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It's back! Euro 2012 is over, but the Olympics have now kicked off for both men and women, the transfer windows are open, early-round Champion's League qualifiers are underway, and Chelsea lost to the MLS All-Stars in Philadelphia last night.

What are you looking to see this year? For me, I'm hoping that Sporting Kansas City can stabilize enough to win the Supporter's Shield and the immediate entry into the CONCACAF Champion's League over the next couple months, if not pull off a run to the MLS Cup. I'm hoping that Liverpool can make one or two more decent signings that don't include Joe Allen, and not look as average as they have in preseason friendlies so far, and as usual I'd like to see all Manchester fans gathered into one place, one known for sinkholes.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

Hmpf, the only thing Liverpool have to look forward to this season is finishing sixth, and nicking more hubcaps off Manchester fans' cars.

Hello, everyone. Great forum.

Lord Jyscal of Manchester

This post has been edited by Jyscal In My Pants on 12th August 2012 10:49

I've got all eyes on Rangers. They seem to be quite confident for a third division side. Could be some giantkillings in the offing if they progress in the cup!

Meanwhile, St. Mirren are top of the league and you're no!

Unless you're Hearts, then you're joint first.

I'm honestly hoping to see the SPL fight it out now that the race is more open. Sure, Celtic will probably waltz home: But wouldn't it be nice to see someone else win? As fro Rangers, I fear that McCoist is falling into a bit of a trap. He seems to be trying to fill his team with experienced players rather than take this chance to build up a good youth side. I know that Rangers fans want to be back in the SPL within three years, but that simply will not happen so easily.

Rangers and Celtic have both suffered from players with a lack of loyalty and passion for the jersey: If Rangers could be bold enough, they might very well be back in the SPL in five years stronger than they ever have been since the 1990s. But if they try and stay too safe I fear they'll be struggling to even get to the second division.

This post has been edited by Del S on 12th August 2012 13:34

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"Only the dead have seen the end of their quotes being misattributed to Plato."
-George Santayana

"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here..."
-Abraham Lincoln, prior to the discovery of Irony.

Yesterday, Manchester United purchased Robin van Persie from Arsenal for around 24 million pounds. Any thoughts about this?

As an Arsenal fan it's devastating losing our best player to one of our biggest rivals. I am, on the other hand optimistic for the season. We've had three solid signings to bolster the midfield and attack, and overall we're more prepared and hopefully won't be thrashed 8-2 in the beginning of the season again.

It does suck miserably to lose your best players almost every summer though...

It's going to be hard to predict what team comes out on top now, as Chelsea have strengthened a good amount with the signings of Hazard, Marin and Oscar, while Man City is still as strong as last year. Man U now have two of the best strikers in the EPL, so they have a chance. Still hoping Arsenal wins though...

I've got to be honest, I'm a little ambivalent about the RvP signing - and I'm a United fan. It's great that we've now got an out-and-out striker for Rooney to play behind (imho the best way Rooney plays). If he fits, and fits well, we could be a brutal goalscoring machine this year.

But - 24 million for a 29yo player with only a year left on his contract, 1 good season out of eight, and a tendency to get injured? That's a hefty gamble, and it's, frankly, terrible value for money. Hopefully he doesn't do a Torres...

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We apologise for the inconvenience

Uh... Um...

So, how about Hearts in the Europa League?

As for that signing, I reckon Man U have wasted at least some of their money there. Arsenal should take solace in the fact they'll likely find the cash more useful than van Persie.

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"Only the dead have seen the end of their quotes being misattributed to Plato."
-George Santayana

"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here..."
-Abraham Lincoln, prior to the discovery of Irony.

Quote (Jyscal In My Pants @ 12th August 2012 05:49)

Hmpf, the only thing Liverpool have to look forward to this season is finishing sixth, and nicking more hubcaps off Manchester fans' cars.

Sixth sounds pretty good right now, to be honest. Sunday's match was pretty upsetting to me with the many gaffes and Lucas injuring his thigh almost immediately. Contrary to my previous post, though, Joe Allen looked pretty good!

Also, there are no shortage of hubcaps to nick off Manchester fans. Bandwagons are well known to have many, many wheels.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

OK, resurrecting this thread to ask: did Hazard deserve the red?

I vote yes, by the way. The ballboy was being pretty unprofessional about it, but that's for the referees to deal with by way of added time, the same way as it is when a goalkeeper wastes time. You don't go and kick Tim Howard when he lingers over a goal kick...

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

Absolutely he did.

I completely agree that the ball-boy was out of order and unprofessional, whether doing as he was told or not. But that in no way validates or mitigates Hazard's behaviour, which was disgraceful.

I'm fully expecting a nine-month ban from the FA for this, if they've any intention at all of being consistent...oh, hang on...

In fact, it should possibly even be longer. At least Cantona had the good sense to kick a grown man. One thing's for certain - if Hazard plays again this season, there's something very wrong with English football.



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We apologise for the inconvenience

Quote (Stiltzkin @ 23rd January 2013 18:01)

In fact, it should possibly even be longer. At least Cantona had the good sense to kick a grown man. One thing's for certain - if Hazard plays again this season, there's something very wrong with English football.

If I heard right, the ballboy was 17, making them only five years apart. That's so weird, if true.

Alexi Lalas tweeted a link to The Sundays' "I Kicked a Boy" earlier. I nearly fell out of my chair (helps that I love The Sundays).

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

I think the European football this year has been really good. Unexpected teams making it through and the Europa for once is being given some impetus in England -- probably because the league is finished so teams and Rafa Benitez need some objective or face-saving achievement for the season. Can't wait for more Spurs tonight. For the CL I'm supporting Real Madrid all the way now that Man U are out.

On the points about Hazard, he's kind of arrogant and psychopathic but I sort of like him. He's reliably psychopathic.

Delighted that Celtic made it as far as we did in the CL. Juve were always going to win; the score was a bit harsh though. I think they smashed a record for 'most penalties not given in one corner'. The record is now 4. But hey, it's not like Celtic have scored from corners or free kicks to get that far in the competition, I'm sure if the ref was competent the score would've been the same. Grumble.

The team will be revamped after a summer exodus but the policy of raising young players and excellent scouting seems to be working really well. Samaras has been a different player this season. And I hear Rangers have tied up the third division! Congratulations to them!

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Scepticism, that dry rot of the intellect, had not left one entire idea in his mind.

Me on the Starcraft.