Hahaha, just read this and thought I'd pass it on.

Not only do Man U fans get sucked in by countless different shirts and merchandise it now looks like they're going to get shafted again. Read on.

"Manchester United supporters have been told that they must pay the price for keeping Roy Keane at Old Trafford.

Keane ended months of speculation when signing a new deal with the Treble winners, reported to be worth around £50,000 a week, earlier this season.

And now the Old Trafford board have informed the club's followers that they must bear the brunt of that cost."

The price of success eh?!!! http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/tongue.gif http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/tongue.gif

Well I thought that would be a given anyway.

Besides, if I were a Man U fan I wouldn't mind paying a bit extra for a midfielder who can abuse refs and get away with it (appart from that one time at Newcastle).

Sometimes it's hilarious watching him play, anyone remember the slaughter vs West Ham - he dribbles into the box,goes down like he's shot even though there was no contact, the West Ham defender (I think it was Lomas) says something to him while he's 'writhing in pain' - he jumps up (quick recovery I guess), and smacks Lomas around the head, no matter Keane still won the penalty and the Ref gave Lomas a talking to: "So Steve, why were you trying to break poor Roy's hand using your head?"

Then there was the stomp on Steffan Freund which was a lot worse than Lee Bowyer's on Stephen Clemence,
Ferguson: "Freund is a cheat - it's disgraceful the way he acts."
Yes Alex, trying to break poor Roy's feet using his stomach.

Then there's the abuse at the refs, and the one I liked the best, vs Arsenal at Old Trafford, he's on the floor, decision goes against him, he screams bloody murder, gets up and bumps the Ref....and the Ref appologises...bloody hilarious....although I guess Emmanuel Petit didn't find that too funny since all he did was touch the same ref earlier in the season and got sent off.....

I also find it kind of funny that while the Man U fans and the media love 'Keano', and were all in favour of giving into his wage demands, when Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink did the same he was a 'greedy Judas'....but Jimmy was joint leading scorer in the EPL the year before....Jimmy was asking for 30 grand a week....not to mention Keane OPENLY said he would leave if he wasn't given the money - yes the man who is CAPTAIN of the team (supposed to be a leader, an inspirational figure) made an ultimatum based on money alone ("I know there are teams on the continent that are willing to pay me that amount of money") - he made that clear....but no, he's not a 'greedy judas'...


'Keano' indeed.....

Don't get me wrong here, I still think he's one of the best midfielders in the world, it's just a shame he acts like an arse on the field....that and he recomended his barber to poor old David Beckham....

(Cue the inevitable backlash)


[This message has been edited by Neutral (edited 04-13-2000).]

Back in the Matt Busby days at Old Trafford, there was a Genius of a forward by the name of Dennis Law,<Scotland> a world class player by anybodys standards, he demanded a huge pay increase for his services...Matt Busby told him that every player in the team were treated as equals and if he <Dennis> wasn't happy with that setup he was free to move on..Good for Matt Busby to live by his code of loyalty....Busby made a comment that NO player, whatever his ability or stature would ever get away with demands of that nature..and that was the way it was all set up..what a huge difference in todays football when some players can virtualy demand and receive almost any amount of cash that they ask for..and in most cases a sad sad joke....BTW..."King" Dennis played on for many more years at Old Trafford, along side Bobby Charlton and the rest of that excellent team..before ending his playing career at Manchester City...and in a Vital game that Man Utd had to win to avoid relegation into Division Two, it was Dennis Law who casually backheeled the descisive goal past the United keeper that doomed Man Utd to Division two status,he actually dropped his head and sportingly appologised to his Ex team mates for being the one who scored that goal, and he was truly sorry and sad that his old team were on the recieving end of his brilliant talent.. http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by Hunnter (edited 04-13-2000).]

Yes, did u know that he was subbed off after the goal, and the goal was the last touch of his professional career. What a great footballing story. In fact that goal was Total Football's 21st 'Greatest Footballing Moment of All Time' - they have a quote from Denis;
"I went home and shed tears. I have never regretted scoring, but I have always wished the goal hadn't been so important or ironic'.

Oh, on a side note, if there was ever a reason for why the Champions League should be reverted back to its old format with MUCH less games,

if Andy "I need 5 chances to score 1 - did u see me vs Real and vs Middlesborough just recently?" Cole scores one more goal in Europe he'll break Denis Law's European goal scoring record.....now THAT would be a tradgedy....

[This message has been edited by Neutral (edited 04-13-2000).]

Well I must say I'm in 100 percent agreement with Neutral.

Also what kind of stupid excuse for raising prices is that? So even if they pay him 50 thousand pounds per week, so lets say he gets paid somewhere between 2 million and 2.6 million pounds per year(Allowing we don't know how many weeks he gets paid, so let's assume somewhere between 40 and 52 weeks. Does that sound to you like a major hit to the budget? They spend 10 million pounds to transfer Stam! Chelsea pays what 12-15 mil for Sutton? For the price of Sutton(worthless player by most accounts), Man U can pay Keane's wages for 5 years! He is a bargain, don't you see. Keano settled for peanuts, for the price of what teams now pay for a bench player!

On a sidenote they compared 5 top midfielders in this weeks PN, Keano got the highest rating. Here were his marks, on 5 point scale:
Ball Control:4
Playmaking/strategic thinking:4
Long passing:4
short passing:4
shooting:5
heading:4
Impact on team play:5
He was named best defensive mid, ahead of Guardiola, Pettit, Davids, and Jeremies, in that order.

[This message has been edited by PolishPower (edited 04-13-2000).]

Polish, what do u think of those ratings?
I haven't seen Guardiola or Jeremies play that often to comment, but I would say that this season Keane is on par with Davids.....but at least Davids doesn't act like a moron (then again, if I could get away with it like Keane does I'd probably do the exact same things) http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by Neutral (edited 04-13-2000).]

No......i didn't realise that was his last game......but then, after that, he probably didn't want to play again....what a way to end his career..Did you know that he started his Pro career as a 15 year old at Huddersfield Town in 1956/57..A skinny kid who wore school issued specs..."As if that really worried him".......

[This message has been edited by Hunnter (edited 04-13-2000).]

Neutral: I think Keane has really improved as a player in the last 2 years. And yes I do think he is the best defensive mid around. Here is how they rated Davids:
Ball Control:4
Playmaking/strategic thinking:3
Long passing:3
short passing:4
shooting:4
heading:2
Impact on team play:3

By the way, ball control here means the ability to take away the ball from attackers, and conversly not letting yourself be dispossed.

Polish,
Yes I agree he has improved, you should have seen him develop as a player over the (almost) 10 years he's been at Man U. I remember when Ferguson bought him from Nottingham Forest he wasn't that much of a great player - even when they first won the title, Ince and Cantona were the most influencial players - but now he's better than both. I've seen Keane play a lot over the past few years but I still believe Davids is a slightly better player - there's just something about the bulldog's presence on the field - he's an excellent foil for Zidane. That said, Keane's presence really gives Scholes free roam of the park as well. It's just when Keane is on the attack he seems to pass if off sideways more often rather than go straight down the throat like Davids does (but again, when you have Beckham and Giggs on the wings thats understandable) I wound't mind either in my team, but I'd still go with the Dutchman - but just marginally........although if you've seen him play over the course of this season you might see how Liverpool's Steven Gerrard has the potential to become as good as, or even better, than both..


....of course Gerard just 19, and both Keane and Davids are the real deal now.

Just my biased two cents. http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif

I've posted a lot about Keane, but here are just my latest thoughts:

1.Keane's obnoxious and violent behavior towards anyone on the field besides his teammates is not just a part of his nature, but is aimed at inspiring and exciting his teammates into enthusiasm, as a captain should.

2.I'd pay to keep Keane; and in a way I do: going to (ManU) games I wouldn't have gone to if they didn't have him.

3.Just a short note about his talent and impact on team play: You'll notice that usually, in most games when Keane is absent (mostly due to red/yellow cards http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif ) Manchester falls apart and can't function; the best example I can think of is vs Bayern Munich in 99's ECC final. Vs Leeds this year for example, they won (1-0) without Beckham, in contrast.

By the way, Neutral, where can I get that list of the "Best Gaming moments in History"?

"Keane's obnoxious and violent behavior towards anyone on the field besides his teammates is not just a part of his nature, but is aimed at inspiring and exciting his teammates into enthusiasm, as a captain should"

While I agree that Keane acts like that because it's part of the way he plays - and that's how he's most effective, I don't think it's neccesarily how all captains should act - look at Tony Adams, he's a great leader but he doesn't act like an arse - it mostly depends on the player.

As for the 50 Greatest Moments in Footballing History - that was in Total Football's August 1999 issue - you can back order it - it's a real collectors issue. Regardless, once my finals are over (end of April) i'll post the list up - it has a lot of English bias, but its still a very interesting list. And I'm (kind of...ok...bittersweetly) proud to say I was at their number one moment of all time.....

Which was...?

1989
Liverpool 0 Arsenal 2

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ranks up there as probably the one of the worst nights of my life. Thomas was so bloody lucky, any other night and the ball would've bounced the other way.

[This message has been edited by Neutral (edited 04-13-2000).]

That was their number one moment? English bias I think is an understatement in that case...

Polish,
Do u know about the circumstances surrounding that game? IMO That has to be in the top 5 of all time regardless - to win the league on the final day, in the final game in the final minute by goal difference is something that may never ever happen again.

It's just not big enough moment to deserve that honor. Nice moment, best in history of English league, ok I might agree.

To me the biggest moment is the 2 minutes that shook the world, Man U scoring 2 goals vs Bayern M. in 1999, I think a few of you might remember that one...

Also as for amazing finishes, how about last year, Bordeaux wins the French championship on a goal in the 89th minute?

Also this is the biggest moment in history of Polish league: 1997, Warsaw: Legia Warsaw-Widzew Lodz, next to last fixture of the season. Widzew has a 1 point lead over Legia. Legia goes two goals up mid-way through the game and it looks like they are well on their way. Then, to the shock of observers, Widzew storms back with goals in 86, 88, and 90th minute for a 3-2 win and clinches the championship! Hard to beat that one heh?


Oh btw, I hate when league is decided on goal difference, it just doens't seem right. I like the Italian way(did someone say 1 game play-off?)

Wow, the Legia Warsaw-Widzew Lodz one sounded amazing! I'd definately put that up there; (I still remember my Dad telling me about how Man United did a similar comeback in the Busby days but it was like they scored 4 goals in 3 minutes or something in a European tie - any REAL Man U fans care to fill me in?)

But I'd put the Arsenal Liverpool ahead of Feinduno's goal and the Man U CL win(that was 3rd in the list btw)

I mean going into the final game of the season Arsenal were 3 points behind the Reds, and they needed to win, and win by a clear two goals. So it's half time 0-0, me, my Dad and my brother were thinking that it was pretty much in the bag - I mean we were LIVERPOOL - imagine United's present day offensive prowess but with a real defense (no dodgy Silvestre or Berg antics here). So Alan Smith scores like 20 seconds into the 2nd half, but we hold them off, it's 90 minutes, were singing, the Liverpool players are smiling, then OUT OF NOWHERE - and I mean out of nowhere - one minute I'm talking to my dad about how amazing Barnes really is - and then there's Michael Thomas right in front of Bruce and all I can remember is numbness and silence.....

You know how Kaffour punched the ground in agony last year, if I had of punched the ground I'd have punched all the way to China ...

[This message has been edited by Neutral (edited 04-14-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Neutral (edited 04-14-2000).]

Hello Neutral...The Man utd v Real Madrid semi final game,i think that you mean...United played the second leg at old Trafford and were facing a deficit .Real Madrid were in top form and looked like winning this semi final..But..Man Utd had other ideas, they kicked up into top gear and pulled of a brilliant result that placed them in to the Final..i think that Man Utd Beat Benefica by 4-1 in the final...It was a great night for all Manchester fans and of course Matt Busby, Bobby Charlton, and Billy Foulkes, these players were of the few who survived the terrible air crash at Munich a few years earlier..

[This message has been edited by Hunnter (edited 04-15-2000).]

Yes, I think that's it!
Have u ever seen highlights of the final that year - did u see that brilliant goal Georgie Best scored - where he nutmegged the defender and dummied the keeper - classic stuff! (the final 3 goals for United against Benfica were all in extra time!)

Yes, i have seen the match, along with with old movies of Real Madrid v Eintracht, and Hungary v West Germany 1954 final etc etc ....Just a quick note about George Best, he went over to Man Utd as a young player, in his first trial against the established United defender Billy Foulkes, Best just kept working him over, he did one trick to Foulkes by actually knocking the ball onto the defenders shins, then casually collecting the rebound and leaving Foulkes in no mans land, Busy couldn't believe what he had just witnessed....Busby thought the world of him..he called him "The Boy Best" in reference to his super talents...and he was 100% correct too, Best was an amazing player to see, i think that he once scored 6 goals in a cup tie against Peterboro Town, he did it with gracefull ease too....

[This message has been edited by Hunnter (edited 04-15-2000).]

Yes, he was definately one of the all time greats, too bad he had to turn to the bottle.

http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/frown.gif

btw, did he get out of hospital yet? I know he was in recently.

I didn't realise that he had been in Hospital, was it the Drying out unit...shame he hit the bottle so hard....

Funny when you think that George Best in his prime was a total pisshead. He'd go out and get blind and still be a genius on the pitch the following day.

man how old are you guys???

polish
that polish champ ending was amazing!!

i would put that first outta the ones i heard so far........

han gi thought of another maybe not as good as these as the game wasnt as important but...

97/98 Premier League

LEEDS 4 (Wallace 37,Kewell 40, Hasselbaink 83, Bowyer 91 )

DERBY 3 (Sturridge 4,11 mins Asanovic pen 33)

Anyone remember??
Derby up 3-0 after 33 mins only for Bowyer to smash home the winner in injury time????

brilliant!