Thanks for great football memories Sir Bobby...

Sir Bobby Robson loss his battle against cancer today... he was 76.

One of the football legends... he is in my opinion... one of the best British manager in modern times. Took Ipswich to win the UEFA cup in '81... could win the World Cup with England if not for Maradona's Hand of God goal (1986)(how the hell the referee didn't saw the hand ball while the whole stadium saw it... I don't know) and Stuart Pearce penalty kick miss (1990).

He had great success managing European clubs... PSV... Sporting Lisbon... FC Porto... Barcelona... won loads of titles for them. Keen eye for talents... Ronaldo... Figo... Guardiola... Ruud Van Nistelrooy... to name a few. Heck if it were not for him we would not have Jose Mourinho... Mourinho got his break in coaching from Sir Bobby starting from Sporting Lisbon and followed him through Porto and Barcelona.

His departure from managing Newcastle United was the starting point of Newcastle's downfall. He is truly UK's only successful manager outside the UK... do you here any English man successfully manage a European team now days?

More about Sir Bobby here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Rest in peace Sir Bobby... and thanks for memories...

Malaysians buying Newcastle United..?

Update 04.07.09: The Malaysian was revealed as Ananda Krishnan... banyak tul duit mamat ni... read it here.

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Just read in soccernet.com about a Malaysian consortium interested in buying Newcastle United Football Club. Read it here.

A good buy..? I think so... the Geordies are very passionate about their football club and if managed well, it is a profitable investment. Currently they are in the Championship after been relegated from the Premiership but I think they will bounce back (if they don't repeat the mistakes and mismanagement they make like last season). Bring back Kevin Keegan... hehehe.

On other note... Man United are currently on top to sign Michael Owen! Owen who is a free agent after deciding not to extend his contract with Newcastle, is currently in Man Utd training ground and undergoing a full medical check up. Man Utd were trying to sign a top striker after the departure of Carlos Teves but efforts to land Karim Benzema or David Villa were to no avail. Guess Sir Alex are keeping his cash in his pocket and going for free... excellent... I think Michael Owen still got his scoring fire power... its only injuries that have kept him out from playing. So... if he manage to keep fit... he is sure going to be a hugh asset for Man Utd. Hopefully Giggs could give Owen some tips on getting fit...

End of the league...

Been playing Yahoo Fantasy Football for ages... this season is my greatest achievement yet :D Champion in my own private league... and rank 3,883 in the world... next season will be better... targeting for <1000 rank.

To all my friends in the league... be ready to fight for next season...hehehe :)

Guide to Fantasy Footie...

I have been playing Yahoo UK Fantasy Football for ages. Been playing with me friends in our own little league. Last season was the worst as my team ended the season last in the league.

This season they change the layout of the website. It more interactive and much more easier to navigate... I like tis new format. They also added a blog section which really helps in giving tips on players and latest news. Check them out here. They give good reviews.. really. Also helpful site is the PhysioRoom.com which details the injury list for all Premiership teams. Sometimes not that accurate... but it helps. Don't want to choose an injured player... huh.

The rules haven't change... which is good. Because of that, I tend to play the 3-4-3 formation or the 3-5-2 formation. Players who score goals or assist will be given more points hence less the defender you have the better. Also try to choose defenders which plays as wingbacks or provide crosses as they will be involve in attacking more (hence more points). Defenders who scores often does help.

Check out for new signings in the league as they are cheap when they enter the system. Remember you only got 100 million to spend on 11 players so cheap players who scores plenty does help. With players like Ronaldo who is valued at 27.09 million... it really helps. BTW... you guys must be out of your mind to get Ronaldo with this bloody-out-of-this-world-price... he is injured for God sake... won't be playing till end of September I heard.

So... join in... try to see if you are a real footie manager... put your footie knowledge to the test. It is fun... and if you play with friends in your own little league... you got bragging rights if you are the champion... :D . Try a beat me team... Little Green Men. With me unemployed and staying in the UK... me got an upperhand... hehehe.

Man Utd Champions... Moscow, here we come!!!

Man United are Premier League Champions!!! All the drama... final match of the season.. Chealsea breathing down our necks but finally... No goal difference result. They had a draw against Bolton (1-1) while Man United won comfortably against Wigan away (0-2). It has been a great season... and when Giggs scored (yes... he scored!!!) and lifted the cup for his 10th time and equalizing Bobby Charlton's record of 758 appearances for the Red Devils... the feeling was fantastic. We deserve it... and won it fair and square!!!

Here are some quotes on the fabulous day itself... (I got it emailed from Red View by webmaster@manutd.com).

WE'RE CHAMPIONS: SIR ALEX ECSTATIC

Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted after landing his 10th Barclays Premier League title as United boss. This is what he said in his first post-match interview at Wigan:

Was this the toughest title race so far?
“It was a tough one all right and being away from home made it more difficult. In fairness for most of the game we played well. There were some nervous moments and then the rain came, anything can happen on a rainy surface. Just after half-time we started to get a grip of it. We missed a few chances and the goalkeeper made some great saves. I was saying to myself, “please give us that second goal.” Of course, my oldest player, ten medals today, gets it – Ryan Giggs. Fantastic."

How nervous were you when Chelsea went 1-0 up?
“There was a guy behind us who kept telling us it was 2-0 to Chelsea after one minute. You’ve got to try and dismiss all the stuff round about you, forget what was happening at Chelsea and concentrate on our own game. I think we did that."

What would you regard as the turning point in the title race?
"It ebbed and flowed a bit. Arsenal, for long periods, looked like they were going to win it. Then they dropped a few points after we knocked them out of the FA Cup and that told for them. We then dropped a few points at Blackburn and Middlesbrough and that allowed Chelsea to close right in. But the two points Chelsea dropped against Wigan probably won the title for us."

How does it feel to have won 10 titles?
"Fantastic. I’m very proud. Proud to have survived for so long. It’s a great club and it’s much easier for me than it is for anyone else. How would I do without this? Tell me."

What impact will winning the title have on the Champions League final?
"The great thing is we’re bouncing into the final. We can look forward to it. If we’d lost the title today, it would have been difficult. When we lost the title at West Ham in 1995, we lost the FA Cup final the following week. We were dead then. We’re not dead now, we’re alive. If we win the European Cup, this has to be my best team."

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES

United's tenth Premier League title means so much to so many people. Here is a selection of quotes which capture the mood...

"It feels great. I'm not bothered about individual records, this is what it’s all about – championships." - Ryan Giggs

"This is my third title but it’s Giggsy’s tenth and that puts it into perspective. He keeps driving on every season and that’s an inspiration to all the lads." - Rio Ferdinand

“The pressure was high, but we believed in ourselves and we deserve to win the title, definitely." - Cristiano Ronaldo

"Alex Ferguson’s record is simply sensational. The man is a genius. And if there's anyone I would have liked to equal my record, it’s Ryan Giggs. He’s a credit to his family, the club, the game and himself." - Sir Bobby Charlton

"We knew that coming into the last two games, if we got six points we’d be champions. We could see the finish line. It was in our hands and we weren’t going to let it slip. We were so determined to retain the title." - Wayne Rooney

"I think [equalling Liverpool's] 18 titles will come. This side’s young. It’s developing all the time. It’s a good young team and there are plenty of years left in them. They’ll do it in their own time." - Sir Alex Ferguson

Champions League is in our grasp... Moscow... here we come!!! To all the non-Man United fans... hehehe :D ... tough. See ya next season... :p

Glory... Glory... Man United!!! We are the Champions!!!