Football Special

[Edward G]

Orph,
If I believed the sports pages then Real Madrid would be signing about 100 + top players at the start of every season! It is no secret that the domestic league title is the coveted dream of Liverpool fans, having bagged everything but this cup in recent years. I would not get carried away by the rumours etc. involving Liverpool's owners. A bit like Manu Utd and the Glazers. After all the anticipation and speculation about new regimes etc. performance-wise little changes as long as managers are allowed to manage. Chelsea were an obvious exception and it will be interesting to see their long term response and how many of their top players stay the course.

[orpheum]

If Rafa doesnot make the last 16 of the Champions League he will be on his way.Remember you read it first here.

[Edward G]

Orph,
I like a man who sticks his head out and makes a bold prediction.
That is so bold as to be in Telly Savalas land.
Your prediction adds a bit of extra spice to the last 3 Euro games..
My counter-prediction is that Benitez will easily be at the helm for this season and beyond..
We will have to wait and see..

[batman]

Chelski have shown signs of improving over the past weeks. The players have shown their willingness to play for the club (Droggy whines all the time about something or other) and the Grant/Cate team shows promise. The only Chelski 'stars' I think will leave are Lampard and Shevchenko. Ballack will return at some point and I think he'll be around for a while. It's still early days but the new management team are Roman's choice so I think he will leave well alone unless Chelski end up in real trouble. I have been impressed by the way Avram has performed so far and the 'inside' gossip says he and Cate get on well together, even ol' Steve Clarke hasn't been pushed aside. The ship was leaking badly so the captain was thrown overboard .... the ship has stabilised, let's just hope there are no icebergs lurking.

As for The Jolly Scousers .... Ricky Benitez is a good manager, but IMHO he has started to think of himself as a master tactician, always a bad sign. When Jose tried that a couple of times he came a cropper ... and he's a better manager than Ricky. The new owners have stated on several occasions that The Premiership is their no.1 target. I don't think that target will be reached this season. After what happened at Chelski not even Ricky will be safe if the owners get their knives out. They may give him another season, but if they don't win big again this season, those knives will certainly be on display.

Bats.

[orpheum]

Lets us put Besiktas in context.I dont know if they came out of Pot 3 or 4 in the draw.However their equivalent in our group is Slaughtered Prague or UnDynamic Bucharest.So that gives you a clue as to just how good they are!

[Edward G]

Orph,
Get over it!
No one is putting Besiktas up as world beaters. An upset. That's why we love soccer. I've already got this out of my system. Look forward - not backwards!

[orpheum]

The way Liverpool are playing at the moment they need a plan to play Lego
I didnt say that but a supporter on the Liverpool Echo has posted this.I suggest that you go to that website sand read what supporters are saying before making assumptions.

[Edward G]

Orph,
I make my own mind up on things - so I am not welded to the sports pages in the tabloids etc . We all make assumptions - like your predictions about Liverpool's Premiership performance for the rest of the season. Many forums have knee-jerk reactions that are passionate responses from genuine fans but these are not always measured and are often reactions to a particular game or run of results. I am puzzled by some of Benitez's team selections etc. but I am looking at his input into the club since his arrival - not the last 2 weeks of football. A hard core of fans were disillusioned with Steven Gerrrad in the season they won the Champions League but this "anger" evaporated after he led the comeback in the famous final.

[batman]

I just had to mention today's 6-0 thrashing of third placed Man. City by Chelski.

Bats.

[Marky B]

As a part time quiz compiler,would I be right in saying that the last time the England football squad last go to a a final (World Cup,or whatever) was in 1966?
It might catch a few quizsters out when I write one.
Ta Ta
Marky B

[smiffy]

Originally Posted by batman I just had to mention today's 6-0 thrashing of third placed Man. City by Chelski. Bats.

Being from the Red half of manchester I take no delight whatsoever at Citys thrashing they won't be third place for long but they will always be third rate

[batman]

Originally Posted by smiffy they won't be third place for long but they will always be third rate

Cruel, very cruel ...

Bats.

[David Brent]

Avram Grant for England.
I never doubted the bloke.

Dave.

[batman]

Originally Posted by David Brent Avram Grant for England. I never doubted the bloke. Dave.

I was not convinced by his appointment and it's still very early days. The appointment of Cate has gone a long way to easing my doubts and, I have to admit, Avram has done OK so far.

Avram for England? He couldn't be any worse than McClaren!

Bats.

[orpheum]

so all is now roses in the garden again with Chelski.You ve all kissed and made up.