2008/09 Soccer Thread in Shock £50m Chelsea Switch! (And Other Ludicrousness)

Can't get my head round it might be closer.

But yes, I think it's perhaps more likely to be previously undiagnosed heart problems - and it isn't just football. The condition that killed Marc-Vivien Foe in 2003 is genetic and carried by an estimated 0.5% of the population, but when you couple that with the intensive training of a footballer, then the likelihood of a catastrophic failure is increased, I guess.

Reading through some of the stuff on this condition (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) it looks a lot like you would need to actually test for it specifically, as a lot of background info about family history and genetics is required.

Thinking about Foe makes me sad... I remember watching the game having got home from work, and as soon as he hit the deck I knew he wasn't getting up.

Well, 2-2 and it was reasonably entertaining. Chelsea takes the first silverware of the season on penalties. Can't wait until next Saturday for things to kick off in earnest.

Yea Ballack is a fair player isn't he? I can't stand that arrogant ... Let me get off my tangent sorry

Juve fan wrote:

Yea Ballack is a fair player isn't he? I can't stand that arrogant ... Let me get off my tangent sorry

October 4th, Liverpool vs Chelsea. Right around when Aquillani might be back and fit to play. Joey Barton might not be in the Prem anymore but even top 4 teams carry thugs in their squads. Not so bold prediction but that transfer is going to leave Rafa with allot of egg on his face.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...
I hope he and Torres won't spend big part of this season injured just like they did in 2008/09. They're both players that are great to watch. If they can stay fit Liverpool will have a shot at title.

Last season Gerrard has played in 30 league, 9 (of 12) CL and 2 (of five) cup games.
Torres played in 24 league, 5 cup and 9 CL games.
Together they've played in 14, winning 12, drawing 2.

btw: With Premiership kicking out this weekend, it's time for new thread. Pred?

Hleb was never going to be good enough to hold down a regular spot in that midfield if everyone was fit, but he had a well paid year in a nice city with a good coach and a squad that was carrying all before it, so I shall try to stifle the tears.

And just to light up your Wednesdays (or Thursdays), this was a piece in today's Daily Mail. Not a paper I often lift things from, but this article is a particularly good one. In last week's paper, author Colin Shindler (who wrote a book called 'Manchester United Ruined My Life', which was nowhere near as interesting as it sounded) wrote a rather tedious piece where he slagged the club off, despite not having been to a game for about 20 years. He's like one of those tedious old men I always end up stood next to at the bar waiting to be served, moaning how things have gone backward since his day.

In a somewhat surprising piece of open handedness, the Mail published a response - perhaps hedging their bets that the City wagon won't derail itself. It'd be nice if Shindler took a break from making money off the back of the club and read it, then he could either piss off and support the other lot or decide to live in the present rather than the 1960s. It's not that long, so I present the article for your perusal.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...

I'm fading in and out of the USA-Mexico World Cup Qual today, and signs are not good. It may be 1-1 in the second half, but I don't think i've ever seen the U.S. in possession of the ball yet. Possession that didn't involve Tim Howard holding it. I don't care how good Mexico have been against all comers at Azteca, if you've "made it", you don't put 11 men behind the ball and hope.

What other team could attempt to play out a draw in the last match of the season, not realising they actually needed to win to avoid relegation?

Great, when was it?

Something from different barrel: Are there any decent football podcasts other than Football Weekly and ESPN?

UCRC wrote:
What other team could attempt to play out a draw in the last match of the season, not realising they actually needed to win to avoid relegation?

Great, when was it?

Something from different barrel: Are there any decent football podcasts other than Football Weekly and ESPN?

The guardian one is great, besides the Raphael guy who about a year and half ago called Cesc the most overrated player and also penned the Ribery to United rumor which was just rubbish journalism trying to pump up his potential transfer fee. I would recommend world soccer daily but its only good for the guests (Vickery, Rae).

Prederick wrote:

I'm fading in and out of the USA-Mexico World Cup Qual today, and signs are not good. It may be 1-1 in the second half, but I don't think i've ever seen the U.S. in possession of the ball yet. Possession that didn't involve Tim Howard holding it. I don't care how good Mexico have been against all comers at Azteca, if you've "made it", you don't put 11 men behind the ball and hope.

OFT. I watched every USA game this year and I still can't figure out what their strategy is. They blast it downfield every time they get it and hope that a 1 on 4 is successful. Where is the possession? The game was 1-1 for the better part of the game and USA is playing a losing long ball game. It's ridiculous how much they gave the ball away. I wouldn't be surprised if they only held the ball for <40% of the time. Mexico desperately needed this win to help their qualifying chances so just play possession and be patient. Terrible play for the US and it brings our record in Mexico to 0-23-1.

P.S. Ching f'n sucks. It's time for he and Beasley to hit the road for good.

UCRC wrote:

Something from different barrel: Are there any decent football podcasts other than Football Weekly and ESPN?

I listen to "TheGame Podcast" from timesonline.co.uk:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/thegame_podcasts/article6793638.ece

UCRC wrote:
What other team could attempt to play out a draw in the last match of the season, not realising they actually needed to win to avoid relegation?

Great, when was it?

Something from different barrel: Are there any decent football podcasts other than Football Weekly and ESPN?

The end of the 1995-96 season. City were playing at home to Liverpool, and needed a series of other results to go their way after a season of spectacular mismanagement by Alan Ball, in which he got rid of any player capable of providing direction (Niall Quinn, Keith Curle). Liverpool weren't playing for anything as they were safe in 3rd, and there's a fairly good relationship between the clubs and fans.....Liverpool hate Man U, City hate Everton, that sort of thing.

Anyways, at half time Liverpool were 2-0 up and the doom clouds were rolling in. City then fought (I use the term loosely, as Liverpool's players seemed to be mentally choosing holiday destinations for most of the second half), and then it is alleged that someone in the crowd mistakenly got the message to the players that a 2-2 draw was enough, as either Coventry or Southampton were losing. Trouble is, I can still see Steve Lomas heading for the corner flag with the ball as fans were screaming for him to lump it into the box...a draw wasn't enough, and City went down on goal difference.

That was the 3rd time I'd seen them relegated. I remember betting with a colleague in summer than City would go back up with 100 points....they finished mid table with about 50, and the season after than they got relegated to the third tier for the first time ever.

So think kindly on us if we revel in our new status...I for one have bleeding well earned it

Great story!
pop, thanks for 'the Game' recommendation; I listened to it once but forgot to subscribe

Fabiański - injured, out for two months.
Djourou - injured, out for month.
Diaby - injured.
Rosicky - injured, out for month.
Nasri - injured, out for month at least.
Walcott - injured.

Oh, hi there, last season. I thought that you were already gone.

Martin Samuel interview with the mad professor. Very good read and insight into his head.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...

Do we need a 09-10 soccer thread? Or shall I just rename this one?

Prederick wrote:

Do we need a 09-10 soccer thread? Or shall I just rename this one?

If you ask me, it's always nice to start clean and fresh.

jowner wrote:

Martin Samuel interview with the mad professor. Very good read and insight into his head.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...

Timesonline also had a piece today, brief but very interesting one. Thanks for links, jown.

here it is: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...