Champions League 2007/08

Totally agree, King. Fener has at least 3 top level players who can easily play in giant teams at the moment: Appiah, Alex de Sousa, Deivid. You know Appiah came to Fenerbahce from Juventus, which is giant also. Appiah is currently 27 and he has at least 6 more seasons in his football career. And I am pretty sure Appiah will have gone to a top club in Europe one day. But why now? While the team created such a good atmosphere, go and play your game. You can go anywhere you want the next season.

Originally posted by The Hidden Face Totally agree, King. Fener has at least 3 top level players who can easily play in giant teams at the moment: Appiah, Alex de Sousa, Deivid. You know Appiah came to Fenerbahce from Juventus, which is giant also. Appiah is currently 27 and he has at least 6 more seasons in his football career. And I am pretty sure Appiah will have gone to a top club in Europe one day. But why now? While the team created such a good atmosphere, go and play your game. You can go anywhere you want the next season.

I didn't know he was only 27.  I thought he was older because he already played for an elite club as you've mentioned.  I thought his career was on the way down but I guess not.  I do remember him from his Juventus days.  I think he was paired up with Edgar Davids and then Emerson in the central defensive midfield.  I think their game rubbed off on him a lot, though he might have even better ball controlling ability.  That's why I see him as more of a Seedorf type.  With hard workers like Nedved and Camoranesi playing in front of them, it was really hard to get anything through that midfield.   Along with Essien and Gyan, Appiah was also  major reason that Ghana made a strong showing in last World Cup.  I was laughing when people called Ghana beating U.S. was an upset.

When a player moves from an elite leagues to Turkey or Greece, they automatically see that as a demotion and wright them off by saying their careers are on a down slope.  Of course there is some truth in that, but not necessarily for every case.   Good example would be Anelka.  Sure he's no longer playing for clubs like Real Madrid,  Arsenal, PSG or even Man City  but after playing for Fenerbahce now he's back in EPL with Bolton and he's having strong start for the new season netting 5 goals in 8 games, second in the league, though Bolton is struggling.   That's it though, is it better to play for a good team in Turkey or Greece, or play for a bad team in England, Italy, Spain or Germany?  You would have better chance playing in Champs League if you are in Turkey or Greece.  I'm not saying Fenerbahce should have kept Anleka by no means.  I don't think they need him for the squad they have right now anyway.  I'm just saying playing for Fenerbahce is much better career move than let's say playing for L.A. Galaxy like Beckham.  Then again $250 million is no chump change either.

If Deivid keeps this up, not only he will draw some attention from bigger clubs, he might even get Dunga's attention for Brazilian national team.  Dunga's giving Vagner Love a shot, why not Deivid?

Roberto Carlos not the best any more but still one of the best.  Alex de Sousa already had his chance with the national team but he might get another one after this season.  Kezman is surely not the same Kezman I used to see in PSV but I think he's still good enough to play for bottom clubs in bigger league.  I also think Lugano is one of the best defenders in the world.  Being a Santos fan it's not easy giving a Sao Paulo product much credit but I would take him over his fellow Uruguayan Cordoba who's been with Inter Milan for years. 

Overall I would say Fenerbahce has 5-6 players who are good enough to play for top clubs.  Maybe because they are ready to be one of the top clubs themselves?  If they can keep this up in the Champs League they will change the perception of how other clubs see them.
 

Ugh... uneventful first half for Barca - Rangers.

Blind refs completely missed a blatant and obvious handball that would have been a Barca penalty.

seven nil arsenal!! brilliant

One thing that has annoyed me so far is how well Rangers are doing.

Originally posted by Parnell One thing that has annoyed me so far is how well Rangers are doing.

It annoys me too.  I'm actually downright disturbed.  But I gotta give Scottish football some respect this year.  Rangers are undefeated in Champs League, Celtic beats AC Milan, Scots are in the thick with Italy and France for the EuroCup qualifying.....
If it keeps this way, Mel Gibson should make Braveheart II.
'....Everyman dies, but not everyman truly lives....    ......You can die on your feet or die on your knees........   .......Freedom!' 
I can't get enough of that, for sure.

Originally posted by King Kang of Mu Originally posted by Parnell One thing that has annoyed me so far is how well Rangers are doing. It annoys me too.  I'm actually downright disturbed.  But I gotta give Scottish football some respect this year.  Rangers are undefeated in Champs League, Celtic beats AC Milan, Scots are in the thick with Italy and France for the EuroCup qualifying..... If it keeps this way, Mel Gibson should make Braveheart II. '....Everyman dies, but not everyman truly lives....    ......You can die on your feet or die on your knees........   .......Freedom!'  I can't get enough of that, for sure.

Why does it annoy you?  Parnell i can understand but you?

Anyway there wont be a Braveheart II, the original has officially been banned in Scotland.

I'm content - Bar�a clinched their advancement to the knockout stages by yielding a draw to Lyon. Juninho scored twice for Lyon while Andres Iniesta and Leo Messi each scored for Barcelona. Eric Abidal had a sloppy tackle which set up Juninho's tying goal. 

most importantly Stuttgart doesn't quit champiosnleague without a well deserved win. 

Originally posted by Majkes Originally posted by King Kang of Mu Come on, if I can make fun of Scottish teams what other teams I can make fun of?  Just kidding.  I do have hard time giving Celtic much credit because of my Korean heritage and their best player Nakamura(I would rather think he's doing well in a bad league) but Rangers looks legit this year.  Just for pure speed, Beasley's gotta be one of the most fast player in the world.  You just kick it out in to left corner and he will go out and get that for you more times than not.   Nakamura is Japanese though. Mon the Hoops.

Precisely.  That is why I have hard time giving him or his team any credit.