I reckon I have brought up the subject of football at least 3 or 4 times at work, but it appears that the beautiful game is not nearly as popular in this part of the world.
So I've started this thread for people to disuss their views on the coming season (and I don't want to limit it to a particular league), but talking points have surely got to include Man City, and their summer signings from a seemingly unlimited budget - I read somewhere that Yaya Toure will earn £200,000 a week! I also think Mario Balotelli is a fantastic player, and though he has a famous temper I understand he got on well with Roberto Mancini at Inter and that relationship could really help him - I noticed he got a debut goal last night.
Also Young Boys result against Tottenham has led me to believe that Swiss teams may even be worth watching, has anyone been to any good matches here? I'd certainly be interested in seeing some European games - it looks like Basel could have a decent run in the Europa League.
Anyway, please - join in, and provide a bit of football talk for me to engage in.
I know there is a section here for discussing football, but you know there are actually people that support the Swiss - me, but probably the only one here.
In the far gone days when I was english, about 40 years ago, I was a West ham United supporter, like my dad and I went to all the home matches for a few years. It was the days you could afford it. Now being in Switzerland for the past two thirds of my life, I have got to know about Swiss football and yes, I must admit, in an international match I am on the Swiss side of things. It's a wonder I am allowed to keep my British passport.
Ok Solothurn, where I live, does not have a team to talk about, but I like to watch Basel play and the Swiss international team whose players I know of better than the english. I was so happy when Behrami went to play for West Ham, but even he did not save the miserable situation they are now in.
The swiss League is painful to watch, but alas, I hope Man Citiy(im rooting for them this season ) gets to finish in the top 4 this season, probably it's gonna be a battle for the title between Man U, Chelsea, Man City, and maybe Arsenal or Liverpool.
But I'm far more excited about La Liga, I want to see how Mourinho does with Real Madrid and how Barcelona reacts!! Now that's gonna be fun to watch!
I would be happy to see the premiership get mixed up a bit this year, but i guess that's only because i don't support any of the 'big 4', although chelsea (and drogba in particular) have been brilliant so far and they have to be favourites for the league.
Im a big fan of Mourinho - very smart and very entertaining. I can't imagine he'll fail at madrid.
I'd also like to apologise for posting this under the wrong topic. I looked into how to change / remove the thread but alas it seems I am powerless to do so as long as I am a 'newbie'.
Well, I think the it's still going to be a dual between Man Utd. and Chelsea. Chelsea is so freaking stable, they play well, they win, they don't play so well, they still win. They already played two 6:0 games (poor Wigan ). And you should give credit to Carlo Ancelotti, good manager. Man Utd. also stands a good chance as long as Rio Ferdinand stays healthy. The game with Fulham just told us how Ferdinand and Rooney can contribute to the team. Anyway, Fergie definitely don't want to lose again the title race. For Man City, let's just hope Roberto Mancini wouldn't get fired during the season. They have good players, but without the chemistry among them. I would also add Hotspur among Man City, Gunners and Liverpool competing for the third place.
You gonna both love and hate Mourinho so much. Yes, he is the special one. I agree with domdf can't imagine he'd fail in Madrid.
Big up to all the MCFC fans. Drink blue moon beer, its so so good, I hear
Chelsea have scored 29 goals in their last 5 league games. That could be a record.
Borinho could well fail in madrid. Capello won the league, and got sacked and the white hankerchiefs fro playing boring football. If they though he played boring...Even if they win the treble (unlikely - I see barca as the better team, esp now with villa, and soon to come masherano and fabregas), if it'as mainly 1-0 wins killing the game with the typical borinho style, I doubt whether the 100 000 who turn up every week to be enetertained will stand for it.
Adam Johnson and Joe Hart were terrific. Mancini should try to give Adebayor some chances. He can still be a thrilling striker (oh that celebration in the game against the Gunners...)
For Mourinho, I'd like to argue otherwise. Sure his football is anything but fancy, but you can tell that the fans just love him (Chelsea and Inter). Most importantly, Madrid is desperate for a league title and even the champions league, they got beaten up by Barca really hard these years. So if Mourinho can unite the team and win back the title in the first year, I guess fans would accept him for sure. It's true they love beautiful soccer, but that's something to be discussed later isn't that
I am really excited about the start to the season, and Bale starting off where he left off...all the times of talking about him being a jinx and not being in a winning team for 20 odd games.
Best left side player in the league. Look forward to another vracking volley or solo run.
Good to hear Basher.....so which team are you? From any of the OTHER Big 4? I will enjoy it for a season at least...as it seems Liverpool may not be back and well Man City have some gelling to do.
Thi might just be the highlight of the next 50 years....or maybe as my brother keeps telling me 'The dog days are over!' Assisted by a Spurs montage of last season to the music by Florence and the machine.
Ha ha ha . . I hope so, it`s about time there was some new English teams showing the flag in Europe.
As for me? well, let`s put it this way . . we won`t be bothering anyone in Europe for a while . . although we are 2 times European Cup winners . . .ah those good, great old days
Aye . . strangely enough I was there at Cloughies first game as manager. He sat high up in the stand and watched with his arms folded. He left the game in charge of the caretaker manager. It was an FA cup replay . . which we won 1-0 . . . against Spurs!
I had a chance to meet the great man on 2 occassions but unfortunately not the most friendly.
First - I was playing local league sunday football in Nottingham and we turned up for one away match, the other team told us of a pitch change.
The new pitch was unbleievable, like a snooker table . grass all over and dead flat. What they DIN`T tell us was that it belonged to Nottingham Forest youth team . Half way through the first half, this tractor turns up towing a trailer full of Forest youth team. Driver was Mr Clough . . he calmly got down from the tractor, walked onto the pitch, picked up the ball and booted it into the river Trent . . then told us all to `Piss off!`