Football Focus

[DaveR]

I watched Bent a lot when he was at Ipswich and to be honest I wasn't 100% sure he had the quality, but there is no doubt about his determination and application. He has a point to prove having been 4th choice despite the big price tag, so I'm not surprised he's taking no prisoners at the moment.

[Annasfield]

Champions League - 3rd round Qualifying draw

Was really hoping we'd draw Gothenburg or Vienna as I have friends that live in both. Looks like we've a trip to Belgium though. If my knee is up to it and I can get tickets I am definitely going to go. :)):)-D

For those who are interested, the draw so far is:

Anorthosis/Rapid Vienna v Olympiakos

Vitoria Guimaraes v IFK Gothenburg/Basel

Shakhtar Donetsk v Domzale/Dinamo Zagreb

Schalke 04 v Atletico Madrid

Aalborg/Modrica v RANGERS/Kaunas

Barcelona v Beitar Jerusalem/Wisla Krakow

Levski Sofia v Anderlecht/BATE

Standard Liege v LIVERPOOL

Inter Baku/Partizan v Fenerbahce/MTK Budapest

FC Twente v ARSENAL

Spartak Moscow v Drogheda/Dinamo Kiev

Juventus v Tampere/Artmedia

SK Brann/Ventspils v Marseille

Fiorentina v Slavia Prague

Galatasaray v Steaua Bucharest

Panathinaikos/Dinamo Tbilisi v Sheriff Tiraspol/Sparta Prague

Updated in full now. :))

Forgot that FC Twente is now managed by The Wally with the brolly.

[SeanMacGabhann]

nice one Annasfield - cheers for the update - I had overlooked that. Quite happy with the draw as well

[Ladygooner]

As is well with the World - Adebayor says he is staying - again! Looking forward to the Emirates Cup this weekend - Juve today and Real Madrid tomorrow - both on Sky at 4pm. WIth McClaren in charge of FC Twente I would hope that his team won't cause us too much trouble!

[Annasfield]

(tu) Torres has opened his 2008/2009 goal scoring account. Nice to see him linking up with Keane too.

Rangers 0 - Liverpool 4. Goals from Torres, Ngog, Benayoun and Alonso.

[bon3yard]

Blinking-eck! Thats 9 goals in a week for Bent and another impressive pre-season win for Spurs. After the horror of last seasons opening few months dare I posit the suggestion that we might well be on the verge of...nah, I've learnt my lesson.

[Sandperson]

Were you about to say the three magic words Bon3yard?

"Top four place"

[Ladygooner]

There's a first! Martin Jol wins a trophy at the Emirates Stadium!

[Keef]

Ladygooner Wrote:

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

> There's a first! Martin Jol wins a trophy at the

> Emirates Stadium!

Maybe Arsenal will manage it one day too... ;-)

[Ladygooner]

Keef - we won it last season!

[Sandperson]

One for the Charlton fans:

Is Matty Holland STILL playing?

[bon3yard]

We remember it well Ladygooner, who wouldnt...didnt you have a massive firework display and if I'm not mistaken didnt Jesus Christ himself come down with all his heavenly host and present you the trophy? What a palaver! ;-)

[Annasfield]

Dedication is what you need :-S

Have been up since 6.30am, however it has all been worth it. I am the proud owner of two tickets to our first home game of the season. :)-D>:D<

This is doubly good as our next home game after that is Man Utd. The loyalty system at LFC means that you have to have certain games on your fancard to get tickets. The fact that I have the only other home game this season, should mean that I stand a good chance for Man Yoo too. (tu)

Disappointed not to get in the Kop though. ;-)

[ratty]

Has Corluka signed for Spurs?

[citizenED]

Freddie Ljungberg to leave hammers and possibly retire from football at the age of 31. Jesus, he made me feel tired with all that scurrying around he did at the Arsenal but now I simply feel old.

[Annasfield]

Keef Keef - Have you seen are new signing yet? Ngog - reckon (hope) *crosses fingers* that Rafa might have found a gem there.

[Sandperson]

I always said Ronaldo was a good lad.....

[Keef]

Annasfield Wrote:

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

> Keef Keef - Have you seen are new signing yet?

> Ngog - reckon (hope) *crosses fingers* that Rafa

> might have found a gem there.

Er, in a word, No. Read a thing about him though which sounded promising... When have you seen him, in reserves, or in a friendly?

[mockney piers]

"Freddie Ljungberg to leave hammers and possibly retire from football at the age of 31"

For six million squid to be bought of his ?85k a week contract for having done next to nothing. Ouch.

I can't really blame him I guess, but players (and their agents) really are bleeding the game dry aren't they.

No wonder only the really big clubs can compete.

[Keef]

He was a great great player (with some wicked hair dos back in the day), but Arsenal would have kept him for another year or 2 if they felt he still had it. Think it was a silly buy, just for the sake of a big name.

[Ladygooner]

I am sure he will have a much more lucrative career as a fashion or interior designer!

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

I really cannot see the point of paying him off, we lose ?6 mio yet gain ?85k a week and what happens when players start to get injured. Yes we are long Midfielders but someone like freddie can help with the kids coming through. Yes I am a unhappy hammer.

[Annasfield]

I'm about to be really girly here, but Freddie looked fantastic in those pants. Perhaps he should just do that from now on......

Ngog - He's been playing in the friendlies Keef. Has scored twice now as has Torres. :)-D Which reminds me, I have a Kop ticket for the Lazio game on Friday night, but can't go because of my knee. Do you know of anyone who might want it? Gutted I can't go, Keane's first game at Anfield too. :(:(

Will be on the telly at my place if you want to come over and watch it.

[Keef]

Have to get music gear over to Wandsworth for a wedding on Saturday, but not sure when we're doing that, so will defo pop in and visit the housebound if I can!

As for the tickets, the people that spring to mind will all be doing the band stuff with me :-S

[Jah Lush]

I'm just incredulous at the way West Ham have gone about their business with Freddie Lungburst. I know they had to get him off their wage bill. He was on 85 grand a week, was constantly injured, only played 35 games and leaves with a six million pound pay-off. Nice work if you can get it.