Football (Soccer to those across the pond)

[Quokka]

Yay World Cup Qualifiers back on tonight, I havent been able to get into the Premier or our local league the last few seasons but I still get my football fix from the internationals .

Australia should qualify for the next round in a few hours, fully expected at this stage but there was a lot of doom and gloom after the last world cup with aussie players getting older and retiring but with the new players coming through and our latest coach imo we're looking better than ever and we're well on track for making Brazil.

[Quokka]

Never post just before a match, Oman 1 - Australia 0

Try again on Tuesday.

[Tillane]

Ah, well. It had to happen at some point, and it was always likely to be here...

Managed to avoid being completely taken apart, at least. The one thing I would really have been worried about going into the next couple of games would have been a really heavy defeat; that could have done all manner of harm to our confidence, but a 3-1 loss...not so much, I'd think.

Well done to City, anyway. Starting to look a wee bit unstoppable.

[mosaix]

Originally Posted by Tillane

Ah, well. It had to happen at some point, and it was always likely to be here...

Managed to avoid being completely taken apart, at least. The one thing I would really have been worried about going into the next couple of games would have been a really heavy defeat; that could have done all manner of harm to our confidence, but a 3-1 loss...not so much, I'd think.

Well done to City, anyway. Starting to look a wee bit unstoppable.

City 3 - 1 Newcastle.

But for an excellent save by Hart and Newcastle hitting the post the result could have been entirely different.

I thought Newcastle were the most organised visitors to come to Eastlands this season, especially in defence. They came with a plan and stuck to it.

Richards took his goal well and I don't think there can be any complaints about either penalty.

Today's match was the start of a difficult run for City. We've got Liverpool, Arsenal (twice) and Chelsea coming up in the next few weeks. I'm relieved to have got three points (I suspected a draw) but would have felt more relaxed if Swansea had managed to score from the open-goal sitter.

[Snowdog]

It's a great time for City to be playing Chelsea, who seem to be imploding. I also don't see Liverpool winning, though they could get a draw. I think the biggest threat is a resurgent Arsenal. Even so, it looks to me like City have the firepower to walk the league this season, even if they have a set-back or two.

Despite being second, Man U are going through a re-building phase and look vulnerable at the back, and I don't see a realistic challenge from any other team, so long as the liklihood of dropping out of the Champions League doesn't cause dissension in the City ranks.

[chopper]

Chelsea might be imploding right now, but hey! - look who they've got at the weekend. we'll soon get em back into winning ways....

[Snowdog]

Originally Posted by chopper

Chelsea might be imploding right now, but hey! - look who they've got at the weekend. we'll soon get em back into winning ways....

Yeah I'm sorry, but I tend to agree with that assessment.

[chopper]

told you.

damn, but it must be difficult to support these collections of players that are financed by multi-billionaire oligarchs.

[Bugg]

So shocked about Gary Speed.

R.I.P. Gary

[Tillane]

Absolutely stunned. Terrible news. Such a great player, and he seemed like a thoroughly decent guy, too.

R.I.P. Gary. You will be missed.

[chopper]

shocked also - only just found out. all thoughts with the family.

[mosaix]

Originally Posted by chopper

told you.

damn, but it must be difficult to support these collections of players that are financed by multi-billionaire oligarchs.

Nah, the last fifty eight years has been really easy.


As for Gary Speed practically everyone that knew him is saying that they are mystified that he should do such a thing.

It must be a terrible shock for his family.

[chopper]

well, we won the league cup in 1980. mustn't grumble, i suppose...

[Snowdog]

Originally Posted by mosaix

Nah, the last fifty eight years has been really easy.

There's a potential downside. If the sheik suddenly loses interest and pulls all his money the club could go to the wall overnight.

Pompey have just gone into administration. One day it'll happen to one of the mega-rich clubs.

Terrible news about Gary Speed. Just feel for his family.

[mosaix]

Steve Bruce, ex-Sunderland, becomes the first Prtepiership manager casualty of the season.

I didn't used the like the guy, he seemed to jump ship a little to quickly on ocsassions, but recently he seemed to talk a lot of sense in post match interviews.

So that's Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce waiting in the wings for the next sacking. Hughes to Chelsea anyone?