*Official* English Football Season 2006-07

[TT Boy]

Yeah, Perrin was dire too, makes the contrast between the two even more acute.

Kept Pompey in the league.

And TBH the thought of Portsmouth and Harry in Europe is not particularly endearing (no disrespect). Their league position is just an indication of the poor standard of the Premiership as a collective and I dread to think what will happen to Bolton if they get fourth. For in Italy and Spain progression to the UEFA cup usually means an ascending in the league the following season but every team in the Premiership outside the top four are nothing more than fly by nights who for various reasons will never do a Sevilla, Palermo et cetera. If Spurs win the UEFA cup does that imply they will challenge for the title next year, like **** it does but anywhere else it would be a springboard and a sign of real intent. The Premiership has to be the most closed of and elitist leagues in Europe regardless of the odd anomaly and Man Untied slip up.

 

[TT Boy]

I don't think any side would like to come up against them to be honest.

Can't say the same about your lot.

They will be out come Tuesday night so no one will have to fear them.

And I agree with you on Liverpool, set up wonderfully well for this Champions League.

 

[roseboy64]

I don't think any side would like to come up against them to be honest.

Can't say the same about your lot.

Doesn't really matter in a cup knockout does it? Pretty sure most people had Milan to win in 2005 but Liverpool won didn't they. No one really expected Porto and Monaco to reach the final in 2004 but they did. You are right that most sides would like to avoid Liverpool but at the end of the day it's all about what happens on the field on that day. Doesn't matter to me one bit Liverpool are the favourites. In a cup anything can happen.

 

[roseboy64]

They will be out come Tuesday night so no one will have to fear them. And I agree with you on Liverpool, set up wonderfully well for this Champions League.

We shall see.

 

[Tom Halsey]

I don't think any side would like to come up against them to be honest.

Can't say the same about your lot.

Yes, a very good argument, you'd rather play the side 18 points better than the other.

 

[Tom Halsey]

They will be out come Tuesday night so no one will have to fear them.

I'm not overly confident but I reckon we'll get through.

And Liverpool will get knocked out by Valencia or Chelsea, although I hope they don't (as long as we get through), as I'd rather play Liverpool in the final (should we get there) than Valencia or Chelsea by some distance.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Yes, a very good argument, you'd rather play the side 18 points better than the other.

Not sure how consistent you are at bashing minnows (probably grating Pitt here...) should make that much a difference when it comes to how you're rated within the G14 playground. (Poland scored 24 points in WC qualifying to Spain's 20, for example. No one in their right mind would rate Poland ahead of Spain tho.) Man Utd's record in Europe these past three seasons shouldn't inspire confidence (well, except in the opposition) - and I don't think any of the nine games they've played so far this year could be described as "very good" - maybe the Benfica games, and I suppose the home Lille game was professional enough. By contrast, Liverpool have actually beaten some good teams these past years.

Had it been Liverpool v Man Utd in a one-off, I would have tipped Man Utd, but as it happens they're kept apart in the draw until the final and I can see why Liverpool are rated better in Europe. For one thing, Benítez is a better motivator then Ferguson at present, and I reckon they're a lot more comfortable with stop-start football against Italian and Spanish sides.

 

[Craig]

I see Lubos Michel is in charge for the United - Roma game, does anybody know what their record is like with Michel?

Given that I support Inter and Roma are an Italian team I wouldn't mind seeing them win it, however I'm thinking it will be now or never for Chelsea.

 

[marc71178]

And I agree with you on Liverpool, set up wonderfully well for this Champions League.

The 28-1 my mate and I took on them after the draw for the last 16 says I hope you're right!

 

[marc71178]

Doesn't really matter in a cup knockout does it? Pretty sure most people had Milan to win in 2005 but Liverpool won didn't they. No one really expected Porto and Monaco to reach the final in 2004 but they did. You are right that most sides would like to avoid Liverpool but at the end of the day it's all about what happens on the field on that day. Doesn't matter to me one bit Liverpool are the favourites. In a cup anything can happen.

That's not at all what I said now is it?

For a start in a cup knockout, surely others wanting to avoid a side suggests that they're pretty good.

 

[marc71178]

Yes, a very good argument, you'd rather play the side 18 points better than the other.

Please don't tell me you're that blinkered as to think sides would prefer to play Liverpool than Man Utd in Europe at the moment?

 

[Tom Halsey]

Not sure how consistent you are at bashing minnows (probably grating Pitt here...) should make that much a difference when it comes to how you're rated within the G14 playground. (Poland scored 24 points in WC qualifying to Spain's 20, for example. No one in their right mind would rate Poland ahead of Spain tho.) Man Utd's record in Europe these past three seasons shouldn't inspire confidence (well, except in the opposition) - and I don't think any of the nine games they've played so far this year could be described as "very good" - maybe the Benfica games, and I suppose the home Lille game was professional enough. By contrast, Liverpool have actually beaten some good teams these past years.

Had it been Liverpool v Man Utd in a one-off, I would have tipped Man Utd, but as it happens they're kept apart in the draw until the final and I can see why Liverpool are rated better in Europe. For one thing, Benítez is a better motivator then Ferguson at present, and I reckon they're a lot more comfortable with stop-start football against Italian and Spanish sides.

Our record against the rest of the Big 4 this season is acceptable - 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw. Given how tight the games usually are, that's good stuff. Yes we were **** in Europe in the few seasons preceeding this, but we were also **** in the Premiership then - we're not at the moment.

Don't know how you can justify Benitez being a better motivator than Ferguson. Several times this season, we've been 1-0 down and playing **** at half-time, and then come out and murdered teams second half. I was 80% certain that we'd win against Portsmouth at half-time, unfortunately I was wrong.

Also FWIW I thought we did bloody well in Rome given the circumstances.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Please don't tell me you're that blinkered as to think sides would prefer to play Liverpool than Man Utd in Europe at the moment?

Well, you haven't actually argued your case yet. Liverpool haven't beaten anyone yet.

Barcelona were in horrible form at the time (in Spain and in Europe) and Liverpool still made hard work of that, and if they'd have lost to PSV I would have laughed extremely hard. Similarly, United haven't beaten anyone yet, but our form has been a lot better than Liverpool's all season.

 

[Tom Halsey]

That's not at all what I said now is it?

For a start in a cup knockout, surely others wanting to avoid a side suggests that they're pretty good.

Liverpool aren't close to being the side I most want to avoid. Valencia, Chelsea and Bayern all come a lot higher on that list than Liverpool.

 

[Craig]

Liverpool aren't close to being the side I most want to avoid. Valencia, Chelsea and Bayern all come a lot higher on that list than Liverpool.

Well I suppose you can't rule out Milan and with some of the goal scoring form Ronaldo has been in, I suppose it is a good thing he is cup tied for them.

But least said about them the better

 

[marc71178]

Well, you haven't actually argued your case yet. Liverpool haven't beaten anyone yet.

Barcelona were in horrible form at the time (in Spain and in Europe) and Liverpool still made hard work of that, and if they'd have lost to PSV I would have laughed extremely hard. Similarly, United haven't beaten anyone yet, but our form has been a lot better than Liverpool's all season.

Barcelona, in such horrid form that they're top in Spain, and I don't call Liverpool's win in the Nou Camp "making hard work of it"

Likewise they were always in control against PSV.

On the other hand, your side have 4 fit defenders, which includes Wes Brown and John O'Shea as 2 of the 4.

It's a no-brainer as to which side others would rather play against.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Barcelona, in such horrid form that they're top in Spain, and I don't call Liverpool's win in the Nou Camp "making hard work of it"

They weren't when they played Liverpool, and were coming off the back of a number of defeats.

Incidientally, if you watched the Pmpey game, you'll have noticed that despite our overall direness, Brown had a quality game.

 

[Barney Rubble]

4-2? FFS.

Watford fans getting carried away and singing "Bring on United!" and "We are staying up" - no, you're not going to win this weekend and you're not staying up, you're still an awful side.

We, on the other hand, are not an awful side, but seem to have managed to play like one today. Really shocking performance, can only assume we were knackered after beating ManYoo on Saturday.

 

[Tom Halsey]

4-2? FFS.

Watford fans getting carried away and singing "Bring on United!" and "We are staying up" - no, you're not going to win this weekend and you're not staying up, you're still an awful side.

Apparently the logic is Watford > Portsmouth > United.

Anyway, both teams defending shabbily has made for a good game tbh.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Apparently the logic is Watford > Portsmouth > United.

Anyway, both teams defending shabbily has made for a good game tbh.

LOL, Watford for the title next year then. Can't believe our defence suddenly went to pot, although I have a sneaking suspicion the presence of Noe Pamarot in the team instead of Lauren might have had something to do with it.