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2

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 17,555 ✭✭✭✭astrofool


    Mr Alan wrote: »
    sorry, but i'm representing no one but myself.

    Of course, they've been pathetic in pursuing their own "dream" (the Premier League).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    agreed, but these things take time and we're on the right course ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    I'm going to start praying every night for the next couple of weeks for a Chelsea/Barcelona. I really don't think I could face a United/Pool final. Fans on here get touchy enough when they play in seperate European ties. Imagine the carnage if they play each other the final. Bansticks galore for the mods.

    Come on Xavi, do it for me!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    dont rate that Xavi fella


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 8,176 ✭✭✭Unearthly


    think i'll avoid boards if its a Man Utd/Liverpool final. Only so much biased 11 v 11 comparisons you can read before getting depressed


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    Mr Alan wrote: »
    dont rate that Xavi fella

    Reported for trolling. I will not rise to your rubbish statement.
    Unearthly wrote: »
    think i'll avoid boards if its a Man Utd/Liverpool final. Only so much biased 11 v 11 comparisons you can read before getting depressed

    +1


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    ;) x


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    Mr Alan wrote: »
    ;) x

    <
    Like the new comment under my username?! :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    ha ha ha, love it!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    Yeah and now I wait for -

    1. An accusation of trolling from a United fan

    2. United to destroy Barca 5-0 in each leg and Xavi to be sent.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,687 ✭✭✭Dun laoire


    I think it would be fair to say this place would go into meltdown if it was to be a Liverpool Man United final. In saying that it's a very strong possibility. I can see it anyway. Roll on the semi finals


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 48,606 ✭✭✭✭Mitch Connor


    Xavi6 wrote: »
    Yeah and now I wait for -

    1. An accusation of trolling from a United fan

    2. United to destroy Barca 5-0 in each leg and Xavi to be sent.

    Anderson will add Xavi to the list of names, including Gerrard and Fabregas to be owned by him.:D;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    Tauren, lets end this little myth now, Anderson, at no point, has ever owned Gerrard.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,579 ✭✭✭quad_red


    If Utd go for the jugular and expose Barcelona's defensive frailties, you'd have to fancy Utd to go through. But if Ferguson starts getting jittery, who knows what could happen. Utd seem much stronger this year and we've experienced some great nights in the Nou Camp.

    The Chelsea v Liverpool game, well, who knows? I think Chelsea boast a better squad, with Liverpool possessing the more influential world class players (Gerard and Torres, who could win any game).

    A Liverpool v Utd game would be some spectacle. I'd need to be on valium for it though :o


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    Tauren wrote: »
    Anderson will add Xavi to the list of names, including Gerrard and Fabregas to be owned by him.:D;)

    *Bites tongue*

    We shall see


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 48,606 ✭✭✭✭Mitch Connor


    Xavi6 wrote: »
    *Bites tongue*

    We shall see

    i'm only messin anyway - i don't think Anderson will start either game. Fergie will hobble us with Scholes and Giggs in the same midfield.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    Tauren wrote: »
    i'm only messin anyway - i don't think Anderson will start either game. Fergie will hobble us with Scholes and Giggs in the same midfield.

    Fingers crossed. Tbh I think that's where the games will be won and lost. Giggs needs to be done away with most definitely. The likes of Carrick and Hargreaves would be suited to coping with Barca's three-man midfield more so than Scholes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,714 ✭✭✭✭LuckyLloyd


    Will this end up being the official thread? Lot of rubbish in it so far.

    Anyway...

    Every previous time two English teams have met in a European club competition the team that is ranked lower in the league table at the time of the tie has progressed from the fixture.

    This rather surprising statistic was maintained on Tuesday. However, it is inevitable that the trend will be bucked at some point. I honestly believe that Chelsea will beat us in the semis.

    The two league ties so far this season have demonstrated that there is not a whole lot between the teams, so one could be tempted to talk about Liverpool's European prowess or the questionable form shown by Chelsea against Fernabache. However, the idea that Liverpool would triumph over a rival with the better squad on paper in three consecutive two legged affairs is slightly outlandish. Indeed, the idea that any fixture this evenly matched could have the same winner three times in a row is out there.

    That the second leg is in Stamford Bridge this time around is crucial and should not be underestimated. The last two times (particularly in 2005) the atmosphere in Anfield for the second legs was massively passionate and intimidating. Is it the only reason Liverpool won? Of course not. But it surely adds a couple of percentage points of edge - which can be enough when things are so tight.

    You can talk about the shortcomings of Grant - but Chelsea have top players all over the pitch and the addition of a proven pressure game player and leader like Ballack means that they will have nothing to fear as a group. There remit is clear: get a draw at Anfield and bring them back home to London where Liverpool have struggled to find results under Benitez.

    Can Liverpool win? Of course they can. Is it an advantage that we can rest players the Saturday in between? Unquestionably. But there is no divine plan for a Liverpool / Utd final and I feel the law of averages is stacked against us. Here's hoping though..!! :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    good post LL


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,579 ✭✭✭quad_red


    Tauren wrote: »
    i'm only messin anyway - i don't think Anderson will start either game. Fergie will hobble us with Scholes and Giggs in the same midfield.

    Reducing the pace of the game to treacle and neutering out one of our prime strengths.

    I still have loads of time for Giggs but some of the praise that has been laid at his feet this season has been ridiculous. So to with Scholes. Both have been relegated to completely peripheral figures in games yet the press have lavished praise on them.

    The first leg away in the Nou Camp, with Barcelona slightly (but most certainly not mortally, as some would claim) wounded, is the time to bury the tie.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 48,606 ✭✭✭✭Mitch Connor


    Xavi6 wrote: »
    Fingers crossed. Tbh I think that's where the games will be won and lost. Giggs needs to be done away with most definitely. The likes of Carrick and Hargreaves would be suited to coping with Barca's three-man midfield more so than Scholes.

    if United can shut down Iniesta and Xavi we'll go through, but closing down two of the best midfielders in the game is a tough ol' task. On the flip side i don't think the Barcelona midfield will offer much opposition to United going forward, as they aren't the best defensively - the problem for United will be actually getting on the ball and doing something with it; a problem they have regularly had in europe over the years.

    I wouldn't be too annoyed if Scholes plays, as I don't think his lack of pace will be shown up much by the barcelona midfield, and his composure and passing ability are way above the other players. If Giggs plays we are kinda screwed cause he offers nothing these days.

    I would like to see Hargreaves, Carrick and Scholes in midfield, along with Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez. As much because I think we need to give Barcelona something to worry about or else they'll pick us off. Attack is the best form of defence 'n all that.

    Hopefully the injury jinx on Messi and Eto'o will strike again though....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,415 ✭✭✭Racing Flat


    Will Vidic be missing? Saw last night what a fine line there is between Utd.s defence being phenomenal (Vidic and Rio) and not very good, ie the manager having no confidence in the replacements. If Vidic is out and Rio's on/off foot injury plays up, I think Utd could be in bigh trouble.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,579 ✭✭✭quad_red


    Utd.s defence being phenomenal (Vidic and Rio) and not very good, ie the manager having no confidence in the replacements.

    Well, Ferguson was talking up Pique big style.

    But it's not just the manager who has no confidence in John O'Shea. I think it's plainly obvious that he is absolutely useless. One cannot polish a turd.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 976 ✭✭✭internelligent


    quad_red wrote: »
    Well, Ferguson was talking up Pique big style.

    But it's not just the manager who has no confidence in John O'Shea. I think it's plainly obvious that he is absolutely useless. One cannot polish a turd.

    LOL:D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,698 ✭✭✭IrishMike


    Ronaldo, tevez and rooney vs henry, bojan and etoo.
    Mouthwatering.
    Home to God rio and vidic are out because it will end up 10-9 over the 2 legs if thats the case :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,203 ✭✭✭Attractive Nun


    I agree, this fitness of both Vidic and Ferdinand is crucial. I reckon Ferdinand must be back to more or less full fitness or surely SAF would have taken him off last night. Vidic should be back as well.

    I guess the expected Barca front-3 (and it will surely be 4-3-3) will be Henry--Eto'o--Messi. Whatever about Barca's recent form, that remains a world class attack. I do, however, expect United to be able to deal with it:

    -> Eto'o - like Torres - is just the type of striker that Rio is made to defend against. Pacy, great positioning - give him any space and he can destroy you. Ferdinand has the ability to handle him, though he will need to be at the top of his game.
    -> Messi will be a handful. If he plays, he'll hardly be 100% but nevertheless he's a threat. But he'll be up against Evra and Vidic who should be well-equipped to deal with him. Hargreaves and Carrick will be told to keep an eye on him as well so his jinking runs shouldn't be too successful. He's the type of player who can produce a moment of genius to win any game though. If he doesn't start, I think it's definitely advantage United.
    -> Henry is a shadow of his former self, which is just as well because he'll be up against the weak link in our defence, Brown. With the protection of Ferdinand behind him, though, Henry will have to reel back the years to produce much. It would be just like him to do that, of course, but I'm not overly worried about him.

    If any of our back 4 don't start, I'd be much more worried - but as it stands we have the best defence in Europe IMO.

    --

    In midfield, SAF will undoubtedly pick 3 of Scholes, Hargreaves, Carrick and Anderson. Normally, I'm not a huge fan of these tactics but against Barca I think we will need to get as tight to Xavi and Iniesta as possible. The latter in particular can tear any team apart with his duel ability to pass and move, and to run at you. I'd like to see Hargreaves start, because shutting out those two means shutting out Barcelona.

    --

    Then, up front, I think we will have too much for them. Puyol is out of the first leg, which is a loss. Barca do have good players in defence, despite the general consensus that they don't (Zambrotta, Thuram, Milito, Marquez) but they don't seem the most well organised and their keeper is dodgy. Yaya Toure isn't the most effective holding midfielder either IMO.

    However, in open play, Xavi and Iniesta will stick in their own half and close down space. The situation will not be ideal for our players and I wouldn't expect us to get much joy. At set pieces, and crosses, I think we are a threat - but Ronaldo is our only real attacking dangerman in the air. If we get into positions to swing in crosses I think we might be dangerous, but aside from that counter-attacking is our biggest threat. With that in mind - and considering that Rooney and Ronaldo are automatic starters - I would like to see Nani start. But assuming he won't be fit, I'd go with Park - in the Nou Camp anyway. The starting XI at Old Trafford obviously depends on the away result, so I won't speculate there.

    Van Der Sar
    Brown---Ferdinand---Vidic---Evra
    Hargreaves

    Carrick
    Scholes----
    -Ronaldo
    Nani/Park-
    Rooney

    Carrick's in great form, Scholes will get hold of the ball (which we badly need) and Hargreaves will provide protection. I do think we need to be attacking, so I would tell both Rooney and Ronaldo to stay up front, unlike at Roma where it was just Ronaldo, but I think providing protection against Messi is important on the left. I think we have it in us to nick a lead at the Nou Camp and hammer it home at Old Trafford. Progression is far far far from a certainty though.

    All that said, I expect United to go through over two legs and I can't wait for the matches.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 729 ✭✭✭justfortherecor


    I thought Ferguson would start Giggs at the Stadio Olimpico for the first leg against Roma as well though. Instead, he moved ahead with Park (who has been fantastic since returning IMO) and United looked much better.

    Scholes can still offer a hell of a lot from midfield. He is in no way 'peripheral' like Giggs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭PHB


    Well the thing is, I'd imagine the formation we'd see from Barca is Eto-Bojan-Messi. Wouldn't fancy Eto vs. Brown, would like Neville back.

    As for Chelsea vs. Liverpool, I think Chelsea will win, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it go either way. It's a 2 legged tie, with some great players in each team. Anything can happen. The reason I think they'll win it? Ballack. He seems to be on a one man quest to win the CL. But personally, if we beat Barca, and had to pick a final opponent, I'd pick Liverpool.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 848 ✭✭✭armour87


    Im seeing a lot of people post Chelsea will probably win, but as a Chelsea fan I think we probably won't. Not only do we have to go Anfield and face the huge atmosphere there, to quote Terry "We were scared at Anfield", but Stamford Bridge is like a wake at the minute. Trying to compare the previous CL encounters is somewhat pointless considering Liverpool now consist of a certain Fernando Torres, a settled Mascherano (the best thing since Makelele) and Babel, Skrtel, rejuvinated Hyypia, Gerrard in his best position, Crouch always an option etc...

    It's a real tough one to call isn't it. I'm hoping to have Shevchenko back, I genuinely beleive he can make a big contribution if brought back into the side.

    Class is permanent.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,698 ✭✭✭IrishMike


    PHB wrote: »
    Wouldn't fancy Eto vs. Brown, would like Neville back.

    -> Henry is a shadow of his former self, which is just as well because he'll be up against the weak link in our defence, Brown.

    You are not allowed critise wes brown on these forums.
    Boggles will be along shortly to tell you how little you know about football.
    You have been warned PHB :confused:


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