Quote: PhQnix @ May 22 2008, 8:49 AM BSTChelsea are the worst team in football, currently - that can't be argued with.
Oh, I'm pretty sure it can. 
Very excited for tonight's Champions League Final Page 6
Quote: PhQnix @ May 22 2008, 8:49 AM BSTThe current Chelsea team is loaded with horrible players and they play boring, mechanical football. They're the worst team in football, currently - that can't be argued with.
There are too many people not worth their price tag and in certain areas they do lack creative skill. But they lost the Champions League final on penalties and finished 2nd in what is becoming known as the best and toughest league in the World. If you had said they were the worst team in football to watch then you might have some grounds but, statistically, you're dead in the water!
Quote: PhQnix @ May 22 2008, 8:49 AM BSTThey're the worst team in football, currently - that can't be argued with.
Well, Derby were pretty rubbish to be fair. Possibly more entertaining, but in a Keystone Kops sort of way, so I don't think that counts...
Dan
I meant as people, I thought that was more obvious than it was. They win but they are all complete wankers so by my standards they are the worst.
Quote: PhQnix @ May 22 2008, 10:50 AM BSTI meant as people, I thought that was more obvious than it was. They win but they are all complete wankers so by my standards they are the worst.
Yes as sportsmen they do tend to throw hissy fits when a decision goes against them.
Quote: PhQnix @ May 22 2008, 10:50 AM BSTThey win but they are all complete wankers
Surely that's inherent in any sportsman. Or woman.
Quote: Alan C @ May 22 2008, 11:04 AM BSTYes as sportsmen they do tend to throw hissy fits when a decision goes against them.
Ditto.
Quote: Aaron @ May 22 2008, 11:27 AM BSTSurely that's inherent in any sportsman. Or woman.
Well no, not at all. I could argue this point with you, but I think you only really intended that as a throwaway quip.
Quote: PhQnix @ May 22 2008, 11:37 AM BSTWell no, not at all. I could argue this point with you, but I think you only really intended that as a throwaway quip.
Throwaway quips, £3.50 for 400 in Sainsburys 
Quote: Alan C @ May 22 2008, 11:49 AM BSTThrowaway quips, £3.50 for 400 in Sainsburys
Are these quips recyclable? Supermarkets have a duty of care when it comes to recycling.
Great feeling to be European Champions again.
Fate though I suppose 50 years after the Busby Babes died.
Quote: Spagett @ May 22 2008, 4:19 PM BSTGreat feeling to be European Champions again.
Fate though I suppose 50 years after the Busby Babes died.
The worst thing about you buggers winning it is that over the next few weeks all the Liverpudlians in my office will be going on about their five times.
Oh, well, I'll console myself with the extra Rooney cash heading our way. Although I'd forgo it all if you'd take Phil Neville back.
Only two more years and United could have equalled both Liverpool's Championships and European Cup totals. It would be nice to shut them up, to be honest, as ain't nowt worse than a smug scouser...
Dan
Here is my player rating for each of the two teams last night:
CHELSEA:
CECH: Made some great saves, for me the best goalkeeper in the world 9
ESSIEN: Forever remained a threat 8
CARVALHO: Good performance at the back 7
TERRY: Immense in the game. But will be remembered for penalty miss 8
A.COLE: Lively at times 7
LAMPARD: Scored goal and had a great game in midfield 9
MAKELELE: Worked hard in midfield but crowded the referee alot 7
BALLACK: Worked well in impressive Chelsea second half 7
J.COLE: Dangerous at times but Evra mostly sorted him out 7
MALOUDA: A decent game and lively at times 7
DROGBA: Hit post, big threat, but stupidley and pathetically got himself sent off. 7
Subs:
KALOU: Scored in shoot-out, made minor impact when on 6
ANELKA: Missed the descisive penalty 5
BELLETI: The only thing he did was score in the shoot-out 5
MANCHESTER UNITED:
VAN DER SAR: Hero of the shoot-out, dodgy moments in game 7
BROWN: A fine performance, one of his best all season 8
FERDINAND: A great captains performance 8
VIDIC: Linked up well with Ferdinand like he has all season 8
EVRA: Immense performance, a handful for Chelsea 9
HARGREAVES: Knew he was lucky to be in the team and really rose to the occasion. Great lively performance and great penalty in shoot out. Obviously really up for the game 9
CARRICK: Good controlled performance in one of his better games for United. Unlucky not to score in game, but did in shoot out 8
SCHOLES: A man who deserves a Champions League medal more than anybody after 1999 heartbrake. Obviously can't expect too much from the great man now, but he had some fine moments in the game 7
RONALDO: Scored the opener, but then faded slightly. Will be the most relieved person ever though due to his penalty miss 7
ROONEY: A surprisingly quiet night from him. Expected him to rise to the occasion and play a cracker. He didn't and no surprise to see him substituted 6
TEVEZ: Unlucky not to score on several occasion. Scored the first penalty in shoot out and as ever work rate was superb 8
SUBS:
GIGGS: On his record breaking night unlucky not to score due to heroics of Terry, scored in shoot-out. Though a player who I think should now retire. In his half an hour he showed glimpses of still having something but some wasted a good bit of possesion. Fergie was right not to start him 6
NANI: Got involved a little when bought on and scored in shoot out 6
ANDERSON: The only thing he did was take the penalty and scored it 5
ALEX FERGUSON: Selected the right team. The only criticism I have of him is not putting Park Ji Sung on the bench. His performance in the semi-final clearly should have earned him a place on the bench at least. Very harsh on Park not to get a medal 8
AVRAM GRANT: Sad end to a up and down season for the likeable Israeli. But you could tell by Chelsea's second half performance he must have given them a great half time team talk 8.
THE GAME ITSELF: Stunning and extremely exciting. Both teams brilliantly rose to the occasion. The game of the decade 10
Inspired by Jack, here is my player rating for each of the two teams last night:
CHELSEA:
CECH: 8
ESSIEN: 7 (stinker first half but excellent thereafter)
CARVALHO: 7
TERRY: 8
A.COLE: 6 (still living on past glories)
LAMPARD: 8 (probably Chelsea's MOM - but like most of his teammates was absent for first third of game)
MAKELELE: 7
BALLACK: 8 (a powerhouse after half time)
J.COLE: 6 (disappointment)
MALOUDA: 5
DROGBA: 7 (sending off was handbags - a better ref would have avoided the confrontation, though I think Chelsea were more spiteful in their play overall, in a fairly spiteful game)
Subs: CAN'T BE ARSED
MANCHESTER UNITED:
VAN DER SAR: 7
BROWN: 7
FERDINAND: 9 (Badge's Man of the Match - I know he'll be pleased)
VIDIC: 8
EVRA: 8
HARGREAVES: 7
CARRICK: 7
SCHOLES: 6 (good first half but faded dramatically as Chelsea bossed 2nd half midfield)
RONALDO: 8 (clearly best player around in first half - drops a point for failure to have as much impact afterwards, but partly due to Chelsea's improvement (especially Essien))
ROONEY: 7 (the usual big match curate's egg - loads of good work but also loads of over-eagerness)
TEVEZ: 6 (missed some great chances and went AWOL at times)
SUBS: CAN'T BE ARSED
ALEX FERGUSON: Got selection and first half tactics right but wasn't able to stem Chelsea's comeback with any changes - instead, he relied on Ferdinand and Vidic to keep things at bay. To that extent, the tactics worked.7
AVRAM GRANT (or whoever makes the CFC decisions): Learnt from Carling Cup debacle by sticking with proven formation and players, but was let down by performance in first half, especially midfield. Worthy of praise for teh way Chelsea came back and finished the game the stronger. 8
THE GAME ITSELF: 7 (Entertaining, but don't pretend it was a classic. The first 20 minutes were dire, and I'm sure the rest of Europe had turned off before anything interesting had happened.)
Ratings -
Chelsea:
Cech: (9) Didn't deserve to be on the losing side, very good performance
Essien: (7) Doesn't deserve to be played at right-back, much stronger in the second-half
Carvalho: (7) Nothing extra ordinary from him, solid as usual though
Terry: (8) Spectacular clearance from Giggs' shot, strong as ever
A. Cole: (6) Big disappointment, nothing going forwards, not desperately solid at the back
Makelele: (8) Silenced a creative Man Utd midfield when possible
Lampard: (8) More from him than Chelsea's other two midfielders, lucky with the goal as ever
Ballack: (7) Average game, not up to his high-standard in recent weeks
Malouda: (6) Totally anonymous, probably wondering how he managed to get into the team
J. Cole: (6) As anonymous as Malouda, nothing to suggest the talent he really has
Drogba: (5) Hit the post, but otherwise ineffective, pathetic sending off as well
Subs:
Kalou: (7) Stronger and more effective than Malouda
Belleti: (6) Buried penalty as he was asked
Anelka: (4) Sums up Chelsea, mercenary who missed his penalty and didn't care when he did
Manchester United:
Van Der Sar: (8) Penalty hero, slipped for the goal on poor pitch
Wes Brown: (7) Impressive cross for the goal, solid as ever
Ferdinand: (9) Really stepped up, good leader, immense defensive performance
Vidic: (8) Very good performance, clever defender, struggled against theatrics of Drogba
Evra: (8) Typical performance, good defender, superb attacker
Hargreaves: (8) Hassled, snapped and attacked.
Carrick: (8) Blink and you'll miss it but he is one of the best passers of the ball in the world
Scholes: (7) Hyped to the point of madness, faded in the face of Makelele
Ronaldo: (8) Flashes of brilliance, good goal
Rooney: (7) Again brilliance in flashes, not a good as Ronaldo
Tevez: (8) Could've scored, fantastic engine and desire
Subs:
Giggs: (7) Could've scored
Anderson: (6) Celebrations post match showed his desire to do well
Nani: (6) Showed his attacking threat, good penalty