***Official Premiership, FA Cup, Carling Cup, Champions League etc. Thread***

[42graystreet]

The report is shocking in its ineptitude and still totally predictable. Take note that the countries which were in favor of the investigation and cooperative were the ones that got blasted by FIFA (England and Australia). The countries that were uncooperative in some ways (Qatar) or declined to participate at all (Russia) come off scott free. Russia tells FIFA they destroyed all their computers which had WC bidding documents on it, then FIFA says "in regards to Russia's bid for the world cup, there was no evidence found of inappropriate behavior."

I don't even know what to think anymore. The chance of a boycott large enough in scale to exact change is so tiny. I'm not even sure I would want the USA to boycott a world cup. Despite what we all think of the organization that runs world soccer, in the end it's the game that matters and I want to see USA playing in the biggest sporting event in the world.

[whodat]

Losing a player to injury on international break just sucks. It was tough enough for these guys to come off the WC, then to get right in the club schedule coupled with Euro qualifying, that is a lot of football to ask of these players. Looks like Blind is going to be out at least through the new year, if not longer. De Gea looks to be out with a the hand injury. Carrick limps off the England training ground... and the list of the wounded continues.

[panini2001]

As boring as England are at the moment I am looking forward to watching Scotland v England tomorrow night. This is probably the oldest fixture in football. I think 2013 was the first game between the two countries since 1996. England given 7000 tickets and all have to be collected on the day at a special pick up place with police escort.

Glasgow will be best avoided tomorrow in a fixture plagued with problems.

[Ascf33]

I wish LFC had just beaten Crystal Palace last year.

[42graystreet]

Originally Posted by Ascf33

I wish LFC had just beaten Crystal Palace last year.

You mean Chelsea. City were still winning the title on goal difference even if Liverpool doesn't blow a 3 goal lead in the last 11 minutes against Palace.

[whodat]

Originally Posted by panini2001

As boring as England are at the moment I am looking forward to watching Scotland v England tomorrow night. This is probably the oldest fixture in football. I think 2013 was the first game between the two countries since 1996. England given 7000 tickets and all have to be collected on the day at a special pick up place with police escort.

Glasgow will be best avoided tomorrow in a fixture plagued with problems.

A buddy of mine is from just south of Glasgow and he is feeling pretty good about their chances today. The win over Ireland on Friday, with a really sublime strike for the goal, has the team on a high right now.

But as you pointed out Craig, this game is best enjoyed from the cozy confines of your home on the big screen.

[panini2001]

Originally Posted by whodat

A buddy of mine is from just south of Glasgow and he is feeling pretty good about their chances today. The win over Ireland on Friday, with a really sublime strike for the goal, has the team on a high right now.

But as you pointed out Craig, this game is best enjoyed from the cozy confines of your home on the big screen.

Yep just watching the game now. Always feel Scotland are up for this more so than us. Maybe the underdog syndrome galvanises the team. Still England should have enough quality to pinch it.

[SeekUpSaratoga]

No offense to our resident Stoke fan but I was happy to see Burnley get the three points today.

[whodat]

Brendan Rogers must really hate Selhurst Park.

[sdmc229]

Originally Posted by whodat

Brendan Rogers must really hate Selhurst Park.

That was a new low in low performances this year

[whodat]

Originally Posted by sdmc229

That was a new low in low performances this year

To score in the first 90 seconds then not get anything the rest of the game is very telling sign. One could argue that the team was looking ahead to the midweek UCL game but I think otherwise. They got taken to school and the midweek game just got that much harder.

[whodat]

I think a certain Stoke fan will dispute this article top to bottom:

http://www.espnfc.us/barclays-premie...fanssays-study

[clayj41]

I wish City and Bayern played weekly.

[panini2001]

Originally Posted by whodat

I think a certain Stoke fan will dispute this article top to bottom:

http://www.espnfc.us/barclays-premie...fanssays-study

Interesting article and when you consider we have a 27000 home attendance compared to Man U 70000 we have a good go.

[whodat]

Originally Posted by panini2001

Interesting article and when you consider we have a 27000 home attendance compared to Man U 70000 we have a good go.

That is a great point. Not saying a larger space with more people will be louder, but a packed 27000 would probably feel and sound louder due to the more intimate space.

[42graystreet]

I wouldn't say I'm "impressed" with City's comeback win over Bayern, considering the Germans were down a man, but it was surprising. If I were a betting man though, I'd put it on Roma to qualify over City.

[Lee3691]

Pele in ICU...

[whodat]

Southampton received a large slice of reality today vs. City. Won't get any easier for the Saints over the next week with an away trip to Arsenal, followed up with a resurgent United at home. Depending on how the all the other games play out over the next week, they could find themselves going from the top 4 in second place to possible tied for 5th or 6th.

[Ascf33]

Glen Johnson

[aeroshady]

Thierry Henry the legend! Great career! I will miss him like crazy here in NY. Good luck in the future #14!!

[jrkarger]

Originally Posted by 42graystreet

I wouldn't say I'm "impressed" with City's comeback win over Bayern, considering the Germans were down a man, but it was surprising. If I were a betting man though, I'd put it on Roma to qualify over City.

It was a hell of a game to watch. With that said I think I have found my team. I was really really upset when City came back on those two awful mistakes by Alonso and Boateng. More upset than I have been watching any other game this fall.

[SeekUpSaratoga]

Love mid-week fixtures. Got out of work early to watch the United/Stoke game.

[hailtopitt]

Originally Posted by whodat

I think a certain Stoke fan will dispute this article top to bottom:

http://www.espnfc.us/barclays-premie...fanssays-study

so dumb, so sick of Man U.

West Brom has the best chants

[aeroshady]

Nothing is better than the Theatre of dreams Old Trafford!!!

[whodat]

Originally Posted by aeroshady

Nothing is better than the Theatre of dreams Old Trafford!!!

I support this post.

[42graystreet]

Chelsea didn't even break a sweat today. 3-0 over Tottenham. Drogba circa 2009 was out there in the first half, assisting for Hazard and then scoring a turn-back-the-clock goal for himself.

Man City are on a nice roll. 6 point lead, not that big of a gap.

[aeroshady]

USA going to have our hands full in the group of death this summer! I believe we will win it though!

[panini2001]

Days like these are the reason that footballs worth every penny spent

[whodat]

Have to share this from a friend of mine. Arsene Wenger and Voldemort... Both fucked by Potters.

[whodat]

Well it may not have been perfect, but 3 points is 3 points. Like where United is headed. Almost hopeful that City and Chelsea keep moving in the UCL to crowd up their fixture list and possibly drop points in the league.