The European football thread - Page 456

ukhotstove · 12-19-2006, 12:42 PM

sdpm did you get any of your books ? I got the Ajax book this morning and my Mums been going on at me for days about what to get me so sent of for the "A season with Verona" "The miracle of Castel Di Sangro" and "Tor The story of German Football" also sent of for the Sherlock Holmes dvd's but that's not football.

ukhotstove · 12-19-2006, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

Paul's Alternative Football Review of the Year Awards
Okay, this is the first in a number of "awards" that I will be giving out, in this "alternative" review of the football (soccer) year.

The first award is for those players who didn't quite live up to the hype in 2006.

Overhyped Player of the Year
Plenty of candidates for this one, including yes, Landon Donovan (there's no bias here), but because of that it has to be a real "world class" player that gets bestowed with this "honour".

First candidate would be Thierry Henry. He didn't contribute anything much at the World Cup finals, and went missing again on the big stage in the Champions’ League Final (or rather kept shooting at Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes).

Secondly, Andriy Shevchenko. Ever since his penalty miss in the 2005 Champions’ League Final shootout he doesn’t seem to be the same player. He had a poor World Cup, including missing again in a shootout with Switzerland in the round of 16 game (although Ukraine did win on this occasion), and that’s without even considering his start at Chelsea…

But there can be only one “winner”. And that is Ronaldinho. The World Player of the Year played nothing like that at the World Cup as Brazil went home early, and is currently on an record barren spell for a Brazilian number 11, going 18 months (and counting) since his last goal for his country.
The Champions’ League Final was no better, and it needed veteran Henrik Larsson to turn the game around for Barcelona as Ronnie went missing on the big night.

His Liga form has been much better in the second half of the year, with goals like this one http://youtube.com/watch?v=T9_7UhXLQYQ , but in my opinion, a “World Player of the Year” should perform on the biggest of stages, and Ronaldinho failed to do so.

This is why I don't take player of the year awards on, Ronaldinho got into the final 3 of both the World and European player of the year just because he plays for Barca and Brazil.

Sdpm100 · 12-19-2006, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

sdpm did you get any of your books ? I got the Ajax book this morning and my Mums been going on at me for days about what to get me so sent of for the "A season with Verona" "The miracle of Castel Di Sangro" and "Tor The story of German Football" also sent of for the Sherlock Holmes dvd's but that's not football.

No I haven't yet. It's due to arrive between tomorrow and Friday, according to Amazon.

ukhotstove · 12-19-2006, 12:47 PM

ps

If anyones interested the Sherlock Holmes dvds were the films with Basil Rathbone as Sherlock, imo there is no other Sherlock Holmes other than Basil Rathbone.

Sdpm100 · 12-19-2006, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

ps

If anyones interested the Sherlock Holmes dvds were the films with Basil Rathbone as Sherlock, imo there is no other Sherlock Holmes other than Basil Rathbone.

My mum likes Basil Rathbone as Sherlock.

bababui · 12-19-2006, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

ps

If anyones interested the Sherlock Holmes dvds were the films with Basil Rathbone as Sherlock, imo there is no other Sherlock Holmes other than Basil Rathbone.

I really liked the Jeremy Brett BBC Shelock Holmes too.

I just reread all the short stories. Love em.

ukhotstove · 12-19-2006, 12:54 PM

Wigan's Lee McCulloch's been banned for 3 games for punching Chris Morgan in the Latics v Sheff United game, he deserved it but way out of caracter of McCulloch. Big Lee's one of my fav players, plays the game with total passion.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ic/6194703.stm

bababui · 12-19-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

Wigan's Lee McCulloch's been banned for 3 games for punching Chris Morgan in the Latics v Sheff United game, he deserved it but way out of caracter of McCulloch. Big Lee's one of my fav players, plays the game with total passion.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ic/6194703.stm

There seem to be more violent incidents this year. Any thoughts why?

ukhotstove · 12-19-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

My mum likes Basil Rathbone as Sherlock.

Superb Rathbone, probably imo the actor who most suits a caracter.

Sdpm100 · 12-19-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

This is why I don't take player of the year awards on, Ronaldinho got into the final 3 of both the World and European player of the year just because he plays for Barca and Brazil.

That's a very fair point, but I just felt that if you are going to give these awards, the "best player in the world" should actually play like that on the big stage.

And anyone can disagree with any of the awards if they think I've got it wrong.

Second award coming soon.

Sdpm100 · 12-19-2006, 12:57 PM

Paul's Alternative Football Review of the Year Awards
Award 1

Okay, second award time now, and in keeping with Christmas, it's time for the...

Turkey of the Year (SHARED)
Yes, I’m afraid I had to share this award.
First one, yes it’s obvious, but it has to be Zinedine Zidane.
His headbutt on Marco Materazzi was Zizou’s last action in his professional football career, and whether the Italian said “you’re a terrorist”, or “your parents are ugly”, or “man, you suck”, it doesn’t matter, he let his teammates down in their pursuit of a second World Cup in three attempts.
And whilst it is not well documented, Zidane has a number of hot-headed incidents in his illustrious career. A sad end to a great career.

Secondly, it has to be English referee Graham Poll.
Yes, Mr. Poll went into football history when he became the first referee in World Cup finals history to give three yellow cards to one player, Josip Simunic, before finally sending him off in a farcical finish to Croatia’s game with Australia. Poll had earlier somehow missed a clear penalty when Mark Viduka was rugby tackled to the ground with only the keeper to beat. Unsurprisingly, Poll was sent on the first plane home.
And since then, his refereeing in the Premiership has been very poor to say the least. Time to hang up the whistle I think.

Turkey of the Year (HONORARY)
FIFA President, Joseph S. Blatter. Do I really need to explain?

Yes, our friend Sepp started the year as he meant to go on, by announcing he wanted all league games to end in results – ie. no draws. Then after the World Cup Final, he also said that he would like to get rid of having a penalty shootout to end games. Which is just the thing he wanted to use to have all games end with a winner and a loser just a few months before…
Then we had his “clampdown” efforts at the World Cup finals which were changed in mid-tournament after a record number of yellow and red cards were issued by the croupier… sorry, referees.

But as the calendar moved into December, it looked like we weren’t going to get any further words of wisdom from Blatter in 2006. But you’d be wrong, as he returned to the limelight with his plan to have every top league play between February and November, and which would allow three weeks of international matches at the end of the league season.
Now I realise global warming is supposedly just round the corner, but I still don’t think playing games in the middle of the Russian winter is going to go down too well…

ukhotstove · 12-19-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

That's a very fair point, but I just felt that if you are going to give these awards, the "best player in the world" should actually play like that on the big stage.

And anyone can disagree with any of the awards if they think I've got it wrong.

Second award coming soon.

To me it's always been if you play in Italy or Spain you have a starting advantage over players in any other league.

bababui · 12-19-2006, 01:08 PM

UKHS..here are some very good and cheap FM players for your next Dynasty:

GK..Diego Cavalieri (Brazil) good; Oscar Ustari (Argentina) better

DC:Martin Skrtel (Slovakia)

D/WB/R:Wagner Diniz (Brazil)

DC/DM: Arouca (Brazil) not cheap but a great young player

FC: Edwin Avalos (Paraguay) a great striker at a penny pinching price

bababui · 12-19-2006, 01:09 PM

SDPM...you are off to a great start..and here I thought you werent a real fan of the sport.

Sdpm100 · 12-19-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bababui

SDPM...you are off to a great start..and here I thought you werent a real fan of the sport.

They're all from the World Cup though, so it's not very diverse. Anyone could have chosen those.

bababui · 12-19-2006, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

They're all from the World Cup though, so it's not very diverse. Anyone could have chosen those.

But they didnt/havent.

Sdpm100 · 12-19-2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bababui

But they didnt/havent.

Yeah, but nobody has done awards either.

bababui · 12-19-2006, 01:27 PM

Well good job so far.

Sdpm100 · 12-19-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bababui

Well good job so far.

Thanks. More tomorrow if I get the time to think and write.

Sdpm100 · 12-19-2006, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

On another note, tonight's League Cup game between Liverpool and Arsenal is in doubt due to thick fog.

This game has been postponed, due to fog.

12-19-2006, 12:57 PM	#9111
Sdpm100 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cheltenham, England Posts: 7,644	Paul's Alternative Football Review of the Year Awards Award 1 Okay, second award time now, and in keeping with Christmas, it's time for the... Turkey of the Year (SHARED) Yes, I’m afraid I had to share this award. First one, yes it’s obvious, but it has to be Zinedine Zidane. His headbutt on Marco Materazzi was Zizou’s last action in his professional football career, and whether the Italian said “you’re a terrorist”, or “your parents are ugly”, or “man, you suck”, it doesn’t matter, he let his teammates down in their pursuit of a second World Cup in three attempts. And whilst it is not well documented, Zidane has a number of hot-headed incidents in his illustrious career. A sad end to a great career. Secondly, it has to be English referee Graham Poll. Yes, Mr. Poll went into football history when he became the first referee in World Cup finals history to give three yellow cards to one player, Josip Simunic, before finally sending him off in a farcical finish to Croatia’s game with Australia. Poll had earlier somehow missed a clear penalty when Mark Viduka was rugby tackled to the ground with only the keeper to beat. Unsurprisingly, Poll was sent on the first plane home. And since then, his refereeing in the Premiership has been very poor to say the least. Time to hang up the whistle I think. Turkey of the Year (HONORARY) FIFA President, Joseph S. Blatter. Do I really need to explain? Yes, our friend Sepp started the year as he meant to go on, by announcing he wanted all league games to end in results – ie. no draws. Then after the World Cup Final, he also said that he would like to get rid of having a penalty shootout to end games. Which is just the thing he wanted to use to have all games end with a winner and a loser just a few months before… Then we had his “clampdown” efforts at the World Cup finals which were changed in mid-tournament after a record number of yellow and red cards were issued by the croupier… sorry, referees. But as the calendar moved into December, it looked like we weren’t going to get any further words of wisdom from Blatter in 2006. But you’d be wrong, as he returned to the limelight with his plan to have every top league play between February and November, and which would allow three weeks of international matches at the end of the league season. Now I realise global warming is supposedly just round the corner, but I still don’t think playing games in the middle of the Russian winter is going to go down too well… Last edited by Sdpm100; 12-19-2006 at 01:02 PM.

12-19-2006, 12:42 PM	#9101
ukhotstove Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of England Gods Country Posts: 7,175	sdpm did you get any of your books ? I got the Ajax book this morning and my Mums been going on at me for days about what to get me so sent of for the "A season with Verona" "The miracle of Castel Di Sangro" and "Tor The story of German Football" also sent of for the Sherlock Holmes dvd's but that's not football.

12-19-2006, 12:47 PM	#9104
ukhotstove Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of England Gods Country Posts: 7,175	ps If anyones interested the Sherlock Holmes dvds were the films with Basil Rathbone as Sherlock, imo there is no other Sherlock Holmes other than Basil Rathbone.

12-19-2006, 12:54 PM	#9107
ukhotstove Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of England Gods Country Posts: 7,175	Wigan's Lee McCulloch's been banned for 3 games for punching Chris Morgan in the Latics v Sheff United game, he deserved it but way out of caracter of McCulloch. Big Lee's one of my fav players, plays the game with total passion. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ic/6194703.stm