Alright, there are some on this board that love football, and there are some that hate it. This is for those that love it, and those that hate it don't have to see any footy related nonsense because it'll be in here!
I'll start.
I'm getting excited about the upcoming season, because my team, Newcastle United, appear to be strengthening the team/squad in all the right areas. Kluivert will, I hope, prove to be a very shrewd signing. If, as appears likely, we sign Nicky Butt, it will give us something we haven't had in midfield for a long time, namely a bit of protection for the defence. And rumour has it we'll be strengthening there too. If that comes off, I will be full of optimism.
I've been watching the "Champions World Series" here in the US. Chelsea looked pretty good in disposing of Celtic the other night, but I was surprised by Liverpool tonight. They beat Celtic 5-1, and really flew out of the blocks. Riise scored one of those piledriving free kicks that everyone loves to see, Cisse got a couple, and things looked good for the Reds.
What about you? What are your hopes for your team this season, be they English, Dutch or whichever nationality?
Football: Season 2004/5 Discussion Thread.
-
PaulEMoz
- Sheepie Whore
- Posts: 11795
- Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2003 12:00 am 0
- Yahoo Messenger: paulemoz
- Location: The Devil's Temple, 5th Floor.
- Contact:
Football: Season 2004/5 Discussion Thread.
Last edited by PaulEMoz on Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:07 pm 0, edited 2 times in total.
Introducing theywereourgods.com! A website devoted to my upcoming book, They Were Our Gods, celebrating British programmers of the 80s and their games. Features blogs, news, excerpts from interviews and extras!
-
moobaa
- Sheepie Whore
- Posts: 16118
- Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2002 8:08 am 0
- XBL Gamertag: petee moobaa
- PSN: moobaa
- Location: Sydney, Australia
My hopes are simple - I want Arsenal to get rolled often. 
Some would say that's evidence of the very Australian Tall Poppy / Underdog tendencies, but I assure you that it's just my irrational hatred of Arsenal. This is partnered by an unexplainable desire to see Bolton do well
Speaking a little more sanely now... Poking around the transfers that have taken place in the off-season, Arsenal don't seem to have strengthened their squad much. Chelsea are still buying themselves a superteam, which will gel for occassional flashes of brilliance.
I want Newcastle and Liverpool to get amongst it this year, I really do
And, on a football-related tangent, has The Beautiful Game been aired on UK/US TV yet? It's a multinational co-production (including Australia's SBS) which does a bit of dirt digging. Ep 3 has just screened here (which focussed on the grubby nature of the FIFA boss); but Ep 1 (drugs in football, focussed on Juventus / AC Milan) and Ep 2 (money in football, the deals swung for the sake of the Champion's League) were both absolute eye-opening crackers.
Some would say that's evidence of the very Australian Tall Poppy / Underdog tendencies, but I assure you that it's just my irrational hatred of Arsenal. This is partnered by an unexplainable desire to see Bolton do well
Speaking a little more sanely now... Poking around the transfers that have taken place in the off-season, Arsenal don't seem to have strengthened their squad much. Chelsea are still buying themselves a superteam, which will gel for occassional flashes of brilliance.
I want Newcastle and Liverpool to get amongst it this year, I really do
And, on a football-related tangent, has The Beautiful Game been aired on UK/US TV yet? It's a multinational co-production (including Australia's SBS) which does a bit of dirt digging. Ep 3 has just screened here (which focussed on the grubby nature of the FIFA boss); but Ep 1 (drugs in football, focussed on Juventus / AC Milan) and Ep 2 (money in football, the deals swung for the sake of the Champion's League) were both absolute eye-opening crackers.
Two main things I want to see.
My beloved Leeds United have something to be happy about. The signs aren't looking too good at the moment, but I am 100% behind the Whites.
Secondly, for my other team Hereford United to finally get back into the football league after being robbed last year. How can you finish 20 points AHEAD of another team who then gets promoted. Absolute bollocks. Anyway, I have confidence the team will pick it up again and do some nukings like they did last year (9-0 away against Dagenham...oh yes).
Other than this, in the Premiership I would like to see Arsenal continue where they left off - playing some of the best football I have ever seen. And on a final note, I want Mr. King Judas bastard Alan Smith to have a stinker of a season.
P.S. I want Rooney to show us what he can do. Amazing at Euro 2004? Yes. Now it is time for him to do it in the Premiership.
My beloved Leeds United have something to be happy about. The signs aren't looking too good at the moment, but I am 100% behind the Whites.
Secondly, for my other team Hereford United to finally get back into the football league after being robbed last year. How can you finish 20 points AHEAD of another team who then gets promoted. Absolute bollocks. Anyway, I have confidence the team will pick it up again and do some nukings like they did last year (9-0 away against Dagenham...oh yes).
Other than this, in the Premiership I would like to see Arsenal continue where they left off - playing some of the best football I have ever seen. And on a final note, I want Mr. King Judas bastard Alan Smith to have a stinker of a season.
P.S. I want Rooney to show us what he can do. Amazing at Euro 2004? Yes. Now it is time for him to do it in the Premiership.
-
romanista
- Baaaaaa!
- Posts: 2249
- Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2004 2:55 pm 0
- Yahoo Messenger: ricklindeman@yahoo.com
- Location: United Provinces
- Contact:
mmm, i am afraid chelsea is going to win it this year, so you might have included russian teams, paul
tottenham are our (ajax') friends in england, but it will probably be antoher 15th place or something, although Santini might do so something fun..
In the netherlands, ajax has remained virtually unchanged, so is the favourite for the title (yeah!).. Sneijder wil continue to grow, to my surprise, ibrahimovic is not (yet) sold, as is our great back Maxwell... Hopefully van der vaar will forget his famous girlfriend and return to footballing (he is our becks
)
psv sold its frontline (robben-kezman-rommedahl), and didn't make big signings so they will probably make it a transition year or something, although house clearing was needed, because some people played there for too many years, like goalkeeper Waterreus. Mark van Bommel, who was symbol for the 'so near but yet so far' feeling psv emits, tried to get away, but nobody wanted him..
Ruud Gullit is the new coach of Feyenoord... Newcastle fans (sorry paul) might nog agree, but much is expected from him in Rotterdam (when springs comes, we throw b*mbs at Rotterdan, biggestjim)..we'll see. the other men on the technical board are quite experienced, so the combination might just work..
tottenham are our (ajax') friends in england, but it will probably be antoher 15th place or something, although Santini might do so something fun..
In the netherlands, ajax has remained virtually unchanged, so is the favourite for the title (yeah!).. Sneijder wil continue to grow, to my surprise, ibrahimovic is not (yet) sold, as is our great back Maxwell... Hopefully van der vaar will forget his famous girlfriend and return to footballing (he is our becks
)psv sold its frontline (robben-kezman-rommedahl), and didn't make big signings so they will probably make it a transition year or something, although house clearing was needed, because some people played there for too many years, like goalkeeper Waterreus. Mark van Bommel, who was symbol for the 'so near but yet so far' feeling psv emits, tried to get away, but nobody wanted him..
Ruud Gullit is the new coach of Feyenoord... Newcastle fans (sorry paul) might nog agree, but much is expected from him in Rotterdam (when springs comes, we throw b*mbs at Rotterdan, biggestjim
)..we'll see. the other men on the technical board are quite experienced, so the combination might just work..[url=http://www.macretro.ricklindeman,nl]Retrogames on the Mac[/url]-Friendcodes-Flickr
I'll go with what PaulEMoz said on the Toon.
As for predictions, I would have gone Arsenal-Chelsea-Man U again but who knows what on earth's going on at the Arse right now? I can see Man U having another shocker of a season (largely due to Ferguson's arrogance) and dropping off into the highly likely Liverpool-Newcastle fourth place scrap perhaps. So maybe it is all opening up for Chelsea...?
Relegation-wise I find it unlikely Norwich or Crystal Palace have a chance of staying up. West Brom might...
As for predictions, I would have gone Arsenal-Chelsea-Man U again but who knows what on earth's going on at the Arse right now? I can see Man U having another shocker of a season (largely due to Ferguson's arrogance) and dropping off into the highly likely Liverpool-Newcastle fourth place scrap perhaps. So maybe it is all opening up for Chelsea...?
Relegation-wise I find it unlikely Norwich or Crystal Palace have a chance of staying up. West Brom might...
I would never consider myself partisan - I don't care who beats Man United...
I can't help but think it will be Chelsea this year. Although Arsenal went unbeaten in the league last time out, if Chelsea had beaten the Arse in their 2 games rather than lost both, THEY would have been champions.
I think Arsenal will finish second, especially as their goal this season must have to be Europe.
Third (and a fairly close thrid) will be between Liverpool and Newcastle, with the stinking Mancs finishing a lowly fifth.
With this happening, "Sir" Alex Fergusmoan will be straighjacketed upstairs and someone else will come in.
I do think this might be the most open Premiership for years though.
Strong relegation favourites have to be the teams coming up, although West Brom have the best chance of survival of the three.
From a purely football-lover point of view, it would be good to see some of the big clubs return to the top - Leeds, West Ham and Wolves in particular.
And yes, Moobaa, I'm a Gooner and fully expect to be shot down as usual for saying so!
I can't help but think it will be Chelsea this year. Although Arsenal went unbeaten in the league last time out, if Chelsea had beaten the Arse in their 2 games rather than lost both, THEY would have been champions.
I think Arsenal will finish second, especially as their goal this season must have to be Europe.
Third (and a fairly close thrid) will be between Liverpool and Newcastle, with the stinking Mancs finishing a lowly fifth.
With this happening, "Sir" Alex Fergusmoan will be straighjacketed upstairs and someone else will come in.
I do think this might be the most open Premiership for years though.
Strong relegation favourites have to be the teams coming up, although West Brom have the best chance of survival of the three.
From a purely football-lover point of view, it would be good to see some of the big clubs return to the top - Leeds, West Ham and Wolves in particular.
And yes, Moobaa, I'm a Gooner and fully expect to be shot down as usual for saying so!
Sit down you little bastard
You see I used to like you! Now I'm not so sure!moobaa wrote:My hopes are simple - I want Arsenal to get rolled often.
Some would say that's evidence of the very Australian Tall Poppy / Underdog tendencies, but I assure you that it's just my irrational hatred of Arsenal. This is partnered by an unexplainable desire to see Bolton do well
XBoxlive -> Mr Sty
-
moobaa
- Sheepie Whore
- Posts: 16118
- Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2002 8:08 am 0
- XBL Gamertag: petee moobaa
- PSN: moobaa
- Location: Sydney, Australia
I don't want it to seem like I'll happily shit on Arsenal fans - I just don't like their style of play. Too clean, too clinical - too boring. For me, that is.The Frozen One wrote:And yes, Moobaa, I'm a Gooner and fully expect to be shot down as usual for saying so!
But I know that others find that style of play to be quite exhilarating. They had their fill of football last season, then; as Dave & Chainsaw once said: "Enough safe 'n' sane... it's time for dumb 'n' dangerous."
I'm hopeful of seeing 'boro actually scoring a few goals this season. Not terribly enthused about the ageing squad we're building up, but I'm not going to get too worried yet.
I'm hoping that it's going to be a little tighter at the top. Three-way races are better than one-horse races, but I'm not so keen on any of the Big Three at the moment. I'm really hoping that Liverpool manages to get up there a bit better. The Newcastle squad looks like it's shaping up really nicely too. Butt will be an awesome aquisition if you can manage it.
I'm hoping that it's going to be a little tighter at the top. Three-way races are better than one-horse races, but I'm not so keen on any of the Big Three at the moment. I'm really hoping that Liverpool manages to get up there a bit better. The Newcastle squad looks like it's shaping up really nicely too. Butt will be an awesome aquisition if you can manage it.
I'm hoping that Teddy Sheringham will have enough pace to cross the half way line at some point.
seriously.......
come on you Hammers! We'll need at least 80 points by the half way mark to compensate for the typical west ham choke.
seriously.......
come on you Hammers! We'll need at least 80 points by the half way mark to compensate for the typical west ham choke.
Jasmine, I saw you peeping
As I pushed my foot down to the floor
I was going round and round the hotel garage
Must have been touching close to 94
Oh, but I'm always crashing in the same car
I really don't know what to hope for with Ipswich Town. We've just beaten Crystal Palace in a pre-season which if nothing else suggests they will get *hammered* in the Premiership. A few players out, a few in, mostly driven to get that old wage bill down.
On the surface we have a weaker squad than last year with Wright, McGreal et al leaving. But the main thing really was holding on to Darren Bent and we seem to have done that, so there's hope. And new signing De Vos looks pretty tidy. So the first 11 is probably no worse than last year. The 1st Division (or Championship as it's now called) is always tough but I think we'll do well. I don't feel any of the other teams in that division are much cop so it's probably gonna be fairly open.
On the surface we have a weaker squad than last year with Wright, McGreal et al leaving. But the main thing really was holding on to Darren Bent and we seem to have done that, so there's hope. And new signing De Vos looks pretty tidy. So the first 11 is probably no worse than last year. The 1st Division (or Championship as it's now called) is always tough but I think we'll do well. I don't feel any of the other teams in that division are much cop so it's probably gonna be fairly open.
I think the best we can hope for this year is for Arsenal to lose early on leaving our 'total run of league games unbeaten' record nicely intact.koworld wrote:Now that the Football league has been divided into 70 separate competitions, I'm confident that my mighty Forest will win sliverware this year.
We're playing Middlesbrough and Tottenham in friendly games this week, probably so the new players can get used to having their arses kicked.
That 5-1 Celtic win was impressive, but I can't help but feel we need to sign a couple more players.
Cisse looks exciting, and I'm glad we held onto Gerrard, Owen and Baros, but I'm also shitting it a bit, because this is definitely a make-or-break season. We either improve up to a credible title challenge, or Gerrard and Owen will definitely be off.
And I just want Chelsea to fail in the most miserable way possible. Every goal that goes in against them should be cheered as a triumph for the unbuyable unpredictability of football.
Cisse looks exciting, and I'm glad we held onto Gerrard, Owen and Baros, but I'm also shitting it a bit, because this is definitely a make-or-break season. We either improve up to a credible title challenge, or Gerrard and Owen will definitely be off.
And I just want Chelsea to fail in the most miserable way possible. Every goal that goes in against them should be cheered as a triumph for the unbuyable unpredictability of football.