Real Football (Soccer to you Yanks) Thread

[Springsteen]

I'd be more concerned by Liverpool to be honest. 1-1 against Sunderland at home despite having a lot of efforts is very poor. Yeah the goal they had disallowed was unlucky (I didn't think it was a push at all) but they had plenty of other chances to get something more. Sunderland's performance was much better in the second half than the first and Larsson's goal was exceptional. 0-0 away at Newcastle isn't a bad result, it's just with the fact Arsenal couldn't finish would be more concerning, but it's not a bad outcome.

We and our main challengers play today and tomorrow. I think Villas-Boas will learn a lot about how Chelsea cope with physical teams today like Jamie Redknapp says, Drogba not playing surprises me a bit. We play at 4 at West Brom, we should win but they'll be up for it. And Man City play Swansea at home tomorrow.

 

[Racks]

I'm not too worried to be honest. We're not as good as we were last season, but Liverpool look worse in all honesty.

What games was you watching?... Liverpool had the ball in the back of the net twice and both were legit goals, one ruled out for nothing.
Nah I was just messing before, I think it will be close between us and your lot for fourth. Hoping Stoke can get something against Chelsea now.

 

[Racks]

I'd be more concerned by Liverpool to be honest. 1-1 against Sunderland at home despite having a lot of efforts is very poor. Yeah the goal they had disallowed was unlucky (I didn't think it was a push at all) but they had plenty of other chances to get something more. Sunderland's performance was much better in the second half than the first and Larsson's goal was exceptional. 0-0 away at Newcastle isn't a bad result, it's just with the fact Arsenal couldn't finish would be more concerning, but it's not a bad outcome.

We and our main challengers play today and tomorrow. I think Villas-Boas will learn a lot about how Chelsea cope with physical teams today like Jamie Redknapp says, Drogba not playing surprises me a bit. We play at 4 at West Brom, we should win but they'll be up for it. And Man City play Swansea at home tomorrow.

Yeah I was just on a wind up, With the Arsenal won't finishing in the Top 5
Think it will be a tough battle between us and them for fourth... I know some arsenal fans thinking Udinse could knock them out... Udinse have Di Natale whos a Top draw striker.
And yeah agree it only between Man U Man city and Chelsea for 1st... I think it will finish in that order.

Just Noticed Woodgate started for Stoke against Chelsea... Might have a bet on him limping off after 15

 

[Zorak]

I think tottenham are the threat. In complete honesty. Liverpool are better than last season because of downing, but the rest of the signings are no improvement (in fact, Liverpool suffered yesterday by displacing the ever reliable and great penalty taker kuyt with Henderson)
My worry with arsenal yesterday was with the final ball, but I think if Van Persie drops deeper, and Wilshere comes back and we get those new signings in, we will be more than fine.

 

[Racks]

I think tottenham are the threat. In complete honesty. Liverpool are better than last season because of downing, but the rest of the signings are no improvement (in fact, Liverpool suffered yesterday by displacing the ever reliable and great penalty taker kuyt with Henderson)
My worry with arsenal yesterday was with the final ball, but I think if Van Persie drops deeper, and Wilshere comes back and we get those new signings in, we will be more than fine.

Yeah Charlie Adam should have took the pen...
How long is wilshere out for? Will he miss the Liverpool game next weekend?
I know your new striker will through suspension had him in my fantasy team to. :mad
Van Persie will be suspended in Champs League also I think.

 

[Zorak]

Wilshere should be back by the Liverpool game.

I think we will lose the Liverpool game. I think Liverpool will raise their game and we will be caught out.

 

[Peter Parka]

i think tottenham are the threat.

:24::24::24:

 

[Peter Parka]

Best retort of the week

Benni McCarthy - Karen Brady is the devil with tits
Karen Brady - But Benni, I'm meant to have tits, you aren't!

:24::24::24:

 

[Zorak]

Arsenal are beating Udinese 1-0

 

[porterjack]

Arsenal are beating Udinese 1-0

Is this a qualifier for uefa champions league

 

[Racks]

Arsenal are beating Udinese 1-0

Yeah watching it... Been a cracking game.End to end, Could be 3-3

Is this a qualifier for uefa champions league

It is.

 

[Springsteen]

yeah been a good game, Udinese have broken given the opportunity and look like they could score a goal.

Gibbs and Djorou have both picked up hamstring injuries tonight.

 

[Zorak]

Yeah watching it... Been a cracking game.End to end, Could be 3-3

.

It's been a good game yeah.

Whomever is commentating with Alan Smith is grating on me. Every minute he says Arsenal are shit. I can only take so much! :surrender

 

[porterjack]

Hey i found it on setanta

Am watching

I suppose not qualifying would mean a serious loss of $$$ to either side

 

[Zorak]

I suppose not qualifying would mean a serious loss of $$$ to either side

Arsenal certainly expect CL football so count on the revenue, it's more of a bonus for Udinese who aren't frequent participants.

Finishes 1-0. Fantastic save from Handanovic stopped it from being 2-0.
Not great, but not bad considering the injuries, the suspensions etc.

 

[Springsteen]

Yeah not a bad result. Arsenal can get a goal in Italy with the increased quality in the strike force there will be. I think Udinese might score too so it's set up nicely.

 

[Zorak]

Yeah not a bad result. Arsenal can get a goal in Italy with the increased quality in the strike force there will be. I think Udinese might score too so it's set up nicely.

Chamakh was awful tonight.... Bendtner probably would have done better.

Ramsey, however, was excellent.

 

[Springsteen]

Watched two matches last night. First one was Bayern Munich vs FC Zurich in the Champions League qualifiers, ended 2-0 to Bayern with Schewinsteiger and Robben scoring in either half, would have been mroe had Mario Gomes had his shooting boots on, but 2-0 was a very comfortable scoreline and barring a miracle Bayern are into this season's Champions League.

The other was Barcelona vs Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup second leg, ended 3-2 to Barca and 5-4 on aggregate to them. Iniesta opened the scoring with a lovely chip before Ronaldo equalised. Messi made it 2-1 before half time before Benzema made it 2-2 in the closing stages. Fabregas then came on and he had a hand in the winner, passing to Adriano who crossed for Messi to lash in the winner. Unsavoury scenes before the end when Marcelo hacked down Fabregas and was shown a straight red. In the ensuing brawl both Mesut Ozil and David Villa were sent off. Mourinho also raked the Barca assistant in the eye and could face action. All in all a wonderful football match marred by more trouble from the Madrid terrorists.

All Spanish games have been called off this weekend because of a dispute over money between the clubs and the union, the players are owed a lot of money which hasn't been agreed yet, so the players aren't playing. There's another meeting tomorrow but even if something came of it there wouldn't be enough time to organise games for this weekend, but maybe next weekend. If not next weekend La Liga will start on the second weekend of September.

 

[Peter Parka]

Apparently Mourinho was having a rant after the game, calling Barcelona a small team. :24:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/18/jose-mourinho-real-madrid-barcelona-rant?CMP=twt_gu

 

[Zorak]

He didn't call them a small team, he said their stadium services were that of a small team.

I have some sympathy for Mourinho, Barca are very unsporting.