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Beefy
June 6th, 2007, 1:13 PM
...and we're back.

A new thread for a new era. And I've got the first post again, just like the old days.

So, yeah, footy eh?

da_man
June 6th, 2007, 1:16 PM
McCLAREN OUT

katiemarie
June 6th, 2007, 1:17 PM
K.....I was just gonna move the old one....

Ringo
June 6th, 2007, 1:19 PM
Can you move the Transfer Window thread from the Asylum as well, km?

Beefy
June 6th, 2007, 1:21 PM
K.....I was just gonna move the old one....

Not unless you can merge it with the super-old one. Or is Jeff still afraid that may cause a split in the space/time continuum?

TraXX
June 6th, 2007, 1:59 PM
To be fair, the latest Football Superthread was pants. The origional was much better.

This one will do. Usher us into the new era and all that jazz. :yes:

McClaren Out!

MTR
June 6th, 2007, 2:00 PM
Yeah might as well just start a fresh one. The old one can be closed and just moved in here for people to view. Maybe I will get to that while I am eating lunch. Got a blog I want to write though.

son_of_foley
June 6th, 2007, 2:05 PM
McClaren IN!

Winkle van Tinkle
June 6th, 2007, 2:11 PM
So this place is going to be fairly unmoderated (to and extent) and we can just start as many threads as we want about football...just like the asylum?

son_of_foley
June 6th, 2007, 2:16 PM
Mart Poom to score from his OWN HALF

RFF Champ
June 6th, 2007, 2:25 PM
Is Jamie Carragher injured or has he been dropped?

Melv
June 6th, 2007, 2:49 PM
Come on ESTONIA.

Hobbit
June 6th, 2007, 2:50 PM
FUCK OFF LAMPARD YOU TWAT.

Melv
June 6th, 2007, 2:51 PM
FUCK OFF LAMPARD YOU TWAT.
Seconded.

Winkle van Tinkle
June 6th, 2007, 3:00 PM
Owen shouldn't be playing. He does doesn't look sharp.

Hobbit
June 6th, 2007, 3:06 PM
You does doesn't sharpen up m8

Hobbit
June 6th, 2007, 3:07 PM
BOSH

El Capitano Gatisto
June 6th, 2007, 3:07 PM
England always do this shit where they pass it around the defenders and midfielders sideways for ages, like they think "this is how good teams play football" only to hump it up a couple of minutes later anyway. Why not just save time and knock it long straight away? All their midfielders come deep looking the ball behind the play, it's like they're afraid of getting it up the pitch where space is a bit tighter. When they play their shitty little passes there's no movement into space up the pitch, they stand there and point.

Winkle van Tinkle
June 6th, 2007, 3:13 PM
You does doesn't sharpen up m8

ahahahaha i'm a div

TraXX
June 6th, 2007, 3:20 PM
England always do this shit where they pass it around the defenders and midfielders sideways for ages, like they think "this is how good teams play football" only to hump it up a couple of minutes later anyway. Why not just save time and knock it long straight away? All their midfielders come deep looking the ball behind the play, it's like they're afraid of getting it up the pitch where space is a bit tighter. When they play their shitty little passes there's no movement into space up the pitch, they stand there and point.

And that is why England will never be more than a half-decent side with 'potential'.

We're playing Estonia for god's sake! 3-5-2 should be the way go, with Bridge and Bentley as wing backs IMO.

And can someone just shoot Fat Frank, thankyoupleash. :yes:

Beefy
June 6th, 2007, 5:00 PM
The midfielders coming deep and passing sideways is a major problem for England and has been for a few years now. It's like Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard & Joe Cole all want to get the ball as early as possible as if they don't trust the defenders to take care of even the most basic distribution tasks. Ferdinand, King & Woodgate can all play so they should be the ones getting the ball in those deep positions and bringing it out because as things are the midfielder pick it up too early and too far back and then they have option but to hoof it forward because theres no-one in the space that the midfielders should be occupying.

Credit where it's due though, England did alright tonight. I'd have taken 2-0 before kick off so 3-0 is a job well done in my opinion. Becks played well again, I hope he's fit for the last couple of Madrid games. He deserves to play in them and earn his first medal in Spain.

Beefy
June 6th, 2007, 5:01 PM
http://forums.rajah.com/showthread.php?t=34641 :heart:

El Capitano Gatisto
June 6th, 2007, 5:03 PM
The midfielders coming deep and passing sideways is a major problem for England and has been for a few years now. It's like Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard & Joe Cole all want to get the ball as early as possible as if they don't trust the defenders to take care of even the most basic distribution tasks. Ferdinand, King & Woodgate can all play so they should be the ones getting the ball in those deep positions and bringing it out because as things are the midfielder pick it up too early and too far back and then they have option but to hoof it forward because theres no-one in the space that the midfielders should be occupying.

Credit where it's due though, England did alright tonight. I'd have taken 2-0 before kick off so 3-0 is a job well done in my opinion. Becks played well again, I hope he's fit for the last couple of Madrid games. He deserves to play in them and earn his first medal in Spain.


I don't think it's a trust thing with defenders, I just think all of those players are uncomfortable in possession further up the pitch where space is tighter. And I think even though Estonia are absolutely shit, they still recognised that hassling Frank Lampard quickly is a good way to force an error. Estona weren't good enough to take advantage of it.

Bad Collin
June 6th, 2007, 5:13 PM
I only caught the last half an hour but I was very impressed with Owen. How did he do in the first half?

El Capitano Gatisto
June 6th, 2007, 5:15 PM
He didn't really do anything of note, possibly because at that point Estonia's players were keeping up a decent pace.

Bad Collin
June 6th, 2007, 5:17 PM
Good finishing or shit keeping for his goal? I thought there was an element of both.

da_man
June 6th, 2007, 5:18 PM
Decent showing tonight but Beckham's quality masks a total lack of imagination everywhere else in the team. He's set up 3 out of 4 of our goals this past week but I'm failing to remember any chances created via any other avenue.

Nothing's changed from the Croatia, Israel and Macedonia games apart from Becks coming back to save the day.

da_man
June 6th, 2007, 5:20 PM
Good finishing or shit keeping for his goal? I thought there was an element of both.

Good finish. Poom was wrong-footed by it. Can't see how he could have scored any other way.

Bad Collin
June 6th, 2007, 5:23 PM
Good finish. Poom was wrong-footed by it. Can't see how he could have scored any other way.

Perhaps he should have taken the cross though.

1_Pablo_Angel
June 6th, 2007, 5:53 PM
Important win for England tonight, but really the minimum that should have been expected. But forget that, who else saw MALONEYs free kick against the Faroe Islands! It's quality seeing Villa players scoring goals in international football again :heart:

Also; just saw the Spain highlights and they were absolutely phenomenal going forward. David Villas bicycle kick was one of the best goals I've seen in quite a while, contrast their vibrant attacking footy to Englands total reliance on Beckhams right foot to make our chances and we don't look a good side at all :nono:

son_of_foley
June 6th, 2007, 5:55 PM
does anyone have any sympathy left for sheffield united? I had a tiny bit at the start but clearly its time to accept it and fuck off with this 21 team league shite

1_Pablo_Angel
June 6th, 2007, 5:57 PM
I have sympathy with them because I'd love for West ham to just fuck off forever. But obviously the notion of expanding the league, particularly at this stage is utterly ridiculous.

son_of_foley
June 6th, 2007, 5:58 PM
also bryan robson is a twat

da_man
June 6th, 2007, 6:05 PM
My chuckle of the day came from Joey Barton's statement that his motivation for joining Newcastle was "winning medals".

:lol:

Does he realise who he has signed for?

Friday
June 6th, 2007, 6:09 PM
Well done to England tonight. If you keep plucking away, you might finish 3rd.

Hulkamaniac
June 6th, 2007, 6:55 PM
Seems to me that there has been a direct correlation between Beckham being in the team and England not playing shit.

Another superb performance from the legend that is David Beckham.

I love him more every game.

Bad Collin
June 6th, 2007, 6:56 PM
There's no point in Scotland qualifying, they never get past the group stages.

Hulkamaniac
June 6th, 2007, 6:59 PM
Also, for fucks SAKE, get rid of McClaren.

Simon
June 6th, 2007, 7:08 PM
Decent performance today, important under the circumstances. It still felt a little dour, though - not enough movement and fluidity. It's pretty frustrating when a second-string England side tore Albania apart the other week with some genuinely exciting attacking football, but the full side never fully convinces no matter who they're playing.

Hopefully the last two matches will finally put to bed any debate about Beckham's worth to the side. Both games he's only played ok over the 90 minutes but, importantly, has produced moments of magic that lead to goals. I'd have him ahead of Lennon by far - Lennon as an impact sub when Becks tires could be gold, also.

Great goal by Joey Cole, btw.

Matt E
June 6th, 2007, 8:40 PM
Hope to god Beckham keeps it up and Hargreaves plays well so McLaren has to make a real decision.

Matt E
June 6th, 2007, 8:46 PM
I have sympathy with them because I'd love for West ham to just fuck off forever. But obviously the notion of expanding the league, particularly at this stage is utterly ridiculous.

Yeah, no chance they'll go to 21 sides, it'll create such a headache in terms of reducing the league again among other things. I'd be amazed if anything changes.

Nicky
June 7th, 2007, 3:39 AM
Freddy Shepherd has agreed to sell his shares to Mike Ashley. Yessssssssssssssssssssss. :hyper: Means he now has 70% of the club - the other 30% seems pretty inevitable from here.


Out future is actually looking good for once, after all the shit of recent years. :D Viduka and Barton supposedly done, and hopefully Ben Heim will follow. And all 3 are covered by Parker leavings transfer fee (cept wages of course). Apparantly Ashleys giving Allardyce a £40m budget this summer. Its gonne be fun.

TraXX
June 7th, 2007, 4:35 AM
Can someone tell me what Scott Parker has done wrong at Newcastle. I thought he was the club captain, so why have they sold him to Wham?

:wtf:

son_of_foley
June 7th, 2007, 5:07 AM
nobody is quite sure.

I hear strongly martins is out this summer with valencia spying him as a replacement for villa if he goes

Nicky
June 7th, 2007, 5:08 AM
Can someone tell me what Scott Parker has done wrong at Newcastle. I thought he was the club captain, so why have they sold him to Wham?

:wtf:

Superb first season - not so good 2nd season (quite possibly down to Roeders use of him). Apparantly wasn't that settled either, and Allardyce seems to think Barton is a better bet then Parker. Small profit made on the swap, too.

son_of_foley
June 7th, 2007, 5:12 AM
have you moved training pitches yet so all your players stop getting dodgy hamstrings?

Prototype16
June 7th, 2007, 5:14 AM
I assumed it was just a case of Allardyce wanting to build his own team and needing to get rid of some players to do so. West Ham made a good offer, and with the ridiculous wages they seem to be paying at the moment and the chance to join Curbishley again I'm sure Parker was pleased to go there

Good business for West Ham if they can sign Parker and sell Reo Coker for the same amount or more

son_of_foley
June 7th, 2007, 5:16 AM
when does everyone think bent will move? i think charlton are already covered for the championship with varney and illuewmno which i think may stuff their bargaining position a bit.

Nicky
June 7th, 2007, 5:18 AM
have you moved training pitches yet so all your players stop getting dodgy hamstrings?


That was more likely to be Souness's shit training methods. But they did move pitches, and have since moved back.


I assumed it was just a case of Allardyce wanting to build his own team and needing to get rid of some players to do so. West Ham made a good offer, and with the ridiculous wages they seem to be paying at the moment and the chance to join Curbishley again I'm sure Parker was pleased to go there

Good business for West Ham if they can sign Parker and sell Reo Coker for the same amount or more

The rumors are that Parker wasn't that happy on it all, and it has taken him almost a week to finalise details. It was said that he wanted to stay, but Allardyce had his mind made up that he wanted Barton, so it made sense for Parker to go. Also, wouldn't read too much into his relationship with Curbishley. They had a pretty public fall-out when he left Charlton for Chelsea. One of todays papers has said he still feels a bit uneasy working with him, but signed anyway :\

son_of_foley
June 7th, 2007, 5:19 AM
with barton and emre in the same centre midfield (if thats the case) where does dyer fit and will either of them offer any support to the defense. Barton seemed last year to be let of the leesh and played quite further forward.

Is N'Zogbia going? What about Ramage?

Nicky
June 7th, 2007, 5:26 AM
with barton and emre in the same centre midfield (if thats the case) where does dyer fit and will either of them offer any support to the defense. Barton seemed last year to be let of the leesh and played quite further forward.

Is N'Zogbia going? What about Ramage?


More likely to be Barton and Butt to be honest. I reckon we can get 1 more decent season out of Butt - he was possibly our player of the year last season.

It all depends on who else we sign. So many different combinations with Duff, Milner, Dyer, Solano, Emre, Butt, Barton, N'Zogbia. I reckon N'Zogbia will be off, probably not Ramage. Again, depends how many other players we sign. I wouldnt mind seeing Ramage get sold, though.

The Rosk
June 7th, 2007, 7:14 AM
"Its all buzzing about that man agian. on the radio about unconfirmed sightings at melwood, probs b/s but its not going away."

"Just had a text off me dad, he's supposed to be at anfield now as i type."

All about Henry, got several emails through my Scouse boss - odds have just gone down hugely to 3/1 from 20/1 on Paddypower...

Hulkamaniac
June 7th, 2007, 8:34 AM
Was just about the say that Newcastle might actually have a chance of credibility now that FFS has been bought out...only to hear that they're probably going to keep him on as Chairman.

Bad Collin
June 7th, 2007, 10:16 AM
"Its all buzzing about that man agian. on the radio about unconfirmed sightings at melwood, probs b/s but its not going away."

"Just had a text off me dad, he's supposed to be at anfield now as i type."

All about Henry, got several emails through my Scouse boss - odds have just gone down hugely to 3/1 from 20/1 on Paddypower...

Probably bullshit but that would be unbelievably immense.

Romford Pele
June 8th, 2007, 7:48 AM
F**ks sake why cant Henry shut his mouth?

Either go or dont go, but if you dont go then shut up and stop moaning.

To be honest I'd say sell him and line up E'to.

Simon
June 8th, 2007, 9:07 AM
I'd agree with you there. Swapping him for Eto'o would be fantastic business - Eto'o is better and a few years younger.

El Capitano Gatisto
June 8th, 2007, 12:05 PM
Henry has gone from a guy most people could admire and like to being an absolute prick in the space of a year, give or take. Losing the European Cup final and being particularly shit in it must have made something go wrong in his brain.

Simon
June 8th, 2007, 12:11 PM
I've always thought he was fairly arrogant, but it was masked because in a winning side he could always play the role of gracious winner. Playing the gracious loser isn't something he's capable of, though - and Arsenal aren't as successful now as they were, so it comes out more. The Champions' League final and then sending the Spanish out of the World Cup with a dirty dive killed any lingering respect I have for him.

Although I did gain a little respect back for him when a mate told me that he handles Henry's bank account details, and every week without fail £110k goes into the account, and every week without fail, the entire £110k is gone by the day before he gets his next instalment. I like to think that he blows the lot on ridiculous purchases, like buying entire toy shops just for the sake of it.

Melv
June 8th, 2007, 12:12 PM
Swiss bank account.

Simon
June 8th, 2007, 12:12 PM
Piss wank amount.

Lazurus
June 8th, 2007, 12:18 PM
As a Spurs fan I used to look on with jealously of this classy and talented player.

He started making nasty barbed comments and complaining about refs etc and now he's a shadow of that classy man.

Hopefully once he's moved on he'll get himself together but who knows?

Winkle van Tinkle
June 8th, 2007, 12:24 PM
I love Henry, and i've always loved his arrogance....i can see why others don't though. But he's fucking me off. I still want him at the club, but he needs to shut the fuck up.

Henry isn't helping us at all. He says he wants experienced players brought in. Well we brought in 3 last year in Gallas, Baptista and Rosicky. Gallas was poor and injured, Baptista (bless him) was dog shit, and Rosicky was trying to out-do Robben for the amount injuries in 1 season. The only "senior" players that can hold their head up and say they had good seasons wer Lehmann, Gilberto and Toure. Our better performers last season were Clichy, Fabregas, Denilson, Diaby et al. The kids.

Now Henry is putting his own doubt in future, and saying how many problems there are at the club. Well what cunt is going to want to join us now if our captain is saying this shit.

I can't be bothered to go on about the arsehole.

Great player. Shit captain.

Melv
June 8th, 2007, 12:26 PM
Now Henry is putting his own doubt in future, [/SIZE]

I hate it when players do that.

Winkle van Tinkle
June 8th, 2007, 12:29 PM
Balls.

It's the boast of worth worlds....

Melv
June 8th, 2007, 12:32 PM
I swear you're lysdexic mate.

Simon
June 8th, 2007, 12:40 PM
I still don't agree that Toure had a good season.

Friday
June 8th, 2007, 12:44 PM
Would you agree that he had a better season than Michael Dawson?

Simon
June 8th, 2007, 12:50 PM
Tough call. Dawson had a good season, but also made a lot of mistakes...I think it was a big ask of him to marshall an entire defence without Ledley, and for the most part he did a good job. But he's young, and did make quite a lot of mistakes. Toure might have had the better season as a direct comparison, but Toure played well below the standards he set for himself in previous seasons, whereas Dawson isn't anywhere near that level (yet) and did probably better than you could have expected from him given the circumstances. Dawson exceeded expectations, whereas Toure I would say underperformed.

But yeah, Toure had the better season, I guess...why is the comparison relevant, though? It's pretty tiring that every time I say something vaguely negative about Arsenal, it has to turn into a Spurs/Arsenal debate. I don't say that Toure underperformed as a Spurs fan, I say it as a football fan. At the same time, I rate plenty of Arsenal players (including some that Goons don't seem to like, Adebayor for example), it's not like its pure bias...I just don't think Toure played anywhere near as well as he's capable of.

Chris Scott
June 8th, 2007, 1:03 PM
"Its all buzzing about that man agian. on the radio about unconfirmed sightings at melwood, probs b/s but its not going away."

"Just had a text off me dad, he's supposed to be at anfield now as i type."

All about Henry, got several emails through my Scouse boss - odds have just gone down hugely to 3/1 from 20/1 on Paddypower...

Yes the rumours are very strong at the moment, but they were back in January.

If we did ever sign Henry I would sell everything I had.

Chris Scott
June 8th, 2007, 1:03 PM
Nice to see Xabi sign a new deal in other news :yes:

Melv
June 8th, 2007, 1:05 PM
Yes the rumours are very strong at the moment, but they were back in January.

If we did ever sign Henry I would sell everything I had.
Why would you do that?

Simon
June 8th, 2007, 1:05 PM
Yeah that confused me a bit, too.

Chris Scott
June 8th, 2007, 1:08 PM
Why would you do that?

Henry to us is never going to happen, same as me selling everything I had.

Winkle van Tinkle
June 8th, 2007, 2:07 PM
Is that because you own a lot of shit? :D

Beefy
June 8th, 2007, 2:11 PM
If he's from Liverpool he probably didn't pay for any of his stuff anyway.

Ringo
June 8th, 2007, 2:29 PM
Robben's father HANS says he's is close to signing a new 5-year deal, which is fantastic news. Calderon can fuck right off.

da_man
June 8th, 2007, 2:48 PM
Do people still rate Robben? He used to be quick, positive and dynamic. Whenever he's been fit and playing this season he's looked a shadow of what he was 2 years ago. Its like Jose has squeezed all of the individuality and flair out of him as seemed to be the case with Damien Duff.

When Chelsea bought Duff they bought the most exciting young winger in Europe. When he left he looked like a robotic workhorse.

Hlebsfall
June 8th, 2007, 3:18 PM
I'd be surprised if Robben even has five more years in him, seeing how he spends more time at the doctors that somebody with AIDS.


And yeah, Toure was pretty wank last season, probably because of all the other shit central defenders he was getting paired with every other week.

Bad Collin
June 8th, 2007, 3:41 PM
Robben is the biggest cheating cunt in the premiership.

Ringo
June 8th, 2007, 3:56 PM
Oh right cause he plays for Chelsea lol

Bad Collin
June 8th, 2007, 5:17 PM
No, he's just a cheating cunt. Chelsea have many players I have a great amount of respect for (Cech, Terry, Lamps (at club level), SWP etc)

Nicky
June 8th, 2007, 7:12 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsyL96BrJbQ



England vs Estonia from the other night - Sky accidently left the cameras running on their HD channel so the off-air stuff was broadcast. Watch Jamie Redknapp right till the end - what a stupid daft bastard.

Sorry if its been posted.

Hulkamaniac
June 8th, 2007, 7:18 PM
Everyone will love Henry again if he has a good season next time.

UK Blue
June 9th, 2007, 6:08 AM
I see having Jermaine 'the average' Jenas preferred to him has finally got to Bentley. Can't say I blame him for being pissed off, but dropping out of the U21 squad is hardly going to improve his chances of a place in the senior side.

da_man
June 9th, 2007, 6:14 AM
To be fair he has played 60 games this season and has cited that as the reason why.

I've heard that he rang up TalkSport this morning when they were discussing it and spoke at length with Parry and Townsend about his decision and explained all his reasons very eloquently.

Hlebsfall
June 9th, 2007, 6:22 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsyL96BrJbQ



England vs Estonia from the other night - Sky accidently left the cameras running on their HD channel so the off-air stuff was broadcast. Watch Jamie Redknapp right till the end - what a stupid daft bastard.

Sorry if its been posted.

"Daft little game, silly ground.. fuck off."


Richard Keys is a legend.

Friday
June 9th, 2007, 6:25 AM
We hate Richard Keys, he's a poof, he's a poof!

Nicky
June 9th, 2007, 6:25 AM
Not the greatest chant in the world, is it?

TraXX
June 9th, 2007, 6:39 AM
"Daft little game, silly ground.. fuck off."


Richard Keys is a legend.

:rofl:

That's the funniest thing I've heard in a while. Keys is indeed a leg-end.

And Redknapp :nono: "Spi Derman? Wha?" I like how he tried to laugh it off afterwards, hoping no-one would notice just how much of a silly arse he was.

turdpower
June 9th, 2007, 7:11 AM
That video would have been 10 times better if Andy Gray was in the studio.

Hulkamaniac
June 9th, 2007, 7:31 AM
I dont think that video was a bad reflection on Jamie Redknapp to be honest. He came over quite well as far as I'm concerned.

Ringo
June 9th, 2007, 11:13 AM
Quite. Reading all the comments on youtube I was expecting him to say something that would contradict his 'nice guy' TV persona, when in fact it just showed him to be a little slow.

Keys, on the other hand, is a fucking hero.

Adam Pollard
June 9th, 2007, 4:17 PM
Robben is the biggest cheating cunt in the premiership.

Nope. Clearly Ronaldo.

And then Robben.

The really fucking infuriating thing about the pair of them are they are both stupidly brilliant footballers; they shouldn't need to throw themselves to the floor every five seconds. :mad:

Chris Scott
June 10th, 2007, 6:13 AM
If he's from Liverpool he probably didn't pay for any of his stuff anyway.

You mean Nottingham.

turdpower
June 10th, 2007, 6:57 AM
Only if you shoot people in the head.

Chris Scott
June 10th, 2007, 9:04 AM
Not only that too.

http://www.itv.com/news//index_7a9054cab2656399d78cdf3d709efd25.html

JP
June 10th, 2007, 12:49 PM
On the front page of the Sunday Mercury (Midlands paper) apparently Birmingham City are on the verge of being sold to a far-east group for £70 Million.


:\

RFF Champ
June 10th, 2007, 12:55 PM
And on the back it says they want Marlon Harewood :lol:

(It could have been a different paper, but I was reading it today at my Nan's in Birmingham)

JP
June 10th, 2007, 12:57 PM
:irked:

I wanted to leave that out.

Simon
June 10th, 2007, 3:25 PM
Source: skysports...Ambitious Tottenham boss Martin Jol has set his sights on building a side capable of challenging for the Premiership title.

Jol has helped transform Tottenham's fortunes since landing the manager's role at White Hart Lane in November 2004.

The Dutchman hopes Spurs can build on their success of qualifying for Europe in the last two seasons by mounting a Premiership title tilt in two years.

"My hopes for next season are to compete for Europe again," Jol told the Sunday Mirror.

"Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal have probably got more resources than us, but it's not only about money.

"We've got younger players, hopefully we've got the vision and we want to compete for prizes in the cups.

"We want to be in Europe and we want to do well there, but we have to be in the top six to be in Europe.

"And hopefully, if we can get players like Dimitar Berbatov, if we can have the likes of Tom Huddlestone, Aaron Lennon, Michael Dawson develop into star players, we can go even further. My dream is to compete for the title in the next two to three years.

"Overall I feel we did, of course, better than the year before.

"I feel that we were more solid the year before last. This year we scored goals, but we are not the finished article."


Got to admire his ambition. It's kind of like that "Aim for the moon and you might reach the stars" cliche - if he's genuinely trying to create a title-winning side, even if we don't manage it then we could still get a CL spot. I'm using the same positive mental attitude (BUZZWORD?) with my Uni work - I'm going for a first now, but I know I'd be happy with a 2.1...but why not aim higher and see what happens, you never know what might happen if you stretch yourself.

Fanny Batter
June 10th, 2007, 3:29 PM
Spurs will finish higher than Arsenal next season I think. Lennon, Huddlestone, Jenas, King and Dawson should all improve, and Berbatov's bound to be more consistant throughout the whole season now he's settled.

Simon
June 10th, 2007, 3:37 PM
I wouldn't be so confident that we WILL finish above them, but I definitely think it's a possibility. Most Arsenal fans don't seem to think it's a possibility - hopefully their players and manager don't think so either, their complacency could really work in our favour.

I think next season, if Liverpool strengthen up front, we'll see them fighting with United and Chelsea for the title, with us and Arsenal fighting for the final Champions' League spot. Whatever way you look at it, the idea of 'the big four' is probably over now - it's never really been true anyway, considering Liverpool have never won the title and the last few years United and Chelsea have been miles ahead of the other two, but more than ever now I think it's either decreased from 'the big two/three' or increased to 'the big five', depending on your outlook. I wouldn't discount any other sides from challenging for the Champions' League either - if Big Sam sorts Newcastle out, there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to fight it out in the top six, and I think Hughes is doing a great job at Blackburn and could keep them fighting too.

Ringo
June 10th, 2007, 3:47 PM
Spurs will finish higher than Arsenal next season I think. Lennon, Huddlestone, Jenas, King and Dawson should all improve, and Berbatov's bound to be more consistant throughout the whole season now he's settled.

Spurs should be better, but so should Arsenal. Without the injury problems they've had this season and with the ever improving youngsters, they will definitely be hoping for a much better season.

Prototype16
June 10th, 2007, 3:58 PM
I think next season, if Liverpool strengthen up front, we'll see them fighting with United and Chelsea for the title, with us and Arsenal fighting for the final Champions' League spot. Whatever way you look at it, the idea of 'the big four' is probably over now - it's never really been true anyway, considering Liverpool have never won the title and the last few years United and Chelsea have been miles ahead of the other two, but more than ever now I think it's either decreased from 'the big two/three' or increased to 'the big five', depending on your outlook. I wouldn't discount any other sides from challenging for the Champions' League either - if Big Sam sorts Newcastle out, there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to fight it out in the top six, and I think Hughes is doing a great job at Blackburn and could keep them fighting too.

Everton too. They need to build on last season as under Moyes they seem to be alternating between good seasons and mediocre ones. Hopefully those clubs get closer, Bolton will probably struggle though

But the big four thing is as true as its ever been, there's always been other teams who could finish in the top four, as Everton did in 2005. But the gap between fourth and fifth was bigger this season than in the previous couple of years and you have to go back to 2004 for the last time someone else won a cup. Spurs certainly haven't formed a Big Five. The only change is that Chelsea and Man United are pulling clear of the other two in the league

Ringo
June 10th, 2007, 4:37 PM
The points difference between 1st and 5th was about the same as between 5th and the relegation zone.

:\

Nicky
June 10th, 2007, 5:53 PM
Just seen a rumour on a couple of forums that Rafa Benitez might be resigning tommorow, apparantly due to lack on transfer funds being given. Probably absolute rubbish, but who knows. Thought it might be worth mentioning.

Simon
June 10th, 2007, 5:55 PM
That rumour has been around for a while, now.

Also, the Henry/Liverpool thing was apparently because his agent was at Anfield...to discuss the possible of transfer of his other client, Malouda.

Peter Griffin
June 10th, 2007, 8:18 PM
rumour has it we need a fucking assistant!!!!

UK Blue
June 11th, 2007, 11:57 AM
Everton too. They need to build on last season as under Moyes they seem to be alternating between good seasons and mediocre ones. Hopefully those clubs get closer, Bolton will probably struggle though

I think Everton are in for a really good season. Solid defence (only conceded 36 goals last season, 18 less than Blackburn and Spurs), midfield full of quality players like Arteta, Cahill and probably Jagielka, plus impressive young forwards in Vaughan and Anichebe who are only going to improve.

There's plenty of clubs around who are capable of having decent seasons. Spurs, Everton, Blackburn and Pompey should all be stronger than last season. Newcastle and West Ham's spending power should see them both improve dramatically on their disappointing campaigns last time around. Sunderland are a bit of a wildcard. I doubt Reading or Bolton will be as consistent next year, but who knows.

Hopefully at least one club will find the consistency needed to disturb the top four.

UK Blue
June 11th, 2007, 12:04 PM
I forgot about Villa. They're looking in good shape too.

The Rosk
June 11th, 2007, 12:09 PM
Villa are going to fuck people over next season. Like, make them want to kill themselves and shit.

UK Blue
June 11th, 2007, 12:11 PM
Probably their own fans though.

The Rosk
June 11th, 2007, 12:13 PM
Not likely. We've got the best team eva mate.

SheltonLondon
June 11th, 2007, 12:16 PM
I wouldn't be so confident that we WILL finish above them, but I definitely think it's a possibility. Most Arsenal fans don't seem to think it's a possibility - hopefully their players and manager don't think so either, their complacency could really work in our favour.

I think next season, if Liverpool strengthen up front, we'll see them fighting with United and Chelsea for the title, with us and Arsenal fighting for the final Champions' League spot. Whatever way you look at it, the idea of 'the big four' is probably over now - it's never really been true anyway, considering Liverpool have never won the title and the last few years United and Chelsea have been miles ahead of the other two, but more than ever now I think it's either decreased from 'the big two/three' or increased to 'the big five', depending on your outlook. I wouldn't discount any other sides from challenging for the Champions' League either - if Big Sam sorts Newcastle out, there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to fight it out in the top six, and I think Hughes is doing a great job at Blackburn and could keep them fighting too.

I've read all the posts above me and got to agree with them, think we've got more chance of crashing the top 4 than Blackburn and the like, and I personally don't see much of a gap between us, Spurs and potentially Newcastle and West Ham. We naturally need to strengthen, hopefully we can pick up Jags and Nugent to start with and anything else would be a bonus (MANNY!!!).

Real think it's a top 2 now, how you can even claim Liverpool are close to challenging for the title is beyond me, it's been years since they've been impressive in the Premiership and it appears that all they use it for is for entry into the Champions League, granted a couple of good strikers and a few more signings and perhaps they could go for it but I don't think it's going to be an overnight thing. They get a little bit too much respect or fear from the rest of the Premiership, obviously they're a top side for finishing 3rd and 4th but they're not in that league with Chelsea and United where you're always expecting defeat, I feel like on a good day you can always pick up something against the shite, much like with Arsenal. It's that general level of consistency that I think both the teams lack, and that's why I don't think we'll be seeing them win the league for a couple more years at the very least, especially with the many floating around Chelsea and United potentially, whilst Liverpool's owners seem to have broken the zip to their fanny packs.

SheltonLondon
June 11th, 2007, 12:17 PM
Oh I forgot about Villa, they could be a threat next season as well with a couple of good signings.

UK Blue
June 11th, 2007, 12:18 PM
Not likely. We've got the best team eva mate.

TOP 1 THIS YEAR LADS!

I'm looking forward to my annual trip to Villa Park, even though it'll no doubt be yet another dull, depressing game. We ALWAYS play shit there. In the last three seasons, I honestly can't even remember us having a shot on goal.

The Rosk
June 11th, 2007, 12:22 PM
0-0 this season was fucking bollocks.

TOP ONE THIS YEAR THOUGH LADS.

I dno't understand why people keep expecting West Ham to do so well next season. Wow, they've got financial backing. Like that ever gave definite immediate success.

You need someone to turn your club completely upside down like Sir Martin of O'Neill.

son_of_foley
June 11th, 2007, 12:25 PM
rumour has it we need a fucking assistant!!!!

apparentley we have one. Dont know how true this is

SheltonLondon
June 11th, 2007, 12:30 PM
0-0 this season was fucking bollocks.

TOP ONE THIS YEAR THOUGH LADS.

I dno't understand why people keep expecting West Ham to do so well next season. Wow, they've got financial backing. Like that ever gave definite immediate success.

You need someone to turn your club completely upside down like Sir Martin of O'Neill.

Don't necessarily think they'll do well but with the type of players they're looking to bring in I think they have the potential to do so, much like Newcastle have had for the last ten years.

Peter Griffin
June 11th, 2007, 12:46 PM
apparentley we have one. Dont know how true this is

gadsby says announcment by end of week

JP
June 11th, 2007, 2:50 PM
I don't want to talk down my own team or anynthing but how could any sane person value Birmingham City at £70 Million?

Half that, maybe.

I'm sceptical but the Golds and Sullivan don't really have a choice if such an offer is on the table, as a business decision it would be madness not to sell.

1_Pablo_Angel
June 11th, 2007, 3:04 PM
TOP 1 THIS YEAR LADS!

I'm looking forward to my annual trip to Villa Park, even though it'll no doubt be yet another dull, depressing game. We ALWAYS play shit there. In the last three seasons, I honestly can't even remember us having a shot on goal.

Fancy St Andrews again next season mate? Can't be as bad as last time ;)

What is it about Birmingham??

JP
June 11th, 2007, 3:11 PM
I sit next to the away fans at St. Andrews and when a few of the boys in have the bit between their teeth it's fucking shamefull the abuse they dish out.

Best away fans of last year; Newcastle, Preston, Southampton, Southend and Norwich.

UK Blue
June 11th, 2007, 7:07 PM
Fancy St Andrews again next season mate? Can't be as bad as last time ;)

What is it about Birmingham??

If they try and charge me £45 for a ticket again, I expect I'll give it a miss..

Hulkamaniac
June 11th, 2007, 7:14 PM
I sit next to the away fans at St. Andrews and when a few of the boys in have the bit between their teeth it's fucking shamefull the abuse they dish out.

Best away fans of last year; Newcastle, Preston, Southampton, Southend and Norwich.

And fucking Sunderland mate.

JP
June 11th, 2007, 7:19 PM
And fucking Sunderland mate.

I was working during that game so never got to find out.

Peter Griffin
June 11th, 2007, 8:52 PM
and derby you bastard

Hulkamaniac
June 11th, 2007, 9:11 PM
Derby have fans?

Peter Griffin
June 11th, 2007, 9:16 PM
yeh we do actually cunt-face :p

RFF Champ
June 12th, 2007, 5:06 AM
I sit next to the away fans at St. Andrews and when a few of the boys in have the bit between their teeth it's fucking shamefull the abuse they dish out.

Best away fans of last year; Newcastle, Preston, Southampton, Southend and Norwich.

:yes: I was there for the Newcastle game, great atmosphere. Cracking cup game as well.

Beefy
June 12th, 2007, 10:07 AM
Sunderland's fans were good when we played them.

Birmingham's didn't need to be, sadly. It was just a ncie day at the seaside for them.

1_Pablo_Angel
June 12th, 2007, 1:44 PM
If they try and charge me £45 for a ticket again, I expect I'll give it a miss..

Don't think I'd have paid 45 quid... you sure about that?

UK Blue
June 12th, 2007, 6:30 PM
Can't remember now tbh. I do know tickets at St Andrews are ridiculously overpriced, even if they are a MASSIVE club.

da_man
June 12th, 2007, 6:48 PM
Aye. MASSIVE club!!!1

Savage couldn't handle the pressure of being at such a MASSIVE club. Division 1 is serious business.

Bad Collin
June 12th, 2007, 7:11 PM
I keep hearing disturbing rumours about us not having any money after all and that we're going after Diego Forlan. :ugh:

UK Blue
June 12th, 2007, 7:14 PM
It would take a lot of money to get Forlan right now. He's been a revelation in Spain, and is undoubtedly better than any of Liverpool's current forwards. Sorry for the reality check. :D

Bad Collin
June 12th, 2007, 7:17 PM
Gutted. :nono:

Peter Griffin
June 12th, 2007, 7:28 PM
derby have apointed a new managing director

the name escapes at the minute

but he had s similar role at chlesea and helped tremendosly with securing the abramovich deal

da_man
June 13th, 2007, 4:32 AM
Would usually take the following rumour with a pinch of salt but Alan Nixon has very good contacts in the area:


EXCLUSIVE: Blackburn are latest Prem club targeted by American buyers
By Alan Nixon 13/06/2007

BLACKBURN are set to become the latest Premiership club to fall into American hands.

The Ewood Park outfit, managed by Mark Hughes, are close to following Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa by selling out to the dollar - with insiders revealing a deal is 'imminent'.

An official approach has been made and chairman John Williams now is conducting the negotiations which should see the Lancashire club under US ownership before the start of next season.

Rovers are keeping the identity of the bidders secret, although they have admitted in the past that they were open to offers.

Their success on the pitch and healthy financial state make them attractive. Williams runs a tight ship and there is no debt to worry about.

As Premiership clubs go Rovers are an interesting buy - even if they do pull smaller crowds and lack star appeal.

There are a number of leading American sports tycoons who have been looking at England to add to their portfolio.

Billionaire Paul Allen, who was keen on Southampton, is one buyer in the market.

San Francisco-based wheeler-dealer Jerome Simon is also looking for an English club after talks with Manchester City.

There should be an announcement from Blackburn shortly. And any takeover - with American money - would see boss Hughes in a stronger position to buy players and push for a Champions League finish after two successive UEFA Cup qualifications.

Fresh funds would help the bid for old boy Craig Bellamy at Liverpool and strengthen chances of keeping top scorer Benni McCarthy - or buying an even better replacement.

The deal hinges on whether the trustees of the late Jack Walker, the former owner and chairman, approve of the sale. If they think the Americans are serious players there could be a swift and positive conclusion to the deal.

After so many years of being owned by the Walker family, I'm of course concerned about a possible change in ownership. If we're to maintain our position as a top half Premiership club though, new investment is probably the only way we can do that.

We're probably a conundrum to an investor. We're admittedly a small club with a small fanbase but as the article says, we're exceptionally well run by John Williams the Chairman and we have no debt (the only debt we have is loans from the Walker family that are interest-free and have no fixed repayment period). We also have an excellent manager and an excellent squad that isn't too fair off bigger things. The next TV deal means our gates are pretty much an irrelevance financially.

The Walker family and the trustees have seen the rise of Jack's businesses like FlyBe in recent years, they're no mugs and them having the final say in any matter regarding investment makes me confident that any decision made will be positive for the club.

radon
June 13th, 2007, 7:28 AM
God everything is being taken over by rich investors these days. No wonder the prices for some players are getting higher and higher and more ridiculous.

The Rosk
June 13th, 2007, 10:24 AM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/6747441.stm

Sean Bean getting involved, Mik. Mental.

Simon
June 13th, 2007, 12:18 PM
Would usually take the following rumour with a pinch of salt but Alan Nixon has very good contacts in the area:



After so many years of being owned by the Walker family, I'm of course concerned about a possible change in ownership. If we're to maintain our position as a top half Premiership club though, new investment is probably the only way we can do that.

We're probably a conundrum to an investor. We're admittedly a small club with a small fanbase but as the article says, we're exceptionally well run by John Williams the Chairman and we have no debt (the only debt we have is loans from the Walker family that are interest-free and have no fixed repayment period). We also have an excellent manager and an excellent squad that isn't too fair off bigger things. The next TV deal means our gates are pretty much an irrelevance financially.

The Walker family and the trustees have seen the rise of Jack's businesses like FlyBe in recent years, they're no mugs and them having the final say in any matter regarding investment makes me confident that any decision made will be positive for the club.

Seems like a weird choice, though. I'd have thought Blackburn are one of the few sides in the Premiership who have a real 'upper limit' to how big they can be, because of the location and to an extent the ground. If the investors are serious then you could get a new ground, but who's going to fill it up? Seems a very strange team to go for. Birmingham, Sunderland and the like have a logic to them because of their location and fanbase/potential fanbase, but Blackburn aren't in the same boat.

Winkle van Tinkle
June 13th, 2007, 12:34 PM
http://clientimages.teamtalk.com/07/06/240/SeanBean_247199.jpg


Fuck off Sharpe.

Peter Griffin
June 13th, 2007, 12:42 PM
yeh wheres the replica top dufus

i really wish sheff utd wouls shut the fuck up moaning

they got relegated because they finished with the 3rd least points in the division they had ample opurtunity to win enough points

Bad Collin
June 13th, 2007, 1:49 PM
West Ham are fucked now that Sharpes involved

da_man
June 13th, 2007, 2:02 PM
Manchester Evening News reporting that Hughes tops Man City's wanted list.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1009/1009024_city_target_sparky.html

I found this bit particularly amusing...

"City, with a far bigger fan base and profile than Blackburn and armed with the potential to launch a sustained European campaign, would be an obvious attraction for Hughes, 43, who is regarded as the top young manager in the country."

:lol:

UK Blue
June 13th, 2007, 2:10 PM
Not much wrong with that statement, except it leaves out the fact that Blackburn are currently a much, much better side than City, and probably have more money available for transfers to boot.

Hughes would be foolish to go there. This Thai PM thing will never materialise.

Simon
June 13th, 2007, 2:11 PM
Remember when I said City could go after Ramos and everyone laughed at me, guess who's top of their wish list! Might not happen, but still...I am amazing.

UK Blue
June 13th, 2007, 2:26 PM
There is absolutely no chance of Ramos going there. It would be an unbelievable backwards step.

Although to be fair, I didn't think there was any chance of Benitez leaving Valencia for Liverpool when he did. Slightly different situation though..

Hulkamaniac
June 13th, 2007, 4:15 PM
Fucking hell, Sean Bean is involved?

West Ham are fucked. FUCKED.

Sheffield United have my full support.

El Capitano Gatisto
June 13th, 2007, 6:53 PM
There is absolutely no chance of Ramos going there. It would be an unbelievable backwards step.

Although to be fair, I didn't think there was any chance of Benitez leaving Valencia for Liverpool when he did. Slightly different situation though..

Yeah basically everyone at Valencia hated Benitez. I didn't know that at the time.

Also, Ranieri was at the top of City's wish list.

Prototype16
June 14th, 2007, 5:41 AM
Tough start for us- Cardiff and Southampton away, Charlton and Wolves at home. Should make for an interesting start to the season and hopefully some decent crowds. I'm already looking forward to West Brom at home just before Christmas

Now we just need some players......

JP
June 14th, 2007, 8:31 AM
Despite my loathing the FA for our first fixture - Away to Chelsea - our first 6 matches could have been a lot harder.

Second match, at home to Sunderland.

BRING IT ON MIK! :kick:


And the big one, 10/11

Hulkamaniac
June 14th, 2007, 8:45 AM
You're going to be in bad shape when you lose your first two matches.

Peter Griffin
June 14th, 2007, 9:37 AM
could of been worse for us i guess

son_of_foley
June 14th, 2007, 9:44 AM
yes it could have been. Portsmouth are a hard team to peg and may be too god for us. City as of right now having lost barton i think would be beatable. Spurs wont be easy but as nobody expects a thing out of us what the hell have we got to lose

Beefy
June 14th, 2007, 9:52 AM
Orient (H)
Leeds (A)
Millwall (H)
Brighton (A)

Amazing start to the season. Looking forward to it already.

Simon
June 14th, 2007, 9:58 AM
Orient could be fucked this season. I get all the news on them from my mate at Uni who's a huge Orient fan. At present, they have only 8 professional players on their books, having released a shitload and then been unable to secure new contracts on a load of others. We've just agreed some kind of feeder club deal with them, so it wouldn't surprise me if a few of our youngsters end up there this season on loan - they were in the hunt to sign Charlie Lee, who was very highly rated at the Lane, but he ended up going somewhere else.

As long as they keep Alton Thelwell, they'll always be ok, though.

Lazurus
June 14th, 2007, 10:17 AM
All we've actually agreed is use of their ground Simon; everything else is pretty speculative.

Peter Griffin
June 14th, 2007, 10:26 AM
As long as they keep Alton Thelwell, they'll always be ok, though.

i saw him play for hull at pride park last season

shit hot player

:shifty:

turdpower
June 14th, 2007, 10:34 AM
Having not been especially bothered with the U21 tournament, I was wondering if anyone has spotted some decent players playing.

Simon
June 14th, 2007, 10:40 AM
Having not been especially bothered with the U21 tournament, I was wondering if anyone has spotted some decent players playing.

The Czech number 4 was excellent, and Royston Drenthe of Holland has been the best player on the pitch in both games Holland have played.

turdpower
June 14th, 2007, 10:42 AM
Has Nani been a bag of shite?

Simon
June 14th, 2007, 10:44 AM
He's not been very good, to be fair. You can see he has a lot of quality, though.

SheltonLondon
June 14th, 2007, 11:03 AM
Drenthe has been phenomenal whereas Babel has looked like a greedy shithouse.

Simon
June 14th, 2007, 11:11 AM
I remember being impressed by Drenthe when England played Holland early this year (when Rooney scored his first goal in 12985938558585 internationals), he bombed up and down the touchline like a maniac but never seemed to get caught out. Great support for the attackers...looks like he could have a big future.

Winkle van Tinkle
June 14th, 2007, 12:29 PM
are you suggesting he goes to a MASSIVE CLUB?

da_man
June 14th, 2007, 12:31 PM
He'd have to wait 3 years to sign though.

Fulham Road Supporter
June 14th, 2007, 1:28 PM
Right now we are neck and neck with Liverpool on consecutive league home games without defeat (63), one more clinches the record...And we have Birmingham to try and stop us :lol:.

Peter Griffin
June 14th, 2007, 2:03 PM
you laugh, but as i remember it you struggled against wigan on the first day of the 05/06 season

1_Pablo_Angel
June 14th, 2007, 2:05 PM
Stephens final report comes out soon doesn't it?

And I am absolutely sure I saw someone carrying a paper in town today that said KANU PROBE on the back...

"Harry likes a bung"

Hlebsfall
June 14th, 2007, 2:06 PM
Has Nani been a bag of shite?

He was fucking rubbish last night. Spent most of the time on his arse complaining, right skinny little bastard he is as well.

Peter Griffin
June 14th, 2007, 2:08 PM
Stephens final report comes out soon doesn't it?

And I am absolutely sure I saw someone carrying a paper in town today that said KANU PROBE on the back...

"Harry likes a bung"

except the kanu deal under scrutiny was him leaving arsenal to got to WBA

1_Pablo_Angel
June 14th, 2007, 2:18 PM
Yeah, as soon as I posted that I thought he went to Pompey on a free...

Oh well. Read my post as two completely unconnected statements instead then :$

Peter Griffin
June 14th, 2007, 2:21 PM
will do

1_Pablo_Angel
June 14th, 2007, 3:11 PM
good.

JP
June 14th, 2007, 4:58 PM
Right now we are neck and neck with Liverpool on consecutive league home games without defeat (63), one more clinches the record...And we have Birmingham to try and stop us :lol:.

Wouldn't get too cocky mate.

If it wasn't for a late equaliser a few years back we'd have beat you there 1-0 courtesy of Walter Pandiani.

Peter Griffin
June 14th, 2007, 7:23 PM
i dont believe im gonna agree with a brummy, but mon u birmingham

Fulham Road Supporter
June 14th, 2007, 7:27 PM
you laugh, but as i remember it you struggled against wigan on the first day of the 05/06 season

I remember it too, I was there. We were away though, this is home, it won't be a problem. Nice start to the season, Pizzarro and Sheva to get a brace each.


Wouldn't get too cocky mate.

If it wasn't for a late equaliser a few years back we'd have beat you there 1-0 courtesy of Walter Pandiani.

To be fair you've given us a few hard games, other then your first season in the Prem I don't remember dicking on you lot. That was a bastard of a day, the queues took stupidly long and I missed Gudjohnsen's goal after about two minutes. That is the last and possibly only time I've missed Kick Off.

Peter Griffin
June 14th, 2007, 7:37 PM
NOVEMBER 28TH before we get a BIG team at home, chelski!

on east midlands today it had a graphic of derby badge in the background with mourhino in the foreground, and i thought weve arrived!

and to make things even better forest have to play teams like bournmouth and bristol rovers

Fulham Road Supporter
June 14th, 2007, 7:41 PM
Was just looking at the Derby fixture not half hour ago, pondering for a good ten minutes whether to go or not.

Normally it's a no-brainer but I'm back at uni for my last year and I wasn't really up for any northern aways but I think I will. Until Sunderland came back up, I regretted not going there the other season, and in the nicest possible (and least patronising way) I don't want to be filled with regret if you go down and don't re-emerge.

Peter Griffin
June 14th, 2007, 7:50 PM
no offence taken, at the end of the day theres no reason why we shudnt stay up!

who would have thought wigan and reading would have achieved what they did in their first seasons?

it will be one hell of a scrap , no doubt, but we have the right man in charge at least.

Fulham Road Supporter
June 14th, 2007, 8:06 PM
I don't disagree, you have a chance of staying up of course, I just don't see it as a good one.

Reading and Wigan I reckon were different, more teams are now being bought out and there will be a harder playing field.

I guess the obvious ones for the drop would be you, Wigan, Boro and the other two just promoted must be the favourites for the drop. Reading and Bolton as outsiders IMO, I bet both finish below 13th. Man City even if they do get a good manager will have a task staying up, they are just getting worse and worse.

son_of_foley
June 15th, 2007, 2:45 AM
Boltn could be in big trouble. Fulham if sanchez cant get people in as he hates that squad.

Peter
June 15th, 2007, 10:07 AM
I thought the fixtures where supposed to be drawn entirely randomly by a computer?

So it's just a coincidence that Liverpool play Man United on December 15th, the same day that Arsenal play Chelsea? And just another huge coincidence that on March 22nd it's the same again?

Nothing to do with Sky influencing the fixtures so that they can have a couple of 'omgz super SUPER sunday!!11!' :rolleyes:

SheltonLondon
June 15th, 2007, 10:13 AM
It's always sort of been like that, they aim to give the Champions or second team an easy start to the season as well so that one of them can claim the top spot early on.

The Rosk
June 15th, 2007, 10:18 AM
I thought the fixtures where supposed to be drawn entirely randomly by a computer?

So it's just a coincidence that Liverpool play Man United on December 15th, the same day that Arsenal play Chelsea? And just another huge coincidence that on March 22nd it's the same again?

Nothing to do with Sky influencing the fixtures so that they can have a couple of 'omgz super SUPER sunday!!11!' :rolleyes:

Well obviously they are drawn with certain things in mind, ie fixture congestion, local rivals have to play either on different days or one is at home and the other away etc...

But it's surely only good for the FA if such big games are bunched together.

Peter
June 15th, 2007, 10:25 AM
Yes, obvoiusly i'm aware that there are certain influences that need to be taken into consideration (i.e. Merseyside police requesting liverpool/everton never be drawn at home on the same day, etc. etc.). But didn't think that it would reach a point where the TV companies get to handpick when fixtures get played.

And, likewise, you could argue that grouping all the 'big' games together means you're then stuck with 14weeks of watching the likes of fulham vs. derby and other games that appeal less to the mainstream market.

I'm just looking forward to seeing how many of our fixtures get re-arranged to 12.45pm, especially after meeting with Rick Parry last week and urging him to put the pressure on Sky to stop fucking us about, and to stop LFC being an easy touch.

son_of_foley
June 15th, 2007, 10:25 AM
also the fact it happens twice is the figures are in theory mirrored

eugenespeed
June 15th, 2007, 11:06 AM
If anyone's interested, here is the League Cup first round:

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Bradford City
Grimsby Town v Burnley
Rochdale v Stoke City
Scunthorpe United v Hartlepool United
Port Vale v Wrexham
Crewe Alexandra v Hull City
Chester City v Nottingham Forest
Sheffield United v Chesterfield
Rotherham United v Sheffield Wednesday
Barnsley v Darlington
Bury v Carlisle United
Doncaster Rovers v Lincoln City
Preston North End v Morecambe
Stockport County v Tranmere Rovers
Accrington Stanley v Leicester City
Macclesfield Town v Leeds United
Oldham Athletic v Mansfield Town
Blackpool v Huddersfield Town
Watford v Gillingham
Swindon Town v Charlton Athletic
Milton Keynes Dons v Ipswich Town
Southend United v Cheltenham Town
Norwich City v Barnet
Shrewsbury Town v Colchester United
Cardiff City v Brighton & Hove Albion
Swansea City v Walsall
Brentford v Bristol City
Bristol Rovers v Crystal Palace
West Bromwich Albion v AFC Bournemouth
Peterborough United v Southampton
Hereford United v Yeovil Town
Queens Park Rangers v Leyton Orient
Northampton Town v Millwall
Dagenham & Redbridge v Luton Town
Plymouth Argyle v Wycombe Wanderers
Coventry City v Notts County

Also, Newcastle going to Bolton on day one of the season, that was definately intentional. Still, should guarantee a toon match on Sky.

son_of_foley
June 15th, 2007, 11:19 AM
to a point i dont know how intentional it is. With the amount of change and old boys and links there will always be a sensational link to start the season off. I think you can look at most weeks through the season and find a link of some sort

Simon
June 15th, 2007, 11:40 AM
I'm confident the Sunderland/Spurs game will be live on Sky, possibly the very first game of the season in fact - look at the past few years and the winners of the Championship usually get televised on the opening day of the season (although Reading weren't last season, so who knows).

Chelsea/Birmingham, Bolton/Newcastle and Sunderland/Spurs are probably the three most interesting games on the opening day of the season, maybe with Derby/Pompy too - two games on the Saturday and two on the Sunday, perhaps?

Hulkamaniac
June 15th, 2007, 1:29 PM
Yes, obvoiusly i'm aware that there are certain influences that need to be taken into consideration (i.e. Merseyside police requesting liverpool/everton never be drawn at home on the same day, etc. etc.). But didn't think that it would reach a point where the TV companies get to handpick when fixtures get played.



What do you think that they do? Put them into a big computer system with loads of clauses? They just think them up man.



I'm confident the Sunderland/Spurs game will be live on Sky, possibly the very first game of the season in fact - look at the past few years and the winners of the Championship usually get televised on the opening day of the season (although Reading weren't last season, so who knows).

Chelsea/Birmingham, Bolton/Newcastle and Sunderland/Spurs are probably the three most interesting games on the opening day of the season, maybe with Derby/Pompy too - two games on the Saturday and two on the Sunday, perhaps?

I think that we'll be on Sky shitloads this season, especially if we have a decent season. Everyone in the Media wants to see how Keano gets on, want to see him going up against Allardyce, Fergie, Wenger, Mourinho, Benitez etc etc. We're probably the most media interesting team I can ever remember being promoted.

da_man
June 17th, 2007, 9:51 AM
A bit of new info coming to light about a possible takeover of us:

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=rovers--it-s-adan-deal-%26method=full%26objectid=19309584%26siteid=93463-name_page.html

Him being a Rovers fan makes the deal look perfect on paper.

And news from John Terry's wedding was that he had to step in and split up a fight betweeen one of the attendees and...Jody Morris. :rolleyes:

turdpower
June 17th, 2007, 10:04 AM
Seems strange that Rooney would go to JT's wedding and not Gary Nevilles.

Peter Griffin
June 17th, 2007, 11:12 AM
why? just cause they play for the same team dont mean they have to be big mates, look at Teddy MBE and andy cole at man utd, they hated eachother with a passion!

not that im suggesting that rooney hates neville or ought

Simon
June 17th, 2007, 12:42 PM
Seems strange that Rooney would go to JT's wedding and not Gary Nevilles.

Rooney did go to Neville's wedding. He went to Neville's and Carrick's, but not Stevie G's this weekend. But said he was gutted he couldn't go to Gerrard's.

turdpower
June 17th, 2007, 1:25 PM
I thought the fixtures where supposed to be drawn entirely randomly by a computer?

So it's just a coincidence that Liverpool play Man United on December 15th, the same day that Arsenal play Chelsea? And just another huge coincidence that on March 22nd it's the same again?

Nothing to do with Sky influencing the fixtures so that they can have a couple of 'omgz super SUPER sunday!!11!' :rolleyes:

Well it's the same again on March 22nd because when fixtures are player, the reverse fixtures are also played on the same weekend.

Like when it's about January and the fixtures from the first game of the season get played in reverse.

Simon
June 17th, 2007, 1:26 PM
Already been covered.

turdpower
June 17th, 2007, 1:28 PM
Rooney did go to Neville's wedding. He went to Neville's and Carrick's, but not Stevie G's this weekend. But said he was gutted he couldn't go to Gerrard's.

Christ. Was that some mental travelling or cleverly space wedding starts and days?

Simon
June 17th, 2007, 1:45 PM
Christ. Was that some mental travelling or cleverly space wedding starts and days?

He went by helicopter from one to another yesterday and had another one two days before, Terry's one I guess. Read it in the paper today. Three in 72 hours.

Flow (Ice Cold) 3000
June 18th, 2007, 12:45 PM
Just seen (late?) that Valencia have replaced the Kraut team in the Emirates tournament. Good times

turdpower
June 19th, 2007, 5:30 AM
The cost of being a football fan has been laid bare by a new league, which reveals that Manchester City fans are getting the worst value for money from their season tickets.

The Blues came bottom of a “goals per pound” league devised by personal finance website Fool.co.uk, which compared the price of a season ticket with the number of goals scored at home last season.

The Manchester side, which charges between £385 and £550 for a season ticket, scored just ten times at home, meaning their fans forked out £46.75 for every goal.

Blackburn Rovers topped the league with a cost per goal of just £11.25, having netted 31 goals at home.
Related Links

Arsenal, where season tickets can cost up to £1,825, was the most expensive after City, with fans paying £31.50 for each of the 43 goals scored last season.

London rivals Chelsea were in sixth place with a cost per goal of £24.32. Manchester United, meanwhile, did well in the value stakes with each of their 46 goals costing just £14.24.

The Chairman of Manchester City Supporters Club said: “It’s been one of those seasons, and it’s a disgrace we’ve had to fork out nearly £50 for each goal we scored at home. Hopefully next season, fans’ money will be invested in new players which will see us climb down the league of costly goals”.

Separate research from Virgin Money has found that hardcore football fans will spend nearly £100,000 over a lifetime of following their team – nearly enough to pay off the average mortgage.

An avid fan with a season ticket who follows their team overseas will spend almost £20,000 on season tickets, £11,600 on tickets for away games and £40,000 on travel costs over their supporting lifetime. And that’s before club merchandise, programmes and match day food and drink.

The huge cost explains why one in every eight football fans is considering not renewing their season ticket, up 5 per cent on last year, according to Virgin Money. It said the cost of going to a game has risen nearly 18 per cent since January 2006.

Malcolm Clarke, chair of the Football Supporters’ Federation, said: “This research backs up what we’ve been saying for ages. Fans are being priced out of the game. The live match-going fan is football’s lifeblood. Without them, the millions from broadcasters and sponsors simply won’t materialise. We need a new deal for the match-going supporter.”

Club/Cost per goal

Blackburn: £11.25

Wigan: £13.88

Man Utd: £14.25

Everton: £14.28

Middlesbrough: £15.96

Liverpool: £17.30

Sheffield United: £18.01

Bolton: £18.42

Reading: £19.65

Charlton: £20.07

Aston Villa: £20.75

Newcastle: £20.89

Watford: £21.00

Portsmouth: £23.75

Chelsea: £24.32

Tottenham: £25.42

Fulham: £29.11

West Ham: £30.10

Arsenal: £31.50

Man City: £46.75

Stolen from another forum.

turdpower
June 19th, 2007, 5:34 AM
£21.83 is the average.

UK Blue
June 19th, 2007, 1:45 PM
Man City only scored about two goals all season. If it wasn't for their solid defence they'd have been fucked.

son_of_foley
June 20th, 2007, 4:00 AM
and distin has left now. If richards was to go and they dont manage to strengthen it up again they are a bit fucked really

da_man
June 20th, 2007, 6:39 AM
Onouha looks a good player. No frills defender. Him and Dunne should be a good pairing but they look woefully short of quality in midfield and up front.

son_of_foley
June 20th, 2007, 7:24 AM
is he not meant to be a right back though? FM might be polluting my brain. Aye they need to sort it out big time. Samaras is wank as is corradi

da_man
June 20th, 2007, 7:41 AM
Most of his appearances for City have been at right-back but his best position is supposed to be centre-back and that's where he's looked impressive for the U-21s.

son_of_foley
June 20th, 2007, 8:44 AM
Could be a good deal. Would expect a bit more out of stephen ireland this year as far as city go. Perhaps sturridge might get a shot?

SheltonLondon
June 20th, 2007, 11:25 AM
Don't know if you boys heard (Mik especially) but Sunderland will be playing Juve at the Stadium of Light to celebrate 10 years in the stadium.

4th August I think, get down there Mik could be a cracker.

da_man
June 20th, 2007, 11:48 AM
Keano to give himself a game and terrorise them again.

Hulkamaniac
June 20th, 2007, 12:11 PM
Don't know if you boys heard (Mik especially) but Sunderland will be playing Juve at the Stadium of Light to celebrate 10 years in the stadium.

4th August I think, get down there Mik could be a cracker.

Excellent that. Been busy all day so hadnt had the chance to discover that.

Should be a cracking game.

We'll trash the cunts.

Prototype16
June 20th, 2007, 6:21 PM
Man City could be in big trouble unless they get things sorted soon, to have this much uncertainty at this stage of the close season is not good

Mik- has there been much talk your end about a bid for our captain Danny Higginbotham. There are a lot of rumours flying about on our board, would be a massive blow for us if he went. How worried should I be?

Peter Griffin
June 20th, 2007, 6:33 PM
hmm well i cant talk for mik, but the only connection that springs to mind is that they worked together at manchester united

Prototype16
June 20th, 2007, 6:46 PM
Yeah I know that, he was arguably the best defender in the Championship last year so I can certainly understand why Sunderland and other lower mid table Premiership clubs might be being interested regardless of that connection. I'm just wondering how strong the interest is and hoping we keep him unless we get an offer that is simply too good to refuse as we can't just let our best players go if we want to progress further

Peter Griffin
June 20th, 2007, 7:59 PM
sorry dude joust saying!

turdpower
June 21st, 2007, 4:28 AM
Keano to give himself a game and terrorise them again.

:drool:

da_man
June 21st, 2007, 5:25 AM
Shinawatra has had a takeover bid accepted by Man City.

However he faces a 'fit and proper person' test by the Premier League before it can go ahead. Hmmm...a man facing corruption charges in Thailand and has had all his assets frozen - what are the chances? :squint:

turdpower
June 21st, 2007, 5:55 AM
Asprilla the drug barron.

da_man
June 21st, 2007, 5:55 PM
Copy and paste from a good source on another board:


Eriksson has been offered a three-year contract worth £6m but he has asked for time to consider it. It is well known in football that Eriksson was touting himself round Spain last week, so presumably that is where he would rather go than City.

The City board have a back-up list of two in case Eriksson turns them down - Ramos, the Seville coach, who is thought likely to stay in Spain, and Hughes.

Me thinks they might need some more backups. :D

Melv
June 21st, 2007, 5:59 PM
Why would Hughes go to Man City? He spent most of his career playing for their main rivals, plus City are fucking shit.

J
June 21st, 2007, 6:03 PM
Why? A three year contract worth £6m?

Melv
June 21st, 2007, 6:04 PM
That's what Eriksson's been offered. I'd be very, very surprised if the same offer applied to Hughes.

da_man
June 21st, 2007, 6:07 PM
Hughes has his eyes firmly on the United job. I'll be chuffed if he ends up leaving for there because it'll mean he's done a bloody amazing for us at the end of the day.

J
June 21st, 2007, 6:08 PM
Maybe so but if I was Hughes and third choice for the position I would be asking for a substantial wage, close to that of the first choice candidate. The Thai guy is obviously prepared to give a manager a large contract.

Melv
June 21st, 2007, 6:10 PM
Maybe so but if I was Hughes and third choice for the position I would be asking for a substantial wage, close to that of the first choice candidate. The Thai guy is obviously prepared to give a manager a large contract.
He's also presumably not an idiot. Hughes won't be offered anything near £6m over 3 years.

da_man
June 21st, 2007, 6:13 PM
Its irrelevant anyway.

I can confirm ( :cool: ) that Hughesy has absolutely no interest in the City job.

Simon
June 21st, 2007, 6:13 PM
Why not? Works out at £40k a week, that's not a ridiculous wage nowadays, particularly not if this guy is minted and looking to buy his way to success.

da_man
June 22nd, 2007, 8:51 AM
Been a really interesting couple of days over on the unofficial Rovers board. Journo Alan Nixon who has very good contacts high up within the club has been breaking the latest information (with the consent of the club) and has signed up to the forum, initially to defend himself and his motives, and has since been clarifying a lot of the details of the men behind the takeover bid.

All very interesting stuff. He promises a big exclusive in this weekend's Sunday People.

Simon
June 24th, 2007, 6:01 PM
47 days until the new season begins. :zzz:

da_man
June 24th, 2007, 6:04 PM
27 days til we're in Intertoto Cup action :hyper:

Simon
June 24th, 2007, 6:05 PM
I'm actually very slightly jealous.

eldanielfire
June 25th, 2007, 11:49 AM
The Emirates cup is where the real action is at. Makes July worth living for.....

Peter Griffin
June 25th, 2007, 11:56 AM
na derby county vs ilkeston town is where its at my liege

Lazurus
June 25th, 2007, 11:58 AM
Peace Cup's where it's at boys; and you know this.

UK Blue
June 25th, 2007, 12:08 PM
The Barclays Asia Trophy.

Chris Scott
June 25th, 2007, 5:21 PM
Yes indeed.

Pompey and Pool :D

Java
June 26th, 2007, 8:48 AM
From Sky Sports:

Carlos Tevez admits he is 'excited' by the possibility of interest from Arsenal.

The striker is considering his future, with West Ham United hoping to hang on to the Argentine after his influential end to last season.

He has been linked with Real Madrid and Internazionale, and has also suggested he is looking to join a big club over the summer.

Rumours have now claimed that Arsenal could move for Tevez following the departure of captain Thierry Henry to Barcelona.

Tevez, who is on Copa America duty with Argentina, concedes he would relish the chance of a move to Emirates Stadium as he is keen to stay in the Premier League.

"I know people are now talking about Arsenal and obviously that is something I am excited about," said Tevez in the Sun.

"It's another big club and the good thing is I wouldn't have to move out of London. I also already know English football and I like it.

"Arsenal's style is more technical than physical, so I could fit in no problem.

"My transfer is being talked about a lot. It's beautiful to be wanted by various clubs."

Meanwhile, Tevez told Gazzetta dello Sport that he would plump for Inter ahead of Real, if he was given the choice.

He said: "Inter is a great club. There is a true possibility that I will wear the Nerazzurri colours next season.

"It's also true that Real Madrid are interested in my services, but my agent knows exactly how I feel about it - better Inter than Real."
__________________________________________________ ___________

That's the guy I want Arsenal to get more than any other.

Prototype16
June 26th, 2007, 9:12 AM
It would be great to see him remain in the Premiership and it would be a much needed boost for Arsenal if he went there, definitely good for the neutral.

Inter seems more likely though. Interesting to see that he doesn't seem too interested in Real- sensible bloke

RFF Champ
June 27th, 2007, 2:32 PM
ahaha,

Jermaine Defoe is on Big Brothers Little Brother, right now.

Simon
June 27th, 2007, 4:04 PM
His missus would get absolutely ragged. Defoe comes across as a top bloke.

Simon
June 30th, 2007, 4:35 AM
Good article re. Bent's signing and Spurs' chances for next season...


This is the signing that brings Tottenham Hotspur to the brink of breaking into the top four. Maybe next season we will be able to call the Barclays Premier League’s elite a top five. Tottenham now have a forward line as good as Liverpool’s and better than Manchester United’s, Arsenal’s and Chelsea’s. They have talent and depth.

Of course, at up to £16.5 million, Darren Bent is overpriced. That is more than Thierry Henry cost Barcelona. I don’t think I'm sticking my neck out by predicting that Bent will never reach Henry’s heights. He won’t become a Spurs legend – but nor is he the next Sergei Rebrov. And Bent is 23, while Henry is nearly 30. Spurs are buying a striker who has potential but who has already proved his worth in the Premier League for Charlton Athletic.

Martin Jol, the Tottenham head coach, said yesterday that he likes Bent’s stamina. He is a decent header of the ball, too, and an effective predator who hangs on defenders’ shoulders then sprints away to collect through-balls, of which there will be many next season. But is he an upgrade over Jermain Defoe? Yes, because Bent adds diversity. He is quicker than any of Spurs’ existing strikers and taller than Defoe, so he is more of an aerial presence.

Variety up front is key in the modern game. Where once clubs would have two decent strikers, now they have three or four. The great appeal of Peter Crouch for Liverpool and England is that he offers something different to his teammates. Bent will do likewise for Spurs because of his blistering pace. Robbie Keane and Defoe are too similar, which is why Jol decided they cannot play together, and Keane won out.

There is no reason why Bent and Keane will not work as a pairing. Whether they should play together is another matter. Keane and Dimitar Berbatov were the best strikeforce in the top flight last season. It would be foolish of Jol to split up such an effective duo. So Spurs have spent £16.5 million on a third-choice striker.

That sounds crazy but it is possible that Defoe will move on, perhaps for £10-12 million, even though he said yesterday that he wants to stay. So, Jol could argue, for a £4-6 million outlay he has upgraded his attack, and he will feel it is a price worth paying. Bent, certainly early on in his White Hart Lane career, is likely to accept that third-choice role without question, while Defoe – desperate for first-team action to boost his England prospects – would surely balk at spending another season as a bit-part player.

In any case, Bent will see plenty of action, with Tottenham expecting to go far in the Uefa Cup and domestic competitions, and Jol will start him in league games against opponents he feels are vulnerable to the forward’s style. Tottenham could even use Berbatov, Keane and Bent together. While he’s hardly a winger, Keane enjoys playing down the left. Whatever the lineup, this Spurs squad is full of goals. They now have a proper left back, in Gareth Bale. With a fit Ledley King and an inform Paul Robinson, all they need is a commanding midfield player.

Jol deserves immense credit. After so many false dawns, Tottenham are competitive at last. In 2004-05, Arsenal finished 31 points above their neighbours. It would not be a huge shock if Tottenham are placed ahead of Arsène Wenger’s side next May. At the moment, only in midfield could you say that Arsenal have a definite edge over Spurs.
And, of course, the head coach has done an incredible job retaining Berbatov’s services with so many top clubs sniffing around. But if you hop on that train of thought, it doesn’t take you to a very pleasant destination.

Spurs’ resurgence is genuine but fragile. What if it is not Defoe who ends up leaving, but Berbatov? The optimism would evaporate. The future looks good for Spurs, but with this club you always expect that something will go wrong,
somehow.

Fair comment...we're well placed to fight for fourth, but it is very fragile - all our ambition is wrapped up in Berbatov, if we lose him then we'd be back to square one even if we get crazy money for him.

turdpower
June 30th, 2007, 7:17 AM
Rooney is number 10 next season.

Simon
June 30th, 2007, 7:17 AM
List of British and Irish players at Premiership clubs currently:

25: West Ham
17: Manchester United, Birmingham
16: Tottenham, Sunderland, Derby
13: Everton, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Newcastle
12: Reading, Manchester City, Wigan
11: Blackburn
9: Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Fulham
8: Bolton
7: Liverpool
3: Arsenal

Quite funny that West Ham have way more British and Irish players than anyone else, but of their six foreign players, three are arguably their best players (Tevez, Benayoun and Neill)...and two of those will be gone soon, anyway :D

Hulkamaniac
June 30th, 2007, 12:29 PM
16? We have more than 16 Irish players alone.

JP
June 30th, 2007, 12:38 PM
Brings out the national pride in me.

Ringo
June 30th, 2007, 12:44 PM
Man Utd have 17? Don't quite see that, unless you're including the youth team players who have played in the League Cup a couple of times.

Peter Griffin
June 30th, 2007, 1:01 PM
foster,o'shea,scholes,giggs,fletcher,rooney,nevill e,ferdinand,brown,hargreaves, smith,richardson,carrick,bardsley,eagles

hmm 15 by my count but still not bad

arsenal :lol:

Simon
June 30th, 2007, 1:02 PM
Man Utd have 17? Don't quite see that, unless you're including the youth team players who have played in the League Cup a couple of times.

Well all the clubs would presumably have been judged on the same criteria. Off the top of my head...

Giggs
Scholes
Neville
Brown
Carrick
Foster
Smith
Rooney
O'Shea
Hargreaves
Ferdinand
Fletcher
Richardson

So I suppose Eagles, Evans, maybe Bardsley and...Cathcart? I dunno.