Promotion next season? You've written off the playoffs this year then? Think you're right though, we left it a little too late unfortunately. Shame though, had we started the season how we're playing now we'd probably have been right up there. With Brum, Wolves and Reading all wobbling I'd have fancied our chances to be honest. Still, next season's going to be interesting. Look at what NC's done with the squad we already have, just imagine when he can get in a few players who he wants. Even better! Can hardly believe the resurgence of Robbie Savage. A month ago he was all but gone and we were trying to flog him to anyone and everyone. Now, midfield maestro/general/lynchpin!
Savage, Zero to Hero, what a difference a month makes! In many ways we needed Paul Jewell, he brought in some very good players in hindsight, and provided a buffer between Daivies and premier league failure meaning that Nigel now gets a clean sheet to start with. Don't think it's beyond the realms of possibility for us to make the play offs, but I think next season is a better time to go for it, I want Clough to have time to build his team, the last thing we need is another panic promotion. Hopefully Nigel won't bring that many extra players in in the summer, four of five, and we can offload 10 or 12...
Was he that unsuccesful at Liverpool? I always got the feeling he didn't set the world on fire, but wasn't terrible or anything. One thing I often wonder, he dropped down to Burton when he was only about 32, was that a concious decision to get away from the pressures of top flight, or injuries meaning he couldn't compete at the higher level anymore? Some players just seem to lose their edge almost over night. I remember it was that way with Gabbiadini, one minute he's in the Prem with us, next thing you know he's tumbling down the leagues, and he was only early thirties as well.
He wasn't unsuccessful as such, but wasn't the new Dalglish or Beardsley replacement we hoped. Scored two goals against Man United, but didn't really make a massive impression, with just nine goals in total. It's one of those big "what ifs" - Platini and Houllier recommended Cantona to Souness, but he didn't want players who would cause him problems, so signed Clough instead. He joins the legions of players Souness thought weren't good enough for Liverpool, like Keane and Pallister. He thought Istvan Kozma, Dean Saunders and Torben Piechnik were far superior.
At last, the Champions League returns with the much anticipated first knock-out round with all its tasty fixtures. Very hard to see any clear cut winners - what think you all? I'm backing: Barcelona Man United (on the assumption they have an actual defence available in a fortnight) Arsenal (just) Real Madrid Atletico Madrid Bayern Munich Villarreal Juventus
Well someone's got to show faith in you! I watched the United game but it sounded like your lot are all over Roma and should have bagged another goal or two to kill the tie off. Hey - at least you scored.
If it weren't for Bendtner's piss-poor "technique", they could have ended the tie tonight. Heroics from Cesar in the Guiseppe Meazza though, which give us a bit of hope that they can perform better at Castle Greyskull. Probably wishful thinking, as the Mancs should have scored three or four. As usual, the best ties don't involve the English sides - what about Juninho's freekick!
^ Julio Cesar had been heroic all season in Serie A. He has been in top form for the last year or so and I could see him continue his heroics at Old Trafford. Brazil will have one of the top keepers in the world for 2010.
Oh my God. "Juninho challenging Ronaldo to be best free kick taker in the business" says ITV's Craig Doyle. You just couldn't make it up. The ignorance of English pundits knows no bounds. I'd never been entirely convinced in the past, and I still don't think he's the most dominant aerially, but as a shot-stopper there are few better.
I would forward Juninho's kick last night to be better than anything Ronaldo has done in a very long. It was just majestic.
Should have been 3-0. And I have now, thanks to No. 27, seen the worse miss of the year. But ... on the form coming off Sunderland I would have taken a goal lead and a clean sheet going to Rome. Glass half full.
Real Madrid 0 Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1 Juventus 0 Inter 0 Man Utd 0 Arsenal 1 Roma 0 Looking good for the Premier League teams again. Also looks as though Sporting may as not even turn up for their second leg against Munich. Sporting 0 Bayern 5
My fuck, that was absolutely brilliant. Christiano who? http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/174/...alcom-worldview-juninhos-goal-genius-or-gaffe
It pissed me off even more when Del Piero (one of the best free kick takers of his generation) scored one of his crackers against Madrid in the group stages, and Richard Keys said something along the lines of "Looks like someone's been taking tips from Ronaldo!" Do these people really know nothing about football outside the English premiership? The "cult of Ronaldo" that hit top gear last year is so depressing, and sums up Sky's lazy tabloid style to a tee. He's a talented player, but it's not as if he's Zidane or Maradona.
I completely agree Milan, Inter, Juve, Arsenal, Chelsea, Barca and now 50% vs Madrid - just what is he thinking of, eh? Just think what he could do if given control of transfers in and out, an annual budget to work to, control of the academy, having a competant CEO alongside him, and a new - but honest and decent - owner of the club who respects the fans, history and traditions of the club. Throw in a new stadium with no debt repayments on the club - and the lad may be able to get closer to winning the league too. I just hope it comes soon. Still, best not let Rafa's acheivements and the facts get in the way of Sky and the tabloids beating him down... but tonight, tonight is for savouring the humbling of the mighty Real Madrid on their own patch
I think you'll find it was Ryan Babel's little swandive that did that one. Meh, we already did that three years ago.
^Your run to the final that year was hilarious. Was it Madrid, Juventus and Villarreal you beat 1-0 over both legs? I remember all the Liverpool/Man U/Chelsea fans whinging about how dull it all was and thinking it was one of the funniest things I'd ever seen. And then Lehmann got sent off... You have to wonder how it would have gone if Madrid had actually turned up last night