: Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:30 pm  

Shakhtar have beaten Marseille 2 - 0 in the early UEFA game.

They have a player called Gay (schoolboy chortle).

: Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:31 pm  

Robbie Rotten wrote:

I'd rather Essien than Ballack playing in that 'middle of the park' role.

Lampard plays a little further forward, Mikel a little deeper and Essien the engine room with his typical box-to-box style.

Totally agree, I personally think Ballack and Lampard struggle together.

: Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:35 pm  

Robbie Rotten wrote:

I'd rather Essien than Ballack playing in that 'middle of the park' role.

Lampard plays a little further forward, Mikel a little deeper and Essien the engine room with his typical box-to-box style.

I would too, and I know that in commentary, Gray was having digs at Ballack, but his ball for Malouda in the build up to the third goal was sublime. Ballack finished the end of last season strongly, lets hope he does so again this year.

Mikel isn't the answer though, he may have improved but his recklessness in the challenge and lack of seeing a pass mean he's still a poor mans Makelele.

: Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:01 pm  

Away goal for Citeh! Unfortunately it looks like Hamburg might get 10.

Busy night for Given in prospect.

: Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:58 pm  

JWP wrote:

Mikel isn't the answer though, he may have improved but his recklessness in the challenge and lack of seeing a pass mean he's still a poor mans Makelele.

IMO Mikel is very harshly treated by refs. If there's the slightest chance of a booking or red card then he usually gets them. Makelele was another master of the "Scholes smile" where he could commit just the same fouls but he'd get up with his huge grin, have a laugh with the ref and walk away with a warning.

And let's not forget that Mikel is only 22 years old later this month. Maka was 31 years old when he came to us and had played for Real Madrid before joining us.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:54 am  

Two sublime goals by Diego for Werder Bremen.

How come Shakhtar, from Ukraine, have about 8 Brazilians on their team?

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:26 am  

Lord God Jose Mourinho wrote:

IMO Mikel is very harshly treated by refs. If there's the slightest chance of a booking or red card then he usually gets them. Makelele was another master of the "Scholes smile" where he could commit just the same fouls but he'd get up with his huge grin, have a laugh with the ref and walk away with a warning.

And let's not forget that Mikel is only 22 years old later this month. Maka was 31 years old when he came to us and had played for Real Madrid before joining us.

Oh yeah, sure. He has improved, but he won't be good enough I don't think. To be a good defensive midfielder, you almost need to go unnoticed, he doesn't really do that. He's rash in the tackle, his distribution is poor, and he doesn't appear to read the game well. I think he's a fantastic athlete, and he gets about the pitch etc. You do look at him at times, and think he could be the real deal. I just fear that he isn't clever enough for that position, I know Makelele is always the yardstick, but he saw the game so well, wasn't blessed with pace, or physique, but to use the old "First yard in your head" cliche, it was how he played. Mikel just doesn't appear to have that football brain, but we'll see I guess.

Hiddink is frightening me a tad, publicly chasing Pavlychenko. Jeepers.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:58 am  

keithcun wrote:

Oh, and another thing. Half and half scarves, what the frigging hell is that all about. Yes, we had the bob hats in the 80's with half and half celtic/rangers which was bad enough, but Chelsea, fuk me. I felt sick seeing that.

What is going through the head of some of these post Premiership football fans, they are a fuking embarrassment. Shove your cameras, your shopping bags and half and half scarves up your booty and support your team, it's a football match, not a b@stard trip to Alton Towers.

Welcome to the sky footy fan Keith and its getting worse its getting to the point were I can see myself fukking going the game off in the near future the aways are just as bad now aswell whoppers everywhere.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:05 am  

Wire_85 wrote:

Welcome to the sky footy fan Keith and its getting worse its getting to the point were I can see myself fukking going the game off in the near future the aways are just as bad now aswell whoppers everywhere.

Why do you keep calling people burgers?

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:08 am  

Tom Brady wrote:

Why do you keep calling people burgers?

I lol'd