Football Focus

[Mick Mac]

The England Team could be as good as it used to be in 1974 and 1978. ie rubbish, despite having English club sides winning European Cups at the drop of a hat.

[Jah Lush]

Ah! Mick you're right. '74 and '78 were far more dismal times than these though the players then weren't as rich and spoilt as they are now and that is where I think some of the resentment lies. SJ has also made a very good point about going to old "Soviet bloc countries and playing well". Nobody does.

Oh! And I'll hold my hands up about Walker. He was very poor last night. Johnson's right back slot is secure for the time being.

[red devil]

ratty Wrote:

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> The realisation over the last few years is

> strongly that the England football team mean

> nothing to me anymore. Oh how different to the

> teams of 86 - 90 for whom I would have supported

> to the ends of the earth. Quite sad really!

People are more passionate about most things in life when they're younger.

You're gettin' old rats...we all gave up on you when you moved out to the sticks...

[red devil]

Now that the transfer window has closed, time for predictions...

Tough one to call between Utd, City and Chelski for the title. Will go for heart and say Utd, with Chelski 2nd and City 3rd.

Spurs and Arsenal will have another 4th place ding dong, and I think Arsenal will pip it again. Bale will be a big loss. Spurs have a lot of good new players, but can't see them all instantly adjusting to the Premiership. Liverpool 6th, but a lot closer to Arsenal/Spurs. Everton trying to adapt to Martinez's style will drop to mid-table. West Ham will suffer second season syndrome, finishing around 15th, and maxxi will be do time for the attempted assassination of BFS.

Palace, Hull and Sunderland to go down...

[StraferJack]

Man Utd will no waay win the title this year. Won't even be close

[StraferJack]

sorry - not saying that to be antagonistic btw. But only a fan would suggest they are contending this year. Next year yes, but not this year

[red devil]

No probs SJ, going by your previous predictions I'm really glad you think that ;-)

[Parkdrive]

I initially thought City might do it, now I'm not so sure. I've got a feeling CSKA Fulham might take it. Although the game against Moyes charges was dire, and I don't think any side on that showing would be frightened of them. Looks like it will be an interesting season.

[Jah Lush]

Can you do Chelski afterwards?

[Alan Medic]

Ozil it seems has the best passing success rate in Europe. What you need from a midfielder. Why did United not buy him if he was offered to them in the Summer? Beats me.

[red devil]

Stats can be misleading. You have to factor in the quality of the players he was surrounded by at Madrid, and the relatively poorer opposition (Barca excepted) he played against.

He's a great player but unproven in the Premiership. I've counted 3 Arsenal players, including Ozil, who think they will win the League. He's in for a rude awakening...Row Z at Stoke springs to mind

[red devil]

Friday Caption Contest...

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/09/13/article-2419806-0504C6C900000514-259_634x438.jpg

Couldn't have put it better myself...

[Parkdrive]

red devil Wrote:

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> Friday Caption Contest...

>

> http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/09/13/article-

> 2419806-0504C6C900000514-259_634x438.jpg

>

> Couldn't have put it better myself...

If you were talking about Ferdinand I'd agree with you.

[Parkdrive]

red devil Wrote:

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

> Stats can be misleading. You have to factor in the

> quality of the players he was surrounded by at

> Madrid, and the relatively poorer opposition

> (Barca excepted) he played against.

> He's a great player but unproven in the

> Premiership. I've counted 3 Arsenal players,

> including Ozil, who think they will win the

> League. He's in for a rude awakening...Row Z at

> Stoke springs to mind

My my someones touched a nerve. We'll see, Bergkamp, Henry, Pires, and many many more were unproven in the Prem, including Vidic Ronald etc. Are you sure you're not just pissed off cos he was yet another player who didn't join Moyes project?

[Parkdrive]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> Ozil it seems has the best passing success rate in

> Europe. What you need from a midfielder. Why did

> United not buy him if he was offered to them in

> the Summer? Beats me.

Because Fergy ain't there anymore.

[Parkdrive]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> Can you do Chelski afterwards?

Abramovich will when he walks away from CSKA Fulham.

[red devil]

Something tells me Mesut Ozil is going to fit in well down at the Effeminates...

http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m48wy9rzU21rwvuspo1_400.jpg

[Mick Mac]

0-Zil to the Arsenal

[Parkdrive]

Ozil eh, not bad for a player "unproven" in the Premier League. I see the Mancs needed a dodgy decision to reduce the opposition to 10 men. Bet that shocked a lot of people.

[Alan Medic]

Given that was Ozil's first game in the PL, what's your point? Every player is 'unproven' in the PL before they have played a game if you think football in one league is so different to that in another.

[Ladygooner]

Well done Everton for keeping Arsenal at the top of the table! - at least til Monday night......

[Parkdrive]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> Given that was Ozil's first game in the PL, what's

> your point? Every player is 'unproven' in the PL

> before they have played a game if you think

> football in one league is so different to that in

> another.

My point? Really, you need to ask? I mention it because of the inane comments that some have made on here. He's class and showed why he's one of the top 10 players in the world. Is that a good enough point for you or do need more?

The fact that he was outstanding in La Liga says it all, the quality of the football is far better than the Prem and he shone over there as he did today. Its called consistency Alan. Oh and class.

[Alan Medic]

In the interest of balance PD should you not have mentioned the dodgy decision that denied Sunderland a goal yesterday instead of just having a pop at the Mancs? Both decisions were awful.

[maxxi]

with Carroll now out until at least Christmas I've got a feeling today's boring draw at Saints will be as good as it gets. Still - at least we now have Fulham reject (5 goals in 23 apps) Petric to shoulder the striking burden - hurrah.

[SCSB79]

8:55 for the goal of the season!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMEKsB4Y1Sk