*Official* English Football Season 2007-08

[Dark Hunter]

tbh although i'm glad celtic went through, i'm sure most of the big teams in the competition are as well, I mean, I know i'd rather go off up to Scotland and play Celtic rather than travel huge distances to Ukraine and back, playing in difficult conditions etc...

fair play to celtic and well done, but as soon as they come up against a serious contender, theyre out.

Like Loony Bob said, it depends on how we play at home. IMO, at home, we can beat almost anyone. Having said that, they need to get out of this defensive mindset in big games, and make the most of the talented attacking players we have. Take the game just past for example. We were playing against 4 2nd XI defenders, and a 2nd XI keeper. We had them for pace, but we never made the most of it. We have the players to attack, and it frustrates me when we try and play defensive all game and let that talent go to waste. It simply doesn't work.

 

[sledger]

For completely no reason, a word perhaps for the team who've just completed ten games unbeaten? Admittedly I'd rather we hadn't had our most successful start to a season in about a million years while I'm out of the country, but I think Harry, dodgy **** that he is, deserves a hell of a lot of credit for getting us where he has done.

I've barely seen us play all season - can anyone fill me in on what our football's been like?

pretty decent on all accounts really, david james still in good form, and Niko Krancjar has been playing very well also, great fun to watch to, i'd sooner watch portsmouth than Newcastle, last nights match, although Newcastle played well, I've got to say they are a terrible team to watch, so dull, no flair whatsoever, and a clumsy defence, at least last season they were entertaining, even if they were crap.

 

[sledger]

Like Loony Bob said, it depends on how we play at home. IMO, at home, we can beat almost anyone. Having said that, they need to get out of this defensive mindset in big games, and make the most of the talented attacking players we have. Take the game just past for example. We were playing against 4 2nd XI defenders, and a 2nd XI keeper. We had them for pace, but we never made the most of it. We have the players to attack, and it frustrates me when we try and play defensive all game and let that talent go to waste. It simply doesn't work.

problem is, the celtic front line is pretty lightweight, and the management seems to know if, which is why the defensive game plan comes out when not playing in front of the parkhead support, I'd like to see Celtic go through even further, but I'd say its highly unlikely.

 

[Dark Hunter]

They might be lightweight, but they work magnificantly together, and can be a force on their day. We need to show more faith in them away from home, and give them a chance to do well away. Scott McDonald is in the form of his life, and had he been given the proper support against Milan, i'm almost 100% sure he would have scored. But yes, i can't see us going any further that the round of 16.

 

[Loony BoB]

Let's put it this way: They need to win by two goals at home to have a realistic chance.

I reckon they could manage against some of the sides looking to top their groups.

 

[Barney Rubble]

pretty decent on all accounts really, david james still in good form, and Niko Krancjar has been playing very well also, great fun to watch to, i'd sooner watch portsmouth than Newcastle, last nights match, although Newcastle played well, I've got to say they are a terrible team to watch, so dull, no flair whatsoever, and a clumsy defence, at least last season they were entertaining, even if they were crap.

Good to hear Kranjcar's finally showing his talents. Although I read today that we're on the verge of letting Matty Taylor leave, which would be a real shame. Very talented player. Plus we're gonna need all the players we can get by the time the African Nations starts - there's more than one reason why Harry's policy of "black guys are better at sport" is decidedly suspect!

 

[sledger]

Good to hear Kranjcar's finally showing his talents. Although I read today that we're on the verge of letting Matty Taylor leave, which would be a real shame. Very talented player. Plus we're gonna need all the players we can get by the time the African Nations starts - there's more than one reason why Harry's policy of "black guys are better at sport" is decidedly suspect!

Yeah Arsenal will suffer because of that as well, dont like the idea of senderos replacing toure for any sustained period of time, esspecially if Gallas gets injured, but hopefully Djourou will be back from his loan with Birmingham by then, and much as Bentdner seems to be reasonably decent, I dont like the idea of him replacing Adebayor for a prolonged period either.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Yeah Arsenal will suffer because of that as well, dont like the idea of senderos replacing toure for any sustained period of time, esspecially if Gallas gets injured, but hopefully Djourou will be back from his loan with Birmingham by then, and much as Bentdner seems to be reasonably decent, I dont like the idea of him replacing Adebayor for a prolonged period either.

Won't have to happen, happily. At least for the African Nations; Togo jibbed qualifying. Toure & Eboue will be big misses tho.

 

[Tom Halsey]

I do think Arsenal will suffer quite heavily in the African Nations. If they can get through that period (relatively) unscathed, there or thereabouts, and they have to be a good shout for the title.

I do think the side has a certain fragility - not physically - I just feel there is the potential for the wheels to come off. Obviously this might not happen, but should it, then United have to be there waiting.

Agree with Sean - should be a cracker of a season. Then again we thought we were in for a quality run-in last year and it ended up being rather tame.

 

[Loony BoB]

Of course, we're all talking about Arsenal and United when Chelsea and Liverpool are actually the form teams at the moment (going by the last six games).

 

[Tom Halsey]

Of course, we're all talking about Arsenal and United when Chelsea and Liverpool are actually the form teams at the moment (going by the last six games).

Considering Chelsea is fair enough, but Liverpool aren't really going to win the league.

 

[Loony BoB]

I dunno. If they crash out of Europe early...

Personally I have no idea who is going to win, but I damned well hope it's United.

 

[Craig]

Why can't the African Nationas Cup be held in the summer break like every other tournament? I know clubs reap what they sow when signing African players, but it would be a lot fairer for them since they still have to their wages even if one of their players cops a season ending injury.

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As for Liverpool winning the league they would need somebody like Mourinho to manage them I would think, somebody to a team to the next level in the Premiership which I just don't think Benitez is doing that ATM, but you can't argue with his record in Europe, two European Cup finals can't be snuffed at.

 

[roseboy64]

African leagues play during the english summer I believe.

 

[Matteh]

When's the rainy season in Africa? Reckon it's during our Summer. Makes massive sense to not hold it then.

 

[Loony BoB]

I would imagine that it would make more sense to hold it in the colder season than the hotter, particularly for those playing under the Sahara sun.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Why can't the African Nationas Cup be held in the summer break like every other tournament? I know clubs reap what they sow when signing African players, but it would be a lot fairer for them since they still have to their wages even if one of their players cops a season ending injury.

Well, as you allude to yourself, clubs aren't actually obliged to sign African players. I don't see why the African FA should change to accomodate a few greedy European clubs.

 

[Craig]

Well, as you allude to yourself, clubs aren't actually obliged to sign African players. I don't see why the African FA should change to accomodate a few greedy European clubs.

Well you club must be pretty greedy then.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Well you club must be pretty greedy then.

Wouldn't deny it for a second.

I have a tribal loyalty to the Arsenal, but that doesn't mean I condone everything we do.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Just as hype begins to needlessly build up around the Scousers again, they lose. Excellent.