Good signing. For any player saying we lack ambition - have some of that! Again proves that Hughes keeps his cards close to his chest as very little seemed to be reported in the press (not including LET), unless I missed it all Just hope there's no silly clauses this time

You only need to look at him................. :ph34r:

Rather not!

As far my personal opinion, I'll be convinced the English refereeing system is not bent when I start seeing unbiased decisions at Old Trafford.

I would think that goes for everyone too. ALthough it doesn't just apply to Man U, any of the supposed "Big Clubs" would qualify.

Would be interesting if The Premiership ever went about trying to "clean" the league up and if any of the Big clubs would be affected. I'm sure there would, if I remember quotes by Jeff Winter, I think it was, saying that refs are definitely biased towards the bigger clubs in fear of not reffing again. Sounds nearly similar to the Italian situation.

Kits aren't too bad this season, not bought a Rovers top since that Black & Red McEwans top many moons ago. Tempted this year though.

How relevant is managing a club side compared to coaching the national team? Jurgen Klinsmann just took Germany to third with no previous club experiece and Beckenbauer won the thing without having managed a club side if I recall correctly, although I believe he did manage Bayern afterwards.

And you can add our own Mark Hughes into that list too. Didn't do too shabby with Wales.

You've already got Real Madrid making moves for Cannavaro, what with Capello now there as well, and Chelsea apparently in as well.

And if the "Big clubs" are relegated, wonder what the coverage on Bravo & Setanta will be like?

Did think that Malouda went down a few times but only "got away with" the one incident.

From The Scotsman:

As the World Cup in Germany draws to a close, it is being reported in South Africa that FIFA executives have made contingency plans to move the 2010 competition to Australia because of South Africa's high levels of violent crime, inadequate public transport, widespread AIDS infection and a general lack of readiness.

The reports, based on an interview with a member of South Africa's organising committee just back from Germany, coincide with confirmation that the country's prestigious World Cup transport project, a rapid-rail link from Johannesburg airport to the centre and Pretoria, will not be ready on time . . .

The country's public transport system is generally in chaos, and there is no transport system at all in three of the centres where World Cup matches would be played - Nelspruit, Rustenburg and Polokwane.

If this is the case, it makes you wonder why the got the thing in the first place. Although I have my suspicions

Virtually no-one cos we have taken over from the Scots of Ali's Army as the totally over-optimistic fans...in fact we are world champions!

I've always thought that you've taken that mantle years ago. But it's also the stand taken by the media and certain pundits too. But having 1966 rammed down our throats every major footy tourney doesn't help the matter IMO. Although, going by recent results and especially with the way the team as whole has played (World Cup 90 and Euro 96 being possible exceptions) it's not really justified.

Enjoyable, but no where near a classic. Too many games in which the coaches and players cancelled each other out with the tactics, and resulted in stale boring games.

The TV coverage was the usual, BBC alright but xenophobic at times (and please - get Ian Wright off the screens), ITV ###### poor as usual, but was pleasantly surprised with the coverage on UKTV G2 with much more of a fun and fan's approach and so stuck with them instead of BBC.

As usual, the hype surrounding the England players (and at one point the WAGS) was truly unbelievable, and the players and Sven, reverted to type. Not really performing as well as they could and not really coming up with much inventiveness on the pitch. And ultimately not having the bottle / confidence with penalties once again. Highlights for England has to be the emergence of Aaron Lennon though.

Germany and Argentina were pretty good overall, but being part Italian glad that the Italians won and beat the French in the Final, revenge for Euro 2000 and all that.

Main gripes have to be; fussy refs issuing too many cards, thought the Mexican ref in the Italy-Germany semi was the best as he seemed to let the game flow; and the constant diving-simulation on the field. Not wholly restricted to one team in particular, as it seemed EVERY team was up to the same tricks, just some moreso than others.

Roll on the Euro's in 2008

http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=40...+line+for+award

Here's this years short list. I must say watching all the australia games lucas would have gone pretty close to the list.

My pick, Buffon. The main reason there in the final, other reason is pirlo

Wouldn't really say Pirlo, not been that impressive. Cannavaro on the other hand, especially how he played against Germany in the semi.

We lost the semis in Euro 2000 in a penalty 3 minutes from the end of extra time.

Wanted Portugal to beat France in that game, pesky French.

I didn't realise that Danns had signed for Big Club

Aye, plus I think we got a 30% sell on fee too.

Not fussed who wins this one, just as long as Italy wins the final. Although I suppose beating France in Final will be good to avenge the Euro 2000 final when Italy lost on the bloomin' Golden Goal.

Apparently Hargreaves only wants to play in the Premiership if it's one of the "big four" teams.

A good game for a change in this World Cup, and even moreso in Extra-Time. Kind of hoping that it wouldn't go to penalties, as with the Germans' record being pretty dang good knew they'd go through if it did.

Two good goals, and a decent ref letting the game flow a bit rather than giving free-kicks and booking everyone every time someone fell down.

Zambrotta and Cannavaro being standouts for Italy.

Roll on Sunday - Forza Italia

Italy to win, hopefully a 'classic' match, but doubt it.

Scolari made a similar substitution in both cases (taking the striker off, putting a midfielder) but I guess he was only right in the first one.

In the game against Holland, Portugal was winning and the lack of striker made Portugal play in a 4-5-0. However, when attacking, Portugal could create danger as they have some fast players and Holland defenders missed a opposition reference to follow. While defending, everyone got behind the ball. That is understandable, as Portugal was winning.

Against England, I guess Scolari decided too soon. England were down to 10 men but he should have waited a little longer to make the substitution. If he was to make it then, he should have put another striker (I prefer Nuno Gomes) as Pauleta was playing really bad. So, for a while, Portugal had no reference in the front.

Sven opted, well I think, to put in a striker to make two defenders stay there. I wouldn't take off Joe Cole in that ocasion, I would probably take off Lampard or Gerrard.

No manager would put two strikers while down to 10 men, unless they are losing. English players were great after Rooney was sent off but they were playing a close game while trying to counterattack and a free kick or corner to Crouch to score/play with his team mates. With 2 strikers, it would have to be a more open game where the missing man might make a diference.

If I remember, when Trinidad went down to 10 men against Sweden, their manager put on an extra striker giving them more attacking options rather than just sitting back and holding on for a point.

Overall I'm happy with the signing. I wouldn't even consider him a replacement for Bellamy, but more the second striker in the partnership of whoever we get. Although, look how long it took before we got a decent striker after we sold Shearer and Sutton until we got Bellamy. Hoping for one more pacy striker to join us, after all we should have Jeffers / Gallagher / Derbyshire / Kuqi (if he doesn't end up at Cov) in reserve. Then we should definitely look at getting Neill to re-sign a new deal, and then start looking at strengthening other areas of our squad.

Well, as always, they do need to find a scapegoat for this tourney, now that England are out.

That's the record then for Ronaldo. All time World Cup scorer.

Depending on whether France go with Henry and Trezeguet up front, or just Henry on his own, will determine how well France do. Zidane, Viera and co just haven't impressed either. And seeing as it was a reserve Spain side against Tunisia, I expect them to play better and pull a win out of the bag, but as per so far, it will be a tense game.

Brazil win. But it'll be close

Eh? Terry's one of the best defenders in Europe without a shadow of a doubt.

I'd go along with that, but his World Cup performances definitely seem to differ from his Chelsea perfomances, as do most of the other players.