Sports Banter.

Originally posted by MarkQuick

Originally posted by DannyG13
Arsenal getting the toughest draw possible, nothing new there then

To be fair, have a good record against AC Milan so not overly concerned, and gonna have to come up against the big teams sooner or later.

I'd have prefered Basel though, just to show Utd how a real Champions League side do it! ♦

Dunno about that one, Basel looked good against Utd in both legs and were unlucky to draw at Old Trafford. I think Milan are slow and you'll hopefully destroy them with pace, but with the African Nations coming up, Gervinho and Chamakh wont be fresh, so lets hope you don't suffer any injuries up front...

Any truth in the Padolski rumours?

Yeah that's true, hopefully Wilshere will be back by then too. Gervinho will be missed but can't really say the same about Chamakh. Started brightly when we first signed him but really, really don't rate him. Wouldn't be too surprised to see him leave in January, but only if we get one of these strikers we've been linked with recently, including Podolski as you say. Would love him at Arsenal, from what ive seen of him in Germany he's an absolute class act. Been linked with a few German players, Gomez's name for Bayern ive heard a few times who i'd love, as well as Mario Gotze from Dortmund who is still very young but showing huuuuge signs of becoming a world great. Was instrumental in their title win last season.

It's fair to say i'd take any of them 3, but anyone Wenger signs will be good news as he's usually quiet in January which can often be a little frustrating as an Arsenal fan as it's usually so obvious where we need a star name or a bit of depth.

oh contraire mon frere! Big Game? I thought we were playing your mob?;) What odds would you offer me on a 1-3 win?

The same too you mate, I hope you have a happy drunken holiday season and well..... I hate to say it but........ your Bath bet is looking good!

My mate had free tickets for the Bath v Leinster match, she texts me asking for details as she never knew Liechtenstein played rugby?! Corporate match tickets what a waste....

Back to normality after a few days.I missed you too

Lmao @ your friend and the Liechtenstein story,hehe.Epic stuff.Is she blond by any chance Corporate tickets as well ffs.Was a good match,tight and with a bit of luck on the day Bath could have snatched it.Look forward to the rematch this weekend but Leinster really are looking strong but you never know.Bath have some good players and with McGeechan who knows if he can muster up some magic.Will be tough in front of a packed Aviva Stadium though.Would be very interesting to see him as England head coach but apparently he wants to see the Bath "revolution" through.

As for the Villa Liverpool game it's a tough one.Both teams in masssive need of 3 points but probably Liverpool need it more with yer higher expectations.Our home form has been pretty dire this year and been honest i'm not too confident.Thinking a draw as Villa can be hard to break down unless good old Dunney decides he wants to stretch his lead at the top of the all time own goal scorers table.

16/1 for a Liverpool 3-1 victory.Jez i don't know.Have to make this interesting but can't be offering these sort of odds as i know i will be in for a major sweat if i do.I will stick my head out here and go for a Villa 2-1 victory and how about if any of us are right then the other person has to buy the other person their respective club's scarf + postage and packaging ;).Just an idea but open to any other ideas if you want.We will have to do another cliffs on our bets.

Edit: On top of the scarf thing.Before sending,a picture must be taken with whoever wearing it and it has to be posted on here.Do we have a deal?

@ Danny or Wriggers,we need to get a few season prop bets in place as well.So will be thinking over the weekend ok and we discuss next week ok.

Originally posted by MarkQuick
I know mate, great game. Ronaldo showed once again that he's a flat track bully! He always goes missing in the big games, 7 el classicos and not one goal, whereas Messi has 8! Well at least that's the; 'Who's the worlds best debate' settled....

+1

Settled and not even open for discussion for at least another 2 years.Case closed.

Originally posted by DannyG13
Yeah that's true, hopefully Wilshere will be back by then too. Gervinho will be missed but can't really say the same about Chamakh. Started brightly when we first signed him but really, really don't rate him. Wouldn't be too surprised to see him leave in January, but only if we get one of these strikers we've been linked with recently, including Podolski as you say. Would love him at Arsenal, from what ive seen of him in Germany he's an absolute class act. Been linked with a few German players, Gomez's name for Bayern ive heard a few times who i'd love, as well as Mario Gotze from Dortmund who is still very young but showing huuuuge signs of becoming a world great. Was instrumental in their title win last season.

It's fair to say i'd take any of them 3, but anyone Wenger signs will be good news as he's usually quiet in January which can often be a little frustrating as an Arsenal fan as it's usually so obvious where we need a star name or a bit of depth.

Heard today alright that Wilshire is due back in February.Whether he is up to standard by then is another issue.Completely agree with your regards Chamakh.Bright start but has shown nothing this year.His confidence must be absolutely at rock bottom as well.As much this pains me to say it ye would have been better off holding onto the best striker in the world (behind Heskey obviously)

.

Would also love to see Podolski in the premier league and also David Villa but after his leg break the other day that won't be happening for a while.He would have been a peach of a signing for either Liverpool or Arsenal.

Hope ye make a few signings as well Danny.Arshavin was probably his last big January signing i think.We all know what is needed but Wenger hates this window with inflated prices.Same goes to all the top 5 clubs really besides Spurs who will panic on deadline day.Hope ye win on Sunday as well as need Man City to go through a bad patch for a while.The big game on Sunday starts at 14.05 as well Danny and not 16.10 just to clarify that with you ok Don't want you to mix up the times or anything.

ioc

Originally posted by 1984ioc
The big game on Sunday starts at 14.05 as well Danny and not 16.10 just to clarify that with you ok Don't want you to mix up the times or anything

Hahaha okay thanks for the reminder But don't you worry ill be at the pub bright and early for Midday for the QPR v Utd match and won't be leaving until I see Arsenal destroy City (wishful thinking, I know). Lucky that 3 great TV games have fallen on my first Sunday off work in a while! Must be Christmas..

With regards to some prop bets, im always interested so just give me a shout when you've got something in mind. ♦

Originally posted by DannyG13Hahaha okay thanks for the reminder But don't you worry ill be at the pub bright and early for Midday for the QPR v Utd match and won't be leaving until I see Arsenal destroy City (wishful thinking, I know). Lucky that 3 great TV games have fallen on my first Sunday off work in a while! Must be Christmas..

With regards to some prop bets, im always interested so just give me a shout when you've got something in mind. ♦

Glad to hear you have the day off bud.Great day of footy ahead and enjoy yourself.Hopefully we will both be smiling here on Monday.Lots to talk about then and we get a few ideas going.Have a great weekend.

ioc

Forgot to say,probably the toughest draw today but expect ye to qualify alright though.A good result in the San Siro and ye should be ok.Too much pace and with RVP playing the way he is i think ye are favs anyway.

Any real football fans (championship fans) on ps?

Middlesbrough fan here

Originally posted by CheckBop
Any real football fans (championship fans) on ps?

Middlesbrough fan here

No way, unbelievable! You from Middlesbrough too?!

I've always followed the Boro, unavoidable really. Was a season card holder the season before last (first season in the Championship), but started working weekends after that season so didn't bother renewing.

Think the playoffs are the realistic target this season for Boro, think Southampton and West Ham have been too good so far and can't see them not taking the 2 automatic spots. Although saying that, the standard of play in the Championship these days is so high there's a number of teams that could finish in the playoffs.

Can't say I know too much about soccer, but I think Tiger is due. You just can't be that good and fade into the night because of a scandal. I think he'll win a major soon and get moving in the right direction.

Originally posted by harvbucks
Can't say I know too much about soccer, but I think Tiger is due. You just can't be that good and fade into the night because of a scandal. I think he'll win a major soon and get moving in the right direction.

+1

If he stays injury free he's a chance to start picking up the odd tourney here or there. He's got more competition now than ever before so I don't think he'll ever pick them up with the same regularity.

Fedex to pick up a Slam title next year? Prolly Aussie will be his best chance with Rafa and Djokovic not at peak fitness?

Fuck it. 2012 prediction time:

Fedex to win the Aussie

Tiger to get back to No. 1 in the world, Masters title for him.

ABs to pick up Rugby Championship (such a wanky name) - not making a call on the Bled though (can't be bothered checking whether we get two at home v them or however the thing works). Argies to beat Aussies at home.

Black Caps to reign triumphant over Zimbos, get a hiding from Proteas. I intend to get drunk whilst abusing Graeme Smith at some point during the 'tron match, somewhere between the 15th and 19th of March.

Aussies to have their worst year since circa 1986 in Test Cricket. England *cough* to remain quite *cough* good.

Warriors to take down the NRL title under Bluey McClennan. You heard it here first.

Obviously all of this happens before the Mayans get the last laugh.

but tiger is quite old

Originally posted by DannyG13

Originally posted by MarkQuick

Originally posted by DannyG13
Arsenal getting the toughest draw possible, nothing new there then

To be fair, have a good record against AC Milan so not overly concerned, and gonna have to come up against the big teams sooner or later.

I'd have prefered Basel though, just to show Utd how a real Champions League side do it! ♦

Dunno about that one, Basel looked good against Utd in both legs and were unlucky to draw at Old Trafford. I think Milan are slow and you'll hopefully destroy them with pace, but with the African Nations coming up, Gervinho and Chamakh wont be fresh, so lets hope you don't suffer any injuries up front...

Any truth in the Padolski rumours?

Yeah that's true, hopefully Wilshere will be back by then too. Gervinho will be missed but can't really say the same about Chamakh. Started brightly when we first signed him but really, really don't rate him. Wouldn't be too surprised to see him leave in January, but only if we get one of these strikers we've been linked with recently, including Podolski as you say. Would love him at Arsenal, from what ive seen of him in Germany he's an absolute class act. Been linked with a few German players, Gomez's name for Bayern ive heard a few times who i'd love, as well as Mario Gotze from Dortmund who is still very young but showing huuuuge signs of becoming a world great. Was instrumental in their title win last season.

It's fair to say i'd take any of them 3, but anyone Wenger signs will be good news as he's usually quiet in January which can often be a little frustrating as an Arsenal fan as it's usually so obvious where we need a star name or a bit of depth.

In the papers this morning they had Gotze linked with Utd for £50m??!! Its all gone quiet on the Sneijder front, I wonder if he'll be rocking up to the Premiership in January??

Originally posted by 1984ioc

oh contraire mon frere! Big Game? I thought we were playing your mob?;) What odds would you offer me on a 1-3 win?

The same too you mate, I hope you have a happy drunken holiday season and well..... I hate to say it but........ your Bath bet is looking good!

My mate had free tickets for the Bath v Leinster match, she texts me asking for details as she never knew Liechtenstein played rugby?! Corporate match tickets what a waste....

Back to normality after a few days.I missed you too

Lmao @ your friend and the Liechtenstein story,hehe.Epic stuff.Is she blond by any chance Corporate tickets as well ffs.Was a good match,tight and with a bit of luck on the day Bath could have snatched it.Look forward to the rematch this weekend but Leinster really are looking strong but you never know.Bath have some good players and with McGeechan who knows if he can muster up some magic.Will be tough in front of a packed Aviva Stadium though.Would be very interesting to see him as England head coach but apparently he wants to see the Bath "revolution" through.

As for the Villa Liverpool game it's a tough one.Both teams in masssive need of 3 points but probably Liverpool need it more with yer higher expectations.Our home form has been pretty dire this year and been honest i'm not too confident.Thinking a draw as Villa can be hard to break down unless good old Dunney decides he wants to stretch his lead at the top of the all time own goal scorers table.

16/1 for a Liverpool 3-1 victory.Jez i don't know.Have to make this interesting but can't be offering these sort of odds as i know i will be in for a major sweat if i do.I will stick my head out here and go for a Villa 2-1 victory and how about if any of us are right then the other person has to buy the other person their respective club's scarf + postage and packaging ;).Just an idea but open to any other ideas if you want.We will have to do another cliffs on our bets.

Edit: On top of the scarf thing.Before sending,a picture must be taken with whoever wearing it and it has to be posted on here.Do we have a deal?

@ Danny or Wriggers,we need to get a few season prop bets in place as well.So will be thinking over the weekend ok and we discuss next week ok.

Nope, she's a Ginge.

You're on with the scarf bet. But I dont know where I'll find one if I loose?? Which leads me onto a completely random topic......... when you see an anti; US, UN, UK, demonstration on the TV, where do the demonstrators find all those flags?

Originally posted by DannyG13

Originally posted by 1984ioc
The big game on Sunday starts at 14.05 as well Danny and not 16.10 just to clarify that with you ok Don't want you to mix up the times or anything

Hahaha okay thanks for the reminder But don't you worry ill be at the pub bright and early for Midday for the QPR v Utd match and won't be leaving until I see Arsenal destroy City (wishful thinking, I know). Lucky that 3 great TV games have fallen on my first Sunday off work in a while! Must be Christmas..

With regards to some prop bets, im always interested so just give me a shout when you've got something in mind. ♦

I have a sneaky feeling that Arsenal may turn City over tomorrow and the wheels will come off the city wagon over Christmas, leaving King Kenny's Red Army, to claim their first Premiership title......Walking along singing a song, walking in a Kenny wonderland.....

Originally posted by CheckBop
Any real football fans (championship fans) on ps?

Middlesbrough fan here

Hey check, welcome aboard, they're a few Villa, Newcastle fans here, I know they're not in the Championship, but the quality of their football is...

Joking aside, I've been watching a lot of Championship football this season, as I'm fed up with diva like behaviour of most Premiership footballers. Who do you fancy for the title? Are you confident you'll remain in the play-off places? Or will will you kick on for a top 2 spot?

Originally posted by harvbucks
Can't say I know too much about soccer, but I think Tiger is due. You just can't be that good and fade into the night because of a scandal. I think he'll win a major soon and get moving in the right direction.

Hey harvbucks, hows it going?

Tiger won last week mate: Tiger closes out 2011 with Victory at the Chevron...

He's up their with my all time favourite golfers, Seve, Olazabal, Watson, being the others. I love watching Tiger play, even when he's been struggling he's still more exciting to watch, then 99% of the field he's competing against!

Originally posted by Waiboy

Originally posted by harvbucks
Can't say I know too much about soccer, but I think Tiger is due. You just can't be that good and fade into the night because of a scandal. I think he'll win a major soon and get moving in the right direction.

+1

If he stays injury free he's a chance to start picking up the odd tourney here or there. He's got more competition now than ever before so I don't think he'll ever pick them up with the same regularity.

Fedex to pick up a Slam title next year? Prolly Aussie will be his best chance with Rafa and Djokovic not at peak fitness?

Fuck it. 2012 prediction time:

Fedex to win the Aussie

Tiger to get back to No. 1 in the world, Masters title for him.

ABs to pick up Rugby Championship (such a wanky name) - not making a call on the Bled though (can't be bothered checking whether we get two at home v them or however the thing works). Argies to beat Aussies at home.

Black Caps to reign triumphant over Zimbos, get a hiding from Proteas. I intend to get drunk whilst abusing Graeme Smith at some point during the 'tron match, somewhere between the 15th and 19th of March.

Aussies to have their worst year since circa 1986 in Test Cricket. England *cough* to remain quite *cough* good.

Warriors to take down the NRL title under Bluey McClennan. You heard it here first.

Obviously all of this happens before the Mayans get the last laugh.

RE: Tiger +1 mate, been too long.

My predictions, Rugby; England to gallantly battle it out with Scotland and Italy for the 6 nations (Wooden Spoon). Football; England not to qualify from their Euro group. But at least we'll smash the Ozzie's in the Ashes.

In light of his historic double tour winning triumphs, I'd like to nominate Luke Donald as my sports 'personality' of the year,

I know he has as much charisma as an ashtray, but when you start to think of the likes of; Nicklaus, Player, Palmer, Watson, Seve, Faldo, Woosnam, Langer, Tiger etc. and then consider the fact that Donald has become the first Golfer to ever win both the European and USPGA money lists in the same season, well... what more needs to be said?

I wrote this a while back regarding Donald and forgot to post it:

The Plodder.

For the best part of a decade Luke Donald, has been regarded as a strategic golfer or as many have christened him a Plodder. Never one to court publicity or rock the PGA boat, Donald is regarded as being a study in subtle excellence, an accumulator of dollars, rather than an avid collector of titles. A player who seemed to weigh up all the options, look at every conceivable angle and always opt for the safe option. Out on the course Donald’s ambling gait seemed to suggest that he’d prefer to play in the weekly medal at his local club, rather than compete for major titles. Instead of stalking the fairways with the predatory instincts of a Tiger, he appeared to be content with merely challenging for titles. He also appeared to lack the steely mental edge required to close out the deal over the finishing holes. However, thanks to a scintillating season Donald is now considered to be one of the biggest draws in golf and the best player in the world by a country mile.

A week ago he won his fourth tournament of the year, the Walt Disney Classic, which in turn secured the number one spot on the USPGA money list and further extended his handsome lead at the top of the world rankings. He has earned the honour of becoming the first European winner of the American money list and the first to win the equally prestigious Vardon trophy, awarded to the player with the lowest stroke average over the course of a season. The Vardon trophy is named after the British golfing legend Harry Vardon, who won a record 6 British Open titles. Donald has yet to emulate Vardon’s talent for winning majors, but based on this season’s evidence, it can only be a matter of time before he claims his first major title.

In accordance with the USPGA’s tour statistics, Donald finished the season ranked number one in putting averages, fifth in sand saves and eighth in scrambling (saving par from an awkward position). He finished however, 147th in driving distance (averaging 284 yards) and 57th in driving accuracy. In stark contrast Joe Durant, the straightest driver on tour, lost his PGA Tour card, inadvertently lending support to the old pros adage; ‘you drive for show, but putt for dough’. Donald also heads the European Tours Race to Dubai money list by more than €1m and is on course to become the first player to win both money lists in one season.

The so called Plodder has had; 14 top-10 finishes in his 19 PGA events this season, all achieved with his usual consistency and in consummate style. He has punctuated his record breaking season with bold statements of golfing intent, firing bursts of sublime brilliance to claim several of the games most valued prizes. Donald began the final round of the Disney classic five shots behind the leader, in 14th place. He needed to win or finish at least runner up in order to top the money list. With unerring accuracy and almost ‘Seve’ like flair, he shot a sizzling 8 under par 64, which included a magical run of six consecutive birdies from the tenth hole.

Donald has also shown his new acquired steely approach towards winning, on this side of the Atlantic. He replaced Lee Westwood as the Worlds no 1 golfer by beating him head to head in a sudden death playoff for the European tour’s flagship event; the PGA Championship at Wentworth. In an era of overpaid Prima donna celebratory sports stars, Luke Donald stands alone as a shining example of how sporting success can be achieved, without surrounding yourself with agents, forgetting who you are and succumbing to the trappings of fame. Tiger would do well to take note...

Originally posted by liguolong
but tiger is quite old

Are you saying Tiger's 'long in the tooth'... boom boom I'm here all week.......

Originally posted by MarkQuick
In an era of overpaid Prima donna celebratory sports stars, Luke Donald stands alone as a shining example of how sporting success can be achieved, without surrounding yourself with agents, forgetting who you are and succumbing to the trappings of fame.

Nice piece Mark.Saw an interview with him in Dubai last week and the commentator mentioned that he has never missed a cut (can't remember the duration) and Donald was like "Yea i was hoping to keep that to myself" etc.Doesn't flaunt or bring any attention on himself at all.

Westwood had an amazing 2 rounds this week and is also looking in top form and we all know how McIlroy's year has gone so golf is pretty exciting at the moment with Tiger back to form as well.Can't wait for next years Masters already.When is the winner announced for Sport's Personality of the Year.Would like to see Clarke win it for obvious reasons but ain't happening and not deserving either if you take the rest of his season into account.

Funny you mentioned the flags thing as i too have wondered how do they get these things in the back and beyonds of this world.Some cute entrepreneur has taken advantage of the niche anyway it seems.Maybe you should ask him if he can sort out Villa scarves

@Waiboy You happy enough with the new appointment.I take it that it wasn't exactly a surprise.Natural choice was it?Not much info on him to be honest.