Football 2011-2012

[pink_triangle]

Its refreshing to have someone on TV who doesn't just sit on the fence like Hanson or Jamie Redknapp though. Hes only two days in the job too! I never watch pre, half time or post match analysis on Sky because its so poor. We need more like Souness, Giles, Dunphy, Brady on TV. Hanson and Shearer on MOTD may as well not be there for the "opinion" they give.

[The Nal]

The world cup 2010 was the tipping point for me, I now have to either sky plus motd or mute live games to avoid hearing shearer and Hansen. I agree with you about people getting off the fence, I can disagree with everthing a pundit says but like them a pundit because they get a reaction from me. Surely for a liverpool fan the presence of a hate figure like neville adds something to the viewing experience that a bland ex man utd player like scholes could not.

Edited August 16, 2011 by The Nal

[Wooderson]

The world cup 2010 was the tipping point for me, I now have to either sky plus motd or mute live games to avoid hearing shearer and Hansen. I agree with you about people getting off the fence, I can disagree with everthing a pundit says but like them a pundit because they get a reaction from me. Surely for a liverpool fan the presence of a hate figure like neville adds something to the viewing experience that a bland ex man utd player like scholes could not.

[pink_triangle]

I want the analysis to be of a high standard, delivered in an engaging, believable manner. If Neville was suitable for this job I wouldnt give a fiddlers what team he played for.

On the flipside I don't wanna see someone who is clearly not suited to a role continue to struggle and squirm on live television. Neville has in my mind chickened out of a management career and through no fault of his own has wobbled in an ill-fitting suit in front of a camera on a Monday night. .

[Wooderson]

Agreed on the first point, however the unfortunate fact is that the people most qualified to give high standard, engaging punditry are often lower league managers or journalists such as brassell and vickery from 5 live world football phone in. Unfortunately they may have an in depth knowledge of the game but wont bring in ratings and thats what sky want. More people wil tune in for good looking, bland jamie redknapp than Gabriel (knowledgable but face for the radio) marcotti.

As for the second point Im glad that neville hasnt gone in for a management career as he would have inevitably skipped the queue in front of young british managers with succesfull managerial track records. If the likes of gerrard and terry get fast tracked to their clubs managerial jobs I dont think it will be an example of their courage more of them being overpromoted

[The Nal]

Eboue gone from Arsenal now too.

Is Wenger going to replace any of these guys?

[TheGayTent]

Eboue gone from Arsenal now too.

Is Wenger going to replace any of these guys?

[eFestivals]

oooooOOOO .... UEFA getting tough with Shitty.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14490740.stm

Perhaps they'll have more teeth than was thought?

Or perhaps more likely, such things will only happen to wannabe big-boys, those outside the long-running clique?

[eFestivals]

Eboue gone from Arsenal now too.

Is Wenger going to replace any of these guys?

I guess in theory he doesn't have to with Eboue - I saw something the other day which said he wasn't included in Arsenal's 25 player squad for the Prem, so presumably Wenger thinks he already has two better players for any position Eboue might have played in.

(I haven't seen a squad list, so I've no idea who the other players might be).

[strummer77]

I guess in theory he doesn't have to with Eboue - I saw something the other day which said he wasn't included in Arsenal's 25 player squad for the Prem, so presumably Wenger thinks he already has two better players for any position Eboue might have played in.

(I haven't seen a squad list, so I've no idea who the other players might be).

[eFestivals]

Don't think squad lists have been announced yet because the windows still open? Could be the CL qualifier one though, in which case I guess Wenger knew he was off so wouldn't have included him.

seems I was slightly off-target with what I'd said, and it's a squad number he'd not been given - but as you said, quite possibly because he was known to be off somewhere.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14526222.stm

All the same, he's only likely to be in that situation (without lots of complaints from all directions) if Wenger felt he had adequate cover for the positions that Eboue does.

[kaosmark2]

i dunno if he's kissed the badge, but he's "always wanted to play in the MSL" and "it's a dream come true".

[pink_triangle]

Blackburn bid for raul!! You do get the impression they have a tactic of bidding for famous players that they have no chance of signing, possibly to keep the fans happy. No doubt jerome anderson will have a sub stnadard player he can send blackburns way instead.

[Jaybles]

Just got back from Fratton park (supporting my second team )

Good game against Reading and a much needed win. Think the first 11 is still a strong side and good to see Benjani back blue, he got a massive cheer from the crowd coming on the pitch.

Still drastically need a few more players to survive in the championship, any injuries and we are struggling.

[pink_triangle]

I thought it was a great result for arsenal in the "we lost our best player to barcelona" match yesterday. A win and clean sheet make them big favourites to progress.

[eFestivals]

I thought it was a great result for arsenal in the "we lost our best player to barcelona" match yesterday. A win and clean sheet make them big favourites to progress.

i was quite surprised how good the teamsheet looked on paper last night, especially when considering that RVP & Nasri were banned and Wilshire was injured.

It's a shame that the reality didn't match it - I thought they were pretty dreadful at times.

And the bench .... I hadn't realised just how thin the Arsenal squad has become, so thin that Bendtner was included and I don't think that was part of the plan. And aside of him there weren't any other 'names'.

Wenger needs to get that wallet out, and damned quick!

[jump]

Wenger's squad is getting thinner, Gervinho has got a 3 match ban whilst Barton is banging on about how he stopped a burglar the other night.

[The Nal]

i was quite surprised how good the teamsheet looked on paper last night, especially when considering that RVP & Nasri were banned and Wilshire was injured.

It's a shame that the reality didn't match it - I thought they were pretty dreadful at times.

And the bench .... I hadn't realised just how thin the Arsenal squad has become, so thin that Bendtner was included and I don't think that was part of the plan. And aside of him there weren't any other 'names'.

Wenger needs to get that wallet out, and damned quick!

[eFestivals]

I see that 'Arry is still trying to bankrupt Spurs (just as he has every club he's worked for), trying to get Adebayor on £170k a week.

Keep it up 'Arry.

[pink_triangle]

I see that 'Arry is still trying to bankrupt Spurs (just as he has every club he's worked for), trying to get Adebayor on £170k a week.

Keep it up 'Arry.

[eFestivals]

Its as if Arry wants him because he is availble not because of his team strengths/weaknesses.

'Arry, do that? He'd never do such a thing.

PMSL

[TheGayTent]

Also after Scott parker, to me that signing doesnt make sense. Its as if Arry wants him because he is availble not because of his team strengths/weaknesses. Spurs dont need another centre midfield in my opinion.

[The Nal]

On the basis that he doesn't want Palacios and he's on his way as soon as a buyer is found, plus Jordan's baby in disguise is pretty average, I'd have said Parker is exactly the type of player Tottenham need.

His age is the only stopper I see.

Unfortunately.

[ralph250]

I guess in theory he doesn't have to with Eboue - I saw something the other day which said he wasn't included in Arsenal's 25 player squad for the Prem, so presumably Wenger thinks he already has two better players for any position Eboue might have played in.

(I haven't seen a squad list, so I've no idea who the other players might be).

[eFestivals]

Thought Arsenal got away with it last night.

yeah, I did too. Luckily they should be a little stronger for the 2nd leg with RVP and Wilshire back (and maybe even Nasri, who knows?), as long as they don't get further decimated by injury between now and then.

There's also a pretty good possibility I guess that they'll get other players in in the meantime - unless they have to stick to the same squad as they named for the first leg (I'm not sure how it works)?