I can't see us playing with either Alonso OR Masch, it's too big a game and they have too many attacking midfielders, we need the cover.

[JackTom 2.0]

Hartlepool and Hibernian have lodged bids for £150,000-rated Hull striker Darryl Duffy. (Daily Star)

Fuckers better not get him! He was on loan here dammit, we want him

[**dylan**]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/iwannadancewithemily/bg_ballack_kahn_bank_dpa_400.jpg

A German sex toy firm is to pay German football stars Michael Ballack and Oliver Kahn 50,000 euros each after it used their names to sell vibrators.

The stars sued the firm Beate Uhse because it sold special World Cup vibrators called "Michael B" and "Olli K" last year without their permission.

The damages - £34,000 ($67,000) for each player - were awarded in Hamburg.

Ballack is a Chelsea midfielder, while Kahn is the Bayern Munich goalkeeper.

The footballers had originally demanded 60,000 euros each in damages.

[Captain Stu]

Ahahahaha, why would anyone want to associate THIS (http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41864000/jpg/_41864616_kahn416.jpg) with sexual pleasures?

[Bexster]

Every penny of any deal made goes straight into the pockets of Kia Zoorbichian. :rolleyes:
Illustration number 93 as to why this deal is still dodgy, and the other clubs have got a case to make.

NO!! When will Jol realise that Berbatov + Defoe is the partnership he needs!! Unless he wants Bent to replace Mido as 4th striker...
Hee, hee. Mido got dropped by Egypt :D

*slow sarcastic clap*

Does anyone really care anymore? This transfer has been nearly as boring and drawn-out as Cashley Cole's...
Don't you mean, as long and drawn out as one Dirk Kuyt spending all season apprently coming to Scouseland :D

Ranieri for City, it'd be quality!! Uncle Ged wouldn't suit City, not enough money for him to waste and Van Gaal is a pipedream.
He's not exactly doing badly where he is. Why move to City?

Has Macca only just remembered it now?More than one glass of Champagne?

Fuckers better not get him! He was on loan here dammit, we want him
He's been great. If he'd come down a couple of weeks earlier, Swans would be in the playoffs for sure.

SURPRISE NEWS ALERT

Big Sam's been confirmed at Newc.

WHAT A SHOCKER.... :rolleyes:

[Captain Stu]

Don't you mean, as long and drawn out as one Dirk Kuyt spending all season apprently coming to Scouseland :D

Oohhh longer than that, at least there was some doubt as to whether he'd be here or further oop norf at Newcastle, pet.

SURPRISE NEWS ALERT

Big Sam's been confirmed at Newc.

WHAT A SHOCKER.... :rolleyes:

WHAT?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! WHY HADN'T I HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THIS EARLIER IN THE WEEK, SAY... AS SOON AS HE QUIT AT BOLTON? I FOR ONE AM SHOCKED AND AMAZED AT THIS REVELATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:D

[goobervision]

Ahahahaha, why would anyone want to associate THIS (http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41864000/jpg/_41864616_kahn416.jpg) with sexual pleasures?

Caption: "Get your hands off me, you damn dirty ape!"

[**dylan**]

The search is on for Manchester City (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/mancity/index.html)'s 19th manager since the retirement of legendary boss Joe Mercer following Stuart Pearce's sacking on Monday.

Concerned at City's miserable home form and widespread supporter apathy that threatened a collapse in season-ticket sales, chairman John Wardle brought the curtain down on Pearce's two-year reign just 24 hours after the season-ending 2-1 defeat at Tottenham (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/tottenham/).

An 11th-hour move for Newcastle (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/newcastle/index.html)-bound Sam Allardyce was instantly ruled out, as was any attempt to snare Paul Jewell, whose departure from Wigan was confirmed only two hours before Pearce's exit.

Instead, Blues officials will consider their options, with no appointment thought likely until next week at the earliest.

"Manchester City (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/mancity/index.html) can confirm that the club has terminated the contract of manager Stuart Pearce with immediate effect," said a club statement.

In a simple one-paragraph appreciation, chief executive Alistair Mackintosh thanked Pearce for his efforts on City's behalf and wished him well for the future.

Much may now depend on the takeover plans of prospective new owner Thaksin Shinawatra.

The former Thai Prime Minister's financial advisors are due to complete due diligence on the Blues this week and then provide indications as to whether they will proceed with a formal bid.

If Shinawatra does take control at Eastlands, a big-name international replacement can be expected, with Gerard Houllier and Claudio (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/profiles/3683.html) Ranieri among the names that will be linked.

Should Shinawatra opt not to pursue his takeover aims, it is looking increasingly likely current chairman John Wardle will continue in the role, which could result in a home-based appointment.

However, it is virtually impossible to envisage Wardle following the lead of Wigan counterpart Dave Whelan by appointing Pearce's deputy Steve Wigley, who is almost certainly on his way out as well.

Preston's Paul Simpson - a former City player - Billy Davies, Chris Coleman and Danny Wilson have all been mentioned as potential candidates on fans' websites, as has Peter Reid, who steered City to a top-half finish in all three of his seasons in charge of the Blues during the early 1990s.

Wardle had vowed to provide Pearce with a transfer kitty to strengthen his squad this summer and presumably the cash will be on offer to his replacement.

Pearce can now concentrate his thoughts on guiding England (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/england/) to the European Under-21 Championships in Holland this summer.

With his family still based on their farm in Wiltshire, the smart money must be on Pearce becoming full-time England (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/england/) Under-21 coach next season, offering probably the most obvious route into the senior job he was touted for less than 12 months into his reign at City.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Praise the lord, Manchester United have finally agreed an £18m fee with Bayern Munich for Owen Hargreaves. (Daily Star)

i hear Liverpool might be signing Dirk Kuyt soon....

[Captain Stu]

The search is on for Manchester City (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/mancity/index.html)'s 19th manager since the retirement of legendary boss Joe Mercer following Stuart Pearce's sacking on Monday.

Concerned at City's miserable home form and widespread supporter apathy that threatened a collapse in season-ticket sales, chairman John Wardle brought the curtain down on Pearce's two-year reign just 24 hours after the season-ending 2-1 defeat at Tottenham (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/tottenham/).

An 11th-hour move for Newcastle (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/newcastle/index.html)-bound Sam Allardyce was instantly ruled out, as was any attempt to snare Paul Jewell, whose departure from Wigan was confirmed only two hours before Pearce's exit.

Instead, Blues officials will consider their options, with no appointment thought likely until next week at the earliest.

"Manchester City (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/mancity/index.html) can confirm that the club has terminated the contract of manager Stuart Pearce with immediate effect," said a club statement.

In a simple one-paragraph appreciation, chief executive Alistair Mackintosh thanked Pearce for his efforts on City's behalf and wished him well for the future.

Much may now depend on the takeover plans of prospective new owner Thaksin Shinawatra.

The former Thai Prime Minister's financial advisors are due to complete due diligence on the Blues this week and then provide indications as to whether they will proceed with a formal bid.

If Shinawatra does take control at Eastlands, a big-name international replacement can be expected, with Gerard Houllier and Claudio (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/profiles/3683.html) Ranieri among the names that will be linked.

Should Shinawatra opt not to pursue his takeover aims, it is looking increasingly likely current chairman John Wardle will continue in the role, which could result in a home-based appointment.

However, it is virtually impossible to envisage Wardle following the lead of Wigan counterpart Dave Whelan by appointing Pearce's deputy Steve Wigley, who is almost certainly on his way out as well.

Preston's Paul Simpson - a former City player - Billy Davies, Chris Coleman and Danny Wilson have all been mentioned as potential candidates on fans' websites, as has Peter Reid, who steered City to a top-half finish in all three of his seasons in charge of the Blues during the early 1990s.

Wardle had vowed to provide Pearce with a transfer kitty to strengthen his squad this summer and presumably the cash will be on offer to his replacement.

Pearce can now concentrate his thoughts on guiding England (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/england/) to the European Under-21 Championships in Holland this summer.

With his family still based on their farm in Wiltshire, the smart money must be on Pearce becoming full-time England (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/england/) Under-21 coach next season, offering probably the most obvious route into the senior job he was touted for less than 12 months into his reign at City.

That damn Thai PM, he got Pearcey sacked! :mad:

i hear Liverpool might be signing Dirk Kuyt soon....

For fucks sake, no he isn't! :rolleyes: :mad:

[Ian Mc]

You've all seen it at some point...but check this link out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnbROkidPPo

I was getting nostalgic so decided to watch it.......anyway, look at Poborsky in the first half...fecking diver, that's where Ronaldo gets it all from.
Also, I love David Batty!!

[boxshapedheart]

Fifa's gettin involved...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6657697.stm

Fifa will investigate Tevez saga
Fifa is to investigate whether West Ham should have been docked points for breaching rules over the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
An independent commission fined West Ham £5.5m, but several clubs felt they were let off lightly.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter said: "We will look at this. We will ask for the file once it has been decided how and why the decision was made.

"If we feel something was wrong then we have to open our file."

Blatter said any decision "would have to be taken immediately".

He added that according to Fifa's files the transfer of Tevez and Mascherano from Brazilian side Corinthians to West Ham had complied with international transfer regulations.

[boxshapedheart]

You've all seen it at some point...but check this link out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnbROkidPPo

I was getting nostalgic so decided to watch it.......anyway, look at Poborsky in the first half...fecking diver, that's where Ronaldo gets it all from.
Also, I love David Batty!!
:mad:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/iwannadancewithemily/bg_ballack_kahn_bank_dpa_400.jpg

A German sex toy firm is to pay German football stars Michael Ballack and Oliver Kahn 50,000 euros each after it used their names to sell vibrators.

The stars sued the firm Beate Uhse because it sold special World Cup vibrators called "Michael B" and "Olli K" last year without their permission.

The damages - £34,000 ($67,000) for each player - were awarded in Hamburg.

Ballack is a Chelsea midfielder, while Kahn is the Bayern Munich goalkeeper.

The footballers had originally demanded 60,000 euros each in damages.
Hahaha, that's great, that is! :D

[boxshapedheart]

Pompey after ANOTHER Prem club leftover.
Viduka's not bad. Reckon he'd be a good signing for them.


Ranieri for City, it'd be quality!! Uncle Ged wouldn't suit City, not enough money for him to waste and Van Gaal is a pipedream.
I'd love to see Ranieri in the prem again.


Has Macca only just remembered it now?


More than one glass of Champagne?


It was one very long heavy hangover.

[rob3000]

Viduka would be good for Pompey, absolutely.

[Captain Stu]

You've all seen it at some point...but check this link out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnbROkidPPo

I was getting nostalgic so decided to watch it.......anyway, look at Poborsky in the first half...fecking diver, that's where Ronaldo gets it all from.
Also, I love David Batty!!

:D *boner* :D

Fifa's gettin involved...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6657697.stm

Fifa will investigate Tevez saga
Fifa is to investigate whether West Ham should have been docked points for breaching rules over the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
An independent commission fined West Ham £5.5m, but several clubs felt they were let off lightly.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter said: "We will look at this. We will ask for the file once it has been decided how and why the decision was made.

"If we feel something was wrong then we have to open our file."

Blatter said any decision "would have to be taken immediately".

He added that according to Fifa's files the transfer of Tevez and Mascherano from Brazilian side Corinthians to West Ham had complied with international transfer regulations.

In theory this would be brilliant, the daddy-organisation steps in to mop up the mess that the kids made. However, that said, FIFA are just as usueless - if not moreso - than the league.

Viduka's not bad. Reckon he'd be a good signing for them.

I like him but he's too lazy and he's a shitty mercenary, he's only after number one.

I'd love to see Ranieri in the prem again.

His post-match interviews were the best because he couldn't not talk the proper. :D He was doing such a good job at Chelsea, developing a squad, and they fucked him off because they couldn't wait 3 years. Wankers.

*
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Dave Whelan raised a very good point... how come it took the Premier League and the FA FIVE WEEKS to clear us to play Mascherano during the transfer window yet West Ham got it done overnight outside the transfer window?

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Right, we have Fat Sam. He was making the right noises in the press conference and hopefully everyone at the club will realise there won't be instant success. I'm expecting two poor years full of rebuilding and a third year when we start pushing the top 6.

He's already talked about completley changing the training, investigating the injury problems, bring in some nutritionalists and other science type people.

He's also mentioned the fat-pay-check players will have to get in line and that he's completely confident he can knock them all into shape.

It's nice to have someone who clearly knows what he's doing in charge of the club for a change.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Ranieri would be great at Man City.

[Captain Stu]

Right, we have Fat Sam. He was making the right noises in the press conference and hopefully everyone at the club will realise there won't be instant success. I'm expecting two poor years full of rebuilding and a third year when we start pushing the top 6.

He's already talked about completley changing the training, investigating the injury problems, bring in some nutritionalists and other science type people.

He's also mentioned the fat-pay-check players will have to get in line and that he's completely confident he can knock them all into shape.

It's nice to have someone who clearly knows what he's doing in charge of the club for a change.

I was expecting that. Anyone who can't see that Newcastle have training issues needs their brain checking over. No amount of bad luck would account for that many first team injuries. I think Roeder enforced a "close ball control with medicine balls" policy.

You're well gonna end up with all that statistical bollocks flying around too.

Ranieri would be great at Man City.

Innit, he has a ton of European experience, he's tactically sound and very shrewd when it comes to signings. He's much better (in my eyes) than Van Gaal... who's just signed a new contract with AK so it'd cost City a lot to break that.

[Bexster]

Dave Whelan raised a very good point... how come it took the Premier League and the FA FIVE WEEKS to clear us to play Mascherano during the transfer window yet West Ham got it done overnight outside the transfer window?
Yeah, it's a good point. They'll just say it's because it was under different circumstances though.

Right, we have Fat Sam. He was making the right noises in the press conference and hopefully everyone at the club will realise there won't be instant success. I'm expecting two poor years full of rebuilding and a third year when we start pushing the top 6.

He's already talked about completley changing the training, investigating the injury problems, bring in some nutritionalists and other science type people.

He's also mentioned the fat-pay-check players will have to get in line and that he's completely confident he can knock them all into shape.

It's nice to have someone who clearly knows what he's doing in charge of the club for a change.
Sounds good, and I'd be dubious about it if it were anyone other than Big Sam, but he's proved he knows what he's doing, and it sounds promising.

[Ian Mc]

Right, we have Fat Sam. He was making the right noises in the press conference and hopefully everyone at the club will realise there won't be instant success. I'm expecting two poor years full of rebuilding and a third year when we start pushing the top 6.

He's already talked about completley changing the training, investigating the injury problems, bring in some nutritionalists and other science type people.

He's also mentioned the fat-pay-check players will have to get in line and that he's completely confident he can knock them all into shape.

It's nice to have someone who clearly knows what he's doing in charge of the club for a change.

I don't expect success early on (or at all actually) but when you say two poor seasons, you mean like the one just gone? You know Sheppard isn't that patient which is the worrying thing...I expect Sam to take some time to get used to the team and sort some things out (there's a lot that needs to be)...but we actually have a decent squad....look at this....

Given
New guy, Taylor, New guy, New guy
Solano/Milner, Parker, Dyer, Duff/N'Zogbia
Owen, Martins/Ameobi

Sadly...that's on paper... it's a team that should be at least giving anyone breaking into the top 6 the sweats. It shouldn't take him longer than a season even with that squad to finish top half.
However, I'm a patient guy and I'd settle for a whole team overhaul with a bunch of guys that want to play for us (I even wanted us to be relegated a while back just so it brought out the real players), I'm sick of being a money throwing team with a bunch of overpaid foreigners who could give two shits.

I'm going to give Sam a chance...I'm interested to see who he'll bring in. I personally think the defence, all except Taylor needs an overhaul (Sol is too old), maybe a few midfielders to kick guys like Dyer and Duff up the arse and maybe a striker or two...Martins has showed some class now and then but he's never going to get you 20 goals a year (I like him but it hurts seeing him as number 9), Ameobi is someone I like, he's going to get better I hope...but I don't know if he's good enough.....and Owen? Well until he comes out and says that he's going to show some loyalty then fuck him, he's such a gobshite, it's ridiculous!

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

When I say poor I mean around 12th, like now, but with much better orginisation behind the scenes and better performances on the pitch.

Both Zoggy and Martins have stormed out of Newcastle over the last week. I think Martins is still AWOL, though it's being kept quiet.

[Captain Stu]

Newcastle should retire the numnber 9 shirt so people can stop being hung up on. It's almost, at times, as though nothing else but a big number 9 matters.

And yeah, while it takes a while to build a squad up, Newcastle won't wait... the board won't... the more fickle fans won't... I think Sam needs a cup victory in the next 2 years to buy himself a little more time.

I reckon Martins is off this summer, maybe even Parker.

[Ian Mc]

Newcastle should retire the numnber 9 shirt so people can stop being hung up on. It's almost, at times, as though nothing else but a big number 9 matters.

And yeah, while it takes a while to build a squad up, Newcastle won't wait... the board won't... the more fickle fans won't... I think Sam needs a cup victory in the next 2 years to buy himself a little more time.

I reckon Martins is off this summer, maybe even Parker.

Parker is one of the few guys in the squad that I really want to keep.

You're totally right, in Newcastle we have some of the most passionate and loyal fans in the world....but we also have some of the dumbest (just watch SSN news tonight and see which fans they interview...it's always the same lot) and they won't stand for us rebuilding. Everytime we have rebuilt, we have gone on to be a decent team...that's over our whole history. It happens in pretty much every sport, a team is given time to build so the future is bright....Newcastle can have a bright future but fat Fred and those fickle fans want it all now.

I hint a bit of jealousy there about the number 9......but yeah you have a point, it's had some amazing players wearing it and I think Shearer would have been the perfect person to be the last guy to wear it....he fits everything that it embodies.
Now, before anyone says that we overtalk it then I'll give you a big sporting history lesson that goes back further than football itself that makes Shearer perfect for the legacy.

[Captain Stu]

For the good of Newcastle, Parker needs to stay... players like who can defend one minute and then be on the edge of the opposition box the next are few and far between. Well, ones that can do it WELL and boss a game are. I also think Dyer needs to stay, he's got to be the most unlucky footballer in the league right now as far as injuries go... when he came back towards the end, he was glimpsing back to his Ipswich form, the very form that got him a big move in the first place. He's a very exciting player and, when fit, lethal.

I think the best appointment Newcastle can make is a new chairman, I think Freddie's taken the club as far as he can go. He gives managers a bunch of money to spend, Roeder had plenty, but he expects (I think) what Chelsea had but on a smaller scale. He almost seems to think you can spend £30M on players and BAM, they're a gelled Premiership unit. Look at Martins, for example, he was gash at the start of the season but then he's finding the goal more often, his pace has increased as his confidence went up. If that hadn't happened, he'd deffo have been sold this summer.

Don't get what you mean about jealousy. :confused: Do you mean because Liverpool have lacked a suitable poacher? If so, I completely agree... but seriously, no jealousy, just an observation. :) There's no doubt that Newcastle have a long lineage of great line-leading forwards but while that money was apparently well spent on Martins, my round-the-houses point is that no amount of attack can compensate for a leaky as fuck defense. While Martins can terrorise defenses, Bramble is a disaster. Ste Taylor's solid as fuck though, nothing seems to phase him and, with a good partner and Parker as cover, the centre of defense would be plugged right up.

[Captain Stu]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/6656759.stm

Pearce: "I was treated like a caretaker manager."

Stuart Pearce says he felt he was treated like a caretaker manager with no money to spend at Manchester City.

Pearce was sacked as City boss on Monday after two years in charge.

"The previous manager had around £50m to spend and if the club is taken over the next manager may have £50m," Pearce told the Manchester Evening News.

"In that sense I feel I have been a caretaker with no money to spend, getting the books balanced while keeping them in the Premiership."

Pearce succeeded Kevin Keegan in March 2005 and the club only missed out on a Uefa Cup place after an injury-time Robbie Fowler penalty miss against Middlesbrough that season.

City's decision to dispense with their manager came at the end of a season where the Eastlands outfit set a new all-time low for the number of home goals scored in a top-flight campaign, with a total of 10.

Pearce was given the news of his dismissal in a brief telephone call from chief executive Alistair Mackintosh.

But the former England captain said his dismissal did not come as a surprise.

He added: "Losing your job is all part of football management and I knew it would have to happen one day.

"I wasn't taken aback, shocked or angered by the board's decision. I am not naive or stupid.

"I felt we were going in the correct direction but needed some finance to drive the club forward.

"But I do not regret taking the job. I feel City are not far away from becoming the top-six side they want to be and nothing would give me greater pleasure than this time next year to see Richard Dunne climbing the steps at Wembley to lift a major domestic trophy or the side to qualify for Europe."

Pearce is set to return to the club at the end of this week to collect some personal items before turning his attention to the England Under-21 squad and this summer's European Championship.

A sports-writer on SSN this morning raised a good point, depending on what Pearce does next, maybe now would be a good time to get him involved in some way with the England team? The only part of his game that seemed to let him down was the transfer market and seeing as that doesn't matter at international level.....

[Bexster]

Thing about Big Sam, is I think he's got the personality to get him a little bit of extra time. He's a big, loud strong bloke, and you'd hope that'd give him a bit of extra leeway with Fat Freddie.

[Captain Stu]

He could do, one thing he's always been praised for (innit) is his acceptance of new technologies, training aids and techniques and things like that... and look what it did to Bolton! Thing is, is Freddie going to be as open to such things? It's not just a revolution really either is it? It's a ceiling-to-floor overhaul of the entire club and training facilities.

If he has sense, he'll allow it because... long after Sam's gone... it leaves the club in good stead for the future.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Dyer is on around £80k per week Stu.

That's more than Paul Scholes ffs.

[Ian Mc]

Don't get what you mean about jealousy. :confused: Do you mean because Liverpool have lacked a suitable poacher? If so, I completely agree... but seriously, no jealousy, just an observation. :)

Sorry Stu, I was joking. Also I realised I sounded like a bit of a cock with the history thing...I forget I'm typing sometimes!

I totally agree with you...especially about Parker, sometimes he also appears to be the only guy who puts his heart into it (maybe with Nicky Butt and Milner too)...I still remember his Charlton days when he was doing exactly what you said he is best at, he was fantastic and still is for Newcastle, only our defence disables him from being as free as he'd like to be.
I'm pretty confident that Taylor (along with some young lads) is going to be the only defender here next season (maybe with Carr but that's only because nobody inside football seems to see how gash he is), he's got an old style of defending where he doesn't care who has the ball, he'll wipe you out if he has too. I'd love to build around him....Bramble is out of contract in the summer and I don't expect us to resign him.
Also, I like Dyer...I just wish he'd be more consistent...he can be fantastic when he is.

I was at a talk with Peter Beardsley two weeks ago and he said that the worst thing Shepperd has ever done was give money to Souness...he just pissed it up the wall without thinking, you thought he would have learned with the mistakes that Gullit and Dalglish (and sometimes even Bobby) had made...you're right, you can't just buy success (unless you're Chelsea...but I love Jose so I'll give him a bit of credit). It seems to me that some managers who come into the job come here just to get paid and spend a bit of money with the hope that it will turn around...I'm hoping Sam will be different but I thought a lot of his signings at Bolton were awful...I think Freddy has to tell him that he's got bring his own money in and really be confident with the players that he wants to bring in.....that's a big area where Roeder and Souness failed. Shepperd will back managers but that's not always good.

[Captain Stu]

Dyer is on around £80k per week Stu.

That's more than Paul Scholes ffs.

Well, if he was fully fit, I bet nobody would mind that he earned that much. If he was fit, he could do for Newcastle what the ginger bastard does for Man U... only with less fouling.

Sorry Stu, I was joking. Also I realised I sounded like a bit of a cock with the history thing...I forget I'm typing sometimes!

I totally agree with you...especially about Parker, sometimes he also appears to be the only guy who puts his heart into it (maybe with Nicky Butt and Milner too)...I still remember his Charlton days when he was doing exactly what you said he is best at, he was fantastic and still is for Newcastle, only our defence disables him from being as free as he'd like to be.
I'm pretty confident that Taylor (along with some young lads) is going to be the only defender here next season (maybe with Carr but that's only because nobody inside football seems to see how gash he is), he's got an old style of defending where he doesn't care who has the ball, he'll wipe you out if he has too. I'd love to build around him....Bramble is out of contract in the summer and I don't expect us to resign him.

I was at a talk with Peter Beardsley two weeks ago and he said that the worst thing Shepperd has ever done was give money to Souness...he just pissed it up the wall without thinking, you thought he would have learned with the mistakes that Gullit and Dalglish (and sometimes even Bobby) had made...you're right, you can't just buy success (unless you're Chelsea...but I love Jose so I'll give him a bit of credit). It seems to me that some managers who come into the job come here just to get paid and spend a bit of money with the hope that it will turn around...I'm hoping Sam will be different but I thought a lot of his signings at Bolton were awful...I think Freddy has to tell him that he's got bring his own money in and really be confident with the players that he wants to bring in.....that's a big area where Roeder and Souness failed. Shepperd will back managers but that's not always good.

You raise a good point about Taylor, he's the kind of centre half I like... like Carragher... fuck poncing the ball out of defense. You have one job, defend, and you do that from whistle to whistle and let the other guy worry about playing the ball with a bit of class. Not enough guys like that now.

Beardo's spot on, Beardo's always spot on. :D

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Well, if he was fully fit, I bet nobody would mind that he earned that much. If he was fit, he could do for Newcastle what the ginger bastard does for Man U... only with less fouling.

No he couldn't. Dyer is a lazy lazy player who only works for about 20 minutes of every three matches.

[Bexster]

He could do, one thing he's always been praised for (innit) is his acceptance of new technologies, training aids and techniques and things like that... and look what it did to Bolton! Thing is, is Freddie going to be as open to such things? It's not just a revolution really either is it? It's a ceiling-to-floor overhaul of the entire club and training facilities.

If he has sense, he'll allow it because... long after Sam's gone... it leaves the club in good stead for the future.
He could be the best thing that's happened to the club, an if Freddie doesn't realise it, then Newc aren't going to get any better until he goes.

[Captain Stu]

He could be the best thing that's happened to the club, an if Freddie doesn't realise it, then Newc aren't going to get any better until he goes.

If he leaves after five years and all he accomplishes is stopping all the injuries then he deserves a stand naming after him.

[Ian Mc]

If he leaves after five years and all he accomplishes is stopping all the injuries then he deserves a stand naming after him.

HA! So true!!

[Captain Stu]

And Allardyce has said his first priority is getting Owen to stay and not activate this clause in his contract that means he can leave for £9M seeing as Newcastle didn't qualify for Europe.

And to think, he called himself dedicated last year when questioned about whether he was using Newcastle as a stepping stone. Obviously, the injury was 100% not his fault... the poor guy just turned funny... but that sort of clause always gets my eyebrow up in a suspicious manner: did he really think Newcastle wouldn't get into Newcastle and have that clause slipped in knowing that a 50% price cut on his transfer fee (compared to what Newcastle paid) would make him much more alluring?

You know what, I reckon that's the case... Owen's a turd.

*
*
*

Gerrard's set to sign his new contract, talks are going well with Reina, Alonso and Carragher and now Riise has come forward and said he wants to sign a longer deal. :) This pleases me so much.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Owen's not stupid. He wants to play at the top level. Newcastle had that chance but they appointed Roeder instead.

I doubt he'll leave this season because of how injured he's been, he's a decent guy after all.

[Ian Mc]

Owen's not stupid. He wants to play at the top level. Newcastle had that chance but they appointed Roeder instead.

I doubt he'll leave this season because of how injured he's been, he's a decent guy after all.

Is he??? We'll see...he gives all of this talk about how dedicated he is to us and then when there's talk about him leaving, he keeps his mouth shut.

Funny you mention Scholes, because at that same talk Beardsley, Steven Taylor and Pavel Srnicek were asked if they could have any player who would it be and Beardsley said Scholes...I think Taylor and Pav said Messi or someone like that.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Is he??? We'll see...he gives all of this talk about how dedicated he is to us and then when there's talk about him leaving, he keeps his mouth shut.

Funny you mention Scholes, because at that same talk Beardsley, Steven Taylor and Pavel Srnicek were asked if they could have any player who would it be and Beardsley said Scholes...I think Taylor and Pav said Messi or someone like that.

And Beardsley is right again. Imagine Scholes feeding our strikers :eek:

[Bexster]

Obviously, the injury was 100% not his fault... the poor guy just turned funny... but that sort of clause always gets my eyebrow up in a suspicious manner: did he really think Newcastle wouldn't get into Newcastle and have that clause slipped in knowing that a 50% price cut on his transfer fee (compared to what Newcastle paid) would make him much more alluring?
I know they were crap last season, but surely they knew the way to their own town :confused: :p

Eboue's just signed a new long term contract for Arsenal. Good, good.

Also, my Wembley tickets arrived today, so I'm very happy :D

[boxshapedheart]

And Beardsley is right again. Imagine Scholes feeding our strikers :eek:
Mmmmmm Scholes. :D



Also, my Wembley tickets arrived today, so I'm very happy :D
what date is the match?

[Bexster]

Mmmmmm Scholes. :D
EWWW!!! HE'S GINGER AND SMALL :eek:

what date is the match?
Sunday. Gonna be ace :cool:

[boxshapedheart]

EWWW!!! HE'S GINGER AND SMALL :eek:
And MINE. :D

Well United's anyway. Probably my second favourite united player. Keano first - obv.

Sunday. Gonna be ace :cool:
awesome. I'm gonna try catch it on telly if it's on.

[Bexster]

And MINE. :D

Well United's anyway. Probably my second favourite united player. Keano first - obv.


awesome. I'm gonna try catch it on telly if it's on.
Obviously, yes, his footballing skills are very high and worthy, but you know... :p

Think it's on Sky Sports 1, so if you fancy some extremely scrappy and useless football, go for it. We always play a bit crap on the tv. The win against Oxford was the first time we've ever won in a televised game.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Sam doesn't change his facial expressions much does he?

http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1025704,00.html

[**dylan**]

And MINE. :D



FREAK! :p

[EvilElvis]

Anyone interested in UEFA Cup Final programmes?


They are selling them around Glasgow today and tomorrow. I'm gonna need to know early tomorrow morning if you want 'em

[EvilElvis]

THERE YOU GO, OLLIE!!! :D

Rangers have signed a striker this summer (Jean-Claude Darcheville) But apparently have first option on Fowler - Celtic aren't interested.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Ill take one of those programmes if you don't mind.

[Ian Mc]

Just looking at those pictures of Big Sam...the novelty of the fans coming out to see the 'new guy' has totally worn off on me at this moment. Maybe I'm just a stick in the mud!

He calls Newcastle a 'massive club' - are we?...I was reading an interview with the Bolton chairman and he might be right that we aren't as big as we think. Blackburn once won the premiership and arent' known as a massive club...would they be if they had a 50,000+ stadium??

It's making me scratch my head....why/how are we a massive club?

[EvilElvis]

Hehehehehe! (http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2080015,00.html) :D

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIaswrSWWf0

Some great 'trick' free kicks in here, including the penalty Pires tried to emulate and ended up looking like a twat.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

Just looking at those pictures of Big Sam...the novelty of the fans coming out to see the 'new guy' has totally worn off on me at this moment. Maybe I'm just a stick in the mud!

He calls Newcastle a 'massive club' - are we?...I was reading an interview with the Bolton chairman and he might be right that we aren't as big as we think. Blackburn once won the premiership and arent' known as a massive club...would they be if they had a 50,000+ stadium??

It's making me scratch my head....why/how are we a massive club?

We have the potential to be a massive club, but we're not one.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIaswrSWWf0

Some great 'trick' free kicks in here, including the penalty Pires tried to emulate and ended up looking like a twat.

most of them are just bad defending

[sunnydalehighdropout]

No he couldn't. Dyer is a lazy lazy player who only works for about 20 minutes of every three matches.

AIDS is very draining. I hope Big Sam can get him some more suitable medication.

[EvilElvis]

I got Zoo magazine for the train into work this morning and Big Sam did his "Exclusive" interview with one of them (He has a column in ZOO)

"I've been in football 15 years and I decided I need a break from it all" - Sam's reason on why he left Bolton

2 weeks isn't long enough a break...

[Bexster]

Hehehehehe! (http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2080015,00.html) :D
Kick in the teeth to the Chelski youngsters if he's considering picking Hilario ahead of them.

But heh, heh, heh anyway :D

Derby Southampton's gone to extra time...

[Two-Bob Peeters]

cracking game so far. neither team deserve to lose

[Bexster]

cracking game so far. neither team deserve to lose
I've got the text commentary on, which isn't great, but Southampton scored the 3rd just as I sat down at my desk.

I've never been a big Derby fan, so I don't want to see them go through.

[Ian Mc]

Come on the Saints!!!!

[EvilElvis]

Sheff Utd to hold press conference tomorrow.


Is bye bye Warnock?

[Ian Mc]

Sheff Utd to hold press conference tomorrow.


Is bye bye Warnock?

I was just thinking about that. Everything seems to point to it.
What do you guys think about him as a manager?

[Bexster]

Yeah, but will he be resigning, or will he be sacked? I've heard reports leaning towards both.

[Two-Bob Peeters]

Derby have made the final...

i wanted southampton...

although, PITCH INVASION! :D

[rob3000]

Derby deserved to go through just because they finished so many points ahead of the saints.

From the way they were celebrating you'd have thought they'd won the final!

[EvilElvis]

Derby deserved to go through just because they finished so many points ahead of the saints.

From the way they were celebrating you'd have thought they'd won the final!

Yeah, but how often have you hear about the team finishing in 3rd place, just failing big time in the play off's?

[Bexster]

True. Bit gutted, but yeah, Derby have had the better season.

[Ian Mc]

Derby You Twats!!!!!

:(

[EvilElvis]

I'm quite pleased - I like Billy Davies as a manager. That said George Burley is a decent manager as is Tony Mowbray which makes Mick McCarthy the odd one out of all the Play off teams... :D

[Captain Stu]

Just looking at those pictures of Big Sam...the novelty of the fans coming out to see the 'new guy' has totally worn off on me at this moment. Maybe I'm just a stick in the mud!

He calls Newcastle a 'massive club' - are we?...I was reading an interview with the Bolton chairman and he might be right that we aren't as big as we think. Blackburn once won the premiership and arent' known as a massive club...would they be if they had a 50,000+ stadium??

It's making me scratch my head....why/how are we a massive club?

Weirdly enough, this was a topic on TalkSport tonight... Wrighty was saying Newcastle ARE a big club but Durham was saying they weren't based on various things.

I agree with Marc, Newcastle COULD be a big team but they're not right now. They have some good fans and a big ground but that's about it.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

To be a big club you actually have to be challenging for things on a regular basis.

Winning the intertoto cup really doesn't count as success.

[EvilElvis]

In The Dog House: Mourinho Arrested (http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1265900,00.html)


Chelsea FC manager Jose Mourinho has been arrested and cautioned after refusing to let police take away his pet dog.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said police and an animal welfare officer went to an address in central London at 7.45pm yesterday to assist with the seizure of a dog.


He said: "A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police and was taken to a west London police station.

"He subsequently received a caution for obstructing police."

The Sun newspaper said Mourinho had argued with officers as they tried to take his Yorkshire terrier away and put it into quarantine.

They believed it had travelled out of the UK and then back again without the correct injections.

[Captain Stu]

Bloody prat.

[JackTom 2.0]

He's losing it...threatening to play Hilario up front in Cup Final...


edit: I see that's already been posted. You people are on the ball. Pun unintended.

[Captain Stu]

He's losing it...threatening to play Hilario up front in Cup Final...

edit: I see that's already been posted. You people are on the ball. Pun unintended.

*golf clap*

Puntastic!

Who knows, maybe Hilario really IS a forward? He can't be any worse up front than he is in goal. :D

[Bexster]

In The Dog House: Mourinho Arrested (http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1265900,00.html)


Chelsea FC manager Jose Mourinho has been arrested and cautioned after refusing to let police take away his pet dog.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said police and an animal welfare officer went to an address in central London at 7.45pm yesterday to assist with the seizure of a dog.


He said: "A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police and was taken to a west London police station.

"He subsequently received a caution for obstructing police."

The Sun newspaper said Mourinho had argued with officers as they tried to take his Yorkshire terrier away and put it into quarantine.

They believed it had travelled out of the UK and then back again without the correct injections.

Best news story of the morning :D He was at the Chelski player of the year awards, and his wife callsed him to say the police were trying to take the dog, and he just left the ceremony and went home.

Also, Joey Barton's been properly arrested over trying to kill Dabo.

[Captain Stu]

Also, Joey Barton's been properly arrested over trying to kill Dabo.

Arf. :-\

[Captain Stu]

JUST BROKEN: Neil Warnock has quit Sheffield United!! :eek:

[Bexster]

JUST BROKEN: Neil Warnock has quit Sheffield United!! :eek:
Ah, so that's the way it was going to go. Fair enough. I'll only know if it was a good move when we see who they get in to replace him.

[Captain Stu]

Ah, so that's the way it was going to go. Fair enough. I'll only know if it was a good move when we see who they get in to replace him.

More to the point though, he's said he wants another two years of managing in the Premiership, so:

1. Does that mean he wants to retire in 2 years?
2. What managerless Premiership team is going to... let's be honest... take a chance with him?

:confused:

[Captain Stu]

'arry Redknapp's after a handful of Africans again, at least four apparently. :D

[Captain Stu]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N155935070516-1010.htm

Milan playmaker Kaka has confessed he'd love to play alongside Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard.

The Brazilian admitted he'd much rather be playing with than against Gerrard as the pair prepare to lock horns in the Champions League final.
"He is an excellent player in my opinion. He is a modern player because he runs, marks, knows how to pass, cross, score goals and he is a leader on the field for Liverpool.

"He is a player that I would like to have in my team."

Meanwhile, Paolo Maldini says he'll do everything possible to be fit for the clash in Athens' Olympic Stadium next Wednesday.

The 38-year-old defender, who played just 65 minutes of Milan's 1-1 draw with Catania on Sunday, has been struggling with a knee injury all season but opted to delay surgery until the summer.

"After the league game my knee swelled up but it was expected," said Maldini.

"I have to have a personalised training programme this week but I know I can be fit for the game against Liverpool. However, I will only play if I'm 100 per cent fit. Otherwise I will have no problems giving up my place to somebody else."

Well then, son, come play on the wing. :D

EDIT: DAMNIT!! Where are all you sods? :mad:

[Bexster]

More to the point though, he's said he wants another two years of managing in the Premiership, so:

1. Does that mean he wants to retire in 2 years?
2. What managerless Premiership team is going to... let's be honest... take a chance with him?

:confused:
A few. A couple of years of stability would look pretty good for some of the teams needing survival.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N155935070516-1010.htm



Well then, son, come play on the wing. :D

EDIT: DAMNIT!! Where are all you sods? :mad:
Sorry. I've been actually working :D

Any team would sell their whole family for Kaka.

[Captain Stu]

Work? WORK SCHMORK! :mad:

[Bexster]

Work? WORK SCHMORK! :mad:
I know. It sucks, but occasionally, I have to do some :(

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Inter Milan have opened talks over a £25m bid for West Ham striker Carlos Tevez. (Daily Express)

West Ham are set for a multi-million pound windfall if they sell Tevez this summer after it emerged that under the terms of his four-year playing contract only the London club would benefit from his sale. (The Guardian)
I'd like to see how that works now. It'd be interesting if they managed to prove that they've got complete control over it all.

Newcastle midfielder Scott Parker could join West Ham in an £8m switch. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth will step up their bid to land Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe after fears they will miss out on Middlesbrough's Mark Viduka. (Various)

Teddy Sheringham, who has been released by West Ham, is wanted by Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls but Charlton are also chasing the striker. (The Sun)

Chelsea's Didier Drogba has hinted he could leave in the summer - if the right offer came in - but fellow forward Andriy Shevchenko has insisted he will be staying at Stamford Bridge. (Daily Express)

Tottenham's Hossam Ghaly wants a transfer after complaining that he is either left out of the side or played on the flank rather than in his favoured central midfield position. (Daily Express)

Birmingham are ready to make a shock bid for Newcastle defender Titus Bramble. (Daily Mirror)

New Wigan boss Chris Hutchings is lining up West Ham striker Marlon Harewood as his first signing in a £2.5m deal. (The Sun)

Fulham defender Zat Knight may move to Sunderland. (Various)

Midfielder Fabio Rochemback is set to snub Sporting Lisbon and Benfica and stay at Middlesbrough. (Daily Mirror)

Winger Dennis Rommedahl is ready to quit Charlton for a move to Brondby. (Daily Star)

Leicester will join Preston and Ipswich in the race to sign Carlisle striker Karl Hawley. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth may be closing in again on Udinese midfielder Sulley Muntari after his agent said that only personal terms needed to be resolved in a £6m deal. (Various)

Charlton want West Ham keeper Jimmy Walker. (Daily Star)

Dungannon Swifts forward Mark McAllister will reject a move to Celtic because he is concerned there are too many forwards at the SPL club. (Daily Mail)

Falkirk loan keeper Kasper Schmeicel's future at the club is in doubt following the sacking of Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce. (Daily Express)

Falkirk defender Kenny Milne has signed a new one-year deal with the club and tipped the Bairns to finish sixth in the SPL next season.


OTHER GOSSIP
Neil Warnock is set to quit as manager of Sheffield United and will be replaced by his assistant Stuart McCall. (Various)

The Premier League has acted to defuse the row over irregularities in West Ham's signing of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, who is now at Liverpool, by sending a letter to all 20 Premiership clubs. (The Sun)
Ooooo. A letter.....

The prospective new owners of Manchester City, a consortium headed by ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, are close to announcing a successor to Stuart Pearce, who was sacked as manager this week. (The Independent)

New Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce's first task will be to talk to striker Michael Owen, who has been linked to a summer transfer, about his future. (Various)

Chelsea midfielder Mikel Jon Obi has said he is fit for Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester United, despite limping off with an injury against Everton last weekend. (Daily Mirror)

Ex-Hearts star Scott Crabbe may hang up his boots after East Fife offered him a coaching job. (Daily Record)

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has said he feels he let down manager Jose Mourinho and his team-mates with some of his performances this season. (The Times from an interview in Chelsea's magazine)

Exeter are unhappy at being told there are no more tickets available for Sunday's Conference play-off against Morecambe. (Daily Telegraph)
Wooo!! We're in the gossip :D

Bastards promised we'd get extra allocations before the semi's if either of the final teams needed them, 5000 ticket blocks, but now we've sold 23,500, they won't give us any more. Bastards :mad:

EDIT: Just come out that they've given us an extra 3,539 tickets.

AND FINALLY
Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson and ex-Football Association chief executive Mark Palios have been invited to Saturday's FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester United. (Daily Express)

The decision about whether to close the roof for the FA Cup final may be taken early - using a long-range weather forecast - as the complicated procedure has to be performed the day before a match at Wembley. (Daily Mail)
It's not due to rain on saturday, but it is on sunday...

A record number of police will be on duty for the first FA Cup final at the rebuilt Wembley venue, with 1,000 officers being deployed outside the stadium and in central London. (The Guardian)

[Two-Bob Peeters]

*golf clap*

Puntastic!

Who knows, maybe Hilario really IS a forward? He can't be any worse up front than he is in goal. :D

Mourinho actually said he's not a bad outfield player, we'll soon see. let's hope he's as good up front as David James was :D

[Captain Stu]

Well, apparently, West Han have divulged a letter to the FA (I think it was the FA anyway) proving that the Tevez deal was cancelled. But, again, that's not the question that's being pursued... it's how they were able to re-do his contract in about 12-24 hours outside the transfer window.

Newcastle midfielder Scott Parker could join West Ham in an £8m switch. (Daily Star)

That'd be a really daft switch for him personally with Newcastle about to undertake a massive revolution and he's surely the lynchpin of that team with him being both the holding midfielder and Captain. It'd be a massive signing for Wham if they got him though... I'd say this is to replace Reo-Cokehead.

Portsmouth will step up their bid to land Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe after fears they will miss out on Middlesbrough's Mark Viduka. (Various)

If Defoe leaves Sperms, he's a dick.

Chelsea's Didier Drogba has hinted he could leave in the summer - if the right offer came in - but fellow forward Andriy Shevchenko has insisted he will be staying at Stamford Bridge. (Daily Express)

GO! :D Fuck off and let the mass Chelsea exodus ensue so they can go back to being a nice, unthought of team who are NOT big, they're just current.

Tottenham's Hossam Ghaly wants a transfer after complaining that he is either left out of the side or played on the flank rather than in his favoured central midfield position. (Daily Express)

I'm sure Spurs fans don't care, he's fucking wank.

Birmingham are ready to make a shock bid for Newcastle defender Titus Bramble. (Daily Mirror)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That's such a Steve Bruce move, try to stay in the Premiership by signing one of the worst defenders in the entire league. :D

New Wigan boss Chris Hutchings is lining up West Ham striker Marlon Harewood as his first signing in a £2.5m deal. (The Sun)

Heskey and Harewood? Wow, there's a guarenteed 10 goals a season... between them... including both cups and the league.

The Premier League has acted to defuse the row over irregularities in West Ham's signing of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, who is now at Liverpool, by sending a letter to all 20 Premiership clubs. (The Sun)

Oi, bollocks off! Naming us, the bloody cheek. WE SIGNED MASCH LEGALLY!!

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has said he feels he let down manager Jose Mourinho and his team-mates with some of his performances this season. (The Times from an interview in Chelsea's magazine)

Hang on, Cole's actually been playing this season? WHEN?! I've not seen him. :D

[boxshapedheart]

As funny as Mourinho getting cautioned is (and it's very funny :D), I still feel a bit sorry cos he must love his dog.

I know. It sucks, but occasionally, I have to do some :(
:( yeah.

*minimizes screen*

[Captain Stu]

As funny as Mourinho getting cautioned is (and it's very funny :D), I still feel a bit sorry cos he must love his dog.

Yeah... physically.

[Captain Stu]

This article was by the greatest sports writer we have - Ollie Holt - in todays Mirror. Enjoy:

HERE'S WHAT I FIND REALLY OFFENSIVE ABOUT YOU, SCU

LAST week, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore talked about things he found offensive. He's had his go. Here's a different list.
What's offensive is that Scudamore now presides over a league that makes Dodgy Derek's Used Car Emporium look above board.

What's offensive is that Scudamore is so in thrall to the most powerful of his member clubs that they're giving the impression they're making up the rules as they go along.

It's the Wild West in the Premier League that Scudamore built. It's getting to the point where it feels like anything goes.

What's offensive is that six months ago, a leading Premiership manager placed a bet on one struggling club to stay up this season which, for obvious reasons, is against the rules and open to serious abuse.

What's offensive is no one I know - no supporter, no manager, no player - would have any faith in the Premier League doing anything about it even if the evidence was to be presented to them on a silver platter.

What's offensive is that if you want to concoct a 'gentleman's agreement' between two leading clubs which is going to have a radical effect on the title race, you're going to get away with it.

What's offensive is that Manchester United and Everton did that right underneath Scudamore's nose and then the Premier League put out a statement saying they were content Everton were free to play Tim Howard against United.

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

What's offensive is Scudamore fiddling while the Premier League writhes in its shame at West Ham's survival.

What's offensive is that we have to rely on Sepp Blatter and FIFA to say they're going to investigate the failure to deduct points for the breaches of rules U18 and B13 while our own league pleads impotence.

What's offensive is that West Ham effectively made tens of millions of pounds out of the Premier League commission ruling because their £5.5m fine and failure to dock points allowed them to stay up and rake in the television cash next season.

What's offensive is Scudamore paying lip service to a decision that allowed cheats to prosper and sent an honest club like Sheffield United down.

What's offensive is the presumption that just because West Ham ripped up its copy of the agreement with the companies that controlled Carlos Tevez, then the companies that controlled Tevez must have ripped its copies up, too.

What's offensive is the sight of Scudamore sitting in front of Kia Joorabchian in the directors' box at Old Trafford on Sunday.

What's offensive is Scudamore not having the bottle to be at Bramall Lane instead to see the fruits of the 'independent' commission's decision to let West Ham off the hook.

What's offensive is knowing that Scudamore didn't witness the effects relegation had on the Sheffield United fans who were ignored by the Premier League commission when it waxed lyrical about the 'loyalty' of West Ham supporters. What's offensive was the pain and the anger on their faces as they walked up to the press box and asked us why the Premier League didn't value their loyalty as much.

What's offensive is that the commission decision backed by Scudamore will have cost a good manager his job if Neil Warnock decides he can no longer continue at Bramall Lane.

What's offensive is that Scudamore reacted with warnings and disdain to the dismay of the four or five clubs outraged by the commission's decision.

What's offensive is that Scudamore suggested their show of emotion was driven by financial concerns when the entire Premiership under his control has become driven by financial concerns.

What's offensive is that he appears not to have the wit to understand that just because his 20 member clubs empowered the commission to act on their behalf, it shouldn't mean they can't express their disquiet about the West Ham decision.

What's offensive is a system that forces West Ham fans and London-based Manchester United fans to travel to their game on Sunday on a day when there were no morning trains northbound between Euston and Manchester Piccadilly.

What's offensive is a system that doesn't take measures to prevent those same fans arriving first at Chesterfield, then at Sheffield, to find their connecting trains have been cancelled.

What's offensive is those fans having to club together to catch taxis from Sheffield to Manchester to get to Old Trafford before kick-off.

What's offensive is that the Premier League says it cares about its fans and it does nothing to prevent or at least improve a situation like that. What's offensive is a Premier League allowing football's rich to get richer and its poor to get poorer.

What's offensive is tin-pot Premier League spin doctors getting so carried away with their own arrogance they start emailing journalists and telling them they're 'spectacularly off-beam'.

Off-beam? I'll you what's off-beam. Off-beam is that same spin doctor inadvertently alerting a colleague of mine to the Tim Howard story in the first place.

Off-beam is the quiet corner where the reputation of the Premier League has gone to lie down and die.

Off-beam, my sanctimonious little friend, is this sad and unavoidable truth: West Ham's presence in the Premiership next season and the seasons after that will act as a lasting reproach to Richard Scudamore and leave a bitter, bitter legacy of his period in charge.

Fucking right on, bro.

[Bexster]

That article is fucking spot on.

[Captain Stu]

Damn near every article the guy writes is spot on. He wins awards for writing fine articles and he pulls no punches. He's not danced around what he wants to say with lots of hear'say - he just comes out and says what we all think, that Scudamore is a corrupt and inept fuckwit who's obviously showing clear bias towards certain clubs.

I'm gonna drop him an email later and tell him how much I worship him. :D

[Bexster]

Damn near every article the guy writes is spot on. He wins awards for writing fine articles and he pulls no punches. He's not danced around what he wants to say with lots of hear'say - he just comes out and says what we all think, that Scudamore is a corrupt and inept fuckwit who's obviously showing clear bias towards certain clubs.

I'm gonna drop him an email later and tell him how much I worship him. :D
I love listening to him on Soccer Sunday. He argues Jimmy 'The Chin' Hill under the table every week.

[friartuck]

Is that the Sunday Supplement Show? That has got to be the worst football show on television. I fucking hate tabloid sports journalists. They're nothing but a bunch of sensationalists.

[Bexster]

Is that the Sunday Supplement Show? That has got to be the worst football show on television. I fucking hate tabloid sports journalists. They're nothing but a bunch of sensationalists.
Yeah, that's the one.

I disagree with most of what they're saying, but it's fun to watch them just have straight up arguments about everything.

[Zippy Ate My Drumkit]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

Excuse me.

NEWCASTLE United have confirmed that five players will leave St. James' Park after the club decided not to offer them new contracts.

Titus Bramble, Craig Moore, Pavel Srnicek and Olivier Bernard will depart along with Oguchi Onyewu, whose loan move will not be made permanent.