The Ultimate Football/Soccer Thread (2010/2011 Season)

[Londim]

Since I cannot find the old thread, I thought a new one should be started.

Soccer News of the Day:

Newcastle United have been promoted to the Premier League. Toon Army rejoices!
Peterborough relegated to League One. New manager comes in.

Champions League News:

Inter Milan are through to the Semi Finals of the Champions League after beating CSKA Moscow 2-0 on aggregate.
Arsenal and Barcelona are currently battling it out and the score so far is 1-1 (3-3 on aggregate) The winner shall face Inter in the Semi Final.
Rooney will most likely not play in the Manchester United side to face Bayern Munich tomorrow. Munich lead 2-1 on aggregate and many tip them as favourites to win.
Bordeaux and Lyon also play tomorrow. Lyon lead 3-1 on aggregate.

So what are your predictions? How is your team doing?

[EvilDarkMagicians]

All I'm hoping is that Arsenal loses.

[Londim]

All I'm hoping is that Arsenal loses.

Well, with Messi constantly hounding the Arsenal defence it looks likely.

EDIT: And it's a Messi hat trick and we haven't even got to half time yet. It's looking like this match is already settled and we still have another half to play. Arsenal need a miracle.

[Lacadaemon]

It pleases me to see the Toon back where it can continue to shame itself.

[The House of Castile]

Messi has a first half hat trick, Arsenal's taking a beating right now, and Arsenal needs to start spending, who do you guys think Wangar should sign, Lloris or Ochoa.

I miss Newcastle in the Premier league, they were my second favorite club, but few good transfer decisions should fix that.

[The blessed Chris]

Messi has a first half hat trick, Arsenal's taking a beating right now, and Arsenal needs to start spending, who do you guys think Wangar should sign, Lloris or Ochoa.

I miss Newcastle in the Premier league, they were my second favorite club, but few good transfer decisions should fix that.

The first thing Wenger needs to do is establish the future of Fabregas; either sign him on a long term contract with an impossible buy-out clause, or cash in and reinvest the proceeds into three or four new signings. Personally I'd look to buy Gourcuff, Kjaer, Moussa Sissoko, and, as a long term investment, Romanu Lukaku. Lukaku looks staggeringly good for a 16 year old.

[Agolthia]

Regarding the Bayern Munich-Manchester United game, I think it's a pretty finely balanced tie at the moment. Obviously Rooney being injured is a big blow but I would still bet on Manchester United scoring at Old Trafford. Play Berbatov up front alongside Macheda or Diouf so that he doesn't have the responsibility of getting behind the defence and can get the ball played to his feet. Obviously after the Chelsea game, people are going to be saying that they are missing Rooney but I would argue that it was sloppiness in possession and consequentially lack of service to the front men that cost United then.

[The blessed Chris]

Regarding the Bayern Munich-Manchester United game, I think it's a pretty finely balanced tie at the moment. Obviously Rooney being injured is a big blow but I would still bet on Manchester United scoring at Old Trafford. Play Berbatov up front alongside Macheda or Diouf so that he doesn't have the responsibility of getting behind the defence and can get the ball played to his feet. Obviously after the Chelsea game, people are going to be saying that they are missing Rooney but I would argue that it was sloppiness in possession and consequentially lack of service to the front men that cost United then.

I agree. The Chelsea match was lost, in my opinion, in midfield; Carrick simply lacks the physicality and, in my opinion again, instinct, to dominate the midfield in "big" games, Scholes hasn't the legs to do so either, and Fletcher cannot sustain a midfield by himself. The potential return of Owen Hargreaves notwithstanding, United desperately need a new central midfielder; Granero from Real Madrid has been suggested I think. Specifically for Munich, I'd like to see Ferguson select both Nani and Valencia and thereby force Robben and Ribery into defensive duties.

[Andrewboy]

Regarding the Bayern Munich-Manchester United game, I think it's a pretty finely balanced tie at the moment. Obviously Rooney being injured is a big blow but I would still bet on Manchester United scoring at Old Trafford. Play Berbatov up front alongside Macheda or Diouf so that he doesn't have the responsibility of getting behind the defence and can get the ball played to his feet. Obviously after the Chelsea game, people are going to be saying that they are missing Rooney but I would argue that it was sloppiness in possession and consequentially lack of service to the front men that cost United then.

I agree. The Chelsea match was lost, in my opinion, in midfield; Carrick simply lacks the physicality and, in my opinion again, instinct, to dominate the midfield in "big" games, Scholes hasn't the legs to do so either, and Fletcher cannot sustain a midfield by himself. The potential return of Owen Hargreaves notwithstanding, United desperately need a new central midfielder; Granero from Real Madrid has been suggested I think. Specifically for Munich, I'd like to see Ferguson select both Nani and Valencia and thereby force Robben and Ribery into defensive duties.

Yes. By the way Barcelona have defeated Arsenal. The Chelsea loss was a big blow to man uniteds title hopes. Altough i herd Rooney could possibly feature in the Bayern Munich game. Im a man u supporter and i honestly dont see us getting any more silverweare this season. Its just not there. Fingers crossed for england in South Africa.

[Zarbli]

Would someone please be so kind to injure Messi before the world cup? Thank you.

[The blessed Chris]

Regarding the Bayern Munich-Manchester United game, I think it's a pretty finely balanced tie at the moment. Obviously Rooney being injured is a big blow but I would still bet on Manchester United scoring at Old Trafford. Play Berbatov up front alongside Macheda or Diouf so that he doesn't have the responsibility of getting behind the defence and can get the ball played to his feet. Obviously after the Chelsea game, people are going to be saying that they are missing Rooney but I would argue that it was sloppiness in possession and consequentially lack of service to the front men that cost United then.

I agree. The Chelsea match was lost, in my opinion, in midfield; Carrick simply lacks the physicality and, in my opinion again, instinct, to dominate the midfield in "big" games, Scholes hasn't the legs to do so either, and Fletcher cannot sustain a midfield by himself. The potential return of Owen Hargreaves notwithstanding, United desperately need a new central midfielder; Granero from Real Madrid has been suggested I think. Specifically for Munich, I'd like to see Ferguson select both Nani and Valencia and thereby force Robben and Ribery into defensive duties.

Yes. By the way Barcelona have defeated Arsenal. The Chelsea loss was a big blow to man uniteds title hopes. Altough i herd Rooney could possibly feature in the Bayern Munich game. Im a man u supporter and i honestly dont see us getting any more silverweare this season. Its just not there. Fingers crossed for england in South Africa.

As a United fan, I have to agree. We're just short of the quality in depth to win either the league or CL this year.

[The House of Castile]

Would someone please be so kind to injure Messi before the world cup? Thank you.

Could someone please do it before this weekend?

Also Gourcuff would be a great signing for Arsenal, watching him play is like Zidane.

[Hogusholand]

Im a Huge football fan and this weekend was awesome for me,

I went to Newcastle to see Sunderland play against Tottenham and got to see Luka Modric and Gudjohnson from like 5 meters or so,

as for Man Utd I think they should let Park play more games as he showed to have a nak ( spelling) for scoring in CL matches against powerfull teams, Indeed today Messi was phenominal, to bad Rosicky missed a great oppertunity to score a goal, hope Man Utd and Bayerns is going to be a mad game aswell with Ribery fully recovered and scoring

[Londim]

So Arsenal out of the Champions League. Messi just showed why he is European and World Footballer of the Year. At the age of 22, his opposition have years of fearing him to go.

That means the 1st Semi Final has been decided: Inter Milan vs Barcelona aka The Special One vs The Magic One. Of course Inter are a totally different team to Arsenal in both playing style and experience. However, with the way Barcelona are playing I think they'll edge it.

I honestly do believe that Bayern Munich will progress to the semi's. So much of United's play is built around feeding Rooney the ball to slot it home. Berbatov is not in the same class as him and ,as has been pointed out, the midfield seemed a bit shaky against Chelsea so Ferguson will have to address that.

[Zarbli]

I honestly do believe that Bayern Munich will progress to the semi's. So much of United's play is built around feeding Rooney the ball to slot it home. Berbatov is not in the same class as him and ,as has been pointed out, the midfield seemed a bit shaky against Chelsea so Ferguson will have to address that.

Bah, it will be like 8-0 for Manchester.

Anyway, I'm more interested in cheering against all the Brazilian teams in the Libertadores Cup right now...

[Blouman Empire]

Messi, Messi, Messi

[Blouman Empire]

Would someone please be so kind to injure Messi before the world cup? Thank you.

Bah because most of the other team are average he won't be able to do anything. Hopefully they don't come up against England cause it will probably one goal to end their run to glory

[Zarbli]

Would someone please be so kind to injure Messi before the world cup? Thank you.

Bah because most of the other team are average he won't be able to do anything. Hopefully they don't come up against England cause it will probably one goal to end their run to glory

He never played that well for the Argentine squad anyway. Nevertheless, he scares me

[Blouman Empire]

Would someone please be so kind to injure Messi before the world cup? Thank you.

Bah because most of the other team are average he won't be able to do anything. Hopefully they don't come up against England cause it will probably one goal to end their run to glory

He never played that well for the Argentine squad anyway. Nevertheless, he scares me

Same one right foot will dash the chance for England to win

[Zarbli]

Would someone please be so kind to injure Messi before the world cup? Thank you.

Bah because most of the other team are average he won't be able to do anything. Hopefully they don't come up against England cause it will probably one goal to end their run to glory

He never played that well for the Argentine squad anyway. Nevertheless, he scares me

Same one right foot will dash the chance for England to win

England has an overall better team. Argentina's defense is ridiculous, not to mention Maradona as coach. Just see their campaign in the qualifiers...

[Hogusholand]

Ofcourse Messi doesn't play aswell for Argentina as he does for Barca, Messi in Barca is surrounded by midfield geniusses such as Iniesta and Xavi, with whom he plays weekly with, instead of the Argentinian national team who come together every month or so, plus Pep Guardiola is a far more capable trainer than Maradonna is,
also bear in mind that being better whilst playing for the club and lesser when playing for national team counts for practically every international

[Blouman Empire]

Would someone please be so kind to injure Messi before the world cup? Thank you.

Bah because most of the other team are average he won't be able to do anything. Hopefully they don't come up against England cause it will probably one goal to end their run to glory

He never played that well for the Argentine squad anyway. Nevertheless, he scares me

Same one right foot will dash the chance for England to win

England has an overall better team. Argentina's defense is ridiculous, not to mention Maradona as coach. Just see their campaign in the qualifiers...

I know but as we both know in football one mistake it all it takes

[Rodrigues-Alves]

Ofcourse Messi doesn't play aswell for Argentina as he does for Barca, Messi in Barca is surrounded by midfield geniusses such as Iniesta and Xavi, with whom he plays weekly with, instead of the Argentinian national team who come together every month or so, plus Pep Guardiola is a far more capable trainer than Maradonna is,

True

also bear in mind that being better whilst playing for the club and lesser when playing for national team counts for practically every international

Not always true, specially for Brazil. Our team is surprinsingly efficient if you take over consideration the players Dunga insists to call.

[Londim]

Today's Football News:

Wayne Rooney will not play against Bayern Munich tonight. John O'Shea is likely to make his return to the squad.
Arjen Robben returns to the Bayern Munich squad tonight to face United. Daniel Van Buyten is also set to return.

In tonight's other Champions League fixture, Lyon vs Bordeaux, Lyon will be without the services of Lisandro Lopez who is suspended. Sidney Govou is also suspended.

Bordeaux have lost their last 3 matches in all competitions. Goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso will be in the first team though he is not fully recovered from injury. Alou Diarra is avaliable for tonight's fixture.

Predictions:

Man Utd 1 Bayern Munich 1

Bordeaux 0 Lyon 2

[Fson]

Today's Football News:

Wayne Rooney will not play against Bayern Munich tonight. John O'Shea is likely to make his return to the squad.
Arjen Robben returns to the Bayern Munich squad tonight to face United. Daniel Van Buyten is also set to return.

In tonight's other Champions League fixture, Lyon vs Bordeaux, Lyon will be without the services of Lisandro Lopez who is suspended. Sidney Govou is also suspended.

Bordeaux have lost their last 3 matches in all competitions. Goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso will be in the first team though he is not fully recovered from injury. Alou Diarra is avaliable for tonight's fixture.

Predictions:

Man Utd 1 Bayern Munich 1

Bordeaux 0 Lyon 2

I think Lyon could get beat, Bordeaux have had a set-back in the League Cup but they are still a formidable team.


Oh and the Blues seem set to win the League after beating Glentoran at Windsor park http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8607623.stm
And its Derby night