This is a mobile optimized page that loads fast, if you want to load the real page, click this text.

Champions League Draw

Jump to new
i'm tipping bayern to upset barca tomorrow morning 2-1.
Chelsea to beat Liverpool, anything - anything, but this is simply due to my dislike of liverpool
 
Largesse said:
i'm tipping bayern to upset barca tomorrow morning 2-1.
Click to expand...

Oooo, big call, hope your wrong!

Bayern got thrashed in the Bundas recently, so hopefully they have some confidence issues creep in at the back, Barca should take care of them if they do!
 
Yeh look, bayern will need to play a perfect game to get away with the win.
And when I say perfect, i mean it.
Barca will cut them to shreds if they don't bring their A-game. But, after being embarrased in the Bunds a few days ago, I think they will be fired up.

Long/Short of it is that it will definitely be an interesting fixture and great viewing.
 
Largesse said:
But, after being embarrased in the Bunds a few days ago, I think they will be fired up.

Long/Short of it is that it will definitely be an interesting fixture and great viewing.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is the other side of the coin and the part that has me worried. They will be coming in with a point to proove and to lift their game.

Yeh, great viewing and as you say, a very interesting fixture, I will be up with the birds to watch this one!
 
Chelsea and Liverpool tonight

If there's 2 sides in England i don't like its these 2, another worthy contender however is Tottenham Hotspurs

will be up at 4-30am to watch it but a draw is my prefered result

If either make the final then im supporting whomever there playing even though im English
 
I watched the Porto game last night and the result flattered Utd. Porto played them off the park. United's back 4 couldn't handle the 3 up front played by Porto and constantly looked vunerable at the far post when either full back had to gamble by coming across to help out in the middle.

Truth is, Porto could have (and probably should have) scored 2 or 3 in the first 30 minutes. The Porto midfield dominated, denying Utd time and space on the ball meaning for most of the night, Utd struggled to string more than 2 passes together. Ronaldo was invisible for most of the night despite switching sides to try to find more space.

Utd looked jaded, shell shocked and slow. Fans will blame their busy schedule, but the reality is they had a fair number of players on the park that didn't start on the weekend. I think the truth is, they've started to believe their own hype and at the same time, they're beginning to lose their magic - opposition sides don't fear them in the same way they did 3 months ago. Deny their midfield time and get in at their back four in numbers and you will score goals.

Wayne Rooney deserves an honourable mention. Despite his petulance at Fulham, he wears his heart on his sleeve, always works hard and was Utd's best last night.
 
You must love Gianfranco the Chelsea legend being a Hammer then! I'm a Liverpool fan and nervous about the tie tomorrow, the law of sod and all that. Think its going to be a really cagey affair. Hopefully Porto will seen Utd off in the 2nd leg, I'm English too but Utd are really my 'unpreferred' team! Might have something to do with that gent Ronaldo. West Ham Liverpool in the league soon as well. If only Phil Parkes still tended the goal for you guys!
 
Yeh, agree there Doctor, I only saw the highlights of the Porto match, and they had an array of chances!

As far as United looking jaded, shell shocked and slow, I've seen Porto do that to English teams before in the CL, but Porto generally has on nights and off nights, last night was probably one of those 'on nights'. So I wouldn't be surprised to see United come back and win in Portugal.
 

Must admit i was a bit unsure of a Chelsea legend taking over the Hammers but fair play to him, since his arrival apart from a shaky start its been a steady rise in the league.

Currently 7th which should be good enough for a European competition place next season if we can hold on with lengthy injury list, on the plus side another healthy crop of youngsters are coming through 2 of whom got the goals in last weekends win, plus some very good signings this season, not least Ilunga who is reportedly attracting the interest of Liverpool although like many of the current crop has stated he wants a long term contract with West Ham and loves the club, but i wont hold my breath.

Most of the first team squad have committed to long extensions on there contracts and for the first time in a few years West Ham look like one of the few teams capable of challenging the so called big 4 in the next few years, the only other sides capable and have the financial backing required these days would be Aston Villa, Everton, Manchester City and Tottenham, would include Newcastle but they look doomed to the second tier at present.

Bit sad the PL is becoming an elite with only about 8 to 10 sides really capable of competing, the others see avoiding relegation as a good season.
 
I hear what you're saying, its not good if the same 4 teams are topping the Premier league every year like what happens in Scotland. Also this 'must finish in the top four' mentality is dangerous for the game too but must be a goal for the likes of Villa, West Ham and Everton. I just think its sad when you see a team like Villa who are doing well in UEFA cup and have a real chance of winning, putting out a second string to concentrate on the 4th place. Seems like silverware comes second to a place in the Champions League.

As for the Hammers, its a recurring theme, youth system so strong but inevitably the big teams will come calling. Bit like VSA analysis in footy terms! Just imagine if you were able to keep hold of the likes of Lampard, Ferdinand, Cole, Carrick, even Kanoute. I like Noble and see a few other English youngsters come through this term but being in aussie all my focus is on the Liverpool games now, the hours kill me. Any future England stars in the latest crop?
 
I think the days of West Ham being a club developing youngsters then selling is behind them, the current crop is being compared to the Cole, Ferdinand, Lampard era, players like Colison, Tompkins and Stanislas are just as good as they were at the same stage in there carears and breaking into the first team, the best IMO is Jack Colison who is a very strong attacking midfield player in the same mould as Lampard or Gerard, watch that name as i think he is going to be a big name in a few years, hopefully hes back from injury next week.

I see Yossi Banayoun is doing well for Liverpool, not very popular at West Ham, wanted and got offered, then agreed a new 5 year deal with the Club then went cold when the Liverpool offer came in, so suffice to say he will get a good booing when the sides play.
 
The Hammers boo someone never, they were always quite friendly to Incey whenever he returned to Upton Park. Yossi has been a gem of a player really, doesn't moan that he's not always in the first team (that might change) plus pops up with the odd priceless goal. I think he'd prefer to play in the Stevie role and thats probably where he'd play his best football but its the right or nothing. Still he's proved a great signing imo. I can understand why you guys weren't happy when he turned down the contract offer, I felt the same with Owen and Macca.

Always happy to see English talent do well. I've heard of Collison, and hopefully he will develop into the dynamic midfielder. Another Gazza would be nice. Now just want to see a top quality young English striker come through, heck I'd even be happy if United produced one!
 
I don't know Hammers fans are quite as charitable as you make them out to be - I was at the WHU v FFC game a couple of months ago and I don't recall Pantsil and Zamora getting a particularly good reception. The crowd spent the vast majority of the game singing "F*** off Craig Bellamy".

As for future England stars, Chris Smalling (FFC Reserves, England U/21) is coming on in leaps and bounds. A very strong centre half - keep an eye out for him
 
It is only half time yet Barca are up 4-0

Beautiful football!!!

Also I cannot believe the Reds capitulated like they did. Gerrard was non existent
 
Surely Messi has the Ballon d'Or in the bag now? 8 goals in 8 Champions League games... A different class. How long till Man City make a bid?

Tonight Liverpool paid the price for not rotating players on the weekend. Their only saving grace is Terry is suspended for the 2nd leg. Not that its going to help much needing to win 3-0 away.
 
Well, I picked the Chelsea win, however, WOW @ Barca, they are a very scary proposition. I am very glad we only have to play Utd or Porto if we get thru next week.
 
Yeh, GO BARCA!!!!!

What a traditional romp that they used to (and have started again this season) put on!

Class act!
 
The first half was great to watch - Barca ran over the top of Bayern. Some of their thru balls were sublime.

I suspect they'll have more difficulty against the rather more organised English sides...
 
Any idea what an Arsenal / Barcelona final is paying?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more...