Football 2010-2011

[eFestivals]

Looks like Liverpool have signed Poulson from Juve. You'd think this must mean that Mascerano is on his way, but all seems to have gone a bit quiet on that front.

Inter have been making noises about not having any money unless they sell.

I bet that pleases Rafa.

Thought Gibbs did well for England last night. If he can keep up that sort of form he could well get in ahead of Clichy in our team. Good on him.

yep, I thought he had the best game of all the subs used last night, tho he took a while to settle in, and wasn't helped by Young going awol in front of him (particularly early in the half) leaving that left side too exposed.

I thought Adam Johnson had a good one by the end too, when he was starting to have much more of an impact on the game. Tho perhaps that's just demonstrated he's still a bit short at this level, because he looked strongest when both teams were at their weakest at the end of the game.

I had to laugh a lot at the comments about Walcott last night. He played little different to how he's played in nearly all of his England games, yet this time he was 'great' and not 'rubbish'. I reckon the moron commentators have wised up a little.

He got to show yet again just how good he is at playing the perfect cross to feet to a player in the box. But just as Lumpard did when Walcott was 'rubbish', A.Johnson blew it. Pleasingly, this time it wasn't considered a demonstration of Walcott being rubbish because someone else can't kick a football.

Remember folks, Walcott is still only 20 (or is it 21 now?). He's far from the finished product, but I remain convinced he'll be that finished product within a few years. Even the likes of Messi and skippy aren't great in every game.

Edited August 12, 2010 by eFestivals

[The Nal]

"Bebe youre a rich man, Bebe youre a rich man, Babe youre a rich man too"

[eFestivals]

Sssh, Utd dont have any money!!?

I've always said they have pin money for players. What they don't have is money for big spends.

[ampersand]

I've always said they have pin money for players. What they don't have is money for big spends.

[eFestivals]

ozil wasn't a much bigger spend than bebe. ozil who they had no money for.

there's actually a big difference - a big signing on fee, and much higher wages.

That makes Ozil a big spend and Bebe not.

[The Nal]

there's actually a big difference - a big signing on fee, and much higher wages.

That makes Ozil a big spend and Bebe not.

[eFestivals]

As usual with Utd, you havent a clue what youre talking about. Not a clue. Or even worse, you do have a clue, but youre ABUness takes over, which is even more stupid.

Ozil is/was going for 8 odd mill, this new kid was signed for 7.4m apparently. Even if the wages for Ozil are bigger, which they probably would be, it certainly doesnt prove Utd have no money.

Unless 7.4 million equates to "no money" in your mind?!

I'll say it yet again, as it appeared to pass you by the previous 3 times.....

I've always said they have pin money for players. What they don't have is money for big spends.

[funkymp]

coppell just quit bristol city, get on him for the villa job

[eFestivals]

coppell just quit bristol city, get on him for the villa job

wow, that didn't last long. So much for City on the rise, people round here will be gutted.

I wonder if James will move on now? I'd have thought that Coppell was a big part of the attraction.

[eFestivals]

So what's people's opinion on Beckham finally getting the push (aside from the promise of a sympathy run out in the friendly against France in November, that is)?

At least two years too late IMO. And I think Fabio's too, given that he's finally realised that the same tired old players will take England nowhere new.

[eFestivals]

And finally....

The BBC's panel of 30 "experts" have gone for the Prem ending up as:-

1. Chelsea

2. Man Utd

3. Arsenal

4. Man Shitty.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8906049.stm

While they're the obvious choices, I'm not so sure it's how things will pan out (tho I'm not saying they won't either).

I can see Chelsea getting pipped maybe, as they're not getting any stronger and probably going the opposite way; Utd have some new players whose impact is yet to be seen - so could be stronger, tho could go slightly the other way; Arsenal are always a bit of an unknown quantity, who are going to come good sooner or later; and shitty have yet to show the ambition on the field to match their spending.

[eFestivals]

coppell just quit bristol city, get on him for the villa job

according to what Sky are reporting, Coppell has also decided to "retire from football management".

That's a real shame as he's one of the better British managers out there IMO, but given his quitting habit I guess he'd not get many more management opportunities now anyway.

[Ed209]

So what's people's opinion on Beckham finally getting the push (aside from the promise of a sympathy run out in the friendly against France in November, that is)?

At least two years too late IMO. And I think Fabio's too, given that he's finally realised that the same tired old players will take England nowhere new.

Edited August 12, 2010 by Ed209

[eFestivals]

Its time to move on and beyond that era of English football, so I think its the right move. After 115 caps, being a captain, and just being an all round bloody good bloke and ambassador for English football, I don't think a phone call from Capello before telling the press would have gone a miss though.

yes, I guess that's true - tho they might well have had a convo around it while at the world cup.

[Steve P]

I don't think a phone call from Capello before telling the press would have gone a miss though.

[The Nal]

So what's people's opinion on Beckham finally getting the push (aside from the promise of a sympathy run out in the friendly against France in November, that is)?

At least two years too late IMO. And I think Fabio's too, given that he's finally realised that the same tired old players will take England nowhere new.

Edited August 12, 2010 by The Nal

[TheGayTent]

I wonder if James will move on now? I'd have thought that Coppell was a big part of the attraction.

[llcoolphil]

It's just another stick for the press to beat the nasty foreign man with. Big Sam wouldn't have done it like that you know (awaits article in the NOTW this weekend saying that)

[eFestivals]

Intentional?!

eh? You've lost me.

[funkymp]

I wouldnt write off Liverpool at all and would be surprised if they finish outside the top 4 or even higher. They have Gerrard, Cole and Torres as a front three and one of the best keepers in the world. Poulsen is a great buy for them too.

[The Nal]

gerrad - was terrible last year

cole has been useless for chelsea for the last 2 seasons - was like watching a headless chicken in the fa cup final last year when he came on. he's just a show pony, dont expect much of him at liverpool either.

torres - will be injured and out for X months by christmas

[eFestivals]

As Donald Rumsfeld would say - theres a lot of known unknowns in there.

Chelski have a few older players and players not performing too. They've lost Ricky Carvalho which is a big loss and if Essien/Drogba arent fit theyre in trouble.

Utd - I just dont know. If Scholes stays fit and plays 3/4 of the games Utd have a great chance. Hernandez looks good but as someone said before, how will he cope with a cold Monday night in Stoke getting the shit kicked out of him?

Arsenal - Not sure at all about them. Will Fabregas be 100% committed? Theo needs to have his first big season. And they'll win nothing with that keeper.

Shitty have a small mutiny on their hands already. Bellamys comments last night were poor, he always does it though. Like clockwork! He also said Mancini doesnt talk to Tevez. Adebayor seems to want out, as does Given and/or Hart and Robinho. Too many egos in that team.

I wouldnt write off Liverpool at all and would be surprised if they finish outside the top 4 or even higher. They have Gerrard, Cole and Torres as a front three and one of the best keepers in the world. Poulsen is a great buy for them too.

Its a lot more open this season, which can only be a good thing for the league. Bring on Saturday!

Yep, pretty much agree with all of that. I have to laugh at no one thinking Spurs are in with a hope at the top 4 this year tho, they're getting a mention from no one except spurs fans.

I noticed last night that Shitty have named Robinho for their Europa squad. Has he even arrived back in the UK yet? If not, why do they think he will? ... a part of that story (I think I read it on BBC) also suggested that because Bellend wasn't named in that squad it was an indication that he's not in Shitty's Prem plans, but I don't think it can be read like that - I'd have thought that the Europa squad would include a fair few players who won't be in the Prem squad, to allow some rotation. And you never know, Robby might (if he ever comes back) actually feel like putting in some effort for those European matches like he doesn't for the Prem.

I notice another years worth of Utd's lauded kids don't seem to be making the grade (Welbeck off to Sunderland now too). Funny that - but it mostly ends up with Utd getting more than decent fees for them via their "played for Utd" label (unless shipped out to the kid on loan, but it's not family favours ) ... before they disappear into obscurity.

[TheGayTent]

Yep, pretty much agree with all of that. I have to laugh at no one thinking Spurs are in with a hope at the top 4 this year tho, they're getting a mention from no one except spurs fans.

I noticed last night that Shitty have named Robinho for their Europa squad. Has he even arrived back in the UK yet? If not, why do they think he will? ... a part of that story (I think I read it on BBC) also suggested that because Bellend wasn't named in that squad it was an indication that he's not in Shitty's Prem plans, but I don't think it can be read like that - I'd have thought that the Europa squad would include a fair few players who won't be in the Prem squad, to allow some rotation. And you never know, Robby might (if he ever comes back) actually feel like putting in some effort for those European matches like he doesn't for the Prem.

I notice another years worth of Utd's lauded kids don't seem to be making the grade (Welbeck off to Sunderland now too). Funny that - but it mostly ends up with Utd getting more than decent fees for them via their "played for Utd" label (unless shipped out to the kid on loan, but it's not family favours ) ... before they disappear into obscurity.

[funkymp]

random thing on man city's euro squad

they named 23 of the 25 right, so guessing the 24th will be david silva (who wasn't named cos of the mexico - spain friendly). guessing milner will be the 25th - so on that basis, they wont be signing balotelli cos there's no way you'll blow 30million on a striker and not bother using him for the euro campaign.

unless they can change the actual 25 in they qualify for that league format thingy in the europa hasn't robinho basically said he wants to stay at santos?

that guy man u have signed, didn't the portugease club get him on a free a few months ago? the whole transfer seems a bit

Edited August 12, 2010 by funkymp

[eFestivals]

That said, they could be in administration by October. None of these potential buyers (down to two now, well, one really, the Chinese one is bullshit), are looking realistic.

Nope, they 100% won't be.

If RBS end up taking over the club it's treated no differently to the club being sold (which is exactly what happened with Pompey prior to going into admin a couple of months later), so there's no danger of that happening as early as October. And RBS will do all they can to not put the club into admin themselves, because that'll simply hit back on them via the sale price they'd get. I would have thought that by that point of the season the club also wouldn't have difficulty financing itself thru the season, as it's the player spends that tend to be the big financial drains.

Outside of the public outcry that'd happen if RBS did take over (cos of RBS being taxpayer owned), I reckon it'd actually be the best thing possible for RBS to have them - they'd end up getting sold off cheaper than they will otherwise, they wouldn't have any problem finding a buyer (there's few clubs which would be more attractive to the sugar-daddy types, particularly at a knock-down price), and the buyer would then have less problem putting their hands in their pockets for the stadium investment.