Football Focus

['bout now]

Agreed RD it is good if "our" teams do well in Europe, if only this translated to the national team then I'd buy in wholeheartedly but as we know, it doesn't.

My neutrality in this competition has its limits though, I'll support anyone and I mean ANYONE playing against Chelsea.

[Bluerevolution]

Uefa has charged Sir Alex Ferguson for failing to attend the press conference after Manchester United were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid at Old Trafford. Nani also faces proceedings due to the red card he received during the last-16 second leg. Rio Ferdinand is still waiting to hear if he has any possible sanctions to answer for his sarcastic applause of the referee Cuneyt Cakir at the end of the match.

A statement from Uefa said: "Uefa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Manchester United FC for [the] red card of player No17 Nani [and] post-match media obligations not fulfilled [under] III 2.6 and 2.7 of the competition regulations. The case will be dealt with by the Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body on Thursday 21 March."

Uefa rules state all managers must attend post-match press conferences. While Ferguson speaks to television after domestic league and cup games, the Scot refuses to be present at briefings with the print media.

Source:http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/06/sir-alex-ferguson-nani-charged?CMP=twt_gu

[DaveR]

"Apart from the usual suspects I'm happy to 'support' any English team in Europe"

Would the usual suspects include Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea, maybe Arsenal? So you're happy to support any English team you don't regard as a rival. Big of you.

[Alan Medic]

One reason for wanting English clubs to do well is the fact that if they don't, eventually the number that qualify for the CL will be reduced. Four entries is not written in stone but based on performances.

[Mick Mac]

C'mon Celtic. You can do this easily - just get 4 corners and that should be 4 penalties.

[red devil]

DaveR Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> "Apart from the usual suspects I'm happy to

> 'support' any English team in Europe"

>

> Would the usual suspects include Man City,

> Liverpool and Chelsea, maybe Arsenal? So you're

> happy to support any English team you don't regard

> as a rival. Big of you.

Must be something in the water today.

Football is built on and thrives on rivalries. For me a proper rivalry is historic and transcends league position, which is what you seem to be alluding to. Historically our main rivals are Liverpool, Leeds and Man City. These are the 'Usual Suspects' I was referring to.

Even though I don't see Chelsea as a rival, in recent years they've become a deeply unlikeable club and set of fans per se, so currently I have no qualms about adding them to 'the list', and not supporting them in Europe either. I think a lot of non-Chelsea fans feel exactly the same...

[????]

I hated Chelsea when they were a sh1te club with a bunch of pond life w*ankers as fans. I hate Chelsea now they are a successful club with a bunch of pond life w*nkers as fans joined by the worst sort of Premiership newbie yuppie w*nkers as fans. I wouldn't give a fook if Chelsea ceased to exist whereas I'd actually miss the pikeys at the New Den if their crap club dissapeared.

[maxxi]

Everyone has their own pecking order regarding which teams to support in any fixture where your own team isn't involved (not even to the extent of maybe playing the winner of a particular cup-tie in the next round) - I do it so I care who wins - I don't watch footy just for a technical buzz.

They're often historical (I will ALways fucking hate Leeds and deffo wot quids said re Chelsea) and can change (I would have backed Man C over Man U in the past but nowadays notsomuch).

I do usually support any English cub in Europe - I yelled myself hoarse in a bar in Eastern Europe supporting Man U in 99 (but there were loud German businessmen everywhere so it may not have been motivated by a fondness for reds!)

[Mick Mac]

We were in complete control, except when the 5 goals went in. Juventus, they score when they want.

Well done Celtic. Exceeded CL expectations without doubt.

[Jah Lush]

So, I expect all the Hammers and Gooners will be rooting for Spurs tomorrow night then?

['bout now]

red devil Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Otta Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > RD, were you honestly cheering Chelsea in kast

> > years final?

>

> Nope, and I could give you lots of reasons why I

> didn't. I wasn't saying it was wrong not to

> support a fellow English team, just asking 'bout

> now why he/she wasn't...

RD I can assure you I ain't no Laydee!

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

"...whereas I'd actually miss the pikeys at the New Den if their crap club dissapeared."

Who else would correct your spelling for you?

[Mick Mac]

PGC. Welcome back.

[red devil]

Champions League Last 16, Round 3 scores...

LG - 1 Correct Result + 2 Correct Scores = 7 pts

RC - 1 Correct Result + 2 Correct Scores = 7 pts

MM - 2 Correct Results + 1 Correct Score = 5 pts

JL - 3 Correct Results + 0 Correct Scores = 3 pts

Mx - 3 Correct Results + 0 Correct Scores = 3 pts

OT - 3 Correct Results + 0 Correct Scores = 3 pts

AM - 2 Correct Results + 0 Correct Scores = 2 pts

RD - 2 Correct Results + 0 Correct Scores = 2 pts

SC - 1 Correct Result + 0 Correct Scores = 1 pts

RC the big mover this week, probably done enough to qualify.

Meanwhile at the bottom, the League frontrunners are struggling to come to terms with the intricacies of the European game...

[Mick Mac]

Europe is a different game RD. You need experience.

[maxxi]

red devil Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> RC the big mover this week, probably done enough

> to qualify.

> Meanwhile at the bottom, the League frontrunners

> are struggling to come to terms with the

> intricacies of the European game...

Bugger the cups* - I topped the weekly PL standings last trip out, for the first time, and demand my sash and biscuits.

*Though doing okay in both (smug smiley)

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

made my day

moochas

grass

e

arse

[red devil]

It's a Double Bubble weekender, first off the League, Week 25 fixtures...

Saturday 9th March 2013

Norwich V Southampton

QPR V Sunderland

Reading V Aston Villa

West Brom V Swansea

Sunday 10th March 2013

Newcastle V Stoke

Liverpool V Tottenham

ETA: It was a very close call, but this week's Coupon Buster is Spurs to win at Liverpool...very tempting.

[red devil]

The EDF Predictor Cup 6th Round...

Just to recap, these are the head to head's...

SC v LG

OT v JL

Mx v EP

RC v RD

If both teams score the same number of points, any replayed game will act as a decider. If no replay or there is still a tie after the replay, then the most correct scores (previous rounds ignored) will decide who goes through. If it's still a tie, then the coin decides.

For the semi-final draw, the numbers 1-4 will be used, and these numbers will be allocated to the 4 players that go through, with the player scoring the most points allocated No.1 etc. Again, if a tie, correct scores or a coin will decide.

Saturday 9th March 2013

Everton V Wigan

Man City V Barnsley

Sunday 10th March 2013

Millwall V Blackburn

Man Utd V Chelsea

[Ladygooner]

Norwich 1 Southampton 1

QPR 1 Sunderland 0

Reading 2 Aston Villa 1

West Brom 3 Swansea 1

Newcastle 2 Stoke 0

Liverpool 4 Tottenham 2

[Ladygooner]

Everton 2 Wigan 1

Man City 3 Barnsley 0

Millwall 1 Blackburn 2

Man Utd 2 Chelsea 1

[El Pibe]

Everton 2 Wigan 1

Man City 3 Barnsley 2

Millwall 0 Blackburn 1

Man Utd 2 Chelsea 1

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

Saturday 9th March 2013

Everton 2 V Wigan 0

Man City 3 V Barnsley 0

Sunday 10th March 2013

Millwall 1 V Blackburn 0

Man Utd 2 V Chelsea 1

[Otta]

PL

Saturday 9th March 2013

Norwich 2 V Southampton 1

QPR 2 V Sunderland 1

Reading 2 V Aston Villa 1

West Brom 2 V Swansea 2

Sunday 10th March 2013

Newcastle 2 V Stoke 1

Hmmm, Head or heart head or heart head or heart...

Liverpool 3 V Tottenham 2 (HEART)

CUP

Saturday 9th March 2013

Everton 2 V Wigan 0

Man City 3 V Barnsley 1

Sunday 10th March 2013

Millwall 2 V Blackburn 1

Man Utd 1 V Chelsea 2

[Mick Mac]

Just to recap, these are the head to head's...

SC v LG

OT v JL

Mx v EP

RC v RD

I can't believe the EDF'ers who have made it through. Just goes to show that the big teams are not interested in the Cup anymore. Personally I fielded a lot of youngsters in the early rounds and it backfired, Benitezstyle.