AlanSkÃrare

It's an opinion I share with many Juventus supporters so I doubt it's my terrible judgement of his performances that's the problem here. Also, I recall several articles during the latter part of 2012 debating whether he should quit the national team to regain his form for Juventus.

All of those apart from Pirlo are better players. Pick a player from Bayern instead and that's it. Been a passenger for the past 6 months in Juventus. Had two good games at the Euro's. Media etc etc. Not really.

I'd be careful even putting Bale and Pirlo in the same sentence, let alone suggesting they are of comparable ability. Pirlo has been doing the do for years and years. If Bale wasn't British, he'd be just another good (diving) player... Why does the past matter in this case? Are we not talking current ability? Bale is vastly overrated but he's better than "good". The past matters in this case because Pirlo has established himself over many years to be a simply world class player. Enough of a background to suggest that he may, as some have said, be having a small blip, but it still an outstanding player. Bale has had a very good season. But because he hasn't had many years at this level, it is impossible to say whether he a good player in exceptional form, or genuinely developing into a world class player. Agree with you on Bale. As for Pirlo, in his prime I'd agree. Just don't think Pirlo can be said to be in the world class bracket anymore, doesn't do defensive duties at all, too slow and gets tired too early in games, at least for me. Loads of players that I'd put ahead of him. Anyway, enough.

All of those apart from Pirlo are better players. Pick a player from Bayern instead and that's it. Been a passenger for the past 6 months in Juventus. Had two good games at the Euro's. Media etc etc. He has been very good this season, bit of a dip in form since xmas, but before then he was running the show. Still one of the top top players in the world. Better than Bale like Thoroughly disagree, watched quite a bit of Juventus and one of my closest friends is a die hard fan. Been livid with him all season, saying his reputation is saving him and that they're practically playing with ten men when he's in the side. Had his best game of the season the other week though.

Took the piss out of our league over here for a couple of months.

Brett Ormerod - scored a hattrick at some point. http://i53.tinypic.com/2chq32d.jpg Kevin Lisbie - scored a hattrick against Liverpool at some point. http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39389000/jpg/_39389602_lisbie_pa300x300.jpg Hamilton Ricard - Boro talisman http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQziEitg8Lknm3kDM7xiSayi5X1zwezXubsS0s-I4aznkkiGzUUuw

I'd be careful even putting Bale and Pirlo in the same sentence, let alone suggesting they are of comparable ability. Pirlo has been doing the do for years and years. If Bale wasn't British, he'd be just another good (diving) player... Why does the past matter in this case? Are we not talking current ability? Bale is vastly overrated but he's better than "good".

Still don't rate Bale as particularly better than Pirlo. Don't think any of them should be in among the top 20 players in the world.

All of those apart from Pirlo are better players. Pick a player from Bayern instead and that's it. Been a passenger for the past 6 months in Juventus. Had two good games at the Euro's. Media etc etc.

All of those apart from Pirlo are better players. Pick a player from Bayern instead and that's it.

If Ben Arfa signs a new contract I'm taking a year off work to go around the world on a celebration tour. Feel free to join.

Taribo Wesest? Isaac Okoronkwo?

On the subject of revenues from online content http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/08/business/asset-sales-help-quarterly-profit-at-times-company.html?ref=business&_r=0

Hesitated about posting it, but I remember other members doing so before so didn't think it would create a problem (it seemingly hasn't either). Anyway, if the mods want to take it down then you're welcome. Just think we're probably the audience that appreciates his pieces the most and we're better off reading it than not. In my opinion, it's sort of their problem that we can actually copy the text from the blog. Outstanding journalism again and again. I am desperate for the newspaper industry to find a way of surviving because the internet with its local/narrow focus and its "citizen journalists" will never be able to educate the broader audience in the same way. I hope they find profitable business models that allows the good journalists to stay in their profession.

This is f***ing brilliant. :thup:

The thing is, that squad was definately good enough to stay up. Four managers in one season and the instability at board level were the root of everything. The players of course having to take much of the blame for not giving a fuck, but there wasn't ever enough input from the management etc. A proper manager in January would have saved us. Our form in the spring was so dire. The draws with Everton, Hull and Portsmouth, the home loss to Fulham. All avoidable with the players that were still here.

Good month from the board.

Yeah, it's pretty annoying. This could be one of the best features on NUFC in the Ashley era. Instead, it's chopped into pieces for clicks. The state of journalism is shocking. We need a Ryder smiley.

He's always been provoking with his obvious lies. "We were on an unbelievable run when I took ill" was the word even in the summer after relegation. He was instrumental in relegating us and has never taken any responsibility. He tried to flog Enrique and Krul. He sold N'Zogbia because he didn't like his character. He deflated Given once and for all. Trainwreck of a manager who had nothing but bad influences on our club. Runs Souness close for me.

Can't wait for him to play again. And movement around him as well. He's going to prosper. It will be glorious.

Aye that's what that was.

Think we'll see Haïdara and Yanga-Mbiwa quite a lot here. Really high hopes for our progress here now for some reason.

What about De Vrij? Played for them tonight I think..?

Don't care much for any of them, Olsson is decent going forward but the knuckle brothers at CB are fairly rubbish as well, especially when we don't sit back. Not many capable defenders coming through now either. How's Milosevic progressing from his injury?

Not that I pay much attention, but I can't remember a worse Swedish back four than what they've currently got. Typical friendly game tbh, as soon as Argentina went 3-1 up they stopped caring. Isaksson's bicycle kick off the line was probably the highlight of the game What did you make of Friends Arena? Was sat next to a boy who was about 8-9 years old. He kept asking his dad why Argentina attacked down our right side and their left. After about five times his dad just took three minutes to explain how shit Lustig is. These defenders, man. How we're still in contention to qualify for the WC is a borderline miracle. Friends Arena - the highlight apart from seeing Messi in flesh and being the sole Coloccini supporter in there. You'll love it if you're going to keep attending AIK games. I think derbies in there will be special, the noise understandably went missing tonight. But all in all, it's magnificent and what this city has been missing.