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The semi-official EUROPEAN FOOTBALL thread

post #1 of 70
7/23/08 at 9:25am
Thread Starter 
Ladies and Gents,

due to popular demand in the EURO2008 thread I thought we might very well put up a thread for everything related to European Football.

One thread for Bundesliga, Premier League, Primera Division, Süper Lig, Champions League and UEFA-Cup should be sufficient though because But one should feel free to contribute if one has some interesting stuff to say about, say the Belgium Jupiler League as well...

With the Bundesliga and Premier League (the Leagues I follow the most) beginning middle of August this might be just the right time to start the discussion on everything from transfers up to speculations about the season.

Have at!
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post #2 of 70
7/23/08 at 10:26am
Championship begins August 9th with the one, the only CHARLTON ATHLETIC kicking off their campaign at home to Swansea.

Very reminiscent of last year, beginning season with a home game against a promoted team.

I'm not very optimistic, because Pardew doesn't seem to have brought in anyone of quality. We had a huge, Andy Reid-shaped hole for the second half of last season and he still hasn't bought the creative midfielder that we need to replace him.

Premiership should be good as always, hope Scolari can lead Chelsea to give Utd a real run for their money. I'd love Liverpool to mount a real consistent challenge, I remember they started last season phenomenally well but, of all results, it was the 6-0 drubbing of Derby that started the rot.

Can Inter win the Champions League with Mourinho at the helm?

Should be a good season for one and all!
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post #3 of 70
7/23/08 at 10:46am
What do you guys think of Ronaldinho going to AC Milan? Will he make an impact or is he past his prime?
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post #4 of 70
7/23/08 at 10:48am
I really don't know if he's past his prime or if he was just bored of Barcelona. Milan could be the change of scenery he needs, or it could just be embarrassing.
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post #5 of 70
7/23/08 at 10:51am
If it is embarrassing, it couldn't be worse than their Ronaldo signing.
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post #6 of 70
7/23/08 at 10:55am
Yeah true, I was going to compare the two.

Speaking of Barca, looks like Eto'o will be going somewhere. Wonder if this means Henry will get to play in his preferred position next season.

Over 10m for Andrew Johnson is ridiculous.

More and more players going from England to MLS, Huckerby has gone to 'San Jose Earthquakes' and Solano is linked with a move to LA Galaxy.

Or as it's known over here, 'David Beckham's LA Galaxy'.

I kid. I think Solano could still put in another season for a decent Prem League side but it's up to him if he wants the $$$$$$.
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post #7 of 70
7/23/08 at 11:11am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ED209 View Post
What do you guys think of Ronaldinho going to AC Milan? Will he make an impact or is he past his prime?
It could go either way. But this guy is merely 28 years old. So I think he will get back into form rather quickly. It might get more interesting to see if Milan won´t suffer from Star-overload. Kaka and Ronaldhino in one team might get some grudges into the team.
Or it is going to be an expensive embarresment.

And is Chelsea seriously bidding over 100Mil. Euros for Kaka? Milan sure needs the money after the above signing and merely playing UEFA cup.

And whatever happens to the Ronaldo-Saga? Another 100Mil. transfer this summer?
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post #8 of 70
7/23/08 at 11:16am
I keep hearing ridiculous numbers when it comes to Chelsea bidding for Kaka but nothing concrete.

On a sidenote: I was Inter Milan boss on Football Manager 2006 and I had a great squad, then the chairman went over my head and signed Kaka for around 80m. He was shit!!
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post #9 of 70
7/23/08 at 12:08pm
That game is gold. I take stuff personally when shit like that happens in the game.

I played with Sheffield United for a few seasons and got them up to the Premiership but couldn't hold my spot for longer than a season. I usually limit my games to either the English or Italian league and have never really ventured out into the lesser known leagues.
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post #10 of 70
7/23/08 at 12:13pm
I get so easily pissed off at Football Manager it's ridiculous.

The only achievement I can claim on FM08 is getting Tottenham into Champions League. I'm pretty bad at it overall, but when a team of mine clicks boy does it click!

A mate of mine lent me Champ Man 08 after I left my copy of FM at home, and I went as Liverpool. Couldn't believe how crap they were on that game! Gerrard and Torres, that's it in terms of quality. Even Carragher is rubbish.

Champ Man used to be the king of course, I clocked up years worth of game time on Champ Man 00/01.
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post #11 of 70
7/23/08 at 12:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell Faraday View Post
Championship begins August 9th with the one, the only CHARLTON ATHLETIC kicking off their campaign at home to Swansea.

Very reminiscent of last year, beginning season with a home game against a promoted team.

I'm not very optimistic, because Pardew doesn't seem to have brought in anyone of quality. We had a huge, Andy Reid-shaped hole for the second half of last season and he still hasn't bought the creative midfielder that we need to replace him.
I can only hope that this year doesn't see the team muddle along and miss the playoffs again. But considering that Hull and Stoke are now in the EPL, anything's possible. Hence why the Championship is great.

(Hoping to be in South London next year, would be great to finally get some Addick merchandise. Oh, seeing or hearing the games live would be nice too.)
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post #12 of 70
7/23/08 at 12:36pm
I'd love us to mount a challenge even if it means doing a Hull and hovering in the top 10 for a long time before going on a winning spree in the last few games.

Dearly hope our dismal home record has been sorted over summer, the amount of teams we lost to at The Valley was abysmal. Not even top notch teams either!

Can't go wrong with the club shop Jim, my recent birthday heralded two gifts in the form of official towel (oh yeah!) and Pride and Premiership DVD, which is glorious.

It includes a season review of 06/07 though, so I can 'enjoy' watching the Addicks getting relegated again.

Nice to see a fellow Charlton fan on here.
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post #13 of 70
7/23/08 at 1:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell Faraday
Can't go wrong with the club shop Jim, my recent birthday heralded two gifts in the form of official towel (oh yeah!) and Pride and Premiership DVD, which is glorious.

It includes a season review of 06/07 though, so I can 'enjoy' watching the Addicks getting relegated again.

Nice to see a fellow Charlton fan on here.
Likewise, Russell. There wasn't a Euro thread last year, if I recall, and I was the only Charlton fan in the Prem thread two years ago. It doesn't help when the games aren't on TV, and the BBC restricts online broadcasts around the time you start listening. (I even can't keep up via Sky Sports anymore.)

About the club shop: I had read on a couple of Charlton Life threads that they don't ship overseas. Doublechecking it now, that's not the case. However, I'm not up on dropping $30 for shipping at the moment. (US companies are cheaper, of course, but good luck finding Addicks stuff at the moment. I assume that'll change should they get promoted within the next few years.)

So I might just go on a bit of a spree, should I make it to London for grad school.
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post #14 of 70
7/25/08 at 1:12pm
This Andrei Arshavin transfer saga has been dragging on far too long now.

Quote:
England's Italian boss Fabio Capello will allow himself to be submerged into the culture of his adopted country after agreeing to sample a genuine English boozer as part of a new TV show hosted by Matt Lorenzo called 'Off the Bar' by Sky Sports. (Daily Express)
Oh Capello no! We thought you had class!

I think the Daily Express can be trusted, it's a broadsheet so not comparable to The Sun etc.

It's interesting that there's a feeling out there that Scolari will banish the 'dull football' from Chelsea, when Grant was praised for doing the same thing after their 6-0 hammering of Man City. It's a shame that poor Avram is being swept under the carpet, he did a great job and got them a penalty kick away from winning the Champions League.
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post #15 of 70
7/25/08 at 1:22pm
Thread Starter 
Firing Grant was a travesty, albeit expected from Chelsea. I doubt Scolari will make a better job.
But Lampard is staying now at Chelsea? I would have liked to have seen him at Inter. Though I hate the Italian league and Italian soccer in general I am curious what Mourinho can achieve over there. But I reckon that the CL will be a british affair yet again this year.

One thing that i am giddy about is Klinsmann as a coach at Munich. This one is very interesting. They haven´t bought any new players apart from Borowski but they have a lot of young talents like Sosa and Kroos. This just might be on the verge of becoming a really great team once again.
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post #16 of 70
7/25/08 at 1:36pm
After last year's abysmal showing in the Premiership, I've renewed my season ticket at the mighty Derby County and I'm really looking forward to being in the Championship again... at least we may win more than one game this time around.
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post #17 of 70
7/25/08 at 1:44pm
Wow a Derby fan! It'd be great if we could get fans of all sorts of teams talking in this thread.

Confident that Jewell is the man for the job? Sorry to lose Kenny Miller?

I guess our teams will be locking horns this coming season. Should be a good one this year.

Are you a Munich fan, Jan? What's the situation in the Bundesliga? Who's dominating or does the title rotate between a set of teams each season?

I wouldn't want this to just become a Premiership/Championship thread, if I have Sky Sports next year I can watch some La Liga games, happy days.
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post #18 of 70
7/25/08 at 1:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell Faraday View Post
Are you a Munich fan, Jan? What's the situation in the Bundesliga? Who's dominating or does the title rotate between a set of teams each season?

I wouldn't want this to just become a Premiership/Championship thread, if I have Sky Sports next year I can watch some La Liga games, happy days.
Well back in the days when I was a little kid my father took me to several Munich games so this stuck with me. But at the end of the day I am a fan of Alemannia Aachen, my hometown team. Though playing second division now they still spelled their charm over me.

The Bundesliga is pretty much dominated by Bayern though. They have won every single championship this millenium exept 2007 (Stuttgart) and 2004 (Bremen). So Munich is a sure bet to snatch up the title this year again.
The follow ups would be Schalke, Bremen, Leverkusen and recently Wolfsburg and Hoffenheim.
Wolfsburg is sponsored by VW and they spent big money on new players. I don´t know where they will fit in into the great scheme of things, but they will play a role this year.
Hoffenheim is an interesting team. It is a little village in Southern Germany that happens to be sponsored by Hopp, a billionaire that invested millions and led the team straight from the 3rd division into the Bundesliga. They have a lot of really talented young players and will be a nice addition to the league. They are somewhat reminiscent of Chelsea in term of sponsoring by a rich guy, albeit with the difference that Hoffenheim is set to be self-sustaining economically rather sooner than later.

And I don´t mind talking about Premier League, since it is a kick-ass league. But it would be great if we could gather enough people to cover all the big leagues in Europe.
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post #19 of 70
7/25/08 at 5:02pm
Yeah, I think Jewell can do well for us now we're not completely out of our depth, but then I also think they should never have gotten rid of Billy Davies...

Not too bothered about Miller leaving, it might have been nice to see what he could do in the Championship though.
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post #20 of 70
7/27/08 at 7:24pm
Yeah it's a shame Davies was so unceremoniously done away with. I remember him effectively saying he'd got Derby promoted too early and they weren't ready for the Prem. Has he found work since?

Wow new season starts a week on Saturday. Dammit Pardew, get some new people in!

Why did Man Utd and Portsmouth fly to Nigeria to play a friendly?
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post #21 of 70
7/31/08 at 4:49pm
Thread Starter 
"Enlightening" article about Klinsmann and Munich and his philosophy for the next season. And hopefully beyond. (In English even....).
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post #22 of 70
8/2/08 at 3:00pm
Great article.

Quote:
He had learned all kinds of languages and gotten to know interesting people, but he never moved out of his little football world, he says. He started learning. He took classes in computers, languages, all kinds of things.
Gotta respect Jurgen for that, Four Four Two had an article a few months ago about players who struggle after leaving the game but Klinsmann used the opportunity to learn all sorts of new stuff before returning in a new capacity.

This is just getting worse. We lost Bougherra to Rangers and now West Brom want Zheng Zhi. Pardew said we would lose more players before the season but this is ridiculous.

The fans on BBC 606 forum are convinced the club's in dire financial trouble.

I can't wait for an end to this Gareth Barry nonsense.
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post #23 of 70
8/10/08 at 12:27am
Not only did Charlton win today over Swansea, someone over at the Charlton Life forum discovered a non-BBC station airing coverage online, so I got to listen to my first Addick win in months!
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post #24 of 70
8/10/08 at 10:37am
Excellent news Jim.

Heard we didn't play that well but still managed a win, I'd accept that as our style for this season! 3 points is all that matters, we can worry about playing well after we get promoted.

Hope Pards sticks with Varney and Gray up front, let them get used to each other and form a good partnership.
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post #25 of 70
8/12/08 at 6:39pm
Oh for fuck's sake.

I'm getting flashbacks of being dumped out of the Quarter Final by Wycombe. Different players, different manager, same result.
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post #26 of 70
8/12/08 at 10:43pm
Russell, I feel your pain, normally we get knocked out every year by a lower side. We actually managed to beat Lincoln tonight, (took extra time to do it though) which in no way makes up for losing to Doncaster on Saturday.

Billy Davies was covering a match on Soccer Saturday, so I guess he's still unemployed. Shame, he's a good manager.
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post #27 of 70
8/12/08 at 10:51pm
Thanks Nate, always nice when fans console instead of pointing and laughing. That result seemed totally predictable and completely unbelievable at the same time.

A Nathan Ellington hat trick! The stars were in alignment tonight for that man.

Tomorrow night: McClaren vs Wenger.

Yeah spotted Davies, and noticed there was swiftly a moaning voice on 606 saying he should be got rid of. I could see him getting a Championship job at a club with potential, as soon as a manager who's supposed to be delivering fails to win the first 4 games of season.

Ian Holloway was covering Swindon-QPR tonight, I'd be happy with him not getting another managing job as long as Sky Sports kept him employed.

Who else describes a diving header as saying the player's "gone for the Mars bar"?
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post #28 of 70
8/14/08 at 8:45pm
Well the Champions League/UEFA Cup qualifiers have started.

No problems for Arsenal or Villa, but Liverpool were damn lucky to escape with a 0-0 and Man City were just embarrassed tonight.
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post #29 of 70
8/14/08 at 10:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell Faraday View Post
Oh for fuck's sake.

I'm getting flashbacks of being dumped out of the Quarter Final by Wycombe. Different players, different manager, same result.
Ugh. I usually end up working Tuesday afternoons, and I remember being so disappointed coming home from work that day. (One of the blogs snipped a shot of a roadway sign flashing LES REED MUST GO, as I recall.)
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post #30 of 70
8/14/08 at 10:51pm
God the Les Reed era was a total disaster, though it only lasted 20 days or whatever. Including such highlights as the aforementioned Wycombe travesty and a 5-1 hiding by Tottenham!

I remember the 1-0 win over Blackburn and seeing him run onto the pitch at the end, it did warm my heart. Though in hindsight I see it as him being elated that the team had won a game but he hadn't a clue how they'd managed it.

Woulda loved to see that roadway sign.
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post #31 of 70
8/14/08 at 10:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell Faraday View Post
Yeah spotted Davies, and noticed there was swiftly a moaning voice on 606 saying he should be got rid of. I could see him getting a Championship job at a club with potential, as soon as a manager who's supposed to be delivering fails to win the first 4 games of season.
I still don't understand why Derby let him go. Sure, they were overmatched, but wasn't he saying that on the Wembley turf after they won promotion? Best to take your lumps, and build for the future.

Somebody's got to explain to my American mind why clubs do the overreaction bit, especially with such little of the season gone. (If it hasn't happened yet, it will...)
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post #32 of 70
8/14/08 at 11:02pm
It's ridiculous, a manager isn't given time anymore. It's like films, if the opening weekend isn't up to scratch it's deemed a failure and quickly yanked from a number of screens. Says something about today's culture.

Saw something in the paper that Curbishley was bookies' favourite to be first sacked this season, what are they basing that on??
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post #33 of 70
8/14/08 at 11:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell Faraday View Post
Woulda loved to see that roadway sign.
Ask, and you shall receive.
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post #34 of 70
8/14/08 at 11:09pm
Thanks, that was an excellent article, perfectly summed up the feeling at that time. What a mess.

I'd like to think things have improved...
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post #35 of 70
8/14/08 at 11:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell Faraday View Post
Thanks, that was an excellent article, perfectly summed up the feeling at that time. What a mess.

I'd like to think things have improved...
No problem. All things considered, the Charlton blogosphere is pretty good. I tend to stick to the US-based ones (this gent and a guy formerly in Chicago) for obvious reasons, but All Quiet in the East Stand (who can see the Valley from his home) is also a winner.

See, I feel kind of guilty for hopping on the Charlton bandwagon (this is what happens when your favorite band writes a club anthem the year of promotion), so I don't have the sense of perspective that a lot of older fans do. I didn't know anything about the ground-sharing with your enemy, or the years in the second-division wilderness, just nothing beyond looking at the results every week. So, here's hoping things get turned around before I get to London just in time to see them turn into Leicester City. Ugh.
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post #36 of 70
8/17/08 at 6:47pm
Well that's the opening weekend over and done with. Chelsea look an excellent bet, but it's way too early to judge. That's why I can't take any satisfaction in Utd only drawing at home to Newcastle, they started last season drawing 0-0 against Reading and look what happened.

It's only a friendly but after seeing the performances from Ashton and Agbonlahor, it's baffling that Capello has left them out of the England squad. Wes Brown continues to pick up caps! Can't believe Emile Heskey was picked over Darren Bent either.
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post #37 of 70
8/31/08 at 7:42am
I remember saying, way back when Derby got relegated, that life back in the Championship was going to be awesome, we weren't cut out for the Premiership and we could start actually winning games again.

I'm an idiot.

I think unless we somehow manage to win every game between now and Christmas, Jewel is headed toward the dole queue. Despite our dismal efforts in the league, we're through to the next round of the Carling Cup for the first time since like 2001.

If every game were a cup game, we'd be sorted...
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post #38 of 70
9/3/08 at 7:22pm
This will probably be the only post about Northern Irish league football but screw it here it is (watch Sky Sports as its sometimes on that) and btw whats going on with Derby County?!

Whats everyones thoughts on the transfer window crazyness?
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post #39 of 70
9/3/08 at 7:28pm
Jewell's days must surely be numbered. I haven't actually seen Derby in action but from reports they're totally lacking in confidence and not playing as a team. Except in cup games, of course.

No Owen or Crouch in England squad. Oh Fabio, don't rely on Rooney to score.

Following the transfer deadline day on the BBC site was a lot of fun, with the whole saga of Man City potentially snatching Berbatov from under Fergie's nose.

Can't believe Curbishley's left West Ham. Between the reason for that and the supposed reason for the Keegan troubles yesterday, I think it's clear that transfers should be left up to the manager and him alone. Why do chairmans think they know what's best?
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post #40 of 70
9/12/08 at 9:51pm
Because they run business empires, they believe that they rule everything and they always wanted to me a football manager and know this is the closest they can get to that position. I believe manchester united did a master stroke (if dodgy) masterstroke with the berbatov scenario. Man City had agreed a fee for him, but Berbatov himself was holed up in Old Trafford and Uniteds training ground all day, so city could never get a word in to speak to him, prompting Spus to have to accept any bid united placed
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post #41 of 70
9/12/08 at 10:14pm
Extremely dodgy in my eyes, but then again I'll take any excuse to slate Man Utd.

Current issue going on about clubs refusing to release their players for international duties. Jack Warner has stepped in, laying into Keane but Keane has a valid point that Dwight Yorke hasn't been match-fit for months.

Guess I better mention England TROUNCING Croatia. Silly me who said Rooney couldn't be relied on to score. Let's keep this going, and don't let the 'Wembley Blues' affect the players, especially the home games against Ukraine and Croatia.

Don't think Kazahkstan pose a problem.
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post #42 of 70
9/13/08 at 2:10pm
This Is American Soccer is running a great series on Clint Dempsey. Thought some of you EPL fans might like to read it.
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post #43 of 70
9/30/08 at 6:08pm
Losing to Crystal Palace HURTS.

Watching Arsenal rip Porto apart was fun though.
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post #44 of 70
10/5/08 at 9:44am
I would truly hate to be an Arsenal fan at the minute, they are the most frustrating team in my eyes to watch! Just put the ball in the net them mess about for gods sake!
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post #45 of 70
10/19/08 at 11:38pm
My beloved Charlton became the focus of a takeover bid from some guys who talked the talk but hey look at that, they tried getting Newcastle and Liverpool before making a bid for us and now they're linked with Everton.

Tottenham are in all sorts of trouble. Their game against Stoke made for great viewing though.

Hull continue to occupy a top four spot! I'm gonna enjoy that while it lasts.
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post #46 of 70
10/21/08 at 11:08pm
GOOD GOD we're 20th and it's not looking good. I'm not one for rash decisions but I think Pardew's gotta go. Someone on 606 said that we've won 10 of our last 40 games under Pardew, which is pathetic!

Where's the other footy fans? This thread should be buzzing!
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post #47 of 70
10/30/08 at 9:59am
Problem is, regarding the Chmpionship anyway is that there are so many good teams in there that it is really going to be hell for any team to get promoted. I fear for alot of managers jobs this season in that league.
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post #48 of 70
10/30/08 at 8:48pm
The Reds look good... could this be the year?

I was nervous as hell before the Chelsea matchup, but hanging in there and stealing one at Stamford Bridge? Pretty excellent.
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post #49 of 70
12/11/08 at 8:24am
Liverpool still top, but my gut unfortunately says Utd will reclaim the title. I won't mind being proved wrong though, but champions don't draw 0-0 at home to Stoke, Fulham and West Ham.

Quote:
18 Derby 22 -7 25
19 Watford 22 -4 23
20 Norwich 22 -6 23
21 Southampton 22 -13 22
22 Doncaster 22 -15 18
23 Nottm Forest 22 -13 17
24 Charlton 22 -14 17
BEAUTIFUL.
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post #50 of 70
12/11/08 at 4:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell Faraday View Post
Liverpool still top, but my gut unfortunately says Utd will reclaim the title. I won't mind being proved wrong though, but champions don't draw 0-0 at home to Stoke, Fulham and West Ham.



BEAUTIFUL.
True, but all the big four have slipped up this season and they will again. Beating Man U and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is what champions do though. Also, our second half of season form has been the best in the league for 4 years or something now.
Very frustrating that we couldn't capitalize, we should be a further 6 points clear now.

I'll have to stop now cos I really don't want to tempt fate about us winning the league, the tension will be incredible in the second half of the season!
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