UEFA Champions League Pool

[yayson]

hur I is!

Manchester United beats Roma 3-1
Schalke beats Barcelona 2-1
Fenerbahce beats Chelsea 2-2
Liverpool over Arsenal 2-1

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Liverpool over Fenerbahce 3-1
Machester United whips Schalke 3-0

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Machester United victorious over Liverpool 3-0

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Schalke and Fenerbahce have much more heart than their opponenents right now, I hope this translates to wins. I'm screwing myself from the get go with those 2 picks but I really can't stand to see another Liverpool Chelsea matchup, a man can only sleep through so many top matchups

I can't believe England has 4 teams in the quarters, unbelievable. I don't think there's a full team of Englishmen between the four though

Good luck everybody, looking forward to the banter but for now... gotta go smoke stogies!

Thanks for the pool Dan'l and everybody, good stuff!

[theycallmedan'lboone]

IF SOMEBODY CAN GET PARTAGASPETE TO GET HIS PICKS TO ME PRIOR TO KICKOFF WE'LL LET HIM IN!!!!
Gentlemen, the pools are set the picks are in, and matches kick of at 1445 ET. Good luck and may the force be with you

"His armband proved he was a red, torres torres,
you'll never walk alone it said, torres torres,
we've got the lad from sunny spain
he gets the ball and he scores again
Fer-nando torres, liverpools number 9"

[ColdCuts]

Originally Posted by yayson

I really can't stand to see another Liverpool Chelsea matchup, a man can only sleep through so many top matchups.

True that!


NOW EVERYONE, LIFT YOUR VOICES IN SONG...

We Are The Pride Of All Europe
(To the tune of One Of Those Songs)

We are just one of those teams
That you see now and then
We often score six
But we seldom score ten
We beat 'em at home
And we beat 'em away
We kill any bastards,
That get in our way

We are the pride of all Europe
The cock of the North
We hate the Scousers, the
Cockneys of course
We are United
Without any doubt
We are the Manchester boys

[theycallmedan'lboone]

Glory Round the fields of Anfield Road
(to the tune of Fields of Athenry)
Outside the shankly gates, I heard a Kopite calling
Shankly they have taken you away
but you left a great 11 before you went to heaven now its glory round the fields of Anfield Road!!!
GLOOOORRRY, ROund the fields of anfield road
where once we watched KING KENNY PLAY (and could he play!)
Stevie highway(sp I know) On the wing
and the glory round the fields of Anfield road
* now for my written verse *
Outside the SPION KOP, I heard a Scouser calling
Torres you have done it once a-gain
You scored a wonder goal, at the San Siro,
for the Glory Round the field of Anfield road!

[aldukes]

....another great goal for Ronaldo......

[mastershogun]

Anyone watch the ManU/Roma match? Any thoughts?
I was greating neverous int he beginning. Looked like Roma came out strong... probably because of th 7-0 before. At one point it looked like Roma would get the first goal.
Two best highlights... Ronaldo header... that was amazing. Second, van der Sar's one handed save.
Man, too bad about Vidic... O'shea is good but he's no Vidic
Also, park had a decent game... good header for Roony
Overall, defense could be better especially on corner kicks. Van der sar's save was great but he gave too many balls away.

[yayson]

I hate the way Ferguson sets the side out in Europe but you can't really argue with the performance, 2 road goals are all but insurmountable for Roma. Mancini did nothing, not entirely unusual in my opinion, the real shock was Vucinic and Aquilani, they were stuffed. I was glad PArk made an appearance, I love the little dude, he's absolutely solid, speaks highly of United's quality that he can hardly get a game

Too bad Shalke couldn't get 1 or 2 in the second half, help me out Shalke! Hopefully Fenerbahce can spoil expectations tomorrow, their stadium will be rockin, it's no Ali Sami Yen but they're insane as well. I would love to be able to see a Fenerbahce or Galatasaray European match in one of these stadiums. I'm afraid I've screwed myself for this bet going for the *2* underdogs

[mastershogun]

Originally Posted by yayson

I hate the way Ferguson sets the side out in Europe but you can't really argue with the performance, 2 road goals are all but insurmountable for Roma. Mancini did nothing, not entirely unusual in my opinion, the real shock was Vucinic and Aquilani, they were stuffed. I was glad PArk made an appearance, I love the little dude, he's absolutely solid, speaks highly of United's quality that he can hardly get a game

Too bad Shalke couldn't get 1 or 2 in the second half, help me out Shalke! Hopefully Fenerbahce can spoil expectations tomorrow, their stadium will be rockin, it's no Ali Sami Yen but they're insane as well. I would love to be able to see a Fenerbahce or Galatasaray European match in one of these stadiums. I'm afraid I've screwed myself for this bet going for the *2* underdogs

yeah Park will never grab headlines on a team like ManU but you can't deny that he runs and works his butt off. He is not selfish up front but will take a good shot... will always have an eye to pass one to Rooney, Ronaldo or whoever is up front... can haul like crazy and cause a stir for the defense and also haul all the right back and play some good defense himself.

To be honest, I thought ManU could had done better in creating shots. I can't complain about keeping a clean sheet and scoring 2 away goals. But Rooney's goal had much to do with bad defense after Park's header. Also Ronaldo's, sure you don't expect him to charge in like that from all the way back but again Roma could had defended that better.

[yayson]

Originally Posted by mastershogun

To be honest, I thought ManU could had done better in creating shots. I can't complain about keeping a clean sheet and scoring 2 away goals. But Rooney's goal had much to do with bad defense after Park's header. Also Ronaldo's, sure you don't expect him to charge in like that from all the way back but again Roma could had defended that better.

They really missed Juan and I think Cicinho shoulda been in from the start, but who am I to second guess Spaletti? Guy's the next Italian coaching genius I reckon. Not sure they have the class to get near United right now, in fact, can't think of a squad that does, but you didn't see Ronaldo running riot like he does in the prem that's for sure

[theycallmedan'lboone]

Liverpool gets a massive away goal against Arsenal and fashion themselves to have good shot at going through, and Chelski... what a shame.... too bad, maybe it's the managers fault *rolls eyes*

[partagaspete]

Originally Posted by theycallmedan'lboone

IF SOMEBODY CAN GET PARTAGASPETE TO GET HIS PICKS TO ME PRIOR TO KICKOFF WE'LL LET HIM IN!!!!
Gentlemen, the pools are set the picks are in, and matches kick of at 1445 ET. Good luck and may the force be with you

"His armband proved he was a red, torres torres,
you'll never walk alone it said, torres torres,
we've got the lad from sunny spain
he gets the ball and he scores again
Fer-nando torres, liverpools number 9"

Sorry guy's I don't read every thread when I get on and I just got the pm you sent me on Tuesday ( I replied). This is a great idea.

T

[ColdCuts]

Originally Posted by theycallmedan'lboone

Chelski... what a shame.... too bad, maybe it's the managers fault *rolls eyes*

It is the manager's fault.

I'm no Chelsea fan, but on paper Chelsea have the talent and depth to dispatch a side like Fenerbahce with relative ease. It's not happening because Grant is unable to get the best from his superstars.

[mastershogun]

Originally Posted by ColdCuts

It is the manager's fault.

I'm no Chelsea fan, but on paper Chelsea have the talent and depth to dispatch a side like Fenerbahce with relative ease. It's not happening because Grant is unable to get the best from his superstars.

I not too sure about that... granted I'm not a chelsea fan but you shouldn't need to "get the best from his superstars" to beat fenerbahce. They are professional players that are some of the best. They know the stakes of the game. Regardless of who is coaching they should be able to get a favorable result. This would be different if we were talking Chelsea against 'pool, arsenal, or Manu... but we are not... this is fenerbahce. IMH the immense talent is there that they should be able to win against fenerbahce refardless of Grant's skills as a manager or not.

[ColdCuts]

Originally Posted by mastershogun

I not too sure about that... granted I'm not a chelsea fan but you shouldn't need to "get the best from his superstars" to beat fenerbahce. They are professional players that are some of the best. They know the stakes of the game. Regardless of who is coaching they should be able to get a favorable result. This would be different if we were talking Chelsea against 'pool, arsenal, or Manu... but we are not... this is fenerbahce. IMH the immense talent is there that they should be able to win against fenerbahce refardless of Grant's skills as a manager or not.

I disagree. All professional teams are made up of talented players--except maybe Derby. It's a manager's job to take raw talent and shape it into a championship-winning side. Ferguson, Mourinho, Wenger, these guys don't just happen to front already successful clubs, they make clubs successful.

[mastershogun]

Originally Posted by ColdCuts

I disagree. All professional teams are made up of talented players--except maybe Derby. It's a manager's job to take raw talent and shape it into a championship-winning side. Ferguson, Mourinho, Wenger, these guys don't just happen to front already successful clubs, they make clubs successful.

I think we are talking about two different things. I am not saying Chelsea should be as sucessful as Manu or Arsenal regardless if it is Grant or Mourinho coaching. For sure, Chelsea cannot be as great as a team as Manu or Arsenal or Liverpool without a quality coach. What I'm saying is that Chelsea with an ok coach like Grant should be able to beat fenerbahce. If Chelsea was up against Manu/Arsenal/ Liverpool a great manager makes all the difference. Fenerbahce is no Manu/Arsenal/ Liverpool. With all the "stars" on Chelsea they should be able to get a result even with Grant as coach.
In short, if Chelsea were to get knocked by Fenerbahce I don't think the blame should be placed on Grant... come on... if they lose to Fenerbahce there's something wrong with the players.