Football Thread

Gatsby · 10-12-2006, 01:50 AM

and no im not calling it soccer

Anyways in responce to timee saying ireland shouldnt be satisfied with 1 point from 3 games.

Of course we should at this point. After the germany game we were hard done by and it really could have gone either way. but we all kinda know they will top the group at this stage. Cyprus was a huge disaster, but to pick yourselves up from that and play like a team that wanted to win, wanted to get somewhere. THAT is creditable. and thats why im happy with the performance.
We wont qualify. Deep down ill always support and hope that we can, but im too realistic when i look at czech away and slovakia... not to mention wales
But id be happy with a good performance and a good starting block to regain some youth and depth to the squad.
Give staunton a chance. Managers can turn things around and are easy to point blame at. But i admire his courage with his team selection tonight and it paid off

To anyone who doesnt follow football and read this.... I appologise

mickey13086 · 10-12-2006, 01:52 AM

A question I see from this that is often discussed is, in football, or soccer as us American's call it, are there any moral victories? Or are there only wins and losses, and ties, etc.?

Gatsby · 10-12-2006, 01:55 AM

Well i suppose there are moral victories. You just dont get points for them

To ireland usually a draw against a big team is a win, even tho we've had teams that are capable of beating most of them..

Wheels · 10-12-2006, 09:49 AM

We should have 7 points from the 3 games. But at least yesterday we showed we can still play and still hope. With 14 players to come back from injury/suspension we should be in a good state for the rest of the campaign... Only question is whether Stauton has finally turned the corner, or are we going to play like we did against Cyprus again.

We can still qualify, anything can happen in football... just look at how Cyprus beat us.

Great things from last night was McShane finally giving us a possible partner for Dunne in central defence and Kelly doing brilliantly in left back where we could do with more options.

So if everyone was fit and playing on top form, who would be our starting 11?

administrator · 10-12-2006, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revelate

and no im not calling it soccer

ways support and hope that we can, but im too realistic when i look at czech away and slovakia... not to mention wales

i think you're probably right... but i'm glad that there are some tough teams in the group... there are a lot of tough games for the czechs as well... they're bound to drop points. maybe not against cyprus but possibly against germany, wales and their second slovakian game. so there's a long way to go... i'm sure we'll win our next two games and hopefully get lots of goals to help build confidence... after that we have some croke park games, and hopefully the team's confidence will be much higher then. it's too early to say that it will be the germans and the czechs, but they are strong favourites.

Timeé · 10-12-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revelate

We wont qualify. Deep down ill always support and hope that we can, but im too realistic when i look at czech away and slovakia... not to mention wales

thats my point. i would only be happy with qualifying.
and if you looked at our fixtures for the group at the start and decided "how are we going to qualify" you would definitely have to be beating Czech Republic.

and about being happy about getting draws against big teams?
Ireland wasn't/isn't so far off being a "big team". in terms of talent and quality we are a disgrace

but in terms of effort we are good.

i just don't feel proud of ireland for DRAWING with the czech republic.
i feel like how roy keane would feel in that we should be striving for the best

and at the moment we are overly realistic and hoping for draws and stuff.

you need to get the balance right.
at the moment...
pessimism>effort

Gatsby · 10-12-2006, 06:19 PM

Well you have to grant that the squad staunton has to work with is very limited. Jack Charlton had one of the best squads available. McCarthy also had a brilliant squad.
This is a young team, and granted a few key players we are starting from scratch. Im happy if we perform. Qualifying is definately key, but id prefer to build for the future with the player's we have.

Anyways san marino should be fun. Everyone other country develops its team over the years. But they seem to remain an easy scape goat for a good thrashing. 2 games and -20 goals against. hillarious

administrator · 10-12-2006, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timeé

i just don't feel proud of ireland for DRAWING with the czech republic.
i feel like how roy keane would feel in that we should be striving for the best

and at the moment we are overly realistic and hoping for draws and stuff.

i think it would be different if we had been at full strength... but we were missing 7 or 8 players that could have started the game... so a draw against one of the best teams in the world at full strength is a great result...

droovin · 10-13-2006, 12:37 AM

alls i'm saying is Scotland are going to qualify with France!

it's a dream, but a very realistic one. the young squad that we have are very formidable

Gatsby · 11-21-2006, 04:03 PM

well west ham were bought today for £85 million!

Magnusson's consortium have secured agreements to buy 83% of shares and the Hammers' board have recommended the offer to remaining shareholders. Magnusson will replace Terry Brown as West Ham chairman, although Brown will stay on at Upton Park as a director.

Magnusson's consortium is backed by Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, a financier worth $1bn and chairman of Icelandic bank Landsbanki.

It is thought to have taken on the club's £22.5m debt, although there is no mention in the club's announcement.

this is fantastic news for me, being an avid west ham supporter! the other parties who were interested in buying all looked dodgy and corrupt.

Im a bit worried not that Tevez and Mascherano (the 2 world class argentinians) will leave, due to Media Sports Investors owning their contracts, and due to them not winning the takeover

Debt cleared, money available! Im a happy man!!

Wheels · 11-21-2006, 04:05 PM

Did Tevez and Mascherano ever play well for West Ham though?

Gatsby · 11-21-2006, 04:07 PM

both are taking time to warm to the premiership, let alone european football

Tevez has shown what he is capable of and against chelsea last week he was a class above what he has shown so far, i predict by christmas he will have won everyone over

Mascherano hasnt played at all, Pardew has gone for mullins instead and a good choice as mullins is still good enough to hold him out of them team

Gatsby · 11-21-2006, 04:09 PM

oh and heres a picture of the new chairman
he is freaky looking! looks like an extra from a star wars movie!

Wheels · 11-21-2006, 04:09 PM

That whole deal with bringing them in was very strange...

Wheels · 11-21-2006, 04:11 PM

Yikes. That is a bad angle...

*after seeing second photo* maybe not...

Gatsby · 11-21-2006, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wheels

That whole deal with bringing them in was very strange...

it was, but alot of other clubs approached and lost interest, its due to the contracts they signed. Nothing is out in the open but its reported the clauses they have in their contracts mean west ham will get little of the money if they are sold on. Hence why they were the only team to jump at the chance

Supposedly Tevez and Mascherano are life long west ham fans
but they're bound to say that

Wheels · 11-21-2006, 04:24 PM

Did you hear about the new irish kid being looked at by lots of big clubs?

He's Scottish really, but he declared for us to grant his Irish Grandad's dying wish (apparently). His name is James (or Jimmy) McCarthy. Just turned 16 a couple of weeks ago. Plays for Hamilton Accademical...

I read on BBC football gossip that Man U were looking at him... further research shows interest from Chelsea, Liverpool, Deportivo, Barcellona etc...

Gatsby · 11-21-2006, 05:10 PM

havent heard about him, there seems to be alot of good irish players coming through now. Terry dixon is hailed as the next rooney and stokes should get his call up soon being the top goalscorer in the scottish premier league!

Man united also have Freddy Adu on 2 week trial. The player everyones been raving about for years. he was signed for DC United in america at the age of 14 and USA stupidly didnt bring him to the world cup saying he was "too young" He's only 17 now i think

Wheels · 11-21-2006, 05:43 PM

Isn't Terry Dixon out with a bad leg injury? Rest of the season stuff I think. Hopefully he'll recover soon...

Timeé · 11-21-2006, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revelate

Man united also have Freddy Adu on 2 week trial. The player everyones been raving about for years. he was signed for DC United in america at the age of 14 and USA stupidly didnt bring him to the world cup saying he was "too young" He's only 17 now i think

i have a feeling you read too much teletext

orangeB · 11-21-2006, 09:26 PM

Of course there are moral victories. When you are English, as I am, you cling to them. A moral victory is being narrowly beaten by Germany, Argentina or Portugal.You then spend the next 2 weeks mumbling " we invented the bloody game..." and "well, they cheated anyway".
Being English is.... watching your team through rose tinted spectacles, or maybe whilst having rose tinted testacles would be easier!!!

Gatsby · 11-21-2006, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timeé

i have a feeling you read too much teletext

sky sports news actually. its good to keep updated with all the news

Rovena · 11-21-2006, 10:58 PM

I have the feeling that this is going to be an "only guys" thread

Timeé · 11-21-2006, 11:00 PM

hell no we're not feminist. rovena you rock! join in

Rovena · 11-21-2006, 11:07 PM

lol... Thank you, Timeé! But I'm afraid I don't have much to contribute, I havent really watched many games since the world cup, which was very disappointing if you ask me. Well, I did watch part of the Real Madrid and Lyon game today...

Gatsby · 11-21-2006, 11:55 PM

as long as theres no "oh christian ronaldo is so dreamy" talk then im happy for any woman to discuss football here

and no pictures of him either.. i despise him

Rovena · 11-21-2006, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revelate

as long as theres no "oh christian ronaldo is so dreamy" talk then im happy for any woman to discuss football here

and no pictures of him either.. i despise him

Don't worry...lol...He's not my type. In my opinion, he's quite an arrogant bastar.d

Gatsby · 11-22-2006, 01:27 PM

yay

Gatsby · 12-11-2006, 04:47 PM

some big news in football today for me.

after a run of poor performances and results Alan Pardew was sacked as manager of West Ham.

West Ham fan's would always be the first to turn on a manager or give out about the way the club is being run. I dont think ive seen or heard of one fan who isnt suprised and gutted by this decision. 11 defeats in our last 15 games is a poor record but i think Alan's successes outway his failures.
The team are the blame and their lack of commitment. Nigel Reo Coker should be dropped and i think the two argies can go now, unless they gel well with a new manager

anyways Curbishly is the favourite to take over, which i would be delighted with. Excellent manager who played for and supports west ham, and will keep the integrity and the youth system intact to keep us being one of the top teams in england

anyways needed a good rant. Very worrying times to be a west ham supporter! Lets just hope Sven isnt appointed

Timeé · 12-11-2006, 07:31 PM

have you gone to see West Ham many times Simon?

10-12-2006, 01:50 AM	#1
Gatsby Eskimo Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dublin Posts: 5,809	Football Thread and no im not calling it soccer Anyways in responce to timee saying ireland shouldnt be satisfied with 1 point from 3 games. Of course we should at this point. After the germany game we were hard done by and it really could have gone either way. but we all kinda know they will top the group at this stage. Cyprus was a huge disaster, but to pick yourselves up from that and play like a team that wanted to win, wanted to get somewhere. THAT is creditable. and thats why im happy with the performance. We wont qualify. Deep down ill always support and hope that we can, but im too realistic when i look at czech away and slovakia... not to mention wales But id be happy with a good performance and a good starting block to regain some youth and depth to the squad. Give staunton a chance. Managers can turn things around and are easy to point blame at. But i admire his courage with his team selection tonight and it paid off To anyone who doesnt follow football and read this.... I appologise __________________ "Tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further…And on fine morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." https://www.twitch.tv/simonjmusic

10-12-2006, 01:52 AM	#2
mickey13086 Eskimo with a name..Chris Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Niagara Falls, NY Posts: 438	A question I see from this that is often discussed is, in football, or soccer as us American's call it, are there any moral victories? Or are there only wins and losses, and ties, etc.? __________________ ...won't you my love... MySpace

10-12-2006, 01:55 AM	#3
Gatsby Eskimo Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dublin Posts: 5,809	Well i suppose there are moral victories. You just dont get points for them To ireland usually a draw against a big team is a win, even tho we've had teams that are capable of beating most of them.. __________________ "Tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further…And on fine morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." https://www.twitch.tv/simonjmusic

10-12-2006, 09:49 AM	#4
Wheels Eskimo Enigma Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Peoples Republic of Cork Posts: 7,900	We should have 7 points from the 3 games. But at least yesterday we showed we can still play and still hope. With 14 players to come back from injury/suspension we should be in a good state for the rest of the campaign... Only question is whether Stauton has finally turned the corner, or are we going to play like we did against Cyprus again. We can still qualify, anything can happen in football... just look at how Cyprus beat us. Great things from last night was McShane finally giving us a possible partner for Dunne in central defence and Kelly doing brilliantly in left back where we could do with more options. So if everyone was fit and playing on top form, who would be our starting 11? __________________

10-12-2006, 06:19 PM	#7
Gatsby Eskimo Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dublin Posts: 5,809	Well you have to grant that the squad staunton has to work with is very limited. Jack Charlton had one of the best squads available. McCarthy also had a brilliant squad. This is a young team, and granted a few key players we are starting from scratch. Im happy if we perform. Qualifying is definately key, but id prefer to build for the future with the player's we have. Anyways san marino should be fun. Everyone other country develops its team over the years. But they seem to remain an easy scape goat for a good thrashing. 2 games and -20 goals against. hillarious __________________ "Tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further…And on fine morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." https://www.twitch.tv/simonjmusic

10-13-2006, 12:37 AM	#9
droovin A Hoi-Hoi Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Wales Posts: 77	alls i'm saying is Scotland are going to qualify with France! it's a dream, but a very realistic one. the young squad that we have are very formidable __________________ Me My Band My Usual Hangout

11-21-2006, 04:03 PM	#10
Gatsby Eskimo Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dublin Posts: 5,809	well west ham were bought today for £85 million! Magnusson's consortium have secured agreements to buy 83% of shares and the Hammers' board have recommended the offer to remaining shareholders. Magnusson will replace Terry Brown as West Ham chairman, although Brown will stay on at Upton Park as a director. Magnusson's consortium is backed by Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, a financier worth $1bn and chairman of Icelandic bank Landsbanki. It is thought to have taken on the club's £22.5m debt, although there is no mention in the club's announcement. this is fantastic news for me, being an avid west ham supporter! the other parties who were interested in buying all looked dodgy and corrupt. Im a bit worried not that Tevez and Mascherano (the 2 world class argentinians) will leave, due to Media Sports Investors owning their contracts, and due to them not winning the takeover Debt cleared, money available! Im a happy man!! __________________ "Tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further…And on fine morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." https://www.twitch.tv/simonjmusic

11-21-2006, 04:05 PM	#11
Wheels Eskimo Enigma Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Peoples Republic of Cork Posts: 7,900	Did Tevez and Mascherano ever play well for West Ham though? __________________

11-21-2006, 04:07 PM	#12
Gatsby Eskimo Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dublin Posts: 5,809	both are taking time to warm to the premiership, let alone european football Tevez has shown what he is capable of and against chelsea last week he was a class above what he has shown so far, i predict by christmas he will have won everyone over Mascherano hasnt played at all, Pardew has gone for mullins instead and a good choice as mullins is still good enough to hold him out of them team __________________ "Tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further…And on fine morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." https://www.twitch.tv/simonjmusic

11-21-2006, 04:09 PM	#13
Gatsby Eskimo Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dublin Posts: 5,809	oh and heres a picture of the new chairman he is freaky looking! looks like an extra from a star wars movie! __________________ "Tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further…And on fine morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." https://www.twitch.tv/simonjmusic

11-21-2006, 04:11 PM	#15
Wheels Eskimo Enigma Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Peoples Republic of Cork Posts: 7,900	Yikes. That is a bad angle... after seeing second photo maybe not... __________________

11-21-2006, 04:24 PM	#17
Wheels Eskimo Enigma Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Peoples Republic of Cork Posts: 7,900	Did you hear about the new irish kid being looked at by lots of big clubs? He's Scottish really, but he declared for us to grant his Irish Grandad's dying wish (apparently). His name is James (or Jimmy) McCarthy. Just turned 16 a couple of weeks ago. Plays for Hamilton Accademical... I read on BBC football gossip that Man U were looking at him... further research shows interest from Chelsea, Liverpool, Deportivo, Barcellona etc... __________________

11-21-2006, 05:10 PM	#18
Gatsby Eskimo Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dublin Posts: 5,809	havent heard about him, there seems to be alot of good irish players coming through now. Terry dixon is hailed as the next rooney and stokes should get his call up soon being the top goalscorer in the scottish premier league! Man united also have Freddy Adu on 2 week trial. The player everyones been raving about for years. he was signed for DC United in america at the age of 14 and USA stupidly didnt bring him to the world cup saying he was "too young" He's only 17 now i think __________________ "Tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further…And on fine morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." https://www.twitch.tv/simonjmusic

11-21-2006, 05:43 PM	#19
Wheels Eskimo Enigma Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Peoples Republic of Cork Posts: 7,900	Isn't Terry Dixon out with a bad leg injury? Rest of the season stuff I think. Hopefully he'll recover soon... __________________

11-21-2006, 09:26 PM	#21
orangeB Eskimo Baby Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 12	moral victories Of course there are moral victories. When you are English, as I am, you cling to them. A moral victory is being narrowly beaten by Germany, Argentina or Portugal.You then spend the next 2 weeks mumbling " we invented the bloody game..." and "well, they cheated anyway". Being English is.... watching your team through rose tinted spectacles, or maybe whilst having rose tinted testacles would be easier!!!

11-21-2006, 10:58 PM	#23
Rovena what will you say? Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,643	I have the feeling that this is going to be an "only guys" thread __________________ It’s all wrong It’s all right

11-21-2006, 11:00 PM	#24
Timeé Intello Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Co. Donegal, Ireland. Posts: 2,435	hell no we're not feminist. rovena you rock! join in __________________ Wasted and wounded, it ain't what the moon did Got what I paid for now See ya tomorrow, hey Frank can I borrow A couple of bucks from you?

11-21-2006, 11:07 PM	#25
Rovena what will you say? Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,643	lol... Thank you, Timeé! But I'm afraid I don't have much to contribute, I havent really watched many games since the world cup, which was very disappointing if you ask me. Well, I did watch part of the Real Madrid and Lyon game today... __________________ It’s all wrong It’s all right

11-21-2006, 11:55 PM	#26
Gatsby Eskimo Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dublin Posts: 5,809	as long as theres no "oh christian ronaldo is so dreamy" talk then im happy for any woman to discuss football here and no pictures of him either.. i despise him __________________ "Tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further…And on fine morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." https://www.twitch.tv/simonjmusic

11-22-2006, 01:27 PM	#28
Gatsby Eskimo Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dublin Posts: 5,809	yay __________________ "Tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further…And on fine morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." https://www.twitch.tv/simonjmusic

12-11-2006, 04:47 PM	#29
Gatsby Eskimo Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dublin Posts: 5,809	some big news in football today for me. after a run of poor performances and results Alan Pardew was sacked as manager of West Ham. West Ham fan's would always be the first to turn on a manager or give out about the way the club is being run. I dont think ive seen or heard of one fan who isnt suprised and gutted by this decision. 11 defeats in our last 15 games is a poor record but i think Alan's successes outway his failures. The team are the blame and their lack of commitment. Nigel Reo Coker should be dropped and i think the two argies can go now, unless they gel well with a new manager anyways Curbishly is the favourite to take over, which i would be delighted with. Excellent manager who played for and supports west ham, and will keep the integrity and the youth system intact to keep us being one of the top teams in england anyways needed a good rant. Very worrying times to be a west ham supporter! Lets just hope Sven isnt appointed __________________ "Tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further…And on fine morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." https://www.twitch.tv/simonjmusic

12-11-2006, 07:31 PM	#30
Timeé Intello Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Co. Donegal, Ireland. Posts: 2,435	have you gone to see West Ham many times Simon? __________________ Wasted and wounded, it ain't what the moon did Got what I paid for now See ya tomorrow, hey Frank can I borrow A couple of bucks from you?