nutmegwolf203

Exactly

I'm gonna stop listening...it just makes me sad

We're making all sorts of mistakes, and they scored on a counter

Down 1

like stubbs i guess if they get past the wall very dangerous...who would you have taking them though no recognised free kick taker there really

True True

And why do we let Heitinga blast free kicks into the wall?

All the time

I agree...the white boy thing is no big deal and I'm sure the lad laughed it off (privately at least). It is different from "black boy" because it doesn't carry the same historical slavery connotations.

But falsely accusing the crowd is another thing....throw the book at him for that in my view.

Yeah there is a difference, but the truth of the matter is that racism is probably one of the hardest subjects to discuss via text and the interwebs. But I'll give it a go. Racism is all about those who get it, feel it are blatant victims of it and those who just simply don't understand. For example, I'm from CT, Farfield County to be exact, and Fairfield County happens to be the wealthiest and waspiest county in the U.S. last I checked. So being black and growing up here was an experience to say the least. How many of you here got the chance to be "token" anything while growing up? be it school, a club, or even just a group of friends. Now think about your race or general difference always being the elephant in the room. Now as a white person can you honestly recall a moment when you were refused something not because of chance, or equal opportunity, but rather because your skin immediately put you out of contention (now don't get me wrong every being on this Earth has the capability to be racist, I know that, but here in America, whites forced "everyone else" into a separatist way of life, not the other way around). It sucks, it really does, and if you belong to the majority (i.e. Caucasian) and an ethnic friend, family member or lover says you don't understand when it comes to racism you should probably just accept that. Just like how I have no experience being an amputee or blind, someone who has never been internally effected by racism will NEVER understand it's true detrimental capacity. NEVER, you just won't.

Now that I've said that, back to Diouf. He's a vile human, not a vile black guy or vile dude with a bright mohawk, just vile. Especially since he seemingly cried wolf, which is awful. Imagine a more legitimate situation, like Eto'o in Spain a few years ago being driven to tears and almost leaving the pitch because of how he was being heckled (excuse my lack of game reference, I'm unaware of the exact match, but I think we all know the one I'm talking about). Not just booing and obvious dislike but directed intentional hatred towards a single individual. Bananas? Are you kidding me? That's how you call me less than human and that is simply unacceptable. Usually intelligent adult victims of racism let it roll of their backs and chalk it up to ignorance, in manageable quantities composure can be held and tears can be fought back, but with a giant stadium full of people throwing monkey calls your way one can only take so much.

In conclusion, about the "white boy" statement. No I don't think it was that big a deal, if it indeed was said. There's no racism scale, as to what hold more merit as an insult, but like Mike said, historical connotation comes into play a little bit. I remember older white men, school friends dads, school faculty referring to me as boy in the manner you would address males of any age. Almost as a title, and I didn't understand until I asked my dad and everything became clear. If it was said that ball boy probably laughed about it, because he doesn't feel threatened, why would you around almost 20,000 of your piers. All I ask is that we all keep things in perspective. White Anglo-Saxon transplants from your country dove head first into the slave trade and then proceeded to treat those very (*now)African Americans lower than dirt and around the same time and earlier you guys are snappin up land all around the world, heavily in Africa, just to get mad about how many Afro Eurpeans are crowding your cities. Geez, what's an all conquering empire to do when you can't find the right type of submissive human to belittle? Haha and like I said earlier there are idiots like Diouf who feel like their owed something and have a chip on their shoulder and there are transient individuals that live their lives as regular functioning members of society.

Now I'm biased because I'm a Yank but I think Landon Donovan is quite mercurial on his day, and he's got speed to burn. Really though, he's got pretty much the same attributes as say a Tim Cahill/Clint Dempsey, except I believe LD's a better finisher. He's all energy, and what's great about him is his play is dictated by the talent around him. When he did some preseason work with Bayern Munich I was impressed by him. He could be a speedy talismanic replacement for Cahill, in the hole right behind the forwards, or something.

Just curious though, how would you guys rate Donovan compared to Cahill? Or would you say screw it and bug Hodgson for Dempsey in a few months. Also keep in mind I'm making these theoretical bids for Yankee players to boost patriotic morale.

This is cool. I honestly think we have one of the most unique strips out there this year. I think all of our kits look great and the "viola" is no exception.

Agreed (although in Dan Gosling's case I'm prepared to make an exception ).

Haha Mike, so much disdain...I'll have to wait for the highlights to pass judgement

well said Bailey

Word up. I know this isn't the appropriate thread but...I just want this guy to succeed and at the moment I feel really awful that he isn't getting delivery. We all know Youtube hi-light vids are inaccurate accounts of a players ability, but I would argue the only thing they lack is the ability to translate consistency. Talent is hard to hide though, even with an atrocious soundtrack.

Many of you have probably seen that, but if you haven't, enjoy and I suggest turning the sound off and doing your own thing. Personally I'd like to stop being negative and calling our squad members shit, and perhaps take the more accommodating approach of getting a player to adapt. Why don't we try to get Jo to play like he did in Russia as opposed to shipping him back to Manchester. Either way you look at it, he scored two well worked gems of goals against INTER, in the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. Talent is talent, perhaps it's the system that's the problem.

Not at all

hahahaha Hibbert

Jo to Saha wtf...

Seamus isn't a left-sided player, natural drift inside.... and it's hurting us.

 

Gosling being given a lesson in what an up and coming young player REALLY looks like in Angel Dí Maria

 

Rodwell and Fellaini are quiet, though they've looked neat enough.

 

Bily's drifted in and out, want him to get the ball on target next time.

 

Yakubu looks class, constant trouble for Benfica.

 

Jo is poor, wasting opportunities to cross and pass.

 

Cahill is not playing well defensively, he's not a right sided player but he needs to know that and stop being caught out on the break.

 

Hibbertoni is playing decently, not too well and not too bad, but he's losing out to Cardozo in the air, we've been lucky none of the crosses have been on target.

 

Distin has been our best player. He's looked absolute class. The only defender playing in his natural position, and it shows.

Yak hasn't actually troubled anybody as of yet. I wouldn't say either of them are playing lights out but your assessment seems a little skewed. Jo is at least bringing more of us into play. I think Saha has to come on in place of Yak. He'll atually give people trouble.

This match isn't worrying me...I expect to get one back

Not a very inspiring performance to choose a man of the match. For me, I thought Bily, wasa actually quite poor and I dont really remember seeing those 'brilliant passes', Rodwell went missing, his passes went astray and lacked a little know-how yetaerday againsy a packed tenacious midfield. the defence looked shaky at times although I though Hibbert was unlucky to be sacrificed at half time, it could easily have been Heittinga. My MOM however, goes to Yakubu, he showed some good first touches, put himself about and brought us into the game as a more attacking force.

 

p.s I think Moyes negativity against the 'lesser teams' in playing one man up front is getting tiresome, I can see the validity against the stronger, skilful midfield teams and the need for extra bodies in there. Against Stoke and yesterday, we fianlly looked more potent when we went with two up front. Any chance of any more of that.

Gosh I really hope so...I mean if anybody tries something enough and notices a result they'll have to take notice, right?

Jo delivered the assist?

What's happening?

Any other links...?

Apparently his post-goal celebration was a tribute to the victims of the tsunami in Asia and the Pacific Islands. I must admit it was a classy one.

Samoa...he's half Samoan. He was rowing, and it was incredibly classy. I think something like 150(not sure, but I know it's more than 100) confirmed victims.

Player ratings anyone? Always a good read.

Oh yeah, and lets see Agard get more minutes

Haha, meth anyone? Haha I mean even Saha looks like he's fiending and searching for his fix. This is awful and the sad truth is when it comes to animation, traditional or otherwise, time is a big factor unlike some other mediums. Honestly if EA spent perhaps even 2 more dedicated months on building characters and really focusing they could get them spot on. Any of my buddies at Pratt could blow these out of the water.

I like Agard, I really hope he gets more chances...would be great to see us have a strong English striker up front, who happens to be training around the likes of Yak and Saha

This is nervy stuff now. Glad Yak's gone off, clearly not fit enough but this game will have done him good to get back into the real hustle and bustle of football. Poor commentary again from commentary though, claiming Agard making his senior debut when he's already made one substitute appearance for the club (or am i wrong? I'm sure he came on this year at some point)

I think he has...

Can anyone say "BATE Portsmouthov"?

It's not as bad as last weekend

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