Was it Copenhagen then?

What did McKeown do?

He went spare and had to be restrained from attacking everyone in range (other Linfield players, opponents, officials and probably Jackie Fullerton and all).

They were generally agreed to have been unlucky.

Drogheda Utd 2-1 Levadia Tallinn. Drogheda came from a goal down at half time to win. I've no idea how they played, but have just seen the goals on the news.

Linfield 0-2 Dynamo Zagreb. Seemed to be a comfortable win for Zagreb. Turned over to Sky at the full-time whistle, and the post match interview with Igor Biscan and Alan Mannus was excruciatingly patronising. Biscan being asked about the 'plucky minnows never giving up', and he and Mannus looking suitably embarassed.

Pick of last night's results were Llanelli's win over Ventspils, Modrica of Bosnia winning in Tirana in their first ever CL tie, and Aktobe from Kazahkstan beating Sheriff.

Zagreb scored in injury time which was hard on the Plues, but could easily have been five or six up by then. Mannus made some great saves, including two from Biscan headers. Linfield only bought on their star striker, pistol Pete Thompson, after 75'. Doubt as to his transfer destination- Stockport, KIlmarnock or Norwich? I'm still trying to figure what prompted Aston Villa to splash £6 million on the very ordinary Balaban.

Whlst I admire Thompson immensly as an Irish League player I can't see why there has been so much cross-channel in him. For a start his first touch is truly awful and his high workrate and general shiteness of the league has covered up the numerous definciencies to his game if you ask me. I think if I had played up front for Linfield last season or during the Clean Sweep year I could have scored 10 goals or so and I weigh 15 stone and haven't kicked a ball in anger for years. I think Mannus, despite his error for the second Croation goal, has more natural talent and would make a better signing for a cross-channel club than Peter.

A point also if I may about the Dinamo fans: a truly intimidating bunch if ever I saw one. Spent a very large proportion of the game doing nazi saultes and also threw a few bottles onto the pitch. The police seemed well prepared though: I haven't seen as many police at Windsor Park since the visits of Cliftonville in the 1970s.

And to add to Duncan's report regarding the match itself: a total waste of time if truth be told, such was the gulf of class between the two sides. What genius decided that the Croatian champions should enter at the same stage as the Northern Irish champions? At least they are fucking champions though, which is more than you can say for the Liverpools of this world who'll be playing in the competition this season.
Still nice to see the tactical revolutionary that is Linfield manager David Jeffrey opting to play a postively ground breaking 5-5-0 formation for the second half thereby making Wednesday evening a landmark night in the history of the World's number one most popular sport.

QUOTE:
A point also if I may about the Dinamo fans: a truly intimidating bunch if ever I saw one. Spent a very large proportion of the game doing nazi saultes and also threw a few bottles onto the pitch.

Surely this would have meant that they'd fit in perfectly at Linfield?

Or have the Windsor Park faithful changed dramatically over the last few years?

Ipswich were also linked with Thompson, but that trail has been cold for a couple of months. At the time we were also linked with Mannus, Magilton was apparently pundit last night and had glowing words to say about him. We still don't have a number one keeper for next season.

Duncan Gardner wrote:

QUOTE:
I'm still trying to figure what prompted Aston Villa to splash £6 million on the very ordinary Balaban.

All Villa fans are still trying to work this out

They thought he came with a lifetime supply of chocolate syrup:

There were dark rumours that a certain senior figure at Villa did very well out of the Balaban transfer even though the man could not hit a cow's arse with a banjo.

He (Balaban) was on £20,000 a week there apparently.

GypsyDownUnder,


I find your ignorant remark offensive.

I was under the impression the calibre of discussion on this forum was someway above that on the various rivals.net and footy-mad boards. It seems I was wrong.

Agreed. Some lazy stereotyping from the big Aussie there.

There seemed to be about 200 Croats, but they made plenty of noise.

Lazy stereotyping? Round here? No way. You two just don't understand your role in football yet, time to get on-message guys.

QUOTE:
GypsyDownUnder,

I find your ignorant remark offensive.

I was under the impression the calibre of discussion on this forum was someway above that on the various rivals.net and footy-mad boards. It seems I was wrong.

QUOTE:
Agreed. Some lazy stereotyping from the big Aussie there.

There seemed to be about 200 Croats, but they made plenty of noise.

Hmmm.
Certainly didn't mean to cause offense.

My team, as Duncan certainly knows is Bohemian FC. And I still have memories, some fond, some not so fond of your club's supporters visits to Dublin in 1984. And there was no lazy stereotyping about the right wing sectarian scum wearing blue then. (at least 1,000 Linfield supporters came down to support your 1st team from Glasgow).

If it's all changed and a bed of roses up Windsor way nowadays then good. I just find indignant remarks from Linfield FC supporters funny.

Yes, I know you've finally signed the odd catholic or two and that Pat Fenlon played a few games in the early 90s, but honestly jokes aside, would it even be okay to go to a Linfield game now with a southern accent?

Certainly on your Setanta Cup exploits south to the big city, your supporters love nothing more than a bit Union Jack waving, Sash goading and even Queen mask wearing. Old man GDU still lives between Dalymount and Tolka and drinks in a few of the local pubs.

I fear for next season's competition when for the first time, some of Dublin's lowlife will feel like they've received an invitation under the guise of Bohemian FC's probable qualification. God help us if De WoeFers ever qualify.

Hold on, saying that some clubs may have slightly dodgy fanbases isn't allowed round here any more? Even when said clubs have a history of dodgy fanbases?

QUOTE:
Still nice to see the tactical revolutionary that is Linfield manager David Jeffrey opting to play a postively ground breaking 5-5-0 formation for the second half thereby making Wednesday evening a landmark night in the history of the World's number one most popular sport.

Not at all. He was merely copying the formation employed by his Ibrox brethren across the channel in European matches last season.

There were a lot of European matches to copy.