Bolton vs Arsenal [P+R]

[reddebil99]

If we beat Chelsea at home the difference will be 8 points. Also, Chelsea could still lose to Arsenal, or at least time. That's 5 or 6 points diff. Are you people trying to tell me that Chelsea cannot drop at least 7 more points after that? Don't forget, ties are always a possibility, they don't have to lose.

 

[Eng4WorldCup]

^thats the only thing that can happen, and the chances of arsenal AND manure beating chelsea this year arent good. im hoping man city will also take of another 3 points. but realistically, it is their title to lose now. just like it was ours 2 seasons ago

 

[Rob]

If we drop 10 or 11 points thats only half of the issue.

You got to realize that to make any in roads you have to hope we drop points, and then not drop points yourself.

 

[PaPaGeorGeo]

Were f*cked now. Lets focus on staying second

 

[Eng4WorldCup]

yes i agree... i think if we stay second and concentrate on champions league/fa cup we will have a generally good season. rest our players for prem and paly them more in champs league, and hopefully we will get somewhere.

 

[Hans]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dreath]

I think the title race is over now

Sad case for English football that the title race is over in January.

 

[Bilo90]

Most likely the title race is over.. with 17 or something games left...

but with arsenal and man utd... its not over till its over....

 

[mhflierman]

If I may open the discussion on Mourinho again, I'd like to say that some of the portugese guys who post here are taking it a little bit too far with their admiration for Mourinho. Yes, he's a great manager, but to devalue a manager like Wenger (who had his team playing the best football since Ajax in the mid-nintees, went unbeaten last season and was on relatively tight budget) like some of you did is just pathetic imo. And that list of players some of you mentioned, whom Mourniho made into world class players I'd like to evaluate as well.
But Mourinho is a great manager, no doubt about it. It's just too bad he isn't that much of an admirable personality.

Anyway om the game: !

 

[INFESTA]

Originally posted by Dreath
Sad case for English football that the title race is over in January.

Reminds me of the past 2 seasons when Porto was already the likely champion by this time of the year. People used to say our league wasn't competitive. Eh, now you see why.

Originally posted by mhflierman
If I may open the discussion on Mourinho again, I'd like to say that some of the portugese guys who post here are taking it a little bit too far with their admiration for Mourinho. Yes, he's a great manager, but to devalue a manager like Wenger (who had his team playing the best football since Ajax in the mid-nintees, went unbeaten last season and was on relatively tight budget) like some of you did is just pathetic imo. And that list of players some of you mentioned, whom Mourniho made into world class players I'd like to evaluate as well.
But Mourinho is a great manager, no doubt about it. It's just too bad he isn't that much of an admirable personality.

Maarten, I almost agree 100% with you. Here's where we differ: Mourinho has a great personality too, but it is hard to look beyond his 'media ultra-confident persona'. With time you'll all realize it.
Just yesterday a portuguese channel aired an interview with the man in London, in his house and in Stamford Bridge, and I'm sorry you guys haven't seen it. Here's a special bit for you all (not sure if you've heard about it before): Mourinho has a room in Chelsea's home ground that he only uses 30 minutes before and after the game, to discuss the matters of the match with the opposing manager. Just a honest chat (stuff like 'you almost facked me when you made that substitution'), drink a few beers (he doesn't drink alcohol, though), etc.

Right now, Mourinho seems to be changing football. We don't know yet how great he is. A few years from now we'll know. I tell you one thing, though: if he happens to die right now - and I so very much hope he doesn't - he'd instantly be the greatest coach ever.

------------------------------------------------

Wenger is a remarkable coach at all levels and Arsenal has played some of the most beautiful football I've ever seen! You HAVE to respect the man. A true Porto fan has to be a big Mourinho fan - and I am, but I also know Wenger and Ferguson will be back knocking harder than ever!

 

[Rob]

Amongst man Chelsea fans (and myself) we already see JM as a superstar / legend. We feel its not a matter of if we will win the title with JM but a matter of how many times we will win it with him because I have never been so confidient about Chelsea walking onto the pitch when I see the man at the touchline.

He is a very funny person if you watch some interviews with the press and very honest and a top manager.

The best in Europe IMO.

 

[b-ytter]

Arsenal do you feel us breath u in the neck?
i think the 2 place will be hard for u,cuz we are right behinde u

 

[TOON ARMY]

Well it's certainly not over in my opinion.

Christmas 95, Newcastle were 10 points clear and looked to have it in the bag, how wrong were we to say that.

Just the other season Manchester United managed to breaks up Arsenal's lead.

 

[Hans]

How the **** some gooners here gave up on an 8 points difference ? Don`t be so pessimistic. It`s not fun anymore when you guys stop being a cocky pain in the ass . . .

 

[mhflierman]

Originally posted by INFESTA
Maarten, I almost agree 100% with you. Here's where we differ: Mourinho has a great personality too, but it is hard to look beyond his 'media ultra-confident persona'. With time you'll all realize it.
Just yesterday a portuguese channel aired an interview with the man in London, in his house and in Stamford Bridge, and I'm sorry you guys haven't seen it. Here's a special bit for you all (not sure if you've heard about it before): Mourinho has a room in Chelsea's home ground that he only uses 30 minutes before and after the game, to discuss the matters of the match with the opposing manager. Just a honest chat (stuff like 'you almost facked me when you made that substitution'), drink a few beers (he doesn't drink alcohol, though), etc.

Right now, Mourinho seems to be changing football. We don't know yet how great he is. A few years from now we'll know. I tell you one thing, though: if he happens to die right now - and I so very much hope he doesn't - he'd instantly be the greatest coach ever.

------------------------------------------------

Wenger is a remarkable coach at all levels and Arsenal has played some of the most beautiful football I've ever seen! You HAVE to respect the man. A true Porto fan has to be a big Mourinho fan - and I am, but I also know Wenger and Ferguson will be back knocking harder than ever!

Cheers man. Perhaps Mourinho needs some more time to convince the world of his admireable personality. Who knows, in time he may become everyone's favourite; Bobby Robson.
For now he just seems a cocky, arrogant, ignorant man to me, and he annoys the crap out of me. I think many people feel like that.

On the other hand, I envy Chelsea for having such a great manager. You know he's got people skills, he's a great tactician but what he's best at IMO is organising a team. Both Porto and Chelsea were/are rock solid as a team.

I've said for quite some time that I think it would be good for ManUtd to replace Ferguson. He's a great motivater but I doubt his tacticall skills, and his war of words with everyone begins to annoy me. He lacks that bit of class that someone like Hitzfeld has for instance.

 

[bigp]

Originally posted by shokz
If Manchester United can keep their good form going until the end of the season, then I believe that United have a very good chance of beating Chelsea at Old Trafford regardless of where the title ends up. I am looking forward to Arsenal v Manchester United. I think United have a good chance of winning at Highbury this season.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4178407.stm

Ferguson is the best wind-up merchant in the business. At the end of the audio clip on BBC's website it sounded like Wenger was about to lose it completely, emotional.

I think that's the problem with Man U and Arsenal. They were busy challenging each other that they didn't even focus on Chelsea. Chelsea just snuck by both teams and now have a big lead. I mean why is Fergie commenting on Arsenal when he should have a go at Mourinho? Doesn't he still want to challenge for the title instead of 2nd place?

 

[Dreath]

Originally posted by bigp
I think that's the problem with Man U and Arsenal. They were busy challenging each other that they didn't even focus on Chelsea. Chelsea just snuck by both teams and now have a big lead. I mean why is Fergie commenting on Arsenal when he should have a go at Mourinho? Doesn't he still want to challenge for the title instead of 2nd place?

That's what I've been thinking for ages now.

They've been so intrested in taking the other out of the title race, they may just of taken both out of it.

 

[Vagegast]

Originally posted by shokz
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4178407.stm

Ferguson is the best wind-up merchant in the business. At the end of the audio clip on BBC's website it sounded like Wenger was about to lose it completely, emotional.

"He does what he wants to do in England anyway."

!!!

 

[bjmenge]

Originally posted by mhflierman
If I may open the discussion on Mourinho again, I'd like to say that some of the portugese guys who post here are taking it a little bit too far with their admiration for Mourinho. Yes, he's a great manager, but to devalue a manager like Wenger (who had his team playing the best football since Ajax in the mid-nintees, went unbeaten last season and was on relatively tight budget) like some of you did is just pathetic imo. And that list of players some of you mentioned, whom Mourniho made into world class players I'd like to evaluate as well.

This was essentially the point I intended to make earlier. I was extremely angry to see Wenger insulted the way that he was.