World Cup and European leagues

[Mr. Ypsi]

I HAD been rooting for the Faroe Islands, until I realized they are just too damn big (nearly TWICE the population of Ypsilanti).  I'm now rooting for a Lichtenstein/San Marino final - we CAN compete with those guys!

[sac]

Any ManU fans curious about the team selection for their game vs Rangers.  That seems to have backfired a little bit, but then I'm not an expert on their team but it seemed a little less than their best.

Considering how the other English teams fared, ManU must be the biggest disappointment of the first week of Champions league.

[ScotsFan]

Any ManU fans curious about the team selection for their game vs Rangers.  That seems to have backfired a little bit, but then I'm not an expert on their team but it seemed a little less than their best.

Considering how the other English teams fared, ManU must be the biggest disappointment of the first week of Champions league.

It's still waaaaay early in just the group stages of the Champs League and ManU had that little team from Liverpool waiting for the Red Devils on Saturday.  I think Sir Alex was more concerned about not losing any more ground than what has already been lost to Chelsea this early in the season as opposed to going after a mid-week group stage match.

[sac]

Ya never know how the groups can unfold, 2 points could cost you down the road.


but anyway......speaking of the rivalry game, here's one of Berbatov's 3 goals.

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Dimitar-Berbatov-dazzles-amazes-and-beats-Liver?urn=sow-270741

[ScotsFan]

Haven't checked in here for a couple of days.  Just wanted to say I like the new avatar sac!   

[sac]

Liverpool is just an interesting club to follow these days.....

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Liverpool-s-pilot-is-the-lead-singer-of-Iron-Mai?urn=sow-278495

[Hoosier Titan]

"Interesting" is one word for it.  One of my friends in York always says that Liverpool fans are downright operatic in their passion and their willingness to wail about the injustice of the world (sometimes even accurately so).  The past couple of weeks have been downright soap opera.  From the high of getting rid of the nasty bloodsucking Yanks and replacing them with what seem to be benevolent Yanks to the downer of a manager who seems clueless about the team's strengths and demands that Fernando Torres play like Bobby Zamora.  Being in the relegation zone after a 2-0 loss in the derby is not progress for a team that nearly won the league two years ago.

At Liverpool John Lennon airport the sign at the entrance says "Above Us Only Sky."  I heard that last week it was amended to read "Below us only West Ham."

Oy!

[Hoosier Titan]

The best site for information and informed opinion about Liverpool (and on statistics and club finances across the EPL):

http://tomkinstimes.com/

ALL Liverpool-related forums are currently coming in at 85-95% in favor of "Hodgson must go."  It won't be pretty against Allardyce's Blackburn at Anfield this Sunday.

[Mr. Ypsi]

RIP: Paul the Octopus.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/26/paul-the-octopus-dead-wor_n_773896.html

The next World Cup is gonna be unpredictable!

[Hoosier Titan]

Looks like the times they are a'changin' at Liverpool:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/9156815.stm

The Paul Tomkins quoted in the article runs the site I linked to above.  The link in the article takes you to his account of lunch with the Red Sox owner.  I'd say Roy Hodgson's days are numbered and that number is low.

[sac]

As Torres goes, so go the Reds. 

[Hoosier Titan]

Yes, he's BAAACK!  Both goals were absolute crackers.  The much-maligned Lucas was Man of the Match, or would have been if Torres hadn't been the only goalscorer.  Chelsea didn't look their usual selves, City have lost three in a row, Wayne Rooney's off to Oregon, and Arsenal lost to Newcastle...the Reds may get back into this yet!

[ScotsFan]

Yes, he's BAAACK!  Both goals were absolute crackers.  The much-maligned Lucas was Man of the Match, or would have been if Torres hadn't been the only goalscorer.  Chelsea didn't look their usual selves, City have lost three in a row, Wayne Rooney's off to Oregon, and Arsenal lost to Newcastle...the Reds may get back into this yet!

As much as my disdain is for Liverpool and how much I was enjoying seeing them wallow at the bottom of the tables, the EPL is better with the Reds competitive and if Torres is indeed back, I think they will continue to climb the table.  And that 2nd Torres strike was absolutely brilliant!  Cech looked as if he were standing in cement! 

Also, don't forget, ManU is STILL unbeaten on the season.  They may have 5 draws, but they have yet to go down to defeat.  And they also have won 6 straight in all competitions without the services of one Wayne Rooney.  I'm kind of thinking along the lines that ManU are still only 2 points adrift of Chelsea and are doing this without Wanye Rooney.  Look out when he returns healthy!   

[sac]

Droghba has/had malaria...well thats a new one.

[ScotsFan]

They're baaaaack! 

ManU extended their unbeaten streak in all competitions dating back to last season to 27 games with their win at home over Wigan on Saturday!  And coupled with Chelsea's surprising loss at Birmingham, the Red Devils find themselves atop the standings tied with the Blues for the first time this season! 

Chelsea looked unstoppable to start the season but that form has deffinitely left the building as the Blues have lost 3 of their last 4 matches and have now squandered what was a pretty substantial lead over ManU!  And, BTW, Rooney is back!   

And how about Arsenal blowing a 2 nil lead at The Emirates only to allow Totty to score 3 unanwered to lose at home in their north London derby??? 


Lastly, of interest to Liverpool fans, it appears that Rafa's days are very much numbered at Inter.  He's already been given the kiss of death by the owner stating that his job was secure.  It seems to be not a matter of if anymore, but when!