Fair play Arsenal...

cournioni

Well don to Arsenal, they fully deserved the title. They played very well tonight and I'll give credit where its due.

From a United perspective I'm very disappointed at the performance. They looked like a bunch of average schoolboys against men with world cup winning experience. Fergie will have do make some major changes in the summer if we are to win anything next year. Eight losses this season is just not good enough. The defence needs to be totally replaced, the neville bros and silvestre will have to be sold. The defence looked like a circus tonight only for Wes Brown.

But I'm not taking anything away from Arsenal, they were more consistant as the table shows. To all you Arsenal fans, go out on a big piss up, but make sure not to bother me. Congrats.

mike65

Well done the Gunners, they proved tonight that they are worthy
champs and that Man Utd are just awful when its not going thier way at the mo.

Oh yes Liverpool 4
Blackburn 3

Phew!

Mike.

Blitzkrieger

I think I'd choke on my own tongue if I said Arsenal deserved to win it but they worked hard all season and fair play to them.

We'll roast 'em next time

Bob the Unlucky Octopus

Gracious in defeat Pornapster, I didn't expect that, fair play to you m8. We were the best team over the season, and proved it tonight. No Henry, no Adams, no Pires and tonnes of heart. And of course, Freddy Ljungberg Oh and....


Champiooooooo-ooooons Champioons Champions!

You'll have to excuse me, I've just returned from the mother of all pissups at the Highbury arms- GWAAAN Arsenal!

It's early days yet, but I wouldn't bet against us being right in there next season fighting for it.

Occy

gandalf

Yessssssss what a perfect way to win the Premiership, its almost like it was scripted.

The look on Sir Alcos face after the goal was priceless.

Fair play to all the United fans here and yes I agree they need to sort the defence out very quickly, the chuckle brothers, Blanc and Silvestre need to be taken out and shot.

As for Arsenal,I cannot see Paddy leaving now, ohhh I can't wait for the WC now and then next season.

......ahhhh bugger it........Championy........Championy.........




Gandalf.

CHRISTYG

All together lads (to be sung to the tune of "Land of Hope and Glory")


We hate Man United

We hate the Man U

We HATE Alex Ferguson

And we HATE Beckham too

Mossy Monk

Originally posted by gandalf
Fair play to all the United fans here

and let's not forget those few United supporters at Old Trafford who took defeat like true supporters and applauded Arsenal as they went towards the tunnel.

i am gobsmacked as to why Van Nistelrooy didn't start. i heard something about him being tired

and what was Nevilles problem tonight. he deserves a good hiding after his performance in the first half.

i'm happy anyway, roll on Saturday

castie

oh well i concide defeat this year but hopefully united will invest in a centre back this summer to at least make it look like a back line.
and according to ayala's agent he is on uniteds shopping list along with a right sided midfielder.
i wonder who that could be???

Dustaz

who cares?

Champ-ee-own-aise. Champ-ee-own-aise etc etc .

Had to do it somewhere:)

Jake

Yep agreed, well done arsenal on winning the league.
Done by not loosing any away game all season is also some achievment.
Lets hope Wenger never gets the French job or the rest may as well give up
:-)
Must say though that Premiership is fast becomeing a very predictable league!
Apart from Blackburn, the Premiership has been dominated by Arsenal and Man U and personally I cant see anyone else winning it next year either!
The best hope I see is that Liverpool can keep pace with em for a while to at least give it the apearence of being a competitive league as I can see United comming back very strongly next term.

http://www.koteka.net/
Please sign the online petition

Bob the Unlucky Octopus

Originally posted by Jake

The best hope I see is that Liverpool can keep pace with em for a while to at least give it the apearence of being a competitive league as I can see United comming back very strongly next term.

http://www.koteka.net/
Please sign the online petition

On the contrary sir, I think you'll find that Liverpool are second after beating Blackburn 4-3 in a thrilling match. And that MU are now third, a position they will keep if the 'pool manage to win their final match. Things are looking grim indeed at Old Trafford.

Occy

Xterminator

Fair play to the Gunners.
They played the best football, and are worthy champions.

To win it next year tho will be harder.
That aging defense will have to be patched up tho' as neither Adams or Keown are likely to be first choice for all of next season.
And the Viera saga needs sorting one way or the other.

X

Bard

Looks like Man Utd may just have to settle for 3rd place... assuming Liverpool win their remaining match, then it'll be Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd in the 1,2,3 spots.

Well done to Arsenal for a well deserved victory and a well deserved double.

b20uvkft6m5xwg

Fair Play to the Gooners,

At least you've opened up 2nd place for the Pool:D

b20uvkft6m5xwg

Actually as a I write this John Kelly is doing an All-French night on the Mystery Train in Honour of Arsene Wenger
Tune to RTE Radio 1 for more

mike65

I wonder did Tom Dunne on Today FM play the Funeral Requiem?

Mike.

Pigman

Not all ManUre fans are as gracious in defeat as the ones on this board.

A coworker of mine who always reads the Star newspaper (make of that what you will) today ripped the back three pages of said paper off and threw them in the bin before even begining to sit down for his daily "read".

All is not well in bandwagon paradise!

Mossy Monk

Originally posted by Pigman
A coworker of mine who always reads the Star newspaper (make of that what you will) today ripped the back three pages of said paper off and threw them in the bin before even begining to sit down for his daily "read"

they're really are some sad cases living in this world

Bob the Unlucky Octopus

Originally posted by 80project
Fair Play to the Gooners,

At least you've opened up 2nd place for the Pool:D

The least they deserve imho. Along with one of the most solid defences in Europe they have in their side arguably several of England's best players for the present & future. Not only that, but their attacking play at times has been breathtaking. The match against Blackburn attested to that, reminded me of the Liverpool side of old, and of the fear I had going into the 1989 season finale (all good Liverpool fans know how that ended of course :P). Seriously though, you could see in that last match that Liverpool had the belief that no matter how many Rovers scored, they could always go one better. Combine that spirit with the solid defence they've shown all season, and I think both us and Utd will have a little looking over our shoulder to do.

Occy

b20uvkft6m5xwg

Originally posted by Bob the Unlucky Octopus
The match against Blackburn attested to that, reminded me of the Liverpool side of old, and of the fear I had going into the 1989 season finale (all good Liverpool fans know how that ended of course :P).
Occy

Occy,
Twas the only time I ever cried watching a football match....Seriously.
Having said that, the FA Cup 2001 and Micky Owens 2 late stunners went a long way to rectifying that;)

Realistically, 2nd place(touch wood) is excellent, and it could have been so much better if we hadn't got 3 out of 18 points over the Christmas period:(

Eight losses this season is just not good enough.

Apologies for bursting your bubble Pornapster but its actually 9 DEFEATS!!!!! Lets start from the top shall we, earliest to latest

1.Newcastle [A]
2.Bolton [H]
3.Liverpool [A]
4.Arsenal [A]
5.West Ham [H]
6.Chelsea [H]
7.Liverpool (again) [H]
8.Middlesborough [H]
9.Arsenal (again) [H]

3 lost away AND 6 at home... OH dear oh dear

prenton

Hey all, I hate Man Utd, but if you look at their season objectivly:

After 8 defeats, they were still right in there fighting for the title up to the second last match of the season.
After 9 defeats, they could still finish 2nd.
They drew very few games and scored tons of goals.
Semi Final of CL. Had a great chance to get to final but Roy Keanes injury in the first leg put pay to that.

After all this time, Ferguson is not stupid. He knows the problem is their defense. He was forced to get rid of Stam without having a good replacement lined up. Getting top class players to move clubs takes a long time, transfers take months and months and once the season starts all the good players become unavailable and Cup tied. He'll get a big name defender this summer.

Their midfield and front line are awesome. I believe Veron will come good next year.

cheers
prenton

Bob the Unlucky Octopus

Originally posted by 80project


Having said that, the FA Cup 2001 and Micky Owens 2 late stunners went a long way to rectifying that;)

Touche sir, said with class. Both Liverpool (in 89) and us last time around were 'mugged' if you would, but with such skill and a sense of brinkmanship that I don't honestly think either of us could have had complaints about either scenario (that wasn't directed at our own team that is).

As for Liverpool's poor Christmas showing- well, temprament is what makes champions, it takes time to build a team with those qualities, and I think it's more than fair to say that Liverpool are on their way in that regard. Here's to another thrilling finale next season.

Occy

b20uvkft6m5xwg

Originally posted by Bob the Unlucky Octopus
As for Liverpool's poor Christmas showing- well, temprament is what makes champions, it takes time to build a team with those qualities, and I think it's more than fair to say that Liverpool are on their way in that regard. Here's to another thrilling finale next season.

Occy

Here, Here:)
Depending on what happens in the off season for both LFC & Arsenal, I reckon we can topple the MU dynasty next season!!

80p

mike65

Its worth remembering the backdrop to Liverpools season,
namely their manager nearly dropped dead at a Leeds game!

When Thomo took charge he was able to simply "keep her going, Patsy" but of course that momentum dropped and Liverpool hit rough patch, however instead of folding like Leeds they picked themselves up and started winning and apart from one loss
at Spurs have fully recovered. How many teams would have under thier second in command I wonder?

Mike.

cournioni

Originally posted by prenton
He'll get a big name defender this summer.

Hopefully it will be alot more than "a" defender... we'll need at least three or four. Here's a little list that I would be happy with.

Ayala
Nesta
Thuram
Placente

We'll need a right sided midfielder also, so here goes...
Joseba Exteberreia (sp),
Marc Overmars. (can't think of any more at this current time).

I don't ask for much do I?

b20uvkft6m5xwg

Good point Mike,

Jees you'd almost forget about it based on the almost total recovery GH has had. Even though I'm not a big fan of Thomo's, I wouldn't object to him becoming the next manager based on what he did do during the period- not to mention the invaluable experience he would have gained.

Bob the Unlucky Octopus

Originally posted by PORNAPSTER

Hopefully it will be alot more than "a" defender... we'll need at least three or four. Here's a little list that I would be happy with.

Ayala
Nesta
Thuram
Placente

We'll need a right sided midfielder also, so here goes...
Joseba Exteberreia (sp),
Marc Overmars. (can't think of any more at this current time).

I don't ask for much do I?

Nesta and Thuram have an almost 0% chance of leaving their current clubs- their wages would never be matched by Man Utd, nor would they choose to leave their current teams knowing the rotation system Ferguson uses, even in defense. Both have a guaranteed place in the starting 11 of their respective teams, if I were them I'd see no reason to leave. Very simply- Fergie shouldn't have let Jap Staam go, he is simply one of the world's best defenders. Ayala is probably your best bet from those 4 of actually joining Utd, but even he might be tempted by higher wages. Placente is still a rough diamond in the way he plays, not quite the complete defender. As for Overmars, if you secure his purchase it'd be folly to turn him down- but Utd don't need a right-sided midfielder- on the left you have Giggs, and on the right Beckham, and Greening can cover for both. Buying Overmars as cover won't do, if he doesn't play he doesn't stay, like all top players.

As an Arsenal fan, I don't think we *need* to buy anyone except possibly a centerback as cover for Keown/Campbell, especially considering Adams' retirement.

As for Patrick Viera's future- he's simply our most valuable player after Thierry Henry, and a worthy successor to Tony Adams as wearer of the armband. If he doesn't sign that one-year extension to his contract, and we decide to cash in on Madrid's offer, so be it. Recent history shows that players who have left Arsenal for bigger clubs in spain haven't exactly had the best time of it (sup Anelka, Petit, Overmars). Not only that, but despite the Viera rumours we've been linked with Edgar Davids and Barry Ferguson. Either one of those would give us the strongest midfield in the Premiership imho. Imagine Viera & Davids in midfield, and a choice of Van Bronckhurst, Pires, Ljungberg and Edu to fill the remaining two spots in midfield, /drool.

Occy

cournioni

Originally posted by Bob the Unlucky Octopus
As for Overmars, if you secure his purchase it'd be folly to turn him down- but Utd don't need a right-sided midfielder- on the left you have Giggs, and on the right Beckham, and Greening can cover for both. Buying Overmars as cover won't do, if he doesn't play he doesn't stay, like all top players.

Greening doesn't play for United any more, he plays for Boro.