The F.A.Thread

[SNEEZ]

yes the Cole situation.

idk what he was thinking, unless maybe rest him some?

but I am biased toward Cole...not a jayydogg creepy bias, just he's my favorite play in a completel hetero way.
:rotfl:
:rotfl:
:rotfl:

no I think Grant is out of his league here. to be a HC at Chelsea, ManU, Arsenal etc you HAVE to be the biggest dog on the field, ego, power etc. he let the players dictate terms. you make a loud and clear statement, I am in charge don't like it? stay home.

[mickeyrivers]

exactly... that was jose's biggest attribute. players would run through walls for him.

avram? they couldn't care less. especially now that everyone knows he's a lame duck.

[SNEEZ]

he lsot the team b/c of the fans.

"you don't know what you're doing"
"Mourinho, Mourinho"

those chants never help.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

I'm with you in that Joe Cole is by far and away my favorite player at Chelsea. He made some incredibly clutch goals last year for the team. Not to mention he grew up a Chelsea fan and is living his dream.

Here's the latest from the London Times. Crazy!:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/chelsea/article3754622.ece

Chelsea are planning a mass clear-out of players at the end of the season, irrespective of what happens to Avram Grant. The Times has learnt that as many as ten first-team squad members could leave Stamford Bridge in what would be the most dramatic upheaval since the unprecedented summer of spending immediately after Roman Abramovich bought the club five years ago.

[SNEEZ]

o lolz

Chelsea will be lucky to beat Derby next year....LMFAO

maybe somehow DC United can steal Joe Cole...

:rotfl:

[SangareeCrew]

I don't think Chelsea will be playing Derby next year...........I think they are already relegated. LOL

But your point is well taken .

[PikeyGamecock]

Celtic 2 Rangers 1....:thumbsup: Goal by Jan Vennegoor in the 90th minute. I gotta find a recording of this match.

[mickeyrivers]

yeah, it happens so rarely these days you probably should get that down for posterity. woot woot!

[mickeyrivers]

o lolz

Chelsea will be lucky to beat Derby next year....LMFAO

maybe somehow DC United can steal Joe Cole...

nothing wrong with shipping off dead weight... it's not like they can't be replaced. roman prints money for fun. the only players i will be sad to see go are essien and... well, just essien, really.

cole isn't going anywhere, btw.

[bhall]

Damn. Roman is a tool and Grant is just dumb-looking. Ever seen him get excited on the touchline? He looks like a hissing cat.

[PikeyGamecock]

yeah, it happens so rarely these days you probably should get that down for posterity. woot woot!

I want to get it down for posterity because for once in a long time Celtic isn't the one losing due to a last minute goal by the opposing team. Happens in the Champion's League all of the damn time with AC Milan and most recently Barcelona.

Next match is on April 27th. Should be a good one considering the SPL title will be up for grabs.

[SNEEZ]

aallllllllllright

chelsea W over Everton
ManU nes to win to hold on

tie moves them 3pts up
Loss drops into 2nd

either has Chelsea RIGHT back in it the head to head is going to decide this one I think!!!!!

[mickeyrivers]

I want to get it down for posterity because for once in a long time Celtic isn't the one losing due to a last minute goal by the opposing team. Happens in the Champion's League all of the damn time with AC Milan and most recently Barcelona.

Next match is on April 27th. Should be a good one considering the SPL title will be up for grabs.
spl title is over... rangers have the lead AND 2 games in hand. even if celtic beat rangers on the 27th, the other crappy teams in the spl aren't going to be able to take any points from rangers and help you guys out any.

[mickeyrivers]

aallllllllllright

chelsea W over Everton
ManU nes to win to hold on

tie moves them 3pts up
Loss drops into 2nd

either has Chelsea RIGHT back in it the head to head is going to decide this one I think!!!!!

the epl title is over too. the only thing positive to take away from the win over everton is that now it makes it mathematically impossible for a manu win over chelsea next week to win them the prem so at least we don't have to watch them celebrate on our field. other than that, it's just delaying the inevitable.

i missed the game because of work and everything and i haven't even seen the highlights. i know essien scored and that's about it... but, not bad to go to everton and win, although after tying freaking wigan last week it pretty much makes today's game worthless.

[SNEEZ]

nah...if ManU loses, its Chelseas to lose and if they beat ManU

[mickeyrivers]

nah...if ManU loses, its Chelseas to lose and if they beat ManU
well manu ain't losin'... and we surely aren't beating manu. i'd love to see it happen but i just don't see it.

[SNEEZ]

well manu ain't losin'... and we surely aren't beating manu. i'd love to see it happen but i just don't see it.

didn't they just tie w/ 'boro?

did Chelsea beat Arsenal who played better v Chelsea than vs ManU?

if ManU wins then its over.

but as of now...it aint over

[PikeyGamecock]

well manu ain't losin'... and we surely aren't beating manu. i'd love to see it happen but i just don't see it.

faith mikey, faith

[PikeyGamecock]

spl title is over... rangers have the lead AND 2 games in hand. even if celtic beat rangers on the 27th, the other crappy teams in the spl aren't going to be able to take any points from rangers and help you guys out any.

SPL has some giant killers lurking around. Rangers might be too focused on the prize, though. As long as we aren't mathematically out of the title, I'll still keep my hopes up.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

SPL has some giant killers lurking around. Rangers might be too focused on the prize, though. As long as we aren't mathematically out of the title, I'll still keep my hopes up.

I watched most of the replay last night of the most recent match between Celtic and the Rangers. One of the most intense and exciting matches I've seen. Helluva a team effort to get that winner in stopage time by Celtic.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

Top 5 goals of the week. Petrov's goal is number #1. Approximately 45 yard strike!

http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&brand=foxsports&vid=e149aa9b-41e2-47bf-9044-03a1b92e69ff&from=Fox%20Sports&tab=s1204065624188&MSNHPHMA

[PikeyGamecock]

Tim Howard's saves were sexy as hell.

[Love Boat Captain]

Top 5 goals of the week. Petrov's goal is number #1. Approximately 45 yard strike!

http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&brand=foxsports&vid=e149aa9b-41e2-47bf-9044-03a1b92e69ff&from=Fox%20Sports&tab=s1204065624188&MSNHPHMA

There wasn't much to the strike but that Gerrard move to get past the defense was tight.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

There wasn't much to the strike but that Gerrard move to get past the defense was tight.

Gerrard's through the leg move.....that has jock strap written all over it.

[SNEEZ]

HAHAHAHAHA

MANU TIED WITH ROVERS!!!!

If Chelsea can win they are in it again!

BUT, Rooney should have been red carded for the studs up 2 footed lunge...EASY red card.

SO.

ManU vs Chelsea 4-27
ManU vs West Ham United 5-3

Chelsea vs Newcastle 5-5

THATS IT.

Chelsea W over ManU Ties them, and then chelsea has to win vs newcastle and have ManU lose or tie.

if they tie in pts, ManU CRUSHED EVERYONE in goal difference!!

[PikeyGamecock]

Nothing to watch this week. Lame.

[bhall]

Chelsea gotta a big break with ManU drawing against Rovers.


Let's do it, Blues!!!

[mickeyrivers]

a huge break, bhall... it was a very exciting game too. manu was throwing everything they had at blackburn for the last 30 minutes of that game. if only they had held on for a few more minutes! brad friedle was unreal in that game. i got to watch it on fsc.

i hope chelsea/manu is on fsc saturday. if not i might just have to use that livefooty website.

[SNEEZ]

okay, so I'm gong to soccer practice today ad yes I have on my blue Chelsea Joe Cole Jersey and I'm going to rufffle up the 5 ManU fans there.

there's 3 Gooners
2 Liverpool
1 Chelsea, me
1 Newcastle
2 Fulham, well...1 really I pull for Fulham but not so loudly right now...lol
5 ManU
6 Barcelona

anyone pick out the bandwagoners?

[bhall]

okay, so I'm gong to soccer practice today ad yes I have on my blue Chelsea Joe Cole Jersey and I'm going to rufffle up the 5 ManU fans there.

there's 3 Gooners
2 Liverpool
1 Chelsea, me
1 Newcastle
2 Fulham, well...1 really I pull for Fulham but not so loudly right now...lol
5 ManU
6 Barcelona

anyone pick out the bandwagoners?


I love it when people are all, "yeah, I like soccer." Me- "who do you pull for?". "Manchester United".


Just because you saw Ronaldo on ESPN's Top 10 plays doesn't make you a fan.

[PikeyGamecock]

I get crap for liking Celtic because some consider it a "bandwagon" team so you can probably tell how I feel about ManU and Barca.

Spotting the bandwagoners on campus is easier than winning in the ACC. I walk up to someone with an Arsenal jersey a few months ago and said something along the lines of "Man looks like you guys might be running away with the Premiership this season" and I get a reply like "huh? oh this shirt? yeah I thought it looked cool because of the cannon."

I have no beef with Chelsea. I like John Terry and Joe Cole and the Chelsea fans that I have met in person and on these boards know their stuff and are committed to them. Personally though, I'm with Sneez in quietly rooting for Fulham; simply because they have most of my favorite American players.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

^^I can appreciate that most folks get hooked on teams like Chelsea, Manu and Liverpool given that they get most of the U.S. exposure. Unless you have FSC, Setanta and the others you miss most of the weekly action and really only get exsposure to the UEFA matches on ESPN2 and Classic. ManU with Ronaldo and in the past Beckham seems like the natural choice for the casual fan.

Ideally though, I'd like to see as much exsposure/interest as possible so that we can see more matches without have to go out and purchase special TV packages to watch the matches. Right now, the only live EPL weekly matches we get on FSC are Saturday and Sundays. I'd love to get the weekday action as well, but don't want to shell out the bucks for it. Sort of like the Tiger Woods effect on golf.

[Cockliv]

okay, so I'm gong to soccer practice today ad yes I have on my blue Chelsea Joe Cole Jersey and I'm going to rufffle up the 5 ManU fans there.

there's 3 Gooners
2 Liverpool
1 Chelsea, me
1 Newcastle
2 Fulham, well...1 really I pull for Fulham but not so loudly right now...lol
5 ManU
6 Barcelona

anyone pick out the bandwagoners?

WHAT!?!?!? NO BLADES!?!? Oh, that's right, it takes a real man to support the side currently playing the best football in the LC (despite it only getting them to 8th in table with 2 rounds remaining).

Pansies.:grin:


(Can one be a bandwagon Sheff U supporter? Hmmm...)

UP THE BLADES!!!!!!

[PikeyGamecock]

Ha, almost forgot this one. I see a guy wearing a Celtic jersey on St Pats down in 5 points so I say something to him like "Nice jersey man" (because I had mine on) and he looks at me, looks down at the jersey and says, "Yeah bro I got it because of the Shamrock."

/smack

[bhall]

There are always great matches at the top of the table but some of the best fixtures that you hardly see are the ones fighting to get out of the relegation zone.

Meck is right, unless you have Setanta or FSC you'll rarely see those matches.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

There are always great matches at the top of the table but some of the best fixtures that you hardly see are the ones fighting to get out of the relegation zone.

Meck is right, unless you have Setanta or FSC you'll rarely see those matches.

In a perfect world Setanta and FSC is all one needs. Unfortunately, Setanta is only available on satellite which I'm not willing to get right now.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

Edit:

Tomorrow 2:30 ESPN2 Chelsea v. Liverpool
Tomorrow 5:00 ESPNClassic Replay Chelsea v. Liverpool

[SNEEZ]

WHAT!?!?!? NO BLADES!?!? Oh, that's right, it takes a real man to support the side currently playing the best football in the LC (despite it only getting them to 8th in table with 2 rounds remaining).

Pansies.:grin:


(Can one be a bandwagon Sheff U supporter? Hmmm...)

UP THE BLADES!!!!!!

well, I would pull for them...If Joe Cole played for them..along with Derby...just quietly...

I've already said I pull MLS over EPL all day long, but my favorite player has and will be Joe Cole and whatever team he's on is where I roam b/c I wasn't born into a "family team"

[SNEEZ]

I'm with Sneez in quietly rooting for Fulham; simply because they have most of my favorite American players.

only one reason. they give Americans a chance outside of GK's

I do NOT like Dempsey and don't like him being on the USA...honestly but McBride is still our best ST even at 78:lol:

[Mecklenburg Cock]

well, I would pull for them...If Joe Cole played for them..along with Derby...just quietly...

I've already said I pull MLS over EPL all day long, but my favorite player has and will be Joe Cole and whatever team he's on is where I roam b/c I wasn't born into a "family team"

I'm with you on Joe Cole. His tough play has clearly made him my favorite player over the past couple of years.

I still favor the EPL over MLS. I'm pulling for the MLS to improve, but at this point the quality of play is so much better in the EPL that I enjoy it much more.

[SNEEZ]

there' one reason I don't go for the EPL.

I am tired of the announcers and people putting down the US players and MLS.

We've kicked Englands ass in ervything except real football and that could change this year.

[PikeyGamecock]

there' one reason I don't go for the EPL.

I am tired of the announcers and people putting down the US players and MLS.

We've kicked Englands ass in ervything except real football and that could change this year.

Derek Rae and Tommy Smyth, the regular announcers for any UEFA games on ESPN2 tend to win me over with their commentating. They are about as unbiased as you can be. Smyth is occassionaly an analyist for some MLS games and he is always praising MLS as coming along nicely and its players as legitimate footballers. Rae tends to be on the conservative side when he calls matches, but he gives credit where credit is due. He says some great stuff about many American players over in Europe during many matches that I have watched. However, he isn't afraid to come out and say that Americans aren't the most popular of players in places like England. Where he sets himself apart from the other commentators is when he argues that American players have to work harder for their spots and they have every right to be on the pitch with anyone if they prove themself like every other starter.

[SNEEZ]

I don't know the asshats I'm hearing b/c I've watched two fulham matches and one of the guys was okay and unbiased the other was furious about it.

I think a yank must have stole his wife

[mickeyrivers]

Ha, almost forgot this one. I see a guy wearing a Celtic jersey on St Pats down in 5 points so I say something to him like "Nice jersey man" (because I had mine on) and he looks at me, looks down at the jersey and says, "Yeah bro I got it because of the Shamrock."

/smack


celtic do have cool uniforms though to be honest.

i don't hate celtic like the real rangers fans do... but i gravitate towards rangers because of the protestant thing and because i like the atmosphere at scottish games. i don't really follow the scottish league at all though. i think celtic and rangers should petition to move to the epl.

[SNEEZ]

I dont like green...just don't

[mickeyrivers]

I still favor the EPL over MLS. I'm pulling for the MLS to improve, but at this point the quality of play is so much better in the EPL that I enjoy it much more.

the epl (i refuse to call it bpl also, so stupid) is so much better than mls it's ridiculous... and i'm not just talking about the level of play. the set up of the epl is far superior. the only aspect the mls is better at is parity, and in actual fact they probably have too much parity where as the epl doesn't have enough.

my main problem with mls is that the regular season games mean virtually NOTHING since nearly every team makes the postseason. so what's the point? when they get that squared away, it will be a better league, and here's how they should do it: they need to put ALL the teams in the "playoffs" and call it the mls cup and string it out over the course of the season like the league cup in england. they need to reserve the title of "mls champion" for the actual league regular season champ, not the tourney champ. also, they need to grow to 32 teams and divide into 2 divisions. then promote and relegate within those divisions. and finally, they need to loosen the reigns on the salary cap and in addition to that allow teams 3 salary cap exempted players. i do like what they're doing with the superliga. continue with that. they do all that and mls will be a fantastic league.

[SNEEZ]

also, they need to grow to 32 teams and divide into 2 divisions. then promote and relegate within those divisions. .


USL failed bc it grew too far.

supposedly the MLS will get there eventually but its going to take time, it is still a fledgling league

one scandal could destroy everything they've built.

it'll happen, I'll never doubt the American spirit, even if the people in govt are fools

[PikeyGamecock]

celtic do have cool uniforms though to be honest.

i don't hate celtic like the real rangers fans do... but i gravitate towards rangers because of the protestant thing and because i like the atmosphere at scottish games. i don't really follow the scottish league at all though. i think celtic and rangers should petition to move to the epl.


I like the older away jersey
http://www.soccerfans.com/images/_full/NIK_40231_A.jpeg
Unfortunately, they replaced it.

I don't hate Rangers like Celtic fans do. I gravitated to Celtic because my grandfather was a HUGE Celtic fan and tried to get me into it when I was growing up. He was a full blown Catholic, but my mom (catholic) and my dad (baptist) decided to raise my brothers and I as Presbyterian. When my grandfather died and I looked through some of his old stuff I kind of started a small interest in Celtic that manifested into being a fan.

I kind of treat Rangers like a Florida or Tenn. I don't hate them, but I am not going out of my way to like them.

[Cockliv]

well, I would pull for them...If Joe Cole played for them..along with Derby...just quietly...

I've already said I pull MLS over EPL all day long, but my favorite player has and will be Joe Cole and whatever team he's on is where I roam b/c I wasn't born into a "family team"

SNEEZ, I enjoy MLS, but as we discussed (I think) I just can't pick a club. I'm closest to DC, but I haven't yet decided to support them. I like Becks, but feel HORRIBLY for him playing with mostly rubbish. I'm VERY excited about Seattle, but the logistics of that is like my love for the Blades; too far. If we only had promotion I could fall for the Battery.

[Cockliv]

also, they need to grow to 32 teams and divide into 2 divisions. then promote and relegate within those divisions.

mickey, I've had some e-mail exchanges with the writers at soccernet discussing this very thing (though I was more interested in potential promotion of USL1 than your idea of growth and then splitting). They contended, and I see what they're saying, that it is a hard sell to tell a US owner that he could be spending money for a team that will get sent down. From their discussions around MLS, the mindset isn't there for that kind of risk.

Who knows, but I'd LOVE to have promotion/relegation.

[mickeyrivers]

yeah, i do realize that it's a long shot and something that would be far off in the distance at best... but i think it if was brought to america it would really catch on here. imo the games at the bottom of the table are more exciting than the ones at the top of the table because there is SO MUCH on the line, you know?

but with an in-league promotion system with only 32 or so teams, you could regulate it better and make some guarantees like all 32 teams get a cut of the money, not just the top teams. also with only 2 divisions you ensure that no matter what happens you're never going to be more than 1 season away from getting back to the top flight. because these teams are franchises, not clubs, it changes everything from the european system, but i think with a few tweaks here and there it could work.

[Cockliv]

Oh no, I know what you're saying, and I especially agree about the relegation games. Shoot, I once wrote a column promoting the idea of aligning D1 and D1aa football with the promotion relegation system...novel to say the least, though the logistics would be a nightmare.

I just think that it would be a hard sell on this side of the pond.

[SNEEZ]

until MLS and USL can stop bickering over scraps itll never happen in my lifetime

that many teams, i mean.

[bhall]

Let's do it, Blues!!! Chelsea is the Pride of London!! Beat Liverpool!!

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/09_03/ChelseaFans_468x311.jpg

[Mecklenburg Cock]

^2:30 start time? Right?

[bhall]

^2:30 start time? Right?


I believe so. Come on, Chels!!!

[Mecklenburg Cock]

I forgot to set the DVR. At least the replay starts at 5pm.

[SangareeCrew]

Another huge European night at Anfield................and hopefully for me, a similar result. LET'S GO REDS!!!! You'll never walk alone!!!!!!!!

[Mecklenburg Cock]

Another huge European night at Anfield................and hopefully for me, a similar result. LET'S GO REDS!!!! You'll never walk alone!!!!!!!!

You know I hate playing you all in UEFA matches. These games at Anfield always make me nervous.

[SNEEZ]

GO BLUEEEEEEEEEES
I would settle with a draw today for grants men, but even a 2-1 L could be fine for this leg
but we MUST MUST MUST get the away goal and
but if it were me I want a win regardless.

b/c these clowns still have to come to The Bridge

and thats goignt o be fun.

freaking nick saying 3-0 liverpool tonight...BWHAHAHA

[SNEEZ]

anyone find a webcast yet? I'm still looking to no avail.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

anyone find a webcast yet? I'm still looking to no avail.

Check ESPN360

[SNEEZ]

http://assets.espn.go.com/broadband/video/images/landing_screen.jpg

lol we're on

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!! pts to you it is on there!!

[Mecklenburg Cock]

^^Yea, I love that. I just downloaded the application to run espn360 and now I've got the match all set when it starts.

[SangareeCrew]

Liverpool does need to try to win by 2 today with the second leg at the Bridge. That will be a tough matchup.

[SangareeCrew]

http://assets.espn.go.com/broadband/video/images/landing_screen.jpg

lol we're on



Wow......the OLD uniforms, LOL:lol:

[Mecklenburg Cock]

The hottie that is doing the onsite pregame at Anfield is nice!!!

[bhall]

I got the DVR set for the match-up.

Let's make a statement Blues!!! Euro glory is ours this year!!!!

[Mecklenburg Cock]

Nice to see Joe Cole as a confirmed starter.

[SNEEZ]

yeah now that I see them again...i miss em.

LMAO

ANYWAYS...let the hate mongering begin!!!

Drogba is in
Ballack is in
Lampard is in
Essien is suspended...brining in Ferreria

[SNEEZ]

anyone elses pregame stuttering badly?

kalou needs to be in instead of malouda

[SNEEZ]

I predict Joe Cole has one goal in teh first half

http://i4.bebo.com/023a/13/mediuml/2007/03/25/19/999618197a3929796344b898821475ml.jpg

[Mecklenburg Cock]

anyone elses pregame stuttering badly?

kalou needs to be in instead of malouda

Nah, I'm good but it is slowing my computer down a bit. I may watch the first half from the office online and then go home and pick up the second half during the replay.

[bhall]

How does the ESPN360.com work??

[Mecklenburg Cock]

How does the ESPN360.com work??

As long as ESPN360 is supported by your webserver and browser it's free to use. You just have to download the plugins to make it work. The quality's not bad.

When you go to the ESPN360 website it'll tell you automatically if you're server and browser support it.

[bhall]

As long as ESPN360 is supported by your webserver and browser it's free to use. You just have to download the plugins to make it work. The quality's not bad.

When you go to the ESPN360 website it'll tell you automatically if you're server and browser support it.


Well..no luck. I'll keep up with it on ESPN soccernet's game tracker.


Drogba nets two tonite!!!!!!

[SNEEZ]

i'm happy with the pressure in the first 10

lol

[SNEEZ]

drogbas down and it doesn't look good, left knee problem looks like

edit:

he's back

[bhall]

Son of a bitch. Kuyt just scored. 1-nil Liverpool

[SangareeCrew]

We got VERY lucky that first half. You guys outplayed us but somehow we got the goal.

Should be a great second half........LET'S KEEP IT UP REDS!!!

[SNEEZ]

damn...i'm 9 minutes behnd.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

We need an equalizer at a minimum in the second half. Liverpool could have very well been up 2-nil.

[SNEEZ]

WHAT?!

KALOU IN IS OKAY BUT JOE COLE OUT??!

You sub in a good player for one of your best attackers?!

GRANT IS AN IDIOT!
SUB WITH MALOUDA WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE

[Mecklenburg Cock]

WHAT?!

KALOU IN IS OKAY BUT JOE COLE OUT??!

You sub in a good player for one of your best attackers?!

GRANT IS AN IDIOT!
SUB WITH MALOUDA WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE

That irks me. Cole was money last year in UEFA play.

[bhall]

Grant is retarded.

[SNEEZ]

Grant needs to sub 2 right now.

Anelka and Shevchenko in now with malouda and Ferreria out and move to a 4-3-3

they HAVE to get a goal or accept a VERY tough task next leg.

right now Liverpool isn't giong to push it too much and Chelsea can not afford to allow another goal or to NOT score.

to me I'd rather tie it up and take my chances at Teh Bridge

[SNEEZ]

okay...so

Ballack comes off for Anelka..

once more Good sub In

questionable sub out...

[bhall]

Holy shyte...Chelsea gets the stoppage time equalizer!!!!

[bhall]

Own goal by John Arne Riise has an own goal and now Chelsea gets the precious AWAY GOAL!!!!


On to Stamford Bridge!!!!

[SNEEZ]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!

EQUALIZER OOF AN OWN GOAL OF RIISE

BTW

FYI

Grant is still an idiot.

[SangareeCrew]

what a total idiot Riise is. That was totally unexcusable. He should have let the keeper do his damn job. Give up the equalizer in the 5th minute of 4 minutes of stoppage time.

I am seriously ready to pound my head against the wall...........repeatedly. How do you concede that???

All I can say is.............you're welcome, Chelsea. That was a gift indeed.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

"I saw Blue...and he looked glorious!"

[bhall]

"I saw Blue...and he looked glorious!"


PTS SENT!!!!

[bhall]

The Bridge will be rockin next week!!!

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/VirtualContent/84937/blchelsea.jpg

[SangareeCrew]

Liverpool will not roll over and play dead. It will be a fight next week, that's for sure. We just have our backs squarely against the wall now.

[bhall]

Liverpool will not roll over and play dead. It will be a fight next week, that's for sure. We just have our backs squarely against the wall now.


I just hope Liverpool doesn't come out in true CL form and kick the d*ck off Chelsea like 4-1 or something.

Then again, it is the Bridge!! It will be a hell of a showdown!

[SNEEZ]

ManU 0-0 Barca

both look content for the Draw

pathetic

[PikeyGamecock]

Did you see the shot difference? 17 - 6 at one point lol.

[PikeyGamecock]

Ronaldo also missed a PK, unfortunately I didn't get back in enough time to watch it.

[bhall]

Where was the first leg? Old Trafford?

[SNEEZ]

Where was the first leg? Old Trafford?

neg.

Nou Camp

Barca's screwed

[bhall]

neg.

Nou Camp

Barca's screwed


Yep.

[MBSpur]

Old Tafford is gonna be rockin' tuesday, but damn Ronaldo, WTF man a F...ing PK, UGH, that really got me steamed, but i have faith in the reds, we will get it done at the field of dreams

[SNEEZ]

Actually...Barca has a chance.

B/C THE BLUES'LL LEAVE MANU LICKIN ITS WOUNDS AFTER SATURDAY!!!

[SNEEZ]

y'all think my new sig'll stir up some trouble?
lol

if not...what should I change?

[garnet812]

Actually...Barca has a chance.

B/C THE BLUES'LL LEAVE MANU LICKIN ITS WOUNDS AFTER SATURDAY!!!
Yeah because Chelsea was awesome vs them last match. Wait what?!

[mickeyrivers]

predictions for the next round:

chelsea 0 - 0 liverpool

manu 9 - 0 barca

[SNEEZ]

Yeah because Chelsea was awesome vs them last match. Wait what?!

well...we didn't score on ourselves...soooo

[PikeyGamecock]

y'all think my new sig'll stir up some trouble?
lol

if not...what should I change?


I don't expect too many people to understand it unless someone points it out.

Side note, they were talking about the Liverpool own goal on ESPN's Around the Horn today and it really pissed me off how most ESPN "experts" treat soccer like absolute s**t. It's the most popular sport on the globe for a reason.

Last year on the day of the UEFA Cup, the had Eric Wynalda on Mike and Mike to discuss the UEFA Championship and it was like teaching Chinese to a newborn. Wynalda had to dumb it down to, THIS COULD BE CONSIDERED THE SUPER BOWL OF PRO SOCCER, THE WORLD IS WATCHING THIS for anyone to understand it.

/rant off

[SNEEZ]

**** em

[bhall]

You know those Americans...

[TheGuitarCock]

Whats F.A. ? Just wondering?

F**K A$$? I don't know. lol.

[SNEEZ]

THE F.A.

The Football Association

Egland football league, like MLS... 2000x more money and talent

[TheGuitarCock]

Whats the teams?

Who is good?

Who do you like?

Is USA in it?

[SNEEZ]

you do realize that football TO THE REST OF THE WORLD is what Americans call soccer.

[SNEEZ]

Manchester United
Chelsea
Arsenal
Liverpool
Everton
Aston Villa
Portsmouth
Manchester City
Blackburn
Westham
Tottenham
Newcastle
Wigen
Middlesbrough
Sunderland
Bolton
Reading
Birmingham City
Fulham
Derby County


thats the order they are in right now.

I'm a Chelsea supporter b/c of Joe Cole a Right Wing(as I am)

no. The F.A. is english ONLY.

Spain - La Liga
Italy - Serie A
Germany - Bundesliga
France - Ligue 1
USA - MLS

[TheGuitarCock]

No. Who gives a shit about the rest of the world?
As long as we keep FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL in the US, I'm fine.

[TheGuitarCock]

Is Chelsea a city? Go LiverPool. (The name sounds cool)

[SNEEZ]

No. Who gives a shit about the rest of the world?
As long as we keep FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL in the US, I'm fine.


Why is US football called football.

they dont use their feet.
Americans are the stupid ones

intnl Football is hundreds of years older then US football

see sig.

[SNEEZ]

Is Chelsea a city? Go LiverPool. (The name sounds cool)

Chelsea is "The Pride of London"

Liverpool is a city, you may have hear of it...
The Beatles ring a bell?

[mickeyrivers]

Whats F.A. ? Just wondering?

F**K A$$? I don't know. lol.
lol, it stands for football association, which is basically soccer. "soccer" is actually short for "association football."

specifically it refers to the english f.a.... which includes the english premier league, which is the highest professional level of soccer in england and one of the top leagues in the world. (imo it is THE top league)

[PikeyGamecock]

Why is US football called football.

they dont use their feet.
Americans are the stupid ones

intnl Football is hundreds of years older then US football

see sig.

And the American football players that actually do use their feet are probably the least respected person on the team by the players.

[PikeyGamecock]

What channel is the Chelsea/Man U match going to be on this weekend?

[SNEEZ]

idk.

I THINK i heard FSC was goign to have it...or maybe it was ESPN2...

idk..I'm headed to class but I'll find it when I get back

[PikeyGamecock]

Didn't see it on the FSC schedule.

http://msn.foxsports.com/id/8068716_37_1.pdf

Edit: Not on any of the ESPNs either. Damn.

[bhall]

Chelsea/ManU are only on Setanta this weekend.

[SangareeCrew]

eh, I don't think that match is going to matter a whole lot anyway.........me thinks Man U will win the title regardless.

And Guitar Cock.................you made a good choice............LIVERPOOL FC is the ONLY team worth pullng for. LOL

[SNEEZ]

eh, I don't think that match is going to matter a whole lot anyway.........me thinks Man U will win the title regardless.

And Guitar Cock.................you made a good choice............LIVERPOOL FC is the ONLY team worth pullng for. LOL

don't worry...

you can have the country yuppie who begs for females to post pics.

I want the guy who walk into bars grab a girl they've never met, lay one on em and say "meet me ______ at _______, oh and bring a glonde gf"

:rotfl:

[SNEEZ]

Chelsea/ManU are only on Setanta this weekend.

so blows...

[SangareeCrew]

I don't care i just need some balance for all the Chelski fans on here...........lol

[SNEEZ]

am I wrong to be offended he is termed as a "fan" and considering he had the IGNORANT AUDACITY to say keep football American??

[SangareeCrew]

I will defend the "non soccer" fans in that their attitudes are formed by our blissfully ignorant sports media in this country.........what he said is no different that what that tool Jim Rome or any other ESPN talking head says about soccer. I call American Football "FOOTBALL" and I call Soccer "Soccer".........even though the names don't make sense.......just because we do live in America, and that's the accepted terms. If I were in England, I would call Soccer "FOOTBALL" and American Football "American Football", but I'm not in England. Im in the United States.

We can still be good soccer fans without being "Euro Snobs" about it.

[SNEEZ]

I will defend the "non soccer" fans in that their attitudes are formed by our blissfully ignorant sports media in this country.........what he said is no different that what that tool Jim Rome or any other ESPN talking head says about soccer. I call American Football "FOOTBALL" and I call Soccer "Soccer".........even though the names don't make sense.......just because we do live in America, and that's the accepted terms. If I were in England, I would call Soccer "FOOTBALL" and American Football "American Football", but I'm not in England. Im in the United States.

We can still be good soccer fans without being "Euro Snobs" about it.

Amero-trash or Euro-snobs

its all relative.

thankfully I am Cherokee so i fit neither description!:lol:

[SangareeCrew]

well that works out nicely then! LOL!

[bhall]

This Setanta pre-game coverage is actually pretty good. The Bridge is loud today.

Ronaldo is listed as a sub today.


Kickoff is in about 5 mins. Come on, Blues!!!

[mickeyrivers]

this sucks. i don't have setanta and i got up early for this. i'm going to try to watch online. i have livefooty.com but i think that's all done in chinese... i'm going to also try channelsurfing.net... hopefully i get something there. boo @ fox soccer channel.

[bhall]

Essien with 2 quick shots on goal very early.

[bhall]

Drogba just caught Vidic with a knee to the face. He dropped like a bag of rocks.

[bhall]

Hargreaves in for Vidic and Chelsea with a free kick right outside the penalty box.

[bhall]

Damn! Joe Cole off the post!!!

[bhall]

YES!! YES!! YES!! Drogba to Ballack header in the 45th minute to go up 1-nil!!!

Lampard's mother just passed away and they pulled out a jersey with "Pat Lampard 8 RIP" on it.

Damn, Stamford Bride is on fire!!!!!!!!!

[mickeyrivers]

wow, great game so far... this is what i've been waiting to see from chelsea all year... some f-ing fire and heart! joe cole's been looking good in there today as usual. the back line has been great all day. really, chelsea has been totally dominant and probably deserve to be up by 2 goals instead of one.

...but ronaldo is lurking on the bench. you get the feeling he probably really wants to be in this game and i think he will get his chance in the second half. if manu can somehow score a goal and get out of london with a point they will be happy with that and the title will be all but theirs at that point.

btw, i found the game on channelsurfing.net with english commentary even so that was good. i think it's the setanta stream actually.

[bhall]

2nd half under way. No changes on either side.

[bhall]

I didn't realize ManU hasn't scored at Stamford Bridge in 6 years. Talk about being owned.

[bhall]

Son of a bitch. rooney hits the equalizer. Looks like I shouldn't have opened my mouth about that goal drought.

[bhall]

Anelka just subbed in. 4-4-2 formation for Chelsea now

[bhall]

Handball for Chelsea!!! Come on, convert this pk!!!

[bhall]

YES!! YES!! YES!! 2-1 Chelsea in the 86th!!!!

[bhall]

Ashley Cole with the save of the day on the goal line. Damn, this is a great game.

[bhall]

Damn, these boys are about to fight.

[bhall]

Glory for Chelsea!!!! Level on points now!!!

[mickeyrivers]

YEAAAAAAH!!!

wow, that was a great game. how about sheva saving a goal, ahahahaha!!!

manu crybabies out confronting the ref now.

[SNEEZ]

lolz

all you...its over...

EAT IT!

[bhall]

Kalou wore Owen Hargreaves ass out up and down the touchline today.

[SNEEZ]

NOW.

WIN.

MANU.

LOSE or TIE

[PikeyGamecock]

So many Man U "fans" in this country, yet not one on this board for you guys to talk smack to. Sneez can save it for his practices I guess.

[bhall]

A rare pic of the over-excited animal known as Avram Grant...


http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/domr/grantceleb_412_g.jpg

[SNEEZ]

lolz.

I was thinking today...if he wins teh league, he may actually keep his job.

lol

[mickeyrivers]

A rare pic of the over-excited animal known as Avram Grant...


http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/domr/grantceleb_412_g.jpg
RAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.bozzysworld.com/images/skeletor-4.jpg

[Mecklenburg Cock]

What's the deal on this? I didn't see the match and didn't know if you all saw anything about this.

UNITED TO FILE REPORT
The FA have asked Manchester United to provide details on the post-match flare-up that took place at Stamford Bridge after their Premier League defeat to Chelsea. The governing body are thought to be examining CCTV footage as they attempt to uncover what sparked the row. "We are very happy with that, we are delighted with that," Sir Alex Ferguson said.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3833745.ece (http://timesonline-emails.co.uk/go.asp?/bTNL001/mKMB4X8/qBVKDX8/uY18M6/xRHKDX8)

[Mecklenburg Cock]

^^This may be my answer:

Have United lost the plot?
A 2-1 defeat to Chelsea has left the Premier League title race wide open. Manchester United may still top the table, courtesy of their superior goal difference, but it appears the tide has turned. Sir Alex Ferguson was furious at the late penalty decision given against Michael Carrick which offered Avram Grant's side the win. Then after the match, Rio Ferdinand kicked a female steward when he was actually aiming for a wall (in frustration) and several of his team-mates got involved in an unseemly scuffle with Stamford Bridge groundstaff who wanted them off the pitch while they were warming down.

So has the pressure got to them? Do Chelsea now have the upper hand? Did Ferguson's decision to start with Ronaldo on the bench explode in his face? Let us know your views.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/04/have-manchester.html (http://timesonline-emails.co.uk/go.asp?/bTNL001/mKMB4X8/qK42DX8/uY18M6/xRHKDX8)

[SNEEZ]

Fergs decision to not start Ronaldo...

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x29/juggalo_just/fail2eo3.jpg

[mickeyrivers]

yeah it was definitely a stupid move not to start ronaldo... i don't know what he could have been thinking other than perhaps he thought he could get a draw without ronaldo and still have him fresh for the champions league, but it backfired like crazy.

also, fergie has really got to stfu about the ref's. everyone knows that the refs give manu calls at old trafford, but the minute something doesn't go his way he's bitching and crying. instead of being mad at the refs maybe say something to your team about how they were dominated for 75% of that game... or be mad at yourself for a terrible strategy that resulted in a huge loss.

[bhall]

It's easier to blame someone else than realize how DUMB you may be!! SAF fugged that one up and doesn't wanna accept the blame he's put the PL title ManU clearly had wrapped up, into a photo-finish with Chelsea now.


Round these parts we call someone like that an asshat.

[bhall]

Anyone see where Sven-Goran is getting sacked from Man city? After one of their best season in years, the club owner doesn't like the fact his team is gonna finish in the top ten of the table so he's firing him. Dumbass.

[SNEEZ]

fergs was resting Ronaldo for the UEFA.

he blatantly went into the Bridge looking for the tie.

[bhall]

United up 1-nil on Barca at the half in CL play.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

I'd rather see United pull this one out over barca.

[SNEEZ]

oh yeah.

Chelsea v ManU for UEFA and ELague


LoL OWNAGE!

[Mecklenburg Cock]

After this past weekend you gotta believe that match would be intense.

[SNEEZ]

isn't the UEFA championship the last match of the season...after the prem is over?

if so...nothing to lose by say...taking Ronaldo out.


:rotfl:

[SNEEZ]

if manU keeps playing stand up slug it ou w/ Barc they are goingto get beaten.

Henry's already had 2 GREAT oppurtunities relatively unchallenged

[SNEEZ]

and ManU advances

[PikeyGamecock]

I was watching this game with my two Man U friends and when Henry came in they didn't say a word until the game was over. 9 goals in 18 matches vs Man U kept them quiet.

I was really dissapointed with Nani during this game. Anytime they had a counterattack going, Nani would have a lazy pass or touch on the ball.

Van der Sar earned his money today though. Two pretty ugly knees to the head during the game, but he got the clean sheet none the less.

Any word on why Rooney wasn't in the building? Injury?

[mickeyrivers]

probably the injury, pikey... i haven't read anything but at the chelsea game saturday he was hobbling around in bad shape. looked like he may have pulled a muscle.

[mickeyrivers]

Anyone see where Sven-Goran is getting sacked from Man city? After one of their best season in years, the club owner doesn't like the fact his team is gonna finish in the top ten of the table so he's firing him. Dumbass.
that would be ridiculous... sven came into a club that was basically in shambles... put together all the pieces over 1 summer and even still lost a lot of players to injury and lost bianci(sp?) to italy over the transfer window... all those players gelling at once to a new system and even still they were able to finish in the top half.

if they fire him i hope they get relegated next year.

[PikeyGamecock]

probably the injury, pikey... i haven't read anything but at the chelsea game saturday he was hobbling around in bad shape. looked like he may have pulled a muscle.


Thanks.

Looking forward to the Chelsea/Liverpool UEFA match tommorow!

[carolinafan53186]

Ronaldo was caught with some trannie prostitutes

[SNEEZ]

Ronaldo was caught with some trannie prostitutes

BRAZILIAN Ronaldo, NOT Portugese Christiano Ronaldo

jsut to clarify.:lol:

[mickeyrivers]

Ronaldo was caught with some trannie prostitutes
nani and anderson?

[JspurW]

Liverpool is going to be hungry for a goal tomorrow, should be a great match.

Pulling for the Reds myself, I think they have what it takes to pull it off as long as they don't make another mistake of that magnitude. They've found it tough to score at the Bridge, but in games like this history goes out the window.

[uscglfrcpc]

I think Liverpool will have their foot on the gas from the starting whistle tomorrow. Should be a very exciting game no matter what! I really hope they can pull it off as well. Maybe revive some of that magic from the UEFA final few years back, (by far the best soccer match I have ever watched), when they scored 3 in the second half to even the score against Inter Milan and eventually won in PK's

that being said...

Paul Scholes had one hell of a goal today!!! It made up for Barcelona's joke of a performance in the 2nd half, if you can even call it that

[mickeyrivers]

it was a terrible give away that led to the goal... that's what scares me about these games. one mistake and you're done. after that goal manu just bunkered in and really, when a team that good plays 10 men behind the ball what can you do?

that is the challenge that liverpool is facing today. chelsea doesn't need a goal. they're up by virtue of their away goal last week. they're going to sit in a shell... be cautious... and counter attack when they have opportunities. it's going to be really tough for liverpool.

[PikeyGamecock]

It's an all English final regardless so I really don't care who advances from this game. I just want to see Man U get beat and I think Chelsea has the best chance to knock them off in the final.

[SNEEZ]

it was a terrible give away that led to the goal... that's what scares me about these games. one mistake and you're done. after that goal manu just bunkered in and really, when a team that good plays 10 men behind the ball what can you do?

that is the challenge that liverpool is facing today. chelsea doesn't need a goal. they're up by virtue of their away goal last week. they're going to sit in a shell... be cautious... and counter attack when they have opportunities. it's going to be really tough for liverpool.

This is the MOST dangerous strategy to have vs a team with NOTHING to lose.

Liverpool wont get any trophies here, and if they do not score then they go home.

you should NEVER NEVER sit back on D and let guys like Torres and gerrard, Crouch or Kuyt have shots on goal.

I know thats probably whats going to happen, but if that does happen...2-1 Liverpool.

Chelsea HAS to pres teh advantage and utilize that now super crazed atmosphere of The Bridge to bolster their game.

I would play a 4-5-1 today b/ I feel Chelseas main strength lay in teh midfield with Ballack, Cole, Essien and Lampard...although lamps has been playing like shit...

rule teh midfield and take runs down the channels and push 3 mids forward and get an early goal to REALLY put the pressure on.

[mickeyrivers]

i think they will bunker in... if there's one thing you can count on in the champions league it's that defense wins out in the end. look at all the past champions. they got there by keeping clean sheets. look at manu and what they did to barca. it will take an effort like that to keep liverpool from scoring. i think chelsea will get one on the break after liverpool gets desperate and probably end up winning 1-0 or 2-0. it's probably going to come back and bite me in the ass but i'm actually somewhat optimistic today.

i don't even know what the starting line up is supposed to look like today but i wouldn't be surprised to see obi mikel get the run out. he played pretty well on saturday. i would be surprised if lampard got the start today but i bet that if he does sit the bench at the start that he will come on at some point in the second half and the crowd at stamford bridge will go crazy.

[JspurW]

Goal for the Reds!! 1-1 with 25 minutes to go.

[SangareeCrew]

We are headed to extra time. This has been a nail biter, for sure.

[JspurW]

Offside on Chelsea takes away a goal, could be huge.

Edit: Penalty kick good... Chelsea has a 1 goal advantage.

[SangareeCrew]

Game over now. What a horrible way to end the season.

[SNEEZ]

i think they will bunker in... if there's one thing you can count on in the champions league it's that defense wins out in the end. look at all the past champions. they got there by keeping clean sheets. look at manu and what they did to barca. it will take an effort like that to keep liverpool from scoring. i think chelsea will get one on the break after liverpool gets desperate and probably end up winning 1-0 or 2-0. it's probably going to come back and bite me in the ass but i'm actually somewhat optimistic today.

i don't even know what the starting line up is supposed to look like today but i wouldn't be surprised to see obi mikel get the run out. he played pretty well on saturday. i would be surprised if lampard got the start today but i bet that if he does sit the bench at the start that he will come on at some point in the second half and the crowd at stamford bridge will go crazy.

well..you're right Defense won it today:rotfl: J/K man!

...err...collapse of defense!

exactly what needed to happen. get yourself a goal in teh first adn then play blow for blow, don't abck down don't "rest on a lead"

excellent strategy...maybe Grant knows what he's doing afterall!!

[SangareeCrew]

That was BS at the end of extra time. They blew the whistle right at ONE MINUTE extra, even though Liverpool had the ball. At the end of the first leg, Riise's own goal was 40 seconds after the stoppage time should have been over. Maybe I'm complaining too much, but it looked like total bullshit to me.If they had blown the whistle that quickly last week, Liverpool would be in the final.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

Bhall, I saw Blue again!

[JspurW]

That was BS at the end of extra time. They blew the whistle right at ONE MINUTE extra, even though Liverpool had the ball. At the end of the first leg, Riise's own goal was 40 seconds after the stoppage time should have been over. Maybe I'm complaining too much, but it looked like total bullshit to me.If they had blown the whistle that quickly last week, Liverpool would be in the final.

I can see where you're coming from, but ultimately Liverpool failed to capitalise on the offside and not even a minute after gave up a penalty goal. This is a series Liverpool had all too many chances to win, but squandered opportunities and made too many mistakes.

[SangareeCrew]

Oh, I agree. Liverpool didn't capitalize on their opportunities and choked when it mattered the most.

But crap like that from the refs is what I hate the most about soccer. They decide when the games end, not the clock. That's bullshit in my opinion.

[mickeyrivers]

Oh, I agree. Liverpool didn't capitalize on their opportunities and choked when it mattered the most.

But crap like that from the refs is what I hate the most about soccer. They decide when the games end, not the clock. That's bullshit in my opinion.
risse's own goal came right at like 4:05 or something like that i believe. i see what you're saying about refs deciding goals, but honestly, you let chelsea score 3 goals and that's on nobody but the players.

[mickeyrivers]

well..you're right Defense won it today:rotfl: J/K man!

...err...collapse of defense!

exactly what needed to happen. get yourself a goal in teh first adn then play blow for blow, don't abck down don't "rest on a lead"

excellent strategy...maybe Grant knows what he's doing afterall!!
holy crap what a game! yeah, defensive slugfest, lol!!!

3-2 who saw that coming? wow... how about the lampard goal? that was very emotional.

i'm still not sold on grant although i am warming to him i must admit! ...but for real, what was up with putting on sheva at the end of the game up a goal?

oh well, should be an amazing final!

[mickeyrivers]

Game over now. What a horrible way to end the season.
rafa needs more players. chelsea just had more talent on the field.

[bhall]

What an awesome game!

Go Blues!!! Champions League glory is ours!!!!!!!!

[JspurW]

risse's own goal came right at like 4:05 or something like that i believe. i see what you're saying about refs deciding goals, but honestly, you let chelsea score 3 goals and that's on nobody but the players.

Technically, the Liverpool defense only gave up 2. Its tough to stop penalty kicks, so that one can be placed solely on who was penalized.

A good game though, and I'd rather see Chelsea win it all than ManU any day.

[carolinakid104]

chelsea is filth, me and 63-37-4 got a manager mode goin with the blues on fifa 08 and they are pwnin at that too. drogba is a man amongst boys

[PikeyGamecock]

http://www.kitbag.com/product_images/large/146916-010.jpg (javascript:MaxZoom('prd_maxzoom_146916-010.jpg','27107');)Came in today. Been wearing it in the 80 degree heat.

[bhall]

chelsea is filth, me and 63-37-4 got a manager mode goin with the blues on fifa 08 and they are pwnin at that too. drogba is a man amongst boys


Maybe it's me...but I have no clue if this means good or bad.

[carolinakid104]

nah it means very good GO BLUES

[SNEEZ]

filth means good?
slang is retarded these days

on the game he may be but in real life Drogba should move one. i don't care wherer he goes he is a parasite and moralle buster.
sell drogba...buy...umm...
Walcott, and start Anelka...

lol

[PikeyGamecock]

bumping this baby before it vanishes to page 2

[bhall]

Chelsea rolls 2-nil over Newcastle to keep the title pressure down to the last game.

[SNEEZ]

wait...they haven't played yet.

LoL...i'm so out of the loop since my vacation to Daytona...

I figure you guys'd enjoy this. there was a LARGE group from england in Daytona and they asked me if I wanted to play a world cup beach soccer game...man it was awesome but HARD!!

[SNEEZ]

Good Call B!

[bhall]

I watched the Chelsea/Toon replay and, maybe it's just me, but Michael Essien can not be shut down. He owned the touchline all day long and pretty much punked about 4 Newcastle defenders by himself around the 60th minute mark during the match.

I don't think I've seen anyone successfully defend him all season. Chelsea better keep him for a good long while.

[SNEEZ]

Essien is a man.

Malouda and Wright-Phillips could go, we could get soem good $$$ for those two!!
]
and make space for a budding talent to learn from lamps

[SNEEZ]

alright fellas

THIS is the LAST chance.

ManU ties Wigan and Chelsea wins Bolton...BLUES FOR THE CUP!!!
ManU loses Wigan and Chelse Ties Bolton...BLUES FOR THE CUP!!!
ManUties and Wigan Chelsea wins Bolton...better luck next year
ManU wins Wigan and Chelsea wins Bolton...better luck next year

Either way...one team will have a chance for vengeance in 2 weeks...for the UEFA cup..

WHAT A SEASON!!!!!!

[bhall]

Let's do it Blues!!!

[SNEEZ]

****
****
****
****
****

A GD EQUALIZER IN 3RD MINUTE OF STOPPAGE TIME

****
****
****
****

Manchester wins the title.

If Chelsea doesn't WIN teh UEFA title...bye bye Grant

Maybe Fulham can at least avoid relegation.

[JspurW]

Fulham won again today, so it looks like they're sticking around.

Reading, Birmingham City, and of course Derby are getting sent down. Congrats to Fulham for their unlikely comeback!

[SNEEZ]

hopefully Fulham and the Americans can get some chemistry and build up to at least be in the middle of the table next season!!

[mickeyrivers]

cech, terry, essien, ballack, lampard, and joey cole... as long as that group sticks around the rest of them can stay or go for all i care.

i wonder who will be coaching next season now? you guys think grant will stick around if he wins the champions league?

also, for me it came down to difference makers on the field between manu and chelsea. manu has tevez, rooney, and ronaldo. those are the types of players who win games. all of them are in double figures in goals. the hardest thing to do in soccer is score goals and imo chelsea just has to work too hard to get chances. i thought anelka was going to be one of those guys when he came over but he just wasn't.

also, imo essien needs to move back into the midfield. i am starting to develop a mancrush on him. he can play literally any position on the field other than keeper and play it well. he was playing central defender today after the terry injury.

[SNEEZ]

John terry has already said he wants to retire a blues man

but he's not exactly a spring chicken anymore

Essien would be teh perfect midfielder in my formation, just like terry would be the perfect Sweeper w/ Ballack on the LW and Cole on the RW

Anelka in the middle

man...i get excited to imagine these guy in my 1-3-3-3 formation.....

anywas

BOO on chelsea for dropping a SURE win today in stoppage time.

[mickeyrivers]

what is terry, 27, 28? i think he's got a few more good years in him. when he's healthy he's still one of the best defenders in the prem... hopefully he gets better in time for the champions league final in a couple weeks.

....but as for today, yeah, i would have been more upset had wigan not laid down for manu today. it didn't really matter what chelsea did. the title was decided by the time the bolton goal went in.

btw, i find it ironic that you gravitated towards chelsea with the way you like attacking soccer so much. i would have had you figured for an arsenal fan or manu out of the big 4.

[SNEEZ]

LoL

I'm a Joe Cole fan b/c he is a maestro at Wing and thats my position.

if Joe Cole goes anywhere else, thats where I'll go
not a big team fan necessarily...at least its not in my blood...

had chelsea not sought to grind out a result they could have thumped quite a few teams this year that they drew even or lost too.

they have the manpower to attack relentlessly but won't do it.

[mickeyrivers]

3 games stick out to me when i thnk of chelsea's season... 3 woulda been coulda been games. #1 was dec 26th 4-4 draw to aston villa... aston villa can score goals, but that is ridiculous, #2 a week and a half ago, 1-1 draw to wigan. heskie (sp?) scores right at the end of the game to square it. essentially that was the difference between manu and chelsea. they went to wigan and dominated. chelsea also went to wigan and dominated, but couldn't do anything but get a draw out of it because of a late goal... and #3 obviously today against bolton. control the entire game and let bolton steal one right at the end.

i like cole, too. he's gotten a lot better compared to even last season imo when he tended to run with his head down too much. he was chelsea's best player for most of the season imo. him, ballack, or essien for chelsea season mvp.

[SNEEZ]

he is a creative Wing and thats a plus, but my knock on him is that he, unlik Arjen Robben, does not retreat to Defense enough. he does not press the opposing team with defense and in my form of football that will earn you a one way ticket to the pine

[mickeyrivers]

speaking of robben he's had a nice season with madrid this year. he was pretty much hurt all of last year.

how sick is the dutch team, btw? van der sar, seedorf, babel, van persie, huntlaar, robben, kuyt... more that i can't think of right now, but i can't wait to see what they can do in the euro's this summer.

[bhall]

Well ain't that stoppage time equalizer just a bitch.

[PikeyGamecock]

Chelsea signed Jose Bosingwa for 16.1 mil.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=534366&cc=5901

[SNEEZ]

great...BUT YOU NEED ANOTHER STRIKER TO HOLD IT TIGHT WITH ANELKA AND DROGBA IS NOT IT

WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT RB and RW already.

maybe he's going to get rid of someone...idk...we'll see

[bhall]

great...BUT YOU NEED ANOTHER STRIKER TO HOLD IT TIGHT WITH ANELKA AND DROGBA IS NOT IT

WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT RB and RW already.

maybe he's going to get rid of someone...idk...we'll see


Anyone else think Drogba is gone this summer??

[mickeyrivers]

Chelsea signed Jose Bosingwa for 16.1 mil.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=534366&cc=5901
good signing... will allow essien to move back into the midfield.

[SNEEZ]

Anyone else think Drogba is gone this summer??

I think they could make some money off him...yes he's still very strong and very good, but the attitude doesn't fly w/ me

[SNEEZ]

I don't understand...

you sign Ivanovic
you have Terry, Cole, Crvalho, and Alex already

WTF?
is he maybe getting rid of one? b/c I dont see a need other than ST and another dominating Mid

[mickeyrivers]

Anyone else think Drogba is gone this summer??
yeah, i do. i think drogba will probably go wherever jose goes.

how many of these players do you guys think will go?:

a. cole
carvalho
schevchenko
lampard
sidwell
drogba
obi
pizarro
malouda
bridge
ferriera
kalou
haim
wright-phillips
alex
belletti
anelka

all these players were at least spot contributors this year and i personally don't think any of them are 100% secure.

[mickeyrivers]

I don't understand...

you sign Ivanovic
you have Terry, Cole, Crvalho, and Alex already

WTF?
is he maybe getting rid of one? b/c I dont see a need other than ST and another dominating Mid
see my post above for other players possibly leaving, but i definitely see carvalho leaving and i think alex is possibly gone as well.

[SNEEZ]

yeah, i do. i think drogba will probably go wherever jose goes.

how many of these players do you guys think will go?:

a. cole
carvalho
schevchenko
lampard
sidwell
drogba
obi
pizarro
malouda
bridge
ferriera
kalou
haim
wright-phillips
alex
belletti
anelka

all these players were at least spot contributors this year and i personally don't think any of them are 100% secure.

Malouda, haim, Obi, Schevy, pizzarro, ferreira

I wouldn't be surprised if they are already in talks

[mickeyrivers]

Malouda, haim, Obi, Schevy, pizzarro, ferreira

I wouldn't be surprised if they are already in talks
definitely agree that all those guys are gone... but i hope i'm wrong about obi mikel and i do think there's a chance obi stays.

i hope pizarro and shevstanko are the first ones on a bus the hell out. pizarro is the biggest waste of space i've ever seen.

[SNEEZ]

ferreira is a HUGE letdown...payin 26 million and he doesn't play that often..

oh well

[mickeyrivers]

ferreira is a HUGE letdown...payin 26 million and he doesn't play that often..

oh well
good player... handpicked by mourinho. mourinho left and ferriera got lost in the shuffle. i thought he played well when he played but i definitely think that he as well as some of his portugese buddies are gone.

[SNEEZ]

I didn't mean as a player, I meant the situation is a let down

[mickeyrivers]

yeah, i got ya... i'm not 100% sure ferriera will be the one who leaves, but clearly out of him and belletti someone has to go. that would allow essien to play midfield and not have to worry about playing right back, so there's your dominating midfielder. a midfield of cole, essien, ballack, and lampard would be great. then with the new guys in the back with ashley cole if he comes back and terry. i dunno what's going to happen with the strikers. i think clearly drogba is leaving. i don't know what's going to happen with anelka. kalou is the top assist man on the team but i dunno if he is ever going to develop into a legitimate scoring threat. i guess we'll see.

[JspurW]

UEFA final tomorrow afternoon, Rangers v Zenit St Petersburg, in Manchester.

Who do you have winning that one?

ZSP got there by demolishing Bayern 4-0 in their semis, while Rangers beat Fiorentina 4-2 on penalty kicks.

[mickeyrivers]

i'd like to see rangers take it but i'm leaning towards zenit. i mean, they have really turned it up a notch. also, rangers are probably tired as they are nearing the end of a very tiring season and are in the middle of a really thick cluster of games in succession while zenit is getting like a week off from the russian league.

[SangareeCrew]

I want to see Rangers win it, but I think their main priority now is to win the SPL. They want the bragging rights over Celtic more.

[IBleedGarnetandBlack]

Bet up in Cocky Bookie for the UEFA Cup Championship since their seems to be quite a few on here who love soccer.

[garnet812]

All hail Manchester United!!

[PikeyGamecock]

UEFA final tomorrow afternoon, Rangers v Zenit St Petersburg, in Manchester.

Who do you have winning that one?

ZSP got there by demolishing Bayern 4-0 in their semis, while Rangers beat Fiorentina 4-2 on penalty kicks.


Hmm I think we know who I'll be rooting for.

[PikeyGamecock]

All hail Manchester United!!


I've decided to pull for Chelsea only because so many Manchester United fans have come out of NOWHERE talking shit. Not saying you're one of them though.

[Love Boat Captain]

I'm not a Man U or a Chelsea fan but I LOVE the fact that the two best teams (I just threw up in my mouth a little) in the EPL are going to be playing for all the marbles in Moscow. That should be a barn burner...who I'm going for may not be clear to me until I see how both sides are playing but I have issues with either so I may just have to watch it for the top level soccer and be satisfied...If I were betting on the game I think I'd have to take Man U. Ronaldo Christiano (when he isn't taking a dive and acting as if he was shot with a high powered rifle from the stands) is absolutely amazing. Love Rio Ferdinand as well.

[bhall]

I want to see Rangers win it, but I think their main priority now is to win the SPL. They want the bragging rights over Celtic more.


I'd like to see rangers take the Cup also.

[bhall]

I'm not a Man U or a Chelsea fan but I LOVE the fact that the two best teams (I just threw up in my mouth a little) in the EPL are going to be playing for all the marbles in Moscow. That should be a barn burner...who I'm going for may not be clear to me until I see how both sides are playing but I have issues with either so I may just have to watch it for the top level soccer and be satisfied...If I were betting on the game I think I'd have to take Man U. Ronaldo Christiano (when he isn't taking a dive and acting as if he was shot with a high powered rifle from the stands) is absolutely amazing. Love Rio Ferdinand as well.


Just go with the Blues!!!

[Regalcock]

Rangers and the Devils for me.

Sorry Bhall. I was introduced to the EPL during the Man U/Arsenal wars of 10 years ago.

Paul S. is a hard nosed albeit dirty player that i have been watching forever it seems.

Ronaldo is unreal.

[SNEEZ]

Ronaldo is a definite threat...

IF Chelsea has terry back at strength...I'll take Chelsea for a few bones...its still too good to call.

IF Chelsea is without Terry...the bank goes on ManU