Fierce_LiNk

Ellen Ripley says: "Lets get this party started." Happy Birthday, Pajeeta.

Is that including league defeats going back to last season or stuff like Carling Cup games? I know they've been on a bad run since getting smashed by Stoke.

Oh, Crouch is a freak of nature. For someone of his height, I've never known a striker to be so poor in the air. (He also gives away too many fouls because of his flailing). Well, Bolton haven't had a lot to shout about this season. 3 points in 6 games, bottom of the league. 5 defeats out of 6. They're not exactly high on life.

So, I went into work the next day and I decided that I would make a poster/sign to be put outside my classroom door, just to set some rules about homework (to help sort out the confusion). Head of Department and a few others thought it was a great idea, so I did that. After-school, the parent said she wanted to have a chat with me, and apologised! She said that it wasn't her intention to cause offence and that she was happy with how things were going. A bit unexpected, but nice nevertheless. She seemed to catch some vibes that I wasn't happy about her actions...wonder what gave her that idea. It was my friend's birthday from work, so there was a little intimate group of three others who went to her place, where we ordered some yuuuummy Indian food and played some games all night. Tried some Kinect, which was a bit of a laugh because we all looked retarded whilst doing so. We managed to squeeze in some Guitar Hero, which was awesome. Got to show off some basic skillzz. I was a bit hungover the next day, but gymmed it off and was fine for the rest of it. No Saturday wasted. Fuck yeeah.

Very tough game against Stoke. They seem to be improving all the time and no longer rely on Delap's long throw-ins. They're physical, but they can also pass the ball around nicely, cross it or dribble it into the box, and Crouch just gives them another dimension. They might get slated for being too aggressive, but they know what it takes to win matches or get points off the big teams. We were unlucky to lose Rooney and Evans before the game, and then Hernandez during it. But, there were opportunities that we just didn't seem to take, which is a contrast to our other games this season. Giggs' miss at the end being the highlight. A draw is a very fair result, as both teams played well (don't think either deserved to lose). We've got some huge games coming up, again. There's Basle and Norwich at home, then Liverpool away, then Otelu Galati away a few days after that, before having City at home. Then, Everton away. That period will be a massive test for us. If we can win those Champions League games, and then take some points away from Liverpool and Everton, the that'll be great. The City game is going to be some game, as well.

I've decided to go on a Zelda boycott til the release. It's so close now...I can almost taste it. Really starting to get excited now. I want to see more of the game in trailers and stuff, but also, at the same time, I don't want to spoil myself. Wish it was out nawwww.

I'm gutted that Hargreaves is playing at City, but also at the same time I'm happy that he's playing football again. I don't consider him a traitor in the Carlos Tevez sense. As long as he doesn't score against us and hopefully doesn't contribute to City winning anything, then it's ok. He's had shit luck the last few years, so it's about time something went right for him. Good luck, Hargo.

This carries on from good stuff thread Part 1: So, I thought I was doing a good job. Until, I found out yesterday that the parent in question has gone straight to the Headmaster, complaining that I have been setting two bits of homework every night (handwriting homework, which I have NOT set at all) that is due in for the next day. Complete fucking bullshit, because I have a clear system that I have told the kids and the parents themselves. If the homework is set on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, it is due in for Friday. If it's set on Thursday or Friday, it's in for Monday. Pretty obvious, which means the kids have plenty of time to do the homework, which they all have been doing, apart from this one. What's more, this pissed off my head of department, because the parent didn't go to her at all. She went straight to the headmaster. She's also been bitching about other members of staff, saying that we haven't been helping the parent out, and also that I haven't given her a copy of the timetable...which I did and stapled into her homework diary. Fucking idiot! So now me and the head of department are meeting her afterschool on Wednesday to discuss the issues. I would really, really, really fucking love to lay into her and verbally destroy the parent with the facts, but I'm going to be professional about it and destroy her with kindness. Or something. good stuff thread part 2

The last few days have been topsy fucking turvy at work. I've been getting to know the kids and the parents of my new class, with one parent sticking out in particular because she says that her child is struggling to do the homework at home. She explicitly said that her kid takes about an hour to settle down to even start to do the homework...well...not my problem really, but I spent a good hour after school on two occasions over the last two weeks, including lots of 15 minute sessions after school where I spoke to the parent and offered advice. Not only that, but I spent quite a bit of time helping the parent with some of the maths work herself...using a numberline on a whiteboard. Teaching the parent. Yes. So, I thought to myself "ah, you've done a good job there, obviously helping the parent and kid out." Go To Bad Stuff Thread So, I photocopied a homework sheet for the parent in question today and created a little box at the top which tells the parent exactly what to do, tells her exactly how long to spend on it and explained this to the parent in question. She seemed a bit taken a-back, but I thought "FUCKKKKKKK YOOOOOU! you asked for this. :heh:" In other good stuff, one of my teacher friends at the school had to go to an important meeting yesterday, so I had her class for two of my free periods. I thought "hmm, what to do?" So, we ended up going to the music room and I showed off some drum skills. I let them have a go as well and taught them how to do some cool shit. They all seemed to love it and I later ended up going back in again at break-time and lunch-time with some of them. The new Deputy Headteacher walked past the room as well and said it was pretty awesome what I was doing.

The team-sheet for the game against Leeds is random to say the least. The back four to finish the game consists of Fabio, Valencia, Carrick...and Berbatov. Good to see Michael Owen getting on the scoresheet twice. Competition for places up front is high.

0:48...that's actually pretty realistic. It's just like watching the real Arsenal.

I heard two Chelsea supporters say "Fuck Me, He Scored!" They were right behind me, I couldn't stop laughing.

Exactly what I'm saying. He's great at keeping the ball and maintaining a lead, but he's far too defensive. I actually think he'd made a decent centre-back. He seems to be becoming increasingly defensive. Maybe he's losing his pace, so that's why he doesn't get forward as much as he could? It's a shame.

Today was his worst game for quite a while. He's at least been 7.5/10 quality in every game this season (except today). The important thing with him is that he gets a good run in the side and doesn't play one week, miss the next, play again, get injured, etc. He needs to play week in week out so you can see the real benefit. Also, as good as Carrick and Fletcher are, Anderson is much, much more positive. He makes forward passes, gets forward, adds pace to the midfield (which was definitely lacking when he was taken off) and is quite a physically imposing player. He needs to improve his shooting, or rather actually take more shots on. If he sorts that out, he will become a greater player. I rate him. Also, Fletcher is great, but he looked rusty today. No fault of his own, because of his illness. I'm happy that he played, because on his day he is one of the best midfielders in the league. Again, with him, he needs to play every week to get the best out of him. In his most preferred position, which is central midfield. Fletcher isn't hugely creative, though. He'll try to get forward well and offer support, and will get back and defend. A great box-to-box player and a great United player. He's different to Anderson. Both are different to Cleverley and Carrick. They're all different. All four are important, but in different ways. Ehh, Cleverley has looked brilliant when he was out on loan and has pretty much been running the United midfield this season when he's played. It wasn't a coincidence that we came from 2-down against City in the Charity Shield when he came on. He's tough, plays very high up the field yet knows his defensive duties, has a decent shot on him, has pace, the ability to pick out a short or long pass and links well with the forwards. Also, he's young, so will only get better. Only United fans will truly know how good he is, because they'll watch him in every game and see how important he is. Again, notice how the midfield looked less creative when he wasn't playing. (the Champions League game, and today). It was quite noticeable. What matters though is that the manager decided not to purchase a midfielder this season, despite Scholes retiring, which leaves a big void. That must show you how highly he rates Cleverley if he believes that he can take on that role.

He wasn't good today, but he's been pretty great this season. He is much more positive than Carrick in that he passes the ball forward a lot more. What's better? A 100% pass completion rate where they're side or backwards passes, or 50% when they're going forward? (I guess it depends on whether you're attacking or defending, because Carrick came on when we were already winning). Also, he has pace and can get forward, but just doesn't shoot in the final third. Look at the goal he scored against Spurs, where he combined with Wellbeck. Fletcher and Carrick don't offer that. He needs goals in his game, but he is pretty creative. I can easily see him and Cleverley being the first choice midfield for a long while.

If somebody breaks into your house, you have to believe that they will cause you some harm. They're not coming in to make you a cuppa, lets put it that way. Whether they're coming to steal something or hurt you, they are putting you in danger. When you feel you're under threat, you're not going to think rationally. You're not going to think "I must just wound him, not kill him." At the time, you'll probably be thinking "shit, get out of my house, why are you here? Leave me alone." Not saying it's right for someone to kill another person. But, personally, I side with the true victim. The one sitting/sleeping at home, not breaking the law.

That was a definite, yeah. Not a red card, but a definite penalty. That Ashley Cole challenge was horrible. Don't know how he only got a yellow for that. I wince everytime I watch it. Nani looks like he was just off, but that's so tight...how can a linesman possibly spot something as minimal as that? Platty: I didn't spot it as I was celebrating at the time. Anyway, well played, Chelsea. I very much look forward to the return match at Stamford Bridge. Hope it's as entertaining as this game.

It's hard to tell from that video I posted, but you can see him running back to get onside. He was off-side at some point, but I'm not sure if he is when getting the ball. Cmaaan match of the day. Still, if Mata puts a tackle in, this doesn't become an issue.

Come on, dude. It's a broken system. It's actually easier to score a penalty in real life than it is in these damn games. (Unless you're Wayne Rooney today)

They're the usual very-tight decisions that you wouldn't even spot in real-time unless you had access to some sort of replay. I didn't even think the second goal was off-side until I saw people mentioning it on here. Again, though, what would make it easier? Video technology. This happens every week in some form.

I'm watching the Nani goal again from here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FILAEUF3SfU When I pause the video at 2 seconds in, I can see Nani in the frame at the top of the video, with the Chelsea defence out of view. It looks like he's just on to me, but I need a better angle to see it from. (It looks like one of the central defenders is playing him on) First goal was definitely off-side, but again was awful defending from Chelsea.

I noticed just a minute ago that he doesn't actually look up to see where the goal is when he places that ball. He doesn't realise he's missed until he does look up and sees it go wide. A bit schoolboy-ish. You keep your head up. :p

You could just play as that team, but you play as a certain team for their characteristics. What would be the point of playing as Gareth Bale if you couldn't have his pace. Or, playing as Luka Modric without his pin-point passing accuracy and God-like-ness? In past games, I usually enjoy playing as AC Milan (usually because the bastard I'm playing against uses United, and I don't like going as the same team). I just find it easier to control the ball and pass it around as them. Also, their default formation always seems to allow for decent midfield and wing-play. The (new - implemented last year) penalty system in Fifa is awwwwful. As Ramar points out, it's harder than it needs to be. It's not realistic in the slightest. I had a shoot-out against my housemate and we both missed about 20 penalties each with 0 saved. It's just so needless.

He's only 22. But, the media will find any reason to criticise him because he made a huge money move to Liverpool. It's unavoidable. Only thing he can do is play well and score goals. The media piss me off here. They'll find any reason to doom-merchant. It's not only here though, it's pretty bad in Spain and Italy, too. But, it's still a pain.

These early kick-offs are killing my love for this competition. I want to watch the games but I don't allow myself to wake up before midday on Sundays. Too close between Wales and Samoa. We should have done a lot better. But, a win's a win.