What has Franck Ribery been up to ?

[Gonzo 419]

C Tom, Did you contact Pep Guardiola and Joachim Löw and put in a good word for Schweinsteiger? He played for Bayern yesterday and kicked a goal as well, when they had a 4:0 win against Hannover 96 in the Bundesliga. Franck Ribery is still out with a sore bum.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

C Tom, Did you contact Pep Guardiola and Joachim Löw and put in a good word for Schweinsteiger?

 

Yes, Joachim, or Jocky to his mates, called me ... he was on about booking a holiday in Gibralter though.

[Gonzo 419]

 

Yes, Joachim, or Jocky to his mates, called me ... he was on about booking a holiday in Gibralter though.

Before you check it out on Google, I was wrong about Schweinsteiger scoring a goal. Schweini got a high ball to Thiago, who converted from 8 metres (34). Müller scored twice (25), (59) and Mandzukic in the 66th minute.

 

Is there any substance to the rumours about Man U wanting to buy Schweinsteiger at the end of this season? He is under contract until 2016.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Before you check it out on Google, I was wrong about Schweinsteiger scoring a goal. Schweini got a high ball to Thiago, who converted from 8 metres (34). Müller scored twice (25), (59) and Mandzukic in the 66th minute.

 

Is there any substance to the rumours about Man U wanting to buy Schweinsteiger at the end of this season? He is under contract until 2016.

 

Too late ... the game was live on Astro Supersport 3 ... do you have TV in Jomtien?

 

If Schweinsteiger is on ManU's hit list, it'll be alongside another 20-30 players whose names have been mentioned.

Edited February 24, 2014 by CheshireTom

[Gonzo 419]

Hi CT, How much do you pay for Astro Sport and what is available on Astro Sport regarding live broadcasts of the Bundesliga and the World Cup in Brazil?

[CheshireTom 1,377]

I pay 8.7k Baht for 6 months ... on the basis of a genuine set-top box and AstroCard. Astro has various packages available and you can tailor them to suit yourself (to a certain extent) - mine basically comprises Sports, Movies, Knowledge, Family and News - all incl HD.

 

As far as the World Cup goes ... there will be 10 channels (5 x SD and 5 x HD) and all 64 games will be broadcast live (with English commentary). Bundesliga - normally around 3 live games and another couple "delayed". For this coming weekend (times are Malay clock) ...

 

Supersport 3

 

Sat 1 Mar

 

03:25-05:30

(L) Bundesliga: Hertha BSC vs Freiburg

LIVE: Bundesliga 2013/14: Match Day 23: Hertha Berlin vs. SC Freiburg from the Olympiastadion, Berlin.

 

Sun 2 Mar

 

01:25-03:30

(L) Bundesliga:

B. Munich vs Schalke 04

LIVE: Bundesliga 2013/14: Match Day 23: FC Bayern Munich vs FC Schalke 04 from the Allianz Arena, Munich.

03:30-05:20

 

(D) Bundesliga: B.Dortmund vs Nuremberg

 

Bundesliga 2013/14: Match Day 23: Borussia Dortmund vs FC Nuremberg from the Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund.

 

14:00-16:00

(D) Bundesliga: Leverkusen vs

Mainz

Bundesliga 2013/2014: Matchday 23: Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs FSV Mainz 05 from the BayArena,Leverkusen.

 

22:25-00:25

(L) Bundesliga: Hoffenheim vs Wolfsburg

LIVE: Bundesliga 2013/2014: Matchday 23: 1899 Hoffenheim vs VfL Wolfsburg from the Rhein-Neckar Arena, Sinsheim.

Edited February 24, 2014 by CheshireTom

[Gonzo 419]

I pay 8.7k Baht for 6 months ... on the basis of a genuine set-top box and AstroCard. Astro has various packages available and you can tailor them to suit yourself (to a certain extent) - mine basically comprises Sports, Movies, Knowledge, Family and News - all incl HD.

 

As far as the World Cup goes ... there will be 10 channels (5 x SD and 5 x HD) and all 64 games will be broadcast live (with English commentary). Bundesliga - normally around 3 live games and another couple "delayed". For this coming weekend (times are Malay clock) ...

 

Supersport 3

 

Sat 1 Mar

 

03:25-05:30

(L) Bundesliga: Hertha BSC vs Freiburg

LIVE: Bundesliga 2013/14: Match Day 23: Hertha Berlin vs. SC Freiburg from the Olympiastadion, Berlin.

 

Sun 2 Mar

 

01:25-03:30

(L) Bundesliga:

B. Munich vs Schalke 04

LIVE: Bundesliga 2013/14: Match Day 23: FC Bayern Munich vs FC Schalke 04 from the Allianz Arena, Munich.

03:30-05:20

 

(D) Bundesliga: B.Dortmund vs Nuremberg

 

Bundesliga 2013/14: Match Day 23: Borussia Dortmund vs FC Nuremberg from the Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund.

 

14:00-16:00

(D) Bundesliga: Leverkusen vs

Mainz

Bundesliga 2013/2014: Matchday 23: Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs FSV Mainz 05 from the BayArena,Leverkusen.

 

22:25-00:25

(L) Bundesliga: Hoffenheim vs Wolfsburg

LIVE: Bundesliga 2013/2014: Matchday 23: 1899 Hoffenheim vs VfL Wolfsburg from the Rhein-Neckar Arena, Sinsheim.

CT, Thanks for the information. I will give it some thought. If I decide to go back to Australia before the World Cup, I would be more inclined to sign up with Astro after I return to Jomtien later this year.

[Gonzo 419]

Forget about Ribery and Bayern, Chelsea, Barcelona and the rest. Liverpool and their Brit and Aussie fans are what really matters in football.

 

[Gonzo 419]

I think we have seen the best of Frank Ribery after the way he performed against against Real Madrid. He is still a great player, but he won't be a match winner for France in Brazil, in my humble opinion. And why oh why did Bayern sign up Guardiola without his boy Lionel Messi. Guardiola managed to fuck up very a very capable Bayern team within a couple of month.

[Obsession 571]

I think we have seen the best of Frank Ribery after the way he performed against against Real Madrid. He is still a great player, but he won't be a match winner for France in Brazil, in my humble opinion. And why oh why did Bayern sign up Guardiola without his boy Lionel Messi. Guardiola managed to fuck up very a very capable Bayern team within a couple of month.

Barca were humbled last year in the CL. This year Bayern were. Guardiola is the common denominator!!!

 

I don't think Bayern should change their style to tippy tappy. That worked with Xavi, Inesta and Messi. But not with others, as you need special players to perform it. I think that style is on the way out already.

[Gonzo 419]

Barca were humbled last year in the CL. This year Bayern were. Guardiola is the common denominator!!!

 

I don't think Bayern should change their style to tippy tappy. That worked with Xavi, Inesta and Messi. But not with others, as you need special players to perform it. I think that style is on the way out already.

I totally agree with you. There is one more thing I would like to point out. Bayern M. has been an enormously successful enterprise financially for a very long time, making huge profits year after year , which allowed them to buy the best players from other counties and from other German clubs. That is probably the reason Bayern is hated in Germany outside of Bavaria. They fucked up the Bundesliga by being able to afford to field two teams with enough depth to beat other Budesliga teams week after week. After having secured the championship in record time they thought they invincible and relaxed. They struggled against Braunschweig and lost 3 to nothing against the most popular team in Germany, BVB Dortmund, from whom they stole Götze and are now in the process of getting Lewandowski as well. It all about money and nothing else seems important.

 

Bayen must have thought, Real Madrid would not be to difficult. They were totally wrong.R. Madrid knew exactly how they could crack Bayern. I watched both games at the Bernabeau Santiago and at the Allianz stadium in Munich and it was painful to watch.I don't want to take anything away from Real Madrid. They played superbly in both legs. they knew exactly how to handle Bayern M. with Guardiola's ticky tacky garbage. Ottmar Hitzfeld must have been thinking to himself, that replacing him with Pep wasn't such a good idea.

 

Any team becoming complacent will pay a price eventually, no matter what their past record will tell you. I yearn for the days when certain countries only allowed two foreign player in their teams and it should be reintroduced, to allow local players to develop and eventually represent their country to a high level as well.

[Obsession 571]

I totally agree with you. There is one more thing I would like to point out. Bayern M. has been an enormously successful enterprise financially for a very long time, making huge profits year after year , which allowed them to buy the best players from other counties and from other German clubs. That is probably the reason Bayern is hated in Germany outside of Bavaria. They fucked up the Bundesliga by being able to afford to field two teams with enough depth to beat other Budesliga teams week after week. After having secured the championship in record time they thought they invincible and relaxed. They struggled against Braunschweig and lost 3 to nothing against the most popular team in Germany, BVB Dortmund, from whom they stole Götze and are now in the process of getting Lewandowski as well. It all about money and nothing else seems important.

 

Bayen must have thought, Real Madrid would not be to difficult. They were totally wrong.R. Madrid knew exactly how they could crack Bayern. I watched both games at the Bernabeau Santiago and at the Allianz stadium in Munich and it was painful to watch.I don't want to take anything away from Real Madrid. They played superbly in both legs. they knew exactly how to handle Bayern M. with Guardiola's ticky tacky garbage. Ottmar Hitzfeld must have been thinking to himself, that replacing him with Pep wasn't such a good idea.

 

Any team becoming complacent will pay a price eventually, no matter what their past record will tell you. I yearn for the days when certain countries only allowed two foreign player in their teams and it should be reintroduced, to allow local players to develop and eventually represent their country to a high level as well.

Good points. I can't understand Bayern wanting to go from a strong physical , successful game, to the Barca way of keeping possession and trying to walk it into the net. Did you hear that Guardiola bans long range shots, as it wastes possession!!! I like long range shots as if they don't score, deflections and rebounds can play in your favour. And a non shooting policy helps opposing defenders narrow down the options they think players will take.

When Barca used tippy tappy, with the right players. it worked as it was new. But now other managers have had a few seasons to suss out counter strategies, and Barca are struggling. I think Bayern messed up by abandoning a whole club philosophy.

I'm right behind you with home grown talent. Unfortunately, due to uncontrolled immigration, native Brits are being crowded out of opportunities. Their grandfathers died in wars to preserve their future, for their future to be given away by PC politicians. And wait for the world cup. Countries like Sweden won't be all Bjorns and Svens. It will be Morrocons and Africans. It's nonsense.

[Parkwahn 61]

Barca were humbled last year in the CL. This year Bayern were. Guardiola is the common denominator!!!

 

I don't think Bayern should change their style to tippy tappy. That worked with Xavi, Inesta and Messi. But not with others, as you need special players to perform it. I think that style is on the way out already.

 

Last year they played tippy but with power, I think they suffered not having any competitive football at home,same as Juventus ..

 

It's ok knocking over rubbish teams week after week, but unless you are tested you won't improve...

 

I did think they would beat Madrid over two legs..

[Obsession 571]

I did think they would beat Madrid over two legs..

 

I thought that as well. I saw A. Madrid about 3 times previous and was never impressed. Although I think they were missing Turan. Great season for them though, they must be better than I thought. I think I heard that Simeone took them over as relegation candidates. Fantastic job by him.

[Parkwahn 61]

I thought that as well. I saw A. Madrid about 3 times previous and was never impressed. Although I think they were missing Turan. Great season for them though, they must be better than I thought. I think I heard that Simeone took them over as relegation candidates. Fantastic job by him.

 

Yes it's great to see teams without unlimited money compete, that said I would like to see Real win final as Ronaldo and Bale are pure class and they play attacking football...

 

Shame about Liverpool small squad, would have been amazing for them to beat Chelsea and City over 38 games... A miracle almost..well they don't happen...

 

It's a bit daft people thinking big 4 all this rubbish , there are two super wealthy teams City and Chelsea they will dominate as will Barca, Real and Bayern...

 

Many fans are clueless.......and can't see they are being fed pups,, the CPL two legs league and seeded.... Guess who goes through 99 times out of 100....

 

Add in sponsors want the big names there, flaky referring at times it's like wrestling....

[Parkwahn 61]

Good points. I can't understand Bayern wanting to go from a strong physical , successful game, to the Barca way of keeping possession and trying to walk it into the net. Did you hear that Guardiola bans long range shots, as it wastes possession!!! I like long range shots as if they don't score, deflections and rebounds can play in your favour. And a non shooting policy helps opposing defenders narrow down the options they think players will take.

When Barca used tippy tappy, with the right players. it worked as it was new. But now other managers have had a few seasons to suss out counter strategies, and Barca are struggling. I think Bayern messed up by abandoning a whole club philosophy.

I'm right behind you with home grown talent. Unfortunately, due to uncontrolled immigration, native Brits are being crowded out of opportunities. Their grandfathers died in wars to preserve their future, for their future to be given away by PC politicians. And wait for the world cup. Countries like Sweden won't be all Bjorns and Svens. It will be Morrocons and Africans. It's nonsense.

 

Good post, I thought Bayern played tippy tappy and power, Guardiola should have kept same strategy... No long range shooting.,, garbage , balance is the word,,,

 

Watch Jack Wilshire 8 touches then a foul and he gets injured, why not 1 or 2 touch !!!!

 

He thinks he is Messi the clown...

 

Football needs mixing up... Last years Bayern were unplayable,,,,

[Obsession 571]

I would like to see Real win final as Ronaldo and Bale are pure class and they play attacking football...

 

That's the way I like to see it played. They have one thing in mind when the get possession, and that's to get it forward, fast. I saw Sunderland play like that a few weeks ago. Great stuff. No wonder they are on such a winning run.

[Parkwahn 61]

 

That's the way I like to see it played. They have one thing in mind when the get possession, and that's to get it forward, fast. I saw Sunderland play like that a few weeks ago. Great stuff. No wonder they are on such a winning run.

Pleased for Poyet seems to have got the lad from Ipswich playing well, he was rated a few years ago.

 

Poyet was a fine player at Chelsea and Spurs great volleyer of the ball,,,

[Gonzo 419]

Good posts from Obsession and Parkwahn. My preliminary Trifecta for the WC 2014. Argentina, Spain and Brazil. This will probably change after the Group games. Here is a picture of Germany's new outfit for their away games. Flamengo is the most popular club team in Brazil and the new German Adidas strip looks almost identical to theirs. A lot of Brazilian fans will approve, when Germany plays other teams than Brazil.

[Gonzo 419]

Yes it's great to see teams without unlimited money compete, that said I would like to see Real win final as Ronaldo and Bale are pure class and they play attacking football...

 

Shame about Liverpool small squad, would have been amazing for them to beat Chelsea and City over 38 games... A miracle almost..well they don't happen...

 

It's a bit daft people thinking big 4 all this rubbish , there are two super wealthy teams City and Chelsea they will dominate as will Barca, Real and Bayern...

 

Many fans are clueless.......and can't see they are being fed pups,, the CPL two legs league and seeded.... Guess who goes through 99 times out of 100....

 

Add in sponsors want the big names there, flaky referring at times it's like wrestling....

Liverpool's might have a small squad of players compared to the teams you mentioned, but they have the most loyal supporter singing that great club song week after week with unequaled passion, like no other team can. No-one can take that away from them. It was painful to watch the expression on Steven Gerrard's face after that fateful draw with Sunderland, which lost them the Premiership.

 

[Obsession 571]

Liverpool's might have a small squad of players compared to the teams you mentioned, but they have the most loyal supporter singing that great club song week after week with unequaled passion, like no other team can. No-one can take that away from them. It was painful to watch the expression on Steven Gerrard's face after that fateful draw with Sunderland, which lost them the Premiership.

 

I was at a family gathering, that we couldn't watch the match. Three of us sneaked it on, just as CP scored their 2nd. You just knew they would score again. Best team to watch this season though. Sterling, Suaraz. Rodgers didn't sign many of the best players.

[Obsession 571]

Pleased for Poyet seems to have got the lad from Ipswich playing well, he was rated a few years ago.

 

Poyet was a fine player at Chelsea and Spurs great volleyer of the ball,,,

What did you think of Kaka and Di Maria?

I thought Kaka was class, from the few games I saw him in. And I couldn't believe they were going to sell Di Maria before the season!!!!!

[Parkwahn 61]

I never saw kaka do anything, but never saw him much..

 

 

D Maria looks good...