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Official Football Thread 2006/2007 (Soccer)

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He's done a remarkable job. I thought it was ridiculous when Sunderland brought him in, but I'm eating my words now.

He has really good connections as well, bringing in ex-teammates like Dwight Yorke, Liam Miller, Stanislav Varga etc. He even tried to buy Forlan recently, perhaps a bit ambitious :lol

I guarantee it, if Sunderland are promoted, the United reserves will be under threat. Brown, O'Shea, Fletcher, Richardson, Smith...watch out.

Not that United fans give a **** if Richardson's sold.

EDIT: They'll struggle in the Premiership without a top striker though. The two teams who've done best in the Premiership coming up from below in the last couple of years (Wigan, West Ham, Reading) have bought at least one top striker with them, I even think Watford might have survived if Marlon King hadn't been injured so early on. Sunderland just have a couple of...ok goalscorers, not even in the 15 best in the Championship.
 
we were very poor today (again). By the time of the goalmouth scramble all I could do was laugh, although I wanted to cry.

Luckily Bolton didn't win. I can't wait for the season to be over now, it just hurts to see us play at the moment.

That of course doesn't change the fact that Howard Webb is a ****.
 
I like O'Shea ( more as a central player) and Smith ( one of my favorite players) but aside from that..as long as we get Hargreaves they can have Richardson and Fletcher. Id like to keep Brown only cause Im sure Hienze will be gone and Brown can play anywhere on the back four.
 
Im not surprised keane has done well. You could tell that he had what it took to become a decent manager. He's done a very good job with sunderland. I doubt he's a brilliant tactician, but he's got such a strong winning mentality and thats rubbed off on the players. Doing well in the championship is just the first step for keane; its going to be very tough in the premiership, but with a couple of decent signing I reckon he could succeed

There are rumours that he wants to buy/ loan nicky butt. In a way it would be a good idea because butt is a decent midfielder and it would give them a bit more toughness in midfield. They both know each other so it would make sense for them to work alongside one another. The only problem is that they're probably close friends and that could work out badly. Then again he's probably good mates with yorke and he's been playing well under keane, so it shouldnt be a problem with butt.

As for striker options, it could be a problem. Loaning out rossi is a good idea. Keane knows him well and I doubt rossi will get first team football at United next season. Rossi needs some good experience in the premiership, so sunderland would be an ideal place. He's almost guaranteed first team football.
 
Ryck said:
I like O'Shea ( more as a central player) and Smith ( one of my favorite players) but aside from that..as long as we get Hargreaves they can have Richardson and Fletcher. Id like to keep Brown only cause Im sure Hienze will be gone and Brown can play anywhere on the back four.
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Ive got mixed feelings about o'shea. he's a versatile player, but he's been moved around so much that he doesnt have the ability to play in one position relaly well. He's an average player who is good enough to fill in for someone once in a while. He would be a good option for Sunderland. He's not good enough for united, but he'd become such an important player for sunderland.
 
It'd be fun if Sunderland got promoted. I'll be curious to see how former Arsenal player Anthony Stokes does in the Premier League. He 16 goals in 18 appearances for Falkirk in the SPL and cup before making the move to Sunderland. I don't think he's really settled in with them yet.
 
In a way Id love to see Sunderland get promoted so Fergie and keane can face each other, but on the other hand im not so happy about it because I know we will lose against them.
 
I hate O'Shea, him and Richardson are great examples of talent being wasted by bad attitudes. If theres one thing I can't stand in a Utd player its that. I would go so far as to say they are disgraces to the club.

But O'Shea looks like he is starting to work hard again, Richardson should be gone, waste of what limited talent he has. O'Shea could have been great though, he used to be brilliant in his first season, but since then he's slacked off, put on weight and doesn't give a damn. How many times do you remember seeing O'Shea make a committed challenge or get himself a bit dirty? Almost never. His versatility may be his saving grace, especially since he looks like he is trying a bit more, lost some wight in recent months.

Rossi should be at Utd next season, Fergie actually wanted him to stay in England but Rossi asked to go. If he'd stayed he would have definately played a role. He has already played alongside the likes of Smith, Ole, Saha etc and more often than not he's looked the better player so he's good enough to be our 3rd/4th choice at least. I reckon he will be get his chance next season.

unless we buy a big name striker, can't sell smith/saha and are forced into pushing rossi further down the pecking order.
 
I quite like O'Shea, in central midfield. Nowhere else.

unless we buy a big name striker, can't sell smith/saha and are forced into pushing rossi further down the pecking order.
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Could you clarify this sentence? I can't follow it.
 
Mama Smurf said:
Oh wait, I understand it now.

...why on earth would you want to sell Saha?
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I didnt mean I want to sell Saha...I was simply describing the way things could pan out. I want to keep Saha, and Smith as well really, but Saha is too injury prone and Smith isn't the goal scorer we need. We have no recognised number one striker. I wouldnt be terribly upset if we let one of them go if we got able replacements.

the way Man Utd works atm is there is a level of seniority with the players.

So while Smith and Saha are fit, it will be difficult for Rossi to get ahead of them unless the manager really pushes the boat out. Not sure if that would benefit Rossi either as he then has 2 pairs of glaring seniors on the bench, headlines of "saha/smith DROPPED for kid" and the usual pressure of being a young striker trying to lead the line of one of the worlds biggest clubs. but I see Rossi as the future and it'd be a shame if we halted his development for the likes of Saha/Smith.

I dont like O'Shea in the middle, but if needs must....prefer him at full back. But again I would prefer we never had to use him at all, sadly it seems he gets more than his fair share of games.
 
Oh I see, yeah it'll be difficult for Rossi to make too much of an impression, unless he can do enough from the bench. Never know though, some injury situation could give him a good run in the team.
 
The way Sunderland's going right now, it begs the question...does Sir Alex give way to Mark Hughes as most people have assumed the last couple years, or will be succeeded by Keano? I know what Mama is hoping for, but I think it's an interesting choice (if there's one to be made).
 
You don't know me! I actually want Keane!

And you thought I'd want Hughes to take over at United, you Arsenal fans crack me up.

I don't want to take anything away from the guy, but let's not forget that Keane's arrival was accompanied by new investment in the club too. Money's not enough, it has to be spent wisely and he's done that, but it would have been interesting to see how he'd have done with Sunderland in the same state they were before the cash injection.

Also, I can't tell if the Championship is generally strong this year and they're all taking points off each other, or if it's weak, but even if Sunderland get the maximum reamining points available they'll have a total lower than the top 3 teams last year (and 25 points behind the winners, Reading).

So I'll wait and see how things go in the future before deciding whether he could do a job at a massive club like United.
 
I am not a big fan of Keane as a leader - which may sound strange coming from a die hard Utd fan. He's a legend, love him and he was a good captain - but he also did what no great leader should do and that is blame his team mates, hold grudges and lay into people publically.

He's doing ok now that he is at a small club with little ambition, he's a big personality to boot, the whole tough teacher/warden approach works there.

The real test is how he copes with a crisis. He hasn't really done anything to impress me as a manager, but he has shown signs that he is aware of his weaknesses and will work to eliminate them.

but the major sticking point for the next utd manager is that you genuinely have to be a club manager. you dont just manage the first team. you manage the staff, the youth set up, the publicity, the press etc. its without doubt the biggest job in world football and tbh I dont think anyone could take over properly. then you have the whole traditions to be upheld, playing attacking football and so on.

I am not sure if there is any anager who has the same winning mentality, the same hunger for cavalier football and never say die attitude and same passion for youth.

Apart from of course mr Wenger.

I'm not sure if Hughes or Keane have shown those kind of credentials with attacking football being the top priority.
 
Yay, another Champions League match day starts!

Here are my predictions for today:

Valencia 0 : 2 Chelsea
ManU 1 : 0 Roma

I think it's going to be an English Day. Moreover I want ManU to be Bayern's next opponent.
 
Blablurn said:
Yay, another Champions League match day starts!

Here are my predictions for today:

Valencia 0 : 2 Chelsea
ManU 1 : 0 Roma

I think it's going to be an English Day. Moreover I want ManU to be Bayern's next opponent.
Click to expand...

After this weekends lost to Portsmouth I think Man United has too much to worry about. Chelsea on the other hand really is playing freely like I've never seen before. They play with seemingly no pressure, and it turns into some of the best football I've seen since Arsenal's unbeaten run. I'm telling you... even without Totti, I think Roma will win with one goal tomorrow. Plus, Van der Sar's play as of late has been questionable.

Chelsea will not allow a goal and probably only score one and move on.

Bayern will beat or draw 1-1 with Milan on wednesday at the Allianz. They are known to lockdown a game when they need to.

And yeah... Liverpool's in.

Semi's:

Roma vs. Bayern
Chelsea vs. Liverpool

gonna be fun.
 
reactions to yesterdays game:

I once cut the top of my thumb off with one of those big rotary meat slicers you see in delis and that was more fun that watching that game yesterday. -arseblog

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal: Well, nobody died. There end the positives. -gunnerblog
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:lol

i want to cry :(
 
true, I wasn't really into Arsenal yet back then though. I only really started following them around the time Bergkamp joined. And of course, ever since Wenger joined Arsenal have played great football, not that that has changed this season.

It's hard to complain when you're winning though. Imagine Chelsea playing the kind of football they are and not winning, I doubt their supporters would be happy.
 
It seem like Schweinsteiger won't play x_X

hitzschwiein1137137ax9.jpg
 
what a pity he does not play like effe :/

effenberg was a really good leader. but it seems like van bommel is able to replace im finally.
 
well, he's done one good thing. It's the same thing I always consider doing when seeing german fans too:

wm1994_history_effenberg_stinkefinger.jpg



Van Bommel is a great player btw. Bayern were very lucky to land him. He'd do very well in England too.
 
A final with two english teams would be horrible to say the least.

Valencia - Manchester or, Milan/Chelsea - Valencia would be awesome.
 
Blablurn said:
No love for Bayern? :/
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I was just thinking of editing my post :p

Bayern is awesome too (<3 makaay+van bommel). All i'm hoping for is that the final doesn't end up being an all english final, that's all.
 
bud said:
I was just thinking of editing my post :p

Bayern is awesome too (<3 makaay+van bommel). All i'm hoping for is that the final doesn't end up being an all english final, that's all.
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If it's Man Utd and Liverpool... well.. that says it all.
 
bud said:
truth hurts
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It doesn't hurt though, you play great football, it would be a lie to say you didn't (if you are a Man U fan). Only Ferguson can conjur up that kind of football, but to say we don't play proper football is just blasphemous, if we didn't play proper football, we wouldn't be in the quarter-finals right now, we wouldn't have won the Champs League in 2005, and FA Cup in 2006 if we didn't know how to play proper football.

So thank you, goodbye :)
 
kaizoku said:
I am not a big fan of Keane as a leader - which may sound strange coming from a die hard Utd fan. He's a legend, love him and he was a good captain - but he also did what no great leader should do and that is blame his team mates, hold grudges and lay into people publically.

He's doing ok now that he is at a small club with little ambition, he's a big personality to boot, the whole tough teacher/warden approach works there.

The real test is how he copes with a crisis. He hasn't really done anything to impress me as a manager, but he has shown signs that he is aware of his weaknesses and will work to eliminate them.

but the major sticking point for the next utd manager is that you genuinely have to be a club manager. you dont just manage the first team. you manage the staff, the youth set up, the publicity, the press etc. its without doubt the biggest job in world football and tbh I dont think anyone could take over properly. then you have the whole traditions to be upheld, playing attacking football and so on.

I am not sure if there is any anager who has the same winning mentality, the same hunger for cavalier football and never say die attitude and same passion for youth.

Apart from of course mr Wenger.

I'm not sure if Hughes or Keane have shown those kind of credentials with attacking football being the top priority.
Click to expand...
Keane has done all that he can with sunderland. They are at the top of the championship during his first season in charge. There isnt much more you can ask from him. Next year will be a good indication wether or not he's a good manager. Its going to be a big test. There will be more pressure to perform, there will be more focus from the media and overall its going to be a real tgest of charatcer. If sunderland do get promoted and he keeps them in the premiership, its another big step. If he can still keep them up the following season and possibly push them further up the table then he'll prove that he's a capable manager. Its impossible to tell wether he's good enough to be uniteds manager in the future, but if he can keep sunderland in the premiership for a few seasons then we'll get a good indication of what he's like.

Its still way too early to talk about keane succeeding fergie. Whoever is going to be his successor is going to have a difficult time. Fergie has had a couple of bad moments as a manager, but overall he's been an unbelieveable leader for over 20 years. Personally id like to see Hughes replace him because he's done well with blackbrun and he could become a long term option. Someone like capello is an excellent manager to have, but after va couple of years he will leave. Id rather have someone who can manage in the long run rather than a short term manager.
 
Lakitu said:
It doesn't hurt though, you play great football, it would be a lie to say you didn't (if you are a Man U fan). Only Ferguson can conjur up that kind of football, but to say we don't play proper football is just blasphemous, if we didn't play proper football, we wouldn't be in the quarter-finals right now, we wouldn't have won the Champs League in 2005, and FA Cup in 2006 if we didn't know how to play proper football.

So thank you, goodbye :)
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Winning from psv isn't really difficult :)

seriously though, i was just responding to your post that i quoted. didn't mean to get you angry or something :p
 
Lakitu said:
If it's Man Utd and Liverpool... well.. that says it all.
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I dont think I could watch it if it happened. If we lost it would just be too humiliating. Its the same if liverpool win. If that is going to be the final, then United should be fine if Liverpool finish as badly as they did against us this season.
 
bud said:
Winning from psv isn't really difficult :)

seriously though, i was just responding to your post that i quoted. didn't mean to get you angry or something :p
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But Barcelona is :P

And hehe I'm not angry, I agree that Man Utd play great football, but if it were a final between Man Utd and Liverpool, which I would doubt, it would be very interesting. On and off the pitch.
 
bud said:
Winning from psv isn't really difficult :)
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But beating barca is. You should be giving liverpool a bit more credit. I dont like the, but they've been playing so well in the CL.
 
psycho_snake said:
I dont think I could watch it if it happened. If we lost it would just be too humiliating. Its the same if liverpool win. If that is goign to be the final, then United should be fine if Liverpoll finish asd badly as they did against us this season.
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That was just awful :(
 
To be honest, barca isn't really having a good season (blame sevilla and madrid for their no.1 spot). But beating them was a great feat but generally speaking, I'm not really fond of liverpool's style. but that's just me
 
bud said:
To be honest, barca isn't really having a good season (blame sevilla and madrid for their no.1 spot). But beating them was a great feat but generally speaking, I'm not really fond of liverpool's style. but that's just me
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Its working very well in the CL. In the premiership I think they should have a more attacking approach against the smaller teams, but their tactics work well in eurpoe. They've got a packed midfield with very strong players and almost any team will find it hard to break that down. We suffered because of that when we played them at anfield. Our midfield was non-existant because theirs was so good.
 
bud said:
To be honest, barca isn't really having a good season (blame sevilla and madrid for their no.1 spot). But beating them was a great feat but generally speaking, I'm not really fond of liverpool's style. but that's just me
Click to expand...

How would you describe our style? And don't say long ball, as stats say we've only played 100 more long balls than Man Utd all season.
 
Let's not forget Liverpool completely outplayed United not too long ago (even if United somehow got the result), they tend to do well against the big teams.

It probably won't happen anyway, too many things can go wrong before then. I honestly don't know who's going to go through tonight, but I'll say one Premiership team through, one Premiership team out.

I read Liverpool might want Benni McCarthy. You can have him...if you give us Bellamy back.
 
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