Football 2011-2012

[TheGayTent]

Say what you want about the predictability and blandness of Hansen and Lawrenson, but neither are genuinely despised. Both have been stinging in their critiscm of issues on and off the pitch. Whether Hansen would knock Kenny live on air is another thing.

[Benj]

Hansen's a berk, but IMO it's a very good pundit.

Lawrenson's become a cariacature (sp?) of himself, rarely offers anything insightful, and I do genuinely despise him (as a pundit).

[TheGayTent]

They're both alright I reckon, not a patch on Grey in the insight/ interest stakes though, shame he was such a misogynist c**t really

[The Nal]

Andy Gray was a world class c**t and a shite pundit. "Final word" with Andy Gray was one of the worst things in the history of television.

[eFestivals]

I finally agree with TGT. Andy Gray is as shit as they get.

Insight?

[Benj]

Andy Gray was a world class c**t and a shite pundit. "Final word" with Andy Gray was one of the worst things in the history of television.

[The Nal]

I finally agree with TGT. Andy Gray is as shit as they get.

Insight?

[Benj]

I think I see the connection here with Benj....

[The Nal]

De Rossi on the way to Citeh apparently. Theres another very expensive squad player for them.

Are they just going to buy every half decent wantaway player in the world?!

[Benj]

De Rossi on the way to Citeh apparently. Theres another very expensive squad player for them.

Are they just going to buy every half decent wantaway player in the world?!

[The Nal]

Who's he? never heard of him

[ralph250]

that's different to just about every other report. It's also a LOT more than Arsenal would have paid in the January window if they'd followed thru at that time.

I think it's safe to assume that the beeb have got it wrong.

Edited August 9, 2011 by ralph250

[The Nal]

'The situation is that I'm an Inter player and there is a big chance that I'll still be an Inter player at the 31st of August. There's also a chance that I leave.'

The interviewer asks: 'Does that have to do with you?'

Sneijder: 'No, not really. That's more because of the club. The club has been really clear: "If a good bid comes in, than we have to let him go."

'They don't want to loose me, but there is a chance that they'll let me go.'

Interviewer: 'Do you want to go?'

Sneijder: 'I don't know. That's why I say, I'm an Inter player and the there is a big chance that I'll still be at the 31st of August. And if something crosses my road, I have enough time to judge that and to take a decision about that.'

Interviewer: 'We're standing here now, but If Manchester calls and they want to have you, you would immediately say yes, won't you?'

Sneijder: 'Yeahh, but Manchester hasn't called officially.'

Interviewer: 'And unofficially?'

Sneijder: 'Nahh, unoficially maybe'

Interviewer: 'Have they also called you, I mean is there any contact? Of course there is contact..?'

Sneijder: 'There's always contact. I have contact with everybody, haha. You know that don't you?'

'No, but there's nothing going on right now, so.. I'm here now, and I'm going in now to the guys (Dutch national team) that I haven't seen for a while now and I'm going to concentrate on that right now. Besides that, I'm an Inter player and I'm with the Dutch team now.'

Interviewer: 'You're going to England together with the other players. Are you also coming back with the other players?'

Sneijder: 'Uhh, you mean back to Holland?'

Interviewer: 'Or is there any consultation planned in England?'

Sneijder: 'Uhhh, I don't know'

Interviewer: 'Oh, I hear it, yes, right?'

Sneijder: 'Uhh.. Well, I'm going away after the game. At least, if I get the permission of our (national) coach. I have to go back.'

Edited August 9, 2011 by The Nal

[eFestivals]

Then Press Association, Skysports, the Independant, The sun, the express, the mirror, the star, are all wrong too.

just about everyone was reporting it before pen was put to paper as something like £5M/£7M or £6M/£6M.

My presumption was that the beeb had it wrong after the event, but if the others say the same then I guess that's it. It seems weird that it shifted so much from what was reported beforehand tho.

[Steve P]

all reporting £15m deal; £12m up front then £3m potential add-ons.

I really hope (and assume) for Wengers sake, this deal doesn't impact on his budget regards strengthening elsewhere. Fan reaction is not going to be good if Wenger ends the window with a £15m 17 yr old winger and not defensive reinforcements.

[sifi]

I hear Tottenham have just signed a new Italian forward.

Grabatelli.

Too soon?

[pink_triangle]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14468380.stm

"There is a lot of competition for places here and that is part of the attraction," he said.

Otherwise translated as the likes of everton, villa and sunderland showed no interest in me, so I am going to have to settle with sitting on stokes bench!

[ralph250]

I'd be amazed if we've paid that much up front, just not the way we do business. He's a top talent, and though we need to sort out our current problems, i'm glad we're still looking to the future.

[ralph250]

Regards Nasri:

GoonerTalk Chris Wheatley

Marouane Chamakh has revealed on French TV that he believes Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are going to leave AFC this summer (via @ASCFR).

GoonerTalk Chris Wheatley

Chamakh "It's a difficult situation for the boss. It's not a matter of money. He wants to find players to replace them but can't find them."

5 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply »

Chamakh: "It's weird for a club like Arsenal that Samir Nasri hasn't signed a new contract, and now they are in a difficult situation."

5 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply »

GoonerTalk Chris Wheatley

http://twitter.com/#!/GoonerTalk

Edited August 9, 2011 by ralph250

[spwan-of-the-devil]

So Stoke sign another CB in Upson on a two year deal! Considering we need a Midfielder another Striker and a left back and he strengthens the area we are allready strong in..

As for pundits the worse one for me has to be David Pleat.

[ralph250]

Rumours of Eto'o to Anzhi, 35m euros to Inter. 20m euros wages per year. Crazy stuff.

Edited August 10, 2011 by ralph250

[pink_triangle]

Average Roma midfielder. Thinks hes Totti. Hes not.

[Steve P]

I agree that we've handled things very very poorly this summer regarding tranfers in and out of the side. We should have sold Nasri as soon as the transfer window opened really. He's obviously been turned by the cash City are offering - and to be fair who wouldn't if you were being offered £180k a week. The long and short of it is we just can't compete with the wages that Utd, Chelsea and City pay and certainly can't afford the same squad depth, at least not until the stadium has been paid off. Although it pains me to say it, realistically now we won't be challenging for the league again for a good long time. Despite the money they've spent this summer, the same goes for Liverpool too.

[Wooderson]

I agree that we've handled things very very poorly this summer regarding tranfers in and out of the side. We should have sold Nasri as soon as the transfer window opened really. He's obviously been turned by the cash City are offering - and to be fair who wouldn't if you were being offered £180k a week. The long and short of it is we just can't compete with the wages that Utd, Chelsea and City pay and certainly can't afford the same squad depth, at least not until the stadium has been paid off. Although it pains me to say it, realistically now we won't be challenging for the league again for a good long time. Despite the money they've spent this summer, the same goes for Liverpool too.

[The Nal]

I dont agree he is average. When compared to totti your right but in my opinion there isnt a single premiership player currently playing who is as good as totti at his peak. The premiership isnt exactly full of top class midfielders at the moment, I think de rossi compares favourably with the likes of carrick, mikel, barry,etc who are all getting plenty of game time at top clubs.

Edited August 10, 2011 by The Nal