The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thread

I'd have not given the penalty for liverpool in the waning moments of the match, however, there were 2 or 3 in regular time, that Blew my mind.

* guess who's the newest addition to my team!?!? ****

********************Injury Update by Team***************************

noteables:
Adebeyor -- no return date
walcott-- no return date

Club Injuries Player Condition Expected Return* Next Match**
Arsenal 7 B Sagna Ankle/Foot Injury no return date
E Eboue Knee Injury no return date
T Walcott Shoulder Injury no return date
E Adebayor Ankle/Foot Injury no return date
W Gallas Hamstring Injury no return date
E Da Silva Broken Leg 22nd Nov 08
T Rosicky Hamstring Injury Jan 09
West Ham United 7 S Parker Calf Muscle Strain 8th Nov 08
V Behrami Calf Muscle Strain 1st Dec 08
M Noble Calf Muscle Strain 23rd Nov 08
D Ashton Os Trigonum Syndrome Jan 09
D Gabbidon Groin/Pelvis Injury 8th Dec 08
J Spector Hip/Thigh Injury 23rd Nov 08
K Dyer Broken Leg Jan 09
Newcastle United 6 N Butt Ankle/Foot Injury 3rd Nov 08
M Owen Groin Strain 3rd Nov 08
I Gonzalez Achilles Tendinopathy no return date
A Smith Achilles Tendinopathy 20th Dec 08
W Ngo Baheng ACL Knee Injury Jan 09
M Viduka Achilles Tendinopathy no return date
Manchester City 5 M Petrov Knee Injury Feb 09
M Johnson Groin Strain no return date
V Bojinov Calf/Shin Injury Feb 09
D Vassell Knee Injury 9th Nov 08
B Mwaruwari Thigh Muscle Strain 9th Nov 08
Chelsea 4 A Cole Calf Muscle Strain 15th Nov 08
R Carvalho Thigh Muscle Strain 22nd Nov 08
M Ballack Calf Muscle Strain 9th Nov 08
M Essien ACL Knee Injury Mar 09
West Bromwich Albion 4 F Teixeira Calf Muscle Strain 8th Nov 08
D Kim Knee Injury 21st Dec 08
A Meite Calf Muscle Strain 8th Nov 08
N Clement Knee Injury no return date
Blackburn Rovers 3 S Reid Knee Injury Jun 09
R Santa Cruz Calf Muscle Strain 15th Nov 08
D Dunn Calf/Shin Injury 20th Dec 08
Fulham 3 K Seol Knee Injury no return date
Andranik Knee Injury Jan 09
D Kamara Knee Injury Jan 09
Manchester United 3 W Brown Sprained Ankle 8th Nov 08
O Hargreaves Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome no return date
P Scholes MCL Knee Ligament Injury 20th Dec 08
Middlesbrough 3 M Shawky Thigh Muscle Strain 6th Dec 08
R Huth Ankle/Foot Injury 9th Nov 08
R Williams LCL Knee Ligament Injury Jan 09
Sunderland 3 D Connolly Groin/Pelvis Injury 13th Dec 08
C Gordon Sprained Ankle 8th Nov 08
D Ward Back Injury no return date
Everton 2 N Valente Knee Injury 8th Nov 08
L Jacobsen Dislocated Shoulder 22nd Dec 08
Hull City 2 A Gardner Thigh Muscle Strain 22nd Nov 08
C Fagan Broken Leg 13th Dec 08
Liverpool 2 F Torres Hamstring Injury 8th Nov 08
M Skrtel PCL Tear 21st Dec 08
Portsmouth 2 G Little Hamstring Injury 8th Nov 08
D Nugent Gilmores Groin 15th Nov 08
Stoke City 2 A Davies Knee Injury 29th Nov 08
L Lawrence Sprained Ankle 29th Nov 08
Tottenham Hotspur 2 J Jenas Ankle/Foot Injury 9th Nov 08
Gilberto MCL Knee Ligament Injury 9th Nov 08
Aston Villa 1 W Bouma Ankle/Foot Injury Jan 09
Wigan Athletic 1 E Edman ACL Knee Injury 29th Nov 08
Bolton Wanderers 0

[Jdbwolverines]

Originally Posted by theycallmedan'lboone

I'd have not given the penalty for liverpool in the waning moments of the match, however, there were 2 or 3 in regular time, that Blew my mind.

I agree. The penalty was pretty weak, just two guys going for the ball. We were due for a pk though, with all the no calls on some of the earlier handballs and what not. The team is really starting to miss Torres though and struggling to put the ball in the back of the net.

Gentlemen ( I use that term very loosely... Jason....) for your discussion:


A war of words has broken out between Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Stoke manager Tony Pulis over the physical nature of football

The Gunners boss accused some Stoke players of being 'cowards' and attempting to deliberately injure his team during Saturday's 2-1 defeat at the Britannia Stadium.

But Pulis has hit back, stating his players are just "honest and committed".

Do you think Wenger has a point? Should players receive greater protection? Are referees doing enough to deal with late tackles and challenges from behind?

Do you think the laws have gone too far already and offer too much protection to players? Do you believe there is a place for a more physical approach and tough tackling is just part of the game?

[Jason]

Originally Posted by theycallmedan'lboone

Gentlemen ( I use that term very loosely... Jason....) for your discussion:


A war of words has broken out between Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Stoke manager Tony Pulis over the physical nature of football

The Gunners boss accused some Stoke players of being 'cowards' and attempting to deliberately injure his team during Saturday's 2-1 defeat at the Britannia Stadium.

But Pulis has hit back, stating his players are just "honest and committed".

Do you think Wenger has a point? Should players receive greater protection? Are referees doing enough to deal with late tackles and challenges from behind?

Do you think the laws have gone too far already and offer too much protection to players? Do you believe there is a place for a more physical approach and tough tackling is just part of the game?

Plain and simple Venga is a ***** and his players follow suit. I causes me no joy to say that, I love their devotion to the beautiful game and the players and coach are top notch but they have no leader, no iron man defensive holding mid to push them on when things are going poorly.

They have plenty of awesome players. These guys will urge their teammates on when things are going well but when they get down, they ALL get down. Not one player will hold his head and fist up and challenge his mates with positive encouragement. Gallas' technique is to scream psychotically.

I said Wenger is a good manager, he obviously has an eye for talent, is somewhat tactically astute and is a decent man manager. HOWEVER, he's an arrogant whining punk. He is the star and apparently he won't add that man that drives them on, he wants to be the special one. And he is always whining, merciful heavens shut this man up.

Could not agree with Jason any more.. Did AW think that going on the road into a brand new Prem Side, would be easy. Did he not think that Stoke would play agressive, and try to make things happen. Did he want to be awarded the points just b/c he is Arsenal and they are Stoke. They should just lay down to his superstars and be honored to play them. What a freaking crock.

This is England. Guess what, you get hard fouls, space closes down with a crunch. The game is not getting too agressive. In fact I think they are blowing way to many whistles. Most often somone goes flying you get a foul, all ball or not. I like how in England the officials seem to give warnings and keep track of players. Terrible fouls are booked, but for the most part you can tell when player x has used up all his credit, or when the next foul is going to get a card. WE DO NOT want what seemed to happen in the last WC and a bit in Euro where officials were on such a short leash, cards were flying teams were down 1 or 2 men for no real good reason.

I also think Jason has a great point on the Arsenal 'enforcer'. Would you tackle from behind in the midfield against a Roy Keane United.. Well you might do it once, but no more.

Wenger and Arsenal are a bunch of Puffs. Apparently they read a bit too much press and figured that they would just walk into the top 2 this year. Much like our esteemed friends from Lpool found out last year.. You need to collect 3 pts every week, draws and horrible losses don't get you there.

Lpool seems to have learned that lesson so far. Arsenal, same team that fell apart last year... I hope Stoke circles the trip to the Emerites and gives them another thrashing.

you bastages make me smile on the inside! I really despise Wenger, the majority of the Arsenal team, and wish they would lose enough to not make it in the top 4. They make some slick passes, clever runs, but if Jamie Carragher so much as touches you, fall the hell over... Every team has their "enforcer" Liverpool has Carra, and Skrtel, Man U has Rio and Vidic, Chelsea has Terry, Arsenal? has william gallas who likes to scream. Big reason they will not do well this season. The only person on Arsenal's team that I have respect for? Theo Walcott. The kid plays hard. He wants to win, but he's a kid. I think Wenger wants Cesc Fabregas to be his leader to be his Steven Gerrard/FrankLampard.... don't see it. Fabregas is just too quiet. not physically passionate. oh well. Funny, you make a great point about how pool has learned you have to win all the points week in, week out and see where you stand at the end of the season. Arsenal... not so much.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by theycallmedan'lboone

The only person on Arsenal's team that I have respect for? Theo Walcott.

Take a look at Bacary Sagna, he should turn out to be something special. I have yet to see him crack a smile, he is a footballing cyborg.

kinda like martin skrtel? the man eats nails. The only emotion I ever saw from him was when he jacked up his knee against City...

get barry to cut his hair that stuff skeers me.

[Jdbwolverines]

The last thing I want to see is EPL become like the NFL. You can barely tackle the quarterback or a receiver anymore without i being a flag or a fine. One of the reasons the the Premiership is the best league in the world is because it is a hard, tough league. If you can't hack it out there, go play in Italy or France or somewhere.

[aldukes]

I flopped this passed Wednesday night.

I lost a high ball in the lights lifted my arm up under the guy and fell. Oldest trick in the book. And you know what- the ball bounced over my head and I got the call. The gentleman that I elbowed did not take too kindly to it, but as I explained to him later- even I didn't think that would work.

My name is Matt, and I'm a flopper.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by aldukes

My name is Matt, and I'm a flopper.

blocked/ignored

Originally Posted by aldukes

My name is Matt, and I'm a flopper.

It's ok, just try not to do it again.

Not a fan of the first half at all. Park is doing nothing, Arsenal is just flying down his side. United is choking when they get into the box, and I cringe each time Berbatov gets a touch.

[Don Fernando]

Originally Posted by theycallmedan'lboone

The only person on Arsenal's team that I have respect for? Theo Walcott. The kid plays hard. He wants to win

hey hey, what about my fellow Dutchie Van Persie? Although he came from the wrong team (Feyenoord) and plays for the wrong team now, I think he's a great player, skilled as hell.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

hey hey, what about my fellow Dutchie Van Persie? Although he came from the wrong team (Feyenoord) and plays for the wrong team now, I think he's a great player, skilled as hell.

Dirk Kuyt is no slouch. And he plays for the right team now.

Pnoon 1 ---- Don Fernando 0
Van Persie is certainly talented.. I just don't much care for him... too much priss.

[Don Fernando]

Kuyt only played for wrong teams in his carreer. FC Utrecht, Feyenoord and now Liverpool. I mean, how many bad mistakes can a guy make? I will tell you, he will end up playing for Glasgow Rangers someday.

don the ranger comment was too much!

did anybody see Arbeloa's goal... it was pristine. here's the goal
http://eplvideos.com/index.php?ind=v...view&iden=1273