Champions League tonight

Tombwfc · Post by **Tombwfc** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:14 pm

blurred wrote:Brian Reade attempts some perspective in the Mirror:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnist ... -20380458/

Editor should be sacked for not picking up the Sevilla error, though!

Perspective? It's filled with as much bollocks as the other article you posted. Whatever happened to a bit of balance?

His point about Arsenals players not being kids anymore is also nonesense. Midweek they fielded 7 players under the age of 25 compared to Liverpools 3. While i personally don't think it matters as long as you win, it's a fact that Arsenals players are younger than most of their rivals, certainly Liverpools.

blurred · Post by **blurred** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:24 pm

Well, by 'perspective' I meant the other side of the argument and not all the Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal shite that's peddled by everyone else. Of course the actual ground is somewhere in the middle, but it's nice to see someone not sucking Wenger's metaphorical footballing phallus and putting a counter-argument.

Tombwfc wrote:His point about Arsenals players not being kids anymore is also nonesense. Midweek they fielded 7 players under the age of 25 compared to Liverpools 3.

25's an arbitrary number - the same teams line up in the same week next season, and it'll be something like 4 to 3 (I think Adebayor, Flamini and Eboue are all 24). They're hardly children, they're athletes at the peak of their physical development.

Athers · Post by **Athers** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:56 pm

blurred wrote:
Athers wrote:Despite some decent points it looks like he wrote that from the Kop concourse though..

His worst line is this:

whose only failing in top-flight management has been an inability thus far to deliver the Premier League title to Anfield.

or even look like doing so thus far, and that's what he was employed to do.

and the reserve league isn't worth a mention as it's not controlled by the boss - last year's winners were Bolton and Reading and I've not noticed the next Pele make the grade yet either.
A lot of the youth team (which is what the reserves are) have been brought in by Benitez, though, so he is to take some credit for it (unless you believe it's a tactical masterclass from Gary Ablett...), and to be honest so long as he keeps finishing in the top 4 he's doing exactly what the board want him to do, especially seeing as he has this knack of goign deep into the season in the Champions League which generates much more additional income.

If you like, but personally I don't trust reserve league finishes as a sign of the overall strength of the club or even future rising stars. Not even squad depth, since Chelsea for instance, with possibly the strongest senior squad, are 8th/10 in their reserve league. I don't watch reserve team football but it strikes me that it's sometimes a matter of chance depending on what first team fringe players are playing for each side in each game to keep their fitness levels up compared to it being 22 kids in every game.

You're right about the current board not giving a monkeys as long as finishing in the top 4, but being that OK is not the attitude which won 18 titles is it... I maintain that he was brought in to win the league though, same as every other manager at Anfield is, he just isn't making any progress yet. When he's had an unbeaten season he can go a few years without a trophy and not get targeted..

blurred · Post by **blurred** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:34 pm

From the Chelsea official site (not a fan forum, but their official site). It made me piss myself:

So, bring on Liverpool, who seem to have squeezed past Arsenal, in the end, with the help of a highly contentious refereeing decision. (I know - at Anfield. Who'd have thought it?) The end-result is the semi-final that nobody in the world, so far as I can make out, really wanted. And of course it could only be disappointing to advance this far in the Champions League and then end up playing, not a charismatic team from some exotic European destination, but an extremely dull one from the Premier League. It's like flying off on holiday and ending up in your back garden.

But we must take what we are given - and consider ourselves fortunate. After all, it's a draw against the weakest team remaining in the competition - the Cardiff, if you will, of the Champions League. And there is ample history on our side: too many of our players have known disappointment at this stage of the competition, too often.

Imagine, then, the steel-like resolve they'll be taking into this game. It surely can't happen again.

Tombwfc · Post by **Tombwfc** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:44 pm

Are you not the weakest side left in the competition?

blurred · Post by **blurred** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:04 pm

Tombwfc wrote:Are you not the weakest side left in the competition?

I don't think so, no. I don't think there particularly is a 'weakest side', never mind the comparison with Cardiff who were a division below one of the remaining semi-finalists.

It's also funny, I think, that he chose us as Cardiff. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they reach the final?

TANGODANCER · Post by **TANGODANCER** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:09 pm

More trouble at't mill for your lot then?

http://sport.aol.co.uk/parrys-reign-a-d ... 4409990001

blurred · Post by **blurred** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:13 pm

Those f*cking American berks again, you mean? Yes, they're still there, and Tom Hicks is still talking out of his arse and causing no end of trouble. The sooner they f*ck off the better as far as I'm concerned.

Soldier_Of_The_White_Army · Post by **Soldier_Of_The_White_Army** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:06 am

blurred wrote:Those f*cking American berks again, you mean? Yes, they're still there, and Tom Hicks is still talking out of his arse and causing no end of trouble. The sooner they f*ck off the better as far as I'm concerned.

Sorry Blurred, but once you've got Americans, you can't get rid of them. They stay with you like Herpes.

We've been trying to get rid of Americantrotter and H Pederson for years!

Hoboh · Post by **Hoboh** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:16 am

blurred wrote:Those f*cking American berks again, you mean? Yes, they're still there, and Tom Hicks is still talking out of his arse and causing no end of trouble. The sooner they f*ck off the better as far as I'm concerned.

Oh dear John Wayne and his hoss not welcome in Ali Baba's city now????

Or is it a touch of

Athers · Post by **Athers** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:09 pm

It really is embarrassing for Liverpool. The Dubai mob will be out to make profit from them as well, though they're probably the lesser of two (three) evils.

Blurred, can you remind why did you reject the approach from lifelong red, Steve Morgan, a few years back?

blurred · Post by **blurred** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:12 pm

hoboh2o wrote:Oh dear John Wayne and his hoss not welcome in Ali Baba's city now????

Or is it a touch of

Athers wrote:It really is embarrassing for Liverpool. The Dubai mob will be out to make profit from them as well, though they're probably the lesser of two (three) evils.

Compare and contrast how many times you've heard from Malcolm Glazer in his couple of years at Old Trafford and how many times you've heard from Tom Hicks in the last few months. I don't mind people coming in to make money out of us - the only way that really works is if the side is successful, and thus investment is required. I know that whoever buys us will be looking to sell us in a few years/rake off some of our profits for themselves as they go, but so long as we're successful and profitable you won't hear many fans complaining, but he's acted and is acting like a prize nice person.

Athers wrote:Blurred, can you remind why did you reject the approach from lifelong red, Steve Morgan, a few years back?

Among other reasons he dramatically undervalued the club in his bid, offering a relative pittance for the shares at the time. Also he's a bit of a cock. I believe he now owns Wolves.

Hoboh · Post by **Hoboh** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:24 pm

blurred wrote:
hoboh2o wrote:Oh dear John Wayne and his hoss not welcome in Ali Baba's city now????

Or is it a touch of

Athers wrote:It really is embarrassing for Liverpool. The Dubai mob will be out to make profit from them as well, though they're probably the lesser of two (three) evils.
Compare and contrast how many times you've heard from Malcolm Glazer in his couple of years at Old Trafford and how many times you've heard from Tom Hicks in the last few months. I don't mind people coming in to make money out of us - the only way that really works is if the side is successful, and thus investment is required. I know that whoever buys us will be looking to sell us in a few years/rake off some of our profits for themselves as they go, but so long as we're successful and profitable you won't hear many fans complaining, but he's acted and is acting like a prize tw*t.

Athers wrote:Blurred, can you remind why did you reject the approach from lifelong red, Steve Morgan, a few years back?
Among other reasons he dramatically undervalued the club in his bid, offering a relative pittance for the shares at the time. Also he's a bit of a cock. I believe he now owns Wolves.

Bit more of an handful than Canaries I would imagine

James B · Post by **James B** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:14 am

blurred wrote:From the Chelsea official site (not a fan forum, but their official site). It made me piss myself:

So, bring on Liverpool, who seem to have squeezed past Arsenal, in the end, with the help of a highly contentious refereeing decision. (I know - at Anfield. Who'd have thought it?) The end-result is the semi-final that nobody in the world, so far as I can make out, really wanted. And of course it could only be disappointing to advance this far in the Champions League and then end up playing, not a charismatic team from some exotic European destination, but an extremely dull one from the Premier League. It's like flying off on holiday and ending up in your back garden.

But we must take what we are given - and consider ourselves fortunate. After all, it's a draw against the weakest team remaining in the competition - the Cardiff, if you will, of the Champions League. And there is ample history on our side: too many of our players have known disappointment at this stage of the competition, too often.

Imagine, then, the steel-like resolve they'll be taking into this game. It surely can't happen again.

that really on the 'fishal site? link me

see the gerrard to chelsea rumours have re-surfaced just prior to the tie, quelle surprise

blurred · Post by **blurred** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:41 am

Linky

http://www.chelseafc.com/xxchelsea18070 ... _2208899_4

Dave Sutton's barnet · Post by **Dave Sutton's barnet** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 10:09 am

I'm astonished. A readable piece on an official site!! Taken in good spirit, too. Well done all.

Soldier_Of_The_White_Army · Post by **Soldier_Of_The_White_Army** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:39 pm

............

James B · Post by **James B** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:39 pm

poor blurred

Montreal Wanderer · Post by **Montreal Wanderer** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:59 pm

blurred wrote:Those f*cking American berks again, you mean? Yes, they're still there, and Tom Hicks is still talking out of his arse and causing no end of trouble. The sooner they f*ck off the better as far as I'm concerned.

There remains a possibility that their two hockey teams, Montreal (Gillette) and Dallas (Hicks) will meet in the Stanley Cup final. That could prove quite interesting. In fact many people would like that possibility. I wonder who blurred would cheer for... an earthquake perhaps...

mummywhycantieatcrayons · Post by **mummywhycantieatcrayons** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:07 pm

Get in. Blurred's favourite player too....

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