On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[SimonM]

Yes, my thoughts too. So Chelsea must have been really complacent, or stupid, or both....

[matthew123]

I think a lot of it has to do with Peter Kenyon as didn't United do some serious tapping up when he was in charge at Old Trafford, e.g. Jaap Stam. I think he'd also lined up Arjen Robben for United - but once he joined Chelsea he used his knowledge of Robben's personal demands to make sure he instead came to Stamford Bridge.

[Sandperson]

It's rumoured we are next for a ban. It's at times like this that Liverpool fans must appreciate Rafa's transfer policies! :))

[Annasfield]

Is that over Macheda, Sandperson?

[Sandperson]

I should think it'll be more than one, if we weren't careful, that UEFA will try and get us on. There's that Pogba lad from Le Harve which the club got all arsey about for starters. I would think that a club of our size would be pretty stupid to do anything that wasn't by the book (these days anyway) but you never know.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Biggest hypocrite of the century award goes to Wayne Rooney as he has denied ever diving to win a penalty and claimed he is too honest to try to deceive a referee.

Has he conveniently forgotten his shameful and despicable swan dive with triple summersault with half pike when going odwn under the non existent challenge from Sol Campbell in 2004. Mind you didn't he also say once a blue always a blue.

The sort of goings on which make Man Ure so despised by one and all.

[Sandperson]

*yawn*

[Atila Reincarnate]

Sandperson Wrote:

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> *yawn*

Truth hurts, shame Shrek doesn't know the meaning of the word as he has clearly demonstrated. >:D< I've discovered emocions

[Sandperson]

*yawn* (btw it's emoticons)

[Atila Reincarnate]

Sandperson Wrote:

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> *yawn* (btw it's emoticons)

Who cares, get's under your skin though eh? Perhaps this will teach people like you to think hard before you pass judgment on other teams and their players when your own people are as bad if not worse that those you pass comment on. I somehow doubt it though. Rooneys hypocrisy is breathtaking. Once a blue always a blue. B) I have discovered emoticons ( thanks sandcastle)

[Keef]

I do think Rooney may have been better off just keeping quiet on the subject. That said, I don't think he's a particularly dirty / cheating player, and that was 5 years ago.

[Sandperson]

Atila Reincarnate Wrote:

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> Sandperson Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > *yawn* (btw it's emoticons)

>

>

> Who cares, get's under your skin though eh?

> Perhaps this will teach people like you to think

> hard before you pass judgment on other teams and

> their players when your own people are as bad if

> not worse that those you pass comment on. I

> somehow doubt it though. Rooneys hypocrisy is

> breathtaking. Once a blue always a blue. B) I have

> discovered emoticons ( thanks sandcastle)

*yawn* I tell you what does get under my skin. Eduardo diving. What a cheat, eh? Good job UEFA have finally called him out.

[matthew123]

It's a shame that Wayne Rooney has to make these unfounded comments, the best answer to these cheating accuastions would have been to do his talking on the pitch by staying on his feet

 

[Sandperson]

Ah, it's you again Matt. I am beginning to think you and the Gooner are the same person. :))

[Atila Reincarnate]

Truth hurts

[matthew123]

LOL

Now look SP, if that was a player in another team's colours would you be so quick to dismiss the clear cut evidence?

[????]

They are all penalties.

[Sandperson]

All I saw was contact with the player. In which case they are all penalties or free kicks.

[matthew123]

Personally I'd have given a free kick to Arsenal and sent off Rooney for leading with the knee into Almunia's body :))

[Jah Lush]

I'm sure Chelsea will appeal and have their sentence possibly reduced to one transfer window and maybe a bigger fine. A similar thing happened to Roma a few seasons back over transfer of Philippe Mexes from Auxurre in 2004. Roma appealed and had their sentence reduced to one transfer window.

Chelsea have done this so many times though and obviously haven't learnt their lesson so it looks like curtains for Frank Arnesen who was the former Director of Football at Spurs before Chelsea illegally tapped him up on Roman Abromovich's yacht and paid Spurs ?5 million in compensation (hush money) for his services.

[Keef]

Fuck me, can you lot just start a new diving thread! So, will Owen ever get recalled for England, even if he is in the top 3 highest English scorers this season, or does the manager just plain not like him?

[Sandperson]

I'd like to see him play for England again, but I don't think he will. Not sure itf it's a personal thing with Cappello as I am sure he'd rather win the games than keep up a personal feud/dislike (whatever it is). I just don't think Cappello rates him.

[red devil]

MO doesn't merit an England recall on current form. His goal against Wigan was a classic Owen finish, so he's still got it, he just needs to do it on a consistant basis at the highest level. Hopefully if his goalscoring form and fitness does return, say by the New Year, it will be perfect timing for next years WC. Defoe is banging them in at the moment, which is nice to see after his personal problems, but form after Xmas will be more relevant as to who goes to SA. I don't think Capello has a problem with him, he strikes me as being too pragmatic to bear grudges.

[matthew123]

My discontent with Owen from his latter days at Liverpool was that it was like playing with 10 men - and unless he was 100% match fit rarely a threat in the penalty box. I think that is the crux of the matter as to why he has been jettisoned by Capello. You do lose something by not having a footballer upfront. On the otherhand I think England should take him to the World Cup as someone to come off the bench as he still has the midas touch at international level in front of goal. I think when it comes down to it Owen will go to the World Cup as a fifth striker probably at expense of someone like Carrick.

[Annasfield]

I hope that Cappello continues to ignore the horrible little *@#$