sweet waffle

I did look to see if there was an existing thread regarding this story but I couldn't find one.

Scolari lands job – in Uzbekistan The former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has been named coach of Bunyodkor, the Uzbek champions confirmed today. The 60-year-old World Cup-winning coach, who was sacked by the west London Premier League club in February, has agreed an 18-month contract with the Uzbek side. "Uzbek football now creates its own success story, especially Bunyodkor with its remarkable dynamism and prospects for the past four years," said Scolari on the club's official website. "Completion of a new football stadium in the town of Tashkent, which is scheduled for March 2010, will open a new era for the club. I know that I am in the right place at the right time and in the right team." Scolari succeeds his fellow Brazilian Zico, who led Bunyodkor to the league and cup double and Asian Champions League semi-finals last year before quitting in December to join CSKA Moscow.

If we are going to sign it doesn't look like we'll be getting him on a free as Man City want £10million in compensation for development fees! The cheeky b*stards, I bet they wouldn't ask for that amount from any other club. Also worth noting in the article, is his supposed wages if he were to join us, of £75,000 per week!!! City to seek compensation if Sturridge joins Chelsea

Guardian photographer Tom Jenkins presents his favourite pictures from the 2008/09 football season and tells the story behind each image. Some quality photos here and notice how many Chelsea feature in. 1/19 - 13 September 2008: Manchester City v Chelsea, FA Premier League match, Eastlands This was at the game between the so-called two richest clubs in the world and true to form the City fans had come prepared to show their backing to the new Arab owners. I like this sweet moment caught as the players, including Robinho on his home debut, warmed up in front of these young boys dressed in identical headwear. Licking lollies and ice creams while lit by beautiful late summer sunshine, I really like the way they seem entranced by the footballing talent set before them. 2/19 - 21 September 2008: Chelsea v Manchester United, FA Premier League match, Stamford Bridge In the season that Edwin Van der Sar broke the record for consecutive clean sheets, this piece of action shows his bravery as he flies into the save at the feet of the on-rushing Chelsea midfielder. Timing is the crucial point of this picture as the keeper, with feet off the ground, saves at the same time the ball is on the end of the his opponent's boot. In fact Van der Sar was forced off shortly after due to an injury caused in this clash. 3/19 - 27 September 2009: Everton v Liverpool, FA Premier League match, Goodison Park Everton fans show their despair as Tim Cahill narrowly misses in the first Liverpool derby of the season. I like the patterns made by the collective raising of hands to the head. Taken with a really long lens from the other end of the pitch this helps to condense the perspective and bring the fans closer to the players. 4/19 - 29 October 2008: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur, FA Premier League match, Emirates Stadium At this time of the season the Brazilian keeper was getting quite a reputation for his mistakes and handling of crosses. This is perfectly demonstrated here as he lands a perfect punch on his team-mate Jermain Jenas thus giving Mikael Silvestre the chance to nod in a goal during the chaotic 4-4 draw at the Emirates. 5/19 - 1 November 2008: Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool, FA Premier League match, White Hart Lane Spurs were completely outplayed for the majority of their game at home with the then unbeaten leaders Liverpool. But Harry Redknapp was now in charge and luck was on their side as Jamie Carragher headed into his own net and then in injury time Roman Pavlyuchenko nicked the winner. I am particularly pleased with this picture as the conditions were horrible to work in. I could hardly see anything through the driving rain and I spent the whole game with my feet under water standing in the trench that doubles as a photo position. The look on the players faces as the ball just creeps inside the post really makes the image for me. 6/19 - 30 November 2008: Chelsea v Arsenal , FA Premier League match, Stamford Bridge As the referee blows the final whistle the Robin van Persie celebrates knowing his two goals have helped Arsenal to a 2-1 win at the home of their title rivals. The photo positions at Stamford Bridge are down the entire length of just one side. This is not ideal but it does make it possible to move during the game. So knowing that Van Persie was likely to enjoy the moment of victory I moved to a better position to see him (in this case it was nearer the halfway line). As the whistle blew he faced away from me but luckily he arched backwards just at the same time as a glum-faced Michael Ballack walked by. 7/19 - 11 January 2009: Manchester United v Chelsea, F.A. Premier League match, Old Trafford A picture that has absolutely nothing to do with the outcome of the match, but I just love the colours created by the winter sunset over the Stretford End. You can get some lovely pictures of grounds when the level of light inside the ground (created by the floodlights) matches the level of light in the sky. This can often happen in the winter with games that kick off around 4pm. 8/19 - 25 February 2009: Chelsea v Juventus, Champions League, Stamford Bridge The Ivorian striker had been going through an indifferent season. But due to the rejuvenating effects of the appointment of Guus Hiddink, he rediscovered his form in this match at home to Juventus. This reaction after scoring the only goal of the game has a touch of relief about it, although he has never been shy when it comes to demonstrating the art of celebrating. 9/19 - 1 March 2009: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur, Carling Cup final, Wembley Stadium The Carling Cup final had come down to a penalty shoot-out. Manchester United had fielded a so-called "weakened" side and Ben Foster had replaced Edwin Van der Sar. This was his moment to show what he could do. Thanks to a bit of help from his iPod, he had a good idea where the Spurs kicks were heading. Here he brilliantly saves from Jamie O'Hara and his heroics gave United the cup. Fortunately for me I had moved into a spot down the side of the pitch where I could get a decent picture of any saves that came my way. 10/19 - 14 March 2009: Manchester United v Liverpool, FA Premier League match, Old Trafford This picture never saw the light of day after this match due to the fact it was United scoring their only goal of a 4-1 home defeat to Liverpool. Of course the story was all about Liverpool winning. But I still like this picture as you see Cristiano Ronaldo's face through the net while he hammers his penalty past the dive of Pepe Reina. I had known from past experience that Ronaldo prefers to hit his penalties into that corner so when the referee pointed to the spot I moved behind the net and guessed right. 11/19 - 5 April 2009: Manchester United v Aston Villa, FA Premier League match, Old Trafford Undoubtedly the key moment of the Premier League season. Liverpool had resumed top spot after a last minute winner at Fulham the day before. United trailed Villa at home with only minutes left and had many key players out injured or suspended. Cristiano Ronaldo levelled, then deep into injury time an unknown 17-year-old from Italy scored a spectacular winner. Federico Macheda instantly became a cult hero at Old Trafford. I was mightily relieved to get this picture of him scoring that goal as the next frame he was completely blocked by the defender. 12/19 - 6 May 2009: Chelsea v Barcelona, Champions League semi-final, Stamford Bridge This is the moment that Chelsea and most notably here Michael Ballack finally lost it with Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo. He had just turned down the fourth very credible penalty claim for Chelsea and this was just a minute after Barcelona had scored their crucial equaliser. I had moved down the side of the pitch after covering the Barca attack for the second-half. I thought something might happen on the final whistle and I would be better placed nearer the halfway line. Luckily I was in the right spot for all the shenanigans that became the headlines after the match. 13/19 - 11 May 2009: Newcastle United v Middlesbrough, FA Premier League, St James' Park This was taken just before Newcastle's massive home game with Middlesbrough. The reason I like it is the look on the security man's face as he guards the manager behind him. It really makes me chuckle. Alan Shearer was particularly handy at looking after himself when he played so why he does he need the security of a minder half his size? 14/19 - 13 May 2009: Wigan Athletic v Manchester United, FA Premier League match, JJB Stadium United were 1-0 down in the second half when the Argentinian striker was brought on. Soon he had equalised with a cheeky back flick and his team went on the claim a vital 2-1 win. Last year I was sat in the same spot at the JJB Stadium when Ryan Giggs decided to celebrate his title-winning goal right in front of me. Tevez followed suit and came within touching distance of me. I managed to take three frames before a mass of United fans piled over and on top of me as they tried to reach their hero. I had to cover up and try and protect all my equipment around me. Fortunately after all the fans had been dragged away, everything (including me) was in working order. 15/19 - 24 May 2009: Aston Villa v Newcastle United, FA Premier League, Villa Park This picture was taken at Villa Park just minutes after the Geordies' relegation from the Premier League had been confirmed. The fans had shown far more spirit then their desperate team. There were many lovely photos taken that day, but this is my favourite. It shows a true fan, ample physique on display, singing away to his heart's content. Thank you. 16/19 - 27 May 2009: Barcelona v Manchester United. Champions League final, Stadio Olimpico On the Barcelona lap of honour after the Champions League final, Lionel Messi spots family or friends in the crowd. He had performed brilliantly and capped it off with the clinching goal. At this moment as he wraps his winners medal round his head, the best footballer in the world looks like a proud, little boy showing off his prize from the school sports day. 17/19 - 27 May 2009: Barcelona v Manchester United, Champions League final, Stadio Olimpico It can't get worse for a professional footballer than hanging around waiting to pick up your losers' medal while the winners cavort around the pitch with glee. Certainly in this picture Sir Alex Ferguson and his players seem to be desperate to depart the scene of their disappointment. I particularly like the way they are pointing in different directions, not knowing where to look, not talking to each other, alone in their thoughts. For me it was just the sort of dejection picture I was looking for. 18/19 - 27 May 2009: Barcelona v Manchester United, Champions League final, Stadio Olimpico I had known from seeing earlier pictures that this was a ritual that the Barca players and staff were likely to perform if they won the final. However it seemed ages before this occurred and I was getting very nervous about time getting on and deadlines to meet for sending my pictures back. Fortunately I stayed on the pitch to witness this 'coach toss' as Pep Guardiola was thrown into the air. I probably could have got this better by being at a slightly different angle, but it still ranks as one of my favourite moments of the year. 19/19 - 30 May 2009: Chelsea v Everton, FA Cup Final, Wembley Stadium It was a boiling hot day for The Cup final. Deep into the second-half a break in play gave the players an opportunity to pour water over their heads and cool down. When play restarted almost immediately a bouncing ball was contested and water and sweat flew off the players' heads. Due to the backlighting an unusual image was formed. I think it certainly helped that a great deal of liquid came off the bountiful hair of the Everton cult figure.

The reason the atmosphere is different is because it's set in 2018, 10 years before the battles shown in the first two.

B2.

I haven't seen any Premier League games since the end of February so my team is based on the season up to that point, kind of like what the PFA Awards are like!! (Although my team isn't based on sentimentality, so no place for you Mr Giggs) -------------------------Schwarzer G Johnson........Jagelka-----------Hangeland--------A Cole --------------------------Alonso ----------------Ireland------------Lampard Ronaldo----------------------------------------------Young --------------------------Torres Subs: Given Evra Laursen Mikel Cahill Rooney Anelka

I'm in total agreement, the thing is that goal will probably end up getting forgotten by all non-Chelsea fans due to what happened afterwards, which is a real shame. Remember when Rooney scored a similar (not as good) goal against Newcastle the media raved about it for ages. Also don't forget Franks chip against Hull which was a fantastic goal and well worthy of a place in that list.

Of course there's no Chelsea goals, surprise surprise. The winner was Grafite for Wolfsburg v Bayern which I must admit was a bit special to say the least. The contenders: 1) Yoann Gourcuff (BORDEAUX v Paris St Germain, Ligue 1) 2) Simon Cox (SWINDON TOWN v Walsall, League One) 3) Grafite (WOLFSBURG v Bayern Munich, Bundesliga) 4) Fernando Torres (LIVERPOOL v Blackburn, Premier League) 5) Achille Emana (BETIS v Sporting, La Liga) 6) Remi Mareval (NANTES v Marseille, Ligue 1) 7) Cristiano Ronaldo (Porto v MAN UTD, Champions League) 8) Moussa Dembélé (Willem II v AZ ALKMAAR, Eredivisie) 9) Eduardo (ARSENAL v Burnley, FA Cup) 10) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (INTER v Bologna, Serie A) 11) Geovanni (Arsenal v HULL, Premier League) 12) Giuseppe Mascara (Palermo v CATANIA, Serie A) There are links to the goals on the website. European goal of the season

No I haven't seen that yet I if I get the chance I shall check it out, the next films I really want to see are Year One and of course Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, which looks fantastic.

I really enjoyed it, sure it's not as good as the first two but it is far better than the third so for me that makes it a fine addition to the Terminator franchise.

Owen Hargreaves may be forced to quit top-level football in the next two years I've never rated him and I don't think he should ever have been near the England squad despite the "plaudits" he received after a series of mediocre performances in a decidedly average England set-up. But I suppose it's sad when a career is cut short which looks like happening here.

Some spectacular goals there. As I recall I think it was Scholes that won that month and I think he went on to win goal of the season with that one as well. :angry:

Yeah, he'll be waiting a long time for that if he does end up a City.

Barry holds talks with Man City (BBC) I wonder what Stevie G makes of this.

I can't say I'm overly enthused by his appointment but I wish him all the best as he's going to need it. Does anyone know his preferred formation?

For anyone who's not seen it yet. ::clap2::

This one's a stinker, I'm going for C4.

Super Frank does it again.

Yeah the amount of times we gave the ball away cheaply in the first half I was beginning to think Deco had snuck onto the pitch.

Too many.

Kofi Annan!!! Why???

Abide With Me, bloody awful song.

Watching it on SBS over here in Australia and they're clearly in the Everton camp due to the fact that Cahill plays for them which is annoying to say the least, they can't stop going on about him. Also it feels weird watching the FA Cup Final at 10pm.

Sky content coming to XBox 360 (BBC) British broadcaster Sky has struck a deal with Microsoft that will see live football, TV and film content brought to the Xbox 360. I wonder how much they'll charge for football matches?