Sporting4ever

He was right... 15M€ for Ronaldo as a fking bargain... Even if he was 18 at the time...

At the beginning, I agree. But there's a reason he got to wear the captain's armband at his age, he's very mature for his age, and would easily gain the trust of his new teammates in a short time. So I'd say yeah, he could get that out of them, given time. Anyways, if you want a DM, Miguel Veloso is a very good player. He's rated higher than Moutinho, problem is, he's probably gonna be more expensive... That's one of the reason I mentioned Adrien. He's a DM as well, very good player, but he rarely gets to play, and that's hurting his progression. And once more, I can't help but mention some of Sporting de Braga talents... Filipe Oliveira, Luís Aguiar, Linz, Renteria, all have proven to be great players, and they'd be keen on a move to the EPL...

did you guys see that Milan has allowed Kaká to have talks with City...? I think it's something around 120£ million... Is it just me, or are things getting sick...?

Well, the press here loves to make scandals and create problems around Sporting. Ever since the situation with Vukcevic resolved itself, they've been after something. Those coments from Moutinho were taken from a pre-game press conference, where he said that what he said in the summer is what he felt at the time, but he's happy he stayed, he's happy and focused on helping Sporting with it's objectives, and when asked about the winter transfer, he said that no one knows what the future will bring, but he'll give his best while he's here. In all fairness, I could see a move, since a player like Moutinho would bring more creativity to and mobility to Everton's midfield, and, since he can play practically anywhere (defensive, offensive, middle,left, right) in the midfield, he'd be a great addiction. BUT, given the current exchange rates, and the significant part he continues to play in our midfield, i doubt the funds are there... As for the news itself, did anyone see it in the british press? Because I just saw a report on a portuguese sports paper site, with known tendencies toward benfica, say that their piece is according to british press reports... IF, in fact, there's nothing there besides the same vague references, I think it's people once again fanning the flames of a dying fire... Anyways, regarding loans, we have quite a number of good players that may be good prospects, and seeing as their chance at 1st team football is very small, might be a good a idea to try that. Chelsea and Arsenal already had a couple of Sporting youngsters there, why not Everton? Adrien is a good defensive midfielder, and has slim chances to play. And next year, Diogo Rosado might be in the same situation... He's a hot prospect, I can tell you.

The best solution would be the 6+5 rule, that would force everyone to field at least 5 players formed in the respective country. It's disgraceful to see teams from whatever league it is playing without one single player born in that country!!

brussels... I hate your mini-cabbages Anyways, welcome. as a fellow non-brit, i can say these guys are really nice, and with the luck they had at the beggining of the season, they sure deserve some payback. So here's me rooting for those 3 points to come back to Goddison next weekend

So, 1st game out of the way, and now, 2 derbies. After seeing this week's games, i think this is the best time to face Liverpool, i just hope Fellaini isn't a significant loss. Afterwards, Arsenal, and i keep seeing this more and more as a win. God, facing Chelsea now would be awesome!! They're clearly out of form, ideas... They didn't put up a fight, practically. Which means United at OT are gonna be though. I just hope they're tired by then, or don't need the points so much, or Everton don't need the points so much...

I don't know... Last 7 matches, they've only gotten 9 points, against Everton's 16. 2 losses, 2 wins and 3 draws... Also, this talk about Oil man possibly selling the club, and the stories about Scolari's dificulties getting his ideas across. And let's not forget that there's still the Champions League games coming up, i see it as a real possibilty, them dropping more points. Anyways, They have 2 must win games the next rounds, at home to Stoke and Boro, but after that they go to Anfield... If they don't win there, they're definetely out of the tittle run, and possibly in risk of loosing 3rd or 4th spot, since Villa also looks good.

Btw, anyone watching United Vs. Chelsea? Does anyone else think that Chelsea may not be in top 4 this year, playing like they have been, lately?

I was thinking about that, but since it wasn't mentioned, I thought it was probably a previous one. Here, we only have a 1 game suspension for every 5 yellow cards. Anyways, He was going to get in the book sooner or later, and with these next 4 games coming, missing 2 was a real possibility. So the real question is, in what games would he be easier to replace? I, for one, thing the FA game should be one. I think there's a real possibility of breaking the top 4 this season, and if that means sacrificing the FA, well... And since it's 2 games, the 2nd would have to be the 2nd derby. I'd rather he'd miss the United game, since that's the game i see as the least likey to win, but...

Why he is out for both derbies? Did he had a previous suspension in the FA Cup, or did he get 2 games?

Well, there's a confidence relationship between defenders and keeper. If you're confident in your keeper, you play more relaxed, more focused, knowing that he's focused as well, and anything that gets by you, he'll be on top of it. The opposite is also true, if a keeper is confident in his defenders, he knows what he can expect from them, and not over extend himself. I think that's what's clearly going on at the moment, the defenders and keeper trust each other, and that means a more relaxed, focused defensive play, since you're not worried about mistakes that might compromise. The thing I've noticed in these last games, is that Everton is playing a much more direct game, decent pressure while on defense, and steady attacking with the ball. Curious enough, this form seems to come when Everton are out of attackers. could this mean that the freedom of movement given the midfielders, since they're not always playing for the pass to the striker... Anyone else noticed that? I've seen a more confident Everton, dominating, and, despite the lack of a striker, scoring easily.

so now there's no jokes in the joke thread?? ironic

My aunt and uncle went too, a few years ago, and they loved it as well. I highly recommend you take a cruise down the Nile. It's one oof the things they enjoyed the most. Oh, and careful with the water...

Well, the reason i didn't mention the teams was i didn't want ppl to use that info to google it It's clearly Chelsea and Spurs, although i have no idea when... As for this week's pic, i remember seeing this game, and since everyone pretty much has it nailed as A6, i think it's not jumping the gun saying it's a United-Blackburn game that ended 1-1, with Tevez scoring in that header... I gotta ask, dark, any photos from smaller leagues, or maybe from other continents? Cuz bigger leagues and games, it's easier to remember the outcomes, and if you recognize the players, that's even worse...

Ok, dark posted the resuts, so I'll take a go. At 1st, i thought it was Panathinakos, since the guy looks greek to me , but afterwards I noticed the patch on the right sleeve, a patch that looks alot like the Spanish La Liga patch: So at that point, i ignored my greek hypothesys (Panathinaikos Vs Panionios) and figured it for a Racing Santader Vs Maiorca match, or, more correctly, Maiorca-Santander. As for this pic, pretty easy, the teams, but i can't guess the game... Anyways, i'm going for F6 oh, and beard, remember that, in order for dark to remove the ball as seamlessly as possible, it helps alot if there's no heads, jerseys, shorts, any player bits in the shot, since he'll have to correct those, and it's harder to do that, so most of these are removed with grassy backgrounds, inside the net, or big crouds, that can be easily duplicated, since they're in the background, already distorted. Of course, in the case of this picture, it could also be in the upper left, A5, A6 or B6. Churinga's guess is as good as mine, so basically, look reaaaaaly good at it, and try to guess. In the previous picture, if you look at it, you'll see that it's the only single square with nothing but grass in it, so the chances of it beeing there or abouts were pretty high. Of course, i wouldn't put it past dark to trick us with face replacement pictures, or something deviously similar

of course wenger wants someone already routined for the premier league, the seasoning arteta has is worth more at this stage, since he wants someone to play immediately, not someone that needs adjusting to weather and pace and all that. If he goes abroad, he risks getting someone that, by the time they're settled in, fabregas is back. Would be a stupid move to let him go, if wenger wants him so badly, make him pay dearly for him. as for a defensive mid-fielder, wenger hs had his eyes on Miguel Veloso for some time now, but isn't willing to pay for the goods, so he's still here... However, how is that 6+5 rule going on over there? Wenger especially must be foaming at the mouth because of it...

Everton has been reducing in squad size for a couple of years now, letting players go in the january transfer is a bad move, seeing how well the team is doing now. Not only that, but practically NO ONE wants to loose players at this stage, so anyone good would be very expensive. Unless things have changed since last summer, and this time there's talent under scrutiny for potential replacements, the best move is no move at all.

If those letter correspond to the teams i think they do, then i believe you're right... I at 1st had thought about ?P and ?P, but then i noticed a small detail that made me realize that neither ?P nor ?P made sense, if that small detail was what it looked like. That's when i realized it must be ?S and ?M, not ?P and ?P

If we do, let me know, i have a few guesses, which ofc i won't discuss Anyways, my guess is F3.

Everton are clearly on form at the moment, and the next game against hull is gonna be the key for a positive entrance into the new year. Facing 3 of the big 4 in one month is no easy task, but if we go by current forms, everton are clearly a force to be reckoned with. I'd honestly prefer one of thoes games to be against chelsea, than for example united or liverpool, as chelsea are rocky right now. I see everton with very good chances against arsenal, a potential win there, to me, is more likely than against the other 2, basically because of how both sides are playing at the moment. the Quantity of midfielders is gonna limit the creativity of arsenal, making it a very tough game for them. Liverpool and united, on the other hand, have players capable of deciding games, and that makes them much more dangerous. My bet is on 6+ points, wins vs hull and arsenal, potential draws with the others. I'd love a win against liverpool, since I firmly believe they're gonna start to loose ground this january, and Everton starting or helping on that downfall is a pretty tough nail in their championship hopes coffin United, it's tough. I'd love to say a win is a potential outcome, but i doubt it more then I do with the others, simply because of what we've seen lately, with so many supposed 2nd team players deciding games, like tevez and berbatov. And there's still "he who'll not be named" and ronaldo... very though game.

A4 seems like a good choice to me too. looks fuzy and stuff

There is such a thing as too much information, mate

A Merry Christmas and happy new year to all, may this season bring you joy and hapinness and a striker

We have organized supporter groups here in portugal, and with regards to Sporting, there've been some problems in the past, so now our more creative guys are called Directivo Ultras XXI. They have a lot of chants, for each player, and a lot for the team, and they sing for the entire game. Sadly, the songs (with a few exceptions) are not sung by the entire stadium, since mostly others don't know them, or don't want to sing songs from DUXXI... Stupid, really, but what can you do...? Anyways, here's a link to their media page, where you can hear some of their chants: http://duxxi.org/sporting/index.php?option...0&Itemid=92 If there's anyone in particular you want me to translate, I'll do it, just let me know and I'll try. anyways, here's a few videos too: Lirics: Todos ao estadio durante todo o ano toda é festa é so porque te amo eu vou cantar mesmo que fique rouco se tu venceres fazes-me ficar louco... Nao posso viver sem ti tenho que te ver ganhar estaremos sempre aqui onde o Sporting jogar eu estarei sempre a cantar cantar ate ficar rouco faz-me ficar Louco Força Sporting allez la la la la la la la la la la la .. Translated, it's something like this: Everyone to the stadium all troughout the year All this celebration is because I love you I'm going to sing, even if I go hoarse If you you win, you make me go insane I can't live without you, i need to see you win We'll always be here, wherever Sporting plays I will always be singing singing untill i go hoarse, you make me go insane Go Sporting Allez la la la la la la la la la la la... Lirics: se algum dia não vires as nossas bandeiras... se algum dia o tambor não tocar... se algum dia a nossa voz tu não ouvires... então Sporting o mundo vai acabar... se algum dia se apagar a nossa chama... se algum dia a nossa força nos faltar... se algum dia não ouvires que te amo... então Sporting o mundo vai acabar... If someday you don't see our flags If someday the drum doesn't beat If someday our voice isn't heard Then Sporting, the world is gonna end If someday our flame goes out If someday our strengh is lacking If someday you don't year that I love you Then Sporting, the world is gonna end There's a couple of others i'd like to leave for your consideration: sung to the tune of My way, by Sinatra : O Mundo sabe que Pelo teu amor, eu sou doente Farei o meu melhor Para te ver sempre na frente Irei onde o coração me levar E sem receio... Farei...o que puder Pelo meu Sporting The world knows that For your love, i am sick I'll do my best To always see you in the lead I'll go wherever my heart takes me And with no fear I'll do.. whatever i can For my Sporting this last one is one of my favorites, i have it as a ring tone on my cellphone, i tried to find a video or link, but couldn't... if I do, i'll link it later: Força força Sporting Contigo em toda a parte Eu te amo Contigo quero dar A volta ao Mundo Quero passar contigo Todo o ano Todo o ano Isso que diz toda a gente Que somos violentos E somos delinquentes Não lhes faço caso Vou a todo o lado Sou da Juve Leo Sou descontrolado La La La La La La... Go go Sporting With you everywhere I love you With you i want to go Around the world I want to be with you All through the year All through the year The things that everyone says That we're violent That we're delinquents I don't give them credit I go everywhere I'm from Juve Leo I'm out of control La La La La La La... This last one, i can't remember the tune... It's just out of my reach, you know...? When I think i have it, it slips away...