dribbling outside the box

[Touchstone]

Cheeky sod!!! Lol

[indoctrin8]

given our woeful defence,
i read a wee sniff that the
dunny monster could be a
target...

christ knows we need a
solid defender.

[Touchstone]

Richard Dunne? I wouldn't mind him back at Everton. He really seems to have cleaned up his act in recent years. He'd be a good buy for Celtic.

Saw this on Youtube. Thought it was quite interesting. It was made by the Scottish Tourist Board. Maybe it will make you guys feel a little homesick.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=VvcEKNHYPlE

[InTheColdLightOfDay]

Just like home... <sniff>

Speaking of <sniff>, remember Adrian Mutu got busted for cocaine when he was at Chelsea?
Drugs... just say no. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 47,00.html

And Dos Santos has officially signed for Spurs. Reckon he'll be a success?

[Touchstone]

I don't now much about this Dos Santos lad. Highly rated and he'll be working under a top manager in Ramos. Be interesting to see how Spurs do this coming season. They have the nucleus of a very good team. Woodgate was a good buy for them tightening up a rather porous defence.

Mutu is fucked with all that money he has to pay. Wonder how he'll do at EURO 2008. And then there's young Ronaldo.....

[Touchstone]

Just listening to the latest BBC World Football podcast [I love the BBC and Guardian podcasts]. It said Harry Kewell's agent said his boy would be going to Celtic or Spain. Good move for the Bhoys?

[indoctrin8]

mmm. dunno. would sell a
few strips but hes on crazy
wages. personally. id rather
not.

[Touchstone]

And he'd be injured for 98.7% of the season.

So who do you guys think is gonna win the Euros given what we've seen so far? Spain look the shit at the moment.

[indoctrin8]

aye, they hammered russia.
but im still plumpin for the krauts.

theyre always up for a scrap.

theres a brilliant comic called
"bloody mary" that came out in
about 96.

its ww3, and the
major says "but your GERMAN...
old fritz will fight you as long
as you like, and then he'll ask for seconds!
look at the scoreboard if you dont believe
me. were two-nil up on aggregate,
and heres jerry back for more!"

written by garth ennis and illustrated by
ezquerra. (if theres any other comic geeks
out there...)

[InTheColdLightOfDay]

So Big Phil's in at Chelsea, with a transfer budget ranging from 100 million to unlimited depending what you read.
Seeing how he's the new Chelsea coach it makes his comments earlier in the summer recommending Ronaldo join Madrid even more annoying.

Ramsey opts to join Arsenal ahead of Man Utd and Everton. Madness.
Though he's pretty much guaranteed a first team place, because by the looks of things there's going to be no-one left in a couple of weeks, what with Hleb heading to Barca and Adebayor to Milan. Allegedly.

First signing of the summer. Pinched Petrucci from Roma. Lot of potential. And for only 200,00. Fine Ronaldo 2 weeks wages for being a tool and that's him paid for. Easy!

[Touchstone]

It's gonna be interesting to see how Big Phil gets on. He's never managed a European club team before.

This is the most popular thread in the Sports' Forum. Well done lads.

[Touchstone]

Anyone know anything about this Russian lad Arshavin? Everton are meant to be sniffing around him. Probably have no chance though.

[InTheColdLightOfDay]

Don't know much, to be honest. But it's worth noting that he was suspended for Russia's first 2 group games and they looked pretty average. He was back for the game against Sweden and Russia were brilliant. Absolutely all over them. I'd think he and Arteta could play very well together. Of course that would depend on Arteta being at Goodison next season.

Also, it's a sure sign that something's seriously wrong when AC Milan are claiming they can't compete financially with Man City...

Oh, and an edit to the Petrucci signing I mentioned up there a bit. Only 200,000. And giving his Dad a job as a groundsman.

[Touchstone]

Don't know much, to be honest. But it's worth noting that he was suspended for Russia's first 2 group games and they looked pretty average. He was back for the game against Sweden and Russia were brilliant. Absolutely all over them. I'd think he and Arteta could play very well together. Of course that would depend on Arteta being at Goodison next season.

Also, it's a sure sign that something's seriously wrong when AC Milan are claiming they can't compete financially with Man City...

Oh, and an edit to the Petrucci signing I mentioned up there a bit. Only 200,000. And giving his Dad a job as a groundsman.

I hope Arteta doesn't leave. The guys quality when he can be arsed. AC Milan are only in the UEFA Cup this year. I wonder how this will affect their finances.

Is that really true about Petrucci's old fella?

[InTheColdLightOfDay]

Can't say I fancy your chances of getting Arshavin now. After the way he's played in the last 2 games there can't be many teams who aren't after him.
The only reason I can't see us going for him is he's not the type of player we need at the moment. He's quality, though.

And yeah, as far as I know it's true about Petrucci's Dad. He's not the head groundsman or anything like that, but there was some kind of job offer involved.

[Touchstone]

Any predictions for the semis?

[InTheColdLightOfDay]

Germany surely won't have too much trouble getting by whatever patched up team Turkey can put together.
As for Spain - Russia... wouldn't like to call it. Fair enough Spain gave them a bit of a spanking in the group stage, but the Russian team has grown up a lot since then, Arshavin's back and playing like a man possessed, and they've got momentum and belief. Could be a classic. If it's half as good as Russia - Holland I'll be happy.
On a side note, the commentary on ESPN is abysmal.

[indoctrin8]

aye, been a bit slack. got a wee trip back
home next week, so my minds been on other
things...it seems that portsmouth is in all the
news, eh?

that and the ronaldo saga. meanwhile back
at CFC, theres been sweet fuck all. thought
we wouldve got villa by now. must be cos he
hurt himself....


im gonna plump for the krauts. never underestimate
the football machine that is germany.

probably just steamroller the free flowing
close passing of the spanish, and win on
penalties.

[InTheColdLightOfDay]

After Sepp Blatter's transition from slightly annoying but relatively harmless to full-blown fucking moron made me question why I even bother with what's left of the game I love(d), this bloke came along to put a smile on my face and remind me that everything's o-kay...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7502968.stm

[InTheColdLightOfDay]

if we get to keep samaras ill
be happy.

Done.

Unlike Ronaldo-gate, which just keeps rumbling on. My brother made a good point the other day. This whole thing with Ronaldo is the biggest non-transfer-saga ever. Madrid haven't actually made a bid, Ronaldo hasn't put in a transfer request... really nothing's happened.
Apart from their subtle "When Ronaldo plays for Madrid... what? What did I say?" comments.
Interesting to see the slight backlash that seems to be starting to come out of the Madrid dressing room.

[InTheColdLightOfDay]

British team at the 2012 Olympics. Yey or nay?
Me? Meh.
Unless it does lead to a permanent unified team, in which case hell no.

[indoctrin8]

good idea in theory. but where will
the jocks, taffs and paddies fit in?

and if it takes off, how long til a
world cup U.K team? that would
be hellish.

[InTheColdLightOfDay]

Exactly.
Nice to see you back. Thought I was flying solo there for a while.

[Touchstone]

good idea in theory. but where will
the jocks, taffs and paddies fit in?

and if it takes off, how long til a
world cup U.K team? that would
be hellish.

I though Paddies were the Southern Irish. Aren't the Micks the Northern Irish? Be interesting to see it happen though.

What the fuck do you think about Man City? Fucking hell but those guys are about 50 times richer than that Russian parasite at Chelsea!!!!

[InTheColdLightOfDay]

What the fuck do you think about Man City? Fucking hell but those guys are about 50 times richer than that Russian parasite at Chelsea!!!!

Mate, don't even get me started. If even half of what they're talking about is true it's going to be another giant step forward to destroying the game.
It's a huge kick in the balls for all the teams that have been trying to build a team to break into the "Big 4" (hate that phrase), like Villa, Spurs, Pompey, Everton. Just like that any chance thay had has been almost wiped out.
And the money they're talking about to buy the players they're talking about... it's complete fucking madness.
They've confirmed they bid for Berbatov, Robinho, Villa AND Gomez on transfer deadline day. Plus very strong rumours they also bid for Torres, Van Nistelrooy and Huntelaar. Does that sound like they really have any kind of idea what they're doing?
Again they've claimed they're going to sign at least 18 players. That's got to be a confidence boost for the players already there. 18 players in means pretty much none of you are good enough or have a future at the club. Not a great deal of incentive there.
Had to have a laugh at the expense of "My heart is at Chelsea. I only want to play for Chelsea" Robinho. Wanted out of Madrid because they didn't value him as highly as Ronaldo, then the first thing the owners say after he signs is... In January we're going for Ronaldo. Ha ha!
And sympathy for Shaun Wright-Phillips. Finally gets his career back on track, then the club get bought out, buy Robinho and claim they're after Ronaldo.
Apparently Kaka, Messi, Torres, Fabregas and Berbatov(?!) are all also on the January shopping list.
R.I.P.

Sorry for the long post. Just think this is a really big problem.
Anyway, nice to see you back, Touchstone. Good luck with Saha. Apparently he's a few weeks away from his debut because he's injured. I'd advise you to get used to that.

[InTheColdLightOfDay]

January transfer window coming up soon.
Any thoughts?
Be interesting to see what happens at Man City. Lot of talk going round as to who they're after. Names like Messi and Kaka are still getting mentioned, but why (apart from money) would anyone switch from a team challenging for their title and European honours to a team currently about 3 points above the relegation zone?? In the summer, maybe. But I can't see them having much joy in January. With the possible exception of David Villa, purely because of the financial trouble Valencia are in.
It also seems like there are 2 completely different lists of transfer targets, the players Mark Hughes says he wants and the players the owners say they want.

[indoctrin8]

ooh. forgot this thread existed...

oh well, here in the backwaters of
scottish football, celtic won a CL game.
at last. im gettin the top on tonight, and
goin to the pub...

[InTheColdLightOfDay]

So the World Club Championship (or whatever it's called) is over.
And Gamba Osaka are officially the 3rd best club side on the planet.

[indoctrin8]

their 3rd goal was a cracker tho, bless 'em.

[Touchstone]

There was a report in the Sunday Post on the weekend about Rangers and Celtic possible fielding B teams in the lower leagues place the likes of Cowdenbeath and East Stirling etc. Something similar already happens in Spain with Barcelona and Real Madrid having B teams in the Second Division although they're never allowed to be promoted to the top league. Any thoughts, gentlemen? You're both Celtic fans aren't you?