football: the beautiful game

[beast]

Rafa spent less than ManU or Chelsea in the summer so I don't think that's an issue.

Rafa is very good in europe over the two legs so I believe we'll beat them. As long as Inter doesn't score tomorrow Liverpool has a good chance. We took care of Barca last season, we can take care of some italian scooter riding grease balls. Plus now we have Torres (and maybe some other players who will decide to play like they mean it tomorrow)

No. Chelsea only spent on Malouda and Belletti. Rest were free transfers.

Rafa spent alot during the time he is there. Losing to the other big 3.

Now he is saying some of his buys are table lamps not tables?

He should be realistic. The Glazers over the years didnt give Ferguson a blank cheque.

Ferguson lost to Chelsea in many of his targets.

As for Inter. Other than AC, the Italians sometimes cant deal with the fast paced English game. Barca was in trouble last season already. They won nothing and Pool pipped them by the away goal. Remember Pool fell to PSV before then.

This time round, Rafa must be at his tactical best. Torres will aim to beat the offside trap. He may play Crouch as the lone striker or more likely Kuyt in a wide role or tucked into midfield. Mascherano will shadow Ibrahamovich and Alonso or Lucas will start.

Historically any team who loses in their home match will get knocked out so its crucial Pool dont lose or concede.

I think if Pool gets knocked out, Rafa will get the sack.

[readytoignite]

didn't realize this guy was accredited by fifa to referee in belgium?!?!?!

[polishmike]

I'm still a little drunk but I think the second yellow was legit. Stupid fuck shouldn't get the first one but he started waiving his arms like an idiot. Still the ref missed Viera's volleyball skills

We dominated them before and after the red. Mascherano was immense. Zlatan who? Go back to Italy!

[beast]

I'm still a little drunk but I think the second yellow was legit. Stupid fuck shouldn't get the first one but he started waiving his arms like an idiot. Still the ref missed Viera's volleyball skills

We dominated them before and after the red. Mascherano was immense. Zlatan who? Go back to Italy!

Looks like Pool will progress. I dont see Inter scoring 2 clear goals at San Siro.

Who knows. Things may be different if Inter was not down to 10 men.

[readytoignite]

I'm still a little drunk but I think the second yellow was legit. Stupid fuck shouldn't get the first one but he started waiving his arms like an idiot. Still the ref missed Viera's volleyball skills

We dominated them before and after the red. Mascherano was immense. Zlatan who? Go back to Italy!

it was bad refereeing and decided the entire tie 30 minutes in. the ref should have verbally cautioned for the first and yellow carded for the second. i suppose i should get used to the fact that you're not allowed to play english football in europe but never thought it would be an english club benefitting from it. i mean i hate materazzi as much as any red-blooded american but you have to let them play. once that happened it was just a matter of time before liverpool won.

the thing that annoys me the most is that rafa ends up with a get out of jail free card. he's going to finish outside the top 4 two out of the past four seasons, with an open pocketbook and a pretty lousy history of signings. whatever successes they have had under his management is down to gerrard. did you see rafa wiggling his two fingers before the 2nd yellow? disgraceful.

anyway, all will be forgiven when milan stripes the scum today. btw anyone in london have a spare league cup final ticket, spurs end?

[fatchino]

. i mean i hate materazzi as much as any red-blooded american but you have to let them play.

Do all americans hate Materazzi? Really?! Have there been incidents with team USA? I can't pretend to know.

Can you really regrudge Rafa a tiny bit of luck(?) (thats what the sending off was ... any manager would look for it) ... he's a tough time of it really. Can you blame a manager when his team has 12 shots on target in a match and loses (see Barnsley)? Gerrard is a ridiculous player ... all hollywood passes and blockbusters from the edge of the box; I'll never rate him as highly as Tildsley ("Mr. Liverpool" ha!) or Thompson ever do or have done. That Andy Gray FA Cup Final volley reaction (v West Ham) sums up the UK's media's permanent hard-on for him ... Oh-you-beaauuutttyyy indeed.

If he keeps scoring important goals like that though guess I'm just a fool.

Bit late but this is priceless ...

Sky Sports isn't all bad I suppose.

[polishmike]

the thing that annoys me the most is that rafa ends up with a get out of jail free card. he's going to finish outside the top 4 two out of the past four seasons, with an open pocketbook and a pretty lousy history of signings. whatever successes they have had under his management is down to gerrard. did you see rafa wiggling his two fingers before the 2nd yellow? disgraceful.

First of all I think LFC will finish 4th (maybe we can make a $20 bet?). Second, Rafa didn't have an open pocketbook. Why the fuck everyone is thinking that? He got Torres for 25 but sold other players. In his time with Liverpool both Chelsea and Utd spent more money.

I don't see a problem with Rafa wiggling two fingers cause the second yellow was legit. He held Torres who would be going on goal otherwise. It shouldn't be his second card but that has nothing to do with it. He already had one and he deserved the second one. Fuck that ex blue shite scum.

[beast]

First of all I think LFC will finish 4th (maybe we can make a $20 bet?). Second, Rafa didn't have an open pocketbook. Why the fuck everyone is thinking that? He got Torres for 25 but sold other players. In his time with Liverpool both Chelsea and Utd spent more money.

I don't see a problem with Rafa wiggling two fingers cause the second yellow was legit. He held Torres who would be going on goal otherwise. It shouldn't be his second card but that has nothing to do with it. He already had one and he deserved the second one. Fuck that ex blue shite scum.

1. Outside the top 3, Rafa still spent the most. And yet the general wisdom that many of his buys are bad. Many are just there for one or two season and gone like Bellamy, Gonzalez and whats his face.

2. Second yellow was not legit. Torres was not even touched.

3. Overall, Inter didnt deliver and thats with resting key players for 2 weekends. But its considered very bad form to get the ref to book the player.

[readytoignite]

First of all I think LFC will finish 4th (maybe we can make a $20 bet?). Second, Rafa didn't have an open pocketbook. Why the fuck everyone is thinking that? He got Torres for 25 but sold other players. In his time with Liverpool both Chelsea and Utd spent more money.

I don't see a problem with Rafa wiggling two fingers cause the second yellow was legit. He held Torres who would be going on goal otherwise. It shouldn't be his second card but that has nothing to do with it. He already had one and he deserved the second one. Fuck that ex blue shite scum.

i'm curious as to what player rafa wanted that he couldn't get because he was told he can't spend any money (it's a serious question, i don't follow transfer gossip that closely). at any rate he seems as fond of churning through signings as he does rotating his squad. plus finally he gets two right (torres, mascherano) but one came at the expense of sissoko? i would have thought he'd be one you'd keep to be honest.

about the bookings, you made more sense when you were drunk! (it's ok, i know the feeling). you're on for $20 btw.

[readytoignite]

Do all americans hate Materazzi? Really?! Have there been incidents with team USA? I can't pretend to know.

Can you really regrudge Rafa a tiny bit of luck(?) (thats what the sending off was ... any manager would look for it) ... he's a tough time of it really. Can you blame a manager when his team has 12 shots on target in a match and loses (see Barnsley)? Gerrard is a ridiculous player ... all hollywood passes and blockbusters from the edge of the box; I'll never rate him as highly as Tildsley ("Mr. Liverpool" ha!) or Thompson ever do or have done. That Andy Gray FA Cup Final volley reaction (v West Ham) sums up the UK's media's permanent hard-on for him ... Oh-you-beaauuutttyyy indeed.

i assume any true american supporter has a permanent hatred for the entire squad after the world cup match, although if i'm being honest italy is kind of the usa's second team (the first being brazil, of course).

i don't think gerrard gets more of a free pass in england than any other key member of the england squad but he is more deserving than most esp when it comes to club play.

[fatchino]

You have to tune into a Liverpool match (preferably in Europe so we can hear how evil Johnny Foreigner is) on ITV or Sky Sports.

9qFD6yn8sTg

I got my matches wrong but you get the message.

(great goals though)

[beast]

i'm curious as to what player rafa wanted that he couldn't get because he was told he can't spend any money (it's a serious question, i don't follow transfer gossip that closely).

Raul.

He wanted AC's Kakha (the other Kaka) to replace Hyppia on a free transfer but was nixed by the Americans.

[polishmike]

Daniel Alves, David Villa, Malouda, Vidic. Rafa never wanted Raul.

[beast]

Daniel Alves, David Villa, Malouda, Vidic. Rafa never wanted Raul.

Oh yes he did. Being Spanish, who dont want the Spanish version of Becks? And Raul is like Becks in Spain. A soccer god.

[polishmike]

Oh yes he did. Being Spanish, who dont want the Spanish version of Becks? And Raul is like Becks in Spain. A soccer god.

Show me some source of that info? He only got Morientes cause he was the only one available in the January window and for a fairly low price. Raul was always liked with Liverpool by the shitty journalists but Rafa never said that he was the target. He did try to get Henry before he went to Barca.

[plongin]

you gotta close one eye when it comes to beast's analysis on soccer sometimes. its like... words from an autistic kid.

[beast]

you gotta close one eye when it comes to beast's analysis on soccer sometimes. its like... words from an autistic kid.

You gotta close 2 eyes when it comes to your posts. Its essentially words from a retarded kid.

[beast]

Show me some source of that info? He only got Morientes cause he was the only one available in the January window and for a fairly low price. Raul was always liked with Liverpool by the shitty journalists but Rafa never said that he was the target. He did try to get Henry before he went to Barca.

Gerrard admitted he spoke with Henry but I didnt know Rafa spoke with him. Anyway no way Henry will go to Pool since Arsenal and Barca playing style is totally different and he wanted to get away from London after his divorce.

Yes the source was the press just like the source for any other transfer rumours.

[polishmike]

Yes the source was the press just like the source for any other transfer rumours.

HA! Transfer targets are a little more believable after you hear the news from the manager or the the executive. I'm sure you believe everything you read in the Sun or tribalfootball.

[beast]

HA! Transfer targets are a little more believable after you hear the news from the manager or the the executive. I'm sure you believe everything you read in the Sun or tribalfootball.

Did Rafa said he was aiming for Vidic, VIlla, Malouda and Alves?

If he did say that, do you believe him?

I think Flo did say Pool was buying him but sometimes what the players say will be contradicted by the supposedly interested club.

Bearing in mind, he just said he can still win BPL but Carragher and Gerrard are saying they are aiming for 4th now. So somethings he tells the press are to mislead them or for another purpose (ie. keeping his job with Hicks/Gilette).

[polishmike]

Did Rafa said he was aiming for Vidic, VIlla, Malouda and Alves?

If he did say that, do you believe him?

Vidic was flying to get a medical at Liverpool when Man Utd stepped in. The fee was already agreed but the player changed his mind. As soon as that happened Rafa got Agger. Similar with Alves. He agreed personal terms and at first Sevilla agreed to 8 million fee but Chelsea stepped in and the deal was scrapped. Rafa tried in the next transfer window and still no dice, he got Pennant instead. Fee for Malouda was agreed as well but the player chose London over Liverpool. So yes, I believe him. There are people close to the club who have very good information and when you follow your team closely you tend to find out who the targets are.

[beast]

Vidic was flying to get a medical at Liverpool when Man Utd stepped in. The fee was already agreed but the player changed his mind. As soon as that happened Rafa got Agger. Similar with Alves. He agreed personal terms and at first Sevilla agreed to 8 million fee but Chelsea stepped in and the deal was scrapped. Rafa tried in the next transfer window and still no dice, he got Pennant instead. Fee for Malouda was agreed as well but the player chose London over Liverpool. So yes, I believe him. There are people close to the club who have very good information and when you follow your team closely you tend to find out who the targets are.

So what did these people close to the club said about Rafa's interest in Raul?

If what you said is true, then the problem isnt money but these players are keen on clubs who are supposedly better in other ways.

[fatchino]

Is that a smile? Maybe he meant it ...

[Magsåvningsreserven]

RpHufZEaFe0

fuck me! that is a terrible, terrible challenge. Mind you i'm a bit pissed off at Wenger's rants, he's being all "how can you do that, might as well not play football, bla blah", but does he ever see one of his players do something rotten? "I did not see zee incident"..
bastards.

Anyway, i'm praying to the footballing Gods today! COYS!!! I don't care if it's just the carling cup, it's a start though

[fatchino]

fuck me! that is a terrible, terrible challenge. Mind you i'm a bit pissed off at Wenger's rants, he's being all "how can you do that, might as well not play football, bla blah", but does he ever see one of his players do something rotten? "I did not see zee incident"..

bastards.

Anyway, i'm praying to the footballing Gods today! COYS!!! I don't care if it's just the carling cup, it's a start though

Reminds me off Casiraghi, Luc Nilis, Larsson ...

Career ending in 2 outta 3 cases.

Oh and just before that match saw the tackle that put Jimmy Bullard out for 18 months; fugly too.

Wenger's rant was a bit over the top ... especially when the motd interviewer told him Taylor said he didn't mean it and Wenger responded that you only have to kill a man once or something along those lines. I have sympathy for him though; teams that tend to pass the ball better often get kicked off the pitch in the game of football. Protection is not fast enough in coming alot of times. Reckless challenges are treated with more leniency than diving by fans and analysts alike. 'Diving cheats' are branded for their careers whereas 'the tough tackling midfielder' are often heroes when their footballing skills are very minimal. Players like our own Nicky Butt can pick up 10 yellow cards in 20-odd match and get away with missing a game here and there.

Wenger took back his comments too pretty quickly (in at most 7 hours) ... so everythings cool now ...

Not watching the final today but you know Chelsea will win after all that early Spurs pressure ... watch this space. UEFA cup is still on though.

[tomtom]

Studs were far to high for him to be going for the ball. Research his track record or not, it looked like he did it on purpose to me. And there shouldnt of been a penalty at the end, Clichy got the ball

Magnetic, I dont recall any Arsenal player tackling someone with any intention to hurt another player. Wenger was clearly livid, when you have a team like Arsenal that gell together so well, loosing a player like that is a season destroying blow, not to mention the fact that they're top of the league.

He deserves to be banned for the rest of the season. Diouf and Essien should both be banned for life after endless career ending tackles.

[Magsåvningsreserven]

COME ON YOU FUCKIN SPURS!!!

Ramos is the real special one!

[fatchino]

What a sexy picture. Keano looks like he's seriously constipated.

[beast]

Studs were far to high for him to be going for the ball. Research his track record or not, it looked like he did it on purpose to me. And there shouldnt of been a penalty at the end, Clichy got the ball

Magnetic, I dont recall any Arsenal player tackling someone with any intention to hurt another player. Wenger was clearly livid, when you have a team like Arsenal that gell together so well, loosing a player like that is a season destroying blow, not to mention the fact that they're top of the league.

He deserves to be banned for the rest of the season. Diouf and Essien should both be banned for life after endless career ending tackles.

Gunners even in Wenger's reign have a more than healthy proportion of red cards dished to them especially Vieira which Wenger would all of a sudden fail to see (but he can see when other teams do something like that to his team).

[beast]

COME ON YOU FUCKIN SPURS!!!

Ramos is the real special one!

Spurs deserved to win. Not because they played better but because Chelsea was crap.

Chelsea just closed shop while leading by 1 goal and why was Bridge playing? Didnt Grant watch England v Croatia? Why wasnt Ashley playing in a final. For that matter, I expected Grant to play his first team and that must include Joe Cole and Makelele. Spurs played their first team including King.

I already said Grant was not good enough. Now we know he may not be even as good as Ramos.