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Mourinho is the
manager for Inter Milan in Italy. He used to manage Chelsea...he's partially credited with bringing them to their recent prominence in English football. He used to manage Porto.They had some feuds with him and he left a few years ago....they replaced him with ####ty Avram Grant, then Big Phil Scolari, then Guus Hiddink...
Keane should have never been at Liverpool. It was a bad decision all the way around. They have a stellar, but not deep squad. If Torres, Gerrard, mascherano, etc., can stay healthy they are fine for the Champions. ManU has Ronaldo and it is no surprise their season turned up a couple of notches when he came back.One thing you will learn is that pretty much every coach is a tool. It's part of the job. Even the jeebus, Sir Alex is a doosh. If you don't win tons, you are out. You have to have a cocky attitude to walk into that job.
On this note, one guy that has caught my eye when watching Liverpool is Yossi Benayoun. Seems like he's always swarming around the ball. He also was the only goal scorer for Liverpool against Madrid.
(ok, it's the closest thing to a yellow card we have in here)Bayern is stinking up 2009 so far. Sure they pulled the 5-0 drubbing of Sporting this past week, but since the Bundesliga started their second half of the season they've looked awful. In 5 league matches they have 1 win, 1 draw and 3 losses. Four points in 6 matches will not win you the title.Are you blind? Babel has been diabolical this season. All pace and no intelligence or finesse.Benayoun is consistent.IRyan Babel
I'm aware....Are you blind? Babel has been diabolical this season. All pace and no intelligence or finesse.Benayoun is consistent.I
Babel is to Liverpool as Nani is to United. And frankly neither is worth much right now, imo.Liverpool is loaded with consistent, yet unspectacular players. I really don't think they are that stellar. In my eyes, they are at best, third best in the EPL. United and Chelsea are both more talented. Aston Villa is probably just as good as them right now. I know a lot of you saw them get caught up by Stoke last weekend, but the fact is, they have been without their best defender/captain for weeks now. Carew is just coming back off injury. Villa has a very solid squad. And a fully healthy Arsenal team is more talented than Liverpool...but not as good a side. I know the gunner fans haven't been high on Denillson this year, but Vela is overwhelmed at this level, and I don't get the love for Nasri. He is a decent player, but goes way too long uninvolved in the play. Not a fan.Are you blind? Babel has been diabolical this season. All pace and no intelligence or finesse.Benayoun is consistent.IRyan Babel
Thanks for holding down the fort, R. Jay
I think its a black eye for MLS when the england coach says Beckham can't play for England if he stays in the MLS. We know the competition here is well below the level of play in Europe, but something like this just really puts a spotlight on the extent of the gap. I also think its telling that he so badly wants to stay in Italy, that he is paying $3mil from his own pesonal funds to get the deal done. That strikes me as unprecedented.
Ahh, I get you. I just misread and thought you meant it was a slap in the face for Capello for some reason. My bad.I think its a black eye for MLS when the england coach says Beckham can't play for England if he stays in the MLS. We know the competition here is well below the level of play in Europe, but something like this just really puts a spotlight on the extent of the gap. I also think its telling that he so badly wants to stay in Italy, that he is paying $3mil from his own pesonal funds to get the deal done. That strikes me as unprecedented.
With Walcott coming back this weekend, and Fabregas in a couple weeks, I think we'll actually be in a good position heading into the end of the season. Both should be fresh, and will lead to the end of the goal drought. If we can keep Toure and Gallas healthy, our defense is good enough, though I still hate Almunia. He makes some great, spectacular saves, but lets in too many easy ones. I wish we still had a game vs. Villa, as then I would be willing to guarantee a CL birth next year. Either way, I think we've got a good shot, but need to capitalize on their recent run of form. I see no chance of Everton passing us, and I think that the 4th spot in the CL will come down to the wire, and I just don't trust that Villa can handle the pressure. They do have the advantage of not having any other comps to worry about. In a lot of ways, Roma knocking us out of the CL may be the best thing for us. That said, I'm still pulling for us to stay in the competition, and allow Cesc and Theo to do their thing in the competition. Though, I'm sure we'll draw Barca or United in the Quarters. That's just how we roll.Bump from page 7...
Arsenal looked much better yesterday although West Brom doesn't much resemble a top of the table opponent. Great game by Bendtner and solid outing by Arshavin. The midfield play of Denilson/Song and Diaby was mediocre at best, but that is unfortunately what I have come to expect from Arsenal this season. Djourou was very shaky at the back and Song was not much better when he moved back due to a Toure injury. Oh yah, and Eboue was his typical worthless self. Actually, he made a few decent runs, but he counterbalanced that by being the reason that West Brom got their 1 goal. I guess nobody told him that when you are part of a wall, you aren't supposed to be doing jumping jacks(at about 2minutes into West Brom v. Arsenal Highlight Clip). Anyway, as the injuries mount, I am starting to wonder if they will even hold off Everton for the 5th spot(although they have picked up some key knocks of their own).
I hope you are right. As for the CL, Arsenal v. Barca would be something that I would love to see... regardless of the outcome.With Walcott coming back this weekend, and Fabregas in a couple weeks, I think we'll actually be in a good position heading into the end of the season. Both should be fresh, and will lead to the end of the goal drought. If we can keep Toure and Gallas healthy, our defense is good enough, though I still hate Almunia. He makes some great, spectacular saves, but lets in too many easy ones. I wish we still had a game vs. Villa, as then I would be willing to guarantee a CL birth next year. Either way, I think we've got a good shot, but need to capitalize on their recent run of form. I see no chance of Everton passing us, and I think that the 4th spot in the CL will come down to the wire, and I just don't trust that Villa can handle the pressure. They do have the advantage of not having any other comps to worry about. In a lot of ways, Roma knocking us out of the CL may be the best thing for us. That said, I'm still pulling for us to stay in the competition, and allow Cesc and Theo to do their thing in the competition. Though, I'm sure we'll draw Barca or United in the Quarters. That's just how we roll.Bump from page 7...
Arsenal looked much better yesterday although West Brom doesn't much resemble a top of the table opponent. Great game by Bendtner and solid outing by Arshavin. The midfield play of Denilson/Song and Diaby was mediocre at best, but that is unfortunately what I have come to expect from Arsenal this season. Djourou was very shaky at the back and Song was not much better when he moved back due to a Toure injury. Oh yah, and Eboue was his typical worthless self. Actually, he made a few decent runs, but he counterbalanced that by being the reason that West Brom got their 1 goal. I guess nobody told him that when you are part of a wall, you aren't supposed to be doing jumping jacks(at about 2minutes into West Brom v. Arsenal Highlight Clip). Anyway, as the injuries mount, I am starting to wonder if they will even hold off Everton for the 5th spot(although they have picked up some key knocks of their own).
It would be a beautiful game, that's for sure.Even knowing they'd most likely knock us out, I think I'd rather face them in the Quarters or the Semi's, as opposed to the final. A 2 legged tie with them would be the most magnificent thing ever.brewer said:I hope you are right. As for the CL, Arsenal v. Barca would be something that I would love to see... regardless of the outcome.midwest_kc said:With Walcott coming back this weekend, and Fabregas in a couple weeks, I think we'll actually be in a good position heading into the end of the season. Both should be fresh, and will lead to the end of the goal drought. If we can keep Toure and Gallas healthy, our defense is good enough, though I still hate Almunia. He makes some great, spectacular saves, but lets in too many easy ones. I wish we still had a game vs. Villa, as then I would be willing to guarantee a CL birth next year. Either way, I think we've got a good shot, but need to capitalize on their recent run of form. I see no chance of Everton passing us, and I think that the 4th spot in the CL will come down to the wire, and I just don't trust that Villa can handle the pressure. They do have the advantage of not having any other comps to worry about. In a lot of ways, Roma knocking us out of the CL may be the best thing for us. That said, I'm still pulling for us to stay in the competition, and allow Cesc and Theo to do their thing in the competition. Though, I'm sure we'll draw Barca or United in the Quarters. That's just how we roll.Bump from page 7...
Arsenal looked much better yesterday although West Brom doesn't much resemble a top of the table opponent. Great game by Bendtner and solid outing by Arshavin. The midfield play of Denilson/Song and Diaby was mediocre at best, but that is unfortunately what I have come to expect from Arsenal this season. Djourou was very shaky at the back and Song was not much better when he moved back due to a Toure injury. Oh yah, and Eboue was his typical worthless self. Actually, he made a few decent runs, but he counterbalanced that by being the reason that West Brom got their 1 goal. I guess nobody told him that when you are part of a wall, you aren't supposed to be doing jumping jacks(at about 2minutes into West Brom v. Arsenal Highlight Clip). Anyway, as the injuries mount, I am starting to wonder if they will even hold off Everton for the 5th spot(although they have picked up some key knocks of their own).
If Arsenal gets past Roma they have a chance to make some real noise. They will have Eduardo, Fabregas, Rosicky, and Walcot all healthy for the next round (won't they?). As both a Barca fan and an Arsenal fan I hope they don't draw each other.It would be a beautiful game, that's for sure.Even knowing they'd most likely knock us out, I think I'd rather face them in the Quarters or the Semi's, as opposed to the final. A 2 legged tie with them would be the most magnificent thing ever.I hope you are right. As for the CL, Arsenal v. Barca would be something that I would love to see... regardless of the outcome.With Walcott coming back this weekend, and Fabregas in a couple weeks, I think we'll actually be in a good position heading into the end of the season. Both should be fresh, and will lead to the end of the goal drought. If we can keep Toure and Gallas healthy, our defense is good enough, though I still hate Almunia. He makes some great, spectacular saves, but lets in too many easy ones. I wish we still had a game vs. Villa, as then I would be willing to guarantee a CL birth next year. Either way, I think we've got a good shot, but need to capitalize on their recent run of form. I see no chance of Everton passing us, and I think that the 4th spot in the CL will come down to the wire, and I just don't trust that Villa can handle the pressure. They do have the advantage of not having any other comps to worry about. In a lot of ways, Roma knocking us out of the CL may be the best thing for us. That said, I'm still pulling for us to stay in the competition, and allow Cesc and Theo to do their thing in the competition. Though, I'm sure we'll draw Barca or United in the Quarters. That's just how we roll.Bump from page 7...
Arsenal looked much better yesterday although West Brom doesn't much resemble a top of the table opponent. Great game by Bendtner and solid outing by Arshavin. The midfield play of Denilson/Song and Diaby was mediocre at best, but that is unfortunately what I have come to expect from Arsenal this season. Djourou was very shaky at the back and Song was not much better when he moved back due to a Toure injury. Oh yah, and Eboue was his typical worthless self. Actually, he made a few decent runs, but he counterbalanced that by being the reason that West Brom got their 1 goal. I guess nobody told him that when you are part of a wall, you aren't supposed to be doing jumping jacks(at about 2minutes into West Brom v. Arsenal Highlight Clip). Anyway, as the injuries mount, I am starting to wonder if they will even hold off Everton for the 5th spot(although they have picked up some key knocks of their own).
Walcott....he's baaaaaaaaaaack
Glad to see any team end Real's win streak, even Atleti. Barcelona definitely needed a weekend like this one to lessen the tension a bit. Hopefully they take care of business in the CL this week.The Z Machine said:
Going to be a rough game without Puyol back there.
Damn Work.
I did...
GB setting my DirecTV DVR while at work.
I feel it's important to bump this post often.
It's good to see you back with an Arsenal avatar!
When you walk through a stormhold your head up high
yah I had to do the same thing. I wonder if it has to do with the World Baseball Classic which I think is playing on ESPN2....
I would have to agree that it is a bit of a black eye for MLS here. The whole Becks saga has driven me mad since he went over on loan. The deadline by Garber for the negotiations coming and going. Then the deal getting done. From the time that Becks went to LA I never really quite liked it. Sure he sold tickets and maybe the media covered the circus. In my opinion thought it did nothing for American soccer on the national or international stage. I love MLS and the fact that we have a domestic league for our players. The quality is getting better but we have to avoid these situations where an international superstar comes in for a season and then heads off or just retires after half ***ing it around.I think its a black eye for MLS when the england coach says Beckham can't play for England if he stays in the MLS. We know the competition here is well below the level of play in Europe, but something like this just really puts a spotlight on the extent of the gap. I also think its telling that he so badly wants to stay in Italy, that he is paying $3mil from his own pesonal funds to get the deal done. That strikes me as unprecedented.
Unlikely now. Villarreal's two away goals likely cinch it. Doubt the Greeks can score 2 in 20 minutes.
Ryan Babel
