Give me some EPL info!

[Imran Siddiqui]

Ah player/managers. For some reason I think that just isn't a good idea, though I know that sometimes they work .

Or will Shearer leave after this season? I know they brought in Kluivert to replace him after he decides to hang 'em up.

[Agathon]

This is his last season. He's getting old and wants to retire while he's still good. He won't be a player manager. This is Robson's last season and my uncle (who is "in the know" [he's a match commentator at SJP]) says that Shearer has been promised the job.

I think he's still the best English forward in the league. Not bad for an old man.

[Agathon]

If you want to get into footy Imran, find a local pub where expats congregate to watch games.

[Arrian]

GO CARDIFF CITY FC! Ok, they're not in the Premiership, but they're 1st Division, IIRC. My father, being Cardiff-born, would be psyched were they to go up. Especially since they haven't done anything since the year he was born (1925).

-Arrian

[Imran Siddiqui]

If you want to get into footy Imran, find a local pub where expats congregate to watch games.

Well that may have to wait a year. Drinking and law school shouldn't mix that much .

Especially since they haven't done anything since the year he was born (1925).

Actually in 1927, they became the first (and only) Welsh team to win the FA Cup .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiff_City

[FrustratedPoet]

johncmcleod's omission of both Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta as best defenders speaks volumes for the amount of football coverage you get in the states. The club team rankings are also pretty arbitrary.

Maquiladora: I disagree that Robinson is our only decent signing over the summer - I think Sean Davis will be also be an excellent player for us next season.

One of the better ways to learn about the players and teams in European football leagues, and I'm not joking here, will be to get a hold of a copy of Football Manager 2005 (link) when it is released this autumn. Seriously.

[Maquiladora]

I disagree that Robinson is our only decent signing over the summer - I think Sean Davis will be also be an excellent player for us next season.

There are others like Pedro Mendes (CL winner with Porto) and Swedish International left-back Erik Edman, but its a case of wait and see. Robinson will be quality though. Sean Davis was way overrated on Champ Manager BTW

This is his last season. He's getting old and wants to retire while he's still good. He won't be a player manager. This is Robson's last season and my uncle (who is "in the know" [he's a match commentator at SJP]) says that Shearer has been promised the job.

He was talking like he was in charge already on saturday morning, without disrespecting Bobby of course (but we all know hes off with the fairies most days now)

I think he's still the best English forward in the league. Not bad for an old man.

I agree. Ive never seen a player in the EPL hit the target so consistantly and make the keeper work from any chance he gets. I was genuinely sad when he retired from International football.

[Agathon]

I was genuinely sad when he retired from International football.

So were the tabloid asses who had howled for his removal.

[Maquiladora]

Thats actually what he said on Saturday, talking about Paul Scholes retiring saying the press and everyone is on Scholes' back for not performing at Euro2004, then when he retires at 29 they cant believe it.

[Imran Siddiqui]

One of the better ways to learn about the players and teams in European football leagues, and I'm not joking here, will be to get a hold of a copy of Football Manager 2005 (link) when it is released this autumn. Seriously.

The real successor to Championship Manager... not that bastardized version from Eidos this year.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Thats actually what he said on Saturday, talking about Paul Scholes retiring saying the press and everyone is on Scholes' back for not performing at Euro2004, then when he retires at 29 they cant believe it.

Gotta love that English press . Btw, GREAT avatar

[alva]

1. Italy (remember these are leagues, not national teams)
2. England
3. Spain
4. Germany
5. France
6. Holland
7. Portugal
8. Argentina
9. Brazil
10. Belgium
11. Scotland
12. Turkey
13. Greece
14. Mexico
15. MLS

Auch!!!!
Sorry man, but your of the mark, not far...just a couple of miles, that's all.

The spanish competition IS the absolute best, no doubt.
The english - though the most exciting to watch - is not all that good. Well, it's not bad obviously, but certainly not the top league.

You can move Portugal up a few spots too IMO, and the eastern europe leagues are improving too, that are starting to be able to keep their youngsters now.

Top Strikers:

1. Thierry Henry
2. Ronaldo
3. Raul
4. Alessandro Del Piero
5. Ruud van Nistelrooij

Raul didn't do crap last year but surely has the talent. Ronaldo hasn't been close to form ever since he joined Real, I can agree with your other choices though.

Top Midfielders:

1. Zinedine Zidane
2. Ronaldinho
3. Pavel Nedved
4. Luis Figo
5. Frank Lampard

Ronaldinho hasn't proved that much yet, I LOVE to see him play but he's moves aren't that productive.
Figo: over he top and too little of a teamplayer. He sure was great at Barcelona.
Lampard???

op Defenders:

1. Roberto Carlos
2. Paolo Maldini
3. Cafu
4. Mikael Silvestre
5. Rio Ferdinand

Carlos, hmm, well I never considered him to be a defender so.
Maldini, great respect for the guy, but again, over the top.
Silvestre???
Ferdinand: not sure, still has to prove alot IMO.

1. Oliver Kahn (though he's getting really old)
2. Gianluigi Buffon
3. Dida
4. Tim Howard
5. Carlo Cudicini

Kahn is still good, but not numero uno anymore. Chech(sp?) should be in here.

[Maquiladora]

Btw, GREAT avatar

Its the perfect bicycle kick (or as close as)

But perhaps Pelé was more than we can understand...
In his final game in 1977, when Cosmos played against Santos at Giants Stadium in New York, it was raining after the game, and a witness explained: "God was crying".

http://www.usp.br/eef/lob/pele/

Lampard???

Thats the trouble with the continentals teams, they dont know about good English players unless they shine in Europe or Internationals. In England we seem to give far too much credit to ANY foreigner with a good touch, a fancy trick and a few good games.

Lampard played alright for England in Euro2004, but was lucky to score 3 though IMO.

Silvestre is one of the most nervous looking and clumsiest players ive ever seen.

[alva]

I know about Lampard, just don't think he is one of the top 5 midfielders in the world, that's all.
Ohh, I think it's the other way around to be honest, you give to much credit to English players.
That's one lesson i learned from he CM series.

[Maquiladora]

Oh definitely in CM they were overrated, the younger players were given world class potential and traditional hard working English mentalities - a lethal combination to reach your peak potential But there were even more in Sweden, but they apparently had a quiet word with the Swedish researchers for the new Football Manager.

CM peaked with 01/02, CM4 (and the new FM) needs to get less tiring to play, theres too many seperate menus and things that dont have a great effect, but take up a disproportionate amount of time to do, like contract negotiation.