craig

Wish I could respond.... but being in Bermuda means I never got to see this game.

Couldn't have put it better myself Danny. Would rather we built on youth with a mix of experience (but less than 34 yrs old) but if it was between Celtic and us getting him I would have taken him in a heartbeat as he would have scored a lot of goals up here.

In those terms I think most would/should take the smaller amount to be challenging for honours (depends on how much of their money they have stashed and how much they have wasted though - ala Gazza - but you DID say a rich outsider so this is a moot point by me - sorry) But JFH's instance is that he was being asked to take a 50% wage cut (allegedly) and, that coupled to interest from the EPL I think made it an easy offer for him to refuse. Tricky one re mid-table obscurity vs CL games and contesting trophies though - because even with mid-table EPL obscurity the quality of teams are better than in the SPL so the CL games (assuming Celtic didn't make the group stages) would be negated by playing against that standard of team in the EPL over a season - the trophies thing, who knows ?

I don't think Chelsea will win that case Jon - even though I thought it was tapping. Calderon can use a simple defence in that he can say that when he initially spoke to the players he had no OFFICIAL ties to Madrid, so how can Madrid be guilty when the events took place whilst Calderon wasn't an official ?? Will be interesting to see what FIFA (or UEFA) do about it

Don't mention Argentina to me - bastards !

I am going to make 2 points in the one post (just for you Colshy !!). 1. I reckon Italy will beat France in the final 2-0 2. Anyone else think that France are creeping their way through the World Cup ? Colsh, I will be back on Sunday night to tell you I told you so (no matter the result)!

Lol, right after you stated Germany would beat them !

At least he got 2 games more than the England squad.... Seriously, I am laughing at you - you are SO ANGRY towards him - I can see a "Colshy arrested at the bridge for chibbing Ronaldo" story on the front pages

No but I also didn't say Germany would beat Italy. So really what you are saying is that as long as you mention one team (no matter how many others you mention) then all is good ? Man, wish I had said before the WC started that I felt that Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Germany, England, Spain, France, Portugal (Ronaldo.....), Ghana etc etc (through all 32 teams) were going to "creep their way through the tournament" - then I could be sitting here just now saying "told you so". You can't have your cake and eat it too Colsh (to quote Gav's 9 reasons to hate people thing)

Doesn't say anything about the coaches necessarily - we are shite, quite simple - and without quality players you will more often than not be found wanting. I say necessarily because we MIGHT have made a play-off had we not had that mug Vogts at the helm. I am certainly not taking anything away from England's achievements Colshy - but with the talent they had and the teams they played they SHOULD have been looking to at LEAST the semis.

Still hurting Colsh ? I can almost see your anger every time he touched the ball, can't stop laughing. You only need to watch him in one more game against Germany now - or are you refusing on principle ?

I wasn't refuting their decent record in qualification Cammy - just thought seeing as you couldn't remember that I would remind you when it last was.

And I get back home for a holiday on the 29th..... where's me invite Del ?

Never made the WC finals in US in 1994 - just to remind you Cammy

PLG has confirmed Fergie will remain as club captain - has also told Sionko and Svensson to be on the plane for South Africa on Saturday despite them being at the WC (I LIKE this, PLG has said that he wants them "integrated" with the squad - good move !!). http://home.skysports.com/transfernews.asp?type=article&id=400855

I think the term "easy draw" has to be a relative term though Cammy. Wales and NI wouldn't be an easy draw for us but SHOULD be for England, given the talent they have at their disposal. I wouldn't bet on Scotland beating eihther of those nations either but I WOULD bet on England beating them (if given decent odds ) Come on Cammy, you are defending England being top of a group that, out of 8 groups, was one of the weakest ? Sweden excepted England didn't have a hard game in that group at all and their last 16 opponents SHOULD have been brushed aside. Reaching quarter finals and semi finals IS a great achievement but it can be argued that England had the most comfortable route to get where they got to. I don't for a minute disagree that we should, as Scotland fans, be jealous of England reaching the finals and getting out of their group in the major tournaments because we ALL would love to be there supporting Scotland (jimmy hats or not... but lets leave that one alone ) BUT..... it cannot be denied that England have seen good fortune in the teams they have been drawn against recently - just look at Holland's group or the Italy group - so to say that they don't get an easy draw is, in my opinion, wrong. Now... if they were paired in our Euro 2008 qualifying group they would struggle to qualify (not as much as we will struggle but struggle nonetheless) because any group with Italy, France and Ukraine will be a monumental task - 3 WC quarter-finalists - yikes !!

And if you believe the Tims Wija.... they are signing Cannavaro.... for 1 million - yeah, right !!! Probably the best defensive player in the whole tournament and they will get him for a pittance - don't think so ! Rino has been amazing throughout the tournament - a real credit and when you read his interview the other day where he says Rangers made him it shows he still loves the club - he would walk through brock walls for Rangers - would love to see him back !

I thought the same thing about the Pirlo pass Gav - thought he held on to it far too long, shows how much we know ! BOTH goals were sublime and worthy of winning any game.

You are far too funny Colshy !! You say.... Yet in the very first post on this thread you say "germany 1.... Italy 0....aet" And later in the thread you say you wish you had put a tenner on Germany to win on pens. If you bet on both horses in a 2 horse race it is going to be pretty difficult to be wrong !! So who is it to win today Colsh ? France in 90 minutes AND Portugal aet ? LOL, just having a laugh with you my man.

I agree Gribz but what I think you are missing is that Madrid are saying they have spoken to the players and they want to come - that is far different from saying you would love a player at the club. Don't know why it bothers me so much TBH - but the only defence I can come to is that at the time he would have spoken to the players he had nothing to do with Madrid, he was merely a candidate

Yeah but we KNOW that Scotland got put out by the finalists, England need Portugal to win to say the same....... are you saying you WANT Portugal (and Ronaldo..... that should do the trick !!) to win ??

I love these new emoticons geo - here's one for ya..... Just kidding mate. I KNEW there was an Elmander thread as well, too bloody lazy to make the effort though

Aye, I will take some blame on that - or should I take all of it ? I knew there was an Elmander thread but didn't have the time to trawl through it all - I did find the Clement one and added to it though. Apologies all

But when Jon posted this England had the same chance of winning it as Scotland did Colsh

No worries Fraser