chicago_shearer

Same difference. Anywhere in the United States--- in the world really. Henry is not going to go unrecognized in an arena full of sports fans. Even in OHIO. OHIO. Have you been to the "Flyover" states? Outside of the major metropolitan areas you'd be hard pressed to find a more provincial unworldly non-cosmopolitan group of people anywhere in the developed world. Such a Californian thing to say. They have professional football clubs in Ohio, not to mention television. At least a few people are going to recognize Thierry Henry FFS.

How long left?

Well done Boro I suppose. In terms of his reputation at least this is a real coup for them.

Can't believe he would sign for Boro.

Don't you think Big Sam needs to sign Christian Postilla, Diego Bisewar, Benoit Costil, Vincent Kompany and AVB too? He should just basically do a search for every defender with Marking & Tackling 19+ & 15+ Pace & Strength, then sign them all.

We were rumoured to be after him. So I went on to investigate him. 'Types Pape Diakhete into Youtube' 'Loads FM' In my FM game I'm managing Senegal at the moment (2011), and I made Diakhete captain. Best player in my very shit team. In conclusion, Big Sam should sign him.

Um, Cruyff?

Blatently used FM 2007.

9 million is still a lot of money, and the big 4 can honestly do a lot better. If you were Wenger would you risk 9 million on a player who hasn't played for a season and may be well past his best, or would you look at any of the up and coming talent across Europe? The only clubs I can see activating the clause are West Ham or Villa, and if Owen wants to go there then good luck to him. Spurs won't pay his wages, so that rules them out. Maybe an Italian or Spanish club?

I don't see how the hang up with the Barton deal would be any different if West Ham renewed their interest. Either Man City pay up or they don't. He's already turned down more money, so Barton is fighting City for the sake of it. Regardless, I really, really hope West Ham end up going down when the report comes out.

I have the 70s one, and yes - it is stitched on.

I think that's a myth. Chelsea bought a new team and won the league the next year. With all the training they do and with good coaching there is no reason why 3 or 4 new defenders need a full season to learn to play as a unit, especially when several are likely to have Premiership experience. If anything, it seems better to take a chance on something new than to continue with established losers like Carr & Babayaro for the sake of continuity.

It doesn't seem unreasonable to expect someone who is getting paid 25m pounds a year to actually turn up and do his job, though, does it? But a profesional football club shouldn't be marketing tickets to their fixtures (and selling quite a few) based solely on the presence of one player. They've sold out the Chicago v. LA match here and others across the country months in advance (when it is usually only half full) and now the idiots in LA are panicking because he might not turn up. A contingency they really should have planned for. If they were a football club and not a celebrity circus.

Thrilled, far beyond any expectations, excited for next season and the long term future of the club. We're back! :celb: :celb: :frantic: :occasion18:

I don't think England are the only ones putting in poor performances and getting unconvincing results. If you look at the group standings, there are a number of "top" teams that are in a battle to qualify. Portugal, Spain & Holland for example. Euro 2004 proved that you can not only qualify but win the tournament by being organized, boring and defensive. So "tiring them out" is basically a job well done. Italy didn't win the World Cup by impressing early on, but by grinding out the difficult results and showing the quality when it mattered. Against Estonia or Andorra, it just doesn't matter. Teams like Macedonia & Estonia aren't full of great players, but they are professionals. I don't think you are going to see many 6-0 or 7-0 results away from home anymore against anyone with serious players and a decent manager.

Big Sam revolution or not, this is Newcastle and one of them is bound to get injured. We need at least three competent (as in not Ramage) centre halves in order to be competitive.

This is LA's fault. They have been selling massive amounts of tickets, home & away, on the premise that Beckham will turn up. Fixtures that would normally have been half full are sold out. They knew he could have been called up again for England or injured himself. And if they didn't plan for that fact, then they deserve the embarassment.

Germany friendly in August, then Israel at home in September.

Finishes 0-0 between Croatia & Russia.

If they sack McClaren they'll probably give it to El Tel in the short term and look to poach Wenger, Mourinho or Big Sam if they become available.

The tournament wasn't shit. England were shit. Some of the matches - Argentina/Ivory Coast & Germany/Italy - were very enjoyable. Far better than 2002. And the fact that every match was broadcast in HD made it even better.

What surprise? Blatently Carr, Dyer and/or Babayaro. Carr doesn't even have the physique of a professional athlete. I hope Big Sam has all three of them on a diet of raw vegetables to be consumed daily at 4am.

Porugal are ahead again though. 1-2, Postiga.

Goooooal Belgium. 1-1.

Bastard bloody Portugal score. 0-1, Nani. Almost half time. Belgium haven't been poor though.