Foolishmoose - I have a tough one for you. Since the majority of my TV time is spent watching FSC, Setanta, GOL and ESPN Soccer programming, and with to my knowledge only ESPN carrying HD, but the minimum amount of soccer programming, my question is, do you have any inside info on when FSC may go HD?
Bobby – Sorry, I do not have a clue what is planned. What’s more I am not looking forward to that day. My imperfections will show up!!!
JayAlves – It’s going to be an interesting transfer season. Kudos to Spurs for firing the first shot and setting the tone as the season isn't even over and teams are going to have to line up their targets quicker or be left in the cold.
Bobby – I find it interesting that the move was made before the European Championships. A good summer tournament would have boosted the price considerably you would have thought.
RonW - Next year I believe they're increasing the number of substitutes who can suit up in the EPL... what effect do you think it will have on the games(if any, besides being better for the big spending/squad teams)?
Bobby – As long as the number that can be used sticks at three I really can’t see how will make much of an impact. Coaches who have been tempted not to name a goalkeeper will no longer have an excuse. Maybe the Premiership missed an opportunity to encourage a little bit more youth development by insisting that at least two of the seven named substitutes be under-21.
Gregz - 1. Bobby, what do you think of Fernando Gago? In recent weeks he has been putting on some remarkable performances for Real Madrid 2. Lots have been said about Hatem Ben Arfa maybe going to Arsenal. If it were to happen do U think he would make it? I'm thinking he is a bit light weight and every summer Arsenal's midfield players get smaller.
Bobby – 1. I have not watched Real Madrid the last two weekends so I can’t really comment on Gago’s recent performances. From what I have seen of him previously I would have said his performances have been underwhelming.
2. How many times has Arsenal been linked with a player they have actually signed? Eduardo, Adebayor, Rosicky, Hleb, Sango? I don’t remember of any of these being on the radar screen prior to signing so I would not put too much reliance on reports of Arsenal’s supposed transfer targets until a deal is actually done.
As for being light weight – he’s played as a striker (and on the left side) so he can’t be that soft can he? As for summer transfer targets I’ll throw out the name of Luis Suarez as someone one of the big clubs might move for this summer.
Thierry_Henry - I don't know if you watched Liverpool v. Birmingham on the weekend. But the 2nd Birmingham goal should never have counted. Jahidi was in between the wall and the goal keeper wanting to make it difficult for the keeper to view where the ball is headed. In that case I think he was interfering with play, even if the free kick went right in. Therefore he was offside. What's your take on it?
Bobby – I did watch the game and the referee’s decision was correct. First of all you have to consider the meaning of “interfering” and the regulations provide a clear definition. In terms of interfering with play a player is judged as such if he plays or touches the ball “passed or touched by a team-mate”. As Jahidi did not receive the ball then he cannot have been interfering with play.
Then it is a case of whether or not he was interfering with an opponent. “Interfering with an opponent means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or movements or making a gesture or movement which, in the opinion of the referee, deceives or distracts an opponent.”
Larsson hit the ball from well outside the penalty box. Reina’s view of Larsson was never hindered or obstructed – you can see that clearly from the camera view from behind the net. The Birmingham player didn’t make a gesture or movement. The goal was rightfully given.
Jahmikes - 1. I think Arsenal's main weak spot is defense and have my opinions, can you give an analysis of our starting defenders and the bench ones, mine is we have a good starting 4 but on the bench we look awful sparse from Traore who was underutilized.
2. Do you think the recall of Vela will become Wenger's answer to his wing problems? I see him and Walcott becoming our version of Nani and Ronaldo.
3. I felt that Torres should have received player of the year due to the many external and internal challenges he faced in his season. Ronaldo's ability is without question but being in a stable team made it much easier for him to shine, wouldn’t you agree?
4. What’s your verdict for tomorrow? I think Ferguson is playing a risky game. He used similar tactics against Roma in the semi's and was able to go through because Roma had no real strike force up front to capitalize on their attacks, Barcelona is a team built to score goals, and if Ferguson plays an open game they will score, if he plays defense it will be a stale mate with Barca going through.
Bobby – 1. Biggest problem is dealing with crosses and high balls down the middle. I don’t see much wrong at full back except perhaps trying to cut down on the balls getting into the box. I don’t see the problem as a lack of depth if your central two are not dominant enough. Fix the first problem before you consider depth.
2. What wing problem and with the exception of Marc Overmars when has Arsène Wenger ever played wingers? Arsenal looks to get width from full backs not wingers. Pinning your hopes on a 19 year-old who has not kicked a ball in English football sounds desperate to me. There is nothing to indicate that Wenger is suddenly going to dump his system to incorporate two rampaging teenage wingers. (I’m not even convinced that Vela and Walcott are going to be wingers in the long-term.)
3. No I wouldn’t agree. The award is supposed to go the best player not the best player in an on-going transatlantic soap opera.
4. I have looked into the crystal ball and I can see United winning 1-0 with Paul Scholes scoring a scorching goal around the 14th minute after Zambrotta makes a hash of a pass. As for Barcelona being built to score goals – this version must have been built on a Monday after a boozy weekend.
LGB -1. Which team (in any top league) has been the most disappointing this season? 2. Do you believe Mourinho will end up in Barca, Madrid or Milan (blue or red)? 3. What do you make of Ballack and Drogba's on-the-field spat? Not much has been made of it because of United's antics and, of course, Chelsea won but is this kind of competitive edge what you need in a game like this, especially at such a crucial time? 4. What do you make of seedings in tournaments such as World Cup, Euro Championships and Euro Cup? Worth it or worthless? 5. How many goals do you see Liverpool needing to score at the Bridge for them to progress? How many for Barca at OT? 6. Final question: Why in the world is the PFA player of the year award handed out before the season is over?
Bobby –1. Barcelona.
2. Yes……or some other team.
3. I thought it was very funny. It was playground stuff.
4. It makes sense to me for a number of reasons. There are also different sort of seedings – there is rankings and also the system that makes sure you don’t draw three CONCACAF teams in the same World Cup Final group.
5. Two for Liverpool. And one for Barcelona!!!!
6. I don’t know and neither do I know why the voting takes place around February.
Jahmikes - How many goals has Arsenal conceded from set plays? And what’s their rank in this statistic?
Bobby – Arsenal 11 of 31. I don’t know how they rank but here are the others from the top six. Aston Villa 14/47; Chelsea 11/25; Everton 12/31; Liverpool 18/27; Manchester United 6/21.
ReggaeGunner - Who's been the best RB for the 07/08 season throughout Europe? I've seen quite a lot of matches still trying to come to a final conclusion.
Bobby – How about Maicon?
Redfan4ever – 1. As the season draws to a close and we all reflect on what has been, I was a wondering what for you have been the best, say top three, highlights of season from the various leagues (not cups) you watch around the world? 2. Norman Hunter was related to Ron Harris and Tommy Smith in some weird way was he not?
Bobby – 1. I will go with these three. Chelsea and Spurs sharing 8 goals in the Premiership. Fiorentina’s 3-2 win over Juventus. Villarreal’s 4-3 away win against Atletico Madrid.
2. Chiseled from the same piece of granite.
Redfan4ever – 1. If Chelsea fork out 55 million for Kaka, who would you see them using as a holding midfielder? 2. Also, do you think they would be able keep Lampard and Ballack happy if Kaka arrives? 3. Do you think Drogba is on the way out this summer especially after his temperamental attitude with Ballack over a free kick and his general demeanor against the Mancs last weekend? I do not think he is happy at all.
Bobby – 1. The same one they were going to use anyway – Mikel.
2. Neither appears to have been particularly happy since Ballack arrived so adding Kaka to mix will not improve the situation.
3. Drogba has been unhappy since Mourinho left so I would not read too much into the Drogba/Ballack tantrums as being some sort of turning point.
LGB - I like the offside rule that is going on right now. If we go back to the other way then we'll get goals like Roy Keane's getting ruled out in the 99 FA Cup semifinal.
Keep the rule the same as it is now. I like the fact that goalies can be "distracted". They are protected way too much as it is.
Bobby - You make a good point. Confusing a keeper is not the same as distracting him.
AlbertaGooner – Who was your team of the season?
Bobby – I’ll wait for the post season to list mine I think.
thewobengonboy - Recently Martin Samuel asked the punters to put forward selection recommendations for Fabio Capello. I was slightly surprised that no one went to bat for Tom Huddlestone. I have seen performances where, on his day, he looks like a poor man's Andrea Pirlo with his range of passing, and seems worthy of a look in an England squad where Beckham is clearly past his best. How do you rate him? Additionally, has Juande Ramos done him any favors by trying him out in defense?
Bobby – He has a great touch and is a very good passer of the ball. His lack of pace and mobility is a problem and that would be a bigger problem at the international level. Huddlestone played a good number of games at Derby in central defense before he moved to Spurs and it might well become his accepted position.
Thierry_Henry - 1 - Given the British malaise of not finishing project in timely manner, i.e.: Wembley stadium, London airport terminal death row, sorry, Heathrow... are you surprised on how smooth the construction of the Emirates stadium went?
2 - Do you think Tottenham Hotspurs will avoid relegation next season?
Bobby – 1. Amazed. Just wait for the Daddy of them all – the 2012 Summer Olympics. It will make the costs overruns for Montreal 1976 look like petty cash. 2. Yes – along with Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Everton, Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United…….
Roseboy64 - Eriksson to be sacked.....What are your opinions?
Bobby – Thirteen points up on last season’s position with two games left - difficult to justify him being fired. Only explanation is Sven becoming another victim of an egomaniac owner.
No doubt Sven will walk away with another big cheque and he does have his new TV career to fall back on this time. However, I think he does have to work on his camera presence – he seems a bit “wooden” – almost puppet-like - at times.
Ringo - Will Hamilton be allowed to play home games at home next season? I see their ground holds 5,400 will that be enough to keep the SPL happy?
Bobby – They have a Field turf artificial surface at the moment and it is being replaced this summer with under soil heating and a proper grass surface. I don’t know what the situation is with the capacity but my understanding is that the SPL has signed off on Hamilton’s plans.
MasMaz - When do we get your team of the season?
Bobby – At the end of the season and probably with a twist.
Thierry_Henry - Is Rijkaard done? He did not show any desire to win today. Starting Henry on the bench was fatal from what I believe. What's your take?
Bobby – His time was up well before today. He has come to the end of the normal life-cycle of a manager.
Zuco2 -Looking at the recent "achievement" of Zenit in the UEFA cup, does it mean that the Russian League is perhaps a stronger league then we might think?
Bobby – It depends on who “we” are. When CSKA Moscow was on route to their UEFA Cup win of 2005 I suggested that Russian clubs would soon be making their mark in Champions League.
To date that hasn’t happened so from my perspective the Russian teams have been disappointing over the last three seasons in Europe. There is money behind the teams and they have brought in some excellent talent. At the moment they are punching below their weight.
Bobby:
Your imperfections show up just fine on regular TV!! :o)
Jaidi made sure he positioned his considerable frame perfectly in line between Reina and the ball. He blocked Reina's view, even though I don't know if he would've got to it regardless. I'm sure that ruling has been addressed this week, and you will never see anyone get away with that again.
Nice prediction on today's match! It looked like Barca's only plan to score today was, give Messi the ball in midfield and let him dribble the entire Man Utd team en route to goal.
Where are all the talking heads who used to complain the Italian teams used defensive tactics on their way to continental dominance?
VVV- Talking heads are just that... The name of the game is to score more goals than your opponent...
If your opponent scores 9, you must score 10... But if you can keep your opponent to 0, 1 is sufficient... I've never understood why winning tactics get so much criticism. If your opponent is playing "too defensive" and not trying to score, it should be easier to outscore them, should it not?
It gets criticism because that 10-9 game could/would be a much better game depending how it unfolded.
The game was a good one but the one more goal by Man U on the break to justify them playing on the break or the late equalizer to punish them for not putting the game away would of made it a potential classic.
Sure Man U won but it really wasn't as convincing as people are making it out to be over the 2 legs. Barca was the definition of possession without real quality chances. It was deja vu all over again of all those Brazil/Barca/Arsenal games where they look brilliant but in reality they really don't have many more quality chances then the team playing deep. Really cant get excited for a team playing on the break in 2 games got a single goal while fielding arguably the fastest winger to power their counter.
edit: Put it this way we were one goal away from any of the Barca players from Ferguson getting absolutely ripped apart in the media. Deco went sizzling past twice Messi had that one very clear shot that Van De Sarr was amazing on. Comedy player of the match goes to Wes Brown for twice trying to give his keeper a concussion as if they needed more injuries.
Depends, a 10-9 game with horrendous defending and a bunch of "garbage goals" scored while the ball is knocked around the 6 yard box wouldn't really classify as a "good game"...
I don't know if you saw it, but Portsmouth's 7-4 win over Reading this year featured 11 goals... But I wouldn't call that game a "good game"... It was VERY sloppy, and the teams were fortunate enough to take advantage of the other teams sloppiness...
And thats partly why I cant watch the MLS. Sorry had to say it. Last time I caught one of their games of the 4 goals I saw maybe 1 was class the rest were errors by defense or goalie.
10/9 is a bad number and I just plucked it from your previous post but a better one to argue over would be if the entire tie even finished 2-0. If Man U after taking the lead in the 14th say in the 75th set up an amazing run between Tevez and Ronaldo where regardless who scored and it was skilfully and not the major fault of defense or goalie. Hell I don't even blame Zambrotta much... Scholes still hit a laser from 35 yards its not like he coughed the ball up on the 6 yard box.
I agree with VVV though if analyst come out hailing Man U and Ferguson as genius its just a steaming load of BLEEP (love how thats uncensored). All you have to do is look at the first Pool Chelsea tie and see the definition of when 1-0 isn't enough. He really should get a grilling as to how dominated his team was on possession on both legs. It really was a squeaky way to get to the final but then again thats why I never rate the CL as the trophy to focus on because like I've said before when you deal with tournament play all the best plans can go out the window for many reasons. If you find yourself in the final awesome but never at the expense of the league.
I have carried over your contribution to discourse re: Manu and Barca.
I have a suggestion.
Try and watch the new Costas Now on HBO this week if you have HBO. If you don't have HBO please try and find a friend or relative that has HBO and watch it.
There's a segment ostensibly devoted to the paradigm of bloggers and their contribution to the world of contemporary sports coverage.
Buzz Bissinger (he's arguably one of America's better sports journalists who has won a Pulitzer Prize) and Will Leitch of Deadspin.com. join a Cleveland Brown player and Costas in what turns out
to be an interesting "debate".
Leitch, reminds me of you and I have never met you. Whilst Ursus, I have never met him either, reminds me of Buzz. It's been entertaining to see Ursus pickup the gauntlet from the likes of CraigyF, Ringo, Alberta, et al in their interaction with you.
Just good craic!
For the record, yes I am a fan of Barca and always will be. I enjoy their philosophy and style of play. They used to play beautiful football.
They didn't play beautiful football very much this season. So what. Maybe next year. In the interim my life continues to be grand.
"Jahmikes - How many goals has Arsenal conceded from set plays? And what’s their rank in this statistic?
Bobby – Arsenal 11 of 31. I don’t know how they rank but here are the others from the top six. Aston Villa 14/47; Chelsea 11/25; Everton 12/31; Liverpool 18/27; Manchester United 6/21."
Fascinating stat, Bobby.
From a LFC POV, 18/27 (67%) is by far the highest percentage of total goals conceded from set plays, of the top six teams listed (Chelsea is next highest at 44%)- almost double the average rate of all the teams.
Lower that rate to, say, the roughly 35% average proportion of such goals from the other top 5 teams (except LFC), and the result would be LFC conceding 14 goals in total-- and challenging for the PL title, when the number of wins -> draws points lost is considered.
On the plus side, only 9 goals from open play is better than anyone else, even the 14 and 15 from those defensive masters at SB and OT. So something to build on if LFC is serious about mounting a PL challenge.
Jay Alves - You can't watch MLS because the goals don't meet your definition of class? What a crock!
Tell me something, of the three goals that have been scored in the three games of the Champions League semis, which one has NOT been due to a defensive error of some sort?
With the lone exception of Scholes pouncing triumphiantly upon his chance, the semis have been rife with great players performing innocously.
Silly me, of course a faux-manc can't see past his own nose. I love how ManUre fans come out of hibernation after the rarest of CL Semi wins & bring class to the discussion. Must be an "innocuous" coincidence. Congrats Salford, yer now batting, what, .231?
Bobby: I lasted fifteen minutes before having to mute the sound.
Thanks, I needed that laugh. It's refreshing to see someone 'break ranks,' even if it's obvious....
gongatore:
Sympathies. Mebbe my cheering for Barca doomed you. The worst part, if I were a Barca fan, is that Red Nose called them out on their predictability *before* the match & Barca did nothing aboot it
Ursus:
Mebbe I misspoke. By hedge I meant betting against my emotional investment so that either I win money or my team/athlete wins. There's no rake there that I can see
The 'spite' thing was an illustration of the degeneracy of some of my friends vis-a-vis betting. I'll sometimes not give them action unless they bet against their own guy (c;
My $0.02: The whole PFAPoY & PFAYPoY thing:
it's a joke. The voting, criteria, everything. Either Fake Ronaldo wins both or change the YPoY rules; either it's for a calendar year or a BPL season, not neither
The whole Brum offside thing:
silly IMO. If that FK comes off Reina or the woodwork, it's offside instantly, right? So why's he there if not to distract, & dewd wasn't even distracting, so what's the point? And the commentators said it was great gamesmanship or sommut. What-ever. BTW, helluva FK!
I like the offside rule just fine, providing the refs stop getting decisions wrong like Kuyt v. Chav$ki CL 2007. The only change I'd make is to give the offensive player more benefit of the doubt - offside only if completely beyond the last defender. If that *is* the rule, than I wanna see it called that way for someone other than Loser-Pippo!
Totti:
Why isn't he getting the Ronaldo treatment? Same injury, same age, right?
ABG:
Wuz wondering, is it a 4-3-3 then? FWIW, I thought it was Cesc holding & Fake on the right *shrug*
G: van Der Sar
D: Clichy, Lescott, Dunne, Sagna (lose the hair, dewd)
M: Young, Cesc, Gerrard, FR
F: Fern, Santa Cruz
H.Mention: Reina, Hutton, Vidic, Richards, JCole, Essien, Berbatov & just for you g00nerz, Eboue! Every team needs a clown!
How the mighty have fallen? In two years, Barca has gone from best team in the world to a joke. I can't be the only person who thought Messi was a man amongst boys yesterday.
I "love" how Man U/Barca turned into a defensive chess match that had little attacking play and a 1-0 aggregate scoreline, yet nobody has the kjoneys to call them boring. If Liverpool and/or Chelsea were involved we'd all hear how typical it was for those side(s) to play boring football and how it's a shame that beautiful Arsenal aren't involved.
Jaidi...I hate to disagree Bobby, but replays clearly show that he was moving his body as to distract Reina. Whether it's within the rules is debatable, but not debatable is that it's a bush league move. I hope they get relegated to a level where that kind of horse's-assness is more acceptable.
Atleti-Usually its 3 games, sometimes 2 depending on whats going on in La Liga. I wouldn't call that tons of Bundesliga or anything really to judge it on.
Gongatore-Thats quite an insult, not sure if I'll ever recover. Of course thanks for just saying I'm right with that whole HBO show and story as filler.
Ursus-Sorry buddy but "Son" isn't supposed to be intimidating. Just trying to help you understand.
And, again, sorry but it isn't the size of your words it is the amount that you put in and the fact you make no point whatsoever, that is what amazes me! But hey looks like you found a buddy in Gongatore...of course I hope you aren't the same two people, how lonely would that be...
Verbal-Just to back to the Sean Avery thing, he was two inches from Broduer's face and was waving his stick in front of him. I agree that is bush league.
I agree, obviously, on your assessment of Farcelona(thanks Atleti)
And you bring up a good point. It was "boring" stuff from both clubs but will anyone say it? I think not.
Of course I really don't think its boring since we play that way most of the time! :)
Last edited by LetsGoBuffalo on April 30th at 7:12 AM.
Green theres more to the game then just goals tell me which player in the MLS goes on amazing runs like Messi? My point was I don't enjoy watching soccer that I am able to pick apart and say "Well that was ok but the goalie clearly parried the ball into Donovans path." I really have no time for watching Abel Xavier try to play defense I'm just sorry. Many goals can be analyzed and blamed on someone but I just find when I watch the MLS theres allot of cheap goals from average defending. Partly why I think dead ball specialists should all go to die in the MLS. The goalies and defense are not up to dealing with their FK's corners crosses and so on.
Never said that the CL semis were better soccer either especially if it involves Chelsea Liverpool who fail always to produce attractive games to watch. Intense but quality soccer far from it. Go figure the best games this year so far in the CL have involved at least 1 team that forces the game to be played more wide open and the skill of the best players in the world shows through.
V97:
The way Man Utd have approached their last 4 UCL matches says a lot about Man Utd’s track record in Europe during Sir Alex’s tenure at Old Trafford. Eventually it had to work, but it’s nothing to be proud of. In recent years, they tried to hang on to a 1-0 lead AT HOME against Porto in 2004 and failed, tried to defend against Milan AT HOME in 2005 taking a total of 2 shots, and failed. Tried to defend a 6th minute lead against Benfica in the final matchday of the group stage in 2006, lost and crashed out when a draw was enough. Last season went to Milan trying to defend a first leg lead, and got ran over. I’m sure Sir Alex is already working on the order of penalty takers for the final. Mind you after it finishes 0-0, he’ll tell us they should’ve won about 6-0, and the ref denied them about 3 clear penalties, and remind us that Ronaldo is the greatest player ever to play the game.
Thanks for proving my point. I think it would surprise just about everyone to reveal the team that has scored the most goals of England's big 4 in all comps this season. Of course it's boring, boring Liverpool. (Liv-114, Ars-111, MU-102, Che-98).
LGB, yes Avery was much, much closer (that's the nature of hockey...aside, I love that my Pens are kicking the BLEEP out of the Rangers). However, the intent behind it was the same and therefore, both are low-brow.
footie:
Actually no too long ago Man Utd was probably one of my favorite teams, even though I wouldn't go as far as saying I was a fan. Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes, Gary Pallister, and then the great young generation Sir Alex brought up were great. But these last few years since Sir Alex has become obsessed with European glory, he has taken 'winning ugly' to a whole new level. It has worked so far this year, but just like Rijkaard said yesterday, it's a shame to see a team with that much talent play like that.
This is a joke. What am I reading? Nothing bothers me more than people with blinders. I dislike Man Utd also, however to say that Barca dominated them at any point in the 2 legs is ignorance. Never did Barca look like they could score. They could have played for weeks and never have scored.
Messi ran around with his head down and did nothing. To say he played well is stupid. To say that he is a better overall footballer than Tevez is stupid. Tevez was easily the man of the match, winning balls, holding up play and maintaining possesion.
To say that Utd won on a mistake is stupid. It was a brilliant strike and Utd could have scored several times over the 2 legs.
Utd are better than Barca at every position except right wing.
Valdez- VDS(obvious)
Abidal- Evra (not even close, Abi is worst crosser ever)
Milito/Puyol- Ferdinand/Brown/whoever(again not close, milito is terrible, easy worst buy of season)
Zambrotta- Hargreaves( on the day Owen was great and Zambrotta has been off the pace for 2 seasons now)
Yaya- Carrick (Yaya has the same back prob as Henry and has been playin hurt all season)
Deco- Scholes(obvious, Scholesy came through)
Iniesta- Park (Park played great as he has in CL for 3-4 seasons now)
Xavi- Nani (Nani was dangeroud all day)
Messi- Ronaldo (not even close)
Eto'o- Tevez (Eto'o is a BLEEP, Tevez has the heart of a lion)
Man UTd are better team and likely twice as expensive.
Verbal- ROnaldo plays on the left mostly, I agree with, Messi will never put up numbers like ROnaldo. I compare him to Messi only for supposed starpower.
Just curious as I've had the conversation with friends on this side of the Atlantic, as well as mates from both sides of the divide since the game and needed an outsider's (apparently Dundonian...) opinion.
What do you think of Artur Boruc's "God Bless the Pope" t shirt? Admittedly as a Celtic fan my view may be slanted but surely simply wearing a t shirt that with that slogan and steering well clear of the Rangers supporters whilst wearing it is not an effort to incite violence?
I don't want to stir up any religious fervor or feeling, however from blessing himself to wearing a Pope shirt Boruc seems to constantly be on the receiving end of every new Rangers campaign against Catholicism. Do you think this reaction is ridiculous and Boruc should be left alone for a simple shirt, or is it justified in your opinion?
Ok Mas so Man U are the superior team and they won by a thrilling margin of 1-0 over 2 legs and were out possessed heavily in both legs...
I don't even come close to agreeing with your evaluation of the players or how the games unfolded.
Like VVV said I wonder what the PK lineup will be for the final. They played ugly they won. Its a good thing soccer already dominates the world as if this round of semi finals were what they had to show potential sports fans of what their game is they would get a massive falling grade. Crufy was exaggerating when he called them a long ball team but I think we get his point now.
Jay- When the name of the game is outscoring your opponents, what does possession matter? Especially when the team with the ball never did anything productive with it?
I mean, to compare what you're saying to other sports... Do you say that the team with the most hits in a baseball game should have won?
I think that Barcelona is getting hit with the same problem as Chelsea has been... They're built on making a team of talented players, instead of a talented team... There was very very little rhythm to their offense in both legs. And to be fair to United, I don't think they would have played as defensively all game long yesterday had they not scored early, but can you blame a team up 1-0 on aggregate in a cup semifinals for playing defensively, knowing that if they keep the other team from scoring they're on to the final?
Possession matters because last time I checked you have to have the ball to score... Well unless someone turns around and runs it back into their own net.
The point is at 1-0 they were flirting with disaster to continue letting Barca have the ball that much with such great players. For a team that is supposedly so amazing and better then Barca take the ball on the counter and make it 2-0 and put it to rest.
As for the baseball example same goes kinda. If your team is carrying a 1-0 lead and at the end of each inning the other team is stranding the bases loaded your asking for disaster. If you win the game 1-0 and dominated by hits you still won but you were 1 more hit away from looking like fools.
Man U was one Messi run in the 89th and a clumsy tackle from having egg on their face as the ref is forced to give a penalty. They were 1 OG away from looking like Liverpool. They were one handball from looking like they did on the brdige on the weekend.
Last edited by JayAlves on April 30th at 10:45 AM.
Curtinho: Good thing no media were covering the game, eh? Hate to see video or photos of that shirt showing up and inciting Rangers fans.
And Boruc knows full well what he's doing. It's happened before.
I'm a Rangers fan. And I'm married to a Catholic so I don't give a rat's rump about that BLEEP. But I do know that it's a wind up gesture directed at Rangers' hard-core fans.
Why wear the shirt in the first place? What does that really have to do with playing a sport, any sport?
At the end of the day, all this religious squabbling only serves to help keep small teams from Scotland small teams forever.
Bobby: What are you picking up these days from your extensive global network of embedded contacts, your relentless reading of tabloid trash articles or even a brief burst of hufBLEEPuff, on the potential exchange between Barca and Spurs involving an insolent Ivorian goal-poacher, a brooding Bulgarian bag bulger and undisclosed sums of cash?
Mas Maiz:
I won’t argue with the fact that Man Utd were the better team of both legs, and did enough to qualify. Even though, I have to agree with Bobby, that Barca are the most disappointing team in all of Europe. At the beginning of the season they were billed as unstoppable, and I admit I subscribed to that notion, especially after the arrival of Henry. I will say that in both legs, Barca were far more enterprising, even though they looked very disjointed. Both legs were approached negatively by both managers, and considering they are quite possibly the two most talented teams in football, it was an embarrassment to the game. (ok, maybe I got a bit carried away at the end!)
Well I'm gonna assume you mean Eto'o flash but hes from Cameroon and the only Ivorian on Barca is Yaya.
I couldn't wish for that anymore for Spurs. Trading a whiny striker who bags goals for a whiny striker who bags goals but is a injury risk also. Eto'o would be great he would play enough to excite and keep Bent out of the squad while being injured enough to give Bent his chance. Would keep the squad in a constant limbo all season and prevent them for hitting any consistent rhythm. Eto'o the best striker in the world that were starting to forget what it looks like when he plays. Might be time to start dropping him from that list.
Last edited by JayAlves on April 30th at 11:29 AM.
Bobby - interested to hear more of your thoughts on MLS...what teams have perked your interest? what team is your dark horse to do something special this year? If you could take in one game on the MLS calendar, what would it be? thanks.
How on earth can u say ronaldo had a better game than Messi. Messi was going passed defenders at will, did u watch the game? And what did u mean when u said barca had no chances all night i recall Deco coming very close to scoring two times in the space of about 2 minutes. Come on, r u a Closet ManU fan or what.
We can all agree that Barcelona missed Ronaldino in that chmpions league. they had tons of free kicks and couldn't convert. manu. should have paid for that.
Much respect to Chelsea they have come out to play and have been great so far.
Ugh I agree with Aldoray whats the world coming too. Messi was brilliant in the 2 legs and was the only player who seemed to want to win the tie at times. For me Deco was also great especially considering he remembered that old adage you have to shoot to score which the majority of the rest of the Barca players were not doing and did their best Hleb impressions of trying to pass it into the net.
Last edited by JayAlves on April 30th at 12:40 PM.
I'd have to agree Ronaldo had a better game then Messi. Messi can dribble past as many defenders, but it leads to nothing without actual chances. Even with Messi's class, he has become extremely predictable, lots of dribbling, going to the middle and playing the through ball, ManU was ready for that and effectively made him useless. Its the same as a crossover dribble in basketball, get past the defender, but a blocked shot counters the effectiveness of any previous move. All show, no tell.
I can't help but still be puzzled about Henry moving to Barcelona this year. Opinions about where Henry will be next season? I'm really hoping he jumps the ship back to England.
How will the opinion of Avram Grant change if he wins the title and the champions league??
Last edited by WeNeedMoreFreidel on April 30th at 12:43 PM.
