The association football 2009/10 thread...

[MickeyG]

Fuckin' Villa let the scum score in injury time.

Shitty match by all accounts.

Sleazy, that match you are talking about was the first game of the 95-96 season I believe. United had won nowt the previous season as Blackburn pipped them to the title and United also lost in the FA cup final to Everton. Fergie sold Sparky, Kanchelskis and Ince in the summer of 95 and replaced 2 of them with Beckham and Scholes while Andy Cole had been signed the previous winter to replace Hughes. That was the winter when Cantona did his infamous kung fu kick and got a lengthy ban.

Also, after that loss to Villa, Alan Hansen famously made his statement that "you'll win nothing with kids" which prompted United to go on and do the double that season. There's a reason Hansen is a pundit and not a manager.

[jellyheadrobertson]

Fuckin' Villa let the scum score in injury time.

Shitty match by all accounts.

It was. Villa were the better side. Torres was pretty invisible until the goal. No service from the midfield. Nothing coming in from the wings. Villa ran the midfield. Reina-2 game saving saves. Nice of Stevie Warnock to help his old side out. We are still piss poor.

[CliffByford]

Meanwhile, QPR are starting to resemble a pub team and Exeter City are perilously close to the drop. Considering that two seasons ago they were in the Blue Square Premier, I don't think it'd be a disaster to drop back to League Two. Getting in League One was a hell of an achievement.

My home town side, Bournemouth, are hanging on for grim life in terms of contention for promotion out of League Two. Recent, last-gasp wins against both Cheltenham and Torquay have helped but the transfer embargo imposed upon them will start to show; their already small squad is starting to fray around the edges, to put it lightly.

Anyone think that Chelsea will struggle thanks to the departure of their African contingent for the Cup of Nations? Personally, although I feel Kalou is sometimes underrated (and does an especially good job from the bench), it's Drogba who will be hard to replace. Essien too, though I feel Chelsea are slightly better equipped in the midfield. Whilst Anelka is a fine striker, who will play alongside him? Sturridge? Kakuta? Both look tasty but will really have to up their game.

I hope that Zhirkov gets a chance to shine, too - though I hate Chelsea with an all-consuming passion, I fucking love this player. It's a shame to see him mouldering on the bench every damn game.

[pieceofme]

Meanwhile, QPR are starting to resemble a pub team and Exeter City are perilously close to the drop. Considering that two seasons ago they were in the Blue Square Premier, I don't think it'd be a disaster to drop back to League Two. Getting in League One was a hell of an achievement.

My home town side, Bournemouth, are hanging on for grim life in terms of contention for promotion out of League Two. Recent, last-gasp wins against both Cheltenham and Torquay have helped but the transfer embargo imposed upon them will start to show; their already small squad is starting to fray around the edges, to put it lightly.

Anyone think that Chelsea will struggle thanks to the departure of their African contingent for the Cup of Nations? Personally, although I feel Kalou is sometimes underrated (and does an especially good job from the bench), it's Drogba who will be hard to replace. Essien too, though I feel Chelsea are slightly better equipped in the midfield. Whilst Anelka is a fine striker, who will play alongside him? Sturridge? Kakuta? Both look tasty but will really have to up their game.

I hope that Zhirkov gets a chance to shine, too - though I hate Chelsea with an all-consuming passion, I fucking love this player. It's a shame to see him mouldering on the bench every damn game.

I asked that question on the previous page. But I still think they will win the title, because they have more strength and depth than the other title challengers, plus the games they have when the African players away are relatively straightforward.

[Sleazyjack]

Fuckin' Villa let the scum score in injury time.

Shitty match by all accounts.

It was. Villa were the better side. Torres was pretty invisible until the goal. No service from the midfield. Nothing coming in from the wings. Villa ran the midfield. Reina-2 game saving saves. Nice of Stevie Warnock to help his old side out. We are still piss poor.

It was an appalling match , we were just slightly the better team , but on that form , neither of these teams will finish top 4, Torres and Gerrard were diving all over the place as usual and neither really look fit, one mistake sealed the win and to be honest it could have happened at either end! not convinced Carew and Heskey and the central strikers we need, perhaps a bit for Bent or someone like that is needed!!

We are having a bit of a wobble at the moment, 3 cup games against Blackburn will hopefully turn it around again and give us a cup final to look forward to - let's hope!

yes - your right about that United game , I remember now, that was the year we were doing really well and managed to fuck it up by losing to Bolton at home !!

[MickeyG]

Awful from United Old Trafford right now. Thank God Welbeck has gone off, he's not good enough for me.

[MickeyG]

And he still thinks he doesn't have to buy in January. What a dope.

[Hellsinkey]

Awful game, this team won't make it. Leeds could have scored more with luck.

[SLASH1976]

Man United played awful they need some new blood

[Supersonic]

Both Carling Cup ties to be played this week are now postponed due to severe weather. The pitches are fine but no one can safely get to the grounds. It's been the worst winter in the North West for a long time.

[Hellsinkey]

Another poor performance from ManU, the own goal was just lucky.

[MickeyG]

Another poor performance from ManU, the own goal was just lucky.

First half, they were the better team and missed chances. Second half, they sucked and Kuszczak made 3 good saves to keep United in it.

I thought Fletcher was unlucky to get sent off. I didn't think the second booking warranted a yellow card.

But overall, United were poor and if you don't score enough goals you will struggle to win. Play 2 wingers and tell them to play like wingers, getting wide, beating the fullback and get crosses in. Play a settled team, injuries and suspensions permitting. The likes of Brown and Park should never wear a red shirt again, unless it's Liverpool red. Sign a decent goal scoring striker, offload Nani and Berbatov. Play a ball winner at all times in one of the center midfield spots. I'm not sure Fletcher is good enough for that, but maybe Hargreaves will be ready soon. If not, sign someone, Carrick is not cutting it. The old guard are running out of steam and can't carry the team anymore. Giggs, Scholes and Neville have been great servants but should be used sparingly. Don't damage their legacy by over playing them when they aren't up to it.

[pieceofme]

Another poor performance from ManU, the own goal was just lucky.

First half, they were the better team and missed chances. Second half, they sucked and Kuszczak made 3 good saves to keep United in it.

I thought Fletcher was unlucky to get sent off. I didn't think the second booking warranted a yellow card.

But overall, United were poor and if you don't score enough goals you will struggle to win. Play 2 wingers and tell them to play like wingers, getting wide, beating the fullback and get crosses in. Play a settled team, injuries and suspensions permitting. The likes of Brown and Park should never wear a red shirt again, unless it's Liverpool red. Sign a decent goal scoring striker, offload Nani and Berbatov. Play a ball winner at all times in one of the center midfield spots. I'm not sure Fletcher is good enough for that, but maybe Hargreaves will be ready soon. If not, sign someone, Carrick is not cutting it. The old guard are running out of steam and can't carry the team anymore. Giggs, Scholes and Neville have been great servants but should be used sparingly. Don't damage their legacy by over playing them when they aren't up to it.

Yeah pretty much agree with that, although do really like Fletcher, but him and Carrick together are just not creative enough.

[CliffByford]

Is the Africa Cup of Nations only being shown live on Eurosport, i.e. a service I don't have? I only possess Freeview and can't find even a highlights show. I'm doubly bummed because today's game finished 4-4 between Angola and Mali - it sounded like a corker.

I remember when it was on the BBC, and back then it just seemed to be players blazing it over the bar from 10 yards out. Now I can't watch it - this!

[MickeyG]

Yeah pretty much agree with that, although do really like Fletcher, but him and Carrick together are just not creative enough.

To be fair, I've warmed up to Fletcher a bit. Fergie used to play him wide right, like he does with Park and neither are good enough out there. Fletcher is ok as a destroyer in the middle, but can struggle against real quality. I'm not against playing 2 ball winners in center mid, with 2 proper wingers and 2 forwards. I'd prefer that against the better teams than playing 5 in midfield which Fergie will often use against decent sides.

[Hellsinkey]

Is the Africa Cup of Nations only being shown live on Eurosport, i.e. a service I don't have? I only possess Freeview and can't find even a highlights show. I'm doubly bummed because today's game finished 4-4 between Angola and Mali - it sounded like a corker.

I remember when it was on the BBC, and back then it just seemed to be players blazing it over the bar from 10 yards out. Now I can't watch it - this!

Get Sopcast for free and watch on the net. There have been plenty of Eurosport football broadcasts. I watch Premier League games on Sopcast. It's not of course TV quality, but at least it's free and you can see games etc. you otherwise can't.

[MickeyG]

I'll be amazed if Rafa survives this one.

[CliffByford]

I'll be amazed if Rafa survives this one.

The problem for Liverpool is that no matter how badly the Spanish waiter does in terms of managing the side, they've got even bigger fuck-ups and misfits on the board. It's an absolute circus.

Hercules could clean the Augean Stables, but even he would have a job to get rid of all the shit in Anfield.

[MickeyG]

Gerrard and Torres limped off too.

I wonder whether they were just precautionary, though. I know it was one of the last trophies they had to play for, but I think 4th place in the league is worth more to these clubs than winning the FA cup. And that's sad really. Maybe winning your domestic cup should carry the reward of getting to the qualifying rounds of the Champions league.

[jellyheadrobertson]

I can't see Liverpool making the top four. We are so poor right now and City seem to have found their form. Everything is such a mess on and off the field. Thirty years I have followed this team and can't remember it being this bad.

[MickeyG]

It was close to being a shambles in the last days of Dalgleish and then under Sourpuss.

I keep reading fans saying bring back Kenny but I'm not sure he's the right option. He left Liverpool worse than he found it and had success at Blackburn, but was hounded out of Celtic, and only did ok at Newcastle.

[jellyheadrobertson]

It was close to being a shambles in the last days of Dalgleish and then under Sourpuss.

I keep reading fans saying bring back Kenny but I'm not sure he's the right option. He left Liverpool worse than he found it and had success at Blackburn, but was hounded out of Celtic, and only did ok at Newcastle.

Whoever comes in has a lot to change. We have no style of football, no confidence and piles of dead wood. I don't think Kenny is the answer either.
BTW-Torres out for 6 weeks.

[MickeyG]

Just read that about Torres, fucker seems injury prone. Maybe it's playing in a more physical league and his body isn't up to it yet. I know he's been at Liverpool a few seasons, but maybe it's taken this long to take it's toll. Last season was rough for him too.

Van Nistelrooy is being touted as a possible stop gap with a 6 month loan. I think he'd do better for Liverpool than Owen has done for United.

[Hellsinkey]

Good to see Van der Sar back, couple of great saves. That new guy Diouf could be the inspiration ManU needs, an arrogant goalscorer.

[coatsy]

Just read that about Torres, fucker seems injury prone. Maybe it's playing in a more physical league and his body isn't up to it yet. I know he's been at Liverpool a few seasons, but maybe it's taken this long to take it's toll. Last season was rough for him too.

Van Nistelrooy is being touted as a possible stop gap with a 6 month loan. I think he'd do better for Liverpool than Owen has done for United.

torres is injury prone as liverpool continually play him before he's ready. if he finally gets an operation on his troublesome knee he should be good to go.

[Sleazyjack]

Now that was a game of football, Villa in to the final


James Milner has to be one of the best players in England at the moment!!

now to try and get a final ticket somehow lol!

[MickeyG]

Shit on the City, shit on the City tonight!!

[Hellsinkey]

Nice finish, too bad for Tevez.

[MickeyG]

I've seen half an hour from Nani today and he's a completely different player than the one we've seen for the past 12 months.

I know he's been playing well the last few games but this is the first I've seen of him.

Good pass from Nani for the second goal too.

[pieceofme]

I've seen half an hour from Nani today and he's a completely different player than the one we've seen for the past 12 months.

I know he's been playing well the last few games but this is the first I've seen of him.

Good pass from Nani for the second goal too.

He's been playing well for the last two games. He's just so inconsistent overall Although in all fairness Ronaldo originally was as well.