Ultimate Football (Soccer) Thread (2011-2012)

[Osarius]

LOL at United fans feeling victimised.

Why?

I'm gonna guess its something to do with the apparent favouritism shown to United by referees (and the FA, arguably) in England.

[Fartsniffage]

Why?

I'm gonna guess its something to do with the apparent favouritism shown to United by referees (and the FA, arguably) in England.

It's really strange that teams who attack seem to get more penalties than teams who defend. I just can't understand that....

Also, I'd love to hear about a player who got an FA ban for swearing on the pitch other than Rooney.

[Osarius]

I'm gonna guess its something to do with the apparent favouritism shown to United by referees (and the FA, arguably) in England.

It's really strange that teams who attack seem to get more penalties than teams who defend. I just can't understand that....

Also, I'd love to hear about a player who got an FA ban for swearing on the pitch other than Rooney.

Hence the word "apparent"...

But if we're playing that game, its really strange that Arsenal seem to get less penalties than Man Utd, and they certainly don't defend (because they can't).

Also, I'd love to hear about a player who forearm smashes an opponent in the head, in plain view of the ref, and doesn't even get booked... other than Rooney.

[Cromarty]

It's really strange that teams who attack seem to get more penalties than teams who defend. I just can't understand that....

Also, I'd love to hear about a player who got an FA ban for swearing on the pitch other than Rooney.

Hence the word "apparent"...

But if we're playing that game, its really strange that Arsenal seem to get less penalties than Man Utd, and they certainly don't defend (because they can't).

Also, I'd love to hear about a player who forearm smashes an opponent in the head, in plain view of the ref, and doesn't even get booked... other than Rooney.

2001-02: 3 For 3 Against
2002-03: 4 For 2 Against
2003-04: 6 For 4 Against
2004-05: 3 For 3 Against
2005-06: 7 For 0 Against
2006-07: 10 For 2 Against
2007-08: 6 For 3 Against
2008-09: 5 For 5 Against
2009-10: 4 For 6 Against
2010-11: 7 For 9 Against
2011-12: 2 For 2 Against

2001-02: 0 For 0 Against
2002-03: 7 For 1 Against
2003-04: 4 For 2 Against
2004-05: 3 For 2 Against
2005-06: 3 For 2 Against
2006-07: 6 For 5 Against
2007-08: 6 For 0 Against
2008-09: 4 For 3 Against
2009-10: 8 For 2 Against
2010-11: 5 For 6 Against
2011-12: 6 For 3 Against

2001-02: Arsenal
2002-03: United
2003-04: Arsenal
2004-05: Tie
2005-06: Arsenal
2006-07: Arsenal
2007-08: Tie
2008-09: Arsenal
2009-10: United
2010-11: Arsenal
2011-12: United

So since 2001-02 United have out won Arsenal on penalties just 3 times (4 counting this season).

[Nadkor]

I'm really looking forward to Northern Ireland 0 - 3 Norway later. Yeah. So excited.

You have the mighty Johnny Evans.

What could possibly go wrong?

Well, with Evans having been fantastic this season and continuing to impress I can happily report that none of their goals had anything to do with him.

[Nadkor]

I'm really looking forward to Northern Ireland 0 - 3 Norway later. Yeah. So excited.

Well well, looks like we have us a Belfast Nostradamus over here, eh?

This is why my football knowledge should not be doubted.

William Hill are less impressed.

[Nadkor]

Why?

I'm gonna guess its something to do with the apparent favouritism shown to United by referees (and the FA, arguably) in England.

This is an excellent website. Obviously not to be taken as gospel, but an interesting site nonetheless.

[Osarius]

I'm gonna guess its something to do with the apparent favouritism shown to United by referees (and the FA, arguably) in England.

This is an excellent website. Obviously not to be taken as gospel, but an interesting site nonetheless.

That is interesting indeed. Thanks.
I'll have to look into this a bit more. Seems more likely to provide a solid picture than simply counting the number of penalties for and against -- which, incidentally, completely ignores any possible home bias, or refusal of penalties etc etc -- in determining whether there is or isn't a semblence of favouritism. Even if it doesn't, its still an interesting take on things. Like when I read somewhere that if every shot that hit the woodwork last season had gone in, Arsenal would have won the league. Stuff like that always piques my interest.


And again, I'd like to stress my use of the word "apparent" in my initial post, btw. And "seems" in the subsequent post. Not once have I claimed to be correct. It's a common comment made in English football, perhaps even cliche, like Arsenal complaining about Stoke fouling all the time... because it seems that Stoke commit fouls far more often. Perception is everything. Though its perhaps more interesting that suddenly United fans feel the need to defend their club so vehemently, pulling out stats like I made some outrageous suggestion. Its almost as if you guys were prepared for this... almost as if its... happened before

For me personally, I need look no further than the penalty decision early in the 2010 Carling Cup Final. There's this lingering feeling that tells me that if it had been James Collins fouling Michael Owen in similar (or even the same) circumstances, Villa would have played 85 minutes with ten men, simply because its okay to "ruin" the cup final for a "smaller club" like Villa, but heaven forbid that happens to Man Utd. It works the other way too, though. We've had questionable decisions go our way against "smaller clubs". Everyone does. It just seems more prominent with United because they're the biggest club in England. *shrug*

[Cromarty]

It just seems more prominent with United because they're the biggest club in England. *shrug*

It's 'seems' that way because more people moan about it.

[Accardola]

United fans a) have no reason to feel particularly victimised, they're the biggest club in England - if not the world, b) they're second in the league and have a brilliant shout at moving above City yet, c) other teams lost players in the friendly too, not just United so let's not pretend the FA are directing this solely at one club and d) United should have the capacity to replace injured players, they have good replacements in pretty much all positions and if they can't replace the players adequately than that's the club's fault - they should have found a decent back-up, as injuries can happen in league games too.

[Rubiconic Crossings V2 rev 1f]

So..Lebanon...chance of making it to the WC?

I for would be quite happy to see them qualify at long last...

[Serrland]

So..Lebanon...chance of making it to the WC?

I for would be quite happy to see them qualify at long last...

Yeah, certainly one of those feel-good minnow stories. Kind of like Angola in 2006. After having such a rough time as a nation in past decades at least the football Gods, fickle and fiendish though they may be, can smile on them a little.

[Rubiconic Crossings V2 rev 1f]

So..Lebanon...chance of making it to the WC?

I for would be quite happy to see them qualify at long last...

Yeah, certainly one of those feel-good minnow stories. Kind of like Angola in 2006. After having such a rough time as a nation in past decades at least the football Gods, fickle and fiendish though they may be, can smile on them a little.

yeah...you've put that far better than I. It is a feel good story and at the moment (still suffering an interminable flu and shitty hackking coughing) I need something to cheer me up. That and that we didn't beat Pompey...which was pretty fucking irritating as well.

[Serrland]

Yeah, certainly one of those feel-good minnow stories. Kind of like Angola in 2006. After having such a rough time as a nation in past decades at least the football Gods, fickle and fiendish though they may be, can smile on them a little.

yeah...you've put that far better than I. It is a feel good story and at the moment (still suffering an interminable flu and shitty hackking coughing) I need something to cheer me up. That and that we didn't beat Pompey...which was pretty fucking irritating as well.

As a neutral, though, that makes me happy. Pompey need every bit of help they can these days. I'd hate to see them collapse, what with their history and tradition and all. You still got a point out of it, after all, and helped out a fine club in the process.

[Rubiconic Crossings V2 rev 1f]

yeah...you've put that far better than I. It is a feel good story and at the moment (still suffering an interminable flu and shitty hackking coughing) I need something to cheer me up. That and that we didn't beat Pompey...which was pretty fucking irritating as well.

As a neutral, though, that makes me happy. Pompey need every bit of help they can these days. I'd hate to see them collapse, what with their history and tradition and all. You still got a point out of it, after all, and helped out a fine club in the process.

We are playing in a league that we should not be in. We are a PL club.

Having said that I have huge sympathies for all fans of clubs that have been mismanaged. When we were screwed and pretty much hours away from being wound up I had messages from fans of clubs like Chelsea and the Mancs supporting the fans...which was pretty awesome. I cannot not do the same for fans of other clubs like Portsmouth, Port Vale, Argyle etc...

This is one reason I harp on about financial controls to prevent clubs from getting fucked over by non football business people who think its a way to make a quick buck.

[Cromarty]

We are playing in a league that we should not be in. We are a PL club.

Prove it by getting there.

Having said that I have huge sympathies for all fans of clubs that have been mismanaged. When we were screwed and pretty much hours away from being wound up I had messages from fans of clubs like Chelsea and the Mancs supporting the fans...which was pretty awesome. I cannot not do the same for fans of other clubs like Portsmouth, Port Vale, Argyle etc...

Your latter statement suggests your former statement doesn't apply in Plymouth's case :<

This is one reason I harp on about financial controls to prevent clubs from getting fucked over by non football business people who think its a way to make a quick buck.

Eh, the football business people aren't much better *cough*Bates*cough*

Anyone else think Bates had Vonners done in? I miss the guy, cool cat for a Leeds fan :<

[Rubiconic Crossings V2 rev 1f]

We are playing in a league that we should not be in. We are a PL club.

Prove it by getting there.

Having said that I have huge sympathies for all fans of clubs that have been mismanaged. When we were screwed and pretty much hours away from being wound up I had messages from fans of clubs like Chelsea and the Mancs supporting the fans...which was pretty awesome. I cannot not do the same for fans of other clubs like Portsmouth, Port Vale, Argyle etc...

Your latter statement suggests your former statement doesn't apply in Plymouth's case :<

This is one reason I harp on about financial controls to prevent clubs from getting fucked over by non football business people who think its a way to make a quick buck.

Eh, the football business people aren't much better *cough*Bates*cough*

Anyone else think Bates had Vonners done in? I miss the guy, cool cat for a Leeds fan :<

We're trying dammit! LOL I mean Doncaster for fucks sake! what the fuck was that all about???

Not sure what you mean about Argyle...

Bates is an utter cunt of the highest order. That he called Leeds fans (when he was still running Chelsea) utter barbaric scum (paraphrasing slightly) and then became our Chairman through a pretty fucking dodgy deal beggars belief. But he does know football and has been in the game for a very long time indeed...unlike say the Glazers....who are equally as cuntish for landing a shit ton of debt on Man U...

Funnily enough I am Vonners....I just wasn't able to reactivate my nation because I forgot the password and the email I used to register.

[Cromarty]

We're trying dammit! LOL I mean Doncaster for fucks sake! what the fuck was that all about???

Not sure what you mean about Argyle...

Argyle almost went out of existence this season :<

Bates is an utter cunt of the highest order. That he called Leeds fans (when he was still running Chelsea) utter barbaric scum (paraphrasing slightly) and then became our Chairman through a pretty fucking dodgy deal beggars belief. But he does know football and has been in the game for a very long time indeed...unlike say the Glazers....who are equally as cuntish for landing a shit ton of debt on Man U...[/quite]True, but the Glazers seem to have a long term plan for United (even if it mainly involves enriching themselves)... Bates on the other hand seems to have no other plan than to sell your best players and then replace them with loanees whilst claiming there's no money to spend.

And at the same time banning anyone who criticises him from attending matches. :<

Funnily enough I am Vonners....

[Rubiconic Crossings V2 rev 1f]

We're trying dammit! LOL I mean Doncaster for fucks sake! what the fuck was that all about???

Not sure what you mean about Argyle...

Argyle almost went out of existence this season :<

Bates is an utter cunt of the highest order. That he called Leeds fans (when he was still running Chelsea) utter barbaric scum (paraphrasing slightly) and then became our Chairman through a pretty fucking dodgy deal beggars belief. But he does know football and has been in the game for a very long time indeed...unlike say the Glazers....who are equally as cuntish for landing a shit ton of debt on Man U...

True, but the Glazers seem to have a long term plan for United (even if it mainly involves enriching themselves)... Bates on the other hand seems to have no other plan than to sell your best players and then replace them with loanees whilst claiming there's no money to spend.

And at the same time banning anyone who criticises him from attending matches. :<

Funnily enough I am Vonners....

Re Plymouth...when I heard that that utter shit Ridsdale was involved with them I feared for the club...he should be banned from football completely. And banned from being a director of any company. The man is utter poison. And yes I felt sorry for their fans that they were going to get screwed.

I do not see the long term plan for Man U...with the huge amount of debt the club has it cannot buy top players...and top players are not interested in playing for Man U...when I say top players I'm talking about the Messi's of the game.

You don't need to tell me about Master Bates. I've ranted about that wanker too many times for it to be healthy.

As far as I am concerned we are in the grips of a Chelsea plan to destroy Leeds United which started when we took on Jody fucking Morris...even though he only played 12 games he sowed shit in the dressing room. (ok ok....of course not but damn look at how much ex Chelsea were at the club...morris, poyet, wise, bates...even Michael 'own goal' Duberry!....who did arrive before Morris I admit...) /rant

[Cyborg Holland]

Good on ya Gunners...

[Rubiconic Crossings V2 rev 1f]

Good on ya Gunners...

Well...van Persie...who is obviously carrying the team...

[I V Stalin]

Good on ya Gunners...

Well...van Persie...who is obviously carrying the team...

...because he makes every goal he scores out of nothing...

[Rubiconic Crossings V2 rev 1f]

Well...van Persie...who is obviously carrying the team...

...because he makes every goal he scores out of nothing...

I hear (thank you BBC World Service!) the cross that he headed in was pretty awesome...

on edit...and we're one nil down to the Saints. Oh dear. £$*^$&£^£"(*^("&£%("!$£^"!£(^)!"$^"£!&*%^"&!$%(!"^$)$£_"£!&*^£&%^£&"*%^)" ards.

[Forsher]

Well...van Persie...who is obviously carrying the team...

...because he makes every goal he scores out of nothing...

The second one was good. WHat was the first like? I'm sorry to say he news here has an agenda.

[Lacadaemon]

The second one was good. WHat was the first like? I'm sorry to say he news here has an agenda.

Not as good. But a nice header from a cross from Sagna.

To be fair, Dogleash is right. The scoreline doesn't really reflect the game Liverpool did sort of dominate. Saying that Liverpool lacks a proper striker or something.