themanupstairs

bless

Theoretically, at the end of the day, I couldn't care less who we bought, and how much for, or who played for us, as long as we're top of the table and winning every cup in sight. By that logic, at the moment we are far exceeding expectations, our own and the media's, and if we finish anywhere between 5th and 11th (realistically) then we will have improved on last season, and the owner's strategy will have been justified. It's a repeating cliche, but you live and die by results in football. I couldn't care less if we sold our Tiote's and Coloccini's as long as we're still doing the business on the pitch and winning matches more often than not.

I'm with you there, but i'd start Guthrie ahead of Abeid (provided he isn't injured!?). This is the type of "low key" appearance Guthrie may thrive on.

What a top top post that is Brilliantly put. In my personal experience Liverpool fans are the worst at the syndrome you touch on above. They are delusional far far beyond help, which is the reason I want to see that crackhouse of a football club fail so miserably and rot away for good. Getting one over these self aggrandizing cunts always felt sweeter than any other win, especially in the latter years.

The thread title is a tad overdramatic. Although I still do hope that twat Ayre chokes on his own red painted toe nails.

Both clubs will have players away on International duty, but it's so early in the season I think the traveling might take its toll on some. I hope we get the rub of the green injury wise and come out on top. How's the away support for this fixture usually? Can't imagine too many will make the journey up north? Certainly not a side there for the taking, but I wouldn't be too surprised if we get the 3 points. Would be ecstatic though

When the mong smiles, and his precious eyebrows lift a little, thoughts are conjured up in my head, of shoving a big f*** off chainsaw down his throat. Sideways.

fucking come on Everton!!

oh ffs

You're a very violent man. c***s like Suarez make me angry. Dishonesty is one thing that boils my p*ss, it really does. I agree wholeheartedly there. For the first time as well

Who are they coming on for?

We haven't won at Molineux since the 50's? fuck me

Why do I feel the hate for Liverpool Football Club deep in my guts? I really can't explain it! I try to ignore them, brush them aside as insignificant self-aggrandizing twats, but I can't help hating the club, their fans, and every single player retarded enough to wear that ugly red kit. Really can't explain it

Well chuffed for Chris Hughton Have no time for BCFC generally, but want mr. niceguy to do well

No no, he clearly spunked upwards of 200 million on the club just to take the p*ss out of Geordies Good luck finding a post from anyone ever claiming that. Oh. Didn't realize the post needed a or summat. Sorry like

Ummmmm vvvvv You sound like NE5 dude! Chill! I have answered your question when I clarified that I was on about Messi bringing it to the international stage, and not necessarily about leaving Barca to pursue club football elsewhere. Johnnypd made the same points I've been trying to make, in that Messi needs to show that he can have enough influence on games, and win tournaments by himself, the way Maradona most notably had done in 86. He HASN'T been shafted out wide in the national side man, watch the Copa matches and you'll see. So even under Crazy Diego getting 6 assists at the World Cup isn't showing how he can boss the team. If Argentina had a half competent manager at the helm they would have gone to the WC finals. He had a poor performance at the Copa America as did the whole Argentina team and yet in 2011 he still has managed an assist a game playing for Argentina. Dont forget that if Argentina had of won the penalty shoot out they probably would have won the tournament and again they were under the guidense of another absolute nut job in Batista. I think under Sabella you will finally see Messi come into his own for the Argentina national team. If he fails under Sabella I will be willing to agree he has not replecated his Barca form internationally but this is the first coach he has had since he has become an established star who isn't completely bat s*** crazy. I certainly do hope so! I somehow think you think I have something against Messi, when in reality I love the little guy, and I usually support Argentina at major tournaments, and have done so since '82. I'm just being a difficult bastard, as I reckon he needs to be judged at the end of his career and not when he hasn't even yet peaked.

Ummmmm vvvvv You sound like NE5 dude! Chill! I have answered your question when I clarified that I was on about Messi bringing it to the international stage, and not necessarily about leaving Barca to pursue club football elsewhere. Johnnypd made the same points I've been trying to make, in that Messi needs to show that he can have enough influence on games, and win tournaments by himself, the way Maradona most notably had done in 86. He HASN'T been shafted out wide in the national side man, watch the Copa matches and you'll see.

Agreed

Pele did show it by winning 3 world cups didn't he? Personally I've never agreed with comparisons between players when one of them is still in the early years of his career. Take for example the Shearer vs Rooney debate. I don't think we can debate that properly until Rooney has retired and we can take look at both of their stats. By the time Messi has retired, we'll have a clearer idea of where he ranks among the world's greatest ever. Again I'll say, by the time he's hung up his boots, IMO he will be considered the greatest that ever lived. If his career were to end tomorrow though, he wouldn't be. When did this change from a debate discussing club career to international career must have missed that memo. Read above for my take on why Messi hasn't "delivered" at an international level. Also add the fact that Diego and Pele were both given free roles in their respective international teams where as Messi keeps getting stuck out on the wing. But my question to you is why does Messi apparently need to leave the Barcelona set up to prove himself when Pele never left Santos (till the end of his career). Both teams were/are the best in the world at the respective times and both had a system set up from the youth teams which both players flourish in. Where did I say he has to leave Barca in my post? I AM talking about him proving it on the international stage though. Messi hasn't been stuck out on the wing with Argentina at all, at least not in the competitive tournaments Argentina have played recently. He's been very much involved in a central attacking position, be it upfront or in a withdrawn role behind 2 forwards. I also did mention that Messi struggling on the international stage might also have something to do with the insane number of games he has to play before turning out for Argentina in the summer. You must have missed that eh? Football players are human afterall, be it Messi or Jonathan Walters, if you've played 60 odd games at the high intensity level of modern European football, you will get to a point of mental and physical exhaustion and hence not be at your best when crunch time comes.

Pele did show it by winning 3 world cups didn't he? Personally I've never agreed with comparisons between players when one of them is still in the early years of his career. Take for example the Shearer vs Rooney debate. I don't think we can debate that properly until Rooney has retired and we can take look at both of their stats. By the time Messi has retired, we'll have a clearer idea of where he ranks among the world's greatest ever. Again I'll say, by the time he's hung up his boots, IMO he will be considered the greatest that ever lived. If his career were to end tomorrow though, he wouldn't be.

No no, he clearly spunked upwards of 200 million on the club just to take the piss out of Geordies

You do realise Pele never played for a European team right? You do realise the only team other than Santos that Pele represented was New york right? You do realise how stupid your statement is now right? what a patronizing little dweeb you are. I'm not saying Messi should sign for Stoke and win the league with them before he's considered the world's greatest ever. All I'm saying is that at Barca, especially since he's been there since youth teams, he's playing in a well drilled, well rehearsed system that he's been used to for years. Put it this way, ask yourself this question, would Barcelona have been the great footballing force they are now without Messi? I would think so personally. It's their system and footballing philosophy that makes them the strongest club side in world football. Messi needs to show that he can "improvise" outside of this system, especially on the international stage, to be spoken of in the same breath as Pele and Maradona. For the record, I believe he can, and will do it! It's not a sleight on Messi himself though, more so on modern football, with players like him having to go through grueling schedules and an endless number of matches, before they can turn out for their national teams in the big competitions.

Greatest of our time? Aye. By a country mile. Greatest ever? Nowhere near yet. Messi really must prove he can hack it outside of the Barcelona teams and systems, to come anywhere near his compatriot Maradona, let alone Pele.

This, f*** him hes insignificant. Yup. Hope this thread can now die on its arse, and fizzle out like a dry fart - much as he's done from my mind.

1-1 now