The TT Football Club

NickC · Mar 15, 2013

PSG - Barcelona
Dortmund - Malaga
Real Madrid - Galatasary
Bayern Munich - Juve

I think Barcelona, Dortmund, Madrid and Juve will advance.

Juve's tie with Bayern is the most appealing, that looks to be a great two matches. I think Juve will pip them in Turin and draw in Munich. (now that I've said this, expect the opposite to happen!) Tactically it looks really interesting as Bayern play a very attacking game and Juve are a classic counterattacking side. The decider will probably end up being Pirlo, as usual. He'll find acres of space when Bayern go on the attack and expose themselves in the midfield. Juve's wingers and attackers are fast enough to really hurt Bayern on the break.

What do you lot think of the draw?

PED · Mar 15, 2013

Interesting that no one of the Spanish teams are drawn against each other thus increasing uefas chance of a Spanish winner, seemed like the English sides were always drawing each other.

If bayern has their full squad back for the juve tie, I think Bayern will take it. Not having Schweini for the return arsenal leg hurt but I think bayern have too much quality for juve. Either way, you're right, it will be a great game to watch.

Real vs Gala, really.....what a joke. Same thing with barca and PSG. Pencil those through now

SempreSami · Mar 15, 2013

Chelsea - Rubin oooh yeeeeeeeah

PureAlph4 · Mar 15, 2013

PED said:
Interesting that no one of the Spanish teams are drawn against each other thus increasing uefas chance of a Spanish winner, seemed like the English sides were always drawing each other.

Real vs Gala, really.....what a joke. Same thing with barca and PSG. Pencil those through now

To be fair to Real, they've pretty much had the hardest possible route to get to the QFs, so in some way you can't begrudge them an easier draw. Got through a group with Dortmund, City and Ajax, and then had to play United in the R16.

Funny thing, though, is in the English media it's as if the draw for the QFs never happened. It's the showpiece tournament of the club game, yet most media groups have buried the QF ties out of sight. Why, as soon as the English clubs are knocked out, is the assumption made that the CL is not 'newsworthy' and that all domestic football fans are parochial, insular, jingoistic numbskulls?

There was the same hypocrisy on show with the legitimacy of the 'away goals' rule after the Arsenal vs Bayern game being questioned, yet nothing being said after Spurs benefited from it the following evening (in an even more skewed form, after 120 minutes).

PED · Mar 15, 2013

PureAlph4 said:
To be fair to Real, they've pretty much had the hardest possible route to get to the QFs, so in some way you can't begrudge them an easier draw. Got through a group with Dortmund, City and Ajax, and then had to play United in the R16.

I totally agree and Real is who I'm pulling for, I had my cynical hat on earlier, plus I'm still pi$$ed about the ridiculous Nani red card and I'm certainly not a Utd fan. I thought Alex did a great job on his tactics til the card over both legs and felt he was robbed a bit.

Still not sure where I come down on the away goals rule: I thought we did well to bring it back to 3-3 after both legs.

Not making excuses but I will say that we would have done better on a decent pitch-it looked like a skating rink out there. Not as bad as the "beach" they had on both wings at the San Siro last year though

Feña14 · Mar 15, 2013

SempreSami said:
Chelsea - Rubin oooh yeeeeeeeah

Are they any good? I know they have M'Vila and that Rondon who alot of teams looked at last year. Apart from that I don't know alot about them.

PureAlph4 said:
To be fair to Real, they've pretty much had the hardest possible route to get to the QFs, so in some way you can't begrudge them an easier draw. Got through a group with Dortmund, City and Ajax, and then had to play United in the R16.

Funny thing, though, is in the English media it's as if the draw for the QFs never happened. It's the showpiece tournament of the club game, yet most media groups have buried the QF ties out of sight. Why, as soon as the English clubs are knocked out, is the assumption made that the CL is not 'newsworthy' and that all domestic football fans are parochial, insular, jingoistic numbskulls?

There was the same hypocrisy on show with the legitimacy of the 'away goals' rule after the Arsenal vs Bayern game being questioned, yet nothing being said after Spurs benefited from it the following evening (in an even more skewed form, after 120 minutes).

I looked on the BBC sports website after work to find out the draws for both competitions. The Europa League was one of the top stories, which I suppose is understandable considering nearly half the teams left are English. I had to do a search to find out the Champions League draw though.

SempreSami · Mar 15, 2013

PureAlph4 said:
Funny thing, though, is in the English media it's as if the draw for the QFs never happened. It's the showpiece tournament of the club game, yet most media groups have buried the QF ties out of sight. Why, as soon as the English clubs are knocked out, is the assumption made that the CL is not 'newsworthy' and that all domestic football fans are parochial, insular, jingoistic numbskulls?

Just because you had to scroll down a bit on the sports page you think there's no coverage?

SempreSami · Mar 15, 2013

Feña14 said:
Are they any good? I know they have M'Vila and that Rondon who alot of teams looked at last year. Apart from that I don't know alot about them.

They'll most likely line up in a 4-5-1 looking to score first and then shut the game down, as they managed away at Atletico when down to ten men.

NickC · Mar 15, 2013

SempreSami said:
They'll most likely line up in a 4-5-1 looking to score first and then shut the game down, as they managed away at Atletico when down to ten men.

Well to be fair to Atletico it was more because of a stupid decision to bring up their keeper in the first leg.

I think their most famous claim to fame is drawing Barcelona two consecutive years and giving them a game for all 4 matches, including drawing them at the Nou Camp in that first year and beating them in Russia.

Plus they have wicked kits, by and far the best sponsor on a football shirt I've ever seen:

That is awesome.

Feña14 · Mar 15, 2013

NickC said:
Well to be fair to Atletico it was more because of a stupid decision to bring up their keeper in the first leg.

I think their most famous claim to fame is drawing Barcelona two consecutive years and giving them a game for all 4 matches, including drawing them at the Nou Camp in that first year and beating them in Russia.

Plus they have wicked kits, by and far the best sponsor on a football shirt I've ever seen:

That is awesome.

Really? It looks like the shirt for the womens team! With some kind of golden unicorn on the chest. Or maybe they're sponsored by My Little Pony? Who knows

NickC · Mar 15, 2013

Feña14 said:
Really? It looks like the shirt for the womens team! With some kind of golden unicorn on the chest. Or maybe they're sponsored by My Little Pony? Who knows

HAHAHA

Yeah that was my original reaction but i did some searching and it's actually TAIF-NK, which is a massive oil refining company. The image is of a Pegasus.

Anaconda · Mar 15, 2013

NickC said:
With the exception of an in-form Barcelona, they're not - you are absolutely right about that. I'd venture as far as saying that outside of the big two in Spain, English clubs are just as good if not better than the rest - and yes, this does include the likes of Malaga, Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla, etc... Real can also be beaten on their day, it is definitely possible if the tactics are right.

There is quality in the Bundesliga but there's nothing that suggests that the lesser clubs in Germany (Hamburg, Bremen, etc...) are anywhere near comparable to similar sized clubs in England.

The only major difference is the quality of the youth coming through the academies, which is where England lags behind.

The only team who could beat an in-form Barca would be the Real Madrid team of 2002-2003 when they had Roberto Carlos, Zidane, Figo, Guti, Ronaldo, Makelele, Morentes, Raul, Salgado, Cambiasso, Casillias, Hierro, Helguera (basically every best player for that position).

Feña14 · Mar 15, 2013

Anaconda said:
The only team who could beat an in-form Barca would be the Real Madrid team of 2002-2003 when they had Roberto Carlos, Zidane, Figo, Guti, Ronaldo, Makelele, Morentes, Raul, Salgado, Cambiasso, Casillias, Hierro, Helguera (basically every best player for that position).

Or Chelsea last year

Anaconda · Mar 15, 2013

Feña14 said:
Or Chelsea last year

Ok fair point; Let me change my statement to...............

'Real Madrd in 2002/03 would be the only team capable of beating an in-form Barcelona by outplaying them'.

Chelsea got outplayed in every match in the Champions League last year. The gods smiled down on them, that's for sure, I think Barca completely outplayed Chelsea, but Munich was even a bigger joke. How on earth they won that tournament I do not know.

Ross K · Mar 16, 2013

I totally agree and Real is who I'm pulling for, I had my cynical hat on earlier, plus I'm still pi$$ed about the ridiculous Nani red card and I'm certainly not a Utd fan. I thought Alex did a great job on his tactics til the card over both legs and felt he was robbed a bit.

+ 2 on that.

Really? It looks like the shirt for the womens team! With some kind of golden unicorn on the chest. Or maybe they're sponsored by My Little Pony? Who knows

Haha, "My Little Pony!"

Chelsea got outplayed in every match in the Champions League last year. The gods smiled down on them, that's for sure, I think Barca completely outplayed Chelsea, but Munich was even a bigger joke. How on earth they won that tournament I do not know.

I agree, but that added element (call it 'luck' or whatever) can't be legislated for; especially when it's allied to great tactics, superb defensive resilience and organisation, marvellous finishing, and unbreakable spirit.:wink:

Feña14 · Mar 16, 2013

Ross K said:
I agree, but that added element (call it 'luck' or whatever) can't be legislated for; especially when it's allied to great tactics, superb defensive resilience and organisation, marvellous finishing, and unbreakable spirit.:wink:

That's the one! We just played rope-a-dope with Barcelona really, toying with them if you like. Eventually Ramires decided to show them what he could do (after Terry decided to give them a chance by getting himself sent off), yet they were still 2 goals short of making the final

Ross K · Mar 16, 2013

Feña14 said:
That's the one! We just played rope-a-dope with Barcelona really, toying with them if you like. Eventually Ramires decided to show them what he could do (after Terry decided to give them a chance by getting himself sent off), yet they were still 2 goals short of making the final

Oh gawd, don't go reminding us all about that calamitous 'challenge' !

... actually, now I'm recalling Drogba in full peek-a-boo, not exactly Oscar-winning, amateur dramatics form last year... Fena, I take back the praise!

SempreSami · Mar 16, 2013

I don't remember sponsor logos dictating male/female football kits. Nurnberg had Mr*Lady Jeans for a shirt sponsor a few years back. Plus that's an old Rubin kit, here's the current one, same sponsor, being worn by ex-Chelsea player Gokhan Tore. They've got a new badge as well, but what is it with all these new ones looking very similar? The design agency that does them must be raking the money in.

NickC · Mar 16, 2013

Credit to Everton!

Mancini surely is on the out now, he got his tactics completely wrong. Hell, even his assistant on the touchline spent the entire second half trying to tell him so.

The ref wasn't good either, that goal wasn't offside and Tevez deserved a spot kick as it clearly hit off Felliani's hand. The final score should have been Everton 3-1 City

PED · Mar 16, 2013

I'm feeling a Hammers win tomorrow after they let me down against spurs the other week. Good news is that Chelsea doesn't have Bale.

norbac · Mar 16, 2013

Cazorla was great in that game, really took control. Diaby was terrible, he keeps possession of the ball for too long and does absolutely nothing with it. He really seemed to slow the team down.

I am starting to believe in Ramsey though, he's put in a couple of solid performances for a few weeks now.

Feña14 · Mar 16, 2013

PED said:
I'm feeling a Hammers win tomorrow after they let me down against spurs the other week. Good news is that Chelsea doesn't have Bale.

Unfortunately for West Ham, we have Mata instead! The player Bale one day hope's to become

NickC · Mar 16, 2013

Feña14 said:
Unfortunately for West Ham, we have Mata instead! The player Bale one day hopes to become

So true. Bale is amazing but the way Spurs' play flows through him is night and day different to how Chelsea's play flows through Mata. Bale's approach is much more direct and faster than Mata's, which is fine for what Spurs want to do and how they want to attack, but I prefer the amazing passing range, skills, technical ability and patience of Mata. He is Chelsea's most influential player by a mile.

I'd take him over Bale any day of the week.

Feña14 · Mar 16, 2013

NickC said:
So true. Bale is amazing but the way Spurs' play flows through him is night and day different to how Chelsea's play flows through Mata. Bale's approach is much more direct and faster than Mata's, which is fine for what Spurs want to do and how they want to attack, but I prefer the amazing passing range, skills, technical ability and patience of Mata. He is Chelsea's most influential player by a mile.

I'd take him over Bale any day of the week.

I think it's a very interesting comparison. Bale reminds me of Ronaldo in alot of ways. They both have a similar build, have great pace and power to go with their huge level of skill. Mata is more of a Messi kind of player, they are tiny but they make up for it with incredible skill levels, passing, technical ability, finishing etc..

In this season Mata and Bale have scored around the same (18 vs 21), but Mata obviously has far more assists. Spurs have played quite well this season, whilst Chelsea have been abysmal for periods. Mata has almost single handedly kept Chelsea in competitions and got us to a position in the League that I didn't expect to be in.

Another thing that sets Mata apart is what he has already achieved in the game, he's won a World Cup, Euro's, Champions League etc.. I know cirumstances are different for Bale, but Mata has been there and done it on the biggest stages of all. Bale may well go on to do that, but as of yet, he has not.

NickC · Mar 16, 2013

Feña14 said:
I think it's a very interesting comparison. Bale reminds me of Ronaldo in alot of ways. They both have a similar build, have great pace and power to go with their huge level of skill. Mata is more of a Messi kind of player, they are tiny but they make up for it with incredible skill levels, passing, technical ability, finishing etc..

Yeah I think you're on the right track...Bale has the speed and power of Ronaldo but not the ability to use the other foot well, nor does he have the bag of tricks Ronaldo brings with him to the pitch (I don't ever think I've seen Bale attempt a stepover much less try to trick his opponent) but their physicality and presence on the pitch is almost identical. The space they occupy on the pitch is very similar too, but I think Ronnie's base position is a bit more advanced, and a bit more in the center. Tactically speaking Ronnie is also, like Messi, more free to do as he pleases and given the ability to roam around the pitch as he sees fit to influence play where and when he can.

With Mata, he's more confined positionally than Messi but that might have something more to do with Chelsea's tactics and the fact that Messi is given a free pass to position himself where he wants to and doesn't have to deal with the rigors of a very confined system where he'd have to play a specific role. I feel the main difference between the two is how they utilize the space around the box - Messi always looks to push it forward and find the slightest of spaces in which to operate (from there, he'd either shoot or make a pass as he is the one spearheading the movement) whereas Mata looks to pass things around a bit more to see if he can be the assistant rather than the executioner. He looks for runs ahead of him and to his sides before he takes a shot on goal.

Different approaches for different tactical systems.

Ross K · Mar 17, 2013

Spent hours in the boozer yesterday being abused by leery Arsenal fans (er, mainly family members

) repeatedly talking in eager tones of 'the wobble' and how it has well and truly begun (again) for Tottenham...

Fingers (and everything) crossed that Spurs don't lose today.

Feña14 · Mar 17, 2013

Ross K said:
Spent hours in the boozer yesterday being abused by leery Arsenal fans (er, mainly family members ) repeatedly talking in eager tones of 'the wobble' and how it has well and truly begun (again) for Tottenham...

Fingers (and everything) crossed that Spurs don't lose today.

It's possible I suppose. They have a young and relatively inexperienced manager, there aren't too many leaders in the dressing room it seems. They are young, it will come.

I think they will be fine though, they managed to do it last year and they are playing very well still. Have faith

Ross K · Mar 17, 2013

Feña14 said:
It's possible I suppose. They have a young and relatively inexperienced manager, there aren't too many leaders in the dressing room it seems. They are young, it will come.

I think they will be fine though, they managed to do it last year and they are playing very well still. Have faith

Yes, I have faith! (He says crossing himself, uttering 'hail Mary's', and reciting the Lord's Prayer, whilst performing the Haka in his living room. :lol: )

'The wobble' the gooners are of course referring to is the horrific precedent set last season by Redknapp after he'd had his head turned and we collapsed quicker than Gareth Bale entering the penalty area (oops. did I just say that?

) I know I go on about it a bit, but us Spurs fans are truly haunted by last years 'wobble'/collapse.

PED · Mar 17, 2013

Ross K said:
Spent hours in the boozer yesterday being abused by leery Arsenal fans (er, mainly family members ) repeatedly talking in eager tones of 'the wobble' and how it has well and truly begun (again) for Tottenham...

Fingers (and everything) crossed that Spurs don't lose today.

Your brother is a wise man :twisted:

NickC · Mar 17, 2013

Ross, it seems like your lot need divine inspiration at the moment.

norbac · Mar 17, 2013

Here we go again, Spurs. Arsenal only 4 behind and with a game in hand.

PED · Mar 17, 2013

So far so good, Fulham give us a hand now I need an Andy Carroll hat trick in the second.

Luiz seems terrified of going up against him. I guess they don't allow players to actually touch each other in Brazil though Ramieres doesn't seem to mind

PureAlph4 · Mar 17, 2013

SempreSami said:
Just because you had to scroll down a bit on the sports page you think there's no coverage?

I just thought it odd that up until two days prior the media were obsessed with the CL, yet a couple of days later news of the draw seemed to be bottom of the agenda, and had to be sought out in the same way as a tennis fan would need to in finding Murray's results from a Masters 1000 at any point before a final.

---------------------------

I think it's now a coin flip between Arsenal and Spurs to finish 4th, whereas after the NL derby it seemed to be over.

We're 4 behind with a game in hand against Reading at home.

Arsenal's remaining fixtures are: Reading (H), West Brom (A), Norwich (H), Everton (H), Fulham (A), United (H), QPR (A), Wigan (H), Newcastle (A)

Spurs' remaining fixtures: Swansea (A), Everton (H), Chelsea (A), City (H), Wigan (A), So'ton (H), Stoke (A), Sunderland (H).

Spurs definitely have a harder schedule, but we make hard work of every single game nowadays (essentially because we are now not that much better than most PL teams, including in terms of technical ability). Assuming we can beat Reading at home (a big assumption), then we really need to aim to be at least 3 point clear by the time United come to turn us over at the Emirates. That would mean four games in which to outscore Spurs by 4 points (in which they play Swansea, Everton, Chelsea and City), which is quite an ask.

If Spurs can get out of their recent slump they'll be OK, seeing as they're actually a better team than us at the moment. Hopefully they continue to struggle. :twisted:

Ross K · Mar 17, 2013

Some random p***** off thoughts here...

Okay, how about Adebeyor. He has contributed precisely zero for us this season... Z... E... R...O.

Minus Lennon, we really struggle.

Creativity in midfield? This (other areas too) highlights Levy's failures to address signings situation properly (again)... AVB has done extremely well IMO but over the long-term he can't be expected to routinely perform bloody miracles!

I begun being very underwhelmed by Dempsey and Siggy, revised that view more lately, but after today... jesus...

Defoe... OMG... good until the New Year, but woeful, certainly last few games.

I honestly think Arsenal have a stronger and deeper squad, better forward options and movement, plus their run in is easier.

Chelsea away... "Deep sigh"...

And thus the run in torture has well and truly begun.

Feña14 · Mar 17, 2013

I wouldn't panic just yet, Ross. It seems like the situation changes every week! Both Arsenal and Chelsea have looked like not making the top 4 in the past month, it only stands to reason that Spurs experience this at some point too.

Now Arsenal look like they have a great chance, whilst we've played well the last week and City seem to be on the slide. With a few games to go Chelsea could finish anywhere between 2nd, and 5th. There's still all to play for.

Deleted member 21996 · Mar 17, 2013

NickC said:
The poster of the video on youtube is an absolute troll. Nothing to see here.

Further, if you want a truly despicable action from your countryman, try noting that he attempted to pay off the mother of his son to never see the child again, a mere 5 weeks after birth. The way he got her pregnant (as
reported in the tabloids, so I'm taking this with a grain of salt) is kind of nasty too.

Oh nicky nicky.... how predictable you are on you rabid hatred. You should drop reading the daily express. It is clouding your thinking by introducing female hormones your reasoning and writing

Feña14 · Mar 17, 2013

NickC said:
What?! Dude Hazard has been great at times. Yeah he's not in top form every match but he's still young and has time and when he does decide to show his class he's amazing.

Lucas Piazon is the one for me who hasn't quite done it...yet, because he's only 19.

This was from a month ago, when I said Hazard had a great start, but seemed to tail off a bit after that. I said it was understandable as he's very young and this is his first season.

Looks like he must of seen it and decided to step things up again

he's been better than ever the last two weeks. If he can bring what he showed at the start, and is showing again now next season.. things are looking good.

I was interested to see our youth team win against Juventus yesterday aswell, a week or so after beating Barcelona. Semi's of the NextGen, on our way to defending the FA Youth Cup, it's good to see. There are players like Ake, Feruz, Baker, Kane who should be closer to the first team next year, along with the players out on loan (McEachran, Courtois, Chalobah, Piazon, Davila, De Bruyne, Cuevas, Wallace, Hazard). Markovic has signed a pre contract too I believe.

What's good is that these players seem to be in the same mold as the way the first team is trying to play these days. I think that's the key to getting more coming through, it's the way Barcelona and Bayern do it anyway.

NickC · Mar 17, 2013

Gorecki said:
Oh nicky nicky.... how predictable you are on you rabid hatred. You should drop reading the daily express. It is clouding your thinking by introducing female hormones your reasoning and writing

If I had more female hormones than male hormones in me I'd probably be professing my love for him.

NickC · Mar 17, 2013

Feña14 said:
This was from a month ago, when I said Hazard had a great start, but seemed to tail off a bit after that. I said it was understandable as he's very young and this is his first season.

Looks like he must of seen it and decided to step things up again he's been better than ever the last two weeks. If he can bring what he showed at the start, and is showing again now next season.. things are looking good.

I was interested to see our youth team win against Juventus yesterday aswell, a week or so after beating Barcelona. Semi's of the NextGen, on our way to defending the FA Youth Cup, it's good to see. There are players like Ake, Feruz, Baker, Kane who should be closer to the first team next year, along with the players out on loan (McEachran, Courtois, Chalobah, Piazon, Davila, De Bruyne, Cuevas, Wallace, Hazard). Markovic has signed a pre contract too I believe.

What's good is that these players seem to be in the same mold as the way the first team is trying to play these days. I think that's the key to getting more coming through, it's the way Barcelona and Bayern do it anyway.

We're going to be nasty next season. I've seen some of the youngsters too, I've caught highlights of the youth teams and I already knew of that Mexican kid we signed for the youth team. I've kept tabs on De Brunye too.

The competition for places in the first team will be insane. Hopefully we're set for the next decade or so, only few signings will really be needed bar freak injuries and whatnot. I wonder if Hazard's other two brothers (10 and 17 this year) will be making their way to the club anytime soon.

Feña14 · Mar 17, 2013

NickC said:
We're going to be nasty next season. I've seen some of the youngsters too, I've caught highlights of the youth teams and I already knew of that Mexican kid we signed for the youth team. I've kept tabs on De Brunye too.

The competition for places in the first team will be insane. Hopefully we're set for the next decade or so, only few signings will really be needed bar freak injuries and whatnot. I wonder if Hazard's other two brothers (10 and 17 this year) will be making their way to the club anytime soon.

De Bruyne has been doing very well in Germany, hopefully he can come back and replace Marin in the squad next year. Goalkeeper (Courtois), defence (Ake, Chalobah, Kane) and attacking/wide midfield is taken care of for the future. I'd like to get Shaw (who is a Chelsea fan) to be Cole's long term replacement, a striker, and of course a couple of midfielders are needed as there aren't really any coming through.

Hazard's 17 year old brother is already at the club, although I don't think a whole lot is really expected of him. I don't think anyone knows if the 10 year old is going to be good enough yet

i've said before that I think Hazard will probably only be here for 2-3 years before moving to Spain (possible a Ronaldo replacement for Madrid?).

PED · Mar 18, 2013

Anyone with thoughts on Rio and his on again/off again romance with Int'l football?

Is Jack Wilshire the new Michael Owen, always injured? Having said that,we've won two difficult games without him so maybe it's not a bad thing.

jimbo333 · Mar 18, 2013

So Rio Ferdinand currently winning my most pathetic footballer of the year award, although no doubt another footballer will soon do or say something more petty. But refusing to play for England giving the excuse of training to help an injury, when he had been banging on for months about not being picked, seemingly just to make a point to Hodgson is really pathetic in my opinion.

After all the support I (and many others) gave him during the whole Terry thing, as an England fan, I think Rio has really let his country down. He is now getting on in years, he will never be fit enough to play twice a week, surely he should retire from International football, what do others think?

NickC · Mar 18, 2013

Feña14 said:
De Bruyne has been doing very well in Germany, hopefully he can come back and replace Marin in the squad next year. Goalkeeper (Courtois), defence (Ake, Chalobah, Kane) and attacking/wide midfield is taken care of for the future. I'd like to get Shaw (who is a Chelsea fan) to be Cole's long term replacement, a striker, and of course a couple of midfielders are needed as there aren't really any coming through.

Marin is still at Chelsea? I know it's his first season and all, but he's made like 2 appearances.

Hazard's 17 year old brother is already at the club, although I don't think a whole lot is really expected of him. I don't think anyone knows if the 10 year old is going to be good enough yet i've said before that I think Hazard will probably only be here for 2-3 years before moving to Spain (possible a Ronaldo replacement for Madrid?).

There's 4 Hazards, Thorgan is with Chelsea as well but out on loan, he's 19 though. There's one who is 17 and is at Lille and the youngest is somewhere in Belgium. I hope they'll all be at Chelsea soon enough and stay for a while, but if Eden is off to Madrid and brings his brothers with him, we need to milk Madrid for all we can. If they're willing to drop 80 on Ronaldo when he's 25, a 23 year old Hazard should fetch a similar fee. 70 million will do.

Ross K · Mar 18, 2013

PED said:
Anyone with thoughts on Rio and his on again/off again romance with Int'l football?

Is Jack Wilshire the new Michael Owen, always injured? Having said that,we've won two difficult games without him so maybe it's not a bad thing.

Just seems like the type of shambolic gaffe-prone behaviour that seems to happen with England rather a lot.

Rio obviously favours prolonging Man U career and keeping Fergie sweet. Hodgson/England royally messed up re announcing him before proper consultation with player himself had occurred.

My abiding thought is actually not to do with merits of RF's call-up etc, but rather, the depressing general thought that there seems to be little new young talent emerging under Hodgson really. I'm not saying the PL is awash with youthful English players of dazzling brilliance, but Lampard, Rooney, Defoe, Parker, Cole, Ferdinand, whoever; these players he's opted for up until now - I don't know...

Re Wilshire, let's prey he doesn't turn into the new Michael Owen. Such a class quality player. And he's young too.

Feña14 · Mar 19, 2013

I agree about it being wrong to bring him back, only being able to play once a week is a real problem. It can't be good for the centre backs to play one game, when in the back of their mind they know they will be dropped for the next when Rio will come in. It's not healthy for the team.

I see Arsenal are linked with Cech this morning

it will be interesting to see what happens if Arsenal back it up in the summer. With Courtois getting a big reputation in Spain these last two years, it seems like only a matter of time before he's number 1 at Chelsea.

It will probably be the last chance to get big money for Cech, as well as Abramovich being keen on moving the big personalities out. Could be one to keep an eye on.

PED · Mar 19, 2013

Feña14 said:
It will probably be the last chance to get big money for Cech, as well as Abramovich being keen on moving the big personalities out. Could be one to keep an eye on.

I'd rather have Valdes or Begovic, too much baggage with Cech.

jimbo333 · Mar 19, 2013

Ross K said:
Just seems like the type of shambolic gaffe-prone behaviour that seems to happen with England rather a lot.

Rio obviously favours prolonging Man U career and keeping Fergie sweet. Hodgson/England royally messed up re announcing him before proper consultation with player himself had occurred.

My abiding thought is actually not to do with merits of RF's call-up etc, but rather, the depressing general thought that there seems to be little new young talent emerging under Hodgson really. I'm not saying the PL is awash with youthful English players of dazzling brilliance, but Lampard, Rooney, Defoe, Parker, Cole, Ferdinand, whoever; these players he's opted for up until now - I don't know...

Re Wilshire, let's prey he doesn't turn into the new Michael Owen. Such a class quality player. And he's young too.

I don't know if you saw my post about Rio on the previous page?

Hodgson followed the correct procedure and all the players clubs were contacted the days before the squad were announced, and ManU didn't say anything about Rio's "training injury whatever". Rio is clearly not playing, just to get back at Hodgson for not picking him for the Euro's, it is pathetic.

In fact is Rio effectively the first ever English player to refuse to play for his country, after being picked? I know some players retire from international football, but he is not doing that, he is a disgrace. And don't forget these matches are important World Cup qualifiers, not just meaningless friendlies. Rio is playing really well at the moment, unlike at the beginning of the season, and would be important to have in the more difficult of the 2 qualifiers next week.

And this is coming from someone that supported him throughout the whole Terry thing last year!

forthegame · Mar 19, 2013

Calm down jimbo! No big deal. IIRC, SAF did mention all the stuff you're railing against. Injury, fitness, training regime etc.

As an outsider, I have no clue what's gone on behind the scenes.

jimbo333 · Mar 19, 2013

forthegame said:
Calm down jimbo! No big deal. IIRC, SAF did mention all the stuff you're railing against. Injury, fitness, training regime etc.

As an outsider, I have no clue what's gone on behind the scenes.

Haha, yes I calmed myself down by posting some Dunlop prototype racket photos in the rackets section

Thinking about it now though, I think Hodgson may have played it well here. He has picked Rio to see if he will play. He won't. So Hodgson has no reason to pick him anymore if he doesn't want to, as Rio himself is saying that he isn't fit enough for multiple matches in tournament football.

My only worry is Montenegro next week, as we could have done with Rio for that game, never mind.

Ross K · Mar 19, 2013

jimbo333 said:
I don't know if you saw my post about Rio on the previous page?

Hodgson followed the correct procedure and all the players clubs were contacted the days before the squad were announced, and ManU didn't say anything about Rio's "training injury whatever". Rio is clearly not playing, just to get back at Hodgson for not picking him for the Euro's, it is pathetic.

In fact is Rio effectively the first ever English player to refuse to play for his country, after being picked? I know some players retire from international football, but he is not doing that, he is a disgrace. And don't forget these matches are important World Cup qualifiers, not just meaningless friendlies. Rio is playing really well at the moment, unlike at the beginning of the season, and would be important to have in the more difficult of the 2 qualifiers next week.

And this is coming from someone that supported him throughout the whole Terry thing last year!

If it's all just to get back at Roy, then that's totally lame. As I said before though, I'm more concerned that we're still playing all these old timers. I mean Ferdinand was brilliant in his day, world class... but that was like years and years ago.

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