Football (Soccer)

[admin]

This has nothing to do with supporting the team. It's just that unlike some people, I do not have high expectations of Arsenal's chances in the CL, and would rather they concentrate solely on the league. Anyone who think Arsenal can win a competition when they have never even been in the semis (and only in the quarter finals once) is kidding themselves. It's also taking attention away from the league, which IMO is a lot more important than getting into the quarter/semi of the CL. If they do go to the quarter/semi/final, then that's fantastic, but if they don't, I won't be disappointed.

It's the same with the FA cup, but for different reasons. I think we've won it enough times to prove that we're good in it, so I won't be disappointed if we get knocked out. It's the league title that I want, and nothing else.

I don't think ManU will win the CL either - it will be a Spanish or Italian team again, I suspect. Maybe a semi spot, if they get some lucky draws, as they always do.

Besides, I don't get to watch CL games at all, live or replayed (apart from the 10 second highlights on the news), so I can't get excited by it at all.

[Oriphus]

Is playing Real Madrid in the quarter finals a lucky draw? I would've thought quite the opposite. I think we will win the league this year, but i expect Man Utd to get to the final of the CL or i will be disappointed, because we have proven we can do - lets do it again

[admin]

You always get the lucky draws and easy teams in the group stages. The quarters/semis are a different matter though, because there are no easy team left at that stage.

Remember that when you won the CL, there was some luck involved as well (I really felt sorry for Bayern Munich losing the game the way they did).

[Oriphus]

lol - all goals scored in extra time. My minds gone blank as to who scored the first goal, im thinkin Sherringham but i really cant remember. But my hero Ole Gunner Solskjaer scored the second with a nice we knock in. Oh did i love that!!! You also have to remember, as unfair that it may seem to Oliver and Bayern Munich in general, United are renowned for never giving up and always scopring late goals, well into injury time. I think it has more to do with the determination of Man Utd than luck

Will be watchin tonight - afer im playing football for uni

[admin]

I can still remember Samuel Kuffour crying when he was getting his "loser's" medal - that was sad to see, so when Bayern was playing in the final a few seasons later, I was hoping that they would win, and they did.

[Oriphus]

Oh my sweet mother feckin arse bollocks!!! What the hell was up with that piece of crap Man Utd called a defence. Every defender on that pitch should be lined up and shot in the nuts. Beaten 2-1 when it really should have been about 3-0. We were pathetic. We were worse than pathetic, we were pure and unadulterated ****e! Oh boy was i ashamed of that defense today. I dont mind losing (actually i do) but losing against a quality team with some quality playing is different to losing because your team are ****e. Thanks to Man Utd i now have to replace my Sky remote control after i ****ed it out the window onto the road. The buggers. Im really really pissed off right now. No taunting or i will send the boys round. hell, ill even send a friggin tank round and blow your sorry asses away!!

Bloody bloody BLOODY HELL AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I suppose i can be consoled slightly with Chelsea getting beaten 2-0 and i can thank the Gods that those pricks Rangers only got a draw and nothing more. But im still very very angry GRRRRRRR

[admin]

Just be glad you're not at the bottom of your CL group ... yet

[admin]

And look on the bright side, you now have another "penalty getter" in your team - from the BBC :

United desperately needed a lifeline - and Italian referee Cosimo Bolognino unwittingly provided it after 67 minutes.

He generously adjudged that Stuttgart goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand had fouled the theatrical Cristiano Ronaldo.

[Oriphus]

Yeah - it shouldnt have been a penalty, it was at most a slight touch on the heels of Ronalso. However, i dont think Ronaldo dived, i think he's forward movement took him in that direct whenever he had his heels clipped. However, if he did dive, i would like the manager to speak to him and ask him not to. There is nothing worse than divers in the game. Another point worth noting is that Tim Howard was off his line by about 1-2feet when he saved the penalty. Not im not sure if he managed to move this distance between kicking the ball and making the save. However, i think that this rule seriosuly needs re-addressed.

[admin]

What's up with the off the line rule, and all those retaken penalties this season? Henry had to retake a penalty, which he scored both times and the keeper got nowhere near it. I feel bad for Paul Robinson who saved the first penalty, was ruled to be off the line, and then could not do a thing about the second.

[Oriphus]

yeah, its a ridiculous rule. It stemed from the Champions League final that went to penalties last season. They felt they needed to address that since one keeper saved a ball at virtually the penalty spot itself. However, i feel they should be allowed to move aound freely inside their 12 yard box, or else, not move at all. There was a game in the 3rd Division on Monday where a referee made a penalty be taken twice for the keeper being off his line and twice players moving into the box before it was taken. Luckily, the penalty taker scored all 4 anyway. It was very strange.

Yeah, you do feel for Paul Robinson a bit. It really needs sorted out for sure.

[Oriphus]

Disappointing from Liverpool today. I was relying on them to hold Arsenal to atleast a draw so that we could go top of the table. Unfortunately they couldnt even do that at home. I think its time to say bye bye to Gerarg Houllier once and for all and send him packing back to france and boring football. Need someone who can organise the team to play with players like Gerard and Kewell.

On another point, Rangers were defeated at home by Celtic. I really enjoyed that. Well done to Celtic. This leads me on to my next point. How do Rangers expect to get anything of United, even at the Ibrox, when they can even beat celtic at home. We beat celtic 4-0, so in relation to Rangers, BRING IT ON

Man Utd kick off soon, its feckin well not on feckin tv feckin again. God damn it! I have to wait until SUnday night to watch it. That no showing football at 3pm rule has to be completely kicked out. its the stupidist rule ever. ****in English FA. Grrrrr

[admin]

That was one of the crappiest first half that I've seen Arsenal play. Defensively, we were all over the place, and for some reason, we kept on trying to pass to Liverpool players.

The second half looked more like the Arsenal everyone knows, and a brilliant goal by Pires - beating any keeper is hard from that range is hard, but to beat Dudek, it's just an amazing goal.

We didn't beat a single top class team (ManU, Chelsea, Newcastle, Liverpool) last season away from home, and that's why we couldn't wrap up the league by March. This season, we've played ManU, Newcastle and Liverpool, and have gotten 7 points from a possible 9 - that's some good stuff.

Now to beat Chelsea ...

[Oriphus]

yeah you are doing well - i think its the best start to a premiership campaign to date for Arsenal. But it will be ahrd on you when we beat Arsenal at home wont it

We're 1-0 up at half time with Taylor being sent off and Rudd scoring his second consequetive penalty. Back on the winning streak

[MPS]

well... no comments about stuttgart game, but nice performance by MU with Birmingham