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Thursday Football Thread

SenorDingDong [Edit] [Delete] 92 replies 10:15 December 6th, 2012

All go in the Champions League last night.

Celtic: Road To Wembley continues as they beat Spartak 2-1 at Parkhead. Benfica go out after a 0-0 draw with Barca reserves at the Nou Camp.

Chelsea score lots but it's ultimately meaningless as Juventus beat the already-qualified Shakhtar to top the group.

No changes in any other groups - the next round will be drawn on the 20th. Exciting!

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A very strange atmosphere at the Bridge

last night. Even though Chelsea scored six there was still an impression that they were labouring. The match officials were the worst I have ever seen for a Champions League game - not 'biased' but incapable of simple things like telling whether a ball had gone out of play or not.

Silentcommand | 6 Dec '12, 10:21 | X | ^ This | Reply
- I quite liked the atmosphere.
  
  First time in a while that there was a little gallows humour in the air, people just having a laugh at the shit we've got ourselves into recently rather than melodramatically lashing out.
  
  Four or five big penalty area calls and zero movement from either extra official on either. What on Earth are they there for?
  
  DanielKelly @Silentcommand | 6 Dec '12, 10:28 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - Officially to bring to the ref's attention incidents that he may have MISSED.
    
    twentynine @DanielKelly | 6 Dec '12, 11:48 | X | ^ This | Reply
Congrats, mate.

Chuffed for you.

Always had a passing interest in Celtic (though that's been tested somewhat by Neil Lennon, who i can't help but strongly dislike). Very happy for you and the other Hoops fans on here. Will probably go if they draw United.

Quite an irony in how George Samaras has helped drag Celtic into the knockout stages as City's £300m team have completely failed to adapt to the competition.

Not only have they qualified, they've done so from quite a tough group. 10 points against those teams really is very credible. I don't think any of the English sides would've been guaranteed to match that, tbh.

There are quite a few really mediocre teams in those runners-up spots - Arsenal, Galatasaray, the worse Milan side in about half a century, a struggling Valencia. You'd have to fancy your chances of beating any of those over two legs.

forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 10:23 | X | ^ This | Reply
- did celtic finish top of the group?
  
  no-class @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 10:25 | X | ^ This | Reply
  
  forzaborza this'd this
- Shit, ignore that last paragraph.
  
  I've mixed my Celtic post up with my United draw conspiracy post!
  
  United, Bayern, Juve, Dortmund, Malaga, Schalke, or PGG? Christ. All very tough. You'd have to hope for Malaga, though, i guess.
  
  forzaborza @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 10:26 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - PGC?
    
    fuck this, i'm going back to bed.
    
    forzaborza @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 10:28 | X | ^ This | Reply
    - Technically, you originally wrote PGG
      
      so you've even ballsed up your correction. Go have an aspirin.
      
      Lucien @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 10:31 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - not much chance of Man Utd drawing Arsenal in the next round.
    
    Jordan_229_2 @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 10:32 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - Before the tournament I'd have said Malaga from that list
    
    but seeing how they've done in their group I'd say we'd find them really difficult (although that's obviously the case with all of them).
    
    We'll have to have a great home leg and probably ride our luck a bit away if we're to continue.
    
    SenorDingDong @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 10:34 | X | ^ This | Reply
    - I've read/heard a few Celtic fans saying they actually think United would be the easiest draw?!?
      
      Madness.
      
      Think they have to bear in mind the teams they've put out for their last two games having already qualified.
      
      Celtic could quite conceivably stifle United at Parkhead, but they're unlikely to rock up at Old Trafford and get a draw or better, i'd have thought.
      
      forzaborza @SenorDingDong | 6 Dec '12, 10:37 | X | ^ This | Reply
      - Maybe people are still on a high from last.night.
        
        The only positives from drawing Man Utd would be the small distance for the away tie and the fact that we obviously know much more about them than any of the other sides.
        
        They could say the same for positives against us though.
        
        SenorDingDong @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 10:53 | X | ^ This | Reply
      - United are liable to get fucked by the away goal rule, the way they are conceding
        
        Anyone's got a decent shot of putting us out.
        
        littlebirds @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 11:55 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        Man U's defence might not be that bad by the time by the knock out stages come around though
        
        they'll probably have Vidic back and the likes of Smalling, Jones etc may have played a bit more and come to some kind of form. Regardless of this though Van Persie and Rooney would destroy that Celtic defence.
        
        ryanwilson @littlebirds | 6 Dec '12, 13:59 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        Optimistic
        
        Agree that the defence should be shored up a little by then, but it's naive to think our attack will walk over Celtic when Barca & Messi didn't manage it.
        
        Still think United would beat Celtic, but conceding first in every game isn't conducive to winning knock out competitions, and unless we improve I can see any of the teams providing a 'shock' over two legs.
        
        littlebirds @ryanwilson | 6 Dec '12, 17:34 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        nah Celtic got lucky they'll get found out in the knockout stages
        
        and as for Man U I'm not a fan but it's clear they haven't hit form yet but are still winning games, once they hit form and get their defence playing again they piss the league and they get through to at least the semis of the Champions League
        
        ryanwilson @littlebirds | 6 Dec '12, 17:38 | X | ^ This | Reply
Trying to imagine what it's like being a Rangers fan

and watching Celtic glide through the CL qualifiers while they're grafting away against Clogger FC. I'm going to say: not great.

Lucien | 6 Dec '12, 10:26 | X | ^ This | Reply
- It's been really strange this season.
  
  There are the die-hards (basically nutters) on both sides who still spend 90% of their time trying to wind up the other side, but between the Celtic and Rangers supporters I know the rivalry has almost disappeared. Obviously we're not directly competing in any tournament (except, potentially the Scottish Cup), but I genuinely don't think it'll ever be the same, even when Rangers return to the top flight.
  
  For my whole life up until this summer, supporting one of Celtic or Rangers generally meant hating the other, because if they were down you were on top by default (generally speaking). That's been broken now.
  
  SenorDingDong @Lucien | 6 Dec '12, 10:42 | X | ^ This | Reply
  
  PickledOeuf this'd this
  - Are the media in Scotland covering Rangers at all these days?
    
    Still remember the constant coverage of Neil Lennon/Ally McCoist on Reporting Scotland or the Daily Record being incredibly annoying, and this somewhat fuelling the constant one-upmanship from both sides.
    
    But they're not even competing with each other these days? Or are they?
    
    valenci @SenorDingDong | 6 Dec '12, 11:41 | X | ^ This | Reply
    - Yeah, they're still quite heavily covered
      
      I doubt that'll change, given the size of their support - newspapers aren't just going to ignore them.
      
      That, coupled with the fact that the fall-out from the summer is ongoing (the tax case isn't finished yet, the league reconstruction issues, etc).
      
      SenorDingDong @valenci | 6 Dec '12, 11:49 | X | ^ This | Reply
      - Christ, I forgot about the tax case
        
        It's never going to end.
        
        valenci @SenorDingDong | 6 Dec '12, 12:01 | X | ^ This | Reply
Really hope we go out of the Europa League ASAP.

It's not that we're too big for it. It's too big for teams who fuck up in another tournament. Plus, I don't want to look like an absolute dick if we make it through to the final (we won't) and I go along to Amsterdam.

DanielKelly | 6 Dec '12, 10:30 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Is it wrong that I chuckled at the headline "Benetiz Wants Europa League Glory" on the BBC this morning?
  
  A delightful potpourri of things that are quite funny about that headline
  
  Lucien @DanielKelly | 6 Dec '12, 10:34 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - including my spelling of Benetiz [sic]
    
    Lucien @Lucien | 6 Dec '12, 10:35 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - Of course it's wrong.
    
    Your response should have been 'BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO'.
    
    DanielKelly @Lucien | 6 Dec '12, 10:36 | X | ^ This | Reply
- In a completely non-snidey way...
  
  i think i'll probably watch Chelsea's UEFA Cup games, and if i'm hoenst, quite look forward to them, solely because it's been so long since we've seen them not in the Champions League, or even on different channels, that it'd just be nice, in a competely not sneering, just genuinely enjoying it because it's a bit Back In The Day sort of way.
  
  The last time i can remember Chelsea playing in that competition they had Vialli, Zola, Petrescu etc, and were almost likeable.
  
  forzaborza @DanielKelly | 6 Dec '12, 10:41 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - I'm half-looking forward to it
    
    because we'll get to play some sides we've either not played in years or at all, and the way the CL is seeded to fuck means you play the same sides year after fucking year which completely negates why most people get excited by European football. Plus, who wouldn't want a cup final jolly in Amsterdam?
    
    All the more boring concerns trump that for me though. For me, a (biggish) team who flops in one competition shouldn't be rewarded with a place in another one at the expense of a (smaller) side who've most likely fought to be there.
    
    DanielKelly @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 10:45 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - ^this, strangely. i've got a really vivid memory of enjoying a chelsea uefa cup game with the pitch absolutely covered in snow
    
    i say vivid, no idea who they were facing like.
    
    codpieceface @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 11:08 | X | ^ This | Reply
    - I remember that
      
      Was it Tromso? I remember Tore Andre Flo playing.
      
      Trent_Wolf @codpieceface | 6 Dec '12, 11:17 | X | ^ This | Reply
    - I recall vialli scoring and jonathan pearce screaming
      
      OH! OH! THE ICE MAN HAS COMETH!
      
      splitterwill @codpieceface | 6 Dec '12, 11:18 | X | ^ This | Reply
    - :)
      
      Cup Winner's Cup 1998, against Tromso. We lost 3-2 in ridiculous snow, first time I'd ever seen an orange football. Was at the return leg, a rare treat at the time. Won 7-1, think Vialli scored one with his arse.
      
      We had a habit of going out of the UEFA Cup to virtual nobodies ... Grasshoppers and Viking Stavanger (sp?) spring to mind ...
      
      DanielKelly @codpieceface | 6 Dec '12, 11:19 | X | ^ This | Reply
      - just youtubed
        
        ed de goey! beautiful.
        
        codpieceface @DanielKelly | 6 Dec '12, 11:37 | X | ^ This | Reply
Chelsea game: further thoughts

i) Torres' repeated diving was a disgrace last night. One of them might concievably have been a penalty but the other five were not.
ii)The Nordsjaelland goal should be scrutinised by the authorities that look for suspicious betting patterns and match fixing.
iii) Gary Cahill is becoming the new Joeleon Lescott - he scores goals but the defending is well shonky.

Silentcommand | 6 Dec '12, 10:33 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Neither one of those things is particularly relevant to Lescott.
  
  wilykit @Silentcommand | 6 Dec '12, 10:38 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - It got him signed by City.
    
    Silentcommand @wilykit | 6 Dec '12, 10:41 | X | ^ This | Reply
    - He's the other way round now
      
      He's a solid defender and never scores
      
      film_maker @Silentcommand | 6 Dec '12, 11:10 | X | ^ This | Reply
      - just checked wikipedia
        
        he's an ok defender who scores sometimes
        
        shrewbie @film_maker | 6 Dec '12, 11:11 | X | ^ This | Reply
      - Does he not play at all now?
        
        Heard a City fan the other day saying that this Nastasic lad has probably been their player of the season so far. True?
        
        forzaborza @film_maker | 6 Dec '12, 11:13 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        Nastasic is pretty great. Doesn't make Lescott bad but the lad has everything.
        
        Him and Clichy, when he's fit, looked absolutely solid on the left side of defence.
        
        wilykit @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 11:21 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        aye
        
        think he might force Lescott to leave City. think Lescott was great last season and doesn't necessarily deserve to be replaced in the defence but he has been and i can't see him wanting to be on the bench as much as he has been.
        
        Jordan_229_2 @wilykit | 6 Dec '12, 11:44 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        got replaced because of his piss-poor performances in Yurp last season
        
        as it turns out it wasn't his fault we didn't qualify, it was the fault of European opponents not being overawed by our particular brand of cramped, snail paced possession football.
        
        Parsefone @Jordan_229_2 | 6 Dec '12, 13:35 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        film_maker this'd this
        
        Soft goal against Ajax as well. Either way Mancini has never really fancied him.
        
        wilykit @Parsefone | 6 Dec '12, 17:02 | X | ^ This | Reply
STOP EVERYTHING

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/tabloid-gold-pictures-mario-balottelis-sister-abigail-gives-obafemi-martins-a-bj-in-public/

Antpocalypsenow | 6 Dec '12, 12:51 | X | ^ This | Reply

littlebirds this'd this
- Grim.
  
  Parsefone @Antpocalypsenow | 6 Dec '12, 13:31 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - I think the worst thing is that she looks exactly like Mario Ballotelli wearing a wig
    
    I mean, I'm sure forza has penned some slash fiction in the past that involves something very similar, but still...find someone that doesn't look like one of the world's most famous footballers for god's sakes.
    
    Lucien @Parsefone | 6 Dec '12, 13:59 | X | ^ This | Reply
    - bit racist
      
      Severed799 @Lucien | 6 Dec '12, 18:06 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Did one of you cunts sign up to 101greatgoals as me?!
  
  :DDD
  
  DanielKelly @Antpocalypsenow | 6 Dec '12, 18:08 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - :D
    
    Antpocalypsenow @DanielKelly | 6 Dec '12, 18:17 | X | ^ This | Reply
    
    p_a_u_l this'd this
- Erm, maybe I'm incorrect here
  
  But I thought that all of Mario's family were, er, white?
  
  Kitchmo @Antpocalypsenow | 6 Dec '12, 20:18 | X | ^ This | Reply
Hope all the English teams get through their groups tonight

(For spiteful, 4th Place Trophy reasons obvs)

Royter-Hatfood | 6 Dec '12, 13:54 | X | ^ This | Reply
Euro 2020 to be held in cities all across Europe.

SenorDingDong | 6 Dec '12, 16:25 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Hit post early there
  
  I'm not in favour of this - surely by having it held in only one or two countries then the focus is on the culture of that area, which is part of the charm of international tournaments?
  
  SenorDingDong @SenorDingDong | 6 Dec '12, 16:27 | X | ^ This | Reply
  
  PickledOeuf this'd this
- Awful, awful idea.
  
  This and the 24 team thing have killed a brilliant competition stone dead.
  
  Steved @SenorDingDong | 6 Dec '12, 16:30 | X | ^ This | Reply
  
  svenrokk this'd this
  - I don't mind it being 24 teams.
    
    But spreading across Europe? That's really shit.
    
    svenrokk @Steved | 6 Dec '12, 16:32 | X | ^ This | Reply
    
    shrewbie this'd this
  - There are actually some reasons why spreading it out's a good idea.
    
    I'm not against it just for the sake of being against it.
    
    However, this summer's competition proved that a 16-team finals works perfectly.
    
    forzaborza @Steved | 6 Dec '12, 16:36 | X | ^ This | Reply
    - it's a truely shit idea
      
      an absolute nightmare for fans unless they are millionaires and it will be knackering for the players
      
      ryanwilson @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 16:40 | X | ^ This | Reply
      - Nope.
        
        Have a little sit down, think about it, then try again.
        
        forzaborza @ryanwilson | 6 Dec '12, 16:42 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        Severed799 this'd this
        
        isn't the Europe-wide thing a celebration of the tournament?
        
        think it's the 60th anniversary (could be wrong). Don't think it's such a pain, are the host cities really going to be much further away from each other than the World Cup in Brazil?
        
        MIDDLEMAN @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 16:47 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        think everyone should save their indignation for Qatar 2022.
        
        MIDDLEMAN @MIDDLEMAN | 6 Dec '12, 16:47 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        Won't be able to complain about distance between venues for that.
        
        SenorDingDong @MIDDLEMAN | 6 Dec '12, 16:53 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        no but the 50 degree heat might be a problem.
        
        MIDDLEMAN @SenorDingDong | 6 Dec '12, 17:22 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        Don't worry
        
        It's going to be in indoor air conditioned stadiums during the winter or something isn't it?
        
        urbanfox @MIDDLEMAN | 6 Dec '12, 17:28 | X | ^ This | Reply
Wow.

Just putting together my accy for the weekend.

Didn't realise the recent Manchester derby form goes United win, City win, United win, City win, United win, City win...

forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 16:55 | X | ^ This | Reply
- City won both last year, though.
  
  deadonthestairs @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 16:57 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - Oh, thought that said league form.
    
    Ignore.
    
    deadonthestairs @deadonthestairs | 6 Dec '12, 16:58 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Shame patterns don't mean much in football
  
  City should breeze this at home.
  
  Even when United are second to City on goal difference this Sunday afternoon, I'll still be chuckling about the worst Champions League campaign in English history. ;-D
  
  littlebirds @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 17:40 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - I was under the impression City had been playing quite poorly this season?
    
    Correct me if i'm wrong.
    
    From a betting perspective, weirdly, i think i'd fancy whoever lost, if one does, to win the title. Both have proven at different stages of 2012 that they don't handle pressure particularly well, and the pressure would undoubtedly shift onto one of them if there's a definitive result either way.
    
    forzaborza @littlebirds | 6 Dec '12, 17:54 | X | ^ This | Reply
    - Nah you got it wrong, pal
      
      Forgiveable, due to the lack of oilball you've been watching, but City are undefeated with the best defensive record in the league.
      
      Some tv pundits with warped recollections of their average performance last year think they are playing poorly though. Yet to really hit their stride; solid but unspectacular, while United are the opposite.
      
      If City somehow blow this one, I could see them struggling to keep up through the AFCON.
      
      littlebirds @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 18:50 | X | ^ This | Reply
      - That "aren't reaching the level they were at last season" gubbins is getting seriously annoying.
        
        We did a Chelsea-like sprint for 10 games, then did exactly what we've been doing so far this season for the rest.
        
        Parsefone @littlebirds | 6 Dec '12, 19:07 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        littlebirds this'd this
      - ;-D
        
        Can't say i miss this sort of "no, YOU'RE the best" schtik.
        
        I can't really be arsed, though, so i'll agree with what you're saying - that City are much better than United and so United can't lose. If City win, that will be par because they've got better players in every position, and if United achieve the impossible and actually manage to beat them, it will be a historic upset of epic proportions.
        
        Does kinda puzzle me why United supporters aren't a bit more confident in their manager and squad, mind. I might not have been keeping up with the games, but i know United signed the best player in the country for an obscene amount of money only a few months back after having finished last season as joint champions.
        
        forzaborza @littlebirds | 6 Dec '12, 19:08 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        obsessed_with_united this'd this
        
        RVP is threatening to be quite a bargain at just £24m
        
        My lack of confidence isn't with Fergie or the squad as such, but injury niggles to almost every first string player have left the midfield and defence lacking coordination and consistency.
        
        It's not bants; City are simply the undefeated champions at home, so the pressure is on them. Lose this one, and there'll be a lot of ground to recover.
        
        littlebirds @forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 19:27 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        Fair play.
        
        City have got form for that sort of thing, though.
        
        Think it took them about four weeks last time!
        
        Anyway, i hope you enjoy the day out, and get to see a decent game, whoever wins.
        
        forzaborza @littlebirds | 6 Dec '12, 19:34 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        littlebirds this'd this
I've got my notepad and pen ready.

How does this Europa footsoccer work then?

DanielKelly | 6 Dec '12, 17:28 | X | ^ This | Reply
- who knows?
  
  what kind of deviant would admit to watching that shite
  
  Lucien @DanielKelly | 6 Dec '12, 17:37 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - I ... Erm ...
    
    Can you ask again in a few weeks when I might be in more of a position to make a West Ham gag?
    
    DanielKelly @Lucien | 6 Dec '12, 17:40 | X | ^ This | Reply
    - No. You belittle me now or not at all.
      
      Lucien @DanielKelly | 6 Dec '12, 17:43 | X | ^ This | Reply
      - Fuck off, no chance I'd ever agree to that.
        
        Next time some arse kisser posts about how great you are and twenty personality vacuums mindlessly this it, I'll be there. Watching. Waiting.
        
        DanielKelly @Lucien | 6 Dec '12, 17:47 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        Are you mistaking me for forza?
        
        I don't have minions
        
        Lucien @DanielKelly | 6 Dec '12, 17:53 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        no-class this'd this
        
        Go Lucien!
        
        Yeah, you tell him!
        
        proslo @Lucien | 6 Dec '12, 17:55 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        DanielKelly this'd this
        
        ignore this rogue minion
        
        Lucien @proslo | 6 Dec '12, 17:58 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        i've never seen him before in my life
        
        Lucien @Lucien | 6 Dec '12, 18:01 | X | ^ This | Reply
- You're going to hear that "Thursday Night, Channel Five" chant
  
  From every single set of away fans this season. Even the really shit ones.
  
  Steved @DanielKelly | 6 Dec '12, 19:08 | X | ^ This | Reply
Mikel banned for three games for threatening Clattenburg :D

svenrokk | 6 Dec '12, 17:47 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Chelsea having a blinder at the moment
  
  Lucien @svenrokk | 6 Dec '12, 17:55 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Doubt anyone will share or care for my opinion on it so I'll side step that
  
  but I am a little curious what a harsh punishment would have been if a 3 match ban and week's wages is leniency.
  
  DanielKelly @svenrokk | 6 Dec '12, 17:58 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - Apparently he threatened to knock him out.
    
    Sky said had he not wrongly been under the impression he'd been racially abused it would've been 8 or 9 games.
    
    forzaborza @DanielKelly | 6 Dec '12, 18:00 | X | ^ This | Reply
Brendan GTFO Rodgers :D

Severed799 | 6 Dec '12, 18:02 | X | ^ This | Reply
DI NATALIE_MISS_OUCH

Jordan_229_2 | 6 Dec '12, 19:58 | X | ^ This | Reply
sam matterface is a commentator?

Jordan_229_2 | 6 Dec '12, 20:05 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Yeah on Talksport usually (possibly now formerly)
  
  Married to Natalie Sawyer of SSN fame.
  
  themighty @Jordan_229_2 | 6 Dec '12, 20:28 | X | ^ This | Reply
also, hawt

http://instagram.com/p/S5mNNPtV57/

Jordan_229_2 | 6 Dec '12, 20:06 | X | ^ This | Reply
another big European night at White Hart Lane, eh?

forzaborza | 6 Dec '12, 20:37 | X | ^ This | Reply

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