On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[matthew123]

If Rafa wasn't so bull headed then Owen would now be a Liverpool player - and when you consider who Rafa has in reserve should Torres pull his hamstring again, I shake my head in disbelief that Rafa effectively sanctioned Owen joining United.

Owen is not a team player, without his pace he contributes nothing to the build up play. That means United need a hard working midfield and strikeforce to accomodate him on a regular basis. I certainly don't see Owen and lazy-bones Berbatov starting together, I see Owen as an impact player when a goal is needed. Yes he will score goals at United but his success will be measured as to whether United win trophies and for me United are seriously weakened without Ronaldo. It will take United a few years to reform without Ronaldo especially in midfield as they have no natural playmaker - a playmaker is exactly what they need now they have no outlet for the long ball forward.

[matthew123]

In case anyone was in any doubt to the strength of Scottish football, Aberdeen were tonight trounced 5-1 at home by Sigma Olomouc of the Czech Republic in the Europa League qualifiers. This follows hard on the heels of Motherwell losing at home to Welsh side Llanelli in the previous round. What kind of preperation is this for Celtic to be playing teams like this every season if they are to have any hope of winning out in Moscow next week let alone slaying the Arsenal!

[Mick Mac]

Mattt we would join the premiership if we were allowed in.and by the way you mentioned ticket prices for last nights game but there were 55000 at celtic park last night.so can't fault the support. Celtic need a big money shareholder to invest some cash.second rate players won't get you anywhere in Europe. Maybe europa league is more our level though as we had our best fun when getting to 2003 UEFA final oh and beating Liverpool on the way was good too. You made good points about Michael Owen above. I agree he was all about pace when at his best.I'm not sure he will be a big hit at united and would not fancy him for top scorer.

[Ted Max]

In case anyone was in any doubt to the strength of Scottish football,

Things can change, I guess.

Liddell, Dunlop, Lawrence, Fagan (Willie), Shankley, Slater, St John, Yeats, Graham, Cormack, Stevenson, Dalgish, Nicol, Gillespie, Souness, Hansen, Houghton, McAllister.

[Sandperson]

With Evra and Giggs down the wings, Carrick in midfield and, dare I say it, Rooney spraying the ball around from just off the front I don't think we are lacking in playmakers. I also think that Nani will have a good season (famous last words) now that Ronaldo has freed up some space for him. I shouldn't worry too much about that Matt. I think your biggests worry, as you say, is depth. If Alonso goes and Gerrard or Torres have injury spells then you could struggle in decisive matches.

Poor old Dons. 5-1 is just embarrassing.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Ted Max Wrote:

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> In case anyone was in any doubt to the strength of

> Scottish football,

>

> Things can change, I guess.

>

> Liddell, Dunlop, Lawrence, Fagan (Willie),

> Shankley, Slater, St John, Yeats, Graham, Cormack,

> Stevenson, Dalgish, Nicol, Gillespie, Souness,

> Hansen, Houghton, McAllister.

Jesus, talk about living in the past. And by the way you missed out Gemmill, Nicholas, Mackay, McKlintock, gilzean etc

[Ted Max]

Did they play for Liverpool?

[Ted Max]

My point, Atila, was to highlight how far Scottish football has fallen in terms of the players it produces, with reference to the vital role played in LFC's history by many Scots. I did this because Matt is a Liverpool fan, and he of all people might appreciate the role Scots have played in the development of his club. So no, I am not living in the past.

Now, would you like your toast buttered, or just jam on its own?

[Atila Reincarnate]

Both please, yes there have been some decent scots around in the past, but not all of them played for the pool, as is evident from the names I listed. On the flip side there was Alan Rough (by name and Nature)

[Ted Max]

yes there have been some decent scots around in the past, but not all of them played for the pool, as is evident from the names I listed.

You aren't really this thick are you?

[Atila Reincarnate]

Ted Max Wrote:

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> yes there have been some decent scots around in

> the past, but not all of them played for the pool,

> as is evident from the names I listed.

>

> You aren't really this thick are you?

You really aren't that intelligent are you?? I can't be bothered to get into a slanging match with you especially over jock footballers. Good morning.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Just heard Booby Robson has died. RIP, sir Bobby.

[Tony.London Suburbs]

Am I missing something here?

Atila mentions a long list of Scottish Ex-Liverpool Players and Maxie adds on a few Non-Liverpool Scottish Players or did you not realise that the common theme for those Scots was "Ex-Liverpool"??

'll produce a list of ManU players..Giggs/Evra/Nani/Caddick/Rooney/Fletcher.....etc....here comes Maxie....you missed out "Torres,Gerrard and Alonso"....its about as relevant...

[????]

No Bremner?

[Ted Max]

Am I missing something here?

Yes. You have got events completely about face, Tony. Read the thread again.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Ted Max Wrote:

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> Am I missing something here?

>

> Yes. You have got events completely about face,

> Tony. Read the thread again.

Does nobody give a shit about Sir Bobby passing away??

[matthew123]

'All eleven players of the Liverpool team that played its first ever competitive match, against Hinger Walton on the 3rd September 1892, were Scottish.'

Liverpool have had some of the very best Scots and of course both Rangers and Celtic have played in and won European finals - but it's a long time now since any world class players were unearthed in Scotland. I don't think it's simply a case of a weak competition north of the border - as many quality players have come to the Premiership from weak domestic competitions.

SP - 'Giggs down the wing' - you cannot be serious, this is 2009 not 1999!! Old man Giggs will be lucky to start 5 Premiership games this season as he'll spend most of the time remembering the good ol' days on the bench with Scholes.

[????]

Only just seen it - RIP indeed...he nearly got us that pesky world cup

[Keef]

RIP Bobby, a good character! Shame there are not more like him in the game today.

[Tony.London Suburbs]

R.I.P. Sir Bobby.

Remember him as a great player for Fulham and, obviously, a terrific and popular Manager.

Battled cancer on 5 occassions.

Will be sadly missed.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Keef Wrote:

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> RIP Bobby, a good character! Shame there are not

> more like him in the game today.

Indeed Keef, Indeed.

[Sandperson]

matthew123 Wrote:

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> 'All eleven players of the Liverpool team that

> played its first ever competitive match, against

> Hinger Walton on the 3rd September 1892, were

> Scottish.'

>

> Liverpool have had some of the very best Scots and

> of course both Rangers and Celtic have played in

> and won European finals - but it's a long time now

> since any world class players were unearthed in

> Scotland.

> SP - 'Giggs down the wing' - you cannot be

> serious, this is 2009 not 1999!! Old man Giggs

> will be lucky to start 5 Premiership games this

> season as he'll spend most of the time remembering

> the good ol' days on the bench with Scholes.

Bad news about Sir Bobby. One of the best England managers.

Matt, you are wrong on two points.

1. Giggs is still good enough to do a bit of wing bombing and he is intelligent enough to tailor his game for his slowing down of pace in recent years. He played 28 games in the league alone last season and is still easily good enough to make a difference in a game whether he starts or not doesn't really matter.

2. Darren Fletcher, Scottish and world class. Arguably the one player we missed most in the Champions League final last season.

[Jah Lush]

Respect to Sir Bobby Robson. A proper football man. The game ran through his veins. RIP.

One thing though as I don't want to speak ill of the dead but it still rankles. He should have built the England team around Glenn Hoddle and not Bryan Robson.

[matthew123]

Sandperson Wrote:

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> 2. Darren Fletcher, Scottish and world class.

What world is that, cause it ain't planet earth! :))

R.I.P. Sir Bobby

[Sandperson]

Matt, you know every time you say something bad about Darren Fletcher a Scottish fairy dies. Now clap your hands and say you DO believe in Darren Fletcher.