Soccer Thread

[Buuz]

I hope PSV will win :P.

So do i, haha. But first, defeating Feyenoord for the national cup! Won't be easy, but at least a lot more challenging than the previous rounds.

[MidnightGengar]

I think refereeing is really starting to deteriorate, because, me observing the Manchester United-Newcastle United game, United were robbed a penalty, Colocini escaped a red card, Ryan Giggs escaped a red, Newcastle were awarded a controversial goal, man...It was a great game to watch as a neutral beside those bad decisions though. I think the game has to become a little bit ( A LITTLE BIT ) more robotic to help the referees make more accurate decisions, less human error. Mind you, I didn't say completely robotic, but just a little, and I think that would benefit the game a lot!

[Zorocario]

Manchester United 4-3 Newcastle United FT

By far the best football match I've seen in quite a while! United's defence is atrocious though, they really need to focus, but their attack is as good as ever. They won with Ryan Giggs on the pitch a well, good for them. City ended up losing 1-0 too, so United clear by 7 points in the Premier League. If I were Sir Alex though, I'd buy some defenders in the January market, because against Real Madrid, United may be made to suffer as things are.

Rooney got injured again, and twice in a single season to boot that's what you call bad hax. This was a good match filled with suspense and excitement, but just about every match United has played this season has been like this. It wasn't a "pretty" victory, but points are points.

Yeah, Ferguson desperately needs to fix the defense. But I'm pretty sure they can take on Real Madrid, considering the sub par season they are having.

[abrar14]

Im back.
Liverpool F-ed up.

[Ninjames]

An unnamed Russian club (guess who?) has matched Lionel Messi's release clause of €250 million and Barcelona are contractually obliged to accept it- but Messi has to agree to the move for it to go ahead, and he's proven loyalty to the Catalans by signing a two-year contract extension.

[Armando Payne]

^I'm guessing Rotor Volgograd is the Russian team. Anyways, ladies and gentlemen, my team's going up baby, yeah, just gotta win our next matches without losing then we'll be in the Championship because Walsall are invincible baby, yeah.

[MidnightGengar]

What's your source on the Messi thing um...Ninjames? I'd like to read it, thanks.

I see Liverpool are improving a bit under Rogers, awesome for them! Just a little more work and splashing some cash in January and Liverpool may get into a Europa League spot for next season.

[Escalion]

What's your source on the Messi thing um...Ninjames? I'd like to read it, thanks.

I see Liverpool are improving a bit under Rogers, awesome for them! Just a little more work and splashing some cash in January and Liverpool may get into a Europa League spot for next season.

El Mundo Deportivo is the original source, according to all the other news sites here.
They said Messi refused a 30 million/year offer, but did use the interest to get the maximum out the negotiations with Barcelona.

For those who can read Spanish: original source

[Buuz]

I think refereeing is really starting to deteriorate, because, me observing the Manchester United-Newcastle United game, United were robbed a penalty, Colocini escaped a red card, Ryan Giggs escaped a red, Newcastle were awarded a controversial goal, man...It was a great game to watch as a neutral beside those bad decisions though. I think the game has to become a little bit ( A LITTLE BIT ) more robotic to help the referees make more accurate decisions, less human error. Mind you, I didn't say completely robotic, but just a little, and I think that would benefit the game a lot!

It's not just in England. All across the globe refs are making bad decisions. Heck, here in the Netherlands, players and coaches aren't even allowed to protest against a ref's decision. They'll receive a yellow card just for waving their arms or get sent away. But that decision followed after a referee was kicked to death. My point is: it's okay if they want to follow the rules, but they should be more accurate (like you said).

[Ninjames]

It's not just in England. All across the globe refs are making bad decisions. Heck, here in the Netherlands, players and coaches aren't even allowed to protest against a ref's decision. They'll receive a yellow card just for waving their arms or get sent away. But that decision followed after a referee was kicked to death. My point is: it's okay if they want to follow the rules, but they should be more accurate (like you said).

I didn't know that about the Netherlands but I suppose it makes sense. The referee's decision is final and the players will never change their mind. If the referee's decision is swayed by the players, then it would be the referee who would be criticised. Getting a yellow card for protesting might seem harsh but protestations are pointless anyway. This isn't tennis after all, you can't contest a decision. xD

[Hilda]

I didn't know that about the Netherlands but I suppose it makes sense. The referee's decision is final and the players will never change their mind. If the referee's decision is swayed by the players, then it would be the referee who would be criticised. Getting a yellow card for protesting might seem harsh but protestations are pointless anyway. This isn't tennis after all, you can't contest a decision. xD

I am always saddened by the players always complaining and tricking the referees. I want them to play fair and with love and respect to each other.

[MidnightGengar]

Yeah I read the Mundo Deportivo report. I guess the un-named Russian club must be Anzi (sp?).

I also read on Goal.com Transfer Talk that Real Madrid are planning to sell Cristiano Ronaldo and buy Lionel Messi with the money from Ronaldo's sale.

[Buuz]

I am always saddened by the players always complaining and tricking the referees. I want them to play fair and with love and respect to each other.

Unfortunately, that's not going to happen anytime soon. Trying to get another player to receive a yellow card by taking a dive for nothing, that's REALLY low.

[Hilda]

Unfortunately, that's not going to happen anytime soon. Trying to get another player to receive a yellow card by taking a dive for nothing, that's REALLY low.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz8GQLL4rgI

Watch the penalty after 2:00 min. This was the best I could find and it is not very clear. But after the match everyone, even Markus Merk agreed that there was no penalty. There was no contact, you could even tell from the TV. As usual Galatasaray gets points thanks to the referee (this happens in every Besiktas - Galatasaray match, they always get a point or points thanks to the referee). That's why I call them hakemsaray (hakem=referee).

[Buuz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz8GQLL4rgI

Watch the penalty after 2:00 min. This was the best I could find and it is not very clear. But after the match everyone, even Markus Merk agreed that there was no penalty. There was no contact, you could even tell from the TV. As usual Galatasaray gets points thanks to the referee (this happens in every Besiktas - Galatasaray match, they always get a point or points thanks to the referee). That's why I call them hakemsaray (hakem=referee).

I remember a match this year in Italy. A German player (i think it was Miroslav Klose) scored a goal with his hand. But instead of keeping his mouth shut, he went to the referee to confess his foul. Afterwards he was given compliments by both his opponents and his own team. Even after they lost the match with 3-0. Now THAT is fair-play. ^^

[Hilda]

I remember a match this year in Italy. A German player (i think it was Miroslav Klose) scored a goal with his hand. But instead of keeping his mouth shut, he went to the referee to confess his foul. Afterwards he was given compliments by both his opponents and his own team. Even after they lost the match with 3-0. Now THAT is fair-play. ^^

Yeah, that is.

[Ninjames]

I remember a match this year in Italy. A German player (i think it was Miroslav Klose) scored a goal with his hand. But instead of keeping his mouth shut, he went to the referee to confess his foul. Afterwards he was given compliments by both his opponents and his own team. Even after they lost the match with 3-0. Now THAT is fair-play. ^^

I wonder if Thierry Henry is reading this and feeling regret.

Oh who am I kidding, he's probably still bathing in Irish tears.

[Hilda]

I wonder if Thierry Henry is reading this and feeling regret.

Oh who am I kidding, he's probably still bathing in Irish tears.

I wonder what Platini is swimming in.

[Buuz]

I wonder what Platini is swimming in.

A bathtub filled with money from Russia and Qatar? Just takin' a guess over here...

[The Benmeister]

Dem predictions:

Sunderland 1-1 Tottenham
Aston Villa 1-3 Wigan
Fulham 0-2 Swansea
Man Utd 3-1 West Brom
Norwich 1-2 Man City
Reading 0-0 West Ham
Stoke 2-0 Southampton
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
Everton 1-1 Chelsea
QPR 1-1 Liverpool

[Shining Tree Of Love]

Is anyone else excited for the summer transfer season to start?

[Escalion]

Lol, worry about the January window first :P

[Shining Tree Of Love]

Ah crap that's what I mean't. Summer over here.

[Hilda]

Ah crap that's what I mean't. Summer over here.

I miss Sydney. Best 3 years of my life.

[Escalion]

Ah crap that's what I mean't. Summer over here.

I see, just noticed the "Australia" as your location.
There is one thing I wonder though. Wesley Sneijder.
He has a conflict with Internazionale and it would be best for both if he would leave in this transfer period.
I suspect he will go to England, Man City maybe, as Mancini said he wants to buy once again.
And to be fair, I don't see Sneijder moving to Russia.

How's 2013 btw?
We still have an hour to go :P