DISQUS

AUD was really odd for me. The first section was easy, the second was harder than the first, and the third section was easy again. Both sims were not bad at all. I ended up finishing the exam in 1 hour and 45 mins which I found to be surprising considering they give you 4 hours and 30 mins. Has anyone else run into this? Also, I passed BEC with an 80 in 45 mins and REG with an 85 in 2 hours.

we all try to help huggy because he such a nice person. he come in to my starbucks store, i help myself to him.

because he is excessive dangerous to chinese gal

Nor Govou, Ben Arfa..
The squad selection Paul put out is correct though the correct translation attaquants - attackers i presume (or forwards... semantics..)

correction - though i'm NOT suggesting

Don't really rate Govou nor do i rate Malouda. Benzema is exceptional, fast, strong, skillful on the ball, finishes well with both feet. Way too much hype surrounding Ben Arfa imo. Not sure if statistically if this is correct but post 2004 euros the French team hasn't scored that many goals. Saying that international football is always very tight so that may not be a problem.

Domenech's method of keeping old heads in the first team could backfire...(makelele is in good form, thuram, viera, abidal, henry not so much though im suggesting they should be left out of the squad) But i have to say i don't agree with his decision to leave Trezeguet out. 2nd top scorer in Italy behind his team mate Del Piero speaks for itself.

Seedorf has been a phenomenal player but he has been inconsistent for the last few seasons in the league especially (he was very good in milan's UCL title run). Van Basten just has issues...the dutch NT in general can't get to an event without some sort of controversy. The surprising thing about Van Basten is that he tried a few different formations in recent friendlies perhaps to fit Seedorf into the team... The back four on paper doesn't strike me with confidence but they have been quite strong in qualifying (and yes i understand its only qualifying). They had problems scoring in qualifying though which is a concern considering the talent available is stacked in the attacking front.

Jlay. David Villa? what should convince you is the bloke has a awesome goal record at both club and country level.

Raul is getting into some form, i would have had him the squad. Not only the number of goals this season but the sheer quality of goals IMO.

Jesus Navas has anxiety problems and isn't good enough to get into the Spain squad at this moment in time

Joaquin is a slight surprise but as you alluded to Valencia have had a dreadful season (silva though got into the squad), he started the season very well but like most of the squad didn't cover themselves in glory from their on. Vicente is an exceptional talent unfortunately he was injured just recently. Not a fan of Valdes at all, i think he is at best a good goalkeeper. Sure he can be unbeatable at times but i get a feeling of unsteadiness. My concern is the soft centre of defence of Spain....

Not really an axing considering he wasn't in any of the squads in the last year or so. I think he might have appeared in one of the early ties in qualifying. Would have been surprising to see him get into the squad. Sergio Garcia and Carzorla are the two surprises.

Thaskin came out and said the reports are false. Necessary changes will occur but not the whole squad...

Zarate i picked up as a key player for about a year now. Technically brilliant and McCleish seems to agree with me. BBC article states two big PL clubs are after him for about 10m pounds.

A position that Chelsea have looked to strengthen for a the last year or so. Belletti was always going to be a short term fix. Ferreira is serviceable and is happy to be a squad player. Seen Bosingwa play a few times. He looks the Ramos type (stories about him going to chelsea as well), big strong and good going forward. We'll have to see whether he justifies his hefty price tag. Scolari is apparently going to drop some out of form players from his squad for euros and one of those players may be Miguel who was touted as one of the best Rb only a year ago.

No shortage of signings by Chelsea this window.

correction:
Carle who is one of the few technical players Australia produced recently is good on the ball and plays it along the ground. The rest of the team like to play balls from deep up to the big cf. It’s effective no doubt.

If you follow the championship than seeing Bristol City beat Palace comes as no surprise. The championship if not anything else is competitive. I have watched several games involving City (cause of aussie playmaker nicky carle) and they have been consistently in top 6 teams in the league after gaining promotion. Palace got on a hot streak similar to Sunderland last season and havent looked back. I watched 60minutes of the game before falling asleep. The game in general was horrible. Carle who is one of the few technical players Australia produced recently is good and the ball and plays it along the ground. The rest of the team like to play balls from team up to the big cf. It's effective no doubt. Palace didnt have the luxury of a CF like abedobla (spl?) so they got joy early on from using the midfield (unlike bristol city who basically bypassed the centre of the park) moses and sinclair. Both were stuffed out by good organisation.

I missed the drama of the two goals one forty yard cracker ive read but from what i saw watching the game i wouldn't be at all confident that any of these teams that go up will stay up.

Completely agree with Michael. Both are more fans than journalist. Sure they are successful but Cohen doesn't even know his own club IMO. His as fickle as most fans, his opinion is based on the media' stereotypes or generic arguments but his show is very entertaining and these days a lot more informative. Kenny stands by his opinions and i like that about him despite the fact i have problems with a lot what he says. This most recent issue i have with him is his love for Belletti.

Love to see Ricardo Quaresma have a big tournament with Portugal however that NT has obvious flaws. Upfront without Pauleta who himself was poor when at the major tournaments there is a problem. They have a few promising CFs but no one that stands out, Makukula and Almeida will be there but can't be relied on. International football is tight and they may be able to progress without a recognised or top class CF. Some youngsters have progressed but then again some of the veterans or experience folk from the last world cup and last euros have retired or their form has been lacking i.e. Figo, Pauleta, Deco, Miguel, Maniche, Ricardo...

Holland are also in with a shout but obvious weaknesses on paper is their defence. However in practice defensive record in qualifying is fine. The problems were however evident against Austria mainly due to an inexperience back line at international level. Most of the dutch aren't optimistic especially under Van Basten's reign.

Spain have arguably the strongest squad along with Italy. Spain have talented players all round however personally i see a problem at the heart of defence. You can never accuse Puyol of playing without heart however at times he looks school boy with his decision making.

France without Zidane but will carry with them veterans from many previous tournaments such as Thuram, Makelele, Viera, Henry etc will be interesting. Not only does their manager pick the team on the basis of what zodiac sign you are but i'm afraid he may rely on the experienced players way too much. I think Clichy should play LB but according to Domenech's selection policy, Abidal looks likely to retain his spot despite a poor season. The same can be said about Viera and Henry (even Malouda). What are France to do without the creative figure of Zidane...i guess they will heavily rely on Ribery.

On a last note i wouldn't bet against the Germans...

TBH i'd rather Michael you not refer to WSD hosts and what they go on about cause evidently they are wrong about a lot of things (and this blog would turn into WSD feedback) as they are like us fans of the game. Not experts or even online journalists. Hopefully its a one off.

I've grown up with the "finals" or "play offs" especially watching the AFL (aussie rules) as i have grown up. Teams can get hot and win the whole thing yet be second best for the regular season. Brisbane Lions won three titles in a row doing that. But football is a different sport, football is different culture there is no need to change what has been fine IMO for years. Personally don't see it ever will happen and i would upset if it did. We have seen in champions league not always does the team that wins the tournament is the best team in Europe per se. I don't mind if its the MLS and the A-League cause both are young leagues and are developing their niches both are in cultures where the finals are part of the norm.

Leeds United fan and i have the hate that comes with the territory for Man United. At the moment Man United are top of the league and the table doesn't lie imo, they have been the better team over the current of number games played. I've tipped Chelsea for the title throughout the season however i think its only a slim chance of happening.

Kartik's cake draw comment was rightly shot down by Michael. And i agree Kartik knows a bit about football but the stuff about Man United being "second rate" and not "deserving" of the title just doesn't make much sense. Perhaps the delivery is a bit blunt....saying that I can see arguments for Chelsea being side overall but for me Man United deserve to be where they are at this moment in time... BTW i doubt very much that Chelsea will beat Man United by three clear goals, i do think they will win though....

Fair enough Michael but i gotta slightly disagree, all three i think have similar skill sets. Young has obviously had a phenomenal season which i understand, but i believe that Bentley and Downing have been consistent to an extent over the season after having promising seasons last time as well. What do you believe is Young's strengths? i see that as his pace, dribbling, delivery from out wide and from set pieces. I believe that Downing (doesn't cut inside as much as the other two tend to) and Bentley strengths are also in those areas. I think Bentley and Downing play for probably what are deemed "unfashionable" clubs which is why i recommend them as perhaps cheaper options. I wouldn't necessary say one is alot better than the other but i do think Bentley is slightly ahead of Young (although i agree its debatable), with Downing a bit behind. As i said I think football skills wise their strengths are in the same areas.

Statistics from premierleague.com this season.

Bentley: 35 app, 6, 10 team has scored 46 goals .35
Downing:36,7 , 4 team has scored 33 goals
.33
Young: 35 ,7 ,17 - team has scored 69 goals
.35

Personally i think you have to looked at the team contribution as well.

If you believe reports Xabi Alonso is on his way back to Spain. What liverpool need as i have said countless times is some quality all round. And it looks like Michael is coming around to that. Their full backs don't attack (aurelio can but is injury prone) and the modern game requires that especially when you have to press the issue in certain games and can't rely on the counter attack. I agree they need a winger. Sure Ashley Young has had a brilliant season but we know how costly English talent can be. Liverpool's financial situation is unclear to most fans and the media (and not making the UCL final the potential money there is also gone) but many believe their will be limited funds, so i doubt very much they would meet the price tag that could be put in Young. There are a few arguably cheaper options such as Downing and Bentley although again clubs could demand inflated prices.

There were conversations around Rafinha which evidently they can't afford as he is indeed one of the brightest full backs in the world and several clubs are interested. There was talk that the signing they had already made was Degen of Dortmund. Impressive at the world cup but according to Bundesliga fans i have communicated with has gone backwards and has been injured.

correction not "we expect" that i expected

It was an intense game but not a game of quality that we expect. Sure Barcelona can play square passes very well and believe me it was a beauty to watch but its the same possession barcelona of this season, lacking the final pass. I was very disappointed with the Barcelona line up, iniesta their consistent and likely player to pry open the man united defence was relegated to the left when a half fit deco and a defensively minded toure sat in the middle. The balance was clearly not there and the phenomenon that is messi can only do so much.

I didn't think evra did the man of the match performance some outlets were describing. Messi whenever he got the ball beat the first man consistently but it was the players around him who were incredibly poor i.e. Eto'o and the general closing down of the whole man united defence and midfield that stopped a clear cut chance being made. Evra did get up the pitch a bit to no real effect i can remember but i may be wrong. The bbc ratings had messi on top last time i checked...the way he schooled scholes on the byline brought a smile to my face. What a player...

Park had a very good game. I have to say for me it was inevitable that the game was over as soon as man united scored. The team balance for barcelona just wasn't there and not winning at camp nou IMO snuffed out any chance of winning this tie. Decisions have to be made at barcelona for next season, zambrotta is on his way out, so is ronaldinho, perhaps henry as well...what barcelona team turns up next season i wonder?

Kartik, its the team of the year not the season i believe just like world player of the year i guess...whether that is right or wrong well.. especially for

Looks about right