*Official* English Football Season 2008-2009

[The Sean]

Dunno tbh.

I suppose in the pre-Prem era there wasn't such a concentration of talent in the top clubs; nowadays it would be inconceivable for England's first-choice left-back to spend his career at Notts Forest or for our 'keeper to turn out for Derby, but back then it was unremarkable.

Some were just selectorial shockers tho; Tony Adams was omitted & Alan Smith (top scorer in the top flight in 89 & again in 91) was overlooked for Steve Bull, who never even played a game in the top division.

Pretty sure Bully played all of one game in the top flight for West Brom or someone circa 1987? Could be wrong on that one...

I remember the Italia '90 team pretty well and most of them you couldn't argue with as far as starting XI go, but to think that not one of that Arsenal side could even make the squad is amazing. I didn't realise that neither Adams nor Smith (or Dixon or Rocky for that matter) were even taken to Italy as reserves.

 

[grecian]

On the Liverpool match last night, perhaps that headline in the Marca "This is Anfield, so what?" wasn't terribly wise.....

 

[GIMH]

I just checked wiki and it says he made his WBA debut in 86 and they were in the top flight but relegated that season, good call

 

[Tom Halsey]

Just a bit of perspective on last night - Real Madrid are toss.

As for tonight, my confidence is reducing the nearer kick-off gets.

 

[cover drive man]

Thought Liverpool played really well last night, Madrid weren't very good, but a 5-0 aggregate in the champions league takes some doing. Well done lads, although I think me and most liverpool fans would prefer the title to the champions league, but still.

 

[PhoenixFire]

Get innnnnnnn.

 

[Burgey]

Get innnnnnnn.

I'm on the bus. Still 2-0?

 

[PhoenixFire]

Yep.

 

[Burgey]

Yep.

Cheers mate.

 

[roseboy64]

Just wish to sing:

STEVE GERRARD GERRARD
HE'LL PASS THE BALL 40 YARDS
HE'S BIG AND HE'S ****ING HARD
STEVE GERRARD GERRARD

Just wish to sing:

Just wish to sing:

STEVE GERRARD GERRARD
He runs over kids in cars
He beats up DJs in bars
STEVE GERRARD GERRARD

yeah yeah, I've done it before, couldn't resist

Steve Gerrard Gerrard,
He kisses the badge on his chest,
Then puts in a transfer request,
Steve Gerrard Gerrard.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Only watched extra time but Jesus Christ the Roma - Arsenal tie owed us penalties.

And as I type Eduardo misses.

 

[superkingdave]

Yeah Arse going out here, shame because Roma were piss poor as well and you get the feeling Arsenal become a different proposition when Cesc is back

 

[roseboy64]

Tied on pens now.

 

[superkingdave]

Arsenal through.

both keepers were coming miles off the line before every penalty but the ref didn't seem to be bothered

 

[grecian]

One Englishman took a pen, he scored (not sure how though).

I'm putting that down as a great English penalty shoot-out

Interesting point though, the Roma 'keeper was clearly struggling come the end. I know they wouldn't of been able to bring on the reserve 'keeper, but is it possible to get one of the outfield player in nets?

The Arse penalty takers at the end seemed to know he had little mobility.

Anyway not bad for the "most over-rated league in the world", 4 out of 4

 

[Burgey]

Followed United since the mid-70s, so seen the good, bad and ugly.

One of the happier times as a fan today to see that **** "The Chosen One" bundled out of the CL.

 

[Uppercut]

Followed United since the mid-70s, so seen the good, bad and ugly.

One of the happier times as a fan today to see that **** "The Chosen One" bundled out of the CL.

Jose, incidentally, gets on very well with Fergie. Mourinho is apparently vastly more likeable than his persona would suggest (he would have to be, to be such a good man-manager).

From the BBC text commentary:

2135: A lovely hug from Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese clearly accepting that his team have gone out of the Champions League to a better side over the two legs.

 

[roseboy64]

Correct and he's The Special One not the Chosen One.

 

[Craig]

As an Inter fan, it is not surprising. If you can't smah apart some Greek team and a random from Cyprus, you get all you deserve, and at Old Trafford. No excuses though, congrats Man U.

How well did Davide Santon play? I never saw the game since I was at work.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Decidely brown trousers time last night. Thought the jig was up when Eddie missed, but we held our nerve or rather their keeper failed to stop some fairly ordinary pens.

Unless we get Porto or Villareal (and not sure if we came get the former as they were in our group) I think last 8 is the end of the line. Might have vague prayer with the Chavs, I guess.