Davey

Ronaldo is now past his best. Morientes was good enough to play up front with him, but he has harldly set Merseyside alight has he?

Are RM in decline? . many of their top players are now way past their sell by date. Zidane, Figo,Rual (how long HAS he been there? as I cannot remember him never being there) Carlos Alberto (how old is he?) Even our own DB has never lived up to what was expected of him at Real.

First of all, Figo doesn't play for Madrid. Carlos Alberto??? (now he is too old). To answer your question about how long has Raul been there... 10 years, he began his career at Madrid, it's a bit harsh to say he is too old aswell, after all I would hardly say Thierry Henry is too old, would you? they are the same age. As for Zidane, he will never be too old. Zidane is a genious and could still do a job in any team until he is 40 at least if he really wanted to.

I do agree with you that Madrid aren't as good or dominant as they used to be, but I wouldn't go as far to say they were in decline, more of a transitional period, much the same as Barcelona were only some four years ago, where they were little more than a mid-table side. Real Madrid are still a better side than any of our English clubs, Chelsea a side.

It was certainly a matter of when, not if, as previously mentioned. Someone also said they watched Newcastle a few times this season and

there seemed to be a complete lack of tactics

I was against his appointment in the first place, I mean he was about to get the sack from Blackburn !! (They must have been over the moon, instead of having to compensate Graeme we done it for them, and give them a bit too). When I heard he had got the sack I honestly couldn't take the smile off my face for the rest of the day.

I've only heard that Paul Le Guen was linked with the job through the OP, he would be my favourite along with Guss, I doubt they would want it though.

Please no Martin O'neill or Steve Bruce !!

Seen football factory a while back at the flicks, thought it was alright, but nothing to get excited about. The ending was a bit of a let down. Haven't been to see green street or whatever it's called, but heard some of my mates mention it was quite good, however reading some comments on here I'm not too sure.

I'm a bit biased when it comes to goal as it's about the toon, although if it wasn't I wouldn't give it a second look, not much going on there.

I agree with you TP, I'd like to se Wigan win it, however, I think Man utd will win it. It's probably their best chance of silverware this season

0-2. Chelsea were deserved winners. Arsenal barely had a sniff, however the one real chance they did have was ruled out incorrectly for offside, Van Persie subsequently put it away too.

That is a record 3 defeats on the bounce in premiership football for Arsenal under Wenger, certainly not a record they will want to remember.

I know we have a topic questioning Man utd, but how about Arsenal? They've looked extremely ordinary in the last few games.

EDIT: Congrats johnh101, if anyone took your bet, you're now 100 baht better off, don't spend it all at once

All this talk of cliques in Gen got me thinking what people might have been when they were younger.

Do you sometimes after reading someones post you think, "I'll bet they were ( Blank ) in high school."?

So, what were you when you were young and awkward? Were you a jock, pop-tart, goth, punk, band geek, theater fairy, nerd, or boring? Were you a good kid, studied your school work and never missed anything? Were you a bad kid who skipped class to get fcked up or smoked in between classes outside a side door with one foot keeping the door from locking you out?

Or were you a nomad, a cliqueless being? If so, did other cliques like you to stop and visit or were you just a complete loser?

Or maybe you were some kind of combo? Anyway, tell what you were and if you can guess what I was I'll buy you drink.. ....if I ever meet you. 

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I find the American 'clique' system fascinating. I've always wanted to go to an American school just to see what it was like. Here in England we have so few categories which we can put people in. We had the Chav's (Charvers, as they're known up north) geeks, goths (although many geeks were goths) then I guess you would have the American equivelant of the jocks.

I think American schools are based on popularity, whilst English schools are based on who is hardest. I remember when I first joined comprehensive from primary school there was a big debate about who was the hardest in our year. A typical conversation was "Nar, he's the harder than him daft c**t, he's a &lt;deleted&gt; freak" Not the most stimulating conversation you could ever have, but it did seem to be the most popular at the time.

I played sports for most of the school teams, played football for the district and did athletics for the county, I guess that would have made me a Jock in America. I was always quite bright, but I can imagine I was an absolute tosser to teach. I remember my Physics teacher going absolutely off it with me because, as he said you had so much "&lt;deleted&gt;" potential, but was too busy trying to act the class clown you couldn't realise it, other people have to work twice as hard as you to get the same results, they'd kill to be in your position, so "&lt;deleted&gt;" use it. And yes, the choice of language was all his. After that little motivation speech I did pull things together, thankfully

Marvin Gaye - Mrs. Jones

If I had two super-powers, they would be exactly the same as Glauka's, be able to fly and an invisible coat of some sort, preferably D&G, because you've still gotta look good 

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invisible coat is not so far fetched,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2777111.stm

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Wow, I certainly wasn't aware of that. I bet all the fat fat fatty's can't believe their luck. (sorry if you're fat and offended, I'll buy you a jacket to make it up to you)

Pinthongtha Shinawatra

Richest Stockholder in Thailand

Age: 23

Net Worth: 1 9 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 satang

Hot? or Not?

After a few dibs and dabs of comments on this thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?ac...02&f=18&t=53874

decided it would make for a Friday evening poll.

*EDIT*

ok, ok.... it's Friday evening... sorry

Yes = Hot vote

No  = Not vote

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Yeah, she's quite pretty. I seen one or two posts calling her a dog, thats a bit harsh

Not many guys would return this gift 

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Fantastic, it's not too late to put on to my christmas wish list

If I had two super-powers, they would be exactly the same as Glauka's, be able to fly and an invisible coat of some sort, preferably D&G, because you've still gotta look good

I managed to catch some of the seconds days play, I was surprised to see such low totals, particuarly from the aussies. They lost an early wicket in their second innings too, an upset could occur, although I'm sure Australia have too much quality.

Also, congratulations to the great Shane Warne for taking the most wickets in a year, da.mn he is good

Yeah but Chelsea don't need Champs League revenue, they more than they need already, its a good philosophy but it doesn't apply to Chelski

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Unfortunately that is true, I was supposed to include that in my previous post. It could potentially deter the bigger named players to join Chelsea however, well, that is until they offer them 130k a week or something. I suppose credit to them though, if they want to pay it, why shouldn't they...

Arsenal have dropped 2 in a row, Chelsea back in their winning ways but not playing great football. Arsenal will surely have no chance of the premiership if they lose this one

My thoughts for what its worth.

Arsenal to win 2 - 0.

Van Persie with both goals.

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I think it'll be a score draw with a lot of controversy. Even if Arsenal win, they have no chance of winning the title.

Arsenal have been quite poor of recent. We played them off the park last weekend in the second half, even before Gilberto was sent off, which was slightly unjust, but we need all the luck we can get right now.

Should be a cracking game though, can't wait

[.  However, the other teams are obviously in the same league as the team I support and the further they progress, the wider the gap becomes between them and my team, something I certainly do not want to see, whether I'm British or not.

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I think you got things a little back to front Davey old boy. If Chelsea, Arsenal & Liverpool get knocked out of the Champions league, then they will concentrate on the Premiership. The only hope you lot have got of closing the gap is if all the teams stay in the Champions league, meaning mounting fixtures and mounting injuries and then putting out weakened teams against the lesser opposition, which Newcastle certainly are.

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No, no, no... I think you've missed my point. Playing in the champions league brings much needed revenue for clubs, the longer you stay in it, the more money you make. I'm a realist, I know Newcastle haven't got a chance of winning the league this season, next season or any time in the near future. However, if we are to catch up with the better teams (Arsenal, Chelsea, Man utd) we need to be able to compete financially also. You above most, as a Chelsea fan should know that the more money you have, the more success you have. So on that basis I would like to see all English teams (apart from Newcastle of course) crash and burn in Europe, that goes for the UEFA too.

should have been disallowed for a blatent (well, I say blatent, but obviously it wasn't blatent enough for the referee) foul on Victor Valdes. 

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I take it you mean that Newcastles goal at the weekend should have been disallowed because of a blatent foul by Shearer leading up to it. Jeez, some of you lot talk &lt;deleted&gt;. Well I say good luck Chelsea. And good luck to Arsenal, Liverpool and Rangers. Afterall I'M British before anything else.

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Which foul are you referring to? Shearer made like 101, he should have been off too, but fortunately for us he didn't.

Any ways, I think the two are quite different, also, I'm not trying to dispute that goal either. If the roles had been reversed and it had been that goal in the same circumstances which put Barca through, I'm sure Chelsea fans would have something to say, don't be hypocritical.

Out of the British teams left in the competition I would only like to see Rangers progress, may seem a little strange. However, the other teams are obviously in the same league as the team I support and the further they progress, the wider the gap becomes between them and my team, something I certainly do not want to see, whether I'm British or not.

ta-ta chelski.............justice has been done.  

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I take it you mean like last year

Same old draw......maybe same old result. The only difference is Chelsea are better this year.

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Justice may be done this time around as Chelsea 'cheated' to progress last season. John Terry's header should have been disallowed for a blatent (well, I say blatent, but obviously it wasn't blatent enough for the referee) foul on Victor Valdes. Bacelona would have then progressed to the Q finals on away goals.

I do expect Barcelona to win this time around, but I wouldn't be shocked if they didn't, well, I would be a little surprised.

The draw for the Champions league was held today. Full draw;

Chelsea v Barcelona

Real Madrid v Arsenal

Werder Bremen v Juventus Turin

Bayern Munich v AC Milan

PSV Eindhoven v Lyon

Ajax v Inter Milan

Benfica v Liverpool

Rangers v Villareal

If the top play the bottom like last year, Liverpool have a fairly easy route to the final. Top half of the draw................well?????????????

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The teams which will progress (imo)

Barcelona

Real Madrid

Juventus

AC Milan

Lyon

Liverpool

Villareal

Unfortunately I think Liverpool will be the only British team representing in the next round. Real Madrid and Arsenal are a close one, but Real on their day against Arsenal on their day, I know who I would put my money on.

Same old draw......maybe same old result. The only difference is Chelsea are better this year

I'm a regular viewer of Spanish football, particuarly when Barca play and they are better than they wee last year, partly because of the ermegence of Messi, who would give Rooney a good run for best young player. Last year Ronaldinho was great, this year he is unplayable, he is far better, his two goals against Madrid were unstopable, you would have to half him to have any chance. I think Mourinho will be slightly dissapointed they never won the group now.

Anyone else got some predictions?

England win the first One Dayer against Pakistan by 42 runs. Well done boys, it was a good match 

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Certainly, Liam Plunkett is looking quite impressive too, taking three wickets. Good day for Durham also, three of their players representing England in the ODI's

they are in decline, no trophy's last year, this year looks less promising, of course the trend may reverse, but right now it looks like decline

keep dreaming though, in your theatre of dreams

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Yeah, I agree. Man utd are in decline. By that I'm not implying that they are a bad team/club, it's just a fact that man utd have set the bench-mark for the premiership for so long, and are now unable to do so. Financially man utd are in trouble, although I'm not one to write them off just yet.

The events of last night were simply hilarious. They are thoroughly derserving of their fate in every way.

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Based on what?

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Yeah, I hate man utd as much as the next person, but they have deserved every success they've had, more or less any way.

To the OP, Man utd are certainly in decline, losing out on about 30 million this season and as they are in need of new sponsors you can knock off an extra 10 mill a season since they are not in europe currently

I also think it is ###### right disrespectful if they sack ferguson too, if the toon had someone like him we would never call for his head, even in such a situation after all the success, which he brought the club

I enjoy a good round of golf, unfortunately I'm terrible and in England. I think this is a great idea though and I'm sure it'll be very popular with other members.

Enjoy

although there's to many show ponies in the midfield and noone to fill the "hard tackling  ,defensive midfield role" which every World Cup winning team needs.

Oh yeah didn't we beat you in a friendly just on 2 years ago?? 

Cheers

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I woud hate to see who Brasil's 'hard tackling defensive role midfielder' is if we don't have one, Brasil of course winning the competition more than anyone else.

And yes, you did beat us in a friendly a couple of years ago, Real Madrid have went through about 4 managers since then, times change

I am travelling to Thailand from Canada for the month of February (2-27).  This will be my first time and I am so looking forward to it!  Luckily I will be meeting up with a buddy of mine who is currently travelling in the Phillipines, he has been to Thai a couple of times before so he should make a good knowledgable travel partner 

I was hoping that I could get some suggestions for a travel intineray.  Right now all I know is that I plan on spending a couple of days in Bangkok before heading to Koh Samui area for some island hopping.  I want to attend the full moon party on the 14th and apart from that I am pretty unsure. Good thing I still have a few months of planning time   I only have a month and want to make the most of it and not spend too much time commuting around the country

I am a guy in his late 20's and looking for beaches, partying and women.  In no particular order 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.......greatly appreciate it!

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Travel light, it will be heating up when you arrive so the obvious shorts and t-shirts are a must. You can buy most things out here, particuarly when you arrive in Bangkok.

I am pretty sure your friend will be more than capable to show you a good time if he has been before. I've personally never been to Samui, but my friend has been a handful of times and loves it.

It's important you come to Thailand with an open mind, because you will definetly see some things which are going to be quite a shock personally.

If it's beaches you're after, the island hoping in the south as you stated is a good idea, some lovely beaches in southern Thailand. Bangkok will offer you good partying and certainly women, if you're after it. Pattaya might also appeal to you, although I wouldn't reccommend you read the 'Pattaya' forum as their is nothing but negative comments in there, although I'm pretty sure the people who post in their love it.

As previously mentioned, Kanchanaburi is in my mind, a must. It's easily accessible, about 2 hours from Bangkok and is definetly a place to see some spectacular Thai countryside, best viewed by motorcyle too, they're rediculously cheap to rent out for a few days or however you desire.

I'm sure you'll love it here, and will be back for a second helping, Enjoy !!

Oh, bring protection

I'd love to see England in the same group as Australia. I'm not sure if it's possible, although it should be as we will be seeded and ofcourse the aussies have no chance of that.

Superfly, it would put my mind at ease if you made another one of your predictions