Taylor Swift

I like the way Rafa works tbh. He hasn't spent heavily on one player but he's taking little risks with more unknown players (Gonzales, Pennant etc.) and hoping one of them works out. So far, some have (Agger, Arbeloa to an extent, Crouch) and some haven't (Bellamy, Pennant) but this summer will probably be the one where he spends the cash on the stars (Alves maybe). Liverpool will definitely be stronger next season. I don't anticipate them changing their style because it is effective but I do believe that if they get players who are proven to be the cream of the crop, they'll be more 'efficient' and instead of losing certain games, they'll get a point and instead of drawing certain games, they'll win. With Arsenal, it really depends on how much money they have available to spend. The return of Henry will be like a new signing to them anyways so they're going to be better. He's still 29, should be at his peak. I really expect him to be a world-beater once again. I've heard Arsenal are actually asking him to come back 2 weeks earlier or something to make sure he's fit and raring to go straight from the off. Thus, I expect Arsenal to challenge for the title just because they won't be dropping points to mid-table fodder anymore (like they did to us, Villa, Everton, Boro etc.) as Henry's magic will be enough. There's also the boy wonder Fabregas who should continue to improve and next season should be even better as he'll have less pressure on him. Add to that the development of Walcott, the adjustment to the league by Rosicky (and Hleb to an extent), Arsenal will be better. With Chelsea, it's safe to assume they'll also be better. The core of the team is still there and with a summer of stability (ie. no major incomings or outgoings), I anticipate Chelsea to be the hardest team to beat next season. You also have to consider the fact that Ballack and Shevchenko will be better just because they're quality players and will continue to adjust to the league. Champions next season = Chelsea. Onto the Champions of this season, I don't think they can be much stronger unless they find a replacement for Giggs and Scholes. They've already upgraded one of their weaknesses (center midfield) with the purchase of Hargreaves. Now, the question with Manyoo is whether or not their two main players can reproduce and possibly better what they've accomplished this season, the two players being Rooney and Ronaldo. And they will have to at least match what they did this season because Giggs, Neville and Scholes will be a year older, and they're not exactly on the right side of their 'peak' either. Rooney and Ronaldo are quality, but I have a feeling that Manyoo depend on them too much and they won't be able to make up for any drop in form from the aforementioned aging trio. Of course, the summer's just begun and everything and anything could change.

Why hasn't anyone told Franky to stick it where the sun don't shine yet? Fucking go find another place to cry. You lost. Your manager did fuck up. And I'm fucking happy because it's fans like you who piss me off the most. Fuck off with your patronising shit and appreciate the fact that what you currently have, won't last. At least I fucking hope so anyway.

Right, now I can say this with punch: Any cocksucking little FUCKER who post-boosts or spams on my watch will have their puny little account WIPED OUT faster than they can put their hands in their pants to wank themselves off. This is a zero tolerance rule. DO NOT post boost. DO NOT fuck with me. End communication. You're back to being one of 'them' again, aren't you?

They won't. 2-0 Milan.

A deserved chance for Zoggy to 'take the shirt' (quoting Roeder)? Certainly is. I expect we won't spend any significant amount of money on a left-sided midfielder, it'd just be daft considering that Milner has played there and done well. Anyhow, I really hope Zoggy gets a chance, the chance that he never received in the season just gone by, and I hope he plays well enough to keep Duff out of the team for good.

Anelka was said to be better than Henry in their early 20's. Parky man, Anelka again?! Obsession, no doubt

There won't be enough space.

Was saying the exact same thing to a mate a few days ago. Milan to take a 3-0 lead going into HT but instead of it ending 3-3, it ends 6-0 instead! That'd make my fucking 'footballing' year.

Milan all the way.

No one's mentioned someone really obvious yet so I'll do it. Shay Given. He's been at the club for fucking ages, he's consistently good, mostly fit, our first choice and I just have a feeling making him captain might push him onto the next level ie. become a true leader. The only bad thing about it is he won't be able to drive the team forward etc. because he's a goalkeeper but tbh, don't you just feel that much better when you see his name on the teamsheet? Isn't that an attribute you want the captain to have? It's just a gut feeling but I think Given will benefit from being the captaincy and since he's been consistently good for nearly 10 years, saved us so many times you can't even count, I think he deserves it, and the team will benefit from him being a captain. Something else worth mentioning, since none of our outfield players has actually 'earned' the armband, it's common sense to make Given the captain. Why? Because we won't have another Parker situation develop ie. other players clearly should be playing instead of him but he's undroppable because he's the captain. Along the lines of what tmonkey mentioned, we don't want to give it to someone who's form will probably fluctuate. We need it with someone stable, someone who we have and can continue to depend on. There's only one man at the club that fits the ball and his name is Shay Given. I disagree with giving it to Owen because what message does that send out to the players? He's played 12 (?) games in two seasons and now he's suppose to be the leader of the team? Fuck off, that's nonsense. There is a point to be made about the 'political' captain but that's putting him over the importance of the team. If he's not already putting his all in atm, then he can fuck off, just like anyone else who's not giving their all.

Definitely agree regarding Gerrard. I'm still not convinced by Rooney, but more-so than I was last month (before the Milan games and the final). Although tbh, it's not like Gerrard has carried Liverpool this year. They're a different team from the past couple of years, a team that doesn't need Gerrard to score 20+ goals for them to win trophies. I really would like to see Gerrard getting the permission to run the game for England from midfield, and Lampard dropped at the same time. Gerrard + Hargreaves = *drooling* Let's see next season though. I've yet to be convinced by Rooney over a whole season, and lately, harking by to what I said before in another thread, Ronaldo's been disappointing in the 'big' games (which totally puts my previous opinion of him to shame! ). Dunno which two I'd pick now. Form wise? Rooney. But a month ago it'd have been Ronaldo. One thing though, Manure are lucky as fuck to have those two playing for them.

Yea he said July 2nd. My bad. I inexplicably switched my months around. That gives him ample time man!

Remember though, he's not Roeder in the transfer market. He has scouts, contacts and whatnot placed around Europe. He'll have been doing scouting for Bolton since January (and possibly before that ie. the players he couldn't get in January), so he'll know exactly which players are good enough for us, which players that we need (LB, RB etc.) and which players he'll continue to scout etc. He's also pretty fast in the market, he won't need 2 months to sign a player for one position. Hasn't he also said he expects to complete the majority of transfers by June 2nd? That gives him ample time tbh. That's a month and a half away! We're in good hands people, relax!

This is a clause from the transfer last year wasn't it? That a friendly will be arranged between the two clubs? Yes, I think it was (although wasn't directly mentioned in the stock exchange news thing, it was more a gentleman's agreement).

Just looking at yesterday's team, they'll play the same formation, but just replace Fletcher with Hargreaves what an upgrade! The thing with yesterday's team was, they were already dominating the midfield. They just couldn't open up Chelsea's defence. Hargreaves gives them more options than Fletcher. He can tackle, he can pass, he has pace, he can shoot as well. He's also pretty good at set pieces. He has many attributes that Fergie can use to improve the way they play. It's not like they need to change their style of football. They played this formation against Milan (both games), so it shows that they're used to it (with Saha always being injured, they've had to become accustomed to this way of playing).

Rooney Scholes Giggs Ronaldo Carrick Hargreaves Maybe? Hargreaves the battler, the chaser. Running around after every ball in the midfield, then either giving it to the two wingers or driving the team forward. Carrick to be the one that takes the ball from the defence and tries to make something happen?

Thought Essien's last ditch tackles today saved Chelsea. Sure he was burned a few times by Rooney but who wasn't when Rooney was running like he was today?

Credit has to go to Lampard, Essien and Cech. Lampard was shite the whole game but the move with Drogba for the goal means he deserves at least a mention. Essien is just amazing. He was probably the only Chelsea player actually driving the team forward, even from central defence. Robben lit up the game for 10 minutes and then he turned into Joe Cole of the first half. Cech was steady, and that's basically just him.

Thought Vidic was class for the whole game. Dominated Drogba. Class move from Chelsea though, just a great move that won the game. Thank fuck Manure didn't win though I can barely stand their fans as it is.

I certainly hope Hodgson09 comes forward

just saw some of the comments on the articles in the front page. Fuck me people, can no one spot a blatant pisstake when it smacks you in the face and says 'hello, I'm a blatant pisstake'?!

I thought it was funny And I agree with the sentiment. Fred out!

My dad's got a bigger one..

Wasn't Cech a signing that someone higher up made? Same with Robben?