[demonrail666]

Originally Posted by washer

Yup, Barcelona is the best team I've ever seen, no doubt.

Me too. I've not seen anything like this current Barcelona team before. Previous great teams have tended to be dominated by single great players but while the press go on about Messi, it's that organic understanding between the entire team that makes them feel at times almost supernatural.

[SonicBebs]

Originally Posted by A Thousand Threads

We had the nicest end of the season here in Austria:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX5so...eature=related

nice...

had the sound off but the police looked like they dealt with it pretty well

[demonrail666]

I know the UK media are told to turn the camera away from pitch invasions and outbursts of violence in the stands but I do sort of wish they'd show it. From the comfort of my armchair, a decent bit of violence* usually adds a little spice, especially to an otherwise boring game when it might be the only real bit of excitement on offer.

*decent as in no children or animals were hurt

[SonicBebs]

dunno about that!!!

[demonrail666]

Either way, West Ham are appointing Sam Allardyce as their new manager. I honestly find that even more depressing than being relegated. Just horrible. I've not felt this dead since the last election.

[SonicBebs]

i feel your pain
for some reason Sam seems to be respected in football circles, and he is a big name which will help you keep and attract players to the club.

but yeah, i'm clutching at straws for you! Anyone but "Big" Sam!!

*edit*
i felt that way when Neil Warnock came to Palace but after a while i grew to like him. He was our cunt.
If Sam gets you straight back up i'm sure you'll feel differently

[demonrail666]

He's always gonna be respected because if nothing else he is effective. If he does get us promoted, though, he'll set a really danderous precedent for the club: when in trouble, go negative. It's a cliche but West Ham have always at least tried to play decent football, even when it's fallen flat on its face. He's also got a really bad record with youth, so the Academy (probably WH's only remaining contribution to football) is bound to suffer.

And until Sullivan and Gold sell up it's just gonna get worse.

[jon boy]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

Either way, West Ham are appointing Sam Allardyce as their new manager. I honestly find that even more depressing than being relegated. Just horrible. I've not felt this dead since the last election.

wont the parachute payments help west ham though? i hear its something like 20m thats gonna come your way so you can attract a few big names and maybe keep a few too. you are in a lot better position than birmingham right now who overspent mid season then lost out and as a leeds fan i know how that feels. wish we had a parachute payment when it counted.

[demonrail666]

I'm not sure exactly how it works but the parachute payments are spread over (I think) three or four years so it'll be a massive yearly loss compared with being in the prem. But yeah, we're in a better position than Leeds and Birmingham.

[SonicBebs]

dont forget you can have a nice away day at Millwall now too. And at Palace.
South London is lovely (shame Charlton didn't come up...)

[jon boy]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

I'm not sure exactly how it works but the parachute payments are spread over (I think) three or four years so it'll be a massive yearly loss compared with being in the prem. But yeah, we're in a better position than Leeds and Birmingham.

not leeds surely, we are solvent and have a burgeoning youth team with a good manager. west ham have, sam allerdice.

[the ikara cult]

Big Sam is like the rusty hacksaw that amputates your arm from a piece of agricultural machinery - It will do the job, but you'll be in agony all the way.

[demonrail666]

Originally Posted by jon boy

not leeds surely, we are solvent and have a burgeoning youth team with a good manager. west ham have, sam allerdice.

Yeah, I meant when things started falling apart. .

Meanwhile, It's getting worse ...

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news...cle744151.html

[SonicBebs]

i was at wembley yesterday and Scott Parker looked really really good (so did wiltshire).
if (when) he goes and diouf comes its not looking good.

i really dont like diouf

[the ikara cult]

Originally Posted by SonicBebs

i was at wembley yesterday and Scott Parker looked really really good (so did wiltshire).
if (when) he goes and diouf comes its not looking good.

i really dont like diouf

12 month supply of Chloroform on standby...

[demonrail666]

Of the current squad, Parker's the only one I'd regret going. As for Diouf, even Warnock hates the spitting little fucker.

[the ikara cult]

In Diouf's favour, he probably hates one (likely several) of the many other ethnic groups that most west ham fans despise, so theyll probably be able to come together over something.

[demonrail666]

that's partly the most depressing part, the prospect that he might actually win over the fans.

[washer]

Originally Posted by washer

Our coach André Villas-Boas (another great responsible for the successful season) is also not available for transfer, as he's as much of a Porto fan as I am and apparently wants to continue for some time.

So, after convincing me, thousands of other Porto supporters and the president himself of this (even claiming that he had his "dream job"), that Abramovich fucker showed him the money and, guess what, none of that talk seems to matter now.

I don't blame him for wanting a bigger challenge like Premier League and much more money, but you don't create expectations and then quit one week before the season starts. A talented coach like him would still have the same or better opportunities one year from now.

[the ikara cult]

Originally Posted by washer

So, after convincing me, thousands of other Porto supporters and the president himself of this (even claiming that he had his "dream job"), that Abramovich fucker showed him the money and, guess what, none of that talk seems to matter now.

I don't blame him for wanting a bigger challenge like Premier League and much more money, but you don't create expectations and then quit one week before the season starts. A talented coach like him would still have the same or better opportunities one year from now.

The Premiership doesnt start until mid August so he probably wants as much time to bed in as he can. To be fair to Abramovich its a fairly risky appointment, all things considered winning the Uefa cup doesnt carry much for most Chelsea fans. Especially given that its a squad with alot of players around the same age as VillasBoas who have been able to throw their weight around in the past.