European: Lets Talk Football [Archive] - Page 6?login=1

honeykid

02-02-11, 05:09 PM

His time was more than up, but it's sad to see him go. And, as usual, I agree, I think he'll be a natural manager.

http://files.myopera.com/bcdc/blog/gnevillecheering.jpg
http://image.rakuten.co.jp/fanshop/cabinet/parka/parka007_1.jpg
http://www.tylerlang.com/images/sketchbook_legendary.gif

They've gone bonkers in Liverpool. Paying more for Carroll than Barcelona paid for Villa. And Suarez is massively overrated. At least Chelsea bought one of the best in the world (if he's fit).

Arsenal better win a prize this year. Ok, they're pretty much a lock to win the League Cup later this month, but that's a bit "meh". I haven't given up hope of them winning the premiership though, even if that's idle hope.
I agree with the Liverpool bit, but both players are far superior to what they have in those positions (now that Torres has gone.) Yes, the money was stupid (I still can't really believe it) but when you're desperate, you do desperate things. With Carroll the chosen target, Newcastle knew they had Liverpool over a barrel. They've got £50m and, at most, 24 hours? Who else were they going to get? They've taken a punt on someone they hope will, one day, be someone who'll be a player approaching that value. Suarez will do well enough. They need someone to take the pressure of Gerrard and, now, Carroll, and he'll do that.

I can't believe how this season has gone. I guess this January transfer window was a reflection of the first have of the season.

I think the United away games against Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as the games against Chelsea (how lucky were they it snowed?) and the home game against Man City should decide where the title goes this season.

Tacitus

02-03-11, 10:26 AM

Neville Says Never Again

Top, top headline work by The Daily Mirror.

Seeing how Citizen Neville was even more of a Shop Steward than his manager, I'd love to see him as head of the PFA.

"Ok lads, we're out"

"One man, one boat!"

honeykid

02-03-11, 11:27 PM

Can you imagine if he became a manager and then took Roy Keane as his assistant? :eek: If they played badly, do you think they'd have the balls to go back in the dressing room? :D

Tacitus

02-04-11, 07:29 AM

It'd be kind of a Nasty Cop/Arsey Cop combo. ;)

Getting on to Keano, he seems to suffer from the Hoddle Syndrome as a manager. Apparently Hoddle, well into his 40s, would still play 5-a-side and participate in dead ball training, never quite able to come to terms with the actual players not being as skilful as he was. He could never 'come down' to their level in order to raise it.

Keane was never a skilful player, he'll admit that himself, but I don't think anyone (barring maybe The Neviller against Liverpool) had his desire, certainly not in the Premier League era.

You'd think that desire and attitude would count for a heck of a lot but he's never seemed to make his teams play with it apart from when he was actually on the pitch, leading by example.

Ferguson did a revealing interview a while back on how he's had to modify his style for the new breed of hyper-rich footballer. The legendary hair-dryer doesn't work as well as it used to.

You can imagine it still carries weight with the old school guys like Scholes and maybe even Ferdinand but someone like Nani? He'd probably go on strike. ;)

Tacitus

02-17-11, 08:17 AM

Not a bad game last night, eh? Didn't see the Spurs match but did hear something about UEFA planning to probe Gattuso's butt.

Sounds painful.

That Wilshire kid ran the show - It looked like he was always 3 or 4 yds ahead of the game in his head. He's half my age. :(

Also, massive props to Wenger for seemingly solving his goalkeeping problems in typically obdurate stylee - Picking former All Saints singer Shaznay Lewis!

Golgot

02-17-11, 09:52 AM

A more workmanlike affair from Spurs, but still, out battled their battling midfielders, which is one of the many things 'Old Spurs' (TM, move to Isle of Mann pending) wouldn't have done.

They kinda threw their toys outta the pram (which I sorta understand given that Gomez swatted their best attempts). Some pretty despicable childishness/violence as well tho.

Actually liked Sherwood's assessment that Flamini not getting sent off did us a favour - they still attacked, and let us hit em on the break. (And little Len did very well indeed to flummox Nesta and find Giant Mantis Man, or whatever we're calling him this week ;))

(Pienar's actually looking a neat purchase, given injuries. He's pretty tidy and hardworking, and looks forward well. Not sure where he fits when everyone's fit tho :S)

Tacitus

02-17-11, 10:33 AM

If Pienar wanted regular football he should have stayed at Everton or joined a team outside the top 5 or 6. He's an excellent little player but at the level of club he's now at he's not gonna get a game every week. See also: Kranjcar, Niko.

Also, how hard is Joe 'some of my best friends are Italian' Jordan? I know he had a bit of a reputation as a player but to calmly remove your specs just before the sh*tstorm shows a cool head hitherto only associated with Clint Eastwood in the 70s.

EDIT - Now that I think about it, he could just have been conforming to his national stereotype. I mean, my glasses cost a couple of hundred. I've owned cheaper cars. ;)

Golgot

02-17-11, 10:40 AM

Yeah it is pretty brave by the young Saffa. As a utility player I imagine he's more flexible than Niko, but I'd love to have both of them there willing to be major-league back up. (Not that either of em want that - even if we keep providing multiple competitions etc).

In the interim tho, I'm chuffed by our midfield :) (Sandro is looking like he might be the diamond in the rough we were hoping too).

And Joe 'Jaws' Jordan is indeed as calm and collected a psycho as you'd care to meet ;)

Brodinski

02-17-11, 12:05 PM

Anyone catch Arsenal-Barcelona yesterday? Messi wasn't on his usual level, missing a couple of chances he'd normally knock in. The way Barcelona played yesterday, Arsenal has a 50-50 chance of pushing on. I was impressed by my boys yesterday. They showed heart, endurance, precision counters and a level of skill that at times wasn't far off what Barcelona regularly shows. Of course, I am massively biased, but they embarassed Barça with that second goal; that was a thing of beauty. And Jack Wilshere: brilliant game.

Bring on the return!

honeykid

02-17-11, 02:07 PM

I didn't see any of the football midweek, though I did see the extended highlights on Sky Sports. An excellent result for both Spurs and Arsenal, though I still can't see Barcelona doing anything but winning in the Nou Camp. I also don't see Pep making such a glaring mistake with the subs again, as he did last night. Still, Arsenal deserse a huge amount of praise for their play and, more importantly, the result. An excellent result for Shakhtar Donetsk, too. I don't know why, but I do like to see Roma get a spanking. :D

Check out the reaction on the Italian version of Soccer Saturday to the Milan/Spurs result.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/16/european-press-review-milan-tottenham

Brodinski

02-17-11, 02:46 PM

I lol'd because I read "Crouch She Male"

honeykid

02-17-11, 03:22 PM

I know. It cracked me up too. Apparently it means "Cr-Ouch That Hurt".

Tacitus

02-17-11, 06:55 PM

Good old James Richardson - "After a set-to with Jordan leaving his image in tatters, is Gattuso the new Peter Andre?" ;D

Much classier than 'Gattuso butt probe'. ;)

Silas

02-17-11, 06:59 PM

honeykid

02-28-11, 05:59 AM

Great result for Birmingham yesterday. I don't agree that it proves that Arsenal can't win the big one or that they don't have the mentality of winners. Arsenal have shown on various occassions over the last few years (as recently as Newcastle in the 4-4) that they're mentally fragile. They're more likely to beat themselves as they are have someone else beat them. However, yesterdays defeat was a bad mistake made just a couple of yards from goal, only 5 minutes before the end of the game. Not only that, it fell to an opposition player who was completely unmarked in the 6 yard box. The talk should be that, as well as they played, they were lucky to not be down to 10 men after one of the worst offside's calls I've seen in forever. So pleased that Birmingham ended up winning. I think this'll mean a lot more to the Birmingham fans than the Arsenal fans.

What the Hell happened to Liverpool yesterday? They barely had a clear chance at goal and this is against West Ham!

Lastly, while I can understand why some close to United/Fergie aren't going to condemn what Rooney did, why aren't others? He doesn't talk to the Beeb anyway, so surely they (if no one else) have carte blanche to say that, with Chelsea and Liverpool in the next week he doesn't want Rooney banned for those games given how important they are to United's title hopes. Win them and they're really looking strong with, effectively, just the game at the Emirates to give Arsenal hope and United have had Arsenal's number for the past few seasons home and away.

What with so many journalists banned from Carrington, you'd think one of them would go for it.

Tacitus

02-28-11, 07:51 AM

Braindead, more like. ;)

For all their attacking flair this collection of players must be the stupidest in the division - they never seem to learn. The main culprit yesterday, I think, was Song.

He looked like he was shaping into a top class defensive Midfielder last season but this term he's obviously decided that's not sexy enough and wants to be a Gerrard or Lampard, bombing forward with every opportunity giving no notice to the huge holes he's leaving. Fair enough if others are around to cover him but he's the only player in the squad capable of playing a traditional holding role. He was woeful yesterday.

Sadly for l'Arse, for every Wilshere there's a nonentity like Rosicky who's injuries seem to have robbed him of the spark he once had. Wenger has to take the blame for not at least sticking him out wide because Nasri was totally neutered out there and was constantly looking to drift inside. Then there's Arshavin. For all the fanny merchants in that midfield he must be the most frustrating for a manager - He's either on fire and unplayable or dreadful with a first touch that couldn't trap a dead rat.

van Persie showed why the club persist with someone as injury prone but also why they should think about moving him on, or at the very least bring someone in who's approaching his level to take the strain in the 50% of the season when he's injured - Phenomenal strike which knackered his knee. This could only be Arsenal.

Cracking game though, one of the best cup finals I've seen in recent years and well done to Brum. As a former resident of Birmingham I know the pain their supporters have felt, so close to a proud old club like Villa with a trophy cabinet and stuff. ;)

christine

02-28-11, 10:09 AM

What the Hell happened to Liverpool yesterday? They barely had a clear chance at goal and this is against West Ham!

:shrug:

but

:rotfl:

honeykid

03-02-11, 12:34 PM

Lucky there aren't any Liverpool fans on this thread, Christine. :D

Anyone else think that officialdom decided to get Rooney another way? Looked like they just decided that he wasn't playing last night, therefore, you couldn't foul him. Hell, the way that Chelsea were allowed to tackle last night, I think they extended that theory to the whole team.

Not looking forward to the weekend now without (possibly) Rio and Vidic. I can only hope that Liverpool play like they did last weekend which, seeing as it's at Anfield against United, is highly unlikely.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/article/37191/

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/world_of_sport__6/world_of_sport-681100424-1299066484.jpg?ym0J8oEDiCucs8BO

There's more pics (and the story) if you click the link, but you have to wonder about the quality of the game.

Tacitus

03-04-11, 10:48 AM

I can see this being a barnstorming end to the season even if the likes of Chelsea don't muscle their way in and make it a 3 horse race.

Arsenal seem to have done what they've done in each of the past few seasons - An unexpected defeat which knocks the stuffing out of them mentally (yet to be seen this time round - was that 5-0 romp against Orient enough?) followed by a succession of injuries.

Man Utd have some tricky matches which a vintage team would have had no trouble against. This isn't a vintage Utd team.

Maybe it's a bit sad that the season could be decided by who is less weak/frail but it sure makes things exciting.

Golgot

03-10-11, 08:31 AM

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8461/s00agg10drawagainstital.jpg

Oof, tense but turgid. Not our finest hour in football terms, but a bita history for the Spuds :)

(Norty Harry saying we'd go all at em tho - we were pretty much 1 upfront at home, and spent most of our time dinging balls at that lanky noggin. Little bit shameful, but sod it, it worked ;). Defence were immense, even if Milan were a bit paltry in final third.)

honeykid

03-12-11, 07:02 AM

Gol, Spurs and football fans in general, take a look at this tribute to Gareth Bale's performances against Inter.

http://www.runofplay.com/s/17571/

It's absolutely fabulous.

Looking forward to this evening's game. Big game for both teams, I think. I'm worried about the lack of width we're going to suffer, though. Playing Arsenal through the middle isn't usually a good idea at the best of times, but with United's midfield, it's almost suicidal. Thank God Vidic will be back.

We know that United play 4-5-1 in the big games and it's worked particularly well against Arsenal over the last few years, but with Rooney not looking like he's ever going to be 'Rooney' again, we've no one who can play the 1. No Nani or Valencia (and it doesn't look like Park is ready) we've no width, as I said or pace.

Still, at least Arsenal look to have their usual assortment of injuries.

Tacitus

03-12-11, 08:38 AM

It'll be interesting to see if Wenger picks a strong side or not. Wasn't it the last time the two teams played in the cup the he sent the kids out and they got roundly spanked?

That said, given the amount of injuries l'Arse have, he's probably got no option but to go with whoever is available.

Surely he must realise that his squad are extremely brittle? One suspects the bargains he's picked up over the years are underpriced because they're injury prone - That certainly seems the case with Rosicky.

If Football Manager (and I have no reason to doubt it :D) is anything to go by, that guy should have become one of the best players in the world but I'm sure I remember reading somewhere that his old club were so fed up with the amount of injuries he was picking up that they sent him for tests. It turned out that the guy has some sort of birth defect which is only going to get worse the longer he plays and they offloaded him once that became clear.

I'm sure I didn't dream that. ;)

Turning to Man Utd's resident crock, it seems pretty likely that they'll let Hargreaves go in the summer. A completely different but equally talented midifielder struck down before his prime.

The club certainly need some new blood through the middle. Scholes and Giggs are viably starting to creak now, Carrick must possess incriminating photographs of Fergie (the only reason I can think of as to why he's got a new contract), Fletcher is an honest toiler and not much more and Gibson really shouldn't be at a club that size.

If he keeps his head and body fresh, Anderson might start to perform consistently but I think they need at least two seasoned campaigners in the summer.

Golgot

03-12-11, 09:11 AM

HK, it is great that arty ode to our young 'Monster' (all except for the bug eyes thing they make him do at the end ;))

Dixon and the others were talking this clash up as the confidence making/breaking game of the season for Man/Arse. Should be fun :D (I'm imaging Arse pinching it at the mo - but I think I'm just basing it on ManU not being 'treble winning' good by any means at the mo).

Tacitus

03-13-11, 07:20 AM

I think that match summed up both clubs' seasons.

Arsenal - Fanny Merchants with no stones when it really counts
Man U - Continents away from being a classic side but with bigger bollocks than the rest of the league put together when it matters

van Persie is a great striker, as good as an in-form (remember that? :D) Rooney on his day, but he can't do that job on his own against a good side. Who's fault? Wenger.

Why is Nasri stuck out on the right when his best work this season has been in the centre and Fabregas isn't even playing? Eboue is a bit of a clown and shouldn't ordinarily be near their first team but he knows that position and will run all day - Infinitely preferable to poor old broken Rocsicky and his Mobility scooter. Unused sub. Who's fault? Wenger.

Laurent Koscielny. Young Smalling (who's transfer I criticised, I must admit) cost similar money and looks twice the player already - Once Ferdinand goes that place is his to lose. Who's fault? Wenger.

Diaby is still nowhere near being a professional footballer. It's an old joke but seems achingly true in his case - His second touch is invariably a two-footed lunge to desperately try and win the ball back. That he was tasked with the Fabregas role is almost laughable. Who's fault? Pat Rice? Nah, Wenger.

I love the guy's obstinacy up to a point but surely he knows, deep down, that his side are two or three players away from being a great one. They've been two or three players away for half a decade now. ;)

Man U for me, yesterday, was all about those mad-haired little Duracell bunnies on the wings. They really are fantastic and a lesson for Rooney on how to use the boon of non-stop energy productively.

Arsenal's fannying masked the cracks, of course, but as I said in the beginning, what this side lacks in ultimate talent and star quality it makes up for in heart.

Unless Wenger's side can find some the title is Utd's to lose.

Golgot

03-13-11, 08:04 AM

I had no idea there was another Silva. Scared the living daylights out of me. (The very idea of two of those aggro/athlete dynamos on the field is genuinely frightening! :D)

Thought Rosiky actually did ok - but yeah some odd selections from the wizened one. Wiltshire does look like he could win games on his own tho. Crazy good midfield play from the young non-Frenchman.

Tacitus

03-13-11, 08:16 AM

Wilshere is impressing more each time I see him. He's not flashy and seems naturally comfortable sitting back a bit (and Capello was castigated for even daring to try him out in that position), dictating the play.

He doesn't waste possession much, does he? Not in the Ray Wilkins '3 yds sideways' style either - he's full of intelligent, probing little balls and genuinely seems a couple of yards ahead of everyone else in his head.

It's just a pity that his large head and short little arms and legs reminds me of a young Joe Cole/Teddy Bear. :D

Golgot

03-13-11, 09:26 AM

Yeah, excellent mix of the pragmatic and the stylish - the large footballing brain might explain his bobbly-headed dimensions too ay. (On the plus side, at least the marketing people will be able to make a promotional doll of him with ease ;))

Tacitus

03-13-11, 11:28 AM

Aye, an anatomically correct Jack Wilshere bobblehead!

Just got in and the Wet Sham v Stoke match is on. I wonder when the last time a Player of the Year (Parker) award went to a guy in a side battling relegation? He's bound to be in with a chance and if The Hammers stay up they should name a stand after him.

Maybe the owners will print a limited edition run of one of their specialist magazines in his honour? ;)

honeykid

03-13-11, 01:40 PM

City/United possible semi-final! While I'd love to see Reading knock them out, bring it on.

I watched Rooney with interest yesterday, as I was talking to a friend a few weeks back about buying a quality striker in the summer and dropping Rooney back into midfield ala Scholes. As he's never been blessed with pace and he has such a great 'footballing brain', I think he could play really well there. United would pass through the midfield more (rather than bypassing it when Carrick/Anderson/Fletcher/All of them) are having a bad game. Also, he'd be involved in the game a lot more than he is now. Of course, the problem comes with his discipline. Both in terms of playing the role and his temper. It was just a thought, but seeing him do it yesterday when we changed to 4-5-1 I thought he showed that he can play there.

Arsenal were good until the final third then, as is often the case with them, they passed it to death before trying to slip someone in. When Andy Townsend can predict what's going to happen for the entire game, maybe you should change things a little.

I agree that on his day, van Persie is about as good a striker as you'll find.

Anyone else think that the selling of Fabregas in the summer might be the making of this side? Much like Henry, I think his time at Arsenal is at an end and, as with Henry, I think it's come a season too late. If Arsenal can get him, the best thing Wenger could do this summer would be to buy Buffon. Experience and a great keeper in one fell swoop. If Arsenal don't win the title this season, then they have to get a winning mentality into the dressing room.

Tacitus

03-13-11, 02:53 PM

Y'know, I've been toying with that idea recently too - I wonder if Fergie has got the stones to reinvent Rooney like he did with Scholes all those years ago?

Thing is, I don't think Rooney is as clever and certainly not as disciplined as Scholes so would he accept that or angle for a move to a club which would play him up front? What top side would buy him as a striker though?

Rooney's problem, of course, is his frustration allows him to drop deeper and deeper in search of the ball where, yes, he'll occasionally pick out a good pass or make a tackle just because he's in that position at the right time. His first touch seems to have deserted him in the last 12 months too and that's all confidence-related.

He's a real curate's egg of a player but this slump has become a rut. The occasional strike such as the bestest ever goal ever ever ever that lovely overhead kick doesn't seem to lift him out fo this general malaise for long.

I agree that l'Arse should invest in a keeper tout suite but if Shazney Lewis has as much potential as she seems to have, maybe someone a year or two older than Buffon might suit. Of course, they've got to stop planning for the future at some stage and plan for the here and now.

From what I've seen of Scezney, he's reminded me of a young Schmeichel - Imposing, bags of confidence and great reflexes. But because he's probably a decade away from his peak he's going to make mistakes.

I heard a few Man Utd fans discussing whether VDS has been a better player during his time at the club than Schmeichel was. It'd make for an interesting debate. ;)

honeykid

03-14-11, 06:35 AM

I don't know where Rooney would go, though. There were stories yesterday of Rooney leaving in the summer, after another fall out with Fergie over the quality of the squad, but I can't see where he's going. Frankly, the only teams that could've afforded to pay his previous wages are the same that could pay them now. Unless they just want to take him from United, I'm not sure that City would want him now and I don't see him at Barca or Real, can you? That said, if Mourinho leaves, and they go back to having "Yes Men" in charge, then Perez may buy a name for the team. If that's the case, then Rooney could go there. But I don't really see it unless United push him out the door, ala Beckham.

The VDS/Schmeichel debate seems impossible to settle on a definate answer. I think the last two years have pushed VDS into the 'Schmeichel envelope' (if you will) because he, along with Vidic, have been the only two players who've been consistantly brilliant. Without them we'd have been struggling to finish in the top 4, IMO. Personally, even though Schmeichel benefits from having a far lesser #2 and nostalgia, I'm still of the belief that, along with Cantona, Schmeichel is the greatest buy Fergie ever made for United. As to which was more important, that's a bit 'chicken and egg' IMO.

I can see what you mean about Scezney and the young Schmeichel (by which I'm sure you mean the young Peter Schmeichel and not Casper :D) but, as I said, they need someone with experience and ability in goal, IMO. However, if they get that experience in central defence or midfield, then maybe that could squeeze by with Scezney for a season and see how it pans out. However, this all depends on whether United actually spend in the summer, as well as Chelsea's rebuilding continues. Should those two things happen, then I think they need the experience in goal.

Tacitus

03-14-11, 07:33 AM

I can remember when Schmeichel was bought and most people, Man U supporting friends included, said "Who?"

The best keeper to play in England in the modern era. Seaman was class also but I keep remembering the occasional howler he'd have with long range shots.

And the ponytail...

Talking of deep-voiced, long haired old goalkeepers: Pat Jennings was at my parents' wedding (just thought I'd throw that in :D), mainly because his wife was mates with my mum. Quite possibly the most popular footballer across the whole of North London.

Tacitus

03-14-11, 09:02 PM

Talking of keepers, Good grief (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/12735013.stm)! :D

Mad Jens back in the Prem? Even at 41 I'd say he's still a better keeper than Almunia.

And, of course, he's utterly utterly barking. ;D

honeykid

03-14-11, 09:12 PM

Damn! I didn't think he was good enough when he was there the first time... But you're right, he's better than Almunia. :D

Tacitus

03-16-11, 01:08 PM

He also hates Almunia's guts (ever since he deposed Lehmann) apparently, so the dressing room should be interesting.

The whole thing just shows up Wenger's goalkeeper blind spot in that people are even talking about a retired 41 year old being a viable option. It was the same last year when he signed Campbell on a short term deal. Big Sol, now slower than a special needs sloth, was probably the pick of their back 4.

To extend this special goalkeeping edition of the Football tab, I see that Norn Iron have persuaded Lee Camp (Joe Hart from 4 or 5 years ago) that he should wear the green.

Fine keeper he might well be (and he's only got the arthritic Maik Taylor to depose) but I just can't hear the guy's name without breaking into an impromptu Kenneth Williams impersonation. ;D

honeykid

03-16-11, 01:18 PM

I think it's because he allows his ethos to get in the way of actually buying what's needed. He'll buy a defender, but only a certain type of defender. A defender that can play "the Arsene Way". What's needed is a lump. I've little time for him, but I bet that Richard Dunne would be almost ideal for Arsenal. Cahill keeps being spoken of, but I think a combination of the cost and the fact that he doesn't quite fit the Arsene mould has put him off.

As for keepers, I can only think that what he sees in training keeps him from buying someone. But mistakes in training don't cost you games.

Have you heard about Bryan Robson. Sad news.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/16/bryan-robson-throat-cancer

Tacitus

03-16-11, 01:30 PM

Aye, bad news about Robbo.

I think it's a pretty telling point that when Djourou (their only centre half who even remotely fits the 'big and strong' brief) plays, they've been unbeaten in the league this season. But, like so many of the squad, the guy is shockingly injury prone. If he and their other crock Vermaelen could stay fit they have the makings of an excellent partnership but so much talk around Arsenal these days centres around the word 'if'.

Clichy is also increasingly a liability. He's a player who's never really kicked on from the promise he showed in his early 20s and now seems continually off the pace. Their one consistent bright light in defence this year has been Sagna, who has surprised me because he seemed to go off the boil last year after a good start to his career in England.

I don't think the board are seriously going to question Wenger's methods as long as he keeps them profitable and continues to qualify for the CL. I sense the fans are starting to get very restless, though.

Tacitus

03-19-11, 11:03 AM

Pampered footballers without a clue on how to survive in the real world?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAtYlc1BsK8&feature=player_embedded

If it hasn't already, this little clip is bound to become a classic. :D

He seems a rather strange young man, does Mr Balotelli. ;)

honeykid

03-20-11, 01:10 AM

Before today I was convinced that, like last season, our defensive casualties were going to cost us the title. OK, they still might, but today was the first time I thought it's going to happen. I don't know why, we've had quite a few flukey late winning goals this season, but today it felt like it was written in the stars or something. It'll still probably come down to the game at the Emirates, but today I felt like I did when Liverpool came back against Olympiacos in the final, must win group game of the 04/05 CL. I just knew the jammy bastards were going to win it all.

honeykid

03-22-11, 09:12 PM

I know no one here's said it (and as sensible, knowledgable people probably haven't even thought it) but any and all talk of another United treble needs to stop. Yes, the league looks good and, yes, the FA cup's only two wins away (so a domestic double could be on the cards, but let's not count those chickens just yet, either) but the CL? Even at full strength I wouldn't back this United team winning the CL alone, never mind pulling off a treble. Have these people not seen the team's we'd have to beat to do that? An improving Chelsea, who we've not got a great recent record against. Last season's Champion's who, while not the force they were with Mourinho (obviously) are still a good team and have only lost twice since Rafa was sacked (away to Juve and at home to Bayern.) Then, if we manage to do that, it'll probably be Real or Barca in the final. That'd probably be too much anyway, but now throw in our away form. All that while still winning the league and taking the FA Cup? People were saying that, if United won the league this year, it'd be Fergie's greatest achievment. If he were to win the treble with it?

Plainview

03-22-11, 11:26 PM

http://www.splitmango.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/vancouver_whitecaps.jpg
The Vancouver WHITECAPS played their first ever MLS regular season game Saturday and we won 4-2. The kid loves watching Soccer so I am guessing we will be going to a lot of games this season.

honeykid

03-23-11, 03:17 AM

Cool. I hope you enjoy it, PV. :)

Plainview

03-23-11, 07:14 PM

Thanks HK ever since the boy started playing we have been watching a lot of soccer. The MLS is really quite fast paced and exciting.

Tacitus

03-23-11, 09:29 PM

Peter Beardsley (I'd post a pic but this is a family friendly site :p) used to play for the Whitecaps as a young man, didn't he?

What a gem of a player he was. ;)

Plainview

03-23-11, 09:50 PM

Peter Beardsley (I'd post a pic but this is a family friendly site :p) used to play for the Whitecaps as a young man, didn't he?

What a gem of a player he was. ;)
I think only for a few weeks.
http://www.nasljerseys.com/images/Whitecaps/Whitecaps%2083%20Home%20Peter%20Beardsley%202.jpg
ughhh:sick:

Tacitus

03-24-11, 06:21 AM

I always wondered why Beardsley's nickname was 'Modo'...

He's like Lionel Messi in one of those funfair mirrors. :D

Brodinski

03-31-11, 03:45 PM

ILaurent Koscielny. Young Smalling (who's transfer I criticised, I must admit) cost similar money and looks twice the player already - Once Ferdinand goes that place is his to lose. Who's fault? Wenger.

I do think you're a bit harsh for Koscielny, Tatty. Yeah, he started a bit shaky, but he's been having a very good run of late. Of course, when your dancing partner is Squillaci, you can't look fantastic, because that shower of ***** makes at least 10 mistakes a game and gets caught out of position regularly.

I can't see us winning any silverware while Arsene is in charge. I credit the guy for having a vision for the team, on the pitch as well as off. He is the greatest manager Arsenal has ever had, but it might be time for him to go. He obstinately refuses to spend the money needed to attract top players while the club regularly announces massive profits. It's blatantly obvious to everyone that money must be spent to tip the silverware scale into our direction. But Arsene won't budge...

We were crying out for a decent goalie. Nope, Wenger insisted ours were fit AND good enough for the job. What are we stuck with now? 41-year old Jens.

We were crying out for a centre back. Nope, don't need one. What happens? We're stuck with the ultimate sh!te shower: Squillaci who has no place in a team like Arsenal, ever. Christopher Samba handed in a transfer request in January. Big, strong central defender with tons of experience that we could've purchased for £ 6-8 mil. Would have been ideal for our team of lightweights. Nope, don't need him! Arsene will just prowl around during the off season and come up with a 16-year old Columbian who costs £250k and will be ready for the big time in about 4 years.

These guys have no place whatsoever in our team:

- Deckchair Denilson: Kid can't make a forward pass to save his life so he must pass laterally on backwards. Brazilians aren't supposed to be as ***** as this.

- Bendtner: The 'best striker in the world'. Couldn't hit a horse's ass with a shovel if it stood right next to him AND has the first touch of a rapist.

- Rosicky: injuries did him in and he's average at best now. He shouldn't play behind the striker. Nasri should be; instead he's stuck on the wing.

- Diaby: fit one third of the year and not that good when he plays once every month.

- Squillaci: see above

- Alminunia: accident waiting to happen, every game.

- Flappyhandski: No one has confidence in this kid. He is the ONLY goalie in the world who manages to get beaten by a header from a corner from a yard out, flapping about with his hands like a seagull soaked in oil.

All of these guys, put them on a plane and drop 'em in the ocean. We have no strength in depth...

And I want a ******* trophy next season.

JTosac

03-31-11, 05:11 PM

We have no strength in depth...

And I want a ******* trophy next season.

No strength in depth, You mad? Arsenal (fit) have the best squad in the premier league. The fact that they're cursed with eternal bad luck has nothing to do with depth in the squad mate.

Fabianski

Sagna Vermalean Koschielny Clichy

Song

Wallcott Fabregas Wilshere Nasri

Van Persie

That particular squad (which could really only be improved with a half decent goal keeper and a solid centre back to partner Vermalean could beat anyone on their day) leaves no place in the starting line-up for
Arshavin
Eboue
Gibbs
Rosicky
Diaby
Chamackh
C.Vela
Bendtner
Denilson
Ramsey
Frimpong
Djuroue
Squilaci

There's some great talent listed there. I also enjoy the way your talking about a trophy "next year", as if your not 5 points off the lead with a game in hand over United and a decisive game at the emirates where lies the perfect opportunity, we're certainly over-due a win against United.

At the end of the day, we lost the final of the league cup to Birmingham, any team can fail to show up for a final, it's difficult to stomach, but its a 90 minute match where form goes out the window, even at that we didn't lose until Koschielney flopped. We got dumped out of the champions league by the finest team in the world, but had Bendtner finished his late chance we'd have knocked them out such were the margins between defeat and glory. The F.A cup game against United isn't even worth talking about, but we looked to the better team in that game bar the lacking goal against a 7 strong United defence. The quarter final of the F.A Cup is the last time you play at your own, or an opposing team's ground. Finding ourselves traveling to Old Trafford for that tie was just **** pot luck.

Fabregas, Wallcott, Song and Diaby all back for tomorrow. One last push for the title, every game is a cup final now. I know United are the favourites based on the fact that we lose where we shouldn't, but it's not over until it's ovre. Stop talking about next year and get behind the team. :D

Brodinski

03-31-11, 05:29 PM

JTosac

03-31-11, 08:26 PM

I agree with nothing you said. No, we have no strength in depth. A bunch of over-hyped young bottlers with little mental fortitude. That first team you put up there, let me ask you: how many times was it on the pitch this season? Our entire squad is incredibly injury prone.

:rolleyes: Thats exactly my point, we've been plagued with injuries. How many times is any first team on the pitch, all clubs have injuries, what a ridiculous question. Check the link below, track previous stats and realise arsenal have been top of that table for more than 20 weeks this season.

http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php

Djourou is a rock, but injured.
Vermaelen is excellent, but injured.
Van Persie: injured more than a third of the year, every year.

Exactly what I'm saying.

Fabregas: injured at least once every season

I think most players should be allowed the privilege of at least 1 injury a season.

And Clichy isn' that good.

He's had a bad season, normally solid.

And what are you talking about Vela? We hired him toWest Bromwich and I don't mind. Good riddance if you ask me.offered the chances, he didn't perform. He doesn't fit in the 4-5-1 system we play. His best position is as a 2nd forward so he fits into the 4-4-2 system.

Actually we 'loaned' him to West Brom and hes come on twice with very strong performances and rescued a point. Two points could be the difference in them staying up and relegation. He's a good talent and I'm glad he's with them getting a run out on Saturday, hopefully he'll come back to Arsenal better for it.

You talk about bad luck, but luck has little to do with it. You make your own luck. We lack the mental fortitude and we don't show up in the big games.

I mentioned fitness in brackets before I began to talk about bad luck, I was obviously referencing the injuries we've sustained throughout the season. If your implying that you make your own luck by preventing your ligaments from stretching and the ability to rid your body of lactic acid, then your retarded. "Mental fortitude"? Manchester United second string got hammered 4-0 by west ham, Johnny Evans didn't know where he was. Trust me, most teams would find themselves lacking when they have to pull the kid's out of school. It's one of those things, most of them can make a positive impact when they make a thumbnail appearance like Bojan or Jefferen coming on for Barca who are already 3-0 up against Madrid, it's a whole different matter when the kids represent your starting line up who have to go out there and win the game.

I am a fan, but I'm also a realist. Do I think we still have a shot at the premiership? Sure, but I'd say it's 80-20 for Man United and I wouldn't be surprised if Chelsea catches us and we end up third.

Let's just say I'm glad it's in our own hands. Manchester United have been completely awful this season. Shocking performances all year We've played as we always do, the most attractive football in the league by a long way. Ironically Spurs are probably the closest thing to second this season. How many of United's 63 points have been retained with a dyer performance complete with 1-0 win? You can say what you like about winning, and of course its consequential, but football is a spectator sport and I wouldn't pay a penny to watch that tosh at Old Trafford. What we watch at the Emirates is art. Artistic football has never been the best way to win, but I'm glad we're on the fringe of success playing the rite way, and with half a team at times too. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. :D

Tacitus

04-01-11, 06:48 AM

I actually hope Arsenal win the Prem this season. Man Utd spluttering along on 3 cylinders and still at the top doesn't say a lot about the general quality of the division and at least l'Arse winning might bode for some sort of brave new dawn and vindication for Wenger's philosophy.

JTosac - Were you a fan of the George Graham years? I must say I loved that side and they had as much heart as the present Arsenal squad have skill.

Graham's side certainly wasn't artistic but it wasn't a collection of hoof merchants either. The blend was more artisan than artist but it was much more balanced than Wenger's latest crop. Thing is, when he arrived, Wenger was in no hurry to get rid of Adams, Keown, Dixon etc and then brought one of the finest midfield partnerships of the modern generation together in Vieira and Petit.

The flair slotted in around the strong spine and the spine is not what I'm seeing now. Sure, they're talented and still young but I don't see any savvy there. Wilshere could become one of the best midfielders in Europe, Fabregas already is, but the balance is wrong. The only player in the Vieira or Petit mould is Song and he looks a shadow of what he was last season. Why? He seems to think he's Zidane now, charging up the pitch like a semi-intelligent Diaby.

Speaking of Diaby, if (as I suspect it will) it all goes mammaries-up for Arsenal this season and Wenger sells him, at least a marker has been laid down.

Brodinski

04-01-11, 10:16 AM

I'll never get over Wenger selling Vieira. That guy was a dream captain. The scenes in the tunnel before the Barça game made me sick. Fabregas was joking around with the opposition, laughing and winking. A real captain should do one of these things:

- focus straight-forward on the pitch with a read-to-rumble look in his eyes
- motivate his team members

I don't give a ***** if your long lost lover is part of the opposing team, you save that till after the game. ******* Judas.

And you can say what you want about Man United. I don't care how awful their performances are. They get RESULTS. Yes, Arsenal plays the best looking football in England and has been doing that for several years now. But someday, that must translate into results = silverware. 6 years is too long for a club like Arsenal to be without a single trophy.

And Barcelona is doing pretty damn fine with their artistic football.

Tacitus

04-01-11, 10:48 AM

Xavi and Iniesta are slightly better players than Walcott and Arshavin, though, to name but two.

I'm still not convinced that the money (which Wenger and the board always say is available) is there for wholesale changes to the squad. Yeah, they're a keeper, big centre half, strong midfielder and reliable striker away from possible greatness but aren't a lot of teams? How much would say Buffon, Gary Cahill, Joey Barton (I jest, but character issues aside the guy's playing well) and Diego Forlan cost? £30mil?

Slightly over half a Torres then and you could recoup a lot of the balance by letting dead wood like Bendtner, Diaby and Arshavin (who's the biggest luxury of the lot) go to Blackburn or Sunderland.

I wasn't really knocking Man Utd by the way because they've had awful injuries this term themselves but 4 wins out of 15 away matches tells its own story. That they're still top and favourites shows the commitment and desire Ferguson has instilled in every facet of that club.

Armchair managing's great! :D

Brodinski

04-01-11, 01:05 PM

We disagree on Arshavin, Tatty. It's often hit-or-miss with him, but when's he's firing on all cylinders, any defender in the world would be crying for his mum. The kid scored 10 goals in 43 matches this season and provided 17 assists as well. The problem he does have is that he doesn't provide support to the left back and often goes missing in games.

And why would we need to recoup anything? We sold Adebayor, Touré, Eduardo, Hleb, Henry and possibly Fabregas this summer. That's over £70 mil from player sales alone, without taking into account what Cesc would go for. To get the guys we need, we'd need like £40 mil.

We should've already bought Christopher Samba like I said. You say Buffon as a goalie, but I say Sunderland's Mignolet. He's right up Arsene's alley. A young kid with loads of talent who is already a far more reliable goalie than Flappyhandski. Unfortunately, there's no way Sunderland will let him go, as they'll probably sell Gordon.

Tacitus

04-01-11, 02:19 PM

I think the guy's far too much of a luxury, even for a side with title aspirations. He's either a class act or completely anonymous. Saying that, he's probably been a more important player in the second half of the season than Nasri, who started off like a world beater.

Samba is a good shout because the guy's obviously a leader. Wenger has never replaced the pre-breakdown Campbell and a big, strong physical presence in defence is essential these days when you see the nonsense some teams get away with before punting a free kick into the box. Wenger surely must realise that the amount of goals they concede from dead balls is too high.

Djourou looked something like the answer but I dunno if the statistic that they've not lost in the league when he's been playing isn't a bit misleading. Sure, he's a strong and promising defender but when he's not playing he's invariably been replaced by Squillaci, who's neither strong nor promising...

To answer your question on finances, I've got the suspicion that the stadium debt is a bigger factor than first expected. ;)

JTosac

04-01-11, 08:53 PM

JTosac - Were you a fan of the George Graham years? I must say I loved that side and they had as much heart as the present Arsenal squad have skill.

Certainly was. Germany's 2010 world cup campaign in South Africa reminded me of what you can do if you set your team up with an intuitive structure and play for each other. Watching our players literally 'walking' around the pitch after 80 minutes against Barcelona, (still only 1 goal away from knocking them out of the competition at that point) reminded me what the current crop are missing.

Tacitus]Graham's side certainly wasn't artistic but it wasn't a collection of hoof merchants either.

Much like Inter Milan in last years Champions League. There were lots of sour grapes thrown by the purist's and Barca boys, but the setup was superb and never involved hoofing the ball up field, rather a progressive style that valued the comforts of ball possession and the implacable counter attack. You'd be a fool to say the Inter Milan team lack the ability to play football, but the heart and desire is there when they need to fight also.

iI'll never get over Wenger selling Vieira. That guy was a dream captain. The scenes in the tunnel before the Barça game made me sick. Fabregas was joking around with the opposition, laughing and winking. A real captain should do one of these things:

- focus straight-forward on the pitch with a read-to-rumble look in his eyes
- motivate his team members

To be fair to Wenger, Viera opted to leave the club in favour of a club, he felt "are capable of winning the Champions League". Ironically we knocked his new club (Juventus) out of the champions league the following year. I'll never forget how good it felt when Pires mugged him in the middle of the field, played Henry through, who found Fabregas for our opener. I was quit sour when he left as it was implied the clubs ambitions didn't project us to european success. Sadly Viera was probably rite to leave Arsenal at that juncture, he just got his destination wrong as Italian football sunk into misery the following year.

We agree on the Fabregas issue. Viera was an arrogant prick in the tunnel, slirping his water and looking back at the opposition as if they weren't worthy, the only laugh he shared in the tunnel was at his opponents expense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oFkHprWNYw

But I always loved knowing that when the gun was fired, he'd walk the walk. I always took confidence from his arrogance before we kicked off, no matter the opposition.

And Barcelona is doing pretty damn fine with their artistic football.

True, but Barca are a very misunderstood team. Sure when they have the ball there a nightmare, it's usually common sense that the quicker the tempo the opposition attempts to play the ball around, the quicker we should press. Which usually can work quite well, except that Barcelona are far, far too good at keeping the ball, and exploiting the space left behind by the clambering pressers who seek the ball.

But amazingly Arsenal managed to keep Barca at bay for 40 minutes before Fabregas heeled the ball on the edge of our box to Xavi (of all the players to gift the ball too). No, re-watch the two games in that tie and you'll see Barcalona won because they chase and press like a pack of dogs chasing a stake. When Arsenal finally did get a touch of that unfamiliar globe Barca were passing around, they were cornered. For all the talent Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Sergio, Villa, Alves etc. trust me, their greatest attribute is their work ethic. Arsenal quit simply don't play with that intensity when they don't have the ball. I suppose when you normally have 65% of the ball in the premier league, you could certainly argue it's a situation they're unfamiliar with.

----
I think we were all lulled into a false sense of paradise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59JcANmqxNQ) when Arshavin first arrived. I'm patient with him, but you have to appreciate there's no such thing as 'form' with him. It's not like, "he scored 3 in 4, he could be in with a shout today again". Arshavin is a lucky dip, maybe the same odds of me winning the euro millions at the minute, BUT, there's this little stat too (http://img585.imageshack.us/f/screenshot20110402at004.png/).
-----

honeykid

04-05-11, 12:26 PM

I love fans like JT and can only hope that the team feel the same way. That'd be Arsenal out of the title for years to come, so just Chelsea and Man City to worry about. :p

Can they win? Of course they can. But it's pretty unlikely. United did this for years. Had players that were great, but often injured and I spent years saying "If only we could get them to play all together." We'd go on a run of wins, beat Liverpool, only to come up short at the end of the season and finish 2nd or 3rd, at best, while Liverpool took another title.

If you keep playing great football and only scoring from about 1 in every 20 shots, and we keep winning the titles, I'll be more than happy.

I'd also argue that Spurs and Chelsea have the strongest squads in the league. It's lack of strength, in all areas (physical, mental and squad) that's cost Arsenal for the last two years, IMO.

honeykid

04-08-11, 01:55 PM

I know that PV is a Whitecaps fan, so he's probably already seen this. Jump to about 30 seconds for the penalty and what happens after.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt3mLtylRq8&feature=related

What do you think?

Good result for United on Wednesday night and, while I'm confident (atm) that we'll make it through at home, there's no doubt that Chelsea will come at us on Tuesday.

What about the Spurs fans here? Any chance against Real at home? Do you think that you'll win the game, but not the tie? I know he gets pilloried over here, as I do for saying this, but at international level (and it seems in Europe) Crouch seems a lot more suited to the game. Were he a bit more orthordox, I really could see him at one of Europe's elite teams.

Tacitus

04-19-11, 12:31 PM

Exclusive footage of l'Arse's training for the upcoming title run-in:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj7f3B1VCYM

What other team could take the lead in the 98th minute and still not win the match?

The same team who goes 4-0 up and comes away with a point, obviously. ;)

honeykid

04-20-11, 08:20 AM

And the one that goes 2-0 up against their derby rivals and end up losing 3-2. :D

A poor game yesterday but, for all the gnashing of teeth and "Arsenal will take momentum from this." type mutterings, I still say that the game on the 1st of May is the 'big one'. United win it, and we can afford to lose a couple more games and have Arsenal win all their other games. My only worry about it is our away form this season. TBH, I'd be tempted to take a draw from it now. Our only other (league) away fixture this season is at Blackburn and, while there's a local rivalry, they're on such a bad run, that we should have enough to get past them. Of course, by then it could be a meaningless game. Here's hoping. *fingers crossed*

Brodinski

04-20-11, 08:51 AM

Something Premier League unrelated for once. Raúl is one of my favourite players. Year in year out, he scored beautiful, important goals for Real Madrid and made himself noticeable on the pitch through his unbridled work ethic and team spirit. A true captain. And then, after 16 years of loyal service, Real Madrid put him out with the garbage. Mourinho couldn't use him.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/multimedia/dynamic/02060/Raul_Schalke_2060798b.jpg

When I learned that he was transferred from Real Madrid to Schalke, I thought to myself: The football is very different in Germany than it is in Spain. He will suck during his first games, so much that their coach will have no choice but to put him on the bench most of the time and he'll leave after 1 season, probably to cash in on his name in Qatar or USA. The first months, I was right. He was working himself to the bone, but didn't do well. The occassional (nice) goal but for the most part, he drowned along with the rest of the team.

Now, Raúl's team is in the German cup final and the semi-final of the Champions League after getting the better of Inter on two occassions. Even more astonishing than his match-winning goals and elegant play is his enthusiasm. It's like this is his first season. He seems intensely happy at Gelsenkirchen. Every single time one of his team mebers scores, he will be the first (or at least second :p) to celebrate with him. I've also read that he wants a renewal of his contract NOW instead of negociating this after the season (when his value will have without a doubt gone up even more). Every single game, he proves the people who thought he would wither away in Germany wrong. There's no denying this...

Raúl is a terrific, unique football player, not because of his skill or nose for goals but because of his mentality. Every team can use a player like Raúl, (especially Arsenal :cool:). I raise my glass to Raúl.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p29/ForgotsoFatso/k1asl5-1.jpg

honeykid

04-20-11, 10:33 AM

Couldn't agree more. I'm sure that Fergie will, as usual, be talking in glowing terms about him when he's interviewed for the CL games against Schalke.

*Edit* Thanks Spurs. At this rate we won't have to win another game. :D I can't believe this season. Almost have the title and the semis of the CL? With this United team. :eek:

honeykid

04-25-11, 10:47 AM

OK, is this just nervous, paranoid thought, or am I right to wish that Arsenal won yesterday? It's against my nature to cheer Arsenal (unless they're playing either of the L's and even then it's not natural) so I was very pleased when another late goal went in against L'Arse. However, within 30 seconds I was starting to think that, maybe, our chances of winning next Sunday would've been increased dramatically had Arsenal had the pressure of the title still weighing on their collective shoulders.

It's true that we're playing better than we have all season, but our away form is still rubbish and, with no pressure and something to prove, the game at the Emirates suddenly seems a lot more difficult than it did a week or so ago. Fabregas' last big game for Arsenal? Nasri to United?

Justin

04-25-11, 10:48 AM

Sad to see Barca lose.

Brodinski

04-25-11, 06:13 PM

We're not even going to finish 2nd, just like I feared two weeks ago. A goalkeeper who doesn't flap his hands like a seagull, a big, strong, experienced premier league defender and a forward who isn't made out of glass. If Arsene can't acquire those three, then he needs to go.

honeykid

04-25-11, 09:04 PM

Whilst I agree that you need those players, it's the lack of mental strength and (baffling) lack of shots when the opportunity first presents itself that's cost Arsenal this year. The team that Arsene have put out week after week have (usually) been more than talented enough, even when not their first 11, to beat the team they're playing. I feel Arsene needs to be more direct when the game/opposition demands it.

I think Shay Given would be a good buy. He's coming to the end of his career, but I think he could still give Arsenal a good couple of years. Gary Cahill is the obvious choice for the defender, though James Collins may be a good pick too and, probably, a lot cheaper. I know he's not a fashionable player and, maybe, he's not quite good enough for the later CL level, but Robert Huth could do surprisingly well. Although he doesn't have Premier League experience, Per Mertesacker looks and plays very much like a Wenger signing.

I don't think I have a viable suggestion for the striker. I like Darren Bent and think he'd have been a good striker for Arsenal, though not for Wenger of course. Not that there's any point talking about him as he'd cost a fortune and Wenger doesn't spend £20m on a player, let alone £24 plus whatever Villa would want to make a profit.

There's talk of Drogba leaving Chelsea, but I don't know if it'll happen or, if he does, whether he wants to stay in the country and whether Chelsea would sell him to a title rival. He'd be the perfect choice, though. There's Sturridge, but I don't know if Wenger would want to pay those kind of wages for someone so untested. He looks the part, though.

Other than that, I can't think of a Premier League striker who'd fit the criteria who doesn't play for a title rival.

Of course, were they at (almost) any club apart from Man City, the two players who'd probably best help Arsenal next season would be De Jong and Kompany. I genuinely think that with those two, you wouldn't even need another keeper or an unbreakable striker. Even Yaya Toure might be a good choice, but again, he's not going anywhere and Wenger wouldn't spend the money anyway. I guess the best you can hope for is that Mancini gets sacked and the new manager doesn't fancy them and puts them up for sale.

Brodinski

04-28-11, 02:35 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4QumhQUFrE&feature=related

Jesus... That second goal. His perfect control of the ball at that speed whilst rushing past those Real players and then to finish in such disciplined and accurate manner. I love Zidane to death and have always thought of him as the greatest player that I've ever seen on a pitch, but even I have to concede that Messi is something else. I've seen him do stuff that I've never seen before and the difference with him and those other world class players is that he can pull stuff like that off regularly. He is a scary, scary boy, especially when you're a defender in La Liga or the Champions League.

honeykid

05-04-11, 03:48 PM

Just turned on the football for kick-off and seen the United line-up. Worried.

*EDIT* False alarm. :D

Shame they weren't able to keep a clean sheet, though, as they would've been the first team in CL history to not concede a goal at home.

honeykid

05-09-11, 03:18 AM

Mathematically, it's still possible to fail, but...

http://adamsnews.wikispaces.com/file/view/800px-M%25C3%25BCnchen_Tram_19.svg%5B1%5D.png/147071695/800px-M%25C3%25BCnchen_Tram_19.svg%5B1%5D.png

CL would be a great bonus, but this is the one I want.

Tacitus

05-14-11, 06:19 AM

Unless I'm physically sitting in front of a telly at 3 o'clock, I'll probably give the cup final a miss today. A team of mercenaries against a team of Neanderthals doesn't hold much appeal for the neutral. ;)

I see that Supremeruleroftheomniverse Kenny has been confirmed as full time Liverpool boss so the world's most precious football supporters are happy. The real work starts now though.

With yet another Scot in charge of a Prem club, did anyone hear the 5Live programme recently about that very subject? I'd have a search on iPlayer but it's probably dropped off the list. Excellent stuff though, contributions by Stroller Graham, Big Eck, Moyesy and ... ermm ... Liamy Coyley. :blush:

honeykid

05-15-11, 10:53 PM

With West Ham getting relegated, does anyone think that 'Arry's already on the phone to Gold and Sullivan asking for Scott Parker and, if he's any brains, Demba Ba? Actually, although we all know he won't, I'd recommend Mr. Wenger do the same.

How much to get Modric at United? £30m? £40m? I know everyone and their mother's saying it's going to be Sneijder (and I've wanted him at United for about 7 or 8 years) but there's got to be a reason that Fergie hasn't gone for him before. Modric is Premier League proven and, tmk, the worry about Sneijder in the Prem was that he didn't finish games and wouldn't last the pace. If that's the case, and Fergie agrees, then maybe that money would be better spent on Modric.

There's was a story yesterday about van der Saar recommending Maarten Stekelenburg as the next United #1, but I think Atletico's de Gea looks nailed on now and I'm wondering if Forlan may come with him for a season or two, as we're probably going to need a striker if, as suspected, Berbatov is sold.

Lastly, with Arsenal having spent the last few weeks already on holiday, what odds that City beat them to 4th and they have to qualify for next seasons Group Stage? Also, with Liverpool rumoured to be spending big in the summer, along with United, Chelsea and City, plus Spurs going again, will Arsenal even make 4th next season?

Brodinski

05-16-11, 08:48 AM

I'm wondering if Forlan may come with him for a season or two, as we're probably going to need a striker if, as suspected, Berbatov is sold.

I don't get why you would sell Berbatov. Guy had his best season so far and is an ace in front of the goal. He rarely misses when he's in the 16. Even if Rooney and Hernandez are better, Berbatov is a world class supersub and has proven he doesn't fail should one of those guys get injured (see: Rooney).

Lastly, with Arsenal having spent the last few weeks already on holiday, what odds that City beat them to 4th and they have to qualify for next seasons Group Stage? Also, with Liverpool rumoured to be spending big in the summer, along with United, Chelsea and City, plus Spurs going again, will Arsenal even make 4th next season?

We have been piss poor for over 2 months now. I've been saying for a while that we wouldn't finish second and now I'm almost certain we won't make third either. That being said, I'm pretty confident we'll end 4th last season. The quality is there to always end in that top 4. The problem is - clearly - winning the silverware that is long overdue. I can't believe we didn't win ANYTHING this season when we looked so solid in the first half of the season and even a bit of the second half. I've already aired my displeasure about some of the players numerous times and also said what we need. Wenger probably won't open his checkbook though. He really does need to go if he doesn't get the quality necessary to win prizes at the end of the season.

honeykid

05-16-11, 01:13 PM

Whilst I agree that Wenger probably won't pay out anything over £10m-£15m, if Fabregas does leave this summer, that's going to be £40m-£50m burning a hole. Would he splash out £20m-£25m on Benezma? If he doesn't spend, would that bring back another round of "Arsenal don't really have the cash" rumours?

I wouldn't say he rarely misses. I don't have great confidence in him when he's in front of goal. I wouldn't go quite so far as to say he's Andy Cole with more skill, but I've had to say that I wouldn't say that.

I like Berba, but if you break down his goals this season, 17 of 21 were at home and scored in 2's and 3's. I'd keep him, but he's 30 and has 12 months to go on his contract. Unless Fergie has faith in him (which I'm not sure he does) then now (as a 30 year old, Premier League leading scorer) would be the best time to sell him. Also, with Rooney and Hernandez, Fergie's picking a flexable 4-4-2 more than the 4-5-1 which leaves him as a sub (where he rarely makes an impact, to my mind.) And, with the Glazers being 'forced' to spend this summer, it wouldn't surprise me if they'd welcome the £15m or so that he'd get.

JayDee

05-16-11, 02:25 PM

Oh HK you're a Man United fan? :( And we were getting on so well up till now! :D

Anyway, Mon the Gers!!!

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/JayDee87/610x.jpg

And congratulations to Walter Smith, an absolute legend. And well done for conducting yourself with such class and dignity all season, unlike a certain Mr Lennon

honeykid

06-04-11, 09:20 PM

OK, with the season over, I guess it's the soap opera that is the close season, littered with storylines we call Transfer Gossip.

A few posers for you all.

1. Cesc Fabregas
Will this be the season that Cesc leaves? It doesn't look as if Barca will even pay what they were offering last season, while Real do seem to be interested. I don't think it's a secret that Cesc wanted out last year, but Arsenal couldn't get the money for him. Now, after another barren year at Arsenal, I can't see Cesc changing his mind. I'd also add that, I think, his chances of getting into the Barca team could be dwindling.

2. Sergio "Kun" Agüero
He's off to Real, isn't he? Strong rumours that the deal was done at the start of the year, and Real made an offer then, so it's likely. The deal seemed even more likely last week, when Real announced that they definately weren't going to sign him and that they weren't even interested in him. Those of us who remember the (original) Ronaldo, Beckham, Figo (and probably others that I can't remember) deals will see this announcement as the best sign yet that he's on his way. Of course Chelsea and City are possible, simply because of the money, but it'll be Real.

3. Wes Sneijder
Unsettled at Inter and the reporters say that United are the reason. If United are spending big money this summer, then it's possible. As a United fan I'd love to see it. I've wanted him at United since around 2004, as the successor to Pau Scholes, but I think there's a reason that Fergie hasn't gone for him before. Maybe he's changed his mind, been proved wrong, whatever, but I don't know if I'll be convinced until the contract's signed. Probably because I want it to happen so much. :D

4. Will Wenger actually spend cash?
I think this really depends on whether you believe Arsenal have any money and/or whether you believe that Wenger will spend big. Because that's really what we're talking here. A big name for big money. I'm sure he'd spend £25m on 20 youngsters and, for a team of Arsenal's size and ability to make money, £10m-£15m isn't really a big transfer fee. I really can see Benzema at Arsenal and I think he'd do very well there, so long as Wenger could handle it/him. I think he could, but....

... I've spent the last decade proclaiming that Wenger is too 'scared' to spend big and bring in a big name, because failing would be too high profile. He likes failed or underperforming talent, preferabley at a good/big club that he can get for small(er) fees. Less pressure on him and the player that way. Also, there's more chance they'll see Wenger as someone who believes in them, rather than just another person who believes in them. Does that make sense?

5. Alexis Sanchez
City say they've given up on signing him. The press have had rumours that he's going to United, but that Chelsea are also interested. However, it now looks like he's staying in Italy. Reports today have Inter saying there's a 60% chance that he'll join them. If the Sneijder deal happens, they'll have the money to fund it, without any problem.

6. The Napoli Trio
Ezequiel Lavezzi, Edinson Cavani, Marek Hamšík. They've got to be three of the most sought after players in Europe. They might not be 'marquee names' but I can't think of too many teams that couldn't use them. Barcelona, Real, United, City and Chelsea are going to spend big this summer. Arsenal are talking big. I'm sure the big Italian teams are all looking at them. Are they going anywhere?

7. The Man City Clearout
Just how many of them will they be able to get rid of?

8. Gonzalo Higuaín
Will Real really let him go? And for as little as £15m? Depending on who gets to buy and sell in the summer, there's a good chance that'll happen.

Thoughts? What are your own theories on (potential) summer transfers?

I'll take Sneijder, Higuain and Young now and, so long as the De Gea deal really is done, (which Guillem Balague says it is) consider the summer business closed. :)

Tacitus

06-05-11, 06:54 AM

I think Wesley Sneijder has turned into Luka Modric, hasn't he? Mrs Sneijder must be a bit annoyed but I think that he'd be a much better fit for the Scholes role. Redknapp is denying any top (top) players will be sold so we all know what's gonna happen there - A mass clearout and Triffic off to Chelsea/Fulham/Villa/Swansea quicker than you can say "I'm not one for talking about another team's player but he's a triffic lad, really".

Wenger has now said that there'll be more changes than usual this summer, hasn't he? Big Samba looks nailed on but that squad of bottlers needs freshening up in all areas because there is now a group of players (Denilson, Bendtner, Diaby, Vela, Eboue, Clichy etc) who aren't really youngsters any more, certainly not by the manager's standards.

It's all very well being FM2011 about it but letting a large number of first team players go from a top club in one transfer window is difficult, especially for a club watching the pennies. You could see 2 or 3 of the above leaving with the rest in a last chance saloon to be joined by the likes of Walcott and Gibbs next season if they don't properly kick on and mature.

I think Wenger's past being scared to buy big, but honestly, what 'big' names would go to a club which is fast becoming a glorified academy? Man's Utd and City are going to spend big, as are Chelsea and Liverpool and while Wenger still might be a big draw for the likes of Benzema (young, French, not doing great at his current club) you'd imagine that most of the big targets who are looking at The Prem will be tempted by clubs other than Arsenal.

Can Benzema play with van Persie? Can anyone play with van Persie? It's said he didn't gel with Henry and the best time he had last season was playing on his own up front with a couple of wingers/Walcotts alongside him willing to feed him the ball at every opportunity, lest they have to y'know, grow some balls and score themselves.

I think van Persie is the shining light in that side (I can see them doing without Fabregas now that Wilshere is on the scene) but he's best when a team is built around him. Unfortunately he's been much too injury prone in the past for a manager to be seen as wise for building a team around him.

Perversely, I think that other clubs have been put off the guy because of his injury record and he's been the one class player Arsenal have had in recent years who never seems to be linked with a move away. ;)

Interesting times this summer for the top 6.

A quick word about the CL Final - Even Fergie was smiling at the end, which tells you all you need to know. Carrick and Giggs vs the best midfield of modern times? Yeah Alex, they beat Stuttgart so they did...

In terms of individual personnel he probably didn't have many options if he was hell-bent on playing two in central midfield but why on earth did he start with two in central midfield? Well may he smile - S'ralex has a job on. ;)

honeykid

06-05-11, 06:13 PM

I think Wesley Sneijder has turned into Luka Modric, hasn't he? Mrs Sneijder must be a bit annoyed but I think that he'd be a much better fit for the Scholes role.
Couldn't agree more. A much better fit, more like the player himself. Creative and scores goals (galore) :D

Redknapp is denying any top (top) players will be sold so we all know what's gonna happen there - A mass clearout and Triffic off to Chelsea/Fulham/Villa/Swansea quicker than you can say "I'm not one for talking about another team's player but he's a triffic lad, really".
It's like Real in reverse, isn't it?

I'm not sure what's going to happen with 'Arry. If he moves, I can't see where he goes where he can be a success. Assuming, that is, that he's still planning on England next summer. If he went to Chelsea, there's no excuse for failure and, I think, anything less then 2nd would be failure. Plus, Roman sacks anyone who doesn't win the league, which means he'd have to win the CL and that's not going to happen, is it? There's a big rebuilding job to do at Chelsea and 'Arry's not in for the long haul. I'd advise 'Arry to stay at Spurs, finish 6th, claim success and move onto England. I can't wait for him to be England manager. What are all those reporters going to say to excuse his failures then? My guess is a mix of rebuilding and a wasted generation. "If only I'd 'ad them player wot they 'ad, I'd 'ave won everything."

You can't really succeed at Villa unless you achieve top 6. Again, I don't see that happening. There'll be money there this summer (should the Downing/Young transfers happen) but there was money when M'ON left and we know he left because he wasnt' getting any of it. There's also talk of a couple of the younger players being wanted so, if they're sold as well, there may not even be the players to replace the big name players who get sold. Just who would take Villa?

Fulham are starting to look like a club that needs a manager looking for a project. They can't keep this level of overachievement up much longer, IMO, and I fear without someone coming in and pulling the club around themselves, the Championship could be a reality in the next 5 years. They're best players are becoming 'old' and aren't being replaced, as it seems no one there's looking at the next season.

You could see 2 or 3 of the above leaving with the rest in a last chance saloon to be joined by the likes of Walcott and Gibbs next season if they don't properly kick on and mature.
Is it me, or is Walcott starting to look like one of those small dogs from the 60's and 70's that'd run on the pitch and steal the ball? He runs and runs, but has no idea what he's actually doing with it, before losing control or being bumped off it.

I think Wenger's past being scared to buy big, but honestly, what 'big' names would go to a club which is fast becoming a glorified academy? Man's Utd and City are going to spend big, as are Chelsea and Liverpool and while Wenger still might be a big draw for the likes of Benzema (young, French, not doing great at his current club) you'd imagine that most of the big targets who are looking at The Prem will be tempted by clubs other than Arsenal.
I agree, but you can't underestimate the attraction of playing (and therefore living) in London for some players. I get where you're coming from, though. When you consider that Arshavin was considered a 'big' signing, I wondered if that was a sign of the times.

Can Benzema play with van Persie? Can anyone play with van Persie? It's said he didn't gel with Henry and the best time he had last season was playing on his own up front with a couple of wingers/Walcotts alongside him willing to feed him the ball at every opportunity, lest they have to y'know, grow some balls and score themselves.
No, I don't think anyone can play with van Persie. He reminds me of Owen in that respect. However, considering how often he's broken, do you need to buy anyone to play with him? For the reasons you mentioned and the fact that I think he'd work well with Arsenal and Arsene, Benzema looks a great buy for them. Should he come, you just play the one in form (or not injured.) Should they both be in form and fit, choose one and create competition.

A quick word about the CL Final - Even Fergie was smiling at the end, which tells you all you need to know. Carrick and Giggs vs the best midfield of modern times? Yeah Alex, they beat Stuttgart so they did...

In terms of individual personnel he probably didn't have many options if he was hell-bent on playing two in central midfield but why on earth did he start with two in central midfield? Well may he smile - S'ralex has a job on. ;)
My guess, like last time, was that the plan was to score in the first 10-20 minutes and then 2 banks of 4 or Carrick and Park playing in front of the back four, with Giggs and Valencia as the outlets. Maybe with Rooney dropping back.

I know they say that Fergie always puts out a team he thinks can win, but this United team and this Barca team? I think we'd have done well to not lose 3 out of 10 games.

A few interesting titbits of transfer news today.

Firstly, Nasri talking about his future at Arsenal.

Speaking to French sports programme Telefoot, Nasri said: "I don't know if I will sign a new contract, the discussions are ongoing.

"Do I want to go to United? First, we should see if it's real and concrete."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13662377.stm

When looking for assurances and more money, you're used to seeing players use other teams' interest to get things moving but, to me, this sounds a little different.

caughtoffside say that United are looking at £10m rated Xherdan Shaqiri. Those who saw him playing against England yesterday may've been impressed with him. I thought he was their best player, but everytime they mentioned him, I thought of this woman.

http://www.topfatlosstrainer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/04/shakira-workout-diet-toned-curvy-body/Shakira-Workout-Hips.jpg

Which meant I spent a lot of yesterday's game singing that bloody song about her breasts being small so they're not confused with mountains. :mad:

They also have Adam Johnson being looked at by Liverpool.

Anyone watch Italina football? I ask because the Metro say that Roma's Jeremy Menez is being offered to Arsenal as part of a swap deal including Gael Clichy. I can see Clichy going, but is Menez any good? Obviously I know the name, but I don't know that I've seen him play.

Footybunker (no, me neither) reckon Everton are keen on United's Darren Gibson and Villa's Marc Albrighton. Considering I can't see this pair costing less than £10m, I can't really see Everton spending the cash. They also have Chelsea listening any serious bids for Didier Drogba. Is Arsene is serious, get the bid in before 'Arry.

The Mail On Sunday say that Spurs will make a bid for Joe Cole. I can't see Liverpool putting up much of a fight.

The same paper say that Chelsea want Guus Hiddink and Mark Hughes to form a managerial partnership and that they are in advanced talks to bring the duo to Stamford Bridge.

Can this be true. Still with the Sunday Mail, Peter Crouch says he won't make himself available to play for Fabio Capello because he felt humiliated by being left out against Switzerland. Humiliated? For not being picked over Darren Bent? Maybe after the game he'd have felt he could've done better than Bent (after all, I did) but surely he couldn't have any arguement before?

Lastly, in the Sunday Times, Frank Rijkaard has contacted Aston Villa to let them know of his interest in the vacant manager's job. Rijkaard at Villa? Were I a Villa fan, I think I'd be in heaven at that suggestion.

Tacitus

06-05-11, 08:17 PM

Ha! I thought yesterday about making up a few tortuous puns about Shakira (I was also singing about humble breasts, you're not alone mate :D) turning out for Switzerland but thought better of it. Shaznay Lewis keeping goal for Arsenal put me off. :D

Re Walcott: I'm actually more disappointed in Gibbs, as the season went along. He started it off looking like someone finally to take over if Cashley ever dies in a bizarre sex accident but ended it looking less of a footballer than Theo. He didn't even have the excuse (the seemed to happen to Wilshere from Easter onwards) of tiredness.

If the Nasri to Man U thing has truth behind it (and French players on French chat shows have a notorious habit of a Hoddle-esque 'I never said them things' climbdowns) I wonder if they're targeting him instead of Modric/Sneijder or as well as.

Nasri had a fantastic start to the season but did nothing in 2011. Modric, while not as eyecatching, is much more consistent. He also doesn't look like Michael McIntyre.

More like a rather sickly girl...

honeykid

06-05-11, 09:32 PM

Ha! I thought yesterday about making up a few tortuous puns about Shakira (I was also singing about humble breasts, you're not alone mate :D) turning out for Switzerland but thought better of it. Shaznay Lewis keeping goal for Arsenal put me off. :D
In that case, we should never watch football together. I've got loads of these bloody vocal ticks when it comes to football. It started with Steve McManaman (bony armed girl) and has continued ever since. The World Cup can be a nightmare. They should all be called Smith or Brown. :D

Re Walcott: I'm actually more disappointed in Gibbs, as the season went along. He started it off looking like someone finally to take over if Cashley ever dies in a bizarre sex accident but ended it looking less of a footballer than Theo. He didn't even have the excuse (the seemed to happen to Wilshere from Easter onwards) of tiredness.
I can't say I've ever seen Gibbs as this successor to Clichy or Cashley. I'm not saying I'm right, just that I've yet to see what everyone else does. That said, apart from about 18 months a few years ago I couldn't see the fuss about Rio. Even now I look at him as a partnership with Vidic (my hero) rather than a great defender in his own right.

If the Nasri to Man U thing has truth behind it (and French players on French chat shows have a notorious habit of a Hoddle-esque 'I never said them things' climbdowns) I wonder if they're targeting him instead of Modric/Sneijder or as well as.
With the money United are talking, I'd imagine Nasri (were he to come) would be with +1, rather than all three. Carrick and Fletcher have resigned, so it's Gibson and Scholes who need replacing in the squad. Plus, a sale to United (even with a year left on his contract) would cost a lot more than it will to a team on the continent. Of course, this is all if he moves. I think the United connection comes from our need for a creative midfielder and Evra's comments last month.

If we get Sneijder (please God) then Modic would be the better buy. If not, then goals from midfield are needed and the 15 from last season would do very nicely, even if they are in the first half of the season.

BTW, for me Nasri is Torres meets Michael Chang. :D

There's an article here that has quotes from Wenger saying they won't sell to United and that money is the problem.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/samir-nasri-hints-at-manchester-united-move/story-e6frfg8x-1226069856720

I can't believe that Bendtner can move to some of the clubs listed at the bottom of that article. I don't even buy him on FM. :D

Tacitus

06-06-11, 06:10 AM

I think one of Gibbs' problems is that he's as much a wide midfielder as he is a full back but Wenger's reluctant to play him there, preferring one of his 78 tricky little central midfielders, Walcott or (the final insult) Bendtner. He had the perfect opportunity to displace the vastly overrated (or maybe that should read 'has never developed as a footballer past 21') Clichy but injury and pure rottenness put paid to that. He seems to be Walcott as a defender.

You whistled after the commentator said McManaman, didn't you? So did I. ;)

We're from the era when Danny Baker (good luck Dan!) was on national radio and Fantasy Football League was seen as a viable TV concept so it's not surprising really. :D

honeykid

06-06-11, 08:29 PM

Ah, Fantasy Football. *sigh*

On BBC2, celebs not really understanding what they were doing there (especially in the second series) Nazeem taking everything far too seriously and a proper league system. The ITV version is such a pale version that it's almost translucent.

I'm a big fan of Danny Baker, too and, like you, wish him the best.

A few words on today's gossip.

The Sun report that Fergie has gone to 'Arry directly and asked about Modric. They say, according to their source, that 'Arry wants to keep him, but know that Unted can make the deal happen. They say this is why 'Arry wants the Joe Cole deal to happen as quickly as possible, to replace the Modric as the playmaker, and £20m will get Modric to Old Trafford.

The Mail say Liverpool are thinking of a £17million deal for Barca forwards Bojan and Jeffren, who will move down the pecking order when Giuseppe Rossi comes from Villarreal. This fits with I've been reading and hearing, that Rossi (for all the talk about Spurs and 'Arry being interested or United buying him back) is going to Barca this summer, as Pep's worried about the lack of scoring when Messi's not on the field or not scoring.

They also have Arsenal looking at ex-Arsenal player, Seb Larsson.

The Mirror have Liverpool making a £18.5m bid for Jordan Henderson. This is either complete nonsense or a quick, huge bid to get in before United.

*Edit*
A few things I'd like to add.

1. Hamburg's Recruitment of Chelsea Youngsters.
Frank Arnesen is the new manager at Hamburg (after spending 5 years as Chelsea's Director of Youth Development, I think was the title) and Gokhan Tore is the third Chelsea youngster that he's taken to Hamburg this summer. Jacopo Sala and Michael Mancienne have already left, while Arnesen also wants to take Jeffrey Bruma there. I'll be interested to see how Chelsea's academy picks will do with regular football at a good level. We often hear about the academy, but only that it doesn't produce or that there's great players coming through, who just aren't ready yet. Depending on who you talk to, of course.

Marek Hamsik has said he's happy at Napoli, but flattered by the interest AC Milan have shown in him. I'm guessing, if the money's right for Napoli, he's off.

Jerome Boateng looks to be off after only one season at City. Apparently he's told Mancini that he wants to go back to Germany and Bayern want him. The only problem seems to be the fee. City are said to want £17.7, while Bayern aren't prepared to pay more than £11m. Bayern have already brought Manuel Neuer, Rafinha and Nils Petersen to the club this summer.

After all the talk of the Manchester clubs buying Alexis Sanchez, the man himself is talking Barcelona.
"Barcelona would be a splendid destination," Sanchez told Futbol. "The interest of great clubs in me makes me proud. It means I am doing well.

"I want to progress, play and win important trophies and to do this you need to play for the most prestigious clubs. Therefore I hope to have this chance."

honeykid

06-08-11, 05:55 PM

There are reports that Liverpool have get Jorden Henderson for £13m + David N'Gog in a £20m deal. The Sun says it's a £18.5m cash deal. If The Guardian are right, can it really be a £20m deal? Sounds closer to the £16m that was being talked about a day or two ago to me. £7m for N'Gog? Surely even Bruce wouldn't pay that. They also have Charlie Adam's still being chased by Liverpool.

The Telegraph says that Jose Enrique is wanted by Liverpool, though The Guardian say Barcelona are sniffing around.

Martin Jol wants Robbie Keane on a free, according to The Guardian.

Phil Jones is having a medical at OT. £16m is the cost of (another) young defender. Looks like Fergie's setting up the team for the next manager in a few years. The Sun also brings up David de Gea and Alexis Sanchez.

The Mirror has Sunderland spending the Henderson money on Craig Gardner and Roger Johnson. No mention of a fee.

Wigan want £12m for Charles N'Zogbia. Sunderland, Newcastle and Liverpool (of course) are all being linked.

Cahill is worth £17m, at least, he is to Bolton, as that's what's being reported they want for him. City and Arsenal want him (apparently) but City are offering Nedum Onuoha, Dedryck Boyata and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Udinese now want £30m for Alexis Sánchez. United, Chelsea and Barca are all chasing according to The Express. I'll be interested to see how interested Barca are. Sounds like chasing up the price, to me.

The Metro say that Chelsea have made a £9m bid for Racing Genk's left-sided winger Kevin de Bruyne.

More in The Sun, where Shakhtar Donetsk will let midfielder Willian join Arsenal, with Denilson going the other way, plus £4m.

TalkSPORT say Bolton have asked about Dynamo Kiev defender, Pape Diakhate.

The Telegraph say that Fulham have rejected a £10m bid for striker Moussa Dembele.

The Mirror say that Alan Smith could be going back to Leeds. Really? Would they have him? Football fans have long memories.

The Mail have QPR and Stoke taking a look at Nile Ranger.

Wolves are said to be looking to sign Reading's defender Matt Mills.

Martin Jol's first job at Fulham will be to try and talk Chris Hughton to become his #2.

Brodinski

06-08-11, 07:12 PM

Any day now, Chelsea will sign Belgium's biggest talent, forward Romelu Lukaka, currently still playing for Anderlecht. Anderlecht has claimed multiple times they want € 30m for him, but Chelsea are reportedly not willing to pay that much. Whatever deal is worked out, mark this kid down as one of Chelsea's prime reinforcements for next season.

honeykid

06-08-11, 07:17 PM

Yep, I agree with this, though I think they'll do well to get half that. Chelsea does look to be the only place he's going. It'll be interesting to see whether Neymar goes there this summer, too.

Tacitus

06-13-11, 07:37 PM

I signed Lukaku in FM2011 and, at 18, he's rubbish and half the player that Connor Wickham is. ;)

Mind you, maybe he just hates me and the team because he's got fantastic stats...

What on earth are The Villa playing at?

Having lived in Birmingham for 6 years I've got a soft spot for the city's two teams and friends of mine who are Villa season ticket holders were genuinely pleased when Lerner took over the club. They gave him the benefit of the doubt over the MO'N debacle but conceded that funds for players were becoming an issue.

Now, if the reports are true, we hear that he scrubbed Second Choice Schteve van McClaren EuroCoach Extraordinaire off the managerial list because a few keyboard warriors got uppity on some messageboards. He honestly can't be thinking about appointing McLeish, can he?

I'd imagine that Villa forums would treat the new Forest boss like a cross between Brian Clough and Alex Ferguson when compared to Big Eck, who's Brum side managed less than a goal a game for two straight seasons.

Resigning by email as well. Classy.

honeykid

06-13-11, 07:47 PM

Although you wouldn't think Villa would take McLeish after what he did last season at Brum (nevermind them being city rivals) the penny pinching Lerner may be more than tempted. Shame about McLaren, for all the lambasting he gets, Villa could've (and probably will) do a lot worse.

Are clubs really going to spend a lot on Rodwell? I thought that last season he'd start to make his mark, but he didn't and if you're not pushing your way into that Everton team, you wonder how much Chelsea, Liverpool, United (though we don't seem to be linked with him atm) will pay for him to sit on their bench.

Tacitus

06-13-11, 08:01 PM

I can remember another former England manager, trying to rebuild a shattered domestic reputation, not doing badly at Villa. Taylor was even more of a figure of fun to the tabloids than McClaren was, too.

It's been a strange beginning to the summer, what with McLeish and Hughes both resigning without, ostensibly, having a club to go to - They surely must have been given a few nods and winks about jobs which, so far, haven't materialised.

I could see Hughes at Villa - A middling manager for what is now a middling club - but the job I'm betting a lot of guys want is the Sunderland one. There's money there and a chairman who's faithful even to a manager as inept as Bruce, who I'm surprised never seems to be under pressure. Someone like Benitez could turn that club into, if not a champions league team, certainly an Everton-alike.

Rodwell: Yeah, he's loved by sections of the media much more than he is by his coaches, both at club and u21 (where he's getting splinters in his arse as well, apparently) level.

If he matures into a tough midfielder then fair enough but surely it's a season or two too soon for a big money move? Not everyone springs from the womb fully formed like Rooney (if I had his money I'd get a hair transplant too :D) or Wilshere.

honeykid

06-13-11, 08:14 PM

I agree with you about Sunderland. I could see Sunderland being a top 6/threatening CL if one of the teams slip up, but not with Bruce. I think Bruce is a great example of the football 'old boy' network. Love him as I do, you wonder why a team with as much ambition as Sunderland claim to have, would stick with him much longer. I know there's this 'you must have a manager for a century to give him a chance to change things' attitude, but surely this is his last year unless Sunderland really impress this season.

I think losing Bent was a huge blow and, I guess, Bruce would argue he was building a team around him, but their second half of the season was atrocious.

Tacitus

06-14-11, 05:35 AM

I agree that continuity is important and managers get hired and fired far too quickly but, c'mon, Steve Bruce? Loyalty is a two way street and, c'mon, this is Steve Bruce - a man who even Harry Redknapp must disapprove of when 'not going down that road' is brought into a conversation.

His solution to any sort of crisis is to buy loads of players then let most of them go after a few seasons of crapness.

Wes Brown? Darren Gibson?

You can hear Fergie laughing his head off as he tries to squeeze Bebe into the deal. :D

Then again, cracking bit of business in selling Henderson (who I could barely pick out of a lineup containing him and 6 Playboy Bunnies) to Liverpool for such a huge amount. Apparently he's been utter dross since his England cap - Maybe a move to a big club will get his juices flowing again but he's not exactly the sort of player I'd want in the trenches beside me.

Do Liverpool even remotely need a player in his position anyway?

honeykid

06-14-11, 12:29 PM

It appears I didn't make myself clear, I'm with you entirely with Bruce. I can't see him finishing above 8th at best. Even then, depending on who's available, I'd still get rid if I was looking to push onto Europe.

All the rumours are Brown, Gibson and O'Shea to Sunderland. I think the first two look very much like going. Not completely sure about O'Shea, as Fergie does like to have a 'utility' player on the bench/in the squad. I guess it depends on who comes in the summer. I'm looking forward to seeing Cleverly push on next season. Sounds like he did well at Wigan and he usually played pretty well when I saw him. I have a feeling that Welbeck and Macheda will both go on loan again. Bebe's going on loan to Turkey, with a right-to-buy clause in the contract, apparently. Some of the fans are talking about Ryan Tunnicliffe coming through, but I've not seen him play, so I can't really comment.

Some have made Henderson-like comments about Phil Jones coming to United. I can see why they say that, but I think there's two caveats. One, he's not sold on Evans. Two, we need a defensive midfielder, a position that Jones can play/cover. This'll allow Fergie to have a possible England pairing with Smalling in a few years time.

The Henderson deal looks odd on paper, but I think I'll hold fire until the end of the season. I think it's an early deal, rather than a bad one. £20m is a lot atm, but in a season or two, it could look a really shrewd decision. That's the gamble Kenny's taken. Also, on whether Liverpool need players in the middle (which they don't, of course) I know that he didn't always play there. He started off on the wing. So, maybe, he'll play there for a season or two and then work his way into the centre once Gerrard starts to slow/gets injured. There's also talk of Mata going there and, while he started playing wide at Real, since his move to Valencia he's been playing upfront. If they get him, maybe Kenny will play 4-3-3? Meireles, Gerard, Henderson/Mata, Carroll, Suarez as as the 6? Looks appealing to me. Of course, I think they need more help at the back than they do going forward. Reina started to look shot by the end of the season and that wasn't because he's a poor keeper. It's probably got a lot more to do with the 4 in front of him.

Tacitus

06-14-11, 01:00 PM

I think Jones is a much better bet in the long term than either Henderson or Rodwell. On paper he's similar to Rodwell but he's been trusted by his manager to play much more regularly, albeit in a side will less ambition.

Pop quiz: Which set of owners is more clueless?

Blackburn's chicken people or West Ham's porn merchants?

Too close to call, sez me. ;)

honeykid

06-14-11, 01:26 PM

I don't even think PN could answer that question. :D

BTW, have you seen that Danny Baker's been given the all clear? Excellent news. Well done, Danny. :):up:

Some transfer news.

The Daily Mirror has Chelsea including Didier Drogba in a deal for Luka Modric. They also say that Spurs would like Emmanuel Adebayor.

Sticking with N.London, The Sun says Chris Samba is wanted by Spurs and Arsenal. They also have Gervinho leaving Lille for Arsenal or Spurs. Is it Spurs and Arsenal day or something?

Back to The Mirror, but still with Arsenal and it's the deal we're all waiting to happen. If only so we don't have to hear about it anymore. Yes, it's Cesc! They say Barcelona will only offer £35m for him, but will give Arsenal free choice of their youth players. The Mirror says:

"'Manager Pep Guardiola is understood to be ready to put Spain Under-21 midfield orchestrator Thiago Alcantaro, Andreu Fontas, defender Martin Montoya or Mexican Jonathan Dos Santos - younger brother of Spurs flop Giovani - in the mix."

They also bring up a potential complication. Inter are said to be looking at Samir Nasri to replace Wesley Sneijder.

The Times says that Fabregas is prepared to go public with his desire to leave Arsenal this summer, if the deal doesn't look like happening. They said:

"'Fàbregas's desire to move to Barcelona has not altered since he told Arsène Wenger of his wish to leave last May. However, the 24-year-old's camp believe he has a "gentlemen's agreement" with the Arsenal manager and that having stayed in the Barclays Premier League last season, he will be allowed to leave for Spain should the North London club receive an acceptable offer this summer."

The Mail say Liverpool are looking to add another midfielder to their squad in the shape of January target, Charlie Adam. They want him for £6.5m, while they say Blackpool are looking at a fee closer to £10m.

The Alexis Sanchez saga continues but, until there appears to be something concrete, I'm not going to mention it. Suffice to say, Udinese are looking to get the highest possible amount for him. Udinese seem to be the new Marseille.

Sunderland will look to get rid of Craig Gordon and Steed Malbranque in an attempt to cut the wage bill. They're also looking at taking PSG striker Mevlut Erding.

Swansea are looking at Eidur Gudjohnsen to bolster their front line in the Premier League.

Arsenal will have to pay £13million for St Etienne's Blaise Matuidi.

The Press Association are reporting that Carvalho Amauri is attracting the attention of two, un-named, English clubs... According to his agent. ;)

footielatest say that City have started negotiations for Ezequiel Lavezzi

The Sun have Arsenal looking at an obscure teenage European (no, really!) £3.5m-rated left-back Alexander Milosevic, 19, who plays for Swedish side AIK Solna.

talkSPORT say that Chris Eagles is a target for Everton.

Tacitus

06-14-11, 02:03 PM

honeykid

06-14-11, 06:37 PM

I think Wenger would be tempted if they threw Mascherano or Bojan into the mix but I doubt that Barca will offload their young talent easily, especially as they've spent months bellyaching about English clubs and Arsenal in particular poaching their teenagers.
I think there's a decent chance they'd throw in Bojan, simply because of the progression of Pedro in the last 12-18 months. Obviously, they'd rather make Jeffren part of the deal, but if Bojan was what it took, I think they'd do it.

Imagine how good football coverage on TV would be if he and James Richardson alternated between MOTD and MOTD2?

One can but dream. :)
And that dream, sir, would be a football fans wet dream. Shame they don't have the right agent. :skeptical: At least then there'd be half a chance that it could happen. Lottery odds, I'll grant you, but if you buy a ticket you've got a chance.

A few more transfer stories

West Ham United have taken Stoke City's defender Abdoulaye Faye on a free transfer.

Villa have confirmed they will interview Alex McLeish asap.

Bacary Sagna says Cesc Fabregas wants to leave Arsenal for Barcelona this summer.

City defender, Jerome Boateng, says he has agreed a four-year deal with Bayern Munich.

AC Milan's Thiago Silva appears to be angling for a move after saying he's spoken to Barca, but a move would have to be right for Milan.

I don't know what's happened with the Rossi to Barca movie, but his agent claims the Villarreal striker still wants it to happen. Don't worry, it will. It's a done deal. :)

Lastly, there's talk about one of the players I mention in my posers a page or two back. Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has told any club looking at Javier Pastore that he'll only leave his club for 50million euros.

Zamparini is quoted as saying:
"Pastore will not leave for les than 50million euros," Zamparini said to Radio Radio TV. "If he leaves, it will be difficult for him to stay in Italy.

"I have requested that his agent (Marcelo) Simonian, who is being pursued by Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona, collate the offers.

"Over the weekend we will meet to shed some light on the player's future."

Tacitus

06-15-11, 05:05 AM

When I first heard about the McLeish to Villa possibility, (a big) part of me thought it was silly-season journalists putting 2 and 2 together and coming up with Big Eck.

Events of the last couple of days suggest that, at the very least, the club want to interview him and Blues are asking for compensation.

Only Chelsea and Man City had higher net spends in the last couple of seasons than the relegated Birmingham City...

But hey, he signed Marlon King before he left. ;)

Tacitus

06-16-11, 09:02 AM

Here's an interesting list of the 100+ players released by Premier League (2010-11) clubs this summer - Link (http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_6991642,00.html)

They've been a bit cheeky and included players who've retired, such as van der Sar and The Neviller, but there's a lot of quality going for free, especially for the promoted clubs.

Carew and Reo Coker from Villa should be aiming a bit higher than Swansea, though, and I wonder if anyone will take a punt on Hargreaves and Woodgate?

Now that teams must operate with squads of 25, a player over 21 with injury concerns as serious as those two might have to drop down a division or, worse still, go to Scotland.

Nah, that's too fanciful - Injured or not, there aren't any good players in Scotland. :D

honeykid

06-16-11, 04:30 PM

There's some decent players on that list. Carew and Elmander should find a mid-lower Premier League side without much trouble, should they wish to stay. If Gabbidon can convince someone of his early West Ham form, he's good enough too. I'm sure Upson will get a place, though I've never been convinced by him. However, Christian Dailly is still a professional football player, so anything's possible.

(BTW, does anyone here have a player who's inability to actually play football, despite being a professional player, convinces them that they could've made it in the game? Mr. Dailly's mine)

I see that 365 have a piece about 5 Spanish players. You can forget about Aguero, as he's off to Real, but the others are all quite well known/rumoured. Gago's too injury prone to play in the Premier League, IMO, so he'd be perfect at Arsenal. :D

Mata's an excellent player, however, if you want a good left winger who won't set you back quite so much, I'd recommend Antoine Griezmann at Real Sociedad. Should Mata leave Valencia (which he probably will, as they could solve this season's debt repayment with his sale) then I'd expect Griezmann to be his replacement.

As it's usually cheaper to buy from the Continent, I've put together a few potential buys that I think might be worth a punt if you're looking for a player.

Espanyol
Idriss Carlos Kameni (GK) Pablo Osvaldo (striker)

Villareal
Diego López (GK), Santi Cazorla (Left Winger), Nilmar (striker)

Athletic Bilbao
Javi Martínez (Midfielder), Fernando Llorente (Striker)

Athletico Madrid
Diego Godín (Defender)

Sevilla
Diego Capel (Left Winger), Negredo (Striker)

Valencia
Alberto "Tino" Costa (Midfielder)

Tacitus

06-17-11, 06:09 AM

Elmander was the name which popped out at me as well but, when I checked, he'd signed last month for Galatasaray so maybe he deliberately ran down his contract. He'd have been a good signing, even for UEFA Cup sides, especially when you consider the strikers that Spurs have on their books.

Player who convinced me that even I could play the game professionally? What was the name of that guy who tricked Souness into believing he was George Weah's cousin? Ali Dia, or something.

I was that bad at football. :D

Oh, and Frank Sinclair. ;)

EDIT - Well, McLeish has been confirmed at Villa and I, for one, am staggered. My old neighbours in Brum ain't gonna be happy - He's a Villa season ticket holder and she's a dyed-in-the-wool Bluenose. The language drifting from their windows on Saturdays used to be priceless. ;)

honeykid

06-17-11, 01:56 PM

I remember that Bolton were a bit worried by the fact that Elmander only seemed to start playing when his contract was in its last year. However, I think that the arrival of Owen Coyle was probably the dominant factor in that happening. Maybe that, combined with just getting used to the Premier League.

I agree that neither of your neighbours are going to be pleased with the appointment of McLeish. I saw an argument that, considering the lack of riches he had at Birmingham, he played the only way he could. I believe there's more than an element of truth to that, but I'd have still rather had McClaren than McLeish.

Tacitus

06-17-11, 02:55 PM

This is the Birmingham City who were only outspent by Chelsea and Man City in the last couple of seasons? :D

I think something about the whole affair which wasn't widely reported and warms my heart a little was that Martinez from Wigan was approached and declined the offer. The Villa job is definitely a step up from Wigan's perennial struggles but the little guy wanted to honour his contract, I guess.

Martinez having relative success during his time at Wigan is also a shot across the bows for those who believe that the only way for small clubs to stay up is to 'do a Stoke/Bolton' and hoof the ball long. A future Arsenal/Spurs manager?

Sure, Blackpool went down playing poncy football but so did McLeish's super-negative Blues.

honeykid

06-17-11, 05:26 PM

I think it was very much noticed by the Villa fans. Firstly, because his teams play good football and, secondly, because Villa is a step up from Wigan.

I wouldn't be surprised if Dave Whelan would be prepared to spend, at least, as much as Randy Lerner (which is still the best name in Premier League football, though Ruud Boffin ran him close last season) if only the players would go to Wigan. Now, with the attraction of Martinez staying and the way he plays, he might be able to attract a slightly better class of player. Maybe that's why he stayed?

As for the spend. Has anyone other than those two really spent, though? I can only think of Zigic and Foster at Birmingham last season, who cost about £6m each. It's not like they've been out there splashing the cash to a great extent. Also, Birmingham didn't really have much to build on. A couple of years back, Spurs spent about £15m on Crouch and Bassong. However, they had a much better squad of players. Most of which they bought the season before, when they bought Defoe, Modric, Gomes, et al.

Lastly, I think we outspent Birmingham over the last few seasons. Approaching £30m last season, £20m the season before and £30+ the season before that (thanks to Berba).

Tacitus

06-17-11, 06:25 PM

It's the net spend (a phrase beloved of Rafa Benitez :D) here, and look at this table: Link (http://www.transferleague.co.uk/transfer-fees-v-league-positions/premier-league-2007-2011.html)

Blues' net spend in 09-10 was over £16mil and last season was almost £20mil. It's one thing to get relegated on those figures but to play awful, turgid football doing it? They won a cup, yes, and I'm sure that a fair few fans will put up with relegation (as long as they're back up next year, natch) if only to shut up Villa fans. :D

Thing is, it seemed like McLeish, for all the money spent, only knew one way to play with that side - Pack the midfield with scrappers and lump it up to the lone striker. Like Allerdyce keeps saying (but has he actually done it?), maybe the manager will change his philosophy when confronted with a new environment and expectation so I'll give the guy the benefit of the doubt for a short period, at least.

As you say, hopefully Whelan will repay Martinez with funds in the same way that his manager rewarded him with loyalty. Wigan looked in trouble at times last season but they sat tight and played their way out of it.

It's shaping up to be the most interesting pre-season in many a long year, even if only 40% of the rumoured deals come off. ;)

One final thought - Gervinho: How weird is that guy's head/hair? I dunno if it's an unfortunate choice of dreads and a high forehead or said forehead is shaped like a pineapple.

I've got no idea what he's like as a player but Wenger clearly rates him. That's the Wenger who clearly rated Marouane 'low rent Cristiano Ronaldo lookalike' Chamakh, by the way.

honeykid

06-19-11, 03:45 PM

As we know, sunday is newspaper gossip bonanza day over here. Here's what they're saying.

A few papers are saying that Wenger is thinking about making a move for Joey Barton. Barton is said to be available for £1.5m, as the owners try to get the big earners will little/no resale value off the payroll.

In The People they say that Scott Dan's £12m price tag is scaring Arsenal and Liverpool off.

And so it begins. Arsenal's Peter Hill-Wood has said that Barcelona have been in contact about Cesc Fabregas. He's quoted as saying:

"Yes, they have spoken to us about Cesc," Hill-Wood told the Sunday Mirror.

"They have been in touch. But so far they have not made a bid and we do not want to let him go.

"But he comes from Barcelona so it is understandable if he wanted to go back. However, they have not made an offer so far."

He's also quoted as saying there's money for Arsene to spend. According to the story, here and in other places, Barca won't pay more than £35m while Arsenal want £45m.

The Sunday Mirror has Barcelona prepared to sell David Villa to City for £40m to raise enough money for Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez and Guiseppe Rossi.

The Metro say Michael Essien will be part of a deal that takes Modric to Chelsea.

Much loved ex-Spurs captain, Gary Mabbutt, told talkSport that Spurs must sell Modric and move on.

The NOTW reported that Sunderland have bid £10m and 'triggered a bidding war' for Ipswich striker Connor Wickham.

talkSport have Liverpool turning their attentions to Celtic's Ki Sung-Yeung, should the Charlie Adams deal not happen.

In the Sunday Mirror they have Alex McLeish being given a £40m transfer fund for the summer. Seeing as about £15m of that will be from the Ashley Young deal and about the same again for Stuart Downing, this actually sounds about right. :D

According to the Sunday Times, Samir Nasri won't sign a contract for Arsenal until he sees how much they're prepared to spend in the summer.

Metro says that Liverpool's interest in Eljero Elia is waning, but that Chelsea are ready to step into the breach.

Wes Brown to Everton for £3m. That's in the Sunday Mirror. While, in the NOTW, Marouane Fellaini is talking about CL football.

The Star says Chelsea have launched a £50m bid for Sergio Aguero. I know, it's The Star and I'm sure he's going to Real, but I thought I'd add it anyway.

The Mail On Sunday are talking about £10m for Adel Taarabt from QPR. Seeing as they bought him last season for £1m from Spurs, I wonder if Spurs had a sell-on clause in the contract?

Back to The Star, who have United and City fighting over Jack Rodwell.

Sunday Mail have Fulham in talks with Aberdeen over young midfielder Fraser Fyvie. £1m is the figure mentioned.

In the Sunday Mail, Maccabi Petah Tikva have upped their asking price for striker Omer Damari to 3m euros as Celtic prepare a £1.7m bid. The NOTW has Celtic offering £2.5m, which is pretty much the 3m euros the Sunday Mail reports, isn't it?

Still with the Sunday Mail and Rangers and Celtic are both be looking to sign Neil Danns, after Hull City cooled their interest in the Crystal Palace midfielder.

More from the Mail, who have Guus Hiddink entering negotiations for the Chelsea job this week.

The Sunday People have Chris Hughton coming into the Birmingham job.

Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido says Real won't use their option to buy back striker Alvaro Negredo. Real had a clause inserted into the contract that they could buy back the player within two years.

Stoke are after DJ Campbell.

Bolton's Owen Coyle is making a £7million bid for Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

Newcastle want Daniel Sturridge on loan.

Gabriel Obertan says reports linking him with a loan move to Lille are news to him.

Spurs are going to give up with Scott Parker.

Chelsea think they have lost Neymar to Real Madrid, who've lined up a £36.3million deal for the player. The rumours I've seen are Abramavich thinks £30m is enough, while Real are prepared to pay £40m.

Alex McLeish has contacted United about Wes Brown.

Liverpool will let Danny Pacheco out on loan again.

Hamburg and Fenerbahce both keen on signing Jermaine Jenas.

Blackburn are looking at Joel Sami after a tip from Chris Samba.

Tacitus

06-19-11, 04:40 PM

I was only half joking (or maybe only half serious ;)) when I said a few pages ago that l'Arse should bid for Barton. :D

Personality issues aside I think he's one of the most improved players in the division, and it all came about after his move to Newcastle. If the move does happen I can see Wenger falling into the trap that he seems to know no way around - Because Barton is a good crosser of the ball he'll be used out of position wide, like so many of Arsenal's tricky little central midfielders (and Walcott).

Wenger might actually start by buying a proper winger, although with Barton he might end up with a proper wanger. Sorry! :blush:

I heard a great story about Peter Hill-Wood once about the reason why The Star's Arsenal stories are usually (and surprisingly, considering the type of paper it is) on the button. Apparently, a Star journalist found himself in possession of Hill-Wood's home phone number and thought he'd chance his arm and give it a ring.

Hill-Wood is such a nice old chap he answered the hack's questions to the best of his ability and always seemed available for little chats from time to time. Quality - if true. :D

honeykid

06-19-11, 05:54 PM

The Sunday Mirror carries a story that proposes the possibility that Chelsea will get a points deduction for its pursuit of Luka Modric. As Chelsea have form (and a 3 point deduction suspended) for previous indiscretions (Ashley Cole and Gael Kakuta) they say that Daniel Levy is thinking about reporting them for their public pursuit of Modric. I can see the attraction for Modric, though. CL football and, if the stories are to be believed, a £108,000 a week pay rise. That's pay rise. £150,000 a week is the figure being bandied about.

Tevez's agent has started to say that his player might be staying at City. At £200+k a week, I'm not surprised he's staying. Who the hell is gonna pay him that? Let alone the £30m-£50m (depending on what day and who your listen to) City want for him. Click the link if you want to read all the funny, "it's not about money" talk.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/19062011/58/premier-league-agent-says-tevez-stay.html

Blackburn have written to the Premier League with their concerns that United contacted Phil Jones' agent before they contacted the club. The deal won't be in danger, however, as the owners have declined to make an official complaint.

"We have reasons to believe that the player's agent and maybe the player had been in touch [with United] for two to three months before permission was granted," Venky's chief Anuradha Desai told the Mail on Sunday.

"I was ready to take Manchester United on, ready to go to a tribunal if that's what it led to. But we spoke at length to Steve Kean and we knew Phil wanted to go to United.

"We concluded that the person who would be most damaged by a delay and legal action was Phil. That wasn't fair on him. There was a release clause for £16.5m and the total deal was £4m more with the add-ons. We wish Phil well."

He then goes on to say that, while he thinks anyone should be able to talk to anyone, if there are rules there they should be enforced. He's asked for clarification of the rules. A United spokesman said "We had the appropriate permissions to speak to Phil Jones." while the player's agent said:

"I won't be commenting on the confidential process that was undertaken. Everyone is telling me they're happy with what went on so, unless I hear different and unless I've got questions to answer, I don't feel I have to comment."

That's the gist, but everything's here if you want it.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/19062011/58/premier-league-rovers-accuse-united-jones.html

But, to parse the whole thing, Blackburn want to have their cake and eat it. We know that United, as with everyone else, almost certainly asked the player or agent beforehand and found out about the buyout clause, but want the deal done as quietly as possible. No fuss. The agent's not saying crap as he's hit the jackpot. £16.5m + upto £4m in add-ons.

honeykid

06-27-11, 10:20 AM

Ashley Young's joined Phil Jones at United and now The Mirror says that they're looking at Barcelona's young midfielder, Thiago Alcantara.

While at The Mail, they say that Arsenal have made Mata their #1 target and will make a £18m bid for him. According to what I read and heard a couple of months ago, £20m will get him to any club he wants to go to.

Metro has Robbie Keane looking to end his playing career at Blackburn.

Probably playing off of the stories yesterday that Gareth Bale will leave Spurs if Modric is sold, caughtoffside say that Chelsea will make a £60m double bid for Modric and Bale.

The Sun say that if Serville pay the £6.5m asking price, Giovani Dos Santos can go.

The Daily Express have Chelsea offering Drogba and £7m for Galatasaray's Arda Turan. They also say Jose Bosingwa could move to Besiktas after he was 'only' offered a one year extension.

Back to The Sun, who have City shopping at Fiorentina for midfielder Alessio Cerci, Partizan Belgrade for defender Stefan Savic and AZ for keeper Sergio Romero.

The Mirror says Villa will buy Ben Foster and N'Zogbia, while The Mail says they'll be buying Matthew Etherington to replace Ashley Young.

West Brom are after Daniel Sturridge, according to The Sun.

Caughtoffside say United are 'confident' of buying Nasri for £20m. Mmm... We'll see.

The Independent report Liverpool are close to completing the signing of Charlie Adam, with Jonjo Shelvey going the other way for a season-long loan. Liverpool are set to sign Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing.

In The Times, West Brom's defender Gabriel Tamas could be on his way to Lazio.

The Star has City having to pay £36m for Porto striker, Hulk.

Following on from the weekend stories, the Metro says Liverpool want to take Aaron Lennon to Anfield. £22m is the price mentioned.

Mirko Vucinic's agent says his client won't move to Blackburn, saying the Roma striker deserves a "more prestigious" club.

Much of yesterday's gossip bonanza seemed to be big splashs on the usual, but a few that piqued my interest or haven't heard before.

James Milner may be heading back to Villa for £14m, as he's worried about how much play he'll get next season.

goal has Toulouse's Moussa Sissoko talking with Liverpool and Newcastle over a potential transfer, while Inter and Lyon are also interested.

caughtoffside said United have joined the race to sign Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, with £25m the figure mentioned. I'd be very pleased were this to happen. Doubt it will, though. Sunday Mirror says that Park Ji-Sung is interesting Juve.

Fabio Cannavaro at QPR? Really? Could be true, according to the NOTW.

Lastly, in the Sunday Times, Raul Meireles could leave Liverpool after just one season as he has not been offered the improved contract which he says he was told would be his in return for joining the club on reduced terms.

Tacitus

06-27-11, 12:29 PM

Looks like Les Goon have finally admitted that they'll sell Fabregas - Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13928823.stm)

I think it's time, and I'm sure that even fans would agree. If you love him, let him go! ;D

According to the BBC article, two of Arsenal's board are called Sir Chips Keswick and Lord Harris of Peckham which have to be (especially the first one) the bestest names in the world. Evah! :D

honeykid

06-27-11, 02:17 PM

As usual, I think Arsene's left it a season too late, both in terms of his team and the money. He made the same mistakes with Viera and again with Henry.

I don't know about best names ever, surely that goes to Roger Bumpass or Randy Bumgardener, but I tip my hat to you for posting those names. They're proper comedy names. :laugh:

Tacitus

06-27-11, 02:45 PM

In football terms I mean, although now I remember Forbes Phillipson-Masters...

Aye, Barca are now taking the little-used second hand car salesman approach to valuing Fabregas. He's a recent model but rather high mileage with a bit of warranty work already undertaken.

That Fabregas, he's been to the moon and back! :D

honeykid

06-27-11, 04:52 PM

In football terms, there's some crackers. I like Danny Invincible (can you imagine if that'd been David Beckham's name? Surely he'd have been even more famous) Dean Windass and Pau Dikov, of course. Last season I liked Ruud Boffin.

Tacitus

06-27-11, 07:58 PM

I remember an old Danny Baker flight of fancy when he compared the Norwich side of the time to characters from a Dickens novel.

Mr Ullathrone, Mr Newsome, Mr Prior, Mr Brownrigg, Mr Cureton, Mr Such and Mr Crook.

I looked the squad up, by the way. I'm not that sad. ;D

honeykid

06-28-11, 04:12 PM

OK, transfer gossip.

First up, Santos say that 5 clubs have met the £40.3m asking price for Neymar. It's said the 5 clubs are Real Madrid, Barcelona, Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, Chelsea and City.

There's talk of Marseille looking at Drogba, but Marseille say it'll depend on "finances", adding it's the wages, not the transfer fee.

While it seems Arsenal are ready to splash the cash for Mata, it appears the player may not fancy a move. He's quoted in SuperDeporte: "I just want to disconnect. I am not thinking about my future at the moment.

"My contract runs until 2015 and let's hope my next trophy is with Valencia."

Do you think that only applies to Arsenal or any move?

The Cesc story may (finally) be approaching its climax, with just about every paper reporting that Arsenal are ready to sell and that the price will be around £35m+ incentives. However, The Sun say that Barcelona want Fabregas to go onstrike to make Arsenal lower the asking price. I'm guessing The Sun are wrong on this one... I know! Shocker. :D

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Arturo Vidal is the name being bandied around as the replacement for Fabregas. There's also talk of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain being confirmed as an Arsenal player at the start of July. While Nicklas Bendtner is mentioned as a makeweight in a deal for Gary Cahill, who has a £17m release clause in his contract, according to the papers. Gervinho is said to be on his way next week, too.

The Daily Mirror says that Ipswich have agreed a £13m deal (£9m+£4m incentives) for 18 year old striker, Connor Wickham. The player wants to go to Liverpool, but the player doesn't think that Liverpool have the money to spend on this player.

Tacitus

06-28-11, 04:47 PM

So Bolton will have the best striker in the world? Cripes! :D

Your dad should never be your agent, Nicholas. ;)

honeykid

06-28-11, 08:38 PM

If it happens, what odds that you'll hear the word "stepping stone" before too long?

Some early gossip from the morning papers.

Alex McLeish wants to make Sergio Canales his first signing, on a season long loan from Real. From what I saw from him the season before he moved to Madrid, he's got a lot of talent.

The Mirror also talks about Gervinho coming to Arsenal and that he'll be followed by bids for Gary Cahill and Chris Samba.

The Telegraph says that Mancini will make a £6m bid for Partizan Belgrade defender Stefan Savic.

TalkSport have Barcelona looking at Nani should they not get Alexis Sanchez. This would probably have already been a big rumour had Nani actually have recieved some credit (with the expection of the club, where he was Player of the Year, of course) for last seasons effort.

The Daily Mail reports that Chelsea are keeping an eye on the Sergio Aguero move and have learned that his advisers held talks with Atletico Madrid in an attempt to get the Argentina striker's release clause reduced from £42m to £32m. I still say he's off to Real, but if this has happened, then a move abroad could be possible.

The Guardian has Chelsea looking to keep Drogba, after Marseille made their interest public yesterday. They add that Galatasaray are ready to bid again for Drogba in an effort to pair him with Bolton striker Johan Elmander.

honeykid

06-29-11, 04:09 PM

In an absolute shock to no one, United have signed David De Gea from Atletico Madrid for £17m. He's signed a 5 year contract.

20 year old Barca midfielder, Thiago, has singed an extension to his contract at Barcelona after being linked to both Milan and United. It runs until 2015 has has a 90 Euros buy-out clause.

Chelsea won't let Drogba's contract run down and he'll be offered a one year extension. Also, Andre Villas-Boas has said that there'll be no players leaving or coming in before pre-season starts.

Bolton defender Zat Knight has said that his friend, Shaun Wright-Phillips, would like to move to Bolton... And would even take a pay cut to make it happen. That's pretty much the whole story. :D

The Mirror has Arsenal worried about losing Cesc and Samir Nasri. While Untied have been linked with Nasri, The Mirror has Barcelona looking at both. While, in The Sun, they have Arsene looking to spend £8 on Inter's Emiliano Viviano, as goalkeeping competition for Wojcech Szczesny. And, yes, I did copy/paste his name. :p

The Times adds PSG to the list of clubs looking to sign Gael Clichy. Roma, Liverpool and, of course, City are the names I can remember off the top of my head.

The Daily Express tells us that McLeish has been told he can make a bid for Charles N'Zogbia from Wigan. £9million is the number printed.

The Corriere dello Sport is reporting Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini saying the club has received a £45m offer for Argentine playmaker Javier Pastore.

The Press Association reports that Reading have told Wolves they'll have to pay £4m for highly rated defender and club captain, Matt Mills.

The Sun say that Roman Abramovich won't sell Michael Essien to Jose Mourinho.

If City want Stefan Savic, Partizan Belgrade say it'll cost them £9m.

Villa will bid £4m for Shay Given.

In The Star, they say Newcastle are considering bidding for Argentine striker Juan Manuel Martinez, who plays for Velez Sarsfield. One of the few times, I have to admit, that I have absolutely no idea who he is.

The Star also say they won't sell Robbie Keen cheaply to Blackburn, who've already had a £2m deal rejected.

Back to The Sun, who are reporting on, I'd have thought, a rather one-sided transfer battle, Ghanain international Samuel Inkoom, who can play as a defender or midfielder. Spurs and West Ham are the combatants. If true, I'm guessing the story was written by a West Ham fan. :D

The Sun also tell us that Stoke have abandoned their attempt to sign Scott Dann and striker Cameron Jerome after having a £16m bid rejected by Birmingham. They'll also give up on Daniel Sturridge, according to The Daily Express, after being told he'll cost £20m.

The Express also tell us that Denilson is wanted by Milan. Not the first time we've heard that, though, is it?

Loner

07-02-11, 06:07 PM

I was wondering if an of you soccer/football fans have seen The Two Escobars. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1522863/)

honeykid

07-02-11, 08:02 PM

I've not, but it's either on tv this week or was last week. I can't remember when or where I saw it. Are you recommending it?

Loner

07-02-11, 09:30 PM

Definitely recommending it. ESPN just had on their 30 for 30 series. Here's the link The Two Escobars. (http://30for30.espn.com/film/the-two-escobars.html) Quite bloody to have on in the middle of the day.

honeykid

07-02-11, 10:46 PM

That's where I saw it! I think it was ESPN Classics (which is the free ESPN over here.) Thanks, Loner, I'll be sure to check it out, should the chance present itself again. Terrible what happened to him.

Some gossip from yesterday and early stuff from the Sunday papers.

Chelsea are looking at taking a punt on Nasri, should they not get Sanchez. That's from The Mail. They add, however, that the player is wants to go to United and will knock back Arsenal's £90,000 a week offer next week.

They also have Gael Clichy signing for City on Monday for £7m and, get this, Andrey Arshavin wanted by Galatasaray. Now the best bit, it's said they'll pay £13.5m. :eek: If I was Wenger, I'd help him pack and put his house on the market for him. Apparently Everton want £15m for Leighton Baines, so they're now looking at Jose Enrique.

Bolton might've priced Gary Cahill out of the market. Enough for Arsenal, anway, as they're now looking at Scott Dann and £10m, according to The Mirror, who also say that Chelsea are interested.

The Guardian say that Sunderland would also like to sign him, but with the interest of Arsenal and Chelsea don't think it likely to happen.

Cahill may be too much for Arsenal, but not for Chelsea, if The Mail are to believed.

The Mirror say Scott Parker has turned down a £10m move to Fenerbahce as he doesn't want to uproot his family. While The Mail have Aston Villa are interested, but only for £5m.

The Mail On Sunday say Chelsea are going to make a bid for Theo Walcott. Really? I think not.

The Metro have Inter Milan getting in Arsenal's way by making a bid for young midfielder, Ricardo Alvarez.

Back to The Mail On Sunday, where Shay Given has turned down a move to West Brom (who's Scott Carson moved to Turkish club, Bursaspor) and wants to go to Villa. In turn, Villa have been told to double their, reported £4m, offer for Given.

Goal.com say that Bayern Munich are sick of negotiating for Jerome Boateng and will walk out on the deal.

Sunderland have offered Wes Brown a 4 year deal.

If these rumours are to be believed (and, lets face it, about 90% of them aren't) Arsenal must be sick of Inter, as Footie-online have them trying to sign Belgiums Eden Hazard from Lille.

honeykid

07-04-11, 01:45 AM

With Cesc and Nasri almost out the door (Barca and City, though some say he prefers United) Clichy already gone (apparently) and Walcott linked to Chelsea, how long before van Persie decides that he should move, too?

Everyone seems to be of the opinion that Stuart Downing will go. However, while Liverpool is the usual suggested destination, the Sunday Mirror says it's Arsenal for £20m.

The Mail On Sunday reported that Fergie gave up on Sanchez once he heard the player was going to Barca, but he's still after Wesley Sneijder and/or Luka Modric. However, today's Footy Latest says that he's given up on Sneijder and will instead look at Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Please no. I can't see this being even close to true.

The NOTW had Valencia and Juventus looking at Dimitar Berbatov, with £14m being the price mentioned.

They also had John O' Shea going to Sunderland for £3m and Liverpool switching their attention (back) to Jose Enrique after Clichy went to City.

In the Sunday Express, the sale of Clichy for £8m will trigger a spending spree at Arsenal. They say Gary Cahill and Jose Enrique are on the radar.

While the Sunday Times say Nedum Onuoha will now move from City to (probably) Blackburn, now Clichy has arrived.

Fabio Coentrao's move to Real is said to've collapsed, according to the NOTW, alerting Chelsea. However, as some bloke called A.Cole plays in his position, I'm not too sure about that. Unless Cole goes to Real, of course?

Again in the NOTW and Newcastle are looking at PSG striker Mevlut Erdinc for £7.5m.

West Ham manager, Big Sam, is said to be hoping to lure Craig Bellamy back to the club.

In today's Mirror they have Kevin Doyle moving to... Arsenal! For £12m! :eek: Someone check the date.

Still with The Mirror and Stoke are looking to hijack the deals for John O'Shea and Wes Brown.

Fantatix (no, me neither) reckon that Aquilani will be offered with any cash offer to get Tottenham to sell Aaron Lennon.

Footy Bunker have Arsenal looking at Shay Given, after being told Roma were close to signing Maarten Stekelenburg. Did anyone hear about Stekelenburg going to Arsenal?

Spurs, Arsenal, PSG and Lille are all said to be after Standard defender, Eliaquim Mangala. £4m is said to be enough.

Lastly, caughtoffside are saying that Fergie will look to make a £30m bid for Bastian Schweinsteiger. Considering their relationship with Bayern and what he's said about staying in Germany, it's unlikely.

Tacitus

07-05-11, 10:36 AM

Poor Owen Hargreaves (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=owenhargreavescb&aq=f)

Ok, he's no doubt extremely well off but having to upload videos of yourself to YouTube to prove that you're, well, not a potential disaster signing is a bit sad.

I always rated Hargreaves but when I was looking for a new window cleaner a few weeks ago, he was still under contract at Man Utd. :(

Maybe MoFo could sign Owen? :D

honeykid

07-05-11, 04:03 PM

I know, I saw that. Fitness TV. :D

The Mirror says, predictably, that Wenger doesn't want to sell Nasri to English opposition. I know, I couldn't believe it either> :rolleyes: Apparently, Inter Milan will take him off their hands, should he agree. Is there some sort of Arsenal/Inter connection that I don't know about? Any mention of one in a rumour, seems to prompt the mention of the other.

footybunker have Arsenal looking to Lyon's Aly Cissokho to replace Clichy.

caughtoffside say Arsene will show his intentions by bidding big money for Eden Hazard and Juan Mata.

With Sergio Aguero not having moved to Real (yet), there are stories of Man City and Juventus being interested, in The Times. Of course, they could've mentioned a few other teams, but they've decided to just use the two. I guess, that way, they can have another story or two out of it over the next week or so. ;)

A brilliant story at Footybunker, where they say that Chelsea are looking at Real's defensive midfielder, Pepe in, they say, a bid that's sure to annoy Jose. So, you play a position twice, against Barca, and you're good enough to displace Jon Obi Mikel. I'd say that Mikel was more likely to be annoyed than Jose. :D

Talksport are still banging on about Rossi going to Spurs. They say that Juventus are the competition. They also have a great story about Man City missing out on Marek Hamsik, as he wants to go to Milan. So City are going to miss out on a player they've not been linked with to a team who've been linked with the player since the end of the season. Good work, boys.

More "team with lots of money to spend linked with players" stories at caughtoffside. They have PSG looking at Berba and Anelka.

The Guardian has Stoke City, Celtic, Sunderland and Blackburn chasing Craig Bellamy for a loan deal.

Like the rest of us, Owen Coyle's getting sick of the Gary Cahill to... stories and has told the clubs that are interested to pay up or shut up. For £17m, I'm guessing most of them will choose "shut up."

The Daily Express have an answer to the "why do Barca need/want Cesc" question. They say that Pep will play 3-4-3, with Cesc at the top of a four man diamond.

In some actual news, Real have paid £27m (e30m) for Fabio Coentrao from Benfica. Does this mean Marcello will play as a left sided midfielder (which'd be good, cos he's not a defender) or will they sell him? I can't see him sitting on the bench as back up. There are reports that Ezequiel Garay will be sold to Benfica e10m and that Royston Drenthe could go there on loan.

There have been some movements (United have bought three players, City have bought, Liverpool, Real, have Barca done anything?) and yet it feels as if nothing's happened.

On a personal note. Why all the panic at Arsenal? Clichy has been a liability and many Arsenal fans were hoping to see the back of him anyway. Cesc has been out the door for 2-3 years (last season he definately wanted out and would've gone had Barca paid the money.) So the only real problem is Nasri and he's only a problem if Wenger does his usual and buys an 18 year old French/African player "for the future". Unless Arsenal perform spectacularly well and all the other underperform, they aren't going to win the title anyway, so they're looking to finish top four. Nasri was only good for half a season (being an Arsenal player it was the first half obviously), Cesc wasn't really there for most of the season, even when he was physically there and Clichy wasn't good enough anyway and they still finished fouth. Therefore, they have to finish about Liverpool and, possibly, Spurs. That's their season and, with re-enforcements, Ramsey and Wilshere a season older and replacements for the players leaving, they should still do that.

honeykid

07-06-11, 11:48 PM

Wes Brown's going to have a medical at Sunderland. According to the BBC website, Sunderland have had a £12m bid for Brown, O'Shea and Gibson accepted. The O'Shea part of teh deal has stalled as his wife's had a baby and interest from Newcastle has put the Gibson deal in doubt.

Charlie Adam went for a medical at Liverpool on Wednesday. No mention of a price yet, but I'm guessing around £8m.

Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, has apparently told Luka Modric that he won't sell him for any price. Sounds like the Berba deal all over again. If he does maneuver a deal, it's going to cost an absolute fortune.

Stefan Savic has completed his move from Partizan Belgrade to Manchester City, for £7m.

City want £50m for Tevez. I really hope they make them pay that, because I can't see anyone doing it.

The Mirror say Arsenal will offer £27m for Karim Benzema, in an attempt to keep Nasri happy at Arsenal.

Inter have signed Ricardo Alvarez and Metro says that this signing makes United signing of Sneijder more likely. Yesterday's Mirror carried a story reporting that Inter have said they need to sell before they buy. Put those two together and you get... 5. As they conviently forget that other teams might want the player.

Talksport report that United are looking at Toulouse striker, Moussa Sissoko.

The Mail has Spurs hoping to get in ahead of Arsenal for Mata.

christine

07-07-11, 12:59 PM

Hi H & T. I've been out of the loop for a while, son got married here and in China, so been busy!
Hope you're both well. xx
Any Everton gossip?

honeykid

07-08-11, 03:50 AM

Hey Christine! Good to have you back. Hope everything went well and, congratulations!

I haven't got any Everton gossip, not for anyone coming in anyway, and only talk of Leighton Baines going to Arsenal. But they're very quiet rumours and, according to the papers, Moyles is asking £15m. Actually, considering his last season and the (obligatory British player price bump) I think it's a good price for him. Though, after seeing him puting in good crosses into the box, I wonder why Arsenal would go for him. It's not like there's going to be anyone there to do anything with it, is there? :p

If we didn't have Evra and with only Fabio to play there, I'd be happy if United bought him for that price. Not only a very good left back, but also someone who can take a good free kick and penalty. It's gotta be better than Nani missing from 12 yards or blasting another freekick into the wall. :D

On the transfer front. Sunderland have signed Brown and O'Shea. Both signings are for an "undisclosed fee", but the Brown transfer is thought to be £1m. David Vaughn is expected to sign soon.

Liverpool have had a £15m bid for Stewart Downing rejected by Villa. But Charlie Adam has moved to Liverpool for a reported £7m.

John Arne Riise is going to have a medical at Fulham.

This morning The Mirror have more talk of Mata to Arsenal. They say for £15m, which is unlikely as Valencia have said he can leave for £20m. That's so they can service their debt this summer. This enables them to do it with one player sale, meaning they won't have to sell anyone they don't want to.

The Metro are banging the Cesc drum, with talk of Barca trying to sweeten the deal with Maxwell or Eric Abidal. It could be true or, as Clichy left on Monday, it could be 2+2 reporting.

caughtoffside has United offering a couple of players + £10m-£12m for Modric. I don't even know why I bothered writing this one. :D They also have Sam Allardyce wanting Joe Cole and Paul Konchesky. I'm guessing one of their reporters is a WH fan.

This one was doing the rounds yesterday, but The Mirror says QPR are looking to sign Carlton Cole for £6m. They also have Villa in for Scott Parker (remember him?) as Spurs need to sell before they buy. While the Metro have Villa spending £5m on Alan Hutton. Is that the £5m Spurs need for Parker? It was rumoured before than, although West Ham were talking £10, Spurs only were looking to pay around £5m.

Talksport say Liverpool won't offer more than £15m for Downing (not what the BBC are saying, they have Liverpool coming back in with an £18m bid) and, instead, will make a bid for £12m rated Lyon winger, Michel Bastos.

christine

07-08-11, 06:57 PM

Thanks Hon, we had an amazing time in China, def need to go again. The newlyweds are very happy and we love our new daughter in law to bits !

So back to footie - that does seem like a low price for Baines, it'll be interesting to see what happens there.

honeykid

07-09-11, 12:09 PM

Well, there's a sniff of Everton news for you Christine. It appears that Hugo Rodallega is wanted by Everton and Arsenal. According to him, anyway.

Sky Italia say that Man City have agreed a £23m deal for Nasri.

Lots of stories yesterday and today about Nasri being offered £110,000 a week by Arsenal.

The Times have Man City bidding £40m for Sergio Aguero. While the Daily Mail say they'll spend £55m on Aguero and Samuel Eto'o.

Talksport have the Doni to Liverpool deal back on and report that Athletico Madrid are trying to hijack the deal.

caughtoffisde have Liverpool giving up on Downing and going for Charles N'Zogbia instead. Though FootyBunker say he's going to Villa, as is Shay Given and The Mirror say it's Sunderland for N'Zogbia.

FootyLatest say Chelsea have given up on Modric and, instead, are looking at werder Bremen's Marko Marin.

A bit of an odd on in Metro, who say Spurs will sell Niko Kranjcar (I'm with you so far) to Fiorentina (yes) to raise the £20m needed to secure Espanyol striker Pablo Osvaldo. £20m? Erm. No. £3m maybe. £5m tops. Osvaldo to Spurs is a long standing rumour.

The Mirror say Spurs are looking to sign Souleymane Coulibaly, the player who's been dubbed, 'the new Didier Drogba' (apparently).

Carlton Cole's value has reduced £1.5m in a day (which given last season actually sounds about right) as The Mirror say he's a £4.5m target for Stoke. Yesterday he was a £6m target for QPR.

Lastly, FootyLatest say reports in Italy are linking Alberto Aquilani to Sunderland.

Loner

07-21-11, 04:57 AM

So this is what y'all across the big pond call a friendly?

Manchester United schools Sounders FC 7-0 before record crowd (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2015676820_sounders21.html)

Tacitus

07-21-11, 06:11 AM

Indeed. ;)

Whereas, in the olden days, big clubs would gear up for the new season by playing a few low intensity matches against smaller domestic sides (and small clubs likewise by raking in a decent gate revenue hosting these big sides) they now all seem to go off on foreign tours.

They'll still play the same low intensity matches but it's now all about global brand awareness/selling replica shirts.

Of course, it can all go horribly wrong, as this Man Utd shirt-wearing bloke found out when he went to see Liverpool on a tour of Malaysia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0dcdoU51rk

A red shirt's a red shirt, innit? :p

christine

07-21-11, 02:04 PM

voneil7

07-21-11, 02:11 PM

So this is what y'all across the big pond call a friendly?

Manchester United schools Sounders FC 7-0 before record crowd (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2015676820_sounders21.html)

My city (Chicago) is up next. I thought about going, but decided as cool as it would be to see an EPL team play here, the level of competition just isn't there, as evidenced by the score of the Sounders match.

honeykid

07-21-11, 04:32 PM

What's he doing watching Liverpool anyway? I'm sure there are other Europa League teams touring Malaysia. :D

If he went there knowing what he was doing, though, hats off to him. Extra credit for having Rooney on the back.

I've not been updating the transfer talk as there seemed little point. It's apparent that no one really knows what's happen or when and most of the 'news' is the same every day. However, as I'm here and there's been a bit of definate news.

Everton have turned down a £10m bid from Arsenal for Phil Jagielka. It's been reported that this is £2m less than they offered 12 months ago. They also say that, as Moyes isn't looking to rid the squad of Jagielka, it's likely to take a bid of around £20m to make them think about selling.

The Daily Telegraph are saying that N'Zogbia is refusing to train after Wigan turned down Villa's £9m bid. They say that the player says he'd been told he could leave if a club offered £9m.

Lots of paper talk about Aguero going to City regardless of whether Tevez is sold or not. Also talk of Tevez still wanting out. Italy seems the best bet, as Real still want Neymar.

Chelsea have upped their bid for Romelu Lukaku to £20m, after interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, City and Spurs. I also remember rumours of Roma taking a look.

Unless there are any last minute hiccups, Bolton will sign Jeffren Suarez from Barca for £5.

Malaga are reported to've made a £15m for QPR's Adel Taarabt. Really? £15m? What did he cost QPR last season? £1m? I've only included it as PSG are said to be ready to pay £13m and, like PSG, Malaga have been bought by very rich men and have money to spend poorly.

I'm guessing Valencia are getting worried, as they're making noises about Mata staying, them wanting him to stay, but 'admitting' that should a player want to move for more money or a bigger club, they can't stop him. That should be read as, "we were expecting to meet our loan repayments with the sale of Mata for £20m. Everyone was/is interested but no one's made the bid. For God's sake, someone buy him so we can pay our debts!"

Liverpool's Milan Jovanovic should be moving to Anderlecht soon, so long as they can negotiate his supposed £60,000 a week wages.

Tacitus

07-21-11, 07:53 PM

What's he doing watching Liverpool anyway? I'm sure there are other Europa League teams touring Malaysia. :D

At first I would have said it was a guy who didn't understand the language or football but got swept along in Premier League hype, buying the first red shirt he could find then following the crowd to the stadium.

Then again, he might just be a bit dim...

Brodinski

07-29-11, 02:35 PM

honeykid

07-29-11, 09:13 PM

So do you see United finishing 4th, Brod? I think it's United and City with a strong challenge from Chelsea. That's how I see it atm, though there's still a month of possible signings to come (which I hate, as I think all the teams should be set before the kick-off of the first game of the season.)

I've not followed the Bundesliga for a good few years now, so I've no idea. Bayern's worth a punt most seasons but if they're depending on the fitness of Ribery and, especially Robben, then it could be Dortmund again (though shorn of Sahin.)

I agree it's Milan's to lose in Italy. Inter seems to be the only credible contender, but that depends on how well Gasperini works with the squad, if Sneijder is sold and, if he is, how the money's spent will also affect their chances.

I'm very interested in Spain this year or, more appropriately, Mourinho's 'rebranding' of Real Madrid into an actual football club. His signings have been interesting and typically Mourinho. Hamit Altıntop, José Callejón, Fábio Coentrão, Nuri Şahin and Raphaël Varane. They might be well known if you play Football Manager, but to most fans it's a case of "who?" Despite all that, I still think it's Barcelona. I know it's a stick to beat La Liga with, but it's true, there's very little chance of the 'lesser teams' giving Real or Barca a game, let alone providing a real challenge. This means wins are, largely, guarenteed, with the occassional draw and on even rarer occassions, a loss.

For example, there was only 4 points between Barca and Real at the end of last season, but third place Valencia were 21 points behind 2nd place and Villareal (4th) was a further 9 points behind. In the Premier League, United finished 9 points ahead of 2nd and 3rd place, but Arsenal were only 12 points behind United.

I think Barca have that 'unbeatable' aura about them that defeats teams while they're still on the coach. Real will have to obtain that if their to combat Barca in the head to heads, though that's highly unlikely to be with the aggregate of last season.

A quick word on Sergio Agüero's move. This is the moment that City have arrived. Should, as I expect, Tevez stays, that could be the best front two in the league. Not that Agüero's lazy, but with Tevez's work rate, Agüero's guile and the quality of both, they should be devestating.

Tacitus

08-01-11, 03:01 PM

I see tonight that Joey Barton has been transfer listed and will be allowed to go on a free.

A move to a top 4 club and a final final chance in terms of his personality? If nothing else, I think he'd be an excellent squad man for any of the top sides (minus Liverpool, who can field a team of central midfielders) and the likes of Man Utd and Arsenal could do with some variation in the middle of the park.

He's an ex City player and a Scouser, though, so that might rule out Old Trafford. Could Arsene tame him? ;)

honeykid

08-01-11, 09:29 PM

There were rumours a couple of weeks ago of a 'Barton to United' move. Jouranlistic musings or a glimpse of things to come? It does have the wiff of the Owen to United gamble about it, doesn't it? Like this, I said that wouldn't happen and yet, here we are, and he's signed an extension.

Tacitus

08-02-11, 06:03 AM

There won't be the risk of long spells on the treatment table for Barton but there might be a risk of long spells somewhere else. ;)

Justin

08-04-11, 02:33 PM

So I'm really enjoying all of the Chivas fans going crazy over a friendly, where Chivas essentially beat a B-squad Barça. They are acting like it really mattered.

honeykid

08-04-11, 05:18 PM

I know it was a friendly, but I'd still have put money on a Barca reserve team beating Chivas. So, while I agree it's meaningless and all about fitness for Barca, I can understand why their fans are happy about it.

Tacitus

08-05-11, 06:53 AM

According to F365, Abou Diaby is on £60k a week!

No wonder he could afford to buy Man City. Arf! :D

honeykid

08-08-11, 05:20 AM

So, what's everyone's view on the 2011-2012 champions in the various competitions?

England

Obviously, I am hoping (probably in vain) that Arsenal will FINALLY win the league this season, but so far the transfers are poor. Gervinho is good, but not nearly enough to turn the team into a contender for the title. When is ******* Samba coming? Where is a decent goal keeper?
Listening to some journos talking yesterday on the Sunday Supplement and a couple of them were saying they could see Arsenal missing out on top 4, let alone winning. One even had them struggling to me top 6 or 7. I still think they'll finish top 4, but it's going to be close between them, Spurs and (possibly) Liverpool.

Chelsea have finally bought Lukaku for £20m (which I didn't think they'd stump up, so I was wrong again) and their new, ex-Barca buy Romeu, has already said he wants to go back sometime. So, if he proves to be any good, expect a Fabregas-esque transfer saga in a few years time.

BTW, what do you guys think of the recent Barcelona transfer/loan strategy? Who's getting the better of these deals?

Yesterday and today the papers say that Arsenal will pay £12m for Southampton 18 year old (next week) midfielder, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Yesterday's Mirror also had them still looking at/wanting Chris Samba or Gary Cahill.

The Sneijder saga continues and, depending on who you read, he's either going anywhere that'll pay him but is happy to stay at Inter, going to City, wants to go to United or both City and United have decided that his transfer (£35m-£37m) combined with a basic £200,000 a week+ bonuses is just too much. City are said to be favourites for Nasri and think they can get him for around £22m. They're said to think it's better value than the Sneijder deal.

Interestingly, it's rumoured that Rooney has a clause in his contract which assures him he'll be the highest earner at the club, so if Sneijder arrives at United it'll cost them even more than the Sneijder deal alone.

Both Vermaelen and Van Persie were injured yesterday, Wiltshire is already injured and with Gervinho getting injured in the second half of his first game for the Gunners, it's good to see that squad starting as it means to go on. :D Seriously, with two of their players wanting out and the rest injured or soon to be injured, I'm wondering if that journo talking about them finishing 6th could be onto something.

The Daily Mirror says that Owen Coyle, the Bolton manager, has been told he can talk to Shaun Wright-Phillips about a move to the Reebok.

Rob Beasley, who's very in at Chelsea, says he expects them to make another bid for Modric before the end of the transfer window. That, or he expects him to be a Chelsea player by the end of the transfer window. I can't remember which.

Their defence is solid as long as Kompany is playing, who I think is the very best defender in the Premier League right now
Didn't look it yesterday, did he? :p OK, so it's a cheap shot, but I just had to do it. BTW, how good was that second United goal?

Tacitus

08-08-11, 07:20 AM

I wonder if Arsenal finally missing out on Champions League qualification (and even this season they've got a tricky tie with Udinese to get into the thing proper) will be the final straw for either the board to take action or for Wenger himself to call time?

Booing an inexperienced young defender for scoring an og in a friendly shows just how a) agitated and b) clueless some fans are.

Maybe this Chamberlain kid will become what Walcott hasn't yet but he's not gonna make the difference short term. Wenger's either playing an elaborate game of chicken with the clubs of the players he's been linked with or they really are gonna start the season with the signings of a few babies and a guy with a really weird looking head.

Surely even the most stubborn man in football can see that they need some sort of marquee signing if only to appease fans? Cahill's got a release clause in his contract apparently (a hefty £17mil but Les Goon are loaded, right? :p) so that should be a relatively painless deal.

Still think Jagielka's a far better player though, and he should be cheaper.

honeykid

08-08-11, 08:00 AM

Tacitus

08-08-11, 08:39 AM

I can certainly see Fabregas and/or Nasri picking up a 'strain' a few days before the tie. If they're named in the CL squad but don't play they're still cup tied until January?

Wenger's so stubborn that I can see him letting Nasri run his contract down if Fabregas leaves just so he can have some cover in midfield. This'll either mean that Nasri will sleepwalk through the season, totally demotivated or he'll excel in an extended run in centre midfield, sign a new contract and get mistaken for Michael McIntyre in North London for a few more years.

Of course, he could be professional and excel in centre midfield while letting his contract run down and guarantee stupendous wages from whoever signs him next year. ;)

Still not convinced by Nasri, by the way. Unless he hits the ground running this term I'd put him in the Adebayor bracket - A very good player who had an exceptional 6 months but then reverted back to his usual standard. Form is temporary etc etc.

honeykid

08-08-11, 09:44 AM

So long as they don't play, I'm pretty sure they're free to play for another team in the competition.

Like you I'm not convinced by Nasri, at least, not as 'the star player'. I remember seeing him in his last season at Marseille and I can't say that I think he's come on that much in the last 3 years. Bar that great 6 months at the start of last season. Though he's now heading to the centre of the pitch, whereas he played on the wing at Marseille. To United for £20m is something I'd be ok with (as much to weaken Arsenal as strengthening United) but I'd rather see that £20m going towards Sneijder (though I think that deal's too expensive) or buying what we really need, which is a strong holding midfielder and/or a right back.

Tacitus

08-08-11, 11:14 AM

If the Glazers are looking at it solely with their business hats on then Nasri will have a much higher resale value than Sneijder. Sneijder is a far better player though.

Best of both worlds would be Modric. ;)

honeykid

08-09-11, 07:04 AM

I don't know. Good players, but I'm not really sure about anyone other than Sneijder and even I'm not convinced by the combination of the transfer fee and his wages. There's been lots of talk since the Community Shield that we don't need Sneijder now Cleverley's broken through, but that's crap, IMO. He's still young and it was one game, where we were 2-0 down and there wasn't any points at stake. I'm not saying he can't play there or isn't good enough, but it's a lot of pressure to say "we won't spend £35m on the best midfieder in the world, because we've got you." Maybe Cleverley and Sneijder?

If there was any truth to the rumours of de Rossi leaving Roma (which I doubt) then I'd rather we looked there to spend a huge amount of midfield money. It'd probably be a lot cheaper than Sneijder and, as much as I'd love to see Sneijder at United as I've said for years, I think de Rossi is exactly what we need. But, as I said, I'm guessing it was either a made up story/rumour or something he/his agent said to negotiate a better deal at Roma.

Tacitus

08-09-11, 08:15 AM

Oh yeah, a holding midfielder would be my choice too.

I remember reading a blog from a Utd fan a few months ago about Carrick's massive loss of form. He said that Carrick's best time in the shirt was during the brief period when Hargreaves was fully fit because it enabled him and Scholes to play 20yds further up the pitch and not worry so much about tracking back.

As with Wilshere at the start of last season, Cleverley looks a huge talent but look at what happened with Wilshere in the final third of the season. The lad was burned out.

A defensive midfielder would take the pressure off him and maybe bring the best out of Carrick. With Rooney, Young, Nani, Valencia etc there isn't a shortage of creativity further up the pitch but I'd see Sneijder as a 'just because we can' type of signing, if it ever comes off.

honeykid

08-10-11, 07:33 AM

I think Sneijder would improve the team, but I agree it's got that Football Manager feel to it. Of course, it does depend on how Fergie's going to play this year. Although it won't happen, because United always play with width, we could play a fantastic 4-3-2-1 formation with Sneijder.

And, just because it made me laugh:

Speaking of vigilantes, Millwall fans apparently decided en masse not to make the trip down to Plymouth for their Carling Cup tie - instead protecting Eltham High Street from trouble, while chanting: "No-one loots us, we don't care."

It is a strange world indeed in which Millwall supporters are the good guys.

Taken from this piece this morning.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/early-doors/article/344031/

Tacitus

08-10-11, 10:43 AM

Heh, another one which made me chuckle was F365's headline that Arsenal have at last signed a big-name player - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has 21 letters.

The club shop must be rubbing its hands together in glee at the thought of replica shirt sales. ;)

honeykid

08-15-11, 07:42 PM

I'm assuming that, by now, everyone knows that Cesc has moved to Barcelona. And so, one of the most protracted and boring transfer sagas in history has ended (yes, more boring than the Henry one.) Wenger seems to think that Nasri can be persuaded to stay. Everyone else is assuming he'll leave.

Question: Why didn't Wenger just sell both when it appeared/became obvious that they were going to leave this summer. Sell them early, get the money (as I assume that, despite what's said, he really doesn't have much to spend) and get a good pre-season in? Maybe Mata would've been a possibility? Any talk of him leaving Spain after the end of July is surely nonsense, as before then he was available for £20m.

The only thing I can think of is that, either, Wenger is now so stubborn that even the most obvious transfer moves/buys are beyond him or there's no money? Well, not the kind of money that the board have led us to believe over the last few years.

Udinese tomorrow. Let's see whether Nasri is played or not. I suspect not. Either it'll be announced that he's being sold or he'll have an 'injury'. Something that can be cleared up by the weekend. ;)

Tacitus

08-15-11, 09:48 PM

I've been saying it for a while but I really think the stadium payments are crippling the club.

Wenger must be the most stubborn man on earth but even he can't not know the fundamental flaws in that squad. I mean, he bought two centre backs last season so he'd recognised at least part of the problem but he either could not or would not buy either an established Premier League player or a quality international.

If the rumours are true and he offered Everton £10mil for Jagielka earlier in the year then, if I were them, I'd tell him to do one even if he came back with £15mil+ and Bendtner (£15.5mil in total then :D).

They'll probably end up with Scott Dann but I'd put in a cheeky bid for Richard Dunne. He's slower than a special needs sloth these days but he's just the sort of character they need - provided he doesn't get too lippy. ;)

If Eboue (awful player but I can't help liking him, in a Gary Neville without-the-skill sort of way) leaves then they're also woefully short at full back. Sagna is a class act but I'm not convinced by Gibbs and after that there's no one of any substance or experience.

The whole thing might just come crashing down around Wenger and it'd be awfully sad, whoever you support, for one of the great managers of the last couple of decades to go out like that. Thing is, who would they get to replace him?

honeykid

08-16-11, 12:18 AM

I agree with you that it's sad to see Wenger like this. Over the last year or so I've come to think as you do about the stadium payments. I just can't see a man of Wenger's undouted intelligence fiddling there while Rome burns. Two or three years ago it looked (to me) as if it was stubborness. A "I said I was going to do it this way and I am" mentality, but I think he genuinely loves Arsenal FC too much to put his pride before their reputation. And it is their reputation that's on the line this season, IMO. I still can't see it happening, but there's no doubt that it's possible they could miss qualifying for the CL next season. Even last season that was unthinkable, to me. However, with United, City and Chelsea as the top 3 (IMO) that'll leave Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs fighting for 4th. That means it's realistic that Arsenal could finish 6th. I don't think that'll happen, (4th or 5th for me) but I do see that it's possible. Hell, in a worst case scenario, I can see them finishing 8th, should Sunderland and Stoke play to their full potential, not lose key players and have a little bit of luck.

To illistrate how much trouble Arsenal may be in, I think that a United second team would finish 6th or 7th.

honeykid

08-28-11, 02:28 PM

8-2

Brodinski

08-28-11, 03:48 PM

Jesus Christ. That was a massacre. I can't even... Arsenal and its fans are completely arsefvcked for the coming months, if not the whole season. And Wenger still won't spend the money.

Tacitus

08-28-11, 03:57 PM

If Man Utd had beaten Chelsea or City by the same scoreline, the manager would have been sacked. As it's against a team who's manager has brought them success and been there a decade and a half...

Whatever happens, Wenger must do some serious soul searching about his and the team's future. And he's got 3 days to do it in.

I've been saying for a while that I don't think he's got serious money to spend but even before the 60-odd million he got for his two playmakers he was able to come up with £15mil. He spent it on a 17 year old attacker.

If he'd spent that cash on an international centre half, would Nasri still be there? Now he's got 1 point from 3 games and a sending off in each of them.

I'll watch the highlights on MOTD2 later and will see what the split was between Utd brilliance and l'Arse ineptitude but I'm suspecting 50-50.

In fact, when you take into account the other Sunday clash the score is:

Manchester 13-3 London (North) :D

honeykid

08-28-11, 11:36 PM

Yep, the scary thing (for Arsenal) is that on both MotD2 and Sky the concensus was that United weren't anywhere near their best and didn't have to be. Red Nev said that United will have to play better than that this season to win games 1-0 or 2-0. Merson was somewhere between apoplectic with rage and completely flabbergasted with how far Arsenal have fallen from the top. They were talking about all the players Arsenal had to come back and Merson said that, while they did have a lot of players out, about 8 by my count, none of the players would get into United's team. Of the Arsenal team, he said only van Persie and, maybe Walcott would make the team. I'd agree that van Persie would get a game, but not Walcott. Of course, there's been little talk of the players we've got at out atm as well. No mention of Rio, Vidic, Rafael, Fabio, Fletcher, Owen (of course) and Valencia (I think) all injured. That's the be expected after that win, though.

Even though United didn't have to be top drawer, Rooney was outstanding, Welbeck was looking good unitl he did his hamstring and Smalling, despite not being a right back, has looked good covering for Rafael since the start of the season. Without an obvious right back for England, I think he may get his chance there, before he is played in the centre.

I can't see the point of getting rid of Wenger, but I do (like most I'd imagine) think that he seriously has to look at his transfer policy. He can still buy young, Phil Jones for example would've been a great addition and had Arsenal not bitched about £2m (they offered £8m and Blackburn asked for £10m) they could've had him in January. Or, so the story goes. But he needs to buy strength. This isn't anything new or insightful, who doesn't think/say that, but surely he can't continue going the way he has been. His refusal to buy a strong midfielder and a big strong central defender has already cost Arsenal the title. Will it cost them their top 4 place?

Tacitus

08-29-11, 06:24 AM

Yep, with only a few days until the close of the window it'd be highly unusual to expect a new manager to stamp any sort of authority on a club but it'll be very interesting to see what shape Arsenal are in come January.

Will the penny finally drop with Wenger? Well, they've bought a new player - A bloody striker who's record seems average at best. Chamakh mk2 then...

I've seen reports this morning linking them with Chelsea's Alex. Good (not great but you can see the logic) player and a step up from Scott Dann (and all centre backs at the club apart from Vermaelan) but we'll see if it's anything other than paper talk.

honeykid

08-29-11, 04:40 PM

The S.Korean captain deal was all but done on the Friday/Saturday, so that was before the annihilation on Sunday.

Ready to be proved wrong, but I don't see Alex moving to Arsenal. Not right for the player and right for Chelsea. With John Terry on an increasingly downward slope, Chelsea can't afford to sell one of the other two good CB's. The spine of Chelsea is looking increasingly creaky. Cech and Drogba out for a couple more weeks and Terry and Lampard both less effective and well past their best. If AVB manages to make more than a year there, he'll need some money next summer to make crucial buys.

Personally, I think Scott Dann will be a decent buy for Arsenal. So long as the injury he's just had is a one off rather than the start of a list. I think he showed he was Premier League quality and if Vermaelen can stay fit long enough to form a partnership with him, Arsenal may have half a chance of putting a run together. Judging them on yesterdays performance (which is dangerous to do, I know) the rest of the team still looked ok. de Gea made a few good saves (looked poor for the Walcott goal, though. Terrible footwork. So bad even I noticed it at the time. Is that something that can be fixed? Or just 'worked on'?)

Tacitus

08-29-11, 05:19 PM

Heh, it seemed pretty churlish to mention at the time but de Gea did indeed drop another bollock with the Walcott goal. Awful footwork, as in he didn't seem to move them at all.

Dann would be an ok fit, it's true. I wasn't really dissing him but he's not at the level of someone like Alex - Solid PL quality but for a side of Arsenal's size he should really be being bought as a squad player who could mature into a regular starter.

I'm intrigued as to what Wenger does in the next couple of days. If he buys more 'promise' then I can see the fans properly turning on him.

On the other side of North London, wouldn't it be funny if Spurs ended up with 2 points from 8 games? ;)

Sorry Golg, but my ire is reserved only for Triffic, a man who decided to use his two most airy-fairy midfielders in the middle against one of the most formidable (on paper, but rapidly turning into something special on the pitch) sets of attacking players in the league.

As Wenger has rightly been criticised for not cutting his cloth in order to fit the match in hand (Fergie managing the same side would have been drilling them for hours on parking the bus) then so must Redknapp. Funny how the English press turn a blind eye, eh? ;)

honeykid

08-29-11, 06:17 PM

Heh, it seemed pretty churlish to mention at the time but de Gea did indeed drop another bollock with the Walcott goal. Awful footwork, as in he didn't seem to move them at all.
He didn't and it is worrying.

Dann would be an ok fit, it's true. I wasn't really dissing him but he's not at the level of someone like Alex - Solid PL quality but for a side of Arsenal's size he should really be being bought as a squad player who could mature into a regular starter.
I completely agree about the quality difference between the two. But, not only would Chelsea ask for a lot of money (quite rightly) that Wenger still wouldn't spend, but it's also a local rival and, as I said, why would you leave Chelsea for Arsenal? Even before Sunday. Arsenal probably wouldn't match his wages, either. It's just a "no" all around. What Arsenal need is two fit, strong CB's who'll be there week in, week out... Until they get suspended. :D That, and a whole new medical dept. Remember when Spurs had a team like this? Players always getting injured, usually the same players. Sicknote ring any bells?

As I said before, I remember United in the 80's being the same. "If all our first team were fit..." "If it wasn't for injuries..." We kept saying "if..." and Liverpool kept winning.

I'm intrigued as to what Wenger does in the next couple of days. If he buys more 'promise' then I can see the fans properly turning on him.
Indeed. It's already started and while I still think Wenger is as good as it gets for Arsenal (if the money situation is as you and I suspect) I think he'd probably do himself a favour if he were to leave Arsenal (in the summer) and go somewhere like Sunderland. A club willing to spend money, but unable to spend the kind of money to compete with the big clubs (perfect for Wenger.) A club that backs its manager. A club where Arsene himself would be a God to all the fans just for going there, regardless of what happened on the pitch. A club that'd love to see his style of football played there, a one club city but with a fierce rivalry, whom beating almost assures the managers position for another year. Or, maybe, Villa? Good youth set-up. An owner with a tight hold on the purse strings. Fans that would adore him.

On the other side of North London, wouldn't it be funny if Spurs ended up with 2 points from 8 games? ;)
**** world peace. I have a new dream!

As Wenger has rightly been criticised for not cutting his cloth in order to fit the match in hand (Fergie managing the same side would have been drilling them for hours on parking the bus) then so must Redknapp. Funny how the English press turn a blind eye, eh? ;)
It'll never happen, we know, but I'm not sure that he quite deserves it for this weekend. I don't think there's any doubt that 'Arry wants to sell Modric and improve the team. I think I said this had "Berbatov" written all over it at the start of the summer and, if he goes, then it would be the same. Even if he leaves 'Arry a day or two, rather than literally minutes, it'll be ridiculous. There's no doubt that they've got targets lined up and there are deals ready to be done, but I don't think any of them are 'big' deals. Say, £10m+.

Tacitus

08-30-11, 06:37 AM

I'm pretty sure that Alex was being touted around as surplus to requirements at the beginning of the summer and one of the papers is saying that Arsenal have made a bid. Even if that's true, a Wengerbid might mean £5mil and some strands of Jack Wilshere's hair.

Looks like they've signed a left back, at least, and at 28 with 20-odd caps for Brazil he's one bound straight for the first team. I've barely heard of him, though.

Reports are coming in that they've also signed that big lamppost Mertesacker, who they've been half-heartedly linked with all summer.

honeykid

08-30-11, 09:22 PM

I'm sure there was paper talk of Alex leaving, but I can't see it happening anytime soon. Not unless AVB didn't like the look of him. I'd be getting rid of Terry long before I looked to get shot of Alex. That £30m offer from City a couple of years ago must look awfully good, now.

I've not really heard of the Brazilian either, whcih as he's an international is a bit worrying. However, he was playing for Fenebache. Really? Is he a 'lost' gem or just not quite worth the risk? Surely there's a reason? Also, why not go for Enrique when he was at Newcastle? Unless Arsenal made an approach and he told them "I want Liverpool"? That's not what I heard, though. Maybe Newcastle wanted 50p more than Arsene thought he was worth? :D

I see that Santon's gone to Newcastle. I've not watched Italian football for a good few years now, but surely he's better than that? He can play both left and right, as well. I think he'll be an excellent buy. They're also looking to loan Macheda for the season, which'll be a good move for him, I think. QPR are also in for him. Either way, he should get some games and, with the progression of Welbeck last season and this, he needs games if he's to stay at OT.

Looks like 'ol HK finally got one right, for once. Well, if Mertesacker moves to Arsenal, that is. He's just a very Wenger buy. Sadly, the Premier League is all about pace and direct play, so he may have trouble adapting as he's as slow as a class of inbreds. However, he seems to read the game well and he plays he ball out from the back.

Tacitus

08-30-11, 09:48 PM

Yeah, he's got the agility of a North Sea ferry but you don't get so many caps for Germany at just 26 if you're a mug. It reminds me of the Tony Adams era when his complete lack of pace was excused because Gooners would nod sagely and say "The first 5 yards is in his head".

Sooooo, he's bought two experienced international defenders but neither of them are proven in the Premier League. Never change, Arsene! :D

honeykid

08-30-11, 10:53 PM

True, but the Prem's a lot faster now. Still, as I said, he really just needs to CB's who won't get injured every 3rd game. Also, his experience should be a big benefit both to the club and the back 4.

Ooh, I see Sunderland's looking at Crouch. A decent purchase, though I wouldn't want to spend £10m on him.

Tacitus

08-31-11, 07:39 AM

Yep, it's a lot faster but I'll reserve judgement until I see him paired with a nippy centre half. Problem is, Arsenal only have Vermaelen who fits the bill so I agree, they ideally need another defender as well. I heard yesterday that £12mil would have been enough to get Cahill (3 less than Chamberlain cost, with the add-ons) but with the bad blood between the two clubs I'd say that deal is either dead in the water or Bolton won't shift from the asking price.

He'll probably end up at Spurs. For £12mil. ;)

Thoughts on Hargreaves to Man City? I doubt even Gary Neville would begrudge the guy that move but, if he passes the City medical, I'm wondering why Fergie decided to let him go and not offer him a pay-as-you-play deal, even until Christmas? Now that's one player who surely would have been an ideal fit for a panicking Wenger...

I can see him operating like when Platt joined Arsenal - best days behind him but a reassuring presence - only he'll be doing it at Eastlands. Even at 80% I'd prefer him in the holding role to Barry.

honeykid

08-31-11, 09:44 PM

I don't think anyone will begrudge Hargreaves his move. Anyone who boos him at OT (should he play that game) should be shown the door.

Looks like Cahill was going to Spurs but they couldn't get it done. One the things about the Cahill saga that annoyed me was the "how's he worth £17m!" cries (usually from Arsenal fans, as that was the most predicted destination) completely missing the point that THEY DIDN'T WANT TO SELL HIM! Also, wasn't £17m the buy out clause in his contract? If that's the case, then it's an even more ridiculous accusation. The point of a buy out clause is to allow a player to leave, even if the club don't want to sell him, but at a high enough figure that all but the stupid and desperate would even look at paying it. Damien Duff's £17m move to Chelsea being a good example.

So is Crouch going to sit in the reserves or has there been some 'late paperwork' put through to get him to Stoke? Palacios is a great buy for them, both as a player and the price, IMO. He should fit in well at that team. Pulis is really evolving the Stoke team very well. So far, at least, I'd say he's provided a blueprint for teams with a bit of money who come up to the Premier League. Survive the first season and then small but definate improvement season on season. Nothing major, just a couple of better players each season and replacing the players you lose.

A busy last day. I don't like the transfer window as it is. I prefered it when it went till March/April. However, if we have to have it (Heil FIFA!) then how about a week or two? Say, the last two weeks in July or the first two week in August in the summers of major championships?

So Scott Dann ended up at Blackburn? A good buy for them, but I'm guessing he was hoping for better. Especially with Arsenal and Liverpool being mentioned in the papers. Yakubu's made the move too. How does our resident Evertonian feel about that? Beckford's gone as well. I didn't even know that Everton had two front men, let alone could let two go. I don't know how much he went for, but the deal says upto £4m. How likely Everton are to get that depends on how realistic the clauses are, of course, but I'd think that £4m for a player you got on a free a year or so ago is good business. Especially seeing how 'poor' he is. I think the Premier League was too big a step.

Losing Arteta must've hurt, especially as you've no time to spend the money. That said, you probably won't get to, anyway. I think I can hear the bank calling already.

Still, I think £10m is a good deal, as I don't think you'll go down even without him. I'm very interested to see how Royston Drenthe does. He had such a reputation from the U20's WC but that was a few years ago now. He made the 'mistake' of going to Real and he's someone who really needs to get their career back on track. Everton have also signed Denis Stracqualursi on a season long loan deal. I have to be honest, I've no idea who he is or where he plays.

I'd love to see David Ngog do really well at Bolton, just to piss off the red half of Scouseland. Gakuta could be a good loan deal, though. Or maybe I'm just confusing the real thing and his potential with the brilliant player I brought to Real Madrid at the age of 20 in Football Manager 2010. :D Still in my first team, for the record.

Along with Arteta, Benayoun has crossed London to Arsenal. Decent player. Tricky and occassionally brilliant. Will probably injure himself lacing his boots for his first traning session. :D

Joe Cole's gone to Lille. It might be worth keeping an eye on him, just to gauge the level of the French League.

Just seen that Stoke have announced the signing of Crouch for £10m. They've also signed Cameron Jerome? They already have a big, strong striker who doesn't score goals in Kenwyne Jones. Have they bought Cameron so that when Kenwyne's not playing no one notices? Jones, Jones and Crouch? I see a lot of crosses and long ball play in Stoke's future. None of them resulting in goals. :D

Very interested to see that Raul Meireles has gone to Chelsea. A good move for Chelsea, I think. Not long term, but for a season or two he should be fine. I know there had been talk of Meireles moving and Chelsea was named, but I didn't think it'd happen. I guess they went for him after they knew Modric was a definate "no." Normally I think this was a bad move for Liverpool, but they've got more than enough central midfielders of around the same quality to make up for it. I'm more interested in seeing Gerrard come back. Maybe it's just because I'm United or becuase I hate him? Both or another reason, but I don't think he'll ever be what he was. Ditto Lampard. And I'm wondering at what point the Liverpool fans admit defeat and start the murmur that he's not good enough anymore.

Also, is it just me, or does the signing of Craig Bellamy make Andy Carroll look even more out of it at Liverpool? Most of us (myself included) spent all summer talking about wingers putting in crosses for Carroll's head (and whether it'd work or not) and it appears that Kenny has opted for pace and movement. Neither of which Carroll has.

I've no idea about Bryan Ruiz is that good business or not? It's a good transfer fee that you don't really associate with Fulham, so Jol's obviously sure about him. Of course, he's from the Dutch league and for every van Nistelrooy there seems to be more than a couple Dirk Kuyt's or, God forbid, an Afonso Alves. £12m Middlesborough paid for him. £12m! And, I have to say, at the time, I didn't think it was too bad a deal. Pricey, but not outlandish. We live and learn.

Lastly, QPR have been buying up all those players who were rumoured to be leaving/want out, but that no one would/could afford to pay. :D Traore, Barton, Young, Wright-Phillips, Ferdinand. I'm sure I'm missing a couple.

Brodinski

09-01-11, 05:29 AM

I've no idea about Bryan Ruiz is that good business or not?

Ruiz is the goods, take it from me. Tottenham was looking at buying him, but Redknapp didn't want any part of him (a stupid decision). He would of been a great buy for Arsenal.

Tacitus

09-01-11, 05:46 AM

Ruiz is a top, top player (get down, Jamie! :D) on Football Manager, if that's any help.

So, Arteta has finally moved to a bigger club? It'll be very interesting to see how he swims now the pond is larger. They could stick him as a deep-lying playmaker just behind Ramsey and Wilshere; Benny and Walcott as the outside players in a front three with van Persie as the spearhead and they should be good to go against weaker sides. Song for Ramsey and move Arteta further forward against the more powerful ones and job's, in theory, a good-un. Ish. ;)

I agree with HK that Pulis might just be on the verge of something special with Stoke. The way the board and him have been strengthening the squad shows excellent planning - Going for players just that bit better than what they already have and not for the flop potential of one or two marquee signings. They're in it for the long haul.

My only problem is Pulis himself. Don't have an issue with the way his team plays but something about him just doesn't sit right with me. It must be the middle-aged man/baseball cap combo...

honeykid

09-01-11, 06:16 AM

Brodinski

09-01-11, 02:27 PM

Cheers, Brodinski. :up: I look forward to watching him. Do you think Fulham is a good club for him? There's no doubt they need someone up front who can regularly knock a few in. Hell, they could do with someone who's constantly nearly knocking them in. Unless they're all on song or the opposition is disorganised, they just don't seem to pose a threat. Still, I like Jol and have a lot of time for him, so hopefully he can change that. From what you say, Ruiz certainly sounds like a good start.

I don't know Fulham all that well, but I do know Ruiz and he'd probably be a good buy for all teams in England, save United, City and Chelsea. He knocks 'em in very easily, good technique and good insight. It would surprise me if he didn't do very well after a few weeks of working his way into Jol's system. 'Arry is going to wish he'd of bought him, because I rate him higher than all those gobblers they have up front except Arsenal-period Adebayor (and that period is gone :cool:).

Brodinski

09-02-11, 03:07 PM

Got to say I'm underwhelmed by Wenger's late signings. Arteta is intrinsically the best, but he's been crocked with injuries and hasn't looked the player he once was. The same for Benayoun who at age 31 is no spring chicken. Mertesacker, pff, I rate him, but not with our high defensive line. From what I've seen, he's slower than an extra-retarded retard. And those other two I've barely even heard of. Some brazilian and a Korean from the French second division. That's exactly how we ended up with Squillaci last season and we all know how that ended.

Being tight and penny-pinching at the last moment isn't what wins you silverware, Arsene. We've lost our two most important players, two of the very best players in the league mind you, and they've been replaced by two injury-prone possibly over-the-hill players, a slow-ass defender and two unknowns.

Life is hard if you're an Arsenal fan.

Earl Gray

09-04-11, 05:51 PM

I'm just glad that the transfer window has closed, perhaps teams can settle and get on with games.

honeykid

09-04-11, 09:08 PM

Yes, once we get ths international window out of the way we can get back down to business. :)

Tacitus

09-05-11, 06:32 AM

The same for Benayoun who at age 31 is no spring chicken

Who would you rather have on the bench, Benayoun or Rosicky?

The Guardian Football podcast did sound a bit ominous though when mentioning the new Left Back (so memorable I've forgotten his name :D).

Jimbo (responding to criticism) - He's got 20 caps for Brazil, though! (perfectly timed pause) Apparently.

Revolutionary

09-06-11, 07:46 AM

I think Benayoun was a better player than Rosicky, but after spending the whole year on a medical table tast year, maybe he might not be the same player as he was. Worth taking a risk on a loan though I suppose.
I've heard a few Arsenal fans talking about how great this new left back is. Who they have never seen watched before, and it seems like these 20 caps are a little bit misleading. Late substitute appearences over a period of 3 years. He did score a lot of goals as a left back for Fenerbache. Which may mean he is suspect at the back, standard Arsenal signing.
Mertesecker may be a good signing but Vermaelen is out for 2 months so they're still going to have the same problem.

Tacitus

09-06-11, 10:42 AM

Well, Rosicky's injuries were so bad that it seems to have completely robbed him of the qualities which brought him to the club in the first place. I saw him in Udine, running around like a mad thing, chasing down balls and leaping into tackles.

Quite sad really and reminded me of Ljungberg's final couple of seasons - Everything had deserted him but a good pro's pride.

Tacitus

09-08-11, 11:55 AM

Good grief! Has anyone else seen this?

Paul McGrath .... singer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCbwXqoJGuo&feature=player_embedded

Weird, just weird. Big Paul's certainly looking well, although he's not required to give the infamous knees much of a workout in the video.

Probably the best centre half I've ever seen. ;)

I now await Martin Keown's upcoming cover of Aqua's Doctor Jones and Keith Curle doing Idiot Joy Showland by The Fall.

nebbit

09-17-11, 05:04 AM

Tatty :kiss: my team http://www.myemoticons.com/images/world/australia/nature/kangaroo.gif is playing your team http://www.myemoticons.com/images/world/ireland/sports/ireland.gif may the best team win :yup:

Tacitus

09-17-11, 05:14 AM

Indeed! :D

Even though it's only egg-chasing my heart swells when the boys in green take to the field. If recent form is anything to go by, we're gonna get walloped. ;)

nebbit

09-17-11, 06:40 AM

Indeed! :D

Even though it's only egg-chasing my heart swells when the boys in green take to the field. If recent form is anything to go by, we're gonna get walloped. ;)
I hope not :nope:

Brodinski

09-17-11, 10:18 AM

Saully

09-17-11, 10:23 AM

Jesus... 4-2 to a ***** team. Koscielny ultimate crap, Djourou useless. Little to no organization in the back. Offensive play all over the place. There's no insight or overview on the midfield. I don't think I've ever seen a weaker Arsenal in all my 10 years as a fan.

Yeah, without Vermaelen, Arsenal's defense are very ******. But mostly, Arsenal have just been, either unlucky, or just good play by Blackburn.

Come on you spurs! ;)

Brodinski

09-17-11, 10:29 AM

4-3 now thanks to that class ball by Van Persie. Nice finish of Chamakh, but that wasn't what I'd call a terrific team-effort goal. More of a class ball by Van Persie hoping it would end up on someone's head.

Brodinski

09-17-11, 10:36 AM

Mertesacker you useless ****. And Robinson saved the finest team-effort chance of the entire game.

Tacitus

09-17-11, 01:15 PM

The end for Wenger? Sad to see him like this but who the heck of sufficient class would take the job on?

Aaaanyway, after this morning:

Are you watching, Sir Les Patterson?
Are you watching, Nick Cave?
Are you watching, Bouncer out of Neighbours?
Are you watching, Bryan Brown out of films?
Are you watching, the guys who nick our best Gaelic Football talents?
Are you watching, Alf Stewart?

Your guys took ONE HELL of a beating! ;D

nebbit

09-17-11, 06:43 PM

Congrats Tatty,http://www.myemoticons.com/images/world/ireland/sports/ireland.gif They did it http://www.myemoticons.com/images/emotions/bouncy/bouncy-2.gif

Tacitus

09-17-11, 11:57 PM

:D

My cousin's just emigrated to Australia and got off the plane on Friday. I bet he's popular right now. ;)

nebbit

09-18-11, 12:53 AM

:D

My cousin's just emigrated to Australia and got off the plane on Friday. I bet he's popular right now. ;)
So where did he get off the plane? :) I may meet him in the street ;D

Tacitus

09-18-11, 03:10 AM

Not sure where he flew in to but he's gonna be living in Perth. Big, handsome blond guy in his late 20s, you can't miss him. ;)

nebbit

09-18-11, 06:38 AM

Not sure where he flew in to but he's gonna be living in Perth. Big, handsome blond guy in his late 20s, you can't miss him. ;)
Perth, only 6hr flight from here :yup: I do have friends there so I will ask them to look out for him :D there is a lot of money to be made in WA :yup:

honeykid

09-18-11, 08:46 AM

The end for Wenger? Sad to see him like this but who the heck of sufficient class would take the job on?

Surely not. I can't see why they would sack him, as it's not as if they could get someone in to get them top 4. If they're not going to finish top 4, which I think is still possible seeing as it's only 5 games into the season (though I admit I appear to be in a very small minority and agree that 5th or worse is more likely) then there's no point getting rid of Wenger as he'll do no worse this season. He's not going to get them relegated and Europe is still a probability, so I see no reason to change it at the top. In the summer, however, serious questions need to be asked and the board have a very big decision to make about Wenger, the ambition of the club (though we probably know that already) and what they're going to tell the fans.

Arsenal may not have the spending power of City or United, but they've spent well over £50m this season and still not really addressed the problems the team has, even if you take the panicked last day transfers out.

Anyway, despite the defeat, which I didn't think was much of a surprise, I don't see the need for panic at Arsenal. They've as much chance of finishing 4th or 5th now as they did before kick off. The gnashing of teeth seems to be coming from two directions. The press and media, who get paid to gnash teeth about far less than 1 win from the first 5 games and who, should the 4th or 5th place be Arsenal's finishing place, will be triumphantly telling anyone who listens, that's what they predicted at the start of the season.

The second is from the Arsenal fans themselves, upon who it's starting to dawn that their team isn't considered a challenger for the title anymore. Sadly for them, that's something that's been apparent to most of the non-Arsenal fans for a good few years now.

From what I've been hearing and reading over the last year or two, the fans seem to be pinning their hopes on UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations evening things out among the top teams. I can't see it working, at least, not for the teams that Arsenal want to be competing with. They'll find their way through it somehow as they have the money and lawyers to do so. They won't be able to be so blatent and City won't be able to just put £100m down and buy someone, but they don't have to anymore. Well, not unless they were buying a Ronaldo or Messi. But even if they did that, I'm sure they'd find a way to include future earnings or merchandise sales or something to be accepted as profit and get it on the books somehow. That's just the way the world works.

I didn't come here to write any of that. :D I'd just finished watch MotD and wanted to ask if anyone else could believe that Leon Barrett's 'challenge' on Klasnic didn't result in a red card for him? Thoughts of Schummacher knocking out (was it) Papin in 1982 raced through my mind. A decision made all the worse for Klasnic being sent off for a 'headbutt' later in the game.

Secondly, were I an Arsenal fan, I think I'd be as worried about leading twice away from home and losing as I would be about the defense and Weger. Let's face it, an organised and better team than Blackburn probably wouldn't have even let Arsenal get close to thinking about scapping a 4-4 draw, after being two goals up.

Good win for Everton. Our resident Evertonian must've been pleased.

Looking forward to todays games. Hoping for a Spurs/United double, but so long as United win, I don't care. There's a few who seem to think that United and City are going to walk the league and, even if both teams finish 10-20 points ahead of third place (which I don't think'll happen) it's not as if both will sweep aside all others. This isn't La Liga and, even there, Real and Barca get a game occassionally. ;)

Of course, were United to hit Chelsea for 3 or 4, I'd be more than happy. :D

christine

09-18-11, 09:48 AM

Good win for Everton. Our resident Evertonian must've been pleased.

I am!
Just been talking to my brother. Most Evertonians seem to be convinced that Moyes will move to Man U on Sir Alex's retirement :(

honeykid

09-18-11, 11:01 PM

I am!
Just been talking to my brother. Most Evertonians seem to be convinced that Moyes will move to Man U on Sir Alex's retirement :(
That's been one of the rumours doing the rounds since Everton finished 4th in 2005. I think he's good enough, what I don't know is if he's got the mentality to take the Old Trafford job. I think one of the things in Mourinho's favour is that he's proven that he's got the mental toughness to be at the top, with the expectation of winning every game that comes with it. As well as spending the money.

I think it'll probably be Mourinho who takes over, even though there's a lot of opposition against him doing so at the highest level at United. Sir Bobby, for one, is known to be completely against it. Whoever takes over has an impossible job, IMO, as it's almost impossible to do better than the man who's left the job. Let's face it, you'd have to win three European Cups with United before you could even put forward an argument for bettering Fergie's record. Even this Barca team took 5 years to win CL titles and they're a one of the best teams of the modern era.

I'd be fine with Moyes getting the job (atm anyway) after Fergie leaves, but only if the owners were prepared to stick with him, as the only reason I can see to give him a go is because he'll continue with the youth set up. Whereas the consensus seems to be that Mourinho will practically ignore it or even shut it down. The pro-Mourinho camp say that he's looking to become a legend, like Sir Alex, and stay at a club for a long time. Were that to be the case, then I'd certainly go with Mourinho over Moyes.

Sadly, I don't think Moyes can stay at Everton for too much longer without risking getting dragged down with them. If Everton stop overachieving and spend a few seasons fighting relegation or, even worse, get relegated, his reputation could be wrecked and that slim chance at a top job (in this country anway) could be gone forever.

It's been a great day of football for me, today. Scouser's lost. United won and City threw away a 2 goal lead. All in all, I was happy.

That said, I spent a very uncomfortable 90 minutes watching United. Apart from winning 3-1 we were crap. Nani, Young and Jones were great. De Gea had a decent game. He didn't put a foot wrong and made a couple of good saves. Smalling was ok and, as he's not a right back I give him extra credit. Everyone else was from poor to shocking. We couldn't pass and gave the ball away constantly, especially Anderson, Fletcher and Rooney. I don't know if Rooney had a bad day or if he was so overconfident that he wasn't concentrating, but he had a poor game. I can forgive the pen as he slipped (although he looked so relaxed before taking it I predicted he'd miss) but he missed a sitter and had the chance to set up a couple and underhit the ball both times. I'd have Fletcher and Anderson's eyesight checked immediately, as I think they both might be colourblind. They seemed to just pass the ball to the person closest to them regardless of who it was. Evra veered widly between brilliant and shockingly bad. Hernandez had a pretty ineffectual day, though he wasn't helped by the poor passing. However, the absolute nadir of the team was Jonny Evans. Shocking all day. When Torres went pass him for his goal, I swear I thought he was going to ask for his autograph. If you watch that goal in slowmo, you can actually see him just stand there and watch Torres run past him. He's almost got his hands on hips admiring his movement. Drove me mental all day.

So, we won 3-1 but were crap. Now, I'll take that week in week out, but it's bloody maddening. I was exhausted by the end of it.

Tacitus

09-19-11, 07:19 AM

Surely not. I can't see why they would sack him, as it's not as if they could get someone in to get them top 4.

I was thinking more of Wenger taking (Judge Dredd reference ahoy!) the Long Walk than them sacking him. The guy is looking unwell right now.

I know he's the most stubborn man yet born but surely, when he's sitting in the bath (his rubber ducks aren't exactly cheap but they don't float where he wants them to and they sink far too easily) he can admit that it'll take far more than some average players getting their confidence back to make the club a force once again.

If he or the club can't or won't spend big then will Wenger just put his time in for the next few seasons sitting next to Pat Rice (who, for all we know, might have died in 2004 - those shades can mask a lot and it would explain plenty) telling the press that Alex Chamberlain will be much better than Theo Walcott, who departs for QPR at the end of 2011-12?

As to The Moyesiah, I can't see him going to Old Trafford or any of the big clubs straight from Everton but, like HK, don't see him at Everton an awful lot longer.

It must be soul destroying for the guy but I don't see anything in his record which would make a club like Man Utd take the risk on him. Look at Hodgson and Liverpool - He came in after overachieving but also had masses of experience in European coaching. I can see Moyes heading somewhere like the above-mentioned QPR, especially after Colin gets found out and Tony Fernandes sacks him.

Talking of Liverpool, all those years on the golf course seem to have made Admiral of The Fleet Kenny as prickly as Fergie when you tell him that he's down to his last bottle of red. My heart bleeds. ;)

Tacitus

09-19-11, 06:35 PM

Perth, only 6hr flight from here :yup: I do have friends there so I will ask them to look out for him :D there is a lot of money to be made in WA :yup:

That's the plan. ;)

He's working the fishing boats. Dunno whether it's prawns, fish or whatever.

Smelly when raw, tasty when cooked anyway. :D

honeykid

09-20-11, 01:44 PM

Ridiculing Arsenal to become a hate crime

ARSENAL are to be granted legal protection from the relentless taunts of opposing fans, it has been confirmed.

Publicly enjoying Arsenal's embarrassment will now be classed as a hate crime after Arsene Wenger's side were beaten 4-3 by a Blackburn team whose last victory was during the Crimean War.

Blackburn fan Wayne Hayes said: "Watching the match was like watching somebody kicking a child's wheelchair down the steps of the Eiffel Tower for 90 minutes, only far less entertaining than that actually sounds.

"Imagine a fat, middle-aged bloke like me pulling Lindsay Lohan. It would be impossible to enjoy the experience as I'd be unable to ignore the depths to which she had sunk."

The FA has agreed to extend the scope of their Let's Kick Racism Out Of Football campaign to include a Can Everyone Please Stop Pointing At Koscielny And Giggling section.

Ex footballers will also tour schools to promote a more tolerant attitude toward the team and explain that playing for Arsenal could happen to anybody.

An FA spokesman said: "On the face of it, it's easy to laugh at Wenger's crestfallen incomprehension and his magisterial inability to shoulder any of the blame, to titter about the team's complete absence of backbone and to guffaw at the gulf between them and the top teams they used to compete against.

"Sorry, where was I going with this?"
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headlines/ridiculing-arsenal-to-become-a-hate-crime-201109194319/

Tacitus

09-20-11, 02:43 PM

Heh, I see that Wenger's been given the dreaded (is there any other kind? :D) vote of confidence today.

"We can't afford to sack him" "We'll not sack him" says Gazidis, which leaves out resignations or, the most common one these days it seems, mutual terminations.

Tacitus

10-10-11, 11:12 AM

There is obviously a God in Heaven. And he's an Ulsterman! (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15243945.stm) :D ;D

Bye bye Nige, you were a great servant as a player and remarkably inoffensive as a bloke but, lets face it, the job was beyond you.

Managing an international side like Northern Ireland (even more so than one of the bigger nations, I think) is like taking charge of cup tie after cup tie. The nous for one-off tactical choices and the ability to motivate guys to play above their level for 90 minutes is key and Nigel couldn't do either.

He was shockingly defensively-minded too, even against weak sides at home.

I remember after he was appointed (to the sound of a collective yawn from the Green & White Army), listening to a few Norwich City fans. Worthington, they said, was a capable league manager for them but completely hopeless in the cups. Oops.

Lawrie Sanchez (what's the betting that he's already emailed off his application?) was the opposite and had us punching well above our weight before the bright lights of Fulham turned his head. Not the most likeable of blokes (and his touting for the job long before Worthington resigned was crass beyond belief) but I'd have him back.

Dunno if the IFA would be as quick to forgive, though. ;)

Brodinski

10-23-11, 11:26 AM

8-2

My turn:

1-6

honeykid

10-23-11, 02:59 PM

Touche. You're not a City fan, though, are you. :p

Though it was 1-0 when Johnny Evans was sent off. I thought we'd lose today and thought 2-1 or 3-1 would be the result so, while it was soul destroying to see them do that to us, they wouldn't have done that to us with 11 on the pitch and the 2-1 or 3-1 would've been the probable result.

On the plus side of this kind of spanking (if there is one) is that's been coming for a while and, though I'd rather it'd happened against Chelsea or Arsenal than City, I hope it'll be a wake-up to a United team that've played pretty careless football this season. I'm hoping it's a result of the defensive problems and not being punished for it, rather than a belief that we can win the league playing like that. As great as last season was, there's no doubt that we only won because Chelsea imploded, Arsenal were Arsenal, City weren't quite there and no one else is good enough. No matter what 'Arry says or Liverpool fans think. ;)

A few questions. Was/is Jones not 100% fit? The only reason I can think of (other than that and. tbh, it's what I would've done) for his exclusion for Evans was that Fergie was pretty sure that City would win and didn't want him torn apart (either in the press or by Silva and Aguero) and, therefore, sacrificed Evans who, surely to God, won't be at United next season. I think he thought similarly about Vidic who surely would've gotten himself sent off. As he's only just come back (and already been sent off) I think it's much more important to keep him in the team and starting to bed in, rather than play one match (no matter who it's against) and miss another three. The league's what's important and I'll take two City drubbings a season, if we win the league at the end of it.

A couple of things about the Chelsea game. Firstly, for those who didn't hear the Fanzone commentary, you missed a real treat. It was a 'celeb special' and Andy Jacobs was the Chelsea fan. Hysterical stuff as he sulked virtually the whole way through (unsurprisingly given the game) and slagged off Chris Foy at every opportunity (which I didn't blame him for at all. Terrible ref.) The other bit I liked was David Luiz throwing his curly hair at the ball instead of heading it. Reminded me of Keegan at Espana '82. :laugh:

Golgot

11-06-11, 01:15 PM

Woo, sweet goal from Lennon just now (helped by Baird being a bit hapless, but we'll take it :D). Whole Spurs midfield is roaring along at the mo. (And little Len probably comes under 'most improved', despite Parker totally stepping up. That one-two for Bale's goal against QPR showed off a more 'team' side to his play that's been evident in recent games).

If anything Mod's probably in the sparsest run of form out of any of 'em ;). A Jan signing of a solid 'bigger' striker like Damio, and some luck on defensive injuries, and we'd look like a very classy outfit indeed :)

Tacitus

11-06-11, 01:39 PM

Interesting fact - Chris Baird's parents thought about giving him the middle name 'Hapless' but changed their mind standing at the Christening font.

Christopher Championship Class Baird is a bit classier. They thought.

Golgot

11-06-11, 02:12 PM

Holy sh*t-in-my-pants. I totally cursed us. That was our most torrid half of football this season, no doubt. Fulham totally spanked us all over the park. Miracle they didn't equalise (23 strikes at goal all told). I could be wrong, but I think at one point about 6 of their players kicked the ball at about 8 of ours huddled in the goal mouth (coz that's where they'd pushed us), for about a minute. And in the middle of it all Kyle Walker seemed to scuttle around with the ball in his hands, like Gollum hiding the ring.

Baird also took a classy free kick. Surreal.

MrPink

11-13-11, 03:42 PM

http://www.footballdebate.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Arsenal.jpg

honeykid

11-13-11, 05:44 PM

Hey, Brod. You have a friend.

honeykid

12-30-11, 01:26 PM

The transfer window's about to open and, while there's no reason for there to be any big business done, there's already a couple of deals that look to have been done. Well, close enough for them to be talked about, anyway.

Gary Cahill will move to Chelsea, if he can bring himself to accept what Chelsea are offering to pay him.

Henry to Arsenal. Sounds like a bad idea to me. I've not looked at Arsenal's fixtures and I hope that he's just cover, but with the Africa Cup of Nations coming up, I'd think he's guaranteed some game time. The only thing that might save his (and Arsenal's) blushes is the state of defending this year in the Premier League.

What are you expecting/hoping to see in the transfer window? What do you think of the season so far?

I'm still teasing Arsenal friends by telling them (as pompously and knowingly as possible for maximum irritation) that if Wenger had taken my advice at the end of the season (yep, that's right, he should listen to ME! :D) Ba and Parker would be Gunners and the whole team would be a lot better off. Hell, they might even still be living with the false hope of winning the league. If Football Manager has taught me anything, it's that I'm the greatest manager who's ever lived. ;)

What about the talk of Darren Bent to Liverpool? Personally, I'd stick with Andy Carroll (and if you want to see inflation at work, think about how much £35m sounded when they bought him eleven months ago and how much more it sounds now) and change the way the team plays, so he's the focus. With Suarez out for (currently) 9 games, that's 9 starts to prove he's worth the shirt. If he can't do it, sell him in the summer and write it off as a mistake.

I like Darren Bent and, were it not for the £35m they'd spent on Carroll, I'd say he was perfect for Liverpool atm. With the amount of chances they miss, either he'd be raking in the goals or, when he's out of form or having a bad day, they'd be no worse off than they are now, IMO.

United will do nothing, I'm sure. We really need midfielders and a proper right back. A first choice one that doesn't break every 3 games would be great and I'd also like to see us look at someone like Leighton Baines, a good left back who adds to the attack, puts in crosses and will give Evra competition for his place.

Not sure what's happening with Pogba and Morrison. I can only think of three reasons they've not played over Christmas (given the opposition.) They're not good enough, Fergie wants them to know that when he plays them, it's because he thinks they're good enough and not just because we need bodies in midfield or, finally, as they can leave for very little in the summer (and haven't signed a new contract) he's trying to kill interest in them. It's probably none of those things or a combination of all of them. Whatever the case, I'd like to know.

City look as if they'll spend again this January. Mancini has already said that they need another midfielder and this was before an African Cup Of Nations that the Ivory Coast will be hoping lasts until late February. There's talk of Pato coming in. Personally I don't think it'll happen, at least, not in January. Not unless they get a very good deal on a player they were already looking at. Now that Ancelotti has gone to PSG, Pato to PSG could be a goer for January.

honeykid

01-06-12, 09:30 PM

Rooney and United have already come out to deny it, but there's backpage stories in tomorrows papers which say that United are ready to sell Rooney. While I don't want him to go, am I crazy for really not caring? Last time there was talk of him leaving I didn't think it'd be good, but again, wasn't overly concerned. Now, I'm concerned even less. I wouldn't necessarily want to see him go in this transfer window, but with the money we'd get and the wages, we could get players (or just one player) who we really need. We could really do with getting rid of the Glazers, though.

Tacitus

01-08-12, 08:00 AM

Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if Fergie thinks that Rooney has pee'd on the proverbial chips once too often but the squad is thin enough as it is for anything to happen this transfer window. Probably.

Still, the Ginja Ninja is coming back at the grand old age of 57! That'll ward off the advancing Citeh. ;D

In other news - Norn Iron have appointed an enthusiastic man-manager by the name of O'Neill who's been making a name for himself coaching unheralded players into reaching heights hitherto thought to be beyond them. Sadly, it's Michael not Martin.

OK, a young coach seemed to be working for Wales until Gary Speed's sad death but Speed played most of his career at the highest level and was held in high esteem by almost everyone. Michael O'Neill played for Hibs.

We shall see. It's got to be am improvement over Worthy and seeing as the only other two interviewed were Dowie and the new manager of some ragtag bunch of semi-pros in Australia, Jim 'Elmer Fudd' Magilton I can see why O'Neill was chosen.

Dave Jones was mentioned - I'd have gone for him, but only after swallowing my pride and approaching Lawrie Sanchez. ;)

honeykid

01-09-12, 12:43 AM

Firstly, before anything else, am I the only one who doesn't think it's brilliant that Scholes has returned? Embarrassing, that's what I call it. I know Fergie says there's no value in the market, especially in January, but is there really not one midfielder available for, say £5m-£7m and upto £40k a week, who isn't better than a 37 year old Paul Scholes who looked poor for most of the last two seasons, hasn't played football since the last 15 minutes at the end of the CL final and retired in the summer? No one? Is our scouting network so focused on young potential 15 year olds that we can't find one who could do a job? Even if he comes back in, plays and scores in every game until the end of the season, it's still embarrassing that United have done this. I'm now leaning even more towards the "Fergie's trying to keep Morrison and Pogba underwraps to lessen interest in them" theory of mine. Of course, it could be that he doesn't trust them (yet) but thinks they'll play next season, season after but, surely they're a better bet than Scholes, otherwise why are they still at United and why are we trying to extent their contracts?

I was also depressed by how obvious it is that almost half of the first team now, would've only been squad players2 or 3 years ago. Of course, that's the way things go sometimes, players age and/or don't recover from injury, but it indicates either how little money we have or how blind/bias Fergie has become. Whilst the latter is believable, surely it's the former.

Another "was I the only one" (sorry about this) but wasn't it obvious that United would sit back, get sloppy and allow City back in the game? The only surprise for me was that it happened so quickly. If you only thought about football through the medium of 'pundit' you'd have thought City were in for a reversal of the 6-1. I'd also suggest that these guys should play Football Manager, as it might open their thinking a little bit. At the very least, Gareth Southgate might've been aware that, if you have the players and are a man down, a 5-2-2 with wingbacks, playing on the counter is a very good option. Maybe it's the lack of use of wingbacks in English football (and the prominence of 4-4-2 during his time playing and managing) that's the reason he's not aware of something so obvious?

Rio has become especially guilty of slack play over the last season or two, and I liked Phil Jones giving as good as he got when Rio tried to blame him for his blind pass which gave the ball away... Again..., but the midfield were playing balls that made it look as if they were training City players to intercept. Lots of telegraphed, floated passes/crosses, flicks and backheels. I can only think that the reason Fergie chews so hard is because otherwise he'd have no teeth left from grinding them. Training this week should concentrate on controling the ball. That's it. Next week maybe they can move onto passing.

BTW, for those who don't know, we won. :laugh:

I'm afraid I know nothing about Michael O'Neill, other than it's the name of one of my friends uncles. :D But as he's not phoned me telling me his uncle is the new manager of Norn Iron, I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's not him. Though why you've gone for him when Steve Bruce has just become available I'll never know. :D BTW, Steve Bruce to QPR? Unless they've got someone else in mind, I can only think of Mark Hughes as the highest profile, but willing to take QPR with money, manager available.

As far as employed PL managers go, I can only see Brendan Rodgers and Paul Lambert as options and I think both would rather stay where they are (both geographically and table position) than risk QPR. That said, I think both, especially Paul Lambert, would be excellent choices for that club.

Tacitus

01-09-12, 08:54 AM

People are praising the Scholes decision? You've gotta stop visiting Man U fan sites mate - Pravda would be more reliable. :D

The guy was a wonderful, wonderful player in his day but he'd been on the slide for 3 or 4 years before retiring last season. How many important league games will he play? I was going to say very few but lord knows what's in Fergie's head.

He's still better than Gibson, although I'd say that all three retired pros (four if you count Townsend) in the ITV studio yesterday are still better than Gibson, including 74 year old Monkey Heed.

With Henry back at Arsenal it seems to be something of a fad. ;)

The word on the street (well, the Guardian podcast anyway :D) is that Henry has declined dramatically from his final season first time around at Arsenal and even from his 'will this do?' Barca days. Of course, he might just be tailoring his game to fit the lowly MLS (where even Robbie Keane can score, and he's nearly 50!) but he's a 34 year old who's pace was once a major asset to his game and has been in declining physical form since his late 20s.

Still better than Chamakh though. :p

JKeller1068

01-09-12, 02:13 PM

Of course, he might just be tailoring his game to fit the lowly MLS (where even Robbie Keane can score, and he's nearly 50!)

This made my day. :-D Thank you!

honeykid

01-10-12, 01:24 AM

In what was a complete surprise to absolutely no one, Messi picked up the Ballon d'Or. I know he's the best, but I'd still have Ronaldo over him. :D

Anyway, just in case you've not seen them, here's a link to FIFA's three best goals of the year.
http://www.fifa.com/ballondor/puskasaward/video=1544512/index.html

Great team goal for Messi's, and I think the little dink over the keeper is what gets him in the top three, but am I alone in thinking he scored better individual goals last year?

No surprise with this one, either, but I'm completely happy to see it there. What I'm sure Gary Neville would call a PS3 goal. ;) He's going to be in the same team as Messi, for Christ's sake!?!?

Was the 2012 Goal Of The Year scored this weekend?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_XLmGf9vP8

It reminds me a bit of the Giggs goal. Not as good, of course, but that's not to take anything away from it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXNSzaFWxlQ&feature=fvst

Just for your viewing pleasure here's, probably, the most famous goal scored by the greatest of the modern day strikers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjvq8PQQl6I

Tacitus

01-10-12, 08:18 AM

Ronaldo better than Tommy Tynan? A plague on both your houses! :D

Saw him at one of last season's Grand Prix and he really is a big lad now he's stopped playing.

Talking of supersized footballers, Colin Clarke had the biggest arse (no jokes about Neil Warnock here.... Poor Colin ;)) I've ever seen on a football pitch. He made Kevin Davies look like Kylie.

Now there's a disturbing thought...

honeykid

01-10-12, 08:41 AM

Are you talking about the Brazilian GP (I think it was) when his son said he was bored and asked when they were going home before the GP had even begun? Cracked me up.

Anyone (outside of France) seen this? I'm afraid I wasn't aware of it at all, but it's classic Cantona.

Cantona presidency bid 'a PR stunt'
Former Manchester United star Eric Cantona's apparent desire to run in this year's presidential election in France was a publicity stunt to raise awareness of the plight of the poor in France.

The former United striker placed an advert in newspaper Liberation asking for signatures from the 500 elected officials he would need to start a bid.

Cantona claimed he had sent a letter to French mayors describing himself as an "engaged citizen" and asking for their support, the left-leaning newspaper said.

But the newspaper's deputy editor Paul Quinio told a French TV channel that it was all a move to publicise the French housing crisis, which affects 10 million people in the country.

"He isn't looking for signatures to be a candidate for the presidency, but to pass on the message of the Abbé Pierre foundation in support of better housing policy, and to make housing, which is a priority for French people, a priority for the presidential candidates," said Quinio.

Cantona's letter had referred to the serious social problems facing France.

"This engagement obliges me to speak, more earnestly than usual, but also with a keen sense of my responsibility, at a time when our country faces difficult choices which will be decisive for its future," said the letter, quoted in Liberation.

In his letter, Cantona also denounced the limited opportunities for young people in France and social injustices which were "too numerous, too violent, too systematic", the newspaper said.

It is not the first time Cantona, who earned large sums as a footballer from sponsorship by brands like L'Oreal and Nike, has tried to draw public attention to social inequality.

In December 2010, he called on French savers to stage a nationwide bank run by withdrawing their money from financial institutions because of their role in triggering the global financial crisis.

Panned by the media as a flop, almost no one in France heeded the much-hyped call.
Reuters
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/10012012/58/ligue-1-cantona-presidency-bid-pr-stunt.html

Brodinski

01-11-12, 02:40 PM

Hey, Brod. You have a friend.

Aye, I welcome him with open arms. It's good to see us hang with the top 4 again, even though I don't think we'll make CL this season. Oh my gawd, imagine if prime Henry and Van Persie played in the same team. I hope to God that Mr. Glass doesn't get hmself injured again.

Brodinski

01-11-12, 02:49 PM

In what was a complete surprise to absolutely no one, Messi picked up the Ballon d'Or. I know he's the best, but I'd still have Ronaldo over him. :D

I don't know. Messi can't really carry a team. There's a big difference in performance when he plays for Barcelona and when he plays for the Argentinian national team. When he plays for Argentina, he's not surrounded by players who really feel what the other is going to do and the almost automatic way of playing isn't present and his performance is affected by that very much.

I know a bit of that is due to his position, but you'd expect an all-time great like him to do better than that when playing for his national squad. And then I reminisce of a guy like Zidane, who always outshined his
team mates and truly carried his national squad to brilliant performances. Ever since he left, France has been utter garbage. And that is what world-class is about to me: not only being top notch yourself, but also enabling your team mates to play on that higher level.

Personally, I'd have given it to Iniesta. Guy is a master of subtleties and Spain wouldn't of won the WC without him. I know that was last year, but w/e.

honeykid

01-11-12, 03:35 PM

This is the big decision with the Ballon d'Or. You either pick the best player (which is what they've done for the last 3 years) or you pick the most important player. Usually they pick 'the best player' which is why defensive players hardly ever win. The team you play for also has an effect, as does how you/your team performs in a WC/EC year.

I'd pick Ronaldo over Messi because I believe in the team. To get the best out of him you have to play Messi and make him the most important player in the team for him to perform at his best. This is what Pep has done and it's why Messi isn't rested. Ronaldo may make the team about him, but you don't have to. You can drop or rest him without lessening his performance the next time he plays. He's also a far more direct player, which is how I like teams to play. That probably comes from being both English and a United fan.

I'm not sure that you can compare how much Messi and Zidane raised the game of their respective national teams, in respect of their club team because Zidane was the best player in a team of stars, whereas Messi is the main man with a team built around him. Pep's lucky that those other great players are prepared to play second fiddle (in terms of priority) to Messi as other players may've decided to go and shine elsewhere. There again, I suppose that when you're winning almost every competition you enter, it's a lot easier. Plus many of them came through together and have been with the club for most of their lives, so there's that emotional tie, too.

Tacitus

01-16-12, 12:34 PM

From F365. Priceless. ;)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/greenspagbol/Sopranos-Mum-Warnock_2701938.jpg

EDIT - If there's still anyone in the dark as to why Warnock gets called 'Colin' by myself and others, an anagram of his name is Colin W@nker. Nuff said. :D

honeykid

01-17-12, 10:41 AM

Six Nations - England to seek help from Gary Neville
New England coach Stuart Lancaster has asked former Manchester United footballer Gary Neville to help inspire his team for the Six Nations.

Lancaster wants the former defender-turned-TV-pundit, to give his team a speech about what it means to represent England on the international stage.

Neville won 85 caps during his England career, and Lancaster feels that he can help restore the reputation of the squad that was left in tatters after a rugby World Cup campaign that was disastrous both on and off the pitch.

Neville is one of a number of people who Lancaster has asked to speak at the team's training camp in Leeds.

England cricket managing director Hugh Morris, British Cycling’s performance director, Dave Brailsford, England rugby league players Jamie Peacock and Kevin Sinfield, and Simon Brown, a former army corporal who was shot in the face while serving in Iraq, have also all been asked to speak.

“These people know all about what it means to represent their country, what it means to fight for their country,” Lancaster said in explaining his decision.

"We want to create a sense of what a privileged place it is to be in elite sport. Cycling and cricket have clearly done something well, haven’t they?”
Eurosport
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/17012012/58/six-nations-england-seek-help-gary-neville.html

Tacitus

01-17-12, 11:49 AM

Good Lord, I don't see Gurreh fitting in well with all those egg-chasers...

I bought my stepdad The Neviller's autobiography for Christmas. He says it's decent enough.

For a footballer's scribblings, anyway. ;)

honeykid

01-19-12, 05:32 PM

Good to see FIFA's willing to take a stance on something.... Shame it's making themselves as much money as possible. Not that I'm surprised, of course. In fact, I'm only surprised that this wasn't all cleared up when they forced through their tax set up and all the other financial cons every country that FIFA 'gives' the World Cup to must concede to in order to keep it.

World Cup - World Cup 'must have beer'
Beer will be sold at the 12 venues of the 2014 World Cup finals, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has said in an attempt to close all further discussion on a controversial issue in Brazil.

Voting on the bill for the World Cup Law has been held up over differences between the tournament hosts and world football's governing body, notably on the sale of alcoholic drinks at sports venues which is banned in Brazil.

The bill was scheduled to have been voted on by the chamber of deputies at the end of last year but it has been delayed by several issues including the sale of beer, with FIFA demanding protection of sponsors' trademarks.

"Alcoholic drinks are part of the FIFA World Cup, so we're going to have them. Excuse me if I sound a bit arrogant but that's something we won't negotiate," Valcke said.

"The fact that we have the right to sell beer has to be a part of the Law," he told the foreign press corps in an interview in Rio de Janeiro, where on Thursday he will hold a meeting with the World Cup local organizing committee.

Alcoholic drinks have been banned in Brazil's stadiums since 2003 as part of the Supporters' Statutes, aimed at preventing violence among hardcore fans at football matches.

Alexandre Padilha, health Minister in President Dilma Rousseff's government, and other members of parliament linked to health matters have put pressure on Congress to maintain the ban in the World Cup Law.

One of FIFA's longest-standings sponsors is the US brewer Budweiser, which belongs to the world's biggest beer-selling group Anheuser-Busch InBev.

"Our partner here is in fact a Brazilian company," said Valcke referring to the local AmBev which is part of AB InBev.

Another point of discord between the government and FIFA is half-price tickets for students and senior citizens which is the rule in Brazil.

Valcke said this issue would be resolved by creating a special category of tickets worth £16 each with 300,000 available for the group phase to several groups of people including students and the elderly.

He said, however, there needed to be strict controls of the people who qualified for these tickets.

"It's unfair if a person who can afford a category one ticket buys a category four ticket. We must guarantee this won't happen because apparently it's very easy to obtain a student card here," Valcke said.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/19012012/58/world-cup-world-cup-must-beer.html

FA board appoints first woman in 149-year history
Heather Rabbatts has become the first female ever to be elected to the board of the Football Association.

Rabbatts's appointment as a non-executive director was ratified by the FA Council and ends English football's 149-year history without a woman on the board.

Rabbatts is a Jamaican-born British lawyer, businesswoman and broadcaster who rose to prominence as chief executive of the London Borough of Lambeth.

She also is a former deputy chair of Millwall FC and has held a number of non-executive directorships including governor of the BBC and trustee of the Bank of England.

She was awarded a CBE in 2000.

Her appointment, which was originally announced in December but only ratified on Wednesday, came after Sports Minister Hugh Robertson called football "the worst-governed sport in the UK".

After learning of her appointment, Rabbatts said: "Having worked across media, business and football I hope to bring those experiences to my work at the FA. In particular, over many years, including my time at Millwall, I have worked across communities to both improve participation and to develop talent.

"I am obviously delighted to be joining the board at the FA and working with colleagues to support the future of football in England."

Rabbatts was one of two new members elected to the board.

Roger Devlin, who has been a financial advisor to several Premier League clubs, was elected in a similar non-executive capacity – their appointments take the FA's total number of board members from 12 to 14.
Eurosport
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/19012012/58/fa-board-appoints-first-woman-149-year-history.html?page=3&order=date#co

If you click the link you'll see comments which, to put it midly, are rather harsh about her appearance.... Bloody funny, though.

While I'd say that she can't do any worse than anyone else at the FA, the fact that she's ever had anything to do with Lambeth council is far more worrying. That she was chief executive is bloody terrifying.

honeykid

01-27-12, 04:07 AM

Given the last couple of weeks action I'm surprised there hasn't been any traffic in this thread. Sadly, I don't have it in me to put anything together atm, so I'll just post this.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/premier-league-stars-pick-favourite-books-133717207.html

My depression was increased seeing Harry Potter classified in the Adult Book section. Well, unless there's an Adult Book version that I'm unaware of. :D There again, as Josh McEachran has Mr Messy listed in the same section, with Diego Maradonna's autobiography in the Children's Section, along with some other 'mistakes' maybe the compiler just hasn't a ****ing clue.

honeykid

01-28-12, 07:06 AM

Some things that've occured to me over the last few weeks.

How Lescott didn't get a red on the day for his forearm smash made me wonder. How he didn't get a ban from the review panel stunned me. The headline that day was Balotelli, which was understandable given the narrative (stamp on an English player's head, won the penalty and scored the winning goal) but the tag on the end of the story "... Joleon Lescott was cleared of his charge." was the stunner. That was Rooney at Wigan last year obvious and yet nothing. :eek:

As for Balotelli, I have to be honest and say I missed it at the time. It looked odd, but he was off balance and I wasn't sure what I'd seen. In replay it looks obvious and in supa-doopa slo-mo it looks worse and worse, but the first time I saw it, I'd have done the same as the ref.

Actually starting to feel sorry for Torres now. I thought this encapsulated the careers of both men, atm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3YGtj9bewQ

Good win for United at Arsenal, but that game should've been wrapped up by half time. They played so much better in the second half and we really could've been ruing missed chances. That van Persie miss reminded me of Torres at Old Trafford. Not an empty goal, I'll grant you, but I expected him to score just as much as I did Torres that day. How we're still only 3 points behind I'll never know.

I think we can be sure that Defoe has lost a yard of pace.

Excellent win for Swansea against Arsenal. I've missed a few good live games so far this year.

How much will Liverpool get for Carroll in the Summer? I wonder if they'll tie him into a cash+player deal for whoever they're after in the summer. That way they can spin it/hide how little they got for those guilible Scousers. I like their current, "he didn't cost us £35m, Chelsea gave us £15m and paid his transfer fee." :rotfl:

It must be because it's January or something, but I feel a bit sorry for him, too. They bought an injured player for a fee he'd probably never be worth then, either had no idea how to play him (which even I doubt to be the case) or changed their mind how to play and tried to play him in a way he can't really play. And all this is talked about as if it's his fault. Like Torres, he's been a little unlucky (hit the woodwork, found keepers in great form, etc) but unlike Torres, he doesn't have years of showing what a great player he is behind him. He has 6 months of good play in a team whose sole gameplan was the give him enough crosses/chances to do what he does.

Rooney to leave in the summer? Depending on how much United got for him, would it be a bad thing? He's a wonderful player and I'd rather he stayed at United than left, but not at the cost of getting in players who'd raise the whole team. I feel that Rooney is becoming a luxury, although one who, thanks to his profile and revenue raising ability, the Glazers won't want to see go.

Bolton, Wolves and Wigan for the drop?

Golgot

01-28-12, 07:20 AM

Yeah City had their nasty out that day. Lescott was def going for that elbow. I guess I can maybe vaguely see why they didn't charge him (might have needed some footage of him glancing over at Kaboul to show intent. But nah, he was totally going for it).

The Balotelli one was weird. At the time it looked so ungainly I wasn't sure at all, and Luka was the only one really protesting. Looking again tho he def seems to go out of his way to do it. Ach well. (Game was high drama at least. I enjoyed it, in a 'can't believe it' kinda way).

I'd agree on the drop three. Good to see some of the newcomers make it through Xmas without plummeting. Was totally happy with our draw with Swansea incidentally, they played some lovely stuff. (Probably helps that my old man's from Swansea tho ;))

honeykid

01-28-12, 07:49 AM

Agree with you about the newcommers. It seems that the Premier League hoardes crap teams for 3-5 seasons and then reaches a critical mass where the teams who come up just have to be decent (though Norwich and Swansea are a lot better than that) and two or three of the Premier teams will go.

I really like Paul Lambert and Bredan Rodgers and how they've got their teams playing. I'm guessing that Lambert is benefiting from his time and coaching in Germany and I like that he has Norwich playing their opposition. I wonder whether he will/would do that with much better players or whether he'd put his own philosophy on the team?

Rodgers had looked a good manager before he got to Swansea and it seems he continued the good work that Martinez started, which earned him his move to Wigan. I know very little about Swansea (apart from watching them go from Division 4 to the top of Division 1 and back again in the 80's) but I'm guessing their board and or Chairman also deserves a lot of praise.

Golgot

01-28-12, 08:12 AM

Yeah will be interesting to see if they get any offers for their top performers, and whether they can resist them. It's not like anyone necessarily shines like a star in either team (maybe Holt, and Dyer now he's started adding goals, in terms of 'eye catchers'?), coz their both def very 'team'. Haven't seen as much of Norwich, but Swansea def seem to have lots of smart/adaptable players. Their possession play seems pretty excellent across the board.

I guess imposing a style is kind of a luxury. It almost seems like Martinez has become a martyr to it, where perhaps he doesn't quite have the players to execute it?

honeykid

01-29-12, 05:39 AM

He looks as if he has become a martyr to it, of course I have no idea if that's the case, but if it is and the board want the club to stay in the Premier League, then they either need to scout better, get better scouts (or ones that know what you're looking for) or sack him and get a manager who'll buy players who'll come to Wigan and play that bottom of the league style British football. In reality, although probably too late now, 'all' they've really needed all season is someone who puts away the chances they create. For all the praise for the way Arsenal and Swansea play, it's what happens in either box that matters in English, hell, in British football. In Spain, it's possession football that wins games. In Italy, it's good defences and counter attacking football. That's the way it is.

Their geographical position is another problem they have, ala Middlesborough. Who wants to go to Wigan? When they came up, Dave Whelan was willing to spend good money and pay good wages, but they were losing out to teams who paid the same, or even less, but were 'better' positioned, i.e. in or around London.

At the start of the season I had Swansea for the drop. I saw them as a better, but still flawed, Blackpool. I thought their style of play would surprise a few and they'd take a couple of scalps, but ultimately their defence would be worn down from the constant pressure created from the lack of goals and they'd start conceding. In this respect, Vorm might be the signing of the season. Even more than my current choice, Demba Ba.

I've heard a few describe yesterdays Liverpool/United result as a "shock". Really? To whom? Liverpool have only been able to get themselves up for 'the big games' since they finished 2nd in the league a few seasons ago and United is as big as it gets for Liverpool.

Last week the telly idiots were talking about losing to Bolton, how it couldn't have happened at a worse time, how would they manage against the two Manchester teams this week? And Spurs and United again in the next 7-10 days? Do they talk to talk? Or do they really believe this?

I figured "they'll do fine", or at least, they'll show up and play as well as they can. These are the games Liverpool turn up for. Without wishing to denigrate the teams and I'll admit that Liverpool were unlucky/the keeper had a great night at times, look at their home and away split this season,

Home: won 4 drawn 7 lost 0
Away: won 5 drawn 1 lost 5

That home record (for a team of Liverpool's standing and expectations) looks like a team who fails to turn up against teams they expect to beat. Obviously, stats can lie or be interpreted differently, but when you look at those 7 draws (Stoke, Swansea, Blackburn, Man City, Norwich, United and Sunderland) I reckon there's 4 teams that they'd expect to beat and one (Sunderland) which while capable, should be dispatched. While that was the first day of the season, there was no indication that Sunderland had bought anyone who could stop the poor form they'd been in since selling Bent and Welbeck's injury. Plus Welbeck had gone back to United. Gyan was there (I think) but he'd never looked like a player who could take the team forward on his own.

I'm interested in seeing how Tottenham play Liverpool a week Monday. I never thought of them as title challengers and, more importantly, I don't think they did either. Now written off again (even though they're only 8 points behind with 16 games left to play) and considered as 'the best of the rest', I wonder if they'll regain their confidence or whether they'll be scrappy (in terms of results) for a while, maybe putting together a string of results until someone mentions to possibility of the title and tripping up in the next game.

Golgot

01-29-12, 08:58 AM

Hopefully we've got our dip out of the way with that dirge-like cup game against Watford. The fact that we didn't have our traditional winter collapse is a good sign, but yeah, staying in league contention was never really on the cards, especially not with the run of tough games we've got coming up.

The main aim is Champions league, and staying above the Arse ;)

christine

02-01-12, 09:58 AM

very happy after last night's game and transfers. Exciting watching twitter seeing the news of the negotiations for Jelavic come to a successful end. Pienaar back too and then there's the little matter of beating Man City:D

honeykid

02-01-12, 07:41 PM

I was thinking of you last night when I saw the score.

I was also pleased to see Agent Gibson get his new career off to a glorious start. :D

Horrible news from Egypt.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/01022012/58/world-football-73-killed-egyptian-pitch-invasion.html

Golgot

02-02-12, 09:56 AM

Ug.

On a cheerier note....

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sites/default/files/imagecache/ts_magazine_big_picture/ManOnALedgeArseneWenger.JPG

:D

honeykid

02-02-12, 11:55 AM

I have quite a lot of sympathy for Wenger (not what you expect to hear from a United fan, I know) as it's not his fault that he's been overpromoted as a footballing genius in this country. "Le Professor" and all that. Let's look at the facts (sorry for going all Rafa on you all. :D)

Took over Arsenal with a legendary defence and keeper. A base he had, pretty much intact for his first 5 years. During these years he won 2 of his 3 titles and 2 of his 4 FA Cups.

He came in and introduced (what in Europe were commonplace) dietary and lifestyle regimes and restrictions.

Used his excellent knowledge of European (and especially French) football to bring in promising/good, young players.

These three things gave Arsenal huge boost over most of their rivals, but weren't something particular to him. Nor were they something that could be maintained. Any manager taking over would've inherited that defence. Any European manager would've been versed in the dietry and lifestyle stuff, and while you can credit him for getting the players to go with it, you'd have to question the ambition and professionalism if they hadn't.

This leaves us with his knowledge of European youth football. Now, while I hadn't heard of Petit, he was playing for Monaco at the time. I'd not heard of Vieira, but AC Milan had, as that's where he was. Overmars had been at Ajax for years. Henry came in from Juventus (who'd paid about £10m for him) and I can remember him at Monaco, playing and scoring a great goal against United in the CL. He was playing alongside some bloke called David Trezeguet in that game, who scored an even better goal. No idea what happened to him, but I'm sure had Wenger bought him instead, he'd have been credited with 'discovering' a gem and giving him a career. :D

Anelka's always brought up as 'the' signing and in monetary terms, he came for £500,000 and went to Real Madrid, pocketing Arsenal £21.5m in the process (and that's when £21.5m was a lot of money. :D) But Anelka was one of 'the' promising young talents in French football then. A French Joe Cole, if you will. While we might not have known about him here, he was at PSG and I'd think that a lot of French football fans were expecting him to become a good/great player for them.

Since 2004, Arsenal's last title and what should've been their last trophy (curse their unWenger-like bus parking and our bad luck in the 2005 Cup) he's replaced leaving players with inferior players. This has been exacerbated by changing strong, athletic players for small, technical, easily breakable players and the Uber-money coming in at Chelsea and City. The money at City may be a mortal blow, as it takes away another CL place.

With the Manchester clubs currently being assured of two of the four places and Chelsea, at least on paper, having the financial power to take another, that leaves one available place. A couple of seasons ago, this would've been ok, as Arsenal would've almost been assured it, but with Liverpool starting to right themselves and Spurs coming close to their peak, Arsenal will now have to fight for fourth, but such are the quality of the teams they're fighting with, they could end up 7th or even 8th if the fight goes out of them.

This last summer Arsenal faced a new challenge, the good players have left for teams who've got more chance of winning something/more money. I know most Arsenal fans will point at the latter rather than the former, but they're usually the same thing, tbf. Next summer they're going to have a fight on their hands to keep van Persie, especially if he stays fit. Should this continue, how long for Wiltshire, Ramsay, et al?

If Arsenal are already 'le academy' for 'bigger' teams, why expect to challenge for the title?

Arsene's never been known for his tactics or tactical nous. He buys good young players and molds them to play a certain way. Now his knowledge is either not what it was or the competition has a similar level, his biggest strength is no longer his alone.

A great manager who, along with David Dean and Herbert Chapman, has probably done more for Arsenal than anyone in their history and brought to England things that've transformed English football. But he was never Le Professor to anyone but the hacks looking for a tag and a fanbase who wanted to believe.

Tacitus

02-08-12, 04:44 PM

Crikey, so Fabio's walked?

Will The Former Accused (much as I dislike the man, the longer that court case went on the more it seemed ridiculous to even have charged him) take over part time immediately and full time when the season ends? It all seems rather inevitable...

Have to say, for all his blunders, the way one of the world's best managers (and I'm not talking about Redknapp here) has been treated will make most of the top men look the other way if England come calling. It's one thing to crucify McClaren, Taylor or even Sven, but someone with Capello's record?

How cosy will Harry still be with the press when England lose a few games? ;)

EDIT - I've been saying it for a while, HK, and I'll say it again - Wenger's trust in youth has, I strongly suspect, been forced on him since moving from Highbury and having a huge new stadium for the club to pay for.

honeykid

02-09-12, 12:30 AM

I was surprised he walked out, but I don't blame him. The problem is, if I'm honest, I don't really blame the FA either. I've no idea why the courts have bowed to the game. :shrug: I heard something about it being during the season and it would be difficult for the witnesses to turn up when asked. Really? Firstly, so ****ing what? How does that make them any different to anyone else who'd have to do it? And, secondly, doing what? They go in at 10am for training, they leave at 12pm/1pm and the rest of their time's their own. Short of shopping, letting off fireworks or taunting American tourists, what do they have to do that's more important than testifying at a trial?

I know we are both looking forward to Harry getting the job, just to watch what the press do when, as everyone else does, he fails to win. I think I'm looking forward to the excuses they come up with for him, the most. :D

Whilst I don't think there's anything like the money there that they (and the fans) always claim, that's no reason to buy, often exspensive, youth players. It's not as if you can't get players over the age of 24 cheaply. How old is Cabaye? Demba Ba? Tioté or Ben Arfa? Not that Newcastle have the market cornered, but considering most played in the French league (where Wenger is supposed to really know his stuff) and weren't exactly unknown or playing for a club in the French lower leagues, it wouldn't by unreasonable to think a man with maybe £10m-£15m to spend, might take a look there. The kind of wages players in that league are on means they'd also fit into Arsenal's wage structure, too.

I'd like to see Mourinho take the England job, just for the summer, for a one off payment. It'd make things interesting and (hopefully) quieten the "Where will he go?" talk throughout the summer. Well, for a couple of weeks before we get knocked out, anyway.

BTW, it's nice to see Kenny's letting bygones be bygones, isn't it? :D He used to be a rude, grumpy git I didn't like because he's a Liverpool legend, but now he's being a really arrogant tosser who I'd love to see fall flat on his face.

Tacitus

02-09-12, 06:34 AM

Dalglish (spellcheck says 'Bangladeshi' or 'smallish' :D) must easily be the touchiest manager working in the Prem. Don't remember him being like that in the past but it makes a change from Dour Kenny, I suppose. If I'd spent £100mil and still have a worse home record than Woy did I'd be touchy too. ;)

Poor Woy. Woy for England, that's what I say! ;D

Wenger's not scared of buying players in their supposed prime as has been seen from his last rake of signings but historically he's either picked up class acts who've had bad injuries (Overmars), relative unknowns in need of a break or class acts who've gone wrong at a new club (Bergkamp, Henry). The guys you mentioned would indeed have been perfect for the club and I can remember they were linked with Ben Arfa a few years ago. They, and a few other clubs, took their eye off the ball there.

I was one of the many scratching my head when Wenger bought Chamberlain but, looking at how the kid is maturing, he could well have a bargain on his hands. Stronger than Walcott, more direct than Walcott, looks to have more of a football brain (whatever the hell that means, probably that he has a Plan B) than Walcott.

Old Man Theo has upped his game in recent weeks too - maybe he feels that Chamberlain is his replacement?

I wonder how many Newcastle fans who were calling for the owner's head still think that way? Massive kudos to Pardew as well - I bet I'm not alone in thinking that he was a solid, unspectacular lower mid-table Prem boss at best.

Can he keep most of the side together? Can he do the same thing next season? If he can then surely the bigger clubs will take notice. Liverpool? :p

Re Capello: I just think he'd become sick of the whole circus and saw the Terry thing as a convenient way out. If the FA had quietly brushed his comments under the carpet then he'd have further galvanised the squad as being a 'player's man' and if they objected he could walk out on principle.

Woy for England! Chamberlain for captain! Jack who? :D