24-09-2003 04:00									#31
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quote: Originally posted by FrustratedPoet That article is wrong: the title race most certainly is a two-horse affair. United and Chelsea.

What do you think of Chelsea, guys?

	24-09-2003 04:32									#32
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quote: Originally posted by FrustratedPoet So it's okay when Martin Keown acts like a stupid thug, but not when Roy Keane does?

I'm just saying that they who live by the sword.....

	24-09-2003 13:42									#33
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quote: Originally posted by The Vagabond What do you think of Chelsea, guys?

They spent a lot of money but they spent it very well. Crespo, Veron, and Makalele are the kind of experienced Champions league performers they need for a challenge on that front. Mutu is a great buy for both the Champs league and the premiership. He really mixes it physically. I'm sure the others will do well in the Premiership as well.

Bridge, Duff, Johnsen and Cole. The young British (Irish) contingent all look really good. Especially Duff. Probably their best signing on performances so far.

Not to mention Geremi who was one of the Premiership's most exciting midfielders for Middlesborough last season.

Frank Lampard is continuing his sparkling form from last season.

Buying good players is one thing but forging them into a good team is another. I've been really impressed with how quickly they've gelled as a team and the competition for places seems to have upped the performances of the players who were already at the club.

Long way to go this season but they have one of the best squads in Europe. Enough players to play two full elevens of international players. They really need to be challenging for the Champions League and the Premiership this season. ManU and Arsenal look like they might struggle if they get some injuries this season. Won't happen for Chelsea.

The Arsenal Chelsea game coming up will be very telling as to how far Chelsea have already come I think.

	24-09-2003 13:46									#34
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Yeah, what Mike said.

	24-09-2003 14:04									#35
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wait, Real sold Makalele?



So is going to fill that enormous gap? Helguera? he's got his hands full in Real's "defence".

	24-09-2003 14:07									#36
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Real have decided they don't need a defence anymore.

Super Becks is playing in central midfield alongside Guti.

	24-09-2003 14:27									#37
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or Cambiasso.

	24-09-2003 14:34									#38
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I really don't know how RVN has acquired this reputation. He's never done anything blatant as much as I can remember. Not like, say, Pires..

	24-09-2003 14:45									#39
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Pires of course blatantly dived no question, however RVN is a prince amongst strikers when it comes to diving.They all do it though even St Gary did.

	24-09-2003 15:15									#40
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On another note has anyone got away with as many blatantly offside goals as the self-styled Greatest Living Frenchman?

	24-09-2003 15:19									#41
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Has anyone had as many perfectly good goals/chances denied for offside because he's so fast the lineo... sorry, referee's assistant thinks he must be offside?

	24-09-2003 16:31									#42
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The best diver around is surely Pavel Nedved. No one can make it look as painful as he does. To his defence I have to say that opponents often are hard against him but that's no excuse. Too bad as he's a really good player otherwise. One of the best midfielders in the world imho.

	24-09-2003 16:42									#43
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Klinsman was a class act at diving, although he was a sound bloke so he can be forgiven

	24-09-2003 17:24									#44
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quote: Originally posted by Park Avenue I really don't know how RVN has acquired this reputation. He's never done anything blatant as much as I can remember.

I was talking with some United fans last night, and they also assumed it was Nistelrooy that Fergie had a word with for diving.

BTW enter 'Nistelrooy' and 'dive' into Google and click a few links!

	24-09-2003 23:13									#45
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When I saw Man U play at St James a few weeks ago RVN played Hollywood a number of times. I hadn't quite realised how bad he was until I saw him live.

You wouldn't catch a really class striker like Shearer doing that.

	24-09-2003 23:23									#46
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Didn't see the game. I think I'm glad of it, given the reports here.

Diving really pisses me off, and it seems to be everywhere (though when I first started watching English football, I noticed a lot less of it than, say, in Argentine or Italian). It turns my stomach when I see a guy go down and writhe in feigned agony, and then, seeing he hasn't gotten the call, spring up and race downfield to help defend. It's terrible sportsmanship.

-Arrian

	25-09-2003 01:59									#47
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Aside from trying to wind up the ManU supporters I don't actually think RVN dived at all in that match.

	25-09-2003 02:11									#48
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quote: Originally posted by Agathon You wouldn't catch a really class striker like Shearer doing that.

	25-09-2003 02:47									#49
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quote: Originally posted by FrustratedPoet

Yeah - find me a pic of Shearer behaving like RVN.

	25-09-2003 03:00									#50
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Shearer is one of the biggest whingers around. Spends the whole game backing into centre-backs and waving his elbows in their faces and then looks like he's going to cry when they push him back.

He's not known for diving, admittedly, but he's hardly whiter-than-white. My impression of him has always been that's he prepared to dish it out, but not take it back.

He's still a class striker though and I wish he still wanted to play for England.

	25-09-2003 03:02									#51
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quote: Originally posted by FrustratedPoet He's not known for diving, admittedly, but he's hardly whiter-than-white. My impression of him has always been that's he prepared to dish it out, but not take it back.

All I said is that he wasn't theatrical. Neither is Keane for that matter. Plaudits to both for that.

	25-09-2003 03:02									#52
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And it was a good result for Magpies tonight, wasn't it? You can relex in the second leg now and give your stars a nice mid-week rest.

Tough game away to Arsenal in less than 48 hours, though. You've really got screwed by the schedulers there.

	25-09-2003 04:46									#53
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Shearer gets away with murder. He doesn't dive, granted; he prefers subtle kicks and elbows and then plays innocent when someone either notices or tries to get him back. Great striker, complete ****.

	25-09-2003 04:56									#54
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quote: Originally posted by FrustratedPoet And it was a good result for Magpies tonight, wasn't it? You can relex in the second leg now and give your stars a nice mid-week rest.

You must be kidding. If any team could blow a 5-0 lead, it's us.

quote: Tough game away to Arsenal in less than 48 hours, though. You've really got screwed by the schedulers there.

I've written off that game.

	25-09-2003 04:59									#55
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quote: Originally posted by *End Is Forever* Shearer gets away with murder. He doesn't dive, granted; he prefers subtle kicks and elbows and then plays innocent when someone either notices or tries to get him back. Great striker, complete ****.

He's a hard player, but not Vinnie Jones. It's a man's game after all.

But one thing in Shearer's favour is that he doesn't let his mouth get away from his head. I've always admired that.