Soccer Thread

[Lightning Raider]

Can't be surprised to see him leaving after how unpredictable, unreliable and unruly he's been at City...

On his day, an amazing player though, but sadly he needs to chnage his attitude.

So very true.

Hoping for a win tonight vs. Wigan. Stop the slide... Owen to score? Crouch to leave?

Are Stoke even starting Owen? And I wouldn't worry about Crouch leaving, more likely Jones or Jerome I think.

Hallelujah.

I'm quite sadened by this. He was such entertainment, I always liked him as a person and player. Mario Ballotelli will be missed.

[ToeyJoey]

I would doubt it, poor guy, never was the same since that injury. Kenwyne just can't seem to play consistently enough, but I do like Jerome.

Still, classic Pulis bench: 1 Keeper, 3 defenders, 3 strikers. Beautiful.

[Lightning Raider]

I would doubt it, poor guy, never was the same since that injury. Kenwyne just can't seem to play consistently enough, but I do like Jerome.

Still, classic Pulis bench: 1 Keeper, 3 defenders, 3 strikers. Beautiful.

Jones seemed to look good (but I only watched highlights this season) and Jerome already scored that cracker a few weeks back is solid. Can't believe you guys have no recognised midfielders on your bench. I know Stoke have Ryan Shotton but happened to Delap? Plus is Pennant still loaned out?

[Mays]

Come on QPR!

[ToeyJoey]

As far as I'm aware Pennant is still loaned out but I think it was a short loan so he should be coming back and have no clue where Delap is. Shotton can play midefielder but looking at the starting 11, you will see no long throw specialist. As much as it's nice to see us trying to move towards "real" football, I've always enjoyed claims we're a rugby/long ball team because we win that way and I enjoy watching it.

Newcastle score...

Shawcross, more England caps...

[Lightning Raider]

As far as I'm aware Pennant is still loaned out but I think it was a short loan so he should be coming back and have no clue where Delap is. Shotton can play midefielder but looking at the starting 11, you will see no long throw specialist. As much as it's nice to see us trying to move towards "real" football, I've always enjoyed claims we're a rugby/long ball team because we win that way and I enjoy watching it.

Newcastle score...

Shawcross, more England caps...

Good on Stoke playing less route 1 football and I still haven't forgiven Shawcross for breaking Ramsey's leg. He's been playing worse since bar the Man City away game we draw.

[ToeyJoey]

I read somewhere that every time Ramsey scores, a famous person dies...

I believe Shawcross apologised but it was awful, I will admit that.

And then Pete.

Can we never beat Wigan...?

[Ninjames]

Shawcross didn't mean to break Ramsey's leg though- I seem to remember him crying after the incident. At least he showed some remorse.

[Armando Payne]

The reigning African Champs crashed out at the group stage. Shortest African Championship Title Defence isn't it? Lasting less then a year as champ

[Lightning Raider]

I read somewhere that every time Ramsey scores, a famous person dies...

I believe Shawcross apologised but it was awful, I will admit that.

And then Pete.

Can we never beat Wigan...?

Nope it didn't look like it I'm afraid! And I accept Shawcross was remorseful and everything but as an Arsenal fan it hurts to see a potential rising stars development take a severe plunge. Anyone who watches Arsenal games when Ramsey is on know what I'm talking about. He's a shadow of his former self.

On a brighter note we're playing Liverpool tonight! Looking to see Arsenal edge this one but I'm worried about Suarez and Sturridge. I couldn't get tickets for the game though

[Buuz]

Tonight's a big game for PSV, they're up against Feyenoord in the Dutch cup. Here's hoping they'll do well. By the way:

http://www.goal.com/en/news/755/euro...&ICID=HP_BN_15

Anyone knew about this? I watched the match on tv and really felt sorry for all the good people supporting FC Den Bosch. To think a small group of ***holes finds it amusing to ruin a nice game of football like this. Disgusting!

[Flamer]

The reigning African Champs crashed out at the group stage. Shortest African Championship Title Defence isn't it? Lasting less then a year as champ

It was always likely to be a short one with them playing the tournament a year early. Was disappointed with Zambia though. Watched their matches against Ethiopia and Burkina Faso and at no point did they look like Champions. If I'm honest they were lucky to get a draw against Ethiopia and considering what was at stake they were really poor against Burkina Faso, who by contrast are looking really interesting.

Nice to see Mali going through as well what with everything that's happening over there.

[Lightning Raider]

Arsenal drew with Liverpool 2-2 (sigh..) at least Spurs didn't win

[Buuz]

PSV defeated Feyenoord with 2-1. An exciting game with a strong opponent but we managed to win. Tomorrow we'll find out who we will meet in the semi-finals.

[Nightmareisalive]

Tonight's a big game for PSV, they're up against Feyenoord in the Dutch cup. Here's hoping they'll do well. By the way:

http://www.goal.com/en/news/755/euro...&ICID=HP_BN_15

Anyone knew about this? I watched the match on tv and really felt sorry for all the good people supporting FC Den Bosch. To think a small group of ***holes finds it amusing to ruin a nice game of football like this. Disgusting!

That is horrible but sadly it is common everywhere in every league. Hopefully those caught doing it will be punished. Life time bans are a must if this is to stop

[Flamer]

Arg, 2-0 up with 3 minutes to go, and we end up drawing!? Shockingly poor. Would never have let something like that happen under Mourinho. Really hope he leaves Real Madrid in the summer and returns to the Bridge. To be honest, was a little disappointed Real managed to get that equaliser against Barca. Another El Classico defeat would definitely have helped speed up his departure. Not quite sure why Rafa decided to bring on Benayoun and Ba to help us see out the lead, when we had Terry on the bench. Another in what's become quite a big line of poor tactical decisions on his part. Thought he was suppose to be some sort of tactical genius...

Only small comfort is Tottenham, City, Arsenal and Liverpool all drawing as well.

[Nightmareisalive]

Arg, 2-0 up with 3 minutes to go, and we end up drawing!? Shockingly poor. Would never have let something like that happen under Mourinho. Really hope he leaves Real Madrid in the summer and returns to the Bridge. To be honest, was a little disappointed Real managed to get that equaliser against Barca. Another El Classico defeat would definitely have helped speed up his departure. Not quite sure why Rafa decided to bring on Benayoun and Ba to help us see out the lead, when we had Terry on the bench. Another in what's become quite a big line of poor tactical decisions on his part. Thought he was suppose to be some sort of tactical genius...

Only small comfort is Tottenham, City, Arsenal and Liverpool all drawing as well.

Fergie broke him. He has never been the same since that title challenge he had with Liverpool vs United. He'll be gone in the summer but I think for Chelsea that is too long and he will do some serious damage if left unchecked. I think Mourinho would be perfect for Chelsea but only if Roman lets him to it in peace.

The El Classico was a great game unlucky for Madrid they had plenty of chances to win but didn't take them. Seems to be the norm really for Madrid have plenty of chances to beat Barca but don't take them.

[The Benmeister]

I don't know why so many people just assume that Jose would go back to Chelsea, the whole reason he left was because of the conflicts with Roman, who is still there.

[Ninjames]

Mourinho is more likely to manage Man Utd after Sir Alex retires than go back to Chelsea.

[Lightning Raider]

Mourinho is more likely to manage Man Utd after Sir Alex retires than go back to Chelsea.

Looks more likely, since Pep is on his way to Bayern.

In other news it's the transfer deadline today, means f all to us Arsenal fans as we all know about Arsene but QPR just signed Christopher Samba from Anzi for a recorded club fee of £12.5 with a reported £100,000 weekly wage. Not sure if that sounds good come May if QPR get relegated. That and David Beckham signing for PSG...

[Nightmareisalive]

Looks more likely, since Pep is on his way to Bayern.

In other news it's the transfer deadline today, means f all to us Arsenal fans as we all know about Arsene but QPR just signed Christopher Samba from Anzi for a recorded club fee of £12.5 with a reported £100,000 weekly wage. Not sure if that sounds good come May if QPR get relegated. That and David Beckham signing for PSG...

I think arsenal are meant to be in for Malaga left back Nacho Monreal. In the end it doesn't make any difference who we sign because the tactics or lack of them are all wrong. The defense have no clue what to do and that's sad because at the being of the season bould looked like to have sorted out that problem though it didn't take long for Wenger to stop the defense training. We don't look like a unit at the back just a bunch of individuals and the pressure is getting to them. Even if we had the classic arsenal defense back we would be letting in all the silly goals because they aren't being trained to deal with them. This arsenal squad needs a new manager before new players. The squad right now is not good enough to challenge for the title but it is good enough to get third place and one of the domestic cups. I fear until Wenger leaves this Arsenal squad will continue to get worse.

[Lightning Raider]

I think arsenal are meant to be in for Malaga left back Nacho Monreal. In the end it doesn't make any difference who we sign because the tactics or lack of them are all wrong. The defense have no clue what to do and that's sad because at the being of the season bould looked like to have sorted out that problem though it didn't take long for Wenger to stop the defense training. We don't look like a unit at the back just a bunch of individuals and the pressure is getting to them. Even if we had the classic arsenal defense back we would be letting in all the silly goals because they aren't being trained to deal with them. This arsenal squad needs a new manager before new players. The squad right now is not good enough to challenge for the title but it is good enough to get third place and one of the domestic cups. I fear until Wenger leaves this Arsenal squad will continue to get worse.

Don't get me started on our defence. Did you see our game yeaterday? Shocking stuff at the back as per usual it seems. Arsene seems to be losing touch with the modern game and seeing the likes of Everton and frickin' Spurs ahead of us not only in the table, but as a squad overall, is literally your username, my nightmare is alive. Can't believe how we have regressed over the years and it's no serect. Our transfer policy sucks balls. We sell our top players with lesser ones and Wenger seriously needs to learn from good old 'Arry about 'wheeling and dealing' in the transfer market. Till then we're screwed year in, year out and it hurts to see as a lifelong Gooner.

[Buuz]

That is horrible but sadly it is common everywhere in every league. Hopefully those caught doing it will be punished. Life time bans are a must if this is to stop

Sadly, it wasn't long ago when a referee was kicked to death in our country. And now this **** happens. I heard the club is not only after life time bans but also are going to try and get them arrested and punished by the police.

[Flamer]

Don't get me started on our defence. Did you see our game yeaterday? Shocking stuff at the back as per usual it seems. Arsene seems to be losing touch with the modern game and seeing the likes of Everton and frickin' Spurs ahead of us not only in the table, but as a squad overall, is literally your username, my nightmare is alive. Can't believe how we have regressed over the years and it's no serect. Our transfer policy sucks balls. We sell our top players with lesser ones and Wenger seriously needs to learn from good old 'Arry about 'wheeling and dealing' in the transfer market. Till then we're screwed year in, year out and it hurts to see as a lifelong Gooner.

I've watched Malaga a fair few times over the past couple of seasons, (not in the last month or so though, cause we cancelled our Sky Sports subscription ) and from what I've seen of Monreal he looks like a quality player. Good going forward but also defensively sound. He's cup tied for Champions League though, so doesn't change the fact your going to have Andre Santos vs Ribery/Robben

[Lightning Raider]

I've watched Malaga a fair few times over the past couple of seasons, (not in the last month or so though, cause we cancelled our Sky Sports subscription ) and from what I've seen of Monreal he looks like a quality player. Good going forward but also defensively sound. He's cup tied for Champions League though, so doesn't change the fact your going to have Andre Santos vs Ribery/Robben

Yeah I looked him up and seems decent, let's see if he can cope in the PL first which I hope he does. Santos vs Ribery/Robben, can I bear to watch?