quote:

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Originally posted by Benny the Ball:
Here's to a great saturday of watching the results roll in!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Benny the Ball:
because they are racist

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quote:

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Originally posted by mart:
oh, and, alright damo, what's new, pussycat? are you still in nash vegas? have you seen any girls go grabblin' lately?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Zygote:
Leeds fans constantly 'taunting' Manchester United fans by making airplane gestures with their arms whilst chanting 'songs' about the ill-fated Munich air disaster in 1958 doesn't help their cause.

ETA: Of course, many City fans also do this. I'm not one of them.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Benny the Ball:
Little bit of both. Some of the players who have all moved on now, were involved in the student bashing case a few years back.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Benny the Ball:
basically, I don't like Wise as a person/taxi driver assulter.

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quote:

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Originally posted by doc d:
lets do it lets sing that song.

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Who's that lyin' on the ruuuuunway,
Who's that lyin' on the flo...

Can't even remember how it goes now. Not been to the Manchester derby for a couple of years. Memory has since leaked vital fluids.

Edited to add: Stop writing 'now' after everything Zygote, you fucking brain-dead mong.

[ 02.05.2007, 11:23: Message edited by: Zygote ]
 

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Posted by doc d (Member # 781) on :
 

 

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Posted by Benny the Ball (Member # 694) on :
 
Also the glorious fat boys of Forest went on a drinking, glass smashing, let's be rude to bar girls night on the town recently.

Actually, I'm feeling less love for Forest everytime I see them now days -

Anyway - Milan Man U in 3 hours - should be fun!
 

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Posted by Zygote (Member # 883) on :
 
Does anyone here want Milan to overturn United tonight?
 

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Posted by Benny the Ball (Member # 694) on :
 
Can't say I do, no. The goal (2nd?) that Man U scored against Roma in the route was one of the most beautiful goals I've seen, seven or so 1st touch passes that went from one end of the pitch to the other, and was capped by a beautifully taken goal. Kaka looked great last week, but Rooney was great, and Giggs has been outstanding this year. May football be the winner...
 

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Posted by Waynster (Member # 56) on :
 
Bye bye Man Utd - shame I didn't see the game but my pager went off, and now I sit in the office waiting to see if what I was called in to check will work. Half an hour - my arse. Still at least the pressing of F5 and watching the goals come in almost cracked a smile on my over-exhausted body.

Now, West Ham to turn Bolton over at the weekend and I will be d-leer-e-ous. I wonder with the departure of Sam, and maybe even the insistance from their sponsors to ease up if we'll be given an easier ride (We use Reebok shirts as well see).

Of course what would be supersmashinggreat is last day of the season, Man united dejected by their stuffing tonight if the Hammers turn them over, and give Chelsea the title. Impossible? Not really - of the handful of teams we have beaten this year, Man United were one of them.

But I still have to consider we are not safe yet. I know Wigan appear to be in freefall, and Fulham have two tough clashes (Liverpool at home then away to Middlesborough), if we can manage one win from the 2, or even possibly 2 draws, we might be ok, but with the opposition we are facing, its a mighty tall order - Goal difference is irrlevant really, as we have to make up 6 on Wigan supposing both teams get no more points.

Still at least its been a thrilling season - right to the wire
 

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Posted by squirrelandgman (Member # 201) on :
 
Barnsley are staying up. In the Championship. That's nice. What with Leeds probably going down n'all. Although if Hull went down that would be ok too.
 

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Posted by Zygote (Member # 883) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Waynster:
Bye bye Man Utd - shame I didn't see the game but my pager went off, and now I sit in the office waiting to see if what I was called in to check will work. Half an hour - my arse. Still at least the pressing of F5 and watching the goals come in almost cracked a smile on my over-exhausted body.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Benny the Ball:
The match was spoiled by terrible camera work and directing - close up of Ronaldo's leg while the ball is in play in the penalty box? Sure. Frame the shot so that the player on the ball isn't even in shot for large chunks? Why not.

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quote:

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Originally posted by mart:
Why are Leeds Utd scum? I don't follow football but am curious about the local side being considered scumbags.

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quote:

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Let's take us back to the 5th May 1990. The last day of the football league season and it's the Saturday of a sunny bank holiday weekend in Bournemouth. Today's the day of a particularly big game in the old Division two (what is now the Championship): Bournemouth (who will be relegated if they lose and Middlesborough win, which is likely because Boro are playing Newcastle and several brown envelopes have been exchanged) are playing Leeds (who must win to be promoted).

On any other day, this could have been a great match, two teams with a lot to play for, a sold out stadium on a sunny day by the seaside. Unfortunately, the away team that day were Leeds. The Leeds fans started the weekend with a bit of a riot in the town centre. Loads of people who've nothing to do with the football got beaten shiitless, loads of businesses in the town suffered massive criminal damage.

Then there was the match day. Unfortunately, Leeds had more fans than tickets. Normally, this would mean that the excess away fans would sit in a pub and watch the scores come up, but as I say, the away team this day was Leeds. Some ticketless "fans" beat up OAPs for their season tickets (several of whom ended up in hospital with their injuries). Others beat up stewards trying to get in without. Meanwhile, bricks were thrown at kids playing football in the park. I know a girl with brain damage, she was 14 when she was hit in the back of the head by a brick. The bournemouth players were roughed up on their way into the ground and told in no uncertain terms that if they played to win then they and their families would suffer the consequences.

Of course Bournemouth lost. A combination of a scared team and fans of all ages who were more concerned about getting home alive than enjoying the match meant that a straightforward 2-0 victory was enjoyed by the scum.

And since then, have Leeds appologied? Have they offered any compensation for the financial and emotional damaged cause to our town, fans and club? Have they boll ocks. They remain, to this day, the most vile racist bunch of thugs that English football is unfortunate enough to have. And as Bowyer and Woodgate amongst others have demonstrated, that goes for the players as well as the "fans".

Administration would be too good for them, it doesn't even come close. I should add, before anyone takes me to task for this, that I fortunately wasn't there that day. But I know more than enough people who were, people like the abovementioned brain-damaged girl, people in their mid twenties who've not played football since they were kicked off their parks at the age of 12 by hooligans and people whose grandparents won't go to games again because they took a punch for having the nerve to have a season ticket.

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Plus I was also sat in a pub when Leeds came to Brighton and when some of the leeds fans saw people in Brighton shirts in the pub they picked up the chairs from outside and threw them through the windows. All pubs around the station closed the time after that when Leeds came down.
 

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Posted by mart (Member # 32) on :
 
Bloody hell! What a bunch of nutters.
 

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Posted by dang65 (Member # 102) on :
 
BBC News site says Leeds Utd are going into administration, more soon. Who's your next nearest local team Mart?
 

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Posted by mart (Member # 32) on :
 
Ummm... there's a bunch of guys that play in the fields across the road on Sundays...
 

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Posted by Physic (Member # 195) on :
 
Outstanding, 3-1 win for West Ham and a certain Carlos Tevez with 2 goals and an assist, combined with yet another loss for the whingers of Wigan, you couldn't make it up!

Even if Sheffield Utd lie down for Wigan on the final day to spite West Ham as many are predicting, West Ham just need to squeak a point against a Man Utd side who are likely to already be champions, I can't wait to see a shot of Dave Whelan's face on MOTD this evening
 

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Posted by Benny the Ball (Member # 694) on :
 
Sheffield Utd better have some fighting to do - let's hope Villa turn them over so that they have to beat Wigan. With West Ham on a roll, and them being Man U's bogey team, I think they've done enough, which is great as I like Curbishley and think that in their last eight games they have played fantastic football. Tevez looks the business, and marvelous Marlon has always been held dear to my heart. Wigan have had their chance every week for 90 minutes, and have blown it repeatedly... Well done the Hammers.
 

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Posted by Waynster (Member # 56) on :
 
I am feeling so much love on here today!!

A fantastic result and right now over on the KUMB forums its all getting very mathematical, but with Villa 2-0 up its going our way. If the result stays like this its looking grand - Sheffield United have to play to win.

Also, if Chelsea win tomorrow and on Wednesday, its a possibility that Curbs may put a call in to his old mate and play for the draw - guaranteeing us safety and them the title - not what I would want as I would prefer Chelsea to win the title.

I just want now the Villains to put a couple more past as it all helps the goal difference.

Suddenly, there is a light - it ain't over yet, it will all go to the wire but its looking a lot rosier than it did a few hours ago.

COME ON YOU HAMMERS!!!
 

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Posted by Waynster (Member # 56) on :
 
Comiserations to the Chelsea boys - especially Physic - I so wanted us to go out next Sunday and piss on Man United chips to do you a favour - sadly not to be.
 

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Posted by Physic (Member # 195) on :
 
To be honest Man Utd deserve it, much as it pains me to admit. We went into this season one or two defenders light, and that's what cost us ultimately. We've had an unusually high amount of injuries to defenders but we really ought to be able to cope with that, Micky Essien having to play at centre back in so many games says it all, for me he's been far and away the best box to box midfielder around this season, and when he's had to play out of position the difference has been very obvious.

I'll be betting a fat sum on us winning it back next season, even if Jose does leave as so many morons seem to hope.
 

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Posted by Benny the Ball (Member # 694) on :
 
DId Jose manufacture some kind of melt down as a "hands off the team selection" message to Roman? It just seemed amazing the level of break down he brought about in the last few months - and it all seemed to be because of rage at roman trying to buy the players he didn't want and not getting the players that chelsea need.
 

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Posted by Physic (Member # 195) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Benny the Ball:
DId Jose manufacture some kind of melt down as a "hands off the team selection" message to Roman? It just seemed amazing the level of break down he brought about in the last few months - and it all seemed to be because of rage at roman trying to buy the players he didn't want and not getting the players that chelsea need.

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To be honest I think you're believing the tabloids a bit too much there, this season has undoubtedly seen some in-fighting between Mourinho and the board, but there was never any sign of it being a 'melt-down', and certainly no sign of it affecting the players, who've shown every sign of being right behind him the whole time.

If there's one thing that's pleased me this season it's that with Gallas gone we haven't had any real whinging going on, all of the players seem to have been very professional and stuck together, even despite the attempts by the press to unsettle Shevchenko and Ballack. Even Robben has by and large kept his mouth shut for once, although he's spent so much of the season crying off with minor injuries that he's probably best off keeping a low profile really.

It will be interesting to see what happens this summer though..
 

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Posted by Benny the Ball (Member # 694) on :
 
I hope so - so few managers are afforded the privilage of time to build, and I think there are some great young players at Chelsea - the older good players (makalele being the best example) should hand over well to them, but Jose needs time to do this - just felt like Roman wasn't willing to wait, and wanted to play fantasty football this year. It's been a long time coming that Uk builds superstars or has them in their prime rather than retired pension making super stars...
 

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Posted by Zygote (Member # 883) on :
 
Stupid Vassell.
 

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Posted by Physic (Member # 195) on :
 
I couldn't agree more, Chelsea do seem committed to a longer term solution than simply buying established stars though. They've invested a lot in the academy and have been putting a lot of effort into bringing in young talent, admittedly not all British but that's the way the game has gone.

Scott Sinclair, who came on as a sub on Sunday, is highly rated and close to making the breakthrough, and we have a young centre half called Michael Mancienne who's reckoned to be a serious prospect. Not British, but Ben Sahar is also very highly rated in his native Israel, only 17 and already a full Israel international. Contrary to popular belief Chelsea have brought in a number of young players over the years, in the past their scouting network seems to have left a lot to be desired though as few made the breakthrough, Mikael Forssell and Robert Huth being the obvious exceptions.

I have no idea what will happen this summer but I really hope Jose stays, despite the deluded perception amongst the ignorant of him as someone who can only buy success, he actually has a reputation within the game for taking more interest in young/academy players than most first team managers.
 

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Posted by Waynster (Member # 56) on :
 
Oh happy Day!

1-0 to the east end boys!!!!!

Sorry I am drunked, but it is ok for my boys pulled off the true great escape - we did it!!!
 

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Posted by Benny the Ball (Member # 694) on :
 
It was a great end - when I saw that wigan had gone 1-0 up, I suspected the worst, but then Tevez got involved, and it all went to pot at Sheffield - one goal difference sent then down!

Forest also played badly but won 0-2 - I'd prefer our chances against Blackpool, and if Oldham make it through now, they have to work, so hopefully will be tired - just need to win two games, two more little games, and we're up...
 

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Posted by Waynster (Member # 56) on :
 
Good luck to Forest tonight, and Chelsea tomorrow

Incidentally, My auntie is a season ticket holder at Forest and never misses a home game apparently
 

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Posted by Benny the Ball (Member # 694) on :
 
Damn. That was painful. Thanks for your good wishes though Waynster...
 

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Posted by Benny the Ball (Member # 694) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Benny the Ball:
I love Forest, but know that they will be beaten by Yovil unless they get up automatically - they're so bad at play-offs.

Plus, when I watch them at the moment, I feel insulted that they are called footballers and sportsmen - I feel like I could actually give half the team a game at the moment, the fat bastards!

Here's to a great saturday of watching the results roll in!

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I hate being right...
 

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Posted by Waynster (Member # 56) on :
 
Aww Benny - sorry mate. I honestly thought you were on for a final place there - damn me for being wrong.
 

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Posted by Zygote (Member # 883) on :
 
I've just done an Italian Serie B 'fixed draw' double. Let's see if this old trick works again this season, involving sides that have 'nothing to play for', save for securing a valuable point with only one fixture remaining after today's game.

Frosinone Vs Treviso: draw odds = 11/10 (Ladbrokes).
Vicenza Vs Lecce: draw odds = 4/5 (Ladbrokes).

£100 double returns £378.

Come on you bent bastards!
 

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Posted by Zygote (Member # 883) on :
 
Oh... and... Come on Chelsea!

As long as Rooney scores first, that is. I've a 'free' fiver bet on him at 7/1 to find the net first.
 

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Posted by Physic (Member # 195) on :
 
I managed to hurt my back playing tennis last night, so I'm hoping Chelsea win to take my mind of the pain Come on Drog!!
 

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Posted by Benny the Ball (Member # 694) on :
 
the next person who says 'cancelling each other out' is going to get a punch in testicles!

Penalties at 5/1? bet that's changed now...
 

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Posted by Physic (Member # 195) on :
 
Hmm, little to pick between them so far, Vidic seems to have taken on a new career as Didier Drogbas backpack the way he's been bearhugging him every time the ball goes near him, Giggs is crying like a little girl every time he gets dispossessed and seems to keep getting a phantom blade of grass to the eye judging by how he keeps grasping it and pointing to it without it actually being touched, and both the keepers havee already fucked off down the pub due to not being needed.

Meanwhile can someone please tell Shaun Wright-Phillips that it is actually okay to make a run beyond the last man once in a while, since laying the ball off to your team-mate and then just standing there like a plum staring at him rarely achieves much..
 

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Posted by Physic (Member # 195) on :
 
Incidentally, how crap is it that for the biggest showpiece final in the domestic game, they can't even sort out a decent pitch that doesn't cut up to the point of hampering passing within the first half hour..
 

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Posted by Physic (Member # 195) on :
 
Wooohooooo!!!!!!!!!!!
 

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Posted by Benny the Ball (Member # 694) on :
 
that was a lovely 1-2, that was. great goal - great period for about 20 minutes in the actual match - but yeah, quite dull besides. Rooney looked great in small bursts, but Utd had nothing - Makelele had the game controlled - Essien was awsome - I do like Kalou, he looked like he was about to walk away with the cup like a naughty child, if only he'd passed to Drogba late on, that would have been 2-0. Well done Chelsea + Jose, now if Liverpool can do the business on Weds it'll be a nice spread amongst the top 3 (not counting League cup - if Arsenal had won that, that would have been an interesting pattern).
 

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Posted by Physic (Member # 195) on :
 
I actually thought that Obi Mikel was the star turn for us in the centre of the park to be honest, Makelele did brilliantly in his usual "manage to be everywhere at once" way, but Obi Mikel's reading of the game just seems to improve every time I see him, the number of times he just picked up loose balls and held the ball up until he could pick a pass to feet, plus it was endlessly amusing to see Scholes repeatedly try to barge him off the ball, and end up on his arse every time. I think he could end up being just as effective as Makelele, but with a much better range of passing and far greater physical presence.
 

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Posted by Physic (Member # 195) on :
 
So who else was watching the "Champion's" League final? Thought it was a reasonable match to be honest, Liverpool looked dangerous in the first half but simply couldn't keep possession in the second. Seemed to me that they lacked a real presence in the box as well, Kuyt seemed to nominally be the target man, but he was dropping off so much they rarely seemed to have a proper focal point to their attack, if they'd put the Milan defenders and keeper under a bit more pressure I suspect they would have had more joy, Dida in particular looks anything but comfortable against crosses into the box normally.

The one thing that annoyed me was the ITV coverage, call me naive but you'd think that they'd try and at least be a little fair in their coverage, instead they took every opportunity they could to carp on about how flukey the first goal was (don't recall too many complaints when Smicer's shot was heading for the corner flag before a freak deflection off of a defender's heels 2 years ago..), and after the game seemed determined to belittle the AC Milan players, even managing to claim that Gattuso 'wasn't seen', when in fact he put in a lot of graft and some very good tackles (especially for a guy already on a yellow) to break up Liverpool's attacks. Just came a across as really petty to be honest.

Anyway, hard luck Liverpool, you had a lot of luck in 2005 but none tonight, maybe these things do balance out after all..
 

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Posted by Benny the Ball (Member # 694) on :
 
Milan were defensively fantastic - more so from the midfield than the actualy defenders. Mascherano was Liverpool's best player, which highlights what their tactic was - Zenden just looked like a player who was playing out his contract and not wanting to get hurt - no effort, no risk, no return. Can't believe that they just didn't go for it and play crouch and Kyut from the start?

Anyway, Milan deserved it - Liverpool had too many players who didn't seem to be there on the night, never mind knowing if they'd be there next year...
 

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Posted by missgolightly (Member # 34) on :
 
It was a shame the ref didn't know how to use a watch though - the announcement said there'd be about 3 and a bit mins time added, but they only ended up getting about 2 mins 45, during which Milan had a free kick and a substitution. I'm not saying Liverpool were likely to score in the extra minute or so, but it's a slight possibiltity at least, right? So, bah.
 

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Posted by Physic (Member # 195) on :
 
The 3 minutes held up is the 3rd official's reckoning, as far as I know the ref isn't duty bound to agree to the second, it's just to show if there's a huge discrepancy I think, also the times given on the screen are ITV's times, it's perfectly feasible that the ref's watch was 15 seconds different to what they were showing.

It's also rare that ref's seem to bother adding time onto time added on, unless there's a major stoppage, 1 sub and 1 free kick were never that likely to result in extra stoppage time in my experience..

[ 23.05.2007, 20:39: Message edited by: Physic ]
 

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Posted by Vogon Poetess (Member # 164) on :
 
Well, at least it was an entertaining spectacle- unlike the catastrophic yawn-fest of the Cup Final. Just imagine if Chelsea and Man U had made it to the CL final and had played like they did on Saturday- what an advert for English football!

Anyway, although Liverpool went for it and were clearly dominant in the first half, there's no point in being in control without getting it right at the business end of things. I was watching the game with neutral mates and one of them opined that both teams embarrassed themselves a bit- I wouldn't go that far, but neither looked infallible, and in the end Milan probably deserved to win by capitalising properly on their opportunities.

I usually have enormous respect for Benitez's tactical shrewdness (and quiet, unassuming nature- unlike others I could mention), but I think he got it wrong here. I don't rate Zenden, and replacing him with Kewell- Lord save us. Crouch should have been on earlier as well.

I can't believe there's no more football or any summer sports tournaments now! No Euros, no World Cup, and no Olympics this year. I think I shall turn to crime out of boredom.
 

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Posted by Physic (Member # 195) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Vogon Poetess:
Well, at least it was an entertaining spectacle- unlike the catastrophic yawn-fest of the Cup Final. Just imagine if Chelsea and Man U had made it to the CL final and had played like they did on Saturday- what an advert for English football!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Vogon Poetess:
I wish I'd been able to watch last year's Cup Final as a neutral- that must have been awesome.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Vogon Poetess:
Yes, the semi final games were pretty gash too- seems like playing Chelsea is the common denominator here?

I don't require the score to be 9-8 for me to classify the game as exciting, and I wouldn't describe last night's match as a classic. However, there were plenty of attempts on target and the game was at least watchable, unlike the Cup Final, which I was just desperate to end so I could get on with my Saturday. I wish I'd been able to watch last year's Cup Final as a neutral- that must have been awesome.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Vogon Poetess:

I was specifically comparing the entertainment spectacles of the two big games we've had this week. Neither were brilliant, but that FA Cup Final will sadly be remembered for being a soporific, turgid affair, rescued by one good goal that was completely different class from the rest of the action.

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quote:

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I was talking with my mates last night about great games they'd watched as neutrals- I think Germany vs Italy in last year's World Cup would probably be my favourite for spectator value.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Benny the Ball:
Well done to Derby, by the way, doc d - my secret shame as a Forest fan was that for years my favourite player was Darryl Powell - the man was a legend.

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quote:

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Originally posted by doc d:
he was just a poor man's carlton palmer

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quote:

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Originally posted by Benny the Ball:
Man U's policy seems to have always been to get in a bundle of youngsters and see what sticks - the odd big purchase aside (veron a good example of this).

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