Judging by the crowd Liverpool have far superior fans to Chelski. Every team has filled their end more than Chelski did yesterday in the previous history of the community shield. Chelski have no history and are just an average sized club with barely enough fans to fill their stadium. Whereas Liverpool are a massive club with a massive worldwide fan base and sold out their ticket allocation.

Terry was at fault for both of the goals so you can't just blame Cudicini. Lampard and Ballack don't seem to fit in the same team, selection head aches there for sure! Gerrard and Alonso are two of the best midfielders in the world so I doubt Makelele compares to their absense. But Shevchenko looks set to be a revelation in the premiership so it's not all bad.

We don't care about the community shield, we just care about beating Chelski and laying waste to their fantasy football millionaires team. I dunno if you noticed but a young 21 year old completely dominated the Chelski midfield, Momo Sissoko added to Gerrard and Alonso with the added pace of Bellamy and Gonzalez and the assists from Pennant plus a new prolific striker we are possibly bringing in I think we are well positioned for a title push. Chelski are still the team to beat though, but they are are definately beatable.

Liverpool are a bigger club, but then what's football if smaller club's can't have their chance? Manchester United are England's biggest club, yet they don't have the divine right to be champions every year. The fact is Chelsea did not care about winning. They care only about The Premiership and Champions League, and destroying Liverpool 4-1 at Anfield :joker: I also disagree that Liverpool fans are superior. They have a hooligan element (Heysel) and they always cheer when a serious injury to an opponent, i've heard the songs about Riise breaking Smith's leg.

Anyway, one game means nothing. An average Benfica side beat Liverpool in two legs last season, doesn't mean they are a better side. Lampard and Ballack cannot be judged on one game together, the 1-4 victory at Liverpool last season, Carragher and Hyypia were ripped apart, but most of the remiander of the season, they were excellent.

Bellamy will be injured before long, as usual, or arrested for beating a woman in a nightclub, and Pennant will be back inside on more drink driving offences, so don't hold your breath with them. Gonzalez could be the part, we'll see, he's already saved Liverpool against an Israeli side, they should have beat by at least 4 on paper. I wouldn't rely on Sissoko either, he's a massive candidate for red cards and couldn't hack it in Spain, the world's best league.

Chelsea will win the league, and I suspect Arsenal will finish runners up. Rosicky is the best signing of the summer.

Sorry, I just don't think Liverpool or Man Utd have what it takes this season. Neither have a top class striker (yet) and as a Dutchman, I assure you Kuijt will not be the answer, and anyway, he's already said he'd prefer Newcastle to Liverpool, so may not be an option. Liverpool have far too many 'on the day' performers, and the new signings are just that.

Shame you did not get Simao, as he's 10 times the player Pennant is, a player not good enough for Arsenal.

If you sign a top striker and some cover for Alonso and Gerrard (Zenden is not adequate) then you may get within 6 points of Chelsea.

Ballack will prove his class, the guy is one of the most complete midfielders in the world, Shevhenko will score for fun, Makelele will come back, Cech will come back, and it'll be Gallas or Ashley Cole at LB. Kalou is an amazing talent, Joe Cole to come back as well, Chelsea have an embarrasment of riches and Diarra and Mikel are 2 kids who will be the mutts nuts as well.

It would be good to get a Liverpool team and Man Utd team able to challenge, but the likes of Kewell, Bellamy, Crouch, Fowler, Saha, Solskjaer are not going to win anyone anything. They are either past it or simply not top class for a big club like the 2 mentioned. United have Rooney, but he can't do it on his own.

I don't support Chelsea, but don't mind them having money, no other club would refuse to be bankrolled like them, but due to jealousy, people can't handle it.

First thing for your team though, is to get qualified for Champions League. It's not done and dusted yet, although the fact the 2nd leg is on neutral territory, will help Liverpool.

I'll remain unconvinced. Pre-season Liverpool were beaten by 3 weak sides, with a pretty strong team out.

Be good to see a 4 way battle though, so wish your team luck, even if I don't see it happening.

Such a long post and not one reply to tell me how great Liverpool are, how Florent Sinama-Pongolle is better than Ronaldinho, and how Manchester United will be relegated this season.

Don't worry Ollie, I'm not talking about you, but another poster who thinks Pele was never a patch on Igor Biscan :laugh:

Anyway, who are everyone's teams playing next time out

ADO Den Haag away is our 1st game.

Danny Wintjens, Michael Dingsdag (aka Thug!), Gianni Zuiverloon (The signing of the summer! why did Feyenoord let him go?), Afonso Alves (prolific in Sweden!), Rob Friend, Will Johnson & Recoba (Not Alvaro!) are the newbies. Biggest loss is Arnold Bruggink to Hannover, but Bosvelt and Hansson aside 36 & 29) no player is over 26, so potential everywhere!

Is Ugur Yildirim still with you lot? I've seen him a couple times and he looked a decent player.

I agree with all that you have said their :spin: i thought you where a Chelsea fan at first although i do think Chelsea will win the Premiership although it will be tougher, and LIverpool will get 2nd and Spurs Arsenal and Man U can battle it out for 3rd and 4th

Yes he is :tongue:

One of the best free kick takers you'll see. Doubt he will be with us much longer though. Will move to a bigger club, both don't ever envisage seeing him at a really big club. Maybe Feyenoord/Monaco/Leverkusen kind of level.

Nah, don't support Chelsea. I enjoy seeing the big boys getting beat, but by smaller sides, not another big team.

When I first came to England, in the 80's, Liverpool were the best team to watch. They played with grace and were a super side.

Now they have Bellamy, Pennant, Sissoko, Crouch, Finnan, Kewell etc, who wouldn't be fit to lace the players from the 80's boots. Liverpool don't attract the cream of the crop anymore.

Arsene Wenger is the god in the transfer market though. Eboue, Toure (who was a midfielder, now one of best CB's in Prem!) Fabregas, Rosicky, Henry (was an average winger!), Djourou, Senderos.

Inthehood said:

Liverpool are a bigger club, but then what's football if smaller club's can't have their chance? Manchester United are England's biggest club, yet they don't have the divine right to be champions every year. The fact is Chelsea did not care about winning. They care only about The Premiership and Champions League, and destroying Liverpool 4-1 at Anfield I also disagree that Liverpool fans are superior. They have a hooligan element (Heysel) and they always cheer when a serious injury to an opponent, i've heard the songs about Riise breaking Smith's leg.

Anyway, one game means nothing. An average Benfica side beat Liverpool in two legs last season, doesn't mean they are a better side. Lampard and Ballack cannot be judged on one game together, the 1-4 victory at Liverpool last season, Carragher and Hyypia were ripped apart, but most of the remiander of the season, they were excellent.

Bellamy will be injured before long, as usual, or arrested for beating a woman in a nightclub, and Pennant will be back inside on more drink driving offences, so don't hold your breath with them. Gonzalez could be the part, we'll see, he's already saved Liverpool against an Israeli side, they should have beat by at least 4 on paper. I wouldn't rely on Sissoko either, he's a massive candidate for red cards and couldn't hack it in Spain, the world's best league.

Chelsea will win the league, and I suspect Arsenal will finish runners up. Rosicky is the best signing of the summer.

Sorry, I just don't think Liverpool or Man Utd have what it takes this season. Neither have a top class striker (yet) and as a Dutchman, I assure you Kuijt will not be the answer, and anyway, he's already said he'd prefer Newcastle to Liverpool, so may not be an option. Liverpool have far too many 'on the day' performers, and the new signings are just that.

Shame you did not get Simao, as he's 10 times the player Pennant is, a player not good enough for Arsenal.

If you sign a top striker and some cover for Alonso and Gerrard (Zenden is not adequate) then you may get within 6 points of Chelsea.

Ballack will prove his class, the guy is one of the most complete midfielders in the world, Shevhenko will score for fun, Makelele will come back, Cech will come back, and it'll be Gallas or Ashley Cole at LB. Kalou is an amazing talent, Joe Cole to come back as well, Chelsea have an embarrasment of riches and Diarra and Mikel are 2 kids who will be the mutts nuts as well.

It would be good to get a Liverpool team and Man Utd team able to challenge, but the likes of Kewell, Bellamy, Crouch, Fowler, Saha, Solskjaer are not going to win anyone anything. They are either past it or simply not top class for a big club like the 2 mentioned. United have Rooney, but he can't do it on his own.

I don't support Chelsea, but don't mind them having money, no other club would refuse to be bankrolled like them, but due to jealousy, people can't handle it.

First thing for your team though, is to get qualified for Champions League. It's not done and dusted yet, although the fact the 2nd leg is on neutral territory, will help Liverpool.

I'll remain unconvinced. Pre-season Liverpool were beaten by 3 weak sides, with a pretty strong team out.

Be good to see a 4 way battle though, so wish your team luck, even if I don't see it happening.


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Every club has a hooligan element and it was only because of our fierce rivalry with Maure. I don't know what happened when we lost 4-1, but we were crap at the start of the season and we accumilated the most points of anyone from October onwards which bodes well for this season. I can assure you we enjoyed knocking them out of the Champions league and FA Cup semi finals as well! :tongue:

Sissoko got at least one champions medal in Spain when he was still a teenager so I urge you to swot up a bit on Spanish football before you talk about it! :thumbs: A few red cards never hurt Keane or Viera did it? Bellamy will not stuff up again now he's at his favourite club and Pennant kept his nose clean all last season. Gonzalez ripped the Spanish defenses apart last season so when he settles in he's gonna be sensational.

I've no doubt Ballack is a top class player but him and Lampard playing together robs Chelski of all their width, they were awful before he was injured and Lmpard played alot better when he went off. Shevchenko is the top striker They've been crying out for but I can see alot of unhappy egos being damaged.

Frendlies mean nothing, grudge matches mean only slightly more we'll have to wait and see. I do think that if we sign a prolific striker we have a shot at the league but I think we're puting too much pressure on Bellamy to score. So I really hope we do sign another striker that Rafa has hinted at.

come on the chelsea blues :dance:

Stevenage lost to York tonight, think we need King Jase back to organise the defence and hopefully Stimmo will be successful in his bid to get another striker in.

I'm sure you did enjoy beating them (With the goal that never crossed the line)

Asking me to sot up on my Spanish football is a bit personal? Considering I could tell you the Segunda B sides off the top of my head, I think you'll need to find a better argument, especially as Quinton Fortune, Geremi, Bernard Diomede have all won medals, and I suggest you look at how many minutes he played in that season, and how many last 10 minute sub appearances he made. He was poor in the best league in the world, and even the commentators were making comments about how out of depth he was. Now he is in a weaker league, he may do better, over a consistent amount of time.

Don't count on it with Bellamy, Pennant was arrested last August, and appeared in court in February 2006. I wouldn't say Gonazalez ripped all Spanish defences apart, he was quite poor in a few games, but good in others. He looks like an inconsistent winger. Matias Fernandez is the better Chilean prospect.

Chelsea will play with width, with 5 in midfield behind Shevchenko. Makelele, Lampard and Ballack, with Cole and Robben wide, plenty of width.

You need to sign a new striker, no doubt whatsoever, but no-one top international wants to sign so far, even Kuijt prefers Newcastle, which even I find strange.

Btw, the comment about me brushing up.........you haven't changed your name from CharlotteSometimes have you?

What has happened to England they are winning Two - nil !

Any one think we had the wrong captain and manager for the world cup?

Revise that last post Three - nil

Opps wrong again........... Four - nil

I'm sure you did enjoy beating them (With the goal that never crossed the line)

Asking me to sot up on my Spanish football is a bit personal? Considering I could tell you the Segunda B sides off the top of my head, I think you'll need to find a better argument, especially as Quinton Fortune, Geremi, Bernard Diomede have all won medals, and I suggest you look at how many minutes he played in that season, and how many last 10 minute sub appearances he made. He was poor in the best league in the world, and even the commentators were making comments about how out of depth he was. Now he is in a weaker league, he may do better, over a consistent amount of time.

Don't count on it with Bellamy, Pennant was arrested last August, and appeared in court in February 2006. I wouldn't say Gonazalez ripped all Spanish defences apart, he was quite poor in a few games, but good in others. He looks like an inconsistent winger. Matias Fernandez is the better Chilean prospect.

Chelsea will play with width, with 5 in midfield behind Shevchenko. Makelele, Lampard and Ballack, with Cole and Robben wide, plenty of width.

You need to sign a new striker, no doubt whatsoever, but no-one top international wants to sign so far, even Kuijt prefers Newcastle, which even I find strange.

Btw, the comment about me brushing up.........you haven't changed your name from CharlotteSometimes have you?

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You see that type of comment really makes me think you're a Chelski fan in disguise. You sound exactly like Mourinho! If the goal was dissallowed we would have been given a penalty instead. So it's immaterial.

Personal? You're a bit sensitive aren't you? Just because you know the teams doesn't mean you know the players. I think he should be judged alongside other players of his age. Can you name any teenage defensive midfielders who have taken the Spanish league by storm? He had a good run of games last season and IMO he's impoved a hell of a lot and is one of the Premierships most underated players.

Also considering Gonzalez was the key reason Sociedad survived relegation he definately looks a great prospect.

We haven't went in with a proper bid for another striker yet so I'm not really sure what you're basing that opinion on. It does seem that you have something against Liverpool though so that's probably it. :rolleyes:

Good to see England get back to winning ways, it would have been nice to see us get another couple of goals in the second half but still i'm not going to complain, already i much prefer the Mclaren approach to Sven Goran Erikkson.

Yeah I know good performance in first half would have been nice to get another goal in first half but clean sheet was good as well and hopefully*crosses fingers* but it was the first game and everything looks ok after afirst win

Karim Touzani seems to be fitting in well into the Dons team. I wasn't at the Motherwell game, but from the match reports it still sounds like we were the lesser team. I'm genuinely concerned for us, we might be in a good position right now but I'm just waiting for our first loss to escalate into 10 on the trot! Anderson's been pretty good this season and I was chuffed about Mackie's brace; I've met him a few times (he even knows my name! :spin:) and he's a really nice guy, so it's always good to see him tap one in. Have I ever mentioned Russell Anderson, our captain, was in my brother's year at school and was EVEN at our house? :O

Of course, all Dutchmen support Chelsea and none of our own clubs :rolleyes: maybe I realise that Chelsea are a better team. Liverpool fans live in the past, they think they are this and all that, but when did they last win the top division title?


You got personal questioning my knowledge, as all people do when the debate gets too hot for them. And if you know Spanish football that well, you'll know Valencia used him as an attacking midfielder, often coming on in the last few minutes of games to waste time, often with Mista being sacrificed, to accomodate 4-5-1. As for teenage midfielders, Raul Garcia, turned 20 over the summer, probably the best young Spanish midfielder in the Primera Division, plays for Osasuna, you may or may not have heard of him, but Manchester United and Real Madrid have been interested for some time. Iniesta of Barca, Arzu of Betis came through at 19, Cesar Arzo of Villarreal when 17, now 20 he has joined Huelva on loan. This year Javi Martinez of Bilbao and Diego Capel of Sevilla will come through too. Spain is awash with midfield talent, they just never go on and help Spain win anything at senior level.

I did agree a few posts back that Gonzalez looks a great prospect, although i'd argue Nihat was there best player, but both have now left. But do keep an eye out for Matias Fernandez anyway.

Regardless of whether or not Liverpool have said they want Kuijt, the player has said he prefers Newcastle. As for disliking Liverpool, I dislike some of the players, like I do at many clubs. I'm not even English, so cannot dislike a team the way you would about Chelsea. I just remember the great Liverpool sides, and this is not one of them.

Republic of Ireland 0-4 Holland

:hello:

Our old boy Huntelaar netting 2 on debut :hello:

haha!

Kuijt now wants to talk to Liverpool, now Newcastle have cooled interest:joker:

Be interesting to see, if he does join, how he does. Never done it against the bigger teams in Holland or on the International stage, but maybe a move to Liverpool is what he needs............but £10m :blush2:

Better hope Liverpool don't push him on the right wing like van Basten does sometimes, as it's just a waste.

awww i didnt watch england and am to lazy to read all that above

how did they play

Of course, all Dutchmen support Chelsea and none of our own clubs maybe I realise that Chelsea are a better team. Liverpool fans live in the past, they think they are this and all that, but when did they last win the top division title?


You got personal questioning my knowledge, as all people do when the debate gets too hot for them. And if you know Spanish football that well, you'll know Valencia used him as an attacking midfielder, often coming on in the last few minutes of games to waste time, often with Mista being sacrificed, to accomodate 4-5-1. As for teenage midfielders, Raul Garcia, turned 20 over the summer, probably the best young Spanish midfielder in the Primera Division, plays for Osasuna, you may or may not have heard of him, but Manchester United and Real Madrid have been interested for some time. Iniesta of Barca, Arzu of Betis came through at 19, Cesar Arzo of Villarreal when 17, now 20 he has joined Huelva on loan. This year Javi Martinez of Bilbao and Diego Capel of Sevilla will come through too. Spain is awash with midfield talent, they just never go on and help Spain win anything at senior level.

I did agree a few posts back that Gonzalez looks a great prospect, although i'd argue Nihat was there best player, but both have now left. But do keep an eye out for Matias Fernandez anyway.

Regardless of whether or not Liverpool have said they want Kuijt, the player has said he prefers Newcastle. As for disliking Liverpool, I dislike some of the players, like I do at many clubs. I'm not even English, so cannot dislike a team the way you would about Chelsea. I just remember the great Liverpool sides, and this is not one of them

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It's not unusual for football suporters to support foreign teams you know! If all the best players left the Premiership then I might be looking elsewhere too! That's what happens in Holland isn't it?

If Valencia used Sissoko as an attacking midfielder and used him mostly as a sub then it's no wonder he didn't flourish!
Alot of young Spanish players are linked with moves to Premiership clubs but a move hardly ever materialises. Iniesta looks a good prospect but the rest are unproven.

I thought you said alot of international strikers had turned down Liverpool? Kuyt hasn't turned us down and I can't think of any other strikers who have either. Kuyt actually said that he'd like to join a Premiership team LIKE Newcastle. Not that he wanted to go there above anywhere else. In fact he's been reported as saying that he ONLY wants to go to Liverpool now he has found out we are serious about buying him. Newcastle have admitted they really want him and they've said we're going in for him too.

The manager of Newcastle was raving about how good Kuyt was, then he suddenly changes his mind. This is because we're going to sign him and he doesn't want to look stupid.

Look at a quote from him:

Then the interviewer said so it is Liverpool then to reitterate the point at which point Kuyt said "it is my dream club, I cannot say anymore than that, you can say more but I can't but soon I hope I can say more".

Think about it, who the hell would wanna go to Newcastle instead of Liverpool! The only reason Owen did was because we weren't gonna pay 17 million for him!

Firstly, support a team from your own country, secondly, don't glory hunt. I support a team from my own country and It's the team where I spent time living, not to mention it's not one of the big 3. I have no real interest in Chelsea, but know a good team when I see one. However if you could tell me now, another team other than the big 4 would be contesting the title, i'd cheer them all the way. I love it when the big boys are beaten. For sure Dutch players leave the Dutch League, but i'm not going to support another side and be disloyal to my own. I've seen many people change teams and many support teams from other towns/cities/countries, but you can only support one side and love for one. Even if they do wear hearts on their shirts (literally!) Just like better players leave Holland, the cream of the crop end up in Spain. The additions the league has made this summer, make it an even stronger league.

To be fair, Sissoko wasn't there long enough. As for the others being unproven, neither is Sissoko really. A couple I mentioned have played longer than Sissoko in a better league. It may be that Sissoko turns into a top notch player, but he's far from that yet.

I said, Kuijt would prefer Newcastle.

Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt has reportedly indicated that his dream move would be to Newcastle.
Liverpool are also believed to be chasing the £10million-rated Feyenoord hitman, who could be set for a switch to the Premiership.

But Kuyt appears to have delivered a snub to the Reds. He is quoted as saying: "I know quite a bit about Newcastle, they're one of the best supported teams in the Premier League and a typical English club.
"Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt has reportedly indicated that his dream move would be to Newcastle. .

Kuijt/Kuyt, whatever way you want depending on what site.

Although I'll admit, offer a player a bit of money or if one team loses interest, they usually change their mind.

I will agree however, who would want to go to Newcastle? (Sorry Geordies!) One poster on here was adamant that Owen would be in a Liverpool shirt this summer. His injury has stopped any hope of that, although, Rafa wasn't exactly keen on him. His efforts to buy him were small.

Anyway, we agree on something :joker:

Btw, Liverpool could be top on Saturday lunchtime if they avoid defeat at Sheff Utd :joker:

I don't think Liverpool should go for Kuyt, he has done well in Holland but hasn't really looked upto it at international level even though he is sometimes played out of posistion.He seems like a very hard working striker though so I will give him credit for that but I don't think he is upto the challenge of the premier league.I think Van Huntelaar looks the better prospect and he's a few years younger than Kuyt.