The European football thread

[Sdpm100]

Originally Posted by bababui

Just goodnight.

Sorry, dude.

Adios, senor as they say en español.

[bababui]

Yo..night Paulie as they say in Brooklyn

[darkhorse]

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

Just think two years ago he was still at then Conference South Grays Athletic.
Now he's knocking out Manchester United in the League Cup.

IIRC, he's slotted home 50 goals the last two seasons whilst playing a huge role in back to back promotions for Southend.

[darkhorse]

dola,

Add the goal against ManUre, and Freddy is probably qualified for a statue or sainthood in Southend.

[LFC1892]

I'm cheap and still have FM2005,but I did just start a new career at Grays, based on Eastwoods fine goal. 2005 works great for me, but when I get a new PC, I'll upgrade my FM as well.

[LFC1892]

Barrow boys up for the Cup

By Dan Warren





Bristol Rovers will face these little upstarts from the Lake District giving it their best shot - we're not frightened, put it like that



Barrow chairman Brian Keen

It would be fair to say Barrow is not a place which often draws the attention of the footballing world.
But the residents of the windswept coastal town are hoping to make the most of a rare moment in the spotlight this weekend when the Match of the Day cameras pay a visit for the FA Cup first round.
League Two side Bristol Rovers visit Holker Street for the main FA Cup feature of Saturday's highlights show.
Clearly the TV crews are sniffing an upset, and Barrow chairman Brian Keen does not want to disappoint them.
"This is such a big boost for the team and the town, to have the big BBC coming with their cameras," he told BBC Sport.
"So we're just going to enjoy it.
"I think having the TV cameras coming has fired the team up even more.
"And I think it's a danger to Bristol, who are used to this sort of thing. They'll have these little upstarts from the Lake District who will be giving their best shot and we're all very hopeful.
"We're not frightened, put it like that."
Barrow, currently in the lower reaches of the Conference North, are expecting a sell-out crowd of around 3,500 at Holker Street for the visit of Rovers.
The Bluebirds' humble abode is typical of the sort of ground which has so often proven to be the undoing of league teams in the FA Cup - but in some ways it is remarkable that Barrow are still playing there at all.

The money means we can pay off the little bills we've accrued - it's magic -Barrow chairman Brian Keen

The club went into liquidation in 1999 and Keen admits than when he took over soon afterwards, the club was in "a hell of a mess".
But they were soon playing fixtures again and became one of the founder members of the Conference North in 2004-05.
"For my sins I said I'll give it a go and see if I can get the club back on its feet with the help of the Football Association and the Conference," said Keen.
"I've just followed their criteria and here we are today."
Keen stresses that promotion to the Nationwide remains the priority for his team and admits he is concerned that a good run in the FA Cup could distract his side from the league.
But at the same time, he is aware of the boost a Cup run could have on the Bluebirds' morale.
"On Saturday we beat Leigh RMI. Now sometimes the Cup run can hold you up in your league fixtures and put you in a bit of trouble," he said.


"But the three points on Saturday were great and they've lined us up for this Saturday to deal with Bristol Rovers.
"Rovers will not relish the idea of a trip to Barrow. We're ready for them.
"We've got a young team, a new team and they're so excited. They're going to give it 110%.
"They're going to enjoy the day, it's like a Cup final to them and we're all waiting with bated breath."
Of course, a morale boost is not the only benefit for Barrow. The financial rewards of FA Cup success through TV money and prize money for winning can make a huge difference.
"It's marvellous. We can offer the possibility of a bonus for the players which is unusual for us," he said.

I'm only happy with a draw if we don't win! -Barrow chairman Brian Keen


"We can pay off the little bills that we've accrued and it just makes it stronger throughout the club. It's magic."
But Barrow's chairman is not just in it for the money. Not for him the possibility of a potentially lucrative replay back at the Memorial Stadium - Keen wants a second-round spot secured on Saturday.
"I'm only happy with a draw if we don't win!" he said. "We want to get it over and done with on Saturday so we can be around the television for the draw on Sunday with our teeth in the wood of the telly and fingers crossed. "We'll give it a really big shot and I hope the cameras witness a banana skin for Bristol Rovers."

For our resident Barrow fans

[LFC1892]

Thank You Captain Obvious:

Keane slams 'cheats' - PA Sport




Photo AAP


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Roy Keane has claimed a number of players in the game are 'conning' and 'cheating' in an unlikely defence of referees.

The former Manchester United midfielder, now manager of Sunderland, clashed with officials on many occasions in his fiery playing days but now seems happy to back the men in the middle.

The performances of referees have been brought under the spotlight this week after a number of controversial decisions by top official Graham Poll in games involving Chelsea and Everton.

Yet Keane feels referees are not being helped by the players and is particularly concerned by the recent number of diving incidents in the Barclays Premiership.

"Players are conning each other, there's a lot of sneaky stuff going on and I'm glad I'm not playing," the 35-year-old said. "There were lads I played with who went down like they'd been shot, and it drove me crazy. I'd pull my hair out."

"We all know the players and I wouldn't give them the time of day. I can't get my head round a player who rolls round then he's up 30 seconds later. I'd be embarrassed."

"It's cheating and if I'd done that my family would disown me. Referees are scrutinised left, right and centre and the players aren't helping them."

Keane's comments may come as a surprise, particularly to those who remember his outburst at Andy D'Urso in a United match against Middlesbrough seven years ago.

"I wouldn't say I'm embarrassed by that, but it's hard to make excuses. I was 100% wrong," Keane said of that incident.

"I still think the veins were superimposed by a bit of camera trickery. Mr D'Urso was the middle man in the (Arsene) Wenger and (Alan) Pardew incident and my heart went out to him, it always seems to be him."

[ukhotstove]

Originally Posted by bababui

That happened downloading OOTP 6.51

I think even UKHS has broken down and gotten FM2007. You are the last holdout. But then you are a stubborn one, arent you?

Nope didn't buy it, a friend got it and loaned it me and when I said I'd drop it off one night on my way to work he just said keep it as long as I wanted.

[Sdpm100]

Argentinian league in chaos after fans demand team lose to deny cross-town rivals title.

BUENOS AIRES, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Argentine authorities are investigating allegations that Gimnasia-La Plata players received death threats from their own supporters, who demanded the team lose a key match on Wednesday.
"We have received various reports and we will be interviewing the players, the technical staff and the directors," public prosecutor Marcelo Romero told Argentine television on Thursday.
The sports daily Ole said players were ordered to lose to Boca Juniors because a win would have helped the title hopes of their arch-rivals Estudiantes.
Boca scored four times in 45 minutes to win 4-1 on Wednesday as they completed a game which was abandoned at halftime on Sept 10. with Gimnasia 1-0 ahead.
The first match was halted when referee Daniel Gimenez said he had been threatened in his dressing room by Gimnasia president Juan Jose Munoz.
On Wednesday, Gimnasia conceded two goals in the first five minutes as they capitulated. The result meant that Estudiantes, Gimnasia's arch-rivals in the city of La Plata, fell four points behind Boca in the table with five matches each to play.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/break...203555,00.html

[bababui]

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

Argentinian league in chaos after fans demand team lose to deny cross-town rivals title.



http://football.guardian.co.uk/break...203555,00.html

One of the most entertaining sports stories in years.

[Sdpm100]

Originally Posted by bababui

One of the most entertaining sports stories in years.

But not entertaining for the players who allegedly were confronted at gunpoint.

[bababui]

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

But not entertaining for the players who allegedly were confronted at gunpoint.

Happens everyday in South America.

FM should put this in the game as one factor that could effect team and player morale.

[bababui]

UKHS..here are a few short saved-game FM2007 challenges. They all look fun.

http://www.footballmanager.net/en/article/21/1359.html

[Sdpm100]

Originally Posted by bababui

UKHS..here are a few short saved-game FM2007 challenges. They all look fun.

http://www.footballmanager.net/en/article/21/1359.html

...especially the Leigh one, by any chance?

[bababui]

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

...especially the Leigh one, by any chance?

That one rings close to real..

The Stafford Ranger one not so much.

SDPM..another reason to buy the game.

[ukhotstove]

I wont need FM2007 if those numbers come up tonight as I'll be doing the real FM by buying a low league team

[Sdpm100]

Originally Posted by darkhorse

dola,

Add the goal against ManUre, and Freddy is probably qualified for a statue or sainthood in Southend.

Or evicted from his house.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...444518,00.html

[bababui]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

I wont need FM2007 if those numbers come up tonight as I'll be doing the real FM by buying a low league team

Good luck.

Any particular team you'd be interested in buying?

[Sdpm100]

Originally Posted by GUTIERREZ

For our resident Barrow fans

Thanks.
I especially like the bit where he says that the FA Cup run might have hurt their league form. Yes, obviously that is why they've only won four games all season.

[bababui]

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

Thanks.
I especially like the bit where he says that the FA Cup run might have hurt their league form. Yes, obviously that is why they've only won four games all season.

Without the FA Cup, barrow might well be undefeated in the ECN at this point.