Football 2010-2011

[The Nal]

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.

[eFestivals]

Which one of Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, Or Man City do you think Tottenham have a hope of competing with?

like everyone else outside of Spurs fans, none of them.

Bellamy has already been told he's not maing the Premier League squad of 25.

Has he? Stuff I'd read last night wasn't saying that, but did have him saying he suspects he won't be in it.

[TheGayTent]

Robinho is still in Brazil as far as I know. Weird.

As far as Utd youth players, play enough of them and some will stick. Welbeck is only 19, too thin and gangly to play Prem football this year. Utd have Rooney, Berba, Owen, Hernandez, Macheda and "Bebe" the homeless wonder now as stikers. Diouf and Welbeck can either play on the reserves, or first team football for another team. Theyre still both young. Beckham didnt break into the Utd team until he was 20 or 21.

But yeah, if one or two work out the rest will be sold for the standard 5 or 6 million. Personally, I think Macheda is the most exciting Utd youth player since Scholes.

[eFestivals]

Personally, I think Macheda is the most exciting Utd youth player since Scholes.

he's the only one I've seen play who's looked like he might have a Utd career, but I'm still far from certain about that (tho I've only seen the few short cameos he's had). I get the impression that Fergie's still far from convinced about him.

[eFestivals]

Aren't Sunderland in for Welbeck (on loan)?

yep, it's a done deal.

[TheGayTent]

Has he? Stuff I'd read last night wasn't saying that, but did have him saying he suspects he won't be in it.

[eFestivals]

unless they can change the actual 25 in they qualify for that league format thingy in the europa

yep, they get to change to squad for the 'proper' Europa league matches, so the current 25 isn't fixed just yet.

hasn't robinho basically said he wants to stay at santos?

every day for the last six months.

But to be fair to him, he has included with it stuff about him being contracted to shitty and that he has to respect that.

[ampersand]

bellamy will return to celtic. would be silly not to.

looking at fantasy football points though, he was man city's top performer last season wasn't he? and now he's nowhere near the squad. seems a bit odd. great wee player!

[eFestivals]

bellamy will return to celtic. would be silly not to.

why? It's a huge step down, it's an "I don't have a future" move.

(nowt vicious meant, it's just the reality of the SPL)

There's plenty of Prem clubs interested from paper talk, it'll come down to whether Shitty want to see him competing against them I guess.

looking at fantasy football points though, he was man city's top performer last season wasn't he? and now he's nowhere near the squad. seems a bit odd. great wee player!

It's because he's a c**t. It's no coincidence that every club he's been with couldn't wait to get rid.

Edited August 12, 2010 by eFestivals

[TheGayTent]

It's because he's a c**t. It's no coincidence that every club he's been with couldn't wait to get rid.

[ampersand]

why? It's a huge step down, it's an "I don't have a future" move.

(nowt vicious meant, it's just the reality of the SPL)

There's plenty of Prem clubs interested from paper talk, it'll come down to whether Shitty want to see him competing against them I guess.

It's because he's a c**t. It's no coincidence that every club he's been with couldn't wait to get rid.

[The Nal]

he's the only one I've seen play who's looked like he might have a Utd career, but I'm still far from certain about that (tho I've only seen the few short cameos he's had). I get the impression that Fergie's still far from convinced about him.

[Steve P]

Step away from big Sam and put down the vitriol.

[eFestivals]

which prem clubs? i know it's a step down, but at least he'll have european football (potentially anyway) and a great chance at a few medals.

according to paper talk, Spurs, Fulham and Sunderland are all defo interested, and perhaps others too.

[ampersand]

I think my feelings on wellbeck have been given before. He is rotten and very lucky to be at man its

[TheGayTent]

according to paper talk, Spurs, Fulham and Sunderland are all defo interested, and perhaps others too.

[Cardboard Box City]

the wonga

[pink_triangle]

All this is true yeah but they are great players and have all been injured for the last 2 years. Liverpool showed 2 seasons ago that if theyre on form and fit they can challenge anyone. But I agree, its ALL dependent on them keeping everyone fit though.

[TheGayTent]

I f**king hate that word.

[Cardboard Box City]

Presumably because you never have any

[TheGayTent]

Not enough to make me don a mockney voice, no.

[eFestivals]

That liverpool side had xabi alonso, I just dont see joe cole having that sort of influence.

Alonso was a huge loss for them, granted.

But he scored barely any goals, and Lucas who was used mostly as his replacement was clearly being mis-used in some way by Rafa most of the time, because on occasions he showed himself to be an awful lot better than how he mostly played.

But with Cole in squad now, Gerrard is likely to slot back into one of the central midfield roles (with Lucas as his backup I'd guess), which is supposedly where Gerrard prefers to play. So it should be as good a team as with Alonso, providing Cole can make an impact at the front comparable to Gerrard's.

[The Nal]

Alonso was a huge loss for them, granted.

But he scored barely any goals, and Lucas who was used mostly as his replacement was clearly being mis-used in some way by Rafa most of the time, because on occasions he showed himself to be an awful lot better than how he mostly played.

But with Cole in squad now, Gerrard is likely to slot back into one of the central midfield roles (with Lucas as his backup I'd guess), which is supposedly where Gerrard prefers to play. So it should be as good a team as with Alonso, providing Cole can make an impact at the front comparable to Gerrard's.

[TheGayTent]

These mid to deep central midfielder positions are strange. Where they may not do much on an impact level, goals etc, they are the pulse of the team. When Scholes went off on Sunday Utd were visably more blunt. Same with Liverpool last season. They're the footballers footballer and a thankless task as far as Alonso was concerned anyway. Garteh f**king Barry my arse.

[eFestivals]

These mid to deep central midfielder positions are strange. Where they may not do much on an impact level, goals etc, they are the pulse of the team. When Scholes went off on Sunday Utd were visably more blunt. Same with Liverpool last season. They're the footballers footballer and a thankless task as far as Alonso was concerned anyway. Garteh f**king Barry my arse.

I don't disagree, but I reckon there's a much greater chance of things working for Liverpool this season with Cole/Gerrard than Gerrard/Lucas in those positions.

I'll be quite interested to see how Woy uses Lucas tho. If he makes better use of him than Rafa did then I wouldn't be hugely surprised for him to turn out to be one of Liverpool's better players this season - when he's played well (on just a few occasions under Rafa ) he's looked a very decent player and not the donkey he's been for most of the time.