themanupstairs

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

Fuck me APOEL take the lead away at Shaktar!! Bedlam in Cyprus!

Becoming very prick-ish there. f*** him and the pile of s*** of a club he's scurried off to. Made for each other.

Willing APOEL on to win tonight. A draw would be decent away in Ukraine either way. Be good to see local clubs doing well in the CL.

The funding is totally irrelevant as the answer is in short, someone. The going concern issue isn't as clean cut as you're making out either, I see far worse balance sheets weekly and I know you won't be surprised to know that many still continue to trade long after the event. Shepherd claims they weren't as bad as made out and he always had a plan, could be more bullshit, could be true, whatever, it's irrelevant. I'm talking about Mike Ashley, his mistakes, the price he's paying and the mistakes he's still making, I made a point about the sponsorship, you defended him, that's your prerogative, just as it all the nuggets who defend him for anything and everything, much of what they haven't got the first idea about. I like most of the players, I too like the Manager , I don't like being patronised and treat with utter contemt which is why I have given up my season ticket and won't ever return under this ownership, but that's my choice, just as it those who think f*** it, I'm supporting the team even though I hate him, or even those who say don't use lube Derek, just ram it in. One last point, he wouldn't have to stick as much in if he showed a little ambition, communicated with the fans instead of taking them for granted (at best) and got some f***ing sponsorship money in for starters. Instead we'd be talking full houses, happy fans and decent corporate partners, but this is Mike Ashley, he doesn't give a f*** what we think.

Has this lad finished on the losing side yet? Lucky charm if there ever was one

Bad time to play them now they've hit a run of form. Hopefully SJP will be well up for this. 3 games in 10 days, the crowd needs to roar the team on to a win. 1-0 S Taylor

Ameobi sandwich Must be a great feeling celebrating a winner for NUFC with your bairn brother. Legends

Home to Crystal Palace please

I'll take Palace at home

Coloccini wins hands down tbh. The other two still have a long way to go to match what this guy has done for us so far.

What a man beast Colo is Absolutely top class player. Must.Sign.New.Contract.NOW!!

Fucking get the fuck in!!!!!! Fucking love you Captain Colo!!!!!! :colo:

Dean Kiely had a hamburger

In YOUR mouth.