^ yep, Welcome Villa to the Top 4

12/23/2008 5:45:30 PM

yeah Arsenal have been decimated by injuries.

12/24/2008 1:00:09 AM

excuse us all,

ARSELOL

12/24/2008 2:01:37 AM

oops sorry Arsenlol

12/24/2008 11:05:36 AM

12/24/2008 12:26:42 PM

damn I didn't realize Dempsey had a brace against Chelsea

swweeet




America, fuck yeah

12/29/2008 8:55:38 AM

woot

in other news, gerrard arrested late last night after possibly being involved in a brawl

i havent read up on it too much yet, just kind of saw a glimpse of something

12/29/2008 12:58:50 PM

Gerrard is gonna get away with this shit, just because he's a star and he's been a media darling his whole career.

Whatever, it doesn't even matter, because he produces for England.

1/1/2009 9:41:36 PM

a scouse?

FIGHT?

bah!

1/1/2009 10:17:22 PM

Wayne Bridge to City

1/2/2009 12:42:43 PM

apparently Villarreal turned down an Everton offer for Jozy...

1/8/2009 10:00:11 AM

^^and now hes going to make more than prob 95% of the league at city even though he hasnt played in years....

^interesting, anyone know what jozy is doing over there in spain? i have no idea what kind of minutes he's getting, likely none...

1/8/2009 10:30:53 AM

Hmm.. a handful of appearances, scored 1 league goal as a sub.. I think he's started a couple of games as well

He's like 4th on the depth chart behind a prety solid group of forwards -- the only reason he's been getting minutes at all is because they've all taken turns being injured.

It's pretty obvious he's in their long-term plans though, so I'm cool with his lack of playing time. I'd also rather see him stay in Spain and develop his technical side a bit more instead of just out-muscling cats.

1/8/2009 10:43:53 AM

i think its gonna be really good for jozy playing with all of the talent on villarreal. it'll suck for him when he has to come back and play for the usa with the likes of brian ching instead of rossi. also i hate giusseppi rossi for choosing to play for italy over the usa. we would be so good with him.

hopefully freddy will start getting more minutes for monaco, theyre in the bottom half of ligue 1 i dont know why they don't play him more.

1/8/2009 10:52:42 AM

he started and earned a penalty in a friendly against Juventus recently

hopefully it translates into more starts

1/8/2009 11:07:53 AM

Ronaldo wrecks his Ferrari 999 GTB

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/football/01/08/ronaldo.crash/index.html?eref=edition

1/8/2009 1:42:21 PM

thought everyone would want to see this


Manchester United v. Chelsea Sunday Brunch at Hibernian (1/11)
http://soccerblogs.net/blog/post/231630/manchester_united_v_chelsea_sunday_brunch_at_hibernian_111

Please join Triangle Soccer Fanatics for the 2nd big clash of the year between Manchester United and Chelsea on Sunday, January 11th.
We'll be gathering at the Hibernian Pub in Cary (1144 Kildaire Farm Rd.). The match kicks off at 11:00am and Hibernian will be serving their awesome all-you-can eat Sunday brunch made up of an array of hot and cold foods that typically includes Eggs Benedict, Irish bangers, smoked Scottish salmon with traditional accompaniments, crisp bacon, waffles and pancakes, biscuits and gravy, salads, fresh fruit, breakfast breads and freshly baked desserts.

TriSoccerFan @ Jan 08, 2009 08:34 PM EST | Blog Profile

Tags: Events
http://soccerblogs.net/blog/post/231630/manchester_united_v_chelsea_sunday_brunch_at_hibernian_111

1/9/2009 7:14:04 PM

that's a pretty cool deal

1/9/2009 7:17:53 PM

UNITED


UNITED


UNITED

1/11/2009 1:43:00 PM

good crowd at Hibernian today. First time I have been

1/11/2009 5:42:38 PM

Quote :

"UNITED UNITED UNITED"

1/11/2009 7:46:12 PM

ronaldo takes home fifa world player of the year...im pretty sure he took every individual award he couldve this year..

VIVA RONALDO!!

1/12/2009 8:20:12 PM

BIG DEAL!

1/12/2009 10:51:16 PM

lol amac is mad...and tuff!

youre just upset arsenlol is falling out of the big 4.

1/12/2009 11:53:20 PM

Quote :

"come say the shit you said about me and my friends on TWW to my face"

1/13/2009 9:12:23 AM

anyways, i just got back from ruckus and beat up everyone who was in there because when i asked who Arsene Wenger was no one spoke up...thats just how it is

1/13/2009 2:14:27 PM

the new man city owners are out of control.

an aparent 110m pounds for kaka

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=609872&sec=transfers&cc=3888

1/15/2009 2:32:40 PM

i think they may actually attempt to buy every player in the world

1/15/2009 5:01:15 PM

and yet they are still going to be relegated

1/15/2009 5:20:38 PM

^ I doubt that

1/15/2009 5:32:03 PM

they are trying their hardest

1/15/2009 5:35:37 PM

i would laugh my ass off if city got relegated...


utd hit with the injury bug, rooney and evra out for several weeks . Good chance for Tevez to prove his worth

1/15/2009 7:47:07 PM

The two posts from 1/13 - the funniest posts in the history of soccer threads on TWW


^ Carlito's as good as gone, man. Either in the next few weeks or at the end of the season for sure. Rumor is SAF's got his heart set on Karim Benzema.

[Edited on January 16, 2009 at 12:37 AM. Reason : .]

1/16/2009 12:36:01 AM

Wow, pretty shocking scoreline right now in West London deep in the 2nd half...

Especially considering United might be dropping points this morning...

[Edited on January 17, 2009 at 11:36 AM. Reason : x]

1/17/2009 11:36:30 AM

ATTN LIVERPOOL:


HOW MY ASS TASTE?



<3s,


UNITED

1/17/2009 2:09:15 PM

^ fuck that

Liverpool will regain top of the table tomorrow

COME ON YOU REDS!!!

1/17/2009 7:31:35 PM

I just hope Rafa decides to start the #3 finisher for the FIFA 2008 Player of the Year award... instead of leaving him on the fucking bench for 3/4 of the game

1/17/2009 9:01:08 PM

Rafa doesn't know his ass from his elbow. That is more than apparent when he repeatedly sat his highest scorer (Crouchy's having his nachos) for a dumb-as-shit rotation policy, and continually fields failboat captains like Kuyt.

Seriously - players like Pennant and Babel can't get a fucking game, while Kuyt shits it up and Benetiz brings in ultra-fails like Voronin?

The only reason Torres even went there was because he is Spanish and he thought that 2 UCL finals appearances in 5 years was a step up from Atletico - now he's probably regretting the shit out of that decision.



Let's put it this way - Rafa's out of a job at season's end after executing the biggest choke-job in history. People will wonder for years what happened and speculate on the exact point at which he lost it all, but the most defining moment and example will be his mis-timed and mis-judged rants against SAF and David Gill.

I'm not saying that because I'm a United fan, I'm saying that because it's very apparent that Rafa (to borrow a phrase from American football) heard United's footsteps and dropped the fucking ball.

1/18/2009 6:15:48 PM

I agree that he seems not to know his ass from his elbow, but the season's only halfway through and if they win tomorrow, they will be only 1 pt off United's pace. He needs to step it up, though, and stop playing Kuyt for what I think are just sentimental reasons. He also needs to keep Lucas off the field; that guy gives the ball away more than anybody on the pitch, on either team.

I'd like to see Torres and Keane, Alonso, Gerrard, Benayoun and Mascherano, on a consistent basis. And certainly rotate in guys like Babel. But the reason United win their games (from one perspective) is that they PLAY THEIR STARS. Rafa's lineups, thus far, are inexplicable.

1/18/2009 6:36:31 PM

I love how you guys think its only a two team race. Villa and Chelsea are still in striking distance.

Chelsea may not be playing well right now but they have the talent to compete with ManU and Liverpool. Losing Joe Cole for the season hurts. The difference between the top is the back 4 ManU's back 4 have been top class this whole season, they tied Chelsea's record for Clean Sheets in a season and its only half over. Vidic is probably the most feared back in the EPL if not all of Europe now.

I personally hope Chelsea use the comeback win against a sorry ass Stoke and build on it. Essien should be back soon. Now if Drogba would get over himself and start training properly they could be deadly.

1/18/2009 6:45:19 PM

Villa are within striking distance...I'm not too familiar with their lineup, but I do think that in terms of sheer talent, they can't compete with Man U or Liverpool. I mean, on a given day, if Villa play Liverpool or Villa play Man U., who do you risk your life-savings on, if you have to choose? I pick Liverpool and Man U every time. If Villa win the league, it would be, imo, a fluke; and you don't usually get flukes over the course of 38 games.

Chelsea are a different story, and if Drogba steps up to his old form, they will certainly be very dangerous. Naturally, as a Liverpool fan, I am hoping he continues to miss chances and take shots that end up as throw-ins.

1/18/2009 7:15:58 PM

Quote :

"Let's put it this way - Rafa's out of a job at season's end after executing the biggest choke-job in history. People will wonder for years what happened and speculate on the exact point at which he lost it all, but the most defining moment and example will be his mis-timed and mis-judged rants against SAF and David Gill. I'm not saying that because I'm a United fan, I'm saying that because it's very apparent that Rafa (to borrow a phrase from American football) heard United's footsteps and dropped the fucking ball."

Regardless of some of Rafa questionable moves, I highly doubt Liverpool not winning the title this year would be classified as "the biggest choke-job in history." Also, I'm not sure why Torres would "regret the shit out of his decision" to play for Liverpool, maybe while you apparently have the United blinders off for a post or two... you could explain that bit for me

Quote :

"I just hope Rafa decides to start the #3 finisher for the FIFA 2008 Player of the Year award... instead of leaving him on the fucking bench for 3/4 of the game"

He's been fucking hurt, you can't just bring him in for 90 minutes every game coming off an injury

1/18/2009 7:28:09 PM

Quote :

"He's been fucking hurt, you can't just bring him in for 90 minutes every game coming off an injury"

True. I guess I understand the rationale, especially against Stoke City. But I still would've started Keane over Kuyt. Or maybe Keane AND Kuyt, leave Lucas on the sidelines and run a 4-2-3-1 or something.

1/18/2009 8:46:27 PM

Hamstring injuries are nagging injuries.....they can easily re-occur

I'd rather Torres play 25 minutes and stay healthy than try to go 90 and be out for the 2nd half of the season

YNWA

1/18/2009 10:01:19 PM

ok, let's get systematic up ins

Quote :

"I love how you guys think its only a two team race. Villa and Chelsea are still in striking distance. Chelsea may not be playing well right now but they have the talent to compete with ManU and Liverpool. Losing Joe Cole for the season hurts. The difference between the top is the back 4 ManU's back 4 have been top class this whole season, they tied Chelsea's record for Clean Sheets in a season and its only half over. Vidic is probably the most feared back in the EPL if not all of Europe now. I personally hope Chelsea use the comeback win against a sorry ass Stoke and build on it. Essien should be back soon. Now if Drogba would get over himself and start training properly they could be deadly."

Villa won't place higher than 3rd this year. They're doing damn well, and Ashley Young & Gabby Agbonlahor are in spectacular form, but they don't have all of the right pieces in place yet to be legit contenders in the long haul this year. Martin O'neill is top class, and will have them challenging for the title as soon as next year, though.

Chelsea..... well, let's just say that they're headed in the wrong direction right now. Scolari won't make it to the end of February, much less the season, if they keep this run of poor form up. Drogba is done at Chelsea. I don't know how much Essien will help, considering how he'll need to learn Scolari's system once he's back. Obi Mikel certainly isn't doing them any favors at the moment.

If they can get the ship in order, they will be legit title contenders again, but right now it's not looking like it'll happen.

Quote :

"Regardless of some of Rafa questionable moves, I highly doubt Liverpool not winning the title this year would be classified as "the biggest choke-job in history." Also, I'm not sure why Torres would "regret the shit out of his decision" to play for Liverpool, maybe while you apparently have the United blinders off for a post or two... you could explain that bit for me"

Liverpool raced out of the gates, and as soon as Rafa opened his mouth about United, he showed his weakness. Rafa has never been about playing the right people or minding his own. It always comes down to excuses. "I don't have the players" "I don't have the transfer kitty" "I don't have control over the academy" "it's the owners fault" "I need more money"..... except this year it's "Sir Alex gets away with anything he wants" and "David Gill stacks the schedule for United"

Nevermind the fact that SAF has had to sit in the stands already this season for laying into refs, and David Gill was elected to his post in the FA by the chairmen from all of the other BPL teams.

Torres should regret going to Liverpool because he got bait & switched. He'll never see a UCL final with Liverpool as long as their focus is winning the league, because they don't have the depth. That was his whole reason for even going there. They're not going to focus on the UCL until they win a BPL title (which aint happening with Rafa at the helm). He's already showing signs of wear and tear after his marathon year last year, to boot.


Liverpool is not in the same class as teams that can win their league and the UCL. Teams like United, Chelsea, Inter, Barca, Bayern, Juve, and Real compete year after year at the top level because they have the depth to do so, and they have managers savvy enough to know HOW to do so. Rafa can't chew gum and walk at the same time, and he's shown it time and time again.

1/19/2009 12:11:25 AM

Quote :

"That was his whole reason for even going there."

Link?

And I don't disagree with you about Rafa, he definitely has a screw loose, judging from that tirade against Sir. I've been quick to point out his flaws in judgement as well - I was a huge fan of Crouch and I always thought he was being wasted. You don't think Liverpool losing ground can be attributed at all to losing Torres for an extended period of time? Gerrard can do a whole fucking lot, but he can only do so much. I mean, that's why United was slow to start.. because they were missing their best player.

If Liverpool doesn't win the title this year, then yes, I agree Rafa probably will lose his job. But I a) don't think it's the biggest choke job in history and b) I don't think Torres regrets his decision to play there... but I guess that's just one man's opinion.

1/19/2009 7:52:21 AM

^ I actually heard it on the WSD podcast. If you want I'll post the RSS feed, but I don't remember which day it was.


I think Liverpool losing ground has a lot to do with Torres being injured... and his being injured has a lot to do with Rafa's rotation policy disappearing as soon as he came to Anfield. You can't treat a player like that. Of course losing ground has other reasons as well, like Stevie G's bar-bashem-up, the rumors about Robbie Keane being sold immediately, etc etc...

The long and short of it is that Rafa doesn't really know how to manage. He's made a few good swipes at it, but most of the time he's completely out of his depth.

1/19/2009 8:17:37 AM

Quote :

"I think Liverpool losing ground has a lot to do with Torres being injured... and his being injured has a lot to do with Rafa's rotation policy playing with Spain"

lol but seriously, I don't think we disagree on Rafa's managing decisions... he definitely does things that make me go But the knock on Rafa has always been he's good in Europe and he can't win in the league... now that Liverpool's been on top of the league for the majority of the season (and they still DO have a shot at Europe ya know) you're saying he's not good enough because he can't win both (which he still could because no matter what you United fans say, the season isn't over yet)? Come on, United doing a double shouldn't become the norm to judge all over teams by. Rafa is and never will be Sir so just because he can't replicate that kind of success doesn't make him a failure. Is he a good manager? Of course. Is he SAF or Mourinho? Of course not.

Anyways, I think Torres is enjoying his experience at Anfield, or he's a really good actor. If you heard that, then cool... but I find it hard to believe that being in the top of the table in the best league in the world didn't factor into his decision at all.

1/19/2009 8:32:15 AM

rafa is just a dumbass. anyone who thinks its smart to play the likes of benayoun, kuyt (especially), and reira over a player like ryan babel who seems to score a goal or make a great play every time hes in is a dumbass. kuyt works harder than anyone in the epl, but its obvious that his talent is lacking and he'd be a much better rotation player than a starter. babel will probably leave and be world class for some other team.

100+ mil for kaka is ridiculous and hes not worth nearly that much. Stuff like that is gonna ruin the game, but itd be awesome to see that blow up in their faces

1/19/2009 8:58:44 AM

Quote :

"ryan babel who seems to score a goal or make a great play every time hes in"

I dunno, maybe it's just me... but whenever I watch Babel play, he's good for a bit and by the time the second half rolls around, he completely disappears. Maybe it's his fitness or something but all you clamoring for Babel to play every game make me scratch my head. I just don't see him as a solid starter on any team yet. At least Kuyt works his ass off 90+ every game and he does score an important goal from time to time, people tend to forget that.

1/19/2009 9:06:50 AM