docblackrock

Didn't take long for this to get a little tetchy did it?! I think you've lost the plot a little here VB. You say RC is an unpleasant fellow. Ape and I both disagreed strongly. So I ask for your personal experience as evidence. You say you met him in Florida at a promotional dinner at which your family were invited. Yet you offer no insight as to exactly why you consider him an obnoxious little gimp. You then change tack completely and refer to the Great Ronaldo '98 mystery instead. When I don't fawn in wide-eyed awe of such "inside knowledge" instead stating that official line or not (and there is nothing else in the public domain) , it's largely irrelevant, you insult me. Nice. I was curious about RC nothing more, given your "extreme" opinion. But if you're like this, I'll happily go back to being indifferent on the subject.

Without hint of bias, still one of the most technically gifted players I've seen... All hail King Luis (sorely missed *sniff*) "...thirty-two million pounds' worth of goalkeeper can't do a thing about it...."

Not quite. So I'm some dumb sheep now am I? What, you think I should ramble on about some nutty conspiracy theory instead?? Frankly I couldn't give a Brazilian overbite what "really happened that night"....all I know is that Brazil choked (not for the first or, indeed, last time), didn't mark Zidane on corners and France were worthy winners. Anything else is immaterial. I also found it astonishing at all the flak Ronaldo got in Germany 2006 about his 'bulk', when it was obvious he had some form of metabolic disorder. Unexplained weight gain and reduced physical stamina in a professional athlete? Duhhhh. That it took a further 18 months for (eventually Milan's) doctors to check this and diagnose hypothyroidism beggars belief. Or maybe there were some other 'dark forces' at work?

Nope, well documented he left his behind in the Lander

Oh trust me we know all about Quaresma Great goal but he's still a bit of an enigma - talented but not consistent enough and his failure at a big club (Barca) still raises question marks. From last season's CL, one of my favourites for the sheer audacity if nothing else...

Yeah really tough. Two Champions League finals in three years, both at your expense. Better 'ancient' history (2005, 2007? ) than no history. 18 League titles, 5 European Cups, 3 UEFA Cups, 7 FA Cups, 3 European Super Cups, 7 League Cups. And yes, it's been 17 years now waiting for No. 19 but I'm betting it doesn't make it to 20 years, so I think your record of going 55 years without a win is fairly safe.

Yes, as long as you get the gent's size But it's still a watch from a fashion house with a ETA 2892 shoehorned in there

I still don't see what this has to do with RC being an unpleasant little git, but since you mention it, the "Ronaldo World Cup Final Mystery" is hardly who shot JFK now is it? Finally team doctor Lidio Toledo revealed the striker had been rushed to hospital after suffering a convulsion in his sleep but cleared to play after neurological and cardiac tests. "We lost the World Cup but I won another cup - my life," Ronaldo later reflected. "I don't remember what happened but I went to sleep and, like the doctor said, it seems I had a fit for about 30 or 40 seconds." The most dramatic account came from Ronaldo's roommate Roberto Carlos.He said: "Ronaldo was scared about what lay ahead. The pressure had got to him and he couldn't stop crying. "If anything, it got worse because, at about four o'clock, he started being sick. That's when I called the team doctor and told him to get over to our room as fast as he could." The Brazilian media demanded to know why Ronaldo had been allowed to play when his mind was clearly not on the game. Team officials said he had been taken to hospital during the afternoon and his place in the team had been given to Edmundo. When Zagalo addressed his side in the hotel he had reminded his players about 1962, when Brazil won the World Cup without the injured Pele. But Ronaldo had later arrived at the Stade de France and declared himself fit to play. Zagalo said after the game: "I kept thinking about taking him off. "But he said he felt well enough to play and if I had not played Ronaldo after he said he was fit, I'd have been under even more criticism." There were claims that team sponsors Nike had put pressure on Zagalo to play him. These were hotly denied. The Ronaldo affair even resurfaced last year at a congressional inquiry into the finances of Brazilian football. The player was called to give evidence, insisting the decision to play in the final had been entirely his own. He was also asked whether it had been his job to mark Zidane at corners. Ronaldo could not remember, but added with a smile that whoever it was had not done their job very well. Seems fairly clear cut to me. Ooh a player that doesn't get on with his teammate(s), not exactly damning evidence is it? I know for a fact that van Nistelrooy was despised by almost all his Scum teammates and isn't Mr Popular in Madrid either. Ditto Cristiano Ronaldo. Anyway, Roberto Carlos has retired from international football hasn't he? About time. Hopefully Fabio Aurelio will get his chance at LB, and trust me on this, he's one of the nicest, most humble, down to earth guys you could hope to meet. Also, surely can't be long before Lucas Leiva makes his debut in the gold shirt. Thoughts?

Wow, someone has a problem methinks So which is it then, met him or heard of him? If former, maybe he just took an instant dislike to you? It IS possible you know. Frankly I don't care either way, as I don't buy it. I can name you a hundred more unsavoury characters in the game, and Roberto Carlos would not even be close to them. Overrated, vain, arrogant, narcissistic? If he managed that next to Beckham, he deserves a medal Rivaldo? Pfff, a despicable cheat. Explain that one away.

You're right, I think both Spaniards were rushed back for this important game. Not a mistake I don't think you just never know how healed injuries will respond to first competitive matches. Torres will be fine but Xabi is a big big blow One of my favourite players, so cultured so classy. I admit I do have connections (although it's all 'priority members' now aka ex-shareholders) but our scouting network is equal to yours and there's no way I'd presume to suggest some 23-year old Norwegian. We have enough talent in the U-21 area, and even though Pennant is also out for 10 weeks, there's plenty of South American, Austrian and yes, Scandinavian talent waiting in the wings It's not rising, it's been there a while. We all love JAR to bits, even though we know he's a bit of a w*nker off the field, but he's practically an honorary Scouser and would die for the club. BUT it's become obvious over the past season that we have moved on and he just doesn't cut it anymore. We have better LBs (Arbeloa, Aurelio) and better LMs (Aurelio, Babel) and although he still has a fearsome left foot (I'm sure Emmzy still has nightmares over it ) his rare screamers just don't warrant a place in the team. His leaving in January (which he will) will be a sad day. Painful but necessary. I can only hope the other 'workhorse' is similarly despatched....a view that is unpopular but growing in support....and Kuyt is sold to Newcastle or Villa, teams that are more fitting for his (ahem) "skills". Buy Anelka and put Babel upfront and all will be well. I agree. It's only Crouch that's whingeing and stalling on his contract, not the Liverpool way which is why the arrogant beanpole is getting treated like he is right now. I have a lot of time for Arsenal, but the whingeing mentality that stems from Wenger is not something I like. Lehmann should take a leaf out of Dudek's book. He was the Istanbul hero, and two months later he lost his job to a young Spaniard. He did have a pop at Rafa initially, but then admitted Reina was the better keeper and vowed to regain his place. It never happened but he acted like a gent, will always be loved and got his 'reward' with a No.2 slot at Real Madrid. The other example is young Danny Agger, another of my favourites. I know this as fact - Rafa wanted to try out a different formation one match last season, and went to explain to the in-form Dane why he was dropping him. Agger interrupted him saying Rafa didn't need to explain anything, but that he'd just be ready for the next match if selected. Now that's a great 'team' attitude.

Hmmm, I agree that free kick made his reputation, one he lived off for ever more. But "detest"??? Carlos totally redefined the position of LB, with his marauding attacking runs. A breath of fresh air, despite the purists' sneers about lack of defensive cover. He also served Real through the good times and the bad (11 years!), and by all accounts was a very decent guy, never playing up his Galactico status always making time for junior players and staff. I actually felt sorry for him that the Beckham leaving circus overshadowed his own departure last June.

Pffff, a showboat premeditated save for the media in a meaningless friendly match Now THIS is a save....

Funny 'cos that's exactly how I feel Had Crouch (who's been whingeing so much recently one wonders if he fancies moving to the Emirates ) put that in at 2-0, it would have all over, Fabregas or not. Same old story, I really bemoan our lack of strikeforce, El Nino aside. I think we'd have put you away if we'd had a half-decent finisher. Voronin I really like, but it's clear he misses partnering Torres. Maybe Rafa will reunite him with his old Leverkusen pal, currently looking all sulky on the Spurs bench . Kuyt and me REALLY don't get on big-time. Ditto Crouch, a view clearly shared by the boss. Still some deadwood in the squad. With Torres off injured, our most creative midfield Alonso breaking his metatarsal again (not confirmed but I know it), Mascherano (our Kaka-killer) also struggling towards the end, and no Danny Agger, can you really blame us for making sure our back line was tighter than a clam's sphincter?! What, you think we'll just roll over and let you score with 5 mins to go? Ha ha. Nice try.

Doc 1 Ape 1 - both still unbeaten What a breathtaking game! End to end stuff, and after recent results, reassuring to see we could live with you on form and nearly beat you. Puts those bad tempered bore draws between Scum and Chav Scum to shame. Credit to both sides, a draw was a fair result although worrying to see both Torres and Alonso pick up serious injuries immediately on their comeback

Amazing thing, the search button http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=49751

As a shameless 'retro' throwback it is uninspired, insipid and deathly dull And it's not the lightning hand. That at least looks good on the 'real' Milgauss; i.e. the 6541 sitting in my watchbox Euno - you know I agree 100%

unthinkable in my household! p.s. please send Heinze back in January - you greedy bastards bought virtually everybody this summer, and anyway you know he really wanted to come to us, and god knows we actually need him right now.

Yes they do. Tell me how many of those were for dangerous career-threatening tackles? I'll tell you. Zero. Mostly for petulance, the occasional temperemental shove nothing worse. Compare that to the 11 reds from Roy Keane, the man who purposely set out to injure players he felt a grudge against. And in the case of poor Alfie Haagland, ended his career. Another fact that does not lie. Zinedine Zidane - FIFA World Player of the Year a record-equalling three times (1998, 2000, 2003). @ Emmzy - Zidane both as a player and his achievements far outstrip Platini, I honestly can't understand how anyone can argue to the contrary. Maybe it's an age thing?

Ha! You call yourself a Real Madrid fan? Probably one of the most memorable European Cup goals ever scored (well until 2005 at least ) 2002 Champions League Final, Hampden Park vs Bayer Leverkusen

Hmmm, so it's not just us having a nightmare in Europe then? You really think he'll last the season in that role? C'mon he's just warming Hiddink's seat

Emmzy, no worries, old school Chelsea is fine with me I know several of you lot who admit privately they REALLY don't like how the club has changed, but they're content to win things for a change. It's the other types V describes. I see many of them, work colleagues mostly. So-called 'fans' who know little or nothing about the club. Then there's the other lot, the nasty element, the ones seen on Sky, grown men screaming with rage at Mourinho's departure. I had a lot of time for old school Chelsea, not as far back as you, but the Italian brigade, Vialli, Zola, Di Matteo, even Ranieri. But the current lot and what the club stand for, just make me and a lot of neutrals want to vomit. Despicable is not too strong a word. Nor is unsporting. You've become the most hated club throughout Europe, and no that's not financial jealousy talking, it's the way everyone connected with the club represents themselves. How to lose friends and alienate people. The Barca matches, the racism, the death threats, the ref baiting, disrespecting opposition etc. Mourinho was particularly bad, but I think a lot of it stems from that most oily and obnoxious of men, Peter Kenyon. As for the Gooners, well I don't think they've played a half-decent team yet at home or in Europe (Sevilla don't count for obvious reasons). Sunday will be very interesting!!! How're Los Che looking this season then? Haven't caught their games so far. But as you can see from my first post in this thread, I too have a soft spot for them, even if Aimar has now left. We have a couple of their boys still in Momo and Aurelio (who wears a PAM90) and I must admit I preferred Villa to Torres arriving in the summer but am slowly being won around. Silva is class and it's nice to see Nando Morientes back on song....still hurts that he never really settled with us

What dial? Please post pics to be able to advise further

I'm afraid so. The prognosis is not good. But welcome nonetheless

Absolutely agree. Easily the worst 'professional' foul I ever saw. How he never even got a yellow card is unbelievable. I mean that could have killed Battiston, and I'm not exaggerating. A reminder, judge for yourself....