Football 2012-2013

[pink_triangle]

Falcao would be unreal! Please be true. Seems theres something to it!

[thetime]

Barca v Bayern, Dormund V Madrid

Should be a couple of great games, cant remember looking forward to a game (as a neutral) this season as much as the former. Also neither Dortmund or Madrid have been in the final for a while, so will be good to see a bit of variety.

[pink_triangle]

Very interesting games.

The germans having the best teams but madrid and barca having the 2 best footballers in the world.

I still fancy a madrid v barca final with messi and big ron making the difference.

[TheGayTent]

While I have a lot of admiration for the german sides at both national and international level they have a bit of a record of choking in semi finals and finals.

[pink_triangle]

Recently or historically?

[TheGayTent]

Recently, thinking mainly about the German national team and Bayern Munich in europe who have put themsleves in positions to win the tournaments but never really managed to see it through

[pink_triangle]

Think that's still incredibly harsh. I don't think Bayern or Germany have been good enough in recent years to say they have underachieved or choked.

National side have been knocked out in the semi final stage of the last two major competitions by Italy and Spain.

Bayern lost in the final of last years Champions league to Chelsea. Though were much the better side.

[TheGayTent]

Robben is Dutch...say no more...

[pink_triangle]

A few observations today

Happy to see Wigan confirm themselves as FA cup runners up today before the real final tomorrow! A few people can be a bit sniffy about the club with their small fanbase, but I think a bit of variety does football no harm. When it comes to the most underrated player in the league, I have heard a few people say the likes of Fletcher and Carrick which I always find a bit silly. My call for that title was playing in the game today, Shaun Maloney.

Arsenal on fire at the moment, its funny whenever people (normally our terrible media) come after Wenger, he always seems to turn things round. For a side who often get criticised for their fragility they have scored a lot of late goals. Wilshire being injured hasnt really had much of an effect at arsenal, then again Im not convinced he is yet this great european midfielder that he is sometimes made out to be. While I would always play him if fit, I dont yet see him as one of those players whos presence consistently makes a team look better and turns draws and losses to wins. Their neighbours however do have one of those players and have suffered without him. Im not sure who is in charge of buying player at spurs (AVB or Levy) but not buying another centre forward was a huge mistake as defoe and adebayor are not good enough to be the main striker at a club chasing top 4.

As for the relegation battle it was a day where very little was resolved. I remeber the day Arry took over at QPR his media mates all thought that QPR were certs to stay up. No doubt they will forget those predictions!

[TheGayTent]

Arsenal are on fire because they equalised through a dodgy penalty from a dodgy corner in the 85th minute against the mighty Norwich?

Hmm.

Went to Shrewsbury v Bournemouth today. Enjoyable game, good banter with the home fans before the game, and a very good performance from the cherries. Shit ground mind.

Enjoyed the 2nd half of the Scottish Cup semi final before the game - anyone see it?

I see millwall have been showing themselves up as usual...

[Essex_George]

Arsenal being on fire is a bit OTT. They have just had an easier run of games. The last decent side they played against, Spurs, they lost.

[pink_triangle]

Arsenal are on fire because they equalised through a dodgy penalty from a dodgy corner in the 85th minute against the mighty Norwich?

Hmm.

[pink_triangle]

Arsenal being on fire is a bit OTT. They have just had an easier run of games. The last decent side they played against, Spurs, they lost.

[TheGayTent]

Arsenal are on fire because they have won 7 out of 8 matches, not because of any individual win. I havent seen the highlights but if they did get a bit of luck today, then you have to give them credit for taking advantage of fortune when it comes their way.

[TheGayTent]

In league football you get just as many points for beating decent teams as poor ones. One of the main reasons man u will be premirship champions this season is their greater consistency against average/poor premiership sides compared to city. In the same time period spurs have lost to fulham at home and chelsea to soton away. Arsenal seem to go on these sort of runs every season so im not sure you can just put it down to easy fixtures, pity they cant start seasons in the same way.

[pink_triangle]

Don't disagree with any of that, but that's not what you said.

[kaosmark2]

Fucking BBC wasting time showing minute silences again....

How many minute-silences does Hillsborough get each year? They seem to be endless.

[TheGayTent]

Well I suppose it depends how you define the term "on fire"! 6 wins out of 7 is great form even if you are playing the botton 7 teams in the league. When you get that nice run of fixtures you need to cash in and arsenal have done that.

[pink_triangle]

I guess it does. Man Utd often go on runs like that without getting out of 2nd gear.

I don't think fortuitously beating Norwich at home can be described as being on fire, clearly you do. Perhaps I should go bak 2 skool

[pink_triangle]

Fucking BBC wasting time showing minute silences again....

How many minute-silences does Hillsborough get each year? They seem to be endless.

[kaosmark2]

Again, its not the individual performance/result but the run as a whole. If arsenal go the rest of the season losing to the good teams and beating the average/ poor ones they should be fine.

Looking at the opposite end I still don't have a clue who will finish 18th. Hope it goes down to the last game with 3 or 4 still in it.

[pink_triangle]

I wonder about wigan, they are a team who have been destined for relegation for the last 8 years and you have to think it will catch up with them eventually. I think its a good year to stay up, as I think those promoted from the championship will struggle next year.

[TheGayTent]

Chairmen are more scared than usual regarding relegation this season because of the huge jump in TV money

[rexclark]

A fantastic result for Wigan. So happy for the two ex Hamilton players McArthur and McCarthy.

[Essex_George]

I see millwall have been showing themselves up as usual...