batman

A shock defeat for Germans last night ..... that's a real downer 'cos my cash is on them to win it!

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

David Brent

They should still progress to the next round Bats.

As they say - it is not good to peak too early.

Dave.

batman

They should progress .... but they were not very good. Still, it should be fun watching the Dutch tonight.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

scholes

Can't understand why the Germans are favourites.

Harbottle

I agree! The way those commentators go on and on about the Germans you would think they win every competition How much of a 'shock' is losing to Croatia?

Alas they will still go through from the group but will not get much further, the Croatians made them look what they are very ordinary indeed.

My tip for Italy are not looking too clever either

dremble wedge

I think the Germans were made favourites because they are virtually playing at home!

orpheum

the fact is that no only are Chelski and United cheating they are causing everyone to pay more to watch their football.Joe Bloggs is the talented forward at say Blackburn .he sees that say Wright Phillips playing in the stiffs is getting twice as much as he is.Now what do Blackburn do .They dont want to sell him so they up his wages.Now who do you think is going to pay the extra wages.I will give you 2 guesses.Wrong it is not the directors.It is you and me the long suffering supporter.We have to dig deeper in our pockets to keep Joe Bloggs in the luxury he thinks he deserves.All of course linked to the fact that Chelski are playing unrealistic wages to their players,which of course they could not afford if it werent for rich uncle Roman.
Next we come to the question of young players.do you know the restrictions that apply to signing on young players?There are now severe restrictions and of course we in London have 5 premiere leasgue clubs so they will all be scrambling for the talent available.So what do you do,go out and pay money you dont have for players who might or might not perform.Why not invest in young players even if they come from abroad.What do you want to go back to watching teams with home based players who are substandard.Go back to the days of the 70s and 80s when the only foreign player was Scottish.How else are clubs like Arsenal in any event to compete with Utd and Chelski.It appears that there are some double standards out there somewhere.
Chelski is fast becoming a cautionary tale about foreign managers.3 managers in 1 year,sounds more like Palace.Arsenal have had 3 managers,including AW since 1986.Is it surprising they didnt win a trophy.How many of their players will depart this summer.
United are a good team but what happens if the bankers decide to accept the bid for Ronaldo.Wont be the same team.
It may well be that Arsenal wont win any trophies this next season.However at this moment in time maybe just being solvent becomes more important.The spectre of Leeds looms large above United and Chelski.If the banks want their loans repaid and if Roman decides to call it a day,what then.Will it really have been worth it.Ask the Leeds fans,ask the Gretna fans.

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batman

Orpheum, much as I like you and understand what you are saying, I find this whole obsession about Chelsea and their money tedious in the extreme. My final word on the subject is that Chelsea and Manchester United's finances are big business. Big business does not really interest me. What interests me is that Chelsea put out a good side and I get to see my team win a trophy or two. If Abramovitch pulls the plug and Chelsea disappear I will not cry about it .... life goes on. If the NHS were to suddenly disappear I would cry .... because I would lose my job and many other people would suffer serious health consequences. Football for me is a bit of fun to be enjoyed, to have a moan about dodgy offside decisions with your mates and to have a good ol' knees up when your team wins. Football is too expensive for me to attend on a regular basis so I don't go and I watch it on TV instead. That's all it means to me, a bit of fun and something to take my mind off the shit that I go through on a daily basis at work. If any other members wish to take up the debate about Chelsea's finances please feel free .... I have retired hurt.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

Marky B

I always though Gene Hackman was a talented man - he is now in charge of Chelsea.
Ta Ta
Marky B

I am special. The heavens always open for me.

orpheum

Obviously Bats we come from different viewpoints.Given that i first went to Highbury in Spetember 1953,that i started going regularly in January 1961,have had a season ticket since 1961 and a shareholder since 1967 might mean that i do get a bit passionate about it,and yes i have to say it does dominate my life.Yes i do tend to feel more strongly about this than about other things

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scholes

United's debts (along with a few other clubs)are servicable through being a Global brand. Chelsea have similar ambitions.
Leeds just didn't have these resources at their disposal.

Real Madrid's debts in addition to being a Global Brand, are in part backed by the Spanish government -the latter buying the former's assets at over the top prices in order to purchase their targets .

I agree that Arsenal have a good philosophy for youth development but United and Chelsea move in similar circles.
There was an interesting programme on a few years back on how young Brazilian talent was recuited for the benefit of top European Clubs like Porto and Milan. United have just purchased 16 year old Davide Petrucci from Roma, because they were willing to pay him the maximum salary for a player of that age. As an investment for the future it make sense. Arsenal are doing exactly the same.
United and Chelsea simply have the financial clout to invest immediately. It's business.
United would be different without Ronaldo. Arsenal would be different without Fabregas. They would be replaced.

Nevertheless I agree with Batman.
Football is not a quantifiable entity. Like films and TV it is geared for the enjoyment of many , nothing more nothing less.

DB7

Is that not just because you're a Chelsea fan and no doubt fed up now of the circus? Neither can the media be totally blamed as Mourinho wasn't one for keeping a low-profile and invited much of the press speculation and spotlight.

For me Chelsea is soap-opera, and can only be bettered occasionally by the hilarious goings-on at Newcastle (and Liverpool).

batman

I don't blame the media .... they don't dwell on the financial stuff that much. It is like a soap opera, but one where the shenanigans among the coaching and playing staff is much more interesting than any financial dealings. I love all the personnel gossip, it's always good for a laugh and a moan. The new season should be interesting ..... can ManUSA maintain the high standard of last season (probably without Ronaldo), can The Arse actually win something for a change, will Ricky Benitez continue to whinge about every decision he doesn't agree with, which of the non top four clubs will make the breakthrough (if any) and can Scolari do any better than Avram? Will Sheva ever justify his fee and wages? All good stuff and much more interesting than Roman's bank balance.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

phil

Is there a good reason why Ray Stubbs and Marcel Desailly have a discussion pitchside prior to the game. You have the crowd noise,the tannoy and Desailly's accent on top.
Wonder what they were on about?

batman

I am off to (hopefully) laugh at the French. If it is as good as this afternoon's 'epic' I should fall asleep just after half-time.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"