SaunderS
Professional
Yeah, thats cool. But Wigan give a whole stand to the away fans! Not like we'd fill it anyway
The TT Football Club
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
Yeah, thats cool. But Wigan give a whole stand to the away fans! Not like we'd fill it anyway
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, thats cool. But Wigan give a whole stand to the away fans! Not like we'd fill it anyway
True dat! Haha. The thing that gets pretty annoying is the fans in the corner nearest the away ones, they seem to all start playing the theme tune to "The Great Escape" on their big drums and don't stop until the end of the game :| crazzyyy.
Breaker
Legend
Liverfail stopped by us, jammy goal for them but fortunate one of our own, fair result in the end and one of our better away performances on the season. A win against West Ham next week and position in Europe for next year will be looking good.
Any half decent performance should put us through to the last 16 in the UEFA Cup Thursday as well.
Any half decent performance should put us through to the last 16 in the UEFA Cup Thursday as well.
Liverpool loses to City and still claims that they're in the hunt for the title? HA!
SempreSami
Hall of Fame
They drew with City, one all.
My mistake. I just returned from a weekend-long carnival (read: rave) and I haven't been thinking correctly today.
But still, who the hell drops points to City? Any team with serious title aspirations certainly doesn't.
I figured we'd spice up the discussion here, and actually talk about the issues surrounding the game and about the game in general and it's impact around the world. I can take all the "your team is crap" talk or the "you were lucky" talk or the occasional "we're crap and we're going down!" banter, this thread tends to dry up during the week, unless there's a cup or European competition going on, and I figured we'd start talking about football, but not just about who Chelsea are going to buy this summer, where Benzema is going after this season, or who Real Madrid are going to hire after they inevitably fire Juande Ramos after the second match next season for winning the league (if that happens). How about something new, for a change?
I'm listening to the World Football program on the BBC radio, absolutely brilliant. Does anyone else listen to it or hear it online? I started listening to it a few weeks ago and it's really made me think. I saw something and figured I'd give it a mention here.
120,000 tickets out of a possible 740,000 are being given out for free to South African nationals for next summer. Another 70 or 80 thousand are available for cheaper (most expensive is 20 US) than normal prices to anyone with a South African passport (and since my uncle is a SA national and is married to another SA, I get tickets on the cheap). But what I'm getting at, is what does everything think of the goings-on down in South Africa at the moment? Stadiums are not complete, the national team is awful (But you really can't expect greatness when you count Benni McCarthey as your best player), the best seats aren't available to the non-African players (all goalline seats, and all seats in the bottom tiers behind both goals, I found this out when I tried to book my TST tickets for 2010), and the economic crisis might hit this baby a bit harder than usual. Am I the only one that's even the slightest bit concerned that good old Sepp might be wrong on this one, and that South Africa 2010 is a bit much, and way too soon? I sure hope not! What do you lot think?
I'm listening to the World Football program on the BBC radio, absolutely brilliant. Does anyone else listen to it or hear it online? I started listening to it a few weeks ago and it's really made me think. I saw something and figured I'd give it a mention here.
120,000 tickets out of a possible 740,000 are being given out for free to South African nationals for next summer. Another 70 or 80 thousand are available for cheaper (most expensive is 20 US) than normal prices to anyone with a South African passport (and since my uncle is a SA national and is married to another SA, I get tickets on the cheap
). But what I'm getting at, is what does everything think of the goings-on down in South Africa at the moment? Stadiums are not complete, the national team is awful (But you really can't expect greatness when you count Benni McCarthey as your best player), the best seats aren't available to the non-African players (all goalline seats, and all seats in the bottom tiers behind both goals, I found this out when I tried to book my TST tickets for 2010), and the economic crisis might hit this baby a bit harder than usual. Am I the only one that's even the slightest bit concerned that good old Sepp might be wrong on this one, and that South Africa 2010 is a bit much, and way too soon? I sure hope not! What do you lot think?
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
I think it could be a mistake yeah, apparently they are thinking of having artificial pitches as the conditions in Africa aren't too good for creating a top level playing surface naturally (the African Cup of Nations had grass imported but it pretty much died and the ball was hardly moving across it).
On the plus side... i'm glad to see they are giving away tickets for free/on the cheap to locals. In the cricket World Cup in the West Indies the stadiums were empty as the authorities had the ticket prices so high that the locals simply couldn't afford it. I know alot of people from around the world will be going to Africa but still, you need the South African people to get behind it and stamp their mark on the whole thing.
On the plus side... i'm glad to see they are giving away tickets for free/on the cheap to locals. In the cricket World Cup in the West Indies the stadiums were empty as the authorities had the ticket prices so high that the locals simply couldn't afford it. I know alot of people from around the world will be going to Africa but still, you need the South African people to get behind it and stamp their mark on the whole thing.
Hopefully it won't be too hot down there, we've seen what can happen if you keep having to re-lay pitches, things might not turn out right. Artificial pitches absolutely SUCK, I've got tons of scars from turf burn and all that lovely stuff, plus the pitch would basically melt during the heat. But you're right, maybe it is a mistake to host it there so soon.
Well, I personally think that too much is too much. Almost 1/4th of available tickets will be taken by South Africans, which can be a good thing, but that's crossing the line way too far. Let the South Africans into their matches. Give them 75% of available seats for whenever South Africa plays. Give them decent seats during all the other games, maybe 5,000 for the smaller stadiums and up to 10,000 for the biggest stadiums. This might sound strange to some, but if I wanted to watch two teams play, I wouldn't want some random people in the stands that don't have any interest in either team! If say, Holland and Argentina are playing, I don't want the entire stadium to be filled with South Africans, I want it to be filled with Dutch and Argie people. Not a bunch of South African people who could potentially damage the atmosphere. The same thing has happened a few times when I go out to watch a match, and it's annoying. Last summer, when I went to see the USA play Argentina, about 5,000 or so Mexicans showed up, with the Mexican flag, the face painted; the whole 9 yards. They were even doing the Mexico Mexico chant, which kind of bothered me. During the game, they were waving the Mexican flag, and acting like their national team was playing. It was kind of annoying, they basically took over the atmosphere and did things their way, and both the American crowd and the Argie crowd were pretty pissed, it was the whole "you have no interest in either team, you dislike both teams, the match is in the middle of New Jersey, so what the f**k are you doing here besides ruining a good atmosphere?" kind of thing, imagine if a bunch of Independente fans showed up to a River-Boca match, or a bunch of Scouse showed up to a United-Chelsea match or so on and so fourth. I don't care if the tickets go 45-45-10 in terms of who gets what. I don't mind to see some South Africans get into any match. I just don't want them dominating the crowd percentage/makeup. And sadly, that's not how it'll happen. The way I see it, Sepp wants to subsidize those tickets and make everything more expensive for everyone else, just so he can say that South Africa worked. He's basically giving away some 200,000 tickets for nothing at all. The whole "hey look what I can do, maybe I'm not the dumbass that people say I am" attitude is kind of scary, as there are a ton of things that could go wrong, and a few of them probably will. And Sepp will think everything is going perfectly well. Ugh.
What the hell, I'll be there regardless, what should I complain about?!
Last edited:
9000tennis
Rookie
3-0 at home
1-3 away
6-1 to AaB over La Coruna!!!!
Man. City next.
I cannot believe this. I better go to sleep now... Lost for words...
1-3 away
6-1 to AaB over La Coruna!!!!
Man. City next.
I cannot believe this. I better go to sleep now... Lost for words...
Who are Manchester City?
skip1969
G.O.A.T.
well, i haven't really been paying attention to what's been going on for south africa. i've just been too busy these days, add to the fact that my club are a friggin' disaster this season . . . and well, football in general has fallen off the radar for me. silly, cos a friend of mine and i want to go to the world cup, he has some friends he wants to visit . . . and we haven't even made even the simplest plan as to what we are gonna do.
anyway, interesting info (nickc) about the ticket allotment. didn't know that. i guess it's one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't scenarios. usually everyone complains about the outrageous ticket prices, the scalping, the illegal ticket scams . . . i guess this time they can complain about all the people who got in for free.
you make a good point, maybe there are too many tickets for the locals. i agree that so much of the atmosphere comes from the two sets of opposing fans. you don't want to lose that, since it is such a huge part of the spectacle.
that was an interesting story about the usa/arg match in jersey. i must say i don't think i have ever been to a match that was taken over by fans of a team that wasn't even playing. odd. maybe they just didn't have anywhere else to go. heh
anyway, interesting info (nickc) about the ticket allotment. didn't know that. i guess it's one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't scenarios. usually everyone complains about the outrageous ticket prices, the scalping, the illegal ticket scams . . . i guess this time they can complain about all the people who got in for free.
you make a good point, maybe there are too many tickets for the locals. i agree that so much of the atmosphere comes from the two sets of opposing fans. you don't want to lose that, since it is such a huge part of the spectacle.
that was an interesting story about the usa/arg match in jersey. i must say i don't think i have ever been to a match that was taken over by fans of a team that wasn't even playing. odd. maybe they just didn't have anywhere else to go. heh
Breaker
Legend
Another great home performance, Dunney Monster and Nedum had Agbonlahor in their pockets all night and Sweep was a constant threat, missed him greatly last few league games.
Villa tanking UEFA Cup doesn't look so smart now, absolutely no gain from that move by O'Neil. Disgrace to the competition and now only 3 points away from Arsenal.
Here we come to Istanbul!
Villa tanking UEFA Cup doesn't look so smart now, absolutely no gain from that move by O'Neil. Disgrace to the competition and now only 3 points away from Arsenal.
Here we come to Istanbul!
ProStaffTour90
Rookie
Arsh hasn't been that bad, to be honest! I saw him play at the weekend and he looked alright! Maybe he'll turn out decent at Arsenal.
Becks is a joke, IMO.
ProStaffTour90
Rookie
Yeh... if you count being succesful at 3 of the biggest clubs in the world in all 3 of the worlds best leagues, and the joint highest capped outfield player for England a joke.
Especially at Real and AC where the fans made no secret of the fact they didn't think they needed him.... then in a matter of weeks after they've seen him play they fall in love with him.
I really can't see how anyone can dislike the bloke...
Especially at Real and AC where the fans made no secret of the fact they didn't think they needed him.... then in a matter of weeks after they've seen him play they fall in love with him.
I really can't see how anyone can dislike the bloke...
SempreSami
Hall of Fame
Arshavin is the most overrated player on the planet at the moment, Zenit's UEFA Cup campaign was more down to Pogrebnyak last season, only people didn't see him because he was suspended for the final and injured at Euro 2008.
I dislike him because he whines and moans and acts like he's bigger than LA Galaxy. No matter the fact that he just might be, he signed a contract and that's that. As an American I can't stand the fact that some guy walks in to our league (no matter how good or bad it is), collects the cash that he did, didn't put ANY effort in whatsoever (during the 3 or 4 times when he actually didn't mope on the bench "injured", he sat around in midfield waiting for something to happen) and has the audacity to complain and asks for a transfer. What else did he want? He asked for the cash. He got it. He asked to play in the center of the park in an attacking role. He was put there (although he didn't do anything, he had the playmaker's role but rarely even moved and never had any great performances) and no questions were asked. He got all his endorsements, got to hang out with Tom Cruise and all the "A-Listers" and still didn't achieve anything, and sure as hell can't claim to have tried to achieve anything while on the pitch. And as soon as he goes off to Milan, he starts to try again? What nonsense! And now he's upset that he's going back to LA and he whines about it. You've got a contract, you honor it. End of story. Milan had the option of keeping him. They offered 1.5 million Euros. Not even a million dollars. Becks sold over 250,000 shirts in his first month with LA, which at about 85 a pop made LA more cash than Milan offered. Hell, Milan has probably made tenfold in the past few months in Asia alone selling Beckham shirts. LA told Milan and Becks that if somebody put out 10 million Euros, or ponied up Scheva, he'd be on his way. Nobody put up the cash, not even David himself, so he stays in LA. AC Milan has the money, David Beckham has the money, so why complain? There was an option, and you didn't take it. Shut up and don't complain.
Still bitter that Russia qualified for Euro2008 and England didn't? Anyway, you can blast him all you want, but you've got to admit, he hasn't been too bad so far. In fact, I think he's just what Arsenal need at the moment. I think his style of play really fits in with Arsene's in the grand scheme of things, and I don't think he'll be a total waste.
Last edited:
SoBad
G.O.A.T.
No, I am just not as knowledgeable on football as you are, so my commentary needed solid footing, and I think that much was accomplished!
And by the way, I did not mean that in any way that would belittle Beckham, so... And Arshavin has the best acceleration ever, better than Nadal.
SempreSami
Hall of Fame
Why would I care what happened to England? Arshavin is still overrated.
Because you're English? They qualified, and your lot didn't?
You're right, but he's still a damn good player, and has done well in his first few games with Arsenal. I don't see what you've got against him.
SempreSami
Hall of Fame
Because nobody mentions Pogrebnyak.
Well, to Andrei's defense, I've never seen Pogrebnyak play, and I don't watch the Russian Premier League, so there you have it. I can only make judgments based off what I've seen, read, and heard, and I haven't seen, red, or heard much of him.
And why someone rates one player is no reason to not rate another one.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
I think you overestimate the love for the National side, nobody really cares alot about it and to be honest, they seem to enjoy laughing at it rather than supporting it.
You've seen the way the crowed boo the players, why would your average football fan who follows a team week in week out like Hartlepool say, really care what Heskey and Downing do for England? They'd much rather see the team they support go on a great cup run or move up a division than see England doing well on the International stage.
If someone said to me that my team can win the League next year, but England will have to sit out the World Cup in Africa.. i'd bite their hand off!
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
I thought it was very good if i'm honest. Cech seems to be back to his best and the defence is back solid again, Lampard is probably behind only Vidic in Player of the Year, Essien is back, Drogba looks like he wants to play etc...
The only thing wrong was the wide players, Kalou and Malouda were absolutely awful. If you ask anyone when Chelsea have played their best this year it's been when the full backs have been really high up, so when they get pushed back (as teams have realised) the likes of Kalou and Malouda aren't going to be able to hurt them.
Quaresma was great when he came on and to be fair to him, he was against Portsmouth too in midweek. Chelsea are brilliant when they have someone who can do something out wide and surely Hiddink has to start him in all the domestic games from now on.
That's the thing, though. Phil was great because he set up the lads in a way that allowed them to control the ball and allow the wing backs (Cole and Bosingwa) to push really far into the attacking zone and that allowed the wingers to get much closer to the box thus giving Drogs and Anelka more options. The Dutch style of football doesn't really call for attacking backs, rather just players that can push forward and keep possession within the attacking third, as opposed to the Brazilian style of play, where the wing backs carry a lot of responsibility for not only the defensive aspect, but in pushing forward and really going at it in the final third with crosses and stuff like that (see Roberto Carlos). Guus doesn't see things that way, I think. Quaresma was good when I saw him, but nothing special or noteworthy. But then again, that's more than Kalou (who shouldn't even be playing at the pub league level) or Malouda (who wouldn't have made my high school Freshman team) have ever or will ever amount to.
Chelsea need a better supporting cast in terms of wide midfielders, IMO. I reckon Ben Arfa could come in, and maybe David Silva, which would be excellent.
But the one thing is that although Phil and Guus play attacking football, their ideas on how to achieve that are totally different. Phil's Brazil teams relied on creativity that started at the back, and worked it's way forward until there was 7 or 8 attacking players around the box and able to do something with the ball. Guus's Holland, Korea, Russia, and to an extent, Australian teams all had the creative wingers playing more forward roles, with the defense not going as deep into the attacking third than Phil's teams. The creative force was always in the front, and started in the middle of the park, and worked it's way forward with quick passes and plenty of power, and eventually to the forwards, with one or two guys who could finish anything put in front of them. Phil's teams played using the defenders in a much more attacking role, as they'd hold up play while the entire midfield and striking unit filled up the box, then they'd sprint down the wings and bomb in crosses, and eventually someone would be on the end of a cross to bury it in the back of the net.
What I'm trying to say is that maybe what Scolari had in mind when he bought the players he did is a whole lot different than what Hiddink has in mind, and we might not get the best of both; rather the b a s t a r d child of the two.
Last edited:
Breaker
Legend
Let's all laugh at man united for this topic http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=249376.
I'd rather not talk about the scum but honestly Champs League is too much for them and FA Cup I think won't fall to them either.
One thing that is certain is CITY for UEFA Cup!
I'd rather not talk about the scum but honestly Champs League is too much for them and FA Cup I think won't fall to them either.
One thing that is certain is CITY for UEFA Cup!
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
Liverpool were awesome, they were so strong physically and the pace they played at was outstanding. As a Chelsea fan I know all about Liverpool in Europe and how good they actually are and to be honest, Real Madrid got a real lesson.
As for Chelsea, strange game! Drogba's free kick was over the line for a start, the penalty was certainly a penalty so no complaints there, Chiellini was rightfully sent off. We played very well as a team and the individual performances were fantastic, Cech really is back to his best, the defence did well, Lampard, Essien and Ballack all worked together very well, Anelka had his best game for us out wide and Drogba continued his comeback.
Juventus played very well too and I think it shows the rest of Europe how to go up against English teams, you have to attack them and risk leaving yourself open at the back because if you sit back and don't go for it like we've seen Madrid and Inter do in the last few weeks, you're going to get a bit of a beating.
Indeed I am from Ireland.........what does that have to do with me supporting Arsenal?
Apart from most of Ireland supporting United or Liverpool. Dirty scum :evil: lol
The pool really tore apart Real tonight~!
We better beat Roma tommorow night.
I'm thinking maybe the FA Cup is coming to the Emirates this season..........
My dad supports Arsenal and the Arsenal were playing United in the league..........it was 2001 I think, the year when we beat them 1-0 at Highbury and Henry was at the edge of the box, back to goal, flicked it up, turned and shot and lobbed it into the top corner over Barthez' head.
I fell in love with Arsenal's style of play after that match, I loved it. So, I guess my dad had an influence on it because if he hadn't had that match on that day I probably would never have seen it. Die hard fan ever since. Even shed a few tears after the Champions League final
But I'm emotional, I shed a few during and after the Wimbledon final when Roger lost aswell That's the reason I suppose.
Bring on the Roma tonight~!
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
I fell in love with Arsenal's style of play after that match, I loved it. So, I guess my dad had an influence on it because if he hadn't had that match on that day I probably would never have seen it. Die hard fan ever since. Even shed a few tears after the Champions League final
That's the reason I suppose.
Bring on the Roma tonight~!
Let's hope you never have to know what it feels like to lose it on penalties then!
Let's hope you never have to know what it feels like to lose it on penalties then!
I cried after that match. I hate Manchester United.
sapient007
Semi-Pro
please bring becks back to europe. I've never seen a man cry this much on national TV
Who the hell are Manchester City?
Kidding. Did you hear that Valencia confirmed that they were in talks to sell Villa to your lot? Sure, he'd get a nice paycheck, but why would a winner of Euro 2008 want to spend the prime of his athletic ability sitting on a bench in the Championship?
Breaker
Legend
Who the hell are Manchester City?
Kidding. Did you hear that Valencia confirmed that they were in talks to sell Villa to your lot? Sure, he'd get a nice paycheck, but why would a winner of Euro 2008 want to spend the prime of his athletic ability sitting on a bench in the Championship?
Yep also we were in talks over Eto'o and those will come full circle by summer, they're in a huge financial crisis and are almost forced to sell Silva, Villa, or both - and if we can win the UEFA Cup and also qualify again for next year whilst also building up on the already strong squad we have now it'll be about challengin the top 4 sooner rather than later.
He'd join us cause we are growing and with stability at the top threatening the best clubs in Europe and becoming one is likely. If he doesn't work out it doesn't matter too much, we've got other targets waiting in the wings along with a superstar in the making Danny Sturridge and the tank Big Phil.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
You ain't getting Villa haha, nooooooo way.
Valencia's chance of selling one or both of the players is 100% come this summer. City's chance of signing one or both is a solid 0% on a good day. And talks with Eto'o, you'd think someone would leave Barcelona, the biggest club in the world, to go to a tiny circus sideshow like Manchester City?
Now you're getting a bit too delusional, don't you think?
Stability? I could have sworn you were calling for Hughes' head a few weeks ago... And from what I've read on the BBC, a good deal of Citizens were as well. How can you have stability when you've got a trillionaire for a owner, wobbly (at best) form in the league, a fans who have no trust in the manager, and fans with unreasonable expectations?
You're kidding, right? City, a team whose biggest accomplishment in the last 10 years was winning the Coca-Cola Championship, one of the best clubs in Europe? Hell, I think City should focus on becoming a successful club, then a big club (this step will take awhile, City are nowhere near being a "big club") and then after consistently getting into (and going far in) the Champions League year-in-year-out, then you'll be one of the best in Europe.
SaunderS
Professional
Im annoyed about City being so rich. They're trying to get players who would never want to go to Man City. Like Robinho. He was perfectly happy at Real, scored plenty goals, and on a very good wage. I'm happy seeing Kaka play for Milan, Villa playing for Valencia, E'eto playin for Barca. Leave these kids alone, they're all doin perfectly well where they are.
Breaker
Legend
You cut out a lot of my post, not surprising but just shows sometimes people read what they want to read.
First off, if you read my previous posts I am one of the few who have supported Hughes and feel that he should stay for a long time. Honestly I was apalled by the number of so called fans who were calling for his head after a bad patch. Also I said THREATENING the best clubs as in looking to break into our top 4 and then looking to have a squad capable of having success with trophies.
All the rest from what I can see is more of the same hate since the owner took over, oh well we shall see in a few years what happens. Right now I'm just happy with the positive progress. I agree with Fena that he'll probably stay in Spain but realistically the only clubs that can afford him in England are Chelsea and City (well, United also, but they already have enough strikers and are £900m in debt).
For now let's all laugh at Man United.
Couldn't agree more. Loosing to Liverpool 1-4 at Old Trafford? Quintuple my ass.
Who the f**k are Manchester United?
Breaker
Legend
..HA................................................................HA
..HA...........................................................HA HA
..HA.......................................................HA.....HA
..HA...................................................HA.........HA
..HA...............................................HA.............HA
..HA..............HA.HA.HA.HA..........HA.HA.HA.HA.HAHAHA.HA
..HA................................................................HA
..HA................................................................HA
..HA................................................................HA
..HA................................................................HA
..HA................................................................HA
And image of the day from the Swamp..
SempreSami
Hall of Fame
It just so happened that everything that could happen, happened.
Any other day Vidic would've got his head on that long ball that Torres managed to get to and Evra doesn't normally dive in like that.
Only player to come out of that with any credit was Rooney.
Any other day Vidic would've got his head on that long ball that Torres managed to get to and Evra doesn't normally dive in like that.
Only player to come out of that with any credit was Rooney.
Giggs The Red Devil
Rookie
SAF said the better team lost. It sounds like an absurd at first, but after I thought about it for a while I decided that he’s right. Lucky sobs, shouldn’t Gerrard be in jail, btw?
