Messages

211

Football / Re: Man.United vs Arsenal 2009-2010

« on: August 30, 2009, 12:41:53 PM »

Some observations:-

1. The second questionable lineup & substitution decisions by Fergie after the Burnley game. Giggs, Scholes & Neville should be included in the 18 against select (preferably lesser opposition); with Neville being only being in used when in a real need of experience and or warm bodies. Otherwise the RB slot should be a battle between Rafael, Fabio, De Laet, Brown & O’Shea.

2. Whether the Arshavin call was a PK or not is debatable (as there is the possibility that Fletcher got the ball then the man based on the replays). He scored almost right away anyway so - worked out well for Arsenal in the end. Arshavin can blame Eduardo for refs possibly not giving Arsenal the benefit of the doubt on such calls for the rest of the season.

3. I don’t think Rooney’s was a penalty - I didn’t think so then and I don’t think so now. Rooney was already on his way down when/if Almunia caught him and there’s no way he was going to catch up to the ball even if he wasn’t fouled.

If Arsenal had won a penalty like that I would have been furious.

3. Foster definitely should have saved Arshavin’s shot. Once u get behind a ball like that, u cannot allow it to still end up in the back of the net. And in my opinion, if VDS were in goal, there’s no way that shot would have scored - nor would he have shown the kind of indecisiveness with punching etc. that Foster showed yesterday.

4. If Ferguson doesn’t believe he needs further midfield reinforcement to deal with the bigger teams and the rigour of a long, grueling season (especially if the likes of Carrick & Anderson continuing playing this way) then he has another thing coming. Much of this season’s success will likely depend on the fitness & form of Fletcher & Rooney - because we do not possess other forceful players like them in the team - and of course Rio, especially given the injure-prone nature of Evans so far in his young career.

If Ferguson isn’t going to sign anyone then it makes me even more eager to see what the likes of Obertan, Diouf & Macheda can do if given quality minutes in this campaign (Tosic & Ljajic may not be physically ready as yet).

Must wish even more for the healthy return of Hargo as well - needless to say a player of his quality and experience would be of great use to us ASAP.

212

Football / Re: Manchester United vs Chelsea FA Community Shield 2009

« on: August 11, 2009, 11:01:29 AM »

He was level as u can see from the 56th second onwards in this clip  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYPla_JFA6Q&fmt=18 (Andy Grey admits as much). If u think he was far enough ahead of the line for the official not to give him the benefit of the doubt, then you're having a laugh (& a very biased one at that).

Anyway, what do u care, ur team won. All 4 goals were legal in my opinion - even if this was the best of the bunch.

Are you sure you watched that link, the frame on the 56th second shows him offside.  Unless the lines on the grass aren't straight you can see where Cole and Rooney are different distances from the edge of the grass shadow.  You may not want to accept it but it is there to see.  Like I said earlier I'm glad it wasn't called tho, because we have 2 controversial goals split between the 2 teams.  So no one can claim either team was cheated really.

Well you believe there is daylight between the players, I don't - simple as that I guess. The attacking player is meant to get the benefit of the doubt, and at the speed of this play there's no way that the official could have been sure either way - hence Rooney was allowed through.

The lack of protest by any of the Chelsea players (or bench) and the judgment (based on the replays) by Grey just makes me more certain about my own opinion (if not that he was onside, then it was ambiguous enough then and now for those involved to accept that it was a goal).

But like you say, it's a moot point. Just makes me question people's interpretation of the offside rule and bias towards Utd in general is all.

213

Football / Re: Manchester United vs Chelsea FA Community Shield 2009

« on: August 11, 2009, 10:15:31 AM »

1. Nani's goal possibly should have been saved by Cech (possibly poor positioning, possibly confusion with Terry).

2. Park is clearly a situational player, used to shut down a dangerous threat/s in the opposition's team. I assume he was there to put additional pressure on the midfield and Chelsea's defense (and to be fair he kept Cole back for much of the match).

But let's just say having both him and O'Shea down the right is not exactly the most potent combination. Valencia will likely start there more often than not (with Park & Fletcher there in defensive pinches) and Nani, Tosic (& eventually Obertan) fighting it out on the left.

3. Berbatov will likely never be a go-to goalscorer for Utd - neither him nor Rooney are natural finishers. Rather the goals lost by the departure of Ronaldo (and to an extent Tevez) will have to be spread throughout the team - with the likely end of season club top scorers being Rooney, Berbatov, Owen, Valencia & Nani (Macheda will also get his opportunities, along with Diouf possibly being added to the mix in January).

4. Chelsea's first came from Nani not tracking Carvalho - which pretty much made his performance on the night a wash (goal scored, goal conceded).

5. Chelsea's second was left (as set in the rules) to the discretion of the ref and the players. If the ref deemed Evra to be sufficiently injured then he could have stopped the match - conversely Chelsea could have kicked the ball out. The gap left by Evra being out of the game meant a wide open shot for Lampard.

That said - Utd should have adapted to cover his position and Foster definitely should have saved the shot.

The goal was perfectly legal in the rules of the game - which is exactly what the ref will claim.

6. Rooney's goal was not offside - Cole played him on on the far side. What Chelsea's defensive line was doing so high - I have no idea. But there needs to be clear daylight between the attacker and the defender (with the attacker getting the benefit of any doubt) - Rooney's was thus a perfectly good goal.

7. The penalties are a crap shoot. They were poor by Utd, and to say Cech was a hero is hyperbole to the extreme. But shit happens in these things - Utd win them as much as they lose them - and u only have to ask John Terry what it means to miss them in a game that actually matters.

This game thankfully - outside of bragging rights - does not. That it gives u an edge in the season is unfounded considering until recently 8 of the winners in a row did not win the title - and that Utd started horribly to begin last season even though they triumphed in the CS.

To say Utd got lix after 2 soft goals and a penalty shootout, is quite simply baiting of the highest order


Thoughts for the start of the season:

Foster isn't ready (and I'm not convinced he'll ever be - nor can he seem to stay fit). His injury may be what Tomas needs to stake his claim.

Silva on Utd might be nice (though I'm not sure it makes sense financially or practically given his slight frame).

Utd need central midfield reinforcement - Chelsea overpowered them and Barca outplayed them - Carrick, Giggs, Anderson, Fletcher, Gibson, Scholes - looks less impressive than I'd like to say.

A fully fit Essien over a season makes Chelsea just that much more dangerous (the 1st player I would take from Chelsea if I had a chance).

Evra is a beast - Utd's most impressive player on the day for me - the penalty was awful but I don't count that against him.

Berbatov had an ok game - some nice touches - not not enough penetration. He needs to concentrate less on the flicks and tricks and be more of a CF for us this season - but facilitation really seems to be where he thrives. He would really be something next to a more direct striker - but Rooney has shown for England that he has the potential to be that. Can Berbatov be Wayne's Heskey? I guess only time will tell - size & style wise it seems unlikely though.


At the end of the day both teams seemed pretty evenly matched on a whole - I thought Utd looked more incisive, whereas Chelsea understandably lacked width and looked for the most part like the bulldozing Chelsea of old (Mikel ain't Makalele & Ivanovic isn't a RB). But 2-2 was about fair at the end of the day - no shame losing on penalties.

Bring on the real deal - let's get this party started!

Yeah ok, did you see a different set of camera angles than was shown on TV?

He was level as u can see from the 56th second onwards in this clip  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYPla_JFA6Q&fmt=18 (Andy Grey admits as much). If u think he was far enough ahead of the line for the official not to give him the benefit of the doubt, then you're having a laugh (& a very biased one at that).

Anyway, what do u care, ur team won. All 4 goals were legal in my opinion - even if this was the best of the bunch.

214

Football / Re: Manchester United vs Chelsea FA Community Shield 2009

« on: August 11, 2009, 01:21:14 AM »

1. Nani's goal possibly should have been saved by Cech (possibly poor positioning, possibly confusion with Terry).

2. Park is clearly a situational player, used to shut down a dangerous threat/s in the opposition's team. I assume he was there to put additional pressure on the midfield and Chelsea's defense (and to be fair he kept Cole back for much of the match).

But let's just say having both him and O'Shea down the right is not exactly the most potent combination. Valencia will likely start there more often than not (with Park & Fletcher there in defensive pinches) and Nani, Tosic (& eventually Obertan) fighting it out on the left.

3. Berbatov will likely never be a go-to goalscorer for Utd - neither him nor Rooney are natural finishers. Rather the goals lost by the departure of Ronaldo (and to an extent Tevez) will have to be spread throughout the team - with the likely end of season club top scorers being Rooney, Berbatov, Owen, Valencia & Nani (Macheda will also get his opportunities, along with Diouf possibly being added to the mix in January).

4. Chelsea's first came from Nani not tracking Carvalho - which pretty much made his performance on the night a wash (goal scored, goal conceded).

5. Chelsea's second was left (as set in the rules) to the discretion of the ref and the players. If the ref deemed Evra to be sufficiently injured then he could have stopped the match - conversely Chelsea could have kicked the ball out. The gap left by Evra being out of the game meant a wide open shot for Lampard.

That said - Utd should have adapted to cover his position and Foster definitely should have saved the shot.

The goal was perfectly legal in the rules of the game - which is exactly what the ref will claim.

6. Rooney's goal was not offside - Cole played him on on the far side. What Chelsea's defensive line was doing so high - I have no idea. But there needs to be clear daylight between the attacker and the defender (with the attacker getting the benefit of any doubt) - Rooney's was thus a perfectly good goal.

7. The penalties are a crap shoot. They were poor by Utd, and to say Cech was a hero is hyperbole to the extreme. But shit happens in these things - Utd win them as much as they lose them - and u only have to ask John Terry what it means to miss them in a game that actually matters.

This game thankfully - outside of bragging rights - does not. That it gives u an edge in the season is unfounded considering until recently 8 of the winners in a row did not win the title - and that Utd started horribly to begin last season even though they triumphed in the CS.

To say Utd got lix after 2 soft goals and a penalty shootout, is quite simply baiting of the highest order


Thoughts for the start of the season:

Foster isn't ready (and I'm not convinced he'll ever be - nor can he seem to stay fit). His injury may be what Tomas needs to stake his claim.

Silva on Utd might be nice (though I'm not sure it makes sense financially or practically given his slight frame).

Utd need central midfield reinforcement - Chelsea overpowered them and Barca outplayed them - Carrick, Giggs, Anderson, Fletcher, Gibson, Scholes - looks less impressive than I'd like to say.

A fully fit Essien over a season makes Chelsea just that much more dangerous (the 1st player I would take from Chelsea if I had a chance).

Evra is a beast - Utd's most impressive player on the day for me - the penalty was awful but I don't count that against him.

Berbatov had an ok game - some nice touches - not not enough penetration. He needs to concentrate less on the flicks and tricks and be more of a CF for us this season - but facilitation really seems to be where he thrives. He would really be something next to a more direct striker - but Rooney has shown for England that he has the potential to be that. Can Berbatov be Wayne's Heskey? I guess only time will tell - size & style wise it seems unlikely though.


At the end of the day both teams seemed pretty evenly matched on a whole - I thought Utd looked more incisive, whereas Chelsea understandably lacked width and looked for the most part like the bulldozing Chelsea of old (Mikel ain't Makalele & Ivanovic isn't a RB). But 2-2 was about fair at the end of the day - no shame losing on penalties.

Bring on the real deal - let's get this party started!

215

2010 World Cup - South Africa / Re: Dutch coach joins chorus to ban vuvuzela

« on: June 26, 2009, 04:02:28 PM »

Haha true dat eh - I eh make da connection na.

Point taken on d Wiki - seemed plausible doh haha.

216

2010 World Cup - South Africa / Re: Dutch coach joins chorus to ban vuvuzela

« on: June 26, 2009, 02:59:16 PM »

Yeah supposedly: "Adding to the appeal is African folklore that "A baboon is killed by a lot of noise." During the last quarter of a match, supporters blow vuvuzelas frantically in an attempt to "kill off" their opponents."

So there's the psyching out aspect of it. Would really need to hear a proper explanation from a real Bafana Bafana to put tings into perspective yes.

you watch Blood Diamond one too many times.

Hos, dat is a direct quote from Wikipedia - not like I making that up. That is the explanation for it's use - aside from it's derivation from a horn that used to be used to call people to meeting.

'Blood Diamond' also has nuttin to do wit South Africa - jus to let u know haha.

217

2010 World Cup - South Africa / Re: Dutch coach joins chorus to ban vuvuzela

« on: June 26, 2009, 01:49:50 PM »

Haha I guess the phrase "Gracious Compromise" doesn't exist on this board.

Ah well, shouldn't be expectin as much I suppose.

218

2010 World Cup - South Africa / Re: Dutch coach joins chorus to ban vuvuzela

« on: June 25, 2009, 01:46:50 PM »

Yeah supposedly: "Adding to the appeal is African folklore that "A baboon is killed by a lot of noise." During the last quarter of a match, supporters blow vuvuzelas frantically in an attempt to "kill off" their opponents."

So there's the psyching out aspect of it. Would really need to hear a proper explanation from a real Bafana Bafana to put tings into perspective yes.

219

2010 World Cup - South Africa / Re: Dutch coach joins chorus to ban vuvuzela

« on: June 25, 2009, 01:38:59 PM »

Haha Touche...

Still doh mean I goin enjoy their presence though. To me they add nothing, and in fact take away from the experience - as they clearly do for many of the players, coaches and other fans.

But it's a fair point to make that if it genuinely is part of South African culture and it creates a necessary atmosphere in their minds - then it's in their right to continue to incorporate it. Just as we do with our methods of support/trying to psych out the opposition.

What I question is how much part of true South African culture are these instruments really? I guess I'll have to do a bit more research into that fact. I suppose it's somewhat irrelevant though - and I'll have to be content to getting used to the noise/letting it grow on me for next year's WC.

220

2010 World Cup - South Africa / Re: Dutch coach joins chorus to ban vuvuzela

« on: June 25, 2009, 12:24:36 PM »

It should definitely be banned.

It's not like riddim section we'se have here in the Caribbean which adds to the atmophere. Them tings jus plain annoying.

It's not even like they blow them when something of significance happens in the game - it's constant and incessant throughout. There's no way they could regulate ppl to only blow dem at certain times either.

If those tings are allowed to remain they would take away from the WC for sure - like a damn bee buzzin in ur ears for an entire match - da eh sumtin anyone should get used to, nor do I see how it's a cultural heritage or necessity seeing as it only became popular in the 90's & began being mass produced in 2001. It's also supposed to mimic the sound of an elephant (which it clearly doesn't).

This is a World Cup for the World and the Players - if there's a genuine and large outcry towards these instruments (whose value is wholly debateable) - I don't see how they can't at least seriously consider certain measures towards it.

221

Football / Re: Can Ronaldo make a return to the Brazilian national team?

« on: May 14, 2009, 06:01:42 PM »

It's too bad he started to lose his discipline and let himself go when most strikers are arguably in their prime.

I don't consider him the best PLAYER ever but he likely is the best striker ever.

Probably in the top 5-10 in players.

222

Football / Re: Ryan Giggs wins the PFA Player of the Year Award at 35

« on: April 26, 2009, 11:58:38 PM »

Giggs over Vidic - thas madness yes.

I love Giggs an all - but the award should go to the best player this season, and that's been Vidic.

Not only has he been the best defender in England (and probably Europe) - he's also part of a record breaking defense in the top team in the land. It's a shame that defenders don't get their due when it's time to hand out such recognition, they're as important, if not moreso than any other player on the field - and Vidic has been a rock at the back in all but the Liverpool game this year and the foundation of Utd's success (even chipping in with a few important goals).

There's no place for sentimentality in football - Giggs would be favourite for a lifetime achievement award - not as some retroactive pat on the back. Indeed, even Gerrard has significantly more claim on this title than Giggsy.

This award just lost most of its credibility, sorry to say.

223

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA game (01-Apr-2009).

« on: March 31, 2009, 05:31:24 PM »

GOAL.COM Preview (with Lineup and Score predictions).

http://goal.com/en-us/news/1679/us-national-team/2009/03/31/1184516/world-cup-qualifying-preview-usa-vs-trinidad-tobago

224

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Honduras game (28-Mar-2009).

« on: March 27, 2009, 04:49:05 PM »

GOAL.COM Preview:-

http://goal.com/en-us/news/67/world-cup/2009/03/27/1178580/world-cup-qualifying-preview-trinidad-tobago-vs-honduras

they give us a 2-1 win, i go take that yes

Haha yeh I go take it too, dis game go be tough doh yes. Dem ha some solid players - Guevara and Palacios have been in good form for TFC & Spurs respectively. Costly is one u hadda look out for in d midfield as well. Lucky dey missin Suazo, he mighta give our defense fits yes.

Hopefully ppl could step up in Yorke absence. Lookin for man like Kenwyne to shake off his subdued form for Sunderland, and Scotty to carry over he club form hopefully.

225

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Honduras game (28-Mar-2009).

« on: March 27, 2009, 04:22:37 PM »

GOAL.COM Preview:-

http://goal.com/en-us/news/67/world-cup/2009/03/27/1178580/world-cup-qualifying-preview-trinidad-tobago-vs-honduras

226

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (15-Oct-2008).

« on: October 15, 2008, 07:06:53 PM »

Need more support from the midfield if you goin an play dis formation....Scotland is not a hold up striker, plain an simple. Men out like dey playin for d 0-0 yes. Dangerous.

227

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (15-Oct-2008).

« on: October 15, 2008, 06:58:59 PM »

Backin Stern to be d likely savior.....Fidel men scorin eh hurtin either doh haha.

228

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (15-Oct-2008).

« on: October 15, 2008, 06:51:52 PM »

Haha "Lapaty" accordin to dis British commentator.....cah relly expect 2 much outta d man at dis pt a his career yes...thas y i tink he would be better suited to super sub role if anything, as at d world cup.

Sure MADurana go switch it up if tings if tings doh start to happen, or god forbid USA knicks 1.

229

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (15-Oct-2008).

« on: October 15, 2008, 06:46:45 PM »

Yeah Scotland eh KJ after all......better they play 2 up front an bring a fresh Latapy off the bench to try an rip up dem inexperienced men later in the game.

230

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (15-Oct-2008).

« on: October 15, 2008, 06:44:39 PM »

Men pullin a Scotland yes, playin 1 man up front at home...isolated i tink wud be d word.

231

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs England Game (01-Jun-2008).

« on: May 14, 2008, 11:09:42 PM »

I was sumhow able to order 10 tickets, even though you're supposedly only allowed 5.

Any of you guys know how/if I can go about getting all 10?


Bless.

232

Football / Re: 15 MINUTE VIDEO OF TRINI GOALS.....REAL REAL DRED

« on: May 01, 2008, 01:58:36 PM »

please send it to b_ayoung_chee@hotmail.com if you can.


Thanks!