UEFA Champions League

[BikeLover]

Do u believe Fergie is getting senile? I think so....

 

Ferguson's Plea to Gunners

 

like u steal the things and you point the finger at others. I remember that time I saw on TV, before the match, Vieria tried to shake hands with Keane and he actually smile and turned away!!! Maybe we really don't know what is going on behind.

 

Probably Fergie realise that without playing over-physical football, they cannot win against the Gunners. I only saw lower teams who are scared of the Gunners do that. If you don't believe, look out for the 21st May

 

MU lost four or five times to Chelsea this season!! What champ material is that? Chelsea is half on holiday already wor.... at least Liverpool win them once and Chelsea find that it is not easy to beat Arsenal. And MU have just bought Rooney for 28 mil pounds!!!!

 

Sadly, somehow I believe MU will not be seeing the title for the next 5 years with Fergie in charge, cos the signs are there. If Glazier successful in taking over MU, confirm next 10 yrs only max 1 title!!! If you forget the senile thing, the old players are not currently not being replaced. Scholesy, Giggsy, Keano, Nevilles.... some more sell DB! Ronaldo? Good potential but got to be the biggest diver after "Cobra" Diouf (these 2 are clearly on the referees' blacklist; commentators always highlight this.... kekeke). Fletcher, Kelberson, Miller? Maybe to play in a second-tier club. Alex really find it a problem replacing such big stars..... especially with a more controlled budget. But did he realise, like Pires, these stars are on clearly on a sunset and not the yound lads he used to have?

 

On May 21st, I don't know who will win... kekeke. But now, I know MU won only 3 games (ard there) out of 9 and Arsenal conceded just one in 10 games.

[BikeLover]

Originally posted by R.C@May 10 2005, 11:47 PM

hopefully... but Rafa looks more promising than houllier...

As for Rafa, got some good buys this season... Garcia and Alonso. Josemi and Nunez? I don't know.

 

But don't expect the swashbluckling type of football from Rafa. Saw his old team play last year..... his Valencia really quite sian one, even though with Aimar in the team. His football is what you call the "winning" football or tactical football.... kekeke

[R.C]

Originally posted by BikeLover@May 11 2005, 12:48 PM

As for Rafa, got some good buys this season... Garcia and Alonso. Josemi and Nunez? I don't know.

 

But don't expect the swashbluckling type of football from Rafa. Saw his old team play last year..... his Valencia really quite sian one, even though with Aimar in the team. His football is what you call the "winning" football or tactical football.... kekeke

it seems more exciting to me this year than the last... yupe.. and i have to agree that garcia, alonso and morientes have been great buys... josemi? oh no... haha.. what happen to him ar? i've forgotten all about him.. is he injured or something? nunez is improving lately with his crosses so lets give him the benefit of the doubt that he'll improve the next season...

 

as for man u, your previous post sounded angsty.. haha.. for me, my guess would be arsenal lifting the FA cup... dunno why but perhaps if Man u can tighten up the midfield then probably they have a good chance...

[R.C]

lets guess who will avoid the drop this sunday!!!!

 

my guess would be Norwich!!!

[BikeLover]

hahaha... maybe I expect more from MU, so that Arsenal have chance. Losing 4 or 5 times to Chelsea looks very bad for a 2-yrs-ago-champ. Otherwise the Russian money will win.... kekeke. Quite sian if only one team for the title. Interesting enough, this is the first time MU had not won the title for 2 consecutive yrs. Is it a 1988 Liverpool in the making? Let's wait and see......

 

MU can will tighten the midfield alright against Arsenal, but with over-physical football.... kekeke. Seen it so many times liao. Hope this FA Cup will not be a street-fighting again.

 

Morientes in EPL not proven yet leh. Still adapting. Nunez looks more like a squad player. BTW, Josemi is on long-term-injury list.

 

Just my believe only, I think it's a straight between Norwich and CP. Like last time, still mantain CP. But you will never know, cos it is so close.

[R.C]

Originally posted by BikeLover@May 11 2005, 01:32 PM

hahaha... maybe I expect more from MU, so that Arsenal have chance. Losing 4 or 5 times to Chelsea looks very bad for a 2-yrs-ago-champ. Otherwise the Russian money will win.... kekeke. Quite sian if only one team for the title. Interesting enough, this is the first time MU had not won the title for 2 consecutive yrs. Is it a 1988 Liverpool in the making? Let's wait and see......

 

MU can will tighten the midfield alright against Arsenal, but with over-physical football.... kekeke. Seen it so many times liao. Hope this FA Cup will not be a street-fighting again.

 

Morientes in EPL not proven yet leh. Still adapting. Nunez looks more like a squad player. BTW, Josemi is on long-term-injury list.

 

Just my believe only, I think it's a straight between Norwich and CP. Like last time, still mantain CP. But you will never know, cos it is so close.

sometimes i get quite worked up when i see man u players getting really rough and nasty.. the last game against arsenal... thats a real fight man.. all the tackles were flying in boy... and the one against everton... i think they have a history of that in their club.. i rem cantona...

 

as for morientes, a prolific striker who just haven't got the chance to show what he's made of man...

 

CP looks like they have a better chance... but something just tells me that norwich will get it... as for southampton, tough luck that they have to meet man u for their last game and without their super crouch... WBA is not out of the picture yet.. they might have the last laugh if all the other teams loses...

[R.C]

Arsenal 7-0 Everton: FT Report

PA

 

Dennis Bergkamp delivered an irrefutable case for a final one-year contract as Arsenal thumped Everton 7-0 at Highbury.

 

Edu's penalty - Arsenal's 5th - is celebrated. Everton players comiserate. (MatthewAshton/Empics)

 

Bergkamp was at his majestic best, playing a prominent role in all three first-half goals for Robin van Persie, Robert Pires and Patrick Vieira.

 

 

After Pires had struck again and Edu had converted a penalty in his final game at Highbury, the Dutchman capped an awesome display by scoring himself.

 

Mathieu Flamini then made it seven as Arsenal completed their biggest win under Arsene Wenger, with the returns of Thierry Henry and Sol Campbell rather overshadowed.

 

Bergkamp delivered a through-ball with precision and vision to van Persie, who who opened the floodgates by slotting a shot past goalkeeper Richard Wright.

 

Two minutes later, Bergkamp was again the catalyst as he sprayed an inviting ball out to Jose Antonio Reyes, whose cross reached Pires.

 

The Frenchman's first attempt may have been saved but his headed follow-up looped over Wright and went in off the underside of the bar.

 

Bergkamp then deftly flicked the ball through the static Everton defence as Vieira strode clear to lift the ball nonchalantly over Wright.

 

With 50 minutes gone Everton were 4-0 down as Bergkamp fed Henry and his pass was deflected back off Lee Carsley into the path of Pires, who stroked the ball home.

 

Wright was helpless on 70 minutes when Carsley was penalised for handball and Edu converted the penalty.

 

There was still one thing the Highbury crowd demanded and, with 13 minutes remaining, it finally came.

 

Bergkamp challenged David Weir and, when the ball looped into the air, he controlled it on his knee before adjusting his feet in time to clip his shot past Wright.

 

And there was still time for Flamini to slot home a seventh to cap a memorable Highbury night.

 

 

SHOCKING!

 

[BikeLover]

Originally posted by R.C@May 12 2005, 01:32 PM

Arsenal 7-0 Everton: FT Report

PA

Ya lor....

 

If you want to see swashbuckling, last night is the game. Not just dominate, but humiliate (not just from the score line). It is as though you have one team and the other just like toys for them to play.

 

I remembered one bro (but don't know which one... kekeke) told me so what if it is winning football or swashbuckling ones, as long as you win. If you want to know what is the difference, watch the first half, the passing and the quick one-touch for 5-6 times in a row!! I had missed it for more than half a year, and finally it is back!

 

Like the commentators said, the words to describe it is called "exhibition football"

 

Anyway, anybody wondered why MU had to line up to welcome Chelski? I think MU is mad to humiliate the players and club like that. GN and WR really beh song. Not called sportsmanship, but humiliation!

Just give Chelsea a round of applause will do lah.

[floppy]

Arsenal 7-0 Everton: FT Report

PA

but everton is still fourth, win, lose or draw, small or big margin

 

shocking ain't it? but it goes to show that the 'premier league' is really made up of 3 leagues: the top teams (ie. the top3), the next tier (4 to 16) and the rest of the lot. so despite what the fans and fanatics think there isn't really much seperating teams like everton (4), liverpool (5), spurs (9), newcastle (12) and blackburn (14). they r as good (or as bad) as teams like bolton (6), boro (7), birmingham (13) and fulham (15).

[Pauche]

this season's top finishing teams all had huge gaps between one another. arsenal is financially poor now but will be richer to buy more players after their new stadium is ready by 2008.

[floppy]

Originally posted by Pauche@May 12 2005, 03:04 PM

this season's top finishing teams all had huge gaps between one another. arsenal is financially poor now but will be richer to buy more players after their new stadium is ready by 2008.

as they say, the table never lies.

 

chelsea: 94 pts

arse: 83 (-11)

manure: 74 (-20)

everton: 61 (-33)

pool: 55 (-39)

.

.

fulham: 41 (-53, -20 from 4th)

 

the gap between 1 and 4th is 20 points. the gap between 4th and 15th is 20 points. let's face it, besides the top 3, we r all sh*te

[BikeLover]

Originally posted by Pauche@May 12 2005, 03:04 PM

this season's top finishing teams all had huge gaps between one another. arsenal is financially poor now but will be richer to buy more players after their new stadium is ready by 2008.

No, it will be ready by 2006-2007 season. That means next season will be the last in Highbury.

[R.C]

Originally posted by floppy@May 12 2005, 02:54 PM

Arsenal 7-0 Everton: FT Report

PA

but everton is still fourth, win, lose or draw, small or big margin

 

shocking ain't it? but it goes to show that the 'premier league' is really made up of 3 leagues: the top teams (ie. the top3), the next tier (4 to 16) and the rest of the lot. so despite what the fans and fanatics think there isn't really much seperating teams like everton (4), liverpool (5), spurs (9), newcastle (12) and blackburn (14). they r as good (or as bad) as teams like bolton (6), boro (7), birmingham (13) and fulham (15).

haha... ok lah ok lah...

 

anyway, wenger is given a transfer kitty of 25M pounds for next season right?

[Pauche]

Originally posted by R.C@May 12 2005, 03:20 PM

haha... ok lah ok lah...

 

anyway, wenger is given a transfer kitty of 25M pounds for next season right?

25m pounds cant even but zidane or figo!

[R.C]

Originally posted by Pauche@May 12 2005, 04:07 PM

25m pounds cant even but zidane or figo!

well... i'm sure wenger won't be interested in such big names afterall he's famous for buying players of good value, not necessarily expensive... i think he's interested in beckham, shaun wright phillips or something... think its reported somewhere...

[BikeLover]

Originally posted by Pauche@May 12 2005, 04:07 PM

25m pounds cant even but zidane or figo!

Zidane and Figo are sunset-stars wor... why he want them? They can only play for 1 or 2 yrs more. Not his style to buy such players.

 

Anyway, he is better with cheaper players. If not wrong, after all the talk abt Bergkamp wannabes, the true prince has finally appeared: Van Persie. I had been observing him for the last few matches and he is quite special. Good feel of the goal and can dribble in front of central defenders. Some more like Bergkamp and kanu, not strong in kicking (unlike Lampard and Cisse). AND he is also Dutch

 

For 4 million euros (abt 2.5 million pounds), already good value for money.... scored more than Cisse (10mill) and Beattie (8 mill), right?

[BikeLover]

Check out this article about MU, some correct, some wrong. But interesting... my sentiments exactly about the fading of ManYoo.

 

Sad sad ManYoo

 

Enjoy.

[R.C]

Originally posted by BikeLover@May 12 2005, 07:30 PM

Zidane and Figo are sunset-stars wor... why he want them? They can only play for 1 or 2 yrs more. Not his style to buy such players.

 

Anyway, he is better with cheaper players. If not wrong, after all the talk abt Bergkamp wannabes, the true prince has finally appeared: Van Persie. I had been observing him for the last few matches and he is quite special. Good feel of the goal and can dribble in front of central defenders. Some more like Bergkamp and kanu, not strong in kicking (unlike Lampard and Cisse). AND he is also Dutch

 

For 4 million euros (abt 2.5 million pounds), already good value for money.... scored more than Cisse (10mill) and Beattie (8 mill), right?

Zidane considers early retirement

 

MADRID, May 12 (Reuters) - Three-times World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane has said he could retire before his contract at Real Madrid expires in 2007.

 

Zidane: Retirement plans (WarrenLittle/GettyImages)

 

'I will definitely retire in 2007 and I'm not ruling out going before that, but I will take the decision when the moment comes,' the French midfielder, who is 33 next month, was quoted as saying on the Real Madrid website on Thursday.

 

 

Zidane, who joined Real who joined Real for a world record $66 million from Juventus in 2001, said he still had an appetite for the game but he was disappointed with both his and his team's performances this season.

 

'I can't say that I'm satisfied with the season. The aim was to win a 10th European Cup and the league. We were knocked out of the Champions League very early and all that is left to us is the league and that is very difficult now.

 

'On a personal level it hasn't been a good season, but all I'm thinking about now is finishing, having a holiday and returning with my motivation intact. Next year the motivation will still be there.

 

'The last two years have been difficult, but that is what makes football so great. You can't always win even when though you don't lose your motivation.'

 

Real have won their last seven league matches but remain six points adrift of Barcelona with just three games left to play.

 

If the Catalans win their match against Levante on Saturday or match Real's result at third-placed Sevilla they will claim the league title, while their arch-rivals will complete a second successive season without a major trophy.

 

Zidane, who won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European championship with France, retired from international football after Euro 2004 and said he would not reconsider his decision to help his country qualify for the 2006 World Cup.

 

'My decision is irreversible,' he said. 'France will qualify. The situation is difficult but I'm sure they will do it.'

 

France top their qualification group, but are level on points with Israel and have played a game more than both Ireland and Switzerland who are a point behind them in the standings.

 

 

haha... talking about him....

[BikeLover]

Zidane and Figo are the key to madrid's dominance over the previous years. The fact that RM had not won anything for 2 years was no coincidence... cos Figo and ZZ are almost finished.

 

BTW, ManYoo fans.... goodbye. Glazer will take over ManYoo and the mighty MU team of last era will be completely over!

 

:cry: ManYoo :cry:

 

You can change to support Arsenal if you want to..... kekekeke. Then you can watch "exhibition football".

[MiCmAsTa]

So how? Anyone Keen in an UCL Final Outing?

[R.C]

Originally posted by BikeLover@May 13 2005, 12:37 AM

Zidane and Figo are the key to madrid's dominance over the previous years. The fact that RM had not won anything for 2 years was no coincidence... cos Figo and ZZ are almost finished.

 

BTW, ManYoo fans.... goodbye. Glazer will take over ManYoo and the mighty MU team of last era will be completely over!

 

:cry: ManYoo :cry:

 

You can change to support Arsenal if you want to..... kekekeke. Then you can watch "exhibition football".

why would the takeover affect man u's success? i thought it would be better with all that money glazer'z going to pump in?

[BikeLover]

Originally posted by R.C@May 13 2005, 01:00 AM

why would the takeover affect man u's success? i thought it would be better with all that money glazer'z going to pump in?

Unlike Roman, this is a LBO, so MU will be heavily saddle with debts. What are the consequences? Chances are that he will squeeze the club dry to pay off the interest for the 500 mill pounds loan. You will be also be expecting to see things like higher ticket prices, cost cutting measures and lesser transfer budgets.

 

Anyway, I doubt Glazer knows what is a off-side rule in soccer, cos he is an American. He does not understand football (the round one, not the oval one). That is why all the fans and the board members are protesting.

 

Let us all mourn in silence for ManYoo.... kekeke

[archenemy]

hahaaa...i always said that man utd is a PLC..not a FC...

 

but i admit money does change a football club's fortunes...best example: Chelsea.

[Pauche]

Originally posted by archenemy@May 13 2005, 01:57 PM

but i admit money does change a football club's fortunes...best example: Chelsea.

not always true - see real madrid this season, they are silverware-less!

[archenemy]

Originally posted by Pauche@May 13 2005, 02:10 PM

not always true - see real madrid this season, they are silverware-less!

yeah..but look at the number of jerseys they are selling!