Hypothetical XI #10 – The Premier League in Turkey

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Paddy Spicer Ward offers up an XI of footballers currently in Turkey, who have also played in England…

This team has a number of players that have headed East during the twilight of their careers – no doubt attracted by the stacks of cash – but in the same way it oozes with experience. Along with their Premier League experience, a number have competed at the highest level, played in Champions League finals and even the World Cup Final. Whilst the line up may lack that yard of pace, the old heads in the team and wealth of experience will provide a match for anyone. Continue reading

The Dud Tie? Galatasaray v Schalke

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John Guillem previews the Champions League tie that has had everyone talking. No, not that one…

So, is it? Well, that is, I mean to say, other than Porto/Malaga. An unfortunate consequence (if you look at it one way) of the scale of Michel Platini’s little pumpkin is that, alas, you get random teams (that is, clubs which you aren’t used to being continually namechecked or at least mentioned in passing by the domestic sports press) making it out of the group stages, setting up damp squib ties against real teams that ruin the ‘the chaaaampiiooooons’ vibe of the competition, and in some ghastly cases even providing both sides of the matchup. Alas, it’s happened again this year (not once but twice indeed), which is shit. I mean, who the fuck are Schalke? More importantly, what is a Galatasaray? I certainly won’t be watching it, and neither should you. Continue reading