The Official Football (Soccer) Thread

[Invincible]

I just think its an all round confidence issue with the whole team. They just need to go on a good run and confidence levels will rise. The team you have now isn't bad but it's lacking a leader on the field. Wenger should have put his age issues aside and signed Scott Parker before Spurs got their hands on him. Look at the form Spurs are in since he came to the club. Ramsey would of be able to express himself better with Parker around. Lets also not forget you have alot of injuries too. Jack Wilshere is needed back badly , as is a fully fit Vermaelen. As much as I find it funny seeing you struggle at the moment, in my heart I want Arsenal doing well. I want the Arsenal-United battles back in full effect again.

[K.Dub]

Yes, I agree, signing Parker would've been great. AW is so fucking stubborn, I hate that shit.

And to address the right back situation, yes - another struggle; we got a 19 year old boy with 9 matches in League 1 for Charlton last season as experience.

[JMan]

yeah not good at all.. Ian Wright had an article in the sun paper today saying about how arsenal are in such a transition that he'd happily take 6/7th spot this season. Your biggest task is getting RVP to stay (which looks extremely doubtful)

[K.Dub]

yeah not good at all.. Ian Wright had an article in the sun paper today saying about how arsenal are in such a transition that he'd happily take 6/7th spot this season. Your biggest task is getting RVP to stay (which looks extremely doubtful)

I would rather see Vermalen as a captain, even though he spends all of his time at the physio. RvP does very little (or not enough) in rallying the troops in a match when we struggle. Wenger's strategy to give the band to whether who's our biggest star is wrong if you ask me. Don't get me wrong; RvP is extremely important to us, just not 1st captain. However, I don't see any other than those two wearing the band as for now. Also, I doubt Robin will sign a new contract come summer '12

[The_Ripper]

Wayne Rooney's father arrested over alleged football betting scam

Police have arrested Wayne Rooney's father, his uncle Richie and seven other people, including a Scottish Premier League player, over allegations of a football betting scam.

The arrests, carried out across Merseyside and Glasgow, relate to a game between Motherwell and Hearts in December last year, which Hearts won 2-1 following a second half penalty.

The Motherwell midfielder Steve Jennings was arrested after allegedly getting himself sent off deliberately during the match.

It is believed that there was a pattern of irregular betting, with stakes being put on a red card being given. One was allegedly from a new account opened in Liverpool, from where £500 was staked at odds of 10/1.

Rooney's 48-year-old father, also called Wayne, is thought to have been arrested at his home in the West Derby district of Liverpool.

Wayne Rooney, Richie Rooney and two other men were later bailed pending further enquiries. Jennings remained in custody along with four others.

Thursday's arrests follow a nine-month investigation into the sending off of 26-year-old Jennings, who previously played for Tranmere Rovers.

Jennings, who was born in Kirkby, was arrested at his home in Glasgow on behalf of the Gambling Commission.

After being booked for a foul early in the game, he was given a red card for putting his hand on referee Stevie O'Reilly and arguing when a penalty appeal was turned down in the 83rd minute of the game.

He is alleged to have asked O'Reilly when he was going to stop "cheating" Motherwell.

Bookmakers raised concerns when it emerged that several bets had been made on a player being sent off, including the £500 staked in Liverpool.

Two members of the Association of British Bookmakers, including the online betting company Blue Square, expressed concerns the day after the match.

A Merseyside police statement said: "Detectives have today executed warrants at 10 addresses across Merseyside and Glasgow and arrested nine men as part of an investigation into suspicious betting activity.

"The arrests are the culmination of a joint operation with the Gambling Commission, and the nine who have been arrested for conspiracy to defraud are being interviewed by detectives.

"The investigation relates to a match between Motherwell and Hearts on 14 December 2010."

In a statement, the Scottish FA's chief executive, Stewart Regan, said: "While the investigation involves several other individuals outside Scotland, it is important to stress that the evidence gathered throughout this thorough period of investigation has involved only one Scottish match.

"Motherwell FC are aware of the situation and will issue a response in due course. The Scottish FA will make no further comment at this stage."

[K.Dub]

FM12 Demo out!
http://www.footballmanager.com/demo

Bout to check it out.

[Lunatic]

Big qualifier for Portugal today v. Iceland. Normally wouldn't be worried but absentees like Carvalho (who won't ever return), Pepe, Coentrao, Almeida, Danny & Silvio, I'm a little concerned about the team's mindset. Iceland are also quite technical and organized defensively, they will likely try to park the team bus and get out with a scoreless draw. With that said, any attack that features Ronaldo & Nani should be able to break that defense and we should win at least 2-0, if not more.

Will see!

Spain, England, Italy, Holland, France & Germany are also all in action. The best match up on paper is probably Turkey-Germany in Turkey (although Germany have already qualified).

Brazil also play Costa Rica tonight in a friendly.

[K.Dub]

Big qualifier for Portugal today v. Iceland. Normally wouldn't be worried but absentees like Carvalho (who won't ever return), Pepe, Coentrao, Almeida, Danny & Silvio, I'm a little concerned about the team's mindset. Iceland are also quite technical and organized defensively, they will likely try to park the team bus and get out with a scoreless draw. With that said, any attack that features Ronaldo & Nani should be able to break that defense and we should win at least 2-0, if not more.

Will see!

Spain, England, Italy, Holland, France & Germany are also all in action. The best match up on paper is probably Turkey-Germany in Turkey (although Germany have already qualified).

Brazil also play Costa Rica tonight in a friendly.

Gawwwwwwwwwwdddddddddd, I fucking hate national games lol

[Lunatic]

Big qualifier for Portugal today v. Iceland. Normally wouldn't be worried but absentees like Carvalho (who won't ever return), Pepe, Coentrao, Almeida, Danny & Silvio, I'm a little concerned about the team's mindset. Iceland are also quite technical and organized defensively, they will likely try to park the team bus and get out with a scoreless draw. With that said, any attack that features Ronaldo & Nani should be able to break that defense and we should win at least 2-0, if not more.

Will see!

Spain, England, Italy, Holland, France & Germany are also all in action. The best match up on paper is probably Turkey-Germany in Turkey (although Germany have already qualified).

Brazil also play Costa Rica tonight in a friendly.

Gawwwwwwwwwwdddddddddd, I fucking hate national games lol

Portugal always scare me in qualifying stages. If we always qualify, but make it much harder on us than it should be.

We must defeat Iceland today and then go to Denmark on Tuesday and get a draw to finish first place

[wcsoldier]

France can go fuck herself since the players basically said " fuck you to the fans" during the 2010 WC ... as long as cancers like Ribery , Evra and Nasri are part of the team , I won't root for this team ...

I hope Bosnia wins tonight and we get eliminated in the playoffs

[Lunatic]

France can go fuck herself since the players basically said " fuck you to the fans" during the 2010 WC ... as long as cancers like Ribery , Evra and Nasri are part of the team , I won't root for this team ...

I hope Bosnia wins tonight and we get eliminated in the playoffs

Smh, Portugal are going to the playoffs

Looks like France will go directly to Euro (as long as they can hold onto this tie)

[Invincible]

France can go fuck herself since the players basically said " fuck you to the fans" during the 2010 WC ... as long as cancers like Ribery , Evra and Nasri are part of the team , I won't root for this team ...

I hope Bosnia wins tonight and we get eliminated in the playoffs

Smh, Portugal are going to the playoffs

Downed by Nicklas Bendtner. 

[Lunatic]

France can go fuck herself since the players basically said " fuck you to the fans" during the 2010 WC ... as long as cancers like Ribery , Evra and Nasri are part of the team , I won't root for this team ...

I hope Bosnia wins tonight and we get eliminated in the playoffs

Smh, Portugal are going to the playoffs

Downed by Nicklas Bendtner. 

Lol a tap in goal. We were downed by our own horrendous defense (which was missing Pepe & Coentrao) and our midfield's inability to control the ball or the game.

[The_Ripper]

fuck portugal

[K-MACC]

Fuck Italy