Now, let's talk some SOCCER!

Here's a no brainer!!

The Head of the FA has asked FIFA to implement a rule change that would allow "Leagues" to punish blatant divers using videos. There is no way the Refs can catch the bad guys every time. At present it is a yellow card offence, only if caught in the act ..... and that's it!! For me, if it is clearly proven during the match...red card...big fine. If after the game....5 match suspension and big fine. Fine the Club too....maybe they'll get the message!

If the cheating in any way influences the outcome of the match either deduct a suitable amount of points from their standing or worse.

I can't imagine any "FAN" bothering to attend a match where the outcome is to be determined by trickery!!

Fair Play, big ed

 

I AGREE FULLY, but...

I really don't want to see 'The beautiful Game' turned into/degraded to that wannabe-sport-commonly-played-to-the-west-of-the-atlantic : that is, with every tackle, goal scored, ball over the line, players scratching each others butts etc etc etc pausing the game, watching the video, debating. Aaaargh hell no.
WE DON'T WANT THAT EITHER.
(Before you'll know it they'll start playing with those stupid eggs as well ! )

So, the answer -as so often- lies somewhere in the middle.
Awareness should be build: Respect for each other, on and off the field should return.
What about extra punishing trainingsessions for committing foul play.
(For you can't hurt them in their wallets no more - which is a bloody shame on its own, 20-so year olds with such salaries...but that's a different discussion. Or is it...? )

Youth should get better rolemodels, and be taught the beauty of the PLAY again, in stead of the 'skill of the dive'...
We don't want a world full of "Lothars"!!!

PLAY on!
Slam

 

No buts slammer,

I think they should arm the Officials! Any blatant cheating or maiming should be dealt with promptly!!

Fairs fair, big ed

 

Saturday 15th april 2006, Highbury London:


"ORANGE DAY"


A Tribute To DENNIS BERGKAMP




"...The most important thing is for Arsenal fans to get involved by wearing something "orange".

It is the supporter's chance to show how much we've appreciated the Bergkamp magic over the years, and how we will never forget this Arsenal legend. "​

http://www.arsenal-mania.com/news/1451826/Turn-Highbury-orange-for-Bergkamp-Day.html

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=fixtures&article=376478&lid=fixture_292002&Title=Turn+Highbury+orange+for+Dennis+Bergkamp+Day!

 

I expect this thread to get real busy in a few short months.



snowbound

 

Hope so too! But I expect it in a few more weeks, already
Nice to see it's still alive, 2 years after EURO 04

And just to remind and make notice:

This is not just platform of orange fanatic(s)....

Everybody is invited to share their opinions, support, comments, views, fanatism, joy, and fun of the most beautiful game and any team possible!

Feel free:

[MOVE] WELCOME to ALL [/MOVE]


Play on!

regards,
Slam

 

Wise sense of realism..or grasping the clever position of underdog?

"Inexperience may count against us"

Marco van Basten explains:

The Netherlands lack the experience to rank among the favourites for this summer's FIFA World Cup™. This is the verdict of the Oranje coach, Marco van Basten, who believes his team would have to be at their very best to stand even "a fair chance" of getting the better of the world's big guns.

The Dutch may be ranked third in the world after an unbeaten run in their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign but Van Basten provided a cautionary note about their prospects in Germany when he told FIFAworldcup.com: "Day-to-day reality is that we are less experienced than the so-called big countries – than Argentina, Brazil, Italy, France, Germany and England, among others. "These teams are ahead of us. We only have a fair chance of a good account against these top-class teams. Everything would need to go according to plan."

~~~​

"...We have to be very realistic," he said. "The dilemma is that we are building a new team, but in the meantime we have to win points as well. But I am satisfied with the team's development up to now. The good results in our World Cup campaign so far are one of the major reasons for this, of course."

~~~
​

"If we form a tight group, we keep the balance in the team and we are prepared to do anything, then we can beat anyone," said the man whose goals helped the Oranje capture the 1988 UEFA European Championship on German soil. ​

The 41-year-old continued: "How to lead a team and experience are subjects which we discuss frequently with the players. Every line actually has to contain a player who is 'bossing' his line and takes immediate action when it is not going according to plan. The whole point is that the group is mentally strong. They are very eager and determined to win. I know that this is quite subjective and that there is no measuring instrument to prove it, but I've been really pleased to observe this."

The true measure, of course, will come at the FIFA World Cup in June. Then we will know whether Van Basten's boldness really has paid off.


Source: FIFAworldcup.com

Link: FULL ARTICLE​

 

how so? what's happening in a few months

i've heard of Marco van Basten, he's Dutch isn't he


lol, i'm so funny - i just fell off my chair and redecorated the walls with coffee
































OK, i'm bored, i admit it.

 

Aaaah....one of my (very few) all time favorites..."The (non) Flying Dutchman". When he takes off his boots for the last time...I don't even want to think about it!

Next to him...most everyone else is a wannabe!

Play on, big ed

 

You always sensed this very special player would live up to the occasion.
And in the penultimate minute of a tense, at times fraught game,

Dennis Bergkamp capped Dennis Bergkamp Day

with a trademark curler form the edge of the area.


http://www.arsenal.com/images/clubBadges/36x36/4421.gif​

Arsenal

3

Hleb 44, Pires 76, Bergkamp 89


http://www.arsenal.com/images/clubBadges/36x36/35.gif​

West Bromwich Albion

1

Quashie 72


A minute after Bergkamp had come on, West Brom equalised. A long punt forward ricocheted off Philippe Senderos and Quashie beat Kolo Toure before thumping the ball low into the bottom right-hand corner of Lehmann’s net.
The match was level for less than five minutes.
Adebayor sprinted forward on the right hand side. He cut the ball back for Pires whose shot was spilled by Kuszczak. Bergkamp picked it up and cleverly cued up the Frenchman once more. He scored at the second attempt.
Finally West Brom’s resistance seemed to be over.

Something Bergkamp confirmed with a beauty one minute from time.



Isn't he something? A goal + an assist in his tribute-match: Da Man!

(Please,) Play on, (Dennis!)


Slam.
​

http://www.arsenal.com/matchreport.asp?thisNav=fixtures&fxid=292002

 

Not really very surprising is it? As great as he is at putting the ball in the back of the net I think his ability to get the it to the player in/the best position to score was his best talent. Any time he was around the 18 yd box he drew at least 3 defenders.

"Dennis The Menace" is a rare treat to watch!

Play on, big ed

 

Hey slammer,

Just checked the latest roster for the Dutchies. How come Van Persie isn't on it? I've only seen him play a few times but was really impressed.

The only one on the English roster that impresses me so far is Carragher!

I've got a sneaky feeling that we will have as many surprises as we did in '02!

Stocking up on snacks for the long haul, big ed

 

Semi-final FA cup, Old Trafford Liverpool

FULL TIME: Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool

22' John Arne Riise 0-1
53' Garcia 0-2
70' Drogba 1-2

YEAH Come on you Reds! LIVERPOOL ADVANCE TO THE FA CUP FINAL

Any day Mourinho and his $$$-lads lose, is a great day!
Mark my words: His days are numbered in London. That russian owner hasn't got the patience any longer. No double, no european price yet again for chelski

I like it


play on!
slam

 

[MOVE]~ BUMP ~ (see above post )[/MOVE]

 

As Chise is wont to say.....Yip-De-Hoody!!

It has gotten to be a tiresome year w/all the stupid comments and feuds between Mourinho, Wenger, Fergie, and I guess every other Mgr.

In between all the dialogue there have been some pretty good matches.

At least Jose can stop complaining that the final is not to be played in the new stadium.

Maybe the FA will get a brainstorm and pick "Big Phil" for the Nat. Team as it appears Guus is out of it.

Play on, big ed

 

I'd like to get the expert opinions(slammer, ed, ice, and whoever else) on which country could be the darkhorse in the upcoming World Cup. Maybe an African team? America? Or a country not much talked about?

Could it be England's turn once again?



snowbound

 

i can only echo what JM said after the game, he said something like this - "i'd like to wish Liverpool luck for the quilifying rounds of the champions league" i really, really hope West Ham wins.

to tell the truth i don't follow football very much any more, i only care about how well Chelsea is doing, one trophy a year will do for now

but, yes i think England will probably win, Rooney is one of the top 2 or 3 best internationals in the world, and i think it will be him that makes the biggest impact even though there are many other great England players. if Rooney stays fit England can/will win.

 

Hah!.....my expert opinion is that I don't have a clue but for what it's worth...

Brazil (good team and they're Brazil)

L'Oranje (been playing well).........my favorite!

Germany (not playing well but are home team and always crank up a notch for WC).

Always a few African teams that do well but commit too many unnecessary fouls that get them into trouble in the later stages (not disciplined).

England (always one of my favorites)....can't see it.

USA....please!!

My two most favorite teams to watch last time were So Korea and Turkey. They ended up 4th and 3rd.

I am expert enough to never bet on a Football match....I've saved a lot of money over the years!!

Play on, big ed

 

So you're saying, flip a coin?




snowbound

 

No....keep your money in your pocket!!

Whodda thought the "Canadiens" would be 2 up in the Stanley Cup! I love it when Teams defy the odds!

Like....Montreal really needs another Trophy, Large ed

Ps...sorry slammer...I'll blow up the puck and paint some stripes on it!

PPs....Snowy..just find a team thats playing entertaining Football end to end and root like heck!

 

Don't bother: anybody is entitled to have one 'mistake hobby'...

Stop searching...

Play on
Slam

 

Looks like a lobby for the Orange Revolution.



snowbound

 

Bingo.
(And with that I don't mean the fruit only! )

 

The Pastas will always be in my heart but the Orange are a nice favourite too.

Almost everyone i talk too here says Italy has no chance(except the Italians themselves of course).


snowbound

 

Chelsea are champions again, and of course Rooney will now miss the world cup. football is a waste of time.