Another feast of football over the next two nights. Wasn’t sure if this deserved a new thread of if I should have bumped the long thread for ‘matchday 7’ - I can merge if anyone particularly cares.
Anyway, tonight’s games see Bayern Munich more or less already through, Liverpool in a very strong position, Chelsea knowing an away goal will probably seal the tie given they carry a 1-0 lead from the first leg and a well balanced tie between Panathanaikos and Villarreal.
I predict the following:
Bayern to narrowly defeat a demoralised Sporting.
Liverpool to be even more turgid than usual and go through with a 0-0 or 1-0 result on the night.
Juventus to stun Chelsea, with Amauri to do the damage.
Pana’ to be this year’s Fenerbahce and seal an unlikely last 8 appearance.
[quote=“Bandage”]. Wasn’t sure if this deserved a new thread of if I should have bumped the long thread for ‘matchday 7’ - I can merge if anyone particularly cares.
[/quote]
Quite right you started a new thread as its matchday 8.
[quote=“Bandage”]Another feast of football over the next two nights. Wasn’t sure if this deserved a new thread of if I should have bumped the long thread for ‘matchday 7’ - I can merge if anyone particularly cares.
Anyway, tonight’s games see Bayern Munich more or less already through, Liverpool in a very strong position, Chelsea knowing an away goal will probably seal the tie given they carry a 1-0 lead from the first leg and a well balanced tie between Panathanaikos and Villarreal.
I predict the following:
Bayern to narrowly defeat a demoralised Sporting.
Liverpool to be even more turgid than usual and go through with a 0-0 or 1-0 result on the night.
Juventus to stun Chelsea, with Amauri to do the damage.
Pana’ to be this year’s Fenerbahce and seal an unlikely last 8 appearance.[/quote]
I think it’s Matchday 8 alright. No qualms whatsoever with the new thread.
That was why I started the new thread in the end, Shan. But there was something nagging at me saying I should have replied to the existing thread as some people had made predictions on it as to who’d progress from the ties overall. I’m sure people can copy in their original predictions like MBB though. I believe I went for FC Bayern, Real Madrid, Juventus and Villarreal originally.
[quote=“Captainshan”]I didnt make any predictions so Im ok.
Looks like Ferdinand should be ok for Inter tomorrow night. He trained this morning. If O’Shea dosent make it then Jonny Evans can play right back.[/quote]
Wouldnt fancy Evans at full back at all…too cumbersome.
O Shea is now a vital member of the Squad and is surely front runner for Irish player of the year.
[quote=“tipptops*”]Wouldnt fancy Evans at full back at all…too cumbersome.
O Shea is now a vital member of the Squad and is surely front runner for Irish player of the year.[/quote]
He has played it a few times in recent weeks and was ok. It s either play Darren Fletcher or go with the inexperienced Eckersley. I have to give dues to John O’Shea. I think he has started every game bar the Chelsea one since Christmas and has been creating goals as well for the team. I hope he makes it anyway.
[quote=“tipptops*”]
O Shea is now a vital member of the Squad and is surely front runner for Irish player of the year.[/quote]
definitely a great year for him for Uts, and is proving his worth as one of the best ‘underrated’ players on Utds squad, the player no team can do without, but who desnt get the headlines.
but club form doesnt equate to international form and just because a player plays well for his club, doesnt make him the best player on the international side. And the easiest example of that is Robbie Keane, was flying with Spurs for a season or 2, and was poor with Ireland.
think Liverpool might be shaky enough tonight. Real will come out and attack, and pool will be sitting back and being cautious. not sure if it is the best approach, but is quite a risky one. bayern easily thru already, and I think Juve can do Chelsea. Altho Chelsea have been winning games with GUUUS, they havent been overly convincing. Villareal should have enough too.
but club form doesnt equate to international form and just because a player plays well for his club, doesnt make him the best player on the international side. And the easiest example of that is Robbie Keane, was flying with Spurs for a season or 2, and was poor with Ireland.
.[/quote]
But, by the same token, Dunne was dodgy enough for us against Georgia at a time when his club form was poor, while being immense for us in previous games when he had good club form. What you say about Keane is true but I think it’s different with strikers than it is with other positions and O’Shea is a centre-half with us.
yeah true, but I think you are taking me up wrong here. just because you’re playing well for your club, doesnt necessarily mean you are the international teams best player. its performances for the international side that count for that, not how your club is doing. I know what you mean tho in that form usually transfers over, but not guaranteed.