On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[matthew123]

Phil Brown was Big Sam's assistant at Bolton for 6 years...

[Atila Reincarnate]

matthew123 Wrote:

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> Phil Brown was Big Sam's assistant at Bolton for 6

> years...

Well nuff said, Allardyce is perhaps the most odious manager in the prem, I hate him and everything he stands for. A TOOL and no mistake.

[matthew123]

Phil Brown sure is cut from the same cloth as Big Sam with this sour, but hilarious, rant, he gave the BBC today, about Fabregas last night..

"One, being on the pitch after the game - whether there is a ruling against that I have no idea but he had no right to be there. Two, dressed in the manner in which he was dressed. Three, the pictures in the national papers verify the aggression he was showing towards players and staff after the game. I could go on but I'm not one for crying over spilt milk. I then witnessed him going down the tunnel and turning round and spitting at my assistant manager's feet. Whichever way you want to look at it, he addressed that spitting incident at my assistant manager who has managed probably 1200 games in his career. Disgraceful act. I'm not going to report it, I'm not going tittle-tattling to the FA - if they want to investigate that's their decision, if Brian Horton wants to take it further he'll get the full support of Hull City."

[????]

What was it like for there to actually be a bit of atmosphere and passion at the Emirates? Did it put people off their Prawn Sanwiches?

[SeanMacGabhann]

careful quids.. I was humming Ghost Town to the West Ham game coverage the other night

[Jah Lush]

Good point Quids.>:D

[????]

mmm...I don't think I can argue against that Sean...I'd almost obliterated that game from my memory

[Atila Reincarnate]

The fact that Phil Brown has a pending appointment with the FA to explain his behaviour following a spat with Joe Kinear may explain the smoke screen tactics employed by Allardyces disciple, and he will also have some explaining to do re the 6 Hull yellow cards last night. I find their attitude somewhat distasteful to say the least.

[Annasfield]

In Rafa we trust

So pleased about this I can't tell you. :)-D Finally some stability, wonder how different our season would have been if this happened 3 months ago.

[matthew123]

Rafa Benitez has put pen to paper on a new 5 year contract as Liverpool Manager.

[matthew123]

Well maybe it was the carrot of the new improved contract that made him finally turn on the power, against Real Madrid and Man U.. but seriously I don't think it would have had any impact signing 3 months ago, at end of day points have been lost like a burst water main, not because of depression or nerves from players worried about Rafa, but because of cautious football against tripe.

[Annasfield]

I disagree. I think instability has played a massive part in our season and I think it's more than coincidental that all these good things are happening at once (Torres and Gerrard returning to fitness at the same time has obviously contributed).

The proof, I guess will be in the pudding but I imagine we'll be a lot more consistent from here on in. That will of course be dependent on what happens with the owners. Although I'm guessing that may have been decided too, as the rumour was that Rafa wouldn't sign until he knew who was staying/coming in.

[matthew123]

Yes collectively, but Torres/Gerrard is an entirely different story to, what if he'd signed it 3 months ago.

Obviously with a fit Torres this season, there'd have collected more points. Nevertheless, in their first set of matches against Man U, Chelsea and Arsenal this season (2 wins and 1 draw) they had no Torres but still showed enough ability to dominate those Big 4 matches. For me it's not a lack of ability that failed to deliver Home wins over West Ham, Fulham, Hull, Man City, Stoke but unnecessary caution. Keeping a tight back 4 and 2 holding midfielders when the opposition only play 1 man upfront and keeping everyone else behind the ball is not going to help break the door down to score goals to win matches. It's no surprise to me but Liverpool's best football this season has been after going a goal down and throwing the cautious tactics out of the window and going for the jugular.

[AnotherPaul]

The sunbed's gone to Phil Brown's head.

[mockney piers]

great line in the independent today.

"At the beginning of his brilliant teenage career it was just great expectations that followed Cesc Fabregas around. Now it is great expectorations."

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

A West Ham United fan and a Sheffield United fan get into a car accident, and it?s a bad one. Both cars (with football stickers on windows) are totally demolished, but amazingly neither of them is hurt. After they crawl out of their cars, the United fan says, ?So you?re a West Ham fan, that?s interesting. I?m a Sheffield United fan? Wow! Just look at our cars. There?s nothing left, but fortunately we are unhurt.

This must be a sign from God that we should meet and be friends and live together in peace the rest of our days.? The West Ham fan replied,?I agree with you completely; this must be a sign from God!? The West Ham fan continued, ?And look at this - here?s another miracle.

My car is completely demolished but this bottle of whiskey didn?t break. Surely God wants us to drink this and celebrate our good fortune.? Then he hands the bottle to the Sheffield United fan. The Sheffield United fan nods his head in agreement, opens it and takes a few big swigs from the bottle, then handing it back to the West Ham fan. The West Ham fan takes the bottle, immediately puts the cap back on, and hands it back to the Sheffield United fan.

The United fan asks, ?Aren?t you having any?? The West Ham fan replies, ?No. I think I will just wait for the police??

[Atila Reincarnate]

So Phil Brown is man to be believed is he? This is the man who claims Arsene didn,t shake his hand after Arsenal defeat at the Emirates against Hull earlier in the season, funny how a photo has been published in one of the tabloids showing Le Boss offering his hand to the Tandoori coloured oaf after the game. And what exactly does how Cesc was dressed have to do with anything, this is a bit like the Black Everton player being nicked because he looked suspicious when looking in a jewelers window, stereotyping gone mad methinks, yet that plum Collymore on Talkshite asked on air yesterday evening, "Why would someone like Brian Horton, who has had umpteen years experience in football, lie?" thus implying tht Cesc is lying. Bring on the FA investigation and show the world that the Northerners are crying into their beer.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Direct from the BBC website

Hull manager Phil Brown has been fined ?2,500 and warned as to his future conduct by the Football Association following a charge of improper conduct.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Here endeth the lesson.

[mockney piers]

tbh Atila I don't really give a monkey's about the whole palarver, a lot of fuss about nothing, and since when have we really expected our footballers to be role models, jumped up egomaniacs 98% of them frankly?

I just thought it was a great line.

[Keef]

Regarding Liverpool, I'm with Matthew on this one. However, hopefully now he's staying, Rafa will get no interference from anyone, and will be backed to make his own signings. If that happens, then the proof really will be in the pudding.

[matthew123]

Interesting that Ferguson say's his current United squad is the best he has ever had - even with that midfield! How many of those players would get into the Chelsea or Liverpool team? Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson, Scholes, O'Shea, Hargreaves, JS Park anyone?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/5014843/Manchester-United-manager-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-doesnt-rate-Rafa-Benitez.html

[????]

Scholes at his peak clearly and Carrick,maybe.......um.............

[Mick Mac]

I think maybe - Carrick, Anderson, Scholes, Hargreaves, Park.

[Keef]

Scholes at his peak could have walked in to any team.

[red devil]

How many of those players would want to get into the Chelsea or Liverpool team?