Premiership big guns prepare for Champions League

Post by **Irish Alan** » April 30, 2008, 1:54 pm

Roy wrote:I know what you mean about these late nights Alan!
I am now left with a conundrum, do I seek a late beer or an early breakfast?
Combining the two is probably the answer

No contest... The beer is your breakfast.

I am like Jim Carrey in Liar Liar I want to say congwats to Mau, conlats to Moooo.... But the words just will not come out...

Okay okay they were worthy of their victory. Barcelona should have taken something to Old Trafford so they gave themelves an uphill task. That last few minutes must have been torture...

The rumour mill has it that Mark Hughes wants Scholes and Giggs if they are coming to the end of their Old Trafford shelf life... After THAT goal I don't think he or they are going anywhere for a while yet.

Post by **Galee** » April 30, 2008, 7:00 pm

Thought I'd get in first, just in case Drogba is cynically hacked down in the penalty box and is accused of diving.

The Liverpool captain leading by example.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVb2gbMtN3I

Post by **Roy** » April 30, 2008, 8:50 pm

Galee, I'm a neutral so have no axe to bear but surely even Chelsea fans must get sick of a man built like a light heavyweight boxer writhing around in agony when a mere gust of wind passed him by?
I know all modern players use the tactic to some extent but Drogba takes it to a new level.
I for one hope that he leaves the Premiership never to return and takes his mock afflictions elsewhere.

Post by **BobHelm** » April 30, 2008, 9:06 pm

Good luck to both Chelsea & Liverpool tonight. May the best team win, hopefully with no controversy. Man U will be happy to beat either in Moscow!!!!

Don't think Drogba is much worse than many in that respect Roy - although I do agree it looks like it should take a tank to stop him if he wanted to stay on his feet. I think Ronaldo, Gerard and many others have been guilty of this far too often. Personally I think the FA should bring charges of bringing the game into disrepute (& long bans) on video evidence rather than charging managers who say that "the Ref had a shocker" (when they usually have!!) with this offence.

Post by **Roy** » April 30, 2008, 9:27 pm

I agree with you BH that the FA should take a stand against these offenders, all of the above included.
We English have always taken pride in the fact that our game has been robust, physical contact is actually allowed!
I do understand the pressure of the modern game, millions at stake through a single goal.
So I comprehend players diving for a winning goal but Drogba's consistent acting of being inflicted a mortal blow, even when it does not matter, is just laughable and has no place in the Premiership.

He OK other than that

Post by **Galee** » May 1, 2008, 4:12 am

Post by **Bellmondo** » May 1, 2008, 5:07 am

Post by **Hages** » May 1, 2008, 7:31 am

I had a feeling that Riise's own goal would cost Liverpool a place in the final

Well, good luck to both clubs in the final, it should cap off an interesting end to the season.

Post by **slaphappy** » May 1, 2008, 7:36 am

But end of season avram grant will go regardless ,the same for erickson, so maybe they should swap clubs,sven loves the london nightlife!

Post by **BKKSTAN** » May 1, 2008, 11:11 am

slaphappy wrote:But end of season avram grant will go regardless ,the same for erickson, so maybe they should swap clubs,sven loves the london nightlife!

Might even include Benetiz!!

I would think that there would be experienced players from each side that would know best whether the manager should actually be replaced or not!

oldfield · Post by **oldfield** » May 1, 2008, 12:22 pm

Irish Alan wrote:1:20am (Don't mind the clock on here trust me...): Waiting on the match... Running out of coffee... Already had 5 cans of Red Bull... I've got palpitations...

She's praying to Buddha... I'm a Catholic again.

C'mon de Pool... [-o<

$\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$

Post by **Irish Alan** » May 1, 2008, 12:42 pm

oldfield wrote:
Irish Alan wrote:1:20am (Don't mind the clock on here trust me...): Waiting on the match... Running out of coffee... Already had 5 cans of Red Bull... I've got palpitations... She's praying to Buddha... I'm a Catholic again. C'mon de Pool... [-o<
$\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$

Sod the coffee I was on the tiger... The beer that is! That is the advantage of being a pessimist... You can't be too disappointed. As Hage's said Riise's own goal made it difficult... Cracking goal by Drogba and it was goodnight Irene.

I'll stay a Catholic...

Goes to show even Jesus doesn't stay up till 4am.

Congratulations to Chelsea.

Post by **Zidane** » May 2, 2008, 12:32 pm

Good afternoon,live from the Emporium Shopping Complex,Bangkok....my wife has already uttered the chilling words "After lunch we can look Siam Paragon"

Well,congrats to Chelsea after a very entertaining game.
After Torres equalised I thought Liverpool were the more likely winners in normal time but Chelsea came good in the extra period.
So United and Chelsea head to head for the Premiership and Champions League now,makes for a very exciting end to the season

But some interesting questions now....

1.If Chelsea win one or both of these trophies do you think they can get rid of Avram Grant ?
2.If Grant does go what chance Sven Goran Erikkson taking over ?
3.Galee,the only Chelsea fan in the whole of Isaan,is due to fly back to the UK when the Champions League Final is on......should he change his flight plans...bearing in mind Chelsea are unlikely to win anyway ?

As for Liverpool,commiserations....clearly if the club is to improve then the ownership issue needs to be sorted once and for all.Better for the club if the two Americans sell up and let the consortium from Dubai buy the club,I think.
Must be very difficult for Benitez....if its not resolved he could well leave.

Zidane

Post by **Galee** » May 4, 2008, 12:38 pm

Good post Zidane. From my own personal perspective I'll answer your questions.

1. For me the juries still out on Grant. He just does not inspire confidence, but that I think is just his demeanor. If he wins one of the titles I think he has to be given another chance. He is mainly playing with Mourinho's team with the exception of Anelka. If he stays it will be interesting to see what happens when he brings in more of his own players. If they bring in another manager can Chelsea risk buying new players when the manager hasn't proved himself.

2. NO, NO, NO. Would be a disaster. I remember the World Cup game against Brazil. We were 1-0 up and I think they were down to 10 men. When it came to making tactical decisions he had no idea. He looked like a startled rabbit caught in the lights of an oncoming car.

3.No not the only Chelsea fan. I have a good golfing mate, Deni, who is even more an avid fan than me. have made enquiries about changing my date back home. Qatar would want 1500Baht but the Thai ticket to BKK is not transferable, so would have to buy a new one. All in all would cost about 3700baht, so I'm stuck with having to travel on Final night. I'm hoping to get home without knowing the score, but I think the chances of that are almost nil. I remember one flight during a big game the captain of the plane gave the score after we landed at Gatwick. Will not be a happy bunny if they do that again.

Post by **Ba Bob** » May 4, 2008, 6:48 pm

Isnt Moscow a home game for Chelsea??

Post by **BKKSTAN** » May 5, 2008, 4:59 am

Ba Bob wrote:Isnt Moscow a home game for Chelsea??

great!!!

Post by **Zidane** » May 8, 2008, 11:19 am

Galee wrote:Good post Zidane. From my own personal perspective I'll answer your questions.

1. For me the juries still out on Grant. He just does not inspire confidence, but that I think is just his demeanor. If he wins one of the titles I think he has to be given another chance. He is mainly playing with Mourinho's team with the exception of Anelka. If he stays it will be interesting to see what happens when he brings in more of his own players. If they bring in another manager can Chelsea risk buying new players when the manager hasn't proved himself.

2. NO, NO, NO. Would be a disaster. I remember the World Cup game against Brazil. We were 1-0 up and I think they were down to 10 men. When it came to making tactical decisions he had no idea. He looked like a startled rabbit caught in the lights of an oncoming car.

3.No not the only Chelsea fan. I have a good golfing mate, Deni, who is even more an avid fan than me. have made enquiries about changing my date back home. Qatar would want 1500Baht but the Thai ticket to BKK is not transferable, so would have to buy a new one. All in all would cost about 3700baht, so I'm stuck with having to travel on Final night. I'm hoping to get home without knowing the score, but I think the chances of that are almost nil. I remember one flight during a big game the captain of the plane gave the score after we landed at Gatwick. Will not be a happy bunny if they do that again.

Galee,young man,sorry for the delay in replying but difficult when I'm away........
1.Yes,I think if Grant can pick up one of the trophies he should be given a chance next season......but he does seem a bit dour

2.No,I dont think Erikkson would be the right man for Chelsea....possibly Rijkaard or Mancini from Inter Milan ?
3.Sorry to hear that you wont be able to watch the Final but at least you wont be watching your boys getting beaten

Zidane

Post by **beer monkey** » May 22, 2008, 5:16 am

Don't think Galee is going to make it back home with-out learning his side lost...don't think he will be too pleased anyway,... especially after a long flight

Post by **Zidane** » May 22, 2008, 5:21 am

My God,its 5am here in Thailand.....
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL....Manchester Utd 1 Chelsea 1 (United win 6-5 on penalties)

What a match....what a fantastic advertisment for the Premiership
Its a shame such a game has to be decided on penalties.John Terry was my man of the match and,even as a United fan,I felt for him missing that penalty!

For the first 35 minutes it was all United,they were superb.How Chelsea were level at half time even the KGB would find difficult to explain !
But Chelsea were in control throughout most of the second half and United were grateful for the 1-1 scoreline at full time,particularily after Drogba hit the post.
Injury time was pretty even with Lampard hitting the bar and Giggs missing a great chance to win it for United.
What was that melee near the end all about....Drogba red carded ? I thought Makele and Carvalho were earlier harshly booked.But one person I thought deserved to go was Ballack for his continual whingeing at the ref throughout the match,
Incidentally,I thought the ref had a good game.
So United end up with the two major trophies.A bit harsh on Chelsea who are so close to them and on Arsenal who,on their day played the best football in the Premiership.
But for our American friends,who I know follow these posts closely,dont worry....there are still the English League play offs and then the Euro 2008 Championships....and then the Premiership/Champions League starts all over again.
And at the end of the day who really gives a stuff about Obama/Clinton/McCain.....admit it ?
Sorry,the Chang beers have taken their toll...time for bed or breakfast!

Zidane

Post by **BKKSTAN** » May 22, 2008, 8:08 am

I too stayed up to watch a superb match and was very happy with the result!

Your description of the match is spot on except I don't think the bookings effected the outcome of the match at all!

I am a Man Utd. fan and when Ronaldo missed his kick,I thought it was all over.I also felt sorry for John Terry as he had the match in his kick as Ronaldo had already missed!