I guess he performed for his country, whereas Messi doesn't appear to have done anything worthwhile, as of yet.

The three lads I was talking to last night claim he doesn't even try, I haven't seen enough of Argentina to comment on that, I think it is just a bit of paranoia - for example two different people here have claimed that Veron must have been "paid off" because of his poor performance in the England v Argentina WC game in 2002 co-incided with him playing in England, the fact that he was pretty useless for most of his time in England surrounding that tournament seems to have passed them by!

One world cup when he was 26. Messi is 22 so has plenty of time yet. Ironically the biggest hinderance to Messi and Argentina winning a world cup is their current manager, Diego Armando Maradona.

Probably true. They've failed to replace Roman but they're still trying to play the same way. He's tried out a stupendous amount of players, but there is nobody to control a game like him, which means there is no cog to keep things moving. If they're to do well, they have to adapt and become more of a counter-attacking side, sort of like England. They don't have the midfield to control a game against top sides, they need to find a balance in the side and play a more direct, quicker game.

Nah. You just spouted a load of nonsense.

He only needs the one.

Zidane only won one too. Not doing too well here are you?

...and it is Maradona.

Another reason Maradona is so highly thought of by Argentinians (though not as a coach) is because of the political and social conditions of the country at the time, they'd suffered under military rule, the "dirty war" and then the Falklands. Perfect timing for a new hero to come along as the country tried to move on and put the past behind them.

The best "defence" of his drug taking I've heard is that his first positive test was faked to frame him, and the stress etc from that led to him ending up developing a problem with them. I haven't laughed so much in ages, but the guy was deadly serious.

Why do you hate me?

Probably so.

I don't.

Hahahaha! That is definitely something they'd make up to protect their golden boy. Hahha.

How come Vermaelen hasn't had his ban increased?

That argument works when applied to teams less so for individuals. Would you rate Roger Hunt higher than George Best on the basis of his vastly more succesful international career? Some fairly average players have been fortunate to play bit parts in a team that won plenty of trophies eg Sammy Lee. It doesnt happen so much these days, but some excellent players didnt win many trophies because they remained loyal to a particular club eg Brooking, Shearer. That doesnt make them any worse in my view.

Maradona also took a pretty poor argentina side to the world cup final in 90 more or less single handedly iirc

Very good question. I thought the appeal for this sending-off was the absolute epitome of the word "frivolous"...unlike the FA to have double standards about something isn't it??? Sounds like Fergal was correct with his assessment of the FA disciplinary procedure last week after all

I think it was a genuine question of whether a red card and suspension was truly proper punishment for that incident.

ATM the rules say it is but they won't for very long.

There will be many, many examples of referees in that situation giving nothing more than a pen for that challenge. Some would give a yellow. Some a red. It's just down to the ref on the day.

Appealing against Ferdinand's 3 match ban though, that was beyond frivolous, it was taking the pi55.

Wolves absolutely destroying West Ham, they have been superb.

uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/23032010/ ... cored.html

uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/23032010/ ... cored.html

Got his name on the score, i mean sheet.

Well Valon, if you though the Hammers were [url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2884281/Behrami-Its-just-two-bad-by-us.htmlsh*t against Bolton[/url it's be interesting to hear your thoughts about tonight lol

I think the classic Lee Dixon (?) own goal, where he just stroked the ball back to his keeper, but managed to loft it instead and watched it fly over a stranded keeper was one of the best own goals.

TBH that own goal just looks bent. There's just no reason for him to smack the ball towards his own line in that manner. It's not like he was pressured into playing the ball too quickly or forced into a challenge.

Edit: I'm thick. See below.

[url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Lionel-Messi-overtakes-David-Beckham-as-world-s-best-paid-footballer-see-the-Top-10-here-article365703.htmlBeckham no longer best paid footballer.[/url

Linky fixed Paddy

David Moyes certainly loves to talk about City, doesn't he?

Maybe he thinks it will put him in Taggart's good books, in the hope that it leads to him being given the United job.

What's he said now?