I just wanted somewhere to discuss the games this season and football in general. Searched and found nowhere suitable but please link me if it's hiding somewhere.

 

 

 

And to stop some Americans from having to read further, yes this is about soccer.

 

 

 

 

 

So how's your team(s) getting on with the start of the new seasons? Not good? Don't worry there's still a long way to go - that's what I keep telling myself.

 

 

 

One thing I'm going to try and do this season myself is keep up with more of the major leagues than I usually do.

 

 

 

Anyway, to kick off, anyone else watch the Chelsea-Man Utd game today? Ouch :x

United were the same as against Liverpool. Played well for the first twenty minutes, but as soon as questions were asked about our defence, all confidence just seemed to fall apart. We didn't really have a chance after Park's goal. Ronaldo didn't have much of an impact, and neither did Berbatov, although the 7(?)-1 yellow card count speaks volumes for the referee.

 

 

 

We have got to improve defensive-wise. Another quaky game without Vidic and Brown, and Van der Sar well below average.

Well, I'm a fan of Club Brugge in Belgium, and they just won the clash vs. Genk, one of the 4 major teams, next to Brugge, Anderlecht and Standard. Only 1-0, in Genk, a close one, but a win is a win! Now they just have to make no mistakes against the minor teams they are yet to play, because Brugge is 2 games behind on most other teams. Most of their young stars were at the Olympics in August, so they decided to postpone those games.

 

I'm very, very exited about their new player Ronald Vargas, who seems to live up to the (high) expectations I, and all other Brugge fans, had about him. He's the lesser version of Ronaldinho, but still; for Belgian standards, that's very good. Nabil Dirar, the other winger they signed, is also doing great. And then, our best signing, Joseph Akpala, last year's top scorer, has already scored in every league game. I'm very pleased with what Brugge is doing, and looking forward to their European adventures against Bern, at home, after drawing 2-2 in Switzerland. Standard is doing superb in the European contest as well, too bad they didn't win against Liverpool n those 2 games, although they certainly deserved to. The Reds all admitted they were shaking in their boots both games. And now, that other Liverpool club, Everton is about to get whooped in the UEFA cup by the same team, after they too drew 2-2 in Liverpool, now they just have to make sure Everton doesn't win in Liège.

 

 

 

So, all in all, I'm very pleased about the way Belgian football suddenly lifted itself up where it belongs again. Even our national team does great for what they're worth: an obvious win against Estonia in Belgium and a very nice 1-1 draw against Turkey, in Istanbul, in the qualifying games for the 2010 WC.

 

 

 

On international level, I've always supported Barça, but the Blaugrana have been doing pretty awful the last 6 months. Still, today they did win 1-6 against Sporting de Gijon, which is exactly the way things should be. Barça has, IMHO, the best team in the world, but they just lack concentration and endurance sometimes. With 4/9, the Liga hasn't started too great for them, but it's not a horrible result either. I hope that they can continue the nice way of playing they showed today and last week against Sporting Lissabon, and then they will be heroes again.

 

 

 

Vargas in action:

 

YzziCzL3ev0

 

We signed him for only 1mil I believe, which is a steal. Right after this game, offers of over 5mil came in, but Brugge happily refused them.

United were the same as against Liverpool. Played well for the first twenty minutes, but as soon as questions were asked about our defence, all confidence just seemed to fall apart. We didn't really have a chance after Park's goal. Ronaldo didn't have much of an impact, and neither did Berbatov, although the 7(?)-1 yellow card count speaks volumes for the referee.

 

 

 

We have got to improve defensive-wise. Another quaky game without Vidic and Brown, and Van der Sar well below average.

 

I quite agree. Utd have yet to get going really. But they better do it before it's too late.

 

 

 

Good read Oy. I'll be sure to keep an eye on Vargas. edit - lovely stepover in that goal against Brazil!

 

 

 

My main team I support is St. Johnstone, my local club. We have got off to a poor start this year. Currently 8th in the 1st division. I honestly still think though that we are above this level of football and should be playing in the SPL, ahh well we will get back there at some point I'm sure. Big derby game coming up on Saturday for us against Dundee and I'll be going to that game if I can scrounge £17 off someone.

 

It seems scottish football isn't doing too great as a whole at the moment. 8 (I think) games for our scottish clubs in Europe this season (inc qual.) and not one win.

 

Even Scotland haven't been playing to standard, only one win under Burley. But things are looking up there slightly.

Hmm... we need to get going, but 5 points out of 4 matches isn't bad when two of those matches have been to Liverpool and Chelsea. Bare in mind the game in-hand is against Fulham, at home.

 

 

 

We get a good run of home fixtures at the end of the season (Off-topic: yay for the Super League grand final in two weeks' time - I hope I'm there ;)), so as long as we're still around the top at Christmas, we should be fine. A point against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is nothing to turn your nose at.

Is it safe to admit that I'm a fan of Arsenal and totally marked out when they grasped the no.1 spot on the table?

 

 

 

Oh and I'm still waiting for the "Arsenal vs Manchester United" history in the making match, that would undoubtly be one to remember.

Looks like West Ham are paying now for the dodgy dealings over Tevez/Mascherano. Shef Utd are trying to get around £30 million from them for their troubles from being relegated.

I don't support a team, but this year I entered a fantasy football competition in the newspaper and it has made me more involved in the matches. I often have the Sky Sports Score Centre open at the weekend, although with a maximum of 40 transfers allowed for the season my team needs to stay solid for a while as I only have 19 left. :-$

 

 

 

I think Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are all in contention for the title this year. I think Man U haven't played the best they could, but they could pick up more points and still finish first. I think Hull will be the only one of the three promoted teams to survive relegation easily, although WBA have a decent chance. Newcastles sitatuation is dire, I'm interested to see if they can turn it around.

holy crap sunderland ARENT failing miserably so far. I'm pleasantly suprised to say the least.

 

also, lol newcastle.

I think Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are all in contention for the title this year.

 

 

 

Although I'm a Liverpool supporter I don't think they can win the title this year, at least they're getting the points atm. I'm waiting for the Keane-Torres connection pay off. :D

 

 

 

Chelsea are playing the best right now imo and I think they'll win league though it's probably still too early to say. Hopefully it'll be a close race to the title like last year.

Just watched the Man U-Boro game finished 3-1. Utd at times looked great, but in the 2nd half went back to their sloppy ways, thought it was going to end 1-1. Last 20 minutes though they started to shine again though boro went down to 10 men after Pogatez's awful challenge on Possebon. Manucho looks like a real catch though. Looking forward to seeing more of him this season.

Arsenal got 6 against Sheffield...

 

 

 

Why waste good energy and risk fitness in a meaningless fixture when you could have just gone with 2? I sense this is gonna be another year of show boating from Arsenal, while they finish third/fourth again.

Arsenal got 6 against Sheffield...

 

 

 

Why waste good energy and risk fitness in a meaningless fixture when you could have just gone with 2? I sense this is gonna be another year of show boating from Arsenal, while they finish third/fourth again.

 

Think Arsenal fielded a few youngsters tonight to be fair. Also they were playing a Championship side. Probably would have been more than 6 if they go all out.

Good start for Leeds so far. Bit of a shaky start in the league but well back on track now with some good results in the Carling Cup. Made it to our game against Crewe before I went off to Uni and we look great going forward but a bit shaky at the back.

 

 

 

Look out for teams going after our great youngster Delph in Janruary along with Beckford. I reckon these two are probably in the top 5 or 10 english players outside the Premiership. I read somewhere that selling them could buy us back our training facilities however im sure the extra revenue in the Championship would be better.

 

 

 

As for the Premiership, I dislike most of the teams but seeing Man U win the League would be quite funny just to shut the scousers up about how they are the most sucessful team in history. If I had to pick a top 4 team though I would have to go for Arsenal.

Arsenal got 6 against Sheffield...

 

 

 

Why waste good energy and risk fitness in a meaningless fixture when you could have just gone with 2? I sense this is gonna be another year of show boating from Arsenal, while they finish third/fourth again.

 

 

 

Wenger's always gone with second string sides when it comes to the Carling Cup... starting XI had an average age of 19. Wilshire who scored the fifth is only 16 :P.

Couple of shocks in tonight's Carling games. Brighton beat Man City and QPR beat Villa.

Good day for my teams.

 

Saints beat Dundee, our rivals, 2-0 :mrgreen: We really needed that. Time to get our title plans back on track

 

Man Utd beat Bolton 2-0, with a little help from a terrible refereeing decision for the first goal. :shock: Deserved the win, Utd were all over them most of the match. Could have been 6 or 7 nil in the end.

I can't believe Celtic made it 3-1 right at the death. I shouldn't be surprised, it is the Celtic way but I though Aberdeen could have held it at 2-2.

I can't believe Celtic made it 3-1 right at the death. I shouldn't be surprised, it is the Celtic way but I though Aberdeen could have held it at 2-2.

 

Who is your team I can't remember?

Rangers...hence why I was hoping Aberdeen could stuff Celtic :). At least we have the game in hand though.

Rangers...hence why I was hoping Aberdeen could stuff Celtic :). At least we have the game in hand though.

 

I thought so :P Got to remember it's not the 'Celtic' way, it's the 'old firm way'. Remember the Partick game in the cup? ;)

Rangers...hence why I was hoping Aberdeen could stuff Celtic :). At least we have the game in hand though.

 

 

 

"Follow, Follow..."

 

 

 

My team as well. Should do well against Hibs tomorrow.

Hull City, take a bow. Looking forward to MOTD tonight. Arsenal should really have won all their games so far, not really had any solid opposition as of yet and they really need the early results going by their squad size.

 

 

 

And who could have predicted a massively soft penalty at Old Trafford? Not me that's for sure. -.-

 

 

 

Good result for Leeds today, shame were not in the top 2 now, Carlisle look to have dropped off a bit, but Leicester and Scunny remain strong and consistent and Southend are on the up. Hoping Oldham's result will be the start of a slump for them.

Hull City, take a bow.

 

Nice result even though it completely buggers up my fantasy teams score this week :P

And who could have predicted a massively soft penalty at Old Trafford? Not me that's for sure. -.-

 

I love this attitude. If us and Liverpool get more penalties, it's because we go into the box more. It was a dive, but:

 

 

 

A) We scored another anyway

 

B) We dominated that match completely.

 

 

 

And I never hated Cousin. Ever. Not even when he scored in the Old Firm... :anxious: