I'm not really that sympathetic to United's plight.

I found it a bit curlish the way they went running to FIFA over Madrids tapping up when just a year ago they were doing exactly the same to Bayern Munich doing their best to unsettle Owen Hargreaves.

I guess what comes around goes around. All the big clubs are as bad as each other.

Well I'm not going to deny that isn't true, because it is.
I suppose once a player wants to go there's not much point in keeping him. Still, he's under contract and Blatter's statement is ridiculous.
I wonder what he'd have to say if United suddenly tore up his contract and stopped paying him until he recovered from his ankle injury?

Here's a drunk referee to lighten the mood :D

Villa buy Steve Sidwell for 5 mill? Well obviously O'Neill has seen something the rest of us have'nt. I hope Barry does feck off now. Benitez ought to be in the same dock as Blatter for turning players heads and who's to say Villa won't be challenging the 'pool next season. They really think that they are the biggest team in England. Bunch of twats.

We won 6-0 on a pre season tour match yesterday-yay!
It was only a Swiss side-bah!

LA chivas goal keep might be heading ur way. ill be glad if he leaves as I'm a bandwagon galaxy fan.

You guys gonna catch the west ham v MLS all stars game tonight?

Not FIFA related, but this is a soccer/football thread, right?

I play soccer, and tonight I'm being a linesman at my brother's game.

Our season stats are: 4-2-1 (wins, losses, ties).

Last night our game was cancelled, but five or so of us were never notified. And then, when we show up and no one was there, this one guy on our team comes dressed in a referee uniform in the back of his parent's car and says "the game's cancelled", and then leaves to go ref his game.

So him, and the coach knew about it since the morning of that day but didn't bother to call us?

I was ticked, and I'm not even going to be back here for the re-game on Sunday, and I don't plan on notifying the coach. :)

Asenal, Arsenal FC we'll play the world over and champions we'll be-
Treble 08-09 baby!!!!

OK. Predictions for next season and David is not allowed to answer as all Man U fans expect to (and usually do) win everything. Villa have barely bought anyone of value (U.S keeper Friedel is solid but @37?) and Barry will probably eventually go. The squad is just not big enough and I thought Mr. Lerner had bottomless pockets? A top ten is the best we can hope for.

Liverpool can just feck off and Arsenal will be the usual also rans.

Chelsea could be THE team this year and I have to say that I am looking forward to seeing them play.

Portsmouth are the dark horse this year.

Swindon? Well they have the usual local derbies with Rovers and Cheltenham and I presume stability is the name of the game?

I don't see Liverpool challenging just because they have Robbie Keane , I've heard all this 'last peice of the jigsaw' stuff before when they bought Harry Kewell :laughing:

Arsenal will really struggle for a top 4 finish with the players they've lost and not replaced. I really think Spurs can overtake them this year with the players they've bought. The only reason they finished in the bottom half was because they had nothing to play for after winning the Carling cup.

I'm surprised with Villa , i thought they'd be buying to get in the top 4 this season , in the end they just lose Mellberg & probably Barry and I don't see who's going to replace them. I think Portsmouth will be challenging Arsenal for 5th place.

Going down will be Stoke & Hull (Obviously). I think West Brom have it in them to stay up. Joining them will be Bolton. I think Fulham will be around there but have just enough to stay up. I think Newcastle will be down there as well but will be comfortable by around April.

Swindon did alright last year. It was nice to have mid table mediocrity after a coming up through the play offs. We've not really lost anybody or signed anybody so I think we'll be in a similar position this year.