Lets Talk Football

[honeykid]

Jesus, I'm so glad Van Persie exploded this season. I'd have signed for 4th place when the season started, but we're third now and playing well of late. We battered Man ******, should've beaten them by 3 or 4 goals. How Vermaelen botched that goal was painful to see, but we won, which is most important.
As an Arsenal fan, are you ready for the summer of "will he/won't he" stories concerning Van Persie? He's been brilliant this season. Just think how good he could've been for the last five years or so, had he not been picking up injuries at Arsenal. :D

Ballotelli, that straight up cvnt, should've been sent off on 2 occassions in the first half. He'll be shipped back to Italy fairly soon I reckon. He's not good enough to keep covering up his dirt. So, it's # 20 in the bag for Manure. Could've been worse. I'm so glad it's not going to ******. I hate teams that buy success.
Well, he looks to be out the door this summer. There were plenty of rumours last summer that City were looking to offload him, but I think it'll happen this summer. What with Tevez and Džeko also looking as if they're heading out the door, though I'd look to give Džeko another season, you have to wonder what the front line will look like next season for City. There's also rumours that Agüero might be tempted to Spain in the summer, with Real looking like the probable destination. Whether there's anything in this or if it's just a continuation of last years story (when those in the know were saying that the deal had been done in January) I don't know. The rumours say that Higuaín will leave Real, so him and Van Persie at City next season? Sounds like a summer of 2+2 stories to me.


And how long before Liverpool sacks Kenny? Maybe winning the FA Cup will buy him some time, but he should walk to be fair. They've bought so much overpriced mid-tier players lately: Henderson, Carroll, Adam,... When you buy mid-level players, you finish mid-table. What real top players are going to want to go to Liverpool now, except for gigantic paychecks? They don't have the class, the reputation anymore. Scouse fans need to live with the fact that they're not even a CL-level team anymore. I've moved on and recognized of late that Arsenal just isn't a team that can compete for the title anymore. We're a solid CL-level team, but that's it, especially if Van Persie leaves. Liverpool and their fans however seem like they can't cope with the fact that they're not even a top team anymore...
As a United fan, I'm hoping that Kenny sticks around. :D I am interested to see what Liverpool do this summer, both with their buys (they have to invest, there's no doubt about that) and whether or not they change manager. If they do, where do they go? Jürgen Klopp seems to be someone a few clubs are looking at and, from what very little I know of him, they could do a lot worse... And I hope they do. :D

A quick something about the current 'diving' debate and Ashley Young. Firstly, both seemed to be penalties (though the first is only a penalty because the linesman doesn't flag Young for offside). Secondly, Ashley went down too easily both times and I have no trouble with people saying he's got or won the penalty. If the ref gave the penalty because of the contact on Young's right foot, it's a pen. If it's for the left, however, then it does look like Young's started to throw his leg out to make contact. I hate this and, if that was what the pen was for, then yes, he dived and he should've been booked.

I do love how the narrative has now gone from "dirty cheating foreigners", through "Hmm... It appears that a few English players, on occassion, do seem to be diving" to "This is a disgrace! Players are cheating!"


http://www.foxsports.com.au/Football/is-the-a-league-in-trouble/video-e6frf423-1226323183525?site=FoxSports&subcat=1111112039253

LOL!!! football in Australia :D
Argh!! What is it PF? It won't play in my region. Maybe I could find it on youtube if I knew what it was.

[Powderfinger]

Argh!! What is it PF? It won't play in my region. Maybe I could find it on youtube if I knew what it was.

In Australia football is suffering big time. The leader of the a league (administration) is Frank Lowy...he's a Billionaire. The owners of the Gold Coast and Newcastle teams...they're Billionaires too. The Gold Coast team is gone and the Newcastle team are probably will go too. They reckon Frank Lowy is no good, but it's a fastico with Soccer in Australia.

[honeykid]

I don't know if we have any Liverpool fans who read this (let's hope not :D) but on the off-chance.

Liverpool FC to become reality TV show
Liverpool FC are to allow a documentary crew to film the inner workings of the club as part of a new TV show that they say will be "a remarkable series for every football fan on earth".

The club have partnered with the Fox Soccer channel in the USA and will begin collecting footage in May to coincide with the club's participation in the FA Cup final.

Filming will continue during the club's North American tour in July and carry on for the first few games of the 2012-3 season.

Liverpool say they will produce six episodes in total and the documentary will be called "Our Liverpool: Never Walk Alone". They hope it will reach over 100 million viewers.

"This is going to be a truly remarkable series for every football fan on earth, watching the inner workings of one of the world's truly great clubs, and seeing things no one outside the inner sanctum has seen or experienced before," Fox Sports Media Group chairman and CEO David Hill said on the Liverpool website.

"Liverpool FC is cherished by its community and hundreds of millions of fans worldwide. Working with a team so unique, and wrapped in so much history, is a natural fit for a project of this magnitude and uniqueness."

Liverpool's chairman Tom Werner added: "I expect that it will be compelling programming as Liverpool will provide unprecedented access. This will be an amazing opportunity for our fans to see a new side of the club and for us to reach out to many more potential supporters around the world who will come to understand what makes Liverpool FC so special."

Liverpool are likely to want to keep a close eye on the final edit of the show to try and avoid a repeat of what happened to Queens Park Rangers when they let a documentary crew film the workings of their club for the recently broadcast BBC film 'Four Year Plan'.

The resulting programme was so chaotic that one reviewer said the film would "likely scare off any other clubs from letting cameras in again".
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/liverpool-fc-become-reality-tv-show-152533770.html

I wonder how long it'll be before viewing figures are the new points and trophies? :p:D

[Devils Angel]

I give it 5months tops!

[JayDee]

First time I've stopped by this thread in a long while. As a Rangers fan it's not exactly been a golden time when it comes to football. :(

[honeykid]

No, you've got nothing to smile about at all, JD. Terrible situation with Rangers. I can honestly say that I feel for you and all the Rangers fans.

[Devils Angel]

Decent weekend for football.

Liverpool V Norwich on Saturday.....my prediction 2-0 to Liverpool

Everton V Fulham on Saturday..........1-1

Now the one im lookin forward to is QPR V Chelsea Should be interesting since theyve called the handshakes due to Terry and Ferdinand's race row.

Your thoughts?

[honeykid]

Just waiting for Monday. A draw will do. However, even then, I can still see us throwing it away, as complacency has been our undoing all season.

BTW, has everyone seen the Barca news? Gotta say it was a surprise to me.

[JayDee]

No, you've got nothing to smile about at all, JD. Terrible situation with Rangers. I can honestly say that I feel for you and all the Rangers fans.

Thank you very much. Nice to see someone has some sympathy, as so many people seem to be having good fun kicking us when we're down. And sadly that includes the SFA who seem to be doing all they can to kill off the club.

First while bids were being considered they announced that they were looking at changing the rules which meant we could be fined and have points deductions for the next three seasons, and then on the day when a preferred bidder was meant to be revealed (just about the most important day in the club's history) they fine us £160k and ban us from signing any players over 18 for 12 months. Which means that if things go **** up we could end up having to field our under-19s for all of next season. They're hardly making us an enticing prospect for potential buyers. I think it was a shocking decision. We've been screwed over by a crook (Craig Whyte) which put us in administration, and even though he won't be involved they are punishing us further and severely.

Like many other Rangers fans I'm starting to get close to the point were I don't care if we get liquidated anymore, I just want the farce over. And if we go down to the 3rd division or whatever we will happily take the rest of the premier league down with us. And even if we remain in the SPL there are fans calling for a boycott of away grouns next season

At least McCoist has been able to rally the team the last month or so. Got some good results (including stopping Celtic from winning the league at Ibrox), some good performances and seen a few young lads come through and impress. Given us something to put a smile on the face

[Devils Angel]

Lovin the Hat Trick from Suarez for Liverpool today :) Beautiful 3rd goal from him :D Lets hope he can play this well in the final next week eh

[Devils Angel]

YNWA!! oh yeahhh :)

[honeykid]

Lovin the Hat Trick from Suarez for Liverpool today :) Beautiful 3rd goal from him :D Lets hope he can play this well in the final next week eh
It was a good hat trick, of course, he was very lucky that the ball managed to miss both posts and the crossbar. :D

YNWA!! oh yeahhh :)
Please don't do that. It's up there with CR7, TH14 and the rest of the annoying abbreviations.

[Justin]

Kind of hard to believe Pep won't be the coach next season. Nevertheless, it's been a great run and good luck to him.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nbKzU1ns7_4/T00_d_mdnbI/AAAAAAAAABc/nSQ6yYNGseE/s1600/pep+Guardiola.jpg

[Devils Angel]

Please don't do that. It's up there with CR7, TH14 and the rest of the annoying abbreviations.


Thats like asking me not to breath! Im not one for abbreviations, but you will never take that one away from me :p

[honeykid]

Can't you just type it out? The whole thing annoys me (obviously) but it's so ****ing annoying. I also get annoyed because, when I see it, I read YAWN first and then, sometimes, YMCA, before realising what it is. :facepalm: I think to myself, what do they mean, "YAWN?" :D

I was surprised to see that Pep left this year, too, Justin. I know there were rumours, but as he was on a rolling contract, there's always has been rumours until he re-signed. This year had gone on longer than usual, I think it's normally Feb/early March, isn't it? But it still came as a shock to me.

Here's hoping he has a good long rest.... and then doesn't go anywhere near Chelsea. :D If he waits a couple of years, he might be able to take over at United. That'd really piss Jose off. :laugh:

One last thing, seeing as I've not seen anyone make mention of it. On Saturday, Kevin Doyle showed exactly why players 'go over easy' when they're fouled. It's because, if you don't, you rarely get the right call.

[Nausicaä]

What is YNWA... My team was so close to getting a promotion again this year but buggered it up again. :rolleyes:

[Justin]

"You'll Never Walk Alone". Liverpool's anthem.

[honeykid]

What is YNWA... My team was so close to getting a promotion again this year but buggered it up again. :rolleyes:
Who do you support, Nausicaa? I know you've said before, so I hope you'll forgive me for forgetting. :o

Listening to the game and have to say, Robbie Savage needs to be a little more consistant. One minute, it was a handball, but he got away with it because of the magnitude of the game. Cue Robbie saying "it should be handball, no matter when it's played." Five minutes later, "That's never a foul, ref. In a derby game, that's never a foul." I don't know if it was handball or not. I don't know if it was a foul or not. What I do know is that, according to Robbie, it's handball whenever the game is played, but it's not a foul if it's a derby. :D

[Brodinski]

Podolski? Guy couldn't cut it with Bayern, why even try to bring him into the Premier League? A waste of space and money that could be well spent on keeping Van Persie in the team.

[honeykid]

They say that he's grown up a lot since he's gone back to Cologne. Of course, 'they' would say that, wouldn't they? :D There are reasons to be positive, though, as he is (of course) older and he's now married and has a child, so he may now be able to cope with the change and expectation. I think that, although he was considered a failure earlier, that there's been more than enough time and changes to have hope. Not only that, but he's a decent size and, hopefully for Arsenal fans, will be able to stay fit... Even at Arsenal. :p I guess we'll see. I think Wenger sees him, not only as a good stand in when van Persie can't play, but a good alternative if they can't keep hold of him.

[Brodinski]

On another note, you must be loving us Belgians now, ey HK :p.

[honeykid]

He's a wonderful player and, as Vidic has been out practically all season, the best defender in the league. Of course, that's the Premier League, where defending is for wimps. :D

Anyway, still have hope, but it's unlikely City will drop more points. If anything, I can see United dropping even more points.

[Devils Angel]

Hodgson to be England manager....Discuss.

[honeykid]

I'm good with Hodgson, though I'm not really an England fan. Sure, I'd rather we won than lost, but I don't really care like a real fan does. I'm never gutted when we lose and, when we failed to qualify for the 2008 Euros, it took me all of 20 seconds to realise that this meant no WAG's, no front page stories, no unreal expectations, no flags on cars, no single-minded focus on the minutae of England and our players, manager, etc. Just a whole tournament of football, with the discussion solely about the games, the players and the tournament. I'll enjoy the tournament, but I will miss that 'relatively' low key and focused interest in the games for their own sake that we were given when England was promoted as world beaters to interest the casual viewer and, thereby, boost viewing figures.

So, Hodgson. Probably the best choice whether Harry was considered or not. Arguably someone who should've gotten the job after Sven, though I'd have rather gone with MO'N, myself. Is he the cheap option? I bloody hope so! The England job pays a ridiculous sum of money and for what? To get, pretty much, where we should be. Sven proved two things, to me at least, at the 2004 Euros. Firstly, that Lampard and Gerrard don't play together (the fact that all the managers, including Sven, didn't bite that bullet and drop one shows a horrendous lack of man-management or fear, imo) and, secondly, that paying an absolute fortune to someone of greater skill than the current crop of English managers won't get you where you want to be. The best thing the FA could do, IMO, is pay someone a reasonable amount of money, in line with the top International jobs, and pick someone who'll pick a team who can play the kind of football that best suits our game. That doesn't mean the long ball or hoofing it, but it is a quick and physical game. Hopefully, Hodgson is someone who can do this.

[Nausicaä]

I'm just happy we have an actual ENGLISH person leading the ENGLAND team.

[honeykid]

Really? Why does that matter to you?

[Nausicaä]

I just think each country should have a manager who is of that country, always thought that.

Most of our footballers are thick enough, so having a foreign person doesn't help, especially the last one we had who couldn't speak English very well. :p;)

[honeykid]

I just think each country should have a manager who is of that country, always thought that.
That's fair enough. I know a lot of people think like that, though there's never been any mention of it in any of the laws of the game or tournaments.

As you may've guessed, I don't really care. :D For me, International football's only purpose is having quality football to watch every other summer. It's just a shame that it has to get in the way of the league fixtures every year. :( This year's worse than usual, as we've also got the Olympics cocking it up. :mad:

Most of our footballers are thick enough, so having a foreign person doesn't help, especially the last one we had who couldn't speak English very well. :p;)
Yes, but a lot of them don't speak English very well either, so I don't see it as a problem. :D

Any neutrals here watching the Cup Final today? Who are you cheering for? As a United fan, I'm not really a neutral because Liverpool are playing, so obviously I want Chelsea to win. :p

[honeykid]

Good news for Rangers, JD?

SPL - Rangers takeover deal agreed
Rangers have been saved after a deal was agreed to sell the club to a consortium led by former Sheffield United chief executive Charles Green.

The deal was officially announced at 10am on Sunday, when the club issued the following statement through joint administrator David Whitehouse of Duff and Phelps:

"We are very pleased to announce that we have accepted an offer from a consortium headed by Mr Charles Green for the purchase of Rangers Football Club.

"Mr Green has secured, via a substantial financial commitment, a period of exclusivity to complete the purchase of the club and this is expected to be finalised at a creditors' meeting on June 6.

"The structure and quantum of the offer from Mr Green is such that it is acceptable to us as administrators and, having been in discussions with major creditors throughout the process, we believe this presents the best prospect of financial recovery for creditors."

Green will form a Company Voluntary Arrangement, which will allow the club to carry on trading so long as it keeps to a repayment schedule agreed with creditors, though if the creditors do not agree a CVA deal then Green will still take over.

"If the creditors do not approve the Company Voluntary Arrangement, the agreement obliges Charles Green's purchasing vehicle to acquire the business and assets of the club on agreed terms, through a newco structure. It is Mr Green's strong preference to achieve a CVA," the statement continued.

The news comes on the final day of a Scottish Premier League season which has seen Rangers surrender their title to bitter rivals Celtic.

Green said he was thrilled to have secured a deal, and added that he has already agreed a transfer of shares from former owner Craig Whyte.

"I am delighted our proposal to purchase Rangers has been accepted and we are working night and day to finalise matters," he said.

"This is a great football club with a tremendous history and we will preserve that while building a solid platform for the future.

"Rangers supporters have every right to believe their club should be a success on and off the pitch and that is exactly what we will strive to achieve.

"At all times we will make decisions that are in the best interests of the club. Not every decision at a club can be popular but I can tell every Rangers fan now that whatever decision is taken they will always be told the truth.

"We will do everything in our power to achieve a CVA and we already have a detailed written commitment from Mr Craig Whyte for the transfer of his [85 per cent] shareholding.

"I look forward to working with everyone at Rangers, staff, players and supporters, in building a better future. It's what this great club deserves."

Rangers went into administration over £9m in unpaid taxes. They face a much larger potential liability in a separate tax dispute over how they paid their players over the past decade.

Winning over Rangers' passionate fans may be a challenge for Green. US tow-truck tycoon Bill Miller, named preferred bidder earlier this month, withdrew his offer after protests by fans.

The 59-year-old Green has no public profile in Scotland. He was chief executive of Sheffield United when the club floated on the stock market in 1997 and is currently chairman of Nova Resources, a company that is listed on London's AIM stock market and invests in mining businesses. It is active mainly in Singapore and Mongolia.
PA Sport/Reuters / Eurosport
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/13052012/58/spl-rangers-takeover-deal-agreed.html

[JayDee]

Good news for Rangers, JD?


Can but hope HK. :yup: However after what happened with Craig Whyte I think all Rangers fans are understandably wary and cautious.

What I find intersting is the fact that the consortium is apparently made up of 20 individuals from all over the globe with a view to expanding the brand worldwide. And no member will own more than 15% of the club, hopefully guaranteeing we can't get screwed over again.

[honeykid]

Can but hope HK. :yup: However after what happened with Craig Whyte I think all Rangers fans are understandably wary and cautious.
I can understand that. I know that a great many United fans fear the same thing happening to us and I'm one of them.

What I find intersting is the fact that the consortium is apparently made up of 20 individuals from all over the globe with a view to expanding the brand worldwide. And no member will own more than 15% of the club, hopefully guaranteeing we can't get screwed over again.
Best of luck, but it sounds like a bad idea to me. Not that the club had any choice really. Hopefully the 'relatively' small outlay for each member will help keep the egos, along with the accountants, in check.

[JayDee]

I can understand that. I know that a great many United fans fear the same thing happening to us and I'm one of them.

What exactly are you fearing?


Best of luck, but it sounds like a bad idea to me. Not that the club had any choice really. Hopefully the 'relatively' small outlay for each member will help keep the egos, along with the accountants, in check.
[/quote

Yeah usually I'd probably say that but I'm desperately looking for some optimism. And if that was the set-up when Whyte was around then surely he wouldn't have been able to do what he did.

[honeykid]

What exactly are you fearing?
That, eventually, the Glazer's won't be able to service the debt. If, or maybe when would be a better word, it all starts to unravel, we have to hope for two things. Firstly, that they don't hang on to United so as to sell off assets to protect their other interests (United's already the cash cow that pumps money into them) and that, when they do sell, that they sell to good buyers and not just some chancers. Sadly, while I'm not sure whether the first will happen or not, I fear the second is simply down to who stumps up the most cash. :(

If you read through mine or Tacitus' thoughts on United, you'll see that we're both of the mind that United are unable to spend what's needed to get the kind of players that United have needed for the last 6-8 years. The young players that United bought just before the Glazers, have matured into the players they thought they'd be. That's why United have won what they have since. Whereas the ones that United have bought since, for the most part, haven't. Again, that's why united are where they are. That United lost this title on goal difference to a good City side, with a points total that'd win most years and is only 5 points away from the record total, shows how poor the defending is in the Premier League, IMO.

[honeykid]

Sky threaten to pull plug on SPL deal
The turmoil at Rangers has taken a dramatic new twist with a report claiming that Sky Sports could keep the club in the top flight.

The Glasgow giants face being thrown into Scotland's Third Division if they head into liquidation and re-form as a new club.

But Sky has a financial gun to the head of the SPL: the Daily Record claims that the broadcaster will pull the plug on its £110 million deal to show Scottish football if Rangers head into the fourth tier.

Sky's deal only makes financial sense because of the immense commercial value of the four Old Firm derbies each season - and it is not prepared to keep the agreement in place for the minimum three seasons it would take Rangers to win promotion back to the SPL.

"No Rangers equals no Sky, unless Gers are back very soon," a source at the broadcaster told the Daily Record. "It's just not going to be commercially worth it if it's going to be any longer than 12 months with no Old Firm league games."

The threat leaves SPL club chiefs in a dilemma: the TV deal is the financial lifeblood of Scottish football, yet the clubs - and particularly their fans - want to see Rangers punished for their woeful mismanagement.

Only eight of the 12 SPL clubs need to vote for relegation to throw Rangers down the leagues, and fans are threatening to boycott their clubs if their chairmen dole out too soft a punishment. Yet the Daily Record claims half of the clubs in the SPL would go out of business without the TV cash.

A date for the SPL's debate, and vote on Rangers' relegation, is set to be scheduled for the next few days with the matter due to be settled by mid-July - and a compromise of a one-division (and therefore probably one-year) relegation looks like the preferred option.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/sky-threat-pull-plug-spl-113142799.html

[honeykid]

Rangers missing from SPL fixture list
The Scottish Premier League will release their fixture list for the 2012/13 season on Monday morning without Rangers.

Instead the name "Club 12" will replace the crisis torn Glasgow giants.

Charles Green's consortium completed the purchase of the business and assets of Rangers as a newco on Thursday after failure to secure a Company Voluntary Arrangement consigned the club to liquidation.

The former Sheffield United chief executive now needs the support of other SPL sides before his club will be admitted to the top flight.

Regulations require two weeks notice to be given before holding a general meeting, where SPL clubs will vote on the issue, so July 2 is the earliest date that a general meeting can be convened for the newco vote.

All 12 member clubs need to vote on this application and eight votes are required for Rangers to be playing SPL football next season.

If successful then Rangers will assume the "Club 12" fixtures.

The fixtures will be announced at 9am on Monday.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/rangers-missing-spl-fixture-list-114850904.html

[JayDee]

Must you keep posting all this depressing Rangers news?!!! :D I come to this forum to try and forget about everything that's going on.

[honeykid]

Sorry mate, that wasn't the intention. :D Have you been watching the football?

[Brodinski]

Looks like ze Germans are well on their way to earning me a handsome sum. Already bet on them to be group winner with an exact total of 9 points and also bet on them to win the tournament and have the top scorer in Gomez.

[honeykid]

Like many, I put both Germany and Italy ahead of Spain for the tournament. No David Villa, no Carlos Puyol, the Barca season and the fact that no one has won three major tournaments in a row have me looking at Spain for the semi's, possibly the final, but not winners.

I'm just hoping that England go out and play tomorrow. However, I expect the usual to happen, as it did against Sweden and France and has done for 20-30 years now. Do ok, maybe go ahead, then start to worry, dropping deeper and deeper until we concede. Then, maybe caught again, while chasing the game which'll either end in defeat or glorious victory. Although it doesn't actually make sense, I'd almost rather we needed a win than knowing a draw will do. Giving England a safety net rarely works in our favour.

Very surprised to see the Dutch go out the way they did.

[Powderfinger]

It was a goal. The Poms..lol!

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

[Nausicaä]

From Rooney of all people, an easy goal. If only he was better when he has the ball himself, why does this man get so much money... the number of times he loses the ball and dodgy passing compared to the other players. But yes, well done England, and well done France too for getting to the quarter finals(a little support for France comes from me). :)

[honeykid]

PF, yes it was a goal, but it was offside. So, yes, it should've stood... But then we'd have been cheated... Again. :D

BTW, how good was Ronaldo last night. :eek:

[Brodinski]

What do you except of the English against Italy, HK? Imo they lose and lose quite clearly.

[JayDee]

:D Have you been watching the football?

Yeah I have. It's been a nice break for me from all the Rangers stuff. :D And Germany are my pick for the tournament. In fact they have been since July 7th 2010. That was the day they lost to Spain in the World Cup semi-final. For me they had been the most entertaining and impressive team at the tournament and I said right away that their young team with another 2 years of experience would win the Euros.

What do you except of the English against Italy, HK? Imo they lose and lose quite clearly.

I think they should lose as well. But then if results had gone how they should have England probably wouldn't even be here. They've not played well at all and for me were not the best team in any of their 3 games. And yet somehow here they are. They're starting to worry me a bit that it might just be their year with the way their luck is going.

[Powderfinger]

It's weird that England has hosted the World Cup & one lol! :D You'd think that would better, as they have the Premier League...mind you! Most players whom played there, they come from all over the world, even Aussies! And we're not football mad. Most kids play, then they choose Rubgy League, Rubgy Union, AFL, Cricket, Basketball, Hockey...lol! :D

[Nausicaä]

At least we have won the World Cup, unlike some countries Powderfinger... ;)

[Tyler1]

Joachim Loew is a badass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRVRKF07Xrc

[honeykid]

What do you except of the English against Italy, HK? Imo they lose and lose quite clearly.
I think we'll lose, 1-0 or something like that. Maybe from a set piece? Roy's got them playing quite an Italian style of football, so I don't think it'll be a great spectacle for anyone but those with a vested interest. While I began the tournament picking Italy as my #2 pick (after Germany but infront of Spain) but they look to be in a little trouble. Will Chiellini play? If not, that'll be one thing in England's favour. Surely he's going to play two upfront? If so, it's Rooney an another. I think it depends on whether Milner plays on the right, as to who plays alongside him. If he does, I think Caroll has more chance of playing. If it's Ox/Cham or Walcott, then I think Defoe or Welbeck. I like Defoe, but he's rarely been trusted in the England team. Maybe it's because he's tiny and we have a habit of hitting long, hopeful balls to our forwards, regardless of their size or movement. :D

The thinking over here seems to be 0-0 before losing on penalites. Frankly, I'm happy with the Quarters. It's what I expect from us, a little better than I expected this time out, and Italy are a better team, more used to winning these games than us. So long as it's not Bloemfontein all over again, I don't think there should be any talk of England letting the country down.

OK, Spain V France is about to kick off. Looking forward to seeing how Spain play.

[Nausicaä]

Bla, we will win against Italy, um 2-0. :D

[Tyler1]

Hopefully its Germany Vs Spain in the finals. I'll root for the Germans. From what I can tell, Spain is the only team right now that can upset Germany.

[Powderfinger]

At least we have won the World Cup, unlike some countries Powderfinger... ;)

Yes & years ago we had to clarify for the World Cup with countries like Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Uruguay and so on! How many world cups they won? ;)

[Tyler1]

*qualify

[Powderfinger]

*qualify

Thanks Tyler1. I can't spell for s***! now..:D

[Nausicaä]

Yes & years ago we had to clarify for the World Cup with countries like Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Uruguay and so on!


That's no excuse. :nope:

[honeykid]

Yes & years ago we had to clarify for the World Cup with countries like Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Uruguay and so on! How many world cups they won? ;)

Yes, and we had to play them in World Cups. :p As well as Italy, Germany, etc. That's what's great about the World Cup/Euros. It doesn't just assume, as the English FA did before 1950, that we were the best, you have to go out and prove it. OK, so the best team doesn't always win (Brazil '82 is the best example of that) but that's cup football. That's the best thing about it. A little bit of luck is almost always required, even for the best teams.

Italy should win tonight, but it's not a great Italian side and I think Italy will go through due to their mental qualities or England's lack of them, rather than being overtly superior. If we played this game ten times, I'd expect England to win 3 or 4 times, but just a one-off puts the pressure on and that's the English's greatest weakness on the pitch.

[Nausicaä]

Ashley Cole, what a ****.

[honeykid]

C'mon, Nausicaa. Did you really expect him to score? From the moment Ashley Young stepped up to take his penalty, I didn't think we'd win. Neither he nor Cole looked as if they'd score. I didn't even sigh in disappointment when they missed, I just took it as a given. I'd already accepted we were out by then.

[The Rodent]

The only thing Ashley Cole is good at is cheating on his spouse...


... he's well good at that.

[Nausicaä]

C'mon, Nausicaa. Did you really expect him to score? From the moment Ashley Young stepped up to take his penalty, I didn't think we'd win.

No actually lol, I expected him to mess it up and he did because he didn't even try, at least Young tried to get it in but unfortunately hit the post, just a little bit lower.

And have no idea what our goal keeper was doing trying to put them off, this isn't Rugby with the all blacks doing their dance/tongue thing. It's like he put all his energy into doing that stupid school boy crap and no energy when it came to putting effort into saving goals during the penalties. As soon as I saw the goalkeeper try that rubbish, I knew England were not going through.

[honeykid]

I think you're being a little harsh on Joe Hart. I didn't think he'd save one either, but that's because I expected the Italians to take good penalties and, with one exception, they did.

Looking forward to the semi-finals. Hopefully they'll be better games than the quarters.

[Justin]

Look at it this way: at least you won't be humiliated by Germany, like Italy inevitably will be.

[Nausicaä]

I think you're being a little harsh on Joe Hart.

Nope, he was too concerned with his stupid face pulling and stances. :p

[Tyler1]

So now...... it's Spain vs Portugal. Any takers?

[honeykid]

Portugal should be able to stretch Spain, but it shouldn't be too much for them to get past Portugal. Spain/Germany is the final most people predicted before the tournament, but I'm still going for Germany. I think it's their time.

[Justin]

Spain, of course, should take it this year. The absence of Puyol and Villa has been felt unfortunately. They would be a force to be reckoned with--once again--if they were on the team. Jordi Alba has been a pleasant surprise, though.

Germany looks really, really good. If anyone beats Spain, it's Germany.

[JayDee]

Well as a bitter little Scot :D I'm delighted that England are finally out. :p It's only now I can really start enjoying the tournament! :D

Though for much of the Italy game I was sure they were going to sneak another win as the luck they had was unbelievable. How it made it all the way to penalties was amazing considering how dominant Italy were. The gulf in class was actually quite embarrassing for long stretches. Oh but how good was Pirlo? One of the best individual performances I've seen from a player in a while and what a penalty


As for Spain v Portugal I'm in a bit of a quandry over who to root for. I have been against Portugal throughout due to my dislike of the arrogant, moaning, diving poser that is Ronaldo and the thug that is Pepe. However I'm also getting really quite bored with Spain. I can appreciate their quality but watching them play a series of 5-10 yard passes for 10 minutes at a time is really trying my patience.

[Powderfinger]

Well as a bitter little Scot :D I'm delighted that England are finally out. :p It's only now I can really start enjoying the tournament! :D



Yes! lol! :D

[Brodinski]

Spain was impressive during the extra time. They play like that an entire game against Germany, they win.

There is something artistic about seeing them tick that ball around with 3 guys surrounding them and still keeping ball possession. Terrific team really. They deserve to win it.

[Justin]

I'm incredibly happy for Spain. They deserved to win. You're right, Brodinski, if they play like that against Germany/or Italy, they should win.

On another note, it was nice to see my favorite player get the winning penalty kick. Cesc played a good game.

[Tyler1]

Germany's weakest link- Boateng. Exploiting the right-back will give Italy a couple of chances.

[honeykid]

That's true, but Germany are far too good for Italy. That's not to say Italy can't win, obviously, but I don't see it happening. Italy haven't been as good in this tournament as I thought they would be before it started. I had both Germany and Italy ahead of Spain for the cup before it started. However, it soon became obvious that Italy were nowhere near Spain, despite this Spannish side not being as good as the last two tournaments. I think the neutrals should be hoping for a Spain/Germany final. I certainly do, I think it'll be a fascinating game.

BTW, how good was Ramos' dink last night? Even better than Pirlo's, IMO, considering the skill set of both players.

[Brodinski]

Wow... I didn't see that coming. Germany was just a shadow of the side they've been in this tournament. This has to be one of the Italian national team's most impressive victories ever. Even though I despise them, they deserved to win this.

Now, go Spain. Win that third Cup in a row.

[Justin]

No kidding...that was surprising, to say the least. When Mario is on, he's on. That being said, I hope the Spanish beat them. Badly. Spain deserves it.

[honeykid]

Yep, I was as surprised as the rest of you. I've not seen that Germany before. Well, not for over 10 years, anyway. Loved Balotelli's second. :eek: They didn't seem to be able to respond after that. I guess history even plays on the mind of the Germans.

I still say it's a shame for the final, though. So long as the good Germany turned up, that would've been a far better game, IMO. Come on Italy!!

BTW, I know it's not football, but did anyone turn this game off and watch Nadal get beaten? :eek::eek: That was even more stunning that the Italy/Germany result.

[honeykid]

Platini: Euro 2020 all over Europe
The 2020 European Championship could be spread across 12 or 13 cities around Europe, rather than being staged in just one or two countries, UEFA president Michel Platini said on Saturday.

"The Euros in 2020 could be held all over Europe," Platini told a news conference.

"You could have one country with 12 host cities, or we could have it in 12 or 13 cities all over Europe. It is just an idea, but in these days of cheap air travel anything is possible.

"The majority of the executive committee thinks it's a good idea and says we should really have a good think about this.

"We are going to have a meeting with all of our national federations coming up to December and in Decemeber or January we're are going to make a decision."

Turkey had been favourite to host the event in eight years' time but their bid has been complicated by Istanbul's campaign to also host the Olympic Games in the same year.

Platini said the idea for a multi-country Euros came to him "a while ago" and had been met with interest from his excecutive.

"It's an idea I feel really passionate about, it will be a lot easier from a financial perspective for all the countries.

"If you need to build airports or 10 stadiums in a country, this would be rather easy because it would be one stadium per host city. That's all we can say at the moment.

"We have not decided anything yet, but by January we will decide if we are going to have the Euros in one country or all over Europe."

UEFA originally set a deadline of mid-May for hosts to express an interest, but although they said two or three countries other than Turkey had done so, they did not name them publicly.

One reason for UEFA not making them public is because clearly they were not satisfied the interested countries could stage the event, hence Platini's idea for a multi-country tournament.

Platini said during the UEFA Congress in Istanbul recently that he would support a Turkey bid, but has now retreated somewhat from that stance, saying on Saturday: "We are not going to wait until we know whether Turkey are going to get the Olympics.

"It creates a problem for us. We do have other candidates.

"Everyone has the possibility to host it."

When asked how fans would be expected to attend the matches if they wanted to travel around Europe, he replied that in this day of cheap air travel, movement around Europe was not as prohibitive as it once was.

"And it is easier to go from London to Paris or Berlin than Cardiff to Gdansk," the Frenchman said.

"It would be four games per venue. It is a great debate."

Platini's plan is not without merit. It means that matches could be staged in a number of cities around the continent, in a way, bringing the Euros to the fans, rather than the other way round.

The singlular, or co-hosting identity of the tournament might be lost, but fans in some unlikely places could see matches in their home cities.

The next Euros, in France in 2016, will comprise 24 teams, but Platini said it was unlikely the Euros would expand to 32 teams as it may reduce in quality.

"And anyway the World Cup is 32 teams, its enough. When we go to 24 teams the quality will not suffer. We have plenty of good teams in Europe who could qualify, and there will be more matches in the stadiums, but 32 is too many," he said.

The current tournament, the last to comprise 16 teams and staged in Poland and Ukraine, ends with the final between Spain and Italy in Kiev on Sunday.

POSSIBLE MAP OF EURO 2020 HOST CITIES

http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/Yey3LslCx6Vdx75QB6dAeQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_GB/Sports/Eurosport/858023.png
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/platini-euro-2020-all-over-europe-105200048.html

[JayDee]

That's true, but Germany are far too good for Italy. That's not to say Italy can't win, obviously, but I don't see it happening.

Ah Honeykid, as accurate at predicting football scores as you are with your views on Lord of the Rings! :p

[Nausicaä]

Well my psychic prediction: I played FIFA on my wii(Italy vs Spain) and Spain won 2-1.

There you go, final will be Spain 2 - Italy 1.

:D

[honeykid]

Ah Honeykid, as accurate at predicting football scores as you are with your views on Lord of the Rings! :p
The one thing we all know for certain about sport is that it exists to make those foolish enough to predict it look stupid. :D

Sadly, I've no idea why The Lord Of The Rings exists. :p

[Powderfinger]

Sadly, I've no idea why The Lord Of The Rings exists. :p

You know why? You love Gone in the Wind. You're a Pom that's why! :D

[Tyler1]

What a shame! I was hoping to see a Spain VS Germany final.

Soo.... Are there any Mofos rooting for Italy?

[Powderfinger]

Soo.... Are there any Mofos rooting for Italy?

Me, you know why? One of my bosses was Spanish and he loved Real Madrid...and he was a c*** s*****! Put it mildy! :D

[Tyler1]

http://i.imgur.com/tUBzB.gif

[Brodinski]

Meh, football /care. Tour de France and Wimbledon, baby.

[Justin]

Today is the day.

LA FURIA ROJA!

[Nausicaä]

Tour de France and Wimbledon, baby.


^ Yes!

[honeykid]

What a shame! I was hoping to see a Spain VS Germany final.

Soo.... Are there any Mofos rooting for Italy?
Yes, I was hoping for an Italian win. Didn't think it'd happen, but that's what I wanted. Only Torres could win a Golden Boot for the tournament with only 3 goals and two assists. ASSISTS!?!? F'ck off. Either it's shared or no one gets it and, let's face it, with three goals it's nothing to brag about anyway. They're not exactly troubling Just Fontaine are they?

Roll on the start of next season. :)

[shlomi]

What a shame! I was hoping to see a Spain VS Germany final.


Yes, like the Euro final four years ago when Germany lost 1-0 to spain or the World Cup semi-final where Germany lost 1-0 to the same spain.... when germany barely passed the half.

Germany is unable to deal with Spain. She does'nt have enough good players.
Schweinsteiger and ozil aginst xavi and iniesta? spain will kick the **** out of them.

and all this from one who hate the guts of Spain and Barcelona.

[shlomi]

I have not seen it published here, but Van Percy decided not renew his Contract in arsenal.
Hilarious video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKksMZdJdgY

i'm an arsenal fan, by the way.

[Brodinski]

Glasgow Rangers booted to third division, huh. That's likely it for them... Scottish football is pretty much dead now, ha.

[JayDee]

Glasgow Rangers booted to third division, huh. That's likely it for them... Scottish football is pretty much dead now, ha.

As a Rangers fan I'm glad you're so cheery and blasé about it. :mad:

:D

[Devils Angel]

Looking like Liverpool may loan Carrol to newcastle. Gorra love the fact that we bought him for £35 mil only to give him back.

[shlomi]

Looking like Liverpool may loan Carrol to newcastle. Gorra love the fact that we bought him for £35 mil only to give him back.

I loved Carrol in his time in newcastle.

In my opinion it would be a mistake to sell him buck. But even more crazy was to buy him for the amount they bought him.
For God's sake, Fabregas sold in the same amount.

the price tag created a lot of expectations for carrol that he could not stand in, and now he has zero confidence.

[Brodinski]

Carroll is a mid-level player that was bought at a bonkers price. He is utter ***** on a technical level. I criticize Wenger and the Arsenal board often enough for not spending enough to get top level players, but what they do is much better than spending insane amounts of money on mid-level players.

[shlomi]

Carroll is a mid-level player that was bought at a bonkers price. He is utter ***** on a technical level. I criticize Wenger and the Arsenal board often enough for not spending enough to get top level players, but what they do is much better than spending insane amounts of money on mid-level players.

Carroll is not mid-level player.
He has no technique in his legs and he definitely no speedster, this crystal clear.
But there is no one striker in all Europe with the same physical structure that gives Carrol an automatic Advantage in the air and in attached game with the defenders.

However, he is definitely not a player who worth 35 million. This was a panic buying that took place 10 minutes to transfer window. Liverpool was afraid to find herself without a a striker after the sell of torres.

[Devils Angel]

I loved Carrol in his time in newcastle.

In my opinion it would be a mistake to sell him buck. But even more crazy was to buy him for the amount they bought him.
For God's sake, Fabregas sold in the same amount.

the price tag created a lot of expectations for carrol that he could not stand in, and now he has zero confidence.

I dont think Newcastle would be dumb enough to buy him back in all honesty, I just think its stupid to loan him back after spending so much on him. Though its looking like he wont be with Liverpool long term anyway. Which I think is a shame cause he seems to be finding his feet with Liverpool, yeah it took him a while but hes getting there.

[Brodinski]

But there is no one striker in all Europe with the same physical structure that gives Carrol an automatic Advantage in the air and in attached game with the defenders.

Except of course for:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/DidiFinale12.jpg/245px-DidiFinale12.jpg

Twice the player Carroll will ever be. Also hit the ground twice as much as Carroll ever will :D.

[shlomi]

Except of course for:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/DidiFinale12.jpg/245px-DidiFinale12.jpg

Twice the player Carroll will ever be. Also hit the ground twice as much as Carroll ever will :D.

drogba is not in europe anymore you know...

[Brodinski]

lol, yeah ok.

[honeykid]

Some sad news.


Bolton midfielder Muamba retires
Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba has announced his retirement from professional football, five months after suffering a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup tie.



Muamba, 24, collapsed on the pitch during a televised encounter between Bolton and Tottenham at White Hart Lane in March and the game was abandoned as medics fought to save his life.

The midfielder's heart stopped for 78 minutes before finally starting up again after prolonged resuscitation and following his arrival at the London Chest Hospital.

His plight shocked football but Muamba was discharged from hospital on April 16 after what was described as an "incredible" recovery.

He said he hoped to return to professional football, but following further surgery in Belgium last week doctors have informed the former England Under-21 international that he should not play again.

Muamba said: “Since suffering my heart attack and being discharged from hospital, I have remained utterly positive in the belief I could one day resume my playing career and play for Bolton Wanderers once again.

“As part of my on-going recovery, last week I travelled to Belgium to seek further medical advice from a leading cardiologist. But the news I received was obviously not what I had hoped it would be and it means I am now announcing my retirement from professional football.

“Football has been my life since I was a teenage boy and it has given me so many opportunities. Above all else, I love the game and count myself very lucky to have been able to play at the highest level.

“While the news is devastating, I have much to be thankful for. I thank God that I am alive and I pay tribute once again to the members of the medical team who never gave up on me. I would also like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career, and the Bolton fans who have been incredible. I am blessed to have the support of my family and friends at this time.”

Muamba arrived in England as a refugee from DR Congo at the age of 11 and joined Arsenal's youth academy in 2002. He made two appearances for the Gunners before joining Birmingham, initially on loan, in the summer of 2006.

A permanent move followed the next year when Muamba joined the Blues for £4 million but Bolton moved in the summer of 2008 and brought him to the Reebok Stadium for a fee of £5m.

Muamba made 148 appearances for Bolton, scoring four times.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle said: “We have spoken with Fab and he knows we will always support him in whatever he wants to do and that we will always be here for him.

“He is obviously massively disappointed that he won’t be able to carry on his career, but everyone has seen what a fighter and strong person he is in mind and body.

“We know that he will go on to achieve great things and within all this disappointment, the most important thing is that he is here, alive, today.”

Muamba represented England at several different youth levels, and earned 33 caps for the under-21 side.

FA chairman David Bermstein said: "On behalf of everybody at The FA I'd like to say how sorry we are to learn that Fabrice Muamba has had to end his professional football career.

"His recovery has been miraculous and a great tribute to all who have been involved.

"I would like to wish him the very best for the future and I know that the thoughts of the entire football family will be with him."

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/bolton-midfielder-muamba-retires-123557091.html

BTW, how do the Arsenal fans feel about van Persie moving to United? I'm going to assume that most will've come to terms with him leaving, what about him moving to United? Of course, he still has to pass the medical so, as it's him, it's not a done deal yet. :D

[Powderfinger]

I think the Scottish beat the Aussies in Edinburgh! Damn Scots..:D

[Watch_Tower]

I'm an Arsenal fan and RVP is an absolute prick. I'm just gone go get my sniper rifle and train tickets to Manchester.

[honeykid]

I think the Scottish beat the Aussies in Edinburgh! Damn Scots..:D
Yeah, you even managed to score an own goal. Still, I'm sure it does the Scots good to win occassionally. :D

I'm an Arsenal fan and RVP is an absolute prick. I'm just gone go get my sniper rifle and train tickets to Manchester.
Well, he'll be an easy target sat on the treatment table.

[Watch_Tower]

Yeah, RVP is a 24 mil patient. Weldone United.

[honeykid]

I hope not, but I fear it's true. It wouldn't be so bad if we weren't so weak elsewhere. I wanted a left back last season. This season I think it's desperate. I wouldn't mind a centre back and a midfielder before we got someone like van Persie. No matter how good he is Of course, if Vidic can come back strong and both he and Rio stay fit, then the signing starts to make a little more sense.

[Powderfinger]

Yeah, you even managed to score an own goal. Still, I'm sure it does the Scots good to win occassionally. :D


.

Okay Pommy! What about when Australia in the World Cup nearly beat the iT's? Except for an idiot ref who gave a penalty at goal.

Put this way, in Australia we have about 3 sports in front of football, though we still mix it with the best.

Didn't the Scottish invent football? I reckon you'll say it was always the English!

[Golgot]

Hmm, only just trawled some compilation vids for Spurs' early acquisitions.

Crazy ass trickery from Vert here (1.55). I'm liking the foolish insouciance of it all, for a central defender. Very Spurs ;). Plus boy has pace to burn - handy :) (The main thing that Gylfi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6jMfVQmlt4) lacks incidentally - Other than that he seems like a midfield Crouch who can also impersonate a tiger. Or something ;))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgFKV6sfhPs&start=115

[honeykid]

Okay Pommy! What about when Australia in the World Cup nearly beat the iT's? Except for an idiot ref who gave a penalty at goal.

Put this way, in Australia we have about 3 sports in front of football, though we still mix it with the best.
Good for you. I hope the fans in Oz thoroughly enjoyed watching their team the three times they've qualified for the World Cup.

Didn't the Scottish invent football? I reckon you'll say it was always the English!
Both greatly influenced the game, however, I think I'm right in saying that the English 'invented' football. At least, the Association Football that we recognise as football today. Though the Scots did play a massive part in football as we know it, and they pretty much invented (or, at least, made it a part of the game) heading the ball. I believe the English thought it 'ungentlemanly' or something like that.

[Powderfinger]

Good for you. I hope the fans in Oz thoroughly enjoyed watching their team the three times they've qualified for the World Cup.




Yeah, you poms only once won it! Why? Because it was played in England...with bias refs! :D

[Upton]

The team Dempsey is sitting out to avoid playing for won 5-0 today and the one he desperately wants to get sent to opened the season with a 3-0 loss

[honeykid]

True, but then he gets to play for Liverpool, rather than Fulham. Now, I'm a United fan, so I've got no love for the Scousers, but as a footballer, it doesn't get much better than playing for Liverpool and the places that are better he's probably not going to get a chance to play for.

I did enjoy MotD last night, though. :D Nice to see Suarez continuing to showcase his amazing ability to miss easy chances.

[Brodinski]

At least we didn't completely bottle our first game, ey HK.

I have a total meh-feeling about Van Persie. Could have seen it coming a mile away and we still caught some good money for him.

Giroud is class and Cazorla is good. Podolski is utter rubbish in my eyes, but I hope he proves me wrong. With these additions, we remain a solid top 4 team, but our days of battling it out for the title are long gone. I have no problem admitting that. Chelsea and Man City duke it out for the title this year.

I have a feeling Chelsea will win the league this year. That little Belgian they bought is quite the class.

[Golgot]

Twitter is an evil godsend with deadline approaching. Moutinho to Spurs (https://twitter.com/#!/search/moutinho%20spurs) anyone? :D

Still pretty amazed we nabbed Dembele for the bare release clause. Def worth the 15mil :)

[honeykid]

Beyond the world of FM, I don't know a great deal about Moutinho, but if he's half that player, he'll be a good assist for Spurs. That said, Villas-Boas says it's "an impossible deal for the club"

What about Willian, Golgot? Do you see him making the move?

For anyone who's not seen the CL draw, well, here it is.


Group A: Porto, Dynamo Kiev, Paris Saint-Germain, Dinamo Zagreb

Group B: Arsenal, Schalke, Olympiakos, Montpellier

Group C: AC Milan, Zenit St Petersburg, Anderlecht, Malaga

Group D: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund

Group E: Chelsea, Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, Nordsjaelland

Group F: Bayern Munich, Valencia, Lille, BATE Borisov

Group G: Barcelona, Benfica, Spartak Moscow, Celtic

Group H: Manchester United, Braga, Galatasaray, Cluj

I have to be honest and say I can't wait to see City's group play out. United should manage to get out of that group. Hell, this group's even easier than last years.

[Golgot]

Beyond the world of FM, I don't know a great deal about Moutinho, but if he's half that player, he'll be a good assist for Spurs. That said, Villas-Boas says it's "an impossible deal for the club"

What about Willian, Golgot? Do you see him making the move?

I'm going mainly by youtube vids & articles to be honest - looks very much in the Mod-mode - not great assist or goal tallies, but sticky feet and sees passes long and short. Def understand ABV's eagerness to get him on that front. (And we've already seen the lack of 'glue' in midfield without Mod about).

Latest 'ITK' (http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/index.php?threads/update-438-hertyid-on-moutinho.90017/) over at SC is: "porto have dropped from buyout but still away from us. good chance we meet tomorrow. terms agreed otherwise."

Never know, but will have to be a club record if it happens.

Willian looks likely dead in the water according to chatter. Seems a bit identikit to some that we have to me - in terms of being pacey little tricksy lad. More intrigued by getting Lloris in between the sticks - although it seems Levy has now undercut the pre-agreed bid. There will be tears before bedtime on Fri, no doubt ;)

Would be kinda content if all these fell through, like last season, as we look like we've at least maintained top 6 contention with trades to date. Anything that pushes at keeping in the top 4, and playing sweet across the field, is all welcome tho :). An added 'mod figure' in the mix would make that midfield look pretty damn dangerous.

---

Any other juicy goss catching your eye? I am very Spurs-centric ;)

*EDIT*

Saw something semi-believable about Carroll going to West Ham, now I think about it. Seems like he's def not Rodgers cup of tea either way.

[Golgot]

Nyarg, lots of talk that Moutinho getting done. This is nail-biting. Latest is a seemingly well-placed journo (https://twitter.com/joao_ruela/status/241503109262745600) saying we've even got it down to €25 with add ons.

At that price might still leave room for getting another striker in too, which would be very welcome. According to ole red nose it'll be Berbs ;)

[honeykid]

Am I missing something, or is £3m and £90,000 a week getting Maicon on the cheap? What the hell is happening at QPR? Cesar? Granero? And now rumours of Mbia. I would dismiss it out of hand, but considering Hughes' last two signings that'd be silly.

Yet another Everton signing in the offing? Bryan Oviedo is supposed to be on his way. As he's a left back, I wonder whether Moyes is getting him in on the off-chance of a big money offer for Baines? BTW, can anyone remember the last time Everton brought in this many players in a transfer window?

Charlie Adams has gone to Stoke. Kieran Richardson has gone to Fulham. De Jong has gone to AC Milan with rumours that Bendtner might join him there. Scott Sinclair has gone to warm the bench at City. VdV has gone back to Hamburg. Hugo Lloris is on his way to Spurs and, according to the latest reports, so is Moutinho.

[Golgot]

QPR are like some kind of Super-Bolton (of the Okocha years) suddenly. All good news for the Prem.

What's weird with Everton is they were looking even more solid than usual with their standard bearers, if minus Cahill etc. Had to happen eventually tho no?

And yep, SSN 'understands' Moutinho done (http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11675/8037167/Spurs-agree-Moutinho-fee). Looks like Levy's having his 'Ardilles' moment finally, as some have put it :D

[Tacitus]

Poor little Mickey (http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/virals/120831/exclusive-photo-michael-owens-phone-transfer-deadline-day-179934) :p

[honeykid]

Dempsey to Villa?!?! Didn't see that one coming. Jay Spearing's gone to Bolton and Liverpool have made a loan offer for Sturridge. Fulham now being linked with Michel Bastos.

[Golgot]

Weird on Dempsey. Guess he'd burnt his bridges at Fulham, had to go somewhere even if Pool move fell through?

(As for Sturridge, loan rather than 15m prob makes sense)

[Tacitus]

A bit too late in the day for Villa to be showing some ambition in the transfer market, I think. I feel for Dempsey a bit because I think he genuinely felt the move to Liverpool had happened.

He'd have suited a side trying for the UEFA spots. ;D

[honeykid]

The Dempsey thing isn't done yet, it seems. Still lots of talk about him and Liverpool and Stoke, among others.

Hugo Lloris seems to be confirmed. A €10m fee, rising to €15m.

Berba has gone to Fulham.

According to Eurosport, Victor Chandler has cut the odds of Michael Owen going to Liverpool from 66/1 to 4/1. Surely not.

A couple of unconfirmed SSN rumours. Yossi Benayoun might be wanted by Liverpool and Mountinho's deal is in trouble due to personal terms not being agreed. The fee is said to be agreed at £22m.

Ramirez to Southampton still seems to be a goer.

[Golgot]

What a day to be working flat out til 11.

I hear Demspey is coming to us now?!

[honeykid]

Yep, Dempsey went to Spurs. :eek: Benayoun ended up back at WHam. Essien went to Real. :eek: As well as Bryan Oviedo, Everton also picked up Matthew Kennedy from Kilmarnock. I have no idea who he is. Sorry, Matthew. :o

And, in addition to Berba and Richardson, Fulham brought in Ashkan Dejagah and Chris David. Both for undisclosed fees.

Richard "I''m homesick, I just can't handle it. I... Oooh, City" Wright turned up at City, along with Matija Nastasic and Javi Garcia. QPR still weren't finished and bought Stephane Mbia, with Barton going to the other way.

Gaston Ramirez did, indeed, end up at Southampton for £12m.

Spurs loaned Danny Rose to Sunderland for the season, while dos Santos has gone to Mallorca.

Pablo Hernandez came to the Swans from Valencia.

[Tacitus]

Saw a great quote the other day - 'Mark Hughes is building a good squad ... for the 07/08 season'

They could end up like the Wild Geese that was France a couple of World Cups ago or Hughes could be gone by Christmas, off to little self-help groups with Steve Bruce.

I wonder what Tony Fernandes thinks when he sees Brian Laudrup? Actually, I wonder what FSG think when they see Brian Laudrup? Nah, Brendon needs some time.

He also needed to sign a striker.

[Upton]

No idea how United haven't scored in the past ten minutes, but this is making my day

[honeykid]

How do you like them apples!!

[Upton]

Ha, that was amazing BUT ALSO TERRIBLE

[Brodinski]

Everyone knows Van Persie is among the best strikers in the world when he's fit. It's just, he isn't very often...

Cazorla is all kinds of class.

[honeykid]

This could be the first time I've ever said such a thing, but if United's defence was playing as well as Arsenal's, we wouldn't have lost a game yet. Hell, we may not have lost a goal. It just goes to show how a regular, fit and well drilled defence benefits a team.

Cazorla and Michu may well be the two best signings by the end of the season. I would include RVP, but he's bound to get injured and Carroll already has been. Should this be the case, I think it'll offer further evidence of how bad things are in La Liga for anyone not Barca or Real.

[Tacitus]

Overly reliant on van Persie, brittle at the back, injury problems - Man U are the new Arsenal! :D

On a side note, I wonder if Brendan has called Mickey yet? Bren's on the training ground, mobile in hand thinking "Should I?" Mickey's in the stable, mobile in pocket thinking "Will he?"

Of course, dastardly Tony Pulis might ruin the moment. The big meanie. :p

[Tacitus]

Oh yeah, thanks to F365 for bringing this to the world's attention:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqAy_U_px8o&feature=player_embedded

Don't think Chunky has commented yet. ;)

[honeykid]

^^That's just wrong. :D^^

Overly reliant on van Persie, brittle at the back, injury problems - Man U are the new Arsenal! :D
Don't. Though, to follow the thought through, Fergie's been 'blind' to our 'obvious' problems for the last couple of years. Sounds very Wenger, doesn't it? Lord help us. :D

[Tacitus]

Well, Fergie and Wenger seem almost friends these days. ;)

I guess that'll soon change if Les Goon mount a sustained title challenge though...

[honeykid]

Well that ain't going to happen. :D

[Tacitus]

Wanna bet? ;)

Nah, can't see it long term if I'm honest.

Well, Mickey has chosen Stoke. Don't worry Brendan, forget Del Piero, Emile Ivanhoe Heskey is fit and raring to go! ;D

[Brodinski]

There's talk of Fabregas moving to United. Mercenary cvnt if it's true.

[honeykid]

Don't worry, Brod, that's complete bollocks. I've not heard or read that, but I don't believe it for a second.

[Tacitus]

Sounds like paper talk - Top player talks about a slight frustration in not playing as much as he did when first arriving and, hey presto, he's 'linked' with Moneybags Club de jour.

I know it was only Southampton but Les Goon are starting to look pretty tasty without him and van Persie, must admit. I'm really liking that fluid front three with Carzola pulling the strings just behind and Arteta doing the deep playmaker thang.

In fact, I figured injury had robbed Arteta of his prime years before he arrived at the club but the less attacking role is suiting him down to the ground. ;)

Berbatov looks a genius signing for Big Marty at Fulham and the perfect club for the player himself - He'll get to enjoy his early 30s with the attack built around him instead of being in and out of sides with loftier ambitions.

[Masterman]

Sounds like paper talk - Top player talks about a slight frustration in not playing as much as he did when first arriving and, hey presto, he's 'linked' with Moneybags Club de jour.

I know it was only Southampton but Les Goon are starting to look pretty tasty without him and van Persie, must admit. I'm really liking that fluid front three with Carzola pulling the strings just behind and Arteta doing the deep playmaker thang.

In fact, I figured injury had robbed Arteta of his prime years before he arrived at the club but the less attacking role is suiting him down to the ground. ;)

Berbatov looks a genius signing for Big Marty at Fulham and the perfect club for the player himself - He'll get to enjoy his early 30s with the attack built around him instead of being in and out of sides with loftier ambitions.

I think Arsenal will do just fine without Van Persie. Cazola and Poldoski are looking rather sharp, just placed them in my fantasy league.

Liverpool are the team I see struggling this season. Out of the two merseyside clubs, I see everton as the stronger team.

[honeykid]

Ronaldo to appear on Celebrity Fit Club

Football legend Ronaldo is to appear on a Brazilian version of Celebrity Fit Club in a bid to get back into shape.

The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan striker has ballooned in size since retiring last year but will appear in the "Medid Certa" section of the "Fantástico" television show to try and get back into shape.

Ronaldo has already started filming with the programme's presenters and he will be followed for three months with the first episode being broadcast in Brazil this weekend.

Ronaldo said he agreed to deal with his weight issue on television as the extra pressure would keep him motivated.

"I'm enjoying participating in the program, because it is an incentive for me to lose weight," he told iG Gente.

"Maybe if I didn't have the pressure of everybody watching me trying to lose weight then I wouldn't be able to do it.

Marcio Atalla, who has been tasked with whipping Ronaldo into shape, said that former superstar's case would be an important lesson to viewers.

"The idea of choosing Ronaldo came mainly because we wanted to show that people cannot stand still," he said.

"You may have had a physically active job but if you stop and adopt a new lifestyle then your body will feel it and react to it.The exercises that keep you in shape need to be part of your routine forever."

In the first episode of the show the presenters do a complete evaluation of Ronaldo through blood tests, body measurements, electrocardiography, an exercise test and measuring the percentage of fat and muscle in the body of the former star.

"All I can say is that I will work hard, be persistent and not give up until I reach my recommended weight," said the three time FIFA World Footballer of the Year.

"I want people to be inspired by me."
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/ronaldo-appear-celebrity-fit-club-133259053.html

[Brodinski]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/ronaldo-appear-celebrity-fit-club-133259053.html

He wants people to be inspired by him by losing weight? They were inspired by his unstoppable rushes and amazing goals. Must be one of the all time greatest forwards.

[honeykid]

Couldn't agree more. The first and, arguably, still the best 'modern' forward.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA8JjzYMQOA

[Powderfinger]

Couldn't agree more. The first and, arguably, still the best 'modern' forward.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA8JjzYMQOA

I realized that you're a United fan..yeah, whatever....but brondinki was talking about Rondaldo....do a you tube you clip on that, instead of bloody United..Jesus..Poms!:D

[honeykid]

That's Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick against United at Old Trafford. A game in which the United fans gave him a standing ovation when he was subbed, even though he'd scored a hat-trick and stopped us reaching the Semi-Finals of the Champion's League. I posted that clip because that's how good he was.

I've posted clips of Ronaldo before, but if that's what you want, I'm more than happy to oblige

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2NHqSXftzU

[honeykid]

Footballer fined €100,000 for drinking can of beer

Croatia champions Dinamo Zagreb have ordered defender Domagoj Vida to pay a 100,000 euro (£79,717) fine for opening a can of beer on the club's bus en route to a game.

"It was the most expensive beer Vida has ever had," the Jutarnji List newspaper joked.

Coach Ante Cacic immediately ordered Vida, 23, to leave the bus, which left on Monday for a cup game against lower flight side NK Vrsar later on Tuesday.

"The Dinamo management has decided to punish Vida, a Croatia international with 14 caps, with a financial penalty of 100,000 euros for his behaviour," the club, which have won the last seven Croatian championships, said on their website.

In August, Brazilian-born Dinamo midfielder Sammir was fined 270,000 euros for partying in a Zagreb night club on the eve of a Champions League qualifying match against Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol.

The average monthly salary in Croatia is around 750 euros.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/footballer-fined-100-000-drinking-beer-144747329.html;_ylt=AiK0A5tEWeMtQUndPNLvlJcytuV_;_ylu=X3oDMTRndXBiOWxvBG1pdANHZW5lcmFsIFNwb3J0IEJsb2 cgcG9zdHMEcGtnAzgwM2VkNmQ0LTY0ZjQtM2Y4YS1iNGM1LTA5NmQxZGUxM2UzZQRwb3MDMQRzZWMDTWVkaWFCTGlzdE1peGVkTF BDQVRlbXAEdmVyA2ZiNjIyNGYwLTA3MWYtMTFlMi1iZTJiLTE2YmZiMWUxMWEwOA--;_ylg=X3oDMTM0bTU3OWVwBGludGwDZ2IEbGFuZwNlbi1nYgRwc3RhaWQDZGMxYmVmZTMtNWIwNy0zOTQ1LWE2YjMtYTJjMmNmY2 VhNTE5BHBzdGNhdANob21lfHdvcmxkb2ZzcG9ydARwdANzdG9yeXBhZ2U-;_ylv=3


Football team demands players take polygraph

Players and coaches at Bulgarian first division club Lokomotiv Plovdiv have been told to take lie detector tests after their surprise 1-0 loss to basement side Botev Vratsa on Saturday stoked concerns about match-fixing.

Lokomotiv, Bulgarian champions in 2004, suffered their first loss of the season to lowly Botev Vratsa, who had been bottom of the table after a run of five consecutive defeats.

Lokomotiv's owner Veselin Mareshki told local media on Tuesday he had to be sure there were no other factors behind the team's loss.

"Nobody is insured against defeats but this loss is very strange," Mareshki said.

"The fair play principle is the most important thing for me and all players and coaches will take lie detector tests."

Earlier this month, the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) said a prosecutor has opened an investigation into claims of match-fixing in four domestic games this season.

Spartak Pleven's junior team have been expelled from the domestic U-19's championship for match-fixing even before the results of the investigation have been announced.

Most games in the Balkan country's junior championship are included on bookmakers' betting coupons.

Media reports have claimed match-fixing and corruption have been rife in Bulgaria for years, but no one has been brought to trial with the European Commission criticising the authorities for doing little to fight the problem.

Reuters
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/football-team-demands-players-polygraph-102701012.html

And Vidic is injured... Again. :(

[Exist]

How 'bout them COWBOYS! :D

[Exist]

They've been trying to make football (soccer) more popular here in the states, several cable channels and even mjr networks have begun showing it more and more. I followed the South Africa fifa some on the bbc world service, it comes on in the middle of the night here on plb rdio.

The States have been vigorously and successfully advertizing Gridiron football forever now. I'm a drone, and I love it. How 'bout them cowboys?

[ManOf1000Faces]

Does anyone know about what happened between the Seattle Seahawks & Green Bay Packers???

I'm a big Seattle Fan.

[Exist]

Does anyone know about what happened between the Seattle Seahawks & Green Bay Packers???

I'm a big Seattle Fan.

seattle won against green bay, but by the skin of their teeth, same as against the cowboys last week. but this is a soccer thread. we are being 'load and crass' - In Bruges

[Powderfinger]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0aBiTnUqW8

[honeykid]

For the most part, I couldn't agree with him more. Like many, I've been saying it for years. This is 5 years after that and things are only now starting to turn. They're still not looking anywhere near as far down the road as they should, but things may get a little better. Of course, as the results won't be seen for a (footballing) generation or so, the chances are 'they' will lose patience and change things before it's had time to come to fruition. :(

[Powderfinger]

Craig Johnston was out best export in the late 70's and 80's and paved the way for a lot other Aussie footballers players.

Getting back to the subject about Pommy kids not practising! They have video games, bieber, the other boy band. I had Midnight Oil...lol! I practised all the time, though I never had the skill to be a top League player. In Brazil and so forth...what to they have? talent and so much more! I reckon African sides in 30 years will take over. Lets have a bet? lol! ;)

[Tacitus]

Damn! Whatever happened to Craig Johnston's magnificent perm?

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/greenspagbol/88_1Lg.jpg

The amount of hair care products in the Liverpool dressing room at that time must have been staggering. ;)

[honeykid]

Premier League - Premier League secures huge US TV deal

NBC Universal has won the US broadcast rights to England's Premier League for the next two seasons, beating current rights holders Fox.

The deal raises major questions over the future of Fox’s football coverage on Fox Soccer Channel, which has now lost rights to North America's Major League, Italy's Serie A and its flagship English league but retains rights to UEFA's Champions League.

The Premier League statement did not give financial details of the deal but Sports Business Daily cited sources saying NBC's bid equates to more than triple the $23 million (£14.3 million) per year Fox is reportedly paying.

ESPN, who sub-licence games from Fox, will also be without the Premier League after making a strong effort to promote Saturday morning games on their network.

The Premier League has grown in popularity in recent years with viewing figures rising significantly.

Last season a tape-delayed broadcast of Chelsea v Liverpool in November drew a US record 1.7 million total viewers on Fox's free-to-air channel.

Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBC Sports Group, said that by using multiple channels the Premier League would get unprecedented exposure in the US.

"The Premier League is the pre-eminent football league in the world and is on the cusp of exponential popularity growth here in the US," Lazarus said.

"NBCU will provide the broadest programming and promotional commitment that the league has ever experienced here in the US. The Premier League provides NBCU with best-in-class content for 10 months of the year across our far-reaching broadcast, cable and digital platforms. This is a perfect match."

The Premier League said that NBC, NBC Sports Network and NBC online will all be used to present live Premier League coverage, as well as Telemundo and mun2 channels for Spanish-language coverage.

The channels that will be used have a combined reach of 95 per cent of the US viewing public each month, the league said.

"The NBC Sports Group has an excellent track record in sports broadcasting and will showcase the Premier League to fans across the US through its extensive network of channels and high-quality production," said Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore.

Premier League teams have taken advantage of their growing profile in the US, with many of them holding pre-season friendlies there which have drawn large crowds.

The deal is the latest major change in the football television market in the US coming after Al-Jazeera-owned BeIN Sport grabbed the rights to Italy's Serie A and Spain's La Liga from Fox and Gol TV.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-premier-league-bags-huge-us-tv-deal-000222260.html

[Golgot]

Woo, a fun Spurs performance :). It's been a few games. (And by fun I include the comedy own goal ;)). Good to see the midfield looking dangerous again.

And of course, AVB's goal reactions...

http://images.4chan.org/sp/src/1352410971691.gif

[honeykid]

Who played in midfield? I didn't think there was anyone left there who could produce.

BTW, well done Celtic. :up:

[Golgot]

We had Hudd & young Tom Carroll through the middle. He looks like he 'weighs more wet' as Tyldesley put it (or summat similar), but he gets his head up & passes well for a young'un. This is his second year of getting Euro-outings I think. Hudd was on fine form too - distributing at his best without losing it too much or getting out of position - sat very deep as a rule and just picked out wingers or acted as pivot.

Luckily Maribor didn't mount much of a threat through middle. Think we knackered em. Bale was doing his engage-sixth-gear-at-all-times thing and we were pinging it well in general. Fun watching :)

[honeykid]

Ah. I read that morning that Huddlestone was injured.

Do you feel confident for the weekend? We've got Villa, so I'm, about, as confident as I allow myself to get before a match. However, we've already been beaten by your lot at Old Trafford, so all bets are off.

[Golgot]

Ach we spawned that win a bit with the early goal. You should roll villa over.

I think we're gonna be knackered for Sh*tty. Could really do with Dembele back. And for Sig stopping looking so flipping overawed. Draw would be fine by me.

[honeykid]

Yes, you got lucky, but your first half display meant that you deserved it. We normally beat Villa but, as I said, we normally beat Spurs.

I've said elsewhere that I think City will take Spurs apart and end a couple of goals up, at least. Of course, if you do get Dembele back, that would help immensely. I do wish Fergie would just trust his instinct, rather than let Spurs roadtest our players for a couple of seasons, before we pay £10m-£15m over the odds for them. :D Especially when we could really do with them now. :frustrated:

I'll be more than happy for Spurs to get the draw. The thought of Yaya dominating, whatever midfield Spurs cobble together for the game, is the main reason I doubt it. Well, that and William Gallas. Seriously, how many midfielders are you missing? Maybe United and Spurs could swap medical staff for a while? We'll get your midfielders fit and you do the same with our defenders. The way we're going, we'll have to have 12 first team defenders on the books, just to be confident of putting a decent back four out.

On Yaya, though. While it's a shame it's with City, it's been a pleasure to watch the Olympiacos/Monaco Yaya, the box to box midfield dynamo who could do it all, back in his pomp and not the defensive midfield, sit there and give it to the quick, little players of his Barca days. OK, that might be oversimplifying it a bit, but that's certainly how it feels.

[Golgot]

Sandro is tweeting he should be fit, so that'll help add some steel. Not sure what kinda balance we're gonna get in there tho.

[Tacitus]

Did Redknapp not pick Sandro because he figured some absent-minded Spurs admin worker had registered his wife as a player after those remarks he made about Darren Bent?

Maybe David Bentley's nickname is Rosie? Actually, it's probably 'Ivan' these days - These footballers and their top bantz. :p

[Daniel M]

This is from last year, but I think you guys will like it :D

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/61616_494164790618268_592420426_n.jpg

[honeykid]

Looking forward to AFC Wimbledon v MK Dons. 10 years in the making. :)

[Brodinski]

Di Matteo got the chop quickly. It's pretty nuts knowing that he stayed on longer than both Scolari and Villas Boas.

Sir Alex got a statue in Manchester the same week. They ought to have made one much, much bigger. I'm no Man U fan, but the man has pretty much had an unprecedented run. To have accomplished what he accomplished at the same team, year in year out. I was always amazed at how players got the boot instead of him. At other clubs, manager gets the boot after the dressing room starts revolting a bit. At Man U, it's the opposite. Stam, Van Nistelrooy, Keane Beckham, Heinze, Yorke (I think) all had some form of dispute with him and no matter their stature in the club, they got sold off.

Amazing *****.

[gandalf26]

Di Matteo got the chop quickly. It's pretty nuts knowing that he stayed on longer than both Scolari and Villas Boas.

Sir Alex got a statue in Manchester the same week. They ought to have made one much, much bigger. I'm no Man U fan, but the man has pretty much had an unprecedented run. To have accomplished what he accomplished at the same team, year in year out. I was always amazed at how players got the boot instead of him. At other clubs, manager gets the boot after the dressing room starts revolting a bit. At Man U, it's the opposite. Stam, Van Nistelrooy, Keane Beckham, Heinze, Yorke (I think) all had some form of dispute with him and no matter their stature in the club, they got sold off.

Amazing *****.

Yeah Abramovich is his own worst enemy, he had the best in the business, Jose Mourinho and he got rid. He's having pipe dreams of bringing in Guardiola next season but if I was Guardiola I would stay well clear of the nuthouse that is Chelsea FC.

Other club Chairman should take note of Sir Alex Ferguson and realise that if you want to build a dynasty you have to bring in the right man long term, even giving him complete power over petulant, overrated, overpaid primadonna players.

You can see the craziness in newly promoted clubs, the Chairman gets hypnotized by the sudden influx of £90 million TV revenue for playing in Premier League and far too quickly, far too often they just get rid of the Manager no matter what they have accomplished in seasons past.

Basically all Football is a Pyramid scheme at the moment. The top clubs have a near total Monopoly on the game. Especially in leagues like Spain where it's basically 2 clubs competing for everything whilst the rest struggle with debt, even failing to pay players. If you are a mid/low table team and your star player stands out one season, he will obv want to move to a bigger club where there is more prestige, chance of winning, playing in Europe and most importantly MORE MONEY. The career of a pro football player is short and naturally they want to maximise their earnings over this short career so they move to the bigger club. So basically the entire Game serves as a feeder system into the hands of the top 4-6 clubs in each country. Unless you are lucky and some immensly rich Oil Baron comes and buys your club.

[Upton]

Theo Walcott's third goal today was such an absurd combination of skill on one side and incompetence on the other.

Alan Pardew looked so sad.

[honeykid]

Yes, it was a ridiculous goal. It was a lovely chip for the finish, though.

I think United are the perfect example of the Premier League this season. Masses of goals and can't defend for toffee. Of course, I say that after one of the, few, games of the season that we've kept a clean sheet. :D

[Powderfinger]

Who cares of Football? Honestly! Okay most nations play it, though most nations believe in some sought God right...honeykid? :D

[honeykid]

Weren't you banned again?

[Powderfinger]

Weren't you banned again?

Sulky Poms..:D

[Loner]

Hey y'all across the big pond! Have you seen this ad?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfrGaTV217g

Could someone interpret it, as Cousin Avi says, to English?

[Powderfinger]

I was writing about that ad 4 to 6 weeks ago.

[honeykid]

It has it's own translations. :D Not sure about Git, though. That's a particularly difficult word to nail down a definition.

BTW, back to 7 points. Keep going, lads.

[Brodinski]

Arsenal is all kinds of ***** this season.

[Tacitus]

Don't know if they're going to bother booking the open top bus to parade the 4th Place Trophy through Islington this season. ;)

Saying that, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they end up 3rd again. They didn't have a brilliant transfer window but at least they've got the Nacho Man in to solve the left back problem. The side look shot of confidence though and surely that's where the manager steps in?

Poor old Peter Odemwingie, eh? I saw some wag writing that the whole episode reminded them of Alan Partridge driving to Scotland in his bare feet eating Toblerones. ;D

[shlomi]

Nacho look very a like to gery neville.

[Brodinski]

Don't know if they're going to bother booking the open top bus to parade the 4th Place Trophy through Islington this season. ;)

Saying that, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they end up 3rd again. They didn't have a brilliant transfer window but at least they've got the Nacho Man in to solve the left back problem. The side look shot of confidence though and surely that's where the manager steps in?

Poor old Peter Odemwingie, eh? I saw some wag writing that the whole episode reminded them of Alan Partridge driving to Scotland in his bare feet eating Toblerones. ;D

Nacho of Montreal looks a good signing, but then there's still our forward trouble. Villa would of solved that.

[Tacitus]

I think there's enough quality (when everyone's fit and in form) there already not to need a 31 year old coming back from a bad injury playing in a country for the first time.

Villa's in a funny position, I think. Still too young to be chasing paycheques in Russia, Abu Dhabi and Loftus Road but how many top European sides would he walk into? Personally, I'd love him to sign for The Villa.

Then buy them. :D

[honeykid]

Am I the only one who thought/knew that there was no chance of Villa moving anywhere this transfer window, let alone Arsenal? God, I really have learned to loathe the January transfer window.

I'm not one for stats, well, not overly anyway, however, one did catch my eye this weekend. Stoke had 53% of possession against Arsenal... At Arsenal. Let that one sink in. :D I'd have loved Stoke to've won, just to hear the excuse Wenger came up with.

9 points clear. That's as good as I could hope for this weekend, as I still, after all these years, can't hope for a Liverpool win. :D Even against City. So the draw was what I was hoping for.

Lastly, get some help Gazza and good luck to ya. :up:

[ManOf1000Faces]

GO BALTIMORE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://news.bangthebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/12p-8025-baltimore-ravens.jpg

[Miss Vicky]

GO BALTIMORE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Wrong kind of football.

Not that I care at all about either kind, but this thread is for what we Americans call "soccer" and the rest of the world calls "football."

[ManOf1000Faces]

It says Football. I'm sorry I got lost in the moment.

[Tacitus]

Am I the only one who thought/knew that there was no chance of Villa moving anywhere this transfer window, let alone Arsenal? God, I really have learned to loathe the January transfer window.

I doubt if anyone even made a serious enquiry about him. If QPR haven't bankrupted Tony Fernandes next season and by some miracle they stay up he's the sort of marquee signing you could see happening. They've already got one player on 100k a week (Lord help us) with a ground who's capacity is much the same as Windsor Park.

Just shows how important the Sky money is to smaller clubs when they can gamble like that on staying up and getting a full slice of the pie.

[Brodinski]

I think there's enough quality (when everyone's fit and in form) there already not to need a 31 year old coming back from a bad injury playing in a country for the first time.

Villa's in a funny position, I think. Still too young to be chasing paycheques in Russia, Abu Dhabi and Loftus Road but how many top European sides would he walk into? Personally, I'd love him to sign for The Villa.

Then buy them. :D

Hehe.

To be honest, I think Villa's a natural born striker. Great finisher, fleet of foot, reads the play well, draws defenders towards him and aids his fellow players. There's talk of him moving to Arsenal during the summer for about 14 million. I think that'd be fantastic.

But leave it to Wenger to buy some 16-year-old for a fourth of that price.

[ManOf1000Faces]

Villa, A great player but I like Wenger more. I may be American but I do like European Sports.

[gandalf26]

Anyone watch United vs Real Madrid?

Cracking result for United with that all important away goal.

Bring on the second leg!

[honeykid]

This is fantastic.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/02/12/who-said-it-rodgers-brent_n_2667551.html

Good result for United. Not the best, but I'd have taken it before the match, so I've no complaints.

I know everyone's said it, but Ronaldo's goal and De Gea's save from Coentrao?!?! Bloody hell. Still not expecting United to go through, but we have a chance and we're at home. Knowing United, we'll draw 2-2 and go out on away goals like Bayer Leverkusen in 2002. Didn't lose a game that season. It still galls me. :D As I tell Arsenal fans banging on about their unbeaten season, it';s winning the title at the end of it that matters, not that you went unbeaten. That's merely a statistical quirk. Had they been unbeaten and finished second or third that year, they'd be a pub quiz question.

Good result tonight. As with any knockout competition, all that matters is going through. Now let's see if Chelsea can do their bit.

[Tacitus]

This is fantastic.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/02/12/who-said-it-rodgers-brent_n_2667551.html

Heh, I was thinking of posting that earlier. Good old Mediawatch. ;) I'm embarrassed that the guy's a fellow Ulsterman. Bryan 'Mike from The Young Ones' Hamilton was a better manager.

What odds for a Man U treble now?

[honeykid]

High. There's a reason it happens so rarely. The league does look good, though if City decide to turn up every game till the end of the season it might get interesting. It would seem that we'll get Chelsea in the next round, but there's still City and, probably, Everton if we get to the semi's and, as for the CL, I just can't see us getting to the final, let alone winning it. Of course, I'd have said the same about Chelsea last year, but realistically, even if we make it past Real, assuming the big hitters win their ties, there's still going to be Barca, Juventus, who are a really good team and Bayern Munich who are stolling the Bundesliga even more easily than we are the Premier League. Throw in a wonderful Dortmund team, a Galatasaray which now has Drogba and Sneijder (Didn't he play for Inter in the CL this season? I'm sure he did, so why isn't he cup-tied) and, possibly, a Malaga team that doesn't appear to know that it's Malaga. I've not even mentioned the FM experiment that is PSG.

[Brodinski]

******* Blackburn...

[gandalf26]

Wenger not too happy at the pre Bayern press conference.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21499782

I think he gets a bit of a hard time for not winning trophies the last few years. I mean how can you possibly break the dominance of Chelsea's Oil Baron Billions, Man City's Oil Billions and Man Utd resources? He has to do the best he can with what he's got and he consistently gets Arsenal into 4th which is about as good as can be expected atm.

I think he's right that he deserves a little more respect.

[honeykid]

He'll look even less happy now. :D

I agree with you about Wenger and what he's expected to do, though. The only way they can get 3rd is if Chelsea have a massive meltdown, well, more than one massive meltdown per season, so that's 4th place, at best.

[Tacitus]

I think the real problem Wenger will have is if they don't finish 4th, especially if they lose out to Spurs.

I love the guy and think he's second only to Ferguson in the modern British era. He changed a club from top to bottom into a title winning outfit and has perpetually kept them within touching distance of the SuperClubs, which is more than, say, Kendall-era Everton did.

His big problem, as I see it, is the press reporting massive amounts of money to spend which never seems to get spent. Either Wenger just isn't spending the money or Arsenal don't actually have it to spend. I'd be inclined to believe the latter even though Wenger is possibly the most stubborn human being since the dawn of time.

Saying that, I do think it's time for the board to start considering moving him upstairs but who on earth would do a better job with the resources at hand? A new manager will have a massive salary, a great stadium and facilities with a talented squad. Turning them into a serious title-challenging outfit once more would require a sugar daddy and someone of Jose's stature to attract the players.

[Brodinski]

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

Fond memories of this night. In his prime, Batistuta is up there with all time strikers.

[honeykid]

Yes, Batigol was a great striker. I would've loved him at Old Trafford.

[syj]

Anyone watching Real-Man U? Really entertaining for a scoreless game, so far. Vidic had a header off the crossbar, which was the best chance so far. Di Maria went off injured and was replaced by Kaka. Also, Rooney didn't start, which seemed odd.

This is my first time seeing Varane, the Real defender. Is he seriously only 19?? He's really, really solid back there.

[BlueLion]

Man United - sore losers. Why are they even complaining about the ref's decisions? That horrendous Nani tackle was a clear, obvious red.

[syj]

Man United - sore losers. Why are they even complaining about the ref's decisions? That horrendous Nani tackle was a clear, obvious red.

Yeah, that was a pretty ill-advised flying karate kick (is there any other version?). I would have liked to see how the match would have finished if it stayed 11 on 11 until the end though, because it was so tight.

[gandalf26]

AWFUL decision by the ref! Basically handed the tie to Madrid on a plate. There should be a certain leeway in a HUGE game like that.

Man Utd went from being in control and comfortable to totally under the cosch in a minute.

Really dissapointed.

[honeykid]

Gutted, but only in the with the decision. In the Premier League, that'd almost always be a yellow card and, while I think that would've been the right decision, if it can be yellow, then it can be red, as it's all upto the referee. It's a shame, though, because, and say it quietly, things were looking pretty good until that point. Obviously there was still a long time to play and you knew Real were going to step it up from the moment we scored, but still. at the time of the sending off, extra time looked as bad as it'd get in the 90 minutes and I'd have taken that before kick-off.

[the samoan lawyer]

shameful decision by the ref. It cost us the match. I think Madrid were always going to score but we definately had it in us to score more.
Also gutted about Roy Keane after the match, the man was my footballing idol.:mad:

[honeykid]

C'mon, TSL. He has an opinion and he's paid to present it. At least he does so with knowledge and logic, unlike... Well, pretty much every other pundit on British (terrestrial) tv when it comes to football. Honestly, how does anyone except Roy Keane justify their pay? I'm not even saying he's good, but he has his own opinions and if they don't match other peoples, he can and does argue the point.

[gandalf26]

I'm still totally pissed off about it 24 hours later.

Stupid ****ing ref. Why was a 2nd rate ref from Turkey refereeing that huge game, huge game should have highest ranked ref.

Wait a go ref you spoiled a game that everyone had been waiting weeks/months for including me.

If Real Madrid turn up and totally outplay Man Utd and win 3-0 I'm fine with that, albeit disappointed but when a ref makes a TERRIBAD call like that it's just shocking.

MOTHER****ING ****!:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

[the samoan lawyer]

C'mon, TSL. He has an opinion and he's paid to present it. At least he does so with knowledge and logic, unlike... Well, pretty much every other pundit on British (terrestrial) tv when it comes to football. Honestly, how does anyone except Roy Keane justify their pay? I'm not even saying he's good, but he has his own opinions and if they don't match other peoples, he can and does argue the point.

I dont rate Roy Keane as a great pundit at all, he's as good a pundit as he is a manager. Dont get my wrong he's good craic to watch but for me, thats all. I dont really respect his opinion much anymore as i feel to tries too hard to be controversial and unbias towards utd. An exact opposite to Gary Neville who in my opinion is pretty much the ultimate professional in everything he does. Although i do admit i love when Keano and Southgate are together after Keano executed the most blatant stamp on him. Remember that?

[honeykid]

Oh, yes. One of the many Keane incidents. :D Never as good as this bloke, though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRDzXV7IgiI

Legend. :):up:

Neville is the king of punditry. As I implied, I think the whole terrestrial industry needs an overhaul. Chuck 'em all out or, alternatively, make them earn their money. Hanson, reportedly, gets £40,000 an episode for MotD, so you can bet Shearer's on similar. Does that look like £80,000 worth of info on a Saturday?

Lastly, c'mon, Keane's a much better pundit than he was a manager. ;)

[the samoan lawyer]

Oh, yes. One of the many Keane incidents. :D Never as good as this bloke, though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRDzXV7IgiI

Legend. :):up:

Neville is the king of punditry. As I implied, I think the whole terrestrial industry needs an overhaul. Chuck 'em all out or, alternatively, make them earn their money. Hanson, reportedly, gets £40,000 an episode for MotD, so you can bet Shearer's on similar. Does that look like £80,000 worth of info on a Saturday?

Lastly, c'mon, Keane's a much better pundit than he was a manager. ;)


my work computer wont let me see, who is it? at a guess is it big Eric?
agree about terrestrial, its pretty awful.
still not convinced on Keane at all. As said before, my footballing idol but he thats as far as it goes. Maybe he could go back to Cobh Ramblers.

[BlueLion]

So Chelsea lose again, surprise surprise. I remember when the club released a statement on the official website in late November after Di Matteo's sacking, stating "this decision was taken so that the club will continue to move in the right direction", or something along those lines. Right direction my arse.

Rafael Benitez is a very poor manager, he has lived off his Champions League success from 2005 for far too long now. Hiring him was probably the worst decision that Abramovich has ever made as Chelsea owner.

[Golgot]

Yeah you shoulda got AVB back ;)

(Soz, drunk and enjoying Spurs' current run :D)

[honeykid]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgOQkXUoxOw
http://www.thenewstribe.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/English-league-title-1.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/08/article-2304058-192E6C5B000005DC-829_634x358.jpg

[jiraffejustin]

I really hate Man U. Like a lot. Almost as much as I hate Luis Suarez.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1421231/fa-charges-liverpool's-luis-suarez-with-violent-conduct?cc=5901

[christine]

oh dear Suarez....

(lol)

[Daniel M]

I support Liverpool and Cardiff. The first because my family do and was brought up that way, I'm 18 now but when I was around 11 I realised that because of where I live (in West Wales) I was never gonna really be able to watch Liverpool actually play unless I ended up moving there, and decided to off my own back support Cardiff and actually go to their games, of course they've recently got promoted so it'll be great/weird seeing them in the same league. I would say I support Cardiff more (I'm gonna try go to all their home games next year as I am going to Uni there), but I couldn't just abandon Liverpool especially after nights such as Istanbul.

Anyway, Suarez. Yes what he did was more stupidity and there's no excuses, but 10 games? Seriously the FA is an absolute joke. So apparently it's worse than racism and to a lesser extent also things like head butting, breaking legs (Roy Keane) etc. I understand it's a repeat offense but it's still too excessive in my opinion and has been blown out of proportion.

Gary Neville speaks sense: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC7Q-rR-l4Y

[christine]

I'm not bothered how many games he's banned for as long as he misses the derby!
That is a dirty animal thing he did tho. If you bit a work colleague you'd get instant dismissal.
However I do agree about the FA, they're a joke

[BlueLion]

The 10 match ban is a result of numerous serious infractions in the past that he just hasn't learnt from, you should never compare ban lengths for different offences and form an opinion on that.

Terrific news, by the way.

[BlueLion]

On another note, it's great seeing Barcelona's reign come to an end, and Spanish football in general getting dominated. Bayern are undoubtedly the best in Europe this year, and Dortmund were superb tonight. Lewandowski is a beast, always liked this guy.

[gandalf26]

I knew it would be a Bayern vs Dortmund final. Everyone going on about classico final. Well done the Bundesliga teams. Bayern having a supremely dominant season. Scored 134 goals, conceded 25. Amazing!

Superb goal from RVP to seal the league.

Luiz Suarez is a confirmed ****.

[Daniel M]

I'm not bothered how many games he's banned for as long as he misses the derby!
That is a dirty animal thing he did tho. If you bit a work colleague you'd get instant dismissal.
However I do agree about the FA, they're a joke

Yeh but this is a different environment, yes it's stupid and inexcusable but listen to the Neville video he sums it up.

The 10 match ban is a result of numerous serious infractions in the past that he just hasn't learnt from, you should never compare ban lengths for different offences and form an opinion on that.

Terrific news, by the way.

He has learnt from his diving, hasn't dived in 2013 I honestly don't think. Yes okay with the biting but it was in a different country, but that's not my point anyway. The point is the FA have no balls, where is Rio Ferdinand's ban for assaulting Torres from behind? Where was Rooney's last season for his elbow last season? The length of bans and what they ban and do not make no sense at all.

On another note, it's great seeing Barcelona's reign come to an end, and Spanish football in general getting dominated. Bayern are undoubtedly the best in Europe this year, and Dortmund were superb tonight. Lewandowski is a beast, always liked this guy.

Yes it is, I think everyone loves Dortmund <3 And you ever play a game Football Manager? I don't play it anymore but a few years ago you could pick Lewandowski up for like £2 million from Lech Poznan and he would bang in the goals for fun so great to see him doing great in real life :)

I knew it would be a Bayern vs Dortmund final. Everyone going on about classico final. Well done the Bundesliga teams. Bayern having a supremely dominant season. Scored 134 goals, conceded 25. Amazing!


Yeh I was telling everyone it was gonna be an all German final, German football is at a high at the moment. Hopefully will be a brilliant final.

What team do you support by the way? EDIT: I can tell now, Man United

and Christine are you an Everton fan then?

Now I am more concerned about Cardiff and there first season in the Prem anyway :D Mark my words guys Kim Bo-Kyung will be class in next season!

[gandalf26]

Man Utd. I am a confirmed Glory supporter.

[Daniel M]

Man Utd. I am a confirmed Glory supporter.

Haha fair enough, well your location is Northwest England so I'll let you off ;)

To be honest I don't understand why my family (those interested in football) all support Liverpool, it's completely stupid and I didn't even realise Welsh teams existed until like I was 11, then I started supporting Cardiff as it made more sense. Like I said if it hadn't been for 2005 Istanbul and other great memories I would have probably stopped 'supporting' them.

All my friends support Swansea though (only since they got promoted, glory hunters), so constantly getting abuse of them but now that Cardiff are up it's a bit better :D

[BlueLion]

He has learnt from his diving, hasn't dived in 2013 I honestly don't think. Yes okay with the biting but it was in a different country, but that's not my point anyway. The point is the FA have no balls, where is Rio Ferdinand's ban for assaulting Torres from behind? Where was Rooney's last season for his elbow last season? The length of bans and what they ban and do not make no sense at all.

Ferdinand didn't get banned because he is a Man United player, obviously. FA = Fergie Association, but that doesn't mean that the Suarez ban isn't justified. He was banned for 7 games for doing the same thing in the past, but it's obvious he still hasn't learnt his lesson. Hence, a longer ban.

Yes it is, I think everyone loves Dortmund <3 And you ever play a game Football Manager? I don't play it anymore but a few years ago you could pick Lewandowski up for like £2 million from Lech Poznan and he would bang in the goals for fun so great to see him doing great in real life :)

Never played Football Manager, I do play Online Football Manager (OFM), though.

[Daniel M]

Ferdinand didn't get banned because he is a Man United player, obviously. FA = Fergie Association, but that doesn't mean that the Suarez ban isn't justified. He was banned for 7 games for doing the same thing in the past, but it's obvious he still hasn't learnt his lesson. Hence, a longer ban.



Never played Football Manager, I do play Online Football Manager (OFM), though.

I wouldn't be unhappy with the length of the ban if it was consistent with everything else the FA did, which it isn't. I don't know what the Dutch Football Association is like, but even then I think 7 games is a bit excessive. Okay biting is extremely strange and pretty disturbing, but when it comes down to physical injury there is a lot worse a player can do.

And fair enough, well I used to be addicted to Football Manager but since I got FM13 I have never played it and it just doesn't appeal to be any more, strangely, as I really was addicted to it :p

[honeykid]

Anyway, Suarez. Yes what he did was more stupidity and there's no excuses, but 10 games? Seriously the FA is an absolute joke. So apparently it's worse than racism and to a lesser extent also things like head butting, breaking legs (Roy Keane) etc. I understand it's a repeat offense but it's still too excessive in my opinion and has been blown out of proportion.
I don't think a 10 game ban is out of order at all. However, I can see an argument for him being unlucky, but only because it's the FA and, therefore, it's a lucky dip, dependent on the public mood, the national press, what they had to eat and whether or not they got laid in the previous 24 hours, among other random occurances. It could've been worse, he could've missed a test he took the next day and been banned for the rest of the season. That said, Rio could've been banned for upto 2 years (or was it 3 years?), so, you could argue that he was lucky, too. The truth is, you commit a 'crime' and you take the consequences. It could be said that the worse thing about the latest Suarez incident wasn't the bite, but that it was an action which didn't benefit himself nor his team in any way.

On another note, it's great seeing Barcelona's reign come to an end, and Spanish football in general getting dominated.
We'll see. Whilst there are signs that this may be happening, it wouldn't be the first time that people had decided that Barca were finished. They're going to be challenged over the coming seasons, not least because key players are coming to an end and will need to be replaced, Puyol and Xavi being the most important, IMO, and, considering Puyol's influence, he may be irreplaceable atm, even by the best defenders. Xavi, again, is irreplaceable, just in terms of talent and ability and there's also the possibility/probability of a new keeper and the ever present danger of Messi getting a serious injury/becoming injury prone again.

While I'm sure I understand what you mean by "Barcelona's reign",we should remember that United were in three finals between 2008-2011 and, if we jump ahead of ourselves and say Bayern are in the final, that'll make three finals since 2010, with Inter and Chelsea winning during that time. So, while it's fair to say that Barca have been the 'best' team and, certainly, the most feared during this time, to say they've reigned, might be pushing it a bit. They, like every other team since the Milan of 1989/90, didn't win the trophy in consecutive years.

As for Spannish football. Spanish football has been dominated for years, and will continue to be until the inevitable Mega Super Euro Champions League (or whatever they decide to call the breakaway european league) by Barca and Real, because that's where the majority of the tv money goes.

For those who don't know (and things may've changed as I think there's a new tv deal this season or next in Spain) Real and Barca get about €120m each, while Valencia and Athletico Madrid get around €42m each. The rest are nowhere to be seen, which is just one reason why Michu went to Swansea for a couple of million. It wasn't that he wasn't good enough for Spanish teams, it's that he wasn't wanted by the top 2, might not get the wages/first team at the next 2 and was well out of reach for the rest of the league. The Spanish league, as with the Spanish national team, is Real and Barca.

Okay biting is extremely strange and pretty disturbing, but when it comes down to physical injury there is a lot worse a player can do.
True, but intent is usually harder to prove. The Roy Keane incident was only admitted afterwards, in his book. Not at the time. You can say you mis-timed a tackle, almost regardless of how late it is and, therefore, prompt doubt to its intent. You can't do that with a bite.

And fair enough, well I used to be addicted to Football Manager but since I got FM13 I have never played it and it just doesn't appeal to be any more, strangely, as I really was addicted to it :p
I'm still playing FM10, despite buying last seasons version. 22 straight La Liga titles and the last six CL. There's no way I'm stopping this till I have to. :D

[Daniel M]

I'm still playing FM10, despite buying last seasons version. 22 straight La Liga titles and the last six CL. There's no way I'm stopping this till I have to. :D

Who's that with, Barca?

Last year on FM12 I had played like 18 seasons (I think) with Plymouth Argyle, had a stadium named after me, had won like 7 CLs and loads of other trophies (the league for like the last 8 years at least), but with FM13 I just really strangely stopped playing it, I've tried to play them again but just can't get myself to love it again :(

[honeykid]

No, it's with Real Madrid. 25 out of 27 league titles. 16 CL (and twice runners up), I think I've won 27 other cups. I've spent £1.6bn on player and sold just over £1bn, managed 6 nations (Uraguay twice) won the World Cup and the Confederations Cup (Spain and Brazil) earned £460m and have nearly racked up 10,000 days in charge.

I tried to play FM12 a few times but, whether it's because I have this game going, I had trouble settling into it. I've not even completed my first season on that game.

As for the real thing, do people think Lewandowski is coming to United? I'd heard it was a done deal with Bayern and, while I think that's more likely, the purchase of Mario Gotze for £31.5m makes me wonder whether Lewandowski might actually turn up at Old Trafford. Obviously Bayern could afford to buy both and buying the best players of their closest rivals is their MO, but these two, for such a large amount of money when they already have Mandžukić and Muller, as well as a very attacking midfield and, now, Gotze? I'm sure Dortmund would rather sell him to a club outside of Germany. I don't know. It sounds like it could actually happen.

[the samoan lawyer]

As for the real thing, do people think Lewandowski is coming to United? I'd heard it was a done deal with Bayern and, while I think that's more likely, the purchase of Mario Gotze for £31.5m makes me wonder whether Lewandowski might actually turn up at Old Trafford. Obviously Bayern could afford to buy both and buying the best players of their closest rivals is their MO, but these two, for such a large amount of money when they already have Mandžukić and Muller, as well as a very attacking midfield and, now, Gotze? I'm sure Dortmund would rather sell him to a club outside of Germany. I don't know. It sounds like it could actually happen.[/quote]

i would love to have Lewandowski at United. For some reason i cant see him coming though. Also, having my Mystic Meg head on i can vision him going to City and Dzeko going to Dortmund.
Question for me is..... Where will Rooney be next season?

Personally i think he'll still be at Old Trafford but its hard not to listen to speculation regarding PSG, Barca, Real etc

[gandalf26]

Man Utd do not need another striker. Van Persie, Welbeck, Rooney, Hernandez (Zaha on the way and Henriquez).Kagawa looking like a very good player in behind attack.

They do not need any defenders either. Vidic, Ferdinand (for at least another year), Jones, Evans all in central defence. Rafael and Smalling(good central defender too) on the right, and Evra (another year?), Fabio and Buttner on left.

Cental Midfield is the priority.

Carrick-Better than ever but getting on a bit.
Fletcher-World Class a few years ago but may never be same player due to injury.
Giggs-Still class but can only play 50% of games due to age. Man U can;'t rely on 39 yr olds.
Cleverly-Has shown signs of becoming very good player but not of the calibre Man have had before.
Scholes-Retired again
Powell-Superb potential, could become great in a few years.
Anderson-The enigma that really hasn't been good enough.

Really need that midfield passmaster that can tackle too.

The wings are strong with Valencia, Nani, Young but could use a strong addition like Bale if Tottenham fail to qualify for CL.

A superb Midfield player + strong winger/attacking mid could make Man U unstoppable next year.

Maybe Rooney could become that midfield dynamo?

[honeykid]

It's not really happening, is it?

[Tacitus]

He's not a Terminator, y'know, although a T1000 would have been even more formidable if it'd been equipped with The Hairdryer. "I want your boots and your bottle of vintage Red" Nah, doesn't have the same ring to it. ;)

Fergie's up there with Paisley and Clough, and arguably better than both, as the best manager of my lifetime. From a longevity viewpoint I sincerely doubt if we'll see close to his like again.

Maybe Man U heard about some hitch in Jose's negotiations with Chelsea and forced his hand? However this plays it'll be fascinating seeing who they choose - Jose's got the swingers for the job, for sure, but would he want to work without his Real and Chelsea budgets? OK, he'd still be able to spend big for (a certain number of) players and he's got a fine squad to work with but the debt is always in the background, needing to be serviced.

Moyes? I think his ship has sailed for a big job unless he wins a cup, although if the board are after the Angry/Scots template again there's only really him left unless Billy Davies proves us all wrong. It'd be interesting to see how Moyes would get on with a squad of proven winners though, but I dunno if the Man U board would take the chance.

EDIT - Moyes in pole position according to Sky. Well well...

They'll not have to pay Everton compensation, I suppose.

[Brodinski]

As much as I love Wenger and Del Bosque, Ferguson has to be the greatest manager of all time. To do what he did at one of the biggest clubs in football history for as long as he did, unparalleled.

[gandalf26]

The legend has gone!

The man has seen off dominant spells of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and now Man City.

Suppose it's the right time to go. Cue tribute programs to Ferguson for the next month.

Greatest manager of all time!

I would settle for Mourinho, hopefully he would bring Ronaldo back with him.

Really is gonna be strange without SAF in the Premier League next year.

[Brodinski]

I would settle for Mourinho, hopefully he would bring Ronaldo back with him.

Nah, **** Mourinho. You don't wanna be playing his kind of football, do you?

[syj]

Ah, as an Everton fan it would really hurt to lose Moyes, but he has looked ready to leave since mid-season. I would think that Man U would want stability for the long haul, and Moyes would be a good choice for that (Mourinho would not, obviously). The timing seems right, and I have little doubt that Moyes would succeed with the resources and players available to him at such a prominent club. Yes, he never won a trophy at Everton, but I still think his record speaks for itself. Losing him and possibly Fellaini this offseason will be tough, but that's the way it is. Hopefully Everton can unearth another Moyes somewhere.

[honeykid]

I went to bed waiting for someone to deny it, but it didn't happen.

I feel very lucky to've been a United supporter during, what will probably be, the most sustained period of success I could ever hope to enjoy. Thanks dad. :)

Moyes as his successor? It'll be interesting if nothing else. Personally I think I'd like a year or two break before trying to find someone to build a similar dynasty, maybe Jupp Heynckes or Mourinho, but if Fergie thinks Moyes is the man and the time is now, I'll go with that.

My favourite joke so far, Thatcher's dead and Fergie's retired. Somewhere there's a Scouser with a magic lamp and one wish left.

[Tacitus]

Ha! ;D

According to the BBC, Moyes (one minor trophy over a decade ago) is set to be named manager. Would Fergie have spoken so highly of him had he not been a fiery Scot? It's a conspiracy!

Lots of questions then - How will he handle a different calibre of player? How will he cope with his predecessor sitting in the director's box? How many days until Rooney hands in a transfer request? I don't think Wayne and his new boss are the best of friends any more. ;)

I like Moyes and he's done well at a club who's ambition is balancing the books at the end of a season but taking over arguably the biggest club in the world? Put it this way - I'd like to see him succeed purely because he's a home-grown manager but I think he'll have a very tough job.

Somewhere, alone in a corner, Alan Curbishley is quietly weeping into his dusty CV. If only, Alan, if only...

EDIT - Martinez is apparently odds-on to succeed Moyes at Everton so it looks like he'll be buying that house on Merseyside after all. I know it'll never happen but I'd love Mourinho to take over a club like Everton - Could he get results without a huge transfer kitty? He'd certainly galvanise the squad and make them difficult to beat but that's what a certain angry Celt has been doing for a decade.

[honeykid]

According to the BBC, Moyes (one minor trophy over a decade ago) is set to be named manager. Would Fergie have spoken so highly of him had he not been a fiery Scot? It's a conspiracy!
I do think that had, at least a part, in his decision. Apparently he is the annointed one. I like him, but I can think of 5 or 6 managers off the top of my head I'd rather see in the job. I fear Moyes will be given too much time and we'll fall further away. Here's hoping I'm just being my usual, pessimistic self. If we're scrambling for 4th place in 5 years I'm not going to be happy. Of course, once Fergie left, that's always been the fear, regardless of who came in.

Lots of questions then - How will he handle a different calibre of player? How will he cope with his predecessor sitting in the director's box? How many days until Rooney hands in a transfer request? I don't think Wayne and his new boss are the best of friends any more. ;)
Already heard rumours of Rooney to Bayern and there's been talk of him leaving this summer for months.

I like Moyes and he's done well at a club who's ambition is balancing the books at the end of a season but taking over arguably the biggest club in the world? Put it this way - I'd like to see him succeed purely because he's a home-grown manager but I think he'll have a very tough job.
Me too, and if it was any other big club than mine, I'd be excited to see what happened. :D Sadly, I think Fergie's shadow will be far too large for Moyes and he'll freeze in it.

EDIT - Martinez is apparently odds-on to succeed Moyes at Everton so it looks like he'll be buying that house on Merseyside after all.
That'd be a great move for him. It'll be good to see how he does at a bigger club

BTW, should it be Moyes, do you think his letting his contract run out this summer is merely a coincidence?

I heard someone tonight saying that Mourinho has missed his chance of managing United. While it's possible, I think the position will be open again before he retires and, when/if it is, I think he'll be the #1 choice.

[Tacitus]

I can remember people saying, when Everton had a rough patch earlier in the season, that Moyes would be better signing a new contract with The Toffees because he was spoiling his reputation. I couldn't see it myself because there were a number of clubs at that level who would love to have him - Just couldn't see him even strongly linked with a really big job unless Everton had cracked the top 4 or won a cup. Don't think the lack of compensation would have been much of a factor for Utd in deciding whether to have him or not but Jose still has time left on his contract, no? *That* might be a factor.

I suppose one thing which might count against Mourinho is that he tends to buy in players rather than look to the youth teams and that's going against the framework Fergie and the Glazers have put in place at OT. Again, I can't see it being much of an issue because he's surely smart enough to cut his cloth according to a club's needs - Chelsea needed big investment and didn't have much of a youth set-up when Jose took over so he took the logical route, I think.

If he does end up back at Chelsea I think it'll be his riskiest career move - Apart from the old 'never go back' adage Abramovich isn't the richest kid in town any more. Terry doesn't have much left in his legs, Lampard is halfway out the door, Cole is showing signs of wear and there's the £50mil misfiring Spanish elephant in the room.

Here's a scenario: Jose's smart enough to realise whoever follows Fergie needs instant success (probably in Europe, the only slight chink in the old man's armour). Moyes tries valiantly for a year or two but an FA cup and a couple of runner-up finishes don't cut the mustard. Buying Tony Hibbert is seen as the final straw and he departs.

In rides Mourinho, the Knight in shining armour with the promise of cash to spend to rebuild a faltering club. He re-buys Rooney ('It's like being in a foreign country', says Wayne of his time in Germany) to replace van Persie who's sadly reverted to type and is a perma-crocked 30-something.

[Brodinski]

David McDonnell ‏@DiscoMirror Man Utd confirmed Rooney went to Ferguson a fortnight ago, asked to leave this summer and had his request turned down #MUFC
Daniel Taylor ‏@DTguardian Stories about Wayne Rooney asking for a transfer are correct. Asked to see Ferguson two weeks ago, request was rejected #mufc
@DuckerTheTimes Rooney went to see SAF 2 weeks ago & asked to leave.Was told he would not be sold.

[CelluloidChild]

David McDonnell ‏@DiscoMirror Man Utd confirmed Rooney went to Ferguson a fortnight ago, asked to leave this summer and had his request turned down #MUFC
Daniel Taylor ‏@DTguardian Stories about Wayne Rooney asking for a transfer are correct. Asked to see Ferguson two weeks ago, request was rejected #mufc
@DuckerTheTimes Rooney went to see SAF 2 weeks ago & asked to leave.Was told he would not be sold.


I wondered what was up when Fergie didn't start Rooney against Real Madrid.

[Brodinski]

*tosses the Man United next manager debate out of the window*

Is Neymar going to be transferred to Barcelona this summer? All signs are pointing to him moving in that direction with rumours of Barça only having to pay € 50 mil because the club is Neymar's preference, whereas others would have to dock around € 70 mil to get him.

Is he really as superman-like as advertised? I've seen him do some crazy prime Ronaldinho-like things, but those of just flashes. Anyone more informed about this?

Bayern looks like they're going to succeed Barcelona as the best team in the world, with Götze on the way and the well-tailored one having a crazy budget to spend on more new players.

I wonder for my beloved Arsenal next season. Scrambling to end fourth now, and tbh that's about as good as we can get. It is what it is: we've been a solid side for years now, able to compete for 4th or 3rd place at best while our best players are sold to the clubs in the highest echelon. Missing out on Mata was a huge blunder, seeing how well he's done at Chelski this season. Gambling on Villa for next season might well not pay off, him having lots of wear and tear and hardly looking like his old self. Wouldn't mind seeing Usmanov take over and start spending.

[honeykid]

Is Neymar going to be transferred to Barcelona this summer?
No. It'll be next season, after the World Cup. It did seem like a contest at one point and Real were very confident, however, for the last year or so, all I've heard is that Barca have this sewn up, with one rumour from last year saying that they'd already paid Santos €10m with an agreement in place that they could sign him anytime in the next two years, but with the understanding from the player that he didn't want to move until summer 2014. Of course, I don't actually know any of this. :D

All signs are pointing to him moving in that direction with rumours of Barça only having to pay € 50 mil because the club is Neymar's preference, whereas others would have to dock around € 70 mil to get him.
I don't know what the eventual fee will be, but if the above is true, then I can see Barca paying less simply because that's where he wants to go. Well, that, and the €10m they've already paid. We sold Beckham for, I believe, £18 + clauses upto £25m, simply because he refused to go anywhere else, while both Barca and Inter both offered a lot more (£25m-£30m if the rumours are true.)


Is he really as superman-like as advertised? I've seen him do some crazy prime Ronaldinho-like things, but those of just flashes. Anyone more informed about this?
Like you, I'd assume, I've only seen the youtube clips, but I doubt he'll live up to the hype, simply because it's almost at a Ronaldo/Messi level and it's astounding that we have two players of that ability at the same time in world football. Surely we won't have three?

Bayern looks like they're going to succeed Barcelona as the best team in the world, with Götze on the way and the well-tailored one having a crazy budget to spend on more new players.
They're tremendous, but as I said before, I wouldn't write Barca off just yet.

I wonder for my beloved Arsenal next season. Scrambling to end fourth now, and tbh that's about as good as we can get. It is what it is: we've been a solid side for years now, able to compete for 4th or 3rd place at best while our best players are sold to the clubs in the highest echelon. Missing out on Mata was a huge blunder, seeing how well he's done at Chelski this season. Gambling on Villa for next season might well not pay off, him having lots of wear and tear and hardly looking like his old self. Wouldn't mind seeing Usmanov take over and start spending.
Like you, I don't see Villa as the answer and for the same reasons. After all, it's not as if Arsenal have a great medical record, is it? Normally, you buy players then break them, so I don't see how buying them already broken can help.

There's going to be a clear out at Real one way or another and I think that's where Arsene should put his cash. Higuaín and di María are both said to be leaving and, having had a taste of first team life, it might be possible to tempt Diego López over the water. Of course, if Mourinho was to stay, which we're all sure he isn't, but let's say he does, then Casillas, Sergio Ramos and even Pepe could be on the move as well.

Elsewhere, Draxler looks really good, from the highlights they show, but I'm guessing he'll stay in Germany and fill the gap at Dortmund. André Schürrle is said, over here, to be going to Spurs, but I don't know if that's true. What about Mathieu Bodmer for the midfield? Wenger likes the French league. Or Barnetta? There were lots taking a look at him a season or two ago. How's Afellay done in Germany? Maybe it's worth taking a punt on Kevin Strootman or Christian Eriksen?

[Tacitus]

A six year deal for Moyes? Whoever his agent is (please tell me it's not Fergie's son :D) then he's worth every penny. ;)

[Brodinski]

No. It'll be next season, after the World Cup. It did seem like a contest at one point and Real were very confident, however, for the last year or so, all I've heard is that Barca have this sewn up, with one rumour from last year saying that they'd already paid Santos €10m with an agreement in place that they could sign him anytime in the next two years, but with the understanding from the player that he didn't want to move until summer 2014. Of course, I don't actually know any of this. :D

I think that would be a weird move on Santos' part, because if they agree to keep him on until 2014, he's a free man. His contract expires in 2014. Maybe they're ok with having him on for another season, him being a tremendous asset and all, but if they've got the long term vision, they'll try to sell him this summer and get about 40-45 million for him.


There's going to be a clear out at Real one way or another and I think that's where Arsene should put his cash. Higuaín and di María are both said to be leaving and, having had a taste of first team life, it might be possible to tempt Diego López over the water. Of course, if Mourinho was to stay, which we're all sure he isn't, but let's say he does, then Casillas, Sergio Ramos and even Pepe could be on the move as well.

Elsewhere, Draxler looks really good, from the highlights they show, but I'm guessing he'll stay in Germany and fill the gap at Dortmund. André Schürrle is said, over here, to be going to Spurs, but I don't know if that's true. What about Mathieu Bodmer for the midfield? Wenger likes the French league. Or Barnetta? There were lots taking a look at him a season or two ago. How's Afellay done in Germany? Maybe it's worth taking a punt on Kevin Strootman or Christian Eriksen?

I'd love for Di Maria and Higuain to join Arsenal. Higuain is a no nonsense type of guy, but he puts them in the back of the net. We don't have a forward of his quality anymore. He's not TOP drawer, but perhaps the best we can get, based on our willingness to spend.

Strootman wouldn't be bad, but not entirely sold on him. I'd rather get a guy like Nacer Chadli then, if we can't get the likes of Di Maria. Priority must be a quality forward, with Podolski (as expected) and Giroud not really convincing. Best signings have come from Spain, so why not go for Higuain and say, Valdez, as he seems dead set on leaving Barcelona.

*Cue Arsene announcing signing of 17-year old talent for 8 million*

[Brodinski]

A six year deal for Moyes? Whoever his agent is (please tell me it's not Fergie's son :D) then he's worth every penny. ;)

He probably has a rather sh!tty pay (though that does sound very relative when speaking about your average football manager salary) in comparison to other guys out there, like Mancini, Wenger and even Villas-Boas. He's completely unproven at that level with that type of club, so he didn't really have a hand to force. If he does well, Glazer and Ferguson crack open a bottle of '88 Château Neuf du Pâpe for having got him for such a price, whereas if he underperforms, they'll happily get rid of him.

[christine]

ah well, the end of an era for EFC and a fresh start too. I hope Moysie does really well with Man U, he's a decent bloke and he won't know himself with all that money to spend....sigh

[BlueLion]

"Manchester United Board unanimously approves the recommendation of Sir Alex Ferguson"...

...The moment Fergie knew.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/486844_626396167400603_1962796603_n.jpg

[Tacitus]

Now it's Lennon for Everton? Crikey.

Maybe he'll grow his hair and start wearing wee glasses...

I'm not saying that I could win the SPL right now with Celtic (I could) but I bet even Steve Wigley could get them into Europe.

[honeykid]

I think that would be a weird move on Santos' part, because if they agree to keep him on until 2014, he's a free man. His contract expires in 2014. Maybe they're ok with having him on for another season, him being a tremendous asset and all, but if they've got the long term vision, they'll try to sell him this summer and get about 40-45 million for him.
If that's the case, then, yes, it would be a very strange thing to do and he'll go this year. However, if he doesn't go this summer, then the rumours of the deal already being in place would gain far more credence, with me, anyway.

I'd love for Di Maria and Higuain to join Arsenal. Higuain is a no nonsense type of guy, but he puts them in the back of the net. We don't have a forward of his quality anymore. He's not TOP drawer, but perhaps the best we can get, based on our willingness to spend.
I'd love Di Maria to come to United. Although, with Zaha coming, I'm guessing that rather than sell Nani, we'll just shift him back to the right side.

so why not go for Higuain and say, Valdez, as he seems dead set on leaving Barcelona.
Ah, yes, I forgot about Valdez. :up:

*Cue Arsene announcing signing of 17-year old talent for 8 million*
That'll happen regardless of who they buy. ;)

I hope it's not just paper talk/2+2=5, but I love the sound of Baines and Fellaini. The former I've wanted for a couple of seasons now, while the latter I want, so long as the second half of last season was a "I want out of Everton so I'm not going to bother" effort and not a "people now think I'm great and they're right" attitude or, what from now on I shall be calling, "the Joe Hart". I suppose the best thing about Moyes being in there is that he'll know which is was.

I hear we're "missing out" on Lewandowski, even though, with the exception of a few days a couple of weeks ago, no one other than the British press seemed to think he was going anywhere but Bayern. Although, I was thinking, if there was any truth in the Rooney to Bayern rumour, maybe there was still a chance that Lewandowski would come our way... OK, he's not and we know it, but it's been a bad week, so let me have this. :D

As for Lennon to Everton. Really? I'm sure it'll be the cheapest option, but surely it's worth paying a little bit.

[Daniel M]

As long as Malky Mackay doesn't go to Everton :(