Fulham Broadway

This is at best meaningless, and at worst a total distortion.The Deloitte list refers to only to income, not to profitability. OK lets start with Real Madrid, they're top by the way . Now it's true they are a rich club. They charge for TV rights on an individual basis, which means games have different prices, and they can haggle with teh TV companies for each match. There are three clubs in Spain that are essentially rich. ManUtd are not in any way profitable. Crewe, Doncaster and Accrington Stanley are more in profit. The Glazers sneakily borrowed the money @ £750 000 000, via a bank and set up a separate company. The interest payments are just about covered by ManUtds income. So all ManUtd fans are doing is paying off the Glazers overdraft. The Glazers have essentially bought a brand, get the fans to pay for it whilst it goes up in value,like a house, then they'll sell and in their mind make a massive profit on the backs of fans. By using a separate company, if it all went tits up, they would walk away owing nothing and ManUtd would collapse. This wont happen because they know football fans are the most loyal punters in the World. We dont really count. OK income generated is great, but we're owned ouright by a sole individual, who at the end of the day can do what he likes with it. Barcelona is an interesting one , and the one most to admire. As it's a Co Op -owned by the fans -there are no shareholders syphoning off a dividend every year and sucking the lifeblood out of it.

We here a lot about racism in Spain and Italy but by far the worst year on year is found in Israel. FOOTBALL IN ISRAEL RIDDLE WITH RACISM -From Kick It Out Chanting “Death to the Arabs,” hundreds of young Jewish soccer fans raced up a dusty Israeli side street to catch a bus carrying fans of the Arab team that had just beat theirs in a tense game. The supporters jeered even after the bus pulled away. Moments earlier, an Arab fan had been hit in the head with a rock, bloodying his forehead. Welcome to professional football in Israel, where racism and violence have become part of the country’s most popular sport. Before Monday’s match, the home team, Bnei Yehuda of Tel Aviv’s working-class Hatikva neighbourhood, was awarded a plaque for being Israel’s most tolerant and sportsmanlike team by the New Israel Fund, which has been tracking football fan behaviour in a new racism index. “Today they received a prize, but then because they lose a game this happens,” said Nur Ghentos, manager of the victorious Arab team, Bnei Sakhnin, as he watched medics bandage the head of the fan hit by a rock. “It looks like when you are winning you can be tolerant, but when you lose this is the result. This is the story of soccer in Israel.” Before this season, Bnei Yehuda fans had a reputation for being rowdy and racist. The team had been leading Israel’s top league until Monday’s loss - and for some Jewish fans, losing to an Arab team is the ultimate insult. Immediately after the game, fans for the most part were restrained, even applauding briefly for the rival team. New Israel Fund officials noted that the problems began, as they often do, outside the stadium. Soccer hooliganism in Israel has not reached European levels, but it is very much part of the culture of the game here - something civil society organizations and team officials are trying to change. Beginning last season, the New Israel Fund racism index has been giving supporters of each team a weekly grade. Volunteers are planted as monitors in the crowds and record the number of racist songs, slogans and incidents they observe. The results, ranking the most and least tolerant teams, are published weekly in the media and have caused a stir among soccer fans. Beitar Jerusalem are cited as the worst of the worst with racism a fabric of their supporters. The tolerance lacking in the stands can be found on the field, however, where Jews and Arabs often play on the same team. “On the soccer field is one of the only jobs where you see Arabs and Jews working together,” said Eliezer Yaari, executive director of the New Israel Fund in Israel, an organisation that promotes equality, democracy and social justice. Lior Asulin, a Jewish player, scored the winning goal for the Arab team, Bnei Sakhnin. He was cheered and hoisted on his teammates’ shoulders as fans roared and whooped. Racism in Israeli soccer stems mostly from Jewish fans, who feel they can shout slogans such as “Death to the Arabs” without fear of repercussion, experts say. The same cannot be said for their Arab counterparts. Jews playing on Arab teams say they feel at home on their teams. The Arab fans “give us lots of respect; there is no racism. They treat us well and we enjoy every minute,” Asulin said, smiling as he was slapped on the back after the game by a steady stream of fans. The cellular phone company Cellcom dropped its sponsorship of Beitar Jerusalem, which is considered to have the most racist fans in the country. The fans are known to have shouted “Death to the Arabs” for the duration of entire games, and the team is the only one in the premier league that never has hired an Arab player. Team officials denied any link between Cellcom’s decision to drop its sponsorship and fan behavior. It was revealed that at Beitar Jerusalem games, song sheets have been passed out with racist lyrics put to the tune of a popular song. The song was directed at one of Israel’s top Arab players, Salim Toameh, who plays for Hapoel Tel Aviv. “This is the Land of Israel, Toameh. This is the Jewish state. I hate you Salim Toameh, I hate all the Arabs,” the fans sang. The song now is commonly heard at games across the country and is directed at Arab players, whether or not Toameh is playing. According to the New Israel Fund racism index, Beitar Jerusalem fans ranked as the most racist. Beitar Jerusalem spokesman Lior Mai took issue with the index, saying it provoked fans to want to win first place - even as first-place racists. Racism on the soccer field is not limited to the Arab-Jewish arena. Black players - both Ethiopian Jews and foreign players from Africa - have been taunted with shouts of “Dirty black” and “Go back to the jungle.” Baruch Dago, a Jewish Ethiopian player for Maccabi Tel Aviv, reportedly is considering leaving the team because he is so disheartened by racist slurs hurled at him by his own team’s fans.

This forum was fine until you started stirring all kinds of rubbish with your incoherent ramblings. -just why is everyone of your posts edited ??? It's quite obvious you know nothing about football, you've not made one post about it. -just some shit stirring rambling incoherent defence of Grant. I've been supporting Chelsea since 1967 and I dont need twats like you telling me what I can and can't post. Elliott was quite right about that. You're not a Chelsea fan -admit it. As far as Israel is concerned it is a despicable state. Many Hacidic jews in London feel the same about Israel and Zionism. As I said Kick Racism Out of Football regularly cites Israeli teams as having the most racist fans in the World. Anyway, this thread isn't about that so if you wish to discuss that in your rambling illiterate way, I've started a thread in the Football Talk Forum, just so you dont go whining and crying to Admin.

Righto.

''Ruud played in a team who gave him all the chances in the box. They had ronney feeding him through balls as a second striker, ronaldo and giggs crossing the ball in neville too. If klass jan came to us, we would not play the 4-3-3 formation because you either need a player who can hold up the ball like drogba or a player who can run in behind like anelka. Klass jan is a clinical finisher with nothing more to his game, he cant hold the ball up and he has no pace plus he is lazy. '' Fair Do's - I trust your judgement

Nah seen the film at the cinema, so it's not ''straight to DVD''. It is in fact very good, and that scene was a mafia hit, not mindless football violence.

But BB, Ruud Van Niistelroy , another of your countrymen fited the same description, and he was deadly. Alves and Modric would be good. I reckon a clear out of a few ditherers who dont want to be here might be good, and get fresh blood in.

He was a Georgian Jew who, like Abramovich and several others positioned themselves round the permanently pissed Yeltsin, and got him to sign to them Russias assets as Communism collapsed.

True. There was also the mother of all title deciders with Michael Thomas in 1989. I can only reiterate that it's Arsenals to lose, and drop 9 points and us not drop any. Can't see it happening really. Btw in the ''Grant:Unbeaten Run Affecting Blues'' thread, you say theres no way we're going to win it anyway.

If they lose against one of the ones you haven't highlighted the mighty Arse will twitch. Having ManUtd in there helps us, but 9 points dropped is a big ask/task/arse.

Never say never and all that, but I think the cups are where we're at this season.

Would like to think we're in with a chance, and mathmatically it's possible. However, I can't see them chucking away 9 points somehow, and us not dropping any.

Rope ? Surely piano wire. Bridge himself is after a move if tomorrows chip paper is to be believed. ''Blues defender Wayne Bridge has threatened to leave if he is overlooked for the Carling Cup final''. (Daily Mail) I somehow can't envisage Bridge saying anything like that though.

Guardian has a similar story today ''Frank Lampard is the third Chelsea player who could head for the exit as speculation mounts that Juventus are set to make a bid for him''

There are potential banana skins there, but I think if they lose the two cup games -that will fire them up even more for the League. Also, Wenger with his experience and skill, and with Adebeyor the most on form Premiership player atm, they wont fuck it up. Then again if Adebeyor starts battering a few more of his own players , as he did with Bender.....

Israel year on year is cited as having the most vile, racist fans by Kick It Out. No wonder the surrounding countries wont play them and think they're cunts. Sorry P, I cant have made myself clear. I don't think he's not clever in a general sense, then again some people who are rich aren't the brightest -it's as you say he doesn't seem to have any get up and go, no tactical awareness during the flux of a game. If we take Sunday, he started a clearly unfit Lampard in a game that needed midfield dominance and fresh legs, while Mikel who's been playing at a very high level in Africa, and has had a week off sat on the bench. He made no adjustments to formation or style throughout the game, made the blandest and most obvious of substitutions, and still hasnt beaten a top 4 side. With our financial foundations we should be doing better - results don't seem quite good enough for us to be champions. Grant is a manager who did ok in an Israeli league, (hijacking another managers team as he did Chelsea) and below average in International football. At the end of the day the club has been built up to monumental proportions thanks to Abramovichs cash -it is his plaything if he wants -and he has in place a Yes man/puppet that will allow him to control all the way down to team selection if he wants.

Would like to share your optimism but can't I'm afraid, the glass is definitely half empty. Arsenal have remained consistently strong after their loss of African players and injuries. The possibility of Arsenal dropping 9 points is highly unlikely. We need this to happen and Yernited to drop points, and us to acquire maximum to be in with a sliver of a chance. Nice thought, but it wont't happen realistically. It is definitely theirs to lose.

It's Arsenals to lose now. Though if we keep breathing down their necks, and ManU hustling as well, they could fuck up -but probably not to the tune of 9 points.

Agree with most of that, but I dont see anything in him to support. Maybe he will pass the coaching exam. Brilliant. I've tried to leave personal opinion out of it and just look at his ability as a manager. he may well prove me wrong and start making astute tactical changes that lead us to win the league..but I dont think he has the bottle to risk being ridiculed, nor the intelligence to have contingencies for events as the game progresses. I would worry if we were to play AC Milan or Barca in the next week or two. Whether he is ousted in the Summer is up for debate, and will depend on what silverware is accrued., but I find it absolutely incredible he was given a four year contract. I'd prefer Ian Porterfield at the moment.

Sincrely doubt it, but he talks sense ''we can & should compare ourselves only to ourselves'' ''Are any of you so sure that Mourinho would have got any better results'' and ''man-unt'' and ''the Liver's''

Grant isn't stupid. He knows how to weedle his way into £100 000 a week job for a start. He has no acute football brain this is apparent. Fine, leave things as they are. why not ? Why fix it if it aint broke. That any manager would have done. I'm not advocating Mourinhos return. Hes gone. What he had though was a game strategy. He had a plan B, C, D, and E. This is how he was successful. Get a lead, and keep it. No way would have Villa drew 4-4 under his stewardship. Even Ranieri had plans and imagination. I see none of this during any grant game. This is where crucial decisions cannot be made by his underlings Ten Cate and Clarke.

Agreed it is so fucking frustrating. OK so Arse and ManU still have to come to SW6 (watershed games) but if the gooners win tonight they'll be an eight point difference. Doesn't mean it's over but not looking good.

That looks the business, but they wont play Drogs and Anelka together yet would they ? , but in an ideal world yes. maybe Roman will tell Grant that's what he wants The subs dont look that inspirational if we're up against it, wouldn't you like SWP or kalou as reserve ammo.? It might be good to have Drogs and Shevchenko together from the off, and then Anelka later on to catch'em.

Thats good news -he will shine against the Yids at Wemberlee methinks. On yesterdays performance, Lampard wasn't just lacking match fitness, but some of the ball giving away was woeful. So Ballack as captain with Mikel would be favourite in my book at present.

Kuyt going wide caused us problems when Ashley Cole was otherwise engaged. Don't think its harsh. My stance is that the results are despite the Puppet, and his position could be fulfilled by someone who could offer a contribution to Chelsea football Club for a more than adequate salary. But like I say maybe thats not neccesary. Top clubs now have enough staff, and Grant fulfils the role of No threat to the Media, and Abramovichs confidant and conduit to team selection.