LEN Teh Footy God's Footballodium

[Sarmatian]

Well, 40% of the qualifiers have been played. Now Portugal has to win practically every match to go through.

Another player in trouble in Sporting is your National Team's Goal Keeper Stojkovic. His attitude didn't help either.

It's doable. It's not the team it used to be 4 or 6 years ago but there's potential. Definitely stronger than Albania :D

What's the deal with Stojkovic? I don't remember him having a bad attitude from the time he played in Red Star. He's just your slightly above average goalkeeper. Serbia never had good goalkeepers. The thing I like about him is that he's a consistent performer, and isn't prone to making stupid mistakes.

He happened to have to stay some more time with the National Team last year, and our coach started betting on our youngster GK. (As the entire world knows, Sporting produces the best players in the world)

I take it you're a fan of Sporting?

[scotchedpommes]

Rory Delap 2-0 Arsenal

And now van Persie's gone. Suspended for the Mancs.

[naut]

Edit:

[scotchedpommes]

Now now, that's crazy reactionary talk. This will have shaken him up proper like, conceding two goals
from bloody Delap; especially as they must have gone over that to death in training. If nothing else
he has to know now that the system's simply not working, [as we've known for some time] and I can't
say I'm too fussed having written this season off completely after Hull anyway. There needs to be an
injection of experience and strength in January, by which time Eduardo should also be back in the squad
along with that midfielder who-shall-not-be-named-lest-I-jinx-him that I happened to champion! You
know, that one that's been injured for the last 23 years. Both of them will take some time to have any
kind of real influence though, yes, but the control of the midfield is crucial.

[Could do with Flamini back.]

[Rhyfelwyr]

If only Hull had completed that come back at Old Trafford, what could have been...

The goals are flying in for the Sons, 9 in our last two home games now.

Also, the FM 2009 Demo comes out at midnight tonight.

[Quintus.JC]

How does Tottenham do it? It can't be...

[Ferret]

ha ha Arsenal.

Real Betis are on the rise, as are the mighty MK Dons, championship here we come

[naut]

Edit:

[General Appo]

Hammarby IF is the team in my heart. Not going so good right now though.

[Jolt]

It's doable. It's not the team it used to be 4 or 6 years ago but there's potential. Definitely stronger than Albania :D

What's the deal with Stojkovic? I don't remember him having a bad attitude from the time he played in Red Star. He's just your slightly above average goalkeeper. Serbia never had good goalkeepers. The thing I like about him is that he's a consistent performer, and isn't prone to making stupid mistakes.

Stojkovic was left out after he had to stay with the Serbian National Team (It was last year after your national team got one game delayed due to bad weather or something), I'm not sure, but I think Stojkovic wanted to leave Serbia and return to Sporting (Or was it otherwise? Can't remember), anyways our manager was reportedly furious with what was happening and started betting on Rui Patricio. The problem was that as Stojkovic kept not playing, he went into a fit and started saying stupid things to the press like "I'm the best goal keeper in Europe" et al., making him not only in a worse position, and being pushed away from his colleagues.

He's known in Portugal for a derby between Sporting and Porto, where he "apparently" (Since I don't really agree.) made the mistake of grabbing the ball on an "apparent" pass to him by the defender (Taking into account that the ball was in one of Porto's strikers, when the Sporting defender made the tackle, it was more a clearing than a pass.), than the stupid referee signalled an indirect free kick inside the box, which was a goal which made Porto win that game.

I take it you're a fan of Sporting?

That would be correct. :P

Every major portuguese player came out of it's academy. And I laugh and laugh when I see in FM the Sporting academy is not one of the best. >_>

We have/had Damas; Futre; Carlos Xavier; Jorge Cadete; Boa Morte; Figo; Beto; Simão; Hugo Viana; Quaresma; Cristiano Ronaldo; Nani; João Moutinho; Miguel Veloso;

Miguel Veloso is showing himself to be a flop. After showing off his great skills, he was dazzled by press harassment, fashion and the like. And since then he wasn't played

[Sarmatian]

I no longer support Arsenal. I'm sick and tired of Wenger's antics, he won't spend any money in January. Maybe I'll follow if he and Gallas get kicked out, otherwise no. Wenger tried a risky policy, which I commend him for. But, if it doesn't work you don't keep trying to use it, you go back to the tried and tested way. They'll be lucky to finish fourth. If I post in here it'll be about the continental leagues.

If I'm not mistaken, Arsenal's budget can't be compared to that of Man Utd or Chelsea, even Liverpool, so being able to keep Arsenal in the top and get a trophy occasionally is a tribute to his skills.

That would be correct. :P

Every major portuguese player came out of it's academy. And I laugh and laugh when I see in FM the Sporting academy is not one of the best. >_>

We have/had Damas; Futre; Carlos Xavier; Jorge Cadete; Boa Morte; Figo; Beto; Simão; Hugo Viana; Quaresma; Cristiano Ronaldo; Nani; João Moutinho; Miguel Veloso;

Miguel Veloso is showing himself to be a flop. After showing off his great skills, he was dazzled by press harassment, fashion and the like. And since then he wasn't played

I'm not a fan of any particular Portuguese team, but I liked Porto when Drulovic and Jardel played. And Benfica with Rui Costa. Sporting was the least interesting for me out of "big three".

[LittleGrizzly]

If I'm not mistaken, Arsenal's budget can't be compared to that of Man Utd or Chelsea, even Liverpool, so being able to keep Arsenal in the top and get a trophy occasionally is a tribute to his skills.

Wengers a genius as far as im concerned, i would put him possibly on par with Alex Ferguson, and as a united fan i can't really think of much higher praise, he managed to do well at the start winning the league a few times but after that united and chelsea simply out spent him, considering that since then he has somewhat managed to keep the pace is quite an achievement, i think even tottenham have outspent him in the past few seasons, one of his strongest points is his ability in the transfer market, fabregas was pretty cheap, anelka was bought for a few million and sold for 18 a season or 2 later, henry was bought for under 10 million and was one of the top players in the premiership for a few years

He has even taken them to a cl final in recent years, which they did pretty well in despite some bad luck...

[naut]

Edit:

[InsaneApache]

And don't get me started on the Midfield, there is no defensive midfielder, none.

We'll sell you Kevin 'I ate all the pies' Nolan for £30 million if ya want!

[scotchedpommes]

Wenger's a stubborn man, out to prove a point. But, he's taken it to fair, he can't swallow his pride. He doesn't have to just use youngsters, which he seems to think he has too. He can use a bit of experience, in fact he needs to, he needs that element to add grit and determination. There'll be no trophies this year. And what does that do? Frustrates the older players, who will want to leave, further weakening the squad. And the next year, well again there'll be no trophies, and again players will be frustrated. You can't keep saying, "next year we'll do it", because next year never comes.

You're right, up to a point. But is any of that [Wenger's attitude] really much of a surprise? If anything,
let's bear in mind that one season he told the media circus that his team would go undefeated; lo and
behold, beyond the ridicule, a year later they have the 'Invicibles'. Now, in a sense I'd think that's just
about the worst thing that could have happened in the long-term, with a view to his approaches,
because his belief in his own ability is now so firmly entrenched that he'd understandably be unwilling to
shift for much. But seeing him there at Stoke, I think it was tangible that he's taken one hit too many.
'How dare they triumph with heart, ... and throws?' [Would also agree on Vela.]

Despite being optimistic for that reason, I'd also say I'm not too bothered about instant success. I know
that's absurd today- it's not the way of the cash cow league, nor does it meet with the instant gratification
mindset of the majority of fans that side with the big four. But my local team being one which has
suffered nothing other than chronic decline for the last 20 years, I can happily handle a marked dip in
form and success, if it has to come. If nothing else, it'll only make me enjoy it more when it all comes
good, especially at the expense of the man who triggered that aforementioned decline- hopefully [but
improbably] with the Mancs getting shafted at the weekend.

I don't doubt that there'll be shiny baubles and good times aplenty to come, and it's not just blind faith,
but rather knowing that it's simply the way of things- you know certain teams will always be there, and
they're going to fall away for a period of time before coming back up again. Convincing the players of
that fact is another matter though, yeah.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Wenger is beyond brilliant.

But is he the right man for Arsenal? Better, is he using the right long term strategy for Arsenal? I think not.
Nobody can spot talent and build a team of youngsters like he can. But in the Premiership, he's competing with three of the best teams in the world. You can't compete with them over a full competition with youngsters. Arsenal will need to spend to mount a serious challenge.

Spotting talent, buying young players on the cheap and turning them into a spectacular team is what the clubs below the top four ought to be doing. The clubs that can't afford to spend £50 million each summer. Imagine what Wenger could do in charge of a midtable team...

[naut]

Edit:

[Jolt]

I'm not a fan of any particular Portuguese team, but I liked Porto when Drulovic and Jardel played. And Benfica with Rui Costa. Sporting was the least interesting for me out of "big three".

I wouldn't blame you. The quality of our football is light-years behind England. Most of our top league bottom clubs (The ones fighting against depromotion) are drowned in financial problems. One of them hasn't payed salaries since May (O.M.G.)

Jardel+Drulovic is (was) easily surpassed when Jardel was in Sporting. THAT was a team.

Hugo Viana in his best days (Before Bobby Robson ruined him at Newcastle), Ricardo Quaresma (Before going to Barcelona), João Pinto and Jardel. Jardel scored some gigantic 42 goals, being the first time anyone had surpassed the 40 goal barrier since the introduction of the Modern Golden Boot award. (Jardel had done some 36 goals while in Porto) Basically João Pinto+Jardel > Drulovic+Jardel

[LittleGrizzly]

Well i am pissed off now!

I usually cheer the english teams on, even chelsea, but i have an irrational dislike of liverpool i just can't shake (its probably because i have always had friends and family members who support them) but that penalty was completely undeserved, one of the weaker penalty's i have seen in recent times, though liverpool probably deserved the point...

The deco red card seemed harsh, just for taking a quick freekick... its not as if he was trying to waste time or something...

[naut]

Edit:

[LittleGrizzly]

and after all he is the best Englishman at diving.

Really, i have never thought of him as much of a cheat.. though i can't think of a worse english diver off the top of my head...

[naut]

Edit:

[Afonso I of Portugal]

Gerrard, the hypocrite.

[Subedei]

Werder Bremen makes me go

[edyzmedieval]

Arsenal's midfield of Fabregas and Nasri is outstanding to be honest. It is true, you guys need a defensive midfielder who can do the job and a powerful Target Man. Eduardo and Van Persie are strikers, speed strikers, same goes for Adebayor. But the way the Togo man is playing, I say out with him and keep him out of the squad for a while so he can rethink about his sloppy play. Huntelaar would fit the bill perfectly for Arsenal, but Ajax is keeping hold of him with his teeth, he is far too important for the team right now.

[Craterus]

He's also lazy. Huntelaar is a bad buy, in my opinion. Especially for how much they'd have to pay.

[Dutch_guy]

He's also lazy. Huntelaar is a bad buy, in my opinion. Especially for how much they'd have to pay.

Have to agree. He's good enough for Ajax, but in his current form (he has been better), not even close to being worth it for Arsenal.

[Ferret]

But the way the Togo man is playing, I say out with him and keep him out of the squad for a while so he can rethink about his sloppy play.

Apparently he's out for three weeks or so with an ankle injury. I'm glad Newcastle are winning again, I would have hated to see them relegated, Martins is such a good player. The dons are 4th as well, a good week for me

(well in England anyway, Betis got trashed)

[naut]

Edit:

[LittleGrizzly]

Celtic away is always a tough one, im not too surprised at the draw, if asked i would have probably had united down to edge it... just...

Well i really didn't know gerrard was that bad... and the hypocriscy of it is astonishing... i will direct my friend who is a liverpool fan to this video next time i hear of ronaldo diving...