Shane

Fuck me, just remembered this nob I got into with saying that Carroll was worth every bit his fee and Cesc was well overpriced. Cesc has had to outscore him five times over now, and he's more apt to win a header. Never seen someone that size who can't out jump defenders only up to his shoulders.

We had a bit of Madrid v Barca nonsense, but mostly Ricky on a wind up. It stayed civil and on point. And I was questioning keith's choice of a Stonewall Jackson quote.

Pep's admitted as much. Don't think anyone has more respect for Messi than his boss.

A brief bit, but not so bad overall I'd say. @keith: Thomas Jackson? Com'on, mate...

Hooper's about 15 years past his prime for that lot.

This is one of the most absurd stories I've ever read: It doesn't get much better from there. Wonder what kind of info the scum have been passing back to the IRA via corner marking all these years.

Stoichkov was the first world class player I saw in person, and even that far past his prime was still a wizard. **Been fun, lads. Off for a dinner with the missus.

Hat-trick.

1a/1b in my little book. Zidane was easily my favorite player to watch growing up.

That's fair, yeah. May concede the World Cup v Euro argument, but the Champions League is the best collection of talent in a single competition. Messi dominates it like none other.

Didn't catch the replay, had to go save the kid from dumping a set of picture frames on himself.

Because outside Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, none of them have ever threatened to win a tournament. The World Cup has more esteem to it, deservedly so, but the Euros are usually a better tournament as a spectator.

Offside for the record-breaker but still an incredible chip from all of about nine yards.

It's a better competition at 16 teams, so yeah. The 32 team World Cup is a diluted field, and outside the South American sides who would you say is a team that could consistently compete in the Euros? There's way too many crap teams in the World Cup now, thanks to Blatter's insistence that everyone gets a ride and a little plastic trophy to take home for the mantle. The expansion of the European Championships is the worst thing UEFA could've done to the tournament. It was nearly perfect as it was.

Check here, usually solid: http://freefootball.org/upcoming.php

I guess part of my rationale is that I hold the Euros and the modern Champions League, especially the knockout rounds, in higher regard than the World Cup. Plus I feel there is an intrinsic upward shift in the quality of nearly all sports, that they are played at a higher level by ever better players now than in the past, and unless one player (eg-Ruth) has established himself as far and away the greatest player to ever play his game then the debate is almost constantly open. That said, the Champions League now is the meeting ground for the vast majority of the best players in the world, and the leagues those teams/players represent fill out most of the rest of the field. Saying the same for the World Cup as it exists now is almost laughable.

Remembered to pull up the ESPN3 stream just in time to see it. Gave him all the space/time/keeper stood down completely to let him score. Also, Thiago just took a shit first touch on a thru-ball from Messi. Obviously the Argentine's fault for not drawing a little yellow circle on the pitch where the ball was going to be played to.

Probably more good books about him than any other player in baseball history. Don't think he was any worse than 99% of people raised under similar circumstances. Not an excuse, just what it is. Very insecure man, and he let those insecurities show in some of the nastiest ways possible, on and off the field. But the man could hit a baseball and run like the wind.

I've already let Ricky wind me up today, not going through this again. Cobb's not even the best player at his position. I'll have a baseball discussion via PM's if you want but that's it.

In terms of self aggrandizing or ability? You'd be wrong in either case.

Bout a half-dozen teams in the world he couldn't walk straight into. **Maybe

Nothing bout the stand, but I always like Fulham. Best home strip in England, and Dempsey's good for reminding everyone that Landycakes won't venture out the US for anything more than a few weeks. Doesn't seem a cunt among'em, outside the man signing the checks.

Used to read it but that site's such a clusterfuck of misinformation from all over. Only thing reliable is the wire reports. There's too many good blogs out there from people who know the fuck they're talking about, and twitter's a godsend for following beat writers anymore. I think the only "football news" site I check regularly anymore is the Guardian. Not for SPL because Murray's the only one round and he's usually writing a story about how no one writes stories about the SPL anymore.

I'm just saying, the same attitude that makes him a crotchety old cunt now is what made him a great player then. Some just can't turn it off.

You listen to Vickery talk about Garrincha and it's a different level of reverence altogether from Pele.