[!@#$%!]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

Do Arsenal actually have any players now?

you didn't like cazorla? i thought he was great. other than that.... well... there's cazorla!

--

ps if you want to see buffon and pirlo play again, watch juventus vs. milan today. it's a friendly but there's a trophy, so not sure how friendly...

[demonrail666]

I didn't see any of the Arsenal game. Did Podolski play?

Just watching Man C v Southampton. Aguero off with what might be a long term injury.

Thanks for the nod about Juve v Milan. I think I can get it.

[!@#$%!]

podolski played, he was meh, replaced by giroud, who proceeded to fuck the dog when cazorla put him in the perfect position to score

[demonrail666]

Giroud's a bit fucked, I think. Injury aside, Podolski's invariably gonna start ahead of him and, so far as I'm aware, there's really no other position Giroud can play. Unless they move Podolski to accommodate him, which would be ridiculous.

Oh, and did you catch Clint Dempsey on Saturday? No you didn't, because the self-obsessed little twat is effectively on strike. I've been a big fan of his, too, which makes his current twattery even more annoying. Some justice in Fulhum winning 5-0 without him but seriously, what a cunt. I'd love it if Liverpool end up showing no interest in him whatsoever.

[!@#$%!]

ha ha ha yeah i heard the news about dempsey running his mouth "in america," and liverpool not wanting him, and heard a quick interview with the fulham manager who sounded hilarious, i didn't know they had won.

not sure if you saw the italian game but neither buffon nor pirlo played, and i only found out when the game started, though it was an entertaining 3-2 anyway, and robinho was really great-- though he played for the losing side he was my favorite player of the game--looks like he might have a great year.

[demonrail666]

I didn't see the Juve game but was kept updated by the radio. I'm never sure what I think about Robinho. I don't doubt his quality but was always disappointed seeing him play for either Man City or Brazil. Perhaps he just needs the right team.

Dempsey's the last player I'd have expected to do something like that. Part of his appeal (at least for me) was his utter professionalism, both on and off the pitch. He was a player who just seemed to keep his head down and get on with it. It'll be a shame if he ends up tarnishing his reputation over this, just as neutrals were really beginning to like him.

And I like Fulhum's manager Martin Jol. I don't know much about him but he's always struck me as being one of the more likable guys in football management (as well as being a very good manager, obviously).

[the ikara cult]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

I didn't see the Juve game but was kept updated by the radio. I'm never sure what I think about Robinho. I don't doubt his quality but was always disappointed seeing him play for either Man City or Brazil. Perhaps he just needs the right team.

Dempsey's the last player I'd have expected to do something like that. Part of his appeal (at least for me) was his utter professionalism, both on and off the pitch. He was a player who just seemed to keep his head down and get on with it. It'll be a shame if he ends up tarnishing his reputation over this, just as neutrals were really beginning to like him.

And I like Fulhum's manager Martin Jol. I don't know much about him but he's always struck me as being one of the more likable guys in football management (as well as being a very good manager, obviously).

Very surprised to see Clint Dempsey do that yeah. When you think about it, i cant think of a country that's has as high a proportion of its players become popular and respected in the Premier League as the USA. Its almost like they appreciate it more than players from countries where football is everything.

And as for Martin Jol....

 

Ah the glory days. Man I miss Martin Jol. One fucking lasagne away from shifting Arsenal...

[h8kurdt]

A day late but god bless Fellaini and god bless Everton.

TBH United were just dreadful. Nani looked lost, Rooney was non-existent and why was anyone surprised Van Persie didn't start? Fergie never starts a new player from the start especially one that hasn't even had a training session.

[the ikara cult]

Originally Posted by h8kurdt

A day late but god bless Fellaini and god bless Everton.

TBH United were just dreadful. Nani looked lost, Rooney was non-existent and why was anyone surprised Van Persie didn't start? Fergie never starts a new player from the start especially one that hasn't even had a training session.

Disagree, I think Man U looked pretty good in midfield, they dominated posession, and even though Kagawa couldnt impact the game you could see him trying to make it work with Rooney and Wellbeck. Nani had one of his disappearing acts, he does that about 50% of the time anyway, Rooney looked kinda fat and out of shape from what i could see, but Fellaini put in a match-winning performance between 2 teams who were evenly matched.

I dont read too much into the game for the season ahead, especially considering Van Persie hadnt had a chance to train with his new team mates yet. The only concern for them might be Kagawa, Rooney and Van Persie stepping on each others' toes.

[demonrail666]

Yeah, you're right about the respect US players have here. I'm a big fan of Freidel, too and even though Jonathan Spector was a bit shit for West Ham, he always seemed like an utterly decent bloke. They seem to be good in post match interviews, too. A sign of some genuine intelligence there compared with most of their teammates.

Which begs an important question: who is the thickest footballer in the prem right now? Not in the genius/mad way of someone like Balotelli or Joey Barton, just really boringly dim. Rooney has to be a candidate and I've often wondered about Tevez. By all accounts Jermaine Pennant is almost spectacularly thick.

Thickest Prem manager? No real evidence to base it on but I'm going for Tony Pulis.

[the ikara cult]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

Yeah, you're right about the respect US players have here. I'm a big fan of Freidel, too and even though Jonathan Spector was a bit shit for West Ham, he always seemed like an utterly decent bloke. They seem to be good in post match interviews, too. A sign of some genuine intelligence there compared with most of their teammates.

Which begs an important question: who is the thickest footballer in the prem right now? Not in the genius/mad way of someone like Balotelli or Joey Barton, just really boringly dim. Rooney has to be a candidate and I've often wondered about Tevez. By all accounts Jermaine Pennant is almost spectacularly thick.

Thickest Prem manager? No real evidence to base it on but I'm going for Tony Pulis.

youve hit the nail on the extremely bumpy head, its Carlos The Tosser all the way

 

7 odd years here now and he still barely speaks a word of English, i cant think of any player who's been here that long and who hasnt even bothered to try learning the language. Apart from this waste of space

 

Re: Americans. Theyve all come across extremely well apart from the time Marcus Hahnemann wore a Tool hat on Match of The Day. I might be misremembering that, but he certainly has the circa 2000 triangular numetal beard look.

 

[demonrail666]

Isn't Brad Freidel also really into Metal?

I don't think there's anything that dim about Cappelo. He seems sharp as a razor to me. He just decided not to learn English but I'm sure he could if he wanted to. Not sure if the same is true of Tevez, though. Anyway, I'm thinking more of those players like Joe Cole who are obviously nice enough but hardly MENSA material, shall we say. I love how he runs with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth. Bale does it too although I don't think he's quite as devoid of grey matter as lil Joey. Mark Noble for West Ham is another one. Thick as a plank by all accounts, but an absolute sweetheart.

[h8kurdt]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

Yeah, you're right about the respect US players have here. I'm a big fan of Freidel, too and even though Jonathan Spector was a bit shit for West Ham, he always seemed like an utterly decent bloke. They seem to be good in post match interviews, too. A sign of some genuine intelligence there compared with most of their teammates.

Which begs an important question: who is the thickest footballer in the prem right now? Not in the genius/mad way of someone like Balotelli or Joey Barton, just really boringly dim. Rooney has to be a candidate and I've often wondered about Tevez. By all accounts Jermaine Pennant is almost spectacularly thick.

Thickest Prem manager? No real evidence to base it on but I'm going for Tony Pulis.

I honestly don't think Joey Barton is that thick. He's out spoken and does idiotic things sure, but I think there's a bit of brains in there. You can't go wrong with...tbh there's so many out there you'd be hard pressed to pick out one.

It'd be harder to say who actually shows intelligence (away from knowing how to handle themselves on a pitch).

Does anyone read the secret footballer in the guardian on Saturdays? Whoever that is is clearly a screwed on guy.

[demonrail666]

Yeah, I agree about Barton but that was why I didn't include him. In terms of intelligent footballers (in the non-footballing sense) I think Freidel's pretty together and for whatever reason Kompany always strikes me as having something between his ears. Lampard's apparently got a 'genius' level IQ but a lot there depends on how intelligent you think having a high IQ makes someone.

I've read snippets of the Secret Footballer but it never left an impression. I should read more.

[the ikara cult]

Originally Posted by h8kurdt

I honestly don't think Joey Barton is that thick. He's out spoken and does idiotic things sure, but I think there's a bit of brains in there. You can't go wrong with...tbh there's so many out there you'd be hard pressed to pick out one.

It'd be harder to say who actually shows intelligence (away from knowing how to handle themselves on a pitch).

Does anyone read the secret footballer in the guardian on Saturdays? Whoever that is is clearly a screwed on guy.

From what ive read its either Danny Murphy or David James, which wouldnt surprise as they both come across as being smarter than the average.

Depends what you mean by "intelligent" though, Clark Carlisle is the president of the players union and has been on Countdown (clear sign of genius, i know) but when he went on Question Time he didnt seem able to conduct much of an arguement.

And to be fair to Joe Cole, when his career was floundering at Liverpool he did what no other high profile England player has done in years and went to a foreign league. Displays a level of curiosity and open mindedness if not neccessarily intelligence.

[demonrail666]

I forgot about David James. Definitely intelligent but more in the mad/genius way, I think. Maybe it's just a goalkeeper thing. Robert Green's another one who's meant to be pretty bright, but also a bit 'odd'.

A slightly different era but Jason Mcateer was meant to be almost spectacularly thick.

[demonrail666]

Anyone see the Real v Barca game last night? Brilliant. Barca won 3-2 but the score flatters Real. Iniesta and Xavi were both just different class.

All the talk of Mourinho wanting to leave Real, I wonder if he's now so obsessed with trying to dominate Barca one to one (as opposed to by league position) that he'll stay until he finally manages it (or gets sacked). It's like they're becoming his Moby Dick. Epic stuff, really.

[!@#$%!]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

Anyone see the Real v Barca game last night? Brilliant. Barca won 3-2 but the score flatters Real. Iniesta and Xavi were both just different class.

All the talk of Mourinho wanting to leave Real, I wonder if he's now so obsessed with trying to dominate Barca one to one (as opposed to by league position) that he'll stay until he finally manages it (or gets sacked). It's like they're becoming his Moby Dick. Epic stuff, really.

oh mang whattt? i was working aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall day yesterday.

i gotta find this

[demonrail666]

Yeah, I only found out about it by mistake and missed the first 10 mins. But seriously, it was the kind Barca performance that you'll wan't to show to any of their doubters.

[_slavo_]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

Anyone see the Real v Barca game last night? Brilliant. Barca won 3-2 but the score flatters Real. Iniesta and Xavi were both just different class.

All the talk of Mourinho wanting to leave Real, I wonder if he's now so obsessed with trying to dominate Barca one to one (as opposed to by league position) that he'll stay until he finally manages it (or gets sacked). It's like they're becoming his Moby Dick. Epic stuff, really.

I saw it. Man, in recent months i saw almost every Barcelona match that was being played (i even watch every La Liga match, i'm that hooked)

First half was quite boring and vigilant from both sides, though after Ronaldo scored, the game opened up and the second half turned out to be a great contest. Barca equalized 2 minutes after that leading goal, and then scored another 2 (their third being the particularly spectacular one, with a brilliant pass by Iniesta and Xavi's finish).

But then came the moment of Valdes who ruined the promising 2 goal advantage for Barcelona. He foolishly tried to run past Di Maria with a ball, but Di Maria took the ball and scored. What a dumbass, that Valdes.

The weakest of Barcelona squad, was Alexis Sanchez, though. Very weak in one-on-one situations, making inaccurate passes and DIVING LIKE A MUTHAFUCKA. I could have sworn some time ago that Busquets was the king of diving in this team, but Alexis is just becoming a very talented student of his master art.